A.D. 1776 
—1850. 
The Eco- 
nomsts 
feared that 
any short- 
suing of 
hours 
174 LAISSEZ FAIRE 
answer for the proceedings of his department, or initiate 
legislative improvements. By the establishment of a central 
authority with a power of control, similar to that which had 
been exercised by the Council in the time of Elizabeth, the 
worst evils which had characterised the long era of chaos 
were brought to an end. But the new administrative system, 
in all its parts, was the creation of Parliament; it was in 
complete accord with the institutions of a country which, 
while still preserving a monarchical form of government, had 
zome to be very democratic in fact. 
269. When Parliament was dealing with such matters 
as the removal of the personal disabilities of workmen and 
the reform of poor law administration, the philanthropists 
and the economists could unite in approving the changes. 
It was a different matter, however, when public attention 
was called to the baneful conditions under which work was 
carried on. Antagonism began to develop at once. The 
economists believed that any shortening of hours would 
certainly involve a reduction of the output, and that a 
reduction of wages must necessarily follow. They were of 
opinion that this decrease of command over the comforts and 
requisites of life would be fraught with serious evil for the 
poorer classes. Since it involved this prospective loss of 
wages and food, any gain to health, that might accrue from 
shortened hours, seemed to them wholly illusory. The agita- 
tors seemed to be mere sentimentalists, who wilfully shut 
their eyes to plain facts; the crusade might have appeared 
more reasonable, if the English manufacturers had had a 
monopoly and could conduct their business as they pleased; 
but in the existing conditions of trade, the employers felt 
that they were not free agents, and resented being branded 
as criminals. Foreign tariffs were prohibitive, and foreign 
industry was advancing ; and as the restrictions on the import 
of corn hindered the sale of our goods abroad, manufacturers 
found it difficult to make any profit. It was stated in 1833 
that for the seven preceding years, the cotton-spinners had 
hardly been able to carry on business at all’, that the trade 
was in a most uncertain condition, and that capital was 
1 8 Hansard, xx. 897.