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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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^^ ORTANT TRIALS . " —— " ^ iiiilMHft VI ¦ ri . I A I iN .
r jiu * w — -TiiirT njONGTI ^ -PI'ATEWORKERS C PllU iT W 0 LYERHAMPTO 2 J . < - ; Fr fus & « rJ . Bef ore Jfr . Justice £ rZe . ^ jwus ^ STAFFORD , Monday . D affieW . Thomas Woodnorlh , and John k * Niree journeymen tinmen , were indicted for ( ja 4-iL ty molestation to induce Mr . Edward fl ^ plI j ; n-ware manufacturer , of Wolverhampton , feUJ' j , } 3 mode of conducting his business , for t ^ ins bY thre ats and intimidati on to induce his tf ^ afto ' leave his employ , for conspiring by * ° Tine aii 3 to induce . his workmen to break their f ^ -ts and leave his employ , and by intoxication t j ther unlawful means to effect the same puri& There were twenty counts in the indictment , Jt rt 1 n" the charge in different ways . The case had n removed by certiori into the Court of Queen ' s * cb ; twel ? e sp 60 ^ jurymen now answered ^ : v « if names . ^ eant Allen , Mr . Huddleston , and Mr . Keetle , ^ £ t& for the prosecution ; and Mr . Keating
1 < f rrom the opening speech of the learned sergeant , , . ppeared that the prosecutor , Mr . Edward Perry , r ^ jj n-p jate worker at Wolverhampton , and some * L , : the early part of last year , Mr . Perry relied " a note from the secretary of a society in loadon , denominated the National Association of fjited Trades , intimating that in a short time a fttutation would wait upon him , requesting him to jrcede to a list of prices to be uniformly paid to jhe workmen ; the interview accordingly took i dace ; the prosecutor refused to accede to this demand , alleging that his men had never expresEed ^ satisfaction . The consequence of this was (
according to the statement of the learned counsel ) £ at a regularly organised conspiracy was got up , the prosecutor's manufactory was beset by persons fflo made every attempt to persuade away his Tforksnen , — they were made drnnk , sent away , and funds provided for their maintenance ; a seeret Bmnjittee was formed , of which the defendants , in the emp loy of Mr . Walton , of the Old Hall , were « L ictive agents ; gradually the workmen in the rl p ] O j . of the prosecutor were " spirited off , " and tosneh an extent did the system succeed , that Mr . Perry lost sixty men between July and ^ November . ii jj 3 C jjtaueaa * seriouB loss upon him ; he . waa . un-» Mp to execute his orders ; he was obliged to send
? nTi-ujceand Germany for workmen , wno almost r « c on as they arrwed were seduced away . After while , the men returned to Mr . Perry " penitent , miserable , starring ; " and in consideration of all jtese circumstances , the prosecutor proceeded by rt « indictment against the defendants for having Interfered with and molested Ms men ; for having interfered with the prosecutor himself ; and endeav ored to coerce him into changes in the mode of KjnJinciHig his business ; and -with -various other ajenal acts , thereby constituting a conspiracy . Mr . E . Peek * , the prosecutor , said , he had been ilirty years a japan and tin-plate manufacturer , at ftoittrhampton ; in the month of April , 1850 , he lad about 200 persons in Ms employ ; they had tifenty ofwork . Some of them were earning £ 1 , Jtiers £ 3 , and good men as orach as £ 3 per week . Ip to that time there had been no complaints-on to subiect of the prices paid to them . On the 3 rd
tf April he received a letter from the . National Asjsoation of United Trades , it was dated , 259 , Totjjnham-coart-road , and stated that a deputation « n ! d wait upon him to consult with him on the sibject of a book of prices to be adopted as a genenl scale by tin-plate workers , and expressed a sreere desire that some arrangement of a satisfac--ojy character might be come to . The letter farmer slated that the deputation would wait upon jjm rathe character of mediators , without any inientionto visit him in an offensive spirit of dictalion . This was signed " William Peel , Secretary . " ( to ihe 3 th of April , three persons named Green , lowlands , and Peel , waited upon him . The latter ad" I am the secretary of the national
ABsqeia-, jjon of "United Trades , London . "We are presided CTer by Mr . T . S . Buncombe , M . P ., and the object cfibe society is the protection of National Indus-Ht . " He asked Teel if he was the writer of the Mer which he had received . Be said that he was ; ad Green then said , " I am a delegate of the Aafion Association . "We are here to endeavour to fcnainatethe unhappy differences which have so iag existed in your manufactory . " Be ( Prosecutor ) replied that he was not aware of any differences olsting . Upon which he replied , "You will soon te made aware of that . Thetin-plate workers want
2 uniform rate of prices through the town ofWol Tabampton . " Green then called his attention to a sannscript book of prices which had been left at & manufactory for his inspection , but he said that Sshadleftitin London , and had not perused it . One of the deputation then told him that the Association had large funds at command , that their re-. Hnree 3 lay all about the country , and had the p&wr to away the whole of the operatives of England against any master they choose . He felt darned at this , and told them that he would consider of it . Between that time and June Peel aid Green called on Mm several times . He had a
good deal of work , and bad contracts for service for about fifty men . Amongst these was " a man tamed Orchard . In July he saw the delegates 2 sain , and told them that he would have nothing to do with them ; that he would allow no third parfes to interfere in his business . Peel then said that he was sorry things must take their course . After this time he noticed men perambulating about 13 s manufactory . Duffield and two other defendants Woodnorth and Grant were amongst them ; there ras also a man named Rowland . He saw them speaking to his men inside the gates of the manufactory : presently the men began to be dissatisfied . One day be Bawaboy go across the yard with a bundle of clothes . He ( prosecutor ) went down to
lie gates , and sa . tr him give them to Dnffield . These clothes belonged , to a man in his employ « bo « a 3 tnen absent without leave , and who never returned . Themen then began to hold shop meetings more frequently . Gradually the workmen left the place , until ,-in " the month of December , there was oalj twenty left . He caused to he prated in Wql-Tshampton a bill , setting forth that he was in 'Rant of men , and in a short time another placard ws posted , not only in Wolverhampton but in J&mingham , announcing that he paid from twentyfa to thirty per cent , under the prices of the tosn . He went to Paris and engaged six French-Hen ; they stayed only six weeks at his
manufactory . Soon after they came he noticed the defendant Dnffield take one of them into a publie-« m ; e—the GarricK ' s Head . He fetched mm out , hi they only stayed a short time with him . Orchard , the man he had spoken of as being tinder sn agreement , also left in November without notice . Mostofihe men left in that month , ifen came to toe manufactory and were engaged and never re tnrned , so completely was the place beset . His oss in consequence of this must have been from tffo to three thousand pounds . He noticed persons appearing to be workmen when they approachet cs premises spoken to by the defendants ; and le noticed thai some workmen who were engaged , and who were to come on the day following , did not
come . Cross-examined by Mr . Keating . —la times past a book of prices had been agreed to . In lS 2 a he altered his book , and it was agreed to . The book regulated the trade of "Wolverhampton for a short time . After Borne time a change in the mode of manufacture took place ; machinery was introduced . This began five or ten years afterwards . — By the Court : Stamps , presses , and the Steamengine were introduced , and that made a material reduction in the workman ' s labour . Thus in the sriicle ' of footbaths one master paid for stamping , while another paid for the labour of the workman * ho did it by hand .
