Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-02-25
INFLUENCE OF WOMEN.
A Gathering of Ladies Discuss Political
Matters.

About fifty women met yesterday at
the nome of Mre. +. B. Ketchan,
West Bridge street. and discussed ques.
tons of interest to those who love hu-
mAnity.
The meeting was opened by all sing
ing ''New Song Of Freedom" to the
tune OF "Hold the Fort" written by
Mrs. Harriet II. Robinson. of Massa-
chusetts. author Of hook on Legal
Conditions OF Women"
Rev. Caroline Bartlett, Of Kalama-
200, was introduced, and spoke OF
observations she had made while in
England last summer. concerning the
general interest the English woman
take and their active participation in
all political questions. She thought
them in advance OF American woman
in this line, and said they were accorded
greater political recognition, and if free
America did not ''Iook to her laurels"
old conservative England would get
the lead in enfranchising women. Mrs.
Elizabeth Eagletield then followed.
giving q very spirited and logical
address on the prejudice of sex. She
spoke tor moro than an hour and made
many hits which caused much merri-
ment and awakened serious thought in
the minds of some who may never
before have sought an answer to her
searching and impressive question::
"Why are We denied the bsllotr'
Then Mrs. Margaret Scott, for nearly
eight years superintendent of the I'm
dustrial Home for Girls" at Adrian,
gave comprehensive account of her
long experience in that institution, and
an insight into Its workings. Its benefits
and the need OF women to manage and
control every department of an institu-
ton whore nearly 700 girls from 10 to
IL years of age have been sent to re-
ceive help, sympathy and the uplifting
influence of earnest, loving women,
that reclaimed and strengthened these
victims, rather than criminals. may be-
come good citizens, virtuous and self.
supporting. One woman appealed to
the mother heart of each woman pres
ent to think and act, to create public
sentiment that will demand that such
men shall be sent to our next legisla-
turc as shall see to II that this institu-
ton shall BIO gwen entirtly into the
hands of women--an ark so sacred that
no man shall dare to lay irreverent
hands upon it.
Then letter Was read from Mary l..
Doe, Of Bay City. member OF the school
board. IN which she spoke Of the har.
mouy with which men and women
work together there. and stated that
the secretary said TO her recently
"that one reform at least had been &C
complished just by the preteucs VI
women-for man there was 3 pure at.
mospnere, where heretofore the to.
bacco smoke used to be 90 thick he
could scarcely zee to read his minutes"
A letter was also read from the secre-
tary OF the state superintendent OF ed
ucation ut Lansing. that in addition "a
women on schuol boards in Detroit, Bay
City, Grand Rapids, Battle Greek, Jack.
son and Charlotte. There is q woman
trustee in Lelenaw. Gladwin. Crawford
Case. Beuzie, Baraga and Alger coun.
ties aud In Alger county the whole
school board are women, and farther
that there we're Ave women acting a.
county ssioners. The account
Was followed by tho statement "tha'
they rank among the most earnest
workers in their line"
The announcement Was made thai
OH March 1871 another meeting would
be held at the Same place, TO which al
interested were invited and the meet
ing vas adjourned.