Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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It is idle to think that the matter factory legislation against child lab can much longer be excluded from tl - Southern mills problem. Up to t present time the desire of the m operators to use the cheapest labor ai the anexiety of parents to make prof able use of their otherwise idle childr, have e6nspired to postpone legislati action on the subject. Southern leg lators have been made to believe th interference with freedom of contra for child labor because of its cheapnE would so increase the cost of operati cotton mills, for instance, as to destr their profitableness and stop the grow of those industries in the Southe States. Recognizing that these sL jects will be agitated, must be debatE and that an aroused public opinion favor of just economics, good mor, and humanity to the weak will for legislation at all hazards, it will be t part of wisdom for the mill manag( of the South to forestall radical acti by the people and their representativi There is enough both of morality a business sagacity among the mill na of the South to present a satisfactc solttion ,of the problem-one that v abolish the menace of generations stunted, overworked and illiterate f, tory operatives, and yet allow I reasonable employment of those v are fit to labor and who need both I work and the wages. This can be dc without imperiling the investments cutting down disastrously the profits the cotton milling industry of i South. Any fair scheme for adjusti this question originating with the in men will be met more than half v and favorably by the people and th legislators. But a stubborn and ir tional resistance to any reform of 1 prevailing abuses of child labor a female labor will lead to legislat that may be drastic and go beyond I lines of necessity and equity. -Atlai Constitution. The above is true and is the posit of The Herald and News on this si ject. There is no necessity for radi legislation on the child labor questi< but unless some agreement is reacl which will be just and equitable to persons concerned as well as just the helpless children, there will some drastic legislation. We have ways opposed child labor in the mill: that is, constant labor-because it is injustice to these helpless children a a wrong to the future citizenship of i State. If the State were ready compulsory education the quest' would be settled, but we do not beliE we are yet ready for it, though thir two States now have compulsory las Why could not the mill owners requ the children until of a certain age to; tend school for six or eight months in I year? That requirement could be< forced by the mill owners and would a better settlement than drastic leg lation. If somethiig of the kind is r agreed upon, then the only remedy legislation, and such legislation v have our endorsement, and suppo We want to see the children taken ca of and educated because the fut. manhood aud womanhood of the Sti depends upon the training and edu< tion of the youth. It is not well I the child to be idle and loaf on t streets all the while, but a little pl will do him no harm. There is no comparison between ch labor in textile mills and the labor the farm. On the farm you have t sunshine and the fresh air and besid it is not so constaht and the hours * long. The following are extracts from article written by a member of t -editorial staff of the Dry Goods Ecor mist after a personal visit to the mi * of the South for the purpose of asc< taining the truth and then stating In his introduction he says: "Id 1866 the capital invested Southern cotton manufacturing w variously estimated at from $1,000,0 to $3,000,000, whereas, according to t latest statistics, it now b-epresents investment approximating $175,000,0( In this march of progress South Cai * ina has assumed the lead, followedi North Carolina, Georga and Alabamr in the order named. Nor does such e pansion show the slightest sign .waning; on the contrary, the growth spindles and looms is yearly increasim "In the wake of such material dev4 opmnent, however, have come soc problems of vital impor't, the soluti of whichi will have a more lastin though far subtler, influence upon t welfare of the commonwealths co cerned than the mere multiplication spindles and looms or other concre evidences of prosperity could possil have. "The roblem is child