The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-04
wOman's Fitness for Office Work.

: which will doubtless excite in the
> minds greater or less degree of nteres
To the multitude daily absorbed in th
: great battle of life, the suggestion wi
: be measureably new; to the few, a N
: cessity thought of between time in wa
more or less vague, but question, ono
entertained, that will not down; to al
this question, whether it shall have al
rested the readers attention for the frs
time or have been considered as just in
innate, will command itself as worthy O
2 serious consideration: "Shall new ayt
nues of honorable employment be ope
ed up to womenf
! do not pretend to be the apant courie
in the presentation of this vital inquir,
to our people, although | confess, wit
pardonable gladness of heart, that it ha
been pressing itself upon my thought
! for several years past. Atintervals, res
ponding to my convictions, | have en-
deavored to throw out a seasonable word
here and yonder, in advocacy of tht
affirmative of the interrogatory pro
pounded.
The proposed departure is in the ma
ture of revolution and time has beer
recognized as necessary to, and depended
on for, juncture at which to inauguratS
a public and general discussion of the
question.
1t is new to US of the South. 0ul
civilization and circumstances prior tc
1865 rendered it unnecessary that any
such question should be for a moment
considered. In those days, as in these
woman was.set upon pedestal to be
admired and lOved-praise- -worthyily re-
garded as the embodiment of all that
was and is virtu9us, true and beautiful.
Hat in hand, | bow low in honor of that
trait in the fathers; l would have that
trait assiduOusly cultivated and devel-
oped. But, whilst honoring and emu
lating the fathers, we must recognize the
situation as it is and adjust ourselves to
the urgent demands Of the occasion. The
day is passed, if indeed, it ever existed,
| when the limit of a wOman's ambition
should be marriage; or that every
woman, regardless of her intellectual
make up, should be restricted to what
are denOminated domestic duties" or
that every woman, regardless of her
qualifications for more remunerative and
healthful employment, should ne limited
" bAAN hCCuIC ttAC ulCduS WACIcU4 W
earn her daily bread.
The writer yields to no man in a sin
sere and pure-minded admiration of every
true. woman, whether clad in calico or in
satin, hence he would be as slow as the
slowest to thrust women unnecessarily
forward into the business world; never,
never into the world of politics.
More than ever before in the history
of our beloved section, hundreds of
women are dependent for support on
their own exertions. Very, very many,
running a sewing machine all the day
long and oft-times far into the night,
find it difiult to do more than keep
dust of meal in the barrel and a little |
oil in the cruise. Pray what shall they
do but sew or teach? Are not both |
these professions, if you please, over
crowded? What other avenues are
open? You answer that sales ladies are |
employed by some merchants and that |
girls find work in our book binderies and |
paper box factories. Yes, few are
thus employed, and they make faithful |
and pains taking employees. They may
stand anxiously. waiting for employ. |
ment. There are, however, scores of
ladies, middle aged and young, whose
education is of a character to qualify |
them for responsible positions in in
surance and factory Offices; in banks
and in lawyers offices; as book-keepers,
confidential clerks and private secreta-
ries.
The writer believed this to be true
Three years ago, he determined to test
his belief. A young lady entered his
office, the work of which latter requires
judgment, and executive
ability. She did well, but retired |
after time because she did not like the
work. ! then invited an honor graduate
of one of our best female colleges to take
the position. She accepted and for
one year kept the books, aided me with
the correspondence, received and dispos-
tied all moneys, drew checks and atten
ded to all bank bushes. She quickly
and proved herself equal to tevery emer
gency that rose in the perplexing duties
of the Office. On certain occasion, whilst
was en- route North, advice was receiv-
ed at my Office that powerful offort was
being made to annul a five year old con-
tract which | had made with corpora
ton in a neighboring State, and which
involved large interests to my house.
The young lady grasped the situation,
instantly wired me "on the wing"
forwarded the documents by mail, and
from Philadelphia was enabled to de-
feat the scheme of my opponent. But
for the judgement and promptness of my
clerk, the work of weeks would have
gone for naught. On another occa-
sion, while / was in Atlanta, / wired
parties North on an important matter
of business. By mistake they answered
me by telegraph at Augusta. My clerk
repeated the telegram to me
at Atlanta, and thus saved time and
business. That young lady was in
charge of my Office one year, when
she withdrew for the purpose of devoting
months to special study North. have
yet to trace an error she committed or
discover a mistake she made. She was
succeeded by another bright young
lady, who faithfully and acceptably
the duties of the office until
elected to position in one of our lead
ing schools She in turn, was succeeded
by the young lady in charge at this
writing. The latter has kept the books
and attended to all bank matters. She
has proved herself apt, full of resources,
and most efficient. My experience has
confirmed me in the opinion entertained
that women are quick to apprehend the
duties of any position to which they are
and for which, by education,
they may be qualified. They have ap-
plication, honesty, persistency, judg
word all the requisites. They
are not tteye servants" Young ladies
rapidly master the typewriter and can,
as rapidly become proficient in stenO-
graphy. Thus equipped, they are in posi-
ton to deserve and command good sala-
fies.
Some one inquiries: Should a young
lady take position in an Office as indi-
catedT' answer: "Why notF' Her
presence will have purifying, elevating
effect upon the Office atmosphere and
surroundings, and she viii discharge the
duties of the position, to which she may
be called, with fidelity and accuracy.
There are, moreover, those who are
IN their desire for positions of
the kind mentioned, less by stern neces-
sity than by spirit of independence
and q laudable ambition to improve to
the highest point possible, the talents
God gave them Rich in their moral
and intellectual womanhood, they feel
they cannot afford to stand all the day
idle. Why should they Be denied the
opportunities they seek opportunities
by which they would exalt the virtues
and capabilities of their sex7 It Is be-
cause society might be disposed to debaF
and exclude them from circle in which /
they may be accustomed 70 move7
Society that would resort to that course
il lightly to be regarded; it is society sO-
called.
Let the departure be taken, and a new
avenue to honorable living will be |
opened to 8 large number Of fhororghly /
qualified ladies, ii this city and State, |
and Throughout the South, each Of |
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