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Northern Star (1837-1852), 24th January 1852, Edition 2 of 2, Page 5, ©Wist ImitHigtttw

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      National Association Op United Trades. T...

      oin hate but little influence upon the question in its present aspect . That learned Judge , in his late published letter , evidently starts upon an assumed and erroneous basis , which renders all his subsequent conclusions trifling and Jlis Lordship commences his admonitory letter , written nominally to Lord Ashburton , but really to tbe Executive of the Aunlgunated Engineers , by an enumeration of what he conceives the grounds of complaint or dispute . First : — and my Lord says , mainly : — " That the masters employ unskilled labourers . Secondly , that they get a portion of their work done by contract , through the medium of undertakers , who employ men at any price they can get them for , to complete the work so contracted for ; and thirdly , the ' men insist that unless upon occasions of especial emertrencv . the masters ought not to employ workmen beyond

      the ordinary hours of work . " Upon eicb . and all these questions his lordsbJp , by that peculiar mode of reasoning for which gentlemen of his profession are so widely and so justly famed , proceeds to argue that the men are wholly morally , though not legally wrong , and that the masters are both morally and legally H"ht . * ftow with respect to the first question , his lordship has teen clearly , and perhaps intentionally , misinformed . The Executive of the Amalgamated Society never officially mide any such demand as the removal of unskilled labourers from their master ' s works ; and since they have been charged with it , they have publicly and by advertisement repudiated it . The whole of his lordship ' s arguments upon this , the main question , as his lordship terms it , is of course beside the question ; the arguments upon theotherquestion , the required abandonment of systematic overtime and piecework , may be compressed within a very small space .

      It is necessary for the adequate productiveness of capital that its possessors should have the uncontrolled power of driving hard bargains with their workmen individually , who would thus be forced to accept almost any terms , because his labour being his only wealth , his master could « asily starve him into compliance ; and this is whati w meant by the freedom of labour . Any attempt to place the individual labourer by combining him with his fellowmcn , and thus placing him upon terms of greater equality with bis employer , is considered as a great cruelty and an undue interference with his individual freedom . Any attempt by the skilled engineers , or any other trade , to protect the value of their labour from deterioration by Ihe unlimited admission of apprenticns , dtc , is another invasion of the riehts of capital , and yet the legal , clerical , and medical

      -crafts are hedged round by legislative and local pains and ipenaltiea from the unhallowed intrusion of the non-privileged , whatever may be his fitness or capabilities . These anomalies are too palpable for the present day , and < we rejoice to find that so powerful and influential a trade as the engineers have determined to try the co-operatno apatem as a remedial agent We see no necessity for a class x ) f men arrogating to themselves the most unlimited power and control over the free action of their fellow-men , and making the most ridiculous pretensions to a superiority which it would puzzle any one to discover . Capital and Labour are really the two essentials of production , and by every consideration of right and common sense they onght to work together in harmony and combination , and not like two opposing and irreconcileable

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      Meeting Of 30tsers Asd Carpenters. Bsisi...

      MEETING OF 30 TSERS ASD CARPENTERS . Bsisiol . —At a general meeting of the Society , held at ice Golden Lion , Hadeliffe-street , on Monday evening , the following resolution was adopted : — " That we , the Carpenters and Joiners of Bristol , in general union , believing it to be the incumbent duty of every trade to bring all their moral ii . fluence to bear against . the oppressor , of labour wherever he mavbe found , beg to tender our sincere and heartfelt sympathy with the Engineers and Machinists , iu their noble defensive struggle with the united conspiracy of capital against labour . " The meeting took a lively interest in the present crisis between labour and capital and considered the conduct of the master Engineers snd Machinists most tyrannical and despotic , and that the appeal of the Amalgamated Society , for doing away with piecework and overtime , was both reasonable and gust , especially with our present redundant labour market , and hoped that all trades would speak out as becomes Englishmen , against such wanton agsression . Signed Jons Rogebs , Chairman .

      PUBLIC MEETING OF THE BUILD 15 JG TRADES . A public meeting of the persons composing these trades 'was held on Wednesday evening , at the National Hall , Solborn , for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for the formation of an Association of all the Building Trades , to maintain the principle of the movement , for leaving their labour at four o ' clock on the Saturday afternoon . The attendance , owing to the unfavourable state of the weather , was not so numerous as had been anticipated . Shortly after eight o ' clock , Mr . Webster was called to the chair , and opened the proceedings by alluding to tbe general apathy manifested by working men , unless the shoe actually pinched them . Whilst the strike lasted all was enthusiasm ; but now they seemed to be careless of guarding their own interests by forming the association , the projects of which would that

      evening be laid before them . Mr . Greenfield , the secretary , laid before the meeting the balance sheet of the income and expenditure since their last meeting ; and also a programme containing the objects of the proposed association . 1 . " The association to be called 'The . Permanent Pour © 'Clock Association / established for the purpose of securing to the Building Trades the privilege of leaving work at four o'clock on Saturdays , to be paid a full day ' s wages for the same . " 2 . " To obtain , if possible , a suitable place to hold meetings , for tbe members of tho Building Trades to discuss any grievance , or any other important matter relativetothebuilding classes . " S . " This association shall be composed of members of the Building Trade , who subscribe to its funds and agree to be governed by its laws . " To carry out these general principles a code of regulations were agreed to .

      Mr . Tdef briefly addressed the meeting in support of the newly-formed association . A considerable number of members were enrolled , and the meeting adjourned .

