The San Francisco Call. Newspaper, May 2, 1897, Page 17

In view of the Woman’s Congresses that are being held it would seem eminently advisable that before trying to formulate a definite opinion at the present time we ascertain what the future generation thinks of them. For, whatever is the verdict of the women of to-day who are nolding the congresses, it is improbable that any radical change in social and politicsl condi- tions for which they are talking will be brought about by it. It will be the verdict of the next generation tkat will effect the change, if any change there shall be. Manifestly the influence of the congress women who are now with us and diligently audible will go far to frame the opinions of the impressionable youtb who are to foilow in their footsteps. But it isnons the less a fact that each cycle of time developes a new independence, and the men and women of to-morrow, although influe enced by the men and women of to-day, will by no means be wholly directed by them. THE CALL has realized the advisability of having the coming generation’s views of the movement at hand, and has gone to the pains of securing representative expressions thereof. The three public high schools of San Francisco were vis- ited this week, and from a competitive submission of views from the pupils of the various classes one representative view from each class has been obtained and is here presented. These expressions are those of the very flower of San Francisco youth—a youth that is already at the threshold of maturity; and while the obinion may be said to be in a somewhat in- cipient state, it is quite likely that subsequent and maturer contempation of the question discussed will not materially alter them. Hence this may be taken as a fairly accurate forecast of the fate of woman’s cause at the hands of those who will, probably, bave the pleasure of either winning or defeating it by a definite enactment of law. The Bold, Unreasonable Man. What is my opinion on the Woman’s Congress? Inever considered a “woman’s congress” worthy of much thought, but then it doesn’t take much thought to give one’s ideas on some subjects. This particular ‘‘congress,” it apvears, is met-to discuss “Child Psychology.” Almost every one with nothing else to do is nowadays whiling away the time treating this “com- ing question.” I have a very decided opinion that these women would be much better employed mending baby’s torn stockings The Gentle, Reasonable Woman. The programme of the Woman’s Congress now in prog- ress at Golden Gate Hall is of a very superior order and sup- ported by eminent talent. Among the gentlemen whose names appear we find men of very marked ability, including some of our most cele- brated educators. Comparing this array of intelligence and refinement, advocating the cause of woman’s advancement, with the array of ignorance and prejudice desiring to keep her in Dber so-called “sphere,”” we cannot but regard the contrast as a striking evidence of the propriety and justice of her ‘promotion. than in inflicting on a suffering community their *‘views on Since such men are not overwhelmed with the awful the esthetic element in early education.” If T were sud- fear that their sisters, wives and daughters shall be dis- denly called upon to care for a child and raise him to matur- ity I would crave the advice of the loving, experienced and sensible mother. 1 would, moreover, upon bended knee offer up a fervent prayer that I be preserved from tkat prod- uct of the “iemale coneress,” the spectacled divinity in Ppossessed of their womanliness if given the same opportu- nity as man to progress, and since such men actually court such a calamity, certainly we may gather sufficient courage t0 brave the criticisms of petty and narrow minds. Why in this age of progress should women alone be de- Taster bonnet, notebook in hand, who would, perchance, dethrone common-sense and expect whims, freaks and hob- bies to elevate true motherhood. What will this congress result in? What every one of them always has and alwaye will result in—more clubs, more talk, rore gailant, young, handsome, intellectual and statesmanlike Mayors; more fashionable bats, more specta- 3 e o cles, more notebooks and more crying youngsters at hume. memorial woman has constituted the refining infiuence of the 3P Enarren; Lowell High Bshool, tenionOlass. Since this is so, why should not the educated and intelligens women of e for the purpose of bringing the world to a higher moral standard ? n have seemed unable to bring about a pure, moral and social condition of the human race, and parently left it to Eve’s daughters. From the commencement of these congresses women have waited gher things. All acknowledge that some good has been secured, perhaps anot we see something very encouraging in the increasing influence of s and schools have been stimulated by the subject under considera- a true conception of their duty in life, and have come to a knowl- 6 proverp says: ‘““A superior woman exaltsher husband; an inferior R. E. GRACI . Senior Class Girls’ High School. Two Evils to Be Avoided. ‘ess aims at the broadening of women, making them think outside of the dreary hing that brings one human soul into touch with the higher ana the How much more praiseworthy then is this congress! e close at hand, which, however, may be checked. or perhaps prevented by the indivi- n. In the first place these zatherings may open & gap between husband men should not be bougnt at such a price. Partisanship also may render ting cert instead of a deciding and deliberative assembly. But nied the privilege of moving forward? Certainly no educa- tional progress has ever yet caused any dire calamity, nor will