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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.

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 equiled 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."

A contributor writes:

"In issue of April 16 a certain biy is, on complaint of his motehr, arrested as incorriglble. 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 acousations. The law says the boys and men may frequent all manner of vile places, saloons, gambling houses, poopl 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 teachingm good examplesm earnest entreaty, persists in his wicked coursem you say his mother had neglected him and let him go to ruin! Her effort to correct and restrain him proces the reverse, Fle, for shame! to put upon the helpless, long-suffering, heart-wearied, ballot-less mother, the effects of these vile treafflos. Is it not enough for her to suffer, her heart torn becasue 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 jsut a merciful.
"A MOTHER"

Our correspondent is mistaken in supposing the law permits the sale of cigaretts and liqupr to minors. It distincity forbids it. Her ecpression 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.