The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-24
THE woMAN's CONGRESS.
A Private Letter from a Delegate, Giving the
Inside Workings.

Oi ncnnati Commercial Gazette.
Dear Sue-You know l promised to tell
you all about the Woman's Congress- in
which you are so interested, and which we
went to Chicago on purpose to attend-that
is, l did, but Sally wanted to match some
feathers and have her hair banged. She is a
dear girl, but does not seem to have the re-
hottest idea about the higher life, her duty to
womanhood and all that sort of thing, you
know.
1t rained the first day. 1t was just horri-
BILE. Chicago weather certainly proves that
habit is stronger than principle, for the mer-
curry slid up and down in the thermometer,
the wind blew from all points of the com
pass, and all this after We had been promised
fair weather.
We went to drive after breakfast with
Jack, and he would take us out to the park,
although we told him that we were under
moral obligation to go to the meeting. He
said he guessed there would be enough earn
est women to carry the thing through with
out us. l don't like to hear Jack adopt that
tone. If there is one thing women ought to
do it is to encourage each other in the cause,
by their presence, at least.
When We got back the meeting had adj
iourned, but it did not make much differ
ence, for it was a business meeting-minutes,
and reports and things. | don't believe you
would care much for them.
In the afternoon we heard paper you
would have liked so much. | forget the
title; but it was all about children and
drunkenness and poverty and crime. 1t was
read by an Eastern lady. They Just love
such things. She wore a black dress, and
looked so sweet and noble up there on the
stage. When she said the State ought to in
terfere, and women ought to make it their
business to see to it, l felt thrilled to the
heart, and was willing to do anything tn help
the good work. Then there was discussion
of the paper that did not hear, because l
was trying to remember what [ had done
with Sally's sample of velvet.
That night there was grand banquet at
the Palmer House. did want to hear Miss
Barton speak on THE work of the Red
Cross" but it was impossible We had made
up our minds to the banquet, and knew that
we should be all tired out and fit for nothing
if we tried for both.
1t was lovely party, and have sent You
the Social Journal, in which there is a full
account
was so glad we had taken evening dresses
with US. 1t is such a satisfaction to show
the world that woman can take serious,
earnest view of life and still pay some at
tention to her appearance.
The next day it rained so hard that it
really seemed foolish to go out We had ac-
cepted an invitation to lunch, so we spent
the morning in getting ready. We really
ought to have declined, but it seemed a little
rude to do that especially as she said we
could all go down together to the afternoon
meeting. Luncheon was delayed by calls,
and then there was a baby-a dear little
thing-but she just would not go to sleep,
and we could not leave her crying.
l felt real guilty when we reached
the hall and found the session nearly over.
1t was not very enjoyable. One cannot
be interested in the discussion of paper one
has never heard. 1t is trying too, to feel
that you are not living up to the level of
your friends expectations. Some of the
ladies seemed to think we might have been
early if we had cared to. and made them
selves real disagreeable, even after 1 mad ex-
planned how it was l think really the great
problem is how women shall proportion
their time justly between their conventional
and their higher social duties. Next year I'll
present paper on that subject if you will
help me.
do think Jack is lovely. We met him in
barber-shop where Sally went to have her
hair banged. He said she looked like the
wreck of an ill-spent life, but if she would
wear her hat very far down over her nose he
would take us some place for supper and
| see that we were in time for evening serv-
ices. I think men have a better idea of
time than women, don't you? I was real
glad he went for one of the ladies talked
so seriously and earnestly about sowing wild
oats. There were many gentlemen present,
and all looked impressed when she referred
to Darwin, or Huxley or Spencer, for you
know it takes a strong mind to read those
books.
On Friday morning was the election of
officers. More than half the ladies forgot
their membership tickets, and good deal Of
time was taken up in making out new ones.
1t was after II before the ballots were dis
| tributed. list of vice-presidents and other
officers is made out by a nominating COM
mittee. but eacn member can scratch any
name and substitute another. There were
two or three l would like to have changed,
but did not have pencil. As Sally was in
a hurry to 90 for her feathers just voted the
ticket as it was and left.
There were some papers to be read that af-
ternoon, and charming tea at the rooms of
the Fortnightly, that | was awfully sorry to
miss, but we decided hastily to come home
with the Kinseys-you know father does not
| like to have us travel alone.
feel more and more how important it is
for woman to cultivate her mind, and have
come home with fixed and unwavering
purpose to elevate my sex, and to cling to
the path of duty, no matter how hard it may
be to climb.
Hair is worn high III Chicago.