The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-08-14

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mean more distinctly than ever physical
disability, mental incapacity, or un-
pardonable vici0usness or laZiness." BY
refusing to redress these simple wrongs
we will he reduced to condition also |
described by the able economist: "Where-
bv labor is rendered unproductive and
discontented, want increased, comfort
lessened, social inequalities multiplied,
the comfy of nations discouraged, and
the idea of the brotherhood of man, which
constitutes the foundation of every system
worthy of being called religions denied
and repudiated.'
The laws of South Carolina are par
ticularly favorable to the cotton industry:
There is scarcely a community which will
not contribute literally of its own CAPT
tai for the building of cotton mills and
exempt them from municipal taxation
for term of years. Most of these fac
tories are run on an economical basis
and are able to declare large dividends
annually. If the Northern manufacturers
whose only advantage over the Southern
is experience and skilled labor, can at
ford to restrict child labor, much more 80
can our Southern manufacturers to whom
CucdpCl ldOOl CASopSA 10"
give even greater advantages.
The opponents of the bill made strong
appeal for the independence of the parents
of these factory operatives. Ihey urge
that: Such bill could do no good other
than humiliate a proud people and do
injury to great interest" We are not
advocates of the paternal theory OF gov
ernment when we assert that these help
less children ought to be protected by
the State. We believe that the parents
who are able, are doing their utmost tor
the general education and moral uplifting
of their children Yet it is to be regretted,
that there are parents who spend their
lives in idleness, living upon the wages
of their children, while vice in its mofe
hideous forms has infected their homes.
Disorder and filth have already found
their way into many of these new homes,
and it is the duty of the State to rescue
the child from these communicating sur
roundings. The State should interfere
as little as possible with the liberty OF the
individual in pursuing his domestic
happiness and in working out his own
destiny, but when the parents are help
less from economic, moral or any other
reasons, and when their children are
neglected and educated in vice, the State
NAV riehtfully intervene. The State de-
rives its right from its duty to protect it
self and to protect all its people.
We must remember that these miserable
little children will be voters ten or fifteen
wears hence and as such their votes Will
be as powerful as those of their intelligent
neighbors. They are sovereign people
under democratic government and are
entitled at any time to perform puDilc
duties. Furthermore they can be called
upon to sit on jury to decide upon the
life and death of their fellowman. There
fore it is highly necessary that they should
possess at least some degree of intellis
gence, should know right from wrong,
and be rescued from evil influences.
Never before in the history of the South
has there been a grander opportunity for
concentrated action in the right direction.
Never before has there been time Waen
by one stroke great mass OF the popula-
tion can be lifted into the higher forms
Of civilization. 49,,
Even a superficial observation will
convince anyone of the great contrast IN
the moral, physical, and intellectual life
of these miserable, gloomy, and despon-
dent factory laborers with the aggressive,
hopeful, and brawny-a workmen In
other fields of labor. What an appleci-
able difference is there even to be seen
in those who do not as yet wear that In
delible factory stamp, owing to their
having been lately drawn from the fields
where they have had for generations the
advantage of heathful climate, happy
homes, and nutritious food. What dit
ference when we observe the better homes,
the brighter faces, the thrifty and con-
tented families, the more intelligent and
efficient labor, the excellent physical and
moral strength, the greater cheerfulness
and hopefulness among the laborers who
are restrained from this unWholesome
work in their childhood.
Let US hope that through the steady
working of economic laws, these child rem,
under continually increasing industrial
and social freedom, will, as it is said OF
the working masses of Great Britain:
"In place Of being dependent class,
without future and without hope, have
come into a position from which they
may reasonably expect to advance to any
degree of comfort and civilization"
| One can observe much difference In
the management of the different mills In
the same State. Many mill officials from
a benevolent spirit and of their own &C.
cord refuse to employ children under a
certain age. They try in every way to
develop the moral, mental, and physical
abilities of their laborers and with this
ideal in view have established schools
and churches for the benefit OF the opera
tives. Yet these, sad to relate, are in the
minority, and the vast majority OF mills
are owned by selfish men who employ
cheap labor. They do not hesitate to
hire the smallest children offered TO them
by ignorant parents who are allured to
this brutal act by the small salary which
they receive each week, this being one OF
the luxuries they did not enjoy as strictly
agricultural people. Thus these detected
little children, who are daily shut in by
walls from the light and fresh air, are
sent out crippled and distorted to hight
the battles of life With few exceptions
this is the first generation in the mills,
yet it is enough to make one shudder
when one sees these hopeless little chill
dren being rendered physical wrecks.
With these facts before us, shall we be
Indifferent to this great measure for re-
form? Shall we continue to allow this
terrible evil to degrade our fellow citizens
in order to enrich few selfish capitalists?
Shall we allow these inhuman manufac-
turers to continue to sap the sturdy
strength of these industrious and intel
ligent operatives and thereby render
them physical wrecks? Or shall we de-
mand of our legislators that they pass
this law and crush this evil in its infancy?
1t cannot be denied that the legislature
has not only moral and legal right to
pass this important bill, but it is solemn
duty which the members owe to their
State, to their fellow citizens, and to pos
terity. With these remarks We leave it
to our intelligent people, who we believe
will agitate and decide this question by
an overwhelming majority.
g MA~-
This signature is on every box OF the genuine