Trades' unions and combinations in 1853

Abstract

Being desirous of obtaining authentic information with respect to the present character and prevalence of combinations among the working classes, I have endeavoured to possess myself of it by personal inquiry from persons who had the advantage, or disadvantage as it might be, of practical experience on the subject; and I have found it impossible to lay before you in half an hour both the results of my inquiry, and the conclusions they have suggested to my mind. I must, therefore, in this paper, present you with the evidence I have collected, without a report upon it; or, at least, I must follow the example of some parliamentary committees, and report only the evidence. Almost all the witnesses whom I shall introduce to you speak from personal experience, having come more or less frequently, m the course of business, into actual contact with the combinations of workmen. There is, however, one (and the only one whom it would be proper to particularise by name) whose observations upon the subject of my investigation I thought entitled to some notice in this paper, from a different reason than that which has led me to submit to your consideration the testimony of the other witnesses.