The Express.
London, England, 1867-09-05 00:00:00

TEE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING,* SEPTEMBER

TRADES OUTRAGES COMMISSION.

MANCHESTER, Syn. 4.

The commissioners appointed under the Trades
Unions Commissions Act, 1567, "to inquire into any
acts of intimidation, outrage, or wrong alleged to have
been promoted, encouraged, or connived at by trades'
unions or Emaciation., whether of workmen or employes,
in the town of Manchester and its neighbcurhood, and us
to the causes of such acts, and of the complicity of trades'
unions or associations," commenced their sittings in the
Assize-courts here this morning, at eleven o'clock. The
commissioners are—Mr. P. A. Pickering, Q.C., Mr. T. J.
Barstow, and Mr. G. Chance.

In opening the commission, Mr. Pickering said these
investigations were not intended to benefit the masters
only, but the workmen. He needed hardly to say that it
would be the desire of the commission to con-
duct their inquiry in a fair and impartial spirit
towards all parties concerned. The object of
the legislature was fully to inquire into and
elicit information so to the working of trades'
unions, not out of any spirit of hostility or with any wish
to tyrannise. He thought no one could deny the benefit of
trades unions or other associations of the kind,where men
associated together for lawful purposes, and endeavoured ,
to accomplish their objects by lawful means. They were
highly useful so long as their object was to protect the
rights of labour in a proper and lawful manner, and it
I was only when they went beyond that and attempted to
intimidate, coerce, and control others engaged equally
lawfully in protecting their own rights that they incurred
and merited the condemnation of every just and honour-
able mind. He therefore hoped that they should meet
with the ready assistance of both masters and workmen
in endeavouring to carry out the objects of this commis•
lion, and that their efforts might tend to assist in putting
an end to that social tyranny which, while it was produc-
tive of injury to the employers, was also productive of
equal evil to the working men. He expressed a
hope that both masters and men would freely come for-
ward and tender any information within their knowledge
tending to forward the objects of the commission, and said
they would be tbankul of any suggestions. He observed
that the coinmisaion had the power to compel the attend-
ance of witnesses to give evidence, while, at the same time
they had power to give certificates where persons lied made
full disclosures of outrages in which they had participated,
which would shield them from any legal consequences.
The best atonement such men could make for having taken
part in such outrages would be to make the fullest dis-
closures respecting them in their power.
The first witneu, examined by Mr. Pickering, was
Thomas Meadows, who said he and his brother were
master brickmakers, at Stockport. In 11104 he was in busi-
ness with his brother at Redditch, near Stockport. They
employed about 100 men, of whom 24 were union men.
Moat of the latter belonged to the Stockport lodge
of the union, and the others to the lodge at Oldham.
About June, 1864, the workmen had been working
there several months,and had earned 30s. to 501. per week.
We altered the shape of the bricks to fit a hand
machine, by which we sewed about 10d. per 1,000 bricks.
The workmen thought we ought to give them the led.
Some of the union men made this proposition. One of
them was John Jackson and another William Potts.
There were half a douen altogether, sod they came in the
morning. George Bailey was another of the men. There
were eight out of the whole that made bricks. Jackson
and Potts were the spokesmen. They said we might
make the bricks if we gave them the led. I offered them
6.1. and they refused and turned out. Three of them,
Wild and Fellows, of Stockport, and an Oldham unionist
came beck in about three weeks at the fad.
advance. They turned out in June and came back in July.
Three weeks after the turn out I had taken some non-
union men, and then three of the unionists offered to
come back at fad. if we would turn off the non-union men.
We refused, and they hail a meeting at Stockport.
About '2l came hack at the rid. after this meeting. I re-
member the 2nd of August. It was Wild's duty to be up
turning. Child also was usually up late at night and early
in the morning. It was not the duty of Fellows to be up
that night. About one o'clock in the morning I was
aroused by the wife of Wild and I went to his house and
he was in his bed with his legs and arms badly hurt. Wild
did not say then how it happened. He could scarcely
speak. There were two or three women there. I saw
Chas. Wallworth and another man whom I sent in Wild's
place. It was the duty of Wild to be there at night, but
no one else. Child was there when he liked. Cheatham
and Slater were apprehended and tried for this. I was
asked by William Putts, last year, to sign a petition for
commutation of sentence. I said, "No." °thermals° aaked,
and they weremcetly union men. Wild wasill of his wounds
some time, but worked with us afterwards for five
or sit months. All the 21 men came and worked with
us afterwards. I judged that Wild left us through terror.
Remember discharging some men afterwards for being
away drinking. It was in 1864. I was asked to take
them back, and did so, because we could not get any one
else. When engaged in a building afterwards the
bricksettere turned out because I and my brother set •
brick. The men told us we should have to pay 21. les.
before they could come back. I paid it in about three
weeks, and they did not come back till after that. We
paid the money on the understanding that it should be
paid back if we were not in the wrong. It has not been
