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wiuwc tun Printed by LOU&AL M'GOWAIC, of 17, Great Windmill' street, Haymarket, is the City of. Westminster, at tl)
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NATIONAL COKFJERENCE ** ^- - ~bFTOAb5sT~'
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GREENWICH.
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THE SALT-HILL MURDER.
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( Continued frcm car tevatA rage . J Mr . Bamtt , tie Skh * u 7 . sail « " « . « f Jf 'Sfe ; SsStar tKUSftS'SS
SI line Md down by the . Committee . ( Hear , 'Ifr ! Blackhurst , Sheffield , said the delegation was aShtytoer ^ M ch the wortog classes were to 6 eB oirt of their miseries . He hoped the Conference would take an enlarged new of the matter , and not disfranchise any . jtfr . G . Skeltou , would move the previous ques tion—That the report of the Committee be now read .
jfr . 6 . A . fleming , in seconding the amendment , said that they , were not a Conference of Trades ' Unionists only , but of bodies of working men generally , who "were seeking to become Unionists ; and therefore the non-Unionists had as good a right to be tbece as the Unionists . Mr . Dunning , in reply , said it was principle and a sense of justice that induced him to press his motion . Be looked on money as the sine qua »©» of the Move ment . His desire was that those only who paid should be represented . The amendment for reading the Committee's report was then put , and declared by the Chairman to be carried unanimously . Mr . G . A . Fleming , Chairman of the Committee , then brought up their report , which he read as follows : —
Tour Committee lave taken the Address of the Chairman of the Conference into consideration , together with such other suggestions as were laid before them , in accordance with the resolution by which Ihey were appointed , and beg to report as follows : — The primary object of all Trades' Unions is to secure to the Operative a fair and just participation in the wealth he assists to produce , for some years past an opinion has been gradually gaining ground among these bodies , that then- organisation and the application of their funds heretofore , have neither been the best nor the most effective that might hare been adopted . Repeated failure has induced scepticism as to the efficacy of STRIKES ALOjVE to protect the labourer from" the aggression of Capital , and to arrest that downward tendency , whichisthe most prominent
feature of his condition . At the same time , increased experience and information has excited a desire amongst some of the Trades , to attempt Association on a larger scale for the protection of industry ; or at least to deliberate whether there may not be a better method of applying the large sums annually Collected for the use of these Societies . The great cause of the continuous decline of the wages of Labour , which , forms an undeniable consequence of the present system , is a redundance of workers , compared with the demand for their labour . Until this discrepancy can be removed , its effects cannot be averted . Experience has proved that Strike alone are not sufficient for the purpose , and some other modes must be devised by which the " surplus
labour shall be absorbed , er kept out of the market , and an equality be maintained between the work to be done and the number of those required to do it . Strikes , limitation of apprentices , and tne support of tramps , were no doubt well adapted for the objects lad in view when they were originally adopted , and to a period when manual labour was aided , instead of heingniastered , by machinery : but the enormous increase of the Litter productive power must be met by the adoption of additional measure ^ on the part of the operatives , suited to the new circumstances it has created . While Capital possesses the unlimited power of creating automaton workers , it is utterly impossible for manual labour , in its present position , to maintain a successful struggle against its aggressions , in the merciless race of
competitionincreasing in rapidity and intensity , in consequence of ever-expanding scientific and mechanical powers Of produetionaiiddeci'casing outletsfor consumptionthere is a power at work against which the relatively feeble effortsof / fradcs'Unions , asatpresent conducted , can have no chance of ultimate success . The work-Ing classes must summon to their aid those appliances which have hitherto been principally , employed against them . They wust expend their fundslocally or generally—in the erection of machines that will work for and not against them , ' and instead of Investing funds with bankers , to be used by large capitalists , in a way which inevitably lowers the condition of the contributors , they must apply them to the production of real wealth and profitable results for themselves .
The time may not have yet arrived when practical measures for this purpose can be commenced . It may-be , that opinion has not yet sufficiently ripened to permit of the formation of an association with these objects ; but , at all events , your Committee are of opinion that their ^ discussion by the present Conference is an imperative duty , and that if no immediate , organisation results from such discussion , the ungetus it will give tlie public mind will hasten the period for those more practical and extended measures , which can only be effectually carried out by an enlightened public opinion among the producing classes . The immediate measures which it appears to yourCommittee this Conference may usefully take into consideration are the following : —
1 . A society , to' be called the Association of United Trades for the Protection of Industry . 2 . A Central Committee to carry out the objects of tkfc said Association , and the formation of a fund to defray the necessary expenses . 3 . The leading objects of the Association maybe divisible into two departments—the first external , laving reference to the influence of the Legislature on the condition of the industrious classes ; the second internal , or to efforts made by the Trades to improve their own condition .
With inspect to the first of these divisions , your Committee suggest that the Gentral Committee should be empowered and instructed to take every opportunity , by means of petitions to Parliament , deputations to Government and members ef both Houses of the Legislature , cheap publications , public meetings , and other legal , reasonable , and peaceable measures , to enforce the a doption of shorter hours of labour wherever practicable . The experience of the Sheffield Trades , of the workmen employed by the Messrs . Starkeys , ofHuddersfield , theJIessrs . Brooks , of Armitage Bridge , and more recently the hands of Mr . Gardner at Preston , and numerous other proofs which might be adduced , show that this is a measure Eeuixl and beneficial , whether it is viewed physically , economically , or morally . 4 . Another measure to which serious consideration should be directed is , the establishment of Local Boards of Trade , similar to those which have so long
Existed in France and Belgium , composed of masters and operatives , to whom all matters affecting the regulation of wages , duration of labour , disputes , &c , ybnll be referred , and their decisions have the authoiit ? of law . [ It is conceived tliat these two measures vfouidvery materially improve the condition of the labouring classes . Short time would keep production and consumption more upon a level with each other : equalise the condition of the workers , who would thus all be enabled to share in whatever work there might bo in the market ; and , by g iving time for mental andmoral improvement , raise the charac ter of the whole population . On the other hand , the proposed Boards of Trade , being equally composed of employers and employed , would have a tendency to prevent strikes and turn-outs by all differences being first submitted to an impartial tribunal , and authoritatively settled bv it . l
Under this general division of the business of the Association , would also fall the promotion of all public , movements Laving reference to improved sanatory conditions for the labouring population ; and generally of all such measures as would conduce to the promotion of health , intelligence , and morality . 5 . The second division of the Association should be the collection and diffusion of information , as to the means by which the capital , skill , and labour of the Trades can be applied for their own benefit , and especially to enable them to abstract from the labour market , and set to profitable employment , the redundant hands , who , if suffered to remain in it , would reduce the wages of the whole trade to which they belong .
