The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1874-01-09

women, who, in relation to their i'm
portant but often difficult duties, could
communicate more unreservedly with
those of their own sex, and thus MAIN
tain a better understanding with the
boards. The feminine members would,
sometimes at least, be able to protect
female teachers from the great injustice
Of smaller pay for the same service.
Maine reports that her female teachers
are paid an average of Sl3 80 per month,
while male teachers receive S33 Il per
month. Many other States make a
similar showing. II all the school
boards were composed of men and wom-
en- i'm equal, or nearly equal numbers,
We should not long continue to receive
such statistics.
Besides, we think that the admission
of women would tend TO bring into the
school boards men of better culture
men more competent to understand the
needs and direct the workings of our
school system. IL seems almost farcial
that men profoundly illiterate should,
as is often the case, be elevated to such
positions; and we believe that under the
| proposed reform, incompetent men
would rarely be eager, or even willing,
/ 10 assume such responsibilities.
Many believe that the cause OF religion
would be honored and advanced by the
unrestricted admission of qualified
women to the pulpit. The membership
of the churches consist largely OF wom-
en-. Women are by nature more devo-
tional, and have n more exalted faith
than men; and women can best compre-
hend and administer to the spiritual
wants of her own sex. Hitherto she
has, with an occasional exception, been
a ;-s.
unenlightened public sentiment; and
having been restricted from taking n
prominent part, she has meekly ac-
cepted the humber service assigned
her, and has, without much of reeogni-
tion, earnestly labored TO uphold and
advance the various religious enter
prises of the times. But recent events
would seem to indicate that some of
these barriers to her usefulness, some Of
these old prejudices, are about TO give
way. The success which has attended
the labors of Mrs. Van COtt, Miss
Smiley, Miss Newman and others, has
raised suspicion that the popular the
ory of womanis unfitness for the minis
try is untenable. At the last meeting Of
the Chicago Congressional Association
Miss Newman applied for license to
preach, and motion was made to adj
NIT her TO examination. An animated
discussion at once arose on this PROPOSE
tlon, and it was eventually sustained by
one majority.
/ In view, however, Of the newness of
the question, and TO avoid false step
! by hasty action, the whole subject was
I postponed until the fall meeting, when
the general topic will be discussed,
/ fought women TO be admitted to the
ministry" Thus We see that the world
moves.
The above proposition, whether af-
firmatively decided or not, marks an adj
vance.
In few instances women have been
admitted to practice law in the courts;
and we believe that the accession of cui-
tivated, conscientious women TO the
jury-box, the bar, and even to the
bench, would prove an uhmiXed blessing
to the legal profession, TO their clients,
and to society. Judge Hingman en-
! phatically endorses the woman Jury
system Of Wyoming, and testifies un-
J qualifiedly TO the good effects resulting
therefrOm. On the other hand, Judge
E Kent recently addressed graduating
class of law students i'm the University
OF Michigan, on the subject of "rhe De-
cline of the Legal Profession;n and in
stanced, amongst other reasons for the
assumed decline, the unworthy practices
Of idcyers IN 6rOU-Jedting ritncsscs,
and ia managing trials and the pre-
railing corruption OF Courts and Judges.
We think we have reason TO fear that
these charges are not wholly unfounded,
and we know of no better way of purg-
ing these courts of such unseemly
practices than by infusing into them a
large percentage of the feminine ele-
ment.
The medical profession presents an
admirable field for wOman's usefulness.
As there is manifest fitness in wom-
ans spiritual ministrations to woman,
so there is peculiar propriety in her
mlnistering to their physical maladies.
We think we might safely 90 further
and assert that, in very many cases,
there is an undeniable improperly in
her receiving such ministrations from
the other sex. To the credit of the
medical societies, the opposition that
first greeted woman's attempt to enter
the profession has been mainly with
drawn, and many OF the leading practi-
tiOners have extended to her the hand
of professional fellowship, and have cor
daily advocated this most salutary in
nOvation.
BY entering these higher fields Of cul-
ture and labor, we by no means intend
the abandonment of our domestic duties.
On the other hand, we propose that
these shall be better performed than ever
before.
Through scientific training and thor
ough systemizatiOn, we hope TO add
materially to the sum Of human COM
forts. And we mean TO accord to the
performance Of these most useful SER
vices higher need of honor than has
hitherto been bestowed.
The editor OF n leading New York
journal says that one of his most valued
. correspondents is girl who is not
ashamed TO hire out by the month 10 do
domestic service. We regard this case
with the utmost satisfaction, and we
predict for this noble girl worthy and
useful career. Glancing retrospectively
over the field, and comparing the
progress of our cause with other great
reforms, there seems to be abundant
reason TO be satisfied with the advance
made. In delving for truth and right,
we may still expect TO exhume an occa-
sional specimen of petrified con-
servatism. But, on the whole, we thinR
we may hopefully, cheerfully confront
the future.
The intellectual atmosphere seems
charged with liberalism. Much OF the
best talent of the country is enlisted in
our favor; and we believe that the hand
OIL the dial Of progress is rapidly ap-
preaching the hour that marks wom-
ans redemption from political nonentity
and all its resultant evils.
VALUABLE EXPERIENCE.-The Fitch
burg Mass. Sentinel, an excellent pa
per. is ooinCr To start n daily. We are