New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-03-26
SECOND THOUGHTS.
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS LETTER FROM
SHIRLEY DARE.

SHIRLEY DARE.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: Several letters on the subject OF
Womeu's Work and Wages have reached lately,
answering which, may answer some not yet WHICH,
These embrace three classes The first charges that en-
ployers are too ready Cypress the working girl, aud
criticism on her condition is unriendy. The lash Is
not applied where IL is most deserved" say some Inc
world large disposed to defraud the workngwomen
because they weak and deenseess Let women gen
orally paid fair equivalent for their labor and the
difficulty will be at end" Exactly That Is all any
body wants Fair dealing the world in every rela-
ton would make the earth comfortable abiding
Mace Only neither you will live TO sec that
magnificent result The best we can do IS 10 see WhaI
lies ready for dong, and let others duty alone
The last is rather the harder lesson for most people, u
less we can and break down the monopohes
which Cypress the poor Let there be no waste OF strength
m irritable grumbling. would like to ask those who
have written complaint Of the suerngs of the poor
II they are wiling to the example Of paying higher
prices seamstresses they never feel that their SER
wants receiving than their work is WORTH ana
if they are not well pleased TO buy ready made clothing
at the lowest raesi DO they refuse to burn coal because
miners receive but ptance per day or do they repro
bate factory because mill hands overworked
Till their consciences clear in each respect let
this lmpertinent denunciation OF we-known dealers
and wholesale employers Let him that Is without
sin, throw the first stone
The second class OF letters is from wOrkngwomen
Themselves who demand to know where they can find
work for 81 80 day, demand not always cOuched III
civil language. 1 should have objection to turn my
self into an intelligence Office II these women would salts
Nv me that they know hoy their work Out OF five
different seamsresses employed on my own work IN the
last year. there but who could or would sew q
band OF trimming straight, with the sewing-machne
and not one who would finish dress so that 1t did not
take day at least to make 1t right, In all cases
., nfp md yVlrn
without word Of request for lower price Not one OF
these was really competent fit dress. IL would draw
over shoulders and bind the neck and DO too short
in the waist aud Dip III the skirt. They were PAID at
least at the of s. 30 day. and two dresses were
ruined in the year by poor hands Is it wonder that
an employer reluctant to pay for work so unsatlsac
toryi quote my experience because Is that OF
nearly every other woman who does not order her
Dire ,se direct from French house. At the same time
hear women around me saying Miss - charges sld lor
making "a common dress but it is perfectly done had
rather pay her the work to hand for
less money The making OF simple Inerlno SUIT once
cost me so. but dress gave such satisfaction
Comparing that with cheaper results had rather be con-
tent with two dresses year at such price than hali
dozen by third.rate dressmakcr
One rrinclpl OF success the workingwomen persist
entity ignore, that Il is result and not TABOR that com
mauds high prices one man may spend day from
sunrise 10 sunset chipping stone another works three
hours clay The receives s2j for his clay group
the other 8 for blocking a statue. Why should not
one complain he is defraudedl lie worked harder to
fashion his crude conception Of beauty than the other
artist 10 complete his finished group There Is parallel
between this and meaner work
This do say, that by the next year scheme Will be
complete and working for the radical aid of sewing
women in New-York The scheme is in the hands
OF practical women, which will give sewing-girls not
only work. hut instruction in work. 1t may be sooner
dare not promise. Till then am not afraid to promise
work to all who choose TO apply to me, who can work
with perfect neatness. and can do as much in day as
nearly any OF employers could do for herself But
people will require proof Of sewing womans ability be-
fore they give work her hands The first and only
question asked when the Of applicant is men,
toned is can she do this work neatly and promptly
As for benevolent gentlemen who recommend seam
stresses as superior filters and handsome trimmers'
they are Informed that their judgment may go farther IN
other WAYS than in dress making. One such man re-
Quests the mention Of young sewer. who was desired
by women in brown ronts' to work for u day
IA they could get competent dresmakers for that price
ames OF few such treasures. ANY one who de-
serves the Of competent dressmaker can com
mand her $50 a week in NewYork. II those women
worked 81 day. doubt not they took care not to
earn any MORE competent sewer II one VINO can cut
and make q dress without trimming in day with the
machine, working ten hours She will give q perfect
At and finish every edge Of sewing neatly. / do not
know one good sewer no cannot do this amount Of work
In day chooses. without oyer-work. People VIII
pay for such WORK. 49,,
solitary letter OF the third class which de-
ones sOui I Is in wiring spelling and language,
that OF educated woman, and is written ON French
paper The writer has been for many years teacher III
Western New-YOrk and desires change of occupation.
She can neatly, and fits her own dresses ny the
way never saw a school.mistres who did not wear
neatly nttng dresses This woman Is honestly Wiling 10
accept situation seainstress IN ianlJ Where she
can neat sleep alone, ana have that liberty
usually given servants IN the evening. Judge from
the of the letter she would not refuse 10 90 house
work with decent treatment When sueh women are not
AFRAID to accent such situations. household work will
nse the name drudgery-a word which dsgrdces any
woman who so applies II To the peasantest. heahest
woik which falls To her sex. SHIRLEY DAkE'
Nelo. York March 10, 1870.
SPECIE PAYMENTS-THE PEOPLE DON'T WANT