USA > Ohio > The Western Reserve of Ohio and some of its pioneers, places and women's clubs, Vol. II > Part 19
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"A Greeting to the Men of the World's Fair," was Mrs. N. Coe Stewart's subject. She spoke of man as he is, as he has been, and what he is to be. He was a soldier and a conqueror. Today he stands calm, quiet, dignified-master of the world. What he will be, she typified in the ode addressed to man and his noble possibilities.
"The Seventeenth Century" was honored by Mrs. J. W. Gibbons. Basing her calculations on what man has done in the past, she mapped his glorious pathway for the future. The hope of the age was the children. Mrs. Gibbons was listened to with closest attention, and at the conclusion of her remarks was accorded hearty applause.
(From the Report of The Cleveland Leader, February 24, 1893.)
A select and highly interesting entertainment was given in the rooms of the Sorosis in the City Hall last evening, the pleasant apartments of the society being filled with visitors. A complete stage with all appurtenances, even including foot- lights, was arranged, and a pleasing programme was enacted. The evening was begun with a solo, "Pierrot," by Miss Fannie J. Kelley, the contralto. Miss Kelley's performance was very
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meritorious, the fine execution of the young singer being warmly applauded. Mr. J. F. Isham then sang a tenor solo, "The Holy City," being followed by Mrs. C. W. Phipps, who recited with effect the "Chariot Race," from Ben Hur. Miss Clara Louise Doeltz sang a waltz song by Patterson, and later sang in the duet, "A Night in Venice," with Mr. Isham. The per- formance closed with the comedietta, "The Owl," by the follow- ing cast: Mrs. Richard Verity, Miss Dorothy Paine; Mr. Rich- ard Verity, Mr. W. R. Rose; Todgers, Mr. J. F. Walsh; Janet, Miss Mabelle Kimberley. The performance of Miss Paine was especially noteworthy.
THE MYRTLE LUNCHEON
(From the Report of the Journal and Bulletin, April 29, 1893)
Over two hundred ladies were entertained at a luncheon in the Sorosis parlors in the City Hall yesterday. The rooms were artistically decorated with myrtle, chosen by the club as em- blematic of its work, the flowers growing and blooming all the year round; unchanged by sunshine or the bitter frosts, but always emitting its loving cheer. Sprays of the vine were caught in tiny clusters all over the walls of the two large rooms. The coloring was observed in the draperies festooned in the archway and about the chandeliers. The tables were orna- mented with bunches of the flowers, and one was given as a souvenir to each guest.
The reception committee, composed of the following ladies, took special care of the 300 guests:
Mesdames: G. E. Needham, B. D. Babcock, A. T. Ander- son, N. A. Gilbert, Charles W. Loomis, John Davis, H. E. Hammond, William G. Rose, Dr. Ambler, S. Cook, S. Frazier,
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A. De Forest, William Bowler, William Quayle, G. C. Stock- well, J. M. Silver, J. M. Nansen, R. S. Holden, M. J. Caton, J. M. Eisenmann, J. O. Anderson, W. Christie, Joshua Ross, J. M. P. Phelps, M. B. Ingham, G. A. Robertson, Leo Dautel, D. W. Gage, Anna P. Tucker, C. E. Tillinghast, L. A. Benton, V. Holliday, A. Foster, E. Campbell, N. Molyneaux, M. A. Reilly, O. M. Sturm, G. M. Barber, J. L. Lewis, John Free- man, A. Moses, O. Jenkins, Sydney Short, Frank Chamberlain, E. J. Blandin, J. J. Sullivan, Misses Bessie Lozier, Gay Stew- art, Ida Brown, Clara Taplin, Nellie Brewer, Louisa Carpenter, Clara Tagg, Dorothy Paine, Jessie McMath, Clara Blandin, Jessie Beckwith, Ella Jones, Grace Felton, Willa Converse.
The ladies having assembled and arranged themselves about the table, Mrs. S. M. Perkins offered prayer. An elegant lunch- eon was served. Mrs. W. G. Rose, President of Sorosis, wel- comed the guests as follows:
"Members of Sorosis and Friends: It is with pride and pleasure we greet you. The winds may be chilly and the clouds dark, but we may bid them defiance and make our club room cheerful with trailing vines and the true blue of the violet, and ask you to feel at home. The sisterhood have been loyal and enthusiastic in their work this Columbian year, with its many and diverse duties. They have with marvellous willingness taken up their specialties.
"The Columbian Association have presented papers calling attention to the various exhibits that will be of great value to us when we are its visitors. The Science Club had had many interesting specimens to study from the collection of its pres- ident, Mrs. A. D. Davidson, and will see more clearly the value and beauty of the exhibits of fossils at the World's Fair. The Poets' Club, under the direction of Mrs. C. H. Seymour, has so
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dissected the writings and lives of famous men that they will look at their statues and portraits as if members of their own family, and the Talks of Physical Culture have called attention to pose and gait so necessary to our health and beauty. The subjects treated have grown in interest; we have drawn the distant near to us.
"Queen Isabella, putting aside the opinions of her religious adviser, aided Columbus when he was thought a visionary adventurer and an alien, getting the glory for Italy more than for Spain. And when the Colonies lapsed into great disorder, it was the Queen who depleted her treasury and sold her jewels that she might again send aid to Columbus.
"As we look at the frail barques with which they sailed the ocean, we wonder at the courage of the great navigator.
"It was Queen Elizabeth who believed in education of both sexes, and herself studied all languages and sciences, and found- ed religious liberty.
"And Queen Victoria, of our present times, has aided the arts of peace and never declared war.
"We are proud of our sex that, when placed in positions of responsibility, they have been careful and conscientious advisers. That same blood is in the veins of our sisters of lower degree. It is only necessary to take woman's thoughts from self, and center them on some good object, to make her heroic.
"Woman must come to her own aid. The desire must pre- cede the effort. There are substantial benefits to be derived from education. It creates a hunger for other stimulus than that for the eye merely-the brain, the heart, the soul must receive its aliment, or the person is not symmetrical nor a worthy companion for an educated man.
"Woman today is robbed of time and money by the ever-
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changing and whimsical fashions. It is not alone in the dress of children, but of the middle-aged and mature women. Let us put aside that which, in after months, looks foolish and out of place and adopt a style no more changeable than that of gentle- men, who for years can have their dress made after one pattern, and not be conspicuous. The time is near when educated women will be on school boards and the faculty of colleges; her children are her jewels, their care and rearing the work of her life, and shall she see them spoiled by the lax discipline or over-study of a famed school? Women who have for years studied the arts and sciences do not care for the amusements of their childhood; the minstrels, the dance or the theatre no longer satisfy them.
"Therefore she becomes a member of the postgraduate course, the C. L. S. C. and University Extension. We have the convention of the specialist, and she contributes articles to the popular magazine or review. We have also the Club work and the Federation of Clubs to take up the study of philanthropies and State craft, and this year we see women on the Executive Boards of the Columbian Exposition, and hope for greater and better methods because she is there.
"Let us take courage and work for woman's Emancipation from conventionalities which hinder her mental and moral growth, for the liberator must be of the class liberated."
Closing, she presented Mrs. S. P. Churchill, toastmistress of the afternoon; after which were reading of letters of regret by Mrs. G. A. Robertson, and music by the Sylvian Club.
Mrs. Churchill arose and with a few appropriate remarks introduced the speakers of the afternoon. The first was Mrs. E. B. Ranson, ex-president of the Wyoming Monday Club of Cincinnati. Her subject was the Motive Spirit and Object of the Woman's Club as an Educator. She said:
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"It is the heart work, coupled with the higher instincts of judgment, that results in success.
"This subject may be treated in many phases, but I attempt only to make a few suggestions affecting individual and organ- ized effort.
"By motive we mean the whole of that which moves, ex- cites or invites mind to volition, whether that be one thing simply, or many things conjointly.
"What should be the motive that each individual should have in uniting herself to a Woman's Club? The answer will come to your own hearts. It is the desire to unite the varied branches of knowledge we possess, or may have in our power to acquire as individuals, for the enjoyment, advancement and edification of our associates.
"To render strength to the weak, courage to the discour- aged, and to be instruments not only securing all the best gifts of mind and heart from our sister member, but secure for her, through the organization, a greater opportunity for advance- ment, and amelioration in laws governing her.
