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August 4, 1849. THE NORTHERN STAR.
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GEORGE BEXRY SMITH AND THE FOUR KTRimAT....
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DcBrxo the past year the average mortali...
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TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR. Deab...
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THE KIRKDALE CHARTIST PRISOXERS. TO THE ...
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THE DIRECTORS OF THE "NATIONAL COOPERATI...
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THE TEN HOURS ACT. PROGRESS OF AGITATION...
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BOLTON. At a* largo meeting at Bolton, p...
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MANCHESTER. At a meeting of thc factory ...
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THE MISERS OF . THE NORTH. 10 Till" T. -...
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THE LANCASHIRE MINERS. TO THE EniTOn OF ...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
August 4, 1849. The Northern Star.
August 4 , 1849 . THE NORTHERN STAR .
George Bexry Smith And The Four Ktrimat....
GEORGE BEXRY SMITH AND THE FOUR KTRimAT . T ; CHARTIST PRISOXERS . IO THE "EDITOR OP THE _XOBTHEBS STAB . Sm , —I have lon _» been the object of calumny and persecution , not only by the government , but by some—now a few—of our Chartist brethren . Let Grocott ' s letter be inserted , andthe cause will be seen . I am truly gr ieved to be thus obliged to spend my time by writing in self-defence , while mv energies might be more profitably expended in defending the liberties of our degraded and oppressed countrymen . Still 1 should be -wanting in all due respect towards my moral character , if I silently submitted to thefalse statements—and , by this time , false impressions—made by the four designing
men , viz ., White , Leach , West , and Donovan / without an effeit on my part to counteract the effect of their malignantly-concocted manifesto . Tou are aware , Sir , of letters appearing in the Star , dated 11 th Jane , under the head of "Kirkdale Chartist Prisoners , " emanating from White , Xorman , and Donovan . These letters—in addition to some previous ones—caused the Manchester Victim Committee to mate an appeal , in the language of comp laint , tothe Chartist Council of this locality , of which I am a member ; the result was , another letter coming from our body , which appeared in the Star a fortnight after , the delay was owing , I presume , to your backwardness in not giving it early insertion . This letter contained partly the sentiments of the
Council , and partly the statements of the Victim Committee , which were attached after we , the Council , had appended our names . It is evident that this , our letter , has given great offence to George White , James Leach , John West , and Daniel Donovan ; hence their virulent attack , and unmerited abuse npon myself . The Tictim Committee came again to thc Council , and threatened to resi gn their -fuact'ons if we did not consent to convene a special members' meeting , in order to afford them an opportunity of laying their complaints before the said members ; "wc therefore complied -with their ¦ request , when all communications were read b y onr secretary , touching the matters in dispute . From what transpired I conld clearly observe the
baneful effects of calumny and misrepresentation Under these circumstances our Chartist Council deemed it necessary and prudent to transmit to you their conclusive remarks upon the conduct of White , iforman , and Donovan , as instanced in their letters dated 11 th of June . I posted a" copy of a letter coming-from Grocott on Monday , perhaps you did not receive it tiU Thursday ; at aU events you _objected io g iving Insertion to either my letter or the letter of the Council , not without a tew one-sided remarks , -which you made in favour ofthe assailants . I confess your mode of procedure increased my indignation , and Mr . O'Connor being in this nehrh
bourhood I directed my steps to that gentleman He received me in a cordial manner , and said : " Smith , yonr letter , as coming -from the Council , shall be in the Star next Saturday , together with Grocott _' s , sent to you . " I observed , my object In appealing to Mm had no reference to the letter signed by the Council , but I solicited the privilege of replying individually to ihat infamous catalogue of false assertions issued against my character , by White and Lis three « aol companions . Mr . O'Connor _inunediately replied , and said : " Smith , anything you may have to say in a letter concerning your character , as an answer to any charge against you , shall be inserted . "
Mr . Editor , I shall waste as little of my paper as possible in defending myself in this dirty afiair , but he coil tent with merely attempting to counteract the effects which might accrue from what seem to be serious falsehoods ; in the meantime . I shall -pass over many ingenious statements wbich these men have palmed upon the public . Do not , Sir , be afraid of losing them ; men , like all other things , should only be estimated according to their intrinsic worth . Your Kirkdale correspondents question whether I have ever laid them trader any pecuniary oblig ation . So , I do not consider I ever have ; though I must say , I was peaceably at home when two of my Chartist brethren came last year as a deputation , and _requested me to solicit a few of my
friends to contribute to the Defence Fund . I readily consented , and procured for them near five pounds in one day ; in a few days after I obtained for them another live pounds ; true , tbey paid me for my time , as I had te pay other men to do my work . I have occasionally given my mite ; and , as chairman , I leave others to determine whether I have not faithfully discharged my duty towards those men , by _advancing every possible argument in order to induce our audiences liberally to contribute on behalf cf them and their families . Then they charge me ¦ wi th being the author of the ill-feelin g ; as far as they are concerned this is bitterly false—I defy proof —our members have appointed a committee to inquire the cause touching its origin and progress . I
will abide the result of their investigations Another tale will be told by-and-by . They tell the -world I have a love for secret intrigues and backdoor plots . Xow , Mr . Editor , do not you think it would be decent in these men to hold thoir malicious tongues , without they conld manage to tell the truth ? Letthem , if tbey can , name one instance of my being connected with intrigue , or in a backdoor plot , lf they cannot their ill-designed mischief goes for -worse than nothing . Then next piece of nnsreprcsentation says I was expelled from the National Charter Association , for creating mischief and dissension . Oh , veorge "White , how can you say so ? John West , what do you know about it ? I thought you were going to save all your" thunder ¦ until you came among U 3 again . Why , you will
I expend all your gammon , if yon go on this way . The I honest truth is here—members in this town can [ testify to the fact . In 1 S 43 , Joseph Sturge comi inenccd his political career in the complete suffrage [ _r movement—though a Chartist , ! joined that _associa-§ tio * n . Our Chartist lecturers , at that period , dealt [ in nothing but declamation and denunciation , _tabusing public men ; Sturge had his share of _| « alumuy ; in short , they adopted an obstructive Ipolicy , always inviting discussion . I , _therefore , " accepted their invitations , and opposed lopenlv , not secretly , but on the platform , their I want " of systematic practical discourses . Many | thought , and even said , I was paid to oppose their _^ proceedings ; they therefore expelled me ; but in two i-years afterwards a deputation , coming from the
Imembers , solicited my return to the _National Lhar-Iter Association , —I consented , and have been with Ithem ever since . White was in Birmingham ; West linMaeclesfield at this tune ; yet ihey subscribe io Ithis allegation , on the word of their companion _Dotmovan . These four immacnlate men say I have learned on a correspondence with parties in prison , brhieh , coupled with other circumstances , has caused | a separation of prisoners . Sow this Is utterly false , land without the slightest foundation . I admit I slave occasionally , when they were altogether , cor-| _tespondcd with Rankin , a man -whom I respected , _fend do still , and trust I shall to thc last hour of my flife . I love an honest man , and believe Rankin to ! "be one . In order to put that suspicion at rest , I liave obtained Rankin ' s consent to submit , at any
| tune , all letters which have passed to and from _tRankin and myself during his past imprisonment ; _lindeed I shall take such of my letters in question to rthe committee . I omitted to notice their complaint fabout a handbill which bore my signature , and i-which I presented to the members at a members ' _|* meeting . I beg , Mr . Editor , to ask you to insert tthe handbill , they complain of . I had my own | Teasons , together with the advice of many of our jpaemb ers , for publishing this little tickling circular . | 2 fo person , except these men , have complained of Ithis document being either offensive or libellous . I M * ave every reason to believe that onr members now Ifeegin to see the necessity of a thorough reformation _liTour own body , as well as in thc affairs of _governtnient , and , with God ' s help , we will have such
re-Iformation . The letter of complaint of these men | _* was introduced in an official manner tothe Council ; Ithat Council determined that I had done nothing | _"but what as an individual I was justified in doing . | lf the members require explanation ofthe handbill , I it shall be afforded them . The money which has I been afforded these men las been accompanied with ginsult and calumnies of myself and colleagues : this g ia another fib . I have no connexion with the Tictim * fCommittee , nor have I been a party to insult or _^ annoy ance ; if they have been wri tten to in an in-[ sulting tone previous to our correspondence in the | fifar , I have nothing to do with that , nor could _EMpIit . All Iknow about insulting letters is , that pfr . Ormesher showed me some abusive letters sent liy these men against me . Now I did think "West Iwas the only man amongst _thea worthy of my fliotice , I therefore "wrote to him in order to appease this unmerited anger , a copy of which I kept . He
[[ sent a verv abusive reply . Again , 1 told nun , oy [ letter , that I should be with him in Whitsnn week p f he thought proper , and would afford any _informaj-tion : he did not answer this . However , I paid him _i _* a visit . I leave him to tcR what took place _between us . Mr . Editor , I am tired of writing upon Ithis unpleasant matter , but I must add another rebnark ; these Kirkdale gentlemen declare they will ¦ iiot belong to any bodyof men with whom I may be _^ connect ed . This is very pretty , —would they leave ithe cause for one man ? I would not leave it for ten ; inor ten times ten , if I thought I could be of any use [ lo the-cause of suffering humanity ; as long as I can aeven faintly believe there is in our body hope for _p rogress I shall not leave ; but this I do say , that _gthc wise and the good must band themselves _together , or the consequences will be prejudicial to Ithe cause of liberty . I now conclude with a sincere _Nrish that "we may all become better men , and arrive _* t a better _undemanding .
I remain , In the Chartist cause , a Democrat , George _Hem-i Surra 47 , Upper Medlock-street , Holme , Julv 17 th , 1849 .
Dcbrxo The Past Year The Average Mortali...
DcBrxo the past year the average mortality in the model lod _gin-houses has not been more than one half of what it is in the -metropolis generally .
To The Editor Of The Northern Star. Deab...
TO THE EDITOR OF THE _NORTHERN STAR . Deab Sib , —Tou will oblige us b y inserting the enclosed letter in your forthcoming number , in reply to one which appeared in your columns last week . We are , _youra truly , George White , "Daxie _* _t , Doxovaj _* . James Leach , Jobs West . Kirkdale Gaol , near Liverpool , Julv 24 th , 1840 .
The Kirkdale Chartist Prisoxers. To The ...
THE KIRKDALE CHARTIST PRISOXERS . TO THE DEMOCRATS OF ENGLAND . " _BnKrHKEJ _* , —Whilst the friends of liberty must feel deeply grieved at the prostration of tho hopes of our continental brethren , and the unequal struggle in which the Hungarian patriots are engaged , and deplore the apath y which exists in this country , we , who participate with you in those feelings , and whose aspirations forthe final triumph of democracy are no less ardent than your own , feel how humiliating and degrading is the task which is again forced upon us hy somo professing Chartists at Manchester . In addition to this , we have to suffer the natural anxiety which we feel concerning our homes and families , from whom we have still to endure a long separation butas the columns of
, the Star have been opened for a renewed attack upon U 3 , we have no alternative but to defend ourselves . We venture to assert , that no political party , in any country , can furnish a parallel to the suicidal conduct of the misguided creatures to whom we refer , as we cannot perceive what purpose these letters are calculated to serve , seeing that their style and tendency must lower usin the estimation of the public , and bring the very name of Chartism into disrepute and contempt . We should not demean ourselves by noticing their ribald abuse , were it not that there are some insinuations therein to which wc shall refer , and then leave the remainder of the incongruous and disgusting mass to float peaceably into oblivion . To those who are not aware of the ori gin of these
scurrilous attacks , it may be as well to state that , some time since , one of our friends , with whom we correspond , published a letter in the . Star , in which he called the attention of the Chartist bod y to onr position , and made a few remarks on the insufficiency of the amount which the Manchester committee were enabled to allow ns ; and also urging the chums which he considered we had on the people . In the same number of the Star , there appeare d a letter from one of our fellow prisoners , Daniel Donovan , describing the condition of his family , in which he alluded to some money being forwarded from London for their use , which he supposed was withheld from them by the Manchester Tictim Committee . He wrote several times to that
Committee for an explanation , and received no reply , and he consequently took it for granted that his statement was correct . These letters called forth a long and abnsive epistle from the Manchester Council , in which wc were charged with falsehood , ingratitude , and abuse . We replied to this statement , and gave a description of the ill usage we had received at the hands of these parties , and showed that the facts contained in the letters of Messrs . "Norman and Donovan , were not' only correct , but remained undisputed . We concluded , by expressing our determination to live on felons' fare rather than submit to the insults and slanders of these parties , and requested our friends to _mate such arrangements as would release ns from their further
annoyance . The epistle which appeared in the Star of Saturday last , instead of giving the " conclusive particulars" promised by these parties , is a confirmation of all that we have stated concerning them , and does not even attempt to refute the facts previously referred to ; but as it contains some cowardly insinuations to which our silence mi ght give importance , we are induced to notice them . In the first paragraph they say , " "We could a tale unfold , but do not like to wound the public mind . " This is an old , and rather stale trick of cowardly reputation slabbers , who , willing to wound , but unable to strike , endeavour to effect their object by
inuendo and insinuation ; and , under pretence of not wishingto " injure the cause , " or " create division , " skulkingly disseminate the poison of their foul breath . Such characters as these have done more injury to the Chartist cause than the united opposition of its opponents could accomplish , and many of our best men have had their reputations befouled by such detestable slime ; but it shall not avail these men . "We defy them and their tale , which , as far as we arc concerned , they may unfold as soon as it suits their convenience . It may then keep company with the other " tales" wliich they have - ' unfolded " for the last six months .
