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them ? What , then , was it that they asked ; -That over . tima be abolished—time worked over and above six days - per week of tea hours per day ( or , at least , fifty-eight and a ' half-hours perweefc , ) which ; they held as a principle to be the proper time to labour wheniihere warlabour to be perfonaed —( hear , hear , ) -7-and they , held that a maa onght . to be able , by six days' labour , to . earnsufficierit to keep , himtelf and his family .- ( Hear , hear . ) The society did hot ask * for a reduction of- those hours , but only , that a man should be allowed to leave , his . work . when his day ' s , labour was done . ' . The present practice of working , overtime was an evil physically ^' morally , . intellectually , and socially . The workmen , felt , this , fifteen years ago , and held meetings about it , and an agreement was come to as to the rate of payment for overtime . It was hot uncommon , for men to them ? What , then , was it thai ^ thej'asked ? ^ That oyer .
work for weeks together from four or six in the morning till ten at night . ( Hear , hear . ) A man could not do ' justice to his . employers at such hours ; his health was injured by it ; a number of men were left idle through it ; and the workmen had no opportunities for . improvement ! ( Hear , hear . ) Why , but from the long hours of work , had mechanics ' institutes proved such a dead failure ? ( Hear , hear . ) ' But Mr . Scott Russell said , that the men were not forced to work overtime . But , indeed , they were . ( Hear , iear . ) If a man declined , he was immediately discharged . ( Hear . ) That was compulsion ; he saw on the one side ' of him excessive labour , and on the other starvation : ( Hear , hear . ) There werescores who had been discharged because they refasedto work overtime . ( Hear , hear . ) The workmen found that individual refusal was individual sacrifice .
and that it must be general ; aud they had come to that conclusion—12 , 000 of them . ( Cheers . ) If Mr . Russell had influence enough with the employers to have his assertion put into general practice , he wohW hear no more of this asftation with regard to overtime ; for all that was asked was that men should be at liberty to decline it if they liked , and not punishedfor working only six day s a week . ( Hear , hear 1 ' Then as to the other question-pieceworkthe public thought that every man had a right to make the most he could of his superior ability and expertness . Granted piecework was not objected to , but only the manner in which it was how carried out . Let it be done by contract between employers and employed ; as in a contract between them and their customers , and ' no man would object . Bat a piece of work was brought into the
workshop , and a man was told he must do it tor so mucu ; it lie said he could not do it for that , he was told , ' « You must do it or leave . I shall give you no more . " ( Hear , hear . ) Was that right , that an arbitrary authority should be exercised over labour with regard to the price to be paid ? ( Hear , hear . ) There was no consultation in the matter ; the man was never asked his opinion , and , if he objected , iras told that the employer " wouldnot b * ' dictated to "he was to be the sole judge . ( Hear , hear . ) The gentlemen of the press were before him ; they knew whether compositors were thus treated . 2 ? o ; they had a book price . If the employers would establish a board , and allew the workmen to establish their board , and let the question he settled between them , there would be no objection to piecework but , as it was , it gave the men less than their
ordinary wages . The men would abide by the decision of independent parties . ( Hear , hear . ) Let persons be appointed whose whole soul was not wrapped up in commercial speculation , men who had identified themselves not merely with the commercial progress , but also with the progress of the industrial classes ; such men as Lord Sbafte 3 bury , Lord Carlisle , Lord It . Grosvenor , and the Hon . A . Kiunaird . ( Hear , hear . ) By their judgment the men would be willing to be governed . ' ( Hear , hear . ) Asto the charge of being opposed to the introduction of machinery , there was no class of men who more promoted its introduction ; they were continually improving machinery . ( Hear , hear . ) Let it not be said that the " Council of Seven were dictating terms . " The movement was instituted by the meeting of sixtv delegates at Birmingham , it September , 1 S 50 , who
' p assed resolutions deprecating piecework and overtime as systematic practices : circulars were sent out to ascertain the opinions of the society ; and out of 12 , 000 , only sixteen votes came in for those practices . ( Hear , hear . ) Employers said the proceeding was dictatorial . If a question arose in the workshop , and a deputation went to the employers , they were generally discharged ; and if men not connected with the workshop were sent , they were asked what business had they to interfere ? ( Hear , hear . ) If employers were so . exclusive , and refused to hear their workpeo ple and listen to their grievances , they must expect that , with oppression after oppression , and petty despotism of foremen and- managers , perhaps unknown to those employers —( hear , hear , ) , —if they treated it all with contempt and disdain , the feeling would at last make itself known in s » me tangible form , as it was doing now . ( Hear . ) The men were told they intended to strike on the 1 st . Nothing was further from their intention . ( Hear . ) There was no
such thing contemplated in the north . ( Hear . ) It was only intended that the workman should exercise his ri ght of leaving when his day ' s labour was done ; and if the . employers said any man might do so , it was all that was required . ( Hear , hear . ) If any man thought proper to work , let him do so . ( Hear . ) Whether the employers would close their w « rks on the 10 th he could not say ; but after this explanation they would incur a very heavy responsibility in throwing so many men upon the poor rates , or refusing them relief at the risk of anarchy and confusion . ( Hear , hear . ) The men knew they were in the right , and were willing to be guided by public opinion . They were ready to submit the matter to any impartial tribunal . ( Cheers . ) The questions in dispute must be settled either now or at some future time , and the Seelings ho had expressed were so deeply rooted in their minds , that he be-, lieved they would never he eradicated until the whole matter had been disposed of . ( Loud cheers . )
Mr . R . Braddox then moved the following resolution : — " That , having heard the statement made upom the part of the Council of the Amalgamated Society , this meeting is perfectly satisfied that the aets and intentions of the council have been publicly misrepresented , and that it has never demanded of the employers either discontinuance of the use of machinery of any kind , or the discharge of the workmen employed at machines . " He said he thought Mr . Xewton had clearly proved that the conduct of the executive council in this matter was strictly honest , and the demands made by them perfectly reasonable . Mr . George Usher seconded the resolution . He was neither a Socialist nor a Communist , but he came forward to second the resolution from the confident belief that the Executive Committee were justified in what they had done —( hear , hear)—and he hoped that the 12 , 000 associated workmen would support them in their acts .
