The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1873-07-19 00:00:00

THE YORKSHIRE MINERS.

On Monday, a great demonstration of coal miners
was held at Wakefield, in two large fields off Inge.
road. Previous to the meeting nearly 15,000 min. rs
and 45 bands and innumerable bannere paraded the
principal streets of the town in procession, and after-
ward. marched to the denion.tration ground, where
over 30,000 persons were amsembled. Mr. Aldermen
Watson occupied the chair, and Mr. Plimsoll, M. l'.,
was to have been pres-nt sol addrese the meeting, but
a letter was reed front him stating his inability to
attend in consequence, of sickness. Among the gen-
tlemen on the platform were Mr. Lloyd Jones,
London ; Mr. M'Donald, Glairow ; Mr. Crawford,
Durham ; Mr. Booth, Ashton ; and Mr. Dixon, secre-
tary to the Wettt Yorkshire Miners' Association,
Norniatiton. _

The first re:olution was to the effect that it was the
duty of all good miners to support their Union, and
that it wax owing to l_Tnioniam that minere were en-
abled to enjoy some of the benefits of art, science, and
civilization. It was moved by Mr. J.diepti Walker,
and eccontled by Mr. Joe Booth.
The second resolution was moved by Mr. Charles
Bennett, seconded by Mr. Pickard, and supported by
Mr. LloYd J. nee. This resolution maintained that
Trades' Unions rightly eirected and properly worked,
would advance alike the interest of both capital and
labour, that it was the duty of the meeting to promote
such Unions which were calculated to benefit the op.
preered, and eepecially sympathised with the evil. and
wrongs forced upon Britieb eaPore, and also pledged
those present to support Mr. Plimsoll in his elf. rts to
preserve the lives 1111 i protect the intereete of English
seamen. Mr. Jones made an earnest speech in °°t'-
port of the resolution, and he warmly advocated its
con t«nta.
_

The third resolution, moved by Mr. Cowey, seconded
by Mr. Crawford, and supported by Mr. Casey,
pledged the meeting to support only the political action,
party, and men who would earnestly endeavour to pro-
mote the true interests of the working (lasses, and ad-
voeste the repeal of the Criminal Law Amendment
Act.

M'Donalil supported the fourth remlteion, in
favour of a sound system of public education and sound
schemes of co-operative production and dietribtvion of
the incre.iNg wealth of the country He referred I.
the predent flourishing .ndition of the aasociAtion of
miners, and said they were determined to have their
rights, no matter what sacrifice they might be celled
upon to make.

'The proceedings were thoroughly enthusiastic, and
the v ual vote of thanks terminated the meeting.

THE WORKING MEN'S CLUB UNION IN
LONDON.
The Marquis of Lorne presided on Friday in last
week, at the annual meeting of this Union, held in the
great room of the Society of Arta, Adelphi. There
were also present Lord Lyttelton, Mr. Mmidella,M.P.,
Sir Harcourt Johnetons, Mr. Andrew Johnston, M.P.,
Mr. Thomas Hughes, M.P., Mr. Peter Le Nev.
Foster, Mr. Aleager H. Hill, Mr. H. Sony, etc.
The noble chairman, who was received with warm
cheers, said he MAB greatly pleased at having an oppor-
tunity of presiding at the meeting of a society which
recognized a community of interests between the differ-
ent classes in the country. Ilia could be seen by inspect-
ing the names of those who took aleal in its work. It was
often said that the wor kiog classes could take very good
care of themselves--that they had plenty of power,
not he paying that I evect to the working Classes which
was due to them for others to keep themselves apart
and not join any movement called for • class benefit.
It was the way with Englishmen to help all they could,
and in this country there was such a community of
interests that, the benefit of one class was the benefit
of all, and no class could be neglected without all
classes receiving the disadvantage. In this couotry
claioes were more closely c, nuected than in other
nations, and they could not be classified—that was to
say, the hoe con d not be drawn between classes as be-
tween the different varied'es of creatures at the Zoo.
logical-gardena it was only by artificial means that
any distinction could be drown. This Club Union de-
fined working men to be persons in the receipt , if weekly
wags s—a cleliot,iui which could briug in many out of
the circle of artisans. But that the clubs which were
joined in this Uoion were for the artisan classes there
was no doubt whatever, and the Union would accept
friendly aid from any quarter. rhe society has been
in existence for eizht or ten years, and nilty clubs had
been affiliated with it under its rules. These rules be
tboudht excellent, and the Working Men's Clubs had
produced one go xl sign. The higher clubs of London
were not so very popular with the ladies as they might
be, and he believed that if the womair's suffrage move-
ment came into being, the London clubs would stand •
gal d chance of being abolished by Act of Parliament.
But that would not be the case with the working men's
clubs, and the reason was that the wives of the
working men knew that the clubs saved their hu.bands
from going elsewhere— from the publichouse &int the
gin palace. He was glad to see that there were rules
for the use and against the abuse of refreshments, and
that recreations for mind and body were provided in
connexion with the clubs, and it was encouraging to
see that the working men were appreciating the ad-
vantages they derived from the aid acid assistance of
others.
_

The IHarquie spoke of the well kept acatuntit. and
concluded, amid loud cheers, by calling Mr. Hotignon
l'ratt, one of the bonwary working officers, to read
the report. Thin was of some length, and narrated the
wo k which had been done. Acknowledgment wan
made of the cervices rendered to the principle by the
Marquis of Wentruinster. Sir Harcourt J. husort, Lord
Lyttleton, the Duke of Bedford, and by Her Majesty,
who had subnoribed to the funde of the Union.
Speeches were made by Mr. T. Hughes, Mr. Man.
della, Lord Lyttleton, Sir Harcourt Johnstone, Mr.
Bevage, Mr. Lewis, Mr. Sully, and others, and the
proceedings concluded with the ritual thanks to the

Clwumau.