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Northern Star (1837-1852), 16th November 1850, Edition 1 of 3, Page 5, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      We warn tie Directors of those lines who lend themselTea tq this conspiracy , however / ibafc they are playing \ a dangerous , game . ; Itvrould not be difficult for tho engine-drivers to retaliate . They are a powerful and veil organised body They are , comparatively speaking , ih . tha recept of goo 4 , wages , ^ d have not yet been sank- into that davioh snood of mind which follows long subjection to poverty and destitution . It would be easy for . . 1 _ Tk ! ~~ - - * xi .... i : _ .. _ Vn .

      them to insist upoiiiheiriellowrworlnnen being restored lo their positions , or to make common cause "with item , and , simultaneousl y -to abstain from working until--that was done . Thev could , by such a step ,-at once arrest that mighty tide of Jife and commerce which flourish along bur railways , and paralyse the nation . A single fortnight of such a stoppage would ; be to them , a mere bagatelle ; to thelHrectors and Shareholders it -would represent the loss of millions ; to the nation at

      Jarge tens ot millions . The calm , orderly ,. and yet determined attitude of the men during thisprotracted struggle , under such unusual circumstances of provocation and injury , certainly does them the highest lionour . Their conduct affords another proof of the falsehood . of the allegations made by Tenal scribes in hireling journals , as to the ignorance or the turbulence of the working classes . They have manifested , throughout , ' the loftiest and most praiseworthy self-posses- ; sion , moderation , = and courage , and , we . ear-i neBtly trust that they will yet be rewarded by » triumphant and successful conclusion of the contest they are engaged in .

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      . '¦ THE REWARD OF LABOUR . "Jn&elowest deep to find a lower still , " is a paradoxical and extravagant figure of speech which we readily excuse , by referring to the license granted to poets , from time immemorial . It would appear , however , that something like the tbing signified does actually occur in real life . When Henry Mayhew first exposed the wretched and almost inconceivably-low earnings of sempstresses , slop ¦ workers , and others ; most people thought , no doubt , that we had at length sounded the lowest depths of industral degradation and squalid misery , in which it was possible for human beings to exist . They were very much

      inistaken . Scanty and utterly inadequate as is the pittance doled ont tathe pining needleworker , it appears that there is a lower , still , for harder work , and quite as long hours . It is traethat we have to go to Ireland for the illustration ; but then it is so astounding that we may fairly presume that we have at last reached a point below which it is impossible to descend . Sixpence , or fourpence a day , small though it be , is yet positive wealth compared to a penny a day—and that again looks like something tangible , contrasted with the almost inappreciable proposal of one halfpenny a week !

      Let not our readers imagine . we are hoaxing them , or writing under the influence of a hallucination ourselves . We are Bpeaking of so 1 > er , ser ious facts—though we admit they are of Bfich an extraordinary character that any amonnt of incredulity is excusable . The place where these facts were brought to light was the late Petty Session ' s atKanturk . An Irish farmer , named Gbeen , was gammoned by one of his labourers for the sum of one shilling and sixpence , about the average ¦ of a day ' s wage for an English agricultural Jabonrer . In Ireland , however , one shilling

      -and sixpence did not represent one day , but three weeks' labour , and that , too , in harvest time ! The farmer did not dispute that the labourer had given him the eighteen days ' work , for which he claimed the eighteenpence . Ubtatafl . What he did dispute was the extravagant rate of wages he claimed ! . He could have got the best man in the country for that money , whereas he was economically inclined , and disposed to put up with poor Walsh , for one halfpenny a week , which were _ the wages reall y agreed upon . ' It was a fair bargain , too ; Btrictiy determined l $ yvthe sacred

      principle of " supply and demand , " and the comparative capabilities of Walsh . Every roan Lad a rig ht to make Ms own terms in such -cases . Walsh had done so with- his eyes -open , and he had no right to try to cheat his master out of more than he had agreed to pay . liikeSHYLOCK , he 6 tood by his bond , and , pulling out of his pocket three halfpence , he formally tendered that sum for three weeks * work . Well , but perhaps the work was not worth any more . Let ns hear the claimant for a penny a day , instead of one halfpenny a week , what Ms duties were , and how he was fed : " Whilst

      I was with him I was obliged to be up in the morning about four o ' clock to let the cows out of the sleeping field , and remain herding them xratil the other men would come to their work , and used then to he ohliged to work teith them all day , and got nothing for my support but a bit of dry Indian grueL They used to give milk to the pigs ani cahes before my face , hut would not give me a drop P Quite right , Walsh 1 Why should you complain of that ? You were not near so valuable an animal in the

      eyes of Mr . Gkeen as either a pig or a calf . The magistrates , though usually disposed to . aide with the wages payers , instead of the wages receivers , were evidently not prepared for this new practical version of the rights of Capital and Labour . They ordered the payment of the exorbitant sum claimed by " Walsh , not ¦ without repeated objections on the part of his " Just master , " who held fast by the sanctity of a bargain , and who , no doubt , considered himself robbed of sixteenpence-halfpenny by

      the decision of the Court a Is it any wonder that men , women , and children , should be flying in thousands from a land where such things can happen as this ? The curse of selfishness has blig hted it Men have ceased to regard each other as members of the same family ; the ties of our common humanity have been snapped asunder . Farmer Ghees and labourer Walsh are the -riaible and practical embodiments of the essential phllosop hyand ultimate results of the " Manchester School , " which reduces all intercourse between employer and employed , to cash denominations , and when it has paid the " Market price » for labour , considers itself absolved from all farther care or duty in the

      wTLavehad much talked and written about the dignity , the sacredness , the mobility of lahour , and truly labour is a noble and frmtiU thing . THOMAS Cakltle has cried lustily for setting everybody to work ; a ^ *^ t is right , too , aB far as it goes . But there is something more wanted . " Who are we to work for i the labourers ask . " What share are we to have of the products of our toil ? Are we to continue ploughing , sowing , reaping , mowing , spinning , weaving , and sewing , hammering , sawing , andplaneing , all our lives , and each ¦ ye ar Teceive less and less in return for our labour , until we fall as low as Walsh—down to

      a , penny a day—and then he offered , a halfpenny a week 1 Is that the only . result of the present system , that the sole future we and ours have to look forward to ? If so , per ish the svstem down with tbe state of society , which ^ with ample and overwhelming means of making all classes prosperous and contented , « an only create such a hell upon earth aB Hub . "

      Untitled Article

      RIVAL BISHOPS . The anti-papal excitement continues uu-• abated , though the influence of the clergy begins to make itself more perceptible in the agitation . The great danger , we repeat , is that the aggressive movement of the I ' onttfp ma ybe converted into a means of strengthening the Angucan Hierarchy . Tins the neoplemusfc hewarnedagainstagain and again . It is not their interest to fig ht either for Rome or Canterbury . Both , if left to themselves ,