Upon this most important point your Committee beg to . beclearly understood ; they proposeno definite plan , but merely throw out the suggestion , as one deserving of serious consideration from the Conference . Your Committee recommend that no interference bo attempted with the local organisation of individual Trades - , but that the new organisation herein spoken of be simply an addition to the means hitherto adopted for the protection of Labour : though they lope and trust that in due season this addition wiU become so effective as to supersede mere local and sectional eihiis . It appears to the Committee desirable that nothing should be attempted which will not carry with it the general support of the Trades ; and hence ihey recommend only the most cautious and gradual
f steps , believing that many former efforts to improve the condition of the productive classes have tailed because they were too far in advance of the inx » of those they wereiutended to benefit . The sum required from each individual trade to support the new organ-Isationiwould not be large , and might easily be added to that now paid by the members of local Unions , and collected bj their officers for remittance to the Central Committee of the Association . 6 . The ; Central Committee should be instructed to carefully prepare a constitution for concentrating the energies , legalising , the proceedings , and giving practical effect to the growing desire for location in tne Land , and " other measures for the profitable empleyment of the funds of . such Unions as might be ^ earous of thus nang them . ° rilw ^™* ™? 1 ?^ tLat » at leas * , an Annual Conference s&onldbe . lield to review the proceedings
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of the Central Committee , and to devise such measures as ^ Lbest-promote Jhe : greatiobjectsttt the Association . .. ¦ ¦ ¦ .- .. ; , 8 . __ Tour Committee have purposely refrained from entering into detail on the various points enumerated ; as they conceive that it will be well for the Conference to confine its attention in the first instance to general PRmupiES : and the machinery for carrying out the measures that may be resolved on will be better elaborated by a sub-committee appointed for the purpose , or the duty may be devolved on the Central Committee . In conclusion , your Committee beg to submit the foregoing proposals in no spirit of dogmatism or selteonfidence , but merely as questions upon which , discussions may profitably be raised . Whatever decisions may ultimately be come to respecting them , your Committee will be prepared to acquiesce in , and zealously to support to the extent of the means in their
power . , „ . Geo . "Fleming , Chairman . The reading was received with much applause , and was unanimously received . The first recommendation—That a society , to be called the Association of United Trades for the Protection of Industry , was moved , seconded , and carried unanimously . Five hundred copies of the Report were then ordered to be printed , and the further debate adjourned until Thursday morning , in order that each member might have befor e him the Committee ' s report , and see the whole of then- recommendations . The Conference then broke up for dinner , and at two o ' clock resumed , when the Chairman called on the delegates to give in any particular statements they were entrusted with .
STATEMENTS OF THE DELEGATES . Mr Macnamara represented the Boiler-makers of Manchester . Twenty-five shops in their trade had recently been out , " and obtained an advance of wages to the amount of three shillings per week . From the insecure way in which boilers are made , the lives of the makers of them are in great danger . His trade had drawn up a petition on the subject to Parliament . They would give their hearty support to the measures emanating from the Conference . Mr . George White represented the Woolconibers of
Bradford , "Sorksmre . Their body numbered 10 , 000 . Their work was carried on in unhealthy rooms , and they were of opinion that the masters should be compelled to furnish healthy places in which to carry on their labour . lie believed if conciliatory steps were taken , all would co-operate . He was of opinion that the several Trades should manage their own local affairs , but that they should have a General Union for . mutual protection , and , instead of strikes , he would recommend ^ the land to fall back upon . ( Cheers . ) The members of their body in union
numbered 3 , 000 . . Mr . Hearae , Baker , Manchester , was instructed same as the last speaker , excepting on the land question . He thought if the hours of labour were shortened , it would be of great service to the cause of industry . The Bakers sometimes went to work at six o ' clock on Sunday night , and were kept to work until ten o ' clock on Monday night , for one day's wages , 3 s , 6 d , They usually averaged nineteen hours a day . Mr . Berry , Bootmaker , said that some years ago a strike took place at Mr . Medwin ' s , in the city of London ; and he had some papers containing certain resolutions of some of the master Boot-makers , said to be " respectable , " which resolutions were caused by that strike . These he wished to be submitted to Conference , in order that the body might see how far it could deal with the matter .
The Chairman thought that the matter was hardly relevant . Mr . J . Mirfield represented the Linen Weavers oi Barasley ; and that body was of opinion that unless a General Union was formed , their condition would become worse and worse . The masters kept imposing additional labour , without any corresponding increase of wages . They were opposed to strikes , unless agreed to by the Trades as a whole . They had found out the fallacy of individual strikes . A strike , by which they had only retained their present position , had cost them 45 , 000 . Mr . Puttenham , Paper-maker , said that a note had been presented to their body , stating that after a certain time , they would have to labour for 3 s . a week
less : but , being united , they resisted , and informed their masters they could not consent to such reduction . The men , by their union , succeeded , and had maintained their wages up to the present time . lie hoped that a General Union would be the result of tills meeting . Mr . R . Wilson , Maker-up , said there was a good understanding in his trade between the employer and the ; employed . They prohibited piece-work , and stringently enforced day work : consequently , they kept their trade , had not many surplus hands , and therefore they took up this matter more for the advantage of the cause of industry in general , than for their own trade in particular . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr . Wayne , Block-Printer , had rather to complain of want of work , than wages when they did work . Machinery was their bane . It had been suggested that they should work at the same price as the machine . That was impossible ; and what work they got was uncertain . Nature , by the present systcni , was turned upside down . The parent was compelled to go to the bed-side of the child—they were compelled to have it as an assistant—shake it out of sleep , and take it to work , even at midnight . Before it had been two hours at work it often fell down from exhaustion . His instructions were to go for the entire abolition of night-work , and for a Ten Hour Bill . He was also in favour of a General Union , and a
better organisation . Mr . Evans , Potter , had also to complain of machinery . A machine had beea invented , by a Mi . Mason , which did the labour of six able-bodied men . Some time ago the Potters had a ' strike which cost 43 , 000 . At the end of nine months this machine was introduced ; the result was , that they started a society to get land , and had obtained £ 1 , 000 towards 45 , 000 for that purpose ( loud cheers ); and on which land they intended to place Mr . Mason ' s men . Well , the immediate result has been that Mr . Mason lias put aside Ms machine , and others have followed his example . Still the men felt themselves in danger , and believed they would be so , until they had the kind to fall back on . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Thos . Hackney , Hydraulic-packer , said , the packere supported their unemployed hands . He thought General Union and Local Boards of Trade would be beneficial .
