§ Mr. BeaumontI wish to call the attention of the hon. Gentleman to the report of a murder that has taken place in South 619 Shields, by two men belonging to the Union Pitmen, and I wish to know whether the Government has received any information on the subject?
Mr. LambI am sorry to say, that such intelligence has been received at the Home Office; and that there has been a murder committed by some of the Union pitmen, in the most treacherous manner. I hardly need add, that it is the intention of the Government to do every thing in its power to investigate the circumstances.
§ Mr. BeaumontI will not say any thing now that can lead to discussion; but I wish to give notice, that I shall take an early opportunity of calling the attention of the House to the state of the workmen in these pits; for it is intolerable that a body of them, because they choose to elect themselves into a Committee, should be able to make themselves lords and masters over all belonging to their calling.
§ Sir Henry HardingeI am glad to hear my hon. friend say, that he will take an early opportunity of bringing this subject before the House. I myself have seen several letters on the subject from the North; and I am convinced that the Government cannot be too speedy in its measures.
Sir Robert PeelWhat I have always felt on the subject of these Unions is, that the industrious classes are more interested in their suppression than the higher classes; because we can always escape, to a certain extent, from their effect; but those in humbler life, whose only dependence is their labour, are subjected to the full brunt of their tyranny, and are not allowed to take their labour to the best market. I am therefore certainly of opinion, that some legislative enactment should be introduced for the purpose of remedying this evil.