The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1842-10-18 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

THE FRAMEWORK-KNITTERS.—As we believe the folio ving exposition to be but too true, and that it cannot be controverted, we comply with the wish of the committee by stating that they have waited upon a large majority of the manufacturers, but find that they have almost an unconquerable amount of difficulties to contend with, arising principally from a want of a brisk demand for labour. On the one side the workmen complain of the manufaCturers giving out work at miserably low prises, and the exorbitant charges of the master framework-knitters; on the other hand, the manufacturers complain of the workmen, or rather the undertakers, coming to the warehouses and offering to take out work at 9d. and ls. per_ dozen below the prices which they are giving to the hands they employ. They admit that the workmen's acting in this manner is not of choice, but that they are necessitated thereto, owing to the difficulty they have in obtaining employment; and from having no resource to fall back upon, they are compelled to accept work at any price, or otherwise break up their homes and go into the union workhouse, or see their wives and children starve for want of bread. The undertakers take out the work, as they are sure of their profits; besides the advantage of carrying on the mischievous truck system, which has destroyed the independence of the workmen. According to the statement of the manufacturers themselves, from the want of something to check these nefarious practices, they are severally felt by them. The only chance there is of removing these evils (except an increased demand) is the framework-knitters commencing paying their weekly subscriptions to raise a fund to protect the surplus labour. The public cannot be expected to assist them unless they endeavour to assist themselves.— Leicester Journal. A violent outrage was last week committed upon the person of Mr. Butler, of Shelsley Mill, a lonely spot about a quarter of a mile from Stanford, in this county. It appears that from his penurious habits he is reputed to be wealthy ; and the circumstance of his brother being the only person he has to live with him in the house probably operated as an inducement to certain thieves ; for on Tuesday night the premises were broken open by four armed men, who blindfolded both brothers, bound them hand and foot, and beat Mr. Butler to make him disclose where his property was hid ; after many threats to kill him, and the application of a razor to his throat for that purpose, be was at length induced to tell them that some portion of it would be found in a barn which was situate at the other end of the fold-yard. This was evidently said only with the view of getting clear of the party, but they were not to be shaken off so easily, for without allowing him to dress, the vagabonds took him from his bed, and dragged him across the yard in his night-shirt. Being unable or unwilling to show where his money was deposited in the barn, the party again returned, and after Mr. Butler had again been beaten, and fancied he heard them preparing knives to murder him, the fellows were informed where they might-put their hands on £6O and upwards, which they immediately did, and hastily decamped. It is believed that two of the gang may be identified as the same fellows who a few days previously had been about the neighbourhood collecting damsons. The handkerchief which was tied about Mr. Butler's head was stained as from that fruit. Information was given to the police, and we understrnd that one person has been apprehended on suspicion and remanded. The brothers are 70 years of age, and this is the third time the house has been robbed.—Worcester Journal.