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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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THE FACTORIES BILL . ( Cona ' nded from our eighih page . ) —moTe ji , e diffiealties that were in the way of JS-jTsnd then ask them to discuss the question ^ Ttbe humanity footing . It was true as regarded fCLjf as an individual that he was willieg to make fissions , and he was quite wDlizyj that the bill fSSTbe bronght down to eleven hours—( bear)—S ? be vrished to separate himself as an individual l ^ o this occasion as he was sent to the meetin g as ^ upotation to oppose the Bill before Parliament ; 2 , h * d bo doubt many of those who sent him -would zJZei ia an Eleven Hoars Bill , but there were S ^ Tfho would not . With regard to the relay •^^ he would remark that it was a favourite * 2 i ' of Mr . Homer , and that part of the Bill with bad been framed to ^ _^ ^_ _
^ Ktedted education meet System- If they passed that Bill in its present SUfre shape to the Dissenters , they would not fJrtMB etuld under thirteen years of age in any fate ermdncted by Dissenters—( bear . ) * jjr . Ba 5 D said his sincere desire was that they jEui as far as possible concur in a design for a Syjjy Bill ; he believed that the hearty ce-opera-STjjf the factory masters was essential to theearry-{ JSwit of any Bill upon the question . He was as Sn ] j convinced now as when first ha entered the JS | ob too preceding day that Ten Hours was as L-gfc is jouB . * persons ought to work ; at the same f ^ The was aware that the sudden change of from to Ten Hoars was serious ne
w ^ rtiie a cnange ; was SSt afrare of that , and he had no desire to dis-JSeristing arrangements , but he could not consent Support » perpetual Bill for more than Ten mars . He believed unless they came to a Ten SIjJis Bill eventually , agitation would continue , ijjtherewoald be no . 8 ettlement of the question—S ^ tjjning that opinion , but being no friend to fSden changes , h « would rather , as was said in filler pJ&ee . throw down the olive branch of rZZ and with an attempt to reconcile all parties , CVonld prefer that a Bill should be introduced to pLjjioieBi restricting the hours of labour to Eleven Hpj | j 3 » day for two years , providing that in October anotuu
loi ! Ten Hours oe aaopiea . wun rezJS to foreign competition , respecting which ^ Bufr hsd been said by parties opposing the fLjmioB which be sought for , let him for a moment ^ Jf ^ jeir ititniion to a beautiful remark occurring jf jjBfi recent debate in the House of Commons , Siriieh he wished to bring to bear upon this ncrtrf the qnestion ; it fell from the Hps of one who £ « desirous ° f * wider system of commercial policy : TK foreign nations less enlightened in commercial gXvds than themselves , shape their tariffs as they ^ ge l-it did not become this great commercial Z frfrj to regulate her arrangements in conformity Si ibeir mistaken ones . It was the duty , and -pcli be found to be the interest of England , to
L is example to other countries . Let her take her fap i ob principle , and exhibit to the world the gle j ges gpemtle ef a nation determined to do whit ns right , let other countries do what they may . " jjj . Brook said be was about to propose a resolu «¦ bat afkr the remarks of Mr . Rand hethoaght he Apold desist . He was sot insensible to the recom--odiaoB of Sir G . Strickland and Mr . Hindley gut concessions should be made , and he should have bo h » p ? J for the sake of unanimity to have jteepted & Bill of eleven hours , but if it were to be p&Qed with a condition that at a certain day ten fcotrs should be the law of the land , he would have ygtis £ to do with it . If it had been to settle the
nesHon he was for concession ; if not , be would act ms principle . ^ t r . Hctdi-et , MJ * ., hoped Mr . Rand wopld withfei « tbe latter part of his resolution ; sufficient mi to $ t \ 9 t was the legislation thereof . When tKey fed sen bow as Eleven Hoars' Bill worked , they jjb try a Ten , but now as they were so near a gBpromise be did hope they should have onegar , bear ) . Jfe . Ri 5 i > said his only desire was to do what was jss to the working-classes , and put an end to all jptttion , and he considered they never should Bceeed ia that till they did what was just —( hear , fetf ) & . Ftlldes , M . P ., Oldhua , said taia opinion * vbc so veil known upon the Ten Hours Bill that it aw k& necessary for him to take up mneh time . Eva
smbehad laboured in a factory , be had always confe&ed that ten honrs labour was as mueh as any frmtn being , either child or adult , should be required to perform . His opinion remained unchanged , and in « fer to know the feeling of those who came from the ar atrj , ha thought the best course would be to take SteBtmes of those who were for a tea , those who were la zb eleven , and those who were for no alteration at si ; bat he "would ssy \ e % no party commit himself by HKtionfcg any one of these terms of labour , so as not Jb be free to act as be thought right for the fntnre . As 3 b . Eenworthy had been referred to , he might ssy that XtK . wzi an extensive manufacturer at Blackburn , Tia had taken a deep interest in this question : he
to % gentleman employing an immense number of fr *^ Ce had been brought op in a factory ever since he u eight years old , sod be understood factory Vbbbt in all its departments , and be bad always recomaadeia ten hours MIL He ( Mr . Fielden } bad written Jjkim , asking him what his opinion was of the present Tidory Bill , and he expressed himself as strongly fjpoeed to the system of relays contemplated bj the blB ipcB Ihfi table ia the House of Commons . Six hours bkoe be thought would not offer sufficient inducement fir tts employment of the children , and be was in f avonr « f i uniform time of labom for all persons from ten to twenty-one years of age , and that should be limited to fas hours a day . ( The hon . gentleman then read a kite from Mr . Kenworthy , dated Blactbum , M » y 6 ,
UB , wherein that gentleman recapitulated the sentixoti ¦ which the honourable member had just ascribed to ton ; He Bright state tbat Mr . Kenwvrtby'a taetoij wu 5 cA of a high temperature . His spinning was about JT » cr 4 O ' & . He thought it would not be amiss to read n atoct oi t » o from Mi . Kenworthy"s letter to tt ^^ yf eotk ; n spinners , which was well "worthy fi » utetian and consideration of factory nustexs ( Qt hcBourable gentleman then read the follow-Of ptsozes from Mr . Kenworthy ' s pamphlet : — "The dif-rence of id . per lb . on yam , or one farthing jejirdon doth , is the mighty difficulty that wt have tooTHtssae , in order to afford to onr factory hands that apte&om pbyaical toil which is so imperatively
