The Express.
London, England, 1867-12-10 00:00:00

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.

NORTHERN CIRCUIT. —Mirrcustras, Dac. 9.
Czowir Oormr.—(Briars Kr. Joskiss Bbea)

This morning the Crowneourt was engaged in the trial
of a case of oonapiracy watch is almost unique in its way.
The prisoners were James Al'Master, building contractor,
and Adam Manning and Thomas Slater, joiners, in his
employ ; and Mr. Leresche. counsel for the prosecution,
stated that the charge was one of haring taken adman-
'gage of the panic creat-d by the exposure of trades' union
terrorism to extort from Mews. Pennington and Bridgen,
architects, a sum of 1001. which was not justly due, with
intent to defraud.
_

The facts stated in evidence are that Marrs. Pennington
and Bridgen are architects at Manchester, and that in
March, 1865, they gave • contract to the rieoner Widen-
ter to build five detached houses at Fallovrfield, near Man-
cheeter, which contract amour ted to 2,250 f. ; and in
October, 1863 he further contrasted to build four pair of
semi-daached booms in Clifton-avenue. Before nettling
his account the vosecuton had to call in two eminent
and independent contractors to examine and mesa
I sure the work, and the result was that they'
had to make deductions for bad work and
overcharges which left M'Maater abort of his claim about
1501. 111•Maater offered to settle this claim for 1001., but
on the refusal to pay it he declared that the contract he
had signed was void, and be went away saying that he I
knew how to get his money without going to law. This
was in February last, and on the 7th of that month the
prisoners Henning and Slatercalled on Messrs. Pennington
and Bridgen, and Slater said they came as a deputation
front the Manchester branch of the Manchester and Salford
Carpenters and Joiners' Trades' Union, about Wfdaster's
matter. He said/el/Later had been down to the club on
the previous Saturday evening, and had complained that he
could not get a settlement of his building amount, and
therefore they had been deputed to come and see if they
could not settle the matter. Mr. Bridgen said he could not
see what the society had to do with M'Master's contract.
They answered that the society had a good deal to do with
the matter, because unless he got his money the workmen
could not get their wises. They explained to these men
that the account was overcharged, but Henning and
Slater said the money moat be paid, or the society would
draw off all the men working on Messrs. Pennington
and Bridgen's contracts. The prosecutor's had extensive
contracts, and after a consultation between the
two partners as to the inconvenience and loss
that would result, they offered 801. and then 1001.
rather than the tociety should take these extreme steps.
The prisoners retired to consult M'Master, but came again
next day and received a cheque for 1001., but objected to
the words on the cheque 'in full of all demands." Mr.
Pennington bad asked for • receipt, and they said the
moiety never pve receipts. He asked what security this
would be if M Master came again with a further claim, and
they answered in effect that the society would protect
them. The 100'. cheque was paid them, and a further
claim of • sovereign each for their individual expenses.
After this Dl'lluter presented himself with a further
claim on the Clifton-avenue contract, and then it was
that they made an appeal to the Manchester and Salford
Trades' Union of Carpenters and Joiners, and found they
bad been the victims of a conspiracy—the trades union
never having appointed Slater and Henning to take steps
either to recover the money or do anything else in the
matter, or having, indeed, had the matter under considera-
tion. When the cheque was produced in court it had
Wilaaters' endorsement at tht back, proving his compli-
city with the conspiracy, 1,11111 witnesses from the trades'
society proved that no authority had ever been given by
the society.
Mr. Pope defended M`Bluter, and Mr. Higgin, Q.C.,
defended Slater and Manning
•.. . . . .

The jury retired to consider their verdict, and after being
absent more than hour, they returned with a verdict
finding the defendants Guilty of coospiracy, but ream-
melding them to mercy on account of their previous ex-
cellent character.

Mr. Justice Shea, in passing sentence, maid the jury
bad come to a very right conclusion. There could
be no doubt that the prisoners did
to make the prosecutors pay more money
they admitted to be due. The prisoners took •
course which seemed to have been well calculated to
coerce the prosecutors into doing what they did not think
they were bound in justice and fairness to do. They
brought to bear upon them the probable hostility of •
trade union, but it appeared that that combination had
not the remotest connection with their schemes. He
would mitigate the sentence, in consequence of the recom-
mendation to mercy ; but he could !not do lees, in such a
community, than sentence each of the prisoners to nine
months' imprisonment.