On this page
- Departments (2)
-
Text (13)
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
_ LATESTSFROM IRELAmB
-
fflE NOETHEEN STAR. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1843.
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
-
Untitled Article
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
KEWCASTLE . GLORIOUS DSMOIfSIBATION AT BHBDDOX'S . -: r : H 3 j » : pOn Saturday , the sfe ^ i ^ jnL tbelargesinjeeting ' B&t ' has " bjai field in &a . Nor& $ rf | 5 ngIsnd £ <« : B <« ae ' j ««^ M i ^'« t ~ ih « it « T « f pt ^ -CIV W-isnrax ^ ed - that theworking [ menonJ ^ KorShuhbeSand « We " should assemble iif / ihfi Forth aJiten . o'clock Jn tbe jnonsins , anft , iraik iifproeeBsloB-- from theses 16 the place of me ^ g ^ pjMeaea by Jfce following gentlemen in a eoach drawn by foni grey horses : —T . & TJaneombe , Beg .. MJ ^ Fe » gu 3 O'Connor , Esq ., and W . P . Roberts , Esq .- the friends of the people . Boon after five o ' clock , large processions of the uppressed sons of toil , -with the banners of their respeotire callings at their bead , with various appfSjSTi&te mottoes , and in many instances preceded by excellent bands of music , might be seen wending their way-to fijeiwtherins , - " - .. _ - .
The morning was Tery tmiavourabl& to roch a iizplay ^ it raining constantly from before eight o ' clock until after eleven ; ana it was doubtful about nine o'dock whether it would be advisable to bold an oatdoor meeting , ox not , on account of the rain . About ten o ' clock the men woe becoming impatient to proceed to the place of meeting ; and having formed themieTvea into line , proceeded along Coffingwood and Mostoystreets , down Daaa-street-aide , and across the Sruige towards Sheriff-hill , where they vere to be * joined by the men of tht Wear and tbe Tees , and the rest of the « ounty of Durham . A person who had obserred fhem crossing the Tyne Srid £ o tells « s that he marked the tune they took , and that in dose column , at a qukkiah pace , they took three qnarttrs or aa hour in creasing the Briflge ,- £ rom first to last , in close succession . :. ' 1 * "JsL ^ .-.
" Abon . eleven o ' clock , T . S . I > nnaimbeIE * qo -2 kL 5 ., : F / 0 "ConEor , Bsg ., and W- P . BobeTtsVB ^ , Jn aTcarxiage-drawn by four grey horses , drove at " a brisk pace ' towards " the BteckTdl , and overtook the latter part of ; the procession a little beyond gheriff-hin , and having " Biackeced their pace , drove in the rear of the procession to the place of meeting . They were hailed at several clusters of houses by the road side , T > y the vires , daughters , and sweethearts of the working den , apparently assembled for this purpose , with enraptured cheers , and " may God bless the poor laan'a friends . " The number * on Sheddon ' s hill were beyond our most sanguine expectations . We thonght the numbers * hat passed through Newcastle was great ; hat we had ikA seen one-third until we approached the place of meeting . We have heard the number estimated at 1 sixty or eighty thousand . It cleared up by -twelve o ' clock , and was » beautiful afternoon .
' . As the carriage approached the place of meeting , the TTipgf deafening cheers emanated from the > i «« wbWb ^ ffamvrr . riK- Having drove np to within a few yards of - the hustings , the gentlemen alighted and walked to . S » bnsnngs , " where the Executive of the Miners' Association were ready to Tec » ive them . The cheering continned from the time of their alighting from tbe carriage BctH they were safely landed on the hustings ; when it subsided . * Mr . John Tulip was unanimously elected to the Chair . flie Chairman briefly opened the proceedings by expressing & hope that each speaker wonld get & candid hearing , whether for , or against such subjects as might be discussed by the meeting . Mi . T . then called -upon Mi . Hsawsll , who would move tbe first resolution .
Mr . HasweB rose and said , he would not occupy say mere of their time than read the resolution , as there wsre several gentlemen present whom they would be anxious to hear . Mr . Walkinshaw seconded the motion . Ths resolution was to the following effect , and was agreed to unanimously : — That , in the opinion of this meeting , it is the duty , SB well as the Interest of this Association , to adhere strictly to the resiriciUm Question , as it is essentially necessary to our very existence as a society to keep all our jnemben equally employed , '
Mi . BssslBy mads an excellent speech in support of the resolution , and showed thstthe reason that lawyers , bishops , kings , it , had such good wages was not the quantity of work they perform , feat because they have & restriction upon their camber , whica afford & » &n better wagta ; whereas if ttey were as plentiful as Misers , and no better protected by law , they would be equally as badly off . The restriction question enables them to live sumptuously svery i \ yr aud the more you restrict yourselves , the more you ¦ wffl be lespected , and the better win your condition in life . be . * - ¦ ¦ ¦ _ " , Mr . Oiaritoa moved the second resolution , which VU aafottows : — . " That a petitien be presented to Parliament , praying for a repeal of the export duty npen coaL "
' Hz . B . "Watson , in a vay energetic address , in Which he reverted to the handle which tbe masters would make of the export duty , at the next binding , if it was sot removed before then , he begged to second Hie resolution . Mi . Simpson fdt dissatisfied at the resolution , aad moved as an amendment : — "That if this meeting lecogniee petitsojuBjj Parlia ment , the first thing they should petition lot would fee adaose to give due protection to the labouring man . " Th « ameadmant was aeeonded by one of the meeting Whose name did riot transpire . -W . P . Bobarts , Bsg .., spoke in support of the resolution , aad wu xtpon rising greeted with most enflirt rnfiirtnr rhpfffirg . The resolution was carried by a large majority . . Mr . Mitchell was called upon to move the third resohation : —
** That in the opinion of this meeting a more safe and efficient system of ventilation ought to be established bj sinking a greater number of shafts , and those shafts to fee more equally placed ; and that we petition Parliament to obtain that object . " TSe resolution was briefly seconded by MiliTOsay , aad ably supported by
Mr . O'Connor , who reviewed the whole of the resolutions , and congratulated the Miners on the businesslike manner in which they did their work . He was hsppj'to see them assembled in their tens of thousands that day ; and was extremely happy that one cut of tbe 658 has heard their discussions and was prepared tobiy their « ase not only before the Houss , but at tbe foot of the throne , if it would do them any good . He fully concurred with the whelfi- of then * proceedings that day , and eulogised the conduct of Mr . Simpson , in
panging forward Jus amendment . It snowed that tbe Pitmen would sot be led by the nose ; tost they were capable of judging for themselves , and determined to ~ Bse . it . He wat sorry that there should be an occasion for such , a resolution as tbe one now before the meeting —that they should "be necessitated to petition for the light tf heaven , and liberty to breathe the » br of the firmamfint But he would stand by the Pitmen , because he believed they were on the light road . Jdr . O'Connor concluded bia eloqutnt speech amidst the tanadericg applause of the whole meeting . The resolution was carried unsahacmftT .
