6
A WORD WITH THE WOMEN
(By Elia W. Peattie.)
No more beautiful nor interesting young women has been graduated from any school in this city this year than Miss Estelle Forbes, who read her essay at the Nebraska Institute for the deaf last Friday.
Miss Forbes is tall, stately, exquisitely graceful, with a face of much delicacy and responsiveness. It is an oblong face, surmounted by soft light brown hair. The eyes may be brown, and are certainly most modest and expressive. The lips are rather full and very flexible. The head is delicately, yet rather proudly poised.
It might be something of an importance to this describe Miss Forbes' beauty, if it were not done with the most respectful intention. Her outward beauty seems, indeed, the echo of inner loveliness, and the interest it holds is largely a psychological one. Though immured in earthly silence, never to be broken unless death can break it and make the soul into composite sense which perceives with eye, ear and spiriet, yet this girl has found a way to communicate with the world. She has met this great black enemy of Silence, and laid it low. She has conqured it. This has been done by the acquirement of the language of the deaf and an idealization of it. A power largely histrlonic in its character has come to her assistance. And a deeper power, spiritual and deeply perceptive in its character, abides in her innermost sense.
The consequence is that when this girl speaks her silent language, not only those versed in it, but all intelligent and pathetic persons, understand her - if not absolutely, at least in part.
Her face becomes as a fair sheet of water over which the wind blows, changing it aspect at each second. Not a wind of emotion that blows over her spirit but shows itself in her charming face. Disaster, toll, pleasure, peace, contemplation, reverence, a version, apprehension, are mirrored there instantly, not in any coarse exaggeration such as the immature pupils of Deisarto sometimes grieve the Judielous with, but delicate and wellbread indications of these emotions. Her hands are frequent with silent words; her body itself seems to breathe out her thoughts, light, lithe, supple, alert, frank, yet full of subtle suggestions, the whole body and personality of this girl struggles to express the emotions of the spirit, the thoughts of the mind. It is a silent poetry, a palpable expression of what might be deemed inexpressible, a triumph over fact, a victory of spirit over matter!
One almost hopes that Miss Forbes will not see this article, for much of her charm lies in her perfect unconsciousness. Yet the sweetness of spirit which has made her so brave to overcome difficulties beauty, and put a pure and gentle smile upon her lips may well keep her from canity, bidding her only bo grateful for the compensations which heaven has given her for her great affliction. It is pleasant to know that Miss Forbes, in leaving the institute, goes to a comfortable and refined home, where she is well loved. She may take a higher course of study in the New York Institution for the deaf. Books always afford her much of her happiness, and she has a taste for the best books. Useful one must believe that she will always no, in spite of the disadvantages under which she labors. Happy she poems likely to be, living if one may judge, attained the inner peace.
7
A WORD WITH THE WOMEN
(By Elin W. Peattie.)
A friend writes from the Plattsmouth Woman's club to say that she has observed the statement that a Christian Civic league may be formed in this town, and to inquire why 'persons who desire to form such an organization do not ally themselves with the societies already in existence. She says: "In this busy world and time, with women burdened with clubs, guilds, societies, lodges, and unions, whose end and aim is to procure purity in the home and state and to uplift all humanity, would it not bo better to unite all efforts? There is one organization that is equipped to do such work, but because of lack of funds has not been able to accomplish what is aspired to - the Women's Christian Temperance union. Including all the reforms suggested. The Endeavor societies and Epworth league cry has been for the last year 'good citizenship,' and these have asked the clergy and laymen to untie in a crusade against [vlee?]. And now the club women are going to lend a hand. If only these organizations were untied, and working under some such plan as that laid down by the W. C. T. U.: he results would be a grand national cleansing."
The idea of the women interested in starting a Christian Civic league in Omaha was not that women should do the work alone, but merely that women should inspire the formation of such an organization for men and women. This would, of course, make it impossible to unite with the W. C. T. U. Beside, the W. C. T. U. is fundamentally interested in the formation of prohibitive law. It is the enforcement of existing law with which the proposed league would especially interest itself. The proposal for the formation of a Christian Civic league came from Mrs. Byles, an English woman, not long in this country, yet well known and cordially liked in Omaha. She has been identified with similar work for years in England.
