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who always entered into such kind of contracts with their men,
and the consequence was, they never experienced any impediment
in the performance of their contracts. So far, therefore, from
giving masters an increase of power, in his opinion they had
no claim whatever to the' least aid from Parliament- He saw no
inconvenience in their case which they had 1131 the means of re.
medying themselves; let them pay their men liberally and they
would never experience any of those ineonvenieneies they now
complained of. But he was told that low wages added to
the strength and saftey of the country. He denied this.—
He would say that low wages never had, nor ever would,
produce a comfortable, respectable, and contented population
in this country. lie would maintain that it was the high wages
which had given the people of this country those advantages which 1,
they possessed beyond those enjoyed by the people of Ireland. If a
system of low wages were maintained—wages which were wholly
disproportionate to the prices of provisions and the necessaries of
life—this country would place a class of men in such a state of de-
gradation, that they would not, and ought not to be expected to
have any interest in the support or welfare of the government or the
institutions of the country. There was an inconsistency in the pro.
ceedings observed towards the working classes. At the time that
they were endeavouring to improve the minds of the lower orders by
every species of education, they were also doing everything that
could depress them. Not a single enactment of this Bill was ap-
plicable to the master and the man reciprocally ; for it throughout
gave the master everything, and took everything from the man. '
He would say to those who advocated public education, raise, if
you an, every man in society—make him have a taste, if you can,
for every kind of indulgence that the improved state of the arts c
afford him, and encourage him toacquite the means, if possible,
that he might enjoy them. But he would repeat that this
Bill would have a contrary effect, and was altogether incon.
sistent with that system of moral and intellectual improve.
ment which was so much encouraged at the present day. It was
sincerely to be hoped, therefore, that the House would pause be.
fore it proceeded to repeal those laws which were proved to be of
so much benefit to the public. He would say the present measure
was a hasty, inconsiderate, and uncalled for proceeding ; and this
he had no hesitation is asserting in spite of all that had been said in
its support. [Some Hon. Members were observed to smile.] The
Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Hume) observed, it was all very well for
those who were unaffected by these laws to treat this matter wilt
a laugh, but it was no laughable affair to those who were to becowe
the martyrs of these severe and penal enactments. He did not
know whether the Hon. Member for Galway (Mr. Martin) intended
to oppose the Bill, but he begged to assure that Hon. Gentleman
that these poor workmen were as much entitled to his commisera-
tion as the bull or the bear. (Wear, hear, from Mr. Martin, and a
latigh throughout the whole Plottse-) Those who suffered, ought to
know what were their suflerings better than others, and he would
rather have the testimony of these poor men on this matter than
the statement of any Hon. Member. He did not know whether
the lion. Gentleman (Mr. Martin) wound concur with him here,
for in this instance the case of the bears and the bulls did not ap-
ply, for they could not make known their complaints. (A laugh.)
The Hon. Gentleman then repeated his former objections to the in-
troduction of the words molestation and obstruction, and hoped the
Hon. and Learned Attorney• General would confine the measure, if
it were to pass, to oiolence, threats, or intimidation. He also
strongly objected to the word " inducing," which occurred in a
subsequent part of the Bill, as it opened a door to every species of,
abuse on the part of those who were to determine the meaning and
applicatioa of that word. After some further verbal objections, the
Hon. Gentleman adverted again to the clause which obliged the
men to give evidence against each other, and observed, that in the
old combination law this clause existed, whilst the masters were ex-
empted front its operation ; and it was stated in the Committee of
last Session, that such a proceeding was most objectionable.
There was nothing, however, in the present Bill that could compel
the masters to give evidence against earls other, although it was
intended to re-enact that clause as it respected the workmen. This
was part of that inequality which had been so strongly complained
of in the old laws, and which was most objectionable, evincing as
it did so blameable a partiality in favour of the masters. 11 ith
regard to the witness who should refuse to give evidence, he was
liable by this Bill to be imprisoned for life; for there was no limi.
tatioa fixed fur the term of his Imprisonment. He had proposed
to limit it to that extent of punishment to which the principal
would have been liable if convicted, and which seemed to him to
be fair and reasonable. (A symptom of impatience w. here ma.
nifested by some Hon. Members.) The Hon. Gentleman said, lie
was quite aware that he was occupying much time, but he must
be left to judge for himself as to the importance of those opinions
which he had formed upon this subject. He war also aware that
there were many individuals who could have put the matter in a
much better light before the House; but as they had for some
reason or the other declined to do so, they must then be satisfied
with what was termed the second best, and he hoped that what he
had said, being the result of much reflection and earnest consi.
deration, would be listened to as arising from the beat of motives,
and which was to stop the progress of this Bill until all the ob.
jectionable parts of it were removed. And he would candidly
avow, that It was his intention to avail himself of every opportu.
nity which the forms of the House would afford him to impede the
Bill till those alterations were introduced, and till it was made to
meet the views of those who were so deeply interested in it. By
this Bill they would actually violate every principle of justice, and
taint that administration of the law, the purity of which was always
considered the boast and pride of this country, by apooint.
ing those men whose interests were involved in the questions
that were to be decided by virtue of this Bill, to be the
judges to determine those very questions. For he would
challenge any Member to deny, if he could, whether throughout
the whole manufacturing districts the masters did not make it a
common cause with each other in suppressing any attempt on the
part of the men to interefere, as it was termed, with the mode of
carrying on their business- The clause in the last Bill was, that
no Justice, being a master, or the son of a master, should be
allowed to heear and determine disputes between any other master
and the men. That principle was by the present Bill altogether
violated. The provision which empowered any two Magistrates to
act, when coupled with the other clauses, made this Bill one which
ought not to pass. But over and above this there was no power of
appeal giver. by the Bill. This was adding injustice to wrongs
already too severely felt. Upon the whole, he was satisfied that
none of the positions which he had stated could be negatived, and
If so, he felt he was doing right, and his duty, to vote against this
report being now bmught up.
Strangers were ordered to withdraw, and a division took place,
when there were— _ _

