The St. Johns herald., 1893-06-08
| POrtendIng Social Revolution.

of sociology, political economy and
 other matters which engage the at tention of statesmen and philan- thropists. This organization is the
 Portia Club, named from the cele- brated female doctor of laws who figures so brilliantly in Shakspear's Merchant of Venice" This club connects the discussion of such sub- jects with literary and musical reel tations, and altogether its exercises are of high class. It is given out that within few days past the Por- tia Club held discussion concern ing the influence upon civilization and social life of the extensive in- troduction of women into wage earning occupations. It further ap- pears that decision had upon the subject was that such a state of af- fairs had not been beneficial. This theme is one of such vast impor- tance and of such far-reaching in- fuence upon humanity that it is not likely that any desultory discussion of it, either by women or men, can exhaust if. There is SO much to he said on the subject that it will con- tinue to furnish material for politi- cal philosophers for years to come. It is, then, not here proposed to espouse any particular side in so momentous a question, but simply to offer some observations in con- neetion with it.
 As far as the aspirations of women for prominence in the broad ways of business and industrial life, or for eminence in the high places of letters, art, science and philosophy, are concerned, it is admitted that the softer sex should be entitled to such fair and free entrance as their condition may warrant. There have been from earliest times and in every age women who were the rulers of nations and even some who with unusual courage and skill, led their people to war. Semiramis, Tomyris, Zenobia, Boadicea were great rulers of nations and warriors. In every age there have been women learned in the law, in theology and in science and philosophy, not to speak of art and letters. Possibly, the newest feature in the develop ment of woman's sphere of action is her entrance into the various de- partments of commercial and in- dustrial pursuits. But while it is given to comparatively few women to be monarchs, warriors, philoso- phers, learned doctors and high in literature and art, they are invading by wholesale, walks of life which were once wholly occupied by men. If success for women lies in those paths, there is none who shall say them nay.
 The accepted theory of life in every age has been that the men should work to support the women, who were to be maintained in condition of dependence. The in- novation under consideration eman- cipates woman from such subser- yience and sends her forth to carr 1 her own support. AS a consequence, when she occupies fields heretofore ! held by men she serves at lower rate than has been paid for male | labor, ard the men are driven out or are forced in competition to work 1 at reduced wages. It is a question whether or not, if women had not made this new departure, the men, by earning larger salaries, would not have been able, as before, to support the women in as much com fort as they have since enjoyed.
 Perhaps the mast serious effect is upon family life. The family is the foundation of all organized society. In the family the men go out to labor while the women keep the home and the children. When both men and women go the family life is disturbed, and the gradual eman-