The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-01

State Federation of Women's clubs,
which occurred on Saturday, April 20.
at the Masonic temple and surely we
shall not be guilty OF exaggeration IL
We assert that this fifth annual conven-
tion exceeded all the previous ones in
point OF numbers brilliancy and the
general arrangements. IL was day OF
perfect enjoyment which will long be
remembered by those who shared In us
joyous festivities; moreover, II seemed
as though the material world was IN
perfect harmony with the spirit or the
occasion for "even the deep blue hea-
vens looked glad and gladness bloomed
from the blossoming ground. The ear
ly morning trains rolled in, bringing
large delegations of club women from
the four corners OF the. state. That rep
resentative club OF the Pawtuxet val
ley, the Coventry Woman's club, sent
delegation of sixty, from the Woon-
socket clubs came large delegations,
from Newport and Middietown Also
and Bristol and Warren as well. THESE
were joined by large numbers of Provi-
dence club women and at half past ten
o'clock Masonic temple was the scene
OF large and brilliant assemblage OF
club women. representative of the edu-
-catinnat circles and culture OF our city
and state.
At If O'clock Miss Ruth Il. Franklin
of Newport, president OF the Rhode Is
land Federation. with several raps OF
her gavel. called the great gathering
10 order and spoke few words OF well
come.
Following, Miss Clara Craig, secre-
tary of the Federation, read an excel
lent report OF the work OF the same
during the past year. The correspond
ing secretary. Miss Grace Powe OF
Woonsocket. then presented her report.
as did also the treasurer, Miss susan -.
Rawson. Mrs. Eugene Kingman. who
had been chosen 20 summarize the work
accomplished by the eixteen clubs, con-
stltuting the State Federation, then
read a delightfully."- written and most
interesting report of the same.
Mrs. Laura B. Edwards of Woon-
socket. chairman OF state correspond
ence, presented also a brief report ana
Mrs. George B. Francis OF Providence,
chairman of the committee on creden-
tials, read her report.
The roll call OF the delegates was
then called by Miss Clara Craig. when
the delegates or voting body OF the
large assemblage retired TO "A room ad-
joining the main hall. Here important
business incident TO the convention was
conducted and the annual election OF
officers occurred. The first business
considered was the revision OF the con-
sttution. In this connection article III
WAS amended TO read as follows, viz;
THE object of the federation shall be
10 bring together for mutual help, for
intellectual Improvement for social un-
ION for definite. practical work. and. in
case OF need, united action the differ
ent women's clubs of the state"
Bylaw III was amended TO read as
follows: Tine annual meetings shall
be held in April at such places as the
executive board may decide. and other
meetings may be held at the most CON
venient place when thought to be de-
sirabe by the board
Miss Katherine Allan OF NewHrt
then presented the question of deciding
upon some general plan of work for the
federation during the coming year.
After a deal OF discussion IL was de-
cided that measures be taken by the
federation toward the establishment of
a kindergarten system in the mill VIII
lagos Of the state.
The annual election OF officers TO I'll
vacancies then occurred, resulting as
follows: First vice-president, Mrs. G.
of Bristol; third vice-presi-
dent. Mrs. Walter Stokes Irons of Prov
idence: recording secretary. Mrs. john
son of Pawtucket: directors, EmbreoSo
club, Mrs. Thomas Aldrich; O. NJ. 5. c.
club of Woonsocket, Miss Wells; Para
disc club of Middletown, Miss Mabel
Brown: Providence Fortnightly, Miss
Katherine Hubbard; Read. Mark and
Learn of Providence. Mrs. Arthur +.
Rich. Round Table club of Woonsock-
ct Mrs. Siocum: Sarah T.. Doyle of
Providence. Miss Reberca Ring Woon-
socket Fortnightly. Mrs. Cook.
During the business session in the
rear room the audience in the main
hall were delightfully."- entertained by
the Glee club of the Rhode Island Wo-
mans club, led by Mrs. Rawson.
Following the election of officers at
precisely / O'Clock the convention ad-
iourned 10 the beautiful dining room.
above, where Tilllnghast q Lyman had
prepared the following menu: Fillet of
beef. mushroom sauce; potato croquet-
tes; chicken salad; butter, rolls, olives
ices, cream, cake; coffee.
Nearly 400 club women were seated
at the tables and the room with ITS law
ish decorations Of the stars and stripes,
tire vases of yellow jonquils and potted
plants and the elaborate costumes of
the ladies all combined to create a bill
liant scene AT the head table were
seated the officers of the federation,
~se+ttT the distinguished guests. and then
Il was discovered with genuine regret
that Mrs. William II. Lowe, the nation.
al president. who had been eagerly eX-
pected. was not among them Miss
Franklin then announced 20 the ex-
pectant company that a late telegram
had summoned Mrs. Lowe To her home
in Atlanta. Ga. because OF the sudden
illness, of her husband. It was also an
nounced that Mrs. Blair OF New Hamp
shire Mrs. Noble OF Connecticut and
Mrs. Needham of Vermont were unable
TO be present as was anticipated.
Mrs. q. NJ. r.. Rowe, president of the
Massachusetts Federation, and Mrs. +.
e Porter OF the Maine Federation were
present however, as was also MISS
Wilkinson. secretary OF the National
Humanitarian league.
During the luncheon hour the Talma
Ladies' ochestra discOursed national
and familiar airs and rs the strains OF
the "Star Spangled Banner arose on
the air the great company, with one
accord. arose TO their feet In that "one
touch of nature which makes the whole
world kin" At the conclusion of the
luncheon Miss Franklin in a few fclici-
tous words introduced the first speaker.
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