Chapter XXX: Part 30

“In 1784, the first year after the peace, another Journal started
for public favour, in which Minion was introduced. The old method
of display was discarded, a new taste appeared in the arrangement
of the matter in the inner form, and the former advertisement
style was completely exploded. Rivalry commenced, and the other
Newspapers soon made a correspondent change. Your Committee have
thus reached the period when they meet with the first printed
document relating to the composing part of the printing business.
It is a request, in the form of a Circular, by the _body_ of
Compositors, for an advance of _one halfpenny_ (Book-work being
then paid 4_d._ per 1000), dated April 6, 1785, and consisting of
eight propositions; which were not finally determined upon by the
Employers till the 25th of November following. The proposition
and answer relating to News-work were as follow:

“‘PROP. 4. That the Compositors employed on Daily Newspapers,
now paid at the rate of 27_s._ per week, be in future paid 1_l._
11_s._ 6_d._ per week, and over hours paid as at present--_Answ._
This cannot be a matter of general regulation, as the trouble of
every paper differs from that of another.’

“Your Committee have no other document of this date: it will be
observed that the prices were low, and that the over hours were
paid for; but it was considered impossible to make the request
‘a matter of general regulation,’ as every Journal differed in
its trouble from another. The Book-men, however, received an
advance of one-eighth, or 2_s._ 6_d._ in the pound, and the
establishments in Book-houses varied from 1_l._ 1_s._ to 1_l._
7_s._

“1786.--The advance on Book-work commenced on the 1st of January,
and in the month of March following the Newsmen, on Daily Papers
only, received a rise of 4_s._ 6_d._, which made the price for
full hands 1_l._ 11_s._ 6_d._, and for Supernumeraries 15_s._;
the galley 2_s._ 6_d._ A few Journals only of the other class
rose to 27_s._ At this time there were eight Morning Papers,
eight of three times a week, two Weekly, and three Sunday
Journals. In 1788 the first _Daily_ Evening Paper made its
appearance, and the men received the same price as the Morning
Papers; a second came out in 1791, and was paid in like manner.

“1793.--For a number of years the Compositors employed on
Book-work had been labouring under an intolerable grievance, and
although they did not demand a rise per thousand, requested, as
a new regulation, that the head and direction lines of pages,
and the en and em quadrats at the sides, should be paid for.
Their Circular was dated the 14th January, and on the 11th March
following, the masters agreed to the proposition of paying the
head and direction lines, but not the ens and ems.

“The News department appears to have been in full employment at
this period. By a strong competition for public favour (which
commenced, as already observed, prior to the termination of the
American war, and from the year 1785 to 1793), the Journals
underwent a most material alteration. It was a remarkable epoch,
including the most eventful seven years of the last century.
The disarrangements, both civil and political, concomitant to
a return to peace after a long war--the wars in India--the
troubles in Germany, in Flanders, Brabant, Holland--the French
Revolution--and the commencement of a war with France--all
occurring within the dates just mentioned, caused a strong
political feeling in the public mind; of course, information
from all quarters was eagerly sought, and as readily given by
the Editors of the Daily Journals, among whom, as with their
readers, party spirit rose to its utmost height, and no expence
was spared to gratify it. In this period nineteen _new_ journals
put forth their claims for public support--the majority,
however, were ‘born but to die!’--two of the older Papers also
expired; but their places were occupied by _seven_ juniors. The
number now amounted to eleven Morning and two Evening Papers;
seven of three times a week, one Weekly, and five Sunday papers.
An alteration in the method of display, and a new mode in the
arrangement of the matter, became now very general. One Journal
went beyond the rest, by its introduction of French rules, the
small capitals for particular paragraphs, and discarding nearly
all the double letters, and the _long s_. Your Committee are
also enabled to state, by comparing the modes of work prior to
1785, with the necessary alterations at the period they have
now mentioned, that a complete revolution was also effected in
the _nature_ of News-work. It became necessary, therefore, that
the price should keep pace with the labour, and an advance was
solicited. The first printed document, _solely_ from Newsmen, is
dated April 4, 1793, signed by 145 Newsmen, and their request
was supported by the signatures of 281 Bookmen. It contains four
propositions:--the first for an advance of 4_s._ 6_d._ per week
on _Morning_ and _Evening_ papers; the second related to the
_hours_ of working and the charge for _over-hours_, which then
was but 6_d._ per hour; the third, to Papers published _three
times a week_; and the fourth, to supernumeraries, but it did not
state their price. All these propositions were modified ten years
afterwards.

