The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1903-10-16
Mrs. Allen of Dodge Center Is Given
the Preference.
Reports of The Committees Take Up
Much Time Today.
Interesting Program Last Evening"
Lecture Tonight.
From Thursdays Daily.

weather of the session. The attendance
was not up to yesterdays, either, as a
number of the delegates have been oblig-
ed to return home. The morning session
was opened by an organ solo by Miss
Mary Cheshire.
CONSERVATION was thrown into the
meeting at its opening by telesram
from Mrs. Bramhall of Paul. Since the
suit of the informal ballot was announc-
ed yesterday she has been considered the
choice of the convention for president
and the logical candidate. but in her
telegram she positively declined to be
considered as candidate. The telegram
follows:
''St Paul. Oct l4.zMrs. j. w. Edger-
ton: In my letter of June eighth, which
was written upon the understanding
that Mrs lie Penotiere had ALREADY
declined a second term, and in which
stated the conditions under which / could
accept the presidency of the Minnesota
Federation | said that | would take the
office only if there was general demand
upon me, and not if there was even a
respectable minority opposition. I have
never deviated from this position
feel that the informal ballot shows that
no such general demandS has been made
and l must therefore positively refuse to
allow my name to go before the con-
vention as candidate. Please thank the
convention for its complimentary vote,
and read it this telegram to make my po-
sition clear.
~ FLORENCE BRANIHALL"
Everybody was confused for some
time but after considerable argument
second informal ballot was decided upon.
This was taken at ten o'clock.
The nomination committee reported that
an invitation had been received from
the two Fergus Falls clubs to hold the
next convention there. This was CRATE
fully accepted by rising vote, and next
years convention will be held at Fergus
Falls.
Mrs. G. o, Welch of Fergus Falls pre-
scented the reports of the state reforma-
tory committee.
The tellers report of the second infor-
NAL ballot showed IS votes cast for Mrs.
F. S. Allen of Dodge Center, l9 for Mrs.
Workman, for Mrs. Conant and for
Mrs. James. Mrs. Workman and Mrs.
Conant withdrew their names and left
Mrs. Allen the only remaining candi-
date for president.
The discussion of the refOrmatory
question was then taken up. Mrs. Crit
fifth of Sleepy Eye spoke of the futility of
attempting to influence legislation until
the women were thoroughly posted on
the questions. Mrs Darr of st. Paul
also spoke of the necessity of intelli-
gent and united action, well kept up.
Mrs. lie Penotiere spoke of the work
done in the last legislature toward secur-
ing reformatory for women, and show
ed that while the measure introduced was
defeated the work has been progressing
all the time. She told of Prof Sanferd's
conversion to the cause Of the reforma-
tory. and of the work done before the
committees at the last legislature. Mrs.
Tomlinson and Mrs. Workman also
spoke.
Mrs c. R. Davis of st. Peter reported
the work of the library committee, dwell
ling particularly ON the growth of the
circulating Libraries.
The report of the music committee
was read by Miss Darr., This was a
very interesting report, but was neces-
sarily condensed for lack of time.
Mrs. lie Penotiere, of the membership
committee reported fifteen new clubs
which have entered the Federation with
in the last year.
Mrs Stacy of Minneapolis presented
the report of the Mothers club commit
tee
Mrs. [. G. Smart read Prof. San
ford's report of the education commit
tee. One of the principal features dwelt
on was education in preventive measures
against disease.
Mrs. Alvah Eastman of st. Cloud of
fered the report of the committee on
town and country improvement Among
a number of improvements of this char
acter, the question of public play grounds
in st. Paul and Minneapolis was present
ed at some length.
Mrs. r. N. Marble of Duluth read the
art committees report. The convention
moved a vote of thanks to Senator A. r.
McGill and Representative Ambrose
Tighe for the work they did in behalf of
the art commission bill. Miss Martha
Scott Anderson of Minneapolis urged up
on the members the necessity of follow
ing up the work of the art commission
encouraging and stimulating the work
After some routine work the convention
adjourned until two o'clock.
The result of the formal ballot for of
fcers for. the ensuing year was an
nounced The following are elected:
President, Mrs. f. S. Allen, Dodge Cen
ter; recording secretary, Mrs. A. 7. Bige
low, st. Paul; auditor, Mrs. F. A. Day
Fairmont; historian, Mrs. u. O. Cox
Mankato; vice presidents: First dis
trict, Mrs. G. A. Hubbard, Lake City