The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1901-10-26
THE COURIER.

portunity OF presenting them to you.
Fer the benefit Of the many clubs that
nave since entered our fold, you will
pardon little retrpspection. Seven
years ago this coming December the
Omaha Woman's club, through the
state chairman OF correspondence,
issued invitations to every club then ex.
isting in the state to attend the conven.
tion to be held in Omaha for the pur-
pose OF organizing a state federation to
be auxiliary to the general federation
Thirty.six delegates. representing as
many clubs, responded. At this meet
ing letter urging federation was read
from Mrs. Henrotin. An encouraging
talk was gwen by Mrs. Scammon, pres
ident of the Kansas and Missouri fedsr-
alton. After listening to three ad-
dresses. "State FEEDER alton as an Edu IA
tional Factor" THE Moral Utility Of
Federation" Benefit of Federation to
Isolated Clubs" the enthusiasm could
no longer be restrained-the motion
prevailed shat We proceed to organize"
len clubs became charter members.
Our year took furnishes the names OF
the officers elected, as we'll as those Of
each succeeding year, who have assisted
in laying the substantial foundation
upon which We now are building. The
records Of the intervening years chow a
gradual advancement, until now We find
ourselves requiring the services of eight
standing and four special committees.
Tnere is yet much-needed civic section
for the purpose Of improving and beau
tifying our towns. and for the purpose
OF public sanitation and municipal legis-
lation. to improve the physical and
moral condition OF the community. All
committees are now prepared to report;
you may judge OF their activity.
In anticipating the report OF the spe-
cial library committee which you autho-
rized at your last meeting, would say
that the Nebraska club women have
reason to feel exultant. not alone over
their successes, that their introduction
to legislation was in the interest of two
such magnificent measures as the trav-
cling library and compulsory education
bills. But thirty school days have
elapsed since the latter went into effect.
and already We are hearing Of its bene-
fetal results Our work on the new
school law is by no means completed.
We can assist by reporting to the truant
officers all cases that come under our
observation, also by having watchful
eye that the law is wisely and judic-
iously enforced.
In our efforts to develop better citi-
zsnship, wish the federation might ex.
press its sentiment on the subject Of
manual training for both boys and girls
in the public schools. Professor Beard
shear, president Of the National Edu-
cational Association, had this to say TO
the women of Iowa last May: Chill.
dren's intellectual imagination is ap-
pealed to over and over in books and
elementary sciences, but the construct
i've imagination is too largely ignored.
This does not mean that the youth must
make perfect products. 1t is remark
able what vast amount Of strength
and utility will come out OF an uncouth
structure and mechanism. The contriv-
ing and constructive abilities Of a pupil
are the most valuable to himself and,
therefore, to civilization. The
sweetest whistle boy ever blew is that
made by his own knife; the keenest Joy
a man ever experiences in material at.