Kappa Alpha Theta Journal, Vol. 5 no. 2
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March, 1891. Kappa Alpha * Theta Journal. I A QUARTERLY, PUBLISHED BY UPSTLON CHAPTER, 4 fi' UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MINNEAPOLIS. Voi*. V, No. » MINNEAPOLIS: Co-operative Printing Co., 319 Nicollet Avenue.
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BOARD OF EDITORS. Beulah McHenry, ... - Managing Editor. 1319 Fifth St. S. E., Minneapolis, Minn. Helen Tombs, - - - Literary and Alumnae Department. 1312 Fifth St. S. E., Minneapolis, Minn. Madeleine Wallin, ----- Exchanges. : Katrina Manson, - - - Chapter Letters and Personals. Minnie A. Rexford, - Business Manager. 329 Sixteenth Ave. S. E., Minneapolis, Minn. _ CONTENTS A Word to Our Girls, Open Letter, - The Holy Grail, Editorials, - Resolutions, - Alumnae Letter, - Chapter Letters, Personals, . College and Fraternity Items, Exchanges, - 41 - 42 43 - 47 54 - 55 56 - 68 7i - 74 _ _ _
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Kappa VOL. V. Alpha Theta Journal. MARCH, 1891. No. 2. A WORD TO OUR GIRLS. In response to the kind invitation of Epsilon Chapter to address a few words to our fraternity at large, it seems to me 1 cannot do better than to remind you of what it means to be a college girl. Dear Theta girls, how much that says, — a college girl. I he mere fact that a girl is in college makes, or should make, her an object of interest. For her being the reindicates, usually, that she is made of no ordinary material. We may take it for granted that she possesses many, if not all, of the cardinal virtues. She is energetic, ambitious, ready and willing to do something, or she surely would not have come. Upon en¬ tering college she finds herself surrounded by a class of superior girls, brought together by loftier aspirations than those common to the masses! Her entire surroundings are peculiarly adapted to bring out the best that is in her. Of no other period of life is this equally true. College life is an ideal life. As far as care and thought for the future are concerned, it is as free as childhood. The girl lives in a world that is all her own; she does not even hear the noise and din of the outside world ; its struggles and conten¬ tions mean nothing to her. Crude materialism can never break in upon her, for is she not living in harmony and sympathy with all that is good and noble? When we are still students we seem scarcely to realize how much is given us for which no return is required or expected but that we make the most of it. College girls, you are the true aristocrats of the present; all things are made subservient to you. Why, your fond mothers do not even expect you to keep the buttons in place, much less require it. Everything, in short which could in any way distract you from the one main object — to make good and noble women — is carefully kept from you. You have no other business at present but to prepare yourselves for what may and will be justly required of you in days to come. What you acquire now is your bank account upon which you will be obliged to make heavy demands in the future. A surplus here is very desirable. In considering the American college girl one must admit she is a rare product. Want of space forces me to forego the pleasure of dwelling upon her many virtues and admirable qualities. It is chiefly to call your attention to what seems to me a serious defect
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42 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. in the education of at least nine-tenths of our American college girls — for that matter, boys too— that these lines are addressed to you, Theta girls, as college girls. I refer to a course of general reading to be pursued outside of your regular college course. There was a time when we talked about English literature; there is today, strictly speaking, no such thing, but a world liter¬ ature. Within the last quarter of a century all civilized nations have been brought into such close relations that one justly demands of the other an understanding and appreciation for at least its greatest poets and thinkers. In the short space of four years one can scarcely expect you to become acquainted with the world’s literature. That would be unreasonable. But are we not justified in expecting you to be thoroughly acquainted with our own American poets? Yes, if you are seniors, to have a fair knowledge of many of the celebrated English authors. If a course of general reading, judiciously and wisely chosen, is not begun during your college life there is little probability, and, indeed, in many cases, no possibility that you ever will begin one. After nearly five years experience with students, I can assure you it is a rare thing to find one well acquainted with our great English poets. This subject is an inexhaustible one. In thinking of its importance one scarcely knows where to stop. Let each one pass in review her own class, and she will find it but too true. If this be true, there must be a serious mistake made somewhere in your education. It is my honest conviction that no one but the student herself can solve the problem. Remember, dear girls, there is a certain education which you acquire in school and from your teachers; but that higher kind of training, that which is worth most to you, comes from yourselves. The past and present are all your own, that you may possess the future. And how are you to take hold of the past, if not through the works of those who lived before you; of the present, if not by untiring, ceaseless energy; of the future, if not by the strength and wisdom acquired in each today? Sincerely, Eva A. Corell. OPEN LETTER. The necessarily tardy issue of our Journal this time furnishes the text for a sermon on the beauties of punctuality; and knowing that the non-ap¬ pearance of the Chapter Letters is the cause of our tardy appearance, I feel like letting the belated Journal carry to all the Thetas a letter of protest and appeal. It is sadly true that punctuality occupies a very inconspicuous place in the scale of womanly virtues. The reason for it is doubtless to be found in the lack of business training which has made our sex the butt of merited gibes from others more fortunate in this respect than ourselves; but the ex¬ cuse of ignorance and inexperience cannot be made to do duty much longer, now that women are everywhere claiming the same privileges as men. If they want these privileges they must show themselves worthy of them. If they expect to receive the same treatment in their business rela-
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 43' tions as is granted to men in similar relations, they must prove themselves the equal of men in all that goes to make up sound business character. Not the least among the primary requisites of this character is punctuality, which is a jewel scarcely less rare than consistency. The notion that relative punctuality may be substituted for the absolute virtue seems strangely prev¬ alent among women. A few minutes late, a few hours late, a few days late; it looks insignificant, but it is vital. Is there no principle in the matter? What opinion do we hold of those who vary from the truth in unimportant details? At least no more charitable judgment can be passed than that such persons are unmindful of the relation which truthfulness in particular bears to truthfulness in general; and why should not the same line of reasoning be applied to those who vary from the standard of exact punc¬ tuality. So much of the shortcoming in this direction is due to a failure to realize the importance of promptness as a prime factor in business success that there is reason to hope the fault will be corrected when women are once con¬ vinced of its magnitude. But at this period, in what we might call the dark ages of feminine punctuality, there are actually some women who pride themselves on their habitual failure to keep engagements promptly or at all; and who seem to regard unpunctuality on their part as a constitutional peculiarity, no more to be criticised or striven against than the color of their hair or the shade of their complexions. This is all wrong; and, what is often more potent to effect reform, it is ridiculous. Unpunctuality belongs to an age of feminine inefficiency; to an age of mincing, lacing and paint¬ ing, now past for ever, we hope. Let us sever the last link which binds us to that absurd conception of woman as an irrational creature, dateless, placeless and irresponsible; and let us help her to win as good a record for business-like promptness as she has already won for physical development and intellectual ability. Madeleine Wallin, Upsilon. THE HOLY GRAIL. Lord Tennyson’s beautiful history of the search made by the Knights of the Round Table for the Holy Grail, is one of the singer’s masterpieces. If it contained no deeper meaning than that which appears on the surface it would be a bit of art, but the poet is one who calls the particular thing to its universal consecration, and he who would grasp the thought of the writer in its wonderful perfection must carry the limited allegory to its universal application. The story of the quest, as it falls from the lips of Sir Percivale, is given with a naturalness which is one of its greatest charms. If in this small attempt at an interpretation the order in which he related the events is changed somewhat, it may perhaps be excused by the fact that such a change renders an analysis more easy. Two distinct worlds are involved in the history, the one is the superior and independent, the other is the inferior and dependent, the one is the spiritual, the other material. The coming of King Arthur was the beginning of a brighter era for the savage and uncivilized island. By the strength of his mighty arm, the
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— 44 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. - - - - - - - - - blameless King lifted the people from the level of the brutes to the loftiest plane which unaided humanity could attain. Camelot was the centre of this civilization, and above Camelot stood the great hall of King Arthur and his knights; this hall in its architecture represented the progress which the people had made under Arthur’s guidance. As Percivalc relates, four great zones of architecture gird the hall. Each of these zones represented one step which the people had taken. The first zone pictured the state of things at the time of Arthur’s coming; men and beasts on a level, the beast by his brute force overcoming the man; the second circle proclaimed the triumph of reason over force, the man slays the beast; in the third step man has risen above the necessity of struggling with beasts; clothed in armor, he is ready to contend with his peers for the sake of principle. Above these scenes of conflict are portrayed the men who have no need for battles, but who are beginning to find, each one in himself, a force to lift him above bloodshed into the light of better things. Crowning all is Arthur, who is the representative and the most perfect product of the material world. Twelve great windows light the hall, each representing one of the wars through which this civilization was gained; at the east end is the great win¬ dow representing the might of Arthur’s sword, while opposite it is the win¬ dow which was not blazoned, but which waited for him who should add to this work the finishing stroke, for wonderful as was Arthur s power, magnificent as was his work, this vacant window was the symbol of the one thing needed which the blameless King could not accomplish. When Arthur made his “ table round ” all men’s hearts became clean for a season, and it was thought |&; surely perfection was reached; but sin broke out. The great reformer had |l-' done his work; he had lifted humanity until his mighty hand could reach no further; and still there was a lack. The material world had done its best; but unless help should come from the realm of spirit, men could climb no higher The same God who placed within the tiny seed the principle which pushes it upward, ever upward, from beneath the dark clod into the beauti¬ ful sunlight, planted within the human breast an instinct which causes man to reach upward, ever upward, for freedom from the dark fetters of sin and sorrow. And so this people, when their King failed them, turned to the Holy Grail. What was this Holy Grial? The cup itself from which our Lord drank the last sad supper with His own. The Last Supper was in re¬ membrance of the greatest exhibition of divine love of which we have any knowledge. This thing, then, which was to heal all woe, was nothing beside divine love, in itself that goal for which we are all striving,— perfect happi¬ ness. The problem which the knights had to solve was how to place them¬ selves in a position to receive the benefit of this love; this was the quest. The first to see this cup of healing was a nun; something of the prepa¬ ration necessary for a sight sufficiently clear to percewe the miracle is shown in her life. In earlier maidenhood her heart glowed with fervent human love, which, blunted, glanced to holier things, and she fasted and prayed until the human self was entirely crucified. 1 hrough sorrow, she had learned the utter insufficiency of all things earthly, and then her heart became pure enough for her to behold the vision. Among the knights there ever moved one in white armor, Sir Galahad, ' » i
