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The ofalksuch to beset forth inlated to ...
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CRAKTISTANNUAL* CONVENTION. Theift- gate...
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atoOtthtt. Wtntt*, & fcututrt*
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Extensive Robbkby and Attempted Suicide ...
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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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The Ofalksuch To Beset Forth Inlated To ...
THE NORTHERN STAR ApR 1 L > 26 > __ 1845 * " ' ' • " " ' ~ l _"•" _" _- " ¦ '¦ _- _'' " - :: " ¦ _¦¦ - _~ _T ~~ T I l
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_CRAKTISTANNUAL * CONVENTION . Theift- gates assembled atthe Partheiiiuin , St . Mar tin _' s-lane . on Monday morning , April 21 st Mr . P . M'Grath , President of the Executive , was _caUCQ * ° The fcfltoW delegates Banded in their credentials JMr . P . M'Grath , Manchester . "Mr . T . M . Wheeler , London and Camberwell . _jfsl W . Coffay , Westininster . " Mr . J- Goodwin , Marylebone . -Mr . W . Law , Southwark and Lamhetb . Mr . W . Davis , Tower Hamlets . Mr . T . Wehb , Stockport . Mr . Monday , _Northampton . "Mr . 3 . Skews , Cornwall . Mr . J . Hornby , Somers Town . Mr . C . Boyle , WestMding of York . "Mr . F- O'Connor , ditto . Mr . H . Dorman , "Nottinghamshire .
The following places were represented hy letter : — Alexandria ( Scotland ) . This letter expressed views favourable to the Land , a better National Organisation , and a suggestion for raising - £ 25 , 000 , to carry on the Chartist agitation . On the motion of Messrs . O'Connor and Skew *; , theletter was ordered to bo insertedin the -minutes . Dundee , South Lancashire , andXoTwich were also represented by letter . A long discussion took place on the amount to he paid by each delegate attending the Convention . On the motion of Messrs . Cunay and "Webb , it _was-alti ¦ mately resolved : — " That the sum as originally agreed npon by the Executive , be paid by each delegate . " Messrs . Hornby and Skews moved that a door-keeper be appointed . —Carried . Mr . "Rowland was elected to that office .
sTAsanso obdees . On fhe motion of Mr . Doyle , the following was agreed to : — " The members of Convention to assemble at half-past nine o ' clock in the morning , adjourn at one o ' clock for dinner , re-assemble at two o ' clock , and adjourn at halfpast-five o'cloek for the day . " The proposer of a resolution to be allowed ten minutes to open the _discusae-a , each speaker fivemiimtes to speak to the same , and fhe mover , five minutes to reply . Mr . J . Shaw took his seat for the Tower Hamlets .
_jlFXEHXOO-S _SlTT'SG . Mr . M'Grath resumed the chair . Mr . Hornby asked whether any communications had " been -received from ihe Ticriui Fund Committee . _3 £ r . Wheeler said * he had received a communication from their secretary , requesting to know whether their books would be required , so that the whole of their proceedings might undergo review by the present Convention .
DELEGATES' HEPORTS . Mr . Goodwin , _Marvlebone . said Chartism was not in such a flourishing condition as it had been . They were in favour of a number of good lecturers , and the Land plan , separate and distinct from the Chartist Association . Mr . Cuffay , Westminster , said the body he represented was going on well , and would stand by the Charter to the last . Mr . Law , Southwark and Lambeth , said ihe district he represented was in a state very similar to that of the Ofher metropolitan districts . Mr . Davis , Tower Hamlets , said ihe principle was wider spread in his district than ever . They now rented a pnblic hall , which was weU attended . He had instructions relative to the Land question , which he should withhold for the present _.
Mr . Tfelm , Stockport , said Stockport was , to all intents and purposes , Mr , Cobden ' s "borough . They were in favour Ofthe land scheme registration . Mr . Munday , "Northampton , said Chartism was on the increase . They had gained public confidence , and could now command the use of the town hall . They were in -favour of the Land plan , separate and distinct from the Charter organisation . They were alsoin favour of shortening the duration of hours of labour . Mr . Skews , Cornwall , said thatMessrs . Clark , Dojle , and M'Grath had done a great deal for Chartism in that district ; and if Mr . F . O'Connor would pay them a visit
their triumph would be complete . In Penzance they had effected great good in municipal and parochial matters fin electing their own local officers . Camborne had likewise been agitatad , as had also Truro . In consequence of persecution , Truro was not in so good a position as might be wished . In St . Ives , four lectures had been delivered , and such had been the good _efiTects that he believed , if the agitation was continued , a Chartist member would soon be returned for that borough . In fact , if the county were properly agitated it would be the best Chartist district in the _Idngdom . Mr . Skews then read several letters from the towns in that district , confirmatory of his statement .
Mr . Hornby , Somers-Town , said his district could not boast a host of members , but they were all firm . He had instructions relative to the Land , Victim Fund , & c Mr . "F . O'Connor said , although there might not be so much of the outward and visible sign , there decidedly was more of Chartism than ever ; and although there was a sort of " lull , - yet Chartism was -fhe only principle on which the people would ever rally . ( Hear , hear . ) After fhe rising of this Convention" he would , in accordance with a universal request , once more take a tour through -the country to summon Chartism to the renewed conflict ( Cheers . ) Mr . Doyle , West Hiding of Yorkshire , said tliat there was a great number of Chartist localities established in fhe district he represented ; and although the number of members had not materially increased , they certainly had not diminished . Many of the members were anxious to see a _National Association of Trades established .
Good meetings could be obtained , but Chartism was not in such a practical position as he could wish . The working men of the West Hiding were decidedly opposed to Free Trade . In Bradford , the members of the National Charter Association were on the increase . He fully agreed with his colleague , Mr . O'Connor , that the principles of CbartisM were wider spread than ever . Bnt he was not satisfied with this . He wished to see some practical work set about by the Chartist body . Mr . J . Shaw , Tower Hamlets , said most of his constituents were opposed to meeting in public-houses . He was instructed to support the Land question , as a means of gaining the Charter . Mr . T . M . Wheeler , London and Camberwell , said the men he represented were old adherents to the cause , and -were ready and willing to do anything in support of that cause .
Mr . M'Grath , Manchester , said he agreed with several of those who preceded him , and thought a new and better system of agitation and organisation than at present existed should be adopted . Mr . T . _Claris Executive , said that he had been through Scotland , and was gratified to find the people there were much in favour of a union of the Chartists of both countries _, in Glasgow there existed an excellent body of democrats ,-who were now with the _National Charter Association . He had travelled from the far west to the far north , and could bear witness to the truth that the principles of Democracy were wider spread than ever .
. The declaration was made— " That the election had fallen on Messrs . F . O'Connor , P . M'Grath , C . Doyle , T . M . Wheeler , and T . Clark . " Onthe motion of Messrs . Cuffay and O'Connor , a Com . mittee of five was appointed to examine the balloting papers for the election of the Executive , consisting of Messrs . Cuffay , Webb , and Skews .
