Current:

Northern Star (1837-1852), 31st January 1852, Edition 1 of 2, Page 5, Untitled Article

Page 5
Page 5
5 of 8

On this page

  • Text (12)
  • Transcript

    • Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.

      Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.

      Untitled Article

      aniHua ^ HK , ™ « £ " « Ofl the 23 rd the mayor and borough magistrates of Bttftderland were occup ied for some hours in mitigating ^ a cYossq of conspiracy brought against John Chalk ( a dele . Bate ) , and Wflliam Burton , Thomas Horse , and John Thomas Chapman , seamen , members of the Friendly Society established by the seameu of that port , in having , with a crowd of other people , intimidated seamen belonging to the George Andrews , and obstructed and hindered tn » . owners from getting their vessel to sea . The men who were committed for trial at the assizes , were liberated on hail .

      Untitled Article

      THE AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS . THE STRIKE . Losdos . —A deputation of labourers on Saturday night -waited upon the Executive Council to request aid in collecting . public subscriptions . They stated that they had previously bad an interview with the committee of employers , at Bucklersbury , who had expressed their sorrow at the destitute position of the labourers , for which , however , the masters did not consider themselves by any means responsible . They advised a direct appeal to the public for subscriptions , and offered to throw in the aid of their influence and pecuniary contributions at the same time . The Executive Council expressed their pleasure at this statement , and , upon their part , repeated their offer to forward the appeal by every means in their power . The deputation appeared to be highly pleased at the nature of their reception by both parties . Amongst other and numerous contributions received towards the support of the men thrown out of employment , was one of £ 20 from the London Society of Journeymen Hatters .

      An intimation haa been given to Mr . Allan , secretary to the Amalgamated Society , that in the event of the strike continuing for any length of time , the subject will be formally introduced to the attention of Parliament . Several London trade societies have volunteered contributions in support of the workmen , and even to advance loans from their funds to the Amalgamated Society , if necessary . Up to Saturday evening 103 brapches of the Amalgamated Society had sent in their votes in respect of the grant of £ 10 , 000 out of the society ' s funds towards the establishment of co-operative workshops . Only twelve remain to be recorded . Of those forwarded eight are against the grant , and the remainder are In favour . The eight , however , comprise small branches ; and the whole of them , we are told , So not muster more tban 120 or 130 members , many of the branches who have sent in their adhesion having , singly , doable that number . Those branches which have not sent in their votes as yet are located in Newcastle , Bradford , fionfhwark , and other places .

      The Second Aggregate Meeting of the workmen engaged in the various branches of the Iron Trade was held on Monday , at St . Martin ' s Hall , Long Acre . The chair was taken at one o ' clock , hy Mr . Mtjsto , the President of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers . The hall wsb , as on the former occasion , densely crowded by an orderly body of the class of operatives interested . On the platform , in addition to the members of the council of the Amalgamated Society , were Lord Gooderich , Mr . William Coningbam ( of Brighton ) , Mr . Vansittart Keale , Mr . T . Hughes , Mr . F . Furnival , Mr . T . Hunt , Dr . Travis , Mr . "Morgan , Mr . Weller , Sir . Woodwin , M . Le Chevalier , and several other gentlemen , unconnected with the engineering trade , who have prominently expressed themselves favourable to the objects of the workmen .

      Mr . Musto ( on taking the chair ) said he sincerely regretted that this second meeting had become necessary , for ha believed they might all be very much better employed in producing that which labour alone could produce , Viz ., wealth . But he might declare , without the least affectation , that it was not their fault that this meeting had to be held . ( Hear , hear . ) They were all willing to work , and ready to work , whenever their employers should think proper , to the very best of their ability , and as they had hitherto done . ( Hear , hear . ) This meeting was now called , the masters Laving refused to let them work , for the purpose of enabling them to lay before the trade and the public generally , the exact facts of their present position . Certain resolutions would be submitted to them , and if they thought it discreet to agree to tho 3 e resolutions , they wonld in that manner

      renew the assurances of their hearty co-operation with the Executive Committee of the Amalgamated Society throughout this serious struggle that was upon them . ( Cheers . ) Mr . George Usbeb ( a young working man ) came forward and moved the first resolution as follows : — " The employers of operative engineers having enunciated their right to do what they like with their own , and denied the operative the right to do what he likes in employing his own wages , and devoting his spare time as he will , and having demanded an unconditional submission , this meeting declares that snch a submission would be at once both impolitic and disgraceful . They were not now in the position in Which they had found themselves on the last occasion . A fortnight had passed away—a fortnight marked by many privations , by considerable suffering , and by unwearied

      exertion ; and yet , as they now met , a smile of hope and of satisfaction seemed to pervade the whole of this vast assemblage . ( Cheers . ) The evil prediction of " Amicus " had not been fulfilled . ( Hear , hear . ) The greatest unanimity still prevailed among them . They had no disaffection in their own ranks . They were still confident of success ; they all knew that success was inevitable . ( Cheers . ) They were bound together by the tie 3 of common interest and common necessity , in addition to the ties which bound them who had long worked together in this cause , which plainly , and to all men s apprehension , was the cause of labour embattling with capital . ( Cheers . ) There could be eo mistake about the meaning of the struggle : —it was a struggle upon the decision of which would depend the rights of the whole of the working classes of thi 3 country .

      ( Cheers . ) When they last met in that hall the contest had the simple aspect of a contest between the operative engineers and their employers ; but now it was a complex contest , in which every man living b y his labour , skilled or unskilled , wa 3 intimately and deeply concerned . Their position , in fact , was , in thefirat instance , like that of Hungary , when Hungary took up arms against Austria to assert her own national independence . Their position now was that of Hungary , when Hungary had not only to attack Austria , but to resist Russia , and ween , therefore she fought the cause of tha civilisation of Europe . ( Cheers . ) The masters had leagued together , and had de fined the rights of capital , inviting the imitation of all capitalist employers ; and in the issue of this encounter between the operative engineers and their employers every man

      -compelled to labour for his daily bread would find that ho -was involved . And if the engineers won it would be as great a gain to other labourers as to themselves . ( Cheers . ) The engineers , however , required public support . They Lad had the support of the public beyond all their anticipations . ( Hear , hear . ) 3 So previous struggle between capital and labour had elicited so intense a sympathy from all classes . They had received support from the aristocracy ; from the middle classes ; and they had had the cooperation and the sympathy of the very lowest-paid trades in tie kingdom . Even the poor Spitalfields wearers had « ome forward proffering a helping hand . ( Cheers . ) The speaker concluded by expressing an opinion that spies in tbe hire of the employers were watching the movements of the men , and by warning his fellow-workmen not to offer any pretext for any complaint whatever .

