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Leader (1850-1860), 4th March 1854, Edition 1 of 1, Page 201, Untitled Article

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      employers of labotfr in the G 6 ttQar m ^ ict ^ ave expTessed themselves Very strong fo toe effect tliat the movement on the part ofthe operatives is socialistic and dangerous to the « afeguardof property , and that no means must be left untried to crush and destroy ii ir&erly ; Many of the maimtacturers are prepared to inCTease their subscriptions to the Defence I ? u » d almost to any extent , and it is iiot improbable' that , some overwhelming : influence kaa been brought to bear , upon' the Stociport masters , to induce them to adopt such a . course as ia hinted at above . With regard to the Blackburn ; masters , it is believed that many Qf them have

      been paying a high rate of wages ( higher than the state . of the market for which they work will afford ) purely from -. ¦ political motives , and in consequence of t > e rivalry whicn undoubtedly exists between their town and Preston ; and it is hot unlikely that if they had perfect confidence in each other , and were not kept in dread by their own operatives ( who are the most determined and unruly hands iaJEastliancftahire ) , they might not be indisposed to fafl into such an arrangement ., If this Bhould really , be carried oat , the consequences ^ will be rnost deplorable , for'the tranqtuUity-df the county jwill . not . lie worth live minutes' putefi&se '; ^ whilst ,

      regarding it as a measure calculated to settle the present dispute , ndthing ; could be more injudicious and short-sighted . Even supposing Ibat a general reduction of wages throughout Lancashire wovld cause a stoppage / of the supplies sent to Preston {[ which I ajn disposed to doubt ) , a " resumption df work upon ihe'terms of a forced capitulation Would only aggravate and extend the sore , anddispbse -the operatives to take advantage , with all the more readiness , of any vantagerground which a brisk 1 too too

      if English looraernirould take . that course , ; special immunities would . be granted , and opportunity given for the importation of , the / materials free of duty L have * no £ however , heard that these negotiators have met with any success . The agitation for a Labour Parliament seems to be carried on with unabated vigour , as the following placard , posted over the walls * of Manchester , will testify :- ^ - : . , GENERA . L ELECTION ! Notice is hereby given , that the nomination and electipa of representatives of tho trades ofj the city ; bf Manchester and vicinity in the Labour Parliament , will take place in Stevenson-square , on Saturday next , March 4 th , at halfpast three «* clock . - . , . , In ordecto secure a full and fair representation of the whole mass of the p eople , the election -vnll fee cofiductfedda the principles of universal suffrage , no property ? qualification , and payment of members . , „ ' i . . ' Nomination to take place at half-past three . Working men are earnestly , requested , to attend aad give their votes .

      trade may hereaftei ' put them upon . : ' 7 It cannot , indeed ^ b ^ forciWy or frequently impressed upon the masters , upon the' operatives , and upon the ; general public ; that terms of peace founded upon any other basis than mutual agreement can beproductive , of nothing but'unmixSd evil . Tet there are master manufacturers , liberal and wellmeaning men ; who believe that they are enunciating a igreat political truth , H ^ hen they say that it ' would \ e the . ruin of the country for the masters to- gir « in one jot .

      . Since the commencement of the dispute nothing has exercised a more pernicious influence towards jprolongin ; the struggle than the Defence Pand . Many of tlie Preston masters , especially those ii ? hp manufacture for the home trade , are desirous of getting to "wort , and I believe thirtfthcy would gladly < lo . so if tbey could make terms with their operatives -without seeming to concede a victory . Others of the masters arc careless jabout getting to work , and are ; believed to be actually doing better with their slices of the Defence Fund than if they vr « re weaving for . the Indian ; and Chinese markets . ISTow 'these two

      classes , whose interests are so diverse , are so cloiely bound and impacted together by the absurd rules of their combination , and the extra security of the bond , that they can do nothing unJess they alt act together . But they are not only bound to each other , they are bound to the subscribers of the Defence Fund , and , in return for the weekly cheques paid over under that specious name , tliey are actually parting with their freedom of action—they are pledging themselves to keep inviolate that untenable resolution which I quoted in my laat , and they are ¦ selling that right which should be one of the most precious to sensible men—the right of acknowledging