labor. Tenne see and Louisiana expected, the Sout ern States hold the unique position being the only ~rtion of the civihiz globe wherein t employment of ch -dren is not regulated by law. In eve nation of Europe, not excepting sen barbarous Russia, where a .discussi of questions tending to ameliorate t condition of labor does not curtail t hours of slumber of "the powers th be"'-the employment of children in kinds of occupations is governed 1 humane laws. The same is true twenty-six States of our own Union Virginia, North Carolina, South Car lina, Georgia, Florida. Mississippi, A] bama, Texas and Arkansas standu out for unrestriction. That the gre reproach should hang.upon the chive rous South of permitting an abu which even Russia has forbidden is interesting., if painful, example of social survival.'' Speaking of the physical conditi< of these'children the writer says: "It is true-alas! too true-that the: tiny toilers- "slaves'' is the word, f< slaves they are to the avarice of igno ance of their parents-have weaken< bodies and wan faces. "Even mill owners do not deny thi though ascribing it to, poor diet ar worse habits. They claim that all m workers, due in part to the conflnemer incident to their occupation, have complexion best described as a '"prisc alor.'' Equally pinched and haggai Zaces, they add, are also to be observe in the case of street arabs and stoi children. Some look hale and heart' others p ale and pinched, the different beng- chiefly due to modes of living ar . ittle, if at all, dependent upon nature of occupation." In regard to their education the same article goes on to say, and this from personal inquiry: "In only one mill and that in Co lumbia, S. C. - -was I enjoined from ask- s >f ing questions of child operatives. In L )r one mill only three of the twenty hoys c ie and girls who were asked whether they a could read and write claimed that theyi il could, and of these two either could id not or would not prove the possession 't- of such ability. when handed paper and _n pencil. te This condition, too, the mill owners t is-! frankly admitted. But they attempt at to shirk all responsibility therefor. .ct They contend that the parents of these ss children, not having enjoyed such ad g vantages themselves, are not alive to Dy the necessity of education, and though th excluded from the mills, these child rn operatives would not be put to school, .b- but roam the streets. And if there is d, one thing more than another which in thoroughly arouses the alarm of a mill ils owner it is this ineradicable propensity ce of children to play ping pong with each he other and fate in the byways and high rs ways. "They're far better off in the on mill," say the operators." '. Every one is familiar with the hours nd at the mills, but the following may be en ,ry read with interest: rill "The child toilers, as well as adults, of are required to work 66 hours a week. rc- In some mills work is stopped on Satur he day at noon; in others at 2 or 3 p. m. 'ho But this implies no curtailment of the he hours of labor. It is merely a read ne justment. or "To make this half holiday possible, in these little tots must begin work at 6 he in the morning and continue thereat till n 6.45 in the evening, with 45 minutes' 1il intermission for lunch. In this way ay they get in twelve hours for five con eir secutive days, leaving six hours on Sat ra- urday to complete the stipulated 66 ;he hours a week." ,nd "This, of course, is too much for on adults, to say naught about children. ;he The work, it is contended, is light. But ita it is not work that kills, but the unceas ing monotony. The work at which on these children toil knows no variety. They become automatons. "Moreover, the deafening din of the 'ai spindles and looms is, of itself, suffi >r., cient to rack nervous systems more ro Led bust than theirs. "They become used to it," say the superintents. They may, all but, be assured, at the expense of to numbed sensations and palsied nerves." be The question naturally arises, who is al- responsible for these children working 3 in the mills? The writer of the article an from which we are quoting asks and nd answers the question as follows: he "Who is responsible for this state of or affairs? The "cracker" or father of the ,on family? To a certain extent, yes. But in last solution are not the real culprits ve the mill operators themselves, who have