Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1890-03-29
The Question Unanswered.

of pleasure, is in many respects q
remarkable man. | heard q gentle
man who knew Jeffrey all the way
through his career talking about him
the othersevening.
Jeffrey worked his way from the
position of apprentice in the machine
shops through every department to
the post of general manager, he said,
and by his familiarity with every
phase of railroad management was
enabled to successfully cope with any
problem that presented itself without
calling his subordinates to give him
technical information. 1t was next
to impossible information. l guess
he never was hoored but once, and
that wasn't on a question pertaining
to railroads. 1t was about twenty
five years ago, and Jeffrey, who was
then a mighty wide-awake young
fellow, eager for advancement and
improvements of all sorts, belonged
to debating club which was very
popular. The weekly meetings were
largely attended, and some very
knotty questions was there discussed
and settled beyond dispute.
con one. occasion the question
was Our Daughters are we rear
ing them property This was live
and interesting topic, and the best of
the clubs speakers were listed to
take part in the discussion, among
them Jeffrey The hall was crowd
ed when the evening came, and many
at that time was well-known people
were in the audience.
Jeffrey closed the argument with
a talk on the negative side Of the
question. He submitted that the
tendency was to rear girls in frivol-
lisy and to make namby -pamby wo-
men Of them; that there was not
enough earnestness inculated into
the young feminine mind that, in
stead, girls were encouraged to think
and feel that they were on earth not
to do but to be done for; that this
idea would retard the intellectual
advancement Of woman, and through
her, act as a hold-back ION the whole
race. This, he submitted, was clear
ly the fault of our mothers, since it
was to the mothers that the world
must look for the proper education
of Our Daughters.
He made fine talk, for he had
warmed up to his theme, and when
he concluded he had his hearers with
him. But the presiding officer an
nounced that before the judges of
the debate gave their verdict the
subject would be open for outside
discussion, and anybody who chose
to advance any ideas on the subject
could do so. At this stage some
body noticed that Mrs Livermore,
a lady well known here in that day,
was present, and knowing that she
was q brainy woman and a wit as
well, she was called on to give her
views. She arose. and said that she
contemplated saying anything and
didn't care TO, particularly. She had
hoped, inasmuch as she had been
called upon, her remarks would be
taken in good part by those who had
preceded her. She was assured that
no one would take offense, and then
she said:
Wait, 1 would like to ask the
! young gentleman, who closed the
argument one question"
Jeffrey arose, prepared to make
reply, and Mrs. Livermore impress
sively asked
" Young man, have you ever been
q mother? ~
" That was as far as the discussion
went. / don't recollect whether the
judges ever rendered decision or
not, for the meeting broke up with a
howl ofmerriment. For years after
ward when anybody wanted to floor
jeffrey they would say
BY the way, Jeffrey, have you
ever been a mother?"
And this always does it."-Chi.