The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-11-18
STATE AND CITY LEND
 EARS TO DISSERTATIONS.
More Than 300 Women Attend Opening Session of Federation
yeatures Were Addresses of Mrs. W. A Gayle, Mrs. Charles Hendsr- son, and Mrs. Philip N. sroore--At the
 capiteL


 surchsrged with an essence of miii- tant fsmininity. brilliant with the shimmer of silks and iaces. potent with q sense of woman's intellectual ach was the atmos- phere pervading the hall of the House of Representatives at the State Capi- toi Tuesday night when the gavel of Mrs. W. A. Gayle rapped to order the Alabama Federation of Women's Clubs.
 There were probably 300 club wo- men upon the door of the House. with half as many more occupying the over- hanging balcony. In passing, 1t might be said that few men also were pres ant huddled in abashed array near the door of the chamber. Governor Conner occupying 6 chair upon the dais near Mrs. Gayle, was probably the only male being who preserved hts smiling equa- nimity- Masculines of lessor prestige were awed into silence at the array of beauty and intellect.
 Of the attendance. 1t is probable that 250 were delegates, representatives of all woman's clubs profssslng mental, moral or aesthetic culture as their purpose.
 The hall of Representatives is. for the session of the Federation, meta morphosed into veritable fairyland,
  appearance during periods Of iegisla- tive deliberations. Festoons of purple and gold, the chosen cologs of tho Ala bama club women, are suspended from the arch of the ceiling to the sides of the great hall. pots and vases of palms and flowers decorate the raised plat form usually occupied by the Speaker of the House, but which Is now adorn- ed by the officials of the Federation, and the entire hall is given the look of unfamiliarity by the installation of a grand piano just in front of the Speakers desk. The sessions of the Federation will be held in the hall for three days stay of the club women in the city.
 Music is a Feature.
 The opening session was marked by the best of music. selected for the oc- -aasion. Besides the orchestral per- formance, piano solo. chopin's Grand Waltz" by Cecil Davis, a young boy prominent already in Montgomery for hls facility with the instrument, was delivered. Music will be one of the features of the entire three days as for each session musical program has been compiled.
 Governor B. B. comer, as head of the State government. welcomed the club women of the State. In prettily expressed compliments he welcomed the Federation, and thanked the wo- men of the Alabama clubs for the aid which they have furnished in civic inn provement, notably in tho beautinca- tion of the Capitol grounds.
 Taking as the keynote of his ad- dress the aspirations of the club wo- mon toward betterment along educa- tional lines. Governor. Conner made the cause of the State and of the clubs one and the same. when he told of the ed- ucational work which has been accom- plished. and which is still in view by the State administration.
 Councilman c. F., Moritz for the city government, followed Governor Conner in the welcoming addresses. thanking tha club women for their aid in educa- ton of the state
 As President of the City Federation of women's Clubs, Mrs. Phares Cole man welcomed the State Federation to Montgomery In speech full of beauty.