The age-herald., 1901-02-26
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the south and from the pen of that bril- liant and gifted woman, Helen Pltkin, the editor of the Woman's Department of the New Orleans Times Democrat has received in few weeks the most unl- yersal endorsement and encouragement probably ever accorded a similar move ment. Miss Pitkins suggestion was ad- dressed to the women of America, recom- mending a plan by which fund could be raised for the building of a monument to Elias Howe the inventor of the first sewing machine. She declares that:
 ''As an initial act of importance by the women of this century, let us, remem- bering with gratitude the inventor who did most to emancipate women from poverty, hunger and dirt and blinding hand stitching, build a monument at the national Capital to great Elias Howe.
 ''The women of America owe this tribute to the savingness and practica- bility of their countryman. Had Elias Howe his origin in England, his inven- ton would long since have been suitably memorialized. Perhaps as race we Americans are prone to glorify strange gods and overlook those deserving of di- rect tribute alike to local and universal acclaim. Such recognition in this in stance would rebound to our credit and add to the luster we have taken on as a sex in our increasing dignification.
 "The monument should be builded by an aggregation of pennies which would represent the mite of the poorest seam- stress as we'll as the fortunate women to whom the sewing machine is a vicarious blessing: and if this monument is once started, enthusiasm will carry 1t along to specialization in fitting memorai to the great inventor.
 "Of course, a site in Washington, D. C., would be proper, and obviate Jealousies of localities here and there, who would consider birthplace, residence and place of death reasons for claiming the monu- ment.
 "The plan is recommended to the local councils of women here and elsewhere; to Mrs Rebecca Lowe or the Federation of Clubs and to all associations or wom- en. The Idea is worth agitating and ad- vocating; 1t touches Hannah Bending Shoes, mistress, maid, black, white ana red for the Indians in the Territory are buying sewing machines.
 ''Who will sponsor the project?'
 This strong and eloquent editorial found an equally strong and eloquent in- dorsement in the Saturday issue of the Montgomery Journal. In this department of the Journal the Misses Hood also pre- sented the views of a number of Ala bama women, who were asked for an ex- presslon In regard to the proposed monu- ment, and it's place of location. Among the women who enthusiastically indorseo the suggestion were the presidents of the Alabama Federation and the Woman s Press Association, Mrs E. P. Morris sette. Mrs. I. M. Ockenden, Mrs. Priscilla c. Goodwin and others. The Misses Hood discuss the movement editorially as fol- lows:
 '"The ever-charming writer of the New Orleans Times Democrat, Helen Pitkin, whose suggestions are always sensible and practical, has taken the initiative step in a movement which promises to enlist the interest of women in every section of our country. She seems to
  when there were listening ears to which the tune appeals
 Miss Pitkin suggests that the women of our land build monument to Elias Howe by an aggregation of pennies that would represent the mites of the poorest seamstress as well as of the fortunate woman to whom the sewing machine is a vicarious blessing and proposes site in Washington, D.. C., be chosen as Its loca- ton. It is a delightful idea of Miss Pit kin. It is we'll that the women of our land should unite in erecting monu- ment to the inventor of the sewing ma chine.
 "Mayhaps if the question had been brought home to each and every woman and she had been asked whose inventions for women had accomplished the great est good for the greatest number. Elias Howe would probably be the name pro- nounced. His invention, we may say, has reached the lives of every one of us. We know its workings and no doubt we have often breathed a breath of thankfulness for the invention at the conclusion of the hemming of yards and yards of ruffling; no doubt we have often thought of a way to perpetuate the name of great Elias Howe after stitching together in a few seconds thou sands of inches of thick material.
 And the benefits of the machine as we all know, have not been confined to any section or sections. but, alike, and the vast majority of us understand its manipulations. So 1t Is not simply some- thing of which we have heard and know of through the words of others. We bear testimony of test that has proven it's value. We are witnesses and partakers of the good effects that have arisen from the sewing machine invention. It has been used among the wives of New Eng land farmers as In the home of south- ern merchants and planters; 1t has found its place among the women of the At lantic slope as among those of the far away Pacific coast. So as a young writer truthfully says: Tn erecting a monument to Elias Howe the women of America might unite without a fear of sectional animosities as to whether the women of one section were more his ben eficiaries than those of another
 Some Views of Alabama Women