The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1819-12-21 00:00:00

PARLIAMENT.

HOME Or LORDS, MoNDAY, Drcsmant 20.

COTTON SPINNERS.

The Earl of SHAVTFIINVRIf moved the Order of the Day
for the House gulag into a Committee upon the Cotton
Sp' rs Regulation Bill.
Es,' Gnosemsort enpreased his happiness that some al.
teration was proposed to be made in the Act of the last &N-
-airn., for regnlaling the cotton trade ; and hoped that Par-
[lament would not stop here, hut proceed a step further,
and repeal the former most olnioxions measure altogether.—
The Act of the last Session was in its nature most objection.
able, for it operated against the best and wiseat principle of
political economy, by interfering with free labour. The
principal ground on which the former Act was passed,
was that of humanity; hut it was singular, that the part
of that Act which was now sought to be repealed, was
the very clause iu which the principle of humanity was most
operative, so that as the great principle of the Act was de-
stroyed, the heat thing they could now 414, was, to repeal the
Art altogether. The Noble turd alluded to the abolition of
the Slave Trade, and observed, that in the Slave Trade there
was no pretence fur the supposition of free labour; but
although the children employed in the cotton manufactures
may he said siot to he capable of exercising ■ discretion in
the pump, yet it could not be forgotten that these children
bad parents and relatives, who were a. sincerely interested
in their prosperity as they could he in their own, and tbna
they aught be called free labourers, ors the principle qei
Aril per Idiom foci( per se. lie did not believe that a
poor man would fret lean fondly for his offspring than one
more favoured by hutting., nor .10 he imagine that more
humanity was to Ire fonts,' iu an Act of Parliament than in
the bosoms of British manufacturers.

The Bishop of CHESTER said, it was his intention, on the
third reading of this Bill, to propose a clause prohibitiui
children in manufactories from being employed on Satur-
days after four o'clock in the afternoon, but he should not
offer it to the Home if lie could apprubend any opposition
to it from any part of 11w House. His object was tip ens.
ble the children to attend divine worship un the following
day in a suitable and decent manner, which, under the per.
sent system. they were incapable of doing. Many mann-
fireturers, indeed. now permitted children in their employ.
merit to leave or work at four o'clock sin &twirl:rye but
they complained, and justly, that what they were williog to
do front principle, others would not imitate. Hr hoped,
therefore, that a clause for assimilating the practice in the
different manufactories would not meet with any opposi-
tion. Ii was desirable that whets their L.ordahips were pass.
nog Rills to prevent and punish blasphemy, wisely, as he
thutizlit, and effectively as he hi•ped and prayed, they should
at lle- same lime hold out encouragement to the youthful
part of the community to intend the celebration of divine
service. Sorb should be Ili: object of his clause; " and if I
fail," said the Right Rev. Prelate, " I can at least say,
esonerari animators meaty."

The Earl of LAUDERDALE remarked, that it was come-
what extraordinary to introduce a clause of such import-
ance upon the third reading of a Bill. Fle fur our did not
kuow wheat the third reading was to take place, hot he
hoped it would be postponed to such a time as would cu.
able those who were interested iu the measure no opportu-
nity of presenting Petitions to Parliament. Many of them
lured in Boatload, malty in Lancashire; and it would not
he fair to press a m►asare of such impudence, without giv-
ing oleo, whose properly was embarked in the trade, the
power at least of exres.irog their °plaice,* arm the sub-

