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Joly ^O, .1850.U - . TB^ASftlt^jp'Iia^Ag...
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THE TYPE FOUNDERS' STRIKE. TO THE TRADES...
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Proposed 3Jew Bishopeics.—It is stated, ...
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;, .?,| ^ihuiMLDDLBSEX i BESSlONS,^ „. -...
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Stbaxcebs ix the Hopse of Couiioss.—As f...
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' . ! .-.; ' . MONDAY^ Jul y isl , ,- HO...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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. Foreion Simpathv Fob Irisu Distress.—A...
fort ; forty-three . On tbe . 4 th ihst ., - a . conditional iorder was was made in thocaseof tbe estates of " the Right Bor Bon . Richard Earl of GlengalL '' . - . It is stated that opp opposition will be made on the part of the noble earl earl , when the petitioningcreditorapp liesforanabaoh solute order for sale .. :. . .. - ¦¦ " ¦ ' A As Irish MauosAiRB . —The following statement app appears in the Freeman ' s / ourna ? . The lady who has has made the large advancoin this mstance obtained av a vast fortime devised by tie vnU ofJier husband , the the late Mr . P . Kelly , ofthe county of Galway wh which , after much litigation ^ . has been established ia ia the Prerogative Court :- ' ? The topioof theweek in in the money market has been the advance by Mrs . X < Xellv whose name has been so frequently before
th the public in the celebrated mil case ,, ot toelarge -su « um of £ 135 , 000 to the Midland Great Western E . - EauNray Company , to enable the latter to discharge th the balance of the purchase money due to tbe E < Eoyal Canal Company , being about that amount . M Mrs . Kelly receives a transfer of the . canal direct fri from the Canal Company , and becomes-the first -en -encumbrancer on it , the total cost having been v ] upwards of £ 400 , 000 . She has , of course , the seal cnrity of the Railway Company ia addition , and as as far as Mrs . Kelly is concerned , the security may 1 h be considered undoubted . The transaction is .
how-€ i ever , an advantageous one for the company , as they h ; have agreed to pay Mis . Kelly five per cent ., while tl they have paid six per cent , to the Canal Company . T There is , therefore , a diminution of £ 1 , 350 per -a annum in the interest paid by the company . " Def-jje tube op the- Lobd-Lieutekakt . —On Mon-< 1 < iay morning his Excellency , accompanied by his p private secretary ( Mr . Connellan ) came down by -s -special train to Kingstown ,- and proceeded on board t the admiralty steamer Banshee , which sailed for 1 Holyhead . His Excellency goes direct to London , t tojoinLadj Clarendon and their children . Their : s ; Stay in England will extend to three weeks .
The Irish Lises Trade . —The Linen and yam i trade of Ulster , in general , is decidedly improving . An advance of yarns is anticipated , from the ifli crease ol foreign demand . , Fisal Closing of Coxcilutios Hall . —At tho -weekly meeting on Monday , Mr . John O'Conneli moved that the association should adjourn sine die , j as the / were in debti and had lost all control over the hall . He took this course as a last experiment io rouse the country : and if the present appeal should be responded to . the committee would have the power of once more convening a public meeting ofthe association . The repeal rent for the week amounted only to ££ 10 s ., to which minimum , the chairman observed , it had descended from a weekly sum of £ 3 , 500 . The motion was carried in solemn silence ; and die few persons in the hall quietly walked off .
Charge aoaixst a Magistrate . —The Clare Jour ¦ nal states , that " the investigation into the charge against Mr . Smyth , of Castlefergos , was resumed on Saturday last at Tulla , when the magistrates decided on admitting Mr . Smyth to bail , to take his trial at next assizes . " Mato Electiox . —This election is fixed for the 25 th instant , and the issue is now fairly fcnii , there hcing . only one candidate at each side . Colonel Knox Gore has withdrawn , leaving Mr . Butt , Gj . C , as the Protectionist candidate . The Independent Club of Mayo have selected Mr . Ousely Higgins as their candidate , backed by the Roman Catholic Clergy ; and Mr . Joseph Myles Macdonald has retired . The prisoners , who vere arrested for an assault on tbe police at Belfast , on the morning of the 12 th inst ., when two of . the Orangemen were wounded , hare been admitted to hail to take their trial at the
assizes . The Harvest . —Every account from the country describes the potato , as Bellas the cereal and green crop ? , as progressing most satisfactorily , and thtre is an earnest tone of anticipation as to the effect of the harvest , in restoring confidence , and laying the foundation of future improvement , after gen ral prostration and sufferings unparalleled amongst the poor people of this country . Some of the provincial papers state , that it would require personal observation to estimate the exuberant delieht of she peasantry in
the rural districts , and the labouring population in the towns , at beholding tbe large supply of "' their old friend , " the potato , apparently recovered from the bli ght that has caused so much misery , and sold at prices not much higher than used to prevail at this period of the season before the famine . Watekfobd ., Saturday . —Several persons were convicted of having belonged to the party who attacked the police barrack at Coppoquin , in September last , and were sentenced to various terms of transportation , from seven to fourteen years .
-DowsPATBics . —Judge Ball opened the commission here on Monday . The Newry Telegraph says : — " The intention ofthe Crown to prosecute at these assizes not only the Ribbon ' rebels . ' but also tbe loyal Protestants , engaged in the memorable affair of Slagheramayo , bas attached a more thin ordinary degree of interest to the criminal proci dimis . " Death or the SecbetaHT OF ME REPEAL ASSOCIATION . —The secretary ofthe Repeal Association , whose name was Hasarty , died suddenly on Monday night Bis official labours terminated on the day of the adjournment of the association , and bis earthly career closed the same night . He died of disease of the heart .
The Late Obaxge Riot . —The Belfast Wag of Tuesday says : —** On Saturday morning , the two young men , "Walker and Anderson , charged with being portion of an illegal assembly , on Thursday night , on the Malono-road , were brought up for examination . It appeared , on the evidence of Con-Stable Hind , that the lad Walker was engaged in heating a drum , with a number of men and boys , who went up that road on the evening in question , and that he was taken into custody . A large crowd afterwards assembled , with a view of effecting a rescue , the police barrack was regularly stormed , and several windows broken in it . The constables
charged the crowd , when the latter retreated , and it was in the course of the retreat that Anderson -was captured . They were both hound over to take trial at the assizes , bail being accepted for Walker , fiimself in £ 10 , and two sureties in £ 5 each . For Anderson , himself in £ 20 , and two sureties in £ 10 each . Walker is a very ycung lad , and his father , who was present , appealed to tbe Bench , hoping their worships would punish him if he ' were a rebel . * On being questioned as to bis rr-eaniiig , he replied that he trusted his son would be punished ii ' he were untrue to the cause for which Walker fell a hnndred-and-sixiy years ago . '"
Joly ^O, .1850.U - . Tb^Asftlt^Jp'iia^Ag...
