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Januarv 22, 1853.] THE LEADER. W _
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AMERICAN NOTES. The latest news from the...
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RESTITUTIONS AT ROCHESTER. Me. Whiston, ...
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PROGRESS OF ASSOCIATION. BLOCK PRINTERS....
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M. LOUIS BLANC'S KKCKNT LECTURE ON SOCIA...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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The Diggers In Council. Thebe Have Been ...
Captain Harrison : They well knew that their fire-arms were their only protection , and there he would express his regret at the manner in which the diggers were in the habit ox throwing away their gunpowder . ( Hear , hear . ) It should be a rule on the diggings that no man should discharge his firearms after nightfall , unless his tent or person were assailed , and then the report would be an understood signal for his neighbours to rush to his assistance . They Bhould even be careful of their lead—it might be wanted , and there was no use . in wasting it ; at present , the practice of firing at night was so common , that if a man discharged a gun in self-defence it would attract no attention or help , although plenty of friends might be within hearing of the report .
This was sensible advice . Other speeches followed ; and ultimately a petition to the Legislative Council of Victoria was agreed to , praying , in the most orthodox fashion of the petitions of Old England , that the proposed duty on exports of gold should not be imposed . Diggers , they say , earn on an average an ounce aweek , [?] " which is not higher than the remuneration of any other labour . They pay 181 , a-year for a gold licence , and should the export tax be imposed , that will raise the tax on the digger to 24 : 1 . 10 s . per annum . If the bill passes the diggers will " receive a heavy blow ; " and " the further development of the mineral wealth of the colony will be materially checked . " Such was the memorable meeting of the diggers on the 23 rd of October , 1852 .
Januarv 22, 1853.] The Leader. W _
Januarv 22 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . W _
American Notes. The Latest News From The...
AMERICAN NOTES . The latest news from the United States is limited to a few briefly told but striking facts . The Vestal , a British man-of-war , at Havannah , has captured four slavers , equipped for the outward voyage ; Having seized one , the Captain got scent of another , waiting at Cardenas for her equipment . He found two Subsequently , a brig left the port of Havannah in the night . The Vestal made all sail after her , ' overtook her , and found that she had everything necessary for an African voyage . Her captain had false paperspapers obtained directly from the Spanish Government .
Proofs of the complicity of the Cuban authorities abounded in all the vessels ; and Canedo was greatly incensed against the British blue jackets . Of course , the Americans are delighted at the capture of these ships ; and they speculate as to what course England will pursue with regard to the Spanish Government . It cannot be doubted but that the Cuban authorities habitualiy violate the treaty for the suppression of the slave-trade ; and the question is , shall that treaty be a mere form ? President Till more has requested the Nicaraguan Government to recal M . Macoleta , its Minister , and appoint a new one . The request had once been refused .
Count Raousset Boulbon has had a short-lived reign in Sonora . He and his Frenchmen had been reduced to a state of starvation ; and had surrendered . There seems to be no reason why we should doubt this ; and , if it be true , the first French attempt to " check the progress of democracy" in America , has not been so successful as the late attempts in Europe . We must state that the latest news from St . Domingo do not mention the alleged occupation oT Sainana by the French . Horatio Greenough , the American sculptor , died at Boston on the 18 th of December . He was born in
1805 . General Pierce ( President elect ) had a narrow escape while travelling , on the 6 th between Boston and Concord . The carriage in which the General , with his wife and one son , travelled , became detached from the train , and fell over an embankment 12 or 15 feet in depth . Both the General and his lady escaped with a few slight injuries , but their son , aged 11 years , was killed by a p ioce of rode which penetrated through the carriage window .
In the Senuto , on the 4 th , Mr . Cuss introduced tho following resolution , which was ordered to be printed : " JJo it resolved , that the United Htales do hereb y declare that tho American continents , by tho free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain / Ml , are henceforth not to be considered an subjects fur future colonization by any JCuropoun Powor ; and , while existing rights should bo Inspected and will bo by tho United States , they owe it to thoir own safety and interests to announce , as they now < lo , Unit no future Kurnpoan colony or dominion shall , with tlioir consent , bo planted or ( established on uuy part of tho Amoricun continent ; and flhould tho attempt bo made , they thus deliberately declare that it will bo viewed'as an act originating in motives regardless of tlioir interests and their Hafety , and which will leave thomfwo to adopt such measures as an independent . nation may justly adopt in doi ' onco of its rights and its
" And bo it further rosolvwl , that while tho United HtatoH disclaim any designs upon the Inland of Cuba inconsistent with the hiWH of nations and with their duties to Spain , they consider it duo to tho vast importance of iho subjoot to niako known in this solemn manner that th <> v should view ull efforts on the part of any other J ' ower < o procure possession , whether peaceably or forcibly , of that inland , which , aa a naval or mditary position , must ,
under circumstances easily to be foreseen , become dangerous to their southern coast , to the Grulf of Mexico , and to the mouth of the Mississippi , as unfriendly acts directed against them , and to be resisted by all the means in their power . " Documents relative to the projected tripartite treaty , and to the Clayton and Bulwer treaty regarding the neutrality of Central America , are published in the journals ; and some explanations regarding them had been made in the Senate . The Clayton and Bulwer treaty excluded Great Britain and the United States respectively from making acquisitions of territory in Central America . At the time ratifications were
exchanged , Mr . Clayton and Sir Henry Bulwer distinctly recorded the fact , that British Honduras was not to be included in the treaty . Mr . Cass now says that he would not have voted for it had he known or understood that .