deaate , and to ssve our country from ruin by foreign ccapetisiaB ! How abominably absurd and inconsistent itatiot the suffering thousands , who hare so often oUad and p&Sert )? waited for the redress of their pieTBioes , should have their Hiieeries protracted , under ] 2 b deittsrre noUos of the dancers axising from foreign j tompetiaoo . ' Are we so near ruin- that an advance of oe farihizg pa yard -on oar cotton cloth , would irre- ] vooWj weeX an fate ? If so , bow important an element cfastjoasi prosperity is the Lvboor cf these poor people . ' Esr » psiseworthy is their exemplary patience under ' &ai eaiaplieated sufferings ! Bat , we are all conscious ; « t aad &i 3 y experience , fiactuations in our cotton and ; tfei airrtis ; aad these often make a mneh greater ;
ttifereBe in the cost of goods than that to , * && we have already adverted , as consequent I Qsn » reduction in the period of labour . — j Sfea ftuctcations may be eaused by specniatjons—^ by ^ fcoos repents respecting the cotton crops— , » d by many cthei combinations of circamstances : j * S , sot a word is add &bout being ruined by foreign j SHspetitioE on these accounts . We have seen that the ; Voting of shorter time -would increase , to a certain : ssaun . erteat , the cost of manufactured goods . All fcs » i ? si » l men know , however , that the cost of an ; Witifc haa nothing to do with what it sells for . The ; & ^ S price ia regulated by the amount of supply and ^ a ^ ; and as the euvpij is lessened , the demard
rBC 3 iE ^ the same , goods will necessarily advance in 'fe : cr , if the price does not advance , a restricted * P £ ij prevents a further declension , and thereby *» ra the masters from greater loss , and the -work-Pjfpie from greater suffering . 'But , it may be ~^ ' c&uld masters obtain an advance equiva-1815 Vj the stated difference ia the cost of jj *^^ ? If D £ , t , they would Tery soon » reined , seeing that they are losing already . •*« mditataangly answer in the affirmative ; ?*> M » reason for thna rSDlvin * to the
ques-¦* . ^ e would refer to the temporary advance in the **« o goods and yarns which was th « effect of the j ** tare-oat If we only let the conn of labour da- j ^^ . MUie powers of invention and production in-** »« - we sbjji obtain better prices for our goods , as I *[^ a to be the instruments in the hands of Divine ' . ** "i £ » C 6 , of distributing happiness on every band . ***» . * ad aot till then , -will inventions become vrhat «? CBsht to ^ e—hleramts to the land . " Those jS ^ oru n ;^ coniijjiy agreed with his own . He never I ** * & ^ s foroe of the arguments raised against the ; «? Hoars Bill on account of foreign competition . He . P ° oftea iagnired whut foroiim eomnetition W 8 JS , and \
rj ®~^ it was this : manufactures here were being ¦ ^^ sd to such an extent , macbinery was ' so much im- ] S ** ^ and production followed in the same ratio , j ™* u every market in the world their productions j J ^ aei , not fey flje compefition of the French , not ^ o » competition of foreigners , but of the Tery men ; r ** rorroimiied them , and amongtt whom they i "»—tfcat wm foreign competifaon—( bear , hear ; , j S * ^ ey held the means of averting it : | r ^ fcHS rtdnee the period of labour , and they would «« s tax Qiey -wonid ^^^ ^ e qoantity « f goods so j r" * tiistt there \ ronld b « a mnch better market for i
¦*• Hs had Wed to ascertain what was the differ- i ~* «* « at between twelve and ten hours in his own 1 ~* - ^ - " c -re , and he fonnd that it would not cost the I £ **_ * - * a paay more to get a shirt , net threehaif- J ^^ ; ¦¦ - * - to get a fustian jacket , and not one penny J *~^ ¦ s . -ciir ^ more to get a gown yiecs , if the honr * j J ^ s i ^ iicedifroni sixty-nine to fifty- € igfct n = xt week i « f htsij And was the consumer te be iounn in ! ^ ar- thtt would not support the Ten Hours' Bill at i J ^ , s' £ f r ^ jy pgy differences Of price ?—lbeai , I jfc- ' "crjjr pay ine avnerencea vi f 110 ' — \ " >— , ; Thz \
^ ^ ° . » was tfce facr , and lie was therefore wi'Hns ; ~ ? o ' - iitfj ^ tA houre at once ; nay , be was wiUix . g : i * .- . :- - - v-agbt : let him give a proper factory nui . ; ^ J ^ * tz \ - \ taie care to limi t the ccara to forty-, , rl"" ^ ' - tb * be would educate the people ; but wiib ; > vS , •¦ " *' Bin there could nos be bsd edne ^ uov , ! ^ r ° » ' » Mtte fi « y of iactoxy itqeu-ts to prviii ' -ifc . ; ^ fe 'M !^ - - si ' . " 0 Trr , ers to lo » * ' . ; tte rxryoa ^ ft ; !>>„ " ^ ' ' ^ 'cU-rs , ard see wbat ¦ wa « t ^ tre E .-li kC-^ llr - Bro - * 8 &id there had bfcen no trqujj j ~* ^ e Ficrcry bid D 5 £ Sei I
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Mr . Brook said he had read there was no proper infprmation , Mr . Fiei-se . n continued . Why , previous to the passing or the bill a factory commission issued , which called upon every manufacturer in Yorkshire and Lincashire , and their report made the manufacturers appear more odious even than they were represented twfore Mr . Saddler ' s committee . The stain of that report still remained upon the manufacturers . Every report made by the Factory Inspectors since 1833 was full of charges against the masters ; he felt there was a stigma attached to the masters which they ought to get rid of , but which they could only do by giving the people a really efficient ten hours bUL He would tell them what the Inspectors said of the manufacturers .
Thb Chairman thought as it was probable the gen-Uemen present were desiioaa of confining the business to a moderate length , that the Hon . Gentleman should confine himself to the question of the hoars , which was the practical question before the meeting . Mr . FiELDKS most make a few remarks upon that subject , because he thought it was important that the manufacturers should know what was said of them in the House of Commons . In toe flrat report of the Inspectors it was stated that children and young persons were not protected . Mr . Staasfield , 3 f . P ., understood that they had met to hear the opinions of millowners : he thought Members of Parliament should not express their aentiments , but listen to the opinions ef the mQlowners . Mr . HaBDY , M . P ., remarked that the Hon . Gentlesun forgot Mr . Fielden was a millowner—{ hear , hear ) .
Mr . FiELDE * submitted that he , as a millowner , had as ' much right to speak as any millowner present . He employed aa jmany hands , perhaps , as any master in Manchester—their , hear ) . Mr . Hickarda , speaking of the relay system , gave it as his opinion tbat the limitation of one class of children to a certain number of hours , and of another class to a different number of honrs in the same mill , could never be put in force by legal means : evasion was so easy , and detection so difficult , compared with the private interest adverse to it ; but he added that protection for the children was necessary to prevent the avarice of masters and the stimulus of high wages from working thousands to death ; and he said there were millowners who must be restrained . Mr . Homer , Mr . Saunders , and oth&r inspectors , concurred in these sentiments . Mr . Mobhis submitted that the meeting did not wiih to bear a repetition of what the Factory Inspec tors had already given to the world .
Mr . Jieldes , continued . —There was another thing mentioned , with respect to training up the children to habits of falsbhood . It was stated that when asked their age—•• going of fourteen / ' or " past thirteen" was the ready answer , always given . He ( Mr . Fielden ) did say that the system of relays led the children into the habit of telling falsehoods and was calculated to destroy all moral feeling . They could neve * rett till they got a uniform Bill and if they had that be would not envy the feelings of any man who could ask the people to weik more than ten hoars a day . ( Hear ) R * ther than see the poor people subject to fourteen hours a day , factory labour such as it was , be would sink the factories Into the sea . But he did not believe that was necessary if masters wood only be reconciled to what { was reasonable ; and he was sure nine-tenths of the people of this country would say that ten hours labour was quite enough . ( Hear , bear . )
Mr . Fsildsn , MJ \ , for Blackburn , had received no instructions from any party as to the cause to pursue in this debate . He believed in his neighbourhood there was a difference of opinion as to whether the Bill should be for ten or eleven honrs . He had had some resolutions sent to him agreed to at a public meeting which he believed , however , expressed the sentiment of the town generally . His own opinion was that eleven hours would be more desirable than twelve , and if it were found after working eleven hours for several years , that a shorter period would be desirable he should aav tbentrv a Ten Hours BUL
Mz . Thomas Plikt , of Leeds , said be thought tbat the majority of the mill-owners in Leeds were in faveui of -an Eleven Hours Bill , ( hear , hear , ) and were of opinion that to diminish the hoars to ten would be to injure labour . He differed from Mr . Fielden in his political economy , anl in his views relative to sinking all factories to the bottom of the sea if they could not carry an Eleven Hours Bill . Mr . Fielden bad spoken of the difference in the cost of a shirt being Id ., a jacket l ^ d ., and a gown l } d ., if the mills were worked ten hoars instead of twelve ; it appeared to him ( Mr . Flint ) that if he reduced his time of labour from twelve to eleven be lost one-twelfth of his profit , and if he
reduced it to ten he lost one-sixth ; and when he considered that they had to compete with foreigners , he thought that was & great loss . He claimed to be as humane as Mr . Fielden when he said that an Eleven Hours Bill would be safe and beneficial to the country . Bnt the qnestion of humanity mixed itself up with the qnestion of finance , and they could not separate them . He believed Mr . Fielden at one time maintained that though some mills worked long hours , others might work short , and he believed ke had tried it by reducing his boors , but he afterwards gave it up , finding that the financial qnestion pinched him . Gentlemen must separate the politico-financial and the humanity question .
M . t M 0 BB . 1 S said by the present system of relays fbey took children at eight years of age , and from that IgB np to thirteen they worked six boors ; be contended that they were much better employed in that way than in running about the streets ; the remaining six hours they were in school ; no children could stand a better chasee of receiving a good education than such as those . By the proposed Bill they would take a child at ten yean of age and make him work ten hours : he maintained that the system of relays was more consistent ¦ with humanity than either a Ten or Eleven Hours BUL He , as a practical man , would say he had found no inconvenience at all from working relays of aix hoars . If children were taught mendacity in the case of relays they alight be equally taught it In the other case , to say they were ten years old when they were not . He reckoned that by reducing the hour * from twelve to ten , with a mill of 40 horse power , he should lose £ 4 , 500 per annum .
General Johksojc , M . P ., said that in no agricultural district did the labourer work more than from six in the morning till six at night , with half an hour for breakfast and an hour for dinner , and he did not see why they should work loneer in the factories . The wishes of those employed were , he believed , to have an Eleven Hours Bill , and tbere was a great number of gentlemen present who would agree to an Eleven Hours Bill ; there were likewise a great many who wouid agree to a Ten Hours Bill , he thought then they ought to
compromise the matter by accepting Mr . Walker's proposition for a Ten and a Half Hours BilL If the matter came before Parliament , he ( General Johnson ) should vote for a Ten Hours Bill , because he tbongbt that was the proper thin ? , but if they would agree to & Ten and a Half Hours Bill it would satisfy all classes ( hear . ) He knew there wa » but one opinion amongst the operatives , and that was that ten honrs was plenty for tbem . As there were bo many gentlemen present , he thought it desirable that that they should come to some definite conclusion .
Mr . Joh > "SO >\ of Derby , said he was expressing the opinion" of those in his neighbourhood when he said teat nothing could be more Utopian than to imagine that rtlays of children from eight to thirteen years of age would ever succeed in the silk department Frem the fine nature of toe article and its great cost . If they should put unskilled labour with skilled labour , it would be impossible to produce such an article as would enable them to compete with foreigners . It was an undeniable fact that at present the silk masters had no protection whatever . The duty npon Italian thrown silk formerly was 14 s . a lb . ; shortly after it was lowered to 7 b . ; it had since been reduced to 5 s . ; again to 3 s . 6 d . ; and under the tariff of last year to Is . The Italians themselves placed a duty of 8 ( 3 . upon the raw silk , and de
nothing npen the thrown silk , and if that were - ducted from the la . it made the protection only ab .-ct 4 d . The English people then , with that amonnt of protection had to compete with the French , the Italians , and other people , aDd he apprehended that if they were fettered by further legislative enactments , they would he crippled in a dreacf a \ degree . He had no doubt that the principal competitor tbat existed "was amongst our own manufac . urers , ami be was not snrprised at that , when be considered tbat England exported more of her goods than all other nations In the world put together . The Chaikma > ' said gentlemen misbt now think perhaps af .-tr the lengthened discussion tbat bad taken plsst : upjn toe subject , that it would be as well for him to csll their attention to the possibility of coming to some deflnit-- conclusion—( hear , bear . ) Tbere appeared w > him to ba two or three ways in which that might be dene . There was a certain number of factory masters and members of Parliament present , and as the latter
• wenld have to vote upon this matter in the Boose of Commons , he thought they should not vote at that meeting— ( hear , hear )— but with respect to the remainder of tlie meeting , composed of their constituents , to ¦ whose opiniens they were willing to pay the utmost respect , he thought it was desirable that they should make something like an expression of opinion . Mr . Riul , who had been the moBt active agent in calling the meeting together , had placed ft resolution in his hand , and another gentleman , who had expressed himselT in favour of an Eleven Hours Bill , bad also asked him to submit a resolution ; of course , il the meeting choose , those resolutions could be put to them ; and there was another method which occurred to him , which was to rule a number of colnmns on a sheet of paper , heading them with the different propositions which had been submitted to the meeting , so that every gentleman might insert hi * name under the heading » h : ch expressed his own views .
Mr Hisdlet , M . P ., quite agreed in the observation of the Chairman that Members of Parliament should n ^ t vot- He thought the meeting fibould endeavour to concentrate their views in favour of one fl * ed principle , bo that Mr . Stuart Wortley might be able to tell Sir Jam « Grafeani and the Government that be was autfcorjs-a to say , that at a meeting of factory masters , so and so vras agreed upon , and that a Bill with certain uroTi ^ ioai would ba satisfactory to them . If they c-nirt , i * that , he ™ uia say that they had accomplLLvd a mart imp-: rtant object ( Hear , tear . « _ , i * . Vilne ^« Dfcd to knuTf what ages -wets prop .-B-t i-t ts-: Afferent hours . __ Tw . cnaij-. mas siiJ » - ^^ proposed smen for eleven i .-ur * ai-u un f-r ten tours .
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Mr . Milne then proposed tbat the last plan mentioned by the Chairman for taking the sense of the meeting should fce adopted . Mr . Brook opposed that ; their opinions , if net unanimous , would have no weight with the Government ; and if they could not agree to something specific , he for one would not sign at alL He was willing to sign for an Eleven Hours Bill in the roirit of
concession . Mr . Aldam , M . P ., proposed a resolution to the effect tbat the limitation of the hours of labour for persons under the sge of eighteen to eleven hours a day would be a desirable arrangement . Mr . Hihdlby , M . P ., remarked tbat tbat waa precisely in accordance with a very numerously-signed petition -which he received the other day from Bolton . The sense of the meeting was not taken upon it . Mr . Rand proposed " That the manufacturers here assembled unite in opinion that the system of relays proposed by the Bill is highly objectionable ; that the conditions attached to their employment are so irksome that masters will not employ them . " The Chairman put this resolution to the meeting , when thirteen hands were heid up in favour of , and three in opposition to it Carried .
Mr . Ram > then proposed "That no valuable moral results can be obtained , nor domestic duties be properly performed , with a duration of labour extending to twelve hours daily labour , exclusive of meals . " This was also put to the meeting , when there appeared nine for it , and one against it Carried . Mr . Rand next proposed' " That the labour in mills be uniform , and reduced to within reasonable limits , so aa to accomplish these desirable objects . " This was put to the meeting , and also carried , the majority being eleven to one . Mr . Morris proposed that young persons between the age of eleven and eighteen should work only eleven hours a day . Upon this being put to the meeting there appeared a \ x fei and six againBt it The motion therefore fell to the ground .
Mr . Rand next proposed "That the age of admission into the mills should be ten years , and tbat the period of twelve hours mentioned in the Bill should include the time for meals . " Mr . Brook objected to this resolution being put , as several gentlemen had left the roem since voting upon the last resolution ; he protested against it , and should not vote himself . It was oowever put to the meeting , and carried by a majerity of five to three . Mr . Kay then moved a vote of thanks to Mr . Stuart Wortley , M . P ., for his kindness in presiding , and for the patience he had shewn , and the attention be had paid , to the business of the meetiog . Mr . Hi . \ DLY , M . P ., seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously . Mr . Stuart Wortley briefly acknowledged the honour , and the meeting separated .
We should observe tbat a gteat many gentlemen who were present did not vote upon any of the resolutions .
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Sosmciods Soup . —On Monday forenoon last , two labourers made application to Mr . Suporintendant Sawley , to bring the following curious occurrence before the notice of the magistrates : —It appeared that the two men , whose names are Henry Lowther and John Taylor , went into Gentel'a eating-house , Victoria-street , near the Old Church , on Sunday last , and there had something to eat . They then called for a basin of broth , which was brought them , and which they began to e&t . Oae of tbem remarked , that the broth had rather an unwholesome smell , but they both agreed as to the taste
being very good . Under this impression they continued at their meal , and the broth was by degrees disappearing , when one of the men fell in with a strange bony substance , which proved upon examination to be a human nail . It was shown to several surgeons , who all agreed in declaring it to be the nail of a human being . From the size and general appearance , it would appear to be a toe nail . The two men appeared at the Borough Court , on Mondav , before Alderman Sir T . Potter , and T . Townend , Esq ., when the above statement was given . The magistrates said , it was a case in which they could do nothing , but advise the men to dine elsewhere . —Manchester Guardian .
Turn out cf Colliers . —The colliers in the employ of Mr . Sparrow , at Longton , have again turned out , in consequence of a proposed reduction of wages . The men having received the usual fourteen daya ' notice of the intended drop , the time expired on Saturday se ' nnight , when they all ceased labour , and are now out . The number who have turned out , including boys , is about 250 . The reduction is at the rate of 3 d . per day on each man ' s earnings . A large meeting of colliers was held in the Town Hall , Longton . on Monday evening , in reference to the strike . A number of resolutions were passed , in which they determined to resist by all lawful means the redaction of their wages , and called upon the colliers in employ , and the publio in general , to assist them ; at the same time pledging themselves not to commit or countenance any breach of the peace . —Birmingham Gazette .
Prison Allowakcb . —During the past week two prisoners died in the gaol at Brixton , and under the act of Parliament it waa compulsory on Mr . Carter , the coroner for Surrey , to institute an inquiry respecting the causes of their deaths , which was gone into in the receiving-room of the prison . William Henry Buxton , aged sixty-one , upon whom an inquest was held , was well known throughout England as the champion quoit player , whom , from his immense strength and skill , none could successfully compete with . Connected with highly respectable families , he was in early life possessed of an ample independence , which was soon wasted . Hia skill , however , in all sporting matters insured him a good living , and his deportment and manners were
an introduction to every company . At the February Surrey sessions his associations involved him in a case of felony , and he was sentenced to six months ' imprisonment at Brixton . When taken to the prison he was in excellent health , but the early part of this month he was attacked with inflammation of the lungs . He was then admitted into the infirmary , and under the surgeon , Mr . Gardner , he was perfectly cured . A few days after , Mr . Gardner was called np at one o ' clock in the morning , and on his arrival found the deceased struggling on his bed in a most violent manner . He died within a few hours afterwards , and was never sensible . The jury instituted a rigid inquiry as to the treatment of the deceased while in the infirmary , and it was proved that he had mutton chopB , a pint of porter , tea , toast , and for lunch , beef-tea , gruel , or anything he desired .
A verdict of " Natural death" was returned , and the jury added to it , that the attention paid to him was of the most humsne and attentive kind . —The next case was that of Mary Keates . She had been a frequent visitor to the House of Correction , and while there her conduct waa so good that she was invariably excused from the toil of the treadmill , and was allowed to work in the laundry . In perfect health , she went out to shake a blanket , and returned very ill . Medical assistance was instantly procured , for Mr . Gardner happened to be in the gaol , but she died almost instantly . In this case also a verdict of " Natural death" was returned . The superintendentregistrar stated , in anwer to questions put by the jury , tbat the average amount of deaths was 11 in the prison , and 21 in the neighbouring pauper establishment .
Shipwreck of Thirty-six Vessels . —By the Britannia steamer , from New York , which arrived at Liverpool on Sunday last , accounts have besn received at Lloyd ' s of the total loss of thirty-six vessels , several of which were fine packet ships , laden with cargoes of merchandise and other valuable property , and many lives are supposed to have perished . The subjoined particulars are extracted from a letter received by the underwriters from Liverpool : — Among the most important is that of the loss of the Hercules , belonging to Liverpool , nearly 1 , 000 tons burden ; Commander , Captain Postil ; valued , with her cargo , it ia stated , at £ 30 , 000 . She was bonnd to Mobile , and was wrecked near the entrance of the harbour of that port , occasioned , it w * s reported ,
by a heavy gale driving the ship on a dangerous shoal , where she subsequently went to pieces . We are , however , happy to say , that the whole of the crew and passengers -were saved by the boats , and tbat some part of the materials have been brought ashore . The ship , it is thought , ia insured in the United States . —The next recorded is that of another fine ship , belonging to the same port—the Conservative , 242 tons burden , Captain Lord . She sailed from Newhaven to the Cape of Good Hope , with a general cargo , and was lost in Saldanha Bay previous to the 10 th of March ; part of her contents washed ashore . Respecting the fate of her unfortunate crew , there are little doubts but that they all perished ; however , it is but right to
give -publicity to the following fact -. —Letters datea the 20 th March express a hope that they landed on the beach Boon after the Bhip struck , as the boats were found upon the beach uninjured ; but there is no mentioning of the oars being discovered in or near them- Another letter , of a much later date , from the Cape of Good Hope , however , states that it was much feared they had all met wiib a watery grave in attempting to land , nothing having been heard of them . The ship is stated to be fully insured . About the same time another large vessel , named the Mary Ann , St . Mary ' s Bay , Yarmouth , for Grand Manan , was totally wrecked at Long Island Bay . Seventeen of the crew perished with her . The ahip Saphire , from Salem , foundered in the
course of the same month , off the Babama Bank ; crew saved by the long boats . —The Clyde , from Barbadoes , was lost iu the early part of ApriJ , oa the Islands of Canker . She was a valuable vessel , belonging to that port ( Barbadoes ) , bound to Li Guayra , —Another packet ship , called the Great Britain , from Newport to New York , was lost in the same month , while ou her passage to that port . The vessel foundered in lat . 48 , Ion . 33 . Fortunately before she went down her crew and passengers were saved . —On or about the 3 d of April , her Moj ? sty ' s ship Spartan , on her passage from England to Vcra Cruz , observed the hull of a large steamer fbating bottom upwards but no mark or letter conld be seen so as to lead to her identity . On the 8 th of April , the Caribbean , from
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the Clyde to St . John ' s , Newfoundland , waa lost in the ice off Cape Bollard ; crew , passengers , and part of cargo were saved . At St . John ' s , Newfoundland , during the latter part of March and AprilJthe destruction amongst the ships by the ice was immense . It was owinflrtothesuddeasettinginoftheweatherbywhich all the sailing vessels were frozen in , and afterwards foundered . Among the principal vessels were the Ocean , of Bonavista , the Henry and Mary , the Industry , together with twenty-five others , belonging to the different outports . In one instance , the captain ana crew amounting to fbarteen menwere
, , drowned . In addition to the above awful catalogue of disasters , we regret to announce thelosaof the barque Vere , belonging to Poole , Captain Badock , 460 tons burden ; she was on a voyage to New-Brunswick , and her wreck occurred during a heavy snow storm on the 29 th of March , on Campbell's Islands ; her crew were saved . The Trinidad packet , belonging to Liverpool , from Demerara , is supposed to be lost ; she left the latter-mentioned port on the 18 th of February ; she was a fine brig , 206 tons burden , commaHded by Captain Lamb , and had a rich cargo onboard of sugar , rum , and Et \ Oi& 8 S 6 S »
Rebecca AoAiw . -The offences committed by "Rebecoaand . her daughters" are daily growing more frightful , and not a single depredator has as yet been discovered . Each week we have to publish one or more instances of aggression against the law by the . destrnotion of turn-pike gates andloll-houses , but it is with regret that we learn that their depredations have unfortunatel y not been confined to the destrnotiou of the gates—fire has ; been brought to aid them in their destructive and revengeful course . Last Friday Llanfihangel -gate , near St . dear ' s , was demolished bya mob of men , disguised as usual in women s clothes , who were , however , disturbed in their operations by the passing of the Pembroke mad . They placed sentinels on each side of the road , and immediately the mail had passed they finished their work of destruction . Oa Monday afternoon the
plantation of Mr . T . Powell , of Penycoed , were discovered to have been set on fire , and the wind blowing freshly , before assistance could be obtained to extinguish tho fire four acres of valuable young trees were burnt . It fortunately happened that a great deal of furze had been cut from the plantation during the winter , otherwise nothing could have saved the whole twenty-two aores of plantation from being destroyed . Oa Monday night the gate in the town of St . Clear's shared the fate of the others . Although a reward of £ 150 and a free pardon , have been offered by the Government , not a single accomplice has been taken , and the riotous conduct of "Rebecca and her daughters" has grown daily more alarming . Something must speedily be done to stop these shameful proceedings or the consequences may be more dreadful than can . now be imagined . —Welshman .
Electric Telegraph . —The velocity of Wheatstone's messenger has reached a maximum which can safely be said of but few human things , and we ought to be satisfied , as we know that the speed is about 120 , 000 miles per second—that , therefore , a message could go to Bristol or Birmingham in 1 , 1400 th of a second , or round the globe , if wires could be laid for its travelling upon , in one-sixth of a second . The messages upon the Blaokwall railway , upon part of the Great Western Railway , and some other railways , are carried at this extraordinary rate . The bells in the House of Commons are rung by it , and its uses are extending .
At the Repeal meeting held at Mullingar on Sunday last , the Catholic Bishop of Ardagh made a long speech in favour of repeal , and announced that he expressed the sentiments of all the Catholic Bishops . The repeal rent for the week declared at the last meeting Jn Dublin amounted to £ 696 12 s 4 d .
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NOTTINGHAM . —Political Victim Fund . — All persons who have collecting books for the above fund are respectfully requested to forward the amount of their subscriptions forthwith , as a balance of £ 15 ia still due to the treasurer . LOUGH 8 OROUGH . —On Monday evening , Mr . Skevington addressed a large assembly in the Market-place . CAWBERWEW .. —The Chartists met as usual on Tuesday evening . After the business of the society was gone through , to the satisfaction of the members present , Mr . Sewell gave an excellent lecture upon the six points of tne Charter . One new member was enrolled . The meeting adjourned until next Tuesday evening .
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Bury . —Anniversary Sermons . —Garden Street Room . —The Rev . Wm . Hill will preaoh the anniversary sermons of the Christian Church at Bury , assembling at Garden-street Room , on Sunday , May 21 st , in the afternoon and erening . Bolton . —Mr . Hill preaches at Bolton on Monday
evening . Rochdale . —Mr . Hill preaches at Rochdale on Tuesday evening . Leeds District . —Mr . Wm . Bell , of Heywood , will lecture at the following { places during the next week—Wortley and Armley , Monday ; Holbeck , Tuesday ; Woodhouse , Wednesday ; Hunslet , Thursday ; aad Morley , Friday . Mr . Bell willlecture in the Chartist Room , tomorrow evening at half-past six o'clock . A course of lectures on Mesmero-Phrcnology are now being delivered in the above Room , for the joint benefit of Dr . M'Douall and the phonological class in this town . The next will be delivered on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at eight o ' clock .
