The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-08-15 00:00:00

MEETING OF SILK MANUFACTURERS AND
?HEIR JOURNEYMEN.

At a Meeting held a shot' those ago by the Journeymen Wesven
of Spitaltields, for the purpose of considering what steps ought to
be taken to avert the distressing consequences that were likely to
result to them from the loai!equacy of the wages they were receiv-
ing, it was determined to call a Meeting of element, Ist order to
come to some amicable arrangement upon the subject. They ac-
c•rslingly advertised that such a Meeting would he held at the
London Tavern. on Monday, the 14th inst.
In pursuance of this advertisement, about heir a dozen gentle-
men attended at the London Tavern yeetenlay„ when, atter waiting
a considerable time, and the company not increasing. Mr. lieu
was called to the Cheir. That gentleman spoke in terms of com-
mendation of the cot did of the journeymen. and considered they
hail a just claim upon tile serious attention and consideration of the
master manufacturers. He condetimed the system of reducing
wages below a fair remunerating price, which for the last few years
hat been most impoliticly and unjustly pursued when trade became
bad. This nractice had been adopted by masters in consequence of
the doctrine laid down by the late Mr. Ricardo, that whatever was
saved in the redue ion of wages was so much added to capital.
This, boa ever, ha I been found to be a most fatal error. and was
now pretty well felt to be so throughout the country. The comm.
(plaice of such a system was, that in proportion to the reduction of
the price of labour below what a man could comfortably live upon
and support his family by, the parochial anicesinente were in.
creased ; and thus the money that ought to he paid for wages, wee
diverted into aeother channel, and disbursed in pom'a rates. By
compelling the labourer to have recourse to the overseers to eke out
his miserable existence, his spirit of independence became extinct,
and he was no longer an useful member of society. Much rather
would he, as a masted, employ twenty men at full price, than have
the labour or furty at halt price, and so drive them to the pariah for
the remainder. The latter course made the men discontented with
Government, and urged them to the annuli:mite' of acts of open
violence hash wpon peetions and propeety. The object of the pre-
sent Meeting was to adopt souse plan to enable them to tie • fair
and regular price fur labour. Ile had just received a letter from
the Committee of Journeymen who had been appointed to meet the
31totters, saying that they were in the adjoining mom, and awaited
the pleasure of the Meeting. In consequence, however, of the few
persons present, lie thought it would be better to adjourn, and en-
deavour to procure a fuller attendance of the Masters on a future
day. Had the Meeting beets more numerously attended, he should
have submitted Name Ilesolution■ for their consideration, to the
effect that it was their opinion that wages ought meer to be reduced
below a fair and jest remuneration of the labourer. which weuld
enable hint to live by hie own exertions, without asking the aid of
charity, parochial or otherwise; that the request of the journeymen
weavers to have a regular price fixed was founded in Justice, and
ought to be complied with : and that a Committee should be formed
to procure the united approbation and concurrence of the masters to
such an arrangement.
A fr ewe t.e.MAN thought it would injure the cause if they went
into any Resolutions at so thin a Meeting, and approved of an ad.
joitrnment.
The other gentlemen present acquiesced in the propriety of call-
ing a fuller Meeting, and an adjournment accordingly took place.
The Committee of Journeymen were then sent for, and Mr
!fat a infotined them that, in consequence of the thin sittentlance
of the Masters, it had been determined to poopotc coming to any
Resolutions until a future •leeting had been called.
The Committee expreseed their surprise and regret that so few
Masters were in attendance; but they fully agreed in the propriety
of another .deeding being called betige soy Resolutions were passed
upon the subject.

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