The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1869-05-05

Besides, I know that waS wrong,
And no WIS In tho right;
4 guess III toll him So-and then--
WISH he'd como tonight.
Women az Clerks in W9shington-
Serious Charges by q woman.
Tho Lndepcndent says: "Wc publish
the following letter bearing the sigma
ture of o woman-a clerk In the Treas
ury observation-disclosures we have no
personal ACC uaintancc with her. lfher
statements are true, they should arrcs,
the attention Of the public; II false,
let them be exposed"
TREASURY DErT, WAsHlSoToN.
March 10Th, 1869.
In the last number Of the Ihdepen-
dent noticed paragraph stating that
the compensation of the women en-
ployed in tho department at Washing
ton was about to DO made the same as
that paid to men; and, rs woman
and an employee Of the government. !
trust there can be no objection against
my expressing my vieYs regarding
the subject.
The masses ofthc women Mt the pres.
ont time employed in the departments
arc not possessed Of very brilliant
clerical abilities. On the contrary,
ycry many Of Thorn have scarcely edu-
cation enough to tell the day OF the
wook by o counting-housc calendar
ind they owe their appointments and
continuance In office TO thoir personal
advantages. When man receives an
appointment to q clerkship, he Is
Obliged to appear before board otde-
detrimental officers, and undergo an ex-
summation; and, although tho exami-
nation is not so strict as that imposed
on the graduating class ola New Eng
land college, it is so difficult that n0t
one woman in hundred could pass
it satisfactorily.
I, for one, claim that womcn-cdu-
coted women Of course-are as compc-
tent to perform brain labor as men
but l do most cmphatically object to
having Girls in their teens, with no
other recommendation than n prc't!
face or pretty foot, place themselves
on Nh intellectual par with men anu
women Of education.
nm sorry to make the confession.
but the truth forces It, that the depart
mcn,s arc filled with fcmalcs-crOw!-
cd, l may say, with those who serve
tho government In no other way cN-
ccpt to cmbarrass the public officials in
tho discharge Of their duties. | could
furnish the names Of scores and scores
of women, whom the heads Of depart
mcnts have tried to got rid Of for
months and years, as utterly worthless.
vet have been unable to do so owing
10 outside influences. l could furnish
thu names Of scores Of women, who do
not perf5rm on hours work per diem
for the government; not in every in
stance because they arc not unwilling
but because they do not have the work
there being too many engaged In the
same labor. In tho Office OF the comp
troller Of tho Currency, for instance,
onc.third OF the forces employed
would be quito sufficient to perform
tho labor. This is no speculation OF
nv part I know whereof affirm.
In the Post-Oftlco Department th<
law provides for fifty female clerks
and desks ARE arranged Tor thai mum
Der; yet ex-Postmaster General IAN
dali appointed ono hundred and i've
During the two weeks ilnmodiatcl!
prior to his exit, he appointed thirt!
fcrnalc clerks; and for what rcpsol
Heaven only knows, sinco nearly one
fifth OF those already employed hn'
nothingto do-nay, not even seat II
the Office. can conceive OF no earth
lvsobiect Randall had in appointing
these women, unless 1t was to embar
rass his successor.
In conclusion, I hold that women
who are competent to perform tn
same labor rs men should receive tn
same compensation, and be subject t.
the same conditions, for vtolatin:
which they should be dismissed.
Every woman employed should b.
subject to tho sauc examination q
men, and personal beauty or laxity o
morals ought not to DO o recommends
tion, AZ "a too often tho case. Tho OK
aiming board should DO women. II
order to prevent corruption Ill al On
reaus where woznc2 arc employed
thcros should Do temalo auditors.
hays an instance in my mind wher
ono malicious woman clerk caused tn
rcmoval.'of some five or six faithful
men, Amply because they refused t
lend money to her husband (?), 4
worthless biackguard, who mover pai'
his debts. / am happy to state that tn
auditor who made these removals ha
Just resigned and gonoto the West
Congress or the President ought t
afford rs como protection, If they ALLOW
rs TO occupy Offices; We ought not , It.
md mistrcsses Of members Of Congress
forced upon US, and be obliged to toll
crata their, aociety. day by day. LIE
M. Boutwell, clean out the riff-raff ant
pollution Of his department. Let hin
appoint moral and competent women
then Jet us be paid according to on
,o.r;ta Cnoh n tho earnest prayer o