MACHINERY. 33 



That the labourers should refuse to work at 

 their former wages is not unjust. Their labour 

 is their capital, and they have a right to invest 

 it in the most advantageous way possible. If, 

 on the contrary, the employer wishes to reduce 

 his labourers' wages, he is equally at Hberty to 

 attempt it. But it would be manifestly unjust 

 in the master or employer to combine with other 

 masters, and prevail on them to engage not to 

 give employment to such workmen, because they 

 refused to accept his reduced prices; and it 

 would be equally unjust in the workmen to pre- 

 vent others from accepting this lowered rate of 

 wages, if inclined to work for it. It would be 

 unjust in the master, to say to his workmen, you 

 shall not bring up any of your family to any 

 other trade than that in which you are yourself 

 engaged ; and it would be no less unjust in the 

 workman to say, you shall employ none but 

 such as have been brought up to such and such 

 a trade, and who have served an apprenticeship, 

 or any members of some club, or some associa- 

 tion. It would be unjust in the master, to insist 

 upon his labourers working longer hours than 

 those ordinarily agreed upon, say from six a. m. 

 to seven p. m., including the regular and suffi- 

 cient time for refreshment. It would be unjust 

 to say to the lal)ourer, you shall work such hours 

 as I think it proper to prescribe ; and it would be 



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