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Northern Star (1837-1852), 10th January 1852, Edition 1 of 2, Page 5

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      refusedt . to accept the Book of Prices demanded by the men , it has been because all their men who belong to the Association are receiving the Boojt Price in other factories . To this there is no exception , except in a few instances , where men have voluntaril y broken their promises , and forfeited their honour . The professions and engagements of the National Association were fulfilled in the Tin Plate Workers ' case to the letter , and even beyond it . The convictions at Stafford , and the subsequent imprisonment of certain members of the Central Committee , is no proof that combination is illegal ; on the contrary , the legality of combination is strongly confirmed by the ~ refused to accept the Book of Prices demanded bv flymen , it has beeu because all their men who be-

      judgment of the Court of Queen's Bench . The overt acts which were proved in evidence , were illegally enticing contract-servants to leave their employment under the influence of liquor administered to them ; the connexion of the Members of the Central Committee with any conspiracy for any such illegal object , was only established by erroneous evidence , the Committee having always repudiated any such proceedings , and being in fact , totally opposed to them . The premises of Mr . Ernest Jones , in reference to the National Association being thus fallacious , he is necessarily at fault in his conclusions .

      He then proceeds to ask certain questions , to which we shall content ourselves to give very brief answers . ' Have the Strike that the National Trades' Union has not supported been less successful than those it has ? We have no knowledge of the success or non-I success of strikes with which we have not been concerned . \ ' Does not the weight of supporting turn-outs I almost always fall on the immediate neighbourhood ?' 3 In isolated Unions generally—In the National Associations never . ' And is not the subscription of the working man I often diminished by the consideration : Oh , they 1 belong to the National Association , that will take \ care of them , we need not impoverish ourselves !"

      I Certainly not ; because the National Association has [ never applied for anj assistance to support any of its I strike 8 out of its own circle . ' And might not a political ; association have rendered them pecuniary support as effi-I ciently , and even better V We think not : if we are to I judge of wbat a political association would do , by what , I m our time , they have done , in a pecuniary way . [ We have thus endeavoured to defend ourselves from i -what ire consider an unwarranted attack of Mr . Ernest J Jones upon our principles and policy . We have no dispo-I sition to be brought into a controversy with our Chartists

      I friends , with wLom we have so long worked , as it were , [ side by side . We think the division of labour , in working * out a people's emancipation , may be advantageously adop-[ ted . Every one of us may exert ourselves 'to the topo t our bent' in one or the other , or even all the departments of progress . We canr . ot be far wrong if we are found con-§ tributing to the general cause of progress ; and if there is 1 one enemy to progress more dangerons than another , it is I he who would throw in the apple of discord amongst those I who are struggling for the same common end—the I emancipation of our order from the usurped dominion of I capital .

      g If , therefore , we might presume to advise Mr . Ernest m Jones , it would be that as the leader of a section of the H people—not a very numerous one unfoi innately , he should H strive to strengthen his position by conciliatory means , and B not by . ' rnnning a muck' with all who do not exactly fall 1 witMn his own standard of perfection , seek to throw the I -whole army of labour int ' confusion and anarchy . H The Cesikal Committee of ma Natiohm A « socutios §| OF UlJlISD XSAOCS §§ 259 , Tottenham Court r ad .

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      U MEETING OP THE METROPOLITAN WORKMEN . HI On Monday nieht a crowded meeting of the men was held HI at-their Central Club , in Stepney . H « * ^ gheer having been called to the chair , briefly stated ¦ m Z- l l l ?* d met f ° the purpose of ascertaining the posim Jf ™ »*>» in the different localities of London , so far as \ m lY ' Y dyct come l 0 their knowledge . He would call , tULTfcfore , upon Mr . Kewton to give them a sketch of the dgj present aspect of matters . W , j -J Newtox , who was warmly cheered , proceeded to M aeuiltbs progress of the movement . He stated that on | E Sunday afternoon there had been a meeting of tho Executive gg Council , at which many excellent and practical suggestions HH had been thrown out , and he was happy to inform them

      ' -si that after much anxious consideration of the Council , feel-| p iug the necessity of not treuching upon the funds of the ff || society , had devised means whereby employment would be Til Eecurei * to them . ( Cheers . ) On Saturday nieht he had g | attended a meeting at Greenwich which had been called in | H consequence of Mr . Penn , the great employer there , having | i | stated that the Executive Committee of the Employers ' 3 ! Association were desirous to receive a deputation from the '» Executive of the Amalgamated Society . He was happy to ge tell them that at that meeting Mr . Penn wa 3 eulogised as | g | one of ths most liberal of their employers , and it was out | S | of the respect which t bey entertained ' for him , that tho men | g § had taken the earliest opportunity of calling a meeting in | m order to consider how far they could go in adopting the ^ saggesi tons which that gentleman had made to them . The ® of

      m feeling that meeting was unanimons—that if the em-| K picyers wished to receive a deputation , a deputation should «| attend them , but that the men ought not to take the lniti-! »|| ative . At that meeting there had also occurred what he § g | an ; ici pated would be general . A number of persons who gp wire liotconm-cted with the A malgamated Society , and who gg har , continued to work overtime attended , and inquired if Mm tiicr could not , as non-members of the society , co-operate mm in the raoreii « nt If their assistance would be accepted , vsm they would thenceforward quit their work at the terminals tion of the ten hours . This proposition was readily acceded Wff l to , aud the fact was that the determination of the masters | H to clear their works on the 10 th , and to throw out alike sola cuty men and non-society men , must greatly add to their am strength and numbers . ( Cheers . ) He was not enabled to KB give them any very detailed information , but he might gS state that amongst the London employers who had posted 93 the notice to close the

      Z on 10 th , or had given formal notices j | S to the men , were several of the largest employers and a WM great many of the small roasters . However , Messrs . Roj » omson aad Russell had not as yet done so , but he bt-9 | lieved that they would this day . From Manchester he had « received information of only three firms having potted the H notiee , but he had no doubt there were others . He was am ^ PPy to say that every report they received was of themost Hi S ? ji 81 ? a 8 il | g character , and that there was every probabi-| » utj of the resolution which the Council had come to relative W& to self-emp loyment being speedily carried into effect . Bg z sneers . ) Advertisements had been prepared for insertion IS if au puWie V ^> tb , and vigorons and effective measures BB * aq been taken to secure them a large amount of work . wm ^ . concinsion , he desired them to remember that tbeir pomm iiaoa was a -pasture one in resisting the strike of the IS h a ?} ° 5 en and that they had only been called into activity Wm ^ . aecessit y ° fmak ' SP P anitionflin their own de-

