The sun., 1888-05-20

Sklll ana cloVerneSS IN tn0lr various VocatlOnS,
still their work is In general and social rather
than radical way. and only relieves disastrous
effects without destroying existing causes Of
prevalent evils. Then, too there are countless
charitable organizations IN tho city. expending
vast sums Of money in the ameloration Of con-
ditions which destroy as well as relieve,
and ought not to exist. Working women would
need little charity II they had simple justice.
In tho Knights OF Labor organization women
have been admitted, and in some trades unions.
like the cigarmakers. in which women are
largely engaged, they have been represented
by a small membership; but outside OF these
there is no society. organization. or club in
the unity Of which woman can become the con-
trolling power Of the industries in which she Is
engaged.
Mr.. Gompers. President Of tho American
Federation OF Trades. discussed this matter
with me last fall after my lecture here on tho
subject, given with a view to arousing tho in
terest of philanthropical people and stimu-
lating the endeavors of working women In tho
line OF practical self advancement Mr.. Com
pers felt that women could be made independ-
ent and self-protectinG by the organization OF
unions. leagues, and othor societies. on common
principles for common ends
THAT the relief and rescue OF women now
oppressed. increased wages and shortened
hours, the enforcement Of existing laws relat-
ing to the protection Of women and children in
shops and factories and the promotion Of
OF cruel and tyrannical treatment on the part
OF employers and managers. open robbery
by Mthholdins pay and imposing 20, fines on
of shops abusive. insulting language to
woman employees, and ultimately tho secur;
Werk can only ss Srosgh by
iZinG women into self-supporting societies.
which shall he powerful agents IL the govern
ment of woman's industries After consuta-
ton with Father Huntington. who encouraged
and supported me in the undertak King, we an
worFins women 1es II PythasorIs s Hail. besnnins @ hD
in November. 1887. AT these meetings address.
the society. on the organization of working
women and also on other topics relevant to the
movement We advocated and ut the close Of
entered into most spiritcdly by. tho wo.
men, who evinced great enthusiasm and
surrrsnG sp,s ,shH in he5
which had prepared was unanimously adopt.
ed, and tho society was formally organized aud
tuition prohibits the creation of any office Of
honor; consequently we have no President, but
the society is governed by an Executive Com
Secretary. Miss Fannie Morris: Financiai Sec
rrettaryi Miss sv tson2re 80 C'Reilly TreasuEer,
Ettcn. and eleven other ,mcmbers. of which
Mrs. Courtland Palmer Is one and Aria Hunt
ln&ton aaother
society by signing an agreement Of loyalty TO
the constitution; and registering her name and
month. As soon as sufficient mum Der OF any
one, trade Join. they nre formed into separate
trade "a aiiiiatGd WIth VI The society
rasod By the Weekly payment Of small sum N
III receives five, dollars week for
hsr support, and when out Of work
paG R sic G
work. In sums based upon tho amount of hor
wages. until the debt is cancelled. This pro-
women. as 1t does not wound their self respect
or touch their pride to receive money from tho
fund to which they have eon,ribnea and which
repay. II the borrowed money is not repaid in
duo time the member is. suspended from the
As a society ii Is growing with wonderful
sgidy Th"nGh oEsnIGd adcadn n
sS%lps sssleI n slowly SOob f%' tf%as
wealthy and influential people, tho committees
arc. deliberate in acceptin2 them. allowing
ncation OF the act, to thoroughly understand
the purposes ofthe society, and DO in sympathy
with It's platform, which i ut present only do
Ettan with brigh, smil',, but, you know in
Cttsc OF nj emergency VIZ VtI! NIllJ uUy cow
ards or dissen,ers in the ranks Mr.. Gomrers
advises, rs noycr to strike until we arc pre-
pared. like soldiers, for the danger and ex-
enough to iight it,. We have receiyod Grcat
ymIathy cooperation, and assistance from
people OF influence. and might have received
even more only that We are careful not to ac-
cent gifts until we know surely that the glycr
Ia In sympathy with our cutre policy. Very
soon after our organization, Mrs. l., T. Hunt,
ington sent for mo to explain to herself and
her husband the plans OF the union: Directly
the account was Giyen she said: Now, what
can / do to halp You
81 told her OF some rooms We very much de;
sired to uso at % Lafayette place but could
not afford tho rcnt. Oh. / will pay that. How
mnch is it ? she replied.
80 One thousand dollars per annum.'
"'But are they furnished 2 She asked, and
when confessed thar tncy were not, she 'aid;
oh. well, we must furnish ihem, OF course,
and In the midst Of duties and perplcXtics al
| tenGant upon closing her house and preparing
| for n irotracted journey she and her husband
| spent one entire day soliciting The carpets and
| furniture for the rooms. Tho carpets alone
cost 800 and tho furniture is all Of OAK. and
exceedingly pretty. She also offered 20 hire u
secretary for mo for the work; Miss Cooner,
er Union Hall previous to this. and now, since
| she gives us the amount Of the rent in books
Many other people have sent funds. and some
money has been sent anonymously
Perhaps the greatest triumph Of the society
| 70 request from Sweet Orr 4 Co. TO organize
tketr am hlOyoss Into q union. as NJ. Sweet