The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-06
IF IT rs RIGHT TO MAKE AN
AGREEMENT IT rs RIGHT
TO ENFORCE IEbY
LAW.

Two years ago bill was pending in
the General Assembly to prevent chill
dren under twelve years of age working
in factories. There was strong sentI-
ment in favor of its passage. 1t would
have been put upon the statute books.
but for one thing. When it was about to
be passed, most of the cotton mill at
torneys signed an agreement to do exact
ly what the bill would have required.
In Difference to their request and in con-
sidcration of the solemn agreement made,
the Legislature did not pass any labor
legislation.
That solemn agreement, which prevent
cd legislation, has not been kept by ali
the parties signing it. Reference to the
report of the Labor Commission shows
that children under twelve years of age
have been employed in cotton mills.
Most of the men who signed the agree
ment lived up to it. Some did not. Some
mill owners did not sign it, Therefore
child labor has existed in North Caro-
lima during the past two years.
The following is the agreement made
two years ago with the names signed
to it:
AGREEMENT AND PETITION.
We. the undersigned cotton mill own
ers and managers agree to the follow
ing. taking effect March list, 1901:
~ That one weeks work shall no.
exceed siXty-six hours.
(2) That no child less than twelve
years old shall work in a cotton mill
during the term of an available public
school.
Provided this shall not apply to chill
dren of widows or physically disabled
parents Provided further, that ten
years shall be the lowest limit at which
children may be worked under any cir
cumstances.
(S) That we will cooperate with any
feasible plan to promote the education of
the working people in the State, and
will cheerfully submit to our part of the
burdens and labors to advance the cause
of general education.
al On the basis of the above agree
ments of the cotton mill owners and
managers we hereby petition the Legis-
Iature not to pass any labor laws at this
session of the Legislature.
Signed-Jonesboro, Capelsie, King S
Mountain Manufacturing Company
Statesville. Cannon Manufacturing Com
pany. Patterson Manufacturing Company,
Wiscassett Manufacturing Company, Efrd
Manufacturing Company, Kestler Manu-
featuring Company, Cabarrus. Oneida,
Bellemont, Caraleigh, Norwood Manu-
featuring Company, Odell Manufacturing
Company. Aurora, Wennonah, Glencoe,
Alamance. Carolina, Altamahaw, Naomi
Falls. Elmira, Holt Morgan, Tolar, Hart
e Holt. Holt Williamson, Southern, Ada
Manufacturing Company, Raleigh, Co
lumbia Manufacturing Company, Smither-
man, Dover Yarn Mill, Louise, Lafayette
Knitting Mill, CASTOR Manufacturing
Company, Highland Park Manufacturing
Company. Chatham Manufacturing Com
pany Dilling, Gore, Enterprise, Albion,
Mount Holly, Stanley Creek, Tuckaseege,
Harriet Gibson Manufacturing Company,
McAden, Mountain Island, Granite Manu-
featuring Company, Theo. H. Holt Manu-
featuring Company, Cora Manufacturing
Company, Henrietta, Edna, RoXboro,
Granite Falls Manufacturing Company
WINDSOR. BdId, LltIle ININeIs AuoCcll w O.
Edenton, Proximity, Revolution, Moores-
vile. Hucomuga. MinneOla, Charlotte,
W. r. Kindley. Orange Factory, Vance,
Henderson, Vivian, Lippard Yarn Mill,
Bonnie Hope. Crowder Mountain, SteEl-
ing. Wilmington, Fayetteville, Common
wealth Manufacturing Company, Cor
nelius. Randolph Manufacturing Com
pany, Franklinsville Manufacturing Com
ton
Catawba, Harden, Neuse River, Alpine,
Pilot, Sanford, Ossipee, Rocky Mount,
Oakdale. Mount Pleasant Manufacturing
Company, Cedar Falls Manufacturing
Company, Nina Manufacturing Company,
Nokomis. Belmont, Southside Manufac-
turing Company, Shelby, Elllin Manufac-
turing Company, Victor, Randleman and
PIaidville Manufacturing Company, Sax
apahaw. Golden Belt Manufacturing Com :
pany, Mariposa, Linden Manufacturing
Company, Delgado, Lulu Manufacturing
COMPANY Hazelhurst. Gold Crown. Hos
icry. Lincoln. Emo. Clayton, Pearl, Dur
ham Manufacturing Company, E. NJ
Holt Plaid Mill Buffalo Manufacturing
Company. Worth Manufacturing Com
rany. Asheville, Charlotte Cordage Com
many. Alberta, Coleman, Lauraglen,
laurel Bluff, Indian Creek Manufacturing
Company Juanita, Double Shoal, VIZ
ginia. Laurel. Nantucket, Anterior, Coo