"In these exercises we are preparing ourselves to receive additional benefits. The mass of women cannot be benefited, as 'iron sharpeneth iron, so the face of man his friend.' The mo- tive, too, of the Club should be to establish a sentiment in the city, the community and the country at large, which will prove to the outside world that women are in sympathy with women for their mutual advancement, protection, and aid if need be, according to the necessity of the case.
"I recall some of the work of the Louisville Club, which, in connection with its literary and industrial branch, has insti- tuted some reformatory measures, and has succeeded through its appeals to the legislature in securing separate imprisonment for
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women from that of men, and other work impossible at this time to mention.
"The spirit-that invisible, indescribable power of vitality, that force which pervades and permeates each individual, each body of individuals, and carries on the work of building up or tearing down-that force, though imperceptible, is felt and recognized.
"What should be the spirit characterizing the woman move- ment? The laws upon which the principles of Christianity are founded.
"No better spirit, then, could characterize the woman move- ment than that which seems already to pervade it. The calm, quiet, persistent spirit of progress, that gathers in its way all the benefits that can extend, widen and strengthen the sphere of women, enlightening her, and elucidating the problems of life by directing her mind into varied channels. 'The spirit of enmity towards none, but charity for all.'
"This is the spirit which will elevate women and give suc- cess to their cause.
"The object of the union of woman's clubs throughout the world is to enlarge her sphere of resources, by 'bringing into communication with one another the various methods of work, and become mutually helpful,' and thus be in fellowship; that bond which strengthens woman's interests, and helps her to achieve a broader foundation with relation to those about her.
"The rapid growth and phenomenal success of the club movement, which you know has spread over the whole land, is due to the fact that here women of all ideas meet on equal plane. 'No sectarian or political test is required.'
"The Club is in touch with every worthy movement.
"The religionist, the liberal, the rich and poor, the prohibi-
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tionist and the advocate of expediency, the suffragist, and the non-suffragist, here unite.
"The woman movement is like the beautiful name you have given your club, the Sorosis, a pineapple or fruit that is composed of many flowers in one, but all tending toward up- lifting broader ideas and higher culture.
"This union of the club interests places us in touch with the great questions of the day, and finds us standing on the threshold of greater opportunities, with the desires of the ma- jority as our guide."
Mrs. A. M. Burns, of this city, spoke ably on the "Evolu- tion of the Women's Club and Present Consummation in the Federation."
Mrs. Ozelia Phelps Huggins, president of the Travelers' Club of Mansfield, was introduced. "Is the Woman's Movement Antagonistic to the Best Interests of the House and Home?" was her subject.
Music by the Sylvian Banjo Club, composed of ten young ladies, under the direction of Mr. Sprague, interspersed the programme with several pleasing selections. Miss Walker gave a spirited recitation.
Mrs. Sarah E. Bierce responded ably to a toast, "The Club House." The club is a result of the torch that flashed upon the Atlantic Ocean coast twenty-five years ago, and has re- flected all over the land. Could Margaret Fuller be brought here for a day, she would find greater things of women than even she dared to predict. The women of Cleveland come nobly to the front. They have over forty clubs formed for the pur- pose of reading and study, and nearly twice that many for re- formatory and benevolent purposes. Women's clubs show woman her capabilities. These clubs are growing until woman's
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hand is on the rein of all enterprises. The time is ripe for a woman's building."
Mrs. Elroy M. Avery was assigned to reply to the question, "How shall we divide our time, aside from domestic and social duties, between philanthropic and church work and club work?" She thought that she was not the proper person to undertake to answer the question, because she belonged to six clubs in Cleve- land and found them so beneficial it was impossible for her to give even one of them up. "There was a time when the school teacher was the only intelligent woman, but that time has passed. Women no longer depend on their husbands for in- formation. The husbands have to take care that their wives do not get ahead of them. I believe that clubs help a woman in her home life, and should not be interfered with."
Mrs. Leo Dautel made the last response. It was on woman's clubs. She spoke first of the woman's movement, which began in 1835, when a young girl was refused admission to the public schools of Boston, and dwelt on what is known as the higher ed- ucation and the advance women have made in that direction. She made no claim for the self-assertive or unwomanly woman, laying stress on the fact that the greatest power of woman con- sists in her feminine traits, and that home keeping is not all housekeeping-art adding to the home as well as good cooking. She believed that the ideal club of the future would be composed of men and women.