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      5 $ »!• r Mr - ™™' - ¦ & ^ 3 mre that the men were ffLSti !? r nC 6 tbe 8 * 8 tem of "elf-employment . He believed that the movement would not only aid the 2 a »»« t mmld beofthe greatestadvantagetotho StSh t l b 8 CaUSe t anu : nW « f the repairs that the XRSfifJ ° , eXecUl ? wouWbete ^ n to those factowes where the employers had identified themselves with the I UClla J ^ Z *} ° ie ! 8 ? e echM followed « whicn Protracted the meetingto alate hour . Their general ^ no ? was in approval of the proceedings of the Council , and expressive ol sympathy with the labourers whose discharge would be consequent upon the closing of the factories . It was intimated that means would be taken to afford pecuniary assistance to any who would be so situated . made to meet the crisis . He was ! , nre thaf thn Tnr 7 Tnr * & * ready to commence the ^ . ffi ^

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      NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . The new Executive Committee of this body held its first meeting at the Office , 14 , Southamptonstreet , Strand , on Wednesday evening last . Present Messrs . Arnott , Bezer , Grassby , Holypake , Jones , Shaw , and Wheeler . J . J . Bezer was called to the chair . John Arnott then read the list of the Committee , as reported by the inspectors of votes , aud also a letter from W . J . Linton , declining to sit unless the movement joined the middle class . Eraest Jones rose and read a copy of a letter he had sent to the Democratic papers , wherein he resigned his seat , and gave the reasons for so doing . Mr . Jones then retired .

      John Arnott then read the auditor ' s report , which stated that the recei pts from September 29 th , to December 31 st , 1851 , were £ 4 A 16 s . OH . ; Tract Fund and Tracts , £ 2 Is . 9 d . ; Total , £ 46 17 s . Did . And theExpenditure , during tho same period , £ 58 8 s . 8 R leaving a balance due of , £ 1110 s . ll | d . ; in addition to which the liabilities are for Rent , £ ] 4 8 s . Od . and Printing , £ 9 6 s . Od . ;• making a Total Debt of £ 3 o 4 s . ll | d . The Committee then determined , to avoid the increase of liabilities , to give up the officeand elected

      , James Grassb as a gratuitous secretary , pro tern . Messrs . Blair , Murray , and Wilkins attended as a deputation from the National Reform League to solicit the insertion of the notice of its meetings in the weekly list published by the Executive . The request was unanimousl y agreed to . Mr . T . M . Wheeler , having resigned , the Committee adjourned . James Grassby , Secretary , pro tern . _ , „ 96 , Regent-street , Lambeth . To whom all communications must be addressed .

      Since we received the above from our Correspondent , our repovtev has furnished us with the subjoined more detailed account . THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OP THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION . This body assembled , according to a notice from the Secretary , at the Association Rooms , Southampton-street , on Wednesday evening . Mr . Arnott read the scrutineer's report , from which it appeared that Messrs . E . JoneB , Arnott , O'Connor , Wheeler , Grnssby , Shaw , Linton , Bezer , and HoWoake , were duly elected . Mr . Bezer having been elected Chairman , fa Mr . E . Jones read a letter to the Chartist body , in which he tendered his resignation as a member of the Committee , stating that ho had alreadv sent it to the Democratic Press .

      Mr . Wheeler wished a further explanation of his motives , and trusted he would alter his determination . Mr . Jones declined giving any other explanation than that contained in his letter , and retired . A letter was read from Mr . Linton , stating his belief of the impossibility of resuscitating the Chartist movement . It was decided that the Secretary should correspond with Mr . Linton . Mr . Arnott laid the financial report before the Committee , from which it appeared that the receipts had been £ 4 G 17 s , 9 Jd . ; the expenditure , £ 58 8 s . 8 R ; leaving a balance due to the Treasurer of £ 11 10 s . ll * J . In addition to this , £ 14 8 s . was due for rent ; £ 9 G 3 . to the ? . n- ^ , and £ 2 t 0 the Secretary ; making a balance of 437 « . Hid . against the Committee .

      After some disoussion relative to the position of the finances , it was decided that one month ' s notice , or less , if it would be accepted , should be giveu'to th ? proprietor , of the Comraitteo ' s intention of quitting the Office in Southampton-street . Mr . Uoltoake moved , and Mr . Grassbt seconded : — " That the Executive Committee regrets its inability to continue to pay a Secretary ; and therefore resolves to elect a Secretary whose services shall be gratuitous , with the understanding that , out of the first surplus available , some proportional compensation shall be tendered for such gratuitous services as shall be rendered . " Mr . Arnott explained relative to his position , and his inability to act gratuitously .

      Mr . Shaw moved :- « That Mr . Wheeler act as Secretary . " The motion not being seconded , Mr . Grassby moved , and Mr . Holyoake seconded -. — " The nomination of John Arnott . " Mr . Arnstt consented to serve on the stipulations of tho resolution for one month . Messrs . Wheeler and Shaw opposed Mr . Arnott ' s nomination , and the vote of the Chairman caused his rejection . Mr . Wueeler nominated the other members of the Committee m succession , but they either declined stauding , or were not seconded . In this dilemma Mr . Bezer quitted the Chair , and Mr . Holyoako was elected thereto . Mr . Shaw moved , and Mr . Bezbb seconded , the nomination Of Mv . Wheeler .

      Mr . Holtoake protested against the election being carried by a coup d ' etat . Mr . Wheeler declined standing under the oireumstanoes , and resigned his seat on the Executive . Mr . Grassbt consented to act as Secretary during the ensuing month . Messrs . Holyoake and Arnott weve appointed to draw up a brief address to the country . The Executive then adjourned until the ensuing Wednesday evening . Curing t he sitting a deputation was reoeived from tho National Reform League , requesting insertion of their meetings in the Executive notices . On the motion of Messrs . Wheeler and Shmt , the request was complied with .

