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Northern Star (1837-1852), 30th November 1844, Edition 2 of 6, Page 2

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  • Departments (2)
    • LEED8 BOBOTT&H SE8SIONS,
    • 8TraHf0' ^ftotoment?.
  • Adverts (9)
  • Pictures (1)
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      Untitled Ad

      - \[ OT 1 CE 18 HEBEBT SITSS , 3 ! i * t the next General £% Quarter Session * of the Peace , ibr the Borough of Leeds , ia the Oountj of York , win be balden before Thomas Flowx * Sijjs , Esquire , Recorder of the said ¦ Boroug h , at the Coart House , in Leeds , on Uomux , the Sixteenth dAJ of Dxczran , 1844 , at Kine of the Clock in -lie forenoon , at niuca time and pl&ce all Jurors , Con . * tahles , jPe&ce Officers , f twecutors , "Witnesses , Persons Joiand-by Btcoghixance , and others iaving business at tht ssld Sessions are : required to attend . . _ AxdNotuxUhert&yalso Gizen , the HJjghwaj Acts ( not previously disposed of ) will be . ieaxa and taken at the opening of the-Court , on Tuesday , -the Sevenleetli day of Dbctkkex , provided all cases of Telony anulCsdemeanour , shall than have been disposed of or otherwise , as soon as the Criminal Business of the Sessions shall be concluded . Bj Order , Jajks RicHAiDgos , Clerk of the Peace far the said Borongh . Leeds , 18 th November , 1344 .

      Untitled Ad

      GREAT iCEDICAL BOOK . HKAXTH , STXESGTH , Ura . TTVH 33 true and long enjoyment of health maj be secured J . for all the afflicted bj the use of the oldest , best tried , and most successful remedy of the age

      Untitled Ad

      "PACTS ABE STFBBOBX THINGS . '' TIIE following testimonials from respectable person * , in addition to many hundreds of DECIDED CURES -rjiarticnlars of -which have been already published « taHished tie character of PABB'S LIFE PILLS , as &t Bt * t Jf « B « Jj « is the World : —

      Untitled Ad

      WEST BIDING OF YOBKSHIBE . ADJOURNMENT OF THE MICHAELMAS SESSIONS FOB THE TBIAL OF FELONS , &c . NOTICE IS HEBEBY GIVEN , that the Mich ^ elkas GBsnji Qdaxteb Smsiows of the Pbaci , for the West Biding of the County of Yoksl , will be holden by adjournment , at SHBTmiD , on Tgesdat , ths 10 th Dai or Decxmbebkkt , at Half-past Ten o ' clock in the forenoon , and by fiirther adjournment from thence will be holden at BxadfoM ) , on Thcbsdat , the 12 th Day or December msxt . at Half-past Ten o ' clock in the forenoon , FOB THE TBIAL OF FELONS AND PEBSONS INDICTED FOB MISDEMEANOBS , when all Jurors , Suitors , Persons who stand upon Becognizances , and others having business at the said Sessions , are required to attend the Court . Prosecutors and Witnesses in cases of Felonv and Misdemeanor from the Waponstakes of Strafforth ' aud Tiekhill ^ Osgoldcross and Staincross , must attend the Sessions at ftHXrfield ; and those from the Waponstakes of StaincMe and Ewcross , Claro , the Ainsty , Agbrigg , and Morley , Sk yrack and Barkstonash , being the remainder of the Ytest Biding , must attend the sessions at Bradfosd . A Second Court will be appointed , which will proceed with the Trial of Felons , as soon as a sufficient number of Indictments have been brought into Court . " C . H . ELSLEY . Clerk of the Peace . Clerk of the Peace ' s Omce . Wakefield , 19 th X « v .. 1544 .

      Untitled Ad

      ROWLAND'S MACASSAR OIL . PATRONIZED by her Majesty the QUEEN , Ids Roval KQgeness PRINCE ALBERT , the BOYAL FAMILY and NOBILITY , and the sereral Sovereigns and Courts throughout Europe . —This Elegant , Fragrant , and Pellucid in 03 , its preservative , restorative , andhratttifiring qualities , is unequalled over the vrhule world . It pi-rserres and re-I produces the hair , even at a late period of life ¦ . prevents it from faUing off . or turning prey : r <\« k > ., v . - - . jivu luiir to its original colour ; frees it from scurf and d-ind ^ -if , aud renders it toft , tittj ,, n / .-7 . j . plost-j . Facts abuudantlv proved by innumerable testimonials , wluch are open for inspection at the Proprietors . To Children , it is espeeiallv recommended as forming the basis oi A BEAUTIFUL HEAD OF IIAIR ' .: < Price Ss . fid . —7 s . —Family Bottles ( equal to 4 small ) 10 s . 6 d . : and double that size . 21 & . CAUTION . —Each genuine bottle has the words ROWLAND'S MACASSAR OIL engraved in two lines on the Wrapper ; and on the back of the ft ' rapper nearly 1 , 500 time * , containing 29 , 028 letters .

