The amendment in relation to wo- !
men clerks, which was by a vote of
3G to 20 added in the Senate, to the
general appropriation bill, provides
“that the compensation of female
e’fFrks, counters, copyists, &c., whose
appointments are made under provi
sions of law, shall from and after
June 30 —1870, be the same as that of
male clerks performing similar or
like service,” and it is made the du
ty of the several heads of departments
so to classify said female employes as
|to carry out this provision. I leads of
departments are authorized to ap
point female clerks who may be found
competent and worthy to i?.U any of
i the grades of clerkships kndwn to
' law.
It is provided, however, that there
I shall be no increase in the number of
clerks, so if additional females are
I employed, they must necessarily dis
please the male clerks now employed.
The emplopment of women in the
government offices has from the first,
! been regarded by thoughtful citizens
as a doubtful expedient, fraught with
dangerous tendencies. Commenced
i its it was under Mr. Lincoln’s admin
istration, fur motives of charity for
widows and daughters of men who
I had fallen in defence of the nation, it
i was regarded with indulgence by a
people full of gratitude to their brave
defenders. As might have been ap
prehended, the measure which was
inaugurated by a spirit of gratitude
and benevolence, soon became an en
gine of political corruption. The at
mosphere of Washington is well cal-
I eulated to contain inate even the
purest institutions. It was soon found
1 that political influence had more to
■ do with these appointments than any
other consideration. The smiles of
beauty, and the blandishments of.