By Mr . KEinse . —Among the greater number of Bjanufacturera no book was observed until 1825 . Sot aware the majority were regulated by a book rf prices previous to 1825 . Should say for the last l * dre or fifteen yeare no regulation of that sort isd been observe ! . Before 1850 there was no complaint ; was not aware of any dissatisfaction with Prices . The book was sent in Marob . "WaB not a * are of any dissatisfaction abont giving less than c fter masters . Xever did give less . Sever k » d it alleged that he gave less . In 1842 had a book , and had gone by that up to the present *¦ " «• Paid by that since , but the trade was subject to great changes . JSotheard lately of any strike ; tpere was a eeneral strike in 1822 . Bid not know tE at in 1 S 59 there was a strike against himself and ™» or four others in Wolverhampton . Knew ™ at 1 % refused to be dictated to . Messrs . 'J aJtcn and Shoolbred succumbed . Sot tell
wbe" a ihey employed more men than the rest of the ^ nBiactuYers in the town put together . He had l 0 * entered into an agreement with four other Rasters to resist the men out of a common purse ** oid not propose that it should be done . He did ^ Propose that whoever submitted to dictated - ° 5 iionw incur n penalty of £ 500—nor five hon-Wfea shillings . Was at a meeting of masters in the ^ th of April , and did not propose they should _ - "erintoabond ; never did anything of the sort f * sever intended . He called the meeting at the h » an , an j took tI ) e ci , air # j t was for the purpose ; : -4 feg -B ) ih the other members of the Irade . ^! hoasBs attended . Mr . Walton and Messrs . £ d red ' were there . He stated no views . He W sot raakeany proposition , nor did any one else . ^ - sever pr oposed to discharge certain men . He ;^ « Duffield , and Mr . Walton said he was a ai ? ¦ 1 tl man - He ^ iras a ro fello w , ,. _ « ne were in his fPont- ' ai pmn 1 n « he would
^ uarg him . He would swear he did not ask Mr . j * ion io discharge him . He did not say it would - * very good thing if the manufacturers could jjl fl ? , as to whom they should discharge . He knew ixf " * heen in the same employment- twenty-- Jearsj Woodnortlx lai he helieved , bee n
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; wenty-nme yeara , but he could not recollect the time just now . Gaunt had been a good number of years n the same employment , The meeting was merely conversational . Mr . Walton said he would not be dictated to , and that with reference to the workmen , not to the meeting ; that was the way he understood it . A variety of ways had been used to bring him to the way of acting the men required . — ITr . Keating ; " Did not the mayor and other ma * gistrate 3 give a decision or an opinion in favour of the men ?"—Witness : He claimed protection from the mayor for his men , himself , and his property . He ( the mayor ) proposed a meeting ol the men . He attended that meeting , and objected to the presence of the delegates as improper ; but the mayor per' . CTf * n £ v * Tlin 0 VAAVQ hnt liaAAnU « AlH > iMnl 1 «^ il < A iiMA
mitted them to speak against hia ( Mr . Perry s ) will . He objected to the interference of the mayor , or delegates , or other persons , in his business . Mr . "Underbill was there , but not aa his solicitor . He stated to the mayor that he wanted protection for his workmen , himself , and his property . He did not make wages a question of discussion . It was incidentally introduced . He might say he paid higher wages on an average than the rest . If an average of the sis houses was struck he thought he paid ten per cent , higher . Walton and Shoolbred might pay higher on some articles , but on a hundred pounds' worth of work the difference might be ten shil ings in their favour . - On some articles he paid higher , on some lower . He could sot say he
paid higher on the articles least commonly made ; he thought it was otherwise , that he paid higher on the articles most commonly made . —Mr . Keating " How , then , is it , if you pay higher on the articles most commonly made , that the average is 10 s . less than the others ? " The witness : Some articles are higher and 6 ome are lower ; there is a great difference in the mode of making them . Let me explain : it would enlighten the ideas of the Court . The price per dozen of No . 1 cullender was 53 ., 5 s . 6 d ., and 6 s . But he did not pay that ; price now .. He did not know what Walton and Shoolbred paid . He believed they did not make them the same way . Mr . Perry then gave a long explanation of the mode of making a cullender , from
which it appeared that in 1842 they weremaae an by hand , in separate pieces , and the workmen had to planish them , join the separate pieces , punch the holes , wire the rim , and put on the ran mo foot . Owing to the adoption of machinery the body was stamped in one piece , and boys punched the holes . Sow they were made without the tin-plate worker at all , except with regard to four rivets and the foot rim . Where 12 a . or 14 s . had been paid , only one shilling was how paid , and some of the work was done by girls . A boy could handle them . But some of the 12 s . or 14 s . went to other workmen . — His Lordship observed that the result was , that when an article was partly made by machinery , which had been made by hand , a corresponding
deduction was made for the work so performed . —Jiy Mr . Keating : Peel and Green called on the 8 th of April . When he met the parties the book was discussed ; he met them perhaps a dozen times altogether . He finally rejected it on the 4 th of July . He thought he was hefore tue mayor in October , 1850 . —His Lordship thought it would not be assumed that the witness assented to the decision or opinion . —Mr . Keating iaid the mayor and magistrates after hearing the parties retired , and the witness waited until they had given their opinion , or decision , or judgment . —His Lordship : It was no decision or judgment . —Mr . Keating said the opinion or decision was in writing , and he wanted to show it . —His lordship thought that nothing
could he more clear- than that the opinion of one tribunal could not be admitted by another tribunal , which had to form an independent opinion of its own . Mr . Keating : What did the Mayor say ?—His Lordship : My opinion is against you , but nevertheless I will admit it . You understand that . —Witness resumed : He asked for protection , and the Mayor said he should have it . He did not recollect all he said . He went into a long tale , and spoke a good deal of nonsense as he ( witness ) thought . He did not think the Mayor understood the matter . —Mr . Keating ; What was the purport ? Was he not understood to say that they thought you ought to pay the same wages as Walton and Shoolbred ?—He did not say that in terms . He said if my
