The Belmont chronicle, and farmers, mechanics and manufacturers advocate. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1848-1855, 1853-05-06
pEFoRmERs AND REFORMS.

The task Of a reformer is usually performs IL
ID without thanks or recompense. Men do
not reform evil practices until convinced that
hey are evil; and they are seldom willing to
yield to such convictions. The reformer
must therefore address his admonitions to
unwilling ears, and receive harsh repulscs
from many OF his besieged auditors.
Our English brethren, therefore, ungrate-
full as they may deem US, should not be as
tonished at the limited success that attends
their labors when seeking to amend the con-
diton Of things in American society. Many
years have passed since BASIL HALL, Mrs.
TRoLLoPE, Mr.. FEATHERsToNEHAUeH Rev.
Mr.. filler, and that prince of sketchers and
of snobbish toadies, CHARLES DICKENS,
published their portraits or caricatures Of A
merican life; yet no monuments Of our
gratitude are reared in their honor; no thank |
fulness has ever been kndled in the breasts
of our countrymen; no golden testimonials
have been presented to these sclf-sacrfcing
philanthropists. What wonder, therefore,
that many of our own reformers should HE
to England for sympathy, and for those re-
wards that even prophet cannot receive in
his own land!
But if we cannot thank those who would
reform us, much less profit by their advice,
we may at least enjoy the precious privilege
of looking upon the ills and onormities that
afflict the nation whose people .manif est so
much concern for our welfare.
| The London Times of the 30th ult. calls
attention to a class of persons whom it re-
CARDS worthy the notice of such Of the
benevolent as have time to devote to the af-
fairs Of others. These persons are Of the
weaker sex, often of immature age, and OF
the most favored race of man. Their toll is
unenlivened by word of speech, uncheered
by smile, and unreieved even by the out
breathing Of a sigh! The Times says:
"From o'clock till II it is stitch, stitch
At IL small piece Of dry bread is served tc
each seamstress, but still she must stitch on
At o'clock, 90 minutes are allowed fol
dinner-a slice of meat and potato, with Q
glass of toast and water to each workwoman
Then again to work-stitch, stitch until o.
clock, when Is minutes are again allowed fol
tea. The needles are then set in motion once
, more-stitch, sttch-until 8 o'clock, when
Is minutes are allowed for supper-a piece
of dry bread and cheese, and glass of beer
, From nine o'clock at night until one, two, &
three O'Clock in the morning, stitch, stitch
, the only break in this long period being Q
minute or two-just time enough to swallow
a cup Of strong tea, which is supplied lest tht
young people should 'feel sleepy At three
o'clock, a. m, to bed; at six o'clock, a. m.
out Of it again to resume the duties of th
, following day.
1 "Even during the few hours allotted t.
sleep-should we not rather say to feverisl
| cessation from toi1!-their miserics continue
: They are cooped up in sleeping pens, ten il
f room which would perhaps be sufficient fol
t the accommodation of two persons. Not
, word of remonstrance is allowed, or is posi-
r BILE. The seanstresses may leave, no doubt
but what awaits them on the other side o
5 the door!-starvation, if they be honest
not, in all probability, prostitution and it
consequences. 1t is idle to use any furthe
( mystifcation in the matter. The scenes o
misery we have described exist at our owl
doors, and in the most fashionable quarters o
luxurious London. 1t is in the dressmakin!
a and millinery establishments Of the 'Wes
s End that the system is steadily pursued. Thu
s continuous labor is bestowed upon the ga,
, garments in which the ladies of England
love to adorn themselves. 1t is to satisf
, thoir whimo and oapricos that their wretche,
sisters undergo these days and nights of sui
, fering and toll"
OF the truth Of the description here givel
we entertain no doubt. Nowhere, indeed, il
the whole world is labor more oppressive, o
, compensation more meagre, allotted to th
abject poor. Thankless as may be the tasl
OF making such exposures, we trust the jour
nal from which we quote may prosecute th
work to a blessed consummation. And il
the meantime, to prove that we are not indis
posed to initiate it in looking to the mote il
} its own eye, we shall here take occasion ap
pend a statement tending to show the oppres
sion that weak and feeble woman experiences
in our own favored regions of freedom ant
plenty.
At meeting at Rochester, in the State o
New York, few days since, convened fol
the purpose of endeavoring to raise the wage.
of female labor, it was stated, that although
the times were pronounced good, large numb
ers of seamstresses, by the most unremtting
toll, were barely able to procure sufficency
of necessares to sustain life. A paper was
read, showing the number of hours employed
on what kind of work, and the remuneration
received on an aggregate by the sewing
women of that city, from which the follow,
ing is extracted.