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16 Woman's J. 1 (1885)

handle is hein.journals/wmjrnl16 and id is 1 raw text is: 5ke Vol. XVI. NV. The Woman's Journal. A eekly Newspaper, pubilhed every Saturday in BosroI, devoted to the lterests of Womian-to her educational, industrial, legal, and political Equality, and especially to tier right of Suffrage. LUCY STONE, II. i. BLACKWELL, Editors. ALICE STONE BLACKWELL, JULIA WAD 11OW, MARY A. LIVEROREL Mrs. II. it. T. CUTLER, Louni nM. AI.corT Occasional ELIZABETH SwAntT PHELPS, Contributors. MAtY F. EATrAN, LILLr B. C. vYMAN, SUSAN C. VOGL, Business Manager. TERMs-$2 50 a year, $1 25 for six months, 5 cents for three months, in advance, 6 cents for single copy. CLUn RATE-5 copiles one year, $10. BOSTON OFFICE-No. 5 Park Street, where copies are for sale nud subscriptions received. The Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Associatioh at Philadelphia, 700 Arch Street, have coplies of the WOMAN'S JOUNAL for sale. Specimen coples sent on receipt of two-cent stamp. NEWSPAPER DECISIONS. 1. Any person who takes a paper regularly fiom the post-ofilce-whether directed to hile name or another's, or whether lie las subscribed or not-is responalble for the payment. 2. If a person orders his paper discontinued, he must pay all arrearages, or the publisher may continue to send it until payment is made, and collect the whole amount, whether the paper is taken from the oilce or not. NOTHING IS LOST. Nothing is lost: the tinest seed, By wild birds borne or breezes blown, Finds somethig stilted to its need, wherein 'tis sown and grown. So with our words; or harsh or kind, Uttered, they are not all forgot: They have thdr influence on the mind, Pass on, but perish not. So with our deeds : for good or ill, They have their power, scarce understood. Then let ius use our better will, To make them rife with good. The movement begun In this State some years ago, to secure municipal and presi- dential suffrage for women by statute, Is being adopted very generally by all suf- f rage societies East ind West. The legis- lators can secure this measure of justice without submitting it to the voters. Let all sufifragists try for it. The proceedings of the Pennsylvania Woman Suffrage Association reported on our eighth page show a very encouraging advance of public sentiment during the past year In the Keystone State. At Newburgh, N. Y., Dec. 29, Justice Brown, of the New York Supreme Court, rendered an interesting and very Impor- tant decision, which the lawyers have been looking for with great anxiety. The ques- tion at issue is whether business partner- ships between husband and wife are au- thorized by the statutes of the State of New York, and whether contracts entered Into in the conduct of such business are enforceable against the wife. It is a question that the Court of Appeals has never decided in that State, nor has the general term ever passed upon It. Justice Brown holds that the courts of th State of New York have settled the question that a wife may nQtonly contract a copartner- ship with a person other than her husband and carry on business as a member of such firm, but that with reference to her separate estate she may contract with her husband thie same as if she were a fene sole; and he thinks that it necessarily follows that husba& and wife have the capacity to enteWto a contract of copartnership for the purpose of carrying on a trade or bus- iness, and that contracts made by such a firm are enforceable against the wife's estate. If the New England Women's Club ever let Its right' hand know what its left hand dbes, or vice versa, it would be a great pleasure to report the beautiful observance of the birthday of Professor Maria Mit- chell, last week. Also we should like to give the unqualifled testimony of Profes- sor Langley, of Michigan University, In favor of co-education, which he presented to the Club last Monday. The only com- fort in silence in regard to it all is, that one body of women, at least, do not make haste to proclaim all they do. A Boston Woman and A Boston Man in the Daily Transcript have been endev- oring to cast the responsibility for the de- feat of Miss Peabody and Mrs. Fifleld upon the women voters of this city. We must remember that the women were ie- feated by a very small vote. Of course, when a man is drowned it matters little whether it is In water only six inches over his head, or six fathoms. But the fact re- mains that a few more votes would have elected the ladies whose loss from the school committee is so justly regretted. The direct responsibility for their defeat I Digitized from Best Copy Available BOSTON, SAT-URDAY, JAN LTARY 3, 1885. rests upon the men and women who could have cast those votes, and failed to do it. The women who oppose woman suffrage profess to believe that political rights in- volve political duties. They had the right to vote for Miss Peabody. If they had done so, they could easily have elected her. They would not take the trouble. Now they try to throw the blame for her defeat upon the women who did vote for her, and who did all they conscientiously could to secure her re-election. Grant, for the sake of argument, that the majority of the women voters did not act judiciously. Was that any good rea- son why the two women on the school committee, who did act judiciously, and whose excellent work Is universally pras- ed, should