Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-06-06
'Eiac WOlaen's Hotel,

Az lAo hoiaeU tualgCaLlGu WeetlGs' aV
Cooper Uaion, in New York, last Tuesday
night, to protest against the language Of judge
Hilton, 10 giving his reasons for changing the
character Of the women's hotel, Mrs. Matilda
Fletcher, one OF the speakers, said -
She had been induced to come from . dis
tant State BY the promise of Woman's Hotel,
where she could have peace and quiet. She
wished TO deny the assertion thai had been
made, to the effect that there was 90 trouble
about the Woman's Hotclun,il Matilda Fetch
er came from Iowa. That this statement was
false she could prove by publications in news
papers and magazines over her name, 10 which
she had spoken 10 the highest terms Of Judge
Hilton and The enterprise he was conducting.
With her present lights she believed she WAS
the only woman who had said good word for
him. She disolaimed that she was an agilator
and said that, though Judge Hilton had done
her the honor of saying that she was the pine
mover 10 this meeting, she was not. She only
wished, for her own sake, that she could say
the Judge was as truthful as he was gallant on
the occasion Of that speech; for 10 have been
the occasion Of such meeting es the present
would indeed be proud distinction. No indi
vidua! could claim the houor OF tho meeting.
| ton at the insult that had been haunted 10 the
face of Womankind. She had not como TO the
meeting to condemn or to draw references from
the conduct of Judge Hilton, but to narratc
her experiences Of him, and let her auditors
draw thir own conclusions.
She then went on to tell how she arrived one
wet, stormy morning from Washington and
drove il cab to the hotel, having sent on her
application aud references beforehand; OF how
she walked with her valise in her hand up to
the desk and interviewed the clerk; Of how 10
one offered TO take her baggage, or ask her to
sit down; of how, the clerk asked her if she had
her letter of ac,epance;" OF how she had to
go out and get her breakfast at neighborlng
restaurant; Of how, when she was waiting 10
the reception room, she wrote poem on the
hotel, concluding with the words
Thus ends in bgory and cant
Stewards divinest dream.
She related how, when she went down to the
store, not knowing whether she had been &c.
ceptcd or not, Judge Hilton said to her, Nov
look here, you know if We make the least mis-
take the press OF the country will be down 90
U.s." Poor fellow !" said Mrs. Fletcher, 1.-The
awful prospect OF the whole press Of the coun.
try being down on him softened my heart, "
and | went straiehtway and wrote glowing
account Of the hotel to try and assist him 10
his good work. She then went on to tell Of
what she had doac for him 10 the Westero
press. With q most supplicating bow and
parcu'hc'c excuse me women she announc.
I'd that she did not think Judge Hilton any
worse han other men; With dramatic effect
Mrs. Fletcher tod OF how, after she had been
came to her and said, MADAME, you are
accepted" Joy Of joys said the speaker, II
vas accepted. 1t was 80 NICE She answered
this huteriog announcement of the youog gen
tlemau 10 terms to the effect that she thought
she had been accepted" as be called it, be-
FORE lie galIautly informed her that the
'otfcial acceptance" had only just arrived. The
speaker claimed that the hotel % Park avenue
had never been opened to womanhood, the very
conditions for getting in---haviog to get Ger
tticate of character from men-Was too humb
ling and degrading for true women to submit
TO. Then the rates were too high, tor women
who earued their livelihood by manual labor
could not pay the rates charged, and artists,
medical students and musicians would not be
admitted because they were such, and women
of fortune could not 90 there because they did
not earn their own living.
Here there occurred 10 the narrative little
annecdotc which is too precious morSal to DO
garblcd. The scene is laid in the library where
Mrs. Fletcher had gone with young lady who
had claims on her time, and into which. IN
order to tc)uomz, the moments, she had
brought the very skirt she wore last nlght 10
order to stitch hounce ca it.
The lady 10 charge Ito Mrs. Fletcbel)-
MADAME, suppose you know We do Dot allow
sewing in this room.
Mrs Fletcher Ito lady in charge )-Why, L
have seen ytu doing crochet work here.
Indy in Charge-Yes; but that is different.
Mrs. Fetoher-But | have seen ether ladies'
sewing here.
Lady 10 Charge (spitefulIy) Well, that was
sualI work; this is big work. Exit Mrs
Fletcher, skirt AID f1ounce.
After saying that Mrs. Stewart could not
kuow of all the sights that had been put on
women ADD still allow her husbands noble gilt
to be diverted from lis intended source. she
paid her parting compliments to Judge Hilton
by saying that she had DO sptciul or unklnd
feelings against him. but, said she, II will noi,.
nor should any woman kneel at the feet oil
one man for the charity Of another. 1t was
asked il Mrs. Stewart intended to allow that
which cost her husband BOO, 900, and which
was intended for working women, to degenerate
into barrooms. billiard saloons and barber shops
for men 10 order to further increase her mag.
pfcc ut dover.