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Northern Star (1837-1852), 11th February 1843, Edition 4 of 4, Page 5, Untitled Article

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    • TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR.
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      Untitled Article

      M ABCH OF MACHINERY . njpOBTANT " ^ INVENTIONS '" ON THE £ FE OF DJTBODITCTIOIf . 7 r bebop's the majrafecturing operatives te be on 2 oct-oat . ' 2 iej have been Mcked aboni in ihe j ^ jsost nninereifally , in consequence of machin-^ Ti a-rinS partially superseded iheir labour in the ^ oction of m anufactured fabrics ; and wha t they C « been forced to submit to and bear , in the shape j hardship and suffering from this cause , seems to u loi the beginning of "what they mil hare to sub--v ! £ jj . ^ bearj unless a nctr < ftreciton be given to Aj proa acirre energies of the people , accompanied alteration in oar distributive arrangements .

      m , _— ^ . mm * « i - # ***¦»«« a ^ m «* fl ^ M ^ . ^ ¦ * w 1 a ^ ^ * % n 4 % Jbi 5 question of machinery is a puzzler and a ^ ag r Ii has already worked = ome most asionishhT reTolntioas j changing the whole aspect oi 2 ^ and ihe relative position of entire classes ?« ri each other ; and it seems to be destined to iLv jcsbj more . It baffles the efforts of the gjiggjjan ,- = ets at nought the calculations and foesfion ; of the Legislator ; renders law abortive j jjg&HaiiS eastern ; interferes with habii ; and ^ £$£ 3 and unfixes all that 13 " settled" and sable . " 1 J ^ ^ innOTator ° f ^ # e ; ihe JleTeOfir "¦ srhich the " constitutionalist '' affects to i rta ^ - ti e destroyer of insdtutions ; and the intr oj jjer ^ f new habits and new feelings amongst si ] d society injected " to its icflneEce .

      • Us jasich apon ns has been sedden and rapid , rej ^ jlj speaking . It is but as yesterday , "when the ^ BEJeijaBnicg vrbed blood in the chimney-nook , Wiis bE 5 ? inm ^ heard i * the home of the lawng-man . It is but a 3 yesttrday when the eard-. . ^ o ck occcpied aplaoe by ihe side of the spinning-. ^ j . jjyi the good housewife , aided occasionally by ¦ ha pro ' . e ^ or , prepared the fleecy wool for the jjEBBtl . Bui ibe sjisffliBS-Jeniiy camo and put . aside the •^ jjjj . g . ^ eeL The mule followed , and superseded flg gflisaBg- ^ 111 ^* The carding-engine came , and &b carfiJi ? - ^ ^ disappeared . These three new ^ jjjjg worked a complete revolution in the old process of preparing aud spinning wool into warp szd iraB for ths use of the wearer .

      5 osJs > iB tii 3 cloih nnishisg department . It is tjgsa the icemory of thousands now existing when s u ^ g " -was done hy hand , with ** handles" and ords" upon the " nelly" ; and when all the cropms , " sras done by hand , with fee " shear" worked by ijjj » Bojr" upon the " shsar-board " . Bnfc the " raisbg-pg" and the " shear-frame" were introduced ; jnd ihe nelly" and the snears" soon " hid their ^ niiash ed heads . The " Lewis-machine 'followed , jecompanied by the " Perpetual" ; and then the B ^ gai-feame" ihared the fate of the " hand-ihears . " is entire revolution in ihe mode of finishing was gas effected ; and that too in a Tery short Epace of

      TTe rnghi describes similar sori oi operation in jbsbj oihsr walks of industry , if it were needful to be "very precise . We might look at the calico and fptr . att weaver , throwing the Ehuttle by hand , without " picking-peg ' ; and then look atthesteam iwn , workiag by means of inanimate power . "We uaght eien instance the mechanic Mmself , chipping sad Sing by hand ; and then look at tie planing Eiebiae and ths self-acting turning lathe , doing YnfJHOi uiih scarcely ary attendance- Nay , we Digit iastsnee scores of other cases , and show that complete reroiuiioiis in themo 4 e of working up raw jsaierialsinio manufactured fabrics and articles of use , hue been effected by means of the introduction of hew and improTed machines .

      But Easmgik ha 3 been said for our present pHrpose . It i 3 onlj < mr aim to call np the recollection of parries ikth-Bring in the sereral trades enumerated , a to sftsihaieen already effected in ihetoaj / oj changs Jy jskhu of Machinery . Theprogres of machinery , however , 13 not at an end . Ihe changes that have been effected by its means , are Ini as ant-hills compared to mountains , Then contrasted with the changes that circumstances warrant ss to expect from its future operations . Meed , ice age of inventioa and improvement may k said to have only dawned . The morning has not erai Tet set in !

      The working man knows but too well the effects Trtith the introduction of this new machinery , and Sis application of the new improvements , have ihracy had upon his -well-being and physical conffifion . Prom that knowledge he may infer what Use e 5 ecis of fnfcnre improvements and new invenfems Trill be upon his present deteriorated position , SBlesshe cia by some means or other change his ccrcnmsiaiee ? , so that these thing 3 thaH work to hia beaeni msiead of his injHry : and it is that he may be aware of what there is in store for him , and thus be induced to work heart and soul to remove himaelf from under the terrible load of accumulated aad still accumulating evils , that we tell him of the &ets which this article will shortly disclose .

      It is onrpnrposeihalthe workrag-mansbaUbe duly forewarned of what there is in immediate preparation ftr his , that he may be on the look out ; and prepare himself to nseet the circumstances which will shortly OTEHakeMm ; and which , if they find him unprepared , Trill in ill probability overwhelm him in otter confnssn and rain . "R " e have spoken of entire revolutions having been elected in processes of manufacture by the means of hew and improved machinery . We believe that a great branch of our present manufacture is doomed

      to txpenenee a greater , more sweeping , and more entire remtotioa , than any yes effected in any branch . We believe that the present mode of prodanng woollen doth , from and np to certain points , i 5 X 35 Hreto ie entirely superseded , and done away Tri& s as it is certain that the spinning jenny and Breis hiTe supplanted the single-spindled spinning-*« fi . We &mly and sincerely believe that this * Siwrtly be ihe case ; not from a dears that it *** & is so ; but from facts and evidences which kTs ieengeen-with our own eyes and heard iwith Rirosraears .

