The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1901-02-23
CLUBS.
Continued from Page 81

however, are we'll chosen and may indeed
offer subject for meditation to many a
club. Some woman has said that the
meeting o! the New York federation
was stale. fiat and Improbable" Mrs.
Chester has attempted to explain the
reasons for such an assertion and she
opens her attack by quoting the follow
ing conversation:
Did you attend the federation Of
cIubs!' asked one woman of another.
Il attended the federation OF clubs, y
was the reply.
She maintains that each session neces.
STATED an entire change Of costume,
and that one newspaper in speaking Of
the convention said that the "note-
worthy feature of the occasion was the
number of handsome gowns" Adorn
ment of the head rather than the
thoughts inside were the inspiration OF
the meeting. according to her idea. Mrs.
Chester insists upon her belief in femi-
ninity, but thinks that many valuable
ideas might be learned from men. As.
for example, no conference Of 10000
men would be spoken Of as noteworthy,
because of the handsome coats, trousers
and jewelry of the delegates, but on ac-
count OF something said or done that
would outlive the heeting life Of daily
paper. She also carries her remarks
still further, observing that in no con.
ference OF men would the presiding Off.
Ger need to run "the gamut of styles Of
geptleman's suits from roundabout to
Prince Albert coat. with trousers, hats
and neckwear to match" Mrs. Chester
does not pay kindly or even charitable
acknowledgement to the fact that wo-
men, with few not-to-be envied excep
tions, feel more at their ease in speaking
or presiding and are better able to regu-
late certain gray tissues, il clothed in
well-fitting gown and wearing becom-
ing hat. Doubtless one reason for the
increasing amount of thought given to
chiffoDs and frou.frous at conferences Of
women's clubs is the early criticism and
ridicule by people and newspapers OF
club women's attire. There is always
that vast distinction moreover to be
taken into consideration between atteh-
ton and over. attention in regard to the
question Of dress. Another subject OF
criticism is the too frequent insertion in
addresses Of quotations from Emerson,
Wordsworth, Keats and others which
render paper, according to her express
sion, "a batch OF familiar quotations "
and resembling animated scrapbooks.'
Another topic of Mrs. Chester's in.
disposition, and in this case worthy
one. lie the array Of subjects under dis
cussion. She gives the list, which is
certainly an appalling one, at the meet
ing OF the New York federation-"Child
culture. public schools, libraries. fireside
travel, unusual occupations, state edu-
cation OF children. industrial arts, style
in journalism; industry and application
in writing; market value Of women's
pen products; advantages Of institution
al life; progress in club work; civics;
province of the musical society; music
10 Europe and America; the place that
music should occupy in America. congre'
gational singing, Intelligent care Of the
physical welfare of children, literature
and art for children, environment, TIE
problem Of dependent children, the do.
Jugs and undoing Of landlords. Mrs.
Chester's theory is, had this been a
mans convention, few subjects would