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      IMPERIAL AUSTRIAN LOAN .-Hessrs . A . SCHWARZSCHILD and Co . take the liberty to call the attention of their Friends and the Public in general to this Loan > in which they have a few scrips to dispose of , at £ 3 each , six for £ 15 , and thirteen for £ 30 . No other house has remitted so much money to Great Britain , on account of these Loans , and they have no doubt that they wfll OU this Occasion receive the usual support of their , friends . The distribution commences at Vienna , on the 2 d of December next . , Letters addre&sed , Messrs . A . Sch-warzschuj ) and Co . i Frankfcrt-on-Maine , care of M . ScHWAttzscHiLD , Ploughcourt , Lombard-street , London , will br immediately attended to .

      Untitled Ad

      DB . GBANDISON'S CHARITY PILLS . A BECENT DISCOViBY FOB THE NEBVI 8 . PAT RONIZED by above One Hundredof the Nobilitv .-By perseverance in this popular remedv , the trembling hand may become steady , the weak heart strong , and nervous irritability ( so often the precursor of insanity ! may be arrested . It has secured refreshing sleep ( without containing one particle of opiate ) to those who have been denied that blessing for years , and conquered the most obstinate costiveness and indigestion . It strengthens the stomach , purifies the blood , and restores the { spirits , enr suring vigour of both bodv and mind . 'I Caction . —The success of this Medicine , for every weakness or derangement of the nervous system , having caused imitations , the Public are informed that the words " Dr . Grandison ' s Charity Pills " are engraved in the Government Stamp , and cannot be imitated , as they form a part of the Stamp itself . .

      Untitled Ad

      THE never-failing effects of BLAIR'S GOUT AND RHEUMATIC PILLS in curing every description of Gout and Rheumatism , have secured to them a celebrity unequalled by any medicine of past or present times / They not only give relief iu a few hours , where the patient has been drirea nearly to madness by the excruciating ' tortures of this disease , but restore to perfect health in an inconceivably short space of t ime . They are equally speedy aud certain in Rheumatism , either chronic oracute , Lumbago , Sciatica , Pains in the Head or Face , and indeed for every rheumatic or gouty affection ; in fact , i such has been' rapidity , perfect ease , and complete safety of this Medicine , that it has astonished all who have > taken it ; and there is not a city , town , or village hi the - kingdom but contains many grateful evidences of its benign influence . The following recent case , selected from among those with which the proprietor has been favoured , ' is submitted to the public : — TO KR . PBOt'T , 223 , STRAND . ! Hurst , Sussex , Nov . 6 , 1843 . j

      Untitled Ad

      A aeit and important Edition of the Sil-rnt friend on Human J- ' raUty , THE FOCBTEENTH IDIT 1 ON . Just Published , Price 2 s . 6 d ., in a sealed envelope , and sent free to any part of the United Kingdom on the receipt of a Post Office Order . for 3 s . ( kL

      Leed8 Bobott&H Se8sions,

      LEED 8 BOBOTT&H SE 8 SIONS ,

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      NOTICE TO EMIGRANTS .

      T HE Undersigned continue to engage Passengers for First-Class Fast-Sailing AMERICAN PACKET SHIPS , which average from 1000 to 1500 Tons , for the following Ports , viz . : — new y urk , i boston . PHILADELPHIA , j NBW ORLEANS BALTIMORE , | BRITISH AMERICA , A <> . Emigrants in the country can engage passage by letter addressed as underneath ; in which case they need not be in Liverpool until the day before the Ship is to sail ; and they -will thereby avoid detention and other expenses , besides securing a cheaper passage , and having the best berths allotted to them previous to their arrival . For further particulars apply , j > ost-paid , to MAilES BECJCETT A SOX , North End Prince ' s Bock , Liverpool .

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      IMP 0 BTANT TO LADIES . KEARSLETS ORIGINAL WIDOW WELCH'S FEMALE PILLS , so long aud justly celebrated for their peculiar -virtues , are strongly recommended to the notice of every lady , having obtained the sanction and approbation of most gentlemen of theMedical Profession , as a safe and valuable . Medicine , in effectuallyreinoiingobstruetions and relieving all other inconveniences to which the female frame is liable , especially those which , at an early period of life , frequently arise from waut of exercise and general debiKty of the system : they create an appetite , correct indigestion , remote giddiness and nervous headache , and are eminently Jusoful in windy disorders , pains in the stomach , shortness of breath , and palpitation of the heart : being perfectly innocent , may be used with safety- in all seasons and climates .

      * " necessary , owing to the numerous imitations , to inform the PnbEe that KEARSLEY'S is the onlv ORIGINAL and GENUINE MEDICINE of this de ^ -riptioi , erer . made * and aas been Prcpa ™' bj them for more than Firrr Teaks : ! Purchasers are particularly requested to remark , that as a testimony of authenticity , each Bill 01 Directions contains an affidavit , and bears the signature oi * " C . KEARSLEY , "in -writing , also engraved on the Government stamp , and each box is u-rapped in white paper . Sold , Wholesale and Retail , by J . Sanger . 150 , Oxfordstreet , London ; and b > all respectable Medicine Venders throughout the Countrv .

      Untitled Article

      IMPORTANT MEETING OF TRADES' DELEGATES AT SHEFFIELD . On Wednesday evening , Nov . 20 th , a numerous meeting of delegates from the Sheffield trades waa held at the London 'Prentice , to consider the proceedings of the meeting of merchants and manufacturers , held in the Cutlers ' -hall . Mr . Stones took the chair . The Ohairma-v would not offer any excuse for his incapacity , but would endeavour to serve them as well as he could . The subject was of vital importance . Even' well-thinking man was called on to place himself right before the public . After the calumnies heaped on them by the manufacturers , it was the duty of every member of a Trades' Union to utter his sentiments .

      Mr . Thos . Booth said , that the working classes had been abused , slandered , belied , and ill-treated last week ' s papers testified . The mastere had departed from the subject they announced in their placard , and had turned upon the working classes , that they might act with them as they had done before , deprive them of their rights , and reduce them to degradation , misery , and pauperism . One gentleman said that " Sheffield was a doomed city . " If it was doomed , as many ancient cities had been , to desolation , he hoped , before it fell , the working classes would erect some monument to be read by a future Hunter , to commemorate that the working classes were steadfast in the cause of humanity , and demanded their just rijjhts . It appeared the

      gentlemen met on the subject of protecting life and property , but they turned from that subject to the means of reducing the working classes again to that state of misery and vassalage ot wliich they could not think without horror . They offered no proof that the Trades' Unions had destroyed one particle of the trade , or that any committee had been accessory to any crimes against life or propertv . No such proof was pretended to be adduced , and " there never had been of a recent date any proofs that could connect committee * with such attempts . The objects of the masters were first to slander , and , if possible , next to form an association to destroy the unions , however justly and righteously conducted . It was to be no consideration whether they were well

      or ill-managed . No suggestions were offered for their better management . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . Ibbofcson and others had said the trades were managed by committees , but none said whence those committees came . They did not say that the committees were chosen by the members of the trades , every man having a voice , and that in what the committees did , they merely carried out the resolutions of the body . ( Hear , hear . ) These gentlemen forgot that they were about to act on the same principle themselves . They had seen what sort of wages the masteis allowed them , what hours they worked them , and how they made use of the guardians to drive them back upon such masters as Mr . Ibbotson , that the poor wretches might supplicate him for leave to live at all .

      He might be a friend to unions , but it was Poor Law Unions ; not to unions that enabled men to say , we will have so much wage , or do no work , and we work so many hours , and no wore . The principle the masters desired was , to work their men as many hours as they pleased , and to k « ep a reserve unemployed , as a means to reduce wages . ( Cheers . ) It was the unemployed : surplus that enabled masters to bring down wages to the starvation point . He had read a small pamphlet , from the Edinburgh Review , called "The Employer and the Employed . " It was chiefly in favour of the masters ; but it contained this admission , that if , in a given trade , 950 men were employed , and 50 men unemployed , it was those 50 who would reduce the rate of wages . If the men had been

      getting 25 s . a week , the 50 unemployed would offer to work for 20 s ., thus displacing the other 50 , and gradu- ; ally bringing down the wages of the whole . It was not ; the employed , but the unemployed , who made the reduction ; and this shewed the effect of the shprt-time ; system , which enabled all the hands to be engaged , and left no 50 to receive wages . Let them remember ,: that the treatment of the pauper was so cruel , that they revolted in the streets . Let them never again forsake the cause of humanity , and allow men to be thrown in such numbers on the parish , to be so treated again . Let them rather reduce their labour to an hour a dav , than submit to such degradation . ( Cheers . ) Sir Robert Peel advised , some time ago , that they should take their own affairs into their own hands

      ( Cheers . ) If Parliament would not pass short-time bills—and he deplored it much—let them who were adult do it for themselves , and the children who worked under them . ( Cheers . ) The masters had always attempted to take undue advantage of the men who confided in them . There never yet was a Trades ' Union sprung into existence , till the rights of the men had first been encroached upon . ( Cheers . ) Every Trades' Union had emanated from the tyranny ana oppression of the masters , which compelled the inenj when the opportunity served , to take advantage of'it to recover the position from which they had fallen . There was division among the masters now , and if

      anv concern ceased work , the others would take ite orders . The manufacturers never could thoroughly unite . It was the more important that the men should do so . Let their cause , their earnestness , l > e one . Let them carry out the work they had so nobl ; begun , with a determination to transmit to their children the inheritance of a recompense for their labour , without too much toil . It had been calculated that two houi-s' labour a day by each person would maintain the whole population . " Surely , then , those who worked nine hours did their full share , and any who worked less than two hours did not do their share . He concluded by moving— " That this meeting is of opinion that th « argument * advanced bv the

      Untitled Article

      merchants and manufacturers , at their meeting , at the , Cutler's Hall , on the 13 th inst ., waa in a great measure at variance , as respects the legitimate objects thWtaeeUng was called for , viz ., the better protection of life and property ;; that while the present meeting appfwre of'everf effort that can be made to render thVabove more secure , it deprecates , in the strongest terms , the illberaland ungeinerous attacks that have been made against associations of workmen ; and this meeting is further of opinion , that the best means of defence is called for , to guard more effectually unions of workmen from such ill-founded and slanderous imputations as have been ascribed to them . " Mk . ^ JoHn Drury seconded the motion . One object in calling this meeting was similar to the

      avewod object of the late meeting at the Cutlers ' Hall—to coalesce for the better defence of life and property . There were plenty of moral means to punish men who were inimical to the best interests of the trade , without coercing persons or destroying property . This had been his opinion for some time ; ana had the manufacturers confined themselves to their legitimate object , he should have applauded thsir conduct . But when he saw their requisition , he suspected they had other objects , and that , under Sretence of protecting life and proper ty , they insiicusly designed to attack the Trades' Unions . If they broke up the unions , what equivalent had the manufacturers to give ? ( Cheers ) . From past ex- perienee they knew what would be their fate . What