y- fought, and are pledged to continue to Es. fight, any and all efforts aimed at a ire regulation of the evil by legal enact it "It is true there are countless instan he ce of "crackers" or heads of families mn- who invert the normal order of things be by calling upon their progency ~to sup is port them in lieu of supporting their ioffspring. I have talked with several iot such. The Philistine editor faithfully is portrayed the type. Not the slightest 4 rlexaggeration there. Such a parent is a monster whom 'twere gross flattery 1 .to call a man. He is generally to be re found hanging around a grocery store, ire chatting by the hour with cattle simi-- < tlarly situated. I have ejoined such a tegroup and "butted into" the talk.': a- This writer intervie wed the parents as he well as the mill presidents, and here is han answer he received from one: ay "One told me that he had $36 comingI in every fortnight, the proceeds of four id children's and a wife's earnings. Two of children each got 40 cents a day two hgot 60 cents and the wife $1 a day. h"I asked him why he didn't turn in es .hims.elf and allow the wife, at least, to so remain at home. "That's my business, sah," was the reply, accompanied by a look and gesture 'which boded little good ato the questioner." he The mill owners claim the conditions 0are largely due to the parents them 1s selves and here is their side of the ques r- tion as given by the correspondent: it. "There is another side. "The mill operators whom I had the in pleasure of meeting are unquestionably as as high a class of men as you will find 00 in any walk of life. Indeed, they are be men of superior mould-of fine breeding an and high culture. 0. "There is no reason to assume that -o- cupidity has hoplessly congealed the my cockles of their hearts. I do not believe a, it. Though blinded by interest and x- environment to a truth that is patent of and positive to others differently situ of ated, they are, at heart, as humane as l-"aethe operators crtc.anything to say al in reply to recent strictures? Have n they? This article would assume duo s. decimo proportions did I attempt a full Le report of such rejoinders. n- "In the first place, they admit the il of literacy of child operatives. Little te credit, of course, in that, as the proof ly thereof is obvious. "But while admitting it, they disclaim s- re'sponsibility therefor. They claim that h- the paren.ts, who mostly come from of farms, are themselves illiterate and do anot realize the necessity for their chil 1 dren's education-a contention, by the way ichr my own observation fully "This untoward condition which they, >in common with other good citizens, genuinely deplore, is not of their own t creation. But, conceding the condition, a they claim to be doing everything in their power to remedy it by the estab flishing of night and day schools in the _vicinity of their mills at their own ex o- pense. If advantage be not taken of a- such provision, the fault is not theirs." ig A mill president in Georgia after at stating that the mill owners of his State L- had agreed not to employ children under 12 years of age goes on to say: a "I am a member of the executive committee of the Georgia Industrial association," Mr. Verdery went on. Smake yaur baoy str~ 'eil. A fifty cent ho ; i will change a sickly beih a a plump, romping child.I SOnly one cent a day, think ~ d of it. Its as nice as cream. F e Send for a free sample, and try it. ( sCOTT & BOWNE, Chemists, ' 4Ow34I Pearl Street, New York. e so. i d $1.oo; ali druggis.ts. ~ 9 9 'and let me read you one of the regu itions by which every member is ounl. Listen: " 'That no child less than 12 years old hall work at night in any cotton or ;oolen mill under any circumstances, nd that no child less than 12 years old hall be allowed to work therein at all; nless such child has a widowed mother r physically disabled parents who are ependent for support upon the labor of uch child, or unless such child can read .nd write, or unless such child attends chool for four months of each calendar 'ear: and provided further that no child rider 10 years of age shall be permitted o work in any such mill or factory inder any circumstances." "You style this agreement voluntary, Jr. Verdery. Was it made prior or i ubsequent to the proposed legislation >n this subject?" I inquired. "Subsequent thereto; but, mark you, iot as cause and effect, but