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Northern Star (1837-1852), 13th July 1850, Edition 3 of 3, Page 5, The "farmers'friends" screwed their cour...

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      The Bitter Observance Of The Sabbath. Th...

      [ i meat means of communication on Sunday , wheeer ltoer literary or personal , in order thereafter to race three the whole population into their gloomy _© _nventaveatioles , ought to De resisted with the _iiiimosiiffiosi _Tigoar and indi gnation . If theyplease , _itiey mey may hang the _sfies in black for them-Hves dves on that day , and shut out the light of cod ' s od _' s cheerful sun from their dwellings—asit aire already from their hearts—bnt they have 99 rig ) right to insist npon others being equally _ittOTOSiotose , gloomy , and miserable . If they really iiink link that the right road to heaven is to make

      htiem & _emselres supremely unhappy , then by all lieanaeans let them have their own way ; hut we insist isist that the French proverb shall be fairl y aaterpterpreted , and acted npoa— " Chacun son tout . ' out . " By granting the sour-faced saints the iightight of gratifying their tastes , we impl y , 3 t Ihe s _ e same time , the right of pleasing our own Tb The whole of the agitation on this question ilihowjhows , unfortunately , how powerful cant iind md falsehood are in this country . There _jjxisfexists , unhappily , an organised machinery by j _& _bicshich genuine public opinion is _offeetnally ;; oweowed and intimidated ; the parson of the fpariparish , and two or three toadies , or tthc the preacher cf . a dissenting Zion ,

      _Bethssedaseda , or other sectarian manufactory of _EfoolsTools and bigots , aided by a few congenial 3 3 pirapirits , first commence a series of what may Itrultruly be termed " visitations . " These are _IfolldbHcwed by snag little meetings entirely de-1 voitVoid of the element of publicity , and equally _jguigutttlesa of truth or argument ; and thereisullsult is , that petitions are poured into the ' . HoHouse of Commons by hundreds , signed by tentens of thousands of persons who have been ; unpurposed ' upon by falsehood of the most egregiogiouB description , or who were in such a positioition that they dreaded the persecution and _yrtproscription with which these sanctimonious an and bitter agitators were sure to punish a refit : fusal . We have heard in some of these

      meetin ings the most astounding lies and calumnies re reiterated long after their effectual refutation , b ] by persons in raven black coats , and snow w white neckcloths , with an unblushing auda-„ < aty , perfectly unapproachable by any other cl class of men . Great as is the power of l ying , a and of countenance required b y a lawyer in fi full practice , it is a mere trifle compared with tl that whieh is necessary for a pet orator at-I Exeter Hall , the culminating point of all t these saintl y and ( lying ) assemblies ; the ext traordinary power of assertion on the part of t the speakers , is only equalled hy the _unqnest turning credulity , the amazing capacity of i swallowing , manifested by the hearers .

      One thing may be remarked with respect to the last discussion on tbe subject , the puritans never attempted to join issue either on the religious argument , or the ground of con-Tenience and expediency . They were openly and decidedly challenged to show that the _Jndaical observance ' of the Sabbath -was a Christian institution , and they shrank from the contest . Tbey were asked to justify it on the plea of convenience to the public , or even on the more pertinent ground , that it really would reduce Sunday labour as a whole . But

      Lord Ashley knew very well , that it was utterly impossible for him to maintain bis position in any one of these three issues , and therefore be could only repeat "look atthe 700 , 000 petitioners , " as if there was any argument in a mere bead-roll of names procured by sucb influences as we bave alluded to . If these people really meant what tbey say , and bad no ulterior object in view , the short experience they bave already had of the consequences of their own movement would have induced tbem to vote for rescinding the

      resolution they extorted by trickery _Imd intimi dation from a thin House of Commons at an -early period ofthe evening . The result , so far , has been to add immensely to Sunday labour ; and if the obnoxious regulation is maintained it will eventually cause the employment of ten times the number of persons who were required to do the ordinary work of the Post-office . The provincial newsvendors announce the organisation of staffs of messengers for the delivery of the metropolitan papers on Sunday mornings ; parcel vans will no doubt be started , by which written communications ,

      evading the letter of the law , will be run in connexion with trains on the Sundays . The only effects that can result from such unreasonable and unjustifiable interference with the social habits and the general convenience of the community , will be , in the first place , increased expense and great inconvenience and injury to numerous classes , and next that the imitation and indignation of those classes will ultimately _overwhelm tbe pbarisaical and sanctimonious " whited sepulchres" -who , under cover of piety , have aimed this blow at the social and religious freedom ofthe people .

      J July 13, 1850. The Starts ; ,V:O::; "^...

      J July 13 , 1850 . THE _STARTS ; , v : o :: ; _" _^" _^ ' , ' / _"" ' 5 ,,.,

      Parliamentary Review. Sot Content With H...

      PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW . Sot content with having raised the county franchise from £ 8 to £ 15 daring one sitting , the Tory peers , the next time the Irish Parliamentary Voters Bill came before them , inflicted another fatal blow onthe Whig measure . By the machinery of the Bill a selfacting registry ¦ was provided for . In other words , advantage was taken of the existing poor Jaw and civil machinery in Ireland , to place on the register of voters , the name of every householder paying the required rental , and having paid his rates without any trouble

      or application oa his part . It is needless to say that this is but the barest justice . If the voter is , as Lord Cakusle and the Marquis ofL _ ssDow „ E said , merely a trustee who is invested with the privilege of voting , not for his own personal _beneflt , but for the benefit of the _commonity ; then as trustee he is clearl y entitled to demand that no unnecessary obstacle shall impede the performance of ihe duty which devolves upon him in the capacity of trustee . "We go farther , and say that it is a duty which the Government owe to the people , as the sovereign power in the State , that they should make all the state machinery subservient to the protection and free exercise

      of the political and social rights of the people , whose servants they are . But Lord Stanley and his brother peers desire to he ihe masters , not the servants of the Commonwealth , and hence their dislike to anything that would give even the remotest chance of anything like a po- , _pular or independent constituency . Rely- ' rag on the power of intimidation , which ' is I always at the disposal of large land-owners j and organised political parties , as well as calculating upon the indifference of some persons as to the possession ofthe vote , and the ignorance of large numbers as to the proper means to acquire it , the Tory leader Las struck the

