The record-union., 1898-10-02
A QUESTION: THAT LIVES.

The value Of, a question is to be
measured by it's vitality. Under such
a test the quest ion of woman in bus
mess and outsid e employment is liv-
ing one. It h.as, since the Record
Union with few other journals,
opened it up ~ over seven years ago.
been more and more agitated, until now
it is g. theme, Of constant discussion in
the reviews az I'd the press generally, and
has found a place among the serious
studies Of 50 biologists.
The latest contribution upon the sub
ject is found in the Self Culture" mag
azine for s. eptember, from the pen Of
L E. Turner The monographs trav-
els over So me beaten ground, but ad-
vances hke wise some new thought upon
the subjec t, and presents the whole
question with lucidity and crispness,
which adj much to the interest Of the
discussion a. A rapid glance at the
points n aade will not prove unprofita-
BILE.
The question propounded is "WiH
not the best interests Of the future
womaus be promoted by having laws
and custom favor her return from the
field of industrial pursuits to the du-
ties ard occupations of the home?"
The answer of the essayist Is an en-
phatic affirmative, and the reasons for
it tare trenchantly given.
Woman's entrance into business
walks has meant decreased compensa-
ton forithe same character and amount
of work, and has disturbed rather than
helped the industrial world. This
journal has so often and clearly pre-
sented that view, that it is unneces-
sary to adduce proofs Of its soundness
here. 1t is unquestionably true, as
one has well said, THE presence Of
woman in the ranks Of outside employ
nent Is a reproach to our civilization
and a menace to posterity."
The limitations of environment, sex,
and tradition are so many for woman,
that her struggle with men in the in
dustrial field is an unequal one She
cannot remove these barriers, most Of
them natural ones, and in the effort to
and energy she cannot afford. Her
health cannot stand the strain. Women
are intense With men the lines be-
tween work and recreation are nicely
drawn, while with women it is absorp-
ton; they give their all to their work;
1t envelops them. When a man is at
the zenith of his powers and strength,
the woman is generally declining. For
his physical energy, therefore. they Of
fer that which is invariably mistaken
for it, nervous force and it is los
ing race from that on. The testimony
Of the physician confirms this view in
the statement, that more and more Of
the earnings of the woman go for med
ical attention.
There is no room in industrial en-
ployment of the character so much
sought nowadays by her for the exer-
else of ambition Her toll leaves her
no time for true living. 1t is slow sui
eide She misses the true aim Of life,
happiness; her spirit Of unrest shuts
out contentment Nine women out Of
ten so engaged do not look upon their
outside work as lifelong employment,
but rather as unpleasant necessity.
This causes in many a case that heed
less rush into matrimony which results
unhappily Woman is not success
in industrial pursuits; she confesses
this herself From the humblest to the
highest walk this admission is made.
The reasons are mainly natural ones,
and have frequently and fully been
set forth by the tRecord-Union.' The
main one, however, may be repeated
namely. woman is not possessed of the
judicial mind. She is wisely and prov
identally the creature Of intuition and