Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-04
WeMAN's RIGHTS A POPULAR CAUSE

household aud the expenditures of the
family, always laying aside something for a
rainy day. She provides the wine for the
table and they drink it together, hence the
husband does not spend his money in the
saloon or restaurant. Thus the wife accom-
modates her expenses and the expenses of
the family to the income of her husband.
But it is more than likely that she adds to
the income of her husband, for French
women work. She thus acquires a power
and influence that the woman who lives
simply upon the bounty of her husband,
not knowing whence the money comes, does
not know.
THE FRENCH WOMAN THINKS.
With the use of money, and the accumu-
lation of property, naturally comes the de-
sire to earn it in fields that are most lucra-
tive and congenial, and the desire to dispose
of it by gift or will, which married women
cannot do. But all women do not marry,
and France has a much larger proportion of
women than of fmen. So the women are be-
ginning to ask for rights, civil and political,
and they are coming to the front on these
questions with an earnestness and zeal that
means business. They have called their
sisters from other countries to give testi-
mony to the right and privileges acquired
in their several domains and how it has
been brought about. They have compared
the progress that has been made in science,
in the opening Of schools and professions.
and especially the numbers reclaimed and
saved by special charities not connected
with the Government
The Association for the Rights of Women,
of which Maria Dessaimes was President
and Leon Richer President of Honor, came
NJ holA A1xyo nd hat a. IL.
was to secure the rights of women, civil and
political. They discussed questions his
toric, economic, moral and legislative. As
to both of the latter subjects there would
seem to be just cause for complaint and
great room for improvement The French
woman has no control whatever over her
children during the lifetime of the father.
His word is absolute, and he NAV by his
will deprive her OF the care of the children
of the marriage after his death. He dictates
their education and their religion.
WHAT WOMEN HAVE DONE.
The eloquent President, in her opening
address. did not fail to remind the large
audience of the present unequal condition of
women under the law, and to detail in words
now pathetic and now amusing. what wom-
en- had done for the liberties of France dur
ing the last century. The close of the five
days session of this congress did not by any
means close their work. Their earnestness,
their zeal and the ability of the papers pre-
sented in certain lines of reformatory labor,
indicate the thought, time and attention
that have been given to them, and their
clear insight into the nature Of the reforms
needed. These women mean work. and
they have had the courage to come forward
and openly avow sentiments not yet popular
in France; but the press of Paris treat them
courteously, and that is a great point
gained.
The Society for the Works and Institu-
tlons of Women, with Jules Simon for
President and Emile de Mosier (the real
head) for General Secretary, have perhaps
been wiser even, If less frank. Jules Simon
announces it his belief, with all the author
lty of a litterateur Of note, that women
should be equal to men up to certain
point, but thar men should hold the offices.
He commends their work, especially their
charitable work, and believes that lines of
work should be open to them; and especially
that they should be permitted to bind up
the wounds that men have made by the bull
let and the bayonet.
"But / want peacei 1 wish to stop the de-
vastation of war;" exclaimed little woman
in the audience, "and 1 do not believe in
making arrangements to aid it?'
A STRONG ORGANIZATION.
The conservatism of this body, apparently.
has drawn into their fold and into their
organization larger class of women who
are occupied in philanthropic works, and
who are endeavoring to open larger fields of
work, with better pay, for women. The
woman physician and the woman litterateur
are quite features of this congress and OF
Paris, and these women are practicing their
professions, but the woman barrister has not
yet made her appearance. They have en-
listed here and there women of distinction,
they are under the patronage of the Gov
ernment and it has voted to them a small
amount of money.
listened with some interest to short
paper presented by Lady Saunders in per-
son, to letter from Madame Carnot, wife
of the President of the Republic, expressing
regret at not being able to attend the session
at which the report was made on works
'Philanthropic and Moral" of which she
is President, and of the interest and patience
of NJ. Jules Simon, Fredic Passy and other
gentlemen who successfully presided at the
sessions.
But the popularity Of the Congress for
the Works of Women is best illustrated
perhaps by the series Of brilliant receptions
that have been given and which have been
attended by the elite and people of literary
distinction in Paris The first was given
bv the Committee of Organization in the
Pavilion de Flore, Palace de Louvre. and
the learned, but now gay, procession were
soon chatting merrily in the spacious halls
where only little time since Napoleon III.
and Eugenie held their brilliant court.
TIE WITTY REMARKS
of the toastmakers and the sage thoughts of
wiser heads perhaps made no allusions to the
gorgeous pageants that had gone 6efore;or that
intelligence and cultivated thought were now
succeeding royalty.
The second reception was given by Madame
NJ. Laurent and the Comite de POrpheinal des
arts' at the Hotel Continental, and was at
tended by a brilliant concourse of people. But
the reception that most notably exhiolted the
interest that the general public are taking in
the splendid reception in honor of the members
of the Congress by the Minister Of Public
Works. M. Yves Guyot and Madame Guyot.
The halls OF the old mansion were brilliantly
lighted. the mantel and portieres were banked
with flowers, and the stairway lined with
potted plants. The beautiful garden with its
rare old trees and beds Of flowers was radiant
with yellow Chinese lanterns hung in the trees,
and the flower beds and walks bordered with
red and white lights, and its refreshment cafe
in sheltered nook.
The concert by the Roumanian artists was
exquisite, but the brilliant stars, both ladies
and gentlemen, who sang between were a rare
Madame 1Guyot seemed to be- in their kindest
mood, chatting gaily with the guests. for whose
every want they had so generously provided;
but an incident that. gave point and pertnence
TO the proceedings was the presentation to
them on behalf of the committee of beauti-
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