The morning call., 1893-04-25
WOMEN OF ALBION.
Ladies of the Press Club
Pity Them.
But They Envy the Greater Freedom
of Their Boston Sisters Given
by the School Suffrage.

Music and politics formed the bill of fare
at the social meeting of the Women's Press
Association yesterday afternoon.
Proceedings opened with Selections
from Verdi" arranged as a mandolin and
guitar duet, The performers, II. E.
Pomeroy and W. Il. Roberts, were warmly
applauded and responded by an encore.
Mrs. f. McRoberts, an English lady of
woman's suffrage fame. delivered an able
and learned address upon Women in
English Politics." She stated that all
through the dark ages, from warlike
Boadicea to the times of good Queen Brss,
women sat in Parliament. voted MS bur
gesses, and even acted as high sheriffs.
Don't you wish you were a high
sheriff." whispered voice in the audi
ence.
But there was no response. Every one
was listening indign antly to the story how
the great LAWYER Sir Edward Coke first DIET
a spoke in the English womsn's political
wheel, and how the reform act Of 1882
stopped that wheel altogether by enactiug
that only male persons could vote.
when IL was question OF taxes" said
Mrs McR0beTts, in righteous Indignation,
They interpreted man to include men
and women, but when it is question of
privilege the word was given only male
significance"
Go on, 60 on" cried every one when the
lecturer stopped and looked at the clock.
But IFS getting late, and L promised to
speak for fifteen minutes, replied Mrs. Nc
Roberts, who had been talking for an hour
and 4 half by the clock.
Finish the lecture" said the ladies
family, and there was attention for an
other halt hour Then the president Sug-
gested meekly, 1T is getting rather late"
and Mrs. McROberts finished amidst great
applause.
The next item was the song, "A Summer
Night" which Xena Roberts rendered with
great taste and expression. This young
singer possesses a ringing contralto voice of
considerable power aud compass. In re-
Spouse to warm applause, she rendered Il
pretty vocal waltz, by the Sea"
Rev. Ada c. BOwles of Boston related
several touching and amusing incidents Of
the complications that sometimes result
from the laws that, tn many States, do not
acknowledge a married wOman's right to
possess anything, not even her own, Cloth
ing,
why, friend of mine once lost her bag
gage on tie cars and the lawyers said,
\ Oh can't sue the company; il IS your nus
bands clothing
But there is not one single stitch be-
longing TO him. replied the woman.
- on may think SO. but that clothing is
his. they affirmed. The unfortunate man
tried TO convey the property 10 his wife by
deed OF gilt, but 1t could not be done be-
cause she was legally Incapable Of owning
anything"
lana how did it end?" asked the ladies
OF the Press Club.
The husband had to make out an inyen-
tory OF so many skirts. bonnets, etc, and
swear that they were his. He hated doing
it too, but it was the only way 10 recover"
Then Rev. Ada G. Bowles, who is from
Massachusetts. where women are allowed
school suffrage, said piiyinglY TO her Cali
forna sisters, You are stlll DISTINGUISHED
even TO that small degree" And all the
ladies sighed in chorus.
Miss Linda NJ. Prussing, a young Chicago
lady, made little speech cordially inviting
all present TO inspect the Chicago Woman's
Club in case they visit the Worlds Fair.
THE clubrooms will be open all summer,
and any woman coming for information
will be heartily welcome" she stated.
Proceedings closed with the reading of
poem, Tim" by Miss Mary E. IaDbert