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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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can have bat little influence upon the question in its present aspect . That learned Jadge , in his late publuhed letter , evidently starts upon an assnmed and erroneous basin , Scl rendS ? allhi 3 subsequent conclusions trifling and ^ ffisYirfsbip commences his admonitory letter , written nominally to Lord Ashburton , but really to the Executive of the Amalg united Engineers , by an enumeration of what he conc eivesthegrounda of complaint or dispute . First : — and my Lord says , mainly : — " That the masters employ unskilled labourers . Secondly , that they get a portion of their work done by contract , through the medium of undertakers , who employ men at any price they can get them for , to complete the work so contracted for ; and thirdly the men insist that unless upon occasions of especial emergency , the masters ought net to employ workmen beyond the ordinary hours of work . " *_ .. ¦ m — __ f * n £ T * n AivActisv ** in ¦ £ ¦ nfABAttf
Upon each and all these questions Mb lordshi p , by that peculiar mode of reasoning for which gentlemen of his profession are so widely and so justly famed , proceeds to argue that the men are wholly morally , though not legally wrong , and that the masters are both , morally and legally right . Sow with respect to the firat question , his lordship has been clearly , and perhaps intentionally , misinformed . The Executive of the Amalgamated Society never officially made any such demand as the removal of unskilled labourers from their master ' s works ; and since they hare been charged with it , they have publicly and by advertisement repudiated it . _ The whole of his lordshi p ' s arguments upon this , the main question , as his lordship terms it , is of course beside the question ; the arguments upon the other question , the required abandonment of systematic overtime and piecework , may be compressed within a very small space .
It is necessary for the adequate productiveness of capital { hat its possessors should have the uncontrolled power of driving hard bargains with their workmen individually , who would thus be forced to accept almost any terms , because hi 3 labour being his only wealth , his master could easily starve him into compliance ; and this is what is meant by the freedom of labour . Any attempt to place the individual labourer by combining him with his fellowmen , and thus placing him upon termi of greater equality with bis employer , is considered as a great cruelty and an undue interference with his individual freedom . Any attempt by the skilled engineers , or any other trade , to protect the Talne of their labour from deterioration by the unlimited admission of apprentiens , &c , a another invasion of the rights of capital , and yet the legal , clerical , and medical crafts are hedged round by legislative and lecal pains and penalties from the unhallowed intrusion of the non-privileged , whatever may be his fitness or capabilities .
These anomalies are too palpable for the present day , and we rejoice to find that so powerful and influential a trade as the engineers have determined to try the co-operative epstem as a remedial agent We see no necessity for " a class of men arrogating to themselves the most unlimited power and control over the free action of their fellow-men , and making the most ridiculous pretensions to a superiority which it would puzzle any one to discover . Capital and Labour are really the two essentials of production , and by every consideration of right and common sense they ought to work together in harmony and combination , and not like two opposing and irreconcileable enemies . The Cextiul Committee op tub XiTiosii . Association * of United Trades .
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MEETING OF JO 1 XERS AND CARPEXTERS . Bristol . —At a general meeting of the Society , held at the Golden Lion , Radcliffe-street , on Monday evening , the following resolution was adopted : — " That we , the Carpenters and Joiners of Bristol , in general union , 4 > e | icving it to Lethe incumbent duty of every trade to bring aU their mor al influence to bear against the oppressor of labour wherever fee may be found , beg to tender our sincere and heartfelt sympathy with the " Engineers and Machinists , in their noble defensive struggle with the united conspiracy of capital against labour . " The meeting took a lively interest in the present crisis between labour and capital , and considered the conduct of the master Engineers sn-I Machinists most tyrannical and despotic , and that the appeal of the Amalgamated Society , for doing away . with piecework and overtime , was both reasonable and just , especially with our present redundant labour market , and Loped that all trades would speak out as becomea Englishmen , against such wanton aggression . Signed Jobs Rogers . Chairman .
PUBLIC MEETKG OF THE BUILDING TRADES . A public meeting of the persons composing these trades was held on Wednesday evening , at the National Hall , Holborn , for the purpose of making the necessary arrangements for the formation of an Association of all the Building Trades , to maintain the principle of the movement , for leaving their labour at four o ' clock on the Saturday afternoon . The attendance , owing to the unfavourable state of the weather , was not so numerous as bad been anticipated . Shortly after eight o ' clock , Mr . Webster was called to the chair , and opened the proceedings by alluding to the general apathy manifested by working men , unless the shoe actually pinched them . Wliilst the strike lasted all was enthusiasm ; but now they seemed to be careless of guarding their own interests by forming the association , the projects of which would that evening be laid before them .
Mr . Greesfield , the secretary , laid before the meeting the balance sheet of the income and expenditure since their last meeting ; and also a programme containing the objects of the proposed association . 1 . " The association to he called ' The Permanent Four o'clock Association , ' established for the purpose of securing to the Building Trades the privilege of leaving work at four o ' clock on Saturdays , to be paid a full day ' s wages for the same . " 2 . " To obtain , if possible , a suitable place to hold meetings , for the members of the Building TradeB to discuss any grievance , or any other important matter relative to the building classes . " S . " This association shall be composed of members of the Building Trade , who subscribe to its . funds and agree to be governed by its laws . " To carry out these general principles a code of regulations were asreed to . Mr . Tcef briefly addressed the meeting in support of the newl y-formed association . A considerable number of members were enrolled , and the meeting adjourned .
