The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-12-09
A LETTER OF INQUIRY
Ana She knOws.what She II Talking
About, tf 10 II = Dead subIect-Sim-
ply . Little Curiosity, Ton Know.

line Mr.. Davis, in his paper of Oct. 2lst.
published the following remarkable
words I'VE were disappointed In one
thing 1t was this 'ce failed TO find Cairo
represented By a single article"
This quotation Is part of description,
or rather occurs in Mr.. Davis descrip-
ton of the woman's pavilion at Philadel-
.phia, and has not as yet been disputed,
although several weeks have interviewed
since its appearance and now; on the con-
trary, Others who visited the great expo
stion from here looked with eager and
expectant eyes all through this same
building and found nothing representing
the not inconsiderable sums of money
collected in this city last year by the
woman's centennial association and they
too were disappointed and one at least
| a little mortified as well. "lf not to the
| legitimate purpose, then to what purpose
was put the collections made here and else
where through the southern part of ILL
nois?' is the question. that comes up some
what persistently In the minds of the
"workers" of that memorable association.
A warm discussion arose in the pres
ence of the writer Of this, few days
since, as to the amount collected, tor
what purpose intended, and as to
whether any statement was ever made of
either. Remembering this discussion,
and thinking it more than probable that
l n lah hn r-aI u.zI
fused by similar questions, it occurred to
me that the present would be a favorable
time to hear from any one who knows all
about it.
1t really is unfortunate that everything
of a philosophical kind that our ladies
take hold OF is so conducted that unpleas-
ant constructions can be and are made
about it. No more is this true of this
particular association than it was true
OF the old orphan asylum management
OF the past, and the Wv. &. and l.. l..
A." OF the present. Who-what woman
can tell head or tail of that OLD asylum
business to-day and what man ever
mentions it but with Nslur
on woman's capacity for self-govern/
ment! Deserved or undeserved, THIS
is true; and is no less true of the Liter.
airy and Library association. AS Lit
erary and Library association" this So
cicty is not known at all TO our people.
As a successful set of money gatherers
the members of this society are we'll
known, and are not creating that whole
some confidence in "woman's work"
that they might by pursuing straight
forward and business-lIke manner OF ac-
counting for all moneys collected by
them, so easily to do.
When men conduct business transac-
tons as women not untrequently do,
they are gravely censured; women can
expect no less, and, in fact, often receive
undue condemnation, where nothing but
strict justice would be dealt out to men,
1t beheoves all women, then, engaged in
"woman's work." to protect themselves
and their sister-workers, here and else
where, by conducting their work so
fairly, and above thought OF suspicion
or trickery, that no man, or woman
either, can deride either them or
their work. Until this is fully
understood by our women they
, must and will labor under great dis
advantage.
AS staunch believer In the purity OF
woman's intention in all departments OF
life, still am compelled to admit that
she is, seemingly, less honorable and
honest in all money matters than are
men. l say seemingly, for in reality II
is peculiar kind Of ambition or greed to
secure more money for her particular so.
ciety than any other society has that
impels her to beg OF men unable to give
and ask assistance OF women who are
themselves needing. This is | believe a
fault coming from a lack of sober second
thought. much Oftener than from an in
ward born capacity for doing little
things.
So long, however, as woman will no
these things she must and will reap the
consequences and she has no need to
wonder why her gentlemen friends shun
her and turn corners, and squlrm and
mnce when she does catch them, when
she remembers how often in the course
of year they are called upon to give
money they never even hear of again,
and can see no good results arising
from, one time out often.
For one, like to know what uses
money is put to when | exercise my best
energies and give my time toward help
|, ing to collect it, And am not alone in
this ; nor do | think il unreasonable in
any one, man or woman, to ask this
much of all societies supported by the
people at large.
1t is folly to claim that woman is not
capable of managing things successfully.
Who runs our churches; our societies +;
and almost all our different organize
tons, but our women But there is
much, yet, for woman to do-much that
she owes to herself. She must learn TO
, manage things in such a way that she
brings no jeer or word of disrespect or
doubt OF her entire faithfulness in all she
does; and she must create the we'll
; grounded confidence in her and her
work that is so apparently thing I'M