The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-08
CLUB DEPARTMENT.
Kansas Social Science Federation.

Kansas Social Science Federation.
This department of The Wichita Daily
Eagle is devoted exclusively to the inter-
esjs OF cub women and the State Fedora
ton
The cultivation Of an interchange of
thought cannot be too strongly urged. Re
ports of clubs and any special features Of
club work are solicited.
All communications should be sent to the
PRESIDENT
OFFICERS OF THE K. S. S. F.
President. Mrs. S. r. Peters, Newton
Vice President Mrs H C. Toler, Wichita
Corresponding Secretary.
..........M Mrs. George W. Puett, Newton
Recording Secretary. Observation-Disclosures.
Mrs. ]. NJ Miller. Council Grove
Treasurer. Mrs. Hill P. Wilson, Lawrence
The Club Woman and the Public Schools.
paper read by Mrs. Agnes Grove Amos,
Of Kingman. before the Social Science
Round Table at Topeka)
The first woman's club founded in Amer
Tea, or at least the first about which we
have authentic information, was held in
the city of Penn 102 years ago. under the
name Of 'sThe Female Society for the Re
lief and Improvement Of the Poor" II
was begun and organized by Quaker
spinster Anne Parish, just before the
nineteenth century began.
The society consisted at first Of % young
Of qTylflinE
who met every week to go about among
the poor and needy. When the city was
visited with yellow fever, shortly after
the formation of the club. the metal Of its
members was tried, and found to ring true.
While those who had the means fed from
the town. these % Quaker women stayed
with Anne Parish and fought the plague.
raising money, visiting the dying, clothing
the we'll and comforting the bereaved-
This club has been perpetuated through
the descendants of its first members, and
now supports a home where INDECENT
women may sit in comfortable rockers and
have three warm meals day.
These women do well any kind Of work
they can do. and the home is well patron
ICED.
Club work has grown perhaps from that
spark which was kindled years ago, until
now Il reaches out. and is carried into all
the avenues of life.
The club woman of today. with her
friends. yields an influence that VIII be
felt. not only in the homes and schools
OF America. but one that will also be felt
in the halls of legislation.
There Is no way in which so much in
fiuence can be welded as through the
schooroom. The man or woman who
writes for teachers or who speaks to
teachers. has the rarest privilege Of
moulding human society. The teacher. in
her every day work. is liable to forget her
nigh mission in the details of her labor; il
liable 10 become Indifferent in the charac-
ter-builGing possibilities: is liable to forget
now high Intelligent activity of mind IS
above routine study of facts and pro-
cesses: how much nobler self-control IS
than mere obedience: how much grander
loving confidence is than forced submits
sion 10 authority; how much more seren-
ity in service is, than fretful Impotence
The teacher has every local irritation,
every temporary influence to cause her to
forget the best in the better. neglect the
better in the good. and lose the good in
the bad.
The club woman, 70 be a true helper 30
the public schools. must be one who has
the disposition. the opportunity, and the
skill to rally teachers. and school boards
"a their hes, work, constantly and consist
entity. Il matters not what position she
occupies. in school or out. in official posi-
ton or in private life. with voice or pen.
she does a glorious work who inspires
educators 10 their noblest intelligent effort,
every day with every child
The club woman Is i'm a position to do
this. for she is. as a rule. a mother. The
parent ana teacher then have the child
in common. o~ trust. and are. or should be.
muuary Interested N all pertaining 70 the
development OF the child. physical intel
iecruaL moral and spiritual
The problem or sanitation should be
aEitated in every club. and BY every club
woman. until states are removed from the
public schools and there are no free text
books for indiscrin1Irate distribution.
The germ theory Of disease is generally
accepted. and ;he uncleauliness Of the
slate and snonge breeds germs. and the
promiscuous handling of books distributes
ktlNFn GDt-4tAeS- t i-t-rNAtAif ta-NN-tiS -+A
ri a self-pride that should DE developed 10
its fullest extent
Another pernicious habit practiced in our
punHc schools. Is the taking up and giving
our IN 4 promiscuous way. the pencils used
by he pupils
No better way could be thought Of for
the transmission Of germs Of the mucus
membrane. than this Interchange Of PEN
ellis. The state Of Indiana requires all PEN
icils and states cleansed every evening in
an antiseDtic solution.
The drinking water and drinking vessels
need their attention. Good. pure water
should always be accessible. and the water
Vessels clean. Is there a woman before
me who would allow the water pail and
d;pper TO be used six. seven, eight or nine
months in the year without cleansing?
No, emphaticaIly no! Yet children reared
with the greatest attention given 70 clean
Illness in the home, are sent 10 the public
schools. and are confronted with the water
standing in galvanized iron pals. and the
same kind Of dippers 10 drink from.