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Northern Star (1837-1852), 17th February 1838, Edition 1 of 1, Page 3

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      ^^^^^^^ P ^ S ^^^^^^^^ S ^ S ^—^^ 5 ^^^ 55 ^^ B ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ r ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ v ^ IM ^^ MSIRSW ^^ ^^ pypjgfT ; OF THEiPdOiLLAW AMEND-: ' ¦ : ~ . 1 ' .. .: iEei& ; jic $ , "V -r- ; . ' On 3 fc&sf lite 9 Su * ineetine * ea ntld at the C ^ fiwj- m ^ ^ ^ ^ "TFWTfij ' m xEa / Stan ^ , | or tbe hJujiiimI tjr ik » JflBgdbK # yA V ^ i » iife »^ ii ? Ae ^ EeS f ywfl ^ T ^ ^ tar ^ Jft ^ Wl-T ***^^ ^ M ^ } Mi . Rddaa ^ M ^^ fc ^ deSeld , M . P . ; Mr , 3 &kfey , BfldgOR , Me . Ewndeareast , JUnSjniDey Taylor , Mr . Mnj ^ ^ rfww " cS > bett , Mr . Well * , and Dr . Wafei - ^^ — . - ¦ ¦' ¦ - ¦ - = -v ; - \ . ; ¦ ¦ . ¦• . . " ShorUy ^ ft ert ^ Te o ' clock , < m tie motion of Mr . WJuras ^ EsH Sfc uatope todc 4 la ?<* air . , JQsIisHu » HiP :, « aiQ--Il » e-, piB 8 eBt meeting bad been convened for the purpose of forming an Asaocia tii » to obtain a repeal of fee Poor Law Amendment J

      Act , ana to request foe a > K > perationor similar lnstitmSra ^ WpfifB bfl&e coonfay . . ; . la ] Qxe . outset « f th ^^ roceadiB ^ cte ivjaAtp request feat the gentlexoe&a ^ Bright address the meeting would confine . tifemsefree to the ofejeciof h , and ^ introduce any extraneous matteror enl ^ se-ripousubjects of merely Walinterest . The immediate object of the meeting was to arrange for a general irieeting to be held for estabHshing . a London Central- As « xaation to cooperate ' with-the local associations for the repeal of th ^ t detestable and despotic measure , the New Poor Law B 3 L ( Hejfii tear . ) It would -W superfluous forMtntodwel ^^ aie evila of tiai execrable Act ; stQI JessirQuld . i ^ D ^ cieOTB ble for him to enter into a st « tfmeiftof local interests at the present meeting . would be to the

      TbosB ^ bjects better deferred general meeMg . ( Hear , near . ) 'Everything that savoured of patty-paljtics should be carefully avoided , and he tmsfadlKat personB of all shades of political opinions ¦ wooid Dnite for fee propose « £ effecting so desiralcAe an object— { bear ) : —end if they did so , he was saie that their laudable and praiseworthy endeavours wpnia-be ^ nyJTnHteTj crowned , withgncceea . Of one thing he -sra& ^ nte stub , fhat if the present law were not repealed , aeither nfe nor property wold be safe any longer . * He tasted that means would be taken to aver t so ' -dvrfeftl acalamity ;; for it conld not be damea ^ hai this Poor L aw Amendment AetTiad prodftcMTa'ge&g ^ of tie most deep-rooted discontent find rankling paired among ^ hfi ^ l&boiions classes ,

      anatnat ^ acontumaiice . would hazard the tranquillity etJb ? . < s # ttt * £ " Jfe inew Mm the labouring classes Jbad- ^^ i ^ prereiited by . intimidation from sign ^ gg ^ gefitjoas - SkF' -. the repeal' of that obnoxious measure , ^ reading that ihsy nnglit "be deprived of ib-e scanty relief they . now . receirecLirom "the unions if they ^ did « i . ' He had cautioned ihe House of Lords from bebgdeluded bysupposing tfartlliesilenceof the agriculturists was a proof oi'ib ^ ir ac quiescence in a bill that gave them one stone of meal and sxpeQceeichJbrtheir . Bapport . ( Criesof * 'Oh ! oh ! " ) He was quite sore that when the House of Lords passed the b 31 they were not atall aware of its extreme unpopularity , - a conclusion to which he believed they came from the " circmnstance of there

      being comparatively but few ; petition * ; presented against it by the labouring classes , . whose interests were most materially afiected by it . ( Hear . ) His friend ,-Mr .-Kelden , bad given notice of a motion in the House of Common ^ for a total" repeal of the PoorXaW : Amendment Act , and which was fixed for the jSffth inst . It was desirable that as short an interral ^ as possible should take p lace between the presentation of smiultaneousjpetitions for the repeal of "feat act from all part ? oFthe "Country ^ and themotionof hishon . friend . With regard to petition ing the House of Lords npon the subject , he would take that opportunity of stating that it "was not his intention to bring forward a motion in the House of Lords for the repeal of the Poor Law Amendment

      Act .. as he was amvinced that such a motion would be negatived by an m ^ erivheliEing majority ; hut , on the contrary , to bring forward Vseries of motionis , as pegs on which to hang speeches on the subject . ( A lacsh . ) He had one ready for presentation on the subject of insufficiency of medical relief , as allowed by the Poor Law Commissioners ^ and several others relative to the regulations issued br the ConunissioBers , _ It was true that the House of Lords did not . strictly speaking , consist of representatives of the people ; but injustice to that distinguished body , he felt bound to state that their Lordships allowed the greatest latitude to members of their House in presenting ^ petitions , ( Hear , hear . ) in one case when he ( tarl Stanhope ) presented a-petition on the

      behalf of a private individual complaining of certain injuries he iiad received , he was allowed to address their Lordships for upwards of an hour in support of lhft prayer of it . ( Hear . ) He much doubted whether tach a latitude would have been allowed him in another assembly , said to be more enlightened . ( A langh . ) He thought it better to attack the poor-law system in parts than as a whole measure . His Lordship then concluded ot proposing that a meeting Jhowd helield at the Crown and Anchor Tavern on Monday the 39 th inst . at 12 o ' clock . _ Sir . Fieldes said he was convinced from experience of what had lately taken place in the manufEcnning districts that it would be quite impossible to enforce the provisions of the Poor Law

      Amendment Act without the employment of the military . It became , therefore , then * dnty to avail themselves of every possible legal means , "b oth in and out ' of Par-Bainent . to prevail irpon die L ^ isSture'to repeal the obnoxious law . The total repeal of fiiatmea-FEre was the onlv qnesrion they ought to entertain fci a moment , ft they -united to effect that object iapy must succeed ; but if they suffered themselves to be dhided , and were induced to petition only for a repeal of certain clauses of the Act , they would afnaByML Ditide et impem was a maxim well knowa to tjrante . There was ' not , in factjachrose iarhe actworth -preservinff exceDtma ~ tho 5 e resardin ?

      fetfiements , and those might be easily introduced iato some new Act of Parliament . It -was the duty of every person , whatever his political sentiments mif lit be , to tmite in their endeavours to obtain the tool repeal of a law oppressn-e on a class of people ^* ose only offence was their poverty . For that Whigs , Tories , and Radicals should combine , sd that me poor might bksa the day that had assembled ttea together for the establishment of a Metropoli tan Association for the repeal of the New Poor Law KE . ( Hear and cheers . ) Mr- Peecetal ^ asked if it was from personal knowiedse that the Xoble Earl and Mr . Fielden had made their statements ? .-. '¦ - .- ' ¦

      The Xoble EiKt and Mr . Ftjelt > es said , thnt they tad made the statements from personal "knowledge 8 ai authenticated information . ( Hear , hew . ) Lord TETXHiM said , he had most strenuously opposed the passing of the Poof Law Amendment Act tarongh t £ e House of Lords . He was sure that a P ^ t proportion of the members of that aistinguiihed w « J were sincere well wishers to the country , and to the labouring classes particularly , and thai ' they ^ ere altogether ignorant of the effects that die Poor J-aw Affiendment Act was calculated to produce , or ttey would never hare allowed it to pass . He had tonself introduced a Bill into the House which Ttraldhave remedied the evils complained of , withtrat inflicting thecruelties which had arisen from ¦ ti rmim MA ¦

      . ^ ^ ^^ — * — ™—— —™ ^ ^ ^ v ^ . ^^ r ^^^^ -ai ^ tiV ^^^ ^^^^^^^ u ^ * ^ * ae present measure , bnt he waa invited hy his ¦ Sl ^ esty ' s Ministers to witiodraw his Bill on the ask ance that they had determined to -undertake the Amendment of the Poor Law , and the present BUI ? as the result of tteir labours . " Hi was sura deir Lordships never could hare anficipBted " that under tte provisions of that Bill no less tfcairfcalf a million «« Sdren would he shut -op m sontary confinement , Jithont an opportunity ofseeing either father , inotaer , sister , or brother , and deprived of all comma . nkatian . with those who were near and dear to them , cooped , up nke lords in . a cage , to be nltimateW thrown loose upon the world . ( Hear near . ) Such

      " * a 3 the atEabon of-the poor children at Ae Dartford workhonse ; and fit another placed at Coventry , tiie state of iie poor Jras most deplorable , fe ^ er had broken out in the wedchonse , S 4 of the . wretched inttates had died in January , in consequence ofwhieh S vpubKc meeting had been held , and a deputation appointed to examine 1 he * anse of the ackness in fee workhousf , '¦ bnt they were remsed admission ( Shame , ^ hame !) It was the duty of erery man . to « niggle for tha repeal of ttelfew Poor Law Bill ( aear , hear ); - m& if th ^ irohjf «* yere taken tip Bpon firm and cthtgtilaUonalgrotmds , iiey most fccceed . ( HebvheaiO , ^ ; j * ^ V . ^ .

