The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-02-21
INDIGNANT WOVEN,
WHO WERE REFUSED AN AUDI
RNCR BY THE PRESIDENT,
Propose 10 Lay Their Grievances
Before the Knights Of Labor
and Kindred Organizations.
To The Rditors Of the Appeal:


1 copy the following report from a
Washington paper Of q very recent
date:
The Rxeeutiye Committee Of the Woman's
Industrial League, composed OF knights OF
Labor and representatives from trades
unions throughout the country, numbering
some twehty-fve OF thirty ladies, called at
the White Reuse yesterday by appointment
OfPresdeAt Cleveland, 70 discuss the mat
Ter Of contracts that were lot out by the gev-
eminent TO the disadvantage OF wage women,
and 10 ect an expression from the President
upon the problem OF the condition Of the
working women Of the country. Among the
ladies Iresent were: Mrs. j. Scott Of Boston,
Mrs. DR.. Hall OF Boston. Mrs, Strong OF Bal;
timore, Mrs. Powell Of New York, Mrs. Reed
Of MARYLAND, Mrs. Reeder Of this city, Mrs.
Charlotte Smith and Mrs. Densmore OF New
York, Mrs, Hickman OF Colorado, Mrs,
Roosslo of Albany, Mrs Brown Of syracuse,
Mrs. Spencer of Buffalo, Mrs. i. W. Wilson
Of Chieage, Mrs. and Miss Scott Of this CITY,
Mrs Wa hburne oil Denver, Col and others.
The delegation was present at u :i5 o'clock
m tho hour appointed, and IL was not
until 80 O'slOek pm. that they heard from
the President, . messenEer notifying them
that Mr.. Cleveland would meet them In the
East room along with other people who had
called 10 shake hands with bin.
This announcement caused indignation
among the ladies, who replied TO the mes
ttuEtF lNtl tuty uhu uNA NVhlt W
hands with or congratulate the.Prssident,
but thoy were at the Whiteslfouse by his
App0intr ent 10 confer with him upon mat
ters that referred to the working women Of
the country"
A iecond message came from the Presi-
dent asking Mrs. Charlotte Smith TO confer
Mrs. smith replied that she was only an
individual OF the delegation, and could not
undertake 10 talk about the matter unless
all he haI..aNta., 10.
be present 10 ask and answer questions"
Mrs. Smith made known TO the ladies the
second message of the President, and her re-
ply. Tho laoies, without waiting for the
reply, withdrew from tho mansion to the
Arlington Hotel, where they partOOk of
dinuer that was given In their honor. Tho
indignation ot the ladies was further in
creased by the fat that the President had
appointed Saturday at l2:i5 pm. for the
con ference, and on their arrival there he
asked their indulgence until yesterday,
when no would certainly giye them an au-
diOnee,
Many Of the ladies have come from dis
tant points purposey TO SEQ tho President
and wore detaiHod here from Saturday until
yesterday. To-day The ladies' will have an
audience with the District Commissioners
after which they will hold u meeting, and
they propose 10 PASS resolution to he sent
to all tho knights of Labor and trades
union associations throughout the country,
expressing. their indignation at the manner
~ which they we're received at the White
House.
The above is an Indication OF the
power The ballot gives in human
hands. These women were ignored
as no body OF men OF like character
would have been, ana my heart burns
rs | read this-when the Labor Com
reported such facts as they
did concerning the workwomen OF
this free land, many OF them toilinR
at slave hfs 10 feed children born OF
drunken parents and starving 10 death
on their wages. The ballot, ciyilly,
is to man precisely what a knife or
gun Is 70 him II in physical peril.
just now was interrupted by a
ring at the door. On opening
ii there stood before it girl |
about twelve years Of age. The |
blue eyes raised to mine were
innocent and clear. Sweet and modest
the voice chat fa'd, "Will you please
mann, buy some OF my periumed |
beans. they are everlasting in pleasant |
perfume. Over my mind the thought
flashed like a red flame, "Yes, sweet,
fresh odorous let them be exposed long
and the odor dies, you my sweet, are
lair, timid, gentle, one year at this
work will rob you Of II ALL" Good
men every where will bless you for
your innocence, and the vile and cor.
rupt will ieer and jest, and finally
crush II they can. II is this vile class
that is growing and increasing in power
every year, for lack Of woman's power
TO help the great moral reforms OF
the world. j took some of her
beans, and as stood beside
her | put my arms about her
and gave her all sweet words of coun-
sci and encouragement, to be brave
and wise, and sweet and true to her
womanly nature, for the take of one
who in throwing down her garments
OF flesh aud passing to better things
sanctified every girl that lives for me,
and makes each child that strives
IN this sin cursed world my child; and
In tho same spirit that animated the
mother who murdered her three girls
and leit her boy alive, said, whenNn
trial Tor her life, only two weeks De-
lore the birth Of another: Eyes, ledge,
i did pisen 'em, but you see, ledge,
they was gals, and nay old man was al,
ways drinkin', and OH, Jedge it's go
hard on me. So | said, as kissed her
cheek; Thank God l have no
other cal; thank God; no man
can blast her life, nor mar her beauty;
sale forever, safe, though l am
robbed Of the flower that cast sunshine
and sweetness over my life, better
loom and rain to me than any harm
liner l don't know that the law.
lahlng power in the hands Of women
lnld help her, but God knows her
nwer can't worst things in their pres.
bltconditIon, am certain; and when
nod women, successful women, saw;
II have worked, i succeeded, and |
don't want the responsibility Of e." |
pray that their eyes might only have
seen the sights of labor women diving
Tor lack Of food on wages that would
hardly feed q rat, and they will under.
Itand that a disfranchised class is al.
Ways weak class and a deirauded
lass, and be less selfish and ag-
'ume responsibility.
ELIZABETH L, SAXON.