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

here was no scarcity of anything in thisaOuntry tho t
could make the people comfortable-4all that was vrante:..
was a proper distribution of it. T that, however, the
Government would not assent—t e• magistrate 1,
was not the poor man's friend.—( Hear, earaandselagrs
Last year his name had been put in the CeialtaiWini,‘,W
had determined never to qualify as a Magistrate for the
purpose of sitting in judgment on the poor man who had
been compelled to commit a crime in consequence of poverty. ,
Under these circumstances, a Government who understood.
aata,
their duty would have proposed a vote for preventing '4
starvation ; but the present Government left the poor to '
starve. They were going in parties from door to door,
a5e.........., and almost demanding relief. Was that a state '
- ,
cumstances the House would not institute an inquiry? of things which ought to be allowed to remain? 4
The manufacturers, instead of doing all they could to al- The House ought not to separate without inakine
leviate the distresses of their labourers, bad kept their coin some attempt for the alleviation of the distress, which would
t
in their pockets, and ground their labourers to the earth. be much better and much cheaper than to call out the mill-1
Was it possible that Parliament meant to do nothing for these ta yto keep down these poor men. The House ought to -.
unfortunate men ? If such was the case, be could not see seed out the Commissioners, and send them with a fan' foi
why the House assembled at all.—(Hear.) It was a the purpose of relieving great distress when they found it.%:e
mockery of legislation to do so, and the people would CONFERENCE. • (~.
laugh them to scorn. There was, in fact, many Mr. BERNAL appeared at the bar, and said the Lordsl
Members in the House who truckled to the monied had appointed a Conference with the Commons, on theil
interest, and thought the interests of the other members subject of the amendments of the Municipal Act Amend-
of the community ought to be sacrificed to this.—(Hear.) ment Bill, to be held forthwith. ':./
What would be the use of repealing the Corn Laws The Managers having returned, Lord JOHN A RUS-
as long as there existed partial and grinding manufac- SELL informed the House that the Bill, with the Amend-;'f
turers—and as long as that competition was at work which ments, had been left with their Lordships. m::
ground them to the earth? If corn was reduced one-tenth HAND-LOOM WEAVERS.
it would be of no earthly use to them. When they spoke Mr. HINDLEY felt he should be neglecting his duty if a:
of the religion of these men, did they not know they were he did not make a few observations, although he never rose's:
compelled to be irreligious ? A man could not go to Church under greater difficulty than he did on the present oc-r
without clothes, and as to the observations that had been casion. lie was sure the House would forgive him foraf '
made with respect to their drinking, they were driven to the intruding on their attention when he stated that theit
public-house and the gin-shop for the purpose of obliterating foundation of any property he possessed had been achievedll
those reflections which their condition had engendered.
by the labour of the hand-loom weavers.—( Hear, hear,-
hear.) It could not therefore be wondered that he
Mr. P. THOMSON said that he knew very little of
the electors of this country if the language used by the should feel a sympathy for that class, although he felt S.
Hon. Tolember would at all advance him in their favour.— particularly the difficult situation in which he stood in k><
(Cheers) He did not believe that those parties would consequence of the weight with which time subject had o.:
feel pleased to hear the manufacturers of the coun-
been treated from the very first moment that ittry—those men who were engaged in the honest pur- was brought to the attention of the House. . Elsa'
suit of industry—who were bound together, the ma-
did not concur in all the opinions entertained by his kS
nufacturers and the weaver by the ties of employ- Hon. Friend the Member for Lanarkshire, as he considered
ment—it would not, he believed, be pleasing to them the motion would not have the effect anticipated. He, how- ...1 :
to bear these manufacturers called cruel and grasp-
~
ever, concurred in all the observations .the Honourably
',
ing.—(Cheers, which drowned the rest of the sentence.) Member had made as to the lamentable condition
of the hand-loom weavers. But he would ask what were
That they, in the pursuit of what the Honourable
Member designated their God—which was gain—that the causes of the present distress that existed among that,
they were willing to sacrifice every feeling of sym- unfortunate class of persons ? One cause was the introduc- 7
pathy, of human nature, and of Christian charity— tion of machinery, and another the existence of corn laws ;`.
