The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1910-06-24
WOMEN IN 4 LEAGUE.
ST. LOUIS CONVENTION ATTENDED
BY MANKATO LADIES.

from fridays OaiH. -
| Miss Grace Comstock, Miss Clara
Stephens and Mrs. Elizabeth Lynn o.
MankatO have returned from ST. Louis
where they went as delegates to the
American WOman's league.
| One of the most remarkable conven
tiOns of women ever held was at ST
Louis, Mo-, June 8, 10 and, IL, wher
| nearly 1000 delegates of the Ameri
can Woman's league met at University
City. Here, the capital of the, league
in gala attire welcomed the women
from every state in the Union, who
were to participate in meeting which
placed upon firm foundation the
greatest wOman's organization in the
world
The first session of the convention
Thursday afternoon opened with an
address of welcome by Mayor Kreis-
mann of st. Louis, followed by Cover
nor Hadley's welcome to Missouri. Then
came an address of the league trustees
an address by Hon. Nathan b. Frank,
and an address by j. Berg Esenwein
of Lippincott's, explaining the position
of outside publishers.
Probably the greatest event of the
opening day was the address by Mr.. f.
G. Lewis, the founder of the league.
Applause came spontaneously from
thousands, and there were even tears
in the eyes of those who knew his
struggles, his hopes, the bitter defeats
through no fault of his own, and the
ever onward march to final victory.
The inspiration of the opening, SEES
sion remained with the delegates Fri
day, regardless of steady rain. The
morning was spent in sight seeing
tour of st. Louis; the afternoon in
various sectional business meetings, and
in the evening dance was held at
Delmar garden.
The most important meeting of all
was Saturday morning when the dele
gates met to perfect the organization.
The meeting was opened with an elo-
quent address by former Governor
Folk. He welcomed the vast assem-
blage to Missouri, and then gave a
beautiful tribute to University City.
He spoke of it as a city founded
upon dreams and ideals ''In it has
been inaugurated a work intended to
teach men and women how to live the
open life-the life of service University
City has the support of the American
Woman's league. When / looked over
this vast audience was impressed
with the idea that there is power
enough right here to revolutionize this
world for righteousness. Women are
the greatest moral influence in this
land. | had rather, in every fight
for better things, have the support
of one good woman than the votes of
ten men," i4bS" 5h'yG
Then followed the reading. of reports,
and the election of officers The OBJ
ject of the league was explained in
Section of the final plan. 1t defined
the purpose of the American Woman's
league as that of promoting the we'll
being and advancement of its members
through a system of cooperation be-
tween the league and publishers of GER
tain periodical literature Part of the
proceeds of subscriptions go to the
publishers, and part to the League for
Investment in order to develop various
forms of educational, artistic, social
md financial advantages for their bene
it,
At the conclusion of the meeting
several presentation speeches were made,
accompanying various handsome gifts |
rom the members of the league and
publishers to Mr.. Lewis. On behalf of |
he publishers, Mr.. Sprague of the
American Boy" presented Mr.. Lewis
With a. magnificent bronze statue He
aid that Mr.. Lewis had completely
Owon their respect for his ability,
lis indomitable pluck, and hon
sty of business. methods, and that
hey felt proud to be associated with
i'm in the American WOman's league
What Mr.. Lewis is doing for men
nd women is most mOmentOus, and
his convention in years to, come will
tani for more than the great con.
nests of war which have been waged
y the nations"
The brilliant display of fireworks on
he university grounds was fitting
limaX to the first convention of the
aague, which marks an. epoch in the
istOry of the educational plans of
.merican womanhood, helping to carry
N the fight for a clean press