“The address which accompanied these propositions, and the
requests made in it, being so applicable to the present mode of
work, your Committee are satisfied with defending every iota
requited by their predecessors. Although twenty-seven years
have elapsed since they were submitted to the employers, yet,
if required at the present moment, the same arguments might be
used in their support. In fact, they must be considered the
foundation-stones of the edifice. Your Committee will introduce
the document.

“_London, April 4, 1793._
“‘SIR,

“‘The Compositors employed on Newspapers, impressed with the
opinion of your candour in hearing and redressing any real
grievances they may complain of, presume to submit to your
consideration the following statement:

“‘Previous to the year 1786, the weekly salary of _Daily_
Newspaper Compositors was 1_l._ 7_s._, a sum which, considering
the regularity and moderation of the hours of attendance, was
thought fully adequate to their trouble. Owing, however, to a
competition for Public favour among the various newspapers,
by giving a long detail of Parliamentary Debates, entering at
large into the politics of Europe, and the irregularity and
uncertainty of the arrival of mails, the hours of attendance were
necessarily increased, which, together with the enhanced price of
Provisions, made an advance of salary necessary, and which was at
that time cheerfully acquiesced in by the Proprietors of _Daily_
Newspapers, as perfectly reasonable; but no advance was then
given to _Evening_ Papers.

“‘The Compositors on both _Daily_ and _Evening Papers_, upon a
comparative view of the trouble and attendance requisite at that
period and at the present time, and the still increased price of
the necessaries of life, humbly propose and request an addition
to their Salary, which they trust the Gentlemen Proprietors
of Newspapers will not think unreasonable, when the following
circumstances are taken into consideration:

“‘That at the rate of twelve hours’ Composition, and at least two
hours’ Distribution, the present Salary of Compositors employed
on _Daily Papers_ amounts to no more than Fourpence Halfpenny
an hour, which, considering the irregular hours of attendance,
working by night, and on Sundays, and of being constantly at
command, the Compositors humbly think, and trust, the Gentlemen
Proprietors of Newspapers will agree with them in opinion is by
no means adequate to their labour.

“‘That as Compositors on _Evening Papers_ obtained no advance
in the year 1786, and that as their labour has been gradually
increasing ever since that time, it is hoped their joining in the
present application will not be thought unreasonable.

“‘It is humbly proposed, for the above reasons, that an increase
should take place upon the Salaries of Compositors on Newspapers,
in the following proportion, viz.

“‘I. That an advance of 4_s._ 6_d._ per week take place on the
present Salary of every Compositor fully employed on _Daily
Papers_.

“‘II. That if, owing to the length of Proceedings in Parliament,
or other late Matter, the Compositors employed on Daily Papers
should be detained above twelve hours on Saturday, to be reckoned
from the time of beginning to compose on Friday, they be paid
Sixpence per hour extra for the same, or an equal proportion of
time allowed on Sunday, in the same manner as is usual on other
Days of the Week.

“‘III. That 3_s._ be added to the present Weekly Salary of
Compositors fully employed on _Evening Papers published three
times a week_.

“‘IV. That the Salary of Supernumeraries employed on either of
the above be increased in proportion.

“‘These, Sir, are the propositions submitted to you, to be laid
before the Gentlemen Proprietors, not doubting but that the
reasonableness of the Compositors’ demands will be evident to
you, and that it will meet with your approbation and concurrence,
especially when it is considered that the advance they require is
so nearly proportionate to that lately obtained on Book-work.’

“It will be necessary to state that the terms _Evening Papers_
used in this document, allude only to the desire expressed in the
third proposition. The words _Daily Newspapers_, repeated in the
second and fourth paragraphs of the Address, and in the first
proposition, sufficiently show that no distinction was intended
to be made between _Daily Morning_ and _Daily Evening Papers_.
But this request of the Newsmen did not seem to be answered with
cordiality by the Masters, for your Committee have a copy of
the Report of the News Committee, dated April 20, 1793, which,
after mentioning the names of 15 Delegates present, at two in the
afternoon, previous to the general meeting to be held at seven in
the evening, states

“‘That, pursuant to a printed circular Letter, signed ‘JOHN
BELL,’ the Committee adjourn to Anderton’s Coffee-house, to hold
a conference as requested, on some Propositions laid before
the Printers and Proprietors of Newspapers, by the Journeymen
employed by them.--Adjourned accordingly.

“‘_Six o’Clock_, P.M.

“‘The Delegates having returned to the Hole-in-the-Wall, report
to the General Meeting.

“‘That they met with the Representatives from the following
Newspapers, viz.

LEDGER, ORACLE, TIMES
HERALD, TRUE BRITON, AND
WORLD, SUN, DIARY.
MORNING CHRONICLE, STAR,

“‘That these Gentlemen did not chuse to hold any conference on
the Subject to which your Delegates were invited.