Joly ^ O , . 1850 . U - . TB ^ ASftlt ^ jp'Iia ^ AgHT . , " * " i ihm ^ —— i ^ mii - . imj ^^ m ^ M—^ MttMlBlia ;; " - "T - " rn i i i ...... .. . ~ . ^ ¦¦ . ¦ .. ^ .... ¦> ,.,.. > i . v ,. l- i .-, ¦ . ¦«¦ »~ , ~ w , „ ¦ ...-. , .. t t . t . .. rj
The Type Founders' Strike. To The Trades...
THE TYPE FOUNDERS' STRIKE . TO THE TRADES OF LOXDCX Tellow-Tyoekmex , —The Type Founders , late in the employ of Messrs . Caslon and Co ., Chiswellstreet , have turned out on strike . A series of attempts to reduce their now already small wages have led to this result . The last twelve months lave been to us a continual fight to uphold the rate of remuneration we received . In one branch the attempted reduction was thirty percent ., in another twenty-five , in another twenty : several privileges taken " off ; and , the week previous to su-pending work , a notice of a reduction of twenty per cent , on another branch—all this , and much that none but
those acquainted with tbe details ofthe trade could j understand , has led us to resolve to discontinue -work until this last notice is withdrawn , and sufficient guarantees are given that further attempts in the same direction will be discontinued . Every man in the firm ia out , numbering ninety-Six . The trade is but small , and unable to render all the assistance such a large body of men require , although the several shops have inuninceutly subscribed according to their means . We therefore take the liberty of presenting our case to your kind consideraiion ; tnis .-ing jou will see sufficient cause to render us such assistance as the urgent necessities of our case require .
A deputation from us will wait and render every ether explanation and information that may be required . Type Founders' Committee " Room , George Inn , Foster ' s-buildiurs , Whitecross-street , St . Luke ' s .
Proposed 3jew Bishopeics.—It Is Stated, ...
Proposed 3 Jew Bishopeics . —It is stated , in the event of the motion being successful of which Mr . w . e . Gladstone has given notice , namely , for the addition of a clause to the present Church Commission Bill , giving the commissioners power to submit to the Queen in council a proposal for the promotion of a new bishopric in every place where , by local contributions , there mav be raised towards its endowment the sum of £ 30 , 000 , ( the income to be assigned to such bi shop not to exceed £ 1 , 500 . ; and Such bishop not to have a seat in the House of Xords ); immediate steps will be taken to erect "Westminster and Southwark into distinct episcopal sees , theabbey forming the cathedral of the first , and tbe church of St . Saviour , by Lo ^ on Bridire .
the cat hedral oi ineiatter mentioned bishopric . For the accomplishment of both titese oVjms sufficient funds can be raised without delay , persons of wealth having offered to provide by far the larger portion of the endowment when called upon to do so The new bishopric of "Westminster wm embrace the -whole of that city , including the pari shes of <;« Margaret , St . John , St . James , St . Clement St Martin , St . George , Hanover-square , St . Ann ' Soho , St . Paul , Covent-gaidea and all parishe * . westward , now comprised in the diocese of London Tho new diocese of Southwark wdl comprise the whole ofthe county of Surrey , the ' plan has the full sanction of the Bishops of London and Win chester , who at present . havo the ecclesiastical Sn . pervision of those districts .
Ths Cosvict Pate has been removed to the Mill-1 bank Prison . We learn that he has not been subjected to the usual prison discipline . He has neither ted his hair cropped , nor have his clothes been changed ; and instead of his being placed ma cell , iie has been permitted to occupy a room belonging So an officerof the prison , Why is this ?
;, .?,| ^Ihuimlddlbsex I Besslons,^ „. -...
; . ? , | ^ ihuiMLDDLBSEX i BESSlONS , ^ „ . -:, } ..-. « , The July- Adjourned . Quarter ;^ Sessions' of the Peace for Middlesex . commenc ed on Tuesday , morn ing , atthe Sessions House ,. ClerkenwelU There were fifty-nine prisoners ; charged- with felony , arid -six with misdemeanour , for trial . RpHBEBr . on the Gbbat Western Railway . — James Treleving , -16 , and Thomas Moulton , 17 , were indicted for stealing at the pariah , of Paddington , eight , iron bolts , value 4 s ., the property ofthe Great Western Railway Company . ^ -Mr . O'Brien was for the prosecution ; Mr . Gifford appeared for the . pnsoners . —The principal witness in the case was the brother of the prisoner Moultoh , a boy about ten years of affe . from whoso evidence it
anpeared that he and the prisoners were loitering about the fields near to ( be railway at Paddington ^ when one of them suggested that they should take some bolts which were oeing used by the workmen in . repairing the railsi They took eight arid threw them over a hedge , and then went and laid under atree , where they were apprehended , their conduct having been under the eye of O'llaraj one of the company ' s constables . —The defence -was ; that it was but a piece of mischief on the part ofthe boys , and that they had no intention to Steal the bolts . The learned counsel called evidence to the character of Treleving , and apologised that the witnesses to the character of the otherwere not then present . —The learned Judge , with soirie warmth , said this
was extremely improper on the part of the attorney who instructed Mr . Gifford to make that statement , when he must have known what would have been the result had such witnesses been called . The court knew sufficient to satisfy it that such witnesses were never intended to be examined at all . —The attorney , said he could assure his lordship that he had been instructed that an employer of the boy ' s would be present to speak to his character . — The learned judge summed up , and the jury found the prisoners " 3 fot Guilty . " Bobbery from the Person . —George Hayward , a desperate-looking fellow , was convicted of a robbery from the person . —The learned Judge said the prisoner had been convicted so often that it was
impossible for him to pass any sentence save that Of transportation . —Transported for ten years . Obtaisino Mosey , by Fraud . —George Turner , 46 , was indicted ' for having , by false and fraudulent pretences , obtained from Peter M'Carthy , the sum of 12 s ., with intent to cheat and defraud him thereof . The prisoner was further indicted for two other similar offences—The prisoner pleaded guilty to all the indictments . —Mr . Clarkson and Mr . Prendergasfc appeared for the prosecution , and the former , addressing the court , said this was a prosecution instituted by direction of the Metropolitan Commission of Sewers , in whose name the prisoner , and other parties no doubt connected with him , * had carried on frauds upon the public to a vast extent .
