Appeal to the Wealthy of the Land/Essay 4

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Appeal to the Wealthy of the Land
by Mathew Carey

Essay IV.

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3454949Appeal to the Wealthy of the Land — Essay IV.Mathew Carey

ESSAY IV.

Let us now turn to the appalling case of seamstresses, employed on coarse work, and to that of spoolers: and here "I will a tale unfold, to harrow up the soul" of all those endowed with feelings of humanity.

Coarse shirts and duck pantaloons are frequently made for 8 and 10 cents. The highest rate in the United States, with two highly honourable exceptions, which I shall notice presently, is 121/2 cents. Women free from the incumbrance of children, in perfect health, and with constant, uninterrupted employment, cannot, by the testimony of ladies of the first respectability, who have fully scrutinized the affair, make more than nine shirts per week, working from twelve to fifteen hours per day, and possessing considerable expertness.^[1]

Extract of a letter from J. W. Wyman, New York Police Magistrate.

"New York, Jan. 25, 1830.

"It is most undoubtedly true, that the compensation which poor women with small children obtain for their labour, is so scanty that the least interruption in their accustomed employment occasions a corresponding diminution in their receipts, and they are at once (for they literally live from hand to mouth), compelled to raise the means in some other way, and none so ready or convenient, probably, as to send some article of wearing apparel as a pledge for the sum required. Every casualty in such a family will subject them to a similar inconvenience, until every article in their possession has disappeared, and they are left to starve, unless the hand of charity is extended for their relief.

"The evils arising from the inadequate compensation given for most kinds of female labour, are by no means confined to their poverty. It is frequently the case, and my own experience enables me to speak with confidence, that women of this description are obliged to keep their children in the streets, either to beg, or by some light employment to earn a penny through the day; this leads to bad associations, and frequently to crime. Of the children brought before me for pilfering, nine out of ten are those whose fathers are dead, and who live with their mothers, and are employed in this way. The petty plunder obtained in this way finds a ready market at some old junk shop, and the avails are in part carried home as the earnings of honest labour."

The Boston Society for the employment of seamstresses, of which I know not the exact title, pays, as I am credibly informed, but ten cents for those shirts, thus limiting the ill-fated women to 90 cents per week, if fully employed, which is seldom the case. Rent of rooms in Boston is higher than here: but suppose it the same, there remain for food, drink, clothes, fuel, soap, candles, &c. 40 cents per week, or less than 6 cents per day!

Those incumbered with children, or in indifferent health, or inexpert, cannot make more than six or seven. They are, moreover, as I have already stated, very partially employed. But laying aside all the various disadvantages and drawbacks, and placing the circumstances in the most favourable point of light, let us consider the case of a woman in perfect health, without children, and with uninterrupted employment; and see the result of her painful labours, and how little attention is paid to the awful denunciation against those that "grind the faces of the poor." Allowing nine shirts per week, at 121/2 cents, and constant, uninterrupted employment, let us view the appalling result.

9 shirts per week = 1.121/2.			-	-	-	Per annum,				-	$58 50
Rent at 50 cents,	-	-	-	-	-		-	-	-	26 00
Shoes and clothes, suppose,			-	-	-		-	-	-	10 00
Fuel per week, say 15 cents,				-	-		-	-	-	7 80
Soap, candles, &c., 8 cents,				-	-		-	-	-	4 16
Remain for food and drink 20 cents per week, or about 23/4										$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$ 10 54
cents per day!!!!!!		-	-	-	-		-	-	-
										———	$58 50

But suppose the woman to have one or two children; to work for ten cents, which is not below the usual average; to be a part of her time unemployed, say one day in each week; and to make, of course, six, but say seven shirts.