_XEClS _*** aA _* I 10 _* S . Mr . O'Connor moved—" Thata Committee oi three be appointed to consider the election movement- " Mr . Davis seconded the motion . Carried . "Hiefollowing were nnanhnously appointed : —Messrs . Clark , Davis , Webb , Boyle , and Munday . SECOND DAY—Tuesdat , Afml 22 . Mr . M'Grath resumed the chair . A letter was read from Derby , recommending the allocation ofthe people on the land ; the enrollment of the rules of the Land Society under the Friendly Societies' Act ; and the advocacy of the principles of Chartism by means of tracts .
THE _IiAXD . Onthe motion of Messrs . O'Connor and Shaw , it was resolved that Mr . O'Connor ' s communication , respecting the land , be now read . Mr . Hewitt , on behalf of Mr . O'Connor , read the document as follows : —
THE LAM ) : How to moke it _avcdloble as a means of ample support , withont relying upon forei gn aid ; and also how , by application of that Labour rendered Surplus by Machinery , a standard of wages may be established for cdldescriptionof labourers , no matter of what craft orcdUing . Under the above heads , I shall first consider the value ofthe land , as the raw material from which , by ihe application of domestic labour , food , raiment , and all the necessaries oflife , may be supplied . "When we find economists , caterers , and financiers , one and all , testing the value of their measures b y the amount of food and the price at -which it can be exchanged for labour that those measures-will produce , it is not a
¦ violent assumption upon my part to claim a preference for my own plan over all oth ers , if I can prove that by its adoption those theories can be carried into practice . There is no substitute for the land ; for , unlike all other productions ofthe all-wise Creator of ¦ file _raiverse , its resources are inexhaustible . Mines and-minerals may lie exhausted , and other productions may be substituted for them . To take the two of apparently the greatest value—coals and gold—tHfe produce ofthe land alone can furnish a substitute for those materials : for gold , by tbe production of everything that can be purchased with that metal :
and for coal , by an inexhaustible supply of firewood . I should not have thought of entering thus minutely into the subject , did I not flatter myself that I had _m-eparedthe public mind for the reception of detailed Knowledge upon this subject and I write as I do to show the working classes that the land is everything and that all the things produced by the land and sold to tnem , they receive in exchange for money , _OTerthevalueof which they have no control ; while | r y the application of their labour to land , the value _aj- _^ Md _^ of value to all kinds of _exchangeabllmonev amount of . _^ _affiriI of S of _^ o _^* a larg "e « na of other countries into eul-
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tivation for the produce of grain , weare led tothebelief that we require an additional supply to that now produced in our own countiy ; while we knowthatwe have a large number of surplus hands , not only not applied to the production of any thing , but still further _, n-iaintained in idleness by a crushing tax raised upon the industry of those who are yet allowed to labour . Every writer upon agriculture admits the facility with which the agricultural produce of these countries might be increased two-fold ; and as we never have , in the worst of times , fallen short by 66 srds per cent , of our required supply , we have the admission that the land at home is capable of supplying all the wants of a population very much larger than our present one . For my own part , I believe that a population double the present amount ol these
countries would produce a larger sur plus after tbe supply of all national requirements than halt that population now does : and for this reason , because then the increased demand for food would increase the demand for the land that produces it ; and because no man can consume the one-third , nor yet the one tenth of what he can produce . Thus , every one added to the population proportionately adds to the surplus wliich remains after consumption—that is , if his labour is productively employed . As early as the reign oi Henry the Fourth tbe monopoly of tbe land led to a scarcity ; and although tbe same princi p le of monopoly exists , and has been increased in viciousness by the plunder ofthe common lands , nevertheless the larger
population of the present time , notwithstanding that monopoly has increased , produces much more than would have supplied all the wants ofthe population at thc former period . And yet England is nothing larger . The land , in its present state , as compared to what it is capable of being brought to , is just what the raw * undressed flax is to the finest cambric that can be produced from it by ike application of labour . There is no earthly reason why every cultivateable acre in England may not be brought to thc same state of perfection as a market garden . My calculation ot the value of labour applied to land is as follows : —An industrious person , of . very moderate strength , will be enabled to support himself , a wife , and three children , upon an _average of six hours' labour of each day
throughout thc year upon four acres of land , and will have a surplus in each year of £ 100 , after the best of living and thc payment of all expenses . The great value that I attach to the system of small agricultural divisions is this—it creates a certainty . It enables thc labourer to live upon his own resources , and j enjoy the entire sweets of his own industry ; it makes hiin more jealous of any inroads upon the condition , the privileges , or tiie rights of his class . 1 now proceed , under my second head , to show hon ; by application of labour rendered surplus by machinery , a standard of wages may be established for all descriptions of labourers , no matter of what craft or calling . The great difficulty that I have liad to contend against has been au impression very
actively _ch-culated , that I desired to convert thc whole working population into small farmers ; whereas , although I would most gladly devpte ' iny whole life to any drudgery that wasnot humiliating to accomplish so heavenly an object , yet I have never carried it fartherthan as a meaus for employing that labour which is now made surplus , and , consequently , competitive . Indeed , when we consider that monopolists consent to raise £ -7 , 000 , 000 yearly , for thc mere purpose of keeping idlers alive rather than furnish them with the means of livelihood , by opening a field for their industry , we must come to the conclusion that the system has choked up all the channels through which class profit could be made of auy larger amount of labour than tbat now employed ; and . tbat the large sum of £ 7 , 000 , 000 per annum is a fund raised upon the industry of those employed for the maintenance of a reserve that cannot be profitably employed by privileged capitalists .
The best essays that I have written upon the subject of the Land will be found in Cleave ' s Chartist Circular of 1841 . In those essays I stated what , upon mature reflection , I see no reason to retractnamely , that the application of free labour to the land was the only possible means by which a standard of wages could be established in the artificial labour market . If the seven millions a year nominally raised for the support of the poor was appropriated to the employment of labour upon the land—that is , if each parish applied its own rates to that purpose , the standard of wages in the artificial market would be raised , as if by magic , more than fifty percent . This is what a Government could effect wholesale , but will not attempt , because the result would be the independence of the labouring classes ; and , therefore , as it is one of the improvements which the people can make independent of Government , every working man who does not join in its accomplishment , is a willing slave .