Fourth . " That the present machines for weighing oasis are faulty , and weigh very much out of truth ; we therefore resolve to petition PanismEzt to pass a measure compelling master Colliers to have machines on the beam and scale principle . " Carried unanimously . Mi . Beesley , in a very neat speech , presented as address from the Miners of 3 farjhumberlapd and Durham fcoMr . Duncombe . Oa receivirg which Mr . Buncombe Tose and was greeted with thunders of applause , waving of h&ts and Itaodkerchiefa , which lasted some tame . He delivered a lengthy and eloquent address which we regret we have not room for , sod concluded amidst the most enthusiastic thunders of applause , which lasted for several minutes .
The thanks of the meeting was voted to T . S . Dun-. eombe , Btqn 3 LP . ; to Psargas O'Connor , ! Esg . ; te W . P . Robert ! , Esq . ; asd to the Chairman . After which tbe meefinz separated .
Untitled Article
LATEST NEWS . —FOREIGK . Spais . —The E * pectador states that the provincial wgiment of Segoria had pronounced at Cbamartin , and that forty horsemen , eeni out from Sisdiid to smth . the movements of tbe xerohers , had joinwi them . Nobody was allowed to leave Madrid withont being provided jviih a pass from the authorities , sadVuo passports -were delivered at th » police for Saragossa or Arra ^ on . On the 16 th no change had taken place at Barcelona . The firing eonthmtd on both sides . The
junta hat iBsued a decree , compelling , Tmder pain of death , all persons irom ^ he age of sevemesn to idxtv to take no arms , The insurgente haTe plenty of iDOBey they have coined in ^ old to the amonni of 7 a , 000 doflars in one week . Theiroops ofthejanta xecBvea daoiTfivs reals and three rations of bread ; the officers aleo are paid with legnlarinr . A letter of the 18 th from St . J-an Hed de Port s » JS " : s —^ The last aniTals from Saragos * a coufirm fee bbstr of the breaking off of the negotiations and the resmapiion of hostilities . - General Concha seems te have eot posession of the snburbs .
Sfaih . —A rising is announced as having taken place at ^ Jamanca , headed bj the medical Students . CDBAliMiefnsed to recoguifie the present usurp-12 ^» government of Spain . - IlAiT . —A Idtter ixvm Bologna of the loih inst . States tha * freeb dJBturbsiice * had taken place it fcai cltT » D < i ite Beighbourhtod . In ike eveumg o the Zti , -the popnlace came to cIowb with the Car binBsrs aid iiwiBS . The Svriss haviug given vray a aoop of Dragoons was immediatelj sent to th < « sastasse of-the Carbineers , and soon restore M « der . * ' On the 80 i , several military posts iver < aitickedin the lower city . Similar outbreaks wen said Jo 3 » Tib ctecarxed in ether parts of the provbra 5 SS arre ^ a of fits patriots eon anraed . Tbepriscp rfaBofeai * contamed seventy political offenders jmd ^ SJraHffe were deteined at Pesaro untU ^ aj oouli U * && xmbved-ioiDrt San Leo « ¦ | | ¦
_ Latestsfrom Irelamb
_ LATESTSFROM IRELAmB
The adjooxDc-d meeting of the Repeal Association was held on Tuesday in the Conoiliatioa Hall ; ^ ie atkndanoe . wae by no means 60 nnmeroos asoo'the preceding days ;; Mr . J . H . Borke , ex-jofitice of j jhe peace presided ., . . ; - = \ : ; ' ; : \ ::- } ^ - _ The proceedings were of no particular interest Tbe following i »» H that ig worth a notieein the course of O'Connell ' e jspetch : — " It was said that they ought to conciUate certain reformers of England with . Joseph Sturge at their
head ; but their number was small , and not JikelyJo increase . Ko one more deared that they might become strong and powerful than he did ; but he confessed that his apprehension on tb . 3 subject exceeded his doubts . It was also said that they ought to conciliate the ChartiBts . bufc thai he never would consent to until they disavow physical force and abandon the intolerant principle of preventing others from speaking and thinking" as they pleased , or from seeking any object which they considered legitimato . " ;
The Liberator" again called for petitions" ! to be got ready against tbe meeting of the (* Saxon ") Parliament , praying for the " dismissal of Ministers . 17 He said he would not venture on any . simul taneous meetings , not even © facoonty » under the present eircumatances of irritation , ana concluded by moving the appointment of a committee to $ n , vt up tbe " petitions . " So much for the ? high and haughty" doings of the first week in Conciliation Hall !
Ffle Noetheen Star. Saturday, October 28, 1843.
fflE NOETHEEN STAR . SATURDAY , OCTOBER 28 , 1843 .
Untitled Article
THE LEAGUE AND THE ELECTIONS . A great fuss is made just now , by the League , because they have managed to return Mr . Pattison , a "Liberal , " for tbe Gty , in room of Alderman Wood , & M Liberal , " deceased . "Their song of triumph" on the occasion is both loud and long : though ordinary folks will be puzzled to see wherein the " triumph" consists , seeing that they have osly Baved themselves from defeat , by the returning of one " Liberal" in the room of another !