“‘That the professional Printers present, though personally
requested, declined entering upon the Subject, the Discussion of
which your Delegates were required to attend.

“‘That the above-mentioned _John Bell_, instead of attending to
the Business to which they were expressly called, endeavoured
to persuade them to accede to the following Resolutions, as
particularly _advantageous_ to the Employers and _Employed_, viz.

“‘_April 20, 1793._

“‘At an Adjourned Meeting of the Proprietors and Representatives
of the Daily Newspapers, held this Day at Anderton’s
Coffee-house, to consider the Propositions of the Daily Newspaper
Compositors,

“‘Present,--The Representatives of the
_Ledger_,--_Herald_,--_World_,--_Morning
Chronicle_,--_Oracle_,--_True Briton_.

“‘Considering the Requisitions and Pretensions of the Newspaper
Compositors in the most extensive and liberal Points of View,
so far as they are connected with the fair Interests of their
Employers, it was resolved, to recommend the Prices and
Regulations in future for Newspaper work to be fixed on the
following Plan:

“‘That each regular Compositor be paid One Pound Fourteen
Shillings _per_ Week.

“‘That the Hours of regular Attendance for composing, be from
Three o’Clock in the Afternoon until the Paper goes to Press.

“‘That whenever the Time of going to Press shall exceed Three
o’Clock in the Morning, the Times of Attendance on the same Day
shall be in the following Manner, _viz_.

“‘When the Paper goes to Press at--
3 to begin at 3 8 5
4 3 9 6
5 3 10 7
6 4 11 8
7 4 12 9

“‘That the Supernumerary Compositors shall be allowed one
Shilling _per_ Week over and above their present Pay, supposing
that such Supernumerary shall compose _one Column_ per _Day_, and
so in Proportion.

“‘That your Delegates felt the Indignity offered to them, but
bore it with the Patience which the Justice of the cause in which
they were engaged only could warrant.

“‘That your Delegates, with a becoming Dignity, rejected the
Resolutions of the said _John Bell_.

“‘That your Delegates, from the Consideration of the Labour
required, find their first Proposition unanswered, unopposed, and
therefore just.’

“‘_Ten o’Clock_, P.M.

“‘The GENERAL MEETING unanimously approve of the Conduct of the
Delegation; and further resolve,

“‘That the Original Propositions standing uncontroverted, the
same be strictly adhered to.’

“The Resolution in the last paragraph of this Report was most
rigidly adhered to; and your Committee cannot but lament,
that the first attempt of your brethren to introduce _Laws
and Regulations_ for the reciprocal benefit of the employer
and employed, was met by such proposition on the part of one
Proprietor, that, in order to carry their point, they were
obliged to enter into a Resolution that a general notice of
quitting their situations, according to the custom of the trade,
should be given. Before the expiration of the fortnight, however,
an accommodation was proposed by the Employers individually;
but upon the principle that a material difference existed, both
in labour and comfort, between an Evening and a Morning Paper,
the Newsmen agreed to a distinction being made in the price.
Morning Papers received the sum required of 4_s._ 6_d._, but
Evening Papers only 2_s._ 6_d._ The wages of the former were
1_l._ 16_s._; Supernumeraries 17_s._; the galley 2_s._ 10_d._:
the Evening Papers were 34_s._; Supernumeraries 16_s._; the
galley 2_s._ 8_d._ Within this period the term _Assistants_ was
first recognized. Your Committee are not enabled to state whether
any satisfactory agreement was entered into with respect to the
second Proposition of the Journeymen relating to the commencing
work on Sundays. It would appear that they only requested that
day’s indulgence, for they already possessed it on the others.
Some of the Journals at this time paid but 6_d._ per hour, while
others, more liberal, paid on those of the Morning 7½_d._ and on
the Evening 7_d._ for over-hours or Assistants.

“In the month of October, 1793, the same year of the rise,
your Committee find that the Journeymen had occasion, from the
accumulation of labour on Daily Newspapers, to object to the
employment of Apprentices, as a strong desire was evinced,
at this period, of returning to the system, by employing
_run-aways_, or _turn-overs_, as they were denominated. The
Employers conceiving they had been _forced_ to accede to the
rise in the month of April preceding, appeared determined to
take advantage of the men, by paying themselves for their defeat
by the difference of price between Apprentices and Journeymen.
Suspicion had been long awake that some innovation was intended,
and the scheme soon developed itself; the Newsmen assembled,
and entered into certain Resolutions, which, with a statement
of their case, were sent round the Trade for the concurrence
or disapproval of the Bookmen. They were readily adopted by
the latter, and your Committee present an Extract from the
Journeymen’s Address, and their Resolutions.

