New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-25


TRIBUTE TO GENERAL SPINNER
Soon after his death In 1890 the women whA
directly and indirectly benefited by this act OF Gem
eral Spinner. with praiseworthy devotion ana
energy. about raising memorial 10 him.
This was a comparatively easy task. for. although
the contributions were small as a rule. they
given with glad hearts and free hands From all
over the country letters from former clerks. many
of them happily married. were received. begging for
the privilege OF adding their mites. And this in
terest was not confined to women. Broad-minded
men, without solicitation. without knowledge OF tho
matter save what they learned from the public
prints sent handsome checks TO swell the fund.
1t needless say that the enthusiasm centred In
the Treasury Department. where number OF
the women employed enjoyed the privilege OF know
ing General Spinner: but the other departments
were glad to cooperate. and rapidly was the
money collected that in a comparatively short time
after the Memorial Association formed. with
one OF General spnner's first appointees. Miss
Stoner as its president order for the statue
given, although much time was consumed In dis
cussing what form the memorial should take. Many
those interested favored founding charitable
institution, hospital or home for INDECENT women,
because. IT argued a memorial to so Intensely
practical General Spinner should take .
practical form.
A bronze statue in the end decided upon. ana
IL intended TO place IL on one OF the approaches
buttresses OF the Treasury Department FoS
this It was OF course. necessary TO obtain the con-
sent OF Congress and to that end Joint resolution
was introduced in the Senate last winter which
was placed the calendar. and allowed 10 die
with the end OF the session.
The committee having this resolution in charge
attribute its failure 10 their inability obtain the
Endorsement OF Secretary Carlisle. Who has since
announced his willingness that the should be
placed on the proposed site. But the time the
matter under consideration. he was out OF
town and the letter asking for his sanction fell into
the hands OF the chief clerk. Logan Carlisle. whose
hostility to clerks Is well known The
result letter inspired by Logan Carlisle and
signed BY Acting Secretary Curtis. advising against
granting a site the Treasury for the Spinner
memorial statue. giving as reason that II would
establish precedent.
Inasmuch this band OF loyal asked
appropriation. but only a spot which to place
the statue, they gravey disappointed at the
failure OF the bill. That their hearty enthusiasm
should have dsheartening setback Is most un-
fortunate. but they are confident that The new
Congress will act promptly IN tner interest, and
not in the least discouraged BY the delay 1t is
e:ninently fitting and Appropriate that the statue
fine sentiment. gratitude SO proYeroally lacking IN
republics. should adorn the Treasury Building. that
narrow prejutces should De permitted 10 prevent
its being placed there.
The statue has artistic well senti-
In Characteristic attitude, standing, with his
thrust in the bosom OF his coat and his hat on his
head. As in lie. his face is honely with proml-
nent nose, projecting eyebrows heavy, square
chin and large firmly shut mouth. but fun OF
honest kindness. The likeness is an unusual one
for heroic statue, and the women who worked
under General Spinner and knew him well have set
their seal OF Pro ,c gPSo well known here
where for number Of years he was chief modeer
Of se sn o he Mev fs1 bs his
principal work so far is, without doubt. the eques-
in Philadeiphis which when finished will be erected
the Government reservation at Pennsylvania
It is frequently denied that Mr.. Spinner the
pioneer in employing women IN the Government ser
prior to his first appointments women were EN-
a he as wa HGYhs to G ns s
Departments Is matter OF official record. In the
Women could handle the shears with as much Ia
ciiity as and that needed az the
Der was subsequently increased 10 twenty to trim
banknotes. The first woman TO have trial was
Miss Jennie Douglass. "a great. tail, double-hsted
girl. who. mentally and physically. was match
work settled forever the permanent employment
OF v women r. was 70, . Young man co,ar., s,,,
ner was deeply impressed with the wrongs women
suffered under the laws Of his native Stste-New-
slant ami unyasying the record Of his entire life
will show. When he was in Congress he voted al
Stone for chaplain. and his agency in bringing
women into Government employ not an acct
were needed IN The Army but the result fI of ms e
long conviction tina, women should have an oppor-
tunIty TO support themselves in any service mar
they are as competent and able to MI as men ~
The other departments quickly followed In General
Spinners lead. and women soon obtained a foothold
In all the Government offices. But not only In
America his ample felt. 1t resulted in for.
eign countries employing women. and to-day there
10 not country Of any Importance IN the world that
does not carry women IN the clerical force of It's
civil service II took OF course, many years For
women overcome the prejudice that existed
against them and unfortunately II still exists in
some quarters. notably In the present administra-.
ton Of the Treasury Department but they have,
become essential in certain In as OF work that 10
substitute in their place would be- a practical,
impOss bility.
The Introduction OF women into the Government
service would probably have created more antax-
onlsm II II had not taken place al the beginning OF
the Civil War when the public mind was occupied
with graver matters and when any measure thar
operated In making more available for the
army was welcome. After the war a grateful
country glad that the widows and daughters OF the
men who had laid down their lives In her de-
fence had a way open TO them by which they could
earn bread for themselves and those dependent on
them. raised no protest.
In this way women have established themselves
In the Government service; and by the last report
OF the Civil Service, out OF 1903 clerks employed
at the capital. o.l@. or about one In three. are
women, a large majority Of whom have families de.
pendent them. The best memorial 10 General
Spinner Is and must always be the constant en-
pfoyment OF these women. and the prosperity ana
happiness OF thousands who benefit from Il