The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1869-02-13 00:00:00

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THE STOURBRIDGE OBSERVER.

e.,ant, -Pros—perit‘. Our peaa.,ntry, We fear.
can • •-ly ealed bold in the sense in which
• . the term ; lint they are happily not
;U,v exit Ka an important part of
toe o.nnianLity ; and jut now rather more than
ordinary attention ia being paid to their condi.
tiou.

In 1967 a commission was appointed to inquire
Into the employment of wOmen and children in
agriculture. The commission arose out of the
working of the Factory Acts Extension Act and
of the Workshops Regulation Act. As far as
these legislative measures have been honestly
carried out they have been for the benefit of the
labouring Classes, and it was thought that some
similar legislation might he beneficial to the i
agricultnral classes. Accordingly commission- I
ers were appointed to inquire into the employ-
ment of women, young persons, and children in
agricultural labour, and the first report of these
commissioners has just made its appearance. I
As in all monster blue books there is in this re-
port a 'sass of evidence and comment which is
of comparatively little value, but the commis-
sioners deserve credit for the zeal and assiduity
they have displayed in collecting the materials
out of which, it is to he hoped, a sound and
ractical Act of Parliament cau he formed.
The main objects of inquiry were whether eg-
r:caltural labour was so excessive or so much
committed to women and children as to demand
an interference of the Legislature similar to
Clot under the Acts of Parliament we have
' cited; whether the employment of females in
agriculture was detrimental to their morality ;
what restrictions were advisable as to the age at
which young persons might be permitted to
commence agricultural labour ; and what amount
of school attendance it might be desirable to
enforce.

The report which has now been published
g ms far towards supplying the preliminary facts
nea.eissary tr legislatimr, but further inquiries are
to be made. We have rutlicient material, how-
ever, before us to lead to the conclusion that
there is grout need for improvement in the cor-
' dition of the agricultural labourer and his fem.
lily, and that legislation eau effect something
i..,w4rds this desirable end. Among the facts
that are clearly brought out are some that tire
important relative ti the system of ganging.
An Act passed In 1367, founded on many pain-
.. ....

