The Sun.
London, England, 1831-03-24 00:00:00

REFORM MEETINCIS IN SUPPORT OF

HIS MAJESTY'S MINISTERS.

MEETING OF THE PITMEN' OF THE
TYNE AND WEAR.

NEWCASTLE, MONDAY, MARCH 21.
This being the day appointed for the general meeting of
the pitmen of the collieries on the Tyne and Wear, on
Newcastle-town-moor, so early as nine o'clock in the fore-
noon large bodies of c,dliers arrived in Newcastle from the
different collieries in the neighbourhood. A few took re-
freshment in town, but most of them proceeded directly
the place of meeting, a situation most judiciously chosen
on the brow of the bill on the new race course. At eleven
o'clock a great number had arrived at the spot, but the
great bodies from Hetton and other places did not arrive till
between twelve and one o'clock. The several collieries
marched in good and excellent order both through the town
and to the place of meeting.
At the lower end of the Moor several of the collieries
halted for the purpose of calling the roll and conferring
with the deputies, (ihree being appointed from each col-
liery for the purpose of managing the general business,)
and afrerwards proceeded to pin the great Lody at the top
of the hill. Here a waggon was very properly placad for
the convenience of those who intended to address the
meeting ; and where the reporters for the press were also
accommodated.

A little after one a person of the name of Thomas
Heron stool up and addressed the assembled multitude. He
exhorted them all to keep good order, a►nd every in In to
take care of and protect his neighbour, and prevent injury
b2.:rig dune to any one. He would allow no person to be
stripped, as bad heen threatened to strangers coming
amongst them ; and should any transgress the order, or
occasion any breach of the peace, he would himself repre-
sent such person to the magistrate, and get the delinquent
punished ; as it was only by good order and a peaceable
demeanour they could hope to obtain theapprobation of the
magistracy and the good will of the community at large.
A cart with ale, he observed, had been brought on the
ground ; the object of the proprietor tuna well known, it
was to make money ; but he hoped none of his brethren
would taste it, or encourage him ; let him go elsewhere
and sell his ale. The Mayor of Newcastle, he observed,
was expected amongst them, and he hoped every one would
pay him that respect which was due to him.
An order was now given to send cue of the three
deputies from every colliery to surround the hustings, in
order to ascertain how many collieries were present, when
deputies from the following appeared, viz —Hetton, North
Hetton, Pittington, Raint.n, Newbottle, Lumley, Lamb-
ton, Shiney Row, Fatfield, Washington, Black Fell,
Springwell, Harraton, Ouston, King Pitt, Sheriff Hill,
High Heworth, Team Colliery, Fawdon, Mount Moor,
Friars Goose, Hepburn. South Shields, Elswick, Stygate,
Garsfield, Wylam, Walbottle, Callerton, Wide-open, West
Moor, Wallsend, Walker, Gosforth, Seghill, Rackworth,
Hallowell, Cramlingten, Whitley, Hartley, Cowpen,
Shield Row, Glebe, Jarrow, Fawde, Earsdon, Derwent
Crook, Netherton.

The speaker next noticed, that the present was not the
first time he had had occasion to state their grievances ;
and as there was now an opportunity of bringing them
before the public at large, through the medium of the
Papers, he cs,uld again state some of the principal griev-
ances under which they laboured, and for which they
sought redress. The first on the list he would notice was
an article in the bond, which gives our employers a power
to lay us idle when they please, perhaps three or four days
in the fortnight, ou the plea of any accident arising in the
pit, or to the machinery or engines; and no redress can he
sought by the pitmen till they have laid isle three days.
This is a subject which, having been long complained of,
it was promised to make the language of the bond en this
head more explicit. Instead of which, by the alteration
made they have rendered it ten times worse, by adding,
" or any other cause ;" by which, causes of the most frivo-
lous nature may be alleged for keeping the men from work
—sometimes on account of the waggon stopping, the
men will lie four or five hours down below, broiling and
sweating, waiting for work.