      THE AMALGAMATED SOCIETY OP ENGINEERS . LORD CRASWOItTfl'S OPINION OF TBE QUESTIONS

      AT ISSUE . Lord Ashburton has caused the publication of the annexed important letter from Lord Cran worth as to the differences between the masters and men . It appears that the Operatire Engineers requested Lord Ashburton to act as an arbitrator between them and their employers , in consequence of which he consulted Lord Cranwortb , whom tho operatives wished to place at the head of tbe council of arbitration . The result will be shown by a perusal of Lord Cranworth ' s letter , which is as follows : — " 40 , Upper Brook-street , Jan . 10 . "Dear Lord Ashburton , —Since I saw your lordship this morning I have been thinking more and more of the unfortunate matter to which our conversation referred . I confess it is one which gives me great pain , and the more so because I cannot hut come to the conclusion that the men

      are in the wrong . The masters have greater wealth , and perhaps , therefore , greater instruction , if not greater intelligence on their side . I wish , therefore , not . unnaturally , that in talking over the matter with you I could take the fart of the weaker body ; but I really cannot . " The points on which the men insist are , first and mainly that the masters employ unskilled labourers , i . e ., labourers wLoare content to accept low wages , to do a part of the work heretofore done by skilled , i . e ., by comparatively expensive labourers ; and , secondly , that they get a portion of their work done by contract witii persons who perform their part of the contract by employing the workmen to do by piece or task work what they have contracted to get done ; and , lastly , the men insist that , unless on occasions of special emergency , the masters ought not to get work done by employing workmen overtime , i . e ., at hours beyond the ordinary hours of work .

      "Now I confess that , on all these points , I think the men are entirely in the wrong . The masters ought , surely , to be at liberty to employ whomsoever they way p ' ease for each and every portion of the work . If it is work only to 4 e done well by skilled workmen , they must employ skilled workmen , and unless they do so the work will be badly done , and the masters will he the sufferers . If it is not work reqniriiif ; stilled workmen , on what possible principle can the masters be called on to employ them ? The master ought to be at liberty to employ whom he may choose . Ot course , tbe workman must equally bo left at liberty toaccept the terms offered by the master and work , or to reject those terms and abstain from working . Both parties ought

      to be left at perfect liberty to do what they think most for their own interest . So as to piecework and work overtime —all the relations between employer and employed are or -ought to be those of contract between two perfectly free agents . The master may propose whatever terms he « hooses ; the workmen may accept or reject those terms . In such a state of things , when there are no combinations on either side , the result must eventually be fair and just to both sides . If the master proposes what is harsh and unreasonable he will get no workmen to work for him . If , on the other hand , a workman insists on terms which fetter the master the master will not give emp loyment , and the workman will be unemployed . between those

      " The . misfortune is , that in these disputes who work and those who employ workmen things never are left to take their natural course i . c „ tbe course they would take if each dispute was merely an individual dispute . Both aides avail themselves ef the privilege which the law gives them of combining . I believe the law has done wisely in allowing these combinations . It is never politic to prohibit by law that which certainly will exut whether tolerated or not . But the misfortune is , that in the game ( so to say ) of combination , the workmen eventually fail . They begin with the most honest intentions . They have not the least notion of putting into operation against their emp loyers , tr against any of their own bodv , anything like physical force .

      They think the justice , or that which they consider to he the justice , of their cause will , by its moral influence , operate on the minds of the workmen and drive the masters to accede to the proposed terms . But the truth is , that in all * nca combinations the masters have an immense advantage -over the men . The worst that can happen to them is , that f apital is for a season unproductive . The reason for their insisting on perfect freedom on the disputed points is , that they think that without such freedom they could not make their capital adequately productive ; and so they are content * o let it be altogether fruitless for a time , in the hope of a "fighter future . There is no chance of any violation of the lav oa their part , and they are therefore content to

      Meeting Of 30tsers Asd Carpenters. Bsisi...

      bide their time . But how is it with the men ? With them what is left unproductive is not a capital on which they can at a pinch draw for subisterice ; it is the labour which ' ii their only wealth . When that is unoroductive they can only look for support from funds to be supplied by others ; and of necesssity those supplies are in time furnished grudgingly . Then come jealousies and alarms ; some are incited to acts of outrage towards their employers ; others induced ( forced , if you will ) to quit their own party and seek employment ; tnis leads to acts of injustice and even outrage among the workmen themselves , and , in the end , the masters triumph , " I feel most deeply for the men , for I believe in my conscience that many , perhaps all , not only are most fully persuaded thoy are in the right , but they would scout the notion of offering or encouraging those who should offer

      violence either to master or man . But , however pure and peaceable may be their intentions , I know from experience what is the unavoidable result . It has been my painful duty to try and punish for outrages such as I have adverted to , many men who , I have no doubt , when they entered into these trade combinations , would have been indignant with any one who should have suggested that what they were engaging in could ever lead to a violation of the law . So , however , it invariably is . I cannot wonder that the masters refuse to agree to any arbitration that is to impose on them any restriction whatever as to the terms on which they are to contract with their men . No one ought to presume to define such terms , any more than to bind tbe men as to the terms which they ought to submit to in favour of their masters . The obvious duty and interest of the men is to treat the matter as a mere question of bargain . If once

      they do that—if once they allow that the master is at liberty to propose his own terms , and the workman to accept or reject them , I should think the masters would—I am sure they ought—to be quite ready to listen to any suggestions of the men , . 18 to any modifications of the system which should be more agreeable to them , without infringing on the free agency of their employers . I fear from what has passed that there is too much heat now to expect that any temperate advice will be attended to . Sure I am that a time will come when the workmen will deeply regret the steps they have taken if tbey really are endeavouring by combination to deprive the masters of their natural right of managing treir own business in their own way . I deeply feel for the men , ' and I should have been very glad if we could have seen our way to suggest any sort of arbitration which could solve the difficulty , but I really cannot .

      " I recollect you said the men think there ought to bo some tribunal who should decide this question between them and their employers , and that such is the case in Prance . I cannot say what may be the state of tho law there , but I can hardly think it possible that there can be a law regulating what contract a master shall enter into with bis men ; that is not a fit subject for a tribunal or an arbitration , and for this obvious reason—the master , after the decision given , has only to say , ' I will not enter into such a contract ; ' no one can force him to do so . When , indeed , the employed is not a free agent , not therefore an equal

      with the employer , as , for instance , a child or a woman , there we know the legislature has reasonably enough interfered . But I should be sorry indeed to think tbat the adult workmen cf this country should claim protection on any such ground as tbat which has led to the legislative protection of women and children in their dealings with their employers . I wish I could have written more satisfactory . I promised you to make any suggestions which might occur to me , but in truth I can think of none . I only heartily hope that tho men may not take a step so very injurious to themselves as that which the aspect of affairs seems to threaten .

