Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1889-03-09
Women as Wage Farmers

Inc Stcdul lHSISSiSo III liAo uuluoSA W
women finding employment in the diff
ferent branches of business activity has
resolved itself into serious problem,
which is meriting more or less atten-
ton from time to time as circumstances
bring the facts to public notice. There
can be no denying the fact that the
number of feminine wage earners is
steadily increasing, but if the matter
be considered without regard to senti-
ment or prejudice it may prove less ex-
traordinary or alarming than some are
willing to consider it.
No one will deny that the homo CIR
Gle and the domestic duties form the
natural sphere of woman, and nowhere
does she appear to better advantage and
is so thoroughly a success as in the pur-
suit of this her logical vocation. While
every one is thoroughly agreed on this
point, it is not to be over looked that
its very existence presupposes privi-
lege of dependence upon others, while
fate has not melted out impartially to
all women, while to many it has been
utterly denied.
The numerical excess of women over
our male population may be largely
accountable for the number of the
weaker sex dependent altogether on
their own exertions for their very ex-
istence, or it may be due to other less
apparent reasons. But whatever the
cause, the fact nevertheless remains that
the number of women wage-earners is
steadily increasing.
That the average woman prefers the
hard struggle for existence that char
acterizes the worlds commercial life
to the quiet and seclusion Of the home
circle is not proven by the fact OF her
presence as a factor in the Industrial
problem. Quite the contrary is estab-
lished by the readiness with which the
former state is abandoned for the 9th
er whenever circumstances permit.
1t is therefore unreasonable for men
to complain that equally intelligent be-
ings, laboring under the same necessi-
ty of self-support, should be permitted
to compete with them in avocations
hitherto exclusively restricted TO the
sterner sex. That women receive
smaller pay for equal work, which is
one OF the arguments used against
them with singular inconsistency, Is
rather the outcome of the prejudice
that has for ages kept the sex in an in
ferior station rather than to pay any
option on their own part.
As happens with all problems, this
one is slowly but surely settling itself.
The large number Of women that have
been compelled to earn their livelihood
has opened up new avocations more
peculiarly fitted to their capabilities.
For instance, great numbers of wo-
men have found employment as CORE
spondents and type writer's, where for
merly but very few mon were engag-
ed in like capacities. Again, thousands
OF young women have been found suited
to clerkships in retail stores where wo-
men are the principal customers.
In like manner in many other lines
have women shown themselves capable
of carving out their own destinSes,
hence the complaint that they have
taken an undue advantage OF their mas
culine competitors is not borne out by
facts.
Instead, therefore, of complaining Of
the position Of women in business life,
the sterner sex should do everything to
them and better their condi-
tion. The world owes everyone living
who is Industrious enough to strive for
it, hence there can be no just reason to
complain of overcrowding. Chivalry
and manhood both demand that wo-
mans position as a wage Garner should
be recognized in a much more generous
spirit than has hitherto been custom
Orleans Picayune.