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      Metropolitan Delegate Council . —A meeting of this body took place on Sunday afternoon , at the Finsbury Literary Institution . Mr . Murray in the chair . Contributions were received from Holloway , Hoxton , City , Finsbury , Islington , and the Ship localities . Mr . Harman reported relative to procuring a hall for the purpose of a public meeting . After some discussion it . was decided that the Johnstreet Institution , Tottenham-court-road , Bhould be engaged for Monday , January 19 th . ErneBt JoneB brought forward a motion , reseiwiing that portion of the 1 st

      rule , by which the Executive formed a portion of the Council . Messrs , Cottlo and Weedon proposed " That the Executive should be entitled to a seat , bvit not to a vote . " Messrs . Wheeler and Bezer supported the latter proposition . The motion of Mr . E . Jones was carried . Several rules , of minor importance , were agreed to ; among others , " That the Council should assemble at three o ' clook on a Sunday afternoon , and adjourn at fire o ' clock . Several notices of important motions were handed in for diicussicn at the ensuing meeting , and the Counoil Adjourned .

      Ship Inn , High-street , Wbiteohapel . —Mr . Fussell addressed the audience at this locality on Sunday evening and was muoh applauded . Mr . J . Shaw occupied the chair . Amongst other looal busineHB it wag unanimously deoided , that Mr , J , Snaw should bo instructed to more on the Exeoutire that Thomas Martin Wheeler ihould be anpointed General Seoretary . It was also decided that tho Bay-Concert , . and other Committee * Bhould assemble for a final settlement of their account ! , on the ensuing Sunday evening , In future this locality will meet at » ix o ' clock ,

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      when the "Northern Star . " Ac , will bo read -, „ , ) ased until thelecturecommenceVMr . J . ^ I ? c Omplied with a request to lecture on the " Rights of L £ r ' ¦' on Sunday evening , the 17 th inst . UU 1 ' on LiTERARir Institution , Leicester . place , Little Baffron-hiil -On Sunday evening a pubhc meeting was held at this place , Mr . Murray m the chair . Messrs . Beser , WheeW Windmill ,, and other speakers addressed the meeting udob subjects connected with the Charter agitation , and the other reform movements now occupying public attention Paragon Chapel , Bermosdsey . —A public tea party was held here on Wednesday evening . Afcer the repast Messrs . Bezor , Leno , O'Brton , Townuhend , Nicholls , and others , addressed the company . The chair was ably filled by Mr . Ollyrenshaw , and the whole proceedings were marked by cordiality and good humour . »!« . „ fh . ....

      Manchester . —A general members' meeting was held in tho People's Institute , Heyrod-street , Anooata , on Sunday last . Mr . W . Grocott in the chair . After the transaction of looal business , the delegates from this locality to the late delegate meeting at Staley bridge wero called upon to give in their report , which gave general satisfaction to the members . Several members expressed their approbation of the coming delegate meeting at Ilebden Bridge . It was agreed , by a large majority : — " That Edward Hooson and William Grocott represent this locality at tbe Lancashire and Yorkshire Delegate Meoting , to be held at Hehden

      Bridge , on January 18 th , 1852 , at ten o ' clock in the forenoon . " It was also agreed : —'' That tho following business should be introduced by our delegates : —1 . To consider tho propriety of eending as many delegates as possible to tho Reform Conference about to assemble in London , in order that the people may be fairly represented . 2 . The propriety of uniting the two counties , with one secretary only . To arrange for an interchange of lecturers . " They wero also instructed to recommend to the delegates the propriety of employing Ernest Jones for . a few weeks to lecture in the two counties . A vote of thanks was given to the chairman and the meeting adjourned . —T . Ormesher , Secretary . ' The member of this

      Stockport . — locality hold their usual meeting on Sunday last . Afcer tho iinanoial and other business of the locality was disposed of , Thomas Clows was appointed to sit in the Central Delegate Meeting of Lancashire and Yorkshire , to be held at Hebden Bridge on Sunday , January 18 th . In the evening Mr . Crooks , of Manchester , lectured . Mr . Cittein the chair . Tho energetio and eloquent leeture of Mr . Crooks was listened to with . great attention , aud afcer a vote of thanks , by Mr . Houghton , to the lecturer , the meeting broko up . Finsbury Locality . —This locality held its weekly meeting in the Hall of the Finsbury Literary Institution , on Sunday , January 4 th . Mr . Livesay in the chair . After the usual routine business , Mr . Butler moved , and Mr . Fennel seconded , " That Messrs . Loomes and Batohelor bo elected as secretary and treasurer for the next three months . "

      Carried . The folllowing persons were elected as council : —Messrs . Butler , Atkinson , Mason , Livesay , Winmill , Feunel , and Weedon . It was then moved , " That this locality disapprove of any largo expenditure at present by tho Metropolitan Delegate Council for getting up public meetings , and recommend them , above all things , to keep out of debt , believing all levies on nevr localities to be injurious to their progress . " Carried . Mr . Weedon gave notice of motion , That the visiting committee have a book , duly signed by the ohairman and secretary , and that they wait upon the members every Sunday morning , for tho purpose of receiving subscriptions , em-olling members , &o . " Messrs . Livesay and Atkinson were appointed as auditors . Ashton-tjnder-Lyne . —The annual tea party and ball took place in the Association-room , Water-streetCharleston

      , , on the 2 nd of January . The band of the Association played round the town , previous to tho tea party , which was numerously attended . The room was tastefully set out for the occaeion . After tea the president delivered a short address to the company , which was followed by dancing , singing , and recitations , aed tho amusements were kept up till a lato hour . On Sunday the members held their weekly meoting , when , after the secretary had received the contributions together with several advances of the first quarter ' s Execu . tive levy , Mr . Joseph Taylor was elected as delegate to the Ilbbden-bridge delegate meeting . We hope our Yorkshire brethren will be up and doing in the good work , and also that our new Executive will act in unity with each other .