Mr . Xewiox said , that a request had been sent from Mr . Ernest Jones , stating that he wished to address the meeting . ( "No , no , no . He hoped that Mr . Joacs would not identify the meeting with politics . ( Hear , hear . ) He had his own opinions on politics , hut he wished this question to be dtscuB ? ed on its own merits , . and apart from any other question whatever , ( near , hear . ) Mr . Joses then came upon the platform , and attempted to address the meeting , but he was met with a determined manifestation on the part of the meeting in opposition theieto . He could only say that he cordially sympathised with the objects of the meeting . ( Cries of - Off , off . " ) He was not going to introduce any politics , but as one that thought deeply . —( " Off , oft" ) They might make music a 3 long as they pleased , but he would stand there till he was listened to . ( " Oh ! oh ! " " Off , off . " )
Mr . Xewtox put it to Mr . Jones whether , after the decided declaration of the meeting that they would not hear him , it wa 3 right to take up the lime of " the meeting , ( near , hear . ) Mr . Joxes : If they but listened to him for one minute , he should finish . He thought that , if it was their most determined enemy , instead of a friend , who apr tired before theu , that fair play would indnce them to give him a hearing ( " Off . " ) All he had to say , theu , was this , how could they expect to resist the combination of the capitalist and the monopolist ? ( Renewed uproar , ) Mr . Xewtox said he vonld put it to Mr . Jones whether he would proceed , when the enemies of the society might make a handle of hi 8 presence .
Mr . Jones said he was not aware that his presence was so disgraceful that it could be used as a handle against the society . The interruption continuing , and the meeting being apparently determined not . to hear a word , Mr . Jones at length obtained silence by declaring that he would speak only one minute longer by the watch if the meeting would lister , to him . What he had to say to them was that their attempt at a combination of the trade , based as it must be uj ; on strikes against capitalists , would be unavailing , and tbe next time he appeared before them they would acknowledge the truth of his words and give him a fcexring .
Mr . J . Coins said he agreed with Mr . Xewton on the evils of the practice of systematic overtime , but he thought the present extra payment for it was a sufficient check , and that there ought not to be a claim to double time ; and he considered that the question was settled with the masters in 1 S 3 G , and that the men who were then in London could not depart from that agreement without a breach of faith . He would move an addition to the resolution to that effect . ( Hisses . ) He could not agree in Mr . Xewton ' B statement as to deputations to the masters ; he had himself been above twenty years in the employ of Messrs . Miller and Ravenhill , aud had been to them on deputations many times , and , instead of being discharged for it , had always been treated with kindness " and with the respect due to his position . ( Hear . ) As to piecework , he had worked piecework , but had never been compelled to take it ; when he had disliked the terms he had been allowed to do the work upon common daytime .
Mr . Hoskiss seconded the amendment , and said there was work which could not be done except by overtime . ( Hear . ) Systematic overtime was doubileess an evil , and nine-tenths of the practice—in fact , the system—mig ht easily be abolwhed . lj e could not think the demand for double time JOEt . The amendment was then put and negatived , and the original motion carried by a large majority . Mr . HEMM , of Manchester , who said became forward as a witness , confirmed Mr . Kewton ' s account of the Oldham dispute , and said the origin of it was that Messrs . Hibbert and Platthad purchased a machine for boring , and the men were afraid the work was going to be taken out of their Bands , and the m « hine worked hv men not brought up to
we trade ; but that led to other points being also raised . iJut it was entirely a dispute between Messrs . Hibbert and rlatt and their workmen . He would add that , in Manches ter , the men decided to do away with overtime before the council came to the resolution ; and a great portion of the ¦ mployere agreed with the men , and had done away with it , though there were some few exceptions . ( Hear , hear . ) inere would be no objection to piecework if it was earned on honourabl y ; but a man was not asked whether he eoulddoitat the price named , bat told he must do it or « ave . ( Hear . ) If men managed , by excessive labour , to earn more than regular wages by it . they bad been offered » mm lew the next time for the same job .
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ADDRESS . OF THE PROGRESSIVE SOCIETY OF OPERATIVE CARPENTERS AND JOINERS TO THE CARPENTERS AND JOINERS OF LONDON . Fellow Workmen ' ,- —We , the members of the above Society , being anxious to promote the interest and to increase the happiness of our fellow toilers , deem the present a fitting opportunity for directing your attention to what we consider calculated as a means to promote that interest and increase that happiness ; and feeling confident that nothing but-increased intelligence can permanently better the condition of our class , it becomes our duty to devise some plan whereby that intelligence may be obtained and that happiness permanently secured .
Union ! ( that stereotyped phrase , that has been perpetually upon the tongue of every agitator ) is an essential in any project to benefit the working classes , which cannot be dispensed with . •¦¦ . •¦ ¦ We therefore urge upon you the necessity of a more cordial and extended union , established upon a basis which will at once secure the means for the progressive intellectual improvement of all so united , and which will , at the same time , protect and conserve the rights and privileges of the trad * . Attempts have been made , at different times , to carry out that union that we now recommend , with but ( we regret to say ) very little success . We believe that want of success has been mainly attributable to the fact of .-ill trade societies hitherto being held at public houses , where other influences tlian those in spired by intelligence and reason too frequently prevail .
To effect a reform in this particular , and also in other matters connected with trade societies , the above society was formed , five years ago , with the following objects in view : — 1 . To establish an institution which shall afford facilities to the members in meeting together for the transaction of business , the study of science , and for . mutual improvement , apart from the pernicious influences of the public house . 2 . To provide means , and carry out plans , for the profitable employment of the unemployed members , in order to relieve the market of the surplus labour , and at the same time afford permanent support to such members as the vicissitudes of trade may place in a position to require assistance . 3 . To make good any loss of tools by fire or otherwise . 4 . To establish a depot for the supply of tools to the members at wholesale prices .
