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Northern Star (1837-1852), 22nd March 1845, Edition 1 of 3, Page 4, Untitled Article

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    • THE NOETHERN STAR. SATURDAY , MARCH 22, 1845. i M m t 0**^*rf"f rtn nnnfMayfc>f^rirn*ini* i nAftr>ftfiffi nft^n^irtfina > ¦ ¦ -- - -
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      Untitled Article

      IMPORTANT INTER VIEW OF THE BANDl LOOM WE AVERS' DELEGATES WITH THE PRESIDENT OP THE BOARD OF

      TRADE . A deputation fit > mthe above body , vrho *«»««; sitting i » London during ihekst fortaight ,, had an Sew with Lord Dalhousie . at . the Board [ of T «^ Whitehall , on Wednesday last . The deputetionwaSaccompaniedby J . BrockIehuret , Esq ., ^ LP ., aid H . A . Aglionby , Esq ., M . P . M any other Members of Parlkmeni who took an interest m their aistossed condition , Vodd have am . mpanied them , but previous engagemente prevented . The deputation was introduced by the two honourable ^ gentlemen , and were received by his Lordship m the most courteous manner . * Afr Adionby stated that previous engagements

      would prevent him staying during the whole of the interview , bnt he thought it his duty to inform his Lordship and the Government that there were many M . P . ' s who took a great interest in the devising of seme practical plan ier the relief of that much suffering body , the Hand-loom Weavers . Lord Dalhousie expressed himself much gratified by the statement of the honourable member . Then , turning to the deputation , he apologised for not being able to name an earlier day for the interview , as he feared that he had kept them in town at great expense and inconvenience : but there must have been some mistake respecting a former appointment which he could not account for .

      Mr . Lowe , the secretary , said the letter did not reach the delegates until four o'clock—two hours after the time appointed for the interview ; and he believed the neglect must have been at the Post-office . Lord Dalhousie , turning to Mr . Sherrard , said , I think I have seen you before on behalf of the Spitalfields Weavers ; andyou will please to open the case , as I think I can derive more information from your own statements than if I were merely to ask questions . Mr . Sherrard said , the Spitalfields Weavers had repeatedly made applications to the Board of Trade ; but it was thought that as the Hand-loom Weavers of the country generally did not make similar applications , tlelr griovancesweremerelv local , and could

      not well be legislated for . On the present occasion the country delegates wouH show to his Lordship that the grievances were universal . The condition of the Spitalfields Weavers was deplorable in the extreme . Many families were cooped up in small , miserable rooms , and oftimes compelled to work on Sundays to eke out a miserable living . Lord Dalhousie remarked , that to persons in his station in life , surrounded by affluence , it was not easy to perceivehow a necessity could arise for working on the Sunday ; but , admitting the necessity , he thought working on the Sunday could not be attended with any beneficial results . Mr . Sherrard : The fact was to be deplored , but

      the responsibility rested on those whose conduct produced such state of things . What the Weavers had to complain of was home-competitiox ; one unprincipled manufacturer paying a less rate of wages than another , and thus compelling the honest manufacterer to reduce in the same proportion . It was this that induced them to ask the Government to establish Local Boards of Trade . TheSpitalfieldsWeavers did not feel so much the effects of foreign competition , nor yet of the system of abatement so prevalent in Lancashire ; it was the inequality and inadequacy of wages of which they had to complain , and which evil Local Boards of Trade could remedy , or at least abate . ;

      Lord Dalhousie , turning to Mr . Lowe : Are you fiom Lancashire , which we heard so much of last year , and to whose case the attention of the Government was directed to make some alteration in the Act of Arbitration to meet jour peculiar hardships . Mr . Lowe : Yes , your Lordship , the Weavers of th a district of Leigh have grievances to complain of , that perhaps no other class of workmen in the country are subject to . They suffered dreadfully from what are termed " afiotanente / 'jor stoppages of wages on the most frivolous pretences ; and so enormous are the " abatements / ' and so extensive the practice , that the great mass of the people are in such a state of

      wretchedness as hardly to be conceived . Togiveyour Lordship an idea of the system , Iiave here compiled a table of " abatements" made iby -different manufacturers in three given days . The first manufacturer abated from his : Weavers in three days , £ 45 12 s ., out of about . £ 260 wages ; another abated £ 18 4 s . 7 d ., out of about £ 90 ; and so on in proportion , to the lowest abatement made by the most respectable masters , whose abatements from 201 Weavers , and out of £ 300 wages , only amounted to jE 317 s . In this case onl y one Weaver considered himself unjustly abated , -which is very trivial , as com- j pared with other masters' abatements .

      -LordDalhousie : What do these abatements take placefor ? Mr . Lowe : On various pretences . Sometimes for being too thick ; again for being too thin ; for being too soft , and for being too hard ; far being woven too tight , and for Deing woven , too slack : in fact , for a hundred and one eauses : but the greatest grievance of all is abatements for time . The agent , with every warp , gives out a ticket , on which is specified the price to be paid if returned within a given time ; and , if not , to be abated one penny per yard ; and so on in proportion : Vte time stated oeuig such as the Wearers cannot perform # e vmrk in . Lord Dalhousie : But will they not make you some little allowance from that stated time ? Mr . Lowe : Kot a minute . The time is fixed , and if the Weavers are not there to the minute , they must take the work home till next morning , and are subjected to the abatement .

      Lord Dalhousie : Don't you thinkif some alteration was made in the Act of Arbitration that it might be made applicable io your case ? Mr . Lowe : Not any , my Lord , for . there is such a combination among some of the manufacturers , that if a Weaver takes advantage of the law , they viill not employ Mm ; and himself and family are either thrown on the parish , or left to die of starvation . - ¦ ' Lord Dalhousie : Your case is indeed a very hard

      one .: ' - , y Mr . Lowe : Another great hardship is- the long distances the Weavers have , to travel for warp and weft . . [ Mr . Lowe then produced a table showing numerous cases where , the Weaver . had to travel three , four , five , six , and seven hundred miles , from the taking home of one cut to the . getting out of another . ] The remedy the Weavers propose for these grievances is Local Boards of Trade , where the Weaver shall be rettgnised asp . irt of the Law , and thus escape proscription and persecution . Lord Dalhousie : Are there periods when employment is plentiful , and when it is scarce ?