“‘_October 1, 1793._

“‘Can any reasonable Advocate be found for the Introduction
of Apprentices on Newspapers? We do not believe there can.--A
Companionship on a Newspaper, distinct and different in its
Nature from Book-work, requires equal Attention, equal Exertion,
and equal Interest. And can this be expected (we ask) from an
Apprentice? Companionships find it their mutual interest to be
watchful over each other, and see that each does an equal share;
which, if not done, is easily remedied among themselves. But
who is it that will say this can be done with an Apprentice? A
Journeyman must be attentive, or, from the Representations of his
Companions, he loses his situation. But how is this to take place
in regard to Apprentices? If complaints are made to the Printer,
how can he rectify them? It is evident to us that he cannot. Your
time of employment is not to be forced on an Apprentice; he can
refuse to work either by Night or on Sunday, and be justified
in his refusal; and Magistrates _must_ sanction him. Indeed,
experience has proved that it is generally impossible to keep an
Apprentice to the Business on a Newspaper with regularity; they
have no interest to bind them; they have no obligation to compel
them. Need there be a further Argument used in support of our
opinion? We trust not. Under these circumstances, then, there is
only one thing remaining for us to recommend--to unite in a firm
Phalanx, and to be _unanimous_.’

“‘RESOLUTIONS.

“‘I. That Newspaper printing, being necessarily conducted
by Companionships, requires in each Companion corresponding
abilities, corresponding modes of reasoning, and corresponding
interests.

“‘II. That an Apprentice, not being at liberty to act for
himself, cannot be supposed to possess an equal and independent
mode of reasoning, and therefore has not a corresponding interest.

“‘III. That the introduction of an Apprentice upon a Newspaper
will occasion a clashing of interests, which may, in the end,
prove highly detrimental, not only to the Companionship, but to
the Property on which they are engaged, and likewise to the whole
body of Compositors, by enlarging the field for the employment of
Apprentices.

“‘IV. That therefore the Compositors on Newspapers are firmly
and decidedly of opinion, that an Apprentice is by no means an
adequate Companion.

“‘V. And therefore they will resist, to the utmost of their
power, any attempt (if any such attempt should happen) to obtrude
an Apprentice upon them.’

“The system, however, commenced in the month of October, upon
one Journal, which lasted about five years--and upon another
which continued nearly eleven years; but in the end you were
successful; and men were again engaged upon these Journals on a
fair principle. The fate of some who had worked with the boys
should have served as a warning--they were neglected, despised,
and ultimately driven from the profession. Your Committee cannot
refrain from congratulating the Journeymen of that period on
their unanimity and perseverance; and at this moment, upon a due
consideration of the present state of our business, rejoice in
their patriotism, and return thanks to every individual now in
being concerned in the opposition given to the attempt.

“1801.]--Your Committee have thus led you to the conclusion of
the second period of seven years, through the whole of which
the country was engaged in a war with nearly all the European
quarter of the globe, and, as has been stated for 1793, your
labour increased with the demand for news by the public, and
by the struggles of the Journals for pre-eminence, which,
added to the alarming price of provisions and all other family
requisites, made it again necessary to solicit an advance of
wages. In the month of November, 1800, the Book-men requested a
rise, and certain regulations applicable to their department. It
was granted to the amount of 1-6th, and took place on the 1st
of January, 1801. Shortly after, almost gratuitously, the News
department received an advance of 1-9th (or 4_s._) on Morning,
and 1-11th (or 3_s._) on Evening Papers. The former were now
2_l._; Supernumeraries 19_s._; per galley 3_s._ 2_d._; Assistants
9½_d._ per hour; the Evening, 1_l._ 17_s._; Supernumeraries
17_s._; per galley 2_s._ 10_d._; Assistants 8½_d._ per hour.

