The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-07-26

for in their homes, while persons seeking the
products Of certain industries have been equally
benefited by knowing just where TO apply to
supply their wants.
The woman's Exchange is situated in the COM
mercial heart of the city The secretary is in at
tendance from a. to p N. every day of the
week, except Sunday. The practical good result
ing from such an organization cannot be overesti-
mated. Now that the society is organized, the num-
Der of pauper women proves to be great Many
of these women pGupers the wives and daugfl-
tiers of well-to-do or even rich men, who have no
regular allowances yet are expected to dress well
and keep up appearances socially, and appear, like
the lilies of the valley, to neither toll nor spin
Most women gifted with skill in some work,
and here place for its sale is found.
The Noman's Exchange takes the social condi-
ton OF women is and does not seek any reform,
but merely provides market for labor and COM
nloditIes which would otherwise find none. The
broad humanitarianism and Kindness of the intel
ligcnt. synpathizing attendants often brings with
II magnetism which is refreshing even where
pecuniary success is not Immediately gained, while
the extensive acquaintance the Exchange has with
the purchasing portion of the community enables
it TO be Of great service to and producer.
Aside from all this IL teaches women the value of
money 50 little understood where it is not earned,
and inculeates not only the knowledge but the taste
for business IN which many women def
cent. Correspondence from other cities receives
prompt attention. Looking at the Woman's Ex-
change organizations throughout the country, they
clearly point TO practical evolution among women
in attaining conditions of self-help and mutual
help, which must greatly benefit the human race.
Rosa L. SEQUR.
TOLEDO, ONO, July le, 1883.
WHERE Is AUNT BECKY?
We trust Aunt Becky or her friends may
happen upon the following, from an old soldier,
and respond with few words of greeting:
NORTH New CASTLE, NEB., July Ia, 1888.
To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
Inclosed please find 81 for a new subscriber. He
Is not soldier, but the of one By the way, is
Aunt Becky, used to cali her, alive? She
her kindness when was in the hospital at City
Point, in the autumn OF 1854 and also that of lady
and her daughter from Michigan. Their names
have forgotten, but their sefsacrificng will
never forget J. A. JONES'
PENSIONERS OR PAUPERs, WHICH?
There are some points in the letter which
follows which cannot too soon be brought to
the attention Of TIE legislature of the old Com
monwealth of Massachusetts. 1t is large
part Of the duty of grateful people to dis
pense soldier bounties in a way to make the re-
ciplent feel that he but receives what he is by
right entitled to, and not as the common pau
per who has earned nothing and often deserves
less. The old soldiers of the Republic ought
not to be met with the alternative of lying and
equivOeation, in order to share the bounties pro-
vided them, or worse still, the humiliation of be-
ing advertised as common tramps:
MAIDEN, MASS. July A. 1888.
Did you ever have your attention or that of your
readers called to the Massachusetts State Aid for
Sosiers and Sailors? {? II seems to me that il is a
subject worthy OF some considerations for il must
have been devised by some one after Senator Becks
own heart.
Massachusetts claims and. doubtless, truly that
she has dealt more literally than any other state
with the soldier but the manner in which she doles
oat her State aid Is humiliating and denoraliz-
ing To the recipient to practically defeat the very
object il devised for, viz. the relief of the
worthy and unfortunate.
Any soldier sailor who is in need of this aid
must the very first thing before he obtain it, to
practically declare himself pauper. He has TO
make declaration that he is entitled to aid under
the pauper laws of Massachusetts, Then he has
10 appear before the seiectmen OF town. COM
mlttee OF the city govern ment, at a public meet
ing, and is there asked sll manner of questions
concerning his private affairs. They report the
Staie Aid Commissioner in Boston. and if they and
he are favorabiy inclined, the applicant is allowed
small sum, IN to exceed Sc month Then
his Is published in the town or city books
and II there IS local newspaper in the place it is
pretty sure OF appearing In that The consequence
Is so much publicity and humiliation that many
who are really in need are deferred from making
application for it, and since the election of General
Butler governor the difficulties In the way have
been greatly augmented. He elected as q re-
form governor and the very first reform move
ment that he inaueyurated in the shape of
letter to the State Aid Commissioner nstructng him
to economic III the very closest possible manner at
the same time expressing it as his opinion that
large percentage of the pensioners OF Afassachu-
sets were frauds and beats The consequence is
that the commissioner is stirred up TO intense ac-
tivity, with the result that every man or woman
who shows the least inclination to do anything to
help themselves find their names stricken from the
list, thereby causing great deal of suffering
amongst the very class most deserving of assist
ance and holding out inducement to them TO be-
come shirks and beats.
AS all the recipients of this aid must be United
States pensioners. it would seem as though some
way might be devised by which they might receive
1t without enduring much humiliation.
PENsIoNER.