The Sun.
London, England, 1860-09-18 00:00:00

A WARNING TO OPERATITES.

On Saturday, four young men were charged at
the West Riding Court, Halifax, with leaving, work
without giving notice. There names were dames
Nicholl, Josiah Thomas, Wm. Kershaw, and Ch tvehk
Oakes. Mr. Ilolyrode said the prisoners were in:
the employ of Messrs, John Radcliffe and Son,
spinners, Sowerby Bridge. For some reason they
became dissatisfied with their overlooker, Joseph
Lee, and demanded that he cihould be discharged.
On Wednesday, they addrßsoed the following
strange communication to the 1:71n :
Sowerby Bridge, Sept. 13.
To Mr. Charles Radcliffe.—Sir,—This, is to inform you
that the self-actor minders in your employ have come to the
conclusion that they will work no more fin. you until you
have dismissed your foreman, Jo. Lee, for he is of no use
to us. lie knows nothing about a frame ;
we wish you to
leave the work to Charles Smith, mechanic, .et, d we will as-
sist him and you will find that you will have m work done.
So, with this, we conclude for the present, and
re main your
servants,

THE SELF-ACTOR MINVERs•
P.S.—We wish you to send us an answer in three h ours ;
and the person that brings you this will call for your an-
swer at the expiration of that time.

No notice was taken of the demand, and accordingly'
the whole of them left, the prisoners included. Six
months ago they left in the same way, but they re-
turned, and no action was taken against them.
The factS having been proved, Mr. Barstow, for
the defence, urged that not only must it be proved
to the satisfaction of the Bench that. the prisoners
had left their work without a lawful excuse, but
that they knew they had no lawful excuse. (Ile
o —,,
quoted the case heard in the Queen's Bench in
Nvember
this case the men were dissatisfied with Lee
Ryder v. Wood and Sons.") In
because he did not understand his business, and
they had a constant loss in consequence, as
they were paid by
weight, not weekly wages.
When they delivered their work on Wednesday
they were told they would be paid on Saturday,
and they left then, not thinking they
were doing
wrong.
Tor the defence a witness (one of the turnouts)
was called, but he at once admitted that they had
agreed to leave unless Lee was discharged.
The Bench having consulted a few moments,
Major Edwards said the magistrates, while always
ready to protect the men, must also protect the
masters, and operatives and foremen they might
put to the higher situations; they must also pro-
tect the interests of other workmen dependent on
the regular working of the varioue departments.
Many hundreds might be thrown out of work by
the misconduct of a few. The law allowed of no
pecuniary punishment in this case, and till? sentence
was that each prisoner should go to the }louse of
Correction for a month.

G'OUNTRY MA.REETS.

COLCHESTER-SEPT. 15.

A moderate supply of new wheat to-day, quality and
condition various, at is to 2s advance. A few samples of
new barley were sold at prices from 32s to 425" per quarter.
In other grain little passing.
Wheat, white sos to 64s Beans, Mazagan..4os to 42s
red 44s to 54s Middle & small 44s to 481
Barley 2Bs to 32s White peas 38s to 40s
Oats 26s to 28s Grey.. 40s to 44,