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bide their time . But how is it with the men ? With them what is left unproductive is not a capital on which they can at a pinch draw for . subistence ; it is the labour which " f lr onIy wealth . When that is unproductive they can only look for support from funds to be supplied by others ; and of neceEgsity those supplies are in time furnished grudgingly . -Then come jealousies and alarms ; some are incited to acts of outrage towards their employers ; others induced ( forced , if you will ) to quit their own party and seek employment ; this leads to" acts of injustice and even outrage among the workmen themselves , and , in the end , the masters triumph , Tilita tnaiM tirrtA TJn 4- 1 * am . ' 2 ^ ii . ^ * 11 * '• n < rr * i . l _ xtl __
" I feel most deeply for the men , for I believe in my conscience that many , perhaps all , not only are most fully persuaded they are in the right , but they would scout , the notion of offering or encouraging those who should offer violence either to master or man . But , however pure and peaceable may be their intentions , I know from experience what is the unavoidable result . It has been my , painful duty to try and punish for outrages such as I have adverted to , many men who , I have no doubt , when they entered into these trade combinations , would have been indignant with any one who should have suggested that what they were engaging in could ever lead to a violation of the law . So , however , it invariably is . I cannot wonder that the masters refute to agree to any arbitration that is to impose on them any restriction whatever as to the terms on-which they are to contract with their men . X 6 one ought to presume to define such terms , any more than to bind the men as to the terms which they ought to submit to in favour of their masters . The obvious duty and interest of the men is
to treat the matter as a mere question of bargain . If once they do that—if once they allow that the master is at liberty to propose his own terms , and the workman to accept or reject them , I should think the masters would—I am sure they ought—to be quite ready to listen to any suggestions of the menj as to any modifications of the system which should be more agreeable to them , without infringing on the free agenoy of their employers . I fear from what has passed that there is too much heat now to expect that any temperate advica will be attended to . Sure I am that a time will come when the workmen will deeply regret the steps they have taken if they really are endeavouring by combination to deprive the masters of their natural right of managing tbeir own business in their own way . I deeply feel for the men , and I should have been very glad if we could have seen our way to suggest any sort of arbitration whioh could solve the difficulty , but I really cannot .
" I recollect you said the men think there ought to be some tribunal who should decide this question between them and their employers , and that such is the case in France . I cannot say what may be the state of the law there , but I can hardly think it possible that there can be a law regulating what contract a master shall enter into with his men ; that is not a fit subject for a tribunal or an arbitration , and for this obvious reason—the master , after the decision given , has only to say , I will not enter into 6 uch a contract ; ' no one can force him to do so . When , indeed , the employed is not a free agent , not therefore an equal the
with employer , as , for instance , a child or a woman , there we know the legislature has reasonabl y enough in- ' terfered . But I should be sorry indeed to think that the adult workmen of this country should claim protection on any such ground as that which has led to the legislative protection of women and children in their dealings with their employers . I wish I could have written more satisfactory . I promised you to make any suggestions which might occur to me , but in truth I can think of none . I only heartily hope tbat the men may not take a step so very injurious to themselves as that which tho aspect of affairs seems to threaten . " Believe me , my dear Lord , yours very faithfully , " Crasworth , "
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The Boiler-makers ofLimehouse ; at a general meetin g unanimously agreed to the ; following resolution' and for ! warded it to the Amalgamated Society on the 17 th in * f '"Re 80 lved , i . That . this meeting of boiler-makera SiZ nothing whatever to do with the dispute'between fh ! masters arid the Amalgamated Sooiety ,. have been unjustly thrown out . of employment by the masters , and viewing the present proceedings of the masters , and believi ™ t tfifc they have a tendency ultimately to disorganise us ' a 8 a society , do pledge ourselves not only to protect cursives by not signing any . dooument the masters may briniTniit but will also do our utmoBt to further the interests of th « Amalgamated Sooiety ; arid as we get employ will Dav ona day s wage out of . six to assist our members out of employ hrough the masters' Strike , " - ( Oarried unanimously , Jan . 15 , 1852 , at a general meeting . ) Vl ¦ ' ¦ mt _ -. T > i : iJ _ _! : » . **• . ' -a j » V s - _• ¦ : ¦ * ' ¦¦ ¦ ¦
The sum of ± 50 was reeoived on Saturday nieht in mm port of the men thrown put of employment , & 2 ' - oipally composed of contributions of a day ' s pav out of the week ' s wages from the workmen in two large factories .
On Tuesday night a meeting of the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Eneineers , &T took Xi at the offices Little Alie-street , WhitechapeV , to receive reports from the d . fferentbranches , and determine upon an ? steps which i might be necessary to tak e consequent uX the present state of affairs in the society . ] fr Allan fh « general secretary stated , for the information of the Counoi , that although the time originally appointed for the returns of votes upon the co-operative grant of £ in nnn from thegeneralfund of the Society had fhat dfv exnired returns from only seventy-two branches out of 120 Er ' nved at the offices . lie was , however , glad to ifiattiii with the exception of those from three smaH branches the returns received were in favourof thepvoposiSof £ council : in fact , the votes in sixty-nine out of the seventy ' two diatnetsr eferred to , were returned as almost unanimous upon the point . No active steps , it was understood , could be taken with regard to the establishment of the co ' operative shops until the receipt of returns from the other branches , which are expected to arrive in a few da
ys . fJHZ \ i £ !? $ * l i that , ° reo « ved intimation from Liverpool that the firm of Fawcefcfc and Co ., hadeivcn notice of their intention to discharge the sooiety men in their employ at the end of the present week ; and furthev , that Mr . Maegregor of the Vulcan Work , , had issued a document pledging his workmen to renounce all connexion with the Amalgamated Society , and that those who refused to Bign would be discharged on Saturday . A donation of £ 10 from Mr . Coningham , a gentleman of fortune ; residing at Brighton , accompanied by the following letter , was handed in b y the secretary : ,, „ . T " 20 / Sussex-place , Brighton , Jan , 1852 . « Sir ,-Iam convinced that you will have the moral sup . port of the public , whatever may be said to the contrary in a movement to limit the hours of toil for the operative , whoae bodily strength is his only Datrimonv . An adiuHt . i
raent of the system of piecework is a more complicated question ; but it the employer * , as well as the employed , be sincere m their desire to arrive at an equitable solution , than a fair adjustment may be made . When the maBters , m their statement , ' say , « we claim , and are resolved , to a « serUhe right of every British subject to do what we (!) like with our . own , they appear to have forgotten that pro-? f fl , r ri ^ ! ft a 8 Us d " ties as ™ l l as it » rights , and that the rights of the poor and the rights of the rich are reciprocal privileges ; the former being the condition oa which the latter are enjoyed . As a proof of my sympathy for your cause I beg to forward £ 10 to the fund of the Amalgamated Society of Working Engineers , &c , and to state that , if a co-operative association bo formed , I shall be prepared to take some shaves in it . . " ¦ . ¦ „ ,, " I am sir , yours obedientl y , " (« T If "' -mj n " Wlf . COHEfOHAM . "To Mr . Allan , Secretary of the Amalgamated Society . "
„ . Reports were received from various branches , showing the members to be firm to their previous determination to uphold the movement ; and tho receipt of a large amount of contributions was announced . It was also determined that a public meeting , in connexion if ith the movement , should next week beconvoned in the largest available building in the metropolis . . 6
Twenty-two additional returns were received at the general office on Wednesday upon the subject of the £ 10 , 000 cooperative grant , the whole of which were in favour of the proposition . The total number of returns now received amounts to about ninety-five , of which only three are in tlie negative ,
On Thursday night , a crowded meeting of society and nonsociety men took place at the Pliconix Tavern , Stepney , for the purpose of raakin <; au equitabte arrangement with regard to the distribution of funds collected for the support of tho strike . The meeting , we understood , was convened in consequence of some dissatisfac tion having been expressed by the labourers upon account of the smallncss of the sums appropriated to their relief for the past week . After some discussion , adeputation of five labourers was appointed to confer with the Executive Council upon the best mean 3 of supportingthe labourers during the continuance of the trike ; and the meeting separated in an orderly manner . A meeting of the Association of Employers at Manchester was held on Tuesday , at which the proceedings of the Executive were approved of , but no new measures were adopted for bringing about a termination of the questions at issue between them and their workpeople .
It is said that one of the largest houses which has stopped is declining business , and that the workmen are making overtures to take up the premises and plant , to work it on the cooperative principle . A master at Oldhara is said to have offered them the use of his premises ; anil in order to avail themselves of the tools and machinery to the utmost , it is contemplated to have three relays of men , to work eight hours each for the whole tw enty-four . On Monday evening most of the ten branches within the Manchester district held meetings to consider the question of investing £ 10 , 000 -aB proposed by the Executive Council . In each case where a meeting was held , we understand the vote was in favour of the appropriation—in most cases the decis ' on being unanimous , this being especially so in the No . 1 branch , the largest in the district . In addition to approving the use of the £ 10 , 000 , the No . 1 branch passed a resolution rt questing the Council to take tho opinion of the ™ b of the society on the propriety of refunding the 410 . 0 U 0 within twelve months , by means of an equal levy upon the members .
Information from Manchester was received on Thursday by the secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers , &c , that Mr . Marsden , of that city , whoae shop had been closed since the 10 th inst ., on Wednesday aoceded to the the propositions of the Executive Council , in consequence of which bis hands would resume work on Thursday . Mr . Marsden ' s establishment is a small one , employing not more than thirty hands , but it is thought that the example thus get will speedily be followed b y other and larger employers . The total number of returns from branches upon the co operative grant of £ 10 , 000 received up to last night , amounted to exactly 100 out of 121 . Of these returns fifty-six unanimously affirm the proposition , thirtytwo affirm it by large , and four by small majorities , while light are in the negative .
Liverpool . —In consequence of a notice conveyed to the men engaged in Messrs . Forrester and Co . ' s works , Vauxhall Foundry , by Mr , M'Gregor , the manager , to theeffeok that such of the men as were members of societies or clubs must resign their employment under that firm , a meeting of the amalgamated tradea of workers in iron in the Liverpool district was held on Tuesday , to determine upon the steps to betakon ii the matter . Mr . M'Gregor had reauired tbat a memorial should be signed by tho men , pledging them to withhold all countenance or aid to the parties now on strike in Manchester , London , and elsewhere ; and the following had been prepared and duly forwarded , in the hope of its meeting tho wishes of the firm : —
To W . F . M'Gbesob , Esq . _ Sib , —We , the members of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in jour employ , beg to state that we have no intention or wish of altering the present rules and regulations between ourselves and our employers ; ner is it the intention or wish of the Sooiety , of which we are members , to ask for any alteration in the present rules which govern the Uiops of the Liverpool district , owing to the peculiar situation of this port respecting West Indian and shipping orders . We are , Sir , your obedient servants , The AIembees of the AMAioAMArED Societi , To this memorial it was intimatod that the reply of Messrs . Forrester had been unsatisfactory , and that it did not meet fully their requirements , which were , that the men should pledge themselves to quit the society altogether . This , it was contended , was asking too much , as the society was of
the character of a benefit club , to which some of the members—and among them the best and most experience in the trade—had been contributing for many years , on an average from ten to fifteen , and , in a few oases , as many as from eighteen to twenty-five years . The benefits accruing from membership are—if out of work , through no individual fault , the sum of ten shillings per week for fourteen weeks , and seven shillings for twelve weeks—in all not to exceed eleven pounds four shillings in any one year , such amount either to be paid as a gift or as oharges for travelling in search of work . The allowance for sick members is ten shillings weekly ; and the superannuation allowance , provided for members who have contributed for eighteen years , and are fifty years of age , is five shillings per week , with permission to earn an additional ten ahiUinas oer week .
inese , it was argued , were too considerable benefits for men to resign , especially when the strike was one in which they were not implicated , and from which they were willing to hold aloof . With respect to the shipping orders referred to in the memorial above , it was explained that the mon bad always been aware that despatch in execution was an indispensable condition of such orders coming to Liverpool at all ; and that they had on all occasions willingly submitted to work overtime in order to their execution . Another copy of the resolution was agreed to be presented to Messrs . Pawcett and Co ., either on Tuesday night or in the course of Wednesday , as their men ' s notice expires on Wednesday night . Should these gentlemen not he satisfied
with it , and Messrs . Forrester refuse to reconsider the matter , eighteen men in the former establishment and sixteen in the latter will be thrown out of work . This will be rendered doubly painful , so far as Messrs . Fawcett are concerned , by the fast that , as we are credibly informed , the prospects of employment in their concern are at present more encouraging than they have been for some years past . An unfortunate resolution of the men in this district to permit an advance of their funds for the establishment of co-operative shops in London and Manchester is considered by the more prudent among them to have embittered the minds of the employers against them , It is much to be re . gretted that the dispute , easy of accommodation so far as Liverpool is concerned , cannot be amicably settled . —Livtrpool Courier .
