Scan and page transcript from:
Historical Sketches of Oldham by Edwin Butterworth
Pub. 1856
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unless the turnout spinners at Acre mills resumed their employment, on the terms of the masters. The result of this proceeding was that 3800 individuals, exclusive of 1300 power-loom weavers, were deprived of work so long as the strike lasted, which was for a period of four months. The amount of money withdrawn from circulation weekly in consequence of this affair, was estimated at £2000. A public subscription was entered into for the relief of a number of power-loom weavers, deprived of work by the stoppage of the spinners. At the close of March, 1837, this long continued turnout was brought to a termination, principally owing to the rapid diminution of the funds of the operative spinners' union. On the 31st of March, the greater part of the turnouts were re-engaged at the rate of wages which they had unsuccessfully opposed for several months.
In the early part of 1839, the population of the manufacturing districts was in an extremely excited state, owing to the occurrence of another period of commercial embarrassment, and to the widely extended prevalence of ultra-radical principles. Public meetings of the operatives in favour of an extensive organic change in representative system, were much more frequent than usual. As the authorities were of opinion that the public peace was insecure, five hundred special constables were appointed by the magistrates on the 3rd of May, 1839. A large public meeting held on Curzon ground, on the 25th of May, 1839, for the purpose of voting an address to the Queen, in favour of chartist or ultra-radical measures, passed off, however, in an orderly manner. In the early part of 1841, the coal miners of Oldham, Ashton, and the adjacent places, turned out for the purpose of obtaining an advance of wages ; and within a few days of the same period (January 23) the hatters of the same district quitted their employment 216 |
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