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Leader (1850-1860), 6th November 1852, Edition Town of 2, Page 1059, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      The company carry the mails to and from Alexandria , the East Indies , Singapore , China , and Australia . Mr . Anderson is quite justified in claiming for the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company the rank of the first maritime private enterprise the world lias yet seen .

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      THE STATE OF TRADE . BASING its remarks on the usual trade reports for last week in the daily papers , the Globe surveys the actual state of commerce with reference not only to the week , but to the progressive advancement of prosperity for several weeks past . " Glance over the whole country and its staple trades , and you will find the same character of activity ; the exceptions confirming the rule by their peculiar character . The iron-trade is uncommonly brisk , and is subject to a progressive rise of price . Bargains are now made under the conviction that iron will be 10 Z . a ton before it is lower . The ' suffering' in this trade is felt ' by those who

      have not had prudence or foresight to lay in stock six or eight weeks ago . ' Whether we look to heavy machinery , hardware , rails , or guns , it is the same ; orders are ' hawked about ! ' The ancillary trade of coals partakes in the briskness . Here the anticipated difficulties are , that the men will require more wages , and that the supply will not keep pace with the demand . In Manchester they are reporting a progressive increase : yarns are a farthing per pound higher than they were last week ; a penny threeeighths more than they were a month ago . Shirtings continue to go up , and are now \ 0 \ d . per piece above what they were a month , back . In Leeds , which , down to last summer , did not seem to be altogether keeping pace with the development of prosperity in some of its off-lying

      towns , there now is reported ' a steady , and continuous , and legitimate trade throughout the entire month , ' both in the halls and in the warehouses ; with an upward tendency at the last moment : The trade of < the present autumn was ' never exceeded . ' Bradford , we know , is very busy , and has been so for months , after a very brief depression falling upon a trade that had astonished the men themselves for some years . In the summer , Bradford men were prophesying blackly ; they are now as busy as they can be . Even in Nottingham , so often desponding , active work inspires hope and confidence ; and the hosiers ' , if possible , more fully engaged than ever . ' Linen is in the like condition . It is not at home , therefore , that we must look for any causes of serious apprehension .

      " There is not a branch of commerce in which America does not occupy a conspicuous place . Manchester acknowledges America both a consumer and a producer in the highest rank ; a large part of the orders ^ brought to the iron districts come from America ; America is active in Nottingham , particularly in helping the otherwise dull branch of lace ; the ' fall trade' in Leeds has been great ; in Bradford , the American houses are active ; and in Belfast ' there is every prospect of a good spring trade with the United States . '" It has been remarked that , at all the fairs and

      markets for the disposal of produce which have been recently held in Wales , the stock has been sold at advancing prices , and , generally speaking , a rise has been established upon all kinds of live-stock and grain . In those districts where railways are in the course of construction , or in contemplation , agricultural men servants demanded and obtained higher wages .

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      EMIGRATION AND COLONIZATION . Mu . Alexander Cami'BEijd , secretary of the Canadian Land and Railway Association , has forwarded to us the following resolutions submitted by him to a meeting of engineers connected with the late disputes , and agreed to : — " That as skill and labour arc the moflt essential elements for the production of wealth , it is , therefore , of great importance that ovory person able and willing to work should « o found employment , as idleness leadn to individual poverty , to ignorance and crime , and consequently to national depravity , anarchy , and ruin .

      " That in order to avoid the evil consequences on compulsory idleness , resulting from Trade Societies , strikes , or otherwise , it in now indispensiblo that tho societies should no reor ganized according to law upon Hound principles of jiHHociution , for tho regular employment of their skill , I'lhour , and money capital . 'That tins first practical step towards tho reorganization ° * Trade Societies jh the full recognition of individual rights and duties . That wkill and labour in individual capital . That tho wages received iH tho interest of that < "apit . nl , ami that such capital can be bettor employed and ^ nido more productive for tho individual and Hoeiety on the Princi ple of Co-operative Joint Stock AHHOciation than can "M ' . !'" '' by JHolated exertion aud competition .

      , ihat tho plan submitted to the executive council ot ' ¦¦>« ' Amal gamated Society of Engineers , &c , by Mr . jiloxander ( Jumpbol ) , K . > orol , ary of the Canadian Land and wulway AsHociation , for tin-. establishment of industrious ""loniOH in connexion with the railways about being commenced in tho provinceHof Britisjh . North America , uppoarti . ' "' is council hawed on correct principles , offers a favoura' •!« oppor tunity for the establishment of engineering and other operat ions combined with trade , nianufaeturen , and j ^ nculturo , and therefore well worthy of being supported I ( V Uie wholo tnuloH of ( h-eat itritain ' and Ireland .

