The Express.
London, England, 1863-03-25 00:00:00

THE RIOTS IN THE COTTON DISTRICT&

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STOCKPORT, Tamar Evanno.
The unemployed of this borough are in an unsettled
and uneasy state, but no outbreak of any moment has
occurred. In Stockport the relief committee have este,
blished schools in the various municipal wards for the
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attempt at fraud on the relief food. Before the schools
ware opened it was found that people receiving relief obtained
employment without reporting it, and so obtained relief when
not entitled to it. These people have now begun openly to
express dasatidactioo with these regulations, and no doubt
for the very reasons which led to the system. Yesterday
great numbers absented themselves from the schools, and
I perambulated the streets in large bodies. In several is-
stances, in Hillgate and other parts of the borough, they
threw atones and broke a few windows ; but though their
numbers were large and threatening towards night, there
was nothing to call for the active imerference of the police.
This morning tinny of the people attended the schools, but
again a body of the discontented have formed in proceseion,
and have gone about from school to school, inducing those
inclined to comply with the regulation to turn out and join
them. There has been no breach of the peace worth men-
' tioning, but the magistrates view these indications as 11011i001
enough to joint', extra pricautious, and they are mumbled
at the Court-house, and have been engaged all day in sum.
monies and swearing-in orderly and well-disposed burgesses
as special constables. Already a good many specials have
been sworn and organised into companies, and it is hoped
that them, with the ordinary police, will be able to preserve
order if no interference is attempted by the disaffected from
other plum. So far neither the presence of the county con-
stabulary nor the military has been considered neosesuy.
OLDHAM, TOVIDAT Evmemin.
The magistrates have sworn in 300 special constables, in
anticipation of a visit of rioters from Sudybridge, but up to
this time there has bees no notice of their approach. The
people in the schools were never more peaceably disposed,
and there is a very full attendance. Colonel Gait, at the
bead of a troop of Humus, pared through the town this
morning, and the colonel had an interview with the mayor,
and expressed his satisfaction on hawing so good a report.
ASHTON, TuIBDAY EV1:113o.
A telegram was received at the Town-ball by the mot.
testes this morning from Stalybeidge, stating that a mob
was en route for this borough. The report turned out to be
somewhat premature, but it had the good effect of hasten.
log police armngementa, and when an hour later (half-past
eleven o'clock) another telegram to the same effect wee
received all was is readiness. The military were sent for,
and the mayor (Kr. B. Kenworthy) ad magistrates
proceeded at the head of about 180 police and specials to in-
tercept if possible the progres of the mob. At the point
where the railway ridge creases the road from Stalybridge
the constabulary were drawn up, and soon afterwards •
body of about 400 people presented themselves. The con.
stabulary at this moment were formed in line acmes the
road, and tho mob on perceiving their object hurled •
shower of stones at them. A. charge with staves by the
constables was then ordered, and it was made with excellent
effect, the crowd running in all direction' and leaping fences
to escape pursuit. These people, thus reduced to a rabble,
were then driven lack to Stalybridge. Subsequently, the
magistrates returned to the Town-hall, where they received
information of rioting in Stamford street, Ashton. It was
found, in feet, that the scenes of yesterday had been re-
newed, and that intimidated bakers and shopkeepers were
giving out provisions to a mob through the windows. The
mob was easily dispersed. The Hunan were called out'
and are going through the streets. The town is in an
excited state, and groups of people mumble in the streets
despite the warnings of the police.
STALYBRIDGE, TtlieDaT EN LNING.
We have had • quieter town than yesterday, though
there is a good deal of excitement. A deputation of the
discontented sought an interview with the magistrates this
morning, but they were told it could not be granted. The
message of the magistrates to them was that all that could
be done was to give them the relief tickets, and that if_ they
accepted these their repreeeetatioos should be mmide,
The deputation then retired, and • large math* of opera.
tives was held on the plantation grounds, where some
speeches were delivered. It was ultimately decided, with
but few dissentients, that they should present them.
selves at the schools to-morrow morning, and accept the
tickets for the last week in amordaoce with advice from the
mayor, who bad stated their case should be considered .it
week with • view to giving them their relief half in money
and half in tickets. There are still many people in the
streets, but au impression prevails that this meeting will
lead to • more peaceable demeanour when the day's excite-
meet is over.
The Chairman congratulated the assembly upon what
they had done, and dismissed them with the following
words:—" Now, my lads, in the Houses of Parliament it
always is the law that the majority rules. So let it be hers.
All of you go to your schools, aid let not one
man be mining when the names are called over is
the morning." The crowd then left the ground amid joyful
shouts of " The riot is over. Bravo !" 6,a In the main
street three or four soldiers were leisurely strolling aloog se
some of the girls who had been at the meeting came by
The luau west up to the red-coats, clapped them ea the
shoulders, and laughingly said, " Aw"owil chaps, ye mit
goo whoam : riot's done."
DITKINFIELD AND HYDE.
Early in the morning Hyde was comparatively quiet;
and Captain Smith, chief constable of the Cheshire COD.
stabulary, attended by Mr. Little, his deputy, met the
magistrates of Dukineeld between nine and ten o'clock.
In order to correct any misapprehension, Captain Smith
wished the reporter to state that in no one instance wen
the mob allowed to eater Mops in the presence of the police
in Hyde or Dukinteld. He stated that, whatever the oar
sequences were, such conduct would not be allowed. Mr.
Asplaod, J.P., also said that, if absolutely necessary, the
wasn't:des would use their cutlasses • and in Dukietield and
Ashton there is • general feeling that there has been teo
much leniency shown in Stalybridge. The effective
police form in Hyde and Dukinfaki, yesterday morning.
was about 200, besides a large body of special con-
stables. At • special sessions, held at the polies station
about 11 o'clock, before Messrs. Aspland and Wool-
iamb, a lad named James Molyneux. 16 years of age, wee
committed to Chester for trial for being one of the mob
which broke into the shop of Mr. John Broadrick, provision
dealer, Dakintlekl Thomas Garrott of Dukinfielcl, about
18, • young scamp, who has been up before the mains' testa
six or seven times, was remanded for breaking into the co-
operative stores. Matthew Atkinson, Jos. Buckley, James
Wood, and Ann Isabella Kirkman were also remanded for
breaking into the shops of Mr. Thomas Jones and Mr.
Beaumont. Them prisoner will be committed for trial to-
day (Wednesday), when the evidence is completed ; and there
will be other rioters apprehended. About half-feat 2 o'clock
• mob of about 300 persons attempted to enter Dukinfield,
but they were driven back, and completely dispersed in a
short time, without an) resistance except a few atones being
, I thrown. One man was apprehended.
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(MON ► COIIRMONDZIIT.)
WIGAN, Y►IICH 24.

