He of course entered as a mere printer, being compelled to earn promotion by the efficiency of his work. The examination and acceptance of applicants went on with great rapidity after this, and no incident occurred worthy of note until after the noon lunch. A woman about thirty-six years old presented her application. After the usual formal questions I asked: “Are you married?” “I am a widow,” she answered; “my husband was killed in a railroad collision five years ago.” “Have you children?” “I have seven—three boys and four girls.” “Have you them with you?” “All are here. Mr. Thompson advised me to come and make this application, so I have been saving up all my money and I am here.” “You say you live in Boise? You are not recommended by the Brotherhood. Have you any recommendations?” “I have one from Mr. Thompson.” Here she handed me a note from our President, now Governor of the state, and upon reading it I found that she was an intelligent and deserving woman who was anxious to educate her children. She had saved, through several years’ hard work at the washtub and in various kinds of domestic work, the fee necessary to enter the colony, and, although it was her all, she was ready to pay it for such a purpose. “What shall I do for a home?” she asked. “We have excellent houses, in one of which you shall live,” I replied. “Can I send my children to school?” she continued. “You are required to do so. Education is compulsory. Your children will be turned over to the Department of Education.” “Am I to be separated from them?” “You and they will live together in the same house.” “But I am a member of the Episcopal church. I desire my children brought up in that church.” “The religious education of your children is your own care. Send them to what church you will. Episcopal, Methodist, Baptist, Catholic, Congregationalist and other denominations are represented here.” “Would it be wrong for me to ask how much my wages are to be?” “You will receive checks or orders the first year entitling you to one-third as much as a skilled first-year member. The second year you will receive as much as any other member of the Industrial Army, skilled or unskilled, officer or private. Last year each member received $1,200.00 in orders or checks entitling him to the use of public conveyances, railroads, house, water, gas, light, heat and other public utility, to goods, wares and merchandise, meals at restaurant or hotel, to admission to entertainments, use of public ovens, and, in short, whatever you need. If your children are infants the Department of Education has trained nurses to care for them. If a mother is nursing her babe we give her a furlough until the period of nursing ceases, but her pay continues. We encourage the mother to be with her children as much as possible, as we believe a mother’s love is one of the influences, under proper conditions, which inspire purity and develop manhood and womanhood in the child.”