The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-08-07


prove tiresome, the reader may pass
them and loose only the result Of an
investigation of local conditions.
THINK ABOUT 1T.
paper read by Mrs. Byrd Trego,
to the Current Event Club at Black
foot, May 2, 1907.)
When our leaders requested me to
write paper for this meeting, they
suggested Harmony in the Club"
and, at that time, agreed that 1t was
well chosen. Bit on more sober re-
Election, concluded | did not quite
like 1t.
1t seemed too much like accusing
us of being out Of harmony, and !
imagined everyone would say, "Oh!
Yes, she is going to scold US about
something" When ] really would
not find fault with you about any
thing. In fact, there Is only one
thing | feel inclined to be cross
about anyway, and will tell it to you
later, feeling sure you will agree
with me that have a just grievance.
SO / phoned our leader to get permits
sion to change the title of my paper
to Think About It." And II l may
be the humble instrument that will
give some of you one thought worthy
to be carried home in your minds,
and pondered over, ever SO little, !
shall indeed feel that writing and
reading this for you has been great
privilege. And should be SO fort
innate as to send thought home
with each one present, my mission
will indeed be more than filled.
In order to get at the very heart
of this club life Of ours, I sent out
to each member, except the very new
ones, the following letter:
My Dear Fellow Club Women:
Our leader has requested me to
write paper on our club work, to
be read at the May meeting, and
invite your cooperation and assist
ance in unravelling some tangled
thoughts on the subject, by giving
the following questions careful con-
sideration, and filling out the blanks
or writing paragraphs, numbered to
correspond to the questions, giving
Just such matter as your thoughts
suggest; and then kindly mail to me
without your signature.
Why did you join the club?
Have your expectations been real
lied?
What, II anything did you sacri-
fee by being a member? And what
do you receive to compensate for
that loss?
Give suggestion for the better
ment of our local club?
Now here is where scold sent
out 40 letters, and received only IA
replies. 1t was such a modest re-
quest, thought, and gave good OPP
portunity for free expression, | felt
that each club woman was in duty
bound to reply.
The answers received, however
were quite flattering to the club
The replies say these ladies Joined
the club for intellectual progress
and co-working with others who are
laboring for advancement; for fell
lowship In general, development OF
heart as well as brain, for fraternity
and federation of thought and action
exchange of helpfulness, self-im.
proyement, pleasure, instruction, con.
geniality. to reach out and grow and
progress; to get more good out OF
life.
The social side appealed to some;
someone in the history department
wanted to keep in touch with books
and topics of the day; another want
ed to review history and literature
These are reasons why these ladies
Joined the club. The next question
Have your expectations been realiz.
ed" brings encouragement to those
who have been instrumental in
bringing the club up to its present
standard.
Some say more than realized. y
Others, Eyes" Others ''To a great
extent" Another says, Eyes, many
times over" One says nice things
of results, but has been little dis.
appointed to find lack of earnestness
and application. No one finds fault
when they were given every oppor,
.tunity to do so If they wished. No
body has made material sacrifice
Time is mentioned more frequently
than anything else, but they seem tc
have made good exchange ani
spent happy hours at the club. Moth.
ers have been somewhat puzzled tt
know what to do with their little
ones during club hours. One un
selfish woman says 1t does her untold
good to know that others enjoy, and
are benefited, though her own health
will not permit her sharing the sat
isfaction. Others sacrifice nothing
and receive great deal, intellectual
ly and socially. 1t has been all gair
with others. One, has been compelled
to part with few Illusions, but has
been given much real pleasure.
Now we come to the most inter
esting and important part of this Sc
cret investigation. Suggestions fol
improvement"
There seems a wish for deeper an(
more lasting fraternity. For more
loyalty to leaders and to each other
We should hold up the hands Of ont
another, as individual club members
OF our local leaders: Of our distric
and state federation, and the purpose
of the club work in general.
A number speak for better attend
ance; thus giving more aid to lead
ers; another promptness; on time
SO that home duties will not be meg