The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-26
THE NEW WOMAN.
Acquaint Yourself With Social. Eoononaie
and Political Questions.

race concerns women Just as much as
men. 1t is Therefore of vital Importance
that women should understand perfect
ly the great political and economic ques-
tions OF the day. 1t is not enough to let
your politics be made for yN by your
husband, father or brother. Think your
side out for yourself. 1t is not enough
either to- merely learn to repeat parrot
like political and economic doctrines as
old fashioned children used to have to
learn the catechism. Itrequires years Of
reading, study, thinking AID experience
to get on the right side of Arge themes.
A case that to me was distressing came
within my knowledge here in New York.
A woman put herself forward as
stump speaker. Women stump speakers
are considerably the fashion this year.
But this particular one undertook to in
struot an audience Of men and tell them
why they should vote certain way.
She repeated. parrotlike, what she had
committed to memory glibly enough.
Then one Of the men asked her q ques-
tion. She fioundered and boggled and
showed in a moment that she did not
understand what she was talking about.
Result--the usual masculine sneer at
women in politics. En this instance IL
was deserved, more's the pity. II wom-
en- and girls would take part of the time
they spend over trifles in trying to faith
ON the science Of national economies.
both they and future generations would
be wiser, healthier and better off. The
30, In at ha xxny an n
club will 5000 be active. Map out for
your club ccnrse Of political and eco
nomic stuuy. Debate the money question,
gold, silver and paper, the tariff ques-
tion and questions Of how ne interests
labor and capital may be mutually
reconciled Hold your meetings in strict
parliamentary order. The campaign
documents, political platforms and the
leading speeches of each political party,
also college textbooks, will give you
information. Take nobody's word in
making up your mind, but get all the
information on both sides tset you can
and make up your own mind. There is
one infallible way to tell which political
policy is right. Take always the side Of
the greatest good to the greatest number.
1t is better that every family should have
an income of 80, 900 year than that a
few families should have an income Of
500, 900 and the rest have nothing or
be the mere serfs and hirelings Of the
few immensely rich.
Shall women work outside their
homes and earn money? They shall do
exactly as they please about it and il is
nobody's business but their own whether
they do or do not.
Mrs. A. II. Rinehart Of Denver may
we'll ask why her sex should be consid-
cred weak creatures. Mrs. Rinehart is
the lady who rode 204 miles ON her
bicycle in one day.
It is pleasant TO greet a gifted new
poet among women, and it is not in the
least surprising that she halls from the
west--the very far west. The new poet
is Miss Ella Higginson Of New What
com, Wash. In tiny, dainty book
called a Bunch of Western Glover" the
young lady has published sweet, strong
verses. They show that the art of poetry
is not yet dead in America. Miss Hig-
ginson gives promise of making an i'm
preston that will last in the world Of
literature. She is welcome.
A widow whose husband died after
40 years Of married life writes to
spiritualistic periodical complaining
that she is haunted by the spook OF her
late husband. She says that after hav-
ing been his wife for 40 years on earth
she thinks she is justly entitled to a
rest from him after he is dead. think
80 too.
Sometimes / am not surprised that
men have a poor opinion OF women's
ability. Women take so little pains to
show that they have any.
II is not the power to do thing by
spurts and starts that counts. 1t is the
going to Office or to the appointed task
day after day, week after week, year
after year, never letting up, never Civ
ing down, that, makes up the sum OF
achievement. They say few women can
endure s2ch long continued strain as is
necessary to achieve business success. I
know better. Women are as capable Of
sustained effort as men are, when they
set their heads to it.
At Williamsburg, on Long Island, are
situated group of jute mills. Girls
work in them. These girls are so strong.
healthy and athletic that no man dares
to be rude to them. They can box,
swim, swing Indian clubs and lift heavy
weights. They can strike with their
strong fists blow that staggers weak
ly young man and they do not hesitate
TO do il if they desire to- II burglar,