No other issue of the day has absorbed me like the ever vexed problem of
woman’s work. I have read at various times many learned dissertations
upon women’s duties, women’s spheres and women’s capabilities; her
few successes and countless failures; most of them from the pens of
men, and a few from her own sex, but the first have, as a class, been
almost purely theoretical, and the second incomplete, one sided and
argumentative rather than instructive. A certain popular author wisely
observes that “Everything depends upon the point of view.” It is scarcely
possible for a man from his standpoint to take in the difficulties and
intricacies that lie all along the path of the gentle sex in the pursuit
of work, and after having obtained it, its successful accomplishment at
a salary not at all commensurate with its value. And the task is equally
difficult for a woman, since misfortune begets the most disagreeable and
unreasonable form of egotism, and the burden of her grievance demoralizes
her logic and vitiates the force of her statements. I am distinctly
conscious of all this as I approach the subject, and only a long and
crucial experience has given me the courage of opinions. One fact
seems to be lost sight of in the ceaseless clamor concerning “women’s
rights,” viz.: that most of them have more “rights” than they enjoy, and
conspicuous among them, the privilege of earning their own living. The
avenues of remunerative employment are only too few, and each is filled
to repletion with a hungry multitude. There are those, the achievements
of whose genius have lifted them beyond all praise or blame and given
them a rich and well merited reward, but it is not to these exceptional
cases that the ordinary laws of the great struggling masses can apply.
The world has known but one Mrs. Browning, one George Eliot, one Patti,
one Nilsson, but the example of these daughters of the sky soaring and
basking in the sunlight has only served to accentuate the gloom and toil
of the dwellers in the valleys below. Spirits such as these must ever
remain apart from the constant, harassing struggle of average women, and
this is the class for which I write.
I have often thought that it was the shadow of the curse of slavery still
resting upon our land that prevents, even in the wide and generous light
of the present day, a proper recognition of the true majesty of labor.
Unfortunately, the term is still regarded as synonymous with servitude,
not precisely degraded servitude, but certainly something so near akin to
it that it could never be confused with badges of the Legion of Honor!
Sewing, for a woman, means starvation, or slow death by torture;
factories and shops tell their own pitiful stories; the paths of music,
art, literature, and the drama, are strewn with dismal failures; and when
I come to teaching, that worst abused vocation of all, language fails me.
In Boston, I have heard it said that a faithful teacher can support the
burden of existence only about seven years. I can well believe it; but
on the other hand, to one such worker there are ten thousand drones. The
first impulse of every gentlewoman, thrown upon her own resources, seems
to be to teach; as to what or how, she is nebulous, delightfully vague,
the only point settled being the choice of occupation. Governesses are
engaged, to whom the entire charge of children is given, who receive the
treatment and wages of servants. In our public schools the felicitous
standard of excellence is a high percentage in examination, while the far
more important considerations of adaptability, patience and self-control
are disregarded. The evil effects of such a system are visited upon
defenseless children. Women, as a rule, regard their work, whatever it
may be, as only a temporary makeshift; the hope of something better lures
them like the _ignis fatuus_; the dim and uncertain prospect of a distant
future imparts a half-hearted exertion to the present, and this fact
touches the key-note of a large proportion of their failures. If all of
them could be brought to a thorough realization that we are a surplus
quantity, an unwelcome factor, yet one that can not be eliminated, the
answer to these problems which confront us might still be hidden, but
we should at least stand upon the threshold. On the other hand, I have
known women of singleness of purpose, of unalterable resolution, and the
courage of heroes arrayed in the ranks of the breadwinners. True, they
belonged to a hopeless minority, but this only served to render their
virtues the more conspicuous. Long observation and thorough investigation
have led me to the conclusion that the government departments at
Washington afford the best field for female labor now open to the sex.
Best, because the hours are not unreasonable, and the compensation
fair; best, because there are no three months’ vacations to be tided
over without pay, and also, on account of the certainty of retention
unless just cause can be shown for removal. It has been now nearly a
quarter of a century since it was decided that women were eligible to
these positions, being, I believe, during the late war that the first
appointments were made. Small experimental beginnings have crystallized
into wonderful results. Hundreds of women through the liberality and
enlightenment of our government are enabled to maintain themselves and
those dependent on them in comfort and respectability, and each of them
holds her office by the same tenure that their superiors hold theirs,
so that she is equally independent and fearless, owing her allegiance
not to them, but to the government which claims absolute fidelity over
a solemn oath. Our public service has been much and justly criticised;
it is still very far from invulnerable, but within the last two years
it has made more than creditable progress in the right direction. That
there have been, at various times, ignorant, careless and corrupt abuses
of the appointing power can not be denied. For many years the sole power
behind the throne was political influence, and thousands of appointments
of both men and women have doubtless been made without reference either
to the educational qualifications or moral character of the appointee.
