The Postmaster Who Refused to Hire Women

To the Editor: Will you permit me to make a few honest statements through your columns, in order that the public in general may understand the composition of the man who has been entrusted with the incumbency of the postmaster at Olympia? Nearly a year ago, when Mr. R.D. Glover first began to work for his present position, I requested my father to use his influence in obtaining for me a clerkship in case Mr. Glover's efforts proved successful. My request was complied with, and Mr. Glover expressed himself as being only too glad of an opportunity to return in a measure the many obligations which he considered due to my father. As the winter, spring and summer passed away, I awaited with patient anxiety the appointment of a postmaster at the capital city, until one day in the early fall, when a dispatch from Washington informed Mr. Glover of the new honors that had suddenly fallen upon him. After a few weeks of wretched suspense, I was privately informed by my father that Mr. Glover had decided to give me at least a month's trial as his deputy. Accordingly, after being duly instructed in regard to the duties, and resolving to expect no favors simply because I was a girl, I took the oath of office as deputy postmistress. I resigned the position I then held in order that my employer might find my successor. In course of time, Mr. Glover assumed his new responsibilities, intimating his intention to retain the deputy of the former postmaster until he should become initiated; but in a few days a second deputy was employed. Matters finally reached a crisis when Mr. Glover informed a friend of mine that it was his intention to have no ladies around the post-office, owing to the fact that they could not do the work, and he did not consider it a suitable place for them. When asked if he had not already forwarded a young lady's name as deputy, he insinuated in a roundabout manner that he would have no difficulty in arranging that trifle. My patience was reduced to a mere atom, and I insisted upon ascertaining Mr. Glover's true views. He was summoned before my father and expressed his intention of engaging my services no later than Dec. 1st. However, his conversation on that day filled me with vague suspicion, since it consisted chiefly of pros and cons, hems and haws, blushes and contradictions. Since then I have received no word whatever, and today my only hope is that some time I may find a tribunal where equity is known. Must I submit to this base deception simply because I am only an eighteen-year-old girl? Yet, such is the ruling of this world, and to the enlightened nineteenth century a young lady who has the earning of her own bread thrust upon her must not complain, simply because she has been thrown out of employment by the contemptible dishonesty of an unprincipled man.