The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-02-08
MANCHESTER. S.rrKp.y N,aur


Mr.. Editor,-I promised in my last letter TO
express my opinions very soon concerning the
rule of these factories requiring their
employees during nearly half the year TO
work until s o'clock at night. As / have
finished my ironing and mending earlier
to night than usual, l will consume the last
sheet of my paper in protesting against the bar
barity of this rule. Some will hastily con-
clude that | am controlled in my opposition
by Incidence, or a mere passion for change.
This deny most emphaticaliy. The reasons
which lead me toassail this system of night
work are not personal, but general.
Surely no one will regard me as acting indel-
icateIy in writing on this subject. If the
oppressed do not cry for mercy, how shall they
find relief. Let not my voice, echoed by
hundreds of my associates In toll, be disre-
garded.
contend that, for the sake of the health Of
these employees, night-work ought TO be dis
pensed with. Now, Mr.. Editor, look at the
case 1t is a fact well known that these esta-
blishments are kept ut very high state OF
heat all the time. The factory air is not only
hot, but sickening. Thisis said to be necessary,
and suppose il is's so. At the same time, TO
remain in il is clearly injurious to healthr
This misfortune and necessity force US TO
endure without complaint; but to be kept in
such place for twelve hours is strain upon
the human constitution for which Nature
has made no provision.
If, however, disease and death fail to reach
us in this way, they have another chance at us
yet. Late in the night-not always warmly
coyered-drenched in perspiration, through
the raw, piercing air. over wet and muddy
streets, and with our systems opened by long
relaxation TO the searching assaults OF disease,
are we forced to seek our homes. Is ii remark.
able if we fall victims 10 pneumonia or con-
sumption?
All, well, if we die few weep; no bells are
tolled stockholders smile as before at growing
dividends, and pause not TO ask whose life was
taken to make them rich; and our places are
soon filed
Iffactory people may presume to speak on such
subject, would like to mention the influence
that this night labor has on the minds OF those
who re forced to perform it. l am not silly
enough to expect that any extensive adyan-
tages for education can be enjoyed by persons
in our condition. Still, by means OF night
schools, reading, or private study, some know
ledge-enough for practical purposes-might be
acquired if the winter evenings were unem-
ployed. Night work breaks this slender chance
| of education most effectually. Who feels like
reading studying after working twelve
! hours Rather do our burdens OF fatigue
incline us TO drop heavily to rest, to await the
early call of the morrow. know many youth
| here, of sprghtly minds and a thirst for
| knowledge, but they are chained by law
| which mocks their desires. Who can count the
| boys and girls who are growing up entirely
destitute of the first elements of education?
| Thank Heaven, / enjoyed some advantages
| in past days. If could get time TO read more
l should be better satisfied. My mind is rust
|
/ have just thought of another bad effect of
! night labor which must not be- omitted. 1t
! cuts us off from society. Now, society, II vlr
| tuous and refined, is highly beneficial. 1t soft
ems manners, enlarges our views, and quickens
| our yirtuous pride. Besides, we need the recre-
/ alton of company to break the deadenng mo-
! notony of our life. What do factory people
! know of the innocent and exalting pleasures
| Of social life? When other people are coming
home after spending evening hour In
| 1Nln a II ~
meet the silent, weary column OF laborers re-
turning from the factory. Factory people 60
visiting Dear me, if one stays out Tor wed
ding or 4 funeral, the wages are coolly docked,
! or else the offender is dismissed
| There is another view of this matter Whlch
| I hardly know how to bring out, and yet 1t Is
very important. Is it possible for every CIR
who remains at her work until after night tc
! have safe escort to conduct her home? is u
safe for her to try these unlighted street:
alone2 Does the humanity of the stockholdel
experience no motions of pity for the father
less, brotherless girl who treads these drear.
! backways in the night, with no strong arm u
support or defend her Are there no danger
that hang about her in her friendless journey
Is not this painful lot for q modest and VIZ
tuous girl
III had time would like to notice how
this night-work breaks in upon all of thos'
home Joys so precious to the human heart
When go home at night, some OF the family
are in bed-the rest are weary from Waltihl
for me, and am fatigued into lfelessness OF
ill-humor. / eat my humble meal alone, and
hasten TO bed. Such is my life-home is almos
an unmeaning word TO me. How different my
present state from what 1t was at dear Ole
"Chestnut Lawn" My evenings there wer,
always so merry and free from care. Then
knew the bliss of home.
am not through, but the bell sounds mid
night, and mother commands me to rest.
STRUGGLE.
P s. Wednesday. AS you see, this lette
was written oRSaturday night. Little brothe
has had bad cold, as well as bad shoes, ant
mother would not allow me 10 send him ou
until the weather moderated. Please send m
all the papers for the week, as have not seeI
one since last Saturday. l could sometime
borrow copy of the Dispatch, but am afrai'
to do it, lest l should get questioned to-
closely.
-TM KNARE e. Co