The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-19
WOMEN'S WAGES.
70 the Editor Of The Appeal.


ticc thus bringing ruin to themselves and cycnu
ally degradation TO the women
According TO the first statement this injustice, II
we must 80 call It. Is Of comparatively modern
origin. And yet we believe, without exception,
the advocates Of womans rights claim that woman
has been oppressed from time immcmorial. and
the darker the age and the more uncivilized the
race, the greater has been her oppression. We
think the truth OF this statement Is genenlly con
ceded. We think also IL would not be hard
TO prove that at no time in the his
tory OF our race has woman enjoyed so
many rights. An explanation Of this Is 10
be sought not only 10 the increased enlightenment
OF our nce, but ale because never before have so
many means OF employment been opened up to
women. The more a woman can do, the better
the price she can command. woman for In
stance who can teach In the literary department
US we'll as keep books. teach music etc. will com
mand a higher price than one why Is mistress OF
only one OF the branches even though the work
done by each be the same. This may be injustice,
but II some of the laws OF trade Men and women
then are rated. not according to what they arc TO
do every time, but according 10 what they are
worth In the mnrt Of the world
AZ the last meeting of the National Book keep
ers Association some facts were brought out con.
corning women as book keepers Questions had
been previously sent out by the association 10 the
various business colleges In the United States ask
ing among other thinsS, how many women gradu.
ated ut the school what per cent OF these had
received employment; what wages they received,
etc, etc
TWAS asccrtainei that Of the women who grad.
uatcd the percentage N thosc who failed was much
less than the failures among the men. Various an
swers wep given 60 the question. why do not
women receive the same pay that men receive for
the same work. The following were some Of the
reasons given. Men ln their gallantry 10 woman
will moi reauire of her many thing, that
would be required Of q man. Tes instance the
employer could not ask OF his clerk, A q woman,
10 90 through the rain 10 collect a debt etc she
could not remain Al night in the Once as man.
In tact though the clerk might not DO needed for
these and many other like duties. Il isa satisiac
ton 10 the employer 10 know that the clerk Is
ready for any emergency This satisfaction Is worth
money. 50 il is possible Tor US to conceive Of In
stances In which woman may do more work and
~, ro V"r.,,o - ,nas ,ss a,n. n P TSI. maS
sem hard, as II indccd Is. but II Is one Of
SS AVS ., mae S,,,. Una, n 40 ,,s m.,.s worm TSn
price is always In proportion to the
,sma A"o so@sn can 20 ,ne Ns So,n WA,
mems own scla,h interest. their cold business cal.
eu,a''al' Sonla dictate ina. 'nsy mpIo' women
forced 10 the conclusion tina, scr some cause or
other women Do no, Is rule. give me same sl,ls
siyely employed. In rare instances women DO n.
ceiyc the same w'ecs that men under like cireum.
hopc. ina, as other avenues arc opened 10 her
thesn csse' will become more common; Hat We
nom her pseular Environment. shs can never eS'
aelly oil mans plaeO In the business world.
inc her IN me r,b, IN, ns,s,,I,, sso.s 10 ss,
But some rights We pray may never 10 conceded
,s ,hs, ne ,S"u, s"r s,v ne , 5S ~ o
up In aarv, car or elbow her way through a
''o"u 7" s'' "i'''' VI ''s'u4' Ar 49,,
Caplcyile, Tean. Aug. IA ISIS
Ans'ocr.
To begin. not at the beginning, but at
the closing paragraph OF the above letter,
Il our correspondents friend, Mr.. Stuart,
had any experience in Eastern and West
ern cities he would find plenty Of women
standing up In street cars, and he would
hnd thom elbowing their way through
crowded streets 10 get n meal Of victuals
The exposures that are now being made
by The Chic9o Tas Of the condition nd
treatment Of the workingwomen Of that
city reveal a state OF things that wholly re.
flutes Mr.. Malone's suhstantiation Of