The Sun.
London, England, 1854-07-08 00:00:00

.TIIE LATE PRESTON STRIKE.

(Prong the Preston Chronicle of this day.)
THE PROCEEDINGS AGAINST THE DELEGATES POE
CONSPIRACY.— We feel pleasure in stating that the pro-
ceedings taken at the instance of the Masters' Association
against certain delegates, for conspiring to induce opera-
tives to leave work at factories in Preston, and which it
will be remembered was postponed from the last assizes to
those in August, have been abandoned. Whatever differ-
ence of opinion there might be as to the policy or pro.
priety of the prosecutions at the time they were insti-
tuted, there will, we imagine, be a general concurrence in
the wisdom of the course now taken in abandoning legal
proceedings.
On Thursday last, Mr. Cowell and Mr. Baxendale, on
the part of the Weavers' Committee, and Mr. Banks and
Mr. Greenough, from the Spinners' Coinmittee waited
upon Mr. Miller, the chairman of the Masters'
Associa-
tion, to request the withdrawal of the proceedings. They
expressed a desire for a continuance of the kindly feelings
which at present prevailed between the employer and the
employed; to which end the abandonment of the prosecu-
tion would, they considered, greatly tend. Mr. Miller, we
learn, received the proposition favourably, expressed his
own feeling to be with the suggestion, and promised the
earliest consideration by the committee of the association
of the request thus preferred. Yesterday the matter was
brought under the consideration of the committee of em-
ployrs, and it was at once unanimously decided to stay
the prosecution.
The communication of the committee's decision was
made by Mr. Miller to a deputation of the operatives, who'
waited upon him yesterday, and, as may be judged, was
received with the utmost satisfaction, and with expressions
of a desire for uninterrupted kindly feelings for the future.
The strike has left sad legacies behind it, but we would
hope that the experience of so deplorable an event in our
annals will not be without its use. Working men may
learn that combinations are of no permanent advantage to
the interests of labour; employers may better appreciate
the advantage of timely concession; and men on strike
may learn that, however justified they may be in refusing
offered terms, they have neither legally nor morally the
right to interfere with those who may be willing to accept
them. To all we would recommend the extract given
in
another column from the report of Mr. Homer, the factory
inspector of this district. He says, " the danger of the
recurrence of such disturbances is evident ; but the means
of preventing them is no less clear and obvious. * *
These remedies must be, the cultivation of a more kindly,
more trustful, and more friendly intercourse between the
employer and the employed, and a sound education."
We trust the former may speedily be the case ; the aban-
donment of the prosecution is a step to that end. To the
attainment of that object the energies of philanthropists
and statesmen should be unceasingly directed, and not to
be deterred by the crotchets of one sect or the intolerance
of another, but proceed with a comprehensive plan adapted
to the wants and necessities of the kingdom.
In conneccion with the " Wages Movement," we may
mention, as an instance of how much more beneficial the
labour market, unfettered by combination, is to the work-
ing classes than one regulated by unions and committees,
that the weavers of the largest manufacturing concern in
Preston—that of Messrs. Horrockses, Miller, and Co..—
yesterday received an unasked advance of five per cent. on
their wages. What a strike could not accomplish, comes
in the natural course of trade. This simple fact should be
treasured up in the minds of working men, and used when-
ever they are again asked to become participators in a turn-
out.