A contributor writes:
"In issue of April 16 a certain boy is, on complaint of his mother, arrested as incorrigible. The officer, in his note, says the mother is a member of the Salvation army and in her seal has let her own boy go to ruin, I do not know the parties, but I protest against such accusations. The law says the boys and men may frequent all manner of vile places, saloons, gambling houses, pool rooms, lewd houses, divers of all descriptions and smoke cigarettes. At least we judge the law says so, as these places are all open, and tobacco and cigarettes sold, and used by even little boys on our streets. Of course, they must have business form some one's father, husband, son or brother, and if a boy, in spite of Christian teaching, good example, earnest entreaty, persists in his wicked course, you say his mother had neglected him and let him go to ruin! Her effort to correct and restrain him proves the reverse. Fle, for shame! to put upon the helpless, long-suffering, heart-wearied, ballot-less mother, the effects of these vile traffics. Is it not enough for her to suffer, her heart torn because of the going astray of her beloved boys, to see them daily drifting, drifting away on the ocean of sin and ruin? And you charge it to the mothers. Ah! but the Lord judges, after you, and upon all, and he is just and merciful. "A MOTHER."
Our correspondent is mistaken in supposing the law permits the sale of cigarettes and liquor to minors. It distinctly forbids it. Her expression of sympathy for an unhappy woman may reach the notice of that woman and convey some comfort, so it is printed for the reasons above all others.
8
Willful Lying About Omaha in an Ohio Paper.
Editor of the World-Herald: Please find enclosed the following copy which has been taken from a Dayton O., paper headed "High License in Omaha." Do you really think that Omaha is as bad as pictured by the Dayton O., scribe?
"The foulest center of Nebraska is the great city of Omaha. It is foul, chief of all, because of its saloons. Its saloons are among the most gorgeous of the nation, and they are among the worst. There are 270 saloons and each pays a high license fee of $1,000. The city, for $270,000 allows 270 men to criminalize and ruin, soul and body, her people. No city in the nation has so bad a record as Omaha. The license being so high, the den keepers do all within their power to increase their trade, and thus transform men into bad husbands, wicked fathers, and disobedient sons. Every twelfth person of the city is arrested as a criminal during the year. What a shameful record! What a voice of condemnation for high license!"
Now, I do not mind the Ohio people's not like our "gorgeous" saloons and the number we have. We can stand that and have our beer, after all, without remorse. We can even drink to the health of other people who cannot afford to have such "gorgeous" establishments. Nevertheless, the "gorgeousness" of our saloons is at present a little on the wane. But we do not like to speak aloud on this question. Let people continue to believe that we have the most resplendent rum shops in the world. It stimulates the pride we take in our town, although we may be, as Mrs. Ella W. Peattie says, a little provincial. If we can not recognize home talent in the arts, let us be proud that the world knows that we have the most "gorgeous" wine rooms.
However, I take exception to the man's horrified exclamation that no other city on earth has as bad a reputation as Omaha, and that every twelfth person of the city is arrested as a "criminal" during the year. Evidently he is misinformed. Or probably he is mean enough to avoid willfully the truth. Chief Sigwart's "buggy" could not stand the strain if we really were of such a lively disposition.
And then he says that we are bad husbands, wicked fathers, etc. Now, Mr. Editor, I am an old resident of Omaha. I do not claim to be less sinful than other men. I even admit that in many directions I am "awfully bad" compared with the saints. But when it comes to the point of being called a "bad husband" and a "wicked father" then I revolt. At least until that scamp of a scribe has received information from the only competent authority to judge, namely, my wife.
I protest. You know, Mr. Editor, as a rule we have not a great many "bad husbands" and "wicked fathers" in Omaha. We are quite good fellows, aren't we? Please to assist me a little or have someone else give me a hand to soak in this Ohio man down into the water somewhere. I am too excited to continue. Yours very truly
H. ANDREWS.
9
WOMEN ON SCHOOL BOARDS
Rev. Williams Says They Are Entitled to Representation.
In regard to the candidacy of Mrs. Peattie for member of the board of education, and the fight against her by those who say they oppose the entrance of women into politics, the following letter by Rev. John Williams, pastor of St. Barnabas Episcopal church, will prove interesting:
To the Editor of the World-Herald--It has been reported to me that many foreign born voters are going to vote against Mrs. Peattie, simply because they are opposed to the entrance of women into political life. If service on the school board meant, or if it ought to mean, political service I should be in fullest sympathy with the objection, and would most certainly vote against Mrs. Peattie, and against any other woman, even though she were more highly fitted still for the position.
