The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-05
CIVIC AFFAIRS
INTEREST WOMEN
CLUB WOMEN CON
s1DER REFORMS.
Professor Willis M. West Urges Civil
Service Reform as a Remedy for Cor
ruption and Politics and Economy
and Efficiency in the Public Service.

The growing interest of women in
civic affairs was shown yesterday after
noon by the large attendance at and
the deep interest in the meeting Of the
fifth district of the Minnesota Fedora
ton of Women 8 clubs called to con
slider civil, service reform, the protec-
Of public Interest. The meeting wa, was
held at the Whist club rooms and was
presided over by Mrs. w. B. MacLean.
Professor W.. NJ. West Of the uni
yerslty was the principal speaker, his
topic being civil service reform. His
conclusion was "Offensive partizanship
purv Dc Of gp pep n order der to sns
tenn was recommended from a business
standpoint as affording better service
for the expenditure and from pat
rlotlc standpoint as Kidding the coun-
try of the evils of corruption. Tt was
emphasized that civil service is not hos
tile to parties but to their support by
corrupt methods. So long as the spoils
system prevails, it is too much to ex-
sitions by pernicious activity in,the per-
Torrance of their duty. The instance
of brave and honest gas inspector who
was quietly removed for telling the
whole truth in his reports, was given,
and the comment added that probably
the gas had improved, for there had
never since been any official criticism
Mrs Mrs 'f II. 4. Towne, speaking on the
work the federation is engaged in to
secure a separate training school for
girls, said: cit is time the women
Of the state spoke out in this matter.
Minnesota has never done her duty by
her unfortunate and erring girls and
women; Its ;reforrmatory work for men
| ic ant h11t M o1
equate has been done.''
Mrs. M. B. Lewis reported the move
ment inaugurated by the Humane So
ciety to give better protection for girls
and the desire Of the society to have an
additional officer detailed specially for
this work. She recommended consid-
GRAFTON, of helping. this movement on
lowed by Mrs. Sarah B. Schaeffer, police
matron, who told of the need Of the
work of protection. She spoke of the
rapid increase of the number of cases
Of young boys and girls coming under
her care, 100 last year, against 95 in
I 1901.
Mrs. schaeffer spoke strongly against
stores, as the influences it leads them
into are responsible for many of the
cases with which she has to deal. She
especially urged the women to help in
securing the. closing Of stores employ
ing young girls at s O'Clock Saturday
night as well as other days. The ig
norance rather than the indifference
Of the mothers was the reason given fol
their neglect to protect their daug hters
; An invitation to the federation to act
as hostess one day at the annual art
} exhibition was accepted and will be
o. arranged by committee.
The following committee Of arrange
mentsS for the annual convention of thu
} state feder ration next fall was an
, nounced by Mrs. MacLean: Mines. w
M. Hopkins, E. NJ. La Penotiere, W. w
Sykes, c.. E. Dickinson, Heck Merriman
L. w. Gammons, T. F: Quinby, and J. A
5 Crosby. The committee will elect it
, own chairman.
1t was voted to hold a vote meetins
in the interest of forestry and to in
! vite Mrs. Lydia Phillips Williams
chairman of the forestry committees o
the Minnesota and general federation t.
present plans for local forestry work.