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Northern Star (1837-1852), 8th January 1842, Edition 5 of 5, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      THE TEN . HO . UES ' - FACTORY QUESTION . X REPORT ADDRESSED TO THE SHOST-TIME COMMIT-. / . XEES OB : THE TfBST . MDEXG : OF VYOfcKSHIBB , " OB CERTAlH COXyEB . ENCES HELD . -WiTH . THE . BIGHT HOXOE&ABLB SIR JVOBEKT PEEL . BART ., X . P ., . AND SBTBBAi OP HIS COLLEAGUES , ON THE- SVBJECT OP THE TEN HOOKS * FACTOET QUESTION , aSD jOTBSS . IMPORTANT MATTERS . Having bran deputed by y » u to Trait npsnthe leading Members of the present Administration , to . urge epos their attention the necessity and importance of- a bill for the bc-tter-regulation or infantile and youthful labour in factories , -we beg" to present to you an abstract of our- proceedings in the varioiiB interviews with "which ¦ we were honoured , ^ &a the best mode « f laying before you the results of our labours in the discharge of the duty canfided to us .

      At a preliminary meeting of yonr dsleg&tesveeTtain general priEciples vrere agreed npojkfor the guidance of the deputation . It appeared a r&atter of primary Importance to occupy *» littie as possible of the time of the Ministers "with whom it' -was pwposed to seek interviews , and to lay before them , in the shortest period , clear twits of the nature- * nd extent -of the roe&Kire to -which their attention irbuld b&-directed . To attain t&o » objects , it ¦ was -considered Ifcvt ofle member of the deputation ,-who understood the question thoroughly , and tb » views « f his assooiates , and was possessed of-the poorer to explain these clearly , should be appointed to « mduct the interview * on their behalf } the other members giving such assistance -by way of suggestion , explanation , or sorroboration , as might be necessary . ' \ . - ISTEBVTETT " "VTTTH STB KOBERT PEEX , BAST ., FIRST

      LORD OF THE TREASURE , &C ( No . 1 . ) .. ¦ ' . - ; The first visit of the deputation \ osIq Sir Robert Peel , upon "whom they -waited by appointment , on Thursday , the 28 th of October , at his official xesidence , Downing street . , SIr Robert received the deputation in th = most courteous manner , and after requesting them to be seated , awaited in silence their statement . The deputation opes , d the business by saying , " We have . been , deputed to ¦ wait upon you . Sir Robert * By the short-time committees of the West Riding of Yorkshire , in consequence of a letter from Lord Ashley , stating tint Sir Robert Peel ' s opinions "were not yet maturei

      upon the Factory question . We were in hope 3 that you would hare come , by this time , to a satisfactory conclusion , respecting the Ten Hours' Bill ; and we now press upon your attention the necessity which exists for introducing such a bill at an early period of the ensuing Session—a bill for the better regulatio ^ of labaur in factories . In requesting this interference on the port of the Government and the legislature , we . wish to observe , that we have the sanction of precedent , inasmuch as this sn > ject has already been repeatedly before both . Several acts have been already pesied , and as these , owing to xaxious eattse 3 , have not yet produced the effects which it is fair to presume the . Lsgislature had in view in passing them" — "

      Sir Robert here interposed and said , " Will you please first , to explain the nature of the bill you propose ? " The deputation explained that the lsadisg provisions they . were anxious to see enacted-werei .. ' A clause -declaring that in figure eo person , between thirteen and twenty-one years of age should be employed more than ten hours per day in any mill or factory . " The deputation added that it was more urgent bow than ever Eo have a legislative protection for those above thirteen years of age , owing to the immense increase in the proportion gf females now working in factories . 2 . " That to insure the fulfilment of this clause , w > young person should be permitted to stay or he found in the mills between six o ' clock iu the evenisg and six o ' clock in the morning . The miJl-owner or manager infringing the law to be subjected to the penalty of

      imprisonment-3 . " Tha gradual « -ithdravral of all females from the factories . . i . " Tie boxing off of aU dangerous parts of machinery , under a heavy penalty , with a power cf recovering comcessation for any icjury sustained through neglect of this provision . *' Sir Robert said— " Thelast point is a mere matter of detail ; bat dont you think there would ba very great hardship In the proposal respectirg female labour ? Suppose a widow with two daughters , without any other mKms of support tMn her and their labour . Would it not be very ujynst to step in between her and £ n honest employment , susd say , you shall not be allowed to support yourselves by your own labour ?"

      The Deputation— "There are certainly difficulties connected with this portion of the sufg ^ ct , and the one so strongly stated by yen , is sot" ihe least . Snch cases , however , would ba the exception , net the ruiej and it is the latttr , not the former , to which ail legislation i 3 directed . Special cases might be provided' for by Euecial enactments . "We do not believe that any . evil 3 which misht arise from even a Tigcrous and entire prohibition , of femiie rabour could be compare *! with those ¦ which spring from the present sjsvexL The females employed - in Istiaries are generally the oftpring ef parents who have been similarly ticuattd . They , get little if any education worthy the name previous to entering the mills , and as soon as they enttr them , ( generally at a very earlv age , in consequence ' of thy

      connivance cf parents , medical men . and factory otraers , to "evade the present law , ) they are surrounded by influences cf the nioit vitia'iBj and debasing nilure . They grow up in total ignorance of all the true duties of woman . Home , its cares and its employment- ? , is woman ' s true sphere , but these paor things are totally unfitted for attending to the one , or participating in the Gther . They neither learn , in the great majority of esses , to make a shirt , darn a storking , cook a dinner , or clean a house . In short , both in mind and manners , they are rJtogether usStted for tho ocenpanev of a domestic position , & 3 is evidenced by the f 3 ct , tjst tbt wesJtayfind middle dassss very rarely engage any cf this class as servants- Ytt thoss who are thus considcrea cnfLt even to fill tha c&cs cf menial to the rich , are the

      only parties among whom , ordinarily , the male factory labourer has a chance of obtaining ? . wife . They are married early . Many are mothers before twenty . Thrift ! essnes 3 and waste even of th = ! r smiii incoaiks , and consequsnt domestic discouifort and unh&ppuiess , generally succeed . Tlirough these means -s ' ngendered a vast , amount of iniTcoraV * "" ""* ¦ ' ¦ ¦ " _ . j fu-i . while such are its results ns res .-. ^>« - ~ e opsmtion of the system is not it- " * - ' ? - - ' . itfonii point cf view . It throws the i-a > f _ - " : « ig * h " a family on the wife and the child ,. « , ~ f . ^ v - . ^ . Ju :: male , upon whose shoulders the i * X '| fc- ? ' : Iu : h

      to fail , to be reluctantly idle I rj&y- ' .: onof the order of Eature and f > f Pr-jvZ . v ^ . ¦* « - "¦? _ arn to a state of barbarism , in which the wcm . u u . _ the work , while the iran lwks iilly on . The cons- qneccc of throwin ? loose snch a mass o * partially-informed men ia * uch circuicftances . canr . vt fail to be fraught with darker to the State . DissfF ^ cuon and dise-sntir . t must c ~ i engendered among parties so situated . lf 3 th ^ xtfore , such < : vil 3 , bafa private and public , can be divine : ' : ? trace 1 to this sonrce , we thick that it is the imperative duty of Government and tee Legislature to step in ns-: arrcs : their oceration to the utmost Dracticsble ^^ n »"