      Mr . Lowe : Yes ; there are some periods of the year when employment is very scarce indeed ; but there is always a redundancy of hands , and I have prepared a table to show your Lordship the decrease in the number employed , that has taken place in our district . [ The table was handed in . ] Mr . Brocklehurst : Your Lordship will please to remember that when the Spitalfieldsj Weaver complained , he was told " his work had gone into Lancashire : " but here is Lancashire , showing a decrease also . The true cause is , the importation of foreign wrought silks . Were this not so , these poor men ¦ would not be seeking for Boards of Trade ; for their labour would be in demand , and these would be more employment than the hands could do . Only think of £ 380 , 000 of duty paid on silks coming through the Custom-house . That must be a serious drawback on the workman . -

      Lord Dalhousie : I fear a great deal more comes in another way . Mr . Broeklehurst : I think not . I believe the idea of the amount of smuggling is greatly exaggerated . If smuggling were carried on to any great extent , we should hear of some great seizures , as in the case of brandy and tobacco , which might be considered in comparison with silk imperishable commodities ; fox silk was like cooked meat , it must be consumed in * season , or it would be lost . He was confident if there was some responsible Minister at the head of the Custom House , like Lord Lonsdale at the Post-office , smuggling would be put an end to .

      Mr . West eaid he represented Macciesheld and district , ¦ which was chiefly engaged in the manufacture of silk in its various branches ; and where one branch suffered , the others must feel the pressure . They had to complain of the effects of foreign as well as home competition ; but from the declarations of the Government , they had no hope that ihey would go back to the old protective system : they did , however , earnestly hope , that their condition would not be made worse by still further reductions of the protective duties . They asked the legislature for . Local Boards of Trade , because they were desirous that strikes and turn-outs should

      cease . At present strikes were the only remedy they had against reductions . In 1832 , the Weavers of Macclesfield Lad a strike which lasted seven weeks . During that time the town suffered much ; and , though the Weavers suffered hunger , they were determined to die rattier than their wages " should be liable to periodical reductions . As he had said , the Weavers suffered much ; and the manufacturers suffered also . This taught both parties a wholesome lesson ; and no great strike had taken place since . They had maintained their prices with very little variation up to the present time . The Weavers had a committee , appointed from their own body ; and if any manufacturer attempted a reduction , he was at once waited on , and reasoned with . If hecontinued

      obstinate , a « tr&ewas the result ; the Weavers and other workmen , supporting their brethrenin their strugg le until an arrrangement took place . The working out of this system had originated the idea of Local Boards of Trade , whereby bad feeling would be destroyed , and a better spirit created between masters and workmen , by their mixing more with one another , and 1 < ® f Jat ™ g for the mutual benefit of each . -Mr . Bentole said he also came from Macclesfield . " aLt ? . ^ , to complain ° f the system of abatements" somuchastiieWeaversofLancashire ^ Mfi . ^' -F 0 ™ " * tos the inequality of prices SSrft T , ??™^ same description of IbrkC In jroofof tius , he would read to Ms Lordship exfaaets roma table which had been compiled , by which he would see that in some instances unprincipled manu-

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      facturers were paying from 25 to 40 per cent , under the regular trade price . Ihis had a most injurious effect ; and often drove the fabric out of the market altogether , rather than the respectable manufacturers should be compelled to reduce their Weavers under what was hardly a living price . Lord Dalhousie ; If you have had this arrangement of your committee waiting upon manufacturers for the purpose of regulating prices , how is it that these parties could be allowed to persist in paying such an inequality in prices ? Mr . Bentole : I was convinced that this would occur to your Lordship ' s mind . It arises from two

      causes ; if the workmen strike , the fabric is sent into Lancashire , where they get it done much cheaper : and again , there are individuals who do not weave themselves , but have a number of looms , for which they receive "loom-rent , " at the rate of three shillings a week : and there are always to be found destitute Weavers , who are glad to receive work at any price . He wished to inform his Lordship , that a great majority of the manufacturers of Macclesfield were in favour of Boards of Trade ; twenty-one out of twenty-eight having signed a document to that effect .

      Mr . B . Hanson , from Carlisle , said he represented a district chiefly engaged in cotton . The condition of the Weavers had been wretched for a number of years . Sir James Graham had truly said in the House of Commons , that the wages of the Carlisle Weavers were only six shillings a week ; and to that miserable pittance had they been reduced since 1808 , when their wages were ISs . per Ayeek . They had prepared a lengthy statement of their sufferings , which he begged to hand to his Lordship . They considered fcheirlabour was entitled to protection as much as any species of property ; and they hoped their case would meet with the serious attention of the

      Government . Lord Dalhousie said he felt much gratified with the information he had received . It was the duty of every Government to receive information from eveiy class in the community , no matter how humble ; and he eonld assure the deputation their case should receive the most serious attention of the Government . They had had in contemplation some alteration in the Arbitration Law ; but they had beenwaitingforthe report of the Framework-Knitters' Commission , whose distressed condition was nearly similar to that

      of the Hand-loom Weavers . That report had been received , and was now under the consideration of the Government . He wished it , however , to be distinctly understood that neither he nor the Government pledged themselves to any specific plan ; but if any practical remedy could be applied to amend their distressed condition , he was sure the Government would most gladly adopt it . ^ ; The delegates then handed in . statements from Wigan , Middleton , Norwich , and Leigh , for his Lordship ' s perusal ; and Mr . West , on the part of the deputation , returned thanks to his Lordship for the courteous manner he had received them . The deputation withdrew , highly gratified with the interview .