Restitutions At Rochester. Me. Whiston, ...
RESTITUTIONS AT ROCHESTER . Me . Whiston , the persecuted Master of the Rochester Grammar School , has published a letter , in which he states that something has been done in . the way of restitution by the Chapter : — " To the many memorabilia o fl 852 may be added the fact that the Chapter of Rochester have signalized its close , by augmenting stipends which , barring the diminution of one to three-eighths of its amount , and tho discontinuance of another for three-fifths of a century , had remained unaltered since 154 . 3 . The details are these : — The four students are to have 301 . 10 s . each , instead of 5 / . ; the twenty scholars 161 . 13 s . 4 > d ., instead of 21 . 13 s . 4 c / . ; the six bedesmen 14 Z . 13 s . 4 > d ., instead of 61 . 13 s . 4 < d . ; and the precentor and sacrist 101 . and 61 . respectively , instead of 21 . each , making a total increase of 442 / . a year . Excepting the four students ( and perhaps to two of them ) the augmentations were actually paid last Christmas ; the bedesmen further receiving the repayment of 15 s . each , previously deducted on account of their cloaks . To appreciate all this , it must be remembered that for sixty years 40 / . a year was paid to the cathedral Domus , instead of the bedesmen , although , indeed , Dr . Lushington suggested that the Chapter would not have benefited thereby if it had not been 4 , 01 ., but 4000 ? . a year . Moreover , the average income of each canon for seven years before 1849 has been proved to have been not 6801 ., but about 1000 / . a year . "
Is not this a plain confession that the Chapter were in the -wrong , and the Bishop also , when they prosecuted and persecuted Mr . Whiston , keeping him out of his salary and denying him official possession of his office for more than two years ?
Progress Of Association. Block Printers....
PROGRESS OF ASSOCIATION . BLOCK PRINTERS . Mebton , Surrey , is the centre of an important district of the block-printers trade . A meeting , of block-printers , and of others interested in the subject of association , was recently held at Victory Hall , in that town , for the purpose of hearing the report of the committee appointed at a former meeting . The report , which in a slightly abridged form we subjoin , was adopted . Mr . Walter Cooper , of the Worl ^ ng Tailors' Association , London , was introduced by the chairman , and delivered an address on tho topic of the evening , for which ho received a vote of thanks . The meeting was remarkable as a complete and unanimous adhesion of the whole industry of a district to the associative principle . Report of tlie Committee appointed at a Meeting of Block-printers on September Wt / i , 1852 , to inquire into the subject of Association . Youn committee having met weekly since their appointment , and to the best of their ability investigated tho subject for which they wore appointed , now beg leave to lay before you a short report of their proceedings . Your committee experienced much difficult y at tho outsot , from tho want of information , all tho association )) which
have been formed being in existence boforo the passing of the Industrial and Provident Socioty ' s Act , 1852 . " Wo know not how far thoir rules and regulations agreed with its requirements . ' Through tho kindness of Mr . Cooper , of tho Tailor ' s Association , wo obtained several copies of tho Act , which having carefully read and discussed as well as we could , we circulated among tho body of tho tradein Surrey . Tho Act is bo framed that it is of uho only to working men . offers induco
To capitalists and bubble schemers it no - mentH . Its aim appears solely to be an effort to inducu tho worker to invest his savings , so that from tho legitimate profits of his self-employed labour , provision may he made for sickness , old « go , and death , for personal comfort , education , and general improvement . The capital of a society enrolled under this net is to bo raised by voluntary subsoriptions ; and no society can take advantage of the act whose rules will allow members to have a greater interest in its funds than . 100 / . or , by way of annuity , M )/ . ' No
moro than five per cent , dividend can be paid , which must be paid from profits ; but u division of profitfi to tho extent of ono-third may bo made on account of labour done by tho members or others employed on thoir behalf . The interest of any member cannot bo transferred , hut ft member wishing to leave , and giving tho proper notice which the ruhw may provide , must receive whatever balance may bo duo to him . The act ; gives the power to borrow money to the extent of four times the capital paid up , at a rate of interest not exceeding flix per cotit . Trustees are to Imj appointed in whom the members havo confidence , in wlioso names oil monioy arc to ho invoatoil .
The trustees are only responsible for what passes into their hands . The manager or other officers of the society have the same responsibility . Any officer or other person appropriating to their own use any money or other property of the society , can be sued at law with the same facility as if they had been in the service of a private firm . In short , every security is given to members for their business being properly conducted . Some ideas entertained , we find , must be abandoned ; but , on the other hand , many important privileges are conceded , which render the act a great and beneficial step in the right direction , and which , no doubt , through time , will be improved on . that to
It is the conviction of your committee , secure confidence and success , it is necessary that any association which may be formed should be strictly legal . In the attempts which have been made , and of which many have succeeded , the failures may be attributed to the insecurity and want of confidence engendered by the want of legality ; but if it was possible for any to succeed in the face of the law , and under every disadvantage , how much more certain the success when everything favours the project . It may be objected that ours is a trade differing from others , and requiring a greater amount of capital . Now , we know that some have commenced in our business with but little capital , and they have succeeded . But let us see what difficulties other trades labour under in this respect .
The working pianoforte-makers numbered fourteen , and amongst themselves subscribed 303 / . 12 s . 6 % d ., and were obliged to borrow 1068 / . 6 s . 6 d . Now , it is certain that a much smaller sum than 1372 / . would suffice to start fourteen printers . Tho working type-printers numbered two , and commenced with about 300 / . mostly borrowed ; they now number six , and have about 800 / . worth of plant , and are still deficient in some particulars . Mr . William Newton states that sometimes a tool will cost 300 / ., which a single man will work , and yet there is no want of association among the engineers . We might multiply examples ; but , in fact , there are no difficulties to contend against in our trade which have not to be contended against in others , and in some to a greater extent .
Your committee have received a copy of a report from the Rent Committee , appointed to report on the same subject . The principal points in their proposal are as follows : " That a fund of 1000 / . be raised in 1 / . shares ; no person to take more than three shares . " " That the trade as a body take a certain number , to be paid out of the trade fund , entering the quarters as a separate account , and invested otherwise . " " That each shop take a number in addition to those taken by the members ; and any person coming from any other part , having a fair card , must , as a condition of getting work , take one or more shares . " * ' The shares are ultimately to become wholly trade property ; when the trade is in a condition to buy , members are to be compelled to sell . " trade should
Your committee are anxious that the whole associate themselves ; but they cannot compel those to enter who arc unwilling , nor do they consider that the Kent proposal has been drawn in accordance with the act . Your committee , desirous that it should be open to all to associate themselves to whom it may appear desirable , have issued the proposal which has been put into your hands ; and it now rests with yourselves to say , whether you will lend your aid to the effort about to be made . The movement now awaits your adhesion and assistance . That financial difficulties may not deter any , your committee propose , that when the Society is formed , a monthly meeting , or otherwise , aa shall bo agreed on , shall be regularly held for the purpose of deciding , from the state of trade at tho time , what sum per week shall be paid by each member until the next monthlv or other meeting .
Trusting that you will accept our little past exertions at an evidence of our desire to benefit , so iar as in us lies , the common cause , we remain your obedient servants , The Committee . ( Signed ) Or . Bbockwbm ., Chairman . J . Simmons , Secretary . Tho above report adopted at a meeting held on Thursday , November 4 th , 1852 . ( Signed ) Thomas John Watsow , Chairman . It is an encouraging sign , Jiml deserving the
attention of such members of Parliament jis have devoted their efforts to tho interests of tho working-men , to note the prompt intelligence with which new legislative reforms in their favour arc turned to practical use . The next movement should be in the direction of au amendment of the law of partnership , and in the terms of " limited liability . " It is to lie hoped that the mantle of Mr . Slaney ban fallen on some one or more of tho members of the now House who will not g ive up to party what was meant for mankind .
WOUKINfi MKN ' H CONFLUENCES . The "Conferences with Working-Men , " pre »" Ied over by the Rev . Professor Maurice ( which hnve been suspended during the erection of tho Society ' s Hall ) , arc now resinned in the hull at tho above address . The conferences are to Ui held nt the above l » our every alternate Wednesday evening , and ure open free to the public and the press .
M. Louis Blanc's Kkcknt Lecture On Socia...
M . LOUIS BLANC'S KKCKNT LECTURE ON SOCIALISM' . Wk promised our reuilorn a brief abstract of M . Louis l $ ] an < : ' n recent lecture in vindication of SocialiHtie principles . This brilliant Apology wub roumrkublo as the first appearance of tho speaker on an English platform , addressing tin audience in tho I ^ nglish language . Those who were present were surprised ut tho euso and graco with which tUo diUicultioa of a foreign luntnuuro were
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Jan. 22, 1853, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_22011853/page/5/
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