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Northern Star (1837-1852), 5th December 1846, Edition 2 of 3, Page 6, " 6 THE NORTHERN STAR. December 5, is^

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      " 6 The Northern Star. December 5, Is^

      " 6 THE NORTHERN STAR . December 5 , is ^

      Crakes' Iho'oemrnts

      Crakes' iHo ' oemrnts

      Ttsited Society Op Jous2jeyjiex Basket M...

      TTSITED SOCIETY OP JOUS 2 JEYJIEX BASKET MAKERS . TO THE PEBLIC IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF WOLVEUHAMFTON , BTBMINGHAU , & C Wc , the Executive Committee , of the above society , hav ; n _ ' read a paragraph which appeared in ti : ; .- Uirmivg . haii Journal of tin ? 14 i : > ult ., which is so far at variance ¦ wii . ii the truth , that we fo-.-l called upon to set the public right , by latin * fiots brfure them , which we dare tlie veri : r ia th-j Sirnu-vj / uim Journal to refute . Wc are fully aware of the unequHl contest in which wc have enga ; -i , owing to tie fact , that the columns of those newspapers , which the employers select * for Uk promulaatiou of their faUehO' »!« , m-e mostly closed against the w Kitiun , and , thercfors . they have to adopt the only course left , viz ., "To appeal to the only ptpi-r that -. viit do justici to the wo : king classes , the Northern Star , " or the inure expensive on of printing- placards . Let th « mailer * , however rest atsured , that we will spare neither labour nor expense iu the course of ' K'g- 't against Might . "

      Wc wffi now call the attention of ( he public to the statements contained in the paragraphs alluded to . The writer Of Whicli states , that the joui iieynic-n oaskrt mak . JS Wanted an advance of 2 J per cent on the recent prices . If he knew anything of the matter , he was well aware that this was a gross and malicious falsehood , and pufcbsiieditfor tho . puri « se of leading the public into ert .. r , aud to injure tie men on strike , by depriving th-m of public sympathy through nrisrepre » cntation , or . if he did not know the ftcts , di-i it to gratify the u rannical will of the masters , and , iu eit ' ier case is justly ii . titl . dthe indignation of an impartial a-id discerning ; -ublie , and we boldly assert , that the advance asked f ., r by the men is only ~ . 2 i per cent .

      The journeymen ba-tos mnkers , " of Wolv-rhampton , Birmingham , and their vicinities , have for a length of Mice been working for wages , which arc inadequate to the demands o'their families , and , seeing an advance take place in almost erer- other branch of trades , they felt confident that they w * re justly entitled to the same treatment , from their einp ' . oyers , that other men were receiving . They , ther-fore , made the request for tiie above-mentioned advance in their wages , an . l as a convincing proof that their demands wera hoth just and reasonable , we ate proud to state , that a portion of the employers at Birmingham are giving the advanced price .

      We cannot retrain from calling the attention of the public to the gross ignorance of the writer of that paragraph when he states , " the employers are not able to pay the advance owin ;; to the competition of the bos case and crate makers a great-. r proof than this . '" A greater prooi" thin this cannot be ptoduced , tha : tlie writer in the Birmingham Journal understands nothing of tlie business of the basket making . And this specimen of his abilities make him look very redicuioas in the eyes of the . trade . in fact , the intelligence of that man is at a low ebb , w ; -. « . is not aware that neither boxes or crates will answer the samtr purpose as b isketfi . Wawotdd , therefore , seriously advise him . when he again takes upora himself to enlighutn the public , to select a subject that lie perfectly understands and at the same time to stick to the truth .

      W « can scarcely refrain ouwolves whilst reading the foiliwi'ig , which has emmanatcd from this man of th-Journal . We give in entire so that it will not lose ¦ in of its beauties : — " The masters were forced to reiuM .-employment to any person belonging to the General Union , in comequer . ee of the dictatorial conduct of committees located in < Iis * ant purrs of the king-lorn , aud win . vcere totally ignorant of the peculiar character of th > - trade in the Wwas -which they attempted to b . i : i ^ under arbi-rary rules . "

      1 st answer to this we beg to state , that only about eight of tbe employ ere in tbe whole of the kingdom haw taken this umvsr / vmiab ' e advantage of die ni-.-n f » . r belonging to the General Union . Weave also told that , th « re is dictatorial committees in distant parts of tiw eonuiry . " We are not aware of any convnit s e & s with the exception of ons and the seat of government of thsocicty , and as fir being - 'ignorant of ihe peculiar character of the tr . ide " , we are not aware of my peculiar character , wbatevi- . in basket making that the trade iu general is n-jt a win-of .

      But then , forsooth , wa wish to piac > them undw "amirrary laws / ' In order to shew th-.- public the nature of our arbitrary conduct towards the -.-inployer .-, we copy the TTta Law of the basket makei * s Society and leav « - them to judge for themselves , whether we wish to act in an arbitrary manner or not . 77 th Law— " That Ho member shall be entitled to hi ; , tramp card unless hs has nuished all the work he may havi- commenced or re . k < med for at the shop which he i . » leaving , or woiking up al ! the stuff he may have wet or prepared , or some oth- r person undertakes to work it up for him with the euiproyers consent . " We now call the aier . tiou of the public to another portion of tins production , -which says ;— . " That the empi > y-* b have no objection to tha workmen forming a Sock-ty i C . tuu -a their r . rrn locality for regulating the rate of WJge ^ ana the hours of labour . "

      Oi wliat use we would ask is " Local Union : t" Tin y are altogether powerless in effectually resisting the encroachments which unprincipled employers are ever making upon their workmen . This has been proved by sad experience in all branches of industry , but how much more iu the Basket making trade ? where the numbers are so small that there vem no assistance rei . dered th « ai , but what they could reuder . themselves in time of needin their own localities they would ever fall a prey to the grinding and over-reaching practices of those who are desirous uf robbing them of the rights of their industry , and tni * the employers are pertecily aware of . Hence their willingness for the men in their employ to be iu the possession of a power they could crush at any mo -icnt Thej are convinced that if the influence of tl . e whole trade is brought to lear upon any locality , the men have the power of demanding a " fair days wages for a fair clays work . "

      This , therefore , and not the "dictatorial con . luct" of he Committee , is what ni . tkcs the empioyei s" wish to break up the General Union , what , we a = k , would be the condition of the men when cither the want of work , or the tyrannical conduct of their employers , compels them to go on tramp . If the Union * were local , where would thryg-et that af & istancc so necessary to anisu on tramp ? Jfo , no . Mr . Scribbler , - . vc have learnt ^ by sad experience , that if oar Union mast bsussfu :, it must be . national , in orde . - to enable us to counter . ict those evils resulting from the fluctuation intrade , and , if vou will , to pre . ent

      employers dictating their own ter : ns to theworkmen , Tlurefors wery reasouable man -will see the ruinous consequences which would inevitably foliow the adoption ot mereiy Lecal Unions . We are treated to a preciou ? rigmarole about "Travtl ling Couimiiiets , & c " living upon the industrious , and bringing misery and distress on hundreds of families . But why trouble oarselves with such falsehoods ? the whole trade belonging to th ? Unions in the Isii . 'dom , is only afcou : COO , so much for the truthfulness of the writer in the Birmingham Journal .

      -WewUlnow take leave by calling attention to what the masters , in their circulars , states about the Bee-hive shop . They say this shop is not occupied by Wolverhampton men , but strangers . They know perfectly well this statement is &!« , a „ d that the men employed at that shop , are the men lat .- in the employment of the masters ol that town , and from the neighbouihtod . Uut we ought not be surprised ut tte ravings and weak inventioi-s ot the employers , when

      they see the workmen of this country are adopting the plan of working for themselves iu cases of strikes , instead of walking the streets in idleness as heretofore . This is , indeed , galling to them , and beating them with their .. wn rods . Aud we trust that the public of Wolverhampton and the neighbourhood , will see their interest iu purchasing ba ? ketbfrom those who are enemies to oppression wherever itrsfound , and who are now proving the great fact , that workmen can work for themselves as well as for employers who get rich and consequently arrogant out of the w < irkn : ens industry .