      " Believe me , my dear Lord , yours very faithfully , " Cbanworth . " The following communication from Viscount Goderich , in reference to the above letter , was received at a late hour on Saturday night , by the secretary to the Amalgamated Society : — " 1 , Old-square , Lincoln ' s-inn , Jan . 17 , 1852 . " Gentlemen , —Lord Cranworth ' s letter to Lord Ashburton , published in this day ' s ' Times , ' may do your cause some harm , as it is grounded on a misapprehension of the facts of the case . " As we were the persons whom you trusted to lay the question cf arbitration before Lords Ashburton and Cranwortb , it was onr duty to take care that tbey understood clearly the points at issue , and what you really did ask .

      " Now , Lord Cranwortb says , ' the men insist tbat the masters shall not employ unskilled labourers . ' We can only say tbat when we made the application to Lord Ashburton , we knew perfectly well that you made no such demand as this . " Again—we know perfectly well that you did not ask for a law compelling masters and men to submit to any arbitration whatsoever . What jou did ask for was the formation of such a board as exists in France under the title of * Conseil de Prud'hommes , ' to which any master and men who chose to submit voluntarily to its jurisdiction , and bind themselves to abide by its decisions , can refer all

      disputes between them ; and you told us you felt sure that all masters and men who wished for fair play and nothing more would be glad tosubmit voluntarily to such a tribunal as this . " As your case , through our means , has been put on false merits before the public , we think that you are entitled to this statement from us , and shall leave it with you to make what use you please of it . «« Yours , faithfully , " gobbbich , "Thomas Hughes , " A ; Vaxsitiabt .

      " To the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers . " London . —Large as the number is of the men thrown out of employment by this dispute , it would appear from the records of the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers , tbat they are not so numerous as was at first anticipated . Many of them have succeeded in obtaining employment either in the shops of some small employers who havo not joined the master ' s movement , or in jobs which they have executed on their own account . This has had the effect of considerably reducing the number of men wbo would otherwise have declared on the funds of the Society for support . Several men who have been turned out procured employment on their own account , and the hands of a large firm in Southwark have subscribed among themselves , and opened premises suitable for carrying on a large trade , which they declare they will obtain .

      On Sunday night a crowded meeting of workmen connected with the iron trades took place at the Phoenix Tavern , Stepney , the object being mainly to hear a report from Mr . Newton upon the state of the movement in Lancashire , from which county he had just returned . Mr . Newton , who was loudly cheered on rising to address the meeting , commenced by describing the favourable reception with which he had been met at the different meetings which he had attended , and at which a desire had been unanimously expressed to support the position assumed by the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society . He had visited Bury , Oldham , and Manchester ; and everywhere the same feeling had prevailed—a roost important fact , when it was remembered that those districts comprised between 3000 and iObO members out of

      , the 12 , 000 of which the society consisted . ( Hear , bear . ) The all engrossing subject of attention was the co-operative shop in Lancashire , for the purpose of which the Executive Council were in treaty . He had seen the proprietors , aud possessed himself of all necessary particulars , and he could assure them that it was one which would be capable of affording employment for 1 , 000 men . ( Hear , hear . ) He would not say that it could employ 1 , 000 men with the present tools , for such was not the case . It could now only employ 500 men at one time , but by adopting a system of relays—each set of men working eight hours—the shop might be kept constantly open , and 1 , 500 men might be so employed ; and in tbat case there were orders now on hand which would find work for three months for the whole 1 . 500 men . ( Cheers . ) But more than this was in

      their favour , as he was assured by the proprietor that , if the present crisis continued , he could without trouble obtain work enough for a twelvemonth . Let the £ 10 , 000 required by tbe Executive be voted , and the balance of the amount necessary to complete the purchase and carry on the concern might easily be obtained from men who ' had expressed themselves favourable to the movement . The work done at the establishment was of a similar nature to that done by Messrs . Hibbert and Piatt themselves , and it must not be forgotten that the fathers of some of the members of that firm had heen mere operatives ; they had started , perhaps , with a capital of not more than £ 1 , 000 , and yet they now employed 1 , 500 men ; the value of their establishment was supposed to be not less than £ 150 , 000 , and their profits had last year been returned to

      the Income-tax Commissioners as £ 45 , 000 . ( Hear , hear . ) These profits were high , and tbey came from the labour of the 1 . 500 workmen , and if divided among them would add £ 30 to each man ' s annual income . ( Hear , hear . ) Such a result from such a beginning justified them in being sanguine upon the success of the co-operative system ; for if £ 150 , 000 would yield an annual profit of £ 45 , 000 , and had arisen from a small outlay such as he had intimated in the case of Messrs . Hibbert and Piatt , what might they not do by starting with a capital , as they could do , of £ 40 , 000 or £ 50 , 000 , when the men were actuated by the incentive of working for themselves ? ( Hear , hear . ) He had never in his life seen so much enthusiasm displayed by any . bo . ly of men as had been displayed by the Manchester men on this subject , and the same spirit had been displayed at a meeting of the Iron Trade which ho had attended at Bury on Saturday night . The men there

      expressed an earnest desire that the Executive Council would push on in this matter without waiting to see what the employers mi g ht-seem disposed . to do ; tbat in any event the co-operative system should be carried out , so that they might reap the profits » f their own labour . ( Hear , hear . ) As a proof that in those districts a feeling of complete confidence in theexecutiyje existed , he would mention that the men of Manchester alone , remaining in work , last night subscribed upwards of £ 200 towards the support of those who had been thrown out —( cheers , )—and that sum would have heen much larger but for the fact that several large firms paid wages fortnightly , and last night was not pay night . Next week , however , those men would pay a double amount . He hoped the London districts would be animated by the same spirit—that they would raise small sums and form small shops , as they could by that means do more to settle ' the question than could be done by waiting to be sent f , r by their employers . ( Hear , hear . )

      From the statements of several ot ! er speakers it appears that money in support of the strike is flowing in from all quarters .

      Meeting Of 30tsers Asd Carpenters. Bsisi...

      The Boiler-makers of Limehouse , at a general meeting , unanimously agreed lo the following resolution , and for . warded . it to the Amalgamated Society on the 17 th inst : — "Resolved , —That this'meeting of boiler-makers , havin <» nothing whatever to do with the dispute between the masters and the Amalgamated Society , have been unjustly thrown out of employment by the masters , and viewing the present proceedings of the masters , and believin * that they have a tendency ultimately to disorganise us as a society , do pledge ourselves not only to protect ourselves by not signing any document the masters may bring out but will also do our utmost to further the interests of the Amalgamated Society ; and as we get employ will pay one day ' s wage out of six to assist our members out of employ through the masters ' strike . "—( Carried unanimously , Jan . 15 . 1852 , at a general meeting . )

      The sura of £ 50 was received on Saturday night in support of the mon thrown out of employment , being principally composed of contributions of a day ' s pay out oi the week ' s wages from the workmen in two large factories .

      On Tuesday night a meeting of the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers , < fcc , took place at the offices , Little Alie-street , Whitechapel , to receive reports from the differenthranches , and determine upon any steps which it might be necessary to take consequent upon tbe present state of affairs in the society . Mr . Al / an , the general secretary , stated , for the information of the council , that although the time originally appointed for the returns of votes upon the cooperative grant of £ 10 000

      from the general fund of the Society had that day expired returns from only seventy-two branches out of 120 had arrived at the otSees . He was , however , glad to state that , with the exception of those from three small branches ' the returns received were in farourof the proposition of the council : in fact , the votes in sixty-nine out of the seventy , two distriotsr eferred to , were returned as almost unanimous upon the point . No active steps , it was understood could be taken with regard to the establishment of the cooperative shops until the receipt of returns from the other branches , which are expected to arrive In a few days .

      Mr . Allan also stated that he had received information from Liverpool that the firm of Fawcett and Co ., had given notice of their intention to discharge the society men in their employ at the end of the present week ; and further , that Mr . Mac ' gregor , of the Vulcan Works , had issued a document pledging his workmen to renounce all connexion with the Amalgamated Society , and that those who refused to sign would te discharged on Saturday . A donation of £ 10 from Mr . Coningham , a gentleman of fortune , residingat Brighton , accompanied by the following letter , was handed in by the secretary : ...... " 20 , Sussex-place , Brighton , Jan , 1352 . " Sir , —lam convinced that you will have the moral sup . port of the public , whatever may be said to tho contrary , in a movement to limit the hours of toil for the operative , whose bodily strength is his only patrimony . An adjustment of the system of piecework is a more complicated

      question ; but if the employers , as well as the employed , be sincere in thoir desire to arrive at an equitable solution , then a fair adjustment may be made . When the masters , in their statement , ' say , ' we claim , and are resolved , to amert . the right of every British subject to de what we (!) like with our ' own , ' they appear to have forgotten that property or capital has its duties as well as its rights , and that the rights of the poor and the rights of the rich are reciprocal privileges ; tbe former being the condition oh which the latter are enjoyed . As a proof of roy sympathy for your cause , I beg to forward £ 10 to the fund of the Amalgamated Society of Working Engineers , & 0 ., and to state that , if a co-operative association bo formed , I shall be prepared to take some shares in it . " I am , sir , yours obediently , " Wm . Coningham .

      " To Mr . Allan , Secretary of the Amalgamated Society . " Reports were received from various branches , showing tho members to he firm to their previous determination to uphold the movement ; and the receipt of a large amountof contributions was announced . It was also determined that a public meeting , in connexion with the movement , should next week be convened in the largest available building in the metropolis .

      Twenty-two additional returns were received at the jreneral office on Wednesday up-m the subject of the £ 10 , 000 cooperative grant , the whole of which were in favour of the proposition . The total number of returns now received amounts to about ninety-fire , of which only three are in the negative . On Thursday night , a crowded meeting of society and nonsociety men took place at the Phoenix Tavern , Stepney , for the purpose of making an equitabte arrangement with regard to tbe distribution of funds collected for the support of tho strike . The meeting , we understood , was convened in consequenceof some dissatisfaction having been expressed by the labourers upon account of the smallness of the sums appropriated to their relief for the past week . After some discussion , adeputation of five labourers was appointed to confer with the Executive Council upon the best means of supportingthe labourers during the continuance of the trike ; and the meeting separated in an orderly manner .

      A meeting of the Association of Employers at Manchester was held on Tuesday , at which the proceedings of the Executive were approved of , but no new measures were adopted for bringing about a termination of the questions at issue between them and their workpeople . _ It is said that one of the largest houses which has stopped is declining business , and that the workmen are making overtures to take up the premises and plant , to work it on the co-operative principle . A master at Oldham is said to have offered them the use of his premises ; and in order to avail themselves of the tools and machinery to the utmost , it is contemplated to have three relays of men , to work eight hours each for the whole twenty-four .

      On Monday evening most of the ten branches within the Manchester district held meetings to consider the question of investing £ 10 , 000 as proposed by the Executive Council . In each case where a meeting was held , we understand the vote was in favour of the appropriation—in most oases the decision being unanimous , this being especially so in the No . 1 branch , the largest in the district . In addition to approving the use of the £ 10 , 000 , the No . 1 branch passed a resolution requesting tho Council to take the opinion of the members of the society on the propriety of refunding the £ 10 , 000 within twelve months , by means of an equal levy upon the members .

      Information from Manchester was received on Thursday by the secretary of tho Amalgamated Society of Engineers , & c , that Mr . Marsden , of that city , whose shop had been closed since the 10 th inst ., on Wednesday acceded to the the propositions of the Executive Council , in consequence of which his hands would resume work on Thursday . Mr . Marsden ' s est-thlishment is a small one , employing not more than thirty hands , but it is thought that the example thus get will speedily bo followed by other and larger employers . The total number of returns from branches upon the co operative grant of £ 10 , 000 received up to last night , amounted to exactly 100 out of 121 . Of these returns fifty-six unanimously affirm the proposition , thirtytwo affirm it by large , and four by small majorities , while light are in the negative . Liverpool . —In consequence of a notice conveyed to the mon engaged in Messrs . Forrester and Co . ' s works , Vauxhall Foundry , by Mr . M'Gregor , tho manager , to the effect that such of the men as were . members of societies or clubs

      must resign their employment under that firm , a meeting of the amalgamated trades of workers in iron in the Liverpool district was held on Tuesday , to determine upon the steps to betaken in the matter . Mr . M'Gregor had required that a memorial should be signed by the men , pledging them to withhold all countenance or aid to the parties now on strike in Manchester , London , and elsewhere ; and the following had been prepared and duly forwarded , in the hope of its meeting the wishes of the firm : —

      To W . F . JI'Gkeqoh , Esq . Sib , —We , the members of the Amalgamat d Society of Engineers in jour employ , hegto state that we have no intention or wish of altering the present rules and regulations between ourselves and our employers ; nor is it the intention or wish of the Society , of which we are members , to aak forany alteration in the present rules which govern the fhopa of the Liverpool district , owing to the peculiar situation of this port respecting West Indian and shipping orders . We are , Sir , your obedient servants , The Mesibeiis or the Amalgamated Society , To this memorial it was intimated that the reply of Messrs . Forrester had been unsatisfactory , and that it did not meet fully their requirements , which were , that the men should pledge themselves to quit . the society altogether . This , it was contended , was asking too much , as the society was of

      the character of a benefit club , to which some of the members—and among them the best and most experience in the trade—had been contributing for many years , on an average from ten to fifteen , and , in a few cases , as many as from eighteen to twenty-five years .. The benefits accruing from membership are—if out of work , through no individual fault , the sum of ten shillings per week for fourteen weeks , and seven shillings for twelve weeks—in all not to exceed eleven pounds four shillings in any one year , such amount either to be paid as a gift or ns charges for travelling in search of work . The allowance for sick members is ten shillings weekly ; and the superannuation allowance , provided for members who have contributed for eighteen years , and are fifty years of age , is five shillings per week ,, with permission to earn an additional ten shillings per week .

      These , it was argued , were too considerable-benefits for men to resign , especially when the strike was one in which they were not implicated , and from which they were willing to hold aloof . With respect to the shipping orders referred to in the memorial above , it was explained that the men bad always been aware that despatch in execution was an indispensable condition of such orders coming to Liverpool at all ; and that they had on all occasions willingly submitted to work overtime in order to their execution . Another copy of the resolution was agreed to be presented to Messrs . Fawcett and Co ., either on Tuesday night or in the course of Wednesday , as their men ' s notice expires on Wednesday night . Should these . gentlemen not be satisfied with it , and Messrs . Forrester refuse to reconsider the

      matter , eighteen men . in the former establishment and sixteen in the latter will be thrown out of work . This will be rendered doubly painful , so far as Messrs . Fawcett are concerned , by the fact that , as we are credibly informed , the prospects of employment in their concern aro at present more encouraging than they have been for some years past . An unfortunate resolution of the men in this district to permit an advance of their funds for the establishment of co-operative shops in London and Manchester is considered by the more prudent among them to have embittered the minds of the employers against them . It is much to he regretted that tbe dispute , easy of accommodation so far as Livprnool is concerned , cannot be amicably settled . —Liver ' pc * l CSrUrfir .

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      Central Co-Opeeatjve Agency 76, Charlott...

      CENTRAL CO-OPEEATJVE AGENCY 76 , Charlotte-street , Fitzroy Square . Weekly Report , Jan . 13 th to Jan . 19 th , 1852 . Business transacted with the following Stores-Leeds , Banbury , Camlachie ; Garratt Road , Brighton ' Woolwich , Halifax , Bradford , Mid . dlesboroug-h , ' Portsea , Galashiels , Derby , Salkirk , & c . Several applications were received for Rules , Catalogues , and Lists . Two dozen Rules for forming Co-operative Stores were supplied to one person . The Agency began its regular Banking operations on Saturday , January 18 th . The necessary alterations for the new offices are in course of operation . The Agency , at the request of the Amalgamated

      Iron Trade Society , has opened-in its Central Office a subscription for the Non-Society men and labourers out of work . The following proposals have been forwarded to tho above Society : —The Agency will give the benefit of wholesale prices , to any amount of orders sent through the General Office , or Branches of the Iron Trade Society , for goods sold by the Agency , and will invest it as a loan in the capital of the Associative Workshops to be formed , the difference between the cost and wholesale prices . The Agency think that by in resting instead of giving up their legitimate profits they shall place both themselves and the members of the Iron Trade on a sound footing , since nothing would be more detrimental to co-operative establishments , than to be organised at starting upon such conditions as they would not carry out in the usual way of business .

      LEEDS REDEMPTION SOCIETY . On Sunday evening a lecture was delivered on Co-operation and Competition , and their influence on the National Character , by R . Jones . I would strongly urge on our Co-operative brothers the imperative necessity of responding to all invitations of a Co-operative character . However feeble now ( remember we are sailing with a flood-tide , ) I shall be glad to receive suggestions or offers of this nature . Remember , friends , we have an eld organisation , commodious premises , and willing friends . All orders for cloth , for us , can be supplied from the Agency .

      The following sums have been received this week : Candidates and Members , 3 s . ; per Bloomer , Manchester , 8 s . 9 d . ; per Smith , Nottingham , 8 s . 8 d ; Building Fund , Is . lOd . ; Propagandist Fund , Is . 10 H . ; Leeds Subscriptions , £ l . 19 s . 9 d . R . Jones , Secretary . The Working Man ' s Mutual Co-operative Society at Crook have published their fifth quarterly report , being that for the quarter ending at Christmas , 1851 . Tho report represent * the business of tho Society as at h-ngth firmly established , after much opposition from enemies and talae friends . After paying ten pound per cent , on share money , and five pound per cent , on the amount invested in

      the bank , and for new fixtures in the shop , £ 3 has been carried to the contingent fund . To this contingent fund , which is a common fund for the development of association in all its moral and social bearings , the attention of tho members is expressly called by tbe report . The constitution of the society has been also modified , so as to place the weaker memuers more on a footing with the wealthier . The report on the whole is encouraging ; wo cannot , however , understand why ten pound percent , is given for share money , and five per cent , for money in the bank . What is the difference between these two funds ? And would it not he well to equalise the interest and throw the extra five pound per cent , into the contingent fund .

      THE STUFF PRESSERS * FRIENDLY SOCIETY . On Saturday last the members resident in Manchester , sat down to an excellent dinner at Mr . J . Fields , the Bull ' s Head Inn , Union-street . After doing ample justice to the good things provided , Mr . Charles Autv , jun ., ' was called to the chair . The Secretary ( Thomas Button , ) after reading over the accounts of the past year , proposed success to the Stuff Pressors 'Friendly , Sick , and Burial Societies , which was . drunk with great enthusiasm . Amongst others , lb * chairman gave " Our Friends over the Edge" in Leeds and Bradford . The Secretary , in a few appropriate remarks ,

      gave " Messrs . Thorp and Statham , May Peace and Plenty attend them . " He was sure that the parties present would agree with him , that it was not out of mere compliment that he proposed such a toast , knoiving as they did , they ( Messrs . Thorp and Statham ) were most happy when they saw 'that their men trere really so ; and he knew that he was speaking the sentiments of those who had been in their employ for more than fourteen years , when he said that the longer he worked for them , the more he respected thgrn . The health of the host was given with musical honours , and the party broke up highly satisfied , after spending a pleasant evening . rrrr ~ : ;

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      Astley's. The Revival Of" Blue Beard," T...

      ASTLEY'S . The revival of" Blue Beard , " together witn scenes in the arena , and the pantomime of" Mr . and Mrs . Brigus , " continues still to attract overflowing audiences . Tho " spectacle is produced on a scalo of great magnificence , the scenery and dresses aro of the most gorgeous description , and elephants , horses , camels , deer , & c , swell the train of Abomelique . The principal characters were ably sustained by Messrs . Maddoeks , Dale , S . Smith , and Messdames Fenton ,

      Beachem , and C . Tellett . Mons . Frantz Benzoo performed several extraordinary feats on tho tight rope ; and Mons . and Madame Franconi , and Mdlle . Maviette executed some pleasing and daring acts of horsemanship . We have already given a description of the pantomime , and can only say that it is highly successful . It does not , however , abound with the racy jokes and hits at the times which characterized its predecessors , which no doubt is to be ascribed to the inteference of the Lord Chamberlain , who has exercised his censorship on this as well as on the pantomimes at other houses . Nevertheless , it is well got up , and tho nightly applause of crowded houses is a sufficient proof of public approbation ,

      Royal Polyl'ecdnic Institution. This Pop...

      ROYAL POLYl'ECDNIC INSTITUTION . This popular institution continues to draw crowded audiences daily , as the managers are certainly untiring in their endeavours to make this establishment worthy of the patronage of the public . The directors have arranged that those inventions most valuable and interesting , which have lately been deposited here from the Great Exhibition , to the public shall be daily demonstrated by ' competent professors . This is the proper w .-. y to diffuse knowledge , and hence the value of this institution , and the high estimation in which it is held . Here , chemistry , natural philosophy , and mechanics , are constantly under observation , and an

      orrery hasjust been added , showing , in exaot proportion , the sizes and distances which the planets Venus and Mercury , together with the Earth and her satellite the moon , bear ( o the sun , thus giving at one glass tho real scalo of the solar system , which cannot be done by the common orreries . Among the more recent deposits from the Crystal Palace , wo observed two silver flutes , both of which obtained prizes , thefirst , invented by Bsehm , gained the council medal , and the second , invented by Carte , gained the second prize . The tone of these flutes is perfect , and their appearance beautiful in the extreme .- Many other things , too numerous to mention , are worthy of observation and attention which can be seen in the institution .

      A New Poiiticai Apiiokism —While Free Go...

      A New Poiiticai Apiiokism —While free governments may be destroyed by their vices , despotisms come to destruction in spite of their virtues . —Momirg Chronicle . A Marriage Fbaud . —At the Central Police Couit on Saturday morning , a newly-married couple , respectively named Samuel M'Phee and Mary Ferguson or M'Phee , were brought before Baillie Bogle , on the charge of falsehood , fraud , and willul imposition , in so far as they , " having by some means or other obtained possession of a certificate of the proclamation of banns in order to a marriage between the said Samuel M'Phee and a pirl named Ann Black , residing in Glaspow , did upon the 8 th day of December last , within the college buildings , falsely represent to the Rev , Dr . Macfarlanthat Mavy Ferguson wns

      , the person named Ann Black referred to in the certificate , in consequence of which Dr . Macfarlan was induced and prevailed upon to solemnise a marriage between them . On hearing the charge the defenders , who aro both young persons , and ratber good-looking , pleaded guilty j and the male paisoner endeavoured to excuse himself by alleging that he had the sanction of Ann Black for the fraudulent personation which had been practised upon the minister . Upon this the gul Black came forward with the evident intention of denying the assertion and making good her claim to the person of the •« heartless deceiver , " but the Baillie cut the matter short by ordering tho man M'Phee and Mary Ferguson , his young wife , to be sent each sixty days to Bride well . —Glasyow Mail .