      Untitled Article

      are inimical to the progress of free thought am the developement of free institutions . Disguise itself as it may , priesioraft is the enemy of liberty . One set of prieBts are seeking to obtain supremacy , the other itovretain what they have . Out of the struggles of these rival hierarchies we should endeavour to win fresh strength for the people ' s cause , and make them minister , to the establishment of religious and political equality and ; freedom . We dp not use the word - " toleration , " because it is an insult * We claim for all reli-•¦ nSniminiii 4 n tlianrnimu nf Aimv it . _ . Li . _ J

      gious sects the right to hold and to advocate their . ' respective . opinions—we claim : for all citizens equal rights and protection under the law ; Pros the ninth has no more ' bright to dictate what we shall believe or "think upon theological subjects than Charles James of London , or than we have to dictate to them . Let us but understand ; assert ,. and . practically establish this principle ; and ' the evil spirit of- relig ious domination will be exorcised from society . ' . .

      In a political aspect , this subject has grave claims upon the attention of the . democratic party . It is evidently connected with the movement of the despots on the continent . By lighting the torch of : religious discord among us , they hope to'divert our attention from the crafty schemes by which they are seeking to strangle or destroy every remnant of : vitality in continental constitutionalism and democracy ; they have neither forgotten nor forgiven the terrible fright and shaking they received from the outbreak of 1848 , and their great object is , if possible , to prevent the recurrence of another . If Cardinal

      -Wiseiian , with an organized and powerfully < supported ecclesiastical army of propagandists at h is back , ; could succeed in winning over any great section of the ignorant , impulsive , or superstitious masses of our people , the way would be . paved for the . introduction of political as well as spiritual despotism . If not , the contest will ,: they" hope , sufficiently occupy us to prevent any interference with then : immediate projects . '

      That the matter will lead to much debate , and , perhaps , legislative action , next Session is certain . Mr . Disraeli , with a keen eye for a weak place , in the policy of the Government , has followed the letter of the Premier by a counter epistle addressed to the Lord Lieutenant of the county of Buckingham . He returns Lord John ' s blow at the Puseyites by an attack on the Whigs , as the sole cause of the impundent-aggression of the Romanists . They have treated Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops in Ireland as if they

      were peers and prelates ; they have said that England and Ireland should be placed on the same footing ergo ; they have encouraged the Pope to partition the country into Roman Catholic dioceses , and to appoint Roman Catholic prelates to rule in them . The quarrel is a very pretty one as it stands . But everybody can see at a glance , that this is mere party clap trap and humbug , and can have not the slightest influence on the question , either one way or another . Meanwhile the new Cardinal has hastened home from a

      series of regal entertainments he was leisurely enjoying on his way to England , to watch the storm provoked by bis ambitious policy , and his assumption of territorial jurisdiction conferred" by a foreign potentate . Whatever may have been the rejoicings and festivities abroad , which celebrated his elevation , he and his friends seem to dread at present , any open demonstration of a jubilant character here .

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      CONTINENTAL AFFAIRS . ; Vast armies are marching and counter marching in all directiors . Diplomatists are busily engaged in exchanging notes , and every mail brings the thousand and one rumours that grow out of a state of intense excitement and anxiety . With the except Jon of a slight skirmish between the Bavarian and Prussian troops at an apex where they found themselves injuxta position , no blood has yet been shed ,

      and from the strenuous , efforts made to prevent it there is yet a possibility that war may be averted . If it is , however , it will not be , as was-likely last week , by Prussia basely surrendering to the Russian despot through his tool the Emperor of Austria . The party in the ministry who were favourable to that policy , and who expelled Radowitz , have lost their head by the death of Count Brandenbukg , and Prussia has again takm up a defiant position . Austria must either fio-ht or relax some of her demands .

      The principal event in France is the re-aBsembling of the legislative body , and the presentation of the President ' s message . It is a lengthy document , ostentatiously occupied with minute details upon a variety of constructive measures respecting railroads , banks , &c . for the purpose of making France and the world believe that the President and his ministers have been working hard for the nation , instead of intriguing for a change of the Constitution . Louis Napoleon ,

      however , feels that an aggressive Imperial policy would result in discomfiture , at the present moment , and , therefore , does not ask for any prolongation of his powers or increase of these powers . Amiable , unambitious , man ! he does not care how the matter ends . All he wants to do is to serve France ; the rest he leaves entirely to the Assembly and to the people , when the time comes . Ah ! M . Buonaparte , have yon found the grapes too high , and out of your reach ? ;

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      MONIES RECEIVED 1 Fob ihk Wns Endimo Thorsdat , November 14 th , 1850 . - ¦ FOB THS : i -. -.:. : . WIND 1 G-HP OF THE LAP COMiY , Beceived by W . Hidfe . — J . Bedwell , Brierlv-hill 6 d—a venae . EarieEflaw , near Glasgow 63 . —Daventry land Mem . berg ; per G . Aahwell 5 s 3 d—J . Barlow , Whitton Cd—W . Davis , Glasgow Is—W . Holmes . Cheltenham Is—J . Col-Uns / CbeUenham Gd—ilull . per W . Laveriek 119 s 7 d . U- THE HONESTY FUJB , Received by W . Ridel—TV . Holmes , Sheffield Is—Pi Rowbottom , Sheffield Is—Warwick , a few Friends , per C . Tristram 3 s .

      FOR THE HUNGARIAN AND POLISH REFUGEES . Received by W . Rideb . —T . Kerr , St Neots 6 d—Southampton , per J . Russell Is 7 d—From T . C . Ingram—S Paris , Cheltenham . Is — G . Weaver , Tfedegar Cd—IT . Hancox , Tredegar Is—T . Griffiths , Abergavenny Gil—C . Beams , Abergavenny . ( 2 nd nib . ) Is— -T . C . Ingram , Abergavenny Is—W . Cuffin , Leicester Is—Mary Ann Coffin " , Leicester ls-J . Boulton , " Leicester 3 d—Warts-hill , perJ . Firth 3 s—Manchester , collected in People ' s Institute , per T . Ormesher 8 s 7 d—J . Powell , Ebbw-vale Is—D . L ., Walei 2 s 6 d—W . Douglas , Haswell-lane 5 d—Leith , the Workmen at Messri . Hawthorn and Co . ' s works , per A . Watson II 3 i —Stockporty per J . Hoteen 5 s—II . Straehan and Friends , Arbroath 3 s- ^ -Hebden Bridge , per J . Mann 6 s—Nottingham , per J . Sweet 7 s—H . Smith and J . Deamon , Milbome Port 6 d—Dudley , Mutual Improvement Society , per J . Firth 4 s

