The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-05-23
10000 Women Delegates En-
gage in Forum Battle.
Far-West Against MIDI est
for Top H0nOrs.
Federation MEET A BUzzFES1
Tammany Politicians Might
Take Lessons in Politics.


New York, May IA pitched bat
tie between the far west and the mid
die west for the presidency of the
Federated WomeE's Clubs ofAmerica
was under way in the mammoth Sew
enth Regiment armory here today
even before President Mrs Percy V
Pennypacker of Texas whacked the
gavel that brought more or less 81
Ience to the ranks of 10000 club
women gathered from throughout the
country for the federations biennial
national convention
Even at this early date the contest
has simmered down to two candidates
who would succeed Mrs Pennypacker-
They are Mrs. Samuel B. Sheath of
Tiffin. Ohio. now first vice president
and Mrs. Joseph Evans Cowies of Los
Angeles. Cal
yockeying for Position.
I Both Mrs. Cowies and Mrs. Smith
have mobilized their campaign forces
with the shrewduess of a Tammany
politician; and both the floor and gal
leries of the convention at the OPEN
ing hour were the scenes of as fren-
zied electioneering, jockeying for po-
sition, trading between delegations and
the like as ever characterized a buzz
fest of the Grand Old Party or Apos-
ties of The Sign of the Donkey.
This election will be one of the most
important pieces of business. and there
is no subject being discussed more
earnestly than the relative qualIfi-
cations of the two women for the po-
sition.
Mrs. Cow1es has served the general
federation as director. treasurer,
member OF the executive committee.
chairman of the finance and peace
committees. first vice president and
as chairman of the St Paul biennial
program committee Mrs Cowies
said today:
| Says Mrs. Cowles.
The successive offices 1 have held
bet0ken my unqualified interest in the
principles and wide opportunities of
wide federation. In recognition of the
honor conferred by this nomination
! to the highest position in the gift of
women'S clubs. I would faithfully and
I legally render back ali for which
trained service stands. together with
/ devotion and an earnest sense of the
vision"
Mrs Sheath, also is a clubwon1an of
wide experience. She is a native OF
Ohio and worked first with its women
and for its interests. but for many
years she has been connected as well
with the larger organizations of the
general federation as second and first
vice-president-
She was responsible for the build
ing of the program for the twelfth
! biennial convention. held in Chicago
in 1914, and this constructive ability
has been shown as well in the business
positions she has held She also per-
feeted the outline of the sdepartm
of work in the general federation. Mrs.
Sheath today said:
The only honor in holding office is
in service well rendered Ny first de-
sire is for a good federatoH-a united
womanhood that may achieve only the
best results. 1 believe in plenty of
money for publicity and in conser-
| vative investment of the endowment
fund
Patriotism Her Platform
Her ancestry-si1e is both a Colonial
dame and Daughter of the Ameri-
can Revolution-make her patriotic
She would have the new patriotism
taught everywhere, beginning with the
Americanization of the immigrant and
the proper training of youth.
Mrs. Sheath was recently elected to
the board of directors of the Interstate
Trust and Banking company of New
Orleans. She spends her winters in
that city.
Mrs Sneath's knowledge of feder-
alton activities dates from the very
/ beginning. as she was a member of
the original clubs which sent repre-
sentatives to New York in 1890. at the
call of Sorosis- TO inaugurate the
movement and was a delegate to the
convention in Chicago in 1892. which
formally organized the General Fed
Grafton of Women'S clubs.
Il At the Milwaukee biennial in 1900,
she represented her state as general
federation states secretary
On the resignation of Mrs. Rudolph
BIankenburg two years agu. she be-
came first vice president She was a
L member of the National Conservative
and Pan-American congresses. and is
a member of the Tariff Commission
L league.
Candidates for other positions are
Mrs William P Harper whom the
Washington State Federation of Wo-
mems clubs has endorsed for auditor;
Mrs VIM B. Williams. who is the
choice of the Michigan federation for
corresponding secretary. and Mrs Jas.
A Leech. whom the Kentucky fedora
ton announces as candidate for direc-
tor.
Mrs Leeeh was chairman Of the
general federation credentials commit
tee in the 1895 biennial.