      Signed for , and on behalf of the -Executive- Committee of the United Society of Basket-makers , J . A . PaLHEE , General Secretary

      TERMINATION OF THE STRUGGLE BE JWiXTTHE WOOLCOMBERS OF XEIG 1 I LEY AND THEIR EMPLOYERS .

      TO THK FUBUC AT LARGE . Most Respected Friends , —The strong and protracted struggle in which we have lately b = eu engaged with our employers having been brought to a sudden and unexpected termination , wc consider ourselves b-uod in daty to iay the cause before you , hoping our conduct will meet the approbation of all our friends and supporters . You are aware that our struggle couiuivaced under peculiar circumstances , ind that we were driv * u into our position against our wish . The fact of three influential manufacturers having given us the advance of a farthing per pound on combed wool , induced us , in justice to both them and oursilves , to endeavour to bring others to that standard , and in tin prosecution of this object we were turned from our employment . Being thus deprived not

      only of the means of prosecuting our object of procuring the advance from the manufacturers secti . aitiUy , but Of the means of existence itself , the onl y alternative left us was either to humble ourselves to our employers by asking their forgiveness for tryiag to better our miserable condition , or to appeal to the public , and trust to their support . To the first of these alternatives we were « etermined never to submit , end de « : de < i upon the latter through necessity . How far this appeal to a humane and generous British public succeed : d , may be best explained by the fact that twelve or fifteen hundred wooleombers without work , funds , or othtr ordinary means Of existence , have maintained a strug-le with their employers for fourteen weeks , without being behohkn to them during that time for one stroke of work .

      As our object haralways been the improvement of our condition , and not the boast of victory over oar employeri , we have given them every opportunity of settling ihe dispute nponfairand honourable terms , and have omitted no chance of waiting upon them when they seemed incline * fop an interview . por ftis pUrpo ; e we waited nponthemaf ew days ago with s « veral proposition * , on the rejection of which we had almost decidsd upon making no more overtures , but of trusting entirely to the chance of carrying our point through the strath Of publiciupport , Whilst deliberating upon this , a me-

      Ttsited Society Op Jous2jeyjiex Basket M...

      diator In the person of Frederick Greenwood , Esq ., J . P ., of Ry « hworth Halt , presented himself nmnncst us , and , after expressinc his svmpathy for our sufferings , and the sincerity „{ his wishes for the settlement of the dispute , h » proposed * crms of a compromise which we considered equal , if not . pei-hap * . superior . t « some of those we ourselves had proposed . One of the last wo had presentad to our emp loye , s < vaS , -Would they give us the advance ti'l the first Hay o f January next ? while Mr . Gr-enwoo . ! proposed that we should resum- our wort at the present wages , and b . assured of a permanent , advance from that < 1 ny and forward , unless some verv severe depression in trade prevenied it . fjur long dependence upon the Public and their noble conduct towards us . induced us to lay the case before some of our best Friends and Supporters , who on giving their approval of the measure , and the confidence we hid in the influence and respectability of the Gentlemtn who had proposed it , produced our present decision . to

      In bringing this long and hard-foj ^ ht buttle a close , the Committee return their most , sincere thanks to all individuals aud bodies who have contributed towards their support . Ttiis struggle has convinced them that a determination exists amongst the British Public botli Rich and Poor , that the condition of the Labouring Man shall be improved . Our true condition lias gone forth to this Public , an ^ l although we have not yet received the small advance for which wo have heen contending , we now feel confident of both that * nd something more . We believe that on no previous contest for wages has any bo'ly of men met with more generous sympathy or support , and wc believe that few have ever felt more grateful for it .

      . We trust * . hat our own conduct durin ; this cxtraor < u » nary struggle ha * been such as to meet the approbation of all who have knt us a helping hand . Although surrounded by circumstances of the most aggravating nature we arc happy t >> say we have notbeen provoked to one single outrage or breach of the pence . We have had working men coming in bodies to our town , from the surrounding towns and villases , to take away our work , and prevent us from realizing the small benefit we required for both them and ourseives , while in the very town of Bradford , the scat and centre of tho norsted trade , which should have set the example of supporting wages , hundreds of miserable beings in our own line of business , have been ready to fight with one another for our work carried there by our employer , yet in the midst of these terrible disadvantages we have contended for our rig ht in perfect confidence of the justice of our cause , and the support of a kind and intelligent Public .

      We are now convinced that had one half of-our couraje , resolution , ( aad we may add ) trood conduction exhibited by the woolcombers of Bradford and surrounding ; distriers , not only an advance of one farthing , but of one penny per pound mig ht have been added to thoir miserable wages . Returning you again our most sincere thanks for your unexsinpled rapport aud kindness , and trusting that although our dispute is settled for the present , you will not forget our still miserable condition . Believe us to remain , Yours most truly and sincerely , The Committee of the Kkiquiet Woolccjibebs . The following resolutions along with this address , were all passed unanimously , at a public meeting of ivookombers and others , on the evening of Monday List , Kovemhei-23 . 1816 .

      1 st . That wc the woolcombers of Keighley and ns vicinity in public meeting assembled , do hereby return ur most sincere thanks to Lord George Buntinck , M . .. W . B . Ferrand , Esq . M . P ., and all other Noblemen and Gentlemen who have supported us by pecuniary and other mtflus < t « yring uur Ions »** protracted struggle . 2 nd , That a vote of thanks Is due and i * hereby given to the- Grocers , Drapers , Publicans , Butchers , :, nd th ..-rest of the tradespeople of Keighley , for their unexampled -nd cheerful support . 3 rd . Thjt our btst thanks are due to the poor-loom weavers , shoemakers , joiners , stonemasons , workmen of the various irrm trades , with all others of every otVer trade , who have so honourably and so powerfully assisted us . 4 th . That wc return our best thinks to all the inhabitants of the surrounding towns and villages , as well as those of other towns throughout tbe country who have kin-Jly responded to our call for assistmice .

      5 th . That our best thanks are due and are hereby given to the If , tropolitan and Provincial Press , who have advocated our cause ; morn especially the Daily Times , the Morning Post , the Northern Star , and the Halifax Guardian . Oth . That tiie thanks of this meeting are due and are hereby given to the w-. rkpeople of Mr . William Lund , for their generous conduct on behalf of tlie woolcombers . and n ! so to Mr . Lund himself , for kis impartial and honourable conduct in taking back bis workpeople and woolcomlers . 7 th . That the thanks of this meeting are due to the committee fi , r their teady and persevering conduct in conducting and guiding t . ? e struggle . Keighly , Nov . 24 : h , 1846 .

