Year: 1868

FEMALE OPERATIVES is well worth
while to note the gradual advancement that
appears TO have been. made in the extension
of the field open to female effort, and grati-
tying to be able to believe that as old preju-
dices die away and the capabilities Of this
class of operatives become better understood
and appreciated, they may rise to the COM
paratiVely independent position now oceu-
pied as workmen by the sterner sex.


The number of female operatives, as COM
pared with that of men, in New York city,
was ascertained some years ago to approxi-
mate the ratio of thirty-eight to one hundred,
but of late it has doubtless increased, owing
to the number of new occupations which
of late have been made available them, or
which they have more largely followed, and
among which may be named printing, engra-
wing, photograph coloring, and telegraphy.
As compositions they have proved very sue
eessful, and earn from eleven to twelve dol
lars per week, being paid the same per one
thousand ems as men.


They are even employed at press work. for
which they receive an average of six dollars
per week; and also as binders, book-sewers
and gilders, for which the wages vary from
five to ten dollars week. In each of these
occupations, it is said, with apparent reason.
that they are steadier and more reliable than
the male operatives. AS engrayers, women,
if skilled, can earn about twenty dollars
week; but this is subject to the serious draw
back of there being no certainty of continu-
GUS employment. Among the few branches
of work in which female operatives meet
with no direct competition, may be mention.
toned the somewhat laborious one of bur
nishing silver and gilded ware, at which they
make from eight to nine dollars a week.


The clothing business and the manufacture
of corsets, hoopskirts, etc., probably employs
the larger proportion of labor of which we
are speaking, and the wages paid may be said
to average about seven dollars week. As
a favorable eontrast to this low rate OF com-
pensation, it may be mentioned that compe-
tent saleswomen receive much higher wages,
there being one or two instances in which il
is said that salary of five thousand dollars
is cheerfully given; but it must of course be
understood that the recipients are persons
having great experience, and capable of con-
trolling circle Of customers


II should be a subject Of congratulasion
that among our people the demand for labor
is so great that none OF the baeful results
that are said to have taken place In England
from the introduction of female labor are to
be feared, for instead of permanently lower
ing the average of wages, it may be said to
liberate an increased proportion of male
workmen for the heavier and more arduous
classes of industry. Let employers facilitate
the entrance of females to any field of en-
ployment for which their strength is fitted;
let inventors reduce the drugery of labori-
Gus occupations, until such are brought with
in their capabilities Of performance; let the
thoughtful ones of the community at large
ponder the subject, not merely as a passing
topic of remark or newspaper comment, but
seriously, as one Of the most important of
all the industrial questions Of the time, and
perhaps some day or other the harsh lines Of
trade may be sweryed and bent until the
wages of women shall approximate more
nearly, and We may add, more Justly, to those
of men.-Americdn Arfisda