Mr . Hawks , Table-blade Forger , said , that in 1842 competition in Sheffield had become so rife that knives were made at the rate of 4 s . 0 d . a dozen . The men in bis branch had had a strike of eleven months ' duration ; the masters and merchants uniting against them , and telling them "they would soon be done , " and then they would be enabled to have knives at what price they pleased . The Union kept 250 men on their box , rather than allow them to go in , and decrease the price for all . Ultimately a committee
of twenty-five masters had met , with an equal number of men , to arrange their affairs , and an amicable arrangement was the result : and yet some of the masters who had signed the paper had run from their contract . Ilis branch , therefore , needed the support of thehvbrethren in other trades ; and sure he was that ' the members of his trade would rather starve thanwork under price . The average earnings oi a Spring Knife-cutter was no more tlmn 7 s . a-week at the present time . It . was the inability of many that prevented their being paying members .
Sir . Elacklnirst , Table-blade Forger , said , those he represented had no hope of obtaining their rights without Union . Masters would not give more than they could help . He not only represented the Tableblade Forgers , but other trades , who had united for the better protection of Labour , and to watch over the combination of masters : for masters , although they condemned the union of men , took care to have combinations of their own ... In 1 S 30 , the masters gave 7 s . Cd . per dozen for forging six-inch knives ; in 1842 , they reduced the sum to 3 s . 6 d . for the same articles ; and other articles had been reduced to a much lower point .- The Anti-Corn Law League ciilled on them to uphold " England ' s greatness , " as they termed competition with foreigners , whilst they starved
English artisans to death . ( Loud cheers . ) At length ' the workers had been starved into resistance . They had resisted successfully , and ever since they had been respected : in fact , they had found it out to be far better to work eight hours a day than to work sixteen .- ( Cheers . ) Factors , who lived on the very life ' s blood of the working classes , had , with their long hours , driven the men to the skittle-alley and card-table ; whilst the short Iimirs system had furnished them ivith bits of gardens . The forgers liked the plan of independence . Mi . Blackhurst exhibited some of the cast metal stuff made up for knives , and which he declared were not worth a button , and with such " stuff" they were to " compete with foreigners . "
Mr . Mullet , Secretary to the Woolconibers , said Mr White had already stated the opinions of their body . They had been much reduced by the progress of machinery . One master in his district had professed to give employment , in 1842 , out of charity , and <^ ve the liberal sum of three fartliings an hour wanes . However , union had compelled him to g ive an advance of 25 per cent . They had also obtained advances in other places j but these were still only temporary triumphs , paid for at great cost ; and no doubt the masters would embrace the first opportunity to return to their old practices . Something more ! effectual , therefore , was needed to arrest the downward progress of the worker's condition . The Conference adjourned at five o ' clock until halfpast nine on Thursday morning .
THIRD DAY'S SITTING—Thursday , March 27 . T . S . Duncombe , Esq ., M . P ., resumed the chair at ten o ' clock precisely . „ , ,. o , ,. After the roll -had been called over , the 2 nd section of the Committee ' s Report was read . Mr . Evans , Potter , suggested the propriety of allowing the choice of a Committee to stand over until the whole of the objects for which the Society was to be formed had been agreed to .
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'• i i ' - <• - „ : - >« Mr . DunniBg , Bookbinder , could not acquiesce in the : suggestion of tMr . ' Evans : - He thought t"Key might agree to the 2 nd section immediately . . Mr . James Rattray thought everyone would see the necessity , when they became a component part of the great Association ' now projected , of supplying their quota of the necessary funds for . carrying it out . Mr . Wartnaby , Carpenter , thoughtthey should proceed at once to carry out the 2 nd section of the Committee ' s Report . Mr . Christopher , Shoemaker , was not vested with rer todo this or that : therefore , before he could anything respecting money matters , he must return to his constituents for their opinions on the subject . . Mr . H \ ihne , Baker , was sent to do anything that
was calculated to create union . He should support the motion . Several delegates , rose in rapid succession , and supported the view of Mr . Hulme . Mr . Robson , Shoemaker , thought the proposition a very simple one . He should vote for the affirmation of the principle . His constituents would deal with the pecuniary part of the matter . ( Cheers . ) . Mr . James / Shoemaker , thought this discussion unnecessary . If they did not affirm this section they would be negativing what they did yesterday . Mr . Spurr , Iludderslield , said his constituents exnccted that a general Committee would be formed .
Mr . Mullihs , as the representative of the lrades of Bradford , said he should support the motion . Mr . , Boiler-maker , said his constituents had fair wages , but they wished to help those who had not . The proposition was good , and he should support it . Mr . Macnamara said he was sent to assist in anything beneficial , and was supplied with funds by the Boiler-makers of Manchester to defray their quota of expenses . Mr . Drury , Sheffield , said it was absolutely necessary that they should have a central board of communication ; and i £ he was to go back to his constituents without such a portion ot the machinery being provided , he should go with a strange tale in his mouth .
Mr . Thomas Booth said those who felt a difficulty in voting for the recommendation , could remain neutral , and the others who were at liberty could vote , and the business proceed . Mr . Evans , having embodied his suggestion in a motion , the Chairman proceeded to put the question , when the recommendation that a Central Committee should be formed was affirmed by a very large majority . '' , .... Mr . Dunning was desirous of making a motion to provide that the members of such Central Committee should be paid , but he ultimately consented to . withdraw it for the present .. . The following letter from the Miners of Durham and Northumberland , addressed to Conference , was read by the Chairman : —
Owing to the protracted nature of the strike in these two counties , and from the present poverty of the Miners , it is impossible for us to be represented in the present Conference of Trades now sitting in London : nevertheless , the Miners of these two counties most heartily approve of a Consolidated Union of all Trades , being convinced that , until such union is effected , single Trades may struggle with oppression in vain ; and we hereby pledge ourselves to use our utmost exertions to carry out so desirable an object . —W . Daniels , Chairman ; John Clark , Secretary , The 3 rd section of the Report was then agreed to without discussion , and carried unanimously .
The 4 th section , that relative to the appointment of Local Boards of Trade , - .-was : then read , and the Chairman was about to put the motion , when Mr . Dunning said the proposition looked very fair on the face of it , but he doubted very much if punishment would be equally inflicted under such a law , on those who violated it . The masters , as magistrates , have the power of awarding punishment : and they would hesitate ere they sent one of their own order to the treadmill . The proposition was an emonation from France and Belgium , and was too Frenchified for him . The Northern Star of last Saturday had highly eulogised those Boards ; and thought they might be the means of rendering Trades' Unions unnecessary , a feeling that the Government would
not fail to make a proper use of . The proposed Boards of Trade would , in his opinion , be made an instrument in the hands of despots , such as Sir James Graham , for the suppression of Trades' combinations . Such combinations were Jin eye-sore both to employers and the Government . He would move that the recommendation respecting the Board of 'lYade be not agreed to . Mr . Haekney , Hydraulic Presser , thought if one of the masters was only for once put on the treadmill , it would greatly tend to deter the employer from acting unjustly ; and as to the proposal being Frenchified , he cared not where the proposal came from , so that it was a good one ; he should support the proposition for Boards of Trade .
