The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-09
Leads Carolina News and Circulation

Sec g. All children between the ages
of ten and twelve years employed In
textile factories in this State must be
employed upon the half day system in
morning and afternoon sets The period
OF employment for child in the morning
set shall be from o'clock a. M to u
o'clock M, with fifteen minutes recess
between The period Of employment for
a child in the evening set shall be from
1890 D. m. TO p. M, with fifteen min
utes for recess between. In no case shall
a child be employed in two successive
periods OF six days in morning set nor
in two successive periods Of six days in
an afternoon set.
Sec. 4. Every owner, superintendent,
manager or overseer of any textile fac
tory and any other person in charge
thereof, or connected Herewith, who
shall employ any child contrary to the
provisions OF sections and OF this act
shall be guilty OF a misdemeanor and for
every such otfense shall, upon conviction
thereof. be fined not less than $25 nor
more than $50.
Sec S. Be it further enacted, that ev-
cry person. parent or guardian, having
under his control a child between the
ages OF ten and fourteen years of age
which child is working in any textile fac
tory in this State shall, during every six
months of said period cause such child
To attend some public day school in the
city, town or school district in which he
or she resides, for two months OF the
six months, with an allowance of four
days for unexcused absences; and for
every neglect Of such duty. the person SO
offending, shall upon the complaint OF
- ! Nn1A fn q
use of the public school of such city,
town or district sum not less than S10.
But if the physical or mental condition
of the child is such as to render such at
| tendance inexpedient or impracticable,
| such penalty shall not be incurred. Mu-
| nicipal or justice courts of the militia
districts in which the child resides, shall
| have jurisdiction of the offense described
| in this section.
Sec. g. 1t shall be the duty of the
State and county school commissioners
/ to so arrange the terms of the public
schools in the town, village or district
/ in which the textile factories are To-
Gated. as to meet the requirements OF
| section of this act and all children
who are employed in textile factories and
/ who are compelled to attend the public
schools OF this State for four months
during each year, shall be loaned free,
by the State through the county commits
/ sioners of education in the counties in
which textile factories are located, all
books which they may be required to
| study while in school, under such rules
as the State School Commissioner may
| make as to their care and keeping
Sec. T. 1t shall be the duty of the
county physician of each county in COM
pany with another physician to be ap-
pointed by the Judge of he Superior Court
on the first day OF each year. to visit
at least twice each year the textile fac
tories In their several counties, investi-
gate the sanitary conditions OF the same,
as it affects the health OF the employees,
and report the same to the grand juries
of their several counties for such action
as they, under the advice OF the solicitor
general may deem proper. And they
shall be paid by their respective counties
S. per day for each day given to this
duty.
This bill was sent, not because it
was deemed the ideal measure. but as
a basis on which a wise bill could
be framed, following the suggestions
of the best-posted men who had given
the subject most thought. In prepar-
ing a bill, it is important that it be
so framed as to reach the result de-
sired without inficting injury on the
great cotton mill industry Therefore,
first of all, we sought the views of the
owners and managers OF the cotton
mills of the State. We present below
the views of some who have answered
the inquiry and will print the views
OF others next week:
TO the Editor: Section / is satisfactory
| TO me.
| Section 2 should have a provision OF eX-
emption from attendance at school in case
the child can read and write. and If not
the time limit should be two or three
months at school yearly.
Section 3 is impracticable.
Section should be: No child under /:
years shall be employed in mill unless IN
the capacity of clippers and end piecers
and not under 10 years. and they shall
be relieved from service after their spe'
ciic duties are finished during the re-
peated demands of the day
Section is satisfactory with the
amendments suggested by me-
Section amend to read two or three
months in twelve, provided the child car
read and write.
However, | think law that is not ap-
plicable to all persons and classes alike
as in sections and g. would not be valid
under the Constitution.
Section z is a step in the right diree'
tion. but does not cover the ground fully
The clippers and piecers of ends in spin
ming. or twisting room, are not kept en-
ployed one-half of the time, and il
roy mill have recess for play every
hour of more time than that spent a
work in the mill This kind of work, ant
spinning includes almost entirely the Ia
Dor of children under IA years.
II the legislature should interfere VIII
. The hours OF labor, l should say II hours
I do not think child under IL year!
should be employed in day time, am
none at night time under Il years I.
fact I'm opposed to night work for child
rem IN textile factories. The cottoi
manufacturers do not wish children IN
2 der II wears to operate in factories, bu
{ the parents do. The light work of clip
] pcrs and end piecers fer children over 10
, and under IL, can be useful, and no
harmful to them
1 &c OF