      What was the state of the disorganised trades during the seven lean years spoken of by Earl FitzwilJiam ? What was the condition of the spring-knife cutlers , the table-knife hatters , the fork-makers and grinders , who were disorganised i Many were on the parishbooks , and many more laboured hard , and scarcely got more than the parish pittance . In the fork-trade , there had been instances of men falling dead from real want . These cases shewed the unenviable condition of disorganised trades , and if they were disorganised , no doubt such scenes would soon be seen again . At the Town Hall Mr . Ibbotson had said that he had no contentions with his own men ; that he treated them as a father , and they liked him . He must have a very bad memory , for he had a

      controversy with certain trades about twelve months ago , when they had some very serious complaints against him . ( Hear , hear . ) He stated that , for nine months , when he had no orders , he employed 500 men . Those who knew Mr . Ibbotson , and could swallow that statement , had surely no right to treat Jaok the Giant-Killer , or Sinbad the Sailor , as at all fabulous . ( Laughter . ) Mr . Sorby , too , with a good deal of egotism , Doasted of his liberality ; but a friend had put him in possession of a statement at which he was not a little startled . He stated that Mr . Sorby had a person working for him with both feet and hands , doing with his feet work that should be done by steam or water power . In consequence of this worse than treadmill labour , the individual was

      often ill . lie did not learn that Mr . Sorby visited him in his illness , or gave him any greater remuneration , but though he had a wife and four children , his wages were 16 s . a week . Other circumstances went to ihow that the greater part of the men in a certain trade did not get more than 16 s . a week , while other employers , who did not go to the Cutlers ' Hall to boast of their liberality , were paying 21 s . JThis statement shewed how liberallv and egotistically gentlemen could talk when they had none to confront them . He said , with Mr . Booth , the workmen must stir in their own cause , for nobody would do it for them . The time was arrived when the working men , having got some leisure hours , should try to employ them well , and there was no better mode than

      agriculture . ( Loud cheers . ) The thing had often been mooted and lost sight of , but he trusted the trades would now tako it seriously up . In many cases it had been found that men employing their spare time on the land had a greater command over the necessaries of life than if they depended entirely on artizan labour . He heartily seconded tho resolution . ( Cheers . ) The Cumrman said , he was sorry he was placed in the chair , for ho represented a trade , the saw-makers , which had received such insults from the manufacturers as few others had done . The greater part of the statements of the manufacturers were palpable falsehoods . They shewed that the working classes mast protect themselves better for the future .

      Labour was the source of all wealth . It enabled the manufacturers to build palaces for themselves , to make themselves comfortable , and to send their clerks to the Isle of Man . Might it not enable the men to build themselves workshops , as well as they were built for them , and place themselves in a position they were little aware of ? Mr . Broadhurst was sorry that a resolution of the manufacturers had not been carried out . That resolution shewed what they had to expect if they were guided bv the rules of the masters , and in wliat position they and their children should be placed . The masters had been disappointed in the effect of their rule , and now wanted to see if they could not force themselves into it . ( Hear , hear . ) The rule was , that any man not

      acting according to the wishes of any other manufacturer , should beproscrlbod , and that no other should employ him . There was philosophy ! ( Hear , hear . ) Mr , Wilkinson , table-knife hatter , said this was a meeting of much importance . Jt was necessary the public should know more than the manufacturers had told them—that the public should understand what principles the Unions were acting upon , as well as to repeal the assertions , without proof , made at the Cutlers' Hall . He was sorry the manufacturers took up the Unions , in the spirit they did . They complained of the men using means to force prices

      artificially high , and turning the trade from channels it would take if free . But , in talking on this subject , they indulged the spirit they deprecated , and their object appeared to crush , in every illegal and unconstitutional way , the Unions they complained of . They recommended nothing , but talked about closing their manufactories , and being able to say they had broken up the Unions . This spirit was a bad one , and was likely to produce a degree of antagonism far more hurtful to the town than the Trades Unions . They had heard of Earl Fitzwilliam , after hearing the statement of only one side , state that "the manufacturers of Sheffield bad been

      compelled to refuse to an order that had been offered , because the men had struck , and the order had been sent to the continent . This was an order that would have come to his branch of the hafters , for it was a table-knife order for Mr . Muntz . This tale had been repeated in the House of Commons and in the press , and had done harm . But it would have a contrary effect when the facts were explained . At the time of that order the hafters were working at a price the manufacturers had agreed to . The price had been fixed on a reconciliatory principle . The masters thought It little enough , and had promised that , in three months , there should be another advance . The forgers also had submitted to the wages which the masters had agreed to . The fork trade had had no advance . Their Union was then in

      embryo . The men were then getting no extra price , bat only what the masters thought reasonable . The order of Mr . Muntz was therefore returned , because it could not be done at prices which the manufacturers had themselves pronounced reasonable . It was not the workmen who had done it . And he wished this statement , which he had from a manufacturer , to go abroad , that the price Mr . Muntz offered would not have afforded parish pay to the hafters and forgers . It was said that the order was taken to Germany , but let it be known that it came back again , and the goods were haftcd in Sheffield . ( Cheers . ) The statement which had been made should be exploded . Mr . Drury said , it had been done in their reply to Earl Fitzwilliaiu .

