The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-05-18 00:00:00

THE STRIKE AND LOCK-OUT IN
LANCASHIRE.

On Monday soup was distributed by the co-
operative societies at Coppy Nook, Blakey Moor,
Daisy Field, and Grimshaw Park. Loaves were
given by private individuals. The merchants of
Manchester have resolved to provide each child in
Blackburn under ten years of age with a free break-
fast each morning in the week. To feed the children
within all the wards will cost a hundred pounds each
morning. The Sunday schools will be obtained for
the occasion.

On Monday morning fourteen members Gf the
Operative Spinners' Association, selected at a meeting
of the committee, left Preston for various parts of
England to address meetings of the trade organizations
in favour of support for those on strike. They will
visit the principal towns in the kingdom. All were in
good spirits, and were very sanguine of success. The
weavers were paid is, a head. It is stated that there
are over twelve thousand weavers in Pre4ton, and only
a thousand were members of the association. Since
the lock-out the bulk have allied themselves to the
organization. The town was quiet, and the associa-
tions strongly condemn the Darwen riots, and advise
the operatives to be as good tempered and peaceful as
they have been hitherto.

Delegates representing the operatives on strike in
Lancashire waited on the committee of the Masters'
Association in Manchester on Tuesday afternoon, and
proposed either to refer the dispute to arbitration or
to accept a five per cent, reduction, or a ten per cent.
reduction with short time. The committee refused to
entertain any of the propositions, and adhered to their
former resolution. Fearing that some disorder would
occur in the strike districts when the failure of the
negotiations became known, the representatives of the
deputation which waited upon the masters issued a
placard appealing to the workpeople to maintain
order. In it they say, "Peace is our only motto.
Anything like riot and tumult will end only in dis-
grace and punishment. Do not even let provocation
lead you into disorder. Good conduct will elicit sym-
pathy and help. Let your cry be 'Peace, law, and
order."

The decision of the Masters Association appears to
have created great irritation amongst the operatives—
the principal towns in the district, such as Preston,
Blackburn, Burnley, and Accrington being crowded
with excited mobs, and many acts of violence occurred.
At Blackburn the operatives turne 1 out into the
streets in thousands, and mobs of several thousands
each went round to several of the mills, and smashed
all the windows they could get at. Policemen were
hooted at and hustled. Threats were used by opera-
tives that now that the lock-out was continuing they
would fight for their ends.

Wednesday's Manchester Courier says :—"When the
news was received in Blackburn that the terms offered
by the operatives had been rejected by the masters, a
large crowd assembled at the operatives' offices, and
threats against Colonel Jackson (Chairman of the
Masters' Association), were freely made use of. They
subsequently marched in thousands round to several
mills, including those of Colonel Jackson, and smashed
the windows. The police were hooted at and jostled
in the streets. At a late hour last night a r.orrespond-
ent telegraphed to the effect that the mob had pro-
ceeded to Mr. Hornby's house, and that he offered
them £lOO to desist, and they refused. They tore up
the trees and shrubs in the garden, and Mr. Hornby
was wounded in two places. The mob then marched
to Colonel Jackson's house, about three miles from
Blackburn. Colonel Jackson, hearing the mob
approaching, escaped by way of the back door. His
house was soon afterwards reported to be in flames."
-„

PRESTON, Wednesday.

At nine o'clock last night a telegram was received
at Fulwood Barracks, Preston, that riots were going
on at Blackburn, and that military detachments must
be sent at onoe. A body of the 15th Regiment, 107
strong, and a troop of Lancers were at once ordered
off. Another troop was ordered to hold itself in
readiness. The horse soldiers advanctNl with all speed
along the road, the disitaih:e being nine miles. They
wo loudly cheered. The infantry, under Major
Starke, were sent by special train at quarter to
twelve, arriving shortly before half-past twelve. The
Lancers entered the town shortly afterwards. The
infaptry at once proceeded, with fixed bayonets, to
Noya Scotia, where rioters were said to be destroying
property. The streets wore, however, cleared, the
rioters having dispersed on their distant approach.