      _selfracfang _machniery out ofthe bill , and rendered it as defective , and as open to _corrup-_ on and coercion , to jobbery and to chicanery , as theblessed _^ R eform _^ Act , " under which _£ - _^ g _Bamstera hold courts that are _syste _mabcallrshawedh y _^ _most all who _^ mi _tte mere tools , or dependents of political parfaes . The _raiang of the _Salification from } 8 / . to la / ., at one swoop , cut down a . l number of the proposed Irish voters _ K I striking out of the self-acting regktry _vill Jm jena result

      j zwrmer _zo me same , ana , _ tima „ lv I it is doubtful whether , under the bill , theco 1 _stituency of Ireland will be much more th * f ? doubled . An electoralbody of _somewhereahout 100 , 000 , out ofa population of 8 , 000 , 000 , will I attest the dominant Toryism of one powerful I faction , and the faint-hearted and li p-deep I Liberalism of another . f We infer that Ministers do sot intend to I y _esist this bit-by-bit mutilation ofthe only com-1 paratively nseful general measure which has , this year , emerged from the Lower House , because the Marquis of Lansdowse , in proposing the reception of- the' report , intimated that it was not hi 3 intention to renew the discussion upon the two important

      Parliamentary Review. Sot Content With H...

      points on which the Opposition had beaten the Government , when the bill came 6 n for a third reading , though we have since heard it _rumenred that a last effort will be made on the third reading . If there had been any serious intention of restoring it to its original shape when sent back to the Commons , we think Lord JOHN would have taken advantage of tbe debate on Mr . Locks Kino's motion to have indicated that intention to the Peers and i

      _. it . — - to the country . By joining with the Tories in Ju s opposition to that motion , he , on the contrary , we think , gave them to understand that as far as he and his Cabinet are concerned , they may safely indulge to their hearts content , in their favourite legislative pastime of trampling upon popular rights and franchises . There was only one sentence whicb held out a glimpse of hope that Lord John is aware of the character ofthe crisis to which we are fast

      approaching , and that was the passa ge in which he deprecated the introduction of Mr . Ring ' s bill , because at this time it was impossible to proceed with so very important a subject , and to trifle with it wonld be unworth y ofthe situation , and not quite fair to the people of the country . If Whig phraseolo gy means anything , and especially in the mouth of so adroit a special pleader as Lord John has , upon more than one occasion , shown himself recently , that sentence should mean that the Pkdib Minister is aware of the importance of an extension of the franchise , and that the altered state of parties has altered the situation and relative strength of parties

      in Parliament . As we have already stated , his policy of _stand-stillism must be substituted for progress . He must either " move on , " or " move out . " The speech of Mr . G . Thompson was graphically illustrative of the anomalies of ourpresent disgraceful representative , or rather non-representative system ; and itis to be regretted that tbe constitution of the House prevents so few opportunities for forcing this subject npon its attention . Meanwhile we may , without being thereby misapprehended , or supposed to approve of the principle which Mr . King sought- to embody in a . BUI , fairly congratulate the Suffrage Reformers on the fact , that a minority of one hundred members voted in favour of that motion . "We would fain hail

      it as the first of those indications of a more healthful state of parties , and the breaking up of tbat dreary political stagnation to which we look forward as a consequence of the death of Sir R . Peel .

      It Will Be Remembered That The House Of ...

      It will be remembered that the House of Commons beat the Ministers onafiscal question connected with British spirits in bond . Thoy carried that , in future , all such spirits should only pay duty npon the quantity which actually comes into consumption , instead of taking it at the worm s mouth , and allowing nothing

      for waste , leakage , evaporation , & c . The majority by which this resolution was carried was quite as respectable and influential as that for closing the Post-office on Sundays ; but we doubted at the time whether the Government would as readily carry it into effect . The result has justified our scepticism . The Chancellor of the Exchequer—on the question being again brought forward in due coursemoved a negative , and , in a House of two hundred and forty-one members , only escaped a second defeat by a majority of one ! We should think that the Scotch and Irish

      distillers are not particularly in love with a Financial Minister who , on so narrow a majority as that , will persist in robbing them of duty for spirits which never come into the market—or , in other words , of taking money from them , against which they cannot place the mercantile set-off , " value received . " But Sir Charles Wood is equally famous for his anxiety to catch hold of the people's money , and his incapacity to apply it properly . His Budget this year has shown his incompetency to deal - with a

      surplus quite as plainly as his former attempts did to deal with a deficit . In either case he is hopelessly imbecile ; aud as long as men of business choose to have the national cash account managed by such a man they must pay the penalty—apropos of Exchequer management . Mr . Anstey once more introduced the question of the Adulteration of Coffee by means of Chicory , He showed that Coffee is diminishing in consumption in consequence of the substitution or largely increased size of this root in combination with

      ground coffee , and he not unfairly called for protection to the public against this fraud , and to the colonist who had to contend against an untaxed article . Sir Charles Wood , however , saw " difficulties" in the waythat fatal word before which Whig courage oozes cut like that of" Bob Acres , "—and he , therefore , refused to entertain the question . A characteristic speech was made in the course of the short debate , by Sir John Tyrrell , for once he voted with the Whig Chancellor . Why ? because he is a grower

      of chicory , and can grow two tons and a half an acre on good land , which at £ 2 £ a ton , will yield £ 60 an acre , at a time when good land , with four quarters of wheat an acre , will not return £ 10 . : The Protectionists are of the opinion with the late Alderman Brooks — "Lord love you ! we are all for ourselves in this world '"—and they never lose an opportunity of practically exemplifying their belief . We do not wonder at Sir John praising highly the " mocha flavour'' imparted by chicory , when it gives six times the return of wheat grown on the same land .

      The "Farmers'friends" Screwed Their Cour...