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CENTRAL CO-OPERATIVE AGENCY , 76 , Charlotte-street , Fitzroy Square . Weekly Report , Jan . 13 th to Jan . 19 th , 1852 . Business transacted with the following Stores Leeds , Banbury , Camlachie , Garratt Road , ' Brighton ' Woolwich , Halifax , Bradford , Middlesborough ' Portaea , Galashiels , Derby , Salkirk , &c . Several applications were received for Rules , Catalogues , and Lists . Two dozen Rules for forming ; Co-operative Storefl were supplied to one person . The Agency began its regular Banking operations on Saturday , January 18 th . The necessary alterations for the new offices are in course of operation . The Agency , at the request of the Amalgamated Iron Trade Society , has opened in its Central Office
a subscription for the Non-Society men and labourers out of work . The following proposals have been forwarded to the above Society : —The Agency will give the benefit of wholesale prices , to any amount of orders sent through the General Office , or Branches of the Iron Trade Society , for goods sold by the Agency , and will invest it as a lean in the capital of the Associative Workshops to be formed , the difference between the cost and wholesale prices . The Agency think that by investing instead of giving up their legitimate profits they shall place both themselves and the members of the Iron Trade on a sound footing , since nothing would be more detrimental to co-operative establishments , than to be organised at starting upon such conditions as they would not carry out in the usual way of business .
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ASTLEY'S . The revival of" Blue Beard , " together witn scenes in the arena , and the pantomime of" Mr . and Mrs . Briggs , " continues still to attraot overflowing audiences . The spoctaclo is produced on a scale of great magnificence , the scenery and dresses are of the most gorgeous description , and elephants , horses , camels , deer , &c , swell the train of Abomelique . The princi pal characters were ably sustained by Messrs . Maddocks , Dale , S . Smith , and Messdames Fonten , Beaohem , and C . Tollett . Mons . Frantz Benzoo performed sev eral extraordinary feats on the tight rope ; nnd Mons .
and Madame Franconi , and Mdlle . Marietto executed some piecing and daring acts of horsemanship . Wo have already given a descri ption of the pantomime , and can only say tbat it is hi ghly successful . It does not , however , abound with the racy jokes and hits at the times which characterized its predecessors , which no doubt is to be ascribed to the inteference of the Lord Chamberbin , who has exeroised his censorship on this as well as on the pantomimes atother houses . Nevertheless , it is well got up , and the nightly plause of crowded houses is a sufficiet proof of public approbation .
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ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION . ThiB popular institution continues to draw crowded audiences daily , as tho managers are certainly untiring in their endeavours to make this establishment worthy of the patronage of the public . The directors have arranged that those inventions most valuable and interesting , wnioh have lately been deposited here from the Great Exhibition , to the public shall be daily demonstrated by ; competent professors . This is the proper way to diffuse knowledge , and hence the value of this institution , and the high estimation in which it is held . Here , chemistry , natural philosophy , and mechanics , are constantly under observation , and an orrery has just been added , showing , in exact proportion
, the sizes and distances which the planets Yenu 8 and Morcury , together with the Earth and her satellite the moon , bear to the sun , thus giving at one glass the real scalo of the solar system , which cannot be done by the common orreries . Among the more recent deposits from the Crystal Palaco , we observed two silver flutes , both of which obtained prizes , thefirat , invented by Bashm , gained the council medal , and the second , invented by Carte , gained the second prize . The tone of these flutes is perfeot , and their appearance beautiful in the extreme . Many other things , too numerous to mention , are worthy of observation and attention which can be seen in the institution .
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A Aew Poiiiicai , Aphorism . —While free governments may be destroyed by their vices , despotisms come to destruction in spite of their virtues .-Morning Chronicle . A Marriage Fraud . —At the Central Police Court on Saturday morning , a newly-married couple , respectively named Samuel M'Pheo and Mary Ferguson or M'Phee , were brought before Baillie Bogle , on the charge of falsehood , fraud , and wilful imposition , in so far as they , " having by some means or other obtained possession of a certificate of the proclamation of banns in order to a marriage between the said Samuel M'Phee and a girl named Ann' Black , residing in Glasgow , did upon the 8 th day of December last , within the college buildings , falsely represent to tho Rev . Dr . Macfarlan , that Mary Ferguson was the person named Ann Black referred to in the certificate , in consequent . of which Dr . Macfarlan was induced and
prevailed upon to solemnise a marriage between them . On hearing the charge the defenders , who are both young persons , and rather good-looking , pleaded guilty ; and the male paisoner endeavoured to excuse himself by alleging that he had the sanction of Ann Black for the fraudulent personation which had been practised upon the minister . Upon this the girl Black came forward with tho evident intention of denying the assertion and msikin < r good her claim to the person of the " heartless deceiver , " but the Baillie cut the matter short by ordering the man M'Phee and Mary Ferguson , his young wife , to be gent each sixty days to Bride well . —Glasgow Mail .
