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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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^ DJOTJMED MEBTDJO O VgSJgSSSk EENCE OF DELEGATES FOR EFFECTING AN . TJSIOU AMOKG DffFBfflfflT OABOTS OF BEFOBMERS , JOHN STREET , TOTTMH&U COURT ROAD . On Sunday * te ™ on 7 **? - ^ Z ? o& ? ™ Bluffing teat explained J ^^; JHH 8 M ? absent on Social business at Manchester , Mr . Hooper -eras called to the chair . , _ , „__ Onthe roU being called , tvrenty-fiTfl JbTsona an . wrered to their names . Ihe minutes were then read and confirmed , and Hie discussion commenced upon the second clause , leaded , "Measures to be demanded of thegoyerntnfinL _ _ .. wnvrrm ^ rTSTS m I % . ! f % Alii TTTTI ! f ! ft IW WK »
......... Jtfr . Siaiivood Elated that , in his opinion , these Clauses irere already disposed of by the -wording of the first clause . By that clause they had declared that the Charter was to be the only measure demanded of government as a means to effect the other reforms needed . , A discussion took place upon the subject , in which JTessra . Pbctie , IIabxxt , Le Blosd , and "Wheeisb , took part , which was ended by Mr . Lb Bio . yd proposing the adoption of the second clause— " Free access of Labour to Land , making Home Colonisation possible . " Mr . Peihb seconded the motion .
Mr . Siahwood moved the following amendment : ¦ mmf * That this Conference is of opinion that the People's Charter is the only measure that should lie demanded of the government . " He was in favour of an agitation for Social Reform , but thought they should first gain possession of power . "When they had attained that , they could achieve what Social reforms they deemed necessary . If his motion vras carried , he should follow it up by proposing the ¦ following measures ( which ho . had withdrawn as a motion last week ) , to be agitated for by the Union : *—A measure guaranteeing freedom of speech ,
free--dom of opinion , and a free press ; a graduated property tax , in lieu of all other taxes ; a well regu lated poor law ; a measure rendering lands , mines , fisheries , railways , canals , docks , gas , waterworks , &e ., national property ; the establishing a just system of public credit , and a wise paper currency , representing the wealth produced , together with a -ready mede of exchanging such wealth so produced ; -and a system of national secular education , thus ¦ clearing the way , and rendering safe , certain , and -sure that acme of economy—Communism . Mr . Le 3 iih seconded the amendment .
Mr . Pethe was of opinion that the Executive of ifte Chartist body exhibited a more fraternal feeling than the delegates present . The speaker then found fault with the past conduct of the Charti 3 t |> ody , and stated that the Social Reformers had been the mo 3 t powerful and intellectual advocates of the Charter , and their actions alone had never belied their words . The very fact of the Chartists asking Bid was a proof that they acknowledged their superior discernment Mr . Habset deprecated the warmth of the last Speaker , and trusted it would not be indulged in by those who followed him .
Mr , Fcsseli . —They should all agree on certain principles , which would give satisfaction to the « onntry at large . In all their past agitation , in all their Conferences , they had given the motives and reasons why they demanded the Charter ; they asked the Socialists to join them because they would ba equally benefited by the attainment of -political power , and every accession of numbers was a step towards achieving their object . He thought the resolution of the previous meeting had been understood ; the whole of the following clauses liad better be embodied in one ; it would save them smch time in their discussion .
3 Ir . Blub wished to know whether they were to te confined to the discussion of the Social rights contained in the programme ; he thought they should go into the whole Social question . Mr . Brisck wa 3 sorry that Mr . Stallwood had moved the amendment . He was perfectly aware that political power was the only means by which they could obtain other reforms , but the amendment confined them to agitation for only one Object . llr . "Rheeeeb wished an explanation of the term "demanded of Government " Bid it simply mean petitioning Parliament ? He thought every process of their agitation was a demand upon the Government . Mr . Hakket explained that the Committee intended it to apply to formal demands by petition , memorial , or otherwise to the Legislature . Mr . Staixwood also save a similar ' esplanation .
Mr . Wilsox was of opinion they would cripple their exertions , and debar themselves from promot--jag many social reforms , if they confined their Par liamentary demands to the Charter . Mr . liE Blosd . —According to their name they ¦ were as much , an union for social as for political reform ; he was willing to give a prominence to the Charter , because unless they obtained power , any Social reforms they might obtain could speedily be crushed by the government . He tnought that , by a vigorous agitation , they might speedily obtain a good Education Bill , and a Law of Partnership ; if the Chartists stood by the amendment , they would not act with honesty towards those whom thqj had iuvited to join tnera , and would shut the door to all other classes who might wish to co-operate with them .
Mr . Geeatd Masset . —The Chartist agitation had iitherto proved a failure ; it had never been at so low an ebb as at the present time ; even the Chartiste themselves had acknowledged that the bulk of their iody were not Chartists in time of plenty , but sat as easy and contented as even the middle classes . Seeing this apathy among their own body , their leaders - wished to extend their basis , and asked other bodies to join them ; but they could not expect that co-operation , unless they admitted the claims of those parties which the committee had inserted in the programme ; he believed that no party could singly obtain their objects , and that no programme could satisfy the claims of every party ; but they could agree on some leading principles . He
belonged to tho Tailors' Association . They were aware that they could not snccessfnlly struggle ¦ with competition without some great governmental change ; if they adopted the amendment they would lose much valuable aid . Walter Cooper was going on a tour to spread the doctrines of Christian Socialism ; if they did not agree to adopt the law of Partnership , or some of their principles , they ¦ would lose his aid and co-operation ; they would also lose the aid of the young Bepublican party ¦ which had sprung up since 1 S 48 , whicli would be an Incalculable loss , and of more importance to them ft « m tho remnant of the school of Maior Cart-TOght , who were harassed by repeated failures and dissensions among themselves .