      The " farmers'friends" screwed their courage np to the point of proposing the repeal of the Malt Tax at last . Tbat valorous feat was not , however , performed by Mr . Disraejj , the Marquis of Gbanby , Mr . Herries , or any ofthe would-be " guides , _philosophers , and friends' ' ofthe Protectionist party . Mr . Cayley , a kind of " odd man " with sundry " crotchets , " was put forward as the forlorn hope ; and we must do him the justice to say , that lie gallantly performed the task assigned to him , but that his motion would be otherwise

      than rejected , never entered the mind of any human being . Even Mr . _Cayley himself , at the commencement of his speech , knew what i * s fate would be as well as he did at its close . The only wonder is that one hundred and twenty-three members were mustered to vote for it ; and this fact shows that the dread ofa general election is operating among county members , and those who have the prospect of facing agricultural constituencies . The stereotyped reply of Sir Charles Wood to all app lications for the remission of taxes , or for the re-distribution of the fiscal burdens of the

      country , was of course repeated with such variation as the not very lively imagination of that gentleman enabled him to produce for the occasion ; and after a show night , and a show debate intended , or at least expected , by all parties to end in smoke , the motion if as negatived by two to one , leaving to the jolly farmers the g lorious satisfaction of reading the speeches in the Sunday papers that circulate among them . " Sic transit gloria mundi /" Thus passes the glory of the Protectionist dinners and meetings . The great things which the farmers * friends " were to achieve turn out to be exceedingly email .

      On Wednesday, Mr. Wor Tley's Unfortunate...

      On Wednesday , Mr . Wor _tley ' s unfortunate Marriage Bill—which has at every stage wet with the most determined oppositionwas left with yet a final division to encounter ; a _« d the narrow majorities on the two last _Trtr of a cI , aracter to insure for it a very 0 J t _ | ing rec eption in the Peers at a period _sUved ff _? nv ? hen everything that can be _awentinf ' _^ next Session" is sure to he their Lord _' v _' _v laxe Behind the clerks at suspect win _l- _* ' _taWe _« Mr . Wortley , we t ime . _^ o to renew the fight a third ;

      On Wednesday, Mr. Wor Tley's Unfortunate...

      On Thursday , fMr . EWARX _' S annual filOtlOIl for the . abolition of public strangling w _£ 3 briefly debated in an impatient ' House , and met with the usual fate . Our legislators do ' hot believe in that article of the decalogue which aays , " Thou _shalt not kill . " They refuseto interfere with the trade and emoluments of Mr . Uaiciiaft , as ono of those precious relics of the wisdom of onr forefathers , which all are bound to venerate deeply , and to transmit intact to a grateful and admiring posterity .

      Immediately afterwards the House counted out by preconcerted arrangement , on Mr . O'Connor ' s motion . If the people were but true to themselves , and faithful to their leaders , how soon they would change this scornful and contemptuous treatment into a ready and enlightened obedience to their wishes ; but , while they remain disunited or apathetic , they must submit to the consequence . They have , after all , only themselves to blame for the contumel y , tyranny , and injustice , which they now Buffer under . * They who would be free , Themselves must strike the blow . '

      Monies Received For Thb Wbbk Ending Thur...

      MONIES RECEIVED For thb Wbbk Ending Thurspav , Joxr IItb , 1850 . THE HOHeIty FUND , Received by w . Ridhi . —Dr . Greer , Glasgow , 10 s—G . Bateson , Shipley , 2 s-A few Chartists , Rgtherham . per J . Turner , 2 s !) d-A few Friends , Northampton , per J . Iebody , 9 s—Messrs . Mills and Stevens , Brighton , per J . Warren , 2 s . . ¦ ' Received by W . R ider .. .. 150 FOR THE WINDING UP OF THE LAND COMPANYReceived by W . Rideb .-W . Westoby _, Croyden , Gd-Bradford , per J . ConBell , 41—J . Sweet , Nottingham , is—A . Chippendale . Nottingham , is-J , Leggctt , Nottingham , 3 d—T . Bunt , Old Woodstock , Oxon _, 6 d-p . Elliott , Clapl Bam . 3 g _ R . Evans , Liverpool , _Gd-J . Whitfield , Liver _, pool , ls .

      FOR MRS . JONES . Received by W . Rib „ . —King-cross , near Halifax , Os

      Iiattcniu Flanircompam)

      _iiattcniU _fLanircompam )

      Bristol.—From The Announcement In Tha St...

      Bristol . —From the announcement in tha Sto Inst week bf Mr . _O'Coniior ' _s letter , calling on the members of the Land Company to defray the expenses of winding up , the Company , and bringing it to a final issue , at a meeting ' on Monday night , when only a few members attended ; it was proposed by Mr . Burges , and seconded by Mr . Clark , to adjourn the meeting until next Monday ,. at . eight o ' clock in the evening , when it is requested every member -will attend to take into _consideration the . heBt modft to adopt towards defraying tbe above expenses . Since the stagnation ofthe Land Flan , there seems tobe an apathy that ought not to exist . If every member would come forward throughout the Land Company , the contribution

      would be but trifling and easy . Hum ,. —The usual weekly meeting of members held at tbe Malt Shovel , North-church-side , July 8 th , the following resolution was unanimously agreed to : — " That the members of this branch are hereby called on to pay all arrears of levies due to the Company , both local and directors , or forfeit all claims on , the Company . " After which the meeting was" adjourned until Monday evening , July loth . _Salfobd . —At a members meeting , held in _Irwellstreet , on Sunday the 7 th inst ., Mr . J . Emery in the chair , the following resolutions were carried unanimously : — " That this meeting adjourn until Sunday , July 21 st , 1850 , at two o ' clock in the afternoon , at Mr . Lees , Temperance Hotel , _Irwell-street , Salford , for the purpose of considering the best

      means of enabling Mr . O'Connor to take the bill through tbe House of Commons for winding up the affairs _% f the Company . " Birmingham . —In reference to the call in the Northern Star of Saturday last , for the sum of £ 400 , to defray the expenses of winding up the National Land Company , \? e , the members meeting in the Ship Locality , are of opinion , that it would be much better to sell a portion of the land belonging to tbe Company sufficient to defray the expenses of winding it up . We suggest this course simply because we could not be sure tbat more than a dozen would contribute for that purpose , while the members number between 300 and 400 ; consequently it would be but common justice to sell some of the land , and then the expenses would be _equally _bOl'riO as well by those who are not willing to contribute voluntary as those wbo are .

