The Sun.
London, England, 1844-04-11 00:00:00

THE FACTORY QUESTION.

• LEEDS, APRIL 9.—Last n;ghta very numerous, re-
spectable, and in many respects an important meeting
of the inhabitants of the borough of Leeis, was held in
the 'MCIa.-hall, in Albion-street, in this town, in order
to further a mitriction on factory labour to ten hours
per day for women, young. p7rons, and children.

-
- On the platform were the Rev. Dr. Hook, Vicar ; the
Rev. Joseph Wardle, the Rev. T. B. Ferris, the Rev.
Thomas Nunns, and other clergymen ; Mr. S. Smith,
Mr. George Balmer, . Mr. _Francis Sharpe, and other
surgeons ; several merchants; Mr. Oasticr, Mr. Busfeitd
Ferranti, M.P. ; Mr. B. Jowett, of London ; Mr. Chas.
Walker, of Bradford ; and many other friends of the ten
hours' cause. .

On the motion of Mr. Bulmer, seconded by Mr. Sum-
tiers, the Vicar of Leeds was invited to take the chair.

The _Rev. Dr. HOOK rose amidst loud applause, and
having addressed the meeting at some length in favour
of the Ten Hours' Bill, concluded by saying—" I am
ready, in this righteous cause, to press furward with you
to the last gasp.—(Applause.) And I trust that our
friends in London, when the question is put to th .m,
whether they will support the cause of the poor or the
cause Of party, will fling party to the dogs, and support
humanity, and go straight forward in that right path in
which•they now are. The arguments I have adduced I
know may be met by counter arguments, but I have en-
tered into them for that reason. There is, at least, you
will agree, looking at the commercial question, much to
be said on both sides ; if much is to be said on both
sides, let us take the side of hmanity. Throw humanity
into the scale, and then we know how to proceed.
Whether the Bill will pass in this session of Parliament
or not may be doubtful ; but this I
.know, and this I
will say, that piss it must, and pass it will are long.—
(Loud applause.) Even Lord Ashley consented to post-
pone the operation of this Act for a short time ; and
therefore we, I trust, are willing to abide our time ; but
here we are to expedite the movements of our friends.—
(Hear, hear.) I cannot conclude without saying that I
have not now, nor have I at any other time, uttered a
single word of disrespect towarde the leading millowners
and manufacturers in this town ; on the contrary, I know
some of them to be amongst the most generous,_ and
most benevolent, and most humane of our species; but to
this system we are opposed, and iii our opposition to this
system I trust we shall persevere diligently, ardently,
patiently, determinately ; affording that fair play to all
which every Englishman loves, and with Christian feel-
ing, till we have brought it-to a successful issue."
At this stage of the proceedings Mr. °testier ascended
into the orchestra, and was vociferously cheered.
Mr. G. J. HARNEY moved the folloyting resolution,
which was seconded by Mr. R. POUNDER; a factory
operative:—" That this meeting believes that what is
commonly understood as the Ten Hours' Factory Ques-
tion—meaning thereby the limitation of factory labour
within a day of twelve hours, with a proper all ,wance
of time for meals and rest—is a reasonable, a holy,
and a righteous object ; and that the blessing of
Almighty God will not fail to attend the prosecution
of it by upright and honourable means. That while
this meeting deeply laments that the attainment of so
legitimate an object should have been retarded by a
conflict which has now lasted more than five-and-twenty
years, during which tens of thousands have gone to a.
premature grave, this meeting rejoices with a joy un-
speakable, at the progress
.this question has made
within the last month; and more especially at the feet
that, on the 18th of March, in the .present, year, two
divi,,ions were taken in the, Commons House of Perlis-
rnent, both virtually in favour of making the factory day
commence at six o clock in the morning and terminate
at six o'clock in the evening, a decision at on:e in ac-
cordance with the requirements of justice, policy, huma-
nity, and religion, and one which calls fur unbounded
gratitude to that Being who has the hearts of all in his
rule and governance.".
Was. BUSFEILD FERRANS), ESq., M.P., came forward
to eupport the resolution. He was received will loud
applause, which was continued for .several minutes.
After it had subsided, he said, that when, a few short
weeks ago, he hid the honour of addressinee' a nicotine;
in Leeds, he told those whom, he then addressed, that
Richard Oastler would soon be free ; and now Mr.
Oastler was present to bear witness to the truth of that
assertion.—(Applause.) He (Mr. Ferrend) told them
that night that the (ley
.was net- far distant when
they would have a Ten Hours' Factories Bi.l.—(Hear.)
If he wanted a proof that his assertion would come
true, he would wish no more convincing. one than was
supplied by the numerous meeting before him, presided
over,. as it was, by their venerable chairman. They had
met to tell the Queen's Ministers, and to tell the Houie
of Commons that, justice was their claim and justice was
their right ; and as sure as he addressed them that night
justice should and would be done to them--(Applause)—
for there was a spirit awakened abroad in their cause which
the oppressors of the weak and poor could not gainsay
nor destroy. - Sir J. Graham, the man who declared
they should nob have a Ten Hours' Bill, had been
during the hot few weeks dreadfally, earwigged at the
Home-olliee by the. oppressors . of the poor.—(Hear,
hear.) His ••(Mr.-Ferrand'e) • firm. conviction was,
it, had it not been for the cold-blooded coolness
and dogged stupidity of Sir James Graham, they would
have had the Government at this instant sanctioning a
Ten Heurs',Bill-(lTear, hear)--but he,wite dead to all
the finer feelings of humanity to think of anything but
self.—(Applause.) • Sir ,lames Graham; ever since he
took office,. had done everything that he could to
oppress' and grind the -poor.. -He had said that he
would not consent to a Ten Heure! Bill, and that the
Government were determined to stand by him. Not only
