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Northern Star (1837-1852), 28th February 1852, Edition 1 of 2, Page 5, Untitled Article

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      THE AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS . THE STRIKE . fln Monday an aggregate meeting of the membere of the Amalgamated Society was held in St . Martin ' s Hall , Long-Im « for the purpose of considering their present position and fatnre prospects . The room was densely crowded in rtV p ^ t , and the greatest firmness and enthusiasm were manifested bj the audience . Mr J Muster took the chair , and congratulated the rasetineupon their cheerfulness and orderly conduct . The nther trades were coming forward most liberally in their support , and , their cause being a righteeus one , they must succeed i

      - ..... ,. 1 . _ j ^_ . »_ j _ : Mr . G . Usher , said that three weeks had passed since fieir last meeting , and nothing of importance had elap = ed ta the interval , but the straggle they were maintaining must do ereat good , and as the masters still continued to eaforce their declaration he would propose to them the following resolution : — That this meeting , believine it to be possible , with jnj Sce to the an ^ ratiws . to resume work while they ar « called on . as the prekminWto doing jo , to sign adedaratiou which would take from them Sliower ofcombination and eTery vestige of inoependence , pledge themselves to remain firm in their refusal to consent to the terms endeavoured to bs enforced upon them .

      The speaker expressed his surprise at the railway compwies entering into the quarrel between them and their linplojers , and turning their backs upon that principle of combination to which they owed everything . He then described the mischief which had resulted front the last strike on the Eastern Counties Railway . The directors of that line were , he believed , lost to all sense of humanity . The Brighton line had , in his opinion , been tue victim of misrepresentation ; but if the railway companies were resolved on depriving them of the means of support , the trades were aomin » forward . The ship c arpenters of Greenock had subscribed £ 100 , and tho se of London also had promised to assist them to a similar extent . The funds remained almost untouched , and they had to remember that the association of their mastera were not pledged to stand by their declaration after that day . He warned them not to bo misled by any new cunningly devised declaration that might be issued , to preserve their peaceful attitude , and stand firmly together against the tyranny of their

      employers . Mr . W . Bbows seconded the resolution . Mr . Willuu Nkwios then came forward to support the resolution , and waB very warmly applauded . He said the society had much to thank the emp loyers for since the last meetin g The employers had since published their code of rules—they had posted a declaration on their gatea , aad the contents of that document had tended materiall y to satisf y the public mind that the employers were altogether in the -won * . The declaration was a most odious document . It ws accompanied by some resolutions , the first of which was that no member of one association should employ a member of another association . So that the employers form ed themselves into an association for the purpose of showing their dislike to associations . ( Laughter . ) The Amalgamated Society would at once dissolve if the

      employers would guarantee every one of them continuous emp loyment The object of forming the society was merel y to enable every man to obtain some employment by dividing all the labour among all the men , and not having some men continually idle while others were continually over-worked . He thought the working men entitled to the thanks of society for endeavouring to distribute the labour as much a 3 possible among the labourers . It was monstrous to suppose that when there was cot sufficient euiploymentfor those < who were willing to work that a portion of the men must be compelled to work over-time . He felt convinced that the mprovements in machinery would soon have the effect of reducing the hours of labour , not merely to ten hours a day , bnttosix . ( Chears . ) A report bad been copied from the Manchester papers to which he wished to advert , as it mi ° ht

      otherwise create a false impression . It stated that gut of forty-six manufacturing establishments in Manchester , ¦ 24 were in full operation , ' 21 in partial operation , and one not open at all . The number of raeu in employment was 2 , 774 , including labourers and skilled mechanics ; and , from an analysis of the statement , it appeared that 1 , 600 of these were skilled labourers . Now it was easy to explain this . At the commencement of the strike the Executive Council issued a circular , calling upon those in employ to subscribe one day ' s pay in each week . Now as £ 220 was subscribed weekly by the meu in employ in Manchester , that sum . at 53 . for a day ' s wages , would show that there were 900 of tho 3 B 1 , 600 who have never left their employ , and the remaining 700 might be accounted for by the fact that there were a great number of moulders and other persons who

      were skilled workmen , but who did not belong to the society . Those statistics , therefore , did not prove that members of this society in Manchester had signed the masters ' document and had returned to work , ( " near . ) Why Mr . Sharp , of Manchester , had not five skilled men at work . The employers had so completely failed that they were going to close again until a fair understanding was come to . ( Cheers . ) This was not very surprising , as tho expenses were , at present , much greater , while the work done was comparatively worthless . ( Hear , hoar . ) Two men who signed the declaration at Platt ' s , went to work with the same facilities of machinery that others had before them , and they only earned Ss . each in two days . ( Laughter . ) Some of the men employed ss moulders were onl y able to earn 15 s . a week , and the foreman said it was too much .

      ( Laughter . ) That was a positive fact . The present very numerous meeting was a clear proof that the members of the society had not returned to work , and they were determined not to resume employment unless on the terms insisted upon at the time they left . ( Cheers . ) The employers had now a fair opportunity of settling the question . The manner in which the question had been taken up by { he various trades , was a hopeful sign of good feeling on their part . They never would have contributed so liberally if the cause of the operative engineers was not a good one . -Six weeks was not an unusually long time for the men to be out of employment , and in this instance the men did not look like persons reduced to destitution . ( Hear . ) The men did not leave their employment . They were forced out by the employers . It was an employers' strike , but

      having been forced out of work the men would not return unless the masters' declaration were withdrawn . Indeed , one of the masters said he could have no respect for the man who would sign the document . ( Cheers . ) Next week it was intended to hold a meeting at which topics would be discussed bearing on the interests of working men in general . At a meeting of 10 , 000 persons , field in Manchester lately , the principle of establishing co-operative workshops was approved of . He hoped the working men of London ¦ would arrive at the same conclusion , and then ihe working men would be enabled to enjoy the benefits of their own industry . ( Cheers . ) The greatness of this country did not

      depend upon its aristocracy , its commerce its manufactures , or the grandeur of its government , but on the industry of the people . It was their duty , then , to promote that industry and the means whereby it could be profitably employed . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Newton then adverted to the question of apprenticeship , and argued that the masters themselves , by charging premiums on apprentices , had clearly admitted the whole matter in dispute , as to the right of precedence which the skilled labourer had over the unskilled . After some general observations of an encouraging character Mr . Newton resumed his seat amid enihnsiastic plaudits . The resolution was then put , and carried unanimously .

