The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-12
THEY MUST UNITE
Laboring People Should
Join Hands.
Miss Jane Adams Urges Them to
Make Better Use of the Ballot
in the Future.

The workngmen Of the city had the
pleasure of meeting and hearing an ad-
dress from Jane Adams in Harmony
Hall yesterday afternoon. Quite a num-
Der Of them were present and manifested
much interest in the lsdy's remarks, as
was evidenced by a lively discussion at
The close OF the meeting.
The chief emphasis of Miss Adams
address was laid upon the necessity of the
working classes uniting in the use Of the
ballot 10 procure betterment of their
situation. The ma iority of the suffrage in
every State in the Union-indeed, in al
most every country in the worlds in the
laboring peoples hands. There is no rea-
son why they should not be able to ac-
eomplish any desired legislation with it,
Efforts. such as hostile strikes, which tend
to engender bitter feeling, do not cenduce
to permanent improvement On the
contrary, they accentuate class dis
tinction between workmen aud EN-
pioyers, which is one of the
greatest hindranees to progress toward Il
solution Of the social problem. The aim
Of all endeavorS at reform should be to
wear away the differences between the
classes. Legislation is the one road to
that end. Other ways lie through the ele-
walton of the lower classes. The college
settlement Is engaged in efforts in the lat
ter direction. 1t attempts to inculcate a
higher standard of living among the work
ing classes. In that way it tends to make
their demands upon the social order more
emphatic. 1t JOINS them in a family
friendship aud creates in them the unity
necessary to the initiation of action.
Largely through the efforts of the settle
ment in Chicago lover which Miss Adams
has supervisory an arti-sweating-s hop law
was passed IN Illinois. The laborers
themselves demanded it and put into Office
a man who could carry 1t through for
them.
Beneficial results followed the passage
| of the law, the most important phase of
which was that two laboring people were
| placed upon the Anti-SweatiDg-Shop Com
mission. thus covering I'D al least one place
| of distinction between the laborer and the
| capitalist. Similar results can be accom-
| plished in every State or community of
people in America.
In the early part of her address Miss
| Adams made allusion to the wage of
women in industrial life, deploring that
| women were willing to allow it to continue
to be so low. The acceptance of payment
| that Is below the living wages. even thong h
taken to provide for the family, is social
wrong. II sets precedent and confirms
the degradation. Women should strive
against it. They are now we'll installed
in the industrial life, probably never to
drop out of it again. 1t is their duty,
| therefore, to stand together and force the
wages to some liveable figure.
The speakers remarks provoked lively
discussion. One man in the audience rose
and asked:
"What do understand that you would
advise woman TO do whose family is de-
j pendent upon her? Should she refuse to
work because the wage was too low?"
To this Miss Addams replied: Il sup.
| mise should advise her to take the monev
| offered. | should also advise her not ia
rest until she had agitated all her sister
hood to protest with her against having to
accept it too continuously"
This reply was much applauded. After
it came many questions as to the speaker 8
| conception OF the manner in which the
ultimate solution of the labor problem WI s
to be effected. In the confusion of a null
! titude of more or less iDapt questions d.
rected at her Miss Adams proved herself
an eminently wise-minded aud well-bal.
anced woman.
One inquirer wished to know if the only
way out of the present predicament was
not by the abolition Of interest and profit.
Another asked if the only way for the
proletariat to advance Itself was not by
forcibly Wrestling from the wealthy the
possessions which they in turn had
wrested from the poorer people.
| Still another insisted that class distinc-
tons could only be overcome by class
warfare.
To ali these Miss Adams replied with
continuous insistence upon the necessity
OF unity of action. The changes mus
work both ways. The problem must be-
worked ont upon universal basis. The
end toward which effort must be made il
| that all mankind shall be brought to CON
ceive itself equal sharers individually III
| the capital ana the labor.