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6 THE NORTHERN STAR. _ . January 16, I84...
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Craijcs* $tobcmrius.
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T11E ODD FELLOWS—COOPERATION.
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Fatal- Acciuest is tek Cm-nom—On Wednesd...
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THE SHORT TIME QUESTION. MR. OASTLER'S C...
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SunnBH Death pcriso Suffer.—On Wednesday...
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fianfirupt£f.
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[Prom the Gazette o) Sunday, Jamtary 12....
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VublfT jffminji*
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COURT OF ALDERMEN. On Monday a Court was...
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IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT . HOUSE OF LORDS. Pa...
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Experiment with Sulphuric Ether.—Mr. R. ...
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THE FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS/^ On the 15th 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.
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6 The Northern Star. _ . January 16, I84...
6 THE NORTHERN STAR . _ . January 16 , I 84 y
Craijcs* $Tobcmrius.
Craijcs * $ tobcmrius .
T11e Odd Fellows—Cooperation.
T 11 E ODD FELLOWS—COOPERATION .
to the EnrroB or the so & Tnias stab . « >\ t , In your last imprtbiion but one you cr . ve vome extracts from a prospectus of the Odd Fellows Land ] JJuiWinp ar . d Investment Society . As the vast means o . benetitiliir the mt . mut . rs , possessed by societies so esteii , siveiy organized as theiiistituiioii above referred to must if fuV . y developed , exercise as * material iivrVatme f « w pood upon the position and interests of that class of society to v » ho > e ai' . vauc * Hti-Ht your entire * are so esmwlydevuhd . perhaps jou will not deem a few remarks upon tbis sulject out of place in your Journal . TiieManchester unitv of Odd Fellows and-onw other
similar institutions profess t » have a rrcsrd for Ihr moral characttr and social position of their members , and do not confine the objects to the simple assuring ol sick psv and f sneral bonuses , but design by tbe diffusion if tbe entire benefits of their co-operation , in their own expressive words— "to make b-= ttr husbands and fathers , end better members of society ; " ot 'his further dtsipn . the mere provision cf a eura of aiooc ) is in itself insufficient to meet the requirements of a probably contingency , and . a * a certain event , must full far short of , and be wh-llv inadequate to it * accomplishment .
The prospectus from which you quoted Wimld induce n « to hope that the Birminpfcam district of ¦ he Manchester unity , st any r . ite , begins to understand what a Urge debt of duty ityet owes to itself , and may be taken as a small installment of a practical resilution , to throw ova-board the musty prejudices which have hitherto kept the institution behind rflther than in advance ot the times . Must Benefit Societies have available funds which iwa . hr , without infringing upon the required floatinp capital , be profitably and securely employed to the advaiii-i-ment of the best interests of the members , but an institution having hundreds of thousands of pounds at this moment invested iu all sorts of securities , and not realizing more than avcraevof two andahalf per cent .
and which is for ilie most part availaMe , lias within iff ca-. ! ims ; nd a means of accomplishing an amount ot corpor .-. tt ; end individual good , so vast as to be at present but little , if at all , understood . For the m ? st psrt , the inc ' . ubers of Benefit Societies are the non-consuming pro dacers of wealth , they find the enjoyment of those mces . sary comforts , luxuries , and appliances to happiness which are the fruits oi their labour , strangers to their domestic hearth ; they may be said , literally , to build l . o i * cs for other men ' 0 inhabit . Xay , they weave shirts for oihrr men ' s backs , while thtir own go bare . Ami , if a » Ve : 1 . bow it happens tbat such is their position , or vt est it is that tuckie on their shoulders the bitter yoku of unmitigated slavery so effectually , they would probably answer , theaccuiseu monopoly of wealth . But let nie
cskthefc thoughtless slaves . Are they helping to build up the mon-ler or to destroy it ? They are casting their accumulated andliard earived contributions into tlir lich man ' s treasury . They place their thousands , which should be wisely appropriated to the redemption of their own rights , in the iit . ndsof their opprestqis as weaponf xao ^ t surely to be employed against them in their already unequal struggles for social and political privileges . It a mora * quid distribution of wealth be one thing nieessary to the- full accomplishment of the moral and social elevation of our members , can we be doing anything » o powerfully opposed to our be « t interests , as by adding our mites to tbe great mountain tbat stands between us aud our hap ; iness ? On the contrary , suppose we become our own bankers , and instead of 1 . tiding a piece of paper , with the represented name of a supposed rich banker upon it , as security for our cash , we laid it out in the purchase of land , or land and dwellings , for our
ra < -mb : rs , by which means we confer up * n them the blessing' of a freehold interest in the soil , and till redeemed , lock up in our strong boxes tbe titles as st enrity for our money . From extensive information I have collscted , a :: d calculations which I hare made , founded upon that iuftirmath-n , I have no hesitation in saying that , by adopting a rational system of assuring benefits , bonuses an-1 annuities , for the widows aud orphans of the members of the Manchester Cutty , an available fund cf otic hundred thousand pounds per year Would be at our disjo-al from that source alone , which , added to our pr . seiit enormous capital , backed by the idle cash of our members , collected under a well-devised sthenic of investment , we may house the widow , educate the orphan , instruct the ignorant , employ the idle , and , in twenty-five years g ^ e every man a freehold house , and do much towards giving you the Charter , by altering the whole consti'iieacy of England .
I sball not atttmp : to trespass too much npon your spare , and therefor * pass by at present , the important questions involved in the consideration of how far the carry iaz out of our design woald alter our mortality anS such tables , or how far the entire social aud domestic condition of tho humbler classes would be changed . Dr . Sombwooil Smith says 5 , 000 die annually from living in d . \ m : > , ill . ventilHted , and ill-drained houses . Mr . Chadwick iu his report gives an appalling account of sicknest arising from causes entirely within tbe controul of Odd Fell ¦ ¦ < ws , end similar assocutums . In England and Wales , it is assumed upon substantial data , that not les » than -7 , 01 ) 8 woman are annually made widows from prtventible causes alone , I need not say another wcr . i to convince any refl-cting member , that paying the benefits when du .. —ar . d ourselves uumeauiug con . plictents at anniversary ra . ctincs , or even organizing money clubs , are i ut small begsunincs , and form but an insignificant portions of the great work which we have set ourselves to do .
Of tne Association proposed b y the Prospectus isined by a section of the members of the Birmingham di-trict , the moat valuable part is the proposed investment department , supposing it to be rompreh < nsively constituted ; as opening a . field for the employment of capital , which is at present so unproStably disposed of . The moment is exceedingly opportune , inasmuch as advantage may be takm . if your admirable plans for the government of your Bsnk of Deposit , and it would appear the Birmingham O Id F « -ll ;> wf , as a body , are grieriiju < ly deficient in practice iv . firmaiicn upon these matters . Tlie only rules at present put forth are for tnostpsrta reprint of laws governing sever . il tmney clubs already established , and the investment p ; rt is at pp-sent aot referred to . I , therefore , strongly recommend the promoters to look from time to time in tbe Xortketn Star for a few original ideas .
As my views I think apply to all benefit societies , and sscoun-. K-ss of j our readers are no doubt members of such uuuit . s , t shall , with your permission , throw together a few ideas on " Money and its uses , substitutionary considered , " for a future occasion , should you favour me by an msrrtion . Meanwhile permit me to congratulate the slaves—bees in the . great hive of industry—that your indoin . table perseverance has opened to them ( not only by the improved prospects of a speedy accomplishment of your great principies , but by the carrying out of your La : id and Deposit schemes } a chance of getting a taste of tiie nuitivj , I am Sir , Your Obedient Servant ,
E . H . T . Birmingham , Jan . 1 , 1847 . LABOUR Hf NEW YORK . ITS CIRCUMSTANCES , CONDITIONS , & REWARDS
( From the Tribune . ) ICO . IV . —THE SOOKBI . SPEBS . The Bookbinders , as a class , are perhaps one of the most contented , respectable , aad industrious trades in t ; -. e city . The number of those employed in the respectable establishments is about 700 , and lliey earn on the ! "«;« from eight to nine dollars per week . Perhaps «» : i ~ -h * If of them are engaged by the week , and the fibers l ' . v t ! ie piece . The regular price per week is 8 dollarstii'iuch some get 8 dollar * 50 cents or 9 dollars . They w ¦ r-. ten hours a day . The pb-ce-workers have a greater r ^ n ^ -i of prices , - though the average , except for extra v-oriicrs , » s about the same . Some journeymen have ; : i .-.-it skill and industry , and average as high as fifteen < s-41 «« p- r wrek . We could mention a man who makes , tr ..-c .-1-ver he chooscc , twenty dollars per week .
A iii j . n . y of tbe Journeymen Bookbinders are America ,- a .-A the proportion of foreigners is probably smaller tV . c (¦ : any other trade . Those educated in this country w-rk :: i 2 Ue-riininately at Furwaidinj ; and Finishing bin - !)• : English workmen understand only a single branch—Forwarding , Marbling , Gilding , Stamping , or Finisiiiu-. Spending the whole of th « ir apprenticeship thus on a single branch , they usually become very neat workers , but i : > it swift . They don ' t seem to get into the way of driving business like ibu Americans . There are a fan Germins engaged in the business , and , so far as we can ascertain , but one Irishman . The prices paid for piece work of course vary with the different size , style , « fcc . of the boi . fc io be boend—so that a full list of prices would occupy too much room , Tne prices for the most usual kind « re as follows : — For 134 . and 12 s . in skiver out of lh . ar < l 8 , 1 dollar 30 cents , or 2 dollars for Forwarding , and the same for Finishing ' .
Shee ; i , ? vos . cut iu board * , { such ee r « t v » doaki . &• :. ) 5 dollars per hundred in Forwarding , and from b 'o -i dollars for Finishing . Ca'f s ; ived oa vellum , 20 cents per volume ; Gilt edge , 21 cents- , Mirosea , 31 cents ; * x « a work , honvf-it generally done by th » week , and is paid from 10 to 15 dollars . Although we say that American-bred journeymen work indiscriuvnateiy at Forwarding aud Finishing , yet theiu two branches are carried on separately , and by two sets of hands . The number of Forwarders is about twice that of the Finishers . Many establishments send their work out to be lettered and gilded . The ornamental borders on the covers of books , whether leather or muslin , are done by machiaery . This pro : es « is called Stamping .
The Journeymen Bookbinders generally have constant and full employment ( those we mean who hold regular situitbns ) from September to January and from March to July , the two " seasons" in all business connected with Book-making . In the intervals work is slack . The 15 iikbinders have a Society iacorporated by the fiegislatiire in 1830 , under the title of the " Sew York it « : isvn ! c » t Association of Bookbinders . " It is eimpJy a b / ncvulent institution , aud has nothing to do with reguljti-ig prices , ? : our » - , Ac . " The Bookbinder * ' Union , " hwwer , has b ; - u recently instituted for these purposes , and inviyof th » journeymen have already become members ,
As iu the cise of the folders ' , and sewers there are screral establishments in the city where business is conucted upoa any thing bat honourable principles . The
T11e Odd Fellows—Cooperation.
P roprietors $ « round to the publishers and solicit work at half prie : « , employ " rats" at three aud four dollars per week , and turn ont , of course , miserable work . Some of them de not pay their workmen at all , and when they become clamorous far their money , discharge them and hire a new set . There are employers who have practised t'ds systtm for years , not only with the men but wuU tke wemen employed by them . The latter have been indeed infamously imposed upon in this way , and we have been told of cases wktroevcu respectable aged females , whea importuning for their little earning , have been repulsed and driven away with violence .
fhi : folders and sewers , too , employed in these esta . Wishraents hi e wronged in the most unprincip led manner . They are in the first place eugdged as apprentices , and sre told that they must work sir weeks for nothing—after which they will be journeywomen , and entitled to full prices . Well—they work * patiently six weeks and are then—discharged to tnuke room for a new batch of apprentices , who are lakes in and done for on the sams terms ! Probably oac good worker is permanently retained to instruct the now tecruits . The aborcarticlc was followed by a letter from on " of the trade , correcting sormof the statementsmade bv the editor ofthe Tribune . We give the following
extracts : — From a report on the state of the trade read before tha Union we learn there are 67 shops ia the Vity , employing 352 journeymen and 187 apprentices , making a b . tal of 5 S 0 ; and if we add to this number a few robbers and employers who work themselves , the effective force cannot be less than COO men and boys . The Bible Society Tract House and Methodist Book concern pay by tb « piece and ' give work to 104 men , but no apprentices . The forwarders may average throug h tbe year nine dollars per week ; the finishers ten . It is true there are a few men in ttuse establishments who by unceasing industry and the closest application earn more ; but even these * do not affect the general result . In Harper ' s bindery there are 28 men and 22 apprentices ; tho
forwarders receive nine dollars per week , the finishers ten ; and to make it a matter of certainty that these sums are earned , each man is obliged to furnish a statement of tbe quantity ef work done within tha week . There » one other firm having one jsutneymen and seventeen apurenticee , who probably pay their men about the same wages . There are two or three other shops where fine work is chiefly done , and some of the account-book establish , ments , which pay nine and ten dollars per week . The smaller shops pay less , the quantity of their work being uncertain , but the quality governed by the price : sharp uud grinding competition having reduced the price of binding a large 12 aio . of about 500 pages to eleven cents , and probably school books of this sire are done for eight cents . The only mystery in this case is , that workmen are paid at all .
Tho number of fercigners cannot be less than sixteen per cent . —a few Germans , some Irishmen , more English , who are not only generally perfect in tbe branch to which they confine themselves , but as a nstural consequence of the ' division of labour , swift . And here let me express my admiration for that wondrous individual " wh () makes , whenerer he chooses , twenty dollars per week . " You may be able to " name him , " but when you look fer him depend upon it he will be found in company with the Flying Dutchman . ( You ate mistaken and we w «» right . We can both name him and uud him . 'jED . iv ' . Y . T
MR . BUNCOMBE , M . P . AND THE KNARES
BOROUGH WEAVERS . At the usual weekly meeting of the hand-loom weavers of this place , their secretary informed them that he had been waited upon by Thomas S . Duncombe , Esq ., M . P . who had made it his business to inquire after the welfare ofthe Trades Association of this place , and other nutter * connected with their trade . The weavers were highly gratified at the intelligence . The fol ! o"iugvoteof thanks was moved by Thomas Buttetfield , and stsoiiutd by atetanvr tMsa * . — . "That the best thanks are due and are hereby given to Thomas S . Duncombe , Esq ., M . P ., for his manifold exertion in the cause of the toiling millions , and for the trades in particular , and we promise the patriotic gentleman to use our utmost exertions to carry out his recommendation . "
BARKSLEY WEAVERS . At a public meeting of the Barnsley hand-loom weavers , held in Mr . Pickering ' s large room , on Monday night , January 11 th , the following resolutions were agreed to : — " That this meeting instruct the committee of the union , to exert themselves to the utmost of their ability , to prevent any reduction in the present list of prices ( namely the August list of 1837 ); end further to do thsir best to bring the whole of tbe linen weavers of the town and country into tbe uuion . " " That this resolution be sent to the Northern Star for publication . " Chairman at the meeting , FasNK MlRFULD .
THE NEWTON " CONSPIRACY . " TO THE EDITOB OF THE KOaTHEKM STAB . Dear Sir , —I beg leave through the medium of your most valuable and widely circulated journal , to address a few words to tbe Trades of Great Britain and Ireland , in behalf of our persecuted brethren at Newton in the Willo « s . It will b « recollected by your readers , that many of those men were on the 2 Cth of November last , taken from their beds , and dragged off t 9 prison in the middle of the night , and oa the following Wednesday , seventeen of them underwent an examination before the magistrate of Warrington , on a charge of conspiracy , which resulted in their committal to the Liverpool Special Anises , which opened the week following . Tbe men very wisely-put their case in the hands of Mr . Roberts , who has achieved so many victories for tbe operative class , thereby entitling himself to tbeir unbounded confidence .
The indictment prefeared against tbe men at Liverpool was upwards of 26 yards long , [ and occupied nine hundred aud ninety folio pages . Mr . Roberts , however , traversed the case , and the men attended and renewed tbeir bail . In addition to the seventeen already named , therejjwere warrants issued against sine others , who bare since surrendered themselves , and entered into bail , making altogether twenty-six , who will have to take tbeir trials at the forthcoming Assizes . My object for troubling yon oa the present occasion is , to impress upon the trades the necessity of at once coming forward , and rendering all the pecuniary assistance they poisibly can—for they may rest assured that if tlr . s cast is allowed to be lost for want of funds , they will evar have occasion to lament their apatby , for it is perhaps the most important trial on record , as affecting the trades of tbis
country , and does not only involve the interest of the parties immediately connected with it , but that of every operative throughout thecouutry . no matter what trade he may belong to ; and will , ia all probability , establish a precedent tbat all our future struggles will have tu be governed by . 1 st it not , therefore , be s ;» id tbat we allowed twenty-six of our order , who were nobly struggling for their rights , to be victimixed for wast ef our support ; for if we do , we shall justly merit ( he execration of all good men . But I entertain too high an opinion of the trades of this country to doubt tbat they will for a moment withhold their support , when they are fully acquainted with the importance of the case ; and I hope that each Individual will look upon tbis as his own case , and let us at once crush the " Monster Indictment , " and teach our oppressors that they will not be allowed to tyrannize over us with impunity .
The case , so far as the men are concerned , is under the most favourable auspices , being selely conducted by our own " Attorney General , " who has already retained some ofthe moit eminent counsel at the English Bar , so that it only remains for us to perform our duties—namely , to supply the " sinews of war ; " and if that duty be well performed , I have no doubt but that it will be brought to a successful issue . S ^ Inconclusion , I may state that . thereis unavoidably heavy expense incurred weekly in sustaining the men ; aud that it is essentially necessary that a fund be raised to defend them on their trials , which will no doubt cost a great deal of money . Hoping that this humble , though earnest appeal , may be the means of arousing the trades to a sense of their duty , I am sir , Your most humble and obliged servant , i . Mekbek of the Steak Ekgins : Hixees' S « cisrr , skii m Constant Readlu or the " Stab . ''
Liverpool , January 13 th , 18 ( 7 . Colltkk ' s Co . vfebexce . —On Wednesday , at eleven in ts : eforenoon , the halt-yearly meeting of delegates connected with the Misers' Association of Great Britain and Ireland , commenced their sittings at the house of Mr . John Miller , the Legs-of-Mnn Inn , Market Place , Wigan . There were present on the occasion upwards of twenty-four delegates , including some of the most popular lecturers of the miners ' grievances . We understand that among the subject * of discussion are , ' * the getting of coal by weight , and not by measure , "as heretofore ; and also , " the necessity of soliciting the interference of the government on the subject of the better ventilation of eoal niineE . "—ilanchester Guardian .
Fatal- Acciuest Is Tek Cm-Nom—On Wednesd...
Fatal- Acciuest is tek Cm-nom—On Wednesday , Mr . W . Payne held an inquest at St . Bartholomew ' s Hospital , on the body of Mr * . Mary Smith , aged 82 . The deceased , who was a widow , and resided ia the Mile-end road , on Tuesday paid n visit to Mr . Morey , butcher , Whitecross-strect , where , havinp : remained till ten o ' clock , Mr . Morey desired one of his journeymen to convey her home in a light chaise cart . The hor .-e had proceeded rs f ; ir as the City-road , when opposite Old-street , the animal stumbled , and both deceased and the driver were thrown out . The deceased , who was bleeding from the lorehead , on being picked up was carried into a surgeon s , who , for some time , refused to attend to her , till he knew by whom he was to ho paid ; on which point being satisfied , he tried to administer a draught , but deceased wits incapable of swallowing . She was then placed in a cab and conveyed to the hospital , where , on arriving , she wis quiio dead . Verdict— " Accidental death . "
; Gipsr Festival . — The jvany gipsy lesi . val , which is held by a clergyman of S . iiithiimptuti , who lia , < . made great efforts to educate and rUoi'in the gipsies , took place a few days since at Spring ilill , near that Toivn . Though but few of these outca-ts have been wholly reclaimed , yet a great improvement is said to be visible among those frequenting the . New Forestt which is & favourite gipsy haunt .
The Short Time Question. Mr. Oastler's C...
THE SHORT TIME QUESTION . MR . OASTLER'S CHALLENGE TO MB . BRIGHT TO DISCUSS THE SHORT TIME QUESTION .
Manciiesteh , Jan . 13 . As the factory operatives here can command at least five hundred votes , the short time question has not been thought undeserving the attention of either Lord Lincoln or Mr . Bricht , although both are equally opposed to the views of the working classes on that point . Mr . Bright bavin ? , in one of his electioneering speeches , said something ofthe propnertj of discussing tho question "in the calmest and most friendly spirit , " Mr . Oastler has shown his readiness to meet the Hon . Uentlemnn s expressed wishes , ns may be seen from the following challenge published in the "Ten lloura' Advocate" of this day , with which the editor of that publication has kindly favoured me : — to jfons bright , Esq ., m . p « Sir—My attention has been slirectcd to the following extracts from a speech delivered by you to trw electors of the Chorton-upon-Medlock district , Manchesteron Monday evening , the 7 th ultimo .
, I copy from the Mancfteettr Examiner of the 12 th of December , 1846 : — "There was another question on which some persons in thiu town felt deeply , and that was the question of lcgisiativeinterfereiicewith the hours of labour in factories . This was a question whichof all others should be discussed in the calmest and most friendly spirit . ll *( Mr . Briglit ) did net believe there was any man in favour of a Ten House' Bill , because he thought it would injury anybody . ' 'lie had been aak « d if education would not go on faster if the hours were reduced ? There was no doubt that it would ; and no one disputed that the people would he much batter tor it , other things remaining the same . Give the workoeonle . if possible , the same wages for Urti hours as
they now get for twelve house' work , and the young will have two more hours in the evening for education and play , and the elder for reading and amusement . There was no man in Manchester more anxious to see such a ttate ot things than he was . For any one to suppose that he was not a friend to education , whether private or public , or that he wi uld not do all ho could to advance and increase tho intelligence ofthe . people , was an indication that the individual forming such an idea knew nothing whatever about his ( Mr . Bright ' s ) private or public character . ( Much cheering . ) It might be said that the working classes were willing to risk a reduction cf wages . Why , we were all wi l ling to ri > k the danger which we did not believe in . All
who had attended the meetings addressed by Mr . Fielden , Mr . Oastler , or Mr . Ferrand , must have heard those gentlemen bring forward arguments to convince the working classes that there would really be no reduction in wages . Now , he could not conceive a guilt more dreadful than that of a man coming before a large audience of tho working classes , unless he had 'first deceived himself —( Hear )—for tho purpose of endeavouring to persuade them that they might work ten hours a day instead of twelve , and that by seme sort of Act of Parliament jugglery they could have twelve hours' wages for ten horns' work . ( Much cheering . ) And it must be borne in mind that the individuals who were preaching these things to working men had never shown any extraordinary sagacity hitherto on public questions . Mr . Fielden
himself had been no great advocate for the repeal of the Corn Laws —( Hear)—he never supported , but always derided the Leagu * . Had Mr . Oastler dene anything in favour of freeing the industry ofthe country ? ( Cheers . ) Had Mr . Ferrand proved himself , by his votes , to be a particular friend ol the working man ? ( Great laughter , and applause . ) Unless you could prove that twelve hours' wages would bo given for ten hours' work , you have proved nothing whatever . ( Cheers . ) For the man to attempt to improve the condition of the working classes , to enable them to educate their children better , to make their homes more comfortable , and to render them independent , by diminishing their wages one-sixth or one-seventh , was to go in the very opposite direction to that in which ho professed to be travelling . "
Mr . Fielden and Mr , Ferrand , being Members of the House of Commons , will be able to reply to you there . I , having no such privilege , must endeavour to meet you elsewhere . I rejoice that you are disposed "to discuss this question in the calmest and most friendly spirit , " in such spirit 1 desire to meet you . I am prepared to argue the questions at issue , with you , in the Free Trade Hall , Manchester ; I select that room as being the largest in the town . I propose that free admission shall be given to all . Other arrangements I leave to your committee and the Shott Time Committee of Manchester . I propose to maintain the following propositions by facts and by arguments : — 1 . That it is a delusion to suppose that the factory children can be educated under the present system ef twelve hours' daily labour .
2 . That it is atallacy to suppose that a reduction of the hours of labour from twelve to ten per day will cause a redueaion of" one-sixth or one-seventh " in the wages of persons whose labour is thus reduced . I think I have stated the subjects fairly . No one can doubt their importance ; and , as you have publicly chargedm « with " cither deceiving myself , or being dreadfully guilty , " for the course which I have been pursuing , it is impossible that , in fairness , you should refuse to hear my defence . I shall not shrink , if you require it , to enter into a comparison of our respective " sagacity on public questions , " nor from answering your query , "Had Mr . Oastler done anything in favour of freeing the industry ofthe country ?"
In " the spirit of calmness and friendship , " I am prepared to meet you . Truth » my aim . 1 think 1 am fortified thereby . I remain , Sir , Yours respectfully , Richard Oastler . London , Jan . 8 . A deputation from the Short Time Committee have been appointed to wait on Mr . Bright , to prosent him with a copy ofthe challenge , and ascertain whether he is willing to redeem his promise to discuss this important question in a " calm and friendly spirit . "
Sunnbh Death Pcriso Suffer.—On Wednesday...
SunnBH Death pcriso Suffer . —On Wednesday , Mr . Mills held an inquest at the Bricklayers' Arms , Little Clarendon-street , Somers-town , on the body of Mrs . Ann Parbury , aged 77 , a widow lady , residing at No . 12 , Union-street , in the same neighbourhood . The deceased , who was w « U and hearty on the previous Thursday evening , had sat down to supper with her niece , when , suddenl y exclaiming , " 1 feel verybad , " she fell off her chair to the floor in a state of insensibility . She was placed on a bed , when life was found to be » xt » ct . Verdict , — "Natural death /'
DxRuto Bprourt at Ladt Barn . —One of the most daring burglaries which has occurred in this neighbourhood for sometime took place at Burnage , at an early hour on Saturday morning last . There resides at Lady Barn , Burnage , a farmer named John Wood , whose age is about seventy , and who is very well known in that neighbourhood for some peculiarities which eften attach to men of his age and condition . He is not only reputed to be wealthy , but he was supposed to have considerable sums of money secreted in different parts of his house . Mr . Charles Wood , a nephew of the old man , also lives at Lady Barn ; ho has a wife and children , and these , with a domestic servant , make up the whole ofthe inmates . About one o ' clock on Saturday morning , nine or ten men broke into the house . Some of them had their faces blackened : others wore masks ; one or two carried pistols , . and all 'the rest had bludgeons . Some of them had thrown over their clothes loose
Ciiiito Irocks . One of their hrst acts was to fasten down on their beds the nephew , Mr . Charles Wood , his wife , and his children , and to order them , if they had any respect for their lives , to keep quiet . The servant girl they employed in holding and carrying about for them a light . The grand point of their attack was the bed room of the old farmer . Having secured the other inmates , they proceeded thither , broke open tho door , presented a pistol at the head of Ithe farmer , and bade him to reveal where his treasurers were secreted . Tho quaking old man was not very prompt in making the expected revelations ; and the ruffians kept urging him to
confession by the most horrible and barbarousthreats . The ruffians at length left him , and with the servant girl as their lamp-lighter , ransacked the house in search of the hidden treasures . They remained in the house for nearly an hour and a-half , hut as far as the police can ascertain , they only succeeded in finding one purse , containing £ 24 . This , together with a watch , a sword stick , aud two or three other triflingarticle * constituted the whole of the booty , so far as ia yet known ; for the ola man is either unable or unwilling to make any further disclosures . Torse men , Emanuel Wainwiight , Henry Hartley , and John llolden , have Iccn apprehended on suspicion of having been concerned in this daring outrage .
Fire at Stourtos Castle . —On Saturday morning , a fire broke out upoB the premises of Stdurton Castle , mar Stourbridge , the residence of JamesFosler , Esq , tin ironmaster of greateminence . It is supposed that tho fire originated in the sleeping apart ment of Miss Foster , who , on awaking in the middle ofthe night , obsem-d that the room was in flames . By great exertion the flames were checked before they had spread further , but several of the apartments were much injured .
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[Prom The Gazette O) Sunday, Jamtary 12....
[ Prom the Gazette o ) Sunday , Jamtary 12 . ] J . Tiirs . nis , uludway-strect , lli'tseftrry-voud , Westminster , bakei- —J . T . ( Joskins , lilai-kheath , boarding-housekeeper—K . \ V . Samson , Ksscx-wiiurf , near the Straw ) , coat-merchant—J . !*• EI worthy , lWdywater , Somersetshire , draper—J . Picknrd , jun ., Exeter , hatter—J . Gemmill , jnu ., Liverpoool , ship-broker—A . White . Bishop Wearmouth , Durham , coal-owuer .
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Court Of Aldermen. On Monday A Court Was...
COURT OF ALDERMEN . On Monday a Court was held for receiving the presentments of tho several ward inquests , and for swearing in the constables . The Foreman of the Precinct Jury of St . Dunstan ' s made a presentment against certain old houses in Fetter-lane , belonging to the City of London , which were made depositories of filth , to the great sham e and injury of tho tteighbourhood and other houses in tho same vicinity , in which the lives of the crowded inhabitants were in constant danger , on account of the enormous accumulation of offensive matter in and about them . It also related to dilapidated houses .
Sir Jaueb Duke ( the Alderman of the Ward ) said there was abundant medical evidence to show that the densely crowded state of the neighbourhood , and the want of sewerage , produced lever to an alarming extent in the close localities to which the presentment alluded . The dangerous state of other house * , as regarded the building of them , should be also particularly attended to . The Cut Solicitor said , that in consequence ol the recent alt eration in tbe law , any person who apprehended danger from a building could apply to thr district surveyor , and at once oblige him to move in the business .
Alderman JoiiNgoit said a vast deal of filthy nuisance spoken of in the prcpcntment was attributable to the neglect of draining these narrow and closelypopulated places , for great care had been taken to make the most extensive and efficient sowcrx . Ik considered that it would be a great point to be informed how the inhabitants could be compelled t << make drains from their houses into tho common sewers , which had been so largely formed throughout the City . The Citt Solicitor said if a nuisance of tho kind were occasioned by the misconduct of an individual , that individual was liable to prosecution by tin Court . If it assumed the public character of a nuisance , the Commissioners of Sewers were the atitho rity to which application ought to be made . In th > first case the prosecution was instituted by the Citi Solicitor at the expense of tho City , under the direction of the Alderman of the ward .
1 he Foreman of Farringdon-without Ward ' madi a presentment , to which was annexed a petitioi against the return of Messrs . Lyas and Ohbard a > Common Councilmen for that ward , on the grount that they were not qualified as resident householders . The petition slated that the two persons whose namei ought to be returned were Mr . Harding and Mr . Carpenter , and prayed that Counsel might be bearo before the Court upon the sulject . Referred to the next Court .
TENANTS' BIGHTS . On Monday , a very numerous meeting of tenant farmers and agriculturists ( convened by tbe Farmers' Club ) took place in the lar ^ e saloon of Had ley ' s Hotel , Bridge-street , Blackf ' riars , for the purpose of considering the question of tenant right , with a view to obtain some remedial measures from the Legislature , and to show how far would a wellregulated system of tenant right be beneficial to tht landlord . Mr . T . Fisher Hobbs presided , and briefly explained the objects for which the meeting had beer convened , and the importance of the subject at a time when we were so closely approaching the session of Parliament . The tenant farmers were desirous ol shewing that a well-regulated system of tenant ri ght , so far from inflicting injury , would prove beneficial to the landlord .
Mr . Siuw said that the cultivation of the soi ' throughout the kingdom was capable of great improvement ; that the more definite the tenure , th < more valuable it was to . ' the occupier lithatfcecurity of t « nure would enaWo a tenant to procure and emploi capital for improvement ; that a system of lease ' s would be the means of establishing such security ol tenure , and that another security and encouragem ' i n for improvement would be a compensation for unexhausted improvements at the giving up of a farm . Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting , and accorded with the views of Mr . Shaw ; and a Committee was appointed to communicate with members of Parliament oh the subject .
Proposed Rkmoval op Westminster Bridge , — A numerous and highly respectable meeting of the inhabitants of Westminster , Pimfico , an '' Lambeth , took place , ion Monday , at ; the Westminster Mechanics' Institution , Smith-street , Westminster , to consider the proposal of an erection of » new bridge at Charing-cross , in substitution for tlupreeent bridge at Westminster . Sir de Lacy Evanc , one of the members of the city , took the chair , and the meeting was addressed by the Dean oi Westminster , Mr . Whatel y . Q . C , Mr . P . Wood . Q . C ., Mr . J . C . Wood , Mr . Ilftwes , M . P ., and other influential gentlemen , in speeches strongly condemnatory of the proposed change . Resolutions in accordance with these sentiments were unanimously passed and a determined opposition in Parliament was agreed to be given to the Bill .
Rkpresbstation' of Wbstuiwster . —Mr . Charles Cochrane , the candidate for the city , addressed a meeting of electors and others on Monday night , in Milbank , when a resolution , approving of his principles , was unanimously passed . The Astlcm tor the Deaf and Dumb . —The half-yearly meeting of the donors and subscribers to this benevolent institution was held at the London Tavern , on Monday . The committee mentioned the fact that in consequence of the increased facilities of conveyance , they had children in the asylum from the most distant parts of the kingdom . There were pupils from thirty-six out of the forty English counties , from five out of the twelve Welsli counties , from the Channel Islands , and from Ireland , beside * one from the East Indies , and one from South Australia . At the present election there were thirty vacancies to be filled up , and for these sixty-six candid at s had presented themselves , twenty-six girls and forty boys .
. Marvltbose Vesvrt . — At the meeting of the Marylebone vestry , on Saturday , a memorial to the Privy Council was agreed to , expressing regret at the proposed divisien of the parishfor the erection of a local court , and hedging the Privy Council to reconsider tbeir intention . At the same meeting Mr . G . Daniel directed attention to the fact that the parish had overdrawn its account at the bankers to the amount of £ 50 , and he moved a resolution recommending that a sum be raised by loan . The resolution was agreed to . The deficiency was said to have arisen from the increased price of provisions . Sir James Hamilton , Bart ., stated the following to be the prices of the two last years : — 1846 . 1847 . .
Flour , per sack £ 2 1 6 £ 2 13 8 Cheese , per ewt „ 2 17 0 ... „ . 8 2 0 Barley , ditto 0 11 € 0 IS fl Peas , per bushel 0 7 6 0 8 0 Potatoes , per ton 3 15 0 9 10 0 Wakefield . — Destitution in Ireland . —A public meeting of the Inhabitaate of Wakefield , convened by tho Chief Constable , at tho request of a numerously-signed requisition , took place on Monday last , January Uth , in the Music Saloon , Woodstreet , John Fletcher , chief constable , took the chair . Mr . Thomas Micklethwaite , proprietor of the " Wakefield Journal" read the placard calling the meeting , for him . The chairman then called upon W . II . Leatham , Etq . to move the first
resolution , which was expressive of sympathy , and a desire to alleviate the extraordinary sufferings of the famishing Irish . The resolution was seconded by the Rev . Mr . Smith , and carried unanimously . Other resolutions , of a formal character were proposed , and carried in a similar manner , being severally moved and seconded by Captain Wood , Rev . Mr . Teal , Rev . Mr . Maclean , and Mr . Harrison . One of the speakers remarked he hoped tbat O'Connell would return the pennies he had abstracted from the pockets of his confiding dupoa . Amongsfc the subscribers who were mentioned at the meeting , was the name of Daniel Gaskell , Esq ., of Lupset Hall , for £ 50 : and his brother , Benjamin Gaskell , £ 50 . The appointment of a committee to carry out the resolutions , and a vote of thanks to the chairman , terminated the proceedings .
Repeal of the Window Duties—A numerously attended meeting of deputations from tho various metropolitan parishes , took place at the Court House , Marylebone , on Tuesday , for the purpose of taking measures to ensure the repeal of the window duties in the ensuing session ot Parliament . Mr . George Daniel ! presided on the occasion , and was supported by Lord Duncan , M . P . for Bath , and Sir Charles Napier , M . P . After speeches fr « . m the Chairman , from Lord Dunsan , Sir Charles Napier , and others , on the oppressive sature ofthe tax , aresolution was agreed to , to the effect , ''That a deputation from the delegates of the metropolitan parishes be appointed , for « fte purpo-c of waiting upon the Premier , with the least possible delay , to show his Lordship the justice and necessity ol repealing the obnoxious window tax , " Lord Duncan and the Members for all the metropolitan boroughs were requested to head the deputation .
Repeal of the Malt Tax . —On Tuesday , there was » very full meeting of the Committee of the Central Society for the Prelection of British Industry . The attendance from the country was particularly numerous , in consequence of a knowledge that the question of the repeal of the Malt Tax was to be taken into consideration . The following resolution was unanimously adopted by tho meeting . Resolved—'' 1 . That this society entertains n strong sense of the impolicy aud injustice of the mait tax —interfering , aa it does mestmischievously , with the profitable cultivation of the soil—and is of opinion that it is alike injurious to the morals and comfort of the labouring classes . This society , therefore , pledges itself to use all constitutional means within its power to obtain , as soon as shall appear practicable , the total repeal of the malt tax , " A deputation was appointed to wait on Lord John Russell , and the Duke of Richmond was requested to communicate
Court Of Aldermen. On Monday A Court Was...
with his Lordship as to the time when he would re " ceivo the deputation . North Lincolnshire Election . —The election of a Knight in the room of Lord Worsley , elevated to the peerage by the death of his father , the Earl of Yarborough , took place on Tuesday at tho County Hall , Lincoln . There was no opposition to Sir M . JCholmeley , the Whig candidate , who was proposed by Wtston Cracroft , E * q „ seconded by J . W . Yorke , Esq ., and declared duly elected . The new member promised he would follow the example of his predocesior as far as he could .
Representation op Manchester . — A private mcetingof tho friends and supporters of Lord Lincoln , convened by circular , was held on Tuesday , at 12 at noon , at the Albion Hotel , for the purpose of introducing his Lovdthip to those who ; might choo ? o to attend ., About 150 electors attended , and his Lordship , who was introduced by Mr . Aldcrnntn Nicld , was received with cheers on entering the room . Mr . Nicld , who presided on the occasion , said a few words on the very great honO'tv which Lord UncoVn had conferred on Manchester by consenting to visit the town with a view to becoming a candidate for tho representation ef the borough at the next general election . Lord Lincoln disclaimed the compliment paid to hint by Mr . Alderman Nield . He thought that Manchester
had rather conferred an honour on him ( Lord Lincoln ) by requesting him to btcome a candidate for the representation of this great town . He then went on to say , that he was not to be considered as having come forward in the character of a candidate , and that bin doing so at any future period would entirely depend upon the probability there might be of his Wins ; returned . Should he ever have the honour of bcihg elected their repre-entative , they might rely upon his devoting himself , with whatever zeal and talents he might possess , to the promotion of the beet interests of the people of Manchester . His Lordship having finished the few remarks he had to make , and a few gentlemen having been introduced to him ,
accompanied by a number of his friends , proceeded to tho Exchange . On entering the room he was warmly cheered by a number of gentlemen who were ne . ir the entrance , many of whom seemed to be aware of his intendtd visit . As he passed along , however , to the further end , and as it became known who the stranger was , the cheers were drowned by hooting and other 'li < cordant sounds not very indicative of approbation . As soon as he had reached the other end of tho room , Mr . W . Morris , of Sulford , proposed three cheers for Mr . Bright , which was giv . n in the most enthusiastic mwvner . There was a faint attempt at hooting on the part of the Tories , but it was fairly drowncd by the cheers of the friends of Mr . Bright Manchester Express .
Testimonial to the Duke of Richmond . — A very numerously attended meeting of agriculturists and tenant farmers , deputed from various counties throughout the kingdom , assembled on Tuesday at the Freemasons' Tavern , Great Queen Street , to consider the best means for rendering the proposed testimonial to his Grace the Duke of Richmond , as effective as possible . Mr . John Ellman of Sussex was in the chair . A large and influential committee was appointed , and the Duke was elected President and permanent Chairman of Committees of tho Sociotr for the Protection of British Agriculture . The Duke returned thanks in a speech professing deep anxiety for the welfare of the farmer * , and of gratitude for their kindness to him , On the subject of Protection , tenant rights , and other important questions , hi « Grace was discreetly vague .
St Pancras . —On Tuesday a mcetingof the Directors and Guardians of the Poor of St . Pancras , was held in the Board room of the Workhouse . Mr . M'Gahey , the vestry clerk , stated to the Board , that he had oa Thursday last , vAKMVAVit t » appointment , attended at Somerset House , and was examined by the Poor Law Commissioners , Sir Francis Edmsind , Messrs . Lewis and Nicholls , and also an Assistant Commissioner , Mr . Hall , with a short hand writer . Mr . M'Gahey requested to be allowed to write down the questions and answers , but was refused , and
informed that a copy ofthe depositions should be given him . The inquiries were generally as to the mode of itdminiatration of relief to the out-door poor , the number of officers engaged in giving such relief , and other things connected with the management of the workhouse . Mr . M'Gahey had been under examination for about an hour at Somerset House , but he had not yet been supplied with a copy of the depositions as promised . After some slight discussion , it was resolved , that the depositions should be laid before the Directors as soon as they were forwarded to Mr . M'Gahey .
