The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-03-11
The Mississippi Industrial Institute,

Will State Industrial School for white
girls be patronizedS This question has
been asked and can perhaps best be
answered by asking other questions; Are
the women Of Mississippi willing TO work.
Do they need or desire employment When
The CLAnroH Office announced that IL would
give employment 10 several ladies', how
many applications for work were rcceivedp
lWill Col. Power be kind enough 10 answorfl
When the enterprising firm of Stedman &
Co, advertised that ladies would bo en-
ployed, widow lady applied Immediately,
and the answer was, "There arc twenty APP
plications ahead of yours.r God only
knows how willing and anxious our women
are 10 work, but the few avenues open 10
them are overorowded, and hence there In
need for widening of woman's sphere by
training her In womanly pursuits. The
way 10 achieve success In to deserve It." and
women cannot hope to succeed In any call
ing until they are fitted for ii. The re-
quirements of business are such that ignor-
ance and incompetency cannot expect em
ployment, while sober, well-qualifed, in
dustrious, persons are in demand in ell the
walks of life. An Industrial Institute will
qualify onr women for the pursuits fitted
to the strength and aptitndes of their sex,''
and then they can reasonably offer, and ex-
poet compensation for their services. But
We are told that there Ia no money for this
object, "the State should expend all upon
her common schools" And yet one who
clamors loudest for this, characterizes our
public schools aa patent self-acting sys-
tenn for tho perpetuation of illiterncyi
(This is not the case in Copiah county
where we have had conscientious 6uperin-
tendents of Education who would grant cer-
tiGcates only to qualified teachers.) II,
after this lapse OF years, our common
school system Ii worse than farce, 1t would
seem that IL we're time to try some other
plans 10 improve our people. Az the white
women Of Mississippi pay some part Of the
taxes, we have asked that this Industrial
School be established, and few will deny
TINT II every mother in Mississippi were an
educated, practical woman, there would be
small need for common schools We do
mot want an institution where girls arc
taught 10 lisp little French, smattsring
of Latin, and skimming Of mathematics,
but one which will teach them 10 be practi-
eal--to think, TO know, and 10 apply. That
tiisfa - lAcsd Aoh uhSh aA iHotlbuttOu Oh0
need only open his eyes 70 SEQ, or open his
ears TO hear almost vail from tho women
of the State. Our people are poor, and IL
strong men find 1t almost impossible TO
keep the ''wolf from the door, what must
be the condition Of our women who have
no one TO help them. Women have entailed
upon them legacy of pain and weakness,
and when you add 10 this ignorance and
incompetency, the burdens of life, the
struggle for bread, it would seem that any
appeal in their behalf should touch 0
heart of stone.
Since the above was written, news has
come that the Legislature, by close vote,
has passed the bill creating an Industrial
Institute. For this result we thank them,
but their highest reward will come from
the approval of conscience. That IL was
right, none can deny, but questions Of
right sometimes succumb TO questions of
expediency, or tina! most contemplate of
all words, policy.
That the women of Mississippi will APP
preciate this effort in their behalf, time
will demonstrate. By the help of God and
some appropriation, which we hope to gain
from the National Treasury, we expec. TO
see the Mississippi Industrial Institute one
of the grandest institutions In all this
country--a fitting memorial to the man.
hood Of Mississippi as represented in the
Legislature Of 1884.
A MISSISSIPPI WOMAN.