The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1893-06-09
WHERE WOMEN REIGN
THE eEelTLE SEX HAS BECOME A
POWER IN WASHINGTON.

Hundreds of Women Hold Working Po-
sitions in tho 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 whers 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 subject of fre-
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 law1naking
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 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 a 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
specializing 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 employment of women he gave
them an opportunity for advancement.
The thing has worked itself out now and
the female clerk is an established instl
tuition, so to speak, i'll good standing,
with a 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 self supporting creature,
without loss of standing, and not all
being able to get into the departments
OF to always hold places once secured
they have invaded other occupations and
professions once sacred to the wearers of
trousers. OF course female teachers,
doctors and lawyers are no longer nov
city, and great many have gone into a
small private brokerage business. One
woman has gone regularly into the real
estate, loan, trust and insurance bust
ness, and has turned out to be one of the
best business men, of the thousand and
one who keep their eyes on every foot of
ground in and about Washington. She
has opened up new subdivisions, formed
syndicates and done booming with the
best of them. The girls have almost
driven young men out of the stenogra-
ply and typewriting business, and even
around thepolitical headquarters, where
men only used to be employed, women
now outnumber men two to one.
The best of it all is that with all this
the social status of the women remains
unchanged; they are still treated with
the greatest Difference and courtesy, and
a strong minded woman is a rarity.
What would you think to see shop
girl in tailor made riding habit gallop
ing through Central park on a stylish
horse? 1t would not be common sight
1t is not at all uncommon to see partie.
of hopgirls-salesladie dressed
and well mounted, riding along the mos
fashionable drives, looking as stylisl
and pretty and enjoying themselves al
much as the richest daughter of fashio,
whom they may pass OH the road. Th