The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-07-13

The 49,, 906 women employed in all gam
| fil pursuits in 1873 formed 2l53 per cent
Of the total female population; The 3O9,W
employed in lS>j constituted 29.S2 percent
/ Comparing the increase in female popula-
/ ton ln lS>j over l>ij, with the increase ln
! the number Of women engaged IN gainiul
pursuits in lSSi over 1870. 10 appears that
while the increase in population was 1863
! per cent, the increase IN the number OF wo-
! men employed IN gainiu! pursuits was O4.'o
/ per cent.
with relation % this large increase in the
number of women engaged IN Industries,
Nh Wadlin SAYS:
Two questions naturally present them
selves; (D. What has caused this great
growth. GU, l. this growth permanent
I The answers would appear 10 be- quite as
obvious. Financial reasons, or the desire
20 save money. led tO wOman's entrance
into industry. The young women who
first entered the mills as factory oper-
atycs were let 10 do So by the desire 10
educate their brother, aud sisters. 10 help
the old FOLKS 40 home, and, naturally, to Sc
cure higher order Of living for themselves.
These reason, aud many others rule at the
present day. The daughter wishes 10 help
her father and mother, 10 keep her brothers
and sisters at school, tO live better aud
dress better lbau she otherwise could, and
% lay by some money for the prOyerbial
rainy day, on % supply her part OF the COM
mon fund when she decides 10 get married.
"Tls wife sometimes enters Industry 10
support an invalid husband, and, too Oiien,
q lazy or Incorporate one, or 10 AID IN the
bringing up of large family. The widow,
thrown upon her own resources, and not
wishing tO become a burden upon others,
works tO support herself. In 1910 there
were 13.jl1 widows in Massachusetts, or
SCI per cent Of the entire female pOpula-
ton. In 1850 the number Of widows reached
~. lbs, or 1868 per cent. of the female pOpu-
llti0n.
Besides the opportunities 10 support
herself ard aid in supporting others there
comes 90 the woman ma industry sense Of
Independence. she is 30 longer burden
upon certain members Of society but an ac-
tive factor in its growth and progress. In
the early days the woman did much
work at home in connection with
her regular household duties. She
bound shoes and sewel straw. bat these in
dustries became concentrated in the factory
and she had % leave home and follow the
work. In 1919 there were 3O,9lO women
furnished with work al home. In lSsJ the
number had fallen % 1888. The tendency
in all industries is more and more toward
the employment Of women in the factory in
stead OF in their homes.
In answer 20 the second inquiry. il is
MD that as woman has made an entrance
into industry. and has increased her hold
upon old branches Of occupation and forced
her way into many new ones: As she i
now being educated 20 take more active
part in all branches OF employment, and
rs she has tasted the pleasures Of
Independence by being able 20 support
herself and others. one is forced To con
clude that woman's position in industry is
secure aud will be permanent Every )c-
cupati0n, except those calling for too much
outdoor exposure or too much muscular
labor, is open 20 woman, and If she has not
already secured footing therein, the next
census VIII show that she has found the
way. New York Times.