The excitement in the House of Commons about the Ten-hours
project of factory-labour has not been adequately reflected out of doors. A deputation of working people in alliance with Lord ASHLEY, and a deputation of millowners, are in London watching the progress of the bill; and there have been operative meetings in Manchester, to condemn Ministers and pray for the dismissal of Sir JAMEs GRAHAM, besides a more general meeting at Bradford, a very Oastlerite place : but we observe no signs of any prevailing po- pular interest. Some manufacturers are boasted of among Lord ASHLEY'S supporters : it is easy to understand how many paying for piece-work, or themselves unable from deficient resources to do other than work short time, may not be unwilling to impose the restriction on the large manufacturers. Among the factory-hands, many, no doubt, expect short time and long wages : but how many of the most active agitators of this class are hand-loom weavers, who might not dislike to see all power-loom work abridged ? Most of the manufacturers show little interest in the measure—perhaps confident that it will be defeated ; but they can hardly like the Whig support of it. Many a Lancashire elector will remember that Lord JOHN RUSSELL has appeared as the advocate of short time ; and perhaps the Whig leader may yet have to pay for the which he gave to help Lord ASHLEY in damaging the Govern- ment — his party already feel it in disunion and crimination. " Honesty is the best policy."
