The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1878-01-05 00:00:00

THE NORTHUMBERLAND PITMEN.

No actual overtures were made last week either by
the Northumberland steam coalowners or the miners,
who are out of work, to settle the dispute in the
trade; but at the annual dinner of the Commercial
Travellers' Association, held in N ewcastle on Friday
last, over which Mr. Cowen, M.P., presided, Mr.
Hamond, M.P., and Mr. C. M. Palmer, M.P., with
the chairman, made some remarks upon the lock-out
in the Northumberland coal trade. Mr. Hamond, re-
ferring to the present state of affairs in the Northum-
berland coal trade, said :
"Bad as times were they must all regret that the stoppage
of the steam collieries in Northumberland had occurred at
Christmastide, in the worst part of the winter, when people
required a little more comfort and a little more help at
home. He trusted that through the influence of that un-
obtrusive, earnest, and honest man, Mr. Burt, an early
settlement of the question would yet be arrived at, and that
the masters might yet be induced to meet the men in a
frank and loyal spirit."

. -
Mr. Palmer, M.P., said that no one could feel more
deeply than he—and he was sure he spoke the senti-
ments of every coalowner in the Association, or in the
North England—that such a calamity should have
occurred at this festive period of the year. At the
same time they wished the miners to understand
that they were losing their trade, and that unless
some great and important change could be made
in the rate of wages, and in the hours of
labour which had been submitted to the miners,
it was a question beyond dispute, beyond even
arbitration, that the coalowners must close their
collieries. He believed the miners themselves
were quite aonvinced that there was reason on the
part of the coalowners in this demand; but they were
standing out upon a sentiment. He could not blame
them for so doing. They had a right to know why
, their wages had to be so considerably reduced, and he
thought they were entitled to know it.
Mr. Cowen, M.P., said there was no doubt the trade
absolutely required a reduction. But he hoped that
the good sense of the coalowners would lead them to
confer with the men and seek a means by which to
overcome the present difficulty.

A meeting of the Northumberland coalowners was
held in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, when a long
discussion ensued on the present state of affairs in the
county. No definite course was agreed upon, but
there was a general understanding, it is reported, that
if the miners did not resume work within a short
space of time, an attempt would be made by the
owners to work their pits by importing fresh hands
into the county.

A Newcastle Correspondent of The Times says that in
consequenoe of the stoppage of the Northumberland
steam collieries and so many pitmen being out of employ-
ment, an old custom has been revived in the Tyneside
districts. Years ago, before screw colliers came into
use, sailing colliers, as a rule, used to lay up for a
month or six weeks in the depth of winter, and most
of the pits were unemployed over that period. Many
of the pitmen at that time used to come to the towns in.
companies "sword dancing," an ancient North coun-
try form of Morris dancing. Since the coal trade has
been kept open all the year round, this old custom has
fallen into disuse. This Christmas time, however,
there has been a revival. Numerous bands of un-
employed pitmen are sword dancing in the towns.
There are some very fine bands of music also in the
pit districts, and these are going about the towns per-
forming and gathering money. Except from these
two circumstances there is nothing in the towns to
indicate that 8,000 men are out of employment.

REASONS FOR THE EARLY MEETING
OF PARLIAMENT.

Because England mayfind it necessary forthwith to
despatch an ultimatum to Russia.
Because England is anxious to utter a distinct re-
iteration of her neutral policy.
Because England purposes the immediate annexa-
tion of Egypt.
Because England wishes to reassure the Khedive
against reported intentions of aggression on his
realm.
Because Lord Beaconsfield wishes to open the way
to his contemplated resignation.
Because Lord Beasonsfield intends to lay down a
more vigorous line of action for the Government.
Because Austria has expressed her determination to
go hand and glove with England.
Because Austria has revealed herself as the uncom-
promising ally of Russia.
Because India is in danger.
Because it is necessary to prove that India was never
safer than at the present time.
Because it will annoy Prince Bismarck.
Because it will relieve Prince Bismarck of an over-
whelming sense of responsibility.
Because the Militia can be called out at once.
Because we are so thoroughly secure, thanks to our
Volunteer Forces.
Because Lord Beaconsfield likes surprises, and no
one expected it.
Because Lord Beaconsfield has such perfect con-
fidence in the nation, and everybody was anxiously
waiting for the announcement.
And lastly, because Mr. Punch, after mature de-
liberation, thought—but stop, this is divulging a
Cabinet secret. —Punch.

AMERICAN LOCOMOTIVES FOR
RUSSIA.
A Philadelphia despatch in the American papers of
the 19th of December states that the Baldwin Loco-
motive Works Company have, through Mr. Parry;
their Russian agent, received orders from the Russian
Government to proceed immediately with the con-
struction of 40 large-sized first-class freight engines of
sft. gauge, to be completed during February and
March, 1878. It is stated in a letter received from
Mr. Parry a few days ago that the Russian Govern-
ment had absorbed nearly all the railway plant for
war purposes, and that it is rapidly being used up
and destroyed in this ruinous service. Meanwhile
the largest crop of wheat ever raised in Southern
Russia is rotting in the bins for need of transport.
This wheat, which usually finds an outlet from the
Black Sea ports, will have to be conveyed by rail to
the Baltic ports, and about 300 new engines will be
required at once. A large proportion of these will,
however, be built in Europe. The engines to be built
at the Baldwin Locomotive Works will cost upwards
of 500,000 dollars, and in their construction employ-
ment will be given to about 'BOO men, in addition to
the force of 1,100 men now employed in the works.