The Express.
London, England, 1865-05-17 00:00:00

WORKINO MEN'S CLUB AND INSTITUTE
UNION.

The first of a series of meetings, intended to afford
as opportunity to working mos and persons of higher social
pulite°, or eminent in various way; of friendly inter-
course sod interchange of opinions upon subjects of social
and &Missal inane; took place last evening at Exeter-
bell, Saud, under the preaideecy of the puke of Argyll ;
supported by Lord Lytteltoe, Mr. J. J. Broom, M.P., the
Rev. Septimus lisamrd, Mr. Hugh Owen, of the Foot-
les Board, Mr. W. R. °lake, the Rev. Keay Bony, the
secretary, ho.
The subject proposed for &mad= on this occasion
was that of " the labour question in caseation with
strikes and co-operation ;" and the Chairman Mein ex-
plained the object of the meeting, Mr. Thomas Hughes
opened the question by reading a paper specially applied to
it. The honourable gentleman described the evil effects
which arose from the late strikes, but proceeded to nay
that, notwithstanding the deturnisation of the masters not
to allow the Me to have a voice in fixing the rates of pep.
moot, there had not bees a single lassoes of violence
throughout the recent draggle in Staffordshire. This was
certainly matter for oongratalation, and especially when it
was considered that masters and men met in confereece. for
be thought it was a great thing that the two sides wealth's
to meet at ell. There was no doubt, however. that, although
the antagosism of feeling had decreased, the antagoslem of
interest was as strong as ever, and be was glad to think that
many of the trades societies were supporting the cense of
cooperation. The meatus, too, were doing their bat to
remove the terriers which separated them from the em-
ployed ; and, above all, it was vssy satisfactory to know
that the government contemplated bringing in a bill to
give to workmen a fair share in the profits, without admit-
ting them to the rights and privileges of partners.
Mr. Hughes's paper was listened to with much attention ;
sad, at its concluaton, the Chairman having invited discus-
sion, John Bryan, a housrpainter, addressed the muting,
soatemlies that the only satisfactory remedy for the evil
effects of strikes was to be toned in the system of co-operaa.
We, without which there could not be a proper state of
things between the employer end the employed. Lord
Lyttelton said it was perfectly true—es had been muted by
IMr. Hughes—that a great improvement had taken plus
within the last 30 years in regard to the °widest of the people
espied in strikes. Time was when a strike was equivalent
Ito • " row," whereas at the preset period differecos
teem masters and men were conducted In a niannw which
obviated any attempt at violence. Although he approved
of the principle of co-operation in the abetted, he did not
think it eould ever Noosed by itself, bet only es put of a
system. Ha cordially hoped that beseficial results would
accrue to the country from the moult strikes. Several
working men then tools part in the discussion, and at its
close a cordial vote of thanks was pasted to the noble chair-
man, who said he had listened with ocesidemble plasma
to the observations be had heard from the various speaks's.
Upon one point at lout there seamed to bee genets' agree-
meat, vin., as to the benefits to be derived from
-percoo
bon ; and he strongly approved of that principle, as
often expensed upon former occadooe.