      FiNSBun . - T .-A preliminary meeting of the inhabitants of this borough was held on Monday evening , January 19 ih , at the Literary and Scientific Institution , Leicester-place , Itaystreet , Clerkenwel ) , for ihe purpose of adopting measures to establish a Reform Association , that would advocate the entire enfranchisement of the male adult population of Great Britain and Ire and . —Mr . Blake was voted to the chair , and having briefly explained the objects ' of the mee ing , Mr . W . II . Costle moved the following resolution :- " That a society , called 'The Manhood Suffrage Association , ' be directly formed ; immediate tteps taken to enrol members by means ot cards ; and that with the fund so railed a large public meeting be called as soon as possible , to which members ot parliament and influential persons , favourable to Manhood Suftrage , should be requested to attend and sunoort

      the association . — Mr . Weedon seconded the resolution , whichwas also supported by Messrs . Butler andDyce , and ?« ?« ., ™« n ° \» ly .-A committee was then appointed , half middle and half working class , with power to add to their number , to carry it into effect , who will meet at the above place , for the transaction of business , on Monday evening , January 26 tb .

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      National Charter Association . The Execu...

      NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . The Executive Committee of this bod y held their usual weekly meeting on Wednesday evening lust . Present Messrs . Arnolt , Bczer , Grnssby , Hol yoake , and Shaw . John Shaw presided . —The correspondence received was read . The financial business having been disposed of , the following address w « s unanimousl y adopted : — THE EXECUTIVE TO THE CHARTIST BODY th £ teB » * ir ? u hen ( he existence of the Executive wag it thn V , V Rochester Council setting upto supersede osnecialli » Tho h ! , w Me' ? abandoned the Executive oSnt InTZ-

      , „ , mentwas i tcSd ^ flr ' - ' - ^ combined movewere indued tiT I i'o ther persons-not before-with us ? tLe c o h e P ^ SL" ? , " ; 16 Execuli ;? ' ? abandon it , every hZl mT ?} j } - * er - ? S Char } therefore , to renfainTtheitt thlh V ° T dUty ' pointed , at least until i ^ can bo m " itle (/ t ^ h , M bee " aP " First of all , the matter ^ Zn \ t . h SX ^ m It influential persons desert tho Kxocntiv * l > a"en"on ' pect that numbers will foUoV thS ple ' . tffi / £ ing persons away with them , they cany Lviy the me W meeting our debts , and it is on this account tKe are bound to complain o . the thoughtlessness which E indu ed them to abimdon a duty which Chartists had a right to ev pect at their hands until the cause was free of debt We not only claim their personal help ( as we b fore stated ) , but we claim the aid and personal subscriptions of every honest man in the Chartist ranks , and request him to send up at once , according to his means , menev to meet th »

      tinal debt of now £ 3 G . Wo havo cut off all irorease of liabilities—we have given up our offices—our Secretary acts gratuitously ; and to him we request that subscriptions may be sent , who pledges himselfto appropriate them fiiithfully j , nd promptly , to the discharge of the aforesaid "' ¦ j bdities , until the whole are paid , and then the movement W , t 0 st . irfc with honour , and without incumbrance . We have uo wish to reflect upon any persons , but we cannot ! hide from ourselves that , unless we act > igorously persons will not be wanting who will reflect on our character injuriousl y and quickly . Wc , therefore , claim to be allowed to state the facts of the case without that necessary statement being interpreted into unjust personal allusions to anyone .

      During tho past week one pound has been received , which ii j j forwarded towards payment of tbe rent before alluded to . The liabilities of course are now £ 30 . The suojectof tho Convention will receive our earliest attention when the above sum has been received . ( Signed ) J . Grassby , Secretary ,. ?™ , tem The Secretary was instructed to state in reply tf several applications , that at present the Committee were not in a position to issue new cards of membership , but advise the sub-secretaries who have old cards to issue them , making the required alterations thereon ; and those who have not cards by them , are requested to enter the names of all who may be desirous of becoming members , and give them a written certificate .

      It was then agreed that a public meeting be held on the evening of the opening of Parliament ( Tuesday February 3 rd , ) for the purpose of reviewing the Queen ' s Speech , and the Secretary was requested to apply for the Hall of the Literary Institution , John Street , for that purpose ; and it was also decided that Messrs . J . B . O'Brien , Julian Harney , Ernest Junes , Samuel Ivydd , Thomas Cooper , and Robert Le Blond , be invited to attend the said meeting . The Committee then adjourned to Wednesday evening , January 28 th . James Grassby , Secretary , pro tem . ' ¦ ¦ 9 ( 5 , Regent Street , Lambeth .

      Metbopotiras Delegate Meeting.—At The Fi...

      METBOPOtirAS Delegate Meeting . —At the Finsbury Literary Institution on Sunday Afternoon—Mr . G . Farrer in tho chair—Mr . F . Farrer presented a set of account books to tho Council , which were received , and a vote of thanks given to the donor . The sub-committee , in making theiv report relative to tho public meeting , stated that a policeman had interfered with the parties who wero posting their bills , and informed them that he was not only autho " rized , but positively ordered , to pull down all bills containing the names of Chartist speakers , or , which called meetings at places to which they resorted , and that if they

      persisted in posting the bills ho would take them into custody . Much indignation was expressed at this unwarrantable interference ; and on the motion of Messrs . Jones and Kuowles , a letter , enclosing tho bill , was sent to the Commissioners of Police , demanding whether the officer had received such orders , and complaining of his conduct , and if ho was acting on his ' own responsibility . The letter was ordered to be signed by the whole of the Council . Resolutions to be adopted by the public meeting were , after considerable discussion , agreed to , and the Council adjourned .

