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T p ] L ATI 0 1 LAHD GOMPAHY I HoransKa 8 , 18 © . ^* » £ Ar " s . ' c & U : » - '¦• SSi IandFund ... T ° TALSExpense ditto "" *** 1019 8 Hathon ... *** " - 0 4 0 Bonu 3 ditto "" * " 19 0 0 loan ditto * " '" 0 5 2 Kew Company . "" "" ••* 0 10 Rules ... " - ¦ •« 3 0 0 Transfers ... * " - - 0 0 4 0 2 0 £ 33 12 2 W 'J ? ' C . Dora , ' T . Cubs , Cor . Sec . ' P . ^ M'Gbath , Fin . Sec . ¦ fl-t RAT I OR AI I AHn nnun . <> ..
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Bradrjbd , YoBKsraffi . _ On Sunday , Sovemher SV < & ?** &" **»« of the members took place m the Democratic School-room , Croft-street f Mr John Aorminton in the chair , when the followine persons were elected to serveas council-men during the next three months : —William Tempest Robert Cameron Nathaniel Frith , James Cafi jS * j £ S Bias atehmJonn Moore , Joseph AldJon , ' Joseph I ^ iJ * Sfi . P resident ; John Sormui-S ^^^^ easurer ; John Farrer , treasurer ; Edward Snuth , financial-secretary ; and Thomas WJicock , corresponding-secretary . AUcommuPications to be addressed . to Thomas Wilcock , care of Sdfod P * ' newg * & > MuHsbMter-waS ,
KornsGHAM—The Chartist councU held its weekly meeting on Sunday last , at the Seven Stars Barker-gate , when John Skerritt was elected secret teryfor the next month , and Mr . Wm . Thornton , of the Seven Stars , teeasurer . The meeting then toot up the subject of the printing debt incurred by the ConTention and Assembly ; it was then decided what sum each , locality should pav , and the secretary was instructed to inform them of the same , andreojujstthem to forward their respective sums to the council , at its next meeting . After transacother bnsiness
ting , the meeting was adjourned to Sunday next , at three o ' clock , at the same place Bnsxos--Atan adjourned meeting of Chartists and land Members , Lold in Hall-stree ^ on Sunday last , the following persons were unanimously eleeted as President , Secretaryand Treasurer •—Mr . Thomas Davis . Mr . John Jones , and Mr . J White . Subscripboaa were commenced towards paying the debt due to the Printer . We thank our Wolverhampton friends- for their kind attention to our report of last week . We hope to hear from our Oldbury friends , and the other nlaces who inineri
in forming a district when the debt was contrac ed-Wewishtoask thosewho stand aloof from us , if it is right . that Mr . O'Connor should be the scap-goat for their sins ? AH commnnication » to be sent to John Jones , near the Toll-gate , Wolrerhanntonstr eet , Bilston . * CHABTERYiLtE ^ A ^ OTBcftf ' of i&& allottes have formed themselves intoa Mutnal Improvement class The first monthly meeting was heldinthe schoolroom , on Saturday evening last , the 3 rd inst . A vote of ( hanks was passed to E Stallwood , fora work presented by h ' m to the class .
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MIDDLESEX SESSIONS . The November general sessions commenced on Tuesday at Clerkenwell . A Pbecociods CrimisaIu—Edward Taghill , a boy who was convicted at the last session of a felony , and whose singular history , having been convicted fourteen times , though not eleven years of age , was brought upfor Judgment . —The learned judge said hennas novr prepared to sentence the prisoner to trafisportatiofl . lie did not generally say anything in relation to any particular case , but in this , as well as in others of the same description , he Supposed the Pxisoa Inspectors would use their OWH discretion and dispose of this boy aa they thought proper However , he should take care that they had a special
report upon this case , font was not an ordinary one . The sentence was that the prisoner be transported for theterm of seven years . Peosecdiion op Children Br their Paresis . — JohnJKellord , a poor-looking boy with a crutch , pleaded guilty of naving stolen a pair a trousers , raluels . 6 U , the property of his father . —The learned judge , having put some questions to the father , remarked that this was a case that strikingly illustrated the great necessity that existed for some law by which parents might be compelled to contribute towards tbe maintenance of such of their children that became criminals . The father of the boy was a master tailor in a good way of business , and though the prisoner had turned out a vicious
lad , the father was as competent to support him , as though he were a good one ; but this prosecution and conviction relieved the father from every responsibility in respect of the prisoner for the future . —Mr . Buchanan , one of the magistrates on the bench , said he did most sincerely hope and trust that in the-next session of parliament some such measure , tbe necessity for which so frequently eshibited itself in that court , and was just pointed ont by the learned judge , would be passed , so that parents who could do so , might be compelled to support their children when they became inmates of a prison . There would then be a real inducement for parents to keep their children out of crime . — The learned judge was sorry to " say that he
considered his friend was rather too sanguine upon the subjeet . It was a matter of too much good sense and reason to be brought forward and carried through our Parliament so rapidly as Mr . Buchanan -wished . Were it some triflings and ^ important question , that could lead to no great good as far as the public were concerned , and which was never heard of or cared for by anybody until it was first mooted , it might be hoped with some reason that it would be promptly carried . But this was a matter of theTery highest importance , and calculated , if c arried out , to produce the greatest advantages to all , but towards none more than these poor neglected and miserable thieves . It might be law when the present generation were great grandfathers . — The father said he would gladly give half a crown a week towards the lad's maintenance . —Mr . Buchanan : You should haveflo ^ ced him in s tead of sending
him to prison , that would have saved him . Ihe father said he had flogged him , but it was of no avail . The boy could work very well at his trade , if he chose , but he would not . He would go out , and , though he was a cripple , he made home a hell upon « arth . He bid robbed him time 3 out of number . The prisoner ' s mother was dead , but he hada stepmother . She had two children of her own . — The learned Judge said that was ihe secret . Itwas inconceivable what an amouat of misery , wretchedness and oftentimes crime , second marriages in the EVorders of society produced . So doubt the boy a absence would not be disagreeable to tje Bowers at home . He had that morning been reading SsSickens' David te « »» dfc a ai . 'tfatediw lie that of " » a « d" and " Mr . Murtt-SSFr tJSr . As the father had instituted the prosecution , the court had no alternative but to punish the prisoner , andthe case must be treated m the ordinary manner . The prisoner was then sen fenced to three months * hard labour .
