The Sun.
London, England, 1869-03-23 00:00:00

THE PRESTON STRIKE.

The operatives at Preston seem to be more determined
to hold out tban ever, and at present there does not appear
to be the slightest chance of a settlement. Official
information shews that at eight mills strikes have occurred;
that at 23 mills the hands will strike in a fortnight from
Wednesday ; that at 19 mills no notices for a reduction
have been given ; that 14 are entirely closed ; that at one
notice for a reduction, so far as the weavers are concerned,
has been wabdraivu ; that there are between 2,000 and
3,000 hands out of work ; and that on the 17th of April
there will be nearly 17,000 unemployed operatives.
The following general appeal has been made to the
operative power-loom weavers, winders, warpers, &c., of
Lancashire, Yorkshire, Cheshire, and Derbyshire:—" We
beg most respectfully to lay before you the position of the
operatives and the case of reduction at Preston. In Pres-
ton we have a number of mills that have been stopped for
some time, and on the Bth of February one of those firms
which had been stopped about three months commenced
running their engines, and the operatives were told that
they could have work at a reduction of 15 per cent. At
this nobody seemed to want work. At that price the over-
seers were applied to for hands, and as they considered
it their duty to send what hands they could, a
number of operatives were sent to the mill in
question. A enacting of the weavers was called,
and it was decided to make collections through the
mills to assist those weavers who were not inclined to work
at the reduction. For five weeks we have supported a
numbar of hands that had not got work during the time
the mill lied been stopped, hut now a more difficult task is
before us. Nearly 2,000 of the operatives of Preston are
under notice for a reduction in their wages of 10 per cent.,
and as near as w•e can think there are about 1,500 opera-
tives belonging to the weaving branch, whose notices ex-
pired last Wednesday and Thursday, who are now in the
painful position of supplicants for your aid and assistance
to enable them to assist this reduction, which we think is
a most unwarrantable one. We have done all we can to
settle the question comfortably. Mr. Birtwistle, secretary
of East Lancashire ; Mr. Whalley, secretary of Blacklitarn ;
Mr. old Lam, secretary of South Lancashire, Cheshire,
Yorkshire, and Derbyshire, along with our own secretary
and a deputation of our operatives have likewise done
their best. They have had an interview with the masters'
list committee ; they have offered on our behalf to settle
the question by arbitration ; they have 'slso offered that
we would submit to a reduction of 5 per cent., and thus
come down to the list price, the lowest prices we have
aver had even in the most difficult part of the cotton panic.
Our own deputation, in the presence of the above gentle-
men, as a last resource, appealed to their feelings, begged
and pleaded as men only could who had known and
felt the effects of a great strike like that of 1853 and
1854 ; but everything was in vain, all to no purpose, and
nothing could take effect. They refused arbitration, they
refused to be content with 5 per cent., they would have
the whole pound of flesh. This is our case. We feel it
our duty to resist this reduction if we can get assistance to
enable us to do so. We feel that we are fighting the battle
for you as well as for ourselves. We know that if we are
reduced you will soon have to folowin tne _
is the only reason

of the present depression of the cotton trade, and if we
be reduced it will not mend matters, but rather tend
to the reverse ; and whatever reduction we were to
suffer, we shall have to run short time after all. And
now it is for you, the weavers, &c. , of Lancashire, Yorkshire,
Cheshire, and Derbyshire, to say will you give us your as.
assistance, or will you allow the standard list to be over-
thrown ? Shall the standard list be shut up or will you
rally to the rescue of those who are determined not to
work at this reduction ? We feel confident you will not
refuse your assistance, we believe you will say with us,
`No ; let us work short time if it be needed to bring
about a better state of trade, but we cannot give way for
our list to be broken into.' Then rally to our assistance ;
let each pay his mite, and, though it be but small, when it
Is put together it will tell its tale ; it may be the means
of wiping a tear from the eye of many a weeping mother
in Preston who is unable to pacify the wail of a hungry
child."

Lady Eva Campbell has been doing wonders on
Loch Tay, killing, according to a report which has reached
us, in one week seven fine salmon, the two heaviest weigh-
ing 291 b. and 301 b. respectively.—Scotsman.
At an enthusiastic meeting of Blackburn Const:Tva-
dyes, held on Saturday night, it was determined to bring
forward Mr. E. K. Hornby and Mr. H. M. Fieldon (sons of
the unseated members) for the vacant seats. It is stated
that the Conservatives intend to pay the expenses of their
champions.

FELO DE SE.—An inquest was held at Driffield
relative to the death of Ann Cotton. The deceased has
lived for nine months as housekeeper with Mr. W. B.
Shaw, tailor and draper, Burlington, from whose service
she was discharged in consequence of her master believing
that she had made some false accusations against him.
On being discharged she went to a druggist's shop, pur-
chased some vermin powder, which she took, and it caused
her death. Verdict—"Felo de se."

HAS INSANITY INCREASED —An elaborate
statistical paper, by Dr. Lockhart Robertson, read before
the Medico• Psychological Association, 'and the discussion
that followed it, go far to prove the correctness of the
opinion expressed three years ago, that the allegedincrease
of insanity was a myth, and that the number of the insane,
in proportion to the population, was not really augmented,
the apparent increase being due to the kinder and more
skilful treatment now adopted in the asylums for the
insane poor, which had materially diminished the
average yearly mortality among them. Thus, while there
are more ineene to be accounted among us, it isnot because
cases of insanity have increased, but that the insane poor
are better cared for, and live longer than they did. That
this view is correct is proved by the fact mentioned by the
secretary of the association, Dr. Tuke, who stated that in
his experience, and as the result of his examination of the
question, the number of the insane in the higher and
middle classes, in proportion to the population, had not
increased at all. The association generally concurred
with the conclusions arrived at by Dr. Robertson, which
is satisfactory as being likely to assist in the dissipation
of the very wide-spread but erroneous idea that our in-
creased intellectual activity as a nation has entailed upon
us a corresponding increase in the number of our insane.—
The Lancet.

EARTHQUAKE-PROOF ARCHITECTURE. —The recent
earthquakes on the Pacific coast have necessitated the
adoption of some new style of building in that section of the
country. Mere brick shells willnot stand manyheavy land
shocks, and the architects of San Francisco are now busy
over earthquake-proof plans of architecture. The last severe
earthquake in that city cracked a large number of brick
walls, which have had to be braced together with iron rods
to make them in any way safe. A very little heavier shock
would have tumbled them in ruins. The fact that these
sensations may come at any time has somewhat shaken
the faith of the people in the security of their brick houses.
One of the new plans proposed is to build a compact
wooden frame structure, and surround it with brick walls.
The frame would secure it against falling, and the walls
would render it fireproof. A large publishing house in San
Francisco is soon to erect a store upon this plan. Another
method proposed is to build thick walls with iron girders
inserted in them, and riveted at the angles. There has
been considerable discussion among builders on this
matter, and a new field is open for the ingenuity of
architects. Anybody who will guarantee to put up a
house that will stand an ordinary earthquake without
damage, whether it be built of wood, atone, iron, paper, or
rubber, can make his fortune on the Pacific coast, Aa
soon as such buildings can be devised earthquake insur•
ance companies will doubtless be established there to
satisfy individuals who have not complete faith in the
stability of real cstato on the raciflo walt.—Nero York
riMU.