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      RAILWAY SMASHING . " Aoc ! n > ENTH > ' w ; n l , Upj )( , on railwayH , it , appears , but they lu-i ) mainly caused by want of punctuality and disregard of nilew . On Monday tho cxpretm started

      from Brighton ten minutes after its proper time ; those ten minutes were not regained . Mark the consequences . At the Redhill station , there stood a " pick-up" engine , that is , an engine which had been engaged in gathering together here and there goods wagons all up the line . These were being disposed of on the sidings about the time when the express should have dashed past Redhill . The signals were donn , intimating to the express driver that the line was clear ; and on he came . But want of punctuality inflicts

      injury on others than those who are unpunctual . It was ten minutes after the express time . The driver of the pick-up , not regarding the fact that the signals were down , commenced " shunting" his engine , and before he had completed that dangerous process up came the express at a furious rate , and dashed into the pick-up ; both engines danced about in a fearful manner , and when they came to a stand the passengers got out . Nobody was killed , but there were black eyes and bleeding noses in great plenty , and one lady broke her thigh .

      The next day the guard , driver , and fireman , of the goods or pick-up train , and the pointsman , were examined before the Reigate magistrates . It was clearly shown that the pick-up should not have shunted until the express was known to have passed ; that the pointsman ought not to have opened the points ; and that there was great carelessness on all sides . It was also shown that the station was under-manned . The following order and circular were read : — " London , Brighton , and South-Coast Railway , " Traffic Manager's-office , Brighton , Sept . 13 . " NOTICE TO STATION-MASTEItS , SIGNAMiEN , AND

      OTHERS . " No engine or train must be put across the main line on any account until the distance signals have been pulled over to ' Danger , ' and no engine or train must be crossed at any junction when an express train is due , under any circumstances . I am , &c . "Geoege Hawkins . " " Traffic Manager ' s Office , Brighton , July , 1852 . " Sir , —I have seen , with a great deal of pain , in the public prints , that several very serious accidents have lately occurred on different lines of railway . " There are few of these accidents which might not have been prevented if common care , forethought , and attention had been used .

      " I am still more sorry to say there have been several acts of carelessness on our own line , which might have led to serious results , and which would lose us the proud distinction of being one of the most carefully conducted lines in . England . " Fellow-servants , let me entreat you not to forfeit your good name ; let increased caro and attention show your determination to prevent these awful occurrences hero . Above all , regard the main line as something sacred , never to be obstructed unless absolutely necessary , and then only after every precaution has been taken and every signal rightly shown .

      " Engine-drivers , you know the dangerous points ; be watchful there , prompt and ready to act with decision and energy if the signal-man has done wrong . All of you remember , a moment ' s thoughtlessness may cause the loss of precious lives , and that we can only retain our reputation by never-ceasing vigilance . " Yours truly , ( Signed ) " G . Hawkins . " The four men were sentenced to two mouths imprisonment , with hard labour . Mr . Coningliani , who was in the express train , has sent the following letter to tho Times : — " Sik , —Permit me to direct public attention to the real cause of tho accident which occurred yesterday on the Brighton Railway—namely , want of punctuality , which has also been the cause of most of the fatal collisions on railways .

      " The 10 o ' clock express train , by which I wan a passenger , started eight minutes after 10 from tho Brighton terminus , and was further delayed by sonio obstructions on the road , ho that it arrived at the old Jted-hill station fully 1 <> minutes after tho time at which it was due . Tho want of punctuality in an express train was bad enough , but the i' shunting ' " of a goods' train backwards and forwards , across the lino by which the expre . su was approaching at a rapid rate , was a wilful and reckless mode of trifling with human life , which cannot be too Hoverely punished .

      " Tho amount of human suffering indicted in a moment of time by such a collision cannot , Ixv estimated merely by the apparent wounds and contusions . Tho violence of such a shock as this has sent moro than ono unfortunate victim prematurely to the grave , and made the remainder of his life a scene of miserable and prolonged suffering . " 1 have the honour to be , Sir , your obedient servant , "VVll . I . IAM CoNlJNUllAM . " Kemp-town , Nov . ' Z . " Mr . Coiiiiighuin has hit ; the right uiiil on l , he head . Itut how , when unpunetunlity inn-system , can accidents be expected , out , of courtesy lo the passengers , not to lumpen ?

      Untitled Article

      riMHJltKSS OK ASSOCIATION . Letter from M . Lcchcvalicr iSt . Amirs' to the Society for Promot / vy Worfciny Men ' s Associations . | Wic havo received , and very willingly publish , l , ho Hiibjohicd letter from M . . 1 . Leehevulim St . Andre , lo the Secretary of tho / Society for 1 ' romoting Working Men ' s

      Associations . The importance of the communication justifies the length ; and the length compels us to omit again this week the first of a series of articles on the Reports of this Society and of the recent Co-operative Conference . ] 20 , Albany Street , Hegent ' 9 Park , November 3 rd , 1862 . My deab . fkieni > Shoktee , — -I have received , in due time ,, your note of the 2 ist October last , being a summons for the Special General Meeting of the' Council , which was to take place on the 2 nd inst . You mentioned in your communication that the object of the meeting was " to consider the present condition of the Council and the state of the Society generally . " It was my duty to attend , or , if unwilling or unable to do so , I should have answered your summons before tho time appointed .

