The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1835-04-03 00:00:00

CURSTER TRADES' UNIONISTS.

For severat Years it has been our misfortune to be troubled
; by the influence of one of those pestiferous societies, called
," Trade Unions," in which the whole of the journeymen print-
ers of the Courchit Office were enrolled. As.a matter of course
we haya'been subjected, from time to time, by the members in
our employ, to a most vexatious system otyranny, oppression,
and. abuse, which we regret we have neither room nor time to
'detail until the present assizes have terminated. The 'public
shall then be put in possession of the facts.
On TPursday week they refused to work with two men whom
Ise had engaged to assist us, on the grdond that they were not
unionists, and had nut conformed to certain rules which the
unionists think it necessary to observe. They instantly adopted
their usual course of tyranny and intolerance, and ultimately
compelled' both of the new hands to leave our otlice much
against their Wish, and seriously to our inconvenience.
In consequence of this conduct, Mr. Dixon' went to the
mayor and magistrates on Tuesday to complain, and laid an in-
formation against the two men who took the most active part
in the affair, viz., Thomas Pullau, the foreman, and Ralph'
Itothwell, a journeyman, under the third section of 6 George
IV. chap. 125; which provides as follows :
" That from and after the passing of this act, if any person
shall by violence to the person or property, or by threats and
intimidation, or by molesting or in any way obstructing another,
force or endeavour to force any journeyman, manufacturer;
workman, or other person hired or employed in any manufac-
tory, trade, or business, to depart from his hiring, employment,
or work, or to return his work before the same shall be finished,
OT prevent or endeavour to prevent any journeyman, manufac-
turer, workman, or other person not being hired or employed
from hiring himself to, or from accepting work or employment
from any, person or persons; or if any person shall use or em-
ploy violence to the person or property of another, or threats or
intimidation, or shall molest or in any way obstruct another
for the perpase of forcing or inducing such person to belong to
any club'or association, or to contribute to any common fund, '
or to pay any fine or penalty, or on account of his not belonging
in any particular club orassociation, or not having ,contributed
dr having refused to contribute to any common ;flied, or to pay
tiny fine or penalty, or on accountof his not having complied,
Or of his refusing to comply,: with any rules, orders, resolutions,
or regulations made to obtain an advance or to reduce the rate
Of wages, or to lessen or alter the hours of working, or to de-
Crease or alter the quantity of work, or to regulate the mode'ef
Carrying on-any mattufacture, trade or business, or the manage-,
anent thereof; or if any person shall by violence to the person
or preperty of another,- why threats or intimidation, or by too-
testing or in any-way obstructing another, force or eudeavour
to force any manufacturer or person carrying on any trade or
business, to make 'any alteration in his mule of regulating, ma-
naging, conducting, or carrying on such manufacture, trade,,
or business, oe TO LIMIT THE NUMBER-OF HIS 'APPRENXICES,
Ott THE NUMIrEIt OR DESCRIPTION OF Ms JOURNEYMEN, WORE-
' MEN, OR SERVANTS; every person so offending,' or aiding,-
abetting, or assisting therein, being convicted thereof in man-
nerhereinafter. mentioned, shall be imprisoned only, or shall and
may' be imprisoned and kept to hard labour, for-any time not
exceeding three calentlur months."
The case was heard on Satuday last, and after the charge
hail been thorolighly proved, the bench intimated that a cOnvic-
tiOn must follow. Three month's imprisoninentnnd hard labour'
stared the deluded defendants in the face, but as we were adverse
to the sufferings which their innocent wives and children would,
endure by sending them to prison, we proposed that they should
sign a document, atlaaittiug the illegality of4heir conduct, and al-
' low us to publish it'to the world; and; then we would not press the
conviction. After a long consultation with their friends, they
assented and signedthe Yellowing •paperl:—
' " We, the undersigned, lateliin the employ df r. John Dixon,
Printer, Chester, adMit that our conduct is indefensible and ille-
gal, in endeavouring by any kind of molestation to compel or
induce him to Make any alteration in his mode of regulating,
managing, conducting, or carrying on his trade and business:
of'a printer, or to limit the number of his apprentices, or the
number and description of his journeymen. And we feel grateful
to the Mayor and magistrates, with the consent of the complain-
ant, Mr. Dixon, in suggesting, that' if we signed a document ail-
tnitting the illegality of our conduct, that the conviction should
not be, pressed against us,—which mustat least have sulki ected us.
to an imprisonment for three moaths. • '.. ••.
Dated this 26th day of March, 1835.
THOMAS PULLAN,
RALPH ROTHAVVLI,."
After the assizes we will'bring thiscase thoroughly before the
public, from a sense of duty which we owe to them. In the mean.,
time we need only say, that we have given the death-blow to
Trade Unions in Chester, and have shown the public, that the i
law is amply sufficient for the entire suppression of these obnox-
ious and injurious confederations, the tendency of which is to set
masters against workmen, destroy trade, and to injure the hon-
est and industrious man. _

'Mr. Davies thou answered Mr. Henderson's question in the
affieniatiee.
'Mr. llEsoEßsore.—And after you had witnessed what hat!
taken place you did not inform the father, but remained a.
; lodger in the house ?
Mr. Davies.-1 was compelled to stay in the house.
This closed the plaintiff's case, when
• Mr. HENDERSON, orthehalf of the defendant, addressed the
jury. He contended that the injury Sustained by the plaintiff
was of such a trifling 'Were that the smallest amount of damages
would satisfy justice. ' He should be enabledto show, mitWith-
standing the evidence given by Mr:Davies, 'and the statetnent
or the gentlemedicho conducted the case, that the plaintiff had;
ever,sierte the accident, been able to follow his employment.
The deferident, whose family were attended by Mr. FOeshaw, a
most reepectahle surgeon, had selected that gentleman to attend
the plaintiff, it he required itebni he hid not taken advantage
or the offer, and therefore the jury must naturally suppose that
he diftnot need one, unless they relied upon the evidence ad
diced by the witnesses they had heard. The injury sustained
-was in fact thought of a fortnight after the accident. Leaving, ee
:however; the credibility Of witnesses tint Of the question, it was To THE EDITOR OFTHE LIVERPOOL ST-I.ArD4RD.
a .legal point for discussion, ae to whether Mr. Jenkins was Sie,—l have observed a letter in the LIVERPOOL STANDARD
liable to pay env damages whatsoever. Upon the pleadings an of the 27th• March, signed "A Fireman,". with some remarks
issue was raised' on the culpable negligence of the defendant, on my. plan for a "supply of water for Liverpool," which ap.,
and if it was shown that there was a want of proper precaution Pear" in your paper of the 6th March.
tip_ the part of the Plaintiff: he -Ould not recover. The learned Although I ens far from considering it incumbent on me to
egmetlemall then illustrated his view of the Case by referring to reply to every anonymous communication, yet, in this instance,
an action brought by Mr. Bold( an accountant, in this town, I deem it a duty I owe to the public to undeceive them as to
• afeainst a merchant. Mr. Bond inid suffered an injury from a several of the observations he has been pleased to make, without
+bale of cotton falling • upon him ; 'he commenced an action going wholly into the detail or binding myself hereafter to
• against •the owner, but did not recover because it was shown answer any individual who may differ from me iu sentiment as
•thet, he stepped under the jigger which hoisted the cotton when to the eligibility of the scheme, and avail himself of a feigned
•Im might have kept the proper path and have avoided it. Cut name. But to proceed in the order of his letter .
pable• neeeligence must be .proved, and where the negligence He asks first, " Would the plan afford that prompt supply in
was on both sides au action could not he sustained. ' Lord El- a way more desirable than is done at present ?" .
lenlecirOugh had clearly laid dew(' th 6 law in Such cases. After 1 answer, Yes, because the mains would always be kept full
alluding to two decisions in point of Ilse learned judge, Mr. H. by night as well as by day, which is not invariably the case. at
teineinded by stating 'that negligence' coati' not be imputed to present.
