, 1874-03-15

THE CHrCHGo@~n
@-=-= --.-:---- ..:--.- -------- =
cent.
The low price Of labor is not all tho hardship
OF of which the working classes have to oonplaln
There are others which are FAR less endurabla
than the low rates for which thsy work Among
Among the girls and women who work in fac
tories, it is the fines imposed upon them, which
sometimes greatly redaco their wages.
THE FINES
in the shirt-making establishment are as fol-
lows: 4 spot Of grease on SHIRT, from the oil
OF the machine or from auy other CAUSE ia fined
Is cents. The second spot is fined rs cents.
This seems an unnecessary hardship, as grease
spots will wash ont, and the shirts are Washed
and ironed before selling. Less than the re-
to Is cents. There is some excuse for this fine,
as the Arm must secure themselves from sior-
enIy workers; but it IL altogether too high, as it
tnkes time and precielon to regulate the stitch to
holo has TO be supplied, which is Of itself
modification, and the rectifying Of the
mistake ought to be deemed sufficient; but,
when q fne OF Is cents is imposed, it is some
thing more than mortlfying. The dae for 4
neck-band cut wrong is Is cents. II q button
hole in the waiat-banl is cut wrong, it is taken
OF, and another supplied at the sewing -wonan's
expense Women have been fined 50 cents for
not fastening the thread at the end Of cuff
band. Fines are imposed aH the way from 10 to
SO conts. It hos sometimes occurred that girl
has been unusually careless and has been sub
ject to 60 many fines that, when Saturday night
cama there WAS worry little due her, after work
ing ali the weck,-the most Of her wages having
been retained for fines.
The rules in these establishments are 80 strict,
n+%1 tk,nf
fiuos are as near perfection as human beings can
attain. and arc about ready for translation. II
unmarried men aro looking for angels for wives,
they cannot do better than visit these establish
ments, and select those wao are 30 attentive to
their duties as mover 10 make + mistake, and
thus escape the penalties attached to care1ess-
noss.
The best thing for theee women to do is to
form
COOPERATIVE SOCIETY OF sH1Rr-MAKERs.
and work for themselves, instead Of working for
others. It could bo done at little expense.
The most1t would need to get it started would
be resolute, energetic, go-ahead women at the
head OF it, to push it through.
II those women who are now renting separate
rooms, and paying 80 much week for their
board, would unite their mites, md put them IN
one common fund to ront d building in which to
transact business, it would cost no moro than it
does to rent. as they do now, separate apart
ments. One OF their. number could be detailed
bought, and which could be as cheap or OK
pensiya scale as their circumstances would
permit. It ia presumnble that many Of these
women are housekeoperg, aud have al the furn4-
ture that would be needed at present, so that no
outlay would be necessary in that line.
The greatest expense attending it at first
would bo the purchase Of the cloth for shirts,
ana tho necessary food to sustain Iifo until they
could dispose Of soma Of their wares-: Tho
strong, healthy women could wash and iron
market. The work on shirts is all done by wom-
.en, except tho cutting; and, as that is done by
measurement, aud il much easier task than
cutting stylish dressos. women arc perfectly
competent to do It. II the work eau bo done
aud IL done by women. why should they not
their own pockets instead OF putting them into
the pockets OF their masters
Here is chance for those ladies who are en-
gagged in the wonlan-suifrage movement, and
who really desire to
ELEVATE WOMEN.
As women show their capacity for business,
80 do thoy show their ability to use the fran
eLise wisely; and, when women have demon
strated their ability to administer to their own
necessities, and to improve their own condition,
tha tuan will not deny thou tho elective fran
chise. Man is woman's friend, and will aid her
when she is willing to receive aid. Charity be-
slowed upon 3 person in distress, to rolieye
present necessities, Is very good in its
pace uut II - nos Ieaf, suostantlai
" lich helps persons to help themselves; and it I
is too sad truth that men have been found
more ready and willing to place poor, depend |
snt woman in a condition to help herself than
bare women: Therefore would appeal to H.
oohalf Of these shirt-unkers, to render thom |
substantial aid in starting q womau's co-opera- |
i've establishment for manufacturing shirts and |
|adios' underwear. Tho aid they will need is |
he assurance that their goods will be pur-
;hased. Tho ladies' will be doing d good work |
i they purchase all they need OF these women, |
aud Influence their fathers, brothers, and hus-
1ands to do the same.
These suggestions arc thrown out uudor the |
conviction that the settlement of the difficulties
,stween Labor and Capital can only be made
THROUGH COOPERATION;
md that 1t is IN easy matter to combine for the
common good, it they will only think so. In thus
rec country, there is ono sentiment which ia |
ather opposed to cooperation; and that is,
hat every individual has perfect right to his
wn individual freedom in opinion, speech, and
manners, and is, therefore. impatient of re-
traint. When several persons come together
q buainesa-reiations, Or 1clatloas Of any kind,
here will be as many different opinions as there
re persons,-liferencea, too, Of education,
manners; and, in order to work hhr-
each must necessarily concede some
hing to the others. Our national training has |
nhtted ua for this, and it will talse time and
1rQ fuuOfDE TO p0liSn OIL ELL iHdlf1Qu1l Angu- |
arities, and prepare US to move in pleasant har-
1ony. MRs. II. D. WYSKoop. |
Views of a Mechanics Wife.
D the Editor Of The Chicago Tribune.
S1a: + have been an interested reader Of the
apers that tsva appeared from time to time iu
our paper, bearing on the Labor ques-
on and the wrongs Of working And being, |
a Mrs. Wynkoop says, The wife Of a Z. mechanic"
should like to state my view OF the case:
I am the mother Of FIVE healthy, romping
aiIdren and cannot understand the ono who
glad her dear child is taken away from q life
toll. There are trials aud sorrowB common to
8 all as common rs is our humanity !. bnt toll
labor ! would not class with these. Was not
bor Divinely appointed at the beginning? !? Was
not honored and ha11owed by that
ife which was begun in Bethlehem
nd i did not the Apostles e1hort us to
Dor diligently with our hands, that We might
rovide things honest In the sight OF all men
rejoice in my labor; and + believe that the
an or woman who has got day work to do.