On this page
- Departments (2)
-
Text (11)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
<&o iaea&wg! ant) g?orr?0$oiti>cnl0.
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAR.
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.
-
-
Transcript
-
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.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
Untitled Article
MARCH OF MACHINERY . OlPOBTAST " SEW INTENTIONS" ON THE ETE OF INTBODTJCTION . jT behoves tie manufaetnrmg operatives te be on a looi-t " * ' Tbey k * ^ kicked about in the j ^ m ost tmniBredfaDy . in conBeqnenee of m&cMnj ^ -nag -partially snperseded their labonr in the fac tion of manufactured fabrics ; and whit they ^ 5 b een forced to submit to and bear , in the shape v hardshi p and suffering from this cause , seems to v . but fa b' f inning of what they -will hsTe to subit te » ° d bear , nnless s rute direction be given to Ag proonciiTe energies of tie people , accompanied v , « iteration in our distributive arrangements .
• This qtresfion of machinery is a puzxier and a ^ -gy It has already worked gome most astonMijjT reT&lnbo ns j changing the whole aspect of -a ^ uty and tbe relative position of entire classes ioirad ^ each other ; and it seems to be destined to work ffwy more - 1 * baffles the efforts of the gjjjgguan ; sets at oonjjhi fixe calculations and lo tions of the Legislator ; renters law abortive ; j-jjgjiifttes custom ; interferes with habit ; and ^^ £ 63 and nnfixts all that is "fettled" and rtible . " I' " t ^ ^ nIlOTator of the age ; the leTefler" "which the ** conBtimtaonalisi" affects to i- ^ the destroyer of institutions ; and the introfoeer of new habits and new feelings amongst all of society Hibjecled to its itflneDce . us
^ ^ irch B pon has been sudden and rapid , re-HijreSj speakin g . It is but as yesterday , when the j jjgle . jpliiniDg wheel stood in the chimnty-nookj jsd iis ^ bsJ hn : n was heaTd ^ ^ 'borne of the lajj ^ Plnj . -inaa . h ishnt as yesttrday when the cardjju- ^ ock occu pied a place by the side of the spinningwhsel ; and the good housewife , aided occasionally by jjgr piK » tM »> prepared the fieecy wool for the m * - . . . , ...,., and ut aside the
25 m jhe sp inning-jenny came p cpnmiij g-TTfceeL Tne muie followed , and snperseded the E pUHflnS-y ^ y * ^ carping-engine came , and the csrfiB R-swk disappei ^ d . These tkree new Te % Araes irerfcd a complbte levolation in the old proees of jrepamsg and spinning wool into warp gad v& isi **** nse of ^ ¦ ffeaTer - 5 ijjl 3 > in the doth finishing departmenl . It is -jritiin lie ffiemory of thousands now existing when B yyau ^ Trasdone by hand , wiih ** handles" and
cards" upon the "nelly "; and when all the cropw 5 g * as cone by hand , with the ** shear" worked by ihe "ut >« " n P ° n ^ e shear-board" . Bnt the ** r&isjj-gig" and ibs ** Ehear-frame" were introduced j jad the " nelly" and tha " snears" soon ** hid their gnashed heads . " The Lewis-machine" followed , jesHBpsioed by the " Perpetnal" ; and then the shear-frame" shared the fate of the " hand-shears . " An enure reTolntion in the mode of finishing was tbnstfected ; and that too in a Tery shorn space of
toe . rWe might describe a similar sort of operation in 2 UBJ o&a "B's&s of indostry , if it were needfnl to Je tetj precise . We might look atihe calico and fustian maver , throwicg the shuttle by hand , iriiiont picking-peg j and then look at the steamloom , working by meats of inanimate power . "We jsyjbteven instance the mechanic himself , chipping sad filing by hand ; and then look at the planing Eathkte and ths self-acting turning lathe , doing Mi work with scarcely aty attendance . Nay , we might instance scores of other cases , and show that comp lete revolutions in the mode of working up raw TnygwtU jaw m&Bnfactnred fabrics and articles of use , hire been effected by means of the introduction cf new and improTed machines .
Bat enongh has been said for our present purpose . It is only our aim to ^»^ 2 np the recollection of paces now Bring la the sereral trades enumerated , a to Khat has been already effected in Ihereay of thangt to / aeons of Machinery . Thepiogres of machinery , however , 1 b not at an t nd . Ths changes that have been effected by its means , are tui as ant-hills compared to mountains , when etmtTssied with the changes that circumstances mrrani us to expect from its future operations . Isdted , the age of inrenuoB and improTement may be said to hare only dawned . The morning has not nenietEetini
32 » worlcng man knows but too well the effbeta vBeh the introducuon of this new machinery , and fla application of the new improrementB , ha ^ e ibacj had upon his lrell-heing and physical confiiion . Prom that knowledge he may infer what fctiSeciBof future improTements and sewinrentiDBS itnD be upon his present deteriorated position , sslesshe eaa by some means or other change his eirenmssances , so that these thing 3 EhaH work to his benefit -instead of his injary : and it is thai he may he nare of what there is in store for him , and thus be induced to work heart and soul to remorehimsel ! fnm under the ierrible load of accnmulated and still accumulating erOs , that we cell him of the &ctB which this article wDl shortly disclose .
It is eurpurposethai the working-man shall be duly forewarned of whatihere isin immediate preparation fe him , that he may be on the look out ; and prepare Inmwlf to meet the circumstances which will shortly OTerUkehim s and which , if they find him unprepuefl , -will in all probability OTerwhelm him in utter eonfnaon and rnin . Ve baie Epoken of entire reTolutions haTing been dkcted in proteEses of mannfacwre by the means of new and improved machinery . ~ We belieTB that a great hraiieh of our present manufacture is doomed
to experience a greater , more sweeping , and moTe entire reTolmioa , than ans Jet efiicted in any branch . We beKere that the present mode of pro docmg woollen cloth , from and up to certain points , is as rare to be entirely snperseded , and done awaj * i& , as it iB certain that the spinning jenny and Bnle hare rapplaated the single-spindled spnming-• hcd . We finnly and sincerely believe that this * ffl shortly be the case ; net from a desire that it ^ ouB be « , bBt from facts and evidences which h ^ e k ? a seen with our own eyes and heard . with OTT OBBeara .
liose fxefa and evidences shall be detailed as fiSflrfaPy and fully as it is possible ; and then the leader can judge for himself , as far as an imperfect relation will enable him to do so . J&Kt people have heard of the " new Felting " ° ces f but very few people know what has been ^ fc * in . relation to it . It ia only some four Jean suee a mode of appl ying the principle to lie aoaufacture of Woollen Cloths was dis-WTiraj . xhB discovery was made by a gentle-?* in Aaerica of the name of Wsiia . He found a to uswer \ fo expectations ; asd he came over . - " ^ Dd to secure to himself the benefit of his ia
* " ^ " « a » this country . A company was formed 7 , anj ^ f ^ Project : and that company have **« * working establishment in Leeds , producing S *** ^ aotifies of cloth hy means of the ma-*****] inteiited by iir . Wxuls . ^^ iBrention succeeded so far , as to demonr *** ^ Poadbility of producing doths at a ^» P rate . The first application of a new as to
^ aple-Cnne applied this manufacture)—fo ^ ed tHsjnost coacluarely . It hrtrue that the ^ o -wij not afl that could be desired , It is true 7 ^ ** ™ defeete and imperfectionB : but the ^™ csti % of the new process was at once estab-« eft tt ^ max of it ^ ction "was wel 1 ****• xntstcn ^^ 1 * ^ P erieBce » s 11 ^ ingenuity would adrraJr * 5 e 5 ufies & ** presented thexoBelves , ^ jT' ^^ efects that were known to exist . eaiutT jr tow "were mown w > exiss . The
^ x ^« fei i »> T ^^ work . difiicalties and fRQZ isto Pondered upon , and plaas and t&vrea . ° Ter 00 Be ^ em have been formed and Trc *^ .- nea * nachbie to perform the process of * eresh ^^ we ^^ « en i ° operation . We * f "la 't = » * ^ ^ "wool , composed of a number J ^^ a the * scribbBng machine , " andmak-2 » wrt of sheet of loose wool , with the fibres diBenli f , ' ^ ktejl ^ aad laid parallel to each other . ¦ bJJT Jai * iani together : but a whiff of wind Kate . ^ toni il ssvmder ' ^ wool > ' lhis ^ we aa p Tj ^ he % een tw - f „
Untitled Article
slightly wetted ; and then submitted to the action of the machine , which ib exceedingl y simple , being mainly composed of two boxes of iron , with their planed surfaces placed parallel to each other , and a slight tremulous , r abbing , round-aboat sort of motion communicated to them by means of the requisite pullies , wheels , and pinions . These boxes are heated by means of steam admifced to their interiors ; and between them wasplaced the wool in the jcondition . we have before described . In one minute and a-half that wool was converted into a piece of tcmllen cloth , ready fsr tbe Milling Stocks ! And it was cloth ! It would bear pnlling , and handling , and washing , and wringing , as Boon as it l » ft the machine . It was a faster and firmer fabrio than anv ** raw-thread" we aver saw .
That the general reader may the more easily comprehend the nature of this new procesB , and judge of the effect which its extensive introduction and use must have upon the class now engaged in the production of woollen cloths , we shall endeavour to describe the several processes that have to be used in the ordinary method ; and show how many . of these processes the new one entirely dispenses with .
We will suppose , then , that a Clothier —( a race of men fast passing away from off the stage of manufacturing and commercial life)—wiBhes to make four Ends of broad-doth , of a middling quality . To do this , he will require aboHt thirteen stones of wool , at 161 bs . to the stone , Before the wool comes to his hands , it has been sorted by the wool-sorter . It has then to be scoured , to rid it of tbe grease and dirt it contains when bought from the grower . When dry , it goes to the willeying-maehi » e which tears it opea , and clears it from extraneous substances that may be mixed with and adhere to the fibres . There is an improved "willey , " which some manufacturers
use , called a Devil . Tha woollen manufacture has its Devil , as well as the cotton manufacture . When willied twice over , it is spread upon the floor ; and Olive or G&llipoli Oil applied to it , by means of a sort of watering-can . The thirteen stones will require 5 | gallons of oil . This application ia necessary ^ or the wool could not te " worked" throagh the remaining processes . When the oil has been applied , the wool is again subjected to the action of tbe willey . Trom this machine it goes to the scribbling machine , which lays the fibres of 4 he wool straight and open , and forms it into a Bort of sheet , or bat . " In this state it hangs loosely together .
The operations hitherto described , are reqnired t be performed for both modes of making cloth , excepting the application of the oil , which is not reqeired for the felting process . In the ordinary process the nexl operation is to submit the scribbled wool to the action of the carding engine , which finishes in : o a sort of loose roll like a rope , technically termed a " carding . " From this machine it goes to the stubbing billy , where all these " cardinss" are pieced together , and spun into a continuous thread of some little firmer texture than the cardings . From the slabber it goes into the hands of
the spinner , who , as the name implies , spins the slubbings into threads for warp and weft . From the spinner , one portion ef it goes to the warping-mill , where it is made into a warp . Then it has to be " sized , " that is , thorongWy wetted in animal size * When dried , it goes to the weaver , who has to ** wind it on" the beam of his loom , and " tye it in ;" that is , each thread has to be tied to another passed through the ** healds , ' and also through the "slay " or " reed . " Then i t has to be woven ; and when it leaves the weaver ' s hands , it is a piece of cloth , in that state of progress known technically by the name
" raw thread . " It is then scoured to rid it of the oil it was neeessary to apply to it , to enable it to " work" up to this Btage . When " scoured" it is called a "scoured thread ; " and while in this state , the little bits of shires , and straws , and cotton or linen threads , or double threads , which have been woven in with it , are picked out , by means of a pair of barling-irons , made something like a pair of tweezera ; only that the burling-irons are pointed . This operation is called " burling . " It is now ready for the fuller , " or "miller . " The cloth 1 b submitted to the action of a machine , called the " fulling stocks . " There i s a sort of box , into which the piece of cloth is put , and a certain quantity of liquid soap iB
"lecked on" to it . Then two pieces of heavy wood are alternately raised by the machinery connected with the stocke , and let fall upon the oloth in the box . This process ** fulls" or mills-up" the cloth ; altering or changing the character of the textore altogether . Indeed , this milling is nothing more nor less than a felting process . The fibres of the wool are interlaced tbe one amongst and in the other ; so that that which was an open woven texture is . now a closerand firm felted fabric . This process causes the peice to " run up , " as it is termed : that is , it becomes narrower ^ and shorter . Whf n it leaves the loom , a "Broad" is twelve quartern or three -yards wide ; when milled or fulled , it is only some fifty-eight inches wide .
The cloth , when " tentered , " is ready for the hands of the " Finisher " . Now let as see the expence of this process , as near as we can in time and labour , from the moment it leaves the scribbling machine to the time it is ready forthefHllrt . The carding and slnbbing , then , wi 1 oeenpy some two-and-half d * ys ; and will employ one " carder " ( an infant ) , who % l fills " the carding engine . There are three ** piecenera iinfants of course ) connected with the Blubbing billy ; and one man to
work the machine . He is called a slabber . Tae carder will be paid a shilling a day ; the ** pieceners " ei ^ ht-penCe a day each ; and the slubber will earn four-and-sixpence if he be a workman . ( He ia paid by the weight of wool he Blubs . ) The spinning will ocenpy about two days . Tnis process employs also two ** pieeeners" and the spinner . Of course the ** pieceners" are children ; and they will earn about eleven pence a-day each , and the spinner about lourand-sixpence a day ; for he too is paid by the WtighW "
The time required for warping depends upon circumstances ; but the expense will be from a shillinu to eighteen" peDce a warp . The " siang" and " beaming" and ** tying-in , " are paid for in the price of the weaving : and to perform these several operations , will take the weaver better than fonr weeks ; and he will earn about 153 . per week . Ths scouring will perhaps cost Borne eighteen pence an ** End , " and will employ a man some half-a-day . These different processes , then , will take some five-and-a-half weeks to perfect ; and the cost in labour will be about £ 5 . hs .
To this must be added the cost of the oil , which is necessary in the one process , and entirely dispeEsed with in the other . Galiipoli Oil i 3 4 j . 6 d . per gallon . Five-aud-half gallons are needed ; so the total cost of tbe old process , in labour and oil , wi ll be about £ 6 19 s .
THE FELT 1 KG MaCHIKB . Kow for the New Process . The sheet of wool is taken from the scribbling machine , withont oil , and senl at once' to the Felting Machine" where in two minates it is converted into cloth ready for the Fuller 1 Not the entire fonr * *¦ End 3 " sertainiy ; but as mueh as can be submitted t « the action of the Machine at ence ; wh . ch is about two yards . Two yards , then , can be made in two minutes ; without , the intervention of carder'" piewners , " slubber , " M spinner , " " warper , " " sising-boiler , " " sizer , " " weaver , " or rf soonrer . " Two yards in two minutes is a yard a-minute ; or 60 yards per hoar . Bat say it only does half this quantity ; or 30 j-ards per hoar : it does this with the attendance of one man and a boy 1
Thirty yards per hour , at ten hours per day , is 310 yards a-day !! But say the machine can only produce Aay , even , ofthi 3 quantity . Even then it would produce at the rate of more than one hu . vdbkd and fifty tabds a dat ! Here is a revolution 3 Here is an u improved" process I Here is a monstrous addition to our producing means !
Untitled Article
And what will be the cost of labonr in attending upon this new m&obine , while it produces more than three " Ends" of cloth a * day f One man and a yonth will be all , if not more , than the machine will require .. Say the man is paid five shillings per day and the youth two and sixpence , making the cost of attendance but seven and sixpence per day . Let the * carder , the piecener the slubber , the spinner , the warper , and the weaver look ont J What is to b 8-come of them ! 1 What are they to do ? O ! " turn
to the new means of employment" ! Bah ! If every man and child now engaged in the several old processes , " betake themselveB " to tb . 8 working of the new maehines , why we should be obliged to " stack " woollen cloths in the open air for want of warehouse room 1 and where the deuce ia a market to be found for them when produced , seeing that even with our present means of production , every market in the world is glutted with our manufactures ? !
But we have not yet seen the whole of the revolution which this new process is SURE TO EFFECT . Look at the number of machines it will supersede . There will be no use for the carding engine , the alubbing-billy , the spinning-mule , the warping-mill , or the loom , either hand-loom or steam-loom . These all cost money ; and themaking and repairing of them employ many "hands . " The cost of them will be saved in the production of cloths ; and the expense of the room they occupy in the millB , and the power to work them , will be saved also ! Why here , in these particulars alone , is a revolution in itself . *
The expence of the new machine will be very trifling , comparatively speaking . The space it will occupy , and the power to work it , will also be but inconsiderable . The cloth , as it 1 b manufactured , wi ll go at once from the maobine into the fullingmill , which is to be placed juat by its side . As fast as it iB made it is fulled , and ready for the hands of the finisher 2 Tell us not that this machine will not succeed ! This was the cry when the idea of employing steam as a motive power . was first started , Thid was the cry when the spinning jenny was first announced . Tnis was the cry when the power-loom was introduced . This was the cry when the Bhear-frame first raised itB head . And
this has been the cry upon tbe introduction of every new invention and " improvement . " Aye , and this cry , too , has been fostored and encouraged amongst the labouring men by their employers : beoausc it disarmed opposition to the introduction and use efthe machines 1 Not succeed , indeed ! The very day we saw this new machine at work , we saw a great-coat on the back of an American gentleman of some celebrity , made of cloth manufactured by tha process discovert d by Mr . Wells . This coat the gentleman had worn for three years . He travels incessantly . The coat had been put to hard service . It scarcely looked any the worse for wear . It certainly was not threadbare ! Not a stitch had given way . There are many more years wear in that same coat .
Not succeed , indeed ! That same American gentleman told us that he had a dress-coat , made of superfine blue cloth manufactured by the same process ; and he declared he had never been able to proenre a coat of cloth manufactured in the old manner , that wore anything near so well , or preserved anything like so good a face . And these cloths were manufactured by the first discovered process \ We believe the new machine to be calculated to produce clothB of a much more satisfactory character .
