The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1905-10-27
Federated Club Delegates Put
in a Busy Day.
Mrs. J. L. Washburn of Duluth
Elected President.
Other Officers Were Chosen
Late Yesterday Afternoon.

Minneapolis, Oct 2l-Social topics oc-
cupied the attention of the delegates to
Nomens Federated clubs. The program
was in charge of the educational commit
tee, whose chairman. Miss Isabel Law
renee, presided. The theme was Social
| Life of Women and Children Miss
Lawrence, in stating the problem. said :
"The question is dominant, for on
the training of the American child to
obey the highest social law-to love his
neighbor as himself hangs not only his
personal salvation. but the welfare of
the community and the future of the ma :
ton
Cooperation is the main need of the
hour in giving to children such train
ing as shall correct the besetting sins
of the American people, as stated by Mr.
Crothers plainly as lying and stealing
Home and school and church and wom-
ems clubs and mems clubs, every Or
gained force in the community must be
used. Training begins at home, but
the mother should not work alone.
"The teacher is mother to sixty chill
dren one eighth of the time in sight
and seven Fights subject to mysterious
social influences at home and in the
street. If the teacher tries to mind her
own business-teach arithmetic and
reading. and let home take care of the
social instincts-she finds is impossible.
No surgical operation can isolate the.
faction of the child which is to study
arithmetic from the whole social child. So
social training becomes her duty also.
though the means at her command are
few. The school environment and forms
are bequeathed to the present by past
when school was inhuman and antiso-
cial. The teacher cannot do her duty
without help from the home or at least
from the community"
Mrs. J. i. Washburn of Duluth spoke
on ''The Amusements of YOUTH from
the standpoint of a mother with six
children, and proclaimed herself serious
ly "hampered by experience" as she
could indulge in no beautiful sounding
theories and generalties. Mrs. Wash.
burn said in part:
"Our boys would rather stay at home
and play a game of cards with their
father than to attend almost any kind
of a party away from home. 'Cards!' ]
hear some of you saying with ques-
tioning look and infection, for the pre-
cepts of our Puritan ancestors are still
weighty with many of us. Yes, cards
Even bridge if played properly and in
moderation. / believe a game of cards
to be one of the very best means of
self-discipline. A boy who can be a
gentleman when playing bridge with
poor partner, can be gentleman in ev-
cry relation of life
at is a great mistake not to keep in
touch with their parents friends. who
ing up all about us, and which will soon
be disputing our places in the business
and social world 1t is a great mistake.
likewise, for our children not to keen in
touch with Their parents friends, who
by their position and experience might
often be of use to the young man or
woman struggling for recognition and
position in the world of 'grown-ups'
Dancing, with proper surroundings
and under careful chaperonage, is one
of the prettiest and most harmless forms
of amusement. Be thankful if you have
a room in your own home that can be
used for a dancing hall; and if your son
or daughter gets in a way of inviting
in a few friends in the evening for dane
ing, encourage him in it.
public dances are a very different af-
fair. 1t is quite unnecessary to speak
of their Objectionable features"
Miss Julia f. Booth presented the
teachers view of "Amusements of
Youth" For the correction of the ten
dency to snobbishness shown by child
rem, Miss Booth recommended the for
nation of social clubs in every grade
school in which the leaders should be
trained to realize their responsibility for
bringing out all their associates social
ly, and giving them good time. Play
grounds, gymnasiums and school games
are democratizing in influence, especially
when directed and guided by the teach
er. As a part of the education in So
cial culture Miss Booth would have