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Northern Star (1837-1852), 13th November 1841, Edition 1 of 4, Page 6, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      CARLISLE . I 24 PORTA"N ~ T INQUIRY IXTO THE CONDUCT OF MB . JOSEPH 2 OXOH , KEEPER OF CALEFBLL-HILI , WORKHORSE . In consequence of m request made by the Board of Guardians to the magistrate * , to take the evidence of eartain parties compiainiBg of harsh and brutal conduct , onthe part of Mr . Nixon , the keeper of Calfifell-hill workhouse , the magistrates appointed Saturday last , for hearing the case . There were more than the usual number of persons In the body of the hall , anxious to hear the iBauiry . We give the evidence in fall as it transpired . It is right , however , to mention , that the four persons examined is behalf of Mr . Nixon , are all at present paupers in the workhouse , and as such would not feel themselves at liberty to speak out in that fearless TrrsBTf which others have done .

      Mr . C W&nnop , solicitor , appeared tor the complainants ; but in consequent * of the magistrates being determined to adjudicate on the matter , he declined having anything to do with the ease . Mr . Nixon was aided by Mr . James "Mounsey , solicitor , and cleric to the Board of Guardians . The inquiry took place in the Town Hall , 'before James Dixon , Esq ., Mayor ; Thomas Salhald , Esq , of Halm-Hill ; and Joseph Ferguson , Esq . * of Fisheritreet

      Mary Tallely sworn—She said I lire in Duke-street , and am a married woman . I was hi the workhouse kept by JIr . Nixon a month to-day . There were two or three women getting tea . Mr . Nixon went in and catched them getting it . This place is a good bit off the place where I and eight or nine other persons were si Ring . Mr . Nixon raised and swore that the first he catebed getting tea again , he would punish them severely . He danm * d and swore—he damned his tool ; but the first he caught getting tea again , he would punish them .

      By Mr . A . Dixon , mayor—He is in the habit of using oaths when he speaks to us , and makes every woman tremble at las voice . The next meal we went to , he ¦ wore by God he would give a damned deal less white bread to the children , for them to take it to their tea . This was on a Saturday , and I came out on tfes Wednesday following . I saw cose of the children getting "White bread during that time . White breau is allowed to make boiiies for the sucking children . If it had been allowed I would have seen it ; they get nothing in place t > t it I heard the women all saying "there was ncne of them" On the Monday after , two of -the women who had sucking children got over the wall , and casie to the town for bread . This was at seven o'clock at night ; one of them was-Jans Bowman ,

      tad the other Betsey Hunter . The master and mistress ware both at the town whea it happened . As soon as the women were missed , there was a great noise in the bouse , as to what would be done , when the mastercame back and heard of it The two women came back in about an . hour and a half . The passage and stair-head doors were locked , so that they would have to come through the kitchen where they would be teen . There were six or seven of us kept standing en the stairs a considerable time , and could not get to bed . Mr . Nixon ' s dangntT and servant brought up a candle , and reproved Jane Bowman very much for goiDg over the trail . She denied it Mr . Nixon's daughter htaved her hand in Bowman ' s faoe , and asked feer how she dared to do it When the master and mistress came

      borne between ten and eleven . o ' clock , the master went out of one room to another , cursing and swearing in the same way . He said to Jane Bjwman , he would take d d good care of her , that she should never have any dnt-door relief , and she should never have B £ > thing when her husband sent for her to America . He came into the bed rooms two or three times , and coctinu-rd until two o ' clock in the morning . The next morning the bell rung for ns all to go to the gates . All the -women and young lasses were brought forward to the gate * . H 3 cleared them all but six of us , and Bent thi others into the beuse . We bad to go across the yard at ibe sound of the beB every half hour in the day and every quarter of an hour after dark , till eight o ' clock . b : > e of the women who went over the wall

      gave hex rotice in next day , at eight o ' clock , to leave the place : tbe woman was Jane Bowman . There was another cf the fix he removed to her parish next day . There vr-je now four left , one that went otei the wall and three oihtrs . I dont know what I was punished for . Sir . Nixon kept Jane Bowman in until seven o'clock at n ? shl , though she had four children , two in her arms an » . two at her tails . She asked the mistress , at two o ' clock , for her dotkes , which was an hour after she shonld have got ont The mistress said No , she had something else to do than give har her clothes ; she said in a passion , " Turn in here and do the kitchen work ; you hate gu ' - jcur dinner , and I wili taJce care you work for it I sra mistress and not you . " Jane Bowman ¦ went vz ~ . Ebc'tit seven o ' elock at night I beard no

      cause atv , ? ' rd I-v keeping her in until that time . We , the four , chu An ' . y until eight o ' clock at night , that is , going across the yard at the sound of the belL I thrn thought there would be no more of it , but he started next mamin ^ , and the bell was rung again . I walked till eubt o'ek-ct , and then I gave notice to come out I expected my tims would expire at one o ' clock , as five hours is the time of the notice . I walked when the bell rnr-g . until two o ' clock , when I came out . I have three children . The bread the women brought in , he took it from tnem , also some Ted herrings , -when ¦ we were in hi-I . He cut the loaves up , and gave them to the little children , from two to four years of age . He kept thsni in the kitchen , until they ate it alL He asked them -wbf-n they were done eating , , if their

      beHies"vrsTcinl \ , aB < i siid their mothers would goover tbe wall , and get CfcHi more bread . Before Jane Bowman wert ont . she gave me one of tbe penny loaves to conceal for her , as Nixou made such , work- I gave her it sex : morning , and she put it into her pocket She bad n pwee of penny cake in her pocket at the time . B ^ cuts ber extra punishment , by making her wash aa < 2 scrar a six room shop before breakfast , and then afl = i bTf ± kfiist , when she wag going for water , he -cried out ' ¦ Eallo , Bowuian , what have you got in your pocket ? " Sl-e paused , and he said , "Come , come , takeoff your i-ocket , till I see what is in it" SUe took it off a : * d iaid it down on tbe table . He then made h-. r t-fc * out what was in it ; he then took the bread , zv . i > M i -be might take the pocket back . The

      next day he ii-vidsd the bread amongst the children , as before . Si ; s .- u * to us , and said to the children , have yon got rfi-ju ^ h . as your mothers will go and get yen some m-jis . U . tsy Hunter , who went over tbe wall , said to Mr . >' ixon he miebt have let her little girl c-jnie out before she " had eaten all hw braid , that she might have got a piece fi . r -. hi toud ? one . The victuals were not sufficient , sui they said we did not get what was ordered . T ^ e in ; three or four days I was in , the porridge -a-er- rit ; : er better , but from tbe Saturday until the Wslii ^ -iiy , they were very bad ; there was a general c a ' . cry ia -he house that it was mixtd with barley niti ! . a-i to iny taste it was . The porridge were very thin and jsit like grueL When I put six

