The Express.
London, England, 1849-07-14 00:00:00

RENEWAL OF TILE TEN HOURS' AGITATION.

On Thursday evening a crowded meeting was
held in the Free trade Halt, Manchester, to renew she agi-
tation en the Ten Hours' Aet. The 114 v. W. IIt.NTING Dos
took the chair, and after briefly opening the proceedings,
:ailed upoe the mover of the first resolution.
Mr. G. JOHNSON, of Ashton, moved a reso'ution ex-
pressing the approval ot the inhabitants of Maschester of
the Ten Hours Act.
Mr. P. HARDHEAVES seconded the motion.
C HINDLEY, Esq., M P.: 1 am at the present mo-
on= in • very great predicament, because I refused my
support to this resolution when I was ask‘d for it in the I
committee room. before the meeting. If you wish to know
whether or not I am a supporter of the Ten Hours Bill,
I tell you candidly that I am. (Cheers. But if you
want to know whether, in the words of this resolution, lam
an eremy to any arrangement between masters and
men. I tell you frankly end honestly that lam not. (Ap-
plause.) I tell you that I think there is a disposition on the
part of the masters fo meet the men; and I can tell you you I
may bring forward bile, and acts of parliament as long as
yea please, but until you egret to romething that will meet
the sews of both sides, your endeavours will be mama.
(Cries of " Ten hours, ' "No compromise.") I am a tea
house man. (Loud ann.) But I will not be a parrot—
(Lsagh ter) ; and merely say.' Stick to the Ten Hours Bill"
when these is no Ten Hann Bill to stick to. You
may either continuo to senate and have, as I under
eland you intend to have, your 14 meetings in Lancashire,
lead as many in Yorkshire, and endeavour to attain your oh-
Jen in that way; or you may apply to parliament to have
tee bill site red, end the shift and relay system put down.
Yost may coke the opinion of Mr. Bretherton, or you moy
adopt the advice of Lord Ashley. I tell you candidly I am
a ten-hours' man ; but 1 should wish you to take the advice
of Lord Ashley. as your most determined and most devoted
friend in parliament—a man capable of judging, end who,
I am sure, would not swerve from your interest for one mo-
ment. My advice is that ; but, at the same time, I eay with
equal fervour and determination, as long as you stick to the
Ten Hours Act I will stick to it. (Loud cheers.)
6. FIELD6N, Es 1. (son of the late Mr. John Flelden)
was received wen prolonged chmrina, and said—Mr. Hind-
ley has given you four propositions, which yen have the
option of taking: the first is to agitate. He recornmsr.ds
you to do that, and I recommend you to do it ; and a few
such meetings as the present 'mould soon put an aid to the
necessity for agitation. The flex: course was to apply to
parliament; but I have so little confidence in those who
were our leaders in the House of Commons, that I s`.otild be
very chary of trusting our cause. in that house. Mr. Ilindlc)'s
tnird prorsition is that of Mr. lirotherton's, and, as he nye,
that gentleman is very cantinualit what he says, for I could tot
make out at all what hetneant:by his lett. r. (Laughter.)
The fourth course is that recommended by Lord Ashl y.
Tb-re seems to be s..rne difficulty in getting to kn what
is
Lord Ashley's opsni exactly ; therefore I tried to prevai-
upon Mr. Iliadic% ea come nick and state Lard Ashley's
sentiments mere hlie, and to hear my answer to them. Mr.
Hindley t ld me that le:rd Agony was willing to take, es a
settlement of the question, 61 hours a week. Now, I recom-
mend you not to take 61 hours a we. k (" Nn, nu," and
loud cheers.) I bare been asked fur my views, anteli state
them feateessly.
M. PAXTON, a workingmen, moved " that this meet-
ing, in the most s Irma and decided terms, express its disap
urobation of the conduct of those millowners who are molat-
ing the law, and contemplate with alarm the affect which
the conduct o' cerisin mstestntes m i t hese norm the pub ,c
mind, who openly emotion such breaches ot the low, in
open deflates of the npininns of the law•rearistr 'les and
the Qausn's Attorney-Gt sera] and Solicitor. General."
PHILIP KNIGHT seconded the motion, which wet
carried.
A memorial to ter Majesty was adopted, conveying the
spirit of the r salutlnne.
Several votes nt •Itrlks were also agreed to before the pro-
endings tenninatsti.