      The Noethern Star. Saturday , March 22, 1845. I M M T 0**^*Rf"F Rtn Nnnfmayfc&Gt;F^Rirn*Ini* I Naftr&Gt;Ftfiffi Nft^N^Irtfina &Gt; ¦ ¦ -- - -

      THE NOETHERN STAR . SATURDAY , MARCH 22 , 1845 . i M m t 0 **^* rf " f rtn nnnfMayfc > f ^ rirn * ini * i nAftr > ftfiffi nft ^ n ^ irtfina > ¦ ¦ -- - -

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      cover even in Labour ' s advocates , the amount of amelioration which is intended as their clients' share . Hence , in the motion of Mr . Cowper for bestowing land allotments upon the labouring classes , we find the honourable gentleman ' s mind is directed to the preservation of comparative slavery than to the total emancipation of those whose cause he professes to advocate . We look to the possession of land by the Working Classes as the means of organising them into a perfectly distinct and wholly emancipated body ; while he tells us that he is not prepared to go to that extent , which would so weaken the strength of the labouring man as to deprive his employer of the full benefit of his lusty labour . Now this is sentimental slavery with a vengeance . It is saying in broad terms , you shall devote your health , your strength , and vigourous labour , to the service of those who pay you so small an amount of wages that you cannot eke a livelihood out of it ; and when you have so toiled away your freshness , you may then repair to your own allotment in a state of bodily exhaustion , and there rob the night of some few hours , and yourself of sleep , to better your condition .

      Had the Trades committed their cause to the tender mercy of professing friends , their advocacy would have been of a precisely similar character to that of Mr . Cowper ; but having undertaken it them , selves , their case will , though reluctantly , be forced upon the consideration of a servile Press , and a more servile Parliament . Of course , much will depend upon the manner in which their proceedings are conducted ; as they ' may rest assured that a correct impression of their power and resolution will be conveyed by hired spies to the ear of Sir James Graham , and by him to the Prime Minister . ' Should we venture to hint at the course which should be pursued by the delegates , it would lie an indirect presumption of Mr . Ddwcombe ' s unfitness for the office which he

      has so honourably assumed , as well as a doubt of the capacity of the delegates to discharge those duties imposed upon them . As , however , we have the most implicit reliance upon the judgment of their leader , and the capabilities of the representatives , we are spared the necessity of saying more upon that brancli of the subject , than again to impress upon their minds the absolute necessity of devising some simple means by which the whole organised power of British industry may be brought simultaneously to bear upon all matters connected with the interests of the Trades . We have written so copiously from time to time

      upon the inevitable tendency of theunchecked power of machinery , as to entertain a belief that the slow but certain workings of this monster-enemy will be fully and searckingly discussed , and that its indirect influence upon those with whose labour it does not appear directly to clash , will be deliberately entered upon and fully considered . Nor should we deem the land question , now considered of sufficient importance to wan-ant the appointment of commissions , and to occupy the time of the House night after night , the columns of the press day after day , and which may constitutes a portion of every man ' s daily conversation , a

      subjecteither too light , insignificant , or unimportant , to enter largely into the consideration of the Conference . Surely , when a large party maintains the principle of Home Colonization as the means of . widening the field of British industry—when we consider that the monopoly of the land is the source of every social and political evil—when we reflect that every law that " grinds the faces of the poor" has emanated from time to time from this anomalous monopoly—when it is borne in mind that our national debt , our standing army , our luscious law church , our large police force , our necessity for " pauper " -rates , our dead weight , our civil list , our glorious rag . money , our unjust laws , our game laws , our

      impure magistracy , our prejudiced jury system , our pampered court , and the pampered menials thereunto belonging , are : one and all so many fences thrown round the poor man's inheritance , to preserve it for the "kindly use" of monopolists , so , that , in due timR , they raaj- enjoy it for their own " sole usr > behoof , and benefit ; " and when we call to mind that the breath of the united Trades can blast this upas system , that destroys all that comes within its pestilential influence , then , we say , it is neither presumption on our part to suggest , nor will it be surpassing their duty , to try to devise means by which they may for ever uproot the barriers of corruption , and open the field of industry to the sons of toil .

      Upon the whole , at the present moment , when the measures of Sir Robert Peel appear , if not to have paralysed , at least to have placed agitation in abeyance , it is impossible to contemplate such a movement as the projected Conference without feelings of the deepest intensity , or for the mind to have suggested one better calculated to disturb that ministerial tranquillity so ostentatiously , boasted of . Sir Robert flogs his servile adherents into hypocritical subserviency in the House of Commons , as a kennel huntsman whoops or whips the pack from their carrion ; but we doubt that the Trades' mind of the

      country , once set upon thought , and directed by the master-mind of their indomitable leader , will insure for the " fascinating financier" the longer possession of that bed of roses where his slumbers are now and then only disturbed by the " rolling thunder" of CoubxNr , or the " galling prick " of D'Ishasii . Sir Robert is aware that Cobden would fly to his rescue if endangered by D'Iskaeli ' s sarcasm : and that D'Israeli ' s gall would be turned to honey if Peel stood in danger from the assaults of the Free Trader . Not so , however , with the Trades . It would require more than the usual pliancy of the House to

      defend the Prime Minister against the united assault of the justly roused indignation of those whose interests are carved up and distributed as sops to the petulant foe . We trust that Mr . Duncombe will see the necessity of converting this great national movement , if not to political , at least to electoral purposes ; for he may rest assured that the day is coming , and is not far distant , when the battle of Labour must be fought upon the floor of the House of Commons ; and when his usefulness to Labour ' s cause will be in exact proportion to the amount of support that Labour Gan furnish for the struggle .

      In conclusion , we need but observe that the country looks to the result of Labour's Parliament with great anxiety ; and , in order that all mayjudge , wehave made such arrangements as Avill enable us to give their deliberations fully to the world . We wish them God speed I and that their performance may realise our fond anticipations , we remind them thattheirstrcngth is in their union , their power is in their voice , and their Buccess in their perseverance . Hurrah , then , for Duncombe , and the People ' s Parliament !

