Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-01-31
CHILD LABOR.

Consideration OF the question OF
"Child Labor in Cotton Factories
presents problems that we are not ex-
actly able to solve to our own satisfac-
ton but however great is our SYM
pathy for the children, we do not pro-
pose to join in this crusade at this
time.
The idea of putting stop to child
labor in mills originated in New Eng
land, and it has been taken up in this
country with great enthusiasm. 1t is
an important question north, and it Is
likely to become an important ques-
ton here; but it will be many years
before it is satisfactorily settled.
The proposition is based upon the
purest humanity. 1t comes out of and
fourishes in hearts that are full to
overhowing with human sympathy.
OF course, it is often the case that the
advocates of the idea are moved only
by temporary impulse ; but upon The
whole the motive is sound, and is en-
titled to the highest respect. But the
question with us is, is the abolition Of
child labor practicable or desirable in
view of existing social and economic
conditions?
In the senate, the other day, SEN
ator charged that child labor in mills
owes its existence only 10 the inordi'
nate greed of mill men who seek div
idends at the expense of the health,
intelligence and innocence of youth !!
That is fearful charge ; but is it true?
We are aware that mill men set II
great deal of store by dividends; but
who is it that does not? Is it the far
mer, the doctor, the lawyer, the
preacher, the newspaper man, or the
Kings Daughters? Suppose none OF
these received dividends, what would
they do for dinner? Aud if they are
all receiving dividends, then why
should the desire for dividends be
charged as a crime in mill men? We
do not think that the senator who
made this charge wanted to be unjust !;
we rather think he was only somewhat
thoughtless.
But to the main issue. How are we
going to abolish child labor in mills a;
and five secure the abolition of it, what
is going to be the result2 OF course,
the motive of the humanitarans north,
and our no less earnest Christian work
ers south, is to secure for innocent
children leisure, comfort, fresh air,
education and every other require
ment necessary to enable them to
grow up into the strongest, most ylg-
orous and intelligent members of So
ciety. But the question is, how is
this to be accomplished under present
?
We wish it were so that the steady
labor Of the father at the spindles or
looms would yield income sufficient to
support the entire family, decenlly
clothe all the children, enable them
to go to school, have bicycles, pianos,
ponies and libraries but 1t is not so.
The steady labor of the father does
not yield returns much more than suf-
fcent to feed and clothe himself. The
steady labor of father and mother
both is not sufficient to yield all the
desirable things that have been men,
toned. Factories in this state that
would attempt to pay wages that
would warrant such conditions, would
meet with the fate of the goose that
laid the golden egg. But suppose the
proposition were not governed by the
laws of business, and such
wages could he pald for the steady la
Dor of father and mother, what would
become of the idle children removed
from the supervision of parents too
busy TO give them attention?
Of course, in the consideration of
this question, especially in the general
there has been great deal
of wasted sentiment. Few advocates |
of the abolition of "child labor" have
the conditions that would |
follow. Few have recognized that
it is part of our social system,
as legitimate as any other part of
that system. There is a remedy,
possibly but that remedy is hard.
Iy practicable except by that slow