The Sun.
London, England, 1859-08-22 00:00:00

THE BUILDERS' STRIKE.

Both men and masters have an undoubted right
to combine for the management of their own affairs;
but union is strength, and when men are very
strong they are exceedingly likely to abuse their
influence. Workmen, who have been very fond of
combining of late years, have undoubtedly gone
very wrong in this respect. Without discussing
doubtful details, we may mention one great instance
of their tyranny : they constantly refuse to work
with men who have not joined their trade socie-
ties. In many instances they have struck work
simply because a non-society workman has had
employment given him by the master. Al-
though this has not yet been made a legal
offence, it is a moral one • for it practically deprives
the mister of his fair degree of liberty, and im-
poses a heavy penalty upon every man who con-
scientiously objects to share the proceedings of the
societies.

To resist such mischievous and tyrannical pro-
ceedings as these the masters would du well to com-
bine, and it would be a blessing to thousands of
workmen, as well as to society at large, if they be-
came triumphant in their resistance, and put an
end to the despotism of trades unions. For success
on this one point would destroy the " despotism "
of such bodies. It working men were free either to
join or to stand aloof from such societies, without
suffering personal loss, all the oppressive powers
of the societies would at once cease. It is only
because they have contrived to impose a penalty
upon the working man who dissents from them
that they have become so strong and over-
bearing. If, therefore, the metropolitan master
builders had been well advised, they would not
have insisted upon the men promising not to
combine at all on the labour question, because
the men have an undoubted right so to com-
bine if they please. What they should have in-
sisted upon is, that the men whom they employed
should pledge themselves to abstain from that
particular act of tyranny which we have pointed
out, and from such other specific acts,of a tyran-
nous character as they, the masters, may be able
to mention. This would have commanded the
unanimous approval of the press, and would have
left the society men without any plausible pretext
for resistance. At any rate it would have brought
the real and not an imaginary case forward for de-
cision, and would have given the men no chance
of selecting false ground for their battle-field. As
it is, we have the men on the one side contending
for an arbitrary limitation of working hours, and
the masters on the other enforcing an equally arbi-
trary arrangement of their own.
That the men's demand for the enforced reduc-
tion of the working hours from ten to nine is an
arbitrary and unfair demand is shown by the faeL
that it is only by the tyrannous acts of the Socie-
ties that it can be maintained. If non- society
men were permitted to exercise free trade in
their labour, we should hear nothing of the
o
nine hours' movement. And that they ought'
to be permitted to do this there can be no
doubt. Lord Brougham, in his " Rights of
Industry," has stated the terms of the work-
man's freedom most clearly, and these terms arc all
that a reasonable man can require. " There can be
no doubt," he says, " that the labourer has rights
over his labour which no Government and no indi-
vidual should presume to interfere with. Them
can be no doubt that, as an exchanger of labour for
capital, the labourer ought to be assured that the
exchange shall in all respects be as free as the ex-
changes of any other descriptiga of property.
His rights as an exchanger are, that he
shall not be compelled to part with his
by any arbitrary
property, eilactinents, wi:11-
out having as ample an equivalent as On
general laws of exchange will afford, him ; thiet lie
shall 1.4 frcp tA use every just MMUS) either b)

himself or by union with others, to obtain such a
equivalent ; that he shall be at full liberty to offer
that property in the best market that he can find,
without being limited to any particular market;
that he may give to that property every modifica-
tion which it is capable:of receiving from his own na-
tural or acquired skill, without being narrowed to
any one form of producing it. In other words,
natural justice demands that the working man
shall work when he pleases and be idle when
he pleases—always providing that if he make
a contract to work he shall not violate the engage-
ment by remaining -idle; that no labour shall be
forced from him, and no rate of payment for that
labour be prescribed by statutes or ordinances ;
that he shall be free to obtain as high wages as be
can possibly get, and unite with others to obtain
them, always providing, that in his union he does
not violate that freedom of industry in others
which is the foundation of his own attempts to im-
prove his condition; that he may go from place to
place to exchange his labour without being inter-
fered with by corporate rights or monopolies of
any sort, whether of masters or workmen ; and
that he may turn from one employment to the
other, if he so think fit, without being confined to
into
any trade he originally learnt, or may strike
any line of employment without having regularly
learnt it at all."
These are the conditions on which working ine,ll,
exercise their labour and skill in this country.
the conditions are wrong, or can be improved, let
us have the subject amicably discussed, and a public
understanding arrived at. It is mere folly for
the builders or any other class of men to attempt
to set them permanently aside by the coarse coer-
cion of strikes; and it is also mere folly for masters
to meet the coercive measures of the men by au
mode of action which is opposed to these conditions.
—Mechanics' Magazine.

