to hold the office was contested by her opponent, C. E. Russell. Miss Guptil asked the following Legislature to make her position definite, and in February, 1895, a bill was passed and approved by Gov. John H. McGraw which removed all doubt, and she assumed the office.
At the present time (1900) there are seven women county superintendents. ‘Women may sit on the school boards of all cities and towns. They are not eligible to any other elective office.
In 1897-98 Mrs. Carrie Shaw Rice served as a member of the State Board of Education. Women do not sit on other boards.
The law requires women matrons in the jails of all cities of 10,000 inhabitants and upwards, but not at police stations.
Women are employed in subordinate capacities in various State and municipal offices. They are also librarians in many places.
They can not serve as notaries public.
Occupations: It was enacted by the Legislature of 1890 that: “Hereafter in this State every avenue of employment shall be open to women; and any business, vocation, profession and calling followed and pursued by men may be followed and pursued by women, and no person shall be disqualified from engaging in or pursuing any business, vocation, profession, calling or employment on account of sex: Provided, That this section” shall not be so construed as to permit women to hold public office.”
Education: All of the educational institutions are open to both sexes alike.
In the public schools there are 1,033 men and 2,288 women teachers. The average monthly salary of the men is $42.13; of the women, $34.53.