The second paragraph consists of a bitter tirade of abuse directed against White , who , it appears , is honoured by the especial hatred of this delectable fraternity ; in which they insinuate that he is regardless ofthe welfare ofhis _family , and also indulge in heartless mockery at the fact of his being confined for twenty-four hours upon black bread and water , in a solitary cell . There is but one mode of reply to sueh ruffianism as this ; but , fortunately for the slanderer , " "White is in a gaol , and therefore cannot do him that justice which he so richly merits . Such conduct as this is totally indefensible . It is not argument ; neither is it an attempted refutation of anything at issue , but it is a cowardly outrage on a man ' s feelings , of the most brutal character . Alas for Chartism I Wc are sunk low indeed , when such men are permitted to act as councilmen in an important town like Manchester . Well may our organisation be at such a low ebb . _—» - — — — -- — _,
0 _... _ - - _„ _„„ , The authors of this precious document seem desirous ef informing the public that we arc not teetotalers , with a view , perhaps , of causing some of thc members ofthat body to sympathise with them in their disgraceful conduct ; but it is to be hoped that they have sufficient self-respect , not to suffer themselves to be mixed up with such baseness . All who have known us , or mixed in our company , previous to our imprisonment , are aware that we have used whatever beverage our means or our inclination would admit of , and , with all submission to our " benefactors , " we shall continue to do so . From tho tone of their remarks , these men would seem to be a committee oftho temperance society , instead of being members of the Council of the National
Charter Association ; but we have yet to learn whether there be a teetotaler among them . We are not aware that it is any part of these men ' s duties to lecture ns on such matters ; but as the allusion which they make to the " bottle " is done in such an insidions manner , we deem it necessary to explain the limits of our privileges in that respect . According to the rules whieh refer to first class misdemeanants , wcare entitled to purchase aquartof ale per day each . We have been at times enabled to avail ourselvesofthisprivilege _. throughtheassistance of our friends and visitors ; and we leave you to form an opinion of the disposition of those who would thus convert the trifling privileges which the law allows us , and which forms the distinction between
onr position and that of felons , into a pretext for calumny and cowardly persecution . We may be allowed to add , tbat the advantages which we enjoy have not been the work of lawyers , nor were they gained at the expense of the Chartist body . We personally defended our principles in open court , and foiled the Attorney-General in his attempt to cast odium upon them , by mixing us up in the same indictment with such characters as Ball the perjurer , whom we had never seen before ; and any man who has read a report ofthe trial , will see that thc remarks of Mr ; Norman on that head , are perfectly correct , whatever these parties may state to the
contrary . We conducted our own cases throughput , without creeping behind a lawyer ' s gown , and we do feel a proud consciousness tbat we have performed our duty , and sustained our characters as democrats . If this be the " aristocratic pride" alluded to by these revilers , they are ri g ht . We feel that wo have discharged the duty which devolved on us , both as regarded ourselves , andthe principles of democracy , manfully , and unflinchingly ; and it now remains for the people to do theirs by protecting our characters from the malicious attacks of these men until we are at liberty , and once more in a posi tion to defend ourselves . -
The allusion to the messenger will be best understood by the committee of investigation lately appointed at Manchester . They are the likeliest party to judge , as the proofs have been sent to them . And Mr . Nixon who was here on Friday last , and heard us question the party in his presence , can also bear testimony as to which side the term falsehood applies . We are sory to see the feelings of quiet innofensive people outraged , by draggmg their , namos before the public , and are thoroughly disgusted at being compelled to notice such paltry matters , but , as we are iccused of falsehood , we cannot avoid it . If any additional proof were necessary , in order to exhibit the real feelings of these men towards
ns , and justify our statements concerning , them which appeared in _theater ofthe 7 th inst ., it will be found in the concluding part of their epistle . . Here are their words : " We should meet the arguments of four blackguards _^ if it was worthy of oiir attention to answer their abuse in the Star of the' 7 th inst . " There , brother democrats , what think you of such language ? We complained ofthe scurrilous communications which those parties sent to us , and which were read by the governor previous to , being handed to us—you now see a sample of them . ' Sav , then , are these men fit to occupy a prominent position in the Chartist body ? and , are we not justified in our determination to have nothing to do with sueh characters ? ' .
There is one important point which should not be omitted , as it tends to remove the odium which may attach to their letter , from the shoulders ofthe Manchester Chartists , namely . That , atageneral meeting ofthe members ofthe "National Charter Association , held at the People ' s Institute , on Sunday , July 8 th , a committee , consisting of five persons , was appointed to investigate the question at issue . This committee has written to ns in a business-like and creditable manner , and we have replied to all their questions to the best of our ability . Yet , without waiting for the decision of this committee , duly appointed by the members , they renew their attack
The Kirkdale Chartist Prisoxers. To The ...
This conduct requires no comment from us . So much for these g eserous bexefactors I We wish to state , in conclusion , that wo deep ly regret the necessity of having to refer thus publicly to such matters . Yet our friends can scarcely imagine the amount of annoyance to which we have been subjected by these parties . We understand that the delegates who assembled at Todmorden , have made an arrangement by which we shall be in future released from further vexation on this score . We are fully aware that our minds , and yours also , should be occupied with subjects of graver importance than that which appears in these letters , but the fact 3 which have been disclosed , tend to show the low condition to which the Chartist organisation is reduced , and point out the necessity of amendment . We , therefore , trust that the real
friends of democracy will renew tbeir exertions in the good old cause ; and although our present prospects seem dark and gloomy , let us remember that truth and justice is on our side . Let each man who professes our principles cast off his apathy , and , on our release , we shall again unite with you in vindication of onr common ri ghts . Remember that though our Continental brethren aro conquered , and the free interchange of thought suppressed by the " League of Kings , " the love of justice anil liberty cannot be expunged from the human heart . Arouse , then , you who still possess " liberty of speech , " though in a limited degree , and uphold the red banner of true Democracy . Remember that though they have been defeated , and a number of us immured in a prison , we are not yet vanquished ; for " Freedom ' s conflict once begun ,
Bequeathed by bleeding sire to son , Though baffled oft , is ever won . " We are , your Democratic brethren , _ _Geohoe White . James Leach . _Johtt West , _DanieIj I / _OXOVAX . Kirkdale Gaol , July 24 th , 1849 .
