The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1846-05-05 00:00:00

MEETING OF THE MASTER BUILDERS.

A large meeting of this body was held yesterday in the
Portico, Newington, Mr. John Tomkinson in the chair.
Letters were read from Manchester, Birmingham, Shef-
field. Bradford, Preston, and other towns, expressing an
opinion that a general association of masters throughout
the kingdom was the only measure now left to protect
them in future from the annoyances which they had suf-
frred from the exorbitant demands and dictation of the
Operative Unions • that the tradesmen in almost every
place had already been driven to the necessity of forming
local associations for defensive purposes, and stating that a
general meeting should be held at Newton for the purpose
of forming a permanent Association of Masters. A Com-
mittee was appointed for the purpose of engaging the
large room at Newton, for such eating, on Thursday
next. Many railway contractors attended the meeting,
and stated themselves willing to join the Association.
Messrs. Furniss and Kilpin said they had nearly one hun-
dred men at work. Messrs. Holme, it appears, have
about 250, all of whom have signed the declaration.
Messrs. Walker, of Birkenhead, have a few bricklayers at
work and an abundance of joiners. It appeared that the
shops of all the masters are da;ly becoming stocked with
new men. A resolution was passed, to the effect that the
masters would employ strangers, and those who have se-
ceded from the Union, in prefer, nce to the men who still
adhere to the strike, and would give protection to the men
now at work.

A letter was read from the Earl of Sefton, who stated,
that on being apprised that the men who had left a re-
spectable builder's employment had been inadvertently
employed at Croxteth-hall, where alterations are now
being made, he had written to request that the works
should be suspended ; and his Lordship further added,
that the combination of the workmen would eventually
prove injudicious to their best interests, and that he was
then contemplating the erection of various buildings, all
of which he was determined to postpone, rather than
employ workmen belonging to a combination which was
calculated to do such extensive ittj,.ry.
A communication from the Bishop of Chester was also
read, in which his Lordship extended to Messrs. Barker
the time in which they had contracted to erect a parsonage
house. _ _ _

A letter was also read from the agent of the Earl of
Derby, (Richard Earle, Esq.,) disapproving of the con-
duct of a builder at Prescot who had taken into his ser-
vice some of Mr. Tomkinson's workmen, and consenting
on his Lordship's behalf, that the works upon which he
was engaged should be suspended.
Several other gentlemen sent letters announcing their
intention to suspend their buildings until the termination
of the strike.

The builders of Glasgow sent a communication desiring
to be put in possession of what is go ng forward in the
building trades, and stating their readiness to co-operate
if necessary with the builders of Liverpool.
The meeting was very harmonious but decided, and the
proceedings occupied upwards of two hours.
We believe that about 1000 workmen are now engaged
at the various building establishments in this town, but
this is not the number employed by Messrs. liolme,
previous to the strike.
In Manchester, a large body of the men still remain
out; but 3uo join-rs and carpenters, 100 plasterers, 40
plumbers, and 80 bricklayers, have signed the declaration
of the masters, and are at work. On Friday a conference
took place between a deputation of the masters and a
similar one of the men, in the presence of the Mayor and
the Town-clerk, which lasted two hours and a half, and
terminated without any arrangement having been come to.
The men agreed to accept the wages offered by the masters
before the turn-out. The hours of labour were agreed to
on both sides; but the workmen Were firm in re-
fusing to sign the masers' declaration, which they con-
sidered degrading to them. This, therefore, as both
parties are equally firm, is the only matter prevent-
ing a settlement of the dispute, and the return of
the men to their usual avocations. It is said that, even
should the turn-out end immediately, there would be a
large number of the Manchester workmen, who would be
left unemployed owing to the check to the commencement
of building operations which it has caused ; and we be-
lieve the same may be said of this town. Tne result will
be a serious blow to the shopkeeper, and, indeed, to most
classes of tradesmen, even reaching the merchant himself.

