The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-22

beget socialstic schemes. In short,
the qualities which indispose to debauch-
cry seem In this case to favor enthusiasm.
Thus we have seen the working man OF
Lyons at ordinary times so quiet aud do
nestle, suddenly transformed iuto "A for
midable insurgent, and an outbreak occa-
stoned by u simple question of wages
turned to the enforcement of the most
sweeping changes.
1t appears that in the silk factories of
Lyon, disputes among the workmen occur
more frequently than disagreements be-
tween capital and labor. Lawsuits, for in
stance, grounded on the abuse of appren-
tices by their employers, and on the ncgli-
gence of the former, are incessant and il
Is clear that the whole system of appren-
ticeship In that city requires rcconstruc-
ton Moreover, as NJ. REYBAuD has point
ed out, the spirit of unrest and hostility
which has begun TO affect the industrial
population can only be allayed by augment
ed facilities of intellectual enlightenment;
and II is alleged that progress in this direc-
ton is quite rs requisite for the superin-
tendents aud foremcn ~ for the mass of
the workers. In this respect Lyons is al
ready more advanced than any other town
Of France, the means OF technical, and
even general, solf-instruction being rela-
lively large.
In connection with silk manufacturing,
our attention is called to an observation
which doubtless might be confirmed III
other branches of industry. We refer to
the frequent disproportion between wages
and savings, not only in the case OF ind-
viduals, but of whole categories. One. for
instance, carus less and still lays by some
thing; another receives more, but runs in
debt. 1t would, Of course, be preposter-
Gus 10 conclude that high pay Is "A dctri-
ment, since history shows that only by ex-
banded salaries ans the gradual Access
sious OF capital is GLASS enabled to rise
in the social scale. But the constant re-
currence of the phenomenon mentioned
does indicate that certain problems in
yolved in the relations Of labor and capital
are weli-nigh insoluble unless more ade-
quate stimulus and opportunity can be
supplied to mental development ana social
Improvement.
While studying the cotton factories of
France, NJ REYBAUD invest gated the
question how far the conditions OF an oper-
ative's life tend to the encou, asemeut of
crime and vice. A comparison of Stats
ties brings out the fact thai hy far the
largest percentage of criminals Is presents
ed by agricultural districts. The country
about Rennes, for il stance, which is eXclu-
sively devoted TO tillsgc, shows one iudict-
ment to 1000 inhabitants, while only one
in 1900 is found in D0uai aud its envi-
rons, region conspicuous for mannfac-
ing activity. A still more emphatic differ
ence il observed III respect of the class OF
offences engendered by avarice; and rel
alive immunity from eXtortion and fraud
is often attended by impressive exhibit
tOns OF sympathy and bounty among oper-
atives families, where indigence somehow
contrives 70 succor want. Drunkenness,
on the other hand, is more prevalent
throughout the north, where the develop
ment OF IN lnutactur,s Is most signal; aud
II Is doubtless tIu that tins vice rs fostered
by the agglomerdtIon OF men into large
companies, ana the consequent pressure OF
example. Climate, however, probably
constitutes the controlling cause, since the
p asant of Brittany seems no more dIstn-
guished for sobricty than the artisan of
fhihiDir VI i4AiNs illitiiiff ~ ltrhAd AhS
alleged immortality Of manufacturing CEN
tres, they appear TO be justly cbargeabe
with an undue proportion OF lllcgitlmate
births; but the species of concubluage, OF
which these are the fIuit, not seldom offers
the character of "A seni-regular durlblo
union, and the legal obstacles and delays
encountered by forcg IN and NONRESIDENT
workncn are partly accountable for the
neglect OF formal marriage We may like
wlse mention that tho supposed encourage
ment to debauchery afforded by the as,o-
citation of both sexes during working
hours, or on leaving the factory. is found
in France TO be of trivial moment COM
pared with the ordinary temptations of
large towns.
Factories placed in petty villages or the
open country present some obvious advan-
tages. curious case of this kind near
Basic in Switzerland would even indicate
that an operatives life may be shaped to
the positive advancement Of morality.
This factory has the air Of a professional
school TO which whole population OF
young working girls is admitted at the age
of twelve and where their technical edu-
cation Is supplemented with an intellec-
tual and moral training which they would
certainly have failed TO secure at home.
Add perfect hygienic conditions rs regards
nour shment, dormltories, exercise, and
recreation, and a sparing use of regulative
penalties, and we cannot wonder that
many young women remain in the estab-
ishment after the stated term of four
years has expired. Analogous instances
might be cited in France, where the infiu-
ence of religion has been directly invoked;
for example, at Tarare and JujurIieux,
where thousands of female operatives are
supcrintendcd by nuns.
In the principal centres Of woollen man
utactures the status Of the French artisan
is portrayed in various, sometimes con-
verse, colors. Thus, Amiens is unpleasautly
distinguished for drunkenness and Elbeuf
for theft. At Roubaix, although wages
are not high, and marriage therefore
il not less onerous than elsewhere, there
were but 1fty-avo children born out
Of wedock in "A population OF $4,000 For
thrift and sobrloty and for the creation OF