be put off? If all the men were put off the school committee whenever a majority of the masculine voters of Boston acted unwisely, it would make sad havoc with the committee. I I I The direct responsibility for the defeat of the women lies with the party managers who, without any good reason, refused to renominate them, and with those legal voters who could have elected them not- withstanding, but neglected to do so. Lamentations over the defeat of Miss Pea- body from women who did not lift a fin- ger to help to keep her on the committee are laughable. Criticism of women voters by the women who neglect to vote is in still more questionable taste. When Dr. Chan- ning was blaming the harsh language of the Abolitionists, and what seemed to him the unwisdom of their methods, Samuel J. May said to him, Dr. Channing, if per- sons like you, who could do this work so much better, leave it to ignorant men and foolish women, you have no right to blame them for doing It as well as they know how. Dr. Channing was so struck by the remark that he changed his course from that hour. The opponents of woman suffrage claim to be the best descended and the best edu- cated women in Boston. They also claim to be the vast majority. If they had per- formed their admitted duty, the loss which we all lament would not have befallen the school board. If they leave it to suffrag- ists, and temperance women, and similar fanatical persons, to perform their politi- cal duties for them, they have no right to complain of the way in which those du- ties are discharged. . An anonymous correspondent In the N, Y. Evening Post of Dec. 29, accuses the WOMAN'S JOURNAL of billingsgate and in- delicacy. In proof of the first charge, the correspondent cites an extract quoted by us from one of the papers of the Pacific slope more than six months ago; in proof of the second, no quotation is given. It is a matter of acute regret to us that the op. ponents of woman suffrage, who boast such champions on their side as Senator Vest, of Missouri, and Mr. Sayward, of Boston, should consider the WoAN's JOURNAL guilty of indelicacy. It is a matter of almost equal regret that persons who write denunciatory anonymous let- ters to the papers should find us abusive. They should remember that an ounce of example is worth a pound of precept. If, instead of pouring forth floods of vituper- ative admonition, they had only set us a good example, who knows how much good it might have done us? The argument of Mrs. Lillie Devereux Blake showing that Woman's Franchise is constitutional in New York, is one of singular force and ability. It deserves the careful perusal of'all suffrngists. We pub- lish it in full this week. It seems to ps absolutely conclusive. Much of it is equally applicable to other States. The friends of woman suffrage have been al- together too timid hitherto in failing to petition their Legislatures for statutes en- franchising women. Every State has an undoubted right to give woien suffrage for Presidential electors by statute, under the express provisions of the United States Constitution. Indeed, it is only by stat- ute that this right can be conferred upon anybody. Every State has also a right by common law to give women municipal suffrage by statute. The words nale citizen used in a permissive sense in a general suffrage clause applies only to State officers, and even there is not re- strictive of female citizens unless the words and no other, are added. Principle and policy alike dictate that this bogy of un- constitutionality should be put aside. Let suffragists everywhere claim every. thing. Let them not confine themselves to a premature effort for amendments to State constitutions, but also demand, as of first importance, woman suffrage legisla- tion by statute for all oflicers and in all elections from which women are not ex- pressly debarred by the language of the State constitution. Chief Justice Marshall compressed the whole argument into a sentence, when ie said:-Silence and blank paper never took rights from any one. The WOMAN'S JOURNAL congratulates Harper's Bazar on its good fortune in hav- ing secured the very valuable accession of Col Higginson to its staff of contributors. The Congregationalistcalls the attention of the WOMAN'S JOURNAL to the fact that the foremothers were remembered in con- nection with at least one celebration of Forefathers Day. At the festival of the Boston Congregational Club, held Dec. 22, the sentiment, Foremothers' Day, was responded to by Rev. E. N. Packard, who paid a warm tribute totheheroic and high- souled women who were the partners of the forefathers In courage and suffering. He said, We men take too much glory to ourselves for the early settlement of Nw England, an utterance of which the audi- ence showed Its earty appreciation. It is a good sign when the foremnothers begin to be remembered. The cholera scare has suddenly put to flight the fear so often expressed lest the coming of women Into politics should compel them to face filthy pools and other disagreeable conditions. Now, con- fronted with a common peril, and with the -ure knowledge that men alone are unable to make the thorough preparation necessa- ry to avert the dreaded pestilence, women are summoned to garbage heaps, to slaughter-houses, and to filth deposits, and are urged to form themselves into committees to see that all kinds of offal and refuse do not accu