      10 d—W . Brown , Dudley , per J . Firth 3 d—a young Eagleehaw , near Glasgow Is—Bladda , Paisley , block printers , per A , Robertson M—Eccles , near-Manchester , per VT Gregory 6 s 8 d—Warwick , a few Friends , per C . Tristram Ss ed a Friend , Oxford , per XT . Druett Sh—a few Friends , Oxford , per W . Druett 33 9 d—Woolcombers at Buckfastleieh Devon 113—Messrs . Lang , Flintiff , and Bradley , BroomfieH , near Bradford 9 a—afewOW Guards , Barnsley , nerG . Corker 3 s 8 d—Birmingham , collect ^ at Mr . Fugopir « 3 s 6 d—Birmingham , collected at Ship-inn 2 « 6 d—J . Hemmin and Friends , Cheltenham 4 s _ J Morgan , Depti ™ j j . Received bj John Abkott . —A few . Fnends , Uxbridge per Mr . Hedrupp Ss-Stalybridge per W . Hill 11 _ pa ? t proceeds of Concert , held at the Rock , Lisson-grove ( Emmett ' g Brigade ) , per J . Blake 4 s Cd-tjnn , per J . Twaitsl 0 s 6 d . - ^«

      _ ,.. __ * " - AGITATION FOR THE CHARTER . Received bv Johk AESOTT . -South Shields , perH . Hams l 0 s-Todmorden , perJ . M : oofieyGs 4 d . ¦ TRACT FUND . Received by John Asnott .-O . D ., Uoxton New . Town THE CASE OF THOMAS JONES . Beceived by Jonu ABSorr . -Whittington and Cat , per Mr . " Westebv 2 s 2 d .

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      THE LITE SHOCKING COLLIERY ACCIDEN ! , -...,,. ¦¦ :: -: -,. ; AT ; BAID () p $ .. ; .,.,.. _ ' . ,. V ; j , The ad [} ouwUd inqi ^ t ^ pto the bodies of ii » ten pettOBs who lost theirliveV by the . accident » t i colliery atHajrdock ;; on the fch jhst ' , was resqmed on Monday , . before John Hayes , Esq .,. the dUtriot coroner . J . ' Tremiehhere , Saq ., was present as an inspeotbr for the government , under the provisions of the recent act of parliament . —The first witness examined Was Thomaa ' Litherland , the underlookpr . He stkted that there was great diffleulty ; in preyenting , tKo men in the mine from working with lighted candles ' . It must have been through the negligence of the nien that ; the accidfent happened .- ^ By Mr . Tremer ihere : ; A government m ' sDector was down in Tin ! T . AT 1 ! RVlC \ C * Vni / l fifkT . T . TB'OV ifinTWUtfT

      the mine twelye months ? go , " and the » ir in the mine was , then pure . . He .. did not know wbether any' of the deceased ' person ' s could either read or write . —^^ l ph L 2 ylan ' d ' one " ? f ihe colliers , was the next witness . lie was working in the mine at the time the explosion took plaice . Where be wasworking he had been ' throuehinto the . * ' old workings ' more than three months .,, He hadnever . been told not to use capdlesi ^ -Thonias . ' . ^ ( Jreenalgh , another collier , " who , was also working in the mine when the explosion ' took placo , . said'he broke through intoone ' of the ' oldirorkings ; on " thei 6 th inst ., He went close to the " old workings ' the same night with a lamp , and could hot Sear it near itj the air was so fonl . It blew . the lamD . but . X sheet is generally

      put over an old , working , ' to prevent the foul air from breaking in when we cut through . No sheet was put over this working until the following morning . —By Mr . Tremenhere :. TVhose duty is it to put a sheet brer the old , workings ^ rhen you break through ? Why ^ it m ay be ours : but we had ^ no sheet in the mine at the time . \ 1 should think it is the underlooker * 8 duty to see that sheets are ready . —How often does . the underlooker come into the mine . He has not been into it since we came to that part of the mine . —How long is that since ? About a . fortnight . —By , a . Juror : I dp not think the air in the mine has been as pure as it should be since I worked there . —By another Juror : Have you erer received orders from the underlooker to give

      him " notice when you come to the old workings ? No . On Monday , he asked me if I was nearly through , arid I said ho . The underlooker did not give ua orders to use lamps when ' coining , to . the old workings . —By Mr . Tremenhere : Do you recollect of any man . being turned off for using candles JriBtead ' of lamps : Ifo—Do you know of any man usihV candles instead of lamps after he had been told ^ not to use candles ? No . —Bave you ever used candles when you have been told to use lamps ? No ., Whenever : I was told to use lamps I . have done so . —By a Juror " : Are you in . the habit of using powder in order to get coal ?; Te 3 .--I > 6 e 3 the underlookor know that ? Yes , I suppose so . ~ 'When did you use

      powder last ? On Monday . —By the Coroner : I do not think ' the powder I used on Monday week would split into the old workings . —Would it not shake them ? No , they were two or three yards thick . —Ralph Ellam , another collier , who was in the mine when the accident took place , gave similar evidence to the preceding . —Litherland , the overlooker , was here re-called , and was interrogated at some length . by Mr , Tremenhere . —By Mr . Tremenhere : You were aware that there was an accumulation of gas in the old workings . Yes , but it was impossible for it to get into * the mine where the men were working . until they had cut through the old workings , —But the moment they had out through the gas would escape ,

      and an explosion might take place if it was not stopped up ? Yes . —Ought not . it to be slopped up at once ? Yes , it is the duty of the men to put a sheet over it . —How often do you-go down into the mine ? Why , there are several mines , and I go from one to another . —Ilaye you been a fireman ? No . —Then several days might , elapse before you inspected the mine ? No , not more than two or three . —The Coroner : I thought .. it was usual for a man to go over a coal mine every : morning , -before the men went to work , to see if the mine was safe ? Well , sir , it has never been the casein our mines . — A Juror : I am of opinion that tbe strictest regulations as to lamps ought to be enforced . —The Coroner : Why , I nave no doubt that the presence

      of the government inspector will lead to some such regulation . —Mr . Tremenhere here remarked that the inspectors , under the recent act of parliament , had not yet been appointed . Had these appointments been made , he had no doubt that a practical man , much better acquainted . with mining , operations than himself , would have been present , and that a searching inquiry into the actual state" and management of the mine ; would have been instituted .. As it was , he hoped that the present investigation would cause several alterations to be made in the management of the mine . For instance , he was strongly of opinion that there ought to be a

      fireman / whose duty'it should be to see that the mine was safe before the workmen entered it , and who should also be constantly on the look out in tho mine . The use of lock-up lamps also ought to be rigidly enforced . —The jury then returned a verdict of ' ? Accidental death , " and , by direction , of the coroner , Mr . Evans ; the proprietor of tbe mine ; was sent for . On his arrival , the Coroner informed him of . the suggestions made . by . Mr . Tremenhere , and urged upon him the necessity of carrying out those suggestions for . the purpose of ensuring increased protection to the lives of the men employed in the mine . He also considered that a code of rules should be drawn up for the general management of the mine , similar to those in force at other collieries in the neighbourhood , —The inquiry then terminated . ii alii