      Mr . W . Cosisgham said th . it he had come to the meeting more as a spectator and as taking an interest in tho cause in which they were engaged , but he acceded to the wishes expressed by their chairman that he should address faem . There wa 3 one point to which he had paid particular attention—viz ., Co-operative Associations . ( Cheers . ) He believed that the principle of co-operation wa 3 the most important practical means that the working classes possessed to emancipate themselves Trora their present dependent state on the capitalists of the country . ( Cheers . ) It was aot merely the object of the employers , with whom they were contending , but it was the principle entertained bj nil the holders of capital in the couutry , that it was necessary to keep the working classes in the state in which they had been . It was clearly their interest to emanci pate

      themselves from that state—to make themselves self-dependent ; und he maintained that it was quite possible , by a combination of small capitals , to establish a system which would effect this result . An improved law of partnership had been introduced and discussed last year , and the Whig government had pledged itself to bring forward a measure on the subject , but it was now ^ halved for the present session . He Had observed the state of things in Paris , and , whatever might have been said to the contrary by the press , he maintained that the Paris ouvriers had been eminently successful in their attempts . ( Cheers . ) There were associations at that time in existence having each nearly 200 member ? , while some numbered SO and 100 men , employed tiy their own capital . In almoat all the instances they w ' ere associations started with extremely small capitals , yet they bad been brought , to a prosperous state amid enormous pecuniary and political difficulties . ( Cheers . ) Every obstruction tad been thrown in their wav , and the opposition to them iial reached iU culminating point under the military

      despotism which now prevailed in France , and the consequence w . is that they had formed an emigration benefit socitty to * arry themselves and their skill to the shores of America . ( Cheers . ) He would not detain the meetingby any prolonged observations , but he could not forbear alluding to the scandalous manner in which the employers had behaved . He could not help saying thatthat « declaration" whioh they had -attempted to thrust down tho throats of th < . ir men , and which , as Englishmen , he was proud to say the men had reaisied and would continue to resist , one of the most disgraceful proceedings that he had ever heard of . If the employers had their own interests and those of their men at ieart , they would iase no time in withdrawing that document . ( Cheers . ) The intenerance of the railway compare * he looked upon ' as most unwarranted . The Brighton Kailway Company Lad issued a declaration of non-interren-« on aud , before the paste was dry which affixed it on the * alls , they discharged twelve men from their workshop ? . « was not merely the directors or the shaieholders , but the public that were interested in this matter , fliere anneared

      to him to be , on tha part of the employers and capitalists , 5151 "Uention . to declare war against labour . If , however , it * J * s to become a drawn battle between the o * p ite ! i « ts on tna oue hand and the labouring classes on the other , the woonring classes could stand the pinch ; but what would " -come of the capitalist ? ( Cheers . ) "What availed the * ? J fali of S ° ! d m tne Banb of England if it were not the sinews and muscles ? Who produced that gold ?—' io * L OrWn e classes . And were they not therefore entitled ! ( Chp renmnerat ' 0 H j the just reward of all that wealth t _ " - *•) F « from it being the interest of the employers |« nd down their souls and bodies by sygtemat c overtime , w 1 ° tfirest was to give them , high wages . It was benefi-

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      cial to them and to the country in general that a largs amount of money should be derived from wag « s , which reached the public exchequer in a thousaud imparoeptible modes . They had now carried on the contest for a very considerable time , and though he could not answer for the state of London , he could say that at Brighton , where be Muded , their brethren were itouter at hart than at the beginning of the contest . tCheew . ) He knew somt of them , and could assure the meeting that these men would ¦ tick to them to the last . It was a most momentous crisis in their fate ; and ifth&y yielded they would be at the mercy of men who had shown themselves utterly unscru-^ li ^™ " ! *?^ ? 0 Untl 7 ? eweral thaUlarjr ?

      pulous m the use of means for accomplishing their own ends . He would conclude with an instance of the advantage of combination . Tbira were two important towns in France—Rouen and Nantei . The working classes in Nante » were w » U off and well paid , and maintained those of thoir body who were out of wo » k by combination . In Rouen combination at one time existed , but had been broken down , and the consequence was that the working classes there were completely at the mercy of their employers , and were in the most miserable condition . He would leave the meeting to draw it 3 own inferences from these two facts . ( Cheers . ) The proceedings terminated with the usual vote of thanks » the Chairman .

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      was to join . an association for the presumption of ihsir mutual rights . Working men were too luk ewarm in looking after their own interests , even to deserve succesi Tki money ' which working men spent in foll y would sneedilv emancipate them from the thraldom which they endured He was astonished at the indifferent manner in whioh the * conducted themselves towards their dearest interest s Tha speaker , in a vein of humour and eloquence , which was rapturously applauded , dilated upon th » advantaoo cf ebe > getfc action over mere lip sympathy . ° The resolution was carried by acclamation . A vote of thanki was given to tho Chairman , and the meeting separated . was to join an association for the presumntion of Hmh .

