Evening journal., 1892-12-09
WHEREWOM-EN REIGN
THE GENTLE SEX HAS BECOME A
POWER IN WASHINGTON.

Hundreds OF women Hold working Po-
sitions in the Various Departments Of
the National Capital without Losing
Their Social Standing.
Washington is getting to be wom-
ans paradise. There is no other place
in the wide, wide world where women
earn as much money, are as independ-
ent and are as deferentially treated by
men as they are in Washington. The
influence Of women in the affairs Of this
mighty nation has been a subject Of fire.
quent comment. Many interesting and
highly imaginative stories have been told
of the woman lobbyist until the discreet
wives Of most Of our migratory states
men have taken to travelling around
with them, and never under any circum-
stances let them remain alone amid the
temptations of the capital This is a
palpable injustice to the lawgivers, and
involves an unnecessary hardship upon
the anxious matrons.
In the place of an imaginary and ro-
mantle influence upon the lawmaking
of this free for all government there
has thus grown up the real and substan-
tial influence exercised by the ever pres
ent and jealous guardian of her hus-
bands morals. Meanwhile, from being
the mender Of her lords socks and torn
trousers, the wife Of the statesman has
come 10 realize that she can occupy am
other and higher sphere in life, and feel
ing her power has begun by making all
around her feel 1t, who in turn emu
late her Independence. So it comes
that from combination of politics, so
ciety bobbing and female domination
the women of Washington have estab-
lished a status for themselves. ~
Should all the men be suddenly called
away from the capital for a journey
across the Styx there is no legitimate
business that would be left without a
votary and no profession would fall into
decline. Beyond the closing Of few
charitable institutions things would re-
main as they are. Lawsuits would be
no fewer OF less skillfully conducted;
doctors and druggists would still get in
their daily work; butchers and bakers
and candlestick makers would still be
sufficiently numerous; preachers and
merchants would equal the demand;
BARRIERS would be more plenty than
boards; real estate agents would still be
forming pools and combinations and
speculating in city and suburban prop
erty. An undertaken is about the only
thing Of Importance which would not
be found. Thus far the men have that
business TO themselves.
When Spinner opened the departments
for the emplyment of women he gave
them an opportunity for advancement.
The thing has worked itself out now and
the female clerk is an established insti
tuition, so TO speak, in good standing,
with fair income-and sometimes q
fair face as well-recognized and ap-
proved of by good society, and in a
measure fashionable. Her social stand
ing as class comes perhaps from the
fact that she is more often the friend of
the wives Of statesmen than of the
statesmen themselves, those watchful
guardians exercising some discretion in
the matter of favors to their own sex.
Out of this has come the recognition
OF woman as a self supporting creature
without loss Of standing, and not all
being able to get into the departments
or to always hold places once secured
they have invaded other occupations and
professions once sacred to the wearers OF
trOnscrs. OF course female teachers
coctors and lawyers are no longer a nov
city, and a great many have gone into
small private brokerage business On,
woman has gone regularly into the rea
estate, loan, trust and insurance bust
ness, and has turned ont TO be one of tn,
best business men" Of the thousand ant
one who keep their eyes on every foot O
ground in and about Washington. Sh
has opened mp new subdivisions, forme,
syndicates and done booming with tn
best Of them. The girls have almos
driven young men out Of the stenogra
ply and typewriting business, and evei
around the political headquarters, wher
men only used TO be employed, wome
now outnumber men two TO one.
The best Of it all is that with all thi
the social status of the women remain
, unchanged; they are still treated wit
the greatest Difference and courtesy, an
strong minded" woman is a rarity.
What would you think TO see a shoI
girl in a tailor made riding habit gallol
ing through Central park on a stylis
horse? Il would not be a common sigh
1t is not at all uncommon to see parti,
Of shopgirls-salesladi dressc
and well mounted, riding along themo
fashionable drives. looking as stylis
and pretty and enjoying themselves
much as the richest daughter of fashic
whom they may pass on the road. n
girls in some of the larger stores belor
10 riding clubs and have riding maste
who take them out two or three times
week.-Baltimore News.