The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-02-07

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tion IL Invaluable.
/ In eprlectfon with these organfra-
tons should perhaps also be mention.
edsthc recent seonferenee 8 arranged by
G. Stanley Hall Of Clark University.
for child welfare, where representatives.
Of Institutions and organizations and
individuals working for child better;
ment are to meet and promote re-.
search and cooperation and good will.
1t SENS to me that these conferences
viii be especially valuable. Perhaps
over-emphasize Investigation, but
am particularly anxious always that
! any legislation in which women are
especially interested shall rest upon
sound t1sis of facts. SO far woman's
interest has been chiefly in soeial or
economic legislation. To my unlegaI.
feminine mind facts would be also de-
airahIe as a basis for Political legisil-
ton, but far be 1t from me to suggest.
even incidentally, any change In the
methods men employ when IegsL,tfng
within "thelr sphere"
Belongs IN vuomsn's Sphere.
But whatever concerns the child
comes distinctly In "woman's sphere"
and has been SO recognized from the
time OF Adam to the present century.
Women cannot escape this respon ST.
biIity even If they would, and they may
be expected, in the. evolution of our
modern life, to keep pace with liz,
wherever 1t may take them.
We have dealt with only two as
poets of this responsibility, in so far
as it is related to the school. But it
reaches, of course, much further. We
have seen that 1t Is impossible for,
women to segregatc their children
from the world. Consequently, they
are compelled, If they discharge their,
duty to Iaok well not simply after their
own households and the children there,
but after the larger household Of the
community, of the State, of TIE Nation,
indeed, and the children there. But,
as in the smaller household, they are
charged with the gre Of the children's
| health and recreation as well as edu-
eation, SO In the larger. household, all
that concerns the general good of its
children, their food supplies, the pur-
lily of water, the cleanliness of streets,
and cars and public buildings and prl.
vlte lots; the supervision Of play
grounds and public recreations, the
hundred things Whi=h make for ideal
conditions for the bringing up of chill
dren, these are IegtimateEy part Of
Woman's responsibilities.
Not that she should bear 1t alone,
any more than she should bear the re.
sponsibility OF ner own household
alone. but she is needed. her expert
enee, her knowledge, her planning. her
executive ability. both ~ her own and
In the larger household.
Perhaps-ft may be-this will cause
women to infringe at, times upon the
sacred sphere of pcIities.
What j Politics7
What is p,Iities7 If ills to be
found in the schools, from the superin-
tcndents down to the janitors, then
women are in politics. for the mental
ind physical health and growth of
their children are involved. fit Is to
be found In the administration Of the
city from the mayor down to the street
sweeper, then Women are In politics,
icr the health and Ewes of their chill.
dren arc. involved. fit permeates the
play grounds and parks and road SUI.
nervislon and sewage system and gar.
bage collection, then women are In pol
ities, for the health and happiness of
tEeir children are involved.
Men inexperienced.
Few men have had the actual prac-
sics experience which alone will rem
der them sufficiently observant in
the7e r11tters. They have not been
housekcepers: the average member of
the board of education, for instance, is
unlikely to recognize unsanitary c:n-
ditirns when he is in the midst of
them. An cid negro Ianitor complain
ing CT new woman member OF a
BOARD of education, said, "a declare,
gcnt'men. she comes down into de
basement, an picks her way through
all dat trash, dat nasty wet mess,
'spcctin.' lt's no place for a lady, GENT
men! doesn't even go there myseIfl"
We had an Illuminating experience
in Kentucky town last. year. A wo-
man, unheraIded but not alone. went