Mr . Delatohce thought that either Mr . Stallwood ' s motion or the Conference was out of place ; if they were only to have a repetition of the past , the union would be useless ; they must have no more Chartists upsetting meetings , called by the Trades for home colonisation or trade purposes ; such conduct prevented numbers from joining them . Mr . O'Bhies moved the following amendment : — " That universal suffrage and its adjuncts be the only basis of our organisation and the only specific demand to be made on the government ; but that in advocating universal suffrage , the social rights of the people , and the social reforms to be based upon them , be constantly kept before the public as the best means , both to interest the millions in the
agitation , and to ensure a wise exercise of the franchise after universal suffrage had been obtained . " He had consulted his own body , and many of his Chartist friends , who did not belong to any organised body , and it was their opinion that they would scon sink into a mere club or coterie , if they went as a primary object for anything in addition to the"" Representation of the Peonle . " The agitation for the Charter had hitherto railed , because they Lad given tho people sham and fraudulent reasons for its attaiHuient , instead of giving them the truth . They had put the Charter forward as a means to pare down taxation , to get rid of tithes , or c-ffeeS some alteration in church rates , instead of shewing that it would bring them their social rights ; tbi 3 was the reason why they were always trying to revive Chartism , which was an acknowledinnent of its death : instead of putting
a new heart into it—instead of giving it lite , they merely galvanised it , gaveitaiaise and not a real existence . Under the present social system , no laws could be . made to benefit the wholo body : they were a mere change benefiting a class , but of so benefit to the millions , nor ever could be , until they preven ted one class from preying upon ano-^ s ^ z z ^ rBr ^ The propagation of uP 5 o £ ff 2 j £ ? £ rnm of every revolution on the continent w » ITOSdowu to . th . present time . I ^ afan eXcuce S government to oppose them ; it £ ef aii + i , » „ Seddassesagauistthem ; all who ffl nj SR give up their own homes and live in barracks or co ^ unn , ^ lik e the members of the « $ ™ ™
iaV \ my Baw sUown auonfc the sheets- nothing conld bB less founded , in feet , than this dobfinT % community Competition was an . effect not I cause ; and co-operation , as a remedy , was power * less , until men had their social rights . K sev £ ^ en tailors co-operated together , they expected in divideamongst themselves the master ' s profit-this was very weil , but they must first ensure the master ' s customers . The upper classes well knew Siat the only source from whence their wealth was -dewred , and all the taxation of the country naid was the power of the producer to produce more than he consumed . Mr . O'Cric-n concluded a loa » address , by again pressing his amendment upon their attention .
Mr . Rogers seconded tho amendment . He was afraid , from the diversity of opinion expressed , that there would be no lasting union effected ; the So-% & ^ what tte Charter Wktioz had effected : he asked , wtet they , themselYes , had
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done ? He had been a Socialist since Owen broached the doctrine , in 1317 , and had been connected with co-operative and labour exchange societies for twenty yeaw , but was convinced that they could effect nothing without politioal power . Of what advantage would it be to the movement to insert " a law of partnership" a 3 one of their demands ? Of what interest was it to the mass of the people ? That it would benefit some few , he did not deny : it was a mere sectional trade affair , interesting to the tailors and other associated bodies , but not the public . He was a member of the Reform League , and attaehed great importance to the currency questioni still , he did not demand its fnsertion aa one of the dem ands on the government . A Mi At liA ft All mPATI * V KftPlollot 1 einnn /\___ t t _ .
Mr . T . Hu . vs said the question at issue was , would the Chartists continue their old , or adopt a new system of agitation ? The plan laid down by Mr . O'Brien was identical with that of Mr . Stallwood ' s—it was the old Chartist agitation , with some new lecturing process ; he thought the proposers of it immensely underrated the importance of the mission of that Conference . Messrs . Masset and Pstiis reiterated their views . Mr . Hahxst conld not exactly coincide with either Mr . Stallwood ' s or Mr O'Brien ' s amendment . He thought they should conciliate their Socialist and other brethren . It was stated in a letter , purporting to emanate from the Charter League , that the Conference wished to dictate to the cpuntry .
He was surprised that any man , reading the acconnt of their proceeedings , should come to such a conclusion . If the majority of the members of the National Charter Association , or of the Social , Fraternal , or other bodies represented , should disapprove of the terms of the Union , the Union would at once be brought to an end . They did not wish to force their views upon the country , neither had they any intention of electing an Executive or other officers ; those matters would be left entirely to the decision of their respective bodies . Mr . Barney then explained the manner in which the programme had been got up by the committee . He thought they should not tie the hands of the Union to the Charter as their only
demand upon the government ; if they exerted their power , he had no doubt they could carry Fox's Education Bill , or even a better bill through the House of Commons ; they had precedents for such a course , for the Chartists had petitioned for the Repeal of the Union , the Repeal of the Rate-Paying Clause , for the Reform Bill , and similar measures . He concluded , by moving the following amendment— " That the following words be struck out of the Charter Clause , as the most efficient means of obtaining the following necessary reforms , and that the following stand in place of the ensuing clauses—That while organising the people for the obtainment of the Charter , the Union will take advantage of all favourable circumstances to
social reforms , particularly those calculated to ensure National Education , the Abolition of Restrictions on Freedom Of Speech and Publication , a system of Equitable Taxation , the Xationnlisation of Property in Land , and such laws as will best enable the " industrious classes to associate for the protection of their labour . Mr , T . Huxt seconded the amendment . Mr . O'Bhies having again expressed his views , Mr . Hasxet stated , that if he thought there was a probability of the Charter being " speedily obtained , he would on his kneee iraplore the Socialists to forego their own views , and go with the Chartists for the obtainment of political power : but it was now the same as it had been after 1 S-39 and 1 S 42 .
First , they had a period of excitement , then apathy , and then a period when the people turned their attention to little measures of Social Reform—such as establishing co-operative stores , < fcc . ; and whatever the Conference decided , this feelins would continue until such time as their repeated failures caused them atrainto unite for the People ' s Charter . But were they to wait for that period without attempting bv union to hasten it ? * 2 Ir . "Walter Cooper said the question was , were they , or were they sot , to have an union ? He thought the time was come , if not for union , ot least for them to make the experiment . He was gkd that all parties had spoken out . Be had much rather that they should heartily abuse each other than that they should have a smooth surface with a hypocritical bodv . Mr . O'Brien had found fault
with systems and system-mongers . He could assure him there was nothing good in the seven propositions of the Reform League which was not to be found in the doctrines of other Social Reformers . The Charter was only the means to an end ; and unless they had an end in view , the Charter was useless . Soine of them said they wanted the Charter , and something more . Now , this something more was the things contained in the programme . He had great dependence upon the good to be effected fay a law of partnership . When * he was examined before the HouBe of Commons , he was asked whether working men would be satisfied if they were given this law of partnership ? He told them that they had no confidence in that house . Mr . Cooper then explained how the present law affected them as a body of co-operative trades .
