The San Francisco call., 1896-09-25
Enthusiastic Words of Praise in
Father Prendergast's
Speech.
a RAINBOW OF FINE BOOTHS.
Many Costly Objects of Art Being
So and RAJ alfed-To Last
Two Weeks.

The First Regiment Armory was dressed
up in such gay garb and peopled with
such an army of fair women last evening
that its somber uses were all forgotten.
1t was devoted to light and gayety and
rang with music and laughter. The occa-
sion was the opening of the festival in the
interest of the fund for the new Youths s
Directory.
The opening was made the occasion of
an eloquent address by the chairman of
the committee, J. r. Kelly, and by Rev.
Father Prendergast, car-general, both of
which were calculated to quicken the i'm
pulse of charity in general, and especially
in behalf OF the Youths Directory.
In the course of his address Mr.. Kelly
said: "As the present home is entirely
inadequate to accommodate the ever
increasing number of applicants, the di-
rectors have determined TO purchase a
larger lot and to erect thereon a suita BILE
building.
''All the work of the directory is per-
formed without the aid of one dollar from
State or municipal government; all its
labor is accomplished by the jealous
priest who is devoting his life to the well
fare OF the children and who performs the
work without noise or the flourish of
trumpets."
Rev. Father Prendergast was introduced
He paid high tribute to those VINO have
so successfully directed the destinies of
the Youths Directory. He saidit filled a
| place distinct from that of the orphans
| asylum, and, If possible, a more difficult
| one.
For the child whose parents, while still
! living are as neglectful toward their
offspring as though they were dead,
| still has no right to apply TO these
havens. 1t is here, and to these forlorn
waits that the Youths Directory stretche es
out its hand to rescue and comfort and
save.
Father Prendergast then went on to
! describe the institution for the benefit of
which the fair was being given, and
| showed how worthy a charity it was. He
| told of its methods of work, OF Its struggle
for existence and OF the ever-present need
of helping hand, cheering word, a
| trusty friend.
| The speaker said there were theorists
and workers. "Among the theories he
said, there is one that am sure if re.
| allzed would prove most destructive of
real progress. l refer to woman suffrage
1.-THE institution most necessary to the
| continuance OF our Government is the
home. Young men laboring for a pit
tance are most careful how they assume e
the permanent responsibility of marriage.
! What, then, is the effect of woman suf-
-~EN' AAANs-N y W. many y OuhB WOIu6n
are employed. Their mplovment has the
tendency to deprive young men of work,
and this keeps wages down. Only in the
purlieus of society do we find women sup
porting m en-. 1t is unnatural.
The man should support the weaker
sex. Therefore, with ali due respect to
the talented and eloquent and even hu-
manltarlan advocates of woman suffrage,
| must say that it is my belief that the
tendency is not for good"
col ncert followed the speech making,
vocal solos being rendered by Miss Powell.
Mr.. Berger, Miss Black and G. V. Wand.
Miss Daily gave a reading.