pure coin :idence," he replied. "Our association further goes upon 'ecord as follows," continued president Verdery: " 'That we approve the liberal appro )riation now made for general educa ion, and will cheerfully submit to our >art of the burdens to perfect and im )rove the education of laboring people n Georgia."' Is the picture overdrawn by this cor respondent? He started out with posi tive instructions to ascertain and state only the truth and the true conditions as he found them. We -believe that :hild labor is not only injurious to the :hild but that it is also against the best interests of the mills themselves. We would like to see the question settled without legislation if possible, but unless it is then there is going to be legislation and the best thing to do is to get a Bill that will be just and equitable to all parties concerned. This position may be turned tempo mising and compromising if you please but we believe it right. We should al ways bear in mind that capital without labor is stagnation and lahor without capital is starvation. The two are de pendent upon each other. There should be no conflict. There have been in the past few days very heavy rains in Texas and much damage has been done to property and to crops. It is said to have been the heaviest rain and highest rivers ever known in the State. Traffic on some of the railroad has been suspended. The Senatorial campaign meeting in Newberry on Tuesday was well attend ed and passed off very pleasautly. The reception given Col. George Johnstone should silence and rebuke the report which has been put in circulation in ome sections for the purpose of injur ng him abroad that he cannot carry tis own county. There never has been my doubt on that subject. Three of the leading colleges in the state are today without presidents he South Carolina College, Clemson Dollege and Furman University. They re all important positions and the trus ;ees should go about filling them with ~reat care. It is not always best for a ~ollege to make too frequent changes n its president. We hope these posi ions may be filled with South Caroli iians and good and true men. In the resignation of Dr. A. P. Mon ague of Furman University to take a ~ollege presidency in Alabama, the 3aptist denomination in this State loses very strong man and Furman Uni rersity an able president and enthusi Lstic advocate of Christian education. We are sorry he is to leave us for the ause of education in this State had no nore ardent advocate. 'A good looking horse anld poor look ig ha~rnies is4 the - wos kind ofgcom- - bntion. Eureka Har'ness OiJ ot only makesthe harness and the h~orse* Io A better, but makes the I l ather soft an iabl, puts It in con. a4tordinarily would.. ~// i~ Sold every where in cans-all sizes. Mad, by SI5.ANDARD OIL CO. 4' Giv'e /i Your |' Hlorse a Chance! CObuE Fmo GOOcD s'E mDs. We have Buli-t's P'urnuip S 'ed in 'iginal Packages. .11 1%evw Seecds! IlDER & WEEKS, 'articular Parmacists, Corner Drug Store, NEWBERRY. S. C. Notice to Creditors. T HE CREDITORS OF ROBERT B. McCarty, deceased, are hereby required to render statement of their demands, duly attested as required by law to my attorneys, Mower & Bynum, at Newberry, S. C. HATTIE McCARTY, Adm'x of Robert B. McCarty, dec'd. SO'TICE. N OR ABOUT THE 15TH DAY OF I August a Superintendent will be elected to have charge of the Water Works, Electric Lighting and Sewer- l age Systems of the town of Newberry, S. C., for the term of one year, begin- I ning August 1st, 1902, and ending Au gust 1st, 1903. COMMISSIONERS OF f2t PUBLIC WORKS. v; t'3 , J - In preparing prescriptions at Pelham's Pharmacy. We are governed by the rnles of accuracy, care and promptoess. There is no drug store in the State that can serve you better. Whether you send or come yourself, you get I the best attention alwaya. .W e E. P laf Ol Prescriptoo Pharmacists. Hello Central!