New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-10-07
Meeting in behalf of the shirt Sewers Coop.
erative Union.

According to previous notice. respecta-
bic though not very large meeting assembled at Hope
Chapel last evening, the object of which was to con
sider the claims of the SHIRT Sewers Cooperative up
on sympathy and assistance at the hands of the pub
lie. DR.. JOHN ID. Russ selected Chairman,
and William c Russell chosen Secretary.
Az appropriate and impressive prayer having been
offered by Rev. Mr. Downing, the Secretary read the
following
REPORT or rus SHIRT SEWERS COOPERATIVE UNION
When an Association commences 10 carry Out and
put IN practice any measure OF Reform II seems pru-
dent and necessary TO lay the subject before the
public for Their approval and sympathy lest the de-
signs and intentions Of IT, protectors might be
pugntd. or It, objects be deemed Specuatlye-de-
signed 10 benet the few at the expense OF the many,
and thus ALLEVIATE the sympathleS Of those VINO. when
they should have a correct understanding of the pur-
poses of the proposed Reform, would more fully APP
preclae the motives and ald IN carrying forward the
des gns of the Association. In Justice then, to the
Union, We have convened this meeting fOr the pur-
pose OF laying before the public simple statement
OF the circumstances which induced us TO form this
Union. and TO ask your friendly ad and cooperation.
tOfceu d. duCct NECESSITY, through want OF employ
meIt and starvation wages when We had work 10
do. some iew Of our present numbers combined to-
sether III the month Of April last and organized INTO
an Association styled the ShIrt-Sewers' Cooperative
Union. Our aims and OBJECTS were 10 work together
for mutual beuo IT. 70 share the profits accrung from
our INDUSTRY according 70 our ability and willing
Less 10 DO, instead of being, as formerly, compelled
Briefly It was an experiment, and II has succeeded
We have demonstrated the fact 10 our caS-dOwn and
suffering sisters, that full double the wages be-
earned DN less hours OF tOll under our plan of
combination than under the Old arrangement When
our numbers were limited and the work light.
were Idble 10 pay our way but as our mem
bcr increased with the demand for labor our profits
increased leaving at present net profit Of 10 per
cent over the prices paid 10 the members. state
ment OF the prices of work gwen By employers and
thai paid by the Association will serve to show the
b.sea air a.tut ~
Prices OF Shirts made for large Shirt manufactures
RAJ &c from cents 10 81 cents While our lowest
prices are % cents for cheap >nrts and IS cents for
the best made article. our prices range thus for the
same article, only that ours are Well made, which
cannot be SAID Of sale Shirts
Cheap Shirt. shop made to cents
Bet Shrs. shop mace.--------. '------- 81 % 50
Cheap Shirts, Association made .-.....-..--25to 3s
Best Shuts Association made ..-..--.....---75
Col srs, shop made --------l and
From these prices We are even now enabled 10
10 per cent stIll be divided or TO be LAID out
IN stock tor the mutual advantage Of all. ASIDE
from these advantages, the members are not over
tasked as much a. under the old system, and we are
sure OF our beng promptly paid, which very often
Was not the case IN shop work. We therefore feel
warranted III urging upon the public the necessity
and expediency OF enlargng our sphere Of useful
ness, by increasing our facilities for employing all
who prefer working for themselves, and those de-
pendent upon them 10 tOIlIng for the ptance wages
2rudgngly gwen by employers Our Association at
present employs 10 females, among whom are Is
"IcCws-Out not steadily, as until the issue Of the
aPye0t far aid (sOme three weeks snce) We had not
iuli employ ment That appeal, We are grateful and
happy 10 say, has rallied around usmany kind frlends
VINO have aided US very materially IN procuring
work, and now stimulate further 10 lay our
cause before the whole public. Inc time for such
movement seems 70 be n0V. There Is general
feeling Of sympathy and A lively interest for the
6.ccO cefcnseitss anc deepiy-~ronged >hIrt-makers
Of our City. Nobly they STRIVING 10 earn, M
honesty and decent poverty. The bread that poorly
.eecs and the humble raIment that bu, poorly
their vested forms They patient sufferers, .Oihng
unce daDgly. ever hopeful Of brighter future. Very
maay are WIDOWS. descended byreserses TO poverty
more u them are orphans,
.---------- too early throan
On the cold word, gnloFed. alone
Others are compelled 10 aid IN the support Of fam
lies and " .dOwed mothers, and an have pressing
calm n society. Too long has this been lightly
treated or totally disregarded. Occasionally, as the
0tnoFolent pass through hospitals their warTnest
ssmpathles are aroused for those Who worn down
Win toll. weary Of life diseased by seGentary habits,
have come there 10 die. Not unoften the prls0a-
DIR aid the a0d-houss close upon them and oftener
the houss " shane affords an asyium denied TO them
Dy horest toll and lie OF virtue. These are the
everyday histories OF the seamstress Few Of them
eDoy tie wholesome comforts OF hfe, and more suf-
FER 'or even the common neceSSaIles. This should
lot BE- or need not, when society begins 70 under.
stand TIE duty Of eey dting the condition Of hergeak
and cefeL seless sister,. The lnta,ory stem IN ths
reform Is the associatDg together OF the most de-
pressed branches OF industry for mutual and and pro.
lection. One such organization. established by your
aid anc patronage, would be instrumental IN accom-
ptsLlNg vast good 70 other depressed branches OF
irade, D. successful example The advantages to
accrue rom change in the uncertain tenure I'M
Ger which the needlewomen now hold their night TO
eAst hvt 70 say ilVe are apparent 70 every reflect
Hg mind Al society would feel and benefit BY the
chaAge Oy placing IN position Of comparative
cIhl and independence large class Of operatives,
whose ceIeLseless condltoG 10 now made 20 Inure
10 lne pToht and aggrancizemen; Of those who profit
oy theH il-paid labor The change would lessen the
rlmbefs who at times are compelled 10 ask charity.
II would roo the brmg ch1>f kop Of rice, which
our CITY 50 ab9unds, Of Iumbess:s Victims. swouid