New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-11-13
DECADENCE OF THE HOME.
A SOMEWHAT ONE-SIDED DEBATE OF
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY CLUB.
MRS HELEN CAMPBELL. AND MRS. FRANCES
FISHER WOOD DENoUNcE FEMALE FACTORY
LABOR AND THE NEGLECT OF chill
DREN-NO SERIOUS coNTRAvEN
TION ATTEMPTED.

TON ATTEMPTED.
The first meeting of the season of the Nineteenth
Century Club, which was held last night at Sher-
rvs. attended by exceptionally large gath
ernG. The subject set apart for discussion was
announced as. us Domestic Life in American
Cities Disappearing II SO, Why Mrs. Helen
Campbell. Mrs Frances Fisher Wood Mrs. F.. n.
Blashhed and Mrs. Alfred Bishop Mason were ex-
peced to read papers but for some reason which
John A. Taylor the president OF the club did not
explain. the two last named were unable to De pres
ent. The views taken by Mrs. Campbell and Mrs
Wood. while pointing to deterioration or domes-
tic home life in the cities of America. were d.
rected for the most part to discussion OF some
OF the problems that applied to modern social
life.
Mrs Campbell who spoke first. dwelt upon the
influence exerted upon homes and upon domestic
life by the necessity Of female labor. She quoted
statistics prove that the disappearance OF do
mesticity In a great many homes was due to the
demands made upon the women to contribute 10
the resources OF the home. -Four millions or women,
IS per cent of the entire population. she de-
clared engaged in industrial occupa-
tons. and she showed that in many States ~ per
cent OF the workingmen could not support their
families without assistance from their wives.
Industrial conditions the speaker went on TO
point out also often Influenced the breaking up OF
a home. would leave his wife to proceed to
other centres OF labor. and this sort OF migration
led to stag towns and she towns In the
former which were situated in the West. the near
est woman resident was sometimes fifty miles
away while the mills Of New England. In which
female labo was mostly sought. built up towns
where women greatly predominated Mrs Camp
bell drew attention the balefu influences on the
health OF children OF their mothers labor in fac
tories. and she deprecated the theory or the peo-
pie who urged that more channels OF labor were re-
qured for women. She next remarked, amid an
outburst OF laughter. that the modern ooarding--
house OF the most active disintegrators OF
home l.fe The system OF living In hotels also came
under Mrs Campbells censure. and In conclusion
she mildly condemned the desire OF many women
TO relieve what they thought the monotony OF homo
by rushing 70 crowded receptions and entertain
ments the neglect OF the domestic environments
OF the home.
Mrs Frances r Wood, who read the next paper.
confined herself the influence OF chl.dren upon
home lie and severely denounced the social demands
upon matrons which prevented them from GIVING
the attention the training and comforts or thelr
children hat were Characteristic OF the nome ne
OF a few generations ago. ]. was 20 be deplortd
National calamity. she said. that the relation
between mother and child seemed 10 become less
rs ther than greater 10 Importance. The stability
and the prosperity OF Eng and depended upon its
middle classes. Ia whom The essence OF domestic NE
incorporated and upon this class the power or
the country was alon. vested and continued In
country places Mrs. Wood remarked. home life was
still a potent factor. but II In the cities.
and she contcnded that In tenement and In mansion
alike there seemed 10 b. tOta, disregard for the
proper training and consideration Of children
None o, the members OF the club could be pre-
vailed 70 ascend the platform and cOn'rONeri the
opinions expressed AMI the remainder OF the evening
given up 70 social conversation.