Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-05-23
ENGLISH FACTORY LABOR BILL.

ENGLISH FACTORY LABOR BILL.
A bill is before the British Parliament to limit
the period Of young persons working in factories
The chief provisions are, that none under the
age Of twenty one shall be compelled to work
between the hours of seven in the evening and
six next m orniug-and that those under eighteen
shall, be employed usually only 10 hours each
day, and only hours every Saturday. The
hours NAV be varied in commence ment and ter.
m,natiun to suit the convenience Of the employer;
but the number of hours are not to be varied.
Children under the age Of nine years are not to
be employed at all; nor are any children to be
detained on Sunday in cleansing the machinery
The walls of the working rooms are required to
be white " ashed once year, and in all factories
to be hereafter erected. the walls OF all such
rooms are to be at least ten feet in height. The
time Of labor is TO BIZ regulated BY time.pieces
set By the nearest public clock. The machine
ry is to be fenced or boxed of, so as to prevent
accidents; and If any fatal accidents oscur
in consequence Of the neglect at this prcc aution,
they are to he imputed as mansaughter" to
the owners Of the factory. who are TO deposit
pecuniary compens aton for the sufferer where
the injury is serious without being fatal. 1t is
proposed that tie act shall take effect on the LIST
Of July.
| In connection with this subject. we have ex-
tracted the following pretty and pathetic stsnzas
from The True Sun, London paper Of the 9th
Of April.
THE FACTORY GIRLS LAST DAY.
"Four or five months back there was girl Of
poor mans that was called to visit; it was
poorly; il had attended mill, and Was obliged
to relieve the father in the course Of my office
that Of assistant oyersaer of the poor, in conse
euence Of the bad health of the child; by.and.by
it wen! back to its work again; and one dav he
came to the with tears in his eyes. said, What
is the matter, Thoma.i' He said, MY little
girl is dead said, When did she dep
He said, In the night; and what breaks nv
heart is this, she went 10 the mill in the morning.
she was not able to do her work, and little boy
said he would assist her If she would give him a
halfpenny on Saturday; said would give him
penny but at night when the child went home,
perhaps about quarter Of mile, it fell down Sc
veraI times on the road through exhaustion. till
at length il reached its fathers door with Difficult
ty. and il never spoke audibiy afterwards; 1t
died in the night. Judged she might be 10
years old Minutes Of Evidence before Com
mities Of The House Of Commons, page 2lo.
Twas on winter mOrning,
The weather wet and Wild,
Three hours before the dawning,
The father reused his child;
Her daily morsei bringing.
The darksome room be paced,
And cried, I" The bell il ringing.
My hapless darling, haste!'
| &" Father. I'm up, but weary,
| scarce can reach the door,
And long the way and dreary,
o carry me once more!
To helpus we've no mother,
You've no employment nigh.
They killed my little brother,
Like him III work-and diel"
Her wasted form seem'd Nothing,
THE koad ,cas at has heart;
The sufferer he kept soothing
Till at the mill they part.
The overlooker met her,
As tn her frame she crppt,
And with his thong he beat her,
And cursed her as she wept.
Alas! what hours of sorrow
Made up her latest day:
Those hours that brought no morrow,
Too slowly passed away;
1t seem'd, as she grew weaker,
The threads the oftener broke,
The rapid wheels ran quicker,
And heavier fell the stroke.
The sun had long descended,
But night brought no repose;
Her day began and ended,
As cruel tyrans chose.
At length + y little neighbour
Her haifp-nny she paid,
To take her last hours iabour, |
While by her frame she laid.
At last, the engine ceasng,
The captives bomewsrd rushd;
She thought her strength increasing
Twas hope her spirits Au.h'd.
She left, but oft she tarried,
She fell and rose no more,
Till by her comrades carried,
She reach'd her fathers door.
All night, with tortur'd feeling.
He watched his speechless child;
Aud close beside her kneelinp.