Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-01-22

Women vs.. Sewing Machines.
Women are not yet entirely superseded, being
tremely useful III their appropriate place,-iu fact,
absolutely indispensable yet the Improvement at
tempted in the sewing machine has exerted an i'm
portant influence upon her social state. Besides this
machine, though OF but i've years existence, has at
fccted great mechanical results As invention ii
has arrived Mt degree of success, and this fact
in connection with the circumstance that but smnl
capital is required. while the machines sold at -
profit of loo to 200 per cent has been the occasion
OF fierce competition and protracted litigation, IL
which the financial resources of many have been Sc
vtrely tried
The sewing machine is being introduced into gem
era use with rapidity of which few have any con-
crption We have number of large manufactures
in operation, exclusively engaged in their mnnuiac-
turc, each employing several hundred men, and, in
several instances unable to fill the orders pres
sing upon them.
The sewing machine has already been introduced
TO such exteat that some calculation may be made
OF its effect, socinl element. 1t predicted
that its use would bear with peculir hardship upon
the sewing girl whose oppressed condition has long
excited the sympathics Of the phanthropici but 1t IS
evident this hns not been the result and the strong
prejudice which for several years resisted the intro
ducton of the sewing machine has been gradually
overcome The following incident, which occurred
about four years ago, ia related by Singer and shows
the nature of the resistance then experienced:
We sitting in Office one pleasant afternoon,
when tall Indy dressed in black entered, and with
rapid step advanced to the sewing machine exh-
bition Are YOU, she asked, the inventor OF this
machine 2 | nm, WAS the reply. Then she re-
joined, with a fierce expression, you ought to be
hungP Having delivered herself of this opinion she
abruptly left the Office Hardship may result in
Instances from the substitution of this instru
ment for hand labor, but it is no doubt destined to
confer lasting benefit its advantages confined
to no particular class, and unlimited in their up
plication
There three firms which manufacture On
erage 600 machines in yeAr, and ght or ten,
IN ALL that well established Many other parties
are experimenting, with various success. Singer is
the only hrm which manufactures in this city. lie
employs about 200 men. Wheeler Wilson manu-
ftcturc in bridgeport extensive scale, having
recently removed from Waterlown, y. Y, and pur-
chased Jerones clock factory, for about 100000.
which is being fitted up with machinery for the
plurment OF 1t least loo hands. Grover Il Baker,
another firm of some note, are erecting building IN
Boston 200 feet in length aud five stories high, which
will employ about 200 men, with room for expansion,
n business increases.
Sewing machines are very extensively used by man
uhcturers. Douglass Sherwood, manufacturers of
Elaes skirts ia Broadway, have not less than 1910
chimes, costing $4,000, which is believed to be the
largest number anywhere employed by single firm.
Each one Is calculated to do the work of ten ordna
ry sewers Tho uses for which they are employed are
exceedingly curious; and persons Of an iuquisitiyc
disposition, who are not satisfied to Judge simply 10y
external appearances may derive much satisfaction
from the opportunity here afforded for minute inyes
tgaiIon and scientific research. Three hundred
hands are employed, and the execution done may he
inferred from the following statistics II here put
mp weekly 40 pieces ofmuslns, or li2. 600 per year
ditto 1000 pounds OF iupe cord or 100000 per year;
COO dozen Of pool cotton per week. or g 200 dozen
per year For the single item of round whactone
tholed in oil and perfectly heNiblc) the enormous
sum Of $4,000 Is paid, every week. Besides, there
are 26 looms in the city constantly employed i'll the
manufacture of hair cloth, iorthe initiation of ladies
garments, milking 1000 yards per week, aud 100
looms engaged other fabrics With these fac-
ties the force employed turn ont three thousand
skirts per day, exclusive of woven goods
The celebrity of the sewing machine in its various
movements is almost incredible. Woman's powers,
whatever their cultivation unable to compete,
either in rapidity, precision or finish.
From Loco to 1000 stitches per minute according
To the description of the work, not unusual On
shirt bosoms, the number per minute is about 500,
in cording and binding umbrellas, 1000 Full one
hall OF the machines made sold TO the aho-
rions class of paope known AS mediterranean sew
Ing girls and employees in manufacturing concerns;
though very many are made for family sewing, sew
efal families often uniting in the purchase of ma
chine and passing it around needed. As some in
straetion is desirable there places Broadway
where Indies gather each day to receive lessons, and
among them often those of an ucUce aud the
| highest espectahiity. Sometimes woman buys a
machine, fur gaiter work for instance hires female
! filters in sufficient number to keep her constantly
! employed and pays them 81 os s. per week, often
| leaving handsome profit. \ womau has been known
10 make us high 500 per week, with two filters
Machinery has already done much to emancipate
men from exhansting tol-has dey eloped the indus
trial arts aud qnckened the wheels of commerce,-So
that instead of depriyng the aborer of his means of
support, he is only en- bed to apply his powers to
the greatest advantage. The sewing machine pron-
ses permanent relief to the wearsome bondage Of the
! needle woman