The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-04 00:00:00

TURNOUT AT THE LANCASHIRE

COLLIEUIES.

MANCHESTER, FEB, 1.--In a communication which ap-
peared in the Times a fortnight ago I informed you of a
turn-out of colliers in this district, and that an adjustment
of the dispute had taken place between the journeymen
colliers and their employers. The fact is, the men ob-
tained the demands for which they turned out, which
would make an increase to their former wages of about
7s. per week. Inspirited by their success on this occa-
sion, they resolved to make another effort, having fur ha
ohj?et an advance of another 7s. per week, making in all
an advance in their wages of 14s. per week. The masters
now discovered, that whether from caprice, insatiable ava-
rice, or from whatever motive made, such demands might
become indefinite; and therefore resolved to resist the
further exactions now attempted to be made. The men
in consequence turned out, and nearly the whole of the
colliers in Lancashire followed the example. Great
embarrassments have naturally resulted to the large
millowners, whose usual supplies have thus been cut
off. In many instances those mills have been kept
in operation by consuming a species of rubbish, con-
sidered on ordinary occasions unfit for use; while
in other instances they have been obliged to consume
house coal and canal at an increased cost of 61. per cwt.
This increased cost must seriously affect those who h.,ve
occasion to mph.), steam-engines ; while on the other
band several, I am credibly informed, have been obliged to
stop their works for want of coals. The hardship to the
owners of collieries is net less seriously felt, for in many
instances they had entered into cone acts with extensive
millowners, which, by the turn-out, they are rendered
unable to complete. Urged by the necessity thus created,
the agent of Lord Francis Egerton has been obliged, I
am told, to purchase several thousand tons of coal from
the Ince colliery, near Wigan, in order to complete his
Lordship's contract. His Lordship's agent has, how..
ever, discovered a process likely to tame his refractory
colliers, and which, indeed, I am informed, has already
had that effect. About 200 of those who turned out
from his Lordship's collieries hold tenements on his
estates, and every one of them has received notice to
quit instanter, or return to his work. The very humane
character of Lord Francis Egerton is toe well known in
this neighbourhood to be doubted, and therefore it will he
no matter of surprise when I say that those tenants enjoyed
their cottages at a nominal rent. This and other advan-
tages possessed by his Lordship's tenants were too valu-
able to be foolishly forfeited, and the men have, in conse-
quence, returned this morning to their work. The men
employed by Mr. Ainsworth, M. P., at Bulton, have also
submitted, upon an assurance, it is stated, from that gen•
tleman that he will adept the ratio of wages agreed to by
the other masters. In the Oldham district, lam informed,
the turn-outs at once obtained their demand. This par-
tial submission, however, on the part of the men will
have a salutary effect upon the other districts where the
turn-out may be of a more protracted nature. Already
the inhabitants of this town have suffered very severely,
many people at this inclement season being unable to get
a supply of coal. Several have kept their carts at the
wharfs for two days together without obtaining a supply,
while some poor people
.have been in attendance from
the early hour of three in the morning, and have bean
obliged to return home disrppointed to a cheerless hearth
at night time. The colliers were well aware of their
masters' contracts, which, added to the severity of the
weather, they considered furnished a certain guarantee for
success.