LII

THE NEW _HAMBURG MODEL CO.

STITUTION.

A letter from Hamburg says :—After more than
gained
the years of agitation the Liberal party have
the day, and succeeded in obtaining the long'
wished-for reform in the antiquated constitution
of this ancient republic. It was during the
stormy period of 1848 that the cry for reform was
first raised, in obedience to which the " Constitu-
ting Assembly" was ~onvoked. At that time
popular clamour had a greater effect than sound
logic, and the result was the draft of a constitution
by far too democratic for people possessed of all
property, and which consequently met with a very
decided opposition on the part of the constituted
authorities. The subsequent military occupation
of Hamburg, first by the Prussians and then by the
Austrians, had the effect of protecting the Senate
from open violence on the part of the populace,
and negotiations were opened with a view of mak:
ing a compromise. These lasted for several year''
when at length in 1855 a joint commission of nine
members, four of whom were nominated by t
Senate out of their own bod and five of the 8111
gerschaft, was appointed to draw up a new eellf"4"•
tution, framed with a view to liberal popular re-
presentation. But when this was done, a veto Was
placed upon it by the German Diet at Frankfortt,7
being far too liberal, and not in accordance wl'io
the Conservative principles which are known
actuate that " august assembly."
But notwithstanding this mishap, and the threat
of active interference on the part of the Bund,
the shape of sending down a commissioner,
.and
eventually another military occupation—two thing
much dreaded by our quiet citizens—the latter sti.:
continued their just demands for reform, and ba/L.,
refused several times the propositions made to them
by the Senate for a modification of the new consul'
tution.
Things were in this state when in January -"-t
five patriotic citizens formed themselves into a cote'
4;
mittee, and convened several public meetings, to
take into consideration the propriety of renewing
the agitation for the introduction of the new coli
stitution as settled in 1855. The great majoritYy, o
o.
the merchants, house owners, and others possesslub
property, declared themselves in favour of the plan;
and supported the projectors by a vote of confideuen",
but the Senate, fearing the results of these demo,
strations, suddenly suspended, by decree of the 31sk
March last, the law permitting the citizens to hel_d,
meetings for the purpose of discussing the affairs
the commonwealth. They, however, entered into
negotiations with the representatives of the peoplelto
"'
for settling the point at issue a r amiable. The
suit of these negotiations is that the Senate .iu'a'
Thursday convoked the Burgerschaft, and laid befe re t
them a modified constitution, which,
of 1855, contains some conservative elements, but
on the whole it was deemed satisfactory, and IV;°'
cepted by the assembly with a majority of 578
votes against 153 dissentients. based on the,,
The most important part of the plan is the corn'
position of the new Burgerschaft, which with the
Senate will form the legislative body, and of which
the following is an outline :
The Burgerschaft to consist of 192 members, Nu-
A. 84 members elected by ballot. The suffrage
is univeral for all citizens of 25 years of age and
upwards. Exceptions, lunatics and those con-
demned for criminal offences.
B. 48 representatives of the house and landed in-
terest, elected by ballot by all owners of houses or
land, whose property shows a clear unmortgaged
capital of the minimum value of 3,000 marks banco.
The electors in this case also to have completed
their 25th year.
C. 60 members elected- by the tribunals, public
bodies and various departments of the state.
Every citizen qualified to vote can also be elected
if he has completed his 30th year.
No member of the Burgerschaft can legallymake
a binding promise to his constituency, pledging
himself to follow any particular course of polities.
Every member elected is bound to respect the
election and accept the office, on pain of banish'
ment for 10 years from the city and territory, toga'
ther with loss of all rights and privileges enjoyed
by Hamburg citizens.
No member cf the Senate can be elected into the
Burgerschaft. Former senators may be elected, and
are at liberty to decline serving, without incurring
therpaenaplutibelsicmfeunnteiotinoendarinietshaerie)rencoetdinerigpibarleagraPh.
Paid
with
the exception of judges, clergymen of all religious
persuasions, and professors of the High School.
The members are elected for six ears. At the
oe
fn:lt ofee
Members
atbbheorr
Nes,
eeoyf
threeet ahres
Burgerschaft,co
anteeghoarl if os f
retire, t h
as
sbusuch,t membersm
a yof b ea
e rce
elected by their constituents.
pay or emoluments.
n hundred members at least must breecperiveesel:
to form a quorum.
The sittings of the Burgerschaft are public
Proposals for secret sittings must be given to to_
president in writing, and signed by at least ten
members. The proposal will then be put to the
vote, and must be carried by a majority.
As a general rule the voting is public and 110 or
native, each member answering with " ballotYes"-
" No" when his name is called. Voting by t
is permitted, if required and supported by at least
ten members. In either case all questions are e.
tided by a simple majority.
A standing or permanent committee of the
Burgerschaft, called the Burger-Ausschuss, to
formed, consisting of 20 members elected from
their own body, of whom not more than five 133ap
belong to the legal profession.
eine,
The Burgerschaft may be convoked at any
time
either by the Permanent committee or by the sou'
Legislation is performed by the unanimous con'
currenee of the Senate and the Burgerschaft jointly
Bills may originate with either of the two legisl.
tive bodies. The senate has exclusively the eleeu
tive power.
All bills must be read and passed twice by th!
Burgerschaft with 14 days' interval, unless at ti;
first reading the interval be shortened by the ee •
sent of at least two-thirds of those present, audio°
than one-half of the total number of members.

The city within the walls is divided into 24 elec- 43
toral districts, each returning two members • • 8
The suburb of St. George to roturn .. •• 8
The suburb of St. Paul .. 8
Five rural districts (the so-called Greestlande) • • 8
Four return districts (the so-called Marshlands) 2
Bailiewick of Ritzobustel and Cuxhaven • • • •
4
Membergod 8
el S
Members to be returned by the fol!owing corporate b 5
The College of the Sixty .. • • • • 2
Board of Education (Scholarchat) .. • • •• • 4
Lower Court of Justice (Niedergericht) • • •• 4
Tribunal of Commerce (Handelsgericht) .. •• 1
Tribunal of the Guilds (Amtsgerich) . • •• 6
Finance Department (Kammer) .. • • •• 6
Board of Trade (Commercium) .. • • • • 2
Directors of the Bank (Bank-Collegium) • • • • 1
Board of Taxation (Steur-Deputation) • • • 3
Commissioners of Taxes (Steur-Burger) .. • ' 2
Board of Customs and Excise .. • • ' • 1
Stamp Department • •
• • • • • 3
Board of Public Works .. .. • • • • 1
Department of Water Works
Military Department (Hanseatic Contingent) 2
•
Military Department (Burger-Guard) • • 2
Fire Insurance Department .. .. • • • 2
Poor-law Commissioners
•• .. • • • 1
Board of Health • • • • 2
•• ••
Commissioners of Hospitals .. • • • 2
Commissioners of Prisons .. • • • • • • 1
• •
Commissioners of Orphan Asylum .; • •
Corpora"
tis,
differentHeaodngocfoltihecetively.. .
. Guilds, or Trade

3lembers 60

Sa
CRYSTAL PALACE.—HALFCROWN DAY, Itlrufkr
Aug. 20.—Admissions on payment, 3,277 ; ditto by seation
tickets, 2,614 ; total visitors, 5,891.

T HMI) EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'Clock.

T 4 TTERSALLS'-(THIS EVENING.)

