The Express.
London, England, 1862-10-14 00:00:00

LANCASHIRE DISTRESS.

A meeting of the inhabitants of St. Pancras was
held last evening at the Vestry-hall to obtain contributions
ha &ha of the general fund for the relief of the distressed
reperatives in the cotton manufacturing distriota. The Rev.
Genoa Calatrarre, the vicar, presided. Among those pre-
sent IMO Mr. Harvey Lewis, M.P., Mr. Wilkinson, Mr.
Garvey. Mr. H. Ferrer, F.S.A. Mr. J. M. Claybon, Rev.
J. P. Cleminger, Mr. Wyatt. J.P.,
The CHAIRMAN, in opening the business of the evening,
remarked that, however difficult it was to measure the out
with the present, he believed that no trouble had fallen upon
this country which was more severe in its effect upon the in.
dividuals mbject to it, anl upon England as a nation. It was
unparalleled in its intensity, and it stood alone in its causes
and its effect. The neutral policy which the govermenthad
wisely pursued in Tetanus to the civil war in America had
been in a urtain dogmas cease of depriving the operatives
of the cotton manufacturing districts of the means of main-
taining themselves. These people were suffering from no
fault of their own the most extreme privation, and
almost starvation. Under the circumstanoes the greatest
amount of sympathy was doe to them from their fellow-
countrymen who were in a position to help them. The for-
titude and dignity with which they were bearing their
troubles formed an additional claim upon that sympathy.
Be had no fear that these people, who were at this moment
presenting a noble sight which reflected credit and honour
not on themselves alone, but on the nation at large, would
be allowed to perish, but that even the very poorest would
some forward to do something to help them. How stood
the facts of the case as to the extent of the distreas ? In
those unions which were suffering most there were at this
time last year 43,508 persons receiving parish relief. At
the present moment the number receiving relief was
163.498. The amount expended at the woe period of last
year in affording such relief was 2,259 f., now it was
9,67.1 f., and 23,000 persons had been driven, in so far as
being compelled to apply for such assistance, to become
paupers in those unions during the present rear. Hs was
quite sure the appeal to the inhabitants of St. 'Pancras would
not be made in vain.

Mr. F PLAw, the honorary secretary to the St. Pancras
Committee in aid of the Lancashire Relief Fund, read a re-
port detailing the subscriptions, which amounted in the
gross, up to the present time, to 3121.
The CHAIRMAN then announced that Lord Calthorpe and
Lord Southampton bad consented to become Vice Presidents
to the St. Pancras Lancashire Aid Aesociatios, and that the
Duke of Bedford and Lord Camden. who bad been aloe ap-
plied to, had not yet replied, Lord Dartmouth had
sent a contribution of 254 ; Mr. H. Lewis, M.P., 51. 5s ;
Mr. Burnett, a member of hi (the chairman's) congregation
had subscribed 30 guiness, and several other gentlemen 5/
each.

- fir. CLAY SON moved a resolution, declaring it to be the
opinion of the meeting that the distress of the cotton
manufacturing artisans, arising as it did front causes beyond
their own control, should be regarded aa • national calamity,
which all good citizens were bound to aid in mitigating. and
that the manly fortitude with which they had borne their
sufferings gave them an additional claim upon the
symjutliv of the public. In enforcing the resoletion, the
speaker urged that even the poorest had it in their power to
ascot, and in showing the feeling that prevailed in the
plrish, he mentioned that one person had intimated his in-
tention to contribute 7a. a week so long se the distress ex-
isted. He combated the objection that because the manu-
facturers themselves had not, as some thought, done their
duty, people in other parts of the country were re-
lieved front the duty of contributing, observing that it
would be as nameable for a person who saw a child in
danger of drowning to refraio from endeavouring to rescue it
because the child's father might be standing by without
using his best efforts to save it.
Mr. WILKINSON (barrister) seconded the resolution,
warmly advocating its objects, and adding further statistics
as to the increase of the distress, showing that it was esti-
mated, if the canoe of such distress continued, that from
300,000 to 400.000 people would be compelled to apply
for relief before the end of the winter.

Mr. MERRIMAN alai spoke in favour of the resolution, and
from personal knowledge bore testimony to the high moral
character of the manufacturing operatives, and to their
careful habits, as proved by the aunts they bad deposited
in savings banks, building societies, and other such institu-
tions, during the period of their prosperity, which invest-
ments they had to sacrifice before they could obtain any
relief either from the rake or from the relief fund. Be
defended the manufacturers as a class from the charge so
liberally made against them of having neglected their duty,
reminding the meeting of the sacrifices they bad as a claw
made to employ their bands for throe or four days a week in
producing fabrics which they could not sell for
perhaps half their cost ; and in addition to this they bad to
pay rent, interest on mortgages--mauy of the mills being
tinder heavy charges of this kind—and other ex-
penses as though they were carrying on a
profitable trade. The &stem Marina, which had
been spoken of by Mr. Wilkinson as a probable sub-
stitute for cotton, would never answer for making fabrics to
be worn on the human back. There could be no substitute
for cotton, but cotton ; and so long as the civil war in
America lasted, so long would this distress in our cotton
manufacturing districts prevail and increase. On the part
of the operatives of Preston, Blackburn, and Wigan, he ac-
knowledged the services of the Lord Mayor and the London
committee. _