If , then , the employment of a pauper-reserve would have the effect ot increasing wages by destroying competition , how much greater would be the effect if the working classes generally would agree upon some plan by which they could so adjust the number working at eaeh trade to tbe amount of produce required from each as to insure a healthy settlement of demand and supply , taking care that wages should riot extravagantly fall upon a slight decrease in the fall of produce upon the one hand , and that the labourer should have his full share of increased trade and improved prices upon the other hand ? It will then be kept in mind that I propose my land project , firstly , lor tbe purpose of establishing the value of free labour , in order thereby tbat the working classes ,
when offering their labour for sale , may have some scale by -which to judge of its value ; and because , under the present system , the land is the only raw material to which individual labour can be applied to test its value without the possibility of being mfluenced by capitalists ; ana , secondly , as the only remedy for those evils created by a competitive labour surplus . I contend tbat there is no other neutral ground save the land , upon which the surplus of all trades and crafts [ can meet without jealousy , or without the notion that in any arrangement to cany it out partiality or injustice has been manifested . Individuals brought up to one trade , cannot , when that trade becomes slack , apply then' unrequired labour
protfiably to any other calling : while itis notorious that masters can profitably engage it by converting experienced hands , rendered surplus in their own calling , into apprentices at low wages ; and who , by short process ot instruction , can be used as a means of reducing the _wases of journeymen . If thc cotton trade is overstocked , young operatives ave easily converted into shoemaking , tailoring , or ship carpentering apprentices ; or , in short , to many other crafts , where a very slight knowledge of the work to be done has the effect of reducing the value ofthe most accomplished journeyman ' s wages . I show , then , the impossibility of a surplus existing in any one trade without the certainty of that surplus affecting the labour in other trades ; while I assert , witliout the
fear of contradiction , that the surplus of all , without jealousy or contending interest , may meet for mutual protection upon the land . Suppose , for instance , that there are one hundred trades ; and that one hundred unemployed in each trade constitute such a competitive-reserve as _' _cnables the masters to regulate the rate of wages of those employed : the one hundred Carpenters , Tailors , Shoemakers , Stonemasons , and operatives , and all others , would lose the competitive quality when located upon the land . There can exist no competition , save that which arises from ] honourable emulation , and from which the competitors , as well as society at large , derive benefit—the competition to excel each other in comfort , industry , production .
wealth , and character . If I was to answer the flimsy sophistries of those who bawl out for the produce of the land , _wliile they oppose the application of domestic industry to thc soil , my task would never cease . They are interested fools : and therefore I shall merely notice what appears to be the humanity portion of their objection . They say , would you compel the enervated operative to abandon the heated atmosphere of a cotton mill to endure tbe chilling blast of winter ? "Would you drive the hothouse tailor plant from his stewhole , or the Smith from his fire-side ? My answer is , that all are crying out tor sanatory enactments , and none so good as the free ah * of " heaven—with work that may be apportioned to each individual ' s
strength , sweetened by the consolation that its produce is for the labourer ' s benefit ; that those who are enabled to procure health for their families , abandon the heated atmosphere of towns during the summer months ; and that during the winter months labour applied to land , except of a very limited kind , is rather injurious than beneficial . In fact , there is not so good , so cheap , nor so safe a physician as the free aii- of heaven ; and there is no such healthy medicine as moderate labour cheerfully applied . Having so far considered the value of the land , and the mode of making it subservient to national purposes , I shall now proceed to the consideration of the most important branch of my subject , namely , The means whereby the possession of a sufficient
quantity may be achieved , whereon a sufficiently large experiment may be tried to test the princi ple . I will take the admission of Mr . Chambers as my data , and suppose that fifty in one thousand of a particular trade being unemployed enables the masters of that trade to use that amount of surplus labour as the means of regulating the wages ofthe 950 at work . The remedy sought in such case is some plan whereby the 950 employed may be relieved from thc dangerous competition ofthe surplus fifty . I will suppose the 950 to be organised in an association for mutual benefit ; and that they have among them teachers competent to instruct them in all matters connected
with their trade concerns—that they have been brought to that state of mind , that they can see and clearly understand tbat what is the interest of one is the interest of all ; that , as individuals , they cannot successfully contend against individual emoloyers , and that they can only be powerful when incorporated in a perfect union . I now presume them to be in that condition , and that they are willing to make a struggle for their own emancipation . Nine hundred and fifty men paying 2 s . 6 d . a-week each , —which for the most part could be saved by giving up exciseable articles , and especially when speedy and permanent benefit is to follow , —would create an annual fund of £ 6 , 175 , an amount sufficient to purchase 300
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acres of good land , and would leave a surplus o _! V £ l _* 7 o for the payment of an efficient treasurer and secrbtary to perform " all the '' -work of the association . Thus I shew that in one-year the 950 at work could supply six acres pev ' man to each of the unemployed fifty , and thus rid themselves of that competition . But as I "have a stated number and a fancied difficulty to contend with , I-shall take another view of tbe subject . " ¦ The £ 6000 would purchase 150 acres of land , allowlng three acres to each of the unemployed fifty , and would leave a surplus of £ 3000 for building and stocking purposes—that is , three acres of land , and sixtypounds , for each located upon the land . The cost of three acres , and £ 60 expended and given for stock would amount to £ 120 , and would
be very clieap at £ 10 a year ; the rent , 'therefore , ' to be derived by tbe Society would be £ 600 per annum , better secured than £ 3 per cent , many bank in the kingdom , and which might be used to meet contingencies such as the maintenance of another surplus created before another year ' s settlement could be purchased , or for the purposes of a strike , if justifiable , or for any other purpos _' es thatthe Society might think proper . Each year the Society could purchase a similar amount of land ; and thus in four years they could locate two hundred , or one-fifth of their whole body , upon the soil . They could do more by purchasing double the quantity of land with the same amount of money in tliis way ; whilst £ 6000 'will oidy purchase 300 acres out and out , it would purchase
600 acres , by allowing one half of the rent to remain as a charge upon the land ; paying the other half of the purchase money in cash : the ainouut of interest paid by the purchasers in the shape of rent being four per cent ., and the amount of interest received by them being ten per ? cent . —the concern thus yielding them a bonus of six-per cent , upon the unpaid capital . I will now suppose the association to . become national , and . the first great object being to get possession of a sufficient amount of land to employ the present unemployed surplus . You see , that I leave the crude notions of the "first principle" gentlemen ( who say , that it is anti-democratic for the people to purchase what of right belongs to them , but which unfortunately they cannot get ) wholly out ! of . the
question . These _g-entlehien always remind me " moles" who are born to g _? ub under ground , and cannot appreciate the surface of the soil . Suppose , then , the association to be national , and the object to try an experiment . . If the nation could furnish £ 100 , 000 per annum , that amount would purchase 5000 acres of land—by paying £ 50 , 000 , one half the purchase money ,, down , and allowing the other half to remain as a charge upon the land , while the remaining £ -50 , _OODjmight beapplied at the rate of £ 60 for each holder for building and stocking . Five thousand acres could give three acres to each of 1666 . As soon as the tenants were in possession , under a le ; ise for ever —( to be subsequently dealt with , when the contingencies that now haunt the imagination of the