•,
ful roveltitiong as to the working of thin stew
,

dealt with the regniation of these gangs. It had
been the outdate to employ women and children MR. JAMS MATHEWS' CONCERT.
in gangs, to a large extent under a ganginaater
or contractor, mid the nioral and tepee' evile re. Notwithstanding the unpropitious state of the
suiting from this organised labour, reminding us weather on Monday night last, the rain falling
of negro phottetions, were very serious. The, heavily about the time announced for the cieln•
Act of Parliament has been, we ere now in- mencemeut, there was a crowded and highly
formed, " received universally in Norfolk u•t fashionable audience at the Corn Exchange
only with entire acquiescence, but with !lenity —most of the gentry of the town and neigh-
approval, and already its good effects are being b mrhood being present—to listen to the above
recognised." The commiseioners' inquiries on Cencert. The great attraction of the evening
this subject lead to the conelnsion that this Act was undoubtedly the fact announced in the 'ad-
should be developed ; that the sexes shouid be verti;ements, that Mr. James Mathews would,
separated emptoyment under a too teader age for the first time in public, play upon the mug-
prohibited, the means for some me:Lenin of edit- niiLent II ite recently presented to hint.
cation insisted on. itti sie&tdy uallealthy oe. An elaborate description of this beautiful in-
cupations be confined to the rougher and strantent was given to our col omit; at the time
stronger sex. The Rev. Mr. Fraser. who was of the presentation, which it will be unnecessary
assistant cemmiSSlOVer to the Sele tole 'wintry i for as to reeepitul ite here. We will merely re-
Commission, and who gives us some valaeble mark that it is as perfect, as it is peseible for in
information iti this report, ;eve ;—" The age ofl iastrument of its kind to be, Laving ail the
eight is certainly too early, on physical as well newest kuown improvemeate, besides several
33 edneational grounds, fer any child, eititer boy weenie' ones, suggested by Mr. :Mathews hint-
er girl, to commence his apprenticeship to farm Ct, W jell, to eitlier with the preeloas metal ef
work in a gang. It might be tidied at loot to winch it is made, combine to render it one of
ten, if not to twelve. From the almost 'never- the felest flutes in the world. And Mr. Methews
sal expression of opinion unfavourable to the is in every way worthy of the ittstrument ; for,
employment of young unmarried girls upon the iedepeadent if the fact that „he is one of the
land, an opinion exeressed not mere strongly by fieest tonateer flautiste of the day (and few, mid
the clergy than by the farmers themselves, fortuaate indeed tire the professionals wile excel
believe it would be considered on all lam is to hiao he is ever reedy to give his services grata-
be a beneficent interference of tho Legislitture itously, is on the present occasion, in aid of any
if fent:des under sixteen were preldbited from charitable object. The programme W.ll au ex-
working in an agricultural ging at all. It ear- ceediugly well-tadechel one, aud the able and
tainly would be proper that the hours of work efficient manner in wlii;-.11 it wee carried out re
-
exacted from children and yonng persons cm- fleeted the grestest credit on all who took a part
ployed in a gang should be sabjeet to 'MIRA' inns in the nutii tgeinetd.
determined by their ale. The sexes shenld be After the oruing overture, Mrs. A. J. Sutton
separated." We think there ten hardly he any and Mr. Charles Stanton sung a beautiful duet
eeceptiou taken to these conclusions generally, entitled " Voice,'' and at its close were heartily
although individual cases may arise, or special applauded. Mr. Mathews, whose appearanee
circumstances may exist which would render with his gold flute was the signal for a hearty
--mums that which ordinarily Ls so objectien- round of applause, next played a beautiful solo
tie. The gang system altogether is had, lint on that instrument, in which he introduced that
we fear that it is a necessary evil. No evile, beautiful Scotch ballad " Anti Robin Gray,"
however, conld lie !essence, and we believe it with all th it beauty of expression and depth if
would he a great 1 out to the aerieniteral classes feeling for whieh he is so noted; and at the dish