Mr . "Wheeler thought that Mr . Stallwood ' s amendment was not understood , and that Mr . Stallwood had not properly explained it . His idea of their all uniting for the Charter was simply that , to become a member of the Union , a person should only pledse himself to the one doctrine , that every man was ~ entitled to a vote , leaving him in all other matters to act accordin g to the dictates of his own judgment . It did not " follow that because they made the Charter their one great demand , that they should not petition for other objects . During the past agitation , they had not done ' as Mr . O'Brien had stated—frittered away their energies in the abolition of church- ratC 3 , titnea , and other minor matters ; but , when occasions justified it , they had petitioned parliament in favour of many good measures , and they would still be capable of doing so if they a < reed to Mr . Stallwood ' s amendment .
Mr . FuasErx should vote in favour of Mr . liarney's amendment , but did not think he should be doing his duty to the Chartist body , unless he denied the statement put forth by Mr . O'Brien , that the Chartist leaders had given false and fraudulent reasons , instead of thelruth , in their advocacy of tho Charier . They had proclaimed that they needed tho Charter to abolish an expensive standing arniv , an iniquitous and buriensome State Church , and to reduce the pressure of taxation upon an overworked and starving people . Could any mr . n , with any shadow of consistency , say these were fraudulent reasons ? Throughout the whole of their agitation , both in 1339 , 1812 , and 1 S 43 , they nd ineir firm belief
had shown tneir love of iruth , a in then- principles , by braving the whole power of government ; and though they bad suffered much , and been oft-times baffled , yet they had never placed themselves in the wrong ; and he could not allow the government to be justified by the assertion that tiiey had acted fraudulently to the people . He appealed to the Socialists whether they had not always behaved candidly towards them , and heard them delineate their principles with tbe consideration which became men ar . d brethren ? lie defied the Socialists to prove that tbey had carried out any of their schemes of progress . The opposition of the law had always been too powerful for them to cope with .
Mr . O'Bbiex explained that he meant nothing offensive . He only expressed his opinion that , in the Chartist agitation , tbe Social Rights of the people had been kept too much in abeyance . Mr . Keab belonged to the Bakers' . Association ; and , if the Union assisted them to obtain their objects , they would have more time for thought , and be able to turn their attention towards gaining their political rights . Mr . Clemexis wished a law of partnership to be included in their programme . Mr . Masset wished to know if Mr . Ilarney would include a law of partnersbip in the objects he enumerated in his resolution ? He believed they possessed about 500 members in tlieir various co-operative bodies . Mr . Hahxev declined , not beinjr perfectly acquainted with f ! ie mean'ig they attached to the words .
Mr . Stallwood was opposed to the introduction of tbe law of partnership . He had no faith in his friend Cooper ' s mission to advocate Christian Socialism . The party who had advanced money to carry on their Co-operative Society was an opponent of Universal Suffrage , ne did not think that the funds of a nationallnovement should be swallowed in a mere money-making trades' affair . To suppose it would ever achieve their social or political rights was a mere bag of moonshine . Some warm words were then exchanged between Messrs . Stallwood , Pettie , O'Brien , and Walter Cooper . Messrs . Le Bioxd and Peitie withdrew their original proposition .
_ „ . ° Mr * Wilsox moved , — " Tbafc this Conference shall ask the government for other measures besides the People ' s Charter , and that they proceed to their separate consideration . " He thoug ht the discussion should have been confined to the simple question , whether they would ask government for more than the Charter or not . His amendment would test that question . Mr . Bbisck seconded the amendment . _ The votes were then taken , with the following result :-Mr . Wilson ' s motion , 10 ; Mr . Barneys , 20 ; Mr . O'Brien ' s C ; and Mr . Stallwood so . be in
Mr . Fcssell suggested that the secretary - structed to correspond with tbe secretaries of the lorkshtte and Lancashire Delegate Meetings , inorming them of the progress made . He thought i % , busme 8 3 of the Conference was con--iuaoci , as the adoption of a code of rules would ho lie work of awnher Conference , provided tU-ir dSSvn t 0 tho ba 3 is of union the r had la ni £ ;^—i opposed tLe suggestion , and it was ulti mately withdrawn until the next meeting . thatdnvT f ? ^~ " Tllat th < Jy at 3 J ° ™ ateKS 1 * l ^ ° mmiUeo l 4 aPP ointe 4 to draw up rules , m tbe interval' '
| HlH ^^^^^ H ^^^^^^^^^^ H ^^^ H ^^^^^^^^^ r _^^ - ^— - ^^^^^^ M ^^^^^^^ HMMtag ^ M ^ ~^~ Motion not seconded . On the motion of Mr . Harney , the Conference then adjourned until that day week . The room was , as usual , crowded with an eager auditory during the whole of the proceedings . ¦ ¦¦ ¦ * r « . . ' _
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o-GRA 2 JD DEMONSTRATION IN THE THEATRE HOYAL , AV 0 LVE 1 UIAMPT 0 N .