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      RANK OPPRESSION . TH E EMPLOYER AN D E M P L OYED . Below will be found the terms of agreement between one " John Haroreaves , of Broad Oak Within New Accrington , in the county of Lancaster , Calico Printer , and his co-partners , on the one part , " and the slaves whom they condescend to employ " on the other part . " Let every working man in England rea d the terms on which these ruffians propose to allow their slaves to live . Not only do they claim the full exercise of all that power which the Employer has over the Employed— " a power more dangerous than the most stringent laws "—but they would further impose on their slaves the odious and detestable duties of spies over their comrades

      What , we would ask , do these slaveowners mean by "the direct or indirect support , encouragement , or countenance of any unlawful combination , union , or society ? " Is not the law sufficiently strong to avenge any violation of its decrees ? or are we to understand Hargbeaves and partners axethemelves to ' be judges of what constitutes the legality or illegality of a union or society . ? And who ever readof such a condition contained in an agreement as the following : — " That the hands employed shall not engage in , or be parties to , any union or society , the object , nature , or tendency whereof may be in any respect to controul , restrain , or impede his masters in the full exercise of their said trade or business , or attempt so to do ? " The

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      J , CiECO , Hoimfirth . —We should say that the beer-seller is not disqualified from serving the office of Churchwarden . ' : ' .. ' W . weight , Stockpout , had better wait the issue of his application before he seeks publicity . He must also , bear in mind that his statements are libellous , unless published by " authority . " Isaac Lond , Keighley . —Amid the many pressing calls on our attention and space , it is possible that even a " promise" to insert a certain document or address may not have been sufficient to prevent its being passed over . Each week we endeavour to give such matter as we deem most interesting to the cause of Labour and though we had " promised" a certain article , we should not insert it to the exclusion of more important

      matter . Chakles ,, 0 lddebay , Hoibeck . —Thanks for the copy of the placard . We are favoured with a copy also from one " James Mosley , " accompanied by a gem of a note . "We shall have something to say to this worthy in a short ' time ; probably next week . Harkaway . —We have not room for his address . If he pleases , it can be handed to the body to whom it is addressed . Wh . Neagii , Barnslev , must bear in mind that if other parties have a right to hold an opinion opposed to his , as to the merits of a particular institution or practice , they have also a right to express it . Parties sending post-office orders , or cash , to this office , ought to be careful to write something in their letters , so that we can tell who sends them , and what they intend US to do with the money . We have four or five agents who never write a ward more than the address

      of this office on the outside of the orders . We are partial to short letters , when on matters of business ; but these are rather too short . If those who send will only sign their names , it is all we ask ; and , if they will not do that , they must expect that the cash will sometimes be credited to the wrong agents . To correct such errors afterwards takes much time in writing for ali particulars , besides the risk of the person sending the money losing it altogether . Prom a recent alteration in the post-office order department , it is impossible to ascertain the name of the person sending , without writing to the post-office where the order was first obtained , or to the general office . Several of our agents are still determined not to send their orders payable at 180 , Strand . We have this week received orders payable at the General Post-offlce from Halton , Preston ; Arthur , Carlisle ; and Clark , Birmingham . If they would but ask to have their orders made payable at 180 , Strand , they would oblige .

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      The late Explosion at Mebshs . Samuda ' s Factory . —Adjourned Inquest . —Monday , March 17 . —Upon tho Coroner taking Ids seat this morning , pursuant to adjournment , Mr . Ballantine addressedhim , and requested to know whether he would require the presence of Mr . Samuda . That gentleman was most anxious that the jury should have before them every possible evidence which it was in his power to give hem , but he had that day an engagement in the House of Commons , which would render his attendance there particularly inconvenient . He therefore wished to know if he could be relieved from attending . He had further been desired by Mr . Samuda to mention , that Mr . Lowe was a person who . up to the present time , had always borne a good

      character , andliad shown himself to be a very careful and attentive person . —The Coroner : With regard to Mr . Samuda himself , he knows nothing of this accident or its causes , as he was , I understand , at the time some miles distant from the spot . —The Foreman of the Jury : Mr . Samuda promised that we should have the lever of the safety-valve produced , and I understand he lias since refused to produce it . —Miv Samuda : There must be some mistake in this matter . I can only say that every part that can be found I have given orders shall be produced . Eventually tho lever in question was produced . —Another juryman then ' observed , that he had received a letter stating that the piece of wood mentioned by Burnand in Ms evidence as that used to prop up the

      safetyvalve lever could be produced . —Coroner : Well , then , let it be produced at once . —A piece of wood was accordingly produced , having a nail sticking in it , as mentioned by Burnand in his evidence . Burnand said lie thought it was the piece in question , as it was very like it . —Loire , the foreman , who was present , and whose countenance appeared much scarred , observed that he would convince any person in a moment that the wood produced was not the piece spoken of . A desultory conversation then took p lace between Lowe and the witness Burnand , in which the former attempted to show that there had been disputes between them , and that a bad feeling existed towards him on the part of Burnand , ¦ which , however , Burnand strenuously denied ; at the conclusion of which

      the proceedings were continued by the examination of Joseph Turner ,. who deposed that he lived at 51 , Crucifix-lane , Bermondsey , and is a labourer . Had been in the employ of Mr . Samuda since Christmas last , and was so at the time of the explosion . Had been engaged on the boiler from the time it first came to the premises , three weeks previous to the explosion . Did not . know what was given for it . It came , by barge . Thinks the value of the boiler was about £ 30 . Docs not know the width of the plates , but believes they were those commonly used in works of that kind . " They were sufficient to resist ordinary pressure . Tho workmanship of them was good . The rivets and workmanship were not disturbed by the explosion , which was caused by the tearing of the nlates and some of the thickest parts of the iron .

