The Statesman.
London, England, 1821-04-27 00:00:00

Zbe _eblttlte.iiait

LONDON, FRIDAY, APRIL 27,

1821.

LAXAILK CO UN T Y E E
(ON Na. OWEN'II MOO
A short sketch of the proceedings of this meeting
appeared in our paper some days since. We are now
enabled to present to our readers the following more
full and correct report :
The Clerk having read the requisition, Sir James
Stewart Deahana, Bart., of Coitness, was unani-
mously called to the Chair. Letters were then read
from Sir Charles M'l)onald Lockhart, Bart., Hugh
Storsman, Esq. of Anchtyfardle, and Norman Lock-
hart, Esq. of Oranaton, apologising for their absence
on account of severe indisposition, but stating their
concurrence in the proposed object of the meeting.—
The Chairman, knowing that Mr. Owen had prepared
some addititional drawings and calculations relative
to his plan, requested that Oentleman to favor the
meeting with an explanation of them, upon which
Mr. Owen laid before the meeting a variety of draw-
ings designed to explain, in minute detail and general
combination, the arrangements w►ich he proposed for
the relief of the working classes. They were inspected
by.several gentlemen, who seemed much gratified with
the simplicity of a system of social economy, having
for its object to enable the lower classes to participate,
for the first time, in the benefits of scientific ion-
-neut. Mr. °was then spuke to the following

effect
Having, in the report which I presented to the
County. sketched an entline of the plans by which I
propose to give relief to the labouring part of the
community--I deemed it a duty, incumbent upon me,
to have prepared for this occasion a minute develope-
went, exhibited by drawings of those scientific ar-
rangements by which society may now, advantage-
ously for itself, so materially improve the condition of
this-class of your population. It Is evident that the
situation of the labouring poor demands the commise-
ration of all, and that their present earnings are in-
adequate to their support, in suet' comfort as every
one, even on selfish principles, must wish them to en-
joy. If possible, therefore, means should be devised
to enable them either to increase the amount of their
earnings, or, with their present incomes, to obtain
more comforts and advantages. lint l hope to show
that practical arrangements may be now introduced,
by which their incomes shall he increased, while, at
the same time, their present scanty earnings may be
so applied as to afford them advantages hitherto
deemed leyond the reach of such limited expenditure.
'flue sole object of all may exertions is to ameliorate the
condition of the poor and working classes, by means
which shall also benefit every other class in society.—
It is impossible, on an occasion like the p earn*, to
enter into all the minute details necessary for a fill
explanalion of the changes by which I propose to ef-
fect the results I am now about to mention; but I
will Plate some of these results, and willingly give to
any gentleman present as meek of lb* detail of any
part as will satisfy him, should he feel dumb s re yet-
ing the accuracy of my calculations. The drawings
exhibit, in detail and combination, all the arrange-
ments required for the comfort and convenience of life
among the industrious classes, and those too of an
order greatly superior to any they have yet been per-
mitted to enjoy. Under these circumstances, they
will obtain the several advantages, about to be eon
mcrated, at the following cost, while materials and
workmanship remain at their present prices : A sitting
room, well finished, 15 feet by 13, and 9 feet Y inches
in height, !yoking into a large well laid out square:
a bed room. 15 fret by 1 I. intended to hold a large and
a small bed, looking Iwo gardens, and over thew
upon a well cultivated country, with tin- means of heat-
ing both rooms, without trouble, at one-tenth of the
usual cost of fuel—at a rental of 5/. 10s. per annum.
—These apartments are designed to accommo-
date a married pair and two children under
three years of age. Their provisions sill be
cooked in a public kitchen, the arrangement of a hick
will be formed on scientific principles. 'I he rent
of the above-mentioned apartments, with pro-
portion of rent for the use of such kitchen, unfits-
nished, will be, per annum, 61. I Is. 6.1. The rent
of the aforementioned lodgings and kitchen. rill fur-
nished, will be SI. Within these arrangements are
provided schools for all the children from infancy to
youth, a church on the national establishment, and
meeting houses for dissenters, riblic room', lihrarv.
iuti.wary, house or hotel fir strangers, all well finished
and furnished. and arranged to accommodate a popu-
lation of 1200 pers.ms Ihe expense of all these erec-
tions, well and substantially finished, and of well fur-
nishing all the lodging. apartments, the kitchen awl
eating rooms, school., infirmary awl !ismse for str.lit-
gers; amounts to 39,7901. ; say 40,n00/ , w,.ich at a:1
interest of 7i per hest gives 3,00U1. per anstnna.
stun, divided a 1111 l ng the popnlation consisting of 12.1a'.
will give an annual rental of 21. 10s. for each persoo,
or of 101. for every family of four persons. These
calculations have been made with great care :
buildings have been estimated at the Glasgow price,
for materials and workulatiAlp ; Ansi as so much end;
would he executed together, a consi.lerahle sum might
be saved on a contract Yff this tbaguittldP. 111/. ha-
been allowed for furnish:ng each lodging without kit-
chen utensils of any kind ; one bed and a crib for tete
two infants %%mild be sufficient, with tattles and chair.,d
all of which made in quantities, stolid be procure
much better awl cheaper than when purchased by
single families. This tbanestic es.ablishmeat will br
surrounded with gardens i 1111 l )etliately ailpinitig the
houses, and with 600 acres of land of a fair average
quality which is to be rultivated with the spa
bede
.in the
The
600 acres of land among 1200 persons, will
proportion of half an acre to each Wan, woman an"
child, or two acres to each family of four per,ons.
This land can slow be obtained for sl. 10s. p. a. %taw
acre, with the gr mini for the square anus attached gar-
dens added without cost. It has been t
a ascertaan.ne,l
tha m and
from long and estensive experieuee,
woman of the or.linary or ;image strength and capa-
city of labourers, 1111 nell cultivate 7 statute acres
with the spade, atter the land has been hrostelit into a
prorr state of pulverisation : the man taking Ilse hea-