      STALtBEiDOE . —The members held a tea party and ball on the 2 nd inst . Mr . Hill in the chair . The room was tastefully decorated for the occasion , and dancing was kept up till » lato hour . On Tuesday , the 6 th inst ., a members ' meeting was held , when , afcer transacting financial and other business , the following resolutions were agreed to — " lhat Mr . Samuel Cooper be elected delegate to represent this branch in the forthcoming delegate meeting " " That the sohool , in connexion with this association , be re-opened on Tuesday evening , January 13 th . "

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      BALANCE SHEET OF THE NATIONAL CHARTER ASSOCIATION , FROM SEPTEMBER 29 th TO DECEMBER 31 st , 1851 .

      RECEIPTS . £ s . d . £ s d Ashton-under-Line 0 15 0 Midglcy ... 0 9 0 Bermondsey ... 0 1 G 5 Motuerwell . ' ,. 0 3 6 Bingley 0 19 C Montrose 0 15 10 lilairgowrio ... 0 5 0 Nowcastle-ou-Tyne 0 17 6 Bolton 0 9 0 Newport ... ... 0 5 0 Brighton 0 13 0 Jfewtown 0 8 0 Bristol 0 9 0 New Radford ... 0 13 0 Bury 0 13 2 North Crawley ... 0 10 4 Camperdown ... 0 1 6 North Shields ... 0 5 0 Chelsea 0 5 0 Padiham 0 3 8 Cheltenham ... 0 i 0 Peterborough ... 0 5 0 Cinderhills ... 0 8 3 Ripponden ... 0 8 0 Coventry 0 5 3 Royton 0 2 0

      Devenport 0 10 0 Shi-ffipiri ... n a . 9 Devenport 0 10 0 Sheffield ... 0 4 2 5 . Ddee 10 0 Snip Locality ... 050 Edinburgh ... 0 12 0 South London Hail , Exeter 0 8 0 Lecture at ... 1 17 5 Greenwich and Stockport ... 0 10 0 ^ Doptford ... 0 12 6 Torquay 0 13 I Great Grimsby ... 0 10 6 Wakefield 0 17 6 Halifax District ... 0 16 4 Westminster ... 0 5 0 Halifax Locality ... I 12 5 White Horse Lo-Ilanley and Shel- cality 0 11 6 *»* 1 0 0 Wgan 0 15 0 Hoxton 0

      710 Worcester 0 7 0 Ipswich 0 4 0 Yarmouth 0 7 3 Islington 0 3 0 Concert at John-John Street Lo- street 5 5 6 _ oaj'ty 1 13 3 Collected as Wool-Landport 0 14 2 wich 0 3 SJ L ' anidloes 0 5 4 Arthur Trcvolvan 2 0 0 Leasmgthorn ... 0 2 2 Small Sums ' ... 479 Leicester 0 G G Traot Fund and Leigh 10 0 Tracts . . 219 Loughborough ... 0 12 3 , Manchester ... 0 10 0 Total Receipts £ 46 17 91 Merthyr Tydvil ... 0 16 0 , ,., "

      EXPENDITURE . Balance from last Rent of Office ... 7 4 0 Quarter ... II 6 Vf Ditto , John-street 200 Secretary ' ssalary 28 0 0 Ditto , Hall at Advertisements ... 0 19 G Woolwich ... 0 8 0 Printing 4 10 0 Stamps , Station-Ernest Jones , part ery , Parcels , &o . 2 8 8 proceeds of Lee- - ture at South Total Expendi-London Hall ... 0 17 5 ture ... £ 5 S 8 81 Hire of Piano- Total Receipts 4 G 17 9 | forte , and ex- , penses of Con- ' Balance Due £ 11 10 Hi cert 0 14 C * Audited and found correct , January 7 th , 1852 . Aimed Uuxkiball , > , ,.. Augustus Pxercy . / * ail ™ r *'

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      THE MANCHESTER PUBLIC SCHOOL ASSOCIATION . DEPUTATION TO LORD JOHN RUSSELL . On Tuesday a deputation of gentlemen interested in tho principles of tho Manchester Public School Association had an interview by appointment with Lord John Russoll at his offioial rosidenoe in Downing-street . The deputation consisted of several influential members of parliament , clergymen of various denominations , and other gentlemen of great influence in their several localities . Mr . M . Gibson , M . P ., said he had the honour to introduce to his lordship the deputation of gentlomon who represented an association called the National Public Sehool Association , which was composed of individuals belonging to almost every religious denomination in the country , " who had associated themselves together for tho purpose of promoting a better system and more efficient plan of Rational instruction , the object being to carry a measure through parliament , if possible , with the view of establishing

      common schools in which a portion of education should be given , thatportionbeiugsecular instruction . He believed there were in the room several ministers of religion connected With various denominations . Iand he thought the society was composed of persons of influence representing nearly all the different religious denominations . Ho would not go into the details of the plan , but he would merely sav it was not a compulsory system . It was merely to enable the rate payers , if no minded , to have the power , by rating themselves , of contributing to the burden of supporting those common schools , rather than leave them to be supported b y the voluntary subscriptions of a few . That wati a principle which had been already applied to tho support of museums and institutions of that kind , which were rather germane to this question . Many 0 them were maintained by the public rates ; so far , therefore , as that went there was no great novelty in the plan , rhe rate payers would have the power of resisting the adoption of the measure , if a majority of them in any

      disw « n were desirous or so doing . Tho gentlemen who represented this association were anxious to bring their plan under the consideration of the government , andthev hoped ! 5 lifh g f fr / r ° "H t ifca fc'ourable reception , seeing that it had met with such very general support from the members of all religious denominations , and was recommended by a very numorously-si gned petition . He believed the measure was founded on the principle of jui-E . n . fi ? ., > L 8 On A eXClu f dmg L as ifc «* none from the braefito it proposed to confer in the form of secular instruction .

      Mr . Baimst , president of the Manohegtor Chamber of Commerce , said happily the popular opinion of this country 7 u \ JS ! T " t . fW general eduoation . Though they ( the deputation ) had associated for the purpose of os-H ^ il . n !' * iTI * , " ? rucUon ' thev * ° by no means in-?;^ k \ ° Ah if reh 8 lous instruction of th » rising genertftSn « Sf « . ^ f * , e time ' they dw not tnink » ™» the ummeas of th « schoolmaster to become a religious tewhw ,

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      They thought , on the contrary , taking into account the division between tho various religious bodies thron » hout the country , that if there could bo a system under wfioh a schoolmaster could give secular instruction to the icnorant leaving religious knowledge to be supplied by the ministers of religion , the happiest results would ensue ; and as in this country religious instruction was amply provided for they were of opinion that provision should be equally made for the diai'emination of secular knowledge , which was bo requisite for the guidance of the puople , especially in this ago when it was in the highest degree dasirable that tho ignorant should bo able to understand the laws they were called on to obey , aud to become in all respects useful members of society . The association , of which ho was a member , did offon ^ i ? ^ con ? . y ins ' ruction in a way which would bo uonsivo to the relijiioua m-incialcs or scniDleanf sinv narf . v .

      JioSaKi" 7- M th 0 reli s fous teachiB s ai ) y b ° dy of Knuffi ? t ? n ! > or evon of the raemb 8 of tLe Jowi 3 h nSS '•• S'fett 0 relir » toa f cher " v ; * 7 r which is eVidontlv EumhS ' f pePmit U < 8 to d , ° * " * country where . such 17 ^ Lu a ° ™ ° ? V ? P ' * " ™* * vails " Tho Wij »? w ™ , taui 6 amount of ignorance prethe manufacturing distS ThI vm - ? o ™*™ !! ' 5 not only been taSght w ^ K ttS ? - gIPl {! fit 61 " lfc ^ . important accomplishments of ktfiu n " ' , bufc ^ T had been productive of immense ad ant *^ ! f » V had sought employment in tho man « f ? . * m ° l ° too . by means of the eduoatfiS KSlW- The boys , undertake the performance of mSsunS * et « . £ ' establishments than formed y ^ But ff'fjitST . ?""? proved adequate ' to the necessitiesofJne !! ft ^ w therefore hoped that his lordshi p , whom they knew fh 7 the friend of education , would & « ^ 0 a Lt 1 to this subject , with the view of proposing to the countv , uCOra . prehensive scheme of eduoation . Tho ltov . W . M'Kiro , Mr , ]? . P . Hotlasd , and Mr W . R . WpoD . hnvin" addressed his lordship ,

      Mr . \\ . J . Pox , M . P ., said ho wished just to notice the great affinity , he thought he might say tho identity , of this scheme of education with the plan already so successfully carried on in Ireland under the direction of the government The arrangement proposed in the schools was as nearly as possible the samo ; there wns tho same separation of secular from religious instruction , and the same attempt at combination of persons of different religious opinions ; and , in the view of the projectors of thia soheme , the result would be tho elevation of education itself . So long as the Bchoolmaster was merely a sort of journeyman minister or clergyman , they should scarcely ' expect that secular instruction should attain to that high character which it vf as bo desirable it should assume . The differences between thia and the Irish system wero chiefly , if not exclusively , those which related to the rating and to loo ' nl management ; but . as to the schools thomselves , they wished toadoDttherei . ui

      lations tollowort m the Irish schools . The object of the deputation was , therefore , to raise English education to tho standard of Irish education , there being this difference between tho cases , that the oriminal returns for Ireland showed the efficiency of the schools there in the continued decrease in the per-centa ^ o of criminals who received instruction while no such result was obtained in thia part of the kingdom ; and as thoy had often heard of " justice to Ireland , ho hoped in this matter it would not be too much to ask for justice to England . ( Laughter ) Lord John Russell said : I have a very few remarks to trouble you with on this subject ; but in the first place , lot mo say I think tho country is indebted to you , sen ' tlernen , who are making an effort on behalf of education I hsive vevy long felt that the stato of education in this country is not such as we should be proud of , and indeed . uuii is almost

      » . wo ougnt to be ashamed of ; and , therefore I think any gentlemen , who have combined for the purpose of improving tho education of the countrv , whether they succeed or fail in that object , deserve cre « . iit for mak ne iho attempt itself . Of course there is no private end to be obtained in that attempt , and your labours nan only be for tho advantage of the country itself . With regard to anything further , I hava to stato that I must not be understood as expressing the opinion of tho gqvernmont , which has not come to any dncision on this subject ' at tlie present moment , and , indeed , I may say that any of the remarks whioh I may myself make on the-subiect must bo takpn n 9

      subject to further oonsideVailfoii and reflection by myself Tho question mentioned by some gentlemen as to the government-proposing a great scheme of national education is ono that requires to be very deeply considered beforo it is adopted . Tho government of Lord Melbourne once proponed what they thought might be an improvement in the Ryatorn of education ; and that was only carried in the House of Commons , in a committee of the whole house by a majority of two . Sir Jnmes Graham , again , under ' the government of Sir R . Peel , proposed a scheme of public eduoation , and nfterwards made alterations and ooncessiong in the plan—and very properly made them—to meet objeotions ; but at last ho was obliged to abandon tho measure altogether . Upon the whole there , arc circumstances which show the difficulty in the way of the jrovernment Dronosinjr

      a schetno of national education . My own opinion is that the question is advancing to a , solution ; but I know it is the opinion of Lord Lansdowne , and it is also my own , that the question is not at present in such a stato as to be ripe for tho government undertaking it ; and undertaking it prematurely would be more likely to mar the object than to promote it . So far , then , as to tho government . With regard to your particular scheme , I wish not to say much about it ; but I wish , gentlemen , to consider—and I think the government will be obliged to consider , if they undertook it—what the state of the country is , and what the opinion of tho public would be regarding it . When there wore only Sunday-sckools existing in the country for tha poorer classes , the British and Foreign School Society attempted to establish a move general system of

      dailinstrucy tion . They made it necessary in their schools that instruction in the Bible should be given—they refused to accept any creeds , catechisms , or anything that would exclude those who agreed to tho reading of tho Bible ; but that evidently included religious instruction . When the National Sohool Society was set up , they required instruction not only in the Bible , but instruction in the Liturpy and the Cateohism of the Churtli of England . There have been also , a great many schools established by tho Wesleyan body , who require that the whole of the Biblo shall be road in those schools , and aro not only against excluding religious instruction , but against the reading of portions only of the Scriptures . That shows that the tendency of all those different societies , aud I might add the Congregationalists and others ; and the employment of tho guma