During the past few weeks we regret to state that
a growing feeling of dissatisfaction has been noticed amongst
the persons receiving relief both from the guardians and
the relief committee in the town of tL igen. The extensive
distribution in the town of the Rev. J. It. Stepbena's inflam-
matory addresses has uo doubt had a good deal to do with
tbia change in the people, and has caused them to look sus.
piciously on the nowt transfers by the committee to the
guardians, arid to complain of the not unreasonable demand
by the guardians that able-bodied men shall make soon
attempt to find work. It has been known for a short time
that the men were subscribing to bring Xr. Stephens to
Wigan to address a public meeting, and the relief nom.
mittee were therefore not surprised yesterday when a depu-
tation from the men employed by the guardians
waited upon them &eking permission to men-
Von certain alleged grievances. On being ad-
mitted, the men complained that single men now
received but 2s. 6d. per week from the guardians, the
extra shilling which had been allowed by the relief com-
mittee during the winter having been discontinued. They
grumbled about the distribution of cntliing, one stale=
it had been said 9,0004 to bed been rent Wigan for c
and if the old garments were in addition to this a man who
received a second-hand suit of clothes had not his fair
" rashyo." They complained that the overlooken received
I 7s. 6d. per week, that the payments in St. George's ward
averaged 4. 31. per head, and they asked that a committee
of working men should sit with the general committee, as
they considered "that every men who had worked in a
mill was • shareholder in the money which had been sub-
scribed." The men were shown that the value of clogs and
clothing, new and old, and of all descriptions,' was
only 9,000 f., that the overbokers who received 7s. 6d.
had families to maintain, and they bad to work
for the money, and that the allowance in St. Georges ward
was not 4s. 3d. per bead, but 4s. 3d. per family. The &po-
itation having retired, it was resolved that therewas no rein-
'enable ground of complaint as to the distribution of cloth'
log, that the committee would be glad to receive informa-
-1 tiro from working men which would assist them in their
labours, and that the sub-committees would exercise their
' discretion as to givingsisgle men the extra shilling per week.
but that where it was gives an attendance of au extra day
l and a half at echoed be demeeded in return.

R. B.
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