The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-08-21
FACTS AS TO CHILD LABOR.
How the Conditions in This
State Have Reen Exaggerated
by Northern Writer'S.

State Have Reen Exaggerated
by Northern Writer'S.
The Columbia Daily Record has ro-
ceivcd an advance sheet from the
1radcSman, Chattanooga, on tho sub
ject of child labor IN the cotton mills
OF the South, in which this journal un-
dertakes to tell tho truth about exist
ing conditions III specific and not a
general way.
In 80 far as South Carolina IS con.
cerned it will be no doubt o great sur
prise to people to learn how few child
rem under twelve years Of ago arc en-
ployed in the mills. The Tradosman's
facts were obtained this summer, when
none of tho children Of mil operatives
are at school, hence their number in
the mills is greater ut this season than
at any other.
The following arc BOmo OF tho facts
Lewis w. Parker, president of the
Victor Manufacturing company, says
that there are $50 operatives III the
mill, of whom there arc twenty-sevcn
children under twelve years of age
Mr.. Parker regrets that the number is
unusually large at this time, which
is due to the fact that the school
closed July l. This mill operates a
school nine months in the year, paying
three teachers and the expenses of the
school generally out of its own funds.
John A. Law, president of the
Saxon mills, Spartanburg, says he has
275 people on his pay roll. OF these,
N, t1ua Oru
old, and they will be put out as soon
as school begins, he says. There is n
free school in the village running eight
months in the year.
Arthur II. Smith, Of the Langley
Manufacturing company, says that
mill has 600 employees at work, of
whom fourteen are under twelve years
old. This corporation runs q free
school four months of the year and the
county five months, making nine in
all. Mr.. Smith states that every one
Of these children will 90 to school on
the reopening.
James l.. Orr, president of the
Piedmont Manufacturing company,
says that there arc 1,423 names on his
pay roll, Of which fitty-six arc between
the ages of ten and twelve years. All
Of tnese are sweepers and jackers and
are children Of small families who are
dependent upon them for a living.
There is not ono under 10 and only
thirteen under eleven. There is a
regular graded school, with principal
and seven teachers, and running ton
months in the year, and all of it is paid
for by the company.
Ellison A. Smyth, OF tho Pelzcr and
there are 2,549 operatives, Of whom
twenty.six arc under twelve years old,
and in the Bolton mill there arc 81
operatives, of whom thirteen arc less
than twelve years old. Io says:
"At both Pclzor and Bolton VIC
have contract book, which is signeu;
by the head of every family we employ,
and in which it is agreed that all
children under twelve years of age
are to 60 TO schools provided by the
mills every day the schools are open
and children over twelve arc to be en-
ployed in tho mill. Our school runs
for nine or ten months and will re-
open on the 1st of September. l find
that during this holiday tlmo some of
the children under twelve years of age
do get into the mill TO work, through
they are not wanted and their employ
ment forbidden, but often the children
want to work and make their wages.
or course, there arc special exceptions
made to our twelve year rule in in.
dividual cases, owing TO the poverty
and needs Of the widowed mother OF
invalid father, or, IN the case of
orphans, TO tho con ditiOn Of want in
which the grandparents arc found to
be-"
j. 1. Westervelt, OF the Brandon
mills, Glcenville, says there arc 207
employees in the mill. Nine are males
under twelve and three are fem alcs
under twelve, although they are just
few months removed from that age.
These are more than usual on account
of the school being closed, which is
run ten months.
Thomas Il. Parker, president of the
Monaghan mills, Grcenville, says
there are 388 operatives in the mill,
of whom twenty-thrce are under twelve
years. There is school open for
nine months.
=. G. Poag, superintendent of the
Goldvilie Manufacturing company,