The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1910-06-27
The Business Girl

Thus far the eugenis,s seem to have
gone on the assumption that the mass
es are densely ignorant of their doc
trines. This investigation may per-
haps bring them encouragement, says
Robert Haven Schauffier in Success
Magazine" For, so far as the business
girl is concerned. if she were rid of
the besetting temptations and free to
follow out her ideals. it would not be
long before the right of the child to
be well born would become the para.
mount consideration" in a large part
of America. Perhaps even so that
great time is nearer than we dream
The business girls ideals, as well. of
possible husband are. with few ex-
eeptions. more eugenic than those of
the factory girl One exception is the
high income which they demand for
him. For this demand. though it in
sures better conditions for the posi-
BILE children, tends to raise the average
age at which the girls marry. thus in
creasing their chances of falling vic.
Tins TO the violent temptations of bust
ness life and lessening by just SO much
their chances of marrying at all.
Other exceptions are their views on
extravaganza. their leniency toward
drink: and worst of all, their dense
ignorance of the menace of the great
black plague" 1T is no crime" writes
DR.. saleeby with bitter irony, for a
man to marry, infect his innocent
bride and their children: no crime
against the laws of our little lawgiv-
ers, but a heinous outrage against ma
lures DEGREES.
1t is my belief that the ''murderous
silence" which has been preserved
about this distressing subject will soon
indignation. Already the first faint
rumors have been heard. Besides the
above, other constructive suggestions
have already been made. 1t is urged
that doctors who know that their pa
tents are going to marry against
their advice should be relieved of the
obligations of keeping the profession
al secret that parents should insis,
| on their daughters fiancee presenting
d cream Ulii vi H0diIH IIOiu lucii wv II
physician as we'll as from his: and that
the state should establish a bureau OF
health measure licenses. Each oil
these proposals is of course open to OBJ
lection. But this is natural; for we
have only begun to let the light in
| upon this loathsome problem.
Allowing, however, for such things
the ideals of the girl of business hold
out rich eugenic promise. But alas
this must be heavily discounted by tn;
fact that business girls are exposed t
such heavy temptations. 1t follows
then, that few reforms promise more
for the future OF America than a rist
! in wages of the business girl, excep
perhaps a rise in the factory condi
tons.
This would attack the business girl
| temptations in two ways. 1t woult
make it possible for her dress decentl!
within her income; and it would bet
ter her social position. This would
make the men treat her with more con
sideration and respect.
| All in all, the business girl is mos
encouraging social phenomenon. For
temptations apart-both her characte
and her environment At her to max
a wise marriage choice from high mo
tives and be a good wife and mother
Upon her should be centered much o
our hope for the coming America