Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-07
Iowa Women Vote to Have No Color
Line Drawn.

Line Drawn.
Milwaukee, June 6.-Above the mel
odious din caused by the chatter of fe-
sounded the gavel in the hand of Mrs.
Rebecca Douglass. Lowe a little after
10 o'clock yesterday morning, and the
fifth biennial meeting of the General
Federation of Women's clubs came 10
order. The largest public auditorium
in the Cream City was crowded to the
second balcony, and in the CLEAN Of
the electric lights glistened the gowns
of the representatives of women's or
CARNATIONS from Maine to California.
Miss Ella G. Sabin, president of the
Milwaukee Downer college, offered
prayer, and then Mayor David S. Rose
made the first address of welcome.
1T has been my privilege to attend
many national conventions, but this is
my first opportunity to address con-
yention of ladies'" said the mayor, and
then .ihe blushed. "This. scene is an
inspiration continued the city's chief
executive. II assure you our people
appreciate the honor you have bestow-
ed upon us in choosing this as your
meeting place.
The prinsipal event of the opening
session, the biennial address Of the
president, was then read by Mrs. Lowe.
She was greeted with applause and the
waving of handkerchiefs as she arose
to present her paper.
Color Question Will Not Down.
The color question has assumed a
more threatening aspect, and there is
serious division of opinion over the
matter of refusing seats to those who,
because of their African descent, are
barred thus far. ..
By a vote of II to the Iowa dele
CATION decided before the morning SEES
sion to enter a protest against the. ac-
ton of the board of directors of the
general federation in denying the New
Era club of colored women admission
to the general body. This. was preced-
ed by a lively discussion. Other state
federations are expected to take .simil-
ar action and a fight is predicted as a
result of the decision yesterday even
ing by the directorate in tabling the
duplication of the Boston Colored club
which has already been signed by Pres.
lident Lowe.
Following is the resolution adopted
1 DV Jne Iowa delegates: go.
Resolved, That as Iowa women We
deeply deplore the action of the boart
of directors of the general federation
in excluding from membership the col
ored delegates from Massachusetts;
that the progressive club women
awake to every movement that is cal
culated to advance the general good of
women generally, we most earnestly
urge a reconsideration of the question
to the end that the color, line be not
drawn" 4. sse,l1
Mrs. Bailey was made secretary OF
the meeting, and will present the pro-
test when the report Of the committee
on credentials is reached. @ d. til
A colored woman, representing the
Wisconsin Weekly Advocate. was adj.
mitted to the press gallery Yesterday.
| The New Era club was practically
admitted when President Lowe signed
the application of the organization
some say, and so the tabling of this
matter is equivalent to resembling the
| former action.
Later in the day the delegations
/ from Massachusetts and Utah decided
to make protests similar to that of the
Iowa women. In answer to the accusa
ton that they brought here Mrs. Ruff
fin, the colored delegate, to start trou.
| bic, the Massachusetts club womer
pointed out that Mrs. Ruffin. who is I;
woman of means, came to milwaukee,
lat her own expense. She cannot be
kept out of the convention because
she is a state delegate, even if her club
| is kept out of the federation.
At the afternoon session came a ser.
les of officers reports. The creden
tails committees report shows thai
Illinois has the largest delegation mum
4 bering 10 members.
Last night the Alhambra theatre was
| tthronged with fashionable audience
to see one of the star attractions O.
the convention. The stage was Sc
as a sculptor's studio, and as Mrs
Hamlin Garland, of West Salem, Wis
consin, lectured on the possibilities G.
sculpture in our cities and towns, two
Tart students in sculptor's attire mod
eled in clay.
Iowans Registered.
The following are the Iowans wht
i have received credentials to date:
| Ottumwa Women's club-Mrs. Emil,
Il. Merrill and Mrs. Cornelia r. Harper
j West Union Tourist club-Nrs
Georgs A. Wood, Mrs, S. E. Robinson