      an error . On the side of the operatives the difficulty is not less monstrous . I calculate that in wages alone the Preston operatives have now sacrificed about 250 , 000 / ., and , in the shape of relief , they have received from their fellow-operatives and the public about 70 , 000 / . The quarter of a million is their own sacrifice , tut the 70 , 000 / . binds them to the other districts that they will not act without their consent . Such is the pernicious vorking of this fatal principle of combination , and such the complicated dilemma into which both sides have suffered themselves to be

      betrayed , It should be observed that , in maiing their subscriptions to the Relief Fund , the operatives are beyond all suspicion of entertaining any sinister motive ; whereas it has been urged ., and with some show of reason , that it may suit some of the houses about Ashton and Stociport to pay 5 per cent , upon their wages , in order to keep such concerns as Messrs . Horrockses and Miller out of the market . It is certainly , stated , and upon the very " best authority , that a formidable competition has arisen against tlie trade of that celebrated house since the -commencement of the Lock-out ; a . nd if it be truo that subscribers to the Defence Fund have had it in

      view to bring this about , words cannot express the opinion that should be formed of the knavery- that could devise , and the simplicity that could bo victimised by such a trick . ^ It is said that the agents of some of the foieign Governments arc busily engaged in canvassing tho Cotton I ) istriot , with tho view of engendering n feeling in favour of building factories abroad , and I have hciird of intimation * being uctually maflethat ,

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      Having received a letter impugning certain statements ia this journal , Ve submitted it to Mr . James jlowe , and , wp are ntiir enabled to givei * Ja | sL fexplanation , which we think will , appear , to , all ; impartial readers saJiefactoryi-r-Ei * . Leader * "¦' } ' ' ; / •* THE IAU 0 AgHpr ^ -8 TBIKES iLND ^' IOOKli OTJTS . " ' J . ' (^^ f ^ r ^ lke J ^ aderiy ; ^ . . Sxb , —Your correspondent , James Lowe , pats down the earnings of a family " at 85 s ., which he niiakesup id the following way : — ' (_• V ' V ' , ' - " . " - '¦••> •• . :. . ¦;¦ ' ¦ . ¦' . ¦ 8 . 4 « father , a spinner , . 35 0 Two daughters / in the card-room , lls . 3 d- each 22 6 Eldest lad , a piecer <• ¦ ... „ . ' .. 11 rO Three laVK in'the card-rwom , 5 s . 6 d . each ............... - 16 6

      ' - ' " ' r ¦ ¦ ' ¦ v- ^ mfr J can state on the testimony of more ttikii , bne hundred spinners , # Eo work in ; Pre ' s | c ^ $ iat ? $ } $ * average "weekly wages do riot arnoia ^ t to ^ b ^ th ^ X ^ &ytitffg&i while the we ^ kljjr Wages of ^ m ^ cW- ^ m - handrc ^ ot be set dowij at mi 6 # th ^ . $ » . ¦ 6 cL ; ptf < 9 S .: ThW « eldest lad , & ; p& ^? & ; ipj ^ a < ' man frbift twehiiy t 6 twenty ^ ur ^ e ^ rsj - )> f J || : e ., hundreds , of these viecers ^ are married rnen , land ! 'fiiaVe to atipppri a wife ind faiially . piiSt pit ill . per ' in 5

      week . No . three lad ? , brothers , ; wht > ^ rk the ' daitf-roorn , dp earn ts . " 6 d : / e ^ Ii ;^ sV 6 ^ L fdr Mei eldest , at sixteen years of age , and 4 s . 6 d . and 3 b . ( 5 d . for ihe other two , would be much nearer : JQtjjg truth , i The case , when fairly stated , should staisd as followa : — .. . "" ...... '" ~" " . ' . ! : s . d ; JFather , a qpiimer .. ; 20 0 Eldest lad , a piecer , ... ' , „ .. li ,. p ; Two daughters , in the card-room , 9 s . ^ ach ... ' . 18 0 Three lads , at 39 . 6 d ., 49 . 6 d ., and 5 a . 6 d . 13 6