Mr. jenkins. —Merchants were compelled by their business to Secondly,—" Is it certain that the canal can spare the water
;have their eellars open. The ;nen teed just been working in the for the purpose contemplated?" •
cellar,lhe'gas-lamps were lighted, and the large arches of the From the quantity of water annually running to waste the
-piazzas were not fur persons. to walk-through, but merely used canal company can spare sufficient water, except perhaps a few
aicellars. days or weeks in very dry seasons, when a strong westerly gale
.
51'ng AssEssou recalled Mr. Davies, the surgeon, and inquired blows the water below its-level, which it has been known to- do
'the hour on the 20th Of January that he •examined the .planitiff's several inches: in a similar manner to that. in which the river
.'injuries. ; Mersey was driven up, ott.the 23d. February last, by theviolence
Mr. 'Device replied that it was late in the eve-ring of the wind, near six feet above the height indicated by the Tide
"3.1 r. Heneausos then called Mr. Mown' Martin Jenkins, Table (12 feet 9 inches); bad this happened with a2l feet tide
the effects' would have been very destructive. For dry seasons
who stated that ho is
,son of the defendant. Was at lies father's
•otlice in the evening of the 16th of linuary leit. The shutters the surplue water of winter might he treasured up in capacious
on that evening were not cloied, end .there was a fight on wit- reservoirs on a level with the•eanal, and perhaps nut inure pro-
•ness's desk, and one on his brother's. Witness's deck was ,elose per sites could he found than the dry ditch which for the great-
teithe window.' It might have been a (planer before six when tat part surrounds the Borough Gaol, or the field to the north-
theaaident happened. Witness went out, and afterwards the east of it, where 'the clay is now being excavated folebrieks.
.plhintiff, Ellis, came np. ' Believes the gas lamps were lighted, The space' thus dug odt would form a sufficient: basin for the
Init cannot be stire.' The cellar might be 13 or 34 feet iron the reception of ail tunnle conservatory of water, which might lee
office.' `t'her'e was every proper, common precaution used to pree stored and reserved for accidents in dry weather, when the
.qht persons falling iii the cellar. Asked the plaintiff if he was drought renders the canal less efficient; but this tempnt-ary
dinet by the fall, and he•saie he was, and showed a slight scratch difficulty is of minor importance us very few fires occur between
°tithe heed. Plaintiff did .not mention any other place in which March anti September, which will be seen by a reference to the
-,hb was hurt. 'Witness asked him how •he came to fall in, and list f fires.
hh replied, thathe 'was looking up for the vane of his vessel and Thirdly,—" The 'canal itself is sometimes, if not frequently,
did not see' the cellar. A•bent a fortnight subsequently the so deficient in water: that the boats arc obliged to go with di-
plaintiff came to the office. Mr. Jenkins was not. there. Wit- ininished loads; and the companyein their resolution, intimate
nes; asked him if he had had any surgeon, and he said that he as- much."
hlel hail no doctor. ',Mr. Jenkins shortly afterwards came in, The boats on the canal have sometimes been retarded by a
,and* aeked the:plaintiff if he had any iobjeetien .te go and see detiviency•of watei, caused by -its being blown back as before
;Mr. Manifold or Mr. Forshaw, the surgeons, and he said he heel: stated, and•also from; the silt and-accumulations of mud at the
not; - and' thetethe surgeon might find him at Mr. Sixstnith's houninewhich occasionally render it- (perhaps every two or three
publieshowseeor on board a vessel caileiPthe Cora, lying inithe • :years) necessary to let off the water and cleanse the canal, but
Prisice'el Deck. nvith these' exceptions the navigation of the lower pool, from
Appley Loek•to Liverpool, is never interrupted wiaen free from
-, CSoseexarnined by Mr.' BA R nsuu lA, —Jndged-that it was a
quarter before six whets the accident happened try' the men ice
- i'he reservation of the debt of resuming the water whenever
leereiteee off work. ' There were two candles he believed, as he
the company 'S think it wanted for the.canal and its works" was
srenerally used twn'when writieg Half of the lower parses eif
the desks not marle•rrom the apprehension of being shorter water for them-
th6 %rinds:vv. Were frosted. The lief-It:would reflect on selves, butfrom a;lesire to reserve the, powers they possess by
Sal the arches also. Whete the plaintiff' came to' the 'office on
their act Of locking.
the 13th of January be complaineidor beim, raptured. On the • down into the. whenever they shalt
deem it expedient—a aver rem.otecontiogence, we may suppose,
night. of the accident no lierson"eutered th"effice• to complain when they- have notaraded themselves of it for upwaidsof sixty
or life cellar being open. - Witness went the 'door to '
out- of see .
utter the' inen. . e ears.