FiNSBBRt .-A preliminary meeting of the inhabitants of this borough was held on Monday evening , January 19 th , at the Literary and Scientific Institution , Leicester-place , Raystree , Olerkenwell , for the purpose of adopting measures to establish a Reform Association , that would advocate the entire enfranchisement of the male adult population of Great Britain and Ire and .-Mr . Blake was voted to the chair , and having briefly explained the objects of the meeting , Mr . W . H . Grade moved the following resolution :- " That ft society , called ' The Manhood Suffrage Association , ' bedi-S . ? j' ™! ? 6 Ete P 8 taken t 0 « wol members by Si ^ 'i 1 . ^ with the fund so raiied a lar « public meeting be called as soon as possible , to which memmI ^ J I ff nt ? lnfl « ential persons , favourable to Manhood Suffrage , should be reouested to attend « nd umnort
which ' ™ * T- ~ Mr ' F eedon seconded the rVBolution , 2 S& ?' ?* 8 BPP ° rt ( i d M « 89 W . Butler andDvce , and y L'jjf A ~ C 0 Bllllittee was then appointed , Sl » , «? * Ud hllf w ? rl class , with power to add to their number , to ^ oarry it into effect , who will meet at the wove place , for the transaction of business , on Monday evening , January 26 th .
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NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . The Executive Committee of this body held their usual weekly meeting on Wednesday evening last . Present : Messrs . Arnott , Bezer , Grasaby , Hol yoake , and Shaw . John Shaw presided The c orrespondence received was road . The financial ouaineBB having been disposed of , the following address w unanimousl y adopted : —
THE EXECUTIVE TO THE CHARTIST f » , B 0 DY thrMti . n ^ r t hen the existence of the Exeoutive was it tv , ft f l the Mwbester Council sotting up to supersede wdmIiII , ? liavo lately abandoned the Executive Kmt ?; aTv ia a 83 er « ngthe nece 8 sityfor the FievinAhem o l ! tlI ?! lte <* g ™ isation to bo kept up . Bein Sm Tf L be X eavnest great confidence wasrepoted Sent ™ intPnrf i th 0 U { ; S 0 I " ° "aland combined move-S ™ u ^ ft with us KKwh ? hSp « -5 elccti « nB on the Executive . But abaSn'i ° ev ^^ l ^ K ^ ^ T therefore , o remain nttl ? portS Ik "' , ' V ° T dutjl DOitlted Rfctovrt nnlilif P v tt 0 Whlen we nav 8 bcen a P " porntea , at least until it can ba quitted hnnrm ^ w v
, innnuS pe ^^^^ ing persons away with them , they carry awky tho mpanR of meeting our debts ; and it is on this account thaTwc nre bound to complain of the thoughtlessness which has imlu ed them to abandon a duty which Chartists had a ri ght oex . pect at their hands until tho cause was freo of debt We not only claim their personal hel p ( as we b fore stated ) , but we claim the aid and personal subscriptions of every honest man in the Chartist ranks , and request him to send up at once according to his means , money to meet th > final debt of now £ 30 . We have out off all ir . cvease of liabilities—wo have given up our officos—our Secretary acts gratuitously ; and to him we request that subscrintions
??? . . e sent i who pledges himself to appropriate them IiUtnfully and promptly , to the discharge of the aforesaid linbi lties , until the whole are paid , and then tho movement W 'W bo free to start with honour , and without incumbrance . Wo have no wish to reflect upon aiiy persons , but we cannotj hide from ourselves that , unless we ac £ vigorously parsons will not be wanting who will reflect on our character injuriousl y and quickly . We , therefore , claim to be allowed to state the facts of the case without that necessary statement being interpreted into unjust peraonal allusions to anyone . During tho past week one pound has been received , which n a S forward e ^ towards payment of the rent before alluded to . The liabilities of course are now £ 36 . The suDjectof the Convention will receive our earliest attention waen tho abovo sum has been received . ( Signed ) J . Giussbt , Secretary . pro . tern
The Secretary was instructed to state in reply U several applications , that at present the Committee were not in a position to issue new cards of membersnip , but advise the sub-secrelaries who have old cards to issue them , making the required alterations thereon ; and those who have not cards by them , are requested to enter the names of all who may be desirous of becoming members , and give them a written certificate . It was then agreed that a public meeting be held on the evening of the opening of Parent ( Tuesday February 3 rd , ) for the purpose oTrevietfingv the Wueen s Speech , and the Secretary was requested ^ apply for the Hall of the Literary Institution , John Street , for that purpose ; and it was also decided that Messrs . J . B . O'Brien , Julian Harney , Ernest Jones , Samuel Kydd , Thomas Cooper , and Robert I Blond , be invited to attend the said meeting .