      TO THE MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL UNION OF CARPENTERS OF GREAT BRITAIN . BBOTnv . ES —We , the Members of the London Lodge , iu now addressing you , wish to call your svrlous attvii tiou to our present position as a Trade . We have been united as one trade throughout the country for fourteen j ears this time : and we have only be-. n able to maintain tlit defensive po ^ i'iou . Witness ? the movement that has been mude iu Manchesttr , Birkenhead , & e , this summer , and judge for yourselves wny that step was unsucc-ssful . Was it because we , as a trace , were not united , or that we were nut united with ;' . il other trades , io that there might be one unity of feeling and action , one common cause for the sons of labour to aim at , so as to destroy that j-.: ilous feeling that unfortunatel y has too loii £ existed between the different sections of labour , the hijl ) and low paid trades f

      We readily admit "the labourer is worthy of his hire , " and whether he be a hand-loom weaver or a uiill-wrigiit , he ought t- > receive " a fair day ' s wage lor a fair diiy ' s work . " But how is it that they who produce everything have no comm-ind over what they produce ? and that they who produce nothing , and have nothing but capital , ( accumulated labour ) , have the power in their hands to crush your labour and yourselves , whenever the d-. inon . avarice , may prompt them to do so ? The reason is pl-iin to us ; they only rule by vour sufferance ; they gain iill their p-jwer by your apathy . Were wc all united in : ne common cause , each for all , and all for each , " and to know no grade or class , am ! for labour to support labour , a ; capital does capital , then wc might expect a brighter day to dawn on tlie sons of toil ; but till then wc are creating a monster ( capita . ) that is not only robbing us of our shure of the fruits of our lubour , but is using e-ur labour to defeat us in every way , " and cut like bites the hand that feeds it . "

      But , Brothers , is it not time that we should look for a better system to work on , iu maintaining what little we have , or in endeavouring to gain what wc arc justly tntitled to ? Past experience has too plainly told us that , individually , we arc helpless ; seetionaliy , we have failed ; but nationally , we must gain our object , and to gain that great obj . ct , ( which ought to be the aim •>* every working man ) the rights of labour , we call on you , with us , to join the National Ass- ciatios of Tr . ADts for the Protection of Industry , and thereby concentrate your power With yOUl 1 fellow iiiuti' . J , so that when you or any other producer is attacked , we shall feel his cause as our own , and rise as one man to resist it ; not by the old , n-. iv almost obsolete , uiethod of subscribing our pence to enable thf . m to walk about tbe streets produciuj ; nothing , but to fight capital with capital , and by creating a capital of our own , place the working man in such a position that he may be independent of those that have nothing but their capital to depend on .

      We have watched the progr-.-ssof ihe above Association from its birth ; we have ever been ready with our mite ; we believe it to be the best and surest step that could be taken in our pi esent position to gain our rights , and tlie rights of all oth . rs ; aud having had a better opportunity of judging of its i-apabilities than many a }' you have had , we call on you to aid us in carrying out the grand object it has in view , viz—tbe emancipation of labour . B y referring to tbe Balance Sheets of tbe Association , you will perceive that nearly all tbe towns where we have a _ large number of members , our tisule belongs -to it ; Scotland and Ireland ( though of late they have been separated from us ) belong to it ; and by our Union belonging to it , en masse , we shall geuera ' e and cultivate that brotherly feeling which ought at all times to exist between man and his fellow man , without any distinction of trade , creed , country , or colour .

      Brothers , we wish you scriousl jttreflect on this . We should deeply regret being obliged to withdraw from that Union of our Trade which we have so long adhered to ; and we ara convinced that the majority of our members will not continue to belong to our Union as it is at present constituted , with only a portion ef our lodges in the Association . It is our wish to hold out the hand of friend-hip to all that circumstances has obliged to leave their homes to seek for labour with us ; hut we would ask you , would it not be better for u * all to belong to the National Association for Mutual Protection , whereby we might avail ourselvis of the assistance of all , and there , b y employ our men in case of a turn-out ( which all must admit is far superior to paying them for producing nothing ) , and keep our own Union forrelievingourtrair . ps , the making good losses of tools by fire , the burial of our dead , and tbe sharing the expense of sending away thos * individuals who arc ever too ready in all strikes to encroach on the pecuniary resources of their fellow man when he is struggling for his rights .

      Should the whole of our lodges throughout the coun . try join the Association , it will greatly reduce tbe expense of our Union for the support of turn-outs , as , by belonging to both , an allowance if ene-fourth the average wages incase of a turn-out , in addition to the as . sistance from tint National Association , would place the men in such a position as the employers would soon come to terms ; and w-: will endeavour to show you the evil that would ensue if only n portion of the lodges belonged to it , as by tbat ( us it is at present constitu ted ) a lodge at

      Us . per week turning out against a reduction , or for au advance of wages , would receive ( if not employed ) from the Association 14 i ., and from our Union 12 s . per week , thtreby receiving more wages thau if in actual employ . We will briefly state a few of the benefits conferred by the Association on the working man . The document was presented to a sumter of shuemHkers in London last February ; tbe Association took up the ease , and have employed the men ever since . It materially assisted in causing the document to be withdrawn from tbe builders of Lancashire , Cheshire , and Yorkshire , last summer : it

      Ttsited Society Op Jous2jeyjiex Basket M...

      nabled the shoemakers of . Denbigh and Holywell , _ in N < = rth WaUs , to gain an aivance in their miserable wages ; it has employed tho ! iorse-nail makers of Worcestersl'irc , that their masters ntseinpted to reduce , t silk glovers of Dullield , mid frimowoik-knittcrs of Nottingham and other places , that the masters have attempted to sucrifico for taking a prominent part durinv trade disputes ; and later still , have gained an advance at Camelia , and prevented a reduction nt St . Niniuns , Scotland , among tbe null-makers , at a trifling cost . We have great pleasure in stating , that , in evury case wh « re they are employing tbe men , they find a profit Instead of a sacrifice .

      We wisli to impress as forcibly as possible on your minds , that ourobjtctis to create union , not to destroy it ; and , by placing our Union on a firm basis , to do tlie greatest possible amount of good to our trade , and all others . We hope you will seriously consider the points set forth in this address , and favour us with tlie opinion of your lodges as soon as you can . Signed , by order of the body , . Tebemiau Cassidy , President . Joun Bosh , Corresponding Seorotary . 1 , York-street , Lambeth , London , . » ^ l - 23 tn > 1840 , -- ^

      TIIE SPITALFIELDS' WEAVERS . On Saturday night , at nine o ' clock , a meeting of tlie Broad Silk llanit ' oom Weavers Union of Spitalfields , was licit ! at tbe Crown anil Anchor , Water !« o Town , Betliiial-green , to consider the expediency of adopting tlie principles of the " National Association of United Trades for the Protection of Native Industry . " Deputations attended from that Association , and from a branch one in Spitaltielcls , consisting of Mr . llobson , Mr . Sully , Mr . Cutter , dec , who explained the principles of their plan at a previous mectin « , from which this was an adjournment , e . ; ,-:, Mr . G . Ferdinandu in the chair . The meeting was adda'ssctl by Messrs . T . Fcrdinando , Berry , Rjbson , Brauchflower , Do la Force , and Poyton . Tbe following resolution was adopted : —

      ' That we , the members of the Broad Silk Hundloom Weavers'Union , of Spitallields , do fully appreciate the views of the National Association of Trades , and ar * deeply sensible that the Association is capable to produce arastamount of benefit to the working classes of this country ; but seeing that the silk trade of this country if severely injured in tlie superior branches by foreign importation , we are therefore of opinion that the Nuiiuim ) Association of Trades cannot work out the redemption oi the silk trade of this couutry without Governmental interference , by securing the home market fur British producers ; and we are also of opinion that some restrictions should be p laced on machinery , seeing that manual la hour has been superseded without producing a corresponding benefit to the entire community , and we are » Uo Of opinion that the National Association of Trades can not emancipate the working men of England while fur . eign importations are allowed to paralyse the British mniktt . FinHlly , we adopt as our- motto , " Protection to British Industry , Agriculture , and Manufaetuves . "