      Sir Robert Pe ^ i— " I stLil tee grcii diffieultias in the Tray , adaittLn ? a ; l you h--. 78 st 3 tsn . I believe that female aad youthful labour is pre'erreii . ic Cousc-qr . ene -of its gr ^ iter cheapness ; is it n ' -t ? Ar . i also , " tteC- ' -nss it is , in some departraeiits , better ad : pied for the purpose imiew thsn adult labonr . " The Deputation—" " You are ricLt asr r « peets the -eheapcers , Sir-, but tha o . her point m . iy adm-. tof . ioubL Per instance , it is otfetted that adu- » -s c-Duld not stocj "t 5 the aachinery , to tbe heishr of wii-. ca calidren are perfectly aispttd- Bat this or-jecdon couM easily 'be obviated by having the mules raised , and other machiiv ery fixed a little higher from the ground . And as U ¦ doxxerity of tegtrs , yc-a must be avrara that the utnibs ' fineness of touch and qaicSness of movement may ck acquired and retained fey constant cratt cs . "

      S ' . rS , Peel— "It is evident that the coarse you pro > pose woald hav 3 tha effect , if adopu-sl , of compel lini the euiploymex-t of a grtater nuiabsr of a- ' -aits . an-¦ coDS ^ aentiy higher price " , labourt-rs ; £ . nd sthe rcr a't C that would be to rai ' -e the price of Uritish min'afac tares , and thus place -our manafaetnr > irs under greats disadvast-ages in foreign markets than r . i prssen ' s . K « w the complaint of put siiannfaDturera is , thr : the competidenin those markets is ilrcatiy so ijrt ^ tiiit i : is -Hit ; the utniss : difficuty 1 Vy can m ? iatr . n a _ fo-jtin £ it them . I fscl deeply for the working classes < -f thii constry , and I am saxe that if any m-asurts cou ' il b < devise-i by which the -deep distress thc-y now sunei could be alleviated it w ^ uld be the duty of the Q- . vcrn ment iuEnediatP . iy to adopt them . But w , have no only tbeir C 3 S 3 t ? cossiiler , bu : also ths h& ' - ' ci whid sneb measures would fcsve upon tbe emp ; ojm .-nt o capital , atd ihe intererte of those classes Ttho ha . ve iu vested their capital in t-bese pursuit ;

      The Ddsutatioa . — " Hitherto , Sir Rober t , the inter ests of the capitalists hsve b ^ en aticadfed ^ j airau-s txc ' asivelj ' . ; ana the coose-quencs is . ihit ibS intr- > duc t : on of s ^ K-actinH macaiocry , anci niseh-uery rt ^ aitini the attendance of womea and ehildrea oniy , toytrS * with irtensc compttiti : n -between our owe n > erci ; uvt 3 ias thiv ^ ra « a * t rjnmbew ns . t of work , an < l r ^ dac ed thi \ ra ^« 5 tf the ? e who ar e ei ^ lcyed to the bares : piitsno which can egj . port existenee . This evil is li&ely to ' b « till further aggravated by the imsjensa . hxxeasB o Eiaehinery ^ bssai T he polkgr of tha late Govwamen had t-een to alfep that it shoaid be freeiy export&L O liis years inaehkiery has been-esteosively ictrodecad oi tae continent . Brlgiom , Saxony , Prussia , and * s * -he : piaocs have , instead of taking -oar goods , enceeeit-d ii thar jrinary objbct--that of sngplying their own s » r Kets : m some inxtanc * s they have gone further , aqc

      now eomptte saccessfaiiy with us in neutral market * and . rn aome article * 6 vec come into direct compfctitior wits us ia , own markets . Above all , America is i nvattioifc threateaa ultimately Xo Cestroy one of the fctapie maairiactnre , of this country—cotton . It can be saown , that , m conseqaeace of tbe American manufcictera possesBhig the advantage of havingtberav ' matfr rial almost at lug ovm door , he is enabled , notwithstasding a higher pnoa of laV . ar , inferior maehinery , and lea ecoac-mcsl i-tok-s-s cf maagem-at , vrMchgive "t ^ ^ 1 ° t ° . BAvA n » u&cta » ter of \ 7 % e cent , the Amer . ean is yci enabled , with his water power and cheaper raw maJtrial , ia ail fabrfes in which quaitJty ia rccrs s na ' . Ur t-f c ; nsideratioa than qnalitr , to beai us ia the end by a small p-T cerUge . Now , tbe disparity at present exisiLrg L-etv . -e-n us -3 respects maetinery , ctrap laboar , t ^ d superior miagemect ,

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      must , in the nature of things , be contlnnally lessening , and a closer approximation take place . The population of the United States of America , by natural increase , aided fcy immigration , trill lower the cost of labour ; improvements will be daily introduced in the machinery , effecting more with a less expenditure of power , and experience will improve their modes of management , until at length they will be on a par with us in all these points , while the substantial and permanent drawback of having to send to America for our raw material , bring it home , ami Tetransport it for sale in its manufactured state , vrill still press npon vs . " Sir Robert PeeL— " Well , but do you not think that , according to your own admissions , the argument ^ against any interference "Which might aid the process which yon have so clearly and strongly described as now going on , are very much strengthened . " - ;¦

      -The Deputation— " Pardon us , Si * Robert , such is not the case according to the light in "which we view the subject . It is an axiom in political economy , that prico is dependent upon supply and demand . If an article is scarce in the market , novjever imall the deficiency may be , the price of all- the stock in the market is raised- In ilke manner , if there be a surplus , however small that surplus may be , it affects not merely the surplus , but the whole of the commodity , which is thereby reduced in price . Now , we can shew , by statistical facts awl irrefutable document * , that since the year 1815 , there has been a constant Introduction of self-acting machinery , -or machinery whica imposed ereater labour on the smaller number of adult

      operatives retained ; thus cheapening the cost , and increasing the anionnt ^ f production . And what ha 8 been the consequence ? / Why . exactly in proportion as this has taken place , the profits of the capitalist and the wages of the labourer have regularly decreased ; until at length , in 1832 , we received no more money for three times the amount of raw material manufactured , than we received in 1815 for the one-third . This result , in our opinion , is clearly traceable to the unregulated use and extensive introduction of lUHchinery , which has either superseded adult labour entirely , or replaced it by the cheaper labour of women and children . Whit is now the consequence ? Throughout the manufacturing districts the miils ate nearly closed . Thft capitalists and middle classes are in difficulties—insolvent or

      bankrupt ; while the operatives are in a state of destitution which must make every heart bleed , and which arises from causes over which they themselves have no controuL Now , if this insane course had been checked—if over-prxxiuctian h&i been discouraged by wise laws , and a prndent system of trade pursued , wages and profits would have been better , and employment more permanent and more equally diffused over the year . We should not have had nosheB of prosperity succeeded by long periods of depression ; a continual recurrence of glnts and panics , each crisis following the other at shorter intervals , and finding us less prepared to bear it than its predecessor . For these reasons , Sir Robert , we believe that the dictates of sound political wisdom coincide with the dictates of humanity ,

      morality , and religion , in calling npon us to retrace our steps , and arrest tbe progress of a system which is spreading disease , disorganisation , aad disaffection in the fictory districts . As a prouf that we ata not overstating the facts , we beg ta pressnt you , Sir Robert , with one illustration OHt of many which migbt be offered . It is a printed copy of the report of tfee Unemployed Operatives'Enumeration C-jiumiUee of Leeds , in which a detailed stat ement of the condition of the operatives in the several wards of t '; r . t town , the emporium of the woollen district , is given . The summary of that appalling statement is , that nearly 20 , tOO human beings are now living upon an average weekiy ircome of 11 ^ L per head . We leave to your own judgment what must t > e the ultimate end of such a state of things . "

