Oregon Republican. [volume] (Dallas, Or.) 1870-1872, 1871-01-07
DALLAS. OREGON. SATURDAY. JANUARY 7. 1871.

man in contemplating the fact that
should he ever be deprived of his
wealth or power to support his daugh-
ter, she will be dependent on no stran>
gers bounty, and may even be able to
return to him share of what he has
50 libersllly-and with no snch thought
--bestowed upon her.
Everybody knows that this is no iso-
lated case, for everybody's personal ex-
perience can furnish its duplicate many
times repeated, The fact n. there il no
woman OF proper spirit who can afford
30 be wholly dependent upon another
man or for the victuals she
eats, the clothes shc wears, and the
money she spends; and 80 / will say
what / aimed to say at the start-that
the reason why women 80 degrade
themselves in their own right is because
they have not the courage TO do right.
II is common but very foolish CON-
plaint on the part of women that they
have no chance In competition with
men for clerkships, rs book keepers,
DC. The only reason why this is so, if
it is. is because they are not competent
to do the work, and will not prepare
themselves. A young man usually earns
his clerkship by a three or four years
apprenticeship as shop. boy, runner, and
general utility work-an apprenticeship
which is invaluable in its training quail
tiles, aud which no girl can be expected
10 accomplish. There are plenty of
positions. however, attainable by res
pectable young ladies without this se-
we're ordeal, and requiring only the
preliminary education in accountants
ship, and yet the comparatively small
number of young ladies who will even
spend a few months TO acquire this
necessary knowledge is astonishing.
Something more than a year ago, |
offered to educate for business fifty
women, of whatever age or condition,
who should come well recommended.
and with the purpose to nse the know
ledge they might acquire in n proper
way. Before making this offer, | called
on n Number of business men, who
agreed to employ, in appropriate posi-
tions any well qualified woman might
send them. This offer was published
extensively throughout the country,
and was favorably commented upon by
editors everywhere, and yet, although
/ have kept the offer open to this time.
not more than ten ladies' have availed
themselves of the offer. and none of
these have had the courage or persist
ence to complete course of instruc-
ton. or TO remain until qualified for
position.
It is very wrong to presume that
there rs a prejudice against employing
women in clerical positions. know of
many excellent houses in this city
where good female accountants would
be welcomed, and in not a few would
be preferred to males. But what il
wanted is absolute qualification for the
position, and willingness TO do the
duties.
Ilearn that Peter Cooper is about to
extend his benefcence to cover the
preparation of women for clerical posi-
tions. trust he will do so, and that
some of those poor, starving needle
women, who are scarcely able to
keep body and soul together, may
be able to avail themselves Of his
kindness sufficiently 60 obtain more
suitable employment and better wages
and then / trust that fathers who are
blessed with daughters having brains
and physical strength will ask them
selves what their heavenly gifts are
for, and govern themselves accordingly.
More than any military man in his.
orv The Kinc 0f Prussia I'm noaad for.