      they have collected have all been directed to combine re . ligioUvS with secular instruction . And I think , though itia a system that may be changed , you must not omit ; that fact as an important , element in the confederation of the schools which already exist . It is proposed by this bill to combine tho maintenance of the new sohools with the schools now existing . That would bo very much a matter of detail and would depend upon whether thoy oould bo maintained in a way to which these societies would agreo . I think that at present , certainly , the general opinion of tho countryis in favour of a combination of religious with secular instruction . Perhaps I may have some prejudices myself on this subject . I have very long belonged to the British nnd Foreign 80 ) 100 ) Society , « nd li . ive very much adopted their views on this subject ; but that may be a

      prejudice . Mr . Fox sayB , and says vory truly , that this Bchomo is very similar to that scheme which tho government has adopted , and which is in fovco in Ireland , and has worked very successfully . But I think it hardly follows that , although it is tho best for Ireland , that it would be tho beat for this country . That , I think , is a point which may bo disputed . I do not wish to say anything further with regard to this particular scheme . There is one thing , however , that I have seen with great satisfaction , with re « gard to Manchester . Although I hold in my hand the protest of the Society of Friends against tho Local Education Bill , yet I think it is evident from the facts that have been laid before mo that tb ^ ir objections uro not directed to tho principle of a local rate , but rather to tho particular provisions of tho bill itself : and I think there seems to be

      in Manchester a great majority of those who pay rates who are willing to concur in paying rates for the improvement of education . I think that is a very encouraging circumstance , because men in general do not say they are ready to pay more than they now pay ; and their being willing to pay rates for educational purposes proves the estimation in which they bold education , and the great benefits to be derived from it . I wish only further to say , that I hope you will go on with your scheme-, without , of course , pledging myself to any part that I can take on the subject , but because I think that even failures in schemes of this kind do much good ; and with regard to the scheme of Sir J . Graham , to which I have referred , although it was met by a great dosvl of opposition and clamour at first , vet the ultimate result was that i ; reat efforts were made " to promote education , and great advantages ensued from that attempt .. I will certainly say further , that I do no : share in the opinion of those who think that there is any hostility between secular and religious instruction . Mv opinion . rtainlisthat if the wholo

      ce y , country was to say , "We mustgivo up all hope of combining religious with secular instruction ; it is in vain to attempt it " any more , and we can only by general oonsent givo secular instruction , " lam convinced that so far from that being hostile to religious instruction , it would prepare the minds of the pupils who received this secular instruct on for the reception of religions instruction , and would make them better able to understand that which the ministers of religion would themselves have to communicate to them . By giving them secular instruction , however you may seek to convey it , you cannot fail to lead the mind to lovo and venerate the Deity , whose wisdom and beneficonce are seen in the works of creation ; and to love our neighbour—not to mention those great moral doctrines which , although not religion itself , cannot fail to prepare the minds of children , as I have said , for the reception of its great principles , when afterwards brought under tbe inculcation of religion . After a few remarks from tho Rev . Dr . Beard , the deputution bewed their acknowledgments and withdrew .

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      WORKING MAN'S REFORM CONFERENCE . At a meeting of the Manchester Branch ; January 6 th , 1852 , it was oarricd :- " That it is desirabl e that means should bo taken to ascortain tbe wishes of the working classes of this district as to the measure of Parliamentary Reform , to be sought by the people in the ensuintr session . This Committee , therefore , resolves to call a working man ' s conference , to be held at Mr . Fair ' s th « Cotton Tree , Ancoats , Manchester , on Monday tbe ' lflth day of January instant , and to invite the principal influential working men m this district to attend the same " " That this committee solicit the presence and advice of those members of parliament who are known friends of tha people , and favourably disposed to a real reform of th « fcou . se of Commmonu j ow Edwabd *; Secretary ,

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      MEMBERS' MEETING OF THE AMALGAMATED SOCIETY . The East London branch held a meeting on Thursday evening at the Phtenix Tavern , Ratolifi-croBs , for the purpose of taking into consideration the resolution ! adopted by tho executive of the Masters' Association on Tuesday last , and also to consider the propriety of empowering the executive council of the Amalgamated Society to appropriate £ 10 , 000 of the society ' s funds to I the opening of an establishment for self-employment , with-1 1

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      Mr . Allan , Secretary to the Amalgamated Society of Engineers , received a letter on Thursday from Yiscount Ingestre in reply to a letter requesting him to be one of the trustees of a fund to enable the workmen to set up for themselves . His lordship is for settling the dispute by arbitration , and suggests , as a preliminary measure , that twenty gentlemen—ten nominated by- masters and ten by the operatives—should nominate one nobleman or gentleman , one master , and one operative , to form a committee to decide upon what sort of a tribunal should be fixed upon , as to mode of examining witnesses , length of time of trial , in fact , all preliminary measures ; and perhaps that they should nominate the jury . I would say , that I declined to be a trustee for a fund to enable workmen to set up for themselves , feeling that this matter must of necessityowing to the good sense and honesty of Englishmen—be settled by fair arbitration . The letter waB submitted to the consideration of the council , but no definite conclusion was arrived at on the subject to which it referred .

      It was stated that efforts were being made by a number ofmett belonging to the establishment of Messrs . Easton and Amos , Borough , to save capital and engage premises so as to start business for their own employment , in the course of next week . Also , that the men belonging to another shop , on the Surrey side , to about forty in number , have subscribed £ 5 each , and taken premises for a similar purpose , having already received orders , one being for the construction of a sixteen-horse power steam engine . The moulders , hitherto a distinct society from the Amal gamated Engineers , are likely to become an active party in the dispute , as they have conveyed an intimation to several employers that in the event of their loosing work throngh the realisation ofthe threat to close establishments , although they have not hitherto interfered in any way in the matter , they will onl y return to their shops upon the same terms as are now demanded by the Amalgamated Sooiety .