      Shose facte and evidences shall be detailed as fca&KB y and fully as it is possible % and then ihe *** &er can judge for himself , as far as an imper-&t rektion will enable him to do so . &SS people have heard of the " new Felting j «* ess ~ " but very few people know what has been ooae in relation to it . It is only some four ***» since a mode of applying the . principle » iis maHnfacture &f Woollen Cloths was 4

      is-GOTfred . The discovery was made by a gentleaa h America cf the name of Wetls . He found k aaiEwer Ms expectations ; and he came ^ ver « ingknd to secure to himself the benefit of his ^ "J&dh b this -country . A eonapany was formed « arrj ou ^ bis project : and that company Lave ^ » Trorkmg establkhment in Leeds , producing s ^** ^ aaatities of ciotb by means of the ma-^^ invented by Mr . Weus .

      ^» invention Eueceeded so far , . as to demon-^ e the possibility of producing cloths at a ^^? " rate . The first application of a new ^® p 5 s—bi «? as applied to this manufacture)—f *^ -ftiis most conclusively . It iB true that the r *« J ? 43 sot aH that cenld be desired . It is troe r *^^ 4 ^ defects and imperfections : bnt the j ^ j *???* & jr of ihe new process was at once estabi ^ J ^ the man of reflection was well satis-—ift ^^^ ^ ^ experience , and ingenuity would ^ j ^^^ difficulties that presented themselves , vj ^^ Qie defects that were known to exist . y r *^?* r hat ht * m « . t wnTV _ T > i # i difficBlties ^ nd

      ¦ pfiP * : * hem pondered upon , aud plans and B ^^* ° < rrercwne them have keen formed and " T ^ -A neve machine to perform the process of ^ Bis the consequence . jf ^ t niachiiie we have seen in operation . We of «? w ^^ Portitm of wool , composed of a number ^ y ^ rs" from the ** scribbling machine , " and mak-^ S 0 Tt of dleel of loose wool , Tf iih ih& fibres disen-^ P £ d JEbMj . htened , aid laid parallel to each other . JXH lave t-3 rn k asasder . The wool , in this « « , we s ^ . i ^ ^ ^ lfcfcs Q r neB

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      slightly wetted ; and then submitted to the action of the machine , which is exceedingly simpls , being mainly composed of two boxes of iron , w i th t heir planed surfaces placed parallel to each other , and a slight tremHlous , rubbing , Tound-aboTit sort of motion comumnieaied to them by means of the requisite puHies , wheels , and pinions . TheBe boxes are heated by means of steam admitted to their interiors ; and between them was placed the wool in the condition we have before described . In one minute and a'half thai wool was converted into a piece of wo&licn clolh , ready for the Milling Stocks 1 And it was cloth ! It wonld bear pulling , and handling , and washing , and wringing , as soon as it left the machine . - It was a faster and firmer fabric than any " raw-thread" we sver saw .

      Tnat the general reader may the more easily comprehend the nature of this new process , and judge of the effect which its extensive introduction aud use must have npon the class now eDgaged in the production of woollen cloths , we shall endeavour to describe the several processes that have to be used in the ordinary method ; and show how many of these processes the new one entirely dispenses with .

      We will suppose , then , that a Clothier —( a race of men fast passing away from off the stage of manufacturing and commercial life)—wishes to make four Ends of broad-cloth , of a middling quality . To do this , he will require about thirteen stones of wool , at 161 bs . to the stone . Before the wool comes to his hands , it has been sorted by the wool-sorter . It has then to ba scoured , to rid it of the grease and dirt it contains when bought from the grower . When dry , it goes to the willeying-machine , which tears it open , and clears it from extraneous substances that may be mixed with and adhere to the fibres . There is an improved " willey , " which Borne manufacturers

      use , called a Devil . The woollen manufacture has its Devil , as well 33 the cotton manufacture . When willied twice over , it is spread upon the floor ; and Olive or Gallipoli Oil applied to it , by means of a sort of watering-can . The thirteen stones will require 5 | gallons of oil . This application is necessary , or the wool could not be * ' worked" through the remaining processes . When the oil has been applied , the wool is again subjected to the action of the w 33 ey . From this machine it goes to the scribbling machine , which lays the fibres of the wool straight and open , and forms it into a sort of sheet , or " bat . " In this state it hang 3 loosely together .

      The operations hitherto described , are required t be performed for both modes of making cloth , excepting the application of the oil , which is not required for the felting process . In the ordinary process the next operation is to snbmit the scribbled wool to the action of the carding engine , which finishes into a sort of loose roll like a rope , technicall y ^ termed a " carding . " From this machine it goes to the slabbing billy , where all these u carding ? " are pieced together , and spun into a continuous thread of some little firmer texture than the cardings . From the slubber it go « 3 into the hands of

      the Bpinner , who , as the name implies , spins the slubbings into threads for warp and weft . From the spinner , one portion ef it goeB to the warping-mill , where it is made into a warp . Then it has to be " sized , " that is , thoroughly wetted in animal size-When dried , it goes to the weaver , who has to " wind it on" the beam of hi 3 loom , and " tye it in ;" that is , Bach thread has to be tied to another passed through ihe " healds , " and also through the " slay " or " reed . " Then it has to be woven ; and when it leaves the weaver ' s hands , it is a piece of cloth , in that state of progress known technically by the name

      " raw thread . " It is then scoured to rid it of the oil it vras neees 3 ary to apply to it , to enable it to " work" up to thi 3 stage . When " scoured" it is called a " scoured thread f' and while in thi 3 state , the little bits of shives , and straws , and cotton or linen threads , or double threads , which have been woven in with ii , are picked ont , by means of a pair of bnrling-irons , made something like a pair of tweezsrs ; only that the burling-irons are pointed . This operation is called burling . " It is now ready for the "fuller ? or " miller . " The cloth is submitted to the action of a machine , called the " fulling stocks . " There is a eort of box , into which the piece of cloth is put , and a certain quantity of liquid soap is

      "lecked on" to it . Then two pieces of heavy wood are alternately raised by the machinery connected with the stocks , and let fall upon the cloth in the box . This process " fulls" or " mills-up" the cloth ; altering or changing the character of the texture altogether . Indeed , this milling is nothing more nor leFS than a felting process . The fibres of the wool are * interlaced the one amongst and in the other j so that that which was an open woven texture is bow a closelaad firm felted fabric . ^ Thb process eanses the peioe to " ran np , " as it 13 termed : that is , it becomes narrower , and shorter . When it leaves the loom , a "Broad"is tieefae quarters ) or three yarda wide ; when milled or fulled , it is only some fifty-eight inches wide .