the parties defrauded were mostly poor people , and the mode in which the frauds were effected was this . He went to parties the drains upon , and the sewers adjoining , whose premises were under the control of the commissioners , as authorised by tho 11 < Ss 12 Viet ., the act establishing the commission , and represented that he -was connected with the commission , that certain alterations and improvements had been ordered to be made in the drains of their houses , but in each case , he stated that before operations were commenced he must be supplied with money to procure the requisite materials from one of . the commission depots , and having got the money he went away and of course was not again heard of .. " Now there was
no doubt but that this , had been done in a great number of instances , many of which had come to the knowled ge of the commissioners , who thought they were bound to protect the public from such abominable impositions by prosecuting the offender . Thoy , however , had selected but three cases for investigation , thinking those three sufficient to shew the court what the real nature of the fraud was , but there were at least twenty cases which could be substantiated against the prisoner . —The learned Judge asked how long this system had been carried on?—Mr . Clarkson said the commissioners knew of it last year , but the prisoner had escaped detection . The first offence the prisoner was charged
with was committed in December . —The prisoner said he had been employed to act as he had done by other parties , who received the money , and whose dupe be had been throughout . —The learned Judge said this was a very serious case , and one which could not be passed over slightly . Even supposing that the prisoner had been made a dupe of at- first , it was impossible to suppose that be was not fully aware subsequently of his being engaged in an extensive system of fraud upon the public . The sentence upon him , in respect of the . first indictment , was six months * bard labour , on tho second indictment three months' and on the third indictment six weeks * hard labour .
Robbery is a Public-house . —George Grant , a well-dressed men , who described himself as a wine and spirit merchant , was indicted for stealing 30 * ., under the following circumstances : —Last Monday week , he went to the Jfag's Head publio house , in St . John-street , and producing two sample bottles , one of brandy , and the other of rum , asked if Mr . Willis , tbe landlord , was in want of any foreign spirits . Mrs . Willis replied in the negative , and shortly after a man joined the prisoner in front of the bar , and they had something to dvinki in payment for which the prisoner tendered a gilt coin resembling a sovereign , which Mrs . Willis declined to take . The parlour bell ringing at that moment Mrs . "Willis -went to see what was required , and , on her return to the bar , she found the prisoner deliberately leaning over the counter emptying the till of its contents , lie decamped with the man
who had joined him , but was captured by a young man who was in the tap-room at the time , and who , on hearing the cry of stop thief , followed in pursuit . —Verdict " Guilty . "—The prisoner said he was of respectable character , and was in business with a partner in selling bonded sprits . The bills he had in his pocket-book , which the police took from him , would show that since January last he had paid more than £ 500 for goods . His name was Cran , not Grant . — The learned judge inspected the pocket book , and said that its contents rather disproved than made out the fact of his having been engaged in business to that extent , for side by side with the bills in question—which no doubt were fictitious onesthere were pawnbrokers' duplicates—one for a pair of boots , Is .: a waistcoat , Is . 6 > l . ; and many Others of the same character . Sentenced to SIX months'hard labour .
Robbery asd Attempted Rescue . —W . Pryor , 21 , and W . Thomas , 16 , were indicted for a robbery from the person . The offence was committed in a crowd of persons who had assembled in Whitechapel to witness tbe return of the " boats " from Fairlop Fair . Pryor was " covering" Thomas , who committed the theft ; and , on the officer taking the latter , Pryor attempted to rescue him , and threw at him a large piece of granite , which struck him on tho hat , nearly cutting it through . The prisoners were convicted ; and Pryor , being a known offender , was sentenced to seven years ' transportation ; Thomas to nine months' hard labour .
Stbaxcebs Ix The Hopse Of Couiioss.—As F...
Stbaxcebs ix the Hopse of Couiioss . —As fatas my observation extends , i . e ., the last thirty-one years , no alteration has taken place in the practice of the House of Commons with respect to the admission of strangers . In ISM the bouse adopted the usual sessional order regarding strangers , which I transcribe , inserting within brackets the only material words added by Mr . Christie in 1845 : — " That the Sergeant-at-Arms attending this house do , from time to time , take into his custody any stranger or strangers that he shall see or be iniormedofto be in the house or gallery [ appropriated to the members of this house , and also any stranger who , having been admitted into any Other part of the house or gallery , shall misconduct
himself , or shall not withdraw when strangers are directed to withdraw ] while the house or any committee of the whole house is sitting , and' that no person so taken into custody be discharged out of custody without the special order of the house . " That " no member of the house do presume to bring any stranger or strangers into the house , or the gallery thereof , while the house is sitting . " This order appears to have been framed at a time when there was no separate gallery exclusively appropriated to strangers , and when they ? rere introduced by members into the gallery of what is called the "body ofthe house . " This state of things had passed away : and for a long series of years
strangers had been admitted to a gallery in tho House of Commons in tho face of the sessional order , by which your correspondent C . H . imagines tueir presence was " absolutely prohibited . " When I speak of strangers being admitted , it must not be supposed that this was done by order of the house . No , everything relating to the admission of strangers to , and their accommodation in the House of Commons , is effected by some mysterious acency for which no one is directly responsible . Mr . Barry has built galleries for strangers in the new house ; but if the matter were made a subject of inquiry , it probably would puzzle him to state under what authority he has acted . — Notts and Queries .
A Capture so Prize . —Captain the Hon . G . F . Hastings , of the Cyclops , has been recently cast in ¦ £ 5 , 000 damages by the Slave Commissioners on tbe coast of Africa , for illegal detention of a Portuguese ship . Hquxj waVs I ' nxs , a Sctebiob Hbmedt fo * Old Cocchs , COUB , AM ) AsrUMATlCAL CoSMJklKM . — It is conanned daily l > y persons whohave been great sufferers , that coM ? wo , " . P'dls are an effectual cure for old coughs , wm 5 ™« - e f 8 g on ^ caest > s"ortn «« of breath , and Pow ^« ? tt «« m l Jain *» . Such are the extraordinary «« f K thi ™ SwlJ ' s PUls - ttat * few do 5 e » wi" B »« rc-• na those "I * rs UnMe CMes of diseases of the chut ; •« ryotheiXIa-, „ - aTe been afflicted for years , and found and care , ohtS ^ } iSdess > " ^ J . by a little persererance effectual rtS i ^ nnanent cure . They are also an throat . * ?* aoarseness , and complaints ia the
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' . ! .-.; ' . Monday^ Jul Y Isl , ,- Ho...