      General JoHKBoiirM . P ^ -saidjhe ' woTild inientiSB ja e fact in proof . of the jelpctance the jkkhtenter-« aied to entering dae of , ^ *© dcm >«> rk £ aasei 5 . * fa « e parish qfBoame . ii JpMcaahfi ^ arjxjo ^ i ^ who ¦^ 8 out of work ' appued to the ' Gnardiani of Sie poor » r « £ g £ ^ Ttey oflWedidm ' admiiawn to one bfthe ^ nworkhouses . -Her ^ cfeedTfhat -hte * ania rafc ^ me than enter such a . place / aad ?; refn * eff to ac ^ ^ P tte ofterr -Within a ^^ week afterwSrdjiTiatman * w vmaa dead in * a field , laving absolutely , chosen 5 « er to submit to aeafii by staceajxaiJihap . enter ^« T flifii worklKmaes erfabEshed tmderihe present V *** - Wi&T 8 g « dtbtiiewfflated « iTm « rfFected S ^^ T ^ te *^ ^» M ^ d aanrre tiie meeting that d ^ f ^ aite a » 4 e on that head were idost

      fella-*>** £ & ¦ « ^ y had been , yetit irasowing to the ^^ tmmeKHia Ijeaerolent mid diaritabfe indi-S ^ S * O ?^ - ^* N « rabKribed iogether ^ «^ d fo » diDr ae s ^ rptwrt of-BB destitetB SV'ho most-otherwise &i&s have become in-^»« fKir v lrOlidlO ^ - PerHied and * o 5 ?^* m fljefe 8 hBg , < m , the part of the inhab itants j ^ - ^ pan ^ agajn ^ the-present ay « em , that he SJftw * 1 ** 11 ^ Jil * i tfceahabttejite / hearing W&S ? ? ^ ^^ WloyiadMresourci ^ ecoanng mmate » of one of&ie ieiriprkhon * e « , * ShJf ^ nntoI 7 ^ bscriptJoas to prevent ( S tS » iLi !^* ^! ^ ? 0916 * S » em . iajia ttey « jaldob-JSbJSSSP * * ^*^ Sfcar . ) -Aiofi ^ mS . ES s ii ^ sl *«« s £ « ace of lie poor , it would be found that the

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      xuKtQBuoff" stfttstneuIs" » hat nfl ^ V oc ^ 5 l * ¦ niooe ~ 0 * uiv ^ -T a £ "f- ^ ayai ^ rt ^ ri - ^ - ^ i - 2 , ¦ . t- '> " I "LiiiQi' fiiLL . ^ L ,. 1 , iiiikJJ'l gtmg t'BBtmKaV } IBB . yTC $ BIiw JsUJli *¦ jW | Sc . | a com * . -A mtorii&ln 8 n > i » fcdBk teenftfopoiedal adopted ^ it ^ asagreed fuel they sno da WpuV » rt » intfaBlA ? ilrma , th * iferal ^ -dief Atom » ri ^ i ^* Staiutard , ^ Wt ^ BUjx ^^ ibBLmd ^ JHviMi ^ mMeetir &ve&m , ^ , .: - , » ^ - ^ JL & £ ul&rAssaEE said , ^ hat some of ahe observabons maoj ? hy gentlpmen who' had addressed the meeting -called for a&w , obserralibhs &oinlum . ¦» Withiegari to the power said , to be po ^ ses ^ by . the . difiTprer ; t ! Bbarts ofGnirdTumg M ^ in ^ ted ' Tmaet ^^ 13 ie ^ j \ c % ne ; could xmly say that , althcrugb : tbey . appeared to be ^ aressedin ' * . fitt | ebrief witlKJIril ^^ y ^ tfifiey . were ' in fact the merp tools of ths triumvirate of Somerset House , and while that triumvirate had the power of fining and imprisoning persons who darod 60 dispute their decrees , it was mere inlelfijlry toiiik of any ; control the Goardians of thePoor . ieJtlg *^ i ^

      tneparocblal . expenditure . He ( Eari ; Sjaahppft ) vae , ejtpected to ^ attend file election of ^ Boaaa of GaarmansinhisQwnneighboa / hojod , but& fefo ^ edeittSr to ; be elected a Guardian ' , " or ' aiten 3 l"Jhe meeting ( Hear , iear . ^ ) He washed h ^ ' handalaltogether of any proceeding held Tinder so tinhatlc > wetl and de > testable an Act of Parliament . ' He Vbuld take no partin a " measure acknowledging the deypotic anthority : of the Somerset House Commissioners ( Hear , hear . ) - - - ¦ ¦ - ~ - ; . - Mr . S . ; Taylor ,-Mr . S . Perceval ( who recommended a petition to the Queen as weE as the two Houses of Parliament ) , Mr . Eagle , and several" other Gen .-tlemen afterwards addressed the meeting ., ; . , r . - JThanks having been voted to the Chairman , who briefly acknowledged the compliment , the igeeting was aajdnrned to the 19 thinstant . , _ . "' -.. ' .

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      . HELL MOTH !!! : - - . ¦ - - -. ¦ » -. ' ' : : ¦ - - " .. ~ : \ ¦ ' ¦ ' . Enlw the THBEE WlZABDS . ;\ - Itt Wizard . —Round about the csnldron { to ,.. In the Tacking ' giedients tSrow- ; . ; ; - 2 d Wizard . —For a chum , of powerful troubl ?) : ' ~ \ :. '_ -. ' ; Like a tell- 'broti . lwjl and bubble . ""' - ' 3 d JTizard . —Double , double , toil and trouble ; . Fire burn , and caaldron bubble- " ' V . Seeaie . —Ob ., well done ! I conunend your pains - ' = ¦¦ - And every one stall Aarei ' die ^ gains .. ¦'¦' - All . —Double , double , toil and trouble ^ Fire bum and cauldron babble . ¦ ' ¦ .- - .- - ' - JXacð . --

      The following horrible but authentic statement is from the 3 nnc » , Friday week :- ~ Soonafte # theforinataonpf " the Bridge water Union , the Poor LVfw Com missivtners directed that the paupers .. " who may now or beieafter'be receired and ; maintained , in 4 he workhouse or workhouses of the said Union , shall * during the period of their residence therein ,, be fed , dieted , and maintained , with the " food , and in the manner , described and set forth in the schedule annexed . - ' ¦ '• _

      "T . FRANKLAXD LEWIS . "JOHN GEORGE SHAW LEEEVRE . i : GEORGE MCHOLLS . " The fatal notoriety which [ these -schednles . have obtained renders it unnecessary Jbrine to repnbEsh ihe one elected ; suffice it to say that it was dietary No . 3 . I shall be -scaring in my remarks on the " qnantty and quauty" of food , as Mr /^ Iott , the assi j tant-comimssioner , . specially selected to remove " misconceptions which , " he says , " eiist as to the quantities of food necessary to the support of human life , " has officially declared that" the dietaries recommended by the board for adoption in the different Unions are sufficient both in quantity and quality ; and that those who condemn them as'insufficient are totally unacqnainted witb . the subject on which they so loudly declaim . "

      Having no intention of adding to' the number of declaimers " totally unacquainted" with the reqttirite quality and quantity of food , I shall confine myself as closely as possible to matter-of-fact occurrences officially " reported . The first meeting of the Guardians of the Bridgewater Union was held on May the 12 th , 1 S 36 *; the diet&ry appears to have been fixed on June the 14 th , but forsome time after theintrodnetionofthe newsys-tem it appears from the visitors book that the prescribed dietary was

      not rigidly observed . MUk was used , at the recommendation of the medical officer , instead of the pint and half of gruel prescribed by the commitrfoners ; and during this time the inmates are reported generally healthy . But lam informed that the indulgence of milk was violently opposed at the board , as being too great a deviation from the regulations of the commissioners to be tolerated . Rigid obedience was enforced ; and the following entry appears in the visitors' hook , for the last time , on thelCthof August : —