      THE illNBKS OF NORTHUMBERLAND AUD . DURHAM , . It appears , are once more awaking from the donninil and lethargic state . The largest meeting that has taken place in either of these counties since the termination it ' the strike in August , 1 SH , was holden on the 10 th ul-., atltcadwell Hills , in the coui . ty of Durham , at which sucM a glorious revival was displayed as has not been witnessed sinee the Monster Meetings of that ever memorable period in this district . For many months past

      sc . rcely a pay day lias gone by without producing and inflicting its manifold grievances more severely than those of the previous one;—stoppages of wages earnedhardly and lio-iestly . earned—were become of common occurrence ; aud fines , unduly and unjustly leiied , were tiie discouraging expectations of tho workman on his approach to tiie pay table . This system , ginerally speaking , lias not been a stationary , bat a progi es : > iv < : one , until at length " tlie lust straw has broken the cau-. el ' s back : " tlie circumstance alluded to , we niil bri , fly relate

      ;—TUB DEKWENT MINING COMPANY ( aud Jet them enjoy the whole of the unenviable distinction which our CAPITALS can give them , } insisted that three boys should he " put" upon a tram road in tbe pit that was to broken up with wear and tear , as to be totally mint »»; , longer to be used for its original purpose , in * aet , tlie boys had not sufficient stringth to move the loaded "ag gons of coa ! along tha inequalities of the broken rails The three " putters " stated , io tlie deputy overman thcii inability to perform th * work required until the rails were put into a proper state of repair ; this ( ienii-offiiiji insisted they should do so whether strong enough or not j the rails did well enough last month , why not this one , they were something the worse for wear , but wliat ol that . The result was , the boys ascended from the pit ,

      and on the next day they refused to descend again until the tram road whs properly repaired . Iu this dilemma , the overman alluded to insisted upon five of 'he coal heners " putting" their own coals along the broktn rails : —this mandate the hewers did not refuse to ohev in woids , hut with tliatsullenness , oppression is wont to produce , retired silently irom tbe performance of tinunusual task assigned them . Irritated at the \ ery idea of its command ; being unobeyed , though nut tHiigihi . i disobeyed , was intolerable and unbearable . The strong arm . ^ of the LAW must be put in requisition , and so it wa .-—f .. e live men and the three boys were aroused irom their rest at near midnight and taken imo custody ; tlu-y were subsequently conveyed to Lanchester , and charged before use magistrate with a breach of that clause of their bond , which binds the men to labour during certain terms , but does not bind ihe employer to supply tkui employment , or make recompense to the employed for

      the loss they have to sustain by being laid idle . Iu vain the men—unassisted by professional talent—coniciiiU-tl that they were not bound men , they hail signed no bond , had . never been required , or even asked , to sign one : — equally vaiu for the boys to assert time being minors a > - well as miners , they cuuld not become legally buiiml without the consent and participation of their parents , or guardians in the act . No . No . Ad this amounted to nothing in tlie estimation of the Justice , (?) he had patiently heard the statt-ment of Mr . J . islmu Whitfii-ld , the viewer , that a bond was in the colliery office , —that ti . e affairs of the colliery , nnil all employed on and in th , works , mnstiiicessarily be n-gulaied by that bond , —thai they considered every mini so employed to be buund oy that document , whether he knew of its existence or not , and that the very fact of his entering the service of tlie company was pnma facie evidence ot hi > duty to obey tht conditions ot THE 110 XD IX THE OFFICE , whether u had been specifically pointed out io him or not .

      This specimen of the ta < . U-ma . « ier ' s logic from so per . fectly . undoubted au authority as Mr . WhitSeht , wai , supported with ardour by Mr . Marshall , of Durham , soli , citor ; in fact , it was thought by some ttiat his lee on thi > occasion had been more weighty than usual , his hasty , bouncing , and unmeaning noise seined to indicate this to bare been the case : but to be brief , aud draw this part of the narrative to a close , it is sufficient to state that tlu-Justice (?) , the only one on the bench to hear the case , took upon himself—single-handed—to exercise an authority , the legality of which we not merely nuoiir , but confidently DENY . lie , tbe said Justice , took upon himseli tho responsibility of sentencing the five men and the three boys to various terms of imprisonment iu the county gaol of Durham ; they were committed accordingly , and at the lime ne write arc still languishing in the cells of the dungeon—we hesitate not to say — both improperly anil illegally .

      There , reader ; now you have a clue to the eauau why the long smothered flame of freedom has again burst forth—thanks to the t \ ranny that has produced it , notn-itlistanding the decided preference we should have given , had principle produced the like effect . Good will arise from evil . These tyrannical acts aroused the entire district : as magically as the mandate of the tyrant Gesler emboldened William Tell , and aroused the brave to a just sense of their DUTY TO TJIUMSliLVES : A ., attempt at re-union was simultaneously made , and a imputation sent to Mr . William Kolk , Newcastle-upon-Tyne , the assistant of Mr . W . P . Huberts , the miners'

      attorney-general , with instructions for him to request the attendance of the latter gentleman on the scene of tyranny as speedily as possible . No time was lost in mak . ing the necessary arrangements for his visit , and as soon as these were completed , Mr . Price , one of tlie accredited agents of the Miners' Association , left Newcastle , and held a preliminary meeting on the evening of Weiinesday ,- the 18 th , at the spacious rooms of Mr , Micha . l Walker , Reedwell Hills . In the . course of his well receiveu address on the necessity and benefit of Union . Ho wa . « frequently interrupted by the loud cheers of his delighted audience .

      Ou Thursday , tbe 19 th instant , tbe morn broke forth with unasual splendour for this period of the ye . u . Early iu the forenoon , a phaeton , from Newcastle , convening Messrs . Kolk , Hammond , Embleton , & c , < fcc , tithe place of meeting , was recognised passing through Shotley Bridge , and was greeted with heart y cheers which echoed from one body of men t * another , as tlu- . i contiuusd their routo along Black Hill , head Gate , Durj Edge , ifcc ., to the appointed place of meeting , Readwui ' i Hills , on their arrival at which they were received wiiithundering cheers . Shortly afterwards the mime an- , cheers in tbe distance announced the near approach of

      W . P . ROBERTS , ESQ , accompanied in his vehicle from Durham , by Mr . Miehiu-l Walker , the worthy host of the inn n-ar which tho meetiii g was to be held . This had the ell ' ect of causing tin vast multitude assembled almost instantaneousl y to form in procession , and march out to meet their friend , The scene that ensued was truly an exciting and glorious one . Tile loud and long-continued cheers of such an immense body of workmen of vari- us grades and occupations , tlie incescent congratulations of their wives mingling insivtet concert to the tune of

      " See , the conquering hero comes J " which the Bury Edge band played with great spirit ami precision , and the banners floating iu the breeze , in tlie sunbeams o er his bead , muse huvu given to Mr . Kohi-rts a reception on his re-appearance in the north he cannot but be proud of , however conscious he may feel that his former services and present devotion to the cause of labour eminentl y deserve the distinction voluntarily awarded to htm . - ; . Ou his arrival at Readwell Hill , he alighted under deafening salutes—not of the murderous cannon , but ol the spontanious cheers of the gr ? i-ut assemblage .

