The San Francisco call., 1899-12-28
CLUB WOMEN
MEET To FORM
A Fedora TON
Steps 7 oWard a State
Organization.
Oakland once San Francisco Call.

Suc broadway, Dec. u.
a meeting OF club women was held in
the parlors or the Unitarian Church this
afternoon, at which were representatives
OF some OF the best-known organizations
IN the State. The meeting was called by
Mrs. Ella NJ. Sexton, who holds an i'm
portant place in both club and a liter
airy way. and was for the purpose of dis
cussing the federation OF all the clubs OF
California. About fifty ladies were pres
ent
The gathering was an interesting one
II brought together workers In the suf-
trage movement: philanthroplc ladies who
iaFor federation as a more powerful
means for good: conservative ones who
are willing 10 see clubs In general join
II their own takes no part in the ques-
uon' and others who were utterly in ig-
norance on the whole subject and said
so. There were a number OF bright
speeches that kept TO the subject and
were enjoyable
Mrs. Lloyd Baldwin presided and Miss
Soule Of Alameda acted as secretary.
Mrs. Sexton gave the most interesting
address OF the afternoon. in which she
gave a few reasons for federation. She
said in part:
That the individual clubs of California
belonging 10 the General Federation OF
Nomens Clubs should unite In a State
organization appears TO me most desir-
able and feasible. To this association
should be welcomed also every woman :
club OF the State. and these, with the 4OOl
members OF the twenty societies already
enrolled in the General Federation, would
form body Of representative women able
10 inaugurate system OF work upon the
broadest lines and for the general good
or the state as a whole. The system Of
education in California, for Instance, with
d view TO better sanitation aud improve
ment OF country schools. the establish
ment OF free kindergartens. OF travelling
libraries or library extension. OF free text
books, the formation OF town and village
Improvement and beautifying societies an
investigation OF the working conditions OF
women and children throughout the State
and plans for the betterment OF such
wage-workers. the study OF domestic
science. Any one Of these subjects taken
up by a State federation Of strong calm
vet enthusiastic club women promises
wondrous possibilities OF good"
Mrs. Sexton advocated the interest OF
club women in the educational systems
OF al public institutions for abandoned
defective or delinquent children
Mrs. Emma Shafter Howard, who is a
forcible and brilliant speaker. advocated
John f. Swift declared that federation is
on the way and will be carried in this
State
"A large number of clubs will unite. -
she said "and those that do not want TO.
Mrs. A A. Dennison spoke from the
point OF one who had made a brief but
thorough study Of the subject. Mrs Sims
Of Berkeley was also called upon
Mrs. K. p. Gleason, president OF Ebell
begged TO be excused. She said that she
attended, not as a representative OF her
club but I'm a personal way and as one
who was not posted whatever on the sub
ject OF federation.
At the close OF the meeting a resolu-
ton favoring federation was adopted
without dissenting voice. though there
was n feeling entertained by a few that
general federation was not entirely salts
factory 10 their minds. Mrs. Sexton said
that the afternoon had been an encour-
aging one and that she was pleased with
the results. which showed a strong senti-
ment in favor OF the uniting of all the
clubs of the State.