CONDITIONS OF CHILDREN'S WORK 785 
else could interfere, it is clear that the blame lay with them AD: 1776 
or with their agents?, 
It was much easier to report on the extent of the evil 
and to analyse its causes, than to devise a satisfactory remedy. 
Enthusiasts like Owen would have tried to introduce an ideal 
system for all those who worked in the mills. But the Z%e Com 
Government were forced to move more slowly, and to content A 
themselves with attempting to prohibit or limit the recognised isolate the 
evils. The overworking of boys and girls seemed to stand by Zon of 
itself; the mischief was most patent, and as the children were labour, 
obviously unprotected and unable to protect themselves in any 
way, there was a much stronger case for interference than 
there seemed to be in regard to adult labour of any kind. 
The operatives were naturally anxious to have the systematic 
reform, which Owen had initiated, carried through in its 
entirety by the State?; but this was a proposal which the 
Commissioners did not endorse; they tried to put forward a 
discriminating scheme, by which the question of child labour 
should be isolated and dealt with separately, while they 
thought the hours in which other workmen were employed 
should be a matter of agreement, so long as the very wide limit 
introduced in 1802° was not exceeded. The Commissioners did 
not feel that Owen’s principle of a Ten Hour Day was the 
right one, as it would not in itself afford sufficient relief to the 
children, while it appeared to be unnecessary, and possibly 
t The punishments which Lord Ashley proposed to inflict on employers in 
connection with accidents in their mills were very severe. Parliament appears to 
have supposed that they were so excessive that they would never have been 
enforced. 8 Hansard, xIx, 223. 
2 The operatives believed that the shortening of their hours would lead to 
a rise of wages (Reports, etc, 1833, xx. 89, 51), and advocated it on this account; 
but their wages were good when compared with the payments in other callings 
(Reports, etc., 1833, xx. 307, 1008, and xx1. 31, and especially 65), and the Com- 
missioners would have deprecated any change that would seriously interfere with 
market conditions. 
8 Hutchins and Harrison, op. ¢it. 17. This was hardly a new limitation, as it 
closely resembles the recognised day labour of the sixteenth centary. Vol. 1. 535. 
¢ The following instances of excessive work on the part of the young were 
specially referred to by the Commissioners. ‘Am twelve years old. Have been 
in the mill twelve months. Begin at six o'clock, and stop at half past seven. 
Generally have about twelve hours and a half of it. Have worked over-hours for 
two or three weeks together. Worked breakfast-time and tea-time, and did not go 
away till eight. Do you work over-hours or not, just as you like 7—No; them as 
AN 
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