      Mr . Wilkinson : The manufacturers told them that they did ; iot object to the prices , but to their Unions . But if asked whether they could have the prices without the Unions , they answered they could not . Then it stood thus—They did not object to the prices , but to the Unions , without which they could not have the prices . Then down went the statement that they did not object to the prices . Their scheme was to break down the Unions , not by right , but by power . They complained of the restrictions . These were an important feature in Trades' Unions . The men did not consider it sufficient to arrange for a

      certain price . But regulations were needed to protect that price in perpetuity . They had , therefore , introduced the regulations of the Ten-hours' bill . This was complained of . They were told that trade could not be regulated by hours—that ships could not wait on their hours—and that the loss of an opportunity did a deal of injury . He admitted this , unless the regulation were carried out as in his trade , and then it could do no injury . The hafter might work ten hours , and was not allowed to do more . But if a manufacturer wanted to pack by a given time , so that the non-execution of the work would be an

      inconvenience , the man was allowed to take a note , authorizing him to work all niirht , or 14 or 15 hours a day , till the order was completed , on condition that hqshould work so much less time , when he could do so without inconvenience . That was thpir regulation . It was not a restriction , and he thought any reasonable man would consider it proper . It was not right that some men should be working 14 or 1 . " hours a day , while others should be on the fund , or starving . Instead of one man working 14 or lf > hours a day , it was bettor that ho should only work 10 , and the other five hours go to another man , so that all might have a share oi' the labour of society . He hoped other trades would consider tltis plan , lie had heard of one manufactuivr to-day , going to

      another , and proposing a plan to beat the h . utcrs , forgers , and grinders , us tlioy should not urgently want their ordvrs g < ttini ; up till the next packing season commenced ; This hud been Lvkl tiiem liy ( . unto whom it hail Vrt'en ]> ru | . > si » d . Such was tho l'outlcmanly and philantlii-dpii - spirit displayed , While complaining otvom-ion , tfiv pmons wanton' ,-o « r a the men . Before they were in union the luLowiiij : had , for seven or-eight y-oars , lxen the practice in their trade . The-factors , who !; ad no sympathy with the . men , kept back the orders to the hist moment , and kept sending round to tfie small ni ; u « t < Ts to see how low they could get the goods . At hint they threw out a great quantity of orders . The men were urged to the utmost . They had to procure assistance . Men from the parish were tot on . and

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      by a great j exertion ^ as many goods were got up in three months as now required six . This had been going on for years , and so low were the wages , that many men , * having their wives and children working , got no more than 13 s . or 14 b . a week , and yet the men were so much worn out on a Saturday night , having got upas many goods in a week as they ought to do in a fortnight , that they could scarcely crawl home . This could not be done now . The regulation he had described prevented it , and caused a more regular trade . Mr . Shaw , fender-maker , said their trade had a connexion in London , and throughout England and Scotland . They had a box all the way through England , and they could stop the supplies to their masters , as Ithey had done , while they had friends

      . ! who could furnish supplies to them . They were not conquered so soon as many might think . - ( Cheers . } A . Representative of the Penknife Cutlers said he was the delegate of that poor , degraded body , the penknife cutlers , a name which for twenty years had been a by-word for poverty . He had the honour last year to wait ! on all the principal manufacturers , and he would give some account of their views . The object of his mission was to see if they would co-operate in raising the men from the degraded state in which they were placed . He began with Messrs . Joseph Rodgers and ; Sons , and had a long interview with Mr . John Rodgers , who certainly went over a deal of ground , and Jtook a retrospective view of the trade . He mentioned that his father was accustomed to

      remark how siVon his best hands , his sportsmen hands , as he called ? thorn , became olii men , haying to toil many hoursj and receive but a small pittance . If that was thejease then , how much worse had it been since A There were articles for which Mr . Rodgers had been paying 24 s . per dozen making , which small manufacturers were making , with a deal of work , but not a useful ! article , at 6 s . and 7 s . a dozen . Mr . Rodgers gave them every encouragement , and not only did so in words , but advanced £ 20 to form the union of their trade . ( Cheers . ) So much for a respectable manufacturer thinking Trades' Unions an injury , lie also visited Mi . Turner , of Suffolk Works , who expressed his willingness to concur as far as he could , and subscribed two guineas .