      Could form no sound 'opinunVof the cause of the explosion . "Was there part of the time the two engines were united , and did part of the work . Considered that the length of pipe from the boiler to the engine and the cold weather caused the steam to condense in the pipe in its passage , which prevented the engine from working . The pipe was from thirty-five to forty feet long . There was a cock to remove the condensed water ; but it did not act effectually . —Juryman-What part of the steam-pipe was that cock in ?—Witness : About half its length . —Juyrmari > . Did you perceive water running through that cock ?—Witness : Yes ; I saw steam and water running through that cock . —Witness continued : Cannot say whether anv and what , additional power was applied to the boiler to force the steam through the pipe . Was in front of the boiler after breakfast on the Wednesday

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      morning . Saw nothing more than usual then . There was a piece of wood standing in an inclined direction against the boiler about four or Ifive minutes before the explosion . ' The piece of wood was placed to keen the handle of the lever up instead of leavin" it to move downwards , the effect of which downward movement would be to open the safet y-valve . Thinks it was p laced against a nail in the piece of wood which checked its movement downwards . Did not know who placed it there . Saw nobody meddling with it —The coroner was at this point of the case informed that Mr . Barnes , a professional gentleman , was in attendance , and that it would be a great convenient * to him if he could then be examined . Upon tho coroner assenting , he was called , and stated as M oi

      lows : —Joim . Barnes , w emngton-strect , Strand is a civil engineer . Had seen and examined the boi er with the gentlemen of the jury . His attention had been particularly directed to the causes of the explosion . He had examined in the first instance if the boiler had been overheated so that gas ciuld have been produced , but found that that hypothesis was certainly untenable , inasmuch as the upper row of tubes being of brass , were incapable of resisting such a heat as would decompose water , and , moreover Eresented no signs whatever of having been o ? ci eated . It was , therefore , evident that the boiicc had been burst from an overcharge of steam . Cm ) & not speak as to the degree of pressure with certaint y but thought nothing under 100 lbs . on the square inch "

      could have caused the explosion . Knew the boiicc when it was on board the steamer No . 11 "Waterman and knew that it was made to sustain a pressure of 18 lbs . to the square inch , for which it was sufficiently strong . Had not measured the plates , but tlioui'ht they agreed with the drawing ; they were of wrou ght iron . A pressure of 45 lbs . on the inch would Ijc a very improper pressure on such a boiler . The genera ! form of the boiler was cylindrical , which is the strongest form , since the pressure would be uniform throughout , and tlie resistance of the plates also uniform . " There is no weak point in a perfect cylindrical boiler , bat ; in the present case a considerable portion of the top of the boiler had been cut away in its original forma , tion to allow the addition of a steam-box , whereby

      the pressure in that neighbourhood had nothing whatever to resist . the tendency of the tH - sides from separating ; that defect must luTe been apparent to any one who had seen the boiler , which should have been strengthened by means oj cross-stays equivalent in strength , to that portion of the shell cut away . This appeared not to have been done . From this defect the boiler would have yielded to much less pressure than if it had been perfectly cylindrical , or provided with stays , which would have restored the strength . Thought Mr . Lowe must have been aware of that circumstance , and that such a boiler should not have been , used as a high-pressure boiler . Had also examined the safety-valve , and although he considered it in

      several respects injudiciously constructed , yet if it had been allowed fair play , the accident would not have happened . The principal point objected to b y witness was the complexity of levers , which very much increased the chance of accidents , which might also give rise \ fy > its becoming fixed , but particularl y he objected that the lever for lifting the valve wag not constructed as is usual in London-made boilers , which not only allow of the valve being lifted , but which prevent its being held down by . any action of the lever . In this case the action of the lever permits its being held down . Believed if the valve , with all its defects , had had fair play , this accident would hot have happened . By the words " unfair play , " he meant that the valve had been fastened down . Could

      not otherwise account for the explosion . Had heard the evidence respecting the piece of wood ; the effect of that Would be to prevent the valve acting . If the valve were partially open , it would let off some portion of the steam , but not * enough to prevent explosion . Had calculated the time required for the rising ef the steam , and from the capacity of the boiler , and frbta the rate at which the steam might be generated , if iio escape whatever -were allowed ; the pressure of ateam would increase about 100 lbs . to the square inch in less than a minute ; if a small escape irere allowed , of course it would increase more slowly . [ The witness explained , that in all well-constructed London engines the safety-valves would act of themselves , ana that it was utterly impossible 1 ' or tho engineers

      to load them so as to prevent their acting , or hold them down by any ' other means . ] Witness continued : ConsiQifred it highly dangerous to place anything upon tlie valve to prevent its action , and as exhibiting great want of caution , and likely to lead to tho consequences which have ensued in the present case . Had no information of the amount of weight placed on the valve . —Mr . Lowe wished to ask whether ho had made his calculation upon the usual strength of the two fires?—Witness : Yes ; but I should observe , that it is only a matter of calculation . If the firea were reduced , the quantity of steam would be also reduced in proportion . —The witness Turner was then recalled , and at the desire of Mr . Lowe , was asked what state the fires were in when he went » ith

      his can , and was . answered , they were very low . — The examination of Mr . Barnes was then continued by Mr . Lowe : When boilers are proved in France , tnej must by law be proved at three times the pressure at which they are intended to work ; but was not aware there was any haw upon the subject in this country . —The Coroner here remarked that it would be important for the public safety if machines should first be tested by the Government , and that steamboilers should be tested in the same manner as-guns at Woolwich . —The witness continued : According to the weights stated to me , the weight , unbalanced by any counterpoise , would be 501 b . on the square inch ; it" balanced , it would be diminished pro tanto . —WH ' liam Heath was then sworn : Lived at 13 ,

      Georgestreet , Bromley . Was a fitter in the employ of Messrs . Samuda . Was at the time of the explosion in the new building * Had been at work on this boiler the week before the accident . Mr . Lowe was present , and could see into the boiler , as it was then open . Lowe superintended the work generally . The work was well done , and the boiler was complete . Did not see the boiler tested before it was attached to the engine . Put up part of the pipes two or three days before the accident . Two or three minutes before the accident saw Mr . Lowe pull the lever down . He did so with his hand . That let the steam out of the funnel . Was then in the new building , facing the boiler . Did not see the piece of wood and nail . Thinks he must have seen it but it might still have

