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¦ 12 THE STAB OF FREEDOM. August 14,1852...
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CO-OFEEATIVS
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Southampton Working Tailors.—-This assoc...
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TRADES
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0f The Secretaries of Trades' Unions and...
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BRADFORD WOOLCOMBEKS. During the past fo...
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THE MINERS. THEIR WANT OP ORGANIZATION ,...
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nilW 1 !?™! E ?°Eiviat8.-Th8 Practice of...
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Transcript
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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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Public Meetings, &C. Our Friends Avill O...
ffl Mr . Robert Cooper said that he also was about going into the country , and he cordially endorsed the sentiments uttered by the lhahairman . . . T The best thanks of the committee having heen awarded lo the iireirectors of the institution for their kindness in allowing the Kwrommittee to hold its meetings free of expense , and to the chairnanan for his conduct in the chair , the committee adjourned to llolonday evening , August 16 . the balance
1 The following sums over and above thoseincludedin foeheet , were received at the above meeting : — Walter Cooper . . . . £ l 0 0 Julian Harney . . . . 0 10 0 Thornton Hunt . . . . 0 10 0 Mr . Kohler 0 2 6 Robert Cooper .... 016 Henry and George Wilkes . . 0 2 0 Mr . Cantelo 0 10
SUBSCRIPTION FOR EUROPEAN FREEDOM . On Tuesday last a meeting was held at 10 , Southampton-street , oo form a provisional committee to collect a shilling subscription in aid of European freedom , the proceeds to be handed over to KKossnth and Mazzini . The subscription is fo be completed iBfcithin six months , and to close on the 9 th of February , the anniversary of the proclamation of the Roman Republic . Halifax Democratic Association .--The Star op IFFreedom . —The adjourned meeting of this society was held at
Itlthe " labour and Health" on Monday evening . The question iccontained in the address of the Star of Freedom Central Cominmittee was taken into consideration , and it was resolved that no leexertions should be spared to place the Star of Freedom , on a fifirm footing . The following persons were appointed to superinfctend the posting of content bills , and canvass the town for additional subscribers : —Uriah Hinchliffe , William Caswell , William IDenms , Samuel Baxendale , William Heaton , Joseph Waterhonse , TThomas Nicholls , John Hargreaves , Francis Mitchell , John SSchofield , and Thomas Beauland .
Secularism . —The Secularists of the West Riding of Yorkshire held a camp meeting at Shipley Glen on Sunday last . The jplace was well chosen for the contemplative votary of nature , from Ithe wild grandeur of the grey sand rocks which skirt the edge of the jglen like huge old castles , and the beautiful and fertile valley , rich iin its scenery , down the centre of which the River Air steals slowly , noiselessly , and majestically along , while on either hand , as if to
give increased charms by way of contrast to this delightful spot , forests of tall chimnies may be seen rearing their black throats towards heaven , and polluting the atmosphere with their sulphurous stench . Long before the time appointed for the commencement of the meeting , bands of the apostles and disciples of Free Thought began to arrive from the surrounding towns and villages . Some of the defenders of mental darkness and intellectual
bondage were also there , and at first assumed a threatening attitude , but ultimately were shamed into orderly conduct . Joseph Firth , of Keighley , Thomas Bickerton , of Miil-bridg <* , near Bewsbury , C . Shackleton , of Queenshead , A . llobinson , of Willesden , John Smith , of Leeds , and Thomas Holt , of Keighley , addressed the meeting , at the close of which a lengthy discussion took place , which ended most disadvantageous !} ' for the advocates of the present system .
Nottingham :. —The Secular Hall . —We had an immense audience on Sunday , the 1 st of August . Before Mr . Brown arrived , we read to the people the leading article from the Star of Freedom " on Ci Woman ' s Wrongs . ' We have resolved to read a leader from the Star every Sunday morning , for the purpose of making known the paper . Mr . Brown delivered a long lecture , denouncing Continental oppression , all priesthoods for teaching unwise doctrines , and for not being the advocates of
right and defenders of poverty . Ho drew attention to the odious taxes on knowledge , showed how they crippled the labour of such a pajn-r as the Star , and forced the editor to charge more for it than would otherwise he necessary . Our hall was full to hear him discourse on the Influence of Theology . In the Marketplace , on Thursday , he had a larger concourse than on former occasions , to hear him lecture on the " Profitableness of Virtue . " The mayor was present , so that Mr . Brown is teaching the rich as well as the poor .
¦ 12 The Stab Of Freedom. August 14,1852...
¦ THE STAB OF FREEDOM . August 14 , 1852 .
Co-Ofeeativs
CO-OFEEATIVS
Southampton Working Tailors.—-This Assoc...
Southampton Working Tailors . — -This association , which has heen framed upon the modeUf that in Castle-street , London has been in existence about sixteen months . The premises are , in Bernard-street , a leading thoroughfare , through which the traveller passes from the railway station into the High-streeta peculiarly well-selected position . At present the business of the association is restricted to the " bespoke" or order trade , by the limited amount of the capital it possesses ; but the manager is of opinion that he could successfully compefe against the puffing shops if he could keep a stock on hand .
Southampton has a peculiar population . The principal customers to other houses are visitors who stay but a few days in the town , and whose support th « association can hardly hope to secure without keeping an asset iment of goods ready made , although its shop is so favourably t-ituated . But , on the other hand , some of the wealthier permanent residents have taken an active interest in the welfare of the working tailors , and have given all the assistance in their power to the undertaking in various ways by orders , recommendation , and pecuniary advances to a slight extent . The number of shareholders is twenty-five , the capital in use about £ -il . £ ix associates are rejiularlv employed , and at times
four or five other hands . This week there have been ten in all engaged . It is , of course , impossible to average the order trade so as to keep any fixed number of men in constant work . When orders are plentiful hands are set on , who must he turned off again when the work is executed . It is , however , satisfactory to know that this association is firmly established . It has steadily improved from the outset , making little allowance for inevitable fluctuation , and is in a better position at this moment than at any previous period . The members are also engaged in the endeavour to start a co-operative store to deal with the Central Agency .
Portsea Co-operative Store . —This store was opened in the early part , of last year . It has roomy and convenient premises in Clarenee-strcet , Landport , but is , after all , little known to the townfolk generally . The members , who number about , seventy are mostly employed in the dockyard , and other Government departments . The capital has been entirely supplied by the members , aided by a loan from the treasurer , no assistance having been furnished from London or elsewhere . The Central Agency supplies all the groceries , & c . } sold ) and the committee avail them-
Southampton Working Tailors.—-This Assoc...
selves of the discount allowed for ready-money payments , a few articles only that can be most advantageously produced in the neighbourhood being purchased in the town , to wit , of course , the item bacon , for which Hampshire is renowned . The transactions of this store are confined to its members , under an impression that the rules , as certified by Mr . Tidd Pratt , will not allow them to trade with the public for profit ; but it is the wish of several of the most active members that an enrolment should be
made under the new act which will remove this doubt . The design of this store was first conceived by Mr . Laird , the secretary , and to him and the present treasurer the chief merit of its success may be attributed . The business has steadily increased since the store was opened , and the concern is prospering under cautious and prudent management . It is the desire of the members that some lectures on practical co-operation should be delivered in the town , and the committee are engaged in making arrangements to thus bring their views before the people o ! Portsea , Portsmouth , and Gosport .
Leeds . — -Co-operation seems widely spreading in this town and neighbourhood . The bottlemakers have just commenced an association under the name of Nicholson , Booth , and Co ., Flint and Green Glass bottlemakers , Dewsbury-road , Leeds . —The bricklayers here have also agreed to convert their trade society into a working assocition , and have appropriated part of their funds for this purpose .--At Farleigh , near Leeds , some working men are about starting an association for the manufacture of line cloth . A co-operative store is also in contemplation .
Glasgow . —We are informed that some working men in this town are commencing a co-operative store , and have written to the Central Co-operation Agency in London for instructions , & c . London . —The West-end Working Smiths' Association have just commenced business , and at present are well supplied with orders ; bnt are sadly crippled for want of capital . Working Shoemakes' Association , 11 , Tottenham - court-road . —This association has done business during the last quarter , ending July 1 , to the amount of £ 360 ; but we regret to hear that it is not so well supported by the working men as it deserves to be . . w ^ rfjl * -
Trades
TRADES
0f The Secretaries Of Trades' Unions And...
0 f The Secretaries of Trades' Unions and other bodies associated to protect and advance the interests of Labour , will oblige by forwarding the reports of Trades' Meetings , Strikes , and other information affecting the social position of the Working Classes . IMPORTANT MEETING OF FACTORY DELEGATES
AT TODMORDEN . Formation of a " Fielden Association . " On Sunday last , August 8 th , a very Large meeting of Factory Delegates assembled at the Queen ' s Hotel , Todmorden , to take into consideration the propriety of commencing an agitation for a real " Ten Hours Bill , " to be secured by a restriction of the moving power . After Mr . William Mallieu , the chairman , had read the circular calling the meeting , it was ascertained that nearly eighty delegates were present representing almost every branch of factory labour , from the following important
districts : —Ashton-under-Line , Burnley , Bacut , Bury , Blackburn , Bolton , Bradford , Clithero , Chorley , Crompton , Coventry ( city ) , Colne , Chaiiton-on-Medlock , and I-Iulmc , Dnkinneld , Dewsbury , Froanshan , Hey wood , HeMen Bridge , Huddersfield , Halifax , " Hyde , Littleborough , Lydget district , Manchester , Oldham , Padham , Preston , Rochdale , Eoyton , Stalybridge , Sowerby Bridge , Salford , Todmorden , and Waterhead Mill . The following places were represented by letter : —Glasgow , Dundee , Galashiels , Tillicoulty , Gorton , Macclesfield , Stockport , Bedford , ( near Bolton ) , Mossley , Priestolce , and Edgely . It appears from the reports given by the delegates from the various districts , that the present Factory Bill is shamefully
violated , especially in Lancashire and the North of England , where the manufacturers are chiefly leaguers . Nearly all the delegates present expressed the opinion of their constituents as being favourable to a restriction of the moving power . A few of the delegates present did not think it good policy to go to parliament for a restriction of the moving power , lest the government and the cotton lords should take advantage of the reopened question and pass an eleven hours bill . None of the delegates expressed these fears , but the Manchester old central committee , and a few others , who , it will bo remembered , acted with Lord Ashley , now the Earl of Shaftsbury , ( and it has since been ascertained ) John Bright , as compromisers of the late John Fielden ' s " Ten Hours Bill . " The following resolutions were
carried unanimously : — 1 st . " That the limit of ten hours per day , and 57 £ hours per week for women and young persons , working in factories , is their riglit , which they have never in any way consented to abandon ; and this meeting pledges itself to do all in its power to obtain a restriction of the moving power . " 2 nd . " That the provisions of the Factory Act arc openly violated by the employers in many districts , and to the manifest injury of the honest employers , as well as to that of the workpeople ; and it is the opinion of this meeting that no law short of a restriction of the moving power , and under severe penalties , can ever effectually protect the rights and interests of those who are entitled to the benefits of the Factory Acts . "
3 rd . " That application be matte to Parliament in the next session for an amendment of the Factory Acts , to include the restoration of the ten hour limit , and a restriction of the moving power . " 4 th . " That a subscrip tion be forthwith raised to defray the expenses of such application . ' ' ' It was also agreed that the committee of the " Ficlden
Association" should confer and advise on all important subjects with Richard Oastler , Messrs . Fielden , J . li . Stephens , Henry Edwards , Dr . Fletcher , and J . M . Cobbett , M . P . for Oldham . Some other resolutions of minor importance were passed , after which the meeting separated about seven o ' clock . The determination and tone of the Todmorden ten hours meeting , will be felt by the cotton lords and compromisers ; they will learn that it is no small matter to trifle with the wishes and feelings of the factory workers .
Bradford Woolcombeks. During The Past Fo...
BRADFORD WOOLCOMBEKS . During the past fortnight the select committee appointed by this body have been engaged in visiting the manufacturers , in order to gain an advance of wages . The answers which thev received have been favourable , on condition that all were agreeable to act in a similar manner . Some of the leading firms declarer ! that it was the competition among themselves
Bradford Woolcombeks. During The Past Fo...
which chiefly caused the depreciation of wages . Forty-five employers have been visited in all . The committee have issued a circular to be distributed to each manufacturer , stating that an advance of per lb . on all sorts under 4 d ; Id . per lb . on all between 4 d . and Cd . ; and 2 d . per lb . on all above 6 d . would be required : the advance to commence on Monday next , August lGth . A large meeting of the men was held near Philadel phia Chapel on Monday evening last , which was addressed at some length by Mr . George White , in the course of which he ex
plained the proceedings of the committee from the commencement , which gave unanimous satisfaction . He requested the meeting to appoint two auditors on the Committee ' s accounts , in order to give satisfaction to all contributors . Messrs . Clark and Sigtlen were then unanimously elected as auditors . The secretary announced that a general meeting of all the woolcombers in the district would be held on Monday morning next , at nine o ' clock , when the workmen of each firm would have to visit their employers , on the subject of the committee's circular . A very large attendance is expected .
The Miners. Their Want Op Organization ,...
THE MINERS . THEIR WANT OP ORGANIZATION , AN ]) CONSEQUENT SUFFERINGS . To the Editor of the Star of Freedom . Sir , —Tlw absence of union amongst the coal miners of this district is bringing the most direful results upon them . The reductions in the price of their labour are frequent and general and the wages earned are now fully a third less than what thev were two years ago . But besides these reductions , there are many acts of oppression and tyranny practised upon the workmen , a few of which I will here relate
AtapollieryontheTyne , a large number of the workmen complained of the bad state of the ventilation , and tlmir fear arising from working in close proximity to a large waste filled with water ; so that on one hand there existed the chance of bein * burnt to death , and on the other the chance of being drowned * lhese complaints being repeated to the chief agent the first remark he made was that « Any man who did not fe ' el himself safe had better leave the colliery ! " The workmen present
took this remark to mean that all complaints must be stifled and the containers intimidated ; and as it has been repeatedly averred at the many inquests held on the occasion of explosions and other accidents ( so called ) , that the agents courted complaints , and would not wreak their vengeance upon any man who did so complain , the men were astonished at the remark made by the master , and cried out at once , - For shame , Mr . 1 —! » I his unanimous expression of the workmen did the
shame employer , and he proceeded to note down their statements , and having enquired of the under ground ao-ents as to ^ Vf " toe report , * % affirmed that all wa ° s correctly stated . Ihen followed orders that the pit should be made safe directly , and that every means should be used to keep it safe afterwards . But mark what followed . Ten days or a fortnight after , three oi the workmen had notice to quit the works , and when they inquired the cause were told that thei r services could be dispensed with . Is not the case as clear as it can be that these men have been sent adrift purely because thev were regarded as the chief complainers ? *
Again , at another colliery on the Tvne , above the bridge a certain workman was ordered to work in a certain place ° This place was considered unsafe , and the agent ordered another party to make it sate . Ihe instructions were neglected and the stone came down , and nearly killed a poor man , who has now been off work upwards of six months , and cannot by any means get a penny from the proprietor of the colliery , although it is expressly stilted m the contract that such injuries entitle the workmen to live shillings weekl y , until again able to work . The poor man has a wife and family who ar in the most indigent circumstances .
At another colliery on the Wear , belonging to a Peer of the Lealm the workmen are now , and have been for many week * on strike , to resist a reduction of prices . Eight of the workmen were sent to prison by the magistrates , for leaving their employer without a month ' s notice , whilst it was proved before the court , and admitted by the master that he had reduced their without
wages giving them any notice at all . Note the justice dealt out m this case : the employer breaks the contract by not giving notice and has his liberty ; whilst the poor men are dtagged from their beds m the middle of the nighi , taken like felons to a " lock-up" m the neighbourhood , carted several miles next day to Sunderland , and condemned to a prison for 14 day . tor a breach of tnat contract which the nolle employer by his agent set them an example of breaking , Talk of lynch law m California , or the uncertaint y of human life in Australia , we behold the unfairness of English law as administered bv the " great unpaid . "
The above are but a few samples of the general oppressions now practiced upon the miners here ; and all the direct result ot the tcant of union , r . iv ! concert amongst themselves It vto be regretted that the present band of union men have not more encouragement from their oppressed brethren Tinhave long stood the attacks of the employers , and have boon stretching out their hands to save those who would join them but al to no purpose The enslaved portion are deaf to Si ' importunities , and fold their arms , whilst their oppressors bad them with heavier chains , and harder conditions .
it is said that "While there is li £ Q there is hope , " and I conclude this brief notice of the state and condition of themine ™ by informing them that a Delegate Meeting will beSat Newcastle m the course of September nv . fl . 11 i 'V Cofeev of „ willing to ^ At ^^ tZ Smeettf " *** " " * % * **" to W « h at such meeting . ^ respectfull P . S .-IndividuaI s can be enrolled by JL ^ i ^ f ^ f at the Ducrow Bar , High-bridiS i I ? th rf / Secretfll 7 then aid this common lST «^ and each Per . Month . Who would S ^^ ^ fc will save them , and prevent thrir n . i \ A \! ¦? J 5 from being Starved . P Ctomien , ana themselves
Nilw 1 !?™! E ?°Eiviat8.-Th8 Practice Of...
nilW !?™! ? ° Eiviat 8 .-Th 8 Practice of erecting cast iron toi ^ fnM } " ° partS Of the ^ kent , is about to te 'tSotia : an experimentpreviov , s to its h , tw -
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 14, 1852, page 12, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_14081852/page/12/
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