On this page
- Departments (1)
-
Text (13)
-
5.0 5- U - 1-*-" 0 ¦ - -^?ff&j O-'^-''—-.--.I.-*-, - - --- -;
-
i ^tpr-i: - -Wiee :the fct that .the lit...
-
TO FEAKGTJS O'CCOTOK, ESQ., M.P. Peab Si...
-
:*>-•". ¦ .''¦ ¦ ss -¦ v vi..'" ¦ i s * ...
-
..: ':-¦ aMImtonalmMm jqwrim, . . !
-
fOL. Xff. Kp;^ :^
-
Hurtek ik Caufossu.—An Englishman, Charl...
-
TO FEARGTJS O'CONNOR , E5Q.,?|f.P. SiB,-...
-
S R nP 0 in 0FTKE T?0\3RTH ATOIVEH IS ?J...
-
THE LAND NATIONAL PROPERTY. TO THB EDITO...
-
THE LATE FATAL RAILWAY COLLISION IN SUTT...
-
MIDDLESEX SESSIONS. RonnEnr in Htde Park...
-
I ¦ S
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
5.0 5- U - 1-*-" 0 ¦ - -^?Ff&J O-'^-''—-.--.I.-*-, - - --- -;
5 . 0 5- U - 1- - " ¦ - - ^? ff & j O- ' ^ - ''— -.--. I .- * -, - - --- - ;
I ^Tpr-I: - -Wiee :The Fct That .The Lit...
i ^ tpr-i : - -Wiee : the fct that . the lit 1 U f *»?• . ^ ^^ . g present moment ; and ^ vern ^ ern ^";^ - r y 0 ar dbaniop ,. the it \ it n *" . " .. G overnment -wonld be- very Hifci * Bo * ' ^ , meetsf , g ; and a very crowded U Ia ^ MllS ^; TueBday nig ht last , ^ M ( K a short time , and . not very ijpeak < peak bat ^ dieerfaliy reeved . . todnow , Ioa d , i 0 ad , I ^ . IfV ttention ; to JASEBS Leach ' s
II begjbeg x « o ^ , w— . abated by the U ^ t er \ ^ gg ^ ia ihV Land Com-Utan ^ lanche ^ h ^ nw to ^^ that l ? any ? any Sin S one of those propositions , ! 1 a « i a ^^^ pon it , that the worMng : tfa 3 % r " ,- ^ t * UU *^ £ ? tbe ^ ffT ^ ! JL * L . « es them . I approve of the whole of the Ug W ^ me , but more especially of the follovyjU '{^ se ntiment : —
u « TQAT SO MARRIED FEMALE SHOULD * vi vxm ESTER THESE WORKSHOPS ; AND , sE SEC 05 DLT , THAT NO INDIVIDUAL , UNDER » V 4 VT PRETEXT WHATEVER , SHOULD BE tl ALL OWED TO ENTER THEM FOR THE vV SnilPOSE OF LABOURING , BEFORE 251 SB ( fi O'CLOCK IS THEMOBMNG , OR TO REMAIN « fll fllERE LATER " THAN FOUR O'CLOCK IN in fflE AFTERNOON . " .. . . ¦ .. i Jly friends , I have frequently told you , that tf if I had ^ y will no female should be dragged
jrt fcom her home to exhaust her life in a heated st sfanosphere , but that every woman should attei tend to her own domestic affairs and to her fei family ^ and if you reflect far a moment upon th fiie effect that machinery has had over the pe people ! of thur country , then you would soon ht ^ united , as you must netware that ifc has a destroyed your class . \ Ton have machinery J jn this country now which is capable of tnanui ft fecturirig more than twd ^ hluid ^ iimeflwhatj could
fl ifce popuTation in the fbnn ^ lBmes awqu ? i fecture ; and I dotrustthat thepropflSition of Mr-LEACH -will be carefully read by the Shareholders , and that answers will be sent torn the several districts , to be published in next week ' s " Star . " Political business is so dull just now , that I need not address you at any further length ; but I do trust that the pr oposition will be taken into yourmost serious consideration . Your Faithful Friend and Advocate , Feargos O'Connor .
To Feakgtjs O'Ccotok, Esq., M.P. Peab Si...
