The Express.
London, England, 1859-08-19 00:00:00

(From the Building Netts cd this day.)

We are informed that dazing the week some of the smeller
firms which closed ou the 6th of Amon have reopened
their eatablishwenta, and that many man have retuned to
their employment without being said to give their meat
to any document whatever. A number of mem, chiefly, we
believe, from the country, are now at work at the establish-
m. :at of Messrs. Trollops; and we have heard that
on Wednesday a builder in Euston-road uncon-
ditionally acceded to the nine hours movement.
Out of the 20,000 men who were deprived of week,
either by the strike or lock-out, upwards of 400 have resumed
their ordinary occupations, and that, too, without being sub-
jected to giving their went to the "declaration." From
the meetings of the masters the representatives of the prees
are (we think most unwisely) excluded, to that we cannot
give sepoeta of what takes place at them ; but we
have been informed that some of the mutes, in-
cluding the heed of a vary extensive establish-
ment, strongly advocate the withdrawal of the "document."
Should that withdrawal take pl ice, it is generally believed
that the present lamentable and dieastrous dispute between
masters and men in the budding trade would be speedily ended,
Amongst other mishaps we may state that in consequence
of the strike and lock-out, the main drainage works of the
metropolis are comparatively at a standstill. In the con-
struction of the northern high-level sewer, only 300 navvies
are at present at work, and no bricklayers, so that the pro-
greme of the work may be said to be stopped.
We were informed last (Thursday) evening that during
the day eleven men who had come up from the country to
work for Messrs. Trollops were, under the influence of the
cosforaws, Wooed to leave their work.

TO TEI EDITOR 01 THY l'CraLsil.
81R,—As my name las been so prominently re.
fared to to the oomstualoodoso you have Inontod frost the

United Trades Conference, regarding trade societies, snd also
in Mr. Wales's letter in reply, you will probably do me the
favour of allowing me to trespass upon your valuable apace
to state that I have carefully examined the rule', books, and
minutes of the managing committee of the Metropolitan
Society of Operative Bricklayers, and alto the rules and
by. laved the various lodges. Varnish is, I am of opinion,
that there is no foundation for the charges of interfering with
the mode of dole( work (handling the trowel, bricks, &c.),
made against the society by the master budder..
The role of secrapy applies only to the admiasion and ex-
clusion of members la those societies sad lodges when the
ballot is not tired. la the Carpenters' and Joiners &del,
and the lodges when they ballet for members, there is ao
rule about keeping their proceedings secret.

With refer nos to the resolution spinet overtime, it
appears the committee had nothing to do with it, except In
obtaining a delay, so that every man is the motility might
give his opinion ; this was done by a voting paper, and the
new rule waa carried by a majority of 1,13511 to 279. A re-
spectful intimation to that effect was dimmest round to every
mower builder.

" Working overtime," It is stated, is usually calmed by •
man's idling away (in drinking or; otherwise) one or two
days In the week, and then being allowed by the masters to
make It up by working over the regular hours, in which car
the public is frequently the 'offerer by extra charge. There Is
no restriction regarding overtime in oases of emergency,
provided the master pays the man et the came extra rata •s
he has always dons, and se he always charges the employer.
I beg to add that the minutes show that the strike regula-
tions have • tendency to discourage star, and that the
assuaging committee has breathe mesas et settling, and even
preventing, many disputes between the sr and their muter.
The minutest alas attest many acts of benevolence and wow
Mere. The managing committee is in fact a " Council of
Conciliation" bricklayers elected by the various ledges
of the craft to consider and arbitrate upon the disputes of
their fellow-workmen, and they are consulted by non-society
se well se society men.
The principle upon which it is founded is worthy of bolts-
' don in many other trades, and it might be made • moot