The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-08 00:00:00

THE BUILDERS' STRIKE.

Circumstances have occurred within the last day
or two which justify the anticipation that an ami-
cable settlement of the matters in dispute will
shortly be effected. It will be recollected that the
Central Association of Employers recently declined
to recognise the Operatives' Conference, or to con-
fer with them in any way as a medium of commu-
nication between themselves and their workmen.
Subsequently Mr. Ayrton, M. P., laid certain pro-
positions before the conference, which were under.
stood to be sanctioned by the employers, and prof-
fered his services to submit any new terms they
might feel disposed to offer for the consideration of
the masters. The, conference held a meeting on
Tuesday night to discuss the course to be taken,
and unanimously agreed to resolutions which did
not materially differ from those suggested by the
hon. member for the Tower Hamlets, and which, it
may be stated, were of so conciliatory a character
as to warrant the expectation that they would
be aecepted without compromising the honour or
the interests of either of the parties engaged in the
struggle. These propositions, however, emanated
only from the four trades represented in the con-
ference, and it was desirable that the masons, who
have withdrawn from that body, should also be as-
sociated in any renewed efforts to put an end to the
strike and lock-out. The corresponding secretary,
Mr. Harnott, was telegraphed for from Bristol, and
yesterday, by appointment, a special meeting of the
employers was held at Radley's Hotel, Bridge-
street, Blackfriars, to meet Mr. Ayrton. On behalf
of the conference were Messrs. Harnott, Wm. Per-
ham, R. Thomas, Wm. Fox, and G. Garrett ; and
Wm. Haigh on the part of the masons. Mr. Ayr-
ton had the first interview, which lasted for some
time. The deputation from the masons were
afterwards received, and the proceedings, which
lasted upwards of five hours, terminated by an
adjournment till Tuesday next, at two o'clock,
when it is hoped the matter will be finally. and
satisfactorily concluded. We arc in possession of
the terms under discussion, but as their publica-
tion might possibly have the effect of preventing
that consummation, it is considered advisable to
withhold them for the present, in order that the
belligerents may be able to act freely, and unfet-
tered by any undue or improper external pressure,
or consider themselves bound by any foregone con-
clusion.

It may be stated, however, that information was
received at the Paviors' Arms yesterday, that seve-
ral other firms had formally withdrawn the decla-
ration. Among those who are stated to have done
so are Mr. Lawrence, New-road, Mr. Todd, Chelsea;
and Mr. Rudkin, Paddington-street. The time-
keeper of Mr. Moxon informed Mr. Henry Noble, a
member of the Conference, that the declaration has
also been withdrawn in that establishment ; and at
wgitetleoniivitcsh continuethe ‘‘ d e
members
"declaration"
ht ieoin w
.e"
of will
the b be
Nine
iint he dwHr aoorns,,
the
rsaMyt
na Messrs. se sadranstl
shaotaAt
In
abhenebmrytbyaenrt members
agreemento Sf supportonth,
heßa
siri
the
oepn,,s
respectivegelooa cmt ke
come
to by
toMslretuaraotedvsveeie'tn'in'societies. On Monday they are to resume
workrr eocnonthteessta
haster atmst.
racted attention in the United
States, Mr. Harnott, the corresponding secretary of
tt
hh e e
cMo
rarseosnps Society,
o'
ndi
n g
secretaryhav i having received
fth e a
Americanl letter e from
Society
of Stonecutters (as it appears masons are there
styled), informing him that at a " monster meeting"
in New York it had been determined to aid their
fellow-workmen in their resistance to the " declara-
tion," and that within a week the first remittance
might be expected. In like manner funds continue
to flow in from the provinces as well as the metro-
polis to the Conference at the Paviors' Arms; but
it is to be hoped that while the operatives are thus
sustained by the industrial classes in the mainten-
ance of the position they have hitherto occupied,
the result of the renewed negotiations may be such
as to render the further continuance of such aid
unnecessar .7.

THE PACKET SHIP AMERICAN CONGRESS.-
This vessel, which grounded on the shoal of the Lead, near
the Owers Light Vessel, early on Thursday morning, on
her way down Channel, was successfully floated off the fol-
lowing tide, and has anchored at Spithead. Should the
damage prove no more than is anticipated she will proceed
to New York