Sir Howard Douglas paired off with Laid Ingestrie in
favour of Mr. Hawes' motion on the Danish Claims.
The hon. bart was detained from attending the house at
the division by the happy event of the =tillage of one of
his sons.
The Liverpool Standard has published a pamphlet
supplement, under the title of "A Descriptive Account
of the Railway Accommodation of Lancashire and
Cheshire." The information will be found valuable. As
a specimen of typography it is a beautiful production.
much in advance of this class of works.—.Railway Herald.
At the Council meeting, to-morrow, Mr. Alderman
Nicol will move an address of congratulation to be pre.
sented to the King of the French and his royal consort on
the failure of the recent attempt to assassinate his Majesty.
At the same meeting Mr. Counrillor Procter will intro-
duce the following motion :—" That it be an instruction
to the Finance Committee to take into their consideration
the propriety and necessity of still adhering to the Wa-
vertree-hall estate as a site for a new gaol, and also to
take into their consideration the propriety of laying out
the Wavertree-hall estate in cotinexion with the Botanic
Gardens, now offered to the corporation for one half their
value, as grounds for recreation, and for promoting the
general health of the inhabitants, and report to the Coun-
cil thereon."

CLOSING PUBLIC HOUSES ON THE SABBATH
-MEETING TO SUPPORT MR. HORSFALL'S
MOTION.

Last evening. a meeting of the inhabitants of the town
favourable to Mr.Horsfall's motion in council for closing
public-houses on the Sunday from three o'clock until
five o'clock on Monday morning, was held at the Music-
hall, Bold-street. The chair was occupied by Lawrence
Heyworth, Esq., and on the platform were the following
gentlemen :—Dr. Burrows, Mr. Eden, the Rev. H.
Hampton, the Rev. Mr. Robinson, Mr. J. Brown, Mr.
J. Edwards, Mr. Wm. Williams, Mr. A. Barns, &c.
The CHAIRMAN said he felt great pleasure in occupying
the chair on an occasion like that which had called them
together, the object of which was to discuss the propriety
of a measure calculated to benefit a whole community.
He then read the placard calling the meeting. He said,
there was already a local law which operated to the closing
of the public-houses till one o'clock on Sunday, but the
motion of Mr. Horsfall went to close them during the whole
of that day, except between the hours of one and three
o'clock. lie considered the motion ought to receive the sup-
port of every individual who was friendly to the improve-
ment in the morals of the people and the general welfare
of the community. It especially recommended itself to
those who professed themselves total abstainers—to those
who, in common with himself, held the opinion that all
intoxicating drink contained a poison which was injurious
to the human constitution, taken in any quantity, whe-
ther small or great. It was also the opinion, not of tee-
totallers merely, but it had been that of medical men for
a long time. He quoted Dr. Abernethy, who had told a
patient, in reply to a question put to him as to whe-
ther he might not take a little spirits; that a little
would not do him a great deal of harm, it would do
him a little harm. He (the chairman conceived that
a great deal would kill any person. So far back as
the time of Solomon intoxicating drinks had been de-
nounced, for he had said, in reference to tasting wine
that was red and unfermented, there was death in the
cup. He looked upon Mr. Horsfall's motion as a
very reasonable one, as it was directed to the closing
of those places which were productive of a greater
amount of wretchedness and misery, and crime, than
anything else he was aware of. It would be infinitely
more reasonable to keep open the bread shops, the
drapers, or any other class of shops than the public
houses, on the Sabbath—he could see no reason why a
shop that sold poison should be opened on the Sunday at
all. He regretted that parties should be found who made
a gain of that which was destructive to the souls and
bodies of their fellow-creatures—he almost grieved for
them—and hoped the day would come when they would
have a more legitimate employment to follow. He
hoped those gentlemen in the trade would be silent as
regarded the motion, as he felt convinced the more re-
spectable portion of them would not fled themselves in-
jured. (Hear, hear.) Look at the degradation consequent
on the opening of the gin palaces ; he could almost think
it as reasonable that brothels should be opened on the
Sabbath as those places and public-houses. The trade
was little better than robbery. He contended that the
attempt which had been made to remedy the evil com-
plained of demanded their support, and he hoped that
meeting, as well as others which might be called, would
adopt such resolutions as would show that public opinion
was against the opening of public-houses on the Sabbath
day ; and he need not tell them that public opinion roust
be brought to bear in doing away with ad great evils, and
nothing else.
Mr. WALKER, of her Majesty's Customs, wished to
know whether the meeting would allow of a fair discussion
on the merits of the question, or whether it was for a
ttty purpose.