      The cloth , when " tentered / ' is ready for the hands of the " Finisher " . How let us see the expence of this process , as near &s we can in time and labour , from the moment it leaves the scribbliDg machine to the time it is ready for thefaller . The carding and clubbing , then , wi'l occupy some two-and-haif day 3 ; and -will employ one " carder " ( an infant ) , who fills " the carding engine . There are three " pieceners" Cinfants of course ) connected with the slubbing billy ; and one man to

      work the machine- He is called a slubber . The carder will be paid a shilling a day ; the " pieceners " eight-pence a day each ; and the slubber will earn fouT-and-sixpenee if he be a workman . ( He ia paid by the weight of wool he slobs . ) The spinning will ocenpy about two daya . TMb process employs also two " pieeenerB" and the spinner . Of coarse the H pieeeners" are ehDdren ; and they will earn about eleven penee a-dsy each , and the spinner about fourand-sixpence a day ; for he too is paid by the wdght .

      The time required for warping depends upon circumstanceB j but the expense will befrom a shilling to eighteen pence a warp . The " sizing" and " beaming" and " tying-in , " are paid for in the price of the weaving : and to perform these several operations , will take the weaver better than four weeks ; and he will earn about los . per week . The scouring will perhapB cost some eighteen pence an u End , " and will employ a man some half-a-day . TheBe different processes , then , will take some five-and-a-half weeks to perfect ; and the cost in labour will be about £ 5 . hs .

      To this must be added tae cost of the oii t which is necessary in the one process , and entirely dispensed with in ihe other . GaUipoH OH is 4 s . 6 d . per gallon . Five-and-half gallons are needed ; so the total cost of the old process , in labour and oil , will be about £ 6 103 .

      THB PELT 1 KG JU . CHJS 2 , Now for the New Process . The sheet of wool is taken from the scribbling machine ] without oil , and sent at once to the " Felting Machine" where in two minntes it is converted into cloth ready for the Fuller I Not tae entire four " Ends" eertainly ; but as mueh as can be submitted te the action of the Machine at ence ; which is about two yards . Two yards , then , can be made in two minutes ; without the intervention of " carder'" " pietenera , " ** slubber , " " spinner , " " warper , " " sizing-boiler , ' " sizar , " " weaver , " or * sconrer . " Two yardB in two minutes is a yard a-minute ; or 50 yards per hour . But say it only does half this quantity ; or 30 yards ' per hoar : it does this with the attendance of one man and a boy J

      Thirty yards per hour , at ten hours per day , is 310 yards a-day !! But say the machine can only produce half , even , of this quantity . Even thenit would produce at the rate of more than oas htja-dhed and fifxt takds a bat 1 Here is a revolution I Here is an " improves" process I Here is a moi ^ troHa addition to cur producing m ° ans !

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      And what will be the cost of labour in attending upon this new machine , while it produces more than th re e En d s " of cloth a-day ! One man and a youth will be all , if not more , than the machine will require . Say the man is paid five shillings per day and the youth two and sixpence , making the cost of attendance but seven ; and sixpence per day . Let the » carder , the piecener , the slubber , the spinner , the warper , and tho weaver look out I What is to become of them ?! What are they to do ? O ! " turn

      to the new means of employment" ! Bah ! If every man and child now engaged in the several old processes , " betake themselves " to tha working of the new machines , why we should be obliged to 11 » tack " woollencloths in the open air for want of warehouse room ! and where the deuce is a market to be found for them when produced , seeing that even with our present means of production , every market in the world is glutted with our manufactures ? J

      ^ Bat we have not yet seen the whole of the revolution which thiB new process is SURE TO EFFECT . Look at the number of machines it will supersede . There will be no use for the carding engine , the slubbing-billy , the spinning-mule , the warping-mill , or the loom , either hand-loom or steam-loom . These all cost money ; and themaking and repairing of them employ many "hands . " The cost of them will be saved in the production of cloths ; and the expense of the room they occupy in the mills , and tho power to work them , will be saved also ! Why here , in these particulars alone , is a revolution in itself .

      The expence of the new machine will be very trifling , comparatively speaking . The space it will occupy , and the power to work it , will also be but inconsiderable . Tho cloth , as it is manufactured , will go at once from the machine into the fullingmill , which is to be placed just by its side . As fast as it is made it is fulled , and ready for the hands of the finisher ! Tell us not that this machine will not succeed ! This was the cry when the idea of employing

      steam aa a motive power was first started . This was the cry when the spinning jenny was fir 3 t announced . Tnis was the cry when the power-loom waB introduced . Tnis waB the cry when the shear-frame first raised its head . And this has been the cry npon the introduction of every new invention and " improvement . " Aye , and this cry , too , has been fostered and encouraged amongst the labouring men by their emplojer 3 : because it disarmed opposition to the introduction and use of the machines !

      r » ot succeed , indeed ! The very day we saw this new machine at work , we saw a great-coat on the back of an American gentleman of some celebrity , made of cloth manufactured by the process discovered by Mr . Wells . TM 9 coat the gentleman had -worn for three years . He travel incessantly . The coat had been put to hard service . // scarcely looked any the worse for wear . It certainly was not thread-bare . ' Not a stitch had given way . There are many more yearB wear in that same coat .