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      AWFUL COLLIERY EXPLOSION— TWENTYSIX LIVES LOST . Durham , Tuesday . —A melancholy catastrophe occurred yesterday at tbe Hougbton Fit , near Newbottle , in this county , by an explosion of fire-damp , whereby twenty-six men and boys were hurried into eternity ! The pit is the property of the Earl of Durham , and is ventilated by means of two shafts , an upcast and downcast one . Mr . Rutherford is the viewer , and . the general condition of tbe mine was considered good . At the time of the explosion there were . 150 men and boys in the pit , engaged in the various workings . The explosion was sudden . A loud report was heard , which reverberated through all the workings , and was soon indicated at" bank , " ( a term applied to the entrance of theshaft ) . . The air-courses were in many

      placeg completely destroyed , and the direction of the current changed . This occurred between five and six o'clock , but it was past eleven before it was possible to penetrate the workings , when the noise of voices was heard in ft direction about 400 yards from the bottom of the shaft , which clearly showed there were some survivors o . f the melancholy occurrence . The men employed in the arduous and dangerous duty of exploration on learning . this redoubled their exertions , notwithstanding their comparatively exhausted strength , and , after many deeds of heroism and personal daring , they succeeded in reaching a part of the mine where the atmospheric air circulated , and there 120 ; men and boys were found alive , and rescued from a fate which seemed inevitable . From tbe statement of

      one of these survivors it appears that the men were engaged at their work when they heard the noise , and they rushed simultaneously towards the shaft , but they had not proceeded far when they met with the choke-damp , on entering which many of them f ell , some to rise no more ; On observing this those not so far in advance became stationary , or retreated for a few ; yards , where they found the air good . They soon discovered that they were hemmed in . . "by a body of ch ' okc-da ' inp , to pass through : whicb would have been impossible ; for . any of them , on attempt , ing toenter it but a few yards were oyercomo ,-and would have fallen had they not hastily retreated . On consulting together it was considered the safest plan to . remain where they were , and trust to the > xertions that would be made to reach them from

      the shaft by carrying in the air ; and they did so remain for between five and six hours , until their delivery waa effected . Before that time was expired many , a stout heart quailed in prospect of certain death . A dread solemnity pervaded the mind of every one / impenetrat'le darkness increased the agony of feeling , and the silence of this tomb of the living was only broken by wild ejaculations of despair , fervent prayers and supplications to the Almighty fordeliverance , or at intervals by signal shouts , intended to guide any exploring party to the sepulchral abode . It is impossible to portray the condition of these poor men during this long , and fearful period , or convey any adequate conception of their joy and gratitude pn . beingrescuedfrom such extreme peril , and restored to their anxious

      and mourning friends , who gathered round the pitmoutb , awaiting in silence and resignation the return of each exhausted party from tne poisonous atmosphere of the workings . It is sad to relate , however , that twentyrsix persons perished , most of theml ) y attempting to get through the choke-damp towards the shaft . Several were burnt . Some were found without heads , others without legs or arms ; portions of the same body were found in different and distant places , showing the violence of the fire . It is impossible to tell with certainty where the fire originated , so great is the havoc made in . its vicinity , and the men working near it were blown to a

      great distance . The principal portion of tbe sufferers are roily-boys and waggon-men . One of the overmen was in the pit at the time , and on hearing the explosion he ran in the direction whence the noise proceeded , in order to ascertain tho cause , when he met the rush of tbe fire , which carried him along in its scorching embrace until death terminated his agony . His body was found a calcined mass . The event has created a deep sensation throughout the district , and thousands hav e visited the locality from a distance , making inquiries and dwelling with painful interest on the awful details . It appears tbat the- colliery was abandoned , or " laid in , " a > It ktetmedi , about twelw or thirteen .

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      -- i ! i ¦ ~ J . ; -Wi ¦¦•¦ p . ; - ; - < v > . I-- ;! '¦ V .-Tijv . ¦ ! ' i , ¦ « " ^» Bi y W : KP » , an < i that it . remained . utiworked till las vinstmag , when it was re-ppened and fresh operations commenced . At the time the pit was . olosed it , was . considered to be ; in a critical state ; , but on re . openi . ng . it , of course , every precaution would be tanen to render it as safe as possible under the oircumstances pfthe case . It is stated , however ; that for , mpre than a week past . apprehensions of danger were entertained by the workmen ; at least such is tne . Statement made pn . higbly credible authority . If there be truthin . that . statement , it is to be hopedit will be ascertained on the coroner ' s inquiry , assisted as that functionary . probiibly will be by a government inspector . Tho pit is ventilated on the furnace principle , having an uooast and a downcast voava ' n ' ^ U ' V ^" j ' Vtii' . ' ¦' ' ' ¦ ¦ '" ¦' ' ¦• - ' - ' ¦ ] i * " 7 ^' i ^^** "

      stiaft , situato about a mile distant . from each other .-When the . colliery was . reopened men and boys : w . e draughted from the various collieries of : the district .: . Three , shifts of about ISO eaoh were en > ployed during , the day and nigh , with others dependent upon them ; . and , as ; they were . brought from different and distant localities , the intelligence of the disaster caused an" assemblage at Houghton on Tuesday almost unparalleled in the history of colliery explosions . ; . As before , stated , there were about ISO ; , men and boys in , the mine ,, when ' it exploded , ' forming what is oalled one " shift . " . The greater portion of j these were engaged in workings at a considerable distance , from the Bhaft—most of themhewing ; solidcoal . ,-, Theexplosipn took place in a way , or " working " which had been reopened , only on Monday morning ; one man of the name of Watchman . was sent in to . remove : the ; first pillar , it being what is called working in the

      ' broken : ; he went to work at three o ' clock and tho explosion took ... place" ¦ . shortly after . five ; . Mr . Hunter , an overman , was sitting with one of the suryiyors , named Hodgson , in a cabin at the top of an inqlino . when he said he . heard a rumbling noise and apprehended danger . On this he took a light and proceeded . to the p . laco whenco the noise proceeded ; , which was where Watchman wa » at work ; and it is supposed the gas was fired by bis candle . ; He was found , blown along the way , burnt to a . cinder , with , a plate iron ; through his body . He . wasonlyrecognised . by means of a book which he had in . his inside pocket .- . Watchman waa dread , fully scorched and mutilated . One of the Andersons was found lying close to Hunter . The other was a melancholy spectacle . His arms were found first , . then after some time his logs , then his trunk , and after much search his head was found in a tub . He was torn completely to piece ? , and the separate parts scattered in variouB'directions . . ¦