that, but he had said that if they were in a minority,
they would` resign. H p e lr. Ferranti) had no hesi-
tation in saying that. the.. declaration was unconstitu-
tional, and disgraceful -to Sir James as a Minister.—
(Hear.) The Ministry'had declared the factory ques-
tion an open one, when they had no thought that there
would be a majority against them ; but when they were
in a minority, they said it was a party question. If they
had made it a Government question, and found them-
selves. in a minority, they ought to have resigned.—
(Hear, hear.) The Whigs, when there was a majority
of one . vote—that of Mr. Walter-e-.against them, dis-
solssed Parliament, and that led to their resignation.
The,present Government ought to ..do their duty to the
country.; and not to call upon the house of Commons to
drag them through the • kentiet of apostacy, making
the representa•ives of the people the tools of a party.
—(lleer,. hear). He believed that the Ministry would
be dereateel,..4o that the llrittso 'of Comm;ms would not
degrade and stultify itself, and show an example of the
first eissembly• its the universe sinking down, without
feelings of honesty or consiStency, at' the mere bidding
of a Nlinistry.—(Hear, hear.) .But if they did, was the
meeting. to be told that there—were no honesty, no
patriotism, in that House, thatewhich sat on the
Treasury benches ? • There might not. be the cunning
expediency -ofSir.ltohert Peet; nerthe-cool effrontery of
Sir James,Grahams.amongst. the Tories who slt in that
House, or those whir lived-in this ceu,,try ; hut there
was a greater desire on their part to'do ju tice between
man and man, -between master and servant, than he
could- find 'in the present Government: The meeting
had no occasion to be disheartetted ; they ought to
take courage, and go en.—(Cheers.) Let the Ministry
resign. I,: for one, should not drepett tear. Sir -Ro-
bert Peel gave the country liaunderstand that he would
repeal the obnoxious clauses- of the New Peor-
law Bill. Instead doing so, "he` 'had stood by
them.—(Hear, hear.) He had 144 his (Mr. Fer-
rand's-) eanfidencee lie placed no-faith in him, and he
told fhe meeting that after Sir Robert had made the
factory question' an open question in the House of
Commons, aridll6.l4d a titsjerity against him—a ma-
jority who asserted that ten hours wore sufficient for
factory labourers to work—if he should, by
.whipping
up the Treasury benches, by Treasury influence, and the
influence of the -Government, destroy that vote by' unfair,
underhand, and 'unconstitutional means, he (Mr. Fer-
liand) WoUld.witlidravv_ his confidence. from the Govern-
ment, and place himself. in .opposition.—(Hear, hear.)
He would 'tell Sir Raert 'Peel that he Was not to
play the same game new as he did in 1829 ; that there
are now a body of independent men sitting on his
side of the House, who are determined to do their duty
to their country. Ile (Mr. Ferrand) had for the last
twelve years felt deeply on the factory question. He
first took an active part en the subject at the Odsall
Moor meeting, which was convened by his friend,
Mr. Richard Oastler.—(Hear,- hear.) Since that time
the cause had gained strength; and if those who took part
in its promotion-acted legally, constitutionally, and ener-
getidally, they were sure to succeed, for they might do
pend upon it that God would defend the right. The
Hon. Member sat down amidst loud cheers, and, after
they had subsided, the resolution was put to the meeting
and carried unanimously.
• The Rev. TifoxEs FERRIS briefly proposed the next
resolution, which was as follows That while this
meeting would make its chief acknowledgments to
Him • by whom kings reign and princes decree justice,',
it feels bound to express the deep sense of obligetion it
entertains towards all those Members of Parliament,
of whatever party in the State, who united in the recent
memorable vote in favour of the ten hours' measure ;
and especially to the noblemen and gentlemen who
took a prominent part in the debate in favour of the
desired restriction, and whose manes are herein-
' after enumerated, namely—Lord Ashley, Lord John
Russell, Lord Palmerston, Lord Johu Manners, lord
Howick, Lord Sandon, Sir George . Grey, Sir Robert
Inglis, Mr. I3rotherton, Mr. Stuart Wortley, Me. Muntz,
Mr. Aglionby, Mr. M'Geachy, Mr. William Beckett,
Mr. Charles 13uller, Mr. W. B. remind, Mr. Fielden,
Mr. Colquhoun, Mr. . Hindley, Mr. Borthwick, Mr.
Bernal, Mr. Hawes, Mr. Brocklehurst, Mr. Thos. Dun-.
combe, and Mr. Hardy, and that the noblemen and
gentlemen a ho prominently supported, and all those who
voted with Lord Ashley on the occasion above referred'
to, be earnestly requested to continue their exertions
until the success of this most sacred measure is tri-
umphantly secured."
Mr. GEORGE BtnestEa, surgeon, seconded the resolution.
The Rev. T. Nuieet, in an able speech, proposed the
next resolution:—" That this meetiiig would fain hope
that her Majesty the Queen will be made cognisant
of the fact that a large majority of those who work in
factories are females, the number often amount-
ing to two-thirds, and in some instances to
three-fourths of those employed; and that this meeting
confidently believes, that her Majesty herself, if the facts
of the ease are dud laid before her, by her confidential
advisers, will not fail to sympathise with her oppressed
subjects, but be anxious to redress their wrongs. 1V hate
ever course, however, her Majesty's Ministers may think
proper to take, warned as they have been by the defee-
non of ninety-three of their ordinary supporters, this
meeting feels that the interests involved in this question
are of far too sacred a character to permit them to be
waived for any party, or temporary considerations what-
ever ; and it therefore hereby calls upon Lord Ashley
and his Parliamentary supporters- to persevere reso-
lutely in the course to which they in the sight of God
and their country stand pledged, until the ten hours'
question is brought to a glorious and triumphant issue."
Mr. SAMUEL SMITE, surgeon, seconded the resolution.
Mr: OASTLEB was next called upon, and on rising he