      Sir Robert , tiking the document , said— " I am sorry to sbj that I have already Sf-en this melancholy statement in manuscript , through the kindness of Sir Jame 3 Graham , to whom it was presented by Mr . Backcti . I ' aia de * » p ! y grieved by the knowledge of such &n amount cf FufiVring , and sympathise most sincerely with the condition of the people as there described . It 5 s , indeed , very distressing , and some efficient remedy is most dcMrable . " * The Deputation— " Tbe requirements of humanity imperatively demand it . ' ~ So system which entails upon the great iiulfe of the community such suffering ought to be permitted to exist : such a baneful influence ought not to go unchecked , whatever reasons , political or economical , may be adduced in its behalf . "We beg also to present you with a synopsis of the evidence of ITr . Joseph Henry Green , a medical gentleman of the highest eminence . < The deputation here delivered in a paper , for a copy of which see note . *; " This evidecce , "

      said the deputation , " is corroborated by many other witnesses of the highest standing in the medical profession ; and we have also much pleasure in reminding you of the unequivocal opinion of your father , the late Sir Robert Peel , in . favour of a Trn Honrs ' Bill . He was conspicuous among tbe earliest advocates of the reeulation of factory labour ; -and as one of the most extensive employers in England , and a practical man , hi 3 opinions are entitled to the utmost deference . The following were his words : —* Such indiscriminate and unlimited employinen * of the poor , consisting of a great proportion of the inhabitants of trading districts , w ill be attended with efi'ects to the rising generation so serious and alarmiDg that 1 cannot contewplata them without dismay ; and thus that great effort of British ingenuity , Tfheretiy the machinery of our manufactures has been brought to sneb perfection , instead of being a blessing to the nation , will be coaverted iiito the bitterest curse .

      Si / Kooert Peel then directed the conversation to the broad quest i on of machinery , which he said was one deserving of the greatest consideration . The deputation siid , " We will n ; t attempt to conceal from you , Sir Robert , our opinion that , in crder to meet the casa fa ]! y zn <\ fairly , the enactment of other and more comprehensive measures is indispensably n&c <* 33 ary . A Tea Hours' J 3 : il ten years ago might and would have produced much more benefit than it can now produce-In the interval a vast amount of automaton power has been called into existence . It appears by tbe reports of the factory inspectors that between the year ? 1835 and 1839 ihe horse power increased at least one-half , while , so far from fje E 3 ? r machinery calling new manual labour into exercise , the fact was that the number of

      spinn- rs in Manchester required to work tae enlarged ana increased machinery was not more than onc-tniril of the number previously employed . For sach a staV * of things it would ba very nnwi « e , and a concealmtiit of tri-j " truth , to say tbat a Ten Hours * BUI would be a conipltie and perfect remedy ; but it wcnld , at Icait , be a step in the right r--ad . It would be an earnest to the operative classes lh % t tfee Government syinpstisrs with them , has its attention directed to thfir condition , and is anxious to do what lies in its pow :-r t $ zmeliorate it The subject , as we b * ve already stated , is not a now one- The Ten Hours' qae * tion hai been discussed over and over acain in the Letia ' . a-

      ture . S-veral committees have taken voluminous evidence npon it—evidence which is conclusive of the justice , the humar . ity , and the sound policy cf th « measure . Toe question , in those ( Ustricts —here it is fcest understood , has long ceased to ba a matter of dispute among the working classes ; even the master cbss , ¦ f . -ho formerly thought it tbrir interest to oppose it , have b ^ en taught by experience of a painful desenpfou to abite that opposition , and many of them are now favourable to the enactment which we seek . Public ( pinion , therefore , will be with the Governnitit , shouid it re 3 Ive npon proposing this measure to the ensuing Parliani' -nt . But to insure effective relief from the

      dani-cis ami evils by which we sxe now Eurroindeu bolder and more comprehensive measures most assured ;; . -are requisite , and if you , Sir Robert , will excuse us for srvp-ing beyond tbe legitimate boundaries of our m ' . f-sion , we will tell you our opinions as to those measured . We have como to you in the spirit cf friendship—r . it to dictst ? or dogmatise . —neither have we trome to find f * u * it , w : thout eugcestiDg such a reniedy a 3 appears to us capable of allsviatin * the evil ; and we a ; so come free from ail party feeling or prejudices . We are skk of pajty nicknames , and party contests , for v ^ rty purposes We are aiek of the everlasting confusion and bad feeling arising from these contests , and arc prepared to awara our confidence , Eupport , and gratitB'Je . to any Government , or set of men ! no matter

      whM thnr part- name ruav be ) , who will show by their ec : "> ot-s that they sympathize with oar wrongs and our iufiirings , and are honestly desirous of removing them . We apjircve of the course you have pursued since your a cess-ion to power ; acd especially rn your resolution to tafce tiisi-j for the consideration and marnring of the measures on which you may resolve . We h . ive had too in \ fc .-. h cf legislation which csn only be fitly characterized « Reing from " hand to mouth , " aad we are therefore willing that y ( m should hive all the time which m : iy be rt-qs :: dts t-o enable you to necide botlt what measures .-. rii uteessary , md how they may bs most beneficially carried into effect . Bnt , perfectly willing that such tin « should bo accorded to you , we shall expect , Sir , tiiat ni-.-asurts of real substantial jestice will t-o the result , la order to aid this object , wo now respectfully contcibuti our ssaail avoid of information and * advice .

      We Tcctare so recommend , for tha rtasocs laid before you &t ieugth , the pas 3 ins ? of the Tea Hours' Bill , and to aeeonjp-uiy it , either by the total repeal cf the New Poor £ , iw , or by ^ iich an alteration of it as wili render it appiicaHe to ihe Hi&nnf .-. cturing districts , in which it is at tfeis moment Bractically inoperative , and in which w * j « kfy sny Govers-nent ever to enforce it . These prt-IL'ninary meisurea vt ^ uld give conadenes to the working clas « as &od their frie « ds , insnre io the home and abroad since the close ot the war io 1 S 15 , frith a view to the adoption of a comprehensive and efiJcient remedy .

      SirR . Peel , who bad been aitting \ rith his bead beat down , ia a manner txpressiva ol very . 1 eep thceght and atteuv . oD , here raised * it , and « Mned fAVotuah-y impr ^ iird wj » h tlie suggestion . The Deputation continued , —In order i ° the < aiactmtnt of good measures full information is' necessary . We have had inquiries into almost every qL e ** JOB iat this , which wo believe ijca at tbe root of all tht * di £ E (» i . ties vra pxppricccs . We deprecate hasty leg . 8 &ticB , but we also earnestly debire to see subatanlive at " ^ eures adopted ; and ihe coarse we respectfully suggest t " *« us to us well calculated to insure immediate satisfac " ^ S

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      and future permanent reliefi If we hav ^ been bold in tfferirig our opinions it is beeauseiwe feel the iinport- ' ance of the ' position which we are now permitted ' to occupy , and fully appreciate the vast influence which your decision will have upon the happiness' and prosperity of our own class , which has ita state tn national well being equally with that class who are tlje , " lords of vast possessions . You , Sir Robert , are now placed in tbe most important and commanding position of any individual in Europe , perhaps in the world . iAt the head of a strong Government , with a powerful majority in the CommonB . and an influential portion of the

      populution thinking with you ; unfettered as you declare yourself to be , save by your own convictions of / what is right aad useful ; the resources of aa empire on which the sun is said never to set—an empire unparalleled in its natural and artificial appliances—at your command , and a population whose enterprise , industry ; and genius is proverbial , looking op to you ; a grave , an awful responsibility Tests upon you , Sir Robert The mean * for producing national well being are super-Abundant ; the population is but limited . ' Broad and comprehensive views , vigorous and decided action , are all called for by the exigencies of the times , and we earnestly hope that such will mark-your course .

