The Sun.
London, England, 1824-02-13 00:00:00

EMIGRATION OF ARTISANS,

Mr. HUME rose to bring forward his motion for a Corn-
mittee'on the law restraining the exportation of machinery, and
the emigration of artisans. He telt that he was calling the
attention of the House to one of the most important questions
which could be brought under their consideration ; for im-
portant indeed it must be, to promote the appointment of a
Committee to consider so complicated a subject as the various
laws which affected the artisan population of this empire.—
When, two years ago, he presented a petition signed by
fifteen thousand artisans of the Metropolis, 'he gave notice
that in the ensuing Session he would submit a motion on
the subject. But when the time of his notice arrived, he
found one part of the subject already in the hands of one
Honourable Member, and the whole so diversified and com-
plicated, that was induced to postpone it from the last Ses-
sion to the present, and he did so with the promise of
assistance from his late distinguished friend the Member
for Portarlington, Mr. David Ricardo—a man whose peculiar
knowledge in the difficult science of political economy, so little
understood and yet so important, was universally admitted.—
( Loud cries of hear !)—The loss of such a man to him was upon
such an occasion as this, indeed severe--the more so, when they
recollected the manner in which his late lion. Friend commu-
nicated the extensive sources of information which he possessed
—the candour, the suavity, the persuasive, unaffected mildness,
the unobtrusive way in which he uniformly addressed the
House upon those subjects which he was so peculiarly calculated
to expound—when that fund of information and those qualities
were estimated, as they must be even by the gentlemen who
were politically opposed to the late M r. Ricardo —( Loud cries of
" hear !" from both sides of die ouse,) —then his r. Hume's)
peculiar loss could be appreciated en this occasion. Through
good report and bad report, Mr. Ricardo pursued his scientific
track, and no man was more capable of expounding the great
principles which were interwoven with the present subject._
(H ear, hear!)—He thought that there werenow many, who at first
thought Mr. Ricardo's views theoretic, who were, now satisfied
of their practical utility. Entertaining these opinions, he deep-
ly felt on the present occasion the loss of so inestimable a guide
and assistant, who had promised him his support—an aid of
which he was now, as well as the country, for ever deprived.—
(hear, hear !)—When he approached this great subject, he felt
he was touching laws rendered venerable by their usage and
antiquity, but also not suited for the new state of things which
had grown up in the country..--(Hear, hear !)—lt was time to
simplify these laws ; but it could only be done by entering
seriously into the consideration of the complicated and in-
tricate subject itself, and at once probing it to the bottom.—
When he recollected the fate of the Spittalfields Act of last Ses-
sion, which Mr. Ricardo had so ably supported, but which
had been defeated elsewhere, and chiefly on the ground that
while the laws relating to artizara remained on the antiquated
plan, that measure ought not to pass, he saw an additional rea-
son for their going into the present consideration. It was with
that view that he was prepared, in the first place, to sub:nit a
motion for a revision of the law which prohibited artisans from
leaving the country; and secondly, to consider how far it was
expedient to maintain the laws for prohibiting the exportation
of machinery, or to admit their modification or repeal. With
these two questions, it would also become right to combine the
general consideration of all those laws between master and work-
man, which were often the source of such conflicting dis-
cussion, and which ramified themselves into the whole sys-
tem of manufacturing track. This was not the proper time

far him to enter into the details of his measure—it was enough
fir him to sketch the outline; but he was ready to demon-
strate the necessity of some general legislative measure upon
ttis important subject. On principle, he thought every law
bad which shackled the employment of any man's labour, pro-
vided the employment of it did not interfere with the vital inte-
rests and public policy of the country. He thought on principle
that all men ought to be left free agents to make their own
contracts. Adam Smith laid down that principle to be a sacred
and inviolable right. ' Now, as the law stood at present, a man
of fortune might go to France and carry his property with him,
or he might draw the whole of his income from England or
Scotland, and spend it in France without any body being able
to make any legal coMplaint against him. Now, laws, to be
just, ought to be general. The reverse, however, was the case
in this instance. ',Ole property of the poor man consisted in his
skill and industry, and in his means of applying them to any
particular trade. This property he was not at present allowed to
carry abroad; if he made the attempt, he could he stopped;
nay, he could even be imprisoned until he gave security that he
would not leave the country, if any body had the hardihood to
