The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-10-02
Massachusetts, surplus of women.

Some Of our so-called political econo-
msts are Of opinion that the chief cause OF
the widespread financial ana commercial
depression which for the last three years
has uuintciIuptedly prevailed throughout
the country, was over production in every
line of business, and in every branch OF
trade. Unfortunately, over production has
not been confined to manufactured goods.
Massachusetts, finds herself just at present
laboring under all the difficulties inciden-
tai to, and inseparable from, an actually
existing and constantly increasing plethora
of women. The surplus of women III Mas
sachusetts, or rather of women and girls,
which was $1,000 in 1870 was last year
something more than 5000, the whole
number Of males in the state being 79l,3s3,
md OF females s57,520.
Tho raising of young women for "school
marms,' literary, and moral purposes, has
always been a lavorte branch Of industry
IN the "Old Bay state" The country
at large looked to Boston, the great
distributing centre, for its annual sup
ply of them. other Eastern states,
Rhode Island, Now Hampshire, ana Con-
nectout had vainly attempted to com
business. Nothing but the genuine article,
stamped with the wel-known Boston trade
mark, would pass current in the markets
of the great West. How many Western
Senators aud members of Congress owe
their education and success in life to the
teachings aud moral principles inculcated
ut a very early age by the " Yankee school
marin, Will never he known. While we
cannot always commend the doctrines up
held by those ladies who advocate what
are called womeu's rights" we cheerful
ly acknowledge the great good which has
been worked by tho Yankee schoolmis-
tress. Even during flush times, the
supply Of young women in Massachu-
sets somewhat exceeded the demand.
Those who were forced 10 remain at
home were attached TO the stan of the
IucAiic NoHMy magazine, which had
been established with view to fostering
native talent and providing conpcuial oc-
cupatlon for literary ladies of ali ages and
conditions. The enormous pressure on the
columns of the magazine, under the con-
stautly increasing numbers of female con-
tributors, greatly impaired Its usefulness,
Hui ilLally rcsultcd in a change which set
SONIC thousands Of young women, Of ac-
kuowlodgcd literary abilities, adrift III
Boston and its vicinity.
This is the present situation Of a
large portion OF the surplus female pop
ulation of Massachusetts,. The ques-
ton is. What shall we do with them
IL il one of the gravest problems of
the day. IL demands immediate ntten-
ton, inasmucb IL. according 10 the latest
statistics, the over production of women
still continue. and the surplus - steadily
increasing. The best brains in Boston are
now engaged in endeavoring To- remedy u
state OF affairs which seriously threatens
the pros perity Of the Commonwealth. An
outlet must be found in some direction.
Another alarming feature in connection
with this surplus of women. IL the marked
decline i'm the number of marriages OF late
years Since the panic OF 1873 the matr-
monial market has been unpreccdentedly
duh. Prices OF costly dry goods have been
marked down even below ante-hollum
rates, without finding takers. Young wo-
men cannot, under our present system OF
law, be put up AT auction and knocked
down 20 the highest bidder. No amount
OF diplomacy viii, in these days, induce Il
possible matrimonial candidate to hastily
declare his Intentions We would, how
ever. suggest a visit to Massachusetts to all
those contemplating marriage. before max
ing a permanent investment elsewhere. If
they cannot choose a suitable hclpmate
from among the surplus gus Of the old
Bay state, they must De indeed hard 10
please; but let them beware Of the Widow
BUILER.