The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-06-18
CHILD LABOR.
what Ron. W. r. Caihoun, nj Green
vile, Says Upon the Subject

VILE, says Upon the Sue5ec@
Greenviile, s. c., June Is.
NV friend, Mr.. Hugh Wilson, OF
Abbeyille, s. g., Press and Banner,
has q way OF driving nails home some
.imes with one blow. The following
editorial taken from that paper Illus
trates the above remarks
.sIn those countries where the per
sonsl rights Of the citizens are the
least, the management OF children j.
In a measure usurped by the govern-
nsnt, while in this part OF the treest
country on earth, the management or
control of children L. Left almost en-
tirely to its parents and natural pro-
tectors. The State Of South CarOiins
does not exercise the care 9f step.
mother. but the child's natural mother
is trusted TO care for her own. Wien
ever the government attempts to take
the control OF children from their nat
ural guardians aud protectors, IL IL u
step leading 10 abrogation OF the right
anu obligations which have not been
denied to the lowest Of the animal ere
alton.
"Thst there are instances Of abuses
OF children In all the varied pursuits oi
life Ia not to be denied, neither Is Vt Ia
te denied that many mother maker
herself slave to shield her children
from work.
,'It In also true that there are one or
more vagrant men NJ any or all of the
cotton mills.
"Thess yagrants should be looked
after. and IL not able to work, should
be requiredt TO take luxurious place
on the county chain-gang.
Many we'll meaning but Ignorant
people are urging that laws be enateti
forbidding children 10 work In cotton
mills. ANY man who would think for
a moment would shudder at the cor
rupting infiuenc of enforced idleness
on great aggregations OF children.
Idlene-s Ia said t0 be the DEVILS work
shop, and the immortality resulting
from crowds Of children assembling
together would be appalling to any
honest or conscientious citizen.
"If, therefore, children shou be
forbidden to work, they should be re-
uuired to attend school. Enforced idle
ness would have q most Injurious effect
on meu, women or children.
"The imperialists would assume re
sponsibility Of parents, and act the
part Of step-mo,her for the children oi
the State"
Psternal imperialism 10 the harmful
tendency of our government. Govern.
ment. did I say? Excuse ME, should
have said the demagogues who want
tn seem the government and who will
advocate any and everything that will
yet them few vote, regardless Of the
e.. fact that by NO doing they are fastening
imperiniistic chains and letters on the
very people that they profess To be aid
ing.
Il may be that these politicians dc
not really understand what they are
doipg and II God created them without
brains sufficient to enable them tG
properly guard the people, they ar.
not to be blamed. The people In case
like that should quietly leave them al
home and select men who do know
what they are doing and who have thu
courage to speak out.
Now, 1t seems to me that the advo
Gates Of the child labor legislation In
South Carolina have all lost their head,
and 90 have the mill employees wht
advocate such legislation.
The average mill employer seems T.
think that such legislation IN blow u
the mill owners and the politicians Ell
courage that view Of the matter, wher
ss q fact, they are working agains
their own interests at every step taken
The politician on the stump will be
come eloquent and shed tears over tn,
oppression of the children In the mill,
by the mill owners. 1t gives them ;
fair chance 10 appeal to class prejudic'
and to stir up strife and make the EN-
ployes think that they are the mos
iown-trodden people In the world.
/ am q poor man, without dollar
worth OF stock In any corporation o
mill In the world. / am seeking N
office aud do not intend To seek any.
intend to tell the people the who'll
truth N / nee ito fight for true De
mocracy and the interests OF the peopl
would like for the advocates Of tn
child labor legislation that will be nj
issue iu the campaign this summer 4
answer q few questions when they ar
on the stump.
lst. Who is supposed TO have ful
control over the children Of the Stat
In each family?
End. Who hires the children to th
mills and who gets their wages.
3rd. Do the mill owners force tn
->,aot. tn hiro thai oh 4 Ia ran IN them