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FACTORY BILL.

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FACTORY BILL. GREAT MEETING OF THE OPERATIVES ON WIBSEY LOW MOOR. (1'RO}{ A COJUlE'POXDI:;NT.) The Committees of the Manufacuring Districts for supporting the Ten Hour Bill having understood that the opponents of that measure were clamouring for con- cessions destructive jn their opinion to the efficacy of the bill, requested a West Riding meeting of the operatives and their friends on VVibsey Low Moor, in the centre of the manufacturing districts. This request was readily and zealously received, and early on Monday morning, notwithstanding the drenching rain that fell perpetually, the whole population was in a busy stir. Bands were heard, baa ners and flags were seen in all directions— every village poured out its people of all classes-six division*, in numerous smaller parties, moved towards the place. In many places the factory children took French leave and pressed towards the point of meeting. Some factory children who were locked in slid down by the crane ropes. Never was such ardour and devotion seen. No obstacles could prevent the attendance of the people. About eleven o'clock, Captain Wood, of Sandal, was called to Ihe chair. The meeting continued about four hours, and was addressed by Messrs. Ayrey, of Leeds, Williaoi Busfeild, Esq. of Binglev, Chief Constable of the Division Mr. Bedford, of Keighley. George Condy, Esq. Barrister, of Manchester, and the Rev. G. S. Bull, of Byerley. A long discussion arose on the 2d resolution, which was opposed by Messrs. Doherty and Brook, but was carried by all except three dissentients. Mr. Oasiler, the giant champion of the cause, maintained the resolu- tion in question against the objectors. Mr. Stocks, the Constable of Huddersiield, Mr. Pithketly, and Mr. C. Richardson, of Leeds, also spoke. Thanks were given to the chairman, and three cheers each for Lord Ashley ald our London friends; Air. Sadler, who was included in them, had been mentioned with great respect; for Mr. Wood, of Bradford, and all good masters; for the press in general; for the Short Time Committees of the West Riding for the factory children for Mr. Oastler for the Chief Constable, YVilliam Busfeild, Esq., and for George Condy, E,q. The paiience of the people during four hours of frequent and drenching showers, and their zeal and good conduct, is beyond all praise. But of this they gave due notice to all concerned, that there shall be no rest till an efficient Ten Hour bill is passed. Lord Althorp was invited, but forgot," as usual, to attend. Upwatds 100,000 people were present. Di'tni irTIONS. &C. 1. We resolve, that the manufacturing operatives of the West RIdIng of York have firmly set their hearts upon the Teti Hour Bill, because they perceive it is essential to the health and happiness of their children, and because its provisions are calculated to serve the cause of honest industry, and at the same time to be beneficial to all honourable and humane eft,ployerf.-Carried una- nimously. 2. That the bill introduced by Lord Ashley, read a second time, and now going before a committee of the Ho ise of Commons, contains clauses for checking or punishing wilful an(j persevering offenders, which are fully called for by the scandalous breaches of the Cotton Factory Bill, and by the manifold boastings" of cer- tain tyrannical and refractory masters that they would evade a Ten Hour Bill even if it was t(? Pass> That the personal punishment clause for the third offence is imperatively demanded by the practice prevalent in the cotton districts of making the operatives pay the fines, by a per centage on their wages, in order to prevent their laying informations, and that for these reugons, this clause, and similar ones, although esteemed strict," ought never to be conceded :-and lastly, they ought to be maintained, because their concession, whilst it exposes a conscientious and honourable employer to great 10'8, establishes the insufferable principle that wealth ought to shield a criminal from that disgrace to which the poor offender is exposed, Debated, and only three hands against it. 3. That the numerous and disgu.ting tricks succes- sively played off to evade this righteous demand of the factory children, and of their parents and their friends, including those of the Factory Commissioners—the eight hours" plan and two droves",or the twelve hours" plan lately propounded by the ,conciliating" and humane" cotton masters, have only served to strengthen our unfailing determination to have the while Ten Hour Bill. That the labourer has a right to stipulate on his own behalf, as well as OH his children's, for the period and the price of his and their labour and that the trick ef throwing hands out of employ by machinery, and work- ing long hours, and then redlicing wages, is now too well understoad to be submitted to any longer.-Ul)ayai. mously. 