The process is sure to succeed ! Only look ! oloth by it can be produced at a less cose than the cost of the oil necessary to be used in the old method ! to say nothing of the amount of time , and labour , and expensive machines , with which it entirely dispenses . Its success ib certain ! We would implore of the labouring people not to hug themselves up in fancied seenrity , uttering the senseless jargon of " it cannot be done "i They will find to their cost that it can be done , and will be done ; and we wish them to be prepared for their altered position . Bat this Felting Machine is not the only new invention on the eve of introduction into active use . Ou the same day that we saw that machine in operation as above described , we also saw a new
BRICK MAKING UaCHINS which will work a complete revolution in that department . A description of the arrangement , and a statement of the effectB the inventor stateB it iB calculated to produce , will enable the publio to judge how far this opinion is warranted b y the facts of the case . We cannot better describe the form of the machine than to request the reader to suppose that he sees before him an immense coffee mill , with two hoppers attached to it ; the one placed over the other ; and that the necessary motion is communicated to the machine by a shaft which passeB over and across the upper hopper .
The clay is wheeled into this uppermost hopper , o « t of which it passes between two rollers , which crush it and makes it adhere together , into the lower hopper , down the centre of which a shaft revolves , to which are affixed a quantity of cutters , which woik the clay throughly , and make it ready for the moulds . As it is thus prepared , it is forced out at the bottom of the hopper , in lumps , ready for the moulds , which are affixed round the circumference of two large rollers or drums , and which revolve in opposite directions , and respectively press the clay into the moulds with a very heavy
compression . A boy stands at eaoh side of the machine , to take the moulded bricks as they are delivered from the revolving cylinders , and lay them upon barrows to be taken to tho dryingground , and prepared for , the kiln . This preparation does not take as much time as in the ordinary mode ; for the clay can be worked with much less water . The less , the better ; and if warm water , or water from the condenser of a steam-engine can be used , the drying process occupies very little time indeed . This machine will require fourhorse power to work it : and , at the very least ,
12 , 000 bricks can be moulded by it in one day ; in many cases , more could be produced . The expence of laboar with the machine will be 2 s . 8 d . per 1000 ; while the present expenoe is la . 6 d . per 1000 . In the ordinary mode of making bricks , the clay must be dug , and allowed to lay for some six months , before it can be used . With the machine it is best when used as soon as it is dug . Tae brick made by the machine is much superior to the one made by haud . Tne heavy pressure to which it is snbjected ,
makes it closer in grain ; more compact . A brick made by the machine will weigh from two to three pounds heavier than one made from the same clay by ha . d ; and the advantage derived from this on the score of durabiRly and resistance to wet and damp is immense . A common ordinary brick will absorb some two or three pounds of water ; the compressed brick will absorb very little . The face of the machine-ma-de brick is much finer than the face of the hand-made brick .
Oae of these Machines has been ordered by the Government , for the purpose of moulding an artificial fuel , which ia made by the convicts at Gosport , for the ass of the Government Steamers . It is made of small toal , tar , and some other substances ; boiled together , and then made into blocks , like bricks . This , too , is an " Improvement . " Three tons of it will go as far as fomtonB of coal ; and it can be afforded for 23 s . a ton ; about the price of coal at Portsmouth .
In addition , to this" monster machine " , the inventor has anoiher to be worked by hand . With the handmachine two youths and two hoys trill mould 4 , 600 bricks a-day : two to work the machine , and two to carry them off as soon as they are moulded . One great advantage attending this machine is , that the brick is ready for the kiln a 3 soon as it leaves the hands of the moulder . Each brick has four tone of pressure applied to it ; and tins makes it bo compact , and drives out the moisture so effectually that it is ready for the fire immediately . With this
Untitled Article
machine , too , tiles for draining can be made , by itB means , better than it is possible to make them by hand ; and in ; quantitie 3 quite equal to the superiority , the n \ moaater machina" possesses over the haud-prooesa in the making of bricks . Draining tiles , too , of a certain and useful shape can be made by the great machine . Here , then , is another "improvement" which will have its effect upoa a pretty numerous class of labouring men ; for : it also is sure to be suocessfully introduced . Indeed , it ia already at work in several places .
But these machines are not all . On the same day we saw another , which will have some eiffeot upon tbe bakers employed in biacuit-makipg . A machine has been made , and is now in operation , which will reduce their work to a baro attendance upoa the oven , and mixing of the dough . The
BISCUIT-MAKING MACHINE performs the labo r of rolling out the paste , and stamping out the c kes . The dough ia pat iu at the upper end of the machine , where it passes between two rollers which compress it to the required thickness ; and the sheet of thin paste then travels beneath two stampers , which are continually rising and faling , cutting oat twocakes ateachfalljthesecakespass awsy ( on the rising of the stamper ) by means of an endless cloth , to the boy who takes them at the low end of the machine as they are delivered , and places them upon the oven plates ready for baking . By means of this machine four stones of biscuits can be made in ten minutes I Let tba Bakers look out 5 While engaged in penning this article the Post brought as a oemmauication from our Manchester
Correspondent , whioh details some most important facts bearing on tho very question we are discussing From it we give the following : — " Improvement is still going on in this town and neighbourhood . In one of tbe largest mills in the neighbourhood of Great Ancoata , the number of hands employed have been reduced to less than one-half witbin tbe hut ten years ; and yet , at tbe eame time , there are more goods made in the establishment than there ever were at any former period t The wages of tbe few that are employed at pr-aeat , have , during the same time , been reduced nearly ONE third ! At the time we write this , tbe mechanics are fixing up in the same
mill a number of new frames , by tbe use of which six out of every ten sow employed will be threwn out of employment ! These frames are expected to be in operation at the beginning of next week . In another mill in the snme neighbourhood , they are putting up frames whereby the whole of Hie STRETCHERS will be dispensed with ! The wages of the Stretcher would average about £ l 12 a . p r week ; but with these new frames tbe same amount of work will be d » ne by a young woman for about nine shillings , or nino-and-B ixpeacel Knowing the above to be facts , we would be much obliged to the advocates for & Repeal of tbe Corn Laws , who are
constantly bawling that " a Repeal would Jtnd employment for all those that are at Vie pi * - senl time walking the streets unemployed , to show ua how a Repeal will operate so as to reinstate tbe Stretcher in his employment , and give him bis thirty-two shillings a-weekagaiD 1 The master mauufactuiers say that they cannot compete with the continental manufacturer even now , that they ore getting abuut the same amount of work done by a female for less ifaan one-third of the money recently paid 1 There is another knetty point we could also like them to loose . It is this . They are continually ringing in our ears that " when bread is cheap work , is plentiful , and wages high . ' And when
asked to give us something like a proof of their statament that alow price of food raises wages : — " Oq , " say they , '' Look back to tbe years 1835-6 ; food was cheap then ; and the consequence was that all were employed , and wagea advanced . Now , if this be a criterion to goby , we would call tbe attention of these gentlemen to one or two facts that cannot be denied . In 1843 bread is as cheap" as it was in 1835—6 . But have wages advanced ? Not a bib of it 1 Tirade has increased . Is employment more plentiful 1 No | On tbe contrary , in the town of Manchester alone there are at the present time 20 , 000 persons out of employment ! And instead of wages advancing , the following will show that a low price of bread is rot a raiser of wages .
