The Topeka state journal., 1906-05-12

Wednesday afternoon the pro-
gramme began at 2 o'clock. The first
number was a vocal solo by Mrs. John
Troutman of Kansas City. with violin
obligato by Miss Constance Carruth,
OF Lawrence. It was. very enthusi-
asticaIly received. The department of
philanthropy filled the first half of the
afternoons programme, with Mrs. D.
S. Stephens, of Kansas City, chairman.
The first number on the programme
was How the kindergarten IN
fiuences the Culture of the Home" by
Miss Daisy Hoffman, of Enterprise.
Again, as in the case of many other
papers no brief report could do JUS
mans article. She first analyzed the
child nature, the threefold nature
physical, mental, and moral. The
kindergarten is the transition stage
betw cen the home and school, nat
ural bridge. She dWelt upon the ne
cessity of preserving the home at
mosphere and spirit in the school. She
developed many possibilities of the
kindergarten and in summing up she
said: I'VE have the direct effect OF
the kindergarten upon the child. teach
ing it an interest in nature, observa-
ton, gentleness, helpfulness, cleanli-
ness, law; substituting mutual service
for cunning and selfish violence, be-
sides bringing the child good cheer
and clean and natural joy" Miss
HOffman's paper was especially inter
esting. as one of the objects of the
federation for the coming year will be
the passing of legislative act for the
esta blishment of free kindergartens in
the public schools of Kansas.
The next number on the pro-
gramme was s'The Possibilities of the
Social Settlement in Kansas by Mrs.
John d. Cruise, of Kansas City. This
was a very thoughtful and beautiful
number.
The federation was so fortunate as
to be able to have Mr.. F. w. Black
mar, professor of sociology and eco
nomics In the state university, on the
program His subject was 1.-The
Elimination of the Socially UNFIT
think We can truly say this was the
most valuable feature of the federa-
ton. Taking up the survival of the
/ dttest' - he clearly distinguished be-
evolution and social evolution. He said
/ the great problem that confronts the
| sociologist is how to extend the law
of mutual self help and universal pro-
/ stock, subduing the spirit of man, or
/ destroying the social order. In defln-
ing the socially unfit he said: "They
are those who fail on account of de-
feets, to do their part in a cooperative
society. The real society represents a
group of individuals mutually inter
dependent. Not one can succeed with
| out the help of others, and when mu-
NAAC
| ditch together This being true, it
necessarily follows that when one fails
to do his part here is a weak place in
society.
] Among the socially unfit may be
classified; The insane, epileptic, ane
imbecile, the criminal and the vicious,
the physically defective, such as the
deaf mutes. the blind and the chronic
| sick. the pauper and the idle rich, the
| political CRATER and the business pirate.
How are these to be eliminated by So
Firstly positive development Of the
it.
Secondly case of the socially dis
eased.
Thirdly methods Of prevention Of
the development of social disease.
| The last may be accomplished;
First-By limiting or preventing here
ditary strains that are evil.
Secondly improving the social en-
vironment.
He spoke of the evil effects of luxury.
He also advocated industrial education,
/ compulsory school law, the juvenile
court, etc, as means OF uprootlng GRIM
inal tendencies in their infancy. He
gave some sound facts as to the true
standing of business pirates, saying
1 that the elevated standard of ethics in
sists that it is as wrong to rob and
| despoi1 one of property rights through
| a mental process as through a physi-
cal process. It would be a privilege to
the men and women Of Kansas to be
able to hear Professor Blackmar often
! er on these subjects
He was followed by Miss Helen Phil
i ipps of Lawrence, who gave three ex-
quisite solos, Canzonelto by DAM
brosio, The Bee, by Schubert, Valse
Caprice, by Wieniawsli.
/ The second half of the afternoon
was devoted to the department of
civics. Mrs. Geo P. Griffith is chair
man of this department but as she was
absent Mrs. Brown presided. The first
number was given by Prof Albert
Dickens, K. S. A. c.. Manhattan. He
spoke on practical Suggestion for
4 Civic Beauty for the Smaller Towns
and Villages. His paper was full OF
practical suggestions. He advised
Il getting acquainted with our towns. He
completely settled the stray dog and
town COW question He suggested the
4 beautifying of all vacant lots by hav-
ing the idle people set to work. He
dwelt at length on the value of a
school garden for children. He sug-
gested cleaning up towns and keeping
them clean. His paper was very en-
Enthusiastically received. It was witty
and practical.
Mrs. Nimmons Of Lincoln followed
with profitable and practical talk or
the Individual Responsibility in Max
ing the Home Town Beautiful"
This was followed by a very inter
esting report of the forestry depart
1 ment by the chairman, Mrs. Hoffman
of Enterprise. The programme closed
with two trios, for organ. piano and
violin, which were thoroughly enjoyed
by all present,
On Thursday morning after the
transaction of business. the depart
ment of education entertained the fed
Grafton. Mrs. Charles Gray Miller ol
Sterling had a suggestive paper on ths
value of the kindergarten in the public
school. She said when Kansas hat
placed kindergartens in every public
school the temperance problem would
be solved and the reformatories ant
penitentiaries closed; for of 5000 chill
dren from a certain kindergarten
school but one had developed into {
criminal. She had a very strong pa.
per
Mrs. Wagonse1ler gave talk on tn