      Mr . Wostenholrae was in America , but his foreman gave them every encouragement . They went to another manufacturer , who looked ready for a rope or the canal . He had despair in his countenance . He said he couldjbuy cheaper than he could manufacture , and he wished them success ; for he did not know what to do . iThe sight of that man so took away his spirits , that he could go no further that day . The next day they went to Mr . Rowbotham , who was willing to do all he could in encouraging his men to join the union . Some talked of wishing to crush the unions ; but jif it were done , in a few months there would be scarcely a manufacturer of table-knives or penknives left . All things would be turned round , lie did not kuow what to think of men who talked of

      Crushing the unions . He knew men who at present prices could earn only 8 s . or 10 s . a week , and yet were paying Is . a week to protect themselves for the future , and not for arty present good . They did it willingly . They were not coerced . When he was a young man , he knew a young woman who had a sweetheart . Her mother askedher , " What trade is thy young man ?" " A fine penknife cutler , mother . " " rry ' thee , lass , don't have him ; thou'It have nowt but poverty . " " Well , whatitrade must 1 have , mother ?"• This set the mother a puzzling , and at last she said a diesinker . "Well then , mother , " said the . daughter , " I shall be glad if you'll get me one . " ( Laughter . ) That young inoman was no other than his wife—( Laughter )—and he mentioned this to warn them against letting their trades ftll into the same state . ( Cheers . ) j

      Mr . Wilkinsoh again rose , and said that lately the table-knife manufacturers and hafters met , when the chairman of the meeting at the Cutlers ' - Hall y . as one of them , j He said he hoped the union would secure regular prices , for the factors could buy cheaper than they could manufacture , and he hoped the regulation of prices would enable him to manufacture again . From time to time , since then , lie had been supplied with hands . His trade had extended , but he manufactured more and bought less . Therefore , it was plain his objection to the Union was groundless . The manufacturers , on the commencement of their Union , 'contributed £ 170 , to assist them in organising , and to regulate prices . Eighteen months ago , there were updn the parish books one-third of

      the able-bodi 6 d men in their trade . At this time there was not one . They paid a deal of money every Saturday night to the men out of employ , which prevented heavy rates , and saved the men from the poorhouse . Surely this was a great benefit . Mr . Buxton , table-knife forger , said he liked to be paid for what he did , and to encourage the same spirit in others . He trusted that the spirit they had shown would j have a good influence . In depressed trade , the misters stinted the men . The men saw it suited the masters , and they had tried it for themselves . They found that it needed no more trade than they had had to maintain the men as they were maintained now . The men had adopted it , but the masters were- the first aggressors . The masters saw

      that it worked well . The men had now one-third of tiieir time to cultivate their mental powers , and thus would become better able to oppose tyranny . The short-time system was working well among the men , anil it was desirable that there should be a disposition among them to work it with fidelity . They were now comparatively comfortable , but the attempt was made to crush them , and the assertion that personal and property were in danger woidd be startling unless met by counter statements . He urged this was a matter of interest—their own interest . If a foreign foe threatened , the eountry would call on every Englishman to do his duty . Anil should not their personal interest stimulate them as much as that of the public ? It was right that men should sacrifice their personal interest for- the common good . That they had done , but now he wanted them to arouse themselves to secure comfort for themselves , their wives , and children . ( Cheers . ) It

      was for this that they thought and studied , that they read the papers , and watched the course of events . They wanted to restore a better state of things than jthat men should work long hours for nothing . If ! the men were adequately paid , would they allow women and children before they had learned to read , to go to the workshops ? In that case , should they see the masters resort to such dastardly means as this association to protect life and property , and fche bad feeling of the town increased by the declarations of some of the masters . If we get you down , we'll screw you worse than you ever nave been . ( Ilea . r , hear . ) Let them remember the Masters and j Servants' Bill of last session , by which men might have been brought before the magistrates for anytning | or nothing . ( Cheers . ) If such a bill had passed , j they might soon have seen the time when the people would be as subservient as of-old . The resolution was then put to the vote , and carried unanimously .

      Mr . Joseph WiiKnvso . v , of the file trade , rose to Eropose the { second resolution . He thought enough ad been said to convince any reasonable men of the master' error , and to shew them that Trades ' Unions werejnot the evil they spoke of . Short time was said to jbe a great evil—he thought it a great good , lie quoted from H ' arfe ' s History of the Middle and Working . Classes , an illustration similar to that quoted by Mr . Booth , to shew that it was the unemployed portion of any trade who reduced its wages . The masters might give over manufacturing , and live on their capital , and they ( the workmen ) claimed the same right . ; ( Hear , hear . ) What master had a right to say he must work fourteen hours a day , when his health and comfort told him 10 hours were enough ? Besides , there was his neighbour , who , if he and othei-s worked 14 hours , must go without ; he , too , if tjiey worked moderate hours , would have a share . But the masters would remove their

      capital . ' Where to ? To America ? The Americans would dictate to them more than the English , and besides would call the Boss , and not master . ( Laughter . ) 1 Where would they make goods cheaper tlian in England i Cobbett said England was the cheapest labour-market in the world . He believed it was . Where but in England would they get a gross of scissors ground for Is . ? Yet here the scissors were manufactured and sold , material and aU , for 2 s . 3 d . j All the casting , grinding , putting together , filing , burnishing , paper , band , and everything included , was sold tor 2 s . 3 d . per'gross * ! Where would a rich man manufacture cheaper ? ( Loud cheers . ) But they were told they had no right to dictate to their fellow-workmen on what terms they should sell their labour . He held that they had that right . He would suppose a case . Take him to be a single man , able to do as much work as any ! man in the trade . His fellow-workman had a wife iand three children . Their master had

      work enough tor oidy one . They were paid , say one shilling a dozen . Now , should he say to the master—If you will give me all tho work , I will do it at 8 d . The married man might surely remonstrate— " Joe , thou'It 8 tarvje me to death . It may do for a single man like thee , but we can't live on that . " He said , the man had a right to try to persuade him' to stand up for the maintenance of the Is ., and if he did not do it , he should be a rogue . He met his own master one day—a man who was always willing to pay the price , though he very probably required a shilling ' a worth for a | shilling—and he said to him , why don ' t

      you spend your time and energies in making those pay the price who do not nay it ? Look at so and so ; make them pay the price . That was what they were aiming to do . The men who wanted to crush the Unions were those who wanted to get rich in a few years ; the ^ oltl speculators , who had several sons , and must have a fortune for each , as well as a portion for -ejioii daiiyhtyr . They b ;< sted to be rich , ami so tell into trniptatinii . and the snare o ! ' the devil : and it would lv iff ell if they were not drowned in perdition . Such ; men cared and felt for none but self , while tbevlmust feel for tlieiz- wives and children .

