Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-18

NOTED civilization. In marriage it was the
husband who promised to obey-a state OF
affairs that, says the historian, was produc-
tive Of lasting fidelity and love. Much
more to the same point is given, all Of
which, il true, goes to- show that what was
safe to say when women were ignorant will
hardly pass without question nowadays.
and that the "beIovsd brethren" should
read up on this subject of ancient civiliza-
ton and the position Of women in the
primitive church.
Another institution at work to upset the
theories held until hardly more than half a
century ago-and even now by not a few
that learning would be dangerous for
women and pernicious for the interests of
State and society" is the Woman's Press
Association. Intelligent women in the
schoolrooms and on the press will knock
good many of the old notions into "pi."
The reverend brother, whose remarks we
have noted, and whose soul is filled with
sorrow at seeing women out of the place he
deems fit for them, will have to make up
his mind to it or 60 hence. He predicts an
end to civilization when women aspire to
knowledge and tempt men to taste it with
them," and adds sadly, that nevertheless as
Adam followed Eve, so will the men of to-
day follow the women with dazed ewes and
despairing hearts to q death from which
there is no resurrection-to a night which
has no morning beyond" Cat this stage
the handkerchiefs might be passed).
Women's Best Days.
From these remarks it will be seen that
the brother is having a spell of the most
dismal of dumps. But while women are re-
joicing in the dawn of brighter day, they
will take little note of the lamentations of
Jeremiahs, or the croakings of "the CLOTH"
No matter what is said, or what horrors are
professed as the result of the refusal of
women to remain longer in silence and sub
mission, they realize that these are "the best
times probably that women ever had in the
world, and they propose to keep up in the
march Of progress at all hazards, and reach
those even more golden in their promise of
mlllennial days"
The howl that is raised in the professions
as to women taking possession of the occu-
pations OF men is rather cool, considering
that men have usurped what were once con-
sidered the home duties of women. Not
many years ago, women were the brewers
and bakers, the weavers and spinners. Men,
with machinery, have captured these indus
tries. Dressmakers complain that men are
taking away their business. In view of
these facts, is it any wonder that the women
workers are striking out into other fields
and taking up new trades and are finding
employment wherever they can lay hold of
chance to exercise their talents. There is
demand for the views of women on the at
fairs of church, State and society, and news
papers answer this public sentiment by a
supply from the pens of those who can use
them-hence they are made welcome on the
press.
Women of the Press.
The first Woman's Press Association was
formed bv six correspondents in the famous
'Red Parlor" of the Riggs House at Wash
ington in 1882. This small organization
the first of its kind the world has ever
known-has been followed by others that
constitute a noble company of women,
armed with the pen, who will do much for
the advancement of sweetness and light in
society, church and state. In 1885 the
Woman's National Press Association was
formed in New Orleans with the object de-
fined in the following: "To provide a me-
dium of communication between the Jour-
nalists of the country, securing all the bene-
fits that result from organized effort. Such
information as is continually needed by
writers will be rendered available, and new
avenues will be opened to individuals for
journalistic work. Ipnumerable benefits
arise from mutual help and encouragement.
One aim Of the association is to forward the
interests of the working women of the
country in every way"
This Press Association prospered, and a
year or two afterward its name was changed
to international, and its membership
now includes women writers In the United
States, Australia and Europe. to the num-
Der of over 400. The Woman's Press Asso-
citation of the South has 100 members by
the last report. This is q surprising show
ing from a section where women were once
taught to despise work and to regard the
earning of money as plebeian.
Some Minor Organizations.
The New England Woman's Press Club
BY the report OF 1888 numbers 58 members
OF these 25 are editors, editorial writers,
IL correspondents, 10 contributors and 2
business managers. The Illinois Woman's
Press Association numbers, at last accounts,
over 101 members. Among them are in
cluded 81 editors, A correspondents, 70
authors and 10 publishers. The New York
Woman's Press Club was organized scarcely
a year ago. The women on the Philadelphia
press are mainly enrolled in the New Cen
tury Club, which was organized as a Cen
tennial outcome in 1876. In every city
movements in the direction of organized
effort are being made.
Perhaps the most marked success of women
in managing, editing and publishing paper
is that OF the Union Signal established by
the w. G. 7. u. Soon alter their national
organization its members felt the need of
temperance paper. Asshowing what women
can do when they make up their minds, they
started the paper entitled the linton, a
monthly publication, at 80 cents year.
They had no money, but they had heroic
devotion and brains to work. Those who
know the difficulties and time it takes to
make paper ''go" with even good supply
of capital can form some idea of the struggle
OF these women for success. Then the ne
cessity of a weekly paper was felt, and Miss
Willard and six Others incorporated
Woman's Temperance publication society
with the object of starting a weekly paper
the Signal The capital subscribed was
only s., 900, with shares at S25. No stock
was to be held by men. The first Jew years
was struggle, but when women will they
will. Even in the face of debt and all the
predictions of failure, the women stood by
it unfinchlngly and heroically.
Kept the Men Out.
Presently men saw something in it and
tried to buy enough stock to get control of
1t; but, while sorely pressed for money. its
projectors refused to surrender. and pushed
on. The stock was increased year after
year until, by the last report, it was s.. 900.
The tide turned. In 1884 the gains began.
In 1885 the paper paid dividends of per
cent the next year per cent and the next
6 per cent, with a solid surplus held over for
increasing their facilities. The original
monthly and weekly were merged into the
Union Signal, which has a subscription list
OF over 40, 900. This association OF women