      Mr . Bbowx seconded the resolution . The employers bad declared that they had an absolute right to do what they Jiked with their own . But that right could not be conceded The operative engineers would not concede that they were the property of the employers . The trade generally had came forward in the most noble manner to stand by those who had been thrown out t-f employment . The sum of . £ 750 had been received that morning at the offices of the Amalgamated Society in Little Alie-street . This was a Toluntaiy contribution , and was to be applied , independently of tbe funds of the society , to tha maintenance of those who were temporarily out of work . ( Loud cheers . ) As yet , the system for the support of those thrown out had not been got into proper woiking order ; but , after thi 3 , there could be no doubt that each man would receive 10 s . a week . ( Cheer * . ) If , indeed , the funds came in , as be believed they would come in , it would be their duty to pay the n » n-8 ociety men as well as the members of the society . ( Cheers . )

      Mr . Xewios then addressed the meeting . The cheering with which he was greeted on rising lasted for a considerable time . He said : It was not often that they saw gatherings of thi 3 description for tbe purpose of supporting the labourer ; and whatever might be tbe result of the contest in which they were engaged , they would undoubtedly have done this good—that by calling the workmen together they had enabled them to arrive at sound and satisfactory conclusions as to what their rights and privileges really were . ( Hear , hear . ) He considered that , for several rea * - ' sons , this meeting wa 3 of a more important character than

      Untitled Article

      the last ; and , fdr one reason , because they had now before them a document m respeot to the matter in dispute issued by the employers , and bearing the signature of their secre-Tl u . ¦ * ( Much hissing . ) This document opened up the whole question of capital and labour . Itoontained the views and the principles of the employers of operative engineers , and it represented , he believed , to a great extent , we ideas of the employers of this country generally ; and , therefore , he would deal with it as involving the whole question of capital vcrsux labour . They were told by the employers in this document , and they had been told that flay by the " Times , " that they had no right to combine , ine employers said they wonld not deal with the men as an association ;" and that they would not acknowledge , meaning tne Amal gamated Society , an irresponsible arbitrator . Irresponsibl e arbitrator ! Any body which represented the feelings of any class of men could not be deemed an

      irresponsible body . The Amalgamated Society represented not only its own members , butmany thousands who were not its members , but who were dependent on the trade of which the Amal gamated Society was the mouthpiece ; and it was talking pa ) pable nonsense to speak of such an association aa otherwise than a most responsible and very important body . ( Cheers . ) But while the employers were denying to the men the right to combine , they themselves were governing one another by one combination . If vou now met an employer in the streets and asked him the reason why he would not open his manufactory , allow his men to work six days for six days' wages , the answer , in nine cases out of ten was , that he knew very well that the work wanted to be done , that he knew his men wanted to work , and that he himself would like to set to the work , but that he had pledged himself to . a certain course in the employers' association , and that until some one gave way

      with him , ne couia not , be the first ( Hear , hear , and laughter . ) This was combination with its evils ; and a protest against combination came with an exceeding ill grace from men or from the organ of men , who had entered into such a confederacy . ( Cheers . ) In tbe document he beld in his hand the employers said that on the 10 th of January the honourable pledge which they had made to each other was fulfilled , and all their establishments were closed . Why this must be combination . ( Cheers and laughter ) And it was exactly tbat species of combination which the men had been in the habit of forming . The employers even used the very terms which the men had always used—the men having always considered that the resolutions they came to at their meetings were honourable pledges , and that when those pledges were broken the parties breaking them behaved dishonourably . The masters , then , were unionists . fOheers \

      lhe masters had imitated the men . ( Cheers . ) But , worst of all , they had imitated the worst examples of the men In making the fair demands which they now made for the abolition of systematic overtime and piecework , they had acted in an equitable and with an intelligent spirit . Thev had adopted no tyrannical measures—the y lad not spoken in any dictatorial spirit : they had , in fact , displayed an advanced moral feeling . They had declared at the outset that they would abide by justice , and that they would use no intimidation . They had intimated that the workshops should not be guarded by picquets . They had in their meeting defined the common duty of all—of society men , and of non-society men—to stick together to the last ,-, but they had made it as clearly understood that if any man among them was of opinion that he would be doine moae in

      uniting with his fellow men , or in refusing to accept the conditions of the employers , he was free to do so , and would not meet either with opposition or persecution from those who remained in an attitude of resistance . ( Cheers ) They had a right to meet ; they had a right to lay their statements before the public ; and no one would deny the expediency in such a ease of the minority being guided by the will of the majority . ( Cheers . ) But the emplovers went far beyond the men in what they claimed . In the manifesto to which he had referred there were some very curious doctrines laid down . They said , "We alone are the competent judges of our own business ; " " we are respectively the masters of our own establishments , and it is our determination to remain so . " Well , if this were so , then the operative engineers were alone competent to decide on the conditions on which their own labour should be sold ( Cheers . ) The employers further said , " Ours is the responsibility of the details , ours the risk of Joss , oure . the capital its perib , and its engagements . We claim and are resolved

      to a 3 sert the right of every British subject to do what wo will with our own . " The answer of the men might be" ours is the responsibility of idleness—ours is the risk of scarcity ; ours is the labour , its perils and its engagements . We claim and are resolved to assert the right of evert British subject to do what he likes with his own : " ( Cheers and laughter . ) Were the operative engineers British subjects , or were they not ? ( Cheers and laughter . ) According to the employers they had a right over their capital over their respective establishments , over their own hands ' and over their own money ; for they said that the money which they paid to their men was applied improperly to tho encouragement of associations which sometimes acted in opposition to the employers . But whose hands were meant ? The masters' hands , or the men ' s hands ? ( Great it meant that

