The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-01-02
The Cotton Mill Antf.Ma Matrimonial
Agency.

That good old newspaper, the news ana
Courier, has been caught mapping, ana 10
prove the correctness OF the assertion we copy
our able brothers. talk In his Sleep" on the
Cotton Mill AntI-M Matrimonial Agency"
which was recently organized In this State.
= This newspaper yields to no man in re-
spect for either the members OF the Anti-Mat'
rimonial Association. or the operatives OF the
cotton mills. For this reason and because OF
our Interest. in and friendship for all the par
ties 10 this discussion, we take the liberty OF
talking a little about the Cotton Mill Anti
Matrimonial Association, which, we believe
is composed entirely Of cotton mill presi'
dents or others directly and financially In
terested in the material prosperity Of the In
dustrial enterprises over which they preside.
We object TO the mill presidents organizing
themselves into an Anti Matrimonial Agen'
cy:
First,-Because the marriage Of their people
Is q matter over which they have no authori-
ty.
q Second.-The plea for the existence OF this
Cotton Mill Anti.Matrimonial Agency is
based upon reasons which should not govern
Third-While the sole motive for the organ
ization Of this Cotton Mill Anti-Matrimonial
Agency il stated to be interest in the welfare
OF the operalves-apd this Is q high motive
or principle-yet evil disposed persons may
think that the Cotton Mill Anti-Matrlmonial
Association has a sc. fish reason turning aside
from the legitimate business of manufactur-
ing cloth.
Fourth.-We have seen the statement
made, that mill men estimate that twenty
a oaxS ~ fhotr oochtnoru IN this SlQfa liz
standing idle, for the want of operatives.
Fitth-We believe 1t is q conceded fact thai
when young women marry. they quilt the
mill at once. or at a date not remote, and
their services in the mill are a loss, forever
thereafter, and her machinery must therefore
stand idle.
Sixth.-Evil disposed persons may thinh
that the mill presidents in the organized
capacity, as an Anti-Matrimonial Agency
are more interested in being able to give divi
dends to their stockholders thap In caring TO
the personal welfare OF their operatives.
Seventh.-We object TO the assigning to tn
cotton mill operatives a reason for any law
They are as good, as patrioric as anybody
else, and class legislation 10 repulsive In tn
last degree to liberty-,ovipg Americans-rici
or poor. ..
Eighth Instead Of the passage ola Law
which shall be a bar TO marriage, We thinl
President Roosevelt would agree with Us IL
saying that In 90 far as it was operative, IL
tendency is TO race suicide.
-I~-.ead Of q law to prevent tn
7 transferring OF ."sronsibility of an cid NAL
In caring TOR bis daughter 10 q young man
the law should encourage young men in Sc,
ting up homes of their own.
Tenth.-Youpg men should receive the ap
provsl Of all well wishers when they seeh
marriage. 1t has been said that marriage ii
honorable among all men, or words to tha
effect.
Eleventh-We suggest that the Cotton Mil
Anti-Matrimonisl Assoc alton dissolve. aDG
that the members ths1ef devote their ener
giles to the dischar6 ~ legitimate and recog
nixed duties to thu stock holders OF thei
respective mills, even fall their girls shoult
place their lives and fortunes In the care O
their "best fellows"
The Press and Banner would like to know
the names OF the officers Of the Cotton Nil
Anti-Mstrimonial Association, not for pull
l~icatiop, but as evidence of good faith.
But, If the reader would see how beautiful
ly the News and Courier talks in its sleep
he can turn to the editorial, which We cop
as q literary curiosity, which must smuse
people in the ordinary walks oflite.
We do not need parternslism for South
Carolina manhood. II our brother would
convince himself that the women OF South
Carolina are better cared for, and are more
happy in thei- married relations than Cd
any other spot OF ground On all this globe, lei
him read his western exchanges, which are SO
full iof divorce suits and other troubles
which originate among the women. The.
News and Courier would not, willingly, we
know, remove any safe guard OF woman's
honor. .. ~.