It may be , that Mr . Pattisoh is looked upon as a more decided n Jree-irader "^ han old Sir Matthew Wood ; and that therefore the return of him , ib opposition to Mr . Basing , the Government candidate , is a ' * triumph . " But before we can allow it to be a * triumph " , even in that sense , we must have it shewn that Mr . Basing was the representative of , or battled for , the opposite principle : the principle of jsoiieuos . In this character he did not appear . He too , was a free-trader . " The only difference
between the two men , Pattison and Babing , was that the one was called a Whig and the other a Conservative : both being opponents of those principles of commercial policy that once made England truly great , because comfortable and happ j ; and the abnegation of which has reduced her population to the horrid state in which we now find it , when the workers have to endure Bnch awful misery as to cause them to " wish Almighty God to put an end to their Bufferings before morning . "
Basins was a mere Whig . Follow him home ; . ran his principles out j and he is nothing more than a Whig . He was for "free trade "; though like little Lord John Russell , he had some undefined notions about "finality "; or applying the principles sloicly , so as not to throw all into disorder and irretrievable confusion . He was in favour of the New Poor Law ; though he might consent to some modification of the more harsh portions of it , when the necessity was proven . Indeed , he was , in very deed and truth , a Whig ; and bis defeat by Patxison , was only the return of one Whig over the head of another Whig , to fill up a vacancy occasioned by the demise of a third Whig . A rare occasion , certainly , for * songs of triumph" !
Tbe City Election being thns settled , ~ pnblifl attention is now turned to the one pending at Kendal . In that Borough , which numbers a constituency of nearly tsbsb . htodbed asd fifty , a Tacancy has occurred , through tbj death of a Lkacub man , Mr . Geosge William Wood . The League are therefore on the alert again . We are to have another "triumph / ' if the League , succeed in returning another man in the room of the man the ; have lost ; and thiB we axe of course to expect , Beeing that the Leaguejtell us that they havra majority of the three hundred andfiftv in their favour 1
The mest aotable matter connected with this Kendal election , is the sort cf contest that has -already taken place , in the choice of a League candidate . The claims of sot less than six "freetraders "} all panting for a seat , have been preferred ; and among them , the claims of our old friend , Goodt Thojcsow . Poor Old Colohkl ! How he ib tos&ed from pQlsT to post ! How he b
used , and then laughed at ! * The Coloitel would give bis ears to be able to write M . P . at the tail of bis name : and yet , spite of all his endeavours to accomplish it , nobody will have the poor man ! He has cried " wha wants me" to almost every constituency in England : but all seem instinctively to shrink from Mm as from a close connection with a daft old woman , whom all may pity , at a distante ; and some even seek amusement from her vagaries .
It really is a hard matter for tbe poor Colonel to be so Hsed . Hull wouldn ' t have . him . Manchester said " nay " . When a vacancy was announced for Sheffield , and tbe Coloitel was only talked of , tbe hitch with Waud and Passes was got over , or accommodated ; so fearful were tbe Sbeffieldera or the threatened invasion . Since then Goodt ha ^ cast a cheep ' s eye at Snnderland : and when Geobgk
i Williax Wood was " gathered to his fathers " , the K « ndal men were implored by all that was good and ; great , to gratify the craving ambition of tbe hawkedj sbout-but-rejected Coloxel . Mother Goose gare j- him a lift . She begged and prayed that ha might j not be disappointed this lime ; she gave her guarantee \ for the Colonel ' s goodness , squeezeableness—( of ! which , no doubt , she has had ampla
proof)—: A > 1 > DO-AS rrHISG-AM > -EV « THIXG FOB-A-SEAT-ABLSj sess , would the Kendal men but return him . . Shame on them ! they have refused I Hia \ claims have been repadiated—set at nought . ] Mother Goose ' s txbooivg seems , like tbe j Colonel's efforts and merits , to be at a discount . He is quieily passed orer with the other four—( to j feme unknown)—and he is doomed ' to dri 7 e his pre-I tensions to another market ; whether with any I better success remains to be seen .
. And who havo the "Free Traders of Kendal . fixed upon , as most congenial to their feelings and desires ? The anatomist Wahbubtow ! Dead Body \ BiU Wabbubtok ! The "Free Trader" in the I dead carcasses of the poor ! The cutter-up of the j friendless and the unprotected ! The dissecling-law pro-) curer , to enable drunken brutal " students" to "hack , " \ and hew / ' and " cuV and " Blash" iho dead poor , > in tbe workhouses and the prisons ! Amiable candidate ! more amiable constituency ! Sure such a pair were never Been . "
A great stir has been made by tbe League , in the City , about bribery . They have vapoured much about prosecuting for bribery ; and have evtn offered rewards for cases to bring before the tribunals . They have spent an uncommon amount of virtuous indignation respecting bribing practices . Do the League know why Dead-bodyBUl Wabbetbton is without a seat 1 Do they know anything of Bridporl ? Do they know why the cottbb-tjp of thb poob had bo suddenly to decamp from " the House "! Do they want cases to go before the tribunals with ! If so , how is it that they have overlooked Waebuetok and
Brid-, j > ori ? If their horror of bribery be as pure and as glowing as they pretend , why have they made Wax-BUBrros their candidate 1 How do all these things i eome to pass ! Hjk is the last man to bring fori ward on the ** pnrity of election" prinoiple I And , talking of bribery , brings to mind that there iB , at jjffesent , a petition against the return of Bright ioss himself , on the ground of bribery and other corrupt practices . Will the League prosecute John , i or their ownagents , should the charges of bribery be brough ^ hoaje ! Will they offer a revoard to all who can giveievidenoe ? Will they seek to vindicate the
Untitled Article
% w {_ Will _ . they ishew tfi »*^^ & new-born z ? al s ^ aa * kr ^ y iBnotflh ^^ cfi ^ Q j We should lis ^| o 8 eethemtryv - ? ' £ *' -i ' . .- ; .-r .., § < # » m dose , ; w © aiwt a ^ oEiwmirl 4 ow tbe £ 1 ^ 0 , 000 : is , getting : # . ;^ pb' spoonies dolngi Don ** - th ^ knoifeffi ^^ tte-men want the " hras ^ lgji ^ ev | b ^^^ 2 ec tlon 8 t and each wie cost : them aaj ^^ % e ity one has cost , —naugre all thedennae ^ fons against bribery , —they will need . a ^^ l ^ OO ^ OO before they have half the " Hon | 5 ??|^| Spse who have faith in thatsort of , process ,-en ^ hi not to withhold the
means J Pray Jet them be forthcoming . The League will apply them . ' Ifou need not fear that ! Don ^ then , bebaekward . Sead in the eeat-money . $ here wiU a way be found for it all : and when ali \ b again expended , you will have found out the tydth . ahi worth 6 $ another portion of Chartist policy . It has" cost you ^ £ 50 , 000 to find out that it is useless to again petition the present u House ;" and hopeless to expect your " measure" at its hinds I u Far-fetched and dear bought is good for ladies , " whether in petticoats or breeches By all means , then , make your future purchases in the same market !