7 shirts, or 70 cents per week, is, per annum,								-	-	-	$36 40
Rent, fuel, soap, candles, &c. as before,							-	-	-	$47 96
Deficit,	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	11 56
										———	$36 40

Here is no declamation; no pathetic appeal; no solemn invocation, to arouse the dormant feelings of humanity. It is all a plain statement of harrowing facts, that defy the severest scrutiny. It exhibits a state of suffering which, I had almost said, cries to heaven for vengeance.

In speaking of the effect on some of the unfortunate seamstresses, to drive them to licentious courses, I ought to use the strongest language the subject would admit of, in order to make a deep impression on the reader, somewhat commensurate with the magnitude of the evil, and the enormity of the oppression under which they groan. A due consideration of their actual situation, and the gloomy prospects before them, would lead, a priori, to anticipate such a deplorable and fatal result. Beset on one side by poverty and wretchedness, with scanty and poor fare, miserable lodgings, clothing inferior in quality and often inadequate in quantity, without the most distant hope of a melioration of condition, by a course of honest and unremitting industry; and on the other side, tempted by the allurements of present enjoyment, comfortable apartments, fine dress, with a round of pleasures: all these held out by vice and crime to entice them from the paths of virtue, is it wonderful that many of them fall victims, and enter on the "broad path that leads to destruction?" Is not the trial almost too severe for poor human nature? Let those who pass a heavy censure on them, and are ready exultingly to cry out, with the Pharisee in the gospel, "Thank God, we are not like one of these," ponder well what might have been their conduct in similar circumstances.

But that this is too often the result does not depend on an elaborate process of reasoning, which, notwithstanding its plausibility, might lead to erroneous conclusions. We have the evidence of various citizens, whose opportunities duly qualify them to decide the question by the infallible test of facts.^[3]

Such is the hideous, the deplorable state of a numerous and interesting portion of the population of our cities in the most prosperous country in the world! And be it noted, to the discredit of the wealthy portion of the nation, of both sexes, particularly the ladies, that this subject has for five years been pressed on the public attention, in almost every shape and form, without exciting a single efficient effort in Boston, New York, or Philadelphia—I will not say to remedy or alleviate this horrible state of things—but even to inquire into it, and ascertain whether it be or be not remediless! It is impossible to regard this apathy without exciting the utmost astonishment.

I have not lightly thrown a higher degree of censure on the ladies in this case, than on the gentlemen. It is peculiarly the cause of the former. Their sex are "ground to the earth," and it is the proper duty and province of the ladies to stand forth in their defence. In such a holy cause of humanity, their efforts could not have failed of success. They might readily have stimulated their fathers, brothers, husbands, and cousins, to meet and devise some plan to mitigate sufferings, which drive numbers of unfortunate women to destruction—to ruin here, and perhaps hereafter. Half the zeal, the effort that they make in other causes, not calling so loudly for their interference, would have sufficed to render the defence of those oppressed women fashionable. But they have looked on with calm indifference. Application on the subject has been made in Philadelphia and New York, personally or by letter, to above fifty ladies in each city; and every one of them expressed deep sympathy for the sufferers, but the sympathy has been barren and unproductive.

I will now take the case of a city labourer, whose wages average about 75 cents per day through the year, when employed; and suppose him to lose only eight weeks in the year by sickness and want of employment. Let

us see the result, and how far he is from being able to save wherewith to meet the casualties of sickness and want of employment.

44 weeks, at $4.50,	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		-	$198 00
Shoes and clothing for self and wife,				-	-	-	-	24 00
For two children, at $8 each,			-	-	-	-	-	16 00
Rent, 50 cents per week,		-	-	-	-	-	-	26 00
Soap, candles, &c. at 8 cents per week,					-	-	-	4 16
Fuel, at 15 cents per week,			-	-	-	-	-	7 80
Bread, meat, drink, vegetables, &c. for self, wife, and two								$\scriptstyle {\left.{\begin{matrix}\ \\\\\ \ \end{matrix}}\right\}\,}$ 116 68
children, at 8 cents each per day,				-	-	-	-
———										$194 64

This is a sample of a large class, whom citizens, wallowing in wealth and enjoying all the luxuries of life, vituperate for not saving enough when employed, wherewith to support themselves during hard winters and times of sickness!!! And let it be observed, that this calculation is for two children, whereas some of those persons have four or five.