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      ACTUAL COMMENCEMENT OF THE STRIKE . The dispute became still further complicated on Wednesday by the closing of the establishment of Mr . Scott , maohinist , King-street , Commercial-road East , in consequence of the refusal of the men to submit to a new conditioii in connexion with overtime , proposed to be carried out by their employer , one of the masters who oh Saturday last gave notice that their establishments would be completely closed on the 10 th instant . It appears from the statements of the men that some of their number bad lost time from the commencement of the week up to Wednesday night to the amount of a quarter of a day , in consequence of which Mr . Scott demanded that they should work overtime in the evening , so as to make up the time thoy had lost ; and , further , Mr . Scott intimated that in the

      event of their failing to comply with this demand , it was his fixed intention to stop two hours' pay for every hour of time which they had lost , or might lose . The men remonstrated against the adoption of what they conceived to be an unreasonable proposition , and , after some further parley , refused to submit to it , upon which Mr . Scott replied that in that case they had better quit their work at once , as he fully intended to close the shop on Saturday , and the two days intervening between that time and the present could make little difference to either party . The men acted upon Mr . Scott ' s suggestion without communicating their intention to the general secretary of the society , or the executive council , and not returning to their work after the dinner hour , the establishment was forthwith closed .

      The following communication was received on Wednesday by Mr . Allan : — " London , Jan . 6 th , 1852 . " Central Association of Employers of Operative Engineers , 30 , Bucklersbury . < " Sir , —Your letter of yesterday , stating that you had been informed this committee were desirous of seeing a deputation of workmen , having been considered , at the ordinary meeting this day , I am directed to state that whilst the individual members of this association are always ready to ? receive any communication from their workmen in their

      respective establishments , they cannot recopnise the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society as the proper channel for effecting any arrangements between themselves and those in their employment , this association having been formed for the express purpose of defending themselves and their welldisposed workmen from the dictation and pernicious inteference of the Council you represent . " I am , sir , your most obedient servant , Sidnkt Sunn , Secretary ' " Mr . Win . Allan , Secretary Amalgamated Society of Engineers , &c . "

      A meeting of the London District Committee took plaes last night ( Wednesday ) when reports were piven in by deputations from various establishments unanimously in favour of maintaining the position afsumed by the Executive Council . It is believed that work at the shops to be closed will cease on the Friday night , the week ' s wages in many establishments being then due , ovriag to a prevalent practice of keeping a day ' s pay in hand . Manchester . —At the meeting of employers on Tuesday night it wns unanimously determined that the Manchester executive should not only repudiate any idea of inviting a deputation , but should also insist that even if one sought an interview it should be declined ; and that nothing should be taken into consideration but a communication , in writing , from the leaders or officers of the Amalgamated Sooiety .

      Messrs . Ransom and May , of Ipswich , have addressed a somewhat lengthy address , in which they decline to accede to the juat request of their workmen . The conclusion of their address runs as follows : — " We have to acknowledge the respectful candour and openness with whioh your communication on these sul-jects have been conducted , and , although in this instance we cannot accede to your requests , we are pleased to assure you that while we should resist all attempts at dictation from an threatened combination , we are not the less open to a fair consideration of any matter affecting your interest . — Yours respectfully , ? i iSst ? i- s and XL **' - Orwell Works , 12 mo . ( December ) OlSt ) lvX ) l *

      ©^Artist M&Uimtt.

      ©^ artist m&Uimtt .

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      out tho intervention ofthe masters . Upwards nf ~^ n 7 members of the district associa tion were present S Newton did not think due notice had beenS tn £ members , and that it was not rleht S ? „ 5 to any vote that night on the Sects 3 they had met to consider . In the course of Ss sneech Mr . Newton said , that forty workmen had alSjJ Snt down £ 6 each , making £ 200 , for the purpose of Z ninK working man's establishment , and they were now Eotfa ting fornutable premises , and were about enga £ a mana * ger to conduct the works . A large quantity of foohhad also been contributed . ( Hear . hear . ) There wa . no donol of their commencing immediately , as they had promises of several jobs already . ( Loud cheers . ) Those men had w night asked the advice of the executive council on the s ' ject , and they were told to proceed with the undertakS " but that when other workshops were established on i similar principle , they should be all brought un « w = L 7 tifthn intn . ^ . r n . s : ; %£$ L # ? 2 P % * , ** *• "" ten . Upwards « f son

      central control , so that one shop should not bo altogether idle , while the others were fully occupied . ( Cheers f Thn society had received promises of support from " several noblemen , who were willing to become trustees of thoRn newestablishments , and that circumstance would carrvawiv a great deal of unjust suspicion that might otherwise athoh itself to the movement . One trade had informed the ooun cil that two thousand members had agreed to par out of their earnings fire shillings a week each to supnort + hP Pn gineers in ' their struggle . ( Cheers . ) The nSetinR wSs afterwards addressed by Mr . Norman and Mr AfntfMnT and then adjourned . * iAU 1 > l'ums >

      SHIPWRIGHTS' STRIKE 02 ? THE WEAR The shipwright ! of Hylton , an important shi pbuilding station on the Wear , have been out on strike durins thf last two or three weeks . The mayor of Sunderland has tried his good offices , and the following matters in disDute were laid before him at a meeting he had with masters and men last week :- ' 1 . That allowances be given when oaulking and npon launching days only . The masters to be fullv empowered to caulk their vessels when and how thev choose , as is customary in the port of Sunderland . 2 That no workman shall henceforth bo allowed to leave his em ployer ' s yard until the bell has rung . 3 . That each master snail employ such labourers or borers in his yard as hemav deem expedient . 4 . That thehoun of working on Satu ' r day afternoon shall be , in the summer months , from one 0 clock to five p . m ., and in the winter months from halftwelve

      past o- ciooK till four p . m ., the workmen doing the same on Saturday afternoons , with respect to punching squaring , caulking , &c , as is invariably done in other yards on the river Wear ; and that the masters shall have full powers to conduct their business in a manner similar to other masters of this port , regardless of - 'fines . " An agreement was come to upon all tho points but the third regarding the employment of labourers , whioh the men would not submit to , and so tbo matter stands

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      . January 10 , 1852 . t tt p m n d m rr r .., 1 Hk NORTHERN STAR . 7 ~ ' ¦ e ~^~ " " ^^ ! . _; . _ . .. — .. . ,.,, 5 ' ¦¦ - ~^~ = ^^ == ^ ¦