“Thus terminated the third rise from 1785. In this period several
disputes occurred; but your Committee will only repeat those
relating to the general interest. From the extensive sale of some
of the Evening Papers, the work was obliged to be performed in a
manner that, from its evil tendency, required some modification;
the hours for composition were not so well defined as hereafter
they appear to have been, and the following Resolution, as
applicable to Evening Papers, was agreed to among the Newsmen;
‘That all composition cease when the day’s publication goes to
press--all work afterwards to be paid for as extra, or deducted
from the first work of the next publication.’ This did not apply
to the second or third editions of the day’s paper; that being
completed, those _additions_ could have no claim on the following
publication. The quantity and quality of the matter were also
better defined within this period. Brevier was the smallest type
till 1784, when Minion was introduced; and the adequate number of
lines, by their proportion to Long Primer and width of column,
were regulated by the Companionships and their _Printers_.
This continued till 1793, when the different proportions were
_generally_ understood, and a printed graduated Scale for Long
Primer, Brevier, and Minion, according to width, was found
in each News-house. This appears to have been requisite, as
your Committee learn, that, from 1789, it was the custom on
some Journals to widen their columns, during the sitting of
Parliament, one or two ems, and reducing them in the recess.
At this date a misunderstanding still existed relative to the
hour of beginning on Sundays. Certain regulations were adopted
respecting the twelve hours’ work (including refreshment time,
galley and ‘_lines_,’ and correcting), and the time of commencing
on that day.--Your Committee must observe, that the Compositors
employed on Morning Papers at this period were not uniform in
their hours of beginning on Sundays, and disputes frequently
occurred on that point. This might have arisen from the different
_temper_ and _politics_ of the Journals on which they were
engaged; some entering at length on the Friday night’s Debates
in Parliament, Foreign News, &c., while others were content
with giving the Public a moderate portion of both. Competition,
however, soon made the labour on the Journals equal, and, in
1803, the hour of commencing on the Sunday, regulated by the
Saturday’s finish, became general.

“Your Committee also state that they have endeavoured to trace
the origin of what are termed the ‘_after-lines_’ of the first
work; tradition has vaguely assisted them in their research.
They learn that they were general in 1777, but differing in
amount. The term is not mentioned in the Propositions of 1793,
but is acknowledged in the Regulations before mentioned; your
Committee are therefore led to conclude that they arose with the
subdivision of labour on the smaller Papers, prior to 1770, and
suppose that custom, arising from local convenience, sanctioned
their adoption by your predecessors.

“1809.]--In pursuing their plan, your Committee observe nothing
of material consequence occurring in the News department till the
year 1809, when the still-increasing price of provisions rendered
it necessary for the Compositors to solicit a rise of prices, and
on the 19th of May the Newsmen issued a Circular, addressed ‘To
the Proprietors of Newspapers,’ requesting an advance of 1-5th on
their wages,--_i. e._ 8_s._ per week on Morning, and 6_s._ per
week on Evening Papers.

“In the two former Circulars, certain propositions were
submitted, to be accepted, modified, or rejected; but the present
one was accompanied by the first and regular _Scale for News
Work_, and signed by 198 Newsmen. Your Committee will introduce
an extract from the introductory paragraphs and the Scale itself,
which completed the edifice you had long laboured to rear.

“After stating the necessity the Newsmen were under of soliciting
the assistance of the Employers to enable them, by their
industry, to make their existence comfortable, they point out the
moderation of their request, by giving a comparative statement
of the prices for family necessaries, between 1793 and 1809,
by which it appeared, that in sixteen years they were nearly
doubled. They further add, that

“‘It has been observed by the Duke of Portland, in his letter
to the Lord Lieutenant of Oxford, that ‘_there is no reason
why the labour of the Handicraftsman, the Mechanic, and the
Artizan, should not keep pace with the advance on the articles
of the Farmer, Grazier,’ &c._ Upon this principle, the justice
of which is too evident to need the smallest comment, might we
not calculate, as Morning Papers, in 1793, were paid 36_s._, and
Evening Papers 34_s._ that we should now receive nearly 3_l._
12_s._ on the Morning Papers, instead of 2_l._; and nearly 3_l._
8_s._ instead of 1_l._ 17_s._ on the Evening?

“‘There is another consideration to which we must beg to call
your attention; at the time of the last advance a ratio of
one-sixth was obtained on all works in Book-houses, which
proportion was not received by those employed on Newspapers; four
shillings only being granted on Morning Papers, which before that
time were 36_s._, and three shillings on Evening Papers, which
previously were 34_s._, being only one-ninth on the former, and
scarcely an eleventh on the latter. These circumstances, together
with the great increase of labour on Papers of late years,
arising from the introduction of _so large a portion of small
letter_, are considerations which, we hope, will not be passed
over without that deliberation they deserve.

“‘From an impartial view of the comparative statements and the
proposed advance, it will be seen that we have kept perfectly
within the limits prescribed by justice. We have pursued this
line of conduct from a solicitude to avoid the introduction of
any thing which might prevent your ready compliance with our
request.

“‘PROPOSED SCALE.

Daily Morning Papers to be paid £2 8 0
Per Galley on ditto 0 3 9½
Daily Evening Papers 2 3 0
Per Galley on Ditto 0 3 7

“‘That Ten Hours Composition be the specific time for Daily
Evening Papers.

“‘That Assistance be paid at per Hour in proportion to the sum
per Galley, considering the Galley as Four Hours Composition.

“‘Papers Three Times a-Week, and Weekly Papers, to take an
advance in proportion to that on Evening Papers.

“‘☞ That the above advance do take place from Saturday the 3d of
June, 1809.’

“This request was verbally and negatively answered in the
different News Houses, and the 3d of June passed over as if no
solicitation for a rise of prices had been made. The Journeymen
felt the necessity of perseverance, and the following Circular
was sent to the Employers, dated June 13, signed by the same
number of men:

“‘GENTLEMEN,--We cannot help expressing our surprise at the
manner in which our request has been passed over; nearly a
month has elapsed, and no answer has been communicated. Had
we in our Scale gone further than the urgency of the times
renders necessary, or had we neglected to shew that respect
which your situations in life require, we might have anticipated
such indifference; but feeling our conduct not liable to such
objection, we are entirely at a loss to assign any motive for
the want of attention to our present circumstances; and we feel
ourselves under the necessity of requesting an answer by Saturday
next; a noncompliance with which will be considered as a refusal
of our propositions.’

“This second Circular received no answer, and on the 20th of
June, the regular notice of quitting was given to the different
Printers; but before the fortnight had elapsed, each Journeyman
received a copy of a Report of a Committee of Masters, dated June
30, accompanied by a string of Resolutions, but not meeting the
request of the men.

“Your Committee regret that the document is too voluminous for
insertion, but they will make a few extracts in furtherance of
their present object. It commences with stating, that ‘A General
Meeting of the Proprietors of London Morning and Evening Papers
was held this day (June 30, 1809), Mr. Stuart in the Chair, to
take into consideration the Report of the Committee appointed to
enquire into, and report their opinion upon the _Circular Letter_
of the Compositors, respecting certain alleged grievances, and
_demanding_ an advance of Wages; present five Daily Morning,
and five Daily Evening Papers,’ and that the said Report was
read.--To answer the above-mentioned ‘Circular Letter,’ eleven
paragraphs are given, and a comparative Table of the Prices of
Necessaries, from 1793 to 1809, in contradiction to that given in
by the Journeymen.

“The _first_ paragraph condemns the strong spirit evinced by
the men in demanding so large a rise as 20 per cent. on their
labour; and protests against the ‘Scale proposed,’ as containing
‘_Rules and Restrictions_ new to the Trade, and embarrassing to
the Proprietors, while no reciprocal benefit or advantage is held
out.’

“The _second_ attempts to controvert the assertion of the
Newsmen, that they ‘experienced difficulties in procuring the
necessaries of life,’ by declaring it ‘a matter of surprise and
regret, that any thing so unfounded should be advanced on so
serious an occasion by a body of men, generally speaking, so
intelligent and respectable;’ and after comparing your prices and
situation with your Brethren on Book-work and other mechanics,
conclude with stating, that

“‘Their claims to high wages do not rest on the difficulties in
obtaining the necessaries of life, but on the disagreeable hours
of labour. They make more money than falls to the lot of 39-40ths
of the men in Britain, and they can procure not only all the
necessaries of life, but even _more of its comforts_, than 99
out of every 100 men in Europe. It is lamentable to see men so
insensible to the _blessings_ of their situation!’

“Your Committee cannot congratulate you on the _comforts_ or
_blessings_ of your situation; they leave to your own feelings
the fallacy of assertions so hackneyed, and proceed to the
_third_ paragraph, which calls the quotation from the ‘Duke
of Portland’s Letter,’ a ‘misrepresentation, and a pretended
extract,’ and concludes with finding a meaning not intended by
his Grace of Portland--‘that the arbitrary fixing of wages was a
most alarming evil.’

“The _fourth_ respects the statement of the prices of
necessaries, and will not admit the propriety of introducing the
year 1793 in comparison with 1809, because the Compositors ‘then
received all they asked, and a _new compact_ was formed with them
on their own terms.’ A difference appears in the Compositors
statement and that of your Employers, for the year 1793, of
2½_d._!

“The _fifth_ acknowledges the calculation for 1809 to be
correct--10_s._ 4½_d._; and as the prices for 1800 were 8_s._
9½_d_., there only remained a difference of 1_s._ 6¾_d._ to 1809;
a loss they conceived you might well bear ‘without incurring the
penalties of starvation.’

“Your Committee feel it necessary to quote the _sixth_ at
length;--it needs no comment.

“‘The reference the Compositors make to the increased labour
on Newspapers, in consequence of the introduction of _small
letter_, is unjust, is absurd, and we cannot understand how
they could allow so unfounded a complaint to escape them. The
proprietors have always paid, and paid smartly too, for this
introduction. The Compositors have limited hours of employment,
limited quantities of work, and they _compose only one number of
letters_, whether small or large, _agreeably to the universal
rule of the business_.’

