The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-01-24
TuesdayiJan. a.. 1905.
CHILD LABOR IN FACTORIES.

ptTSOIldi TolucSl VI 1NCF. ~ - Nh
way, published an address by that gen.
tleman Ito the Presidents, Managers,
Directors and Stockholders of u Man
ufacturing Establishments in North
Carolina" The address was in refer
ence to a bill which has been introduced
in the legislature of North Carolina
regulating child labor in the factories
of his state.
The fact that we published Mr.. NC
KeLway's address does not mean that
we endorse the sentiments therein ex-
pressed or that we approve Of the
terms of the proposed bill.
The bill here referred to was drafted
by Mr.. McKelway. we have beer in
formed, and we have the further infor-
nation that he is in Raleigh at the
present time lobbying for it's passage.
In order that our readers may have q
clear understanding of the matter pend
ing we here quote the Language of this
bill which is as follows:
The General Assembly of North Caro-
lima do enact:
That chapter 473 Of the public laws Of
1903 be, n the same is here, amended
SD as to read as follows:
Section l. That no male child under
twelve years Of g and no female
child under fourteen years of age, Shall
be employed or work in any factory or.
manufacturing establishment; and NO
child under sixteen years OF age shall
be employed OF work in mines in this
state.
Section 2. No male child under four
teen years CT g shall be employed, per-
IA T. Eao%
tory or manufacturing establishment
unless he can read write as here
matter prescribed and miles the per-
son employing him procures n keeps
on file and accessible to the commits
sioner of labor and printing and to the
county superintendent of schools, an
approved g and schooling certificate
as hereinafter prescribed, and keeps two
lists of all such children employed
therein, one On file and one ~conspicu-
Ousiy posted near the principal en-
trance of the building in which such
children are employed, and furnishes
a third list to the county superinten-
dent of schools
Section 8. The age and schooling GER
tiidate required by section 2 of this
act may be approved only by the super
n of schools of the county
wherein the factory or manufacturing
establishment in which the child is to
be employed is situated, or by the
principal of some school in said county
appointed for this purpose by such sup
~erintendent; and the said Superinten-
dent of schools Cor his a~ppaointee, as
aforesaid), shall have the authority to
administer the oath necessary, for said
oertificate. but no fee shall be charged
therefor.
Section 4. No age and schooling GER
tificate shall be approved unless salts
factory violence is furnished by The
last school census, the duly attesteI
transcript of the certificate of birth or
baptism of the child, or other religious
record. or by such other specific facts
as the said county superintendent CT
his a~ppotntee as aforesaid in his dis
erection may require as proof that tEe
child named in the certificate is of the
age named by said certificate. AnC
upon the approval of every such certifi
cate, the superintendent Cor his appo:n-
tee) approving shall take a duplicate
thereof, and said duplicate shall be FLIED
in the office of said superintendent O.
schools.
Section 8 provides a form of 'fage anG
schooling certificate which must b.
sworn to.
Section 6. That not exceeding sixty.
six hours shall constitute a weeks worl
In all factories and manufacturing es
Establishments of the state, and no person
under Is years of age shall be required
to work in sue factories or establish
ments a longer period than sixty-si'
hours in one week; AND no person under
fourteen years of age shall be above,
to work in such factories Or establish
mends between the hours of Z p. m. AND
5 a. m: Provided that this section
shall not apply to engineers, fremer
machinists, superintendent, overseers
section and yard hands, office men
I'VE n o- roraoirn~c of I~aolZ-1nu-n
Section Z. Any parent or person
standing in the relation of parent Il
any child or children that may be EN-
ployed by any factory or manufacture
ing establishment who shah wilfull,
miS-state the age of such child or emil
dren in the age and schooling certificate
above provided for shall be guilty of
misdemeanor. and upon conviction~sh
be punished as the discretion of tn
court. Amy miI-Owner, superintendent
or other person acting in behalf Of
factory or manufacturing establishment
who shall knowingly or wilfully violat
the provisions Of this act shall be guilt.
of q. nisdemeanor, and upon conviction
shall be punished at the discretion o
the court; and the employing in In
factory or manufacturing establishmen
of any male child under the age O
twelve or any female child under tn
age of fourteen, or the employing il
mines OF any child under the g G
sixteen shall be prima facie evidenc
Of guilt under this act.
Section s. The commissioner Of labo
and printing shall have the power. an,
it shall be his duty, to make periodical
inspection, either personally or by hi
duly authorized agent, OF the factorie
and manufacturing establishment
within his state, with "a view to ascer
tanning the age of the employees to d
found therein. and shall fao la n hi.aa
NAL report of the factories Inspected
and. If II any case he should reasona
bly, believe that there has been a vic
lation OF this act, it shall be his dur,
TO bring such case to the attention c