New-York tribune., 1902-08-23
SOUTHERN CHILD LABOR.
A LETTER OF PROTEST BY THE REV.
c. B WILMER. OF ATLANTA


The Rev. c. B Wilmer, rector of St. Luke's
Episcopal Church in Atlanta, and secretary OF the
committee for the promotion Of child labor legisla
ton in Georgia. has letter the subject of child
labor in the South in The Drygoods Economist.
which seems to cover every possible point in the
controversy.
He admits that the condition of children in
Southern mills has been somewhat exaggerated
and also that the Cracker family has found its
transferrence from the farm the mill an advan-
tage in ways.
But for all that" he continues the fact
mains that children employed in cotton mills
at too tender years. and for too many hours per
diem and that, result, they are injured in
health and deprived of the opportunity Of educa-
ton. We need not go beyond the admission OF
mill owners themselves to prove. this. That this is
unjust to the children and robbery of the State
it is unnecessary TO argue.
"One other aspect of the evil should be noted
To take ablebodied off of a farm, where
he must work, and place him in position to lean
back against his cottage and chaw terbacker
while his children support him-this is only to
treat children cruelty but directly encourages and
produces idIeness Worthessness and viciOusness in
a class of people in the South most of all needing
to be raised into something like true manhood-the
poor whites
The ideas these people entertain to their
right to do what they please with their children
that is, to sacrifice their children body, mind and
soul, to their selfish beneit-do not differ
essentially from the ideas entertained by the
heather in ancient Rome before the advent of
Christianity. Indeed. these ignorant and vicious
parents are quite much opposed to any legisla-
ton regulating child labor as any miIimen can be
Over and above the benefit TO the children come
from this proposed restriction of child labor and
to the State. which is vitality interested in their
welfare. would be the great though doubtless un-
appreciated favor conferred on selfish parents by
forcing them to recognize that their own children
have rights they bound to respect
LEGISLATION THE ONLY REMEDY
The evils beng admitted. the only remaining
question IS as to the remedy, and to that the only
ans"ef is-legislation- The remedy proposed by
the mlmen viz. voluntary agreement ie a de-non
strated failure.
The experience of the world in this matter of
child labor is that nothing will guard the rights OF
chldren but the strong arm OF the law. and the
ooulh Is the sole black spot the map of the
civilized world in this particular-not. as believe
because our people are ignorant heartless, but
cheffy because the situation is comparatively new
we Who stand for the children, for the
economic principles of development and for the
community at large must the gantlet OF the
same old obstacles which have been thrown in the
way Of this reform and of all reforms for ages
past and in addition must meet special objections
The situation is com5Sated here 70 ' b the pow
cry oL me people by the lack OF appreciation OF
furnishing mill operatives. and by the presence of
aton is p0 @ %oad b se na5 a6d 5'n Pe4ss fsi5
even harmful if unaccompanied by compulsory
Some are doubtless serious in this: others it is
fair to conclude. use it merely TO block legislation
They are aware that compulsory education is out
OF the question in the South. The people either
same thing The argument that education is in
vesIr7ent and VIII nay does not appeal to them.
- t4eh II "ou!d pe necessary 10 educate the negro
on a scale much larger than at present. The
OF mind at present TO listen patiently to such
P60PoS''3n On a as mat, ~ seems 70 me- We must a De
pass law requiring that no child shall be employed
certain amount Of education that would act as a
would he henefcent and step in the right direc-
uon-probaoly as long step as present conditions
free labor is than negro slavery before the
war because the ensaver does not feel the same
That many milmen are humane cheerfully
favor Of the INSTITUTION Itself nor did It. as mat
ter Of fact save the institution
VICTIMS OF CONDITIONS.
MANY mmen regard themselves as the victims
OF conditions which they have control
They must employ many children in family
in order 70 secure the family as operatives The
pressure told. is brought to bear on the
employer by the parents OF the children Well
why. then not welcome the aid which legislation
would bring? We propose to put the mill owners
or their suQerintendents in position to say: We
are not allowed by The state to employ your chill
'.The Diocesan Convention OF the Protestant Epis-
Copa Church IN Georgia, most conservauLe boaE
.Bob Todrbs said mat it interferes neither with
religion nor business. adopted more than year
ago by practically unanimous vote strong rss0,
luton favor OF legislation in regulation OF child
la Dor in manufacturing establishments.
1T IS false to assert that such measure stands
in the way of the Industrial development Of the
South. MilImen themselves admit the economic
bunder Of child labor. II Is absurd 10 say that
with cotton growing in the fields alongside the mill
the South cannot compete with New England and
old England both of which protect their children
one fact in conclusion should receive special at
tention The neglected factor in Southern develop
rreur heretofore has been the por white. Crushed
in aute-bellum times between the upper and neither
rriisroua the slave and his slave. compelled
for four long years 10 shed his blood for an lnst-
tuition from which he derived no benefit ne comes
now FOR the first time in his life to a chance TO
make something Of himself and his children Buy
if he Is % be taken off the farm only TO be kept
in Ignorance and made to be a mere newer or
wood and drawer water; If ne is TO be given no
chance 10 train his mind or to become a skllteo
o1erative at good wages higher grades OF goods;
II above all he Is he told that no petition for
iIistCc is to receive attention from his masters no
matter how sound theory or bene1cent in prac-
tira' pr9vided petition comes from hln1 tLleh
his opportunity has come At last only TO tantaiize
him vim visions the impossible while fastening
chains upon him. body, mind and soul
NOT so FAR BEHIND
we'll known New-York woman writing in
ariv7y IN a