Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-27
THAT WoMAN,s CONGRESS.
A Characteristic Account by a Dele.
gate to the Late Chicago Meeting.


Correspondence Of the Cincinnati. Commercial Gazette
OCTOBER 90.
Dear Sue:-You know 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, 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 remotest 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 horrible.
Chicago weather certainly proves that habit is
stronger than principle, for the mercury slid up
and down. in the thermometer, the wind blew
from all points Of the compass 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 We're under a moral obiioa-
ton to go to the meeting. He said he guessed
there would be enough earnest women to carry
the thing through without US. don't like to
near Jack adopt that tone If there is one thing
women ought to doit is to encourage each other
in the cause. by their presence at least
"hen We got back the meeting had adjourned.
out 1t did not make much difference for it was
business meetng-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 inst love such things. She wore a
black dress. and looked so sweet and noble I'D
there on the stage. When she said the state
ought to interfere. and women ought to make
1t their business to see to it. felt thrilled to the
heart. and was willing to do anything to help the
good work. Then there was a discussion of the
paper that did not hear because was trying
to remember what had done with Sally's sam
pie of velvet.
That night there was grand banquet at the
Palmer House | did want to hear Miss Barton
speak on 1.-THE Work of the Red Cross" but it
was impossible. We had made up our minds to
go 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 I have sent you
the Society Journal, in which there is full ac-
count.
l was so glad we had taken evening dresses
with us. 1t is such satisfaction to show the
world that woman can take a serious earnest
view of life and still pay some attention to her
appearance.
The next day it rained 80 hard that it really
seemed foolish to go out. We had accepted an
invitation to lunch, so we spent the morning
getting ready. Wereally ought to have declined,
but 1t seemed 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 baby-a dear little
thing-but she just would not 90 to sleep, and
We could not leave her crying felt real guilty
when We reached the hall and found the session
nearly over. 1t was not very enjoyable; one can
not be Interested in the discussion of paper
one has not 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 themselves really disagreeable,
even after had explained how 1T was. think
really the great problem is how women shall pro-
portion their time justly between their conven-
tional and their higher social duties. Next year
III 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 tor supper and see that we were in
time for evening services. l think men have
better idea of time than women, don't you? l
was real glad he went for one of the ladies
talked so seriously and earnestly about sowing
wild oats. There were many gentlemen present,
ana all looked impressed when she referred to
Darwin. or Huxley or Spencer, for you know it
takes strong mind to read those books.
On Friday morning was the election of officers
More than half the ladies forgot their member
ship tickets and a good deal of time was taken
up In making out new ones. 1t was after IL be-
fore the ballots were distributed. A list of vice
presidents and other officers is made out by a
nominating committee, but each member can
scratch any name and substitute another. There
were two or three would like to have changed
but did not have pencil. AS Sally was in
hurry to go for her feathers Just voted the
ticket as it was and left.
There were some papers to be read that after
noon. and charming tea at the rooms of the
Fortnghtly. that l 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 in Chicago.