The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-04
PLAN WORKED WELL
District Convention Of Clubs at
Rochester Was Successful.
THE FIRST ~ STRONG DISTRICT
Business Was Transacted Promptly
and With Despatch that Showed
.@s& Long Practice,
Special to The journal.


convention of delegates from the women's
clubs OF the first district belonging to the
Minnesota Federation of Womens Clubs full
nlled 80 successfully and pleasantly the ex-
pectations raised as to confirm fully the wis
dom or the1plan OF district organization rec
mended by the state federation. Conditions
in the first district are especially favorable
Ior strong organization, and for securing
large attendance at conventions, and it is
fortunate for this reason that the convention
or this district should be first in the spring
series, for its generation OF enthusiasm will
stimulate those Interested in other similar
conventions.
Outside of Minneapolis and st. Paul dis
tricts, the first district has the largest num-
Der of federated clubs, and several were char
ter members Of the federation and the leaders
OF the older clubs are women of experience in
state affairs, in touch and in sympathy with
the state federation. For this reason, al
though this years convention is the first, it
was as we'll managed state federation
convention that has Crystallized into form
approved by experience. The hostess club,
the Woman's Club, has belonged to the state
federation since its organization, and it's COM
mittee members from long familiarity with
federation methods knew just how to arrange
to get the maximum of profitable labor into
the day without oyercrowding it or sighting
the important social side of such occasions
The day was a model In it's mingling the
expeditions dispatch of business, mental
stimulus from speeches and discussions prac-
teal suggestions in reports, and artistic
pleasure leRt by music and attractive sur
roundings.
There were present about sixty club women
from outside the city, Wlnona having the
banner delegation of fifteen. While but one
or the numerous Rochester clubs is federated,
the nonfederated clubs were invited to the
nriIy
other unfederated clubs of the district were
Invited to send delegates and reports and sew
eral responded. Mrs. La Penotiere, state
president. announced that she would stand as
godmother for the youngest club in the dis
trict, the Ladies' Musical Club of Austin,
which Just Joined the state federation this
week. Most Of the delegates arrived on
Wednesday evening. Although the Rochester
club women had not agreed to entertain the
delegates, following in this the precedent of
the state federation, by special invitation near
~ all or tue visitors were guests in the hospita-
bic homes of the city The intervals between
meetings were spent in drives, during which
the visitors were very much impressed by the
beauties OF the streets and homes.
All Of the club visitors found time to drop
into the restroom, whose fame has made
Rochester widely known among club women.
This idea found its first practical expression
In Rochester, where 1t is seems as firmly es-
tabltshed and Indispensable as church or
school. The large apartment is the ground
floor Of large store in of the finest loca-
tons in town. It is so constantly used that
the wear and tear on furniture is very great,
and necessarily the furnishings are plain and
substantial. The number of daily visitors
often amounts to hundreds and they belong
to all classes of people having occasion to
visit the town. The room is managed by the
Womans Club and is supported by the contri-
buttons OF the business, the voluntary gifts
of those using the rooms and by the club.
The public library building also attracted
the delegates, who found in it model both
architeCturally and in adoption to its pur-
pose. 1t Is thoroughly up-to-date both in
management and contents and is made at
tractive by pictures and plants. It contains
upstairs large lecture room. The build
ing and considerable part of the well Sc
lected books were made possible to the city
by gifts from citizens. ..'
The convention was held in the Congre-
gational church, which was attractively
trimmed with ported plants and musical taste
was gratifed at each meeting by fine num-
bers by Mrs. Ralph L. Blakely, Miss Lull,
Miss Shangfeldt, Miss Wilson, Mr.. Andersen
and Hamlet Easton.
The meeting was presided over by Mrs. J.
C. Buchanan of Minneapolis who came by in
vitauon of the women of the district to take
the place of the district vice president, Miss
Ella Young, whose illness made necessary
her absence frSm the state The well-know1
ability of Mrs. Buchanan as an executive
officer enabled the convention to transact its
business completely and satisfactorily in 6
very short time, and the well arranged plans
Of the presiding officer and program commit
tee received the intelligent and capable co.
operation Of the delegates The admirable
management Of the business was one Of the
pleasantest and most interesting we'll as
instructive features of the convention. Ir
addition to the completion of the organiZa
ton, Mrs. Burdette Thayer OF Spring Vale!
was elected vice chairman Of the district ant
Mrs. E. B. Allen secretary and treasurer
officers will hold office two years, their cleo
ton alternating with that Of the presiding OF
hCer, the district vice president who il
chosen by the state federation each club will
pay cents per capita for district dues ant
will be entitled to four delegates; the mex
convention will be held In Winona. A tele
gram Of greeting was received from Mis-
Young and reply was ordered sent
Yesterday afternoon the reports of club
In response to roll call occupied the create
idea of the kind of work done in the district
the study courses, methods and public wor
Of the clubs. These reports and some o
the discussions had indicated a dissatsfac
ton with the self-centered, small club. Thi
paved the way for the, presentation of tn
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