ROYAL FREE HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

We givepa the
parents
t sof thechild,
evidence adduced
withata p
the
ssta t
ei inquiry
from where our report terminated in our first edition of
yesterday.
Mr. Evans's examination was then continued.—From
the 22d of April to the 6th of May, he was engaged in Sbe
inquiry. On the last-named day begot his information from
the hospital by stratagem. While one of the officials
stepped out he turned over the book. (Laughter.) Subse-
quently he saw Mrs. Richardson, and asked her if she would
like him to take the matter up for her; when she replied
that she would, but that her husband was a poor man, and
could not afford to pay lawyers. Witness told her that she
need not trouble herself about that. She said she was not
satisfied with the operation upon her child, which she had
heard lasted two hours. Witness suggested an inquest, and
told her how to set about it. By witness's direction,
Mrs. Richardson went to Mr. Wakley, the coroner, and in-
formed him that he (witness) was engaged professionally
in the case, and would be much obliged to the coroner to
hold an inquest. Witness received a letter from Mr. Wakley
in which he declined to hold an inquest upon such an in-
sufficient and informal representation ; and added, that if
an inquest were required, the application must be made
by the re
statement
'
in writing. A request was drawn up, and witness pressed
Mrs. Richardson for her signature and that of her hus-
band, informing her that he should not get au inquest
without a mandamus from the Court of Queen's Bench, and
it was then within two days of the close of' term. He bad
received his instructions relative to the mandamus from
Mr. Gay. Mrs. Richardson signed the notice, and her
brother signed the name of her husband, who was absent.
This notice witness took to the coroner's office, and an ap-
pointment was made for a meeting of all the parties con-
cerned at the coroner's office. The result of the interview
was a promise from Mr. Wakley that the inquest should
be held, and that gentleman at the same time gave in-
structions to the beadle to take the necessary steps for the
inquiry. On the day after this (May 12) witness met Mr.
Gay, by appointment, at the Gray's-inn Coffee-house, and
told him what had occurred with Mr. Wakley. Mr. Gay
instructed him to retain counsel, and witness suggested
the name of Mr. Parry. Mr. Gay said he would not have
Mr. Parry, as he had his reasons for wishing for another
gentleman. That gentleman was Mr. Ballantine. Mr.
Gay said he wished to have Mr. Ballantine, as he was an
inveterate enemy of the Wakleys. Mr. Ballantine was re-
tained. On the following day Mr. Steele called upon wit-
ness, and asked him whether his clients would convent to
a private instead of a public inquiry. He said he felt a
great interest in the hospital ; and that, as he presumed
damages were wanted, the arbitrator might award them,
and have power to state whether there had been neglect on
the part of the operators, on proof of which dismissal might
follow. Mr. Gay's instructions were, that this suggestion
should be declined, and that the case should proceed.
During all this time he (witness) was ostensibly acting for
the Richardson% but in reality for Mr. Gay. His client
(Gay) told him that the coroner had appointed Mr. Coul-
son to examine the body of the child, and ho added, " I
hear that his opinion is dead against us, and I am afraid
that you will not be able to make anything of the case, as
it appears the operation did not last so long as we thought.
The real truth is, that it has got wind that you are acting
for me, and it has brought down the indignation of the
whole prof ssion upon me. I wish I was out of it." Mr.
Gay then expressed a wish that witness should endeavour
to induce Hichardson to withdraw. He accordingly repre-
sented to Richardson that he should be unable to make
anything of the case, and Richardson demurred to stopping
the inquiry, on account of the attorney's costs and the ex-
pense he himself had been put to. Witness informed him
that if he would withdraw the other side would be very
happy to pay the costs, and something for himself in the
shape of damages. Witness suggested 201. for damages,
at which Richardson said, " Certainly, certainly," and
expressed himself pleased. Having obtained from Richard-
son an authority in writing to withdraw the inquest,
he went to Mr. Steele's offices in Lincoln's-inn-fields.
Witness then received a cheque on Gosling and Sharp for
1001., payable to John Evans. Mr. Steele said in doing
this he was keeping aloof from his client, and as it was a
very serious thing to make public that a medical man had
paid a sum of money iu such a case, he should rely upon
his (Evans's) honour in keeping it secret, and in fact, if it
afterwards came out, he should expect him to pay
back the 1001. Witness made no reply, but burst
into a fit of laughter when the observation was made.
(Laughter.) Mr. Steele laughed too. Out of this amount
witness gave Richardson 20 sovereigns. Witness proceeded
for along time with his narrative, from which it appeared
that subsequent to what is above detailed, Richardson was
acted upon by a Mr. Webber, a surgeon, and again de-
manded an inquest. The witness added, that he did not
think that receiving 801. for his trouble was more than he
ought to have received. When he went to the hospital
to learn if the child had undergone an operation,
to disclose it, he was done, and got no information.. H
asked the name of the child, but as it would not havheedwo_nasee
to apply to the
a fact that he had threatened Mr. Wakley
to
made every endeavour to obtain the information. It was
That was on the last day of
him to hold an inquest. Tha
Mrs.
Court of Queen's Bench for a writ of mandamus compel
the time, and Mr. Wakley Lula her she
was with him at
term. Mr. Wakley then spoke to .Richardson,,,.. who
should have the inquest.
By Mr. Parry—air. Wakley. did. ask Mrs. Richardson
or from an '
whether or not she conscientiously believed that her
and Mr. Wakley told witness that
son had died from neglect,. unskilful operation.
Mrs. Richardson said she did, when Mr. Wakley said she
the summoning officer, should call upon witness
Bshroidugheirh, have an inquest;
for the names of the witnesses. That was on the Thurs-
day, but he did not see Bridger and give him the names
until the Saturday. Mr. Gay called on witness ;he ap-
peared to be smarting under the conduct he had
received
at the hospital in being dismissed from the situation which
he had held for 20 years to the benefit of the public. Mr.
Gay said he had been removed from his situation to make
room for another person who now held that situation. He
(witness) believed young Mr. Wakley held the situation.
Mr. Gay said that there were strange things going on at the
hospital, with which the public ought to be made acquainted,
and that he (witness)
was the best to do it. .
person
Gay never said that he would do all he could to ruin or
injure Mr. Wakley or his son, and if he had, he (witness)
would not have undertaken the business at all, as he
would not undertake any matter to ruin any man. Mr.
Gay told him his object was to expose things as they were
now going on at the hospital. Mr. Gay told witness Mr.
Ballantine was the proper person to be retained to fish out
the matter, as he believed that there was some enmity or
other existing ou his part towards Mr. Wakley. Witness
told Mr. Gay that would not make any difference, and re-
commended that Mr. Parry should be retained, but Mr.
Gay objected to Mr. Parry being employed.
Dr. Webber then addressed the court, claiming to ask
the witness several questions, as he had been accused of
malice in bringing forward the case.