" first principle" gentlemen snail arrive , such as state necessity or superabundant population );—and as soon as the £ 60 had been expended in building and stocking the marketable value would at once become considerably enhanced , as well by the value of tho building , as by the certainty of rent arising out of the increased amount of labour . As it matters not then tothe occupying tenant , secured in perpetuity of tenure , who nis landlord may be , whether Tom , Dick , or Harry—parson , landlord , or cotton lord—I would sell the 5000 acres thus tenanted in the market , and purchase 5000 more ; subdivide them in the same way ; lease them as before ; sell them , purchase ,, subdivide , lease and sell again ; and so on , until in a veiy few years tbe nonce ofthe people clubbed fov then . ' own
benefit would destroy the law of primogeniture , and render the Jaw of settlement and . entail , now most grievous , completely harmless .. ¦ Doubtless the question will be asked , why parties wishing to invest money , and are satisfied to receive £ 4 per cent , for it , do not adopt myplan , which would give them £ 10 per cent . To this objection I answer , that manufacturers would not be satisfied with £ 10 per cent , upon the surplus capital abstracted from trade and applied to the purchase of land , because with them profit from trade is the primary consideration , and investment in land is a mere secondary object . And they know full well that the application of land to the use of the working classes would destroy those immense profits whicli they now make
by their uncontrolled power over the labour market . _Thclandlordswillnotadoptit—firstlyjoecauseitisnew . ' Secondly , because they are as ignorant as the beasts they ride . Thirdly , they are imbued with the "large farm" spirit , because they imagine that the collection of their rents is more easy and certain . Fourthly , the law of settlement and entail prevents them from givingmorethanamere occupation lease . Fifthly , thc amount into which I seek to subdivide the land would not confer the franchise upon the holder , and they attach much more importance to the political influence derived from the system of wholesale letting , than they do to the social _advantages that -would be conferred upon the nation at large by the small farm system . Sixthly , although they are owners of the
land , they areignorant of its value . Seventhly , they fear that its appropriation to man ' s purposes would make then * game scarce . Eighthly , large tenants , stewards , solicitors , and Jews , who are for the most part creditors too-large amount , would not allowtheirlandlords or debtors to open any field for industry , which must have the effect of increasing the value of that labour wliich they canhowpurchase & t the slave price upon the one hand , or to disturb that settled state upon the faith of which the solicitors and Jews lent their money upon the other hand . The question of the land has furnished such a fruitful and profitable handle to those who do not understand the subject , and to those who fear its success , that I only marvel at the-progress ' it-has
made , through the advocacy , in its new phase , of a man having more bitter and powerful enemies than any other man ever had in the world . I am aware of thc difficidties against which individuals have to contend who propose any doctrines , but especially new ones for the advantage of the unprotected class of society . I am also aware of the obstacles that stand in thc way of originating a national co-operation for a scheme , " the theory of which presumes inequality , partiality , and preference . I know that individuals constituting a national body or a sectional body , will expect to derive co-equal and cotemporancous advantages from any plan to which they equally and cotemporancously subscribe—a thing which in itself is impossible : therefore the whole scheme must , to a of ch of
certain extent , _^ partake the ances lottery : and my greatest anxiety has been to diminish the prospects of loss , and the character of gambling as much as possible . I cannot hope , and do not expect ( at least for some time ) to see a ' national organisation formed to carry out this plan : but I do hope to see sectional branches , ' whose experiments will inspire the nation with emulation , and induce universal action in the proper direction . The obstacles-thrown in the way of those who seek the advantages of the working classes are numerous and disheartening . The law withholds its assistance and protection , while frequent acts of violation of faith by associations , which have undertaken to co-operate for mutual benefit witliout the law ' s interference , has
very naturally created a distrust in the minds of the working classes . In order , therefore , to give the experiment as fair a trial as I can , witliout the law ' s protection , and without the danger of distrust , believing that the _working classes , for whose benefit I have continuously and incessantly struggled , have entire confidence in me , it is my intention to establish an Association , with the aid of afew others in whom the working classes have confidence ; the rules and objects of which , together with the advantages to be derived by the members , I shall shortly publish to the world . After mature reflection and very deep thought , I have come to the conclusion that the questions of the People ' s Charter and the land cannot be mixed up together , without affording thc covert enemies of the
working classes a veiy feasible pretext for opposing both ; wliile , upon thc other hand , I rely upon the Chartist portion of the working classes , in their several localities , fbr giving effect to thc land scheme , with conviction that every advance made in that direction will have the effect of increasing the demand for political rights . While I thus announce my intention of carrying out the small farm system as a practical experiment , upon my own responsibility , I shall , nevertheless , cheerfully co-operate with the delegates composing this Convention for any national plan that shall meet the concurrence of the majority . In conclusion , I beg to observe that every class in the kingdom , with the exception ofthe
working classes aud shopkeepers , have a direct interest in opposing any scheme that will put the people in possession of the land . And , therefore , however sustainable our views , and however beneficial the result of success may be , we shall havo to encounter all the organised opposition of all classes of monopolists in our struggle . Had the plan been adopted and acted upon when I first recommended it , tho working classes by this time would have been in a position to enable themselves to secure a fair day ' s wage for a fair day ' s work , by being enabled to live upon their own resources during any contest that occurred between them and their employers . The reading ofthe above elicited much cheering .
Mr . O'Connor gave notice that he would move a resolution relative to the subject to-morrow morning , Mr . Dorman announced that he had to attendhusiness at the House of Commons , from which he might not he ahle to return during the day . He was , therefore , under the necessity of retiring .
THE _HEaiSTRATION . Mr . Clark , on hehalf of the Election Committee , brought up the report , as follows : — Mr . President and Gentlemen—Being fully impressed with the importance of the task assigned to us , your committee have given the subjects of Election and Registration their most serious consideration , and they now submit to your judgment the following propositions : —• 1 st . That this Convention issue an address to the people , calling upon them to proceed forthwith to the appointment of Registration and Election Committees in the several boroughs ana ofher localities throughout the country ; such committees to be appointed at public meetings convened by requisition to the Mayor , or such other local authorities as may have the power of granting suchrequest ,
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2 nd . The object of . _alksuch , meetings to be _^ set forth in such requisition as for the purpose of appointing a Chartist Registration and Electiqii ; C 6 mmittee , Sic 3 rd . That this " Convention hereby appoint the members of the Executive Committee of the National Charter Association to . form a registration and election committee ; and they also call' upon the people of London to elect fifteen other persons to form a portion of the same ; and also' request T . S . Duncombe , M . P _., to act as president thereof . _4 THl pUTIES OF THE CENTRAL AND LOCAL _PAULlAMENTABV BEQISTBATION AND -EL-ECTlON COMMITTEES . To collect monies to defray the expenses consequent upon registering voters , and aiding , with pecuniary and other , assistance , the return of Chartist members to the House of Commons . - : 5 tH . _—MOBE OF ACTIOS . ¦ __ ,- __* . •_
The central registration and election committee tohavc the power . of- appointing the boroughs to be contested , the local committees lending all the assistance in their power . The local committees to have the control of their own funds—the Convention being desirous of making the committees serve the twofold purpose of a local arid national committee ...
