The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-11-12 00:00:00

COMBINATIONS -IN- SCOTLAND.

The class in society that arc most profiting by the break-
ing up of the combinations, and are most deserving of it,
we allude to the ill-paid labourers, are coming on surpris-
ingly well at Calder coal-works. Many of them are al-
ready as proficient as the regular bred colliers. The aver-
age wages run from 4s. ed. to Ss. 9d. a day. There are
no idle days with them, nothing but industry and peaceful
conduct reigns throughout the entire village of Faskine,
and the moral character and hablitiof the new workmen
form an agreeable contrast to thestate of the late popula-
tion. The pits filled by the new colliers are putting oat
only a few carts a-day less than the old colliers, and the
total amount of out-put is considerably greater, The
guard at the coalworks is still continued, and has been wry
useful in preventing any harm beteg dorm to the Flews
or the new hands. But indeed the new workmen are we-
! mated with the most commendable courage, and with up-
lifted picks, declare that they are ready to defend them-
selves against any attempt at molestation: Meanwhile the
education of the children is not neglected. There is a
free school-house allowed to a teacher in the village, who
'inactively instructing the rising generation.
We are happy to state that the proprietors of coal works
in Renfrewahire are discomfitt,ln grand style the colliers'
confederation. Mr. Houstotiis I Works are fast filling with
new men, and from the quality of the coal, most of them
will become expert colliers within a month. They are to
be allowed at the rate of three shillings per day wages.
They are to work from eight to ten hours, according to the
work done, and which is to be judged of by the Oversmen.
Each man is to be furnished with what tools may be con-
sidered necessary for carrying on the work ; which tools
are to be sharped and upheld by Mr. Houstoun' and to be
delivered back upon the men leaving his employment—
they paying for what may be deficient. The men are only
agreed from day to (lay, and may have the work, or be
dismissed at a day's notice.
Some of the besotted leaders of the weavers' combina-
tion are making every possible exertion to prolong its ex-
istence. It is some time since it was abandoned in the
country. districts. During last week two delegates visited
the principal towns in the west country, for the purpose
of getting them reeorganised. A certain Scottish proverb
says, "It's no for needling the gird whistles," and it must
undoubtedly have struck the weavers in the west that their
visiters had some passional interest,to serve, some hoped
sharing largely in the pennies, or they would uot beat such
pains to keep up a combination, which experience has
proved to be at once subversive of personal liberty, and
highly injurious to the Sleet interests of the trade. This
plan is now quite stale, and can nu longer answer the pur-
pose. Eight months ago, when the unseemly fabric of
the association was tottering, it was cemmon for a couple of
delegates to visit different places, and assure the weavers
that the great body were adhering firmly to the roles, and
by persevering a little longer they would be certain of a
complete triumph. Ily this and other expedients the de-
lusion was prolonged, and, unfortunately for themselves,
they persevered till they drove a port hin of the work cut
of the country, and had brought thenwe.ves to the verge
of ruin. After such calainitona remits, it is not to be sep-
posed that much attention would be paid to the delusive
statements of these interested mom Some extensive
manufacturing houses have establiibed branches of their
business in different country towns, where they can git
their work finished without either themselves or th,ir
weavers being subjected to the surveillance of the leaders of
the combination.—Glasgow Chronicle.

On Tuesday a preliminary met' ing, as it is called, trig.
held at Birmingham, of frionds to the Abolition ot.
Slavery. The object was to consider the hest means
promoting the abolition of the Slave Trade, and " to
hear the statements of Mr. Cropper, of Liverpool, 01i
this subject, and on the advantages of free over slaw_
labour, a question," says the Bi nningla rn
"to which that gentleman has paid particular arcu-
don, and has discussed iu several able pamphlets:
Mr. Cropper addressed the meeting at considerable leng,b,
in explanation of his views of the sidject, and, after I.
passing of sundry resolutions, it was agreed to call a
general meeting to consider of a petition, founded upon
them, to he presented to Parliament. 'so day was speci-
fied for calling this snee:ing, nod we trkli it was abandenob
altogether. Any practical gio.! Volt can be secured. I‘l
be more likely to be acconiplislicA by th.o authority of tt,""
verain(ot, and local co-opt ration, than by public mtr!:::.••,
where misguided zeal may tit)in air: