Page:History of the Radical Party in Parliament.djvu/343

 1846.] Sir Robert Peel's Administration. 329 require certificates that they had attended school at least three hours. To carry out the plan, Government proposed to make grants in aid of local exertion for the erection of schools, which were to be maintained out of the poor rate, and by a sum not exceeding threepence per week, or one-twelfth of the earnings of each child, to be retained by the employer in aid of the fund. The objectionable features were the regulations as to the character and management of the schools. Religious instruc- tion was to be given through the medium of the authorized version of the Scriptures, together with portions of the Liturgy, under the superintendance of the clergy of the Established Church. The trust clauses were, however, the most objec- tionable. There were to be in each case seven trustees, to consist of the clergyman of the district, two churchwardens, and four elective trustees, two of whom at least must be free- holders. The trustees were to appoint the master, but he must be a member of the Established Church, and the nomina- tion must be approved by the bishop of the diocese. The right of inspection was reserved to the clerical trustees and to the committee of council. It is not surprising that this thoroughly church scheme was opposed by the Noncon- formists ; the wonder would have been that they should listen to its advocates for a moment. The Bill carrying out these proposals was introduced by Graham on the 8th of March, and came on for second reading on the 24th of the same month. The religious clauses were at once objected to by Ewart, Hume, Hawes, and other Radicals, and as they became better known to the Nonconformists a blaze of opposition was kindled such as is rarely seen. The meetings were numerous and unusually enthusiastic, and " the mass of petitions which was, in a very short space of time, poured into both Houses of Parliament exceeded all modern pre- cedent." * The opposition was stronger than any Government could resist. On the 1st of May Graham submitted amendments
 * "Annual Register," 1843, P- I9&