Mr. FARBER also spoke to the resolution. He observed
that there had Leen overproduction on the part of the
manufacturers for some time previous to the distress, as was
shown by the fact that cotton goods had not increased in
price, notwithstanding that so many of the mills had
stopped altogether and so many more were on short time.
Mr. GARVEY appealed to the speakers that to pursue
that topic might prejudice the object they were met to
iromote.
Mr. Fenian said his purpose was to assist in that object,
and he would not therefore pursue the subject.
Mr. J. BRYAN (a working man) moved a rider to the
resolution, declaring that the application of the labour test
as applied to the distressed Lancashire operatives was cruel
and unjust. The speaker pursued the topic for some time,
tl.ough more than once called to order ou the ground that
to interfere in any way to promote sin 'lteration of an act
of parliament was foreign to the objects of the meeting.
He drew attention especially to the hardship of compelling
people who were used to a light kind of labour requiring
their eyesight and delicate manipulation to break stollen as
the condition of relief.

The amendment was not seconded, and the original reso-
lution was carried unanimously.
Mr. H. Lewis, M.P., moved the second resolution, to the
effect that the Vestry of St. Pancras wee entitled to the
best thanks of the meeting for originating the movement in
that parish, cad that the meeting pledged itself to assist the
committee appointed by the vastly in carrying out its base-
voleot purpose. He spoke of the noble, touching, and edify-
ing example the Lsocashireoperatives exhibited in this their
severe trial as entitling them to the mmpatby of the
nutty at large. When it was considered that the whole
brunt of the suffering consequent upon the fratricidal war
in America fell upon these unfortunate operatives, and that
nevertheless not a complaint had been raised against the
government, and not a meeting held to attempt to coerce
the govcrument as to the policy this country was wisely
following in reference to the American contest, it was im-
yomible sufficiently to admire their self-denial or to over
the credit which their conduct reflected upon
themselves and upon England generally. The cause
of this was, the intimate association which hap-
pily existed between the governed in this country and
those who ruled them. Although he feared the distress
was increasing and would increase, lie gathered some hope
from the supplies of cotton which were beginning to come
in from baba, the Brazils, Australia, and other countries,
alai from which he had every confidence when it came in
s•.Jiicieot quantities would make a living for themselves, and
goods that would hear the test of any market.
The Rev. G. Hon nEs seconded the resolution, which
b icing been carried, a vote of thanks to the chairman con-
cluded the proceedings.

The weekly meeting of the Executive Central
Belief Committee for the relief of the distressed cotton
operatives was held yesterday morning in one of the corn.
rc:ttee-rooms at the Town-hall, Blanchester; the president,
Cm Earl of DENBY, occupied the chair.
The report of the sub-committee appointed to make
arrangements for the distribution of Mr. Blundell's gift of
5,000 tons of coal was received and approved of. The fol-
lowing resolution upon the subject was unanimously pealed :
—" That the recommendation of the coal subcommittee,
that greats of coal shall be deducted at the rule of 3s. per
ton from the next grant, be adopted."
Mr. M'Cteuc (hon. secretary) stated that tollowing
railway companies had offered • free carriage to all parcels of
clothing, dm., for the use of the distressed operatives :
London and North Western, Manchester, Sheffield. and
Lincolnshire, Great Western, Great Northern. Midland,
London and South Western, South Devon. North E stern.
South Eastern, Taff Vale, and the Denbigh and Vale of
Clwyd,

,
The Earl of DERBY remarked that, without in the slightest
degree wishing to discourage contributions of old clothing,
t:e.. be could not but think that a supply of materials to be
male up in the various sewing schools would be still more
advantageous, as furnishing the means of employment.
The HON. Stcriereer stated that the Leech Ladies' Relief
Committee had already sent a quantity of materials. He
also stated that neat week the Central Committee would be
ready to receive and consider applications from relief com-
mittees for grants of clothing.
A letter was read from Miss Burdett Coutta, enclosing a
d.,ustion of 1,1001. in payments exteoding over six months ;
and another from Mies Brown, containing a donation of 2001.
Both ladies expires themselves as deeply sympathising with
the distressed operatives.
Mr. H. B. FARNALL, the special commisidoser from the
Poor. law Board. read the following report :
" To the Central Executive Committee.
" Manchester, Oct. 13, 1862.
" My loris and gentlemen,—My tabular repot* for this
week on 24 onions in the cotton manufacturing distrist
shows you that there is an Menses in the number
of persons receiving parochial relief, as compared with
the number so relieved last week, of 4,540 persons.
There are now 188,838 persona receiving parochial relief
in the unions adverted to; in the corresponding week of
last year 43,335 persons were so relieved ; there is therefore
an il10111•MO of 124,7tri persons is the receipt of parochial
relief, or 287.5 per cest. The total weekly cost of aar.door
relief is now 10,0291. 10e 24.1. ; in the corresponding week
of last year it was 2.288/. SOIL 7d. ; there is therefore an in-
crease of 7,7811. Qr. 7d., or 312.2 per rent. The average
per mutes, el pauperism on the populatioulot them unions is