Mr . Cornish , Wool Stapler , supported the views of Mr . Dunning , and believed if adopted by _ the Unionists , that moment the Unionists committed suicide . Mr . Williams , Carver and Gilder , also coincided with the views of Mr . Dunning . Mr . John Skclton , Ladies' Shoemaker , thought good and evil was mixed up in nearly all propositions , but he thought the balance much in favour of good from local Boards of Trades ; and by their adoption he believed a great amount of the large capitalists would go with them to put down the baneful amount of competition now raging . He should , therefore , support the proposal for Local
Boards of Trade , believing them calculated to give support to both labour and capital . Mr . Berry , Miner , said they had what was called " liberty "—and with it their unions : and yet they were more reduced in condition than ever . Why , these things loudly proclaimed the necessity of their throwing themselves upon the protection of Parliament . Why , the Miners had a strike now pending at Wigan , at the colliery of Mr . Carl , a magistrate , and he at the present time held in his hand a letter from Mr . Roberts , stating that 300 Irishmen had just arrived to supply the place of the turn-outs ; under the present system the men had no chance ; he should , therefore , support the proposition of ihe Committee . Mr . Robson said that their trade , the City Ladies '
Shoemakers , was reduced to make shoes at G * d . per pair ; and Moses , who had done so much to ruin the Tailors' trade , was about to compete with the Shoemakers also , by means of their surplus labour , by reducing wages down to 4 d . or 5 d . He believed Local Boards of Trade were the only means of putting an end to such a state of unprincipled competition . Mr . Pasquil , Miner , gave a lucid statement of the Miners' grievances . He cordially supported the proposition tor Local Boards , as a means of placing both masters and men on an equality before the law , Mr . Prior , Tailor , said Government had not such a knowledge of the Unionists assomepeople imagined , as
witness , the discussion on the case of the Glasgow Cotton-Spinners . He thought the working men , when they had a proper understanding , could do more for themselves than any Act of Parliament could do for them , What could the workmen expect from men who . de « dared they would rather walk the streets iti their shirt sleeves , than that the Tailors should obtain their just rights ? It had been stated that Moses and Son had resolved to add the Shoe-making trade to their present Leviathan system of competitive oppression , and if they did so the working men would be found assisting this effovt of oppression by purchasing at their establishment . lie could not come to a conclusion that Local Boards of Trade would work well . ( Hear , hear . )
Mr . Mirfield , Linen Weaver , Barnslcy , said his constituents were of opinion that Local Boards of Trade were calculated to save them from ruin . As to the extra means of oppression which it was feared the masters would obtain from the establishment of such boards , they really had so much now , that he could not conceive how these boards , or any thing else , could arm tliem with additional ones . lie thought such boards well calculated to adjust differences between the employers and the employed . Mi * . Webster , Hull , asked whether the present mode of adjusting disputes ( even when the labourer had justice on his side ) , was at all satisfactory ? Were his grievances rightly adjusted ? No , certainly not . All the power was at present on the side of the
capitalists . He came from a maritime town , where disputes were referred to magistrates , whose decisions not unfrequently caused the greatest disgust . The proposed Local Boards would be composed equally of employers and employed , and would thus give the employed half the power in the settlement of disputes . They would consequently be calculated to allay prejudice , and create a better feeling between the masters and workmen . Mr . Rattray asked how came it to pass that if Boards of Trade had been beneficial in France and Belgiumwe had to be in so much dread of foreign competition ? Perhaps some one who knew how these boards worked would give the necessary information . He was inclined , after the statements of Mr . Skelton and others , to support the proposition . Mr . Christopher , Ladies' Shoemaker , was surprised to hear men talk of an equal number of masters and men constituting the Local Boards ; why
the men would not be equal to the employers . Mr . & . A . Fleming said , the proposition , was not as Mr . Dunning supposed , calculated to suppress Trades' combinations : for the parties that would be represented on the Boards of Trade would be the BOWES of Trades , both employers and employed This ,- therefore , cut away one of the principal objections raised by Mr . Dunning . As to the proposal being too Frenchified ; he had nattered Mmsea that the time had arrived when Engb ' shmen were not to be opposed to Frenchmen " because they wore wooden clogs and eat frogs . " But the principle was not French , it was truly English . Mr . Fleming then read an extract from an Act of Parliament , passed in the fifth year of Elizabeth , to prove that Local Boards would not be an adaptation of " Frenchified customs , " but was a return to the good old " English customs . " He much regretted to hear any expression of Ul feeling ^ against the employers as aclass . They ought to repress such feelings , and conciliate , in order to obtain
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justice jbiilUl jhe jBoanlB _ of ... Tradethe committee wopo 9 ed , " compdsed as'they would be of tfe employed as well as the employers , would be as much a portion of the law as the magistrates themselves . The only part the magistrates would have to take would be simply a ministerial one . The boards would conduct their business publicly . The working men , of course , would be selected for their independence , prudence , and judgment ; and being equal innvmbm with theemployers , > would be equally influential with them ; and , Kicked by public opinion as these boards would be , they could not be without beneficial results He begged to correct Mr . Dunning ' s assertion , that the Government had . taken this question up . Lord
DalhouBie simply said to the Hand-loom . Weavers , that it . was a matter worthy of consideration . ¦ In reference to Mr . Rattray ' s question , the reason why English workmen were not able to compete with the Continental operatives , was the great disparity of public burdens that each has to bear . The Englishman had £ 50 , 000 , 000 of taxation a ^ year to provide ^ £ 8 , OCO , 000 poor-Mies , and all other rates . No wonder that he was not in a condition to compete . In answer to a question put , as to whether the rate of wages on the Continent ; was always one fixed and unvarying amount , he believed that the Boards ot Trade met periodically , and promulgated lists of wages , having determined on them when they had taken all the circumstances of the times into consideration .