• •.
voissti.*
•

j"..

4

' .
Vier, and the woman the lighter part of the work ; but and feeling a deep interest in the very important sub.
here will be two acres only for the man and *omen ject upon which they were met
resu to deli
in berate, be
bi trust u
to
-
to cultivate, and with the facilities which they will ed it would not be considered pmptuous
possess, this work will be accomplished with ease by offer his sentiments thus early to the meeting. It
one-third of their annual labour. From this propor- would certainty be acknowledged by all that there
lion of their labour under these arrangements. they did not exist that degree of happiness and morrlity in
would withotit difficulty produce sufficient to support our manufacturing districts. which it was desirable
themselves, pay their rent, and educate their children. should prevail; and at the same time it would not be
One-third of their labour might be advantageously ap- denied that we possessed means which, if rightly ap-
propriated to some mechanical or manufacturing em- plied, were capable at least of elevating our portion-
ploymeat, by which a considerable addition might be don to a much higher rank in the scale, both of coin-
made to the gains of the establishment. As, under fort and good morals, than that which they at present
these arrangements, the industry of the population occupied. He could not of course be prepared to state
world be far better directed than it can possibly be an opinion as to all the points comprehended in the
under existing circumstances, they would produce very able statement which they had just heard; or as
more real wealth of all kinds than society would re- to the anticipated amount of benefits to be derived
quire. The remaining one-third of their time might from the plan under consideration; but be (Mr.
therefore be advantageously employed in the amain- Maxwell) had no hesitation in asseadements, the ng to the
ton of knowledge. in devising improvements, and in general preposition, by certain arraag
rational recreations. recreations. Thus, for a rental of 31. 15s. boor of the working classes might be rendered more
per annum for each person, or of 151. for every family productive, and their expenditure be more advents-
of four persons, and in the proportion for a greater geously applied, while the cause of happiness and
anoibie) estioniag 71 per Cent. for interest of ca- virtue must by the same means be essentially promoted.
pital, may the industrious classes be placed horsed the His attention had lung been directed to doe plans
reach of poverty, surrounded by comforts and advan- and proceedings of Mr. Owen t and he 'bellowed there
tapes hitherto unknown to them, while at the saute was no man, sibs), in contemplating the extraordinary
time they would be made permanently independent of and perm vcring exertions of that -benevolent ci-
the existing fluctuations in agriculture, trade, cons- deal, did not entertain the same high admiration of
coerce and manufactures. When we contemplate the his character is hich he himself felt, and the same per-
extraordinary power possessed by society fur the pro- feet rour.ctiol of the puritv of the motives by which
auction of all kinds of wealth, it is obvious that po- he hail been act-sated. Various objections had been
verty arises solely from the want of a well devised as- u-getl against some parts of the system recommended
sociation to bring those powers into brueficial ope- by Mr. Owen. To these, and to all the discussions
ration. Even under the present system this evil 1111 V, which had taken place relative u
;to this s
ystem,
he hail
in some degree, be guarded against by benefit clubs riven kis frequent eonsideratio u onand friendly societies; but the arrangements fess that it slid appear to him that many of the argn-
now proposed would reader these imperfect con- meats alluded to. were drawn from society as it at pre-
trivanres unnecessary, atil pl ace all the tulles- !tent existed, and were not a;.plicable to the new state
trious classes beyond the fear of poverty. The of circumstance*, which Mr. Owen contemplated. He
number • f persons whom it is propos.ol to associ- really thought it oas not too much to demand that a
ate -tone of those establishments is 1200 :of lutes**, subject involving interests of such magnitu le, should
twohirds may he supposed to he above IS years of at length have a fair and full investigation ; more
