New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-20
WHAT WOMEN SAY AND DO.
FIFTH ARTICLE IN THE SERIES BY
NOTED WORKERS OF THE WORLD.
NINE. VINCENT TAKES UP CUDGELs FOR THE
NBEDLEwoMEN AND ASKS FOR EQUAL

NINE. VINCENT TAKES Up cUpGELs FOR THE
NEEDLEwoMEN AND ASKS FOR EQUAL
WAGES FOR EQUAL WORK
Ninety thousand children during the last year
have been instructed in sewing in the public schools
OF this city and It is expected that the coming
school year will register still larger number who
will learn 10 ply the shining needle.
The introduction OF sewing into the schools was
made In the face Of much discussion and opposi-
ton. and New-York was almost the last or the
large cities to add the study TO It's curriculum.
AS yet It is not easy TO foreel the practical out
come Of the sewing school. As moral agent. In
culcatng neatnees, precision. perseverance and
patIence n Will undoubtedly he OF inestmable
value. As an education to the eye, the taste, at
tention and judgment. II must take rank with the
other branches Of study but when II comes 10
putting It in the category Of manual training tha;
may later be utilized as means OF earning
livelihood that Is another matter In Berlin the
schools allow three hours week to neediework;
the aim is definitely unitarian. In most SCHOOLS
here hour week is all that Is allowed
In this connection IT is timely to give as the hfth
I'm the series on What Women say ana DO the
views Of Nine. V. Vincent. the founder and presi-
dent OF the Femniste Association de IEgalite Nine
Vincent is chiefly distinguished by her historical
researches from which she has come to the con-
clusion that in former times-in France. at any
rate-woman's civic and social position was more
recognized than to-day. Nine Vincent Is one OK
the best known champions Of the cause In France
In speaking Of the ncedlewomen of Paris in con-
nection with the employment OF women NINE VIM
cent gives the following as her views
WOMEN NEEDLEWoRKERs.
Few economic questions give rise to such 'ot
discussions as womens work, which III our u''ISe
extends all branches OF INDUSTRY re uan an
machinery brings an increasing number 81 wom mn
into Offices workshops and factories, ana the SUD
stitution OF female labor has caused IAN Vi ""ee''
from which both sexes suffer. 49,. x.o.,,a,o al
In former days organizations OF labor regula tei
and limited production for the special purpose OF
guarding AGAINST this lowering OF wages me oIu
statutes Of trade companes pnUEy IN was severely
criticised; to-day IL Is almost ackhoWeueeu az
rect Certain classes eXoi the ia hirp az
fict the present generation. And certainly tne
workingmen's unions have many points in com
fresh formed many OF thfn nv Yin
OF human interests were better understood men
would of their own accord open thelr unlons ~ "
women particularly those unions cnS ,akn mo With
out danger their physical ana mora weIlpeins;
In the domnions OF the FranKlsn hitsS w vheIe
the female serfs were employed in weaving the fax;
hemp and wool and In making up the garments ana
adornuents Of our grandmOthcrs IN ancient taul
i'm the converts the devotees spent the pauses In
their religious exercises In studying literature sew :
ing and eInbrOiderng clerical vestmcH's IN gOd anu
ST YER and making church ornaments and engraV-
ings and illumina lions for sacred books .
in France at ABOUT the same time as in England,
toward the end OF the ninth century. A charter OF
rhoerrakers Of Rouen, and this must have been
9owed by other 6rysges .SS S me me wfn OF
;Udfrey PlaEtagenet and after his yictor} the city
was rewarded by important exemptions 1t paid no
taxes on their trade with England: they obtained
the concession tf an English port Dungeness'
Women have been ndusirially employed since the
thirteenth century. and hey played specially i'm