The Committee then adjouruod to Wednesday even ing , January 28 th . James Guassby , Secretary , pro tern . 90 , Regent Street , Lambeth
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Metropolitan Delegate Meeting . —At tho Finsbmy Literary Institution on Sunday Afternoon—Mr . 6 . Farrer m tho ohair—Mr . F . Farrer presented a set of account books to the Council , which were received , and a vote of thanka given to the donor . The sub-committee , in making then- roport relative to tho public mooting , stated that a policeman had interfered with tho parties who wero posting thoir bills , and informed them that ho was not only jiuthorized , but positively ordered , to pull down all bills ' containing the names of Chartist speakers , or , which called meetings at places to which they resorted , and that if they persisted in posting the bills he would take thorn into custody . Muoh indignation -was expressed at this unwarrantable interference ; and on tho motion of Messrs . 3 one 3 and Know'Ies , a letter , enclosing the bill , was sent to the Commissioners of Police , domjindinc whether the oflicer had
received such orders , and complaining of his conduct , and if he was acting on his own responsibility . The letter was ordered to be signed by the whole of the Council . Resolutions to be adopted by the public meeting wero , after considerable discussion , agreed to , and tho Council adjourned . Finsbury LiTKKAnT Institution . — Mr . Wheeler lectured here on Sunday evening . Subject : " WagesSlavery . " The lecturer showed , from facts and varied statistical evidence , that British artizans were enduring the very worst descri ption of physical slavery , and that no system of political reform -which did not result in their working for their own profit instead of the profit of others would ever remedy the evils under which they were labouring . Mr . F . Curzon ably illustrated the present degradation of the masses , but regretted that this slavery was in too many instances more the result of the vices and passions of the people than the fault of the government . Mr . Bezel traced the evils to class-legislation , which . could only support itself by
pandering to the immoralities of the people . It was comparatively useless to rail against tho effects ; they must strike at the root , if they wished to eradicate the evil . Mr . Wheeler replied at considerable length to the remarks of Mr . Curzon , and announcod that the long pending discussion between himself , Mr . Bezer , and the Messrs . Nichol-Bon , on the subject of " Chartist Policy , " would come off in that Hall on tho ensuing Sunday evening . Finsbury Locality . —ThiB locality held its usual weekly meeting in the hall of the Literary Institution , on Sunday last . Mr . Winmill in the chair . Mr . Fennell moved that the secretary inquire of Mr . Grassby , whether the Exeeu < tivo intend to issue cards for the ensuing year . Mr , Loornes moyod that the sum of 2 s . bo sent to tho fund of the Executive ; seconded by Mr . Batohelor . Mr . Jordan moved , that Mr . T . M . Wheeler be nominated as candidate for the Executive , that gentleman stating that he would sit if reelected . The motion was seconded by Mr . Weedon . Tho following address was then moved » nd adopted : —
Brother ChautisT 9 . —In a few days Parliament will assemble , when Ltrd John Russell will introduce his measure of Reform ; and we shall be enabled to judge what lie considers a ' full , free , and fair representation of the people . ' Whether that measure be an eight pound or a five pound rating is totally indifferent to uq , since we cannot consistently be satisfied with anything short of the People ' s Charter . We have stood together , Brothers , through the storm and tempest , when the thunderbolts of persecution were launched at our heads ; we have stood firm , and upheld our organisation , and shull we abandon it in the still calm which now pervades the political world , perhaps a precursor of a storm more terrible than tbat of 1648 !
Were we united togethor , no minister would dare to turn a deaf ear to our demands , based as they are on eternal right ; disunited , lie can afford to laugh scornfully at our puny attempts . It is useless to disguise the fact , that the National Charter Association has , at present , no claim to be considered a National Association . The late election for the Executive proves this . Nine hundred men , however honest and patriotic they may be , are not a majority of the working classes ; but these nine hundred may , by exerting themselves manfully , speedily make the Association worthy to be called a National one . Where are you , mon of 1848 , who ranged in thousands under the . Chnrtist ensign , aud swore to achieve the liberty of your country ? Were these idle words , meant only to be spoken , cheered , and forgotten , or did you mean to act up to your professions ? If they are not a ' mockery , a delusion , nnd a snare , ' redeem your vows , and place Chartism in the ascendant once more . Democracy , crushed in continental Europe , looks hopefully and imploringly to us ; may we know our mission and our duty : anci , knowing , dare to perform them . Elect men to fill the vacancies , in the Executive who are men of business , and those who will work hard to resuscitate the movement .
Brethren , Farewell . Read , study , discuss , and act , and Chartism is itself again , —Moved by Mr . Alfred Fennell , and secouded by Mr . Weedon .
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MONIES RECEIVED Fob thk Week Ending Thursday , Jahuauy 22-nd , 1852 . NATIONAL CHARTER FUND . Received by James Gbabsbt . —Ipswich , per J . Cook 10 s—E . Truelove , John-street , Is-A Young Red , Stepney ls-Glasgow , per J . Latiiner 8 s . —Total £ 1 .
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Thk Galk op Wednesday Nioiit . —In the south of Englnnd it blew almost a hurricane on Wednesday ui » ht . In coBsequencs of the severity of the weather the outward Chan nel Islands' mail-packet which left Southampton o » Weuuesday midnight , was obilged to bring up in the Solent , ana themail from the Channel Islands , which should have reaohed he General Post-office at four a . m . on Thursday morning , did not arrive before midday . . . r nwai ,-. _ Extraordinary l ' nBNo « KNON . -On Wednesday forenoon a most extraordinary eircumstanco happened at a nshing station on the Tav , a little below Enrol . Several parties were in the habit of throwing a not in to the river for the special purpose of capturing the small fish commonly known as " Sperlings . " Instead , however , of the fry they were watitw in their first haul they brought ashore their net
loaded with full-grown herrings . A second shot was attended with , if possible , a larper capture . Such was the haul that it was feared the net would go to pieces . A third shot was made , but we did not hear of the reault , but we are apt to suppose it was little behind the amount of the preceding , if the inference oan bs drawn from the circumstance that tho spoil were called at a penny for fifteen in Errol throughout the day . The unwonted oircumstance of herrings being found so far up the Tay can only be accounted for on the supposition that they were pursued \> j aome u » rin « foe . —FerA Coamt . Fsks in this Common Law Courts . —From the report of the Common Law Commissioners it appears that the fees on an undefended aotion amount to about £ 41 » . 6 d ., including a fee of 2 s . to the " Chief Baron ' s coachman . Toe commissioners recommend a revision of the fees .
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TIIE AMALGAMATED SOCIETI OF ENGINEERS . LORD CRAXWORTfl ' S OFINIOS OF THE QUESTIONS AT ISSUE . Lord Ashburton has caused the publication of the annexed important letter from Lord Cranworth as to the differences between the masters and men . It appears that the Operative Engineers requested Lord Ashburton to act as an arbitrator between them and their employers , in consequence of which he consulted Lord Cranwortb , whom the operatives wished to place at the head of the council of arbitration . The result will be shown by a perusal of Lord Cranworth ' a letter , which is as follows : — " 40 , Upper Brook-street , Jan . 10 . " Dear Lord Ashburton —Since I saw your lordship this morning I have been thinking more and more of the unfortunate matter to which our conversation referred . I confess it is one which gives me great pain , and tho more so because I cannot but come to the conclusion that the men are in the wrong . The masters have greater wealth , and perhaps , therefore , greater instruction , if not greater intelllgeiiceon their side . I ^ Jsh , therefore , not unnaturally , that in talking over the matter with you I could take the F art «* the weaker body ; but I really cannot . The points on which the men insist are , first and mainly that the masters employ unskilled labourers , i . e ., labourers who-are conteut to accept low wages , to do a part of the work heretofore done by skilled , i . e ., by comparatively expensive labourers ; and , secondly , that they get a portion of their work done by contract with persons who perform their part of tie contract by employing the workmen to do b y piece or task work what they have contracted to get done ; and , lastly , the m ^ n insist that , unless on occasions of special emergency , the masters ought not to get work done by employing workmen overtime , i . e ., at hours beyond the ordiunry hours of work .
