National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-03-27
INDIGNANT WAGE WOMEN.

Tho Industrial League Resolves That
Mrs. HELEN Must 90, and other
Things.
Mrs. Charlotte Smith and her Industrial
League held big meeting at their rooms,
1103 + street, last night, and told each other
about some Of the evils in the departments.
Civil service reform and it's connection with
the minor positions in the departments was
discussed and then the ladies asked each
other how and why good many females,
who they did not believe were worthy, were
kept in the departments. The particular
grievance of the League this time is in
the Treasury Department. IL was stated
that the forewoman of the char.roll also
washes the towels for the House Of Repre-
sentatives, holds a "laborer'sn position at
the bureau Of engraving and printing, has
an adopted son In the treasury, Is accused
Of using bad language, being seen intoxi-
Gated, and should be removed, according to
the League.
Mrs. Smith, who has done more to ad-
vance the cause Of the workingwomen Of
this city and country than almost any one
else, Is going to insist on some changes
being made and upon the reinstatement Of
some Of the women who were removed
without cause. The League, she says,
simply wants to secure fair treatment to
all women, and the manner In which she
| proposes to do II is explained in the follow
ing resolution which was unanimously
adopted,,an Mrs. Smith says will be car
| ried OUT
RCsOltCd That n committee Of the Woman's
| League wait upon the Secretary of the Treasury
and demand the dismissal OF one Virginia
| johnson HELEN, chief Char.woman OF the
| treasury, for the following reasons First, in
temperance; second, allowing her assistant
| and others to use profane and indecent Ian
| guagc, sing obscene songs, ana degrade women;
| third, arbitrary and cruel treatment Of worthy
and reputable women, who are qualified to I'LL
higher, positions, but who for years have
worked as Char.wOmen at n salary of $40 per
month, with credit to themselves aud cntire
satisfaction TO their former chief Mrs. Lane;
that many of those women have been dis.
charged who are the wives or widows of
soldiers with families dependent unon them.
fourth, that Mrs; HELEN has had the towel
| washing of the House of Representatives for
| the past four years at $50 per month, and was
paid SOC for the month of February, 1886, by
| the clerk of the House Of Representatives.
| This same Virginia HELEN discharged Young
woman whose mother was employed on the
| char.rOll of the poStonice when the combined
earnings OF mother and daughter were S2S or
$50 per month. The charge was that no two
| persons In the same family could hold office
| under this administration.
| Resolved, That we protest against the docking
| system inaugurated by this same Mrs HELEN
| lfone ofthe seyenty.hve women on the roll
|
| she is docked 80 cents. While she, herself
was absent one month with full pay and House
| Of Representatives washing included, and her
substitutes and nurses salary going OH at the
| same time.
RCsoirCd, That we protest against the further
| retaining this woman In Office, who dcgrndos
| the wage women and tyranuizes over her own
| sex. 1t Is our duty TO elevate the industrial
women and dignity labor and protect those
| who cannot protect themselves.
| R,s0'td, That the Woman's National Indus.
| trial League thank Maj. Burke, of the Grand
| Army, for the interest he has taken In giving
| his unbiased testimony in,behalfof the soldiers
| widows dismissed without just cause and I'M
lawfully dockcd by the said Virginia johnson
| HELEN.
RcsollCd, That delegation of the Woman $
| League call on the head OF the treasury and
| of the other government departments and ask
| that q thirty days leave of absence be given to
| all the female employees in the lower grades.
| RcsOlrCd, That n committee of the Woman S
| Industrial League wait upon the Postmaster
General and demand an Investigation of the
| case of Mrs. NJ. Reeder, and that other ladie
| be reinsated on the roll