The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-20 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 20, 1853.

THE STRIKE MOVEMENT.

and the new hand, who, having a wife to maintain,
would gladly have gone on at existing rates, was
obliged to go out with the rest. By and by
they came to terms with the authorities of Bank-
side ; but so far from insisting on the em-
ployment of the whole of those who had
gone out with them, they sacrificed all the
new hands, being themselves glad enough to
diminish the competition. This, we repeat, is
by no means a singular case ; on the contrary, we
have frequently met with men who complained
bitterly that, after being compelled to strike against
their will, they subsequently found that the origi-
natorsAi and leaders of he strike privately arranged
with the masters fo ' ir-own retutit, and left the
others in the lurch. thiroofibbliola of a strike
it generally happe . at.a• good ': aiber of the
working men must he thrown ov, • eard, simply
because their places have beommeantime supplied ;
and the, olish ones who go in the crowd, merely
following the lead, are generally selected for the
victims. Being the quietest, they suffer with the
least noise. Some of our great strikes would form
very interesting stories, but by no means creditable
to the principle agents. We just throw this out as
a proper caution to men embarked or embarking
in these perilous adventures. They don't trust
their employers—let them see that their fellow-
workmen are worthy of confidence, and whether
they escape bad management, bad feeling, and bad
principle by going lower in the scale for their
leaders and advisers.

(From, the Times.)
The number and variety of the " strikes" now in

progress justify the character which has been as-
cribed to them, as an industrial revolution. There
is hardly a class or employment which has not

" struck, and which has not more or less obtained
its d emauds. Colliers, miners, smelters, shipwrights,
carpenters, masons, bricklayers, painters, down at
last to slopmakers and seamstresses, have caught

the soft infection and struck for an advance of
wages. The builders complain that the demands
already conceded have increased the expense of
house-building 11 per cent., and say that if the
further demands now made are granted it will raise
the cost so much more. We are paying nearly half
as much again for our seaborne coal as we were in
the summer, and the railways will not be far be-
hind ;- nay, they have very little choice, for all the
railway labourers are striking. A strike, too, is
only a sign of a good deal which is passing unob-
served, for it is a matter of prudence to anti-
cipate a strike if possible, and so dispense with
its delays and other disagreeables. Even police-
men talk of striking ; and, as we had lately
four days without cabs, we are threatened
with three days without protection, and three days
without letters. We presume we shall then be a
week without bakers' bread, another without milk,

another with fresh meat. Some are too powerful
to find a strike necessary, and others are already
too much on the free trade system. There will
aot, therefore, be a strike of the omnibuses, the
31ergy, the costermongers, or any other ordinary
trades. Our roads may not be watered, or our
!amps lighted, through the sudden recusancy of
the Aquarius who sprinkles our pavement, or the
Vesperus who lights up our evening star ; but our
miserably ill-paid pastors evidently recoil from the
,wful experiment of closing our churches for a
Sunday. The omnibuses and the river steamers
raise or lower their fares at discretion, and want no
strike. They get what they want without it.
there are classes, too, that, in the nature of things,
cannot strike. Agricultural labourers have great
tifficulty in striking, and in most parishes, parti-
tmlarly in the south of England, there are certain
unpleasant recollections of the agrarian emeutes
twenty years since. In such cases wages will find
their level ultimately without strikes, and much
better it is that they should, though it is not at all
our place to dictate to any body of men come to
years of discretion, and possessed of strength
tnd skill, whether they shall strike or not, or in
,vhat manner they shall then prosecute their just
lemands, so long as they confine themselves to
fair, honest, open, and peaceful methods. A man
itas just as much right to ask ss. 6d. a day for his
tabour, or, what comes to the same thing, to ask
is. for a shorter day's labour than before, as an

other man has to as to-day 2s. 6d. fora bushel of

tpples, which yesterday could be got for 25., or to ask
2s. for a bushel of inferior quality. Again, as it is
obvious that no one can get what he thinks justice if
he is not properly backed up by the others in the
same case, so no just and reasonable person can
leny the right of a whole trade, or a whole class,
,:ombining quietly to present their demand or their
bill of grievances, and to stand by it.
We have been invited, not to say besought, to
nterfere on both sides, or rather on all sides ; but
t evidently is no place of ours to fix the price of
my article, or the particular manner of obtaining it.
From the time that we read of labourers standing
idle in the market-place, and very much earlier,
labour of all kinds has been a marketable commo-