was greeted with threw hearty cheers. In the course at
a I.tng and eloquent speech, he said—l am determined
never t.t rest tia we have the Ten Hours' Bill, and neva
to place any contidenee in any set of men who may be nr
pointed te) govern us, who refuse it. But when we knock
• with so loud a voice at the door of the Cabinet, I trust that
Sir J. Graham himself will be disposed to yield ; and if
not, we must, in the name of that great cause we are 1114
to suppoi t, bid him begone.—(Loud cheers.) He also
adverted to the nickname of " Jack Cade," which Sir
James Graham had applied to Lord Ashley and his stir
porters. Ileo(Mr. Oastler) had made many 'prophecies
11011 C of which had been falsified ; and when he saw that
Sir James Graham had been reduced to the beggarly
necessity cf calling nicknames, he exclaimed, " Twelve
months hence you are out, Sir James ;" and he intended
to mark the time carefully, to see whether he wa's cor-
rect or not. Mr. Oustler concluded by quoting a beau-
tiful psssnge from a sermon by the Rev. Dr. Thomas
John Hu,sey, Rector of Haycs, Kent, and sat down
amidst vociferous applause.
The resolution passed unanimously. •
Mr. JosuuA HonsoN read a long petition, embodying
the resolutions, and containing much additional argu-
ment in favour of a Ten Hours Factory Bill. tie con-
cluded by moving its adoption, and that it should be
sent zo Mr. W. Beckett for presentation, and that Mr.
Ferrand and Mr. Thomas S. Duncombe should be Te"
quested to support the same.
. . .

