New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-07-15
great body of intelligent and frugal property
owners
SEATS For S-ILESW WOMEN.


In the winter of 1881 q law was passed by
the New York Legislature providing that mer-
chants who employed saleswomen should
furnish seats for them. This law was enacted
in response to an earnest demand, and upon
the representations of medical men to the effect
that great and lasting injury often resulted
to women and girls employed in stores, through
the continual standing and walking to which
they were subjected. 1t seems probable that
those who drew the statute were not sufficiently
familiar with the construction OF counters In
stores, for in requiring that seats should be
provided behind the counters they demanded
what was practically impossible in many II not
most stores without rearranging the interior
fittings altogether. Owing partly to this and
partly no doubt to tho reluctance of the women
to make complaints against their employers,
the law was never put into effect and has In
fact remained dead letter to this day.
There are stores in this city the proprietors
of which Look after the health ana general
wellbeing of their saleswomen, and several of
these had provided seats in some form before
the law was passed. But for the most part the
stprekeepers paid no attention to the statute,
and as it was nobody's special business to en-
force it, nothing was done. Had the sales
women been organized for their own protection
IA men so generally are in these days they could
no doubt have made their wants known in
way which would have impressed them upon
the minds of their employers. But competition,
the rush of business, and the prevalent fear OF
ncurring the displcasure of the employers,
combined tn keep the saleswonen silent.
Their need, however, is rs great as ever, and IL
is time that something was done for them.
The agitation of the Saturday MALT holiday has
shown that the merchants generally are ready
enough to meet liberal ideas of that kind, and
that they realize the extent of their own
interest in the vigor and sound health OF their
employees This, therefore, is good time to
revive the question OF seats for saleswomen,
and to remind all who are concerned that legls-
laiion on the subject has already been had, and
that the existing law can be enforced
1t is not necessary for the relief of the sales
women that the seats should be behind the
counters in all eases, though perhaps that
arrangement affords the most frequent oppor-
tunities for rest. In some large stores room
well furnished with chairs IL provided, but TIT
one essential is that the means of occasional
rests for the tired women shall be accessible.
Every merchant ought to know that women
wno are pi operiy rested aye worth much more
as saeswonen thin those who are tagged out
with standing on their feet all day. Besides
this. to exact such work from women il positive
cruelty and nhumlnity. since it is liable TO
iniure their health permanently. Because of
its implications this question OF seats Is really
even more important thln that OF the Saturday
half-holiday, and it ought to be taken up
earnestly by all the friends of the working
woman. The great class Of shoppers can do
much to bring about the needed relief. but in
the last resort the application of the law OF
ISL can be demanded. and if seats are not
furnished voluntarily by employers this course
will have To be taken.