[SOCIAL WELFARE & REFORM] [NEEDLE TRADES] [AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION] HOXIE, Joseph

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

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.

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.

Price: $125.00

Go Back