      Public Mei . tino was held at 1 , p . m . On the motion of Mr . James Price , that old veteran in the cause of the miners , Mr . Witlism Hammond , was called and most enthusiastically elected to tke chair ,

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      Mr . Hammond , who , in a mat and concise speech , . . nened ' theTuiinessof tlie day ; on 'rising .-h-. ' was loudly . reeled . He stated the honour he felt to be conferred upon him by the meting unanimously calling Inm to the ,- > , air He hoped the miners would soon confer a higher honour on themselves by .. gain uniting . He trustedthe „ ood sense ? of the meeting would enf rce impartiality , eiv ert-o spVahcrMi uninteruptedhearing . andm return , invited eac ' i one who desired so to do , to require an exnhnation from any speaker at the close of his obsei v - lions . He dwelt feelingly on tlie duty of both speakers -, nd huaivrs , and trusted the day was near nt hand when the latter would cheerfully adopt tlie advice of the former : With these few remarks , he begged leave amidst loud cheers , to sit down , and introduce to the notice of the meeting . himelt

      Mr . Benjamin Embletos , who . on presenting * , was also loudly cheered , ami advised tl . e meeting in thu words of Milton —" Awake , arise , or be for ever fallen . " The old " man of wars man" made an excellent speech , and was loudly cheered . , Mr . James Price , of Lancashire , who was equally received , went into a » ery leug'hy detail of the almost innumerable advantages wlich the miners of L'mcashiie had derived trom their union , Mr . Kelk , on presenting himself , was received with the hourly plaudits of the immense assemblage . He congratulated the meeting on the improved aspect of the affairs of the miners of tin- North , and exh-irted them boldly and f .-nrlessl y to imitate , ' ndiviOually , and collectively , the pi in adopted , with success unrxsmp ' ed in the struggles of labour against tUe undue inH'iene-e of capital , by their brethren of Lancashire , aud thereby extend to the North a continuation of the train of blessings which union—well based and well managed union—had

      conf-rredapou that district . Mr . Price had tru . y observed the employers -f thu miners in Lancashire would einploj none but unionists . Why would THE * not ? Because tin ! men had the management of their own affairs , were united , and would strike at any colliciy in n body as one man , should the employment of one not belonging to their body be attempted . Mr . Kilk then drew the at-• ention of the meeting to tlie undue operation of superabundant wealth overall labour , and kindly explained that , whenever production exceeded the required consumption , all the excess found its way into the hands oi ' wealthy speculators , and added greater weight to the iron scourge that oppressed them all . To remedy this - . rowing evil , lie advised ail producers uf wealth to produce no more in any department than the antual con--uniptioii nquired tlurein , and adopt a restriction of tli . iir hours of labour as a means , —combined with union — to that end , and concluded a well received speech amid the hearty cheers of his hearers .

      W . P . Roberts , Esq ., who , .-n presenting himself , was received with rapturous plaudits , commenced somewhat humourously by stating that he scarcely knew what he had come there for , or what he had to say . He thought the principal thing he had to i . iform them , was , that lie was there and gave eccular demonstration of that fact , and that lie was now quite ready as he ever had been to come among them , redress their wrongs , and preserve inviolate their rights ; but , to enable him to do this , they must g ive him strength , and that strength coul ! otily rise from their UNION , and that without it he was weak and powerless for their good ; but with it , he , had no doubt he ciiubl soon emancipate the miners of these two countries from the gross ai . d unjust oppressions they writhed under , The speaker here burst into one of those eloqivnt and inspiring strains , for which he is proverbial , and concluded amidst shouts of applause .

      It had become quite dark before this important meeting concluded . Thanks were voted to the chairman , Mr P , Roberts , riuI she others , anil the meeting tcr-¦ iiiiiiited . Soon after which , Mr . Roberts accompanied by Mr . Price , leftRsudwellHilte . 'o . Durham , and Mes : s Kelk and friends on their way for Newcastle .

      GRAND MOVEMENT OF TIIE OPERATIVE IUKERS POH A DIMINUTION OF THE MOUUS OF LABOUR ANB THE ABOLITION OP NIGHT WORK . A public meeting in favour of the above objects , was hold iu thu Btlgr . ive Assembly R'mms , Ebury-stvtet , Piailico , on Saturday evening , November 23 , The large room was filled with sinxious and attentive men , just freed from their almost incessant toil , with whom mingled a few of those benev . dent employers who deeply sympathise with the overwrought operatives , and evince a desire to see the projected change effected as speedily as possible . Mr . Wallace was unanimously called to the chair , an-i introduced Mr . George Head , author of the " Practical Bake" -, " ifcc , < fcc , secretary to the Operative Bakers Society , and a member of the deputation from that body to explain the object of tlie movement .

      Mr . Read rose amid the m .-st hearty and cordial welcome , and said—Brethren , there was a time when we wera called and classed ns gentlemen by Act of Parliament , being rated with writers , attorneys , Ac , ; but that time must have passed away , for now we are the nn . st overwrought of alt slaves . No class was so badly treated as the journeymen bakers —( hoar , hear)—or worked so hard as ihey were , both nigh : end day , and i-oimquently allowed no time to relax their bodies or improve their minds . ( Loud cheers . ) Tlie Society to which lie had tliu honour to be sticretary , conceived th ^ t lite pr ' sent system by which master bnUvr . ; conduct tlu-ir Imsiness , was the principal cause of the degraded condition of the journeymen ; that the number of hours men were compelled to labour preciu ed the possibility of

      their obtaining any menial or mural improvement , domestic enjoyment , or recreation ,. which all men have a right to expect when their toil is done , and which both their L-oilily and mental health demanded , ( Loud cheers . ) Night work was a great evil , as it enabled masters to exact more labour from their men then tliuy otherwise i-ouli . ' , and that too for a smalt remuneration , placing masters in an unequal competion , enabling the larger master to ruin the smaller —( loud cheers )—till :-state of things keeps many men unemployed , whilst those in employment have in quently to work from eighteen to twenty hours per day , thus rendering men ,-ld and infirm before tlu-y have r-ached what otiiu'wKe would be the prime of life . ( Great applause . ) Phiian thmpists had searched all quarters of the globe fir

      nhj . ii'ts on whom to bestow tliair sympathy , they had even hunted up the African , and expended twenty uiiil . on . i of our money in effecting his emancipation , whilst th-y had overlooks ! the white slave , the pour oppressed ¦ ivorwrought operative baker , ( Loud cheers , ) Trntliey did not ask for charity , tliey only sought fur a redivssal of those crying evils—overtaxed lubcur am ! hiiih work , aud then would the baker ba independent , living ii ) Ills own industry , enjoying domestic felicity , uiul usicitr his improved mental culture in the udvanceniint of general liberly and univeral happiness . ( Immense applause . ) Would the fact be credited , that a fellow-being liii'l recently at the Enst-emi of this metropolis been com . polled to work from eight o ' clock on u Thursday ni ^ ht until eleven o'clock on the ensuing Friday ; ii » lit , and this

      to with only an hour and a half rest , and that oh the boards , and that others with mily two hours' interims , siou did the same from Monday morning until Saturday iiight —( Hear , heat)—yet such was the case . Many n poor baker at the end of his week ' s toil found nuiure so exhausted that he was eoinp-llfd to crawl to bed on bis hands and knees —( hear , hear)—and was it not high time that they united and devoted this their only evening iu the emancipation of themselves and fellow-men from such a state of mental , moral ami physical bondage an-1 'h-grida'ion . ( Loud cheers . ) Their salvation was in their own ban-Is . Let the journeymen unite together with as iiiiHi ; masters as tliej" cuul-i pruv-ail ou to join tlicni , mid ileiiiunti tirclri : hours na the- maximum tl'ij ' s work , two hours to be allowed their men for taking their

      meals , and the abolinou of night-work . ( Gruat chering . ) Ilu thought twelve hours quite Ion ;; enough , and daywork far preferable to night-woik . ( L jud cheers . ) He - ¦ riis hiippy to meet such a numerous assemblage am ) to find his lellow-ineii imbued with such a . determination to effect their object , and he hoped to see thi-m i-ersovero until their great object Was obtained , lie found from Parliamentary documents , that in ISOt mast , is paid iheir men uiiuteen shillings per week , and found them in br-ad , flour , and lodging , and two nun ami a boy were employed in making up twelve sacks of Hour , and now with this accursed night wosk , they were not satisfied if a man made up thirty-two sacks in the same time . He had much pleasure in moving the follow , lug resolution : —

