The San Francisco call., 1904-02-15
General Satisfaction Expressed the Election Mrs George Law Smith
President of the State Organization

The convention OF the State Fedora
ton Of WOmen's Clubs has passed into
hlstory-the history OF clubdom. Spec
ulations are over, and at the helm
stands Mrs. George Law Smith, the
president OF the California Club. This
sUoFersion Of a few prearranged plans
seems 10 have met with the enthusi-
asuc cOmmendation Of nine-tenths Of
The $4,000 clubwomen Of the State. The
fact Of a new successor being elected
10 The presidency of the State body
rather than the reelection Of Mrs. l.
J.. Darling. who, by the way, has
MADE a most capable and efficient Off
cer-stamped the presidency as dis
unctly a One-term Office.
That precedent uppermost in the
minds Of the delegates. natural acces-
sion would bring the honors TO Mrs
smith, who was acting vice president
or tEc State body and a representative
from the north-north Tehachapi.
There is let II be said. a verbal or
mental treaty existing between the
clubs in the southland and those above
The pass that presidential honoTs be
divided evenly between them.
Now. let the fact be cried out from
the housetOps that the southern dele
cations stood pluckily by Mrs. Smith,
a splendid protagonism coming from
was 10 Mrs Smiths election was not a
manifestation Of hostility toward her
personally. but rather a desire TO di-
vert the honor TO some northern club
other than the California, for ii is
claimed, and Justly. that the California
Club is too much in the public eye.
But what is a club 10 do when its pop
ularity emanates from the work it
ooes2 Surely il cannot hide its light
under q bushel When the Juvenile
Court measure. the Big Trees agita-
tion and the travelling Libraries Origi-
mated in the club, and the work in
each is stiIl actively prosecuted. why
should the club not talk about it?
Likewise. how can the club help be
ing talked abOut2 These things con-
sidered. III is apparent that the small
NEED Of antagOnism TO the election Of
the CalifOrnia's president to the presi-
dency Of the federation is not well
founded. And as TO her personal fit
ness-Which necessarily includes ap-
learance, personality, judgment, tact
and a quick grasp Of facts and de-
tafls-there are but few women in Cal
if0rnia more adaptable.
The selection Of q presiding officer
this year was vital issue, because II
is She who viii represent the clubs of
California at the biennial at st. Louis
iu May. She. together with represent
atives from the six districts and two
delegates az large, whom the presi-
dent viii appoint.
Among the other State officers elect
ed are the following
Vice president al large. Mrs. 7. F. Cowles,
Los Angeles: corresporoing secretary, Mrs.
Arthur W. Cornwall san Francisco; recording
fecretary Mrs Charles n McLouth, san jose;
treasurer Mrs. Charles n. Beckwith. Sacra-
nleufo- auditors. Mrs. Oliver q. Bryant. Los
Angeles and Mrs r. r. Wrenn. Bakersfield
state secretary ~ the General Federation.
Nrs. L F. Darling; district vice presidents
san Francisco district. Mrs. A. E Osborne;
Los Angeles district. Mrs. Frank T. Prior;
San Diego district. Mrs. Victor Montgomery 3
Alameda district. Mrs Frank n Wilson;
northern district Mrs W. r. lawson san
Joaquin valley district Mrs. r D. Buss
Vow II precedence be followed-and
women are learning 10 follow it.
Mrs. J. C. Cowles Of Los Angeles will
be Mrs. George Law Smiths successor
at the next annual meeting Mrs.
COwles made a splendid showing at
the Sacramento gathering and is
looked upon generally as very strong
figure in clubdOm-
Mrs. Arthur COrnwall's election to
the secretaryship was not unlike the
spasmOdic nomination of William J.
Bryan for the Presidency. The
knowledge Of her brilliant financial
achfevements-har cOld-had swept