The Industrial Revolution

Bibliographic data

Monograph

Identifikator:: 1027928145

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-159926

Document type:: Monograph

Author:: Cunningham, William http://d-nb.info/gnd/128907487

Title:: The Industrial Revolution

Place of publication:: Cambridge

Publisher:: The University Press

Year of publication:: 1922

Scope:: xxii S., S. 404-886

Digitisation:: 2021

Collection:: Economics Books

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754 LAISSEZ FAIRE AD re the practicability of improvement by setting an example, and he was ready to join in inducing the Government to enquire into the system and introduce remedial legislation’ But this was not a task that could be carried through at once. It required a long continued agitation, and years of legislative and administrative activity, to bring up the con- ditions of textile industry in the country generally to those which he had voluntarily introduced in connection with his own works. The status 267. The influence of the economic experts had been Lr orkmen ised for the most part to justify the views of the capitalists improved 1nd manufacturers. Their main efforts had been directed to sweeping away restrictions on the employment of capital, but they were after all in sympathy with any changes which gave greater freedom and independence to the labourer. So far as his position was concerned, the principles of laissez faire had a constructive, as well as a destructive tendency. There were various ways in which the individual labourer was hampered in the effort to obtain employment on the best terms available. His opportunities for bargaining were re- stricted by the legislation which prevented him from enjoying freedom of movement, and also by the Combination Acts which refused him the liberty to associate himself with his fellows for the prosecution of their common interests. These limitations, on whatever grounds they might be excused, were infractions of personal liberty, and as such seemed to be inconsistent with generally accepted principles. by Sng In regard to the restrictions on freedom of movement ditions for there was, about 1820, a general consensus of opinion in ihe seit” favour of sweeping them away. The hindrances which pre- the voor. vented artisans from travelling within the country had never been intentionally imposed ; they had grown up incidentally since the Restoration in connection with the administration of the poor law. The overseers of each parish were careful to prevent any artisan from being hired for a year, as that period of service gave him a settlement or the right to relief in his new locality? As a consequence the eighteenth century \ See below, p. 776. 1 The Act had the effect of gradually revolutionising the conditions of employ- ment in rural districts. ¢ The fear that in hiring a servant or treating a servant

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