      Sir Robert , who seemed to be much affected by this appeal , paused for some moments after ita conclusion , and then replied— " Well , gentlemen , I have listened with , deep interest to your statements , and feel obliged by your waiting on me . I am free to confess that there is much fores in what you have advanced ; and that the evils you complain of are manifold and great , especially those which press upon the manufacturing operative . I also fear that an extension of our manufactures will not afford , the . relief desired ; for past experience , I think , shows that such an extension would only bring into play more machinery , and not employ manual labour ia any thing like the rate of the increase in the machine department Of coarse'I cannot ; pledge myself to any particular line of action iu respect to the measures you advocate— . ' .- '¦; . Tbe Deputation . —We do not wish it , TTO do not wish it . ¦ . ¦ ¦¦ .- . ..- ' -: - ¦ : ¦ ' -... ¦ ¦ ' - '

      Sir Robert Peel—But I shall give , the subject that full acd attentive consideration which its importance and various bearings deserve , and should I come to a different conclusion to that you h « ld , * I shall do so with a confident reliance on the intelligence , moderation , and good feeling you have now displayed , assured that these conclusions and the reasons I may adduce for them will receive a calm and impartial examination . Tiae deputation repeated , that they had no wish to draw from the Premier any premature avowals of his policy . Their sole object was to make a true and full

      statement of the condition of those wb 9 se interests they represented in the spirit of friendship to all parties . They sought noi toe injury of any class , but t ! ie welfare of all ; and taey believed that the policy and measures they recommended would insure this com-Tnem ' ation .. They ; wished it to be understood Itiat they had no antipathy whatever to the masters—no desire to injure them . Tbey neither accused them of selfishness nor cruelty . It was the system which made them what they were ; and the object the deputation had in vieir wis toaiUr the system in as gradual and beneficial a manner for all parties as possible .

      The deputation then rose to take leave , observing thit ttK-y had some thoughts of waiting upon Sir James Graham , aad asked Sir Robert if it would be advisable or necessary ? 1 o which he replied , " Certainly , I think you bad batter see Sir James , and also Mr . Gladstone . " Sir Robert immediately wrcta notes of introduction to those two geutlbtnen , and rang for a messencer to accompany the deputation to their respective offices ; after which he most courteously bade the deputation farewell , again expressing the satisfaction the interview had afforded him . Tha impression lt-ft on the minds of every one of the deputation on retiring was , that Sir R . Peel is fully aware of the great source of eur evils at the present moment , and that he sincerely sympathizes with the workiDg classes . It is but fair to add , that the unpnauc words which dropped from the lips of one of the members of the deputation , after they

      withdrew" We !} , at all events , it is clear that Sir R . Peel has a heart , " conveyed the uuanimoua feeling of all . . G £ ORGE A . Fleming . Joshua Hokson . Joii . \ leech . MAnic Ckabtree . Titus S . Brooke .

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      IMERVXEW WITH SIR JaMES GRAHAJf , BART . SECRETART OF STATE FO& TEE HOME DEPAEIMEKI . ( Xo . 2 . ) -. "; . . Previous ta waiting npon Sir J . Graham , which thoy did the same day , namely , on the 28 th of October , the deputation proceeded to the residence of Mr . William Beckett , M . P . for Leeds , with whom they had a vary Wtifcfactory interview the day before their conference sdM the Premier , and who had then , Aj the most frank

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      manner , offered his services In any way which the deputation might think boat calculated to further the object in view , either 6 y accompanying them tp the diflfetent Ministers , Tor dtheiwise . ' . The : deputation werei io the first instance ; afraid tnaV the object of their niission might be associated Vithtlfe Idea ^ ^ of a parts ' me » r sore , if they accepted this kind offer » anot thetefoire tS ; spe ^ lt 7 ' 'decUaedJt- - ^ - ' : ^ - ' case : ^ f 'tti e : Uit ^ v 1 ew > iMi the Premier ; but upon seconsidering the subject they Were induced to coine to the ^^ conclusion : that Mr , Beckett ' s countenance and Assistance wbuld ; tend to promote the object pf ' their ml 8 sion > ^ . ' ¦ kncl' thereforesubsequently made an appointment with that gentleman , ¦ which they no ^ proceeded to ; fulfil . Mr . ' Beckett listened with ; deep interest arid evident 'gratification to the account of their interview witji Sir Kobert Pt » el , andiminediatelyaccomrjanied thenito the Home Office , where , after the 1 lapse * of a ' few mlnutesi they were introanced to Sir James Grahate ,: who received themmost courteously * r ; . :

      Tbe- Deputation ; " briefly ^ ^ slated th ^ . leading features of the measure which they were Beiat to press npon the attention of the Government . ^ irJTatnes Graham asked If they had considered What Vffedt a restriction of the labour of nil factory workers between the agea of 13 and 21 to ten hoars a-day would havW upon the manufacturing interests of the country , v" Dp you no th bIkI " v ^ d ' - lie /;|^^ ftt'it-woa ' Id ^ Yery ^ Innch ; a ^ gr ^ t ate ' the evilB and the distress under which that portion of the commnlty are now represented to be '' suffering r * -. The Deptttatiop replied , that if they thoughfc such ¦ would be the result of the measure they , would be the last persona in the world to press fbr its adoption ; but it was because , after a mature consideration of the subject in all its bearingb ,. they had oome to the conclusion that it Would be a beneflt rather than an injury , that they now ventured reBpectfully to call the attention of the Government to the meaauro .

      Sir James Grflham ; - ^ Well , but I want to know the reasons which induce you to f < Srn > such anppihi ' on . It will be argued by those opposed to your views that such an interference with the free use of capital and labour will necassarily place the British manufacturer at a diaadvantage in tlie market of the world ; as compaced with his rivals , and who are under no such instruction . Now , I wish to know whether you baVe looked at the question in this broad and ecohomtcal light ; : brcqn- ' fined your attention entirely .- . to [ the effects of the system upon tbe condition of the iabburera theniselyes , and thus excluded from yonr calculation the general operation of such 0 restriction aa you advocate ?

      The Deputation said they were , in tho first place , convinced that they were justified in asking for this measure on the grounds of huiuanity , justice , and morality ; and furtherj that it was in accordance with the soundest doctrines . of political ecouomy . They xepudiajed the Idea of entertaining any hostile feeling towards . the employers of capital and labour in the manufacturing departmehta of Industry . They neither accused them of selfishness nor cruelty aa aclass j but they wished to alter the system wbich aiade it the interest of " the employers to . ' act in fiiioh a manner as to justify the use of su « h terms in relatibn to the treatment which the [ Working classes received under its ihiaenae . The deputation proceeded to show , at considerabie length , that the destitute condition of the operatives ,

      in manufacturing districts , arose from the neglect of the very first principles of political economy—a neglect which led to an over-supply , a . supply greatly beyond the substantial demand for their . productions , Sinca 1811 there bad been a continual improvement going on in machinery , by : which' throe times the amount of goods was now niantifactured with less adult manual labour than was required ' In i the previous period for' tbie smaller quantity . ; What had been the result ? Why ; that they were now actually rtcoiving , for three times the quantify of goods , less than the same amount of money which they got In 1816 for the one-third . It was not , therefore , to be wondered at that , coincident with this over production of machine-made goods as compared with a substantial demand , wages and profits had both decreased ; that

      the workmen who were still required had to ; work harder for a smnllor remuneration , the ' -capitalist for a Iowtr rate of profit , and that pauperism . had'kept pace with each successive mechanical invention which displaced male adult labour , substituting in its place either the labour of mechanical automatons , or that of women and children . For these and other reasons , of which an outline only is hire presented , the deputation said they were firmly convinced that the measure they advocated was in accordance with the dictates of the soundest political economy , and calculated to lead back again to a greater amount of national wellbeing than could be anticipated 'froni any of those remedial , measures which contamplated , a continuance in the false eouise which had already entailed such evil on the community . U

      Sir J . Graham , in reply , urged moat of the - . reasons adduced by the free-trade party . He dwelt with great emphasis upon the possible results of a policy which , by placing our -manufacturers in a comparatively worse position than the manufacturers of the pohtine ' nt ' and America , might ultimately render the ^ capital of the former altogether profitless , and thereby induce them to close their mills altogether . He - . pictured the 1 " awful effects which such a course would have upon the thousands thickly congregated in the manufacturing districts , and entirely dependent on the Cftutinuance of our foreign trade for . existence . He ' 8 ald-. it would be argued that with such an int .-nse and increasing rivalry im the part of foreigners as-the deputation had admittid , it would be impossible to interpose any checks to the production of manufactured goods in the cheapest possible way ; unless indeed we were determinsd tf < cive our rivals , the ad vantage in the market , and thereby put a stop to our foreign trade altogether .

