The Topeka state journal., 1902-05-06
Appears to Lie Between Mrs.
Decker and Mrs. DenisOn.
MRS. M. V. HUMPHREY
Is Being Pushed For Place Of
First Vice President.
Address of Mrs. A. H. Thomp-
son, Of Topeka, Chairman
Of the Section on Value of Sub
ordinate Federation.

Los Angeles. Cal, May s.-The politi-
cal outlook this morning at the xo-
mems conference is that Mrs Decker
and Mrs. Denison are running neck and
neck for the presidency. Mrs. Decker's
reiterated statement not to interfere
with the chances of the New York WO-
man has apparently had no effect on
her following and state after state has
offered allegiance. Mrs. Denison is not
at al perturbed over the change and
Would throw her influence to Mrs Deck
er If to anyone and her still loyal friends
are in every way trying to advance the
interests OF their candidate.
The possibility of the presidency COM
ing west, which was not marked at the
opening of the convention, has unset
tied the promoters of candida tes for the
secondary offices and the Burdette
forces seem to have scattered somewhat
since California women have not been
d unit in her candidacy for chief office,
though many continue to believe she
will catch whatever plum is thrown 10
the hostess state
Utah is one of nineteen federated
states which have not mad an Office in
the general federation and they are be-
ginning to loudly protest against their
lack of representation. Utah Will be
satisfied with a position on the board
and for this place Mrs. w A Nelden of
Salt Lake City is prominently men
toned.
In this eleventh hour there is unset
tlement for the nominating committee
meets at O'Clock this afternoon and all
sorts Of incipient booms are being start
ed Minnesota is announcing Mrs.
Lydia P Williams for the presidency.
Kansas is pushing Mrs. Mary Vance
Humphrey for first vice president,
while delegates mentioned for minor Of
fees are numerous.
The second business session met this
morning with the house crowded
MRS. THOMPSON'S ADDRESS.
Mrs A. H Thompson of Topeka, kan.
chairman of the section on THE Value
Of Subordinate Federation" spoke in
part as follows:
Among the ancient Aztecs the West
was designated as the place Of the wo-
men. the souls of the women who had
earned immortality were supposed to
dwell there, while those of the men
abode in the East. The warriors hailed
the daily appearance Of the sun above
the eastern horizon and escorted it 10
the zenith where the wnanen awaited it
and assumed the duty of escorting it to
the western horizon. where 1t abode
with them in the calle, or house of the
women. We have come from all over
the land gathering to beautiful Califor-
MIA, the house of the women who de-
serve Immortality It is far more beau
tiful than our fondest dreams. and we.s
too might desire to abide forever in the
land of sunshine and flowers. but We
must not forget that the sun Of progress
is in our keeping for at least half Of
=
to take counsel together how we may
make his course still more glorious and
reflect by our endeavors a brighter lus-
ter upon the new century.
The organizatiO of the first club
marked an era in the history Of the
progress of women The subordinate
fedora ton is the next step
The growth of local or subordinate
federations of Nomen's clubs has been
phenomenal during the past few years.
The report of the last biennial shows
that only six states had distinct fedora
tons at that time and nine reported
city federations as among the activities
of the club women. Recent inquiry
proves that in almost every state there
are now subordinate federations. either
district. county or city organ mutations,
and that they are of value not only IN
the promotion of unity OF purpose and
social cooperation, but they mark
distinct advance in the progress of the
club movement. District federations
are Incorporated in the organization OF
many states, with a state vice president
for each district, and their meetings
are usually held at d six months dis
tance of time from the state meetings.
The development of enthusiasm and IN
spiratiOn resulting from these meetings.
as well as the training of the club WO-
men in organization. makes the district
federations d strong support to any
work undertaken by either the state or
the general federation.
In the smaller cities there seems to
be a special opportunity for the estab-
lishment of subordinate federation
They are TO be formed in almost every
state of the union. In many towns
they take the place of the department
club, and serve also a broader purpose
in banding together all the study clubs
into an organization which may under
take some work of value to the COM
munity
Subordinate city federations are the
natural outcome of the club movement.
the logical development of the club
spirit
The study club develops the individ-
ual; it stands for personal education
and culture and the nurture of high
ideals. The study of the best in Htera-
ture. art and history is responsible for
the chara cter of the club woman as we
find her today and now she is reaching
out to make her surroundings CORES
pond more nearly with her ideals. ami
the local federation is one of the meth
the local federation to the local CON
munity Is in proportion to the value of
study clubs to the individual the one
builds up the character the other diff
fuses the influence Of that character
The trend of the club movement is no
longer personal but altruistic. It seeks
not to gain, but to give.
There is already a marked tendency
toward making the federation the cen
ter of the various lines of public effort
among club women Individual mem
bers as well as clubs. are included in
some city federations and it is thus pos
sible TO enlist the influence Of another
element of strength to #he organization,
namely9the business and professional
women of the community who may be
too busy to be members of study clubs.
but would be glad To- Cooperate Ia q
local federation and would be g force
in It's work