' . .-. ; ' . MONDAY ^ Jul y isl , ,- HOUSE OF LORDS . ^ The Royal Assent was given by Commissiott to a great number of bills . - : ' The new Lord Chancellor took'his seat and the oathsas Baron Truro . ' • • - ' - " ¦ ••• ' v "; - Lord Brougham brought up the report of the Select Gomtnitteeon the CoUkty Courts'Extensim ? Bitt . ^ The- noble lord expressed'his intention of visiting America in the spring , wheh he hoped . to have the pleasure of taking with him ' a copy of the bill , as a satisfactory proof of the' progress which this country is making in the law of debtor and creditor . ¦ ¦ ' ' •"¦'' ¦ ' - . " ¦ ' ¦ "¦ ' ' - ' ' ;' ' ,, ' ¦ '¦
The report of the select committee was then brought up , and ordered to be taken into consideration on Thursday . . ,. . ' ; .. ; i Factories Bill . —Petitions praying for an efficient Ten Hours Bill were presented by the Bishop of Salisbury , ; from Ashton-under-Lyuei and numerous other placos ; by the Bishop of Oxford , from Halifax , aiid other places ; by Lord Beaumoriti . from Halifax ; by the Bishop of Manchester . fromfactory workers of Manchester ; by Lord Wharncliffe , from several places in the West Ruling ; and by Lord Dufferin , and the Earl of Yarborougb , from various places . . ¦ ' "; ' ,: : ;' - ""
The Duke of Richmonb also presented a number of petitions from factory operatives to the same effect . He was not able to state either the number of petitions , or ofthe signatures attached to them . In another place he had understood the number ' of petitions presented on the subject had been 1 , 209 , which had been signed by 248 , 747 persons . "He mentioned this fact , in order that their lordships might see that the factory workers were eager and pnxious to have the full benefit ofthe act accorded to them which was passed in 1847 . ( Hear , hear . )
Lord GBAxyitiE then moved that the house go into committee on this bill . : His lordship stated that if the present bill had been a new measure ' , or one which introduced entirely new arrangements as factory labour , . it . would have been necessary ; for him to enter into a discussion ofthe great question of how far it was possible to promote tho vaoval and physical advantages of the factory operatives by legislative enactment . Upon that subject beheld strong opinions , but luckily tho present bill did not require either that hef should trespass upon their lordships' time , or still less that he should put forth his indvidual opinions upon the subject . The object of the present bill was to obviate certain inconveniences found to arise in a certain portion of the previous acr , passed upon the subject of regulating
the hours of factory labour . The mam provisions , regulating thelabour of young persons . and women in factories , were to be found in an act passed in 1833 . Considerable modifications were iniide in that act by another passed in 1844 , and it wits the twetity-sixth clause of the latter act which had ; led to the introduction of the present bill . In 1847 , another act was passed , making ho'difference in tho provisions ofthe previous act , with the CXCCpfcioh Of altering the . hours of labour from twelve , to ten ; during which the labour of children and young persons should be continued . The twenty-sixth clause of the act of 1844 , provided that the hours of working for children and young persons in every factory should be reckoned from tho time when ' such child
or young person should first begin to work' in . the morning at any factory . This clause was introduced iu order to prevent tho system of " shifts" and " relays . " It happened , however , that in 1848 , the millowners , upon looking at this clause , 'imagined that it was not stringent enough to prevent the emp loyment of persons either by " shifts" ; or " relays . " The difference between those two modes of employing the operatives was , that by " relays " fresh sets of persons' - were employed in continual labour , while in the " shifts" the same persons were employed for a certain number ; of hours , then sent out of the' factory to loiter away a portion of their time , and then returned to the factory ; so that a person
beginning to work at half-past five in the morning might still be found at work till half-past eight in tho evening , though hot really employee more than ten hours out of the fifteen . The factory inspectors were of opinion that the mode of working by relays and shifts was illegal ; and one gentleman , acting upon the recommendation of the Secretary of State for tho Home Department , brought the question before the magistrates . The same course was adopted in several other cases , and many conflicting judgments were given on the subject . At length e n was resolved to have recourse to a superior court of law , in order to obtain a final decision . A case was accordingly brought before the Court of Exchequer , and Baron Parke , in
delivering judgment , stated that in the opinion of the court it probably was the intention of the Legislature to prevent relays and shifts , but that the words introduced were not sufficient to carry out such intention . Upon this decision being made known , tho system of relays became more general , and the attention of Lord Ashley was ' naturally called to the circumstance . In mentioning the name of that noble lord , he would state that , although he could not go so far in some of the opinions , and was diametrically opposed to other opinions held by him , yet he felt it impossible to deny that , considering tho labour and toil , and sacrifice of those objects which to public men were ohjocts of laudable sympathy , that he was entitled to sneak with great weight and authority with
respect to the feelings and wishes of the working classes of this country . ( Loud cheers . ) Lord Ashley then brought in a bill explanatory of what was considered to have been the intentions ofthe Legislature . He found , however , that the clause which he had introduced into tho bill was inefficient for the purpose . A second and a third bill was brought in ; and , although the clause in tho third one was drawn up by four of the most eminent lawyers , still it was found to be inefficient without the introduction of new matter . In this state of things the Secretary of State for the Home Department having entered into communication with the millowners , came to the opinion that the proposal embodied in the present bill was one which
whilst it fairly met the exigencies of the case was one which , while it prevented evasion , would , upon the whole , be agreeable to the majority of the millowners and of the factory operatives . Lord Ashley consented to the proposed change , believing that it would be beneficial to the operatives themselves , and that it would also be a final settlement ef the question , and gave up the bill into the hands of the government . The proposal of the government , as contained in the present bill , was , that tbe labour of young persons and women should be restrained to ten hours upon the five first working days , and to eight hours upon tho Saturday j but that the limits during which the work , was to be performed , viz ., from half-past five in the morning
to half-past eight in the first five days , and from half-past five in the morning to half-past four in the evening of Saturday , as fixed by the previous acts , should be reduced from fifteen to twelve hours upon the common working days , and to eight hours upon the Saturday . That was , therefore , a great concession on the part of the millowners . The noble duke said that by those arrangements they included the dinner hour , but he ( Lord Granville ) believed that with the great body of the factory operatives the object was to have tho whole half holiday on Saturday , from two o ' clock , thus having time to take their dinner and make thoir market , and enjoy intellectual and other recreation , ( Hear , hear . ) It would he unfair to the masters to put a limit upon
them without giving tbem some corresponding advantage ; therefore it was proposed to allow the work to continue one half-hour longer , being compensated for by one half-hour less on Saturday , leaving it sixty hours in the week . Bo that it ' was essentially a ten hours hill , though , in tho worlungday , one half hour more might be given by the operative . ( Hear . ) Having m ade this proposal , it was received by Lord Awhley , in tho manner he had stated , aiid was agreed to by a large majority ofthe House of Commons . He might be asked how it was received by the country ; and the agitation in the country , and the petitions presented with respect to the measure were pointed to , to prove that tlie proposal was distasteful . But they should consider
the organisation of the system of agitation now pursued , and that it was headed by one gentleman who had unbounded experience in such agitation , and by another gentleman who bore the name of an individual who was held in great regard by tbe operatives , and the cry was , that it was the intention of the government to take from the operatives tbe boon given to tbem by the act of 1847 ; but he ( Lord Granville ) felt justified in saying , from what had been stated to him , that that agitation was a failure . ( Hear . ) There wcro somo amendments proposed to which the government could not consent ; and considering that tho arrangements had been based on a princip le which was fair to both parties , it would be acting contrary to all the principles by which a government should be actuated , after making the limitations and accepting the concessions that had been made , to ask the millowners toacreo that the small advanta ges given by this
bill should be taken from them . If their lordships came to such a decision , it would be entirely impossible for her Majesty ' s government to carry out a bill of that nature , and , though regret , they should abandon the measure . ( Hear . The noble duke had endeavoured to preserve a harmonious feeling between all the classes engaged in agriculture—the landlord , tenants , and farm labourers ; but let him carry the principle further , and ' weig h the consequences that would ensue if they rejected the bill now before the house , and gave up almost the first opportunity presented to them by the great majority of the mill-owners to co-operate with them in carrying out the regulations of the Factory Act . ( Hear . ) If they did not follow his advice they would increase the agitation now going on , and give rise to interminable , disputes , by causing a combination amongst the millowners against the other classes .. They should take care not to array th * , i capitalists against tho operatives , for by so doi ^ g
' . ! .-.; ' . Monday^ Jul Y Isl , ,- Ho...