      Not succeed , indeed ! That same American gentleman told us that he had a dress-coat , made of superfine blue cloth manufactured by the same process ; and he declared he had never been able to procure a coat of cloth manufactured in the old manner , that wore anything near bo well , or preserved anything like so good a face . And these cloths were manufactured by the first discovered process ! We believe the new machine to be calculated to produce clotha of a much more satisfactory character .

      The process ia Bure to succeed J Only look clotK by it can be produced at a less cost than the cost of the oil necessary to be used in the old method ! to say nothing of the amount of time , and labour , and expensive machines , with which it entirely dispenses . Its success is certain ! W « would implore of the labouring people not to hug themselve 3 up in fancied security , uttering the senseless jargon of " it cannot be done "J They will find to their cost that it can be done , and will be done ; and we wish them to be prepared for their altered position-Bat this Felting Machine is not the only new invention on the eve of introduction into active use . On the same day that we saw that machine in operation as above described , we also saw a new

      BRICK MAKING MACHINJE which will work a complete revolution in that department . A description of the arrangement , and asUtement of the effects the inventor Btates it is calculated to produce , will enable the public to judge how far this opinion is warranted by the facts of the case . We cannot better describe the form of the machine than to request the reader to suppose that be sees before him an immense coffee mill , with two hoppers attached to it ; the one placed over the other ; and that the necessary motion is communicated to the machine by a shaft which passes over and across the upper hopper .

      The clay is wheeled into this uppermost hopper , oat of which it passes between two rollers , which crush it and makes it adhere together , into the lower hopper , down the centre of which a shaft revolves , to which are affixed a quantity of cutters , which work the clay throughly , and make it ready for the moulds . As it ia thus prepared , it is forced ont at the bottom of the hopper , in lumps , ready for the moulds , which are affixed round the circumference of two large rollers or drums , and which revolve in opposite directions , and respectively press the clay into the moulds with a very heavy

      compression . A boy BtandB at each side of the machine , to take the moulded bricks as they are delivered from the revolving cylinders , and lay them npon barrows to be taken to tho dryingground , and prepared for the kiln . This preparation does not take aa much time as in the ordinary mode ; for the clay can be worked with much less water . The lee ? , the better ; and if warm water , or water from the condenser of a steam-engine can be used , the drying process oocapies very little time indeed . This machine will require fourhorse power to work it ; and , at the very least ,

      12 , 006 bricks can be moulded by it in one day ; in many cases , more could be produced . The expence ot labour with the machine will be 2 s . 8 d . per 1000 ; while the present expence is 7 s . 6 d . per 1000 . In the ordinary mode of making bricks , the clay mast be dug , and allowed to lay for some six months , before it can be used . With the machine it is best when nsed as soon as it is dog . The brick made by the machine is much superior to the one mada by hand . The heavy pressure to which it is subjected ,

      makes it closer ia grain ; more compact . A brick made by the machine will weigh from two to three pounds heavier than one made from the same clay by hand ; and the advantage derived from this on the score of durability and resistance to wet and damp is immense . A common ordinary brick will absorb some two or three pounds of water ; the compressed brick will absorb very little . The face of the machine-made brick is much finer than the face of the hand-made brick .

      One of these Machines has been ordered by the Government , for the purpose of moulding an artificial fuel , which is made by the convicts at Gosport , for the use of the Government Steamers . It is made of small coal , tar , and some other substances ; boiled together , and then made into blocks , like bricks . This , too , is an " improvement . " Three tons of it will go as far as four tons of coal ; and it can be afforded for 23 s . a ton ; about the price of coal at Portsmouth .

      In additionjto this" monster machine , the inventor has another to be worked by hand . With the handmachine two youths and two boya will mould 4 , 600 bricks a-day : two to work the machine , and two to carry them off as soon as the ; are moulded . One great advantage attending this machine is , that the brick is ready for the kiln as soon as it leaves the hands of the moulder . Each brick has four tons of pressure applied to it ; and this makes it so compact , and drives out the taw ? tuie so effectvully that it i 3 ready for the fire immediately . With this

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      machine , too , tiles for draining can be made , by its means , better than it is possible to make them by hand ; and in quantities quite equai to the superiority , the « monster machine" possesses over the hand-process in the making of bricks . D / aining tile 3 , too , of a certain and useful shape can be made by the great machine . Here , then , is another improvement" which will have its effect upon a pretty numerou 3 class of labouring men ; for il also is sure to be suocessfully introduced . Indeed , it is already at work in several places .

      Bnt these machines are not all . On the same day we saw another , which will have some effect upon the bakers employed in biscuit-making . A machine has been made , and is now in operation , which will reduce their work to a bare attendance upon the oven , and mixing of the dough . The BISCUIT-MAKING MACHINE performs the labtA- of rolling out the paste , and stamping out the c kes . The dough ia put in at the upper end of the machine , where it passes between

      two rollers which compress it to the required thickness ; and the s heet of thi n paste then travels beneath two stampers , which are continually rising and faling , cutting oub two cakes at eaoh fall ; these dakes pass away ( on the rising of the stamper ) by means of an endless cloth , to the boy who takes them at the low end of the machine as they are delivered , and places them upon the oven plates ready for baking . By means of this machine four stones of biscuits can be made in ten minutes . ' Let the Bakers look out !

      While engaged in penning this article the Post brought us a communication from our Manchester Correspondent , which details some most important facts bearing on the very question we are discussing . From it we give the following : — " Improvement is still going on in this town and neighbourhood . In one of the largest mills in the neighbourhood of Great Ancoats , the number of hands employed havq been reduced to less than one-half within the l » Bt ten years ; and yet , at the same time , there are more goods made in the establishment than there ever were at any former period ! The wages of the few that are employed at present , have , during the same time ,

      been reduced nearly one third J At the time we write this , the mechanics are fixing up in the same mill a number of new frames , by the use of which six out of every ten now employed will be thrown out of employment j These frames are expected to be in operation at the beginning of next week . In another mill in the same neighbourhood , they are putting up frames whereby the whole of the Stretchers will be dispensed with ! The wages of the Stretcher would average about £ l 12 s . p r week ; but with these new frames the same amount of work will be dene by a young woman for about nine shillings , or . nine-andsixp 6 nce ! Knowing the above to be facts , we

      wonld be much obliged to the advocates for a Repeal of the Corn Laws , who are constantly bawling that " o Repeat would find employment for all those that are at the present time ivalkiny the streets unemployed , to show us how a Repeal will operate so as to reinstate the Stretcher in his employment , and : give him his thirty-two shillings a-weekagaia . ' The master manufactuters say ) that the ; cannot compete with the continental manufacturer even now , that they are getting about the same amount of work done by a female for less than one-third of the money recently paid I There is another knotty point we

      could also like thorn to loose . It is this . They are continually ringing in our ears that " when bread is cheap work , is plentiful , and wages high . ' And when asked to give us something like a proof of their statement that a low price of food-raises wages : —•• Oh , " say they , 11 Look back to the years 1835-6 ; food was cbeap then ,-and the conseqnence was that all were employed , and wages advanced- Now , if this be a criterion to goby , we would call the attention of these gentlemen to one or two facts that cannot be denied . In 1843 bread is as cheap" as it was in 1835—6 . But have wages advanced ? Not a bit of it ! Trade has increased .

      Is employment more plentiful ? No I On the contrary , in the town of Manchester alone there are at the present time 20 , persons out of employment . ' And instead of wages advancing , the following will show that a low price of bread is not a raiser of wages . The band-loom weavers in the quilting department were , last week only , reduced one shilling in seven , oa kearlt fifteen per cent ! The Dyers h « ve bad , very recently , to submit to a

      redaction of 25 per cent . ; and they are now bid to prepare for a further reduction of fifteen per cent . At the present there is not one-half of the usual number of hands employed in many dyeing establishments . The same rale ot reductions in wages and number holda good in almost all the foundries and machine shops In Manchester . We should be much obliged to thfe Corn , Law Repealers to make these facts haimoiiiz ? -with the doctrines the ; have been in the habit or spouting to the people . " , ' "

      Ought not the operatives to be on the look out t ! Yes ! and ought they not to be preparing to meet the additional evils evidently coming upon them ! I They may ask " what are we to dol" We answer " get dpon the LAUD J" A wise application of the physical energies of the worker to the cultivation of the productive energies of the soil is the only means of escape out of the trouble , misery and want which the progress of machinery hitherto has produced ; and , from the tenfold amount of both whioh its future pregress bids fair to bring ia its train , if the present system be maintained . How on earth is it possible to give benefic i al and permanent employment to the labourer , but by the means here pointed out 1

      THE LAND is the only remedy for the evils with which we are afflicted ; and the only escape from the evils with whioh we are threatened . To get upon tub land should therefore be the object of the displaced and superseded labourer . To secure a wise application of the soil , the only remedial measure worth attention , should bo the aim of every man who loves his kind and his country . By s proper combination on tub land , all " improvements" may be made to work to thead vantage of all the producers and consu mere of wealth This general advantage will be secured , whenever

      we have sense enough to cause machinery to be worked FOR the people , instead of being worked against them . Then , every " improvement" will be an additional blessing . Then , every new invention will be hailed with delight , instead of being dreaded as a bitter curse 1 The first step to enable us to attain this desirable obj ct , is the obtainment of the soil , whereon to employ the unemployed people . That step gained , all the rest will follow : for tho March of Machinery itself will drive us on , whether we be inclined to go or not !

      Let the cry , then , be : " the Land ! the Land the Land t " The Laud is the only possible means of Salvation ! !

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      Mb . Wh . Dixon would be obliged to Mr . P . M . Brophy if he would correspond with him as soon as possible * Mr . Brophy ' s children have come from Dublin , and are now with Mr . Dixon ; mid , as neither he nor they know where to write to him , they hope he will see this , and write directly . They have been in Manchester since the 2 nd inst . Mr . Con Murray wishes us to state , for the information of his , friends , thai he will be in Campsie on Monday next , in Glasgow on Tuesday , and the Vale ofLeven on Wednesday . Charles Taylor . —No . C . Fell . —His very excelle it letter is received . He

      may rely on suf keeping prominent the subject matter of it , in such way as our best judgment shall dictate . Erratum . —In the letter of Mr . Thomas Davies , inserted in our last , A />\ Neesom ' s name was printed instead oj that of Mr . Hemmings . Ann Yates , Shelton . —Mr . Hill's books are published by Mr . John Cleave , 1 , Shoe lane , Fleetstreet , and tnay'be had through any bookseller . James Heaton , Clitheroe . —His request is complied with . There is , no expence attendant on it , as the letter was not in type . John Copp , Bristol , says the Bristol Chartists are very anxious to see Mr . O'Connor . Robert Allen , Edinburgh . —His letter is received . He has our thanks for his honest expression of

      opinion . He may rely on our continuing to go on . striving it merit the approbation of good men and reckless , as fearless , of the rage of bad ones . Notice . —All communications for Mrs . Roberto ' s Committee in future must be . addressed to Mr . John Newhause , secretary * No . 11 Court , Upper Tower-street , Birmingham . Veritas . —His letter is received . Thanks for his friendly information . Nothing is more necessary , and for the vtry reason he assigns , than that we should know 'a // , these little things . John Brown , Scnderland . — We have received several communications on both sides . We shall give none of them .. Sheffield Chartists , Fig-tree-lam , must excuse ¦ us : ue cannot insert their rcsuluttvns on the

      Executive . The Northern Star has done with the viaiter . The same answer must be taken by several other purties . RICHARD RahSUEN . — Ills teller is forward * . J .,

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      C . J . Smith . — We have no room far his comments though we may make some use of them hereafter . John Durham . —Mr . Roberts , solicitor , of Bath , will do . D . Swallow * .- —All passwords and secret signs arc illegal . ; Larry Toole . —Thanks for his letter . They are not likely to get O'Connor till afier the ttial . S . J ., Bristol . —Thanks . ]

      Bath . —The Bath Chartists write to correct an error in our Paper of the 28 th . It was there stated that Bath had given assent to Mr . Cooper ' s plan of orgawzution . Such was not the case ' The Uth clause was objected to } , They recommend to the notice of the Chartist world Napier ' s pamphlet on the Corn Laws j John Brown , Carlisle . —We eannot interfere . H . T . Morrison . —Next week . Charles Cluderay , Holbeck— The money is received , and the advertisement . :

      J . D . L . —So much depends on the jDfecise local eircumstances , which can only he knou-n bt / aaual observance , that we can give no opinion . ( Sur friend must be guided by his own jiidijmmt . P . OHIGGINS—His letter is very long . We can often find room , for a short one ; when la very long one is necessarily shut out . We will try heM week . B . Fitton , Middleton . —He is quite mistaken . We had no purpose in Hie mutler ; nor have tee had a syllable of information on it . save his oun letter . We very often use those adhesive labe l ' s , and were quite ignorant of the contents of the one in question till informed by his letter . We doubt not that he will admit the sentiment to be a just one : and we trust he will noio see that we had no purposi to affront him . F . 'R . S . — We shall reserve his O'linmtiuication , and make use of it some day in an article respecting the futility of the sort of conduct and reasoninglhe describes . PHILAiNTHOFL'S , SVSSEX . —Per / tapsWgt week .

      Bernard M'Cartney Yes . W . S . and J . H ., Belfast—The Plates of Duncombe were delivered to Mr . Cleave in September last , at the same time as those of the Petitien . They were to be sent to Mr . M . Clarke , to ba enclosed to Mr . Henderson ; and this is all thati is known about them at the Office , except their non-arrival at Mr . Henderson ' s . T . Smith , Plymouth —The letter received herd on the 9 th was not post paid .

      Untitled Article

      FOR THE . MATIONAL DEFENCE FUND . £ b . d . From M . A . Riddlesden , Moriey ... ... 050 „ a friend near Waftefleld 0 7 10 * , Countesthorpe , near Leicester , proceeds of Mr . P Rigby ' s lecture ... 0 2 6 „ Win . Thompson , Saltcoats ^« . ... 0 0 6 FOR MRS . E 1 LJS . From Mr . T . Roper , Nottingham ... ... 0 i 3

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      Sir . —Will you allow me to l&y before your readers the following exposure of , and comments upon , the report of the discussion held at Sutherland , between Mr . Kidd and myself . I acquit you of anjr desire to favour either one party or another by the report That it is inserted exactly as you received it , I fully believe . Mr . Con . Murray , I believe , avows himself ( the author of it . How far be has fulfilled his declared intention to discharge his duty impartially must be kbown to all who were present . This I can eay , that I jknow several of the " whole hog brigade" who admit } that it contains much that was never spoken at all , and suppresses what

      was . I shall dismiss , as a piece of the * ' whole bog rant , " the heading of tbe report—* ' Glorious Defeat of all the Robber factions . " To ask what is meant by this bombast would be a piece of folly . i The report makes it appear that I , without any juetcause , or from some improper motive , refused to make the admission free . The following facts will shew uiy conduct in its proper light : —About 8 or !) o ' clock on Sunday evening , having gone out to take a short walk , I was stopped in the streets by two lads , who represented themselves as a deputation from the Brigade , to request that I would make the admission free ,

      on which condition the Brigade would pay one-balf the expences of the room , bnt not the printing . I replied the deputation were too late , the meeting having to take place the following evening , the change would not be fully known unless other bills were published ; that I had not then an opportunity of consulting my friends —that I could not personally afford to pay the bills and one-half tbe oth » r expenses myself—that they might also see it would be a physical impossibility to accommodate more than 500 , and therefore ' , whether it was free or not tree , hundreds mast of necessity be excluded who perhaps would bave come if more , accommodation could be afforded . i

      In the report of my second speech it is stated that I shewed by my " evasive aud shuffling attempts , " that I was " writhing under the first apeechj of Mr . Kidd . " Now I believe the shuffling and evasion waa air on the other Bide . Mr- Kidd had laid itr down as a broad rule , apparently without exception , that the majority ought uiwajrfl to . bind . tne _ minority—ttjafc by actjae in opposition to this rule I \ had violated everyjprinciple of the Charter . In reply , I required him to state whether he really meant to contend for this without exceptions , or if he did admit { exceptions to it , to state distinctly the general character of such exceptions . I stated , if be meant tbe former , I was prepared to prove its absurdity ; if ho admitted the latter , I would show that my conduct at the ] Conference was one of those exceptions in the conduct of a minority which did not violate the principles and spirit of democracy , i

      My arguments in the second speech are reported in a bungling and erroneous style , but I do not on that ground accuse Mr . Murray of wilfully } misrepresenting me . It must be recollected tbat be is hot a short-hand writer , that be pan only take tough notes , and has to fill up from memory ; every intelligent person must know , tbat with the best intentions , a man may greatly err on such a question , while , when be bas strong prejudices a particular way , be is almost sure te to do so . But I do accuse Mr . Murray , or the reporter , of knowingly giving an unfair report , by reporting what was never uttered at all . Matter of this kind will be found in tbe second speech of Mr- Kidd , where , replying to my observations on slavery in America , the whole of the plausible arguments repo rted between the 8 th and 21 st line of this speech were never uttered at all . No one reason was given by tbe speaker for slavery

      in democratic America , except that it was class legislation tbat caused it . In tbe same speech Mr . Kidd is reported to bave been interrupted by j my friends , the respectables—this is most unfair . Yery few respectable men were present , the bulk of the audience were working men . In the third speech of Mr . Kidd , * the reporter appears to bave divested himself of all regard for truth , for not one word of the portion repotted , between the 5 th and 20 th liae , was ever uttered ] by tho speaker . Daring the course of tbe whole debate he never uttered a word about tbe non-insertion of my letter . So much for the reporter ' s impartiality . The reporter has also forgot to report , tbat be had no wish to press bis censure upon me , and intimated bis rendiness to withdraw it if I would withdraw my resolution . Tbis I rejected with scorn , demanding if they , the audience , believed me guilty , tbat they should declare it by their vote . r

      With respect to tbe number , I may be allowed to observe tbat all the local papers represent the division to bave been equal but one , tbat one gives it in my favour . I am , Sir , Respectfully , yours , j . Williams .