late. There is not the least fear thatr aen will un- sex themselves or lose their bloom and modesty, or depart from their proper sphere. They are praised for having or- ganized and set themselves to the disagree- able duty. It seems so easy to welcome women to this unattractive task. and so hard to share the power that resides in the ballot! The Vassar graduates living in Boston and its vicinity met for their annual lunch at the Hotel Vendome, Wednesday noon. About thirty ladies were present. After the social repast a paper was read by Dr. Emma Culbertson entitled, Physical Cul- ture the Necessary Basis of the Highest Intellectual Development. An Informal and animated discussion followed the pres- entation of the paper, upon the necessity of securing for women-students the bene- fits of a systematic physical training. The eightieth birthday of Mrs. Mary Thompson Willard Is celebrated to-day by Miss Frances E. Willard and Mrs. Mary B. Willard, her daughter and daughter-in- law, who give it reception in her honor. Her children rise up and call her blessed, Dr. and Mrs. J. P. Mann, of New York, give a reception January 5th. In honor of the seventy-fifth birthday of Oliver John. son. The editors of the WoMAN's ITOUR-- NAL send their congratulations, and sin- cerely wish him many happy returns of the day._ TE NATION AND THE FAMILY. My attention has been called to a notice of an article by Mr. Edward Stanwood in the July Andover Review, entitled The Na- tion to the Family. Without being pre- pared to enter upon a full discussion of the subject at present, I wish to say how Im- portant the point appears to me, and how appropriate the time of comparative quiet, after the excitement of the general election has passed away, will be to open up these really grave issues. The evils resulting from the great di- versity in the laws of the States respecting both marriage and divorce are sufficiently evident to call attention to the subject, but the practical remedies for those evils are not so clear. While the condition of the States varies so widely in regard to popu- lation, education, and industrial condition, it is hardly possible that !aws passed by the general government in regard to de- tails will be well suited to the condition of the people. It is equally clear that ther Is danger thata question which ought to b treated purely as a moral one will be seize upon ias a factor' in party politics and use to elect a president rather than to reformna people. All the legislation in regard t the evils of Mormonism berit this charac- ter, and thereIs quite its much anxiety tha the consolidation of the Mormon Church will enable them to control elections, and capture the oftiecs, as that polygamy will sap the morals and health of the comn- munity. The State cila only deal with marriage as a legal question - declaring what shall Iake it valid. The tendency of legislation on this subject is to make marriage laws more stringent, either in requiring public formalities for its sanction, or guarantees for the support of the family. Such re- strictions work directly to the increase of illicit rather than lawful unions, and ex- pose the Ignorant and unprotected to the arts of the selfish and cunning. Even the law now generally prevalent in Europe, and of which I highly approve. making the civil marriage the only one necessary to a fully recognized union, has proved very dangerous in Italy, where long ages of submission to the church have led the people to believe that its sanction is para- mtoutnt to every other. The pretty Story of Ida gives an illnstratioa of tls fact. TIhe proaile of mari-ige, freely entered Into by both parties and brought to its natural consummation, should be binding both in morals and law, but there are grave practical difficulties In establishing such facts and in reconciling conflicting claims. It is, therefore, of the greatest value that public record should be made of every marriage, and that every person assisting at any ceremony of marriage without proof of such record should be heavily punished, and still more that all the people should be educated to an understanding of this pro- vision, and to know that they have failed in their duty to society if they allow any religious observance, or any sentiment of romance or delicacy, to prevent them from. obeying the legal obligation. The civil service requires only that couples should put on record before the appointed magistrate, In the town hall, or other prescribed place, their names, ages, etc., and their resolution to become hus- band and wife. Certainly no one who is upright in Intention should refuse so much concession to the good of society, and It every child should learn to regard it as in- dispensable, It would become a test of the sincerity of any one promising marriage. But even a failure to comply with this reasonable provision should not invalidate marriage, where either patty has ettered into it In good faith. This point is ncom- passed with many difficulties. The subject of divorce Is too difficult for a newspaper article. The point at which I wish to arrive is this. Do we not need much more education of public thought and sentiment before we can have uniform legislation In regard to marriage and di- vorce? and would not that education be better advanced by discussion of these questions by the moralists and lawyers of difterent States, meeting together, before we bring it into