“The _seventh_ mentions Apprentices, which your Committee will
not repeat, considering that question set at rest.

“The _eighth_ recommends that ‘the false assertions, groundless
complaints, and extravagant pretensions of the Compositors
should be met by a firm and determined resistance;’ and for fear
that you should be intoxicated by success to demand ‘double
wages,’ state, that they ‘have therefore considered a plan of
establishing a society of Compositors under an Act of Parliament,
connecting with it a benefit society, which, they are confident,
will enable the trade to go on, and which they may hereafter
submit to you;’ but without stating who were to be the _honoured_
Members of such society.

“The _ninth_ paragraph, after expressing the indignance of the
Masters at the extravagant demands of the men, recommends that
the wages should be put upon a footing with Book-work in 1800;
acknowledging that the rise on the latter was 1-6th, while that
on News-work was but 1-9th on Morning, and 1-11th on Evening
Papers, and propose that 2_s._ per week should be added to the
Morning Papers, but that only 1_s._ should be given to the
Evening Papers, ‘the difference in the labour and hours of work
being much more than 4_s._ per week.’

“The _tenth_ recommends that no alteration in the hours of
composition on Evening Papers be permitted.

“The _eleventh_ expresses the anxiety of the Committee to give
the Compositors a detailed answer, in order that the latter might
clearly understand and appreciate their own interests; and the
whole concludes with the following

“‘RESOLUTIONS.

“‘_Resolved_,--That the Report of the Committee now read be
agreed to.

“‘_Resolved_,--That the Newspaper Compositors have not made out a
case entitling them to a rise of wages; but that as they complain
their rise in 1800 was not equal to the rise in Book Houses, a
Regulation do now take place, putting them both on a footing.

“‘_Resolved_,--That as the labour on Morning is considerably
heavier than on Evening Papers, the latter are not entitled to
the same indulgence on this occasion as the former.

“‘_Resolved_,--That from Saturday the 15th of July, 1809, the
wages of Compositors on Daily Morning Papers shall be two Guineas
per week, and on daily Evening Papers Thirty-eight Shillings;
and that the Galley on the former shall be Three Shillings and
Four-pence, on the latter Three Shillings and Two-pence.

“‘_Resolved_,--That the Circular Letter of the Journeymen
Compositors, together with the Report of the Committee of Masters
and these Resolutions, signed by the Chairman, be printed in the
form of a letter, and that some one Proprietor of each Newspaper
shall personally deliver to each Compositor, while at work in his
house, a Copy of the said printed Letter.

(Signed) “‘D. STUART, CHAIRMAN.

“‘_Turk’s Head Coffee House, Strand_,
_June_ 30, 1809.’

“After some discussion, the Newsmen agreed to accept the offer
made by the Proprietors in the Resolution above stated; but
as the sums given were declared to be on the principle only
of putting you on an _equality_ with the Bookmen, in their
advance in 1801, it was determined to continue united to support
the original Propositions when an opportunity offered. This
regulation gave the Morning Papers 2_l._ 2_s._; Supernumeraries
1_l._; per galley 3_s._ 4_d._; 10_d._ per hour; and Evening
Papers 1_l._ 18_s._; Supernumeraries 19_s._; per galley 3_s._
2_d._; 9_d._ per hour.

“At this period the Book Compositors were soliciting a rise of
1-7th on their prices. The Newsmen were not long behind their
brethren in claiming the same advance on their labour, and the
long Report of the Masters, before mentioned, was answered,
paragraph by paragraph, in a manner which must have convinced
them, that if they would not allow the talent, they must
acknowledge that all the justice in the dispute lay on your side.
This answer is dated January 18, 1810. Your Committee cannot, in
consequence of its length, insert it here, but, to suit their
present purpose, will extract the answers to the _second_ and
_fifth_ paragraphs.

“‘The profession of a man should be always equal to the support
of himself and his family in a decent way. They should be
supplied with not merely what will preserve animation, but what
custom has rendered necessary for our comfort; and every man of
family must feel the truth of the assertion--that at the present
time he experiences difficulty in procuring such necessaries.
With respect to the difference between the wages of Book and News
Compositors, it will be observed, that the expences of a News
Compositor are necessarily more than that of a Book Compositor,
arising from the unseasonable hours of labour.--We believe the
latter part of their paragraph will be found very deficient of
truth; for there are but few mechanics with the same constant and
regular exertion, but would equal, and exceed by far our incomes.’