TO FEAKGTJS O'CCOTOK , ESQ ., M . P . Peab Sib , — May I beg to offer a few remarks to yon , and through you , to the members of the National Land Company , upon the important subject of its present difficulties and its future prospects ? I cannot but look -with sorrow and dismay at the want of energy and firmness on the part of those for whom this plan was intended to secure liberty and independence . I am sure that , from the history of the world , of all past experience , and all present appearances , there can be no hope
of redemption for the children of labour , but throug h their own perseverance , in Godlike p rincip les shadowed forth in this hitherto oat feeble national effort Why this Company ' s aflairs should be wound up—which is only another name for breaking np , and abandoning the effort altogether—I know not . I have never heard any reason offered , nor can 1 find anything in what are galled its difficulties , that could justify this cowardly and suicidal proceeding . To say that labour has not the means of rescuing itself from the
iron bonds of this murderous competition is to deny that light follows darkness , and that all the stupendous monuments erected to its creative power are no more than empty and visionary shadows . The labourers must learn that the tree of plenty , fructifying as it does to the utmost limits of civilisation , has its roots in the hard segs and sittirs of their hands ; that the sweat of their brow is the dew that matures its fruit to perfection , and that intelligence on their part is alone wanted to secure themselves those rich harvests that
are now handed over to others , who neither labour , nor give any valuable equivalent in return . It is true , that in the present position of the Company ' s affairs obstacles present themselves of some magnitude , but it is equally tree that a small effort on the part of its members would he adequate to their removal .- My object , sir , in addressing you and them , on the present occasion , is to call the serious attention of all parties concerned , to the scheme herein set forth , for the accomplishment of this object . There are those
who think that the apparent failure of the Laud Scheme is in consequence of the Company aiming at too much . My impression is the reverse of this ; that its difficulties are owing to the fact at them not aiming at a a great deal more than mere locating of its toembers on the land . I can readily understand the anxiety evinced by the great body of the shareholders in this district to escape from the crushing power of misdirected machinery ; but there is such an important difference betwixt machinery working for and working
against-the labourers , that it was evidentl y their duty to study the means of making it their servant , instead of its being , as now , their iron-hearted task master . The Land Members must remember , that it is this agent of gemons-that has made this country the most powerful nation in the world ; whilst its misdirection alone has entailed upon them a slavery , becoming so intolerable that it cannot be much longer borne ; but to discord the use of this magic-like power of production , and return to a primitive state of life , is only to throw away their right arm to avenge the
in-Bult imposed npon their left . This giant friend of theirs must , then , be used to destroy the pigmy obstacles imposed betwixt them , and the position they ought to occupy ; this vast and powerful agent once in their position , their flesh , blood , and bones would not then , as now , have to compete against wood , steam , and iron ; hut these agents would , on their behalf , compete , with and destroy the pain otherwise inseparable from incessant toil . The land , at the same time , in their possession , would act for them as the government bales do to the steam engine , and would secure , in these
manufacturing and agncultoring villages , that kappy equilibrium , In the production and distr ibution of wealth , that can alone give industrial independence and real protection to the producer . To place the labourers under these cir cumstances is to place them where God ^ d Nature intended they should he placedenjoying , from their rural position , the happiness and health that such a situation can alone
give—at the same time he might enjoy all the luxuries that ingenious mechanism could offer for their acceptance . These advantages are fh ^ eady enjoyed by those who labour not , and tiis a terrible and unpardonable libel upon ttsv aiae of industry , and on every principle ° * jastfce to say , that those who labour could not enj oy the same . I am aware that there ^ em anyargumentsoffered against theseviews ; me most of which , in my opinion , are remarkahle for nothing so much as the errors upon "Which the reasoning of these objecting parties * fe f ounded , the principle of which is , that if
*«* members located upon the land were also Manufacturing , they would injure , by their ^ Petition , their brethren in the manufactures towns . There appears to me to be & ptw to this sort of reasoning ; how the happiness of « ne bod y of labourers can be injurious to another , is , to my mind , a little off the mark ; ^ petition , in this case , would be a sound W 1 toont a substance . The competition , as at Pres ent carried on by those who have a monojwy of all , the body of the labourer included , j * as induced what may he fairl y termed a stru ggle , for life ; wherein one labourer is corefli from Dece 6 S % » * ° S P at hk lei labourer ' s dinner , whilst they are
To Feakgtjs O'Ccotok, Esq., M.P. Peab Si...
both surrounded with an abundance , hut which , the abuse and misdirection ; of machinery has deprived them of the power of obtaining . Agricultural labourers , . starve , for want of food , whilst they are every day surrounded with ah abundance , raised / by the industry of their own hands . Thousands of the manufacturing labourers and their families are in rags and tatters , whilst thousands of tons of manufactured goods are lying-in the workshops and warehouses , awaiting the foreigner to come and ; take away to other lands the clothing robbed by this system from the backs
of our own labourers at ; home . These accumulations are not a legitimate surplus , hut the mere hoardings of a brigand competition . The surplus acquired by the labourer located on the land , with raachipery . to aid . him , would be a very different thing . ;; , Having his Xupheard well stored with f < wd from his own land , and his family supplied fvw ^^ his machinery , he would not-ba . nnder the necessity of disposing irf that heHiid not require , but on such conditions- as . would secure that independence his altered ; , cujenmsfcances was designed to aciueTeJ , - ^ H aving ^ said this much ,
I beg to call your most earnest attention , and jtoVbf flie Land , m ^ plan for relieving- thejeompany from the pressure of its more immediate difficulties , and the accomplishment of the great and god-like ends , if pursued with wisdom and perseverance , it is designed to accomplish . I am aware that there are a great number of the present members that will decline going on with the undertaking . No doubt there were many who joined
it with a view of making large profits from the small amounts they had invested . The Company will be quite as well , and I think much better , without these parties than with them ; but ] will suppose that , out of the 50 , 000 shareholders , 10 , 000 will he prepared to go on with the Company under these new arrangements . Upon this number I would propose that a call of £ 3 per four acre share be made , and the same in proportion upon the three and two acre shares—one-third of this call to be
paid within the first three months after this plan should be agreed to . Many , no doubt , would pay it down at once . From this source , and from members paying up their shares who have been holding back for some time , I reckononthesumof £ 30 , 000 , £ 10 , 000 of which would be raised by the first instalment and the subscription just alluded to . This £ 10 , 000 I would dispose of as follows : — £ 5 , 000 to the immediate relieving of the Company , the other £ 5 , 000 to the establishment of Co-operative Stores . This would give £ 500 each to ten of the largest towns , or to other towns where the greatest number of land members reside . Branches could be established
from each of these central stores , bo as to give an opportunity to all the members—or nearly so—to spend their money in their own establishments . From the profits arising from these arrangements , the remaining two-thirds of this additional call npon each share should be paid , so that in reality the members would only he called upon to pay £ 1 , to set the machinery in motion ; that would accomplish the remainder for them . The remaining £ 20 , 000 thus raised by co-operation , could be applied to paying off those who would not go on with the company , and otherwise giving strength and energy to its members , and enabling them
more easily to accomplish the remainder of the great work that lies before them . The subsequent profits of co-operation could be applied to the erection of machinery , whilst the mortgaging of the estates would enable the Company to go on locating its members . Much care would be required for a time in conducting the different establishments , that it would be necessary to raise in each of these locations for manufacturing purposes , into the details of which I will not at present enter , but I would throw out one suggestion , that , I trust , ' will never be lost sight of—that is , that no married female should ever be allowed to labour in
these workshops ; and , secondly , that no individual , under any pretence whatever , should be allowed to enter them for tbe purpose of labouring before nine o ' clock in the morning , nor to remain there later than four o ' clock in the afternoon . By this division of manufacturing and agricultural labour , this good old land of ours would soon be a blooming paradise . The magic power of our mechanical genius breathing , as it were , life in the cold inanimate material around us , and subduing the very elements to our wants and coveniences , would render man , in reality , what he is in name—the image of his creator .