After some discussion, the Coroner, with the consent of
the assessor, said Dr. Webber might ask any question per-
tinent to himself, but he would not hear any observations
from him. ' _

didMsrayEtvhaantslleinthaonusgwhet
answer
ought
towtohuel
would
übees tbi
eo
tntse
rp
to u t :Lot 'tdji
eM rm
a. Gt
ta y
drop and stop the inquiry, as it had brought all the
medi-
cal profession down upon him.
andp rfrrWe irrelevant questions; tproceedingbut to permit his
to put anumber of irregular
The Coroner interposed, and refused _ pro-
ceeding any further, and told him if he persisted he must
direct him to leave the court.
he had a nal
that personal enmity
was most unfortunate that it had been
insinuated
aßtaeldladnutriinnegetxhpernvedirya desire to state that it had been
towards Mr. Wakley. e bogged distinctly to denY such
was the fact.
Mr. Parry said it
mentioned at all.
A lengthened discussion ensued between the learned
counsel as to the course proposed to be taken at the next
examination.
Mr. Parry said the course be proposed was to place Mr.
Wakley in the box, and ask him only two or three ques-
tions, and then leave his learned friend or the jury to ask
y did not want the
anyT hqou
Fe sotriconnl
atnh eoyf tthhoeu gjlautryp rsoapiear
he
evidence of Mr. Wakley.
The Coroner said he could not see what was the use of calling Mr. Wakley. In his opinion Mr. Wakley had acted
quite rightand proper throughout the whole matter, but
he would mention that it had been intimated,to him that -•.
the committee were desirous that more persons from taw
hospital should be examined.
After some further discussion the inquiry WU atemeill
until Friday ants