Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-11-30
The FAMILY PURSE,
Women Of Washington Favor a Reg
ular Weekly Allowance for
Wives and Daughters.
IGNORANCE AND EXTRAVAGANCE
Are Related to Each Other as Cause and
Effect, Says Mrs. Harrison and
Other Noted Ladies.
IGNORANCE AND EKTRAVAGANCE
MRS. LAMAR PUTS IN AN OBJECTION,
While Ms. Senator spoOnr Wants the Bank Left
0ps7 With No Questions Asked
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DISPATCH !

CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DISPATCH
WASHINGTON, November 29.-The ques-
tioa as 10 how the money matters of the fam
ily shall be regulated, is one that enters not
only into the homes of our statesmen at
Washington, but into every American
household. Shall the wives and daughters
OF the United States have to call upon their
husbands and fathers, day after day, for
every cent they use, or should fixed allow
ance be granted to them, and out of this,
they be expected to pay their personal e1-
penses and those of the household?
This is a subject upon which 1 have
interviewed this week, some of the most
noted women of the country. l found that
every woman called upon had a decided
view upon the subject, ard none less so,
than Mrs. Harrison, the wife OF the Presi-
dent. l called upon her at the White
House and was ushered into the upper
private corridor, which has served so long
as the private sitting-room Of the Presidents
family. Mrs. Harrison said:
MRS. HAREISON'S OPINION.
$50 far as I am personally concerned,
have never given the matter serious thought.
But l must say that l think every woman
should be allowed some settled amount Tor
her household, as well as for her personal
expenses. I believe such an arrangement is
largely the secret OF domestic happiness, and
though few men will agree with me in this,
] think il would prove more economical
plan in the long run. Much domestic dis
cord would thereby be avoided, and all
members of the family would be happier.
4 think it is quite as important that the
girls OF the family should have an allow
1Dra -neir moi hers and certain 9mOuDf
should be given 10 them regularly for their
spending as soon as they are old enough to
realize the value of money. This is especially
so In these DAYS OF reckless extravaganza,
when children are not educated as they were
il former wears 10 household work, and are
thus lett to the mercy OF circumstances.
How often do we see girls reared in luxury
compelled, by loss OF means and misfortune,
TO earn their own living, only to find them
selves totally unframed in all practical
knowledge.
NEED A MONEY EDUCATION.
Nothing so completely fits one for every
emergency in life, whether it be for pros
perity or adversely, as a good, solid educa-
ZION in the all-important comprehension of
Just estimate OF money, and how else can
this be obtained except by careful training
in that much neglected branch of home edu-
cation"
so, then. - I asked, "you are decidedly
in favor Of the allowance theorv?"
Most emphatically 1 am, j" replied Mrs.
Harrison; but 1 think that in regard to the
amount, circumstances should always govern
cases, though 90 women out Of every 100
will be all the better for the discipline, even
Ii they incline to extravaganza. Every wife
thus trusted would eudeavor to prove her.
self worthy Of the confidence reposed in her,
and our homes would be all the happier for
the system. After all" concluded Mrs.
Harrison, ''it will make very little differ
ence what Importance 1 or anyone else
places on the question. 1t all reminds me
O. the truth contained in the celebrated
sermon once preached by some jealous saint
10 the fishes: