The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-06-19
TN WOMAN'S BEHALF.
NEWSPAPER WOMEN.

NEWSPAPER WOMEN.
Their Progress IN the Field Of Journalism
They Are Doing Good Work.
The earlier journalistic efforts Of wom-
en- were usually on . high plane. says
writer in Chicago Inter Ocean. Not
many women are now called on for such
work as was done by Margaret Fuller on
the Tribune. II Grace Greenwood were
beginning again her articles would
probably have to take . less serious
tone. The women who describe Wash
ington's gowns and engagements are
perhaps able to write, but they certain
ly do not write Mary Clemmer Ames's
Congressional correspondence.
Even Olive Logan, who made an hon.
est effort to get back to legitimate criti-
cism Of public men and measures, was
often enough forced back on the Cabinet
buds and the Senator'S wives. Women's
occupation Of the newspaper field Is .
newer thing across the water than with
us, and whether it DO because Of this or
in spite OF II, or because Of the different
tono of journalism, or the exceptional
gift of the individual, Mrs. Crawford has
Q position and an influence which We
can not match in America.
Women's work in New York newspa-
perdom has materially changed within
a few years. There is great deal more
of it, and much of it Is exceptionally
good Of its kind, but the experience of
one Of the best known and most success
ful writer's is probably fair example
OF that Of many more. II do very little
newspaper writing now," she said yes
tcrday, land am tempted to 60 out of
it altogether. When the -- changed
hands was informed that art and musi-
cal criticism-my spccialty--was not .
line in which the new proprietors cared
to employ . woman, but il l would do
tea table gossip and society chatter they
would pay me we'll"
Another newspaper writer and one
who has won legitimate distinction was
amusing some friends the other day
with accounts OF how she "circumvents"
her editor. lie is firmly convinced, !"
said she, .'that women care for nothing
but beaux and buttons, frivols and frills.
can't introduce into my Sunday page
The things women really think and talk
about, but get there just the same.
never say word about the higher edu-
cation OF women. hut II the collegiate
slumnm have meeting. then ! report
It, and it goes as news item. dare
not mention women's clubs, but II
there's club lunch, then at once tuck
in under display head some Of the
bright speeches, judicionsly interspersed
with the descriptions of the table decor
ations. Oh, he thinks I'm very submis-
1--WE, but he's circumvented every time
the presses roll"
At the big Cooper Union meeting o1
the Association of Working Girls Socie.
!, ties recently there were no fewer than
fourteen women reporters. It is doubt
ful IL there is paper in New York on
which from two to dozen women are
not getting in space" with more or less
regularity. The number of unattached
writer's, out-of-town correspondents and
! semi-literary aspirants of every dcscrir
tion increases every season. A few
women hold responsible positions call
| ing for the exercise Of their best pow
ers, but for the most part ducats dror
with the most pleasing frequency into
the pockets of those who set up business
as underclothcs editors, purvcyors ol
cosmetic secrets, interviewcrs Of &C
tresses and diligent searchers after sen
sations.
The carnival of publicity through
which our society is passing as ont
phase of its evolution Is helpet
on a good deal by the woman news
paper writer. The bulk OF small talk il
still written by men, but there are Ger
tain things which men can not do. 1
man can not cultivate fashionabl,
dressmaker's acquaintance by paying
her price for an occasional visiting gowl
with a confident reliance on gettinl
back double the outlay by leading mad
anne to gossip about the costumes II
preparation for the next social event II
the rich Mrs. So-and-So's private ball
room. A man can not cultivate lady
acquaintance at an afternoon tea an
call on her next morning with smilin
"Please let mo see your engagement
book for . minute or two," or . "Wil
you tell me if you are invited to Mrs
Browns, and do you happen to know
Mrs. Jones is going and what Mrs
Smiths two daughters will wear?"
It is the woman's tact, her nice di'
elimination, her instinct which tells he
just how far she can go which brings he
services into requisition, while her sue
cess recreates the demand. In tn
struggle for existence she sees chanc
to do something which falls in with tn
temper of the times. Shc does it, she
asked to do it again, she has made he
market. II she would sell she mus
supply 1t, for it is there that now he
wares are in demand.
II the landlady demands her none
and q woman is weary Of washing OF
her own kerchiefs in hand basin. is sh
going to hawk about her unstable idea
on the future OF literature while she r,
members the parting words of the edito
well take 1900 to 1900 words II yo
:an get up something good in the vel
Of your last Sundays article on 'Ric
Women Who Eat Olives at Luncheon"
Tho extraordinary woman is going
stick to the literature; the ordinary OF
is going to find or invent women WI
dote on olives.
Every body knows that women wri
the column of directions as to how
,, powder your nose and how to do up yo'
back hair. Every body does not kno
that the woman who is telling you t
|, day what sorts Of hairpins Mrs. Clev
|, land uses on Sundays and what kind 81
!, prefers for Monday afternoons, may ha'
! been writing yesterday about the b
: bies' hospital, and may give hint
: morrow that she will show score
troubled women possible money-ma
ing occupation. The women who ma
!, age the charities, the Moman's e
changes, the training schools for nurse
the free kindergartens, know how mu'
they owe to newspaper women. II
woman who has helpful plan sees fiji
the possibility OF its realization wh'
; she can win the ear Of an intellige
woman reporter.
| THE Young Woman's Christian Ass