Speech Against Child Labor by Florence Kelley

Background

• Florence Kelley:
  • American social worker and Women’s Rights activist.
  • Advocated for child labor laws and improved working conditions for women.
  • Delivered speech on July 22, 1905 in Philadelphia to the National American Woman Suffrage Association.
• Context: Early 20th century US, common practice for children to work in factories, mills, and mines.

Key Points from the Speech

Child Labor Statistics and Conditions

• 2 million children under 16 are working for wages in the US.
• Children as young as six and seven are employed in:
  • Cotton mills in Georgia.
  • Coal-breakers in Pennsylvania.
• The number of young girls (14-20 years) in the workforce is increasing rapidly.

Working Conditions

• Night Work:
  • Thousands of little girls work in textile mills at night.
  • In Alabama, children under 16 can work a maximum of 8 hours at night, better than other southern states.
  • Georgia has no restrictions for working hours of young girls.
  • New Jersey allows children to work all night after age 14.
• Legislative Actions:
  • Pennsylvania allowed children 13 years old to work 12-hour night shifts until May (prior year to speech).
  • Recent repeal in New Jersey allowing longer working hours for children.

Advocacy and Women's Suffrage

• Florence Kelley argues that if mothers and teachers could vote, child labor laws would be stricter.
• Emphasizes the importance of women's enfranchisement to address child labor issues.
• Suggests enlisting workingmen in the fight for women's suffrage and child labor reforms.

Economic and Social Impact

• Children's Work:
  • Children produce essential goods like shoes, stockings, underwear, hats, and pins.
  • Under the sweating system, young children work in tenements assembling products.
• Moral Responsibility:
  • Public prefers adult workers but feels powerless to change current conditions.
  • Citizens should use their right to petition for legislative change.

Call to Action

• Kelley urges citizens to:
  • Use the power of petition to advocate for child labor laws.
  • Enlist labor organizations to support women's suffrage and child labor reform.
  • Work for the liberation of children from labor exploitation for the future of the Republic and the children’s right to vote.