Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-12

OUR SOCIAL WORLD
 tAll items of social interest will be gladly noted in these columns if sent to Mrs. George c. Ball, Nineteenth street, between Tenth and Eleventh avenues, South High lands. Telephone 9SS)
 The unseemly wrangle that occurred a few days ago before the legislature of Mississippi for the position of state li- brarian among the four women who as- pired to that office and their friends and supporters will prove a very hurtful in cident to the cause of the proper ad- vaneement of women along rightful lines. That four suitable women should desire to secure the position of librarian, an agreeable office with salary sufficient to support woman in comfort, not lux ury, is perfectly natural and legitimate, but that the aspiration should develop into a miserable struggle and scramble is unworthy of southern womanhood. We may talk and write what we desire of the outlook for the advance W the degree hoped for until women have the power to secure that advancement because of their fitness and genius. And if they possess these attributes. properly directed there need be no repetition of the surprising scenes enacted at MiSStS- sippis capital.
 Men have habit of telling of the dire calamities that would follow in the wake of certain privileges granted to women. and there seems to be reason for their
 
 of public trust that can be filled as we'll by women as by men. There are few that are better suited to their talents and habits than to those of the sterner sex. It is pity if the whole cause of woman's progress is to be retarded by the indis- erection and unseemly conduct of a few unduly anxious feminine aspirants for of flee. true, genuine woman can pre- serve her womanhood in every position, aye. in every struggle of, life. and unless she does, any effort towards progress and improvement in any direction will prove worse than futile.
 There is one matter of vital impor- tance in connection with this woman question, and one that has been touched upon more than once before in my col umns, yet 1t will bear further reference for it is to be one of the issues as women go forward. That is the equal remunera- tion of labor without regard to sex. There should be no "cutting of rates" on ac- count of sex if the work done by both is the same in quality and quantity. Ca pacity and aptitude should be remuner- ated with impartiality, and there is no possible reason why, if there is a differ cnce made, that the partiality should al ways be shown the stronger physical worker. It is said that very recently a woman who had attained eminence in the profession of stcnography was realiz- ing very handsome income in Washing ton city from her excellent work because it was anonymously done. When the or der was issued that all papers must be signed with the stenographer's name, of course this woman was compelled to com ply with the order, when 10! her salary was reduced just one-half, because 1t was discovered she was a woman. That cer- tainly is sad reflection upon the justice and chivalry of these latter days of the nineteenth century.
 It is time that men were putting aside the prejudices of the middle ages against the capacity of women; 1t Is time that their boasted chivalry should not con sist only in a few eloquent phrases and a timely consideration for the comfort of women in street cars. Chivalry means far more than these little outward ex- pressons--it lies deeper than all words and idle compliments 1t is the considera- ton, the absolute justice due from man to woman. An intellectual legal friend of mine, In discussing this matter recent ly, said that among other reasons for the indisposition of men to render this jus tice to women Is an hereditary sentiment against it, which will have to be over come before the subject is properly ad- justed. And this is the very root and germ of the whole trouble. It has been. since Adams time, the habit of man to give woman the. smaller part of every thing, to see how little is absolutely nec- essary for her comfort and existence, nd ktnva rrfx Iov O vxrith rnI IL turned phrases and nice compliments 2 that appeal to her vanity. Genius has no sex; the race is not now to the strong physically. and the goal must be the same. The prize must be held by blind folded eyes that know no difference be- tween man and woman.
 There is no reason for women to ex- pect undue consideration and certain immunities in their labor Whatever they undertake must be as thoroughly well done as any man could do it; they must meet all their obligations with the same promptness and bear cheerfuliy and uprightly all the duties and burdens that come to them, and then certain 1t is that public sentiment ere long will bring them the justice they crave. The unequal fight now being waged by. woman and for woman will not always remain un- equal; 1t will, some day, not be any fight at all. only an honorable competition, where genius, capacity and thoroughness will receive their proper compensation without regard to the sex of the worker.
 MT. and Mrs. John H. Hine have moved out on the South Highlands and are1now at home to their friends at 1929 Eleventh avenue.
 The members of the General Sumter chapter of the Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution are requested to meet promptly Tuesday morning next at 10 o'clock at the residence of Mrs. George c. Ball. Nineteenth street. between Tenth