      "Is the established dietary duly observed , and are the hours of meals regularly adhered to ? Yes , except in the nse _ of milk , as recommended by the medical officer , in lieu of grnel . " On the 23 d of Angnst the indulgence ceased , as appears by the following « ntry : — " August 23 . —Inmates generally healthy . ' Gruel is now nsed instead of milk . " The fatal-diarrhoea which appears to have followed the introduction of the Commissioners' gruel m other places , soon appeared in the ijrid gewater , Workhonse , alternating with , aad iucreamBg € tie ricSeiice-ot , othsr diseases . The medical report for September contained several cases of diarrhoea , and the visitors'book thns alludes to the prevalence of the disease in the Workhonse : —

      "September 27 . —The aged poor are afflicted with cholic and diarrhoea , and tne children suffering from the same complaint ^' The Bridgewater Workhouse was now to afford an awful illustration of the fact , ' jthat diseases having their origin in local causes' become" infections wherevermany ' sufferer ? are congregated in a mass . A large proportion of the inmates became reduced to mere skeletons by this loathsome disease . The sufferers , however cleanly in their former habits , involuntarily voided their fceces . The Governor , in describing the effect " of the gruel , said that—11 It did . sot affect the poor people so much at first , but after the uie of it for a lew days they became terribly bad ; it ran away from them while they were standing upright as they took it . Ii affected them upwards and downwards . All the " way down biairs ine tne

      me across nau , ana aown garqen pain , was " all ' cbvere d every nioming , and the stench " was horrible all through " the house ; making Aepeople ill and skk who had not got the diarrhoea , " : " Thus a nauseous pestilence appears to have pervaded the-whole house , not confined to those who took-the gruel , but infecting others who were obliged to breathe an atmosphere saturated with foetid exhalations . " The famil y of the Governor were attacked ; the Governor himself , although previously a healthy and a powerful man , became unable to go into the paupers apartments without "being violently affected , ana the medical attendant , after repeated attacks of diarrhcEa , and temporary respites , was at length obliged to relinquish his post to another . It would require too much space to give a copy of the medical weekly return ; I shall therefore give a few short extracts from the " visitors' book . "

      " October 25 . —There is much sickness amongst the children and the old people . There are 33 " cases under the care of the medical gentleman . 96 inmates in the house . " ' On the day ' that the above entry was read at the board , a letter was received from , the medical officer of the Bridge-yrater Workhouse , stating that he had K watched" the effect of Qie gruel for some days ;" and that he had stated the result to the visiting committee , " as producing diarrhoea , " and imploring the . Board of Guardians to sanction the substitution of mi& . About this time the disease raged violently in the house ; many were confined to their beds , utterly unable to help themselves ; some children had died , and others were saii to be dying . It , w £ B scapoely . be believed , that under such frightful circumstances all the indulgence which could be obtained by the representations of the surgeon ^ and some members of the Yisting - committee , was confined to the jictima who were actually on the sick

      " The board desired me , " says ' " an Active and humane member of the Ti ? iting ^ c 63 ptamftee , ^ a . to mibrm / the-medical officer rhafmey wished every necessary ; comfort to be granted to the nek , but declared thaVthey could not make any alteration in file imetary firehose who" were not- actoally on-. the aclcaSst" . , . -..-.- - . ' . . ¦ ; ..-, ,- -v " . . - - Thisfitatement accarda with a le ^ r . to-the board frOTtt-Mr- ^ ohn Eyered Ppole , a medical practitioner , whojiefced for Mr . Kingi * hen ^ prSyented by illuesa n ^ mattending , tie wdrkhbtise . But . while the iirgen ± eeprefien 5 itfbn ? -6 f lV ^ r . King ana © f the ' eommittee had obtainea " necessary comfort" for the sick , ' 'fliey had entirely fa 3 ed to . remove the alleged , caose of the diarrhoea . On the Terv 25 th of October .

      when . the awfbl state of the helplessr poor in "the house was pressed on the hoard , and ascribed to the ¦ nse of Oatmeal , on thatteryday ' a fresh " - stipply- 'wag ordered > tobes , entinto the house . That the tree of { he groel waa wflfaHy perserered . in . does not rest on t £ e :. statement of an individual member ; of the visiting committee , or of the medical officer , however unexceptionable the testimony of those gentlemen may . be .. The fact may be traced through ¦ the records , of Hie TKJard . ^^ The visitors' book . coa-r tajnsen&jesip , the following' . effect from the 25 th of October , to flie end of fhe ^ year : ^ " ' - ' ' ¦¦ ¦ - * Is ihe es ^ bushed dietafyBnly observed ?—Yes .

      with respect to- ffie ^ healthy inmates ; bnt for fhe swk , * rice * nflk an 3 arrowroot have been eubstitnted for grnel , tyjOTder of the medical officer . " Here is nnqn « tionable . ej idence-that the fetal gruel was regularly a 4 min » tered , to the helpless poor , alJhough it had been distinctiy declared to the board by the medical officer that it produced diarrhoea , and that irritation of the stomach and towels produced other distressing effects ! :, 'A considerable number of these cases terminated fatally , yet the commissioners' deleterious compound continued to be perseyeringl y administered to those who were not yet seized with the prevailing disease . The

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      ^ W M ^^^^ J ^^^^ ^ W ' ' ^ ffw HE * MaMSttm iteMmi enfatfea ;\ tni er . w BEg lg ^^^ ldft ^^^ e ' rlc ^ inlrlcrM / pttl T ? P >* w ^« M ^ ag ta ^ iabl& were 4 d beineaforablr ^ Wfy ^^ aldioi ^ hlhaiionwia ^ ibenLso friAtfuny WB ^^ y pm % m , a 4 maatielj -and ^ ciallV ^^ j& ^ j ^^ 'J ^ jp ^ icediiy tiae coiaanujs ~ | n ^^ & ^^^^^ B ^ 4 « a ^» aa » o j ^ ; ^ i ^^^ Ket . lft ^^ fopWatesf S ^ 5 vi m ^^ mM

      > . » ouu g omw twij . jMimi-ux- tag jjriagewater worjc-^^ Nm - arSSIISy he boaidqfef G&-Q& of ^^ Hniawgrinmates ' ' SfmStlouse will shoir ^ wre * He ^ nfe 88 with which thetis © of the grnel was persevered inl : .- ^ : ' : P ^ At ^ wt 16 , 1836 . —No pecnliar sickness . The $ * & **? -la pbierted , except in the tise of mflk , as reoommerided > by -ihe medical officer , in lieu of ^ KaeLrf , 0 . ' -I ; -:, ^ ^ : ; . 1 .. i . y # - iV . . ¦ ¦¦¦ . " - •/ .- ,-.: _ ; 1 - ^ -Angust 23 . —Ininates geneialk healthy . Gruel nbif Tusedinsteadofmilk , ¦ r y ¦ r--.,

      t , Septoflber 27 . — -Thetigea poor are afFectea ^ ith cholic aadrAawh < ea , ^ nd the children are sufFeririg from mb , same * pniplaiDit . ( Gruel used according tatheoietary . ) : " ' ¦ ¦ "¦^¦ ¦ - ' ' ¦ - ' ' - ' :.. " ¦ ' '¦*¦/¦ j- --: \* ' :-2 , ? October " 25 . ~ Tfler 8 is much eickhess iiribngsjt ' the children " and the-old people . There are Sacases tinder ; the care » f Uie Tnedical gentlemen , -i 96 ^ inmates in the house . ' . .-- . " , V ¦ VJ i : " 26 thV—For aeme days I watched ih © reexBt ^ f thft groel ) which , was given to Iheivisiting eomxmttee as producing diarrhoea . " . :, .-,, '• :- " .. ' ' :.:-: >"

      (( Signed b ^ Medical Officer . ) " 25 th . —One htmdr ^ migMofwUn ^ dl oriier ^ g ^ "Nof . 1 st—There isstittmnch sicknesB . '¦ * ¦? ' -- ' - 'A : " l $£ . r- ¦ Balf-a-hundred'ibeigfit qfoatmealordered ' . " 29 th . —StiUmTick ^ ckaess . ¦ -.:, :, - . > . W ,. « 2 al . —One hwidred ~ viBig } it cf oatmeal ordered . " D ^ . , 13 th . —Much sickness'is still , prevalent in thehon ? e » r- ; ; ' : r '" :.: " ,. ^ :: ' /;; ' / . ; . ; -. ^* ~] ¦ - -,. - ; u ^ -0 ne hundred-K ^ gMofodimealwdered , w Mb . —Half-q-hwidred-tveight ofmtmeal ordered . " 27 th .- ^ -O « e hundredweightofoabhealordered . V Jan . 3 dj 1 S 37- —Tbs inmates again unhealthy , particularly the children who have had the measles . ^ iOth . —0 / ie htindred-weigkt of oatmeal ordered . " 31 st . —GENEKAfcty unhealthy . , " $ \ si . —Onehundred ~ weight of oatmeal ordered . - " Feb . 14 th . —GzKTRALLr unhealthy . " 14 th . —One hundred-weight of oatmeal ordered .

      . Thna the grael cauldron * nd tho idiarrhoaa , the cause and effect , / were keptinlimUiMci procal action by the board . There aieiateypiBdiafijentries which ahow transient improYexnehts in the general health of the poor sufferers . On the 21 st of Febraary it is said , ' Generally improved in health , but the diarrhoea is still very prevalent " This improved state appears to ^ have continued but for a short time , when the fatal disease resumed its former virulence . During the whole awful period comprised between the first death from diarrhoea , which took place in September , tothe end of the following March , the termination of the parochial year , the-Board wilfiillv

      persevered in sending a regular succession of helpless victims to breathe the poisonous atmosphere of that pesthouse , saturated with ! the effluvia of putrid excrements , and to be grueLled / in precisely the same manner as that which had occasioned such extensive suffering , and produced such fatal result * ScTfarlhave proceeded , eithcron "the records of the Boardoron the testimony of its " officers and members ] I am now to commence * on my own ^ Knowledge , baring in the beginning of April taken my seat at the Board at one of the guardians for the parish of Bridgewater . - . - ; ¦ . ¦ ¦ ¦¦¦ ¦ ¦• ¦ JOHN BOWEX . Bndgewater , Feb . 7 , 1838 .

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      THE LYING COMMISSIONERS ' -. .. " : " / ' " ¦ » - " . - ¦ - . . - ¦ " ¦ ¦ ;¦ " THE SOMERSET HOUSE CORMORANTS , AND THEIR VERACIOUS REPORT . [ From ( he Weekly ' Dispatch . ] Mr . EDiron , —My attention has been called to the last Teport of the Poor Law Commissioners relative to the working of the atrocious Poor Law-Bill . Therein they state that . it has : bsep >< the means of bettering the condition , and raisingYthe wages , of the labourers , and that their masters are' kinder to them novr than they were before the Whig Law came into force . Now , as to the measure having bettered the condition of the labourer , and raised the wages , the statement is completely false : - The . rate of wages of agricultural labourers in 183 ' 4 , was 8 s . per ¦ week , and those -who had families received bread money for they : children , which often made their money 12 s . and 14 s . per week . Since-thia- law came

      into lorce tne bread allowance has been done away with , and the wages of the labourers is now in some places 8 s ., and in others 9 s . per week ; bnt if they get the additional . shilHng per week , it is not in consequence of the Poor Law Bill , but owing to the produce of the farmer having risen nearly 60 per cent , in value to what it was in 1834 . ' I wilL give a case in point , which is that- of , a most honest in-. dustrioQsjIaboHrer , with a wife and " eight children , toe ' eKlesHwelve years of nge , one of them only being able-to go out to work , who receives 2 s . 6 d . per week , which , with the 8 s . which the father earns makes 10 a . 6 d ~ to keep ten persons , and who , if he received bread-money , as under the old law , wonld now have 16 s . Gd ., so that the law robs him of 6 s . per weelr This is only a solitary case out of thousands ; we have widows in the parish in which I reside , upwards of sixty years of age , who only receive at this

      inclement season , Is . Od . in money , anda 4 lb . loaf to keep them seven days : the poor labourers in the agricultural districts are nearly starving , whilst their employers are basking in the sunshine of plenty . As to their masters being kinder to them , it is completely false , for what is the consequence if the men sh ' onld happen to grumble at the miserable pittance which they receive . The masters boluVup the terrors of the workhouse to them as their portion , if they are not satisfied ; and where is the man whose heart would not recoil at tboideaof being thrust into a prison , and-the dearest ties of his life separated from him ? I would recomraend the Bashaws of Somerset House , ere they issue another of their manifesto ? , full of fallacies and fakebood , to institute an inquiry into the rapid increase of sheep stealing and other crimes , and they will- find that it is _ this abominable bill which has driven men to commit these crimes , to satisfy the hunger of their starvii ) 2 children . Harwell . J . J . PRYOR .

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      STOCKPORT AKTI-POOR LAW MEETING ; . A meeting was held , in a large room , bclimd the Britannia pnblic-honsp , Church-gate , Stockport , on ITiursday e \ -ening , February lot , for ihe purpose of passing resolutions in opposition to the New Poor Law . Mr . Leah was voted to the chair . Mr . Chappe ^ l moved the first resolution . He characterised the hill as unjust and oppressive . He related an anecdote of a man who was now in Knutsford gaol , for fetching his child into his own bed , having heard him crying during the night , in another part of the workhouse in which lie then was . { Shame , shame ;) The speaker divelt much on children beingtom from . the parents , and taken across the Atlantic . He described the workhouses as

      Bastiles , and said , that the measure" was ' destructive to Christisoiity . Sooner than go into the workhouse—rand , if his circumstances were not better , it was likely he might be obliged to do so , or that his wife should gn in he should prefer to have his head chopped off upon that table . He called upon the meeting to hurl back to the Whigs their Hell-born bantling . " - . - .. . " . \ , .. ; " ^ Mr . Buckley said , that the " man who proposed such a measure must be "destitute of , humanity . . His grandfather had told him that ; ' . tVnigKl'were grumblers out of phice ; but they were more ^ " mischievous vi . The country , had been enriched and beautified by its labpur ; ., b ut in came the ¦ Ifhigs , the friends of humanity ^ and produced , the workhouse system *

      aestrncave to Me andTiealth . ' ( Hear , hear , hear . j There was a book which told him ^ at- there was . ¦ . « pb * e devpied ^ to kings / who ^ did , not ; fulnl their trust . thrjaUaiiity would plu $ h / , for the conduct of the occupiers- of the pulpit jrlo neglectedtb denounce this iaw . - irfiends had had a spite ' against Ihigland thexcdulatndtiave * -wo , rse ; ir ( dn ) gedit . , ' . f . The resolution was pnti and . ' carried . "' . " ' - " Mr . J . Mitchell condemned ' the . bjlll . jln . his opinion ^ ,, instead of de stroying , the misery of ; the working man ,, it increased it tenfdld . ' " Suppose any of those presenf were turned : away , and . conld ntft Obtain a . situation , they would first haye to jsellthea valuaTbles ; and . when all was sold , , theymight go ^ « ie FPrkhon ^ , and be > parated ; from wife and child ; , and so ijLve until death , in miseryv : There were certain trades about Stockport andManchester which at times

      were veryjlat , such as silk weavers , tailors ,. bricklayers , &c Under the old bill , they could at such periods , obtain credit , and , when trade reeved , repay , their debt . But now , when they had obtained all they could , and" were at last driven to the ^ workhouse , they mast sell thefr . things . When trade revived , and they came ' ont , wheret were their materials ? Hence , the shopkeeper , knowing that they could not get any flung when trade revived ^ would not give , them ; . credit . He thought thatwas sufficaent proof thai ^ fhesysteiii would not alleviate they sufferings . ..-This measure was about to be introdnced into Stocipfirt , and hJe did not see how . its introduction was tq'he prevented , with a town-clerk and a town ' s cotnicil labouring to enforce the bill . It had been safil' % one person , that it was not right for . man : ahd wife to live together , when they were getting relief . He meant Mr . Coppock . It had been said also that there was no man in Stockport "but what could get work , and that 15 s .

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      W ^^^^ ^ MBei < 'J *« ) B »' : «» iSiAatlto (* i * S ^^ ' ^^ *^ ^^ tWieiil ^ cttfe ^ M aS ^^^ K P . ^ W ™ ^ peakBT ^ lated aii aneo . ^^ woW ^ Blationof hw , ^^^ a . female , iwhol » itbeen allowed a ahflbng a * week . It was discontintied ; f ^ a ^ Wheraasldng why-at was of Mn WebK in ifeS ^^ T 8116 . ^ i-toltthatflhe -had son * an * d 4 ngl « erg . who could , bny ^ kgdwna , « ad'they-K ^ ie ^ he ^ ' or she ^ must go i ^ toiha ^^ workhonse ; Mr . Abtcheli * gave another account era woman recently deceased in Portwood . whoh * A M * A *>•* = t »^

      _ yaiwa . Sbue-had applied for relief ; rand wa * toidfto g ^ mto ^ jbeuBtreets , and prostitute ^^ herself . Mr . Miu cheU concluded by advising the meeting to call apon the ^ council to expel the town-clerk . ;> : ¦> I ? theyrefnsed r- ^ m ^ rm » feting ) were -burgess «» -r * nd pould turn , mit the council , ; , ; j ( . ; ; m : V ¦• i ? kS ?^* ^^ ' ^ ^ an ^ este ^ i ^ ia ; un& S- ^ SJWf ^^ c ountry had flo urikeT for 20 P yea « s and after accumulating wealth . ' had ^ & 3 & ™ m n mm > km ^ rf to

      ! tiii . ' rgr » -ff «« r .. pe * jug xa ^ ea , tne amount of 900 W il ^ Cumulating . ; 30 niillions annually . £ » ^ Aaffihey , ><* & idle . ( H ^ ifeS ® -W ^ ^ ^ e ^ belonged , t o the vSfvS ^ , ^ em ? ; to Make foed and capital ^ fessfesatsi ^ ^ m ^^ M ^^^ |«^ J » # e efficient for to ^ port ¦ ¦ And that ^ H ^ SHF of the cower Qf . anyGb ^ ernmehtinA »«»

      tne P » y ? ical condition of the people , ; This was the ' ? ^ S * em » PPWcal ^ cbnoniy ; which jtfr . -: Ko& ' md : ^| her ^ ref 6 rmer >| a etilpgised , arid'Miss M ? irbneau % l ^ alel ,: Mr ; I ^ ard >^ foiina fhs ^ the doctnnehehad cited was in opposition tpthecom-^ and . iA Scnpfcte , "¦ ' ?¦ Go forth and multinlV ; " The jegjflaliptf in . the ^^ workhpnse ^ was ^^^ jiot separation b ^; classification - !¦ : The object ' . was equaJfy to pre ^ j « it . PPP «| ation . r The speaker' also contrasted ehrisirs ; -answer to the Pharisseis , « L ei no man ^ aer ^ hom God hath joined " witU ihg regulation oftheCbnxmissioners , end thence deduced that regulation ; to be blasphemous . 'He related a case of e ^ nwrdinaiy cruelty , of aipor widow in Avewhaw in

      WBo ^ "PPe beep ; afflue ^ ce . ^ Shewas acnpple , and ; conld . not obtain ; enough to support her chil-^• . Vnder ttie oldlaw sh ' e had obtained : 5 s . Undef ^ e , new law the allowance wait reduced to ??•; ; ¦ fi J | g > # r- 'fe 2 s . ; and ahder th , e authority of the ^ on ^ faoners it was cut off altogether ; That was children , and she was told that shehad ; been wealthy , and that had she not ftefen profligate and iinpronden ^ she might Hve saved , ^( Hearj hear . ) She went to-the . chairman of ( the board , a reverend memberof the EstabhshedChiircn , ' to beg a shilling , and he slainmed the dooun % face , and told her to go awav and not bother him . Sho totiM nnt K ^« v

      the / insulti but wentoTt Christmas eve , and Jiung nereelf into ; a pond in the ^ pardon ' 8 garden . ( A strong iinpressipn-was produced on the ineeting , by this awful storj . ) It was on the yeryland which had belonged m . the pppr , and of which they had been robbed by Lord Johir Russell ' s anCestor . ' theDuke of Bedford . It happened beneath the walls of Foburn Abbey . ( Hear , hear . ) The bill was uncpnstitubpnal , arfd the orders of the Commissioners might be legally ^ ^ opposed , if npt ^^ written ^ according to Qie letter of the law . if any ohe proposed to take their wives away , or prevent their egress , they were jU 8 - tjfaed m knocking him down , as it was unconstitu-Uqnal to imprison a inah without an offence

      committed , or ; to separate inah and wife : Let them elect overseers opposed to the law ; and pass a vote of indemnity for any fines that ; the overseers might incur . If they were compelled to elect Giiardiahs , let them elect men opposed to the law . The speaker contended that the measure did npt ' succeed in the agricultural districts * . - AgreatTjbasthadbeen made of Chqrlton-upon-Medlock Union ; , 'biit there t \ i « G aardians ^ wanted to get rid of if now . It was said that nooui ^ aoor relief would be given except by way of loan . "Suppose ^ they received 5 s ; , 10 s . j or 20 s . As soon is they got work againV a note would be sent to th 0 ir employers for theamounti and if the master refused or neglected to pay it out Pf their

      wages , they would be sent to prison for thtee months . 1 hat was an inference with the contract for labour , with the law-of debtor arid creditor , but was the only condition inthefeedistricts of out-door relief . He had been ^ --to MaccTepfield ; the > V 6 rkhouse wall there was ^^ formerly ( J oYjie ^ i , high ; itwas now 20 feet , toppetffsrith brok ^ n ^ lass . There was formerly a large . g / te | -nbwr there - wai a little door , with ^ pprterj by thfe way of agapler . \ yhen an applicant was adimtteiihe was sent to tiaft ^ OM ^ BtioniHry ^ iW « fd :: hewas wa ^ e ^ scrobBed , and his hair cut ; and he was put to bed , Withput . supper . In the uiornirig lie : was sent two hours to the mill . Some' breakfast was then givenhim and he was sent about his business . He also Tound fault with the diet , as scan # . and

      measured out as itwere b y spoonsful . In-short ; he stamped -the vwhdle proceeding ^ as cruel . He had PHbhshed the ^^ whole of what he nowassertedin the London paners . He called upon the men of Sfoot-^ ort not to be behiudihand in opposing the measured He . .-hada tetter from Preston , which stated , nthat twenty-ffljatpetitions had been got tip in that place , and ^ th ^ hVtownships . They had been most forward in * he Tays of Hunt and Cobbeit . iJitaspeaker . read a passage from . Mr . Cobbett , in WhicKlie upoke m commendation of Mr . Swan and Mr . Blackshaw * and he ( Mr . Richardson ) now called upon them to come forward . The biUhad heenpassed for a period of five years j ^ and at the end of that time the power of the Commissioners Would expire ; arid he called upon the meeting to '"be prepared to resist the reenactment of the Bill /; .. ¦ ¦ ¦ ; = ¦ .: > ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦

      # The Rev . J . "R . Stephens moved the next resolution , in an elotinetit , energetie , and lengthy speech , which was repeatedly cheered . ^ v - Mr . CuriRAx seconded the resolution ; He announced , that there would be ameetirig next evenlng , at the Eagle , in the Lower Hillgate , for the purpose of enrolling a society , nnii appointing efficers .. - .. ¦ . - ¦¦ ; . - ¦ ¦ . , - .. : ' : .: ; :.... \ y- : ¦ . Thei resolution then passed ; and after " Three cheers for Stephens , " and a supplementary cheer besides , the meeting broke up in perfect order .

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      MEMORIAL OF THE HANI ) -LOOMSvEAVEiis or iie ^ cHBALE .: To the Honourable , her ^ iajesty ' s Commissioners appointed to eniiiiire into the condition of the Hand-Loom Weavers of the United ' Kingdom . .. Honoured Sins , —We , the' operative hand-lobm wearers , of the Borough ofRochdale , audits vicinity , most respectfully beg to state that we | as a body of useful and industrious artisans , > : are' along with thousands of our fellow conn trymeniplunged into a state of want and privation , to appalling to contemplate , and too grievous tobeendurediTheiconsequence of which is , that we have . no . ' meaas . of defending ourselves against the arts of sinister and selfish men . Well is it known , ;" ; aiid the time is uot lorii ? cone . bv . whmi we cnrtiri : W rv ^ r < inAii » i ™

      nave proenred . a sufficiency . of Ithpse . onecessarifis hnman natnre reciuire , and Without which j life is ' aburden ; but as sincerely as we deplore our s ' ji' ^ and depraved condition , there is ; something more galling to . our feelings { which wv ; unle 3 s the legMative authontaes . of Our coun try interfere on onr behalf , there remains not one gjeajn of hope of ias ever being restored to any thinglikethe conditibnfromiwhich we have been reduced . Along '; with thousands , of par fellow operatives , wg d ^ em . the , ' * Corn Laws as being detrimentalta the , interes $ 'and wqjj being of the working part of t ^ e community , ; yet in ; : common justice : we cannbtiattribute all the evils which we

      enaure to tnose opnosious laws . " There is' another enl which experfence has' tatight-us , ' ^ ' as great a « mrse to ot » r happiness # the- oppfessi ^ tlaVs on corn , which is the- height to which COmpletltibn is earnedamoug : our employerii' -Witifin 7 th £ period of the last seven years , our Wag ^ h&ve ^ eenTeduced in a ratio to , 40 per cOTt , without-anjf jast-br reasonable cauge ; anjiit is too notorious ) to -be ' videniedv tP ^ the . commodi ^ e& o { life &T 8 : inmo , way ) 6 iminishn ¦^ . ^ Pne e . Itif . ^ prebyer , ; outltexi ^ aniiioajadid opinion , that whatever / -reduction" ! maybe inade , in tne-taxation of our , . eoujitry , ' the . hau ^ loom ; weave ? fM l receive n 6 benefit therefrom , unless , his labour be aefptd ^ frTJnlthecoritroul ofsem'& ' andavari ^^^^

      Jneri . ' Itmu 8 t : 'b 6 ; adniitted-, ' ^ that th ' e jprbgresa of power machibrery has miKSted : agaip ! st ^^ the •' interests of band labour but not ^ . thEt'aegtee ^ wnich , coin-Ipetation , has- ; bifo ^ ght-them ^ : arid 1 we rate ¦ iatisfied that unless theiGovernnientpf oup c 6 uhft ^ will jp bndegc |« dto : oiiT . entreaties ^ . and ^ tablishrBoards of Trade -fpt ^ toe regnlation ^ f" wag es * ) to .. ris » or ^ fall ln proportion to jother cpmiaoQities of Hfef Thi ' ^ WSJt e / hand t lpom weaver inaj ' at ; biice consign himself ^ eke out a miserable existence , ;;» 0 better ^^? J E J ?? P fiajl T ^ dage vP . r the condition ; of i ^ be conjictedfelpri ; -. - , To -say that a Government , cannot

      -legislate upon ; a subject to ^ ^ which we allude , is in our opimoji altogether preposterous , and ^^ ian only be harbc ^ redby weak arid shaUow / mnids ; ' ^ nrmatibBofwhat w «^ ^ have statedj ^ we -iare : readv to pTodwee > for your inspection and examinafion numerous cases wherein yo ( ur own judgpientv ^ must respond ^ to ^ ^ rhat we assert ; that th <»/ condition of the Operative Harid ^ Loom Wea ^ -er in Rochdale , is m many , ^ stances no ^ better ^ anite Colonial p ^ Y ? - to hope that you will gi ? e our case a fair , impartial , and thorough , investigation , arid report such to the authorities whom you sene , and to whomwe anxiousl y look for ; redressj we bee to subscribe ourselves ; : v : \\ ;; •' . • ¦ . ; - ^ Your most humble and obedient Supplicants , The Hand-Loom Weavers of RocHDAtE .

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      fr ^ mfe ^^ | --.:,:-, r , ;^^ -7 ^ i ,: : f ; ( &J ^ 0 r : CC ) TTQ ]> fi' . SFl > s NIIBS ^ / : ¦ ¦ .- / n ; PttWi 9 meeting ; w « aeld on Friday eyenine tihe SJnd : idst . rin the 3 arge > meeting room , Charlestown to / contider thesjpropfict jr . bfvmeinorianang her Majesty to reiiut the s ^ yage arid cruel sentence passed upon the above unfortunate men . We do PPi |^ o % ^ y kg witoessea at any previous meetfPfi , held miim town , so much ehthusiaam , or such a ^ onbus . d emonjjtjratioh of nioral power , as was mamfested on thatoccasidn . ' The room was fiUed prmcipaDy with adult persons of theworking clashes , and a considerable number of the middle classesand of the : manufacturers also : attendedi Mr . Wilmam : Arni % : was callejdttothe chair , when several resolu gons were ably moved and ! snpporte&by the Rev . J , RjSTEPHEarS t Messrs . G ^ Dain , a miliowrier , W Ci » ARk , Johk ;^ Deegak , and others . Mr . Clabk in the course of hw address ; stated that he had aiways been , opposed to ^ combination , but at the , same time he had sever said to the working classes do riot nnm .

      bine . Though he deprecated combinations in th » abstract ^^ he found that under present circuriiBtances they were the only defensive weapons which the people cftuldj rise , by which to protect themselves against the tyranny and I unjust treatoent they experienced at the hands of the rich . It Was the illegal coinbiriation entered into by the masters to lessen wages arid to curtail the comforts of the pbof that compelled the men in return to combine 4-aud it excesses were sometimes epirimitted in consequence , the blame ought to be ascribed tp those Who Were the ori ginators arid supporters of combinations lor reducing wagesv : He 1 regretted that any necessity should exist for unions of workkig . men , but so long as the rich capitausta arrayed themselves against the poor , denying them a fair remuneration for their labour and treating ; them ^ withharshness ^ ridseverity he would heyef cease to recommend bia fellow suffeijera . ta unite in ielf defence . ; ¦

      Mr * Stephens who Was loudly applauded on presentirig himself to the meeting , gaid , he deerited it aproudhonour to stan d before the men of Ashtori to plead . the cause of those injured men who hiad been sentenced to , sevori years transportation for fearlessly and cpurageott 8 ly , vindicating the rights of labour b y resisting a large reduction of their wages which was attempted by the cotton manufacturers of GUisgpw . To plead fdr | the poor—to endeavour to redresstheirwrori gs ^ to expose the heartless tyranny ? . nd oppression inflicted ; upon , them : was indeed an horiourable task ; but at the same time it was one that was accompanied with danger and difficulty and persecution .. He had sacrificed his time and his money in advocating the cause of the oppressed—he

      had given up bright Wordl y . prospects to stand forward on behalf of those who Were ; unable . to defend themselves-r-he had relinquished his personal comforts and conveniences aud all that Was at present considered honourable and respectable insociety to prombtepeace and amity ampngst all classes of the community—and if necessary he was ready to seal hia mission , of peace and good will with his blood . He hid not know how soon that might be the case . Lord John Russell had employed spies to watch his Bioverneiits—who wem to report to the Goverriih ^ nt any thiug which , he uttered that could possibly be construed into a violatidri of the laW that he might be iriimediately placed under arrest and brought before a ; Jury of his countrymen . He had it also

      f ) roin the best authority that the iriill-pwner . s of this neighbourhood Were concerting measures-to get him out of the way for one of the renowned 52 had been so imprudent as to say , " That they would do . Stephens his job forhirii if nobody else would . " That was hot the way to ^ heal the . breach—rneither was it calculated to preserve their property or even their own h ' ves ^ During the 5 or 6 * years hehadlivedamongst them he had endeavoured : to discharge his dut y to his country and hw God by calnng upou the rich and the , poor to strike together and unite . If there were one duty which he considered more irilperative upon hirii than another , it was that of admonislnng and imploring the rich—the wealttty- ^ the men of property in general to take care hoW they proceed « a

      m their present course , to point out . to them the urgent necessity of retracing their steps andI of hasteniiie , ere it was too late , to make up the frightful breach that existed between thojn and the poor . His principal motive in entering into political life was tp effect a cordial union . . and reconciliation between the employer and the employed—the master ar id the servant . He emplpred , nay he earnestl y besought the middle cLass ^ s and especially the millowners of Ashton , to consider these things well , if they did not , he Could tell them that very soon their property would riot be worth seven years purchase . His Object was not to frighten , t 0 menace , to intimidate-th « r rich men of this neighbourhood . No ! on thejeontrarv he'desiredthe Preservation of ProDertv

      • f-he wisheaitto jemairi in the hands , of its lawfulpossessors , that itmight ahswSr the end for which alpne all property ^ exigted arid that thus accomplishing the good pf all , ; it might be safely allowed to be transmitted 'to their heirs arid successors . He solelhinly warned the mill-owners of Ashton ; Staleyr bridgeyfaadl ) uckinfield , that the day would coriiej , and cpme . speedily too , wheri neither life nor prop erty -would be , ; ^ secure , if immediate , ample , and sufficient justice was : not awarded to those , to whom it was jrightebusly . due . ( Hear , hear ;) Society at present was mVa frightful , and awful condition ;? tb . e breach ^^ between the rich arid the poor was VW exterisive already , that any addition to ii would involve , the country in one scene of chaotic

      confusipn-rall . theelementsof . society were . incpmT plete discordance , and yet strange to say , because he liumbly , but at the same time zealousl y an 4 perse- * veringly aimed at producing peace ; arid recpnciliation of ; hanrionising the jarribg and discbrdaht elements pf society , ' and closing up the breach which un | pfturiately existed . He was vilified , misrepresent , ed , persecuted , and his blood ; thirsted after , because he raised up his voice and warned the rich of what must be the ultimateand , inevitably ^ result of such a state of things ; j ; he Was branded as an incendiary , a reyolutioriist , an anarchist , and that he desired the dpstnictionof life arid property . Bat the day would come when ^ the manufacturers of ^^ this district would Unite in raising a inonuiuent tp the mernory of

      btephens , as their best and truest friend . He did not expect that it would be a lofty or magnificent one , but it would bear - undying and imperishable testimony to' . the . zeal and fervour with which he endeavoured to protect the rights , of property , to preserve the institutions of his country , to restore theni tp their p ristine beauty and integrity , by securirig the rights ot the poor , aud obtaining ibr them those inheritances of which they , were unjustly deprived . The nghts . of the poor were destroyed and themselves trampled upon arid reduced to misery , starvation , arid slavery . This state of things cannot and ought not to continue ; long , A nation was uever yet oppressed tliutdidnot sooner or later destroy its oppressors . Itwas the same in otheF cases . When the father for

      example instead of treating his child with mildness and paternal love , disregards thoss solemn duties imposed on him as a gareut , when he punishes him with undeserved severity , when he exposes hischild to all the rigours of cold aridhunger ^ the child is compelled . 'to become rebelh ' ous , to despise the authority ¦ of his fathet , and all the feelings of veneration and filial affection the . child ought to entertain for his parent are by such conduct deadened and suppressed . When the toaster instead , of . treating his seryiints with kiii . duef'S and humanity , giving them a fair reT mur ieration fortheir labour , so aSito euablethem to live in happiness and cbmfor ti when instead of acting by them ui this manner , he oppresses them ; robs -them ; of their Wages , and exercises a most hateful

      despptisfla .: over them , it is impqssihlethatthe servants can respect him .: Whten thq inagistrate who ; shouid deal out equal justice to rich arid poor , who oHght to administer the laws mildly and equitably , hecame the protectof \ of the guilty , and the punisher of the innocent , when he throws the shield of authority ^ oyer the ^ unrighteous : proceedings of ^^ the ; rich , the pbor . weife sure to treat the magisterial office ^ ^ which , was thus shamefully abused- with disrespect , and the inagistrates ; themselvt , . > with scorn ; aiid contempt . When ^ the Legislature ^ ^ whichought ^^ topassgood ^ laWs and ; a ^ br 4 ' protec < ionitp every clas ^ pfsopiety , suffered tbeiich ^^ toplurider ^ ^ ; aud ^ opprets v ^ : pW ) r , allowed capital to slta ^ txiumphajit . t ^ l ^ Bpurlayiprostra te under , its feeft : ari 4 penmttedthe rfinitalis * -. 'ttiilture-likfi . tft siiflirvtViohi ^ fJ . nf n . a-n » n .

      nothing ^ cppjd be . sp ^^ prgposterons aa to imagine that the people : would , reepgnisii suchaiiegislatureiinany Wxm Hght . thau ^ ^ a ^ band of xutWe ^ sj ty ^ ftunical , arid hateful opprespor 8 . . -, He lorigis ^ bjmJi ^ suchagaUwg a ^ d . ^ fate of 1 ^ 69 ;«^;^? I « # aJt , - -. ^ d . i !^ B ^^ - ' 'P *^^^ i- ' ' ' " dit to be ; h ^ flute Wswigrri , the : ricfciokth ^ p ^ rilous posi . ; bon ii ^ yhj ^ h : ! theyfwere ; pla <^ * 4 they might ppasilia& ! ib ^ . jpioorjiand ^ revent the pepple . of ¦ %$$ . great Ration , xnaddeiieij ? and'indigriant :. pyiwe ; contejnplfttionipf iheir ; wrpngs , ^ m . ^ unirig iri ^ one wild- aaid common graven the authors of their misery ^ a&d sufferingB . Mn Stephens concludied ; by allearriesti appeal to hid . audienc ^ to , endeavour to unite all parties in a struggle' for ^ heir ? common good , and sat down amidst ioudcheerai '•> ., ¦;'

      ^ V / iMEp . -PBfeBA *; said ,: ! cMribtr periiniiithe ptese ^ opportunity te pws withbut expressing the teelings of | deep regretiyMchfillniy inind when 1 . contemplate the' melancholy spectacle which ; Enrfandpreserits to ou ^ view at the present junc ^ e ;^ froni ' the ^ circutoBtanee that ^^ the Commons of England who profess tp be the TeptesejitJCti y ^ s'bf the pebple w ^ io o ^ ghtitp Ape ; . | fcerguardiaiis of our righte ; ^ nd hberties , the ; meji wno ; comppsje this Legislative assembly pfoiit country , treat witK the ; mo ^ t ; cbntejaip )> tubuffindin ^ ence"the ^ tetitio ^ bf ^ e peopte ^ anci exhibit the mp ' stscorflful disregard for the entreaties , , the supp ^ c ^ ti ^ s ^^ remo ^ j ^ sufieririg , au : irij ^ d > a ^ opHressed ^^^ '' b ut ' a' sfilV'loyaJ ; nation : The ' -Qfa ee ^ Vill not like pur Legislators' turn a deaf ear to the" entteaties of hef devoted subjectsi nay I ani cbiifiderit that our erih ' ghtened , and nrtubusv and patriotic Sovereign will ; allow our suffering brethren to return to their wives , ito dry up the tears that are flowing ; down , their cueekB to reiieyi their break-

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      ing hearts- —to soothe-and coii 8 ole--them , Oh I yev the tendey ' sympathies of femaleu-royalty ; will nevw allow-the childreHbf- ^ ri ^ fe n ^ emen-to ^^^ lamentibr ; their injured ^^ parerit ^ -slaying and tgJJfcMf aad aufferirig ^^ in ' a ' ^ foreign clitri ^ fornpothef 0 fleaJ » , ftatx that of endeavouring ti ) , protect the iiigtitb o £ labour—to securer thehappiness ^ d comfort oftBoser who are ^ deajr tothem b y every tie of nature and * e 1 |^ pon . I anTsure that When Englishwpmea leay& thetf domestac . ayocations to sue for raercy , valon £ v ^ hro , lhat our exertioria will not he iwiauu : *; neartuy concur m erery seotiin ^ rit . writamed ^ &arj exceedingly ^^ temperate , mild , and coneffiatorr X dress whichjbas just beendelivered toyPub ? yomrt reverend arid eloquent pastor ; I ^ mcbnAdnced ^ hat : to

      ne ^ snootnerobjectin yiew th ^ promot ^^ niea and reconciliation between master and man . 'For my own part , I have never desired-ariything eU 6 : i I have always desired to see masters and-men ¦ bni tttt * | n- : the bonds ^ of harmony : and fraternal love ^ -to «*; them mutuall y cherish all ; those feelings of charitrtove , and benevolence , that ought to adorn and dis-^^ g ^ hiotircharacter , ,. YeS , Um ^ riwui to banislt forever all those feelings : of animosity - of hSreoVof jealousy aad revenge ^ which have soTorig distracM ¦ society ; and , to substitute in their place charip ^ bnght emanahon from the Eterrial-Dearitebusvheff- " venly , and resplendent chanty , sheddmg its genial beams , tocheer , to encourage , to soothe , and to aon ^^ bolb

      mansma . . Uh I how ardently I long for ffieday . when there will be rib longer any necessity for ^ tsto leave our happy homeii ^ ur peaceful Mbita ^) ^ % mm - in tlie stri ¥ ** & coutedtion insepar x rable from political life ; when , instead of atteudine smnlar meetings to thep ; resent , tyouwiU , havelh » ' pleasure to sit round a merry , cheerful , blazan g firefe , with ipy spaarkhrig in ^ each eye , Vand peace arifsere ^ mty . beaming on each ^ countenance : when the : hus- " ** & . & ? ^^ With his wife , W when ^ hoth S instilintoAeinindsof their ^^ chndf eh ; those pririciS ^ f r ootal ^ -ihPaeieaspns of ^ practical ^ enevolenc ^ and love , winc h would , : in after life , render theitf Ornaments of society . This meeting itf to , hint

      source ot great graahcafabn ^ because ;' "it ^ evinces to m « the interest which the people , of Ashton take Int every matter connected with their welfare , ; I pet ^ - fectly agree in all the eulogiums and commendation * which have been bestowed upon you by the Revw Gentleman who has precededme , which have Beea ehcited by the promptness with wbich you respond to every call your country makes upon you . In coaelusion , ; allow me to express a fervent hope , that Victoria * ¦ England ' s Queeri , will entirely reimV th ^ sentence- passed upon our suffering . brethren , " an * thus entitle herself to the blessings of thbusands-iyea , of miUions of her subjects , and to the pure ; the unalloyed , the spontanepus , the undivided allegianceof a grateful and admiring people . ( Loud cheer * tpllowea the . conclubiou of this address . ) Dain

      ^ . Mr . said he was happy , to appear bearer them as , a mill-owner , though not an exterisive onew to ^ record his . opmiori in ^ favour of the ^ Glasgow Cbtfe 2 bpmners ; ^ If they were guilty of ^^ combination ; itwa& only-, an effect ot ; a cause , ; ar id that cause was the combination of the masters , tp reduce the wages tit their workmen . He was also atixipus for peace and cpncihation , - and he hoped ; the masters would not persevere in the present course of exasperation , if the men were , to be punished for compination . : hgthought it ; only fair that the masters should < &fe punished also ; -for he was sure they were the greatest transgressors . 'In the : convereatioris Which he b . a « L had with masters ^ he always . said the same : lu * wished justice tp : be done to all parties , and : it ^; would , therefore , join cordially in proouringt r thet remission of the sentence passed on the Glased ** men . ( Gheep . ) ; ' '¦}¦ ¦ " . '• :. . " ¦ " -. j ' Thanks bping voted to the Chairman , the -meetimr separated . ; : ¦ - '; . - ¦ ¦ ¦;' . - ¦ - ' "" -V C ; ¦ ^ x ' -:- - : r ' - - " rr r !