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      have been so cruelly persecuted { and alao nf „ ,, . . means to give a thorough explanation of the o ! n , a tt public , whose servants they are . " * to the The chair was announced to be taken at twelve ovu i Shortly after that period , Lord Ooderioh , Me £ ? B ™ ? ok > Furnival , Hart , and other friends to OoTpXS , ?™ *? " ments , took their seats on the platform . About hJfZt twelve o ' clock , <* " -pa » t Mr W . Tats mi wiled to the , chair , He had for sixteen yean been an omnibus servant , and had received a silver whip as a testimonial for his diligent services to the public but had been discharged , in his belief , for belong to a * Provid » nfc Sooiety . The meeting had been called at that unusual hour to acoommodato the men , who could not eet from their work before that time . He had for a numberw years worked fourteen hours a day , with but five minutes allowed for either his dinner or tea . Men sometimes got another to drive their omnibus up , taua giving them a few more minutes for their meals ; but for this they-had to ' pay either 2 s . or 3 s . per week . He had also to pay 3 s 6 d for kis horsokeeper , aad 8 a . 6 d . for washing the omnibus , making a deduction of 10 » . a week from his weekly wa » es ilft » h « n . « „ ,., „ .. „ . » . ; ' * ' "

      Mr . Scully moved the first resolution to the effect-That ths meeting expressed its belief in the statement put forth by Messrs . Tate and Kentish , and would ive them every suppon « endeavouring to roinoTe their grievances . * support in The statement was contained in the form of a memorial to the proprietors . The substance of which was , that the men were desirous that they should work six jouaneys per day on only four days m the week , and five journeys per-day on the remaining three days , and also that they should be allowed every alternate Sunday for rest . This memorial was addressed to the Kin ^' s-oross and Islington proprietors but the only answer received was the following memorial ' which the men were ordered to sign : — ' TO THB PB 0 PBIETORS OF THE — ¦ -ASSOCIATION " Tho Humble Memorial of the Servants in the Employment of the „ ,. . above Association , Humbl

      y Sliewetb , That your memorialists , whoso names are hereunder written have heard with great pain that several , meetings have been held in different parts of the metropolis , for the purpose of « d in ? fi public feeling against the omnibus proprietors in general , with re wfvk « treatment of their servants , complaining of the arduous E £ j » S ? £ 0 blls < 1 *? perform , and the il . iberal remuneration on the SabVatfr' J CaUHOt baTO * ' 8 r 6 Et ' not eve ° tJ ^ nM ? . ® mOr ! ali 8 t l humbly bes t 0 as 3 ure their employers , or consent ? lDg 3 Ca " " Mi without their 8 an " " that'Jit ' ? ' raemo » alist 8 . « furtll «* to assure their employers oeomn , ? n Pe feOtli ; MtMedwith > and haveno rea 8 M whatever cftiSnnW * m ° » yStem 'f'nanageoientasnow adoptedand Kmim , & * Smd A " ociation . fceinK perfectly satisfied with of LhmmT ¦ 1 On y ° ul'memorialists receive , as also with the hours oUabour , having also had a holiday whenever applied for in a proper Y-Jnp » ty fc Ur ""^ orfa ^ ts beg toadd , that from their known expenence , the omnibus proprietors have been the Afst to oplTJ ° - » eau ( ! ? , ? i ' om their servants ' was-es , and having alwavs acted with much liberality , and stunipd evprvHrino ,. m ,. iot ,, ni !„

      md Jft * ? mterest ) comfort > and TVeHare of ° hoso employed rfconflnS ™ ' ^ nd your memorialists humbly hope that such a line SnSu , 5 n I * Pa" Of their emPl 0 >« s wl » 1 » still continued , as ? WcS £ iSS ! " ' ltol 8 ! 0 Ilthep t 0 f the undersi e ' * tion m »!? tT ri aliS ' i eref 0 re mo ? thujnWy pray , that no alteraliv « £ « P ln - the system ot management , as now carried on by the above Association . Your memorialists being perfectly sails-* ' mol 3 f of management , as also with thS line « f conduct iszssfss ^ ssiiSt ever been to the interMt And your memorialists will ever pray , ic . In those requests there was nothing unreasonable-nothin * but wbat was conducive to the morality and welfare of the men . fcveyy mechanic or labourer worked onlv n oiv ™

      number ot hours , and had the Sabbath day to himself . The masters had put forth a memorial which they forced some men to sign under fear of dismissal , stating that they only worked twelve hours a day . The expense of printing and diTn frn mT'I T " " ^ ' ° * 7 foSancesf bee ! drawn from tho hard earnings of the men . During the Chairman ' s and this speaker ' s address , con-8 derablo confusion was created by some proprietors and their servants continually interrupting the speakers , and the assietance of the police had to be called in before order was restored . Mr . Bowl * having resumed , staUd tha t the conduct of the proprietors in thus preventing their wrongs getting to the public would not serve their cause . About thirty persons belonging to the men ' s Provident Assomtinn hA

      been discharged and thrown on the world , owing to their speaking the eimple truth . The meeting waB called for omnibus servants , but they were willing to hear the proprietors if they could refute the facts brought forward . They di « i not complain of their wages , but they complained of being too heavily worked , and not allowed the privilege of a day s rest . If a man complained , he was dismissed . It was so with an individual then on the platform . After seventeen years hard service he was dismissed . He . attempted to start an omnibus for himself , but other 'busses were put on the road to drive him off , and every species of annoyance was practised against him . lome of the masters were kind men ; but the men were not so much their servants as they were of the Association of the Masters , and a master was compelled to discharge a man even when individuall y he had no fault to find with him in any other rank of life . Omnibus servants were fiftv years behind the age , owing to their not beine able to tak « nd .

      yaniage ol any ot the benefits which civilization conveyed to other clas 8 os . Could the masters give any reason for dumiiuMT atari thirty of their servants , all of whom wer « honest sober men ? ^ o fault had or could be brought against them except their belonging to a societv to benefit themselves . He was happy to inform them that a bodvof gentlemen had aken up the matter , and that these men would not be allowed to roam hopelessly in the world Until lately , in cases of death or sickness they had no resource to fall back upon . Ought not the masters to encourage , instead of persecuting , such an institution ? Some time back . fon the inteference of some gentlemen the proprietors had promised to give them one day ' s use of their omnibuses for the benefit of their institution , but when they thought these gentlemen were satisfied thnv riHi .

      guied the promise . The masters had formed a rival institution in order to destroy their infant body . They called upon the public , whilst they discountenanced a bad servant also to discountenance a bad employer . The men were willing to come to arrangements with their employers , but instead of doing so , the masters had raised a fund of £ 600 on purpose to oppose this humane and charitable object of the men . This money had been expended in printin" bills and placardsi misrepresenting the objects of their association , and stating that the men were well paid , and could at any time , have rest by asking for if , and that they never worked more than twelve hours a day . The public knew that the same men who attended to them in an omnibus at eight o clock m the morning attended them up to eleven or twelve o ' clock at night . Surely , that was more than twelve hours .