Let me hope , sir , that these suggestions will meet with that attention and earnest consideration their importance deserve . The question of Legalising tbe Company is one that seems to be of great importance to many of tbe shareholders . I think the less the people have to do with law or the expounders of it the better ; I am no lawyer , but I would suggest the following for those who think it a matter of such grave importance ;—Firstly , the allottees should have given to them leases of their holdings , which to them would he legal security of possession ; it would then signify
nothing to them who was the landlord , or into whose hands the property should pass ; it could only be sold or mortgaged , subject to the conditions of the leases . The allottee would virtually be the owner of his allotment , subject of coarse to the conditions of paying his rent , as fixed by his lease ; the conditions of sale or mortgages would apply , as a matter of course , to any workshop or manufactories that might be erected on the locations ; and as the numbers in each of these locations
would rarely exceed one hundred , I think there would not be much difficulty in getting legal protection for the Company , as far as the manufacturing department was concerned ; and as the possession of these leases would se cure to the allottees the undisturbed possession of their allotments , I cannot perceive what other security is needed . These ideas are thrown hastily together , and if they are not understood or considered satisfactory , they may inspire thought upon thesubjectthat may lead to some good result .
In conclusion , sir , let me assure you that these ideas of co-operation are no idle dream , but are everywhere , where properly conducted , producing the results I have pointed out . Under such arrangements as these the located members would he at no loss to find a profitable market for their produce . Arrangements conld be made for transmitting it down to the stores in the manufacturing tonus , where it would find a ready sale at fair prices , and add its quota to the further strengthening of the Company by increasing its funds . I am , sir , Yours very respectfully , James Leach . Manchester , May Gth , 1851 .
:*>-•". ¦ .''¦ ¦ Ss -¦ V Vi..'" ¦ I S * ...
: *> - •" . ¦ . ''¦ ¦ ss - ¦ v vi .. ' " ¦ i s * ,. /; jfc "* A . " ¦ -. -. - * + " u . ' . *& , ¦ . Iv" ¦*" ' * '« yte * - * ' - ' \ - — - : "' " . / '' - ' ., [ ¦ ' - s „ ' . v « r- |/ g \ £ _ .- _> . - ^; ° f , , . r ^ ifaf -: ?; - ' -. , / ' , V \„ / j . ¦ '" ' £ \ / * ~ / y / ) ¦^^"/ jf' s - —i a **& ' ' /) ( / tuZt ^ j ytr *< ^ M ; &~*& , ^
..: ':-¦ Amimtonalmmm Jqwrim, . . !
..: ' :- ¦ aMImtonalmMm jqwrim , . .
Fol. Xff. Kp;^ :^
fOL . Xff . Kp ;^ : ^
Hurtek Ik Caufossu.—An Englishman, Charl...
Hurtek ik Caufossu . —An Englishman , Charles James Joseph Richard Halfhead , was shot near Murphy ' s diggings ten days since . It is not known who did the deed , but it was evidently done for the purpose of robbing him . It is said that the villain did not maheraore than five dollars hy the operation . Balfaead was formerly from Bedford , near London , where his friends reside .
Hurtek Ik Caufossu.—An Englishman, Charl...
NATIONAL LAND AND LABOUR LOAN ' . . ' . ;¦' ¦ . SOCIETY . The above body met as usual on Wednesday evening -at Golden-lane , Mr . Broomfield in the chair . The deputation appointed to wait on certain gentlemen to Obtain their consent to act as trustees , gave in their report . The hiii . ject relative lo ' ihem , after some discussion , was adjourned for one week . The committee appointed to arrange the rules for enrolment also reported . The rules were read seriatim , and . after some discussion and slight amendment ,
were adopted , and Messrs . Stratton , Eudean , Broomfield , and Wheeler' appointed to sign them , pit behalf of the Society , and procure their immediate enrolment . Owing to the length of time occupied in di-cu 6 u » g the rules , the election of officers was deferred until the ensuing Wednesday . Several new members were enrolled . Deposits were paid on a- ' considerable number of shares , and corresiiondence of a ^ ery favourable nature was read from Hull and other localities of the Land Company . The meeting then' adjourned until Wednesday evening . '
To Feargtjs O'Connor , E5q.,?|F.P. Sib,-...
