The Express.
London, England, 1853-08-04 00:00:00

SERIOUS OUTRAGE AT MANCHESTER.

The first serious breach of the peace arising out of
turnouts in the manufacturing districts occurred on Tues-
day caning, at the works of Meyers. James Crompton and
Cs., Ayers, Pendleton, Manchester. These works were
broken into on Tuesday evening by 70 or 80 operatives,
who beat all the hands found at work, and maltreated Mr.
Crompton, the senior partner of the firm, a geettleman up-
wards of 60 years old, to such an eztent that his life is
placed in considerable danger. The strike of the dyers and
finishers of fustian. took place about a month ago, and wall
mentioned at the time in the Ezpress, but no violence
was anticipated, because the leaders of the movement were
known to counsel the utmost forbearance. The turnouts,
however, where the masters had succeeded in getting ope-
ratives so supply their place, have followed the dangerous
practice of placieg ss piequete " near all such worke,
and a picquet has been stationed for some weeks
past in a positian commanding the entrance to
Messrs. Crompton and Co.'s works. This pic-
quet held frequent conference with the new bends, and
did all they could to persuade them to lea's work. Their
presetice, however peaceably disposed they might be, was
a Cause of great irritation to the new workpeople, who ebal-
lenged some of them to light. Gradually the i.l tecling on
both sides became more intense ; and on Tuesday the turn-
outs assembled in the neighbourhood of Messrs. Cromp-
tote'. works, and eluting the greater portion of the forenoon
employed themselves in throwing stones on to the roofs of
the buildings and into the yard. Mr. James Cromptoa was
struck by one of then stone's, and received a severe cut
lea the fore:heed. Between half-past five and six u'eleck
the number of men assembled round the works
had lucre:end ; and about that time they, to the number
of from 70 to SO, made an attack upon the premises. Some
of them entered the yard by the gate in Ford-lane, while
others messed the waste ground in that lane, passed over
Mr. Crompton's garden, which lies between it and the
works, stud breaking through a hedge, thus obtained access
into the yard. Some of these men had with them stout
sticks or staves, reed others, upon entering the yard, armed
themselves with pieces of logwood which were lying about.
Thus prepared, they, before the men at work knew of their
approach, rushed iuto the dychouse, and began to beat all
who acre at wore its it. Others of their number rushed
lute the ether party of their premises, and acted in a similar
manner to thew alto were engaged in them. The attack
was se sudden that the workmen could offer but little resis-
tance to their assailants, by whom they were most violently
and cruelly beaten. They, however, defended themselves
as well as they could, and shouted lustily for assistance. At-
tracted by the noise, two officers of the county constabulary
force wtio were on duty in the neighbourhood pro-
ceeded t 3 the works, and their presence somewhat
checked the violence of the turn-outs. At this time Mr.
Crompton was on his knees in the yard, and six fellows
were laying on him most unmercifully with staves and
other weapons. Some of them carried staves resembling
these used by policemen, attached by a thong to the wrist
of the right hand. The two policemen, Sergeant Barlow,
and Police-constable Mansfield, at the order of Sir Blkanah
Armitage, county miteistrate, and his son, who had been
attracted to the spot by intelligence of the violence going
on, seized two of the men assaulting Mr. Crompton, but the
ceminquents were itutueeiately reamed. Mr. Crompton,
however, hut time to escape and hide in an out-huuse.
The two policemen, unable to cope with so many armed
men, tried now to persuade them to leave the
premises, but presently they heard a cry of "we've
got him again," and had to resort to the use of their
truncheons to rescue Mr. Crompton a second time from his
cowardly assailants. The mob of turnouts remained on the
premises from to 30 minutes, and then mode off. As
they were leaving Ssrgeant Barlow reergaised a man
named William Reyle as one of the six he bad seen attack-
me Mr. Crompton eu the tint instance, and after chasing
Lim cbeut lid yards, he and Mensfield succeeded in se-
curing him. It was understood that the rutlians made off
in consequence of information that Mr. Superintendent
Durie, with a reinforcement of police, was on his way to
the premises, and that gentleman actually arrived with ten
or twelve constables soon afterwards. When the attack was
made, Mr. James Crompton was in au outhouse which is
at the back of the premises, almost close to the hedge
bounding the garden. A number of the men who came
over this hedge, amongst whom was Hoyle, broke down
the door, awl having thus got at Mr. Crompton they beat
him severely on the head and body with sticks and other
weapons. lie received three severe cuts on his head and
face front which the blood flowed freely, und also many
severe wounds on different parts of the body. Fortunately
he sustained Ito fractare. Mr. Hubert Crompton, nephew
of Mr. James Crompton, was on the premises at thu time
the attack wee made, and ha attempted to escape over the
roofs of some of the buildings. He was, however, disco-
vered, and was pelted with bricks and stones ; and when he
eleeceeseed to the ground, Ito was surrounded by a number
of men who beat him severely. lie was much cut and
bruised, hut not desegerourey Burt. One of the workmen,
named Henry Trelford, escaped through a window into the
garden, tint there he w.ss surrounded and beaten by a num-
ber of men. Nine other men were more or less severely
injured, some having received severe cuts on the heads,
while other: were a good deal bruised abcut the arms and
shoulders. The wily object of the assailants nppeared to
be to ihtliet personal chastisement upon Messrs. Crompton
and their min ; for they made no attempt to damage acy
pr,nierty. Mr. William Roberts, one of the members c f the
Arm, was in Manchester at the time the imam took place,
and he diu out return until after the termination of the
affray.
Yesterday morning Royle was brought before Mr. Traf-
ford and Mr. llibb rt Wanklyn, comity magistrates, at the
New 11.3 ditty Court-house, Saltotd, fur ez.eminatiou. On
behalf of the Dyers' Trades Union, Mr. Roberts, attorney,
was present to defend the prisoner.
Pulice-sergeent Barlow described the riot, and the cir-
cumstances under which the prisoner was taken, as above
stated; and said that he and Mansfield were on duty near
the weeks when the attack commenced. They had received
no previous ineintatiou tbat a disturbance was contemplated,
and were attracted to Messrs. Crempten's premises by see-
ing a rushed' people in that direction. He seined one of the
mess who were beating Mr. Crompton, and Mansfield seized
another, but a blow from a stick on the he ed knocked
elanstieed'a hat over his epee, and his prisoner was rescued.
At the saute moment vita as was keocked down, and his
prisoner was also rescued. They were also struck, and •
good deal hurt in the affray, with bricks thrown at them.
One of the men beating Mr. Crompton bad a piece of iron a
yard long, and another used a cart leg.
Mr. Trafford—ls this the only mats taken?
Sergeant Barlow said this was the only man apprehended
on the spot. There were only two constables, and they
were overpowered, with 70 or SO men to contend against.
They had the names of six or seven otter offenders, who
would be apprehended.
Mr. Trafford—ls Mr. Crompton here ?
Superintendent Dufie—l have seen Mr. Crompton this
morning, but he is too ill even to lift his head from his
pillow, to severely have these men beaten him. A surgeon
was expected, to certify these facts to the court.
Mr. Roberts, attorney, said he was instructed that the
prisoner was present at the affray, but in reality took nu
part in it.
Mr. Trafford (to the police)—Did any one see this man
using 'rule:nee i
Sergeant Barlow—l saw him strike Mr. Crompton when
that gentleman was on his knees.
Mr. Roberts—l ant told that it can be shown that he did
not. But the case will have to be remanded, rend I pre-
sume yen will have no otrje mien to take ?
Mr. Trufford—le.deed I shall not take bail, with a serious
charge like this hanging over the man's head.
Mr. ltuberts—lt he was a thief you would take bail
under the like circumstances of doubt, and I really don't
see why these pour fellows, who are much to be pitied,
should be prelude:a by the feelings always excited against
turn-outs. are committee had done all they could to pre-
vent this breach of the peace, end regard it with deep
sorrow.
Mr. Trafford—What committee? We know no com-
mittee here.
Itoberts—We arc prepared to give large bail.
Mr. Trefferd—l Idled certainly not take: bail to any
amount. If Mr. Crumptou should be well enough to ap-
pear and give evidence, I shall endeavour to get the ciao
disposed of so filet the prisoner may be tried at the ay-
preaching assizes, but I cannot do more.
Here Mr. Heywood, surgeon, who had attended Mr.
Crompton, entered the court. In answer to questions, he
said Mr. Crompton was confined to his bed in eurenquerice
of very serious wounds of the scalp, and would net be able
to leave his chamber, under the most favourable circum-
stances, in less than a week. He had four extensive lacers
teens of the scalp, a wound across the templet, and was
much bruised about the shoulders and body.
The prisoner was then remanded till Moods', next.