6 th . —mode of selecting candidates . In the event of an election , the local committee of the borough where the' vacancy occurs to communicate at once with the central committee , and _' agree between them upon a candidate . The local committee , on the receipt of the satisfactory decision of the central committee , to convene a public meeting of the inhabitants of the borough where the vacancy occurs , and at such meeting to propose such candidate as may have been agreed upon ; and if such candidate shall receive the sanction of sueh meeting , the central and local committees to co-operate zealously to effect the return of such accepted candidate . Your committee feel _thiB to be the most important subject ever entertained by the Convention ; and now submit this their report to your hands , leaving it in all confidence to your wisdom , judgment , and discretion ; The address was discussed clause by clause , adopted , and referred to the committee for arrangement .
afternoon sitting . At thirteen minutes past two , in consequence of the absence of the president and secretary , Mr . Shaw was called to the chair , and Mr . Munday appointed secretary pro tern _.
MANCHESTER VICTIM FOND COMMITTEE . . The balance-sheet was read by Mr . T . M . Wheeler , socretary _, and was received hy the Convention . Mr . O'Connor moved a vote of thanks to the committee for the faithful discharge of their duties . Mr . J . Shaw seconded the motion . Mr . Hornby complained of neglect as regards Jenkiii Morgan by the Victim Committee , Mr . O'Connor defended the Victim Committee from the charge of neglect ; and thought tlieir balance-sheet ' aml tlieir monetary affairs in general were most praiseworthy . Messrs . Doyle and Clark bore testimony to tho good conduct and faithfulness of the Manchester Victim Committee .
Several others having addressed the Convention on the subject , it was ultimately agreed that the motion stand adjourned until Thursday morning next , in order that the Victim Committee and Jenkin Morgan be written to in the meantime ; and . that Mv . Cleave "be requested to attend the Convention at eleven o ' clock on Thursday morning next , to explain the state of the Victim and Defence Fund , to which he was the treasurer-.
FINANCES OF TBE NATIONAL _CHARTEE ASSOCIATION . Mr . O'Connor laid the statement of the body before the Convention , and suggested , as a mode of seeming the wages of the Executive for the future ) that one-half the sums subscribed by the members be devoted to that purpose , instead of one-third , as heretofore . Mr . J . Hobson presented his credentials , and took his seat as . representative for Holbeck . Mr . T . M . Wheeler , secretary , then submitted a balance sheet , which will appear in the Northern Star in its proper column .
THE ROLES OF THE ASSOCIATION . Mr . Wheeler moved , " That a committee of three he appointed to revise the rules of the Association . " Mr . Shaw seconded the motion . . Messrs , Dorman , Clark , and Shaw , were appointed .
THIRD DAY—Wednesday , April 23 . Mr . M'Grath resumed the chair at the usual time . The secretary read a letter from Staleybridge , which contained the following recommendations : — 1 st . " That the Executive be elected as follows : —Three by the members in Eagland , one by the members in Scotland , and one by those in Wales . " 2 nd . " That a Convention meet on the third Monday in April in each year , " 3 rd . "That the Convention push forward the Land question . " , _;¦ The letter also contained an order for 10 s ., for the purposes of the Convention . Mr . Dorman , Nottingham , then rose to give in his report , and said , that the members in liis district were as zealous as ever , and determined to push forward . Thoy would co-operate iri support of any practical land scheme , and would he glad to see a plan of co-operation established .
Jlr . J . H . R . Bairstow presented his credentials and took his seat for Leicester . He said that in consequence of divisions , Chartism was not so flourishing in Leicester as he could wish—but they were not retrograding . His instructions wero to do all and everything in ' -favour of establishing the Charter . He believed if a good practical plan was submitted Leicester would co-operate as enthusiastically as any district in existence . ( Hear , hear . )
THE LAND . Mr . O'Connor then rose to submit his promised motion on the Land .. He read the document presented to the Convention by him yesterday at length . Mr . Bairstow moved " That the address be submitted to the Organisation Committee , and that they report thereon . " Mr . Skews seconded the motion . Jlr . O'Connor said his desire was , that a committee should be appointed to examine the document he had submitted , and any other that might he offered , so that something practical might be deduced . He could not agree with those who produced excitement only , and then left the movement . He did not think that was performing their business well . Excitement was necessary ; but something practicable should follow it . He looked upon
the right use of tlic Land as one great means hy which they could obtain their just rights . ( Hear , hear . ) Strikes , and such like means of upholding wages , had proved futile . ( Cheers . ) He was desirous of carrying out the Land plan on thc "individual system , " in preference to theproposal of "the community of possession andlabour , " believing it to be better adapted to the present time , leaving the people to co-operate ultimately , if they thought fit . ( Cheers . ) ne would ask , was it likely that the employer class would give up tlieir present mode of amassing money without a struggle ? No . Well , then , the Land was the only legitimate means by which labour could successfully compete with capital . ( Cheers . ) The Poor-Law of Elizabeth , when in full vogue , aided the people somewhat , and gave them a distinctive individual character , which
machinery had , in some measure , destroyed . The labourer , with his few shillings' worth of material , could not , unless aided by other means , contend against the millions of the capitalist ; but if possessed of a portion of the land , in the event of a strike , or when any accident befel him , he would be enabled to produce an independent existence at any rate , and would also , without doubt , produce a high standard o ? wages in the _ai-Uficial market . ( Cheers . ) But it was asked , "does not the land belong to the people V and " wUl you buy what already belongs to them ? " He admitted that the land did belong to the people . So did . a leg of mutton ; but if they attempted to take it , they would be sent to Botany Bay . ( Hear , hear . ) Neither capitaUsts nor landlords could be expected to cooperate with the people—no , it was to the working classes
themselves ho looked to accomplish the object in view . To the Trades—to that numerous and important trade , the Shoemakers , he looked for the first example , and believed they would not fail to set it . { Hear , hear . ) He had no doubt of the measure being taken up sectionaUy , if not nationally . ( Cheers . ) To emigration he had always been opposed . He did not know anything of the Venezuelian plan of emigration ; but if he was disposed to recommend emigration at all , er to any place , it would be lo the Republic of South _Ameviea . He had a brother * esidiug in that Republic , in the possession of great wealth , and who had offered to furnish land , and protection during the time of its first cultivation . He had also a rich brother residing in Van Dieman ' s Land . If he ( Mr . O'Connor ) had chosen , he could have " gone out" to either place , and enjoyed wealth abundantly : but he preferred remaining struggling for rights at home . ( Hear , hear . )
He now told them that land here , even at a high rental , was of far more value than land for nothing abroad . ( Hear , hear . ) Capitalists increased their wealth , by competing labour against labour ; or , in other words , by having a surplus of labour in the market j therefore , it was the workman ' s interest to make labour scarce , which could only be done by having land on which to employ the surplus hands . This was the only means of securing social and political independence . ( Loud cheers . ) For these reasons he advocated allocation on the Land , and it afforded him much pleasure to find so many parties now engaged in discussing the subject in seme shape or other . ( Hear , hear . ) He looked on emigration as a cold , heartless scheme . He never knew one single instance of successful emigration . ( Hear , hear . ) He should be fully satisfied to co-operate with the Convention in any seheme it might adopt for the allocation of the people on the Land . ( Cheers . )
Mr . Cuffay moved—" That this Convention do now draw up a plan for the purchase of Land on which to allocate the surplus labourers . " Mr . T . M . Wheeler seconded the motion . Jlr . Bairstow , with the consent of the _^ Convention , withdrew his motion , and the proposition of Mr . Cuffay was carried unanimously . Mr . T , Clark thought such instructions should be given to the committee to be appointed as would permit the plan to be enrolled . Jlr . Wheeler said his opinion was , that it should form a portion of the National Charter Association , and then
it would be then * right arm , otherwise he feared Chartism would be made secondary , or oiherwise swallowed up ; and he did not think the enrolment of so much importance . Mr . Dorman said the people wanted something tangible . He could give them some idea ofthe enthusiasm exhibited by the people in favour of the principle in his district . The Maperley Hills , a poor soil , was allotted out in small gardens , ' and the number of applicants far exceeded the number of allotments . K this was the case under such circumstances , what would he the result under a well defined system ? The Land plan was well calcu-
Craktistannual* Convention. Theift- Gate...