      The Land! Thb Land!! It Is Now Twelve Mo...

      THE LAND ! THB LAND !! It is now twelve months since the residents of Great Dodford took possession of their holdings , and as it will be interesting to the members of the Company to know something of the obstacles overcome and the prospects of the future , I _= shall briefly state them as under . On the day of possession two acres , of each allotment was cropped' as follows ;—One acre of beans , one-half acre of peas , one-half acre of potatoes , and a plot of cabbages . The crops varied in quantity and quality ; the beans from eleven bushels per acre , to upwards of forty ; peas from three pecks to as many bushels ; potatoes from three bushels

      to upwards of 200 ; the cabbages were more uniform in size and quality ; but of the rest there was a vast disparity . . The Directory gave to each allottee , two bags of guano , and two pounds of turnip seed ; but the condition of the land made it quite impossible to get any quantity in worth _fpeahii _> g of , so that the remaining portion of land was got ready for wheat , and it is said by the neighbouring farmers and others , that its equal cannot be found in . the county . But you must understand , that some of this land has had expended upon it in digging , stocking , cleaning , lime , io ., more than £ 10 per acre , and some have expended more than £ 12 . The breaking up of this land was very expensive , and if it required as much another year , it

      would ruin nearly " all . Most of us were novices at tho work , but it is not so now ; twelve months hard toil have made us quite adepts , and very few can be found to work by our sides . Still we are but learners , and it will require years of experience to ascertain which are the most beneficial crops to grow upon this land , for it is of so peculiar a nature as to baffle the judgment of one of the most enlightened gardeners in England . Here let me pay a tribute of respect to the sound advice oi Mr . O'Connor , as given in his work on " Small Farms , " where he advises each location to have recourse to tho " Practical Gardener . " 1 presume most men who hare grown a few cabbages , onions , potatoes , and the like , think themselves

      fully competent to take the entire direction of four acres of land ; but from what 1 see now , and from what I hear , great alterations will be adopted another season . True it is " the science of agriculture is only in its infancy , " and improvements can only be made yearly . . It is unlike any other description of skill , for If you lose the season it is all over with you ; not so in the manufacture of goods , for they can be produced at all times , and improvement made every day , but here only yearly . It therefore becomes all who are at all likely to obtain their living upon the land , to make themselves as much as possible acquainted with the soils and management of small farms . This is digressing from the . subject , but to my mind it is

      necessary , for I believe somo of the failures have originated from the want of such information . This season the pea , _aweed , carrot , Mid parsnip , have nearly all failed . The potato is looking most splendid , and if the disease keeps from it tbe crop will be capital . The mangel-wurzel promises well , so also does brocoli , cauliflower , and the cabbagetreble in general ; in fine , where the land i 3 deep dug and well manured , it will grow anything and plenty of it , but , as I said , it requires time and cash to procure them . Great praise is due to Mr . O'Connor , as projector of this scheme , and he ought to have » U the aid and help an enlightened public can give him ; and if the members refuse it , it savours awfully of

      ingratitude , but whilst it is due to him , it is equally duo to the right-minded allottee , and ought to bo given by the several localities ; for , however fortunate ho may appear to be , asd however desirable it may be to get upon the land , and work on bis own account in the free labour field , yet he has such an up-hill job as few contemplate . There are obstacles , privations , and hardships , to be encountered such as few would believe ; it is easy to write up anything , and make it so fascinating till one loses tbeir sober self , but bring him upon four acres of land whicb requires a pick-axe , to drill _se ? ds in , and a limited capital to boot , and vou will then see the thing in its proper light , and instead of men rushing into it headlong , they will git down and count the cost . If this had been done the Land Company would have been in a different position : its utility would

      have been established , and instead of talking about winding up , it would have been the great teacher of the age . While I thus write , let me not be misunderstood respecting the capabilities of the land , and the practicability of tbe scheme , for in both I havo the utmost confidence , and am quite sure if we , at Dodford , can survive another year , that we shall become a Beacon in the political and social ocean . I shall not be accused of flattery or egotism when I say that upon Dodford there is an intelligent , sober and industrious class of men ; men who havo for vears maintained a high moral reputation , and who have laboured heart and soul in _thoxause of human _redemption-and , I believe , came here not onTtO benefit themselves , but to aid in working out that great social problem-m . testing the value of the & "hen _wrought hy fr « 9 labour , nnd

      The Land! Thb Land!! It Is Now Twelve Mo...

      hastening that glorious day when the eons of toil shall : be _tred to labour for themselves upon the land which God has given them as their birthright . You : wilI allow tho following suggestion for the calm consideration of the members relative to not winding up the Company . . To let the whole machinery become inoperative , and of course inexpensive ( except such as is necessary , for the ' collecting -and safe-keeping of tbe rents ) for three years , and after that period it would need no such application , for I feel quite sure that this place , at that date , 'will give suoh an impetus to the Land Company that it will need neither

      Registration , Act of Parliament ,-or any thing else—it must , it will become so glaringly apparent to all , that it is , and will be a remedy for English pauperism ; Show me a community or hamlet of a given quantity of hours and people _, living for fcwelvo months / and not requiring the aid of a " blue bottle" to quell a drunken riot , or a parish officer to dole out his Bastile fare ; in fine I know of no institution that will baffle the Lawyer of _hisj » _-ey—the Brothel ofits w _# ms-the ale-house ofits dupes—the gaol of its' thLl _^ _s—the BastiUof its inmates—and the ' labour market of its competitors , as the Land Scheme . Then I say " Let us rally around it again and again . " "' ¦ ' ¦'

      -I am aware a difficulty or two will be sure to prevent this polioy from being carried out ; but if a committee were established in every locality as at Dudley , to bring up the discontented holders of scrip , the thine ; could be easily worked , and by that time , every man , whose heart was right , would see the advantage of such a course . The members upon the other estates will not consider me as disparaging them because 1 have named Dodford only ; I speak Only of this estate because ! only know it ; of the others I know

      nothing , having never , seen them , and only knowing an individual or so upon either . Very Respectfully , H . _Gubkn . P . S . Since the above was written , I see the Star announces the winding up ofthe Company , and also an advertisement in the Worcester paper , to the same effect—also Mr . O'Connor calling upon the members for a subscription for act of Parliament expenses . Would it not be best to take these from General Fund , as' all subscriptions are generally borne by a few-individual , and not by the entire body . . H . G

      The Miners Of The Nojt'fll. " To The Kdi...