      Mr . KixacoMBE seoonded the resolution . The difference between the masters and men ha d arisen from a mistake It was founded , according to tho masters' memorial , upon the idea that the men were banded together to iniure the employers . It was tho old idea , that men could not unite together without sedition or treason being meant To combat this supposition , the masters wanted the men to sign a document which would have reduced them to be mere slaves Those who refused to sign it had deserved well , not only of their brethren , but of tho public "enerallv Mr . Austin , an omnibus proprietor , then , in accordance with a promise given him , addressed the meeting lie was an omnibus proprietor , or manager , and had been one of the originators of the Men ' s Providont Society . He had deserted them because he thought they wished to move out of their proper sphere . Mr . Scully was attempting to lead them astray m getting them toioin the Servants ' Pi-n ^ nM ™

      Society , which he believed would lead them to ruin He had oighty-six servants , and he believed he wa . 8 consulting then-interest . He had always attended to tho complaints of the men he had working under him , or tho association which employed him as manager . ( Laughter , and shouts of " Yon never had any men . ) Mr . Habt , a coachman , stated , that the men who si » ned the masters' memorial did not sign it under fear of ' dis missal . Ho had the signature of two-thirds of those who " signed it , being nearly 300 persons , stating that that was tho fact . ( Laughter and confusion . ) The men had aimed the memorial conscientiously , because they felt that thev had never got up any meetings to injure their employer / , but were grateful for kindnesses received

      Mr . Richard Hart stated , that they had heard two persons on behalf of the masters , but they had not told them one word why those thirty men were dismissed . They were dismissed solely because they would not sign that humble memorial ( Ones of "Noaud Yes ; " the "Yes" greatly predominating . ) b" 5 "* " ? i Ji ? ^ n ° iution w" * hen Put . * hen a considerable num . fn opposition Wtre d " * " fiW 0 Ur ' only about tw ° Mr , B , Prior stated that ho , with Mr Scullv wia thn originator of the Omnibua Servants' Protec on SoLtv He bad collected about £ 80 f or itTile wa ^ s ptfectlyS ? o Ms o fffi Sety . ^ * " 8 tat — ^ "V # Mr . 8 ouli . t replied amid much confusion , and the meeting adjourned , it being nearl y three o ' clock . inemeet *

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      CHARTIST FUNERAL . ssiKsn ' it'S " children to mourn his loss . He was « flL ft a " d tw 0 he requested , by Mr . James Leach ! £ Ttoa ^ ffllSTi ? Button , Mr . Alcock , Mr . Foster Mr Wiia „/ \ v ! m' . Mr Hill and Mr Shaw ti e ¦ , lld » of Middleton , » ir , iihi , hiiu Air . onaw . Hie funeral wtb a + tnmWi v . » « o * or odd Mo . a , £ Sf ¦ -& * £

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      RSSIGNATION OP THE GovKnwnu «™ » r . . « . atsiir ^ ^ " comraaBdearWinAnr a ° ^ ? ' and that ne le ^ es the cZhhTsued an ordSl ^ . lie » tenant general has rethSsVbSrarins ? taXT' prohl > itiDg a" oWflren other than £$ Sols TlT ln gar / i ! On ( rom att 9 Ddin S " SH B ^^ - ^^^ KSfeTK : ^ pen 8 ioners and

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      NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . The Executive Committee met on Wednesday evening , the 24 th instant ., at 3 , Queen's Head Paa-* age , l ' atewioster Bow . Pi'eseat : Messrs . Shaw > Arnott , Bezer , Qraaaby , Holyoake , and Hunt . The receipts for the week are £ l " 8 s ., reducing the debt to f 21 0 d . 4 R We shall next week giro tho exac t amount of debt ; and receipts , and show what naa been pay > _ In consoqu . once of the Council of the Parliamentary J&eroim Association having convened a Conference , S K ° the 2 ad of Mawb i and 5 nv 5 ted a 11 sha ( k 3 Jointed Sri 8 eud DeIe 8 ates theret ° . we haTe a Pffwu ¥ to represent the Executive Cora-Eha AssoIS ? SsaA bod y » and t 0 im P reSB u P ° SS ^ ETS " , i \ -7 it of enlarging their de . whole people freo re P resentation of tha

      and using their influence with the electors to Secu 5 the return of men pledged to the Charter We havo seen an addreijs in a cerblin ; nn « nni signed by . M , John Wwrrf l ^ a ^ SS to emanate from the Council of the Manchester JNational Charter Association , in winch this Committee is moat foully slandered , and all the rhetoric of Billinsgate huddled together , to blacken and defame their characters . We feel rather surprised at so

      much freedom from our Manchester constituents , seeing that six of this Committee wero elected h y their votes , 134 being the highest , and 118 the lowest number of votes from that locality . They speak about " internal discord , treachery , and treason . " We have none , and know of none . They say we have " prostituted" the trust they gave us , and that the ^' country has called upon us to call a Convention . ' We deny it ; not more than six places have done so ; and the majority of them recommend the debt to be paid first . We know the Metropolitan Delegate Council have done so , but they do not represent a tithe of the Chartists in London . We also know that the above Council have shirked the responsibility , and persuaded the Manchfiiter Council to stand in the breachand call a

      Con-, vention for them . The address of the Manchester Council says , "We have done those things we ought not to have done , and left undone those things we should have done . " True , we have applied all the money at our disposal to pay the debt , and refused to increase it without a chance of pay-» 1 "' They 8 ay tlle last Convent ' ° n paid its own expenses . Manchester had two Delegates there , and have not , as yet , paid one farthing towards that Convention , in addition to which , ten shillings is all that Manchester has paid for the last two yearB . They say a Covention would be our deposition . We beg to say , we can be deposed before the Convention , if Manchester will pay the debt left us as a legacy . We have no fault to find with any gentlemen who want a Convention ; they are at perfect liberty to do bo ; but we hope that those who are so anxious to lift the movement

      up , will be honest enough to pay their debts , so that the resuscitation shall at least he honourable . James Guassby , Sub « Secretary .

