, 1873-10-26
THE W0RK!NG.G!RL QUESTION.


|
10 the Editor Of The chiccgo Tribune:
| s1n: It is very gratifying to know that 40
many persons are waking up to the Importance
and necessity Of this matter Of establishing the
| comparatively homeless people in places better
| suited to them, and worthy OF tho spirit and i'm
proyomonts Of tho day. THE SUNDAY TRIBUNE
! has been made especially interesting to indus
trloue, Holf-supporting women on account Of the
| many lottors published therein In fayor of the
general movement for homes, which LATTER it ia
to DO hoped, will receive new impulse in tho
| community.
Good homcB for our working-women arc only
more needed, if possible. than simiar provisions
for young mou and 1t is desirable that the agi-
tation Of thought on the subject shall 90 on unit
tho right kind Of sympathy an Il earnest ecu
aidcration shall bo developed and bestowed III tho
direction OF tho object.
All that will be required at tho hands OF Tho
general public or humane capitalists arc the
necessary means with which to buy grounds,
erect buildings, and equip the same. Onc large
house, or several smaller ones, adapted to tho
after being thus established. There can DO no
question Of it, If managed reasonably woll.
The Homo, or boarding g-houso, for womcn
which has boon in operation on Jackson street
to 1.-Two after boing started by mon and women Of
means aud good heart in the face Of all inlsg-
inab1o dli1lcultios and ombarraaBments which
beset'new aud untried Bohomes, only proves that
the plan OF providing good homes for the COM
fort and protection Of working women is capablo
Of indefinite application to the wants Of that
class.
Other sirailar institutions can DO established
under less trying circumstances, because tho
public mind ia somewhat familiar with tho move
ment by reason OF the successful running Of tho
first one.
It would appear to be case, in fact, in whiol,
no great amount Of argument should be needed
to convince people. md spur them up to action
those who arc virtually homeless, and whose me-
coasty IN this respect ia really urgent.
Combined action upon tic part Of moneyod
men would , make tho work easy Of accomplish
ment There IL great power oxorted by coulbi-
paton 9 IN making public improvements. Why
not direct some Of that power for the purpose Of
building homes for the people .aa woll2 Such
homes should bo established only with tho idoa
OF helping the girls to help themselves. So much
assistance would be simple justco. and not chari-
ty. Tho Independence OF working must be-
maintained. No respectable woman, who ia ablo
to earn her way through tho world, will live as
subject Of charity In charitable institution,
Every respectable working woman has moral
right to what she oarns, aud such have the right
to be we'll housed, and deserve tho Intelligent
sympathy Of the world.
put themselves III marble-fronts for life ut loss
cost than they are now subjected to by living i'll
the ordinary wooden boardlng-housos of our
city, They might have Humptrous quarters iii
and general advantages They could, have those
things II they would combine their noans, mud
agro0 to build upon . single block, and
occupy ono grand building together. Ono
fire would warm tue whole, md provisions could
for snall isolated family. Everything cutter
Ing Into such an establishment in tic way Of
furnishing Or supplies would be obtained at