      ¦ ¦ ¦ -- 62 6 . To . the above , may be added the mother and three children , who have no earnings ; making in all ten persons who have to subsist on sixty-two shillings a week , n trifle over 6 s . each , which goes ia the following iyay :- ^ - s , d . Rent of house , which belongs to master ( worth 8 s . ) ... 4 0 Coals , ' candles , soap , soda , &c 3 3 Clothes , shoes , hats , caps , stockings , bedding , and everything in the wearing line for 1 * 0 persons 12 6 Taxes , medical fees , schooling , books , &o - 2 6 Assistant washerwoman to the family ( one day ) 2 0 Sundries , whioh every housewife . knows 1 6 Loss of "work , through sickness , holidays , breakdowns , < fcc 5 0

      80 0 Thus , you Bee , neatly one-half of the entire income is expended before a bite of food can be bought . There are many other articles , not eatables , which I have not allowed for , hut . which are indispensable in a large family . After , taking the above sum from the whole earnings , a trifle over 3 s . each remains to provide food for ten persons , seven of whom may be considered as adults . The above is much better than an average case . The following will represent the condition of the vast majority : —Father , a weaver on three looms , 14 s . a week , out of which must be taken 7 b . for all domestic expenses , then 7 s . remains to maintain a wife and two or three children . I am , Sir , y < 5 urs respectfully , Royton . J . B . Hohsfall .

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      C To the Editor of the Leader . ) Sin , —I have perused Mr . Horsfall ' s note , aud beg to assure him , in reply , that I had the statement which he impugns from tho mouth of the manufacturer who now employs the family whose earnings are specified . The case is , no doubt , exceptional , and as it was only quoted to prove the lamentable improvidence of some of the workingclasses , Mr . Horsfall must have ^ xeatl y misunderstood my meaning if he thought that I quoted it in evidence of the average of earnings . So far aa averages aro concerned , I think that Mr . IlorsfaH ' s statement ifl accurate and valuable . Yours , very truly , Jamks Lowis .

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      anolv « - ? * -Mr- T - £ * < Goj * s . « r 3 £ J& * ? & ?* C ^ vjile pVernon , < M-E ^ f Sir Jamea Clark , Admical Stnytb , Dr . Watson ; Mr . John Simony iKiri John Iftnlac , . Mr . Reginald Gocks , Mr . Aubrey deV ^ are , Captain Galton , - -WtV- Wimtaut HeMsV ^ Eriir ^ rtWir > m $ & Mr , Hiillah , fieViC . « a | b ^^ . ^^ M ! G ^ fTAi ^ -- ^ Hr . iS ^ ffe ^^ Pi ^^ iiKW ^ Ward , ^ ^ J ^ m ! fe ^ vv fc ^ . i . fi ^ fJa u " : / uwtvrurtuaivnirivusiaaicAi / ians

      pcfawiiy . - - 'naa leamany scientific and other persons whol , hadipaid ? attcntion tcf the subject to fear' thHtithe ^ dreaafUli ^ s ^ rtr ^ bf cho ^ r ^ would ' again re ^ kppekr in lita ^ iatt present yeaii ^ ntfmJS ^ W ^ g ^ tl ^ SioMte'feSlea ^ ^ W- ^ alth ' r ' or- 'the ' -ine ^] p ^ t la ^^ a ^ tli ^ bu ? - '¦^ ms | toc ^ 8 ;;^ te 4 : tiMWrI < J ! l ^ ^ an ^ atof ^ 184 ^ w f ^^^^ d ^ ijesty ^ s Government to meet the eniergency . I * had been , found that there < wer ^ ^ inerou 3 Jobstafclea in the way of giving effect to the Health : of Towns Act ; 7

