The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-07

federation work as a member of the
executive board with Mrs. A. H. Hor-
ton, the retiring president.
The election of Mrs. Smith was an
other case, like that of her predeces-
sor, Mrs. Horton, OF the office seeking
the woman. Until yesterday Mrs.
Smith was not a candidate and while
her own clubs had discussed her Dos
stble candidacy she was only one OF a
number of women prominent in the
federation who had been mentioned
for the place. Mrs. Smith, herself,
favored the election of Mrs. Horton
fused to accept the Office again
although her name was presented
Yesterday in the nominating bal
LOT. However, she stood on her
rights as a faithful servant of the fed
Grafton for two terms and insisted on
being released from the Office which
entails burdens and responsibilities as
well as hOnOrS. When Mrs. Smith
learned at the meeting yesterday that
Mrs. Horizons refusal was decisive and
final, and being urged by her and a
great many other friends to accept the
nomination she gave a reluctant con
at the outcome or the election she
said this morning. 1T was entirely
unexpected. And while I appreciate
the honor my friends among the club
women have done me I feel so mex
peFienced in the work. SO unpTepareQ
for the responsibilities of the Office,
| that I am far from elated over my
election. Until yesterday the posi-
bility of my being chosen president Of
the federation had never occurred to
me and so of course I have made no
plans and am not ready to define q
policy. I Will have to do the work as
it comes to me and rely upon the
other members of the executive board.
Those so far named are so capable and
Satisfa Glory in every way know they
will not let me make many mistakes
and I have every confidence IN the
nominating committee which will ap
point the chairmen of the standing
committees. 1 am sure they will
name the best women available for
the positions and of course more de-
ponds upon the other members of the
executive board than upon the presi-
dent
Mrs. Smith was elected yesterday on
the first ballot. The nominating bal
lot placed Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Horton,
Mrs. J. w. Going, Mrs. H Q. GarVey,
Mrs. De Witt c. Nellis, Mrs. Lee Mon
roe Miss Lucy Kingman and Mrs g
o. Knowles in the race but all declined
to accept the nomination except Mrs.
Smith and Mrs. Going, whose TRENDS
refused to permit them to Withdraw.
On the first ballot Mrs. Smiths cleo
ton was made certain and on motion
Of Mrs. H. 0. Carney, whose adherenIs
among the delegates persisted in cast
ing their votes for her in spite of her
her election was made unanimous
Miss Tarbeu's Talk.
A talk by Miss Ida Tarbeu of New
York city, author of Khe History of the
Standard Oil company, and of notable
biographies of Napoleon Lincoln ana
Madame Roland, who has been in Kan
sas for about a month securing mater
iaI for a series Of articles for B1cClure's
Magazine, of which she is one of the
editors, on the oil situation in Kansas.
was the feature of the meeting aside
from the election. Miss TarbeD was
introduced by Mrs. Horton, the presi-
dent and said: i come to you in q
short interval between packing two
trunks and taking the train, and L nave
a feeling that my hat is on crooked and
my collar and cuffs far from irreproach-
able, and still worse, / have no speech
prepared for your consideration. But
received so kind and so urgent an in
vitation to give you few minutes TINS
afternoon that I could not refuse IA
the time [ have been in Kansas, some
thing like a month I have met with
such unvarying kindness, such hospital
ity and such hearty good viii, L nave
found every one so wiling ana ready 10
help me in my work that I would gladly
do anything that any one from Kansas
asked me
It don't know what I shall speak to
you about now that am here unless II
is about my visit to Kansas. Of course
the first thing one asks another in such
a case is How do you like Kansas.
and I can say now as have said many
times before that I like your state very,
very much have been amazed since
the beginning of my visit at the beauty
and the resources of the state and the
charming kindness of its people L nave
been much in the open air since I came
here, taking long drives when my work
demanded it and I never saw more
beautiful country. But I regret to say
that have spnn much less Of the KAN
sas women than have of the men But
the latter have been 50 delightful that
1 have gained very good impression Of
the former for believe that men are
much what women make them and the
character of the Kansas men I have
met speaks well for their home in
f1uences.
aIf I did not already have so many