There are, I believe, some journeymen in Philadelphia whose wages do not much, if any thing, exceed four dollars and a half a week.

Philadelphia, June 28, 1833.

↑ Copy of a statement signed by thirty Philadelphia ladies of respectability, intelligence, and competence to decide on the subject.

"Philadelphia, June 5th, 1830.

"The undersigned, having seriously considered the case of those seamstresses who work in their own lodgings, and whose dependence is on their needles, are convinced that the prices they receive for their work are inadequate for their support; that expert seamstresses, if fully employed, and unincumbered with children, cannot make more, working early and late, than eight or nine shirts, or duck pantaloons, per week; that the highest price paid here for those articles is 121/2 cents each; which amounts only to one dollar twelve and a half cents per week: that the women in question almost universally pay 50 cents per week for their lodgings, which leaves but 621/2 cents per week, or 9 cent per day, for meat, drink, clothing, fuel, &c., for an expert woman, constantly employed, and without children! that cases very frequently occur, of the above articles being made for 10, and even for 8, and sometimes for 6 cents; that these women are frequently unemployed; that many of them are widows, who formerly lived in affluence; that no small number are aged and infirm, and unfit for any other occupation; that the occasional want of employment, and sickness, make a serious drawback on their slender means of support; that many of them, but for the assistance they receive from charitable individuals and benevolent societies, would not only be unable to pay their rent, but be often sorely distressed for want of the common necessaries of life! Taking the whole of these afflicting circumstances under consideration, they strongly recommend their case to the consideration of the public at large, but more particularly to that of those by whom, they are employed, in the hope that some alleviation of the sufferings of this numerous class may be devised and effected.

"Various other species of female labour are equally ill paid, particularly those of spoolers and winders of thread; but they have not judged it necessary to go into more particulars."^[2]

Philadelphia, May 24th, 1830.

The ladies' names are omitted from motives of delicacy.

Testimony of leading citizens of Philadelphia, on the subject of the above certificate.

"It is impossible to peruse this statement without extreme regret and surprise, that such a state of things should have existed in this flourishing city, wholly unknown, as it must have been, to the mass of our citizens. That the case of the unfortunate women referred to calls loudly for a remedy, so far as may be practicable, cannot for a moment be doubted. That a complete and radical remedy is practicable, we do not flatter ourselves, while the demand for employment so far exceeds the demand for that species of labour. And we regret to say, that there are cases in which the competition among the sellers of the articles produced by those women, may have so far reduced their prices as to render it impossible for the employers to raise the wages without injustice to themselves. Yet we fondly hope there are very many cases in which the employers may be able to reconcile more liberal wages, with a due regard to their own interest. And when the extent and intensity of the suffering that must inevitably arise from the present low rate of wages are duly considered, we rely that every man of generous and liberal feeling, who can afford to raise the compensation for the labours of those women, will cheerfully obey the dictates of humanity and justice.

CADWALADER EVANS,

MATTHEW L. BEVAN,

SAMUEL RICHARDS,

HENRY KUHL,

THOMAS LATIMER,

ROBERT RALSTON,

WILLIAM MEREDITH,

ALEXANDER HENRY,

Rev. G. R. LIVINGSTON,

SOLOMON ALLEN,

JAMES TAYLOR,

COLEMAN SELLERS,

ANDREW BAYARD,

PAUL BECK, Jun.

HENRY TROTH,

J. K. MITCHELL, M. D.

SAMUEL HILDEBURN,

BENJAMIN TUCKER,

JAMES GRAY,

PETER HILL,

L. P. GEBHARD, M. D.

SAMUEL D. BREED,

W. GARRIGUES, Jun.

CHARLES D. MEIGS, M. D.