f S ^^& ^ W . ^» $ , # -fetiveS themselves ;" - ( Hear . ) ' V , " " ' / : ;•« " : •" - " ' ' The Earl of HARBOWByrose'to bring forward ari amendment for ' the purpo 3 d ; bfIncluding children in the ; provisions ' of-thisact , as well ' as ^' females and young ' persons . He ' believed the provisions of the b'W . hOw ^ htroduced by the ' . governmeritj ' with sbme additions , would' bo highly advantageous , and an opinion tothat effect had been expressed by a meetting of Yorkshire' "I / ancashire , ' and ' 'Cheshire delegates , - but' at ¦ tho same time they thought that ? li ™? y , ( ailed in getting those alterations introdttced ; . there " shbuld bo ' : ho attempt made to proven ^ the passing of the bill . . What he orooosed
^ ivi -- ¦ l - tne - nu « ieratibh of parties who should n « t be employed at any hour beforo ' sifo ' clockln the morning , 'or after six -o ' clock' in the evening , children also should bo included . It was said this bill would not touch tho case of children , and therefore it was not necessary ' to'infrdduce ahyprovision to protectthem . That was not thofact , and ho ' was afraid if they passed thisr bill ,, making it' impossible to employ young persons or females except between the hours specified , they would give a fresh stimulant to' niake use of the existing law which they had hitherto not been driven to , and make use of , the ^ children ' s ; labour at tho hours before and after those -fixed r for the labour of young persons , and ' females .. ( Hear . hear . ) . The .
consequence would bo . 'thartho manufacturers desirous to make the most of the opportunities' which the law gave them , would' employ the children for two and a-half hours or three hours , after their relatives were dismissed from : the mill ,. and they would havo to go homo , b . y th ' emsc ) ves two . or three miles in the country in the depth of winter ., lie could not think their lordships . would slirink ' from giving the * children the boncfit ' of protection when they thought it right to extend it to females' and young persons . ( Hear , hear . ) . One , of ; the inspectors ( Mr . Saunders ) toldthem . that . already , the practice , had begun ' ; and that in some mills theaftcrhodit class of children " were continuallyeinploveil in the manner described . His noble friend : called
upon them not toMepart from the arrangement ill which two parties were engagod ; but if he recollected rightly one of the gentlemen engaged in it was most anxious for ' the inclusion of . . ' children ' in the , bill . 'Ho ( the Earl of"Hari'owhy ) begged to mpveasan amendment ; ' that in the 10 th line , before the words" young persons" the words " no children ' . ' should be ; inserted . ' ,: ; Earl GiuNviME opposed the ' aniendinen i , because he considered that by the passing of this bill children would not be placed in a worse condition than they were under the three acts to whicli reference had been made . The subject of tho amendment might be . a proper one for consideration if the government . were about to bring in . ' a , ' new bill ,: but
this present measure being a mere substitute for the formcrFaotory Act , he must decline interfering any further with the existing law . ' " Lord Kinnairk did not think the amendment proposed by the noble earl interfered with the principle of the bill at all-, on the , contrary , . it would carry out the arrangement that had been come to by tho government and many of tho masters and manufacturers . ' ¦ " > Lord Stanley would oppose the . ' amendment , but intended , to support the amendment of which his noble friend ' near him ( the Duko of Richmond ) had given notice .. Having called their lordships' attention to the ' e ' vils complained of under the system of shifts , he begged to remind them that the shift system wasrecognised by the ; acts of : 1844 and 1847 . Under these acts the children who , came in . the morning might bo worked from the opening of tho mill until dinner time , provided they only worked
for six hours and a half , and . were' not required to work during the remainder of the day ; and another set Of . children worked from dinner hour during the remainder of the day ,, but were not required to work before the dinner hour . So that one set of children had'the first half of the day set apart for instruction , and the second set had the second half ofthe day appropriated for the same purpose . ( Hear , hear . ) Therefore tho relay / ' -system was carrying out the intention of the Legislature . The fact was , that without the presence of the young children , or young persons , or women the adult labour in the factory could not bo available , and the mills must be stopped ; and this amendment would impose a new restriction on the manufacturers , which had never boon contemplated to be put upon them by the act of 1847 . The only case in support of his amendment which his noble friend on the cross bench was able to find out was this—that tho
children would hare to come away unattended in the evening by either the women or young persons ; but surely they would bo accompanied by their fathers ; and the fact of bringing forward such an argument only showed how very weak the ; ground was on which it was proposed to put a heavy additional restriction on the power of employing labour now granted to the ' manufacturer . ( Hear , ; bear . ) He would not say tho acts of 1844 and 1847 were wise measures ; in point of principle , he would say , they wore open to objection ; but practically , up to this period ; young persons and women worked for ten hours , aiid children for six and a half-hours consecutively , by a system of relays . That system which was intended to be introduced by the acts of
1844 and 1847 had produced satisfaction , the petitions in favour of it were numerous . from clergymen and medical men , and not only the factory operatives , but a large portion of the millowners desired to retain the principle of those bills in its integrity , ( Hear , hear . ) He ( Lord Stanley ) was prepared accordingly to support tbe . amendment of his noble friend behind him ( the Duke of Richmond ) , but he would not consent to impose on the manufacturer a new restriction that was not called for by any large portion of the community , and which clearly was not contemplated by the acts of 1844 and 1847 ; and therefore he did not think his noble friend ( the Earl of Uarrowby ) was justified in proposing his amendment . ( Hear , hear . )¦
Lord "WlIAHNCLlFFB supported the amendment , because it would prevent . the children in factories from being kept at work till eight o ' clock at night , or three hours later , than women and young persons , who would leave at half-past five p . m . Those who would support the amendment of the . noble duke ( tie Duke of Richmond } , and oppose the present amendment , appeared to liini to be straining at ¦ a gnat and swallowing a camel . Doubtless , if this amendment were adopted , it would in some measure interfere with the privilege of the employers ; but ho nevertheless believed that the millowners
would accede to the alteration , in the hopo of having a final settlement of _ the long agitated question between them and their operatives . Tho Duke of Richmond asked , if the amendment of tho noble lord on the cross bench was so much desired by the operatives for the benefit of their children , why was it not included in the original bill which Lord Ashley had introduced into the other house ? It' the noble lord ( tho Earl of Httrrowby ) , however , brought forward his principle as a separate question , he would support him ; but in tho present shape of his amendment he could not vote for it .