At this time the Mayor (Mr. Archibald Reed) came tip
and addressed the speaker and the rest on the hustings,
expressing a hope that they would conduct themselves
peaceably and with propriety,;ind they should be protected.
He had no authority, he said, from the coal-owners to
promise them any redress of the grievances they com-
plained of; but whatever resolutions they should come to
he expected they would submit to him, and he would pay
every attention to them, so far as lay in his power; at the
same time he complimented them on their peaceable de-
meanour in passing through the town.
The speaker having returned thanks to the Mayor, re-
sumed his address to his brethren—Another grievance in
the bond was, that they were also hound to their houses—
their houses were considered as part of their wages ; and
if not bound again they were liable to be immediately
turned out. Being considered merely as tenants at will,
on any difference with the viewer, we are liable to be
turned out any time, though the period of the bond be not
expired. 'I bus are we made slaves to the tempers and
caprice' of the viewers; and the workmen are fearful of
even consulting with each other on their grievances lest it
might come to the ears of their mestere, and they be de-
prived of both bread and shelter. Another grievance
complained of was, that the boys are bound to work
fourteen hours a day, and working at the crane nearly
naked, and not more than five or ten minutes at a time
allowed for refreshment. Deprived during the day of the
privilege of light, and when done work, after a brief refresh-
ment put to bed, in order to get as much rest as they can,
no time is left for mental recreation, for the improvement
of their minds in any branch of knowledge; and consi-
dering they are put into the pit generally at the tender age
of seven, no wonder that pitmen are brought up illite-
rate, and ignorant of the most important and necessary
branches of knowledge. He congratulated the meeting,
however, that their prospects were brightening, as never
such a union before took place among them. Upwards
of twenty thousand, five sixths of whom he believed were
animated by one spirit. Let pitmen only be faithful one
to another, and while they deported themselves peaceably,
they may hope to obtain a redress of their grievances, and
experience the sympathies and support of the community
at large. He would now submit to the consideration of
the meeting a series of propositions drawn up and agreed
to at a meeting of the deputies at Houghton-le-Spring last
week.—l. That our grievances be made pubic in the
newspapers.-2. That a petition be sent to the Lord
Chancellor, or the House of Commons.-3. That it be
made known to the men in each colliery that every man
muss pay sixpence towards defraying the expence of
sending deputies to London.-4. It is proposed that we
work on unbound, if the viewers will let us ; because,
should we refuse to work, the Magistrates may punish us
and prevent us from getting relief. Should they refuse to
employ us, we can demand relief from our parishes ; and
if refused, then we have our redress from the Magistrates,
and can perhaps get employment on the roads breaking
stones. We shall thus be at liberty to work as we choose
and will be able to avoid many impositions which we are
now subject to. Let us only be faithful and unanimous,
and we shall obtain our purpose.-5. That there be a
meeting amongst the men of every colliery twice a week,
Fidelity and union alone can obtain our purpose. All
these propositions were agreed to separately by a show of
hands.

Another speaker lamented the condition of the pitmen
and especially their children, doomed to labour fourteen,
fifteen, sixteen, and seventeen hours a day—leaving no
time for their improvement in either letters, religion, or
morality. It will be asked, how are pitmen to better their
condition ? The answer is, by union and fidelity one man
to another. We have been slaves to our task-masters, slaves
to their tempers, and while courting their smiles, they
forgot that they were men, and assumed the dignity of
demi-gods, while exhibiting the character of demi-devils.
The speaker next referred to an incorrect statement of Mr.
Buddle before the Committee of Parliament relative to
their wages, which the speaker contradicted and elievved
that the wages of pitmen had of late years been consider-
ably reduced. He next recommended that the men from
the different collieries should observe the same order in re-
turning as they had in coming to the place of meeting.
and hoped that order and candour would prevail, as it
would best answer their purpose.
Another speaker noticed another important grievance to
which they were subjected by the bond. At Christmas
they were obliged to idle three weeks without any com-
pensation. Since 1810, he observed, the community of
pitmen have been sinking in public esteem, principally
owing to the degredations they were subjected to by the
bond. England's wheels, however, move on our steam ;
and, notwithstanding our oppressions, talent has been not
unfrequently exhibited amongst us ; but such has been the
spirit of our task-masters, such persons have inv,triablv
been crushed, and every means made use of to extinguish
every spark of genius and talent that may at any time bare
appeared amongst us. What has man to depend on but to
the fidelity and honesty of his fellow men ?
Another speaker observed that many of the coal-owners
were noble gentlemen, but their agents have made them-
t
snl;y
ehiesnko worth 1001., now exhibited themselves in theirings at our expence ; so that some of them, origi-
carriages with lordly establishments—the speaker cautioned
his brethren against the arts and wiles of such men, as they
were not their friends, but would endeavour to cajole that
they might enslave them.
The public thanks of the meeting were moved to be

