The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-11-27
Take Care Of the Cotton Mills-The
Operatives Can Take Care Of their
(hiIdran

Ifthe Governor were In q condition TO ac-
cept suggestions from newspaper which In
the recent election gave him hearty and un-
reserved support, we would suggest that he
in his message to the Legislature give. due
and proper consideration OF the proposed
Legislation in reference TO the wrong with
which mill operatives are threatened.
The cotton mill industry in this state has
grown TO immense proportions, and 1t Is evil
dent that the cotton mills need protection
from those politicians who would strike them
down.
1t Ia not less certain that the operatives
need protection from those who propose TO In
terfere with their right to earn an honest
living.
Looking alike to the interests OF the poor
and defenseless people as we'll as to the prlVl-
leges and rights OF the mill owners. 1t Ia hoped
that the Governor may rise superior TO pre-
Judice, and that he may be stronger than the
existing clamor, 30 that he may dlspassion-
ately look at the issues with clearness or Wis
ion.
The mill people are poor. and need not be
shackled by uufrlendly legislation.
This newspaper contends, therefore, that
an industrial commission should be organic.
ed whose duty 1t shall be to protect the weak
from The aggressions or wrongs that may be
perpetrated against them by mercenary or
up feeling employers.
Abridge not one jot or one title of the poor
mans right to control his own family. when
the management of the children OF poor peo
pie is transferred 10 corporations, then
strike has been made al the very foundations
Of American freedom.
Leave the management OF children 10 their
natural protectors, but see that the powerless
parents nre protected.
No corporation on earth should have the
right to hurdle together hundreds-it may be
thousands-of little children, and then make
no provision for the protection of their NOR
ais, while negleoting their spiritual welfare.
Some men In an inexcusable ignorance OF
what they are talking about have proposed
that children under twelve years should not
be allowed TO care for the machines Of cot.
ton mill.
1t would be hard to conceive how any one
less than a fiend incarnate. should advocate
the enforced ideness OF the great numbers OF
children who are thrown together at cotton
mill. Children, like men, should have EN-
ploS ment, and II children are not at school,
their parents should require them to work,
except at such times when rest and recrea.
tion are necessary.
Better that every cotton mill In the State
should sink to the bottomless pit, than TO
have the pride and spirit crushed out Of the
mill operatives. Better that the children be
sent to their graves than to see them demor-
allied and unified for becoming good and
useful citizens.
The poor boy operating spindle may have
as high hopes and as noble aspirations as the
richest boy in the land. If no stigma is plac-
ed upon hin by law, and If the mill owners
are required to do their duty, he may become
the richest and the most honored in all the
land.
Don't legislate against the poor. Give them
help and encouragement, so that they may
better their condition.