he did not think that language such as that would obtain Another cause of the situation in which the hand-loom'',-,
favour in the class whose cause the Hon. Member was ad- weavers wer3 placed, was the inundation of the Irish ; and `1
vocating. Such language could do no good to any body. another, which required the strict attention of the House wa: as
With these observations he would proceed to explain the tire monetary system of the country, the effect of the change ;1•
course which he proposed that the House should pursue. He in which had thrown thousands out of employment. He
could not give his consent to the motion of his Hon. Friend. would seriously ask the House, whether the hand-loom
The proposition was a definite one, but it was not enough weavers bad anything to do with that change—if they had
for an Hon. Member to come down with a definite propo- not, then why should they suffer in consequence of it?
sition—he must be prepared to show that some good would He implored the House to grant the motion of the Hon.
result from it. If he knew anything of the class alluded to Member for Lanarkshire. Grant the Commission, for it .k
he would say that they were not anxious for such an inquiry could do no harm, and it would show the poor men that ,ga
as that proposed, especially, as even those who moved they were sympathised with, and even that would do good.':
for it did not expect that any good would result He implored the House to grant it, for the sake of the a;
from it. If he were to grant this Commission he should be Peace of the country. a
exciting false expectations and hopes ;he would be making Mr. CHALMERS had presented a number of petitionra
the situation of the parties worse by deluding them, which from hand-loom weavers, stating that subscriptions were 4,
entered into in all parts of the country, and praying that '
would be a sufficient reason for him to refuse it, even if
it were called for by themselves. the only argument with the money so subscribed they might be allowed to:',J
that could be put forth in favour of the Commission purchase Foreign corn, as it would go as far again as it would - '
was, that fresh evidence might be obtained. Now do if they were obliged to purchase British growth. Such a ?
there had been two Committees sitting two years upon the request was quite a reasonable one, and he hoped that the a;
subject—they had produced two volumes of evidence, which greatest advocate for the Corn-laws would not object to
some Hon. Members might have read. There had been such a proposition.
a.
no lack of inquiry before those Committees ;in fact the Mr. ROBINSON could not see that it was possible forssa
Hon. Member for Lanarkshire admitted that all the evi- the Legislature to do anything to alleviate the distress.
genre was already before the House, and complained that The question was not now whether they should send out
it was not acted upon ; but that was because the House corn from bond without duty or not ; that could not be 41
did not think that the recommendations if acted upon done at present, and in the present state of the Parliament.
would produce the results the Committees had supposed. The Hon. Gentleman (Mr. Hindley) had said, " Issue the
If any Hon. Member of those Committees had a proposition Commission, for it will show sympathy with these poor men„..l
to make, let him bring it forward. even if it does no further good." Now the Government -
might no doubt say that it would only be a delusion to do so,
Mr. MAXWELL said he had already done so on two
when no good was expected to be the result ; but that was ~
occasions. not a conclusive argument with him, and there pre • sr
Mr. P. THOMSON knew that, but that a majority of , in
cedent point ; for two years ago the Noble Lord (Lord
the House had taken a different view of the matter from J. Russell) gave way to the appointment of a Committee
his Hon. Friend ; but was that a good ground for accusing to enquire into the distress of the agricultural class, although
them of indifference to the sufferings of the hand-loom at the same time he said he did not expect any good ,
weavers, and a want of sympathy for their situation ? It from it. If the Chancellor of the Exchequer could;
only proved that the majority thought that the Honourable not,. as he had justly stated he could not, afford
Member for Lanarkshire was not the doctor fitted for the to reduce the taxes, then he would repeat what
cure of the disease.—(Hear.) Let propositions be brought
he had often before suggested, that it would he 11
forward in the House, which was the proper place to have to consider whether a mode of levying taxes
a decision on the subject. Attempts might be made cwoeullld not be adopted that would press less injuriously 1
to delude that unfortunate class of persons into a belief
on_thre, working classes.ilHe hoped that during the recess ~
that their best friends were those who brought forward
o
" a'' a "—"'"' • as we-LW
in-1;1V ti;*eliew 'Pa'ilianient to take the matter ''
but he believed these attempts would prove unsuccessful. up, and devise some means for alleviating the distress of the
It was impossible for anybody to witness the conduct of hand-loom weavers. C
these individuals without feeling the deepest sympathy Mr. GILLON explained.
for their misfortunes, and admiring the patience with Mr. MAXWELL then replied.
which they bore the evils that betel them. If it Strangers were then ordered to wit!elraw„stel the House sai4
were possible to afford any remedy, he was sure that
,lidded, there appeared—
remedy would meet with full consideration by the House. For the motion s.i
He was afraid that persons engaged in that branch of our Against it . 45
manufactures would always be subject to great vicisitudes, Majority for the motion 8 1
and their improvement rested a great deal with themselves. FOREIGN CORN IN BOND.
