Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor
HTML Transcription
© F.Coakley , 2026
[from A.M Harrision's Descriptive List of Insular Societies]
In 1847 the Isle of Man still enjoyed the colonial postal, privileges which attracted radical printers to the island to print their cheaply produced and freely postable newspapers to the mainland, a period in which the Island became increasingly open to politicisation. In late August Mr. Daniells of the Miners Association and Mr. Peel of the National Trades Association visited the Island to see William Shirrefs who was printing their new joint journal, the Labour League, designed to offer 'a complete and effectual plan of individual, associative and and legislative agitation.' They also took the opportunity of this and associated visits, to address a public meeting at the Wellington Hall, Douglas, on the subject of "the advantages of cooperation on the part of operatives, in order to protect their individual and general interests, by obtaining "a fair day's wage for a fair day's work."
At a second meeting, the next evening, it was believed that some of the mechanics of Douglas joined the National Association under the presidency of T.S.Duncome, M.P. These meetings, reported in the conservative Manx Sun of 28 August 1847, were followed by a meeting in September, printed ' from a correspondent' which gave a sympathetic account of what appeared to be a successful campaign in the Manx Sun of 18 September.
'We learn that a branch of this useful and flourishing society, now numbering near 40,000 members, has been formed in Douglas, and that between 70 and 80 members have joined. One of the principal objects of the Association is to settle disputes between masters and men, so as to prevent "strikes', which have caused so much injury to the employer and the employed. A public meeting of the Douglas branch was held on Thursday evening, in Mr. Moffatt's school-room, (late old Assembly-Room) Fort Street, which was addressed at some length by Mr. Daniells on the objects and utility of the Association, and it was agreed to hold another meeting of the trades of Douglas, for the enrolment of members , &c. , at the same place, this evening at 6 o'clock. We understand thatthe above spacious room has been taken for the purpose of holding the society's meetings there, and which, on their regular meeting nights (Wednesdays) is open to the public, whom they invite to attend to hear and witness theirproceedings.'
The only further reference to this chance but apparently successful initiative by the Association formed in Sheffield in 1845, to organise Manx workers into their network of societies for arbitration, comes from an editorial query in the Manx Sun of 5 April 1848, 'Why do working men allow themselves to be brought together in a public meeting by non-working class reformists -instead of calling a meeting of their own to present their grievances to the Manx Legislature?' The Manx workers in a society still governed by this self-elected body, offered, ironically, as their natural support, were soon to experience an unprecedented development as a major seaside resort which accelerated the development of skilled trades and the number and organisation of trade associations.
M.N.H.L., Isle of Man newspapers, ut supra et passim ; Census Reports, Analysis of occupations, Isle of Man,
J.C. Belchem, 'Radical Entrepreneur: William Shirrefs and the Manx Free Press of the 1840's, ProcsIOMNHAS, vol. x, no. 1 (1989-1991) pp.33 - 47
...
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
|
||
|
Any comments, errors or omissions gratefully received
The Editor |
||