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 45 At the nun’s story of the Holy Grail, which Sir Percivale had related, all the holy beauty and purity which had enabled the woman to behold the cup shown in his eyes. He was without sin, but something more than this nega¬ tive goodness was needed; it came to him in the form of a spotless, human love, which is the nearest possible approach to the perfect divine love. This holy maiden sent the deathless passion of her eyes through him and made him hers, and he believed in her belief. The kind of love which elevates must be just such an one as this maiden gave to Galahad, and which he re¬ turned in kind. It is the love from which self is entirely eliminated. The maiden made no effort to keep her knight by her side, but she rather urged him to go on the holy quest; and he, like her, was sufficiently above any re¬ gard for self, to be content to wait for the companionship of his love in the spiritual world, so long as their separation on earth was the condition of his best work for humanity. Now came the year of miracle. In the great hall stood a vacant chair, fashioned by Merlin, who had said that he who sat therein should lose himself. There is loss of self which means death to those who have no knowledge to gain the better self. Merlin was one of these, and was lost. But the Knight of the White Armor had learned, by the inspiration of a blameless human love, to lose himself for the sake of others, and thus, with the aid of divine love, to save himself. He sat within the chair, and while he sat there came to him the vision; and to the other knights there came that voice which comes at some time to every human soul, bidding it seek for the sight of a better life. Every human heart yields, for a time at least, to this command, but the measure of success which each shall have in the quest is fixed by the strength and endurance of his desire to obey. King Arthur was filled with dismay when he heard of the vow which his knights had taken. To his mind the highest good was to be obtained by the strength of human deeds. Spotless, moral man, as he was, he could approach only near enough to the spiritual realm to perceive the cloud which surrounded it and hid its beauties from the view of those whose sight was not sufficiently keen to pierce the vapor. He was too honest to allow his knights to retract their vow, yet he warned them that most of them would follow wandering tires. He assembled them in a farewell banquet, and, amid the grieving of the multitude, the knights departed. The first story is that of Perci vale’s search. To the haughty human heart, the quest for holiness, at first, seems easy. Conscious of the might of his arm, and of the blamelessness of his life, Percivgde’s heart was light, and he had no fear of failing. But the warning of the King returned to him; memory brought back all his past sins; his prowess and his glory proved but fleeting shadows, which faded away and left him alone amid the sand and thorns of disappointment, and with his burning thirst for that per¬ fect happiness still unquenched. He had yet to learn that these earthly blessings which are but selfish gratification, cannot give this lasting happi¬ ness. They are alluring and may be enjoyed for a moment, but they fall away to dust. Gratification of appetite, selfish love, riches, fame and honor, all he tested, and all failed, and then he learned to look away from this world, and in a lowly hermitage he found the priest of God to point him to the better way. Here he met Galahad. Since first he saw- it, the pure
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46 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. knight had never been without the Cup of Healing; it had been his guiding star. He had spent the twelve months and a day in redressing wrong, in living for others, with no thought of his own welfare. His self abnegation was complete, and he was now ready to receive, in place of the life he had given to others, the better life in that spiritual city. To those who are living there is always much of sadness and of terror in the voyage of a soul over the dark river; but to the triumphant spirit who goes to gain his crown, the journey is a happy one. As Percivale watched his brother knight joyfully fly away, his heart yearned to follow him, and in his sorrow for his friend the last remaining bit of self was cast away and the beautiful vision came to him also. The next adventurer is good Sir Bers. It was not hard for such a man to see the Grail; the symbol of unselfish love which he wore on his breast was a fit type of his own strong, sweet soul. He who was willing to give up his own greatest happiness in order that his friend might be happy was not far from the goal; he needed only a little trial of his strength in a persecutionfor his religion, then he too saw the Holy Grail. Back to their King rode the knights, and he received them with kind words for the quest which spoke well for his own future. Here in the hall was related the saddest story of all. In the soul of the mightiest there lived a sin — a sin so black and yet so bright; a sin so cursed and yet so blessed; Lancelot’s love for Queen Guinevere. Because it was love, all the best in his nature twined around it; because it was unlawful, it was poison, — and by his yielding to it, it had gained such a hold on him that tearing it out was like taking his life; exhausted by this internal struggle, his strength sapped by this great sin, he fell an easy prey to any who attacked him. Driven to wild desperation he attempted to cleanse himself of sin, but after days and nights of struggle in his own strength, he was lead to where help from above could reach him; by this divine inspiration he allowed himself to be guided; the sword of his own strength was dashed from his hand, and depending only on the sweet voice luring him ever higher he went on through the barren waste and up the steep heights which every repentant sinner must pass in his effort to reach the land of purity; up he went until at last he saw that for which he was searching, but even then the veil was not wholly withdrawn from the holy cup because of his yet remain¬ ing sin. The story of Gawain is a familiar one; the world is full of such; those who are too blind to desire to see; who spend the time given them for a search after holy things in following after sinful pleasure. So ends the poet’s song, but the quest for the Holy Grail is not over; every soul whose eyes open in this world of sorrow has need of healing, and as the sun cannot reflect his life-giving glory and beauty in a muddy and impure stream, so the light of divine love cannot shine into our lives, mak¬ ing bright their waste places, unless our own hearts are clean from sin and selfishness; and alas, that it should be true, — few, very few, human souls are ready to recognize in this divine love the only thing which can give happi¬ ness until they have tried and proved the insufficiency of all else, and have had all love of self cast out by God’s sweet angel, pain. Caroline Simpson, Alpha.
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 47 EDITORIALS. The editor solicits private correspondence with the Chap¬ ter secretaries. The JOURNAL is intended as the mouthpiece of the fraternity, and it will be much easier to arrive at the con¬ census of opinion if the separate Chapters will favor us with suggestions, thoughts on current topics of fraternity interest, new ideas on fraternity subjects, and honest criticism. While we believe in merited commendation, we are equally believers in able criticism. Now is the time to count up our grievances. We wish every Chapter in the fraternity would send us a list of com¬ plaints; we would classify, arrange and publish them in toto for the edification of the Convention. There are several things that we want done. We want a paid editor for the JOURNAL. It is absurd to trust the editing of our quarterly to a staff of school girls with their heads full of lessons and not ten minutes of leisure during the day. We should put our JOURNAL in the hands of an active, earnest, competent Theta out of the grind of regular college work, but in touch with college life. She might be loyal enough to freely suffer and die for us, but she should receive compensation in the form of a regular salary. Under the present regime we are compelled to do hasty work, while to properly edit the JOURNAL requires a great deal of time and labor. The time and labor of such a sister as we would choose for our editor is too valuable to be given away save in charity; Kappa Alpha Theta is not a charitable institution. She is able to pay for more time and better talent than she can hope to command under the present dispensation, and in justice to herself she ought to do so. Then further action is necessary concerning subscriptions. It was voted at the last convention that two-thirds of every Chapter should subscribe for the JOURNAL. Two-thirds is not enough. Every single Theta should subscribe for Theta’s mag-
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4« Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. azine. There should also be some action taken concerning the time of paying subscriptions. The JOURNAL has no resource to cover the expense of printing save the subscriptions. If these do not come in until spring — and they naturally do not — there is nothing to do but to run in debt for the first two or three issues. This not only renders the business manager’s life a burden, but it is an act beneath the dignity of the fraternity. All this trouble is easily remediable. A little thoughtfulness on the part of delinquent Chapters, a little wise legislation at the convention and our present embarrassment is over and the future provided for. Again it seems to us that we have outgrown our present system of government. Our constitution and general supervision is all well enough, but we need something more. We are now a great institution, with Chapters all over the United States. Our territory is too large to be governed as a whole. We need the ground divided into districts. We need annual district con¬ ventions, supplementing the biennial convention and empowered to act on all local and sectional matters. Such a system would result in a close inter-Chapter union, wider acquaintance, a greater enthusiasm, and better opportunity to differentiate ac¬ cording to our sectional needs. Our present system, although good in its day, is fast becoming valueless because of its inade¬ quacy. There will be no other convention before the world’s fair. Of course we are all going to the world’s fair, and we must have a trysting place — a meetinghouse, boardinghouse, reception hall or what not, with a committee of Thetas ill charge, a big reg¬ ister, black and gold draperies, pansies in the window boxes, and the Theta flag flung to the breeze. (By the way, the con¬ vention had better decide on that flag.) This whole matter should be canvassed, the general plan decided upon, and the details put into the hands of the Chapter nearest Chicago. Kappa Alpha Theta will not have another such a reunion till the next Centennial. We criticize the date of the convention. There are prob¬ ably good reasons for fixing it in July, but viewing the matter from the outside, we should have preferred either one of the short vacations, or the end of August, a time near the begin¬ ning of the fall term. Our delegates of course will inform us
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 49' by individual letter of the prominent features of the convention, and we shall hear a full verbal account as soon as we come back in the fall, but the first fine enthusiasm will have subsided, and we mourn its loss. Delegates to the convention, “chew upon these words ! ” We printed them early for that very purpose. Chapters, send in your complaints for a write-up ! “Let all the grumblers grumble,” and forever, after convention, hold your peace. Do not delay the election of the convention delegates, and be careful in the selection. Send the clearest headed, quickest witted, most executive girls in the Chapter. Let every delegate prepare for her work : First — By carefully voting in her own Chapter every needed change that can be brought about only by a general action. Second — By studying the weak points in the fraternity, the changes to be made, and the method of effecting them. In short, by getting clearly in mind exactly what needs to be done and the method of doing it. The prosperity of the fraternity depends on the action of the convention. The usefulness of the convention rests with the individual delegates. Let there be careful preparation. We have noticed one curious difference between fraternity and sorority: One establishes Chapter houses, the other does not. Every flourishing fraternity Chapter establishes itself in a permanent home, but we doubt if there are a half-dozen soror¬ ity Chapter houses in the United States. The cause of this dif¬ ference is worth investigating. The Chapter house tendency of the boys might be traced back to man’s instinctive love of home; and we are surprised that the advocates of the three R’s do not comment upon the small number of fraternity houses among the girls. They might deduce from it an argument to prove the blighting effects of higher education on woman’s do¬ mestic tendencies.
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So Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. We are convinced that since sororities and fraternities are founded on the same plan and use the same means for the same end, Chapter houses, which have aided so much the one, would be an equal aid to the other. Now what does a Chapter house do for a fraternity? We asked a fraternity man this question and he gave us the follow¬ ing answer : 1. Establishes close acquaintance and sympathy. 2. Keeps inmates well up on general fraternity topics. 3. Teaches adaptability and the art of forbearance. 4. Lessens expense in proportion to comforts enjoyed. Now if Chapter houses will do all this for boys, how much more might they do for girls, with their training in homekeeping and the superior social advantages of homes over boarding houses ? The one thing that keeps sororities from establishing Chap¬ ter houses is the thought of the added burden and responsibility. The greater business and executive ability of men makes this less formidable for fraternities. It is, however, our honest opin¬ ion that the difficulties of managing a Chapter house are over¬ estimated by the average fraternity girl. At any rate the added comfort and practice would more than pay for the trouble. We wish to say a word about the disadvantages of chang¬ ing the corresponding secretary. Some of the Chapters, we notice, are in the habit of elect¬ ing a new corresponding secretary at the general election of officers in the middle of the year or the beginning of the term. Whatever may be the local rules for the election of officers in general, the corresponding secretary should be elected for a long term — a year at the very least. A new corresponding secretary means a new acquaintance to be made and a new address learned by seventeen other sec¬ retaries, a prompt notice sent to the publishing Chapter and a change in the directory, to say nothing of misdirected envelopes and confusion in the mail. The advantages of long terms are so obvious and the dis¬ advantages of changes so great that we are in favor of electing corresponding secretaries like supreme court judges, — for life or good behavior.