lity. Viionmasters or millowners can dine toge-
ther, and settle over their wine the price of " pigs"
'll- the wages of a cotton spinner for the next month,
xby may not operatives of all classes do the same ?
this, however, seems to be admitted. We have,
then, only to offer some words of caution, and
they are most wanted just now, as it seems to us,
on the side of the aggressive and triumphant party
—the working class. In the first place, let them
beware how they go too far, by asking too much.
No trade can go on long which is not profitable,
aid, if it is not, the longer it goes on, the worse for
All classes concerned in it. Employers, as it is, are
tlways too much disposed to go on rivalry, regard
to appearances, the necessity of keeping up credit,
tnd all the instincts of trade are in favour of going

, But when all the employers in a, trade have
,one on much too long, there must ensue stagnation
Lnd bankruptcy, throwing many thousands of the
employed out of work for nobody can say how long.
Wages are a most important element in all trades
—more important, perhaps, than the working-man
is apt to imagine, as he seldom takes the trouble to
ium up all the wages paid by an employer—say
weekly, at a mill, or in the building of a ship or a
house. It should be considered, too, that often
the first to offer better wages are those who are the
least capable of paying them long, and who will
be the first to give in at a general stagnation ;
that new employers who lead the way in a
rise of wages, and give the signal for a strike, may
possibly take the lead at a reduction, not to say
An entire cessation of employment. But there
are more important cautions to be offered. We
wish we could believe working people were always
fair to their employers, and, what is quite as im-
portant, always fair to one another. Intimida-
tion, in any form whatever, is not fair, and so
long as a working man can say that he would go
on working at the present rates if he dared to do
so, but dares not, there is intimidation. In the
present state of the labour market, with so many
opportunities offering themselves on all sides, far
and near, there can be'no reason why one man, or
why 20 men, should not quietly withdraw, or stand
out for better wages, without the least attempt to
interfere with others content to go on at the old
rates. Combination of a coercive kind cannot be
necessary when the market is so much one way.
When a strike lasts long, it may be little more than
a holiday for those who start with money in their
pockets, or who have light families ; but it is cruel
work for men with heavy families and light purses.
Wives and children are half-starved, school is given
up, domestic comfort disappears, and, perhaps, the
happiness of a young family is blighted for ever by
the horrors of a long strike with inadequate provision
for it. But the effect of intimidation isnot confined to
the weaker class of the employed. It reaches all the
rest. Capital is the most sensitive of all things, and
skrinks from intimidation as from a plague. Who
will sink his 20,000/.2—who will lend his money to
another man doing so,—who will plant his inflam-
mable buildings, his delicate machinery, which
spoils even with idleness,—who will fix his fortunes,
and strike downward the great tap root of his
family, in a place where men are plotting, threat-
ening, scowling, and using words and signs of un-
intelligible, yet fearful import ? There are chemi-
cal experiments of such a surpassingly delicate
nature that they are arrested and spoilt if the door
does but open, if the sun does but cast a single
beam on the vase. Not less delicate are the great
experiments of industry, and new investmdnts of
capital, and credit. The poet's figure of the hind,
that starts at the rustling of a lizard in the bush,
expresses but feebly the slightness of the incident
that may shake the confidence of a large employer,
or destroy his credit. Therefore capitalists and
manufacturers shun places given to strikes.
Hence the comparative desertion of many places
that once promised to be great and wealthy. Peo-
ple ask why they don't increase, and why the
population are poor. The answer is, their frequent
strikes.
What we have said is on the general impolicy
of strikes when their object can be obtained by
a good understanding with employers. But,
supposing that men will strike, seeing no other
way to procure proper attention to their claims,
then we beg to suggest a few considerations, of
which they ought, and eventuallym will,
ho feestrike
l the
importance. We prume that en w
en masse, and affect a high tone with their
employers, will find it a great degradation to come
on the parish at any future period of their lives,
and will strain their utmost not to do so. We
presume that, should they be getting wages to their
mind, they will secure their wives and children
from ever coming to the parish. Nothing can
be more ridiculous than a battle of wages
with parochial relief in reserve. We presume,
too,
t those
at
they thatwho
willtheres trinka will
eds
e be
especially
desert
so
ltlhy e mu
mu ccoh
comrades,
g ra thede honours, a mo
foremost,
particu-
larly those they have misled We happen to
know a case, which we believe to be by no
means singular, strongly illustrating the notions
of honour apt to prevail in these quarters. A
young, but very clever and accomplished carver in
wood, by the recommedation of a friend, procured
employment at the works for the new Houses of
Parliament. As soon as he got to the work he
found that, by a rule of the men themselves, he
could not be put to the higher branches till after a
certain period, and accordingly could only be
allowed plain work, far below his powers, and only
This
fboftehiwge
wages,namse r
sea
a certain quantity of that every day.
a time when the public was crying out loudly
against
ptdoi
Dies leaedyt
these
eaiesdtar
struck
largearbitrary
rfaor
for an
arules
n proportionadvaenradvance
Aftwh9erima

