The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-11-30

ator Spooner Wants the Bank Left Opcn
and No Questions Asked.
The question as to how the money matters of
the family shall be regulated is one that enters
into not only the homes of our statesmen at
Washington, but into every American house.
hold. 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 allowance be granted to
them, and out of this they be expected to pay
their personal expenses and those of the house
hold? This is subject upon which have in
tervewed this week some OF the most noted
women of the country. l found that every
woman that l called upon had decided view
upon the subject, and mono less 30 than Mrs.
Harrison, the wife of the President. l called
upon her at the White House, and was ushered
into the upper private corridor, which has served
80 long the private sitting-room of the Pres-
dents family. Mrs Harrison said:
$50 far as am personally concerned, have
never given the matter serious thought But
must say that think every woman should be
allowed some settled amount for her household
as well as for her personal expenses l believe
such an arrangement is largely the secret of do
mestc happiness, and, though few men will
agree with me in this, think it would prove a
more economical plan in the long run. Much
domestic discord would thereby be avoided, and
all members Of the family would be happier
think it is quite as important that tho girls Of the
family should have an allowance as their moth
ers, and certain amount should be given to
them regularly for their spending ns soon as
they are old enough to realize the value OF
money. This s especially so in these days OF
reckless extravaganza, when children are not
educated as they were in former years to house.
hold work, and thus left to the mercy OF Cir
cumstauces. How often do we see girls reared
toll lIo1 hy1 1nca nf mas M
fortune to earn their own living, only to find
themselves totally unframed in all practical
knowledge. Nothing so completely fits one for
evegy emergency in life, whether it be for pros
perity or adversity. as good, solid education in
the all-importsnt comprehension of a just esti-
mate of money, and how else can this be OBJ
tanned except by careful training in that much
neglected branch of home education? ?"
$50 then," asked, you are decidedly in favor
of the allowance theoryP"
Most emphaticaly am" replied Mrs. Harri-
son, "but think that in regard to the amount
circumstances should always govern cases.
though ninety-nine women out of every hundred
will be all the better for the discipline even If
they incline to extravaganza. Every wife thus
treated would endeavor to prove herself worthy
of the confidence reposed in her, and our homes
would be all the happier for the system. After
ALL" concluded Mrs. Harrison. lit will make
very little difference what Importance or any
else places on the question, for more than half
of those who read will never, perhaps, think of
1t again, and if they do they will go on just the
same. holding their own views and carrying them
out to suit their fancy. 1t all reminds me- she
tinued, "of the truth contained in the celebrated
sermon once preached by some Jealous saint to
the fishes
THE sermon just ended,
All quickly descended;
The pike went on stealing,
The eels went on ceiling;
Much delighted were they,
But preferred the old way"
Mrs. Dmmick had listened with much interest
to the conversation, having upon my entrance
laid aside her book, "All Manner and Conditions
of Men," and quietly remarked that the subject
reminded her of an acquaintance, who, possess
Ing a settled income OF her own, was very
puuctous in regard TO even the smallest item of
expenditure. AS an example of this she went on
to say that upon one occasion this lady visited
the Post Office in company with her husband,
and, having forgotten her purse, borrowed the
desired two cents required for stamp from him.
Upon their return home she conscientously paid
the amount, to the no small amusement of the
rest of the party present "All the same" added
Mrs. Dimmick, II do notmean this as an example
in opposition to the advantages to be derived
from the fixed-allowanee theory. On the con-
trary am thoroughly in sympathy with Mrs.
Harrison's views, and believe that every one is
the better and more careful for the possession of
Il TeGuluT dlloWuuCe, uO LhutbOI hON IllhilSb ~
may be-"
WHAT MRS. SUPREME JUSTICE FIELD THIHEs.
Mrs. Justice Field thinks that without doubt
every woman should be allowed regular in
come, without which, she asserts, there can be
no real domestic comfort. ~ have never consid-
cred the subject but in one light" she observed.
sit never occurred to me but that every wife en-
joyed the same privileges as myself. Nothaving
any children, am not entitled to discuss that
bearing OF the question, but am of the opinion
that girls would be all the better for little more
practical education of this kind In the first
place. it teaches them self-reiance, and this is
sure foundation of character. either with girl
or boy. In these days when the question of the
advancement of woman is so widely mooted, and
women receive the same collegiate education as
men, for what purpose is the additional knowl-
edge. unless to enable them to compete favorably
in all respects with the so-called Lords of Crea-
ton" And if they possess the required knowl-
edge, why should they not be trusted with the
financial part of the household management
cannot recall a single case within my knowl-
edge Ia winch the wife or daughters do not re-
ceive their regular stipend, and in every case the
rule proves a success to both parties interested.
Every woman feels a natural pride in her ability
10th ,1a nd Uhafl che Ho