5 . To establish a library of such works as treat on subjects relating to the trade ; to assist in the formation of ciasses for their study ; and to provide the institution with those current publications which may be considered most useful to its member ; . 6 . To ensure a sum of money at"the death of a member or a member ' s wife . How far we have succeeded in carrying out the above can be better ascertained by an acquaintance with our members , or by visiting our Society House , 17 , Ryder ' s Court , Leicester-square , on Monday evenings , where information and Rules may be obtained and members enrolled . We are enabled tn recommend the above with some
confidenoe , having gone through the ordeal of difficulties which must be experienced by all bodies associating for similar objects . We will here state , that we have no desire to see the breaking up of other societies , nor be on any but friendly terms with them , but we do earnestly invite their consideration of our principles , and , if approved of , establish others on the same or better principles . We will not look upon them as rivals , but as auxiliaries in the good cause of progress . We pledge our assistance and the benefit of our experience . In conclusion , we do hope that the time will come when
those who contribute to the building of the splendid habitations of the wealthy , and their stupendous club-houses , which give beauty and grandeur to the vicinity of St . James ' s , replete with every comfort and convenience to which the advancement of science can point , —we repeat , we hope the time will come when we shall be enabled to direct attention to our own comfortable habitations and club-house ? , with a pleasure which shall be enviable by that class who have hitherto lived upon our produce , and who have doubts as to our ability of availing ourselves of tbat power which directs us to the improvement of our condition .
We subscribe ourselves , on behalf of the society , yours , « fcc , RicnARD Hackworth , President . Thomas D . Ferris , Vice-President . Rorert Webster , Corresponding Sec . William Nixon , Financial Sec . On Thursday night about 200 of the members . of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers , Machinists , &c , assembled at the Phoenix Tavern , Ratcliff Cross , to celebrate the anniversary of the society . .
Mr . W . Allan , the general secretary , hay ing been called to the chair , begged to propose , " Prosperity to the Amalgamated Society of Engineers and Machinists . " ( Cheers . ) Mr . W . Newton acknowldged the toast . He rejoiced to be able to announce , that at the great works of Messrs . Maudslay and Field , and of the Messrs . Rennie , the men had that day without exception quitted their work at the completion of their day ' s labour , and so far as reports had up to this time been received , there had been no variation from that course . He looked upon it that their success in the particular matter whioh now occupied their minds was certain . —Several other speechesi followed , which protracted the proceedings till after midnight .
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The National Public School Associatiox hare re * eeived a lettter , stating that the Premier will receive a deputation on Tuesday , the 6 th instant , instead of on the 31 st , The deputation named includes Mr . Henry , M . P . ; Mr . Milner Gibson , M , P . snd most of the leading menbsri of theAisociation .
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L , ^ nEcsi ^^ var pT ' the '' members ' and ' friends ;' " of the ' apk'OWp ^ itiviJ-BtiWBlobk pl ^ -on ' MSTniSi ^ n - flnCAWIbn Street Sch ool ; Ro 6 m , which 'HiS&S&S casion . '' 'A very numerous party ' sat down to tea undLofton costing of tt e « eA wives , andSJetS q ' ' ° me 8 t * W' * W ¦ to the' affair , and co * stituting it a merry ; meetjuft- quite m"bbnabn ahoe with the wason : ¦ ¦ : &t > D . ¦ Green , President of the" Redemrtlion . Society was'in theohair ; and there were p&S as a £ pntation frbhvthe London Society for PromotiS Wbrkme JonesandWalterCooper ; Mk . G ; '; A : FleblnFSiiK ; ^» Norto S ^ V $£ iGi * M ^ opening the business ' ; said . - ' they were met totalk » bout Cooperation . It . had . various aspects-sho pkeeping was one of them , but that , though effecting an immediate saving to the members , was the lowest noinf ^ f view af which it should be looked at ., $ && £ ? & ever had its recommendations .,, If any of them sent fi to the savings bank in the course of a ; ^ earS * would re ° cwve W . as interest ; whereas , if they invested the same sum in a Co-operative Store , it would yieW 5 Or 10 s * If all the capital and -saving of the working ; classes were la-Vested , matores and . workshops instead of savings banks , what an immense saving and , advantage it would be to ^ the work hg classes ! Thatf . however , ' was , SB hi mid the : lowe » t j iewof the . subject . , The ultmaSSicS ( of . ^ prorfts realised was the g eat question ? ( fctar °
™ looMQ orwara to me application of the . profits domed from , distribution to manufactures which wouW 5 ab £ hem jo ; employ themselves . ^ Cheers . ) That waa the mo t important feaure in the mqv . ment , which , so carried out , would emancipate , all the labourers so employed 5 s a jearwasa small sum in itself , to draw as profit on £ l _ or a certain amount of purchases , but when a number of 5 a were set to work to create new . wealth it was miit « l different thing . / There were now about ' 500 Co J " iv Rociettesin the United Kingdom . Every one of their mem 5 wv WOre l ? ' £ ' ? eklng 9 . and other articles of wMteiKn 8 h 0 Uld " Ot th 6 Se 6 ? 1 Co-op , erativo Societies EnV e Iff P ? - ? ° J move > > l ° nging . to them , manufcoture all these articles for themselves , and , through the medium of the Central Co-operative Agency in London effect mutual equitable exchanges , and set in motion a new Bdurtnal system , in which no master could come into lower their wages , and . there would be no necessity for ***** : ( Hear , hear . ) If such ' a system irZSh
tne Trades , when strikes did occur the menTwould We S ? wfer 8 ^ t t 0 ^ about idle and consume money Mfrrt ? 3 retur "' . 5 ut to labour in their own workshops , fed by the demands ; from the stores how springing up in all parts of the country . Thisi was Wgrana feature of the new movement , which would do move for the elevation of S ^ ^^^ i ^ ! tate ^ fr ^ T ; ?" * ' M " ! ' he had much P lea 3 ure in ^ ming from London for the onl y purpose of being present at thi meeting , and at a similar one at Bradford , in order to testify , by his presence , how deepl y interested ho felt in the movement , and how he sympathised with those engaged in J ' ttJ ; The sentiment he had to propose to them &o if at G ° -oP ? ratlon S 1 Bely carried 0 " * in the spirit of Brotherhood , Justice , and Honesty , is one of the best means SSS * - 1 heindu ? 3 tnou J 8 olasse 8 may free thomselves from competitive warfare , dependence on capital , and the capnoes of . masters ; raising themselves therehv tn si r , n « itinn Ml of
IS , ? > h WW ^ results their labour , together with all their political and social rights . " . That sentiment went to the root of the matter ; but before ad-IffiL i !* u e w' ? h ? t ° ^ J a few words on a point SSS « J ? f he 0 Lail r ' which was not the least imff ' f ° . the matter-namely , the saving arising IwS ; ^ , ^ ' - - If ' ! ' - Greennadt « ldthem , they placed 41 m the savings bank they would find afc the end of the year they had that pound and 7 d . more . Now , } W T n ca « 'ying on their Store for half a year , under the ^ iffioulfc circums tances , and with the defects and drawbacks which always beset new undertakings , and yet , by th « r balance sheet , he found that for £ 100 invested they had , instead of £ 1 10 s ., the' savings bank interest , £ 12 in . money and goods . This , for each family ; was at the very beginning-m one half year , four or five times as mimh
