New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-16
the motto Govern for the people by the people, inc
Prince was loudly cheered and tho meeting was ino''
enthusiastic.
A MODERN REFORMER.

Joseph Arch, PreSluenb Oh Inc I|HShoh Az"
ona Agricultural Laborers' Union. is expected TO lana
at New-York in few days His object in visiting TINS
country personally the advantages IL az
fords OF the armlaborer class, and II sat
ised, he willaccordng to his statements, mace at
public meeting the 3oth Of July-make arrangements
send 100000 men. Mr.. Arch VIII doubtless
endeayor 20 obtain American cooperation and assistance
In locating these men and their families. He will also
visit the Dominion of Canada, the Provinces OF which
already offer pecunary assistance and other advantages
to aborng emigrants from the Old Country.
Joseph Arch was born at Barford, sleepy little vii
lsge, some three miles from Warwick, England He Is
now about years OF he is short OF sturdy buld
the weatherbeaten face and complexion so orten
seen among English laborers and navvies The genera
expression OF his face in repose unlike President
Grants but when animated his face Is unlike anything
appertaning TO the President He has been all his lie
aborer is total abstinence man, and belongs 10
OF Methodist sects, OF which he has been TOT
many years q local preacher that is, a layman VINO
breaches in the chapel al esco within certain dis
trict and without pay
In such a school Joseph Arch brought M, having
as he SAYS in his Is years preacher walked over
1000 miles expound the Gospel to his fellows Inc
commonest rudments OF education he acquired without
tuition. He is entirely and thoroughly seheducated
man. educated chiefly during his later fe and brought
10 knowledge of the day by the study OF
the newspapers. When young man Mr. Arch felt that
he and his kind badly treated, and he rebeiled
against it, In a speech ut bennington last year ne
said-and his words went home to his hearers; "Men'
I'll tell you what had to do had wife and two
children, and and sixpence 36 cents) day was all
was getting, working hard morning to night asked
my master for more he said and sixpence day is
all shall give you had sworn at the altar to love
and cherish and preserve my wife, and I knew
that would not keep her and the children,
so | struck. 1 went away to work where could get
higher wages. Sometimes could not get anything but
straw to lie on and slept for nights and nights on
corded wood but thought II any to suffer, it
was not my wife and children but myself" And so,
leaving his wife and children the warwickshire VII
lage Arch roamed over England, working at job or
piece work. sending home all he earned TO his wife. and
preaching Sundays IN chapel or on village green.
strong able intelligent workman, man in every way
superior his fellows Arch in time but with what sac
rces and sedenals who shall say saved money suni-
cen to buy the freehold Of his little cottage at Baford
There he settled down. working by the job for the neigh
boring farmers during harvest time, aud Guilt
yatng a little land which he rented. When the
Warwickshire farm laborers struck they appealed to
Joseph Arch and he became their leader. The strike
began in February, 1874 at Weesbourne, village seven
miles from warwick The laborers there and in the sur
rounding hamlets turned out after demanding an in-
creased pay Of four shngs s per week Their leader
was a certain John Lewis. Travelled man. who had
worked in Stafodhre, the next county, and seen the
operations OF the Trades Unions among the ironwork
ers Lewis proposed that they should form union, but
he was ignorant OF the fine arts Of reading and writing
and SO they sent for Joe Arch, the local preacher
The Lord OF the of Wellesbourne is Sir Charles
Mordaunt we'll known TO the American public through
his attempt to obtain divorce. Sir Charles called
meeting OF the Warwickshre squres and parsons. and
on the proposition OF the Rev. Mr.. Holbecke, they
pledged themselves not to employ any aborer belonging
to or who might JOIN the Union and that by every
means their power they would " put It down" slr
Charles Mordaunt did his share or immediately
giving notice all the cottagers his estate who
had Joined the Union that they must leave their
homes; this proceeding was inflated by the
Rev. II. s. Millar, Vicar and landowner at
Railway village the foot Of the historic Edge HIS
This foolish proceeding, however, attracted the sym
patty ana opened the pockets Of the people OF the
nighboring town OF Birmingham, the most radical
borough in the kingdom The men on strike were thus
kept from starving Joseph Arch went bravey to work.
he addressed aborers at air meetings through
out the neghborhood and the Union increased IN num-
bers Then the stormy petrol OF events, the London
" special correspondent" made his appearance upon
the scene; philanhropic reformers followed foremost
among whom was the Hon. Auberon Herbert, VINO
with his wife, Lady Florence. the daughter OF an En-
oish nee made bennington his headquarters for some
weeks and encouraged and assisted the aborers both
by voice and deed. IL was on Good Friday, the
Goth March, 1872 that the first united meet
ing OF the Warwickshire laborers was held in the
Public Hall, bennington At this Joseph Arch presided
and was assisted by Mr. Auberon Herbert, Mr. Edward
Jenkins the author of Ginxs Baby an dmany would
be social reformers. Here also came Dr. Langford
editor of q Birmingham paper, bringing with MN
goody sum Of money collected in that town, several
radical Birmingham manufacturers, ana members OF
several OF the Trades Unions. These Hast assisted the
laborers from the start Amalgsmated Society OF
Engineers, most intelligent and hourlshlng BODY OF
mechanics in England, sending donation OF $500
From an early hour parties of and women marched
into bennington tightening their muddy tramp OF many
miles by singing the refrain OF the Union hymn
The farm laborers OF Warwickshire
Although bread often has been dear;
But now they We formed a Union"
The associate of highborn and intelligent men and
women his name on every ones lips praised by the
Radical press looked up to leader by his cass-how
did Joseph Arch behave then Was 1t not enough TO
turn the heads Of higher standing and educa
mont He was ever the same-simple, modest, manly,
with a marvellous wellbalanced brain and glowing
tongue strong man. strong In the possession OF good
cause and native integrity His language was wonder
the Tory squires called him, SAID at meeting at
Southam, advising moderation: DO not my IIlehes,
said he let single word that Is unjust, base bad
foul or unchaste escape your lips toward any one.
After the meeting at bennington the Union was tar
started. Joseph Arch travelled through all parts OF
England organizing branches OF the Union Wherever ne
went In two months the Naon was az ee
gates from all parts OF the country was hed az Learn
ngtOn (Which from Its central POSITION Is m3Ge tue
headouarers OF the moyementl. Over this Mr.. Dlxon,
member OF Parliament for Birmingham presided Arch
was unanimously elected President OF the Union.
The movement. which at first was only demand Tor
a few more shilngs week, has now become one OF
political Importance. and the Aborers WI demand
vote IN the Counties the artisans did In the cities
Arch az first avoided all political references But when
Her Majesty, through her steward, dscharged , tne
Iahorers on her private estates for demanding "A Few
more shIngs week, he spoke strong words and even
"a the movement has there Is no DOUBT MS IDEAS
have advanced ALSO perhaps almost In spite OF himself
for beipg a deeply religious man. his ideas OF RepuD
!canism were connected with French Atheists ana 30
calists 80, -. -,