William
James
was M.P. for Carlisle until 1835. The following year he was elected
as the representative of Cumberland East in the House
of Commons. He sat for this seat until his retirement in 1847.
William James died on 4th May 1861.
Child
Labour Debate Activity (International School of Toulouse)
Child
Labour Simulation (Spartacus Educational)
(1)
William
James, speech, House of Commons (16th March,
1832)
I
have no doubt that the right honourable member (Michael Sadler)
is actuated by the best intentions and motives, but I think that the
course which he pursues will fail in attaining the object which he
has in view. Undoubtedly the system which is pursued in these manufactories
relating to the working of young children is a great evil; but it
appears to me that the remedy which the honourable gentleman proposes
to apply is worse than the disease. There appears to me to be only
a choice of evils - the children must either work or starve. If the
manufacturer is prevented working his mill for more than a certain
number of hours together, he will often be unable to execute the orders
which he may receive, and consequently, the purchaser must go to foreign
countries for a supply. The result will be that you will drive the
English capitalist to foreign countries, where there is no restrictions
upon the employment of labour and capital.
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