New-York tribune., 1874-03-07
THE WORKING GLASSES.
THEIR EARNINGS AND MODE OF LIFE.

YOUNG WOMEN AND CHuDREN-vARIoUs sUd-
GEsTIoNs FOR IMPROVEMENT AND REFORM.
lFRoH AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or TiiE TRibUSH'
BosToN. March 5-The fifth annual report
OF the Massachusetts, Bureau OF Statistics OF LABOR WI"
/ be presented to the Legislature tomorrow From au
| vance sheets I am permitted TO make an abstract
change tho administration OF the Bureau occurred on
the 18th Of June 1874 Col Carroll ID. Wright taking the
place OF Gen Oliver as Chief and Mr. Geo. H. Long sue
ceedng as Deputy The report therefore extends ltom
the 18th of June. 1873 to February. 1874
The present officers determined in the collection OF
their facts to rely upon personal investigation rather
than upon voluntary replies to circulars In the hrs'
part the report 20 the employment and educa
ton OF young persons and children. reliance was had
upon the voluntary OF school boards and tho re-
suit is unsatisfactory The State Board OF education re-
lies upon the Of information. and conse-
quently meets with the same difficulty aud the iaots
are not reached. With the means 10 make thofough
and actual canvass Massachusetts, may ascertain now
many OF children growing up in ignorance The
real number would undoubtedly astonish her educators
CHILDREN IN FACroRIEs-CLKIGrMES
The law in relation to the employment OF children say
the Commis Oners neither nor can 10 eniorceo' aS
much difficulty arising from the action OF parents as
from mill owners and managers With compulsory edu-
cation in fact as well In theory. will come remedy
OF this evil AS yet however not only our law but our
system far it mill children, is dead let
ter The who'e number OF children between and Is
years of in the State is estimated at 2Sl85 tthcse
81 9l9 do not attend the public schools consideraDe
number these attend private schools but, making
fair allowance these safe to assume that al least
$4,000 children between and is years of age
do not receive the slightest education either in public
or private schools According to the Massachu-
setts law child under the age OF 10 years
shall be employed in any manufacturing or mechanical
establishment, and child between 10 and Is years un-
less he attends school three months in year, or an
equivalent time in evening schools. The report gives
GOOD digest OF the laws OF the States and countries on
| this subject. In Maine, New.HampShire, and Rhode
Island children not to bo employed under IL years OF
age. In Pennsylvania the limit is 49, in Connecticut Ia
years. In England person under l6 years OF age can
| be employed without surgical certificate. No child
! can be employed under years for grinding Ill the
metal trades not under II. No boy under II and no fe-
male be employed in any part Of glass factory In
which the process Of melting or anneang glass Is car
ried The English law Is very specific in regard TO
hours work at different ages, sundays and hodays,
meal-times, &c.
In Prussia the laws do not allow children under twelve
years to work IN actores then six hours day until
they have completed their fourteenth year, and ten
hours a day after they have completed their sixteenth
year. In France there is no system OF supervision.
Children from eight twelve years of may be en-
poyed eight out Of the twenty four hours. In swzer
land the rule stringent. Children rule obliged
to attend school from the of six To heen
OF sixteen. Tho enactments in cantons more
stringent than in Others but means, however oxpen
sve that experience aud ingenuity devise for the
intellectual and theoretical development OF the people
are left untred.
CLERGYMRs.
chapter the report is devoted the professions,
and gives interesting facts concerning cergymen in
Massachusetts, though it also shows the nsuciency OF
the circular method of securing data for out Of 1900
blanks mailed to clergymen but 5 returned. and
only 29l Of these complete their Accord
ing TO the there 20I0oergynen in Massaohu
sets so heard from comprise only quarter
Of the whole number The average was As years old
est youngest 25 From 20 to 40years Of 2O from
40 years from 60 to 80 years 95 above 80 years
s; length OF time devoted TO preparation by 5l5,
7 years months. days; longest time devoted
10 preparation, 20 years; shortest time devoted to
preparation, year Annual cost OF living
during preparation, 1856 49, term of service
II years months longest ca years shortest year.
| Annual average remuneration during such service,
81 O6s 65; highest salary paid. $780, lowest. s9o
Der receiving annual OF less than 800 42s
number receiving annual of more than 81 800
1O2 During the past year the highest salary received
was OOO lowest salary s61 or i9i the number that
expended less than their professional income 252
number who expended entire income, 76; number who
expended than their entire professional income
l63 Average cost OF living the past year OF 52 59 53
Average paid for house rent the past year by
4G 1923 90 highest rent paid 81 300 lowest rent paid s25
number having rent free 20; number owning houses a.
Average number IN families OF $50, ~ largest in
family Is; daily average Of working hours OF $40.
hrs 27 min: longest hours. IT shortest, D. or the
whole number making returns Dut 20 unmarried.
The entire spent in preparation by 45l was 81 2O.
$685. while the entire remuneration OF that number for
their entire term Of actual service s8,GO594. or
retnrn for every dollar spent during years prep
aration. Of nearly " earned during II years actual
service.
The whole number OF teachers in Massachusetts,, |
Is7l-72-Maes, 102i; females. 7I9; total, s.l43 The
average wages of male teachers per month SIS
Of female teachers s2 3d. Of male teachers per year.
s7O9 Os OF female teachers, s269 9l The is the
school year OF 81 months
SANITARY CONDITION OF WORKING PEOPLE.
Under this head the report reviews especially the
dton of the laborers home 1t is safe to say that
the homes of nearly all representatives Of unskied
labor and in those Of large percentage Of the better
orders Of workngnen There exist numerous agencies
by which the inmates OF those homes made more
immoral less healthfu and poorer than they ought TO
be- which be in whole or in part prevented or re-
buildings occupied, which often converted
into tenements from other uses. old. deapi-
IaJ The crowded oondition Of these buildings
into which human bengs are packed as closely as pos
water, with little light or sun. i'll supplied with sewer
or privy accomuodation and REGARDLESS OF clean
ness or order 81 TIE foul and destructive state OF
priyies sink drains, sewers cespoos cellars garbage
tubs and yards 10 say nothing OF the neglected and III
thy condition OF stairs and passage ways. and Of the
rooms themselves. a. The modes OF life OF the occu
pants their habits corresponding with the surroundings
in which they make their homes vice and drunkenness
abOundiDg cleanliness OF person being disregarded |
food badly prepared and poor In quality, and com
fort and convenience comparatively unsought.
OCCUPATIONS INJURIOUS TO YOUNG WOMEN.
In view Of the discussion produced by DR.. Carkes re-
cent book the pages OF the report devoted TO this sub
ject have peculiar interest. The Commissioner
The important consideration the effects of labor upon
voung girls at peculiar periods OF life has escaped atten