      RECEIPTS . Halifax , per T . C . W ., Is . ; Bristol , per W . Sheehan , 10 s . ; Montrose , per David Harschel , 8 s . Gd . ; Mr . Isham , Is . ; John-street Locality , 4 s . ; Wallis Allen , WelHngborougb , Is . ; H . M . Ivins , ditto , Is . ; George Corley , ditto , 6 d . ; T . B ., ditto , 6 d .-Total , £ 1 8 s . Od . James Gkassbt , Sub-Secretary , 9 Q , Regent Street , Lambeth .

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      John Street Locality . —On Tuesday last this locality held a special meeting in the Coffee Room of the Institution . John Milne in tbe chair . —Charles Murray reported the proceedings of tbe Metropolitan Delegate Council . — Ernest Jones was invited , but did not attend . —On the motion of Messrs . H . A . Ivory and H . T . Holyoake , the following resolution was adopted , with one dissentient : — " That the members of this locality highly approve of the policy of the Executive in not calling a Convention until the debt

      due by the Association is liquidated ; and we instruct our delegates ( Messrs . Ernest Jones and Charles Murray ) to do their utmost to rescind the vote already passed by the Metropolitan Delegate Council , relative to holding a Convention in Manchester , as they have supported such a resolution contrary to the opinion of this locality . "—The Sub-Secretary was then instructed to forward the above resolution to the Democratic Journals , and four shillings having been voted to the Executive , the meeting adjourned to Tuesday evening next .

      Ship Inn , Whitechapfx . —At the usual weekly meeting on Sunday evening , Mr . Ariesford in the chair , Mr . Knowles reported the result of the aggregate meeting of Chartists , held in the afternoon . It having been stated that the scurrilous resolution published in the " Notes " as coming from the Islington locality , was acknowledged by Mr . Wood , chairman of the meeting , to have been passed by only four persons . Mr . J . Shaw moved , and Mr . Evans seconded : ' That in addition to other instructions their delegates to the Metropolitan Council should bring back a statement as to tbe nansber of persons electing the delegates from the various localities . " Mr . Wheeler then resumed the discussion relative to Chartism and Socialism , dwelling at considerable length upon their respective beauties and defects . Messrs . Shaw and Stratton also ably addressed the audience .

      City Locality . —The following resolutions vrere passed at the above looaliu on the meeting night of February " tb , Mr . Leno , president , in the chair : — " That we , the members of this locality , think there is no necessity ef holding a Convention at present . "— " That when the sura of five shillings shall be in the hands of tun Treasure the same shall be sent to the Executive . "— " That this locality feel satiffied with the policy of the Executive , and sincerely hope that they will continue lo urge upon all Chartists thenecessityof payina off old debts before fresh liabilities are incurred . "— " That Mr . Farrah be instructed to purchase 100 tracts of the Executive , entitled " What is a Chartist . "Frederick Farrah , Cor . Sec .

      FiNsnuRY . —This locality met on Sunday last in the Finabury Institution , Mr . ' Wintnill in the chair . —Mr . Butler reported from the Metropolitan Council . It was then resolved : — " That a tea party and ball be held on or about the 6 th of A . uril , in commemoration of Maximillian Robespierre . "— " That the visiting committee be reorganised , and every member be furnished with a book for the purpose of receiving contributions , &c , and have a list of ten persons residing in their immediate vicinitv . " Bristol . —At the weekly meeting of the Chartists of Bristol it was proposed by Mr . C . Clark , and seconded by Henry Anderson : — "That vre remit the sum of 10 a . towards paying the debt incurred by the late Executive - , and at the same time express our opinion on ihe necessity of the present Executive summoning a Convention at the earliest pejriod possible , to support which we pledge our . selves to use all the means at our disposal . "—W . Sheehan , Local Secretary . Bkumondsey . —On Monday last Mr . Ernest Jones lectured at the Paragon Chapel , Bermondsey New-roa'l , to a crowdpd and delighted audience , on " The traitor of France , and tha French invasion . "

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      * ELECTION INTELLIGENCE . ¦ Barnbtaple . —Three candidates are in the field for this borough , two Conservatives and one Radical , Mr . Bembridgtt and Sir William Fraser , opposed to Lord Ebrington . Greenwich . —Mr . Alderman Salomons has signified hi 9 intention , under whatever circumstances the vacancy may arise , of contesting the representation of the borough of Greenwich , Livkrpool . ~ Wo "Liverpool Mail" aro desired lo an . nounco that Mr . Horsfall is not a candidate for Liverpool ; and that , moreover , he will not accept an invitation from any constituent body whatever to serve in the present or the ensuing Parliament . Tjswkesbury . —Mr . E . VT . Cox , of the western circuit , ia a candidate for the representation of Tewkesbury , on Conservative principles . Bath . —According to the " Bath Herald , " a Conservative candidate will be brought forward to oppose Captain Scobell , or any one else the Liberals may think proper to bring forward .

      SuNPKRLiMD . —The "Newcastle Journal" states that Mr . Fenwiek , a barrister on the Northern Circuit , will contest the borough of Sunderland in the Liberal interest , at tho next election . It is rumoured that Sir Iledwortfe Williamson will retire , but that his son , recently attach d to the Paris embassy , will come forward as % candidate . ,, . . ExmR -The " Exeter Gazette " states that a largebody of the electors have deolared their determination to vote for Sir John Duckworth and Sir Fitzroy Kelly . ¦ East Kihi . — The declaration took place on Monday on Barham-downs , when after a careful collation of the poll in the different districts , the poll wa » ascertained to be—For Sir Brook Bridges , 2 . 4 S Q i for Sir Edward Dorm ? , 2 , 289 ; majority for Sir Brook nndjjea . 191 . Tho hi gh Bheriff , therefore , declared Sir Brook Bridges to be duly elacttd to serve in Parliament ai a kni ght of the suive for the eastern division of the county .