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 5i The last number of the Journal announced the address of the new exchange editor. Please mail all exchanges to her. The address of the present managing editor is Beulah McHenry, 1319 Fifth street southeast, Minneapolis, Minn. We are in receipt of a letter from Tau on the subject of a Pan- Hellenic meeting of sororities at the world’s fair. It goes without saying that we are in favor of such a movement. Noth- in g augurs so well for the future of Greek letter societies as these same Pan-Hellenic meetings, where “ Greek meets Greek ” for the discussion of matters pertaining to fraternities in gen¬ eral, for a comparison of methods and a more intimate acquaint¬ ance. The question which our correspondent raises is, “What form shall the Pan-Hellenic meeting take?” She says : “The point for discussion seems to be whether we shall have a banquet or a conference, and what shall be the general tone of the proceedings.” If only one of the two suggested plans be adopted, we should certainly prefer the latter. The primary object of Pan- Hellenism is discussion and comparison; the exchange of cour¬ tesies, though pleasant and useful in a way, should be made secondary. Might it not be well to have, during the summer of ’93, a monthly Pan-Hellenic conference at Chicago? In that way, a greater number of members, necessarily comers and goers, would receive benefit; and the repeated meetings of the different fraternities would certainly be beneficial. The general plan of the World’s Fair Pan-Hellenic will doubtless be arranged at the Boston convention, but the details for Theta will probably fall upon Tau, because of her location. To arrange for our fit representation demands no small ex¬ penditure of time and thought. Tau asks for an expression of opinion from the other Chapters. We sincerely hope the Chap¬ ters, one and all, will assist with thoughts and suggestions. Tau’s delegate desires that all letters on the subject be sent to her address: Marie E. Gloss, 1019 Sherman avenue, Evanston, Ill. It is greatly to be desired that Kappa Alpha Theta and every other fraternity send her full quota of delegates to the Pan- Hellenic conference in Boston. The affairs under discus-
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52 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. sion are of such general interest that no decision should be reached without an expression of thought from each fraternity. Delta suggests that in the ne\t letter each Chapter give an account of the various fraternities in the college where it is located. We consider this an excellent plan and hope that the suggestion will be followed. We also desire that each Chapter send a list of the year’s initiates for publication in the May number. It is important that the list be complete. A little more promptness on the part of the corresponding Chapters would enable us to fulfil our golden dreams of coming out on time. Send us our material by the tenth of May and we will promise you your JOURNAL on the twenty-fifth. - The JOURNAL regrets the loss of its editor. We are thank¬ ful, however, that our busy senior is still here to “guide us with her eye” through the shoals and shallows of Pan-Hellenism ex¬ tension and all the rest. We shall do all in our power to keep from disgracing her training. Hitherto, in soliciting contributions we have confined our¬ selves to private letters, but to-night, as we sit despairingly, try¬ ing to make any sort of a fitting contribution from the four articles from which we have to choose , it occurs to us that some¬ thing in the way of explanation will perhaps be more likely to reach those for whom it is intended through the JOURNAL than in any other way. We have in our JOURNAL: Editorals, which aim to express the sentiments of the general fraternity; Chapter Letters, to re¬ port the condition of each Chapter; Personals, to give items of interest concerning individuals; Exchanges, to tell what the fraternity world in general is doing and thinking about; lastly, a department in which each Chapter should have an opportunity to make known what it is thinking about. We have unfortu¬ nately chosen to call this the “Literary,” and it is doubtless owing to this that so great a misapprehension has arisen as to the nature of its contents. Since we have had charge of the department it has been practically the fraternity scrap-book. Whatever had no place
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— Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 53 elsewhere, no matter what its nature, was sure to find a hearty welcome and a vacant place here. While a scrap-book is an admirable thing in its place it is not the true intent of the JOURNAL to furnish such a repository for miscellaneous infor¬ mation. Then, some sort of harmony should prevail in each department. It is manifestly impossible to achieve such results unless we can have sufficient material with which to work. Our effort to change the nature of the matter has greatly added to our troubles; but we are convinced that, in the end, the results will be much more satisfactory than they would have been otherwise. No one could be blamed for sending purely literary matter to a department so named, especially if the explanatory letters of the editor had failed to reach them. We wish to thank those who have sent in articles and are especially grateful for the manner in which our Alumnae and honorary members have responded to our appeals, and for the sort of articles which they have furnished us. Articles sent in have nearly all been good and when they have not been printed it has usually been because they were absolutely out of harmony with the rest of the material. Instances when such discrimination was possible, however, have been exceedingly rare. The rule has been that we were obliged to put in what we could get at the time of publication regard¬ less of suitability. It is needless to comment upon the impos¬ sibility of making a successful department under these circum¬ stances. As to the nature of the work needed : Of primary impor¬ tance are open letters upon subjects of fraternity interest. At least one should come from each Chapter for every issue. After ‘ the fraternity we should discuss other matters pertaining to college life; then woman’s work, and last, personal experiences. If you have taken a trip, write it up; it will doubtless be of interest. If you are sure that you have a good thought, which the readers of the JOURNAL will be glad to hear, this is the place for it. As a rule, purely literary matter, while it is excel¬ lent drill and not unfrequently interesting, should find its place elsewhere, — at society meetings or in other publications. It is hardly in keeping with the spirit of this department. Literary Editor.
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54 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. RESOLUTIONS. Resolutions of Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, passed January 17, 1891, in regard to the death of Mrs. Rumbarger Chase. Whereas , in his all wise Providence, the loving father has removed from our mystic circle our beloved sister, Mrs. Rumbarger Chase. There¬ fore be it resolved: 1 st. That in the death of our sister we mourn one whose womanly character and Christian virtues are worthy of all praise and imitation, 2nd. That Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta extends a heartfelt sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased, in this hour of their great grief. 3d. That the members of the Alpha Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta wear the usual memorial badge the accustomed number of days, and that a copy of this expression of our sorrow and sympathy be sent to the family of the deceased and given an appropriate publication. Lillian Southard, Ina Johnson. Ida Weaver, Greencastle, Jan. 20, 1891. Committee.
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 55 ALUMNAE LETTER. Burlington, Vt., March 6th, 1891. My Dear Theta Sisters: It was the very farthest from my expec¬ tations that I should ever have the pleasure of addressing the Journal again from under the shadow of the walls of my Alma Mater. But, as “it is the unexpected that always happens,” I find myself, after a brief absence, again enjoying the genial Chapter life of Lambda. Although it might be very much more interesting to you to receive a letter from some far-away place, as South America, Africa, or the Sandwich Islands, yet it is decided¬ ly more to my advantage to write you from the shelter of our own Chapter house. So, as you see, from personal experience and with the certainty and authority that attends the statement of a dignified “old girl,” I am able to assure you that Lambda has passed the first half of the present College year with happy prosperity. I am sincerely glad, moreover, of an opportunity to congratulate the editing Chapter on the latest number of the Journal. The evident desire of the editors to make the Journal a success, and the fair mindedness with which they set about it, seems to me to be truly commendable. Wherever the true Theta spirit manifests itself, Lambda wishes always to welcome and applaud it. Of course, we recognize the fact that no frater¬ nity, however old and successful, should stand still, viewing with compla¬ cency its own prosperity. Yet on the other hand, we would refrain from any hasty and rash steps viewed as “progress.” If we work together with hearty co-operation, and at the same time with firm adherence to the true Theta principles, no dangers, certainly, can assail our beloved fraternity. Lambda is at present mourning the temporary loss of one of our mem¬ bers, who has left our ice and snow to seek the milder air of the land of flowers.” News has already reached us that a box of the golden treasures of that fair country is on its way to us. Our many sisters may imagine us revelling in these delicious products, as much, indeed, as ever the old Spanish dis¬ coveries of that beautiful land revelled in anticipation of golden treasures of another kind. With sincere wishes for the prosperity of all sister Chapters, I am very cordially, yours in Theta. Gertrude Conant, U. V. M. 90.