The LORD CHANCELLOR remarked, that 4 free.
holder or copyholder in a county may attend a
county meeting, although not usually a resident.
Lord EasKINE contended, that tile entire clause
was unnecessary, MI the oltiecte contemplated by
the framers of the Bill would be attained by other
provisions in it.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, that ilw great ob.
ject of the Bill was to get rid of t ttttt ultuary meat.
ii gs. The Bill, in its original shape, was much
narrower, and related to meetings held for the
purpose of discusssing matters in Church and
State ; but by a subsequent alteration, which he
confessed was much for the ['Ater. all tnertings
held within rooms were excepted from its operatioli.
There were then two principles of limitation which
might be adopted ; one, a limitation of numbers;
the oilier a limitation of locality. The former,
though the most desirable, fur obvious reason.,
it was impossible tii adopt ; the latter, therefore,
alone remained open ; and it was upon that principle
the Bill was framed. By the common law of this
coinitry, he said, mole but freeholders could attend
a county meeting convened by the Sheriff. The
authority of the Sheriff extended only to convetie
county court, at Which none but freeholders mould
attend. The moilern practice, indeed, was differ.
ent ; but yet the present Bill was more farourahle
to persons not freeholders than the common law.
In county meetings convened by the Sheriff it was
meant 10 suffer all freeholders so low as fur 40..
to attend them; but in parochial meetings a stonier
rule was adopted. and a qualification of 50/. a year
freehold was required to authorize a freeholder, not
a sesident. to introit' then'. This war thole to pre•
stilt an abuse which was cominouly knowii,, by
which persons obtained colourable freeholds to
entitle tl►etu to appear, and take a part in comity
meetings; but when the clans W 34 considered prac-
tically. he hoped it would not be hound to operate
injuriously.

Marquis of LANSDOWN objected tip po large
a sum as .50/. a year tieing required as a quatitic-i-
-licit,. A freeholder to the amount of 40.. sv,is per-
mitted to rote for to Member of Parliament, and
was pe 'tted even by the present Bill to attend a
county meeting though not a resident inhabitant.
why then demist from the analogy of the law, sand
require so lar4r. a qu.dlaCatiisu Ali 51/. it year to ea-
title a person to he present at a p.orisli meeting ?
The Earl of LIVF.UPOOT, remarked, that, in his
mind, the qualiticaiiiiii of forty shilling% was too low
ill the II1S:a!lee of county meetings, but he should
not propose to alter it. But all persona resident
in a parish or county, whatever may be their pro-
perty, may attend at the meetings convened respec-
tively for these places.
The Marquis of I.4Nsoowts argued upon the
inconsistei.ey of the Noble Earl's argument, which
admitted all equality between all persons resident,
but departed I tine virology in the cases of per-
sons not resident. Ile moved that the words " forty
shillings" be substituted fur the word, " fifty
pOissithi."

The Earl of lIARROWBY contended, that if the

risk of which he was not usually u resident, ■nd by
the present Bill he would he debarred from attend-
ing a mteting held in that itari,h, which might be
highly itoporiatit to his interest,.
The LORD CHANCELLOR said, that he might
meet any uf his fellow-parishioners in any room in
the parish.

The question was then put upon the omission of
the word usual/y, which was negatived ; as was

Olio the Alarquis of L4NSDOWN'S mollOit, for sub-
stituting the words " forty fur " filly
pound*."

Lord ERSZINIC moved that the word felony
►hould be left out iu the clause for tlre dispersion
of • meeting after the Magistrates bad given a
quarter of an hour's notice fur the dispersion. 1114
Lordship said, if the amendment was not consented
to. it would be putting persons attending meetings
on • level with the worst of felons—persons who
might he attending for the most innocent pur-
poses. If the clause only meant to extend to per-
sons who harangued the people to acts of sedition.
he would give it Ins support—but standing as it
did. it made no difference between the guilty and
innocent.

The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, that the Noble
and Learned Lord had forgot that by the Riot Act,
if an assembly of persons did not disperse within
an hour after its being read. that those who reriL.in.
ed, were liable to the pains and penalties of felony
without the, benefit of clergy, which was actual
death. The present measure was lenient, compa-
ratively speaking, when it only indicted the penalty
of felony on those w`►o wilfully sttemled alter the
:piaster of am hour's notice, owl made then► :labile
to seven years transportation ; therefore, tlie pre-
sent measure was MY:lately more lenient than that
of the Riot Act.