generally, HS well as to their employers, could he was raptnronsly encored. In response, he
these sug,geetione be embodied in an 'Act of Par- played a brilliant fantasia on another Scotch
lienient. The e,'-eitional pine of the miestion air, " Oh, Nannie," and was again tremendously
presents grave d ifi ilties, tr rather no enesve appleuded. Mr. Stanton sung that beautiful
difficulty, and the, is the poverty of the parents song of Byron's, " Maid of Athens," with great
which naturally induces them to value more pathos and ability. He possesses a fine tenor
highly the pittance that a child can earn than voice, of great power and sweetness, and was
the education which would preclude this addle deservedly applauded. This was followed by
Lion to the family income. The Legislature, oue of those grand pieces of instrumentalisation
therefore, most be careful not to impose such from Mozett for which that great composer issue
educatioual conditious as would practically be famous—a quintett for flute and strings, in which
crnel to the etruggling labourer. There itt sy those fine musicians, Mesers. J. Mathews, H.
he, however, a medium between all work end ut, Hayward, Griffin, Fisher, and Humphreys took
education on the one baud, and all school and pit, and was listened to with profound attention
Ito earnings on tho other. Sonic modification ef and heartily applended at it close. Mrs. Suit.
the half-tinte eystem in factories might, perhaps, ton highly gratified the audience by the dashing
be adopted. and even this would gradually raise manner in which she rendered "Ah Forge e lui,"
the condition of Use agricalteral labourer, hay- from Verdi. This lady possesses a magnificent
ing further advanees to future legislation or vu- soprano voice, with all that perfection of finish.
Buttery effort. It is to be regretted that is long and brilliancy of execution, which one would
time Mild yet be spent in continuing these in. naturally expect front the wife of such an end-
qniries, after our slow red tape and Wee hook nent professor of mimic as Mr. Alfred Sutton,
system; and we think Parliament has quite of Birmingham. Mr. Henry Hayward (of Wel-
enough farts here in this first report to produce verhatupton), who ia well known as one of the
is little wholeeonie legialution without waiting finest violinists in the Midland counties, gave a
for the second, The recommendations we have magnificent solo from " Norma," in his tonally
quoted might safely he applied to the coin tier brilliant menner ; and at the finish received his
at large, aud so.niety oottld but be the plume live mood of well-merited applause. The first
part of the programme was concluded by our
tektite(' townsman, Mr. S. SiMMS, playing: a
ideitoforte concerto from Mozart (accompanied
by flute and strings), in his well-known masterly
and effective manlier; and that he thoroughly
succeeded in pleasing those present was amply
testified by the unmiseleable approval they
manifested at its close.
After a short interval, Messrs. S. Simms, J.
Methews, and Humphreys opened the second
pert of the enterteiument by a beautiful instru-
mental trio from Ireleie, which it is needless to
say was ably executed. Mrs. Sutton gave with
great feeling a beautiful ballad entitled "Mother,
()It Sing me to Rut;" and its response to the
encore which was unanimously demanded, she
sang " Laugh while
.you may." Mr. D. Mathews
next gave a violin solo, "Meditation," with great
ability. Mr. Stanton sang "Alice, where art
thou?" which was re-demanded. The flute solo,
" be Fou," which followed, gave Mr. J. Mathews
another opportunity of displaying the marvel-
ions skill and rapidity with which he manipu-
lates his beautiful instrument ; and he kindly
responded to the universal demand for an encore
which greeted his performance. A vocal duet
from " Maritana," by Mrs. A. J. Sutton and Mr.
Stanton, was well received ; as was also a flute
duet from the " Hymn of Praise," by Messrs. J.
Mathews and H. King. The concert was con-
cluded by the overture to Prometheus. Mr. S.
Simms acted as accompanyist and conductor in
his usual superior style.
The whole concert was a decided success, and
no doubt there will be a good surplus to go to
the fends of the Associated Institutes, and to-
wards purchasing, scieetifie apparatus for the
Grammer School ; to which purposes we believe
the proceeds are to be devoted.