TO FEARGTJS O'CONNOR , E 5 Q ., ?| f . P . SiB ,-i-We should feel greatly oblige ^ by your inserting the enclosed in the f' Northern Btar *! next Saturday . ' ? The contentsi wjb ' speak for themselves . "We have made no com-, ments on it , as we do not wish to intrude on your valuable time . Yours respectfully , Snig ' s End , May 6 th . W . Geli . TO THE DIRECTORS AND SHAHEH 0 LDERS
- OF THE LAND COMPANY . GENTiEMBN , —We , the undersigned purchasers , located on the Sni g ' s End Estate , feel it to be our imperative duty to address you at this particular juncture , in consequence of certain proceeding which took place at a meeting , held in the schoolroom , on tbe 23 rd ult ., and , as sequence to those proceedings , two resolutions were passed , purporting to be the unanimous opinion of this and the Low . hands estate . With respect to the second resolution ,
we shall not offer any remarks upon it , as it does not come within our province , it being quite irreveleat to the object for which the meeting was called , we shall therefore content ourselves with a grave consideration of the first resolution , as it immediately bore npon the subject matter discussed by the persons , assembled , in order that you may refresh your memory , and be thereby better enabled to clearly comprehend tbe remarks we intend to make . We shall first give you the resolution . Here it
is" That the allottees on the estates of Snig ' s End and Lowbands , in public" meeting assembled , do hereby resolve to use every endeavour to push forward the bill new before the House of Commons , for Winding-up the National Land Company , as they have already petitioned the said House in re * ference to it , and are prepared to meet the bill in committee , for the pnrpose of making such alterations as will be consistent with the best interests of the allottees and shareholders in general . "
Gentlemen , — -This resolution was adopted in consequence of the directors—through one of their body submitting three general propositions for the approval or disapproval of the meeting . Firstly , whether it would not be wise on the part of the shareholders and allottees to endeavour to preserve their property intact . Secondly , to devise some plan by which the Company might be reconstructed upon a firm basis . Thirdly , in the event of accomplishing their objects the directors proposed to forego the hack rents , begin afresh , and give to each allottee a lease , at bis -own expense , at a rental which they ( the directors ) believe to be in accordance with the altered circumstances of the country .
Having briefly given the propositions which were met with a direct negative , as expressed in the resolution we have above quoted , we shall now take the liberty of avowing our opinions , unreservedly , hut respectfully , as to bow far we agree with them . Firstly , we beg to say , with all due difference to persons differing in opinion with us , we have at heart the best interests of the shareholders and allotteee generally ; and yet it is our sincere conviction that if your property could be preserved , and proper steps taken to reorganise it on sound principles , and thereby bring the Society within the provisions of some existing law ; or , if that can not
he done , to pray the House of Commons to give you a bill for the pnrpose , the result would be tar more advantageous and conservative of your best interests than to dispose of it under the Winding-up Act at an enormous sacrifice . Secondly , we stand in a very different position to the original allottees -, we have paid large gums for the right of location . It is therefore reasonable to conclude , that we have a greater stake than those persons who have not only not paid anything for possession , but who have received considerable sums out of the Company ' s funds ; and , if peradventure , the property should be sold under tbe auspices of one of the Masters in
Chancery , we have good grounds for fearing we should be ousted from onr holdings without anything like an adequate amount of compensation ( if any ) , which is even doubtful j in whicb case we should be the greatest loosers . In fact , utter and inevitable ruin would engulf us . Thirdly , that we joined the Land Company with the understanding that we were to pay a rent or interest upon an outlay . ' But . at the same time , we understood that we were to have a lease or security given to us . Some of us have already paid portions of rent ; we should have paid more , but from the bad seasons and the depression in agriculture produce consequent upon
free trade , and also toe want of a lease or security , our operations have heen carried on in fear , combined with tbe novelty of the undertaking , have prevented us from complying with the demands of the directors . But now we have got the land in a cultivated state , with a prospect of a mum for the various sums of money that we have laid out , it would seem very bard for us to go away , which would be the case if the Land Company was wound up ; therefore we agree with that portion of the document which tbe directors have presented to us . wherein they wish to withdraw tbe bill now before Parliament for Winding-up the Company ; and if
they are enabled to carry out their plan , or otherwise to give a lease or security , we , as a body , agree to pay . But from being placed in an agricultural district , and having to compete with farmers , the directors and shareholders will take it into their consideration and reduce the scale of rent . Fourthly , we have to observe , that while we are willing , and consider it to he our bonnden duty to pay rent , at the same time we submit that the rent lately proposed by the directors is more than we feel ourselves able to meet ; we therefore propose to g ive the following average amounts : •—For a Two Acre Allotment . £ 5 0 . 0 yearly
For a Three Acre Allotment 6 10 0 do . For a Four Acre Allotment 8 0 0 do . Some allotments would be more , some less according to their respectful qualities . Fifthly , it may be asked why we state sums so low as interest for property that has cost you ( the shareholders ) so much money ? We answer that , since the repral of the corn laws the price of agricultural produce has been reduced from twenty-five to thirty per cent / , consequently the rent of land ought toberfdured in the same ratio . For instance , suppose a four acre allotment to be £ 11 , prior to the passing of these laws , and when wheat was , upon an average , seven shillings per bushel , it is no more than fair to expect that such farm should be only £ 8 yearly , when
wheat varies from 4 s . 6 d . to 4 s . lOd . per bushel . It may be said , by way of argument , we grow but a very smsU quantity of this grain compared with what we grow as root crops ; granted ; but it must be borne in mind , that the price of wheat ( it being a staple commodity ) regulates the price of all other agricultural produce , it eventually follows , no matter what quantity of roots we may cultivate , tbe price will only be in proportion to that of the former article . Sixthly , it is a matter of perfect indifference to US as to whom < ve pay rent , provided our allotments are valued by fit and proper persons , and leases granted at our own expense . Seven tidy , we beg to say , in conclusion , that we have offered the foregoing observations in a spirit of amity and with
To Feargtjs O'Connor , E5q.,?|F.P. Sib,-...
kindly feelings , and that , in giving utterance to the « , we have bad no other motives than throe of justice to you and to ourselves . ; Wm , Geu . j 0 fIIs . MooDy > I John Bridgwater . Wm . ' Blackford . ' HENRr Rogers . ' . Sbkihmk -Cuuk . - ; . : Eliza Geil . •'
S R Np 0 In 0ftke T?0\3rth Atoiveh Is ?J...
S nP in 0 FTKE T ? 0 \ 3 RTH ATOIVEH IS ? J l BlLOCATION OF THE MEM BERS AT Q'CONKOKVILLE . -j
vOa Thursday , the-1 st of May , the occupants of O Connorville , with their wives , families , and several friends from Rickmansworth and the surrounding villages , met together to partake of a social cup 0 i ; , iu In °° mmei"oration of the above event . Attn ; the . tables were cleared , Mr . Ratcliffewas called to the chair , and , in . a very lucid manner , opened the proceedings' by commenting on the present position and future prospects of the allottees j ho-also dwelt on the indications of approaching triumph to the democratic cause . —Tbe first sentiment , ' . ' The People ' s Charter , " was ably responded to bys Mr ,- . G . W . Wheeler , who read a letter , apologising for the absence of . Mr . TM . Wheelerami
| , , aunauneed . thejact . of . Mr . O'Connor having lately had a legacy left him . This announcement was received with unbounded satisfaction by the audience . —The other sentiments , ' O'Connor ! Esq ., M . P ., and the other true friends of the people , " «• Those fioneerspf the Land ' Plan Who were located this ay four years ; " "' . « ThOSe-who have purchased—may they never repent their barpvins , " " The Northern Star and Democratic Press , " and "/ The Ladies , " were responded to by Messrs . G . Pooock , It . Smith , T . Mead , and M . Griffiths , junr , —Dancing , interspersed with patriotic songs and recitations , concluded the evening ' s proceedings ; when the
allottees separated ; determined to redouble their exertions on the land , and render this a successful experiment . They are more than ever convinced that the laud will prove . the ultimate salvation of the people , as it is the great staple from whence all wealth is derived , and the natural field . for man ' s industry . " At a time when F . O'Connor , Esq ., and the Land Plan are attacked by enemies without , and traitors within the camp , they feel it the more incumbent on them to express their conviction , that the land , backed and supported by political power , will yet raise up the down-trodden masses of the people .
In the course of the evening the following lines , composed for the occasion , were recited by Mr . G . W . Wheeler : — My friends , wo here are met to-day , ' And on the platform take our stand , To celebrate the first of May , And our location on the land . Four years are past since we first came , ( And settled at O'Connorville , — We love our principles the same . And strive to propagate them Still , We may not be so high in hope , As on that great eventful day ; With many trials we ' ve had to cope , But let us hope they ' ve passed away . Our inexperience was the first , And then two adverse seasons came ; Potatoes failing was the ¦ worst , — But for that no one ' s to blame .
We will not join a factious crew , To injure or revile the man , But , reader , thanks where they are due , Unto O'Connor and the Plan : —• The noble plan that taught the great , The people's Stirling common sense , When we could purchase this estate , By clubbing of our hard-earned pence . This shows what unity will do , And prove unto a gazzing world , Were working men but only true , Tyrants might from their thrones be hurled To-day there ' s grand work up in town , Where idle gew-gaws current pass , The Queen and Prince in state go down ,
To open the Palace built of Glass . And sycophants from every land Will bow the knee in , weak submission ; A fawning , crouching , servile band , To grace this famous Exhibition . But though the Prince may vainly boast , And claim the merit of this scheme , Where competition rules the roast , And roan contends ' gainst iron and SteSD ) , We here will give due pvaiae aud honour , Unto a wiser , better man—Our noble champion , brave O ' Connor , The founder of the greatLand Plan . On competition and its band Of baneful ills the Prince rplies ;
" Co-operation on the Land , Will save you all , " our chief replies . "Get your goods cheap , no matter how ; Compete with all the human race ; Though the starved hind neglect the plough , And misey reign in every placi-. " So says the Prince ; but we reply" Man by his industry must live-He must no longer pine and die , On what taskmasters please to give . " We are placed here as pioneers ; On principle we take our stand . To prove to prince and commoners Man's birthright to his native land . The capitalists arc met in state ,
From this and every other clime , Unmindtul of the worhmen ' s fate , Or how they live and spend their time . The skill and genius of this isle Will there be shown in bright array . Though the labourer starve the while , On scant and insufficient pay . All that is costly , rare , and odd , At the Crystal Palace you may see , Except the noblest work of God—A man from tyranny set free . Here then we'll labour on the land , And honour where 'tis due we'll pay—Unto O'C onnor and tho hand Who placed us hero the first of May .
The Land National Property. To Thb Edito...
THE LAND NATIONAL PROPERTY . TO THB EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . Sib , —As the nationalisation of the land is a question which may probably occupy public attention to a considerable extent in future , ifc seems to me very desirable that the manner in which ifc is proposed the land shall be made national property should be clearly defined and set forth , as being the unanimous decision of thoso who advocate that doctrine . ... They should be prepared to advocate their views before the public , both in reference to tho justness of their claims , and the manner in which they propose to compensate the present landlords , and likewise to point out the source from whence the capital so applied shall be derived . If this be not clearly explained , and an united advocacy practised
by the advocates of national property in land , it will be impossible for the movement to become one of a truly national character , as each individual would be left to advocate his own particular crotchets , without any systematic mode of action , which would be sure to engender antagonism among those whose harmony should bo imperative . The great diversity of opinion already existing among those who agree that the land should be made national property , as to how that can be best accomplished , proves the necessity of a better understanding . There are some , although , fortunately but few , who object to any compensation whatever to the landlords . Without wishing to give offence to any one holding these views , I beg of them to consider well what would he the end of an attempted agitation of that description .
There are others who think the landlords ought not to be disturbed in their possessions until their decease , and then their lands should revert to the State . Others contend that those entitled to the heirship of each proprietor should be compensated before tho State took possession of such lands . These and divers other opinions , which are floating about it in some men ' s minds ; must be divested of their crudities , and the question placed before tbe public in a practical , sensible manner . In like manner tbe same diversity of opinion exists respecting the source from whence the purchase money shall be derived . Some propose to
levy . a tax of 4 s . per acre upon the land as a fund to purchase it on behalf of the State . Others think ; t graduated income and property tax would supply the necessary funds . A third party content themselves by simply declaring tor the principle of national property in land , without ever saying any thing at all about where the . funds are to come from , although they are in favour of compensation to the landlords . The late Convention , which has done so many good things , seems to mo to have fallen short of its mission in this respect , because after declaring the right of the people to the soil , it has not pointed out the manner in which the funds are to be raised to carry out that declaration .
The Land National Property. To Thb Edito...
They may rely upon it the public will call upon them to point out by what ' means they propose . to raise the purchase money , and it ' would be most Mil to their cause if the appointed leaders of the people , give contrary views to each Other when questioned upon tho subject . . My object , therefore , in this letter , is to create ' a better understanding where a difference of opinion exists upon this important question . I have given the , subsist much consideration , nevertheless , if . would attprd mo the greatest satisfaction if any of ¦ niy . "frieniJs can suggest any improvement to the propositions I beg to submit to the consideration or the public . In this letter I shall confine myself to a : few : brief remarks upon the several noints
wherea . dlfference of opinion exists among . thoso who are favourable to the doctrine of national property m land , and shall submit propositions in relation thereto in another letter , for the issue of troa-? ^ n ° te 8 > to be applied to purchase the land on behalf of the Stato ; I shall then be able to show , that to levy taxes in any shape to purchase the land will neither be practical nor necessary ; and as to the propriety of the people waiting the decease of the landlords before they are allowed . to purchase their estates , I certainly cannot see the necessity of waiting the death of any given number of landlords before the
starving portion of the population are allowed to live , because the monopoly or freedom of . tbe soil is really , a question of life or death with a ' cbnsider ? hle , pprtion of tbe community . . By purchasing 'the f-lahd- at a fair market price , the quesr tion of . compensation to the heirs of the , propriety & aVa'wlh-he . also ; settled ; 'Inasmuch as ho landlord ever thinks of applying to a railway or other public company for compensation to any of his children after he has sold his estate at a fair market value . Bear in mind , also , that by purchasing the land in this manner we cannot be charged with dishonesty or inconsistency .
Parliament has repeatedly passed acts on the ground of public utility , empowering railway and other companies to purchase the necessary quantity ot land they may require to carry out their projects . There will be very little difiiculty in proving that both in point of justice and public utility tho land ought to become the property of the nation ; it therefore only remains for the Parliament to pass an act to that effect . But what Parliament ? Not the present nor any future Parliament similarly constituted , and that is the reason why the people ought to have the power to choose a better set of representatives to do their work .
In order that there may be no mistake when the hour of their enfranchisement arrives , regarding either tbe men or the measures required , thu people should be everywhere instructed in their social rights , and inspired with a determination to see them enforced . For this purpose the leaders of the people should go forth with one accord , and proclaim the universal right of the people to the soil . That principle being once established , the social problem would tend with as great certainty towards an easy solution , as the needle tends towards the pole . Full scope would then be given to all men to organise their labour as might seem to them best calculated to insure their happiness . By being placed on political and social equality
with their brethren , each individual would have perfect freedom to use bis faculties in those industrial' pursuits to which he might be best adapted , while at the same time similar rights being extended to his fellow-men , would always maintain the true social equilibrium , and constitute the safeguard of society . In cultivating the land , it is no business of the government to determine whether it shall be done' under associated arrangements , or by individual exertion . To determine upon that ought to belong exclusively to the people themselves , Government interference ought to extend no further in the organisation of labour than to
afford free access to the soil , and where necessary supply credit , and see that it is properly applied , and afford every facility for the full development of every branch of industrial operation . For tbe rest belongs to the people themselves to carry out their own industrial arrangements . The two principles—that of co-operation , and competitionwould then be brought practically to the test , in which the advantages of association would be made clear and indisputable to the meanest capacity . All opposition would thus be disarmed , as equal freedom would be afforded to all . ' ¦" . ALFBED A . WiLTON .
The Late Fatal Railway Collision In Sutt...
