The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-24

Rt. Rev. Bishop Hoban dwelt extern
sively on pertinent phases of the labor
| question.
Child labor was one of the subjects
which came in for liberal share Of
| discussion. He took it up as "a sub-dl-
| vision of the theme Charity Should
| Begin at Home
He began by saying that the eight
hour movement was n movement which
he heartily commended and hoped all
who wanted it would get it. He could
not help, however. but begrudge a
short work-day to the man who was
so intent on the eight-hour day for
himself that he was willing to permit
as means to that end, that his wife
| should work fifteen hours, and his in
FAINT children be sent into the factory,
mill and breaker.
1t is often asked, he said, why it is
| that the factory inspector does not pre-
! vent child labor. In the parade which
followed the settlement of the silk mill
| strike, little girls, apparently not over
nine years of age, carried banners on
which were inscribed such legends as:
Where Is the Factory Inspector
When We Are in the Mill?"
| BALKED BY PARENTS.
The bishop said these questions
could be answered by the retort that
| the factory inspector is baked in his
efforts to do his duty by perjured par
cnts. A parent goes to the employer
with request for work for little girl.
The employer says he cannot give her
a job because she is under age. The
l It'll
and is willing to make affidavit that
she isn't. The affidavit is made. the
child is instructed to say she is over
thirteen. if anyone asks her, and she
goes into the mill
The inspector, in making his rounds,
encounters this child and questions
her. She replies that she is thirteen,
going on fourteen" The office is in
terrogated, and the affidavit of the
parent is forthcoming. When the
question is asked: Where is the fac
tory inspector?" the answer is another
question, "Where is the perjured par
ent?"
OF course, it will be said. the bishop
proceeded, that the child may be the
only support of widowed mother and
the child's pittance Of wages is the
widows ALL There are instances of
this kind, it is true There are also
instances, it can be added, where
widowed mothers are working off their
fingers to the very bone to prevent
their children from being deprived OF
an education, and of having their
growth stunted and health wrecked.
IT is true that the childs earnings may
go to the support of a widowed mother,
but it may be also that it will go to a
father who will squander it's equivalent
in one nights debauch.
BE CHARITABLE.
For the sake of the good Lord who sc
loved children, the bishop appealed, be
charitable to these little ones. Even II
the man must work a tenhour day, LET
him be content with the extra labor II
it will keep his child out of the breaker
the mill and the factory until that child
has an education and its physique has
been sufficiently developed to Withstand
the rigors of arduous labor. They have
long years OF toll ahead of them. Don't
make them begin work sooner than ma
ture intended and before their heads
and hearts have been given an oppor-
tunity of being developed.
The bishop also had some timely
words on the labor question in general
One thing which he would particularly
impress on Catholic workingmen was
the necessity of thinking for them
selves, and working out labor problems
by the application Of Catholic prn.
c:p!es.
Don't be swayed by demagogues, he
went on TO advise. Hold fast to truth
Extreme socialism, like anarchy, car
only bring IL load of despotism on the
neck of the workingman. Aim to reach
your goal by evolution rather thai
revolution. Where YOU are honest and
your claim is just, you can not be sue.
cessfully resisted. Let not prejudice
envy or any other uncharitable motive
sway you. Be ready to give and take
RESPONSIBILITY IS GREAT.
There is n great responsibility on the
Catholic workngman. the speaker de-
clared. 1t is for him to work ont the
application of the principles of right
justice and charity instilled in him by
his church What the Catholic church
has done and is doing for the sanctity
of the marriage VOW and the rights OF
the unborn child is kaown to you all.
The Catholic workingman can exert
as widespread ana efiicacious an influ.
ence in the labor world by following
Catholic teachings and refusing to be
swayed by the demagogue and the un-
gody.
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