The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-16
OPENED BY. MRS. JOHNSTON
Mrs. King of Georgia and Mrs. Pierce
of Alabama Talk EntertainingIy
of the Female Journalist
and Her Work.
BY ANNIE KENDRICK WALKER

The Womans congress at the morning
session yesterday was addressed by two
distinguished women in the newspaper
world Mrs. William King, of Georgia, and
Mrs Mildred B. Pierce, of Alabama. The
programme for Journalists Day was de-
lightful in every way. and a large assem-
bly, gathered in the handsome armory of
the Jefferson Volunteers, where the ses-
sions of the congress are now being held.
The opening night of the congress taxed
the seating capacity of the Womans club,
where 1t was intended to hold the congress,
and the Jefferson Volunteers kindly offered
their armory for the remaining sessions.
The armory was decorated with chrysan-
themums and palms, and at the conclusion
of the addresses AN informal reception was
held in the parlors
Mrs. Richard F. Johnston, the chairman
of the press department of the Woman's
board, opened the congress with a most
happy little talk, I'm which she introduced
Mrs. Mildred b. Pierce, of Alabama, the
editor and owner of the Chronicle Times.
Mrs. Pierce was no stranger to many per-
sons in the audience, she had been a
conspicuous figure at the press meeting
here in the spring and at the State fedora
ton meetings. AS she acknowledged the
applause which greeted her, she seemed to
embody all of ones ideals in regard to the
woman who presides over a perfectly ap-
pointed home, and at the same time grasps
the opportunities of the progressive and
oad+minded woman who keeps in touch
with the outside world. She was perfectly
gowned in grey, which brought out her ex-
tit 1e1,Ax u
that she understood the art of wearing be-
coming gowns, as we'll as knowing how to
conduct newspaper.
Mrs. Pieree's subject was 1.-THE Press, the
Pulpit and the Petticoat the first spreads
knowledge, the second spreads morals, and
the third spreads considerably"
"There is, she said, "a worthy division
of our subject-knowledge, morals and pet
ticoats. Were we not too modest We might
argue that the skirted press embraces all
three, and with logic conclude that the
newspaper woman is the crowned sovereign
of today"
1.-THE newspaper" she continued, 'Is the
throne from which she wields her power
the sweet influence of womanliness the
platform from which she enunciates her
views, the pulpit from which she breaches
her sermons"
I'm consideration of the spread of the pet
ticoat Mrs. Pierce cited a number of unu-
sual occupations engaging women. II have
no sympathy" she said, with the ambition
of women to be mistaken for men. With
all proper Difference to them, nothing in
their sphere appeals to me so attractively
as to excite the spirit of covetousness I
believe" she continued, that the tremen-
dous impetus given by the broadening
views of this end of the century respecting
the avocations of women could only result
in swinging the heightened pendulum far
out of the regular course, and that time
will regulate 1t to measured, steady
stroke"
Among the women who have presumably
invaded hitherto unoccupied spheres, Mrs.
Pierce referred to the occupations of Miss
Elsie Clems, the daughter of the great
fnancier, who has within the past year
been appointed inspector of the public
schools of New York city. Miss Lucille
Eaves has been honored by election to the
faculty of the Leland Stanford university
to succeed that eminent woman and histo-
rian, Mrs. Mary Sheldon Barnes. After
citing a number of Instances where women
have entered various fields of work, Mrs.
Pierce added that those women who,
through some unforeseen misfortune-some
sudden thrust of adversity-have been
forced from the protected paths without
training or experience, have proven them
selves with electrical response to the Sc
verest tests of brain and Drawn.
In speaking of the spread of the petit
coat over the newspaper field, Mrs. Pierce
said that three years ago there We're but
two women editors and proprietors of
newspapers in Alabama. Today there are
six, and, she added, amid great applause,
that she could recall no instance where a
woman undertaking the proprietorship of
a paper had failed.
Mrs. Pierce talked in the most practical
way of the business side of paper, and
emphasized the necessity of advertising in
an attractive way, which she said was car
ried to such an extent nowadays that the
advertising pages of the current magazines
had something of the delight of a picture
gallery. She called attention to the ten
dency of the times towards placing a
higher estimate upon newspaper advertis-
ing than formerly. If there is opportunity,
she said for greater development of knowl-
edge ana appreciation Win tne advertising
patronage, there is also room for immense
Improvement in the medium. The value Of
a paper is said to be guaged by It's ap-
pearance and the three essentials of
good paper are the editorial, local news and
advertising matter. 81 think" said Mrs.
Pierce, "that the strongest point for the
paper seeking advertising patronage is that
It should be we'll, even handsomely gotten
OUT
In speaking of newspaper work Mrs.
Pierce concluded by Emphasizing the SUBJ
tie fascination about ones newspaper and
the human affection which one feels for
ones paper, such as the sailor feels for his
ship, the engineer for his locomotive, per-
haps more so. she said, since the newspa-