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56 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. CHAPTER LETTERS. ALPHA. • De Pauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. Alpha began the new year by putting the black and gold on Eleanor and Mary Town, of classes 95 and 97, after a four months contest with Kappa Kappa Gamma. As the semester examinations were in session on our anniversary we held a “dove party” instead of the customary reception, which we postponed un¬ til commencement. Since the first of January there have been several en¬ tertainments given by the different fraternities. On January 16, Kappa Kappa Gamma received one hundred gentlemen friends. Phi Kappa Psi recently entertained, in honor of Prof. Susy G. Kelley, a member of K. K. G., lately returned from two years musical study in Germany. The Hon. David Swing lectured in Meharry Hall and was afterwards entertained by his Phi Delta Theta brothers. Phi Gamma Delta entertained, March 6, in honor of Dr. John Clark Ridpath. Sigma Chi will hold a provincial convention here and entertain on March 12. Delta Tau Delta and Delta Upsilon will also hold provincial conventions at De Pauw, this spring. The gentlemen held their Pan-Hellenic in February. The ladies are accustomed to have a Pan-Thugytarian, the first of March, to which every lady in the University receives an invitation. The latter is favored because it does not exclude the non-fraternity girls, who are too often omitted in fraternity circles. The local Chapter of Alpha Phi has been remarkably improved in the last year. We now begin to recognize in it a strong rival. Its improvement is noted with pleasure by all fraternity members, for there are enough desirable ladies in De Pauw for three or even four strong chap¬ ters. Theta numbers thirty-four initiated members and Kappa has only a few less. We have had three initiations this semester, Miss Levy, Assist¬ ant Professor of Art, and Misses Dade Slavins and Jennie Meharry, Class of 93. Our initiations have been held in our new Chapter rooms. We rented double parlors in a private residence and are very much pleased with the result. Nearly all of the gentlemen’s fraternities have handsomely refurnished their halls within the last year, and two — Phi Kappa Psi and Beta Theta Pi— occupy Chapter houses, the former rented. The Betas, however, are the proud possessors of the first Chapter house at De Pauw which is owned by a fraternity. De Pauw was honored in February by a visit from the Rev. Dr. Buckley, of the New York Christian Advocate, who delivered a series of lectures, which were well attended by the students. President Elliot, of Harvard, will visit the University on the tenth of March. He will be tendered a reception by
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 57 President and Mrs. John, in their handsome residence, which has been completed since Christmas. De Pauvv has had two college papers this year: “The Record,” issued fortnightly, and “The Bema,” a weekly. They are the publications of the two factions into which the gentlemen fraternities have divided, apparently for the purpose of having exciting meetings of the associations of Athletics, Oratory and Literature. The two papers, contrary to many predictions, not only still live but also improve. The erection of a new Theological Building will be commenced as soon as the weather permits, making, in all, nine University buildings. The new building is erected largely through the generosity of Mrs. De Pauw. The “spiking” contract for the second semester ended March 5th. We pledged Blanche Basye, ’95, of Rockport, Indiana. With love and best wishes. Alpha. EPSILON. University of Wooster, Wooster, Ohio. It is with no small degree of pleasure that Epsilon sends her letter to the Journal this time, for she feels proud of her intellectual, moral and so¬ cial success. Scarce had we assembled for the work of the new year, when invita¬ tions were issued by Psi Chapter, of Delta Tau Delta, announcing a ban¬ quet to be given in honor of Will Carleton, who was to lecture here on January the sixteenth. Theta faces and badges mingled in the happy throng, but we cannot better describe the entertainment than in the words of Mr. Carleton himself “I have never been more successfully banqueted in my life.” On the 3.1st of January the Preliminary Contest took place, the music for which was furnished by our own Theta Quartette, called the Ladies’ Quartette. This was their first appearance, and the college and Epsilon were justly proud of them. The contest itself was not up to its previous high standard of Woosters’ contests, this being due to the fact that we have at present no pronounced oratorical men. Shortly after this the doors of Dr. Kirkwood’s Hospital House were thrown open to the Senior class, and our four Seniors can say for them¬ selves that we enjoyed an evening of unalloyed pleasure. And now comes what to us was the crowning event of the season, that is the Kappa Alpha Theta reception given at the house of Grace Overholt, ’94. Some two hundred invitations were issued, including faculty, parents and friends. Few regrets were received, and the whole thing seemed to be a brilliant success. We planned to introduce to Wooster circles on this evening three new girls as pledged members, namely, Mary and Emma Newel and Florence Wallace. The congratulations of the guests were as hearty as well deserved. The faculty honored us during the evening by wearing the black and the gold. In answer to Tau’s question, we will say that Epsilon has always
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58 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. deemed it perfectly honorable to withdraw a “bid” under the circumstances stated. Concerning the plan of placing the management of the Journal in the hands of a paid editor, we are in favor of the plan. We think this would be a step in the right direction. Epsilon. IOTA. The Sage, Cornell University, Ithaca, N. Y. The close of the winter finds Iota strengthened for the contest of the coming examinations by the memory of a happy and successful term. After our reunion in January, the energy of the Chapter was united in prepar¬ ations for a general reception. Mrs. Nichols, wife of the Professor of Physics, and a last year’s initiate, kindly offered her home for the occasion and fixed the date of the party for the evening of the twenty-first of Jan¬ uary. The distinction of a private home greatly added to the elegance of the entertainment and relieved the Chapter of the necessity of exhausting its energies in a fruitless effort to conceal the stiffness of the Sage drawing¬ room under the wouldbe picturesqueness of borrowed draperies. To give our reception a still more individual character among the many social events of the year, three of the girls, with three young men who presented themselves as appropriate partners, — being “brothers” of the fraternity, — introduced in the dancing fancy figures from the Norwegian Spring dance. The costumes were copied from genuine Norwegian peasant suits, and their bright colors and odd designs added to the beauty of the dance About one hundred and seventy-five invitations were issued and the small number of regrets, testified to the reputation Iota has already acquired for successful entertaining. The pleasurable excitement of our one social effort of the year had scarcely subsided, when one of our dearest girls, Miss Ball, was taken sick with typhoid fever. We are glad to report that she is speedily recovering and hopes to take up her University duties next Spring. Since her improved condition has relieved our anxiety, we have renewed our interest in the Chapter meetings, and have again attempted to systematize the weekly programs. Mrs. Smith has addressed the Chapter on the subject of the College Settlement, Rivington St., N. Y., and next Saturday night will be devoted to the celebration of Kappa Alpha Theta’s birthday, the proper date of which was unobserved, owing to Miss Ball’s illness. The Chapter has been unusually fortunate, this year, in an addition to her faculty members in the person of. Mrs. Smith, who took the degree of M. S. at Cornell in ’82, as Mary Roberts, and who, last Spring, resigned the Secretaryship and Instructorship in Modern History of Wellesley College, to become the wife of Mr. Albert W. Smith, Professor of Mechanical En¬ gineering at Cornell. Mrs. Smith, as a member of the Chapter in its earlier days and an active sharer in present fraternity life, can offer many valuable suggestions, and, best of all, give us an example of the strength and enduring sympathy of fraternity bonds, fota sends her best wishes to all her sister Chapters.
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal 59 KAPPA. Kansas State University. Dear Theta Sisters: Kappa’s prospects are of the brightest, as her present is happy and harmonious. In our last letter you know we told you what a victory Kappa Alpha Theta had scored; the first day of the new term revealed two girls wearing “the badge.” Helen Simpson opened her house for the ceremonies, and afterwards served a delightful lunch. Kate L. Riggs, of the Freshman class, and Bessie Hand, of the Sophomore class, had successfully passed the trials unmentionable and the various as¬ sortment of monsters, and had gained the “sanctum sanctorum,” then they were duly announced to the expectant world as Theta girls. Our course of readings in Spanish History has been interrupted some¬ what this term. We have made arrangements for lectures on variour top¬ ics of Spanish History. Shortly, we expect to listen to a talk on the “Cid” by 1 rot. A. G. Canfield. Also the girls intend to give a musicale, under the direction of Prof. George Penny, Dean of the Music Department, in a short time. • On the evening of February 6, Kappa Chapter entertained her friends at the Knights of Pythias Hall. Dancing was the principal feature of the evening. Light refreshments were served, and every one present had a most enjoyable time. Kappa's large party is the Annual Reception, given always Commencement week. Kappa Chapter will soon be eleven years old. We intend to celebrate the event, but have not yet decided what to do. We should be very glad to have suggestions from our sister Chapters. \V e mourn with two of our sisters: Maggie F.idemiller lost her father not long ago, and Winnie Churchill lost her only brother about two months ago. We want them to feel our sympathy reaching out to them, and to know that I betas all will drawVehrcr to them. Saturday, March 9, found us together again at May Russell’s beautiful home, where we assembled to reveal the sacred mysteries to our pledged giil, \\ inifr&l Churchill. She exhibited great fortitude at meeting the goat, but we tried to make up afterwards to our own sweet Baby. Sister May served a beautiful supper. Of course the “Baby" was the object of greatest interest. After.supper we all sang some rousing Theta songs and then said good-by, declaring that we never had had such a lovely initiation. 1 here is not a great deal going on in University circles. The annual oratorical contests have come and gone. After the excitement of such times it seems more quiet than before. K. S. U. did not win. in spite of her “nat¬ ural orators" and her echoing yell: “Rock-Chalk -Jay-Hawk-K-U-woo.” One of our new girls, Kate Riggs, had the great’ honor to be elected a member, from the Freshman class, of the Memorabilia Club. Member¬ ship extends throughout the course and is considered a great honor. \\ e wish you all, every one of you, might come and visit us and our University. With much love. Kappa
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6o Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. LAMBDA. University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt. Dear Thetas: As we have failed to have a letter in the Journal since the opening of this college year, our letter may include news on some¬ what old topics, but as yet unpublished. This year a change has been made in the college curriculum making most of the studies after the freshman year elective. This is a change that is approved by all, especially by classical students, who, after the first year, may devote more of their time to sciences and less to the classics. In the fall we added to our number nine young ladies upon whom no comments are necessary. We have tea at the hall every week and are now impatiently waiting the arrival of a box of oranges sent from L londa from a sister who is spending the winter there. We are now busy planning how we can make convention pleasant and interesting for the girls. We hope to have a large convention and wish all who may come a pleasant journey. Lambda. MU. Allegheny College, Meadville Pa. Dear Sisters: We were sorry nottobe represented in the last Jour¬ nal, but notice came too late for a contribution. . We lately met with a very great disaster. The pipes of the radiator in our fraternity hall burst, and the escaping steam destroyed nearly every article of furniture there was in the room. The sight was enough to bring tears to the eyes of every Theta, to see the room where we has spent so many happy hours in such a sorry plight. We expect to refurnish it in the near future. , t ,T t, , . The last meeting which we held in our “1 rat. Hall was one of the pleasantest of the year. The earlier part of the evening our minds were refreshed in a literary way by a part of our number, and later, the inner woman refreshed by a “feast” prepared as a surprise by the town girls. The memory of that night will always bring back pleasant thoughts to us. Aside from her great loss, Mu is in a very prosperous condition. We have added two lovely girls to our ranks: Elva Bascom, 94, who has don¬ ned the kite, and Eva Dixon, 95, pledged. They are now among our most loyal girls. Our number is now thirteen, and although our misfortune would seem to some to confirm the belief that it is an unlucky number, yet we are not superstitious. We are strictly adhering to the motto, “Qualitas non quantitas," believing that in no other way can a truly strong Chapter be built up. We lost one of our most enthusiastic girls this term, Basha 1 hrasher, who is teaching at Chardon, Ohio. Miss Henrietta Miller, ’go. K. A. Theta, who left Allegheny College to graduate at Cornell, will take a degree of A. B. at Allegheny College, in June, *91. ... Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity recently tendered a reception to _ 1