Imperial Parliament . House Of Lords. Pa...
IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT . HOUSE OF LORDS . Parliament was further prorogued on Tuesday last until Tuesday , the 10 th inst . m The Lord Chancellor and the other Lords Commissioners took their seats in front of the Throne at two o clock . In a few minutes afterwards the officers ofthe House of Commons appeared at the bar , when the Commission having been read , and tho usual forms gone through , The Lord Chancellor declared that the present Parliament stood prorogued until Tuesday , the 19 th of January imdant ; then to mvet for the despatch of divers urgent and important affairs . The ceremony only occupied a few minutes .
Experiment With Sulphuric Ether.—Mr. R. ...
Experiment with Sulphuric Ether . —Mr . R . Lucas , veterinary surgeon , of this . town , on Monday RttccessfuWy performed an operation upon a large Newfoundland bitch whilst under the influence of sulphuric ether . Mr . Lucas had to remove a tumour from the animal , and as an experiment , he placed a quantity of the ether at the bottom of a jar which had been previously heated . The head of the bitch was then introduced into tho mouth of the jar , and the animal in a moment became insensible . During the period of insensibility tho operation was performed , and the poor thing evinced not the slightest evidence of pain . In a short time the bitch recovered from the effects ofthe stupefaction , and is now doing well . —Liverpool Mheury .
Proctorul AuTHORfrr . —Cambridge is at present the scene of almost nightly riot , in consequence of the exercise of an ancient right by the Proctors , which gives but a poor idea of the morals of the University town . Unfortunate females have been hitherto taken into custody by the Proctors , and lodged in a place called the Spinning House . A short time ago , one of the girls thus forcibly carried off the streets , died in consequence of the disgraceful state in which this prison was kept , and ever since the inhabitants back up the night wanderers to this current mode of enforcing morality .
Mtsterious Death . —On Tuesday Mr . W . Carter held an inquest at Bermondsey , respecting the death of Joseph Mathow Cotton , aged 21 , who was found dead in the river . The deceased was the step son of Mr . George Downs , proprietor of tht Haberdasher ' s Arms , Iloxton . For several months past lie had given way to intemperance , and whilst under the influence of drink , his mind appeared deranged . On tbe evening of the 23 rd of Uicembar last , he besged of his sister to allow him to take more brandy , but she refused which circumstance gave him great offence , lie proceeded to his dressing room , and left
the house in great haste ; and notwithstanding every exertion on the part of the police and his relatives , nothing was heard ofhim until Saturday last , when the body of the deceased was seen floating iu the river , off Mill Stalls , Bermondsey Wall . A silver hunting watch , a pur . 'o containing money , and a bunch of keys were found upon his person . The body was in a very decomposed state , and on the crown of the head there was a large hole , no doubt caused by his falling a gainst some hard substance . The jury returned tin open verdict of " Found drowned in the river Thames . "
Poaching Affrays in Sussex . —Two dreadful conflicts have just taken place in this county , between gangs of poachers and gamekeepers . Both took place on Saturday night . In one instance Plaishley Paisk was the scene of the affray . Plaishley , situated near Ticehuwt , Tuubridge Wells , is the sent of John M'Laurcn , Esq ., and poaching having been carried on in the preserves to a great extent lately , two gamekeepers , assisted by fire look-outs , were on Saturday night set to watch in Birchem Wood , about half a mile from Plaishley . About half-past one o ' clock on Sunday morning , the keepers heard a gun shot , whereupon , Forward , the headkeeper , and two of themen , proceeded in the direction of the sound , and speedily met the poachers , ono of whom
exclaimed , " Here ' s somebody ; " and another cried , " Shoot him , " using a foul expression . The poacher so addressed lifted his gun , and shot Forward , who received the charge in his right arm , and immediately fell . The mas who bad shot sprang forward , and struck the prostrate keeper with the butt end of his gun , with such violence , that the stock snapped in two , and Forward was rendered insensible , A desperate struggle then ensued between the thve » poachers and the two lookers , but the other keepers arriving shortly afterwards , two of the poachers made off , when the third ( the man who had fired at Forward ) was secured , lie has since been examined before the Tkehurst magistrates , by whom he has been remanded for further examination . The other case occurred at plantations at B & vcorube and
Newick , where , in coua'quence of repeaUd losses of gatue , Captain Richardson and Mr . Slater employed a party of fourteen , keepers and assistants , to watch the preserves . During the night these came in collission with a gang of poachers , ten in number . The encounter was desperate , and victory declared in favour of the maraudeis . A man is in custody on a charge of being one of tiie poachers . It is reported in Lewes , that four of the keepers came off with broken heads , and that the prisoner hjs been remanded till next Monday , iu order to afford time for the keepers to recover sufficiently to give evidence . A Lawyer ' s '• Opinion ..- " Pay me tlmt six and e . tghtpcuco you owe me , Mr . Mulruoncy , " said a vi / lage attorney . " F .. r what ? " " For the opinion you had ot me . " " Faith I never had any opinion ofyoltinallmy life . "
The Fraternal Democrats/^ On The 15th Of...
THE FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS /^ On the 15 th of last month , the letter giTtn u ., was addressed to Lord Palmerston , which lettVi ?* not been acknowledged by his Lordshi p . " ^ Tho public will judge of the courtesy sf the " „ i , lord , " and his elaims to be considered a rent , * men " and a faithful " servant of the country " After patiently waiting for the term of one ' mr „ ... for " his Lordship ' s" reply , the Fraternal fcnS consider it a duty they owe to themselves to pubr v the following copy of the letter addressed to I j I ' almorston : — " ** TO TBI BICnr HON . LORD FALKEHSTON , BEE JfAJ » i , StCRETAKT OF STATE 7 BB KOUIION AIfaibi ^ * My Lord , 1 am Instructed to forward to your Lordnhip - , , enclosed copies cf " Addre «* e « " recently published bv k " Fraternal DemocraU /' . aud the " Democratic Commii ' . for Poland ' s Regeneration . " '"««
I venture to request your Lordship ' s eeriom & Ui-mto the iftid" Addressee" w , 0 tt On the 4 th inst ., I forwarded to year Lordshi p a M of certain resolutions passed at a public meeting of I * "Democratic Committee for Poland ' g Regemrati un . " ft is possible that tho said resolutions m » y not v . J " reached your Lordship , I herewith forward annt /' copy . " "' 1 roHy take this opportunity to Inform your Lordsh ' tbat I have received information that the Cottinii < i » ion ' ' ot the Metropolitan Police ForCB hare instructed cmJ " member * of that force to watch the meetings of the" r * ternal Democrats , " nwd to not . thvir proceeding if ' *' Information is correct , 1 tun hardly suppose tliat |
H , Mnjesty ' s adviser * ure rwnre of these extraorriinarv J , ceeding . of tbe Scotland Yard authorities , for which t h ™ nuts not the least necessity . The 'Fraternal D « J crats" will be happy to put Her Majesty ' s Government in possession of all documents issued ly them , tojfetbernlth . very needful ii . form . tion a . to their proceed * , without the extraneous help of police officer ., ^ hom ., ^ r ^ r 'VT ^ aUtndiD B t <> their duty , which 1 'J * •{{ 'Mr * the part of spies at political meet , injjs . 1 he !• rafcrnal Democrats , " though sarneitRKn are not conspirators ; ia propagating their views lb * , ' employ none but legal and moral means , and , eoa , ^ quently , are not fit sabjects for police eipiomija . I am ,
Your lordships obedient servaat , Gbo . Jcmas IHm ' . 16 , Great Windmill Street , December 15 th , 181 C . The Fraternal Democrats assembled on Monday evening last , in the German Society ' s Hall , Jj tur ; Lane . Ernest Joucb presided . Some new members were elected , and others aobu . tinted for admission . __ The secretary read a very interesting article from Young America on the President ' s Message ; the « . . timents of the Editor of Young Arntrica were much applauded ? ( The article will be found iu our Second Page . ) After some discuf & ion the following rules and regulations for the guidance of the society were unanimously adopted ;—
Whereas experience has shown the necessity for im . tniu regulations for the better organisation of this to . ciety » f
FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS , — it is hereby resolved : — "That this society , composed of rstives of Great Britain , France , Germany , Scandinavia , Poland , Itajj , Switzerland , Hungary and other countries , lias for its object the mutual enlightment oi its members ; and the pro . pugunda of the great principle embodied in the society ' s motto >— " AUme » are Irtihren " That the members of this society agree to adopt the following
DECLARATION OF rBlNCIrXIS . In uccordance with the above declaration of the brother . hood of the human race , we renouuec , repudiate , aud condemn all pelitieal hereditary inequaliti « s and dig . tincttona of " ca « te ' . " consequently , we regard kings , stria . toeracies , and classes monopolising political priwleges ia Virtue of their possession of propsrty , as usurpers aud violators of the principle of human brotherhood . Go . vernmeuts elected by , aud responsible to , tbeentirc people is our political creed .
YTe declare that the enrth with all its natural produe . tioasisthe common property of all ; we , therefore , d * nounce all infractions of tbis evidently just and natural law as robbery and usurpation . \ fe declare that tht present s ' ate of society which permits idlers aud schemers to monopolise the fruits of tbe earth and the pi eductions of industry , and compels the working classes to Ikbmirfor inadequate rewards , and even comdemns them to social slavery , destitution aud degradation , is ejscutullr tin . just . That labour and rewards should be equal is our social creed .
We condemn the " national" hatreds which havi hitherto divided mankind , as both foolish and wiukid ; foolish , because no one can decide for himself the cosa . try he will be burn in ; and wicked , as proved by the feuds and bloody mira which hare desolated the earth , ia consequence ef these national vanities . Convinced , too , that uafionu ! prejudices bare been , in all ages , taken » dvunUge of by tbe people ' s oppressors , totetihenv tearing the throats of each other , when they should hare beea working together for their commoa good , this society repudiates the term " Foreigner , " no matter by , or to whom applied . Our moral creed is to receive our fellow , men , without regard to " country , " as member * of one family , the human race ; and citizens of one common , wealth—tbe world . Finally , we recognise that great moral low , " Do uuto thy brother , as thou weuldst thy brother should do unto thoe , " as the great safeguard of public and prWatebappiuess , ROUES .
1 . —That tbe custom hitherto pursued in tbe election of members shall be continued , uamely , tbat any person desirous of joining tbe Society must bo proposed by two members at any one of tbe regular meetings , the proposers being held responsible for the democratic princi . pies and moral character of tbe person they noroinnW . The person nominated to be elected or rejected by a majority of votes of the members present at the next succeeding meeting . It shall be imperative for the persoa nominated to be prebent either on the night of nomiea . tiou or election to nnswer any questions the members may tbink proper to put to him , 2—That democrats residing out of London , known to , or possseseing the confidence of the society , may , if de . sirous , become members , sulject to the terms of election set forth above , with the exception of that portion ofthe rule requiring the personal attendance of the nomi . nated .
3—That to meet the cost of postage , printing , and other necessary expenses , town members shall contribute to the society ' s funds a sum of not less than one halfpenny per week . 4 . —Tbut . cotttvibutions . from honorary members for the same purpose be accepted ; such contributions to be strictly voluntary . 3 . —That any town member of the society not attending the meetings for three months , and failing to send any reasonable excuse for his absence , shall cease to be a member of the society . 6 . —That members having to leave London , arid desirous of continuing their membership , shall apprise the secretaries thereof , such members shall be considered ai honorary members until their return to London . When circumstances may permit , a meeting of members shall be holdert to take fare well ol the brother about to Ce part .
7 . —That n general secretary thai ! be seUoted from I each country rrpresrutrd in tbis society ; the whole of ) their names to be aliixed to the member ! , ' cards , und to , < all public documents issued by the society , The general a secretaries to choose from amongst themselves one i or more corresponding secretaries . 8 . —That a committee , consisting of the general se-e cretiiriee , and one additional member selected from each il country represented in this society , shall be appointed to t prepare and manage the general and financial business s of the society . 3 . —That a treasurer and financial secretary be ap- f pointed . 10 . —That tbe election of officers shall take place at i the first meeting of the society in the months ot J aauary , r April . July , mid Octobrr . 11 . —That the meetings ofthe Fraternal Demoeratsa shall be as follows . — -
Genebai . Meetings at which besides the members one or more "friends" may be introduced by a member , ( the names of the "friends" to be made known to the chairman ofthe evening , ) persons unknown to members present , may be also admitted on satisfying the door-i keepers that they belong to the National Charter A & sc . ciation , or the French , German , Polish , or other De-: mocratic Societies . Public Meetings called by placard , or other public ] advertisement , to which tho public generally , as well «* l the members shall be admitted . MtUBLRt Meetin « s called oi \ » y «« lal occasions for tb < consideration of the rules of the society , questions ol finance , 4 c , to which meetiags members ouly shall W admitted .
12—That the order of business at tho gen » r »! nwhs » iegs thall be as follows : _ Cbafv to be taken at 8 o ' cloek , Minutes of the previous meeting to be submitted fci G confirmation . Correspondence to be read . Finarcial business to be reported , and contributions rfcsr ceived . The General Secretaries to report the progress of dtofd mocratic principles in their respective countries . Discussion upon any question introduced by Uieeoitcov mittee shall then take place , any question introduced ted a previous meeting and not disposed of at that meetinjetin shall have precedence , unless a majority of the merobetubc present shall determine otherwise . A chairman aud two doovkerprri to be appointed l ' < ed i the next meeting . The chairman to vacate the chair at ten o ' clock .
1 lie Geiieral-Secrutarics previously acting wi w then re-appointed . r John Moy w . is elected Treasurer , aid Charlha : Keen , Financial Secretary . Pr . Uenier Fontaine , Ernest Jr-iies , and Josefos Moll , were elected on the Committee , tbe list lis which will be completed at the nest meeting , ag , Monday evening , January 25 th .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 16, 1847, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_16011847/page/6/
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