The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1868-08-15

clearly to understand as regards unions il.
that your union, generally, the miners union,
has not confined its operation to trade pur-
poses, and to benefit purposes, to questions
Of strikes and wages but that they have
endeavored by their actions to bring about
an improved state Of the law, for the benefit
Of the mining working class, and that they
have succeeded in so doing and suppose
you wish the Commission from your eyI-
dence to draw this conclusion, that in these
respects at any rate, legislation has been
brought about, which otherwise might have
been delayed, or possibly might never have
occurred. Is that so? Yes, am satisfied
Of this, that even if without combinations
OF the workmen they might have been pass-
Cd, yet IL was on the representations Of the
workmen that the FIRST Inspection Act was
passed, that il was on the representation Of
the workingmen that all the inspection acts
were passed, and that it is owing to the rep
reservations of the workingmen that educa-
ton is now a part OF the statutes of this
country as far as children working in mines
are concerned.
Mr.. Mathews euppose then, from the
expression OF these opinions on your part.
you think that the working classes are we'll
represented in the present House of Com
mons That 10 not part of the inquiry,
with all difference to you. The people are
represented fairly in the meantime, but it
appears that the country does not think they
are so well represented a. they ought to have
been.
But you state that in all cases Of repre-
sentation on behalf of the men through the
fundamentally Of unions, TO members of
the House Of Commons. more especially to
members like Lord Elcho, you have always
found every possible desire to assist them il
their objects. want to ask you whether
you would not infer from that that the W ork-
ing classes are well represented in the House
OF Commons Some Of the measures that
have been asked have been very long delay
ed, and possibly IL there were . larger num-
Der Of members in the House representing
more varied interests than now, measures Of
that kind which We have been asking for
would not have been SO long delayed in the
getting. But must decline really, at once.
70 be questioned on those matters, have
peculiar views on them Of my own.
Lord Elcho-Are there many measures
for the improvement Of the mining popula-
ton which you still seek fort Yes, there
are.
Chairman-The tendency of your remarks
q that there has been great deal Of oppres-
sion, and that the efforts to get relief from
that oppression, and that the efforts 70 eet
relief from that oppression have been Oh
posed BY the men Of property that is the
line Of your evidence, is It mott A certain
class Of the men Of property. But the fact
that these laws have been passed proves that
the bulk Of the men Of property are filed
with feelings OF humanity. Tha fact that
the majority OF the House have passed from
time to time those statutes whlcliII have re-
feFred to- which have IN my mind brought
very great benefit upon the WORKING popala-
tom proves 70 me that the bulk of the cap
italisss are right At heart, and have at least
The welfare OF the working classes, and Of
TIE mining clans, to which I am referring
now, in view.
Lord Elcho- Take the case Of the law to
which YOU refer, THAT having come within
ny own notice. the law Of master and SER
Vant was there any real opposition raised
J 70 that change on the part Of the master
ASST Your Lordship Ia better able to know
that than | am, think there was oppo-
sition.
But not real serious opposition, was
tneio There was opposition, and your
LOEdship knows better than do where IL
came from.
Was there any opposition to the principle
Of the chanEes I think that there was this
opposition that thsre ware gentlemen pro-
ducsd from the 1ineowners' Association and
Other associations Of capitalisss, Who, q
your Lcrdship II awrse, q chairman Of that
Commiatess very decidedly opposed he
change.
! sn speaking Of members Of The House !
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