The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-19

OF PROMINENT CITIzENs-A COMMITTEES TO BE
last Friday evening small
number OF representative citizens met in
the room Of the Chamber OF Commerce to
take into consideration the feasibility OF
supplying the females OF Richmond with
remuneratipe work. Owing to the inclcn1-
ency Of the weather that evening it was
thought advisable to adjourn. without Or
ganizing, till Monday evening". In pursu-
ance OF adjournment Ia meeting was held
yesterday at 81 O'clock. The following
gentlemen were present: DIR. Jeter, Bishop
Doggett, Messrs. Thomas Branch. A. L. El-
lett, C. e. Stokes, o. H. ChaIkley, e. B.
Spence. Isaac Davenport, Jr.. f. w. Pow
eTs, and DR.. Fl. G. Tabb.
On motion of DR.. Jeter, Thomas Branch,
Esq, was chosen to preside, and Mr.. Elicit
was requested to act rs secretary. A few
minutes after the meeting had been organ
lied DR.. Hoge and DR.. Dickinson Joined it..
Dr.. Jeter, by way Of introducing the
subject before the meeting, read the follow
ing paper which he had prepared:
L. That remuDerative employment for all
classes Of society capable of laboring is es-
sential to the highest prosperity OF every
community.
g. That in the industrial arrangements Of
remunerative occupations for cultivated and
respectable females whose necessities or
tastes lead them to seek employment.
8. That it is eminently proper for the men
OF business to. adopt such means as may be
within their power to furnish females pro-
fitable empoyments, suited to their sex and
circumstances, and to encourage them 10
engage in these occupations.
4. That it is the duty Of all persons who
can influence public opinion to endeavcr to
correct any false views which may prevail
concerning the respectability and the i'm
portance to the we'll being Of society Of be-
coming female labor.
5. That committee OF gentlemen be ap-
pointed to mature plans to secure the ends
contemplated by these resolutions, to be
presented to this meeting at such time and
place as they may deem proper.
G. That the journals Of this city, secular
and religious, be requested to publish the
proceedings OF this meeting and use their
great influence to promote the benevolent
designs which this meeting desires to Sc
cure.
DR.. Jeter spoke of the various kinds OF
work that poor women might engage in.
He alluded to gentlemen's furnishing goods,
and said he understood that gentleman
was about to commence to manufacture
here all the goods sold in this city.
MIR. G. E. Stokes said that DR.. Jeter was
right. Arrangements had been made to have
the clothing sold in this branch manufac-
tured here, and that il the plan worked we'll
many females would be afforded employ
ment.
DR.. Hose was glad TO find that the object
Of the organization was to project measures
for giving work to those who were able and
willing to work, as the only true charity
after all was to give the poor something to
do. While it was refreshing occasionally to
bestow aims upon those who ask aims,
thought DR.. Hoge, yet tie only deserving
poor are those who will work.
Bishop Doggett was very much impressed
with the idea Of pushing method for sup
plying the female poor with something to
do, and would heartily concur in the OBJ
iects of this organization.
Mr.. Spence, in response to question
asked by some one present as to the feasi-
bility OF manufacturing clothing in this
city, said that forty years ago he came to
Richmond as representative OF northern
clearinghouse; that few years after liv-
ing here some one proposed that he try the
experiment of making the goods that he
us
account, and did try the plan. Ever since
he has pursued it, and every article of cloth
ing that he sells is made here, the panta-
looms and waistcoasts being all made by
women. He said that business was dull
now; but one thing would have to be i'm
pressed on the community, which was
that the poor had to be provided for; and
if you did not give them work you would
have to put your hand in your pocket and
give money. He thought with the co0pe-
ration of the citizens the manufacture Of
clothing would be success.
Mr.. Elicit was called upon to give bis
views. He was fully alive to the import
ance of the meeting, and thought that with
sufficient capital stock-clothing could be
as cheaply and satisfactorily made here as
elsewhere. He went into the details Of the
Richmond wholesale trade, and explained
how the manufacture Of any kind Of goods
would have to be conducted to pay.
DR.. Jeter asked the question whether the
trade could be concentrated here.
Mr.. Elicit thought it could il the proper
enterprise and capital were forthcoming. 1t
would be folly to start any kind Of move
ment on small scale. We would have to
have capital enough to compete with the
North. Mr.. Elicit mentioned the shoe busi-
ness, the tobacco business, and other
branches OF industry, in which women
might engage.
Mr.. Davenport thought public opinion
ought to be changed in regard to the posi-
ton of chambermaid. He thought that the
position should be looked upon in higher
light than is usually the case.
Mr.. Branch remarked that the problem
before the meeting was difficult one to
solve. He said: eve are hewers of wood
and drawers Of water to the North, and will
be till we can get capital to take hold Of man
enterprises"
DR.. Hoge offered a motion that this mat
ter of furnishing work to deserving poor
females be submitted to committee OF
seven, to be appointed by the Chair, for
careful consideration, the committee to see
what plans can be projected. The motion
was carried.
On motion Of DR.. Tabb the chairman OF
the meeting was added to the committee. !.
The Chair will probably appoint the COM
mittee to-day. s......
The meeting adjourned at 81 o'clock.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE PUB
Lie DEBT.-At the last meeting Of the Board
OF Directors OF the Chamber OF Commerce
a resolution was adopted instructing the
president to appoint committee, whose
duty it should be to compile, publish, and
distribute a pamphlet on the subiec. Of the
State debt-the pamphlets to embrace the
address already issued by Messrs. Stokes,
McCance, Blankenshlp, Purcell, and VIII
liams, and such other matter as may be
deemed advisable. The President, MIR.