      - . •' ! : ' ( From our ouih Correspondent . J : An explosion ,. of fire-damp teok place at the Houghton Pifj belonging to ; the Earl of Durham , en Monday , November ' llth , by which twenty-six men and boys have lost then ; lives . The current report being that 15 . 0 lives were , lost , considerable excitement , spread ribroad , and , before many hours elapsed , more than 10 , 000 . persons had visited the pit arid vicinity , eager" to learn the terrible truth , whether any , ' friends or acquaintance ' ^ were among the sufferers . Subsequent searph , however , showe 3 that ali ;' exc . ep tthe twenty-six' named above , were safe , they haying been confined behind afall of the roof ,, which answered the twofold purpose of confining those beyond it , and also of carrying off the after-damp , . which succeeded the fireLand which

      would have suffocated every man , had such escape not fortunately been provided forit , whereby it was' carried to the return air way . " The jury was empannelled on Tuesday , and ,, aiter having viewed the bodies , the coroner explained the . Act of Parliament relative to accidents in mines , and adjourned the further , investigation till Thursday , the 21 st inst ., at ten o ! clocK in the . forenoon ., , , ,: ,. After theinqueat was adjourned , a public meeting was held intheyicihity of . the pit , whioh was attended by a , large number of colliers ; from a distance , who had , come m any niiles to sympathise with their brothers , thechief , part being from what are termed the Five Collieries , whichdoes them great credit in . being the first , to' set so noble an example ., .. . ¦ .. , '¦' . . '" . ' . . Mr . Bamsatt—a talented young man—was called to Vfe chair ¦ and , after having explained the object of tne meeting , called upon - .. /

      Mr . Wm . Bird , who , in an able address , pointed out the , duty which each and . all had to perform , and showed , in . his usual energetic / style , the neoessity of the miners , being united . to secure proper attention to their lives and , health . ¦ .. ,, . The Chairman next introduced Mr . M . Jdde , who briefly explained the nature of the Mines Inspection Bill , and showed that , tho long delay in the appointment of inspectors ,. was the true ' cause'Of the continued loss of life in the pits , Ac . ' " . , . , Mr . J , TAwpm was tiieh called upon to . wires ? the assembly , which he did in a . very able '' manner , demonstrating the connexion between tho miners being thoroughly united , and the safety , of their lives .. Mr . Fawcett concluded by calling upon each man to do his duty fearlessly , and not to play the part of cowards , when their own lives and , those of their families were in danger . "

      The . Chairman , then . announced that a public meeting would be held on Saturday next , nt . Quarrington Ilillj and" the meeting broke wp , highly pleased with the proceedings ; andj falling in belind their / beautiful banner , the distant colliers bent their way home . ' " . ' . ' „ ' . ' .. ' The interment of some of the . sufferers took place in the evening , and a ' melancholy sight it was to see three brothers laid in one grave , ! ;

      Untitled Article

      THE PATENT LAWS AND THEIR BEARING UPON THE EXHIBITION OF 1851 . On Monday : morning a deputation from the Society for the Amendment of the Laws relating to Patents waited , by appeintmentj upon Sir ( S . Grey , and Mr . Labouchere , at the Home-office . - Tho : deputation having been introduced , Mr . Campion said he thought every one was prepared to acknowledge , that the recommendations contained in the report of the committee of 1849 , would , if acted upon > go a great way to improve the position of the inventor . Whether it would satisfy all persons he could not say , but to him it did-not appear to go far enough in one respect , for it was obvious that even with the reduced charge proposed of £ 30 for an English patent , the case of the poor inventor would not be met , unless there were proof

      vidoJ some effeetual . and ^ nexpensive plan preliminary registration . Such a measure was introduced last session , and passed the House of Lords and two readings in the House of Commons , where , however , it . was ultimately abandoned . He thought it was obvious that something , in this direction should be done previous to the Great ; Exhibition , othenrise-rahd . he knew it fora fact- ^ -ye ry many persons would not present their invemions at all . . Mr . Shepherd , C . E ., observed that probably the majority of inventors ; were men who were practically at work in . workshops , and other . places . All the recent improvements that had been made , in bteain navigation , and in locomotive engines , had originated , in the first instance , with comparatively

      poor men , who , after the greatest privations , and > erhaps depriving their / children , of ; their daily bread , at length brought their invention to perfection , and then , were , compelled to throw themselves into the hands of a capitalist , in order to , secure the patent . The . capitalist , ,-gave . them ,, perhaps , £ 50 or £ 60 for their ingenuity j and not . only claimed the merit of the invention , but also pocketed all the proceeds . , Ho did " not wish to get patents for nothing , but ho sugaested thatthe price . should be reduced to £ 30 . or £ -10 , and that , concurrently with that reduction , ' there should . bo a cheap melfns of provisional registration , which \ frould protect the inventor , so thlit'he might witli safety bring his inventions before the . public . "' '• •

      Mr , Price said , if this suggestion was adopted , he was sure that a great many more inventions would be brought before the public , and that the result'would be even an increfise to . the revenue . At the samo time , they would be more able to . compete in . the inarch of improvement with foreigners , who could obtain their patents at so cheap a rate . Sir G . Gret said ; as . the subject was under the consideration of the government , and as there were reporters present , it would be better for him not to discuss it then ; but any statement which . they might have to make , in addition to what they , had now said , he should be happy to receive and take into consideration afterwards . . . .. . . ... : Mr . Campion . said , unless-the government expressed an opinion very soon , it would damp all exertions for tho exhibition . ,

      Mr . Jjabouchebk ( who had just entered tho room ) said there wore two . questions—the onewas . the general state , of the law and the expediency of altering it permanently , and the other was , whether they had anything to express with regard to the forthcoming exhibition which required immediate decision and immediate movement in parliament ? Mr , Camhon said , yes , that they required some immediate measure of provisional registration for inventions , coupled with a promise to reduce the price of patents . ¦ .:

      Mr . Waller said he had three valuable inventions at this moment , which had cost him several hundred pounds to perfect , and be had not now the means to take out the patents . About six years ago . he expended nearly £ 1 , 000 in various improvements connected with locomotives , and , owing to tho non-arrival of a remittance of about £ 23 to enable him to complete the enrolment by a certain day fixed , the whole of his invention , and the money it had cost him , wore lost , and he , after many years of toil , received no benefit from it . Mr . LABouonEKK said he believed the Society of Arts had appointed a committee to , inquire into this question . He wished to know whether the opinion of that committee was at all represented by the deputation ? .

