On this page
- Departments (2)
-
Text (10)
-
„, THE BUSISKED HANDS, THE TOSTIAK MCKBK, ASD UNSHORN CHINS.
-
Hf r Dear Emends, ¦ JTusis the tenth ann...
-
y^.fft.Ts^^a /£ 4*. ^A^^fcdfe^i
-
y^.fft.Ts^^a AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNA...
-
VOL. X. NO. 474- LONDON, SATURDAY, NOVEM...
-
THE COLLIERS AND THEIR DETRACTORS. TO TH...
-
TlIE FALL OF THREE HOUSES AT OLD BROMPTO...
-
jFart$rom6ig< iffltttmuss
-
Bbthnal Grben.—A friend will lecture at ...
-
on Monday!^ 8SS v xjdmoiden, will -str|6...
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.
„, The Busisked Hands, The Tostiak Mckbk, Asd Unshorn Chins.
„ , THE BUSISKED HANDS , THE TOSTIAK MCKBK , ASD UNSHORN CHINS .
Hf R Dear Emends, ¦ Jtusis The Tenth Ann...
Hf r Dear Emends , ¦ JTusis the tenth anniversary of the "NORTHr \ STAR "—the birthday of the only stamped , i in Europe , without one solitary exception , ^ presents the interests of the LABOURING rfiSSES from-a sense of justice . I have , through f attached the greatest importance to the value 2 Ae newspaper press , from a knowledge of its « er f ° r S 00 * or evI 1 ' and when 1 ™ ntm * ed upon K experiment of oreakin S through . & tne convent al rnies of that most powerful estate , I anticid revrard fr 0111 a successful skirmish with cor-F ^ 3 A ** n 1 * 4- * r > Ytn 4- T Mrtitnn aaIAtlloto / l nTVIII venalitybut I calculated
'Jon and : never upon ^ ;« eat victory I have achieved , as well over its J ^ sed omnipotence as over your own prejudices . i must now remind you of the time I started an opposition to the present representative system . nvras when , after three years' experience , I discogjjd the hopelessness and impossibility of bringing jpnresentedinfluencetobearuponrepresented power the House of Commons . "When I saw a national renresentation of Ireland , sufficiently strong and powerful to wei . ^ h down all opposition , fade into corruption before the blighting influence of the worst deccnption of patronage—a patronage which was so honourable to the patron and the patronized , to the g iver and the receiver , that it was accepted and
granted upon the condition that the Ministerial ally should hold a patent for abasing his patrons ; pre-Aiming , and very naturally , * that open support would jather damage than serve their cause , and the result of which has been a twelve years' rnle of the most disgusting fast-and-loose policy , making representation a farce , the constitution a mockery , and the law a S pare ; and so enamoured were the people themselves with the juggle , that they received the jugg ler as a conqueror , feasted him as a friend , and hailed him as a patriot , while in Halifax , Jn 1 S 35 , they received me suspiciously , and still , full of thankfulness for reform , asked me "NOT TO
SEPARATE THEM FROM THE WHIGS . " Such was the inauspicious time at which I essayed to collect the heterogeneous elements of which public opinion was then composed into one GREAT NATIONAL MIND ; and let us now consider what the result of my labours has been . At the time to which'I refer , no union whatever , or even sympathy , existed between the Scotch and the Eng lish people ; but , on the contrary , upon my frst visit to Scotland , I discovered the elements of
antagonism- Lord Durham , Lord Brougham , and Daniel O'Connell , had evidently looked to the calm and calculating mind of Scotland , as a safety-valve against the disappointment created in England b y the Reform BilL Sure of juggling Ireland , they ho }> ed to hem English opinion between an incipient Irish revolution and Scotch calm philosophy . Now , the union between England and Scotland is as comp lete as between Manchester and Ashton ; while I think I may flatter yon with the prospect of a not verr distant union with your Irish brethren .
I have often told you that there are three great stages in a national movement—namely , the creation of public opin OB f the organisation of public opinion , and the direction of public opinion ; and without vanity I think I may say , that the " Northern Star " has done more in nine years towards creating , organising , and directing a sound public opinion , than any or all the journals that have ever preceded it-I hare so recently published a manifesto , referring to the period since the passing of the Reform Bill , that I am spared the labour of recapitulating the several strusdes that Chartism has had with its several
enemies . But there are some subjects so large , and at the same time so unheeded by you , of which I have not previously treated , and to which I shall now call your attention . It is a very difficult task to point out the triumphs of a movement party struggling for power , their reverses , failures , and defeats , are chronicled as the fnn , the ridicule , and the triumph of authority ; and many have been puzzled . when . 5 sJ'ggj ; pnmt out the single good that Chartism had £ * o ne , while the supposed evils are prominently paraded . Upon the other hand , the two parties struggling for authority may manifest their power in skirmishes where success mav be indicative of future
tnsanpb , while no such course has been open to us but , on the contrary , our skirmishes with the enemy hare always appeared to be on the defensive , no prospect of good presenting itself even as the reward of snceess . This lias always been a sore subject with me , because 1 have felt the difficulty of combating this every day observation ; but now the time is come when you are prepared to receive , what to me appear legitimate indications of the triumph of deaocracv , and the first to which I shall refer is to
siat appears to have faded from your memories , —I Mzn the successful assault that we have made upon society and prejudices by law . Law in all other agnations was a thing only known to the movement paty for the vengeance it was sure to inflict There was seldom , indeed never , any defence fo r those charged with political offences—the bar , the highest portion of the bar , was always engaged by the faction in power , and the press , as its organ , was erer ready and willing to proclaim the law ' s legitiinsie triumph ever its UNDEFENDED VICTIM .
