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172 THE ST AH OF -EREEDOM. [Qct obe* ^
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Bradford.—Secular Lectures.—Mr. Broom ga...
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TEABES.
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THE FRAMEWORK-KNITTERS OF HINCKLEY. TO T...
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THE TEN HOURS' BILL. PRESENTATION OF AX ...
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MISCELLANEOUS.
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TifE Wan or Distringas.—The writ of dist...
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
| Ot7-F*-*-I-U Jwwm| Iiimm ¦ |L|L||Hin-T...
It—''— ' — _ ' " ' , ¦ I I . 1 . I ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦¦¦¦— ^— rnernembers of the Society to the exercise of their own discretion , as to the part * vhivhichthey might take in . the matter , sad the advice which they might give to aailfeilher party . ^ # •* * ~ 1 Hut the succe ss of the " Masters' Strike " has been the triumph of Co-opera-Ltiouon . A hundred thousand pounds may have been wasted , or the opportunity of tearcarning them foregone , by the working-men . But we have every reason to hope nlwihat it is for the last time that such an expenditure will take place . The Amal-Wtsamated Society has declared in favour of co-operative labour , and revised its na-Oav- 's ' so as to make the reproductive employment of its members tlie very hinge
< of of its proceedings . The National Association of United Trades has proclaimed Ithrthat "the time has come for the entire abandonment of strikes and turn-outs as in hi nieans of protecting labour , " and that " the only thing left" is , in future , "to orjorganizc and carry out a self-supporting co-operative reproductive system of i en employment . " Out of the strike in the engineering trade itself , many associa-Itiotiotisof working engineers , including the flourishing " East London Iron Works " tanand " Atlas Company " in London , have sprung up ; and throughout ihe country nn-many and many a trade society is engaged in discussing the propriety of entering iirppon co-operative labour , and availing itself of the provisions of the new act . ' Some further extracts will be given in next Saturday ' s Star oof Preepost .
172 The St Ah Of -Ereedom. [Qct Obe* ^
172 THE ST AH OF -EREEDOM . [ Qct obe * ^
Bradford.—Secular Lectures.—Mr. Broom Ga...
Bradford . —Secular Lectures . —Mr . Broom gave a second discourse last S Sunday on the paganism of Christianity . He went over a library of Christian h historians , giving admission upon admission against the doctrines of the d churches . Monday night he opposed the Rev . Eeid , who preached to the workii ing classes for the Independent Conference . Mr . Broom stated that he could p prove Christianity to be paganism from the works af Millman , Mosheim , and GGuihot . It wa . s agreed to allow him to do so cm Tuesday evening , affer Rev . I Uremia Grant had lectured , Consequently , on Tuesday , Mr . Broom attended , t to read voluminous extracts from the three writers , who , being christians , conc demned Christianity , stated it had degraded society , fostered crime , destroyed 1 liberty , and annihilated intellectual progress . An immense audience was prei sent , and repeatedly applauded . The platform was covered with lleverends .
3 lES 3 rEiusir asb Clairvoyance . —Geuald . Massey gave his third lecture < on Monday evening , the 18 th inst , in the Literary and Scientific Institution , . John-street , fitzroy-square . There was a very good attendance , the platform , i especially being crowded . On this occasion the lecturer attemped to explain the phenomenon of Clairvoyance , and show how it was produced , which was very j startling and interesting , and to judge from the audience , received with satisfaction . There were some medical sceptics , well known in the scientific world , present , who came to doubt and expose ' the humbug , " and it was very interesting to watch thetr change from doubt to wonder , from wonder to belief , and as the experiments went on , to heer them assert their full and perfect conviction to the audience . We should say this was the best Lecture , the matter being mostly new , and as the Clairvoyante was in better health and spirits , the experiments were more brilliant and successful than ever .
Teabes.
TEABES .
The Framework-Knitters Of Hinckley. To T...