      CHOLERA DBBBNpB .: ? For some time the cholera has ceased to utajiifcat itself and has succumbed to the tfeiaperatrui 4 But summer will come in dae course , a ± « a there ^«* « vefcv reason to beheve that the cholera vill" come-with it in inipreaBecl fury . However-the / l « iblie may have forgotten an evil no longer present } it ha » "ti 6 t ^ beeh forgotten by _ the few wte , from sujjertor * kkdwfeage of the enemy , feel strongly the necessity of meeting its coming onset . On Monday sonaeprivateigentle -lneri' aaol : 6 » m © ' public meet waited-on « liOrd ^ al-^ erstbn . to inquire what pre ^ aratidns ateJ to be ailbpted for the defopeeidf . thfe couirtry against cholera . Their names alone are a guarantee tdiihe 5 p ^ 6-lic ^ f , theijr sihcerity & ^ , pf th ^ ikjr ^ ht' tdT ^ ye : in the matter . They w ^ 4 , I ^ r 4 :- ^^ q ^ by ,: tlie ^ Hfti . Charles jloward , M . P ., lipTdEbrington ,

      iJoriGbdeand what appeared' tote indisperisaWy neceBsiu-yat the present time was some additionat poweta for the Board of Health , 6 ^ other autlidritie » iito « eal : imhiediately with those nuisances which i ^ d been found to l «^ . | ^| # | ^ i fl iii » ; attending the operation of , ^ . too often h ^ ppenea- thai , in / many . and unhealthy ; cour-ts and ^^ eys ^ afe ^ itMli ^^ m ^ iitieVi the work of clearing off ; theiinhibiiBiitSfibefore : the officersof tbe Boardof Health Were able to act . He thought it would ^ desirabl ^^ of things , that a committee 8 nouia b ^ ' appoiiited in either ^ bugc , whomiglit examihetlieofflcera of exiatmj xiecioua in xiioa oi iieai

      . ijue lijpp ^ ^ , xne oper ^ .. x , ne . cu ^> f Towns , and other actk passed for ; the , " protection of pubhchealth . ...- ,- . . >« ,-. . ¦ ;^ ,, j . -. .. -. ¦ ,-, ¦ : ¦ .. , »¦ .. ;¦ . . Lord Palmerston staled that the object referred to was one , which rested" more completely with itlie Board of Health than vith his depRTtment . Sir W . Molesworth , as president of that ^ OBrd ^ intenderd to bring in an amended act , for thVpuipbs ^ of ehlfttging the powers which the present law gave to the board . That bill had not yei ; ifelh liM > by ^^ W . Wto worth to m ;^^ g ^ i ^ m ^ M ^^^ m ton ) had any opportunity . o ^ tgoittjar , jnit 03 > s ucU ( lpjtails as wquld enable , him : ; tp state . precisely what additional powers it ' -.. would- % e heceseary to ask for ^ and he should feel greatly obligediif any member of . the deputation could furnish him in writing with ! the heads of iqaprovements which any measure of the sort ought to contain , and he Would be happy to . communicate with Sic William Molesworth on ' the

      subject . ' * -i _ , . . Liord Ebrington stated that the Public Health . Act did not apply to the metropolis , it was difficult to work , and it had been found impossible under its provisions to raise the necessary funds by way of loan , for carrying out those ! works which the commissioners of the board considered necessary and desirable . He was at an early period connected with the Board of Health , but resigned his position in consequence of . the difficulties of carrying out the provisions of the act , or completing those works which were absolutely necessary , a . nd he was averse to continuing in an office where tbere was so much responsibility and so little power .

      Mr . Helps referred to the total absence of any one controlling body for dealing with a aubject so important as that of the public health . There were four or five great powers in existence —District boards , boards of health , commissioners of sowers , and boards of guardians , each of which were adverse to , or opposed to , each other . In addition to these , there were certain little irrogular bands of Cossacks , or water companies , constantly pushing forward their contradictory claims . What was wanted was one of de with the evil

      efficient board , capable aling at once and rapidly . The lives of not leas than 2 , 000 , 000 persons were at issue , and the necessity for prompt , stringest , Governmental action waB most imperatively felt by all who had paid any attention to the subject . Lord l ' almerston inquired what was the particular course which the deputation wished to impress upon the Government tho necessity of doing ? He was fully prepared to aduut the necessity of preserving tho public health , and ljo should be glad to hear any

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      MAiteik 4 , 1854 . ] THE IXEA P B R g ^

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      • Qucero , " no-2 > r (> 7 > orti / nntiUl \ cu . t \ o \) \

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), March 4, 1854, page 201, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2028/page/9/