4. That the following petition toboth Houses of Par- liaiment be read and submitted to this meeting, viz. TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. The petition of the Manufacturing Operatives of the West Riding of York, assembled at a Public Meeting on Wibsey Low Moor, July 1st, 1833, consisting upwards of 100,000 persons. Humbly showeth,—That your petitioners are resolved to promote by all lawful means the passing of the Ten Hour Factory Bill, accompanied by the most efficient and binding penal clauses that can be devised. That the bill, read a second-time in your honourable house on the 17ih of June, contained these clausei, which were made known and recommended to us, and appeared satisfactory. That we felt ourselves justified in claiming the security of such clauses, 1st. by the justice of equal laws in- asmuch that the poor are often far more severely fined and personally punished for less fences than those referred to. We, therefore, as Britons, have demanded and win demand, with due respect, that there shall not be one law for the rich and another for the poor. We are further justified, 2ndly, by the most scandalous and outrageous violation of the Cotton Factory Bill by many rich cotton masters, continually occurring, as is proved in evidence before your honourable house. These daring and impudent men-not content with accusing us of sedition and rebellion, because we assert and will assert the rights of honest industry, have absolutely arranged that their poor enslaved workmen should be answerable for the fines levied upon them But we know that their workmen cannot go to prison in their places, and there- fore we will never relinquish the geurity of personal punishment. 3rdly. We have heard on good authority, the proud and rebellious boasting of many masters that they would evade the law if a Ten Hour Bill did pass. A rare example this in the higher orders (as they arrogantly assume to be) to us, who are not unfrequently termed the lower order. We, however, are the order who produce all wealth, and who are called upon to defend it when it is produc d. Nor do we grudge our employers their greater share, if they will only allow us to possess and enjoy our rightful portion, and all we ask is, a good day s wages for a good day's work. Your petitioners would further state, with all due respect, that they esteem it as much a puor luan's right to stipulate for the tune and price of his own labour, and that of his children, as they consider it the merchant's right to ask what he pleases for his goods, and to sell them when he likes. And your petitioners are most unfeignedly disgusted to hear certain hypocrites pratiGg and canting about free labour, whilst they t'lernselvts are unceasingly aiming to make their labourer and even his infant children into slaves. With reference to the recent factory commission, your petitioners will only say, that a few more such commis- sions will render even the Royal prerogative obnoxious, and make all administration of the laws odious inas- much as a most inquisitorial, hateful, and anti-British method of taking evidence was adopted, for which your petitioners conceive the commissioners and their abettors (having no authority for its employment) ought to be im peached at the bar of your honourable house. Your petitioners, entertaining these views, earnestly request your honourable house to pass forthwith the Ten Hour BiU, containing ample and effective penal security, (and personal punishment in particular) utterly to disre. gard and refuse the Report of the Factory C ission, onlm whatever it be, on account ot the unconstitutional method of taking evidence adopted by them and further we beg your honourable house to make the cause of honest, but depressed industry, the object of your chief solicitude, being assured that upon its prcsperity, the happiness, the wealth, and the glory of the empire must always depend. And, &c. To THE HOUSE OF LORDS. The Petition, ke., as above. Humbly Showelh-That your petitioners are residents in the manufacturing districts—that the factory system without effective legal restraint is destructive to the health, comfort, social improvement, and religious interests of the children ar.d young persons engaged therein. Your petitioners forbear to dwell upon the arguments in favour of such restriction as thty are so well and widely known. Your petitioners therefore earnestly pray your right ho- nourable house to pass, as speedily as • may be, a Ten Hour Factory Bill, to prevent all night work by persons under 21 years to protect all under 18 years from longer labour than ten hours a day, and eight on Saturdays—and to secure the observance of such a law by annexing to its wilful transgression the most effective penalties that can be devised, including imprisonment tor the third and subsequent offences. And, &c. Move these petitions separably for the adoption of the meeting, to be signed on its behalf by the Chairman, and that George Strickland, Esq., M.P. for this Riding, be requested to present to the House of Commons, and the Archbishop of York to the House of Lords,-Li as- nimously.

——— THE ~ LATEST LONDON INTELLIGENCE.

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