Now , don ' t let the finders of the League-cash think that we have been bribed to thus urge upon them their duly . We assure them that it is not so . Our hands are clean ; though we believe that that is more than many of the Press-gang can say . Our advice to them , to send in their money , is perfectly disinterested . We see a lot of hungry mouths , waiting for the opportunity to swallow a plum . We
know their owners' propensity for mischief , if the feed be not found . They are capable of making away with all that can come to hand : there are also a lot of good easy simple souls , wbo have more cash than wit , and who are innocent enough to administer to their "necessities . " It would be a pity to dissuade them from their purpose . Let the cash roll in , then , for the sooner the £ 100 , 000 is raised , the sooner will it be spent !! Good lack attend it I
Untitled Article
pressed to go for nought ! Is thefBJON to be a mockery 1 Is the promised * rotection to be a fiction ? Is the law to be trodden uttdirfooti And is the qbeat law bseakeb still to OTHffiied in the Commission , as Lord Lieutenant of aHCph ? y I Bat to oar story . The Miners' Association have Aobnts in different parts of the country , to plead the cause of " Union" amongsit the working Miners in all parts ; and to shew ; them the advantages to be derived from a general legal combination to protect Miners' labour from the aggressions and assaults of capital . These agents have been
of immense service to the community at large independently of their own immediate purposes . They have been the means of dragging to light a vast amount of oppression and tyranny , practised in dark corners and far-away places . Amongst other things , they have exposed the practices of the Duke of Hamilton , the Cabbon Ikon Company , aad many individual Coal-owners , who live in the habitual violation of law . Some time ago two of these agents were in the neighbourhood of Airdrie , in Scotland ; in the several localities of which they held meetings of the working Miners . At one place they state : —
"As they proceeded on their way to a meeting , they were told that the employers were intending to apprehend them . On inquiring who were intending them this piece of kindness ! the reply was— ' Mr . Maugle , the manager at White Ridge Colliery . ' They proceeded to the meeting , however , unmolested ; but it may not be amiss to shew why this worthy is an enemy to union . In defjance op the law , he is employing females to a considerable extent both at While Rxdge Mines and Rosehall Collieries : both
belonging to Messrs . Miller and Aidie ^ These worthies were some time ago summoned before the Magistrates at Airdrie , to answer a charge of emplaying females in their pits , contrary to the Act . Thb Magistrates dismissed the cask on the GBOUND THAT NONIs BtiT THB ElSCAL WAS ENTITLED TO pboskcu * e ; AND THE 5 FISCAL WILL NOT PROSECUTE ! If a poor Miner was to break his contract with his employer , the case would not be dumutedl The Magistrates of Airdrie would have * jurisdiction' then !"
Now what is to be done ! Will not Sir James Gbaham interpose ! Then some one else must 1 This shameful disregard of the law for Protection must not be permitted to continue . Our advice is this : that the Convention , or the Exeoutive , of the Colliers Union , instruct their aotive and talented legal adviser to repair to Falfeirk , and get up oases against the Duke of Hamilton and the Carron Iron Company ; that he take the necessary steps to cause these cases to be laid before the Fiscal
and the Magistrates ; that he require them to put in execution the requirements and penalties of the act ; and that if they again refuse , he prepare to appeal to the higher courts , to force them to do their duty . If this course be taken , we believe it will eventuate in the assertion of the " majesty of the law , " even over the lawless Duke of Hamilton . It will enforce the law of pbotection ; and read a lesson to all other law-breaking Coal-King tyrants throughout the kingdom .
It is a matter that the minersunion should , in our opinion , immediately look to . The labour of females , degrading and debasing to them as it is , is resorted to , because of its cheapness . That labour is thus brought into competition with the labour of the males . Wherever a female is employed , a male is superceded , Thus a surplus is caused in the Miners' " labour market . " How can they hope to maintain wages , uuder such circumstances ? Remove the females ; keep them at home to look after their families ; decrease the pressure on the labour market ;
and there ib then some chance of a higher rate of wages being enforced . The Miners , therefore , even on this , the lowest ground we can take , are called upon , in obedience to the dictates of interest , to enforce the prohibitory clauses of the Act against the employment of females in mining operations . We therefore trust ; and we hereby loudly request ; that they : will take tbis matter in hand , and prosecute it to a successful issue . ' In so doing , we are sure they will serve the Miners in particular , and do service to the country generally .
THE TRUCK SYSTEM . It is not alone in the employment of females that the Coal-Kings are in the habit of daily disregarding the law . Other laws are continually set at nought The track system very generally abounds . Not content with reducing the wages of the poor toiling Miner to the lowest possible point ; not content with the perfect vassalage which the system of bonds induces ; not content with increasing the size and capacity of the - * tubs" ; ' not content with the
cheating practice of "setting-out : " not content with all these means and appliances of oppression , the tender-souled Co At-Kings , having an eye to interest , can not even let the poor bound slave expend his thrioe-earned pittance where he likts ; but forced him— - ( he ; knows the penalty)—to take it to the truck shop ; and there be again robbed to the extent of one quarter of his income J Nor is this latter practice confined to one locality . It abonnds all over the kingdom ! The law passed to repress it is a dead letter . It is set at noueht .
