The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-06-27
SPHERE OF WOMAN
Rev. Father Montgomery
Speaks interestingly.
MAN SHOULD DO THE WORK,
Something Wrong in a System Which
Drives the Mother and Daughter
to Bread-Winning.

Welcome delegates, sixth Grand Insti-
iute. was the legeud that adorned the
platform of METROPOLITAN Hall last even
Ing. The occasion was reception ten
dered to the delegates of the Young Ladies'
Institute, and there was scarcely a vacant
seat in the building a quarter of an hour
oeIore the proceedings were announced to
commence.
An excellent musical programme was
one great attraction, but the central point
of interest was an address by Rev. George
Montgomery He had refused to divulge
the subject of his remarks beforehand.
AS Ella NJ. Comyns. grand president of the
order, introduced the reverend gentleman,
in few well-chOsen words, there was
visible futter of anxiety and expectation
among the large audience, many of whom
were Young lady members Of the institute
Father Montgomery began his address
by delivering greeting from his Grace.
the Archbishop, stating his regret at being
unable to take part personally in the pro-
ceedlngs. The Archbishop has studied
the object OF the institute and observed its
workings from the beginning. He is
thoroughly in sympathy with it, and
wishes all the young ladies in the city and
diocese Of San Francisco to become mem
berS.
That is all from the Archbishop" con-
tlAued Father Montgomery, but l have
been asked TO give an address, and have
selected formidable subject-one that
deals with half of human life. and the
better half at that. 1 aliude to the sub
3ect. OF woman'S rights, woman's sphere
in life"
After expressing his opinion that the
mere possession of a right does not always
tmply that it is eXpedient TO exercise il,
rather NJ or tgOmerY continued:
1t Is demanded that women shall pos
seSS and exercise the same right as men in
civil affairs As far as the abstract right
goes | see no reason to distinguish be-
tween the sexes. But when it comes to
the question whether, at the present mo-
menr, il would be well for women to exer-
else il is an entirely different matter.
Change does not always imply prog
resS. As 4 mighty avalanche, sweeping
all before il, has gathered its forces, bit
by bit, upon its onward way. so will it
take long tine for reason and right to
prevail over prejudice and passion.
some people regard wOmaG's suffrage
as universal Danacea. 1t will accom-
plish much, but it cannot do everything
There is a want of honesty, frmness and
justice in much OF our official life, and il is
argued that the presence of women in
politics would cOunteract this. | believe
this argument is not SO sound as | would
wish. il TO be. Here is the statement:
Half the population have at present no
voice IN our politics. A woman who Is
rich may have her property taxed by men
without cents, who would sell their votes
for bottle Of whisky.
This IS false; it is not true that
woman has no voice. The character of
man, his purity of life. everything that is
good IN him depends upon his mother A
nations strength is its home. Men and
women are not divided off into two hos
tile camps, only 10 meet under a flag of
truce. The home is the unit. 10 say that
woman has no voice in these matters that
interest her is lie, SANDER Though
men u-s e the flaws, they tnr fathers,
the hus bands, the brothers. They will
not legiSlate against their own flesh ana
blood.
Does the lawyer find his happiness in
dusty tones, the mechanic at the bench
the farmer at the plough? Each labors to
build little home where he NAV enjoy
the fruits of his labors. Legislation Is
not for men, nor for women. but for
home.
"One other reason is alleged in favor of
wOman's rights. 1t is the great social
problem. How are we going to give that
vast and increasing army of women a
means of making a living? Shall we
make an unjust discrimination ard pay Il
man 70 cents for what we pay a woman 90
cents? Women say as long as men have
the ballot they will discriminate against
US
These evils spring from another source.
No woman, laying aside exceptions wife
or daughter, child of tender years, should
leave her fathers home TO make a living 4;
there Is something unnatural in ii. When
| see little boy or young girl turned out
to work L say there is something wrong
with the labor market. The question is
not how we can extend the field of labor
for women. but how can we decrease the
need of women and children of tender
years doing what nature never intended
them to do. 1t is not question OF giving
a woman right to fight her battles; she
should have no battles TO Tight
There is something wrong in a social
system which drives out the mother and
daughter to wash. The father should sup
port the family. and when a father does
not he should be made to. A man should
receive enough for his labor TO clothe
and feed his family well. Labor and CAPT
tai represent the two features in a work
The profits are not shared in equal and
due proportion; that is the trouble.
''The law should provide that when a
man does his work he should receive
enough remuneration TO keep a home. We
should think a little less of money and a
little more OF human souls and human life.
l don't know but that they will have to
bring the women in to make US realize
this.
Ladies, teach your children. your daugh-
tiers above all, to love your home; teach
them that labor makes a home beautiful.
In laying the foundations Of happy nome
you are doing more than the soldier. more
than the law-giver. The law is presumed
to protect the home, and the soldier is
maintained t. defend it."
At the conclusion OF the address the rev.
eTend speaker was warmly applauded ;
indeed. throughout his whole speech a
very warm interest was shown by the
audience.
The musical programme, most OF the
numbers of which were received with en-
thusiasm. was as follows:
Piano selection ................M Miss Mamie Stein
Vocal solo. when the Heart Is Young'......
par lone MT n: hasslngeh
las, e G. Hahn, G. E. Iripjett. S. 4. Douglas
Vocal SOLO, because of Thee Miss Lizzie Gilligan
Miss Mile Flynn, Mr.. f. Conn, Mr.. J. Shook
RECITATION. .............. Miss Louise Cosgro
Musical selections. Professor
Kolander's Banjo, Guitar and Mandolin Club
vocal vocal 9%srtet' Last Nieht W. rianA CONN
MIR. K. Smith. Mr.. S. }. Sandy. MT L. McBane
Recitation, "My First Political Experience.
Dr. Iholnas Hin
vocal duet, Excelsior,
.............Mme. Alice Waltz. Mr. S. j. Sandy
The Young Ladies' Grand Institute
opened its annual session in Remembrance
Hall, Odd Fellows building, yesterday
morning at 9 o'clock. The opening ad.
dress was delivered by the Rev. Father
Mon tgOmerY " no rave the meSsape from