Leeds . —Dr . Lees , Editor of the Temperance Advocate , will lecture in the Chartist Room , Cheapside , on Monday evening , at eight o ' clock , subject , — Chartism , the political aspect of Christianity . Holbeck Moor . —A Chartist Camp Meeting will be held at this place to-morrow afternoon , at two o ' clock , when Messrs . Bell , of Hoy wood , and Gammage , of Northampton , will address the meeting . Holbeck . —Mr . R . G . Gammage will lecture in the Association Room , Holbeck-bridge , on Sunday evening at half-patt six o ' clock , on the land and its capabilities , Mr . B . Walker , member of the Literary Institution , Armley , will deliver two lectures on Mesmero-Phrenology , on Monday and Tuesday evening , at eight o ' clock , for the benefit of the Association . Admission two-pence .
London . —Frost , Williams , Jones , and Ellis * A . grand concert will take place at the Mechanics ' Institution , Circus-street , Now Road , on Tuesday , May 30 th , for the purpose of raising a fund towards defraying tho expenses of a great demonstration , to be held on Hampstead Heath , on Whit- Monday , to memorialize her Majesty on behalf of the above named patriots , and all who are now suffering in exile and in dungeons for their advocacy of the cause of the people . Admission sixpence each . Rotunda , Blackpriar's Road . —Mr . C . J . Smith will lecture here oa Monday evening , at eight o ' clock . Members aie particularly desired to attend on business of importance .
Thb General Council of the National Charter Association , resident in the Metropolis , will meet on Sunday afternoon , at three o ' clockj at the City of London Political and Scientific Institution , 1 , Turnagain-lane . On Monday Evening a meeting of the Metropolitan Tailors' Trade Protection Society will be held at the Political atd Scientific Institution , 1 , Turnagain-lane , Skinuer-street , for the i urpose of laying a report before the society aad electing a general secretary . A seheral meeting of the Shoreditch locality will be held at the Gloster Coffee House on Tuesday . Star , Golden-Lane . —The members are requested to attend on Sunday Uo-morrow ) for the purposa of electing councillors , and on other busiuess of importance .
Silk Weavers . —Mr . M'Grath will address this body at the Weavers' Arms , Pelham-atreet , Spitalfields , on Sunday evening next , at eight o ' clock . A concert will take place on every Saturday evening , at eight ©' clock , for the benefit of the victims . Mr . Parkes , of Sheffield , wi ) l lecture on Sunday morning , at the City of London Political and Scientific Institution , on " The Origin and Consequences of Kingcraft ; " to commence at eleven o ' clock precisely ; admission free . Iu the evening Mr . Parkes will lecture ' On the necessity of the people keeping in remembrance the fate of Frost , Williams , Jones , and the oiUor uiartyrs , to political freedom , and of their exertions ia returning them to their father land . "
Mr . Parkes , of Sheffield , will lecture on Monday eveuiug , a . iJ-y Comm-. M-rlj ! Cofl' « House , Ckrkenwell Green , bubj < iCt . —Will a repeal of the Com Laws produce pecoaanent relief t
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Laubeth . —Mr . Stall wood will lecture here on Sunday evening at eight o ' olook . Subject—The Corn Laws . Paddinoton . —Ruffy Ridley will lecture at the Charter Coffee-house , Edgeware-road , on Monday night at eight o ' clock . St . Pancras . —Mr . Buchanan will lecture at Tillman * s coffee-house , 59 , Tottenham Court Road , on Monday next , at eight o'clock . —Members' meetings every Wednesday at half-past past eight . An Harmonic Meeting will be held at the Feathers , Warren-atreet , Tottenham Court Road , on Tuesday next . Marylebone . —A discussion will take place upon the subject of the Land , on Sunday evening next , at the Mechanics' Institution , Circus-street , New-road , at half-past seven o ' clock .
Tower Hamlets . —The Chartists are requested to meet on business of importance , ou Sunday evening , at six o'clock . Manchester . —Two lectures will be delivered in the Carpenters' Hall , on Sunday next : in the afternoon , at half-past two , by Mr . C . Doyle ; aad in the evening , at half-past six , by Mr . James Leach . A collection will be made after each lecture in aid of the General Defence Fund . * Stockport—A lecture will be delivered in the Chartist Room , Bomber ' s Brow , on Sunday next , by Mr . Dixon , of Manchester . Subject : —the Land ; the only remedy for onr national distress . The lecture will commence at , half-past six o ' clock .
A Chartist Camp Meeting will be held on Sunday afternoon , at Studloy Pike , adjoining the monument that was erected in commemoration of the peace of 1815 , which is situated centrally between Todmorden , Hebdeubridge , Sowerby , andRipponden ; the friends residing at the two last mentioned places are most earnestly requested to attend . Mr J . West and other friends will address the meeting , which will commence at two o ' clock . Mr . R . G . Gammage will lecture at the following places during the next week : —Dewsbury , Monday ; tluddersfield , Tuesday ; Lock wood , Wednesday Honley , Thursday ; Hotmfirtk , Friday and Sunday . Bradford . —The Chartists of Little Horton will meet in the School Room , Park-place , on Sunday morning at nine o ' clock .
The Chartists of the central locality are requested to meet on Sunday morning , at nine o'clock in the council room , Butterworth ' s-builfiiags . Thb Chartists of Wapping will meet on Sunday morning , at nine o'clock , at the usual place of meeting . The Chartists of Bowling Back-lane , will meet in their room , oa Sunday morning next , at ten o'clock . : The Chartists of Middleton-fieldB will meet at the house of George Sedgwick , on Saturday evening at eight o'clock .
On Sunday evening a lecture will be delivered in the Large Room , Butterworth ' s-buildings , at seven o'clock . Subject , —Will a Repeal of the Legislative Union between England and Ireland , based on sound principles , be beneficial or injurious to the inhabitants of thei British Empire ! Free admission—discussion invited . Ok Monday evening at eight o ' clock , Mr . Coudron of Halifax , will lecture on the past and present condition of IrelanJ , at the house of Michael Daly , Broad-stones . Free admission . On Sunday , the 28 th of May , a camp meeting will be held at Underohffe , at ten olclock , aad at Apperly Bridge at two o ' clock in the afternoon .
Nottingham . —A lecture will be given by Miss Eliza Blatberwick , in the Democratic Chapel , Riceplace , on Monday next , at eight o'clock . Subject—The distressed state of the country , its causes and remedy . Admission free . At the close a collection will be made in aid of the school fund . Newington . —The Council and . members are requested to meet at the Crown and Anchor , Crossstreet , on Tuesday evening next . Hyde . —A Camp meeting will be held on Sunday afternoon , on Golden-green . Mr . W . Booth , from Newton Heath , and also Mr . G . B . Candelet , one of tho " Conspirators , " will be in attendance . A collection will bo made in aid of the defence fund .
Salpord . —The Chartists of this locality have changed their night of meeting from the Sunday till the Monday evening . There will be a member ' s meeting next Monday evening at eight o'clock , when all friends to the cause in Salford are specially invited to attend . Colne . —A lecture will be delivered in the Chartist news room , Windy-banks , on Sunday , May the 28 th , at half-past two o ' clock , in the afternoon . Nottingham . —Mr . James Simmons will preach on Nottingham Forest next Sunday , at two o'clock in tho afternoon , and six in the evening , if the weather be favourable , and , if not , ia tho Chapel , Rice-place .