THE LATE FATAL RAILWAY COLLISION IN SUTTON TUNNEL . On Saturday morning last an inquest was held at the Red Lion , Preston-brook , before Mr . Nicholson , coroner for the southern division of Lancashire , OD view of the bodies of Mrs . Whettenhall , a widow lady , who had resided near Bolton ; and of Messrs . Davidson , Anderson , and Dalton , and a youth named Newhall , all of Manchester , who had been killed by the fearful collision of trains in Sutton tunnel , on the previous Wednesday , upon the return from Chester races to Manchester . The Jury , having been sworn , proceeded to view the bodies , which presented a sickening spectacle , and the scene of the occurrence is of itself enough to strike terror into the minds of even those who are familiar with inquirieo like the present . Mr . Rooker , who was badly injured , is since dead . The bodies having been identified ,
Mr . John Taylor , superintendent of police , Manchester , thus deposed : '—I was at Chester on the evening of Wednesday last . On arriving at the railway station , to return to Manchester , I perceived two trains about to start . One was sent off a little before seven , and the other a little after . A third train was also speedily filled , and despatched after a short interval ; into this train I got . I do not know if there was a light at the end of this train , or of either of the others . We came at a quick pace to Frodsham , but at the mouth of the tunnel the pace was considerabl y slackened . The tunnel mouth is near Frodsham station . I was in a second class carriage near the centre of the . train , and when about a mile in the tunnel sustained a severe shock . All the parties in the same carriage were knocked against each other . I put my head out of the window and saw a glimmering light about the engine , and called out to the people in the next carriage to pass word down to know what was the matter ; it
was half an hour before we got any answer , when a man came by with a light , and we then ascertained What had taken place . I and five or six others got out ol tbe carriage and walked along tbe line to the engine , where I found a heap of carriages belonging tc the train before us smashed all to pieces . I saw all the five bodies now identified taken out , and very many passengers seriously injured ; among the latter was Dr . Lett , whom I assisted out , and afterwards helped to Manchester . Of course there was no light then at the end ot the second train , and I could see no remains of one . The deceased were all quite dead when I saw them first . Mrs . Whettenhall was found between the fragments of two broken carriages . I . saw no guard to our train , but there was a guard to tbe one immediately in advance of it . I spoke to William Dixon , the driver of our train , and , asked him how it was he ran into tho other ? He said the tunnel was so full of smoke
and steam he could not see a yard before him , and that he was knocked down and rendered insensible for some time . He was perfectly sober , and so also was the guard of the second train . I remained in the tunnel three hours and a half , and then assisted in taking Mr . Rooker and others to . Manchester . It was quite daylight when we left Chester , so that I do not know if there was any tail light to the train . Mr , W . T . Assbli ,, district superintendent of the Electric Telegraph Company , residing at Manchester , deposed : —I travelled by a train which ' . eft Chester at half-past seven on the evening of Wednesday , I was . in a first class carriage , middle compartment , and near the centre of the train . Nothing particular occurred until we got to the
tunnel , when the speed was considerably slackened , and continued to be diminished till we got twothirds through the tunnel , when we came to a dead stop . We had stayed about two minutes at Frodsham . I noticed a . red light on the end of the train that left a little before seven . Up to the time of our coming to a dead stop I had heard occasionally a sound as of the engine making attempts to yet on ; but the driving wheel slipped from the metal being wet . I put my head out of the carriage , ami the tunnel was full of steam and smoke , so that 1 could see nothing but a white gloom . I soon after heard tho puff of an engine behind , upon which I
threw myself back and fixed my feet firmly against the seat opposite me , at the same time shouting to all tho others in the carriage to hold hard , when there came a crash as of another train having run into that one in which I was . Tho frash was a prolonged one , and seemed to me to last nearly a minute , I kept my scat , and escaped unhurt ; but as soon as I could I got out of the carriage . I hear < 4 nothing at Frodsham as to the train that had gonu before us , but perceived some time after t , b . t < kC had struck it . I only perceived one shock in the tunnel , and waf not aware that the train by which I ivas travelling had run into another train in the tunnel . The shock must have been very slight or
The Late Fatal Railway Collision In Sutt...
otherwise I must hare felt it ... The train before us bad-noengHie ' beh " indr ""''''^ : -- ' -- ' . Mr ; Joseph Steele , patent agent , of 123 , Chancery-lane , London deposed : ~ I . was a passenger from Chester by a train which left about seven o ' clock . Two trains bad-left previous to the one in which I travelled . I do not now ' consider it necessary to state what ceeurreii in the morning at the Chester station , but I must say that , in my opinion , there was gross mismanagement all day there , I came on the platform at ten minutes to five , intending to return to Manchester , where I had seen pills posted announcing that tho trains would start as soon as fillwl . . I found a . train nearly full ; and had first class
as I a day-ticket from Manchester , I cot into a first-class carriage . It was not then five 0 clock . Having remained upwards of an hour , and witnesaed'tvro trains in succession filled and started . I got out and called for tbe inspector , who at length I found . ( Mr . Superintendent Criohley here stood up , and was identified by the witness aa tho officer alluded to . ) I said , " Mr . Inspector ; when will our carriages be sent Off ? I have seen two trains leave for Manchester while I have been in the carnage ; and what is the reason ours , which is full , has not left vet ? " He said , " Go back to vow seat , sir , " and that is the only answer 1 got . 1 went back , and at seven the train left . A gentleman who had remained in the carriage with me
an hour got out , and went into another train , which soon filled , and was sent off nearly half an hour before the one in which I was . We went on sluggishly until we came to tho tunnel . It was then five minutes past eight , It seemed to bo great labour to go on . The engine seemed to gasp as if it would give up the ghost ; and so it did ' when we got half through ; We had been stopping five or ten znihtites , when I was suddenly tliroirn into my opposite neighbour ' s face by a concussion . I stopped in tho carriage , having sustained no material injury . There was , a third-class open train behind us , and the . concussion and rebound broke one of the coupling-irons . 1 saw no tvain before the ooe in which I was , It was tho first of the three , and
was the one that caused the stoppage . There were about fifteen or sixteen carriages but I do not think there was any guard . At Moor station I called out for both guard and policeman , but no one . answered , I went to the oimine-dviver , and asked him the _ reason why we stuck ; fas . t in the tunnel ? Ho said there was no water in the engine . Some of the passengers said , " How dare you come dot of' Cheater :, without a proper supply of water ?" to tflflHi he made no answer , but remained quite unconcerned . The engine was seon after taken on to Warrington' for a further supply of water . I looked at the end of the train , and observed there was no stern light . In two minutes afterwards a boy passed down with a red light . Mr . G . F . Robinson , of Stockport , cotton-spinner ; Mr . J . Haddock , of Warrington , engineer ; S . Burgess , of Sutton , blacksmith ; aud other witnesses having been examined , and there being
still a great mass of other evidence the court was adjourned until ten o ' clock on Monday morning . Monbat . —Tho adjourned inquest was resumed this morning at tbe Red Lion Inn . The solicitor and officers of the company were in attendance , and so also was Captain Lnffun , C , E ., on the part of government . On behalf of the directors the solicitor stated , that they were most anxious to offer every aid in their power to a full inquiry , and they would call their servants in any order the coroner might think fit . After some lengthened evidence had been taken , eliciting , however , no new facts , the hour of five arrived , and it being obviously impossible to finish tho inquirytbat night , the inquest was adjourned . Mr . Monk , the barrister , has been in attendance on behalf of the company . Intelligence has been received ' that four or five others of the sufferers are KOfc expected to survive many hours .
