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place, and on the table a child lay dead from smallpox. In the midst of it all the father and mother were at work on clothes certainly intended for people residing in the most fashionable quarters of the city, I did what I could in the matter. I obtained the assistance of two doctors, and we found, in addition to the dead child, two brothers ill with the smallpox. Now, we want the authority of an Act of Parliament in order to effectually trace these cases. We may see, as we sometimes do in the papers, "Mr. So-and-so is ill with fever—how he got it none can tell." But we could tell, sir; we can guess now with certainty, but we could tell positively if we had the means of probing the matter to the bottom. We know that garments are made up frequently in places rife with contagion, the clothes imbibe it, and the moment they become warm—that is breathed through, the wearer dancing, perhaps—they give out the infection. You may have your suspicions, and go and question the employer, but there inquiry stops at present. We therefore ask for legislative interference on this most vital question.
Mr. Peter Shorrocks, of Manchester, General Secretary to the Amalgamated Society of Tailors, said: Sir, we feel that this question is not only a sanitary question, or a question affecting the physical condition of the people, but that it is also a moral question. I may tell you that we know as a fact that in rooms where 15 to 18 males and females are working together the most private arrangements are carried on as to sleeping and undressing in each other's presence whilst work is pursued, thus demoralising those affected. I have here two cases with reference to nine dwellings in Camden Court, in the city, containing twelve families each, and each family numbers from three to six members. The hours of labour range from 12 to 18 per day, and the places are in a most filthy state. Sir, such facts as these must show that the people need protection from themselves. The Factory and Workshops Act regulates to some extent the hours of labour in the places specified in the Act, but in the homes of the sweaters they extend to 16 or even 18 hours per day. Reports have frequently appeared in the papers calling attention to this gross evil, but without effect. I have here with me two such reports, one from the Sanitary Record, December 2, 1874, and another from the Lancet [extracts from which he read], both showing cases in which direct contagion has been carried from the operatives to the individuals that have to wear the garments. Since, sir, it was known that you had kindly consented to receive a deputation on this subject, I have had letters bearing directly upon the question from Windsor, Ashton, Wrexham, Carlisle, Dublin, Derby, Oxford, Cambridge, and many other towns, all giving illustrations of the deteriorating effects of the existing circumstances as regards our trade; and we think a clause might be inserted in your proposed bill for the consolidation and amendment of the Factory and Workshops Act that would meet the case. The operation of the Artisan's Dwelling Act do not touch the evil, while the sanitary inspectors will not visit these cases, and the officers under the Factory and Workshops Act are not able to interfere.
Mr. Cross said: Well, Mr. Macdonald, of course it will not do for