      Mr . Campion could not say that it was or that it wasnot . « He himself belonged to the Society of Arts , and he believed that they wished for an entire revision of the laws of patents , which , "ffwld necessarily take a loDg time to mature ,.

      Untitled Article

      ¦ ' Mr . Townlbt produced some jbeauiiful specimenB ofelastio braceletsma de' of hairy each of which , he said , would , take , the most skilful workman In England two . days to makeinMelordmarv ^ way . . He had ; hqweveft a Very sJiplJB inVentioh , by which he was enabled , to ' : ttake ' nSlf'la ' doMn . in . asinany injinutes , but he ^ as lihable ' d to'take but a . patent , and though ; he was anxipus to exhibit his invention in the park , he could npj ; do so unless his invention wMvprqtected . ' . ;; At present he , was , virtually , ex-• .

      oiuded from the exhibition .: . i , ' , Aftersome further ¦ statemehts of a similar nature , M M 3000 ?? ? . requested that , the . deputation would furnish him ' , with i written sfatemont of , thoir views and suggOBHons /' on the' siibjoct , especially with reference to the forthcoming exhibition , and he promised that he" would , " give them his very earliest and . best consideration . ; ;/ .. " - t , The deputation' then , expresscci . tbfeir thanks to the two right hon . geh ' tlemeii'for ' the interest they had evinced in the matter , and withdrew . :

      Untitled Article

      NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TKADES .: ^ ' .,. T . S . Dukcombb ,: Esq ., M . P ., President . SttablUhecl 18 i 6 . ' " rut JVBTniii" ' "It it were poiiible .. for the worltiny classes , by combininjt among themselvei , to raise , or keep up the general roteofwagei , it need hardly be said that this would be a thing n « t to b « punished , but to b » welcomed and rejoiced , "" : . ¦'¦ - T t ' - ' ' ¦ "• 1-: " ' . '' " ! "fiTUABT Mill . ¦ '• Every attempt that has hitherto been made by the Political arid ' . Social Reformers to unite the Trades of Great Britain in a well-organised and extended confederation ; haB ended in disaDDointment .

      liven the leaders , tHemsel ^ es find it' impossible to agree upon the principles upon which such an union should be based ;; and yet nothing can be more manifest than that the condition of the ' wprking classes never can be materially or permaneHtly ' : improved untilthis groat object canbe accomplished .. " It is ' 'lamentable to reflect on ' tKe sacrifices that have been'inade inthese hitherl ^ j ' vain , attetnpta . The splendid talents , the valuable tjme , the ! enormous sums of money which have thus been' fruitlessly expended ! is deeply to be . ' deplored ,, and mi g ht ; well 'lead many a warm-hearted patriot / to retire ' from all future ^ efforts in despair . We wish we could Induce those gentlemen who possees such deserved influence among numerous sections ,, holding their own [ particular views and opinions , ! to look at this question of union' simply ' as a labour quesr

      tion , to . place in abeyance for a moment their political and social individualitieg ^' and' try to ' solve this question : —As it appears impossible . to . induco the working ' class to form such a confederation '' ' shall enable ' theni'to achieve their political and social enfranchisement , is there any principle upon whidh they might be induced to combine , arid but' of which combination the / objects we have most at heart cquld ; be more readily obtained ? ' 1 .... 'We ; give at Once , and unreservedly , ; our answer to the question—that we believe , if a national organisatipn ' of the operative classes in this country is possible , ifc'is only so ; upon' the question Jof labour , pure ; and unadulterated with" any ' other question ; and we : further believe , that an extehsive . union upon this : sole principle once established , that ail necessary social arid political improvements would flow from it . an inevitable effects , from natural

      causes . , "We . have the , most abiding faith—unchangeable and unalterable ; a faith grown up ' with us thrpiigh manyyearsof sufferings and struggles , but never abated a jot by nny suffering or disappointmentthat labour , and labour alone , can achieve its own ernaricipation . We believe that , so long as the labour interest of this" 6 V any ' other ' country is isolated arid disunited , so long will it be an interest socially and politically'degraded . " But , if the working cla sh es once , can be brought to placo themselves in a position , by shoulder-to-shoulder union — to demand and obtain " a fair day ' s ' wage'iTor a fairway ' s labour "where , then , would be the power strong enough , or rash enough , to keep them in political or ' socialbon-!

      dage ? What is the object of all political aridjsocial movements ? Are they anything more than means devised to accomplish a given end ? Arid what is the end" 'desired ?—industrial freedom , which coinprehends and contains within itself all the rest , by whatever name or names it may be known ; , We ' willnow take a position which we will defy the most astute reasorier to remove us' from . Take any Trade in England , limited in number / oir ever so numerous , get them together , and try to induce them to unite upon any given formula of political , Bocial , 6 r religious doctrines . It would be an utter impossibiiity-rthere would possibly be upon these questions nearly . "a 3 many opinions' there are minds . But ask them if 25 s , a week is better than 20 s . Oh ! what unanimity there / would be . ' Here is a question , a principle upon which among workmen there can be two / opinions ; here . is a " something , a j-eality , upon' which it is not only possible ,

      but highly practicable to create an united triind , if those who profess to be the leaders ' of the people choose'to turn thoir attention to so sirriple a proposition . We present in WolVerhamption a striking proof what a single trade may effect by uriidn . ' Here are the Tin-meuof Wolverhamption advised and guided by the Central- Committee ; with no greater power than their unity , order the two tyrant Perrys to . walk"their bodies out . of the Town Council ' arid riiake room for honester and bettor nierii' Arid they hayie dpno so , sorely , against their will . 'But what could they do against united labour ? Is not this casd" capable of multiplication . ? ' Is a thing that has been proved practicable in Wolverhampton to be impracticable in Birminham , Manchcstor , Kidderminister , pr ¦ any where else ? Is truth like vegetables . ? Will it only , grow in perfection within certain geographical limits ? Is is riot rather a uriiversal principle , which . is always at home to ' those who call upon it ? . '' - ' ¦'

      , Look to it , then , ye Trades of Great Britain Look to it , then , ye leaders of the working' men ; having failed so frequently and sb . disfistrbusly , hi carrying out your own cherished plans for union , turn your attentions a little to our plans , which though ; riot perhaps so dazzling to the imagination / we believe to be sounder than yours , because more practicable . Again we say , give us an organisation , ; and we will emancipate the working slaves of'England industrially , politically , and' socially . But that organisation we : think never can be accomplished except as a labour movement , pure and unmixed . We know there are those who differ

      from us on this subject . We must agree to differ . It is' with us a great established , demonstrable fact ; and' has ceased to be an opinion . We are proving its power / even upon a " small scale , daily and hourly ; and beyond all possible dispute there never has been a movement of the working class which has ' achieved so much for labour , with so limited means , and against such adverse circumstances . We are s-ure , sooner or later , it is destined to succeed . In the very nature of things it must , because it is based and founded upon the unalterable arid vivifying prihoiple . of truth .