      THE MINERS OF THE NOJt'fll . " TO THE KDITOR OF THE NORTHEBN STAR . Dear Sir , —The appeal to the miners to subscribe to a ( fund to watch over the interests of _themselves and families , as involved in tlie proposed bill on mines aud collieries , wliich has been introduced into the _Houseof Lords by . theEarl of Carlisle , bids fair to be heartily responded to in this locality , and we trust in other districts also . The parties appointed as collectors have been at work a few- days and have met with tolerable success ; and as itis intended to Afford everV' satisfaction to those who

      _subscribe , especially lo those who are desirous to witness the publicity of their subscriptions , perhaps you will afford space fpr the following . Collected at Heworth Colliery the sum of ten shillings , part of which was given by the ; following persons : ~ Jobn Harker , Is . ; Thomas Henderson , Is . 9 d . ; M . Hume , 5 d . A Post-office Order for £ 1 has also been received from Crow-trees Colliery , for the above purpose . There will be a full account printed afterwards , but the committee are anxious that the above should appear in the next" Star . "

      I have received from "A Constant Reader' ' of the '' Star" a present of a _watch-seal , made of coal , for Mr . O'Connor , and another for a gentleman , and which would have been forwarded hut for the anticipated visit of some of our brethren to London in a few days , which will give them an opportunity ol presenting the same in person . . Yours & c , Newcastle , July 8 th . M _; Jude .

      Tothe Miners Of Great Britain. - Fellow ...

      TOTHE MINERS OF GREAT BRITAIN . - Fellow Men , — In attempting to _dra-w your attention to the " signs of the times" allow me to state , that however great » nd manifold your present burdens may be , and however grievous it may he to you to bear those burdens , there is no other way by wbich you can be saved—there is no other plan by whicli you can be saved from such burdens than by uniting yourselves in one common bond of brotherhood—one general plan of organisation , which shall embrace the whole of the miners of this country . In taking a view of the aspect of things , I per * ceive that strong symptoms of something being wrong have manifested themselves of late .

      A large portion ofthe Miners of Scotland have been struggling , for a series of weeks , to obtain a more certain and a more adequate remuneration for their labour , and to have those wages they honestly earn paid every week , and that in the current coin of the realm . Again , there has been a series of very extensive strikes in Wales , to prevent a reduction of wages . . In Staffordshire , Lancashire , Northumberland , and Durham , attempts have been , and are still being made , to pull down the price of labour , all of which have been resisted j and although , in a great many instances , success has aUendtd such resistance

      yet we may rest assurpd _, that unless a barrier a erected , and that speedily , the masters will return t > the attack , and in all probability carry their point . Indeed , itis more than probable , itis a moral . certainty . Look at the price of coals—witness the low figure to which competition among us , and among the owners , have entailed upon that article ; and we may be sure that an attempt will be made , and that shortly , to bring tbe wages of the miners still lower , unless an understanding can he co » e to to limit the produce of our labour so as to ensure , at least a fourth less being sent to market , and thereby prevent tbe necessity which must otherwise arise of reducing the prices at present paid .

      Fellow-men , —A few weeks ago a conference from the chief mining , district * waa held lor tha espftcial purpose of reestablishing the Miners' Association , whicb , although sustained and kept up in a partial way by a few brave and noble-hearted men , had , nevertheless , been rendered inoperative as regards the general mass of miners . At this conference it « as clearly 8 tid satisfactorily laid down , that without some well-defined and organised p lan of limiting the produce more in accordance with the demand than heretofore , that nothing but the greatest misery and privations were in store "for the miners of this country . Hence a code of regulations were adopted for the purpose of heirig submitted to the body of miners , the objects of which are to bring

      about a cordial understanding among aU who labour in mines , so that the most effective plans may be put into operation to ensure a more healthy state of the market , and thereby prevent the downward tendency of wages . ¦ I JThe object I have in view in thus addressing you ii to apprise all tbe mining body that another conference will be held on the 19 ih of August next , at Newcastle-upon-Tyne , for the purpose of _cbnsolidating the rules an a * regulations adopted , at the preceding conference ; and itis hoped that every miner , in whatever part of Great Britain he maybe located , will see it to be his interest and his duty to be represented in tbat conference , that proper and efficient steps may be taken to meet the threatened evil , _atwi to avert the coming destruction . .

      Brother Miners , —Lef us make an effort while there is yet life enough in the body , to overcome tbe malady—whilst we are yet sufficiently powerful to lay the foundation , and build the superstructure , which shall eventually and abundantly repay us for aU we may expend upon it , and which shall also convey to our children , and the community at large , another proof of the grand results of union and Cooperation , when fairly applied " to the mitigation of the evils which oppress so extensively the working classes of tbis and every other country ..

      Again soliciting your attention to the 19 th of August , and trusting the conference will be a bumper , . I remain , yours respectfully , M . Jude , Sec . A copy of the minutes of last conference will be sent to those who apply to M . Jude , Sandyford . lane , Newcastle-upon-Tyne .

      Bill For The Better Protection Of The He...

