The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1900-02-20
THE THINKERS.
FROM TRH Farm

furniture and destined tor 8 Dme cotton
mill. Some of these people We know
Oers1n ally and others we Can judge OF
very well, as a rule Oy the g neral aD-
oearence of their # Cts. Most OF them
are people Who were in comfortable
circumstances in the country and at
Eracted by b alluring stOri's OF big
paw and easy time in the mills, have
glvea up tire old home, disposed OF
most Of their properly, ofren the home
stead that has Oeen in the family for
generations. aud moved 60 TO 10.
We count Gnis movement from the
farms to the factories az detrimental
60 the sire Gtn and independence OF
the STATE O. course there are built up
great mill centr. 8 with hummlDg
aOIndIes and rafting looms, with
houpes do ting hilsides once bare, and
money turned loose regularly among
hundreds of operatives, out there is an
other side to this movement. On the
farm there was independence, there
was health and always plenty, there
was a home for which nOrent was paid
and q fnresE from wnic1 wood was had
free. The labor was at times very
hard, while at other times there was
rest and recreation. there was time for
educational and religious advantages
other than Sunday. There were neigh
b ,rs and relatives, known for years,
who would stand by in sicknes So or
death. They had time at their COM
mand to think and TO do. Among the
factory people, however great the de-
sire to assist. their time belongs TO an
other and usually their limited means
do not permit of very extended help
o 4 the farm they have growing crops
or CROPS laid bv in Store. With the
operative paid IF weekly or bi weekly,
there is usually little Laid by. We
have founo the factory people clever,
courteous and willing, but they have
little or no time except in the mills.
Any thing that prospers at the ex-
pense of the farm and the good coun-
try life is q menace to the permRnency
and strength Of our insEitu ions. If the
factories of North Carolina must be
built at the expense of the farms of the
state we feel that the state loses there
oy We would advise the country
people not to give up the farm for the
G 'ttOn mill Your income may not be
go great on the farm, yet your neces-
sary outgo Ia not so great. In the mill
iG means six days early and late the
year through. The mill owners and
uperintendents of North Carolina do
as we'll, we daresRy al those of any
state, but it is not in their power to
give the conveniences and comforts
and independence that can be had on
the farm. Back to the farm!
There is another problem connected
with this movement which to US is
serious. 1t is not unusual that you
find a family Of boys and girls dragged
to town by a father who puts the chill
d en- in the mill and spends bis time ih
loafng and living on the wages of his
nardworked children. This phase Of
the subject is a perplexing one. 1t
cannot be reached by legislation or an
appeal to pride or the general welfare
Of the family. The solution of it lies
sitn the mill man combined with a
healthy public sentiment against this
child slavery, which is title If any bet
Ger than the act of the Oriental who
sells his child outright for 80 much
money. Our heart grows sick some
times as we go among our friends
about the mills and see a worthless
father, hale and hearty, living Off the
hard labor OF several email children.
On the farm this man was forced to
help support his family. We do not
want to be harsh in our judgment or
paint the picture too dark, yet we
want to fully emphasize the danger of
This congestion of the peopls about
factories at the expense of the country
and the wholesome farm life. There
are exceptions to be sure, but the cease
less toll Of the busy mill will not be
found Like the easy going, independent
lie In the country. We would say to
the father and mother on the farm TO
stay at home and till their acres in
peace, with children reared robust and
tree, rather than join the throng which
goes In ever increasing numbers to the
centres. Back to the farm!-
Carolina Baptist.
EDUCATION AND DISCONTRNT.
Albert E Mckay, quoting from