Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1875-03-06
WHOLE NO. g,17S.
Women and Sewing Machines.

The refusal Of Congress to extend
the patent for sewing machines has
greatly reduced the price Of these Ia
bor-saTing inventions. Sewing ma.
chimes are now placed within the reach
of the poorest, and there is great re-
joicing among thousands of industrious
women who are attempting to keep off
starvation by the little point Of nee
die. The wages this class earn do not
average half dollar day, while many
by twelve or fourteen hours work, do
not make more than twelve cents. All
such hail the reduction In the price OF
sewing machines as q God-send but
we fear they will be disappointed, -
every woman who makes a living by
her needle will be enabled to pur-
chase machine, thus increasing COM
petition and keeping down the prices.
This reduction will no doubt increase
the demand in this kind of labor. but
unfortunately it will increase the num-
Der to thousands wanting to do it,
thereby preventing any additional in
crease on a days labor. Moreover,
now that the sewing machines have
been placed within the reach of all,
they will be regarded as much a ne
eessity as a bedstead, or the dining
table, and nearly every family will do
its own sewing. We fear this reduc-
ton, instead of alternating the misery
of destitute women, will only increase
it. This is to be deplored as it is already
with great difficulty that they sustain
precarious existence. 1t has been DEM
onstrated that majority of the work
ingwomen who suffer the most are sew
ing women; and this is not to be won-
dered at, In view of prices paid for
their labor. In New York the high
est average wages paid to women in
the better classes of employments into
which they are crowded is but seven
dollars a week that their wages are a
third less than those of men, and their
necessities third greater. The wo-
men who are engaged in these employ
ments are women of of average edaca-
ton, sensitive instincts, with cravings
after the refinements and pleasures of
life. Unless prevented by stern neces-
slty they strive to have these, and in
as they are prevented they
suffer. When they cease to suffer, the
finer grain of their natures has been
worn away by the attrition of hopeless
poverty, which Is the saddest fact ofall.
Upon seven dollars, with no one de-
pending upon her, and with health and
strength, woman can find a home,
wholesome food, and have enough left
for modest clothing. A widow with
abandons at the very outset
everything beyond mere existence on
seven dollars week, and a home in
some dark greasy tenement house, sur
rounded by low and vicious inmates.
This is life from which all hope Is ban
lshed. The woman sees Sunday with
regret, and in the approach of Il hOli-
day only day of enforced idlencssand
deduction from her slender wages.
Food necessary for actual living is re-
iuced to its minimum. The extra pen
ly on pail of coal, the frozen potato
IN the little measure, brings tears to
her eyes. She is not clothed; she is
only covered. If she has husband,
and he is at home idle, her fate is only
so much the worse there is another
mouth to feed-that Ofa strong though
helpless man. In the lower classes of
abor theirs are thousands of women
who support themselvsSon four dollars
| week. What kind1of life can wo-
nan with suehwages live? If she is
alone she boards, and it is impossible
TO find board under three dollars a
week. And board at this price means
! dark, dirty room, in which halfa doz-
en- women are huddled. They have
beds, and the seantiest sup
ply of bed-clothing. They have posi-
Dly, cracked bowland pitcher, rick
ETY. bench and not peg for their cloth
ing. 1t Is this class which is rejoicing
1T the reduction in the price of sewing
machines. But we fear they will be
doomed to disappointment. A cheap
machine in every family is not. likely
10 increase the price ofsewing.-Mens-
Dhis Appeal