agreements were the same , and if the question was what were the wages of the town , then as the quantum meruit their rates would apply . He did not understand him to say he was to pay the Bame rate as Walton and Shoolbred . He understood him to say—If a certain thing was so—which was not so—then the same rate of wages ought to be paid . Some very loose statements were made as to wages . He remembered a proposal made to him by Winters , Green , and Samuel Griffiths , that the matter should be left to the three mayors—the two late mayors and the present mayor . He asked them if they saw the pinnaeleg of the Collegiate church . They said they did , and he told them that when they saw those pinnacles in the earth and the
foundations in toe air be would agree with them , ( laughter . ) Mr . Griffiths was a town councillor , and they endeavoured to bribe him over by saying they would return him ; but he ' would not agree on these terms . He ( witness ) bad been a town councillor . After July there were many shop meetings on bis premises ; they had existed before 1850 . The Swan beeTshop was near his manufactory , and that and the Garrick ' s Head were frequented by tinmen . Heard it stated that some of the Frenchmen complained of misrepresentations made to them in France . And some of those engaged at his brother ' s went before the magistrates to get their engagements cancelled . His left about three weeks after . He cot workmen from Germany by
means of an agent . He made advances to some of the workmen who came . —Re-examined . —Three of the manufacturers employed steam power ; three did not . When the labour was less the payment was less ; but still the workmen got more . The book of 1823 was the last general price book . He had his book of 1842 modified through the introduction of machinery . He called the meeting at the Swan Hotel almost immediately after he received Peel ' s letter . Mr . "Walton said he would not be dictated to ; Mr . Fearneombe said he would not be dictated to ; his ( Mr . Perry ' s ) brother said he would not be dictated to , and he said he would not be dictated to . "When be went before the magistrates forty or fifty of his workmen had left . Ddscan M ' jSAGHiEir , foreman to the prosecutor
corroborated his statements aB to the men leaving his master ' s employ . The man , Eowlands , spoken of by the preceding witness , was secretary of the Wolverhampton Association . Witness had himself attended meetings when the necessity of having a book of prices was advocated , and , on one occasion , formed part of a deputatioa to the prosecutor , to endeavour to obtain his sanction to it . "When Green , Peel , and Rowlands gave it to Mr . Perry , he said he would consider of it . He had been made Mr . Perry ' s foreman since ; he went in the beginning of 1850 * ; he was a journeyman , and was discharged , and went to Mr . Shoolbred ' s ; he then went back again . All members of the Tin-plate Workers ' Society were members of the National Association , if they valued their own peace .
Samo £ t . Shalb stated that he attended a meeting of the workmen at Mr . Walton ' s , the Old Hall . Could not say whether Gaunt and . Woodnorth Tfere present . Duffield was present , and he said something about his doing no good as secretary to the association , as matters then stood . It was proposed that Duffield should be paid . Something was said about a secret committee ; it was to be Woodnortb , Gaunt , and Pitt—not Duffield . It was carried that they were to have 4 s . 6 d . a day . Duffleld had not done much work hefore , and soon afterwards Gaunt and Woodnorth left . There was a subscription soon afterwards , and he paid 4 s . —they
all paid 4 s . one week . The money went to the trade . He subscribed 4 s . two weeks , he thought . It was paid to one of the men at the hall . He knew Orchard , and soon afterwards saw Duffield and Woodnorth at the Star . Duffield said he had a letter for him ( Orchard ) about a situation in Ireland . Duffield and Woodnorth went out first , and Orchard followed . He had seen Dnffield , Woodnorth , and Gaunt , with Green and Bowlands together , after the meeting at the Old Hall . He neyer saw Peel with them all together ; he saw Peel once with Duffield at the Red Cow . Green was not present at the meeting at the Old Ball . _ , _ ~^ . recollected
_ Duncan M'Naughion re-called . —He a meeting of the tin-plate trade in October last . He saw Peel and Greea there , but neither Duffield , Woodnorth , nor Gaunt . Mr . Keatdjo objected to this evidence , and his Lordship decided that the connexion of the defendants with this meeting was not enough shown to allow it to be received . Thomas Hahper was in the service of Mr . Edward Perry at the commencement of last year . On the lath of October last he saw Gaunt and Woodnorth at the Garrick . Afterwards went to the railway station . A man named Pitt gave him bis ticketbe was a workman at Shoolbred ' s . They had seen him at the Garrick . He wouldn't swear that he
saw the latter taking to Woodnorth . Alfred Pitt asked him to strike and he consented . He and three other workmen went to Shrewsbury and stayed a day and a night . He did not pay anything . Next day they went to Liverpool . He paid his fare . The money was afterwards sent to him at Liverpool , by a man named Thos . Jackson , whom he did not know . He w . is told to address to a person of that name at the Old Hall , Wolverhampton . They were at Li-Terpool a week . There he Went by the name of Tames Loiran . He did so because he was a hired
servant and had broken his contract . There were three other fellow-workmen with him . They afterwards went to Preston , having heard that Mr . Perry was coming down . He didn t know who first told him that Mr . Perry was coming . He didn t tl nk : it was Dnffield . They stayed at Preston three weeks . Jackson continued to remit to them . He never repaid him , because he didn't know who the man Jackson was . Afterwards went to Stourbridge , Kidderminster , and Bridgnortb ^ where he sot work , and bad nothing to do with the society IftV-Cross-wamined : Be was contented with the
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rate of wages he was getting , but was willing to strike to make the rest better ; he was now in Mr . Perry ' s employ . He had » 6 t been examined until last Tuesday , when he was examined by Mr . George Wynn , who was , he believed , a relation of Mr . Perry's ; he took his examination in writing . Edward Thompson , one of Mr . Perry's articled workmen , saw Duffield and Woodnorfch at the Star on the loth of October last : they afterwards went to the Garrick's head , and from there to a publichouse called the Swift Packet Station . Duffield , Woodnorth , and Alfred Pitt went with them . He ubXa ranNAN mm ** _ . ii . ' uu 1 .. !_* ... ¦ wSllim /* kt \
( witness ) did not pay for any drink at either plaoos , and don't know who did . Afterwards went to Liverpool . Duffield and others came there . —Crossexamined : He was not willing to go away . Harper first broached the . matter to him ; he had been at work up to ten o ' clock in the day when Harper came to him ; they first had liquor at Cope ' s , and Harper paid . When he fir 3 t Baw Harper be had not had any ; he did not say he was . willing or not willing ; he went : he was in liquor . He was stm with Mr . Perry . He was examined the day after ne callback by Mr . Perry and Mr . Wynn , and had bean examined at the public office . .
