The San Francisco call., 1905-02-22
OBJECT LESSON
IN LEGISLATION
California Clubs Busy
Day Results in Framing
Combination of New Laws
INTERESTING ARGUMENT
Shows Organization Broad
in Its Views of Civic and
Educational Conditions

Yesterday was the California Clubs
busy day.
And the way IL passed amendments
to the constitution Of the club would
be an object-lesson to the Legislature
in volubility.
However, out Of the discussion came
some excellent changes in the clubs
internal workings, and some mighty
interesting statements. and if the la
dies could have refrained from their
lnbOrn desire TO "all talk at once
some really clever and logical state
ments would have reached the chair,
that didn't
In all there were twenty-one amend
ments to be considered, some of which
were thought to be obviously neces-
sary, some unnecessary, some danger
Gus and one or two merely passive.
On half of them there was much to
say, deal Of which was Of interest
only TO the club; but on the amend
ments regulating the admission Of
members came the declarations of
creed.
The amendment proposed reads
thusly: Candidates failing of election
shall not be reconsidered during the
official term of the membership COM
mittee." To this, an amendment was
offered as follows: Candidates falling
Of election can at no future time be
proposed for membership"
Now, this is where the oratory of the
day was turned loose.
Among the interesting arguments
against the amendment TO the amend
ment-and here's where women's
minds get twisted-was the following
statement: The California Club is a
civic club, organized solely for uplift-
safF~ of~1
tiOnaL Now, If a woman, because Of
some act or circumstance, is pro-
nOunced ineligible TO membership this
year, so alters her life or the circum-
stances in the future, could the Cali
fOrnia Club logically refuse her ad-
missiOn?" Not if the club is sincere
in its pledges TO help women to higher
interested member, out Of order.
And with loud applause was the
sentiment greeted-that women whose
lives are now blameless, or who in the
future may lead clean and honest lives,
can, If they secure sponsors, become
members Of the club; and this because
the club is not a social organization
but a working body.
Now this is a declaration, made
right out in meetin'. It's consistent
with the clubs avowed creed-and not
only consistent but humane and Chris
tian.
VIII the church societies please take
notice.
The other amendments that called
forth a volley Of language-and most
Of ii logical and some Of 1t witty
were uDon the doubling of the initia-
tion fee; and the Introduction Of the
Australian ballot system at annual
elections, both Of which carried.
After the smoke of battle had
cleared DR.. Dorothea Moore, who was
anpounced to say few things
about the late biennial, waived her dis
cussion in Difference to a short talk
upon Sights and Scenes on Our City
Streets" by MS. Laura Bride Powers.
Before the club fell TO dissecting the
amendments Ms. NJ p. Angelo gave
comprehensive report upon the. COM
pulsory education law, calling ur-
gently upon tie public 10 provide a
parental home for such delinquent
children as live in vicious surround
ings..
Miss Kate NJ. Atkinson, chairman Of
the days programme, had several
things, witty and only too true, to say
about the Streets of San Francisco" ."
Too bad the Board of Public Works
couldn't have heard the sweet things
said Of its capacity for not doing its
work. 1t takes a bunch Of earnest
clubwomen to say things-but they
don't vote, and hence don't count"
oVerTnuch in the present regime.