The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-07

wen All. Let them nemeria re the merchants in the
dry goods department, for instance, and show them
th,g also-that there were hundreds Of females in
this city who were abe to keep the books - well
any man in it, There were various other branches
of business which men were employedfo for which fe-
males alone were suitable or intended let these men
20 to the fields and seek the livelihood men ought
70 do and leave the females their legitimate employ
nent. By these means some thousands would be al
forded employment in branches much more valuable
10 themselves and to the community generally. She
then proceeded to recommend those present to
be moderate in their demands, and not TO ask
Cor more than the circumstances of trade would
warrant, for if they acted otherwise it would
tend to their more rapid ultimate ruin. Under pre-
sent circumstances very few years broke down their
constitutions and they had no other resource than
the amshouse."
This address was well received, and it was after
wards subject Of much regret to tie friends Of the
workn. women that the excellent advice it con-
tanned was not acted upon. At this meeting a mum
Der Of delegates presented their credentials from the
following trades Tailoresses plain and coarse sew
ers. shirt makers book folders and sttchers, cap
makers straw workers, dress makers, crmpers,
fringe and lace makers, and large number Of Others
A preamble and resolutions were subsequently adopt
ed setting forth the claims OF the working women
to more adequate compensation for their labor and
directing address to be prepared by committee,
presenting their wrongs to the public in their true
ard proper light, and advising such measures as
might be best calculated to remedy them. This ad
dress, which was to have been read by lady,
was postponed, and we believe was never de.
hvered before public audience, at least.
At tie next meeting Of the association, held on
the l4sh Of March, number of rules for the govern
ment of the body were adopted, and resolution in
favor OF establishing store in connection with it
was unanimously passed. To raise the necessary
funds for this purpose, it was resolved that COM
uittee should wait on Mrs. Stephens the well known
authoress and request her to deliver address for
the benefit of the association. This Mrs. Stephens
refused to do but expressed her willingness to write
an address, on condition that it should be read by
some gentleman. The committee agreed to this ar
rangement: Mr. Charles Burdett was selected, and we
believe handsome sum realized for the ass0cia
ton. A few meetings were held after this but,
We have stated, some politicians and strong minded
women, who cared more for notorety than the inte-
rests of the poor working women, took part in them,
threw disrepute on the whole movement and render
ed it so unpopular that it was broken up, without
efecting any good for those whom it intended to
benefit A party Of women's rights women formed
what they called an auxiliary society, without the
consent Of the association, and were proceeding to
act on their own account, independent of it, when
they informed that they did without authority
from the President This brought the two societies
into direct collision, hostilities commenced,
which ended only with the overthrow Of both. Thus
terminated this attempt Of the female opera
tives to better their condition and procure fair
compensation for their labor, and thus must termi-
nate all movements in which foolish theorists or
scheming politicians are allowed to take part.
TIE FORMER AND PRESENT CONDITION OF THE
STRAW SEWERS.
The straw sewers at one time were paid better
price for their labor than women employed at any
other occupation in the city. But it is strange tact
that as the price of provisions and rents have in
creased the rate of wages instead of increasing in
equal proportion has absolutely been reduced less
than onehalf. 1t might reasonably be supposed
from this brief statement that it is next to mpossi
BILE for women engaged in this work to
Yectabe subsisten e: and were it not for the most
rigid economy it certainly would be difficult mat
ter for many Of them to live at ALL About fifteen
twenty years ago, the price paid to straw sewers
was from six to shillings piece each piece
regulated OF course according to the quality Of the
article but it made little difference whatever
in the weekly amount which the women were able to
earn. At the period of which we speaking,
an ordinary hand at the work could make
six or seven dollars per week, while those
who were expert at it, could earn ten dollars
o week. This left q large surplus for saving
after all expenses were paid, and woman could
IroL foru I'd witty To fha limo uvhau oh
be enabled by her own savings, to set up in business
on her own account. In fact the straw trade then,
was principally if not entirely, conducted by women;
and to this fact is in small degree attributable the
high price paid for their labor. Those who have
been for years employed in the business, say that
but for its monopoly by men, there would be
duction in the prices; but it is undeniabe that since
they entered it, the prices have gradually been
duced from six and ten shilings piece to thirty and
forty cents. There are, it is true, two straw
merchants who pay cent yard, bat the majority
do not give than thirty and forty cents piece
The golden age Of straw sewers has passed with the
termination of the female regime, and now, under
tie new order which has followed, it appears
there is no hope that they will ever be adequately
remunerated Tor their work.
PRICES PAID FOR SEWING sTRAw--INJUsTICR OF
EMPLOYERS.
At present their average weekly wages is two
dollars and a half, and TO make this they have
70 work ten hours every day. Like all kinds
Of needlework, it is injurious to the health and
destructive 10 the sight Ten hours constantly
looking at the bright yellow straw so impairs the
eyes that III ether obiaots appear dim and indstinct
while the half bent position of the body not unfre-
1ueLty urO iuces CONSUMPTION. There are some ..,,
efs who. BY working twelve or fourteen hours daily,
are able to make four five dollars week, but the
excessive fatigue generally produces sickness, and
the surplus is frequently consumed in medicines 1t
would be WELL however, if the evil did not extend
further; but strange to say, it reacts upon all the
Workers Our readers will be surprised as much as