Tuesday . —The inquiry was resumed this morning . The witnesses examined were mostly railway servants . It being found impossible to conclude the proceedings , a further adjournment took place . A note was handed to the coroner , intimating that the inquest at Kewton had been adjourned , to await the result of the present inquiry . Tho great interest taken by the public has increased rather than diminished , and , although again adjourned , the general impression is that , so far as the evidence has hitherto been given , there appears to have been a want of proper precautions in three respects : — L—In allowing 5 , 000 people to assemble in the railway station at once , instead of admitting them as each train was filled and started , thereby lending to confusion among the officials and subordinate servants .
, 2 . —In dispatching engines of insufficient power to convey the respective trains to their destination . 3 . —In the guards or drivers of the trains that were first in the tunnel on that night , and finding they could not got on , not taking steps to prevent the third train from coming up . The cost to the company , whatever may he tho result of this inquest , have been stated , by those who seom to be well-informed on the subject , as likely to amount to between £ 20 , 000 and £ 30 , 000 . Tho inquest was continued on Wednesday , Thursday , and Friday , and , up to the hour of going to press ,-is not yet concluded .
Middlesex Sessions. Ronnenr In Htde Park...
MIDDLESEX SESSIONS . RonnEnr in Htde Park . —Samuel Horner , 30 , a respectable looking man , was indicted for having stolen a watch , value £ 5 , from the person of John Wakefield , on the occasion of the opening of the Great Exhibition . The prosecutor was in Hyde Park on the 1 st insfc . for the purpose of witnessing the stato procession to the Crystal Palace . The prisoner forced his way through the crowd and took up a position immediately in front of the prosecutor , and he had not long been standing there before ke passed his hand between a chimneysweep and another man , both of whom were close to him , and snatched the prosecutor's watch from his right
hand waistcoat pocket . The prosecutor , however , caught his hand as he was withdrawing it , but at that moment the pressure of the crowd was such , a sudden rush taking place , that he was compelled to relinquish his hold , and tho prisoner got away . The prosecutor followed him a considerable distance , and on coming up with him at the end of the Serpentine he gave htm into custody . In cross-examination , the prosecutor said the robbery took place near to the northern entrance to the Palace . He did not know any of the persons by whom he was surrounded , but there was ' 'larking " going on . The sudden manner iu which the watch
was snatched broke the guard , and he ( prosecutor ) distinctly saw tho watch in his hand . —The identity of the prisoner was established by a' singular circumstance . When the pressure of the crowd caused the prosecutor to relinquish his grasp of the prisoner ' s hand , his face by some means came into contact with the clothing of the sweep , and consequently became blackened . When the prisoner was given into custody the mark thus made was still on his face , enabling the prosecutor the more confidently to identify him , though he would havo had no difficulty in recognising him had that distinctive mark not been on his countenance . The watch
was picked up by a person named Seymour . —Mr . Payne rested the defence on the question of identity , and urged that tho watch might of itself have fallen from the prosecutor ' s pocket in the crushing of the immense crowd that was ihere assembled . — The jury found the prisoner Guilty . —The learned Judge sentenced the prisoner to nine months hard labour , and then said that the court wished it to be understood that if any previous conviction were proved against any pickpocket convicted in that
court of exercising his avocation about the Great Exhibition , he would most assuredly be sentenced to transportation ; ami it was desirable that the fraternity should know that in every case of a pickpocket convicted of having committed a robbery within the building ( if indeed such a thing were capable of achievement under the existing police arrangements , ) the sentence passed would be that of transportation , even should there bo no previous conviction , for in such cases money would have been paid for admission .
ItoBBKRr at a TiiKATRE . —A young man of respectable appearance , named Thomas , was indicted for having robbed a Mr . King of hall ' -a-sovereign and other monies , in the pit of tho Adolphi Theatre . —On Monday night the prosecutor , accompanied by a friend , went to the pit of the Adclphi Theatre , at half-price . The prisoner stood next to the prosecutor , and in a short time after tho performance after second price had commenced the prisoner adroitly slipped his fingers into the prosecutor's riaht-hand waistcoat pocket , and took therefrom a half-sovereign , and several silver coins . The prosecutor did not appear to notice this at the moment , hut on th" prisoner leaving his place , and appearing to make for the door , ho told his friend What had occurred . Tho latter followed the prisoner , accused him of the robbery , ami gave him into' the
custody of a police officer , who was on duty at the pit enirance , who on searching tho prisoner found in one of bis pockets a sum of monev precisely corresponding , both as to coin and amount , with that which had been abstracted from the prosecutor ' s ocket .-lho prisoner , in his defence , wddthe money that was found upon him was " p , rt of a sum that he had brought with' him to London a short r , ' ! l fK \ * « , »' Prol ™> 'toesscs to ' K prove that on Monday , shortly bofo . ro he went to th « Adelphi , he had changed a sovereign .-Theiury ound tho prisoner Guiity .-Tho officers tf K Jo-ise of Correction aaul that as . tho prisoner was commixed only on i | , previous night , thov had not iadsufficient opportunity to ascertain-whether he had ken in prison before .-Tho prisoner was then ordered to be brought up for judgment at the next session . fc
A rather unusually large nun ; her of persons wern charged with having robbed their mv ' y-fimiished lodgings , and were- severally sentenced to six moutm / , imprisonment , with hard labour .
I ¦ S
I
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), May 10, 1851, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_10051851/page/1/
-