Sir Charles Dilke made a long and powerful speech to
his constituents on Wednesday. Much of it, of course, was taken up with the Eastern Question, upon which Sir Charles, though a decided anti-Russian, holds that the Government have displayed great incompetence, having, in particular, shut a side-door of India in Asia, while they left open the front door in Afghanistan ; but he made a new point, by questioning Mr. Cross's claim to be the especial friend of the working-man. He points out that his Artisans DwellingsAct, though beneficial to-towns, has brought nothing but suffering to workmen, causing cruel evictions,while his factorylegis- lation only consolidates previous laws. In 1872 Mr. Cross voted in favour of allowing boys under twelve to be employed under- ground. He has always opposed the application of the Factory Act to agricultural children. The Employers' and Workmen's Bill of 1875 was only converted into a fair measure by Liberal amendments. There can be no doubt that Mr. Cross quite understands the new position of his party as Tory Democrats, but we are not quite sure that it is fair to blame him for the working of the Factory Acts. Are they really workmen who are turned out of the rookeries pulled down ? It is the workmen first of all who benefit by the increased health of towns, sickness meaning poverty for them, and it is difficult to see how clearances are to be effected without evictions. Hardheartedness to the few
for the benefit of all is a quality of statesmanship we are growing too ready to undervalue.
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