Even the Duke of Hamilton s district is not free from this curse . Even there , it is in full vogue . His " Gbacb , " as Lord Lieutenant , has been memorialised on the , subject ; and called upon to do bis uttermost to enforce the law against truck . It is needless to say that tho Duke has taken no euch steps . Living in the constant violation of the law himself , how can he dare to attempt te force the law on others ?
The following hand-bill will enable the public to form some sort of idea , of tlio plundering resorted to by the keepers of " Tommit Saves , " upon the poor werkies Sound to their counters . We give it just as we have received it . It has been sent us by a friend . Mr . Steel knows nothing of it ; but will , no doubt , be surprised to see his address so prominently set forth , and such an advertisement given him "for nothing . " The Bill , however , is a startling exposure of the " truck" bobbing practices : —
" Important Information . —The publio of Coatbridge and neighbourhood will do well to stop and read Steel ' s comparison of prices of provision : —
Untitled Article
Prices generally charged Prices geneby the Stort rally charged belonging | o it Steel ' s Protbe Iron arid vision Stores . Coal Masters Oat . neat , per pecft 93 8 d Potatoes do 9 ^ i 81 Barley do ... ... ... 12 a 84 to lOd Flour , do 12 d 81 to lOd Butter per pound H-l 6 d to 9 d Cheese do 7 d to 81 i % <\ to 5 id Bacon . Ham , do 6 i 4 d to 4 | cl Beef , Ham , do 8 d 4 d to 74 Tea , perrz . 5 ' Sjd Tobacco , per do 3 £ i 3 d Salt Hewing , per lb . ... 2 i » Id Brown Soap , do 6 £ > . i 5 d to fi . jd Whisky per gill 4 d 3 U Fourib . flneJoaf 7 d bhi
Untitled Article
" It is a well known fact that the working ol&asea , in general , pay too little attention to the savings effected in the purchase of provisions . That such is the case in general to the Colliers and Miners of Coatbridge and neighbourhood , Ib without doubt . In most cases , workers dealing with the Sterea belonging to their employers might easily save four shillkgB per pound in expending that amount . Such a saving in these times of depression , and low wages , is certainly of tho utmost consequence , and would go far to remedy various
grievances which the working classes ate daily labouring under . A workman with three shiliines per day , and at liberty to lay out his earnings to those who supply him cheapest , would then find himself better off than with three shillings and sixpence under the present restrictive truck system . In order to open the eyes of the suffering industrious classes of Coatbridge and neighbourhood to this important fact , the above comparison of prices is respectfully submitted for their perusal , by Andrew Steel , wholesale and retail provision dealer , Coatbridge . "
There ! that Bill tells its own tale . It needs no comment ; not even explanation . It sufficiently explains itself ; and an explanation of infamous practices it is . From another part of the country , Stafford , we learn of similar practices pursued by the Coal Kings . One case we will mention . It is a very peouliar one . We have it from a man on whose veracity we . eau depend : — -
Untitled Article
¦ j ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ ¦ " A free trader , uanrd Bateman , who was High Sheriff for the county of Stafford , pays one portion of his men in coals ;] and they have the privilege of trading * frbsly * trith any person , excep t theib kasteb ' s customeas ;! If they soil one ton to any of his customers , they are to be discharged ! One poor unfortunate wretch \ has twenty tons of coal due to him as wages . He cannot sell them ; therefore his family is compelled to starve ! Now , that is what we call a stunner ! " ' ! It is indeed a stunner ? ' The time was in Eng : land , when this man would hare been made to feel that it was a " stunner ; " for he would speedily have been " banned" with the power of the law . Now , however , Capital is above the law ; and the Executive is powerless ; dare not attempt to deal with its _ ,
aggressions . j It is not alone with the Coal Kings that the plan * dering practice obtains . It is prevalent in the manufacturing districts ; and in the nail-making counties of Worcestershire and Staffordshire , it is all but universal . In the latter plaoe it is likely to lead to an extensive turn-out { and all the world is aware , that the alledged existence of \ it in Wales has formed a prominent feature in the ; list of grievances put forth by the Rebeccaites . In all these places , where there is a superabundance qf \ labour , and where the labourers live out of the large towns , truck prevails . Nayi it even rears its head in some of the large towns themselves . .
What then is to be done to extirpate it ! Are things to remain as they are i Is cupidity to be allowed full swing j and no power to interfere Surely not . The shopkeepers are as much interested in putting the plundering system down , as the workmen themselves . ; The system deprives them of custom . It takes their livelihood out of their hands . It is destructive to both shopkeeper and workman . I Why then don't ithey unite with the men to enforce the law ! Why don't they follow the example of their brethren at Stourbridge , and at Sheffield ! In the former place : —
" The snopkeepers have at length come forward , and formed themselves into a . committee to put down if possible the truck rystem—with every prospect of doing muoh good , as a great many of the moneypaying masters have promised to aid them in every possible way they can . They have all the magistrates iu their favour . ; They propose to give every encouragement to the men to lay informations against the truck-masters , by giving them employment at ready money ; should they lay informations and lose their work ; and paying all expenoes in case of the informations failing . "
That is an example ! worth following . The shopkeepers generally would find their account in it , if they would act in a similar manner . And why not ? The law is clear and explicit . The power of the trccksters consists in the poverty and helplessness of their bound slaves . Let the shopkeepers but strengthen the hands !; of the weak ; let them but defend the defenceless ; and the truck system , would be shivered to atoms . ; We have said that the law is clear and explicit . To shew that it is so , ! and to guide our readers in laying Informations against truck masters , we will here give several of thb clauses from the Act itselfthe 1 st and 2 nd William IV ., o . 37 . We will give entire the 3 rd , 4 ih , 5 th , 6 sh , and Oth clauses ; and a portion of the 10 th : —•
" III . And be it further enacted , That the entire amount of the wages earned by or payable to any artificer in any : of the trades herein-after enumerated , in respect of any labour by him done in any such trade , shall be actually paid to any such artificer in the current coin of this realm , and not otherwise j and every payment made to any such artificer by his employer , of or in respect of any such wages , by the delivering to him of goods , or otherwise , than in' the current coin aforesaid , except as hereinafter ; mentioned , shall be . and is
hereby declared illegal , null and void . " IV . And be it further enacted , That every artificer in any of tho trades herein-after enumerated shall be entitled to recover from his employer in any such trade , in the manner by law provided for the recovery of servants wages , or by any other lawful ways and means , the whole or so much of the wages earned by such artificers in such trade as shall not have been actually paid to him by such his employer in the current coin of this realm .