now 8.7 per eat. ; in 41m ooMesponding week of last year
it was 2.3 per cent: The mensge amount of out-door '
relief per head per week Jul them unicorn is now 14
the lowest &menet is end the highest is 2a. OM. Oe
the 4th instant, I reported to you that during the four pre-
ceding weeks the increase of persons in the receipt ol m
rochial relief in the above unions was 23,333 penman This
fifth report gives an additional increase of 4,540 pee-
ions ; se that in five eonsseutive weeks 27,873
person have become paupers k those unions. Last week
I Jeremiad you that I had received authentic reports trent
the hon. secretaries of 31 local committees, formed in the I
cotton manufacturing districts for the distributiou of charit-
able aid. I have now received similar reports from 12
other local committees, and I am, therefore, enabled to
state that M the 4:1 districts adverted to, the number of
operatives and workpeople usually employed is 314,357;
that of MU number 75,765 were, when the reports were
dated, in full work ; that 116,749 were working Mort time ;
and that 121,843 mare wholly unemployed ; and further,
that the loss of wages in these 43 districts amounted to
102,4941. per week. I have not received any reports on
these points for the townships of Preston and Macclesfield,
nor from a few other localities of lea importance, so that
them places are not included in the return which I now
preset. It will be a source of satisfaction to you to know
that the local committee, in the 43 districts eomprieed in
this report Amur, me that mime is not on the increase, and
that the health of the workpeople is equal to the avenge.
—I am, lte., H. B. FartaraLL, Special Commissioner."
Sir Jay= KAY SHOTTLIWOH7II stated that Sir Daniel
Cooper and Mr. Edward Hamilton had informed him that
from her Majesty's colony of New South Wales a further
patriotic and munificent subscription of 10,0001. had been
remitted for the relief of the distrait is the cotton distriets,
and that this sum would be received in London this day,'
and transmitted to the central executive committee for
distribution. He also stated, that having observed
that in certain of the poor-law unions of the coun-
try now suffering from the distress common to the
cotton districts, the ordinary arrangements for the employ.
meet of the able-bodiedon out-door work had been the
subject of discussion, and, in some cases of agitation, he had
brought under the consideration of the board of guardians of
the Burnley union a mode of organieing work for the able-
bodied in relation to relief, which bad, he thought, an
important bearing oa the premervation of order during
the winter. He was aware that, under the ordinary
interpretation of the law of Elisabeth, the setting of the
poor on work had been interpreted to imply simple manual
labour, and that such work °wheezily consisted of outdoor
employment, though it had been partially remitted during
extreme inclemency of weather. He had been of opinion
that the relaxation from outdoor work during very in-
clement weather should be greater with reaped to work-
men ordinarily employed in heated rooms than to those
who were accustomed to out-door labour during all seasons
of the year. He had, therefore, summated to the board of
guardians of the Burnley union that MOMS should be
hired, and superintendents appointed, for schools for youth
and men • and that the employment of both youth and tnea
should alternate between manual and mental work, in order
to meet the inclemency of the ensuing winter, and like-
wise to mitigate the pressure of out-door manual labour on
persons not accustomed to its more laborious forms. He
(Sir James Kay Shuttleworth) had suggested to the board
of guardians of the Burnley union to hire rooms fee
schools in Burnley, Padiham, Colne, Marsden,Barrow-
ford,Higbam, and elsewhere, and to proceed to the ap-
pointment of head masters of such schools, and to the
selection of assistants from the youth attending mecha-
nics', literary, and other institutions, who would each
take charge of classes not exceeding fifteen scholars. This
arrangement, however, involved an adaptation of the ordi-
nary interpretation of the law to the peculiar circumstances
of the factory operatives, and he felt it expedient to present
the minutes of the Burnley board of guardians personally
to the Poor-law Board in London. He bad, therefore,
waited on the Poor-law Board, on Friday Mat, with these
minutes, and had made a written communication to the
board, explaining fully what were the intentions of the guar-
dens of the Burnley union. The board promised to deli-
berate carefully on this communication, and on hie return
to the country be bad received from the Poor-kw Board •
communication which he would read to the executive relief
committee. and which conveyed such an interpretation of
the law as applied to the factory population during the
continuance of the present distress as would, he hoped,
remove all difficulty whatsoever in every union in the
county as to the employment of youth and able-bodied
men during the period of their dependence upon the poor
rates. There could now be no reasonable objection to the
employment, during moderate or fair weather, on ordinary
outdoor labour during such time as would not be exhaustive
to factory workmen and to the alternation of such manual with
mental work. Very inclement weather might be occupied
wholly with school work, and youth at other times em-
ployed half the day on manual, and the other half on
mental work. The following is a copy of the letter re-
ferred to :