The Washington times., 1902-02-25
Held to Be the Foundation of
National Life.
APPEAL TO AMERICAN MOTHERS
Dress Committee Approves Popular
ity of the Rniny-Dny skirt and
Condemns the street Scraper-
Reptiles for Hat Ornaments.


be called for are: A resolution presented
by the W. c. T. L.. condemning the pro-
lection OF vice in Manila; one offered by
Mrs. 1. c. Manchester, in favor of the
ltaxation of church property. and one con-
defnning the policy of concentration
camps in South Africa.
q s. The afternoon session of the National
Council OF Women opened with the report
of Mrs. Hannah J. Bailey. of the local
Counkl OF Women of Portland. Maine.
TsSs council now comprises nineteen
Affiliated societies. Some OF its work dur
ing recent years was done in the interest
O. a curfcw law. Il has also given time
ana thought TO the laws of marriage and
divorce, the establishment OF 4 summer
playground, the interest of universal
peace, foreign missions, the Boer concen-
Tation camps. and parliamentary usage.
The council succeeded in securing the
school board. 1t also superintendcd the
public observance of Flag Day.
Report of Dress Committee.
Mrs. Susa Young Gates read the report
of the committee on dress, by Mrs. Annie
Johnston, which was in part as follows:
I'm spite OF the lack of outward en-
couragement we will not admit failure.
We observe that the girl of today reSists
the effort of mother and dressmaker TO
encase her in coTsets. The growing in
terest in out-of-door sports is probably
partly responsible for this
The work of the Audubon Society was
spoken of and the suggestion of a Maine
man repeated, which was that the skins
of West Indian reptiles. which cost many
thousand lives. should be substituted for
those OF harmless song birds adorn-
snake was quite as beautiful as the body
of defunct blackbird.
The popularity of the rainy-day skirt
was spoken of with approval, and the
street scraper" condemned. Holmes Wig
Gus remarks on the subject OF trailing
skirts were here quoted. Encouraging re-
ports were read from Wellesley and else
where.
Activities of Childhood.
Mrs. Ida Smoot Dusenberry then made
an address on 'iThe Activities OF Child
hood"
She argued that the childs play is
means OF development and an education,
and should be so regarded by parents and
adults. Careless mothers often overlook
motives and actions OF the utmost impor-
tance TO the child.
IF you would have your child love you,"
the speaker continued, 'let him work for
you. Give him the opportunity of serv-
ice"
The close of the address was an ear
nest appeal for love in the home an in
fluence on the character of the child.
Promotion of Social Purity.
The next speaker was Mrs. Elizabeth
B. Grannis. president of the League for
the Promotion of Social Purity.
Il hope" she said, that the audience
will have patience with me if l make sew
eral references to the old Jewish and
Christian Scriptures as to the industries
OF women
Mrs. Grannis spoke of her own career
as publisher of a newspaper. and said
that all industries in which women could
serve were suitable to them. She eX-
pressed strong objections to what she
called the male man uSurplnB autnorlty
over the female man"
She referred to Anna, the prophecies,
and other women of the New Testament
as self-supporing women; compared the
modern wife and mother to Solomon S
model yirtuous woman, and held up the
husband of the latter an example TO
the modern man.
a " woman who develops many virtues"
she said, represents much more than the
average society belle"
Work Done by the Council.
The report of the local council of
Quincy. H., was then given by Mrs.
Woods, who said that argument which
has always been made against the strong
minded woman was that she would lose
her femninity. She said that the best
refutation OF that argument was. the fact
that Miss Anthony had lost none of her
woman!y qualities through her long fight
FOR suffrage.
The speaker reviewed the work which
the council had done during the past three
years, and one statement which called
forth applause was that shoes had been
supplied to a great number Of destitute
children through the efforts OF the coun-
Gil and the cooperation Of local mer-
chants.
Can n Mother Forget Her Own.
Mrs. Susa Young Gates. of Utah. then
read paper entitled Can Mother For
ret Her OWN" She said in part:
Domestic sincerity and truth are the
foundation OF national life. 1t has re-
mained for the nineteenth century to in
duce woman 10 be afraid or ashamed of a
large family"
She pointed out the fact that the for
cigu population Of this country is in
creasing far faster than the native Amer
lean. and compared the modern woman to
the rose made infertile by overcultiva-
tion. Women should not sacrifice physical
and moral development to the mental.
Again. the Iuxuries of century ago are
the necessities Of today, and the result
has been a certain degree of degeneracy.
Appeal to American Motherhood.
I appeal" she said, TO American
motherhood TO answer the question. Can
n mother forget her OWN II is not
enough for single women to devote them
selves to the study and care OF chill
Gren. The great law OF self preservation,
the wisdom Of the ages, must not be for
gctten. \ woman. if sought by good. up
right man whom she can love, should re-
gard IL as a duty TO become q wife to be /
well and strong. to assume the duties OF !
wise wifehOod and motherhood. We talk 4
CT leaving our impress on humanity. Let 4
US leave ourselves to our children.
Il am not talking TO the woman who .