The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-12-30
UNIQUE AMONG CLUBS.
An Association or Working Women Founded
on Conmon.Sense Principles.


Unique among organizations OF women is an
association now in process OF formation on the
east side. in that It is pledged neither to give
nor take patronage. and in its avowcd object.
the study and practice OF tho principles OF So
cialfsm-not the socialism OF destruction be-
no8th the scarlet banner. but the socialism Of
equity and fraternity. tho brotherhood Of man
as set forth In the teachings OF Christ
That the solution OF tho social problem can
be brought about only when scientific social
ism. working from tho top down. is mot by
practical socialism working from the bottom
up. as St dothard was tunnelled by stimuli
taneous labor from either side the mountain
toward q common centre. Is aptly illustrated
By tho first difficulty which arises In the for
nation of a club of this kindthe strong caste
prcjudces among working people.
Class distinctions are finer and more rigidy
adhered to In the work.a day world than any
where else in deinocratic America.
thy l. found between tho women Of wealth and
i,I,t ar, ana tho waEe Garner than between the
sells ribbons. tho woman typewriter and the
woman senmstress.
In this association thcre are now a score or
more OF women, teachers. dressniakers. Shop
girls. factory girls. &c.. united In most AMIGA
bio relations ny u common interest: but when
nestle servants only three Of tho women SPOKE S
in favor Of it. and one OF them said: "Yes. I
j, j X,
everything | could to make THIN feel com
wo en- n ay happy here but doubt II they
Yes" answered the leader Of the move.
ment. the Rev. Mr.. johnson Of the Church Of
hs sS and sSsa DIDN'T Wo girl
patronizing her as you yourselves will not be
patronized: DO you seoS We are not Social.
This Church q the nedeemer. in Eighty
second seI,d street while ranking almost with St
rad innl fcn fr1 To-
mel and, and women Of liberal and advanced
our SSIns able to set the doctrines out of
to help US in the dissemination Of the ' true
tnsir practical knowledge and Opportunity for
NV When fully orssnized the club will have
at se
iations Is, between employer and employee. and
n as Of
TIC club TO the church viii be purely nominal H.
though to give standing to the movement and
authority to it's rcformations OF the wrongs
and abuses which may be Investigated and
corrected. some title signifying its connection
charter.
and as ana o
fdels. An interesting bit Of cont roversy arose
concerning the appointments OF the physician.
which some OF the m em hers argued should be
woman but the majority decided must be a
man to be Of practical benefit to the club. as
so many OF the members had not sufficient
confidence In women medicoes to employ
them. The club will DO entirely self- support
ing. and will have a sick benefit fund accumu-
lated by regular fees from the members.
Tho immediate purpose OF the club Ia to
rent club house. where rooms will be open
to the m cmbers and where hoard may be OBJ
tanned by working women ut figure covering
only the actual outlay involved in running the
establishment.
The chief difficulty in tho project Just now
seems to be tho dislnclination Of women to
live in community OF women alone. and their
preference for family life. which induces them
to share n room with some ono else in "a
crowded fiat where they have few privileges
and no seclusion. rather than to take up more
comfortable quarters at less cost in u house
full OF women. Besides the su spicion 0. any
thing SAVIOR ing OF an institution or of even tho
most delicate charity or benehcencs is always
offensive to the fine dignity and reserve uni
versal among self supporting women.
The only condition OF membership in the
society IS that the candidate shall be engaged
in some kind Of work for her support, and it
is hoped that the moderate due. and advan-
study OF social ethics. which will be taught by
lecture and reading at the meetings. will bring
In, women who may dispense as we'll as those
who may receive broader ideas and more ad-
vanced theories from mutual association.