Sometimes it was a case that appealed only to the sympathies, as a needy
widow, or a wounded soldier; or sometimes the unscrupulous tool of a
more unscrupulous politician; not unfrequently a poor relation—all of
these were made pensioners upon the treasury of the nation. Liberal pay
for conscientious, intelligent labor scarcely constituted one plank in
the departmental platform, but a pernicious sentiment looking toward
a minimum of work and a maximum of pay exerted a wide influence. In
view of the heterogeneous clerical assortment this is scarcely a matter
of surprise. There are comparatively few natures so strong that they
unflinchingly continue to do right simply because it is right. Even so
recently as five years ago, no clerk, not even the most capable and
faithful, could possess the assurance for a single day that his or her
dismissal might not be demanded to make a vacancy for some one commanding
stronger political influence. Inevitably, this knowledge had an injurious
effect. Another circumstance: the salaries being similarly apportioned,
it often chanced that a clerk doing five times the amount of work, and
of infinitely better quality than his neighbor, received the same pay;
and in the course of events a promotion would come to the idle and
inefficient employe, while the competent and industrious one toiled on at
the old salary.
The Treasury, the Interior, the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the
Postoffice Department, the Pension Office, and the Government Printing
Office, all employ a large proportion of female clerks. The average rate
of compensation is $900 per annum. For some years it was much lower, but
the end came, and the reward, as it usually does to those who patiently
labor and patiently wait. It has proven another verification of the old
adage “A work well begun is half done.” The progress has been very slow,
but all prejudice is obstinate and difficult to remove; every reform
fights for its foothold inch by inch; the gates of light ever unclose
reluctantly. The legislative halls of the nation have not been wanting
in men who have vehemently maintained that no government clerkship
should be filled by a woman. Not on account of mental, moral or physical
lack, but because these places were their legitimate spoils, which they
prostituted their high offices to unworthily bestow. And on the other
side, there have been great and generous spirits that have emphatically
declared that _all_ of these offices should be given to females, unless,
indeed, the charge of bureaus requiring an unusual degree of executive
ability. Many women are skillful accountants, neat and rapid copyists,
and accomplished linguists, and these are what government work demands.
Their accuracy and rapidity in counting money is marvelous. Beyond and
far above their intellectual or mechanical capabilities, I should mention
honesty. The peculations and defalcations of male employes have been
legion, but no woman has ever been known to betray her official trust. A
former Secretary has affirmed that in his opinion this unfailing honesty
was attributable to cowardice; that they were not too good to steal, only
that they were afraid! Well, let the honorable gentleman have his way. No
matter how low the motive, the fact remains, and the result is favorable
to the national exchequer. Even with the odium of this ungenerous
construction, they will probably continue to enjoy a pardonable pride in
this bit of departmental record.
The creation of a Civil Service Commission has drawn a broad line of
demarkation between the abuses of the past and the reforms of the future.
It would be difficult to over-estimate the good already accomplished.
In the first place, it has destroyed the incentive for removal, since
the vacancy can no longer be filled save by the wholly disinterested and
impartial Commission. Secondly, an employe may now indulge a reasonable
expectation, if his services warrant it, of advancement from grade to
grade as opportunities occur; in any event he will no longer be subjected
to the mortification of seeing a wholly unworthy person passed directly
over his head to a position to which he was entitled by every law of
right and justice. But one of the very best features of this Commission
is, the outer wall, the bulwark itself that they have reared, _i.
e._, the examination. It is thorough and comprehensive, and need not
be tampered with, or even approached, by the illiterate, since only
ignominious failure could result. There is no escape from the ordeal.
It is the one narrow path that leads to the inner courts, and there is
no avoiding nor evading its labyrinths. It is by no means uncommon to
hear complaints and repinings over their hard lot and small salary,
from clerks of both sexes, who receive a far greater amount for their
services than they could possibly obtain elsewhere. To use the mildest
language, it comes with a very bad grace from women who could not earn
twenty-five cents per day scrubbing door steps, and men whose highest
occupation outside would probably be driving a dray. This class is now
effectually shut out. Henceforth none but the intelligent laborer need
apply. I do not mean to say that liberal culture, or even a very superior
order of education is necessary for the performance of ordinary clerical
work—it is not—but a decent, rudimentary knowledge is indispensable, and
this the government has a right to demand. Even this, unfortunately, is
but one of the requirements that go toward making up a desirable clerk.
