St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-07
A Lady Gives Her Views on the Street
Car Question.

The street car question has, during the
past year, been discussed pro and con, it
would seem that the subject has been ex-
hausted; but there is a stand point from
which it has not been treated.
You men have aired your grievances at
length We women have listened in the
meekest silence. Now, We lords of creation
Ye worthy sons Of your father Adam to you
We speak.
You claim that at certain hours Of the day,
morning, noon and night, you have the ex'
elusive right to occupy those conveyances
which benevolent corporation has estab-
ished for public use. You claim thFt those
gomen who contest that right are idle, use
less creatures, whose time is at their own dis
posal. You claim that if those women do so
intrude upon you, at least they should not
expect you to surrender TO them those seats
which you, not they, deserve TO occupy.
And SO YOU hold forth bringing your
wrongs to public notice; and oddly enough,
your protests seem to have no effect upon
those who should be effected. The women,
in the perversity of their hearts, continue to
crowd into full cars, and accept those
seats which you feel compelled to Offer
But, more oddly still it seems to us, there
is a fact that you steadfastlY ignore. The
fact that there are in this city women who
have to work, and work hard, for
their daily bread; delicate women, needing,
perhaps as much as your wives and daught-
ers, care and attention, but who through
stress of circumstances are compelled not
only to support themselves but others.
The cars will save these women long
dark walk after day of toll, but, forsooth.
you wish to ride, you are very tired, little
out door exercise will do them good. So
When one of them enter full car You glover
upon her as if she were committing mortal
sin to intrude upon SO much majesty; at last
the politest among you, in tears OF woe
simply indescribable, offers her a seat; and
if, considering her need the greater, she
takes it. he assumes the air of a suffering
martvr, and informs the crowd how ex-
tremely weary he is, how he has been upon
his feet all day, and that he feels unable to
stand a minute longer. imagine how much
the lady, for it is possible that she be lazy,
enjoys her seat.
We do not exaggerate. A case Of exactly
this kind was witnessed in Lafayette ave-
nue. car not many nights ago.
We may De accused OF geneIaNHlng, Oh
judging the majority by the few. OF course
we meet with many gentlemen, and receive
at their hands only gentlemanly treatment,
but it is equally certain that we meet with
those to whom some other term should be
applied; and to those, and they do not be-
long to the laboring class, they move in the
best society, and lead the comparatively
easy lives, and do not know the meaning of
hard work, we will say: owe do not mean
impose upon you; we do not ask your cour-
tesy, appreciate it when freely given as we
may; but we do beg of you, when you offer
that courtesy, do not spoil the grace
of the act by the ungraciousness of
word and manner, and remember we be-
seechs you, that we as well as you, have at
least a measure of self respect VIRGO.