The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1882-08-11
WOMEN INDIGNANT
At the Attempt 10 Exclude Them
From Onicc I'm the nennrfmenfs.


number Of ladies held meeting last night
TO protest against the exclusion OF females
from oflce, and to sit down upon aud denounco
all officials alleged to be responsible for their
grievances. Mrs. Charlotte Smith presided.
Resolutions MS follows were ndoptedi
i. ReS0tced, Whereas under tho recent APP
proved act OF Congress calling for more than
one thousand additional clerks, women are ex-
cluded by tho imperative declslon OF sccre-
taries Lincoln and Teller, we hereby cnter our
protest against said decision.
o. Res0ired, Whereas this act is contrary to
and "new departure" from the usual prac.
tice OF Secretaries OF Departments; and
whereas such action abrldges the rights aud
privileges granted TO women for the past
twenty years; and whereas 1t closes tho doors
OF employment 10 honest and competent
women, many OF them tho widows, orphans
absolute want, we do hereby earnestly declare
against said action.
3. ReS0lred, whereas we believe women are
equally as competent to adjust claims In the
Pension and War Departments (wherc the
present appointments arc being made) as
men, providing they receive the same instruc-
lions that men do; and whereas wo believe
from information received that women have
been excluded for political purposes, and
also because these Secretaries are opposed TO
employing women In any OF the Government
Departments, we do therefore believe 10 our
duty TO make known these facts by tho calling
of n meeting at the Nations Capital TO give
expression TO this injustice to women.
to believe this q "freo republic whero equal
rights" to all are TO be granted, we do there.
fore protest In the name OF this republic
against 'rulers" and q ''onc-man power"
3. Resoir6d, In view OF the foregoing to form
permanent organization to DO called and
known as the
wOmen's National Labor Orgapizn-
ton.
@. Resoired, That we will call to the women
OF America, TO the press, and the labor organ.
tzations throughout tho land to unto with us
in our honest efforts for the women OF Amer
lea who work for q living.
oilers OF the country TO defend tho rights Of
these widows and orphans shut out by this
"one.man power" from the very gates OF the
fathers died TO defend and save. In the name
OF liberty and loyalty, Of sorrow and sacrifice,
they have waited, prayed and hoped, almost
pennyless, for months, only to be told at last
'No women will be appointed here"
8. Resoired, Whereas we have realized that
defeat in var, in tho midst OF sacrifice and
hunger, spurs the warrior on to grandor deods
and to victorious flolds-so our defeat shall be
but tho beginning OF warfare that shall
never cease-until we SEQ the words posted
the no a Sns aS pS
rules here" and "equal rights under the
american nag" to tho women OF this nation.
o. ResOiged, That these resolutions shall be
printed and q copy OF them sent to the labor
organizations, Grand Army Posts, and politl-
cal headquarters in the different States.
Several speeches were delivered, In tho
course OF which various members OF the Cabl-
net particularly Secretary Teller were sound
ly rated, and Senators and Representatives
were charged with meanness and vices; and It
was oven asserted that there were ladies pres.
ent who possessed the facts OF women OF ques.
tionable character who arc holding depart.
mental positions on the recommendation OF
certain Congressman and prominent Govern.
ment officials. The ladies Will meet again
next Thursday night, when the committee on
permanent organization (AIrs. Charlotte Smith,
chairman, Will report.