Mr . Wayne , Blook-Printer , could corrobor ate that statement from actual knowledge . He had worked five years in Belgium , and had had full opportunity of observing the beneficial working of the principle . The Boards were composed of equal numbers of masters and men ; they met monthly ; they promulgated lists of wages for the different descriptions of work j all paid according to that list , until it was set aside by the authority that made it , which was done whenever the circumstances of the times called for it . He had worked there for lOd . a day ? ( Derisive cheers . ) What mattered it iovtho cwjwukC , if the sum would procure him sufficient food . Tenpence there was worth more than 2 s . Gd . here . ( Hear , hear . ) ___ ¦ __ * _ . . _ *
Mr . J . White , Woolcomber , thought Boards of Trades were well-ealculated to infuse feelings of selfesteem and independence , which they did not now possess . They now had to go " hat in hand" to be g of the employers what they ought to have of right . He thought these Boards would be a step in the right direction , for they wonld at all events introduce the principle of equality . He hoped their views were sufficiently large and comprehensive to allow them to adopt the principle of Local Boards of Trade . ( Cheers . ) Mr . ; Wartnaby , Carpenter , would support the Committee ' s proposition . He had not heard any argument urged against the proposition sufficient to induce him to vote against it . It now being half-past one o ' clock , the Conference adjourned for dinner . ¦
Afternoon Sitting , Thursday , Mr . T . Booth , File-Smith , said that his opinion was that Local Boards of Trade would entail more of evil than of good . He feared the capitalist would corrupt the working men . In Sheffield a society existed , called "The Life and Property Protection Society , " but which society was in reality for the suppression of Trades ' combination . That society had a fund which mas used to engage spies , and take other steps to put dow ^ Trades' Unions by bribery . We had no just legislation in the House of Commons , and until we had a just representation in that house the less we had to do in conjunction with the capitalist the better . France and Belgium had been referred to ; but it so happened that in those countries the
workmen never rose above their starting position . At the present time the numbers of the Sheffield Trades prevented them from being sold . The proposed arrangement would place them in the hands of a few , and leave them open to sale . Mr .- B . Humphris , Framework-knitter , Notting ham , said his body were in favour of Local Boards of Trade ; ; but they thought the president should be independent of either party , whether masters or workmen . The Framework-knitters were a numerous body , comprising 48 , 000 ; and they were so reduced that their wages in some places only averaged Ss . 3 d . per week . At Barwoll the hands were much assisted by cultivating plots of land . Whatever evil might arise from Boards of Trade , of this he was
sure , they could not injure the Framework-knitters , but might benefit them . Mr . Wilson , Maker-up , thought Boards of Trade would be of great advantage , Institutions of a similar kind had proved benehcial in their trade . Mr . Thomason , Cau co Printer , thought the proposition of the Committee a good one , and would tend to the upholding of wages . He was confident that legislative protection anuinterferencc was necessary . Machinery had reduced the Cotton Printer from a position of respectability to that of a wandering vagabond . Time was when there was no night work ; but now Mr . Cobden , M . P ., carried it to an alarming extent , and the manual labourer found it impossible to compete with machinery .
Mr . "William Evans , Potter , thought the great evil was " surplus labour ; " and so long as this continued , notwithstanding the establishment of Boards of Trade , their condition would not be much bettered . He did not think working men could be found with temerity to go before those Boards , and give evidence against their employers . ( Hear , hear . ) He advised them to be cautious how they took this step ; and he thought it would be prudent , at all events , to postpone it tor the present . Mr . Lloyd Jones thought it advisable to take peaceful steps to adjust differences . He , therefore , supported Local Boards of Trade . His trade had not mentioned the subject in their letter of instruction , but the proposal seemed to him so rational and so just , that he supported it . ( Cheers . ) Mr . Felkin perfectly agreed wi tli his friend from Nottingham .
Mr . J . S . Sherrard , Hand-loom Weaver , Spitalfields , said he believed he was warranted in saying that the whole body of Wearers in the united kingdom was iu favour of lecal boards . They believed it to be one of the best means that existed to better their condition . It was the only means of making dishonourable capitalists net justly , It would benefit their whole body , who , with their families and dependents , numbered not less than 800 , 000 soids . He , therefore , most cordially supported the proposal . He had been one of the deputation to Lord Dalhousie the other clay , who did not make them any positive promise . This day ho and his brother delegates liad waited on Sir G . Clerk , who did not receive them so " courteously" as Lord Dalhousie . Sir George did
not seem to mind the imprisoning of working men , but he by no means seemed to like the chance . of one of his own order being imprisoned . ( Hear , hear . ) _ Mr . Sykes , File-smith , said , there was one particular reason why he should object to this proposal . There were few working men but who felt great diffidence in the presence of their employers , and consequently in such a position would not act up to principle . It was fallacious to talk of their interest being identical . Therefore , he had no great faith in acting with the capitalist . Mr . Spun , Huddersfield , acting on the principle now suggested , had saved the trade in the town from which he came much monev .
Mr . Hawksworth , Sheffield , said that the men of Sheffield had come forth to tell the men of London , and the world at large , that they could legislate for themselves , and did not require the aid of either tbe capitaMs or the Government . They had tasted the "five promises" of the masters , and had been stabbed in the back . lie should oppose the motion . Mr . Blackhurst , Sheffield , would ask , would Local Boards of Trade place more wealth in the bauds of the workman ? We did not wish merely to walk , talk , dance , or gamble with the employers ; the working men wanted the power of dining with them . Local Boards might equalise wages in some
districts , but they would not increase them . He objected to Local Boards , because they would give other men the power of soiling his labour , instead of learning him to sell it himself The masters had always acted treacherously towards them , andhencc they could not trust them as arbiters . It was said the Boards would not be eternal—no the Poor Law was not to be eternal ; but they were still cursed with it . He thought before they adopted LocalBoards from the Frenchmen , they should have soni c of the advantages the Frenchman possessed . ( Loud cheers . )
The question was now put , when the Chair decided in fav our of the " . Ayes . " A division was asked for , when twenty-eight voted for the motion , and thirty-four against it : consequently the motion was lost . The 5 th section of the report was then road , and unanimously adopted . The Cth section was then submitted , When Mr . Cr . White , moved that it be postponed for the present , and a fit Committee be appointed to cany out the Cth section in the mean tiniq " Tl ' iis was seconded by Mr . Robson .
After some observations from Messrs . Fleming and Evans—the timo having arrived for adjournment , The Secretary called the names of the delegates , and the Conference adjourned until half past nine on Friday morning .