The more highly educated are often inefficient, while those of moderate
attainments attain an enviable standard of excellence. Acute perception
and rapid and accurate performance, an ability to use instantaneously
whatever knowledge possessed, a ready and retentive memory, conscientious
and never flagging industry—these make up the model clerk. I bear willing
and glad testimony that there are many such; those who have an honest
pride in their work, who do it well, because it would be impossible for
them to do anything carelessly, who do not look forward to “pay-day” for
their reward, but find it every day and every hour in the consciousness
of duty done. I once heard a chief say to one of his subordinates:
“Whenever I give you anything to do I am satisfied that it will be right.
I no longer have any sense of responsibility in regard to it. I am _sure_
of you.” This seemed to me a compliment of the best order, for, alas! the
number is very small of whom we can be perfectly “sure.” Emerson says of
the working classes that “finishers” such as these are very rare, but
that the world is blessed in having even a few.
To those whose desires or ambitions lead toward this branch of national
service, I would say, the channel for all information is the Commission,
with its headquarters at Washington. Neither the member of Congress from
your own district, nor even your powerful Senator can now pronounce
an “open sesame.” Nor can a political force from California make an
appointment from Maryland and accredit the appointee to his own State,
while Florida grapples with the rights of Oregon, and Maine and Texas
are inextricably mixed. Such measures as these have been of frequent
occurrence, but the despoilers are now themselves despoiled. Each state
has always been nominally entitled to its quota, but practically the
law was of no avail. Henceforth a just distribution of favors will be
demanded. The English Civil Service, which is the perpetual boast of
our cousins across the water, even so late as the time of Trollope’s
experiences, was in a deplorable condition; the evils of ours are not
of such ancient and stubborn growth, and the remedies lie near at hand.
We have taken no half way measures; the treatment is heroic, and the
cure is to come from the ground up. We may in time arrive at the ideal
arrangement of retiring and pensioning these public servants as France
does her postal employes, but this will probably be much later on, since
our Republic is not modeled after Plato’s!
This article is designed specially for women. I have wished to give
my fellow laborers not familiar with this particular vineyard some
general ideas in regard to these positions, how they are obtained,
what qualifications are necessary, and lastly the salaries. As I said
before, the average salary for women is $900 per annum, but there are
many who receive $1,000 and $1,200, while a more limited number are paid
$1,400 and $1,600. Leave of absence for thirty days during the year
is granted, with pay. Absence, other than this, must be without pay,
unless on account of sickness. Of course the departments are closed on
legal holidays. The hours are from nine until four, with thirty minutes
intermission at noon for luncheon. The offices, are well heated, well
ventilated, and furnished with the best desks, chairs, stationery,
pens and ink; every appliance and convenience that could be desired is
liberally supplied. Certainly the last vice of which Uncle Sam could be
accused is niggardliness. Payment of salaries takes place on the 15th
and 30th of each month. Many employes draw their salaries only on the
30th, but all who wish can do so at both the dates mentioned. One strong
argument against the employment of women has been that they lose much
more time than men from sickness. This is lamentably true; whether it
comes from an abnormal state of existence, the forcing of weak hands
to strong work, and the necessary out-door exposure to heat and cold,
rain and snow, I can not say; it may be that the answer is found in the
sad and homely saying that “A woman’s work is never done.” Too many,
alas! turn from their desks only to a change of labor at home; to bake
and brew, to patch and darn, to nurse the sick, to answer and instruct
eager, tireless, little questioners; to be, in a word, father, mother and
servant, to an entire household. I can not apply this palliation without
a great deal of discrimination. I will generously say that it perhaps
covers the cause of one half of the absenteeism attributed to sickness.
That there are many conscienceless ones who take advantage of every
pretext to remain away from their duties and make false representations
in regard to their absence can not be doubted; and naturally in making
up the general percentage the innocent suffer for the guilty, but as this
injustice has prevailed throughout human affairs from the beginning of
time, it will probably continue. On the other side, I will say that in
the important bureau with whose workings I am most familiar, I believe
the most careful and painstaking work is done by the female clerks,
and the compensation to male clerks is correspondingly much greater.
The doctrine of “Equal work, equal pay,” is not yet enforced, but the
chances are better and the prospects brighter in this direction than in
any other. In conclusion, let me add, that I have made this impartial
exposition of a dry subject in behalf of such of my readers as stand face
to face with that dragon of the century—the unending struggle for food
and raiment.