      , been there without his doing so . Could not say what ? caused the explosion . Saw there was a square and round ball on the lever as weight . Did not sec Lowe remove anything from the handle . Must have seen if he had removed anything . Could see the handle of the lever from the new shop . At that time Grimes was on the top of the boiler . Thinks he was putting sacks over the steam-pipes to keep them warm . — Peter Cryerexamined : Lives at No . 14 , North-street , Poplar ; is a fitter , in thecinploy of Messrs . Samuda ; had been employed on this boiler nearly two or three weeks , from the time it first came on ; Messrs . Samuda ' s premises . Did not see it tested belorc it was fixed . . Saw it on the morning of the accident . Fitted the biaeest Dart of the safety-valve . It was

      clone according to the instruction ol Mr . Lowe , awl in the usual manner of other safety-valves that JlC had seen . It was fitted up in the ordinary way or safety-valves . On the morning of the accident saw the boiler , and the steam was then blowing off . } " ° safety-valve handle was stuck on a rivet of the boiler ; went and fetched Mr . Lowe to it , as he did not consider it safe . Asked Lowe who had placed it there ; Lowe said he had . The safety-valve was when so placed prevented from acting , unless the rod bent . It was a small rod hanging down .: Did not consider it safe in that position without a person > vas constantly watching to see how the-steam was going on . Left Lowe there with it , and went to his work , ana saw nothing more of it . Did not see a piece of wood there . This might be from half to three quarters of an hour before the explosion . Saw nothing near the boiler . When the explosion took p lace wa 3

      in a workshop close by . When Lowe was told o the lever resting on the rivet , he said it % yas all right . I asked him who had placed the handle on the rivet ? He said he had done it . Tried the steam at that time .. It was not very high . Went to Mr . Lowe to ask him who had put the valve there , as witness considered it dangerous . Several persons were stan ding by , but could not say who : Afterwards watched the boiler from a window , and could see the steam blo winS off . When the boiler was first tried there was a l « iK > but of no consequence , and it was afterwards repaircff-When working on it there were no bruises , ant ! if was all right when attached to the engine .. DM " see any additional weight added by Lowe . —io& \'» Read was then called , and stated that he resided at Orchard-place , Blackwall , and wai a nattcrn-nwK ? in the employ of Messrs . Samuda , Had been in tnc » service nearly four years . Had been eight or i > ^ months employed in Orchard-place . Was present f

      the time oi the explosion . Made the pattern ol t »" safety-valve . It was U inches in diameter . , thickness of the valve was fths of an inch on each s »' ' The 'diameter of the box above the valve was betweea 5 and 6 inches . Made a weight pattern , wh ich » 'w the intended weight for working the safety-valve , y was a round ball , 6 i inches in'diameter , and " ' ^ meant to weigh , when cast , from 371 b . to 381 b . If * J | not then cast , and in the meantime Mr . Lovrc aprfj other weights . Saw one weight appended to tm lever , but not another . On the morning of the «¦' plosion was there , and noticed that the steam « a blowing off freely . From nine o ' clock till the e-M » f > it blew off from its own agency . The engines -w ^ go well ; but they had gone without manual assist ; "" - ?; Could not tell the cause of the explosion , as l'e l served no interruption in the . action of the van Did not . rmiijirlr tho . nnsit . inn ¦ nf tho lmnillc ot ' . r

      ^***«»* «»» v V Jh ^ f *»** v » -A ^ v **^ r fc * w *** . w * w m ^ V * VA 4 V A »**»»*~~ il . il valve , ' but'beforebrealifast'saw Lowe pull do tt '"L handle of the valve , and let the steam escape . - ^ breakfast did not see Lowe pull the handle , as ' steam blew p ff of itself . Did not see the handle ^ ing on the rivet ; Saw Lowe several times during j , taorning . He appeared very attentive to the ffOl' ? y . j ] of the engine ; but made no remark . —By Lowe : ' ^ it an old valve , or one made by my order ?—W i | 111 ' ^ The pattern of the valve-box was old , and had used before . The casting of the valve-box was i * as also the bos , and was made by your orders . - ^ ^ nesa continued ; At the time of the explosion was m

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      THE TRADES' CONFERENCE . Os Monday next , under the presidency of T . S . Doxcombe , Esq . ' , M . P ., the delegated representatives of British Industry will commence their proceedings and on Saturday we shall submit a full and faithful report of their doings to the world . The little countenance given by the Press to this important experiment will , so far from lessening its importance , adds to itthe charm of novelty . Had the projected conference been for the representation of any middle-class section ofsociety it wouldhave been heralded into exist , ence and followed to its completion by a large number

      of our cotemporaries : but where labour seeks the means of its own regeneration without middle-class interference , the sons of toil are ever met either by cutting sarcasm or cold neglect . Had not the national Trades of the country evinced a strong desire to do their own work for themselves , and had not all chance of proffered service failed to divert the Working Classes from hope in themselves to reliance upon the promises of others , we should have had a multiplicity of interested arbitrators sueing for the adjustment of their cause : and the fact of no such tender

      being made we ascribe to the improved Working Class mind of the country . At any time such a representation as that of so important a body as the Trades of England , must carry with It a large amount of interest : but at the present moment , when the Prime Minister appears ' to have resolved upon the complete new modelling of the social system , to have withheld from him the opinions of the most interested in those several changes , would have furnished a justification for every ministerial blander , and would have added a new difficulty in the way of redress .

      As we have before observed , the time for such a gathering is not when hostile measures shall have been proposed , and when hasty opposition would have the appearance of rash and unnecessary excitement , rather than the result of deliberate thought ; but not being represented in the House of Commons , we aver that the Minister himself has , by the comprehensiveness of his several propositions , invited the aid of all to effect a general settlement . Had temporary " prosperity " lured the Working Classes into the unopposed acceptance of Sir Robert Peel ' s measures ,

      all subsequent opposition—after the effect of those measures , all tending towards Free Trade arid the consequent depression of native industry and English ¦ wages—had become known , would have been met ¦ with : "My measures were before you ; you-must have known what their effect wouid be ; you failed to declare your hostility in time—they have new become sanctioned by your representatives , and are law , and therefore you must for ever holdy our peace . " Again , although sectional and class opposition is offered to the measures of the Prime Minister , nevertheless we dis-

