Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-12-04


and their regulations. / have meter
visited any prison where measures
seemed more ameliorating than that
of the Ohio p~eniteDtiary. Every few
days we read in papers bold enough to
print the facts, OF the horrors perpe-
trated in SO. called puDishments aud
discipline Of prisons and asylums. The
human mind revolts at this, %perceiving
clearly that what is not smeliorating
and reformatory, degrades into perse-
.cution, brutality and crime. Witness
the late exposures in the New York
Herald of the Elmira Reformatory(?)
School. Most people cast aside this
subject Of prison reform as hopeless
far away; but it is no more so, nor as
much, as was the reformation or the
emancipation of seris and slaves,
The labor leagues in New York and
elsewhere. which tended so largely to
effect the late political upheaval, re-
minds one again OF ludicrous and idi-
otto phases of a spirit Of certain classes
in Washington toward people who
yearly earn their own material support.
Why it should be deemed by some
people less worthy and honorable for
a true woman to step forth and secure
honorable brain work of government,
than for a man, is queer indeed. To
the contrary, she should be doubly
honored and sustained, since she must
prove her independence at the cost OF
her best strength and time, making
many sacrifices that the other sex can
never make. To illustrate a certain
spirit, and epitomise hundreds OF
cases, | will cite one ludierous oc'
currenee, showing that many Southern
people yet do not wear the jewel OF
consistency, nor hold labor as royal
as they should. The daughter OF a
famous Georgia politician, being com
PEELED 10 separate from a cruel, thrift
less husband, sought and obtained a
nice, lucrative, permanent posi-
ton here. Her father, once
Governor of his State, and noted
as one of the most prominent Union
men, came here during her stress of
difficulties, and, as the friend OF q
prominent hotel proprietor, secured
board for the daughter at this first
class hotel. The lady is amiable,
lovely in person, tasteful and womanly
every wav She had always been
accustomed to the pleasant refinement
of life aud hardly knew how, or why,
she should throw aside every article
Of dress and jewels used in times prior
to this sad event; in order to 90 with
ashes on her head, simply because she
chose to walk independently than
crawl at the feet Of abject wrong and
misery. When the Southern members,
and others installed themselves for the
season in this same hotel, the wives
and relatives Of these honorable
men and noblest Romans Of all ID de-
nlined the courtesy OF a visit OF this
lady, BECAUSE they chose to term her
"a clerk" F'only s clerk" Now IN
the name ofcommOn sense, what were
their relatives, if being hon0rably,
save laborersa nd servants OF the peo-
pie? aye, slaves, begging votes OF the
v%eriest menials or criminals, almost,
70 put them In power to draw their
salaries Of government
Now, perhaps, if the constituents OF
these people knew fully how they
would throw spite on honorable beings
who toll for their own independence,
these same voters nj bit request some
Of the Members of CongTss5 aud Sena-
tors to remain at home. The South
era people might as well learn that
labor is the royalty IL America. |
mention this item because it occurred
only among Southern people, and no
o~strscism Of politics about it
When the South remembers that
the sacrifices which women made in
the lats var renders thousands Of
them self dependent. her men and the
fortunate, urseathsd women might
be the sFst and strongest to support 3
lady il her battle for the material Of
life When, originally, she vas never
designed to be the bread winner, Dol
the battle maker.
Bat, We will tell you Of the Garfield
Pair II is almost like q lost wing Of
the Centennial Of lS6-coms back Il
rs for 3 new delight L. r. N: