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Northern Star (1837-1852), 28th October 1843, Edition 5 of 4, Page 4

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    • THE NORTHERN STAR. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1843.
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      Untitled Article

      NEWCASTLE . 6 L 0 BI 0 F 5 DEMONSTRATION AT SHEDDOK'S - injiTOu Bdorday * &e 21 * 1 instant , the largest meeting ^ « ia £ h * t b&en lH&d la the North ef England for some jeO ^ iRa ' heid » t the ahore place . It to arranged S&Ttbe irtft-kbag men on the Northumberland . side gjould aofcuble in fiieTorth at ten ^ ' elock In the laoroing , and -walk in proces sion from ttenee to the riaoe ' of'taeeting , piteeded by the following genSemen fa aooewh ten by fonr grey horses ;—I . S . 3 > nncombe , Big ., KiJ ^ Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., and W . P . Roberta , Er aj . 'tfcB WeidB of &e people . SWn after * ve o ' clocfc large prooeBsionB of the opwetted sonsof tofl , with thebsDnersof tfceiTrespeptfrre aDinga bJ their bead , -with -various spproprlufce

      mottoes , and in many instances preceded by ^ xcelteat "baada of music , might be Been Trending their "way to fte gathering , . Tbe morning -was Tery unfavourable to such a 3 fc-^ play > it raining coastantly frem before eight o'clock unta after eleven ; and it « aa donbtfol about nine o ' clock whether it would "be advisable to bold kb outdoor meeting or Dot , on account of the rain . About ten o ' clock the men-were-becoming impatient to proceed to the place ol iseeting ; and h&Ying formed themselves 3 nt © linB , proceeded along Collingwood anaMoaley x&eets , down Dean- * tre * t- < ai ( le , and across tbe Bridge tawards Sheriff-bill , whee they ^ wete tcbe ^ oiiied by Hie men of tb& Wear eni the Tees , and the ^ sest of the

      county of XhRhsm . A person who "had -observed them croaeicg the Tyne Bridge tellfl « s thatkexnarked the time'thsy took , and that in doascohrmn , at a gniciiah paee , * tJ * sy took three ^ oarteta of aniour in cxeaaing the Brhige , from first to last , in close succession . About ^ eren o ' clock , T . S . Dnnoorebs , "Esq ., MJ > ., P . OtJooBoi , Esq ., ana "Wv P . Roberts , Esq ., in a carx 5 rse dmrn by four grey hones , drore at a brisk pace towards the Blackball , and overtook ttis latter part ef the procession a'little beyond Bberfi ^ hiU , and having slackened "their-pace , drove in £ be ~ re&T of the procession to jtha place of meeting . They -were hailed at sereral dusters-of bouses by the road side , by the wives , daughters , and sweethearts of the working men , apparently assembled for this purpose , with enrapture * -ttreera , and " may * € od bless the poor xnaa ' s friecda . "

      The numbers on Sheddon ' * hill were beyond onr jacat sanguine expectations . We thought the numbers that passed through Newcastle waa great ; bat we had not seen ¦ ose-third until we approached the pb ^ e of meeting . We ha-rs heard the somber estimated at sixty or -eighty , thousand . It cleared up by twelve o'clock , and 'was a beautiful afternoon . As the carriage approached the place of meeting ,-the most deafening cheers emanated from the assembled fhousaads . ^ Laving drove up to within a few yards of the- hasfings , ttie gentlemen alighted and -walked to the hustings , -where the Executive of iha Miners' AsscoaSon "were reaoy to re « ave ~ them . The cheering eon-Enned from the time of their alighting from the carriage enta they -were safely landed on the hustings ; when it subsided . Mr . John Tulip was unanimously elected to the -tinSr - -

      • n »< 3 tslrman briefly opened the proceedings by expressing a hope that each speaker -would get a candid hearing , whether for , or against such subjects as might 12 diseased by the meeting-Mr . 5 . then « lled « pon Mr- Hanrell , who would move the first resolution . Mr . HasweH rote and « &id , he would not occupy any mere of their time than , read the resolution , aa there ware sereral genOesaen present whom they would be « T > Tinm » to hear . Mr . Wa&inshaw seconded the motion . The resolution was to the -fallowing efiect , and was agreed to cnaniincmsly . ^ That , in the opinion of this meeting , it is the duty , as well as the interest of this Association , to adhere atrictJy to the reetricH&v question , as it is essentially necessary to onr Tery p ^*» j » nw u a society to keep all onr members equally employed . *

      Mr . Bf 3 sley made an excellent speech in support of the MK&tUoB , and skowed that the reason that lawyers , bishops , kings , - *« ., had such -good wages was sot tha quantity of work they perform , but because they liar * a restriction upon their somber , which affords them better wages i whereas if they were as plentzfnl as Miners , and so better protected by law , they would be equally * -3 hadly off The restriction question enables them to live sumptuously every day ; and the more you restrict yourselves , the more yon will be respected / and the better will jour condition in Kfebe . Mr . Ghariton moved the second resolnfion , which wm aa follows ;—

      "ThatapeJitien beprssanted to Parliament , praying for a repeal of the export dsty upen eoaL " Mr . B . Watson , in a Tery energetic address , in which he reverted to the >™ w « which the masters would make of the export d * ty , at the next binding if it was sot removed before then , he begged to second the resolution . Mr . Simpson felt dissatiEfied at the resolution , and zoored as an BnifHf ^ " ****^ - ^^ " That if this meeting recognise petitioning Parliv ; sent , the first thing they should petition fur would fee a slane to give dne protection to the labouring man . The MBenrtromt was seconded by one of the meeting whose nazse did not transpire . W . P . Boberts , Esq ., spoke in support of the resolution , and w » upon rising greeted with most en-^ Ti « tft «^ i « fL h « mpng-! Ch 8 reaomtioc was carried by a large majority . Mr . T *^ irJy ^ l Tfi called upon to move the third resolution : —

