Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-10-28
EMILY FAITHFUL.
womas's Rirh,. In America.

lowing letter to the editor OF the London
Times:
SIR; Judging from the remarks
made on the subject at the Bradford aud
Norwich Congresses, tine idea is toler-
ably prevalent that women in the United
States can adopt with ease any profes-
sion for which they are qualified. / con-
fess that about year ago started for
the United States, on my inquiry into
the condition Of women and children,
fairly imbued with some such notion.
Eight months tour through America and
conversations with the Presidents OF
Harvard, Cornell, and Michigan Uniyer-
stiles. Professor Agassiz, Henry Ward
Beecher. Gen. Oliver (Chief of the Mas
sachusetts Labor Bureau, Senator Sum
ner, DR.. Bellows, Mrs. Stanton, Lucretia
Mott, etc., fairly dispelled it 1t lis quite
true that female doctors with more or
less Of recognized degree) abound in
America; in nearly every city found
more than one in excellent practice and
repute; in one denomination the clergy
woman has received due ordination,
though she is still somewhat OF rdrG
apis. Four or FIVE ladies have secured
footing in the legal profession, and there
is scarcely newspaper staff in the Uni.
ted States which does not include one
or more AS bona iide reporters, inter
viewers, or critics. Thousands, Of
course, iind occupation in teaching aud
the usual industrial occupation, hun
dreds as watchmakeTs, printers and tele-
graph clerks others have obtained post
masterships, so eagerly sought after in
the United States, and some have en-
tered the Government Offices at Wash
ington. But Englishwomen must not
hastily arrive at the conclusion that be.
cause OF these things their Transatlantic
sisters are free from all the distractions
of which they complain. IL is true that
there is no class in America answering
TO our unfortunate gOvernoss class, but
the women there, as here, arc complain
ing of unequal pay, in fact, said my
friend, Grace Greenwood, We live by
suferancc. Take the Treasury clerks,
Tor example they were admitted by Sal
mon p. Chase and Edwin NJ. Stanton,
thanks to the exigencics OF the civil
war was told OF Miss NJ. G., who
does the work OF $1,000 clerk for sal
AIRY of $500; Mrs. L., performing the
duties for which man would receive
$500, being a woman, gratefully accepts
half. In the Internal Revenue there is
lady who, ior nine years, has held a
responsible position, and ls, by the
admission OF more than one Commits
sioner, the ablest clerk in the de-
partment, yet she receives the almost
traditional government pay OF 5000,
and has TO see boys she has her
self instructed in the simplest
duties placed over her head. In the
Government printing office 25O women
arc receiving from 81 per day TO 5000
per year. In New York, at the Western
Union Telegraph Company, the female
although her ability is
iudisputable, receives considerably
lower salary than would be offered TO
man under the same circumstances.
" A warm discussion has been carried
on during the last few months about the
inequality in the salaries paid TO male
and female teachers, which is felt as a
great injustice to American women. In
short, | do not fear to say that | found
the demand on the other side OF the AT.
lantic--for equal education, equal wages,
edual opportunities, in word, an equal
chance in lile-very much like our own.
And as for female suffrage, can assure
your readers that in Bosom, Philadel-
phia and New York | was surrounded
by people who regarded it with an aver
sion which would be grateful to the |
hearts of Mr.. Bouyerie, Mr.. Beresford
Hope, and the bitterest of English OPP
ponents of that measure. In short,
there seems to be yet an opportunity
for an honorable rivalship, in seeing
which country shall first rate woman's
work at its true valne