He believed that one of the great causes of their distress was Mr. WALLACE then brought forward his motion, to ..•
the inducement held out to them to enter early in life into the effect " that the House take into consideration the -
that branch of manufacture. It was not, therefore, from petition from the borough of Pollockshaws, in the county -.
any want of sympathy or feeling for their distresses, but be- of Renfrew, praying• that foreign corn may be issued free aa
cause he was unwilling to create a delusion in their minds, from duty, for charitable purposes only." He said that at '
that he could not consent to the motion of the Hon. the present period of the session he could have'no reason- '
Member. able hope of effecting any purpose by the motion, which al
Sir R. BATESON should give the motion his warmest was the reason why he should not press it ; but he wished
support. Starvation was making dreadful progress in many to know whether the Government meant to do any thing in
parts of Ireland in which the people were engaged in that the matter, as he believed they had the power ?
unfortunate trade. In the neighbourhood of Belfast there Mr. P. THOMSON said it was impossible for him to
were many thousands who were remarkable for their industry, concur in the motion of the Hon. Member, because of the
morality, and sobriety, but whose condition for the last ten difficulties which stood in the way of carrying it into effect. '
years had been getting worse and worse. He could recollect Ile did not believe that the Government would be inclined
the time when an industrious hand-loom weaver made from to take on themselves the responsibility of opening the 1,
255. to 30s. rt week, but they were now reduced to a state bonded warehouses for such purposes while Parliament war aa
of beggary, seldom earning more than 3s. or 3s. 6d. a- in recess. It was his opinion that no partial measure of the ..!-:
week. He was not snaking these observations as an elec- kind proposed would give the poor people adequate relief,
tioneering speech, because he would say the same on the and besides he was convinced that were he ever so well dis-
first day of the Session. It would be impossible to keep posed to do it, the Hon. Gentlemen on the other side, who .-
these unfortunate persons in their present state much longer. watched so closely over the agricultural interest, would not
He hoped inquiry would not be refused, but if it were the suffer it to pass.
country from one end to the other would be rejoiced at the After a few words fram Mr. WALLACE the moth n
dissolution in the hope that a more humane House of was withstood to be withdrawn.
Commons would follow them.—(Hear.) He was glad to STEAM VESSEL EXPLOSION.
see the Right Hon. Gentleman, the Chancellor of the Ex- Mr. WALLACE then brought forward his next motion, •
chequer, in his place, and be would beg his attention for a which was "to call the attention of the House to the frc-
few ...
moments. He had that day received advices from quent occurence of accidents in steam vessels, and to in- .
different parts of the north of Ireland, stating the quire if her Majesty's Government had any intention o
unexampled, unparalleled distress that now prevailed taking the subject into consideration." He said the object t:l'
in that part of the country. In the town of Bel- of his motion was to prevent the recurrence of such fright-
fast there were not less than from 6,000 to 10,000 ful accidents as had recently taken place ; but that her'
persons out of work, and in a state of actual starve- should not press it further, for the same reason which actu- r"-
'tion. In the counties of Down, Armagh, Londonderry, ated him with regard to the last.
Tyrone and Donegal, the linen weavers were completely at This motion was also understood to be withdrawn.
a stand still ; there was no demand for yarn or flax, and FOREIGN LOTTERIES AND " LITTLE GOES.' 4,1,
instead of the linen market being attended by hundreds and Mr. BISH moved" that a select Committee be appointed i.'
thousands of country people selling webs, there nas not one to inquire into the lottery system, to learn whether fo-eign :ts
to be seen. Under these circumstances, he wished to lotteries are or are not greatly published and negotiated in
ask the Right Hon. Gentleman whether it would not be various parts of the United Kingdom, and to ascertain whe- ''
right to advise. his Majesty's Goverment to adopt some timer the private lotteries or ' little goes,' some of (which are -"
means of relief towards some of that suffering portion of said to be by the authority of Parliament) are or are not, .
