The Portland daily press., 1888-03-29
THE WOMEN OF TODAY.
Their Part In the Worlds Industrial
and Political Life,
AS Told by the Speakers Before the
International Council.
Mrs. Barry's Account Of Women as
Knights of Labor.

w ASHlNdTOF, MdICu 1o.-oCAVlO sho
Women's Council today, Mrs. A. M.
Warden, worthy master of Vineland Grange,
N. H., read a paper on women In the
Grange" and spoke of the grange, its OBJ
jects and women's connection with 1t. Hull
da B. Loud read paper on women In the
Knights of Labor" She said that woman's
great influence in the Knights is being felt
wheeever men of character have Joined the
order. Her work in the order is manifest
in thsbanishment of tobacco and rum from
the assembly rooms and in the greater effect
upon herself in developing a stronger and
more self reliant character She is begin
ming to question, If it is right to vote, to
speak, to hold Office in these assemblies,
why is it wrong for her to do so in State af-
fairs. Her official recognition is slow be-
cause of mans selfshness and her own
timidity and dlsinclination to push her
claims. Then, Office has not and never will
have the attraction for women that 1t has
for men. The Knights of Labor is grand
educational face among the masses and q
barrier that protects capital and monopoly
from the results of their folly and crime.
We should foster labor organizations to pre-
vent revolution.
The next speaker was Ida Barney Sales,
corresponding secretary of the. Sociological
Society of America, who described the work
of the society and discussed the question of
cooperation. Mrs Leonora nj. Barry, or
per on 'What the knights of Labor are do
ing for women" Mrs. Barry's address
created something akin to sensation. After
taking her seat she was twice compelled
come forward and bow her acknowledge
ments of the ovation rendered her. She
said; 1--WE are building around our working
girls wall of protection to defend and pro-
tect them from the indignities and humilia-
tions which heretofore they have been sub
jected to. 1t is only four years ago that
became Knight of Labor. Seven years
ago | was left without a know ledge OF what
the world was, with three fatherless chill
dren looking to me for bread. To support
these children it.became my duty 10 go out
in the army of employed In one OF the lar.
gest factories In Central New ork. went
and for four years and seven months became
a factory woman forlthe support OF my little
ones. Four years ago this spring became
Knight of Labor. | became member OF an
assembly of 1900 women.
''Let me say to you here that although there
was not one amongst them could boast of
more than minor part OF common school
education, yet in that body OF women there
was more executive ability, tact, shrewdness
and keen calculating power than could be
found IN twice that number of any body OF
men. We are insttuting cooperative indus
tries throughout the breadth and length OF
the land. In Chicago tailoring establish
ment has been started. A few girls were
locked out because they went to a labor par
ade. This was breach of discipline, but
they did not deserve so severe punishment
By soliciting subscriptions, they raised S4O0,
and with 500 of this they paid a months
rent. They started with $500 capital and ln-
side of nine months those few men and wo-
men in that cooperative tailoring establish
ment had done $50, 900 worth of business. We
have our cooperative shirt factories in Balti-
more and New York, conducted solely by
women. We have collar and cuff factories
In Waterford, n. T., a cooperative knitting
mill at Little Falls, N. T., and many. other
industries. During my connection with tine
organization | have instituted working
woman's national beneficial fund. This gives
the women in sickness not less than 50 nor
more than So week, and in case OF death,
not less than $75 nor more thon SlOO
1t gives protection to every woman, whether
a Knight of Labor or not for it is the duty,
aim and object of the Knights OF Labor TO
elevate woman, no matter what her nation
ality, creed, color or position In lie. Inc
knights Of Labor are taking little girls from
the factory, workshop and mines and edu-
eating them, because we know that the little
child of today is the mother of the future.
We know the fireside of the city and the
State council of the nation. is moulded by
the lives of the wiye and mothers OF our
children. As these are the children
of today, and as these shall be the work
ing women of the future, we demand tnat
they shall be taken from the workshop, fac-
tory and mine and put into schools to edu-
cate and develope them"
At the evening session, Prof. Rena A.
Michaels spoke of "Women as Educators"
She contrasted the modes of training the
educators of so years ago with those pursued
today. Laura G. Hailoway spoke on "Wom-
an in Journalism" Twenty-Five years ago,
only 10 women were employed in the whole
country as editors while at present there are
200 employed in active journalistic work In
New York city alone.
DR.. Sarah Hackett Stevenson was then In
troduced as the first woman who was ever
admitted to the National Medical Associa-
tion. She spoke of "Women in Medicine"
and advocated putting women physicians in
charge of the unfortunate poor and the
criminals of her own sex, and above all, that
women should receive equal pay for equal
work with her male competitors. Mrs. Ada
Bittenbender National Superintendent OF
Legislation in the w. G. L. o., read paper
on "Women in Law" Mrs. Bittenbender
practices law with her husband. Rev. Ada
G. Bowles spoke of "Women in the Minis
try" and said that women should be allow
ed to shore the pulpit equally with men.
Other addresses were made by Mrs. Martha
r. Fields Catherine Cele) of the New Or
leans Picayune, representing the Women's
International Press Association Mrs. Amelia
Hadey Mohl, of Washington, D. c., repre-
senting the National Press Association, and
Hatilda b. Corse, who spoke of What
few women have accomplished in the imam
cial world.
The session closed with an address on