Connecticut western news., 1890-03-05
THE INDIAN CONGRESS.
COMPOSED OF HINDOO, MAHONIE-
 TAN AND PARSEE.

COMPOSED OF HINDOO, MAHOlE-
 TAN AND PARSEE.
 National Aspirations - The Pundita
 Ramabai Speaks For Hindoo Women.
 The recent National Congress of India held it's sittings in an immense tent at Byculla, one of the northern A huge canvas admitted more than 4OOO persons to it's grateful shade. The interior was arranged like an amphi- theatre, with crimson hangings, and the columns of support were decorated with red, green and gilt. Here in con- centric rows sat thousands of native people, their red, white, pink and purple tul'bans, with here and there the gilded turbans of Mahometan or tho black hat of Parsee, with the many white garments, made @ most picturesque scene. The dark faces were full of intelligence and aglow with enthusiasm. And the Hindu or Mahometan or Parsee of such an as- semb,age as is the "chosen of the people" is an exceedingly handsome man, particularly if he wear his native dress.
 Expectancy was at its highest pitch, when, precisely at the hour appointed, 8 little band of men was seen making its way through the aisle at the right, preceded by long line of nshers with gilt rods. Here were Sir William Wedderburn, who had come from England to preside ever the congress; MT. Hume, its promoter; and Charles Bradlaugh, M. F., who has earned the title, through his advocacy of meas ures for the benefit of this country, of "Member for India,' and who is now a revered visitor to this people. There was clapping of hands, waving of handkerchiefs and hearty English hur- rahs from Hindu throats, as the Eng lishmen mounted the platform and took in that great audience from it's begin ming to it's end. No meaningless stamp ing or shufling of feet, fact explain ed by the reason that everybody was barefoot.
 The proceedings opened with pa- tliotic address by the chairman of the reception committee, Mir. Phcrozcsha Mehta, 8 Pasree, and 8 most eloquent speaker. He referred to the political bonds which hold together such di- versity of peoples in the great Ameri- ca,a republic, and expressed the belief that the people of India were also con the way to a common national eXis- tencc." He was followed by Ma hometan gentleman, who had a most peculiar and amusing fashion of shriek- ing his emphasis in long sentences, standing on one foot while he did so, and giving jump at the end, but who also commanded much respect and att tention, although he reminded one of ing corn. The Mahometan was fol- lowed by Brahmin (the highest Hin- doc caste), who supported the motion, calling Sir William Wedderburn to the chair. Thus .hree nationalities had their represent ation, to be followed by the fourth, and the excellent addres s of Sir William.
 Day by day it grew warmer while the congress lasted, and the pretty crimson hangings on the outside of the pavilion changed to a pale pink under the hot sun. From the first the English residents of Bombay were conspicuous by their absence, and the Times of India tried in vain to prove that other nationalities were poorly represented. Day by day, however, the delegates came up fresh and clear in their snowy garments as though no inconvenience to them resulted from the extreme heat. On the last after noon, when enthusiasm was high, con- tributions began to flow in for the ex- penses of maintaining the Congress. Forty-five thousand rupees were asked for, but bag after bag of silver was brought up by excited delegates, pr' mise after promise given, until a glittering pile of silver coins lay on the floor and rough count showed sixty-two thousand rupees, MT. Hume, who had every year supplied deficits from his own purse, tried to thank the audience, when for fifteen min- utes he was unable to say word, tlle cheering was so hearty and prolonged.
 In the social conference there was much discussion about the postpone ment of the marriageable period for girls to the age of twelve years; also the passage of a law forbidding the disfgurement of Q widow by shaving her head before the age of eighteen and theu only with her full consent. Here was an opportunity for the Pun dita Ramabai Ca recent visitor 10 the United States), whose work for the education of widows is gradually growing in public esteem. As the lit tie white-robed figure rose in the great crowd, men eagerly crowded forward to get within reach of her voice, and there was considerable confusion. As soon as quiet was restored, the soft voice was heard to say, "It is not at all strange, my countrynen, that my voice is small and weak, since this is the first time woman has been al lowed to exercise her voice among you."
 As the laughter subsided, she went on earnestly, making motion that the age for shaving the head be limited to no period, but an attempt be made to abolish the custom altogether, and painting in glowing words the shame and modification of young women with shaven heads, and she had never met with one who was willing to have her head shaved. She had been told that widows long hair bound hel husband in hell, but did not see how that could be. She would like te know, however, how many men would shave their heads on the death of iheil wives. elf you come to the con. clusion," she exclaimed, C not to dis. figure your widows, you may find youl