      laughter . ) Was the masters' own hands took | the masters' own money ? ( Continued laughter ) Here was an enormous claim . The capital was his , the plant was his , the government was his , the wages were his and the hands were his ; and he was enabled to do what heliked with his own . ( Great cheering and laughter . ) Never before was so despotic a doctrine placed before working men . FHere , the employers would not call [ their workpeople men ; they only dignified them as hands . ( Hear , hear ) Surely the man who had earned his wages had , on receiving those wages as good a right to bestow them where he liked as the man of another class had who received across his counter payment for goods sold . ( Cheers . ) And what if they did appropriate portions of those wages to combination ? See what Mr . Platt was doing . He had been down at Leeds

      and at other places inducing the masters who were not in dispute with their men to call upon all their men to sign a document pledging themselves not to assist those remaining out of employment . ( Hear , hear . ) This demand of the masters meant nothing less than an attempt to control the time of their men , for they asked that when the men left the workshops they should not meet together to discuss and decide on the interests of their trade . ( Hear hear . ) Now , it was clear no body of working men had ever attempted such dictation as this confessedly was ( Bear hear . ) They all knew that there was no such thing per ' missible or practicable as a man doing what he likes with his own . Such a principle was the principle of barbarism and had no existence in a civilised state of society . It was saying that a man could taEe his own sword

      and plunge ifc into another man ' s body . It was saying that a man could set his own house on fire . The whole law of the country was a law to place restrictions on a man doing what he liked with hie own . No man was entitled to do what he liked with bis own , if his actions interfered with another man ' s just rights . In point of fact , therefore , the enunciation of such a principle pulled society to pieces and declared anarchy . ( Cheers . ) The employers repudiated all arguments or arbitrations . They said it was dictation in the men to reason with them . But the men never had dictated . Tbe men had always been their obedient semnts—had always done what they could to serve the employers' interests—had invariably treated them with deference and respect—and were prepared to do so still , so long as they would deal with those

      employed by them as men , in reality , and not as soulless machines . ( Hear , hear . ) The employers knew very well that the men understood what were the gains of the * capitalist by this system of overtime . By overtime , the employers made £ 1 , 000 do the work of £ 2 , 000 . With tbe same premises , the same rent , the same plant , with the samo money , they could by working overtime produce double what they could produce if they did not work overtime , supposing them to employ the same number of hands . The public remark that the capitalist would not resort to overtime unless it was an absolutely necessary system . But the public must see that these gentlemen were too grasping , and that systematic overtime was the expedient of men who wanted more per centage than their capital entitled them to . The answer of the employers to the men

      was that they could not do away with overtime , because it would involve exorbitant expenses in increasing the plant ho that when they could not draw on their bankers they drew on the life-blood of the working man . ( Cheers } When they could not get money they got labour . ( Cheers !) Overtime threw out of employment some hundreds of men , who in a natural system would be fully worked this produced a redundancy of labour in the market ; and as wages were regulated by the number out of employment the general earnings were reduced : and in the end , if the employers did pay fifty or thirty per cent , extra to the men for overtime work , they still gained immensely in consequence of maintaining , the general reduction . ( Cheers . ) These reasons were adequate'to justify the attempt of tbe men to get rid of overtime ; and to these reasons they

      added the higher moral and social reasons , in respect to the necessity of giving to the artisan the opportunities which he required for improving his intellect , and rendering him a better citizen . ( Cheers . ) And this waa certain , that unless this concession was made , they would not return to the establishments . ( Cheer ? . ) The employers said they would look elsewhere , and search for workmen in France and Belgium . On this point a letter had appeared in the French newspapers , signed by a Havre merchant , suggesting tbat the French government should issue a decree allowing iron and other articles necessary to the machine making trade to be used and made up in bond . The employers in England confessed that their trade depended on punctuality , and that they would lose their customers and contracts unless they could be ready

      with the articles at a precise time ; and they referred to Germany and to Piedmont as being quite within competitive distance of them . Well , the men had to thank the employers for one thing—tbat they had been made migratory . The engineering trade was a wandering trade ; a man was never kept an hour beyond that in which he could be kept at work ; and the result wa 3 that those who ware now in London had been at one time or another in all the yards of the kingdom . And should tbe employers persist in their tyrannical course , it would cost little to tbe operatives to follow the work to Belgium or to Piedmont , if the work was forced over to those countries . ( Cheers . ) The Srt ?^^^?^??^?^ h «« l ^ s national spirit .

      ,. But , if the chain which linked him to his country was violently broken , he could not Btop there . ( Cheers . ) The English artisan was appreciated better abroad than at home : he could get higher wages abroad . Let the employers then look to themselves , and take this onus on themselves . The men had nothing to fear from the work leaving Englandthe employers had everything to fear . The employers told them their wages were high , and that high wages deducted from profit 3 . Thi 3 was not eo . Were wages reduced tomorrow the profits would remain unaffected because there would be the same competition as before , and the contracts would be taken at a propor tionatereduction . ( Hear , hear . ) High wages rather increased profits tban otherwise . When

      Untitled Article

      high wages existed more capital became necessary on entering a trade ; and the greater the oapital , the fewer the capitalists ; and the more the monopoly ; and the greater the monopoly , the higher the profits . ( Cheers . ) in this way the Amalgamated Society operated as a safeguard to the employers ; and indeed if the combination of the employers continued , the association of capitalists would be the best friends of the workmen . When the Amalgamated Society had to deal with an individual employer there was always a difficulty ; for when one indivdual reduced wages his example was referred to in excuse by another ; and if they had a general society to deal with governing alike all the employers , they would get a fair hearing . Were two responsible bodies , representing employers and employed , to meet for the settlement of differences as

      they arose , matter ' s would always go much smoother than they hitherto had done . ( Hear , hear . ) In respect to piecework , the men did not complain of it in the abstract . They pointed out its abuses : and as they could not induce the masters to d 6 away with the evil 3 which sprang from the system they were compelled to demand the abolition of the system itself . ( The speaker here referred to many instances of apparently great injustice perpetrated on the men in consequence of tho price for piece work being arbitrarily fixed . ) Piece work did not exist in London . But m Manchester pioce-work did exist , and inflicted unendurable evils . There , and in other places , the cotton and flax machines were the same over and over again and th « prices being fixed , the penalty for refusing a price being dismissal , the man waa ground down into the dust