. . .
The CHAIRMAN read the placard, observing that the
meeting was not for a party but a general purpose, and it
involved a question connected with the interests of the
whole community. It was, however, a specific meeting,
and they could not admit of any discussion on the sub-
ject. (Loud cries of disapprobation and hisses.)
The CHAIRMAN said that if any parties wished to die-
cuss the subject, he was willing to appoint another even-
ing for the purpose, and lie would either preside, or come
forward as a speaker. (Loud applause.)
Mr. Altrnocx thought the question had not been an-
swered by the chairman. He conceived that, from the
terms of the placard, any person who dissented might
offer his opinion, and if discussion were excluded, it could
not be a public meeting. He then stated he should with-
draw, conceiving it to he a private meeting.
Mr. BROWN said the licensed victuallers had a meet-
ing of their own a few days previously.
The CHAIRMAN explained that nothing would have
been more consonant with his feelings than to have en-
gaged in a discussion, but the committee who had got up
the meeting bad no idea of such a course, and had not
prepared for entering upon a discussion that evening.
Considerable disappointment was here manifested, and
it was some minutes before order was restored. The
chairman having secured the attention, then called on
The Rev. Mr. RouiNsoN, who rose to move the first
resolution, and commenced his remarks by deprer:,,ting
the infusion of passion into meetings for the discussion of
questions of any public nature. He had nu enmity
towards the speakers who had preceded him. On the
contrary, he had been led to expect that the respectable
portion of the publicans themselves, and he believed
that there were a large number of respectable men en-
gaged in that trade, were in favour of a restriction of the
hours of keeping open public-houses—that they desired
themselves to hove an opportunity of keeping the Sab-
bath, which now they had not. The speaker then en-
tered at length into some remarks, enforcing the duty of
advancing the interests of the community, by taking
every step possible to repress the habits of intoxication
too prevalent amongst the people. Surely there would
still be sufficient time for the legitimate sale of spirituous
liquors on the Sabbath between one and three o'clock.
Did the gentlemen who opposed this resolution wish to
have a further hold upon the votary of drinking, in the
hope of prevailing upon him, when no longer master of
himself or of his reason, to spend more and to go into
further excess and self abuse. He acknowledged that
he was a parson, as he had been charged with being
by some party in the meeting ; and in that capacity,
in the houses of many of the poor, he had had the oppor-
tunity of knowing that much of their poverty, and most of
their suffering, had arisen from the vice of intemperance.
As many speakers more able had to succeed him, he would
here conclude. The resolution was as follows :