aide.

e local
hundreds of times. The Lord sues offe—neee if it was at all likely to interfere with
ent.
needs must COMP, and it has come now. It ie on he eould not give it any enconragem
false ~hat the witness stated; the horse was not
he Hon. Auberon Herbert said that he un-
there more than an Lour and a half. Fined es derstood the NN olve thanipton Exhibition was to
be held this year, and as that with reference to
and costs.
CAUTION TO SHOPKEEPERS.— George nit,
which they wete met Was intended to be held
next year, the two could not clash. The pro-
well, chemists was charged by Superintendent posed exhibition was intended to be a working
Freeman with putting a quantity of shutters on men's exhibition in. every sense of the word.
the footpath, to the annoyance of foot, passen- What they intended to try to do was to get from
gers. Mr. Freemen said he did not wish to different Innis of this country and other coon-
press the case. Mr. W tries good specimens of the best work. They
hitwell admitted the •
offence, and was ordered to pay costs.
did not wish to have a ehowy, pretentious exhi.
WHOLESALE Rormeev.—Mary Winnall, a do. bition ; and they were not so desirous to attract
mestic servant, was charged with stealing a neck- the public as to get at the real merit of work of
lace, a quantity of black silk, a silver brooch, a
I table cloth, 1.4 yards of black satin, and a different kinds in different countries. 'they
were met, of course, by the fact that sub-divi-
quantity of other articles, on the 10th inst, the
ergeant sion of labour had increased to such an extent
property of Maria Hopkins. Acting•s
that a large number of workmen were now em-
Jones said he searched the prisoner's father's
ployed in n_alting each article; lint the ouly way
house under a warrant, and found the articles to meet that difficulty was to invite workmen to
11 produced. Maria Hopkins swore that the whole combine to produce some article. Another point
iof the articles produced were her property, and ou which they laid some stress was that certain
that she had not given them to the prisoner, articles should be exhibited in different stages
Remanded till Tuesday next, bail being refused,
of manufacture, thron gh which they had to pass
Mr. Maltby defended. A great deal of importance, too, was attached to
THE VACCINATION Arr.—Daniel Beddel was the principle of having, the workman's signature
summoned by William Wyatt,registrar of births to every article, and thus to endeavour to in-
and deaths, for not having his son vaccinated crease the interest which working men (night to
within three months, according to the provisions take in their work. They were of opinion that
of the Act. Mr. Wyatt said that the defendant's if that interest could be increased it would be an
son William Henry Beddal, was born on July important instrument in elevating the labouring
11, '1.838. and had not been vaccinated up to the classes, which (Wearied so mach attention at the
present time. He was illstnictea by the Otter- present time. But though the proposed exhibi-
dians to make an example f defendant, but did tion was to be distinctly a working men's cabi-
net wish to press for the penalty (20s) which he bition, the committee had not the slightest in-
was liable to pay. Mrs, Beddal said that she tention of separating the workmen front the
hail applied to Mr. Giles, her surgeon, but that employers. No doubt in some cases employers
the child was not in a fit state to be vaccinated, looked with distrust on the system of signature,
The Bench did not consider the case clearly as making known to rivals the names of skilled
proved, and dismissed it.—Saninel Jordan was workmen and where to get them. He (Mr.
also charged with not having his morn }lent,' Herbert) spoke with great deference; but it
Appleby Jordan, vaccinated within the given j struck him that the danger existed already, and
time. The case was proved, bat as it was a re- ' would not be materially increased by the system
cent Act, d :fondant was only ordered to pay the proposed: The central Committee wind like
coste. —Thomas Huxley Was also charged with& the dniploy era to feel that their interest wae itt•
similar offence, and ordered to pay costs. volved in the matter. If they could arrive at a
I ASSAULT CASE.—Thomas Knowles was charged class of skilled workmen, recognised by a system
by Jamee Hurt with assaulting him on the 9th of certificates, the advantage to employers would
1.1.4. Complainant said lie was having a pint of be very great. In conclusion, Mr. Herbert said
ale in a public-honse, when the defendant came that the object of forming local committees was
in and kneeked him down, and began to dance to interest workmen and artisans in the matter,
upon his bedy. Defeudaut, who did not appear, and also to raise subscriptions for the purpose
was fined fis and costs, of defraying the cost of the carriage of the ar-
ticles to London, as it would be too much to aek
the workmen to give their time and then pay f. r
the carriage of the articles. It was hoped that
some arrangements would he made with the rail-
ways in the matter.
The Chairman said that he quite assumed
there would be no difference of opinion in that
meeting as to the general question of the exhi-
bition. It would no doubt have been better if
there had been some of the class of employers
present; but the only thing the coald do at pre-
sent, pending more detailed information from
the Central Committee, would be to form them-
selves into a committee, with p neer to add to
their number. An ad•lress neither too Lyle nor
too eagle, woold be th night the better way of
getting at the employers.
The Rev, James Richards said it might appal'
an antiquated prejudice ; but he should like to
aak what positive practical leniefit had been de-
rived from Riess exhibitions He had heard it
said th it, other couatries got war secrets through
them, though we might p t theirs.
Mr. Woolley peinted out that there hat been
great dissatisfeetton with the Bir.niugl. a n
Many of the employers were very
mach °posed to these ex hiPitions ; mid S(1111C
evea declined to send their glass to the exhibi-
tion in the &•liool of Art because it made their
patterns public property. Exhibitions brought
out the capabilities of the workmen ; and that
io 1 senee might be good ; bat the public taste
was now so highly cultivated, that both masters
and workmen felt great deliculty in producing
articles to meet it.
Mr. Pattisou then made some observations.
He contended that the exhibition would prove
of great advantage to the skilled and conscien-
tious workman. and also to the employers. Tile
Birniiiisham Exhibition lie understood w. s an
exhibitiou of hobbies. In their exhibition they
nislied to discourage this, and to direct the in-
genuity of workmen into a path that would pay
themselves and their employers. Having ex.
planed at some length the reasons in favoui of
adopting the signature system, he urged, in con-
elusion, that an effort should be made to system-
atize the exhibitions, and to combine them with
technical education. A workman would then no
longer go about the country relying upon chance
circumstances to get a situation, but would be
able to point to something he had done, and pro-
dime the certificate of competent judges that he
had really done it. Such a system, he contended,
would be of advantage to the honest, earnest
workman, and it was the object of the exhibition
to be of use to such, and not to encourage the
slovenly, es.relesa workinan—(hear, hear).
Mr. W. H King, Mr. Pagett, and the Rev. T.
Williams also addressed the meeting.
Lord Lyttelton proposed the adoption of this
resolution : " That this meeting desires to ex-
press entire approval of the intended Workmen's
International Exhibition and that the gentle-
men present form themselves Into a committee,
with power to add to their number, to bring the
matter before the notice of the euipl iyers of the
neighbourhood, to communicate with the Cen-
tral Committee, and to promote in every way
the success of the Exhibition."
The resolution was agreed to; and after pas-
sing a vote of thauks to Lord Lyttelton, the
meeting broke up.