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— _ LETTERS TO THE WORKING CLASSES LXVI . ^ £ 335 ^ LABOUR'S WRONGS . Bbother Prolbiabians 22 ^ 5 S ? 1 «» PeM tt-g Politicians £ d SS-1 P ^ frwpsfa , " who propose to ertabbsh a political and social millennium by abol ^ ng a few maUons oftaxes . anddiffaavng vp ^ ^^ gf ^^ HolyScriptnres . " Thi g effortsofeach " reformers" topromote X £ v ? em = ? end k making bad worse . Arable tankers of society , they make two holes while clouting one . Everybody must We heard of the "British and Foreign Bible Society , " established to circulate the "Holy Scriptures " at home and abroad . If cheap gospel could save the world , certainl y we should soon seethe millennium , for it must be confessed that the above-named Society have not slackened in their efforts to bring the Bible home to civilised and savage—. LETTERS ¦
from the dwellers in this modem Babylon to the barbarous tribes of the Pacific Ocean . It does not , however , appear that improvements ( physical , mental , and moral , ) in the condition of the human race have kept pace with the labours of the Society . To say nothing of foreign nations—the progressive decline of Hindoos , Sikhs , American Indians , &c . — Opium Wars , Cafire Wars , &c . ; the spread of JEuropean vices , contemporaneousl y with European role , among tte natives of Ada
Africa , America , &c . ; it may be shown that cheap Bibles , though so wonderfull y diffused at home , as well as abroad , have failed to benefit tbe great body of the people ; . In some districts religious fanaticism inay have b ^ en stimulated , and a " pious resignation "to injustice encouraged ; but , most certainly , the Society's efforts have not advanced the general comfort , education , and morality of tie proletarian classes . The contrary may be proved , at least in the case of tbe unfortunate women
employed in tie production of the Society ' s cheap Bibles . Cheap with a vengeance are these spiritual bargains . The Society sells a ruby Bible for Is . 6 d ., a pearl Bible for 10 d ., and a diamond Testament for 4 d . —all bound in embossed covers arid edges gilded . I have no knowledge of the prices paid b y the Society for printing , stereotyping , presswork , &c . The binding is doae by contract ; a Mill Watkhjs , who has a large establishment at Bermondsev , being the contractress .
It may be presumed that that lady is distinguished for piety—how else account for her underbidding all competitors in her zeal to aid in the production of cheap Bibles ? But Piety loves the partnership of Profit—the two in union being so " highly respectable ; " and Miss Watkdis has so worked her contract as to prove , in her oujb cose , that " godliness is great gain . "
It has been pretended by this " lady , " that the wages paid to her workwomen have averaged from 7 s . 63 . to 15 s . weekly ; an untrue representation of the actual facts . For folding and sewing the whole of last year ' s issue of 1 , 107 , 518 ' copies , the folders earned but 6 s . 10 | d . a week , on the average ; and the stitchers , 7 s . 3 d . weekly . Even these miserable sums are often reduced by the unhappy workers being mulcted in such fines as the following—If the " sewer" leaves a sheet with the inset down , she is fined 3 d . ; if the inset be not sewed , Is . ; failing to point out the fact that the " collator " has left out a sheet , Is . ;
if an inset wily , Gd . Should a " folder" cut up a second sheet before the first is folded , she is fined Is . —sometimes discharged ; or if the sheet be turned down wrong , 3 d . When the " collater " leaves out a sheet , the fine is Is . or puts in a wrong sheet , Is . ; and if not" discovered till the book is bound , then she U fined the price of the book—the spoiled boqkjiielfiihe conlractress keeps ; so that , as she say ? , the cost may not be raised by raffles and subscriptions . One poor girl , whose earnings amounted to 4 s . for sixty-three hours' work , had to pay Is . —a fourth of the product of her week ' s labour—for fines levied as above stated . These
fines go into the pocketof the precious " lady " Watkins , who , moreover , increases her godly gains by not paying for " pastings , " though elsewhere sewers are paid ( a miserable sum ) for that kind of work . The said pious capitalist also refuses the work-womeu access to water , except between four and half-past four o ' clock , and then only to hot water , for which each has to pay one penny a week . As sometimes three hundred hands are employed , the holy employer will , at such times pocket twenty-five shillings weekly by the sale of her hot water ; or , making a reasonable deduction for firing , about twenty shillings clear profitthat is four or five times the sum paid to many
of the wretched women in her employ for sixty hours' labour ! Some weeks ago the " hands'' rebelled , and one hundred and fifty-six struck work . New hands have been brought from other parts of England , and from Scotland , who left their homes on the understanding that they were to have from 14 s . to 16 s . weekly ; but they find they cannot earn half that sum , and are , therefore , anxious to retain home Bat those homes many of them will never see again . Inquire for them twelve months hence—not at the firesides of their childhood , but in the streets—the hospitals—the workhouses , and the graves , of this Babel of splendour and misery , revelry and despair .