as tney could get by investing in the savings bank , and it only indicated what might be done when tha system was more fully developed . This was a matter not to be overlooked , beoause it must bring home to the minds of the most sceptical the truth of the principle they advocated , and the practical advantages arising from its adoption Even if they did not get men who cared for the higher aspects of ; the question , here was something worthy the consideration of all . But the proposition he had read to them contamod much more important principles because if they looked merely to making profits , they would never understand the true scope and object of the movement ; and would be turned aside by every opposing obstacle . It was only when men were actuated by a high s » nse of principleby what he might call a reli gious attachment to it—they became men capable of persevering to the end , whatever might be the obstructions and obstacles they had to encounter . The losing sight of this fact constituted to his mind the error of former movements . Those ms »^ A in
tbem had looked more to the machinery they desired to set in motion than the spirit by which it was to be impelled . ( Hear , hear . ) They might take an illustration from the building of a church . Those who projected the church might have a high sense of the moral and religious objects its erection would promote . When the building itself was begun , however , there would be nothing seen but stones , bricks , mortar , and poles , and if they ended there nothing would be done to carry them on to tht object they had in view . It was the spirit whioh made the edifice of a church ; it was that made it fulfil its destined end . That must be the way with them They were actually in the condition of persons who began the building of a church , and who saw nothing but stones to begin with . There was nothing great or grand in shopkeeping-nothmg ennobling , but it was a mere beffinni ™ .
it was the commencement of means to place the members and their families in such a condition as should conduoe to develops every noble quality which lay within them , masmuohi as it would place them within suoh circumstances as would enable them to act as men ; because thev would have within their reach all that was necessary ' for the well-doing of themselves and children . If they kept Btrsngly before them that object , they were aiming at One of the grandest objects thao could be aimed at in this world . ( Cheers . ) The words of the proposition were very characteristic of the present state of society when it was described as " competitive warfare . " It was indeed a peaceable war-not oarried on by muskets , cannons , and swords , but by methods more in consonance with tho wp .
Tailmg opinions around us . Tho dispositions and feelings of war were however there . They had only to look at what was going on between the Amal gamated Society of Iron Trados and the masters to see a striking instance of a state of complete warfare . On the one hand the men demand what they consider just ; on the other , the masters refused what they considered unjust . He would not go into the . question between them . That was not a subject for that meeting . He merely asked where was tho impartial tribunal to adjust the quarrel ? ( Hear , hear . ) la that enso it was not pretended there was any suoh thing . Society had made no provision for a rational and impartial adjustment of the difference , and the consequence was , that we had simply two bodies of men who were resolved to try who could hold out longest , and starve out the other . ( Hear , hear . ) What was this but a state of warfare ? These two bodies of men did not fight with swords
orristois . i ney were prevented by law from doing that . There were no arms drawn on the field of battle ; but would not the struggle in its effects produce misery , loss , and suffering ? And yet this in England was the relation between labour and capitul—this the onl y method at present by whioh disputes could be settled . Now the object of cooperation was to amend this system by calling upon men to do for themselves , on fair principles and by justaations , what they could not now attain except by moans of this competitive struggle . This had been done to a great extent in . France-especially in Paris-and had been began w tbia country with some success ; and when he called on them to go further , he only called on them to become tho regulators of their own la . bour , by having in their own hands the capital , whioh was the regulator of labour . But in doing that they must act in a spirit of justice , not . only among themselves , but tn
5 aronn them - U wa 8 not the intention of the best friends of Co-operation to enter into what had been called —he thought foohshly-a Holy Crusade against capital That was not the principle and the spirit by whioh thev were or ought to be actuated , but simply to claim what they were fairly entitled to ; and , at tho aarae time , to render to al around them what was fair and just . To promote a spirit of conciliation , not hostility of brotherhood-not isolation of mutua help and good offices , instead of separation—and mutual injuries . ( Great applause . ) Messrs . Lloyd Jones , Walter Cooper , G . A . Fleming , J . Nicholson , J . Chaffer , and other s peakers afterwards aH .
dressed the meeting in speeches that were greatly applauded , in support of tbe following propositions :-"Working Men ' s Associations and Co-operative Stores : may they succeed in overturning the iniquitous and sweating system with all its consequent evils ; substituting justice and honesty in the affairs of industry and trade , in place of the fraudulent praotioes now so fearfully prevalent . " . "The Brotherhood of Humanity ; ma " H soon be recognued in principle , and praotioally applied to all the matitutions of society and social life . " ' ' « The founders of and workers in , the several associative plans and institul turns , put and present , throughout the world : Honour and gratitude to the departed ; lengthened days and a sueeessful issue to the labours of the living . " Hearty and oordial votes of thanks were given to the deputation from London and Chairman , and the evening , which was sreatlv enlivened by a selection of songs , embodying sound moral lentiment , with excellent poetry and pleasant musio , and aUo by some very good performances on the flutina , passed off highly to the satisfaction of all present
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in 5 r ? ¥ owi "f f ? rm f Petition ( by working men , ) for tho hv S « Pn ° n ° -, d p t al 8 Ooiation 8 has b ° en sanctioned by the Council of Promoters : — - arGreat Britain anT-Ireland-in Parliament assembled . .-r . v . 'VThehumb e . petition . of the ; several perBTs whose - •• .. a ; nameiare , hereunder ; .. ^ i , > i -.. v ; : :, ' > - ¦¦ , ; i > ' ^ Sheweth ,-il . ' . ¦;¦ : ; i . s \ ¦ : < iW . t * - > - ¦ ; .- ¦ ; < :- . '" ., ¦ , ; : f'That your petitioners are persons - supporting themselves by their labour . in the'various handicrafts or trades whiohlthey are desirous of carrying on in common upon their own account for tbe support of themselves and their famihesv : « ¦ . ' ¦ :, . -. :: ; . • . ¦ . ... .