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      Frkkdom ahd Dignity of thk Press . —Speaking of those Inglish gentlemen who have partaken of the hospitalities f the Prince Louis tf apoleon at the Elysee and the Tuileriei , ft correspondent of the " Times " expresses himself thus temperately : —• ' They who accept hospitalities from a rebel , a traitor , a liar , a perjurer , a butcher , and a rob . ber are not a whit better than they should be . " Is it possible th Prince ZVesirfent can amvivi thit ?

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      Liverpool . —The dispute here between the masters and men may be said to have ended of itself , neither of the parties having made any concession to the other , and the men having ceased to expect an accommodation . Of the thirty-five members of the Amal gamated Society dismissed by Messrs . Forrester and Messrs . Fawcett and Co ., only eleven now remain out of work , twenty-one having been engaged ia other shops in the town , and three in the country . Of the former , three are sho rtly to sail in the City of Dublin sorew-steamer Emerald , bound on a cruise to the West Coast of Africa . Five of the remaining eleven have been engaged on board the Brazilian steamer , recently built in Liverpool , to proceed to Rio Janeiro . The general position of the trade is therefore little different to what it is in ordinary periods of depression . —The Sun .

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      TUE WOLYERHAMPTON TIN PLATE WORKERS . A publio meeting , to celebrate the release of these victims to tbe tyranny of master class law , ' was held on Tuesday evening , at the Mechanics' Institutioa , Southampton-buildings , Holborn . Mr . Holmes having been called to the chair stated , that a damp was thrown over the meeting , owing to the absence of the defendants , who were announced to be present . The reason they were not wa 3 , that certain costs had been incurred , and for these costs the defendants had been arrested by a sheriffs officer , and conveyed to Horsemonger-lane Gaol . The costs were incurred by the removal of the case from Stafford to the Court of Queen ' s Bench . The costs amounted to £ 537 . A great victory had been achieved ; and , altnOU £ h heavy cost ? had been incurred , they had been inourred in the defence of the rights of the whole labouring community .

      Mr . Gbeenslade , the Secretary , read a report of the whole case of the Association , as connected with the Wokerhampton masters , showing its origin , progress , and the result which led to the imprisonment of several of tbe Executive of the Association , and also of others connected with tbe local union in Wolverhampton . ' The struggle was one which effected the Trades' Unions of the united mpire . During its existence , they had received in subscriptions the sum of £ 2 , 014 12 s . 2 d . ; their expenditure had been £ 1 , 799 Is . ; leaving a balance in hand of £ 21511 s . 2 il . The expenditure had been greatly increased by the necessity of having the witnesses produced from France , who had been seduced by the golden promises of Messrs . Perry to leave their native land for their employ . The Committee bad now liabilities against them of upwards of £ 1 , 000 due to their solicitor , and £ 1 , 191 due for Messrs . Perry ' s costs , which since had been taxed , and was reduced to £ 537 5 s . Id ., —the sum for which the defendants wers at present detained in prison . They had gained a great viotory

      for the trades of the kingdom , in beating down the idea that men were not entitled , by persuasion , to Induce their fellow , men to unite for the purpose of preserving their rights , and keeping up the price of their labour . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Miller moved the adoption of the report . The mem who had been imprisoned had not asked anything extravagant—they had only asked for a fair remuneration of their labour . The men had fought their battles , and they must not see them neglected . It wasa hard case that those who had only done their duty to their fellow men , should be torn from their families and cast into prison . But it was a still harder case , that after they had endured this trial ; they should be condemned to a further and limitless imprisonment forcostB cast upon them by their persecutors . As fellowmen , much more as Trades' Unionists , he knew they would not allow such a stigma to be cast upon them , but would come forward , not only with their subscription , but also with their aid and sympathy , to assist them in such a good aud aoble object .

      Mr . CLATFORTHsECondedtheadoptoin of the report . All men yhould be united . No man should live for himself , but for his fellow men . Fvery man ought to take a part in the great struggle of Labour against Capital . They saw in the church , law , and army , that it was combination alone that made them successful . It was only by combination that they as working men could ever succeed . Asa young beginner , he implored them to unite in supporting the cause * of those who had acted so honourably by them and the interests of labour generally . The report was then adopted . Mr . Humphrey moved the following resolution : — That , considering the decision in the Conrt of Queen's Bench expressed on tha late proceeding * of the WoWerhampton Tin-Plata Workerg ' Conspiracy Case , this mestiug is of opinion that the right of working men to combine to fix the price of their labour , and to persnada others ( not nnder contract ) to act in concernriththsm , has been fully recogmsad and conceded by that high tribunal .

      The men felt that b y law they had the right to fix tbe price of their labour , and to persuade others to agree to the same standard , but the prosecutors endeavoured to destroy this right—not only openly , but by every insiduous means . This was always the case -with the employers Men who attempted to act as secretaries , delegates , &c . were set to the very worst paid jobs , and driven b y artifice from their employment . The master ' s mark was set upon them and wherever they went , they / were known as "Unionists " and deprived of employment . Everywhere the employers strove , by getting the men to sign contracts or documents to destroy their independence . Public attention was now being turned to the subject , but it was no new idea The speaker then read the law upon the subject , and shoved , that however plain the law might appear to be

      tnat even lawyers could not agree upon its interpretation Working men felt the fuU weight of this want of unanimity ' Even when successful in their appeals to the ' law , it was at such an enormous expense , that it was calculated to deter men from applying to such an expensive mode of securing their rights . The Speaker concluded by dwelling upon the various counts in the indictment 5 and stated thai the jury had found Messrs . Rowland and Winters guilty against the express summing up of the judge , and for a count in the indictment which had been previously thrown out . Had the judgment of Justice Erie been confirmed by the decision of the Court of Queen ' s Bench , a blow would have been struck at the very existence of Trades' Unions from which it was almost impossible they could ever have recovered .