make oath that he was intending to quit it. What was still more
hard, if any person recommended an artisan, who was perhaps
starving at home; to remove with his skill adindustry into ano-
ther country, in order to obtain better remuneration, that person
was liable to a fine of 6001. for enticing artisans to leave the
kingdom. He did not at this time of day, expect to hear the
principle of these regulations defended. It was impossible for
the house, after it had repeatedly recognized the principle of
emigratiol by granting large sums of money to convey whole
families of artisans to the Cape of Good Hope, and other parts
ofthe southern hemisphere, to refuse to the artisans ofthe country
the right of carrying abroad their skill and industry, especially
as that right was likely to be limited in practice by the uncer-
tainty of success, and by the reluctance which every man felt
to leave, for any length of time, his native land. He now came
to the second branch of the subject, which related to the pro-
priety of allowing our machinery to be exported to foreign coun-
tries free from all restraint. He admitted that this was a ques-
tion of a doubtful nature ; but he hoped that the prejudices which
prevailed regarding it would soon give way before sounder
and better principles. He was quite satisfied that much
examination would be necessary upon it ; and he trusted tha;
a full opportunity would be given in the course of it to all per-
sons in the manufacturing districts to state full their opinions
regarding it. As they knew that their machinery was at pre-
sent exported, that their manufacturers were in the habit of going
abroad to work it, and that large manufacturing establishments
were in consequence in full employment in various parts of the
Continent, he thought that it would open a vast field, and afford
a great profit, to the industry of the country, if they took such
legal measures as would enable the country to become openly
and avowedly the manufacturer of machinery for all the world :
for there was no other branch of commerce in which the rude
materials were so cheap, or in which they produced so much profit
after they had been submitted to the skill and industry of the ma-
chinist. If, therefore, it could be shown, and he had no doubt it
would be shown, that the policy of our laws had compelled foreign
states to erect manufacturers of machinery st a very high rate, and
that they would willingly purchase machinery from us if they
could do it free from danger, the valuable addition which would
be so made to our commerce would be a sufficient reason for
making some alteration in the present system. He could not
help mentioning another 'inducement to taking some such
measure. There was scarcely a single mechanical improve-
-.ment made, that was not immediately. protected by a pa-
tent. To obtain that patent a specification of the improve-
ment discovered must be made out in such clear terms, as to
enable any other machinist to understand it. Our own ma-
nufacturers could not, it was true, infringe the patent ; but
the patent-office was open to the world, and any foreigner that.
chose might obtain -a copy of the specification ; and on re-
turning to his own country, might take advantage of the skill of
English workmen,to carry into .effect the directions it contained.
He hoped that lie had made his intentions on this head
sufficiently.clear. On the next branch of the subject, which
related to what were usually seemed the combination-laws, he
intended to be very brief. For many years past the country,
had been burdened by a system of laws preventing the labour-
ing classes of the community from combining together against
their employers. Their employers, who, though few in num-
ber, were powerful in wealth, might combine against them,
and might determine not to give them more than a certain sum
for their labour. The workmen could not, however, consult
together about the rate they ought to fix on that labour, without
rendering themselves liable to fine and imprisonment, and a
thousand other inconveniences which the law had reserved for
them. This system had produced great dissatisfaction among
the labouring classes ; for the men felt that they were not pro-
tected
against their masters, though their masters were protected
against them. It was said, that if .these laws were repealed,•
there would be nothing but rioting and quarrelling between the
masters and the men e but this he denied on the authority of
persons conversant in trade, who informed him that a strike
for wages never took place, except in cases where the men
found their wages insufficient for their support, or under other
circumstances of severe extremity. He might also mention
that the Hon. and Learned Member for -Peterborough (Mr.
Scarlet* whom he was sorry that he did not now see in his
place, had informed him that if all the laws relative to
masters and workmen were struck off the statute book,
the common law of the land would be sufficient of itself
to meet all mischievous combinations for improper pur-
poses. If that were so, was it not worth their while to reflect,
whether it was fitting that these laws, which appeared
partial in their operation to those whom they most immedias4Y
affected, should be allowed to remain any longer in existence ?