----Give Me 48 The Newberry Gramite FrOit COnlfcionory alnd Bakery! They have all kinds of Bread Patent Bread, Milk Bread, Graham Bread, Cream Bread, Cap Bread, Rye Bread, Kimmel Seed Rye Bread, Boston Brown Bread. Largeat assortment of fresh, fancy Cakes ever shown bere before. Orders taken by Telephone and de livered free of charge as we have outf our new delivery wagon. >all and see us, or ring up Phone No. 48. H. A. Meyer & Son. -THE MNool1BaliM of Nevberr 8 (C (ESTABLIsHED IN IS71.) Capital-- -- ----$150,000.00 Surplus and Profits - 96,865.88 General bank:ing business ransacted with promptnes.s Special attention to collections. Correspondence solicited Savings Department. Deposits allowel irterest at the rmi. of 4 per cent per annum from' date of deposit. Int.erest payable January 1st and July 1st of each ye.ar. M. A. CARLlIiLE, Prtt T. S. DUNCA N. (Ca.hj i o in large varieties from [ a cheap Stick Pin to a FINE GOLD WATCH. Call and examine my 5 stock before buying. Jeweler and Optician. ENVELOPES, Writinig Paper, Wrapping Paper, .... TWINE, Paper Bas, SOLD0 IN QUANTITIES - -AT- - JOBBERS' PRIOES. Book Store A *REAI HIGH GRADE G( We are inspired b iave rearranged ever ine of the very choice All Colored Spri Every suit in the '4othing else reserved or Men, Boys and Ch Special cut price c ob pile. Regardless of Cost! Children's Clothing to be sold r ,ardless of cost. We mean exact that we say. Nothing will be r erved. Cost will not be considere SUITS FROM 75 CTS. TO $3 01 This is the seas Coats and extra Pa our line of these go ifound the best. Out til 6this fact, and we L compelled to replei i supply the deman l! offering great valt k Trousers and Light The Sho al- place in the fronit ranik, arnd ,;coplished intentions to do bettE or our Shoes. We> hatve all kind bes for Every body. Coije to us SHead to Foot C )~ /Nat ThLi Physi E[DOCT-11 IODS GOING AT L1i y the success of our J ything and made the n st merchandise. g suits Going at house to go except th ! Sweeping Reduction! ildren. The best that n n a special lot of Suits SO ~ llHats Far Below Reihr Yiii We never carry Straw Hats ov from one season to another. So tl balance of our Straw Hats must at any price. Now is your time ii. fill out the season with a good StrE Hat. Styles and quality are 0. 1 hi The se on for light gjonefor u nts, and in ' This is ji handle 1 ods is to be i everythi sales pro prices ai s prove selectior have been ili befounc iish these to i of celeb d. We are hjust rec ies in extra i te. Ca Coats. G ents' F e House of :bih Shs. House is Jamieson's. Bach r by you than any Shoe Store anywb, f Shoes-High Grade and Medium fr Shoes. We are what we cim to 1. JAMIE lothier - -- - -Al INT ERIOR -Fittings determine the coziness of the home. See us before furnishing yours. We are receiv ing new goods every day. Big line of new mattings just received GL ENN SPRINGS MINE RA L WATE R. re's Greatest Remedy FOR DISEASES OF THE r, Kidneys, Stomach and Skin. ians Prescribe it, Patients Depend on it, and Everybody Praises it. DOWN LE! V PRICES! une and July sales, and >rices still lower on our eeply Cut Prices, e Blue and Black Goods. The lot comprises suits oney can buy. .-going at just half on the a Big Reduction in Ladies' Oxfords. er our entir., line to go regardless of ecost. This is a sale in Oxfords of most extraordinary value. Latest 0 styles in Fine Footwear and medium to grades, all o go! Here's a sample: ,R $1 50 OXFOR DS FOR 75 CTS. K. Other goods in same proportion. ason has been a great* s in Gents' Furnishings. 4 rood evidence that we* atest and best styles in* ng in this line. Our* -e the lowest, and our i the most complete to I anywhere. A new line 4 rated "Eclipse" Shirts* eived. We also have* 3rnational. None bet-"" I1 and see our line of urnishings. Newberry ad by experience and inspired by the re Weare' sure of your coming to us Priced, Good Shoes, Celebrated Shoes, be-The Shoe House of Newberry. SON, Reduced Prices ~ FOR COMFORT ~AND ECONOMY2 W{I 'ICKLESS BLUE FLAME OIL STOVES. )Absolutely SAFE and RELIABLE. SNewberry Hardware Company. ~RESTAURANT' At R1. J. Eiller's Restaurant meals car Ibe had at all hours on short no ties. Fish, Stea.k and all seasonable dlishes served. The Restaurant wil1 not be Icloased downI daring the snoW-~ mer. but wil: he it' fall blast to serve ihopubit ith. )tbbet the market ca affrda. Promnpi, polite and at- - .. tent ive serv'ants always glad to serve I also keep one of the choicests stocks of Faincy Groceries ever brought to this city. Call to see me. Respectfully, Near Postoffice. Teacher Wanted. rf: 1K E ATkONS AND TRUSTEEts . of ntr'al Schooi'will mo't on s auoy A~\-\ unt 2-id. 2 o'clock for theo orpoir of eb: in a tenebher for said schoo! S'tary $27J.0 six months school .\ pob1 eions to be hande-d to either o t h j:ltlri ..nred !trusmoes bP, that date. J. 1). SHIEELY, W S SEYBT, J. C. SLIGa. Pomaria, S. C..