The New York herald., 1877-11-23
WORKING WOMEN.

THE FOURTEENTH ANNIVERSARY or THE WORK.
ING woMEN's uSIoN-ADDREssrs By JUDGE
DAVIS, RICHARD oGoRMAN AND DIR. TAYLOR.
The fourteenth anniversary Of the Working women's
Protective Union was celebrated At Chickering Hall
last evening. The audience was large one and was
composed mostly OF those persons whom the society
protects Many Of the patrons OF the society wero
also present II was interesting gathering and tho
visitor could not but notice the many careworn coun
tenances that were frightened into smiles by the
tertainmsnt offered them. Mr. Samuel Willsts, pres-
dent OF the society," presided Tho exercises consisted
OF speeches and music. Mr. Francis J. Bartlett pre-
sided at the organ. and Mrs. Anna Buckley Hills, MISS
CIemsntina Lasar and Mr.. y. w. Jameson sang whilo
Mr.. Colby accompanied them on tho piano. Tho
President made few remarks, followed by prayer
by tho Rev. Carlos Martyr. Then the report OF tho
secretary and treasurer read
The first and longest address was delivered by Chief
Justice Noah Davis. What q terrible thing II is, ho
necessity Is disgrace to civ zation as much as
the society itself Is honor Think OF the cou
OF those poor girls and women who by the late war,
were thrown upon the world without any other means
OF support than their own weak arms Labor
scarce and their employers made whatcvor they
wanted with them. Their wages were hardly enough
20 buy them Iood and shelter. oatsidc Of infancy
there IS no condition o lilo utterly helpless that
OF u girl just verging into womanhood aud compelled
To labor tor her living Ana to such o ono
how glorious must appear such an organ
lzaton as this, whcro her win
be defended by strong and determined and
women. Judge DAVIS then told the following story
which Is OF many that havc como under the notice
OF the Protective Union A girl living Jersey city
came TO New York and was employed by shirt maker
In Bleccker street, near Broadway. She was gwen
two dozcn shirts 10 make and was to be paved lory
cents dozen Tor making them. That Is just three
to deposit 81 as security. When the shirts were Nm
ished And returned her omploper claimed that tho
work was defective aud refused 70 pay more than
two aud half cents piece. He could
not point out any detects IN tho wsrk.
mansh'p, but claimed that cacn ono defective 10
the extent OF hve-sixths vi cent Tho girl refused
the oncr and said she wished money returned and
would leave the shop Tho brutal employer then tod
her that deposits returned, but remained
Tor security in any should be taken IN tho
future Tho girl made her complaint TO this society,
ana her employer was compelled 20 pay the proc
agreed Tor the SHIRTS and return The 81 under penalty
OF imprisonment Tor fraud had rather, SAID Judge
Davis, see the city spend as many millions Ms Tweed
stole from the treasury than let one poor woman be
robbed III tho wny that man attempted But this So
cley does not need millions; II asks but little, and,
like small locomotive, draws n huge tram.
Mr.. Richard O'Gorman followed, ana made a few
remarks Ee said that he had only known OF this
society for fortnight; that he knew nothing Of the
institution beyond knowing ITS officers and object but
that that was enough 10 assure him Of its worth. Ho
spoke OF tho horror with which people the country
look upon New York, reading the record Of It's crimcs
in the newspapers, but they should see the othor
sido by knowing OF its benevolent Institutions There
is protection here for the abandoned infant and nrm
uge. To protect women he regarded as the highest
duty man can perform We have glvon them moro
Independence, therefore we should DO The ready
to protect tnctn
Al tho close of Mr.. O'Gorman's remarks tho Rev.
DR.. Taylor was introduced, who SAID he had been
struck by two things while listening 10 the history Of
the society this evening One 10 tho we'll known
power OF one man when in earnest when he sets him.
sell to do that which lies BY his sido. Another thing
that have learned not TO be unjust noble pro-
ossion Many OF US are apt to have iug at the pro-
fessors Of the law, and take pleasure hold
to tho honor not only OF this audience but OF all
TINS community, the name Of Lawyer Parsons, who
has so generously ana faithfully devoted himself to
the work OF this society. ono why
We should ala and encourage tho Protective Union is
that It helps those who help themselves II does not
tend TO increase but to diminish paupersn II my
belief that If every person New York rofuse
10 give money other assistance TO beggafs ut tho
door apd instead TO qivo to such institution
as this society, both they and the community at large
would be great gamers thereby. Oppression IL old
the Bible and older, but here IN New York strong
men have banded themselves together to put tho
power the eide Of the oppressed In this work the
p0neers have been menbers oil the noble Society OF
Friends, than wnom there better samaritans
to-day. This instit uton Is doing a right, noble and
Christ-ke work. IL has God on its side, and with
Him oppressive employers have TO reckon cvon more
tnan with this society.