Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-08-16
WOMEN AS NATIONAL CLERKS.

Perhaps nothing has been done to make
publicly known and appreciated the adapta-
| bility of women for business than their en-
ployment in the national offices. Secretaries
Lincoln and Teller are arousing Indignation
among the sex just now by refusing to ap-
point them TO any of the clerkships recently
provided for by Congress, and we may expect
to hear of many denunc1ations being dealt
out by the advocates of woman's right to en-
ployment. 1t is understood that the Offend
ing secretaries say the positions to be filed
are such that men will in every way be more
suitable. We apprehend that the excuse
will be viewed as no less wrong than the
offense, for it will be claimed that, with care
in making selections, women can be found
fully able to discharge any duties consistent
with their sex and their physical strength,
Since women were first employed in
our public offices there has been
ample time and opportunity to Judge of
their qualities and powers workers. In
the light of this experience it is now
claimed on the one side, that on the whole,
in the words of the New York Post, ''men
are more reliable and steady workers than
women; that the women are kept away from
their desks by indisposition much more fire.
quently, and, therefore, give lower average
of time TO the government; that they are
usually fitted only for certain kinds of
duties and will fail in the discharge of
others; that j: is more difficult to keep
them in good discipline; that they are more
frequently, more persistently, and more I'M
reasonably asking for favors and indul- |
gences; that many OF them apt inces- |
sanity to trouble their superior officers by |
bringing down upon them men OF influence,
such as congressman and prominent politi- |
81 .has- 60 80
to protect them against the consequences of |
their neglect of duty or other shortcomings; |
and, finally, that the presence of so many |
women in the departments has given |
occasion to much intrigue aud scandal
Also that the original reason for employing |
women In government service no longer ex-
lists, there no husbands and fathers |
absent from war, while there are now few
soldiers widows and orphans unprovided for |
who are in condition for Office work. On
the other hand, it is very confidently asserted |
that there are things in the departments that
women can do better than men, and many /
other things quite as well. They prove to
be excellent copyIsts, and as counters and
sorters nothing can beat their nimb.e fingers,
sure eyesight and general correctness. Where
the duties require some degree of legal
knowledge and mathematical ability, and |
where the formation of Judgment, decision
in contingencies, and the use Of the reasoning |
power is requisite, men, on the average, show
more fitness than women. There have been |
women, however, who have proved to be eff
Gent accountants, examiners of claims, and
keepers of books and records. With places
IN these lines OF business open TO women,
and where applicants are subjected to exam
ination and probation as to ability, there
would be greater turning of educa-
Ilonal study by women to subjects
that would give the necessary intelli-
gence In the speciaities required. What
some women have proved their entire
capacity TO perform In some OF the depart |
ments, many more would qualify themselves
Tor when the inducement for them to do 20
was in existence. In short, it is strongly
claimed that the experience of the public |
offices proves that If all is open to women |
as to men, under the same responsibilities |
and discipline, there are few if any points in
which women would be found to fail more
han men. Women, when custom has
adapted them to their duties, are as health
hi as men and less dissipated. Troublesome
ness in asking favors will disappear when
good rules are fairly administered, as the
,verseers of various manufactures will tes-
Ify. To discipline, firmly and kindly con-
iucted, women are fully as amenable as men.
tlrmness in the heads of departments would
top the interference Of congressman, aud
prevent other abuses that would exist with
he men as much az the women, if allowed.
| he subject will be much discussed, and we
hInk the women have made too strong a | :
mark for them TO come off second best in the !
controversy.