, WUVU WAIllll'H w «* « A w v ** v v ** v *~ v TT— - — -. « , Thomas Jonbs gave similar testimony to tne last witness , with the addition that at the time he was out on strike he received 12 s . 6 d . a week from Thomas Jackson , who was the porter at Mr . waiton ' s at the Old Hall . Witness Btruck unwillingly , but was drunk at the time he did so . , Fbascw Orchard , also in the service of Mr . Perry , swore to the fact of the defendant Dufteld having offered him 12 s . a week to strike , at tne same time telling him that he might get every bone in his skin broken if he did not so ; ultimately
witness consented , and he was sent out of the town . Duffield , the defendant , had again threatened him previously , and told him he had a situation for mm in Ireland ; Woodnorth was close by at the time . These two defendants afterwards saw him off by tne railway , having previously given him a good deal of drink ; Woodnorth giving him £ 12 s . 4 d . before he started . Dnffield gave him a letter to a person at-Cork , setting forth that there was a situation ready for him there . On arriving at that place , the situation offered to him was at 9 s . a week .
Witness refused to have it , saying that he could get more than that per day in Wolverhampton . Was subsequently seized with illness , and afterw&vds worked his way back to Wolverhampton . Applied to Mr . Perry , who agreed to take him back again . —In cross-examination it came out that the witness had been convicted of bigamy . He continued in work at , Perry ' s ; he had been in trouble , and that through this very job ; it was nothing but spite , they knew it well enough before , and got a r oan from Liverpool to do their dirty work ; he was tried for bigamy and got three months . Whmam Wesseui , Thomas Bbition , James Smiib , and William Asion , workmen in the employ of Mr . Perry , deposed that they were advised to
leave their work and go to Birmingham by the defendants , and that when at Birmingham , railway tickets were given them to go to London . They did not know who paid their railway fare , or their expenses in London , where they remained for three or four weeks . A clerk in the poet-office at Wolverhampton swore that dnring the time the men -were on strike Duffield and Woodnorth obtained post office orders weekly in the name of Thomas Jackson . Mr . Keating addressed the jury in a most eloquent speech , and contended that the charge of intimidation had not been proven . The circumstances were spread over the acts of the defendants , and the actB of other persons . It was a wide net . And
when they found only one person a witness to these threats , it did justify them in looking closely into the testimony of that witness ; they must look to his evidence , to his * character , to his antecedents . Who was that witness , it was Orchard . Try Frederick Orchard by that test . What were his feelings ? He had been convicted , as he believed , through the agency of the defendants , of a gross and grievous offence . Although he had not violated the law of property , he stood before them a convicted felon , and he appeared attributing his righteous conviction to the defendants . He said they had a spite against him . What were his words' ? He said Duffield told him he had better go ,
or he would have his bones broke . He had been before the magistrates , he had been examined before Mr . Perry and Mr . Wynn , and he had never made that statement until this day . But he said Duffield used a threat as he was going to the station , and this he explained by saying he had not then made up his mind to go . Now liars ought to have good memories . He had just before told them that Duffield had said to him , while at cards , that if they were not quick they would be too late for the train . Why—had he not made up his mind to go before he set out from the public house ? It would be an insult to the jury to ask them to believe his evidence , and take but his evidence there was not any evidence whatever of threats or intimidation .
The learned Judge then summed up . The bearing of his lordship ' s summing up was adverse to the defendants , except on the connta , charging threats and intimidation . The Jury , after about ten minutes consideration , returned a verdict of Guilty on the first , third , and fourth counts , which charged the defendants with obstructing the prosecutor in carrying on his business , with having by persuasion and divers , subtle methods , the use of intoxicating drinks and other unlawful means , induced persons to leave Mr . Perry —and finally , with general interference and obstructioni On the second count , which charged the more serious offence of intimidation and conspiracy , the verdict was Not Guilty .
TUESDAY . THE QlffiKJJ V . BOWXAKDS , PEEt , GREEN , WINTERS , HIT , PHATT DUFFIELD W 00 DN 0 RIU , AND GAUNT . This was an indictment instituted by Messrs . Richard and George Henry Perry , tin-plate manufacturers , of Wolverhampton , against the defendants , several of whom are members of the National Association of United Trades , for a conspiracy . The indictment had been found against the defendants at the last Assizes , bnt had since been removed by . eertiorari into the Court of Queen ' s Bench , and bad been sent down for trial on the civil side at these Assizes . The counsel for the prosecution were Mr . Sergeant Allen , Mr . Huddleston , and Mr . Kettle;—for the defence , Mr . Parry , of the Old Bailey ( who had come down on a special retainer ) , Mr . Whateley , Q . C ., Mr . Keating , Q . C ., Mr . Skinner , Mr . Macnamara , Mr . Yaughan , and Mr . Lawrence .
. Sergeant Alien , for the prosecution , opened the case , and stated that on the 2 nd of April Messrs . Perry received a letter stating that delegates from London would wait upon them in order to arrange matters between them and their workmen . He then detailed at length the cause of the dispute , its progress , and unbappy results . He dwelt especially upon the interference of the delegates of the National Trades Association , and then called Mr . 6 . H . Fsbbt , who , after some details respecting the length of time and amount of business transacted by himself , stated that—Green called upon me in December , about the dismissal of Preston , stating tbat he was a member of the National "Workmen ' b Association , he stated that iihe whole
of the workmen co-operated with them . He said he had called to know the reason of PreBton ' s discharge—told him we did not require his services ; he asked me if it was not because he had gone to the olub ; if it was , he said they ebould take all the men out and should stop the supplies , and another man should call . I asked him what had to do with it , and told him to mind his own business . He mentioned Peel , in April . Did not see any of the parties charged till after ; received another letter on the 2 nd of April , 1850 , and his brother received one similar , which waBread , stating tbat a deputation would wait upon him . Mr . Green afterwards called about the 13 th of April , and said , he wished them to adopt the book of prices ,
which he submitted to him . He then entered into detail , similar to that given by his brother , and stated that shortly afterwards the men began to hold shop meetings , and all but one of those not under written engagements , left his employ . There were about fourteen or fifteen under written engagements , some of them had beeri ^ with : tbem twelve or fourteen years , but only under contracts for four or five years . He saw Green and Peel occasionally conversing with some of the men . So also saw Green , Woodnorth , and Gaunt along with Duffield , push the gates of his factory open . He had seen all the parties he had named conversing with his workmen . Soon after , all the workmen leftand were leaving at that time . There were