      . ( Hear , hear . ) Messrs . Hibbert and Platt , employing 1 500 men , made a return to the income tax commissioners of an income of £ 45 , 000 a year . This was equal to £ 30 per man per year . Why , what right , with such results , had Messrs . Hibbert and Platt to complain of so called restrictions ? ( Cheers . ) This showed the value of British industry , and it taught a lesson to tho men as to what they might do if they would subscribe the oapital to employ their own labour . ( Cheers . ) The newspapers were already calling upon the masters to open their establishments to the non-society men . Why didn't they take this advice ? Was it because it would show them in a ridiculous light—because they feared no one would go ? ( Cheers . ) The society would not object to the non-society men goinw in . Tbe Amalgamated Society regretted deeply that indirectly

      these proceedings had occasioned the dismissal of the labourers , and they would'do all they could to aid them . But the first duty of all was to stand by the society . ( Loud cheers . ) Even Lord Cranworth admitted that the law was not against them . In that unwise letter which had been so foolishly made so much of , his lordship said that the law had wisely given the right to combine , inasmuoh as it would be absurd iii the law to attempt to prohibit that which would exist , whether legally or illegally . It was not only the law of the legistature—it was the law of nature . Their plans were still imperfectly organised ; but he had no doubt that after this week the contribution would be at the rate of £ 2 , 000 a week . ( Cheers . ) The other trades were coming forward . The fine spinnei % 3 of Manchester had agreed to cive them £ 10 a week foi * a

      month , at the end of the month to reconsider the matter in the event of the contest continuing . The joiners of Manchester would give £ 25 a week . This would go on ; and tb > JP would not only thus preserve the institution they valued , while supporting their members irrespective of tbe funds of the society , but they would add tenfold to tho moral power and position of the institution . ( Cheers . ) All the employers wanted was to destroy the society . But let them beware . Let them pause before they reduced the labourer into a discontented man . That would be good neither for the capitalist nor for the government of this country . ( Cheers . ) The men had been called socialists . If socialism meant anarchy , spoliation , disorder , they were no socialists . But if socialism meant the right of individuals to associate together to find legitimate employment

      for themselves , then that meeting was a meeting of socialists , prepared to carry out socialism . ( Much cheering . ) On all the calumnies directed against them they could afford to look down with contempt . The men would not des- rt their leaders because those leaders were picked out as targets for slander and libel . They had seen the results of internal squnbblings in associations , and they would stick 'together . The secret of their success bo far was union , and on union must they depend . ( Cheer * . The men had given in their ultimatum , and they were preparing for the alternative ; and tho roasters would have to bear this in mind , that if they kept their shops closed for twelve months they would find that the men were not to be had . ( Cheers . ) The work of the country was not stoppedall tho shops were not closed . If it was not done in London ,

      or Oldham , or Manchester , it was done in Glasgow ; and where there wa 3 work tho men would follow it . Tho Amalgamated Society , by a majority of nine-tenths , had voted £ 10 , 000 for the purpose of establishing co-operative workshops ; and if . the £ 10 , 000 was backed by £ 40 , 000 , it would be invested in nn establishment in Lancashire , in which 1 , 000 men would find employment , and do the work hitherto done by Messrs . Hibbert and Platt . ( Cheers . ) That accomplished , a great example would be set to the working classes of this country ; and those classes , he knew , would soon set about their own emancipation . ( Cheering . ) The employers might give in to-morrow , but thi 3 great work would still be done . It was commenced , and it would not be left unfinished . ( Cheering . ) In the meantime , they would support those out of employment ; and if the

      subscriptions came as the council expected , they would bo applied also , as far as possible , and as far as they could be saved , to the furthering the plans of co-operativo workshops . ( Cheers . ) Several of such ^ shops were already in existence ; forty men had combined in one , twenty in another , and sixty in a third—all of these being in the vicinity of London . Progress was being made in the same direction in Lancashire . Tbe Oldham men had money enough saved by themselves to start a business that would employ them all . ( Great cheering . ) In Rochdale they bad commenced . Of course they could not do anything without capital ; but they could begin with a little , and go on . All the existing great establishments had begun as small shops —forge added to forge , lathe to lathe , and wing to wing , by small degrees , and in the oourse of years , the men

      would get on quite as well , and quite as fast . ( Cheers . ) The Greenwich men had given orders for tho shops to bo built , building them so that they could bo increased with a slight additional expenditure ; and as the Greenwich men were attendants of lecture-rooms , discussion-clashes , and news-rooms—men self-taught and self-dependent—they were quite sure to succeed . ( Cheers . ) They would all succeed . But this was a great business matter , and they must deal with it quietly , not as agitators , but as men of business . They must keep quiet , keep to themselves , in their own rooms , and not be seen loitering in the streets . They must molest no one—there niUBt be no piquetting . They must not imitate Mr . Platt , and conspire . Nothing could be more iniquitous than the attempt at Leeds . Nothing could be

      more unjust than what the employers had succeeded in doing at Liverpool . At Liverpool the men avowed themselves ready to continue working under tho old regulations , as they had existed for years in the foundries there , stating distinctl y that they desired no change . But the employers told them that they were members of tho Amalgamated Society , and that , therefore , they must turn out . ( Cries of 11 Shame . " } This was despotism—despotism of the worst kind—tbe despotism which drove men mad with anger and urged them to destroy the whole system which sanctioned such a despotism ; ( Cheers . ) Discontent was now following upon oppression ; and if tho discontent was deepened by further tyranny , there could be no answering for the consequences . ( Mr . Newton resumed his seat amidst loud and continued cheering . )

      The resolution was then put , and carried unanimously . Mr . Hoskiso moved the second resolution : — " The employers of operative engineers having closed their establishments , and refused all mediation in the settlement of the dispute between them and their workmen , and having further asserted their determination to treat with men individually only , and not as a society , this meeting is of opinion that all trades are interested in the i 3 sue of the contest , and that all should support it to tho best of their ability . " Mr . Bkaddon seconded the resolution . Mr . John Booth ( who was introduced as an old member returned from the United States ) , briefly addressed the meeting . He concluded by saying that ho wished them success in the struggle ; and ho hoped that when he got back again to tbe oilier side of lhe water he woul J soon hear that they had given the employers a jolly good licking . ( Great oheering . ) The resolution was then put and carried with enthusiastio unanimity . After three cheers for the chairman , and three cheers for the reporters , the meeting broke up .