Untitled Article
A Public Meeting of the members of this locality iook place on Tuesday , March 23 . Mr . Woodward in th e chair . Ihe . following resolution was agreed to : —Moved ; by Mr . Morgan and seconded by Mr Tanner , " That a concert be held at the George and Dragon Inn , BlMldieath-hllJ , on Tuesday evening , April 1 st , for the , benefit of two Spanish refugees exiled from their country for their noble endeavours to establish free institutions . " A letter ; was read from the Chartists of Tonbrid ge Wells , stating their willingness to aid us m sending a delegate to the forthcoming Convention . It is requested that the secretary oLthe Crayford locality will correspond with us for the abeve object . Letters to be addressed to the secretary , Mr . BrewertoD , 15 , Maidenstenehill , Blackheath .
Untitled Article
the ground with tremendous crashes , greatly emk gerlng the lives of the officers who werel £ r below . It -is a matter of great satS ;" however , to be enabled to state Zfi the slightest accident occurred to life r . J The loss is roughly estimated , including & £ *• stock and machinery , there being a grinding and steanwmgme on the ground-floor , besides rJE valuable pieces of machinery , at £ 50 , 000 l ! i er understand that the greater portion is insured \ t , < T Manchester , West of England , Pkenk , andXi hc office .- The origin of the fire at presentX ; hcr mystery It is stated that , in the $ S $£ fi the smoke was first observed , there had bam * a * used that day , nothing but the steam-nineV „ ? re round the building . Mr . SuperintendentVnf e saw the laboratory at twenty-five ainntwafffi ?* and then there were no symptoms of fire li i ** to have burst forth instantaneouslv " W » blackened walls are now the only remains nftv 2 building if we exeept the M Afi ^ Jfi ^ veymg the smoke from the furnace oa *
Infanticide and Suicidi .-. MaXChesiEr iw » -On Monday last a horrid case oTSb ^? " *' - subsequent suicide was discovered to have hi ^ petrated in Hampson-street , Miles Phtin aW ? eN miles from this town The deceased waft ^ years of ' age , the wife of a respectable work ! ,,. ! f * named John Fanhurst , to whom she had been n ¦ > about two years . About a month ago stron " lilrri t ! ^ toms of insanity became apparent , and her In T " " had intimated his intention of placins he ) , ,, ' r ai 1 straint . When the intention of her husb , ? * made known to her she became verv nmrii , i * as and often spoke of it . She promised new , . i ^ her child , provided she was allowed to mw *?** it . This the husband promised t 0 Jo a mlw ! " * th time she continued to improve . About Si m tll , at ago she was seen walking round tiie cvo «(• TO , ? coal-pit , with her child in her « ms Jv ? then thought she contemplate ;! tKfoff r ***» herself , and infant ; but fearing i ^ K * *
she returned home . On Monday 1 : « 1 C T ' o'clock , a neighbour called to see her , te $ UW door locked , and the key inside . On looking fiS the window she saw the deceased -standing on X floor , with the child over her left arm andaiL % her right Band . She opened the door , and iTtff person m , who aaked if she was "poorly ? " < a said not , and denied that the door had been ' ] oel > . ) Mrs . Shelmudine remained with her about a quJL of an hour , and then left the house , notsusnS anything the matter . In about half an hour aff wards an alarm was given that she had committed suicide by hanging herself and was suspended hv I rope from a nail , which had been driven into tl evmll for the purpose . On the body being cut down and carried upstairs by her sister and a man wli » ) Z
come to her assistance , the child , a girl a on u months old , was also found suspended from % { Jj rail , and quite dead . On Wednesday an inquest wts held on view of the bodies , when the above facts were given in evidence . Verdict—Temporary Insanity , Execution or James Tapping . —James T annin * who at the last sessions of the Central Criminal Court was convicted of the wilful murder of Emma Whiter at Betlmal-green , by shooting her with a pistol ' expiated his offence on Monday morning , by suffering on the drop in the front of Newgate , in tlie presence of a concourse of some 6000 or 6000 persons . It had been expected that the crowd , from the fact of its being holiday time , would be unusually force and
strong barriers had , as usual , been erected to prevent accidents . This was not , however , the fact , for the assemblage was smaller than in thegehwalltv ol ' sueh eases . The wretched man , who had all alone preserved his firmness and self-possession in a very remarkable degree , and had almost up to the last persisted in denyingthat he shot the girl Wlufer , rose shortly after five o ' clock in the morning and wrote a letter taking leave of his brothers and sister * . He was subsequently visited by the Rev . Mr . Davis , theordinavyoftheprL 3 on , vjliohasbcenmost , issi ( luoii in his attentions to him since Ms conviction , and most earnest in his exhortations that he would confess his crime and seek for pardon through the atonement
of the Saviour . Ihe prisoner to the ' very last , however , evaded the question , and although by his language and his freqiient repetition of the words , "lhopc God will forgive me , aa I forgive every one olse , " Mr . Davis was induced to look upon this as virtually an acknowledgment of Ids guilt , lie did not make any direct confession . Shortly'before seven o'clock breakfast was sent in for the prisoner and the two persons , named Humphrey and Abdale , who were with him . On its arrival he said to Humphrey , " Now I shall recommend you and your colleague to make a good breakfast , for I mean to do so , " This was mildly and coolly said ; and there was nothing of levity in his manner of saying it . A hearty breakfast , indeed , he did make ; for lie took two cups of coffee and two cups of tea , and ate two rolls and a round of toast . A Jittle after seven
, the Rev . Mr . Davis visited him , accompanied by the sheriffs Sidney and Hunter , and tbc under sheriffs Marten and Ashuvst , and two or three ote persons . Tlie rev . gentleman and the sheriffs urged upsn him the awful situation in which he stood , and the necessity of his confessing his crime , and endeavouring to make his peace with an offended God . lie assented to what was said , but made no disclosure . The sherifls , under sheriffs , and other persons present then retired , leaving him with the rev . gentleman only , who prayed with him for some time . At about a quarter before eight o'clock tlie sheriffs again entered the cell , and took leave oi their prisoner , shaking him by the hand , and
expressing to nun tneir hope that he would find forgiveness with his Heavenly Father . Sheriff Sidney , as the last words he should address to him , urged upon him the awful change he was about to undergo , and entreated him to repent . He replied , " Yes , 1 know what you mean ; I understand ; " and appeared rwy sensible of the kindness he had re ceived since his incarceration . In a few minutes after this , Calcral ' t , the executioner , entered the cell , and . performed ihe operation of pinioning , which , the prisoner bore with great fortitude . A sort of gasping for breath , and an intense dilation and brilliancy of tlie pupil of tlie eve , nevertheless showed that he laboured under ray great mental excitement ; and the ordinary stated
that he was obliged to be exceedingly careful in his manner of addressing him , on account of the creat excitability to which" ho otherwise became a prey . When the collar of his shirt was turned down , it discovered a mark on his neck of a wound , which he had , according to his own statement , inilictcd in an attempt to commit suicide previously to his coining to rvevgate . All being now in readiness , the sheriff !* and under sheriffs once move took leave of him , ami he thereupon said— " I have one request to make , winch I hope will not be denied me . " Tlie sheriffs asked him what it was ? He replied , " 1 have something which I wish to say on the scaffold . " One of the functionaries present said . " Had you not better