it. The saperiority of the American woman, with all her liberties, over tne Turksh woman, who is possibly suffi- ciently sut jugated to meet the avproval of our adversaries, is an emphatic illustration of what education and liberty have done for our sex. Mary Kiusoury, Poiytechnic High School. MISS CLEONE CUMMINGS, Middle Class, Lowell High School. ENGLISH, Senior Class, Lowell High School. Left for Women to Do. The Unselfishness of It A Woman’s Congress is generally composed of educatedjand noble women— women of the world, who try to help and improve the position of women educa- tionally and politically. When these women hold a congress and invite all to come to hear, they tell of their work, what has been done and what snould be done, ana in giving -to the audience such noble ideas of life they influence all who come to hear. Surely, if there are good women in the audi-nce the influence can be only 1or the best. These women have had many advantages on account of their superior intellectual training, and it is their unselfishness which prompts them 1o devote their time and try to heip those less fortunate than themselves. May these congresses continuo and these noble women interchange their thoughts and ideas in order to make the world happier aud be:ter. LOTTIE HOLLING. What the Gongress Is. Being brought up to regard education as next to religion natarally such an orzanization which brings within its scope both mental and moral training must demand not only my respect but my admiration. Its plane of action runs parallel with that occupied by the University Extension Courses. Such efforts are ennobling as well as educational. The subject treated in the congress of this year, “‘Education in All Its Phases,”” I consider an index of what the Congress hopes to accomplish. It strikes me that peo- ple who wish to know **What the congress is, anyway,” would do well to attend some of its sessions be- fora they attempt to present their views, for, though ignorance may be their bliss, in this latter-day Eden it is folly not to be wise. EMMA M. NESFIELD, Lowell High School, Senior Class. MONROE DEUTSCH, Lowell High School, middle class. Hard on the Gynic. The question naturally arises, “What benefit has the community derived from these meetings and through what source?” I have met some cynical peoble who smile when you mention the Woman's Congress. They have not altered my opinion, tecause they are the ignorant, dogmatic, egotistical people. They assert that the Woman’s Congress means woman’s suffrage. I bave a high opinion of the Woman's Congress, because the women, by the discussion of living themes, have given a great impetus to thought and action in both sexes in all thespheres of life. They have proven what intelligent women can accomp'ish. They have sown on fertile but hitherto negl-cted A Long Revolution.. position of women was inaugurated by tne revolution of 1848, which asserted the dividuals. Crossing the Atlantic, the wave of revolution found the political rights rly secured, and the restriction remaining upon universal manhood being slight, the led itself upon the legal, social and political disabilities of women. The pur- abilit s is to lay aside these ; toadvance the cause of woman and to cause of buntanity and how why, 1n a representative system iciple that all the intelligence of the state shall be enlisted for its welfare, and e, women, being often inte b= represented for its own det the commuaity, should not also be represented. nd other problems that the learned of the Staie have met at this fourth an- V. CASAMAJOU, Polytechnic High. ALIC ent, often An Enthusiastic Tyro. ion on the merits of the Woman’s Congress are but es for reflection, and consequently for definitely molded opinions on such ed to me. Nevertiieless, I feel that there is b tbe stand taken by our women on this oc h and slted ones. They themselves nmanity—disinterested efforts to raise the unselfishness in the disbursement of their eatest of all, the incentive that prompts them they are subject to errors, but we e genergus in our critic I say then that san B. Anthony or Anna S a Lody we may depend upon it when such women as present themselves at a Woman’s Con MARGARET McLEOD, Senior Class ’97. embody in embryonic form. a something hiaden sion and for four the noblest MISS BEATRICE HOUSE, Middle Class, Lowell High School. grcund knowledge of law, of life, of home and of country. The press has generously aided the women, and thus the knowledge finally permeates the masses. The lords of creation who compose the various political and other organizations have been defeated by Atiania in the guise of the Woman’s Congress. The public have shown by their reception of the congress that it is a meritorious work. MARJORIE CORKERY, Polytechnic High School. these conditions. Will Be Ultimately Successful. An exchange of thoughts and con- cert in action are in general produc- tive of success. I think there can be no doubt that the Woman’s Con- gress will ultimately be successful in its purposes. This organization, treating to a great extent with woman in her differ- ent stations in life, is agitating sub- jects which within a comparatively short time have made themselves fore- most among the questions of the day. Many of these questions will probably be left to be decided by the rising gen- eration. The papers read at the conventions are in generalof a very high order, and 1 think if they were read by a larger number of peopie than can at- tend these congresses, they would help to educate our peovie as much as our colleges and universities do. ‘While there may be some faults and even evils in this institution, and while there may be papers read in its conventions with