Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-01-22

Meeting at Union League Hall Last Niqht-Ad-
dresses by Mss Collins, the Factory Gtri, and
Others-A Woman srho had "Cheek"-Hard Life
Of Factory Girl-7he Social Eril, &c.
large meeting of the advocates Of woman's
lights was held last night in the upper room of
Union League Hall, and was called to order by
Prot. Wilcox.
Miss Jennie Collins, the Boston factory girl,
was introduced and addressed the meeting at
some length. She said it seemed strange to her
that any argument was necessary to show the
claims Of woman to the right OF suffrage, and
she was ashamed to see men 90 out OF their way
to hunt for argument against the cause. They
even 60 to the Bible, but where they found one
word to sustain their side she could find ten to
sustain hers. She then quoted numerous pass
ages from both the Old and New Testament.
land and America to illustrate that womsns
genius was there spoken Of as well as mans.
Lady Jane Gray, Queen Elizabeth, and many of
the women Of England, were alluded to, as well
as our own countrywOmen, showing the promi-
nent part women had taken I'm acts that lived in
history. Women are sometimes called bold be-
cause they act naturally. 1t was no sign Of
boldness to talk on this question of woman
suffrage. She never knew but one wo-
man that was bold enough to have it said of
her, that she had "cheek, - and that was Mary
Ware, Of Massachusetts. and she had the temer-
ity to present q petition in the Legislature
against female suffrage. ILaughter.l Men
were getting alarmed at the situation of things
But they may call us amazons II they will. She
independence than a silk one, however costly.
and be the subordinate companion Of a man
She gave history Of the woman strikes in the
Massachusetts, factories and the advantage can
ttal exercised in such cases, compelling them to
accept the terms Of their task-masters or starye.
Our politicians were great men, who Wouid
make their 4th Of July speeches and cali the
lab0rers and mechanics "fellow citizens" bnt
when the election was over they forgot them, and
when in the legislative halls would ignore their
wishes in toto. lApplause.l The women Of the
Massachusetts, workshops and factories we're as
Intelligent e. were men Of education anywhere
but their condition was getting worse and worse;
every time they had the presumption ts ask for
an advance Of pay the thumb screws were
turned on them tighter. A few years ago two
looms were considered as much ss one woman
ought to attend to, now it was increased to three
four, nve, six, and even seven. All this hard
labor had been imposed upon them, because it
had been found possible that it could be done.
How little is it known OF the condition Of the
northern factory girls. She spoke Of their pow
erty and that they were scoffed at by the wives
and daughters Of these very masters they were
serving. The political leaders In the State of
Massa chueetts were men who have been raised
up on the labor Of women, and they are worse
than the bandit who r0bs you outright
She advocated cooperation as one means of
relief, and said that the working people could
put their own price on their labor, and capital
would have to kneel At the feet Of labor, il the