      The Deputation said , that the extension of the foreign trade in the manner in which that had of late years Wen c-ffticted appeared to them calculated most certainly to produce . " 'the very results which Sir James Graham seemed anxious to avoid . Sir J . Graham here said , " Understand me ; I am not arguing as though I personally participate in these views ; but my object is to show you what will be said by those opppaed ; to your views , and te ascertain the ground upon which you claim , such a measure as a Ten Hours ' refctriction . " .. ';¦ ' j

      Th 8 D-putation proceeded to say , that according to thp arguments presented in favour of the ' .. policy of causinR the operatives to be dependent on a foreign market for employment , it was lid mitted that , eur ascendancy in tkpaa foreign markets could only be kept up by a continuous cheapfeiiing ofthe cost of production . How-was thai to be ' -effected ? It coul < l not bo done by reducing juucU lower the Wages of the adult operatives . That class of labourers were as near the bare " subsisteace level , " when in full employ , as it was possible to

      place them . The only way , therefore , to do it was by still farther displacing these ' adult and comparatively high-priced labourers by self-acting machinery , or machinery bo contrived that what little attendance it might require would be that of women and children , and as littia oven of that as posaible ; and thus we sh ; t ) J come to the same ; resuit . The great palk of the kaiourini ? classes would be thrown idle , whether we extended or restricted our foreign trade under the present ( lire ' etion of rriachinery . Sir J . Graham . —Yes , but not so raoidly .

      The Deputation . —It is a sorry conclusion , Sir James , to think that this perversion of human ingenuity should make the multiplication of means for the increase of ' nati'in ' ai wealth offer us only the alternative of slow or speedy ruiu . Sir J . Graham ^ -Well ! but how is it to be remedied ? I do not fie ;! any practical mode of averting it ; d- > you ? ' ' ¦¦' ¦ . ¦' The Dsputatipn .- ^ Yes , we think we do . Sir J Graham . —What would you recommend ? The Deputation . —Tho adoption of a comprehensive and eincient plan of boine colonisation ; for which purpose we would advisa the passintt , at tho expence of the nation , of a General Waste Land Enclosure . Bill :

      which should niake provision for reasenable Compensation "to all those interested in these lands . We should then have a parliamentary grant raised by loan , or by EKchtqviiv B \ lls' , to be applied under a Boaxd of Control to the settling down upoa these uncultivated but improvable wastes our now unemployed population ; and if the waste lands were insufficient we would , recomm&nd that the Government should have recourse to the Crown Landa for the same purpose , and in the : same way . This would increase real- wealth at home , direct the energies of the people , in the first place , to provide feod and shelter for themselves , and the surplus 01 their labour would form a fund for defraying the necessary expencea , aud ultimately repaying tha principal advanced .

      Sir J . GrahaRi . —Ah . ' that might do very well if we were beginning denovo , but under present circumstances it seems quite impracticable . The Deputation . —\ yell , Sir James , you hava just these alternatives—either to comiuenca this measure now gradually and peaceably , and thus avert the evils we hive been anticipating , or to let the present system take its course , sp . rea . ling destitution , pauperism , discoriisnt , and disaffection , more and more widely , until it terminates in general disorganisation and anarchy , and then to be fenced to begin de nova , ¦ , maid the wrecks of former institutions . ; \ ; Sir J . Graham . —I hope matters are not likely to end in that way , and that pur prospects are not so gloomy as vou appear to think them .

      The Deputation . —We are convinced , Sir James , by long and painful , sufferings , which have induced us to search deeply into and ponder often on the working aad tendencies of the present mode of using machinery , that unless a ^ different direction bo given to its mighty capabilities it will become the destroyer of those who go misuseit ; and not only the destroyer of them , but also of the working classes , whose fate is bow , in a certain sense , in their hands . ' Gl » t after glut , panic after panic , has viaited us of lata years , the period between each progressively lessening , and each finding

      nsstiUles * aole to bear it than its predecessor . The humble comforts - -of ] th » bperatiTes' eottage haw disappeared . The middle classes of tradesmen , who depend spon the lower ilasaes , are in all but an insolvent slate , and trade ia concentrated ia the hands of a few oversown capitalists , in consequence pf the inability of smaller capitaliate to contend With them . Seen is . 'the state ofour townsok fcae present moment W « have gi ven you our reaaoca for believing that toe increase of on r foreign trade under the present system woald permac eatly increase neither wage 3 nor profits , r . or arreet thek * downward tendencies ; and w » leave ioTou . thexonsid ^ xaticn oi tuese . reason 8 .

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      Sir J . Graham , who throughout the interyieMr : had appeared to take a deep Intsrest in the sabject ; , said that the views of the deputation were certainly startling , and deserving of serious attention ; and that one thing was certain , that we must lay aside the notion that we could eTer again become ¦ the workshop ; -of y the World . " In 1 . 815 , the ^ se was different . Then we were almost exclusively possessed of machinery ; since then othc r nations had rapidly advanced in this . particular , and were manufacturing for ti ! iemselves .: For thi » and other reasons it was manifestly impossible that ; we could ever again command the markets of the world , a ? we once had done . : -

      : Tbe deputation then pressed more particularly , upon Sir James Graham the moral aspects of the questions involved ia the , passing of a ten honrV : " bill , tiie extent to which the present system produced ignorance , a want of domestic comfort and economy , a difiraption of family ties , and , consequently , both reckless and vicious coiiduct . Tde deputation ; pieutioned many particular Instances of the . working of the system , which strongly confirmed the general : premises laid down , to all which 'Sir . James Graham . gave an attentive hearing . As , howeyer , those portions of the subject have already been treated of in , the ' repbrt of the interview with Sir Robert Peel , it is unnecessary to go over them again . s : ; ' ^

      | n the course of the interview the deputation'Kad drawn attention te the fact that the self-acting machinery and the " double deckers "; introduced of 'late years into the cotton districts had thrown out of employ a great number of adult labourers . These alterations 'had been carried to such an extent in ^ Manchester aa to . reduce the ' ntiniber of spinners from 2 , 600 in the year 1830 . to 600- in the year 1841 ; in the short space of eleven years that prodigious aiteration > had been ^ efffected , chiefly by the intooductipn '; . of self-acting machinery , and double , treble , and quadruple deckers . . ' ¦ ' ';; ' . ' ' - . ' . '• ¦ ¦ . . . . ' ¦;¦ :- ¦ ¦ .-. ' ' : " . ';' ¦ • ' "" ' Sir J . Gkaham said , — "Why , you complain of labourers being out of employ , and yet a few years ago the manufacturers were advertising for labourers' to be sent down into those parts eftW country . ' ¦