The hand-loom weavers in the quilting department were , last week only , reduced one shilling in seven , * r nearly fifteen per cent ! The Dyers h » ve bad , very recently , to submit to a redaction of 25 per cent ; and they are now bid to prepare for a fwlhe > reduction of fifteen per cent . At the present there is not one-half of th « usual number of bands employed ia many dyeing establishments . The same rule of reductions in wages and number holds good in almoBt all the foundries and machine shops in Manchester . We should be much obliged to the Corn Law Bepealera to make tfaese factt b » rmoi ); zd with the doctrines they have been ; in the habit of spouting to the people . "
Ought not the operatives to be on the look out 1 ! Yes ! and ought they not to be preparing to meet the additional evils evidently coming upon them ! 1 They may ask " what are we to do 1 " We answer " g et upoh the LAND 5 " A wis » application of the physical energies of tbe worker to the cultivation of the productive energies of the soil is the only means of escape out of the trouble , misery and want which the progress of machinery : hitherto has produced ; and , from the tenfold amount of both which its future progress bids fair to bring in its train , if the present system bo maintained . How on earth is it possible to give benefic » al and permanent employment to the labourer , but by the means here pointed out \
THE LAND is the only remedy for the evils with whioh we are afflicted ; and the only escape from the evils with whioh we are threatened . To get upon thb land should therefore be the object of the displaced and superseded labourer . To secure a wise application of the soil , the only remedial measure worth attention , should be the aim of every man who loves his kind and his country . By a proper combination on tub land , all
" improvements" may be made to work to the ad vantage of all the producers and consu mors of wealth ; This general advantage will be secured , whenever we have sense enough to cause machinery to bb worked FOR thb people , inhtoad of being worked against them . Then , every " improvement" will be an additional blessing . Then , eveiy new invention will be hailed with delight , instead of being dreaded as a bitter curse f
The first step to enable us to attain this desirable object , is the obtaiomeiit of the soil , whereon to employ the unemployed people . That step gained , aU the rest will follow ; lor the March op Machjnert itself will drive us on , whether we be inclined to go or cot ! Let the cry , then , be : " the Land ! the Land ! the Land < " The Land is the only possible means of Salvation ! !
Untitled Article
Mb . Wm , Dixon would be obliged to Mr . P . M . Brophy if he would , correspond with him as soon as possible . Air . Brophy ' s children have come from Dublin , and are now with Mr . Dixon ; and , as neither he nor they know where to write to him , they hope he will see this , and write directly . They have been in Manchester since the 2 nd inst . Mr . Con Mitiirat wishes us ta stale , for the information of Ai > friends , that he will be in Campsic on Monday next , in Glasgow on Tuesday , and the Vale of Lev en on Wednesday . Csarj . es Taylor . —No .
C . XE 1 X .. — HU very excelle it letter is received . He may rely on sur keeping prominent the subject matter of it , in such way as our best judgment shall dictate . Erratum . —In the letter of Mr . Thomas Davies , inserted in our last , Mr . Neexom ' s name was printed instead oj that of Mr . Hemmings . Ann Yates , Shelton . —Mr . Hill ' s books are pub lishedby Mr . John Cleave , 1 , Shoe lane . Fleetstreet , and may be had through any bookseller . Ja ) ABS Hkaton . Clitheroe . —His request is complied triih . There is no expence attendant on it , as the ¦ letter was not in type . John Copp , Bristol , says the Bristol Chartists are very anxious to see Mr . O'Connor . Robert Allen , Epinbu . gh . —His letter is received . Ht hat 0 ur thanks [ for his honest expression of opinion . He may rely on our continuing to go
on , striving to merit the approbation of good men and reckless , as fearless , of the rage of bad ones . NoHCE . —All communicationsfor Mrs . Roberts ' * Committee in future must be addressed to Mr . John Neichcuse , secretary ^ No . 11 Court , Upper Tower-street , Birmingham . Vebiias . —His letter is received . Thanks for his friendly information . Nothing is more necessary , undfor the very reason he assigns , than that we should know all these little things . John Brown , Sunderland . — We have received several communications on both sides . We shall fiive none of them . Sheffield Chartists Fig-tree lane , trntsl excuse * s : we cannot insert their resolutions on the Executive The Northern S-. ar has done with the mailer . Tht same answer must be taken by several other parties . Richard Ramsdin . —Hi ' s letter is forwarded .
Untitled Article
C . J . Smith . — We have no room for his comments though we may tnahe some use of them hereafter . : John Durham . —Mr . Roberts , solicitor , of Bath , will do . D . Swallow . —All pass-words and secret signs arc illegal . \ Larry Toolk . —Thanks for his letter . They are not likely to get O'Connor till afier the tiiul . S . J ., Bristol . —Thanks .
Bath . —The Bath Chartists write to correct an error in our Paper of the 28 th . It I was there stated that Bath had given assent \ to Mr . Cooper ' s plan of organization . Such was not ths case ' The Wh clause was objected to . They recommend to the notice of the Chartist world Napier ' s pamphlet on the Corn Laws \ John Brown , Carlisle . — We cannot interfere . R . T . Morrison . —Nexl week . Charles Clubehay , Holbeck— The money is received , and the advertisement !