      spoonfuls ie : j tbs rui . k , 1 could not get one out a ? am . The Saturdij c ^ f re I came out six more paupers came in . Thept' ! :--es : " .: : te stew on the Sunday , are peeled on the SirartU ; . Af i-. t these persons came in , the whisper ¦ went r ' .- -anu— - ' We'll have their stew to-morrow . " 1 ask * d tome :. e , - **> at was the reason ; they said there would he no 2 :- re potatoes peeled far the six thai had come in- I aa-. d . that -vras ihe wsy he osed to Jo -when I wm in tight yt-zrs jinca ; that when in the back kitchen woikikg , I L-Ti i .-en from five to seven mure coming in , aui 2 * iL- ' r rueal pui in for them , for I have seen it weklci . 1 ii ^ j almost forget to mention some bad language Le ur-de use of to a young woman who was in the hoots . I thick her name is Betsy Porthouse , -who was an La ' . ni ' . e ^ rhen I was in ; she was about a fortnight i-iid in . and shslaid in the sick room with

      another woman ¦ a-fc o was poorly , when the woman Sarah Scott and her bad &ome words , but I den ' t know -what they -were . t ? . e mistress said to the master , there is a woman sitrirz there , and the best word she can give anyone -srbo rpeiks to her , is to kiss her backside . The masttr S 3 : d , "the nasty , dirty , stinking hussy , how could she wish any body to kiss her rotten backsice , for she is a nasty , rotten , stinking trh—re , and is , &c < kc" ( Here the language is of tha ' . obscene character , that we dare not repeat it , and that he would give every woman a shilling -who -would kick her through the yard . ) There Tpoold V = aixrat forty persons present when he said SO . I swear I beard thc 3 e words . When I vraa before the Guardians Mr . Xixca said , " By God if you go back—you had batter not- "' I have stated nothing but the truth .

      By the Bsrch . —Bowman gave me the loaf , as Nixon was rusking sach work . I gave her it next morning . I know she had eat it contrary to the regulations ef the Board of Gtiardians . ' . Here some altercation took place between the witn -ss and Nixon , which the bench very properly put a stop to . ) Jane Bowman examined . —I live at the end of Queenstreet I have been an inmate of the workhouse at Calefell HilL It is three weeks or more since I left . While I was there , the master came in the Saturday before I left , atd said " be wouJd be d—d if there should be any ir . ore tea or coffee in that house , if he knew it , " He weut away , but was noi long away until he came back and said " he would take care they ahould have no more white bread for the children , he

      would put a stop to that" I came out on Tuesday ,. and from Saturday up to that time , I got no more white | bread for the child . On Monday night when the master ! and mistress -were at the town , I and another young i Woman -went over the -wall to get aome bread ; we brought ' the bread to tbe house ; the other woman was Betsy ; Hunter , who > " ^ a sucking child ; whea we came back ; the house was in confusion ; they said it had been found [ out that we had been over the wall I gave some of , the bread to other women to hide ; I put a-penny loaf j and cake into my pocket , and we went to bed ; bnt the ! pasaage door -vras locked up , and we had to go through ! by the kitchen ; when Mr . Nixon ' s two daughters ;

      stopped ns , snd the young one fratched severely , and ; said her father would put us on tbe treadmill . She j asked me if I went over the walL I said no I She ; then shook her dst In my face , and said I was a bad woman . 1 said nothing to her but went to go to bed , i but the stair-b .-ad door was locked ; they brought the . key , and one of ilr . Nixon ' s daughters and the servant . brought a candle , they fratcked me very severely for i going over the wall ; after they had fratched a long while , 2 told tiiem they had no business with it ; they ) night let their father and mother say what they thought j proper when they came in . Soon after the master and i

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      mistress came home . Tbe master came running np stairs with a lighted a candle , shouting out which room does Bowman sleep in ? Some answered tbe garret He came in and said , Bowman , you have been over the wall to-night ; I said no ? He said he would be d- d if fea eoald make It ont , he would ponlab me in the morning . Ha then went to the other woman and fratebed her too ; be then came back , and asked for the bread . 1 never spoke , and be asked me where T had my basket ? I told him It was in the sitting-room . He went and found the bread and aome herrings . He came back on the landing , and said , he would be d d , bat be would deprive ns of our relishes in tbe morning ; be rallied about tbe house for tome time , bat I could not

      say how long . Jfext morning he came and asked for me in the sitting-room . I bad not got my children dressed , but had them on my knee . He said I bad to give the child to somebody , and get the sitting-room washed oat , and rubbed with a stone . Ay sung woman said if I would wash it , she would rub it with a stone for me ; and she did so . Nixon said I was to wash it again after breakfast and then after dinner ; bat I could not get it done , as he ordered me to wash a cloak and shvwl . I-then -went to the washJiouse , when the muter earns in half shaved , and said he did not look for such behaviour from me , for I had gone over the wall with an entire whore—one of tbe biggest be had in the house . I said I did not know what she was ; he said be would go and acquaint my brother .

      I said we did not go over tbe wall for anything bnt to get bread . When 1 went to wash the sitting-room , be cried out , hallo , Bowman , what have yon got in your pocket ? let me see . I paused ; when he said let me see what bread you have got in your pocket I then took off my pocket , and he ordered me to take it out I did so , and laid it on the table . He then took tbe bread away with him . I then gave in my notice to leave the house ; and when dinner was over about two o ' clock , I said I thought I would get out as the five hours -were np . The mistress said yon have got your dinner , and I will make yon work tor it She then said , turn in and clean the kitchen—I am mistress and not you . I then went in and cleaned it I asked Betsey Hunter how things were done , and she helped me . It was then near two o ' clock , and I went in and asked Mary Gaddes for my clothes . The mistress turned about and

      said she had something else to do than bother her head with me then . —She was making some clothes for a person who was going to America ; and I bad to wait awhile longer . —I asked Betsey Hunter about four o ' clock , and she asked the mistress ; and she said she would not be bothered then . The master was at the town , bnt he came herae at tbe time . I stepped back ; when he cried , ' Have you got nothing to do ? Go and give some one your child , and carry in two cart-loads of sand . " They kept me in till the bell was ringing for supper . It was near seven o'olock when I got out I stripped the children , and said it was & bard ease . Two women followed me and took the clop and stockings off the child—they belonged to the workhouse . 1 had a child in each arm asleep , and the other two had hold of my tails . One of the children who were walking got a thorn in its foot , and I had to lay one of the sleeping children down on the ground until I took it out

      By Mr . Nixon—I never saw you give children bread ; but I have heard you ask the children if they were fnll . I dont know that you have a special order from the Board of Guardians . I did not ask either you or the mistress for the clogs or stockings . Mr . James Monnaey , Cierk to the Board of Guardians —I heard the statement of Yallely made before the Board of Guardians , and no oaths were nsed at that time by Nixon . I also heard the statement of Bowman before a committee of the Board , and she then stated that Mr . Nixon had given bread to the children . Bowman and Yallely have exaggerated tbe statements they made to the Board . They then said Mr . Nix » n had sworn , and used indecent language .