      BILL FOR THE BETTER PROTECTION OF THE HEALTH AND LIVES OF MINERS .

      to thb EDITOR OF THB NORTHERN STAR . Sib , —I beg to intimato _, through the medium of your valuable journal , tbat 'the exertions of tho friends ofthe Miners , together , with their own petitions , Ac , have at last induced the government to attempt to legislate for the better protection of the health and lives of that useful body of men . A bill was introduced a few days ago into the House of Lords by the Earl of Carlisle for the above purpose ; and as no doubt many will be

      an-X 10 U 8 to loarn the provisions of that bill , I forward a brief notice thereof , ' and will add , at tho same timo , an observation or two on the principle nnd tendency ofthe same , and conclude by inviting all mining districts to be watchful , or even this limited and imperfect measure will be shorn ofits best part , or perhaps prevented from passing at nil this session of Parliament . Tho bill may be divided into two parts , the first embracing considerations to protect tho lives of the miners . Tho second part applies a more rigid

      Bill For The Better Protection Of The He...

      machinery to the coroners' _inqnests , ivitb a view to ascertain more clearly the cause of death , Ac . The first department provides that inspectors shall be appointed , who shall have power to * enter the pits at any reasonable timo , and to examine the _air-ways , the air-doors , stoppings , pits , levels , water-ways , and every other matter or thing connected with the machinery of the mine and the safety of ihe workmen ; The bill then goes on to state that should anything appear to the inspector to be calculated to endanger the lives ofthe miner ? , he shall apprise Ihe agent or owner thereof ,, and forward an account of the same to the Secretary of State ; and further ; that the inspector shall have the free UBe of all plans ofthe mines , and that such plans shall be accurately drawn , and if found otherwise , the inspectors to order an accurate one at the expenso ofthe owners . Any wilful obstruction to the inspector subjects the party to a penalty not exceeding £ 10 .

      The bill then provides that in case any death from accident should ensue in or about the pit or colliery , that the owner or agent thereof shall , within twelve hours , forward a report of tho same to the Secretary of State , intimating the probable cause thereof ; arid should any owner or agent neglect to do so , he or they will incur a penalty not exceeding ¦ ¦ ¦

      £ 20 . ' . _<";¦; . _; ' .. ; " Again , the coroner shall , in all cases of violent death in or about ' the pits , give two days notice to the Secretary of State before holding any inquest on the bodies of tho sufferers . : ' That the penalties may be recovered before two Justices of the Peace , Ac . The above are the leading features of the bill , and as the public press has not contained any account relative to the introduction of it in the House of Lwds , so consequently wo are entirely in the dark whether the bill is intended to be pressed through this session or not , and it being nearly a fortnight since it was laid upon the table of the house , and nothing having transpired relative to it since that time , tho mining population of this district are most anxious for the _requi-ite knowledge of the fate tliat awaits it .

      In accordance with this feeling it is intended to send a deputation to the metropol ' 13 to learn the intentions of her Majesty's government in this respect , and to urgo upon them , if necessary , the necessity of passing the bill before this session of parliament closes . They are also anxious that their brother minors throughout tlie kingdom should bestir themselves in this matter , and use all their endeavours to insure the passing of the said bill before the session closes , which very probably a short time will determine ; hence the necessity of taking immediate steps in order to obtain the enactment of this or some improved measure , or we shall hare to wait till the meeting of parliament next year , thereby . plaeing in jeopardy the lives of thousands during that period .

      Volte

      Volte

      Worsiiip-Street.-A Scrokojt And Nis Assi...

      WORSIIIP-STREET .-A _Scrokojt and _nis Assistant . —G . FjMasterman , assistant to Mr . W . Finer , surgeon , North-place , Boston , was charged with attempting to strangle his employer . —Mr . Finer , was unable to attend . —About five o ' clock on Sunday evening the female servant heard the cry of Murder . " She went upstairs , and on the landing of the second-floor found her master , who had come out Of tho prisoner's bedroom ' . He had both his hands up to a silk handkerchief , which was tied round his neck . He was trying to loosen it . He then went into his own bedroom , and requested her to untie it . He was black in the face and bleeding at tho nose . She with _' _some difficulty undid the handkerchief , whieh was tied in two or ' three knots ,

      and was twice round his throat . While she was doing this her master , who was sitting on the bed , fell off on the flior in a state of insensibility , —Mr . Wm . MaggB , timber merchant , Kingsland-road , said ho was sent for a few minutes after five o ' clock . He found Mr . Finer on the floor . He subsequently saw the prisoner , and told hinvthat he was afraid something serious would happen . He made reply that his master struck him first . He then left the house . - _^ Sergeant Dubois handed in the following letter : , — " Dear _Father , —I swear most solemnly that he struck nie firat , and that I only resented in selfdefence . I ask pardon of God , and swear that this is the whole truth . —G . F . _Masterly . " —The prisoner was remanded for a week , bail being refused . .

      SOUTHWARK . —Uttering a FonoED Cheque . —A young man of respoctable appearance , who refused to give his name or address ,, was charged with uttering a forged cheque for £ 250 with intent to defraud the London and Westminster Banking Company . —J . w . Ta pp stated that lie was cleric in the Southwark branch of the London and Westminster Bank , in Wellington-street , Londonbridge ; that , in the course ot Monday morning , the prisoner called at the bank , and inquired if he could see the manager , saying that he had a note to deliver of somo importance relating to a cheque for £ 250 that had been presented on the Saturday previously , but was not cashed . Witness , in reply , informed the prisoner that Mr . Kingsford , the

      manage !' , was in attendance , and" tho prisoner then handed him a letter , which he took to that gentleman , —Mr . Kingsford stated that he was manager ofthe above banking company , and that a letter , of which the following is a copy , was given into his hands on that day . It ran thus : — "J 3 anford House , Brixton . ; Gentlemen , —By my father ' s desire I write this note to you . On Saturday he wrote a cheque for £ 250 , and sent it with our clerk , and it was returned with " signatures differ" on it . The cause was this : My father ; on Saturday morning , was standing in the yard when a balo of wool was being taken in , when the tackle gave way , and fell and struck wiy father—I not being thero at the time . There was a doctor sent for , and he _wv » s taken h

      ome , and now lias only a few hours to live , there being three of his ribs broken and his left thigh . He had ; . with great pain , wrote another cheq tie , which I inclose you . 1 would call myself , but I am anxious to see tbe last of my father . The cash is wanted before twelve o ' clock , as there are some bills due . —Gentlemen , we remain , George Davis , jun ., and Son . "—M . Kingsford , in continuation , said that on perusing tho note , inclosed in which was a cheque for £ 250 , purporting to be drawn by tlio son of a gentleman , named George Davis , wno kept an account at tho above bank , he ( witness ) suspected it to- be a forgery , and accordingly gave the prisoner into custody . When witness questioned tho prisoner on the subject he refused to give his namo or address , or in fact , anv