. " . That your petitioners have at present nomeans of associating together for the above purpose , under the sanction of the , law , beyond the number of twenty-five , otherwise than under , the provisions of the Joint Stook Companies ' Aot ,-7 and 8 Viot ., c . 110 ; but that the expense of registration under that act in most cases greatly exceeds their resources , whilst many of . its ' provisions are either need , less or even prejudicial j for the purposes of associated labour . . . : : "That if the old common law of England applicable to partnerships had continued . unaltered your pstitiouers are advised tha 6 they would have been enabled to make such voluntary agreements as would have helped in carrying out the objects they have in view . •¦* ¦ ¦¦
¦ " . That the objects of your petitioners are analagous in many respects to those contemplated by the acts relating to Friendly Sooieties , which have been extended of late yearBto Building Societies and Loan Sooieties ; and . that such objects could be readil y carried out by the machinery supplied by these acts . : ¦ . ' Your petitioners therefere humbl y pray that the provisions of the said acts relating to Friendl y Societies may be extended to all associations of working men formed for the purpose of carrying on their , trade , labour , or handicraft , for the benefit of themselves and their families , in like manner as they , have been extended to Building Socioties and Loan Sooieties . "And your petitioners will over pray , &c . " . . . _ . . ( Signatures . )
A clergyman at Plymouth writes that he is on the point of establishing a store in concert with some of his working men parishioners and asking for advice and documents to assist them . The Central Co-operative Agoncy has received from the Associations in the country ; and other friends and correspondents , advices to the effect that they may receive orders for the follwing articles : —Woollen goods of all kinds ; Embroidered Vestings ; Alpaca-Lustres , Plain and Figured ; Orleans . Plain and Figured ; Merinos , Cobourgs , and Fancy Alpacas ; Silk Striped Orleans , &c ; Moreens , Damasks , &o . ; Blankets and Flannels ; White and Coloured Flocks . Samples will be sent on demand . ; Tho Agenoy is about to fit up a set of cases for the reception of . the produce , of any Provincial Association which may be Bent to them . The partners and trustees think that this step will facilitate tho future establishment of a bazaar . They are anxious to do all in their power to cooperate with and assist the Sooiety and the London Associations in carrying out this idea which they think of great importance to the future well-being of the
Co-operative Movement . Yeadon , ( near Leeds . )—On the 4 th of November , fifteen working men enrolled themselves as members of a Cooperative Association , to open a store as soon as possible , and ultimately for the purpose of manufacturing woollen clothes , and thereby employ themselves . The rules are nearly similar to the Bradford rules * viz ., shares of £ 1 each , paid by weekly contributions . Since the date mentionRd above , their numbers have increased to forty-three , with every prospect of still greater additions as the principle becomes better known . A letter informs us that the store opened at Leeds has reached a sale of £ 35 per week in the third week . The goods supplied from the Central Agency give universal satisfaction .
ASSOCIATION IN PIEDMONT . Turin , Nov . 25 , 1851 . —The people are thinking about association in these parts . At Genoa they have a periodical called " L'AsBOciazione Giornel del Povero , " which comes out three times a-week (!) and on Sundays gives an exposition of a passage of scripture , the paper being headed by three quotations from the New Testament . I bought a copy in Turin , whioh I meant to have sent to you ; but , somehow or other , I have lost it . I saw in it that the vermicelli-makers , the blacksmiths , and the tailors here , were associating themselves ; and I have seen an advertisement in one of the papers of the latter association . No doubt there are many others , as I only saw one number of tho journal . You have no conception how the people here are going a-head . There are now 2 , 000 Protestants here ; and the building
of a Protestant Church , the first in Italy , has just commenced . Altogether Turin is one of the nicest yhces I ever was in ; although there are no fine buildings , the town is extremely handsome ; and all the poor people live in the upper stories of the great houses . You will hardly believe that the house and surface drainages are entirely separate ; there being a double set of sewers in every street . At present they all discharge into the Po , but nojloubt they will soon use the former for its proper purposed manure , as some English engineers here , friends of mine , are going to bring the matter before them , together with baths and wash-houses , &c . December 22 , 1851 . — -To-day we visited a most interesting institution in this town ; nothing more nor less than a Needlewomen ' s Association , which has been in existence
for a hundred and forty-two years , —time enough for it to have become firmly established , which indeed it seems to be . It has four similar societies , in other parts of Piedmont , affiliated to it , or rather they all form one grand in . stitution . The members are not nuns , but must bo single while thoy remain members ; two hundred of them sleep and board in the same building , where they carry on not only needlework , but silk-spinning , " ribbon-weaving , and cloth-making . Their work seems excellent . I have not yet been able to find out half as muoh as I hope to learn about tbem ; as far as I could discover they are managed by a board appointed by government ? Tho gentlemen who accompanied us over the building promised to introduce mo to one of the
directors , from whom I will endeavour to collect some more information for you about them . Such an example of Socialism , patronised by government for a century and a half was what I hardly expected to meet with in Italy . This * institution is mentioned in Murray ' s Handbook , and has , I dare say , been visited by many highly respectable and great English people , who probably have no idea that they had been admiring a most successful experiment in the abomination called Socialism . Tbe Socialism is but imperfect , it i 9 ti'ue , and not quito a model on which society can be regenerated , as the workers have no voice , it seems in their own government ; but , as far as fellow-work is concerned , the organisation of labour seems perfect .
