The Sun.
London, England, 1837-07-05 00:00:00

USURY LAWS.
Dr. BOWRING said, that finding it impossible that
he could carry his Bill for the repeal of the Usury Laws
during the present Session of Parliament with the leave of
the House he would postpone its introduction until next
Session, when, if he had the honour of a seat in the House,
he would ask leave to introduce it on an early day.

HAND LOOM WEAVERS.
Mr. J. MAXWELL in rising to move that an humble
address be presented to her Majesty, praying that she
would be pleased to appoint a Commission for the purpose
of inquiring into the present state of distress which pre-
vailed among the hand-loom weavers, said that he did not
doubt the anxiety which her Majesty's Ministers felt
to adopt the best measures possible for the relief
of that portion of the community which was suf-
fering so severely ; but he regretted that their time
and attention were so much employed in amend-
ing other laws, that they were obliged to postpone many
measures which would be of immense consequence at the
present time ; but he trusted that they would show them-
selves, at least, willing to do something for so large a class
as that whose cause he had the honour of advocating.—
(Cries of " Hear, bear.") He deeply regretted that
he had been foiled in every attempt which he had made
for the purpose of alleviating the distress of that large class
of most useful artizans—every effort that he had made to
call the attention of the House to the distress which pre-
vailed in the North of Scotland had totally failed. He did
not doubt that the Parliament would be obliged to take
up the subject—he did not doubt that the condition
of these poor men would be alleviated by measures taken
by the Parliament. He did not doubt that at some
future time some other Hon. Member would take credit
to himself for having the honour of alleviating the distress
of the hand-loom weavers. It might not fall to his lot—
he might not have the good fortune to be that man ; but
still he would feel some satisfaction at having done all that
was in his power to arouse the attention of Parliament to
that distress, and to obtain some amelioration of the harassing
condition in which those useful artisans were now placed.
As matters now stood he thought that his p'an was to con-
fine himself to the attempt now to obtain the appointment
of a Commission, for the purpose of inquiry into the causes
of the deep distress which now prevailed. He was per-
fectly aware that there were many objections entertained on
the Opposition side of the House to appointments of that de-
scription ; but he trusted there was no party in that House
—that there was no man in that House—who would grudge
the expense of a Commission, the object of which was to
inquire into the best means of relieving the distress now
prevailing among so large a portion of their suffering fellow-
subjects. In conclusion, he would only state that his firm
belief was that if Parliament (lid not take some steps for
relieving that distress before the close of the present Ses-
sion, disturbances would prevail of a more aggravated de-
scription than any the country had yet experienced.
Lord DUDLEY STUART rose to second the mo-
tion, which he did with sincere pleasure. He begged to
return his deep thanks and gratitude to the Hon. Member
who had done himself so much honour by his repeated at-
tempts to obtain some alleviation of the miseries suf-
fered by the hand-loom weavers. He (Lord Dudley
Stuart) was perfectly sure that lie had the gratitude
of. that large class whose cause he advocated so ably,
and he was sure that he deserved the gratitude of
every man in the country who was desirous of seeing peace
reign at home. In his opinion it was the decided duty of
the Legislature to interpose in some way for the benefit of
a million of men who were in a state of most desperate
distress. If that House could do nothing for them, he
thought it would be impressed on the minds of hundreds that
it was useless. If the House separated without doing any
thing for their relief they would, in his opinion, not only
have a right to complain, but they would have a
Lllu.ir w nieu
avowed its inability to advance their condition in any way.
The proposition before the House was of the most slender
description. He wished it was in his power to move, but
as it was not, and he was anxious to do all that he could, it
was with much pleasure that he gave the motion before the
House his utmost support.
Mr. CLAY thought the greatest injury would be in-
flicted upon the hand-loom weavers by any interference
on the part of the Legislature to regulate the rate of
wages. He could not concur in the motion for a Com-
mission of Inquiry, as it would have the effect of creating
unfounded hopes and delusive expectations among the ma-
nufacturing classes.
Mr. BROTHERTON deeply commiserated the state
of the hand-loom weavers, and should be happy if anything
could be done to relieve them. He thought that advantage
might accrue to them by the publication of the price
of wages. He thought it the duty of the House to enquire
into the state of the hand-loom weavers, in order that
such means might be adopted as would ameliorate their con-
dition. It would be a great thing for that class of men if
the Corn Laws were abolished, and taxation laid more upon
property than labour. Good laws would, in his opinion,
tend more to the advantage of the hand-loom weavers
than the regulation of wages.
Dr. BO WRING felt as strongly as the Hon. Member
for Lanark could feel on this subject ; and if that lion.
Member had come forward with any clear and distinct pro-
position by which their sufferings could be alleviated, it
would have been the bounden duty of the House to have
agreed to it.—(Hear, hear.) But when the Honour-
able Member only came forward with nothing but
a vague motion, having no specific object in view, and which
was rejected by a large portion of the weaving community
themselves, as they knew they would, in the long run,
be the sufferers by it, he could not give it his support. If
the House would lend itself to the extension of foreign
markets to which the goods of the manufacturing commu-
nity might be sent, they would lay a foundation for the
happiness and prosperity of the people, and which might
tend to some practical good. The Hon. Member concluded
by saying he could not consent to the motion, because he
did not see what object it had in view. In his opinion it
could only tend to make a miserable people still more
miserable, and cause a sinking population to sink lower.
Mr. LAWSON said that although he had generally
voted against the measures of the Hon. Member for
Lanark, yet he should on the present occasion vote in favour
of the Commission.
Mr. WAKLEY—The Hon. Member for Knaresborough
had informed the House that he had voted against all the
propositions brought forward by the Hon. Member for
Lanarkshire for bettering the condition of the hand-loom
weavers. He would be glad to know what had altered his
views on the subject? He could not believe that the pros-
pect of going before his constituents so soon could have
produced that change in him ; but at the same time
it would be satisfactory to the House to know why be had
offered his opinions. It was stated by the Hon. Member for
Kilmarnock that the motion contained nothing specific.
Now it appeared to him (Mr. W.) that the proposition was
as distinct as any that could be made—it was an inquiry into
the condition of a suffering class of the community, and if the
Committee was appointed, how did the lion. Member for Kil-
marnock know but that one of its recommendations would be
an alteration—a repeal of the Corn-laws, which in itself might
have a very great effect on many Hon. Members of that
House. Notwithstanding the pains taken by the Hon.
Member for Lanarkshire with the subject, and considering
the number of propositions brought forward by him, and
which had been rejected by large majorities, the present
appeared to him as fair and simple a proposition as could
be submitted for the consideration of the House.
It was for a Committee to investigate the causes which
had led to their present distressed condition. It was ad-
mitted on all sides that they were undergoing severe and
pressing privations. All they asked was inquiry, and
could it be possible that the House could refuse it ?
He (Mr. W.) was one of those who thought that they could
never benefit the working classes by regulating the
price of wages, but on the present occasion he trusted
the House would agree to the motion without a division,
by which they would show to the working classes that even
if they had not the power of alleviating their distresses,
they were anxious to do so.
Mr. GIL LON was anxious to know what course the
Government would pursue with respect to the motion,
but ho had been disappointed. The- distress which at
present existed was perhaps such as at no former
period had been presented to the attention of the House.
Committees had sat in the years 1833, 1834, and 1833,
and it had been proved that these men were living upon
2id. per day. Their condition had been getting worse
since 1814, and bad as it was then it was worse now, for at
least one-third were out of employment. Those who
had employment could only earn from 3s. 6d. to
3s. 9d. a week, aid one-third of them were in a state of
starvation. Was it to bo supposed that under such pr-
,