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      THE SPOTTISWOODE PAPER MONEY SCHEME , AND ITS NEW-BORN ADVOCATE . We have in type , an article , embodying several extracts from the writings of the hired advocate of the " emancipation" of the industrious classes , by means of unlimited issues of Paper Money—which said extracts prove , beyond all power of contradiction , that the said advocate has " turned his back ' t m nmself ! " and is now engaged in writing-up schemes which he has f ormerly denounced as the perfection of rascality , and proved to be [ inimical , in the highest

      degree , to the interests of the producing many . This we demonstrate by merely quoting the writer against himself : but we are obliged to defer the expose for one week longer , the several calls on our space at a late period of the week , particularly the Report of the interview ofthe Hand-loom Weavers with the President ofthe Board of Trade , rendering such a course indispensable . Next week , however , we shall serve up the delectable dish : and thus exhibit the melancholy spectacle of an unprincipled writer prostituting his pen to Ithe support of a " FRAUDULENT SCHEME : " a sheme which " would

      be a FLAGITIOUS ROBBERY on all servants , clerks , annuitants , and other persons employed at fixed salwios for specified periods ; " a schome which " would operate as an act of insolvency for half of the traders of the kingdom ; " a scheme that " could only , cvenif successful , make society more artificial than ever ; " a scheme that "would be a Godsend to bankrupt merchants and insolvent tradesmen ; " a scheme that would " ROB honest creditors of half their debts—enable bankers to accommodate demi-insolvents wilh ¦ fictitious capital— overrun the country with fresh swarms of middle-men usurers

      —and operate as an all-absorbing engine to suck the wealth ofsociety out ofthe hands of those who produce it , and silently transfer it , as it were by magic , into the hands of commercialspeculators , who , at the same time that they produce nothing , are the greediest and most inexorable of tyrants ;" a scheme that" would just yield a bubble of prosperity , which would seon disappear from the surface , and leave the surges of society more troubled than ever : " - we say that we shall have to exhibit the

      melancholy spectacle of a public writer writing for htre in support of a scheme so truly " execrable , " even AFTER he has demonstrated it to be all that in the above quotations it is described I This we shall do by quoting , inextenso , his own language , as we have done above in brief : and having done that , we shall leave him to the contempt and scorn of those whose interests he would sacrifice to the usurious speculators who are their " greediest and most inexorable of tyrants 1 "

      Cd A&Estor* & Cflmspttfient&

      Cd a&estor * & Cflmspttfient&

      Gmtants, Dptemw!, ¦& Foiquesti;

      gmtants , dptemw ! , ¦ & foiquesti ;

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      wgmn—— ' ^ wiW *— ^ *^^^ " *^^ y ^^^^^^ v ^^ T ^^^^^^ all shall work . This would not be "fixing auniiformrate of wages by Act of Parliament : " but it would be introducing the principle of tdf-govermacvi and self-regulation into the Trades , embracing both the Employers and the Employed . Trades' combinations , as far as strikes were concerned , would thus be ¦ rendered unnecessary . They would , it is true , be needed for mutual support in sickness , and for interment when dead : they might also be needed for the temporary support of the operatives out of employment ; but for strikes and turn-outs they would be unnecessary , because these latter , by the mode we

      have indicated , would be done away with . Let but the proclaimed determinations of the Boards of Trade have the effect of law , tillset aside by the same bodies » the infringement of which shall subject the offenders to heavy penalties , and we should have no attempts on the part ofthe unprincipled employers to beat down wages—or if we had , the tread-mill remedy would be much more speedy , much more certain , and much more effectual , and infinitely less costly than a strike ! If new circumstances arose , fairly demanding either an increase or a reduction in the rate of remuneration ,

      the Boards would at once deal with the question . ' The employers would he there , to see that no undue advantage was taken of them ,- the employed would be there also—a paht of the law to watch over their interests , and see that what was done was in accordance with reason ami right : and thus feelings of mutual respect , mutual confidence , and mutual dependence would be begotten , and transfused throughout the bodies of which the Boards were respectively the representatives . We might then hope that harmony and peace would reign , where all has been discord and contention hitherto .

      To the General Conference of Tbades we would commend the consideration of this question , so well launched on the tide of public opinion by the Handloom Weavers and other trades , Of course , wo do not mean that this question should supersede any other , of which mention has been made ; but we do urge it , as one that will be necessary to give to Labour its true position , whatever measures else may be . adopted . It is true that the first thing to be aimed at , is the means of relieving the labour-market of its " superabundant stock : " but diminish that number as you please , these Hoards of Trade will be necessary for the protection and due regulation of those that remain . .

      They will , in operation , be found beneficial to all—Employers and Employed ; they will unite all ; they will give to all the ' power to govern themselves ; they will render strikes , and appeals , and arbitrations , with all their concomitant ill-feeling , bad blood , anger , and all unchavitableness , useless and unneces " sary : they cassoi be injurious to the true interests of any : and therefore we recommend a strenuous effort to the Trades generally , and the Conference in particular , to obtain them .

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      men we are glad to learn , have refused to aflix the slave-mark to these degrading conditions '; and in submitting the whole question to the consideration of Conference we allege this case as a practical specimen of injustice frem which the National Trades , if thoroughly organised , would be bound to defend the parties rejecting the degrading conditions , and to sustain them in their struggle against the masters . We have no dcubtbut the spirit of spyism introduced by Sir James Graham for the sustainment of his Government will be adopted and extensively practised by the tyrant masters , of whom he is a most fitting Minister : but we trust that there is even yet a sufficient amount of English independence to rouse the Working Classes ofthe country , from one end to the other , to hostility against this monstrous innovation upon the rights of Englishmen . Trusting that the Delegates will consider the case to which we refer as one demanding investigation , Ave confidently

      leave the question in their hands . i Memorandum of an Agreement Made on the respective dates in the schedule herein , after written , between each of the persons whose names or inarks ^ are to the said schedule singly and individually subscribed , being Block Printers of the one part , and John Hargreaves , of Broad Oak within Sew Accrington , in the county of Lancaster , Calico Printers , and his copartners for the time being , of the other part . Whereas the said John Hargreaves and his present

      partners carry on business at New Accrington , as Calico Printers , under the firm of Hargreaves , Brothers , and Company ; and it is necessary for them to employ many persons , whose names or marks are to the said schedule subscribed , have singly and individually agreed to become the servants of the said John Hargreaves and his present or future partners for the time being , in such business as Bloclc Printers , on the date set opposite to his name respectively in the said schedule , and at the wages , and subject to tlie stipulations and conditions , hereinafter mentioned . ¦ ¦ "¦ '"

      Now , each of they , the said parties hereto , with the said John Hargreaves , and with his present or any future partner or partners of his , to serve him and them in tlie said Calico Printing business , as a Block Printer , from the date mentioned in the said schedule opposite liis name , and at the wages and on the terms and conditions hereinafter mentioned . . ¦ " Namely , that each of them , the said servants , shall be faithful and obedient to his masters , and faithfully and diligently execute his and their lawful and reasonable commands , and be conformable to the regulations now made , or which shall or may from time to time be made during the time of his service .