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      THE SCOTCH COLLIERS . to XHE EDITOR OF XHE MOBTHERN STAR . gj R i will you have the goodness to a'low me space in tne Star , ( the only poor man ' s advocate ) fo the purpose of exposing to the indignation of the whol country , the base-unfeeling cot' ^ uct of certain Plutus worshipping coal masters in Sco ^ land than which nothing can be mote cruel or anti Christian . Itappeara thar for some tinie past there has been a strike among the colliers of Lanarkshire , and tbe masters finding that neither wheedling or threats , bribed or promises , had any effect in inducing the men to a > mp ) y with their terms , in fact , finding that tbe co& iers stood their ground like men knowing their rights , and that they were likely to be defeated in their unholy crusade

      aeainst the workman ' s wage , they feave now as a dernier resort , commenced to turn the poor . colliera out of their houses , bouselesssand friendless to ttecold winds oi heaven . ' Yes , hundreds of men , womeny and cfifldran , are now being turned out to tbe wide world sib tbis inclement season of the year , in order to gratify the revenge , w the cursed thirst for gold , of a few black-hearted coal masters . ' Truly we are a Christia » people ? Are we not a ctviKzed nation ? In former articles which I have sent to the Star , I bave characterised the people an ill-used men , and their employers as a set of merciless oppressors ; to show a proof of this , beyond my bare assertion , take the following paragraph which I copy verbatim et literatim , from tbe Glasgow Chronicle ot last week : —

      * ' The colliers of Lanarkshire . —The ejectment of the colliers and miners of this county from their houses , with the view of bringing them to the terras of their employers , goes on vigorously . We are informed that on Thursday last , about thirty colliers , with thair wives and children , bedding , furniture , ic , were turned out at a colliery above Hamilton ; to day a number more will be similarly ejected ; and on Monday and tbe early part of next week , about 250 more . " Really Sir , I can scarcely trust my feelings to make any comment on this . The idea of turning out whole families from their houses , in tbe middle of winter , is so repugnant to ones better feelings tbat it appears more like a dream than sober reality , did not tbe damning

      fact stare us in tbe face . It will be seen tbat tbe above paragraph speaks of the coal master ' s terms . What are those terms ? Those terms are a miserable pittance for their labour—not sufficient to keep aoul and body together ; not to be allowed to join any society without the masters' consent ; to submit to heavy fines for the most trivial offences ; and to deal exclusively at the masters' truck-shops . The men , very properly , I think * resolved not to submit to this tyranny ; hence the resolution to turn them out of their bouses . These coalmasters are professors of Christianity too—these archhypecrites attend their churches and chapels , and pray to God to forgive them their sins , as they forgive them , that trespass against them !—0 Umpora—0 mores !

      I do hope that the English colliers will stand by and support Iheir unfortunate Scottish brethren , and not allow these coal-masters to ride rampant over the poor colliers ; indeed , it is a question tbat affects every trade , because , should the experiment of turning the colliers uutof thbir houses , succeed in reducing them to tha masters' terms , there can be no doubt but that masters in other trades will adopt tbe same plan in like circumstances . It will be thought by some that these coal masters would feel some remorse of conscience . Not they

      indeed ! They could retire to their comfortable homes , after committing these cruel acts , and there see their well-fed well-clud children , without a thought of tha poor colliers ' , children who were exposed to tbe storm without They could see their wives and children reclining on sofas in warm carpeted rooms , and know at tbe same time tbat the colliers' wives were houseless in tbe bitter frost and snow—huddled together in some stable , or outhouse , with perhaps a stone for their pillow ! But what was this to them ? Had they not a right to do as they liked with their own \

      I intend to return to this subject ; in tbe meantime , I do trust tbat tbis statement ot facts will obtain for the houseless colliers the sympathy and support of all wbo have a heart to feel for other's woes . I am , dear sir , Truly ytuw , William Daniells . Lass wade , near Edinburgh , Feb . 4 , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      DREADFUL OCCURRENCE AT LEDBURY . A MOTHER KILLED BY HEB SON . ( From the Hereford Times . J On Tuesday last an inquest was held in the town of Ledbury , at tbe bouse of Mr . Charles Roberts , before Nicholas Lanwarne , Esq , one of tbe coroners for tbis county , and a highly respectable jury , on the body of Eiizibeth Webb , aged 79 , wbo resided in a yard in Homend-street , and who died on the previous Saturday , in consequence of blows inflicted upo i her by her son , John Webb , a thatcher , ia ft fit of insanity , oa the night of the 16 th ult . Sarah Taylor , who has been a neighbour of the deceased between five and six years , deposed tbat John Webb had "been considered ! : occasionally deranged fox the last four years , and at this beasoa of tbe sear waa

      • yrorss than at other periods . She neyor Ww Him to commit any violence , and be always appeared kind to bis mother . When insane be frequently talked about one Hannah Slater , with whom he bad a . love affair . His sister , Milborough Webb , is of a melancholy turn , and eccentric in her habits . On Monday night , tho 17 th ult , witness and her son were called up to go to John Webb . They found him in the garden , undressed , in bis shirt , and with the handle of an axe in ¦ bis hand . Her . son called to bim , and be replied , ' George Taj lor , I like you « ry well , but don ' t come near to me , or else I will take your head off . " Directly after tbis be went into tbe bouse and proceeded up stairs , and immediately dreadful cries and screams were beard . He came

      down stairs without tbe stick , and went to tbe fire , and , whilst there , his sister , Milborougb Webb , came down and tan out of tbe house in her night dress , and blood waa running from her bead at the time John Webb ran out after ^ har crying " —— your eyes , Dime Jukes , I bave given you seme , and I give will you more . " [ A person of the name of Jukes lives in Ledbury , who was vem kind to him ] Three men seized bim , and secured bim . with cords ; witness then went into tbe bouse and found a variety of things on the fire , which she pulled off , and afterwards called to deceased to come down as her bouse would be on

