Trade 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. There 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. The exception I refer to is the literary traveller Mr. Laing, whose statements and opinions deserve some attention on the part of this society, not only in consequence of his popularity as a writer, but because he travels and writes as a social inquirer.