lated to _keepupthe-Chartist agitation , _, and . he did not believe one country delegate would have been present had it not been for the desire to become in some measure possessors ' of the soil _! '' ' 'Jlr ; Skews Svoiild willingly support a Land scheme , but he did not _thiufc it should be mixed up ¦ with' the Charter organisation . ' ' . Mr . Webb would also support a Land plan . He could see no objection -to every member belonging to the National Charter Association ; but they should by no means he compelled to belong to the Land scheme . : Jlr . J . Shaw thought the Land plan was an excellent means of obtaining the franchise . His constituents , from their extreme poverty , would not be able to subscribe much ; but he thought the Committee would look to this matter , and arrange the amount of subscription accordingly . ,.. _taj ?„ . i , _»«„ . _„« . _* i , « . rn , «»« . f . _„„• *„ _•• .,., _onJ _* _iOI 1 _Mni-t .
Mr . Bairstow could not agree to the incorporation oi the Land ivith the Charter organisation . He did not think that at all practicable ; neither could he agree that it should he confined exclusively to Chartists . He thought any attempt at enrolment in connection with Chartism would be futile . He thought the best thing they could do was to recommend the country to consider the address of Mr . O'Connor . Mr . Munday said he could not agree with a previous speaker , that the Chartists were the only party that would take up the Land question . Nay , he fearlessly asserted , that the Trades were before the Chartists on tliis matter ; and although he appeared as tbe representative of the Chartist body , yet the Trades- were anxiously awaiting his return , in hopes that he would bring back with liim a practical plan on the Land subject . ( Hear , hear . )
Jlr . Goodwin could not agree to mix up the Land and Charter plans . He wished them to beadopted separately . Mr . Davis said his district was nearly divided on the matter ; in fact , they had decided by a majority of one only , infavour of uniting the Charter and Land plans . lie thought it would be better to keep the Charter separate and distinct from any other matter whatsoever ; and in his opinion , the appointment of lecturers to advocate the principles of the Charter would do more good than anything else . However , as his constituents had instructed him . to vote for a Land plan , he should , like a good servant , conform to their wishes . Mr . Doyle thought it was not practicable to unite the Land and Charter schemes ; he was desirous of _^ having a a plan separate and distinct .
Mr . Law said his constituents were desirous that the Land plan should be separate and distinct from the Chartist organisation . lie believed the Land plan would greatly facilitate the cause of Chartism . He hoped the committee would take care that the subscription should be in accordance with thc means ofthe people . Jfr . Hornby said Jlr . Doyle hail given expression fully to the wishes of his constituents . Thoy would co-opevate cordially in support of apian formed on a separate basis . Mv . O'Connor thought that one happy community once established , would be sufficient to cause such a feeling in favour of the scheme as would soon make it general . He then proceeded to review the opinions expressed by the previous speakers , and concluded by saying that he could not agree with the policy of making the Land plan exclusively a Chartist one . Before the delegates adjourned for dinner , Mr . O'Connor announced that Jlr . Duncombe had agreed to become president of the Registration and Election Committee , ( Cheers . )
AFTERNOON SITTING . The discussion on the Land was resumed . Mr . Cuffay moved that a committee of five be appointed to draw up a plan to promote allocatio'h on the land . The motion was seconded by Mr , Shaw , and carried unanimously . The following persons were then appointed ;—Messrs . Skews , O ' Connor , Doyle , Shaw , and Dorman . Jfr . O'Connor moved , " That it be an instruction to the committee , to be embodied in the laws , that so soon as the number of members in the Land Association amount to 1000 , they shall have the power to elect their Executive and other officers . " Jlr . Bairstow seconded the motion , which was carried . Jlr . Cuffay said , he should move that the rules of the Land Association be not enrolled . He belonged to the Society of the Druids , and some of the lodges of that order had enrolled their rules , and found the enrolment injurious .
Mr . Wheeler would oppose enrolment , but would like some support to be derived from the Land scheme towards thc Chartist agitation . . Jfr . Goodwin thought a per centage should be given from the Land fund to the Charter fund , Mr . Bairstow thought no person should be compelled to belong to both societies , but that it should he voluntary . Jlr . Munday thought each locality should have the management of their own funds . It was then moved , seconded , and carried unanimously " Thatthe Land Committee should bring up their report ou Friday morning . "
FBOST , WILLIAMS , AND JONES , Mr . O'Connor moved that this Convention take into its consideration the case of Frost , Williams , Jones , and the other political exiles . Mr . Davis seconded the motion , which was carried nem , con . Jfr . Davis then moved "That this Convention do now appoint an Exile's Restoration Committee , for the purpose of bringing the case of Frost , Williams , Jones , and other political exiles , before the country , by means of deputations to members of Parliament and petitions to the Legislature ; and that a _siib-eommittee be appointed to draw up a petition to he submitted to public meetings . " Mr . T . M . Wheeler seconded the motion . Jlr . O'Connor thought it would be advisable to make an application to Mr . Duncombe , and request him to originate a motion in the House of Commons on the subject . He had no doubt but that he would do so .
Jlr . Goodwin supported tlio motion , as did also Messrs . Hornby and Doyle . It was put to the vote , and carried unanimously . Messrs . Bairstow , M'Grath , and O'Connor were appointed the sub-committee ; and it was ordered that the Executive , with power to add to their number , should be the committee for deputation , < fcc . Ou the . motion of Mr . O'Connor , the Convention then adjourned to give the several committees time to perform their labours .
