Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/192

 178 History of the. Radical Party in Parliament. [1822- the attacks which were to be made upon its policy, alike in home and foreign affairs. The year 1824 was not fruitful in discussions or divisions which tested or affected the strength of parties. One ques- tion, however, was dealt with in Parliament which only a Radical like Hume would have brought forward. That indefatigable man moved, on the I2th of February, for a committee to inquire into the laws concerning artisans and machinery. Three points were submitted for their considera- tion : first, the state of the combination laws ; second, the propriety of legalizing the emigration of artisans ; and third, the expediency of permitting the exportation of machinery. In their report, submitted on the 2ist of May, the committee recommended such a modification of the combination laws as amounted to a virtual abrogation of them, and a direct and total repeal of those Acts which prohibited artisans from leaving this kingdom to exercise their callings in foreign countries. As to the exportation of machinery, the committee recommended that further inquiry should be made in a future session. In accordance with the recommendations of the committee, two Acts were passed.* The first abolished all the old regulations of the combination laws, whilst it provided for the severe punishment of those who should attempt to influence or overawe by violence or intimidation. The second repealed the old laws against the emigration of artisans. Hume's activity was not restricted to this one object, nor to the constant efforts he made to reduce the expenditure and redress financial abuses. Whilst debates about the grievances of the Roman Catholics of Ireland went on with- out result, he struck at the foundation of the whole evil by declaring that the only course which could be pursued with advantage was " to break up the Irish Church entirely." He afterwards moved " That it is expedient to inquire whether the present Church Establishment of Ireland be not more than commensurate to the services to be performed, both as regards the number of persons employed and the incomes
 * XCV. and XCVII. of 4 and 5 George IV.