Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-13
WOMEN AND CHARITY.
The Exclusive Control of State and
County Institutions
BY MEN ISN'T VERY GOOD POLICY.
They Can't See as Far Into Household Needs
as Their Sisters.
PRIVATE CHARITIES WE'LL MANAGED
WRITTEN FOR THE DISPATCH ]

making homespun for the household. The
continual attending of meetings, the fire.
quent discussions as to ways and means, the
eternal begging of contributions, the inces-
SAINT demands for all sorts of charitable en-
terprises, the wear and tear of brains to
devise new plans and taking ways for getting
the dollars out of pockets for charitable
purposes as exhibited in these days, would
have shocked the ancient danes out of their
seven senses.
The whole duty of women in their time
family, do all the housework and sewing,
60 to church and read chapter in a good
book on Sunday, be obedient aud subserv-
lent unto the brethren at all times, and stay
at home unto the end Of their days. On op-
portunity they gossiped in mild way, it
is true, but to be a professional gad-about
even in the line of doing good was some
thing unheard of-something that would
have raised howl louder and more pro-
found than that which is now so lavishly
INDUCED in by some of the beloved brethren
and others to scare women back from the
bulwarks of the law, the pale of the pulpit,
-or from poaching on the majors hitherto
held in possession and duly posted as sacred
to men alone.
PLENTY TO DO NOWADAYS.
In that elder day-so frequently recalled
with regret by those who are not able to
follow the band or keep up with the process
sion-when women had "raised" their own
children to mans and woman's estate, there
was little let for them save to sink into
grandmotherly obscurity, and sit in the
chimney corner and knit stockings for their
grandchildren, or sew carpet rags or piece
quilts. But nowadays how changed are the
old girlsl Full of business; brain, heart and
mind engrossed in charitable work of all
sort%, as Kings Daughters, W. q. T. U, as
managers of hospitals, homes for the aged,
the iriendless, the newsboys, the working
girls, the orphans; as managers OF humane
societies, missionary societies, Indian mis-
sions and all manner OF associations for
killing time in the pursuit of benevo-
lence, these women have a profession which
gives them an object in lie, that tends to
the promotion of happiness for both them
selves and others.
1t is true that at the summer hotels there
is always to be found a crowd who do what
they call "iancy work" while they sit upon
the porches and talk about the neighbors
and "the arrivals" and the firtations, and
the antecedents of everybody, and exhibit
Iamily skeletons; but such work is often
times done for the cause of benevolence. or
tor bestowal upon friend, or as tribute
to the old superstition that a woman should
never sit and talk, even on a holiday, with
idle hands. When men go off on vacation
they never carry with them a bag of work; ;
nor do they feel called upon to fill in the
heeting minutes with embroidering doylies,
and drawing threads, or working with rope
silks. They can do their full share of
gossiping, however. even though they may
not wear thimble, or wrinkle their fore
heads over an intricate design in stitching.
HOW MEN ARE CHARITABLE.
The public poorhouses, or paupers' homes,
established by law. show how men in power
work the scheme of charity and philan-
thropy. They collect the taxes, whether
people are willing to pay them or not; they
build grand institution, and furnish the
paupers with better quarters, better living
and more loafng than ever falls to the lot of
the hard-working, provident poor. They
make the workhouse for offenders against
the law so luxurious that the tramps are
eager to find warmth and comfort within its
walls, while the worthy poor go cold and
hungry. Men are sent to the com ortable
workhou for minor offences, while their
wives and children are left without q sup
port during their term.
Something is radically wrong with law
so constructed that man whose labor Is the
only support OF his family is transferred to
the workhouse, where he has com ortable
quarters, good living, enough labor to make
him sleep soundly, with regular hours,
country air and cleanliness, which insure
good physical conditions, while those de-
pendent upon him live In "the slums" and
q tho ahae Ill af ha haaaunlant 4
a state OF affairs were not supplemented by
the benevolent enterprises OF charitable
women the condition of things would be
even more shocking and disgraceful than as
now presented.
WHERE WOMEN COULD BE USEFUL.
Men on the charity, workhouse and
prison boards do not want women ''nebbin
around" as they say. Women are so small
in their notions, and SO difficult to manage,
in the opinion Of the brethren, that they
cannot be bothered with them as trustees or
managers of State charities. But the strict
attention to details, the ability to see behind
the scenes, and the housekeeping experience
of women would be of invaluable
service in Just such posltlons-as they are
in private charitable organizations Men
are very easily hoodwin in such matters.
1t il out Of their line, and they trust only to
surface Indications; but woman with COM
mon sense would gain world of informa-
ton from the veriest trifes that man would
never see. Since women manage benevolent
associations with such skill, economy, and
success. it is hard to see good reason for
excluding them from the boards OF manage
ment of Dixmont, of the Poor Farm, or
the workhouse.
The Oldest charitable association in the
-...u hu hon apt
women in 1888, and has been success ully
conducted ever since that time. The Sisters
of Mercy conduct orphan asylums, day
schools, hospitals, and other benefcent in.
stitutions, thus proving executive ability
and skill in management In addition to the
kindness and sympathy so necessary for the
hest results OF charitable work. The Church
Home is a credit and an honor to the women
of the Episcopal Church. The Widows
ana Orphans Home i'll Allegheny furnishes
prool OF the careful management, the gen.
erous devotion of the women ol the United
PRESBYTERIAN churches. The Colored Or
phan ASYLUM speaks eloquently of the
work of women in Allegheny, as does also
the Home of the Friendless, the Woman's
Christian Home and other well-managed In
stitutions.
ANOTHER NOBLE CHARITY.
The Society for the Improvement OF the
Poor is noble charity that is conducted
Systematically tor the relief of the worthy
poor. 1t provides temporary home for the
friendless and day nursery for children
whose mothers have to do days work Tor
daily bread. 1t has diet dlspensary where
food for the sick is prepared. Its Board of
Managers conduct country home at Oak
mont, where rest and recreation are pro-
vided for weary women and sick babies and
for children to secure little of fresh air and
country fare.
The means for carrying on this work are
secured by voluntary contributions.
Women are called the "Impecunious class"
and it Is likely owing to this fact that
they have to be so close in manage
ment, and are so practiced in the prob
lem of making both ends meet that
they contrive to do SO much with so little. I
heard the story of man, the other day, who
was determined to do the "iair, square
thing" by his wife. He receives q liberal
salary, and after deducting all expenses