The Directors Of The "National Cooperati...
THE DIRECTORS OF THE "NATIONAL COOPERATIVE BENEFIT SOCIETY TO THE MEMBERS . Gentlemen , —From notices which hare appeared in two recent numbers ofthe _A ort / icrii Star , you will have learned tho fact , that we did not deem it prudent that you should send any further sums of money to the care of the secretary , Edmund Stallwood , until the termination and publication of the result of an inquiry into the monetary accounts kept by him—and which was then pending—should have been communic : ited to you . The inquiry and result , such as they were , have been placed before you , and should have heen submitted to the Directors previous to their appearance in print ; but the trustees have thojight it proper to publish them
without our knowledge , or we -would have disclaimed them at the time . As the Directors of the Society , it now only remains for us to state what were the reasons which induced us to caution you _against making further remittances ; and having satisfied you upon that point , and made you sensible of the real position of the Society , which ought to have been done by the Trustees in their report , we will then make you acquainted with the only conditions upon which we can consent to further connexion with it . In order to the settlement of the first of these points , * we give in its entirety the only monetary document which has yet been published , and it will , of course , answer for itself . "O o 4 u « 6 O » o -4 . . o call
"' ! - * H _r-t . iH _» H rH e » _•*"*
S * ° ¦ 3 „ « P 8 S _S-S ** s _* ' 8 _Jh . * " ' _"g g „ - ' " ' to M _h _| I _g-i 1 t H « ' a 11 * § S ° e * 2 " " % o t • • £ " 2 *¦¦ — I" * ti fl j ; * i "* _a * _wc ¦&¦ Sills I "g _< HO . S A 2 § § . . . 3 . S g 7 _„ - « c § | , _« ¦ ( 3 Jilt- O r _$ u o _et _^ - ¦ - « t" - ' 9 S js _.-b g g S is . ¦§ . -a a _*?• - c --- ; S 0 " - _* » _moO- _** " _- * A a I - S » J 8 j £ _'H ? _- _* r , 2 a _^* ' ¦ _** ? " _5- ** . _S"eoSS"J _« a r-, I _NlRSfiliSS 5 . « p- } f- )< _f-H' _** C '* H 03 « _3 pq - _^ o ;
7 3 tti H _!» . 'H _- * - ' _~ " - >* - - _* ' :- ) _--3 ' _^ Ct ST < " 3 . M ¦ " ¦ a *'"'''"''"""' ' - - " *! - ' _« c ; P _" _. * " - ¦— ' ¦ - * a £ « - *» co- * 5 on t » _¦*
Os r _3 6 a . 2- * » c . 3 . & a . « : ... S * - _*» ...... o . < « S f e * ¦ ¦ I _-ja „! . » _^ ° ? ft 2 s < § « _h -g _5
5 r C "i S _**¦> a « _ _g g _s . a to a K * S * ' g 8 _'g ' g W _¦* ¦! _dJ * _" * . C _tn > _3 c * o _* "Sta _* -- ' > c 3 w ¦ S * i * 2 * 5 § _» « P I _Bfl _oS s _^* S o & a „ m S c ¦*"
The correctness of this " balance-sheet" has been vouched by two persons , who were appointed as auditors by Stallwood , and who had not the most remote connexion with the Society . Repeatedly had we asked for a balance-sheet ; ana at the expiration of one year and seven months , the above made its appearance , and it was upon the first perusal of it that we discovered thc position of the Society . "We looked first to the receipts , and then to the disbursements ; and from the statements contained in the "balance-sheet" we found them to stand thus :- " - £ s . d . To Receipts . . . 281 19 3 To Expenditure , , . 20 G 15 D Balance in hand . . £ 78 3 10 We found that nearly three-fourths of the whole sum received had been expended , and upon examination into the nature of that expenditure , we discovered the following amounts to have been spent upon the ostensible and legitimate objects of the society : —
£ s . d . By payments to Sick Members . * , 53 13 9 . J Ditto ditto Deaths . . 12 10 0 Ditto ditto Accouchments , 7 3 0
£ 73 8 9 Thus it appeared that out of the sum of £ 20615 s . 5 d . as expenditure , which had been set down in thc "balance-sheet" the sum of £ 73 8 s . 9 _$ d . only had been spent in furtherance of the real objects of the Society . There still remained £ 133 6 s . _7-Sd . of an expenditure to be accounted for ; and upon further reference to the " balancesheet" we found that of that sum there had been the necessary outlay of £ 35 Ss . 7 d . for books , stationary , postage , & C . * There yet remained £ 9718 s . Oi . of an expenditure , and to our surprise wc found that this immense sum had been applied for " management" and " rent of office . " A sum equal to more than one-third ofthe whole receipts of the Society . Here again let the " balance-shoot " speak for itself . £ s . d . Agents' Fees—viz ., Entrance and Quarterly . 22 14 CI Secretarv _' s Fees . . . 5 S 16 0 Office Kent . . . 1 « 7 C £ 97 IS Oi
The rale -with regard to the Secretary ' s fees is as follows : — Bute 25 . —The Secretary to receive for liis services twopence on every month ' s subscriptions received on account of members in this society , the members to be computed from the names on the books at the commencement of each quarterly meeting night of each section . To have warranted the Secretary in taking from the funds of the society £ 58 10 s . 8 d . there ought to have been npon the books , from the very first day of its existence down to the time when he published the above " balance sheet , " ho fewer than 370 members , and their subscriptions , at 5 d . per week each , a fair average , would have amounted to £ 634 and some few shillings over .
, We are aware that there would have been many defaulters ; and if * we allow £ 234 on account of their arrears , there ought still to have been received by the society £ 400 as " members' contributions ;" whereas the sum which has been acknowledged as " members' contributions , " including the sum of £ 7 3 s . ' 3 d ., * " unaccompanied with details , " , is £ 225 9 s . 2 d . If there ever had been 370 members in the society , how long did they remain in it , and where are their subscriptions ? The Secretary , __ you must bear in mind , charges for that number from the very first day of theiexistence of the society ; and therefore we want to know " where are their
subscriptions V Usually , societies do not number-so many as 370 onthefirstday of their appearance ; Each member pays upon entrance a certain fee , the average amount of which per member will be about 4 s . each , —rather over than under . Now if 370 persons had at any time joined the society , at the rate of 4 s . per head , the sum foi' •¦ entrance fees ' ought to have been £ 74 ; the babmce sheet sets forth the sum of £ 44 8 s . Cd . "Where then is the difference ot £ 30 ? Thi 9 item of " entrance fee " should be an exact index to the numerical strength of the society , and this item of " secretary ' s fees " should also show the length , of Ume during -which
The Directors Of The "National Cooperati...