J . D . L . —So much depends on the precise local circumstances , which can only be known by actual observance , that we can give no opinion . Our friend must be guided by his own judgment P . OHiggiws — His letter is very long . We can often jind room for a short one ; when a very long one is necessarily shut out . We will try \ ntxt week . B . FirxoN , Middleton . —He is guile mistaken . We had no purpose in the mailer ; nor have we had a syllable ofinformation en it . save his own letter . We very often use those adhesive labels , and were quite ignorant of the contents of the one in question till informed by his letter . We doubt not that he will admit the sentiment to be a just one ; and we trust he will now see that we had no purpose to affront him . F . K . S . — We shall reserve his ouinmunicatton and make use of it some day in en article respecting lhn futility of the sort of conduct and reasoning he describes . Philantropl's , Sussex . —Perhaps next week .
Bernard M'Cartney . —Yes . W . 8 . and J . H-, Belfast—The Plates ot Buncombe were delivered to Mr . Cleave in September last , at the same time as those of the Petition . Toey were to be sent to Mr . M . Clnrke . to be enclosed to Mr . Henderson ; and th ! s is all that ia known about them at the Office , except theirinon-amval at Mr . Henderson's . T , Smith , Plvhouxh —The letter received here on the 9 th was not post paid .
Untitled Article
FOR THE NATIONAL DEFENCE FPND . : £ s . d . Prom M . A . Biddlesden , Morley ... ... 050 „ a friend near Wakefltld ... ... e 7 10 ^ „ Countesthorpe , near Leicester , proceeds of Mr . P Rigby ' s lecture ... 0 2 6 ~ Wm . Thompson , Saltcoats ~ ... 0 0 6 FOR MRS . ELLIS . From Mr . T . Roper , Nottingham ... ... 0 i 3
Untitled Article
SIR , —Will you allow me to lny before yonr readers the following txpoauie of , and comments upon , the report of tbe discussion held at Sunderl ' and , between Mr . Ktrid and myself . I acquit you of any desire to favour either one party or another by the report That it is inserted exactly as you received it , I ( ally believe . Mr . Con . Murray , I helieve , avows himself ; the author of it . How far he has fulfilled his deciared jintention to discharge his duty impartially must be known to all who were present . This I can say , that I know several of the " whole hog brigade" who admit that it contains much that was never spoken at all , and suppresses nhat
was . ; I shall dismiss , as a piece of the '' whole hoc ; rant , ' the heading of the report— " Glorious Defeat of all tho Robber factions . " To ask what is meant by this bombast would be a piece of folly . " The report makes it appear that I , without any just cause , or from some improper motive , refused to make the admission free . The following facts will shew my conduct in its proper light : —About ! 8 o > 9 o ' clock on Sunday evening , having gone out to take a short walk , I was stopped in the streets by two lads , who represented themselves as a deputation from the Brigade , to request that I would make the admission free ,
on which condition the Brigade would jpay one-half the expencea of tbe room , bat not the printing . I replied the deputation were too late , the meeting having to take place the following evening , the ch ; irgs would not be fully known unless other bills were published ; that 1 bad not then an opportunity of consulting my friends —that I could not personally afford to pay the bills and one-balf the otht r expenses myself—that they might also t-ee it would be a physical impossibility to accommodate more than 500 , end therefore , whether it was free or not free , hundreds must of necessity be excluded who perhaps would have come if more accommodation could be afforded . i
In the report of my second speech it is stated that I shewed by my " evasive and shuffling attempts , '' that i waa " writhing under the first speech' of Mr . Kidd . " Now I believe the shoffl'ng aud evasion was all on the other side . Mr . Kidd bad laid it down as abroad rule , apparently without exception , that the majority oueht always to bind the mlnsrity—that by acting in opposition to this rule I j had violated everyiprlnclple of the Charter . In reply I required him to state whether he really meant to contend for this without exceptions , ot if he did admit { exceptions to it , to state distinctly the general character of Buch exceptions . I stated , if be meant the former , I was prepared to prova its absurdity ; if he admitted the latter , J would show that my conduct at tbe j Conference was one of those exceptions in the conduct of a minority which did Cot violate the principles and spirit of democracy , i
My arguments in the second speech are repotted in a bungling and erroneous style , but I do not on that ground accuse Mr . Murray of wilfully [ misrepresenting me . It roust be recollected that he is not a short-band writer , that ; he can only take rougb notes , and has to fill up from memory ; every intelligent person must know , that whh the best intentions , a man may greatly err op such a question , while , when he has strong prejudices a particular way , he is almost « ure te to do so . But I do accuse Mt . Murray , or the reporter , of knowinRly giving an unfair report , by reporting what waa nentir utl&red at alL Matter of this kind will be found
in the second speech of Mr . Kidd , where , replying to my observations ou slavery in America , the whole of the plausible arguments reported between the 6 th and 21 st line of this speech weie never uttered at all . No one reason was given by the speaker for slavery in democratic America , except that it was class legislation that caused it In the same speech Mr . Kidd is reported to have been interrupted hy imy friends , the respectables—this is most unfair . Very few respectable men were present , the bulk of the audience were working men . In the third speech of Mr . Kidd , ! the reporter appears to have divested himself of all regard for truth , for not one word of the portion reported , between the 5 ta and 20 th line , was ever uttered ' by tho speaker . During the course of the whole debate he never uttered a wor'l about the non-insertion of my letter . So much for the reporter ' s impartiality . The reporter bas also forgot to report , that he had no wish to press his censure upon me , ami intimated his midiness to withdraw it if I would withdraw my resolution . This I rejected with scorn , demanding if they , the audience , believed me guilty , that the ; t herald declare it by thi = ir vote . : With respect to tbe number , I may be allowed to observe that all the local papers represent the division to have been equal but one , that one gives it in my favour . I am , Sir , Respectfully , yours , J : Willums .