      Mr . Shkh seconded the resolution . The right of working mia to combine had been , for the first time , recognised by the Conrt of Queen ' s Bench . The chief point on which the indictment affected the interests of the trades generally was that which made it an indictable offence , for men peaceably to persuade their fellow men to leave their employment to achieve a given object . After three days hard fightiu * at Stafford , this point was decided against them . Justice Erie agreed that meu out of employment were allowed to combine , but when in employment he decided that they had no right to do so , seeing that by so doing they would obstruct the business of their employers . This question was now and for eter set at rest .

      Mr . Du . nniso supported the resolution . The most extraordinary circumstance was that the men should have been found guilty at all . He trusted that the trades of London would relieve themrn who bad become martyrs in their cause from an imprisonment which they had too Ion * endured . The sum was but trifling anionjj the trades , and it was in their interest tbe battle had been 7 ou » ht . The resolution was then carried unanimously ! Mr . Burss moved the second resolution as follows : — That this meeting pledge ! itaelf to use its influence and exertion ( individually and collectively ) , to assist in raising the necessary funds to liquidate the liabilities incurred in defending the rieht ot Association daring the late protracted and expensive prosecution against Trades' Uuions .

      The Committee had done their utmost to ensure the comfort of the men who were imprisoned . They had received during the whole time , and still continued to receive , 27 s . per week . On the ensuing day they would be removed by habeas from Horsemonger-lane Gaol to tha Court of Queer . 3 Bench . The honour of the TradeB' body was bound up in seeing them immediately liberated . Eighteen men were bail for them , not only for their appearance to receive judgment , but also for tho payment of the costs , should the contest bo unsuccessful . The men were also 5 ° ? v w * £ - K £ 8 ° J h ' II 8 UouW n <* «« Iy ** their tl ' T JZ \ n ° n °£ r and their Pride - t 0 see that justice was done to them Strong as the Perrys were in wealth , a ? fhJ ? P £ b £ m > Were by Other ^ P ^ lists , the power ^ tSirTr ! ' greater than that of the employer s pounds . The speaker then alluded , amid much applause , to the struggle gOing on between the master Engineers and their men .

      Mr . CuMMisos seconded the resolution , and called upon the men 0 . London , indmdunll y and collectively , to assist in taking the responsibility off the Committee Mr . Turskr supported the resolution . The other classes of society were only opposed to Trades' Unions because they knew that an enlarged union once effected , aristocracy and monopoly would be impossible Perseverance must be their motto , and the greater the difficulty they had to surmount , the greater was their spur to active exertions wr awum , Toe resolution was carried unanimously " Mr . Fresohmoved the third resolution : — That this meeting , seeing the recent numerous and powerful attempts »»*> *! , «• Vl ^ l ^ Of laW *• A-tmyTtnde ^ Unions , recoininend to t em the necessity of adopting some recogniKdpnndple of central association , in order to concentrate thw power , toenable . each other to resist any future or mdden agsression which may be attempted upon the acknowledged right of combination .

      The Speaker , m supporting it , took a brief review of the various struggles in which Trades' Unionists had been engaged to keep on the influence of capital , and the advantage of a general union . Mr . AiMWORiH seconded the resolution , which was supported by . . . .... Mr . Wood , who said , the best wayto Bupport the motion

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      IMPORTANT STRIKE OP THE REGISTERED C < HI WHIPPERS . t 0 AL On Friday and Saturday nights large meetings of the registered coal whippers of the port of London , were held in the great school-room , Johnson-street , St . George-in-the-East , for the purpose of passing resolutions and taking into consideration the best means of maintaining a strike for an increased rate of wages . The labours of coal-whippers of the port of London are regulated by an act of parliament , and it has effectually destroyed the cruel exactions and oppressions of their former employers , the middle men ; but the low rate of

      wages , 7 d . per ton for each gang of nine men , was considered * very insufficient rate of remuneration , and the coal-whinpers decided on raising the price to 9 d . per ton , and commenced operations on Thursday , when all the gangs with one exception , refused to deliver any cargo of coals for less than "Jd . per ton . About one-naif the captains of colliers refused to give the increased price , and sought for labourers elsewhere , but with very little success . The other captains of colliers not only cheerfully paid the advanced price , but said if it had been lOd . they would not have mado any objections .

      Some masters of ships called upon their crews to deliver the coals , which they refused to do . The captain of the Robert and Isabella ordered his crew to rig a stage nnd hoist a ding , and prepare for the delivery of the coals , and they . did so , but when they were directed to proceed to hoist the coals out of the hold , they said that was the whip , pers business , and refused to do so . On Friday a great many captains engaged the registered gangs at 9 d . per ton and on Saturday the strike was very successful . The conduct of the registered coal-whippers has been most exoellent . There has been no disturbance whatever , and no attempt made to injure or annoy the bond fide servants of the owners of cargoes engaged in the delivery of their own ships , or the non-registered labourers , who are working for Yd . per ton . The captains of ships who tendered 7 d . per ton

      , tne 01 a price , were treated with oivility and respect by the registered coal-whippers , whose act of Parliament has improved their morals and manners , as well as their condition . On Saturday everything passed off quietly , and the registered gangs were generally emyloyed , at the increased rate of wages . The meeting on Friday night was attended by upwards of 1 , 000 persons , among whom were many captains and seamen of the coal ships in the river . George Tite , a registered man , was in the chair . The meeting was addressed by Timothy Hayes , George Applegate , Hamilton , Horan , Doer , William Brown , and others , and a series of resolutions , declaring the intention of the registered coal-whippers to maintain th » advanced price of Od . per ton , and calling respectfully on the coalporters , shipowners , and captains , to support them in onl

      obtaining y a fair day ' s wages for a fair day ' s work , were carried . It was shown that tho price paid many years Bgo for delivering the coal ships was 1 Id . per ton , and that competition , the great supply of labourers , and other causes , had reduced the price to 7 d ., at which it was impossible for the coalwhi ppers to support themselves and families . Applegate and Brown described at great length the misery and destitution which prevailed among the coalwhippers in consequence of their low wages . Many of their homes wero without furniture , their children were running about the streets without shoes , and many of their daughters had been driven by stern necessity , to adopt a life of infamy in the streets , because their parents were unable to maintain them oq their scanty earnings . It was also stated that the labour of the ooalwhipper was very

      arduous , and brought on premature old age , and produced various diseases from which other labourers are exempt . The coalwhippers had to work on board tbe coal Bhips under a broiling July sun , and were also exposed to the cold winds and showers of winter . The average earnings of the registered men were only 12 s . 3 d . per week , out of which they had to pay for the hire of boats to convey them to and from the colliers , and other charges . One man with a wife and eight children said , that after paying for fuel , and 3 s . the weekly rent of a small and badl y ventilated room , there was only a penny per day , or 7 d . per week for each of his children to subsist on , and that he often fell down from exhaustion for the want of proper food . The various speakers complained that the Commissioners of the Coalwhippers Office , appointed by the Board of Tradeand tho