, three persons , named Hodson . Evans , and Griffiths , who were under contract . These men left without his consent , and afterwards returned . In consequence of their leaving he went over to Paris , and engaged a number of men , paying their debts there and passage to England . He went to the Garrick ' s Bead some time afterwards , and found one of the Frenchmen along with Duffield and Woodnorth ; Duffield said to him , " Follow me , he cannot do anything to you , " and he did so . The eight Frenchmen remained till Christmas . They left without his consent , or even giving notice . He went to Paris again , and got eleven more , who > leu about oj
in the same abrupt manner ; he lost £ f them . They had about fifty apprentices at the time ; at the end of February , Wolsley , Law , » . Griffiths , J . Black , J . Griffiths , and Barlow , his six best apprentices , left without -any notice . At tne end of October his tin-plate workers were reduced in number from thirty to three . —Cross-ex amined There was formerly a book of prices in their shop , but he never was aware it was acted upon , i ^ ere was continually alterations being made in it . it had been discontinued in their manufactory for nine years . He was not aware that there were meetings respecting a new book ; he reeived the new books in April . He dismissed Preston because he found ne
had been collecting materials for making the boos ; because he was taking down the prices received by each workman , as it would enable other manufacturers to oppose them ; but he did not know for
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what purpose he did it . There might have been SimSff " \ l ma nu& ° tory in 1840 , but he was not cognisant of them . There had been , as S Thfi T ' a trade 8 ° ™ ty in / the town , ine book submitted to him was similar to the one printed to him by his workmen , as the °£ A " « He . migbt have said ho should like ^ 2 £ a «? 5 A pilc ? - book > but ho never meant to T hPv i \ S b 0 u l d be a e eneral book of P » ce s-Srl ^ hmflH I '" ab 0 Ut a b 00 k ' but nofc whethe « - sSed dis neliLS ? nOt ' < Tho ™ tne 3 s here wu , to mei the Question , and beat S ^ nS ^ W ;? meet respecting a price-book . ) Sfprfff ted that there was a proposition made at one of the meetings that the masters should mutu-TPnATi TH 11 * nnQa Via * 1 IJ Si . mi ¦ * . . *
ally discharge any workman obnoxious to the mas-S Tht + d t not vecollect thafc a ° y bond was * mI ?/ M ? amnSe Pricea between masters w d S i «!" lble ' . There were someprelimina-J ? J , ,.- meetln £ ^ brother , to strike ^™^ ffinft sa ! r ? eable- There ™ 8 nothing said about Duffield but another clause said that it was nol for a rise , but assimilation of wages , and his brother remarked that " carrots were better than cudgels - ( laughter ) -or , « in other words , " said the counsel , "leading is better than driving . " Their prices , m some respects are lower and higher than tho others . -Cross . examined by Mr . Keating : ( A question here arose whether separate counsel i j ^ l t 0 , cross-examine , and precedents being Cited , It was decided thev had \ ThArA was a . n . ir
tial strike about prices in 1839 . He was not aware that anything was said about the average lowness of wages in 1849 . In . April , 1850 , there was a meeting called b y his brother , at the Swan notel . There wassometbingsaid by his brother about Mr . Walton requiring Duffield to be discharged , who had been in his service twenty-nine years . Ho had some faint recollection of his brother offering to discharge a list of obnoxious workmen , if Mr . Walton would comply . ( The witness gave his evidence very reluctantly at this part of the proceedings . ) The meeting raado no impression upon his mind , and he could not recollect what took place ; the meeting lasted , he supposed , about half an hour , being the time in which he usually drunk a bottle of wine . He had a manuscript of proposed prices
sent to him . II © met Green and Peel about prices , the latter person he met in May . He believed he had met him two or three times , but not after the month of May . Did not remember the date of the meeting convened by his brother , sometime in May , when a delegate attended from each Shopi They met , if possible , to make a book of prices ; and they wore quite sjneere in their wish , and the prices of several articles were agreed to . Mr . Green and Mr . Peel attended the meeting . Could not say they took any part in it ; it might have Ia 8 ted two hours . Did not request them to be present at that or any other meeting . Mr . Peel asked them to be present at their Conference . His brother aBked Green and Peel to sign the preliminaris , and he believes he saw them sign it . At that meeting the
men were anxious to have the average wages of the four highest houses in the kingdom . The list was to be made upon that of Messrs . Walton and Shoolbred . The Star was about 100 yards from their manufactory , and was the constant resort Of the tinmen , and he had often seen Green , Winters , and Peel there . He had heard that Green and Winters lodged there . The agreements with their men were complained of as one sided , being very old ones . There was never any objection to price ) but respecting the notice , they having to give them six months , and they the men only one month ' s notice . He made the required alteration fifteen or sixteen months ago . ( On counsel examining it , it was found to be November , 1850 ) . He believed the new agreements were printed before tWindictmenfc waspreferred by hisbrother . Themen usuallyreeeive an amount on being bound , and consequently become
tneir debtors . One ol the men he brought from Paris summoned him for bringing him over by misrepresentation , ne did not tell the commissiorier that they could earn Gs . a . day , nor did he tell them tbat there was any strike or dispute . He asked what amount they could get , and he replied they could earn from 25 s . to 50 s . a week . There was nothing said about an association . He saw Green and Winters when ho went before the mayor to settle the dispute . His brother Edward did not act for himself , but they have often acted in concert . George Wynn had not been engaged on their behalf to his knowledge , but he believed he had examined some of the men ; but he had not acted underiiis direction , nor had he written anything ; but he had heard that he bad written something , although he had never paid him His Lordship considered this matter irrelevant .
Cross-examined by Mr . Keating . —Have heard that Duffield lives in a part of the town , and that his way lies past his manufactory . He thought it was in July or August when Duffield pushed open the gate ; be was crossing the yard at the time ; Duffield only looked in ; it was about mid-day . —Keeiamined by Mr . Sergeant Allen : He knew at the time of the meetings being held an assimilation of prices was impossible . All the manufacturers use stamps or presses more or less . The reason he attended the meeting was to endeavour to engage some men , so as to be able to complete some orders . . ' ,
Mr . E Pbrry , examined . —Received a letter on the 2 nd of April . Mr . Peel having called upon him said , that if another strike took place , and they were under the management of the association , the shops would no longer be supplied , as they had a large sum at their disposal , and could array almost all the operatives of the country against any employer they chose . He also said that they had the entire confidence of the Wolverhampton tin-plate workers reposed in them . The defendants were in the habit of going to the Swan beer-house almost daily during the strike , and he was sure ho had seen Green there once . Witness here alluded to a hand-bill exposed in the window of the Swan Inn , which was then in the window , when Peel went in and out . Mr . Sergeant Allen tendered the document in evidence .