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      ¦ .-: ¦ ¦ GLASGOW « PIN ^ ERS . ; ;> ¦; : ¦' " ' . ; - " - -: - - :: ' :: :: ^' ; '! v ' : ' : ' v 'i ; : ; - - " - : ; ; :- ;! ¦ - . PUBLIC JVIEETIK ^ G AT ROTHEttHAliU ? . On ^ . Tuesday week , a public meeting ^ asheld n £ the Methodist : Chapel , at Rotherham , for thepiir pose of petitioning both Houses . of Parliament to > grant a reversion of the sentence lately passed : upoir ; « iB-vfive . Cotton S pinners of Glasgow , who were convicted of . illegally , combining , and ordered ito b ^ transported beyond the seas for various periods . ; At the time of the meeting the Chapel was crbwdecV to excess , and on the motion of Mr . Tuhton . A Mr . C . p'NEiti , was called to the chair , and in a powerful address he showed ; tlie difference Whicht existed on this subject between the lawsof ScotlafldL and those of England , especially as to the ' 'trialTif jury , the niajority of one vote only being sufficiem in .-the former country , to convicta prisonerand banishi

      , him from his native land for ever . The operatives ^ ' he isaid , were yictims tpthe ^ arinical ; % Kg fiovenft- j Eaent - , they had . dori ; e nothingniore feftriossembledL » to preserve their rights ; , and he . thereforecafled upo ^ " the riien of Rotherham to ^^ come forwart& ; jand ' show " ; that they ; valued their own privileges as ^ EngnsariiOT .-who Would ; .. iiot allow ^^ their" birth-righiofliberty ta ' be tampeied with ; let the tyrant Conie frpnl wiat ^ qua , rter he might ' . He '' sat down- amidlbudcheefsl" ; Mr . Barker ^ then stepped forward td ^^ prbpose thV ' first resolutiori , vis , j 'V That this meeting ^ ew 8 wilfc deep regret -, th © - unjust ' sentence'patssed' utfoii ^ th ^ hveCottoiLSpinners of Glasgow ; for no othercrmT& r > than of uniting for the protection of theirlabour . 'Mfe 7 then remarked , that ^ pugh rh e shouldi'be am ong th&d

      foremost jto repudiate and , condemji - guch atrociojoa acts as those ot ^ which the Glasgow , CottonSmnne ^ . were sflid Jo vJ ^ aye beeri guilty , yet , ; after : ¦ ' a carefuj and unpartial perusal and review p'f the endene ' et duduced on each ' . side , he was irresistibly led to ; the coricltision Vthatai - regarded the main ^ part of the / , charges l ^ id a " gamsli" theiny the . men \ were entir ^ lyi and altogether innocent ; At the sarne time . lie ' woulee < not staridup there to . deby thatfearful atrbcitieshact been cbmmitted | ; aay that . even ' - ' : thos . e crimes might be perpetrated by Cotton Spinners ; i : ' yet to select m ^ men of that class , Gut ; oftherthousairius that thronged the streets ; of Glasgow ^ and punish . - ther ii \ for thet criines of the whole ; crimes which conH not . b& proved ; against them , as individualsi wasto sav ' tlife e

      least of it , partial and Uiyusti ; ^ i ; speaker ; also * commented , in stirdng language , ; 6 n theTbait whicft . was" thrown out , ; to induce spies , ar id informers to wtue forward , ' and by the aid of a few fects , plentifully garnished '^ th th eir own fe rtil e imaginations arid constructions , hatch such a / story as ; had been , published- The wise and humane GoverrimenV h ^ said , had thus laid their trap ; they offered £ 60 rewar < 3 L to any pereoti ^ ho would swear anything of a criminal nature against the weavers ! And what was the natural consequence ? Why . that some mean , and dastardly characters-fand there , are abundanca of such wretches , it is Well known , iii every large town , oame forward arid swallowed the golden pffl , coinmitting perjury by wholesale . So much for ihe evidence ; but who were the jury ? . ' ¦ '¦ Mericomnosed

      of money-morigefs and ; capitalists ; men i / rhQs& ' . interests ^ were ^^ dianietrically opposed to ;' . 'those Of fiift : Working classes ; ar id to make such men the tribunal , on v ? hose word hnng the late pf the hard-work ^ - irig tnechariicy was most % un ^ Ust and Tntolerablev He next adverted \ x > the corrupt at ^ e of aportion o £ - j the press ; eome of the high Tory ixtod ,, ^ Ari stopratic Whig advocates had \ thought it- ^ tni- act ; of justice to publish ajl the evidence for the p ^ pseputiipn , buthad omittedall the ' exculgatbry ; evitenpei . Iie concluded '; by avowing his fu ^; b ^ elief , tb ^ at the br ily reme ^ y jb ^ , their politica ; l evils was to be found in ' the live great : principles of the Radical ^^ association ; - anti he ? exhorted ; - . a ! l these who heard agitat ing , ; in : their respective : circles ,- . till those principles of truth - - ' an'd' ^^ justice ^ became the law of the- ; iand , v-. ;; .. v : ' ' ; ' ¦'¦ ¦ ' [' - - ; il .. - ' :.-JC ; '' . : ; : " > : ¦ ., : - ¦ "¦ ' - . ¦ : ' ";¦ ' ¦ : ' ¦' - . ; Mn ^ HBVsecbnd ^^ heTesolutibn .. "¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦; ' : - ¦ .- V ;

      Mr . -. Gill then came forward , to , xriove ! the second , resolution ,, and ,. . in ; so : dbmg ,, adv-erte < i tonineof the / priricipat . charge *; agpast flie : Cottpji -S pinners , ; and showed to > themeetingj iii a cleared perspicuous' 7 light that ; those allegations \ vere : utterly withput ; ^ fouridatibn . He ^ said ifliat he - stood before that ~ , meeting , the Tppen supporter and . " avowed defender " - " of the persecuted Cpttoni Spinners of Glasgow ; atrid ,. . siaid he , I ask . . you . taaid me ; in wresting , ; from th ^ ^^* tyrant ^' grasp ; the ins'tument w ^ ydur , destrnctiadl He then proceeded to show , th ^ t the worMrig ; classes kre ^ the sole producers of tJife £ mburitaing ' ' of > wealthy a ^ they . Were top often left to perish at ita Isisei t fie ^ was greeted with loud ' cheering from , : all parts of ^ ¦

      the meeting . ¦ : ' - ' . ' ¦ . ¦ - .. -- ; ' ¦ ¦ ' : : ¦ -- . -: ¦ ..- ¦ s ¦ :. . > - /> -y : i : n . ¦ Mr . ? LEAfHEBtANp : seconded- ; the ^ vresolntion ^ wb ^ was ^ , & 1 % ^ ^" Th ^ ^ whole ^ of ;' , ttie * ^ Spinne ^ , Qbnin ^ ttee ^« ij ffiie Kp , itt , number )! Ihejr ^ ^ "impri ^ bnMgn . t 1 n vdanaP . ad ; aeTti iwthoSt bed ' d £ Redding ; ; " all -night ; ' arid the ^ f 'being : ' mterwara ^ -liberated ^ ' Without trial or recompense , is a gross violation ; m "' ju ^ tiice ; but jih ^ t'tb Sel ^ cf-ffva pf % f ^ forthe pu ^ pjose of yictimizatiori , -is the extreme 6 f tyWnriy and ' -, irijustice v and ought toi ^ xcite tnesu ^ o st / iadig ^ aa 5 - '; t ionin thebreiwtofriiyery : wc ^ k ^ ¦ - ¦ ' (^ ' '; 3 ^ r ; Dixos ttdodirip /]^ tioriiand ^ jn i ^ dping ^ said tlwt . it waj , rin ev-ei 3 PV '; Tespect ^; C ^ r ig . enial ^ to his sentiments . ;! . £ le ; VKQ ^^; i takeihat ^ opportt ^ Ddty . of . r ^ riiariang thafeh g ^ w , :- ^> t common with many ;' Others , ; narrbwl y watched-jXjst ^

      tocrampihe : labouriiig ^ cla ^ &eS , aridfo < aggrandife ,: ; the ppssesioirs of property , and he was Cpriyincea thit nothing would be effectual / until theyo : cesof theS million was fceaicd in places where court wh ^ sp ^ ra ; ' were ^ ibybnly ^ breathedi ; v ^ - - " :. ¦¦ : ; ^ v -Ur : v lMr Robinson , in ; a ^ ery able ^ SD ^ cl ^ f ^ cii& 4 ^ the third re 8 blution , as foBow ^ prv Thiftt this meet- r . in ! g is of opinion : thitaU . lawful me ^ sh ^ uldlbe ' used ta gain the remissionL of the ^ £ tenc&p ^ 8 jfed ; t upb « jthe # ye € ottb ^^ p inneralof Glaseo ^ . ' ? ¦ ^ : ¦ ^ - y T ^ s resolution was ^ supportedty ^[ r . Wfii ) aN | B . 6 K and carried . ;>; .,- /^ J : »; ri u ; ^ c :- ; ,-- ; -i' ^'> 0 ^ , iV : ,, t ' fe ^; It was then resolvedly tnajt ^ a neti ^ oni ^ iribbdyijig , thefwregoihgresoluiibliis , 8 hbtila b 5 s piieSsemedtojaia ^ House M € raiuaions | ^ M r ^^ akl ^^ anoMatP Mr . ^ ^ Harvey , Sir Wip " . Molesworth , and Mr ^ LeaSer : be' requested to support the prayer of ^ hepetitjojgu Thanks having beeriyoted to the Chairman , thj » mjeetingwaa then : dissolved . ' .. ' : '' : ' r ' ' ' -: ^ -- i

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      * 8 ZM t U YriAUfiaai . ' .- ¦ .. . :- . ¦ '¦; .- ¦ . . . ;¦ ¦' ;; . : . . -H 7 . " T-. ; ¦; ¦ ¦ \ : ^ fl ^ M ^ Sl : O-V , / jy ¦ : . : . ; : ; ::: y ^

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 17, 1838, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct993/page/3/