" ^ ow I confess that , on all these points , I think the men are entirely in the wrong . ' The masters ought , surely , to be at liberty to employ whomsoever they may piease for each and every portion of the work . If it is work only to be done well by skilled workmen , they must employ skilled workmen , and unless they do so the work will be badly done , and the masters wUl be the sufferers . If it is not work requiring skilled workmen , on what possible principle can the masters be called on to employ them ? The master ought to bs at liberty to employ whom he may choose . Of course the workman most equally he left at liberty to accept the terms offered by the master and work , or to reject those terms and abstain from working . Both parties ought to be left at perfect liberty to do what they think most for their own interest . So as to piecework and work overtime all the relations between employer and employed are or ought to be those of contract between two perfectly free agent ? . The matter may propose whatever terms he chooses ; the workmen may accept or reject those terms . In ? uch a state of things , when there are no combinations on either side , the result must eventually be fair and just to both sidea . If the master proposes what is harsh and unreasonable he will get no workmen to work for him . If , on the other hand , a workman insists on terms which fetter the master the master will not eive employment , and the workman will he unemployed . " The misfortune is , that iu these disputes between those who work aud those who employ workmen things never are left to take their natural course t e ., tho course they would take if each dispute wa 3 merely an individual dispute . Both sides avail themselves of the privilege which the law gives them of combining . I believe the law haB done wisely in allowing these combinations . It is never politic to prohibit by law that which certainl y will exUt whether tolerated or not . But the misfortune is , that in the game ( so to say ) of combination , the workmen eventually fail . They begin with the most honest intentions . They have not the least nqtion of putting into operation against their employers , or against any of their own body , anything like physital force . They think the justice , or that which they consider to be the justice , of their cause will , by its moral influence , operate on the minds of tie workmen and drive the masters to accede to the proposed terms . But the truth is , that in all such combinations the masters bave an immense advantage over the men . The worst that can happen to them is , that capital is for a season unproductive . The reason for their jnsisting on perfect freedom on the disputed points is , that * ney thmk that without such freedom they could not make tweir capital adequately productive ; and bo they are content to _ « et it be altogether fruitless for a time , in the hope ef a prigftter future . There is no chance of any violation of tnola ^ r on their part , and they are therefore content to
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The following communication from Viscount Goderich , in reference to the above letter , was received at a late hour on Saturday night , by the secretary to the Amalgamated Society : — 7 , Old-square , Lincoln ' s-inn , Jan . 17 , 1852 . " Gentlemen , —Lord Cran worth ' s letter to Lord Ashburton , published in this day ' s ' Times , ' may do your cause some harm , as it is grounded on a misapprehension of the facts of the case . " As we were the persons whom you trusted to lay the question of arbitration before Lords Ashburton and Cranworth , it was our duty to take care that they understood clearly the points at issue , and what you really ' did ask . " Now , Lord Cranworth says , * the men insist that the masters shall not employ unskilled labourers . ' We can only say that when we made the application to Lord Ashburton , we knew perfectly well that you made no such demand as this . " Again—we know perfectly well that you did not ask for a law compelling masters and men to submit to any arbitration whatsoever . What you did ask for was the formation of such a board as exists in France under the title of 1 Conseil de Prud ' hommes , ' to which any master and men who chose to submit voluntarily to its jurisdiction , and bind themselves to abide b y its decisious , can refer all disputes between them ; and you told us you felt sure that all masters and men who wished for fair play and nothing more would be glad to submit voluntarily to such a tribunal as this . " As your case , through our means , has been put on false merits before the public , we think that you are entitled to this statement from bs , and shall leave it with you to make what use you please of it . " Yours , faithfully , " GOBBMCH , "Thomas Huohes , " A . Vaxsittart . " To tho Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers . "
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London . —Large as the number is of the men thrown out of employment by this dispute , it would appear from the records of the Executive Council of the- Amalgamated Society of Engineers , that they are not so numerous as was at first anticipated . Many of them have succeeded in obtaining employment either in the shops of some small employers who have not joined the master ' s movement , or in jobs which they have executed on their own account . This has had the effect of considerably reducing the number of men who would otherwise have declared on the funds of the Society for support . Several men who have been turned out procured employment on their own account , and the hands of a large firm ia Southwark have subscribed among themselves , and opened premises suitable for carrying on a large trade , which they declare they will obtain .