      lie had heard oi one gentleman saying , " 1 have beat my inon single-handed . " ( Laughter . ) When the people were ; all n-joicin . that peace wa « made , and Napoleon sent to St . ik-lena , old Cobbett said . •' Don ' t beiso ready to sit down to the feast—the shot ' s to pay yet . " ( Laughter . ) And so he said to the gentlemen who made this boast . He had a reso

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      lution to move , which he did . not expect to be coai plied with . He moved— " That it is the opinion of this meeting that a public meeting of the inhabitants of this town be convened as early as possible , and aa invitation , sent to the party who met at the Cutlers ' Hall , to discuss certain propositions —( Hear , hear . )— , which will fe submitted to them through the medim » of the public press . " ( Cheers . ) He believed the challenge would not be met . He believed the ma * nufacturers hated the light—they knew why . ( Loud laughter . ) . Mr . Tatlor , edge-tool grinder , seconded the mo < tion . Man was ordained to eat bread by the ' sweat © f his brow . But the famished looks they had seen during the last seven years shewed that they could not always get bread bv that means .

      Mr . Wilkisson again rose , and said , as to short time , he wished to advise how they should deal with those opposed to it . If there was one out of twelve in a shop who would not comply , let them not call him " knobstick , " or do any thing to make him un « comfortable . But at night , when the time to leavt work arrived , let the eleven quietly put their coats on , and leave him alone , and they might rely upon it he would not stand it long , but would cease to be a knobstick , and become a good man . He had long taken in and admired Chambers's Journal ; but Chambers was now publishing a series of tracts , and one was on " The Employers and the Employed . " It was a one-sided concern , and he believed had been issued from Chambers ' s press , knowing that it would thus gain a greater circulation than through any other medium . The resolution was then put and carried .

      Mr . Geo . Gaiximore said-, if it was not so late , he should have wished to draw a ttention to the article in the Independent on Trades' Unions , which he conceived to be as slanderous an attack as the speeches at the meeting . He hoped there would be another opportunity to go into its merits . A Delegate from the Spring-knife Cutlers , concurred in this complaint . Their proceedings were not duly reported , and till they had a press of their own , things would be no better . Things were strangled year after year by editors , who turned everything to suit their party . The press abetted the tyranny that was bringing the working classes to starvation . Mr . T . Booth moved , that a committee of seven be named , to prepare the propositions for discussion , to fix the time of the meeting , and to invite the masters to attend . Mr . Drury seconded the motion .

      An amendment was proposed to substitute nine for seven . .. The mover assented to the change , and the motion was carried . The Committee was nominated as follows : —Messrs . Thomas Booth , John Drury , Stones , W . Broadhead , Buxton , B . Littlewood , John . Taylor , G . Wilkinson , and W . Pryor . —Carried unanimously . Mr . Drury then read the following letter from Mr . Duncombe : — The Albany , Nov . 16 th , 1844 .

      Dear Sir , —On my return to town , I found your note , accompanied by the Pamphlet containing your reply to ths speech recently delivered by Lo ^ d Fitzwilliain at the Cutlers' Feast , and which , according to your request , I have perused with great attention , and think that it contains much valuable information , and is written with great ability . It will require , in my opinion , stronger arguments than Lord Fitzwilliam has adduced , to induce the Legislature to suppress Trades' Unions . There can be no doubt that the Masters ' and Servants' Bill of last session was an insidious attempt at that object by Sir J . Graham . I do not think it was brought in with that view , but ha seized the opportunity of converting it to that purpose , wishing to direct it more especially , I believe , at that time , to the pitmen in the north . I should not be surpr ised if some fresh attempt were made next year ; but you , and all my kind friends at Sheffield , may rely upon a continuance of my exertions to defeat any attempt to prevent what I consider a just combiuation of the industrious classes .

      I am , dear Sir , yours faithfully , THOS . S . DUNCOMBE . Mr . W . Broadhead moved a vote of thanks to tha Chairman , which was carried , and the meeting broke up after 11 o ' clock .

      8trahf0' ^Ftotoment?.

