The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-09-03
EVILS TO BE CURED.
Ladies' Relief Society Urges
Needed Reforms.
COMMISSIONERS FOR The POOR
Striking At the Root OF Social wrongs-
City Hospitai-Work
OF Relief

At the meeting OF the Ladies' Aid Society
held at the Chamber Of Commerce report was
submitted which fully explains the work of the
society. Il IL az follows:
TO the President and Members of the Ladies' Re
tfsJ Sccistu: We trust the right word il ever to
De the popular one In this society. IT, in the re-
ports from your committee, you do not fnf the
BEST 50 gestions. we hope discussion win be
provoked which will result in the right word
being spoken As the days 60 by The superficial
character OF our work becomes more and pain
fuiiy apparent We long 10 be able to strike ct
the root OF the evils that encompass us and
Cause the sorrows which we seek 10 amsliorate.
True, we are organized a. a relief society; In the
accepted meaning of that wurd, q state of sui
iering or want 10 implied before the relief can
be given. but the question persistsntly comes to
Lief to . great greer? We have Q large organi-
ration. composed OF women from the most for
tunats circles OF Seattle society: we hear much
OF Wonan's influence as an uplifting force in
communities. Do we believe in 1t as such? We
confess to you that we feel. in dealing with
many cases that come to as, that we are merely
beating the air, IS far as any permanent good
that we are doing 10 concerned. You win please
pardon as If We seem too much In earnest, for
we have had some particularly trying cases
during the past month. Since April last we
have had on our list the names of twelve
women who have been deserted by their hus-
bands You are shocked at this? Let US finish
the tale of woe. Eight of these women
were about 70 become mothers when
they were deserted. and one
other was in q helpless physical condition. We
do not claim to know all the causes that lead
men 70 make such disgraceful records; some
things we have learned, however, and while our
conclusion is that the drink habit has much to
90 vi d II, there is also in connection with il
another reason, which is the complete absence
OF power in society to compel men to provide
Tor wife and children If for any reason they
choose to neglect them. In all these dozen
cases 10 which have referred, can any of
you think Of q way in which these men could
be compelled TO do their duty? Technically
speaAing men are obliged to support their fami-
lies. II wife can get credit her husband nust
pay the bill, II be has the means. If he has not
the means she is not liable to either get or ask
credit When men are lost to ali moral obliga-
ton 1t does seem as though law should step in
to prevent shem from wasting their means in
tliegitimate channels, or, IL they are idle and
shiffless. why should they not be made puolic
example By compelling them to do mental work
OF some sort for the public? We are not argu-
Ing for q return to the stocks or the whipping
post but for salutary laws which will stamp the
seal OF disapproval, nay. of public indignation
upon this class OF men. One of the necessities
OF our iast-growing metropolis is city hospital.
As one has expressed it. "a city assessed Tor
SO 600 is rich enough to provide comfortable
quarters : its sick and injured who are with
out homea." The question OF economy would,
We believe. be sufficient argument to warrant
the establishment of hospital Philanthropy
demands 1t Prompt relief is impossible where
there is 50 much to be dsne before getting pa
tent into . hospital We have two hospitals,
certainly, where the sick may be placed, in case
In L. kov%A
becomes responsible for the fees What we
want IL place for those who have neither
money nor friends Whatever may be said of
the differences in brain, or in moral perceptions
physically, the human family ia organized on
one plan OF hesh and blood and nerves Pain
and sickness are common to al, and it seems
sad that on account Of the lack of little gold
relief mum be withheld and pain prolonged in
any case. The county pays large bills annually
for the care of the sick. why should there
not be unity of effort between county and city
in building hospital that shall be large enough
TO accommodate all? Ladies, there is probably
no society that appreciates the necessity for q
hospital IS ours does, why then should we not
make it our business and our pleasure to urge
the matter upon the attention of those in au-
thority until they consent to carry out our
wifhes? Our summer months are gone, winter
must soon be here: the work we have done on
pleasant days will seem IS plsy compars d to
tramping in the highways and the byways
through mud and rain. We have never had as
many poor doubtless az we viii have this win
ter. There should be q commissioner of the
poor appointed for King county. The present
chairman of the county commissioners win not.
We are sure. think we intended any discredit 70
the work he has done by asking for another
commissioner, whose especial duty shall be
looking out for the poor. This county is filing
up so fast the present board of commissioners
have all they ought to do in looking out for
needed improvements. There is to be special
session Of the legislature, and If the matter
were properly presented we doubt not q new
commissioner might be appointed at once, so as
TO be ready for winter. There is a subject upon
which we should have report. last month but
overlooked it We refer to the use of the name
of this society In connection with schemes or
with exhibitions which are demorslizing to the
public On two occasions. within one week.
our name was SO used. once with lottery and
once with wrestling match. We empnatically
protest against such misrepresentation of the
character of our society, or of the methods we
use TO obtain money. We have had ten new
applications this month to which we have re-
sponded; they represent two men, eight women
and eighteen children.
Eight of the old cases have remained on our
hands during the whole or part of the month:
b sides We have had several cases to inyesti
gate, which we have either turned over TO
others or have decided not to act upon. One
woman hes been returned to San Francisco and
one to Portland. where they had frients. One
woman died at Grace hospital. The Home has
thirty-six children at present We wonder at
the manner in which Mrs. Smith conducts
affairs there. She has thoroughly Identified
herself with our interests, And we feel CONF
dence in her judgment In all matters pertaining
10 the Home. In appreciation OF her superior
services we have decided to recommend that
her salary be raised to $40 per month. We are
still hoping that some move will soon be made
towards locating our new Home. Respectfully
submitted, CoRNELE E JENNER,
HARRIET BAXTER,
DORA RANKE,
Lutte K LYON.