Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-17

pressing insurrection and preserving Law
and order" E NJ. l.
A TAX ON BACHELORS.
HARTMANN, THE GERMAN PHILOSO-
PIER, ON wOMEN's RIGHTS.
Mems Duty to Support Women-He Would
| Mako Those Who Never Wed Pay 70,
Tendency a Disease.
CORRESPONDENTS OF THE D1srArcH.l
BERLIN. April 1-During my limited
stay in Berlin could not resist seeking an
| interview with Edward Won. Hartmann,
who 10 undoubtedly the greatest modern
| philosopher Of Germany, the author of the
PHILOSOPHY of the Unconscious, the sys.
tenn Of which is based on the materialism Of
Darwin and the pessimism Of Schopen:
hauer. The leading idea of this voluminoui
work is easily enough explained In quoting
his own words: "Have you never had ideas
of which you were unconscious until they
were called forth by suggestion?"
To find out how far the influence Of the
unconscious can be traced in will, idea, in.
stinct, nature, etc. Is the task he put
himself
As it is always wise before meeting such
men to prepare oneself with some topic OF
conversation chose his idea on woman S
rights A friend had advised me to meet
him at Cafe Bauer, where he often came to
glance through the papers in the afternoon.
From the details the amiable waiter gave
me came to the following conclusion: That
he was neither an eccentric like Schopen-
hauer nor a solitary student like Kant. He
is known for his regular, reasonable mode
of living, only working in the morning,
taking plenty of exercise and enjoying long
hours of sleep at night
Doesn't Live From Pen Alone.
Though his philosophical writings have
found ready market and have been trans
lated into many languages, it would have
hardly suficed to secure him the comfort
able, independent living he enjoys if he
did not belong to a wealthy and aristocratic
family. 1t struck ., and shortly after tall,
robust, solid-headed man, with long flow
ing beard, entered and revealed in his gait
that he had in his youth served as an officer
in the German army. As soon as he was
seated 1 approached him and begged the
favor of a conversation with him on the
much discussed subject OF "women's rights :"
He shrugged his shoulders. ''For GEN.
turies women have submitted with martyr
like resignation to the brutality of men.
Who can blame them then that they now
struggle to free themselves from the cruel
bondage and want moreover, to practice all
human privileges; this results naturally in
a certain fear of merely domestic and ma
ternal duties. And yet it is to be regretted,
because women are yet to lose their tradi-
tonal female qualities and adopt the ego
tism and, fear, even the brutality Of
men,"
"And have you really observed these
changes in women?"
"Everywhere'' he called out emphat-
ically, "you can nowadays find the woman
who does not care to be loved and taken
care of and even demands perfect indie
pendence in married lite. The increasing
influence of woman is based on their superior
morality and desire for knowledge Of life.
The Noras of Ibsen, who leave their hus-
band and children to find out in what the
true happiness of life consists, are more tre-
quent than most people imagine. She
wanted to become mans equal and now
tries to become his master. She employs
all means within her reach, as coquetry,
gentle persuasion, patience and will power,
and IN many particulars she is mans
IT am afraid that few men would be will
ing to acknowledge it," remarked.
He had hearty laugh which shook his
gigantic frame. IT believe that, the ma
iority of men still adhere to the much
found-fault-with Essay on Woman of poor
C,lo Uau mi in,
having an unsympathetic mother. Even
those who literally give in to women's
rights in public have remained tyrants at
home, while women of late are also very
bitter in their Judgment of men,"
"What do you advise to ameliorate the
state of things?"
He Would Tax the Bachelors
Again he shrugged his shoulders ITO
sexes should be an earnest endeavor. 1t is
a temporary disease of our social life. 1t
will outgrow itself, but one thing is GER
tain, that as long as nature endows men and
women with different qualities and abilities
equality is impossible. But I do not see
why everything should not remain as it was
in former times, the man attending to his
business, the woman to her household duties
ONLY, with the difference that equity exists
In regard TO their social ana humane POSI-
ton. -.
"But do not people argue that It Is impos-
sible for all women to get married?" in
quired.
"Of course" he laughed. 'There's the
rub. But seriously, I could suggest an e1-
cellent remedy. Men should marry as soon
as they have the necessary means and pros
pect Of advancing in their position And if
women were kept by their parents, their
brothers or other relatives and not go to
work to become mems rivals the young men
would succeed sooner. No, no, there is no
use in talking. Women should be shielded
so far as possible from all the rough infu-
ences of life and be restrained within the
sweet, natural bonds of family life. And
all old bachelors over q certain age should
be taxed by the Government; that would
soon induce them to enter the matrimonial
bonds p. - '.- .---- --
"But if is true that there are more women
than men they all could not be provided tor
in this way?" '-'
''Old maids should get pension from
the State as long as they need protection;
only give them the right sort of protection.
The tax on bachelors would 60 to their
maintenance" ss
Then he rose, tipped the waiter, lit new
cigar and took my hand in warm farewell
RUDOLPH BAUMANN.
Call and SEQ
VT n