      Owing to a great pressure of occupations , for which I am more especially responsible , and which are , in fact , my work for daily bread , I could not find leisure to write to the Council to such extent as is required by my present state of mind with respect to the principles and constitutions of the Society , and the manner in which they are carried on . I beg you , at your first opportunity , to offer this my excuse to the General Council for not having been present at the meeting , and to state that I am resolved no more to attend any meeting of the Society for Promoting Working Men's Associations , as long as that Society remains under its present constitution ; or , if the constitution is to be

      reformed , until I have stated in writing my views on the subject . If what you style " a Special General Meeting" of the Council had been summoned for considering and adopting the Report just published , ( and I believe that such a meeting of the Council previous ' to the publication of the Report would have been expedient , not to say anything more , ) I would have done , on that occasion , what I am now doing : this being the first opportunity offered to me since I have left the Central Co-operative Agency : and , indeed , it would have prevented my personal responsibility being involved in principles and business statements which I cannot undertake to support—nay , which I feel now bound in duty to disavow .

      I have always considered , and I do still consider , the work begun by the Rev . Prof . F . D . Maurice , as President of the Society , in obedience to the earnest wishes of his friends and disciples ( among whom I shall always be happy to be numbered , as far as compatible with the dictates of my conscience in certain especial cases ) , as one of the most important and best justified temporal initiatives ever assumed by any ordained minister of the Church Catholic , ever since the apostolic preaching and establishment pf Christianity . It is really , in my opinion , the work of tho Church in this present age , and therefore I have done , and am doing every day , my best to serve it . But , on account of these very reasons , I never took any step , either as ordinary or as extraordinary member of the Council , without mature consideration , and in perfect calmness of mind . I wish the Council to accept this as my apology for writing to you to-day at such length .

      You may recollect that I was one of tho first and the most earnest in advocating the necessity of an organisation , of a council , central hoard , finally , of a consti * tution . The constitution , as first adopted , seemed to mo very imperfect , but it was understood that it would bo modified according to the teaching of time and experience . Ever since , t ime and experience have taught much , and , I dare say , in the sense of the measures which I often advised the Council to adopt . " Timo and tide tarry for no man , " as the proverb says . It is especially true with respect to men of business , and Working-men ' s associations are , above all , business . They must not be , they cannot be , charitable institutions .

      A move became soon necessary , and , as the Society for I ' rohioting l ^ or kin g-Men ' s Associations did not mqvo , the Central do-operative Agency wit * instituted as a matter of business-convenience , and even of necessity . I found that my personal position as a partner in that concern , wiim incompatible with tho position of an ordinary member of the Council , which J . had occupied hitherto . I resigned , and proposed to remain an extraordinary member , which I still profess to be . Whatever amount of good the tUnt . ral Co-operative , Agency hu . s done , and is still doing , 1 felt that , on account of the first results , brought , about , after one year ' s working

      ot the coiiHtit . utioii of that establishment , I was no moro wanted thoro , and also that something else had to be done , in several ways , to secure tho success both of i \\ v . Co-operative Stores and the WorkitK / -Metv s Associatioiis , nay , to prevent their complete failure : as thriving specimens of true industrial association and co-operation . Such being the case , 1 resigned my situation as partner in tho (' entral (' o-opnrativo Agency , to seek out elsewhere for the complementary conditions of " our common work . " 1 say " our common work , " because it is so , and will remain mo , in spite of any individual and personal separation . Division of labour must , not bo turned cither into moral dissidence , or into

      antagonistic competition . Among the most immediate exigencies of our common work , iruiHl . decidedly be reckoned tho object pointed out in the NiinmioiiH sent to mo , namely , " to consider tho present , condition of tho Council , ami the state of Um Society for I'romoting Working-Men ' s Associations . " f am determined , in consequence , to lake this opportunity of considering , moro maturely still than I did before , the difficulties , the scruples , and the indescribable mental anxieties under which 1 have laboured , these last throe yearn , with regard to the uHuirs of the Society , to put , in ' writing the views I have to state , and to sulimil at once the whole of them , not only to a se / f-iilticted aiui self-limit ing council , but to the public at large , in order that friends and enemies of industrial association and cooperation (( jiod never utirs up us » less ouomioa to a good

      Untitled Article

      November 6 , 1852 . ] THE LEADER . 1059

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 6, 1852, page 1059, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1959/page/7/