A Meeting of delegates from the counties of Nottingham , Derby , and Leicester , will bs holden on Monday next , at the Shoulder of Mutton , Barkergate , Nottingham , at ten o ' clock in the forenoon . A Tea Party will take place on Whit Tuesday . Tickets , 9 d . each , to be had of J . Sweet . The profits to be applied to the Victim Fund . Sheffield . —On Sunday evening ( to-morrow ) , Mr .. G . J . Harney will address the Chartists , assembling in the Figtree-lane room , at half-past seven o ' clock . On Monday evening a public discussion will be held in th same room , to consider the repeal of the Legislative Union existing between this country and Ireland . The discussion to commence at hall-past seven precisely .
On Tuesday evening the usual ball will take place . t | p '' On Wednesday evening the weekly meeting of the members will beheld . Oldham . —Oa Sunday ( to-morrow ) , Mr . A . F . Taylor , of Royton , will deliver an address in the Chartist Room , on the Proceedings in the Court of Queen's Bench , on the 4 th of May last ; and the necessity of re-organizing the Chartist body . The lecture to commence precisoly at six o ' clock iu the evening . After the address , a collection will be made in aid of the Defence Fund . Mossley . —Mr . Tnomas Clark , of Stookport , will deliver a lecture in the Association room , on Tuesday evening next . Subject— "The Land and its capabilities . " A collection will be made exclusively for the Defence Fund .
Liverpool—The Council are requested to attend a meeting at their usual room , on Tuesday next , to take into consideration the subject , of Mr . O'Connor ' s plan of Organisation . Keishley . —A delegate meeting will be holden in the Working Men ' s Hall , Sun-street , Kefghley , on Sunday , the 28 i , h of May , at ten o ' clook in the forenoon , for the purpose of better organizing the district , and for the transaction of other important business . Delegates are particularly requested to attend from every locality in the district .
Leicester . —The Chartists of Hiuckley , Earl-Shiiton , Wigton , Oadby , Glenn , Countesthorpe , and Tburmaston , are requested to send delegates to a meeting to be holden at Mr . Cooper's Coffee Room , Leicester , on Sunday week , May 28 th , to agree on a plan for agitating and organising the South Leicestershire district . Plans will be submitted for the consideration of the delegates . Halifax . —On Sunday ( to-morrow ) Mr . Davies , © f Hawiok , will deliver two lectures in the Chartist Room , Pellon-lane , at two and at half-past six o ' clock .
Mr . Beesley ' s Route for the next week : —Newcastle , Sunday evening ; Sunderland , Monday evening ; South Shields , Tuesday evening ; Sherriff Hill , Wednesday evening ; Howdon , Thursday ; Jarrow , Saturday . On Friday , his services may be secured by any adjoining locality which may apply in time to Wm . Gilfillan , jun ., Dock Tavern , Long-row , South Shields .
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IRELAND . ( From the Times correspondent . ) Dublin , May 15 . —The Agitation . —The recent Ministerial declarations , although rather roughly handled by the Metropolitan organs of repeal , appear to have excited a far fuller measure of indignation throughout the provinces . The various local journals teem with diatribes of the most dangerous tendency ; and sentiments are freely broached , which in the incipient state of the agitation , might Irve been . ( however discreetly ) passed over as worthless specimens of native bombast , but which must be regarded at the present crisis as the natural result of culpable apathy in a quarter where it was least expected . A provincial paper of Saturday , suDposed to be the organ of Dr . M'Hale , thus refers to the allabsorbing topic : —
" The demand for justice of nine millions of people is to be drowned in tlie roar of artillery , and that which was carried by blood is to bo upheld by slaughter ; Wellington and his sanguinary allies are ready * to cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war , ' but with all their legions at their back they are doomed to discomfiture and disappointment . The game of ooeroion was played before the Catholic Association was suppressed , but what was the result ! —that body , under the magic band of the man who
now guides the destinies of bis country , sprang into a more vigorous existence , aad Wellington and Peel were coerced themselves to terminate the btruggle , not by the slaughter of the Irish people , but by the concession of their rights . Thus will the present also end , and the people of Ireland , by peaceable and determined resistance to oppression , will a ^ ain tri - umph over Peel and WolliB ;; ion , and compel them once more to become traitors to their own principles . We repeat agrun , the time i ,-s corao to try meu ' s aouls , and the time ia corce when physical force is to be
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encountered by moral force , and when every Irishman should be ou the side of his country . If we are invaded , probably Arthur Duke of Wellington will in person lead the invaders of his native land ; and if he should , why if he caught cold from the sea voyage , or if the climate disagreed with him , or if any of those accidents which flesh is heir to produced fatal consequences to a man of his advanced a ^ e , we would , bad as he is , be charitable enough to afford him a grave . " In the same paper ( the Tuam Herald ) appears a vivid description of a repeal meeting held in the evermemorable village of " Aughrim , " from which an abridged account may not be without interest as a specimen of the " spirit" of the agitation : —
'' On Sunday last a numerous meeting of the parishes of Aughrim and Kilconnell was held at the Chapel-yard , Aughrim , for the purpose of appointing wardens and arranging for the collection of the repeal rent . A number of respectable persons from Ballinasioe were present , and seemed to take great interest in the proceedings . The venerated and patriotic parish priest of Aughrim , the Rev . Mr . Manning , in an eloquent address , explained the object oi the meeting , and impressed upon the people the necessity of tho strictest observance of the laws . The assembly was also addressed by Mr . J . Dillon , of Caher , and in glowing terms by that distinguished and unshrinking patriot , Mr . N . Boylan , justiee of the peace , Hilton-house , county of Meath . The
whole scene was one of the deepest interest—calling up proud recollecticn 3 of the past , and full of high promise of the future . Who could look without emotion on the hill of Kilcommedan , where 18 . 000 undisciplined and badly-armed Irish defeated 27 , 000 veterans , furnished with all the munitions of war , and flushed with the victories they had won on the battle fields of France and Holland ? But who would not feel proud to be an Irishman when he beheld the pass of Urachree , where 2 , 500 Irish horse completely defeated 8 , 000 of the flower of European chivalry-French Hugonots , Dutch and Danish guards , with several chosen regiments of English Dragoons ? Well might St . Ruth exclaim , in the hour of triumph , that ho would * drive the English to the gates of
Dublin V- Never did men , inferior ia numbers and arms , obtain a more complete victory over the enemies of their country and king , till robbed of it by chance through the death of their commander . And that scene was full of promise of future independence to Ireland—proving that the voice of freedom had reached the most retired parts of our island . Yes I in every quarter of the country the spirit of nationality is animating the masses . Deeply and steadily is the mighty tide of popular feeling advancing onward ; nor is it the less irresistible for wanting the storm and foam upon its surface , which , on former occasions , generally characterized similar movements in Ireland . "
The Mr . Dillon alluded to in the foregoing is a gentleman of high respectability in the county , and he is , moreover , if I mistake not , a recent auxiliary to the Tanks of the repealers . The boards of guardians , too , are daily becoming infected with the repeal mania . The Abbeyleix board has already declared in favour of the measure ; and the guardians of the Dundalk Union , having taken umbrage at the refusal of the commissioners to dismiss the clerk for the high offence of being "
connected with an anti-repeal party , " are about to tread in the footsteps of their Queen ' s-county brethren . Oae of . the guardians gav « notice on the last day of meeting that , " in consequence of the letter from the commissioners ( above alluded to ) he would move at their next sitting , that they should discuss the repeal of the union , and that a petition from the board be forwarded to Parliament for the repeal of that measure . " This is another practical proof of the stimulus given to the agitation by the working of the odious Poor Law .
