Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-09

Richmond. Va. February 2, 1896
To the Editor Of the Dispatch
I see by the papers this morning that
Miss Lee" has. or will petition the
Legislature 10 pass a law giving women
the right to vote and further protection"
(what is meant by further protection
not being stately
Has not the time arrived 20 call halt
on this sentimental question, for II IS
nothing more than sentiment. and put
into operation some law that VIII restore
10 the home circle the charm Of modest
virtue that formerly surrounded the fire.
sides OF the southern household.
There 10 not man who Is not willing
10 accord 10 our women every right that
would advance their material and social
welfare. That IS not the question that
should be met. From present appear
ances 1t looks Ike the men should have
greater fears as 10 their rights being
invaded by the women, and Il our legis-
latures do not interpose some restrictions
upon the female ambition TO crowd the
men from commercial, professional, and
other pursuits. what I'm the name Of
reason Is to become OF the men?
1t Is a significant fact that our women
are far more ambitious than the men.
as a rule, studying with greater persis-
tency TO acquire the knowledge that
the men fail 10 gather. particularly IN
the commercial and clerical branches OF
business
Our educational system seems 10 have
stimulated this ambition more strongly
In the female than in the male mind,
and taking advantage OF the latters fall
urs to grasp the situation and i'm
prove their condition. to stand Idly by
and allow their female competitors TO
pluck the reward that Will. Us a rule,
follow effort.
What has caused this peculiar condl-
ton OF making the women The bread
winners OF a family? IL frequently hap
pens In a household where there are two
or three boys. and the same number OF
girls. that the former, with the heads OF
the family. are supported by the girls
who are at work In factories. offices. and
other places where they are employed
as typewriters, clerks, saleswOmen, and
machine operatives IN our manufacturing
establishments, using machines that
one, two, or three children can attend
TO. and do the work Of ten or twenty
people.
There are two reasons 10 advance why
girls are employed in this manner: one,
at least Of which r. dictated by selfish
hess and avarice. First. they are easier
willing to work cheaper than their
brothers, the consequences being that
the latter. unable to find employment.
becomes an Idle, nO-accOunt member
OF the household. giving his parents I'M
ceasing anxiety and trouble, while the
daughter, so engaged, away from the
gentle home influences that should be
her guard and comfort, and thrown I'm
contact with other and far worse in
fuences, frequently strays from the
path OF virtue.
Does labor-savng machinery have any
thing 70 do with these conditioner Look
ing at II from the standpoint that pre-
sents itself to my mind l say. yes. II
our females want enlarged rights. give
1t to them. but let there be requirements
that shall call upon them 10 bear some OF
the burdens that men are called upon
at critical times IN countrys history to
assume.
Give the men a chance and stop this
twaddle about the enlarged rights of
women. A NAN.