The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-03-10

'HS isSs suSs sncs~ @IUs ~ Sux WY sssBV
number Of females who, depending upon
needle work, in ito various branches, for
living, afsin moro or lees needy condition,
aud that this class Of persons is alne1t the
only one which has not tho benefit Of some
sort Of an Organization. Every other branch
has some sort NJ an organization for self
protection. Owners Of manufactures, Mas
mechanics, Tailors, Shoemaksrs, &C., all
combine, to greater or less extent, for their
mutual protection. Journeyman Printers,
also, jour. taylors, jour. shoemakers, jour.
Carpenters, and others, all have their socie-
ties for the regulation Of prices and for pro-
lection against the exactions Of capital and
| the disastrous effects of q ruinous CON-
pctitive system. But, in the needle-women,
| we have class Of laborers, more numerous
than any one supposes, and, Of all persons,
naturally the most dependent and defence
less, who are wholly without organization,
and are living At the mercy,--if that may be
called mercy which knows no heart or con-
science, of the memorable demands Of trade,
that commercial spirit which demands the
most for tho least, without regard to the ne
cessary wants Of humanity or the require
ments Of christian charity.
Many, perhaps most Of these persons, have
been attracted to our city by its widespread
reputation for enterprise, rapid growth, and
extraordinary facilities for making living
and acquiring wealth. Leaving more crowd
ed localities, where, laborers being abundant
and competition sharp, work is poorly recon-
peDsed, they have come among US in the aas-
tering hope Of lettering their condition. But
when they get here, as our correspondent
says, they find no, ssShirt Sewers Union,o
no "Genin Baxsar,' no "Seamstress and
Shirt makers Benevolent Association nor
any other organization to aid them. They
find themselves alone among strangers
They end, also, that human pride, jealousy,
and suspicion are the same here rs elsewhere.
True, there may be work enough here, and
perhaps you will say, s'let them 20 round
from house to house and find it." But then,
"who knows them?" And, moreover, will
yon make no allowance for that shrinking
modesty which restrains An unobtrusive NO.
man from pushing boldly forward, or for tina,
proper sense Of self-respect which strives
NOT to lose isef in utter dependence, or, last
ly, for that delicate pride which would not
expose all its necessities to the observation
and the careless remarks Of too-curions
world.
| But whether you make such allowance or
not, the fact is the same, that there are many
defenceless females here who are willing to
wsrk for their living, are anxious TO get
work, and must have IL or starve. They
need aid of some sort. Mere charity, as
commonly understood, most, il not all, of
them would decline. The result to be arrived
at is simply this: there is undoubtedly in
this city work enough for all Of them--such
work as they can do and desire to do. Now how
to get it into their hands, with the least waste
Of time, without begging or hunting for it,
and how to secure them employment at all
times and at remunerating prices--this is
the question. Can this be done ? Can this
branch of labor be organized 80 as to secure
TO it an adequate influence in fixing its own
compensation, and in protecting it against
| the rapacity Of capital and the injurious ef-
fccts Of a ruinous competition?
he practical solution of these questions
opens field fer the labor OF benevolent la
dies and humane men. The thing has been
done elsewhere. Associations have been
formed in other cities which have achieved
the utmost success in securing constant en-
lployment for all members Of the association,
At remunerative prices, and, at the same time,
have secured to the well-to-do customers or
stockholders of the association the possibility
Of getting their work done just when desired,
and with much less trouble and expense than
by any other means.
Can such IN association be established and
sustained in this city? Our correspondent
thinks it can, and We think the plan which
she suggests is worthy Of fair trial. This
plan supposes capital stock to be raised BY
subscription, in shares Of 425 or $50 each
the number Of which would readily be deter.
mined. These shares may BE- paid in money
goods, manufactures or produce, all Of
which, under judicious mana cement, could
be prohtably used, II given in due proper
ton. Subscriptions being thus rsisod, Z
store would be opened under the charge Of 1
skillfal superintendent, where sufficient sup
plies Of goods and materials for manufac
ture by needle-w women should be kept, a. vel
as all articles manufactured by them, ant
where orders may be left for oil kinds o.
work, s'from the hemming OF napkin, o.
the embroidery Of simple leaf, or the max
ing Of shirt, 70 the execution OF the mos
elaborate fancy piece" A store like thi
would, Of course, receive the custom Of al
the subscribers, as well as many beney Glen
families not subscribers, and very man,
casual customers who want work-such a
shirts-well done and done quickly. Sub
: scribers or share holders would have the ad
vantage OF knowing exactly where to 20 il
: order to get work done just when and just a
y they want IL. Tho ADVANTAGE ~orIJ Il