given to tte Mayor ror his frienN adviet? aid MO WO
tion to the pitmen assembled, which was carried by a shod
of hands.
Another speaker noticed a very serious grievance w14:11,
they had to complain of, in the article of candles. Cl°.
.fles which cost only sixpence per pound were sold to.
on that one article. Thus Hetton 7
them at 10d. per pound, leaving a profit Of 4d. per pound
then, allowing only 3d. per pound profit, pay yearly 4721. f
extra on candles only. If to this be added the pits
not
Lambton, Lumley, and Philadephia, the amount will n°
be less then 3,000/. a year imposed on this article. Awl
bolish it alt).
with such tyranny ! exclaimed thes • k
ver er--I
gether. ; f
It was then proposed and agreed to, that a Ineet'n°
delegates should take place at five o'clock the same eye-•
ling at the Hawk, in Gateshead, to appoint delegate° t°
send to London with their petition ; and also to Wait
' the Mayor with the result of the meeting and Consult w`t
him on the subject. It was also agreed that one delegate
should be sent from every pit in future, thereby increasil
the number of delegates a • '' extent of tr'
according to t
colliery•
pits and 600
Another speaker observed another serious grievance
they had to complain of. In many places the overmaan°P
or
agents kept, some a public-house, others a butcher's b'
same flour and other shops, to which the pitmen wer,e
tied, as those who purchased at their shops were 3100
preferred in the employment, and those who did not we'f.e
entitled to nothing the agents could deprive theta of.
Hen 6 great impositions were practised upon theln.„4l s
was therefore resolved by the meeting that neither ea- el.
or any thing else should in future be purchasedb e°B
hewers of any person connected with the collieries. ,
An order was then given that none of the hodi e:e
cept the delegates should stop in town; after whie"
meeting quietly retired from the ground in the 0,,
good order in which they arrived, about a quarter o'
three o'clock.
The day was favourable. It was calculated that
r°0110;
wards of thirty thonsand persons were present. r t
the good order observed by the great body of .pitrne°,
the slightest accident occurred.

FL NTS LI E.
At a public meeting of the FIR
reeholders and Wu 6h
gig
holders of the County of Flint, convened by the°at
Sheriff, pursuant to a Requisition numerously andlfriutldt
respectably signed, and held at the County Hall la %ow
on Monday the 21st day of March, 1831, for the Pflo.
of taking into consideration the propriety of adePt7ra
dutiful and loyal Address to his Majesty, thanking;
for his gracious sanction of the measure of Referm o' 0
'
duced into the House of Commons by Lord John flu Pees.
and to petition both Houses of Parliament that the P'erg
iff,
sure so introduced may pass into a law, the High Si' g •
Sir S. R. Gr.YNNE, Bart., in the Chair, the follosving
solutions were passed unanimously
rchn°l24
Proposed by F. R. Price,m Esq., seconded by -
Mather, Esq.
1. That to correct the abuses which time has infr"draio
into the constitution of the House of Common,' °awl
give the people a full, fair, and more equal Represel,t—o's
in Parliament, his Majesty's Ministers, with his 091:of
sanction, have caused to be introduced into the 14°°%ip•
Commons, Bills for Parliamentary Reform, of the pits)
ciple of which (without pledging ourselves to the de-iity,
we highly approve, as securing to the executive ill
and to the legislative their respective and due slattreB
centrouling the affairs of this kingdom. IT°
Moved by John Wynn Eyton, Esq., seconded bi
Whitley, Esq. cf
2. That Petitions be presented to the two 11p°-
Parliament, and the Petitions now real be adopted. set,
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORDS'
IT
RITUAL AND TEMPORAL, OF THE - TT-,
N
KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IREI,-
IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED. Or?
THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE UNDEigal4"
FREEHOLDERS, HOUSEHOLDERS, AND IN
BITANTS, OF THE COUNTY OF
COUNTY COURT DULY CONVENED.
Humbly Sheweth,
iiamTettayryoußr
ePfoertmitiohnaeyres havingbeen intrhodeaurced
dtihnattoßthilelsice:o::ei,
Commons, with the sanction of his Majesty, and upt.)„-E as
responsibility of his Majesty's Ministers, and apia°l-;00'
we do of the principle of the measure, and as we nrifor
vinced that they are calculated to allay the exteour'
which exists in the country, and to restore to the r bee
able House the confidence of the people, we hu'i"i°
'„ Ole
that when the Bills come before your Right 1W -brie
House they will receive the sanction of your Lord'
—And your Petitioners, &c. 0!
TO THE HONOURABLE THE COMMONS O. --", A-