Mr . Parry , objected on behalf of Peel and Winters . The court , after some discussion , declared that the document was admissible , but its reading was postponed . Cross-examined by . Mr . Whatelex , Q . C . —At the meeting he did not meet for the purpose of making a book Of prices , but for amusing time . Recollect ; saying that carrots ware better than cudgels , He never shook hands with any of the delegates . He drew up and signed some of the preliminaries . Rowland signed them on a subsequent occasion , but could not say whether he objected at the time , as bis memory was defective on the subject , He had no honest intention of carrying out the agreement although he signed it , agreeing about the prices of half-a-dozen articles . Did not propose that any one
should he discharged , nor offer to discharge any . — Cross-examined by Mr . Parry : He read the handbill in the window of the Star Inn . He saw Peel go in and out of the Star twice at least in July . Was positive on this point . He also saw Green in , drawing down the window blind , but not more than once . He did not communicate to either his brother 0 T any other master that hia object was to amuse the men . He had been subpoenaed to produce the preliminary resolutions , but did not do so , nor did he know what became of them . It was impossible ; did not recollect reading them to Mr . Robinson , the Mayor ; be might or might not have bad them at the time . Ho might have said he would send an answer as to the hook of prices . He thought that he did not call the meeting , but presided . He got the delegates to sign , and had they been acted up to the thing would have ended ,
although he was only amusing them . He has spoken of the delusive trick to his friends in town . He told them be would be bound by no book of prices , but he was a party to the agreement , although he was deceiving them ; he told one of them , and in July he threw off the mask of deceit . He received Green and Winters , and treated them with courtesy . They might have seen him the same evening , but he did not remember . He did not remember saying , " If a settlement is obtained it will not be , owing to the men , they must thank you for your"judicious conduct . " Would not swear that they did or did not call upon him . ne had no animosity to Duffield , but believed Duffield had some towards him . Never produced any list of obnoxious men at the meeting . Had not offered to Charles Haynes to give him £ 50 if he could procure the conviction of Duffield , but Duffield sent him a note to thnt effect , but he never answered it .
Examined by Mr . Skinner . —Did not ask Walton to discharge Duffield , and he would discharge M'Ifaughtori in return , Dis brother , Mr . Shoolbred , "Walton , Whrustans , and Fearneombe , were present with himself at the meeting . Fearneombe was the person he had told he intended deceiving the men , and he broke up the meeting . Mr . G . Wynn had his sanction , knowledge , and permission to examine the men , but he did not pay him , as be was his nephew . He employed Arthur Wynn as his interpreter in France . The handbill was then read by the clerk .
Mr . Alfred mm , examined by Mr . Kettle . — Was an attesting witness to the contracts signed by the French workmen , and he explained to them at the time thnt they would be liable to punishment if they broko the contract . Mr . A . Colet , examined by Mr . Kettle . —Was clerk to Perry and Son j was present when Green called respecting Preston ' s discharge . He heard Green use the language described by Mr . G . Perry . Duncan M'Xauohion , examined by Mr . Kettle . — Was in the service of Mr . Perry j remembered a meeting at the Woherhampton theatre in October last ; Green and Peel were there ; Messrs . Winters , Rowlands , and Peel spoke at the meeting , giving an account of their interviews with the masters , and said tbat the negotiations had failed ; and Peel recommended him to join the Trades' Association . Could not remember that Peel said anything about any sums of money per week , or anything about ulterior measures " , but Green said , that having UBed
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all their means they should be obliged to resort to ulterior measures but did not intimate what they were . He said that the tin-plate workers had drawn up a book of prices , which was presented to the masters , and that they would have that price , and should be enabled to give them I 2 s . 6 ; l . a week till they got it . —Cross-examined by Mr . TVhatelGy : Saw a great many respectable persons at the meeting . — Be-esarained by Mr . "Parry : Mr . Griffith was in the chair ; if he was a tinman he was a master . He took no part in making the book of prices . Ho was a member of the Tinman's Association once for about two years . Did not know there was any particular rivalry between the masters . The price book took about six months in its agitation and formation . > . - . » « . _ - - .
Mr . w . Mantle was then called and examined by Mr . Huddleatoae . —He was present at the meeting m the theatre , and remembered Green addressing the meeting . Green asked for a subscription to carry out the objects of the association . He heard of no other mention of money , except the ¦ fclOO the hook of prices had cost , Tlie nest pai-t of his evidence corroborated that of the last witness . _ Samoel Sheil , examined by Mr . Huddlestone . — Was present at a meeting at the Old Hall . Duffield .
to V u at * W 0 re tbere > De had seen Duffield , VYOOdnorth and Gaunt in company with Green and • £ ??« ?! tbat meeting , and Peel in company with Duffield—Cross-examined by Mr . Parry : Saw Green m company with Duffield at the Swan . This was subsequentl y to the Old Hall meeting . Shopfn J ? VS £ 8 are V eommon amongst the workmen , and tho one referred to was one . He was one of tho delegates at the meeting , and he was discharged afterward 8 .-Cross . examined by Mr . Keating : Had never said he wished to transport Duffield , but tTtheSff of WhetbGr h 0 had not said some hing
John Cbitchard , one of Mr . Perry ' s workmen , examined by Mr . Kettle .-Was at the Dolphin on the 2 nd of December : Duffield came in and asked him why lie was not like the rest . He replied that he was not such a fool as to go and be clammed ( starved ) to death . —Cross-examined by Mr . Keating : Had been imprisoned three times for neglect of work . ° Wf tHAM Hodgson examined by Mr \ Huddlestone . —Was in Bloomsbury Tavern one evening in October ; Woodnorth came in and had a quart of ale , which draught he left him to finish . He then came back and , told him to go to the Swan , and they induced him there to leave his employ . Him-Belf , Pratt , and Ems went to the Shrewsbury station ; Pratt obtained a ticket , and he started to Shrewsbury . He was in liquor at the time
Pratt paid for both liquor and ticket . On arriving , ' he and Pratt went into a public house , where they found Griffiths . They remained all night , and in the morning Pratt told him they must go to Boschurch ; they went , and from there to Wrighton , and then to Oswestry , and they stayed at the Horse Shoe . They were there about a week , Pratt paying for everything . Woodnorth came afterwards , and gave them 5 s . Cd . each , and took Pratt away . He had no idea of going to Oswestry when he started . They were told to write to " Thomas Jackson , to be left for Woodnorth , " when in want of money . He afterwards removed to CodBall , where Woodnorth met him , and finally returned to Wolverhampton , when Duffield told him he was a fool both to his wife and family . Received four or five post office orders whilst he was away . they came from Woodnorth , and were sent in his '