The Earl of Harhowbt replied , and referred to the petitions from L-mcashive , Cheshire , and Yorkshire , to show that as much stress had been laid upon this amendment by the operatives as on any other part of this demand . ' If the hill passed without this amendment , the effect would be to drive the manufacturers to employ more children at a later hour than hitherto ; and the children WOllld ho sent away from tho mills without their natural protectors , to take enro of them , The Bishop of Oxford wished to draw the attention of the noble lord opposite ( Lord Stanley ) to one or two points , because . the noble lord ,. in insisting on the necessity for the legislature , keeping faith with the worhinii classes , said ho thought this
amendment would be an infringement of the compact entered ihto by the operatives with their employers . Now he hoped to bo able to show the noble lord that the whole objection was the other way . Technically speaking , this amendment was a new boon to be given to the children , but taking a higher view , it was not a new boon at all ; because the act they were about ' to pass , whether they adopted it in its present shape , or with the noble duko ' s amendment , would create a new evil as regards the children . A great deal of misconception arose from the use of the tonus shifs and relays . Relays had been encouraged , and wisely , because they enabled two sets of children to work , one in tbe morning and the other in the evening . But the shift system , which had been carried on by
contravention of tho law , had this result , that tho women and young persons worked as long as tho children could work under the old system . But now wo were going by legislation to make shifts impossible for young persons and women , and were distinctly creating a now condition that varied the terms of the old agreement , to tho injury of tho children ; and , therefore , while tbey strictly , keep faith by adhering to the orig inal agreement , the highest principle of philosophical statesmanship requirfdthattheyshoiildintroduceacoiinter-balancing check to prevent the children from being injured ,- otherwise while they would bo adhering to _ tho ori ginal compact on the one hand , they would be " violating in on the other ^ He bad had numberless representations of the deep interest which tho
factory workers took in this amendment . The noble lord said the childsen would leave work with -their fathers ; but he ( the Bishop of Oxford ) believed they would receive no such protection , because he knew from inquiries that t be children of adult spinners w . « ro not the class of children gene » rally employed The children employed wore generally tho rcktives of the women and young persons of the factory ; and if tho female children did not get home till two hours and a half after their natural protectors , thoy would bo exposed at their time of li ' ie to a danger which it would be most desirable to avert . And , again , there was another view that bad not been taken . This system would greatly di-I muiish the boon to the family , because if theelul-) dren did not leave work till two hours and a half I after tbe other members of . tho family , it would be
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impos ' sible . tlwt . ' - family ; armngements ' , and family ecbii omy' as fo meals could . ' cpiitihue undisturbed ; , y The committee then divided ., 'The numbers
were : — - ..,,. . _ -... _ .. . . ,-...: .-, ; . ; . : > . . . ; ... . ; .. . - , For the amendment , ....... « ' 25 ; Ag-aihst'ifc ............ ; 58—3 S : ¦ The amendment was . therefore rejected . , ,-r The "Duke of Hicinibsn . ' then rose to . move tho amendment of ' wWoh . ue hud given notice .., , He said he had heard , with considerable sur ' prise . jthe state ' ment of tlie noblo earl opposite , that if this altera * tiqn were adopted , the government would have nothing further to do with ! the . bill . ; Let their lordships , however , not be ' alarmed by such an observation , because if his amendment was carried , he should take charge of tho bill . himself , and endeavour to carry it , and ho knew be . should get Lord J . Manners to assist him with it in tho other house . *
lie was not actuated by any party ' motives on the present occasion , hut he-could . not but think that a great portion of our fellow subjects , the factory operatives of England , came forward , not to ask for any favour or any . , givice ' from , their lordshi ps , - but . they appealed . ' to this house as tho highest judicial court in the . country , to maintain inviolate the provisions of the act of 1847—to do that in their public capacity which-he knew in their , private capacity they would not hesitate a moment to perform . ( Hoar , hear . ) In 1847 , after a struggle of many . ye ars ' duration , tho factory operatives obtained a Ten Hours Act , which they justly considered to be the great charter of their liberties . But what liacl taken place ? Some few millowners in this country
—a very sniall minority of tho body , he was happy to say—discovered a flaw in the act of 1844 , and by resorting to the ' shift system—one of tho most prejudicial systems , ho must say , ever invented by the cupidity of . man , were , very properly fined by the magistrates . ; . . but they went before the Court of lixchcquer on ' a miserable legal quirk , and unfortunately were successful , Sow he would ssk , if that decision had been in favour of instead of being against the operatives , if any member , either of that house or the other , would have ventured to propose tho repeal of this law , or a'd ' imunition of the hours of labour which it established ? Then-he asked them , as honest and honourable men not to take advantage of their own lapse and their own error in
an act of parliament , nor to say that they h ;; c ! communicated with some niillo » -uera , - -and wished to effect a compromise . Ho put his demand on tho high ground , not of expediency , but of keeping faith with a great body of men , humble though they might be in station , ' and who . had shown themselves loyal , honest , and worthy of tho boon that had been given to them . The government inspectors reported that the Ten Hours Act had worked well ; the petitions ofthe clergy showed that the morality of the operatives had . been much improved , the evening schools were better attended , the demand for field allotments had been much increased , and tho operatives , instead of indulging in the revels of the beer-shop , after a hard day ' s work , wei' 0 found
working at healthy employment in their gardens . The medical gentlemen of the different districts said the health ofthe operatives was much improved ; and the operatives themselves testified that their wives were more cheerful , and their daughters were brought up in domestic employment , so as to be fit hereafter to hold the places of wives and mothers ; Why , then , he asked , when all was going on so satisfactory , should advantage be taken of a technical flaw in an act of Parliament , to interfere with the whole system by which this beneficial change was being , brought about ? In moving this amendment , ho did not wish in the slightest degree to attack the manufacturers of tlie country . He thought he was consulting their
truest and best interests in the course he was about to adopt . He believed his amendment would , even in a pecuniary point of view , benefit tbem , by diminishing the quantity of waste work ; and ' it would surround them with a happy , contented , moral , religious , and well-educated population . Their lordships knew how often they were abused by interested demagogues in the great cities of the country . Let them , then , now prove to the inhabitants of those tonus , and to . the operative body at large , that they were determined at all hazards to hold the scale of justice with an equal aiid stead y hand , alike to the humblest operative and the wealthiest millocrat '; and that no earthl y inducement could make them violate a solemn p ledge or break a decided promise .