Atootthtt. Wtntt*, & Fcututrt*
_atoOtthtt . _Wtntt * , & _fcututrt *
Extensive Robbkby And Attempted Suicide ...
Extensive Robbkby and Attempted Suicide at Blackfiuars _Briik'i _* . —On Tuesday evening , at halfpast-six o ' clock , a fashionably dressed young * man , apparently about twenty-two years of age , was observed to ruu at a quick pace down Earl-street , towards Elaekfriars-bridgc , closely pursued by Constable Benbow , of the City police ; in his flight he dropped a bundle , and during tho time the constable was securing it lie ran with all speed down the steps leading * to the steam-boat pier , and it being low water , waded into the river up to his middle , when
he laid down . The alarm that aperson was attempting to drown himself liaving been given , a Herculean working-man rushed in after hini , and succeeded in bringing him on shore , when he was . instantly taken into custody by Benbow and another constable , who conveyed him to Black Horse-court station-house . On being searched a large quantity of valuable articles , consisting of gold watches , chains , rings , and other jewellery was found upon him , and the bundle consisted of coais , gowns , and other wearing apparel . A portion of the property has been identified . The name of the offender has not transpired .
The GnAsr . Jusctioi * Railway . — On Saturday night , orrathcronSundaymorningearly , anaeeident occurred at the Stafford " station of thc line . The pointsman , George Scott , was handing over to the engineer of a train just starting a statement of the number of carriages , as is usual onthe departure of every train , when unfortunately he slipped oft' the parapet and fell under the wheels of the engine then in motion . His left arm was literally severed from his body , and liis left leg so crushed as to render
immediate amputation necessary . The poor fellow was carried to the infirmary , wliere the limb was taken off , thc poor man enduring bis sufferings with remarkable fortitude . We are happy to say he h likely to survive , the symptoms being as favourable as can be expected . Scott is a young man of good character , and had been in the employ of the company for some time . But for the timely aid of the company ' s police-officer , who was on the spot at the moment , the accident would doubtless have been fatal , as he promptly snatched the unfortunate man from under thc wneels .
Robbery op a Watch . —On Monday , a lad named Thos . M'Donald was brought before Mr . Rushton , at Liverpool , on a charge of having stolen a lever watch , value £ 6 , the property of Moses Samuel , watcli manufacturer , 3 G , Paradise-street . It appeared that about the latter end of the month of December last he called at the shop , and asked to look at the watch , promising to pay for it by instalments of 10 s . at a time . Two watches were shown , one of wliich he selected , and ran off with it in his possession , lie succeeded in eluding tho vigilance ofthe police until Saturday evening , when liis suspicious conduct at thc watcli manufuctory of Mrs . Hannah Robinson , in Richmond-street , led to his arrest and subsequent identification by Mr . Samuels . He was committed for trial .
. Royal Humane Society . —The men belonging to this useful society have very recently been successful in saving three lives . A man , who was bathing , after the boats had been withdrawn , was seized with cramp ( in the Serpentine River ); the alarm being given by some boys who saw the accident , one ofthe society's boatmen , named Deval , pulled to the spot , and lucidly rescued him as he rose for the third time . In the second case , soon after six o ' clock , a respectable vouner female was seen to walk into the
Serpentine , but her courage failed her beiore she was out of her depth , and one o the society ' s men brought her to the receiving-house , whereevery attention was paid her , and one of the establishment accompanied her to her relations , who were glad to receive her back , though , from her habiliments , it appears she had been to a ball , and returning late , had been refused admittance . The third case was this—a female was prevented by a police constable from an attempt to drown herself , and was brought to the receivinghouse and detained there until her parents were sent fortotakcherkome _.
Extensive Robbkby And Attempted Suicide ...
The latk Dbeadful Catastrophe . _\ T Derby Monday , Miv Bryan " _Balguy , " the coroner forthi _?^ rough , resumed the inquest he commenced last T day upon the bodies of Mr . James Sims , builder , _j Edward Harlow , Ms apprentice , who came by tli deaths on Tuesday last , in consequence of the f a ); * in of a newly-erected : bridge over the _Mill-fieajJ _, ••» the Morledge . The evidence taken on Thu « V consisted principajly _. of a description of the acci « V I by two or three witnesses . Mr . Harpur , the _mw tect and surveyor to the corporation , made a sm ment to the effect that the centres of the arch ? , i been improperly removed , and that he had cautinn j the deceased , _iSims , the contractor , not to renin tliem iii the manner he had done . The _inquire * then adjourned for the purpose of obtaining a . i ft tional evidence . — At nine o ' clock on Mondav \\ " jury again met in the Town-hall . The fol ] m _* evidence , was then taken : —Mr . J . H . _Stevom _' THE LATK DBEADFUL _CATASTROrUE AT Tlrn . w -
, Derby , architect , said : I was sent for after the fi accident to a meeting of the Mill-fleam _Comnnti _' whicli I attended . The subject of altering the _« ' tions of the arch was discussed . Mr . Cooper _fj myself recommended the adoption ofthe doubl e 1 2 instead of the single one . After that meeting T called upon by Mr . Harpur and Mr . Moody att ? request ofthe committee , to give an opinion _astoth section which thev proposed to adopt , which was f two arches instead of one . I merely gave an op ' iinn as to the section of the two arches , and not to _h part where the groins are , and which had fallen ; Since that time I have not had any communicat i !?' with the committee at all . I have seen tlio nh since thc accident happened , and am of opinion ( _iw the ' accident ' might arise from two causes ?)