But service on the school board means something higher and greater than mere political service. It means duty in the service of the higher life of the nation, in the sphere of its intellectual and moral life. From that duty surely women should not be shut out. If there is anything to which God calls womanhood surely it is to help train the young in purity and moral culture. Moreover, surely if women are to be the teachers of youth of both sexes in the class room, as they are to an undue excess, in my judgment, so far as boys are concerned, it is too late, yes, wrong to object to womanly oversight as to how that work is done, or how it may be best advanced by bright, true womanly women who would come into constant intercourse with the teachers, to learn the difficulties and dangers which beset mixed education in a large city like ours, and to take counsel with teachers in the startling problems which come before them for solution constantly.
It goes without saying that men cannot, at least they will not, give our school life the personal attention, which that life demands. When they are not too busy to perform to perform the puties of close personal supervision which the school committee of fifty, or even thirty, years ago used to give to the public schools under their charge, they are too indifferent to the matter to do it. Women, should they be chosen from the ranks of true womanhood, would attend to the duty of looking after the children, and the moral life of the schools; while the men attended to the politics of the janitors, and to the proper care of their "friends," the contractors and political workers.
Instead of one true woman, there ought to be at least five. If they ever became dangerously unruly, the men could outvote them two to one. Personally, I do not think that women on the school board would bring about the educational Millenium, any more than their presence brings about the millennium anywhere else. But on the school board women would be in their God-appointed sphere, looking after the training of the youth of the nation, sharing that duty on equal terms with men. Mrs. Peattie, if elected, would be the first woman on our school. Her election should be followed up next year by the election of two others, at least, and the next year by one, or more.
It would be well, doubtless, for business reasons, to let the preponderance of members remain in favor of men, but for moral reasons every school board should have one-third of its membership composed of women. I would not appeal to foreign-born citizens to vote for a woman were she a candidate for a political position, but this position is not political. I would not ask them, either, to vote for Mrs. Peattie for any sentimental or selfish reason, and yet, if there be an American born man or woman in this city who has been fairer or juster, or more generous to the foreign born than she, I do not know where the man or woman lives.
One objection more to Mrs. Peattie, let me notice. It has been said, and conscientiously enough, doubtless, and in a sense, truly, that Mrs. Peattie stands opposed to the Christian religion; and so it is said her influence would be dangerous on the school board. Well, sir, if we were in the habit of making Christian orthodoxy, or any religious character whatever, a test as to fitness for membership on the school board. I would sympathize with applying it to Mrs. Peattie. But if men are to go without application of the text, it seems worse than mean to apply it to a woman, whose life and character, apart from certain intellectual conceptions, or misconceptions of Christianity, is though and through Christian.
Intellectual Christianity is barred in the public schools. I wish it were not, but it is; but Christian morals are not barred, though they can be too largely ignored. It is because I would have the enforcing of the moral virtues of the Christian religion more fully provided for, that I would have women on the school board. To mould and teach the young in the moral virtues is woman's special province. Mrs. Peattie would seek to do that well and conscientiously; and so for the schools' sake her election should be assured by an all but unanimous vote, not for her sake, for it is an unpaid office, but for the sake of the young of the city.
JOHN WILLIAMS.
10
The Municipal League.
The one object of the League is "The Best Possible City Government for Omaha," and to secure this it knows no party or sect, and aims to unite those in sympathy with its object, in the support of capable and honest men for the city offices.
To carry on this purpose the League has indorsed the following candidates, after careful investigation of their fitness, for the
CITY COUNCIL.
First Ward- S. J. Gordon, republican.
Third Ward- J. R. Getty, rep (by petition).
Fourth Ward--Dr. James H. Peabody, dem and pop. F. B. Kennard, rep.
Fifth Ward- Allen T. Roctor, rep (by petition)
Sixth Ward- G. P. Diotz, rep (by petition)
Seventh Ward- G. N. Hicks, dem.
Eighth Ward- Cadet Taylor, rep. J. H. Schmidt, dem.
SCHOOL BOARD.
B. E. B Kennedy, Rev. T. J. Mackay, C. B. Wilson, J. G. Gilmore, R. T. E Crambiett Jonathan Edwards, Mrs. W. Peattie.
G. W. DOANE, President. GREGORY J. POWELL-Secretary.