For the bringing up of the Report .5.6 I Against it -
Majority . . 51
On our re-admission to the gallery we found Mr. JONES on his
legs, expressing a hope that a clause fright be introduced into the
Bill, giving the power of appeal to the Quarter Sessions from the
decision of the Slagistrates.
The ATTORNEY-GENERAL declared he had no wish what-
ever to trench on the liberties of the people, and that he did intend
to move the introdletion of such an amendment as that suggested
by the lion. Member.
Mr. S. W'ORTLEY expressed his satisfaction at what had fallen
from the lion. and Learned Gentleman.

. 2

On the question, that that clause be agreed to which made it
illegal for any person. " by violence to the person or property, or
by threats, intimidation, or molestation, to force, or endeavour to
force," ace.—
Sir R. WIISON said he hoped that the indefinable word,
" molestation," might be omitted. A man was liable to be molested
in a thousand different ways. For instance, it might be considered
molestation in a beggar to ask charity. (!dear, heat.) He trusted
the Right Hon. Gentlemen opposite would not consider the present
as a party question, and as the Attorney. General had been so con-
ciliatory in acceding to a former suggestion, be hoped they would
consent to limit the term for which a contumacious witness might
be confined to the same time that the offender, if convicted, might
be kept in custody. In conclusion, he expressed it as his decided
opinion that if the matter were left to the good sense of both parties
the evil would soon work its own cure. . .

Mr. Secretary PEEL said, nothing could be more inconsistent
with their character as legislators than that they should permit any
acrimonious language to influence them in preventing the introduce
thus of any clause which might be deemed proper. (Hear, hear.)
The present, he assured the Hon. Baronet, was not looked on as a
piety question, and he begged to inborn' the House that it was the
intention of his Learned Friend the Attorney.Beneral to move the
insertion of a clause, limiting the time for which a witness refusing
to give evidence, to the period for which a person convicted might
be kept in custody. (Hear, hear.) In answer to the objec-
tion of the lion. Baronet, he wished to remind the House that
" molest and disturb" were words well known to the law, and that
since the time of, he believed, Charles I, they were to be found
on the statute book ; it au not fair, therefore, to say that they had
now been arbitrarily introduced.
Mr. CALCIIAFT contended that the true object of the Bill
was to protect the weak against the strong—to shield the person
wishing to work from those who were otherwise disposed. In an-
ewer to the objection of his lion. Friend, he begged to say that
there were many sorts of molestation which did nut amount to as-
sault, and the word 4. molestation" was introduced at the request
of those who had suffered much from it. He trusted his lion.
Friends, before they objected to the word molestation, would read-
led the other word coupled with it. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. STUART WORTLEY concurred in the view which the
Hon. Member had taken of the question. The men at present well
klew that they could be punished for assaults or other injuries, I
atd therefore they proceeded to molestation, and insult those I
who might wish to dispose of their labour at a low rate. Without !
the words " molestation or obstruction" he thought the whole Act
not worth one farthing, not better titan so much waste paper.
(Hear, hear.) Ile contended there were no grounds to dread an!
increase of dominion in the masters, for in almost every case of a
strike they had been compelled to succumb to the men. The twa
parties had by no means an equal game to play, for the masters
had their capitol lying idle, whilst, on the other hand, the men
were supported from the combination fund.
Mr. ABERCIIO3IBY said be would have felt some doubt as
to how he should give his vote on the third reading, had not his'
Honourable and beamed Friend given notice of his intention to
move the addition of a clause, permitting appeals. For his own
part. he thought that if the matter were left to the good sense and
judgment of the parties, it would be tnore effectual in checking
the evil than all the btatutes that might be (ranted. lie most err-,
tainly would have voted against the word " molestation," had his
Hon. and Learned Friend not granted the power of appeal, and
thereby afforded an opportunity of reconsidering the decision.
As that opportunity had been conceded he should give the mess
sure his support, as much through a wish to promote unanimity on
so important a subject, as for any other reason. (Hear, hear).
Sufficient time had not been given to examine the evidence; he
trusted, therefore, that hiaalajesty'sslinisters would watch narrow-
ly the progress of the Bill, and be prepared next Session to be an-
swerable to the House for its operation, and further, to remove all
that might not beneficial in it. (Hear, hear,) lie thought also,
they ought to make the provisions of the Bill as intelligible as pos-
sible, and expressed an earnest hope, that those who had any infitt-