      information as to where he came from . —Mr . Davis stated that he is a woolstapler , and in business with his son in Church-street , Bermondsey . That they keep an account with the South-west Branch of the London ami Wostminster Bank . Tho note above-mentioned was here shown to witness , and he stated that neither that nor the cheque was in his or his son ' s handwriting . —The prisoner was remanded . On Wednesdey the prisoner was brought up for re-examination . The depositions having been read Mr . Mullins , of the firm of Bush and Mullins , for the prosecution , addressed tho magistrate , and informed him that since Monday , it had been ascertained that his name is William Thorns , and that he was formerly a clerk in the

      employ of Messrs . Goochand Cousins , woolstnplers , of _London-wiiU in the City . It was also found thatfhe lived with a family of the name of Thorns , in . No . 5 , Red Lion-street , _Whitochapol , at which house was discovered several documents of importance in elucidation of the presont charge , as well as' that of tho discovery of a forgery to the amount of £ 72 , which ho committed on the firm in whose employ ho had been , in London-wall . The latter circumstance ( Mr . Mullins ) mentioned with a view to show that the prisoner must" have been well aware of tho consequences of the act he had bo recently committed , ; tbat of uttering Ithe forged chock for £ 250 on the London and Westminister Bank , purporting to be in tho handwriting of Mr .

      Davis , thevrookstnpler , of Bermondsey , who kopt ari ' account with that establishment . —Several witnesses were _producod who deposed to the correctness of this statement , and tho evidence in support of the charge being completed , the prisoner was committed for trial . A Female _Swisntun . —Louisa Beanchamp , olios Skitt , was brought beforo Mr . A'Beckett for final examination , charged with obtaining money from several persons under the pretence of procuring tho necessary documents and papers entitling her to property , which sho alleged was bequeathed by deceased relatives principally in the colonies . Tlie prisoner was apprehended about a month a « o , upon tho information of a Mr , Bondof Creak

      _s-bmld-, ings , _Burmondaey , from , whom sho obtained upwards of £ 20 upon tho representation that sho would procure his pedigree and other documents from Norwich , entitling him to property amounting to £ 50 , 000 . —Committed for . trial . _MARLBOROUGH-STREET . —A Novel _Tusft . —C . Crisp was charged with stealing a cage containing a blackbird . _—Police-oonstable 39 C stnteo that about a quavtev-past four on Tuesday morning he was on duty in King-street , Soho , _vihen he saw the prisoner join , two long poles together and go up to a house , in the front of whiob a cage containing a blackbird was hanging . After looking stealthily round , the prisoner put the pole up to the first-floor

      window of the _houso , and lifted the cage from the hook where it was hanging . Witness rushed forward to collar the prisoner , when the latter dropped the cage and ran away . Witness _pui'SUed him as far as _Kewport-market , and took him into custody . —Mr . F . Mayor , 36 , King-stvoet , proved that the cage and bird were his property , and worth 10 s . —A constable stated that latterly numerous complaints bad been mado to him by . parties who had lost their birds , and no doubt the prisoner had stolen tbem , as he ( the constable ) bad frequently met him at an early hour in the morning with th © poles in his possession , but thinking he was a bill-sticker he took no further _notico of him . The pvisoner , who did not deny the charge , waa _WBumtted for trial ,

      Worsiiip-Street.-A Scrokojt And Nis Assi...

      CLERKENWELL .-KOD » enY , ~ . Jamcs Jpyce , a tall , ' middle aged man , of rcspeelnhle ? _'ppW ? _i ance , who was described in tho police sheet as & gentleman , was placed at the bar , before Mr . Combe , charged by Mr . Augustus John _Ipsley , of No . 27 , Claremont-place , Kentiah-town , with stealing a diamond pin . —The prosecutor deposed that on Sa « turday afternoon last , between three and four o'clock , ho called at thehouse of Mr . Burton , a beer retailor , of _Binglev-place , Pentonville-road , to transact some business in reference to a lease of one of his houses , when the prisoner came in and claimed acquaintance with him , slapped him on tbe shoulder , and challenged to give him a " fly" ( toss ) fov a couple of cigars , which witness declined . The prisoner

      brought him a chair , and they sat down before tho bar . The prisoner then placed his hand across'witness ' s breast , and he felt a jerk . On leaving the place he missed his diamond gold pin from his era vat . Witness returned to tho house of Mr . Burton and charged tbe prisoner with the robbery . While he was sitting with the prisoner he asked him to lend him his watch for a fortnight , and seeing two gold rings on his fingers , he said if he had two gold rings like them he would make a friend a present of one of them . The prisoner refused to be searched except in private , when a constable was procured , and the prisoner , after resistance , was . taken to the station-house . On being searched a diamond gold pin , which was identified by the prosecutor , was found , also a £ 10 Bank of England note , and 5 s . 9 d . Shortly afterwards a diamond gold pin , which the prisoner wore prior to his being given into custody ,

      was foun'l in the road opposite Air . Burton ' s house , and it exactly corresponded with the prosecutor ' s , with the exception of being blunt on the point . The pvisoner refused to give his name and address . — Brooke , No . 300 G , proved having apprehended the prisoner . Ho produced the diamond gold pins . — Mr . Ipsley positively identified the one found on tho prisoner as bis property . —Brooke added that tho prisoner said , 1 ) 0 . would give £ 10 if he could bo searched in private . —John Dean , 92 G , assisted in searching the prisoner , and finding the property concealed in the fqlds of his shirt , —The prisoner said it was his own pin , nnd he could produce tho person whom he bought it of , and ho threatened to bring an action against the prosecutor ,-Several other witnesses were examined , and , after a lengthened investigation , Mr . Combe decided on committing the prisoner for trial . —The prisoner was fully committed .

