The workmen were forced to work for long hours in dark, dirty and unwholesome workshops.

The State did nothing to protect them; the masters only thought of their profits; the national conscience was dead, and unjust laws prevented them combining together in trade unions to help themselves.

Women and children were made to work as long and as hard as the men.

A regular system grew up of transporting pauper and destitute children to weary factory work.

There was no care for their health.