"V . And be it further enacted . That in any action , suit , or other proceeding to be hereafter brought er commenced by any such artificer as aforesaid , against his employer , for the recovery of any sum of money due to any such j artificer as the wages of his labour in any of the trades herein-after enumerated , the defendant shall not be allowed to make any set-off , nor to olaim any reduction of the plaintiff ' s demand , by reason or in respect of any goods , wares , or merchandise had or ) received by the plaintiff as or on account of his wages or in reward for his labour , or by reason or in respect of any goods , wares , or merchandize sold , delivered , or supplied to such artificer at any shop , or warehouse kept by or belonging to such employer , or in the profits of which such employer ; shall have any share or interest . 1
•* VI . And be it further enacted , That no employer of any artificer ia any of the trades herein-after enumerated shall have or be entitled to maintain any suitor action in &bj court of law or equity against any such artifices , for or in respect of any goods , wares , or merchandize sold , delivered , or supplied to any such artificer by any such employer , whilst in his employment , as or on account of his wages or reward for his labourer for or in respect of any goods , wares , or merchanizo Bold , delivered , or supplied to such artificer at any shop or warehouse kept by or belonging to such employer ; or ia the profits of whioh such employer shall have any share or interest . i
"IX . And be it further enacted , That any employer of any artificer in any of the trades hereinafter enumerated , who shall , by himself or by tbe agency of any other petaou or persons , directly or indirectly enter into any contract or make any payment hereby deolared 3 illegal , Bhall for the first ' offence forfeit a 6 um not exceeding ten pounds nor less than five pounds , and for the second offence any sum not exceeding twenty pounds nor less than ten pounds ; and in case ( of a third offence any such employer Bhall be and be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor , and , being thereof convicted , shall be punished by fine only , at the discretion of the Court , so that the fines shall not in any case exceed the sum of oue hundred pounds . i
" X . And bo it further enacted , That all offences committed against this Act , and not berein-before deolared a misdemeanor , shall be enquired of and determined , and that all fines and penalties for such oflencas shall be sued j for and recovered , by any person or persons who shall sue for the same , before any two Justices of the' Peace having jurisdiction within the county , riding , city , or place in which the offence shall have been committed ; and that the amount of the fines ; penalties , and other punishments to be ihflioted upon any suoh offenders shall , within the limits herein-beiore prescribed , be in the discretion of such Justices , or , in oases of misdemeanor , of the Court before which the offence may be tried . " I
Here then is the law . It is simple and effective , if applied . Every case where a workman is paid in goods instead of money , is one of truck : and notwithstanding he may have have had the goods , he can compel the payment in money , and fine the trucksteb besides . Bring this law generally to bear in one or two districts , and the tbuck system would speedily disappear . : We trust that the Miners' Association will direct their attention also to this matter . Their members
in many parts of Scotland are suffering severely from the plundering practice . They can , by means of their combination , and their low adviser , put it down . " In doing so , they will materially serve the Miners generally ; and the Scotch ones particularly . They can also serve their own Association , at the expenee of the enemy . { Thereare cases plenty . A little time spent by an active business man would soon prepare them I for the petty sessions court . In all oases , -where proven , the wages must be paid ; and a penalty , within certain limits , must be inflicted also . Say there were three hundred oases : land ont of them , two
hundred convictions were obtained ; thb penalties alone , that MUST be inflicted , would amount to ONE THOUSAND POUNDS ! Would this be nothing 1 The [ penalties must be applied either in aid of the county rates } or a portion , to the informer , —not exceeding twenty pounds in any one case , —and the rest to the county rates , at tiediflcretion of the Justices . Say the Justices gave onefifth of the penalties to ] the informer ; that would pay for all expenses in j getting up tbe cases , and leave something for the general fond after all . Besides this , see what ant amount of money , ia the shape of wages , would | be put into the pockets of - the men ! That alone ought to induce tho Assooias
Untitled Article
tion to take up the matter . By so doing , they will materially serve , themselves . ; and perform ¦ ¦ the ir part towards " putting dowa" a most iniquitous and oppressive system . , - .. —¦
Untitled Article
THE LONDON AND SHEFffE&D TYPEFOUNDERS . ' ^ iiPT ' We have received from this oppressed and . persecuted body of British Artizans , a lengthy address expository of their grievances , whioh at this time of the week , ( Wednesday ) , it is impossible jfornB to give entire . The pith of the document will be found below . . ; We understand that the turn-out still continaes , and that the Trades Delegates of London are exerting themselves to assist the turn-euts in establishing a type-foundry for themselves , in opposition to the merciless monopolists who at present have almost the entire of the trade in their own hands , and are grinding their workmen to the very dust . In this noble effort wa trust that the Trades of tho
metropolis will heartily support their Delegates . There is no hope for the human , race , until the wealth producers shall be found "taking their affairs into their own hands , " by establishing Co-operative Societies for mutual support and mutual profit . Mastebship must be annihilated ere man can be really free : and to effect this , the only way is for the operatives to labour for themselves . This they might do by Union ; and until such time as thai union exists , the working classes will ever be
exposed to the hideous wrong to which the Typefounders are , at this very time , subjected . In the meantime , we earnestly entreat of the Trades of -every town throughout the kingdom to afford present aid to the London and Sheffield men . Their situation is most critical ; and , we trust , will be im ? mediately considered , practically considered , by all who olaim " a fair day ' s wage for a fair day ' s work . " The Type-founders
complain—, 1 st . That while the type of the present day has been wonderfully improved over that made but ten or fifteen years since , that this improvement has been effected at tbe expense of the workmen . Tfcat the improved type requires a vast deal more of time and labour in the casting and finishing , fir which additional labour so additional remuneration has been afforded . That while wages have decreased , the cost of moulds and , other materials used by tbe workmen have remained nearly the same aa formerly .