      , Corporation of London , and their registrar , who was in the receipt of a large salary , did not sufficiently protect their interests , or they would long since have obtained a remunerating price for their labour . Hayes and Applegate counselled the men to stand firm for 9 d . per ton , to maintain a peaceable demeanour , to indulge in no petty personalities , and to insult no one who thought proper to work for less than 9 d . per ton , and to treat with the greatest civility , respect and attention , all masters of ships , whatever price they might tender . Several respectable tradesmen and ratepayers of Shad well , Stepney , St . George , Limehouse , and Wapping , said they hoped the strike would be sucoesBful , and maintained that 9 J . per ton was fairly

      remunerative for work which required great strength and agility on the part of the men . Applegate said the difference to the consumers of coals , in consequence of the inorease from 7 d . to 9 d . per ton , would only be one halfpenny in every fire cwt ., and that halfpenny , he was sure , thev would cheerfully pay if they were mado-acquainted with the destitution and misery which prevailed among tho registered coalwhippers . Mr . Sponco , mate of the collier brig , Robert and Isabella , in the Regent ' s Canal Dock , said the crew would not deliver the cargo , and he would assure the meeting , that tbe sailors in the north would assist the ill-used coalwhippers by a unanimous determination not to discharge the cargoes of coals in the ports of London . ( Loud cheers . )

      The resolutions were unanimously adopted , and the meeting broke up with three loyal cheers for the Queen , three cheers for the "just and peaceable strike , " three cheers for the crew of the Robert iind . -dsaBelln , and three cheer 3 for the public press . " On Saturday a similar meeting was held , and a very satisfactory account of the success of the strike was given . There had not been the least tumult or disorder , nnd those working for less thanOd per ton had not been interfered with . There is a general feeling in favour of tho ill-paid coalwhippers , and the universal opinion is , that they ought to be paid 9 d . per ton . A requisition is about to be presented to the churchwardens of St . Paul , Shadwell , to call a ve 9 trj meeting to support the registered coalwhippers in obtain ' ing a fair remuneration for their labour .

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      CAPITAL ASD LABOUR .-. THE ENGINEERS ' STRIKE . Mr . J . Ludlow delivered a second lecture upon this subject , at the Marylebone Institution , Edward-street , Portman Alarket , on Friday evening . The attendance was more numerous than on the previous occasion . The lecturer commenced by analysing the measure recommended to be adopted by the Amalgamated Society—viz ., " The practices of piecework and overtime . " In those cases where overtime was absolutely necessary , as in the case of accidents , &c , all time so worked to be charged double time . To these demands the masters had refused to accede . No doubt they had strong reasons to brins in opposition to these reasons which the men would be belter able to appreciate , when they had risen , not as individuals

      but as masses , to the condition of employers , when their Co-operative workshops should have become , not only the workshops of England , but of tho whole world . In the present chaotic stute of labour , he believed piecework would bo found to be the best means of remunerating labour with a due regard to the employers' interest upon his capital ; if they could duly protect it from systematic overtime , could ensure a proper payment for ' the work done , and protect the men from sweaters . As labour progressed from iis present state of chaos , and became more varied and attractive , so would time-work supersede piecework . It was to guard again-t the evils of the present system alone that the men were anxious to abolish it . Adam Smith informed them that when men were liberally paid for piecework , they were too apt to overwork themselves ,

      and in a few years generally ruined their constitutions . A carpenter in London and some other large towns was not supposed to ^ last in full vigour above ei ght years . A celebrated Italian physician had written a work showing the diseases brought on by overwork , and recommended all employers , by a regard to the welfare of the men , to abolish a system which tended to cause such destruction to human life . He further averred , tbat experience proved that the man who worked moderately did more work for his employer in a given number of yews than a man noted for bis speed . The spirit of the legislation of the present century , as evidenced in our regulation in favour of women , and children in factories , was conceived in the same light . The demand of the Engineers for the suppression of systematic overtime should have been hailed as evidencing their progression with the spirit of the age , instead of being denounced as " conspiracy , " &c . The men ' s demand for the

      abolition of piecework was too unlimited when first promulgated ; they bad since agreed that their objections were not to the system " as it should be , but as it now existed . " The evils attached to the system were so great that they thought the only remedy was to abolbh it altogether . It was evidently a case for that inquiry and arbitration which the employers had so summarily refused to ii <» ree to . Mr . Ludlow then entered minutely into the bearing of the case between the masters and their customers , showing that if it was allowed to be a system of " bargain" between all the contracting parties , the men alone Bhould not be denied the power of freedom in contracting that barg ain . He then dwelt upon the distinctive features of the Oldham case , and the injustice of the employers in visiting the sina of the amalgamated bodies upon those whom they acknowledged were guiltless , and concluded by stating the true relation between manual labour and machinery , and the manner in which the latter supplanted tbe former .

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      PUBLIC MIDNIGHT MEETING OF 0 M 5 IBUS COACHMEN AND CONDUCTORS . A numerous meeting , consisting of nearly 1 , 000 persons , was held on Wednesday evening , at thp Parthenium Rooms , St . Martin ' s-lane . The object of tho meeting , as stated in the bills , was " to take into consideration the best means to adopt to alleviate the sufferings of their feller men , wiro

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      FEBBggjg L 18 g 3- ¦ _ _/ THE ¦ •¦ _ NgjRTjB-gRK- STAR . " —

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 28, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1667/page/5/