Reforme

Pauperism - Its Evils Causes and Remedy. A Report Presented by Hon. Joseph Hoxie On Behalf of the Poor at a Public Meeting Convened at Hope Chapel on the 16th Day of February 1859

1859 · 88899 — New York: Chas. W. Baker 1859. First Edition. Sewn pamphlet. Octavo; printed paper wrappers 8pp. Text printed in double columns. Old stains to covers and bottom margin throughout else Good and sound. <br /> <br /> A pamphlet issued by authority of the American Industrial Association of which Hoxie a District judge and reform-minded philanthropist was Vice-President. Hoxie's rather toothless report regarding the "alarming increase of the necessitous poor" within the New York city limits distilled to its essence is that "something must be done." Of far greater interest is a brief postscript relating a meeting of New York's "sewing women" under the auspices of the Association where a plan was presented to supply a clean well-lit workroom supplied with new sewing machines at no.10 Fourth Avenue in Manhattan for the use of seamstresses in distress. The presentation was made by John Cooke a Methodist minister who in the best tradition of paternalistic condescension remarked addressing a room-full of seamstresses: "The greatest sufferers are the needle women. Unfortunately they have themselves invited the evil by preferring this mode of living to other avocations sic within their reach thus crowding the city labor market and by an unavoidable consequence cheapening labor." Cooke goes on to propose a solution whereby young working women would be transported out of the city and put into situations in "the country." The proposal for free sewing machines and a clean place to work was met with favor by the women's representatives. No mention is made of their reaction to the idea of voluntary exile to parts unknown. Chas. W. Baker unknown