the community? Her Majesty's Government had, on a now carried on to a considerable extent, and to report
former oecasion, stepped forward, and the people of thereon." The Honourable Member then went on to sa) c
England had contributed liberally, but he feared such would that he should be able to prove that not only were -.
not be the case now. A system of Poor Laws for Ireland foreign lotteries negotiated in this kingdom, but the
had been introduced during the present session, but it Members of Parliament actually attended the drawini
had been thrown overboard. The introduction of that of private lotteries, and were conductors of them also. 11. -..:
Bill, and the speeches that huh been made, had been said that the Chancellor of the Exchequer knew no mon ;.
the means of putting a stop to those sources of private about lotteries than he did about the man in the moon—
charity hitherto so liberally contributed. There was (Laughter)—though he was :violently opposed to them a
a general feeling in Ireland that the people would be English money was now going by hundreds of thousand
taxed for the relief of the poor, and, therefore, they of pounds out of the country, while foreigners were laugh
did not suppose they were required to contribute gig at our folly for being their dupes. It was said than ,
to those institutions in future. The people in the North the lottery system was vicious and immoral, but that le 's.
of Ireland were suffering deep distress, and its continuance unhesitatingly denied. It was tire insurance system whicl ..
might be attended with the most fatal results to the peace was liable to that charge, and not the system of lotteries.
of the country. Hitherto the peace had been preserved in The lottery system, he maintained, would bear the strictest -
a most exemplary manner, but how long could they expect investigation. He did not see why the lottery interest •
that system to last ? Having called the attention of her should not have a defender in that House, when the ship-
Majesty's Government to the subject, he would conclude ping interest had the Hon. Member for Tcignmouth, him-
by giving his hearty concurrence to the motion. self a shipbuilder, and the agricultural interest the Noble
Mr. WILSON P ATTEN was satisfied that no legis- Marquis (Chandos) on the other side of the House, whose
lative measure would give relief to tire hand-loom weavers. father—be begged pardon, he meant his Noble relative, it
He admitted that great misery existed, and he deeply de- was not Parliamentary to have a father—(Laughter)—and
gored their sufferings, but Ire was satisfied that the present himself possessed large agricultural properties. The Hon.
otion would not afford them the relief they required. Member then went into a detailed history of lotteries in
Mr. FIELDEN had heard with surprise the remarks England since the latter end of the last century, and de
flounced railways as a worse species of speculation than
of the Right Honourable President of the Board of Trade,
lotteries ever could be.
The House had it from the reports on the table that there
Alderman WOOD seconded the motion, because he
were no less than between two and three millions of per-
House had thought that inquiry of some kind was necessary.
sons in a state of starvation, and yet the
The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER said he
been told by a Member of the Government that there
was sure the Hon. Member could not expect the appoint
was no relief for them. If such was the case he
went of a Committee in the present state of the Session, al-
would fearlessly assert there was no Government in the
though he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) would at a'
country. Might not a stop be put to the progress of the re-
proper time aid any inquiry, with a view to putting doe n
ducting of wages ? The truth was there was no disposition
on the part of' tire Government to do anything for these foreign letteries.
poor men. He would say fearlessly there had not been After a few words. from Sir. G. SINCLAIR and Sir E.
any such disposition since lie had been a member of that : CODRINGTON, the motion was withdraet•on. bring in
Lord MO RPE'FII obtained in a B :1 o
House. All that these unfortunate individuals required 1 leave
' Ireland.
was that such regulations should be made as would enable of Lord J. RUSSELL, the Orde,- of tl e
prevent the alienation of property in
On the motion . _
them to get. such wages as they could exist. The House !
coUld.find out the mode of adding to the distress of these Day for considering the Bridgewater election was poitpon( d
unfortunate men, but it would not adopt anything for their
The report on the
until Tuesday week.
miscellaneous cst:n ales was lsrou 1 t
relief. He would again assert, that such being the case, they'
v and agreed to.
had not a Government ; the purposes of Government we. a p
The Criminal Courts Bill was read a second time.
not answered ; the people were starving in the midst of plent! ; _ , - _ ..... . •
. .. - - --- • '• • .-emir •