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S T 9 re J ° iceiit 0 8 ee the principle of fraternity in ,,, ! cated . Love one another bv all lm n , V y Cul " ness successfully . It had been said that the ^ operative Movement , as it now existed , would not raise the waS slave ; thatbe . xhought was true . The wagos-slave cold only bemused by some national re-organisation of labour Bui as f ar as it went it tended in that direction . It had been , asked , also , how .: Co-operation would assist political em ancipation , and if shopkeeping would hob Mazzini . inrt
Aowuth to l . berateltaly . und Hungary ? He believed that patient , constructive , prudentofforts would do far more for n ° 7 'P . P 0 ? e , than any amount of mere speechifying or unmatt o ' r ? n ^ Cation wljich ended in words - Per haps it bStWu tt - t 0 them what he thought on these questions whatirV ! - dut y » in tilkin 8 the Chair » t 0 8 t » te exactly thereou ' h" ? u > nnd iie w ; l 8 sure tlley would"gwethat starting . ( Cheer ) ° misunderslaudin S- between them at ment" ^ "Tw ' Es < itl - tben P P ° sed the following sentiand olasdos k H , P 1 ? oslkon of int ° rest between individuals He thSSt thi great Mureof ° « r present social eriU . " Chairmau f 0 « L « er ? dcep ' y indeb"d to their worthy STith JrSSl ^ ffi afc « " •*¦* . of their move-» trong good sense and ti » > whioh "Mbited to much prttiir * nJSS ^ ifi&s ?*"""!? * ° fran t they proposed to embark hf hit wasm the very thn > S attention , especially as I ' J ,, ! ™ were worthy of * had thrown his weight and n « ' these doubt 8 ' He coming forward tlafi them en " h ° ' On theiv side b * fhD « n m :.. i , i u . .. _« . u . m cn ' -he EroimH tw . fhninrh uujjui
- » w . » , uo uereots m tho social mn 7 aZ V A . """*>" gaged in it were sincerely deshW t ^ enfc > those en ^ XsSrS "? at the selfish interest of the indWidJal ¦ S « . ¥ Only ^ sts ^ iss ^ SSSSS tae between the two systems . The one tendedKJ £ tution , though now it was di « ui « Bd under the name of ean STVh he ° f- 7 W ^ tman as man . With bvCchLm ° n Pr v d i fficulties whioh had been stated menf JfS ^ Mlr- fceaLwent into an interesting stateinent of the faots connected with the origin progress ind 22 thi ^ f , ?^ P > " A ^ TE&Jto been « n « J ? f u y , the whole ° f these objections had oeen successfully , and exoerimentnllv surmLnto , ! n «
BSaSTf * th f Nation of the nearok or aid [ moS 0 M , t I T ? ° laSSeS W 0 Uld be th 0 S « re 3 t riavn ? SL m ? y / ° raISIn S the lowest of tho wagessUwot , and concluded amidst great-npplanse . piiff , > ° Leed 8 ' havingXiefly supported the J !! ' ' . ; . ? . . | n proposing Co-operation as the exbe be XL . ^ u 1 ^ Tr » t ° ™ d Brotherhood said it woul d to beneficial to a I classes , and the great means of perir . a nent ^ ecurmg the ph ysical , intellectual , and moral well-& ? £ ¦? # Speakin S t 0 this ^ ntiment , Mr . Sk h ? perienM of t « e Castle-street Assooution ot working Tailors , of which ho is the Mm .. **
urn Association beg , u twenty-one months ago , with a Sorl five tm \ h 'I , ? , ifV , Which the « v had P aid back £ 13 ° in Pr , n « n f ' th 0 Ugh he th 0 ° B ht the > ' hud done w"ng m commencing repayment so soon . They had , also , nini mnX * $ M "' ' dividod * l ° 0 ninong the members as ft" ' ch was another great mistake . But , notwithstanding these mistakes , and the other errors and mistakes inciden t ; to a new undertaking , in which all parties were neoeasanly inexperienced , they had done business to the amount ot £ S 0 O ,-had paid all their members an average wage of upwards of thirtv shillinas a week . Had mv ™
room a wcelt s holiday in the country out of the funds , ns well as a holiday m tho Great Exhibition ; and the result was that it all they owed was paid , they had now a surplus ot ± do 0 left as the consequence of their associated exertions . ( Cheers . ) The Rev . % Goodwin spoke to the sentiment , — " Education and Frugality , the supporters and results of true Co-operation . " And—Mr , Lr , oiD Jones proposed— " Co-operative Stores in the true Co-operative spirit , will be the surest and most readily practicable means of leading to the full development of the principle of Association . " Mr . G . A . Fleming , Editor of the " Northern Star , " concluded the proceedings by giving— " The Pi-ess , fwo
and honest : the great means of diffusing true political and social ideas among tho people . " The proceedings were interspersed with some excellent vocal and instrumental music , and tho whole evening passed off most agreeably .
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NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . ELECTION OF TUB EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE . On Wednesday evening last the scrutineers appointed by the Metropolitan localities attended at the Office , 14 , Southampton-street , Strand , and having inspected the votes received , gave the following as the result of the gross poll : — Ernest Jones -Q 00 John Arnott 720 Feargus O'Connor 600 T .. M . Wheeler 566 Jamos Gni 8 sby 5 G 5 John Shaw 502 W . J . Linton 470 J . J . Bezer 456 G . J . Holyoake 336 Robert Le Blond 326 Thornton Hunt 282 P . M . M'Douall 198 J . B . Leno ISO C . F . Nicholls 134 H . T . Holyoake 122 A . E . Delaforce 117 A . J . Wood 90 J . M . Bryson , ... 53 George Haggis 13 Robert Oliver 9 Messrs , J . B . O'Brien , Gerald Massey , and Arthur Trevelyan , having declined to serve , the votes received en their behalf have not been recognised . We , the undersigned , hereby " certify the above to be a i correct return , and declnre the nine persons first named to bo duly elected to form the Executive Committee for the ensuing year . Joun Washington , City Locality . Edward John Loomes , Finsbury Locality . 14 , Southampton-street , Strand . December 31 st , 1851 . [ We have received from Mr . John Arnott , a detailed list of the votes sent in by forty-two localities , with the number polled for each candidate , but which , from its great length , we aro unable to insert . —Ed . JV . S . ]
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Finsbcry . —At the usual weekly meeting held on Sun day it was resolved that a deputation be sent to the Political yictims' Association , for the purpose of convening a meeting to petition parliament for the liberation of all political prisoners . It was also resolved that the question should be brought before the Metropolitan Delegate Council . Mr . E , Loomes was appointed scrutineer of votes , from this locality , for the new Executive ; and four members were entolled . Christmas at O'Connorville . —A tea party , soim , and ball , waB held in the School Room , on Boxing-day , on which oocasion a goodly number of the allottees , their wives , and families , assembled to take part in tbe entertainments provided for the occasion . After tea , Mr . John . Sturgeon , jun ., was called to the chair , and opened tho business with an appropriate speech . Several sentiments were ably responded to by the allottees . Singing and dancing were kopt up till an early hour in the morning , when the company soparated hig hly satifeficd with their evening ' s enjoyment .
