The Sun.
London, England, 1852-01-12 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE MEN.

At nine o'clock on Saturday night a large meeting of
the engineers and machinists took place at the Phoenix
Tavern, Ratcliffe, for the purpose of learning the move-'
meats of the trade during the day. The large room wit's.
densely crowded.
Mr. G. EGLIN was called to the chair. He said that
they were called together not so much to consider what
steps they should adopt, as to receive information con-
cerning their position. They were now a set of inde-
pendent men. The gates of labour had been locked
against them—the masters had struck, and now was the
time for them to go to work and do the best they could
to benefit themselves,—(Cheers.)
Mr. ALLAN, the secretary of the society, having been
called upon by the chairman to address the meeting,
stated that he had little to inform them of beyond what
they had already learned. Every mart had got his
wages, and they were now left to exercise their labour
as they deemed most fit. It seemed that it was left to
London and Manchester to contest and settle the great
question between capital and labour.—(Hear.) At Bol-
ton there had been an inclination to meet the fair de-
mands of the men; and at Bristol a large and eminent
firm had made such arrangements as would enable their
hands to resume employment.—(Cheers.) From all he
could hear all the shops had closed. In the course of
the afternoon he learned that Mr. Horn, of Whitechapel,
had desired his men to resume their labours on Monday
morning in accordance with the society's terms, and in
order to be satisfied of the fact he personnally made in-
quiries, and he found it to be a correct statement.—
(Hear.) It was his belief that by Monday or Tuesday
they would find a number of the smaller masters giving
way, and in the event of their not doing so they would
find that the men were prepared to do the work them-
selves, and would compete with them for it.—(Loud
cheers.) They had offered all the terms to the em-
ployers that could be honourably made, and ho believed
the Council of the Amalgamated Society had the con-
fidence of the whole body of men.—(Applause.) They
had endeavoured, in the most fair terms with the em-
ployers, to bring the matter in dispute to an honourable
adjustment; they had made every concession, but all
had been refused.—(Hear, hear.) If any of the
masters thought that when they opened their works on
Monday morning they would find several of them coming
back—(A laugh)—they would be sadly mistaken. It was
thought that the independent man, the man who did not
belong to the society, would be found returning; but
they would learn that ho was a character who had some
regard for his position, and was anxious to secure and
maintain it. They had asked of the masters nothing
unfair; they only wished that when their day's labour was
over, they might be allowed to leave their labour and em-
ploy themselves in the improvement of their minds, and
other matters necessary to promote their comfort and
happiness.—(Cheers.) If that privilege were not allowed
them, the time had arrived for them to do something for
themselves; and recollecting the advice of that lamented
statesman, Sir Robert Peel, to the working classes, that
if they wanted anything to be done they must do it
themselves, he was fully justified in telling the meeting
that if they were desirous of accomplishing their ends,
they were right its taking it into their own hands.—
(Cheers.) He was satisfied that if they had confidence
amongst themselves they must succeed. They had the
sympathy of most classes.
Mr. NEWTON then came forward, and was received will
much applause. He said that he had very few words to
offer, as he left it for the meeting on Monday to develop
their plans. He, however, would observe that their
position bore a wide difference to all previous matters of
the kind.—(Hear.) They were not the parties who had
taken aggressive measures.—(Cheers.) Both for their
sake, his own, and, what was more, the public, he trusted
that they would exhibit every moderation of feeling in
the struggle. They relied upon reason, and he hoped
that if they saw any strange workmen entering the shops
they would abstain from unpleasant remarks. He knew
that the movement would be the cause of many being
thrown gut of work ; but he felt certain that in the end
they would feel greatly the advantages of it.—(Hear.)
They would find that they were dependent upon the
consumer, and that they could do without a third party
between the consumer and producer.—(Cheers.) Any
one of them would know that a situation was scarcely
worth a month's wages, as far as regarded the period he
might be kept in it; indeed ho might say that there was
scarcely a man who would not be prepared to sell his
place for 5/. He felt confident that whatever they might
suffer for the time, if they remained firm in their action,
they would benefit to an extent which would amply re-
ward them for the suffering they had undergone.
If there was a man present who differed with them in
the course they hod pursued, who might charge them
with a want of discretion, and had been induced to throw
himself on the world out of employment, let him have no
hesitation in coming forward and expressing his opinion.
He believed, however, that there could not be found a
man entertaining such an impression. They were de-
sirous of laying their ease fairly before the public, and
to be judged accordingly. If it could be shown that they
were acting in error, they would gladly revoke their de-
cision, and rely upon their own individual resources.—
(Hear, hear.) But they had not done so. They had in-
fringed no law, violated no contract, and therefore they
were justified in what they were doing.—(Cheers.) He
agaia hoped they would not exhibit any display of feel-
ing in the coming struggle, for in the peculiarities of
the law an act of one might be strained into ;the act
of all.—(Applause.) He believed that many of the
employers now thought that they were doing very
wrong in adopting the measures they had against the
workmen—that by imposition and other practices they
had been cheated into joining the combination of masters.
There were many employers who had joined that com-
bination, and had pledged themselves to the resolution
passed by the council, who would now gladly revoke
what they had done, did not their doing so involve a
breach of faith with their other employers.—(Applause.)
The success of their workshops, and the system of self-
employment, would alter materially the relationship be-
tween the employers and the employed; and he did hope
they would be in a position to tender a useful example
to the world.—(Hear, hear.) He had heard that the
boiler makers, like the moulders, who had been turned
from their employment by their masters closing their
yards, had inquired for themselves, and were prepared to
co-operate and make common cause with them in seeing
justice done. Having expressed his desire that the men
would do all they could to alleviate the condition of the
labourers out of employment by the suspension of labour
at the shops by appealing to their friends, and raising
subscriptions in their behalf, he concluded by trusting
that they would continuo firm and united in their efforts,
and he had no doubt of their success.

Other speeches having been made, the mooting broke up.

At Limehouse and other parts of the East-end, the
boiler makers and others assembled to consider the
movement of the masters and the engineers, and it was
resolved to support the latter in the movement.
During
where the men are in the habit of assembling for the
the past week the Phceaix Tavern, Stepney,
transaction of their business, has been continually under
surveillance by the police, two constables being con-
tinually present in the house, as they assert, by direction
from their. superiors. A few nights back they demanded
entrance into a private trade meeting, and a special vote
allowed them admission.
The operatives assembled in great force on Saturday
night, and behaved with perfect propriety and decorum.
On Saturday night the executive council adopted the
following address:—
" IRON THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF THE AMALGAMATED
SOCIETY OF ENGINEERS, &C.
‘, Fellow Membors,-I,A Consequence of the dotormin.

" 3. The conditions of work under which such busi-
ness is carried on shall bo such as are approved of by
the executive of the Amalgamated Society from time to
time, with the view of giving
employment to the greatest
possible number of members of the trade out of employ-
ment for the time being, consistently with the stability
welfare of the
of the business and the
ployed.
" This is such a contest as has never before occurred
between the employers and the employed. The inde-
pendence and welfare of the labourer is threatened. The
right of a working man to dispose of himself is jeopar-
dised,P. %Pr is sought to be established
riabiinagndthien itsc place a
m pioye.
to ..Ounnand the service of his
workpeople night and day
without intermission. Was
ever slavery so bad as this? If a man claims liberty
from his master after ho has done his work, he is stigma-
tised as being dictatorial and mischievous. The old feudal
times have passed away, when the baron had a property
efrhisns atret will,ainer; but their spirit is inherited
by our employers of to-day, and
they seek to own and
dinispthoesepon eso of
frosur
p
and to enslave and degrade
our minds by destroying all our opportunities for mental
improvement.
" There is but one way in Which this can be met—
workmen must work for themselves—the labour of the
country must be done. In every town let an organiza-
tion be commenced at once. Let every man find some
employment. Gather together all the tools you possess.
Instead of paying the funds of the society to men kept
in compulsory idleness, receive your money as the duo
reward of industry. In the manufacturing districts
there is much work to be had, which must be
done. In London, Easton and Amos's men have
already formed their co-operative association, sub-
scribed their own money to the amount of 5/. each, and
appointed their manager. They are also negooiating
for a workshop, and have got work to do. Wherever
you can, do likewise. Interest the public in your be-
half by being moderate and well behaved. Tho man
who assaults another, whatever he may de, or whatever
ho may say, is a traitor to the cause of progress. If
your employers cast you upon the world, make up your
minds to do without them, and with a self-reliance
worthy of Englishmen—with a devotion worthy of the
cause of labour—strive to meet the crisis by earnest of-
forts in behalf of your order.
" Non-society must be protected—be that our duty.
We will appeal to the country in behalf of the labourers
and non-society men. Those who aro first called inde-
pendent workmen, and then sacrificed for their own
protection, must be cared for by their own order. If
400, of our members are thrown out of employment,
the other 8,000 must devote part of their means
to support them till employment is found, If 6,000
are thrown out of employment, the others, if necessary,
must divide their earnings: An endeavour may be
made to punish you for that. The employer will
perhaps say that you aro not at liberty to do what you
like with your money after you have earned it. Let the
world see that you value rational liberty above all
things, and do it more earnestly because you are doing
it for a permanent benefit. You will have the satisfac-
tion of knowing that your subscriptions are not wasted
upon idle men, but are in part bestowed on the esta-
blishment of the means of labour.
" Subscriptions from the public can be obtained in
every district, and our members who remain in employ-
ment will be called upon to support those who are out
with liberal hand. Every district will be dealt with
alike; no advantage will be given to one place over ano-
ther. And labourers and non-society men must sub-
scribe to assist in supporting labourers and non-society
men who are out. To do this systematically, we request
that all monies be sent to our general secretary, made
payable at the Whiteohapel Post-office, and they will
then be apportioned to each district equitably.
(By order of the Executive Council.) _ _

