Los Angeles daily herald., 1875-04-21
A Plea for Woman.

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EDITOR HERALD: / had thought
that some sister would have replied ere
this to your little article upon female
editors. thought to be answered, and
rather than let it go by default l am
tempted to try myself. But my pen
is not at all equal to the task; / can't
begin to do justice to the subject. You
ought to have an Anna Dickinson, or
Grace Greenwood, or Gail Hamilton
hold of you for few moments, Mr..
Editor. / am inclined to think that
when you came from their hands you
would have received revelations; in
short, would be a converted man.
Now it seems to me that If there is
any one field more than another that
is open to woman aud invites her to
enter and reap, it is that of journalism.
Such women, of course, as have the
taste and capacity for something
higher than dish-washing and shirt
buttons. Surely there are occupations
enough that are practically closed
against woman. Whether from lack
of physical strength, impropriety of
associations, or what not, she is de-
barred from gaining livelihood in
many ways that are open to man.
And it is a we'll known and shameful
fact that most employments in which
she is graciously allowed to compete
with her stronger brother and "natu-
raj protector" she isl paid from twenty
to fifty per cent less than he for pre-
cisely the same service. This is true
from the hired girl and sewing woman
to the teacher and government clerk
In the offices at Washington the most
efficient female employe receives 5000
per annum, while the largest, most
good for nothing man that carries
messages gets 81, 200. But examples
are unnecessary--everybOdy knows it.
Is there any reason-mental, moral or
physical-why woman should not
| edit aAuewspaper a and do 1T well?
| Surely she has all the essential quail
tications in this triple direction. Are
brains needed? She has them, and
| Oftentimes to spare to her weak breth-
| IL
high degree? Only little training is
requisite to make her the shrewdest of
managers. Is combativeness in de-
mand? She has the hump handsomely
developed. Is perseverance neces-
sary? She beats man all to pieces for
sticking to her point. Is firmness de-
sirable? Gibraltar is not more" set
in its Ways than woman whose
mind is made up. Let me quote:
"When woman will, she WilL,n etc.
So you think woman might edit a
child's paper or journal of fashion
but would have her pen to steer clear
of politics. And why, pray? Surely,
not because the political puddle has
no need OF publication. Rather the
contrary, perhaps. 1t is too filthy for
woman's purity to be soiled with.
That is the old argument against
| female suffrage. Because, forsooth, a
woman might have to march to the
polls by the side of bad man, she
must not deposit her ballot at all. Who
thinks of the thousands of pure and
noble women cbainedfor life to drunk
ards, or worse, whose votes, with their
sisters, might bring in time that re-
ceive ifffah fi6hm fhIiifX IiiSXnc can never hope to re-
But this is not the question. We
are not sure that woman suffrage
would be- just the thing. But if they
can't'vote they can write; and in the
name of justice let them write, and
upon any and all subjects they please.
Let them teach their husbands and
brothers how to vote. The corruption
/ Of the last decade is ample proof that
some such teaching is sadly needed
LUDUs.