      It is baaed upon the broad principles of justice and equity—to wrong no man , and to suffer wrong from' no irian . Not ¦ ' to proclaim , or assert , ' but to establish and prove the great doctrine of natural equality , modified only by natural powers and capabilities . To assert and maintain the rights of labour against ' . all' ; challenges / as it -is the most useful , and the most ancient , to ' make labour tbe most honoured . order of society ^ -to make'tln ' s beautiful country an . habitation for men , and riot for slaves . -Those'great , and desirable " ends " never can bo accomplished but by union ; and no union appears to us practicable ^ but a union of labour .

      . Then rally , working men , round the standard we have unfurled . To borrow Mr . E . Perry's beautiful remark , " We havo hoisted our flag , ' andnailed it to the mast , arid there it . floats , and shall float triumphantly in the breeze . "' This week has brought us- several applications for information , two of which we are particularly pleased with , coming from'South Wales , Swansea , and Llanidves . We forwarded the Association ' s rules , printed in English and in Welsh . We know labour in Wales is deeply oppressed , and' we know the steadfast and uncompromising qualities of the Welsh character . We should like the principles ' of national union to be well understood ^ throughout the principalities . The miners of England can never achieve their independence while the miners of Wales are enthralled . The year 1842 should have taught thatlesson . Ponder

      well , working men , then , upon those two glorious , but little understood axioms , " Union is Strengt h ^" " Knowledge is Tower . " Oh ! if those two texts were but thoroughly comprehended by working men in their wide , large , universal acceptation , how rapid would be our progress , how iwesiatiblo would be the march of the great army of labour , bearing before it and sweeping away—with' scarcely an effort , but merely by its own solemn gravity—all obstructions . We invite you hopefully , trustfully , to this glorions campaign . We' have ^ faith in our principles , and an ungovernable desiro - to obtain for them a fair trial . . . : ¦ We subjoin a letter received this morning from Mr . Green , conveying the latest news from the seat of war—Wolverhampton . .-. : . ' :.. - •¦ ! William Peki , Secretary . Offices 259 , Tottonbam-court-road . ;

      Untitled Article

      goodem Ployeri ^ ie ^ ^ af' ^^ proud shalfbe brought low , 7 blie . W ^ ° ?" i ! be exalted . " ; The National Associ ., J ^> , ^ J two tyrants i such a lesson as they little o * p 5 " . and-which I hope will do them-good through thS remainder of their life . The . succes 9 attending bur efforts is the general theme of the town , and our objects are discussed by : all classes .. La 3 t evening Mr . Wmtersand myself held a meeting of the iron braziers , who , immediately after , we had explained the objects ; of the National Assooiatiori i formed themselves into a society for the purpose of joining our unions They , will pay their money , on Monday next . '¦ ¦ ' : . , '•>• »¦ : >? : ¦• : ' " ;' .. . ¦ ' :- .,. ¦ ; , ' ¦ ¦ ¦ .

      After Thursday , J shall have , time to visit several bodies of workpeople who wish , for further information previous to joining , our union . , 1 have no doubt but that numbers . will come forward immediately , and unite with , our bravo band of tradeswho are determined to obtain justice for the tinplate workers of the town .. ; I have just been told that Mr . Perry believes your unds to be nenrlyexhausted . Foolish man ! he ii little acquainted with the constitution of oar move * mentj or he would not imagine sucfr a -thing . He knows not , "It is only to ask , and bave what we require . . ; . ; ; . i >

      Dear Peel , in . the tin-plate , workers' case our principles are ; being . fairly tried , and the result proves their soundness , and fulJy justifies our statements to the working olasses ; . We have instructed Mr . Bartlelt ( our solicitor ) to obtain summonses for the recovery of the town price for three of Perry ' s articled men , and should we have a favourable decision we shall enforce payment for . every man in the town whether hired or not . ¦ ¦ ' . .. •; ' . :-, ; . -- ¦ : ; lam informed , on the . vary best authority , that one of Perry's customers sent a splendid order to Mr . Shoolbred , last week , and another of his customers have closed nocounts with him , and have opened an account wither . Walton , and the reason

      assigned : is bad articles ,, which they . have . returned by : ; crates full ., Thist-is . . what I told Mr . Perry , months past , would be the case ,. but he sneeringly replied ,. "It ; . would take . ' a . lo , ng time , to brin . | about , ? ' and ; intimatini ; , he knew , full well , hofr far we could go , and what we could do . I much question 1 if , he , had ; an idea ¦ of what wo have done , neither do I believe he knows what is in store for him .: If he . was wise he would , immediately settle the dispute , and prevent all further contention , for he ; must be mad to suppose we shall give way after entering into the : contest and carrying it on for some months . I . really am sorry for the . man , because I know he is destroying his health ,-and losing his business , as woll as forfeiting the friendship of his class and goodwill of . his workpeople ; but , after , all , that is bis business , and we must rather

      see him sacrificed than see numbers of workpeople reducedjn wages from , time to . timo , and live in misery ; besides , in justice to good employers , we are bound to make Perry pay the same as them , or how can they do business ?; . .. ... ¦ I am glad the inhabitants of the town begin to see that Mr . Perry is no friend of theirs , as low wage 3 deprive the people of the means of purchasing food and other : necessaries , and also increases the .-rates , by making people recipients of the allowance to the poor . These facts cannot be : too much impressed on the minds of all classes ,, who , lam sure , will at once see the propriety of . assisting the workpeople to obtain that which is just for their labour , that they do not become burdensome to them . . . : I remain , dear Peel , yours faithfully , . ' Frederick Green .

      Untitled Article

      Prorogation of Parliament . —A supplement to the LonJon Gazette was issued on Wednesday night , containing the following notice : — . "At the court at "Windsor , the 13 th day of November , 1850 , present the ( Jueen's Most Excellent Majesty in Council , i 6 is this day ordered by her Majesty in Council that tho Parliament which stands prorogued to Thursday , the 14 th day of November instant , be further prorogued to Tuesday , tho 17 th , day of December next . A Woven New Testamknt . —A weajer in Bradford has been for . some time employed in wcivingin Testament

      a piece of cloth the whole of the New . He has already completed the lour Gospels , and nag made some advjmce in tho Acts of the Apost «• Caoti . n to the I ' miuc .-No Werner is a . "'^ " ^ o ra est , bll 6 hed in imblio fovour tt « - - . f ^^ e 6 prm up , « h .. fortbe snl t Jt ^ r ^ Kb v * trash . . These : rcmurks » 1 » ^ ¦ . fa excellent woll knomi as A »^ l-, K « ™ j uufioubr- r m . A wmedyfiiri ' ite-h- ? iSr * mu } ' be . abie co civtea these of its efflc « cy . . ^^ ifflttly for Abernctl . y ' s l'ile Ointfrauds , by a ^ tag PMUcmany h ^ lowest m % h en ° r opHetor h enliUed to sell it , owing to ihe gnj * ^ Sbh tt iXnment stamp , pasted round each pot . suftf rers from Files will not repent giving the Ointment a trial .