      For the general conduct of the servants employed in the-shop or-workshop assigned to him by his masters , and will to the best of his ability execute and perform all such works as shall be offered or entrusted to him so long as he shall continue the servant of the said parties hereto ofthe otlierpart . And also shall not , nor will directly or indirectly disclose any ofthe secrets of his said masters or any of them , or of their said business , or any part thereof , to any other person or persons whatever , nor the secrets of his own particular department or occupation thereof .. Nor shall or will directly or indirectly give , communicate , or impart any information in any way whatever , of any patterns , styles of work , mixing of colours , or any other process , chemical or otherwise , which may from time to time be invented or used by his masters in their said business as Calico Printers , or ty any of their servants .

      And shall not absent himself from his master's employ without leave , nor waste , mis-spend , embezzle , or destroy , any of the property , goods , estates , or effects , of his masters . Nor permit the same to 6 o < fone 6 y otters , but sfiall give notice of any wrongful act committed by any person to his masters'prejudice immediately on having knowledge thereof . . And shall not become a member of , or directly or indirectly support , encourage , countenance , or assist , any unlawful combination , Union , or Society ; the object , nature , or tendency whereof may be in any respect to control , restrain , or impede his masters in the full exercise of their said trade or business , or attempt so to do . And also shall not , nor will do , any act whatever to the prejudice of his said masters .

      And in consideration of the service to be rendered by each of them , the said parties hereto , of the one part , in manner and on terms aforesaid , the said John Hargreaves , and his partner or partners for the time being ,, hereby promise and agree with each of the persons whose names or marks are hereunto subscribed , to pay to him as wages for his services as aforesaid , after the rate of and according to the general list of prices made and established for the time being at tlie works of the said parties hereto of the other part , for the regulation and fixing of the wages of Block Printers . In witness whereof the said parties hereto of the one part , and each and every of them , have affixed their hands , tho month , and day , against their names respectively written the said schedule . And the said party or parties hereto of the other part , or some or one of them , have affixed their , or some or one of their hands , at the foot of each signed page of the said schedule , by the said first-mentioned parties . The Schedule referred to : — Signature of Witness to Date of Em- the person the Signature How Wages ployment . employed at of the person are payable , length . employed .

      THE HAND-LOOM WEAVERS AND THE BOARD OF TRADE . Ix another place will be'found a report of an interview which a deputation from the Conference of Hand-loom Weavers have had with the President of the Board of Trade , Lord Dalhousie . By that report it will be seen that the Government are " considering" on a measure , or measures , to affect Labour ; they are " contemplating" an alteration in the Arbitration Law ; and they are " considering " on the report of the Commission of Inquiry into the condition oi'ihe PKime-worfe Kniiiers .

      It is well for the General Conference op Trades that these facts have come to light in the very nick of time . The assembling and proceedings ofthe Handloom Weavers' Conference have been most opportune . The doputation have elicited information which makes it doubly incumbent on the General Trades to have their eyes sharp ' about them : They are interested in getting to know the nature of the measures that Government have in '' contemplation . " This they can best do by means of their delegates . The Hand-loom Weavers have shown the way to the Government

      Offices . A deputation from the confederated Trades of the kingdom will surely be as " courteously" received , and have as much attention paid to it , as a deputation from one of those Trade ? . Labour can thus confer with its governors . It can tell its own tale ; detail its manifold grievances—rehearse its woesindicate its remedies—and enforce its claims . It can pursue a similar course with the members ofthe Legislature . Deputations from the Conference to enforce on M . P . ' s the line of policy the workers wisk to be pursued , will not be without weight : and by means of this Conference both Government and

      Parliament may be induced to " contemplate , " and pass also , measures aifecting Labour , far different in scope , intention , and effect , to any that the last fifty years has seen . It must be noted that the Hand-loom Weavers have pressed on Lord Dalhousie ' s attention the propriety of establishing Local Boards of Trade , for the transaction and regulation of Trades' business , Tho report that we elsewhere insert of the Boiler-makers ' Conference , and the other reports of Trades' doings that we from time to time publish , show that this question is one that is very generally entertained-Too much importance cannot be attached to it . It is

      the only mode of putting an end to strikes and turnouts , as itis the only mode of promoting a good understanding between the Employers and the Employed . It is the only mode of protecting the honest and welldisposed portion of Jtlio employers—those who wish to give something like remunerative wages , and treat their workmen well—from the evils entailed on all by theunprineipled employers , who seek every advantage , and embrace every opportunity to grind Labour down , forcing ' aZZ into the downward path of ruin . It is the only mode of erecting a tribunal in which all concerned could have confidence ; a tribunal at once cheap , popular , and effective .

      What could be more easy than for the Employers in a particular trade , in a given district , to elect a certain number of their own body , and the " hands " employed in that Trade to elect a similar number , who should have the power , by law , to meet at certain times , and , taking into account all the circumstances of the times , "the plent y or the scarcity of food" - the plenty or the scarcity of employment—and the price ofthe raw material and the nature of the work to be performed , rix the rate of wages that all sltall pay i and also determine on the number of hours that

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      1 I ¦ ,.. ¦• - ; ¦ ; ¦¦' . ' ¦ - ¦ . TIIW WftPTHtlRN STAR Mabch 22 , 1 845

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), March 22, 1845, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1307/page/4/