      8 TraHf 0 ' ^ ftotoment ? .

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      Statistical Account of the Mercantile Fleet of tue European States . —The following valuable star tistical table appeared recently in the 86 th Numbeof Lloyd ' s Austrian Journal . The entire number of vessels employed in trade , in Europe , are 87 , 296 ; and the total amount of tonnage appeal's to be 6 , 556 , 831 . The following shews the distribution : —

      Place . No . of vessels . Tons . Great Britain 23 , 135 3 , 047 , 418 France 13 , 845 589 , 51 ? Spain 2 , 700 80 , 000 North Russia Not given 200 , 000 South Russia 222 39 , 706 Austria 6 , 199 .... ... . ' . ' . ' . ' . ' .... ..... 208 , 551 German States 8 , 238 551 , 1 ** Netherlands 1 , 195 ' ... . 275 , 08 * Belgium 289 27 , 41 * Sweden and Norwav ... 5 , 450 471 , 77 ?

      Denmark 3 , 036 153 , 40 ° Portugal 798 80 , 535 Sardinia 3 , 522 167 , 3 $ Papal States 950 38 , 003 Sicily 9 , 174 213 , 1 $ Lucca 180 M . 00 " Tuscany 774 25 . Ionian 2 , 183 t 8 . * Greece 3 . 169 137 , 55 * Turkey 2 , 220 18 * 009 87 , 296 6 , 566 , 831

      Extraordinary Arrival of Shipping . — An extraordinary arrival of merchant vessels has been registered at the Custom-house during the last few days . On Sunday above thirty , and on Monday seventy-tw * ships were entered at the Custom-house . They were from China , Sydney , America , Archangel , France , St . Peteraburgh , Hamburgh , Dantzic , and nearly aJi parts of the world . Last week the average arnva » were about thirty a day . The effect of such a vas * importation of produce has caused great activity a the Custom-house , and at the various docks an immense number of men have been able to obtaui tu employment . A large fleet of vessels has also oeeu entered outwards .

      1 ' lRATES IS TIIE I . NDIAN OCEAN . —AMSTERDAM , ^ } 20 . —A private letter from Batavia , of the m »? July , says : — " Several pirate vessels havei latelyagaw app eared on the coast of Macassar . His Utijesty steamer the Phoenix pursued them , andhad anenga » meut with them . The pirates fired chiefly at-w chimney of the steamer , but did little damage . A" « an obstinate combat three pirate vessels were wr tured The Phtenix had seven or eight wounded .

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      v fc % * WV- ^ + V- V ; THE NORTHERN STAR . J Nqvembeb 30 , 1844 .

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      Lecture ox Trades' Unions . —On Sunday eyening Mr . West delivered a lecture to the trades on " Trades' Unions , and their duty at the present crisis . " The large room , Fig-tree-lane , was crowded to excess . At half-past six o ' clock Mr . Morton Royston was called to the chair , who in a very appropriate address introduced Mr . West to the meeting . Mr . West , in a masterly address , which' occupied nearly two hours in the delivery , traced the cause , ori g in , and progress of trades' unions , the history of strikes , and the causes of their failure . He then

      pointed out the necessity of a consolidation of all trades in the country for mutual protection . He shewed minutely the advantages to the various trades by investing their funds in tne purchase of land , to employ their hands either in slack trade or when they were on strike . At the close of Mr . West ' s address a person named Cliffe made some remarks respecting the Corn Laws , and the doings of " Swing " in the agricultural districts , which , he' said , waa doing more to bring the aristocracy to their sense * than all the progress and intelligence of the workingclasses . Mr . West replied satisfactorily on the question of the Corn Laws , and showed clearly that it was the progress of mind among the masses that the oppressors , both manufacturing

      and agricultural , dveadedmoat . Mr . G . Cooke saidthey had had enough of the humbug of Corn Laws . What they want « d was some plan by which they might be enabled to become independent of the caprice and tyranny of their employers . As a great nuniber of the trades' delegates were present , he would like to know if they were prepared with any plans to carry out the very excellent recommendations of Mr . West . Mr . Booth , metal smith , said the trades' delegates were purely administrative , not executive ; they acted on the broad basis of political equality , and could not dictate any plans until the trades had decided on them . They could give their opinions ; and his waa , that the safest investment they could make of their funds was in the land . He then shewed , with great

      clearness , the superiority of the land over manufactures , as an investment for their capital . For the produce of the land they had a home market at their own doors , whilst the peculiarity of their trade made them in a degree dependant on foreign markets , and the factors , who were the great exporters . After % many more very excellent observations , Mr . Booth sat down amid universal applause . There were then loud calls for Mr . John Drury , the respected and indefatigable secretary of the United Grinders . Mr . Drury came forward , and , after complimenting Mr . West on his able lecture , took a review of the objections of the masters to Trades' Unions , exhibiting the silliness of those objections in a masterly style . He next referred to the fact of the masters withdrawing their support from the Mechanics' Institution ,

      because , as they said , there were Trades' Unions in the town ; a proof that they dreaded the progress of knowledge among the working classes . But they were too kite ; the multitude had become enlightened ; their motto must now be " onward" until they achieved labour ' s honest triumph , and secured equality and justice to all . Mr . Drury sat down loudly cheered . Mr . Galliniore , razor-grinder , stated that he was happy to inform the trades present , that it was the intention of the working classes of Sheffield to purchase for Mr . Drury a life annuity , in testimony of his valuable services , and to place him beyond the persecuting grasp of tyrants ; this announcement was received with-great cheering . After a vote of thanks to the Lecturer and Chairman , this great meeting , the most important ever held in the Chartist room , broke up shortly after ten o ' clock .

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  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 30, 1844, page 2, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct515/page/2/