Lord ELLENBOROUGH deCillfed, that he could
not agree to the present clause, becainn: there anti
an eriaLtruent in being of a more sesere nature. Ile
had another great objection to the cl m.e, which
was, that juries wonlii not be kinoil to convict on
it. He was of opinion that no man but the Noble
Secretary fir the lionise Department would have
thought of such a punishment as seven y ran) trans•
portation for so slight an oftener.
The LORD CH 041C6L1.03..3iti, if the clause was
not retained as 'Not of the Bill, they had better give
up the measure altogether. As I lie law now stood,

* meeting composed of thrre persons would form a
riotous inerlilig. or II person being present and °illy
innocently looking on, would on..ke him liable to
the peaslttes. Let their 1.014101;ns look to the
posse eurhittlitts. There was Ito ititlerenct between
them and the military. If persons are arrested and
come sway peaceably from a crowd, there may be
no necessity to ttse the mihtsusv ; but if it %v.'s doubt-
ful in the first installer, thee inte,ht be lewdly used.
According to the Riot Act, witia was introduced
by the Whig+, tf people did not disperse they would
be guilty of trinity, or toed, a vi,icgit death o Ithuut

having the opportunity of ntale fauast: guilty t 4:
Jure.
Lord flot.hstio said, when he was told that the
prePerv:,t!mt ot the 1..11 depended ua t!oe
and heard an Act of the Whop tooted or a
why the ch:u.e f.h4..1.41 lie supported. sili e co.!!
sly was, that he way s. .:004i a Wlic.;ai the Nadir
and Leaned Lose% but ne a °LW tie .sorry to lar
abswerable for all the act; of the V% big, Jut if
he uuderstuoll the Riot Act, it was to be read
after riot and tumult had taken place, seri
unite were bible to its penalties but tag,•
who remained an hour after its being
The meaning of it was eiesly uotierstood—a maw ul
the lowest capacity could coroprehtiel it ; cot sep
with this itbjectioe.te clause, for a man 11.1 y ws
from curiosity to hear his neighbour speak, and fur
his limoteol curiosity be guilty ui felony, mat 'see
liable to trans.:re:soon for wren 3o:rt. Natleing,4 lass se
could be to crue' to Janes as to ion then; to titt'g •
dangerous situation of being oleaged to acquit
sooner than make their fellow ohm Itahle to ~
punishment that his ofisce did tint warreet ; t r
he had no hesitteion in saying, teat wliete a Jess,
acquitted on account of a severe law, they did not
come out of the jutysbox as good PUilieClll as were:
they tottered it. fie oiled on their Lordships not
to force Juries into thitsitoitiou, winch they meet
do if the chaste* as it then stood remained a part of
the Bill; although houss:.ity might blush at lush.
lag the penalty greater thou the ojlruce rye.%
yet it was snore dangerous when it hrweglat Act. of
Parliament into doreputc. • e
Lord Easaltitte said, that the iliot Act was oolg
intended to isicrease the power of the cousnsou lass :
it never was inteedeel to userrisee that of she Crown. -
The amendineut was then poi, and ',gamed.
Lord Et.ecenoauticw reposed a elame, that if
a meeting was dispersed by Magistrate., on account
Of interruption, the it might ise legal to call a oir
mile meeting immediately afterwards. ,
The Eel of the Noble Lord
will now withdraw the clause, and propose it at tie
third reading of the Bill, there is no doubt halt it
will be wottliy of attention,
Lord Et.t.Esaoaou-Gn accordingly withdrew it.
Lied Hoheateo, 011111 C clause teeing tea:l Pro-
hibitoug dage, hisiirwrs, etc. at ineetiegy, wished to
be ittfoteted whether it applied to the societies of
tradesmen who met on jovial occasions.
The Earl of Leveaeuee said it did trot, it was
only intended for such meetings as were elreuru,-
need ite the Bill.
The Earl of ili.e.steTow introduced a clause,
that the Bill should nut be extended to Ireland.•
The Noble Eel said, it was his ititeutiots ter divide,
the House on it, um no statement had bt en made to
show it was necessary to extend its eperaitou to dust
part of the empire; but even If there was, the preset
visions of it would be useless io that countri, or
tend to the spilling of blood; for whets a evert.
ing took place: there, the people generally wrist
with a party feeiing. and after it was over they
had a row ; and if the military were called in tee
quiet them, it would only cause blamlslieti.
besides, the clause in the Bill as to mertitigs
large rooms, was taut necessary, for in the t:try
parts of Ireland there were no large retools for (Leta
to meet in. He, was cotivinced Whet, the MU ~as
first proposed, that it was not intended that Ire.
land should have been included.
The Earl of LIVERPOOL said, it was always iii.
trotted to make Ireland liable to the refecte sif the
8011, even before it was presented, and he heard
nothing since to *hew why it should be excluded—.
for it could not be prejudicial in airy way to that
country, for they were not in the habit of 'nerviest.;
in the open air, so it coull not affert them. He
heard it said, why extend it to Ireland if it (101'5 nor
14, l't their?-lle would answer, afraid it taught.
Why extend it to the county which lie was
most acquainted with, and where three were less
meetings than in any other ? (that of Kent) hr
would answer, for the same reason ; lur if
they only stopped the meetings where they were
prevalent. they would spread into other come-
ties, and drive them oat of England, and if the
same measure is not extended to Ireland, the iti-
nerant orators would carry them there, and no doubt
existed but attempts bad been merle by these agi-
tators to accomplish that object. if this Bell would
prevent their carrying their attempts into maturity.
it was the duty of their Lordships to extend the
op.-nation ef this Bill to Ireland.
The Earl of DAR.NLEY supported the clause.
but not on the same grouude as the noble propene.
lie supported it because England hail beets in a
state of agitation for a outisidereble tins, and lie= I
laud bad denied to join in it, and on account of •
her good conduct site was entitled to be exempted
Irons the operation of the Bill, and not as on act of
grace.
The Earl of Dottoornissoan said. that if hi.
Majesty's Ministers were aware, as he underatuo.l
from the Noble Secretary they were. that elutes.-
ries had been sent from this country to Ireland, for
the purpose of having meetings in that country, and
that these emissaries were successful a. to their 1111 d.
61011, which he Lai not stated, lie would allow ilea
it would be a good reason far extending the opera.
tion of the Bill to that country. He also kite* that
attempts had been made for that purpose, hat i.e
had also the pleasure of knowing that they
and therefore it was unnecessary to extend it to that '
unhappy tummy, without it was for the pu:po,e
of giving her new IJOGIICe. Their Lordships mete
aware that two Bills hail iiaosrel, eletettug severe
',totems on (refund, and he would say propetly
passed, fur the conduct of the people deserved it;
but there was not ally thing said theta of ttie con-
tagiusi spreading he, this country ; it was the outrage
of Ireland, and she alone suffered ; the a if this
country Or agitated and disturbed, let her soiree •
alone, and not for Ireland to e's'tse in fir past
of the punishinesit of her crime.—(Hour, Leer.,--
Be
was convinced the Act could hot telfcct it.lari,l
further than it affected her lieliege at a time oil:
was suffering ulnaer the greatest deprivation.. Sl•e
was at pieseut w the greatest abate of quiet; it