      ' That in the opinion of Otis meeting a more safe and efficient system of venialation ought to be established by sinking a greater number of shafts , and those shafts to i > 2 more equally placed ^ and that we petition Parliament to obtain that object ** The resolution was briefly seconded by Mr . Iaresey , isd ably supported by Ml . O'Connor , who zeviewed the whole of the resolutions , and congratulated the Miners on the businees 2 fke "w"T" * r in which they did their work . He was bappy to see them assembled in their tens of thouasnds that day ; and was extremely happy that one ont of tbe-65 S hu heard their discussions and was prepared to lay their *^» aofc only before Qie -House , bet at the

      foot o ! the throne , if It would do them any good . He fatty concurred with the whole ol their proceedings that day , and eulogised the conduct of Mr . Simpson , in > rrwg ^ T > g rnrmfr ^ - ^ itt fm rmATR eiA . It showed thftt the Pitoitn would not fc 8 led by the nose ; that they were capable of judging for themselves , and determined to use it . He was sorry that there should be an occasion for juch a resolution as the one sow bafore the nuwting ' that they fbooidbe necassttated to petition for the 3 ! ght of heaven , and liberty to bre&tfee the air of the firmmemi . Bat be would stasd hj the Pitmen , because he believed they were on the right road . Me . O'Connor concluded bia eloquent speech amidst the thundering applause of the whole meeting . - The resolution was carried unanimously .

      Fourth . " That the present machines for weighing cools are faulty , and weigh Tery much out of truth ; we therefore resolve to petition Parliament to pass a measure eompeHin £ master Colliers to t >* Te machines on Hva beam * " < * scale principle . " ^^ iz ied mis 22 l 0 OQslya >*> - Beesley , in s -very neat speech , presented an address from the Miners of Jf oTthnmberland » " ^ Durham to Mr-Dnneombe . . On receiving which Mr-Dnncombe rose and was greeted with thunders of applause , waving of hats and handkerchiefs , which lasted some time . After the cheering had subsided he said , Mr . Chairman and Men of England , I have always considered public meetings the constitutional right of the inhabitants of these realms , convened for the purpose

      of laying tie grievances of the oppressed j » eeple before ff > p ipg ^ Kft Tny , * ni MnrmrmiTto + hc > merftB of the grieTpw fnf « p »^ i » f ^ ^ rf—ftpiTppiMiB ^ p ^ Tig ) Ton know it is your right , and . you know hew to exercise it—{ cheers } a * is evident by the manner in which you have this day disensrsd yovr manifold wrongs . Lord Abinger had said that it was impossible for three or four thousand men to meet for that purpose peaceably ; -but the assembly "wfaicb stood before him , consisting -of some fifty thou * and at the least , gave the lie direct to that libel on the people of England . Mr . Roberts told you you did not meet to honour me , but to do justice to Tounelvea . -Wish that ' sentiment I do ful ^ concur ; yet I rejoice that ao large a body of my eoun&ymen have emfldenee in my humble exertions aiding them in the

      accomplishment of that godlike object . Now , leatteaen , what are your grievances ? They are three-* olo * * Bd baar nearly on the industry of all classes ^ Krst , ahey areburtheosome to the -common peoplewhat mac could look at the misery which everywhere met his « ye and doubt the influence of the monopolist on such a large portion of the community ? one class pressed against another , and was in the end injurious to the whole . Ton have to complain also ^ tthe export dnl ^ on eaal ; the jos&ing of ttos duty was one of tae greatest blBcders ever eommUted by any administration . XordHowiok manrolly epposed tha 4 ory- and I gave Mm * & the advantage of my support in the House oi Commons—fland ekeers ) . It was an hnvxv to the coal propri 8 tor , sjid the working Miner—it was a gross violation of a # ood prindple , aadiaer « fid tijB opposi fioBtff every basest Member of the Commons House of garTiamftnt—TJimmfimw cheering } . He wm glad when he found * « sse in which the aatten ani ttu

      men coald so cordially agree for the beaeSt « f both j and lie hoped that the Bcion of the two was an omen of much good . He knew the men were sot willingly refractory ; and if th » jnasten would befriend tfces , they would win the Affections of their l operative and iesprtbe benefit of willing labopera . They had to complain of bad Tentflfttion , scarcity-of shafts , and 4 CO the whole aa utter sfeseaee of protection , which science could : rf"acd them lac the preservation of theii Itck What ajdlrgnee to & masters and proprietors of the i plti ia yoftiSBBberiszid jiod Porham that hasbaod * . wives , and ddldren had been hurried from Cms Ixtto eternity by tte sriiishnfipr , carelessness , and avarice of tieir class . B was the ^ nty of Parliament to wotert ' fliem bom each a TrilfBl agposnre of life to tbe ttaWfOl instant deaUil Ths Government had appointed inspectors of gaols , and of faetorissj and he had so iorjb ^ ttftt Qibj wpald short ly appoint in-

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      specters of Collieries also , provided toe Miners would repeatedly lay their grievances before them . He ( Me D . ) cad this day fceer ^ infonntd ttiat tlia pitaea suffered immense losrj fr » m \ b $ n » B of BBJOst weights and measurjB ; and this "Wai s . jgubject for whlcb legislation should . ^> e immediately adapted , not fines . A Sue of £ 5 was no punishment to a rich coal proprietc * . Men of wh&t Is com » oaly called rank cared noUiinp , for pecuniary fine , Tl »« wealth in ttat case set the law at defiance ; "but hs would propose an amen ^ nvjnt to such a plan . He would propose for the first efface that the aggressor should reap the benefit of sixn- . ontha en tile tread-mill—( loud cheering ) . He knew hov ^ the poor Lancashire operative suffered

      . from the ope / ation of the truck system * iwfc of all the plundering * -of tbe working class be had ever heard , nothing came vithin the range of his knowledge so Tilhunoua of tteelf aa the frauds prasUsed on the poor j Colliers . Me was not here to-day to discuss any great | political ^ nestion , and would therefore content himself i by informing them , that he bad , in the absence of , Lord Ashley , presented a petition signed by 20 , 000 \ Pitmen 'in Northumberland and Durham , praying for a redress x > t some of their many wrongs . He asked ; them to make their condition known again . They had : sow the beseflt of a talented legal adviser . Let them j make their statements to him , and he would comniunl-; cateinuch valuable information to him ( Mr . D . ) which t he could not otherwise obtain . He would most

      cheerfoliy concede to then : request and be happy to present ' and support their petitions . Mr . J > . concluded his ex-) « ellent address amidBt the most enthusiastic thunders ! of applause , which lasted for several minutes . I The thanks of tbe meeting was voted to T , S . Dun-• combe , Esq ., M . P . ; to Fa&rgus O'Connor , Esq . ; to W . [ 5 " . Boberts , Esq . ; and to the Chairman . After which the meeting separated .

