The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-07
SATURDAY. FEBRUARY
cLILD LABOR.

CLlLD LAl5UR.
There seems to be no objection either
3 IN or out Of the Legislature to tho pro-
posal to prohibit by law factories from
working children under twelve years
sc age. We understand that tho factory
owners generally are willing that bill
with this restriction shall pass. It would
be distinct stop gained to get law
which goes even that far, but such Il
law will not meet the situation We are
in favor OF the Cabell bill, which seems
to us to be entirely reasonable. Section
I. OF that bill provides absolutely that
no child under the ago Of twelve years
shall be employed or permitted to la
Dor for compensation in any mill. fac
tory or manufacturing establishment in
this State. But the bill goes FARTHER and
extends its protection under certain con-
ditions to children over twelve and under
fourteen years OF age. Section H. pro-
sides:
THAT no child under the age Of four
f teen years shall be employed or permit
ted to labor for compensation, in any
mill, factory. or manufacturing estab-
( lishment in this State. during the ses-
sion Of the public schools in any city
or town or magisterial district In the
county in which said child resides: pro-
I vided, that any child over the age of
twelve and under the age OF fourteen
years may make application to the Judge
of the Corporation Court Of the city, or
to the superintendent Of the public
schools OF the town or city. or to any
public school trustee Of the county In
which said child resides or desires to
obtain employment. for permit to Ia
Dor which permit shall be granted upon
satisfactory proof to said judge. super
intendent of the public school. or school
trustee, that said child can read and
write simple sentences in the English
!. language Or that the labor of such child
is absolutely necessary for the support
OF himself or family or any member
thereof, but no such child shall be per-
mtted to labor in any such mill. fac
tory or manufacturing establishment be-
tween the hours of seven post meridian
and six ante meridian"
One of the most serious objections
urged against the child labor bill Is that
in some instances children must work
in order to support themselves or help
less parents. But the Cabeil bill meets
that objection by providing that any
child over the age of twelve and under
the age of fourteen may make applica.
ton 10 the Judge of the Corporation
Court OF the city, or to the superlntend-
ent of the public schools of the town
or city, or to any public school trustee
of the county in which the child re-
sides for n permit to labor, which per-
cb, No fa,l 90,
proof.
But there Is another provision in this
clause which is wise and disciplinary.
Children over twelve and under four
teen are permitted to work if they have
already received a primary education
and this will act as a stimulus to pa
rents to send their little children to
school. The bill prohibits the factories
from employing children under twelve
years of age, therefore even the most
sordid parents. II for no other motive,
would send their little children to school
and have them taught in order that they
might obtain for them a working GER
tificate after they had passed the age
Of twelve. 81 &.
1t may be argued and is argued that
such law in Virginia would cripple the
manufacturing business. But In Gues-
ton like this such an argument is not
to be considered. The Tines Dispatch
IS in favor Of material progress and
industrial development. but first of all
It Is In favor OF mental and moral pro-
gross, and OF the physical. mental and
moral development OF children. The
wealth OF this State is not In Its fac
tories or its banks. or It's railroads. bu,
our riches, for all our wealth Is de.
pendent upon the physical, mental ant
moral health Of our people. To grnc
the life out Of the children is rs fool,
ish policy, even from an econ o1ni,
point of view, as to cut the young cor,
or to gather the unripe fruit The chill
dren of Virginia have the God-g give,
right to an education. They have tn
right to their play time, they have tn
right to go to school. and while we ar
not IN favor Of compulsory educatio,
we are in favor of preventing factore
from grinding up this immature materlu
First of all, this question IS to be cor
sidered in It's moral aspect. as are a
questions OF legislation, but even tnkin
the most sordid view. We say that 1t
the best sort OF business policy to d.
yelop tho children Of the land In bod
and mind and spirit and fit them &
we'll as possible for the serious work
life. Childhood is the time OF prepari
lion. 1t is the golden opportunity
Improvement which once lost is 10!
forever.
Let Virginia look upon her little sol
and daughters and say with the moth
OF the Graechi: These are my Jewels
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