      Daputatipn , —True , Sir James ; but that wa * connected'with a contract made between : the Gregs and Ashworths and the Poor Law Commissioners , the purport of which was to reduce wages in the manufacturing-districts-, The effect was twofold . This migration system assisted the commissioners in carrying but the New : Poor Law in the agricultural districts , and it enabled the manufacturers to : lower '¦ ' and keep ¦} dpwn Wages . This keeping down of wages was so clearly the great object of the manufactiirers in many parts of the country , and the additional hands were in many places so utterly uncalled for by any real extension ; of the demand f « r labour , that It is a fact , and it i ^ one , Sir James , which we are most anxious to press upon your attention , . * hat in yery many instances ; where n " ew families were taken on by the manufacturers , an equal number of the older families and hands were dismissed to make room for them . :

      After a long and very interesting conversation , of which this report will Rive but an imperfect idea , Sir James Graham said . ^ -You will not expect that I should give any distinct pledge as to the course which the Government may take on the subject you have brought before us in such , a teinperatQ spirit , and in support of which you have argued with equal intelligence and good feeling . All I can say is that , incpmihon yrithiuy colleagues , I ' am most desirous to adopt any measure which ' may have the effect of introducing and maintaining

      prosperity among our fellow-countrymen ; and you may rest assured thivt We will -use our best exertions , and civeour most careful consideration to any measures which Beem to us calculated to effect that primary dnd paramount object I am obliged to you , genWemen , for your kindness in calling .-upon me , and for the information arid pleasure you have afforded me , arid witl only add , that it will always be the duty of the Government to receive such deputations from the working classes , arid to listen to their statements attentively , aye , ' aud rc-spestfully .

      At the conclusion the deputation pressed upon the attention of Sir James Graham the gama ulterior measures which they had suggested to the Premier , and again disavowed all party feeling ; their object feeing to unite the wise and moderate of all parties , acid , through the medium of the constituted authorities , to carry such : measures as would tend to promote the welfare of ail classes of the community . The deputation then Withdrew . Ofthe Home Secretary it may be remarked , that while hia treatment of the deputation was unexceptionable throughout—while there was no want of expressions of politeness and cordiality on his pait ; upon the whole the impression produced upon the deputation was less favourable than in the previous case . Sir James Graham seems to us to have drunk too deepiy at the fount

      of the Malthusian phUosephy Iwhich his infiioted so much evil on this country ) to be .. able- to get rid entirely of its influenceV ; arid though , whUe putting ' forward the arguments of that school , he repeatedly cautioned the deputation against supposing that he was uttering his own sentiments , the deputation think that there is reason to apprehend , from the earnestness pf manner which he displayed ia arguiug , and the importance he seemed to attach to those opinions , that the dogmas of that school continue to exercise a considerable influence over his mind . GEORGE A . FlElfING . Joshua HoiisoN . John Leech . ; ' ; " Mark Crabtree . Titus S . Brooke .

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      snch a trifling peconiaty penalty as ^ toperat © bnfc slightly , if atall , in deterring the . employer / in . consequfineeof the profit which be coiild realise evea with tho drawback of muoh larger fines . Mr . Gladstone inquired whether the depatation wished to abolish lnspectoraljips altogether ! To which the deputation ^ replied , that ^ they thoiikht with srich a bill as they , proposed , there would not ba much neecessity lor them ; and they also thouRhttheir abolitiou , would remove a great source of irriutioa and ; annoyance in respect of the masters ; for it wan

      with ^^ them chiefly , and ^ ^' . seidoai with the pperative 3 that tho inspectors cama in contact . Ia fact , they werea ^ asor ^ , of spies jippn Tthe employers ^ vfhioh the dfeputatiori thought might , be dispensed with if a bill of the nature indicated were passed into a Jaw for if the master , , or " , oth ^ r directiD /; person were liable , like the poor man , to be committed to the treadniillfpr an infi ^ ction of ita , provisions , and-the common informer Were restored /*^ tion , there woald be . --Verj few infricj ^ enients of ¦ ' thd liw . . ' . ' ,-. ¦ , ¦ ¦• . ¦ ¦ " : Y ^ : ' -: , ^<*» ' v , : N- ^ - ¦ ¦ ¦ ' :- ' ¦ - '¦ ' ' - > . ' - .

      Lord Wha , rncliffe and Mr .. Gladstone both expressed their deep sympathy , with the condition , of the manufactaringcla ^ ses , and in the course of a loDg and . friendly ionversition . gave utterance to many srufy ocnerolent and enlightened opinions . ¦ > After the Tm . Hours' measure had been rery fully canvassed in it 3 yarious bearings , the deputation took theliberty ^ of kying before hia Lordship and Mr Gladstone ( as they had already done with Sir B , Peel ) their views ag to the jnjperati ? e necessity of passing it in ( jonneption witH an alteiatibh of the Poor Law , in accordance with the diotatea of huaamty and justice , and aa an instalment - of good measures to } he working . claseeB . These were matters about which the deputatioo thought tharo should be . no delay * as upon them an immense mass of

      evidence had already been accumulated . But while considering those points about which the mind of : theGoverameat ought to be immediately ' made up . there were other points , as tha deputation had already stated to , the Premier and Home Secretary , of vast iinportanca to tho prosperity ' , of the country , on which the deputation thought that Parliament might collect valuable information ; and therefore , though it was going beyond their instructions , the deputiition took upon themselves to suggest and pres 3 for the appointment of a Committee of Inquiry into the causes of the presen t distress of the country , as arising from sources not likely to be reachtd by alteratiou 3 in tho Poor Law or the Eactory Act , tha Committee to consist of moderate and well-informed men of all parties . ¦ : >

      Lord VVnaracliffd asked whether the masters were not generally opposed to the views advocated by the deputation in reference to the Ten Hours' Bill 1 To which it was replied , that the masters were now in many iristauces becoming ' convinced , by dear-bought experience , that these views were correct i that a tea hours' restriction'would be the only means of saving them as well as their workpeople from utter destruction .: His Lordship said that he supposed that might bo the case with the smaller manufacturersj but such instances of approval of the Ten : Hours' Bill , he thought , were rare among : the more Wealthy and extensive oapitaliBts . The deputation stated that as a general rule that might be so , but that many of the large

      employers , were now coming round to the same opinious . In corroboration of that . statement the ddputy from Hljddersfield mentioned the names of several of the most extensive and influential millowners of that district , with whom his Lordship was well acquainted . - - -:-- ; 1 y \ Mr . Gladstone , at the termination of a mosfcfriendly and encouraging interview , expressed himself highly ^ ratififfd with the conversation , and said that it was impqs ? ible to direci the attention of Gbrernnjent to subjects of graver importance that those which the deputation had brought befo ^ Lord Wharnoliffe and himseif . " You may , " said he , ¦? rest assured that I wiil devote my be&t attention to them , in obhjuaction with ; the ; .- ' Cabinet , and With an earnest desire-to diEc ^ over and adopt those measures which may be best caicul&ted to put a stop to the evils you

      have described . Wiiere we may happen to diner , I feel a confidence ( oonsidering the candour , moderatisuij aud iritelligenoe Which have characterised your representations ) that our motives and opinions will receivo from you a fair and liberal construction . 3 ut , indeed , it is hot fair to assume that we do or shall differ ^ for the evils are palpable , demand iniraedjate rpmedy , and your claims are jasi and reaonable . The spirit and tendency of your viewB are alike rational and conciliatory . " . ; Lord Wharnclifie , at the request ot the deputation , readily , and in the kindest manner , gave a iecter of introduction to his Graco the Dukeiof Buckingham , upon whom tho deputation next proposed to wait . The deputation then took leave , after expressing theirhl ghserise : of the kindness and courtesy with which the $ ? oble Lord and the Ri&ht Hon . Gentlemen haa treated them .

