The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-08-27
NEEDS OF WORKING GIRLS.

We have just finished reading in a
popular magazine a paper upon the
trials, difficulties, temptations, hopes,
aspirations and needs of workiDg-girls,
that iily-remunerated class who swarm
our great cities, and especially ourgreat
manufacturing towns. Among all the
needs which beset their rough pathway,
the need of suitable homes wherein TO
repose when day and its labors are done
is theamost- keenIy felt, aud the least
likely to be remedied.
The writing of the article mentioned
was suggested by the experience of its
author in endeavoring to secure an eligi-
bic boarding-place for young girl who
was engaged as clerk in store. OF
course boarding-place must be found
"within her means" The city was
secured, friends and strangers appealed
to, but all to no purpose. The comforts
of home commanded a price that
would more than swallow up the modest
wages of the girl-clerk. "Board within
her means" meant a cold, cherries,
scantily fourth or fifth story,
with three or four room-mates, place
to sleep in, with privilege of coming to
the table-nothing more.
This girl did not belong to the strong
minded sisterhood. No; she earned her
living, as do thousands of others, simply
because she had to, and because matri-
mony, the only safe harbor for women,
had not opened its friendly port to her
storm-tossed bark. No; she was the
weakest of the weak sisterhood, and had
this port been open, she would doubtless
have taken shelter therein, provided an
anchor could be found that would secure
her from all necessity-from self-exer-
ton. Meanwhile, the port thus far
remained stubbornly closed, and she
must have u temporary abiding place,
and this it seemed impossible for her to
secure "within her means"
This picture is one the reality of which
is found in hundreds, if not in thousands
of cases. The great need of working
girls is warm, cheerful rooms, with
kindly recognition in the family circle;
but the great problem is how they are
to obtain it.
Society, for the ban it places upon
girls who must toll certain number of
days in order to meet the constantly-re-
curing question of "what shall we eat,
and what shall we drink, and where
withal shall we be clothed ?" is respon-
sible for the stigma attached to honest
labor; the unjust and most obnoxious
custom of paying laborers according to
! their sex rather than their deserts is
largely guilty. Charity working girls
do not want; they simply want justice.
They want first of all, however, to be so
educated in their various branches OF
business that they can rightfully earn
wages better than they now receive, and
having earned them, let them be fairly
paid. Homes these girls want, not
spelled with pretentious capitals that
mark their inmates as the recipients OF
charity, but quiet and pleasant aud un-
ostentatious homes, where they can
keep themselves pure and good, bless
ing instead of reproach to their employ
ment and their sex.
This class of young women are grow
ing more numerous each year. The
number of women who must be self-sup-
porting each day increases. Public
sentiment is rapidly changing in regard
to labor for women. 1t we would see
working-girls develop into capable and
energetic working-women, and these
honor and exalt womanhood by giving
becoming dignity and remuneration to
the labor of women, they should have
the fairest chance to do the best that
they can do.