      GUILDHALL . —The Unknown Madman . — Tho young man who described himself on a former occasion as a determined Chartist , _« as again placed at the bar , beforo Mr . Alderman Salomons , for further examination on the charge of sedition . Mr . Maule , the solicitor for the Homeoffice , attended on the part of the Government for the prosecution , and stated that he appeared by the direction of the Secretary of State for the Home Department , to request the alderman to deal with the case summarily , by binding the prisoner over to keep tho peace towards her

      Majesty and all her subjects . Sir George Grey considered , from the statements made by the prisoner , which had been laid beforo him , that lie was at any rate a dangerous character . It would naturally enough suggest itself to any one of a wellregulated mind , that the prisoner , from his conduct , was deranged in his intellect , and the safest course to pursue , to protect the public from such a mischievously-disposed individual , would be to order him to find such security for his good beha .-vioui' as would deter him from carrying his diabolical schemes into execution . —Alderman Salomons :

      Prisoner , do you still _decline to give nour name ?—Prisoner ( who behaved with great levity during a somewhat long examination ) replied : Certainly , I do decline . The former evidence was then read over , and prisoner was asked if he wished to ask the witnesses any questions ?—Prisoner-. I don't want to ask any questions here , as I intend reserving thevft for a jury . —Alderman Salomons : You . will have no chance .-Prisoner : I have expected all through going beforo a jury , as I prefer having twelve men to decide in my ease . I think if I could get before a jury , I would make at least one out of the twelve obstinate enough to hold out in my favour . —Alderman Salomons : My instructions direct me to dispose of the charge

      summarily , and I think it right to inform you that it is not my intention to commit you for trial . —Prisoner : That is depriving me of the chance of getting off . —Alderman Salomons : If you have any defence to make you had better make it now , ns tbis is the only opportunity you will have ?—Prisoner : lam very much obliged to you . —Alderman Salomons : There is quite sufficient evidence to convince me what is right for me to do , and unless you , can briDg forward sufficient evidence to refute the char g e , there is no occasion to carry the case any further . —Prisoner : What is the charge ? I have not heard it read over yet , and should like to know why I am detained in custody ?—Alderman Salomons : You are charged with having uttered

      documents containing seditious language . —Prisoner : I should like to ask the witnesses a few questions . — The prisoner then put a number of futile questions to the witnesses , but was at length stopped , by Alderman Salomons , who said , I do not see what r . ll these questions have to do with the case beforo me ; if you have anything more to say in your defence , it must be relative to the subject , or I cannot hear it , —Prisoner : I wish to inform the court that the witnesses hare not confined themselves strictly to the truth , for Smith told me he was himself a determined Chartist , and I said at the time that I never intended carrying tho scheme into effect , as it was fraught with a great deal of danger to whoever might attempt it . Although

      the officer frequently urged me to do so , and even offered me tho money to buy the turpentine for that purpose , I most positively declined to render any assistance personally , but thinking they were determined Chartists , from their own statement that they were " Chartists to the back bone , " I considered ihey would not object to risking their lives in such a laudable cause . It is quite true that I would think as little of killing 500 persons in a squabble , as I would of killing a fly , but I could not have the conscience to kill any one in cold blood . Although my scheme threatened the lives of a large portion of the aristocracy , still my object was to protect that class . Uaring had communication with several members of the aristocracy , I

      have been enabled to ascertain that their rent-rolls are so encumbered with mortgages that their property would soon be all swallowed up by the lawyers , and the aristocracy of England sink into obscurity . It was therefore from a feeling of pity that I thought if one-half of that class were despatched on their infernal journey it would have the effect of saving tho other half ; inasmuch as it would tako away all the present , owners and leave the reversionaries in undisputed possession of the property , and thereby strengthen the remaining portion ofthe aristocracy . I have contributed to various publications , attended meetings , lectures , and debating societies , and invariably taken the part of tho aristocracy , and as I found they were rapidly sinking into deeay , I thought I would make one desperate effort to save thein . I have been called a Chartist , but I am not one ; and further , I never incited any one to attempt to cany out the

      schemes laid to my charge . — Alderman Salomons I think you have said qu . ite enough , and I feel it my duty to stop you . You are one of three thingsinsane , mischievous , or a person seckiug for notoriety . I believe you are the two latter , arising out ofa morbid stato of mind _^ It fully appears your object is to figuie beforo a judge and jury , but I am thinking you will be disappointed . Ic is my intention to bind you over to keep the peace for twelve months , and to order you to find bail for your good behaviour during that term , in two sureties of £ 100 each , or one of £ 200 , and to enter into your own recognizances for £ 200 move to tlio saniO effect . — Prisoner : I'll consider about giving bail . —He was then removed from the dock , evidently much disappointed at not being sent for trial . The court was very much crowded , and the result appeared to give general satisfaction to thoso present during tho examination .

      - The Tost-Office Changes.— Tho Followin...

      - The _Tost-Office Changes . — Tho following Post-Office instructions have been issued to the deputy postmasters since the cessation of Sunday duty : — As groat inconveniences has resulted from postmasters having in many instances neglected to despatch bags on Sunday last , I am directed by the-Postmaster-General to inform you , that the bag * must always bo despatched on Sundays , as heretofore , whether there are letters or not to be forwarded in them , and that in either case tho bag must contain a bill in accordance with the usual practice . To enable the Postmaster-General to-decide what reduction shall be made in the wages of letter-carriers and rural post messengers , in consequence of the diminution of their labour-effected by tho new regulations , which came into operation oa Sunday , tbe 23 rd ult ., 1 have to desire you will immediately furnish the following information , viz .: — How many _doliveviea wero made by each

      lettercarrier attached to yonr office previously to tho 23 rd ult ., and bow many are at present ?—What aro the wages of each letter-carrier?—What rural post messengers have been relieved from work on Sunday within tho last twelve months , without any reduction being made in their wages?—Whatar » tho wages of such messengers ?—Tho question « the relief wbich may have been afforded to tl » clerks will bu tho subject of a _future _consideration With reference to the latter instruction , there ai » nearly 20 , 000 town and , country letter-camera _, whose wages average about Ms . or las . a week , a reduction of one shilling per week from the wages of each of these persons wonld _economic postoffioe expenditure to the amount of £ 50 * 000 a year " At a _recentirial in Wisconsin , '' says an Ame rican paper , " tho subject of controversy was * demijohn of whisky , r hiohi waa ordered to to brought into court . The _« nfe « dant was tried an so was the whisky-in other words tho _wlusKy ma drunk , and so were the jury _<

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), July 13, 1850, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_13071850/page/5/