, He was fully aware of the difficulty of the subject, and of the
prejudices which they would have to encounter in examining
it ' • but he trusted that they should be able to overcome them
all, if they met, with the assistance of his Majesty's Ministers,
and especially of that Right Honourable Gentleman who had
taken such an effective part in removing the restrictions by
which the commerce of the
country had been long fettered.—
(Hear, hear !)—Without that assistance he was aware that they
eould do nothing ; but with it, he was sure that they could et-
,feet a great and lasting benefit to the community.—(Hear !)
He concluded by moving that a Select Committee be appointed
to inquire into the state of the Laws in the United Kingdom,
and their consequences, respecting Artisans leaving the country
and carrying their skill and industry abroad; into the state of
the Laws respecting the Exportation of Tools and Machiaery ;
and also into the state of the Laws and their consequences re-
specting the Combination of Workmen to raise their Wages,
and to regulate their hours of work.
After the motion bad been seconded, and put from the chair,
Mr. HUSKISSON rose, not for the purpose of opposing but
of concurring in the present motion. He wished, however, to
have it distinctly understood, that he held himself at liberty on
every part of this subject to-forin his opinion upon the evidence
which might hereafter be submitted to the Committee. He
acknowledged that in much of the general reasoning of thelion.
Member for Aberdeen be fully concurred. On the first head
to artisans
atiriteispazirospotosegdo inqujrY which related to the granting permission.
abroad, he must confess that he entertained
but little doubt. It appeared to him that from the moment
that the policy of our laws (no matter how numerous or how
long enacted) was called intnquestion, the onus of proving their
necessity rested with those who undertook to maintain them ;
and when he spoke of necessity, lie used the terms in reference to
the great and paramount interest of the community and not to that
of any body of individuals, who either had, or fancied that they
had, an interest in the employment of our artisans. He said
that every man was entitled to carry that talent which nature
had given him, and those acquirements which his diligence had
attained, to any market in which he was likely to obtain the
highest remuneration, unless it could be shown that there was
some paramount and overwhelming necessity against it. With
respect, therefore, to the law on'this subject, the question was,
first, whether it was necessary, and then whether it was just and.
practicable. With regard to its necessity, he did not feel him-
self called upon to say a single word more than this—namely,
that it had led to nothing else but perjury, as any man might
now go abroad, who chose to swallow the Custom-house oath. It
was not just, because the severe penalties it contained prevented
those artisans, who .had failed in turning their acquirements
to advantage abroad, from returning back with them to their
native country. He knew that at this very moment there were
many manufactories in France, in which not merely the work-
men, but also the masters who employed them, were British-
born subjects ; and he also knew that many of the individuals
so engaged abroad, would, in the fluctuations to which their
trade had been exposed, have willingly-returned to England,
hed they not considered themselves proscribed by this very law.
He therefore again repeated, that upon this branch of the sub-
ject he himself entertained but little doubt; he thought, how-
ever, that it ought to undergo investigation, if for no other rea-
son, at least for this—that it would tend to remove many idle
prejudices which at present prevailed regarding it. With re-
gard to the free exportation of machinery, he agreed with the
Hon. Member for Aberdeen, in thinking that public opinion
sees more divided. . For his own part, he had no hesitation
in stating, that in general he concurred in the opinions which
the Hon. Member had expressed upon it ; and he would further
observe, that if it were determined to permit the emigration of
artisans, it would be more difficult than even to prevent the
exportation of machinery, as the machinery was in general of
their invention.—(Hear, hear !)—He could wish the attention
of the Committee to be directed to this point—can this part
of law be made effectual ? He knew that at this very moment,
machinery of the most cumbrous nature was exported from
the country ; and he agreed with the Honourable Member
for Aberdeen in saying, that with the superiority which -our
artisans possessed over those of other countries in the ma-
nufacture and erection of machinery, we ought to take into
consideration the demand for it which would be immediately
created by allowing it to be freely exported. On that part of
the subject, however, he wished to reserve himself until he i

had heard all that could be stated by those who were most in-
terested
in it ; at present he had a strong opinion that the
country would be much benefitted by such a measure as
the Honourable Member for Aberdeen. appeared to contem-
plate. With regard to the combination laws, he must ob-
serve, that it was a question of great extent, and of great dif-
ficulty, and one which would require great industry, on ac-
count of the complicated system of law which it would be
necessary to unravel. From the best Attention which he had
been able to bestow upon it, he was convinced that the laws
against combinations had tendgcl to multiply combinations,
—(Hear, hear !),—and that they had greialy aggravated the
evil they were intended to remove. From the moment those
laws were made, the workmen saw the injury which they in-
flicted on them, and immediately began to consider by what
means they could be best evaded.—( Hear !)—lt was no slight
objection to those laws that they created between the employed
and the employer, relations diametrically opposite to those which
ought to exist—for they created j ealousy, and discontent,
instead of that feeling of good will that was calculated to make
each party stand by the other in any period of mutual distress. To
relieve itself from the numerous applications which the IlotrSe re-
ceived in periods of distress from the manufacturine-interest, call-
ing upon it to inprfere between the masters and the men—to re-
move from the statute-book some laws which were too oppres-
sive to be executed, and others which it wits impossible to
execute—he thought that this inquiry ought to be instituted.