This important meeting came off on Tuesday evening , October 22 ud , with an eclat not possible to overate ; never in the history of labour did its champions assume and maintain a higher and more honourable ground . The Central ' Committee had determined to submit the 'Wolirei'nampton Tin Plate Workers' case to the verdict of the inhabitants of the town , believing—indeed , knowing—that it involved a principle in which the inhabitant householders were as deeply interested as the working men . The theatre had been engaged for the purpose , and to ensure a certain amount of respectability , and to counteract any sinister attempts to create confusion or disturbance , tbe admission was by ticket , to be had by all respectable inhabitants upon application . In two days from the announcement 1 ,-500 tickets were disposed of , being the number the
house could well accommodate sitting . Before the doors were opened they were besieged by numbers whose application for tickets Lad not been early enough . As many of these as could be accommodated in the vacant ground and slips in pit and gallerv , were admitted . And we are proud to state that uring the whole evening , in a house crowded from the floor to the ceiling , a degree of order and decorum reigned which we believe is unexampled in tho history of trades' operations . A few minutes after seven the Committee with several influential gentlemen of the town and locality , Messrs . Green , Peel , and Winters , from London , and Mr . Holmes , from Birmingham , took their seats on the stage , when Mr . Bartlctfc , solicitor , moved that Mr . Town-Councillor Griffiths should take the chair . This being dulv seconded ,
Mr . Griffiths , who , upon rising , was received with loud cheering from all parts of the house , said , that he felt much pleasure in being called upon to preside upon this occasion , inasmuch as tbe meeting was convened to listen to' the grievances of the working classes . He then read the placard calling tbe meeting , which was as follow : —
PUBLIC XOTICE . A public meeting of tlie inhabitants of the borosgh of ¦ W clverhampton and its vicinity will be held in the Theatre , on Tuesday , October 22 nd , 1850 , to tak « inlo consideration the coudition of the irorldog classes , particularly the tinplate workers of this town , relative to the difference which exists between them and tlieir employers , ¦ with a view of ceinentinjtne workmen clospr together by mutual assistance . The chair to be taken at seven o ' clock , p . m . Several gentlemen will attend and address the meeting . Admi'sion by ticket , which may be obtained from Mr . Howlands . JG rcat Brickkiln-street . With regard to himself , he was totally ignorant of the causes of the complaints whicli a considerable number of persons engaged in the tin trade bad made against their employers ; but he knew that several
honest men , wborn _ he was acquainted with , bad been walking about idle for several weeks past ., and he believed they would rather have been employed . From what he knew of the character and habits of these individuals , it must be something of a very strong and unendurable nature which could have forced them into such a position . They had met here under the constitution to advocate the rights of labour . Koi for any political or bickering purpose , but to claim and exercise a great constitutional right . The working classes , as he understood , would that night submit their grievance to the bar of public opinion ; they would , he had no doubt , submit them with moderation , avoiding , as far as possible , personalities ; and if a grievance was found to exist , tbere could be no question but
that public opinion would be powerful enough to procure redress , however rich or powerful might be the oppressor . ( Cheers . ) Tho chairman then went on to show the mutuality of interests between labour end capital , and how impossible it was for the one to injure tho other without the injury recoiling upon the assailant . With regard to labour , ar . d the influence which excitement invariably produced , in its relation to capital , he had been particularly struck with some statistics lie had met with , showing tho extraordinary effect produced in France through the revolution of 1792 . Upon that occasion the property of franco changed hands . The number of capitalists increased enormously . The land became divided among G , C 00 heads of families- ; and their families , in number 26 , 000 , had been since dracgii )<; on . 1 miserable existence ,
through this excessive subdivision of the soil : — while , by way of contrast , the land of England was possessed by only 300 , 000 individuals , while 70 , 000 , with tlieir " families , were living by their wages . His authority for these figures was Alison ' s lUstorv of Europe , which , as an authority , he believed was unexceptionable . He found that in France there was two proprietors to ono producer , and in England ten producers to one proprietor . If these were mere facts , there could be no doubt that the working classes arc a most important element in tho social family , and everything that relates to their well-being is deserving of the gravest and most earnest consideration . Eaving made these few preliminary observations , he should call upon Mr . Kemp to propose the first resolution . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr . Kemp then came forward and moved tbe following : — That this meeting fully recognises the right of every man , whatever liis occupation or position in society , to an equal anil ju » t administration of the laws , and tothat protection wliicli they invariably afford , when i « "ictically administered , and consider tliat the best and efficient mode of procuring this for tlie operative clas 3 es is a general centralisation of their resources and energies , systematised and controlled by rule 3 based upon just principles ^ which , while they legally and constitutionally demand justice and equality before tile" laws for the employed , fully accord the same to the employer .
Mr . Kenip said ho felt himself in a wrong position , being somewhat suddenly called upon to move so important a resolution , but he always felt it a duty to come forward on behalf of the working classes , with whom he was identified by feelingsand position . He explained what he meant by the working classes , whom he considered included not aiei'dy " those who worked with their hands , _ but those ' also engaged in useful mental occupations . He saw no difference in this respect betw een tho maker and the seller of an article , they were equally workers whoso two interests were identical , and tbe Only portion of society who were really valuable for the non-wojrkers , for his part , he . did not care how swathe * V « e s < M ? ut of &o country , ,
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He then proceeded to SfcW tto ^ T ^ S ? nJw tles ' althou 2 h it wasttatial * , "Jffli oM , « t t 0 ff , ? i niighbourhood-afi 3 1 * , d ° ZioJ other loeahhes-to separate them , and ttf ap > - , ? ' ft ! 1 ? nghts t 0 <» PitaI , and all the diiiiea toW ' h \ ' h 1 ? ? '« was in the habit of thinking - for inmsel f ; he might , perhaps , be thought foolish for "us , but those who knew his folly and weakness would lay it to the old score , He thought that no ngut could exist without a corresponding duty , ana it any class of the people are found neglecting their duties , another class will tell them of it . luis is our business , this evening , and this we shall fo without any physical force . As ha understood t « e question , it appeared to him a very simple ono . xi any man como 3 to me to buy an article , be expects to pay value for it ; and if ono man comes to
another to buy hia labour , by a parity of reasoning it his duty to pay value for it . He then proceeded , by a variety of instructive and interesting arguments , to illustrate his views of the relation of rights to duties , and concluded this part of his argument by maintaining that the moat effectual way for any class to secure their rights was by a rigid and honest performance of their duties . He was Borry to say that some of tho employers of this town seemed to hare but a ' very imperfect notion of the obligation which their duties imposed on them . He had heard of some frightful cases of oppression . These men might bo wealthy and powerful , but the people were beginning to estimate men not by the money they possessed , but by the virtues they practised . Ho confessed ho had great doubts of the propriety of strikes , but he
was quite certain that when they were entered on they should be maintained with firmness . He considered that a right-minded and virtuous man would use every possible means to avoid the dangerous alternative ; but failing this he would say to himself " I may want bread , I may suffer destitution , but I have placed my foot upon a sound principle ; I will die in defence of it . " ( Cheers . ) The speaker then alluded to the manner in which justice was administered in this borough by the local magistrates , many of whose chief qualifications for their honourable position , were a long purse and a pig ' s head . ( Applause and laughter . ) The Chairman remonstrated with the speaker upon the latter expression , which he thought was ill-advised , and not particular applicable to the resolution .
Mr . Kemp resumed , and contended that they had a just right to complain of a want of an impartial administration of justice , and ho considered it was their duty to get the evils he had alluded to removed , and the incompetent borough magistracy superseded by an cducatod , impartial tribunal . ( Cheers . ) Ho considered that the working classos were justly entitled to an impartial admistration of the laws of the land , and it was this feeling that brought him there . The spoakoi- was greeted , upon his sitting down , with repeated cheers irom all parts of the house . Mr . Rowlasd shortly seconded the resolution , and Mr . Peel , the secretary of the National Trades ' Association , then came forward to support the resolution in a lengthened and able speech , for which we regret we cannot find room .
