The Sun.
London, England, 1829-02-12 00:00:00

UNION.HALL.

Yesterday six journeymen hatters, in the employment of
Messrs. Mayow, the extensive hat-manufacturers of Union-
street, in the borough of Southwark, were brought before
Messes. SWARM', Klan, and ELIAR.II, charged with
using certain threats towards-Edward Smith, a workman
belonging to the same firm, and deterring him from hold-
ing his situation.
The comp] ainant was a journeyman in Messrs. May ow's
employ, and in consequence of his having given some in-
formation which led to the discovery of some stolen hats,
the men in Mr. Mayow's employ, particularly the six de-
lendantg, had conspired together for the purpose of get-
ting him removed. They commenced a system of perse-
cution against him, in the first instance, because he did not
advance a certain sum with a view of treating his shop-
mates; ever since which he has been kept in constant ter-
ror, and threatened with being thrown into the copper and
scalded to death, as well as being hanged. In consequence
of the prejudice that existed against him in the shop, he
was obliged to throw np his situation; and, he added, that
there was such a feeling in the trade amongst the journey-
men against him, in consequence of the discovery relative
to the stolen hats, that he was fearful he should not be
able to get employment, and he bad a wife and children to
maintain. He added that every man in the employ of
Messrs. Mayow would have " struck" bad he not left the
situation.

Johns, the constable, stated the reason of the prejudices
that existed against the complainant. Some time ago an
old man went into a public room with a number of un-
finished hats, and for better security be placed them under
the seat where he was sitting. He happened to fall.asleep,
and during the time the hats were taken by some parties in
the trade, and Smith having witnessed the circumstance,
afterwards gave such information as led to the recovery of
the property. Since then he has become obnoxious to the
journeymen hatters, and subjected to every species of an-
noyance.
Mr. KING (the Magistrate)—He has done a praise-
worthy act by giving such information as led to the resto-
ration of the old man's property. The Magistrate then
asked the complainant whether he had actually left his
employ owing to the threats used towards him by the de-
fendants ?—The complainant having replied in the affir-
mative, Mr. SWA BEY told the defendants that they had ren-
dered themselves liable,tinder the Combination Act, of
being committed for three months to hard labour.
Mr. Mayow, who was in attendant*, stated that ever
since t',:e complainant entered his service, nothing but con-
fusion hail prevailed amongst the journeymen. The
cause, he believed, was produced in consequence of Smith
not having acceded to some terms relative to a treat to his
fellow-workmen, which it appeared was the practice of

the trade.

The defendants declared that they had never exhibited
any animosity towards the complainant more than asking
him for the money that it was usual for all journeymen,
on their first varance into the employment of a new
master, to advance. lie had been repeatedly asked for it,
but without success; he had still neglected his work, got
drunk, and, finding that Le as not likely to retain his
situation lonl, ad .pled this plan out of revenge.
Mr. Mayaw said, that had he known as much of the
complainants cuaracter as he does now, he should never
have employed him in the factory in Union-street.
The Alae•hitrates said, that if they were to believe the
oath of the complainant, it was e;tidrut he had left his
situation in consequence of being intimidated by the de-
findants; the warrant against them should still remain
open, and if they presumed to molest him in any way, the
Act should be put into operation against them.
Mr. Mayow was then asked if he would consent to take
hack Smith into his employment ? He replied that he
had no objection to give Lim work at one of Fie manufac-
' tories in Gloucestershire, at, which it was ultimately ar-
ranged- he shouid be employed, the defendants promising,
as members of a society of journeyman batters, that he
should be furnished with a " fair blank" to enable him to
travel down to the manufactory.