11,

CIVIL LIST.

wit. acknowledged by one or his Majesty's Minis.
ter4, in another place, in a panegyric on her good
conduct, but it .hewed how little wet to he de-
peiled on the words of a Minister, for while he was
making eilloaittnts, he was preparing point and
tiewiltiEs fur her—for Ireland, the country which
h.- drew his first breath in.

fhe Eirl of IllititOlVitY opposed the ellUSe. as
tbt it tenti-,ii of the Bill was to root out the evil
that existed, and if its 0p...6.n dill not extend to
Irel sod, t.:ey would be legislating in vain.
The clause was then put, and negatived without
u cht:sion.

There were several other amendments proposed,
cs: ich were negatived.
The clauses of the Bill Were agreed to, and the
House resumed, when the Report vnni a•treed in,
v•iti the BM ordered to he read a third time to-
tnorrriw.

The other OrLh-rtt of the DAy were disposed of,
vi:tl the Douse kidiOUrliell.

ROUSE OF COMMONS, MONDAY, Dewier' 20.

The CHANeet.t.ott of the F.xcititigret laid iron the table
crs containing au account of the Extraordinary Esti-
s of the Civil I:ist for List yrar.
TO tt I NKS LOTTERY.

tlr. DAMES Gums nit obtained leiter In bring in • Bill
to eirible 11r. Tonikins to scll rennin Pictures by way or