The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1893-10-12

Not being subject to the same temp |
tations they are more reliable than |
the average youth, and the light
character OF the duties requii ed Of
them in shops and offices is suited to
the measure of their physical
strength
Not only in our own country but
abroad is the army of women clerks
increasing. The English Govern
ment has more female employees than
that of any other country.
At the recent Congress at Zurich.
some interesting measures were de
manded for the protection of work
ing women which we presentas show
ing the widespread interestin women
workers.
1. A maximum working day of
eight hours for women and six hours
for persons under eighteen.
2. Cessation of work for thirty six
consecutive hours in every week.
3. Prohibition of night labor.
4. Prohibition of labor in all
trades especially dangerous to
| health.
5. Prohibition of women working
two weeks before and four weeks
| af6er confinement.
6. Theappointmento Of an adequate
| number of women inspectors for all
| trades and industries in which women
are employed.
Z. The above provisions to apply
to all girls and women employed In
factories, workshops, shops, home
industries and in agricultural labor.
The Woman's Cooperative Guild
of London is also working for shorter
hours and improved conditions for
cooperative employees. This associ
alton numbers 5000 members.
A writer in the Canadian Magazine
in a notable article on the subject o.
the displacement of young men says
that girls are SO much more clever as
clerks than men that the male clerk
in doomed to extinction like the
dodo. This he regards as disastrous
alike to men and women.
He argues that by usurping the
positions of young men, young
women deprive them of making {
living. To quote his words: cit thu
next twenty years witness the SAM
relative increase in the number O
working girls and women as ha
taken place since 1870 in this coun
try and the United States, we shall
see young men doing the house worl
: and their sisters and mothers carry
ing on half the business OF the land.
This writer also maintains tina
, one half the young women who worl
: do so for the sake of earning luxurie
and of keeping up an appearance
opulence, thus fostering cupidit
and pride which deters them fror
: marrying young men in moderat
;, circumstances To use his expires
sion: "When girls work, they inter
9 sify the conditions which are fillir
e the country with spinsters an
p | bachelors"
While we think this an extren
view of the case, we do not dout
:, that the facts go a long way in bea
- ing out his assertions. We canne
= believe, however, that one half OF tt
fair incumbents of desk and counte
are there from choice rather tina
. | from necessity. As to eXtravagar
e tastes, there is much to be said 9
= both sides. Young men are not wi
II ing today TO marry on income
- which their fathers considered suf
:" Gent, claiming that they do not eaI
- Ugh to support themselye
!, Whatever has brought about I'll
conditions which have forced wome
>, into the business world, they a
= there and most of them have L
- alternative save to starve. III
- question is then why should not I'll
- lighter occupations be relegated
a them, and our young men fitted #
y sturdier work? Surely if womt
, must labor should there not
chivalry enough in this nineteen
:; century to allot them the light
= burden and easier task?