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 6i It was the social their many friends, at which Mu was well represented, event of the term and a perfect success. A chapter of Alpha Chi Omega has recently been established here, and although only a musical fraternity, it takes some of our regular college students. a \\ e are anxiously awaiting the “Song Books” and have decided to hold a “Song Service” as soon as they arrive. With best wishes to all her sis¬ ters. u Mu. OMICRON. University of Southern California, Los Angles, Cal. Dear Theta Girls: What an inspiration the Journal is. Omicron ... I - - jv/vu.iAJw 13. WlUICIOn looks forward each quarter to its arrival and finds a special treat in the pe- rusal of its pages. There is something refreshing in taking a respite from mathematics and those persistant essays, to find divergence in the Theta world. We were very much pleased with the Catalogue and we are still in great expectation of the Song Books. As the twenty-second came on Sunday this year, a holiday was given on Monday, when some of our girls took a windy walk of about a mile, in the country, and had a delightful afternoon tea at Mamie Sawyer’s On another afternoon we met in Winnie Farnsworth’s cozy study, and enjoyed a Theta conference. Omicron echoes the sentiments of Upsilon on having a recognized stand¬ ard as to the girl we want. The proposal to have it discussed in the con- vention is a good one. .... The[eisan indefinable something about the girl who makes a good I heta which is easily recognized when possessed. Shouldn't we feel this about every girl we take in? In small colleges, this necessarily makes a scarcity in the number of members. The choice of Omicron in the matter has been to make a strong point in material rather than numbers. There might be some advantage in holding the convention just after the hard work of commencement or better still-in the latter part of the vacation, just before the opening of the Fall term. Both periods would be convenient and suitable. There seem to be hardly any difficulties to having a salaried editor or the Journal. If such a thing could bp brought about without proving a burdensome expense, it would certainly be desirable in promotin- the "in¬ terest and rank of the Journal. With fraternal regards. Omicron. PI. Albion College, Albion, Mich., March 6, '9i. Dear Sisters: Again comes the call for our Chapter letter, to which we respond most cheerfully, for we know that it will not be Ion- ere the Journal will follow, and it is with sincerest pleasure that we welcome it to our midst. Considering the material sent, we think the Upsilon girls did well to send out so good a number as the last. But we feel that perhaps our Chapters do not take the interest in the materials for the Journal _
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- - — — 63 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. that they ought. Each should feel it a personal matter and thus relieve the editing Chapter of a great deal of hard work. We like the new design for the cover of the Journal very much. This term, which has almost reached its close, we look upon as a most prosperous one for us, and we feel to-day that we have a strong foothold in our college from which it would take a great deal to move us. We have, now eleven active members, and six pledged. Our membership has more than doubled since the beginning of the year. Three of our members were asked by the faculty to join the Research Club, which cari.es on a more advanced work in the sciences, languages and literature, than is pre¬ scribed by the college course. One of our girls came on prize contest this term, and, of course, carried off the palm amid congratulations of sisters and friends. We have initiated two girls, Emma Agaid, 93. and I el Shearer, ’94. They area credit to us and wear the kite most graceful >, Our “Baby” has been one of our number only two weeks, so we have o c her have her own way for a while. On the ,9th of March, Pi entertains the other two ladies' fraternities, in the hall. It is the anniversary o e establishme.it of the Chapter, and we think it very htting to celebrate in that wav In preparation for this, we are having our hall nicely fitted up. Our Pledge members are very enthuastie and are anxious to do something A... tV,cir interest so they are helping us in refurnishing the hall. 1 his Of the "Black ood Cold." Hattie Mk,. who promises to make us a strong member when she reaches the fiesh man year. We are looking forward with great expectancy to the time when our song books shall arrive and we can entertain (?) our friends with soivr Some of us fear the result! We most heartily approve the suggestions offered for the advance¬ ment of the fraternity. We consider them very good and since. cl > hope that they may be put into execution and we may see much fruit therefi on . We are enthusiastic over “frat” and have derived much good from it, but we are not so narrow as not to be able to sec the advantage gamed by an enlargement of it. Still having its good at heart, we are conservative Enough to wish only to enter the best of schools. \\ e are beginning to ' plan for the convention, when we hope to meet representatives from Ml Chapters. Yours in Theta. _ RHO. University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neil Dear Thetas: Rho did not have the opportunity of saying “how-do- 1 • tr-i-?" in the last JOURNAL, for the card notifying us that the lct- tfer'was due was carried around in the pocket of an obliging frat brother till too late to respond to the call. We were sorry this happened, fo. we d inted vou all to know, last number, how nicely we are progressing. ... . . Ri.«sie Tuttle and Bertie Clark, both fres We have two initial, Bessie Tuttle and Bertie Clark, both freshmen, and bright, enthusiastic little Thetas. We will have some of our old girls h-ViaternUy life in our University is much more social this year than 1SSt Beta gave an elegant banquet on Feb. 21st, to the Betas in the state _
Page 25
Kappa Alpha Theta Journal, 63 and their ladies. It was a very brilliant affair and reflects "honor on the en¬ terprising Chapter, Alpha Tan. The Phis have invitations out for a large party next Friday evening. The fraternity girls have formed a social club, and are entertained by the three fraternities in turn. Two pleasant evenings have been spent to¬ gether in the last month, Kappa and Theta receiving Delta, the first even¬ ing, at the home of sisters, one a Kappa, the other a Theta. Delta entertained the last time. At these meetings all of the frat. ladies in the city are invited, and we think that our own reunions now are only a fore¬ taste of what we will have at that much-talked of frat. home at the World’s Fair. How nice it will be to meet members of all of our Sister Chapters, at that time. Rho was glad to hear of the prospect of establishing a Chap¬ ter of K. A. Thetas in the South. With best wishes to all Thetas, Rho. TAU. Northwestern University, Evanston, 111. Detr Sisters: Tau felt a little sober at the beginning of this term when three of our Junior girls were not with us, but as we know what one of them is to beVvith us next term and we have some hopes that the others will find that they need and are needed at Northwestern, we are not down hearted. Probably most of the Chapters have heard bv this time, something of of an inter-sorority banquet which is proposed to take place in Chicago during the World’s Fair. Of course the Evanston Chapters arc especially interested and will do everything in their power to make it a success if it finds favor with the other Chapters, and we sincerely hope it will, for it seems a grand opportunity for a general pan-Hellenic. Speaking of a pan- Hellenic, we must tell you what the Greek girls of N. W. U. did some weeks ago. For several years the boys have held their regular inter-fra¬ ternity banquet, which the girls did not attend for the best of reasons. This year, unbeknown to Graeci, the Gracae planned a banquet for them¬ selves, to take place the same evening at the Woman’s College. It was a grand success and will long be remembered. The girls were in fancy dress, half of them acting as escort to the other half, and no two girls of the same fraternity went together, this aiding much in bringing about the much desired end good feeling among the fraternities. During the even¬ ing we received a menu card with a note of greeting to the “pan heavenly sorority banquet,” signed by all the gentlemen who were present at the other banquet. We were all so delighted with this, our first attempt, that we are assured that every year will witness something of the kind. We have pledged a charming town- girl Sadie Ward, which was a great victory. Next week we expect to give a reception to our gentlemen friends, at her beautiful home. We are all very anxious to receive the new Journal for we enjoyed the last so thoroughly. We have been expecting a visit from some of the Psi girls, and are pa¬ tiently waiting to see. them. Tau docs not want to be selfish and take up too much valuable space in the Journal, so with the best of wishes for Theta, we arc fraternally yours. Tau.
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64 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. UPSILON. University of Minnesota. Dear Journal: We wish to introduce two new Thetas to you, Ruth Huntoon, ’94, who came from Carleton College, and Helene Dresser, 93, who spent her freshman year at Wellesley. Nanny was in an unusually lively frame of mind on the occasion of their initiation, and it was only ow¬ ing to some Theta jokes, the cazoos and the delicious lunch which our hostess, Dot Martin had provided, that the victims recovered their normal state of mind. Ruth Huntoon has ever since believed in the elevation of womanhood. St. Valentine’s Eve we received sixty of our gentlemen friends at the home of Jessie Bradford. Siebert’s Orchestra furnished the music, which, with conversation, the refreshment tables and valentines were the features of the evening. The Phi Gamma Deltas and Phi Kappa Psis each honored us with a lovely basket of roses. The Kappa Kappa Gammas and Thetas were received by Delta Gam¬ ma one afternoon a few weeks ago, and after the discussion of a dainty lunch, Practical Pan-Hellenism was discussed. The result was that a com¬ mittee of three from each of the fraternities was appointed to arrange for an informal reception of the Pi Beta Phis and Alpha Phis who have en¬ tered the U. this year. If the fraternities all agree to the plan, the inten¬ tion is for all the sororities to unite in an annual banquet. Of course the immediate object is the promotion of good feeling among the sororities, but unlike the girls at Northwestern, we have not the slightest feeling of re¬ venge to spice it, but rather the consciousness that we are a little more enterprising than the brethren at our U. One of our meetings was made very pleasant by MissSercoinb, of Psi Chapter, who brought with her, be¬ sides many bright stories of their frat. life, photographs of their cozy Chap¬ ter house and the University buildings and groups of the Psi girls and the Alpha girls. March 4, after all of our examinations were over, we, with some of our boy friends, took a jolly sleigh ride to St. Paul— a distance of ten miles — and enjoyed cards and refreshments at the home of Grace Walthers. With best wishes for K. A. Theta. Upsilon. PHI. College Park, Cal. Dear Sisters: Phi secured the Journal and was quite surprised to see it in its new dress. Since the editors have asked for our opinion on all subjects, we venture to say that we were quite disappointed in the change of cover, for we liked our pansies and badge. We thought our Chapter letters were even better than usual; but liter¬ ary articles seemed to be scarce. We have a new sister to introduce,— Elsie Shelley, whom we have wanted ever so long. We gave her one degree before our guests arrived on the evening of one of our receptions. The spirit of fun was so strong up-
Page 27
Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 65 on us that we could not resist the temptation to give our new brother, Mr. Alexander, an invitation, which was more enjoyment for the guests than for the candidate. We are glad to welcome into our Chapter, Lillie Burnette, from Omi- crom. It is the first addition of that kind we have had, and we thoroughly enjoyed hearing of the doings of our sister Chapter. The time of our annual reception is approaching and we have been wondering if it would not be beneficial to all to start a circulating letter, each Chapter giving an account of its receptions, so that we could exchange ideas. Our girls are all carrying very heavy work, and most of us are mem¬ bers of a literary society, so we do not try to have literary programs at our meetings; but meet once a week, and have genuine times. We hailed with joy the announcement that our Song Books are ready for us. “Pleasures long delayed are often sweetest.” With best wishes. Phi. CHI. Syracuse University, Syracuse N. Y. Dear Theta Sisters: The year, thus far, has been a most prosper¬ ous one for us. Our new girls have proven themselves true Thetas, and we are justly proud of them. Our Chapter is not very large-fifteen mem¬ bers. We have always endeavored to make and keep it conservative. Our University has now 774 students enrolled, and was never before in such a flourishing condition. Under the management of our worthy Chancellor Sims we are sure that it will continue to prosper. College society has been caught in a perfect whirl of gaiety this term. Numerous parties have been given by the different fraternities, to which a goodly number of our girls were invited. It is with no small satisfaction that we mention our reception, held on January 27th. The evening was spent in pleasant conversation, inter¬ spersed with the music of Ostrello’s Orchestra. During the evening, the “Magic Mirror” was illustrated by the appearance of “Maidens fair” in the frame of a mirror, to learn their matrimonial fate at the hands of a love¬ lorn youth, who was by no means easy to suit. The house was tastefully decorated with palms and festooned in orange and black. The Phi Delta Thetas are to be congratulated on having anew Chapter house, in which they entertained their friends in a most hospitable manner on the evening of March 6th. President Root, of the Board of Trustees, has recently given $3000 toward our new gymnasium, which we hope to have by another year. Miss Pauline Jennings, ’89, is taking post-graduate work this term, and we expect to have Lu Graff, ’62, with us again in the Spring. We wish to congratulate the editors of the Journal on its improved style of dress. The faculty and members of the Senior Class have decided to wear caps and gowns at the coming Commencement in June. Several of “the girls” have visited us this term and we enjoyed very much their brief stay with us. _
Page 28
66 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. What an excellent plan for the sororities to meet in a pan-Hellenic con¬ vention at Boston? We hope that it may be a grand success. As all things must sometime come to an end, we will bid you all adieu, and trust that the band of Thetahood will always unite us as firmly as now. Fraternally yours. Chi. PSI. University of Wisconsin, Madison. Dear Tiieta Sisters: It seemed to us at Wisconsin that the last num¬ ber of our Journal was an especially good one. Something of the fresh¬ ness and brightness of the new covers seemed to have worked its way through them into the editorials and letters, adding zest and spirit to every¬ thing said. We think the “Pill Box” an excell ant idea and have been congratu¬ lating ourselves that the pill that fell to Psi was a sweet one. This term has been a very happy one with us. Our lodge is our never ending source of enjoyment. Such jolly times as we have! We do wish you all were so situated. We believe in Chapter houses most thoroughly. There are so many benefits that come from them aside from the mere convenience and pleas¬ ure. It sort of stands the Chapter on its feet, gives it a foundation — gives the fraternity an outward, visible form. Than what could be lovelier than the close friendship which must fol¬ low from such constant companionship? Surely in that way, one of the chief aims of our fraternity is furthered. And then there are more practi¬ cal results. We doubt not that every one of the girls will make better housekeepers after this little experience in the management of a home. The necessity of order, economy and system are not the least valuable of the lessons taught. You say all these things can be learned at home? True, but there comes a time when each girl takes up the management of her own home, and she finds devolving upon her the thousand and one lit¬ tle social, domestic, and business relations, which, at home, were attended to by father or mother. Then is the time when such an experience as this becomes hejpful. A few weeks ago eight of us Thetas boarded a noon train on our way to spend the afternoon and evening at the home of Genivieve Pugh, at Ma- zomani, about an hour’s ride from Madison. A drizzling rain in the after¬ noon in no way prevented our taking a long drive, and in the evening, — after doing ample justice to Mrs. Pugh’s kind hospitality (for on such occasions eight hungry girls can only be distanced by eight hungry boys), — we sang, danced and had a good time generally. Such jaunts are so much fun! We were delighted to have with us for a few days, Miss Stephanie Marx, formerly of Iota Chapter, who was on her way to Ames, Iowa, where she is to have charge of the Ladies’ Hall at the Iowa State Agricultural College. In December, Norma Lawrence, “our lawyer,” distinguished herself and brought honor to the fraternity by very creditably passing the State
Page 29
— — Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 67 Law examinations, thereby gaining admittance to the Bar of the State. She is the first woman that has ever been ^successful in these examinations though many have tried. Mrs. Prof. C. D. Marx, who is a Theta from Cornell (whose husband occupies the chair of Civil Engineer), has been blessed with the birth of a little daughter, whom she has named “Dorothy.” If reference be made to the records of Iota Chapter, a significant fact would come to light. Fraternally, Psi. OMEGA. University of California, Berkeley, Cal. Omega has been enjoying a rest since the mid-year examinations in February. But it can not last long, for already have the problems of the year’s festivities and new girls, begun to confront us. In one respect we are less fortunate than colleges which have preparatory schools near by. Very few of the young women attending the University are from Berkeley, and it is only in rare cases that we can know a girl before she has been in college for some time. So at the beginning of the college year, we are unusu¬ ally industrious in making inquiries and comparing notes, until Theta is richer by several new members, and we at last, have time to rest Qn our laurels. Our first sorrow came to us in January, when the father of Miss Elsie Lee, ’89, died at Oakland, Cal. The new year has taken away from the, Chapter, Lulu Hancock, who is teaching in the High School at ’Frisco, and Agnes Crary, who is teaching near Santa Clara. They expect to return to college in September, to grad¬ uate with the class of 92. Phi Delta Theta gave a very enjoyable reception at their Chapter hall last Friday evening, at which a number of Thetas were present. Hitherto our meetings have been devoted almost exclusively to busi¬ ness — perhaps unavoidable when a Chapter has just been started — but now our “affairs are in order,” and we have time to think of something besides work. We? have adopted the following plan for providing a program for our meetings. The number of girls in the Chapter was divided by the number of meetings in the term, leaving two girls for each meeting. These girls have to entertain the others, but may do it in any manner they choose. In this way each one has an opportunity to put into practice her pet theory concerning the fraternity woman as a social being. We are trying to think of a new way of entertaining our friends' Will not some Chapter come to our help with a suggestion. Fraternally, Omega.
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— — 68 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. PERSONALS. Miss Ella Vickery, ’8 7, visited De Pauw on her way to Rome as a mis¬ sionary. Miss Eleanor Iglehart, ’83, is Assistant in German and French. Miss Ruth Evans, of Delta Chapter, visited Alpha in February. Miss Hattie Jones, Freshman with ’go, is visiting her Uncle, President John, and her fraternity sisters. Miss Effie Meharry, formerly of ’89, attended the initiation of her sister Jennie, March 7. Miss Laura Vanatti, Freshman with 92, of Montmorenci, Ind., was married to Mr. Henry Marshall, February 23, Miss Nellie Dernell, 93, spent vacation visiting relatives and Theta sisters at Bloomington, Indiana. Misses Ermina Fallas, Ph. D., ’88, and Maude Fulkerson, 90, are study¬ ing in Europe. Miss Minnie Haskell, ’89, is teaching in the Preparatory school. Miss Agnes Beals, ’93, has left college and gone to Chicago. One of our pledged girls was elected and another drew a place to speak at the Senior preparatory commencement. Misses Sevilla Cleveland, ’89, and Ora Newcomer, ’90, have returned from their trip to Europe. Miss Kate Hammond, ’82, is teaching vocal music in the De Pauw school of music, after two years study in Boston. Miss Byrte B. Fisher, formerly of 92, of Indianapolis, visited Theta sis¬ ters and attended Stepniak’s lecture. Alpha will lose eleven girls by graduation. Lenore Alleman and Ina Johnson, of 91, are not in school this semester, but will return to graduate in June. epsilon. Miss Alice Leas, ’90, is in Wooster with her sister Mrs. Kinney. Miss Ella J. Shields, ’90, who is teaching in Canfield, Ohio, is at home, having been called hither by the death of her grandmother. Mrs. Dr. Mateer, nee Beth Gaston, 90, entertained the Senior girls at a tea, Friday, March fifth. Miss Cora Weber, ’90, is spending the winter at Winton Place, near Cincinnati, O. Miss Sarah Hamilton, of Covington, Kentucky, came to attend the Kappa Alpha Theta reception, as the guest of Miss Belle Levis, ’91. Miss Adelaide Pew, Warren, Ohio, and Miss Arline Webb, Massillon, O., visited Miss Clara Frick last week. The Ladies’ Quartette of the University of Wooster, is composed of _ _ _ I
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 69 Janet Henderson, Florence Wallace, Mellie Woodworth and Luella Wal¬ lace. Our new pledged members are Miss Florence Wallace and the Misses Mary and Emma Newell. KAPPA. Miss Hattie Cook, of Kansas City, visited her Theta sisters a short time ago. Rilla Van Hoesen has been quite ill and has been obliged to stop school. She hopes to enter again soon, however. Marne Monroe has returned from a trip to Chicago. Helen Simpson has been visiting in Topeka. LAMBDA. Lambda is regretting the absence of an active member, Mrs. Julia Spear, who is in Florida for the winter. Misses Wright and Yale, ’90, now teaching at Clark Institute, North¬ hampton, Mass., were with us at fraternity meeting, Feb. 6. Miss Conant, 90, who has been teaching in Connecticut, has returned to the city, and is again an active member. We have been informed, much to our delight, that “Theta” Baker, Lambda’s first-born, will be with us at convention in July. Miss Inez Moody, ’94, has been out of college several weeks on account of illness. We are glad to welcome her back. Miss Annie Isham, ’86, who has been visiting in Lincoln, Neb., returned home Jan. 1. She was so fortunate as to attend an initiation of Rho Chap¬ ter in that city. Miss Linnie Scribner, ’93, has left college and is now teaching. She may return later and graduate. OMICRON. Miss Sadie Johnson, an Alumna member, has returned from a visit in the northern part of the state. Lillie Bovard has been visiting our grown-up sister, May Curren, at Monrovia. PI. Mrs. Zua Thomas Ott, of Ann Arbor, visited her home and many Al¬ bion friends, not long since. Miss Emma Southworth, is resting from her duties as teacher, and is spending the winter in California. Iola Kennedy, of Benton Harbor, was unable to be in school this term on account of ill health. Miss Bina Schall, of Anoka, Minn., was recently married to Mr. Bynn Wilcox, of Wheaton, Minn. Teenie Ferguson, one of our bright little ple'dglings, failed to return this term, on account of the illness of her mother, Mrs. Geo. Keenan, of Buffalo, visited her Theta sisters here in January. Miss Gertrude Allen has recently accepted a position as teacher at Anoka, Minn.
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70 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal! Mrs. W. L. Holmes, nee Mina Muclge, of last year’s members, is spend¬ ing the year at Boston. RHO. Miss Gertrude Laws, class ’go, will return from Washington, I). C., where she has been spending the winter, in time to post during the spring term. Miss Annie Childe Ansley, is teaching in Aledo, Ill., in the Academy of which her husband is principal. Miss Dena Loomis is teaching in our city schools. Katherine Weston is with us again, after two years of health seeking travel. TAU. ' Marguerite Mulvane, ’91, was detained at her home in Topeka, Kan., two weeks at the beginning of the term, on account of a severe illness. Sadie Ward, ’95, wears our pledge pin. Minnie E'. Church, 92, who is not in school this term, has been visiting Evanston friends the past two weeks Rose and Lulu Berkey, ’92, are spending the winter at Rockledge, Fla. UPSILON. Madeleine Wallin and Beulah McHenry spent their week of vacation at home in Fargo, Dak., and Mary Smith, in Algona, Iowa. Jessie Smith visited her sister Ada Smith, 90, in Stillwater. Maud Sanborn, ’94, has returned from a visit to friends in Minnesota and Dakota. OMEGA. Ruth Hobson, ’90, is in Washington, I). C., and Ruth Merrill, ’90, is teaching in the High School at Watsonville, California. ps 1. ’92, Mae Evans visited at her home in Plattville, Wis., a few weeks ago. ’91, Winifred Sercombe, during a visit in Minneapolis in February, had the pleasure of attending one of Upsi Ion’s meetings. On February 10th, calls were received at the lodge from Hon. Moses M. Strong, whose granddaughter, Anna Strong, is a Theta of class of 94, and from Pres. Evans, of the Plattville Normal* School, father of Mae Evans. •Just too late for an account to be given in this issue, six of Psi’s Thetas, Winifred Sercombe, Laura Baxter, Gcnivicvc Pugh, Norma Lawrence, Elinor Leith and Mae Evans started for a three days’ visit to the Thetas of Evanston. A report of the elegant time will come later. Anna Strong and Margeret Stiles, both of ’94, visited at the home of the former in Mineral Point, Feb. 22d.
