The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-01-16
CHILD LABOR IN FACTORIES.

4 NAiC AAON-S x
not prohibit) child labor in factories.
blouse Bill No. $50 This bill does
not go to the length of the recommen-
dation made by the governor in his
message to the legislature, in which he
urged that no exceptions be made. but
that there be a strict and lbsol1i
prohibition against the labor OF any
child under the age of 12 years In fac
tories.
We look for the passage Of this bill
or some similar measure and fully as
sweeping.
Sentiment in his state against chill
dren working in factories has greatly
increased in the last two years. 1t
will be remembered that there was a
strong effort made at the last session
of the legislature to secure the pas
sage of some such measure and that
action by that legislature was averted
by the mill owners entering into an
| agreement with those advocating SUCH
legislation. which partook somewhat
| Of the nature of a contract with the
legislature that One OF the mills
would employ children under II years
Of age if that body would AXE no ac-
ton on the subject. The legislature;
| carried out it's part of he contract.
but as soon as it adjourned some ct
the mill men repudiated the agree
men and continued the practice. Up
on these mill men will rest the blame
If the legislature at this session passes
a law on this subject that will work a
hardship to them. Their action has
| convinced many men that nothing but
A strictly constructed law will force
them to give up the practice of work
| ing children in their mills. They nave
shown once that their promises could
not e relied upon and the people are
now determined to force them 10 give
Mp the practice. Against them and n)1
the legislature should be directed aGy
criticism if the forthcoming legislation
shall be subject to suCn, for if they
had been held to their promises There
would not now be such a crusade
against child labor in our factories.
For the benefit Of those interested
We here give the ext of Mr.. Parker's
bill:
An Act to Regulate Child Labor in
North Carolina.
Sec. 1. hat no child under the age
Of u years shall De employed in or
about any factory or manufactures"
establishment within this state unless
a widowed mother or lately disabled
father is dependent upon the labor of
such child. or in case a child is an
orphan and has no other means of
upport. No child under the age Of
70 years shall be 50 employed under
anv circumstances.
Sec. >. HI it shall be unlawful for
any factory or manufacturing estao-
lishment TO hire or employ and child
unless there is first provided AID
placed on file in the office of such en-
pLoyer an affidavit signed by the par
ent or guardian or person Standlng In
loco PARENTS thereto certifying the
age and date of birth of said child.
Any person knowingly furnishing a
! false certificate of the age of such
child shall be deemed guilty of a mis-
! demeanor and upon convection shall &c
punished by a fine of not less than
$4,000 nor more than $500. 90 or i'm
prioned in the discretion of the court.
Sec. 3. That no child C.lder the age
OF l6 hail be employed at or de-
tanned at any factory or manufacture
ing establishment III this state be-,
tween the hours of 7 p. m. and 5 a. M.
or for more thar sixty-siX hours In
any n week. or more than eleven,
hours IN any CHE DAY
Sec. 4. That no child under the age
Of Il shall be employed at la hor IN,
or about any factory or manufacture
ing establishment unless he or she can
read and write his or her name and
Sf~N in tho ~ rI.yh ~ I
guaSe.
Provided, That the PROVISIONS set
forth in said section 4 of this net shall
~"+ =" into force ard effect until JAM
Is. 1905.
&c. .. That no child under the age
OF IA years shall be employed al labor
in or about any factory or manErac-
turing establishment after January
18th. 1904, unless such child attend
school for at least 8 weeks of each
year; six weeks of sucn schooling %
be counted from the last birthday Of
the child preceding such employment.
And at the md OF every yes" l C@rUi-
ficate TO the effect that this law has
been complied with. signed Nv the
teacher OF the school or schools at
tended by the child during the said
year must be provided by the paren:
or person standing in parental rela-.
ton to said child and filed by the en-
ployer of said Child. All such ~certifi-'
Gates shall be open TO public inspection
during all business hours of the day. A,
Sec. s. That any person. persons or
corporation or representatives of such
corporation who knowingly violates
any of the provisions of this act. ar
who suffers or permits any child 20 3e
employed in violation OF its provisions
shall be deemed guilty of a misde-.
meanor n on conviction shall be
punished by a fine OF not less than
$4,000 or moro than S500.cJ. or impris-
Uned in the discretion Of the court.
Sec. I. That all laws and clauses of
laws in conflict with this act are here.
by repealed.
Sec. S. That this act shall be in full
force and effect after July 4th, 1903.
Kindly Take Notice that Ely's LIQUID
('rSa ~, Rain IL Of O-ao- hcrcf- r. tho-ol