The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-07-24
The editor Of the Cass County Republican
in an article on Work and Wages" SAYS -


in an article on Work and Wages, SAYS
at Is even better for woman that mans
wages are better than hers. When she works
for wages it is temporary arrangement during
the few wears that lie between childhood and
wifehood. Paradoxical as it may seem.
IT rs better for her that her wages are less than
marches than those OF father and husband,
by whom during nine, il not ten-tenths, OF her
life her wants are to be met"
Mr.. Burlington seems to take it for granted
that every woman has father or husband. by
whom her wants are to be met. But let him
an Massachusetts alone there are nearly fifty
thousand more women than men. Is it at all
probable thas every one Of these women have
fathers and husbands to see that their wants
are supplied We answer in the negative. Ii
euchss the case. what reason can be given why
thPir wages should not be on an equality with
man.s. if the work they perform is as remuner-
stivc to the employer?
Until within the last few years the ayocations
OF women have been so limited as to cause
great deal OF competition, consequently their
wages we're brought down to almost starvation
rates. 1t is different now; new avocations are
being daily opened to women. We lind them
engaged not only in school-teaching, dress
making and millinery, as formerly, but in Of
fees Of all kinds, as book-keepers, telegraph
operators, printers. etc. Yet they do not re-
ceive equal pay with men.
We will bring case near home, Mr.. Bufing-
ton, and suppose that your daughter, who. We
believe. is q composltor In your office. has
lerned the printing trade, that is, setting type
at the case; she has given her attention to it
Tor several years, and learned that branch OF
tho trade thoroughly. We will also suppose
that she has no father or husband, and is thrown
out in the world on her own resources. She
onters printing Office and is given case she
goes to work. sets her Six, seven or eight thou
sand day, and when Saturday night comes il
paid. She receives. perhaps, twenty-five cents
per thousand. while the tramp" by her side
receives thirty. and doubtless thirty-five cents.
Let us compare their proofs. Your daughters
has two or three and his six or eight errors in
a column. Why is hers more correct than his ?
Why does he receive better pay for poorer
work.
First, she has attended to her work all day
being careful to set each line correctly, while
he was called away every half hour to the saloon
around the corner, where he could quench his
thirst with glass OF whisky.
Second, as he requires so much stronger
drink than your daughter. he must be paid five
or ioa cents more to enable him to get it.
l. this justice? Is it right? Is it better for
your daughter that it should be SOL
10 be consistent with the reasoning Of the
Republican, women should be taxed according
aSthsy are paid,-they are paid less and Of
cour ,e should be taxed less than men.
How much the ballot will have to do with
oqu lIlzing wages we know not; one thing is
pretty certain, it will open new avenues for
WON N, 80 that when one particular branch Of
in u,tiy is over-stocked with help she, IS we'll
~ man. Gao enter some other employment, and
thus get higher wages. But, Mr.. Burlington.
You say "a woman's working power in all the
occupations that bring wages is not 30 great Is
mans, and her wages are consequently less
How was it in the case just cited? Didn't your
daughter accomplish as much in day as the
man, and do it better? His work was no
harder than hers; he worked no more hours.
10 be sure there are some occupations that re-
quuea great deal of manual labor-labor which
would be too much for woman, and also beyond
the strength Of many men. All men are not
required to go out and do heavy work, and it is
TACT that IN all the lighter trades woman il
mans equal, excepting on the question OF
wsees'-she works as many hours, accompanies