The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-01-11
Economic Wrongs as Woman Sees
Them.
By LEONORA NJ, LAKE.

ccpt the men who grind the lives of
women and children into dollars and
cents
The above dcnunciation was hurled
at me with vindictive, Accusing force
by poor clnaciated woman whom l
found, during my investigation OF
ware earncrs and their condition, in
garnet room under the shadow of
Brooklyn bridge, where, by the sickly
glimmcr of coal-oil lamp, she was
making double stitch scanned oy erals
for i cents pair BY her side sat
pinched- faced, big.cycd child OF four
years, who, by sewing the buttons on
the overalIs, enabled her mother to
earn 1915 in week Of % hours, or
II hours day, seven days week.
For Il moment stood dumb-found-
ed, feeling as if was responsible for
her misery-sO much agony, suffer
ing, and despair was there in her voice
and features.
This is but one of many cases that
came under ms observation, and by
no means the worst. Men, women,
an children toiling IL and ii hours
daily, for pittance insufficient to
keep body and soul together! Is it
to be wondered ut. that such sweep
ing, bitter Genunciations are to be
heard in city Of churches dedicated
to the service Of God-in city the
very atmosphere OF which is pregnant
with the eloquent words Of saIarled
dvines-in city where, while some
mothers sit in despair watching the
death struggles Of their starving ba-
bles, Il woman of sufficient means to
relieve their wants, spends, in tead.
500 TO bury pet dog, and another
buys IL diamond studded collar for
her pug?
Is it to be wondered at that people
have dritted away from the churches,
when such conditions are permitted to
exist in SO called Christian commun-
tiles, with only occasional and spas
mode efforts to relieve the pressing
need Of the multitude, whose every
hour is spent in relentless and un-
ceasin. battle with the gaunt wolf
that stands ever at their door? Is it
any wonder that from their despair
ing hearts there goes up that bitter
cry, There IS no God for the poor !
TO them the commemoration of the
coming of the Infant Jesus, with His
wealth of love, is but 4 mockt ~, re-
ligIon but an empty name, so-called
Christians ny pocrites full Of cant
phrases, offering tracts where food Is
needed, advising resignation to the
will of God, when through man av
arice, greed, and selishness Gods
will and His law, by the sweat of til,
brow shall: thou eat bread" have beer
ignored. "lle who labors not neither
shall he eat has been forgotten, anC
paupers and criminals of Gods crea
lures have thereby been made. II
has been forgotten by those who pro
fess Christ and His charity, and re
membered only by those who conslC
or III III but as a means to the end
From pulpit and press, from philos
CIPHER and statesmen, from literar,
lights and society votar:es, will com,
the question. How ale We to blame?'
When St. Stephen was stoned by thu
rabole, with his dying breath he erie.
out, 20 Lord, lay not t. is sin to thei
charge TO whose charge, then
st. Paul answered that question tire,
Years later, when, praying in the TEN
pie at Jerusalem, he SAID, Il stood b,
and consented.
We have become part Of the grea
evil Of greed and ambition; We ar,
carried away with worldly pride ant
vanity we have enthroned the got
Nammon in our hearts; We bow dow
and worship him in whate. er form b.
comes-whcther it be Coal Baron
Railroad Magnate. or Rum Lord. W
have apparently forgotten the meel
and Lowry Babe of Bethlehem, an'
the lesson HIS life taught, to such Al
extent that were He to appear o.
earth to-day rs ut Bethlehem, poo