The New York herald., 1845-07-05
INSTITUTION FOR EDUCATING FEMALES BY THEIR

INSTITUTION FOR EDUCATING FEMALES BY THEIR
OWN INDUSTRY has been SAID and written
lately the subject Of providing means to improve
the condition of that large and valuable class OF fe-
males in this country who have to earn their own
living by their skill and industry but amid all
the plans proposed with probably the best nen-
ons) not one has been put in practice; and, as II by
common consent almost every one, for some time
past, has ceased to write speak upon the subject
and this valuable class of society to have been
left to work out Gf we may use the term) their own
salvation The proposition, however, has been
started by MIR. Thomas Com, OF this city, that well
deserves the consideration OF Congress, and OF the
Secretaries Of the Army and Navy. Mr.. Coin pro-
poses to have piece Of land set apart, OF Govern
ment property IN this county or State, good and
convenient building erected thereon, and there to
have all the clothing even down to the knitting OF
stockings and suspenders required for the supply OF
the army and navy of the United States Inclusive OF
the service of the Indian Bureau), made by females
under female arrangement. The United States Go
vernment to pay no more pro rata than they would,
orhave done, TO contractors for supplying the cloth
ing tor the above branches OF the service. These
various contractors annually make large fortunes by
supplying the clothing for Government contracts,
and the greater part Of this clothing is at present
made by females, large profits thus wrung out OF
the intense exertlons, tears and misery of this suf
terlng and much injured portion OF the community.
excellent and industrious women in this country,
who work intensely hard for their living. and who
are not paid for their slavsh labor fourth part of
what they ought to receive, although the Govern
ment ultimately pays the full value for every article
OF clothing II purchases. Who then makes the en-
ormeus profits! the middle men, who stand between
The producers and consumers-that is, the contrac-
tors What can be more reasonable or lust then
that they who do all the work, should have the pro-
fits arising therefrom Common sense and com
mon honesty alike point out the correctness Of such
acourse. In an institution of this kind, and thus
directed, these females could be received at
comparatively. early age. They could be
well educated in valuable branches of learn
ing, besides being taught useful business,
by which they could earn an honorable livelihood
at once pay tor their own education, their own
board and clothing, and have handsome surplus to
contribute to the support of their parents and rela-
uves, who might stand In need OF the same, or to
their own establishment on their marriage, or
their setting up IN business for themselves, when
proper opportunity presented itself Such are the adj
vantages presented by the busin IS aspect of the
matter alone, to say nothing Of its phanthropc and
cant about relieving female Distress and preventing
the wee and misery accruing to thousands OF young
women annually. But who does anything in the
premises! Who suggests any really valuable plan
to improve the condition of the working class Of
females than all the asylums, houses of refuge Dor
cas- societies and female institutes in the city, put
together. Why is it that we have many unfor-
and the next? Because the pay awarded them for
honest industry is scarcely sufficient to keep soul
and body together. Because whilst these contract
ors and employers become wealthy enough by the
labor OF these women to roll round in carriages the
women themselves miserably paid for that
labor, Ia few cents for making shirt, and few
shlngs for making coat,) that temptations of all
Kinds are staring them In the face eternally; and
too frequently the very sons of the contractors or
employers become the seducers of the poor girls en-
ployed. Who wil-who can deny this As far as
we understand MIR. Com, he merely throws out
this plan to call the attention of our government to
it, with the hope that it will be adopted in which
we heartily JON. Whilst France and England, and
even tyrannlcal Austria and despotic Russia, are
teemng with valuable institutions for the improve
ment Of the industrious classes in every respect
both male and female-the United States, as GO
vernment does nothing whatever for the children of
the poor and hard working man. Is this right! :! Is
IT Just! Ought such state of things longer to con-
tlnue? Have not all in this country equal rights
equal claims upon the government Why then
should we not have such institution for females?
Is not the salvation of one vlrtuous female worth
more than the worldly fortunes of hundreds of con-
tractors =! Why should we be continually layishing
money on parades, professions, fireworks, and all
sorts otlde public and pompous displays that bring no
lasting beneficial result, where the same money APP
Piled as above proposed, would save hundreds of
fair and valuable females annually from destruction
Citizens, You all have voice in this mater-let
II be heard afiectuay at the proper time and in the
proper quarter We appeal to head quarters in this
OF such plan as Mr. Coin proposes he leaves that
point to the wisdom of the Hon. Secretary of the
Navy and Secretary of War. If desirable, Boston.
Philadelphia, and Baltimore, could have similar in
there could be one in every State of the
union-the patronage to be distributed pro rata ac-
cording TO the population The details could all be
readily arranged hereafter. 1t is the great principle
as laid down by Mr.. Coin, that we wish to see ac-
by Congress and the heads of Depart
mens, and carried into effect speedily as possi-
bic, and we trust that present we-normed and
benevolent Secretary of the Navy will recommend
The matter in his annual message to Congress- Let
us give happy home and good education to those
poor girls who destitute Of friends to do that for
tor them and thus them from those "who lie
IN wait to destroy" They could be taken and made
useiu at very early age-they could remain as long
rs they pleased, though probably the greater number
would leave before the age of 25 to be happily and
married. Others would leave with a
small capital, saved from their honorable earnings
to embark in business, while those who choose to
90 so could remain TO superintend and direct the
Others at good and fair salary. But all these and
other detalls-the location of the building ste the
mode OF Its construction &c, could all be easily
settled hereafter. Give u.s. then, such an institution
as we desire, to save the young and helpless from
vice. want and misery, and to render valuable chill
dren happy wives and honorable mothers-give IFS
such an institution this, and virtue and happiness
shall dwell forever in our midst.