THE FRAMEWORK-KNITTERS OF HINCKLEY . TO THE EDITOR OF THE STAR OF FREEDOM . Sir , —At a time when usurers and capitalists aspire to become the sole governors of once Great Britain and her dependencies , it may he -well at times to inquire into the condition of the working classes . pThe time once was -when the framework-knitters of Hinckley eoulti , by working ten or twelve hours per day , obtain a sufficiency of all the necessaries of life , could appear respectable , could till their homes with good furniture , could clothe their children in a decent manner , and then be able to lay b y for sickness or old age ; and then their employers grew rich , often in a very short time . But these days are past and gone , perhaps for ever .
The framework-knitters cannot now obtain a sufficiency of the necessaries of life , even by working fifteen or sixteen , and in some eases seventeen or eighteen , hours per day . Joy is no longer seen n their countenances ; in their minds sorrow and despair prevail . Most of their homes remind the visitor of the wilderness in winter , where all is gloom and desolation . Many of their children are seen running through the streets clothed in rags , often with no shoes to their ft V- ; while their j-ounger children are often heard to cry for food when their parents have none to give them . Yet their employers grow rich , and merchants and speculators realise princely fortunes by buying cheap and selling dear , robbing the labourers of most of the wealth produced by their industry .
Not a class of workmen in the country have tried more than have the framework-knitters of Hinckley to keep up wages . Tradesunions have been numerous , and strikes have been frequent , long , and severe ; yet wages are lower now than they have ever been . The wealth-possessors rule rampant , and the wealth-creators lie prostrate in the dust . During the last twelve or fourteen months those employed in the Straight-down-hose branch have suffered two , and some of them three reductions ; wliile those engaged in the wrought-hose branch have had to improve the quality of the hose to an extent that has greatly diminished their weekly earnings . So low are the wages of the wrought-hose . hands , that an ordinary hand cannot earn more than five or six shillings per week .
Irade is now very good , and ihe demand is expected to increase for some time to come . As a consequence , the men are resolved to try for an advance . They think , and naturally , of what has been so often told them , that supply and demand regulate wages ; and as they know from experience that wages always fall when a depression takes place , now , the demand being very good , they think that wages ought to rise .
On Tuesday , the 5 th instant , the men of both branches had a public meeting at the Town-hal ! , to appoint a deputation to wait on the masters to solicit an advance ; but no , not one master-in the town was willing to give even a small advance . But the men have had another public meeting , and intend to agitate the district on the subject for a few weeks ; and then , if the masters still refuse , the men will , very probably , see what , another strike will do for them .
What a position to be occupied by the working men of Old England ; men with families working for five shillings per week ! Oh , Britain I where is thy boasted glory ? in what consists thv boasted greatness ? Oh ye who boast of love for the true and just , and ye who have so often sung "Britons never shall be slaves , " when shall cease the slavery of Britain ' s wealth-creators ? S . Hinckley , October 18 th , 1852 .
The Ten Hours' Bill. Presentation Of Ax ...
THE TEN HOURS' BILL . PRESENTATION OF AX ADDRESS TO MCHAKD OASTLER , ESQ . B . Z ( From d * -Huddertfield Chronicle , October IGth , 1852 . J During the past week or two , Richard Oastler , Esq ., so well known for his labours in the promotion of ihe Ten Xjotirs' Bill , has been on a visit to this neighbourhood , and is at present the sjuest oi Mr . T . It . Tatham , surgeon , his brother-in-law . The Short Time Committee deeming ; it a filling opportunity for congratulating him
on the success of his labours , and for assuring him of their continued sympathy , invited him to met-t the committee at the Greyhound Inn , Manchester-road , on Tuesday last , for the purpose of with a congratulatory address . The chair was taken by Mr . Samuel Glendenning , and there were present Mr . John Leech , Mr . Hawkyard , and other members of the committee . Mr . Oastler entered the ' . room about a quarter before eight o ' clock , and was received with the warmest manifestations of applause ,
The Ten Hours' Bill. Presentation Of Ax ...