say it here ? There are persons present connected with the press by whom it will be made known , and T think you had better say it here . " The prisoner , with a look of entreaty , answered " No , sir ; I wish to sa ^ it on the scaffold . It is my last request , and I hope it will not bo refused me . " The sheriffs then at once said his wish should be complied with , ami the procession moved along through the different yards and apartments leading from the cell to the scanold , the rev . ordinary reading the customary portion of the burial service , while the chapel bell tolled the knell of death . The firmness of the prisoner ' s step , and his entire self-possesion ( luring this awful period , were extraordinary . Whatbe his
ever might mental sufferings , it " was quite evident that his bodily strength and physk-nl enei - gies never for a moment failed him . It had been expected , from the . request that he made , that he was about to _ address the people from the scaffold ; but on his arrival there he walked delibcnUciv forward , and bowedihrec times in a somewhat theatrical manner , turning his body first to the west , then to the south , and lastly to t he north , while ¦ tie populace cheered and clapped tiuir Umh , All this was done with the coolness and much of the manner of an itinerant player or quack doctor , rather than of a person the next moment to be launched into eternity . liut neither bravado nor levity was intended bv the and
prisoner ; it was apparent that he did intend to say something to the mob , but that his heart or tongue tailed him . As soon as he had thus bowed he shook hands with the chaplain , and said , "I acknowledge the justice of my sentence , and hope Cod wiJl forgive me as I forgive everv one eke . " He next shook hands with Sheriff Sidnov , and fervently kissed his hand as he parted from him . The cap was immediately drawn over his face , the rope adjustol . and the unfortunate fellow , whose firm nerves sustained him to the last , was turned ' off . and JicJ without a struggle . After hanging tlie usual time tlie body was cut down , and was buried in that portion ot the prison in which the bodies of Greeimcre , Gpurvoisier Wakcaleyand otherswho have suflfefr
, , , cd ior the crime of murder , lie interred . The cell which this wretched man left for the scaffold «• •« immediately under that occupied by Thomas I locker . Alter the execution was over the great mass of flip crowd quietly dispersed , but some remained until atter the body had been cut down , and the scalibld removed . Tlie prisoner was only 22 years of ago , ami a young man of rather prepossessing appearance ^ wore a , black velveteen shooting-jacket and gi'tf striped trousers , and hud a very clean and neat appearance . The present destitute state of the culprit ' s family has excited a feeling of much commiseration , and a subscription has been set on foot amongst the tradesmen in Bethnal-green to in some way allcviato their sufferings . .. . . ¦¦ .. ¦
Wiuwc Tun Printed By Lou&Al M'Gowaic, Of 17, Great Windmill' Street, Haymarket, Is The City Of. Westminster, At Tl)
wiuwc tun Printed by LOU&AL M'GOWAIC , of 17 , Great Windmill ' street , Haymarket , is the City of . Westminster , at tl )
m sane street Ana rarigh , for tn « iTS prietor , FEARGUS O'CONNOB , Esq ., and published ty " Wimjah Hewitt , of Xo . 18 , Charles-street , Brandon . street , Wahvorth , in the Parish of St . Mary , NewinJton , in the County of Surrey , at tke Office , No . 3 <» i Strand , in the Parish of - St . Mary-le-Strand in tbe City of Westminster Saturday , Umh 29 m
National Cokfjerence ** ^- - ~Bftoab5st~'
NATIONAL COKFJERENCE ** ^ - - ~ bFTOAb 5 sT ~ '
Greenwich.
GREENWICH .
Untitled Article
¦ ¦ ¦" ' ¦ ¦;•¦• ¦ atlesbubt , Friday . Several Quaker friends have visited sTawdl to-day . It is doubtful -whether his -wife will visit Mm again or not . The latest account of him -went to say that he had evinced signs of contrition , and was perfectly resigned . To show howextremely sanguine were his hopes that he should be acquitted , we may give the following incident , which has been related to our informant by One of the gentlemen engaged for the defence : —It may be remembered that a man named Wilder was tried and . convicted at the same assizes , and sentenced to fifteen years' transportation for a robbery committed at the residence of the Rev . Mr . Luxmore . with whom the prisoner . lived as butler , at
Eton College . During the incarceration of John Tawell at Aylesbuiy gaol , Wilder and he were confined in the same ward , and a sort _ of fellow-feeling arose between them , Tawell appearing quite certain that Wilder would also be acquitted . Tawell took a fancj to Wilder , and actually engaged him aa servant , at a certain rate of wages ,, to live with him at BerKhampstead , andit was arranged that , at the conclusion of the trials , they should return to his residence in that town together . Wilder was first tried , and when his conviction was announced to Tawell , he remarked , with evident feelings of alarm and disma J , which he attempted to conceal , " Well , it ' s very extraordinary ; I hardly know what to think of a Buckinghamshire jury after this . " It has been stated ^
that the expenses of the defence of the prisoner amounted to £ " ? 00 . This amount only embraced one portion of the expenses incurred on his behalf . Wy have heard from one of the parties retained b Tawell , that they will fall , in the whole , very little short of £ 2 , 000 . Independently of his counsel , Mr . Fitzroy Kelly ,. Mr . O'Malley , and Mr . Gunning ( whose fees were exceedingly liberal ) , he had three solicitors—viz ., Mr . Bevan , of the Old Jewry ; Mr . Kin g , selected for his extensive chemical knowledge : and Mr . C . S . Voules , of Windsor , who was retained on account of the local knowledge he possessed of the neighbourhood where the foul crime was perpetrated . We may now state , that at the conclusion of the trial it was considered by the prisoner ' s legal advisers that
the ill-advised admission he made to the constable , Perkins ( while he was in his custody at Eton , pending the proceedings before the coroner ' s jury ) , to the effect that while he was with the deceased at her house in Bath-place , Salt-hill , she poured something out of a small phial into her glass of stout , and drank it off , and then fell upon tho hearth-rug m convulsions , tended very seriously to prejudice nim in the minds of the jury , and to have had an effect the very reverse of what he had anticipated on the mind of the learned Baron who presideu ; for it may be recollected that Mr . Fitzroy Kelly , in his lengthened address to the jury , contended that" there was no proof at all adduced that the woman had died from the
effects of prussic acid , " and maintained that there had been nothing shown , to prove that she had not been actually suffocated by the very draught of water which was poured down her throat when she was first discovered in the agonies of death , by her next door neighbour , Mrs . Ashley . It is considered that , whoever advised or suggested such a statement to have been made by the culprit to the constable , it was a most injudicious step to have been taken , the more Specially after the line of defence which was subsequentl y determined upon by his legal advisers . —The Old Bailey "functionary" has been engaged to perform the lasi sad office' on the day of execution , Friday next .