Untitled Article
THE SCOTCH COLLIERS . TO THB EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . rir Will you have the goodness to a'low Tna spac * in the Star , ( the only p > or man's advocate ) fo the purpose of ¦ xposiug to the indignation of th » v ' r > I country , the base-unfeeling conduct of certain P . a ' us worshipping coal masters in Scotland , than wbicn uothing can be more cruel or antieuriatiari . It uppotira that for some time paat there has been a strike aw ng the colliers of Lanarkshire , and the masters finding ihit neither wheedling or threats , bribes or p . -jmi 3 cs . h id any effect in inducing the men to comply wrth V < sir terms , in fact , finding th « t the colliers stood tir . ir ground like men knowing their rights , and that they were likely to bo defeated in their unholy cruside
against the workman ' s wage , they have now as a «« rnier resort , commenced to torn the poor coliiera oui of their houses , bouselesss and friendless to the cold winds of heaven ! Yes , hundreds of men , women , and ih-1-drsn are now bting turned out to the wide work' at this inclement season of tbe year , in orci r to gr . tify tbe revenge , or the cursed thirst for gold , of a fear black-hearted coal masters ! Truly we are a Christian people ! Ate we not a civil . z ^ d nation ? In foi nier articles which I have s ^ nt to the Star , I nave cha ^ cterised tbe people aa ill-used men , and their enipiov « ra as a set of merciless oppressors ; to show a proof ot t ' < A 8 , beyond my bare assertion , take the fohowing panuriph which I copy verbatim et literatim , from tbe Glas > j MD Chronicle of last week : —
* ' The coll ' . ers of Lanarkshire . —The ejectment of ihe colliers and miners of thiB county from their houses , with the view of bringing them to the terms of tboir employers , goes on vigorously . We are informed tl at on Thursday last , about thirty colliers , with their wives and children , bedding , furniture , &c , were turneU out at a , colliery above Hamilton ; to day a number it .-re will be similarly ejected ; and on Monday and tbe early part of next week , about 250 more . " Really Sir , I can scarcely trust my feelings to tube any comment on this . Tlie idea of turning out whale families from tbeir houses , in the middle oi wiuter , it so repugnant to ones better feelings that it appears more like a dream than sobtt reality , did not tho damning
fact stare ua' in tho face . It will be seen that the aVove paragraph speak a of the coal master's terms . What are those terms ? Those terms are a miserable pittancu vor their labour—not sufficient to keep soul and body together ; not to be allowed to join any society without the masters' consent ; to submit to heavy fines f <> r the moat trivial vfianceu ; and to deal exclusively at the masters' ti-uck-sbops . The men , very properly , I thiufc , resolved not to submit to this tyranny ; hence the resolution to turn them out of their houses . These coaluiaateta ate piofe * sois of Christianity t « o—these avchhyp « crite 8 attend their churches and chapels , aim [ ray to God to forgiva them fcheir bids , as they forgi ? e them that trespass against them 1—O Umpora— O mores ' .
I do bops that the English colliers will stand by ; md support their unfortunate Scottish brethren , and not allow these coal-masters to ride rampant ovur the poor coilte-. s ; indeed , it is a question that affects fcVerj twie , bv cause , Bbould the experinnnt of turning the coihers out of tbeir bouses , succeed in reducing them to tbe masters' terms , there can be no doubt but that masters in other trades Will adopt the same plan in like circumstances . It will be thought by some that these coal masters would feel some remorse of conscience . Not they
indeed ! They could retire to their comfortable bou . cs , after committing these cruel acts , and there sea their well-fed well-clud children , without ' a thought of the poor colliers' children who were txposnl to tbeat < -rra without They could see their wives and children reclining on sofas in warm carpeted rooms , and ki . uw at the same time that the collitrs * wives w ^ re housel « Bs in the bitter frost and snew—huddled together in b ^ me stable , or outhouse , with perhaps a stooe foT tneir pillow 1 But what was tnis to them 1 Had they not a right to do as they liked with their own ?
I intend to return to this subject ; in the meantime , I do trust Ibat this statement of facts wi ( l obtain for tbe houseless colliers the sympathy and support of all who have a heart to feel for other ' s woes . I am , dear sir , Truly yours , William Damells . Lasswade , mar Edinburgh , Feb . 4 , 1843 .
Untitled Article
DREADFUL OCCURRENCE AT LEDBURY . A MOTHER KILLED BY BEH SON . ( From the Hereford Times . ) On Tuesday last an inquest was held in the town of Ledbury , at tbe house of Mr . Ctarfes Roberts , brf > re NichoUa Linwarne , E q , one of the coroners for thia county , and a highly respectable jury , on the budy of E z ibath Webb , aged 79 , who resided in a fur' . ia Homend-streefc , and who died on tbe previous Sarurday , in consequence of blows inflicted upo her by her son , John Webb , a tbatchtr , in a fit of insanity , on tbe night of the 16 th ult
Sarah Taylor , who has been a neighboui of tae deceased between five and six years , deposed that John Webb had been considered 'occasionally deranged for tbe last four years , and at this season of the yt-ar was worse than at other periods . She never knew bim to commit any violence , and he always appeared kind to his mother . When insane be frequently talked a ^ out one Huonab Slater , with whom be bad a love effiur . His sister , Milborou ^ h Webb , is of a melancholy tura , and eceentrto in her habits . On Monday night , the 17 th U : t , witness and her son were called up to go to John Webb . They found bim in tbe garden , undressed , in his shirt , and with , the hand !* of an ttxe in his hand . Her sou Called to him , and he replied , " George Taj lor , I like you very well , but don ' t come near to me , or else I will take your head off . " Directly after tbis be we : t into the house and pcoeeuded up stairs , and immediately rtrtadfnl cries ' and screams were heard . He came
down stairs without tbe stick , and went to tbe fire , and , whilst there , his sister , Miiborcugh Webb , came down and ran out of the house in . btr night dress , and Mood was running from her bead at the time . John Webb ran out after ^ her CTjing «• your eyca , Dame Jukes , I have given you seme , and I give will you more . " [ A person of the name of Jukes lives in Ledbury , who was ver * kind to him ] Three men seized him , and secured him with cords ; witness then went into tbe bouse and found a variety of things oq the fire , which Bhe pulled off , and afterwards called to dtceased to come down as her house would be on fire ; receiving no answer , witness vent up fatairs , and
found deceased cquat in her bed haif-drestsed , with her hand against \ 0 t bead , bleeding ; in reply to a question as to who gave the blows she said , " her unfiutif , ul son " . or " boy . " On the previous nf « ht ( Sunday ) witness bad been called up to go to John Webb ; be appeared much excited and outrageous , and said that people were after bim to murder him , and that Hannah Slater and another wore under bis bed . He was praying , and very much afraid . Whilst witness was there , he . got into bed , and remained quiet , not manifesting any wish to commit violeuco on any one . Witness understood that at times he drank hard .