the political arena, and try to make it serve party ends? Far below it all lies the great evil, in the moral want of purity and chatity, tem- perance and self-control, and we might as well expect a pure fountain from a polluted stream as good general legislation fronm a corrupt community. E. D. . HONOR TO SENATOR IDE. BARNET, VT., DEc. 30, 1884. Editors Woman's Journal. Some good friends have claimed for the Vermont Woman Suffrage Association more than is justly its due in a' late issue of your paper. The Married Women's Property Rights Law of Vermont was secured by the per- severing, noble effort of Hon. HI. C. Ide, senator from Caledonia Co. A bill siml- lar to the new law was introduced into the Vermont Senate by this gentleman two years ago, passed that body, but was lost in the House. This year the bill was again introduced by Senator Ide, and has be- coie a law. The Vermont W. S. A. may have helped make a public sentiment fa- vorable to such a law. Such would natu- rally be the result of the work of the or- ganization. But to Senator Ide belongs the honor of securing for the women of Vermont this wise and just act of the Leg. Islature, as the plan was the creation of his brain. LAURA MOORE, See. Vt. W. S. A. CONCERNING WOMEN. e d Miss Lucy LAuicon is the guest of Miss d Charlotto Hawes, of Hotel Berkeley. S MIsS SUSAN FENIMORE COOPER is edu ocating orphan children in industrial occau - pitions in Cooperstown, N. Y. tIss FLORENCE MARRYATT has recover- ed health suftlieutlyto resume her mus. cal aod dramatic recitals. Mfus. MARION MOBIE, of the Boston Post, will have charge of the WOMAN'S sJoURNALi at the New Orleans Exhibit. LADY DU FFERIN raised 10,000 for char- Ity in a singie year, and managed its dis- tribution. She devotes much of her time to work for the poor. Ms. HELEN JACKON has gone to Los - Angeles for the winter. Her story as- anona Is everywhere recognized as a no. table achievement in our literature. Mus. MATILDA JOSLYN GAGE lately ad- dressed the Political Equality Club, of Albany, N. Y. She was introduced by Mrs. Mary Seymour Howell, the president of the club. Ms. P. L. PICE, of Albina, Oregon, has been appointed a special agent for the Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Co., of California. She will give particuar atten- tion to the Insurance of women. MRS. MARY L. LEONARD has been ad- mtted to practice in the courts of Wash- Ington Territory, and Is said to be the first. woman who has pursued the study of law in the Northwest. MRS. J. ANDERSON and Mus. ELIZA A. FORBES Were elected Justices of the Peace for two precincts In King County, W. T., at the recent election. Quite a con- test was made against Mrs. Forbes, but she defeated her opponent, Mr. Langland, by eight votes. VIOLET PAGET, who, under the name of Vernon Lee, is well known among English writers, was born near Boulogne, in 1850. Although her parents are English, she has passed most of her life in France, Ger- many, and Italy, and writes the languages of those countries with perfect ease. . MS. RTIEn (Miss Thackert) says that the two letters recently published as having been written by her father are for. gerles. One, of them was a reitiuke to a supposed young author who had asked for advice; the other began thus: Dear Ned, you asked me for a recipe to restore the eyesight. MRs. HELEN M. GOUGAR has been speaking in Wisconsin since her return from Iowa, and will continue until the end of the month. January fifth she delivers an address before the Indianapolis Suf. frage Club on How can the Civil and Po- litical Rights of Indiana Women be En. larged without Constitutional Amend- ment9, MISS STELLA A. BRONON, of Torring- ton, Conn., lost a canary recently, that had lived to the great age of twenty-five years. For the last five years it had been kept alive by the best care, some of the time being fed from the hand. It was blind and had lost the use of its feet. Just a few days before it died, the bird sang its mistress a song. PRINCss KRAPOTKINE is said to be, it possible, a siore ardent socialist than her husband. My father, she remarked, was a rich gold mine proprietor, and I am a princess. Look at that man there- pointing to a wretched street-sweeper. I wonder he does not come and cut my throat. What right have I[to be living in luxury while he is working in thee old and dirt, and living probably in some wretched garret or cellar, with not enough to eat? MRS. SARAH M. KIMBALL, started the Western Reserve School of Design, in Cleveland, 0. It was founded for women, but several young menhave been admitted. MRS. HARRIT J. KEsTo, of the Phila- delphia School of Design, is the principal. Monthly receptions are given by the hun- dred or more founders, who gave $100 each, and thus the good work Is popular- ized. There are aiready over fifty pupils. THE EMPRESS oF AusTIA has had a marble slab fixed upon a rock in a ravine near Murzsteg. on the Seminering, bear. lug a relief of St. George and the Dragon. The slab bears no inscription, but it is in- tended to express the gratitude of the ouw press for her narrow escape one year ago, while riding over a bridge that crossed this ravine. One of the boards of the bridge was broken by the horse's weight, and his fore legs were aide fast in the opening. The animal became restive, but the em- press had dismounted before he :ould do any harm. 0 No. 1.

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