The Mens' Bookbinders' union have nobly thrown the shield of their protection over the women on Btrike . Meetings , too , have been holden . for the purpose of arousing public sympathy , and also , if possible , to induce the Bible Society to make a tr ifling addition to the prices of their Bibles and Testaments , and thereby take from the contractress her plea for giving such labour-robbing wages . A memorial to that effect was addressed to iho Society five or six weeks ago , but has been treated with studied neglect . ThelSecretary , indeed , has intimated that the Society will riot interfere between Miss Watkejs and her workpeople . An attempt has also been made to obtain the sympathy of the Bishop of Lon-DOS , who thus replied to the Committee : —
Fulham , September 24 th , 1849 . 5 b , —I have to admowledge the receipt , a short time since , of your letter , respecting the hardship said to be occasioned to poor girls employed in binding the bibles sold is the British and Foreign Bible Society . I will read the pampldet which yon have sent me with due attention ; bnt I do not see in what way I can assist in remedying the enl aomplained of . I am , Sir , your obedient servant , Mr . Joseph . Mackey . C . J . Iosdox . Since September the 24 th , not another word —not a shilling—has been received from "his Lordship , " who " does not see in what way he can assist in remedying the evil complained of ; " that is—translated into plain Englishhe does not care whether the " folders" and
" sewers" of the " Holy Bible" starve , thieve , or turn prostitutes . "What is it to him ? He enjoys the fat of the land , and all his household riot iu very wantonness . So it will be—and w iti , ought to he—until the people , having common sense driven into their heads , shall put an end to the power of such holy cormorants and sacerdotal impostors . Making every aUWance for idleness ,
selfabandonment , and seductions , as causes of prostitution , it is unquestionable that a preponderating per centage of the thousands -who walk the streets of London have been brought to their degraded position by the system of low wages and labour-robbing returns paid to bonnet-makers , milliners , dress-makers , staystitchers , shirt-makers , waistcoat and trowsers makers , &c ., &c , And now it is revealed to
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the public that the folders , stitchers , &c , of the " Hol y Scriptures" are subject to the same treatment , and , as a matter of course , to the flame temptations . It is asserted , that this blessed system of cheap Gospel sends every year upwards of a hundred women into the brothels of the metropolis . Thus the British and Forei gn Bible Society , while compassing earth and sea to convert " the heathen , " are at the same time dooming their own countrywomen to soul and body-Blaying ruin . ' Oh Heaven ! that such companions thou'dst unfold And place in every honest hand a whip To lash the rascals naked through the world !" a «^« . _ .. . ,, T" ^
The bookbindressess constitute but a small section of the victims of cant , competition , " commercial enterprise , " and Free Trade , abounding in this metropolis . At the East end of London there are thousands of women working for the slop shops , who after deducting the cost they are put to for " trimmings , " thread , candles , &c ., employed in the performance of their work , find themselves possessed of such sums as 4 s ., 3 s ., 2 s . 6 d ., 2 s . 3 d ., and even stillhwer sums as their week ' s income with which to provide food , pay rent , and—no , not nnd clothing and other necessaries , for that must be impossible . In vain did poor Hood write his « Song of the Shirt . " The makers
of that garment are paid at this very time such SUma as from 6 s . a dozen , the very highestdown to Is . a dozen . Think of any kind of shirtmaking being done for a penny each shirt ! Let the advocates of cheapness reflect on the following words of an intelli gent , moral , and industrious woman—a wife and mother : — "This poor needlework , in my opinion , is the cause of the destitution and prostitution about the streets in these parts . So that in a great measure I think the slop trade is th . 0 ruin Of the young girls that take to it—the prices are not aumcient . to keep them , and the consequence is , they fly to the streets to make out their living . "
Probably "his lordship—" , the meek and lowly apostle of Fulham—would admit . this to bean evil ; but then he would add that he could not see how he could remedy such & state of things . One thing I am persuaded of , that there will be no remedy attempted until priests , profit-mongers , and the rest of the natural enemies of Labour are driven from the Legis * lature . It is written in the book of Fate : From the ranks of the Proletarians must come the saviours of Industry !
Let no one well to do in the world , imagine that the female slop-workers are the only sufferers . The male makers of " Chesterfields , " " fishingcoats , " " paletots , " " monkey-jackets , " " beavers , " " shooting coats , " " saeka , " « Oodringtons , " " Tr inity cloaks , " ' surtouts , " "dresscoats , " " vests , " "trousers , &cM are subjected to a like system of slavery . When all deductions for " trimmings , " &c , have been made , the men are
the possessors of eight shillings , and still lower sums , weekly wages . One remarkable circumstance should be borne in mind , all the workers — men and women — agree , that for some years past , whether there has been "bad trade , " or " good trade , " wages , have , year by year , regularly declined . So much for free trade J The promises of Cobden and Co ., are being daily falsified , and the predictions of the Chartists
are in course of as regular fulfiment . The latter maintained that " cheap bread" would be no cheaper to the workers , inasmuch as wages would be reduced as provisions fell in price . So it has been in the Metropolis ; and if a temporary flush of trade has seemed to give the lie to Chartist prophecies as . regards the manufacturing districts , I have only to say "wait a little longer . " The fierce and deadl y competition , which every year becomes more intense between employer and employer workman and workman
— , will end in the reducing of all classes of labourers , and a large number of their present employers , to the level of the wretched slop-workers— unless prevented by a Social Revolution . Mark the words of one of those poor men , as written down by the agent of the "Morning Chronicle : "— "We really are the prey of the master , and cannot help ourselves . Whatever he offers we are olliged ' td acceptor else go and starve . " The same person added , " I'd sooner be transported than at this work . Why , then , at least , I'd have regular hours for work , and for sleep ; but now I ' m harder worked , and worse fed than a cab horse . " What can flooding the land with cheap Bibles—what can the reduction of the national
taxes to five-and-forty or forty millions , annually , do for such men ? If they literally swallowed the Bible , page by page , they would still have but eight shillings , or less , weekly , to find them in bodily nourishment , which I imagine they would still need as much as ever , notwithstanding their spiritual food and if not merel y ten millions , but the entire taxes were swept away , they would still be
the " prey" of the masters . Abolish all taxes , and do nothin g for the protection of labour—whatever temporary benefit might be reaped by the workman his career would still be downwards , until again reduced to the most absolute physical degradation—leaving to the capitalist the entire benefit of the "Reform . " The evils of society are social as well as political , and reform , to work any real good , must be the same .