The Chairman briefly opened the proceedings by expressing the pleasure which they had in meeting Mr . Oastler on this occasion , after which lie called upon Mr . John Leech , tlie secretary , who came forward and read , and afterwards presented tl » p following address : — To Richard Oastler , the undeviating friend of the Factory Children . " Kcverend Sir , —Willi great nleasure the members of the Huddersfield Shorttime Committee learn that you have taken up your abode for a short period in the town of Huddersfield , on a visit to your old friends , neighbours , and acquaintances : and they cannot permit the opportunity of your presence m this good
town , so memorable in connection with the " short-time agitation , "—to pass by without publicly congratulating you on the signal success which has resulted from the efforts to limit the period of working in factories for children , vomen , and young persons , and also on the incalculable benefit arising from tho shorttime measures in operation . When we call to mind that it was in this said town of Huddersfield that the union between yourself and the factory workers was entered into ami cemented , whereby all parties agreed to lay aside their political and religions differences and prejudices , and to work harmoniously together for a measure to limit tire hours of labour in factories—then unlimited , and tlie factories from this cause then the constant scene of hardship , cruelty , and oppression ,
incredible at the present day , —when we remember that our first meetings at the Ship Inn , consisted but of some dozen operatives in conjunction with yourself , to lay the wrongs of the factory workers before tlie world , and to plead for protection to those who were the slaves of a most oppressive system , and unable to protect themselves—and when we reflect that in the beginning of this short-time contest we had opposed to us the legislature , the press , the professions , the pulpit , the employers of labour , and » great part even of the operatives themselves , — when we call those things to mind , and remember also how the short- time question progressed in the public mind , until the parliament itself ( at the instance of that uncompromising friend of tho factory workers , John Pielden , Esq ., ) gave legislative sanction to the Ten Hours' Bill—we feel unbounded thankfulness that
it was permitted to us , the operatives of Huddersfield , to engage and labour m such a good work ; and we are . filled with gratitude unspeakable for the devotion , the energy , the talent , and the zeal which you , dear sh * , brought to bear throughout the contest , carrying conviction home to the hearts of all , and contributing more than any individual by your untiring labours and your honest devotedness , to the success of that great measure of factory regulation , the Ten Hours' Act . "Into . the circumstances which resulted in the present ' compromise , ' or Ten and a Half Hours' Act , it is not our intention at present to enter further than to say that we deplore that anything should have interfered to set aside , even in a minor degree , ihe simple Ten Hours' Act of John Fielden .
With pride do we bear testimony to the uniform endeavours of the employers of labour throughout this district to give full effect to the measures of factory regulation which have been passed , and that too not in a niggardly or unwilling spirit , but with an evident desire to give the children , the females , and young persons employed in their factories , all the benefit of the acts passed for their protection . The result is a v ? ide-spread feeling of mutual respect and regard between the employers and the employed . All parties here are satisfied with the operation of the measures limiting the hours of factory labour as far as they have gone . Former opponents now bear willing testimony to their beneficial effects , and frankly avow that their former fears of evil and loss were groundless ;
while the direct benefits which short time has secured for the factory workers are felt , and we hope appreciated , by them every day of their lives . With pain , however , do we hear that there are employers in other parts who do not act in the spirit and manner above indicated , but who are seeking , by all the means in their power , to render factory legislation nugatory . It is far from our desire that the agitation upon this short-time question should be renewed ; but if the objects and efforts of the employers we allude to , to defeat the intentions of the legislature , cannot be otherwise effectively met , there is no otiier course open to the factory workers . The Factory Regulation Act is too dear a cost on the part of the operative classes , to be allowed to be allowed to be snatched from them by