William Partridge , another neighbour , deposed that he was called to John Webb on the night of the I 6 tit . He saw him in the garden as described by the laat witness . Webb '^ aid to him " William -Partridge , your eyes , you are the worst enemy I have . You stole half a bushel of potatoes of me , and if yon come near I will slat your brainB clean out . " Witness ran away . and Webb followed him a short distance , and then returned intwibe house , and shortly afterwards witness heard the deceased and ber daughter cry " Murder T '
In a few minutes the danghter ran out , aurt witness lifted her over the stile . There was blood on Webb's sirrt , but he ripped the piece oft before ha was secured . A ^ out Christmas , 1841 , he went to cburcb on Sunday , and said he was sent by tbe Lord to preach a sermon on that day . He was evidently riei-anxed at the time . In New Year ' s week , 1842 , wit : tss was asked to watch him , as be was considered is a state of derangement and dangerous . He occasionally drunk to exeess . but witness did not consider him a man out of his mimi .
Caroline , the wife of William Evans , another neighbour , deposed that on the night of tbe 16 th the beard a dreadful noise in deceased ' s house Miicorough Webbcned m murder , " and ber mother cried , *• God bless you , come in . for he ia killing MiHey . " Samuel Purnell , constable , Ledbury , deposed that on tbe morning of tbe 16 th he was sent for to the bouse of dt ceased , where be saw George Webb , who said hit ) bro ' . bcr bad murdered his mother . Witness Baid , " I b'ipti not , " when John Webb said , " O yes , she is dead , and I done it : I came down from London on purpose . *'
William Griffin , Esq ., Eurgeon , Ledbury , deposed that be was sent for to tbe bouse of the deceased about ba . f-past < me o ' clock on the morning of tbe 17 th , and fonud her and her daughter lying in bed covered with blood . There ' was an extensive contused wound on tbe 1 ft side the deceased ' s head , opposite tbe eye , producing a fracture of the skull ; there was also a compound fracture of the lower jaw on the same side j tbe eye was also contused , [ A piece of wood found under the deceased ' s bed was produced , and identified by the witnesses as the one which the unfortunate map was seen to have in his band ]
Such a stick as that produced would cause tbe wounds on the deceased ' s bead . Witness considered deceased ' s life to be in imminent danger . There was blood on the stick . John Webb stated to witness in an incoherent manner , that he bad hit his mother twice and bis sister once be appeared very ranch excited and labouring uudet abberratton of intellect . Witness continued to attend deceased uutil the day ^ of he ? de&tb . Sbe was < jaite sensible until the previous d . ty , but never told witness who gave her the blowsi although , he aeked her several times . The blows on the bead , or either of thi-m . were sufficient ho c . oaa death . D .-wafted was a thin spare woman , and uuriag ths tio » e witness attended ber be saw no other cause cf death excepting the fractures and wounds meutiun&d . The kquiry being clotsd , the Coroner observed apvn the evidence . The Jury , after some consideration , returned a Verdict . —
" That dec ^ asad eama to her de » * b from b ! o * s inflicted by hot son , JoLn Webb , wLikt laboHTii . g « iider mental dtiaigenient . "
≪&O Iaea&Wg! Ant) G?Orr?0$Oiti≫Cnl0.
< &o iaea&wg ! ant ) g ? orr ? 0 $ oiti > cnl 0 .
Untitled Article
TRIAL BY SPECIAL JURY . TO TIIE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAR . SIR , —On Monday last , I received two lists of Special Jurors , who , I am informed , have been selected to try me at the ensuing ass : a ? a . Each list contains the names of forty eight pet-tons , chiefly landed proprietors , with a sprinkling of baronets , bankers , and merchants . How tbe selecting business was managed I don ' t know , but tbe public may judge of it from tbe fact , that several magistrates , who had previously con ? mitted me so Warwick , were on the list , and also some of the parties engaged as witnesses on behalf of the Rev . — AnBty , in the Rugby libel case .
They have done it well . They have taken good care that 1 shant have a shadow of a chance , i They may say " Had you not the privilege of striking off twelve from each list f' Very true . ' But then , { the remaining thirty-six are no better tban tbe twelve struck off , and as Home Tooke remarked , it is like expecting a man to select a sound orange from a basket i full Of rotten
ones . 1 protest against tbe whole lot , and ean see clearly that it is the determination of the Gvvemmtnt to deprive me of the means of a fair triali The offences with which I am charged took place in Birmingham , and in justice to me , the Jury ought "to have been selected from tbis town where the circumstances are best understood . Yours truly ,, George White .
Untitled Article
TO THE EDITOR OF TIIE NORTHERN STAB . 8 lH , —In consequence of the parties who engaged tbe Amphitheatre not being able to pay for the tame , a new arrangement bas been entered into between me und the Chartists here , to the effect that I am to lecture for tbe benefit' of Messrs . West and J-neVa •¦ Defence Funds" on Sunday evening next , at six ] o'clock , in the ¦ ' All Saints Open , " instead of the Amphitheatre . I beg leave most respectfully to iafot \ m you that no meetings were got mp ia Nottingham en the 2 Q : b , nor in Darby on the 22 nd ult ., which are the ? reaoona ef mo making no returns to yon for tbe General Defence . Youre , in the c&use , < Peter Kigby . Leicester , February 8 , 1843 .
JiB .-I hope thsj Chartist * r ends will ctt up as many metiings as lb * y can for me to lecture for bte benefit of the Genfrai Defenco , as Lhe time of dv . fencn is nigh at ha « d . 1 stould Kke to tkul some of ta& boit dibtrieta for the above object .
Untitled Article
THE NORTHERN STAR , 5
To The Editor Op The Northern Star.
TO THE EDITOR OP THE NORTHERN STAR .
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Feb. 11, 1843, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct468/page/5/
-