I observed that "the ministers and gentlemen connected with the Congregational Union of England and Wales" have commenced a series of "Lectures to WorKing Men . " The first of these discourses was delivered by the Rev . G . Smith of Poplar , at the Mechanics' Institute , Chancery-lane on Tuesday evening last ; the subject of the lecture being " The Advantages now possessed by the Working Classes for Social Advancement . " The Rev . lecturer described the present age as one of • a high state of civilisation , mental dignity an -well-balanced political liberty . " He forgot to add that the benefits of civilisation were monopolised by the useless classes , and that the balance of
political liberty was all in favour of the same classes , and against the wealth-producers . The lecturer complimented the working men on their " patient endurance of trouble , and their little envy of those who are exempt from their privations . " That looks very like praising the people for a spirit of dastardly submission to misery and oppression ! In the report before me the Bcv . gentleman graciously observes that " Labour is no degradation . " He adds : " Nor is it uncompensated . In some cases - no doubt , it is inadequatel y rewarded . But in a great commercial , competing community , it will usually meet its fair reward . " Here- is a precious " teacher in Israel J" He actually sets forth t 6 m-
petition , one of the principle causes of low wages , as a guarantee for Labour ' s fair reward I Hear himagain : " Industry and frugality must be cultivated : the Messrs . Chambers have informed us of a working man who contrived to save , between the aces of twenty-one and forty , £ 500—notwithstanding he had a wife and family—b y acting on the simple rule of spending only two-thirds of his income , whatever it might be . " Now what will the slop-workersmale and female—say to this " simple rule" by sticking to which for twenty years , they are toW , they may save a sum amounting to half a day ' i income of the Marquis of Westminster ? I yn \\ bttt ffiJ ^ T * * ™> man described . by the Chronicles
" ' agent as scrupulously clean , neat , frugal , , and hard-working :- «• rve been short-very short , indeed , sir ; in want of the common necessanes to keep my strength and life together . I don t find what I get by my labour sufficient to keep me . 1 vc no money anywhere , not a farthing in the house . • * » For my old age there is nothing but the workhouse . After fix mtd twenty pears hard work I ' ve not a penny to the fore Iidthinp to depend upon for an hour . If I could have saved I should have been very glad to have done so . " This woman never had any one but herself to keep . As regards the work-men I have already said sufficient . Even could the eight-shilling 8-a-week tailors
lay by one-third of their earnings weekly , t ? ey would have to work and save for seventy years before they could accumulate £ 500—a sum , probably , far less than the Earl of Eouxiout ? bets on a race-horse at Ascot or Newmarket , Informing Ms hearers that the Congregational Union contemplates " no such Utopian plan as an equality of condition , " the rev . gentleman adds : — " The ordainment of society seems to be that a large proportion of mankind shall always be poor . That appears to be inseparable from a hi"h state of civilisation . " Like " predestination" this is a comfortable dectrine for the " elect , " but not so comfortable for the poor outcasts . If the rev . lecturer belonged to the latter section , he would sing
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^ rS < ? tune - ff » indeed . k'S P ro J portion of poverty was inseparable from a high state « wSn'Z ' i' t . or would be justified to cryinjj ; Thl JST ? , bMbar « m-periBh omlieation . " But 8- KT *™ ? « e number of them-know ?\ J , ^ Z Preached by the Rev . Georob Smith to be a wicked and abominable falsehood . Poverty is not caused by civilisation , but by the cannibal conspiracy of aristocrats and usurers , priests , lawyers , and military murderers , to defraud the workers of the fruits of their toil , and the reward of their industry . Civilisation must advance , but its blessings must no longer he monopolised by the useless and mischievous classes of the community . It is disgraceful to the millions that they have borne with insult and injustice so long . It appears , that at the close of Mr . Smith ' s lecture , the Uiairman invited inquiries and observations from working men nresent . whf > n a rnnnWakftr
rose and complained that the Lecturer had spoken too favourabl y of the degree of religious liberty enjoyed by the people . His observations were replied to , when immediatel y votes of thanks to the Lecturer and Chairman were moved and carried . •' Several parties seemed desirous to speak on the subject , but the gmienm ontU platform appeared impatient to depart ; " and so those who probably desired to correct the Lecturer ' s fallacies , were 1 » ttvi n rm | t If the Congregationalists are wise they will eschew public platforms . The Working Men want not their patronage , and their symrt £ ftwL w r aa the blessing of the priest inthefoble . If I except any portiSn of tb / lfcv . Georgb Smith ' s lecture from censure , it must bo these words-words which to my readers will expregg a meaning . for beyond that which he " meant to convey-- "Jt cannot be too often urged upon the mrhng man , that he mat imt out his own social Hxivatwn . N . ™ . w 8 tM l ;; Du PEOTLE -
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THE FRATERNAL DEMOCRATS . The first of the regular weekly meetings of the Committee at their new place ef meeting ( in the secretary's room of ) the Literary Institution , Johnstreet , Tottenham-court-road , took place on Friday everting , November 2 nd . . John Milne was called to the chair . Several new members were enrolled , and a number of subscriptions paid in . It was resolved that five hundred copies of the " Objects , rules , and address" ( published in last Saturday ' s Star ) be printed for circulation . The Committee then adjourned .
