The Minneapolis journal., 1901-10-10
TO ASK MEMBERSHIP
Colored Women's Club Will Seek to
Join State Federation.
THE MATTER HANDLED QUIETLY
The Application May Not Come Up
Till Late In the Con-
VentiOn.

The belief has been quite generally current
! among the club women of Minnesota for
some time that the state federation would not
be called upon this fall to consider the ques-
! tion Of the admission Of colored clubs into
| the state federation. Application blanks were
| called for and sent Last spring to the Ade-
phai, the twin city organization of colored
women At the invitation of the club the
state president, Mrs. Williams and a number
of other prominent club women were present
at a meeting of the club and discussed the
question
Following this, when the Adelphai took up
| definitely the question Of whether to use the
application blanks with which it had been
supplied a decided division of sentiment was
found in the club, and upon very full and
| careful consideration the question was tabled.
Several meetings interviewed and it was not
again taken up Following the August meet
ing it was stated by officers of the club that
there would be no regular meeting of the
club until after the meeting of the state fed
GRAFTON and there was no likelihood Of any
arrangements by which action could be
taken.
Contrary to this expectation, a special
meeting was called very quietly for Monday,
at the request Of several St. Paul members,
for the special consideration Of this question.
The meeting was held at the residence of
Mrs. v. D. Turner and the club refuses to
give out any information save that the mat
ter was reopened and canvassed thoroughly
and certain members were empowered to act
for the club along indicated lines
While the club refuses to verify the state
ment, 1t is quite certain that the application
for admission to the state federation will be
made, but it will be withheld up to a late
hour In this the club believes that it is
acting in accordance with the wishes of many
prominent club women who have urged the
colored club not to be a party to any public
agitation in the matter. The Adelphai dis
claims any responsibility for the agitation
which has been going on, placing the blame,
If there is any, upon the course Of action
taken by the white clubs Of the state.
The club feels that it has been forced into
false position, as the whole matter of
Joining the federation was brought up mad
yertently. When the club asked for an appli-
cation blank and information in regard to the
conditions Of membership, it was done simply
in the way Of acquiring a clearer and fuller
knowledge in regard to the organizations of
the state.
The controversy which arose among the
| clubs concerning the admission of colored
women called to the attention of the latter,
they say the fact that union with the other
clubs of the state would have many advan-
tages for them Many members of the Adel-
phal Club, however, feel that any advantage
which might be gained by joining the feder-
alton would be- offset by the opposition which
mem bership in the state. organization would
arouse. The officers of. the Adelphai Club
are President, Mrs Jennie E. Kemp Of Min
neapolis; vice president, Mrs. J. E. Porter
of st. Paul; secretary, Mrs. Gooden Of st.
Paul; treasurer, Mrs. Addison Davis Of st
| Paul.