The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-01-05
ASSERTION VS., FACT.


Assertion is one thing, fact another;
and that the latter is SO often Overshad-
owed by the former is attributable only |
TO the vaunting, loud-voiced protesta-
tIons of the one and the reticence of the
other. We heard it asserted but q short
time ago that women always had and
always would fail in their competition
with men in the work by custom
assigned to the latter. OF course any
one who reads and observes should
know better than this, for skilled wom-
en- have in numberless instances dis
proved 1t. This is especially so in many
Of the lighter occupations that require
skill and application rather than
strength. What, for instance, is there
to prevent a woman of ordinary capa-
bility from excelling as a matchmaker
and jeweler? Clearly nothing but op-
portunity to pursue the calling at reg
ular apprenticeship just as men do.
Examples always put theories in the
background, and these in this particular
branch of business are to be met with.
A young lady, Miss Ellen Fletcher, has
established herself in this business in
Charlestown, New Hampshire, who
learned her trade by three years ap-
premiership and has successfully pur-
sued it for five years, doing fine me-
chanical work with her own skilled
hands.
In another channel of business we see
it recorded that Miss Boyle, Of Phoenix
vile, Chester county, Penn, is a mem
Der of an extensive dry goods firm, and
that they have recently added restau-
rant and bakery to their business and
send their bread throughout the coun-
try for miles around. 1t is further stated
that Miss Boyle's bread is of so excel
lent quality that she has almost a mo-
nopoly of the trade and can scarcely
supply the demand.
OF the women physicians whose skill
and practice refute the assertion that
women can do nothing outside of the
old "sphere routine" it is needless to
speak. Their name is legion, and their
skill and success established in hundreds
of instances. Wa will cite but single
case in point:
DR.. Mary Kenton, of Venice Center, Cayuga
county, New York, has achieved success in hel
profession after years of struggle, OF which any
one might we'll be proud. Discouraged 10y
friends and relatives, she persisted in the study
of medicine, obtaining the means to graduate
| by teaching, for which she had no specia
/ adaptation. Having obtained her diploma anC
settled in her native town, she has established
in two years so large practice in mid-wifer!
as to rouse the jealousy of older physicians
Her success in such cases, and also in femal
diseases Of all kinds, speaks for itself as to he
ability, and the preference of women to be al
tended by woman. When she commence
practice she was ignorant of driving. But nov
she is able TO start out on the darkest nigh
alone Her practice has enabled her TO pay u
her debts, buy horse and carriage, keep bo
10 take care OF them, and go TO the Centennia
She is a member of the Medical Association q
Auburn, New York.
So long as instances like these aboun
and can be we'll established, there
small danger of driving women VIII
have to work for a living, and have be
come skilled in a trade or profession
back to the drudgery of kitchen labo
and its attendant meagre pay by tn
shout of "sphere," "strong- minded,
woman's work." ETC., etc. Assertio
with brazen front may continue 10 pla
upon popular prejudices and lose sigh
of truth and justice, but facts, SUI
ported by examples becoming CONSTANT
more numerous, will in due time silenC
much that now passes current for W
, and wisdom.