tion was lost, and our Government, now trembling years for a rent equal to 5 per cent. at first, and gradu-
at the magnitude of the danger which it hoped to ally rising to 6 per cent. per annum.
escape by concession, is solely intent on tutoring Resolutions were passed, adopting the report, elect-
Turkey into an attitude ing the directors, and returning thanks to Mr. Parsons,
Eagle of the North is preparing to pounce of submission while the
upon his the secretary, for his gratuitous services.
i
prey. The meeting then separated.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

SEVERN VALLEY.

The first general meeting of this company was held
yesterday at the offices, Parliament-street—Mr. Thorp
in the chair.

The CHAIRMAN stated that the directors had convened
the first meeting of the company at the earliest period
they could, in order to give the shareholders the oppor-
tunity of electing the directors, named in the act, or of
appointing others in their place. The act incorporating
the company had received the Royal assent on the 20th
of August. He believed it was the first bill in the late
session that was read the second time, and it was nearly
the last bill that had received the Royal assent. It had
met with considerable opposition its progress through
Parliament from the Shrewsbury companies, which
caused considerable delay and expense. The railway
was proposed to commence by a junction with the Ox-
ford, Worcester, and Wolverhampton Railway, near
Hartlebury, passing along the valley of the Severn to
Stourport, Bewdley, Bridgnorth, Coalport, Broseley,
and Coalbrookdale to Shrewsbury. To give them some
notion of the value of the traffic in the district
through which the line was intended to pass, he
might mention that at Stourport there were 1,000
persons employed in ironworks and in the manufac-
ture of worsted and carpets. Stourport had risen very
rapidly within 'the UFA 50 years, and had only been
stopped by the want of railway communication with
other districts. It was stated in evidence before Par-
liament that by means of railway communication the
trade of the town would be increased five-fold. There
were 4,000 inhabitants in Bewdley, which was not a
manufacturing place, but several gentlemen resided
there, and it would yield a large passenger traffic. Pas-
sing to the next place on the line, there was a large
manufactory which paid 2,000/. a-year for the convey-
ance of goods and materials, the whole of which would
come over their line. 'Bridgnorth was a large town,
and had considerable carpet manufactories. It was
greatly in want of railway accommodation, and it was
stated by witnesses before the committee that the busi-
ness would be increased five times its present amount
when the railway pissed near the town. Coalbrook-
dale was the chief place on their line for traffic, which
would be greatly increased by the railway. Coalport
was the next place, at which there was the largest
china manufactory in England. It was second only
to the one at Paris. There were 700 persons em-
ployed in it, and they imported all their materials
with the exception of coal, and those materials
would pass
over the Severn Valley Railway. Passing
up the Severn, they came to Broseley, where there
were the most extensive concerns for the manufacture of
fire-bricks and tiles, and the traffic to and from these
plaCes was immense. They also carried on a large trade
with the West of England. Besides this, limestone was
found in immense quantities, and the article was in great
demand in South Staffordshire, and could be had by
means of their railway at a much cheaper rate than from
North Wales. They expected a large traffic in limestone
and other minerals. The ironworks of the Coalbrook-
dale Company employed 4,000 persons, and a large
quantity of materials were continually conveyed to and
from the works. At Madeley there were very important
works. In the intervals between the towns were rich
agricultural districts, dotted with country seats up to
Shrewsbury, where the line would join the Shrewsbury
and Birmingham Railway. The length of the line was 41
miles, and comparing the district through which it passed
with others like it, hut having railway communication,
he found that it resembled more the districts through
which the Shrewsbury and Chesterand the Midlands Rail-
ways passed than any other. The line was estimated
to cost 600,0001. A net revenue of 30,0001. per an-
num would give them a dividend at the rate of 5 per
cent., and by estimating the gross receipts at 40/. per
mile per week, on 41 miles, they would have 85,2801. to
meet that and the working expenses. He estimated that
the traffic would pay 74 per cent. on the outlay.
Mr. PARSON suggested the propriety of the directors
not proceeding immediately to make calls in the present
state of the money-market, but to wait until money
could be obtained more easily.
The CHAIRMAN said, it would be very indiscreet to
press their friends for money, although they were anxious
that no time should be lost in carrying on the works at
the proper season.

