The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-03
WORK OF LOCAL COUNCIL
DIvERTING DISCUSSION ON ADvANT-
AGES OF CLUB LIFE To WOMEN.
The Political Equality Society Fails
to Secure an Indorsement Of Mrs.
KelIer's Candidacy.

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somewhat in the meeting Of the Local Coun-
Gil of Women, held IN the afternoon at the
Propylaeum. The storm arose in mis-
understanding of the councils constitu-
tion-a misunderstanding which quite fire.
quently arises among members who have
failed to acquaint themselves with the new
rules by which the body is governed Owing
to the absence OF the president. Mrs. Day.
In the East. Mrs. s. D. Farrabee presided
over the meeting. and by her serenity and
advice aided In the final settling of the
questions at hand.
The Political Equality Society, headed by
Mrs. Rappaport and Mrs. Wade, with five
or six other members of the society, which
is one of the affiliated members of the coun-
Gil, were on hand to present petition to
the council that that body and all the So
cieties which II represents indorse the can
didacy Of Dr.. Amelia r. Keller, president
of the Equality Society. for election as a
member of the School Board in the fall
According to the laws of the council the
question could not be Endorsed until 1t had
been sent to all the members of the organ
ization, and as the answers to such notifi-
cations could not be received by the council
would be too late to suit the plans Of the
Political Equality Society. All Of this was
finally explained to the visiting delegates,
the president being aided in her remarks
by voices from various parts Of the room.
The Political Equality Society took its de-
feat bravely, and was willing to abide by
the decision of the council. until Mrs. Mary
L. Moody presented a resolution worded as
IL coming from the w. C. T. u. Mrs.
Moody's resolution. in substance. was to the
effect that the strip of land which lies
which belongs to the city, be donated for a
building for public baths, and that COM
mittees be appointed from the members OF
Local Council societies TO ask for the dona-
ton, and use IL as a nucleus for the public
bath fund. The council. with its usual
propensity for passing motions before the
question Is fully discussed, passed this reso-
luton, much to the dlsmay OF the Political
Equality visitors who were unable to un-
derstand how the w. C., T: U. could get a
resolution approved and their society De
unable to do so. They first strongly OPP
posed the motion. on the ground that they
were unwilling to have the council ask
for money donations. However, II was sus-
pected that the true reason of the opposi-
ton was that their society did not think 1t
fair for the w. c. 7. u. to get motion
through when their resolution had been
turned down. 1t Is not known whether the
women are aware that the strip alluded to
Il only three feet wide and belongs to the
abutting property owners, and not to the
city.
Matters looked rather strained, and con-
versation flowed briskly during the discus
sion Of these serious questions. Mrs. Farra-
| bee, being versed in the laws of the con-
stitution. settled the affair finally by stat
| ing that Mrs. Moody did not represent the
W. G. T. u, but was chairman of the
| finance committee of the Local Council
4 9 nd her orr
| was a solution of the difficulty about which
| there was not question, and which was
accepted In good faith by the Equality So
| ciety. The latter, however, remembered al
| this time an important meeting OF the Day
| Nursery Association. and left In a body tc
attend IL.
WOMEN AND CLUB LIFE.
| Mrs. Claude Mathews was to have read a
paper yesterday, but was not present. Mrs
| A. B. Mitchell was called on for converse
| ton on the paper which had not been read
| The subject, "Club Life" was, however, q
source Of happy inspiration to Mrs. Mitchell
| and she gave a delightful little talk on the
| good done women by organized clubs. Mrs
| Mitchell spoke particularly of the boon clut
| life was to the middle-aged woman who ha.
no domestic cares and no special aim In III,
to keep her mind busy. She asked for ex
pressions from the club women present
Mrs. Charles NJ. Walker said she believed
in clubs. that they were inspiring anC
broadening intellectually. and that she haC
| but one great idea of club life-that Of in
| tellectual development. Mrs. Charles b
| Clarke expressed herself as advocate
| Of clubs, admitting, however. that they coult
be overdone. She spoke of the pleasure
| club woman could give to her family b,
relating to them pleasant incidents of a clul
| meeting. Mrs. Clarke also spoke of the ten
| denCy OF women who do not spend thei
spare time in the intellectual pursuits o
| waste the time which might otherwise b.
| profitably spent at a club meeting.
Mrs. Barnes said a few words in regar,
| to the advantage clubs were to women il
| the way of teaching them TO speak out thei
convictions and learn by argument wha
| they really think upon matters of impor
| tance. Mrs. Z. G.. Rumpler approved clubs
| as help to young married women tina
| they may progress with their husbands oil
| subjects of civic and municipal as well a
literary Importance. Henry Ward Beecher'
| theory that any change of occupation o
| thought is rest was suggested by Mrs
| Mothershead, who said she considered tn
| club a place where a woman could throw
of her cares and by complete change o
| thought and scene really rest. Mrs. Far
| kind Of study was development
At the conclusion Mrs. Clarke announce,
that the new programmes would be read,
for distribution shortly. and that member
would find them at the Propylaeum. TIL
| Local Council then adjourned until October
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