Earl Giianviixe observed that Lord Ashley , after , repeated trials , had failed to frame any clause which would secure to the factory operative what he conceived to have been the olject of the act of 1844 ; and , therefore , he ( Earl Granville ) might be excused for declining , on the part of the government , to recede from the compromise which had been agreed upon . The Bishop of Eipon snid that the benefits -which had been anticipated from the working of the Ten Hours Act had exceeded tho most sanguine expectations of all its friends . This was proved by the testimony of tho factory inspectors themselves . It had conduced in an eminent degree to promote the physical , moral , social , and reli gious condition of all the operatives in the factory districts . It was
said that in the parish of Leeds alone as many as a hundred night schools had been established since the passing of tho Ten Hours Act . ( Hear , hear . ) A compromise had boon talked of , hut , as far as he knew , the great mass of the operatives were no parties to it , and h ; id not oven been consulted on the subject . In every manufacturing : district of his diocese public ' meetings had been held , at which resolutions had been passed insisting on a bona fide Ten Hours Act , and not one voice had been raised in opposition to it . It was said that the bill offered benefits to tho factory operatives in return for tho restrictions which it imposed , hut he greatly , feared that the additional stiain , crused by half an hour ' s extra work , on the constitution of young
persons , would produce the worst efti-cts , and in particular aggravate that tendency to consumption which , as their lordships knew , was a disease very rife in the manufacturing districts . As to this bill being a final settlement of the question , he could not believe that such would be the case . The calm which prevailed in the manufacturing districts was only an indication of the depth and strength of the feeling on the subject , lie did not like to use strong language , but ho believed that the feeling among tho operatives was one ' of indignation—( hear , hear , )—and lie could not sny how far the pence ofthe country might be endangered if their , pist and reasonable expectations were disappe ' tnted . Conic , however , what might , ho had the
satisfaction of raising his voice in the support of what he believed to be . a righteous cause , and he entreated their lordships to pause before they rejected the prayer of these working men . Lord Wodeuouse said that if the noblo duke pressed his amendment to a division , he should vote ill opposition to it , because he thought that the bill of hei' Majesty ' s government afforded a very fair hopo of a permanent and satisfactory settlement ol " tbe question , anil because it gave the operative a considerable boon in exchange for the additional half- hour ' s labour . Tho restrictions which the bill would impose on the'hours of labour would , bo believed , be beneficial to the operative ; but he warned
the house that they might go too far in that direction , and , by imposing additional restrictions , dry up the sources ot our commercial prosperity . Lord Feversham denied that the bill would bo a satisfactory arrangement of the _ question ' at issue , and lie mill extracts from petitions from the m ; inufaotuviug districts to show that the operatives regarded the bill before their lordships with the greatest discontent . Half an hour ' s extra work every day was a very serious thing , and the Legislature of Pennsylvania , who , in 1849 , passed a ten hours act , dec-hired that ten hours' labour was enough for the health and strength , of any human being . For these reasons ho was decidedly in favour of a ten hours bill in its full integrity .
Earl Gubt said the noble lord opposite appeared to himto . be labouring under a mistake in treating the question , and he therefore wanted to explain the ground upon which ho would vote against the motion , submitted to the house by the noble duke . The noble lord was mistaken iu . thinking that he had been a supporter of the Ten Hours Act from tho time when this question was first agitated . It was not -until 1844 that he had consented that some restriction should be placed on the hours during which females and young persons were to work , and even then he had some doubts as to the policy of tho measure , and when the bill of 1 S 47 was brought forward , ho supported it . Ho did not regret the vote which ho gave on that occasion . However
contrary that bill was to his own opinions , still there was something so peculiar in the case as to : justify tho interference of parliament with respect to those persons who could not protect themselves . lie still entertained objections to the principle of interfering between master and workman ; but he agreed v ; ith the noblo lord opposite in supporting the present proposition as a final and permanent settlement of a question which has been long agitated . In accepting the measure before the house , the owners of factories made a very large concession , because they consented that the hours of labour should be reduced from fifteen to twelve , and in ease any accident should happen to tho machinery , they would be deprived of tho means of
making up any loss which they might sustain , and they had also to bear , up against tho Joss which they might havo entailed upon them in consequence of shortening the hours of labour on the Saturday . He thought the balance of advantage was in favour of the workers , and not in favour of tiie masters . It appeared to him that if thoy adopted the amendment thoy would in all probability bo defeating legislation on the subject altogether during the present session . Tho real question which they had to decide was , whether , by passing tho measure , they would got rid of the system ot shifts , which was attended with great inconvenience to the workers , and which , if left unsettled during tho next few months , would give rise to groat discussion between the employers and the employed . Tho noble duke , in proposing bis amendment , laid
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great , stress on the ; Factory Beplorts ; ' btit , upon /* ¦ aW * ' ' an , i ; a ^ P erusing tn 08 e ' 'reports , - he Lord Grey ) was of opinion that it was considered oy the operatives themselves that the measure was favourable to them , and he would therefore give his vote in favour of it ; which he thought wbuldbeper . My . canasta * with the vote wliich he gave in J- ^ . ! - ^ ?^ lnere wre-two questions which their lordships , had . to consider ; ¦ Tho first was , whetheri-: by adopting the amendment , they would -in fact , be abandoning legislation on the subject ? and next , whether , by adopting the bill they were effecting a compromise which w as satisfactory to the parties chiefly interested * 'With respect to the first question , he begged ' to call their lordships attention to a resolution which was passed on the 4 th cf May , in tho present yen ? -, by a large
portion ofthe operatives of Lancashire , which was to tho effect that the House of Commons should throw out the bill , and that . that course would bo more satisfactory to them than any infringement on tho bill of 1847 , and the amendment of his noblo friend was therefore in accordance with the spirit of that resolution . But they had another meeting in Lancashire for a Ten-and-a-half Hours Bill , where it was said , and unanimously agreed to , that a ten hours act would meet with their ' unqualified approbation . He might read half a dozen similar resolutions passed at public meetings , . if it were necessary , all tending to show that any settlement of tho question which was inconsistent with ' a ten hours act . would be unsatisfactory to the operatives
, midAvotild b y them bo considered as contrary to the former decision of Parliament . It was ; how-™ u ' , tecl tl , at a com P romiso had taken place . Who , ho would ask , made that compromise ? Where was tho evidence that it had been made ? Had any petitions been presented to the house , prayin <» that there might be an extension from ten to tertanda half hours ? There was no such petition . Who , then , were the parties to the compromise ? If there was a compromise , it was the duty of the government to inform them who were the parties to it . As to the millowners , they were nil but unanimous against the bill . Ho'h ad some time ago presented a petition signed bv 271 of that body , of whom thirty alone employed ' 30 , 000 bands , and that