which we disagree, still I think we may anticipate a great deal of good in the accomplishments of the congress. HEerBERT KNIGHT STURGES. Polytechnic High School. Gan Do No Harm. To give vriefly my opinion of the ‘Woman’s Cougress I think it isone of the best movements which have taken place in San Francisco fora long time. My reasons for thinking so are these: First, being as it is an attempt on the part of earnest, honest women to mest together and talk over those problems and difficulties which the world and every one in 1t are interested in solv- ing just now, it is Impossible for it to do any harm and it is possible for it to do a great deal of good. Secondly, every forward movement which tends as it does toward the uplifting of edu- cation and the advancement and wel- fare of children is always to be wel- comed. Our children are our hope. Whatever advancement we make po- litically or morally d-pends upon them, and if the Woman’s Congress offers any solution to this problem it will be conferring the best of gifts upon ue. Itis for these reacons that I cannot see why people ridicule the idea of such a meeting. Surelv woman has shown to the world by this time that she is fully capable of taking an active and vigorous part in ir. Lyra Vincest, Lowell High School, junior class. Wiser Men, Wiser Women. The “Woman’s Congresss,” like all other organized movements for ednca- tional advancement, will zccomplish much zood. When pure, bright minds combine to devise methods for the uplifting of what is best and most admirable in human nature, there will be no backward siep. Agitation of any question throws a clearer light upon it, enabling the earneststudent to bet- ter understand the problem and more readily segregate the good from evil. “Edxucation,” the subject of the con- gress for this year, is one most appro- priate for the consideration of women. They constitute but half the race, yet they are the mothers of the whole race, and the better and wiser the mother, the wiser and better must be- come the man. One cannot conceive of a race of brave and noble men springing from a generation of de- praved and ignorant women; nor of a nation of cruel and selfish men from gentle and educated Christian mothers, So, as woman Lecomes the equal of man la independence ana strength, and man the equal of woman in purity and all charitable- ness, we will approach nearer the iceal of what true manhood should be. Bearrick B. Housg, Middle Class Lowell High School. Say Much of Value. The Ballot Would Gause Gomplications. The Safety of the Nation. The safety of the nation lies in the education of the people. The more widespread general intelli- gence becomes the better is the condition of the people and the Government. 1f we would have free, broad-minded men, we must have intelligent thinking women. The conditions surrounding a child during his first ten or twelve years will exert an influence upon his whole life, and the mothers make The Woman’s Congress has done much toward educating the women of Cali- jornia. It has given us glimpses of women in different walks of life: as mothers, saleswomen, physiciuns, teachers, writers, artists and inventors. It has brought belore the people subjects of importance but little understood before, and has treated them in a manner that has interested women in their homes and taught them 10 think of something besides making beds and pies and having dinner at 6. 1t has taught mothers that children are not merely little animals who need nothing but proper food and clothing, but they must be studied mentslly as well as physically fed if good characters are to be formed. The Woman’s Congress hasdone inestimable good and will, I hope, continue to do so for many years to come. MARION McAULAY, Polytechnic High. The Woman’s Congress is with us again. During its The general progress and standing of our community 9900000400006000°° session many of the members who have spoken In former are nowhere shown #o clearly as in Lhe individual spirit “ogs congresses have here been speaking acain, thus proving in one particular, at least, a8 certain lasting value in what they have to say. These lectures are on subjects interesting to the average person and in a large measure are on general topics of the day. Hence, it i3 not by any great display of Jearning or scholarship or any special line of argument that they retain the attention and respect of the multitudes. 1 heard a girl call these women old maids, the other day, but in my opinion they are neither old maids nor bluestock- ings. Neither are they women who do nothing but preach and never practice. They are not *mew’ women, who think that they must imitate men for that purpos- alone, but they are refined, educated women, good wives and mothers, and are trying conscientiously to help the coming generation, CLEONE CUMMINGS, ' Middle Class Lowell High School. of its men and women. the wrongs and grievanc In exact proportion to their per- ception of exisiing faults will b2 the general movement towara reform. With this view, 8 Woman’s Coneres: an institution to be most heartily commended, But these perseverinz women, although they locate evils sharply and correctly, become unreasonable in their zeal of reforming, and herein rests opposition to the congress. They feel that a woman’s hand on the ballot will redress all in our greut Republic. Now, many sober-minded statesmen think that the result will be com- plications, not benefit. Gladstone says thai great numbers eems of thinking women are in opposition. Women have a right to vote if they wish it, but since no real and lasting benefit to legislation is to result the longed-for privilege loses its BrLANCHE M. CLARKE. sttraction, MONROE