each member had belonged to the society . With regard to the first of these items , namely , ' ' entrance tees , the balance-sheet gives £ 44 8 s . 6 d ., whieh sum shows the entrance of 228 members only , whereas the Secretary has charged for 370 members , —being just 142 members more than ever joined the society , and ho has taken money for them from the very birth of the society . The number of 228 members would have given as " members' contributions , for the time over which the balance-sheet extends , £ 380 , and the sum that has been acknowledged under that head by the Secretary , in his balance-sheet , was £ 225 9 s . 2 d . Is it not clear that the number of members charged for were never in the society , and that tho Secretary , in paying himself , has taken just what he pleased ? He has not been
tied by numbers ; his rule of action has been his own win . The Trustees of the society say that they think him justly entitled to what he took , but perhaps it would have been bettor had he sot down wnatie took over and above his wages as a " separate item . We deny that he had any right to exercise any sueh liberty with the funds of the society . The rules lay down what he was "justly entitled n A , „ i hc had no ri ht t <> take more . Was he not amply remuneratedfor anv extra trouble which * IZI i T been at in tl" 3 early stage of the £ _Iffi » _/^ _P _? - which lie has charged ? or " rent _™ , * _!? f r ( £ 1 I s 6 d _*) -the office being bis own _pnvatc house at Hammersmith , and the rent iK ? w 1 ° ? Ce eovei _* in S the whole rent ofthe house ? Weprotest against that item of £ 16 -7 s . Od .
ineuct is that the Secretary received all the money , and he did just what he pleased with it . The rules provide that the monies of the society shall be placed in the Land and Labour Bank , where they would have borne interest at thc rate of £ 4 per cent _, per annum ; but out ofthe sum of £ 384 12 s . 9 id . — which the Auditors sav had been recoived up to tho time of their rcport- £ 80 only had been deposited m the bank . By what authority did tlie Secretary retain the difference , and thus deprive the members of the interest which it would have made had it been placed in the bank ? Probably the Trustees were also of opinion that the secretary was "justly entitled to do so . " Here we give the report of tho trustees , and , like the "balance sheet , " it will speak for itself : —
_NATIOXAL CO-OPEKATIVJE BEJJEFIT SOCIETY . We , the undersigned , _having accepted the office of Trustees , liave been appointed ( by the Directors and Members ) to investigate the accounts ofthe aliovc Society , from tlie commencement up to tlie present period . _¦' _..-... ¦ ' ¦ £ s . d . Wc find the receipts amount to .. .. 348 12 Di And the expenditure to . .. .. .. 301 4 8 J Leaving a balance of .. .. £ 47 8 1 _Thh'ty pounds of whieh is in tlie "Banlc , and the remainder in hands of General Secretary and local Agents .
Brother -memhers , —The principal objection of the Directors is . the _cliai-ge for Secretary ' s Fees , and Kent for Office , and which we have particularly investigated . * We find tliat the nvcrage number of members , as stated , amounts to the number charged ; hut from the irregularities of local Agents , we find it impossible to give correct data tvhen memhers joined the Society , the Secretavy having charged 338 , to remunerate him for his services as founder , which we think Mm justly entitled to , but , perhaps , it would have given greater satisfaction if it had heen made a separate item .
The Secretary ' s Fees are now charged m strict accordance with rule , and the Office is now discontinued . We , the Trustees , in conclusion , call upon all Agents to send in their returns immediately , and that , for the future , the rules must he strictly attended to by local Agents and General ' Secretary , that a Balance Sheet may * be issued quarterly , wliich will be the means of increasing our numbers , and make it a veritable NATIOXAL BENEFIT SOCIETY .. James _Guissbt , ) William Shute , J-Trustees . James Fearce , ) "With respect to this " report , " we have to observe , that wc do not understand the arithmetic which , at 2 s . per head per annum , for one year and seven months , for 330 members , makes £ 58 10 s . as " secretary ' s fees . '' We make tbat sum stand for 370 , but deny the right of _takinfi * for either of those numbers . And we repudiate thc report in which it is set . forth , that the secretary was "justly entitled " to have taken thc money ofthe me ' mbors for these fictitious numbers .
This passage from the " report" of the " trustees" is valuable , as showing in what a pretty state the books of the society have been kept . " "Wc find tbat tho average number of members , as stated , amounts to the number charged ; but from the _irregularities of the local agents , wo find it impossible to g ive correct data when the members joined the society . " The secretary was at no loss for such data when , he was taking his fees , as he then managed to discover that there were 370 members in tho society from tho very first day of its existence down to the moment " when he issued the above " balance sheet . "
We have now stated to you our objections to thc " balance sheet , " and we will also state to you what we propose , to remedy the inaccuracies which thc above two documents have set forth * . Hitherto tlie Secretavy has usurped all the offices bf management . Has even paid himself the rent ofhis own house , as the office ofthe society , and has kept the money out of the bank , whicli ought to have been making interest for the members . He has paid himself just what he pleased , and has got the books in sueh a state—according to the " report" of the Trusteesthat it is impossible to say when thc members joined—and altogether the whole of the afiairs are in a stntc _ of thc greatest confusion . We therefore propose to you , that power shall be given to us to so remodel the rules , Ac , as to be
enabled to enrol under Act of Parliament , so as to procure the honest administration ofthe funds . That the present Directors , ov any other persons you inay appoint , shall , for the first twelve months , constitute thc mnnnging Committee , subject , of course , to removal , by a decision ofa majority of the members , and that they shall have the power of employing a competent person to keep the books of the Society , such person to be entirely under the control of the Directors . That Feargus O'Connor , Esq ., M . P ., be respectfully requested to act as Treasurer , as in his hands the funds would bo perfectly safe .
In putting these propositions before you , we are influenced by no other desire than that of the benefit of the society ; and should you think it advisable to actupon them , after our other avocations have closed for the day , we shall be willing to devoto one or two evenings in each week to the affairs of the society ; but should you _reject them , our connexion with it shall immediately cease , as we would not , upon any account , continue , to identify ourselves with a society , the management of wliich wc do not approve . Thomas Clark , CnmsToriiBn Doyle , Puimp M' _-Guatii . '
The Ten Hours Act. Progress Of Agitation...