paid back. They also demanded 21. 10e. from the con-
tractor, but he left us sooner than pay it. Their objec.
tion is that no one who is not a bricksetter shall be allowed
to set a brick. The brick I set was in the key of the door-
arch. It is a general rule that they invite us to set a brick
and then expect a treat of half-a-crown or so for it. The
men had a meeting, and asked us to pay 16s. 6d., which
we refused, and they then raised the fine to 2/. les.
During the last strike we were prevented getting bricks
any/where else for over • fortnight. We tried to get them
at Rredshaw's, Ludlow's. Holt and Anderson's, and two or
three others, and we were unable. We did not lose any
contract, because we were erecting a building of our own.
The people we applied to said they would not be allowed
to supply us.
Thomas Wild, brickburner, said in 11104 he was working
for Mixers. Meadows. He was a contribution man, paying
a shilling a week for being allowed to work, but having no
benefit from the union. He remembered leaving his work
because he did not like the men throwing their slack
(abuse). He was paid Os. a day for his work. After being
on strike five weeks he and Child and Fellows went in
again. He was burning bricks on the night he returned.
Child should have been there pressing and John Whittaker
should have been kiln-wheeling, but he was there
alone. He was attacked about 12 o'clock by six men.
One came up and asked for him and his mate to lay down.
That was William Slater. There were five other men, and
the second was Cheetham. Witness proceeded—l have
never been told who were the other four. Cheetham
struck me with a cart leg and Slater pulled me down, and
then some hit me and some kicked me. I struggled
away about 30 yards, and I asked them to have mercy.
One of them said I should burn no more bricks. When
they left me I had my right arm broken in several
places, end I was cut on the shin and leg. I was
five or mix weeks at the Stockport infirmary. Chest-
ham and Slater were tried here, convicted, and sent to
20 years' penal servitude. Cheetham and Slater are now
at large. I was asked to sign • memorial in their
favour. I do not know why they beat me in this brutal
manner, but suppose it was because I had returned to
work before the others. Slater was a union man, and " a
big man among 'em." I was pressed many a time to sign
a memorial in Cheetham's favour, by Humphrey Holum,
Wm. Potts, Humphrey Child, George Brown, end several
others. That was before I left Redditch, and more than
two years ago. I refused to Agri many a time, and Hum-
phrey Heinle reckoned it would be worth 20/. to me if I
signed and said I did not know them. Potts and his wife
were there. That was the second time they had asked me.
I said it was inure than I durst do. They said the paper
had come from London from Mr. Watkin when they
' salted me to sign, and said it would do no harm, When I
did sign they gut me to go to a public-house. IA paper
was produced signed by Potts, Joseph Brown, and Holme,
in which they promised, on condition of his signature, to
reinstate him to the benefit of the union, and pay him 51.]
I saw this paper at the public-house where they took me.
It was at the Swan Inn, at Dunsgate. They told me I
was to sign a paper to may I did not know the men. I
would only sign it in front of • lawyer, and I went and
signed it at the office of Mr. Andrews, in Deans-
gate. This is not the paper, but is a copy of
the paper I signed, which was to go to London.
I put my cross on the paper, and afterwards saw it in the
office of Mr. Watkin, at London-road. (The memorial,
which was raid by the clerk, admitted on the part ef
Wild that he might have been mistaken in the identity,
though he did not think he was, of the men who had been
convicted. It also stated that one of them was very kind
to him during his illness.) I never bad any doubt that
Slater and Cheetham were two of the men who beat me,
and have none now, and I should never have signed that
paper but for the promises made me by Potts and other..
Humphrey Holme and Slater's wife took me to Mr. Wat-
kins office. They wished me to go again, and say that I
I did not know the men, but I would not. Mr. Watkin
only said he thought the paper would do a deal of good,
and asked me if I had been badly hurt. Mr. Within
asked me if I was sure these were the men, and I said
I was. I left Redditch because I was afraid I should
be attacked for basing given evidence at the assizes, and
went to live at Regent-road, Salford, where the panels of
the door were kicked out. The unioa men had not
threatened me or molested me at my work. I bad i een
a contribution man to the ution, and paid a shilling a
week. They would not let me be a member.
Mrs. Sarah Will, wife of the last witness, remembered
his being assaulted on the 2nd August, 11164. Heard him
calling out and went to him. Found his arm bleeding.
He was at the bottom of the steps of his house door. He
was insensible all night. It was nearly five o'clock in the
morning before a policeman could be seen. Did not hear
what was the name be gave the policeman as that
of the man who had done it. His arm was broken,
and his head had been affected ever since. His leg was
cut. He was in the infirmary five or six weeks. Re-
membered Cheetham and Slater's conviction. Remem-
bered a paper being brought at the Christmas after the
conviction (or her husband to sign. Slater's and Chest.
ham's wives and several men came with the paper. Did
not recollect having seen any of the men before or since.
They took him to Mni. Taylor's beerbonee in Redd i tela Wit-
ness followed them to ascertain what they wanted with him.
He bad grown very forgetful. They asked him to sign a
paper. As neither he nor she could read, she got s young 1
man la %delta to read it over ward times. liar hue.

band then refused to sign. As near as she could recol-
lect, the words in the paper were :—" I, Thomas Wild,
have committed these men wrongfully. Had I to do it
again, I would not do it. I have been compelled by •
neighbour." Witness fetched a policeman, who said her
husband would have got into trouble. Any paper he
signed must be signed at the polies-office. Wherever
witness and her husband were living they were
followed by people who wanted him to sign a
paper. No threats were need at the public-house.
Afterwards when she and her husband had removed to
Manchester, fresh attempts were made to induce them to
sign. They removed partly in fear of injury, and partly
lest her husband should be induced to do something illegal
in regard to signing. In Manchester the object was to
induce him to sign a petition to shorten the term of pun.
iahment. Ultimately • petition was signed by him which
had first been read over at the office of Mr. Andrews, a
solicitor. It was signed on the understanding that, while
it set forth that he could not be mistaken as to the men's
identity, he was willing to have their punishment
shortened. At a public-house W. was given " for his day's
work" in signing this paper, and to cover some of his ex-
penses while out of work. The money was given to wit-
ness. (Laughter.) They also promised to take him back
into the union, but had not done so. When he went to
Oldham trying to get work, the men put their jackets on
and left as soon as they saw him.
William Singleton, of Portwood, was the next witness.
He is a member of the Stockport union of brickmakers.
The day preceding this inquiry was the day for the quarterly
election of officers of the union, and witness was made
treasurer. The office was only held for three months at •
time, and the retiring officer was not re-eligible till after
I the ensuing quarter. Witness had been several times
treasurer since 184;2. Being closely questioned as to the
system on which the treasurer made payments, the wit-
ness made no more distinct reply than that he paid ac-
cording to the book of rules. From his answers it could
not be gathered that the question of payment to anybody
was ever submitted to • meeting of union members. He
paid money to members who came and asked for it
under the rules—sometimes for being out of work,
sometimes for doing work for the society, and sometimes
as • reward for being an efficient member. The accounts
were audited every quarter. The secretary kept the book,
witness being "no scholar." The president was not
changed at the same time as the treasurer. The present presi-
dent is Mr. Wm. Slater, who was elected the first quarter
day after he caine out of prison. Slater was once presi-
dent in 1864. Witness was pressed as to whether he had
himself been treasurer in that year, but could not remem-
ber. Ultimately he remembered he was • " district man,"
whose duty was to "take a few yards," and look after
the men. The payment for this duty was lid. a quarter.
The dispute with Meadows in 181$4 was discussed at the
fortnightly meeting of the union. Slater was treasurer,
and Chatham president, when they were imprisoned.
Witness was in bed the night of the attack on Wild. He
was very much pressed to say whether he could not re-
member some meeting or consultation at which he was
present, the day of the attack, or the day before, but he
gave no direct reply, except that he could not remember
anything like • meeting, unless it were a talk among the
men who were working in adjoining fields on the night
before. Mr. Pickering read over to the witness the words
of the act of parliament, the threat of imprisonment if
there were not a full disclosure, and the assurance of in-
demnity if full disclosure were made. Witness was then
able to recollect that among the men who talked together
were several whose names he repeated.

