New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-10

urge that Congress for once show its indie
pendence of an engineer influential IN river
and harbor appropriations. IL Capt. Eads's
plan be as fair as has been reported, let
it be adopted. If there is the remotest
| suspicion of job about it, let
it be kicked out. But if it be true that it Of
fers to do the work for less money than
any other, and asks for no money at all until
the work be done, then, if it is defeated, the
public will believe that the defeat was due
solely to the fact that it was simple, ecOnomi-
/ cal, and had no money In 1T.
YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASS0CTA TON
The meeting of the Young Women's Chris
| tian Association on Monday evening OF
last week, aud the discussion of their
proposed work, We're sufficient evidences
| of a wholesome, live enthusiasm in the
matter, and of a clear appreciation OF
the task which they had set themselves.
There are some practical difficulties, however,
in the way likely to be overlooked by amateur
phianthropists but familiar enough to the
poorer class of women who are cropping this
way and that for means to earn livelihood.
The problem at first glance seems easy of So
luton. Here are many girls and women who
must support themselves or starve who are
neither skilled seamstresses. cooks, nor laun-
dresses. The remedy apparently lies in faith
full apprenticeship to such work. Wages, we
are told. for house or kitchen work are sure
and liberal. But the factories AID mills are
also open to them, where they can earn as
sure an amount of wages, and where they
have certain amount of time absolutely
their own-a consideration which Will always
lead large proportion of young women
to prefer that employment to domestic
service. The time has not yet arrived
dc it ever WHY when women, unless
those strongly called to some special
vocation, can be made to regard work as
anything more than mallesbift; something
to procure them absolute necessities while
they pursue their way to their real GRAND in
life-marriage and motherhood. The two or
three hours in the evening when the factory
girl can put her bit of ribbon or glass pearls
about her neck and stroll out with her lover
are enough to outweigh the greater comfort
and decency of situation as cook and
wattess she is in more danger of falling, we
admit, and the closing of q mill throws her
penniless and ignorant on the street without
days warning. But she takes the risk, and
here 10 one of the practical difficulties in the
way Of those who would better her condition
which can only be met by giving to domestic
servants greater liberty of the same kind, dis
agreeable as such an alternative may appear
to housekeepers. In Philadelphia, where such
servant demands, as matter OF course, three
half days in each fortnight as absolutely her
own better class of women, we believe, are
to be found in service than could be obtained
here at the same rate of wages.
Again, it was stated that there are many
light occupations suited for women, among
which may be numbered woOd-engraving, de-
signing Of all kinds, telegraDhy, ETC., etc,
from which she is at present virtually shut
ont. owing to lack of knowledge and lack of
means TO pass through an apprenticeship to
them. A large class of rich, cultivated
women (whO also lack employment from very
different causes) propose to fill this gap, and
bring the work into their hands by industrial
and training schools. The poor widow, the
houseful of daughters of the small trades
man or gray-haired .bOOkkeeper, and above
all, the great mass Of half-grOwn, saucy,
tawdry girls who faunt their cheap fncry
about the entrances to miserable courts for
awhile, and then disappear, not unwillingly,
into darker roads, are all to be taken, taught
thoroughly some kind of head or handicraft,
and 30 fitted to earn an honest living. The
scheme il a noble and rational one, as far
as it goes but does it go far enough sWhat
chance has woman so trained to obtain
work as a wood engraver or designer, or even
"A bOokkeeper or saleswOman, save when her
ability is exceptional, and therefore. self-evi-
dent unless she first push and fight her way
for itP 1t is quite true that certain names of
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, enRravers artists-will
here suggest themselves TO all of Us, whose
hands are kept full of work, and that work as
well paid as any mans. But they take high
rank in their profession, and it is for the mass
of men and women who take average rank
| that We ever need to concern ourselves. The
facts simply are that because women are will
ing to take lower wages than men (Drobably
for inferior work. men, in these mediocre
ranges of work, shoulder them out OF the
market. Ten years ago the principal design
ing for all the wallpaper, carpets, military
work, ETC., of the great factories in Phila-
delphia was regularly supplied by women.
Now. owing to combination among the men,
there are but two or three women employed
in the city, and those of singular ability. OF
course the answer to this suggests itself. IL
women propose business they must take mp
business as men-push their way II necessary
force tho market, which is correct enough in
theory. But in practice 1t fails. Not We be-
! 81 gsa Iassas.aa osid t17 aAo @aA' "''''Au