Why should Lyddie not sign the petition?

In chapter 12 Lyddie's two remaining roommates, Amelia and Betsy, argue about signing the petition that the Female Labor Reform Association is circulating. The petition would reduce the work days at the factories from thirteen to ten hours. Amelia and Lyddie are against signing the petition, for different reasons, while Betsy is considering signing.

Amelia, the most religious of the girls, uses practical and moral arguments against signing. First she warns Betsy that, if she...

In chapter 12 Lyddie's two remaining roommates, Amelia and Betsy, argue about signing the petition that the Female Labor Reform Association is circulating. The petition would reduce the work days at the factories from thirteen to ten hours. Amelia and Lyddie are against signing the petition, for different reasons, while Betsy is considering signing.

Amelia, the most religious of the girls, uses practical and moral arguments against signing. First she warns Betsy that, if she signs, she will be dismissed from her job. The management of the factories keeps an eye on the "radicals" who spread dissatisfaction among the workers, and they fire people who sign the petition. Whether this is true or just a fear is unclear. Diana Goss is known to be involved with the FLRA, yet she still works at the factory. That could be because she is such a good worker. If a mediocre worker signed, perhaps she would be dismissed. Once a worker is fired without an honorable discharge, no other factory in town will hire that person, so the worker needs to get a different kind of job in town or move away. Amelia also argues against signing because "it does no good to rebel against authority." She goes on to say rebelling is "unladylike" and "against the Scriptures," at which Betsy scoffs.

Lyddie's reason for not signing is because she does not want to work fewer hours. She says, "But we'd be paid less." She wants her savings to accrue as quickly as possible, no matter how hard she has to work, so she can pay off her family's debts and bring her family back together again on their farm.

Betsy's reasons for signing the petition are that the factories are being unjust and the workers cannot keep up the pace that is demanded of them. Betsy compares their lifestyle to being "black slaves" because they have very little free time and must comply with the whims of factory owners. Indeed, the factories can require increased speeds and can drop the workers' wages even as they are working harder.

This chapter presents reasons for signing the petition as well as for not signing.