The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-18 00:00:00

THE REPORT OF THE FACTORY

INSPECTORS.

The reports of the four inspectors of factories is
published; it bears date Dec. 10, 1858. The joint
report calls the attention of the Secretary of State
to the great extent of working beyond the number
of hours daily to which young persons and women
are restricted, and of the encroachments upon the
time reserved for their meals. Scotland presents a
most striking contrast in this respect. Since the last
report a considerable improvement has taken place
in most of the branches of trade. The total number
of machinery accidents in the half-year ended Oct.
31 last was 1,802, of which 880 happened to males
and 922 to females ; 31 of these were fatal. The
non-machinery accidents numbered 84, and of these
10 were fatal. The total number of informations
lodged was 522, and 335 convictions took place-
One convict, being unable to pay the penalty of his
offence, was incarcarated for two months • his nano
is David Semple. The experience of nearly a quar-
ter of a century (Mr. Homer reports) has proved
the wisdom of the humane legislation of Parliament
for the -benefit of those employed in factories, and
the fallacy of the prophecies of its obstinate oppo-
nents. Millowners have repeatedly told him that
the Factory Acts have immensely improved the
character, manners, and general condition of the
operatives, and facts are adduced to show that they
have in no wise interfered with the progress and
improvement of trade. That further legislation,
especially for the protection of young persons, is
very desirable, the reports of the inspectors go far
t o prove, the unscrupulous evasions of some of the
imillowners being most reprehensible. Mr. Horner
denounces a Mr. Wm. Bracewell, of Barnoldswiek'
in the West Riding of Yorkshire, near Colne, in
tneashire, as, " by habit and repute, a deliberate
violator of the law in regard to illegal working!'
Tlae indifference of parents to the educational
clauses of the Factory Acts is still to be deplored,
and it is suggested by Mr. Redgrave that full-time
employment might be made to depend upon the
possession of an educational as well as a surgical
certificate. Mr. Baker reports that the panic of
1857 is almost forgotten in his district, and that
confidence is completely restored. The cycle of
good and bad times diminishes as machinery in-
creases, while the changes from one to the other
happen more frepuently as the demand for rave
material increases with it. Mr. Baker expatiates
on the advantages to be derived from education in
geue.ral, and from evening schools in particular.
He says :—" What we further want is an extension
of that union between the classes of society which
is beginning to exert so beneficial an influence--•
not necossarily an association between them, but a
directiov of the weak by the strong, a softening
of the rudeness of ignorant by the touch of edu-
cated life, and some inculcation of social economy
by those who have risen by its power. There is
spring and energy enough, and the warmest synl"
pathies and sufficient love of offspring among the
working classes to provide for their bodily wants,
if these are not rendered lukewarm by too much
philanthropy ; but as far as their mental neces-
sities are conctumed they yet require help and pressure--a
pressure more directory, perhaps, than compulsory—t°
enable them to kel their own strength, and to manifest a
useful independence."

COUNTRY MA_IIKETB.