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Untitled Article
During the time they were there , a meeting waa held in the Orchard , at which Mr . Grimshaw and Mr . Cowell spoke ; the latter stating that the masters had hrought a uumher of hand * from Manchester , and adding : — We ba ^ succeeded in rescuing them from them . " They could not prevail upon the whole of the hands to go to the Farmer ^ Arms , for about a dozen were taken l > y Mr . Haslam and Mr . Galloway , with , the intention of conveying them to the mill of the former . On the way , they were met by Grimshaw and others , and Grimshaw succeeded in getting one away , money being offered to induce them to leave those by whom they had T > een engaged . Now
the persons taken to the Farmers' Arms were treated with , meat and drink , and were kept there during the whole of the day ; and whenever they wanted to leave the house to go into the yard , they were accompanied by one or two persons . Speeches were made to them against the masters , and eventually they were persuaded into returning to Manchester . Now he should show that Grimahaw took a most active part in all these proceedings ; that he accompanied the'parties to the station ; and that he distributed tickets to the different hands , who were accompanied back to Manchester by Brocklehurst and Gallaher . lining was active in getting the people from the station to the Farmers' Arms , and was despatched to
misery , privation , or poverty in my life . The masters here thought they could offer greater inducements to them , and thought they would come and swamp yon in Preston . 1 called a meeting of the people , who were so indignant at the conduct of Arkwright and Naylor that fcrar fierce-looking felows came to m « and asked me to point themotit , and they would keep their eye on them till dark and would give them the d 1 hiding that ever they got in their lives . " Mr . Ascroft—Now turn to your notes of a meeting held on Saturday , the 4 th of March .
Witness—That meeting was held at Cat tarn , near Preston . Waddington was chairman . Gallaher ( who was the first speaker after the chairman ) said" You will be aware that parties are coming from other districts and countries to come and fill oar places . The masters tell them such a fine lot of staff that they imagine they are to be like kings and princes . But to their sorrow , and to my sorrow too , they will find themselves mistaken , and to a very great extent . Here ( said the witness ) tliere was an interruption , and a voice in the crowd said— " They are crying . " Gallaher then continued— '
Kelly , ami by the man whom they called liainr . We went to the Adelpbi Tavern . Next day I went to Mr . Galloway's with John Burn . Saw some of the persons who had accompanied us from Preatcn to Manchester , and went with them to the Traflord Arms : two of them were called Gallaher and Baing . They paid for some drink there . On the following day I went to the -warehouse and engaged with Mr . Galloway to come to Preston . I went to WjbrkVat Messrs . fiaslam's , and have worked there s | nceK - Upon cross-examination , the lad stated that whan he came to Preston for the second time he Jaw Mr
Haslam , who told him he would pay him according to what he could do , and that that was the first time that wag « s had been mentioned . : ;> > Another lad , named John Burn , was called , who testified to the same effect as the previous ' witns ***! He ; stated that , when they were at the Farme |||||| iij , they were told that the Preston hands ^^^^^^ Pt ' and if we went in we should be upon theJir ^^ Mly " had gone out upon . ; ¦• . l . V" ¦ - . '" ' ¦ Wmlim& William M * Crae stated that he engag ^ w ^ tjjfct . Galloway to work ; for Sharpler and WildTng , i * kl came to Preston with fifty-seven otliers on ^ M ^ d&yy the 27 th of February . A great majiy peop ^ i # &ife outside tee railway station . We were asked out ^ i&e if we knew it was a turn-out . Laing told me to
come with Mm and I atxould be wellu ^ ed . This ^ hian went to the Farmers' Arms and retuiiiedj to ' MwLchester in the same manner as the preK ^ ing ^ itbeauies . Upon cross-examination he , stated tb ^ t ; hef igrMd with Mr . Galloway that he should , have eigh ? sllH lings a week , until" he had learnt to weave wj ? 6 % tine steam-loojda . Deferring tb what was said to lum Upon the occasion of his first Visit to Preston ^ ttie witness said : —" They said they would excuse us Ibiat time on account of being blind-led by the mastera . I went to the Farmers * Arms because t was persuaded , and was afraid to go to work , seeing a great number of people about . Seeing all the rest go , I wentvrith them . Nobody compelled me to go . If I had chosen , I could have remained in the guards' room till [ Mr . Galloway came . " . \
It being now four o ' clock , the proceedings were adjourned , and the defendants were all liberated upon bail being put in for their appearance next mornirigr There was no difficultyabout this , for toaH ' tdffctiy amount might have "been obtained , arid the defends ants left ; the court amid the hearty and ypcifei <> Ua cheering-of a vastmultitude . A , „ \\ ^ \ ' : ¦' ¦ , . Y V : ^; - Upon the assembling of the court , on We 4 ne 5 ^| y Mr . Ascroft recalled M'Crea , the ^ itne ^ wlio ^ jSitd been examined on . the preceding day ..,, This matL , ctepoaed that on going to nhe FariDer 8 irm 3-the nliliea and occupations of the immigrants were taken iovrbf and identified Gardner as the nian who asked him his name and what he had done . "
George Gallowajraeposed that he lived in . Mun .-chester , juxd was a partner in the firm of Shairpliss and Co ., cotton-spinners and mahufacturerlE ^ ' of Preston . In the week ending 25 th of Fehriiary many persons came to my warehouse to engage jboj- ' go to Preston . I made engagements with a number of those persons . On Monday the 27 th I brought fifty-Seven people from Manchester to Preston . I paid their fares . Some of the hands were engaged . for MeSBrs . Haslam . The unskilled hands wore to receive 6 s .