North Shields . —A Social and Democratic tea party was held on Christmas Day in this town . After tea , Mr . Charlton from Newcastle , addressed the meeting upon " Kossuth and the great Hungarian struggle for liberty , " which he delivered much to the satisfaction of the meeting . During the evening a variety of songs and recitations were given . After the usual votes of thanks were passed , the meeting broke up , highly satisfied at the treat thoy had enjoyed . Metropolitan Dklkoatb Council . —This body met on Sunday afternoon , at the Literary Institution , Leicesterplace , Saffron-hill . Credentials were received from Ernest Jones and C . Murray , for the John . street locality ; from
C . J . Nicholls , for Hoxton ; and from Mr . Washington , for the City . Mr . Nicholls was called to . tho chair . Upon tho minutea being read , a long , discussion took place upon the rules Hgreed to at a prior meeting , the majority d which were at length confirmed . ' A subcommittee was appointed to get up a public meeting to consider the present position of affairs on the Continent . Mr . Washington wa * elected Secretary for the enBiiing quarter ; a Treasurer was also appoiuted . On the motion of Ernest Jones , a resolution was agreed , deprecating the meeting of localities at put > lio houses , and urging the necessity of a coalition of the body to obtain suitable halls . The deputation appointed to wait on the Exeoutive gave in their report . Re ports were also received from tbe localities , . and monies paid in tor the use
of the Council . . ' ¦ r , . , Literary Institution , Leicester-place , Clerkenwell .-Mr . Fussell lectured here on Sunday evening . Sub ject : " The Events of the Past Year . " The speaker glanced at the various ovents in this country connected with the organisation or struggles of labour , dwelling prominently upon the present strife between the engineers and their employers . Mr . Beaor also addressed the audience .
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Thk Bank Fofgerie s in Yorkshire . —On Thursday the three men-James Ellis , Edward . Marshall , and John Green—in custody at LeedB , charged with having uttered several forged £ 5 notes , purporting to be issued from the DonoftBter branch bank of the Yorkshire Banking Company were again brought before the Leed ' s Magistrates . Aftex the depositions had been read , and other witnesses had been examined , the prisoners were remanded until Thursday next , when we understand evidence is to be had againsC them for uttering similar forged notes in Baddersfield . _^ g
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Mr . J . Pons moved— " That this meeting is fully convinced that neither the Executive Counoil nor the members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers , dw ; , oon « template a strike on the 1 st of January , 1852 ; and thai ; the assertions put-forward-to that effect are entirely untrue /' : He proceeded to-commen t upon , the conduot . of some of the speakers atthe inieetingof employers oflabput ' oh Wednesday last ,- and complained tha ' t . when the workmen of one of them left him in 18 * 9 , on his proposing ' a ' red ' uction of wages , he sent . notice to other employers , that they mjgbt not . take them on . Another of these i ; ehtle . men' refused , to remove to & diatarics from the engineering department some . leadworks , which were , injurious to health . Jf , employers paid . so little attention'to the welfaro ' of their men they ought not to demand from the men entire . obedience . to their will nor . could they expect . from them anything beyond what was their duty , to themselves—self-protection . . Mr . W . Bbows seconded the motion , and it was carried unanimously . '' . ' ,. . *'¦' .: ¦ ' . '" ¦• ' . ^ rTI Pons moved ^ 'That meeUng Isfully con-
. , Mr . UkwioK said the society had appealed to the public , and would wait their decision . If the employers , were , willing to settle the question amicably by proper negotiation and with a regard to justice to all parties , the men would meefc them honourably , fairly , and moderately ., ( Hear , hear . ) He then . . explained that the society w ^ s one instituted for unimpeachable object * , to inake allowances to . member s thrown out of work b y the badness of trade , or incapacitated by . accident or illness . It was an amalgamation of several societies , one of which paid , £ 36 , 000 ^ . unemployed members in 1848 and 1840 . ( Hear . ) ' Even theii members were working overtime . ( Ilcar , hear . ) He might just mention tnat . ^ on one of the railways , when trade was bad , and a reduction had to be made , the manager abked
the men whether , he should reduce them in numbers or in hours of work , and they choose the latter , dividing the reduced ainouut among all the men . ( Hear , hear . ) When the , ebjects of . the society were khownj the public would feel . disposed rather to encourage them than tO' press against them , so long as they kept within proper bounds , arid ^ used no threats or . intimidation , and that they never wdifld , do . ;;( flear , hear . ) In so large a body , isolated individuals .. might conduct themselves improperly , but' the society-repudiated anything of the sort . ( Hear , hear . ) Sp 7 jactirigi they , " bad the opinion of the Attorneyr General , that ;|] iej ; wer ^ acthig , lawfuUy .. ( Hear , hear . ) u Avo ^ orthank " stOthe press for attending the meeting , anitaihe chairman , closed the proceedings . ¦
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THE LANCASHIRE ASSOCIATION OF EMPLOYERS . . . . - , QF . OPERATIVE ENGINEERS , &c . : On Tuesday afternoon , a numerous and influential meeting of ' members'of the Association of Employers of Operative Engineers , Millwrights , and Machine-makers , of Manchester and' the surrounding towns and districts , ' was held at the Clarence Hotel , Spring-gardens . It was attended by upwards of fifty gentlemen , ' members of different firms . Mr . " T . K Sharp , the senior partner in the firm of Sharp , Brothers , and Co ., was called to the chair . The committee appointed at a former meeting reported the substance of what had transpired between the deputation from their body and . the employers of London . and the Ticinity ; and also the proceedings of a meeting of
those employers at the London Coffee House , oh . the 24 th ult . The warmest gratification was . expressed at ; the cordial reception of the deputation from Lancashire by the central body : in London ; and , oh the motion of Mr . James Nasmyth , of the Bridgewater Foundry , Patricroft , seconded by . Mr . John Hick , of Bolton , it was unanimousl y resolved , "That this association forthwith join , and become a portion of the Central Association of Employers of Operative Engineers , &c . " The committee w ' ereauthorised to carry out the resolution ; thanks were voted to the Chairman , and the other members of the deputation , who had proceeded to London and attended the meeting of the C ntral Asiociation on Wednesday last . We may add that the tone of the meeting was most decided and ' unanimous in the expression of a determination to resist any md every attempt at dictation on the part of the men , as alike injurious to employers and employed , and'destructive of the best interests of the country . A general desire and