Stpurttns interngenct.
WARWICK SEPTEMBER RACES.

After the races on Tuesday, • violent thunderstorm
burst over the town of Warwick, the lightning flashing
vividly, loud peals of thunder succeeding each other with
a rapidity quite appalling. When • perfect deluge of rain
had fallen, and completely flooded the streetajthe violence
of the storm abated, but throughout the night the sky
was lit up with brilliant flashes of sheet lightning, render-
ing the surrounding landscape as visible as in daylight.
Wednesday morning was fine the atmosphere being de-
liciously cool and refreshing, but by the time the racing
commenced the sun shone with great power, the afternoon
being close and oppressive. A tremendously large com-
pany again assembled on the course, the grand stand being
crowded, but as on Tuesday the ring was but thinly at-
tended. Racing commenced at one o'clock with the
Scurry Handicap, and concluded with a three-quarters
of a mile sweepstakes at • quarter to five ; but,
with the exception of the Cup, the races were of
but passing interest, requiring no allusion here.
Although the Cup brought out but four runners, the race
was looked upon with great interest, with such animals as
Comers, Moulsey, and Goodwood to contend, Miss Have-
lock being started for the obvious purpose of making run-
ning for her stable companion, Gomera. The Duke of
Beaufort's mare almost monopolised the betting, odds of
2 to 1 being freely laid on her at theclose ; bat 100 to 30 was
taken to some money about Moolsey. Goodwood received
some substantial support at 6 to Iby his owner, trainer,
and those who remembered his clever victory over Moulsey
and a good field in the Huntingdon Cup. On that occa-
sion he met Lord Bateman's horse at 391 b. ; but in this
instance only 301 b. was the difference between the relative
weights they carried. The race is fully described below,
and it will be there seen that Goodwood won cleverly by
half a length from Comers, Moulin), being beaten • long
way. On returning to weigh in, Comers was objected to
for not carrying the proper weight, she being penalised
51b. for winning the Stewards' Cup at Brecon last
year; and on this being found to be correct,
she was disqualified, and Moulsey was placed second,
thus obtaining the 25 soya. for the second horse.
The error in Gomera's weight was first detected by Mr.
Thomas Hudson, of Birmingham, who immediately in-
formed the Duke of Beaufort of it. His grace, however,
could not satisfy himself by a reference to the calendar till
it was too late to remedy the mistake. The conditions of
the Cup were somewhat calculated to mislead on a casual
glance ; they have, therefore, undergone a supervision, and
will in future be much simplified. The three last races
resulted in head victories, and it is worthy of notice that
the clever light weight, Butler, won no less than five out of
the eight events, on Lily, King's Cross, Goodwood, Dia-
mond, and Python. Daring the afternoon the betting
on the coming St. Leger was brisk in comparison to that
of the previownisy. Hermit would have been backed at
6 to 4, but bookmakers would not advance upon
sto 4. Achievement was almost friendless at 7to 4, but
a shade over those odds would have been taken to
any amount of money. Vauban rallied considerably,
and 1000 to 60 was taken about him, followed by two or
three 100 to 6's, and finally 1500 to 100 was booked. In
addition to these outlays, 120 to 100 was laid on the son of
Muscovite against his stable companion, Challenge. Good-
wood's victory in the Cup had, however, a reassuring
effect on Challenge, as it will be remembered the latter
defeated him easily in the Queen's Plate at Lewes. The
Marquis of Heating, took 25 " monkies" about his horse,
and followed that up by accepting 2500 to 100, and two
1000 to 40's, which finally left Challenge in the quotations
at 1000 to 45, which was taken to several small amounts.
Fervacques was the medium of some speculation at
23 to 1, and 1000 to 40 was taken in one bet. Marks-
man was backed at the forlorn odds of 1000 to 12,
yet notwithstanding 50 to 3 was taken about him for •
place. D'Estournel found a solitary friend at 1000 to 5.
The Derby was scarcely touched upon, the only transac-
tions coming under our notice being 50 to 1 about The Earl,
taken to several " tenners." During the morning the
stewards considered the objection against Vampire, who
won at Oxford, and the protest was immediately over.
ruled, the evidence being insufficient to maintain it.
Appended is a full return of the day's proceedings :
Tai SCURRY HANDICAP of 10 soya each, h ft, for all
ages. About three furlongs.
Mr. Mackensie's Lily (late Land's End', by Caperlyaway—
Elfrida, 2 yrs, est Mb
Lord Bateman's Queen of Trumps, aged, Sst 12Ih
(Grimshaw) 2
Mr. Wood's Paulus. 3 yrs, Tat Sib (Goodwin)
The following also ran :—Bandmaster, Brown Tommy, Verity,
BlLs,and Skylight:

Betting 7to 4 apt Queen of Trumps, 6to 1 aget Bliss,
7 to 1 each apt Brown Tommy, Lily, and Skylight, and
100 to 7 apt Bandmaster. Some little delay occurred at
the post owing to the restiveness of Queen of Trumps ; but
when the flag fell she took a slight lead of Lily and Brown
Tommy. The latter, however, soon rave way, Pauline and
Bliss going on in clan attendance on the leadinf pair. At
the distance Lily took up the running, and won in a canter
by three lengths, a similar distance separating second and
third, while Lily was fourth, a head only in rear of Pau-
line. Skylight was fifth, and Brown Tommy last Verity
whipped round when the flag fell, and wee left at the post.
Tlll4 WELTER COP, value 100 soya., by subscription, a
handicap, 15 son it
. each, 10 ft, 5 only • declared ; win-
ners extra ; gentlemen riders ; professionals lilt extra.
One mile. (16 subs.)
Lord Westmorland's Master Willie, by Tournament—
Gertrude, 3 yrs, Eat 6lb (Mr. W. Bevil!) 1
Marquis of Hastings' Redcap,B yrs, lost 10Ib(Mr.Bdwards) 2
Colonel Knox's Black Prince, 4 yes, 10.0 121 b Inc Mb ex)
(Kr. Wilkinson) 3
Betting : 11 to 8 on Muter Willie, 1111f1 2 to 1 agst
Redcap. Black Prince made play, Redcap and the
favourite lying side by side for a quarter of a mile, when
Master Willie drew up to Black Prince, who, however,
maintained the lead into the straight. The favourite then
took up the running, and won in a canter by two lengths,
Black Prince being a bad third.
THE COUNTY HANDICAP of 10 son. each, 2 ft, with 100
added ; winners extra. One mile. (39 subs.)
Marquis of Hastings' King's cross, by at. Albans—Eleanor,
Buller, 1
dr374s4egngN 000 j 101 b)
7at fib (Mandan) 2
Mr. Crawturd's f by King Tom—Mayonalae, 4 yrs, bet 10lb
(Jeffery) 3
The following also ran:--Bkirmish, Vixen, Master Willie,
and Moonbeam.

Betting : 2 to 1 agst Goojerat, 100 to 30 apt the Mayo-
naiime filly, 5 to 1 agst Skirmish, 6 to 1 apt Master Willie,
and 7to 1 apt King's Cross. Vixen, with King's Cross
in claw attendance, got off in front, maintaining the lead
to the half-mile post, where she dropped away, Goojent
joining King's Cross, and the layer taking up the running
next the mils as they came into the straight. At the dis-
tance King's Cross headed the favourite, and won by •
neck, the Mayonaiae filly being half • length from the se-
cond. Skirmish was fourth, Vixen fifth,MasterWillie sixth,
and Moonbeam last. Mordan objected to the winner for
" boring" him on the rails, but the stewards overruled the
objection and confirmed the judge's decision.
THR WARWICK CUP, value 200 sous, by subscription of
10 son each, with 75 added, for 3-yr-olds and upwards ;
penalties and allowances. Two miles and a half. (20
subs.)
Mr. Proctor's Goodwood, by Rataplan—Amanda. 3 yrs,
7st 9lb Inc Mb ems)
Lord Bateman's Moulsey, 6 pa, Ost Illb One. 10Ib extra)
(Orimaltaw;
Marquis of Hastings' Miss Havelock, 4 yrs, flat Mb ',Cannon) 11
Gement also ten.
_ . _

