For This Purpose They Built Boarding-Houses, Which,
Under The Direct Supervision Of The Agent, Were Kept By Discreet
Matrons" - I Can Answer For The Discreet Matrons At Lowell - "Mostly
Widows, No Boarders Being Allowed Except Operatives.
Agents and
overseers of high moral character were selected; regulations were
adopted at the mills and boarding-houses, by which only respectable
girls were employed.
The mills were nicely painted and swept" - I
can also answer for the painting and sweeping at Lowell - "trees set
out in the yards and along the streets, habits of neatness and
cleanliness encouraged; and the result justified the expenditure.
At Lowell the same policy has been adopted and extended; more
spacious mills and elegant boarding-houses have been erected;" as
to the elegance, it may be a matter of taste, but as to the
comfort, there is no question - "the same care as to the classes
employed; more capital has been expended for cleanliness and
decoration; a hospital has been established for the sick, where,
for a small price, they have an experienced physician and skillful
nurses. An institute, with an extensive library, for the use of
the mechanics, has been endowed. The agents have stood forward in
the support of schools, churches, lectures, and lyceums, and their
influence contributed highly to the elevation of the moral and
intellectual character of the operatives. Talent has been
encouraged, brought forward, and recommended." For some
considerable time the young women wrote, edited, and published a
newspaper among themselves, called the Lowell Offering.
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