32 ^ INFLUENCE OF 



not unattended with some inconvenience on the 

 whole. From the classification of human indus- 

 try, there arises to the operatives a considerable 

 facility in associating and combining, not merely 

 to frustrate any attempts on the part of the 

 employers to impose unreasonable terms of re- 

 muneration, but also to make terms and condi- 

 tions with them. This has been recently pro- 

 ductive of mischief to a considerable extent, and 

 probably will continue to be felt as an evil till 

 the just rights of masters and men are recipro- 

 cally understood and allowed. 



The advantage to the employer from the use 

 of machinery arises from the more extended 

 means thus put into his possession of investing 

 his capital and exercising his skill and ingenuity. 

 His object will be steadily to pursue his system 

 of business at the least possible expenditure, 

 while the operative will, in like manner, endeavour 

 to obtain the highest rate of remuneration for his 

 labour and dexterity. Hence, there may times 

 arise, when the contest between them may be 

 carried on to some inconvenience to both parties ; 

 but if each be left to pursue his ow^n course, 

 without the interference of the public on the one 

 hand, or combination laws on the other, the 

 matters of dispute will speedily find their own 

 level and every difference will be fairly adjusted. 