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THE METROPOLITAN TRADES CONFERENCE , Convened by the Metropolitan Trades Delegates , waa ueW at the Literary and Scientific Institution John-street , Fitzroy-square , on Wednesday evening , November 7 th . About forty delegates from the most influential of the metropolitan trades were present . Mr . John Seagra-ve , operative tailor , was called to the chair . Mr . A . Delafokce ( Secretary , ) read thefollowing list of delegates present , who had produced credentials , and were in addition to those trades who belonged to the Association : —City Society of Bootmakers , White Hart West End Society of Tailors ; London Society of Cigarmakers ; Red Lion Society
oi lauors ; shk weavers Society ; Globe Society of Carpenters ; Mr . Bate ' s Society of Carpenters : Silver Cup Society of Carpenters ; Star and Garter Society of Tailors ; Hand-in-Hand Society of Painters ; St . Martin ' s Society of Tailors ; Operative Society of Bakers ; Angel and Crown Society of Painters ; Progressive Society of Cabinetmakers ; Canadian Land and Railway Association ; Friendly Society of Painters ; Society of Compositors ; Friendly Society of Carpenters ; Meyer ' s Meeting of Boot and Shoemakers ; Society of Carvers and Gilders ; and the members of the metropolitan delegates . The round numbers represented beintt 17 , 774 . . " The Chairman , in reply to a question , said , the reason the meeting was not held at . th * rv-nwn
Head was some observations which fell from tho magistrates , on an application for a music license by the landlord of that house . The report was then read by the secretary , detailing the various matters that have appeared from time to time in the Northern Star , and concluded by recommending a "bill" to Parliament , embracing " The fullest Extension of the Suffrage , " " Homo Colonies , " and "Local Boards of Trade . " Mr . A . Campbell moved the adoption of the report , which was seconded , and carried unanimously . Mr . Tapperal moved the first resolution as follows : — " That this meeting of tho representatives of theiLondon Trades' Delegates are fully convinced that the industrial , social , and political
condition of the working classes have not kept pace with the intellectual and moral improvement of the people . " — Mr . Tapperal said , he thought the working classes had not been so active as they might , although efforts had been made for a century past . Benefit Societies . subscribed some five or six millions annually , which showed the power of the millions of wealth producers , which power only lacked the proper direction to insure success . Vast sums of money had been ex-. perided in strikes ; he knew societies that had expended from £ 40 , 000 to £ 50 , 000 , but the men were desirous that this system skould ceaseforever . Some had said their improvement was chronicled by the rise of mechanics and literarv institutions : thnsn
studded over the land only made them feel more acutely the wrongs under which they laboured , and it was a scandal to them to find that the land would support more than treble the present population , yet so many should be starving . Machinery had come in , and by competing with manual labour had increased the evil , though he thought machinery would ultimately' prove beneficial . He wished to see str ikes abolished , and the monies raised put to the employment of the people in Home colonies . He thought emigration was shown to be a delusion , by so many inthecolonies being desirous of returning to England . The great question for the assembled delegates to solve , was the best means of employing the unemployed , and he thought the time
was favourable for a society which would bring about the desired change . Mr . Brisck ( Cigar-maker , ) seconded the resolution . He said that the Trades , instead of proceeding had receded—his trade , instead of living , could now scarcely exist—yet masters flourished , retired , and kept their carriages , whilst , he contended , a working man should have the means of laying by a something for times of adversity , instead of being separated from wife and children as they are unfortunately compelled to be at the present time . He cordially seconded the resolution . Mr . G . Read , ( Baker , ) said the reasons for the present depressed state of trade were , first , because they had no control or voice in making the laws hv
which they vere governed . Secondly , by the false doctrine of the political economists—Sir Robert Peel amongst the number—who , by his Currency Laws , had done much mischief . A cry of cheapness had been raised , by which means three times the amount of labour was given for less than half the money formerly obtained . He did , indeed , see a strong reason for working men to be represented in the House of Commons . He could not forget the expressions given vent to by the Manchester men , when Lord Kobert Grosvenor submitted his motion respecting the over-worked trade to which he had the misfortune to belong , and which motion was backed by 35 , 000 petitioners ; and men in his trade worked at least ei g hteen out of tho twentv-four
hours—this showea the necessity for a political , moral , and social change . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . EssEmr , ( Tailor , ) said it had been truly observed that their progress was a downward one ; he regretted to say that his trade was an apt illustration—they were getting so bad as almost to exclude hope ; and without meaning any < liscourte » r to the gentleman of the "Fourth Estate" present , the Press , was an opponent—the Times and Chambars ' Journal especially—who asserted things as facts , which were falsehoods , and refused a rejoinder from the working men . Next to these was politicians , and par excellence the Manchester School—Richard Cobden in particular—who said , the working man could not answer his Free Trade nostrums , whilst he took care they should have no chance of
so doing . ( Hear , hear . ) Bethought if the working men had an opportunity they would show themselves competent to manage their affairs better than any minister ; and as a proof of the necessity of their bo doing , he would instance the case of policemens CO nni > fri ^ form ? rlyco st « ine shUlings and sixpence for kbtmr alone , they now had more labour IJTfM , shl ^?« 8 and sixPence only ™ given for the work . . When this was complained of , the Lords of the Treasury affirmed that all they had to do with the matter was to Bee that the things were properl y done at the least possible cost . Now he ( Mr . Emery ) thought this was bad moralitv , and would apply equally to stolen goods , and the sooner a change took place the better ' . ( Cheers . ) Resolution carried unanimously .
Mr , a . Campbell moved the second resolution -.-That it is the opinien of this meeting of Trades Delegates that the fundamental prineipfes put forth aa the basis of tho National Association for the Organisation of Trades would if carried into practice , give employment to all who are willing to labour , and secure to the industrious classes a fair day ' s wage tor a fair day ' s \ rork ( without infringing on the rights of any man , or class of men ) , and thereby lay the foundation for the wadual develop .