      Mr . - Nixon then addressed the bench , denying having sworn and made use of indecent language . The woman Porthouse is a bad woman , and is labouring under a certain disease . Mr . Nixon then called several witnesses in kis favour . The first who was examined was Mary Geddes . —She said I hare been seven months in tbe workhouse ; I never heard Mr . Nixon make use of indifferent language . The worst I ever beard him nse was " dams Ik . " I never ksev him behave badly ; he is kind to the children ; I have seen him give them white bread . He ia not harsh with tbe people , I get quite enough of victuals , and 1 never heard any complaints . Tbe oatmeal is very good . I never heard him make use of obscene language . I have known the mistress give bread from her own table . I have heard Mr . Nixon ask the children if they were fulL It is

      four months since I was absent from the breakfast table . Betsy Porthouse was ordered to wait on two girls that were sick , and she neglected to wait on them as she ahould have done , and the mistress told tbe master at the breakfast table , that Porthoose had told some of the women to kiss her backside . Mr . Xixon said any decent woman that aha said that to , he would recommend them to cab her about the yard ; he said nothing more . I have heard him tell her to keep herself clean . The child was a very sickly one , and was injured by the decease which the mother had . Mr . Nixon applied to the Board and got them more bread . I did not hear him make use of indifferent language . The night that Bowman and Hunter went over the wall , he -was up stairs , and I was in the kitchen . He was not up again after , that 1 k . aow c £ .

      Elizabeth Hunter , sworn—I have been in the Workhouse five months . During that period I have not heard Mr . Nixon use abusive language . I have heard him say , •* d—n it . " I was one who went over th « wall . When we came in we saw Mary , Mr . Nixon ' s daughter , who asked us if we had been out , and wd said no . She did not shake her fist in Bowman ' s face that I saw . Mr . Nixon came in and asked us if we had been out , and we said no . He did not use offensive or abusive language . He did not swear at us . I slept down stairs . Mr . Nixon did not go up oftener than twice . He went to bed about twelve

      « clock . I have attended regularly at th « breakfast table . I recollect Betsy Porthouse , she was unwell and I waited on her . Mr . Nixon asked her why she had not taken the breakfast up to the two sick women ? She said she would not The mistress said Porthouse had been making use of bad language , and Mr . Nixon said he -would have her backside kicked for doing so . Ha did not swear , nor call her a wh—re . The porridge is very good , and we all got plenty to eat Nixon often give * the children more from bis own table . In consequence of six More persons coming in , I peeled more potatoes .

      Margaret Gash . —I have been in the workhouse seven weeks , and Mr . Nixcn's conduct is very good . I have always had enough to eat I was in tbe kitchen the night the woman came through after having been over the walL ( The witness then stated what took place at the breakfast table , which was precisely the same as that of the former witness . ) I have always found Sir . Nixon kind to the children . Betsy Porthouse was deceased . Robert Peile . —I have been in the workhouse lone ,

      I was there when Mr . Nixon came . Mr . Nixon's conduct is very good , and I never heard him swear , except " dm—n it" He is not in the habit of using obscene language . I remember the women going over the wall , as they -were to come to me once in the ba ' . f hour . I have sufficient to eat , and the rest have the same . The porridge i 3 very good . The magistrates here expressed themselves satisfied with tbe evidence in behalf cf Nixon , and after a short consultation , acquitted Mr . Nixon of any blame , bnt cautioned him against using bad language in fnture .

      Untitled Article

      THE MASONS' STRIKE . A public meeting of the trades of London xvas held at tbe Crown and Anchor , on Friday evening , to hear the report of the Trades' Delegates , respecting the strike of the masons , and to take into consideration the manner in which they bad been treated by the London press . The chair -was announced to be taken at eight o'clock , and soon after seven o ' clock , the place was crowded to fexeess . Sach is the excitement this subject has created that \ re never saw tbe place so suffocatingly crowded . Immense numbers were compelled to be denied admittance , stairs , landing , and every inch of room being occupied .

      Mr . BctleRj operative carpenter , was called to the chair , -who opened the meeting , by calling npon them to assist him in maintaining that order , which had hitherto distinguished theirytoceedings . Many of them knew the particulars of the subject which had given rise to this meeting , but as a great portion of the public -were not so well acquainted with it , the masons and tbe trade delegates , had called this meeting that the public mind might be disabused of the prejudice which a great portion of the press had created against them by giving circulation to the base calumnies of Messrs Griisell and Peto , and refusing to insert their contradiction of their statements . This meeting has been called for the purpose of laying the truth before you , that you may have an opportunity of jadging whether the masons were justified in striking against the inhuman tyranny of George \ he would not call him Mr ) Allen .

      Their meeting in such Immense numbers , fully proved that they sympathised with * the men on strike , and backed by your aid and support , they will teach that petty despot Allen , that you will not allow him to trample on the rights and liberties of your fellow workmen . ( Immense cheering . ) He hoped they would give all parties a fair hearing . If Messrs . Grissell and Peto or any of their agents , were here , he hoped they would also give them a fair bearing , as fair a bearing as they gave the other party , and thereby prove to them , that however tyrannically you have been treated , however base you have been calumniated , still your endeavours are directed only for justice and not for revenge . He appealed to them to assist him with their support in presiding over that meeting . He had ever found them generous- He had never appealed in vain , and he trusted that he should not on this occasion .

      Mr J . Kay said on this great and important occasion , I had rather someone more competent than my-elf had been selected to move tbe first resolution . You are all pretty well acquainted with the strike , and therefore my duty will be fcimply to show the general manner in which the masons have been treated by Alien , leaving the details to succeeding speakers . I am a mason , but I have no connection with the strike . I do not belong to the Birmingham Union , but feeling as a man and a mason , I am compel'ed to come forward on their behalf and aid them in their resistance to such faTinmaii

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      tyranny . It might be thought by some that the strike though just was ill-timed , but they bad put up with tbe treatment of Allen until they eould endure it no longer . And , though winter was staring them in tbe face , they determined to contend with every privation rather than any longer submit to such conduct . I bare known Alton long , sad he was ever a proud and overbearing man ; ' bis most intimate friends could never give him a good character . Is it likely that 260 mm should be sacrificed to gratify the tyrannic disposition of one individual . I have ever been opposed to premature strikes , but here the men were fully : justified . They had tried Allen time after time , and found it was not in bis nature to site * for the better .

