The National tribune., 1883-06-14
WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY JUNE A. 1883


And her condition viii be improved when she is
paid for the tiresome service that no one else viii
render. man from China viii do homework
sometimes for forty dollars per month, while many
women must work the same number OF days for
six dollars. And custom says the poor mans wife,
who has toed more hours In q month than either,
must work for nothing. But. perhaps, her h,ls-
band is q kind man, and will buy for her print
dress that shall not cost less than fifty cents
while for his own use he VIII purchase little
tobacco for eighty cents. Still, the wife tolls on
rearing children who see her treated with the dis
respect that falls to the lot of household drudge
and, as they must be reared at the expense of her
health and confines, they soon regard her with
contempt, not unmixed with pity perhaps; but
pity and contempt are not good pay for the labor
OF "a lifetime.
are closed; then the faded, unlsept hair viii be
combed with careful hands, end the cheap gar
ments SO. gfudgingiy bought may be laid away
LOOK Tor the last time on the brow scanned with
care, and every stitch in the seam interviewer with
her chlldren's welfare Unkindness toward the
subjugated classes is prolific cause of physical
decay; Withholding the wages of laborin4y wife
is an intolerable outrage. The popular theme at
this time Is wonan's work, but the theme that
woman's pay.
GOOD WORDS AND GOOD WORKS.
Woman's work continues the vital topic in
G. A. K. circles East aud West, and recruiting
in that branch of the service is about as brisk
as that in the grand old Order itself. Noble
service was done by the woman workers in
helping forward the beautiful and solemn Me-
mortal Day ceremonials, and the most cheering
reports of their efficient planning reach US from
all sides. AT Columbus, the capital city of
Ohio, these ladies varied the programme by
furnishing luncheon to several hundred of the
G. A. L. and Sons of Veterans, and, wherever
enlisted, they gave substantial evidence of their
Interest and answering fidelity to the cause of
Fraternity, Loyalty and Charity.
Cur hearts have been cheered by numerous
communications, eyincipg the growing interest
IN the department of Loyal Woman's Work,
and we trust our friends will continue to send
us words of cheer, even if it is but few lines
on postal card. The following are among the
letters received within the past few days.
The first letter we give is from Mrs. Matilda
E. Lawton treasurer of the Woman's Relief
Corps, Department of Massachusetts,. 1t is in
response to a letter of inquiry addressed to her
by THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, and breathes the
spirit of strong and fervid patriotism. We
learn from her letter that all loyal women are
eligible to membership in the Woman's Relief
Corps OF the glorious old commonwealth, a fact
that brings us very deep satisfaction, since we
know OF many woman whose hopes were
buried on the battlefield, who under the rule
restricting membership to those of known re-
lationship to the soldiers of the Union, would
be cut off from privilege inexpressibly pre-
cious to her. The following is Mrs. Lawton's
admirable letter. and we trust others addressed
will reply rs fully and frankly. The interests
of a national organization would thereby be
very materially furthered
South BOSTON,, May &c, 1888.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Your circular OF May o. received and I will
briefly reply to your questions:
First. do most certainly favor National Asso-
elaten, II IT can be Ieunesd upon a firm basis.
Second would not eonfine the membership to
mothers, wives, sisters and daughters of soldiers;
but would not only allow but urge all loyal women
to become members. One preamble of the
Woman's Relief Corps reads: We the under
signed, mothers, wives, daughters and sisters of
the soldiers sailors and marines of the late rebel
lion, and other loyal women do unite to establish
permanent organization for the purposes and
objects herein set forth. &c.
Third. | would have the society secret one,
with ceremonies OF initiation and ritual / will
again refer to cur forms as beautiful and Impress
i've. / am President Of Corps No. 20. I scarcely
ever initiate new member, but she viii speak of
the service as being very solemn and impressive
and so much better than she had idea of. I
think it gives much more dignity to the meeting
to have it opened with suitable ceremony and pro-
priety. Why not have Our society secret, as well
as the G. A. R.? For, although not Of it, we are
Auxiliary to it. l assure ycu the most staunch
orthodox could take our obligation without any
fear ard no good and true woman would hesitate
to do all we require of her. would like to read
the secretary report of the meetings of any Aux
iary or Corps, taat had no ritual or secret work,
compare 1t with ours for the same time; and /
would that eaeh secretary would be obliged to
keep an accurate account. / believe in forms,
when they are in the hands of good women.
Fourth. i aIn willing TO have organization
formed to Tow societies in other States to form to
suit themselves, but would wish them to see our
work first, as far possible.
Fifth. ! most certainly hope that our or9aniza-
ton will be represented at the Denver Encamp-
nent. / should wish that our President and sew
eral Others of the Union Board might be present;
and II there Is any woman that would wish
TO represent us, it would be Secretary, Mrs -
Il. Fuller to whom this organization owes SO
much. She was orr first prssideat and such
good friend 80 the boys in blue. feel that if our
President, Mrs. e. +. Barker and our Secretary
could represent US, that good many States would
adopt our work.
1 was surprised to read letter in THE TRIBUNE
Mass, in which she would deny loyal women the
right OF belonging to the Relief Corps. We give
them hearty welcome In Massachusetts, one of
our best women and hardest workers for the boys
Is woman that can only be called loyal woman,
and that liz Mrs. /. A. TuEher. The poor disabled
soldiers Mt the Soldiers Home in Massachusetts,,
could tell you how hard she works and what a
faithful friend they all have in her. and so could
many others
1 would 40 much like to go to the Encampment,
not that think could do the cause much good
ms am such poor speaker that our Department
President has forbidden to make any more at
tempts have great deal in my heart would
like to say, but there is always a lump in my
throat. viii have TO leave the work in other
hands, as twill be impossible for me to 60 God
bless the efforts of all the loyal women of America
when they 10 all in their power fc the brave men
that did so much for US.
MATILDA E. LAwToS,
Treasurer Department of Mass.
A NOBLE ARMY NURSE.
Ia++ar canvas fro,, Nocb,-iIJo g. -,