      The Northern Star. Saturday, October 28, 1843.

      THE NORTHERN STAR . SATURDAY , OCTOBER 28 , 1843 .

      Untitled Article

      THE LEAGUE AND THE ELECTIONS . A great fuss is made just now , by the League , because they have managed to return Mr . Pattison , a ' Liberal , " for the City , in room of Alderman Wood , a "Liberal , " deceased . "Their Bong of triumph" on the occasion is most loud and long : though ordinary folks will be puzzled to see wherein the " triumph ' consists , seeing that they have osly saved themselves from defeat , by the returning of one Liberal" in the loom of another ! It may be , that Mr . Pathson is looked upon as a more decided "free-trader" than old Sir Matthew Wood ; and that therefore the return of him , ia opposition to Mr . Babis g , the Government candidate , is a " triumph . " Bat before we can allow it

      to be a" triumph" , even in that sense , we most have it shewn that Mr . Basing was the representative of , oi battled for , the opposite principle '¦ the principle of PfiOMCTioN . In this character he did not appear . He too , was a "free-trader . " The only difference between the two men , Pattison and Basing , was that the one was called a Whig and the other a Conservative : both being opponents of those principles of commercial policy that once made England truly great , because comfortable and happy ; and the abnegation of which has reduced her population to the horrid state in which we now find it , when the workers have to endure such awful misery as to cause them to " with Almighty God to pat an end to their sufferings before morning . "

      Basik g was a mere Whig . Follow him home ; run his principles oat ; and he is nothing more than a Whig . He was for * ' /«« trade" ; though like little Lord John Russell , he had some undefined notions aboat " finality" ; or applying the principles slowly , so as not to throw all into disorder and irretrievable confusion . He was in favour of the New Poor Law ; though he might consent to some modification of the more harsh portions of it , when the necessity was proven . Indeed , he was , in very deed and truth , a WMg ; and his defeat by Pattison , was only the return of one Whig orer the head of anothay Whig , to fill np » T » caaoy occasioned bj the demise of a third Whig . A rare occasion , certainly , for * Bongs of triumph" !

      The City Election being thus settled , * pubho attention is now turned to tbe one pending at Kendal . In that Borough , which numbers a constituency of nearly thbeb bbsdhed abd fifty , a vacancy has occurred , through the death of a League van , Mr . George William Wood . The League are therefore on the alert again . We are to have another " triumph , " if the League succeed in returning another man in the room of the man they have lost ; and this we are of course to expect , seeing that the League tell us that they have a majority of the three hundred and fifty in their favour I

      The most notable matter connected with thi Eend&l election , is the sort of contest that has already taken place , in tbe choice of a League candidate . The claims of not less than six "freetraders " , all panting for & seat , have been preferred ; and among them , tbe claims of oar old friend , Goody Thompson . Poor Old Colonxx How be is tossed from pillar to poet 1 How he is

      used , and then laughed at ! The Colonel would give bis ears to be able to write M . P . at tbe tail of bis name : and yet , spite of all his endeavours to the accomplish it , nobody will have tbe poor man ! He has cried ioha wants me" to almost every constituency in England : bat all seem instinctively to shrink from Mm as from a dose connection with a daft old woman , whom all may pity , at a distance ; and some even seek amusement from her vagaries .

      It really is a bard matter for tbe poor Colonel to be £ 0 ased . Hull wouldn't have him . Manchester said " nay " . When a vacancy was announced for Sheffield , and the Colonel was only talked of , tbe hilch with Wam > and Pabxeb was got over , or accommodated ; so fearful were the ShefiLelders of the threatened invasion . Since then Goody has I cast a sheep ' s eye at Sunderland ; and when Geobcs ! William Wood was " gathered to hia fathers ' , tbe | Kendal men were implored by all that was good and ( sacred , to gratify the craving ambition of tbe ftawTcedabout-but-rejected Colonel . Mother Goose gave him a lift . She begged and prayed that he might not be disappointed this time ; she gave her guarantee for the Colonel ' s goodness , squeexeableriess— ( of which , no doabf , she has bad ample

      proof)—ASD DO-AHYTHiNG-ASD-ETJSTHING-rOE-A-SEAT-ABLg xess , would the Kendal men but return Mm . Shame on them 1 they hare refused ! His claims have been repadiated—set at nought . Mother Goose ' s tabooing seems , like tbe Colonel ' s efforts and merits , to be at a oliseonnt . He is quietly passed over with the other five—( to fame unknown)—and he is doomed to drive his pretensions to another market ; whether with any better success remains to be Been .

