The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-06
MRS. LOWE WINS APPLAUSE
HER BIENNIAL ADDRESS AS PREsI-
DENT is WELL RECEIVED.
Her Views on What should BE Done
in Behalf of Women Wage Earn
ers-The Servant Problem.

but great deal OF business was nandled IN
lively manner. to say nothing of the color
controversy. The Massachusetts, women
were conspicuous for their absence at the
beginning of the morning session, and Ii
afterwards transpired they were absent in
the interest of an Indignation meeting. at
which committee of two was appointed to
carry out the wishes of this delegation to
support their colored delegate, Mrs. Jose
rhine Ruffin. This afternoon the committee
drew resolution Of protest which they
sent to the board late tonight. in which
they ask the colored delegate be restored TO
her rights in the convention, urging that in
a great organization such the national
federation there should be no distinction
on account of color. 1t is probable the board
will consider this matter some time to-
morrow.
In the meantime various State delegations
are meeting and with number the color
question has been made an issue The Iowa
delegation put its protest on paper while
the Utah delegation called on Mrs. Ruffin
in body end offered their support. Mrs.
Ruffin said to-day that Notwithstanding
she was named as delegate from two white
organizations, the New England Press As
ISOLATION and Massachusetts State Fedora
from these organizations. She will enter
as delegate of the New Era Club of
Boston or not at all. In the meantime she
Is occupying seat with the Massachusetts
delegation, but has no vote. That she is
not willing TO compromise In the matter is
evidenced in the fact that to-day when a
Southern woman, Mrs. j. Lindsay Johnson.
OF Atlanta, importuned her to appear only
as delegate of a white organization she
answered that she not willing to sur
render her rights.
MRS. LOVES ADDRESS.
The formal opening this morning was
most impressive. Two thousand women
filled the auditorium, the boxes and the
two balconies. and even standing room was
at a premium. The hall was artistically
decorated. The chief feature of the session
was Mrs. loves address. which is de-
clared by every one TO be one of the finest
speeches ever delivered before the conven-
ton. She was literally applauded. In part
she said:
There can be little doubt that the most
significant feature of the two years just
past is the growing interest of the women
of the federation in the women and chill
dren who are wageearners in America. The
great service which we shall render in this
industrial problem is suggestive one.
Whatever else we may do for the wage
earning women we shall do most wher we
bring TO her this message Of organization,
which shall help her to help herself. The
irruption of women into the professional
and industrial world has been so sudden
ly accomplished, that they stand there I'M
adjusted to their environment They have
had no time to reason out their own posi-
tion in the world of wage earners, nor have
economic specialists thrown any light on
the subject. Women, earning wages out
side of the home, is a phenomenon which
has just come within the ken of the poll
teal enconomist, who only gapes at the
,rtx@ y. s-n1-
culations to take her in. With more than
four million wageearning women in Ameri-
Ca must grant the existence OF the
wageearning woman and strive to find a
rational adjustment OF II. III women are TO
work for wages they must be enabled TO do
so without treading on each others toes.
OF unduly jostling men. Organization alone
will bring order out of chaos for them In
a greater work for the wage-earning
woman than to place in her hands this
weapon with which she may win her way
to life, liberty and the possession OF happi-
ness? And for the children; what shall we
say of the little child who is a wage-earn-
err? The work here should be by the process
of elimination, for the wage-earning child,
a class. must be abolished. The we'll
being of States communities and individu-
ais demands that this should be So In the
South, that new storm center OF labor ac-
tivity, this must be the main point OF at
tack. and no club woman should rest con-
tent while single child is suffered to lean
eleven hours day over spindle, during
the weary time which lies between seven
years and a stunted manhood or woman
hood.
''In other sections club women must
grapple with the great shop evil and the
whole question of underpaid labor. Here
again the weapon is organization. Consum-
ers leagues which are springing up about US
are another use of that great power through
which, by various means. this fight for a
wholesome. cheerful life for every creature
is going to be won. Does this ideal seem
far away? The hope for its speedy realiza-
ton lies In precisely such phenomena as
this federation now presents. When the
consumer, as well as the producer. is inter-
ested in the well-being of the latter. this
well-being will not be long in arriving.
When an organization like this one. main
~ composed of leisure women, concerns it.
self with the affairs Of wage-earning wom-
en- all things may be accomplished.
There is no question that the unframed
servant and the unframed mistress are
| playing sad havoc in the sacred precincts
of the American home. and, as body Of
Eome-makers and housekeepers. the ef-
forts to better matters falls legitima tely
within our sphere. The shattered nerves OF
many woman who keeps the house. and
| the impaired digestion OF many man who
pays the bills, alike declare that some
thing must be done. The cry OF the hour
is surely for skilled labor in domestic serv-
| ice and some new method OF organized
housekeeping. The second Is coming any,
Il
cial evolution: the first we may help along
| by means Of training schools for domestic
| service. Let every club in America give
| this subject its careful attention during the
next two years. that We may see what can
be done. This is certainly our problem: let
us get about solving IL. All. surely we have
| lifetime endeavor in this our chosen
| field of the industrial problem. To organize
| the laboring woman. to eliminate and edu-
| cate the laboring child. to train both the
| domestic servant and her mistress large
| tasks surely. and yet rightly used. we have
| for their accomplishment large powers Let
| US work towards these ends as II con-
| scfous that the time is short and trust for
| is long. We shall attain. !"
SHORT SPEECHES TO RULE
| At the afternoon session. OF which Mrs
Lowe was chairman. came a series of re-
ports. Mrs. George III. Moves. OF Milwau-
kee, chairman of the credentials committee.
| reported that the attendance registered up
| 10 noon to-day included 6s4 delegates and ls7
alternates, including about 100 officers and
| members of committees who were entitled
TO vote. From the committee on rules Mrs.
Lucia Blount. OF Washington. reported that
| the delegates would be allowed only one
three-minute speech on motion. This was
amended t. read five minutes only when
| the question of reorganization came up.
/ Tonight the Aihambra Theater was
thronged with . fashionable audience to