lerel ingenuity was employed to magnify the mildest political act into something short of high treason , and the press called the law ' s vengeance its clemency ; if a poor man who should be applauded was transported , the law was called humane for not Wardering his . Hence we learn the severe and revolting punishment inflicted upon political offenders from 1793 to 1839 , when , for the first time , bjthe pence of the poor and my own pounds , we finessed the cvery-day novelty of the flower of the Opposition bar combating the tyranny of faction ' s
tow , and not only defending Chartist prisoners , but actuall y advocating Chartist principles . So long as fte discussion of a low principle could be confined to low minds , authority felt no dread , but when it found every law court turned into a Chartist meeting-house , with a Judge presiding as Chairman and a bar defending the " accused , with an audience , if sot influencing the Jury , at least controlling the Judge , then , the principles became dangerous , because an extended legal license was given to their discussion . The newspapers , though reluctantly , were compelled to give a glimpse of our defence ,
while the House of Commons itself exercised a wholesome censorship over the cruel and unjust judge and the vindictive and partial magistrate . Here , then , was our first , our greatest , onr most remarkable and valuable triumph . We subdued the Jaw , we crushed the law , because authority would not now dare to rely upon legal tn aany as a means of crushing public opinion . It ^ a novelty to the Judge , to the Jury , to the ™ r » and to the world , to see a mere pauper defended by tie ablest counsel . "Well , then , was not this a S ^ t and a glorious triumph ? Was it not a tnu niph to see Peargus O'Connor and fifty-eight forking men , fOI & $$ iong days , with six able
barkers to defend them , struggling against the law of | hefaction in power ? Is it not something to rc-J'kein . to remember , that faction ' s assault upon " fi poorest man was our summons to the legal "scue ? in olden times , Frost , "Williams and Jo and every man connected with the Newport ** . would have been hung £ and the Queen ' s p oency in Jiaviug been graciously pleased to remit ie emhowelling and quarterings would have been Pompousl y paraded by blood-thirsty faction . Again , *** another triumph . "We have been charged as * ° Physical force party , while , if we count heads , were have been many more innocent victims to A moral force principle ' of Mr . O'Connell than to
Hf R Dear Emends, ¦ Jtusis The Tenth Ann...
the physical force principle of Chartism ; but the I difference lies here , the ABOMINATIONS of ! physical force Chartism are paraded to the world , while those of moral force repeal are buried , unhonoured and unheeded . We clamour , we sorrow , and we complain , if the most insignificant individual of our party is oppressed—while in Ireland , sympathy is only for the hig h . The next triumph to which I shall refer is , the unacknowledged influence that the "Northern Star" has had upon the press of the empire , from the highest to the lowest—from the "Times" to the "Kelso Chronicle . " Newspapers
now-a-day are not what newspapers were ; and while they will not confess their advance in literature , civilization , and liberality , to be a consequence of the"Northern Star , "they must confess that their progress in improvement is a consequence of the public opinion and mind created by the " Northern Star . " There is not a paper printed in the British dominions , that does not now more or less feel itself , and acknowledge itself , to be tributary to public opinion , and the " Northern Star" has created that public opinion . Newspapers are established for various purposes and from various motives , but all tending to an individual result—namely , remuneration to the proprietors . Some establish a paper from reliance upon a large advertising connection , some to
advocate the princip les of a knot or faction ,-some are established by wealthy communities to advance a remunerating system , some to recommend railways , some to enable the hypochondriac to kill time and destroy ennui , some to aid governments and some to oppose them , some to build up and some to pull down , but all in the hope of remunerating the speculator ; while it is upon record that I made a proposal to the proprietor of the "Leeds Times , " which would have entailed a heavy expense upon me , before I established tht "Northern Star ; " and when 1 did establish it , it was more with the view to encourage some wealthy individual in the belief that a democratic paper could live than with the hope of pecuniary recompense , or with a notion that so democratic a paper could hold its ground .
In the first view I have not been disappointed , because after all my time and all my exertion , I am a poorer man now than when I established the " Star ; " but in the second view I have been agreeably disappointed , because it has nobly held its ground ; although it has stood in imminent and frequent danger from within [ and without ; from without it has been assailed by legal persecution heretofore unknown , or at all events not tolerated since the passing of the Reform Bill , and within by parties that had all hut devoured me , presuming that the property was theirs , and that I was but an
instrument in their hands to gratify their ambition and realize their fortunes . There is this anomaly connected with the" Star , " thatmany have thriven upon my industry , while I have been the onl y sufferer . When the " Star" was wealthy , realising a profit of nearly £ 13 , 000 a year , I was poorer than when the profit became less—my purse was open to all—I was the milch cow , and , when the udder was dry , those who had been nourished would have killed the cow . Since the establishment of the " Star" I have been its editor , others taking credit and establishing fame upon my works and their own liberality , by subjecting me to heavy costs and penalties for libels . Since
the 17 th of October , 1845 , 1 have written every leader in the "Northern Star , " with perhaps one or two exceptions , and during the time that I have thus managed my own affairs , I have not heard one single complaint . I have no hesitation in telling you that the " Northern Star" has had many struggles , but it has , thank God , survived all . Independently of the law and my staff , just reflect upon the number of papers that have been established for the purpose of destroying the " Northern Star , " the number of papers that have tilted against the rock and been smashed in the encounter— "The Charter—the Champion—the Statesman—the Southern Star—the Western Vindicator—the Dundee Chronicle—the Northern
Liberator- the True Scotsman , " and a whole host of Glasgow pop-guns , have one and all ventured upon the conflict , but perished in the encounter . The next triumph to which I may direct your attention is , that of having secured a fund for the protection of our victims . Tyranny has ever relied more upon the horrible consequences of persecution of the innocent than the law ' s satisfaction upon the guilty , and . by this unjust mode of vengeance has the law been enabled to work the destruction of all democratic movements . The starving family of each victim was , as it were , a scarecrow to affright the sensitive female mind , which was sure to result in
its exercise over the husband and father ; and hence it became almost impossible to get np public meetings , lest families should be robbed of their protectors ; until we established a victim fund , and until it came into full operation the burthen of this department fell exclusively upon me , and . I may say , legitimately upon me , for I have ever held to the principle that what a gentleman makes of a political organ , he is bound to expend to the last farthing in supporting the political movement . However , the effect of a victim fund was to extract another tooth from the viper , and to give confidence to Chartist wojaen . True , I have a rig ht to complain of the smallness of this national fund , as well as its
plunder by some . Before I enter upon the consideration of general matters , allow me to advert to some particular circumstances cf which you appear to have lost sight . A mere demagogue is compelled to go with the rushing stream , not of opinion , but of imagination ; and our cause has stood more than once in danger from this necessity imposed upon the poor gentleman , of pandering to passion and excitement , while I risked all my popularity upon three several occasions by resisting the hurricane of unnatural elements .
Firstly , —I denounced and succeeded in stopping the discussion of physical force principles in the convention , at a time when the IDLE GENTLEMEN , beer-shop keepers , and speculators in enthusiasm , used it as a means of recommending themselves to the excited mind of the country . Secondly , —I successfully resisted the dangerous , illegal , partial , and unjust ulterior measures of Mr . Lovett and his supporters , which , if carried , would have made us parties to every act of violence committed in the opposition to the payment of rents and taxes .
Thirdly , —At the expense of my popularity , and of even danger to my person , I averted all that suffering and calamity which must have resulted from the observance of the sacred holiday ; a question which the poor gentlemen had lived upon for some time . Fourthl y , —Throughout the whole of our agitation I have saved you from all the horrors of secret associations , secret letter writing , and proscription ; which had been carried on to an extent that will appal you , when the time comes for writing the history of Chartism . Fifthly , —And what I am almost proudest of is , that I have written a book for labour which is
unanswered aud unanswerable ; I mean my OLD ROBIN , or refutation of Chambers' Philosophy , of which 1 am more vain than of any other act
Hf R Dear Emends, ¦ Jtusis The Tenth Ann...
Now all those things are a part of your movement . They were concoctions of weak and cowardly minds , but minds that had a controul of the excited imagination of the day , and , if not resisted , must have proved the ruin of Chartism . r , nbw turn to a consideration of the progress we have made in a social point of view , and the absence of which from all antecedent agitations has been the cause of popular failure . America , with its republic , is at this moment as much convulsed and excited by the electioneering frenzy , as England is upon similar occasions ; while , notwithstanding the protection which
a republican form of government is supposed to give , we find the anomaly of class ascendancy and inequality as great in America as in the Austrian States of Italy . We find pauperism frightfully upon the increase , while the government is mortgaging and selling the land , the national property , to sustain a most unjust war of aggression ; and we find moneymongers fattening upon that war , upon traffic in the volunteered blood of landless slaves . Now , why is this ? It is because America rose , as a man , to throw off the galling yoke of British tyranny , without having previously agreed upon what was to
have been the social result of conquest . And , hence , we find the absence of social reliance yielding to angry contest for party ascendancy . Upon the other hand , see France , with a population of nearly forty millions , more satisfied with the representation of a constituency of two hundred thousand , than England , with a population of thirteen millions , is with a constituency of one million . And . why ? Because the French people had prepared themselves with the great social result—the possession of the land , before they destroyed ^ the tyranny that withheld it from them .
Now , working men , herein consists the value , the great value , nay , the only value , of agitation , namely , that when a system which is too oppressive to live under , is denounced and doomed , that the majority of the thinking mind of the country should be tutored and instructed in the value of a system which is proposed as a substitute . The Irish got emancipation , which substituted tyrants of one sect for tyrants of another sect . The English won reform , which in the heat of excitement transferred power from the hands of one faction to the hands of another , but where was your triumph ? And if you had gained the Charter when you had gained the Reform Bill you would have been as much at
the mercy of your representatives as you are now , and if disappointment had forced you into a physical revolution , you would have been more than ever at the mercy of money and class legislation . Every country loses by the triumph of a mere physical revolution , unless the conquerors , who are always the industrious , are prepared with an instantaneous substitute ; and this brings me to the consideration of your present position . You are prepared with a social substitute so convincing , so endearing , and so certain to bring domestic happiness , that in a very short time , without a blow being struck , the only alternative of the landlord class will be , whether thev will allow the industrious to cultivate their
estates FOR THEIR OWN BENEFIT at a fair rent , -at a hi gh rent , nay , ' AT ANY RENT , or whether they will surrender them without rent . Now , my friends , believe me that this is the present position of parties . Machinery has displaced man from his natural position , while I ; have performed the Herculean labour of attaching . the whole national industrious mind to the only substitute that can be relied upon when the present system is destroyed . The science of agriculture was one wholly foreign to your minds in the prosperity
produced by infant manufactures ; was it nothing to have trained the whole mind of the country in one thought ; to have so enamoured it with one project , that it is now acting as a monitor to the usurpers of the soil ? The land plan , in itself embracing thousands as it does , is but a bubble , but the spray of the ocean , while as a question it is becoming the all-absorbing topic . Eleven years ago I told you that if the land was locked up I would not g ive you three straws for the Charter , and I now tell you that the great triumph of Chartism has been , that in the fire of the national mind I have been enabled
to forge the key which will unlock the land , and I have" created a love for it , which tells the landlords that even a physical revolution cannot crush , and will soon convince them that the land doctrines and principles are becoming so ] powerful and irresistible , that they will have but the option of surrendering all to a revolution which I could not successfully resist , or of yielding them to the national demand by bringing them into the retail market . Here then is the great value of our movement—it tells the aristocracy what they are to expect as the result of longer resistance to the
national demand . It has taken me nine years to instruct the nation in this science . I stood alone , gibbeted for the jeers of the press , the scoff of fools , and the laughing stock of knaves , not a journal in England , or in the world , to sustain me but , on the contrary , all hired to proclaim me as a madman ; but now , how changed the scene ; even the " Morning Chronicle " sees in my plan the only protection for society and the state , while all are beginning to nibble at it , giving mutilated extracts from my
works and writings , as if the pirates were the originators and pioneers . Well , then , I never could have accomplished this without the " Northern Star . " From 1831 to 1837 I spent a fortune , a large fortune , which I have not recovered from 1837 to 1846 , and yet in the previous period I could effect but little by travelling , and talking , and bribing the press . What I did was local , partial , insignificant , but now it has hecomejiational and therefore powerful .
\\ e are told "there is nothing new under the sun , " but I contend for it that my Laud plan is a novelty , and that the "Star" has ' been the means of nourishing it into nationality—the "Star" has brought you together in Labour Conferences ; it has brought England , Ireland , and Scotland together in London , at Birmingham , and Manchester ; it has enabled Patrick O'Hi ggins to disseminate principles and sentiments which the press of his own country had not the courage to publish ; it has allowed me the hig h gratification of associating with working men , and at the same time preserve their reject , as it is my pride to boast that I have never heard an unbecoming , obscene , indecent , or immoral sentence escape a working man ' s lips during the whole time
of my agitation . Well , then , is not this a triumph ? And , however scoffed at by fools , is not mine a position that monarchs may envy ? Is it not worth being poor for ? Aud should I not ri ghteously boast of poverty while I can turn to the richness of ray works ; a patriot should live usefully , frugally ; and honestl y , and should die a pauper ; but I am not poor , there is great wealth in store for me , for I will be abundantly rich when in August next I go from Worcester to Hertfordshire , from the two lips of labour ' s smiling mouth , through the barren estates of feudal lords , that press heavil y upon population , and when I reap my reward in the smiling countenance of the happy housewife and the contented peasant , when I receive more than payment in the
Hf R Dear Emends, ¦ Jtusis The Tenth Ann...
healthful and cheering appearance of their little children , and when I am a welcome and honoured guest fib every freeman ' s board , and when , like the proud Peruvian , I can look around upon that doraestic happiness and say , « THIS , THIS IS MY WORK , "then I shall be rich , then I shall receive a reward which monarchs could not bestow , and the " Northern Star " has done this . I remain , Your ever faithful friend , Fkargus O'Connor .
Y^.Fft.Ts^^A /£ 4*. ^A^^Fcdfe^I
y ^ . fft . Ts ^^ a / £ 4 * . ^ A ^^ fcdfe ^ i
Y^.Fft.Ts^^A And National Trades' Journa...
AND NATIONAL TRADES' JOURNAL .
Vol. X. No. 474- London, Saturday, Novem...
VOL . X . NO . 474- LONDON , SATURDAY , NOVEMBER 21 , 1846 . ^ . SIS iSES ^ V ™
The Colliers And Their Detractors. To Th...
THE COLLIERS AND THEIR DETRACTORS . TO THE EDITOtt OF THE KOBTBEBH STAB . Dbar ^ Sir , —I hope yon will do us the justice to insert the inclosed resolution in your next paper , and also givew the name of the person styling Himself a Chartist collier , who , I can assure you , has been palming apon ? your good nature , and writing the most gross falsehoods respecting our lecturers and other officials for some base purpose . At any rate the seeds of dissension have been sown , and unless something is done to counteract its growth , you will be , IrauaiBfty it , and'I say , it fearlessly , the main causeWthe ' evil through your credulity in g iving publicity to letters calculated to do injury , without
making any inquiry as to the facts . Allow me , therefore , again . to request you to give up the name of your correspondent , and also publish my solemn asseveration that his letter is one continued tissue of malignant falsehood , and slanderous libels upon the officials and lecturers , which I shall be prepared to prove as soon as I know with whom I have to deal . As regards the lecturers striving to injure the Northern Star , I hare on a former occasion stated , and I again reiterate the statement— 'tis a base lie . Yours respectfully , Wm . Grocott , Secretary to the miners of Larcashire .
Copy of resolution passed nem . eon . at a meeting of the delegates at Rugby , representing the Lancashire miners , on Monday last , the 16 th of November . 1846 : — " That this county delegate meeting consider the article inserted in the last number of the Northern Star to be a cross and wilful libel upon our lecturers and ether officials , and we agree for the officials to answer it if they think proper , as we have the greatest confidence in our lecturers and leaders ; nor do we thank the Editor of the Star or any other person for interfering with the affairs of the Miners Association , as we consider ourselves fully comuetent to manage our own business . We also
request the Editor of the Star to give up the name of the Chartist collier , who is evidently doing all he can to cause disunion in our ranks , and who is manly enough to stab in the dark , but who has not courage to give his name or address . " Signed on behalf of the miners of Lanchashire , " Wm . Meadow , General Treasurer ; John Hall , General Secretary ; Robert Marsh , Edmund Kershaw and Wm . Cheetham , Executire Committee ; Wm . Meadowcroft , County Treasurer ; and Wm . Grocott , County Secretary . " P . S . —We trust you will do us the justice to insert this as publicly as you did the charge against
us . | We freely give insertion to the above , and only wish that the Colliers had evinced a more timely objection to our interference in their concerns ; that is , before we incurred a heavy less rather than withhold news from them , which was published ONLY IN THE " STAR . " We have received many votes of thanks for our previous interference from those who now command our non-interference , but in reply to this portion of the appeal , we beg to assure the parties that we shall still continue to exercise our judgment , and to criticize without further interference upon their part than the right to reply , which shall be at all times afforded . We have frequently been requested to publish communications signed
" A Working Miner , & c , & e ., " and it is rather too hard for those who sought anonymous protection for themselves , now to chastise us for according it to others ; it is rather too hard upon the other hand , to saddle , upon-our credulity a result which but for our interference , may otherwise have occurred . This mode of dealing with the question , very forcibly reminds us of Mr . O'Connell ' s tactics , resorted to , to break up the Repeal movement , and then saddling it upon the physical force men . In Mr . Grocott's integrity , zeal , and ability , we have the most unbounded confidence , and instead of bristling up in a body at our comment , those who have appended their name to tho resolution should have borne in mind , that we referred to private slander more than to public observation , which is justifiable , and that we observed that " one scabby sheep infects a whole flock . " Wc never doubted , as we stated , the
sincerity of the lecturers or the managing body . We said that our comment was to be so read , and therefore we find nothing to apologise for , while at the same time , we beg most respectfully to decline furnishing the name of our correspondent , which the requisionists themselves would be the first to censure us for ; and they should bear in mind that we stopped a correspondence upon the same subject some months ago , which bore the name of the writer . In conclusion , we beg to assure the requisionists that we have received other letters , not intended for publication , from workingminers . stating their perfect satisfaction at themanner in which the affairs of the society have been conducted . Honest and straightforward lecturers and managers stand in no danger from criticism , while we would strongly recommend those who have objections to urge to state them openly , instead of SLYLY IN PUBLIC HOUSES . —Ed . N . S . ]
Tlie Fall Of Three Houses At Old Brompto...
TlIE FALL OF THREE HOUSES AT OLD BROMPTON . On Wednesday , Mr . Mills resumed the inquest , at the Hoop and Toy Tavern , Old Brompton-road , on the body of James Casey , whose death was occasioned by the fall of three houses in course of erection in Alfred-place West , Thurlow-square , Old Brompton , on Thursday last . John Collins , labourer , said : I was engaged on Thursday last , with deceased , on a scaffold round some chimneys . We were about to come down , and had got on the ladder for that purpose , when the whole of the scaffolding gave way , and we were thrown to the ground . I became insensible , and know nothing more until I found myself at home . By the Coroner : Can you assign any reason for the scaffolding giving way ?—Witness : I cannot ; 1 am sure it was put up securely , as I assisted to do it .
Did you ever notice the bricks that were used m the building ?—Witness : I have , and also the mortar . I have seen better , and also worse . Have you ever heard persons complain of the quality of the materials used ?—Witness : Never . There were certainly a great many bata among the bricks . Do you think the houses were run up faster than necessiry ?—Witness : No . Mr . Ernest Jones , a barrister of the Middle Temple , who said he was instructed to watch the proceedings on bthalf ot the friends of the deceased , wished to ask witness what he considered the fair proportion of lime and sand for making mortar ?—Witness : Four bushels of sand and one of lime . What sand do you consider most proper to be used ? —Witness : Thamessand . What sand was used on this occasion ?—Witness : Very good sand .
riiat is not my question . Where did the sand come from ?—Witness : Fr : mMr . Holmes ' s
brickfield . Do you consider that very good sand ?—Witness : lam no judge . Coroner : Did you make the mortar ?—Witness : Yes Is not bad mortar made sometimes for the sake of cheapness ?— Witness : I believe it is . Whenmortarismadeup . caii a person acquainted with budding matters tell by the look if it is good ? —Witness : Yes . Who gave you directions about making the mortar ?—Witness : No one . Were you told to make it cheaply ?—Witness : No . If you had been going to live in the house , would you have made any difference in the materials ?— . Witness : Yes , I should certainly . What difference would you have made ?—Witness : Well , I can ' t say ,
You said you would make a difference , and you must know what that difference would be . —Witness : I should put an extra half-bushel of lime to every lour bushels of sand . Mr . E . Jones : Did you ever make mortar for Mr . Freeke ?—Witness : Yes . Mr . E . Jones : Would you have used different proportions of lime and sand at Mr . Freek ' s ?—Witness : Pcihap * I might . Mr . E . Jones : Would you have put more sand ?—Witness : No . Mr . E . Jones : Then , how much more lime would you have put '—Witness : Half a bushel .
Tlie Fall Of Three Houses At Old Brompto...
Did ycu think you would please Mr . Holmes by putting less lime ?—Witness : No . Then why did you use less lime for Mr . Holmes than you were always in the habit of using for Mr . Freek!—Witness : Don't know . Did Mr . Holmes tell you to put less lime ?—The Witness , when pressed upon the subject , complained of being weak , and withdrew . The Coroner said he was sorry he sheltered himself nnder the p lea af weakness , as he ( the coroner ) was very certain the witness could tell more if he p leased . Thomas Stockwell , bricklayer : I was employed by Messrs . Emmons in building the house in Alfredplace . I have examined the materials used . I think they were quite good enough . I never objected to the bricks or mortar . If I had been building a house for myself , I should have used similar materials . I did not see the mortar mixed .
Coroner : —What proportions of lime and sand were used?—Witness : I believe three barrows of sand to one of lime . Mr . E . Jones : Do you consifot the proportions of 4 to 1 would make good mortar?—Witness : No ! It would not be good . Coroner : It has been sworn here that there were four barrows to one , instead of three . Patrick Morra : Was never told how to mix mortar . By Mr . Jones : Thinks the proportions he used were four to ono .
Mr . E . Jones : Did you ever work on any public works?—Witnesit Yes . On the Great Weatevn Railway . Mr . E . Jones : Did you mix mortar there?—Witness : Yes . How much more lime did you use in proportion ? —Witness : —Dont ' t know . One bushel . Were you told how to make it by an overlooker ? —Witness : No . The overlooker sometimes came , but it was left to me . Did yon always , while there , make it in the same proportions ?—Witness : —Yes . Were you long employed on the Great Western ? —Witness : Yes . Is it usual for a workman , using his own discretion , who has made mortar in one way during a long period , to make it differently afterwards without a reason ?—Witness : No .
As you had been so long in the habit of using one barrow of lime to three of the sand on the Great Western , why did you use one barrow of sand more at Mr . Holmes ' s?—Don't know . Did you think that you would please your employers by so doing ?—Witness : No . A juror : Did you ever complain of the houses being run up too fast ?—Witness : No . It was very wet at first , but still I think sufficient time was allowed . Coroner : flow do you account for the accident ? —Witness : I cannot form an opinion . The scaffolding was built in an ordinary way . I consider the chimneys were quite safe . There were eleven labourers engaged on the work .
By a Juror : You have worked at a number of buildings ; have you ever seen tie-bonds ?— Witness : I have , and had them on this occasion . There were iron ones also , which were bound over . Juror : Do you think they are as safe as the old system ?—Witness : Certainly not . Coroner : Do you suppose the want of wood in the walls caused the fall ? — Witness : I cannot say that ; but 1 think they ought to allow us to use more wood . Coroner : Did Mr . Blore ever order you to take down any part of the wall?—Witness : Yes ; and it was taken down and rebuilt . Coroner : Did you ever see Mr . Donaldson , the district surveyor , at the works giving directions ?—Witness : I have sein him there , but he never gave me any directions . He inspected the houses , but never made any complaint .
Mr . E . Jones : Mr . Donaldson stated on the previous investigation that he did complain . Thomas Staneltng , a carpenter , residing at King ' s-Ilead i . ' ow . Old Brompton , said : I was in the third house on Thursday evening . I was in the kitchen at the time . I made my escape as fast as possible , and had scarcely got out of the house before it fell . Coroner : What , in your opinion , caused the accident ?—Witness : 1 consider in consequence of the wet weather that prevailed when they were commenced , that they had been run up too quick , The underwork had not sufficiently set to bear the weight of the upper part . Mr . E . Jones . How long do you consider the houses ought to have taken building ? Witness : two months . How long did they take ? Witness : Five weeks .
Coroner : Do you suppose the chimneys were too heavy , and by their falling the rest of the buildings were forced down ?—Witness : No , I think the party wall bulged in the middle , about the second floor ; the scaffolding was asufficien t support to prevent the chimneys from toppling . Do you consider that there is any deficiency in the bonds used?—Witness : I do . We are not allowed to put wood in the party walls , and iron will not stand so well as wood . This is my own as well as the opinion of every person with whom I have ever worked . Do yo think bo nd timber would have been more secure ?—Witness : Most decidedly .
The Coroner here stated , that , as sufficient evidence appeared to have been gone into , the Jury would be prepared to consider their verdict , but was interrupted by the announcement that another witness was ready to be examined . Who is he ? Parish Officer : —A bricklayer ' s labourer . Coroner : We need not hear him ; we have heard sufficient evidence from them . Mr . E . Jones : I should wish a competent surveyor to be appointed to examine the fallen buildings , and to pass his opinion on the materials used . Coroner : 1 cannot consent to that ; I think the materials may have deteriorated by the fall , and that would be unfair evidence . Mr . E . Jones : The quality of the mortar used could be ascertained .
The Coroner still objeeted , and was about to call upon the Jury to consider their verdict , when , amidst much confusion in the body of the hall Mr . Jones insisted upon being permitted to ask a few questions of Mr . Blore , the landlord ' s surveyor . Coroner : What is the nature of the questions you would ask ? Mr . E . Jones : Relative to the nature of the materials . Mr . Blore : I think the mortar was not good . There ought to have been more lime . Mr . E . Jones : What is your opinion of the sand used!—Witness : I think it was " bad sand . I told them not to use it , but I cannot be answerable for what is done behind my back . What proportion of lime and sand is necessary for making good mortar ?—Witness : 3 to 1 . Were those proportions used in this instance ?—Witness : No ! I fear there was not so much lime .
Mr . Holmes ' s solicitor here asked Mr . Blore whether Mr . Holmes ' s hou : es were not as good as Mr . Richardson's . Mr . Ernest Jones objected to this question being put . The question was not whose houses were the best , but by whose fault a poor working man met his death . The Coroner : Certainly , the question cannot be entertained . Mr , E . Jones : Did you approve of the bricks used ?—Witness : The bricks used were not good enough for town houses . I objected repeatedly to Mr . Chappie and to the foreman about their use , and Mr . Holmes assured me they should not he used . They were used notwithstanding . Too many bats were med . Bats wore used in the footlinss .
Coroner : What do you consider was the immediate cause of the houses falling ?—Witness : The rapidity with which they were run up—the men runninjr up the ladder , which was three stories high must have produced oscillation , whicli caused them to topple over . There cannot be anything gained in working up a wall more than 4 or 5 feet at a time as the first part will shrink , causing a crack , which will become more evident as the work proceeds . Nothing can justify the work being raised higher in any particular part than one scaffold , and where it comes down the workmen are certainly answerable for all the evils which result from such palpable oversight . Coroner : Have you the power to compel the buildings to be erected according to your order , or stop the works ?—Witness : No : I cannot stop the works , but I can withhold the certificate for the lease .
Coroner : Mr . Donaldson has the power by the act of Parliament to see that the materials are good , or stop the works , has he not ? Witness : If he objected he should give the builder notice , and he would have to take' them down , and there is a penalty upon the builder for not complying with the provisions of the act , Mr . Ernest Jones here requested the Coroner to wider Mr . Holmes to produce his agreement with Messrs . Emmens . The Coroner objected , amidst a general outcry from the jurors , among whom were several builders , against its production , Mr . E . Jones : It is an important point in the evidence .
Coroner : I do not see what it has to do with It . Mr . E . Jones : I understand that Mr . Holmes agreed with Mr . Emmens for the building of the
Tlie Fall Of Three Houses At Old Brompto...
houses at 60 s . per rod of brickwork , he finding the bricks . I am prepared to shew , that , at the lowest computation , the cost of lime , sand , and labour , and erection of scaffolding , would come to far more than 60 s . per rod , if fair materials were used . The Coroner , amid much confusion , stated that he could not consent to the production of the agreement , or enter into further evidence . Mr . Jones here rose to offer a few observations , bufr was prevented by the Coroner . The . room was then cleared of strangers , and after deliberating for nearly two hours , the Jury returned the following special verdict : — " That the deceased man was killed by the falling of certain houses in Alfred-place West , Old Brompton , and that the houses so fell because they were not securely built . And in returning this verdict the Jury express their conviction ( founded upon the evidence produced .
before them ) , that the said houses were built more rapidly than they ought to have been , considering the dampness of the weather , the height of the houses ; and the directions of the Act of Parliament , whica compelled the builder to construct the party-wall without bond timbers . At the same time , the Jury hope , that next year the erection of-party-walls , with and without bond timbers , will be made a subject for leg'slative investigation , through the evidence ., of practical working builders , carpenters , and bricklayers , with a view to ensure safer modes of erecting places chiefly constructed of bricks : ; . The Jury , moreover , cannot separate without siating their conviction , that the more effectualrevisib ' n of the work in all its divisions was not exercised by the persons having authority over it all the time when the houses n question were being built . "—The inquiry lasted , everal hours , and excited great interest .
Jfart$Rom6ig≪ Iffltttmuss
jFart $ rom 6 ig < iffltttmuss
Bbthnal Grben.—A Friend Will Lecture At ...
Bbthnal Grben . —A friend will lecture at the-Whittington and Cat , Church Row , on Sunday evening , November the 22 nd , at eight o ' clmk . Subject—The Land and Commerce ; their relative capabilities of producing independence . —On Tuesday evening , a special meeting of the Land branch will be held at 8 o ' clock . ¦ ¦ v ^ Hutv ' tv . '; . ^ iZ ^& S &^ SFzM Bolton . —The Chartists '" atT Bolton inform ' their friends , that they have taken a large meeting room in Market Street , entrance at the Commercial Inn Yard . Open every Sunday from 10 o ' clock in the forenoon until 9 at night . On Monday evening from half-past seven o ' clock to 10 ; also on Thursday and Saturday evenings . All letters for the Chartists of Bolton must be directed to William Woodhead Pickvance , 18 , Duncan street , Bolton . City op London . —A special general meeting wil be held in the hall , Turnagain Lane , on Sunday evening , Nov . 22 at 6 o ' clock .
Stalt Bridge . —A public meeting of the Power Loom weavers will be he held in their meeting room , No . 55 King Street , on Tuesday the 24 tn of Nov . Brighton—Artichoke Ins Locality . —A special meeting of members of the Chartist Co-operative Land Company , will be held on Monday evening-, Nov . 23 . Manchester—On next Sunday evening , Nov . 22 , 1846 , Mr . Thos . Clarke of the Executive Council , will lecture in the People ' s Institute . Chair to be taken at half-past six . Sheffield . —On Sunday , Nov . 22 nd , a discussion will take place in the Democratic Temperance Room , 33 , Queen Street . Subject—whether man was more happy before the introduction of theology , or since its introduction . " Chair to bo taken at eight o ' clock .
Huddersfield . —The members in this district will meet on Tuesday evening next , the 2-ith inst ., at Turner ' s Temperance Hotel , wl ^ n the election for the delegate to the Birmingham Conference will take place . Birmingham . —A general meeting of the shareholders of the Chartist Co-operative Land Company will take place on Monday evening next , Nov . 23 rd , at No . lll . Rea-street , to elect a delegate to the Conference , at 8 , o ' clock . Mottram . —On Sunday , November 22 nd , at two o ' clock , will be held a public meeting of the shareholders in the Land Company in the Lecture Room , opposite the Bulls-head , Mottram . At a meeting of our Land members , held on the loth inst ., it was unanimously agreed : — " That Mr . Robert Wild should be put in nominnation , to represent the district branches in Cheshire at the forthcoming Land Conference .
Nottingham . —The members of the Chartist Cooperative Land Company in Branch No .- 1 , paying Mr . J . Sweet in both sections , will meet in the large room at the Seven Stars , in Baker Gate , on Monday evening next , November 23 rd , at seven o ' clock , Oldham . —On Sunday ( to-morrow ) Mr . M'Grath , one of the Executive committee , will lecture in the School-room of the Working Man ' s Hall , Subject : — '' The Charter and the Land . " Chair to be taken at six o clock in the evening . The members of the Land Company , will meet in the above room & two o ' clock in the afternoon for the purpose of electing a delegate to the Land Conference , to be held in Birmingham on the ith of December ,
Halifax . —Mr . Bawdcn will lecture on Sunday ( to-morrow ) evening , at half-past six o ' clock , in the Working Mun ' s Hall . The Library committee will meet this ( Saturday ) evening at seven o ' clock , the room will also be open at eight o ' clock , for reading the Northern Star and other papers . Towkr Hamlkts—Dr . M'Douall will lecture . Subject : — " The Charter and the Land , " at the Pewter Platter , White Lion-street , Norton Folgate , on Tuesday evening , November 24 th at eight o ' clock precisely . Metropolitan Committee . —This body will hold its ' next meeting at S 3 , Dean-street , Soho , on Tuesday evening next , Nwvember 24 th , at eight o ' clock precisely . The Patriots ' , Victims ' , Widows ' , and Orphan ' s Relief Committee will also meet at the same place and same hour , for the transaction of important business .
Marylebwe Working Man ' s Hall . —A general meeting of shareholders will be held at the Coach Painter ' s Arms , Circus-street , on Sunday evening next , November 22 nd , at seven o ' clock precisely . Newcastle-ox-Tynb . —The members of the Chartist Co-operative Land Company are respectfully informed , that Mr . Martin Jude was nominated as delegate for this district , by this branch , on Sunday evening , November Kith , and the members are requested to attend the meeting at Martin Jude's on Sunday evening , November 22 nd , and at six o'clock to proceed with the election , and settle other important business . The members of the National Charter Association are particularly requested to attend at the same time and place , to nominate a new portion of the general council of the National Charter Association .
Dewsbury-gate . —A meeting of the members of the Chartist Co-operative Land Company in this district , will be held in the Chartist-room . Bond-street , ai 2 o ' clock in the afternoon , when all shaieholders will have an opportunity to record their votes for a candidate for the Birmingham Conference . Misers Intelligence—The next general delegate meeting of Lancashire Miners , will be held at the Bull ' s Head , Lamberhead-green , Peraberton , near Wigan , on Monday , the 30 ih November . Chair to be taken at 11 o ' clock in the forenoon . There will also be a public meeting , which will be addressed by W . P . Roberts , Esq ., and several of the accredited agents of the Miners'Association .
Leicester . —The shareholders of the Chartist Cooperative Land Company , are requested to meet at 67 , Church-gate , to elect a delegate for the Land Conference , and to nominate a local Secretary and Treasurer , also the Co-operative Provision Company meet in the afternoon at two o ' clock , at the same place , to elect their directors . Working men that wish to take the advantage of co-operation , will do well by attending , as there is a few more shares to dispose of . Stockport . —A general meeting of the shareholders oljithe Land Company , will be held injthe committee-room of the Chartist Institution , Bomber ' s Brow , on Monday evening , at S o ' clock , to elect a delegate to the Land Conference , to be held at Birmingham . Mr . William Dixon will lecture hereon Sunday ' next , at 0 o ' clock in the evening ,
Hull . —The shareholders of the Chartist Co-operative Land Company are requested to attend a general meeting next Sunday evening , Nov . 22 nd , at the Ship Inn , Church-lane , for the purpose of electing a delegate to the Birmingham Conference , and other important business connected with this branch . City Locality . — On Sunday morning next , the reading Society will meet and discuss several articles from C ' obbett ' s Cottage Companion , to commence at eleven o clock . On Sunday evening at six o ' clock , the National Charter Association will meet , when every member is requested to attend , the meetingswill take place in the coffee-room . Mr . Emesb Jones' lectures will not take place until further notice in consequdnce of various alterations in the hall . Barnsley . —The forthcoming Conference . — The candidates for the forthcoming Conference , Peter Eoe . v and John Vallance of Barnsley : George Barnett of Hull , and George Cavill of Sheffield . °
Shoreditch . —A lecture will be delivered next fuesday evening , at 122 , Brick-lane , Railway Engine Coflee House , By J . II . Shepherd Subject : " The Land ; " to commence at six o ' clock . Cabmsle . —A meeting of the members of the above branch of the Chartist Co-operative Land Company will beheld at the meeting room , No . 6 , John-street , Caldewgatc , on Sunday next , November 22 , at two o ' clock in the afternoon . Business of great importance in connexion with the forthcoming Conference will be laid before the meeting , and a delegate elected
. . _ . .... Barnsley The votes for the Conference will be received in Mr . AcKlam ' s room , on Sunday afternoon , from four to seven o ' clock , and ning , from seven to ten . Rochdal e . - James Mooney , from lecture in the Chartist Room , MUl evening next , at six o ' clock . Allk n iUvKsroiiT . —A Ball for Davenport will take place next November 23 rd , at the Hall of Scien
On Monday!^ 8ss V Xjdmoiden, Will -Str|6...
on Monday !^ 8 SS v xjdmoiden , will -str | 6 sf \> n Sunday ^ I the ^ hejaiefit of Mr , MdridOy evening , « H ( jitjiroad . id on Monday eve * - v . 43 /" ^ ' ^\ n @ fn . oi den , will ' 3 ! -strgpfon Sunday * 3 thereat of Mr . - v { i Mdriday evening , ,. ^ en ®} Qitjriroad . , ' .- fe / F c \\ * % ^ V j ^ l ^ - v *
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 21, 1846, page 1, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_21111846/page/1/
-