2 nd . That the trade of Type-founding was introduced into England from Germany , by German workmen , who were content to receive German wages , and thus established in this country the low prices paid for labour in Germany . That consequently the English workmen have never been able to raise their wages up to the general standard of English prices . And that ; whenever the workmen have endeavoured to obtain a fair remuneration , the employers have threatened to import Germans to supplaut the English operatives altogether I
3 rd . That a combination exists among a few firms to drive out of the market the rest of the employers , men not so wealthy , but more honourable than themselves , to the great injury of the trade , and detriment of the publio . and printers in particular . 4 th . That a most infamous system exists of fining the workmen , whenever it suits the caprice of the employers . That under this system the men have suffered the most galling oppression , and been subjected to the most rascally of robberies . And that by such means their employers have succeeded in amassing their pilea of plundered wealth .
The address says that" it is impossible for language to describe the amount of long-suffering and misery , or the daily and fruitless attempt of the men to obtain justice , previous to the present tnrn-ont ; but the cup of wretchedness was filled to overflowing when , in July , Messrs . Thorowgood and Beaslet , V . and J . Figgins , Caslon , of London , and SiEPHinfson , Blake , and Co . withBowEBj BKOTHfiBS , of Sheffield , all united to effect a reduction of twenty-three to seventy-five per cent , on our wages , " » . « ., a reduction of the wages of men who averaged under 18 s « a week to Twelve Suillinhs 111
The address concludes by soliciting the active sympathy and pecuniary aid of the Trades and Working Classes generally , an appeal which wa earnestly hope will be cheerfully and promptly responded to . A curious fact has come to our knowledge . Mr . Beaslet , the lordly profit-monger , the man who haa figured at the Police-office as the vindictive persecutor of his oppressed workmen , is a "Liberal" ; nay , more , a Corn Law Repealer ; and was most active in canvassing for the " League" man , Pattison , shouting at the top of his voice— " No
monopoly I" " Down with the Monopolists I" Truly , this leviathan profit-monger is a precious specimen of tbe " cheap bread and high wages" school } If there were any dupes of that school amongst the Type-Founders , Burely the pranks of auch mouthing hypocrites as Beaslet , and Co ., will open their eyes . When the working classes shall , by co-operation , labour for their own interests , and produce for their own enjoyment ; and when that labour shall be protected by just and equal laws , securing to the workman the fruits of his skill and toil ; when , ia short , the Charter is law , and tbe people have the good sense to say to the speculators ia industry and
the traffickers in human bones and sinews , " stand ye apart and govern yourselves , but no longer rule us , or presume to direct our energies , " then will the Bbaslet ' s be brongbt to their proper level , Twelvk shillings a-week , and Beasley a Corn Law Repealer ! Forget not that , working-men ! particularly ye Sheffield Tjpe-Founders , who may soon have an opportunity to say whether you are for the pbotection of your industry or not ; and if so , how that protection is to be obtained . Think upon your " no monopoly" friend and then say whether you will again hold up your bands on the side of the " cheapbread" hypocrites .
Untitled Article
IS CHARTISM DEAD 1 Mother Goose , ia her midnight lucubrations , has often dreamed of seeing the giant , Chartism , con-Bigned to " the tomb of all the Capulets" ; and as often has her affected dolorous voice cbaunted Us requiem . But still she is doomed , on every publio occasion , to see the giant walk forth in might and majesty , with increased strength and more emboldened front . Alas ! poor Goosey . You are -too premature in the assumption of your offioe of sexton . The hole you have dug in your dreams , is an omen of your own approaching dissolution ; a sign of your speedy return to your original nonentity .
This Goosey knows fnll well . The thought preys upon her mind . Her midnight visions are replete with the melancholy produced by realities ; aad she awakes , with soul perturbed , exclaiming— " The Chabteb ' a Dead 1 " She would fain persuade other people to think so too . The " people are losing confidence in Feargus O'Connob . " " The attendance on Mr . O'Connor ' s lecture was very meagre , compared with former times . " " What a falling off was there . " And all this , at the time that Mr . O'Connor's progress throughout the country is attended with proofs of success never before exhibited !
But if Mr . O'Connkb ' s audiences are "falling off , " what are we to say respecting poor Beggs , the " Complete" advocate . At Leeds Mr . O'Connob and the Chartists , though Chartism , is dead , can , for three nighta together , fill the Large Boom of the Commercial Buildings ; and leave a considerable surplus , after paying very heavy expences of rent , fto . j while the "intellectuals , " even when Bzeos visited them , were forced to bury themselves in alittic parlour , in the yard of the Black Boy Inn ; a smali room that the , Chartists had to leave because of itsj smallness , some six years ago ! At Bradford , Mr
O'Connob could fill the Odd-Fellows' Hall , and leave the Chartists £ 8 ia hand , after all expenoea were paid ; while Beggs was left ttarving in z , mat room , for want of auditors . At Hudder / jfield Mr . O'Connob filled the Philosophical Hall ; : and made , according to the Bradford Observer , £ he only clevet speech he ever made in his life ? while poor Bsoas was stuck in the Guild-hall with an audience of seventy ; and those too mainly Chartists , who had gone | o gee what tho H Complete" man was like . If therefore Chwfom is dwn , J pray where is Com pleteism \ '
Untitled Article
| ¦ ¦ ¦¦ - - ~ r ^ -: " ¦ ¦ ' - * ? ! - " ¦ ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ' -- - -- . " Baih . —Mr- C . Bolwai irEl leeiaw at iae . Toom « fthe 2 Jafion £ l darter ^ SBpr | aapn w llus ^ y , tf Sunday eraaiEg iiexfc - " -.- _~ i ~ i-
Untitled Article
• liww ^^ j- **^^^^^*/^/^^^/^ THE COAL KINGS AND THEIR LAWBREAKINGS . THE TRUCK SYSTEM . We do not hear that the Duke of Hamilton has been made to " eject" the more than sixty females , who are working in hi 8 coal works , at Redding , and to employ men in their stead ; or that the Carron Iron Company have been forced to obey ihs laic , and dispense with the services of the more than one hundred females that they employ . We do not hear that any steps have been taken to compel tbe Magistrates and FiscalsW enforce tbe law ; thal law which they have refusedto administer .