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THE ANNUAL MEETING
(From Report in Cleveland Leader, May 5, 1893)
Three hundred and sixty-nine well-known ladies of the city are now enrolled as members of Sorosis, a society in which the chief aim is the elevation of women in all walks of life. That the ladies are enthusiasts in their work was made manifest at the annual meeting, which occurred in their commodious head- quarters in the City Hall, where reports of the past year were read, officers elected, and plans for the future outlined. The business and literary sessions lasted all day. Mrs. W. G. Rose, the president, was in the chair.
The secretary, Mrs. L. Dautel, submitted a report in which she said: "There has been a good average attendance during the year and the interest in the society increases steadily. We began the year with three hundred and four members and now have three hundred and sixty-nine. Two important branches of the Sorosis have developed in the last year-the Poets' Club and the Scientific Club. The coming year looks bright, and we are happy to say of the Sorosis that all the issues of its life are rounding into calms." The annual report of Mrs. C. S. Se- lover, the treasurer, showed the receipts to have been $1,151.36, and the expenditures $1,104.80, leaving a balance of $46.50.
The corresponding secretary read letters from Jennie Croly, who is better known to the world as Jennie June; Mrs. Lozier, presdient of the New York Sorosis; and Charlotte Emerson Brown, president of the Women's Federation of Clubs for the U. S. Mrs. McComb, who for many years lived in Peru but who now resides in this city, read a paper on "The Women of Peru."
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SUMMARY OF PARLIAMENTARY RULES
"Let All Things be Done Decently and in Order"
To make a motion or address the meeting, a member must rise and in a distinct voice address the Chair, which she does by saying "Madame President," and standing, wait for recogni- tion. When recognized (which is done by the Chair announcing the name of the speaker), the member may proceed.
MOTIONS.
When a motion is made and seconded, it must be stated by the Chair before it can be discussed. A motion may be with- drawn with consent of the second before it is stated by the Chair, and afterward if no one objects. Ordinarily the mover of a motion has the right to open debate, and by courtesy to close it. Formal and lengthy motions should be made in writing and handed to the Secretary.
AMENDMENTS.
Amendments may be made in the same manner as original motions, are subject to the same rules, and may be once amend- ed. The vote must always be taken on the last amendment first, and finally on the motion as amended. A substitute can only be entertained as an amendment. To lay on the table carries original motion and amendments. The motion to reconsider be- ing laid on the table does not carry with it the pending measure. An amendment to the "Minutes" being laid on the table does not carry with it the journal. An appeal laid on the table does not carry with it the original subject.
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PRECEDENCE OF MOTIONS.
Privileged Questions.
are such as take precedence of all others, and are here arranged in the order of their precedence:
1st-Fix the time to which to adjourn. 2d-To adjourn.
3d-Question of privilege. 4th-Orders of the day.
Incidental Questions
must be decided before the questions which give rise to them, and always yield to privileged questions. They can not be amended, and can not be debated (except an appeal under cer- tain conditions).
1 .- Appeal from Decision of the Chair and Questions of Order.
2 .- Objection to Consideration of a Question.
3 .- Reading of Papers.
4 .- Leave to Withdraw a Motion.
5 .- Suspension of the Rules. Secondary Motions
take precedence of the Principal Question, and must be decided before the Principal Question can be acted upon. They yield to Incidental and Privileged Questions. They are
1 .- To Lie on the Table.
2 .- The Previous Question.
3 .- To Postpone to a Certain Day.
4 .- To Commit or re-Commit.
5 .- To Amend.
6 .- To Postpone Indefinitely.
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UNDEBATAELE QUESTIONS.
To fix the time to which to adjourn (when a privileged question) .
To Adjourn.
Orders of the Day.
Objection to the Consideration of a Question.
Lie on the Table or take from the Table.
Previous Questions.
Re-consider (a question not debatable).
Reading of Papers. Withdrawing a Motion.
Suspending the Rules. Limiting Closing Debate.
TWO-THIRDS VOTE.
Amend the Rules.
Motion to Close or Limit Debate.
Shall the Question be Discussed? To make a Special Order. To take out of Proper Order. Suspend the Rules.
The Previous Question.
CHANGE OF VOTE.
A member can change her vote, if not cast by ballot, at any time before the decision is announced by the Chair.
Until the negative is put, a member may rise and begin the discussion of the question, whether she was present or not when the question was put. In such cases the question is in the same condition as though it never had been put.