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On Sunday night a crowded meeting of workmen connected with the iron trades took place at the Phoenix Tavern , Stepney , the object being mainly to hear a report from Mr . Newton upon the state of the movement in Lancashire , from which county he had just returned . Mr . Newton , who was loudly cheered on rising to address the meeting , commenced by describing the favourable reception with which he had been met at the different meetings which he had attended , and at which a desire had been unanimously expressed to support the position assumed by the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society . He had visited Bury , Oldham , and Manchester ; and everywhere the same feeling had prevailed—a most important fact , when it was remembered that those districts comprised between 3 , 000 and 4 , 0 liO members out of the 12 , 000 of which the society consisted . ( Hear , hear . ) The all engrossing subject of attention was the co-operative shop in Lancashire , for the purpose of which the Executive Council were in treaty . He had Been the proprietors , and possessed himself of all necessary particulars , and he could assure them that it was one which would be capable of affording employment for 1 , 000 men . ( Hear , hear . ) He would not say that it could employ 1 , 000 men with the present tools , for suoh was not the case . It could now only employ 500 men at one time , but by adopting a system of relays—each set of men working eight hours—the shop might be kept constantly open , and 1 , 500 men might be so employed ; and in that case there were orders now on hand which would find work for three monthB for the whole 1 . 500 men . ( Cheers . ) But more than this was in their favour , as he wa 9 assured by the proprietor that if the present crisis continued , he could without trouble obtain work enough for a twelvemonth . Let tho £ 10 , 000 required by the Executive be voted , and the balance of the amount necessary to complete the purchase and carry on the concern might easily be obtained from men who had expressed themselves favourable to the movement . The work done at the establishment was of a similar nature to that done by Messrs . Hibbert and Platt themselves , and it must not be forgotten that the fathers of some of the members of tbat firm had been mere operatives ; they had started , perhaps , with a capital of not more than £ 1 , 000 , and yet they now employed 1 , 500 men ; the value of their establishment was supposed to be not less than £ 150 , 000 , and their profits had last year been returned to the Income-tax Commissioners as £ 45 , 000 . ( Hear , hear . ) These profits were high , and they came from the labour of the 1 , 500 workmen , and if divided among them would add £ 30 to each man ' s annual income . ( Hear , hear . ) Such a result from such a beginning justified them in being sanguine upon the success of the co-operative system ; for if £ 150 , 000 would yield an annual profit of £ 45 , 000 , and had arisen from a Btnall outlay such as he had intimated in the case of Messrs . Hibbert and Platt , what might they not do by starting with a capital , as they could do , of £ 40 , 000 or £ 50 , 000 , when the men were actuated by the incentive of working for themselves ? ( Hear , hear . ) lie had never in his life seen so much enthusiasm displayed by any body of men as had been displayed by the Manchester men on this subject , and the same spirit had been displayed at a meeting of the Iron Trade which he had attended at Bury on Saturday night . The men there expressed an earnest desire that the Executive Council would push on in this matter without waiting to see what the employers might seem disposed to do ; that in any event the co-operative system should be carried out , so that they might reap the profits tf their own labour . ( Hear , hear . ) As a proof that in those districts a feeling of complete confidence in the executive existed , he would mention that the men of Manchester alone , remaining in work , last night subscribed upwards of £ 200 towards the support of those who had been thrown out —( cheers , )—and that sum would have been much larger but for the fact tnajj several large firms paid wages fortnightly , and last night was not pay night . Aext week , however , those men would pay adouble amount . He hoped the London districts would be animated by the same spirit—that they would raise small sums and form small shops , as they could by that means do more to settle the question than could be done by waiting to be sent for by their employers . ( Hear , bear . ) From the statements of several other speakers it appears that money in support of the strike is flowing in from all quarters .
Co^Petatfo* Intmigeitce.
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LEEDS REDEMPTION SOCIETY . On Sunday evening a lecture was delivered on Co-operation and Competition , and their influence on the National Character , by R , Jones , I would strongly urge on our Co-opevative brothers the imperative necessity of responding to all invitations of a Co-operative character . However feeble now ( remember we are sailing with a flood-tide , ) I shall be glad to receive suggestions or offers of this nature . Remember , friends , we have an eld organisation , commodious premises , and willing friends . All orders for cloth , for us , can be supplied from the Agency .
The following sums have been received this week : Candidates and Members , 3 s . ; per Bloomer , Manchester , 8 s . 9 d ;; per Smith , Nottingham , 8 s . 8 d ; Building Fund , Is , lOd . ; Propagandist Fund , Is . 10 | d . ; Leeds Subscriptions , £ l . 19 s . 9 d . R . Jones , Secretary
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The Working Man ' s Mutual Co-operative Society at Crook have published their fifth quarterly report , boing that for the quarter ending at Christmas , 1851 . Tho report represents the business of the Society aa at length firmly established , after much opposition from enemies and false friends . After paying ten pound per cent , on share money , and five pound per cent , on the amount invested in the bank , and for new fixtures in the shop , £ 3 has been Carried to the contingent fund . To this contingent fund ,
which is a commonfund for the development of association in all its moral and social bearing ^"' the attention of the members is expressly called b y the report . The constitution of the society has been also modified , so as to place tho weaker members more on a footing with the wealthier . The report on the whole is encouraging j we cannot , however , understand why ten pb ' und per cent , is given for share money , and . five per cent , for money in the bank . What is the difference between these two funds ? And would it not be well to equalise tho interest and throw the extra five pound per cent , into tho contingent fund .
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THE STUFF PRESSERS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY . On Saturday last the members resident in Manchester , sat down to an excellent dinner at Mr . J . Fields , the Bull ' s Head Inn , Union-streefc . After doing ample justice to the good things provided , Mr . Charles Auty , jun ., " was called to the chair . The Secretary ( Thomas Ilutton , ) after reading over the accounts of the past year , proposed success to tho Stuff Pressers 'Friendly , Sick , and Burial Societies , which was drunk with great enthusiasm . Amongst others , the chairman gave " Our Friends over the Edge" in Leeds and Bradford . The Secretary , in a few appropriate remarks ,
gave " Messrs . Thorp and Statham , May Peace and PleRty attend them . " He was sure that the parties present would agree with him , that it was not out of mere compliment that he proposed such a toast , knowing as they did , they ( Mossrs . Thorp and Statham ) wero most happy when thoy saw 'that their men were really so ; and he knew that he was speaking the sentiments of those who had been in their employ for more than fourteen years , when he said that the longer he worked for them , the more be respected them . The health of the host was given with musical honours , and the party broke up highly satisfied , after spending a pleasant evening .
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Ja * uauy 34 , 1852 . . - - , •¦; . - ' " " ¦ " . "" . '¦" ¦ . XHlTr'IE ^^ — ¦• - - - ¦'¦ ... ... ¦ ¦ ** ' ct—il ^* w^—^—» r—^^»»^__ _^^_
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 24, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1662/page/5/
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