The record-union., 1898-10-02

impulse. She is wisely and lovingly
the slave of her sympathies. Her
judgment stops short at her heart.
Mr. Turner pauses here and does not
consider several other phases of the
question which have so much interest
ed us, and which will bear restatement,
namely, that the moral influence of
woman in business is bad as a rule;
that Industrial employment robs her
of womanly quality; that she is weaned
away from domesticity and becomes
united for the home; that her en-
ploynent in outside walks operates
against the interests of the true care
taker and natural bread winner, and
hence is antagonistic to the founding
and maintenance of homes and there
fore is bad for posterity.
Coming to the question of the home,
Mr.. Turner holds that for women in
commercial and industrial employ
ment-and it. must be understood
throughout the discussion that en-
ployment refers to those walks for
which it is claimed woman is not fitted
Or intended, and not those many artis-
tic and naturally feminine employ
ments for which by nature she is adapt
ed, and which she may pursue in har-
mony with home-life and instincts
Home is not now the center Of at
traction-the Mecca Of both men and
Women-where the ties of family are
strengthened by daily and close con-
tact; consequently, it is not now the
bulWark Of the nation. The obliga-
uOnS OF men, in a monetary sense es-
peclally, have been held more lightly
than under previous conditions; there
fore, 1t is no uncommon thing to see
the reverse of the pasta wife sup
porting husband sister, a brother,
and, occasionally, an able-bodied father
taking an unearned rest while his COM
paratiyely delicate daughters toll for
him.
Their influence in the home is not so
great, and the money which should
rightfully go to support the family, or
do their share, is too often spent by
the men of the household selfshly, and,
frequently, to their detriment and
harm; and as, in working, women are
increasing competition, or doubtless
taking employment from men, who
would have a greater earning power
for the same work, they are actually
creating a hardship.
The question Of household help en-
ters here; a better adjustment Of re-
sponsibilities would lessen ones de-
pendence upon inefficient hirelings; this
applies to the most ordinary home; in
the past. as was proper, the household
was composed of it's natural inmates
only-each having a fair allotment Of
the work, and doing it well.
The present, says Mr.. Turner, is re-
sponsible for the future. It is question
able if women employed in shops and
factories are ordinarily competent to
make the bargains as to their hours
of labor. If not, they are waiving the
right of free contract and yielding cher
best for the State is best for women and
contributes most to their happiness.
This position fortifies the demand that
legislation upon the subject is duty
devolving upon those responsible for it,
in directions that will inaugurate an
era of better things.
Regarding custom favoring the return
of women to the home, the question
does not permit Of much room for de-
bate. Their life will then mean some
thing to them it will be comprehensive
and full; they will have ample scope
for their ambition; and rather than
having less freedom and opportunity
as those on the opposite side would
clainl-they would assuredly have more;
because, released from the anxiety and
distraction which bread winning brings,
they will feel the joy of living. In TAX
ing the masses from manufacturing and
commercial circles, they would be re-
lieved of the entailed drudgery; and the
influences of their abode, growing to
be more and more a home, could not
help to be such that the family life
would be broader and deeper. Do you
argue in this connection that they
would become narrow and listless in the
home? They might under the condi-
tions Of a century ago, but not in the
present enlightened age when there are
so many chances to improve-literature
magazines, evidences of advanced
thought and growth, societies for the
exchange of ideas-all brought to the
perfect flower Of achievement by the
leisure class.
The representative women of to-day