164 wiscoisrsiN academy sciences, arts, akd letters. 



There is not a more pitiful proposition in the list of social im- 

 practicabilities than that of a mother turning to the occupations 

 of men and asking bread and education for her children. So far 

 as I am aware, the consideration of this straggle for existence 

 among dependent women has not advanced much beyond the ad- 

 mission that it is a case to be considered. And 1 would here sug- 

 gest, as a step toward something known, if not done, in this re- 

 gard, that through this organization tor the advancement of knowl- 

 edge and social amelioration the Government be asked at the taking 

 of the n^xt census, to inc^uire how many "women there are in the 

 United States dependent upon themselves for support; and how 

 man}^ in addition to their own support, are charged with the 

 maintenance of children, aged parents or family relations dependent 

 upon their labor, with the occupations followed and the means ac- 

 cruing therefrom. This, with the number, sex, and age of children 

 and other statistics relating to the family, and a statement of such 

 partial means as have been left bj' deceased or are furnished by 

 incompetent natural providers, would throw much light upon re- 

 lated questions, while bringing this one of compensation for labor 

 with a new significance before the social philosopher who answers 

 the inquiry, '■ Ought not the compensation of one person to be 

 equal to that of another for the same work?" by asking, " Ought 

 not families to bs supported?"* 



The question before us is not a divided one, but inseparable by 

 virtue of a higher law no political economy can permanently re- 

 sist. That " the laborer is worthy of his hire," stands denied by 

 Christian, as by Pagan communities, to the multiplication of poor- 

 houses and jails under sound of the Sabbath bells of all Christen- 

 dom. This is no mere figure of speech; the logic of statistics 

 proving that in the so-called most Christian nation upon which 

 the sun shines, the pauper list, because of unremunerated employ- 

 ment, is greater than that ^of any other country in the world. 

 And what is pauperism? Pauperism is the result ol uncompensated 

 labor; and labor uncompensated is that the wages of which do not 

 furnish the means of keeping in repair the instruments of it. 

 Science and experience show that man, as a laborer, must receive 

 wages in advance of keeping himself in repair, or the instrument 

 he leaves to take his place must be a deteriorated one. This, be- 



* Social {Science and Woman Suffrage, by Kev. C. Caverno. Vol. I. Academy 



Transactions. 