BRITISII BENEFICENT INSTITUTION.—The fourth '
annual report tit this excellent charity, which has just been
published, states that its finances are in a highly prDelareus
condition, and that its prospects ate most encouraging.
Thouch only tl•und,d u few years ago for the purpose of
affording permanent incomes to the widow* mid unmarried
orphan daughters of persons once in affluent ciicumstanced,
or occupy o.g a Irtg,, yusittuu m suciety, its opersttuns have
already exceeded the must sm.guine expestotious. At the
present moment twenty-four annuitants are upon the funds,
reeetvieg cacti 3dt per 'mown, and the inert:wag support
the institution is enjoying jusillies the hope of a speedy ex-
tension of its alleluias ss.
BAL MASQUE AT CREAK/ANIL—The second Lai
moup4.2 of the season at this popular resort took place last
night. Early in the evening the company was, as usual uu
(welt occasions, eitretucly thin, but Wore midnight the
garden was thronged with dancers and promenaders. The
costumes presented little novelty, but there was no lack tit
extravagant burlesqu, or of practical jokes, to give effect
to the dresses. Considerable amusement was created by the
appearance tit a couple tit isAlkuuns—ui cs,urst., of a nage
species—one of whom ascended a treo with nimost as much
dexterity as the real animal, playing a number of freaks in
, the branches, and giving oral imitations of the original;
6 and a low suminersets on the ground betrayed performers of
the circus tinder the hairy exterior.