The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-16
THANKS FOR PAPERs.-To Mr.. w. j. Gel
sendaff, National Express; to the Harnden
Express Company.
MANCHESTER, Thursday night.


1t is understood that our cotton factO-
ries, for some time, partially or entirely
suspended, are to resume operations, at
an early day, on an enlarged scale. This
intelligence is of course gratifying to those
of us who expect by this means to secure
employment. | need hardly say that labor
in the factory under the most favorable
circumstances is disagreeable. No one
would perform it if not compelled by the
most urgent necessity. The confinement,
the noise, the grease, the filth, and the So
ciety, are all rcpulsive and loathsome.
For one, confess that from the depths of
my being | abomnate factory life. Daniel
Webster never felt that his grass-blade
hung Alright until he hung it in tree.
shall never become rcconcilcd to the cX-
istence of cotton mills until am freed
from the necessity OF gaining livelihood
by working in them. Since there is so
much of all unpleasant nature necessarily
associated with this species of work, it
seems to me that justice and mercy alike
demand that all OF its superfuous inconve-
nienccs and ills shall be removed. Against
those features OF factory life which, while
they are offensive, are yet Indispensable, |
have no complaint to utter. There have
been, however, some palpablc abuses rife
in the manufacturing establishments of
Manchester, which it is my earnest desire
to sec corrected before they get into mo-
ton again. OF few Of these shall speak
in this letter.
|. 1t occurs to me that it would be an ad-
mirable plan to have printed rules for the
l., - hn So Of
factory. These laws should Re prepared
by one whose wisdom, honesty, and eX-
periencc would qualify him for the task.
They ought to be made with equal re-
ference to the interests of both the owners
and operatives. They should embody, in
clear form, the duties Of every one, from
the superintendent to the Obscurest la
borer. Copies should be posted in every
room, and the same should be furnished
to all persons when they enter the factory.
BY this means all can be promptly taught
their personal duties, their relations to
those above, or below, or equal to them.
| If any one has to be rebuked or dismissed,
the rules will indicate the necessity for it,.
As it is, we have heretofore been mainly
dependent upon our superiors for informa-
been consequently miserable lack of
system. Many of us never dreamed of
the existence Of laws until we were repri-
mandcd for violating them. Petty superb
ors oppress the operatives by ignorantly
or else malciously laying requirements
upon them which they have no right to
make. For these reasons l respectfully
ask that new and written set of laws
shall be given US when. we start again.
The necessity for it no honest mind can
%. ?. I; ThsleTs anothe> matter to Which must
invite attention. 1t is exceedingly impor-
tant that the list Of subordinate officers
shall be carefully revised, and some Of
them be promptly cashered. Irefer espe-
cially to those I"mighty men of.valor -
known to fame under the euphonious title
Of bosses. | speak not under the inhu-
encc of prejudice. 1t is not in my heart
to condemn all Of our co-laborers who hold
this place Of petty authority. Some OF
them are just, generous, and noble. In
theK cOnduct they are courteous and gsq-
tldManly 1t is not so with all. Some OF
these bosses have neither sense nor soul.
They gained their positions at trstby ig-
nobly cringing at the feet of their superb
ors. They are inflated with conceit on
account of their promotion: SThey, are ig-
norant, unreasonable, partial, and cruel.
Their heads are full Of the hQmors of self
ishness apdshe whinS Of tyrapny. 1could
make some startling revelations in regard
to the ill-doings of these savage upstarts.
| could tell of blows inflicted and lalieS
cursed. At present, forbear. For such
things there is no need. 1t is monstrous
to put party of girls into the charge Of
rmeh WHO d<Pot reg&dthe Plainest prin-
ciples Of propriety. Vrom the rank and
file Of the working classes send up an ap-
peal for reform in this matter.
8. One of our factories employs mixed
labor. This association of whites and
blacks in the same labor is, for manifest
reasons, improper. Its effect Is to degrade
the whites and unduly exalt the negroes,
thus exposing the former to the insults Of
the latter. II Is not only injudiciouy, but
it is entirely unnecessary. White persons
can easily be found who would be happy
to do the work heretofore performed by
the negroes. Or, IL the proprietors are %
welded to these fst-f footed, thick -sknlled
pets Of the /" best government In tAe
II = - sSsfvw