The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-07-21
CLUBS AND CHARITIES
DRAWN FROM EXPERIENCE
Educators and Reformers Defend Theil
Co-Workers in Women's Clubs.

The Federation Bulletin has gathered
together and published an interesting
symposium of the views of number
of prominent men on women s clubs in
contrast to- the structures of Grover
Cleveland. They are the careful judg-
ment of men who have had opportunities
to become familiar with the work Of
the clubs thru their cooperation, and
their opinions ought to weigh as
the critics who confess to no actual
experience with the work Of the clubs
and club women. Here is what some
Of them say: . Ill., .s~
James B. Angel, President of the
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor-
The women s clubs of Michigan have
been very useful in promoting the cul-
ture and friendship of educated women
and also in raising funds for the es
versity. We regard ourselves as under
great obligations to them. They also
discuss with great intelligence the prob
lens Of public education. @ . f.
Clinton Rogers Woodruff, Secretary
National Municipal League-One of the
striking characteristics of women s or
CARNATIONS in this country has been
their passion for local righteousness.
Moreover, / have long been convinced
function to perform in the creation Of
public opinion and that they are per-
forming it in a most acceptable man
ner. That club life with women is liable
to abuse like club life with men has
never seemed to me either an effective
or a fair argument against them. We
do not judge the Christian church by
the few men and women who use it as
a cloak for their iniquities. No more
ho1116 yUoi ra 70 a11hc NV hos
who use them as cl2aks for mere am
bition, or as a. m&S ! of avoiding the
Ben 3. LindseYS9HssXdge of Juvenile
Court, Denver ortGe last FIVE years
I have been activelN gngaged in the in
terest Of better law ssfor the protection
of the home and the children. In this
behalf I have visited some twenty
states. I have found in that time won
exception it has been the members of
the women's clubs who have cham
pioned every good law and secured the
passage of nearly all the advanced
legislation upon the statute books for
the protection Of the home and the
children. Much of this legislation re-
lating to child labor, delinquent and
dependent children, and the rights of
women as we'll as children, has been of
tremendous Importance as must be felt
for good in thousands of homes in this
country. Therefore, I do not agree with
the criticisms of women IS clubs by ex.
President Cleveland. I do not know of
a church society which is more phil
anthropic in it's purposes than are the
women.'s clubs. Mr.. Cleveland IS crit
icism, if iustifable, would practically
limit the activity of women to their
/ own homes OF 'ooursa tho in6ivi6ua a
! home comes first in Importance. No one
has advocated this more than the WON
ems clubs; but they. are unselish and
Christian enough to appreciate that they
owe duty to society, and to other
homes They realize that to a certain
extent all children are their children
Most members of the women s clubs
have already reared a family and some
of the most active are, without sacri
ficing the duty they owe to their owl
homes, able. to do much toward advan
betterment of the homes of all the PEG
pie. I am sure the ex-president has
spoken without that due deliberatio1
which SO generally characterizes his ut
terances. Of course, he is sincere IL
his own championship of the home, but
he cannot be well posted in the fight
which has been waged so successfully
in many Of the states, unless he credits
the results largely to the influence o.
good women who are members Of WON
en- s clubs, who have worked unceasing
] ly for others without neglect of thei
own homes. There may be exceptiona
cases of neglect of the home for clul
work, but this would no more justif,
denunciation Of the women s clubs THAI
similar condition in churches woult
prove them menace to virtue.