      Fixsnuny LirEEAny Institution . —Mr . Wheeler lectured here on Sunday evening . Subject : " WagosSlavery . " The lecturer showed , from facts and varied statistical evidence , that British artizans wero enduring the very worst description of physical slavery , and that no system of political reform which did not result in their working for their own profit instead of the profit of others would ever remedy tho evils under which they were labouring . Mr . F . Curzon ably illustrated the present degradation of the masses , but regretted that this slavery was in too many instances more tho result of tho vices and passions of tho people than the fault of the government . Mr . Bezel' traced tha evils to class-legislation , which could only support itself by

      pandering to the immoralities of the people . It was comparatively useless to rail against the effects ; they must strike at the root , if they wished to eradicate the evil . Mr . Wheeler replied at considerable length to the remarks of Mr . Curzon , and announced tbat the long pending discussion between himself , Mr . Bczer , and the Messrs . Nicholson , on the subject of " Chartist Policy , " would come oft ' in that Hall on the ensuing Sunday evening . Finsbury Locality . —This locality held its usual weekly meeting in tho hall of tho Literary Institution , on Sunday last . Mr . Winmill in the chair . Mr . Fennell moved that tbe secretary inquire of Mr . Grassby , whether tho Execut tive intend to issue cards for tbe ensuing year . Mr , Loonies moved that the sum of 2 s . be sent to the fund of the

      Executive ; seconded by Mr . Bachelor . Mr . Jordan moved , that Mr , T . M . Wheeler be nominated as candidate for tho Executive , that gentleman stating that ho would sit if reelected . The motion was seconded bv Mr . Weedon . Tho following address was then moved and adopted : — Brother Chartist * . —In a few days Parliament will assemble , when Lnrd John Kussell will introduce Ids measure of llelorm ; and we shall be enabled to judge what he considers a ' full , free , and fair representation of the people . ' ^ Yhether that measure be au ci (? ht pound or a five pound rating is totally indifferent to us , since we cannot consistently be satisfied with anything short of the People ' s Charter . Yr ' e have stood together , Brother . " , through the storm and tempest , when the thunderbolts of persecution were launched at out heads ; wo have stood firm , and upheld our organisation , and slnill we abandon it in the still calm which now pervades the political world , perhaps a precursor of a storm niori ; terrible than that of 1348 ?

      Were we united tosethcr , no minister would dare to turn a deaf i ear to our demands , based as they are on eternal right ; disunited , , he can afford to laugh scornfully at our puny attempts . It is useless to disjjuise the fact , that the National Charter Asso- - elation has , at present , no claim to be considered a National Asso- - elation . Tho latn election for the Executive proves this . Nine hun- - dred men , however honest and patriotic thoy may be , are not a ma- - joritv of the working Classen ; hut these nine hundred may , by ex- - ertiiig themselves manfully , speedily make the Association worthy y to be called a National one . Where are you , men of ISlS . who ranged in thousands under the e Chartist ensign , and swore to achieve tho liberty of your country ? ? Were these idle words , meant only to be spoken , cheered , and for- - gotten , or did you mean to act up to your professions 1 If they are e not a ' mockery , a delusion , and a . suave , ' redeem your vows , and i place Chartism in the atcendnnt o- ce more . Democracy , crushed i in continental Europe , looks Mopefully and imploringly to us ; may y we know our mission and oar duty : and , knowing , daro to perform a . them . Klcctmen to fill the vacancies , in the Executive who are e men of bns ' ness , and those who will work hard to resuscitate the e

      movement . Brethren , Farewell . Head , study , discuss , and act , and Chartism n is itself again . —Moved by Mr . Alfred Fennell , aud seconded by iy Mr . Weedon .

      Monies Received Fob Tub Wkek Exdixo Thur...

      MONIES RECEIVED Fob tub Wkek Exdixo Thurspat , Janvjam 22 s » , 1852 . NATIONAL CHARTER FUND . Received by James Gbassbv . — Ipswich , per J . Cook 10 s—13 . 15 . Truelove , John-street , Is- A . Young Red , Stepney Is—Glasgow , newer J . Latimer 8 s . —Total £ 1 .

      Tiik Gai,Eoi? Wbdsksday Night.—In Thesou...

      Tiik Gai , eoi ? Wbdsksday Night . —In thesoulh of Englnndndl it blew almost a hurricane on Wednesday ni ? ht . In _ conse-se- j quencs of tbe severity of the weather the outward Channeliell Islands' mail-packet which left Southampton on Wednesdaylayr midniaht , was obliged to bring up in the Solent , and thaties mail from the Channel Islands which should hare reachededl he General Post-office at four a . m . on Thursday niorning , ig ,, did not arrive before midday . , „„ . „„ . _ , _ . Extkaobdimry FflE . voMKWN .-On Wednesday forenoon a ai most extraordinary circumstance happened at a hsWn „ bta ta tion on the Tay , a little belo w Brrol . s ? £ K « d 3 XK in the habit of throwing a nettle . the . j ^ er Hhe spe ^ c , l , ourooseofcanturwe the smalt nsn «« " «« " j the wwwni

      " snerlin * s" Instead however , of iry mw . Sperlings , fn & teaa , " »"" » . , asnore their netoett iSRKttS ^^ ^ ri rssrass H ^ iTSwa ^ i STiSS IB ^ was 1 ^ 5 Ve did not hear of the result , but we wee are \ TtXlw ** ™ ^ >» hl nd the amount , of thethee orecedtne , if the inference can be drawn from the circunwm-i . Kg that the spoil were called at a penny for fifteen in inn Ercol throughout the day . The unwonted circumstance ob olil herrings being found so far up the Tay can only be ac-ac * counted for on the supposition that they were pursued by bjj gome marinefoe . —ft > th Courier . ^ . ^ . ^ Fkbs n int Common Law Courts . —From the WtM 5 the Common tiw Commissioners it appears that on an undefended action amount to about £ i lfl . ^ - ing a fee of 2 s . to the " Chief Riron's coachmm oommissionera recommend a r wion of the feea . win win

      Rep " Tbejemem Kwa^Qy. G*$«$|F ^ '4 1^ J...

      rep " tbeJeMem KWA ^ Qy . g * $ « $ | f ^ ' 4 1 ^ jep »• tbejettem i ., M i i . " ?* TpM * V ** I ? -. ? £ ¦ -. ;¦ -. ! ¦ ^" t nt n , ) ..,. " . ,.-:-} '*¦" , V /** , V / ' 7 <

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 24, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns2_24011852/page/5/