      Untitled Article

      Austria . —On the 27 th ult . an enormous mass of earth fell from the summit of the Semmenng , on the outskirts of Lower Austria . A considerable portion of the "Vienna Railway , now under construction on that point , was buried ander it , tog ether with labourers at work on the spot . Measures were immediately taken to rescue them , but of the twelve found hitherto , only five are alive , one of whom is considered in great danger ,

      Untitled Article

      ENGINE-DRIVERS STRIKE ON THE ; EASTERN COUNTIES RAILWAY . On Wednesday a meeting of the engine-drivers and firemen late in the employment of the Eastern Counties Company was held in the George Innj Stratford ; -r-Mr . Dawson in the chair . The meeting wiis very fully , attended . ¦ ; The Chairman , on opening the proceedings , said the meeting had been called for several purposes . One was to refute the statements made in " Bentley ' s Miscellany " of the 1 st of October , with respect to the skilfulness of the new drivers , and the improper conduct alleged against thoniselves Another was , to let the shareholders know the damage daily done to their property on the line , and

      last , and most important of all , to make the public aware of . theunskilfulness of the present staff of men engaged to drive the engines on the line . It might be asked' why they had suffered the statements in 'Bentley" to remain so long uncontradicted . The reason wa " s that they imagined no one could be deceived by them ; but finding that theii ? silence had been construed into an acknowledgment of their truth , they had collected a number of . factswliich ' would prove the falsehood of that part of the article in " Bentley" which stated that the men were skilful and satisfied with their treatment . The Ions list of accidents showed their want of skill , and the retirement , of many , whose agreeriients were out ; proved that Mr ; Ohndwiek had de-¦

      ceived them when they werc engaged . The Chairman proceeded to read a long catalogue of accidents of various descriptions , commencing on the 20 th 6 f August last and ending on the 10 th inst ., the facts of each being specifically and circumstantially given ; ' A great number-of engines were stated to nave been disabled , 'the fire-boxes burnt and otherwise damaged , with a consequent enormous loss to the company . When they left , there were three new and . superior engines in the Romford shed that had never been used at all , and sixteen extra engines only occasionally used . These had all been brought into work , and the directors had also hired six engines from the Newmarket Company , and were still unable to provide for much

      more than the passenger traffic . As a consequence , ' the goods traffic was negleoted , and where these , goods were of a perishable nature , there was an additional loss to the company . ' Thirty-five accidents ¦ were enumerated as having occurred during the period embraced in the list . The chairm » n ' having concluded his statement , called on anyone in the-meeting to give any recent information ho might be possessed of , when : Several stated instances of irregularity which were clearly the result of the incapacity of the new drivers .. Nor was this , it was added ,-a matter of surprise , seeing that masy of them had either had no previous experience as engine-drivers , or had been discharged for unsteadiness arid misconduct : from other lines . ¦ : ¦ ' ¦

      Mr . Moiiks complained that the new superintendent had , in fact ,: entered into a conspiracy to deprive them of all chances of getting employment on other lines nnd thus to coerce them to submit to , his terms . A list of all the enginemen and firemen had been sent to the superintendents of every other lino , nnd when they went and asked for work their names were first asked and the list looked at . They were then told' no . one was wanted , though they knew cases in which others not in . ' the black- list ; were engaged , immediately afterwards . He hoped that the new chairman elected in the place of Mr . Betts would put an end to the difference , ami make it up with the old hands . For his own part , if ho were to go back he would willingly give a week ' s work to help to make up the heavy losses the company had sustained : / rom tho new hands . ( Several voices , " So would we . " )

      Mr . Howard ; said it was not safe for . any of them to go back at present . He was one of those who left with the rost . Since that-time ho hail been back again to work . under ;; Mr , Gooch , and he found that gent ' eman had not relaxed in his system of : tyraiiny .:.. ' foiy taking into account- the extra work , and the reduced wages ,- , it made 2 s ., Oil . a day less than he would have earned uiu ' ei' the old . management . But that was not all . The new hands had threatened him . with viojeneo , and . his engine had . a serious trick piayed to it . .-On bringing it out ho found the steam ; escaping from the fire-plates . Luckily , lie had the / presence of mind to open the safety-valves , before opening the . doors ; but on endeavouring to do so he found they were locked . Any , one acquainted with a ste : » m-engii . G know the danger of a violent explosion with locked . valves . He did not think himself s : > fe . . Gave notice , to Mr . Gooch of the fact ,. and was not allowed to work

      again . , . . ¦ Several speakers corroborated the statement that the list of the nien on strike was in the hands of the railway , superintendents , not only in England but in Scotland , and was always referred to on . apr plication for employment , and a strong hope was expressed , that the new direction would put an end to this unfortunate state of aff » irs . ' , ' .. . . A vote of thauks to the chairman closed the proceedings . , " . ' ¦ ' . ¦

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      '"' " " ' ' ' ' " " " ' ¦ ¦¦ ¦ . v " : - /• - ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦" : ¦ .. ¦¦ ¦ : . ¦ •" . '¦[ f \ a 'j YiteA Is ¦; i ) ij 7 -I-TT-I T ¦ ¦ " "" ¦ "" Z - w ^ m ^ Mw ^ ; - ¦;¦ ¦ - - r v ; : - ^ - ^ 1 lL ¦ - - ¦¦¦ ¦ - ¦ - rr ^— i ^ mm »» . , —— ss ^^ SS g

      Untitled Article

      Star Inn , Temple-street , 'Wolverhampton . ' . . November 12 th , 1850 . Deah Pbel ,--I have left the reporting department to Mr ; Winters for the last fortni ght , as the whole of my time has been occupiedJattendihff to the several elections . There is to bo another ' On Thursday , but we do not expect . to be opposed , but we are well / prepared for every emergency . You are perhaps already aware that Mr . W : Shoolbred is our candidate , and let what iriay' co ' me : it is our determination to have him in the Council . Little did we suppose ' when entering first on this business , that two brothers—enemies to the working manwould be displaced in their public offices by two

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 16, 1850, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1600/page/5/