The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-19
Letters to the Editor.
Child Labor.

Child Labor.
Editor The Advertiser:
The article which appeared over my
signature in The Advertiser of September
rs. ult.. on the subject OF child ian9t,
ing. That article seems TO have mace an
indelihle impression on them. Under the
mighty stimulus of a deeper seated ne-
sire to counterfeit the influence .oI th1t
article they rush into PRINT. with orol-
nary care you can almost hear the tears
trickling down from the points OF their
pens. You can almost hear the lament
alton OF Rachel weeping for ner chill
dren." These pathetic scribes attempt to
criticise the teachings of my article, but
they virtually concede every essential
proposition therein contained. The ar
ticles which appeared in The Advertisor
in opposition to the views which | have
set forth on this subject Of child labor
have very little in them demanding con-
sideraton.
These advocates Of legislation prohibit
ing the working of children in colt IN
factories are intensely interested about
supposed evils which have no existence
1t 10 not an evil for children to WORK
in cotton factories. 1t Is not an evil for
them to work twelve hours day. FNur-
thermore, If the evils imagined did re-
ally exist the enactment of a statute pro.
hlbiting the working Of children could not
correct the evils, and would in itself be
an evil.
Beyond all doubt the measure proposes
class legislation Glass legislation is al
ways hurtful. and this legislation advo-
Gated on this child labor subject involves
the most bewildering absurdities. 1t
would be just as wise to enact status
forbidding the chastisement of children
under II years of age as to enact law
forbidding the working Of children in
factories under that age. Every one,
must apprehend the folly of such legis-
lation.
The children Of the country are not the
wards, of the nation. II the state were
wards, she would assume prerogatives
which she does not possess, and under
take task which has never been. laid
upon her by any constitutional power;
critics seeksto establish are antagonistic
to the great principles of the moral
philosophy and the political economy
maintained by civilized and Christian ma
children, and they are the very best
guardians that could be ordained. Pa
ents have natural affections They VIII
have more love for their children than
more tenderly and kindly than will 9th
ers.
Marriage was instituted by God for the
virtuous propagation Of the race, and TOR
the promotion Of human happiness. Mar
riage is conducive to virtue. Justice and
piety. Marriage Is conducive to the pro-
duction Of the greatest number Of Wig
oYous children, and their proper educa-
ton and n,f for the OF
marriage 10 the family. the home; and
the relation of parents and children:
These are husband and wife, father ana
mother son and daughter. What sacred
ton. Here are sacred ties The family
bound together in the dearest Affiliations.
Barbarism would stand appalled, In tho
presence OF these sacred relations: Inc
impertinence that would attempt to IN,
tsrmeddle with these divinely appointed
relations should be rebuked.
It is the duty Of parents to estabiisn
their children in habits of Industry. IN
the very beginning Of their days, in their
tender years, the parents must begin TO
train them to labor. The parents must
furnish the children with regular en-
ployment. and keep them out OF idleness
and mischief. Childhood furnishes the
period in which to lay the foundations
of usefulness and happiness. Then Is the
time to begin the regular application 70
work. Then Is the time to induce habits
of stability and thrift. Rather than havs
them lounge at home in idleness. or rove
the streets in mischief, let them work
in the factories, even twelve hours day
1t has not yet TRANSFERRED that many.
either children or adults. have over
worked themselves Too many persons in
this great republic of ours are idle ana
vicious.
One of my critics announces: That the
suggested bill on the subject applies 10
manufacturins establishments in general,
and not to cotton factories exclusively
Verify, that does not make the bill any
better. In my article which the Scrlo IS
attempt to criticise, j showed the absurd
itv of the measure by showing how ridic-
nious 1t would be to extend the leglslatio1
to other subjects in the category or
things Ny critic understands me as ad-
vocating legislation on other manufac-
k,,r noto Itch That critic must
be so luminous as to be blinded by MS
own brilliancy.
Another of my critics writes: TT Is
we'll known that at the last session OF
question was agitated, the mill men OF
Alabama spent thousands of dollars, us.
ing every avenue of influence they couio
control in order to prevent iegislation ~, N
Labor Reform, without bribery or lobby
ism, work for a class that can not pay
fees, for a cause on which many OF the
wealthy frown, for the sake of the tor
tured children of the factory poor
1t is dificult to apprehend the purpose
of this statement made by my very kind
critic. Why the reference to bribery?
Why the reference to the factory poor.
Is 1t intended to insinuate that the mill
men of Alabama perpetrated bribery?
Is 1t the purpose to enlist the sympathy
of 1.-The factory poor?" l am sure can
not understand the meaning of the state
condemning the mill men, and securing
the sympathy Of the factory poor. ,,,
This proposed legislation against chI1
labor IL repugnant to all the maxims
of a free people and of Christian state.
The fundamental principles established
by Divine injunction should never be an
nulled by human Inventions, and ques-
tionable legislation. Let us have immu-
nifty from all affected tenderness.
Arson West.
New Decatur, Ala, Oct. o. 1902.
tSome comments upon the above letter
will be found in our editorial columns