The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-13 00:00:00

THE STRIKE IN THE BUILDING
TRADE.

Nothing further has been done towards bringing
the dispute to a termination. The first week of the
strike ends to-day, and although there seemed to be
a feeling on both sides in the early part of the
week to heal the, rupture which had taken place,
for some reason or other that feeling does not ap-
pear to have increased. The Builders' Association
having adjourned till Tuesday next, no resolution
on their part is likely to be adopted till, then. On
the other side the men seem determined not to
yield, and, if anything, their resolution against the
obnoxious document seems to increase with time.
There were four labourers employed upon the West-
minster Palace Hotel yesterday, and the smiths
have gone in, but without affixing their signature
to the document, as we have been informed. It is
thought that this is but a preliminary step to the
engagement of all the hands necessary to carry on
the works in a day or two, and that the other
builders will follow the example of Mr. Myers. The
name of a builder who locked out his men on Satur-
day last, and who employs about 100 workmen, has
been mentioned to us as one who regrets the step
he has taken, and we have seen a letter from one
of his men, in which he stat?s that he will resume
operations forthwith. The conduct of the men, as far
as it has come under our observation, has been most
admirable ; and with the exception of two or three
cases of intoxication on Monday, we have not seen
the least indication of excess of any kind.

MEETING ON PLUMSTEAD COMMON.
Last evening, at 7 o'clock, in accordance with
placards convening a monster meeting on Plum-
stead Common to adopt measures to support the
operative builders at present " locked out," an im-
mense multitude of the working classes, including
a large number of the unemployed, assembled on
that spot. The proceedings were most orderly, and
called forth the special commendation of the Rev.
W. Acworth, vicar of Plumstead, who addressed
the meeting.
The chair was occupied by Mr. Wiltson, a mason,
who alluded to the thousands if operatives em-
ployed at Woolwich Arsenel and on government
works who were ejected ';,y the mastersbecarne they
would not become mere serfs by signing a most dis-
graceful document.
Mr- PA OCHER (a joiner) contended that the -nine
hour, movement would benefit capitalists as well
r...d operatives if carried out. The masters had en-
tered into a monster combination to prevent the
men from combining, but if they were true to them-
selves they would preserve their rights and come
off victorious, for the last few days had proved that
the large majority of the non-society men were with
them and would not sign the document. (Cheers.)
Mr. GRAY (mason) read the document, and would
ask whether the wife of any working man would
wish her husband to sign such a degrading thing
as that. He was glad to see so many wives of the
unemployed present, as it proved they took an in-
terest in the movement. If the working classes
signed such a document they would lose all feeling
of independence and self-respect. (Cries of "We
won't have it.")
Mr. BOWLING (a plasterer) observed that the capi-
talists were great sticklers for political economy, but
condemned the men for acting upon one of the first
principles of that science. Their labour was the
commodity they had to dispose of, and they were
perfectly justified in obtaining a fair price for it ;
but the masters, who were the purchasers, de-
manded to have he article at their own price. Re-
ferring to the masters' association, the speaker
observed that the prime mover of the concern was
Mr. Sidney Smith, who for many years had lived
upon agitation, and no doubt had rendered public
service, but after ail was only a paid lecturer. He
was however very useful to the masters at the pre-
sent moment, as they would not be able to manu-
facture their manifestoes without him. (Cheers
and laughter.)
Mr. BAILEY, who stated that he had lived 16
years in Woolwich, warmly supported the move-
ment.

On the motion of Mr. GRAY seconded by Mr.
CRAPPER, a resolution was adopted to aid the exe-
cutive committee.

The Rev. W. ACWORTH, vicar, observed he had
never attended a more orderly or respectable meet-
ing. If they persevered in this spirit they would
gain the esteem of the community at large.
The evening hymn was sung by the assembly,
and a considerable amount was collected at the
meeting.