_
.4 Jo.. Musr., President.
~ WM. ALLAN, Secretary.
" London, 25, Little Alie-street, Whitechapel,
Jan. 10, 1852."
The following were agreed upon as the resolutions to
be submitted to the aggregate meeting of the iron
trades, to be held at St. Martin's Hall, Long-acre, this
day:--

1. " Resolved,—That many of the employers of
London and Lancashire having closed their workshops,
this meeting is of opinion that their conduct is unjust
and particularly oppressive to non-members and la-
bourers; and pledges itself to use every exertion in ob-
taining subscriptions on behalf of all who are thrown out
of employment."

2. i.‘ As the best means of removing the evils which
attend the condition of working men, in relation to the
unjust conduct of employers, is self-employment on a
comparative basis, this meeting is of opinion that work-
shops should be immediately commenced by the work-
men themselves, in order that the business of the
country may be proceeded with."
The meeting
one. is expected to prove a most important

Another meeting of the men was held on Saturday
n: hr. at the Phoenix Tavern. About 300 were present,
le meeting
finer and others.
was addressed by Messrs. Newton and

vern, Blackheath-hill,
wick in the chair.g Engineers'
GREENWICH.
A meeting. was Friday evening held at the Sun Ta-
vern, called by the Greenwich Co-
operative Working
Amos, and Mr.Musto one of the workmen
connected with the Mr.
additional Association; Mr. Fysh-
vv. establishment of Messrs. Easton and
principle—one shop Newton, were present. The object
of the meeting was
about a fortnight agog
since been employed, ' in
to consider the propriety of esta-
blishinghworleshops upon the co-operative
been opened by the society
which a number of men her'
This shop, it was stated, owe
in toAthmeadialgte now pending between the mas
Amalgamated Society, the men being ani--
mated by a desire to
guard against the inconveniences
and privations to which
few, but the capita?'b they might otherwise be ex-
posed by the contemplated closing of establishments.
night the shares taken had been
scribed at the conclusion of the
meeting amounted to 3051., divided amongst 110 opera-
tives. The Society has
already received orders to the
amount of about 1601., and have given in tenders for
work to the amountof
affairs should be conducted2,oool. It was agreed that the
five operatives, with by a managing committee of
workships, take orders power to purchase tools, erect
functions. None but 'and perform all other necessary
ciety are admissible members of the Amalgamated So-
With respect to thehareholders.
Easton and Amos, 4 ofworkmen employed by Messrs.
had subscribed 2001. whom it was stated on Friday
said that they were for
croperative purposes, it is
to relieve the funds actuated .'t this proceeding by a de-
sireupon which they would oft the Amalgamated Society,
oh
the continuance of the 3. eririse be dependent during
them last night, they eatn‘reike- At a meeting held by
that effect. They have °btu," Ro
a formal resolution to
em-
ployment from firms and individuals
liberal promises of
'tviduals whose work they
formerly executed while ut the of Messrs.
Easton and Amos. employ
The Society of Moulders, wh
from the Amalgamated Societyo wish to remain aloof
compelled to join them in sem. of Engineers (unless
a circular to their 62 branches, efence), on Friday issued
the number of their members wzith a view to ascertain
employment by the closing of the o will be thrown out of
ments throughout the country, _einerin establish-
in London 187 members out of
418.-übe circular states that
ployed will be thrown out of members now em-
being already idle. It is stated that
in 16 firms, 108
the Moulders' Society more seriouslya the strike will affect
in the metropolitan districts ,1 in Lancashire than
• It numbers now about
5,000 members throughout the u •
fund, however, of not more than nited Kingdom, with a
it amounted to upwards of 20;000[.; but 3,0004 In 1847
to the present it has gradually *; but from that time
diminished, through the
depression of trade, down to its
present
The London and Greenwich branches have decided
amount.
upon meeting weekly to receiee the
contributions of those
in work, for the support of those members likely to be
discharged.
MANcuesTen.—Yesterday morning
(Sunday) a tele-
graphic message was received at the, office of the Execu-
tive Council, stating that the whole
em-
ployed by the undermentioned firmsole of the men
at Manchester
quitted their work on Satt*day l
Whitworth, Feirburn, Marsdsn, thi.lf:llouse, Lewis, Hig-
gins, Jones, Hetherington;
Parr,
9urtis, and Co.;
Sharpe Brothers, Heise, Crichton, Mather, and Wren.
The number of men who are thus
ment in Manchester alone is Get Added to these are
the mon eegaged at Groodfellow's
' a
Patrick Croft Foundry, which wohldt llYde; and at the
make the total of
the Manchester district about 700. The returns from
the other districts had not bees received.
BRISTOL, SUNDRY.—NO cessation
meet. of work has yet
taken place here. A large of the engineers
was held on Saturday evening at meeting
v their club-house, the
Chequers, Old Market-street, andarious communica-
tions from Manchester were received and read, but no
definite resolutions were come to.

