New-York tribune., 1900-12-15

rs the wonan's Club an Aid 10 Intellectual and
Social Development" was the question that agi-
tated the League for Political Education at its
meeting yesterday. Clubdom won but twas a
fearful victory. The field strewn with dead
and dying illusions when the six doughty cham
pions three on each side. retired from the COM
bat. From II a. N. until 1915 p. m. pointed argu-
ments and bristling assertions cashed and ratified
the ayes and noes advanced and retreated.
Mrs J. Woolsey Shepard. presldent Of the Society
OF New-England Women, opened the debate in the
affirmative and traced the development Of the
woman's club idea 10 the wOman's college. broader
education giving rise 10 ambitions for broader
social and mental life. Mrs Shepard viewed the
club from a standpoint Of awe and admiration.
asserting that there women learn 10 rise above
the financial basis OF judgment. and valued her
fellow woman according TO her moral and intel
lectual worth.
Mrs Henry NJ. Sanders. president OF the League
for Political Education, expressed the negative in
q way cs lculated 10 reduce the glowing optimism
of the previous speaker cold shivers. Her funda-
mental argument was the unwisdom of separating
the interests Of the sexes and the picture that she
drew OF mans deterioration because OF his
clusion from woman's improving society was sad
IN a degree equalled only by the companion picture
OF woman's inanity when deprived Of mans stimu-
lating and inspiring cOmpanionship.
The affirmative arose 10 the occasion in the per
son Of Mrs Fannie Humphreys Gaffney. president
Of the National COuncil Of Women. who claimed
that ne ciuo acts as tst OF me ~ uTu eaiue ~
bringing the brilancy 81 the previously un-
polished diamond. She followed by Mrs.
a mon Hensley, president OF the Society Tor the
STUDY OF Life. who was supposed 10 support the
negative. but basely betrayed her trust by an
humorous tirade against club life that
really a strong argument for the ann native,
much the beWilderment OF some OF the more
serious minded among the audience. she spoke OF
the neglect Of home caused by women s clubs, por-
traying the husband al his lonely steam radiator
side through the winter evenings She pictured
waste Of time that might be prontaby spent
iI shopping and The cisturb2nce OF nome cofnLOrt
by me clubwomans acquired skin in debate She
inveighed against the folly Of going 20 The club 10
study authors and matters OF public Interest when
a woman could learn 50 much more easily by ask
iuE ner husband. who was always a mine OF N
formation all subjects.
Mrs Hensley's speech was constantly interrupted
hy bursts Of hilaTity. IN which negatives and al
frmatiVcs Joined with equal heartlness. and sefl-
business was restored only when Josiah q. PUN
ing aud deepening Influence" Of the club OF the
higher ideas and the LOFTY moral CONSCIOUSNESS
fhere developed.
Rv his iitoe the assernblage was feeling visibly
women were essential the progress Of the world.
lut the next speaker. Robert :. klX OF Cambridge,
Mass, dealt severe blow al their happiness bE d
statement that the only part Of women = club
dom that & worth anything Is .Ae phllanthroile,
and that it does not properly belong 10 what ls
known Women's clubs. he inumafeo broadly
that no woman Ia the ordinary clubs ever did any
thing notable In any line. Fortunately Tor their
the League for Political Education. which Was
pressly mentioned by Mr.. Ely as one Of the clubs
with 3 right 10 exist.
The frst speaker Mrs Shepard. summed up for
the defence-that is, the affirmatNe-after which
vote taken. in spite OF dlscouraEefnenis
the affirmative rose buoyantly with vote Of =
against ls negatives and the usefulness OF club He
was vndicated.