ment ot a state of prosperity and security to all classes of the United Kingdom . " Mr . . Campbell said-From the time they had met at the Old f ' > he had been making inquiry whether the trades had progressed , and was sorry to answer in the negative-notwithstanding free trade had promised to employ everybody ; but this free trade was nothing but a delusion and a snare , to entrap labour , cheapen goods , and lessen tbe price of la bour . He contended it was the duty of all mecha nica and labourers to set their faces against such
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cold-blooded philosophy . The resolution related to the rules of the "National Association for the Organisation Of Trades . " The declaration prefacing the rules declared the land " national properly ' , that the suffrage should be " universal , " tnatedueation . should be extensive and secular , and that a ohange should take place in our circulating medium , and that local boards of trades , with a Minister of Labour to superintend and represent them in the government or cabinet , should exist . It was contended that this Minister should have a seat m the House of Commons , so that Ubour might bo represented , at least in a small degree . He recollected Lord John Russell declared that such principles were dangerous to capital and labour , and this S * gg «««»«> *^^
he gave as a reason for refusing to give power to the working classes . The rules also proclaimed the necessity of a graduated property tax , which no portion of the press , by the by , had ventured to gainsay . They had men who were called Financial Reformers , and who advocated a reduction of ten millions , forgetting that this must cause a disbanding of soldiers , &c ., and an increase of unemployed labour . He thought such things would never tend to elevate the masses , and that the theory of taxation was that of taxing property to find employment for labour . He felt assured that the principles of the resolution , if carried out , would tend
materially to increase the comforts , happiness , and permanent welfare of the industrious classes . ( Loud cheers . ) He thought they should invite the "fourthestate" to discuss these matters in their columns , and permit the trades to reply ; and by a moral and peaceable course , they would proceed onward , until they put their principles into practice . ( Cheera . ) Mr . Isaic Wiisojf , ( Shoemaker , ) in seconding the resolution , said : He thought it contained 60 ine highly practical schemes for the improvement of the working classes . The land was the main thing to be looked to for the salvation of the working classes .
Mr . 6 . Read said : TVhen their case was brought before parliament , Mi " . Labouchere said , if they took up the case of the bakers , they would have the fustain cutters , glass , blowers , &C , &C , and he wanted to know , why not ? "Was it not better that grievances should he made known , rather than lie festering in the dark ? He hoped to see the trades , and working classes generally , unite to carry out their objects . If they wished their successs , they must unite to obtain it . lie thought it must eventually be seen , that property was no longer secure than the producers of that property were remunerated and protected . Mr . Edwabd Edwabds ( Compositor , ) said : He could not let the opportunity pass off
without declaring the truth of the principles set forth ; and further , that they never could be carried out unless they were pushed , before the public , which he thought could never be done until they had an organ of their own , morning after morning proclaiming their principles . It was a fact , that they had not an organ in tho daily press , and with one exception , none in the weekly press ; for true it was , there was only one weekly paper that ever had a leader in favour of the rights of labour . This was then our own fault , for if they only carried out their own principles they might have organs in both the daily and weekly press . There was not a trade but wanted protection of some sort . If they ever expected to be
benentedDythe theory of the Manchester men they would be following a "Will of the wisp , " andif they followed it , depend on it , they would soon find themselves in the pit of perdition ; cheapness meant low wages , hard work , long hours , and small remuneration . He saw no hope safe in the establishing a public press of their own , which should be built up and conducted by themselves . ( Loud cheers . The resolution was carried unanimously . Mr . Bates moved the third resolution— " That we , the Delegates of tho Metropolitan Trades , being desirous of firmly establishing arid extending the " National Association for the Organisation of Trades , " In order to promote the recognition of the principles embodied in the Constitution of that Association by the Legislature , pledge ourselves to
do an in out power to secure tho active co-operafoon of all Trades in the United Kingdom ; and , also , to bring the subject prominently under the consideration of our respective Societies . " Mr . Bates said he had been connected with this society nearly from its commencement . Trade might be a little brisk in summer time , but there was no hope of anything like a permanent benefit . Mr . Fbrndinando ( Weaver , ) said a 3 they had adopted the principles , he thought nothing remained but to 30 m the association , and to impress on the men of their several trades to do the same . The principles propounded in this room would be heartily concurred in by the poor weavers of Spitalhelds , who had lost sixteen shillings out of the pound by the Free Trade nostrums of Huskisson
and Co . He felt suro that the principles advocated to night , were founded in truth and justice , and must ultimately prevail . Could those groat principlesever be made known through the Press , as recommended by Mr . Edwards , the whole people would be inoculated , and in their union they would bo irresistible ( Cheers . ) This meeting would give new life and energy to the several trades , and he was pleased it had been called ; its usefulness was self evident , and its benefits would soon become apparent . ( Loud cheers . ) Mr . Gankor rCoach Maker , ) said he felt pleased in supporting the resolution , and hoped each Delegate would press the importance of the matter on their several trades . Resolution carried ¦ unanimously .
Mr . Birsck moved the adjournment of the meeting until Wednesday evening next , November 14 th , at eight o ' clock , to discuss the Bill for promoting employment . Mr . Lbshb seconded the motion . After some discussion in which Messrs . Campbell , Edwards , Goddard , Essery , and others took part , the adjournment was carried unanimously .