name . Makt Lee was called and examined by Sergeat Allen , in corroboration of part of Hodgson ' s evidence . Llewellyn Busheia , examined by Mr . Allen . — Waa in the employ of Messrs . Perry ; knew all the defendants , but Winters ; had spoken to Green many times , he said that the Wolverhampton people were a complete set of curs , and if they had only such hearts as the six apprentices who had absconded they would have gained the day . Green also said he had sent the Frenchmen off at a cost of £ 52 or £ 5 i , Remembered Woodnorth mentioning the theatre meeting , and said be had been down to Hodson . Remembered the apprentices going , saw them at the Garrick ' s Head previously , and saw
them leave to go off . Woodnorth said he had sent the apprentices off : he winked his eye to him , and Woodnorth winked his eye to some one else : he asked Woodnorth where they were gone , but could gain no more information than a reply from Woodnorth " that they were all right , " Remembered Green saying , at another time , the apprentices could do them a great service , if they would . — Cross-examined : Was a tin-plate worker , and came from Worcester . Complained of Mr . Perry at the time . Mr , Perry entrapped him into a written agreement . He did not now consider he was deceived . Said he was a Methodist , and would go to Mr . Hartley , and complain to him as he was a Methodist , and he did so . Did not ask to get him
relieved from the articles . He had made himself busy for the apprentices , as he had a respect for them . Green pulled some money ont of his pocket one day , and asked him if he would go . Had been taken by Mr . Perry as being the man who took the apprentices . He did it after a quarrel with him . Left work for one day . Mr . Perry summoned him , and he was fined IGs . 6 d . Mr . Perry paid tho fine , and deducted it from his wages . Mr . Robinson sent for him , and he for the future determined to have nothing more to do with them . Mr . Perry merely made the charge against him for the purpoee . . of frightening him . Had determined to remain with Mr . Perry , who had at different times advanced £ 1 , and he might be indebted to that
nerson in the sum of 20 s . or 30 s . He had never , to bis recollection , endeavoured to induce the apprentices to neglect their work . —Sergeant Allen asked him if he had ever been hanged or transported . ( Loud laughter . ) Thomas Gbippiihs , examined by Mr . Huddlestone . —Went with Gaunt and Woodnorth to the Star , and had several "beg" jugs of ale with them . He then detailed the mode adopted to induce him to leave his employ similar to the others . They induced him to go to London . On his return he was imprisoned at the instigation of Mr . Perry for neglect of work . —Cross-examined by Mr . Keating s On his return from Shrewsbury , he met some of the
defendants in Temple-street , who took him to the Cross Keys . He afterwards stated tbat this did not occur till three weeks afterwards . Never told any one the evidence he was to give . The counsel asked him how it was tbat there was three or four pages of evidence of his ?—Mr . Sergeant Allen replied that he had three or four pages of matter , but he was afraid it was not evidence . ( Laughter . ) Bichabd SBEiiAflD , examined by Mr . Huddlestone . —Had been employed by Messrs . Perry , and then discharged , and was out of employ for thirteen weeks , and he received about 12 s . 6 d . a week from Green and Rowlands . Generally received the money at the Star . —Cross-examined Was not a hired servant , but a freeman ,
Edward Robinson , examined by Mr , Huddlestone , gave similar evidence to the preceding witness : During the strike received the same amount as the last from the same parties . Charles Barlow , examined by Mr . Huddlestone , — Was formerly apprenticed to Mr . G . Perry . First met with Duffield , Woodnorth , and Gaunt on Saturday evening . They gave him and tho other apprentices money to go to the Swan . They went and bad had some drink ; Woodnorth told them that they were to go to the Garrick on the following Monday afternoon . They went , and had plenty of drink , as much as tbey pleased , without payment . Gaunt , Woodnorth , and Duffield , told them bo ; they staid drinking till six o ' clock ; they then went to the Coach and Horses and had some more drink . He was induced by them to go to London .
John Griffiths , examined by Mr . Huddleatone , gave corroborated evidence to that of the former witness ; . went at the same time as Barlow ,. by the
same conveyance . John Williams , examined by Mr . Htiddlestone Was a police-officer . } went to London after the apprentices ; they were in a garret altogether . Ro « members whilst they were in custody Woodnortb called to ask about them . uGeorge Briscoe , examined by Mr . Huddlestone . — Was foreman to Mr . Perry ; at the time the apprentices left , he noticed damage done to the tools , and the patterns were missing . Edwako Bailey , examined by Mr . Huddlestone . —
Remembered being at Blisworth station ; saw one of the Frenchmen going off ; Green was with him . " Edward Moseley , examined by Mr . Huddlestone . —Was at the Gari'ick's Head one evening ; Woodnorth said tbat every Frenchman should go , cost what it would . Cross-enamined by Mr . Keating . —Recollected this evidence since that of yesterday ; had spoken to Mr . Wynn about it , and he reminded him of it ; he had said tbe eame at Wolverbampton , but could not swear to it ; Mr . Wynn reminded him of it that morning .
Several other witnesses were examiued to the same effect , and also for the purpose of showing that the agreements were read over and explained to the Frenchmen before tLey were ret ired to sign them . On cross-examination by Mr . Parry , it was elicited that it had not been explained to them . Tbey were liable to imprisonment , under the law of this country , if they broke these contraots , and that , as foreigners , they could not be expected to he acquainted "with that fact . This closed the case for the prosecution .
Air . Whatele ? , Q . C ., then addressed the jury for the defendants Rowlands , Pratt , and Pitt . Before proceeding , however , he asked tho judge if he cpnsideretl there was any evidence inculpating Pitt , and upon his lordship intimating his opinion that it was exceedingly slight , while it appeared , at the same time , that another person named Pitt had been mixed up with the proceedings , Mr . Sergeant Allen consented to the withdraw al of his name from the indictment . —The learned counsel , in bis speechi characterised by great force and clearness explained the law aB applicable to his clients , who , he
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iontonded , were legally justified in the course they had taken , anil intimated , that should the decision be adverse to them in that court , the matter would not bo suffered to rest there , but would be submitted to the judges in the court above . The court then adjourned , shortly after eight 0 clock .
WEDNESDAY . ° n , taking his seat this morning , tbe Judge intimated the view he was disposed to take of the position Of the defendants , accordim * to the evidence bofore him . Green he should associate with Duffield , Woodnorth , Gaunt , and Pratt , for inducing hired men and apprentices to leave their employment . The evidence against Peel was of a peculiar nature , and would have to be separatel y considered ; and that against Winters nnd Rowland showed them to havebeen actively co-operating withliimiu persuading others to leave their employment . From what had been stated by tho learned counsel ( Mr .
Whntely ) , he understood that the question of law would be raised in the wuvt above , Yfhste per sons liave a right to persuade other working men either to leave their work , or to refuse to work for any particular master—and though he had a very strong opinion as to what was the law on that point , it was not necessary for him to state it there , but lie would merely say , that if there was any offence against Peel and Winters , it would be on the ninth count , hs to persuasion . The question was , whether that was an offence or not , by the law . If it was not , they would then go free—if it was they would be liable to such punishment as the offence demanded .
