The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-07-18 00:00:00

HE LIVERPOOL SAILMAKERS.

A NtErING of the Liverpool Master Sailmakers' Asso-
ciation was held in the Clarendon-rooms on Friday. The
chair•was occupied by Mr. John Murray Gladstone, of the
firm of Gladstone, Oldham, and Co., and the meeting was
numerously attended.

The CliezamAN recapitulated what had taken place at
the previous meeting, and said it would no doubt be fresh
in the memories of all, that in the fall of last year the men
demanaed an advance of 15 per •cent. on their wages, but
that, after some discussion, they agreed to take half that,
at the same time stating that :they would not ask for a
further advance for a lengthened period. Acting on that
•promise, a number of masters entered into contracts for
supplying sails, when they were a short time afterwards
surprised to receive another demand from the men for an
additional 20 per cent. (hear.) As the trade was busy
at the time and men were scarce, the advance was given
—no doubt causing severe loss to many masters. (Hear,
hear.) At a meeting of the master sailmakers, held about
`that time, a committee was formed with power to watch
the course of events, and, when an opportunity offered,
to treat with the men for their mutual advantage.• • A
short-time since it was ascertained that the men antici-
_

gated a reduction of their wages ; and they (the men)
gave them to understand that if any reduction was

lade, they would, as soon .as trade improved demand

a larger rate of wages than they h-ad ever before
received ; and they even went so far as to say that
they should require £1 a-day. The committee, thinking
the better course would "be to make an amicable ar-
rangement by which a permanent rate of wages should
be agreed upon, offered to continue the then rate, with a
slight modification for piece work, for twelve mouths, the
-men not to ask for any increase -until that period had ex-
pired. That, they conceived, Avas a liberal offer. (Hear,
hear.) The answer, however, received from the men was
insolent and insulting. (Hear.) The committee then
thought that decidedly the only effective course would be
to-attempt to strike a blow at the vital principle of the
-men's club, which was originally formed, nominally, as a
benefit sick and burial society ; its real object being to
coerce the masters ; and that they had succeeded in doing
very well. (Hear, hear:) As they knew, the men res-
tricted the masters to three apprentices, Now the trade
-of the port was greatly increasing while the number of
.Ijourneymen sailmakers was .annually decreasing, many

clying,:and others going to sea, in consequence of the high

crate of seamen's wages; .and the consequence was, that
ithose who remained exercised. a monopoly, doing what
;they: liked, asking what wages they diked—and getting
-them, (hear, hear ;) and giving expresgion to all kinds of
;insolence to' their employeus, whom they refused to ac-
knowledge as their masters. (Hear, -hear, hear.) At a
meeting of the masters, heldlast Friday, a resolution was
passed unanimously, "That, on theilthJuly, each master
.sallmaker shall bind one or more .apprentices in addition
to those he has already." (sear, hear:) A second reso-
lution passed unanimously on that occasion was, " That
each master sailmaker present, sign a paper binding him-
self to act upon such motion ; and that a deputation of
two.be formed, for the purpose.of calling upon those mas-
ters-not present, to obtain their signatures." In accord-
ance with that resolution, Mr. Wm. Maddock and he had
called upon the other sailmakers in the tow, many of
whom were unfortunately out; tut all whom they, saw,
signed the paper, and entered most cordially into the
subject. Their object (continued Mr. Gladstone) was to
do their duty to their neighbours, ,to the,shipouzaers, and
to the men themselves; for he was convinced that, in
raising Their wages beyond a certain point, instead of
giving a 'blessing, they bestowed upon them a curse.
(Cheers, and " Hear, hear.") He had ascertained that a
number of steady, industrious men, not belonging-to the
journeymen's club, were in town, who would, no doubt,
work for them, and there are probably many who -would
rather leave the club than put themselves out of work. They
(the • mastem) -must, therefore, not be intimidated- 3.-o,
doubt the men -would roar; but 'the masters must strike
a good blow in a just cause, and they would accomplish
their object. (Cheers.)
"'Resolutions in accordance with the sentiments were
then passed, and, ,after_ vote of -thanks to the chairman,
the meeting separated.