St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1901-06-22
COTTON MILLING IN SOUTH.
Change Wrought In Social ConditioH
of the People Employed
Work for All.

OF the People Employed
Work for All.
Even in its present crude state the
cotton milling business in the south
has wrought a wonderful change in
the people employed. A reporter for
ager William Swift. at the Pearl
mills, as to the social condition OF
the people employed by him.
Most of these people," said he,
''too poor to own lands, were in .
sad condition indeed. Unlettered,
with no employment, suffering from
adversely which seems to delight in
visiting the poor, anything which
would give them work was a godsend.
We have here quite colony recruit
ed from this class, and they are to-
day as self-respecting as any COM
munity of people in the land. They
make all the way from three to six
dollars a week apiece, with plenty Of
work for every member of the fam
lily. Go into their homes and you will
find white-covered beds. clean cur
tains. and generally an organ gracing
the front room. There are probably
so organs in the colony. The love of
music is a sign of refinement, and
the introduction of an organ into \
house means social pleasure and a
higher moral atmosphere. Come here
on Sunday and you will find the
young women handsomely dressed,
with hats and faces which I am will
ing to pit against any equal number
of people in Atlanta.
Eyes, these people are quick to
learn. The present force became ex-
pert in their work inside of two
months, and the operatives readily
adapt themselves to changes of ma
chinery. There is one woman of 60
who has been with MS three years,
during which time she has carefully
saved over half her wages. There are
many who put money away. Their
work is pleasant and remunerative,
they are contented and happy, they
attend church services on Sunday
with proper devotion. and in all re-
spects they form most creditable
community of people. There are two
points, however, upon which there is
much misconception abroad. The
first is as to the employment of chill
dren. II is not to the economical in
terest of mill owners to have children
under IL or probably IA years of age,
because they are wasteful and often
the way. The pressure to employ
them comes from the families them
selves, and has been essential in the
crush and necessity of new condi-
tions. As mills become established
with full compliments of operatives,
there will be fewer children en-
ployed, and the age will necessarily
be raised. Hence it win be seen that
this is question which will settle
itself in obedience to the laws Of
mechanical economy, and it need not
be feared as a permanent condition.
The second point is one often used
as an objection to the establishment
Of q cotton mill in a neighborhood-
that while it gives work for women
and children, it does not furnish
enough for the men. would be glad
to disabuse the popular mind Of this
misconception. A well-equipped cot
ton mill furnishes sufficient work for
the males of family as well as for
the females. There are different de-
partments, in which the men may
qualify themselves for work. Thus
in the Pearl mill colony there is not
q single idle man or boy but can get
work on application. There is work
for all in abundance. and whenever
you find an idle man you may be sure
that his condition is of his own
choice"
In this connection it may not be
amiss to state that the British gov
eminent annually collects very valu-
able figures as to vital economy.
From these figures it appears that
the percentage of illegitimacy in fac
tory centers is much smaller than
that OF even the agricultural regions
where, naturally. the greatest free
dom from faint is looked for. In the
rivalry of the factory town character
is held very hight is the one great
possession, and its presence is key
to high ideals and perfect living.
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