The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1848-03-14 00:00:00

THE CROWDS ON 'CHANGE.

It will be seen from a statement elsewhere that for
several days last week the area of the Exchange was
crowded by a number of persons, who congregated there
each afternoon, without any ostensible object.
On Thursday an address from the porters was posted on
the walls, " to the merchants and brokers," setting forth
certain grievances to themselves and also to the shippers
and receivers of goods, from the present system of master
porterage. This, it will be found, by an advertisement
in ene of our columns to-day, caused a meeting of the
magistrates, who admit the grievances stated to a cer-
tain, extent, and announce their determination to re-
medy the evil so far as they have the power. We append
below a remark on this part of the question.
On the same day a workman presented one of the pla-
cards alluded to to Mr. Rushton, at the police-court, who
on.:perusing it stated that he should lay it before the mayor
and magistrates, and strongly urged the complainants to
be peaceable, adding that if the system of master porterage
as now pursued were according to the late act of parlia-
mept, the porters must, if it were oppressive, petition for
its abrogation. He advised that they should cease to hold
meetings at the Exchange or elsewhere, as such might be
injurious to their cause. At the meetings of these work-
men on the Exchange, Mr. Dowling mixed with the crowd
and conversed in a kindly manner with them, counselling
-'-'•-••••• above all things to keep the peace. Some few lads
.......... __
• • .• - _---:,:„
and mischievous idlers emcee! a c0mp....,..,.., hy
..., shouts
a intemperate expressions, to excite a disturbance, but
wi hout effect, the porters themselves observing becoming
nil
pa ience and forbearance.

On Friday the advertisement we have alluded to was
posted as a placard, in various parts of the town, and its
judicious, just, and conciliatory character had the effect
ofpreventing on that day any formidable gathering of the
men. The magistrates, in fact, admit the grievances
citplained of, and show a willingness to aid in seeing
t m redressed. Every precaution was on that day and
Slturday taken to meet any sudden outbreak, by swearing
in: special constables, giving instructions to the police, &c.

. .
i,[iVith reference to the placard issued by the magis-
trtites, it is but proper to state in behalf of the master
pchters under the new act, amongst whom are comprised
mhny of the most respectable merchants and brokers in
the town, that they are not at least the immediate parties
w4o are to be blamed. The new system is assuredly irn-
cal to thb interests both of the master porters and the
n. The former for the most part cannot themselves
alltend to and overlook the labourers. The majority of
tile master porters are not guilty of any of the practices
c4ndemned. The system must, however, be amended in
id some way, for it works badly for all parties, as is testi-
-4(1 by the following memorial to the Dock Committee,
wihich was signed in a very short time last week, at the
Erchange News Room, by about two hundred of the most
respectable merchants and brokers in town :—" Liverpool,
9th March, 1148. Gentlemen : We, the undersigned
merchants and brokers of Liverpool, some of us being
r4gistered master porters, having given a fair and impar-
tial trial to the system of quay porterage by master por-
ters, only recently introduced into this port, beg to repre-
s4nt that the said system has proved most unsatisfactory,
our property being abused by the awkward handling of un-
skilful porters, while the charges have far exceeded the
ainount for which the porterage could have been effected
by ourselves. We, therefore, respectfully request, that
you will be pleased to abolish the system of discharging
vessels by master porters only, and order that in future
each consignee or importer of goods shall take charge of
his own property on the quay, as formerly."]
' On Sunday however great numbers again assembled in
consequence. of the following placard :
"Public meeting. Good and royal subjects of her Most
Gracious Majesty the Queen are respectfully requested to meet,
at three e'clock to-morrow afternoon, on the Exchange-square,
to take into consideration why British artisans should have to
pay dearer for everything they consume than any other people
under Heaven; and it is hoped that some good citizen will pro
pose a remedy for the above grievance, which is breaking the
spirit of the English people, and will ultimately sink the na-
tion.—A British Artisan. March 11, 1848."

•
• The above placard, which was printed in red on a white
ground, bore no imprint upon it. It was not posted till
early on Sunday morning. Though no effect was appre-
hended from the above silly production, the magistracy
assembled at the Town-hall, and took every precaution
which prudence for the public safety could suggest, and
as one step the following placard was immediately issued
by the Mayor:—