MATHEW CAREY.

"Philadelphia, June 10, 1830."

↑ A similar statement has been signed by a number of ladies in New York and Baltimore
↑ Extract of a letter from Dr. Van Renssellaer, of New York."My profession affords me many and unpleasant opportunities of knowing the wants of those unfortunate females, who try to earn an honest subsistence by the needle, and to witness the struggles often made by honest pride and destitution. I could cite many instances of young, and even middle-aged women, who have been 'lost to virtue,' apparently by no other cause than the lowness of wages, and the absolute impossibility of procuring the necessaries of life by honest industry."
"My Dear Sir,
New York, 5th April, 1830.

'The subject of conversation at our last interview is one of great importance in every well-regulated community, and cannot fail to interest every benevolent mind. I mean the inadequate price usually paid for female labour, particularly to poor widows who are burdened with small children. It is a subject which ought to arouse the feelings of every philanthropist: for I have no hesitation in saying, from my own observation, as one of the acting magistrates of this city, that no inconsiderable portion of female distress and female depravity is to be attributed to the very scanty remuneration they receive for honest industry. I hope, therefore, most sincerely, that your unceasing efforts in the cause you have so disinterestedly espoused, will be crowned with ultimate success.

"Yours, sincerely,

"Mr. Carey.
"JOHN W. WYMAN".
Extract of a letter from the Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely, D. D.

"From intimate acquaintance with many of the industrious poor, for eighteen years past, both in New York and in this city, I am constrained to say, that your remarks concerning the inadequate payment which females receive for their labour, are just, and ought deeply to affect every benevolent person, who has any wish to do justly, and see honest industry suitably rewarded. A common slave, in the states of Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, is much better compensated for his labour, by his necessary food, clothing, lodging, and medicines, than many respectable mothers and daughters in this city, who apply themselves diligently to their work, two hours for every one occupied by the negro in his master's service. Your remarks will apply to the folding and stitching of books, to the sewing of carpet rags, to the binding of shoes,*** no less than to the work done for the army and navy."

[p13-1] Copy of a statement signed by thirty Philadelphia ladies of respectability, intelligence, and competence to decide on the subject.

"Philadelphia, June 5th, 1830.

"The undersigned, having seriously considered the case of those seamstresses who work in their own lodgings, and whose dependence is on their needles, are convinced that the prices they receive for their work are inadequate for their support; that expert seamstresses, if fully employed, and unincumbered with children, cannot make more, working early and late, than eight or nine shirts, or duck pantaloons, per week; that the highest price paid here for those articles is 121/2 cents each; which amounts only to one dollar twelve and a half cents per week: that the women in question almost universally pay 50 cents per week for their lodgings, which leaves but 621/2 cents per week, or 9 cent per day, for meat, drink, clothing, fuel, &c., for an expert woman, constantly employed, and without children! that cases very frequently occur, of the above articles being made for 10, and even for 8, and sometimes for 6 cents; that these women are frequently unemployed; that many of them are widows, who formerly lived in affluence; that no small number are aged and infirm, and unfit for any other occupation; that the occasional want of employment, and sickness, make a serious drawback on their slender means of support; that many of them, but for the assistance they receive from charitable individuals and benevolent societies, would not only be unable to pay their rent, but be often sorely distressed for want of the common necessaries of life! Taking the whole of these afflicting circumstances under consideration, they strongly recommend their case to the consideration of the public at large, but more particularly to that of those by whom, they are employed, in the hope that some alleviation of the sufferings of this numerous class may be devised and effected.
"Various other species of female labour are equally ill paid, particularly those of spoolers and winders of thread; but they have not judged it necessary to go into more particulars."^[2]

Philadelphia, May 24th, 1830.

The ladies' names are omitted from motives of delicacy.

Testimony of leading citizens of Philadelphia, on the subject of the above certificate.

