The Evening critic., 1882-10-13
WOMEN WHO WORK

with Mrs. Charlotte Smith In tho chair.
There was n good attendance of NOM
berg, but there was much business
Of importance TO be transacted, and IN
unusually large crowd was expected, but was
detained on account Of the lnclomency Of tho
weather
Tho object of the meeting last night was
principally 10 expose the practice Of placing
women of loose Character in the
Departments
while those Of good character aud often we'll
recommended were denied positions.
Letters were read from Frederick Douglas,
Commissioner Morgan, General Francis Il.
Spinner and others, heartily indorslng the
league. General spinner, when U. $. Treas.
urer, was among tho first TO employ women
I'm the departments, and IN his letter he spoke
warmly Of their efficiency and close attention
10 their duties. He said that but few years
ago there was but limited number OF 70.
males employed I'm tho departments OF tho
Federal Government, but now tho number has
grown TO thousands, and VIII doubtless rap
Mrs. Roberts said that Mr.. spinner was an
historical man, aud had done much for tho
welfare OF women, and called for vote OF
thanks, which was promptly responded TO by
tho members.
Miss Franklyn, n lady who had much OK.
perlenco with associated charities, was then
called upon TO speak. She said that the asso.
ciated charities In Washington wero doing all
in their power to
AmcIiOrRtc the Condition of women.
but not half tho demands for assistance could
be met, and it was truly distressing TO sec the
crowds of deserving girls go away with toars
in their eyes without having tholr needs grati-
ned. Only mental positions were offered as u
general thing by those who were asked TO give
places TO the poor Many OF tho applicants
were onco rich and had n plenty OF the worlds
good things and numerous servants, aud It
was hard for this class to do common work.
Nira. Roberts, interruptlng, said that II was
partially the fault OF women themselves by
patronizing stores that sold cheap articles,
knowing that the same goods worc made by
female hands at starvation wages.
Mrs. Charlotte Smith then rerorred to tho
fact that women came 10 Washington from all
parts Of the country seeking positions, and fire.
quently their funds gave out without their oh.
tanning situations, and they were left
Destitute in the National Capital.
She recommended that some provision DO
made, II possible, for this class OF sufferers,
ana considerable discussion was then INDUCED
in about tho establishment OF q co operative
store in the city, and II was claimed that
Sl,5O0 could ut once be procured for that pur
pose. II was reported that n man In philldcl-
phia was making large sums OF money manu-.
featuring bags for the Government, aud It was
thought that this work could be thrown into
the hands of the Associated Charities.
Tho sewing room on street was now of con.
siderable benefit to the poor.
Mrs. NJ A. Butler then addressed the audi
cnce. She said IL was her ardent desire to help
the fortunes OF suffering females. Hundreds
OF intelligent girls, she said, were to-day labor
after the setting sun for the inadequate wages
OF $3.50 to "a per week, and subjected to tho
piercing 'aunts of brutal bosses. These help.
less girls were
Expected 10 Dress Neatly,
for 1t made no difference to tho grinding lord
of q store how they lived at home, and II must
be remembered that many OF these deserving
creatures were. without parents and had %
live in boardlng-houses. Tho manner In
which they were often compelled - supple
mentt their incomes forms tale too sad % re.
late here-a tale which, II known, would bring
bitter anguish TO the
Bleeding Hearts of Many Mothers
In far.distant States. 1t frequently happens
that these poor unfortunates lose their places
through some slight technical mlsunderstand-
Ing with their tyrannical masters, and there
arc always crowds to I'LL their places in Wash
ington. Imagine the condition OF n shop girl
who has lost her position: She goes to her
pennies In her pockets, butexpresses the nope
Of shortly finding work, Tho landlady Is
grim and awful, but agrees 10
Trust Her for Time;
Il few days go by and the woman becomes Inn
pervlous and mentions in tho presence OF the
other guests that she would like her TO pay
something. The poor girl has In tho moan
time been diligently looking for n situation,
but all her efforts have been futile, and she
becomes discouraged. Day by day the hash
house queen grows moro inqulsitive. She Is
greatly in need of money, she says. AT last tho
fatal evening comes, when, after hard days
ramble over the streets, she wants TO retire to
her bed and rest for tho exertlons Of the next
day.
The inhumanity of tho landlady flashes
across her mind; sho resolves to die, rather
than seek her domicile again; for she, like most
girls, has a vast amount of PRIDE That night,
| after dark, she wanders alone, hungry and
tired, through tho streets, and many an un-
gentlemanly cur watches her and whispers I'm
| her ear shocking language. After time the
streets become deserted, and she stands alono,
exhausted, on some dark corner. By-and.by
some ono approaches her, and she hears tho
Flnttcring SalutatfOns of Some
Young Man.
Tho two are seen to go away together, Il
| where II is not well to say. This is the OK.
| perionce OF scores OF girls In this city. II Il
| the bitter experience OF thousands In larger
| cities. We never sec this poor girl again al
| OF those who love her; she never more hears
| the voice OF friends and relatives; she Is
ruined.
Mrs. Butler went on 70 say that It was com
mon for boardinghouse Keepers TO charge
| girls with
Lack OF Virtue
| when they were in debt 10 them.
Mrs. Butler advocated the establishment Of
| an institution In this city whore girls and
working women could hoard according to theii
| income, No matter how little woman earned
| she should be allowed something after paying
| her board, and she thought 1t proper to estab
| lish working place In connection with the
| institution, where those who were out OF situa
| tions could lind employment.
Sho said the great. floating population lr
Washington made the institution necessity
| similar places were In New York and Other
cities, but they were run partially to make
| money.
Mrs. smith remarked that women were OTTER
| employed In the Departments more for theh
| good looks than for their business qualilca
| tions, and
cited the Case OF Mrs. Miller,
| who, she said, was recently beaten in tho AgrI
| cultural Department by Mrs. Mary OConnell
| and who, she said, had been for three month
| In disreputahle house kept by Mrs. Elde
| previous 10 getting her position.
| Mr.. o. W. Brown was then called upon, ant
he vigorously denounced the actions of Con
gresemen in procuring places In the depart
ments for disreputable women, when ther,
were hundreds OF deserving ones who could
not get work.
Congressman Rice, of Missouri,
| who procured Mrs Miller n position In tn
| Agricultural Department, was particularly dc
| nounced. He said he did not believe the recon
| mendations of congressman TO be superior 4
those Of any other men, and said he knew Con
| gressmen who were among the grandes
villains in the nation. He deprecated the lde
OF allowing
Loose Characters TO Come Into tn
Eeague.
l. As long as he was a member OF 1t he woul
be ready 10 throw blackball against loos
person. lie would always protect his famil
and his friends, and would always help vir
Iuons @ woman hut had no use for those tha
were wicked, There nre thousands of peopl
coming TO Washington from all parts OF tn
country, but no slip-shod tramp should ente
tho league simply TO enjoys its benefits.
MT. Brown congratulated the City Council o
Baltimore for passing law compelling mer
chants TO
Provide Seats for Their Employees
but In this city the girls were not ovon allowe
10 sit during lull In business. Tho girls 4
this city are entirely too poorly paid and ar