Page 386 sur 2651

This law is in favour of the workmen; but the 8th of George III.

is in favour of the masters. When masters combine together, in

order to reduce the wages of their workmen, they commonly enter

into a private bond or agreement, not to give more than a certain

wage, under a certain penalty. Were the workmen to enter into a

contrary combination of the same kind, not to accept of a certain

wage, under a certain penalty, the law would punish them very

severely; and, if it dealt impartially, it would treat the

masters in the same manner. But the 8th of George III. enforces

by law that very regulation which masters sometimes attempt to

establish by such combinations. The complaint of the workmen,

that it puts the ablest and most industrious upon the same

footing with an ordinary workman, seems perfectly well founded.