      ¦ 'T hat this meeting considers the measures proposed by the Op . rative Baker Society practicable and wellcalculated to improve the moral , mental , aud physical condition uf ttte journeymen bakers . '' Mr . Read resumed his seat amid shouts of applause .- ^ - The resolution was seconded aud carried unanimously , Mr . Ives , another member of the deputation said , he never knew any question submittid to them of such intense interest as the one now under discussion . ( Hear , hear . ) The object was perfectly practicable and could ie worked out by all the masters in London . ( Hear , liear . ) It was not right that a man should be compelled to commence york at eleven o ' clock one right , and be kept constantly at it until five the next . ( Hour , bear . ) He thought it positively mcessary that a limit should be

      p laced to th .- hours of labour . ( Loud cheers . ) Other trades had a limited number of hours to work , and why should not they . ( Loud cheers . ) The only results of this excess of labour was injury to health , lo morals , and a sacrifice of domestic happiness . ( Great cheering . ) The strongest constitution mu-t break down under such an unnatural pressure , and the Bakers life was usually nme ten or fifteen years shorter than other trades . ( Hear , hear . ) We are sometimes told journeymen bakers are not such good moral men as they might be . He asked was the immorality not to be traced to tho system ? Was a man after many long ami severe hours of labour , capable of seeking out rational and soul elevating enjoyments t ( Great applause . ) On the contrary , disabled by excessive fatigue . he seeks the nearest , and easiest , and

      most artificial mode of excitement , the public bausc—( loud chi ' ii's)—but blame not altogether the man , it is tin- system . ( Great clieiring . ) However they had nmv commenced tin agitation with a view to the reform of that system . The Drapers' Assistants had commenced , and been successful . The Factor ; Tun Hours Bill Agitation hud gone » n , and he thought he might say was now on the very vergo of success . ( Vehement cheering . ) Let t ' ni-m proceed , the public would sympathise with them ; nine-tenth of the masters were already with them ; the Northern Star , and a portion of daily preiis was with them , and with perseverance they must ultimately succeed , ( Loud applause . ) He had much pleasure in moving- the following resolution : — " That this meeting considers the present system of night work and unlimited hours of labour , to be destructive to the moral feelings , and mental

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      dcvelopement of the men who are employed in the business , and ruinous , to . many ,, of the masters , who are by such means placed iu an unequil state of competition . " Mr . Hood seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously . Mr . M-Clarre said , before moving the n-xt resolution , he would read a letter from a Master U « ker . and thus show them how favorable was a number of the masters to their movement—it was as follows : — " Pimiico , Nov . 2 C , 181 G . " Sir , —I should have been proud of the honour you did me in soliciting me to take the chair at tl-e Kelgrave

      Assembly Rooms , on Satunlay .-but :, itliough illness prevents my doing so , I am nevertheless favourable to your cause , aud satisfied the more the employers and tlie employed ar-j united together , as fur as the two positions will allow , the better it will be for both , and that it will have a tendency to elevate the moral character of master and m ; tn , under these impressions I am the advocate of measures which will have for their objvet the amelioration the condition of any of my fellow-creatures , particularly those I am more immediately Identified with ; entertaining these views , I sincerely wish you every success in your present undertaking . " I remain , Sir , ibc ,

      "Henry Ellis . " Such be believed were the sentiments not only of Mr . Ellis , but : na » y other well disposed in isters— ( hear , hear ) To remedy the preset wretched state of things is the aim and object of this society , and we this evening claim ' your support and co-operation in promoting and forwarding this great cause . ( Loud applause . ) | Mr . M'CIarro ended by moving the formation of a eomtnittee for carrying out the oljects of the society iu this district . Mr . Mentor , £ master baker , seconded the motion . Mr . LiTTLEMiiBE , h member of the Metropolitan Earlyclosing Association , rose loudly applauded to address the meeting , and said that the feding that the people was

      ov . rworkedhappily seemed to pervade the whole of society . He was very happy to see such a large meeting of bakers assembled for such an important object . ( Loud cheers . ) The Drapers Association had commmced and gone on until at length they had so far extended their society as to become not the Drapers , but the Metropolitan Early-closing Association . ( Loud cheers ) He was perfectly satisfied it only required iperseverance on tbe part of tiie bakers to insure success . ( Loud cheers . ) The reso ' ution was adopted by acclamation , the committee men duly elected , and the place and time of meeting were named as the Sloane-squnre Coffee-house , Sloanesquare , on Saturday evenings at eight o ' clock .

      Mr . Geoboe Read rose to move " a vote of thanks to the Northern > tar , and such other Journals as had noticed their . movement . " He had the pleasure of seeing his and their friend the reporter of the A ' orfnern Star present —( Loud cheers)—and as tbe press , and consequently the public , took up thyir cause aiid sympathised with them , h-had no doubt of a speedyand triumphant success . ( Great cheering . ) Mr . M'CtABKiosj seconded the motion , which was adopted unanimously . Merab' rs were now invited to come forward and enrol their names , and so ijreat was the rush that three persons were fu ly occupied for more than au hour in enrolling members . A vote of thanks was then given to the Chairman by acclamation , and the meeting was dissolved .

      THE NATIONAL TYPOGRAPHICAL ASSOCIATION . After the appearance of the article in the Ynncs a fewdays ago respecting the'differences between the master printers and journeyman of Edinburgh , it appears that another number ( though an tiisigniiicent one ) of the newspap-r press , has thought fit to publish to the world its peculiar complaint of the " tyrannous and dictatorial" behaviour of the above body , this is the Bui Packet , a puper not over p .-pillar , for its proprietor ' s conduct , iu reference to the trade . The grievance complained of by the editor of that publication , is the fact of his men having refused to work any longer for him , because he had made arrangements for introducing two lads into the place in the room of one who was about leaving . The editor puts the ease thus : —Having three

      lads who would have completed their apprenticeship within the year , he found it necessary to introduce two to fill their places — but only one of these was to be brought up to the business . This appears not very creditable according to bis own confession ; for i-ne offitie to turn out three lads in a twelvemonth is a fact that no reasonable individual could approve of . Dut ho alleges in excuse that he . hud three youths turned over from a defunct paper . The facts arc simply these . The paper last rt ferred to died—the apprentices upon it were thrown out—the Packe' propri , t » r eagerly accepted the services of tbese bads , wl-o came to him to ascertain if he would take them ou , without any turning over taking place , until after a considerable time bad el .--. pstd , and ihe overseer found that the printers' union was going : on

      so prosperously as to threaten his masters wholesale employment of apprentice labour ; that at tlie first expiration of an apprenticeship after the association rul-.-s came into force , the Packet hud no less thau cujit lads , seven journeymen , that two additional ones were brought in soon after the young men above referred to became 'loose " , and that in these introduction * the piecemon struck , leaving only two creatures of the overseer iu the idace . Under these circumstances , there would hare been no less than nine apprentices and eight journeym . n . It requires little explanation to show that these numbers are so utterly beyond the bounds of reason , that no wonder need be expressed at t !; e tura-Oit . The Irade know the pvopiietov ' s answer too well to trust any assurance that these two very boys were the onlv

      substitutes for tlie three who were shortly to finish their time . In a very boasting spirit the editor concludes his pavagrajrii by assuring the public that the publication is carried on quite satisfactorily to all parties . The trade iu Hull know lull well that the satisfaction rests exclusively , with himself . Were it not that such matters as tin se are of two local a nature to need lengthened remark , it would nof be difficult to c . xliiWt to the world as five specimens of a proprietor ' s cool effrontery , an overscr-r ' s object to adisim . workmen ' s lamentable incapaci-. y , ai . d editorial ingratitude , as the whole of the three kii-gdoi »| s cou'd produce , Hull Branch . H . W nite , Secretary . G , PortliiiifJ-stiGet-West , Sprinc . street , Hull .