      And who have the " Free Traders" of Kensal fixed upon , as most congenial to their feeRngs and desires '? Tbe anatomist Wabbubton 1 Dead Body Bill WabbubtonI The "Free Trader" in the dead carcasses of the poor ! The cutter- up of the friendless and the unprotected ! The disserting-law procarer , to enable drunken brutal " students" to" hack , " and " hew , " and cut , " and " slash" tbe dead poor , in tbe workhouses and tbe prisons 1 Amiable candidate 3 more amiable constituency . ' M Sore such a pair were never seen . "

      A great stir has been made by the League , in the City , about bribery . They have vapoured much about prosecuting for bribery j and bave « vcn offered rewards for cases to bring before the . tribunals . They have spent an uncommon amoont of virtuous indigna-Han respecting ori&inp ' practices . Do the League know why Deud-bodyBUl Wabbobion is without & Beat I Do they knowanything of Bridpori ? Do they know uhy the currBB-trp op the poob bad so suddenly to decamp from "the House" ! Do they want casettogo before tbe tribunals with ! If so , bow is it that they have overlooked Wabbtjbton and

      Bridport 1 If their horror of bribery be as pure and as glowing as they pretend , why have they made Wa » - auBion their candidate ! How do all these things « ome to pass 1 Hu is tbe last man to bring forward on the purity of election" principle ! And , talking of bribery , brings to mind that there is , at present , a petition against the return of Bkight Johh himself , on the ground of bribery and other corrupt practices . Will the League prosecute ^ John , or their own agents , should t he charg es of bribery be brought home ! Will they offer a reward to all who ess give evidence ? Will they seek to rindicate the

      Untitled Article

      law ! Will they , shew that th ^ r new-born zsal against bribery ie not sheer affeotewon \ We should like to see them try . Before we dose , we must again inquire how the £ 100 , 000 is getting on . What are the spoonies doing ! Don't they know the League-men want the * brass " ! If they are to buy elections , and each one cost them as much as tbe city one has cost , —maugre all the denunciations against briberys —they will need many a £ 100 , 000 before they have half the •? House" ! Those who have faith in that sort of process , ought not to withhold tbe

      meaus I Pray : let them be forthcoming . The League will apply them ! You need not fear that ! Don't , then , be backward . Send in the seat-money . There will a way be found for it all : and when all is again expended , you will have found out the truth and worth of another portion of Chartist policy . It has cost you £ 50 , 000 to find out that it is useless to again petition tbe present " House ;" and hopeless to expect your M measure" at its handsi M Far-fetched and dear bought is good for ladies" whether in petticoats or breeches ! By all means , then , make your future purchases in tbe same market !

      Now , don't let the finders of the League-cash think that we have been bribed to thus urge upon them their duty . We assure them that it is not so . Our hands are dean ; though we believe that that is more than many of the Press-gang can say . Oar advice to them , to send in their money , is perfectly disinterested . We see a lot of hungry mouths , waiting for the opportunity to swallow a plum . We

      know their ownerB * propensity for mischief , if . tbe feed be not found . They are capable of making away with all that can come to hand : there are also a lot of good easy simple souls , who have more cash than wit , and who are desirous to administer to their "necessities . " It would be a pity to dissuade them from their purpose . Let the cash roll in , then , for the Eooner tbe £ 100 , 000 is raised , tbe sooner will it be spent !! Good lack attend it !

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      pressed to go for nought ! Is the book to be a mookeryl Is the promised protection to be a fiction i Is the law to be trodden under foot f And is the great law bbeaker still to be retained in the Commission , as Lord Lientenant of a County I But to our story . The Miners' Association have Agents in different parts of the country , to plead the cause of " Union" amongst the working Miners in all parts ; and to shew them the advantages to be derived from a general legal combination

      to protect miners' labour from the aggressions and assaults of capital . These agents have been of immense service to the community at large , independently of their own immediate purposes . They have been the means of dragging to light a vast amount of oppression and tyranny , practised in dark corners and far-awaylplacea . Amongst other things , they have exposed the practices of the Duke 0 f Hamilton , the Carbon Ibon Company , and many individual Coal-owners , who live in the habitual

      violation of law . Some time ago two of these agents were in the neighbourhood of Airdrie , in Scotland ; in the several localities of which they held meetings of the working Miners . At one place they state : — "As they proceeded on their way to a meeting , they were told that the employers were intending to apprehend them . On inquiring who were intending them this piece of kindness , tne reply was— 'Mr . Mangle , the manager at White Ridge Colliery . ' They proceeded to the meeting , however , unmolested ; but it may not be amiss to shew why this worthy is an enemy to union . In defiance of the law , he is emxtlouinq females to a considerahle extent both at

      White < Ridge Mines and Rosehull Collieries ; both belonging , to Messrs . Miller and Aidie . These worthies were some time ago : summoned before the Magistrates at Airdrie , to answer aoharge of employing females in their pits , contrary to the Act . The Magistrates dismissed the case on the gbound that hows but ths flscal was entitled to prosecutb ; AND THE FISCAL WILL NOT PKOSECUTE ! If a poor Miner was to break his contract with his employer , the case would not be dismissed ! The Magistrates of Airdrie would bave 'jurisdiction' then 1 " Now what is to be done ! Will not Sir James

      Graham interpose ! Then some one else mu 3 t This shameful disregard of the law for Protection must not be permitted to continue . Our advice is this : that the Convention , or the Executive , of tbe Colliers Union , instruct their active and talented legal adviser to repair to Falkirk , and get up cases against the Duke of Hamilton and the Carron Iron Company ; that lie take the necessary Btepa to cause these oases to be laid before the Fiscal

      and the Magistrates ; that he require them to put in execution the requirements and penalties of the act- ; and that \ v they again ee » use , he prepare to appeal to the higher courts , to force them to do their duty . If this course be taken , we believe it will eventuate in the assertion of the " majesty of the law , " even over the lawless Ddke of Hamilton . It will enforce the law of protection ; and read a lesson to all other law-breaking Coal-King tyrants throughout the kingdom .

      It is a matter that the minebs' union should , in our opinion , immediately look to . The labour of females , degrading and debasing to them as it is , is resorted to , because of Us cheapness . That labour is thus brought into competition with the labour of tbe males . Wherever a female is employed , a male is superceded . Thus a surplus is caused in the Miners ' a "labour market . " How can they hope to maintain wages , under such circumstances \ Remove the females ; keep them at home to look after their families ; decrease the pressure on the labour market ;

      and there is then some obanoe of a higher rate of wages being enforced . The Miners , therefore , even on this , jtbe lowest ground we can take , are called upon , in obedienca to the dictates of interest ^ to enforce the prohibitory clauses of the Act against the employment of females in mining operations . We therefore trust ; and we hereby loudly request ; that they « iU take this matter in hand , and prosecute it to a successful issue . In so doing , we are sure they will serve the Miners in particular , and do service to the country generally .

      THE TRUCK SYSTEM . It is not alone in the employment of females that tbe CoAL-kiros are in the habit of daily disregarding the law . Other laws are continually set at nought . The truck system very generally abounds . Not content with reducing the wages of the poor toiling Miner to the lowest possible point ; not content with the perfect vassalage which the system of bonds induces ; not content with increasing the size and capacity of the . " tuba" ; not content with the

      cheating practice of " setting-oat : " not content with all these means and appliances of oppression , the tender-souled Coal-Kings , having an eye to interest , cannot even let the poor bound slave expend bis thrice-earned pittance where , be likf s ; but be is forced , —{ be knows the penalty)—to take it to the truck shop ; and there be again robbed to the extent of one quarter of bis income 1 Nor is this latter practice confined to one looality . It abounds all over the kingdom ! The law passed to repress it is a dead letter . It is set at naught .

      Even the Duke of Hamilton s district is not free from this curse . Even there , it is in full vogue . His"GB . ACE , " aa Lord Lieutenant , has been memorialised on the subject ; and called upon to do his uttermost to enforce the law against truck . It is needless to say that the Duke has taken no suoh steps . Living in the constant violation of the law himself , how can he dare to attempt to force the law on others !

      Tne following hand-bill will enable the public to form some : sort of idea of the plundering resorted to by the keepers of " Tommy Show , " upon the poor werkies bound to their counters . We give it just aa we have received it . It h&B been sent us by a friend . Mr . Steel knows nothing of it ; but Will , no doubt , be surprised to see his address so prominently set forth , and suoh an advertisement given him " for nothing . " The Bill , however , is a startling exposure of the " truck" bobbing practices : —

      " Important iNPORMATioN .- ^ The public Coatbridge and neighbourhood will do well to stop and read Steel ' s comparison of prices of provision : —

      Prices generally charged Prices geneby the Store rally charged belonging to at Steel ' s Protbe Iron and viaiou Stores . Coal Masters Oatoaeal , per peck 9 d 8 d Potatoes , do sjt 8 d Barley do ... ... ... 12 d Sd to lOd Flour , do ... ... ... 12 ( 1 8 d to lOd Butter per pound lid 6 d to 9 d Cheese do 7 dto 8 d 4 jd to 6 ^ d Bacon , Bam , do ... ... Cd 4 d to 4 | d Beef , Ham , do 8 d 4 d to 7 d Tea , perce 51 3 ^ d Tobacco , per do S ^ i 3 d Salt Herring , per lb . ... 2 d Id Brown Soap , do 6 Jd 5 d to 5 / jd Whisky per gill 4 d 3 d Four lb . flna loaf 7 d 5 hi

      " 16 ia a well known fact that the working olassea , in general , pay too little attention to tbe savings effected in tbe purchase of provisions . That such is the case in general to the CoUleta and Miners ot Goatbildge and neighbourhood , is without doubt In most cases , workers dealing with the Stores belonging to their employers might easily save ( our sbillicga per sound in expending that amount . Such a Baving in tbise times of depression , and low wages , is certainly of the utmost consequence , and would go far to remedy various

      grievances which the working classes are daily labouring under . A workman with three shillings per day , and at liberty to lay out his earnings to those who supply him cheapest , would then find himself better off than with three shillings and sixpence under the present restrictive truck system . In order to open the eyes of the suffering industrious clasasa of Coatbridge and neighbourhood to this important facfc , the above comparison of prices is respectfully submitted for their perusal , by Andekw Steel , wholesale and retiil provision dealer , Coatbridge . "

      There ! that Bill tells its own tale . It needs no comment ; not even explanation . It sufficiently explains itself ; and an explanation of infamous prac * tices it . w . From-another part of the country , Stafford , we learn of sinJilar praotioes pursued by the Coal Kings . One case we will mention . It is a very peculiar one , We have M from a man on whose veracity we can depend : —

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      " A free trader , named Bateman , who was High Sheriff for the county of Stafford , pays one portion of his men in coals ; and ( hey have the privilege of trading l feebly' with any person except theib master ' s customsbs ! ) If they sell one ton to any of his customers , they are to be discharged ! One poor unfortunate wretch has twenty tons of coal due to him as wages . He cannot sell them ; therefore his family is compelled to starve 1 Now , that is what we call a stunner J" ! It is indeed a " stunner . " The time was in England , when this man would have been made to feel , that it was a " stunner ; " for he would speedily have been " ntunned" with the power of the law . Now * however , Capital is above the law ; and the Executive is ' powerless in dealing with its aggressions .

      It is not alone with the Coal Kings that the plan * dering practice obtain ? . It is prevalent in the manufacturing districts ;! and in the nail-making counties of Worcestershire and Staffordshire , it iaall bat universal . ' In the latter place it is likely to lead to an extensive turn-out ; and all the world is aware , that the alledged existence of it in Wales has formed a prominent feature in the list of grievances put forth by the Rebeccaites . In all these places where there is a superabundance of labour ; aud where the labourers live out of the large towns , truck prevails . Nay , it even rears its head in some of the large towns themselves . i

      What then is to be done , to extirpate it % Are things to remain as they are I Is cupidity to be allowed full swing , and no power to interfere 1 Surely not . The shopkeepers are as much interested in putting the plundering system down , as the workmen themselves . ! The system deprives them of custom . It takes their livelihood out of their hands . It is destructive to both shopkeeper and workman . Why then don't they unite with the men to enforce the law ? Why don't they follow tbe example of their brethren at Stourbridge , and at Sheffield ! In the former place : —

      " The shopkeepers have at length come forward , and formed themselves ; into a committee to put down if possible the truok fystem—with every prospect of doing much good , as a great many of the moneypaying masters have promised to aid them iu every possible way they can ! They have all the magistrates in their favour , j They propose to give every encouragement to the men to lay informations against the truck-masters , by giving them employment at ready money , should they lay informations and lose their work ; and paying all expences in case of the informations failing . "