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YEAS AND NAYS.
In this method of voting, the Chair states both sides of the question at once; the Secretary calls the roll, and each member as her name is called rises and answers YES or NO, and the Sec- retary notes the answer by placing a figure on the left of the name if yes, on the right if no, these figures being in numerical order. The last two figures on each side will then represent the vote. After the roll-call begins, it is too late to be excused from voting. The vote should be cast without comment. Offi- cers' names should be called last. No member can be compelled to vote unless the yeas and nays are taken.
BY BALLOT.
This form of voting is common in electing officers. Tellers distribute "slips" on which the members write their choice, after which the tellers collect and count the votes. All blanks are "thrown out." When one candidate (on the informal ballot) has a large majority-thereby clearly showing that she is the choice of the members, the Secretary may, on motion, be in- structed to cast the vote of the assembly for said candidate. If any one objects this can not be done; so, too, the motion to make a vote unanimous fails if there is a single objection; the same holds true of a motion to expunge from the minutes or journal.
ORDERS OF THE DAY.
There are two classes-General and Special. General or- ders can be made by a majority, by postponing questions to certain times, or by adopting an order of business for the day or session. These general orders can not interfere with the estab-
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lished rules of the convention. A special order suspends all the rules that interfere with its consideration at the time specified. To make a special order requires a two-thirds vote, but when called up, may, if desired, be postponed by a majority vote.
THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.
The previous question is the technical term for the motion to cut off debate and force the vote. "I move the previous ques- tion" is equivalent to saying-"I move the discussion close at once and the vote be immediately taken." The Chair says, "Shall the main question be now put?" which is virtually say- ing, shall debate close, and will you take the vote? If two- thirds vote "aye," the vote is immediately taken; if "no," the discussion continues as though there had been no interruption. If the previous question is called on the report of a committee, the Chairman of the Committee is entitled to the floor to close debate, even after the previous question is ordered. The pre- vious question may be limited to an amendment, or to an amend- ment to an amendment, but if not so limited applies to amend- ments and motion. Even if a motion to commit follow a first or second amendment and the previous question is ordered, it ap- plies to all. It can be applied to a "definite postponement" without affecting any other pending motion.
TO RE-CONSIDER
If a question has been decided it can be taken up again by a motion to re-consider. This motion must be made by one who voted with the prevailing side. The motion should be to re-con- sider (not the action) but the vote by which the action was taken. If carried, the question is where it was just before the
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vote was taken, so if a member has exhausted her privilege of debate during the former discussion, she can only speak further while considering whether to re-consider. When a vote taken under the previous question is reconsidered, the question is divested of the previous question, and open to debate and amendment, provided the previous question had been exhausted by votes taken on all the questions covered by it before the motion to re-consider was made. The motion to re-consider can not be amended, and is debatable if the question is to be re- considered was debatable. A question can not be twice re- considered.
APPEAL FROM THE DECISION OF THE CHAIR
If a member objects to the decision of the Chair, she can appeal to the Convention.
MOTION TO ADJOURN (Not "Always in Order")
A motion to adjourn is not in order while a member has the floor; while the yeas and nays are being called; while the members are voting on any question, or when the previous ques- tion has been called and is still pending.
SESSIONS AND MEETINGS
A Convention, whether continuing one or more days, is only one session. Each motion to adjourn terminates a meeting, but the final adjournment only terminates a session.
HATTIE DAVIS, MISSIONARY INTRODUCED KINDERGARTEN
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LETTER OF HATTIE DAVIS, MISSIONARY OF PEKING, CHINA, NIECE OF MRS. ROSE
"Everyone in this mission gives the children presents and a good many outside, at Christmas.
Sir Robert Hart, the great Imperial General of China, gives a Christmas tree to the children every year. He sent about twenty dollars worth of things, beautiful dolls, tea sets, pic- ture-books and a lot of things. Santa Claus remembered me with a nice muff from Mr. and Mrs. Hobart; two pretty pictures in blue plush frames, a napkin ring and sleeve buttons from Mr. The, a Chinese student who studies English with me; a Japanese vase from Mrs. Sears; a nice book from Mr. Steen; another from Miss Taft; a Japanese picture from Bobbie; a fine pin-cushion from Louise; a fancy Chinese case from an- other Chinaman; a
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