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      1 THE MASTER ENGINEERS AND THE AMALQAI MATED SOCIETY . H On Saturday , in pursuance of the resolutions arrived at K and made public by the large employers of Manchester and E London , notices were almost universally posted at the K respective engine factories , that in consequence of the | j recent proceedings on the part of the men , their works H -would be closed on Saturday next , ti . e 10 th inst . This is H the only step at present taken by the masters , inly a few H men having as yet been discharged for refusing to work 1 overtime . But the effect of this determination on the part g of the masters will be to throw out of employ about 3 , 600 H members of the Amalgamated Society . Consequent upon

      H this , however , 2 nd assuming that other machinists cannot H he secured , a much larger number of other persons must be \ deprived of their means of subsistence . Taking into the f calculation moulders , boiler-makers carpenters , brass moulders , coppersmiths , painters , trimmers , unskilled la-I bourers , and apprentices , not less than 20 , 000 men will be I dependent on this coup tfitat . In Lancashire , it is esti-: mated by the masters that 10 , 000 hand 3 will be thrown out ¦ ef employ , in addition to the members of the Amalgamated ! Suciety , in that county alone ; and it is not unreasonable i to double that number when London is included .

      i The boiler makers throughout the country number about | 5 , 000 or 4000 , and tbe ~ nioulders nearly 5 , 000 . The ¦ mculders have hitherto taken no part whatever in the proi ceedings of the Amalgamated Society , nor were there any of their body members of it . However , they couvened a meeting on Saturday night in London , at which a proposi-; tion was thrown out and adopted , subject to the approval i of tiieir brethren , not to return to their labour after the 19 th , I if then discharged , without being compensated for their \ loss of time from that period antil their re-eng . igenient . On Saturday a proposition was made to the Executive li Council , to the effect thst if the Amalgamated Society H would invest £ 10 , 000 of its funds in tools , any amount of ^ capital would be forthcoming , if necessary , to enable the ggj ujcii , when formed into a new society , to undertake any

      Up ? amount of work which might be desired . In consequence § 1 of this proposition , coming , as the reporter was informed , HI from a responsible capitalist , a meeting ofthe Executive Hi Council was held on Monday night in Little Alie-3 treet , at Hi -winch a resolution was passed to the fallowing effect : — H " That inasmuch as the employers have refused to do the W work for the public , the members of the Amalgamated Soj £ j cicsy determine to undertake it themselves , and to adver-Ss tisu to the same effect in the public newspapers . " § £ j At tho same meeting it was intimated that the masters s | had thrown out hints that they were desirous of receiving 1 | a deputation from the men , and it was resolved that should tSj the masters * association acquaint them with their desire to § | receive a deputation , such a deputation would be immedim ately appointed .

      m -Messrs . Racsome and May have issued a circular to their | 9 j men , in which they express their decided opposition to the | e principle of systematic overtime , which they describe as | K oeing as injurious to the master as to the man . m By the 23 rd rule of the Amalgamated Society , all tho m members of the society , who may be thrown out of employm mem by this move , are entitled to receive I 03 . a week . It m ™ not mieuded to draw upon the deposited fund of M * 25 , 000 to support the 3 , 500 members of their society who m will be thrown out . but to levy a special rate upon those g | S members who remain in employ .

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      MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE . The Executive Committee of the Central Association met on Tuesday to consider a communication from the Amalgamated Society , which expressedadenretomeet the Executive of that body , with a view , if possible , to settle the existing difference , and took that communication into consideration ; but after a lengthened sitting no conclusion , it is understood , waB arrived at . . The Council of the amalgamated Society also met , and , without waiting the reply ofthe Central Association to the proffer of an amicable conference , passed the following resolutions : — . " The Counoil of the Amalgamated Society submit the following resolutions to their members , and request that branch meetings will be called as soon as possible and the votes taken and returned to the Council

      " 1 st . That 10 , 000 of the funds of the Amalgamated Society shall be paid over to such number of trustees not less than six , as are selected by the Executive ( such trustees to be men iu whom public confidence will be placed in consequence of their position in society ) and to advance the same from time to time , to managers appointed by the Executive ( such appointments to be afterwards confirmed by the society ) for the purpose of carrying on the business of engineers , machinists , &o . " 2 nd . These advances , as well as others which the trustees may obtain from other sources , shall be secured by a mortgage of all the plant and stock-in trade employed in such business to the said trustees , who shall have power to give priority to any such other advances over sums advanced out of the funds of the Amalgamated Society . °

      " 3 rd . The conditions of work under whioh such business is carried on shall be such as are approved of by the Executive of the Amalgamated Society from time to time , with the view of giving employment to the greatest possiblenumber of members of the trade who are out of employment for the time being , consistently with the stability of the business and the welfare of the workmen employed . "

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      A message was received on Tuesday by the workmen from Manchester , slating that , in addition to the three firms before mentioned which had posted notice of their intention to close their factories on the 10 th , the same course had since been followed by Messrs . Higginsand Co ., Messrs . Shaip Brothers , Fairbairn , Elce and Cottam , Marsden and Lewis . The firms whioh had neither posted nor given verbal notices were Messrs . M'Qregor and Co '• Crighton's , Flochton ' s , Galloway's , Gore's , Gad's , Lynch and Neglish ' s , Briggs and Mather ' s , Mathers , Glasgow ' s , Sibe's , Vaughan ' e , and Hassoch ' s . It must not be understood from this that it is not the intention of these firms to co-operate with the other masters , since they hold themselves at liberty to discharge their workmen without any notice whatever . A communication from Bristol , stated that the firm of Stothard , Slaughter , and Co ., had determined to close on the lOtb . The effect of this step , on the part of that firm , would throw about 500 persons out of employ .

      A very considerable number of the society's men ate engaged in the different railway workshops and steamboat factories of the kingdom . There are about 600 members in the shojis of the North Western and its branches , and not less than 120 of them at Stratford . It was said that a number of trades , representing 2 , 000 men , had offered support to the society to the extent of 03 . per week per man .

  • Citation
    • Northern Star (1837-1852), Jan. 10, 1852, page 5, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/ns/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1660/page/5/