---
DOVER, SATURDAY, JAN. 10.--Lord Normanby
arrived here in her Majesty's steam-packet Vivid, at one
o'clock to-day. His Lordship proceeded to Birmingham s
Ship Hotel, and left Dover for London by the two o'elocli
train this afternoon.

PORTSMOUTH, JAN. 10.—The Sprightly steam-vessel
sailed to-day with seamen-gunners for the Hotspur naval
gunnery-ship, at Plymouth; also having supernumera-
ries on board for ships at that port.
The Simoom iron screw (auxiliary, of 350 horse
power) steam troop-ship, 2,000 tons, was taken out of
harbour to-day to try her engines and rate of speed.
She was in charge of Captain Henderson, C. 8., and was
manned:by about seventy seamen and stokers from the
Blenheim, 60, screw guard-ship, at this port. There
were also on board Admiral Prescott, superintendent of
this dock:ard; the Hon. Captain Pelham; Commander
Gardner, of the Blenheim; Commander Van Donop, of
the contract mail-packet service; Mr. Andrew Mannay,
chief engineer at this port, and other officials. The
Simoom had received on board 600 tons of coal and a
large quantity of ballast, but the latter not being fairly
stowed, caused her to be down very much by the
stern. She was taken well out to and through Spit-
head, and thence to the measured mile in Stokes
Bay, where she made six trials. The maximum speed
attained, wind and other conditions favourable, was about
9.50 knots per hour, and the minimum, against wind,
was about 7.50; the mean result of the trials being 8.45
knots per hour—a result quite as favourable-as was an-
ticipated, considering her low steam power and large
tonnage. Her engines worked very welt. A trial was
also made of her readiness in answering her helm, when
it was found that she would turn round in three times
her own length. It was remarked by the pilot who
took her out, that she was one of the easiest vessels he
had ever handled. She had a very steady appearance on
the water, and looked a remarkably fine ship. The
weather was fair, not much wind blowing. She came
into harbour in the afternoon, end in running alongside
the dockyard her yards got entangled in the rigging of a
collier that was unloading. In hastily making a back
turn of the Simoom's screw, to get clear of the collier,
the starting gear of the engines gave way, but this was
not attended by any serious consequences.
The Champion, 14, just paid off, and the Fly;ig Fish,
12, have been taken up in ordinary to-day.
The Southampton, 50, Captain Cory, late flag- ship of
Rear-Admiral Reynolds, C. 8., ex-Commander-in-Chief
in the River Plate, r-rived at St. Helen's last night,
from Devonport, on her way to Chatham to be paid off.
She saluted Admiral Sir Thomas Briggs, G.C.M.G.,
this morning. She brought up 50 seamen from Ply-
mouth to join ships at this port, whom the Echo has
since brought in.
The Britannia, 120, Captain Goldsmith, flag-ship for
the Mediterranean station, received her crew from her
hulk yesterday. She has about 670 entered in all.
The Retribution steam-frigate, Captain Warden,
hauled alongside the Malabar coal hull yesterday, to
complete her stock.
The weather continues very foul.
PLYMOUTH, JAN. 10.—her Majesty's store -ship
Tyne, 4, Master-Commander Peter Wellington, from
Barbadoes for the eastward, was spoken at noon
to-day, two miles south of the Eddystone,
under single-reefed topsails, two top-gallant sails,
standing and flying gib, by Mr. Stibbs' pilot boat
Zedora, No. 3, which vessel, at four o'clock in
the afternoon, when for' miles inside the Eddystone,
saw the Tyne on the starboard tack, rider single-reefed
topsails, no topgallant sails, apparently unable to
weather the Bolt.
The brig Rapid, 8, Commander Blane, having had
repairs made good, was towed to-day by the steam-ves-
sel Confiance out of harbour. She will sail on the first
wind for the East Indies.

The frigate Southampton, 50, Captain Cory, sailed
yesterday at 11 A.M., with supernumerarie for the Bri-
tannia, at Portsmouth, after which she will go to Chat-
ham to be paid off.
The Tweed, 18, Commander Lord F. Russell, was
yesterday towed by the Pike steam•vessel from the Sound
into harbour, and taken to the jetty to be dismantled.
Sho will probably be pa'd off on Friday next, the
16th instant.