Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-30


debate which took place in the British House Of Com
mons the 18th of April relative TO the Silk Trade
The debate arose on motion brought forward by
the Hon. Mr. Flyer to appoint Committee to in
quire into the state OF the Silk Manufacture. He
commenced by pointing out the valuclof this branch
Of trade and staing, generally TINT it rapidly
the declinc and ascrbed its fallen condition. to the
introduction Of Mr. Huskisson's Free Trade SYSTEM
that the silk trade had been the victim for four or five
years past, OF set OF experiments instituted by those
experimental Doctors i'm political economy Mr.. Hus-
kisson and his disciples. Aer exposing the absu
~ OF the new tangled notions of Mr.. Husiiissons
plans OF government, he affirmed that If they were
persevered in they would bring ruin upon tho manu-
featuring interest of England.
In support OF his position that the Free Trade Sys
tenn was ruinous to M2nuiGturers, Mr. Flyer. gave
a number OF facts, few OF which will endea-
your to ny-beforc our readers. In letter which he
read from Corenhy, 1t was stated that in TINT dis
trict there had been increase of 500 Wcavers out
OF employ since the 18th ofMarch and that the num-
bcr Of Wndcrs, Wrappers, and Spinncrs ont of en-
ploy hac also increased in proportio,late ratio.
The number out ofemploy there is thus stated
WCavcrs 25l7
Winders e6i
Wrappers 20i
Spinncrs Oil
Total 1855
The manufacturers OF Warwick nc stated were in
similar situation; the wages of those in employ
were low that they did not afford the commofnc-
ccSSarieS oil lltc they having but hall work. that
it would not be in the power Of employers 10 con-
tinuc their present partial labour their workmcn
the situation Of both were becoming daily worse
The fancy and ornamental branches OF the trade had
been entirely broken up by the introduction of foreign
fabrics. Many had been compelled to dispose of all
their dsposable articles to prevent themselves md
children from starving.
in Coneleton alone there were &C Silk Mills
standing still. To illustrate still further the blight
ing Influence OF the free trade policy he stated these
adj lns>fe
Is Sd per week; in 1929 but rs i'd. In Paisley in
824 there two thirds more Mills at work than
in 1893. The average rate of wages, there, was in
1924 los; Ill 1898, IS cd. In Macclcsfeld in 1924.
there were 50 Mills Employed; in 1898, i6 Of these
were standing still. In Staunton SO Mills had stop
ped work since 1924, and wages reduced 20 per cent
Since l624, the number Of looms at work had been
| reduced from 1900 10 5000, aud wages reduced
from lis to o. In Dublin inlS24-5, there were 1900
| broad silk looms employed, now but 200-thcre
were also in lS2d-5, $50 riband engines employed;
now but 144-the wages on this branch, reduced 35
per cent. In 824, the hands employed in throwing
were 2,200 now but 1873. Wages then 8s; now SIS.
We have thus given IN a condensed form a few of
the facts submitted the House of Commons by the
mover of tire inquiry, and TO us, they are appalling
enough, in all conscience; and should we think prove
most satisfactory, that if the present encouragement
TO the introduction of foreign Silks into England
should be continued for any time that it will ami
hilae all the domestic establishments. The situa-
ton Gi the Silk Manufacturers Of Great Britain hold
very striking analogy TO those Of our countryIncn
engaged in manufactures. Their establishments are
in state Of comparative infancy-so are ours
they have 10 compete with old and experienced work
nen-sO have we. Previous to 1894 the British
Silk trsde was protected from foreign competition
il then prospered-snce then the fostering care Of
government has been withdrawn, ard the conse-
quence is to be seen IN the above melancholy pic
ture.
II will be well tor Amerca--it will be we'll for
those who have got their means invested in Manu-
featuring establishments, if Congress should take
counsel by the folly of our transatlantic friends.