      THE OLD "TIMES" VERSUS THE NEW . 'The m . ichir . i-ry of t' - ? e . Wieiati-n-, of United Trades for the Protection of Industry . " aftyl-Js loo strong a temptation to elub orators a-id pothouse politicians , and too favourable an opportunity for tho exercise of their powers of mischief . This monster combination is a signal ex-miple of the dangers o ? centraliisiitlon , " : —Vi „ c Times , Monday , November 16 . Mb . Editor . —In olden times , the years just past , it was the old practice of the " trades , " acting by the direction of the old school hnnds to enter into " strikes' oftensive and defensive , without calculating tiie odds of the encounter , whether thr-y were strong enough to enforce their terms , or the market good enough to enable the employers to give the price they

      deminded for their labour . Th-.- employers , on the . other hand , without studying either their own interest or thu men s ; without calculating tiieir ability tv give or resist the ( lem . uids of tlie labourer , have adhered to a dodged determination of resistance or encroachment . Thus throuirh weeks an'l months of idleness , have both parties stubbornly persisted in ( to say tlie least ) a very unwise course , seeking not , but rather avoiding , nil iiiteriucdi . ate means of accomodation , This mode of procedure , " all time hanoured as it is . " though sometiin s eostlyvictorlous 'o the 'trad-s , " and of timer ending expensive etoupiesfcs to the employers , is , at length , discovered to hein every sense unprofitable . The nan \> . v views and maudlin plans of former days ( sometimes erroneously termed the " wisdom of our ancestors" ) have , in the past

      struggles between employers and employed , heen " tried and found wanting . " Yet . "out of evil cnnictli gond . 'j Truth is being poured fort ! : ; from out the mist of error , that has too long tortured and confused the human race , a new era is breaking upon us ; tin : last pisrc on the stage ofni '' . time , is dragging its lingering , lengthened parts to a sure end ; the dark curtain of her last night is descending , and will presently hide her dtf-rmed lira , mas from our view ; and such of the actors as can .--hake off the prejudice of caste , andean make common cause with the people , may take an" important part in the new age of philosophy , truth , and general happin .-ss . The trades are boning to this mighty change of feeling and opinion , that is affecting ' mora or less , every einss of the

      community . Even the Times itself , which some say always was a changeling ' * moderates tho rancour of her pun . Then , wherefore , abuse the " trades " for changing their mode of operation ? Does the Times think that none should clnnge but itself , lest the price of change should bo reduced f Tbe trades have long tried local societies , and found thfin powerless for good , They next tried general unions of particular trades , and found that these could not successfully resist the encroachmoiits of the task-masters , who , like those of Egypt , were continually seeking to increase toil , and reduce wages . They then atu-mpt « d to form a National Trades' Union ; but it was broken to pieces through mismanagement , before it had grown into a " monster combination . " I thank God that the National Association

      of United Trades has armed at that state , I tliank the Ttmss also for trumpeting forth our fame ; and , to prove tl . e sincerity of my thanks , I can assure the Times that I have taken the extract at the head of this epistle for a text to that part of mv lectures , entitled , "Th-j Virtues of a National Association , and the immense advantages of centralisation , as instanced iu the powers of Church and State . " All foimer unions of the trades having failed them , in the attempt to " hold their own ; " tho trades have determined to " spread thtir wing wider , " and , by uniting all trades together , on the condition ot mutual assistance and protection , to form a truly National Association ; and , by moderate subscriptions , raise a lund sufficient to meet every case of oppression , and ultimately , by the influence of our numbers , wealth , and

      mediations , to put an end to strikes at ohce and for ever . And , iu thu interim , tvhen strikes are unavoidable , to employ the turn-outs at their own occupations , prevent , ing idleness and riot , or any other ineonveniuice to tbe workmen or the public . This is our view , and our " signal examples of the-dangers of centralization . " for the Tidies has shown noue other , and our rules warrant none other ! What ! does the Times condemn "centralisation , as dangerous 1 " Then is the Times guilty of sedition , for it condemns the " poivsrs that be "—that lulethis mighty nation . It condemns the church , the state , and thu army , for these are the three great " ecu . tralisations , " three " mighty combinations . ' ; Or will it make these exceptions to tiie " dangers of centralisation !" Will the Titnes say it is good to centralise the local and

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      national government in the crown , or in the Mitii ^ te " that it is good to . levy tax' -s . and rates , and ceutnip "" the accumulated funds in tlie coffirV of '" the ' govn " menl—that it is good to centralis !! t |) e ' **' gion , the clergy , the bisln . p !' , the patronage , u ** } Cr-nvn ; and last , to say it is good to centralise our : un in their generals , and all in thu Crown t | ,. (| . , . good to send tlienl forth to battle , and tight out tli » oV . " rcls ot' kings—that it ti good to set nimy against armr , at th * bidding of one on eiiber side ; to thntat , undent and hack each other , converting the fair fields of ! i , 1 [ Ur ' into a ptindem mium . of hellish p-isaions , yella , sluj . l- „ groans , and torture ; trampling wounded , djing , 8 ( 1 Ij dead , in one common slough , fit feait for fiends and eaf rion crows . Wi-1 the Times say that these cttur . dis ,, "

      tions are good , but that centralisations nt the wor 1 { j class for protection to industry are bad ? If SO l | ct ¦' . enjoy it * opinion , and with it the contempt of tlie "on , ] and intelligent of every class . The Times lias created a phantom for the National Assr-ciatimi , wherewith to haunt its own pages and the public miii- ' .: it affon ' g a "temptation to club orators and pothouse politicians and facilities to exercise their powers of mi-soMef . ' ' This " mischief" must be lurking in his own brain , for he has not yet found it in the Association . Tho Tmea stigmatises " club-orators . " This is ric'i ! There are Conservative clubs , aud Reform Clubs , and these have thtir orators ; but have they " powers of mischief V The Times has said it , and the orators , in their next orations , will return thanks , with great pleasure . W-. 11 , these said political parties do frequently—particularly at election

      times—get up dinners and meetings in tavjrns . in must parts of tlie country , and these club orator . * hold t ' orfh thereat on political topics ; and , as a tavern is > ulg .-ul y called a pothouse , I suppose that ih « Tim-s assumes tbat they arc , therefore , " pothouse politicians . " How those gentlemen will like the compliment , I know not , and shall , therefore , leave them to return it in tiieir own fashion . Yet , notwithstanding the asseverations of the Times is the- contrary , I cannot help thinking , tlmtif these gentlemen do join the Association—and they may do so for our honourable president , T . S . Duncoml-e , Esq , has set them a noble example—they will thereby augment their powers for good . I am , Air . Editor , with all due deference to the Times , A centralizer for good , Samcf . l Jacobs .

      P . S . —with respect to the Times denunciat . on ot ihe Typographical Association , I am disposed to think , from its unfair attack on the united trades , that it has alsri dealt unfairly with that Association , and mkrepres .-nted the cas -. The intelligent portion of its readers will sea through its clumsy aud mean attempt to entail thsir ai-t 3 upon a body quite distinct tdertfrom , and wh illy uncoil , nected with it .

