St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1904-12-07
Women's Club rleeting.

At the business meeting of the Woman's
Club Monday afternoon it was voted to
send a petition from the Club. signed by
the president, asking the Vermont repre-
sentatives in congress to use their infu-
ence in obtaining the. proposed amend
ment to the national constitution, pro-
hibiting polygamy in the states and ter
ritories. The amendment was read by
the secretary.
Concerning the curfew law the presi-
d ent has learned from the chairman OF
the board of aldermen in Rutland that
in that city the law is enforced along
policemen s beats, bu tnot on back streets.
This is another phase of the question on
which the club is still asked to interest
others. te
Two new members joined the club, Miss
Mary McAllister and Mrs. Robert Petit
grew. 1t was voted to hold a. gentle
mems night" in February.
Mrs. Charles P. Carpenter, as chair
man of the current events committee,
announced that class would be formed
early in January for the study of current
events, to hold occasional meetings, and
to be conducted by Arthur F. Stone. All
interested in this subject are invited to
join the class.
The program for the afternoon was in
charge of the social science committee,
Mrs. A. B. Noyes, chairman, who
presented Mrs. G. Nd. Lamson, who
spoke on How Boston is Making
Americans" She sale Boston was trying
to make Americans the. same as St.
Johnsbury was, by working fer the care
iul training of children and for well kept
homes. The city OF Boston has the OPP
portuntv OF helping to Americanize the
many foreigners who land on its shores
and for their Improvement schools are
established in which the children are
taught the English language, and as
soon as possible the higher branches of
education; later if they1do not have to
begin to work to earn a livelihood they
are taught sewing, carpentry and many
practical branches. Many OF the school
houses are open evenings and the fathers
and mothers take their work there,
where the rooms are mauy times more
comfortable than their home, and where
| they come in contact with other families,
and find friends.
Besides the schools there are libraries
where they may be provided with the
best threading; vacation schools, where
| in one summer over 5000 children are
mace happy, ana Wnere they are Taught
practically and Interestingly. There are
play grounds, parks and gymnasiums
| tor these foreign children throughout the
city, where a man ora matron is in
charge, and where the children often
| even have to be taught to play. There
are also hospitals under the care of the
city. These are only few of the inter
| estipg facts which Mrs. Lamson told in
| her own interesting way, and impressed
| upon her hearers that whatever is done
| for the betterment of the poorer classes
and foreigners, helps to make better men
and women. 1t is a stupendous question,
| but this helpful work is done with the
| belief that every man and woman wants
| the best things for themselves and for
their children. That no one lives IN
| squalor and filth because they want it,
| but because they have as yet had no
| opportunity to get any farther, and that
we must help them to stand as America
| does, for liberty, education and religion.