§ Mr. Struttrose to present a petition, signed by a very numerous body of operatives of Derby, praying for a repeal of the Stamp duties upon Newspapers. The petitioners set forth, that being unable to purchase Newspapers, there had been established among them a cheap paper, which related solely to subjects of literature and of trade. No sooner had the paper obtained a circulation than the conductors of it received a notice from the Stamp-office that it was liable to a Stamp-duty, and the publication was obliged to be suppressed. The petitioners set forth their case to the Government, saying, "You prevent the poor acquiring knowledge, and then punish them for what is the effect of ignorance; leave us to ourselves, and we will educate ourselves." The hon. Member continued, that after what some of the members of the present Administration had said upon this subject on former occasions, he trusted that they would redeem their pledges to the country, by repealing the taxes upon Newspapers, and reduce all duties that operated as a tax upon literature and knowledge.
§ Mr. J. Woodsaid, that he should have to present a similar petition, signed by 2,300 operatives of Manchester. A work 826 had been stopped by the Stamp-duties, which was effecting the greatest good among the poor, by enlightening their minds upon the subject of machinery. He believed the working classes to be very generally in favour of the present Government, but they expected it to redeem its pledge of reducing the taxes upon knowledge.
Mr. Warburtonthought the petition worthy of notice, as containing a distinct denial by the petitioners of the opinion that the use of machinery was injurious to the working classes. The petitioners also stated, that with knowledge they would answer for the peace of the country. He thought his Majesty's Ministers could take no wiser step than to resolve to abolish all the stamp and other duties which impeded the progress of knowledge. Hitherto the education of the people had been both neglected and perverted, and now that they were disposed to educate themselves, it was too bad that the Government should prevent them, or in a manner hinder them by its taxes.
§ Petition to lie on the Table.