The Express.
London, England, 1851-12-30 00:00:00

NEEDS AND MACHINISTS

For the last twenty-five fens a numberof societies
has been in existence all over the kingdom, composed of
persons following the trades of engineers, machinists, smiths,
and millwrights, the object of which was to afford mutual
support in cases of accident, sickness, superannuation, and
loss of employment. In September, 1850, a meeting of
delegates from those societies was held at Birmingham,
which resulted in their being merged into one association,
under the title of "The Amalgamated Society of Engi-
neers, Machinists, Millwrights, Smiths, and Pattern-
makers," mad in the adoption of a code of rules and rep's-
lions for its guidance. In the pref. ice of that code it is'
stated the society "is established to concentrate the
varied isihmaces of the abovenamod branches of trade
upon some advantageous measures which are calculated to
metier banefils upon its members; and although objections
see as Voss mini to trade societies, being associations ei
amp* asit et trade restrictions, they are nevertheina
sormarty adjuncts of a state of society which has incalmeei
Awes of selfishness almost beyond the control of our bets
Ine astute, for by them only can the members of a trade be
made to ob,erve some rules, and to conform deferentially to
many customs, which ere for the mutual benefit of all its
fillowers." Again: "Our ehjeet is not to do anything
'legally or indiscreetly, but on all occasions to perform the
greatest amount of benefit for ourselves without injury to
ethers ; and if we should be constrained to make restric-
tions against enermehments on our interests by those who
may not have earned a right by a probationary servitude,
we do so, knowing that such encroachments are productive
et such awful consequences to a trade that, if they were
=lB6;tred in unchecked, they wouldi meek is se-
its eondftfois to that of the ill-paid %-
bearer, without conferring a corresponding 'Ama-
to& on those who were admitted. It is our duty
then to exercise the same control over that in which we
have a vested interest, as the physician who holds his di-
ms, or the author who is protected by his copyright."
The document then proceeds to state that the leading
features of the society are—" Mutual assistance in time of
need," "A regulation of the condition of labour, that its
benefits may be mutually enjoyed, and a well-regulated
organisation to prevent a surplus labour in our trade."
In April of the present year, the executive council of the
society submitted a case for the opinion of the Attorney-
General as to the general legality of its objects. A question
had arisen among them solo whether the members (them
numbering upwards of 8,000), acting under the rules of the
society, were liable to any prosecution or indictment for
conspiracy or Mestal and malicious combination, whether
actively engaged in it or not; and they particularly di-
rected the attention of tho Attorney-General to the
22nd and 23rd of their rules, which authorise a com-
mittee in each district to advise and persuade any
member, who may apply to them fur advice,
to resist any encroachment attempted upon either
Me wages or hours of labour, and, if he is discharged its
sommeesee of the advice given, to place him on the funnel
of the society as a recipient of 1.5.. per week. The quee.
tions they submitted to the Attorney-General were—" Ist.
Is it legal for men to combine to resist the reduction oil
wages, increased hours of labour, or other encroachments
en their interests, and to persuade others to act with them,
provided that neither violence to persons or property,
threats, intimidation, or molestation, are used or intended ?
tad. Whether the rules of the society are framed according
to law, particularly the Rules 22 and 23 ; and whether
members of the society, strictly conforming to the rules,
incur any and what liabilities?"
The following is the opinion of the Attorney-General and
Mr. S. Joyce, whisk the society obtained at an expense of
thirty_gessma
" W• age of ooisleu. first, that it is legal for men to com-
bine to stela redsoden of wages, increased hours of labour,
on ether eneemishneients en their interest., and to persuade
etyma se set weal ohm, provided there is no violence done
to perms se progeny, and the parties avoid all threats, in.
timidatims, and molestation whatsoever; vide see. 4, 6 Geo.
IV., e. 123. Secondly, we think Rules 22 and 23 might
have been framed with greater certainty ; but, notwith-
standing, we are of opinion they are not objectionable in
point of law, and the members of the society will not incur
any penalties in conforming to them, regard being always
had to the law, as pointed out by us in answer to the first
query.—A. E. Cocasuax, SAMUZL JOTClL—Temple,
April 8, 1851."
The society, thus constituted has established branch asso-
ciations in direct connexion with it in upwards of eighty
towns in the three parts of the United Kingdom, the ag-
gregate members of which ate stated on good authority to
amount to 12,000 at the present time, with a capital at their
alarmed of 25,0004. In the district of Manchester alone
there are about 2,000 members belonging to the so-
ciety, and in the metropolis upwards of 1,500. The opera-
tions of the society are carried on under the direction of en
I executive council established in London, who hold their
meetings from time to time at 25, Little Aliestrect, White-
-1 chapel.