Mr. W. REED, a director, explained that they would I
not call for money at present, and that anything like a
serious amount would not be required until the spring.
It was probable that Mr. Nicholson would carefully re-
survey the line and ascertain where savings in construc-
tion and earthworks might be effected before preparing
the contracts for the works.

After some further observations, resolutions were
passed, electing Mr. Thorp, Colonel Forester, 1b1.P.,
Mr. W. Reed, Major Tyndale, Mr. Parker, and Mr.
Till directors of the company ; fixing the salary of the
secretary at 5001. per annum ; appointing Mr. Richard-
son and Mr. Phillips auditors, and allowing each of
them 251. per annum ; and allowing 5001. for the past
services of the directors.

A vote of thanks was given to Mr. Grazebrook, who
retired from the direction on account of the state of his
health, for his valuable services to the company ; and
also to the chairman and directors, after which the
meeting separated.

COLEFORD, MONMOUTH, USK, AND PON-

T VPOOt.

The first general meeting of this company was held
on Wednesday at Usk, Mr. C. Bailey, M.P., in the

The report stated that, after a lengthened struggle in
both Houses of Parliament, they succeeded in obtaining
an act for the above railway, which received the Royal
assent on the 20th of August last. The original design
was to carry the railway through the Forest of Dean to
Awre, there to form a junction with the South Wales
Railway, and by that means to effect a direct commu-
nication with Gloucester and London ; but the com-
mittee of the House of Commons, not being satisfied
that the mode by which the proposed line was intended
to be carried through the Forest of Dean was the best
adapted to meet the wants of the district, declined
granting any powers beyond Coleford, which has thus
for a time become the eastern terminus of the line. The
company have thus gained undisputed possession of
powers to make a central line through Monmouthshire,
and thence to Coleford, where it reaches the iron ore,
coal, and limestone, and from which place the directors
have no doubt of being able to extend the line through
the heart of the Forest to some point on the South
Wales Railway, so as to secure a through communica-
tion to Gloucester and the metropolis.
The CHAIRMAN, in moving the adoption of the report,
said, he had no doubt the shareholders would come for-
ward and render the directors their most strenuous co-
operation in carrying out the undertaking. It was cal-
culated that 160,8001. would enable them to complete
the railway. The ore which would be conveyed along
the line would produce 50,0001. per annum ; the pas-
senger traffic and the carriage of limestone and other
materials would produce a very good dividend. The
length of the line would be 23 miles, and every acre of
land' through which it passed would be enhanced in
value. The line would run through 160,000 acres of
land, and, at 2s. 6d. per acre, would yield a revenue of
30,0001. per annum.
Mr. T. BROWN seconded the motion.
Resolutions were passed adopting the report, electing
the directors, and appointing the secretary and auditors.
It was stated that Mr. C. Bailey, Mr. T. Brown, Mr.
T. Powell, Mr. G. Cove, and other shareholders, had
doubled their original subscriptions to the railway ; after
which many new parties came forward to take shares in
the undertaking.
The proceedings concluded with a vote of thanks and
a dinner to the chairman.