petition prayed that the Ten Hours Act should be maintained in its integrity . It was not , therefore , the millowners , northe operatives who were parties to tho compromise , and ho thought he had a right to ask who were tho parties . The medical men and tho ministers- of reli gion resident in the manufacturing districts had expressed their opinions of tho beneficial working of the Ten Hours Act , and that act he thought should remain undisturbed . He had presented several petitions to that effect , and urging upon the house the necessity of supporting the " Ten Hours Act . Ho was glad to see a ' right reverend prelate opposite , who could bear testimony' to the unanimous feeling of tl ) 0 clergy ofthe Established Church in favour of that measure , which in their
opinion had produced the most beneficial effects in a moral and physical point of view . He begged of the house not io disturb tho settlement which had already been come to , and which was satisfactory alike to the great majority of the millowucra anil the operatives . ( Hear . ) The Bishop of JIasgresteu said he felt called upon to make one or two observations on the bid before the bouse . lie was quite willing to allow that a petition in favour of a ten hours act from a large body of the clergy was entitled to their lordshi ps ' best consideration ; but at the same time , looking to tlie measure before their lordships , and the interests involved , he was bound to come to a different conclusion from those who siened flint
notition , and to dutcr from the amendment of the noble duke . It was not the fact that a largo proportion of tho millowners and operatives were opposed to the bill . One ofthe largest firms in Lancashire had , through his medium presented a petition to the house in favour of the bill . He acknowledged that many petitions bad been presented against the bill , but their lordships well knew how easy it was to get up petitions . He was disposed to support tho present bill , not because he believed it would be a final settlement ofthe question , but because he believed the operatives would come forward and demand that boon from the house which they thought they should transmit to their children . He " believed with a right reverend prelate , who had addressed them that night , that the population of Lancashire had within the last few years greatly advanced ia intelligence . When , a few year s a * o \ he had paid his first visit to Lancashire , the population of that
county was different from what it is now—a great and favourable change had taken placo , mainly , a 3 he believed , through the instrumentality of mechanics' institutions and the labour of the church , and he was fully convinced that the shortening the duration of the hours of labour would contribute to improve the beneficial effects of the change . But what was it that tbe bill sought to effect ? Only to substitute sixty hours for fiity-eight—a difference of two hours only , and sure he was that that difference could not be productive of any mischief , lie did not hesitate to say that tho operatives wftuld willingly labour during those two hours , and lie was sure they would willingly accept the measure proposed by her Majesty ' s government . Lord Galloway was in favour of a fen hours bill , hut he was at the same time unwilling to forego the positive and practical benefit which would be SC « cured by the bill , and he would therefore give it his support .
The Bishop of Oxronn said that bavin" been allowed to take a part in the discussion which took place on the subject in 1847 , he was anxious to address a few observations to their lordshi ps . Their lordships had , in his opinion , wandered on the present occasion from the . real discussion . The question was , whether this bill was or was not a virtual breach of tho contract made with the operatives for a ten hours bill . He believed the bill before them was a breach of that contract , and he , therefore , felt called upon to oppose it . In the course of the speeches of those who supported the bill , they acknowledged that they were against a ten hours bill . The right reverend prelate who had just addressed them had stated , that only a very slight advantage
would be conceded by the bill to the millowners ; but if the advantage was so slight , he thought it should rather be in favour of the labour of the workman , than the profits of the master . If the advantages were so small , that was a strong reason why they should not commit a breach of the contract which Parliament had made with the operatives . They had also been told by those who supported the bill that the factory operative was better off than the agricultural labourer , who worked a greater number of hours , and for less pay ; but they should remember that tbey were legislating not for tbe manufacturing or the agricultural labourer , but for women and young persons . They were stepping in by the desire of tlie one partv , tho millowners , but
without the consent of the other party , the operatives , and be was of opinion that they had no right to do so . They would make a large portion of the operatives believe that they were dealing unjustly with them . Ho believed there were very tew things at the present moment of more importance than that the operatives should have confidence in the decision of thoir lordships , and that they should look to it as a tribunal of ultimate appeal , where justice would be rendered to them . Lonl Clarendon . had told them , that when tiie labouring classes had ceased to look to thoir lordshi ps house us a court where equal-handed justice would be meted out , the population Tt-onld cease to respect tho institutions of the land . In that he cordially concurred ; and
believing that the present measure was calculated to weaken the confidence of the . labouring classes in tlie proceedings of that house , he would vote for the amendment . The Marquis of Lassdowse said , that although he could not add anything to what bad fallen from the noble earl behind him , still , from the speech of the right reverend prelate who had just sat down , ha wiis induced to offer a few observations to the house . The right reverend prelate had proceeded entirely on assumption ; and if he had attended to what had been said in the course of the debate , he would nob have fallen into such an error . He had said that all who had supported the bill "sere opposed to tha principle of a ten hours bill .
The Bishop of Oifoiid said what be intended to say was , that they were opposed to the principle of legislative interference between the labourer and the emplover . The Marquis of Laxsdowse said the bill came before them recommended by those who were op p » sed to legislative interference , because the bill clearly defined the extent of that interference . It came before them recommended by Lord Ashley , who for the last seventeen years , at a great sacrifice of time ami everything that might have attracted bis attention to other subjects , had devoted himself to the subject to which the bill referred , and he was exerting his great abilities and influence with the operatives to induce them to accept tha measure before tbem as tbe best settlement they could obtain of the question . He had come forth and advised then , civiuc his reasons for such a step ,
to come to this happy degree of understanding which prevailed between a very large number of tho masters and tho . employers . The right reverend prelate said bo could not violate a compact ; but what compact was made beyond that contained in an act of Parliament , which coul . l bo repealed or modified bv any other act ; and which , in case of uiisundersiandint ' , it was tho duty ofthe l a "'* - ment to set iwhi ; With respect to the observation , that tho proposed additional half-hour would he as unimportant to the manufacturer as it "PPM ™ ™ be considered to the operative , he »«»* " ? " JJ was surprised to hear " such a statemc nt fwm » e right rev . prelate . Half an hf V > S ^ ho everv for the operative to g ive up , ^ Mg ^ STE m ° H ^ nSutr was Sed % t £ lowing tho machinery to standi dlo for hal an
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), July 20, 1850, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_20071850/page/7/
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