      That is an example worth following . The shopkeepers generally would find their account in it , if they would act in a similar manner . And why not ? The law is clear and explicit . The power of the trucksters consists in the poverty and helplessness of their bound slavesJ Let the shopkeepers but strengthen the hands of the weak ; let them but defend the defenceless ; land the truck system wouldbe shivered to atoms . : We have said that the law is clear and explicit . To shew that it is so , { and to guide our readers in laying Informations against truck masters , we shall here give several of the clauses from the Act itselfthe 1 st and 2 nd William IV ., c . 37 . We shall give entire the 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th , 6 th , and 9 th clauses ; and a portion of the 10 th : — ¦

      " III . And be it further enacted , That the entire amount of the wages earned by or payable to any artificer in any ) of the trades herein-after enumerated , in respect of any labour by him done in any suoh trade , shall be actually paid te any suoh artificer in the current coin of this realm , and dot otherwise ; and ! every payment made to any such artificer by his employer , of or in respect of any suoh wages , by the ; delivering to him of goods , or otherwise , than in j the current coin aforesaid , exoept as herein-after mentioned , shall be , and is hereby declared illegal , null and void .

      " IV . And be it further enacted , That every artificer in any of the trades herein-after enumerated shall be entitled to recdver from his employer in any suoh trade , in the manner by law provided for the recovery of servants wages , or by any other lawful ways and means , the whole or so muoh of the wages earned by such artificers in such trade as shall not have been actually paid to him by euch his employer in the current coin of this realm . u V . And be it further enacted , That in any action , suit , or other proceeding to be hereafter brought er commenced by any suoh artificer as aforesaid , against his employer , for the recovery of any sum of

      money due to any such artificer as the wages of his labour ia any of the trades herein-after enumerated , tbe defendant shall not be allowed to make any set-off , nor to claim any reduction « f tbe plaintiff ' s demand , by reason or iu respect of any goods , wares , or merchandise had or received by the plaintiff as or on account of his wages or in reward for his labour , or by reason or in respect of any goods , wares , or merchandize sold , delivered , or supplied to such artificer at auy shop , or warehouse kept by or belonging to such employer , or in tbe profits of which Buoh employer ] shall have any share or interest . !

      " YI . And be it further enacted , That no employer of auy artificer ia any of the trades herein-after enumerated shall have or be entitled to maintain any suitor action in asy court of law or equity against any suoh artifices , for or in respect of any goods , wares , or merchandize sold , delivered , or supplied to any such artificer by any such employer , whilst in his employment , as or on account of his wages or reward for his labour , ; or for or in respect of any goods , wares , or merchanize sold , delivered , or supplied to such artificer at any shop or warehouse kept by or belonging to such employer ; or in the profits of which such ^ employer shall have any Bhare or interest . i

      " IX- And be it further enacted , That any employer of aay artificer in any of the trades hereinafter enumerated , who | shall , by himself or by the agency of any other person or persons , directly or indirectly enter into any contract or make any pay * m « nt hereby declared ; illegal , shall for tbe first offence forfeit a sum not exceeding ten pounds nor less than five pounds , and for the second offence any sum not exceeding twenty pounds nor less than ten pounds ; and in case of a third offence any such employer shall be and be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor , and , being thereof convioted , shall be punished by fine only , at the discretion of the Court , ao that tbe fines shall not in any case exceed the sum of one hundred pounds . ]

      " X . And be it further enacted , That all offences committed against this Act , and not herein-before declared a misdemeanor , shall be enquired of and determined , and that all ; fines and penalties for Suoh offences shall be sued ] for and recovered , by any person or persons who shall sue for the same , before any two Justices of the Peace having jurisdiction within the county , riding , city , or place in which the offence shall have been committed ; and that the amount of the fines , penalties , and other punishments to be inflicted upon any such offenders shall , within the limits herein-before prescribed , be in the discretion of such Justices , or , in cases of misdemeanor , of the Court before which tbe offence may be tried . " 1

      Here then is the law . ; It ia simple and effective , if applied . Every case where a workman is paid in goods instead of money , is one of teuck : and notwithstanding he may have have had the goods , he can compel the payment in money , and fine the trucksteb besides . Bring this law generally to bear in one or two distriots , and the truck system would speedily disappear . \ We trust that the Miners Association will direct their attention also to this matter . Their members in maDy parts of Scotland are suffering severely from the plundering practice . They can , by means of their combination , and their law adviser . " put it

      down . " In doing so , they will materially serve the Miners generally ; and the Scotch ones particularly . They can also serve their own Association , at the expence of the enemy , j There aro cases plenty . A little time spent by an active business man would soon prepare them j for the petty sessions court . In all oases , where proven , the wages must be paid ; and a penalty , within certain limits , must be inflicted also . Say there were three hundred eases ; and out . of them , two hundred convictions were obtained ; the penalties alone , that MUfST 6 e infHcted t would

      amount to ONE THOUSAND POUNDS 1 Would this be nothing I The jpenalties must be applied either in aid of the county rates ; or a portion to the informer , —not exceeding twenty pounds in any one case , —and the rest to the county rates , at the discretion of the Justices . Say the Justices gave onefifth of ' the penalties to j the informer ; that would pay for all expenses in ( getting up the cases , and leave something for the general fund after all . Besides this , see what an famount of money , in the shape of wages , would be put into the pockets of the men ! That alone ought to induce the Associa-

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      tion to take up the matter . By so doing , they will materially serve themselves ; and perform their part towards " putting down" a most iniquitous and oppressive system .