•
The York settling occupied nearly the entire afternoon,
and only the following bets were laid :

SURREY AND MIDDLESEX STAKES.
sto 2 agst Killigrew (taken)
4to 1 agst Royal Sovereign (taken)
6to 1 agst Burgomaster (taken)
KING JOHN STAKES.
7to 4on Thunderbolt (taken)
6to 1 agst Maid of Orleans (offered)

ST. LEGER.
11 to 8 on Promised Land (offered)
Bto 1 agst Trumpeter (taken)
Bto 1 agst Marionette (taken)
10 to 1 agst Summerside (offered)
20 to 1 agst Napoleon (25 to 1 also laid)
60 to 1 agst Burgomaster (taken and offered)
1000 to 15 agst Gamester (offered)

DERBY.

10 to 1 agst Buccaneer (offered)

it 0 .A' MA]?KET AND CITY NEW S.

CITY, Two O'CLOCK.
During the past week business in the various
manufacturing districts has been moderately active.
'At Leeds the woollen cloth trade has exhibited
Satisfactory progress, and prices generally are firm,
owing to the smallness of stock on hand. At Man-
chester there has been less activity in the demand
for India goods, and prices have shown diminished
For the home trade, however, there has
been a fair inquiry for all descriptions of fabrics.
At Bradford worsted yarns have been at steady
quotations, but business has not been active.
SPinners, however, are fully employed, and piece
goods suitable to the season realise fully former
rotes. The hosiery trade at Leicester continues
brisk, and numerous orders are now waiting

completion, as the operatives generally have been
engaged in harvest operations. Rather more
activity has prevailed at Nottingham in the lace
dePartments, and for all kinds of fancy hosiery
tliere has been an active inquiry. The iron trade
?f South Staffordshire has shown a considerable

improvement, although little alteration can be re-
' "rded.as regards the general state of business at
Birmingham, but at Sheffield and Wolverhamptori
thire has been a steady demand for most articles
Manufactured in the neighbourhood, chiefly for
home use.
The Liverpool Cotton Market on Saturday closed
with rather more animation, and prices were firm.
The sales were estimated at 7,000 bales. In the
114.Tway Share Market business was rather active,
and quotations tended upwards.
The demand for money, and the terms upon
which it can be obtained, continue very moderate.
Bankers, &c., still have the command of large sup-
Plies, through deposits lodged with them, in spite
31' the low rates of interest now current, and as the
inquiry for commercial and other purposes has
lately diminished rather than increased, sound
mercantile bills are negotiated at quotations ranging
as low as vi per cent., a fraction less than the
Minimum being accepted for choice paper, in order
compete with the national establishment.
Notice has been given by the Submarine Tele-
graph Company that a direct telegraphich commu-
nication is now established, by special wire, between
the London and Paris exchanges, via the Company's
hew line from Folkstone to Boulogne.
The directors of the Agra and United Service
'flank have announced a dividend on account of the
current year, at the rate of 10 per cent. per annum.
The market for Public Securities although
quiet, owing to the dulness of speculation, is well
maintained, symptoms of improvement being
, 'ceasionally visible. Consols have been
dealt in to-day at 95f-; t for money and ac-
count. There appears-,to be a favourable tendency,
although the transactions are limited. In the
present state of home and foreign affairs there is
11°thing to enconrage speculation ; and, on the
ether hand, the public are not disposed to effect in-
vestments. The latest price of the Consols is 951
.11111fgfock is' Steady, at 224 ; the New Threes are
4- 961 ; the Reduced at 96k ; India Stock
hag receded to 217 ; the Debentures (1858), how-
"el., have improved to 951 ; ditto (1859), are flat,
at 941 j ; and Exchequer Bills, at 235. to 265. pm.
The New India Loan remains at 98 to 981.

About the usual amount of business is recorded
in the market for Foreign Stocks, which generally
continue firm. Turkish 6 per Cents. are 83 84,
and the New ditto 73 74, being firmer ; Sardinian
Bonds have been marked 86 ; Spanish Deferred,
33; and Mexican, 204. South American Securities
are very inactive.
Business has been reported in the new Russian
lean at par to 1 prem.
Continued investments are being made for the
s
41:ings Banks, the purchase to-day amounting to
4'15,000 Reduced Annuities.
There has been rather more activity in the Rail-
way Share Market, and, in most instances, prices
have shown a further upward tendency. Great
western, Lancashire and Yorkshire, Midland,
""°llh Eastern (Berwick), and South Eastern, have
IProved 58.; Caledonian, North Western, South
Western, los.; and. Bristol and Exeter, and North
ti
_.ritiah, 15s. Eastern Counties declined ss. The
other lines dealt in were at about previous rates.
The Foreign and Colonial lines have shown
very little activity. Lombardo-Venetian old shares
declined to 101, and the New to 101 104; East In-
dian, to 994-; Grand Trunk of Canada to 35;
lGreat, Indian Peninsula have improved to 97/, and
Great Western of Canada to 15 and 151.
Joint-Stock Bank and Miscellaneous shares have
been dull at former values.

"lank BStRIoc k
22TISH FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
4
3
, Per Cent. Reduced Annuities 961 6
tper Cent. Consols Annuities
ro_, 3 per Cent. Annuities
Dil'll4 Stock
tte Debentures, 1858 • 95 1
Ditto Ditto, 1859
, ate Bonds, Ll,OOO
;',° sols for Account (Sept. 7)
•951 t 1
rocchequer Bills, £l,OOO, 11d . 23 6
ritto £5OO i
Ditto Small, 12," 26 3
FOREIGN FUNDS—CLOSING PRICES.
Brazilian 5 per Cent.
~,' Ditto 41 per Cent. 1858 941
4exican 3 per Cent.
. Ditto Account
ittussian, 1822, £ St., 5 per Cent
e, Ditto 41 per. Cent.
'3ardinian, 5 per Cent. B6
:4Penish 3 per Cent —
Ditto New. Deferred, 3 per Cent. —
Ditto Account
Turkish 6 per Cent B3/
Ditto Account
Ditto New Loan
Ditto Accomt
Divid Ditch Exchanges
on the above ayable n L
12 Guil. 21 pepr Cent..i. 64/
ondon.
t

THREE O'CLOCK.

Conmols, Money 9si f
Ditto Account

11.43 SALE: OF VAUXHALL GARDENS.—This morning
royal property" was brought to the hammer, the sale
bell on the premises. There was a numerous attendancei
~11,tila gardens of purchasers and others attracted by cur -
843 P, and the different lots of properties, lamps, devices,
:cc., brought good prices. The lots are to be immediately
4 fe
°moved, as the ground is to be cleared for building ; and in
w days the once celebrated Vauxhall Gardens will be
cola of the things of the past.
MEDITERRANEAN EXTENSION TELEGRAPH CO3l-
- Malta correspondent, under date of the 16th
et, reports that up to that date communication by
ijorrrtne telegraph had not been re-established with Cag-
' her Was anything known respecting the operations for
tllel3e4iring the broken cable, although the Elba steamer, with
allPerintending engineer, Mr. Andrews, had left Malta
th-rethie express-purpose in the first week in July. Through
ati-cillannte channel we learn that the cable between Malta
p„,,Z; rfa had also gone wrong, no communications having
-"ea since the 15th of August.
TRE
41(41 LATE FATAL BALLOON ASCENT.—.Captain
at letta well-known aeronaut, who fell from his balloon
the reastle-on-Tyne, on Monday last, died on Friday in
sustain mazy of that town, from the injuries which he
less f.-`4. The case had been pronounced almost hope-
atittorcm a very short time after the accident, and it was
taking;
on Thursday night that death appeared to be slowly
loothg place
'Lunt gradual ,w
Captain Hall's
Leicert and another relation, who had been sent for flout
ally 1,4 r, Saw him on Thursday, and he conversed ration-
reeove them, expressing his conviction. that no hope of
ever .YY remained. Mrs. Hall has been with her. husband
itttei.rice the accident. *lt is stated that she will be left
for hi. destitute,. and that the lost balloon was being paid
heady-'nenta• A subscription on her behalf has been
omenced.
•