"That it is the opinion of this meeting, that a great
amount of poverty and crime will be prevented by the
closing of the public-houses on Sunday, and that the so-
cial comfort and peace of the town will be promoted
thereby."
The Rev. H. HAMPTON seconded the resolution. He
was not a teetotaller, but conceived he would not be do-
ing his duty if he did not come forward and show on what
side he was. (Applause.) Ile scarcely thought it possi-
ble that in Liverpool, or even in England, any individual
should come forward in that room opposed to the ques-
tion before them. The effector keeping open public•houses
on Sunday was not only to take away the poor man's
money, but induced him to take that into his
system which was most ruinous to him, and productive
of every species of crime ; and their being closed would
contribute to his happiness and comfort as well
as benefit the town generally. In the district to which he
belonged, (St. James's,) he could speak to the evil effects
of the system of keeping open on the Sabbath, more
especially in the evening, as a great many individuals got
intoxicated, and were unable to attend their duties on the
Monday. He mentioned an instance of the awful effects
of drunkenness, during a visit which had been made by
Mr. Butler to one of the dwellings of the poor. Mr.
Butler was a gentleman appointed to visit the poor in his
district, and, on one occasion, was sent for to the house
of a poor family ; on his arrival he found the man laid out
as if he had been a corpse, arising from his being in a
state of beastly intoxication. His wife lay by his side in
a state of such loathsome drunkenness that she did not
know what was going on, and in that state brought forth
a child by the side of her own husband's corpse. If there
had been no drunkenness, there could be no such scenes
as that. He took very high ground on the question
before them, as he looked upon the opening of the
public-houses on the Sabbath as a direct revolution
of the law of God,—" Remember the Sabbath day
to keep it holy," and if there was one thing in the me-
morial, it was that part which gave three hours of that
day to be devoted to other purposes than those for which
it was designed. (Hear, hear.) He could not sanction
the slightest infringement of the Lord's day, and con-
ceived that every part of it should be given up to him,
as a proof that giving up the use of intoxicating drinks
was beneficial. He mentioned that the Rev. H. Stowell,
of Manchester, had given up taking the wine which he
was in the habit of using, to enable him, as he conceived,
to undergo the fatigues consequent on the duties of the
Sabbath, and found ;himself as strong as ever he was in
his life; he now used only water, being a confirmed tee-
totaler. (Applause.) The motion of Mr. El orsfall was
highly creditable to him, coming, as it did, from a man in
his station of life ; it shewed there were persons on the
Lord's side, and he did not see how any individual could
come forward and lift up his voice against it. He con-
cluded by observing that by the memorial being carried
out, a blessing would be conferred on the poor, as well
the community generally.
Mr. ANTHONY BARNS, licensed victualler, Dale-street,
supported the resolution. He had been twenty years in
the trade, and had always considered Sunday trading as
one of the greatest evils that could be inflicted on the
community. It prevented a man from appropriating that
money to the support of his family which he ought to do,
and from following his occupation during the week. Not-
withstanding that he had been a dealer twenty years, he
had never allowed any person to taste either ale, wine, or
spirits in his house on the Sabbath day. lie approved of
Mr. Horsfall's motion, and thought the respectable
portions of the publicans would be favourable to such a
measure which would be one of the greatest boons that
could be conferred both upon them and the community.
Even as a matter of pounds, shillings and pence, it would
be no loss to the publicans, because those men who were
prevented drinking on the Sabbath would be able to attend
their employment during the week, and have more money
to lay out providing they thought it necesshry to indulge
in intoxicating drinks on the other days excepting Sun-
day. He concluded by observing that the measure met
his most cordial approval.
The CHAIRMAN put the resolution, which was carried.
Mr. T. PARKINSON came forward to the platform, and
said he begged to state on behalf of himself and several
other parties, that they did not vote, he having been told
it was not a public meeting.
Mr. Bunnows, surgeon, then rose, and proceeded to
speak at great ltngth upon the text that alcoholic beve-
rages were not required by the economy of man. A leohol
was a poison, and we ought to endeavour to put down al-
together its use. The speaker attributed to the use of al-
cohol the fatality attending the cholera, and named one
large town in which, whilst the bulk of the cases of death
were those of persons addicted to the use of intoxicating
drinks. whilst only two total abstainers died from the
same disease. He concluded by moving the following
resolution :—" That this meeting considers that much of

the sickness and mortality in Liverpool is attributable to
the drinking of intoxicating liquors, and that the closing
of public-houses on Sunday would Le the means of pro-
moting the health and happiness of the community."
Mr. THOMAS EDEN, surgeon, next rose to second the
resolution, and combated the popular notion that a mo-
derate use of intoxicating liquors is safe. He had found
in his practice many cases of moderate drinking men who
never indulged to excess—whose deaths nevertheless he
found to have been hastened by their use.

The memorial to Parliament was then read to the meet-
ing. after which
The Rev. J. R. CONNOR addressed the meeting in terms
of great approbation of the motives of those who had got
up the meeting. He then proceeded to answer the ques-
tion—where are the travellers to go ? With respect to
them, he thought that they could not, if religious men,
who had, perhaps, in the morning attended the preaching
of the gospel, go into houses which might be called the
portals of death. A friend of his on the platform had
told him that only about 25 sailors, on their arrival in
port, required the use of ardent liquors; and how absurd
it was to complain of the want of these customers
amongst a body of two thousand publicans. The
reverend gentleman proceeded to offer some eloquent
remarks upon the higher importance of the question
before the meeting, which the time and space at our dis-
posal are utterly inadequate to give expression, and which
was received throughout with enthusiastic applause, and
concluded by moving that the resolution should be signed
by the Chairman on behalf of the meeting.
The CHAIRMAN, after a few words of explanation upon
the subject of another petition, which was being signed,
to the Council, and which was read by the Rev. Mr.
Hampton, called upon Mr. Layton to selond the resolu-
tion After a short speech from this gentleman, very im-
perfectly heard, the motion was put and carried, and the
meeting adjourned after ten o'clock.