The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-12-14
EnpLoYnExrs FOR WOMEN.

We COPY elsewhere an Interesting let
ter from Don PiAtt concerning the en-
ployment of women in the Treasury
Department OF the United States. We
are glad to recognize a growing senti-
ment among all intelligent and gener-
Gus hearted people in favor OF enlarS-
ing the sphere OF woman's oPportuni-
ties. This experiment in the Treasury
Department, begun by Mr.. Chnse, can
not fail TO exercise an important inila-
ence in dispelling the prevalent notion
that women have no capacity save for
household or mental employments.
Mr.. Treasurer Spinner in his report
says emphatically the contrary. he
has found that females have greater
adaptation to many employments
about his Department than men-as 1t
Ia only reasonable and natural they
should have-and with sense of jus
lice as warm as his judgment is dis
eliminating, the large hearted old man
declares there is no reason why VIC
man should not be paid the same wages
as a man for doing the same work. He
does not agree with the current esti'
mate OF woman's work, that because
In the present temper of society she is
helpless ard must he content with just
what she can get, therefore she is
TO be imposed on, kept out of remuner-
alive emrlOyments and paid but half
wages for what she does. Mr.. Spinner
is right, and he deserves the thanks OF
every lust man and the gratitude OF
every needy woman for having the
manllness in his official capacity to
defy the selfish preludices of society.
This question OF woman's employ
ment and wages, Is one which i'll this
enlightened duy must grow upon pub
lie attention. In every age and IL
every land the civilization OF people
may be measured by the status of its
women. In the lowest forms of society
she occupies the lowest position, being
among barbarous tribes the mere drudge
ard slave on whom the most exactinG
burdens are laid; and beginning with
the Esquimaux. the value of any
form OF society may be fairly judged
by the consideration bestowed on the
female portion OF 1t. In perfect har
moDy with this rule we find to-day
that the higher nations rise in the scale
of refinement and enlightenment, thu
greater Is the consideration, the gallan
try, the equality, or to sum 1t all il
one word, the justice, with which wo
man is treated in society and in legis
lation.
In state OF society theoretically per
feet. every woman's destiny would bt
fulfilled by marriage; but no such con
dition of things has existed, SO far a
we have any chronicles, since the days
of the first pair. In these degener.
ate days there is large per centum o.
women In excess of men, SO that ever
II all the men married land the humble
that do not is said to be increasing yea
by year, there would be still thousand
of women who have to go through lif
alone. Women who are amply provide
for by father, brother or husband, OF
without these, by abundant mean
may suppose they have no concern |
this question affecting their sex; yt
their hearts must often bleed for tn
misfortunes and hardships TO whic
their less fortunate sisters are exposed
into whose full ranks, by the perils an
accidents of life, they ase themselve
liable at any time to be reduced. Bu
how many thousands on thousands {
women there are in the United State,
who are without natural protectors, an
who must rely on their own unuide
exertions for livelihood. How man
thousands OF them, especially in citie
are driven from the paths OF virtue b
acruel and selfish prejudice in societ
which deters them from enrning the
bread and clothing themselves in RENT
nerstive occupations which, by naturi
adaptation, belong to them, but whic
are now monopolized by broad shout,
cred and strong muscled men, wi
ought instead to be engaged in some
the employmeuts wherein mani
strength and courage arc needed. WI
should big, strong men be standing b
hind counters, selling tape and needl
and ribbons, while refined and cul,
waited women can get nothing better