, 1874-08-02

| preference would make worBe wives aud moth
| crs? If SO, he ia FREQ to choose the other sort
N. a. 5.
women in Eusiness-Lifce
| To The Editor OF The Chicago Tribune:
STE: One Of the city papers OF Thursday las
| makes suggestion in its editorial columns Will
reference to ladies' being employed in the Variou'
City and County offices. Circuit and Count,
Clerks offices, City Collectors Office, ETC., pro
yided those can be found worthy and competent
We feel to express our thanks for this eugges
ton. We cannot, however. indoree tho sweep
ing and satirica1 assertions with reference tt
woman's enterprise aud ability generally. VIZ
know that they are based upon q misapprehen
sion OF the facts, and, although perhaps apply
ing to that small class Of young ladies. donomi.
mated exclusive and aristocratic, 4" who toll not
neither do they spin, and who are d nuisance
to themselves and to society, it must DO 1cnlem.
barred that this claes are in the minority That
there are thousands Of brave heroic girls in this
city, who are
COMPETENT, WORTHY, AND WILLING
TO work, We know of our own knowledge. Many
of them have, by their own exertions, secured
for themselves a thorough, practical education,
end are maintaining themselves md those de-
pendent upon them lonoraby and we'll. They
are refined, cultivated girls, who conduct them
selves With dignity aud seIf-respect. Many girls,
owing to the ourtailing OF expenses on the part
OF large business. firms, have been discharged,
and aro now out Of employment, unnble to find
anything to do Scarcely week passes TINT NC
do not receive call from come girl or woman
absolutely begging for work. We have found
nearly all OF them to be thoroughly respectable,
competent. and worthy, and almost invariably
their Ee1lmauslip exceQont. They arc girls who
1uuEt support thenlBelves or Btaryc. They tell uB
that they are constantly met by the response,
s'wE DO NOT EMPLOY LADIES,
or We do not transact business with ladies" +"
That those who refuse tuem employment do SO
on the ground Of sex, and not Oh the ground Of
Llcon pt tfHcy.
There is still more or less of discussion as to
the propriety or otherwise Of ladies' entering the
trades aud professions But the discussion Ii
not characterized by that spirit OF doubt or hesi-
tancy which formerly marked any suggestion az
to womans maintaining herself by any hDuora-
bic profession, occupation. or employment. The
world has come to regard the question as one of
fitness capahility, competency, aud not one Of
sex. And, from all honorable and candid per
souB, these women Of our city who have entered
upon businees-life, and attended to that busi-
ness strictly and in detail, have met with gener-
Gus encouragement. Women III the trades and
professions are no longer IN experiment, but
recognized reality. They have compelled the re-
spect OF their competitors when the odds were
fcarfully against them and with but little if uuy
aid from their OWL sex, because women have not
been long enough in business to afford employ
nleut to any largo number. They have not been
Judged By the Same standard With men, but by
holler, pu1or, better standard; and VIC feel that
we can say with just pride that
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN FOUND WANTING.
True it is that there have been exceptions, sad
md melancholy ones, and We aro deeply grIeyed
that they exist; but there good aud bad iu
both sexes, and in al conditions Of life.
We have ever been proud OF Chicago for her
generosity toward those WHO arc struggling,
but.ling. toiing, for fame aud fortune grateful
for the generous recognition she ever accords to
truo merit aud sterling worth, whcthor that
worth be cushrined il masculine or feminine
form. Therefore no Layo been surprised to
learn from these girls who depend upon salary
for their maintenance. that they arc met with
the 11umiliating protext and refused employment
bccauEc they are ladies. Wc have heard Of this
pretc1t often that VIC see no reason to doubt
the truth OF tho statement TINT it exists. and,
much against our inclination, compelled to
admit tia: there does exist ciaas of individuals
enough to cling to this souse!ess,
unjust, and ne had thought
EXPLODED PREJUDICE;
. prejudice which insults not only our Own sex,
but also tho better class OF mon, by rejecting
1,pou them 60 dishonorable sentiment. It is
m outrage, III view Of the bravo work which our
have accomplished in and for
Chicago. One instance cnme under our personal
observation where q buslness-hrm refused to
transact business with a lady Of acknowledged
worth and ability, and who has been member
Of the business fraternity for moro than eight
ycars,-eaving that, while they recognized her
integrity and ability, ~ 1t is not custom to
transact business with ladies'"
Now, while these gentlemen will not deal with
ladies'. the ladies' propose to deal with thom AZ
they deeerve. VIC reaiize the responsibility Of
our position: We propose to conform strictly to
all honorable rules of business life; to deal
fairly and square!y; to be prompt and truthful
to meet our engagements. We propose to meet
the business-oonlmunitv On strict business
ground. We arc conscious Of certain rights.
and they shall not be infringed. Those who at
tempt to trample upon those rights may end that
they
CANNOT DO SO WITH IMMUNITY.
We will tolerate no ''wavs that ase dark" OF
" tricks that aro vain" We bolioye that the
" Golden Rule" can he made part OF our busi-
and do unto Others as you would
that others should do unto you" is the motto
enshrincd in our heartS. We do no. ask f5f
chiyalry. We do not presume upon gonerosity
We propose to etand on our merits. We ask but
impartial justice II complaints are to be made,
let them be based upon incompetency, not upon
Eex. We are tired Of this slckly santimeu:aliey
which would it:in have us believe that y voman's
life is I'll poetry End romaace. 1t will do very
well for sentimental lovers to talk about and
troons:r1.ck poets to write about. but tho world
has never yet produced woman who could SUBJ
sist on poetry and romance alone. They are not
ethereal but That. like other nortals they re-
quire bread and butter. Bread and b1t:er must
ie earned, and. the. only honorable way to esru
it is to work We want no more ta1.s about '.rc
Will not transact business with laIies :" but. if
you refuse employment, sa3 that it is because of
1Lcompctcncy, aud then We shall E.ow hGw to
meet you
We hare written this article on behalf of that |