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      THE LONDON AND SHEFFIELD TYPEFOUNDERS . We have received from this oppressed and persecuted body of British Artizaus , a lengthy address expository of their grievances , which at this time of the week , ( Wednesday ) , it is impossible forns to give entire . The ipith of the document will be found below . . We understand , that the turn-out still continues , and that the Trades Delegates of London are exerting themselves to assist the turn-auts in establishing a type-foundry for themselves , in opposition to the merciless monopolists who at present bave almost the entire of the trade in their own bands , and are grinding their workmen to the very dust . In this noble effort wo trust that the Trades of the

      metropolis will heartily support their Delegates . There is no hope for the human race , until the wealthproducers shall be found " taking their affairs into their own hands , " by establishing Co-operative Societies for mutual support and mutual profit . Mastership must be annihilated ere man can bereally free : and to effect this , the only way is for the operatives to labour for themselves . This they might do by Union ; and until such time as that union exists , the working classes will ever be exposed to the hideous wrong to which the Typefounders are , at this very time , subjected . In the meantime , we earnestly entreat of the Trades of every town throughout the kingdom to afford present aid to the London and Sheffield men . Their

      situation ia most critical ; and , we trust , will be immediately considered , practically considered , by all who claim " a fair day ' s wage for a fair day ' s work . " The Type-founders complain—1 st Tnat while the type of the present day has been wonderfully improved over that made but ten or fifteen years since , that this improvement has been effected at the expense of the workmen . Tbat the improved typa requires a vast deal more of time and labour in the casting and finishing , f > r which additional labour no additional remuneration has been afforded . That while wages have decreased , the cost of moulds and other materials used by the workmen have remained nearly the same as formerly .

      2 nd . That the trade of Type-founding was introduced into England from Germany , by German workmen , who weie content to receive German wages , and . thus established in this country the low prices paid for labour in Germany . That consequently the English workmen have never been able to raise their wages up to tho general standard of English prices . And that whenever the workmen bave endeavoured to obtain a fair remuneration , the employers have threatened to import Germans to supplant the English operatives altogether !

      3 rd . That a combination exists among a few firms to drive out of the market the rest of tha employers , men not so ¦ wealthy , but more honourable than themselves , to the great injury Of the trade , and detriment of the public , and primers in particular . 4 th . That a most infamous system exists of fining the workmen , whenever it suits the caprice of the employers . That under this system the men bave suffered the most galling oppression , and been subjected to the most rascally of robberies . And that by such means their employers bave succeeded in amassing their plies of plundered wealth .

      The address says that "it is impossible for language to describe the amount of long-suffering and misery , or the daily and fruitless attempt of the men to obtain justice , previous to the present iurn-out ; baj the cup ' of wretchedness was filled to overflowing when , in July , Messrs . Thobowgood and Beaslet ^ V . and J . Figgins , Caslon , of London , and Stkphemson ^ Blake , and Co . with Boweb , Brothers , of Sheffield , all united to effect a reduction of twenty-three to seventy-five per cent , on our wages , " i . e ., a reduction of the wages o f who averaged under 18 s . a week to Twelve Shillings ! 1 !

      The address concludes by soliciting the active sympathy and pecuniary aid of the Trades and Working Classes generally , an appeal which we earnestly hope will be cheerfully and promptly responded to . A curious fact has come to our knowledge . Mr . Beaslet , the lordly profit-monger , the man who has figured at the Police-office as the vindictive persecutor of bis oppressed workmen , is a Liberal" ; nay , more , a Corn Law Repealer ; and was most active in canvassing for the " League" man , Pxirison , shouting at the " top of his voices" No

      Monopoly I" " Down with the Menopolists ! " Truly , this leviathan profit-monger is a precious specimen of the "cheap bread and hi < jh waqes" school ? If there were any dupes of that school amongst tha Type-Founders , surely the pranks of snob mouthing hypocrites ] as Beaslet , and Co ., will open their eyes . When the working classes shall , by co-operation , labour for their own interests , and produce for their own enjoyment ; and when that labour shall be protected by just and equal laws , securing to the workman the fruits of bis skill and toil ; when , ia short , the Chatter ie law , and the people have the good sense to say to the speculators ia industry and

      the traffickers in human bones and sinews , " stand ye apart and govern yourselves , but no longer rule us , or presume to direct our energies , " then will the Beaslet ' s be brought to their proper level , Twelve shillings a-week , and Beaslby a Corn Law He * pealer ! Forget not that , working-men ! particularly ye Sheffield Type-Founders , who may soon have aa opportunity to say whether you are for the protection of TO 0 R industry or not ' , and if so , how that protection is to be obtained . Think upon your " no monopoly" f riend and then Bay whether you will again hold up your hands on the side of the" cheap bread" hypocrites .

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      _ IS CHARTISM DEAD ! Mother Goose , ia her midnight lucubrations , has often dreamed of seeing the giant , Chartism , consigned to " the tomb of all the Capulets" ; and as often has her affected dolorous voice ohaunted its requiem . But still she is doomed , on every public occasion , to see the giant walk forth in might and majesty , with increased strength and more emboldened front . Alas ! poor Goosey . You are too premature in the assumption of your office of sexton . The hole you have dug in your dreams , is an omen of your own approaching dissolution ; a sign of y « ur speedy return to your original nonentity .

      This Goosey knows full well . Ths thought preys upon her mind . Her midnight visions are replete with the melancholy produced by realities ; and she awakes , with soul perturbed , exclaiming— Th » Chakteb'sDbad !" She would fain persuade other people to think eo too . The " people are losing confidence in Feabgos O'Connor . " " The attendance on Mr . O'Connob ' b lecture was very meagre , compared with former times . " " What ^ a falling off was there . " And all this , at the time that Mr . O'Connor ' s progress throughout the country is attended with proofs of success never before exhibited !

      But if Mr . O'Conner ' s audiences are "falling off , " what are we to say respecting poor Beggs , the "Complete" advocate . . At Leeds Mr . O'Comros and the Chartists , though Chartism is dead , can , for three nights together , fill the Large Boom of tha Commercial Buildings ; and leave a considerable surplus , after paying very heavy expences of rent , See ; while the ^ intellectuals" even when Beggs visited them , were forced to bury themselves in a little parlour ! in the yard of the Black Boy Inn ; a small room that the Chartists bad to leave because of its smallness , some six years ago ! At Bradford , Mr .