      He was surprised that a man ef raeh a haughty temper should now act bo dastardly ss to take shelter under the wing of bis employer ; but it only made good tbe axiom , that those foremen who were the greatest tyrants to the men were tbe most subservient slaves to the employer . It appears that Messrs . Orlatell and Peto are determined to retain this faithful servant against the determined feeling of the men ; if they do , I wish them joy vita him ; but I fear be has already proved a dear bargain . ( Cheers . ) Jf I had a large job to undertake I would always empley a kind and benevolent foreman , being satisfied it would be more to my interest and that tbe men woakl do a better day's work . I beg to propose the following resolution : —

      « That this meeting fully Justify and duly appreciate the conduct of the masons in their strike against the tyrannic conduct of George Allen , their late foreman , and also returns its thanks to the masons employed at Woolwich Dock Yard , and Nelson's Monument , for tbe spontaneous manner in which they turned ont in defence of their brethren against tbe sordid conduct of Messrs . Griasall and Peto , their late employers , in persisting to retain Allen as foreman . " ' He trusted they would pass this in such an unanimous manner as to give new energy to the masons , and prove to the employers that they would never countenance them in their attempted tyrannio coercion .

      Mr . Jonas Wahtuabt , carpenter , said he fully agreed in the spirit of the resolution , which bad been moved , and cordially seconded it Messrs . Grissell and Peto , in their correspondence , style Allen a faithful servant ; a man ia known by what company he keeps . If they are fond of Allen , he only knew this , that they are fond of a very great blackguard . Gentlemen that would follow him would speak on tbe conduct of the press ; all he had to say to them was , that being unaccustomed to public speaking , be trusted they would be very mild with him . Foremen , when they got into a little power , seemed to think that tb « y could do what they liked with the men , but this meeting showed them they were wrong , showed that they must treat their men ss reasonable beings .

      Akmstkokg Walton said , Mr . chairman , and fellow working men of London , I feel proud to see such a numerous and intelligent assembly before me ; it shows you are alive to your own interests ; that though this strike rests with us at present , yet you are equally interested in it as it may be your case at a future period ; being more intimately connected with the strike , it will be my duty to enter more into the detail of the harsh and unjust treatment which led to tbe Btrika . Mr . Walton then ably laid before tbe meeting the various charges against Allen , which are already familiar to the readers of the Star ; during his detail he was often interrupted by cries of shame aud hissing at the unmanly treatment to which Allen had subjected

      During this statement , Mr . Wakley , M . P . for Finsbury , entered the room , and was loudly cheered . The heat at this period was so excessive that a person fainted away on the platform , and the reporter could scarcely take bis notes from the incessant dripping of the condensed breath from tbe roof , although the immense windows at tbe end of the room were open to admit all possible air . Mr . Walton , in continuation , said he was sorry that Mr . Wakley bad not been present at the commencement of tbe proceedings , that be might , in his place in Parliament , have given the lie to tbe false statements made against them j but fee would see that he was furnished with the necessary information . Mr . Walton contradicted the assertion that the union had compelled

      the men at Woolwich aud Nelson ' s monument to strike —it was their own spontaneous act , dictated by the feelings of their hearts , which would not allow them to stand tamely by and see their brethren defeated . They bad challenged Allen or their late employers te come to a public meeting and refute the charges made against them : they had done so , which was proof that it was not in their power . Was it to be endured that men should be treated worse than dogs ? that they should be told , on staying away a reasonable time to pay the last duties of humanity to deceased relatives , that they might go and die with them , and be damned ? How would the upper classes like this treatment ? Did they suppose that working men had not the same natural affections as themselves ? And yet the upper classes , the Board of Admiralty , the Commissioners « f

      Woods aud Forests , bad declared their determination to support Messrs . Grissell and Peto , without knowing whether these charges were correct or not : and yet this treatment was what the Dispatch would call necessary severity . ( Cries , " Down with tbe Dispatch " ) He was glad they had one M . P . who could tell these gentlemen—who could tell the Government , that let what would be tbe result , the working classes of this country would no longer submit to such treatment . ( Tremendous cheering . ) They had to contend with the opposition of every class—save their own—from the most petty clerk in the establishment of Grissell and Peto up to the Prime Minister , which plainly preved that they must get power in their owu hands—must look after their own interest , for no others would look after it for them .

      The resolution was then put , and unanimously carried . Mr . Clark , painter—Fellow-workmen , you have beard an able detail ot the grievances which led to the strike , aud which caused the release of the men from the tyrannic grasp of Allen , he should , therefore , not detain them , but propose this resolution : — " That , in tbe opinion of this meeting , tbe masons now on strike , at London aud at Woolwich , merit the support , not only of the trades of London , but of the trades throughout the empire , for tbe manly stand they have made against their cruel and relentless oppressors ; and this meeting pledgb themselves , Individually and collectively , to reader them every necessary support "

      It was unnecessary to say anything to induce them to carry out this resolution . They bad been , by the speakers present , and by a portion of the press , made acquainted with the whole of the evidence . If they allowed the masons to be defeated , the same ruin would speedily fall upon themselves . Mr . Thomas , a mason of the London Union , begged leave to second the resolution . You have , by passing the first resolution , justified tbe masons in striking ; you have now only to justify yourselves by supporting them . The subject ef the strike had been well explained to them ; but there was one subject he would mention . In 1833 Allen was discharged from Cubitt ' s , for being a member ot the Union . How did the men then act towards him ? Why , they unanimously turned out in

      his defence ; and now he had turned round upon them , aud become a despotic tyrant to those men who had acted so generously by him . He would inform thtm of a little face a friend had told him , who had lately been at New York . A person fell down in the street , aad broke Ms leg ; a crowd soon collected round the spot One said he was sorry , another said be was sorry , but one man said he was very sorry , aud to prove it , he took offhisbat , wentround the crowd , and collected for the man one hundred dollars . I want you to shew your sorrow in the American way . I want you to be sorry not that the masons had struck , not that they bad resisted tyranny , but that the masters by their illtreatment had given them occasion to do so The carpenters had shown their sorrow by giving £ 50 ;

      the masons £ 75 ; the painters and other trades had shewn their sorrow and thereby justified themselves . Mr . Farren ( Secretary to the Trades' Hall Society ) said , I never stood before a meeting of my fellow working men with such pleasure as on the present occasion , because it is a meeting called entirely by working men and the Chairman and speakers are working men , and are men who shed a lustre npon the class to which they belong . I was lately in conversation with a liberal clergyman , and It was his opinion that the working class were underrated , because they were not pnre and unmixed from other bodies . Now , this was a pure genuine meeting of tbe working classes ; and , for morality , respectability , and genuine wisdom , it was unrivalled by any meeting . It was the clsss to which

      be belonged , and by them he would stand or fall . He appeared before them as the representative of a body of working men to express his syinyatby , and show his sorrow . He was Bony they had no Trades' Hall of their own in which to meet and discuss their grievances —that they were compelled to pay such enormous sums for the use of a tavern for a few hours , when , with a Union among themselves , they might bo easily obviate this necessity . This was the more necessary at this critical period . If they looked at the aspect of the times , the would see that a spirit was growing amongst their employers to bind still more closely the degrading trammels which fettered the working men . Those men , by whose labour they were supported in affluence . The blow had fallen first upon the masons ; it was upon them the crater of the volcano had burst , threatening to overwhelm them , like another Pompeii , with its boiling lava ; and , through them , to overwhelm the Other trades of the country . But though it had burst the

      upon masons , yet their hearts throbbed with the proud spirit of liberty . They had called on tbe united trades , who bad nobly responded to the call , and buoyed up by the 3 . 00 d honest men he saw before him , and gtanding on the broad ground of humanity and philanthropy , because they would not see their brethren oppressed . What power can resist them i They must also have the support of the teetotallers in their resistance to having the pump locked against thow who , from principle or poverty , could not drink beer . They must declare that water should be free , free as sir , though the publican should be compelled even to keep bis beer barrelled in the cellar . This was high moral ground on which to stand , and they must thank their oppressors for it They bad been maligned and slandered by the press , but these were denouncing times , and they must denounce the Times . ( Laughter . ) Mr . Farren then wittily denounced tbe Morning Advertiser , Dispalch , && , and concluded a long and eloquent address by impressing upon them the necessity