—He had , not studied the question sufficiently to be able to
say that if all the combination laws were removed from the
statute-book, the common law would be able to meet all com-
binations ; but he should suppose that if a workman engaged
to finish a given quantity of work in a given time, and did not
finish it, there must be some law to punish him or his breach
of engagement. So, too, in case of a conspiracy to deter indi-
viduals from working at a given rate of wages. It would
be incumbent on the House to look narrowly into the sub-
ject
; strong prejudices existed regarding it in the manu- •
facturing districts, many of which had been endangered
by the law itself, and ought therefore to be carefully and
tenderly removed. He could not conclude without thanking the
Hon. Member for Aberdeen, whose industry and deligence
could be exceeded by no man's—( Hear ! )—for having under-
taken this arduous task. He was not at all surprised that the
Hon. Member for Aberdeen, in proposing this inquiry, should
have regretted the leas which the House had sustained by the
death of his Valued Friend the Member for Portarlington (the
late Mr. Ricardo)—a gentleman whom he •(M r. H.) had also
had the pleasure of reckoning among his friends. There was
no man who esteemed more highly the acuteness and ability of,
Mr. Ricardo than he did, and no man who more sincerely la-
mented
their loss.—(Hear 1)—In all his public conduct there !
was an evident anxiety to do what lie thought right, to seek the
good of the country, and to pursue no other object—(Hear) ;
and his speeches were always distinguished by a spirit of firm-
ness
and conciliation that did equal honour to himself and to
his country.—(Hear ! )—ln conclusion, he remarked, that he
was convinced that the diligent inquiry of the Committee would
produce a report which would enable the House to retain what
was useful in the laws to which the motion referred, to clear
from the statute book such of them as were useless, unneces-
sary, and impracticable, and to substitute in their stead such
amendments as would best promote the commercial interest and
glory of the country.—(llear, hear !)
Mr. BIRCH said a few words, which were quite inaudible
iathe gallery.
The motion was then put, and carried.
Mr. HIM then proposed that the Committee should con-
sist of the following 21 Gentlemen, whose names were read from
the chair :—Mr. Hume, Mr. Huskisson, Mr. C. Grant, Mr.
Sturges Bourne, the Attorney-General, Mr. G. Bennet, Mr.
Dawson, Mr. Bernal, Mr. F. Lewis, Mr. D. Gilbert, Mr.
Phillips, Mr. P. Moore, Mr. Littleton, Mr. S. Wortley, Mr.
Pares, Mr. T. Wilson, Mr. Egerton, Sir H. Parnell, Sir I'.
D. Ackland, Mr. Hobhouse, and Mr. Birch. These Gentle-
men were then appointed to form the Committee, Mr. Hume
observing, that the Committee would be happy to receive the
assistance of any other Members who would attend it.
Lord ALTHORP gave notice, that he should to-morrow
gstaa'ted, that oti Wednesday
gave power to distrain
move for leave to bring iiia Bill to repeal and alter so much of
growingthe Act ocfrotphse
next he should move for leave to bring in a Bill for the better
recovery of small debts.
it6lthr
eloafn
at h. e liajtee
alKs
oi n
The report of the Committee of Supply was received, and the
resolutions agreed to.
On the motion of Lord PALMERSTON, a return was laid
upon the table of the number of Special Vestries which had been
called under the new Tithe Commutation Bill, distinguish-
ing those in which commissions had been appointed, and, also
those which had been adjourned sine die.
The House then adjourned at Six o'CLock.