The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-02-26
PRACTICAL SPHERE or WOMEN.

PRACTICAL SPHERE or WOMEN.
Tho Norfolk Public Ledger. a journal that
is always sound and conservative in its views.
makes al editorial reference in its issue OF
Wednesday to certain facts which have come
within its scope Of observation through the
medium of its advertising columns. which 20
to show the injustice of the sentiment which
would restrict the employments OF women to
what is generally accepted as their own
natural sphere An advertisement inviting
proposals for the performance OF certain
amount Of copying work brought out twenty
nine answers, all from women who were
anxious to support themselves. short time
subsequent 10 this an advertisement for
female teacher was inserted and some thirty
five or forty replies were received at the Office
of the Public Ledger after the position had
been filled.
The Public Ledger also mentions that some
time ago there occurred vacancy IL one Of
the public schools Of Norfolk. and notwith-
standing the searching examination that was
prescribed twenty four women competed for
the appointment. These are but few OF the
instances which have come to the knowledge
| of our Norfolk contemporary, and It's expert
ence is only counterpart of that Of every
paper in the State that has large circulation.
In every field in which the women Of our
communities are allowed to compete with
men. there we discover almost painful indica-
tons of their eager desire to become bread
winners, desire which has its origin IN hard
necessity or III most honorable ambition to
be dependent upon the toll Of none but them-
selves for their support. Absolute necessity,
however. is the principal motive motive
which. when Influencing women, must arouse
the sympathy Of all who have spark Of hui
mainly in their breasts.
The poverty in which our communities
were left by the late war, and from which they
| have not yet fully recovered threw in only
too many cases the support Of families en-
! tirely upon the resources OF the female mem
bers. In the grinding competition of more
recent times. many women brought up IN
comfort have been forced by the business
misfortune- OF the deaths Of those upon whom
they naturally relied TO look 10 themselves
for their livelihood or the livelihood of those
who were nearest and dearest 10 them. This
]
grown, has increased in proportion. and the
consequence has been that the demand for
the enlargement of the opportunities for
women has become more and more pressing.
1t is cruel medieval intolerance that
would RESTRICT them to teaching, copying, type
writing and keeping boarding houses. There
is nothing in the history of Richmond since
the close of the war that should be regarded
by its citizens with more qualification than the
fact that there are several manufacturing es-
adjustments in the city presided over by men
of liberal and generous views, in which re-
munerative work is furnished TO a small army
of girls and women. who are thus enabled to
support themselves and to contribute TO the
support Of their families One of the greatest
benefits TO be derived from an increase in our
manufacturing interests would be that il would
extend new opportunities Tor making living
both to men and women.
The day will yet arrive when the only lin.
itation upon the competition of women with
men in certain occupations. professional and
manual. will be the difference in the physical
capacity Of the two sexes. In the meanwhile
much Of the sorrow and disappointment which
darken human life have their source in eco.
nomic conditions which compel women either
to stand looking idly on at the practical con-
tests going on around them or to confne their
intelligence and energy TO employments in
which the remuneration is out Of all proper
tion TO the great expenditure OF strength and
time