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      of supporting tbe masons , and likewise giving the masons the honour to say , in future times , that , through the enthusiasm and union their etrlke had occasioned , they bad given rise to tbo building of a splendid Hall , built by tbe hard energies of working men—built , with all due deference to his right hand supporter , Mr . Wakley , without Parliamentary assistance . We shall then have the key in our hands , and can lei It to all parties—Tory ^ Whig , Radical , and , though last , aot least , my Chartist friends . ( Tremendous cheering . ) They bad often song in their cups that Britons would not be slaves » he trusted they would demonstrate It upon this occasion . ( Cheers . ) ¦ Tbe resolution was then put and carried unani mously . ¦ ¦ ¦¦ .- . ¦ ¦ ¦¦ ¦' . ¦ ; . ¦ ¦ '¦ ' ; . - ¦; . ¦¦ ¦ ' ¦;¦ : ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ; .

      Mr . Ha ysow , of the London Union of Masons , said , I fear , after the elegant address you have just beard , that I shall be thrown in the shade , although there is no shade here—that although I am in the light , I shall not appear mach of a star . They had heard tbe conduct of Allen held up to reprobation , but not more than it deserved ; but they must bear in mind there were others also ' who deserved reprobation . He alluded te those men who had been so destitute of principle as to take employment under George Allen , at the Houses of Parliament , &c If it had not been for these men , the efforts of their employers would have been futile ; they had been the cause of protracting the struggle and of throwing them into greater expences . He should move the following resolution : —

      " That this meeting condemn the conduct of those individuals who , in an unmanly and unprincipled manner , have usurped the places of those men who had been compelled to leave Messrs . Grissell and Peto ' s employ , on account of the tyrannical conduct of George Allen at the new Houses of Parliament " Mr . Baker , plaisterer , briefly seconded tbe resolution . Mr Scott , mason . Mr . Chairman and fellow workingmen , you will excuse ray presumption in appearing before you ia a fustian jacket . I have seen for a long time that if we want any thing doing we must do it ourselves ; we have trusted too long to these blackcoated gentry . I agree most perfectly with the resolution . Men who could act in the unprincipled manner which they have done , do not deserve the name of men ;

      they should be called spaniel dogs . It gives me pain to think that such men are to be found in England ; they ought to be treated with disdain ; no man ougbt to give them board or lodgings . ( Some little disapprobation . ) He would maintain it ; they bad come here despite of every feeling of humanity ; in despite of every noble and generous emotion , and they cannot be calUd men : they ought to be called spaniel dogs . They cannot be intelligent men , or they would know that while they are injuring the masons who are on strike and their wives and families , they , for the sake of a few months work , are inflicting an injury on their own selves and families . The masons have acted nobly through tbe struggle , and deserve the support . I am a mason , but not one of those on strike . It gives me great pleasure to see such a meeting sympathize with them .

      The resolution was unanimously passed . Mr . Wood , mason . I have a pleasing duty assigned me , and one which I have great satisfaction in performing , that of thanking you for the liberal manner in which you have tendered us your support throughout the struggle ;—a struggle which was not entered upon on the spur of the moment ; it had been in contemplation for some time , but delayed , hoping the remonstrance they had addressed te Messrs . Grissell and Peto would have the desired effect Allen ' s conduct grew worse , and they determined no longer to submit to his atrocious cowardly conduct , and had iung themselves on the liberality of the British public to assist them in resisting tyranny , He would not detain them , but on the part of the masons he returned his unfeigned thanks for their liberal support This meeting would give a fresh impulse to their energies , and while they had the public at their back they would never succumb ; they would never flinch ; but stand out and achieve a glorious triumph . ( Great cheering . )

      Mr . Dunking , bookbinder—I rise for the purpose of moving a resolution respecting the conduct of tbe press in reference to the late strike . It ' is a matter of great importance that we should have our voice heard through the medium of the press ; it is a question so important that I fear I shall cot be able to do justice to it . Every great revolution favourable to human advancement has been effected by the agency of the press ; every art , every science , has been brought to light by its mighty agency . How important an engine then must it be either for or against any particular class . Thereto scarcely anything but what the press can effect ; yet it is possible so to colour a statement as to impress persons

      with a very false idea of its meaning . Tbe conduct of tbe press , with regard to the masons , had been characterised by extreme falsehood and cruelty , aud calculated to injure tnem in public estimation ; they did not complain of the publishing of Messrs . Grissell and Petro's letters , but the not publishing their contradition ; they did not care about the Editor ' s comments , provided he laid the whole truth before the public Seethe manner in which the Sunday Times and the Dispatch have blazoned the falsehoods of their employers , and yet you have no organ by which you can contradict their lying assertions . ( Cries of the Northern Star . ) He concluded by moving tbe following resolution : —

      " That this meeting reprobate the conduct ef the Daily aad Weekly Times , the Weekly Dispatch , and Morning Advertiser , and pledge themselves % o support only that portion of tha press which advocates their interest , and withdraw their support from that portion which acts against them . " Mr . Anderson , mason , seconded to resolution . Tbe masons bad now been on strike eight weeks , and during that time the press had neglected no opportunity of endeavouring to create a prejudice against them in the public mind , which bad caused them to come to the determination to -withdraw their Bupport from these very sapient , learned men , who ceuld comment on a question with only half the evidence before them ; there was not one of tkem which had not deviated from principle , which bad not sold itself to the mercantile or

      some other interest save that of tbe working men . And tbe Dispatch , the paper which ought most strongly to advocate their interest , was the most forward in insinuations against them . Mr . Anderson tben read extracts from the Dispatch during the struggle , and commented upon them , especially the assertion in the last wtek's Dispatch , that they were endeavouring to cause thu other trades of the metropolis to strike ; this was a base lie ; he never heard it mooted until he saw it in the Dispatch . He hoped the reporter of tbe Dispatch , and those of other papers would contradict this false assertion . The Editor of the Dispatch had called them a few hot-headed masons ; but this meeting ought to convince him that there were a great many hot-headed men besides the few masons ; this would read hint a lesson that he trusted he would not soon foraet .