Betting: 2 to 1 on Goners, 100 to JO agst Monkey, and
6to 1 apt Goodwood. To force the pace for the favourite,
Miss Havelock made play, and soon held a lead of at
least • dozen lengths of Goodwood and Comers, Moulsey
lying off till approaching the stand, where Goners drw
away from Goodwood, and waited on Miss Havelock until
entering', the Lammas lands, when she closed with her,
but gave way as they ascended the hill; Moulsey, almost
pulling °Hinshaw out of the saddle, still bringing up the
rear. No variation occurred until reaching the three.
quarters of • mile post, where Miss Havelock dropped
away to the rear, leaving Gement with the lead, followed by
Goodwood and Moulsey, the pair gradually closing with the
favourite as they approached the turn into the straight,
on quitting which :doubt, was beaten. The race was now
a match between Comers and Goodwood, the favourite
lying next the rails. Within the distance Butler on Good-
wood challenged resolutely, and Goners being beaten
oppoeits the stand, the eon of Rataplan and Amanda won
very cleverly by half • length. Moulsey cantered in many
lengths in rear, and Miss Havelock walked back to the
saddling enclosure. On returning to weigh in, Goners was
objected to for not carrying 51ba extra for winning the
Stewards' Cup at Brecon last year, and the stewards find-
ing that she was penalised, at once disqualified her, Moul-
sey being placed second and Miss Havelock third.
Tits Mamataa' PLATE, • handicap of 50 sows., for all
ages ; winners extra. Three-quarters of • mile.
Mr. Heathcote's Diamond, by Knight of Demme or De-
fiance —Opaque, 3 yrs, Get lb 'Haller) I
Lord Westmorland's Gipsy Queen, 3 yrs, fat nib (Kenyon
Lord Vlrian's Tumbler, 3 yes, 7sl sib (Cannon{{{. a
Betting : Even on Diamond, 7 to 4 apt Tumbler, and 5
to 1 apt Gipsy Queen, who made play till within the dis-
tance, when the favourite took up the running, and won in
a canter by two lengths. Tumbler was • bad third.
THE NURSERY HANDICAP of 5 710,11. each, with 80
added ; for 2-yr-olds; winners extra. Three-quarters of a
mile. (42 subs.)
Lord Vlrlan's Redivints, by Newmlniter—Lady Langton,
364 sib
llartmli of Hastings' The Earl, Sit 91b (inc. Mb ex.!
(Fordham)
Lord Westmorland's Herennlanne, fist nb KenYorl 3
The following also ran:—Blander, Liquidator, Llcymnia, Man-
ton, and Diadem.

Betting : sto 2.apt The Earl, 3to 1 apt Liquidator, 4
to 1 apt Herenmanus, sto 1 each eget Redivivus and
Licymnia, and Bto 1 apt Blanton. Herennianus jumped
off with the lead, followed by Manton, Redivivus, and
The Earl, the three last being Slander, Licymnia, and
Liquidator, who got badly off. Rounding the turn both
Herennianus and Manton were beaten, and the issue was
left to Redivivus and The Earl, who finished an exciting
race home, but Lord Vivian's colt getting the beet of the
struggle in the last dozen strides, won cleverly by • head.
Herennianue was a bad third, Liquidator fourth, Licymnia
fifth, and Manton sixth. Slander and Diadem were
beaten off.

Tur GRAM) STMID Pura (a Handicap) of 100 soya. ; for
all ages ; winners exam. Three-guarters of • mile.
Mr. 0. Angelre Python, by Young Melbourne—Weida.
3 yrs, eat 211, (Batter) 1
Mr. limplin'a Veda, 2 yrs, OM 122 b (Jeffery) 2
Mr. &adman's Knight of Bt. Michael, 4 yrs, 7.4 (Peppier) 3
Buckfoot and lady Lambkin also ram
Betting: 66 to 40 at Python, ma 6 to 1 'soh opt