The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-10-04
WORK FOR GIRLS.
Should They Know How to Earn
Their Own Living.
Subject is Discussed by Bright
Club Women.
QUESTION UNDECIDED.
Mrs. Humphrey, Mrs. Sim and
Mrs. McCarter Talk.
Mrs. Jeanette Benton of Fort
Scott Reads a Story.

~
The Industrial question as it affects
| women was thoroughly discussed with
| all it's pros and cons at Unity church
| Thursday afternoon. The occasion was
the regular fall meeting of the Topeka
| Federation, and the discussion was
called forth by a short story read by
Mrs. Jeanette Scott Benton, of Fort
Scott, entitled 1.-The Open Question
| 1t was the story of a bright young
| girl, the daughter of parents in more
| than comfortable circumstances. but
| who became tired of the humdrum du-
| ties of home life. and of having her
| parents give her every penny she spent.
So in opposition to their wishes she
| studied stenography and obtained
| position with a prominent business
| firm The position was given to her on
account of her fathers friendship for
the firm, and because she offered to
work ten dollars cheaper than the
| stenographer who was discharged IN
order to give her the position, but she
readily adapted herself to the work,
and did it well.
Each month her salary was spent for
| roses, bon bons and other Injuries.
which she took home to her mother
and the children, but these could not
fill the place left vacant in the home
duties made by her absence. After she
had worked for few months the
knowledge was thrust upon her that
she had taken the position of a poor
widow who had child to support, and
both were starving because she was
thrown out of employment. She i'm
rnediately gave Up her position and was
heartily welcomed back into the home
circle.
Mrs. Mary Vance Humphrey, of
Junction City, led the discussion which
followed the story. Mrs. Humphrey had
arguments to offer on both sides, but
her strongest were for the working
girls. She said: Every girl, no mat
ter what her circumstances in life,
should have some experience in earn
ing her own living, if only for a month
or two, for such experience broadens
her and makes her more fit for fulfill
ing the duties of wife and mother
later on
Mrs. Henry Roby caused a laugh by
1nquiring in what way a girl would
be fitted for the duties of wife and
mother by undermining wages in order
that she might buy roses and bon bons.
Later in her discussion Mrs. Humphrey
brought out strong point by saying
that "if a girl is ambitious and wants
to work when she does not have to
earn her living, let her turn her atten-
ton to some occupation higher than
that of stenographer or clerk, and that
can not be filled by the mass
Mrs. j. B. Sim, a well known Topeka
authoress, spoke very strongly on the
subject, as she is very much against
less it is absolutely necessary.
Mrs. J. c. McClintock told a story of
an eminent jurist who was detained at
home a few days by slight illness,
and who had a good opportunity to OBJ
serve the method used by his wife in
her household duties. He said that no
judge on the bench had more import
ant questions to decide each day, or did
it in such a practical, conscientious
manner as she did, and so Mrs. Nc
Clintock thinks that girls might re-
ceive even better training at home than
in the business world. She said: Com
piling statistics in office does not
teach a girl to make good bread or to
sweep, and hundreds of men become
tramps because girls are doing their
work in order to have little pin
money. Dignity homework, if you
wish, and give the girls a salary, but
don't let them enter the business world
unless it is absolutely necessary
Mrs. Margaret Hill McCarter agreed
with Mrs. Humphrey. She said: IF
men are not able to hold their positions
and do their work as well as women,
let them turn tramp
Several others took part in the dis
cussion, and one lady suggested that a
course of dish washing and sweeping
was as necessary for boys as a bust
ness education for girls.
Mrs. Benton was asked to close the
discussion. She rose and said apologet-
ically: Il hardly know which side of the
question l am really on myself. Circum-
one is not right for another, but l do
think that wages are undermined by
girls who work for little extra spend
ing money, and in many cases if their
work was measured by the same stan
dard as that of the girl who works be-
cause she has to support herself, more
girls would be at home helping their
Mothers
Preceding 1.-THE Open Question Mrs.
Benton read a sketch. which she char
acterized as "a skit apropos of nothing"
but it was really bright and entertain
ing little story of some Kansas people
who visited in the east where they
thought Kansas was a bowling wilder
ness. peopled by Indians and wild ami
mails, and the surprise they expressed at
seeing them cultured, gracious and
dressed in the height of fashion.
Mrs. Benton is a well known writer of !
short stories and it was a great treat to
have her present at the meeting and add
so much to the interest of the afternoon. |
Her style is bright and entertaining and |
her manner of reading her stories is de- |
lightful.
The musical numbers of the afternoon
were especially enjoyable. Mrs. w G.
Dickie played a piano solo in delight
full manner Mrs. Dickie who has lived
in Topeka but short time is an ac-
complished musician and this was her
first appearance before Topeka
audience Miss Irene Horner who sang
a solo, received an encore to which she
graciously responded; she was accom-
panied on the piano by Mrs. Ben Akers-
The church never looked prett1er than
1t did Thursday afternoon. The Ceramic
club acted as hostess and the ladies fair
ly outdid themselves both in decorations
and refreshments The platform was
draped with yellow and white, the club
colors, and on the speakers stand was a
great vase of yellow roses. On the piano
and in every nook and corner were
handsome pieces of porcelain decorated
by the club members In all four cor
ners of the room was a punch table and
at the close of the programme punch
and cake were served, and it goes with !
out saying that they tasted better owing
to the fact that they We're served from
the daintiest of hand decorated china
Preceding the programme a short |