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NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OP UNITED TRADES . Established 1845 . The winter campaign of the above association has commenced under the most favourable circumstance ' s .- Its former successes are remomDered in the various localities ; where they were achieved and as far as appearances indicate , an active agitation is alone wanted to restore this , the most successful , and the only rational industrial movement of modern times , to a position of greater importance than any similar movement has ever yet attained . The Central Committee have sent their two colleagues—Meisrs . Green and Robson—on a tour of
agitation . Mr . Green has been for some weeks in the Midland Counties—making Birmingham the centre of his operations , and his reports convey the most cheering accounts of the enthusiastic feeling with which he has been greeted , wherever he has declared his important mission . In many cases it appears like the welcome given to one long absent , and whose re-appearance was a thing rather to be desired than expected . The dreary winter of dangers and vicissitudes which tho Labour Interests of this country are but now emerging from , it was feared , had been fatal to the fond hopes which had been created by the first promulgation of the novel and important principles upon which this Association—known in many parts of tho caunftrv as tho
' DiraopiiBE Union "—\ yas established . Amidst the wreck of so many similar instilutions—it having successfully weathered the storm—speaks trumpettongued in favour of the accuracy of its principles ; hence , whenever our colleagues present themselves , they meet with tho warmest congratulations . Mr . Green has attended thronged meetings at Kidderminster , Bridgnorth , Stourporfc , Daventry , Northampton , Long Buckby , &c . ; in each and every of which places , the livliest interest was evinced , and in most , committees are formed for the purpose of organising the locality . " While encaged in his lecture at Bridgnorth to an attentive audience , composed of a large number of the middle classes of the town , a messenger arrived from
Kidderminster , requesting his immediate return to that town , to use nis influence with a manufacturer whose men—to the number of eighty , had struck work the previous day . Mr . Green at first doubted how far he would bo warranted in interfering on behalf of the menj who were not members of the Association , he , however , rightly judged that should he prove successful , the effect produced could not fail in proving advantageous to his cause , and if he failed , still he would at least prove the readiness of the National Association to assist even those' whose prejudices or apathy kept out of the ranks . After the termination of this meeting Mr . Green with the messenger as his guide , proceeded to retrace his steps to Kidderminster , about sixteen miles . They reached the halfway-house time enough to save a bed for the night , and finally arrived at Kidderminster at ten next morning . He immediately paid a visit to the mi ploy er ¦ whoreadilv enough
granted him an interview of near two hours dlll'ii . tion , as the friend of the men , which terminated , if not in every point as triumphantl y as the men could have desired , still much more advantageous than the most sanguine amongst them could have expected ; that it was unanimously f otod that they should resume work , and tho warmest timing awarded to Mr . Green for his generous and gratuitous services , "with three lusty cheers in favour of the National Association of United Trades , and a unanimous vote of the whole firm , to the number of ISO , joining forthwith . After attending several other important meetings in Kidderminster , Stourport , &Q ., Mr . Green proceeded to Deventry , to investigate the particulars of a case of reduction of one penny per pair upon womens' boots , which had been offered to the shoe-makers of that town . Upon Mr . Greens arrival in Deventry he repaired at once to the manufacturer , who upon his introducing hiSDUBiness received him m the most courteous manner , and proceeded to justify the offered reducwn by the old worn-out plea , that to furnish em-
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ployment ) for his hands was one of . chief of his objects . H « stated that he had the offer to supply a large shop in Oxford-street with their lailios work , provided he would offer them at the same price at was charged by the east-end metropolitan manufacturer , by whom the party was at present supplied ; and this , he said , would not be done except the men would submit to the proposed , and as ho called it , very small reduction , which would be amply compensated by an increased amount of employment . Mr . Green combatted the arguments advanced successfully , and it was eventually arranged that Mr . B . should attend a meeting of the shop ' s hands and tho Committee . The meeting took place , when the merits of the case was with perfect good feeling discussed in all its bearings , when Mr . . Green
being appealed to for his opinion , explained the reasons which compelled him to decide in favour of tho men . The employer finding from the form and decided position takon by Mr . Green that it would be useless to contend , finally yielded , to the great satisfaction of all parties conceineil—not perhaps even excepting the manufacturer himself , who , in a long conference he held with Mr . Green afterwards , expressed himself in the most friendly manner , and requested to be furnished with a copy of the rules , &c , containing those principles upon which it appeared he was expected to be governed in his future transactions with his men . His request was complied with , and thus was an end put to an affair that might have produoed much inconvenience to tho
employer , and great pecuniary sacrifice to the men . One of the first fruits of this little victory is , that the women of Daventry , closers and binder .- ) , who in that locality form a most important element ,, have resolved to join tho National Association , having had such a remarkable proof of Iho value of such an Association . In a subsequent report , Mr . Green draws a fearful picture of tho horrible state of competition existing through the whole of the shoe districts of Northampton . In one place , ho says , ho iw a . manworking upon a pair of bluchers , tens , clumped , polished round sole and heel , blacked and polished bottoms , and the man finding his own hemp , < fee .,. andtao price paid for these was two shitimqs ter pair ; and Mr . Green adds , " I am faure they take
him and his boy a day to make . " In another passage , he describes having fallen-in with a Jew dealer , who in conversation told him that he took an order for twenty-five dozen of bluchers , at 3 s . 2 d , per pair , which he could get done in "five days , and that he had got many a pair made for Is . per pair . In another part , Mr . Green found Wellington boots , ( br something called by that name , ) made for Is . 6 d . per pair , and says , "It is surprising how good the articles are turned out of hand . " Thisjis indeed , as Mi . Green firmly describes it , a shocking state of things , and calls imperatively upon the active operation of every good and humane man to put an end to . Are those amongst tho boasted Wessings of reformed tariff ' s and cheap fooc ! ? Of what advantage to the poor shoe maker of Northhampton , is cheap food , if with every reduction in the price of his loaf , his labour is to be reduced two or three fold ? Where then arc we to look for a remedy to this crying evil ? Alone to union .
Not that narrow , selfish , starveling nondescript usually , ' yclept , tinum , but something formed upon , the basis of universality ; for who is there amongst us who is not remotely concerned in this fearful and wide-spreading evil ? It is preposterous to suppose , that local union is in this case equal to the emergency . Let the powerful and intelligent shoemakers of London , look to it , for it concerns them most nearly ; bad aa the wagos of theEast-end notoriously are , there is , it appears , " a lower depth still , " for even a Jew has left the purlieus of Petticoat-lane , where the Blaughter-houses of the trade are > o plentiful , to find that " lower-depth of low priced wretchedness in the provinces . " We invite , therefore , the shoemakers of England , to aid us in agitatiusc for a county list , be it red , black , white , or yellow ; we care not for the colour , provided it is at least something above this beggarly pauper ' s price . William Peel , Secretary .. NovemDor 7 th , 1849 .