age, and under 00. The labour of this proportion, especially when the intlividuil who proposed a great
or of '26110 persotis, may lie valued at Ss. a week each, scheme of amelioration could pint, as Mr. Owen could
which amounts to 161401. per Annan,. Of the re- do, to the state of a large establishment, sod sain-
y,
omitting third, or 4110, there would he 100 boo ten here is a practical i roof of the soundness of my pr
10 and 15 years of age, and trained as these would he, riplee au ief la elliracy of ton plans.
solie entirely
their labour may be estimated at 3.i. a-week each, or concurred in the opinion that a inquiry mportant,
at 7sol. per annum ; making: together 17,-120, or SS/. retail-1;1:1v belonged so the great council of the mi-
ls. 4d. for each faasiiy.—The whole populatioe, lion. 'I here the subject aunld assembled discssed with
consisting of 3110 families of -I each, may, under the temper an" telooleration, and the wisdom
; reposed arrangemehts, be supplied front the estal.- and talent of the country applied to its consideratioo.
lisistnent itself with a most desirable and comfortable He would briefly advert to p
ate
conversation whirl, he
subsistence, inelnding education and the most useful had some time ago the honour to have on this mu
and valuable instruction of every Lind for their chit- ject with the Chm ancoreellor of
t heor Exchsuequer,ering t'ha of
a
dren, at a sum not exceeklioc.., at present prices, 414. whom no man felt sincerity f the ff
per family, per annum ; wllich sum multiplied by 300, the people or was more ready to exert himself fur
the number of fatnilies, will give 11.,0110/..: and this their relief. This conversation was in part confiden-
' ou
r, deducted from 17, 120/., the value of their tial ; yet he has been authorised to communicate the
labour, will Wove a balance of 5,4201. for the annual aahstance of it to the gentlemen of the county of
saving f. um 'razes alone►
r Isl. Ls. 4•1. fr each fa- Renfrew; when at a recent period it was in agitation
toile. It will he perceivedo that one-fourtho of the po- to have recourse to a plan, analog. us to that meow-
pulation, or 300 out of 1200, are supposed to he in- mended by Mr. Owen, for the relief of the taboo, ing
fanq ; chil ken too yonng for labour, sick or inefficient
memh. rs of t lie c• minunity, which exceeds the actual pro- classes in that part of the country ; and be conceived
that the present occasion would jestify him in making
portion ot'such persons in the establishment at New La• a similar communication tn the gentlemen of Lanario
nark. Toes* calculations hate not I een soade to hring shire. Mr. Vensittart, although he ilia not approve
0.1 exas.grrate I ben-ticial results; bat the re% erse, ind of all the features of Mr. Owen's system, had then
the acto..l exp.oi nre at New Lanari:. to tie rx ent ih swever expressed his approbie • of severs! pasts of
that it has vet proceeded, fairly warrants a efa I the plan fur ameliorating the condition of the woik-
vouralee cousins:on. I must also oheerve Oat Ilt, pro-classes. paroieularly salt as related to the better
lit wit itever, has vet been estimated on the I dela of arranweinents uf their dwellings, the more econtooli-
'hese }coo; he ; and to the io.lo‘!ty of a population of cal preparatiand chef
of
better tr...in their food,
ing by Itle•AIawlI•4
educatio of a pnublic
of
12510, s, associated and occupied, there mu st he great kitehen,
I:ains, i.:liile the working chose. cannot exit, even in their children, he. : mil he ad
l ded that the event
the most wretched manner, by their :ahem: under the or the adoption of such a Oen being agree in
d upon by
existing arrangements. It will now be said perhaps the gentlemen of Reufrewshire, he should not hesitate
that unity and association would proi..ce all the goat; to propose to Parliament to grant a suns of money in
results I have slated ; 101 l that in practice. !nen cannot aid of the unslertaking. lle (Mr. Maewell) there-
ou, co.operate. To this "rgnmeit all I"I say 61 fore hoped that the time was now come when this
come an I see, and I will convince th.• onset desermined interesting experiment might commence; when this
opponeut of the aystem I advocate, that it is much
new moral machine might he set to work. If it
more cagy and listiAtely more delightful to :rain lontnan worked well, the hens fit which would a. crue to sa-
bring' to act in ttnieon, than to oppose each other. It cietv from ite general introduction would be great
has been the fashion with those who have not been initeed ; on the other hand, should it even fail to
trained to think arm tely and deeply on these snh- produce the promised results, the valuable experience
jeep, to .ly that the plan is pretty, and ivenione, but which would be derived 1:oin its very failure, wir:.l
yisiona;:y awl impracticable. '1 licse gentlemen are not amply compensate the expense of its erection, by
aware of the course I have pnrsatei, or they would not potting us in possession of facts to guide our fatere
thus ron.lenin me as a vi-ionary, or the plant 1 re- pr weedings, which without the aid of such an espy.-
carnmetel ;is impricticahlie Has any individual in rimeat, we should never have acquired. He cot,il
society trete as notch to ilenonnce the ire dreams of not on this occasion omit alluding with deep concern
to direct the public mind to what ie
:* to the lite alarming increase in the number of Jove-
mere ',more ; opractical ? 'lite principles on which the whole arrange- nile ileliatiente. To the wretched circumstances uf
mente are founded api.ears 1 to ma after much deep the ;:ments, this lamentable debasement of character
and ans;nits study to he troe. I ktoolv they were in :hr children, must no doubt in a great measure be
opposed col d{` the existing popular p twenty
I. there- attrilotteil. This was a subject which made him
iota
ed silently day by day for more than tweuty year- rani with a most lively interest any p'an which had
devoted int st.lf ta try the effects of those principles% it', mails object to renovate the m 1 character of
true as they sceitiel to me, in ext nsii• practice ; and the popnlittott. The Hon. tient. then paid a high
in every instance I found the result% to exceed my most
compliment to the Aristocracy of Lanarkshire who
sanguine e4.e..tations. Nor did I until I bad re- hail evinced ..ta truly lattdahle a teal in promoting
ceived a conviction of their truth, continued by tti the interest of the working classes, and concluded a
years' experience. ye lure to puhlisit one stottenre to very impreasive address, of which only a faint out-
the world. I have since then siot ht for iniorittatiou line is here given, by seconding the resolutions.
from the first minds in Europe, ant I have had ten Lord 13:.a.to•veN was extremely sorry to disturb the
rat a additional experience of tla: h..leticial results of
the practice I now recominead, eititout discovering harmotor of the meeting, he should be the last per-
son to stand in toe way .4 any measure, tending to
any error in my first views. I have also expended promote the interests of the working classes. 131. t
£50,000 in varions measures t • prepare the public to e could not assent to all the resolutions which
he believed. had
teae this important subject fairly Red as much as Pos- had just been read. The report,
sible without prejudice, into consideration. I believe only been published about 4 or 5 weeks, and for
the system to be fraught with loon:arable blessings to his part lie had nut bad an uppo tunity of seeing it
'nankin.] ; and all I now solicit is, that the county till that morning.
recommend it to the calm investigation of the Ouvern- said, he
to each had given
the instNuorctible monen, s thF at a
went and Legislature.•' copy Owen
Mr. Owen
ould be sent of ree-
Sir HENRY 44 catraev, Hart. of Allanton, then moved holders, Justice% Of Praire, Commissioners of :supply,
a series of resolutions. an I Clergy of the county.
.1. M *.XIVELI, Esq. M.P. for Renfrewshire, nex• Lord Ileutaviem observed that he had not yet re-
address tl the Meetinx.--Althaugh he happened to be ceived one.
more immediately connected with an adjoinin.s. county Mr. °vivo
copies'rertted this circumstance, and as lie
titan with that of Lanark, and subsequently the intei. had ordered to all the members of bulb Houses
coarse which he hail had the honour to hod with the of
don, as a 'ltemiser of the House of Peers. Parliament, be conclo that the ropy iutenised
g m.i.o
entlemen who eu.ed the present very r.spectabl.. fur his Lordship bad been addressed to him in Lon-•
have been less fretptent than he could have
rielted, yet as a fret solder of the county of Lamar! , . Lord BlttalliTt7l would not have them petition Par-