Page 33
Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. Pennsylvania College is prosperous. In 1889 she had a new building costing $80,000, and the Brua Memorial Chapel costing $20,000, and the old buildings repaired. President Adams, of Cornell, says the average standing of women is higher than that of men. The greatest number of students in attendance at any college in this country is 2,500, at Ann Arbor. — Ex. Tuition is free in the University of Minnesota except in law and medi¬ cine, a fee of $5 a year for incidentals being the only charge. Four hundred and thirty-six of the students in the German Universi- * ties are from America. — Ex. The new college for women to be established in Virginia is partly the gift of a land company in Lynchburg, which has offered to give Randolph- Macon college twenty acres of land for a woman’s college and $100,000 in bonds, provided $100,000 more can be raised for the endowment fund. Prof. Harriet Cooke, professor of history in Cornell, is the first woman ever honored with the chair and equal pay with the men professors. “Tulanc has become quite a fraternity field, some four new ones having established Chapters within the past year, and rumor has it, several more will enter this season. — Tulane Cor. Sigma Chi Quarterly. Johns Hopkins has accepted the $100,000 given by women to open the Medical School, with the condition upon which it was presented — namely that women be admitted to the School. Nothing in this country more astonishes an English university bred man than our college yells. He never takes the practice as a bit of Ameri¬ can fun, but seriously sets to work to prove how even educated Americans follow the customs of the savage Indian, his war-whoop being perpetuated in the college yell. -The Palm. The Delta Upsilon is the only one of the college fraternities which is non-secret. The Delta Upsilon Club was incorporated in 1887 anc^ owns its house at 8 E. Forty-seventh street. A number of the members make their homes in the house, and the club is in a very prosperous condition. Its present officers are: Otto M. Eidlitz, President; Augustus M. Timmer¬ man, Secretary; Samuel S, Hall, Treasurer, and Samuel M. Brickner, Chair¬ man of the House Committee.— New York Sun. It is proposed to establish a Chair of the Irish Languageat the Univer¬ sity of Pennsylvania. — The Young Men's Era. _
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72 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. The Young Men s Era is authority for the statement that Yale Univer¬ sity would sanction the establishment of an annex for women if money were provided. — Alpha Phi Quarterly. Carrol I). Wright, chief of the National Bureau of The Statistics of La¬ bor, reports the number of professions, trades and occupations in which women are working at the present time, as 342. — North American Review . Woman has not as yet learned to know the business value of really thorough work. Men sometimes say of women that they have no business conscience. If this be true, there may be some explanation to be found in the fact that the special education which in general she has received pre¬ sents anything like a logical habit of thought and work; so that neither conscience nor policy is brought to bear upon details. The need of fitness for special work cannot be too much urged. Education. The disposition of college authorities toward the Greek letter societies in the South has been most favorable ever since the war, it being the testi¬ mony almost universal that the organizations aid in the discipline and gen¬ eral enforcement of college laws. The foolish suspicion that formerly hovered over the fraternity lodge room as a den of wickedness and tempta¬ tion, is out of date in the South to-day. — Atlanta Constitution. At the opening of the fall term at the University of Vermont, the fra¬ ternities entered into an agreement not to approach the Freshmen on soci¬ ety matters for four weeks. — Delta of Sigma Nu. The University of Minnesota has a new chemical and physical labora¬ tory costing $100,000. — Arrow. At a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees of the University of Chicago, a most elaborate plan for the reorganization of the institution was presented by a committee, of which Professor Harper, of Yale, was the leading spirit. The plan is a very flexible one, the chief features of which are to provide for a proper discrimination between those of large mental powers and those of less endowment; between the industrious and lazy; to enlarge the scope of work for non-residents and those not candidates for a degree; to reform the giving of honorary degrees; to provide for the work of those who can not pursue courses during the so-called college year. Professor Harper says he will decide upon the acceptance or rejection of the presidency by May, 1891 .—Phi Psi Shield. According to Prest. Charles H. Adams, of Cornell University, who has just returned from Europe, our colleges and universities meet the needs of America more than Oxford and Cambridge do those of England. Be edu¬ cated at home. — Ex. Delta Tau Delta, so says Dame Rumor, has disbanded her Chapter at the University of Michigan, which was started under rather unfavorable auspices several years ago, her two best remaining men entering Phi Kappa Psi. Phi Gamma Delta Quarterly. Syracuse university has the finest college building in America. It cost $700,000 and was the gift of one man. — Ex.
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Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 73 The average age of graduation from Oxford is said to be between twenty-two and twenty-three. — Ex. An unwritten law h?s ordained that a college or university should be spoken of as a college and not as a school, and that the students are not scholars, as in preparatory schools. — Ex. Lombard University at Galesburg, Ill., had three graduates in the last congress. Hon. E. H. Congor, the present minister to Brazil, is also a graduate of the same college.— Delta of Sigma Nu. A story is related of the Rev. Dr. Smith, of New Hampshire, a bitter opponent of secret societies, who, at a banquet of Free Masons in his town was invited to open the entertainment with prayer. He was brought face to face with the question, “Why do I oppose them?” So, at the opening of the exercises, he prayed: “O, Lord, we pray for we know not what; if it is good bless it; if bad, curse it. Amen.” — Phi Gamma Delta Quarterly.
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— 74 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. EXCHANGES. The “Talk to College Freshmen,” in the Phi Delta Theta Scroll for February, comes very near our ideal of the sort of article which should be admitted to the columns of a fraternity magazine. It is written on fraternity matters, and embodies some excellent advice in a style whose terse straightforward¬ ness leaves little to be desired. It is a temptation to insert such an article entire; but two or three extracts will give a notion of its merits : One-half, at least, of the value of a college education results directly from college associations. If the mere dry technical facts which one may learn in public schools and college halls were the “summum bopum ” of a prac¬ tical education, one might as well, and sometimes better, pursue his investi¬ gations in the quiet round his father’s fireside, on the swaying deck of a merchant-ship, in the busy marts of trade. But college education means something more than this. Personal contact with ones equals and superi¬ ors; daiD intercourse with progressive, broadminded and cultured profes¬ sors; “rubbing up against” men impelled by kindred hopes and by common aims and common purposes, with the give and take which belongs to it teaches lessons all its own -lessons learned not nearly so well in any other line of life. No one formative influence of a college course exerts over a student so marked a power, for evil or for good as the Greek letter fraternity with which perchance he may unite. So important a choice ought not to be made rashly and lightly, but most deliberately and seriously. There is no need of haste. Beware of it. In this the sororities excel the fraternities. By a carefully preserved agreement the ladies refrain from offering propositions to new students until at least six weeks after the opening of the new year, a custom that thus far has proven a grand success. Six weeks spent in asso¬ ciation, investigation, and good work will allow but few mistakes on the part of the fraternities, and the new student, learning what brotherhood to him is most congenial; what policy best promotes his ambitjon; what society best fulfils his ideal, will virtually drift into that fraternity with which he can best affiliate. Several pages are devoted in the same number to a review of Mr. Baird’s book on “American College Fraternities,” a new edition of which has recently appeared. There is a lamentable ignorance among fraternity members as to the history, not only of other societies, but often of their own; and it is to enlighten
Page 37
Kappa Alpha Theta Journal, n such ignorance that Mr. Baird has prepared this book. It pro¬ fesses to furnish a complete statement of the history and status of all the American college fraternities; and as it has been twice revised and brought up to date, it is doubtless correct in the main. The following quotations will give some notion of the obstacles to be overcome in the preparation of the work : The principal sources of error, however, have been ignorance and bias. In some few instances, persons who were most conversant with the facts con¬ cerning a particular fraternity, could not be reached, or were unable from extraneous circumstances to furnish the information desired, while it was often necessary to accept statements emanating from less trustworthy sources. Many well informed fraternity men, too, seemed unwilling to state facts without opinions or conclusions, and some declined to furnish any information whatever, unless the writer would agree to print it as received, or to suppress, or vary, statements supposed to be unfavorable to their respective societies. The author was solicited to omit Chapters which had proven to be failures, or to suppress well-founded allegations of discredit¬ able circumstances in the history of various societies, or to add opinions concerning the standing of Chapters unwarranted by the facts. Each Chapter that had escaped bankruptcy for five years desired to be especially mentioned as “prosperous; ” each Chapter renting or owning a house for the accommodation of its members desired to have it stated that it occupied “a magnificent Chapter house and possessed an enviable social position;” each fraternity desired to have itself noted for the loyalty of its Alumni, and when small in point of numbers affected to regard that as a virtue and wished to be classified as “select;” each fraternity whose Chapters were widely distributed sought to appropriate the adjective “national,” as its exclusive property; while there was a constant, not to say violent, strife, to have it noted that one or another fraternity was first to adopt some peculiar feature of administration or symbolism, and nearly every account submitted to the writer for his information was embellished by numerous adjectives of commendation. We recommend the purchase of the book to all who care to be intelligent on fraternity matters in general. Each Chap¬ ter should own a copy, if the individual members do not. The price is $2.00 per copy. * * * The December Key has an article entitled “ Women in Law,” urging that profession upon the attention of college women. It seems that four hundred of our sex are already engaged in that work in this country; and that at the present time there are eight women in the regular law course of the Boston University. The article hints at a fact which we believe