BRITAIN AND IRELAND IN PARLIAM'
SEMBLED. 1001)
THE HUMBLE PETITION OF THE UNDEIIS-01/1,
FREEHOLDERS, HOUSEHOLDERS, ANPT,•
BITANTS, OF THE COUNTY OF PM'
COUNTY COURT DULY CONVENED,
Humbly Sheweth, • P!'
That your Petitioners having he ird that Bills •.$,,140ar
liamentsry Reform have been introduced into your 0141)0},e0
able House, with the sanction of his Majesty, $1.,4 sr.
the responsibility of his Majesty's Ministers, s_,Pithoe,`
proving as we do of the principle of the measure, 7.incee,
pledging ourselves to its details, an:l as we are Ort,ool
that the measure is calculated to allay the e5c,.0 your
which exists iu the country, and to n store luoiobli
Honourable House the confidence of the people, we lobs"
hope that the Bills as introduced may pass into .4
And your Petitioners, &c. j.FY
Moved by the Rev. G. Strong, seconded by
Eyton, Esq.
• Igee
3. That the grateful and sincere Thanks of tboodicio• o
be given to his Majesty's Ministers for the able, the/
and salutary measure of Parliamentary Reform sv to 11'
have brought forward, entitling them, as it d°elit'lle
confidence of the country ; end in the event of ss
now before the House of Commons not being cart-o'2lde
his Majesty dissolving the Parliament, we berebYltigao
ourselves to use our exertions to return to Parli:Oero.
Members only as will support Parliamentary Rei°rFietsb!ol
Moved by Major Lloyd, Esq , seconded by 314:Pr0 to Plyr
4. That the Thanks of this Meeting be give4olJ
J. Russell, for the zed and perseverance with doeso
has on the late, as well as on former occasions, sl,fearbseof
the cause of Parliamentary Reform, and to tll°9setrioticli
of the two Houses of Parliament who have so P.rodelles
and disinterestedly signified their intention of o'o of P
their borough influence, and supporting the Oa 00
form adopted by his Majesty's Ministers.
Moved by F. R. Price, Esq., seconded by ss
ee'
Eyton, Esq.
resi's js
5. That the Right Hon. Earl Grosverwr besf yar .
requested to present the Petition to the House o
Moved by T. 0. Jones, Esq., seconded by 111 r •
no be 1:10
6. That the Petition to the House of CoroTat he or
warded to Sir Thomas Mostyn, Bart., and !el 10
Sir E. P. Lloyd, Bart., be respectfully reques.f •
port the Bills far Reform. •ote. CASI ,
7. That the following Gentlemen be aPP°' j„hn off
mittee to carry these Resolutions into effect : Jw
Eyton, Esq., Mr. Thomas 'Whitley, and Me•
Pwll.tnelyn. s moor"
• va94.
The Chairman having left the Chair, It Lloyd, the
Sir J. Hanmer, and second, dby Edward M. ior te:i the
8. That the Thanks of the Meeting be fed!
High Sheriff for the promptitude with which Chttle•
Meeting, and for his impartial conduct in the
LEITH. no
rt °OO
At a meeting of the ship•owners of the ro the ors
livirealdrewh,itllB,i3olt,he3aEmxecsbaßngeeo-ebhu,iEldsign.gsitahere,
unanimously resolved that petitions, the
!ciiire,rflileaTtto;
tenour, should be prepared to both Houses 0' 1,0149.`,.0: s
tfullY "r f
and that the Earl of Rosebery be more -a si
present the petition to the House of Lords, !Pile 00
Graham, Bart. M.P. to present that to. '
Oil 0
Commons, viz. : cu O
That your petitioners regard with the thewe
big Y
tion the plan of Parliamentary Reform ";11eot, ss'a ioro
brought forward by his Majesty's Govern'"osloee_.,ssed
feel gratified to find that, in the Bill now.,:e prol:rin•
your Honourable House, the elective franeltlhe other !'o,os
to be extended to the town of Leith, and thus $ rote'
cipsi sea-ports in Scotland ; and that there:_hiopiatg_.tiair
pect of the much-neglected and oppressed itsiatrpro ei'; des
rests of this part of the kingdom havinfit
berto bed
afforded to them, of which they have " hie per'
prived. along; odes
tiesteTpihnia.ettestet.en%ettyedreing system,rue upholding
dfiminn•igis
itteiliaedt
grosseffortsth,e
ben,r,
77:ottaixtireicett).1 o_:Soidttitioyipor?,:e.:
presentations as to the comparative imrPticotar ;:be e6el,lt
sea-ports, and of the port of Leith P
in
- ato state e -
petitioners feel therefore Called upon .ho re
system,
:ha?,
wellhave
as atchteuirslicylaeimxpserfioerne:ddoferols;sre it' I
Sol
f the t eslea
presentation.
_ee,
That thiongh the pernicious nue en in
burghs, commerce and industry liav Pre
and onde
sacrificed
thefatcot corporate ora
sightt e
f,.rights,
that sn d t
btu. rordig' ig' a tea
at buttes
granted in trust for the community; an
fed
has been Pm') local 0 0 the
of this port, in particular,
sion of the most oppressive and injuriouse of de
of _
ntaainryedrefvreoriinuePs;arpliraotpneernlit oanpptlihceabplreet"coatorptiol: e havv
expense of improvements, while tare P tooos