per week as learners . Two were skilled handa ^ and they were to have what they could earn . Came with the hands to Preston . When we got there they -were placed in a large room at the station while we procured conveyances to remove them . On returning , I saw many of the new hands in Fishergate . There was a crowd assembled very busy in taking the people away . They got away the greater portion of those I had brought . Grimshaw ( identifying- the defendant ) was very busy interfering with the hands . I went forward to the railway station . All the hands had left the room where they had been , but -there were several remaining on the platform . We got twelve together and put three into a shandry . One female , was forced out of the conveyance . There
were a great number of people about , hurraing and making a great noise . The two who remained in the conveyance were sent on to the mill . Many of the hands -who romained with me appeared frightened . I then made ar ran foments to take them to Messrs . Haslam ' s mill . Grinashaw followed us from the station to Moss Churcli and offered 7 a . to a girl named Doyle . [ The witness could not undertake to say vhat ' were tlie exact words used . ] Doyle was engaged to come to Messrs . Haslam ' s . Did not see Grirushaw do anything beyond what I have stated with regard to Doyle . I conveyed twelve lianda to Messrs . llaslam ' s mill . I returned to Manchester the same night . ' Since the 27 tli of February , I have seen persons about our warehouse in Manchester who Tiavo stopped parties who came to apply for work .
Cross-examined by Mr . Noble—When I left the people At the station they had perfect liberty to go out of the stution if they thought proper . I atn no $ certain whether any of the twelve Who « wvnt , yi ^ tfi me have returned to Manchester . I don't think tkaty of them have entered into any agreement at all , Henry Rigby , Inspector of Weights and Measures , gave some evidence confirmatory of Mr . Galloway ' s etu lenient .
" Thank yon . I was going to tell you that these poor innocent individuals are being deluded , bnfc it is not so much their fault as the manufacturers . I would tell them , even if they were standing before me this afternoon ; that they are responsible to the country , at large , and to Heaven itself , for the degradation , the privation , and the misery which they are bringing into the town of Preston ; and they are likewise accountable for the dark ' deeds which they have perpetrated this last week . The example . of Mr . Hollins should have been an example to them . The
hundreds of pounds they are expending this week will be to their own detriment and damage . They thought that * If we can get these people here , tlie people will try to get them back again . ' Last Monday a great number did come , and we removed them back . We wished to implant on the masters that if they brought any more , we should send them back again ; but if they till the whole town and country , we shall not remove a singfc one back again . We knowhow to make use of our own money better than that . From the doings of Monday last , we have ' solemn pledges from the manufacturing districts that money shall not be
wanting . ' " Mr . Ascroft—Now turn to the speech of Mortimer Grimshaw , about those poor people from Belfast . The witness read the following : — " Those poor people from Belfast were brought under a most vile statement , but when they got to the station and heard the correct version of the case , I saw the poor creatures with tears in their ejeB . " ^ Examination continued—To the best of my belief the spinners * committee-room is at the Farmers Arms . They are int . the habit of publishing-weekly balance-sheets of their receipts and expenditure , and
I have procured them at the Farmers' Arms . Cross-examined by Mr . fcToble—I have attended most of the -operatives' meetings , and the various speakers always recommended " peace , law , and order , " without exception . Beyond an occasional cheer , I never saw anything but perfectly orderly conduct . James Boden ( a little boy ) , examined by Mr . Ascroft—On Saturday , the 25 th of February , I went toMr ~ Galloway's warehouse , in Manchester . He agreed to give me work , and I told him I could feed weighing in a blowing-room . Was to work for Mr . ETaslam , and to come to Preston on the following Monday . Came to Preston on Monday . Mr . Galloway paid rny fare . When we arrived , we went into one of tlie guard-rooms . There were between fifty and sixty came together . Two persons ,
named Bright and Kelly , were of the party . I went out with Bright and Kelly . I can ' t tell whether I saw any of the defendants . I was taken to the Farmers' Arms . About 12 o ' clock ,. Bright and Kelly returned to Manchester . Some one , who was called Laing , went with them . I don't think the person they called Laing is here . We were taken up-stairs at the Farmers' Arms , and they gave us some bread and cheese . Speeches were made at the Farmers * Arms . None of them hero made speeches that I recollect . They called one of the speakers Gallaher . I don ' t see the man whom they called Gallaher here . Mr . Ascroft ( pointing to Michael Gallaher ')—Now look at the furthest person in the dock . [ All the persons in court here gave vent to an uncontrollable bvrst of indignation , and ( he Bench decided against this novel mode of conducting a case . ' ]
Mr . AscroTt—I only wanted to refresh the witness ' s memory . Witness continued—Whilst at the Farmers' Arms I lind occasion to go into the yard . Two or three parties accompanied me every time . v Mr . Ascroft attempted to elicit what had been said at the Farmers' Arms ; bat as no evidence had been offered to connect the prisoners witli any speeches mnde there , the Bench ruled that it was not admissible .