      Untitled Article

      has been issued . -H * address calls on the non-sooiefc ' men to send ft deputatifti ; to their employers , requesting them to open their shops ofl tiio game terms as before and if this should fail , then to appi&J to the public for themselves . It also calls upon them to form themselves into a society , which would enable them to ii ) d defiance to those who attempt to exclude men from the highest branches of the trade who are better able to work at H than many of themselves . " " . .

      Untitled Article

      New Democratic Periodical . —By reference to our advertising columns it will be perceived that Mr . G . J . Harney is about to resume his literary labours in defence of tho principles which he has for many years so prominently and so ably advocated . Whatever differences of opinion may have existed between ourselves and that gentleman , either on questions of principle or practical policy , we have always done due honour to the sturdy and earnest faithfulness with which ho has supported his own views , and his readiness to devote himself unreservedly to the promotion of the principles and measures ho considered essential to tho emancipation of the unenfranchised millions . We trust he will receive that liberal support his past services deserve . There is plenty of room for moro

      democratic papers than those which exist , and no unworthy jealousy Bhould pvevent their conductors from exchanging friendly recognition , and , where necessary , mutual good offices , even when , a 9 in our case and that of Mr . Harney , our views on many questions oi practical policy do not coincide . Tub Great Lunact Case . —On Saturday , the sixteenth day , the commission of lunacy on Mrs . Cumming terminated its labours . The jury returned the following unanimous verdict :- " That Cathorine Cumming i 3 now of unsound mind , and incapable of taking caro of her property , and that she has been so sinco the 1 st of May , 1 S 40 . " Tho lady immediately signed a retainer to her coucsel in proceedings to traverse tho iniquisition . The sixteen days have cost £ 5 , 600 in all ! The unfortunate old lady seems , in fact , to have been the victim of laws and lawyers . la

      184 (> , they squabbled , and quarrelled , and disputed , and contested whether she was sane or insane , over a former commission , at an expense of between £ 2 , 000 and £ 3 , 000 , without settling the question ; and ever since she has been in legal hot water . First she had nn action of trover to recover her title deeds . Then she had an indictment for perjury banging over her head . Next came tie preliminary struggle for a now commission before the Loid Chancellor . Lastly followed the commission itself . In less than five years she has had no fewer than seven nttorncys-at-law teasing , and tormenting , andpleagumg her ; assisted , probably , ^ twice as many barristers , whom elie never saw . And all this fuss , and contention , and litigation , ill-blood , bad feeling , irritation , and animosity is about a lady , seventy-three years of age , paralyzed in both limbs , and troubled with disease in the bladder—but with £ 400 or

      £ 500 a-year in fee-simple . New Mods or Marking Convicts iif Kestucky . —A resolution has been introduced into the Kentucky legislature , which provides " that the keeper of the Penitentiary shall procure a suitable chemical dye , such aa will stain the cuticle , or outer skin , perfectly black , so that it cannot bo washed off or in any way be removed until nature furnishes a new cuticle or surface ; and that with this dm he shall have the noso of each convict painted thoroughly black , and renew the application as often as it may be necessary to keep it so , until within & certain period of the exp iration of his sentence , when it shall be discontinued for the purpose of normittinff nature to restore to the feature its original

      hue , preparatory to the second advent of its owner into tho world . " Fall 0 * Rock in Dbrbysiiikb . — The heavy rams of Tuesday evenin" occasioned a serious accident tothecottoa mill of Messrs . Hibbert nnd Allcock , of New Mills , Derbyshire . A large piece of rock whioh had become liberated , from an eminence having fallen down upon the building , damaged a large portion of it , and destroyed upwards of . forty looms . For tunately the accident happened about five o ' clock on Wednesday morning , just previous to the arrival of the workpeople ,, other * iso the consequence might have been disastrous . Near 200 hands , will , wo regret to say , ba thrown out of employment for at least thvee months . —Jfce « eltifield Courier . ¦

      Singular Occurrence . —As some workmen were felling timber near Herne Bay , they discovered in the centre of ono of the trees a cavity , ia which were the remains of a cat . The skeleton was entire , arid some hair , of a sandy colour , yet remained on the Bkin . Jt is conjectured that tha animal , having entered a hollow part of the tree , was unable to extricate itself , and the wood , in process oi years , had grown round it . We understand that the skeleton of tha cat will be gent to the Canterbury Museum . — Canterbury ' / owrmtf , ry ^ - •— ; y * 1 ' " ' i ¦ ¦ \ - ' / , ¦ - " ; v er . v ,... ¦ : - ¦ '¦