      -The ; impression left on the minds of all the members of the deputation by tho baaring of Mr . Gladstone was of- the most favourable description , and ¦ gave rise to hopes of a cheering nature as to the ultimate results of their labours , and the intention of tho GovernmenE , both with reference to the Ten Hours' Bill , and also to other measures deeply affecting the operative classes . And of Lord Wharncliffe the deputation have to . report that he rehdered them very valuable assistance by corroborating several of their strongest statements ; from his own personal knowledge of the manufacturing districts . George A .. Fleming . Joshua Hobson . . John Leech . Titos ; S . Brookf , Mark CRABrREE . ( To he Continued . )

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      A FEW WORDS ABOUT TEXAS . N . D . Maillard , Esq ., having resided niner months in Texas , during part of which time he was editor of a newspaper published in that Republic , has recently published a . volume , from which we extract the following : — ¦ . '; : ' ' : " .- "¦ - . ' : ¦ . ' . ¦ - ¦ ¦ ' : ¦ ¦¦ ;' -. ¦¦ " ¦ ' . ' . . ¦ " Character ; of theTexans . —Texas , a country filled with habitual liars , drunkards , blasphemers , and slanderers ; BariE'iinary gamesters and cold-blooded assassins , with idleness and sluggish indolence , with pride engendered by ignorance , and supported by fraud .

      The iqafjra are by far the most numerous class , and go about front one dram-shop to another for the pnrpose ef gaming and apunging on their friends , and not unf requentiy on strangers ; but this latter practice is by far too common in Texas to be conSned or strictly applied to any one branch iu tha coiHHiunity . *' ¦' . * : " * The T « kaus , either separately ; ' or en masse , exhibit all the features of a ruffi : ini 3 ed European mob , to whom , however , they ara greatly inferior in / Eocial refinement , and much ; less formidable in a military point of view . . . '¦ - ¦ : "•' . . : :, '¦¦'¦ : ¦"¦¦ ¦ - .

      This character of the Texans . of course , is meant to ^ PP'y . iu the aggregate , to both sexesr . But Mr . Maillard , whose notions of gallantry are somewhat peculiar , proceeds to specify the graces of the softer sex in Texas . The pictnre , as painted by him is so little flattering , that we shall not expose ourselves to the odium of being regarded as libellers by describiug it . Here is the original , as touched off by his own coarse pencil : — ¦ ' : ¦ , -. -.-. . ; ' . •' .. V - -. . . . ' - ; " Texan Ladiesr-The Texan ladies 89 ldom slio * thenweives to strangers , and , like those : of the United Stales , they use ; either the pipe or taVswab . The swab is a piece of soft wood , about three , inches long , which they chew at one end until it forms a brush , then

      dipping it into a small bottle of brown rappee snuff , which they carry about for tae purpose of cleaning their teeth ; this operation being performed , the swafr is placed in one side of the mouth , while the pipe sometimes takes the other . They have little neatness or cleanliness of person to attract the eye . Their figures are scarcely to be described : coarse from neg-ecti or emaciated front self indulgence , their skins have borrowed from the sun the exact hue Of the lemon ; rmd if the countenance be an index to the mind , i doubt not that their dispositions have somewhat of the peculiar flavour of that sour bullet of the tropics ; but yet to thoi 8 . who admire stlehce ; above everything else in woman , permit me to introduce the ladies of Texas pci * e * celletice& 9 mutes . " .-.: ¦ ' . ' .

      According . to Mr . Maillard the climate of Texas 13 not a jot more inviting than its inhabitants .. The prairies . be describes as away . ip 3 , covered with water for several months in the year , and hardly habitable from the / -bites of insects during the dry season . Tkecity of Sabine , he says ; is' very unhealthy , * the city of Gilveston , ' extreniely unhealthj and insalubrious , * . tbe town of Yalasco , very auhealthy , ' and the city of Matagprda , ' most unhealthy . ' , ; : : ; - Even religious toleration , Mr . Maillatd contends , does notexisfeia Texas , which he endeavours to prove . ; Tne great drawback , however , is slavery ^ the accursed traffic in human blood .

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      Tho Mwquis of Waterford had several of his hounds poisoned in the covert of Dangan . Distress in Barnard Castle , —The carpetvreavera and others , amounting to upwirds of 120 fajniUesin . this town , are 1 reduced to extreme distress ; owing to the want Of employ , most of the manufactories being at the Btand still . The idwn has been divided into districts , and the habitations of th f poor visited io ascertain the naturo of each case of distress , and it appears that for the last six or seren weeks the average incomes of the above

      families have been at the : rate of Is ; 24 d . pet head per week , but now it will not be more than , on an average , 12 d . per head per week , for many have no employment whatever . A subscription is now making amongst the neighbo _ ur | ng gentry and the inhabitants of the town , and it-is / . aetermined . aa far as it is practicable , to give employ " nient to those able to work , ; in improving foot ^ pathsj roads , Ac . in and about the town , and also to i" *) ta soine relief by com at a reduced price , in 'p ° |? . urgent cases where the parties cannot be eJnpwJ 6 ^ at out-door itQrfc . ^ -Sunderland Herald *

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      * A Stxopsis op ihe Evidence which was GIVEN BEFORE T 1 JE SELECT COMMITTEE OF the House ov Commons on ¦ the 4 th of August , 1832 , bt Mr . Joseph Grken , F . R . S ., Siugbo . v op St . Thomas's Hospital , Pkoptssor ov suegerv at kings college , ani > Clinical Lectuhek . at St . Thomas ' s Hospital . The period ot growth is one of weakness ; tbe purposes of growth ntcessanly rf quire n Esore than ordii ; ary supply of nutriment ; children require not only a large supply cf food , but thai it should be nutritive , and mtn frequently . Assiaiilatioa ctixmot be parfi-ctly formed without air and exercise . Children should be aliowed long re * V in the horizontal position , acd

      sufficient sleep ; eight or nine hours at least ; under many ciicunistances , twelve hours . Children are extremely su ? ceptible of vicissitudes cf temperature . Tho muscles have not acquired that tone which enables them to perform actions which require strength and persistency ofneton . Their exercise sbou !»! be varied , uot iougcontinuso nor (^ proportioned to tlieir strength . Their bonrs ar > d joints are 8 v > £ t and spongy in their texture . Children Ere not fitted by nature for laborious or stationary occupation . Subjjctiug them to business or Wi . rk vvh c ! i requires strong exertion , or wbich , even being coinparaUVyly light , demands uniform , long-coatiriue . l , and therefore ¦ wearisome exercise , must . ultimately have an injurious tffect upon their lieaith . lint if , in ad ( iitfon , t ^ ir food is scanty , supplied only at

      long intervals , their occupation is not alternated with amusement and exercise in tho open air , and tbeir clothing is not warm , disease mutt be the inevitable consequence f-f this violent counteraction of all that naiure sugg-.-sls and demands . If you were to subject tiie healthiest child to the causes ¦ which I have enumerated , it is impossible that it should not become weakly , emaciated , stunted in its growth , duil , sluggish , and dUeased . I foar that this country will have much to answer fur in permitting the growth of that system of employing children in factori-iS , which tends directly to the creul ' oh of ull those circumstances whic ' i in . > v ; tibly lead to disease . 1 am quite sura that tho results v ? ill bo , in regard to the h ^ atth , moat destructive , and , I think I muy

