The Evening critic., 1883-01-19
THE woMAN,s LEAGUE.
what was Done ut the Meeting Last
Night speech of Hon. IT. n

Murch.
The woman's National Labor League
held the regular weekly meeting mt their
rooms in the Corcoran Building last even
ing. Mrs. Charlotte Smith, the viyacious
president of the league, called the meeting
TO order at o'clock, and the secretary pro-
cecded to read the minutes of the last
meeting.
The president then stated that the thanks
of the league were due to Commissioner
Thomas p. Morgan for his efforts in behalf
of the league and the furtherance Of its
objects. The following preamble and reso.
lutions were then unanimously adopted: d
Whereas the appropriations for the District
OF Columbia for the relief Of INDECENT persons
are inadequate to the needs OF those Intended
to be benefited by Its equitable distribution,
and
known of want and prlyation among n class
who are Justly entitled TO be considered In
connection with the said distribution that are
not in position to be benefited except through
the neglect of others: Therefore,
BE II resoired, That 1t Is the duty OF those to
whom is conlded the welfare OF the poor -as
well as the rich to make a strenuous effort
with the committees on tho District OF Colum-
bia to the end that this wrong may be righted,
and sufficient amount OF money be appro'
prlated TO effect that object.
Res0lred, That 1t Is the sense Of this associa-
tion that tho INDECENT female population OF
this District is entitled to the same consldera-
tion In the distribution of the public funds as
those OF the other sex, being largely Ia the
majority and much more exposed to the dan
ger OF loss OF health and life, from the conse-
quences OF poverty and the inequality OF COM
pensation.
Resoired, That the thanks of this association
are due 10 Commissioner Thomas p. Morgan
for the many expressions OF sympathy he has
made in the objects and Intentions OF the
Woman's National League, and the substan-
tial aid he has given In token of his sincerity.
Thofx xvn
grateful Acknowledgements for his Kindness In
the past, and our hope that he may be retained
In the position which he has filled to the honor
of the city and to the satisfaction of his
friends.
Mrs. Smith addressed the league concern
ing the rapid progress of women in the
sciences and their recognition among the
inventors and patentees of the country,
and stated that She found that weekly ap-
plications were made and patents issued to
ladies in the various States. She found
that ladies from Missouri had been granted
patents for threshing machines and blow
ing machines. She would suggest that the
women present Senator Vest with the
threshing machine invented by one of his
female constituents but would not advise
them to
Send Him Blowing Machine
as he had long since transformed himself
into that useful mechanical contrivance.
The following resolutions were then
adopted:
whereas the women of America are being
recognized at the United States Patent ONCE
as inventors of valuable machinery, agrlcul.
tural implements, &C., afrording saving OF
labor: Therefore be 1t
Resolred, That in the opinion of the Woman 8
Labor League women should be represented
at the coming International Exhibition at
Amsterdam, Holland, In May next. Be 1t
further
United States representing the Industries OF
the country be requested to communicate with
the Woman's Labor League In furtherauce OF
the above object.
Mrs. Smith then introduced the
Hon. Thompson II. Murch,
of Maine. who addressed the league at
some length. He said that he must apollo
gize for not keeping an engagement to ad-
dress the league at the last meeting, but
having official duties of an onerous char
acter he had been unable to be with the
league except in spirit and sympathy. The
speaker was in complete sympathy with
the league in all its objects and aims as he
understood them and was proud to be able
to add his voice to the encouraging assur-
auces which the league was certain to secuie
from all right-miDded people.
For many years he had been an actual
friend of the laboring classes of both sexes;
he had been an organizer of trades unions
and associations, and in earnest sympathy
with their movements. He was firm be-
lever in woman's suffrage and an earnest
advocate of equal rights; he saw no evil in
the land so terrible, so universal and so op
pressive as the rates of salary and compen-
sation to laborers of both sexes for the same
work.
The speaker was earnest and emphatic
in his belief that women should receive
fN, ttor
ofwhat nature it might be.
Mr.. Murch reviewed some cases coming
under his personal notice of the injustice
done to worthy women applicants for gov
ernmental employment. He hoped to live
| to see the day when women would receive
| Justice at the hands of Representatives
| and Senators; if, indeed, the United States
| Senate lasted long enough, as he hoped il
| would not. He believed in
Striking at the Root of the Evil.
| no matter how deep it might be. He would
rejoice to see women at the polls, for he be
| lieved that they would purify them and
| elevate them. He would be glad to see the
| Constitution itself remodeled, If necessary
50 that woman might be recognized, and
the Government not founded on English
| principles, with Cabinet ministers who
aped royalty and displayed their gaudy
| coats of.arms upon their carriages.
| He did not come to the league as q dema
gogue OF for any reason except to express
an earnest, honest conviction of the justice
of their claims for recognition aud al
equally honest and earnest sympathy will
them in their determined efforts to elevat,
their race and sex. The speaker had no
prepared his address and was unable to ex
tend much argument to the women of tn
league, but he was very anxious to do al
in his power in their behalf and woul,
endeavor in the future to acquaint himsel
more thoroughly with
The Objects of the League
and to address to it some suggestions or a
least some encouragement Hoping that i
the future he might be recognized as a
earnest friend of the working classes, an
especially of the working women, he woul
conclude with a repetition of his declare
tions Of sympathy and cooperation.
Mrs. Smith followed Mr.. Murch in an il
teresting address, reviewing the work mo-
in progress in which the league was takin
an active part.
Miss Weeks read letter from the Super
intendent of Public Instruction of Ricl
mond, showing that teachers of differel
sexes received the same salaries and wei
regarded by the authorities as equal