Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1891-04-09
In W0MAN'S BEHALF.
a NEW CRUSADE.
To BE Joined by Women Brave Enough
IN Raaeni An AfrnIN.

'1 on tnlnk III an open QucStiuii NuNhi
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,
a bright woman, was discussing the
question of some of the public annoy
ances 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 stree.-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 Az
once all were attention, and the timid |
woman gained courage when she found
every face expressing sympathy
'Ive been ashamed to speak OF it,
and yet it has been, and is, such an an
noyance to be treated as if one were
decrepit, orwell, careless" she slow
ly added.
81 will not submit to it," said the
leader of this circle, her eyes flashing.
81 did for time, but made up my
mind it was far more womanly to re-
sent it than submit to it"
81 think woman appears so undig-
nifed, makes such spectacle of herself,
by drawing attention to any incident
in public" said the dignified member.
"Then you think that a woman pro-
tects herself better 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 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
l think it an open question whether wom-
en- should protect themselves from an
: noyances that no law of man or God
:, intended should he a part of their life
3 burden?" and the speaker, with trem-
S bling voice, completed her remarks
= with the opening sentences of this ar
S ticle. Every woman listened for the
t dignified members reply.
Il ~ think woman should avoid being
;. conspicuous No annoyance can equal
e the annoyance of being conspicuous"
It and she looked around for approval.
h "You have answered" said the lead
ID er, "and stand just where do; that all
ID such questions are to be settled on the
e. personal basis, the individual basis, and
q not on the basis of sex. For me, pre-
e, fer being conspicuous to having a
Il strange man grab me familiarly by the
e. arm, and lift me in way that is moi
IN only disagreeable but painful. | an
TX perfectly willing to stand all the prom
n. inence that comes from resenting sucf
We treatment. This very day conductor
re reached down, caught me by the arm
ne with pressure that was painful, gav'
IS me pull that lifted me in the most disa
Il. preeable manner on to the platform
LII and then put his hand on my waist t.
H. shove me through the door. | turned
in and said: You will be kind enough no
n. to touch me again.
ST 81 only wanted to help yer
IL "'I do not need your help, thank you
be am perfectly capable of getting on an
M off car without assistance. spok
in in a low tone, and as stood IA the door
way, probably not person in the ca
knew what was said, and l taught tina
man lesson. When | left the car,
got off in comfort" and the leade
's' looked victorious.
lch Zone does not expect the manners
Chesterfield from a man whose servlc
command less than three dollars day,
n said another member.
1at mo; nor does the pay or the requir
ing ments of the position demand that tn
ne man holding it should be nurs
un- When reach the point where | nee
such assistance (?) as they give, l wi
ON take an attendant trained to her pos
or ton. Until that time comes, mean
in protect myself from all unnecessary a
nes noyance as far as possible. mei
md now, this morning, to start crusad
lie without banner or device, to prote
women--to educate, perhaps, would
lar better motive-against false modest
in Who will ioin?" and she turned laug
lus- ingly to the company.
on 81 will" said the timid one, ''if y
cad mean to train policemen, car condl
tied tors and brakemen," and an appeali
glance was thrown at the dignih
for member, who looked disapproval
ON eyes. / mean thai every won
her who Joins my crusade shall have
nan courage, or develop it if it is not NJ
fter possessed, to resent any action on
as part of an official that is familiar; S
Jer- shall resent it even if she is forced
draw public attention for the mom'
hall to herself Was that not womal
, be which that girl did not long since il
will Fifth avenue stage who became C
ba scious that the toes of the pair OF bo
won on the floor opposite had touched
;end foot, and thought it an accident, ;
&c n drew her feet closer to the side of
stage seat? In moment the be
were again resting on her feet;
c., glanced at the owner of the boots,
- the expression in his face told her
tan the contact with her feet was not an
,,o,, cident. Glancing at him calmly,
- - said, in voice perfectly audible:
am sorry, sir, that my feet are so la
nov, ON but if you will be so kind as to
80 80 your feet as close as possible to J
iIe a;nSt side of the stage, 1 will do the sa
,,in1, ai and perhaps that will prevent our
lful, noyins .aon os Euorr bodw Iool-e,
ident Us W g. othor emot;on exnres
we every one knew it took courag
INA. speak as she did. / wish she w
rec Join my crusade" and the leader |
: yer ed forward as il ready to right
store -. - oil women
last "You would better put another ol
your bo+ore vour societv.n said the dign
''Yis, toy
said, ST LII 70 q combines well will
ever primary one;' and the leader wa