New-York daily tribune., 1858-07-19
THE NEEDS OF HOMAN.
A LETTER FROM MISS E. NJ. POWELL

A LETTER FROM MISS Z. NJ. POWELL.
To :hs Edito, y The ~ Y Tribune
Sir: Ny attention has been called this evening to
editorial which appeared in your issue Of Saturday
last taking exceptions to my views of the wrongs of
the workwomen of New-York, and rebuhing my
"thoughtless unjust and ungeuerous surs" on the po
litical women of the day Frsm the tone of this srti
Gle, Judge that the writer is the friend Of Woman, in
bis own way, and, therefore, bend my head meekly
woman should to his censure and receive this re-
buke in pleasant spiri! from what must acknow-
edge wser head than my OWL. Nevertheless, as
would giieve to my cause, in behalf OF the work.
women, injured by the avowa tha. my assertions in
gard to their suiferpgs and starving pay although
truthful is parrow and shallow argument" l take
the liberty Of answering the writer.
am willing to confess wha. this gentleman has
linted at. am incapable OF reasoning upon or pro-
posing any plan for the total astment and recon-
I" strucon Of all social relations and sIengements'-
in fact, this formidable sentence almost fghtens me.
| AIN inexperienced in political questions and must
leave matters 20 intricate and involving results OF
such serious importance to the world at large, TO be
discussed by older and sbler minds. Yet, though
admit the fact CT being urequal to tina great SUBJECT
cannot why that should disqualfy me for making
su pie bonest and painful statement OF truths IN
regard 10 the cordi.ion Of work women. An expert
eLce dstirg from childhood among the poor and suf-
erpg Of that class, who are not half paid for their
labor, should a. leaAt give me little KNOW.
edge of my "subect," and ! may be permitted
to take oferept view Of it than that held forth By
the gentleman of The TRIBUNE. " The overworked
or under paid niiliner or oookfolcef need not AK
Z" WI ether tie manufacturer or merchant can resly
" ford to cell bis fabrics she buys at the price sne
"psys for them" his bank account his marble build
ings bis handsome villas show the proh1 msde from
the sae of bis snd the labor OF his workwomen
ard though every workwoman is painfully aware tnst
IL. II. A
eocisl relations" she cannot help feeling that "a
manufacturer has by far the lions snsre Vi tn
little justice which does exist piesa io1 ing P"'
workwomsn justice in accordance win tae tm3LI
don't ak What call justice ior tns~ moa'u ,h.,
time thrown away, and to no purpose. agree 'nss
the field for Wouans labor must be widely EXTENDED
before shs can demand more than starving pnse ior
her work. And sincerely hope toe time s not far
distant when facilities will bs opened to tue poor
vo,kvomsn for self-educstioni then she VIII strike
cut different path for herself than sewingve car
tets st two cents yard and folding sheets for
penny q thousand. .,.
AK a small relief Of one hour which they may call
their own during the day. This csnnot be consIdsIed
On unreasonable request by the gentleman OF IHE
TRIBrsr, and am bold enough to say that he cannot
make il 60 appear. don't expect TO improve essen
italy the condition cf he shopgrls." try only 10
improve it a little, and l am afraid If keep silent
concerning the wrongs Of the workwomen until there
s"rseical social reconstruction shsu die withos,
saying word about the matter, and the poor gIs WI
90 on working suffering and being lost, Jast a. sadly
AID without any body taking the signtss. notice OF
them as they have dore within the ten years Of my
remembrance.
And row to consider the claims OF tne Po.
tcal females Of the day to the respect and love OF
their sister women. As far as my experience
has gcpe, they have Iale sympathy with,
ard less Hkirg for them. When the women
Of America shall zee the day err1ve wSen noole eno
csu,s CT tie hundreds upon hundeds of Thousands o.
Il poor unfortunate women vhose every day OF ite
q sew baptism Of sorrow, whether domestic OF OLA