The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-03-28 00:00:00

THE MARQUIS OF SALISBURY AND

THE UNEMPLOYED.

A large deputation from various working men s
organisations waited upon the Marquis of Salisbury
to ask him to use his influence to facilitate the carry-
ing out of the great works proposed in the metropolis,
in order to alleviate the deep distress of the unem-
ployed of the east and south-east of London.
Mr. George Potter (President London Workmeg's
Association), in introducing the deputation, said that
the practical point which they desired to bring before
the marquis was the desirability of having the great
public works, with respect to which bills were now
before Parliament, immediately executed. These
included subways under the Thames, tramways, and
railways. The Regent's Canal, City and Docks
Railway was a scheme of great public utility, which
would give employment to a large number of men.
Millions of pounds were ready to be invested in these
public works, provided Parliament sanctioned their
construction. The deputation had come to ask him
to facilitate the passing of these bills, which were
being unnecessarily obstructed by the 3rietropolitan
Board of Works, which was neither elected nor
trusted by the ratepayers. (Hear, hear.)
The Marquis of Salisbury: Is the board opposing
these bills in Parliament?

Mr. Potter: Yes; and we ask your powerful help
to prevent the obstruction which the board is offering
to works of great public utility. The people in the
east and south-east of London were suffering with
patience and calmness. The deputation, large as it
was, was composed of all shades of politics, from the
Radical to the Conservative.

Mr. F. Wiggington (Amalgamated Watermen and
Lightermen's Society) said the dock gates were be-
sieged by men in search of employment every day.
The Marquis of Salisbury: Are those men who go
to the docks suitable for other work, or are they ex-
clusively dock labourers?
Mr. 'Wiggington said no; they were men of all
sorts of trades. Trade in the East-end was very bad,
and mechanics and good workmen were obliged to go
to the docks to look for work at 4d., or sometimes ad.,
an hour, with the chance of being discharged after
one hour's work. The Regent's Canal Railway,
referred to by Mr. Potter was a most important under-
taking.
_ _

The Marquis of Salisbury: In that case it was pro-
posed to pay the interest out of capital during the
course of construction, and that is opposed to the
policy that Parliament has always pursued. Do you
think that the distress is greater now than it has been
in recent years.

Mr. Wi'ggington: Yes; it is exceptional.
Mr. Mold (Newington Vestry) spoke of the deep
distress which prevailed amongst the working classes
in South London.

Mr. Kelly (Dock and Riverside Workmen) said
the masons' labourers, when they could not get work
at their own business, went to the docks to get it. Re
believed the distress in the south-east of London was
more intense than that in the east, especially in
Rotherhithe and Bermondsey. People were coming
into London from all parts of the country, so that
they had an increasing population with a decreasing
trade. (Rear, hear.) The existiV misery would be
greatly lessened if there had not been a stoppage put
to contemplated public works.
The Marquis of Salisbury: You use the words
"public works." That is a term liable to misinterpre-
tation.

Mr. Kelly said he meant public works—works of
public utility—promoted by private persons, works,
such as tramways, subways under the Thames, and
the London streets and railways. The Regent's Canal
Railway, if constructed, would bs a work of the
greatest public usefulness, independently of the ques-
tion of supplying employment. (Hear, hear.)
The Marquis of Salisbury, replying to the deputa-
tion said: Mr. Potter and gentlemen, the matter you
have brought before me to-day is quite the gravest
that can be brought before any one connected with
public affairs. At the same time it is a most difficult
question to be solved. lam sure I need not express
the sympathy I feel for the suffering of the poor
people on whose behalf you have spoken, because it
is a sympathy felt by all statesmen of all parties
equally. (Hear, hear.) There is, indeed, no subject
which attracts their solicitude so deeply. I am afraid
the distress which exists' and of which you have so
well and properly spoken, is owing to deep-seated
causes, and I quite agree with Mr. Kelly when he
says that the immediate prospect is not bright. Well,
I hope it may be bright, but my hopes are not founded
upon any very confident anticipations, and therefore
the remedy you have proposed here to-day must be
regarded as an application of what will meet the
immediate necessities of the case. I will not express
here any opinion upon the economical causes which
have led to this terrible state of things which has so
well and feelingly been described by Mr. Potter, but
I can quite understand your wishes for facilities for
the utilisation of private capital, with which, in the
exercise of its own legitimate functions, those wanting
employment might be furnished and bread be
brought home to many a starving family. (Cheers.)
The particular railway scheme to which Mr. Potter
and Mr. Kelly referred I know not much about,
and I need not express any opinion upon it, but as
far as my recollection goes—and it is a very slight
recollection—the bill referred to was thrown out of
the House of Lords last year on a technical point,
at the instance of the Lord Chantellor. I may be
wrong, but that is my recolleczion of the matter.
However, I will make it my business to see if any-
thing can be done as to this particular bill. (Cheers.)
But, gentlemen, on the general principle that the
utmost liberality—l should have rather said the
greatest latitude—should be given, consistent with
sound principles, to enable capital to exert itself to
provide employment for the unemployed, you and I
are in perfect agreement. (Applause.) That is a
healthy remedy for the evils under which we are
suffering. I hope the wisdom of both Houses of Par-
liament will be able to give to capitalists their as-
sistance; in point of fact, that liberality which will
enabl3 cepitalists to do that which will relieve us—l
mean the poor people who are suffering—in their
present necessities by affording them ample means of
employment. Ido not think I should do rightly or
wisely if I were to go further into details. I will
simply conclude by saying that I shall always be glad
to receive any information upon this subject, that my
heartfelt sympathies are entirely with you, and that I
shall do all that lies in my power—all that can be
done—to assist in relieving the terrible distress which
you have so ably brought before me at this interview.
(Cheers.)

. Mr. Potter thanked the noble lord for his courtesy
and kindness in receiving the deputation; and the
interview terminated.