"It is impossible to peruse this statement without extreme regret and surprise, that such a state of things should have existed in this flourishing city, wholly unknown, as it must have been, to the mass of our citizens. That the case of the unfortunate women referred to calls loudly for a remedy, so far as may be practicable, cannot for a moment be doubted. That a complete and radical remedy is practicable, we do not flatter ourselves, while the demand for employment so far exceeds the demand for that species of labour. And we regret to say, that there are cases in which the competition among the sellers of the articles produced by those women, may have so far reduced their prices as to render it impossible for the employers to raise the wages without injustice to themselves. Yet we fondly hope there are very many cases in which the employers may be able to reconcile more liberal wages, with a due regard to their own interest. And when the extent and intensity of the suffering that must inevitably arise from the present low rate of wages are duly considered, we rely that every man of generous and liberal feeling, who can afford to raise the compensation for the labours of those women, will cheerfully obey the dictates of humanity and justice.

CADWALADER EVANS,
MATTHEW L. BEVAN,
SAMUEL RICHARDS,
HENRY KUHL,
THOMAS LATIMER,
ROBERT RALSTON,
WILLIAM MEREDITH,
ALEXANDER HENRY,
Rev. G. R. LIVINGSTON,
SOLOMON ALLEN,
JAMES TAYLOR,
COLEMAN SELLERS,
ANDREW BAYARD,

PAUL BECK, Jun.
HENRY TROTH,
J. K. MITCHELL, M. D.
SAMUEL HILDEBURN,
BENJAMIN TUCKER,
JAMES GRAY,
PETER HILL,
L. P. GEBHARD, M. D.
SAMUEL D. BREED,
W. GARRIGUES, Jun.
CHARLES D. MEIGS, M. D.
MATHEW CAREY.
"Philadelphia, June 10, 1830."

[2] A similar statement has been signed by a number of ladies in New York and Baltimore

[p15-3] Extract of a letter from Dr. Van Renssellaer, of New York."My profession affords me many and unpleasant opportunities of knowing the wants of those unfortunate females, who try to earn an honest subsistence by the needle, and to witness the struggles often made by honest pride and destitution. I could cite many instances of young, and even middle-aged women, who have been 'lost to virtue,' apparently by no other cause than the lowness of wages, and the absolute impossibility of procuring the necessaries of life by honest industry."
"My Dear Sir,
New York, 5th April, 1830.

'The subject of conversation at our last interview is one of great importance in every well-regulated community, and cannot fail to interest every benevolent mind. I mean the inadequate price usually paid for female labour, particularly to poor widows who are burdened with small children. It is a subject which ought to arouse the feelings of every philanthropist: for I have no hesitation in saying, from my own observation, as one of the acting magistrates of this city, that no inconsiderable portion of female distress and female depravity is to be attributed to the very scanty remuneration they receive for honest industry. I hope, therefore, most sincerely, that your unceasing efforts in the cause you have so disinterestedly espoused, will be crowned with ultimate success.

"Yours, sincerely,

"Mr. Carey.
"JOHN W. WYMAN".
Extract of a letter from the Rev. Ezra Stiles Ely, D. D.

"From intimate acquaintance with many of the industrious poor, for eighteen years past, both in New York and in this city, I am constrained to say, that your remarks concerning the inadequate payment which females receive for their labour, are just, and ought deeply to affect every benevolent person, who has any wish to do justly, and see honest industry suitably rewarded. A common slave, in the states of Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, is much better compensated for his labour, by his necessary food, clothing, lodging, and medicines, than many respectable mothers and daughters in this city, who apply themselves diligently to their work, two hours for every one occupied by the negro in his master's service. Your remarks will apply to the folding and stitching of books, to the sewing of carpet rags, to the binding of shoes,*** no less than to the work done for the army and navy."

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[3]

[2]

Appeal to the Wealthy of the Land/Essay 4

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