The San Francisco call., 1899-09-02
WOMEN IN CIVIL SERVICE.

\AI women were first employed as Government
clerks in that department This their
first appearance in the public service. Opinions to
the utility of the innovation differed but even before
the civil service law passed they had appeared in all
OF the departments in Washington. As their ap-
pontment then matter of free choice with the
appointing officers, that they continued be called
to positions taken evidence of their efficiency
and usefulness. In the currency department of the
treasury they found especially expert. Required
to handle and old bills in the division of
demption and new ones in the division OF reissue,
they found to be more rapid, reliable and cor
rect workers than men, AS stenographers and type
writers they seemed to fill confidential positions very
we'll They less diverted by outside matters
than men, and less liable to the OF dis
spation, gambling and other peccadiloes which lead
finally to breaches of public trust. Thousands Of
them are now in the civil service, and multiplied
thousands are dependent on them for support.
1t is reported, however, that appointing officers
have ceased to call for them as vacancies or new
places have be filled and those in the service find
advancement no longer possible, while those the
eligible list, qualified by their examination,
cluded by call for whenever those lists
sorted to- 1t seems that the civil service law per-
mts this discrimination and this permission is gen
orally taken advantage OF
Inasmuch as the entry of women upon service in
the Federal offices preceded their general employment
in private service in mercantile lines and profes-
sional Offices, this spontaneous movement toward
official exclusion may mean general revusion
against the employment OF women in service outside
the public Offices. The movement for their admis
sion to both kinds OF employment was not concerted
1t had preceding cult. 1t had no pressure of ne
cessity, unless eligible made scarce by the
Civil War. Is it possible that in the same way
spontaneously and without concert, the reaction has
set in, and that its progress will largely exclude
women from occupations and employments that are
now open to them? AS has progressed in the Gov
crnment departments nothing has been said about it
until its headway has attracted attention.
The only far given is that women are
inclined to routine and do not turn their hands
from activity to another readily as men, AMI
that they to overwork and complain
more than men when it is required of them
But it is strange that these objections have Just
developed after trial of third Of a century
during which they have been in the service in such
numbers to have seriously mpeded public business
by the manifestation of either trait.
Probably, if the truth were known the military
service of many in the late war has disconnected
them from their former gainul vocations and they
compelled to resort to the civil service of the
Government for a living If this turn out to be the
case dlOtuel reason Is Suppued why women should
oppose war instead of being the first to urge it on
No satisfactory reason has ever been given why
women at the first sign of chance for war go wild
in favor OF bringing it The class OF young ladies
in New York who joined in the nagging OF President
Mckinley, just before the Spanish war by sending
him the nelegant telegram, To hell with diplomacy"
furnished illustration of this tendency of the
female taste toward battle and bloodshed
AS the matter is becoming serious it deserves an
intelligent inquiry into this policy of exclusion Of
women from public employment for which they have
proven themselves legally qualified. To prevent an
amendment to the civil service law may be necessary
which will forbid any discrimination by an appoint
ing officer.
II the movement be one of artfce and design this
will check it IT, however, its be natural
thing inherent in the OF things such an amend
ment will probably increase the trouble since moth
lrg is easier than to drive women out of employment
by an offensive course which cannot be charged with
either vulgayty indccency.