The Washington herald., 1907-11-05

though they did not make 50 much noise
as the Iawless element, there were gath
erings 70 discuss ways and means to
regulate the community. Hero was no
provincial repetition OF the doings of the
village fathers OF one village for q cen
tury. Here were men In the forum from
New England town meetings. from Ohio
legislative halls, from Pacific vigilance
committees, and Southern Ka Klux
Klans. They found a way. These meet
lrgs brought about acquaintanceships
They ripened into friendships. and then
the churches and the lodges arose and
claimed their own from among the
strangers. in the wilderness.
Soon wealth made its appearance. Not
all Of these folks became rich. but most
of them had been very, very poor before
they came 20 Oklahoma. For many their
new estate was wealth, and for some II
was great riches. The women came TO
know each other, and soon fashioned
their society upon the lodge system which
the men had so highly approved. Wom-
ems clubs appeared in every little town
in the territory.
These clubs to-day are one Of the most
interesting features Of the social life of
the new State. Their size and influence
is greater here. perhaps. than in any
other section of the country. population
being considered. In one town of less
than thousand people the woman's club
takes care Of the courthouse park. plants
trees and flowers. and sees to It that the
ordinance restricting the liberty Of the
town cow is strictly enforced. In a city
I like Oklahoma the woman's clubs are in
practical charge OF charity work the
pubic library and all sorts of civic i'm
pTovement 1t is 20 them that much Of
the credit Is due for the fact that Okla
homa City. built on 4 treeleSs plain, has
more shade trees along its streets than
any other town of its size They are
/ placed at intervals Of twelve and half
| feet. and really are too thickly set.
Naturally, with the growth of the city
and the increase of wealth there came to
/ be a smart set" This is made up Of
/ those who have prOspered. who have built
themselves magnificent homes. who own
motor cars. and care to play the game.
The same smart set is likewise for
those who have not wealth, mansions.
nor motor cars. but also care to play the
game. The standards of society are those
of any other small city as TO morals.
/ wit, and beauty. They are liberal and
democratic as regards ancestry and pat
rimony. and II the desires to be in the
. swim Is strong enough, respectable pow
erty is not a bar.
The foundations of social intercourse in
the new country are not forgotten. II
has been out eighteen years Thus II is
that the chUTCh attendance is much larg-
er here than in older towns, that there IS
/ a lively interest in secret society affairs
which IS more general than In the East
The women have learned 70 depend upon
/ their organizations. not only for social
/ diversions, but also as a swift and sure
/ means OF obtaining those minor reforms
| tn local government which their lord
| and masters are tcc dEniied or 600 H.
different 10 fight for. Such is social life
in a new American city-a little more
highly organized than in older places. a
little less insistent upon pedigree ard
always earnestly striving 10 be at the top
OF the cowboy and his comrades there is
nothing left but memory. and the dash
ing girl OF the rancho lives only in the
story books.
TO-mOrrOw-Educnt In OkIE-
] bnuna