By 'Mr. Ilgeneesoe.—The height of the windows is live c Fourthly,—"Those parts of the town below his levels are pre-
isele-ilieie in which water, for purposes oreonvenience, is least panes, and only half of them -ere frosted. ' None of the men
were- iii
itthe cellar when the accident happened.wanted."
If the levels below the canal "ore precisely those in which
- Mr. John Jenkins. another eon ef Ai defendant, said that on
water. f'arra poses of convenience is least wante(ll! haw has it hap-
on the plaintiff came anti was offered to see Mr. Forst:lave reened'that such severe losses have occurred for a series of years
on the following ineruitig, and he replied that he had not the
slightest ohjection, and would go. Wit gavema that exact district? By the appendix of "Fires, No. 4." it
Witness line re or- •I • M F
show's address.appears that ten fires have taken place L-elow the level, and the
that list amount; By Mr. Benosw "aEee.—Does not know • h t the plaintiff less estimated tiler
eftifle to the ,otficeon the 30th for. - 1
••
• The plaintiff's attorney, here admitted that th plaintiff had ;is a fact, also, that the noisome e Mums from the sewers irises,,
not called untie, Mr. b)mikaw. e
1 . FifthlY;—;" it is a sabject of regret that the overflow from the
Pattie-lc Sweeney.'Nearehoueeman to Messrs. Pickering Bro- Icausal, even in winter, cannot be niade availabl •• s e fir fires, sup-
alters, said that on thii 15tli•and 16th of February witness was D igthe expense to be uoconsideratiot toany useful extent.".
werkine in'the Broaj'Axe vessel, Wailing wheat, and Ellis, Ow i: • "i'''' well known axiom in i'
It is a
.hydraulics, that water, in a qui-
llainfitt,. was acting. as irate. Plaintiff wee vet", active , i II rise to- its level '
it state, wi .in large pipes, whatever the
inlaid' the :vessel, and did as much work as anv one else. ! eat out with his extensive• .
,
,
Plaintiff did not sail in the Broad Axe in consequence of a
'fireman,
anor in spite of his three
difference With the .captain. Plaiutiff had told witness so. A !to the contrary,
of . r
or objections of the chain-
" nelse--the degree descent, depth of the reservoir • and, with
Weide before the plaintiff's werking in the Broad axe hut see,
his inflation from Dr—Arnettthe • '
him Workiueelsewhere, and he. looked exceedingly healthy. respect toon paesing of fluids
4 tubes,it hnothing t ilwith e. through inch . as tie do the question, as no
.
—SEM' Airev said that in the middle of January lait her bus.. such diameters were ever•contempletede mut it is well known
Amite -it; . iitiployed at the next warehouse to Mr. Jenkins. that the larger the pipe the less the friction, and none less than
Witt on t6at- evening 'took her husband's tea. The gas- six inchesdiameter were even hinted at.
firer were not lighted when witness first went out, but. they , SiXthly,—"That canal water would be unavailing in streets
*ere lighted whilst she staved The. office' candies- in 'Mr. : more than twelve feet above the Dock quays, Sic."
Jenkine office were "s Li lighted before the gesLlereps";', W there — ; b
water can ew m
dran and forced fro the Docks tone south
*hen the accident' happened, and the gas was lighted a long front of the Exchange, upwards of thirty feet above the Dock
One Irefere the accident' happened. Thomas Airee; witnesses • Water, as shown: by the Fireman, surely water might with equal
btiAtier'itt=lai, assisted to hull :the plaintiff out Of the cellar.. 1 facility.he pumped from a pipe, tub, or temporary eXcavntion

We regret that a sense of duty will also compel us to resort
to other. proceedingsagainst the unionists.