      Mr . Nagle , carpenter , I come forward to support this resolution on the broad ground of advancing the cause of human liberty . I join , ia common with you , in denouncing all oppression and tyranny in the press , in Messrs . Grisseli and Peto , and , also in their aristocratic supporters . I go further , I denounce the system of class legislation— ( cheers )—which has given rise to tills , which has caused you to suffer oppression in poverty , and has allowed another class to oppress you and to live in grandeur on the profits arLnng out of your labour ; which has caused them to maintain a horde of police , not to protect you , but to protect that wealth they have wrung from your sweat . Even our meetings you Bee are haunted by these fellows , paid out of the secret service money to endeavour to entrap

      and betray us . In the name of the God of Heaven , of the God of Justice , he implored them to shake off that feeling of apathy which beset them , and use every means which God hath given them to get rid of this oppression . They were denouncing the press , in God's name , was this tbe first time the press bad ill-used them ? When had it ever treated them fairly ? When was the time it did not misrepresent you ? You complain of the Dispatch ? Gracious God , when did this monster of inconsistency ever throw open its columns for your service ? When did it not give them to the service of your oppressors ? Did it ever advocate the

      cause of the Union ? (" never . ")—or the rights of labour T yes , you Dispatch politicians—you who are too ignorant f « x the Suffrage , when did it do this ? There is no paper in England which does this ; bnt the Northern Star—the people ' s paper . ( Tremendous cheering which lasted for some time . ) But be trusted that this disgrace would soon be wiped from the men of London ; that they would not support these papers which opposed them , but establish one which would act on the principles of honour , truth , and justice . He trusted they would soon have a daily Star to grapple with the daily Times . The resolution was carried unanimously .

      Mr . Wakley came forward amid much cheering . Wfien I entered the rosm this evening I had no intent tlon to obtrude on your notice . I attended merely to be in possession of the materials of the case , that I might bring it before the House of Parliament I felt this to ; be my bounden duty . I had gathered from the press that you were at variance with your employers , and from the feelers put forth I thought it was the intention of Parliament again to look after your interest , seeing you are too ignorant to look to it yourselves Six years ago , on my first entrance to Parliament , I presented your petition for tbe Dorchester Labourers , and met witti much opposition and misrepresentation , but finally we overcame it , and the Dorchester Labourers returned to tkeir homes . Then I advocated the cause of the Glasgow Cotton Spinners , men who were denounced by the press as characters unfit to live , as the

      greatest monsters . When I presented the petition in the Heuse , it was received with a universal shudder , and fell to the ground , but I did not desert your cause . I saw the London and the Glasgow delegates , and 1 became convinced that these men were tbe victims of a font conspiracy ; I got a committee appointed , and the men , though sentenced to transportation , never left our shores . I have long felt an interest in the working class , and this interest glows with more fervour in my bosom as I grow older . Yeu have been calumniated by the press ; I also have come in for a share . I stand before you a living witness of its calumny , but yon do not believe them . They asserted not that I was metamorphosed into an opossum or a kangaroo , but actually that I was metamorphosed into a tory , and this because I would not become the active energetic agent of a dirty faction . If

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      I bad acted against my principles , if I had been guilty of the grossest inconsistency , so long as it suited their purpose , I should have bad no abuse ; but because I would not mbe myself up with their professed measures for alleviating the . distress , because I would not be guilty of this to suit their party purpose , and because seeing no difference between the two parties , I do not think proper to change my position In the House , I am loaded with misrepresentation and calumny . But I feel grateful for it ; it will not hurt me , it will cause men to think and enquire , and by so doing they will arrive at the truth . I was unacquainted with the cause of your strike . I thought it had been aboot wages . I cannot read all tbe papers , and I bad been misled by a portion of them , but not much misled . I well knew

      tbe press would take part against the men , right or wrong . I hear it mentioned about starting a paper , this would be a good thing , but it would not be supported . You would have no advertisements , no support from the capitalist You create all the capital , and yet this is the monster which oppresses you . I hare long thought the cause of all our evils lay in the place where tbe masons struck . I have watched from tbe windows of the bouse the fustian jackets employed at the works . I thought it a good beginning when I saw them within its walls , and now I find you want a reform even in the New Houses . Your object is reformation ; now it is but little use reforming tbe streams which run from the pool , you must first reform the stagnant pool itself , get rid of class legislation ; but

      we are assembled here for a special subject I am glad to hear that the strike is for not wages , that you have taken it up on high moral grounds ; that the workmen of London are determined they will not be treated as beasts of burden ; that they not only care for the support of the bodies , but look also to tbe moral and intellectual wants of their fellow men ; that they will not be treated as slaves , but affirm that as meu of intellect they are deserving of respect Is there a humane man in tbe kingdom who could refuse to support you on these grounds ? Is there a man in the kingdom , possessing any liberality of mind who would not put bis hand in his pocket for your support P I am sorry I was not here at the commencement ; but there Was one of the charges I beard of , locking up the pump .

      If a man could be guilty of such an act as debarring bis fellow-man of water when thirsty , flucb a man WM not fit to rule in any place of lawful society ; he was more fit to be the inmate of a felon ' s cell , than to rule over honest men . I put tbe case bypothetically ; it is affirmed to be true , and I believe that it is bo . You , it appears , were willing to refer the matter in dispute to arbitration . What could be more fair 1 If they did not accept it , it shews that justice was on your side . You very justly complain of the conduct of the press ; it is base and unmanly to insert things to the injury of the character of a body of men , and then refuse to insert a contradiction . But what is the remedy ? Why , a little patience and more union . Never mind what the press says about union ; let that only stimulate you

      to unite the more . He must be either a fool or a knave who is opposed to union , and will ultimately find it so . At present the law allows you to unite ; it does not protect you , but then it leaves you alone . You want nothing to do with Parliamentary protection , but I thiuk spine one will ask it for you ; I say I think some one will . I will take care to be there and bestow on it no ordinary degree of watchfulness . For twenty years you had combination laws , but scarcely had they been abolished one year ere they wanted to be legislating for you again ; but mind , all you want is to be left alone . I have been watching political affairs many years ; I have been six years in Parliament , and I assure you that the working classes will never be in a right position until they are placed within the pale of

      the Constitution . This is the grand remedy for your evils ; but we are not met for this now . This is a special grievance ; the interests of upwards of 200 persons are neglected that one person may be protected . Do they call this proper or equal ? Buc talking will not do . When we go out of here , we must carry tbe subject with us . I will try what I can do . It is not a few people I come in contact with . At present the feeling in the middle and upper classes is against you . Several have asked me my opinion of tbe strike . I told them I was not acquainted with the particulars , but I would bet two to one the men were right I asked them if it was reasonable that 200 men should be wrong and one right . The treatment I nave beard to-night that you received was inhuman , and your