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76 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal, is not generally taken into account when the subject is con¬ sidered : Women will naturally choose their specialties in the practice of law. Like the men, some will rarely appear in the arena of the court-room. Indeed, office practice, which includes the giving of advice, conveyancing, the care of estates, etc., is considered far more lucrative than the trial of cases. It is generally taken for granted that all women will prefer the more secluded position of the office practitioner. But we shall find that they will express themseves as naturally as men in the profession, and will find their proper places by the same unwritten law. It will probably be some time before the existing prejudice against the practice of law by women will have wholly disap¬ peared. We believe it is kept alive largely by the popular notion that the practice of the profession necessarily implies appearance in the court-room. Visions of the extreme type of ranting female orator arise with every mention of the subject, and prevent its candid investigation. The fact is that the office lawyer, who advises the client whether or not to bring his case, studies the legal aspect of the question to be decided, and finally makes the brief, on the thoroughness and accuracy of which the success of the case largely depends, is by no means of less importance in the firm than the ready trial-lawyer, who relies upon his eloquence to win his victories. Indeed, in a certain very important department of legal work, viz., cases argued before the supreme court, where there is no jury to convince, the trial- lawyer is entirely out of place; for there the question is not one of eloquence, but of the un impassioned presentation of facts, sustained by" competent authorities. In this line of practice, the office-lawy'er has a chance to acquire a reputation for thorough legal knowledge and for powers of close, logical reasoning. Both in the preparation of briefs for district court cases, and in the argument of cases before the supreme court, there is abundant scope for all the ability of a keen mind; and that, too, without a single appearance in an ordinary court-room. When this fact is better appreciated, there will perhaps be less prejudice against the practice of law by' women, on the ground of publicity. Apropos of the above, hear the chivalrous Southern editor of the Kappa Alpha Journal : It is wholly unnecessary and would be in fact worse than useless to attempt here to convince one of the correctness of the Southron’s position
Page 39
Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 77 on this question. The writer does not now, and has never believed that the Creator intended that the sexes should be competitors. He does not believe in women wage-workers -factory operators, type-writers, and stenog¬ raphers. etc., nor does he believe in women doctors, lawyers, or preachers. They have their place. The world knows where it is. ’Twere folly to pretend otherwise. Do not misunderstand. We arc heartily in sympathy with the “higher” education of women. Educate her by all means, or what is better, permit her to educate herself by not withholding opportunities. But there is one glory of the sun and another of the moon. So there is one education for man and another for woman. Let every opportunity for higher, finer, and more aesthetic education be offered her until we have a race of women whose every motion is grace; whose every action is philan¬ thropy; the utterance from whose mind is a scintillation, the brilliance of which will penetrate the deepest intellect, and with eyes in which we can see the itnfathomableness of Divinity, and with which they can read the soul’s thought. All this and as much more as can be added, we would see; but never the equality foreshadov. cd in the Key . All persons willing to engage in missionary work in the South, please send names and addresses to the Kappa Alpha Theta JOURNAL. Subscriptions received. ■V. * * Tlie Alpha Phi Quarterly for February contains three papers on women’s clubs in the cities of New York, Boston and Washington. A short account is given of the leading clubs in the three cities, and a very interesting array of facts is presented in regard to the work undertaken be each. One of the most significant movements of this century is that which finds expres¬ sion in the working girls’ clubs. In regard to them we quote from the Journal : Of all the women’s clubs none arc of greater importance than the Working Girls’ Clubs. While most of the others are almost wholly com¬ posed of women of leisure and broad culture, these are made up from among the 20,000 women employed in our city in shop and store and office, to many of whom have come very limited opportunities for improvement, either social, ’moral or intellectual. But it is asked “What is a Working Girls’ Club?” “It is an organization formed among busy women and girls, to secure, by co-operation, means for self improvement, opportunities for social intercourse and the development of higher, nobler aims.” There are in our city and it^suburbs a dozen or more of these clubs, all together forming the Boston Association of Working Girls’ Clubs, with a membership of over one thousand. The first was formed in 1885, about eight months after the first club of the kind was formed by Miss Grace Dodge in New York. This club started with a membership of twenty. It now numbers two hundred. These clubs are officered and governed by the members, but the aid and sympathy of many large-hearted women of refinement and education arc gladly and
Page 40
78 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. freely given. This assistance tendered “ on the ground of common sister¬ hood,” is highly prized and is an inspiration of true and beautiful woman¬ hood and of noble, self-sacrificing life. The members of the clubs are ready to help each other in all possible ways. 41 They band together for vacation and outing purposes, some even having established a country or seaside house on the co-operative plan.” Most of these clubs form classes in cook ing, dress-making, calisthenics and singing. Some possess a library and some give courses of lectures, while amusements and social teas also have a place. Who can estimate the effect of the helpfulness and brightness which have, in these various ways, come into so many lives? Another interesting club is the “ Wimodaughsis,” whose name is a product of Washingtonian ingenuity. The following extract will explain the name and object of the club : “Wimodaughsis!” 1 hear you say “What does it mean?” Dissect this word and you have the syllables: wi-wives, mo-mothers, daugh-daugh- ters, sis-sisters. A significant word indeed, as it contains the home-making elements of our progressive civilization. * * * * It offers women and women’s clubs, a meeting place where comfortable rooms, well lighted and heated, plenty of good books, the leading magazines, daily papers, and, more than all, a hearty welcome, can be found between 8 A. m. and io p. m. each day. The originators of this club, which promises much and has accom¬ plished considerable, (though organized only in November, 1890,) have al¬ ready organized a stock company whose capital now equals and is not to exceed two hundred thousand dollars. For the present, the club has rented a roomy house, preparatory to building an edifice especially designed for a women’s club. The stock is non-assessable and the officers are under bonds. The shares are placed at the low price of five dollars each. A small monthly fee entitles each member to all the privileges of the Wimodaughsis, among which, are lessons in French, German, Spanish, Latin, painting, music, hygiene, physiology, gymnastics, shorthand, type¬ writing, cooking, dress-making, millinery, etc., all of which are taught by competent persons. * * * Commenting on the remark in the November number of the Kappa Alpha Theta JOURNAL to the effect that women’s fraternities should make especial effort to enter the Eastern col¬ leges for women, the Alpha Phi Quarterly says : However, to some of us who know how strong a fortress surrounds Smith, Wellesley and Vassar Colleges, and how impregnable the Greeks have ever found the walls, a smile will be pardoned when we read of the agita¬ tion on the subject of entering these institutions. Less red tape, corre¬ spondence, and entreaty would be needed to wrest Siberia from Russia or to gain possession of several thousand square miles in the interior of Africa than to convince the trustees of certain colleges for women that it would be to their advantage to allow sororities to enter their institutions.
Page 41
Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. 79 The writer of the paragraph to which the Quarterly takes exception, having spent two years at Smith College, knows something of the difficulties which would attend the introduc¬ tion of fraternities into that and similar colleges. But we believe that the Quarterly has slightly exaggerated these diffi¬ culties, from the fact that Chapters of women’s fraternities now exist in the University of Vermont and in Boston University; and that Wellesley and Smith both have taken a step in that direction in permitting local Greek letter societies to exist in their institutions for literary purposes. This is certainly encouraging so far; and we believe that an effort, at once skill¬ ful and persistent, to introduce fraternities in the East has a chance, at least, of success. The 1). U. Quarterly is especially interesting by reason of its fine illustrations. A cut of the Rochester Chapter-house „ and of Attorney-General Miller’s private office, together with pictures of two or three distinguished Alumni and of several editors of fraternity magazines, relieve the unillustrated mo¬ notony of most of our exchanges. We feel somewhat guilty in confessing the pleasure with which we have read Rossiter John¬ son’s “Old Words to Young Writers,” published by the Quar¬ terly, since our avowed principles are directly against the inser¬ tion of such articles in fraternity magazines. In order to restore our self-respect, we must once more announce ourselves as decidedly opposed to the practice, delightful as it may be in individual cases. If general contributions are received from authors of note, the popularity of the fraternity magazine, like that of any other, will depend upon the amount and quality of such contributions, instead of upon articles of strictly fraternity interest. 1 he representative character of the magazine will disappear, and its excellence will fluctuate with the fraternity purse. On the other hand, i {general contributions are received from amateurs, they are likely to be “ light-weights ” in the literary arena, and to go down at the first attack of competent criticism. Fraternity magazines are not published to afford would-be essayists and poets a field for their efforts; but for the definite purpose of furnishing information and suggestions of interest and value to the Greek world in general and to one
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80 Kappa Alpha Theta Journal. fraternity in particular. A magazine that does not do that is a failure, no matter how many well-known authors it may number among its contributors; and a magazine that docs more than that is transcending what we conceive to be the limits of its jurisdiction. -x- 7V- Tf The December Arrow of Pi Beta Phi has a good article on “Collegiate Alumnae’* in which occurs the following: The first great argument against higher education for women was that it would result in a distaste for domestic life; that marriage and family responsibilities would be shunned by the feminine “ B. A.” To be sure only about forty per cent of the alumnae of our principal colleges are married, but we must bear in mind the fact that a girl who has finished a college course possesses the tools necessary for gaining a liveli¬ hood, and is not likely to marry, as others often do, for the sake of a home and a living. Then, too, she is hard to suit, this girl graduate; for with her clear head and broad culture she detects the false and appreciates the true; so the man who captivates her fancy must have a mind and character cal¬ culated to arouse her highest admiration and respect. The universal edu¬ cation of women, if it ever comes, will result, if not in more marriages, cer¬ tainly in better ones. % * * * We are glad to note the return of “Table Talker,” after a prolonged absence from the Phi Gamma Delta Quarterly. Mis comments on the different magazines carry weight because of their conservative spirit and forcible style. Listen to his utter¬ ance on the subject of fraternity journalism. Fraternity journalism seems to be passing from the so-called “stage of amateurism,” and is rapidly assuming a semi-professional air. Such was the inevitable result from the placing of the magazines in the hands of ex¬ perienced alumni with salaried editors. * * * The more recent issues of Delta Kappa Epsilon , Delta Epsilon , Sigma Chi, Kappa Alpha, and Phi Delta Theta show a marked improvement over any preceding publica¬ tions by these fraternities, and one is inclined to believe that the summit of fraternity journalism has been attained. Mow long will it be before Kappa Alpha Theta, with a salaried editor at ihe head of her journalistic corps, can merit the approbation of the fastidous Table Talker ? * Those Chapters of KAPPA Alpha Theta which have at
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— Kappa Alpha Theta Journal, gj any time been responsible for the appearance of the JOURNAL, will appeciate this editorial wail : (Enter Business Manager.) F>. M.~ And is the copy given yet Unto the printers? Lo here are seven letters, all Of which belabor us, for not More quickly publishing our magazine. Can you not do more swiftly then, The work before you? Editor - We think that you should understand That contributions are quite few, And only live short letters from The Chapter secretaries. /). M. — So bad as that ! No wonder then the lateness of This issue. [Exit B. MJ Editor — No contributions in this morning’s mail? We, you and we, we mean by we, Have written ourselves out; But brace yourself again and write, We say, write as tho’ your life Depended on it. — K. A. Journal . /