Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-06-04

ployed, and proceed to give the results.
At some of them work is performed
which is in its nature unqucstionaoly
proper to feminine taste and delicate
handling; in others they share en-
ployment with man and in occupations
which, until lately, were followed ex-
clusively by males. Composition, or
the setting of type, is one OF these.
Your correspondent visited two large
offices, at which quite opposite opia-
ions were given as to the desirability
of females US compositors.
WHAT THEY CAN Do, AND " HAT THEY
CANNOT DO THERE.
The testimony of the head of a large
printing-ofiice and the first one visited,
is embodied in the following passages
from conversation between him and
your representative
"What is your experience, Mr.
with female compositors %
81 have no hesitation in saying that
they set type as well and as fast as
men. This [ know from the payroll
You know the work is paid entirely
by piece, and | find that the women
earn as much as the men, which means
that they work as many hours, and
set with equal accuracy and speed.
But of course their employment is linn
tied to such jobs as do not require the
muscular strength which, as you see,
is among the necessities in printing
office
Your representative eye dwelt
upon the figures of two sturdy men,
one pulling and one pushing a huge
form along the floor of the job room.
Before bidding the good-natured
printer good morning, that gentleman
expressed the opinion that considera-
bly, more scope could be found for wo.
| mans work in his business. and ex.
pressed the hope that means would be
adopted to teach girls, as boys are
taught. not only to set from "plain'
copy, but from copy consisting of ta
bles and SO forth, needing a variety Of
fonts and rules, and an educated taste
"But so far said he in parting, 81
don't see any movement in the trade
looking towards this desirable exten
sion of woman's usefulness in the com
posing and jobbing room"
| AS COMPOsITORs.
A call upon another leading printer
resulted in q report less satisfactory
to the ladies and their friends.
The bluntly expressed answer to thu
same comprehensive question witt
| which the above conversation opened
| was:
Females are nuisance in print
ing-ofiice."
"WiIl you kindly give your reasons
for this conclusion p
when working with men it SEEM
impossible to keep them from flirting
They are inclined to talk and will talk
while men will work quietly all da,
! long. Women will talk and nothin:
can stop them. A man learns trad
to work at it for a lifetime, but al
women expect to get married and d.
not manifest the same interest as mer
in their work on account of this ex
pectation. pay my girls the SAM
rates as men, but on the average the
earn only half as much as men. / fint
besides, that tits useless to expec
them to work ten hours day as mel
do. They seem not to be capable o
the same concentration of miHd upol
their work as men are. and their at
tention soon gives out.
"Bat You employ female compost
tors, Mr.. -
"Yes, ] do. One of them have
| the granddaughter Of the woman wit
whom [ boarded when | was q jour
neyman; one is the daughter OF al
old composition who has worked TO
me many years and there are simila
reasons why the few have are con
tipued at the case. Af have learn