Mr. JonN .C.,3tlrusoN seconded the motion. '
A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, and the
mecting broke up shortly after eleven o'clock.

THE WELSH CHURCH.,
0
" And the poor have the Gospel preached to them.
Such was the closing fact appeeled to' by the
great founder of our faith, in testimony of his Divine
mission, and the truth of the dispensation ,he 11'0
about to usher in. And this Divine characteristic
has been from age to age most devoutly preserved 1.)--Y
every ecclesiastical body of people down to these brit
and degenerate days. Even the Church of Dome it
the plenitude of its despotic power, howsoever high
i:s pride or deep its corruption, never once forsook
that grand principle of its original formation. What-
ever might he its derelictions in other respects, it .
never neglected the poor; their temporal wants were
attended to in a way that might often shame our se'
much vaunted Reformation improvements ' • and as to
their spiritual requirements, such as the Church of
Rome- believed the truth to be, such a Gospetss it
acknowledged, it communicated of it to the poor
bountifully, assiduously, and with earnestness net',
good-will e and it was - reserved
.for the Church of
England, or rather for that half-withered branch of
it, the Church of Wales, openly and without disguise
to discard this great principle, and adopt its opposite.
For here, were the message of the Prophet delivered,
the answer would often be, " And the rich have the
Gospel preached to 'them." Should- any doubt the
correctness of this statement, let them at once repair
to Wales, and note the conduct of the. Church there;
for, in many parts of that ill-used country, thiS is the
precise principle acted upon. In one valley.alelle9
in a mineral district, in the diocese of Llandaff, on;
taming a population of 10,000, up to a recent perieus
there was no place of worship belonging to the Este°
blished Church for many miles. About five years
ago, in consequence of the repeated remonstrarices're;
specting the neglect of the people by the -ChUrch,ent*
the numerous Dissenting chapels continually spring':
ing up, it was determined to make an etfoit to etre"
one place of worship belonging to the Establisluneet
Accordingly a subscription was set on foot,and urgent
were the appeals to the benevolent public, and .the
friends of religion, &c., and loud was the clamour re
.specting accommodation for the 'poor, and „ever/
hackneyed canting expression known was enlisted oA.
the side of the working-classes and the labouring'
classes, &c. ; and in order to insure this accommodr
tion, it was expressly covenanted for, that the service.
was to be, performed alternately in Welsh and Eng,:
fish, the former being the language of the 'great be.lol
of the people. Under these assurances the amount.,
some thousand pounds was raised, to which OIL
Church Building Society liberally added anotbef,
thousand, and thus a church was erected, capable e.,
holding two - thousand people, and every expectat,it
held out that the shepherdless sheep on the mounts'.
should at last be securely folded. And so they were
for some time.; and no doubt would have continued'
had the original contract been honestly observed, ;Pa
which -it was stipulated that the Welsh service shan't,
be regularly performed every Sundayalternately Wita
the English. But this order was Soon laid aside; 11,131,
as the iron masters and their families wereEngiVe •
the Welsh service was often entirely dropped, or e,
partially performed, and that generally only once a ford •
night, so that the Welsh people gradually deserted
the church, and now, where it was intended that- tic
thousand should assemble in worship, it is a rare ,
currence to find more than two hundred, exclusive
the school children ; and the Communion service''
never performed at all in Welsh.
Are the Welsh, then, an irreligious race ? Q
es
uite
the reverse, when they have their religious servie
performed in' their native language. And,n; a Prean.,
there are within almost a stone's throw of this VI .
church, no less than eight Dissenting chapels, in whie
the Welsh is the language of the ministry, with ser
vice in each twice at least every Sunday, and oftec.;
times on other days of the week as well. In one t
these chapel's alone the average - attendance coke;
a thousand; and
,the corniiimagnits* amount to Grp
hundred. And what ddeg the Bialiop say to all Olt,
Nothing. lie probably knows nothing about ,
How should he. And if he did, he would only e. 7,
that the Welsh ere obstinate, and must not be 1,,s
dulged with Welsh prayers—once in three wee
will do for a Welshman, or once a month.
Ts it to be wondered at that the sheep are scattelle
ed
with such shepherds? No. But the wonder will
if they are ever recalled; and --it is well the %lie
should know how these matters are n;smaged e
Anglo-Welsh Bishops, who fatten on the,dincese%re
the aboriginal Britain. We are prepared tniclt
facts hereafter of each one, and all of then, W"
shall be made known, if they cannot be altered. • .