oppressive employers without an effort to retain it . If the administrators of law will see to it that this great law of factory regulation is impartially enforced , well and good ; but if they do not do this , or if it be found that the machinery for its enforcement is deficient , we must again appeal to the public at large , and endeavour to influence public opinion in our favour . jjWe should prefer that the matter may be arranged without Agitation , but before we will consent to have the Factories' Regulation-Act snatched from us , or rendered nugatory by ill-disposed employers , we will , with our fellow-operatives , agitate in every manner possible , not only to secure what we have already obtained , ' but to make it thoroughly efficient for its intended purpose—tlie protection of the factory workers . We are , revered Sir , yours faithfully ,
The Members op the Huddersfield Short-time Committee . This address "was signed by the chairman on behalf of the committee . Mr . Oastler then delivered a lengthy address , in which he remarked :- —I perceive that vou have , as you thought , very carefully in this address shut the door to any observations from me about regaining the half hour we have lost . ( A . laugh . ) I watched your address right carefully to see if there was ' a pin upon which I couid hang my old Ten Hours' Bill coat —( a laugh)—but I didn ' t find it . L am sorry for it—verry sorry for it—but though I don ' t come here to breed disunion —( hear)—neither do I come here to leave any
doubts when I am gone as to my opinions upon the subject . You have not opened the door , bull should feel that I had disgraced myself , and that I hud done you no honour if I were to leave Huddersfield without distinctly tellinsr you that if no man in England save myself will raise the standard of the Ten Hours' Bill , I will raise it . ( Applause . ) If no man in England will assist I will strive to do it single handed . ( Renewed applause . ) And in down ; it , sir , I will be careful this time to be understood . It shall not now even be suspected by my bitterest enemies—if I have not outlived them all-it shall not , I say , even be suspected that I am
striving to set the master against , the man , and the man against the master . . This time I shall not have to rouse public feelinoas I formerly had , to appreciate the . suffering which 1 which to re * lieve . This time I shall not have to speak of the factory tyrant or of the factory slave . That time is gone by . ( Hear . ) Those terms would be untrue ; slavery is now abolished in our English factories—but I shall have to speak of the honour of parliamentparliament having once granted the Ten Hours' Act , the honour of parliament is pledged to return it . ( Hear , hear . ) I shall have to show the fraud by which we were robbed of the two hours per week . That fraud I will not speak of now . There was fraud in high quarters . It was said b y Sir George Grey , the late Secretary ot the Home Department , in the House of Commons , in my own hearing , that , tlie factory operatives had agreed to that compromise . ( Ones " Never , never . ' ) Who told Sir George Grey thai untruth leave to
I you guess , it was accepted as a truth in the House of Commons and it was believed that in passins the present law they were complying wuh the wishes of the factory operatives . Now I had just before that been through the great county of Lancashire , attending meeting after meeting in the huge towns and some in the small ones ; and I know every one of those meetings did unanimously re . olve to resist that compromise-protested against itdeclared that they would never have it or abide by it-lihat thev were no party to it . J know that every one of the Short Time Committees m Yorkshire , Lancashire , and Scotland were unanimous m their protest not to accept it . Delegate ¦ meetings for Yorkshire and Lancashire were held two or three times in Manciple , specials fn 1 rf ° ' i i un ™™» ly solved ' not to accept u . ihe delegates m London did the same , and when our leader pubhely accepted this '' compromise" in defiance of the resolutions of all these meetings , they held another meeting and declared they belief the factory operatic would not accept . and they never have . ( Hear . ) With all these facts , I have grounds io go to parliament again , and say , « You were deceived—> ve were betrayed ,-g > ve us that which you said we deserved-that
The Ten Hours' Bill. Presentation Of Ax ...