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On Thursday week , at Sheffield , after a short illness , aged 29 years , Mr . George Wrigbt of tbat place . His firm adherence to the principles of Democracy , both in public and private life , is an example which every lover of his country should imitate . , On Friday last , agjd seven years , James Htrat Cobbett , the son of Jalius Dalby , Victoria pubiie house , Eccleshill . Tho boy fell into a pan of boitiog liquor , a few days previous , and lingered in great agony till death . * :,, _ S ^ tay ^ Keighley , after » Hairing illness Txios Knowles
. , Mr . .. B . , of that place . His remains were interred on Tuesday , and attended to their long home by a large number of friends and relatives . During the number of years he has resided in Keigh'ey , he has boon an able advocate of the cause of liberty , and his merits , as a Chartist lecturer , have been well known and highly estimated tbrou ^ hout this part of the country . The repeated attacks on his health , through tho rapture of blood-vessels , gradually weakened his constitution . He returned last year from a , r . s \ i to America , since which time his health-hay ben worse than usual , and he has now finished his f archly career at the early ago of thirty leaving a pre ^ nam wife to lament hi § 1 q § 3 ,
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HOUSE OF COMMONS—Wednesday , May 17 . The Speaker entered the House at the usual hour , but tbere being only eighteen Members present , an adjournment took place till Thursday . Thursday , May 18 . Some time was spent in the presentation of peti- j tions , and in obtaining replies from Government on different questions . Mr . Sharman Crawford then rose to move , pursuant to notice , for leave to bring in a Bill to 1 secure the full representation of the people , and to shorten the duration of Parliament . The Hon Mem- ; ber was addressing the House when our report was despatched .
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THE SLAVES' DISARMING BILL . We need no longer aBk , will there be a Coercion Bill I Here it is . What means disarmament but coercion ? What means defencelessness but slavery 1 The father does not disarm his son , nor the friend wring away the defence of his friend ; but the robber-disarms his victim , and the pirate nails dowu the hatches that he may butcher unresisted . To . carry arms is the ultimate guarantee of life , property , and freedom . To be without the power of resisting oppression is to be a slave . What matter that , with delusive words , your ruler says he will not rifla your altars , nor pollute your hearth 3—what matter that your goaler boasts his power to protect you , aad flourishes his weapon before your cell ! Arms and liberty are synonymous . If you see aa unarmed and an armed man together , you instantly conclude that the one is a prisoner , the other a guard . Arms are the badges of freemen . He who is unarmed will soon be in chains .
Disarmament and slavery were convertible terms in every age . The conquering barbarians forbade the Romans to carry arms ; the Normans forbade the Saxons to carry arms ; the Spaniards tore their arms from the Americans ; the English took arms from Ireland whenever they dared . Irish disarmament has ever been the first step to plunder and tyranny . Cromwell disarmed us , and twenty years » f Egyptian bondage followed . The first act of the hellish Penal Code , under which we winced in a bloody dungeon for eighty yearB , waB aa Arms' Bill . The Volunteers extorted mdepeudenco by arms , and ere the system of terror which forced on the insurrection was begun , an Arms' Bill was passed . Arms' Bills and Castlereagb—ruin and despair—were upon us during the reign of the abominable Regent , George . An Arms' Bill was tho leading law of coercion by the Whigs , and now the Tories open their compaiga against our rising hopes with an Arms' Bill '
An Arms' Bui—there is a curse in the name . An Arms' Bill—pah . ' why not give it its right name a Slavery Bill ? Call it a Bill to prevent resistance to tyranny—call it a Bill to ullow an old enemy to rob , crush , defame , and trample upon us for ever—t ' ox ever , or till some Btranger , half in pity , half in contempt , steps in and smites ouroppressor . An Arms ' Bill -a Bill to take away the means whereby men protect homes and altars , free speech , free industry , free worship—a Bill to place us at tho mercy of a tyrant , aad that is "the definition of slavery . " ' Why stop short with branding arms \ Why not braui ourselves ! Why not with equal propriety haitate the Grecian conqueror , and mutilate us ? Tne best and most natural Arms' Bill would be one to cut off our ri ^ ht hands ; but no , we must do tne work as wtll as bear the chains of bondsmen—we must be unthutilated slaves .
By this infamous Bill , no man can keep arms of any sort , or any thing which can be used as arms , without first getting a certificate frem two householders rated to the poor above £ 20 , and then getting the leave of the Justices—that is to say , arms are-to be denied to all not relished by the aristocratic minions of an alien Government . The arms are to be branded ; and caonot . be removed * old orinherited , without fresh licences . Every act relating to them , every conversation—aye , conversation respecting them , in which you do not tell all you are asked by the pettiest myrmidon , subjuetd you to penalties .
The penalties may be judged by one . To have a pike or spear , or « instrument serving for a pike or spear , —a pitchfork , or hoe , a long knne , or a dibble , for example—is an offence punishable with transportation for seven years ! Blacksmiths must take out licences like those for keeping arms , under the same tremendous penalties . Domiciliary visits are allowed and ordered . Nay , whenever a magistrate wills it , he cas go , or send his gang o : policemen to break into our homes at night by force ! the pretence must be search for arms ; the motive may and will be insult , cruelty , lust , or rapacity . Suspicion of having arms—no , we venture to say that the absence of the power of just vengeance , will invite the most frequent visits ! Tne voluptuary , the rival , the malicious enemy , they will suspect , and they will invade our homes .
And , to crown the villany of this Act , if any weapon be found in any house , offices , or haggard , the occupier shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanour unless he shall prove his innocence—a provision the best devised of any yet introduced , from the days of Cromwell to those of Castlereagb , for encouraging treachery and perjury , exciting and rewarding a bloody and lying vengeance , and producing that discontent , which would make revolution inevitable if it became law . We now call on the English Legislature to pause ere they enact this code—this wicked , subtle , and sanguinary code . We call on oar friends abroad to note well the sort ofhws whereby Ireland is governed . We call upon such Irishmen as still think we can endure a foreign Government to strain their ingenuity and influence against this Bill ; if they fail , the prospect may be stem , but the course will bo simple—time , prudence , energy !—The Nation .
Deaths.
DEATHS .
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THE NORTHERN g TAR , 5
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Citation
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Northern Star (1837-1852), May 20, 1843, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct934/page/5/
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