      THE VICTIM OF CAPITAL . TO THE EDIT 0 E OP TUB NOSTDEttN STAR . I had expected that some one ot the " many thousands employed in the buildin ; , ' trades » f this metrtipolis , would not have allowed the recent catustropho at liromp ! ton to pass into forgetfulness without an effort to exunse , the system of rapacity and murder to which us l . r ' ckbiyers . carpenters , masons , tfce ., they are victhnU-d . That allot ' the . \ hove trades should t'e silent dots i-urprise me . The death of the bricklayer ' s labourer at Alfred place , OldBrumpton , wasaclearcaseofmau-ki-ling . Jas , Ciiscy was killed , iu other words imirdvnd : the in ; tru . meiit used to murder Ihe deceased , being in , flicient

      bricks and mortar , and tl . e object gained l \ the murder is a saving of a few barrowfuls of lime , or in i-liVe ? the saving of a f-. w pounds to tin / capitalist . Suppose , [ place the ease as a question in the rule of three , ( or it is essentially one of calculation . It is not supposed , of course , that the huiider of the house ri- signed the murder ot tliii deceased Jumes Cn .- 'ey ; the builder -locld . no doubt shrink back with horror at the idea of the b : « o . i y deed . But he did undertake to build houses for a tiven sum , which amount was insufficient to provide sueii materials as in the using of which no hazard to life would follow . 'Villi such preface I place the case thus : —

      " II" the builditg of In ick-work at 80 s . per rod , gives ii . per rod profit , prouding good materials , and incurring no risk of life to the part ' es employ-id , ut what price can I build bad bouses , use inefficient sand and lime , endangering the lives of all parties concerned ? Answer , GOs , ptr rod . Whether is san-t / nd liuiij : x-osi valuable ? Answer , Sand and lime . James Casey is dead —killed—murdered—sand and lime saved —< V-j « ses Otitis cheap I " Such , I conceive to be a futr and honest statement of the ease , and unfortunately for working man on the case of James Casey is not a solitary one . It is impossible to calculate the numbers murdeied annually by coal-pit explosions , railway accidents , shipwrecks , . fee , to say nothing of th countless thousands that die by incites , whose livos are living deaths by being stewed up in filthy workshops and factories , insufficiently fed and clothed , Jcc .

      But what matter ' as capital increases , railways are made , houses built , fortune accumulated ; King Hudson drinks his wine , the Messrs . Cotton and Cash rido in their carriagi s , the master builder enjojs lii ^ brandy , all goes well ; everything is very cheap , it only caitfes a feu millions of murders annually I Such a state oi things is the result of tbe present system . What a hollow mockery of ngkt and morality ! s this boasted En .-lanil ! It is wiiten on the walls of our churches , " Thou shale not steal , "— " Thou .-halt not liili , " and if a beggar steals an apple , ho is punishiu : we wilt be moral ! Ifamancut the throat of his

      fellow-man , the murderer shall be hanged ; we will be just ! Yet , we live under a system that murders many ; and steals from all . Capital must have its due ; Oogj ami hm-ses must be protected ; labourers inui'd---r- d . Tiis ignorant savage knows no such horrors ; his ii' cultivated lands arc free , his wants giorr with his ability to suppi ; , them , his existence is rude and precarious , but never refined and cruel , such cannot be the : ruv ol'j . et of government aud civilization , and calls loudly for a great political and social chango . But the present system seems to engender all tha . is opposed to truth , justice and humanity ; a rcircnce to the inquest on the body of Casey will prov « my case—aad here it may not b * - ou : of place to state—that I kn-w tor nf . cr . that the friends of thu det'QJsud C : i < ey t ' ollBi ted £ ' 2 . and offered the sum to a certain liberal lawyer in

      Loudon to attend the inquest , but no , the srid liberal lawyer r-quired his full : e-.- — £ 4 . E . Jones , E .-q , was next a-ked , and to his credit and honour be it written , ha immediately consented without asking or expecting reward . I hope such circumstance nil ! be remembered by all , who in poverty , are subjected to the hardship o ? employing it 1 'urrisitr to di-frud the rights avid cxp-se tlie wrongs of labour , On tha inquest the Coroner did not a little to burke tho inquiry . He hud always an over , bearing objection ready cut and dried the mom-nt Mr . Jones opened hb mouth ; and lit ) refused to hear the evidence of a bricklayer's labourer—because he had " iieiid evidence sufficient from them . '' The jurors too were worthy of the Coroner Mr . Junes requeued the C--ronet to order Mr . Holmes to produce his agreement witli Messrs . Eniniens .

      but" The Coroner objected , amidst a general outcry from the jut-firs , amongst whom were several builiiii-. s , against its production . " II . iw worthless after all in some cases is trial by jury , A jury raising " a general outcry" against a reasonable question , Had sueii an occurrence taken place at a premucous aittliei'i ! . " . ijftlious . 'indK , it would have shown !> uornnce and b ; ii t .-tste . but coming from a jury ' sitting' on the corpse of a man , it seems almost iuaccntiiit .-thlc . It eei taioly ad ! s nothing to the respectability of the jientlemen concerned , but redue-s them beneath the 'jiynity of a mob .

      I have already said that the case of Casey is not a solitary one , but suppose the deceased leaves a wife and children to mourn his loss . Tiieir provider and proteet . n- is no more . Capital has been enhanced by his labour , and what does capital do for those who are bereaved and left alone ? Sends them to a workhouse to be starved and insulted , or leaves thmn tha alternative of stealing " and beiiis punisbedascriminals . Am IJtold enterprise and UV . de require such sacrifices , I answer , if so , enterprise and trade reap the bt-neit ' , and should by law lie eoinpelh d to provide for the dcpendv . uis of those so sacrificed . Things are managed differently in Prance , tlie provisions of the code Napoleon provide an indemnification for all injury sustained bv labourers when at work , r-. suiting

      from carelessness or other causes ou the part of the employer . , Some idon ot' the law now existing in l ' rance , may be formed from the following case which appeared in the Times of October the 20 : h : — "One instance will probably give our readers some idea of the nay they inaiinire those things as well as others iu F . attoa . The workmen on the line were blasting a roek in the tunnel ; they dug the hole , loaded it , and primed it -, as it did not explode quite so quickly as they expected , a labourer , whose birth place our renders will easily conjecture , went up to it , knelt down , and o- ' eto the match . He lost his eyes and bis arms by this not unnatural accident , yet tli * company were glad to ship him off again to the Emerald Isle , with £ 200 in his pocket , rather than risk the award of the court . "

      How lucky was the poor Hibernian . labourer who . by sheer want of forethought , was injured when at work i « Franco , compared with what would have been his fa to had hU unfortunate accident befallen him iu England * An etlicient and stringent law of deodand is required in this country—such a law as will secure a pension tor all the wounded soldiers iu our industrious army , and l , r 0-vide for the wive * , families , and dependants of all int'B killed when emplo \ ed in producing capital ; and iu «" cases where death or accident is caused by the neg lect ot avarice -of the employer—he to pay the sum settled bj law as damages ; and ' in all cases , where death is caused oi

      by tbe eareL-ssnes-s of the lahourer , tbe dependants the deceased should be provided for by tlie sute . > roW" * in our fighting army ifdi-uMud iu the s-TviCiVS ^ nlitleil " a pension " ; and surely shunting men is no more honorably or necessary than building hou-cs , or uiakiiig ' iailways . Such a measure would prove a protection to the lives and limbs of our fellow working men , and contrasts to advan-agc alongside trump-. ry recommendation ot'tb «« oisy Brompt . m Jury , about party walls " with and without bond timber . " The party walls of our legislature a-i superstructure are already too secure , they mu > t shaken , and the working man ' s labour be repress ' and protected , as well as the landowner ' s hare or

      capitalist's pocket , , A LEiF FROM THE ASSAM QV A SlICEJUXSV . ClUnETT .

      Wants A Puce-Tiic . Vmjington Statute C*...

      Wants a Puce-TIic . VMJington Statute C *« havoaiwo months character from tho omnibus wtu and Sir ErederickTrench .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Dec. 5, 1846, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_05121846/page/6/