The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-01-03
Cooperation and Self-Goyern
ment in Their Clubs.
HOW THEY ARE CONTROLLED,
Purity, Pleasantness and Perseverance,
Spending the vacation-womanhood
in Its Truest, Deepest Sense.
BY the President of the National Association of
Working Girls Societies

ana crowded with girls younger and older,
IN their fresh summer dresses: the old
barn doors are swung back, and passing
farmers llnger to listen to the strains OF
the gospel hymns which are being sung.
pause occurs and bright-eyed young
woman rises and says: Girls, before our
Sunday evening talk want 10 say few
words, especially TO those of YOU
who only came last night.
Ihls Is your place, these houses
are yours. and to you is entrusted the gov
eminent and care of all. Let us each try
to make this place and these vacation DAYS
bright and happy. Ii anything goes
wrong, you should speak of it; if any
change is desired, you must suggest. and
II any trouble arises you are responsible 4"
After further explanation the speaker sits
down, having gained the hearty approval
OF all to her words. talk follows, hav-
ing for Its special point this same idea of
cooperative self-government and self-reli-
ance. The speaker applied the matter to
individual lives, and spoke of how the Hea-
veniy Father in his guiding care has given
to His children these words of practical
command: Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you; work together
must do so and so, but "Whosoever will
may come, and then the message, that by
your works we shall be known. A parting
hymn, and the girls rise, and one. es-
pecially sweet faced, says: at is time for
the Harborites to go home" Not before
the house goes" pleaded those addressed
SO together the two groups, each contain
ing forty or more, separate, one going to-
wards a long low house near the sound
the other across the grass plot to large
white frame house, standing partia lily
hidden under overhanging trees.
Who are these girls. and where are they :?
They are members of various clubs be-
longing to the New York Association of
Working Girls Societies, and are at little
village on the north shore of Long Island
spending their two weeks vacation. Much
has been written of these clubs, but manv
outside cannot yet realize what is their
significance and deep spirit. They repre-
sent no phiianthropic or charitable move
ment, but rather are illustrations of bodies
of sister friends banded into different
groups, with headquarters in convenient
localities. No boards of management
from outside. no committees of older
women who meet to say such and such
should be done, but q simple, democratic
government vested in each individual
member, the little cash girl having the
same vote as the teacher, or the women
who come from homes of culture and
wealth The monthly business meetings
are largely attended. Each member then
brings her dues, and is interested to know
how the finances stand and what more
can be done. If all bills are met and the
treasurer can report 30 cents surplus, the
members feel rich; but when several dol
lars over are read out, burst of applause
follows.
The clubs rooms are larger or smaller as
the members require, the smallest club i'll
the New York association having thirty
members, the largest 800. Methods and
classes differ but all societies to be privi-
legged TO Join the general association must
be founded on the three fundamental
principles of cooperation, self-goyernment
and self-rehanCe or efforts towards self
support. The constitutions also vary, but
those clubs which are most successful have
council consisting of twelve-six officers
and six members elected annually by the
club. In this body is vested the control as
well as the preparation of plans to present
TO the entire club.
Girls for officers and council are elected
from all branches of work-factory hands,
shop girls, dressmakers, stenographerS,
clerks. teachers and those Others who have
been entrusted with time and money To
use for the benefit of their sister friends.
Ii is not the question of where they work,
but what they are, that makes them a
candidate for office, and the committees
show the same mixture. Each brings her
best and shares IL with others. Those who
are in active practical life know what
al, lt.aFaf
of any kind bring them; those who have
refinement and inherited judgment bring
these necessary qualities To mlngle with the
practical cOmmon-Sense of their associates.
The result is a happy one; interest Is
aroused and kept alive. mistakes are rarely
made. These bodies OF busy sisters share
each others Joys and sorrows, and de-
velop plans for mutual Improvement and
advantage, which, when put into opera
ton, bring about results few other organ
izations can show.
Statistics are not compiled by these So
cieties, but few numbers can be given.
In the New York association there are
twenty regular members, each represent
ing society, the united membership be-
ing about 900. Seven societies rent an
entire house twelve rent rooms only, and
one owns its house one hundred and
thirtv-four classes were held last winter
in such branches as dressmaklng,
cooking. sewing, millinery, languages,
etc. Practical talks and lectures are
most valuable features. Receptions
and entertainments are often given. The
attendance at one club for the year was
Is, 06S. with a nightly average Of forty-one
for the hfty-two weeks of the year.
PrOvident habits are established. The
deposits made in the Penny PrOyldent
fund by twelve clubs from March J. 1880,
10 March /. 1S9l, amounted 10 Sl9iI.l5.
over a third of this or S1lS.0S, was de-
posited in the month of January, showing
a growing tendency 10 save.
The inside organizations are especially
helpful. Junior clubs are becoming more
and more a power. and there are eight In
the New York association, one Domestic
club has made successful start. TINS IS
an organization among the brides, wives
and mothers the object being 10 broaden
the ideas OF members, 10 educate IN home
and household matters, and 10 de-
yel0p cooperative measures. The circle
holds weekly meetings in the afternoon,
and for an hour listens 10 a lecture or car
ries on q discussion upon previously an
nounced topics. These relate 70 home and
household matters. the care OF chlidrent
the sick. etc. During last winter course
of cooking lectures was gwen TO the mem
hers 4 committee Of unmarried mem
hers takes care of the babies while the
mothers are occupied with the lectures.
Cbautauoua circles and literary societies
are uoDu[ar, but the best Work - done by
the ORGANIZATIONS banded u work for 9TH
ers Each club mas its re.iet committee,
Lend a Hand Band or Resolve Club. and
marvellous amount IS done Tor Others BY
girls who themselves are busy and have
very little means.
Womanhood in its truest. deepest sense
=. -. ..,rg,t-aD and the Ftuus "A htcH have