Examination continued— -We went down to tlie railway station in the evening . Ono roan accompanied every three of us . Grimshaw waa at tlie railway stntiun . That is Grimshaw [ pointing him out ] . He gave ua tickets aa wo got into the train . Three or four persona went back with ua to Manchester . Thoy called one Gallaher . Ho was the man who made a speech at the Farmers ' Arms . At the Hftuchester station wo were met by Bright and
prevent others coming from Manchester to Preston . When the people came back to Manchester , they were met by Turing , and taken by him and Gallaher to a house , where they were treated with more drink . On the following day , some who had been induced to return were anxious to re-engage , and accordingly went towards the warehouse of Mr . Galloway , but were met by Gallaher , X . aing , and others . they were . taken to a public-house , and speeches were made against the masters . However , the next day , the parties again proceeded towards Mr . Galloway ' s warehouse , and eventually succeeded in their object . The next day they walked ^ to-JJolton , and then came on to Preston . H © believed he should
show that in the course of the proceedings Gardner was very active . He should show the direct interference of other parties , and he should show by balance-sheets obtained from the Farmers' Arms ( the head-quarters of the spinners ) , that during the last two or three weeks it was evident that they had been spending their money to get parties away . He felt satisfied the evidence would leave no doubt upon the minds of the bench that the defendants had entered into a conspiracy for an illegal purpose . Mr . Ascroft then proceeded to call witnesses in support of his case .
John Alexander Denham ( reporter to the Preston Chronicle , and specially retained by the Masters ' Association ) was called to prove the language used at the meetings . As this gentleman had not preserved his short-hand notes , Mr . Ascroft proposed to put in a copy of the Preston Chronicle to enable the witness to refresh his meraoTy . The witness admitted that the report in the Chronicle was only " a partial account , " and , after some discussion , the Bench ruled that it could not be put in . Witness had attended a meeting held in the Orchard on Thursday , the 2 nd of March [ short-hand notes produced ] , Brocklehurst was chairman , and the speakers were James Waddington , Luke Wood , Kinder Smith , E . Swinglehur 8 t , M . Grimshaw , and G . Cowell . Vaddington
said' " The masters are bringing all the scum of the world into 1 ' reston , but we will flit ne more back from Preston . Some of them never saw a mill in their lives . " ... " We are emigrating them faster than they can bring them . We have soen nine families out this week , and they have not brought nin « in that can work . " Mr . Ascroft—How turn to tlie speech of Mortimer Grimshaw . The witness read aa follows : — " The trades have agreed to pay all the expenses of sending Bcople back from tliia town . " .... " I went to Braolonl yesterday . I made it my first business to placard the walla with tho bill headed 4 Labour in danger , ' - and it was read with the greatest eagerness . The boardwiruarJiana
sent ior copies of tlie placards . There were 204 persons put down to come to Preston . Avkwright , and Naylor ( associated masters ) had been to Bradford and said that all was Battled in Preston , imd that they were deficient of that number of hands , and they wanted these from Bradford to make up the deficiency . The placard stated just tho reverse . I vrttnt to the poor-law guardians and to tne overseer , and he told me everything that the mastera , had done and said lie would assist tuem no longer—they must go back to their own town and give the people that which they ought to have . Tho masters then begged of them ( the guardians ) as a last favour that they would condescend to let tlio overeaer go round nn < l point out such families uo were
unemployed . The overseer ngreeJ to do that , but ho would be no l ^ fty in the concern . 'Ihen Messrs . Askwrij / ht and Naylor , wljiJoout wilh the overseer , wanted him to uae his ii fluirnce to Ket them to go . Tlie overseer said— ' No ; I have pointed out the families ; I have fulHlled my duty , and I will do no jnore for you . ' Tlio overseer pointed out nine or twelve , and out of that numbor onl y two hud shown a disposition to come to Preston . Tho feeling of the peopln of Bradford is that they will die ef huncer before they will come mul take your pliices , though trade is v « ry bad there and many arc Hungered . Those who have full work have to rise by six o dock in a morning , and work till ten o ' clock at ni lit , and can t earn more than 63 . or 7 a . a . week . I never saw more
Untitled Article
Maaoh 35 , 1854 . ] THE LEADER . 2 jffi _
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), March 25, 1854, page 273, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2031/page/9/
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