Now , this state of things is most scandalous . It reflects the greatest disgrace upon all the " Authorities , " from Sir Jakes Gbaham downward , to tho sycophantic Fu > c&l of Falkirk ; the official who dare not act against the GREAT Duke of Hamilton , but wbo is content—for a consideration—to wink at his illegal practices , and refuse to enforce the positive requirements of an Aot of Parliament , even when called upon by the illegally-oppressed to do so . . Sir James Gbaham cannot plead ignorance of this shamefnl disregard of law . His attention has been called thereto more than once .
We have brought the facts before his notice a many times ; and though he might be inclined to disregard what -appears in the Northern Star , yet the facts have been placed before him in a legitimate manner . He has been memorialised on the subject . The following will give the reader an idea . of the nature of tbe memorial : — " Falkirr . —The memorial to Sir James Graham lrom the colliers of this place , was forwarded to him a short time ago , with a great number of signatures attached thereto . The memoral stated that females were being employed in tbe Duke of Hamilton's pits
at Bedding , and by the Carron Iron Company at Carron-hall . It also stated that although informations had been laid before the Fiscal and Sheriff of the county , and magistrates , that they would not interfere to vindicate the law , though they knew it was being daily and openly violated ; and it called upon tho Home Secretary to cause an immediate inquiry to be instituted into the allegations contained in i the memorial ; to the truth of which the memorialists were ready to testify on oath . As yet no answer
has been returned . The mon here are determined to leave no stone unturned to cause the law to be carried out , and the women removed from 1 the pits : for not only is the Duke of Hamilton , and the Carron Company employing females , but a Mafistrate of the County , at Glen End , of tbe name of Ir . La ; mont ! Yonr correspondent also lately saw two women coming from the pits in their pit clothes at Clackmannan . These coal works belong to an Englishman of the name of Wilson . ' *
Now , what answer has Sir James Gbaham given ? Has he directed the Lord Lieutenant to inform the Magistracy that the law must be obeyed ; even though the enforcementof it should entangle the Lord LiBUTENAKT himself in its meshes 1 Has he direoted the Fiscal to proceed 1 Has he . in fine , taken any steps to enforce the law ; or Sshe too , content , to wink at it 3 daily violation , because the Duke of Hamilton is a cnlprit ?
Let Sir Jamfs Graham read and attend to the following ; and then let him say what is to be done . At all events , if he will not move , we must try to get some one to move . The Act , prohibiting tbe employment of females , has been passed for the purpose of PBOTECTtt'O weak and almost defenceless laboubees against the inhumanities and degrading subjections of the hard-hearted , unfeeling , Capitalist . That measure of pbotection shall not be a dead letter ! If the law is to be powerful to oppress and persecute the poor , when it has hold of them , —it shall , as far as possible be made to restrain the rich , while the restraint exists ! When the Colliers '
Protection Act passed , we heard a great deal about the necessity of Protection ; and of the wisdom , policy , and justice of the strong arm of power interfering to prevent the continuance of that Bcandal and disgrace npon our common species , dragged to light by the Labourers Employment Commission . The law authorising this interference was passed amid the acclamations of all parties . It was hailed as a boon to the poor minors ; those wbo go into the bowels of the earth , and endure hardships , and brave danger , to procure means of comfort for the more fortunate portions of the community . Is all the virtuous indignation then ex-*
Untitled Article
Since the above was in type , we have received the Nonconformist ; and by it we learn that tbe rejection of the seat'seeking Colonel has chagrined the Complete Suffrage men very much . They even threaten rebellion . They talk of " starting another candidate ; or that every Complete * elector sheuld refuso his vote . " Only think of that ! Why the Complete " men will be as Toryfied as the " blue-tailed Chartists" just now , notwithstanding all their horror of Toby-Chabtism ! "Start another man , " forsooth : and let in thb Tobt 1 Verily we are getting on . The " Complete" men are finding out , —what the Chartists have been long proclaiming , —that there is no difference between Whig and Tory , except in
name : that both are enemies to a general Suffrage , whether designated " Complete" or Universal . Their pet has been coolly passed over ; rejected . They see that the Whig 3 have no objection to use the "Complete" men in furtherance of Whiggery ; but that Whiggery is not to be used in furtherance of the peculiar sckemes and projeots of the " Complete " men . This the " Complete' ^ ea don't relish very well . They show symptomsVof fight . They talk of " starting another mau'Vregardless of the fact that their doing so may eauSeVthe Whig to be " rejected" also ! Bravo " Complete ^ men . Another leaf out of tbe Chartist book ! There will be very few left in a Bbort time ; for all will be in general and practical use !
Of course if they do " start another man " , it will be the Colonel . They can hardly think of passing over him of their own accord , and starting another candidate over his head . By all means let him go to see what the Kendalers are like . If he can persuade them to be dressed in Green , bo much the better for the " Complete" men ; even though the Green should be turned up with " Yollow . " _ . _ . m
Untitled Article
4 ' THE J ^ qRTHERN STAR , \
-
-
Citation
-
Northern Star (1837-1852), Oct. 28, 1843, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1236/page/4/
-