      Untitled Article

      HARMOSI BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND WORKPEOPLE . Tie workpeople of Messrs . George Woolley and Sons , cotton-spinners , Manchester , entertained their employers and a number of friends on Saturday evening , at a soiree , in the Mather-street Temperance Hall . The arrangements for the entertainment had been set onjoot and completed by the workmen themselves , entirely without the knowledge Of their employers or the foreman . Mr . Swindells , the foreman , presided . Xearly 500 of the hands were present . The principal guests were Mr . Thomas Woolley and Mrs . Woolley ; Mr . Arthur Woolley , Mr . and Mrs . George Wilson , Mr . and Mrs . M'Cartney , Mr . and Mrs . Woodcock , Mr . and Mra . John Bell , and Mr . S . P . Robinson . The chairman complimented the workpeople on the good understanding that existed between them and their employers , pointing out the desirableness at all times of the most friendly intercourse between them . He wassurehe expressed the feeling of the workpeop le in wishing Messrs . Woolley long life and prosperity . Mr . T . Woolley , the principal partner , responded , expressing his great gratification at meeting his workmen under such circumstances . Jf aujtbin * he had done , or hi 3 mode of dealing with them , ¦ bad been satisfactory , he was greatly rejoiced , andhe hoped 4 he neatest harmony would always prevail among them , though he felt he did not deserve this mark of respectmore than manv other masters in the town . Mr . G . Wilson congratulated " the workpeople on tbe pleasing scene before them , and urged upon them the importance of availing themselves of the many means of isstruction and self-improvement which were afforded to the working classes in towns like Manchester . He remarked how much better it was to see masters and workpeople assembled in this friendly manner than to witness those fearful dislocations of society and interference with property and trade which had been uresented by strikes in other branches of business . The meeting was afterwards addressed by Mr . Barker , foreman Of a mill at Stockport , and Mr . S . P . Robinson .

      Untitled Article

      Subsequent to the conclusion of the public meeting at St . Martin ' s Hall , on Monday , tho Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers , &c , held a special sitting at the offices of the society , 23 , Little Alie-street , Whitechapel , to consider tho propriety of increasing the allowance for the past week to the society and non-society men thrown out of employment by the strike , who liad been already paid , as for the week preceding , the former 10 s ., and the latter 7 a . per man . It was found that , in addition to the sum of £ 750 stated by Mr . Newton at the meeting above referred to to have arrived at the general office b y tho morning post , a further sum of £ 150 had arrived from the country by the afternoon post , as well as intimations

      that further sums might be expected , the whole consisting of contributions of one day ' s pay out of last week ' s wages by the hands remaining at work ; the council , therefore , resolved that an addition of 5 s . per man should bo made to the allowance of the society men , and 3 s . per man to that of the non-society men , which would require a sum of £ 750 over and above the amount paid to the same persons for the previous week ; and leave a balance in hand of £ 150 from the sum received on Monday . Instructions were at once issued to the various London district secretaries , and , by electrio telegraph , forwarded to the Lancashire secretaries , to act upon this resolution of the council , and the Manchester secretary was further empowered to advance the sum of £ 200 to the grinders and others thrown out by the strike .

      It is expected that this increased allowance will "ire general satisfaction to the workmen , and we understand that the council arc not prepared to make any further addition to it , intending to apply the future weekly Burplus arising from contributions of a day ' s pay , which is expected to prove very considerable , to relieve the pressure upon the accumulated fund of the society , caused by the payment of 10 s . per week , provided by tho rules for the support of society men thrown out of work through causes similar to those now in oporation . A deputation from the labourers wero informed that the council had received about £ 40 from public , subscriptions for the relief of tbe labourers , and which would on application be handed over to their committee-

      Untitled Article

      THE MASTERS' UKASE . London —On Thursday the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers , &c , held a special sitting to consider tho steps necessary to be taken in consequence of a document , developing the intentions of the Employers with respect to the strike , having come into their possession , and iu which the following conditions are laid down : — 1 . That no member of this association shall engage , admit into , or , after he shall have become cognisnnt of the same , continue in his service or employment , in any capacity whatever , any member of any trade ' s union or trade ' s society which takes cognisance of , professes to control , or practises interference with tho regulations of any establishment , the hours or terms of labour , the contracts or agreements of employers or employed , or the qualification or terms of service . 2 . That no deputations of workmen , of trades ' unions , committees , or other bodies , with reference to any objects referred to in article 1 , be received by any member of this association on any account whatever ; but thut any person forming part of , instigating , or causing such deputation , shall be dismissed forthwith ; it being still perfectly open to any workman , individually , to apply on such subject to his employer , who is recommended to be . it all times open and accessible to any personal representation of his indiviiliml nnpr- ' vf . ivAH

      3 . That employers be especially solicited , as much as possible , to avoid the delegation of the engagement or contract of their workmen to others , and to take a more personal superintendence of control or enaaagements with their hands ; and , in the most especial manner , that they impress upon every person engaged by them their auxiety that , in case of any molestation , ' annoyance , or obstruction in pursuing their avocations or procuring employment , they should at once apply and complain to the principals of the establishment , who should sift such complaint to the bottom , and to dismiss all persons who had been proved to have offered or abeted such molestation or obstruction . 4 That no member of this asssociation shall engage or continue in his employment any person whatsoever , until he has read , in presence of one witness nt least , to such person tbe rules , if any , of his establishment , and also the following : — 'Declaration , by the undersigned , on engaging in the employ , ment of ( here insert name , addres . f , and trade of employer ) I . A . B . ( hero insert Christian and surname of person declaring ) do hereby honestly , and in its simplest sense and plainest meaning , declare , thatl am neither now , nor will , wliile in your employment , become a number or contributor , op otherwise bclonc- to or support any Trade's Union rules , or sociuty , win h , directly or indirectly , by its rules , or in its meetings or transactions of its business , or by mean ? of its officers or funds , takes cognisance or professes to control , or interferes with the arrangements or regulations of this , or any other manufacturing or trading establishment , the hours or terms of labour , the contracts or agreements of employers or employed , or tbe qualifications or period of service . 1 do nlso further declare , thatl have no purpose or intention to call in question the viijlit of any man to follow any honest culling in which he may desire to engage , or of any master to make what arrangements , and engage what workmen he pleases , upon whatever terms they choose mutually to agree , ' ( Signed ) 'Dated the day of 135 Signed ' Witness