determination was expressed that as the men had threatened a strike , their . object and intention should be tested , and that the question , between the employers and employed , having been raised by the latter , should now be brought to some clear and definite issue . We learn ' that individually , nearly all the firms in this district have received from their customers , for whom they are making mill or other machinery , in some cases under contracts with penalties as to non-fulfilment in time , the most cordial assurance that they approve of the course taken by the employers , and that they are disposed , under the circumstanoes , to extend to them the utmost amount of indulgence that may be sought in the completion of these contracts . " Under circumstances such as these , lacking that which is an element of strength in some strikes , the popular approval and support , it behoves the workmen to pause ere they take a step which , once taken will assured prove irremediable . —Ilanchteler Guardian .
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THE SOCIETY F 0 » | ROMOTING WORKING MEN'S The Society have a ppointed a deputation consisting of Messrs .. Haghes , Neale , Louis , Lord GodJrS " fiX ? Pickard , Jennings and Locke , ' to wait upon Mr . l 3 SS ohere . The deputation expect to have an interview with Mr . Labouohere the second week in January ; but no an . Bomtnunt has yet been mad .. Setewl leading memborsTf Provincial Associations and other influentiaf persons a ? e expected to accompany the deputation . P
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BRADFORD CO-OPERATIVE FESTIVAL . The Co-operatives of this town held their first festival on Wednesday night , in tho Temperanco Hall , a spacious building admirably adapted for the occasion , and which was profusely decorated with evergreens and artificial flowers . Behind the chair , on a white banner , there was inscribed , in letters formed of laurel leaves , " The Organisation of Labour . " The attendance was , as at Halifax , very numerous , and comprised the female members of the families of those interested in the Stores . W . Forster , Esq ., of Rawden , who was unanimously called to the chair—after tea and coffee had been disposed of , having first read a letter from Mr . James Holl , of Leeds , apologising for his absence—proceeded to state that a year ago he had first met them at the Mechanics '
Institution to form the . Stores , and he was happy to find that it had succeeded so well . The Stores got iuto work on the 31 st of May , 1851 , with fifty mombers , and then turned over £ 30 a week . It had now one hundred members , and turned over ^ 45 per week . This was success , but it was not so great , as that at Ualifax . Before calling upon the talented advocates of the cause around him , he was desirous of stating how far he agreed , and how far he disagreed with the movement , because he had no wish to court a false popularity . It is now some years since his attention was first directed to Socialism , aud he confessed that he then looked at it with the same feelings as tho class to which he belonged , namely—that it wns a system by whioh persons wished to live upon the property of others . ( A laugh . ) The more he studied tho subiect ,
however , the more he was convinced of the essential truth there was in it , though looking at the schemes of particular Socialists he thought thoy were little more than beautiful pictures . He was , however , now fully conviuoed that tho principle involved was the only one that could liberate labour from oppression , and create new and superior associations among men . ( Hear , hear . ) 'While in an undecided state he first saw the words " Christian Socialism , " nn 1 he could not too highly eulogise the moral courage of Trofessor Maurice , and the gontlemen associated with him in thai movement . Few there could estimate the sacrifice he and they had made in the circles in which they moved . Buwhile he honoured their motives , there were points on which he differed from them , and probably they would be a little enlightened on these points to night . He
certainly did not agree in the condemnation of Competition or of profit-mongering in the abstract , beoause , in the first place , he did not see how the wants of the country were to I e supplied without the present system of production ; and , in the nextplace , ho saw that in price profit was an essential element . He could understand that Co-operation in distribution might be capable of extension to any extent , even nationally , but he could not see how that could be done in Co-operation for production . If there were many associations they would compete with each other ; if there were one it would require to know exactly how many articles were wanted ; tbat required omniscience , and could not be done . They would either make too many goods—and tl en the men would be thrown out of work—or too few , and society would not be sewed ; and therefore he could not see how they could dispense with the present mode of
finding out what was ' really wanted . But while he candidly | Ut these difficulties before them , he did not mean they were insuperable . Some of them might say , "Oh , Mr . Forster has no objection to dispose of the shopkeepers ; but when you come to his mill it is quite a different matter . " I ' t hoped none of them would say that / because though he did not see how the system could work generally , he did not discourage Co-operation in production . Start a mill by all means ; one effect would be to teach them the diffr eulties and tbe anxieties which Deset the master , and for whioh , he was afraid , many workmen did not give them credit . But , above all , he looked to the moral and educational effect on their own mindi , and which could not fail , in the end , to be very beneficial to all classes . One point they must attend to , never to let thsir money lie idle , and another was , to pay the men who did their work ; that was the only way by which they oouRrseeu ' w good work-
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Januauy 3 , 1852 . rr THE NORTHERN STAR . " this '" ' : " ~ JL ^
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 3, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1659/page/5/
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