_^ _nvitinmn _iimiswiff- unnn + _1 » A /» _t »/\ 1 « . * " *** l aP * _-1 » _a a . ¦¦ 'JC extreme weight . upon the crown ofthe two _areho and thc pier being too weak to support the suncrm eumbent pressure . I observed that the pie { ., ' , shattered by the weight thrown upon it . ] _ofenj ,. ?? in the arches now standing that there was consi _« _U _> able deflection ; and I think that if the centre of tW were struck , it would fall . I consider the _committw responsible , or those whom they employ . _Sims _w always borne the character of a hard-working , hu _^ t _* trious man , ' and I believe perfectly competent to per * form the work if he had proper instructions , j */ Charles Moody , of Chapel-street , builder , _assistant to Mr . Harpur , said : The week before the lirst _actf ( lent occurred , the committee gave mean order *<* measure against Mr . Harpur , to ascertain the _lncm- ! ¦
to be paid . When that arch fell , I was requested „ attend thc committee meeting , at wliich Mr . Steven * and Mr . Cooper were present . Mr . Stevens scut m thc section , which was examined by the commit tee and generally approved . They determined to carr it out , substituting barrow lime for cement . T _^ i question of thc centres then arose ¦ ono of the «>••• " mittee proposed two lengths of centres ; 1 _m-oiw-i ai four ; whieh was eventually agreed to . Sonic < iif ference next arose on thc subject of an objection raised by Messrs . Evans , to _havin-r a w ; ill nil the wi * ' down the centw of the street . " Tliis question was debated several times in the committee , and 1 tailed two or three times upon Messrs . Evans , hut Hicrncrsistcd in their objection . The committee then « _w
mc an order to make work plans to remedv the matter . I made drawings of the iron work , and submitted them to the commitcee ; tlicy were improved * and were executed hy Messrs . Havwood . 1 saw the beams proved and tested at their factory . I went down a time or two to the works to sec how they were putting them in . The next time I went was to measure the work ; after I had done 1 asked . Mr Harpur how they were putting the groins in . He told me it was a plan proposed by Sims himself , and adopted by the committee . He said that one gvoin had settled a little bit . I went under as far as I could get to look at it , and I saw that it had . I told Sims about it . He said it had not . I repeated that it had , for there was a crack in it ; and I differed in
opinion from liim as to liis method of bonding . He said thero > Vas no settling , and that the crack was occasioned by a man accidentally backing a cart against it . He said I ought to have had more sense than to make such remarks , for I must know that brickwork would not settle in the way . 1 then toll ) him to be sure and let the centres be slack under the arch , and to watch the settlement , for if it was a cart which had occasioned the crack , it would not go any further ; but if it was a defect in thc construction of the arch , it would come down upon the centres . We then parted . I never was tliere again until the whole of the centres wero turned . 1 met Sims , but nothing passed between us , except his saying that he had finished all the work except onc part , which he
thought would cause him a good deal of trouble . ] was never tliere again until immediately after the accident , and I stayed there until I had seen all the sufferers got out . I went iato the hole as soon as ] could . I asked some labourers what- they werc doing when the catastrophe occurred . They said they were taking out the centres . Carter , a bricklayer , who has been examined , told me that tlicy liad got out ai the centres except a small part , I told him 1 thought it veiy imprudent . He replied , that he did not think it veiy dangerous , as Mr . Sims , on the Friday and Saturday before , had taken out thc centres ofthe sewer , which they thought considerably the worstnart . I then went and examined thc centres ofthe arch remaining , and saw them dead up to the arch ail over .
1 then asked him how he found the covering of the ribs , and he said they were quite fast . I asked him if he did not think it very wrong to take out thc centres , without thc whole having been first slackened ? Wc then parted . I sent for him the next morning , when lm told me he thought they had slackened them sufficiently . They had taken out some temporary props from under the nose ofthe drains , he being on one side and Harlow on the other when the accident happened . I repeated , that they had done vcrj wrong , and he replied that he did not think they had . I have been down to the works three times since , audi find thatthe wedges could not have been drawn above half an inch . 1 made up my mind thai the gvoins had not had a fair chance of stanilii * £ _*
in consequence of there being no counteracting force , the dead weight was left on the weak side of the _an-li , and if the groin settled , as it most certainly would , it would partially come down , the strong side would be supported , and the weak part would fall in . 1 have no doubt that the wedges ought to have heen slackened to see whether the arch would change form . Air . Stevens is mistaken when he says that the pier of the arch is shattered ; it is not so in tlic slightest degree ; it is the intersection that Is broken . I think the pier is sufficiently stromg to bear the weight put upon it . Mr . S . Harpur , corporation surveyor , recalled : He was employed by thc emporation to superintend the works over Sims . Uo did not , however , interfere with Sims , as he considered that
he had more practical information than himself * , and lie had a better opinion of his knowledge of building than he had of liis own . Under this " impression he did not think it necessaiy to report Mr . Moody ' s remarks about the crack . Quite admits the principle adopted by Sims , whose materials are very good . John Harlow , brother ofthe deceased , and onc ofthe poor fellows who was hurt , was then called . He walked with great difficulty , and liis face was dreadfully bruised . He said—I was underneath the avch when the accident occurred , and was buried under the materials . . "Was present on the Saturday previous _, when I assisted Mr . Sims to slacken the wedges . __ All the wedges were loosened . Witness then described the accident , and said that all thc " laggings" were clear of the arch by three quarters of an inch . Edward Harlow , bricklayer , and uncle of the _dcceas-M Edward Harlow , deDosed that he had warned a man
named Peach not to have anything to do with the culvert , as he thought it unsafe , liis reason lor thinking so was the length of thc groin and the weakness of the foundation it stood on . The coroner then summed up , and the jury returned the following verdict : — Accidental Death ; but the j " * " ' cannot separate without expressing tlieir strong conviction that had the joint committee of the corpw * tion and the commissioners appointed a competent anil efficient engineer to superintend over Mr . Sim * during the progress and in the execution of t _' works , and wliich , they think , after the _warning the first accident had conveyed , they should have uone , the accident which has since occurred would not have happened . —This verdict has given great satisfaction in Derby , but it is considered by very ffl ! U _* _- ' of the inhabitants that it is expressed in twins scarcely strong enough .
Fatal Accident . —On Thursday , as Hie mad train which leaves Edinburgh for Glasgow at one o _' clocK , was passing across the seven-arched bridge , about » mile and a half west of the village of Katho , the engine ; driver was thrown from the engine down the slope * the engine also rolled down the slope on its broad side , and thc parcel-van and second-class carriage « ' _<•» much damaged . Blair was picked up quite _insonsiWfi and a large gash was discovered in his head , trow which blood issued profusely . The unfortunate _m _* ; was immediatelv sent to the _Edinburgh Infirffl & _TC !
but died two hours after tho accident . It is ! J _* known how thc engine was forced off the rails , _uij _le _*** it was b a spring arch in the above bridge , wh | yelds a little when thc train enters upon it . . bW _" was an unmarried man , and belonged to the vicini' 5 of Glasgow . It is supposed that his head had " _-Tj in contact with the ledge of the bridge . No ot » l person was injured , and the train arrived in GW _, about half an hour after the usual time . — _Caledc-w ' Mercury .
• Death by Drowning . — Shortly before _tww o ' clock on Saturday night , Thomas Burule , a P ' '"' ] officer , while on duty m Vauxhall-road , hiverf _^ received information that a female was _snPP 0 / 61 ! _^ have been drowned in the canal . He immedia _^ hastened to the spot , and on looking over the ori _^ near Preston ' s distillery , saw some clothes fl 0 , atl , } 0 (| y the water . A pole was then procured and the _WH of a woman , about 33 years of age , was taken oat ' conveyed to the dead-house . She was without c «' cap or bonnet . It might have been difficult to w tify her , had not a piece of paper been found on ' person , on which her name and address were wri [ as follows : — " Rebecca Hopley , St . Martin s-P _^ Finch-street . " An inquest was held upon the _^ j on Monday , and a verdict returned of - l drowned . "
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), April 26, 1845, page 6, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/ns3_26041845/page/6/
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