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PARLIAMENTARY and FINANCIAL REFORM . TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORTHERN STAU . Sir—I have noticed in last week ' s Star an article extracted from the North British Mail . The Mail , it would seem , has raised an objection to the emp loyment of George Thompson , Esq ., M . P ., as a lecturer in the cause of Parliamentary and Financial Reform , and this because he has frequently , in tho course of his life , mounted the " platform" in behalf of the people . Observing this rather whimsical objection , I was agreeably surprised to find tho Mail giving Mr . Thompson so much justice as to admit Him to be " a very clever may , and one of the most
eloquent orators of the day , " and also , "that he is as honest and sincere as he is eloquent and clever . " Now this was just the very description of the man we solicited the Metropolitan Association to send among us , and we were exceedingly well pleased when it was known Mr . Thompson was to form one of the party . Acting at that time as secretary ( aa I do still ) , I have an opportunity of knowing that the visit of Sir Joshua Walrasley , Messrs . Thompson and O'Connor , has given the highest satisfaction to all classes . We can draw no invidious distinctions as none are deserved ; but we know that the visit of Mr . O'Connor , who travelled at his own expense , —as did other two gentlemen not of the deputation
—will be fraught with the happiest consequences in bringing about a cordial union of the middle and working classes . We abominate and detest thosesham Radicals who , while they pretend to be true friends to the progress of reform , sow at the sametime the seeds of discord ; such characters are everywhere to be met with , and arc far from being absent in Aberdeen . But we all know them , from their being Ions engaged in their dirty vocation of dealing in slander . Respecting Mr . O'Connor ' s character aa a public man , we have the highest esteem , and we know ho will be joyfully received in Aberdeen by many thousands of the people . He was so received when
he canio with the deputation , and tho Nortli Britisk Mail would do well to correct tho error it has been led into . Is the editor of the North British Mail certain one of the editors of an Aberdeen paper did not supply him with the strictures which he haa published upon George Thompson and Feargus O ' Connor ? We hope not ; but some people take the liberty to think they were so supplied . Respecting Mr . O'Connor ' s Land Scheme , the Parliamentary and Financial Reformers have nothing to do—that affair is a private transaction between Mr . O'Connor and some few thousands of tho people . When the members of the Land Company make good their promises to Mr , O'Connor , wo will
then jom with the North British . Mail in denouncing Mr . O ' Connor , if he shall fail to fulfil his ; but we must be excused when we say , that the Land Company , as a body , appear to have broken faith with Mr , O'Connor , by keeping back the funds which ought to have been paid , and which would have en » abledlu ' m to execute i \ U he ever promised to do . The editor of the North British Mail will not say he can print his paper without types , and yet he denounces Mr . O'Connor for not purchasing laud , and settling people thereon , without money . The cases ara exactly parallel ; hence , the editor of the Mail must be an idiot , otherwise he must have discovered this . Is is extremely mortifying to Mr . O' Connor ' s
mends , to hear him constantly taunted about the failure of his favourite seheme ' of settling tho people on tho land . Certainly the members , as a body , are lost to every particle of honour , when they would stand aloof with their purse and allow this ; for they must know , without money he can do nothing . Writing letters and passing votes of entire confidence in him , are extremely cheering ; but these are all deception—nay , rank delusion—it no money is forthcoming . This has been practised long enough ; and , although Mr . O'Connor stands in no need of my advice , I think he would do well to shake himself clear of a company which has broken , faith with him . It -has led him into a snare by falsa promises ; for he could settle the people upon the
wna , ny virtue ot tho existing law , if the subscribers would supply him with the funds . This fact lis admitted by every one , as none can doubt the right of the purchaser of an estate to grant leases in perpetuity . We therefore exonerate Mr . O' Connorana entirely acquit him .. of what the North British Ala . iL has attached to his character . The people are to blame if there be a failure , and not Mr O Connor ; and we think the paid : up members of the Land Company know this to . be true , for they , too , have been deceived by their faithless brethren . bir , these few remarks I hold myself responsible tor as an individual , and will support them—if need be—by farther argument . In the meantime I remain , respectfully yours . Aberdeen . John Smart .
©Fjatttat Intelligence.
© fjatttat Intelligence .
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U «^ i , i D ECUTlVE POND . * ° ° UETO THE PRINTER . itlSiV ^ ^^ **• sl ^^ sPs FOR THE AGITATION OF THE CHARTER G ^ . ^^ chardst , Wellingborou ^ £ I * £££ FOR WIDOWS OF , THE UTEMESSRS . WU . UAMS per Georg « Carlide 4 s . K—lU ^^ li&J *^ ! A ^ : , 5 S . fek lSSr ?^ « - !! ! 53 AND FAMILIES ofcweTniii loT ™? f ^ -Ku > EB .-Chartists «* g ^^ ^ . jm ^ ley , I 0 s . ; a Lover of Jusfic , Shserness . Is . Gd W A ipssissi . VICTIM FUND .
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•^ r + * . ** t ******* r ~^^ Q ^*— + ******* *** - ^**^ Prorogation of Parliament . —Windsor , November 6 th . ~ It is this day ordered by her Majesty ia Council that the Parliament , which stands prorogued to Tuesday , the 22 nd day of November instant , bo further prorogued to WWuus'lay , the Ltkh day of January next . Accidrnt to a Female Equestbus . —A depL rable , if not lutal , accident has just hauper . vd to Madlle . Tournaire , whose gracelul acts of tuueitrianism a few months since , at M . Franconi ' a
cirque , at Drury-lane , will be remembered by tho public . She was engaged rtflorukoeping , Sweden , on tho 22 nd ult ., when suddenly the horse she was riding took fright , and became unmanageable : not being able to maintain her position . Mdll . Tournaire wan thrown with great force against the balustrade which separates the circus from the ) pit . She was found to have received two serious wounds on the head and a severe cQntusipTr ;« n . ¦ the right shoulder . All possiblaratteh ± ion :-ij ? iu » bestowed on her , but , unfortunafety . ^ h ^ lifei& ' x X still in danger . TTW ?? ¦* K-- ^ %¥ zmm
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FouiB Bakbebs . —From an official document recently published by the Prussian GoTernroent , * SS y appears that women act as barbers in S Sasaift'SSBsaS'SS ; pea . ' ^
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' S dlffent . - JNiSMBKf t JO . * U < A * ; : THE NORTHEHN ffAR .:- _* iis 77 ! ^~~ ^ ^^* ' ^ " ? ?" " *"'^ " ^"""" " !? " *"'* MM" *! lgggl f
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), Nov. 10, 1849, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1547/page/5/
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