- - -
[ADVERTISEMENT.]--COURTb
been said and written relative to the assemblage_dii.
female beauty celebrated under this title. The parti7,o
by Sir Peter Lely and Vandyke, in Windsor Castle, 1-e, -
doubtless faithful representations of those fair and lbe
cessful aspirants to a notoriety which endures to.pg
present day; But how gratifying are the conclusit),f
we are enabled to arrive at in favour of our own tioieto
The polished observances of modern society seelr_ .ol,'
have had their effects in subduing the bold expressi°l.loo,
eyes akin to' those that beamed upon the liesterstler
While a costume ever chaste and r‘splendent hab
seded the stiff and formal sameness of t-he "olden.o3A-1.,
And to these important advantage s may be adderop
pleasing restorative and preserver of the complefce;
Gowland's Lotion, in removing every species•of
taneous impurity, and sustaining a brilliant vivacitfieg,
tint,- has long been appreciated in the highest circAdo',
An assurance of the sterling.remedial qualities of Si
invaluable article cannot be too firmly entartaine4
of
all who suffer from irritability and discolourati°
the skin.
Ugh
[ADVERTISEMENT.]—Ax EXTRAORDINARY
OF A CASE OF CONEIEMPTION BY HOLLOWAY'S inerf
—Miss Newman, aged 19, whose father is a shoeino
living in Long-lane, Bermondsey, had been in 11. cite(
sumptive and dangerous state for about two years. ),-,11
parents considered her case as hopeless, when they ne}e
recommended the use of these miraculous pills,
after she had taken them for about three months's.'
stored her to perfect health, although she had been,O,
&red on the brink of the grave. ThiS medicine Wilk ;111
any coughs or colds, however lnd they may be, tonisor
as asthmatical affections.. Sold (also Holloway's ''',244+.
ment) at Professor Holloway's establishment;, of
Strand (where advice may be had gratis), andl3y-o Igef:
all respectable medicine venders throughout the el .
world.

Loudon : Printed and Published by /111:111)Pj°10..1 Qi
No. 112, Strand, Printer, at Vie Btla (1' Co
Strand, in the Precinct of the Savoy, in the
bliddleasz, Thurtday, April 11,1844.

-

CITIAIn

E
Til 19D
eity Gf

1, Ti
Dr 2, x,
rely
it do
3. 01
y se
11er
For
nones.
•
'1"

. accui„
redtie.
The
contra;
. The
or se,
'
to„, t
Diem