      O'Connor could fill theOdd-Fellows'Hall , and leave the Chartists £ 8 ia hand , after all expences were paid ; while Beggs was left elarving in a small room , for want of auditors . At HudderafieldMr . O'Connob filled the Philosophical Hall , and made , according to the Bradford Observer , " the only clever speech he ever made in his life ; " while poor Beggs was stuck in the Guild-hall with an audience of seventy ; and those too mainly Chartists , who had gone to see what the " Complete" man was like . If therefore Chartism . is down , f pray [ where is Compleleism !

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      Since tbe above was in type , we have received the Nonconformist ; and by it we learn that the rejection of the seat-seeking Colonel has chagrined the Complete Suffrage men very much . They even threaten rebellion . They talk of " starting another candidato ; or that every ' Complete' elector should refuse bis vote . " Only think of that ! Why the " Complete " men will be as Toryfied as the "blue-tailed Chartists" just now , notwithstanding all tbeir horror of Toey-Chaetism 1 "Start another man , " forsooth : and let in thb Toby ! Verily we are gettingjon . The Complete" men are finding out . - ^ what the Chartists bave been long proclaiming , —that there is no difference between Whig and Tory , excepting in

      name : that both are enemies to a ' general Suffrage whether designated "Complete" or Universal . Their pet has been coollylpassed over ; rejected . They Bee tbat tbe Whigs have no objection to use the " Complete" men in furtherance of Whiggery ; but that Whiggery is not to be used in furtherance of tbe peculiar sokemes and projects of the " Complete " men . This the " Complete" men don't relish very well . They show symptoms of rebellion . They talk of " starting another man "; regardless of tbe fact that their doing so may eause the Whig to be M rejected" also ! Bravo " Complete" men . Another leaf oat of the Chartist book ! There will be very few left in a short time ; but all will be in general and practical use !

      Of course if they do "start another man , it will be tbe Coio . nkl . They can hardly think of passing over him of their own accord , and starting another candidate over his bead . By all means let him go to see wh » t tbe Mendalers are like . If be can persuade them to be dressed in Green , so much the better for tbe " Complete" men ; even though tbe Green should be turned up with " Yollow . "

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      THE COAL KINGS AND THEIR LAWBREAKINGS . THE TRUCK SYSTEM . We do not bear that tbe Duke of Hamilton has been made to " eject" the more than sixty females , who are working in his coal works , at Redding , and employ men in their stead ; or that the Carron Iron Company have been forced to obey ths law , and dispense with the services of the more than one hundred females that they employ . We do not hear that any steps have been taken to compel the Magistrates and Fiscals to enforce the law ; that law which they have refusedto administer .

      Now , this state of things is most scandalous . It reflects tbe greatest disgrace upon all the " Authorities /* from Sir James Graham downward , to the sycophantic Fiscal of Falkirk ; who dare not act against the GREAT Duke of Hamilton , but who is content—for a consideration—to wink at his illegaj practices , and refuse to enforce the positive requirements of an Act of Parliament , even when . called upon by the illegally-oppressed to do so . Sir Jakes Gbaham cannot pleadjignorance of this shameful disregard of law . His attention has been called thereto more than once .

      We bave brought the facts before his notice a many times }; and though he might be inclined to disregard what appears in the Northern Star , yet the facts have been placed before him in a legitimate manner . He has been memorialised on the subject . Tbe following will give tbe . treader an ] idea of the nature of tbe memorial ;—" Falkiek . —Tbe memorial to Sir James Graham from tbe colliers of this place , was forwarded to him a short time ago , with a great number of signatures attached thereto . The memorial stated tbat females were being employed in the Duke of Hamilton ' s pits

      at Redding , and by the Carron Iron Company at Carron-hall . It also stated that although informations had been laid before the Fiscal and Sheriff of the county , and magistrates , tbat they would not interfere to vindicate the law , though they knew it was being daily and openly violated ; and it called upon the Home Secretary to cause an immediate inquiry to be instituted into the allegations contained in the memorial ; to the truth of which the memorialists were ready to testify on oath . As yet no answer

      has been returned . The men here are determined to leave no Btone unturned to cause the law to be carried out , and the women removed from the pits : for not only is tbe Duke of Hamilton , and the Carron Company employing females , but a Magistrate of the County , at Glen Eud , of the name of Mr . Larxnont 1 Your correspondent also lately saw two women coming from the pits in their pit clothes at Clackmannan . : These coal works belong to an Englishman of the name of Wilson . "

      Now , what answer has Sir James Graham given ? Has be directed the Lord Lieutenant to inform the Magistracy that the law must be obeyed ; even though the enforcement of it should entangle the Lord Lieutenant himself in its mesnes 1 Has be directed the Fiscal to process 1 Has be , in fine , taken any steps to enforce the law ; or is he too , content to wink at its daily violation , because the Duke of Hamilton is a culprit !

      Let Sir Jakes Gkahah read and attend to the following ; and then let him say what is to be done . At all events , if be will not move , we mast try to get some one to move . Tbe Act , prohibiting the employment of females , has been passed for the purpose of protecting weak and almost defenceless labourers against the inhumanities and degrading subjections of the hard-hearted , unfeeling , Capitalist . That measure of protection shall not be a dead letter ! If the law is to be powerful to opp ress and persecute the poor , when it has hold of them , —it shall , as far as possible be made to restrain the r ich , while the restraint exists ! When the Colliers *

      Protection Act passed , we heard a great deal about the necessity of Protection ; and of the wisdom , policy , and justice of the strong arm of power interfering to prevent the continuance of that scandal and disgrace upon our common species , dragged to light by the Labourers' Employment Commission . The law authorising this interference was passed amid the acclamations of all parties . It was bailed as a boon to tbe poor miners ; those who go into the bowels ot the earth , and endure hardships , and brave danger , to procure means of comfort for the more fortunate portions of the community . Is all the virtuous indignation then ex-

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      ^ , _ __ THE NORTHERN STAR . j _ .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 28, 1843, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct953/page/4/