      5 . That no member of this association shall engage any worliroan who has been previously in employment elsewhere , without ascertaining from what establishment he was discharged , » nd whether the cause of his leaving had uny reference to s . 11 infringement of the objects of the foregoing declaration . 0 . That no member of this association shall , on any pretest whatever , permit or submit to dictation , interference , or direct or indirect tampering with the management of his establishment or the engagement or conditions of the service of bis workmen ; but that wheneTer any attempts are made to abrogate or compromiso the free operation of the foregoing provisions , such member shall at once apply , 'if he requires it , for the advice , award , and assistance of the Executive Committee , who slioll be bound to afford liis every assistance and support called for by the circumstances of the par . ticular case . 7 . That in the eventofa strike or turn-out occurring in theestab lishment of any member of this association , for reasons or from causes which shall , in the opinion of the Executive Committee , entitle the employer go assailed to its countenance and support , it in hereby and shall continue tobe distinctly understood , that all memberaotthe association shall sustain , according to their power and ability , such member in upholding the objects of the association ; it being expressly understood and declared , tbat no acts shall warrant the interference of this committee except such as it is thede . clared object of the foregoing provisions to prevent . 8 . That in order , as far as possible lies in the power of this association , to obviate any inconvenience which may arise to meritorious workmen for being deprived of any advantages they may fancy they derive from the legitimate objects from whicluxisting trades' unioni or societies have been diverted , thi 3 association gives full power " and authority to the Executive Committee to submit for its » auction a plaB for the establishment of a new , sound , and legitimate benefit society . ¦ Tbe council adopted a form of answer ( for which we haye not room in this , but shall give it in full in our next edition ) in which they protested against the recommendations of the employers , declared their determination to continue their resistance , and appealed to the public to support them in the contest . :

      Untitled Article

      Brighton . —An address " from the unskilled labourers of Brigh&oR , to those of the earrie class in London , Manchester , I Bit 2 ija tiata aadskwhers , now thrown out of employment

      Untitled Article

      STRIKE OF OTHER OPERATIVES . Bxxbume , Saturday . —For several days much commotion has been manifested in this district by a " strike" among a largo number of weavers who were employed at the factory of Messrs . Baughen , in this town . The men had a meeting on the 21 st , and from their statement it would appear . that the cause of their leaving their employment was the intended reduction of their wases by the firm . According to the wage 3 they wero receiving they wero enabled , by working from twelve to sixteen hours : i dny , onlv to earn the small sum of ] 2 s . per week ; out of that they were to pay Is . 6 d . for the use of their looms , and to find their own candles . They also represented that when the income tax of 7 d . in tho pound was levied their masters instantly reduced their work 2 d per yard , which amounted to 2 d . 0 d . in the pound income tax . It was also said that if they returned to their employment , and worked under tho present terms of the firm , they could only earn 8 s . a week . The inhabitants of the neighbourhood have opened a subscription on behalf of the men , and near £ 100 haa been collected ; but , as it has been distributed * amongst 500 , each share was but very small . The " turn-out" is the causo of much excitement and suffering in tho vicinity of the town . The curriers of Arbroath have struck work for an advance of wages .

      Untitled Article

      Ti ? il Tr ? ' - agenml meeting of the engineers in tho Liverpool district was held at their club-room , for the purpose oi considering whether any further steps could be WKen tobnng about an accommodation with their masters , itie chairman , having briefly referred to their provious ettorts , and to tho different position in which they wero placed as compared with that , of their brethren in Man-Chester and London , and to tho fact , that ., the only complaint urged against thorn by the masters , was their being connected with their benefit clubs , stated his conviction that it was their general desire to do everything in their power to conciliate their employers . They had met tojrei

      . uW to wise somo means of doing so ; and would be clad it any member could suggest any such means . It was pointedly urged by one of tho members present tbat they could make no surrender of their clubs , which they regarded as equal m benefit to insurance societies . Would their masters , he asked , give them , as their clubs did , besides other benefits , £ 100 in oase of being disabled by accident , and £ o 0 m case of being paralysed , in order to procure them the meaus of starting some business ? The Bpeaker concluded by proposing tbat another deputation , should bo appointed to wait upon and reason with the masters —A member suggested that one of the grievances ielt by the masters was their having given their sanction to tho advance of £ 10 , 000 from their fund for the purpose ot starting co-operative workshops . This vote was only earned b y a majority of one , fully thirty of the members of . the meeting abstaining from divine anv vnfn . Un « nn .

      eluded by proposing that the vote should be " rescinded , lhis was , however , ov er-rulod , as not within the province of the-present meeting ; and after some further conversation , m whioh it was unanimously agreed that no concession to the demand upon them to leave their clubs could bo made , it waa unanimously agreed that a deputation should be appointed to wait upon the masters , and that two or three 'disintereste < l gentlomen of tho town should bo solicited to accompany them and act as mediators . Tho meeting was a most respectablo one , and its proceedings almost unanimous . The Secretaries of the Employers' Association contradicted the statement that Messrs . Marsden , of Manchester , had resumed his work .

      Untitled Article

      LivEnrooL .-The efforts made by the engineers in Liver pool to accommodate matters with their emp ^ m and £ " mam m work , have unhappily , proved unaX- lK latter insisting upon all who are connected with the \ mjf gamated Societies to leave their shops . Messrs FawcS ?' , men eighteen in number , already out ; and ' sixteen of Messrs . Forresters' will be paid of to-night ( Saturday ) A memorial was presented by the latter to tbe firm , pled "in * themselves not to attempt making any alterations in " the rules and regulations of the shops in the . Liverpool district , and to remain neutral in the impending struggle betweeu the men and masters in other districts . This , however was held to be insufficient , Messrs . Forresters havine bound themselves to the Hastens' Association not to employ upon any terms , those of their men who wero not willing m give up altogether the clubs to which they belong , and which aftord important benefits to members , in case of sickness , want of work , &o .-Liverpool Hail

      Untitled Article

      Manchester —The deputation of employers to tha London Central Association have returned frith proposals as a nnf'f arrangements to re-open workshops , but wo could mitt 1 * the exaot nature of tnein < The ? were t 0 be 8 llb-Londn a meetin g on Tuesday , and the decision taken in daV t \ UI T ^ consideration of the question , on Thursfunds « n «? mill sam » ted Socieiy of Operatives report that not 15 s a , m W eI 1 < V » y . »' eceiV ed 103 . each last week , fnd , tion frn ' m t ^ j Were in'ormed . A telegraphic communicasing a payment O vp f ^ lland on Monday , . evening , adviconsequeuceSf fnn' / 1 ' ^ 15 s - e ; ich for tbe six dB P ' ia The Bociety have MRn \ ° , lgiu better than wflS ex P " - contributions toilr . n ailtled over * W 0 . Jnol . udin * public yesterday in ManS ^ i 00 " * 8 ' fund The .. paynients made society me ?( 7 ll tte ! alford were as *> llows ¦ - ' neers , non-society men T" ° T > k )' 15 s - each ' 205 cn 8 one-third the wages earnedt ' J 1 105 a PP ltenUceS ) ' eacb - 5 s . oacb It is stated A > cn at work ' 7 S 0 abourers , of ^^ a ^ SlS ^^ T ^ T to decide whether they ™ K \ 2 T \ ° ^ ° ? " ?** % employers or of workmen Me « 5 » «* h ° ' ' . n ° V ! ° i decided to hold with the AmaSjS ted ^ K ™* ' 6 ^ so had Hetherington ' s hands d bociet y s cause -