      venture to add , in regard t ) mor . iis most-injuri- 'us . and thit the consequence of this culpable inattention to the physical and moral weifire ofthe raanufacturint ; cltiss will be , a population weak and diseased in ' body , ft * ble and degraded in mind , and vicious and dangerous in conduct . Children were not designed for labour ; but if some labour must be permitted both our conscience and &ur feelings equally diiinand that the labour t . 'f children should . . Tinder such restticUonB as wiU i . isura them nrainifc tli » ir beipp msile tho victims of hvarice and disease , and os wili render it compatible ¦ with : h-ir phyticsl anil moral welfare ; twelve hours ' labour , lnclwiin ;? tbe time for meals , is the utmost average ps- iod of labour for the full-grown , strong , and Ueaitbv man . I am of opinion that tha

      deterioiat ' . on in tht- human fram-s causea by this syjtt . ni will be-& ' ii :: e l : ertid : ta . ry , and even increase from generation to c < . n- \ ratio : i , if the causes ure to be continued . I should suppose thai such results of the shoitining of uuiiiun UJc at a . r * > L- --wn to bothecaso in the factory districta by t » a official documtnts before the committee , would ba the reMiits of such a system . Manufactories and nj-. rhinery . so long as they procuve employment for the UL' .-ourici ; poor , remifcr the necsssaries and comforts of life chcip and easy of acquirement , and nro the me-ms of the poor utttericg their condition , and must be rztari 4 ed as blessings , and in every way conducive both to the physical and moral welfare of the people . In orUer to oLVi ' . u this desirable object , ii is ,- however , ttctwsary tbsi the labourer n ' a-iuid puticipate isi

      thii advaritages and benefits arising from the employment of machinery ; and in diminishing human labour by its use , the only legitimate purpose must ba admitted to be , that of substituting a machine for the performance of that labour which would reduce man to a ir . rre lnschanlsm , to tbe end that he may devote the time und leisure acquired thereby to his moral cultiv . itUn It is indispensable , I say , in regulating a manuf * cturin ; j Eystun , that the labourers uuiployed should never be considered . as merely the means to its success , bat that their condition , moral and physical , should constitute an essential object of the system ; and ita success , as the source of wealth and power , ba subordinate thereto . But if , iustead of this legitimate oia ' ect , and this wfc-olesome restraint , ruled by the

      iusatiabla avirics of gam , the manufactJring system is wvtliout check , and has no bound but the possible means of creating weaivh , and of making the ric ' u richer ; and wagts be lowered , till it be shr . piy calculated upon how little life and the motion of a pair of hands cm be supported ; if we find that thesa human beings ( the factory workers ) we only regarded as parts of tbemacliirjLry which the / set ia motion , and with as little attention to their moral welfare i if wo find that these , even at the tendtrest age . and without respect to the distioction of Bex ., and witiiout regard to decency , sure crowded together under all the clr « umstances thai

      contribute to disease and vice , and all this to add to the wealth of their employers , to minister to the luxuries of the rich , and to make overgrown capitalists ttvll more vast and oppressive , whilst tiia labourers themselves a , w degraded into the mero segro slaves of Europe ; tben , I say , that these and all the physical evils incident to such a state require no medical opinion , but denianc . cugparing moral correction , oe itey await the puniflhmeat due to depriving man of the birthright cf his humanity , of degrading him iut-o tbe class of means and things to be used ; instead of recognising , as tbe end , his happiness and dignity as a moral and responsible agent .

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      INTERVIEWS WITH LORD WHABNCLIFFE , LORD PRESIDENT OF THE COUNCIL , AND JIR . W . E . GLADSTONE , VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE . ( No . 3 . ) On leaving theHome-oflice , the deputation , accompanied by Mr . William Beckett , proceeded to the office of the Board of Trade , for' the purpose of waiting upon the Right Hon .: W . E . Gladstone , its Vice-Preaident . The gentleman wasunable to grant an interview that day , but appointed the fuilowihg day , at three o ' clocli . Mr . Beckett promised to meet the deputatioaaS that hour . On the following morninj : application was made to

      Lord WharnclifffcyPiesident of the Gounci ) , toknow when it would please him to grant an interview j and he , learning that vre were to see Mr . Gladstone in the afternoon , kindly agreed to meet us at the same time / Accordii ) j * ly , at the hour stated , the deputation , had an iaterview with Lord Wharncliff * and Mr . Gladstone . . " . ; As in former cases , the deputation : proceeded to explain the naturo of the measure which they advocated , and the ecojiouiicaV anil moral reasons upon which they based their claim .

      Lord Wharncliffe testified , from his own knowjledge , to the fact that the statements thus presented as to the physical , the domestic , and tho mental and moral condition of the factory workers , were not in the slighJest degree exaggerated . Ris Lordship expressed his deep sympathy with the manufacturing population , and his desire for aa amelioration of their condition . . Mr . GladsJono sppcared to take an earnest nnd absorbing interest in thosfe portions of our statement which had referencB to the educatiohal , tho domestic , and the moral and religious statistics of the subject , and paid particular a ttention to the proposed restriction , of which S : r Robert Peel seeoicd to doubt the practicability—namely , that which would limit the employment of female labour . Mr . Gladstone treated this subject in a very able and practical manner . Agreeing in all

      the deputation stated ; as to the evil eifects , both on individual chatacter and on tho domestic condition , of families , which resulted from the present mode of substituting iemale for adult male labour , he asked , " What practical measures would you suggest to make such a clause as you propose generally operative 1 " The 'deputation ,- , in their replies to this question , were rather aided by Mr . Gladstone than oiherwiBe ; and it was ultimately suggested that the object might be effected by mcat ) s of three rogulations . First , by fixing a higher age ibr the commeucettent of infant male-labour in factories . Secon Jly , by lijfniting the number of females in proportion to the number of malcd in auy factory . Thirdly , by forbidding a female to wprk iu a factory after marriage ^ and during the lifetime of her husbaud . It will be seen that these suggestions meet the case put by Sir Robert Pee ) , and at the same time obviate the objections taken .

      The working of the present Facpory Act was also very fully canvassed , and the unwieldy and impracticable nature of its provisions illustrated b y facts well known to all conversant with the subjoct . The deputation , while on this part of the subject , stated , in the ifirst place , that tho short-time cbmm'tteee , and the friends of the factory labourer , had been no parties to that measure ( the Act of 1833 ); that they had seen from the beginning that it Would not work , and they were thoroughly convinced that it had baen adopted more as a means of evading , than satisfying the demand for the due regulation of the labour in factories . With respect to the education for which it professes to make provision , it was notorious that in most cases its provision had either

      been entirely evaded , or that what instruction had been ftiren had been imparted under circumstances which made it a mockery both as to quality and quantity j ; and one instance in particular was adduced , in which the stoker of a steam-engine had been constituted the schoolmaster , and the fire-hole had been made the school-room . The inducements the Act held out to parents to allege that their children were pf the full age required , when they knew that the facts were otherwise , and also to medical men to certify that the children appeared to be so , were also pointed out , and numerous instances were brought forward

      to show that this was Tory ODmnionly the caso . With respect to the in ? pectorB , the deputation stated that it appeared to them that thoy would be unnecessary with such a bill as that proposed ; and that experience had shown they were , in the majority of instances , rather a means of enabling the masters to eyade the provisions of the bill than otherwise , by giving the idea of an efficient superintcnd ; eBce ^ when in consequence of the many motives which operated to make the inspectors take the side « f the capitalist rather than that of the labourer , infringements of tho law were frequent , the rich offenders-either escaping with entire impunity , or being punished fcy

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      6 r THE yORTjHE ^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 8, 1842, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct875/page/6/