      proceedings were perfectly just Are men to be treated by a foreman like dogs or swine ? If you had not struck against such treatment , yeu would not have i MUrni the name of men ; you had ought to have been ucuuted from society . If a war was to brtak out , and you were to go slaughtering and murdering yeur fellow-men , it would be said , what brave heroes these masons are I But because you took a bold stand on a high moral principle , you are to be denounced by society . But , adhere to the same calm , manly line of conduct , and you will daily gain ground in public estimation .. Is there any one here who can say , of his own personal knowledge , that you offered to prove these charges to your employers ? ( Ho was answered by several affirming that the aggrieved parties had been taken to prove

      the charges before Mr . Grisaell , but he declined seeing them , ea > ing he had lowered his dignity by giving them ( the deputation ) a hearing ) Lowered his dignity , indeed I How could men remain in such employ ? You have no course to adopt but to throw yourselves on the pub . ic sympathy ; and this , if the strike is to continue , cannot help but save you . No man of any independent spirit can refuse to asskt you ; I will give you my mite . You ought not to shrink ; you must urge oh ; to recede is r $ in ; it is felony to your own interest to remain in your present position . Your present mode of relief cannot continue for long ; you mutt unite together ; you will never get protection until you get within the pale of tbe constitution . You must unite to obtain a voice in the making

      of the laws , or capital will always be protected at yuur expence , although you have created the capital . I have been accused because I would not join in the agitation for a popular measure of relief ; but you must first ges the political power , or bad laws will be speedily enacted again ; and until you get this power you will always be persecuted and prosecuted . They talk of a union of the middle and working classes : this is very good , but whenever yeu have joined them , they have reaped all the benefit This the working classes must prevent in future . If the middle class will join you let them , but if " not , go on in your own strength , lighting the great moral battle , and you will speedily attain a glorious aud a bloodless victory . ( Great cheering . ) Mr . Wakley was loudly applauded throughout the whole of bis speech .

      Captain Ackerly then addressed the meeting , and wished to propose some resolution , but the meeting being opposed to it , a vote of thanks was given to the Chairman , who briefly returned thanks . Three cheers were then give a for the Charter , aud at a late hour the meeting broke up . Mr . Wakley gave £ 10 in the Committee room , and considerable other sums were collected .

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      safd ) had been refuses ! a reply , even if they paid fw u as an advertisement The speaker proposed the roJ . lowing resolution ;—" That this meeting cannot pass unnoticed the ma . Heious manner in which the Times , Weekly DispaU Mortiing Advertiser , and Sunday Times , have falsified and misrepresented the strike of the masons , and fetl . ing , as we do , that such unjustifiable pandering to tbe sordid motives of the capitalists is a direct invasion of the rights of the productive classes of the British eatpire , pledges itself to discontinue its support to the above-named papers while they pursue such a course and to support those only which adveeate the broaf principle of Universal right , and the emancipation of the working classes of this country . " . Mr . MAnsel , stone mason , seconded the resolution in a short and sensible speech * '

      Mr . littler said that where there was as an exceptlon , it should be noticed ; he believed that ia addition to the Northern Star , Hw British dneen ' had likewise done them Justice . • Mr . WILSON commented npon the base conduct of the Dispatch , in stating that the masons Jhad cftDed . aocessary severity tyranny . , He had written another article * in which , in order to set the masons at defiance , he said he did not care the tithe of a clergyman ' s conscience for them . But if the working men would leave off supporting the paper , it wonld bring tbe Editor to bis senses . The Dispatch had done them

      ten timea more barm than the Old Times was capable of doing ; because it had beon considered the working man ' s friend . It was expected the Dispatch would toll truth , because it was considered an impartial paper They could not expect anything different from the Times . The Dispatch bad been on that account their greatest enemy . The Editor came out in the same way respecting the Glasgow Cotton Spinners , and would continue to do so , till the people taught him better . When he saw he could not realise bis £ 30 , 000 per yeu , he would probably alter his con duct ;

      Mr . John Murray supported the resolution . The Chairman put the resolution , and it was car * ried without a dissentient Mr . Thomas Bead returned thanks for the ; manner in wbicb tbe working men of Manchester had ^ received the delegates . It was a question which coneemed every working man ; because if the masters in that trade succeeded , others would take the advantage . Mr . HUXCHXN 80 N moved that a tea party and hall be got up for the benefit of the masons , which was agreed to . It was announced that the painters had given £ 6 already , and promised further support . Thanks were then carried by acclamation to the Chairman , and a vote of thanks to the Star , and the meeting dispersed about eleven o ' clock .

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      TO THE CHARTISTS OF ASHTON-TJNDERLYNB . Brother Chartists , —An address appeared ia last week's Star , signed "A Sincere Chartist , " which we think not only an insult to the Chartist Association of this town , but calculated to injure the noble cause ia which we are embarked . We , therefore , think it eur duty to rebut the charges which have been alleged against us . In the first place , he states , that " as soon as we WW several individuals in gaol for advocating our rights , we permitted the arrangements for the purpose of uniting our energies and diffusing political information amongst us , to be frittered away , and even the meeting room .

      which had been held for more than two years , to be abandoned , and the furniture sold or destroyed . " Now this " Sincere Chartist" knows very well that previous to several individuals being sent te gaol , that scores of pounds were collected for their support aud defence ; and did continue to be collected , until a " Sincere Chartist" told us , after having lined his pockets with the people's money , that Chartism was a delusion , that Universal Suffrage was universal humbug , 4 c . andwo » has done nothing since he came out of gaol but sow dissension amongst tbe Chartists , thus splitting then into sections and parties , until tbe old Association had to be given up .

      Ton must bear in mind that there were two Associa tions in the town , tbe Senior and Junior ; tQ 8 fon&BT for middle-aged men , the latter for young men , which latter has not been given up , but is now the National Charter Association of Great Britain , andthroughthe per severance of its members now embraces a number of tbs membeiB of tbe old Association . He says the furniture rf the old Association was either sold or destroyed , which is false , for it is now in the possession of the memben of the present Association . Had this " Sincere Chartist , " whom , by his sty le of writing , we think we know , along with " several individuals , " not pretended to patronize us , we should not have been thrown into that apathetic state which we have been thrown into , bat would still hold that proud political position which w » once held . It is too true , that we have been sadly d * ceived in our leaders , and by those of our own class too , as well as by those of preaching notoriety , who are regular go-betweens , and are the only standing barriers is the way of real union .