Scientific Review of the Medical Testimony ;—A pamphlet has just been published , entitled " Remarks and Comments on tlie Medical and Chemical Evidence adduced at the Trial of John Tawell , " in which the writer , Mr . G . L . Strauss , endeavours to show the incompetency of the medical witnesses ex-: amined to determine a question of such great nicety , . and points out various discrepancies in their evidence , with a view to prove this assertion . Mr . Strauss contends that there was no proof that death was caused by poison , and the . quantity of one grain of prussic acid calculated to have been in the stomach of Sarah Hart , he maintains was insufficient to produce death . In confirmation of this opinion he mentions persons who have taken two , and
even four , grains without serious inconvenience ; and the case of the seven epileptic patients at Paris , so oftOB referred to in the trial , and who were killed by overdoses of prussic acid , ought not , according to Mr . Strauss , to have had anjr -weight , for the real quantity of prussic acid administered to them was upwards of two pains each , though , owing to si misconstruction of the translator , it was stated to have been only seven-tenths of a grain . The appearances caused by prussic acid , when it produces death , are stated to be sufficiently marked to be distinguishable by those who have witnessed such cases , and among the peculiarities of poisoning by prussic acid , Mr . Strauss mentions particularly great brilliancy of the . . .. i » . . ' . . . fc « .
^ eye . The conclusion at-which he arrives after examining the whole case , and quoting the opinions of M . Orfila on the effects of poisons , is tlie following : — "To sum up briefly , I repeat again that it is my most conscientious conviction tlmt Sarah Ban died from natural causes , ' It is of course quite out of my power to point out the precise cause of her sudden death . I neither witnessed the symntoms exhibited by her during the few minutes immedktely preceding the extinction of life , nor have I seen her body after death . It would perhaps have been easy to come to a correct conclusion on tliis point , had the postmortem examination been made by men of sterling [ science ; however , as it is , the cause of death will probably remain shrouded in mystery .
"My conviction that prussic acid-had nothing whatever to do with the poor woman ' s death is based cMeflv and principally upon the absence of some of those symptoms which my own experience ( limited as it is ) has taught me to expect invariably in cases of poisoning by this acid ; and , moreover , upon the total and complete absence of any of the pathological alterations which I should invariably expect , at least in all cases where the acid has not destroyed life instantaneously , but after the lapse of a few minutes or" so , in all cases of poisoning by prussic acid , without exception , the venous system is found gorged with very fluid blood of 1 dark violet or black tint : the liver is gorged
with blood of black colour ; the bile is in most cases of a deep blue colour . The brain is mostly overgorged with blood , which in many instances is found to haveexkavasated : the lungs arc almost invariably gorged with blood of a deep violet or black colour f the oesophagus , stomach , and intestines are generally in a state of greater or lesser inflammation , « fcc , &c . Of all these indications of the action of prussic acid , we have none in this instance . How is it possible that any pxofessional man , possessed of the highest knowledge of his art , coukl , in the face of these facts , come to ' the conclusion' that the death of Sarah Hart is chargeable upon prussic acid , simply because some prussic acid was obtained by distilling the contents ot her stomach . "
Destructive Fike at Liverpool . — Fridaw—A destructive fire occurred in this town yesterday afternoon , which destroyed the valuable and extensive manufactory , or laboratory , in connection with tlie Apothcoaries ' -hall , injured portions of the adjacent property , and , for a time , threatened the main building of the Hall itself , a large and handsome building , the public department of which is , we believe , the finest in the country . The origin of the fire has not yet been ascertained . It commenced in the cellar of the laboratory , containing oils , and shortly after the whole building was involved in flame . Happily the workmen on the premises had time to escape . The building is four stories high , at tho corner of Woodstreet , immediately in the rear of the main structure .
but separated irom it by Back Colqult-strcet , which is about eight yards wide . The fire was first observed by a labouring man named Dilston , about half-past three o ' clock . He was at work in the third story when lie observed a dense smoke in the room . Short as was the interval between the alarm being given and the arrival of the engines , yet it was found utterly useless to attempt to save the laboratory , The exertions of the firemen were therefore judi ciously directed in protecting the premises adjoining . Whilst arrangements were being made and earned out for the preservation of the property of the premises adjoining , the fire itself was burning with unexampled fury . The story in which it broke out was filled with an immense quantity of castor oil , almond oil , and balsam of cancovi , all highly inflammable substnnres .
In tlie top story there was a large quantity of empty castor oil packing-cases , whilst the other stories contained a vast variety of chemicals and drugs more or less inflammable . It need scarcely be wondered then , that the flames progressed with the greatest rapidity and intensity . Parties who saw the breaking out of the fire state , that first there issued a dense black smoke , and then , as if bv a simultaneous movement , the flames burst forth rom every window . Almost in a second the wholo building was in a blaze . Those who were not on the spot will scarcel y creditthc effect of tho heat . Tho eyes ox individuals who stood at least forty yards from the building , and in a contrary direction to the wind were severely scorched . A better idea of a volcanic eruption , perhaps , could not be given . The mrin « ot the names as they asceuded hundreds of feet above the walls had a most overpowering effect upon the of
spectators , many whom shrunk back in terror About a quarter to five o ' clock there was a terrific explosion , as of a thousand rockets , and the flames rose higher than ever . Volumes of densely black smoke then made their appearance . This was followed by a second rusk of brilliant red flame , and then a third , which was succeeded by a'discharge of light green vapour . The flames on these occasions reached across Wood-street , and ignited tlie back of the Bold-street premises , which were at some distance Ladders were immediately raised to the walls by the exertions of the firemen , and in this direction the fire was soon subdued , although a chimney of one of the houses whicli appeared to have been ignited by some of the flakes of red hot fire which were floating about in the air , oontinued to burn for some time The roof stood much longer than could have been anticipated , and the molten lead was seen running from it in great quantities . The warehouse was topped by large heavy free-stone cornices . These bv the great heat , were soon cracked , and they fell to
The Salt-Hill Murder.
THE SALT-HILL MURDER .
Untitled Article
THE NORTHERN STAR . March 29 , 1 S 4 & .
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), March 29, 1845, page 8, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1308/page/8/
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