      fire ; receiving no answer , witness went up stairs , and found deceased squat in her bed half-dressed , with her hand against ber head , bleeding ; in reply to a question as to wbo gave tbe blows she said , " her unduttful son" or " boy . " On tbe previous ^ night ( Sunday ) witness bad been called up to go to John Webb ; ba appeared much excited and outrageous , and said that people were after bim to murder bim , and that Hannah Slater and another were under bis bed . He was praying , and very much afraid . Whilst witness was there , he got into bed , and remained quiet , not manifesting any wish to commit violence on any one . Witness understood that at times he drank

      bard . William Partridge , another neighbour , deposed that he was called to John Webb on tbe night of tbe 16 th . He saw bim in tbe garden as described by tbe last witness . Webb -said to him " William Partridge , your eyes , you are the worBt enemy I have . You stole half a bushel of potatoes of me , and if you come near I will slat your brains clean out . " Witness ran away , and Webb followed bim a abort distance , and then returned into the bouse , and shortly afterwards witness heard the deceased and her daughter cry •« Murder 1 "

      In a few minutes tbe daughter ran out , and witness lifted her over tbe sJile . There was blood on Webb ' s shirt , but he ripped the pieca off before ha was secured . About Christmas , 1841 , be went to church on Sunday , and . said be was sent by tbe Lord to preach a sermon on that day . He waa evidently deranged at the time . In New Year ' s week , 1842 , witness wa » asked to watch him , as be wm considered in a state of derangement and dangerous , fle occasionally drank to exeeaa , but witness did not consider bim a man out of his mind .

      Caroline , the wife of Willfom Evans , another neighbour , deposed that on the nigbt of the 16 th she beard a dreadful noise In deceased ' s house . Milborough Webbcrled " murder , " and ber mother cried , ' God bless you , come in . for he is killing Milley . " Samuel Parnell , constable , I ^ dbnry , deposed that on the morning of tbe 16 ta be was sent for to the house of deceased , where be saw Georga Webb , who Said his brother bad murdered his mother . Witness said , "I hope not , " when John Webb said , " Oye » , Bhe is dead , and I done it : I came down from London on purpose . '

      William Griffin , Esq ., surgeon , Ledbury , deposed tbat be was senV for to the house of the deceased about half-past one o ' clock on the morning of the I 7 th , and found her and her daughter lying in bed coveted'with blood . There was an extensive contused wound on the left side the deceased ' s bead , opposite the eye , producing a fracture of tbe skull ; there was also a compound fracture of the lower jaw on the same aide ; the ejo was also contused , [ A piece of wsood found under the deceased ' s bed was produced , and identified by the witnesses as the one which the unfortunate man was seen to bave in hia hand !

      Such & stick as tbat produced would cause the wounds on the deceased ' s head . Witness considered deceased ' s life to be in imminent danger . There was blood on tha stick . John Webb stated to witness in an incoherent manner , that be bad bit bis mother twice and his sister once * be appeared very much excited and lsbonriag untf . er abberratitm of intellect Witness continued t » afcend deceased until the day of her death . She was iquite sensible until the previous day , but never told witness who gave her the blows , although he asked her several times . The blows on the head , ot either of them , were sufficient to cwise death . Deceased was a thin spare woman , aud during the time witness attended her ha saw no other cause of death excepting the fractures and wounds mentioned .

      The inquiry being closed , the ; Coroner observed upon ! the evidence . Tho Jury , after Borne consideration , returned a verdict , — . „ . . . ! " That deceased came to her death f sons blows mttictea by h « son , Joha Webb , whilst labouring * ndet ™^ ^ ; deraigement . "

      Untitled Article

      TffE NORTHERN STAR , 5

      Co 2fteat&Gt;Ir0 And Vjovr?Spou&Cnf£.

      Co 2 fteat > ir 0 and vJovr ? spou&cnf £ .

      To The Editor Of The Northern Star.

      TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR .

      Untitled Article

      TRIAL BY SPECIAL JURY . TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAR . SIR , —On Monday last , I received two lists of Special Jurors , wbo , I am informed , have been selected to try me at tbe ensuing assizes . Each list contains the names of forty eight persons , chiefly landed proprietors , with a sprinkling of baronets , bankers , and merchants . How the selecting business was managed I jdon't know , but the public may judge of it from the fact , that several magistrates , who bad previously committed me to Warwick , were on the list , and also some of the parties engaged as witnesses on behalf of tbe Bev . — Ansty , in the Rugby libel case . \

      They have done it well . They have taken good care that 1 shan't have a shadow of a chancel They may say " Had you not the privilege of striking off twelve from each list ? ' Very true ! But then , ! the remaining thirty-six are no better than the twelve struck off , and as Home Tooke remarked , it is like expecting a man to select a sound orange from a basket full of rotten

      ones . I protest against tbe whole lot , and ; can see clearly that it is the determination of the j Government to deprive me of the means of a fair trial . The offences with which I am charged took place in Birmingham , and in justice to me , the Jury eugbti to have been selected from tbis town where tho circumstances are beat understood . Yours truly ; Geqhge White .

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      TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sir , —In consequence of tbe parties who engaged tbe Amphitheatre not being able to pay for tbe eame , a new arrangement bas been entered into between me and the ChartisJ * here , to the effect tbat I am to lecture for the benefit of Messrs . West and Janea ' a " Defence Funds" on Sunday evening next , at six o ' clock , in tbe " All Saints Open , '' instead of the Amphitheatre .

      I beg leave most respectfully to inform you that no meetings were got up in Nottingham en ] the 30 th , nor iv Derby on the 22 nd u ! t ., which are the reasons of rp . e making do returns to you for tbe General Defence .. Yours , in the causa , Petes , Ricvbt . Leicester , February 8 , 1843 . ; N . B . —I hope tha Chartist friends ! will get up as many meetings ss they can for me to lecture for the benefit of the General Defence , as thai ti ' me of defence is uigh at haart . 1 BLuuid fcko to fiai ' aome of the beat districts for the ftix > ve object .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 11, 1843, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct790/page/5/