The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1891-04-02
In WOMAN'S BEHALF.
a NEW CRUSADE.
To he Joined BY Women Brave Enough
to Resent An AfrOnt.

- ssSbsOe Shss sOsAss
"lou think it an open question, then.
whether women, just because they are
women, should submit to that which
men would never tolerate. and which is
never offered them, for the simple
reason that they would resent 1t? do
not. think certain questions should
never be considered in the light Of sex:
they are personal, individual and should
be settled on that basis" The speaker,
. bright woman. was discussing the
question of some of the public annoy
anccs to which women are subjected,
and to which they submit with feelings
that range from annoyance to rage.
The discussion began by one woman
expressing rather timidly the wish that
conductors Of strect-cars would not drag
her by the arm onto the platform Of the
car. and then shove her through the
door by putting hand on her back. At
once all were attention. and the timid
woman gained courage when she found
every face expressing sympathy.
I've been. ashamed to speak of it,
md vet II has been, and is, such an an
noyancc to be treated as if one were
tlecrepit, orwell, careless she slow
" added.
II will not submit to It, said the
leader Of this circle, her eyes flashing.
II did for time, but made up my
mind il was far more womanly to re-
sent it than submit to it."
Il think a woman appears SO undig
nified, makes such spectacle of herself.
by drawing attention to any incident
in public" said the dignified member
Then you think that woman pro-
tccts herself letter by submission to
personal contact that is obnoxious. than
when she forces men who do not know
their place, or who think that woman.
because she is a woman, is to submit to
the kind of treatment they choose to
offer, know that the limit of submis-
sion is measured in these days. You
think it an open question whether wom-
en- should protect themselves from an
noyances that no law of man or God
intended should be part of their life
burden?' and the speaker, with trem-
bling voice, completed her remarks
with the opening sentences of this ar
tlcIc. livery WoHldH llSItHci 1OT The
dignified members reply.
II think woman should avoid being
conspicuous. No annoyance can equal
the annoyance Of being conspicuous, !"
and she looked around for approval.
You have answered." said the lead
er, land stand just where | do; that all
such questions are to be settled on the
personal basis. the individual basis, and
not on the basis Of sex. For me. pre-
fer being conspicuous to having u
strange man grab me familiarly by the
arm, and lift me in way that is not
only disagreeable hut painful. | am
perfectly willing to stand all the prom
inence that comes from resenting such
treatment This very day conductor
reached down, caught me by the arm
with pressure that was painful, gave
me a pull that lifted me in the most disa-
greeable manner on t6 the ~rlatform.
and then put his hand on my waist to
shove me through the door. ! turned
and said: 'Ion will be kind enough not
to touch me again.
- only wanted to help yer
81 do not need your help. thank you:
am perfectly capable of getting on and
off car without assistance spoke
in low tone. and as stood in the door
way. probably not person in the car
knew what was said and taught that
man lesson. When | left the car, |
got off in comfort" and the leader
looked victorious.
''One does not expect the manners OF
a Chesterfield from a man whose service
command less than three dollars day. -
said another member
NO; nor does the pay or the require
ments Of the position demand that the
man holding it should be nurse
When reach the point where l need
such assistance (o) as they give, will
take an attendant trained to her posi-
tion. Until that time comes, mean to
protect myself from all unnecessary an
noyance as far as possible. l mean
now, this morning, to start a crusade.
without banner or device, to protect
women--to educate, perhaps. would be
Il better motive-against false modesty.
Who will join?' and she turned laugh.
ingly to the company.
Il will, said the timid one, IF you
mean to train policemen, car conduc.
tors. and brakemen," and an appealing
glance was thrown at the dignified
member, who looked disapproval.
Yes mean that every woman
who joins my crusade shall have the
courage, or develop it if it is not now
possessed. to resent any action on the
part of an official that is familiar; she
shall resent it even If she is forced te
draw public attention for the momen,
to herself. Was that not womanl,
which that girl did not lorg since in I
Fifth avenue stage who became con
scious that the toes of the pair of boot.
on the floor opposite had touched hel
foot, and thought it an accident, ant
drew her feet closer to the side Of the
stage seat? In moment the boots
were again resting on her feet: she
glanced at the owner of the boots, ant
the expression in his face told her tha
the contact with her feet was not an nc
cident. Glancing at him calmly, sh,
said, in voice perfectly audible: !
am sorry, sir, that my feet are SO large
but if you will be SO kind as to keel
your feet as close as possible to your
side of the stage, l will do the same
and perhaps that will prevent our an
noying each other The man left tn,
stage at once. Every body looked a
the girl, but there was more admiration
than any other emotion expressed
every one knew it took courage t,
speak as she did. | wish She woul,
| Join my crusade" and the leader lean
ed forward as if ready to right tn,
wrongs Of all women.
You would better put another objec
before your society,"" said the dignife,
member
/ Il will, if il combines well with tn
primary one;" and the leader was al
attention.
Educate your members to acknowl
edge attentions that they accept"
Every lady does that"
Excuse me; l have seen many wh'
did not"
"Y ou mean when gentlemen surren
der their seats in the ear, for instance?
! 'Ves, l have seen women who taxi