which you intended to give us , or , at once declare thati ^ honour which has hitherto bound the legislature and ih '" ^ Oi England together is for ever broken . " " ' " peopi-, . At the conclusion of the proceedings , a resolmio adjourning the meeting to a future day , for the fur » V ! Sto ! of the Ten Hours' Bill , and the Ten Hours' and a-lHfi ^ after a vote of thanks to the chairman , the meeann- hJ \ aiid , » ** i Up , MINERS * CLAIMS ON THE NEW PAItLIAJ lE \ T —o— * *• ( To the Editor of the Star of Freedom )
Sin , —As the time tor the assembling of the Kew Parlian * . it is necessary to remind the miners of this country of a dj" * dravt s "eat themselves , their wives , and families , in bringing before that \ l "'^ 0 lrt' > i necessity of affording greater protection to them in the appoint ai ' 1 ' im , e " - i ! it number of Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors of Mines . ' en (; of a !" - - Those miners who are readers . of the " Star of Freedom " n , information given them through the many excellent articles ivl ° i ani l peared from time to time in your journal , on the report of y , !' , llave a > u mentary Committee , in which were net forth the rtcommci ) da / io ; ' " ^' Committee , relative to tlie necessity of ensuring extra security ' to ' u ^ ^ ° ^ increasing the number of Inspectors , and also to appoint Sub-Insa 'V " " ^ by giving a practical effect to the "Mines Inspection Dill / ' j „ 0 rs ' - '' wis the mining body that the recommendations of the eomtnmittce , w - , j ] 0 Ul ( 11 , Cm i , « t bably , remain a dead letter , jif something is not done to recall t ' ^ ^ lature ' s attention to the said Report . ° " legis .
It is the intention of the Miners of Northumberland , Durham and . Cheshire , to forward petitions for this purpose ; but we must 1 11 C ! lsllire i also from Yorkshire , Staffordshire , Wales , and Scotland . Why will t , . SOl , l « remain dormant , and wait the sweeping blast to carry them to a ' prenni ? miners ' Why not stir , while yet alive , and obtain from the legislature a t \ , ii , "l griUcl relief ? All things are favourable . The late Parliament broke t > . » . ! ° i respect , and we must oblige this one to complete what tlie other bo <^ r > i ri ** tli
« ... . . ... ... Intending to recur again and again to this subject , mid solicitin-r m your powerful advocacy of this important mutter . " ' aui ° - I am sir , yours , & c <( a iARTlN JUDE .
Miscellaneous.
MISCELLANEOUS .
Tife Wan Or Distringas.—The Writ Of Dist...
TifE Wan or Distringas . —The writ of distringas , to compel an npnean is abolished by the Common Law Procedure Act , as also for procueiim ' . " ' outlawry . s ' , 0 Tub Achim . 1 Trial . —Cardinal Wiseman has written to the nrchhishon * the Austrian empire , entreating them to contribute ' something towards theil ° expenses incurred by Dr . Newman iu the Acliilli affair . ° ' DECiABATiojrs vsDEii tub Nf . w Act . —By the Common Law Procedur Act , a plaintiff is to be deemed out of court unless he shall declare iritiifo ! year after the writ of summons is returnable . '" The RANGEitsirip op Hyde Park . —The Queen has appointed the Duke of Cambridge Ranger of St . James ' s Park , the Green Park , and Hyde Pari- in til room of the late Duke of Wellington . ' -
The skeletons of a cat and a rat , in excellent preservation , have been found in Gerard's Hall crypt , London . Tho rat was firmly held in tlie mouth of the cat It is thought they had lain there about 400 or 500 years . Thomas HooD . —Some gentlemen connected with the Whiltinjrton Club have originated a movement foe erecting a monument to the poet Hood at Kensal Green Cemetery , where his body was interred . Gun Commbuciai . Laws —A conference of deputations of Town Councils , Chambers of Commerce , and other public bodies , is about to be held in London ' to consider the best means of obtaining a codification of our commercial laws . A Pedestrian Cheat . —A man lately undertook for a wager to walk { ran Bristol to Bath in a very short space of time , lie was . however , discovered aiding his locomotive efforts by quietly riding behind a fly . Of course , when this was found out he " evaporated . "
Laudable Regulation . —The Peninsular and Oriental Company insist on officers appointed to their ships in India , and who have families dependent on them , insuring their lives in order to make provisions for their families in m of death . Abolition op Pleadijtgs . —It is provided by the Common Law Procedure Act that questions of fact may , after the writ of summons issued , and before judgment , by consent and order of a judge , be tried without formal pleadings . This will save great expense . Chancehy Stamps . —The Lord Chancellor may order an officer of the court to sell the new stamps for Chancer / documents *; but iu case of any inconvenience , the Island Commissioners are to appoint persons , and allow a discount or noundage on the sale .
