Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1892-12-24
WHERE WOMEN REIGN
TnG GENTLE SEX HAS BECOME A
POWER IN WASHINGTON.

nitions In tho Various departments OF
the National capital without Losing
Their Social Stsnliu..
Washington is getting to be wOm-
ans paradise. There is no other place
in the wide, wide world whers women
earn rs much money, are as indepehd-
ent and are as dcfercntially treated by
men as they are in Washington. The
influence of women in the affairs Of this
mighty nation has been 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 finder any circum-
stances let them remain alone amid the
temptations of the capital. This is q
palpable injustice to tho lawgivers, and
involves an unnecessary hardship upon
the anSions matrons.
In the place of al 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 tora
trousers, tho wife of the statesman has
come to realize that she can occupy an
other and higher sphere in life, and feel
ing her power has begun by making all
around her feel it, 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 4 status for themselves.
Should all the men be suddenly called
away from tho capital for IL journey
across tho Sty1 there is no legitimate
business th:t would DO left without
yot;ry and no profession would fall into
decline. Beyond tho closing of few
charitable institutions things would re-
main Us they are. Lawsuits would be
no fewer or 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 moro plenty than
boards; real estate agents would still be
forming pools and combinations and
speculatins III city and suburban prop
! erty. An undertaken is about the only
thing OF Importance which would not
be found. Thus far the lnen have that
business to themselves.
When Spinner opeacd the departments
for the employment Of women he gave
them an opportunity for advancement.
The thing has work. i,yelf out now and
the female clerk IL III established instl
tuition, SO to speak, in good standing,
with fair income-and sometimes p
fair face as well-rccognizcd and ap-
proved Of by good society, and in u
measure fashionable. Her social stand
ing as Il 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 farors to their own sex.
Out OF this has come the recognition
of woman as 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
trousers. or course female teachers,
doctors and lawyers are no longer . nov
city, and great many have gone into .
small private brokerage business. One
woman has gone regularly into tho real
estate, loan, trust and insurance bust
ness, and has turned out to be one Of the
best "business Inen" of the thousand and
one who keep their eyes on every foot of
ground i'll and about Washington. She
has opened up new subdivisions, formed
syndicates and done booming with the
best Of them. Tho girls have almost
= driven young men ont OF the stcnogra-
phy and typewriting business. and even
!. around the political headquarters, where
men only used to be employed, women
now outnumbcr men two to one.
The best of it all is that with nil this
the social status Of the women remain.
unchanged; they are still treated with
the greatest Difference and courtesy, and
q "strong minded" woman is u rarity.
What would you think TO see shop
girl i'll tailor made riding habit sallop
ing through Central park Oh . stylish
horse! 1t would not be common sight
1t is not ut all uncommon to see partie.
Of shopsirls-salesladies dressed
and we'll mounted, riding slong the mos
fashionable drives, looking as stylish
and pretty and enjoying themselves al
much us the richest daughter of fashion
whom they may pas. on the road. Thu
girls in some of the larger stores belong
to riding clubs and have riding master
who take them ont two or three times
week.-Baltimor News.