§ Mr. Mansfield moved the second reading of this bill.
§ Mr. Humeobjected to the bill, on the ground that by preventing the manufacture of cheap hosiery it would throw upwards of 3,000 individuals out of employment. If it was necessary to encourage the manufacture of hosiery of a better sort, let a mark be fixed upon them by law. If his objections could be removed in a committee, he was willing to support the principle of the bill: if not, he should oppose it altogether.
§ Mr. Mansfieldsaid, that if the effects of the bill were such as the hon. member apprehended, the House would scout it. He hoped he was not the man that would introduce such a bill. No man felt more than he did for the distresses of the people: their present misery was painful to the feelings of every humane heart. The bill was intended for their relief, and he hoped the hon. member would change his opinion on the subject in the committee.
§ Mr. John Smithsaid, that the bill was an experiment, and unfriendly as he was to legislative interference on subjects like the present, he would support it, because he felt that the people were reduced to a state of such terrible distress, that it was proper to agree to any measure of alleviation that would afford them consolation.
Mr. Wilsonsupported the bill, on the ground that it was necessary to support the character of our manufactures on the continent.
§ Mr. Ricardosaid, he did not altogether agree in the principle of the bill, but he would reserve his observations for a future discussion.
§ Mr. Peter Moorecontended, that the bill, so far from having the effect of turning persons out of employment, would have directly a contrary effect.
§ The bill was read a second time.