Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 45, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 November 1891 — Work and Wages. [ARTICLE]

Work and Wages.

At the recent meeting of the learned British Association there was a discussion of the difference in the wages of men and women doing the same work. The conclusion seemed to be that there is no great difference, after all, and therefore not much to discuss. The same matter is debated now and then in this country. All rightthinking people will agree that a woman is entitled to the pay which a man would receive for the same work, equally well done. Nevertheless, this does not mean that Alice Jones, who is a clerk jn Rupert & Co.’s dry goods store, and who stands at the counter beside James Stark, should have the sartie weekly wages as he. It is the universal custom to put more work and heavier upon the men, and usually the greater responsibility is laid on them. Moreover, it is a matter of common experience that men are less frequently compelled by illness to be absent from their work, and their power, of endurance is, in general, greater. . This is not all, for while it takes one man to marry one woman, the man usually continues at his employment after marriage, while the woman does not. It follows that a man, being more likely to stay and to learn the ins and outs of trade, is worth more to an employer than a woman who may marry and leave him at any time. It follows also that ih any employment where men and women are at work together, the average experience of the men is the greater. These facts do not excuse unfairness in giving wages to men and women, but they do explain away some things that seem unfair, and that turn out not to be so.—Youth’s Companion.