THE TEN HOURS ACT . PROGRESS OF AGITATION IN THE NORTH . OLDHAM . Meetings havo recently been holdenin most ofthe large towns of Lancashire for the purpose of manifesting the determination of the Factory workers to maintain the Ten Hours Act , and render it effective in spite of the miilocrats' conspiracy . At Oldham , more than 2 , 000 persons attended the meeting . Alexander Taylor , Esq ., presided , and the meeting was addressed by the Rev . Joseph U . Stephens , Samuel and Joshua Fielden , sons of the late John Fielden , Esq ., and several other speakers . The resolutions included the following : — "That . this meeting declares its decided and entire approval of the true spirit of the Ten Hours Actand expresses its determination not to accept
, any compromise , nor enter into any arrangement by which females and young persons in factories still work longer than ton hours a day ; and that we will do all we can to get the working hours confined between six in the morning and six in the evening . " Mr . IIiciiard Oasilei ! on coining forward to address the meeting-was received with most vociferous cheering , and an aged woman , leaning on a stick , hobbled up to him , tremulously exclaiming , " God bless you ! Just let me touch you . "' Mr . Oastler said : —They were beginning a very serious work , and they had begun it in the right places and in the right way . After having toiled for thirty-three years , and settled the question , they were again compelled to take the field to protect the act which
they had gained , from violation . Who dared to say that the question was not settled ? -The Ten Hours Act was the law of the land . ( Much cheering . ) A lawyer , a great man in parliament , and in a high office , met him ; the other day , and asked him where he was going . He replied , " I am going to make the millowners of Lancashire keep the law . " . " Well , " said the gentleman , " I am sure you are rig ht ; I wish you success .- '' . But would it not have been a great deal better for that gentleman to have gone to Lord John Russel ) , and saved him { Mr , Oastler ) from the trouble of doing tho work ot thc government ? He got nothing for it ; whilst thc ministergot his £ 6 , 000 a" year . There was no doubt how the agitation would terminate . They shouldbeat their opponents } for they should have on their side the queenj the judges , the parliament , and the- soldiers , and , as for the police , he hated
that force so much that he hoped they would be against us . The agitation had begun well . It commenced at Todmorden , the birth-place , the homep lace , and tho grave-place of the victorious champ ion of the Ten Hours Act ; there tlie standard was raised , and there he received from the Todmorden people a commission to hold fast-by tbe Ten Hours Act till he died , and then to be , the messenger of their hearts' feelings to their victorious champion in a better world . ( Cheers . ) In the next place , the agitation was carried . into 'the ' very heart of the enemy ' s camp . They went from tbe burial-place of John Fielden to the temple of Mammom—the Free Trade Hall—the temple dedicated to lies and frauds * , but for one night it had been purified by truth . "Sow they wero in Oldham , the place which gave their glorious captain the power to win the victory and gam the prize , All toil to the writing mon of
The Ten Hours Act. Progress Of Agitation...
Oldham I But , though there was no _Btain upon the name of the late member for Oldham , there was a stain on Oldham itself . ( Criesof "Hear , hear , " « " } _« " Yes , yes . " ) Let tlie truthful working men of Oldham take care to scrub out that stain . Cheers . ) Let every man here reason with his neighbour ; ask him whether he does not blush / when he reflects that John Fielden , a man of universal acceptation , had heen ejected from " "the representation of Oldham . ( Cheers , ) He was not going to talk about the merits of that bill , or about compromise ; all argument on the head was unnecessary . But there was ono _thought which struck him in Manchester th e other dav which ho might perhaps do well to repeat He happened incidentally tb make use of this expression " that the laws of any country were mereltlie
rey flection of the conscience of that _osuntry . " The effect which tbis had on the . iu « i _<* _-. * . _3 _* and the chairmen was so striking , that ho thought ther e must be something in it ; and since then hc found that there was a great deal in it . What sort of a conscience must tllGl'O ho in this COtton district , where tho law of England was defied ? ( Hoar , hear . ) To scrub that conscience clean , and then smooth and polish it , this agitation would , hc thought be very useful to the gentry , and especially to tiiose who sat upon the bench . He would tell them an anecdote in point , to show what sort of a conscience thero was iu this district . Ho had the anecdote from an attorney in Manchester , who some years ago settled in that town . A case was brought to this attorney : it was a complaint against a . millowner in Preston
, who was charged with having'defrauded his workpeople by altering the machinery of a sort of clock which showed how much work was done . When thc finger of the clock pointed to 40 , CO , or 80 , it indicated that so many yards had been done . The millowner , however , altered thc machinery so that the finger pointed only to 70 when 80 yards had actually been done ; so that out of every 80 vards there was a robbery of 10 . The attorney , who was onl y a young practitioner in this countv , thought that ifc wns very singular thataman of great wealth , piety , and liberality should be charged with such an offence , but seeing that his clients' case was a very good ' one , ho brought it before the magistrates . They were satisfied with the guilt ' of the humane and benevolent gentleman , and fined him under
some . act ot parliament . Immediately afterwards , to the surprise of the attorney , thc magistrates shook hands in the court of justice with the criminal whom thoy had convicted , and the gentleman oven wished to shake hands with the attorney . "No , " said he " wc don't shake hands with tlie criminals we convict ; " and all that the gentleman said was , laughing , that "they had been too sharp for him . " A system had grown up , which had actually tainted the moral atmosphere ; and if no change took place what could wc expect but destruction ? But he had something else to mention . It was only the other day that Sir E . Armitage said that it was a very improper thing for the millowners to break tbe law ; tbat it was a very improper thing for the magistrates not to convict those who
broke thc law ; for , if it was discovered that there wns a law for the rich , and none for the poor , the whole country would be thrown into confusion . Still , the _' wovthy magistrate did not say that the law should be kept ; but that it should be so altered as to suit thc will of those parties who had broken it . Nor was that all . Hc at last stated , forsotting that the Queen had just knighted him for his ~ ondca ° - vours to prevent the poor man from breaking the law , that in the course of a little time , if the . settlement wliich he wished for could not he obtained , and if thc millowners continued to work by relays , he himself should also begin to work by relays ; that is , if other parties broke the law , he also would break it ! Thore they saw the mind of Lancashire again . Why , if lie were to search round the
universe ho was sure that he could not find , in the most benig hted recesses of heathenism , a national mind so blunted to the truth , so dead to moral convictions , as the mind of thc millowners and magistrates of Manchester , Sir E . Armitage himself being the example ; and yet he was one of the best of them—the _very best . ( Cheers . ) He ( thospeaker ) hoped , when Sir Elkanah read that , he would sec the wickedness of his position . [ After somo further remarks , Mr . Oastler concluded amidst loud and repeated cheers . ] Samuel Fielden * , _Esj . said he felt much pleasure in coming before the working-men of Oldham , who behaved so kindly to his father : for though some did not treat him well at the last election , he was always convinced that he had the hearts of the working-men , and he died in that belief . He ( tlio