The Chairman then came forward to put tho resolution , and congratulated the meeting upon the excellent temper of the audience , and the general discretion and moderation of the speaker ; he was happy to see so splendid a meeting , and particularly to see so large an attendance of his colleagues holding official appointments in tho corporation ; he had no doubt tbey woulditderive as much pleasure from this meeting as he himself felt . The resolution was carried with deafening cheers . Mr .. Carves moved the second resolution : —
That this meeting is of opinion that it would be for the benefit of the operative classes of tliis borough and tho country generally , to unite themselves in one body for their mutual assistance and protection , ia order to secure the advantages set forth in the first resolution ; and further , this meeting fully recognises the usefulness and advantage already obtained by the Esecutive and members of the United Trades' Association for the Protection of Industry , whohavesoperseveringly and legally supported the tinplate workers of this borough in their present struggle against the injustice and overbearing conduct of some of the manufacturers . This meeting ; , therefore , considers the above institution eminently calculated to assist in securing that protection ivhieh is so much needed , and earnestly recommend the working classes to join it as the best and most efficient , as well as legitimate , society established , to protect the interests of those classes . Which he supported in a mo 3 t amusing and witty speech , in the course of which he showed how easily ,
through the organised arrangements of tho National Association , the working classes might altogether change their position . lie entered into some useful calculations , to show the Over-powering value of the pence . Even if the men © f Wolverhampton , to the number of 5 , 000 , were to unite , and only subscribe one halfpenny a week , it would produce a sum so considerable that would alturd their complete protection from all undue exaction of capital , llo deprecated this continuous effort to break down the value of labour , and showed , in a humourous style , the artful and crafty manner in which these reductions were frequently effected . Tlieir results were not only to rob labour of the luxuries of life , but even of the necessaries . The speaker concluded a long and eloquent address amidst great applause . At this part of the proceedings Mr . G . A . Fleming , the treasurer to the association , and editor of the Northern Star , arrived , and was heartily greeted by several friends who knew him .
Mr . Green , member of the Central Committee of the National Association , seconded tho motion , and commenced his observations by a well-timed and well-merited eulogium upon the Chairman , for his conspicuous liberality in taking the position and the impartial manner in which he had performed its duties . Ho went into a brief history of the rise and progress of the National Association , showing its principles and objects , and the successful manner in which tbey had been carried on . llo more particularly dwelt upon its complete legality , and adduced lucid dictum of Baron Rolfe in support of his
argument . He justified a combination of labour by tho parallel of tho useful combination now existing among the shopkeepers of that town , to protect themselves from the injurious effocls of the truck system , He then went into a lengthened explanation of the terms of the Association , with which the members and readers of the Star arc familiarly acquainted with , and concluded a long and spirited speech by an exposure of some of the mean , vindictive , and cruel proceedings of the Perrys . Mr . Green was listened to with great attention , and vociferously cheered at the conclusion of his address .
Mr . G . A . Fiemixg ( treasurer to the Association ) was next introduced to the meeting in very flattering terms by tho chairman , and , in the course of a brief speech , pointed out what ho considered the peculiar merits of tho organisation of the Association , its adaptation to the local and general wants of the trades , and its strong and substantial claims upon their support , based upon its past success and vast capabilities . Tho working classes of tho present age stand in a totally different position to any of their predecessors . As long as the commodities required by society were produced mainly by manual labour , the workers had , to a great extent , tho power in their own hands of regulating wages in their own localities . But the rapid increase and
application of machinery to almost every branch of industry , and the consequent supercession of manual labour by that machinery , had revolutionised tho condition of the working classes . Tho inevitable tendency was to produce a " surplus" in tho mar ket of labour , of which the owner of capital could at all times avail himself to reduce prices to the level . of mere existence . This glut was not observable in those occupations alono with which machinery had directly interfered . It had driven masses of struggling competitors into trades and occupa-. tions into which machinery had not yet been introduced , and , by their desperate efforts to secure work , wages in many of them had been reduced so low that tlio miserable victims were condemned to
eko out a . subsistence by prostitution or theft . Tho causes which produced this downward tendency in the condition of the labouring classes wore universal , inevitable in their nature jind operation , and must be met by counteracting causes , equally universal and powerful , if the career of skilled artisans and manual labourers of all descriptions in this road to ruin , was to be arrested . Tho fact pointed to tho inference . As the evil was national , the cure must be national also . It was only by means of a general union of the trades that they could successfully maintain their position , and securo a fair clay ' s wage for a fair day ' s labour . Having been connected with the Association since its first establishment , and carefully observed its practical
operation , ho had no hesitation in saying , that he believed it to possess , in an eminent degree , all the requirements of such an association . It loft the bodies united that freedom of local action , and control over their own funds , which was so well suited to the genius of Englishmen ; and it concentrated and brought to bear upon any given spot tho wholo moral and pecuniary power of tho United Trades , in the most simple but efficient manner . No association within tho last twenty years ( and he spoke from active experience in all the movements that had taken place during that period ) had conferred so many and such substantial benefits upon the trades , in so short a period and at so small a cost . Under tho watchful and experienced guidance
and counsel of that noble and truo friend of tho people , Thomas Slingsby Dimcombe , tho member for Finsbury —( immense applause)—and , through the spirited , honest , and zealous excrtions of tho members of the Central Committee , it had weathered tho storms which , during tho last few years , had wrecked so many other popular bodies . It had scattered solid benofita far and wide , mainly tlivonjrh the medium of mediation and arbitration—thoug h , when necessary , it had never hesitated to employ tho pecuniary power at its command to succour its oppressed members in any just strugglo against encroaching oi > selfish employers . Its triumphs however , had , ho rejoiced to Bay , in luiadreds of cam been won solely by the exergue ot
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its moral influence only—a fact pregnant with im " portanco and instruction . Let the trades ponder upon it , learn to comprehend it in all its significance , and having done that , let them leara how to act upon it universally , and no power would be able to withstand the demand for any of their just rights . He u ust ® d » however , that they would not in future confine themselves to the arrangomest of disputes onlj"V totf * nat tfie portion of the plan which wa 8 in abeyan'tfff , would be brought into practical operation . Uiffil j , ^ ey had in-some degree the power of disposing of J&n " surplus labour , " which waathe real cause of all rb "< luctions of wages , they could never Occupy a perfflaiiJ ^ 'y- *' 8 and Secure position . The Associstton bu a ^ the plans and the !
machinery prepared , by whiov whenever the trades choose to contribute the necessary funds , these surplus hands , who were made the instruments to pull down wagei , might bo profitably jset Jo work on land , and in workshops , belonging to themselves . That was the only sure foundation on which tu e 7 could stand ; and uniil they bad arrived at tfiat , all the ether things they could do were , at best , but palliatives . He wiahed , Jioweyer , to observe in conclusion that , in seeding the elevation of the working classes , the Association did not seek to pull down any other class . They had do desire to promote division , disunion , and ill-will between employers and employed ; on the contrary , aiming as they did , mainly to secure their obiects by moral
influence alono , they knew that anything like harsb , one-sided , partial , or unjust conduct on their part , would defeat the object they had in Tiew , and dostroy that moral prestige on which they had heretofore relied with such success , as made them confident of victory on ths side of justice , in future .-That vast and extraordinary meeting was itself a proof of the soundness , and of tho vslue of the policy laid , down by the Association . It was a new era in tho history of Trades- Unions , to see a meeting for such a purpose as they had met to promote , presided over by an influential member of the municipal body , and to have—as he was informed—not only tho principal employers in the tin-mate trade .
but also the great majority of the town councillors , and many of tho gentlemen engaged in the trade and commerce of the town . The harmonious meeting of these parties with the working classes that night , and the friendly spirit by which that largo and overflowing assembly had been animated throughout , were deeply gratifying to his own mind , and he should ever recollect with pleasure his having been present at such a meeting , and the honour of having been permitted to take part in its proceedings . Mr . Fleming—wh , oso speech had been frequently applauded during its delivery resumed his seat amidst loud and continued applause , Tho resolution was then put , and carried unanimously . Mr . Bartos , solicitor , moved : —
That this meeting strongly condemns the practice , unfortunately of late most prevalent , of subverting the ne . cessities of the poor , or the ignorance of the unlearned , into a means of reducing the workmen into a comparative degree of slavery , by drawing them into agreements as destructive to tlie liberty , the interests , and the morals of the workmen , as they are to the honour , the character , nnd the reputation of the masters . This meeting would therefore most strenuously urge upon tho workmen cautiously to reflect before they enter into agreements so prejudicial to their best interests , and in every way cal . culnted to ensure their degradation and ruin .
With every word of that resolution he most cordially agreed . He believed that every one present , who understood the nature of these agreements , and had seen the working of them when brought into a court of law , would say they were not only disagreeable but unjust . Parties who had loft their employment for only one or two hours had been sent to prison . ( Cries of " Shame . " ) The decision of the court being that they must either pay the costs of the appearance , or be sent to gaol . He had seen the ease of a pooi * man who , having heard one Saturday night of the extreme illness of his wife and family at a distance , left his employment and proceeded forthwith to give them that personal care and assistance so needful at such a time . When he arrived
he found one of his children in the last struggle , and it died shortly afterwards . Others of his children and his wife were ill , and the latter , as might be supposed , was in great distress . He stayed to give them assistance , and for doing that he was taken by the officers and brought back to that town , and placed in the court on a charge of having deserted his employment . One of tho magistrates , who had some feeling in his heart , said , when the case was stated , that he thought the man had given every excuse that could be desired , and that he might be discharged ; but what did they think was the conduct of the employer who had arrested him ? He said , " Well , I am not satisfied , and I must have him committed . ' ( Loud cries of " Shame . " and
hisses . ) The words were heard with horror and disgust by every one in the court ; and though the magistrate refused to commit the man for having gone to perform his duty to a sick wife , and his dying child , he was forced to pay all the expenses of the hearing . ( Renewed cries of " Shame . " ) Had the employer had any spark of right feeling in him , he would have paid these expenses himself . He would call attention to another case , in which a man was brought up under ono of these agreements . But the employer neither wanted the man to go to prison nor back to his work . It appeared he had lent him two pounds , and he said , " Lot him give mo the two pounds , and I will get rid of him altogether . " It was , in fact , an endeavour to make the magistrate ,
under colour of the agreement , put 40 s . in his own pockets , instead of having recourse to tho County Court . Ho was about to tell them the decision , but on reflection ho thought it would be better to tell them nothing about it . ( Cries of " Go on , lets hear all about it . " ) Well , if they would have it , the decision of the magistrates was this , " Sir , you are committed for three weeks , and if you can pay the money you will be released ' to night . " ( Loud laughter , followed by hisses . ) Was that the way in which these agreements should be administered ? ( Hear . ) Another thing about them was their want of mutuality . They required that the men should givo the masters six months' notice before they could leave their
employments , while the masters had tho power , in case of bad band or any other cause , to discharge the men when they pleased , or , at most , at a month ' s notice . ( Hear . ) That being tho case , he would ask if this resolution was not one to which they would most cordially agree , and in its not too strong language reprobate tho temptations which the masters so disgracefully held out to bribe the men into the signing of those agreements , and thereby make them slaves for an unlimited period ? ( Cheers . ) All the advantages were on the side of the masters . When they advanced a sum of money—say £ 5—to a man , ho might expect to pay it off by certain and regular installments—say Is . a week—but the masters took cavo not to let him pay ifc off in that way . They
kept always something owing to them , and thus kept him always under their thumb , ( Hear , hear . ) In addition to this ho would notico the suspicious way in which these agreements were made tetell against tho men . Whenever any point was to be proved against them they were always forthcoming ; but when the solicitor for the men wished to seo them on behalf of his clients , they could never be had—they were always lost , or something of that kind ; and remembering also that tho masters gave the men no copies of their agreements—remembering also tho cases of hardship and oppression of which they had been tho cause , he left the resolution in the hands of the meeting , confident it would meet with their unanimous support .
