The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-01-02
Pecuniary Dependence.

'NOt until Gail HamiltOn's work en-
titled 'Womanis Worth and Worthless
ness is Tefuted, can / believe in Woman
Suffrage" says one Of our lady friends.
''She shows so plainly that wOman's
proper position is one Of dependence,
that unless l can be convinced that she
is wrong can never believe it right for
woman to be placed in so independent
position as this would give her"
"What does Gail say ?n we asked.
"This," she replied, pointing to the
following assertions: ITO be obliged to
support herself is a wOman's misfOr-
tune. Peeuniary dependence, degrad-
ing to meU, is not only not undignified,
hut is the most thoroughly dignified
condition for women
How does she prove these asser-
tions >" we inquired.
"She does not need to prove them, we
all know they are true" was ourfriend's
prompt reply.
Then the woman who is not depend
eut upon some man for every dollar,
dime and penny she needs, occupies an
undiguified and inferior position
What a mistake Lady Burdett Coutts
made when she decided 10 use her i'm
meuse fortune in benefting her country
and cOuntrymen by carrying out her
great philanthrOpic and charitable
enterprise, instead Of giving it to some
man, and becoming his dependent. Had
she known that the only thoroughly
dignified condition for woman is "peeu-
mary Dependence she would certainly
have acted otherwise.
How dignified must the wife of the
wealthy man feel when poor man or
woman IN need comes to her for aid, and
she is compelled to say she canH..t give
help because her husband has all the
money. When this same wife nf IT,
wealthy man, being asked to heIr in
some good enterprise, and one she would
be glad TO aid in promoting, knows she
cannot do so, because she has no money
she can call her own, do you believe Sue
thinks she occupies very high DO
sitiOu? She knows that the woman
who earns her daily bread by sewing,
cooking, washing or teaching, is more
independent aud better able 20 give than
She
Doubtless Gail Hamilton would feel
much more dignified asking her cousin,
Senator Blaine, for every dollar she need
sue, than being able TO take it from her
own pocket without anybody's permis-
sion.
That is what it is to he in a mans
pocket. If only the dollar could sneak
aud tell what an houOrit is to be demos
tied in a mans pocket, instead ofa wom-
ans, would not those ambitious women
who are striving for independence learn
a lesson?
Aud what a misfortune that one hund-
red thousand teachers should be obliged
to receive money for what they do, in
stead Of working every hour of the day
and being supported 10y some man And
what misfortune that women by
hundreds Of thousands are earning hon
orable and good wages, thus enabling
them to provide for parents and chill
dren, instead of being dependent for a
I living on the bard earnings Of men!
There are nearly two millions Of
women in the United States who are
compelled to make their own living out
side OF home.
The last census Of Massachusetts
shows that nearly two hundred tbou-
sand womeniu that State are supporting
themselves without help from father.
husband, son or brother. Five hundred
and ten thousand women in that same
state report themselves as engaged in
some honorable occupation, and only
one hundred and six ladies' in the wboie
state! Only one hundred and sfv
women who are willing to admit that
they occupy the dignified position Of a
pecuniary dependent.
When so many women have to make
their own living, would it not be as wise
to teach them the true dignity Of labor {?
Would II not be better to strive to create
a public sentiment which would make
It honorable for women to work, than to
try to make them feel humfliated and
degraded? Should it not be the desire
Of all to make the way a. easy as possi-
ble for them
'Yes," plainly answered our friend.
Well, the enfranchisement OF women
will DO this. study the matter and
learn the truth -Matilda HiRdBlGR, i1l
Denrcr (CoL) Mirror.