Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-04-06
WAGES OF NEEDLEwoRK,

Messrs. Editors:-Much is spoken and writ
ten, in these days, of the Rights of Women,
but we think but few of our readers are aware
of the grievous wrong practiced among us,
which makes the "Song of the Shirt" as ap-
propriate to our needlewomen as to those for
whom it was written.
We are familiar with tales of restitution and
suffering, which come to us from our larger
cities, from among this unfortunate class, but
we are sure our community are not informed
of the extent to which the same oppression is
here practiced, accompanied by the like de-
plorable results. We therefore ask the atten-
ton OF your readers to the following statement
of facts which have come under our notice.
Needlewomen in our city are paid, by the
proprietors of our clothing establishments
For making Oyeralls, 81 cents per dozen, or three
cents pair;
For Shirts Of coarse cotton fabric, 70 cents per
dozen, sic cents apiece;
Also for Shirts As cents per dOz or four cents apiece
For coats, so and 81 cents apiece.
We shall soon, doubtless, equal New York
prices, and be obliged to report, "Men's and
boys caps made for two cents apiece.
We are informed by a woman who makes
coats for so cents, that she can, by working
diligently, make t,0o of these coats in ten days,
one dollar for ten days labor. We know
woman, who relies mainly for the support of
herself and family, upon money received for
making shirts for six cents. We found her,
the last time we visited her, sick and unable to
work at all. She said, 'it is hard to be poor,
but it is harder to be both poor and sick. l
would willingly work from Monday morning
till Saturday night, were able, even for such
pay. 1t is hard enough, but it is worse to
beg" This woman, by industrious labor, can
make t,Uo of these shirts in one day, but az
she has family of small children, it is difficult
to see how she can every day ibid her health
permiD give to her work, the undivided atten-
ton requisite for her to earn trelpe cents a dan
The writer of this article has made gar
ment, cut from similar pattern, and accom-
plished the piece OF wSrk in six hours. These
shirts, contain the usual number of band, gus
set and seams, and only differ from others, in
being without the full bosom.
Many Of Tie families whose only reliance for
Support is the insufficient pay for such labor
land which, oftentimes, to aid in earning, chill
dren are kept at home from school) are well
known to our benevolent citizens, by their re-
peated calls for assistance much occasion for
which would cease, were fair compensation
given for work from which they do not shrink,
even under the present oppressive prices.
We do not believe in hard words, and do not
care to deal in them but, to show that this
great injustice is keenly felt, we quote the
words of one of this class, used in speaking of
her employers at seems as if these men had
no consciences-but there is a just God in
heaven"
We know of but one plea used to Justify this
wrong-doing, viz "All like establishments do
the same thing" To the conscience of one
who loves mercy, and would 1eal honestly
with all men, this would seem to come as a
convincing argument, that so much the more
does ii devolve upon him not to do the same
thing-so much the more solemnly does it rest
upon him to bear his testimony to the riqht
The greater the injustice, the more it obtains
in the community, the louder the call upon
Christian men to protest against its iniquity.
| We all know how much better is prevention
than cure, and can we not do something before
the evils consequent upon this oppression
hedge us about so as to seem well nigh incura.
bic, as is now the case in some of our large
| cities.
Our Employment Society have in limited
degree given relief in this direction, by fur.
nishing coarse work at fair prices flor these
women are unable to do nice sewing), but ow.
ing to their want of funds they are unable
longer to provide material for this purpose.
We do not propose TO enter upon the do
main of political economy-to theorize upon
the way in which reform may and should be
enected. we know that the principal ques
ton of right or wrong is much easier to settle
than what is the best course to pursue in re.
moving this evil, but we trust some among us
may be induced, by these suggestions, to give
to this subject little time and strength
which may work beneficial results to this really
oppressed class, at our own doors.
We can no longer allow this state of things
In our midst, and plead ignorance as an excuse
| for its existence and IL we cannot and do moi
make an effort in behalf of these suffering
needlewomen, let us not delude ourselves with
the belief that we can rightfuly claim the
name of Christian community.
| Worcester, April g. x.r.z.