Mr . Wood ( a tin-plato worker ) seconded tho resolution in a speech strongly condemnatory of agreements . He had worked in the best shops in London for twenty years , and never heard of an agreement there . Mr . Walton , for whom he now worked , ono of tha largest and most respectable employers in the town , had not a single man under agreement . ( Cheers . ) What did any honest man want with agreements ? If he was a good workman his master would bo glad to keop him ; if he was a bad man , and ho kept him , it could only be for sinistor purposes , and tho running down of good
men . Mr . Holmes , of Birmingham , was dosirous of saying a few words before the resolution was put , and to bear his testimony to the good that had been effected by tho National Association . It had been intended that ho should speak sooner in tho evening ; and , if ho had had tho opportunity , he would havo endeavoured to show his reasons for supporting it at greater length than tho lateness of tho evenin" would now permit him . With respect to tho resolution before them , he did not understand it and he did not want to understand anything about agreomonts . He bad served , when a youth , one apprenticeship of seven years and did not wish to servo another , for the benefit of any man . Ho
rose specially , however , to show the advantage that would ariso from a union of tho trades , extending throughout tho whole of England , Scotland , and Ireland , as he hoped it would . The best illustration he could offer would be that of his own tradethat of a wire drawor . When they were only a local union they had been forced to submit to reduction after reduction . It was truo that they had a fund , but it acted , in fact , like a stagnant pool of water , and spread a moral malaria through tho trade . Dishonost men had taken from it little by little for selfish purposes , and when at last 11 struggle camo between tho masters nnd tho men ,
tho men were obliged to give way from want of means . They had not a powerful association to come between them as a mediator , their funds weve drawn from until they were exhausted , tho men wero then left to oxist as they could , and at length , howover unwilling , they woro forced to go back to their employers and submit to their terms , however degraded they might be to their feelings . ( Hear . ) After a time , however , they heard of tho Sat . im 1 . 1 Association . They studied its principles and . its organisation , and wero so satisfied with b . oth that they joined , and he was happy to . inform them , that though since that time many attempts at reduction had been made , not one of them bad beon successful , ( Loud Qhewa . ) This was owing to the power
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k- ^ V ^ tfonal Association . He glad to pay *" tribute to its usefulness , and his testimony to we a dmirable manner in which it conducted ita US !? !?'" * Ui them suppose a case . The master 5 fr ° R » some cause or other , to make a re-Dlvno ° ' w ?™ i ? T Sestothemen - The ***** ,, n hAt ™!^ a < J C 0 P ifc - Antagonism springs hr P in 5 Sm f theS , ° twVrtics immediate /?; to t"Vtl ViV * MoMnP'g two firesV gewiCr , they ; will add toi » ot diminish the heat . But then comes m another party , calm and considerate ; the mediating power of the National Association , is brought to bear on the case in a spirit of impartiality , With the best result So all parties . That had been shown , not only in his own trade , but in
others in Birmingham , and all of them looking to the struggle now going in Wolyerhiiuiptcm ; looking to the justice of the cause i&vjp { c ^ . ihe asso * ' ' ciation was engaged , had come to ' # eVre 6 olutfqn , '? chat whatever time it might take , whatever might ; \ , be the cost , the association should carry ifc t& ' a / . successful issue . ( Loud and repeated cheers . ) ' Ijev-< ? ould tell the subject was not only mooted there , bu . t in other place * . He had lately addressed his tradt ? on the subject , and asked them whether the tin * plato workers should go down for want of support I " jSFo ! " was tho unanimoua reply . " We will soone ^ givo one-third of our weekly earnings , as long as ths struggle lasts , rather than th ey shall bo sacrificed 4 o the cupidity of ooe or two selfish employers . ( Lsud : chesrs , ) ' He had great pleasurein : saying that his- own trado did not stand alone in that determination ;¦ and Its practical valne , in a caie of this kind , they might judge , when he told . *
them that his own body , which averaged only 100 men , had already contributed to this struggle £ 27-1 & / ( Cheers . ) He could assure them such , was the feeling now existing in She Birmingham trades , that they were determined the National Associatioa , and the tin-plate workers , should succeed , if it-even cost them raorethan oae third of their weekly earnings , until their brother workers were triumphant . ( Cheers . ) They felt satisfied that every means had been resorted to by the Central Committee , before they were driven to a strike , for their wa 3- not a body of men in ' the kingdom who more strongly deprecated strikes . . But having at last taken that position , supported by the association , they could not now go back . They were pledged to the list of prices drawn up by the men , and that struggle could only terminate bv the adoption of " the book , tlie whole book , and nothing but the book . " ( Applause , and laughter . )
The Ciiaibsias , in putting tho resolution said , it was tho last , and to his thinking , the best . He could not too strongly express his disapprobation of the example soiby those masters who disgraced themselves hy invei g ling men into a hiring which was entirely a one sided affair . ( Great applause . ) He knew that it was the custom of some of these masters to put these agreements in their own desk , and not give acop 7 to the workman . ( Gheers . ) But he hoped tho workman would not barter away bis independence and his labour in that way in , future , nor sacrifice himself , his wife , apd hia family in the manner they had heard of that night . ( Cheers , ) There was no necessity for such agreements on the part of the masters . If they treated
their men in a proper and gentlemanly way , they would never lose a good man . ( Hear , hear . ) Ha would give them an instance : ono , of his men had worked for him for many years . . Heigavf > iittt good wages , and had never . been askedi pr ^ o ' rfebut if asked he would readly . g iTQ ,. an-adyii . n ^ ej : foi ? ho would , not part with hun ^ for-450 &-- ; w year ( Cheers . ) But . mera . wage ? . ! were not tho . only ties between master and ' man .. The former ought : to take an interest in the welfare of his men ; He should see that tbey were able to send their , . children to school , and be properly brought up ; and when the wife was confined , take care that a bottle of wine waa sent to welcome the youngster
( Great laughter , and applause . ) There were ties to attach masters and men , ways to unite their hearts , better than all tho twopenny-halfpenny hirings that ever were drawn up by a lawyer . When men were inveifflod into their onp'Sided bargains the masters had no real hold upon them * Whenever they got dissatisfied the men rim away ; and tho masters were left without workmen-,--tile , wives without husbands ; besides , as had been told them , Mr . Walton never hired ; and , surely * if he could do without it , every other master in . the town might . ( Cheers . ) Without further remark , he would call on all who approved of tho resylutioa to say " aye . " . . , '• . ' ¦ , , ' .:
A tremendous shout , whicli mado" tbe building ring again , answered this appeal ; on the contrary , not the whisper of a " no " was heard . Mr . Plemiko having taken the chair , Mr . T . Winters moved , and Mr . P . Ghees seconded , a cordial vote of thanks to Mr . Councillor Griffiths , for his kindness in presiding , which waa carried with three tiroes three hearty cheers . In reply , that gentleman expressed the deepest gratification at the order and enthusiasm that had characterised the proceedings , and said that circumstances had transpired that day which led him to hope that the struggle would be terminated ia- a day or two . ( Loud cheers . )
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A SCENE AT SESSIONS .
