The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-06-19
FROM MRS. BUTTERFIELD.

Editor Echoes:
MY official visit among the clubs
of the Second District began April
18th at Parma, with the Amphicty-
mic Council. Some of the newer
towns in the state have been regard
ed merely as names on the map or
at best, consisting of only a section
house and postoffice, but the traveller
who, for the first time, leaves the
train at Parma at least must dis
abuse his mind of that delusion for
he will find a little city with the adj
vantages of many of the larger ones.
An attractive hotel and handsome
homes remind us that development
work in this state has gone forward
with mighty strides during the last
decade. This little club has pursued
the even tenor of its way, and illus
trates the wisdom of following the
old motto, Make haste slowly" The
small club with study as its main
object is the logical precursor Of the
large club with unlimited member
ship for civic duties.
Mythology tells us that Minerva
sprang fully equipped from the head
Of Jove, but human capabilities are
of slower growth. Next is Caldwell
of the youngest and healthiest clubs
in the district. Reports of their
civic activity were most entertaining.
The Commercial club of the town has
extended to them a most substantial
courtesy, the use Of their comfort
able and beautifully furnished club
rooms, and the grateful recipients
are well worthy Of the honor bestow-
ed. -
The club organization of state
is often compared to the human
family, the state organization the
mother, the districts her daughter,
the individual clubs the grand chill
dren. That this is an anomaly Is
shown when we reflect the so-called
grandmother is the youngest of the
family, and many active years of SER
vice in pioneer clubs like the Co
lumbar at Boise and the Study
League at Pocatello, preceded the
state organization Some of us re-
call when the Columbian Club was
formed, before the Worlds Fair in
Chicago, it's initial object the furn-
fishing of the Idaho building at the
fair. Throughout it's existence 1t
has been notable figure in club an
nails not only through it's large mem
bership, but through the many lines
of altruistic effort, successfully car
ried on. Just now all Boise Is inter-
ested in a park plan with beautiful
drives along the river and in fact, (
encircling the city. The Columbian
Club is factor in awakening an APP
probation of its possibilities. We
may not all have river fronts but a
gravelled driveway, fringed about
with trees encircling town ought to
be a possibility for each community
and the sooner undertaken the bet
ter before land values rise. The
sturdy pioneer was forced to use all
his energies in redeeming wilder
nesses. The wonders of today are
retaining deserts, but there are
few dreaming dreams and seeing
visions" Can we not all gain a
glimpse of the larger outlook, see the
practical aesthetics" tied up in ev-
cry unitarian project, and learn to
consider beauty as we'll as dividend
bearing qualities? In South Boise
a delightful hour was spent with a
". I. club, which corresponds to the
v. I. s. Of Idaho Falls and Black
foot, but South Boise like the new
towns in the Twin Falls tract, they
can undertake more, for they find
less to be undone.
In Mountain Home the three clubs
have united in magnificent effort
which has resulted in Carnegie IL
brary for the town. A great deal Of
the legal work required has been
done by Mrs. l.. B. Green, past
president of the district, but the hon
or, is divided among all, for it was
everybody's effort that counted. Here
Is the home of Mrs. B. w. Mather,
the present district president, who
with the other officers Is now laying
plans for successful meeting of the
Second District at Caldwell in the
early fall. Either she or Mrs. w. A.
Stone, Caldwell chairman Of the Pro-
gram Committee, will be happy to
entertain suggestions and answer
everyone's questions. An opportunity
was given the president to see each
club at work, the Artemesia, the
Entire Nous and the Sub Rosa. Mrs.
G. M. Payne has the honor of belong
ing to all three, each met in regular
session, with interesting programs,
but it is the memory of the combined
achievements of the three that will
linger longest.
The Shoshone Study Club is one
that is preparing to emerge from its
chrysalis and spread its wings for
longer fight, as the Outlook Club Is
another. They may not take up de-
partment work this year, but have
it in mind. Will every club not a
department club devote one program
to the study of department work?
This is not for clubs of limited men,
bership or membership of less than
twenty, more than two departments
at first, and most important of all,
not until everybody understands it,
and has talked it over. There are
few more beautiful possibilities in
Idaho than the banks of the Little
Wood river, as it flows through the
heart of the town. Its banks cleared
of debris wreathed in wild roses and
clematis-where is the Shoshone
philanthropist to scatter the seeds of
hardy ANIMALS, and transplant hardy
oh he o,,t state f1owar Tho yo