The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-27
Working



BY taking one-fourth OF the female population In
each lustrum II Will be observed that the nuinoer
OF working women fixed at 10000 has been verified.
The greatest number, as Will be seen, work between
the ages OF twenty and twenty-five, and at forty
they fall of rapidly, many having persisted and
many having been married. At seventy less than
thousand are lett; and some Of these Wltnered and
decayed septuagenarians still wander in streets
and sell their wares at corners and from diapdated
stalls.
This conclusion, 1t should be remembered is on
the assumption that mortality Is equal among all
classes Statistics prove that this assumption Is
false and untenable, and that many Of the wearied
and shattered needle piyers sink into untimeiy
graves, little needed BY the community and little
observed by even the most acute humantarians.
The figures follow pretty well the number OF IN
habltants Of different natiOnalities. census taken
now would disclose the fact that there are about
$4,000 Americans, 240, 900 Irish, 100000 Germans
ana 100 900 OF other natlonaes now living on this
island. So that Of the working women one-hail are
American, nearly one quarter irish, over one-elglth
German and the balance from other quarters OF the
glooe.
The subject OF nationality mas not perhaps created
the amount OF difference that might De expected
from girls educated 10 dllerent tastes ana
service IL to-day performed by irish and German
servants and we have no hesitation in saying, after
careful examination OF the facts that servants are
In much better condition as regards shelter, food
and wages than the great body OF native working
women. This fact is startling. 1t places mental
service above skilled labor induces large numbers
TO neglect trades and employments that require
special training, and etectualy closes the door TO
could eventually become experts in mechanical
labor. And here with other collateral causes can
lie traced the sources or that great social evil pros
tuition.
THE SOCIAL EvlL-cAN IT BE AvERrEDS
Moralists may say what they WILL and statstIcians
may endeayor to Dllnd the public regarding the
identity OF this crime with the present condition OF
the laboring women, but the facts remain to show
beyond doubt, that the lie OF luxury obtained by
depauchery tue true reason that accounts for the
excessive numbers OF abandoned women. In the
first place the quarters Of working women In tene-
nj ~ N n
Otherwise than PLAIN, and their food coarse and in
digestible. Servants rarely suf1er these mconveni-
ences, being under the generous eyes OF provident
misresses. Then, too the extravagant dress the
fashion exctes envy aud the knowledge can be
obtained Is often sought without counting the cost
OF how it is obtained. Deporable as it Is hundreds
rush into the vortex because they have no refuge
from depraved public taste, and nothing but a
choice between plenty ana restitution. The former
is chosen at the sacrifice OF virtue Like other draw
backs mentioned this can only be averted by organ
lied labor, better homes and more advanced wages.
THE WORKING woMENs PROTECTIVE UNION.
Among all organized efforts that have ever been
made TO amellorate the Ills OF working
cessful as those OF the WorkngwOmen's
Protective Union at 4s Blocker street. Formed seven
years ago under very unfavorable circumstances 1t
has been steadily growing in power for doing good,
iii influence, and In the accession OF prominent men
It's patrons During the past year the society has
been under the presidency Of Judge Charles r. Daily,
Of the Common Pleas, ana It's directors and active
supporters include such names as James w. Gerard,
Moses 5. Beach, Henry Ward Beecher, D. A. Kings
land and William X. Roberts. The Institution Is
under the superintendent OF Mrs. NJ W. Ferrer,
competent and knd " matron, who thoroughly under
stanks the wants OF working women. The follow
ing, from the constitution, explains It's obJectS:-
This association organized for the benefit Of
all those who obtain livelihood by empoyments
connected with household services and seeks that
benent--
sBy securing legal protection from frauds and impo
stlons, free of expense
S-,ond-by appeals respectfully but urgently made,
poyers proporoned the OF living and for
shortening Of hours of labor health and
the requirements OF household affairs.
ThdBy seeking and appropriate spheres OF labor In
departments not now occupied by them.
toHn-By sustaining registry system, through which
fVh-Bv appeals TO the community at large Tor that
patty which s the otherwise deenceess
condition of working women.
The association such and the presidents
OF such societies contribute twenty-five dollars
annually to its suppoEt.
Under this system the work has progressed adj
mlraby. Tne collections under the first clause have
been very satisfactory and the courts have uniformly
sustained the working women On an Issue OF non
payment OF wages.
For the past year 300 complaints against en-
ployers resulted the collection Of 81 400 for the
detrauded. Applicants for work were numerous,
and IA, $50 asked for positions through the Union
and 2,712 were furnished with satisfactory places.
Employers wanting help applied To the number or
I,117. and always we're furnished with from one TO
twenty at time. or this aggregate PSI were
widows, SO soldiers widows, SO soldiers wives los
women with husbands, 227 orphans PAT half
orphans 239 girls with parents and 90 homeless
girls. In the leading trades they were apportioned
as follows