The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-04-09

The Objections To the Young Ladies' Pr
tective society.

The Objections To the Young Ladies' Pro-
tective Society.
Kate Fields Washington
The ruling powers which settled very
early in the worlds history that il was wise
to make the little god Of love totally blind.
must be outraged beyond expression at the
recent action of the young women of GER
tairasi'cnnsyivania town. They have looked
about them and observed the uncertainties
to be encountered in the matrimonial mar
ket. and straightway applying that sover-
eign cure for all modern evils cooperation
have formed Young Ladies' Protective
Associations.
The theory Is that many unhappy mar
riages are caused by the ignorance of She
contracting parties concerning the eharsc-
ter and habits of the other. This they en-
deavor to remedy BY holding regular month
iy meetings. At which are submitted reports
of the social. moral and financial status of
every eligible bachelor in town. II one of
these gentlemen shows signs Of special in
terest in member of the society his case
is referred TO committee. who give his
record still more thorough investigation.
A minute account OF their discoveries Is
given to the member most concerned, and
she IS then tree 10 encourage the young
gentleman's advances in all certainty that
he is worthy of her regard, or to repulse
them with the full approval of her con-
science and the knowledge that he deserves
such cruelty.
Ii is . violation of the rules OF the society
for member to receive the attentions OF
any man whom il has placed under its ban.
This does not apply TO the consideration OF
poverty, however. which is very properly
decided to be the young woman's own
ansir. II. after due warning. she is willing
to do without candy and roses and To go to
the theater in street car, it is not the
business OF the Others 70 interfere. w omen
more than 20 years old are not permitted TO
join the association. Whether the hypo-
thesis is that they should by that time be
able TO form q correct opinion without as
at 30 woman should overlook little de-
fects of manner or temper which might
justly offend sweet ~, is not stated
The trouble with the plan is that it
sweeps away the most valued privileges Of
both sexes. No young man may pay at
tenti0n to more than one girl at time,
and, though no similar restriction Is placed
upon the female members of the society, IL
40 ~ tAS1ta4 sAA4fsCAt aiifCoS tAlC uioic R0P-
ulation Of the town is unlimited. What is
to become of all the delightful triumphs OF
beliehood il such an unyielding system Of
pairing off Jacks and Jills IL insisted upon
A suspicious world has accused young
women of enjoying the society Of the oppo-
site sex in proportion as they monopolized
more of IL than their share. Is il possible
that this suspicion Is unfounded?
The worst feature is yet to be revealed.
Whenever girl wearies OF the company OF
her appointed devotee she sends . card of
release 70 the secretary Of the association,
and the youth is free to look about him
and choose another shrine. But how pitt
full is the plight Of this secondhand cava-
lier! He has not even n written recon-
mendation 10 rely upon, and in . short
time he becomes a social outcast Con-
trast this with the usual condition of the
unattached young man. who, unless hope
lessly undesirable, holds always the golden
apple, ready to play the part of Paris over
and over again. With such grave uncon-
stitutional defects it Is 10 be feared that the
Young Ladies Protective Association. all
though an interesting and well-meaning
body, will never celebrate its io0lh anniver-
s&ry.