speaker ) came there to aid them in their just movement against their oppressors , the millowners of that neighbourhood , lie stood there on very high ground , for hc camo there to uphold the poor man ' s Jaw against the rich violators of that law , who ought to havo been tho first to maintain it . He came there to ask the government to enforce the law on a set of rich men who had had the audacity to break it . He came there to recommend them not to listen to any compromise with such a sot of men ; for how could thoy compromise with thoso who had begun by breaking the law . What right had thoy to suppose that , if they did agree to a compromise , the millowners would keep it ? ( Cries of " Hear , hear , " aud " That ' s it . ") Tho men who asked the operatives to compromise wore the men
who went to Sir George Grey , to ask him for an eleven hours bill , who told him that they deprecated all legislative interference , and that no one had a right to prevent them from working their hands to death if they chose . If this was thoir opinion , was it likely that thoy would stick to a ten-and-a-half or cloven hours bill ? He did not see with what justice they could ask for any change , or how they mustered up impudence to go to government and ask them to make thc ten hours act an eleven hours act . Were not tlie people satisfied with the bill ? ( Cries of "Yes . " ) It had certainly improved their physical condition . There was much less sickness amongst therii ; tlio work in all the factories was much better performed ; there was less spoiled work , and
consequently much less abatement of wages for spoiled work , And he could safely say that in his own neighbourhood there was much less drinking . Thc people , instead of going , as they before did , to the public-house for excitement , stopped at home and read , or went to some literary institution , and at this season of the year many employed themselves in gardening . ( Hear , hear . ) Since the act had come into force , too , ho believed that the workpeople had had almost constunt employment , and there had not been any material diminution of wages . This had been the ca _' se in his district , and he understood that in Manchester there had been in some departments a considerable advance in wages . The speaker then proceeded to show that thc Ten Hours Act never could have been intended to
sanction the relay system , inasmuch as that system prevented thc workpeople from obtaining those advantages which the act was distinctly said by the Speaker of the Ilouse of Commons to have been intended to confer . Mr . Hindley had recommended them to apply to parliament , on the ground that the people in bis borough were suffering very deeply from the shift systcm . This was very deplorable indeed ; but he was convinced that if the workpeople would show that ihey were determined not to give up one minute of the act , to listen to no compro . miso , the Home Secretary would feel it to be liis duty to liave the law enforced , as it was defined by the ' law officers of the crown . The best thing they could do , therefore , was to petition the houses of parliament , and to memorialise the Queen for the enforcement of the law . For himself , he would never suffer one minute of the Ten Hours Act to be lost , if he could help it . ( Great cheering . )
Bolton. At A* Largo Meeting At Bolton, P...
BOLTON . At a * largo meeting at Bolton , presided over by the Rov . C . _Edwatids , : < Mr . Oastler , who was received with tremendous cheering , asked why it was that they should have to meet there that night ? It was to support tho law . But had they no queen , no government , no judges , no magistrates ? Was it to be left to the people to vindicate the law ? Was it safe to excite thc minds of the people in those densely populated districts ? It came to this , that they must appeal to the sceptre , and not be ruled over by a set of tyrants , who were a disgrace to their country . ( Cheers . ) Who were these law-breakers ? He could name thorn : 500 thore wore of them , and some of them
sitting upon the bench as mag istrates . He would ask whether these men had a right to seek a victory over such a vast majority ofthe people , in a cause , too , sanctioned by the throne ? He hoped that the millowners would not delude themselves longer , 'but retrace , their steps . Let . them look back for a quarter of a century , during which period the bill had been strugg led for , and they would see of what kind of metal the ten hours men were made . ( Hear , hear . ) After emp hatically declaring his determination to fig ht to bis last breath in defence of the spotless standard reared by the hand of that gallant man , John Fielden , who had now gone to his reward , he concluded amidst loud and continued cheering .
The Rev . Mr . Scott , Dr . _Fletcheb , Mr . & _akstang , surgeon , and several operatives , addressed tho meeting , as did also Samuel Field **** . * , Esq . who was loudly cheered . After referring to . the . terms of the hill convening the meeting , which was for the purpose of deciding whether tliey , were _willing to give up that which they had so long struggled for—he said this was exactly the question at issue . He had been brought out solely to show them that his father ' s sons were not willing to desert the cause—( cheers)—and he assured them , so far as he was concerned , tho Ten Hours Act should never be wrenched from them . He then proceeded to narrate the principal facts connected with the framing of the act , so as to * show its intention and moaning ; and then he gave an outline ofthe proceedings subsequently to the act . coming into operation , up to the time when Sir George Grey so deliberately and strangel y receded from his promise that he would havo a case brought before tho judges , so as to as-Certain and settle the lavr , He then called upon tbe
Bolton. At A* Largo Meeting At Bolton, P...
meeting to say if they were still in favour of Ten Hours . ( Crica of » Ay , eight . " ) Wore there anv _Kv _? _Ti ' ° _i- , 0 V ? n l 0 V , rs ? MM- ) Ho found , b _?* n _; Pla _^ ! tbe i _* _- a 11 _V' _" - _««* had tested the opinion of the operatives in that town bv ballot ; that only five persons had voted for eleven hours _; and that of tho entire number , four only did not vote , lhe medical gentleman who moved the resolution declared that ten hours were cnou '« h for any one to work in a factory ; tho operativesVc-ved ' by evidence and by personal experience that they greatly benefitted in health by working for that period only ; they had also proved beyond doubt that they were devotedly attached to the act ; tho act was passed for them ; and what earthly reason
was there , then , for change ? Messrs . Ashworthand Greig were the first parties in that neighbourhood to attempt to violate the act ; they were also the parties who sent for agricultural labourers to their works , and afterwards threatened to send them back again if they would not petition for a repeal of the corn-laws . Would thc operatives , then , make a compromise with such men as these ¦? If thev did what guarantee had they that the next stop would not be for twelve hours ? ( Hear , hear . " The best thing to do was for tho poor men to call upon the rich to obey tho law , and to memorialise the queen to support them in their loyalty . ( Cheers . ) She had received their medal in testimon y of her satisfaction at the passing of the act . The Speaker of tlie House of Commons had alluded to the question as a settled one ; and the intention ofthe legislature had been set forth to tlie Messrs . Ashworth , in a _~
letter from alr . Horner , tlio inspector , who stated that it was tiio opinion of the law-officers of the crown that ten hours , and no more , were meant by the act to he worked . For himself , he would sooner g ive up business than violate it ; for bv relays it was impossible to tell who performed good work , or who performed bad . Thc shift system seemed to be a scheme invented by the very devil himself . ( Cheers . ) They were not suffering at Bolton , because their masters kept to the act ; but if they permitted tbe present violation of it to go on at Ashton , Stalybridge , and other places , they might depend upon it that Bolton also would havo to concede . The millowners talked of foreign competition , but it was home competition tliey had to dread , and nothing else . The masters of Bolton , however , deserved the highest praise , and in conclusion he should propose three hearty cheers for them . The meeting then gave throe times three cheers . ¦ Resolutions affirming thc determination of the meeting to stand by the Ten Hours Act were unanimously adopted .