County Rates . —By a provision in the new County Bates Act it is enacted that all business relating to the assessment and application of county rates must be transacted publicly and in open court , and no order is to be binding unless made publicly and in open court . The King op the Two Sicilies , by a recent decree , removes the prohibition to import foreign horses into the kingdom , and allows all such horse * to be imported , with the exception of a peculiar sort from Dalmalia . The decree fixes the duties which are to be paid on importation . Quarantine . —By an order of the 8 th of tlie Tuscan government all vessels , arriving from the ports of Prussia , the United States , and any other pons beyond the Straits of Gibraltar , are to be subjected to a quarantine of six duvs , in order to ascertain that they have no cholera on board . Meeting oe Paulumest .. —By a royal proclamation ia a supplement to the "London Gazette / ' of the 15 th inst . we learn that Parliament is to meet for the dispatch of business on Thursday , the 4 th of November .
A Vexekable Locomotive . —a Is ew York paper says . —" The iJret locomotive used on this continent was imported from Liverpool , and is still is existence ; it has recently been repaired , and is now running on the Little Schuylkill Kailroad . Its antiquity and the singular arrangement of its machinery make it a i great curiosity . " Tlie patrons of art will be gratified to learn that it U intended to establish an i Academy of Fine Arts in Leeds . Flight oe the Haubm . —A short time ngo a fire occurred at a house e adjoining the summer palace of the Sultan , and the ladies of the liarem were e obhged to take refuge in the gardens . The poor imprisoned birds , however , no o sooner found the cage door open than they were oil in all directions , and no o trace has since been discovered of them
Ihe Author of the Multiplication Tajilb . —We met a gentleman in a a bookstore the other evening searching for the origin of the multiplication table , e It was invented by Pythagoras the Grecian philosopher , 228 tears before CnrisMand is thus 2 , 380 years old . It has done great service in the world in the simM of mathematics . Missing Travellers . —Some apprehensions are entertained in conse <] ue » c of no intelligence having been received since August , 1851 , of the two German * : travellers Barth , and Overweg , who luvd undertaken the perilous mission of pene-ie trating mto the interior of Southern Africa . Bristol Chamber op Commerce . —a new Chamber of Commerce is lr . tm course ot formation at Bristol , the Society of Merchants having intimofwi tli « n « i intention of being subscribers of 100 / ., and also that they would lend one of tliemei rooms lor meeting . About 150 subscribers have been obtained , including « whole of the leading mercantile firms of the city .
Liverpool Free Library asd MusEUM .-OnMondav afternoon thedooflo : of the Tree Public Library and Museum were thrown open * to the inhaWtt "'**' Liverpool ; the ceremony of inauguration having taken place in tho forenoon , -1 , Jhich Thomas Litterdale , Esq ., mayor ; William Brown , Esq ., M . * : ™ " ™ Ihornely , Ksq ., M . P . ; and Charles Turner , Esq ., M . P , trero praent , and tool * part m the proceedings . The League Bakquet . —The League Banquet is to be held on $ * *** Member . It bad been fixed tor Tuesday , tiie 9 th , but the meeting of lament having been altered from the Uth to the 4 th , the necessity of having banquet at least a couple of days before the assembling of the House of Conj mo'W has induced the council of the National Auti-Corn Law League to marf « b « change indicated .
Sudbe * l ) £ A - . _ CounteSj . Hector d , Attl ) 1 y left ner c hateau at *» main three mornings ago , to visit Macon . As she was alighting from her carrel * she uttered a feeble cry and fell senseless . She was taken into the nearest W but was found to be quite dead . It is supposed that she decended heavily o » i » i heels , and that the shock caused a violent cerebral commotion . She was j ou , ou and remark ably handsome .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 23, 1852, page 12, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_23101852/page/12/
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