At the Cambridgeshire Sessions , which terminated on Saturday last , before the Hon . ' . Eliot Thomas Yorke , W . P ., chairman , and a lull bench of magistrates , tho following curious scene occurred after the trial of one Henry Barlow , on a charge of stealing a hen , the property of a magistrate , the Rev . E . Law , of Orwell . —The facts of the . ense were , that one of the prosecutor ' s servants having heard a noise made by a hen rearing partridge ' s in a pit , went to ascertain tho cause , and saw a man ( Barlow ) lying in it . He quietly shutdown the glass , and went and fetched a fellow servant . ' On their return they dragged Barlow ( who either ^ was , or assumed to-be , ' asleep ) out , att ' dthen foiinfl thff !
body of the .. hetfih ; . pne place , and the" head , j * Rich '' had been . pulled , HirijdVriot w ^ ifng ; 6 ff , 'in . anbtnei\—The prisoner ' s coUnsel . '( Mr . Naylor ) submitted , tliat the felonious biking . wa 3 not proved , .. and " on thiji-. being overruled , he argued * that it ; could only be eon-.. " sidered a case of trespass , for the purpose of sleeping in a warm place . If the man had intended to steal , he would have taken the hen out of the coop . This was the mere freak of a drunken man , to prevent the hen , by her cackling , betraying his restingplace . The prisoner might be punished , but not as a felon . —The Chairman having summed upj tho foreman of tbe jury delivered as tho verdict , " Guilty of a trespass on Mr . Law ' s premises with a felonious intent , and of pulling the head off tliefowl . "—Tho Chairman : It is necessary for you to consider whether the prisoner is guilty of the stealing , taking , and carrying away this fowl . —Foreman .
( after consulting ) : 5 ot guilty of stealing . —Tho Clerk of the Peace inquired , in tho usual form ,, if . that was tho unanimous verdict , and there wfls-. no . | ..-.. dissent . —Tho Chairman : I am informed that tu " ere .- ; vt is ono gentleman on the jury who wiU ' : ift > l & 0 . - : s ^^ r ~ verdict of guilty under any circumstances ; -Mr-. ' " - Carter , you may leave the box . ; such a person ou"htnottotako an oath . Mr . Carter then left the box , exclaiming . " Why I was the only one who was of a contrary opinion to tho verdict . " —Mr . Metcalfe ( for the prosecution ) : There is some mistake . Lot tliafc juiym . in couio back . —Mr . tfnylor : I protest , against it . The juryman has left the box . . "'• If he ought not to have been there , he ought not . to return . Tho jury have returned a verdict , and ^ asked if they were unanimous . —The Chairman then" .. recited the points of the case again . —JForeman : f We ^ find the prisoner guilty of a trespass in pulling off . r . ' ^ tho head of the fowl . —Mr . Jfavlov : That is again .- ' "
a verdict of not guilty . —The Chairman : iou must say whether tho prisoner is guilty . Did he take the fowl from the ground ? I cannot allow the ends of public justico to be perverted . —Foreman : If you say that is sufficient , wo say that he is guilty . — Chairman : You must not pub your verdict on me . —Mr . Naylor : I again protest against these proceedings ; ' this is ' not justice . —Foreman ( being askeil-by the chairman , with vehemence ) : Guilty . —This verdict was then recorded . Mr . Ifaylor : I apply for a case on practice . Will the court grant it ?—Chairman : Certainly not . —Tho prisoner was sentenced by the chairman to ton years' transportation ( a previous conviction having been proved . ) nia sistor immediately set off on foot for London , with , the ostensible design of soliciting the judges for-a , pardon .
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' - » E>*—— TOE DODDIKGIIUR . ST'MURDER . { From our T / tird Edition of last tveek . ) The adjourned inquiry into tho circumstances of this dreadful tragedy was resumed on Thursday afternoon . —George Nicholls , a market gardener , deposed to a conversation between witness and the prisoner on tho 1 st inst ., about Jacl'Denny being in the family-way . Tho prisoner said he had been to the deceased on tho Sunday morning previous , and had got her to sign a paper certifying , that tho child did not belong to him . lie added , " George , you will hoar of something very serious of her m a short time . Sho told mo on Sunday mormne that she would make away with herself . " . W 1 ""* . *" plied , "I hope you don't , think such a . thing the
Thomas . " H do said that d « " « JJ'iJS or three different times told him that ? btMvould make away with herself . At tho time of th » con versation U did not appearjjto J"ow what ho was ^^ B £ r ^ AS ^ K ^ | S ^^« i ^ pr 0 fc T . £ h Snd on a pnir » # l | m ^ 5 ™! Sbvthe i « : ^ $ ^« k ^ ar ^ to ^ aii ^ u ^ M Murder against Thomas J ^ ry ^^ - 'W ^ f t */ r ^ : ififc ^; " ^• vvfsAv gu *
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— NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF UNITED TEADES .
t . S , Du . nco . mbe , Esq ., M . P ., President . Established 1 S 45 , " FIAT JCSIIIIA . " "If it were possible for the working dasse 3 , by com * bining among themselves , to raise , or keep Up the generarate of wages , it need liardly be said that this ivonld be a thing not to be punished , but to be welcomed and rejoiced at . " iStuabt Mat . The "buy in the cheapest , and sell in the dearest market'' axiom of the political economists is like a double edged sword—it cuts on both sides . The Perry market for labour , being now the cheapest in the Tin Trade in England , Labour is walking out of tho town of "Wolverhampton in quest of better wages , and , a 3 far as we can learn , with the best success . Indeed , we have just had an intimation that plenty of employment , at good wages , may be had in France , for English Tinmen , and the suggestion has been made to us , that we should at once put an end to this strike by sending over all our unemployed men , But wu are more patriotic than Mr . Perry , and are not advocates for enriching foreign nations by making them a present of British skill , and British industry . We believe , if the present demand for skilled labour in the Tin Trade was permitted to pursue it 3 natural course , free from the molestations and obstructions of the Perryites , there "would not be a man too many in Wolverhamptou , if a hundred fresh ones were to enter the town to-morrow . The men who were driven by the injustice of their employers to seek work iu London , were certainly among the best of their craft , and have all succeeded in getting into good shops at infinitely higher "wages than the highest in Wolverhampton . It is , therefore , scarcely probable that they will be induced to return again captives to their cage , however fascinating may lie the allurements of the Perrys , cr however soft and thrilliug tho dulcet notes of the gentle Fearucombe . Wo are happy to hear that the demand for Tickets of admission ( a precaution taken by the committee to ensure its respectability ) has boon so great , that the whole were distributed in two days , and three times the number might have been disposed of , so great is the interest taken b y the general body of the inhabitants in this contest of right against might—of justice agaiust tyranny . As we shall have to encroach upon the Star columns this week for a lengthened report of the meeting , we trust our members and friends will excuse the brevity of the present article . William Peel , Secretary .
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tf I ^ OCTOBER 26 , 860 . THE NORTHERN STAR . ; ... „ .. * ,. _? * m » wM ^ 23 P >^ . . ^"^ " ^^^^^ SWmW ^ W ^^ MBWIWWB HW
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 26, 1850, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1597/page/5/
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