The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-10-23
WHAT WOMAN HAS DONE WITHOUT
aae .,rIIE EBALLOT. 80

magazine a most comprehensive and
convincing review OF what women
have accomplished without the ballot
It Is a record of achievement against
overwhelming odds that he presents.
That woman is the real power BEHIND
the ballot is the thesis which he proves I
beyond doubt. Speaking OF the work
done by women in the last quarter OF
& a century. Mr.. Meloney says that theirs
is q record with which the nation
must reckon. They have done big
things and they have done little Things;
and they have done both big things
and little things well"
The woman's club Is a big.factor in
the life OF the present. declares MT.
Meloney. Fifteen hundred thousand
women are enrolled as club or associa-
ton members in this country. There
are more than 100000 members of the
General Federation of Women's Clubs.
There are more than 100000 women
IN strictly religious organizations,
whose influence has >also wrought to-
ward the achievement OF many sore
}ly needed reform.
THAT women's clubs are quasi official
in their relation to municipalities Is
one of the facts stated by Mr.. Meloney,
who observes:
..The .women's clubs and organiza-
ations have reached a stage in their
evolution where they have become a
OF
municipal government. Boards or
health. city and town aldermanic
boards, supervisors and councils, NUM-
cipal officers, merchants associations
and chambers of commerce have learn
ed to rely on them and to claim them
as important auxiliaries."
Volumes would be none too much for
an enumeration OF the things which
women have accomplished, without the
ballot, for the betterment of mankind.
Here in this country women solved the
problem OF the discomfort felt by the
wives of 8GovernmS--. employees living
ut Panama during the construction OF
the CANAL. President Roosevelt felt
and Taft called on two women to solve
the problem, and they solved 1t, very
naturally, by providing on the island
women's clubs and amusements-mark
you, these two things are not at all
women at that-living In New York
have dedicated six years OF their lives
to the cause OF the blind "They have
struck a note which Is bound to be
heard around the world--the education
of the public to the fact that one-third
Of the existing cases Of blindness. are
due to ignorance and are preventable
by the observance of simple precau-
tons" Forty. thousand children are
born in New York city every year
Imagine II you Will, the tremendous
good done by these two women. behind
whose efforts now stand a powerful
organization, as well as the municipal
department or health.
The conservation OF historic sites
and buildings and objects of natural
beauty has also enlisted the support
OF women. In California the women
rescued the famous old missions from
rcrts the ruthless hewing down OF the
splendid redwoods in the California
forests was checked and park OF
twenty-five hundred acres OF these no.
BILE trees established by their persistent
endeavor. In New York the women
have saved the world famed Palisades
of the Hudson from Disagreement ana
destruction and caused them to be
protected and transformed into river
side park.
"A woman's orgsnization--the Con-
gumers' LeaEue--was founded in New
York in 1890 BY threatening to boy
colt stores which did not carry out Its
beneticent suggestions 1t achieved
gave her shorter hours, better health,
more holiday time. and it further pro-
tected children who work, restricting
the conditions which make against
their health and welfare. In Oregon a
& Similar league obtained law restrict
Ing the hours of labor for women IN
Industrial establishments to ten hours
the day. The law was carried
to the Supreme Court OF the United
States. The women won In rendering
ais decision. AIR. Justice Brewer con-
graduated the Oregon Legislature for
putting such law on its statute
books.
Women are playing a part of in
tstimable Importance IN the scheme OF
public health. 1t has been due to their
agitation, more than to any other
cause, that tenement house. pure food
pure milk, and clean bread laws are on
the statute books Of the nation and OF
the States. and are being enforced
well says Mr.. Melcney.
1t was largely the work OF women's
clubs In New Orleans and Baltimore
that made those cities give UP their
ugly and disease breeding sewerage
systems. The womcn's clubs ~ Phil
K ndelphia employed engineers and drew
plans and made a corrupt city council
order q bonu issue OF $4,000. oooNfor q
sand fltes water system. Women