      Untitled Article

      ¦ MHn MMsMnnMttlBBQii ^ k « . a ~ u _ . ' AGGREGATE MEETING OP UBOTTRpi ^ ^ KKa ^ iGsraSHL-, i ^^ i ^ sdBBB } wohmeMurerfor tha ^ necessary . The meeting was convened by the laboSrf own committee , but the expenses attendant upS it ™ e » defrayed , we understood by the Executive Oounoil of SS Amalgamated Society of Engineers , &c . Ko skilled work men , whether society or non-society men , were allowed tn take part part in the proceedings ; but the attendance of labourers was less numerous than bad been anticipated . Mr . Marsikbs , on taking the chair , briefly enforced the necessity of peaceable conduct . Mr . Lioyd , in moving the first resolution , stated that when the shops were first closed , the Executive Counoil of the Amalgamated Society had promised to aid in procuring subscriptions from tho public , and had with that view issued a circular , but apparently without oroduoine anv

      satiatactory results , as the labourers had only received three shillings as an allowance for the first week while the non-society men were paid 7 a . A great ' deal of disBatisfaction consequently arose , and a deputation of labourers was appointed to wait upon the Executive Council to represent the condition in which they were placed The answer of the council was very peremptory . It waB that only the subscriptions derived from the public could be applied to their relief , as the subscriptions coming from organised bodies , such as the compositors , and other trado societies , must go to the support of the non-society men Another deputation had subsequently called at tho ' office of the employers' association , where they meet with a most courteous reception . Without even knowini ? or iskinu

      their object , Mr . Sidney Smith , accompanied by three of the largest employers . in London ; came out to speak to them They would not acknowledge the deputation as such but advised that two labourers from ea ch shop should wait upon the employers to represent the condition in which the labourers were placed ; and they further promised to pay duo attention to any written communication which miglit be sent from the labourers' central committee . On Tuesday the Executive Council had handed over Is . 6 d . per man but the committeo , by judicious management , paid each man 2 a . Upon the merits of the dispute he would sav

      nothing ; but one thing was quite clear , they were thrown out of work through no fault of their own , and in a destituto condition . How could it be otherwise ? When in work , they earned only from 16 s . to 20 s . per week , and they found a great difficulty out of that sum to pay as much to a friendly society aa would secure them 10 s . per week when sick . However the question in dispute might bo settled , it would make no material difference to them ; and whilo ho gave the central council credit for all which they had done for the labourers with a pure motive , there were some things which he thought they had not done in a pure spirit , and for which he could give them no credit . ( Hear . ) In conclusion he moved the following resolution : — " That this

      meeting views with extreme regret the unfortunate dispute between the Amalgamated Society of Engineers and their employers and it will therefore exert its utmost energies to impress upon the mind of the benevolent public the immediate necessity of contributing towards the support of that large and unorganised body of men , the labourers , who have hitherto been , and still intend to continue , neutral upon the subject of the strike , but who have , nevertheless , by it been entirely deprived of the means of support . And it would further recommend all persons favourabl y disposed to the proposed philanthropic object , particularly to state that their subscriptions are for the ' labourers' list , ' so that the labourers may derive the immediate and unconditional benefit . "

      Mr . Aldridge , in seconding the resolution , said it was unjust to pay the non-society men Is . per week while the labourers bad only received 3 s . The labourers had oxpocted to be placed on the same footing , aa the others , ( near , hear . ) The resolution was then put and usanimously adopted . Mr . Evans moved the following resolution : ' That this meeting cannot but express its firm conviction tbat ithe Employers' Association have no desire to see any of their labourers reduced to destitution , but that the masters , both in their collective and individual capacity , would most willingly assist the labourers whom the impending dispute has thrown out of employment ; and it would therefore suggest that a petition bo presented to the Employers ' Association for the purpose of Jaying before it the position and prospects of the labourers , and also to receive anv sum the asuocialion may think fit to advance , whilst , at the same time , it would recommend that one labourer from each firm should wait upon their respective employers for a like purpose . "

      _ . Curzon seconded the resolution , expressing a decided opinion that the labourers would meet with universal sympathy from the public , when their position and prospects were fairly stated . The resolution was carried unanimously . Several other labourers addressed the meeting , and a central committee was appointed to collect subscriptions solely for the relief of " labourers . " A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings . e On Wednesday Mr . Goooh , superintendent of the locomotive department on the Eastern Counties Railway visited the company ' s works at'Stratford , and , sendinc for two of the engineering workmen into his office , stated that information had reached tho directors that the workmen were contributing a day ' s pay per week towards the support of the engineers' strike , and that , in consequence , he had been instructed to intimate that any man so contribu ^ ting in future would be discharged .

      Untitled Article

      tub 1 ¦¦¦ January 31 , 1852 . _ THE NORTHERN STAR . ^ ^^_^^_^^__^^^_^^_ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ l ^^ ft ^ K ^^^ K ^^ K ^^^^^^^ t ^ t /^^^^^^^^^^^ f ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Kf ^^^ tt ^^ KHtStt ^^^^^ K ^^ t ^^ Bt ^^^^^ t ^^^^^^^^^^^ m- ^ A ^^^ ^^^^^ —^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Mfc ^^^^ M ^^^^*^^^^^^^^^^*^^»^^^^^^^^^_^ _ a _ M ^^ j ^ ^ k ff

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 31, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1663/page/5/