Mr . J . H . Parry , ( who was specially retained ) , then rose to address tho jury for Messrs . Peel , Green , and 'Winters . Ho said he addressed them on behalf of three working men—who had always been working men—who were very anxiousto serve their class , had lived among and laboured for them , and who were , therefore , very far removed from gentlemen of the class composing that jury . It might have been supposed by those who instructed his learned friends for the prosecution , that by summoning a special jury of merchants and gentlemen , the defendants had been delivered over bound hand and foot , and had no chance of a fair hearing or of afair trial , but he did not believe that of English gentlemen . He believed no class of men , when new
facts were brought before them , wore more anxious to do ijustice than that class to which they belonged . There were some gentlemen summoned to that jury who had sat on the first—and he had ventured to suggest to these gentlemen that they should retire ; they had not thought proper to do so , and he only hoped now that they would dismiss from their minds what they had heard on the former case , and come to a conclusion solely on the evidence before them . At the outset , he wished to clear away a great deal of misapprehension as to the law regarding working men ' s combinations , and would call their attention to the law under the ^ correction of his lordship . Before the year 1826 work , in ? men dared not combine together—dared not
meet together , publicly or privately , for the purpose of saying they would not work for less than a certain rate of wages—say 30 s . a week . But masters wore enabled to combine together , and did combine together , for the purpose of saying " We won't give working men more than a certain rate of wages "—say 20 s . ; and he would put it to them , could anything be more unjust or more calculated to make the working classes of this country believe that there was one law for the poor man and ano . ther law for the rich man ? He strongly desired to impress on their minds that this was an error , an injustice in every sense of the word , a principle of class legislation , calculated to Bet class against class , and to do mischief to the masters as well as tho men . As his learned friend , Mr . Whateley , had
stated to them , we all combine . The jury knew that the iron masters of that county combined to fix prices , and imposed penalties on those of their order who broke the agreement . Merchants and manufacturers combined , under certain circumstances , to fix their arrangements , and inflicted penalties on their own order for breaking them . The members of the bar combined and enforced their determination by penalties upon offending members of the profession . Why should tin-plate workers not do so ? He knew of no reason . The jury were not there to try bankers , or iron masters , or merchants , or tin-plate workers , but they were trying her Majesty's subjects ; and they were not to be tried by any class prejudice , but by the law and the
principle that these men were justified in doing what other classes of men do . He hoped that they would well consider that fact . As he had said hefore , prior to 1826 , working men were prohibited from combining ; but in that year , an act was passedcommonly called Mr . Hume ' s Act—by which every statute upon thai ; subject , from the time of Edward III ., filling three folio pages in the enumeration , was repealed . The 4 th clause of that act ( which the learned counsel quoted ) expressly gave to working men the power of meeting to determine the rato of wages ab which they would work , and the hours during which they would work , and expressly declared that the persons bo meeting for the purposes aforesaid , or entering into agreements for
such purposes , efaall not be prosecuted , " any law or state notwithstanding . " He submitted tbat clause should be literally construed ; that under it working men may meet once , twice , or a thousand times in public or in private , to discuss their interests , and to agree as to the terms on which they will sell their labour ; " and if , in the course of these discussions , warmth of language or excitement were apparent , it was only what took place at the meet * ing 3 of other classes ; and it would be folly for them to sit there coolly to criticise every stray expression made use of at such meetings . He went further and said , on behalf of the defendants , that if men had a right to meet and discuss their interests and enter into agreements they had also a right to "
persuade any working man , or any body of working men , to adopt that agreement ; and that parties doing so would not be guilty of any offence whatSO * ever . That was the ground upon which he took his stand . On these things they were very much bound by precedent , and he would not presume to declare the law simply as a member of the bar . He would quote to them the evidence of an eminent judge who bad administered justice in that very town with universal satisfaction to all parties —he meant the late Chief Justice Tindal—and who , in trying some colliers , had said that the first observation which arose waB , that if the working men of the various collieries had assembled peaceably together for the purpose of fixing a rate of wages ,
and entered into an agreement for the purpose of obtaining such rate , they would have dene more than the law justified , but that the law was equal ] and allowed the masters the same right of meeting and combining to say they would not give more than a certain rate of wages . He would appl y that principle of law to this case afterwards , but , in tho mean time , he would observe that great parade bad been made about Mr . Perry ' s losses in this struggle . By the learned counsel ( Mr . Huddlestone ) , thatques * tion had been objected to , but , in the mean time , his lordship had been given the trouble of writing it down and erasing , ' after the effect intended to be produced on tue minds of the jury had been obtained . He would Bay that it was impossible that anv strike could take nlace . without their
being a loss in consequence . There never was a strike in which there was not loss both to masters and men . Mr . Perry ' s loss was a mero insignificant trifle compared to what bad been lost by other masters in other struggles , and , whether large or small , did not in the slightest degree affect the right of the working men recognised by the law . In a similar case tried at Liverpool before Mr . Baron Rolfe—now Lord Cranworth—that learned and eminent judge in summing up said— " The employers of labour may meet and say we will not give more than such and such a rate of wages . The working men may also meet and say we will not work for less than such and such a rate of wages , and may also agree to form a fund to support each other , until the roasters agreed to their terms . " What did that mean but that 12 s . 6 d . a week , of
which the jury had heard so much in this case as being paid to the men ? How was it possible for individual working men , receiving 20 s . or 30 s . a week , to enter upon a struggle with large capitalists" unless they had this power . It was utterly impossible for _ poor and toiling working men to succeed in their struggles with mean and griping masters who wished to reduce wageB and to oppress their work * men , aB had been done in the case of theBO miserable tinmen . Such a mean and griping master of this power did not exist who would be able to compel submission to his own terms , or drive the men from the town in search of employ * ment elsewhere . His argument was , tbat the men had a right to combine , and , if so , to persuade others to combine with them to obtain their objects , He set aside all tbat had been said about intimidation and violence . He did not defend such means , but he asked them to listen to what Mr . Raron Rolfe
said on this point : — «• Kow it is doubtless lawful for persons to agree among themselves not to work and they are not guilty of any illegal conduct ia peaceably attempting to peiauade or induce others " If sueb conduct was legal and peaceable , it was of course no offence against the law ; and it was upon that ground that he appeared to defend Messrs . £ 2 ' ^ m ter 8 i ? i Green > If other P e « onfi had been guilty of violence and intimidation , or if it was an offence to induce hired men aud appren * tices to leave their employment—on which points His lordship would explain to them the law—let such persons be punished ; but a 9 far- as persuading freemen were concerned—even supposing they were of opinion that persuading persons to leave their employment was a great evil ^ they could not act on their own opinions , they must - act according to the law . He had now s ™ £ mitted to them what was tfio Jaw , in hm own mind , by which he wished these men to be tried , and he had ventured to support it by the ¦ ( Continued in our eighth page ) - '
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^ ausi 2 , 185 ^ THE NORTHERN STAR . - mmmmm ~ ~ * ~ ~^^*»~ mm—mmmm ~ m-mMmm ^ immmmm~—M ^ mmmammm ^* i ^ mmeiLmBi * amimM ~ - — ' *~ ¦¦¦¦ g ^ ^—^——«—————— . O ^^ nf Vh it i ¦ " : ———— . _ „_ __
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Aug. 2, 1851, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1637/page/5/
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