Manchester. At A Meeting Of Thc Factory ...
MANCHESTER . At a meeting of thc factory overlookers of Manchester and Salford , the following resolutions were unanimously adopted : — " That it is thc opinion of this meeting that the Ton Hours Factory Act is a measure which , if strictly , carried out , in accordance with its spirit , is calculated to improve the moral , physical , and intellectual condition of thc factory workers ; we , therefore , give it our decided approval , and declare our firm determination to resist , by every means ia our power , any violation , infringement , " or evasion of its god-like provisions . " That this meeting anticipates with horror and alarm the spirit of insubordination winch will inevitably result from the avaricious and inhuman conduct of a portion of tho law-breaking manufacturers in these districts , Tliis meeting , also , cannot too strongly denounce the conduct of those magistrates who sancti on breaches of the poor man ' s law , in open defiance of the opinions of the law magistrates , and the Queen ' s Attorney-General and Solicitor-General .
" That the thanks of this meeting are due , and are hereby most cordially tendered to those manufacturers who have paid due deference to the law relative to factories ; and wo recommend all those whom they employ to bo diligent and attentive in _promotingthcii-employors' interests ; and wc further niost respectfully solicit these manufacturers—in justice to themselves , from feelings of humanity , to preserve the peace of thc district , tho safety of life and property , for tho greater stability of the empire , and the mutual interests of all , —to cooperate with , and assist us in our endeavours to annihilate , at once and for ever , the system of shifts and relays which is now being carried out by unprincipled men , who by it corrupt the morals of the factory hands , increase crime and destroy health and life .
BLACKBURN . Another great meeting was holdcn in thc Theatre , Blackburn , on thc 27 th of July . The Rev . Thomas Sharpies , M . A ., was called tothe chair , and delivevcd an encrfretic address in support oftho Ten Hours Act . Mr . William Fielden moved the . first resolution : — ' That this meeting disapproves of any attempt to alter or infringe the Ten Hours Hill , and wc , ' thc factory operatives and others , will use every constitutional means in our power to promote it ' s provisions in all their integrity ; and that wo also consider that the relay system is unlawful and injurious , and ought to be resisted . "
Mr . Rioisy seconded thc resolution , which was supported by Mr . Oastler , in a very lengthy , speech , which excited the greatest enthusiasm . Tho resolution was unanimously adopted . After speeches from Mr . Armistea » , the Kev . J . W . Pexgki . lv , and Samuel Field **? . * , Esq ., a memorial to the Queen was adopted . Thc meeting was subsequently addressed by the Rev . J . R . Stephens , and several other speakers . The greatest enthusiasm in favour of the Ten nours Act , was manifested throughout the proceedings .
The Misers Of . The North. 10 Till" T. -...
THE MISERS OF . THE NORTH . 10 Till" T . _-DIT 0 R OI" Till * "SOKTHEnX STAR . Sir , —Having left with you for insertion the copy of a petition about to be presented to parliament by the miners of the counties of Northumberland and Durham , praying for immediate legislation on tho subject of protection to their lives , whilst following their dangerous calling , but which , not having tben arrived in London , 1 could not give with accuracy tho number signing such petition therefore , I now forward the requisite information , and trust you will bo enabled to give insertion thereto in your forthcoming valuable journal . The numbers signing thc petition to tho Commons were 7 , 000 , and that to thc Lords 0 , 000 . That tothe Commons was presented by Sir G . Grey , and that to the Lords by the right hon . Lord Wharncliffe .
Sir , although it is now self-evident that no . measure can pass the British parliament this session calculated to ensure the requisite protection to the minors , yet , as thoy may naturally expect that some measure of that character will be prepared during the recess , it will be at once obvious that this petition , being a true digest of their feelings and opinions upon a matter of such groat importance , cannot be overlooked by those to whom may be entrusted the framing of that measure , whether the same emanates from the Lords or tho Commons . The miners will , I trust , not lose sight of the great value of petitioning ; and hoping that before the meeting of the next parliament they will begin in good timo , and place upon the table of the legislature a petition from every mining district in tliis country , ' thereby giving due weight to their feelings and opinions upon this great question ,
I am , yours , & e ., July 30 th , 16-10 . M . Jum _* . to the right hoxoorable the _tonns spiRrri'Ai * and tejirOBAL OF THS SELECT COMMITTEE fOR _EXQIIRING INTO TUE
_CAl'SES OK ACCIOENTS l . \ " COAL . _IIIMiS . The humble petition of the _Undei-ground Miners of tho counties of Durham and _Northumbcrlaiul i She-veto , —That your petitioners have learnt with much satisfaction that your Lordships' Ilouse have appointed a Committee to _lnrmirc into the Causes of Accidents in Mines , as your petitioners and their felow-woi-kmen arc perpetually exposed to such fearful accidents , And your petitioners belicvin _** - * that your Lordships' Committee are anxious to acquire the most exact Uuowlcdgc of the practical _working and condition of the mines , the improvident manner of which arrangements , your petitioners are convinced , frequently lead to these unfortunate calamities ,
Your petitioners would therefore respectfully tender to your lordships , such evidence by some of their body , as will demonstrate to your Lordships the condition and exposure of your petitioners in-their dangerous profession . Trusting that your Lordships injustice to yourpetitiouers , will accede to this prayer , for an examination of some of their body before your Lordships' Committee , ' And your petitioners will for ever pray , 4 c ,
The Lancashire Miners. To The Eniton Of ...
THE _LANCASHIRE MINERS . TO THE EniTOn OF THE _XORTHEnX STAR . Sm . —lam glad to inform you that the union is still on the increase in this county . Oppression is doing its work . Reductions and rumours of reductions of wages are the order of the day ; consequently the miners are flying to union again , and there is every appearance ofa bettor and more extensive organisation amongst them than there ever has boon . _Numerous enthusiastic _meetings have boen held during the last fortnight at Platt Bridge .
Hindley , and other places near Wigan ; lladcliff Bridge ; Heywood Arms , Manchester , and the White Horse , Rochdale . _Tiiblic out-door meetings have also been hold . it the Front of the Queen's Arms , Little Lever ; Farmer ' s Arms , Darcy Lever ; and at the Boar ' s Head , and Fleece Inn , -Bolton . I shall be glad to receive communications from any colliery in Lancashire , or from any of the Miners wcrking in the surrounding counties . * Yours respectfully , D . Swallow . 25 , Sidney-street , Bolton , July 30 .
Sivdvixg Tu-£ A-Scims.^Ar-Y^Rtg ^ Piwsso...
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 4, 1849, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_04081849/page/7/
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