      This " Sincere Chartist , " in his seventh paragraph , says , " I know there are men residing in our town , of our own class , whose ability and integrity would add dignity to any station which Chartism , in or cot of power , could elevate them to ; bat because they happfll to be our every day associates , their abilities bad . become familiar , the excellence of their remarks had lost tiwlr lustre , forsooth , through every day practice , and m must ^ have some gentleman foreigner to dictate to u and spend our money . " Brother Chartists , this is gross and insulting libel upon our body . He know that previous to the " sacred month , " and since thes . scarcely any otner persons besides our " able" resident townsmen addressed us ; and we always had our meeting room crammed to suffocation , until our " able "

      resident townsman and " Sincere Chartist" pocketed our money , and tben denounced the Northern Star , a *» deluder of the people , that Feargus O'Connor , Esq . mi not sincere in his exertions , and that Frost , Williams , and Jones , ought to be banged for being cowards , 4 c This " Sincere Chartist" would have us believe hist to be what he designates himself ; if be is , why doei he not come forward with his intelligence and help us , the members of the National Charter Association , to arouse the people from their lethargy , in order to unite them in the bonds of union , and not let tnem stand as lookers on , until tbe chains of slavery ire rivetted fast upon our necks , and which , if not set about directly , we shall be unable to remove , as now b the time or never . :

      He says , " we have no association worth the name , and that we have not had a public meeting to forward Chartism for nearly a year past" We admit the asso ciation is not as strong iu members as it ought to be , and which we very much regret ; yet we believe its members to be sincere . With respect to the other assertion , he knows be is stating a downright falsehood , for we have a public lecture delivered in the association room almost every Sunday evening , for no other pnrpoe than to forward the principles of Chartism , and which lectures he never attends . He also states that we send reports of meetings and lectures to tbe Star , which are not heard of in the town until seen in tha Star . This is like the rest of his false assertions ; every person in the town who has his eyes about him

      knows better . The town was last week placarded , announcing a publlo lecture to be delivered by Mr . William Bell , of Manchester , in the Cbarlestown meetingroom , on Wednesday , the 27 th October , but owing to that unflinching advocate being indisposed , was delivered by Mr . Doyle , of the same place , and who delivered a very able and instructive lecture on the Corn Laws , proving that their repeal would not benefit the working classes without the Charter . Thus , brother Chartiste , you will see that this " sincere Chartist" is not au honest man ; but is kept from joining us through self-interest , and who is continually doing his utrnoat to injure our glorious cause . We therefore hope you will pass him by with that silent contempt which he deserves , for he is unworthy of notice .

      Brother Chartists , we sincerely hope you will thro * off your present apathy—that you will bury all party differences—that you will enroll yourselves as member * of the National Charter Association ; for until we an uutkd and organised , we shall never be able to jaia oM just rights ; and , until we do so , we shall continually sink lower and lower in poverty and degradation , wd at last we shall be cast iuto a New Poor Law bastile , never more to see our friends or relations in this world , aud be literally starved to death . Hoping you will arouse yourselves once bio » and again gain that proud position which you once held , We remain , On behalf of tbe Members of the National Charter Association , Yours in the cause of Liberty , Wm . Pilling , Chairman . Thos . Stober , Sub-Secretarf

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      Fibb at Bayswater—Cn Sunday morning , shortly before two o ' clock , a fire was di-covered in the centre one of a row of newly-built houses doseW Kensington Gravel-pits , called Victoria-grove , which have recently been erected . The adjoining building were Bared , the one in which the fire commenced being destroyed . Fibe at Greenwich . —On Sunday night , between eleven and twelve o ' clock , the house of Mr . Baxter , hatter , No , 10 , London-street , Greenwich , ow # » fire . The flames obtained such an ascendancy tow the fire raged from the lower part of the house «> tnfl second floor . At this period a young man , wno resided in the house , made his aubearance at tta

      fir « t floor window , and actually crawled against to wall on the ledge of the window below to the house adjoining , when h « made his escape . In about aft hour after tfee engines commenced pl » Ji » K ™ L jP * wards of an hour and a half , but unfortunsteif w * saout effect , the whole being burnt to the ground The house of Messrs . Kershaw and Low , wiuea adjoins , was very much injured . The public-house , No ; 11 . was also damaged , being burnt on the root * and the damage by removal of stock , and def $ ' actl ° ~ by fire and water ia very considerable . * ne proprietor is , unfortunately , not insured . The n ^ adjoining is also much injured by fire and water . It is imagined that the fire originated by » Pv ! gas in the cellar . Mr . Baxter is influred in »<» Globe and Phoenix ^

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      MANCHESTER . IMPORTANT MEETING OF THE TRADES IN THE CARPENTERS' HALL . On Wednesday evening , November 3 rd , a numerous meeting was held in the Carpenters' Hall , composed of men from all branches . A dense mass of working men were assembled . Mr . James Henry Stansfikld was called to the chair . He would not take up much of their time as there were a number of gentlemen to address them . He considered it the duty of every individual to come forward and lend his assistance on such an occasion , whether rich or poor . He trusted they would give to every individual a candid and impartial bearing .

      Mr . Burn up , from London , was first called upon by tbe chairman . He could have wished that it had fallen into hands better qualified , as that was the first occasion in which he hau attempted to make a speech . However , he would lay before them a few simple statements , shewing the true reason of the strike ot the masons , which no one would be able to contradict . The speaker then related the facts as they have already been recorded in our paper , relative to the conduct of Mr . Allen . Mr . Alexander Wilson , another iu&sob , spoke to the same effect Mr . Stoit , bookbinder , moved the first resolution : — "That this meeting is of opinion , that the masons working under Mr . Alien were fully justifiable in withdrawing from their employment , as we consider his conduct to have been gross and tyrannical in the extreme —not fitting far men who had the least spark of manly independence to submit to . "

      Mr . Thomas Varley seconded the resolution , which was carried unanimously amidst great cheering . Mr . Thomas Tobibn , bricklayer , moved the second resolution : — " " That this meeting consider the masons of Woolwich Dock Yard and Nelson ' s Monument have acted with becoming spirit in withdrawing from their employment until Messrs . Grisseil and Peto ( their employers ) & 3 * ee to discharge Mr . Allen , who has so grossly insulted the feelings of their fellow-workmen . " Mr . Daniel Graham , Spanish leather dresser , seconded it , which was also unanimously carried . Mr . 1 iItti . ee , tailor . m « ved the next resolution : —

      "That the thanks of this meeting are due , and are hereby given , to the masons for the noble and manly spirit displayed by them in thus so determinedly opposing tyranny and oppression , as this strike is not for an advance of wages , nor against a reduction , but sslely to settle the question , whether they shall be free or remain the abject ! slaves of their tyrannical employers ; and this meeting further pledges itself to use every means by pecuniary and other aids to render the termination cf their strike successful . h Mr . John Bailey tailor , seconded the resolution which met the approval of every person present '

      Mr . Hutchikson , a member of the National Smith's Society , moved the next resolution . He said it was regarding the press , and he hoped tbe reporters present would bear with him , as they were conVecfed with the press . The masons bad been denied the privilege of speaking iheir sentiments through the means of the press . In giving them a specimen of the conduct of the press towards the masons , be read an extract from the Sunday Times , wb-cn drew forth strong symptoms [ ol disapprobation . The maions ( he

      Untitled Article

      6 THE NORTHERN STAB .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 13, 1841, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1135/page/6/