Thomas County cat., 1889-02-14
WOMAN'S DEPARTMENT.
wAee-EARN,No WOMEN.


The Social standing OF tho Woman Who
Goes Out Into the World and Lsbors for
Her Living.
No question as to the con-
dition of the wage-earning wo-
man has been discussed with less
knowledge and more sentiment than
their hOmelessness. No word-picture
has been painted with more fervor than
that of the wage-earning woman re-
turning after hard days work in some
shop or factory to the cOmfortless hall
room, hot to suffocatiOn in summer,
cold to freezing in winter. There are
tender-hearted women who never Sit
down in the light of the evening lamp
In comfort because they picture the
working girl. tired and cold. compelled
to sit the long evening in barren,
cold, uncomfortable room. The cry
has been for years. Homes for the
working women! where they can get
the comforts of life at price within
their means" A generous response
comes to this cry. and number OF
these institutions, called homes. exist.
They meet with more or less success.
Even their projectors have to admit
that they do not reach the class OF wo-
men for whom they were intended.
What are the reasons? There are too
many for this discussion; one only will
be stated.
In the city of New York, from most
carefully prepared statistics. it has
been found that eighty-five per cent. OF
the wage earning women live in their
own homes, or with relatives-one or
both parents, married brothers or SIS
ters, aunts, uncles or cousins. You
may exclaim as to the kind of home,
but it is a home to them; some one they
love is in it. some one who loves them
is in it; some one who cares for them,
and for their affairs. So the need of
institutions as homes for wage-earning
women is as eighty-five to fifteen per
cent. Is there no need for these homes?
Certainly; just as long as the fifteen
per cent are homeless. You surely
will admit, however. in the light of
these facts, that the greatest need of
the wage-earning women as class is
not the founding of institutions as
homes for them.
What is their need? That education
and influence which will change the
conditions in the majority of their
homes. That education and influence
which will make the great majority of
tho whole value clean surroundings,
light and sunshine above seal-plush,
silk and jet trimming That education
which will make them know the laws of
sanitation and hygiene; that influence
which will make them respect these
laws.
That education which will teach
them that ignorance is a sin if there is
opportunity to remove it. That influ-
.ence which will be to them a revelation
into an unknown world of simple liv-
ing and high thinking. That example
which will show them the true relation
between husband and wife, revealing
the divinity in that relation, point to
God as its author The opening to
them of opportunity for education in
books. in art, in music. Education that
will open the world of nature to them.
Education that will teach them their
relation to the nations growth.
You may have tried to reach some
lives by giving opportunities, but they
have not been used. The fault is In
your methods. Wage-earning women
are not TO be treated as charity students
forced to take an interest in that which
does not appeal to them.
Make yourself the center of friendly
circle, and let the wants of that circle
find expression. Seek to meet that
want even if it is not in harmony with
your pet theory. If you work to do
good. you must learn to surrender your
finest theories before practical facts.
You must remember that the wage-earn-
ing woman who possesses the gift of
growth will not accept even her pleas
ures as charity; she must give not only
OF her brain but of her purse to accom-
plish any end that looks to her benefit;
che must bear her share of response
bility for every possible good.
The men and women who are benefit
ing the world to-day are those who are
seeking to elevate the wage-earner in
his home The money most wisely ex-
pended is that invested in buildings
making safety, light, air. abundance OF
clear water. possible in the wage-earn-
ers' home. The women doing most for
their day and generation are those who
are concentrating their efforts on the
home and its surroundings The work
which is telling most on the masses is
that which teaches the women and
children to make home the dearest spo,
on earth. the shrine in which God i:
found If peace and purity are found
there.
ThiS wnrlr rn,,Sf h0 nOu.socfarian