“As the two dates given by the Journeymen for the prices of
provisions were to be contradicted, they introduced _three_
tables, and made a calculation by the rule of Subtraction.
But the men were not to be deceived by this _new_ system of
Arithmetic, and combated by the _old_ mode as follows:

“‘_It would seem as if the sum of 1s. 6¾d. was considered as
the loss we sustained in the course of a week; but it is the
proportion it bears to 8s. 9½d.; and we find that it makes a
difference in our weekly incomes of 7s. 1d., a sum which must be
felt particularly by those having families._’

“The assertions made in the other paragraphs were most ably
controverted, and your cause made doubly sure by the truths
which accompanied its defence. The Employers never made a reply
to it, because it was unanswerable; and your Committee cannot
refrain from expressing their gratitude to all concerned in its
production.

“1810.]--To proceed. The Book Masters acquiesced in the request
of their Compositors for an advance, which was to take place
on the 1st of May, and the Newsmen taking advantage of the
acknowledgment made in the _ninth_ paragraph before mentioned,
demanded the rise of 1-7th to place them on an equality with
their brethren in the Book department. Their request was not
noticed. They still persevered, and to assist their cause the
Bookmen came to a Resolution, that no man should apply for a
situation on a Newspaper during the dispute.--Highly to their
credit, and honourable to their character, not one application
was made.

“The Newsmen still continued their exertions, and, on the 14th
of May, the following proposition in MS. was presented to each
Companionship:--

“‘_The Proprietors of the Daily Newspapers, having taken the
request of their Compositors for an advance of wages into
consideration, and on_ referring to the whole series of rises
from 1783{5}, _when Bookwork was 4d. per thousand, and Morning
Papers were 1l. 7s. per week, find that 2l. 0s. 6d. on Morning
Papers would be equal to 6d. per thousand, the present advanced
price on Book-work._

“‘_But the Proprietors unwilling wholly to disappoint the
expectations of their Compositors, consent to give them an
advance of 4s. on Morning Papers, and 3s. on Evening Papers, per
week, making the wages on Morning Papers 2l. 6s. per man per
week, and on Daily Evening Papers 2l. 1s.; to take place from
Monday, May 21, 1810._’

“This was answered by the following Resolutions:

“‘At a General Meeting of the Compositors employed on Newspapers,
held May 19, 1810, the following declarative Resolutions were
agreed to _unanimously_:--

“‘Res. I. That in tracing our advances of wages from the year
1783{5} up to 1800, there not being extant any clear and certain
records, and a perfect collection of documents containing all
the circumstances, many important facts and transactions may be
forgotten and lost.

“‘Res. II. That from the above consideration, it is evident, that
to refer further back than 1800, in order to determine what ought
to be the advance of wages on Newspapers, is unfair and improper;
and it is contrary to right, according to the declared opinions
of the Newspaper Proprietors themselves, as expressed (in a
Report of their Committee, dated June 30, 1809, and generally
circulated) in the following words of their own: ‘The Compositors
have no right to refer further back than the year 1800, as they
then received all they asked, and a _new compact_ was made with
them on their own terms.’

“‘Res. III. That the Newspaper Proprietors ought to give their
Compositors an advance of wages fully equal to the advance on
Bookwork since 1800, conformably to the principle admitted by
themselves in the above-mentioned document: where, after stating
the allegation of the Newspaper Compositors that their advance in
1800 was not equal to the advance on Bookwork, and admitting the
fact, they allow it to be (using their own words) a reasonable
ground of complaint in your Compositors Circular.

“‘Res. IV. That, in the Scale of 1805, a considerable advance was
granted to the Compositors on Bookwork in respect to Sunday-work,
Night-work, and Morning-work, which required a correspondent
advance on Newspapers, to which it is particularly applicable.

“‘Res. V. That, even if we had not the above indisputable
grounds, we have in justice sufficient grounds in the exigencies
of the times, as, according to the News Proprietors own statement
of the comparative prices of the necessaries of life between 1800
and 1809, there was a rise of 1_s._ 6¾_d._ on 8_s._ 9½_d._, which
makes a difference in our weekly incomes (taking the medium of
Morning and Evening Papers) of upwards of 7_s._

“‘Res. VI. That the Compositors on Bookwork have received less
from their Employers than their exigencies required, and only
what circumstances allowed. Those unfavourable circumstances were
alleged to arise principally from the war, and, consequently, far
from being applicable to the Newspaper branch of the Business,
which derives its prosperity from the war. Therefore, there could
be no reason why Compositors employed on Newspapers should not
have an advance fully adequate to their exigencies.’

“A fortnight’s notice to quit was then given upon the Daily
Papers, and on the day of its expiration the News Compositors
were given to understand from the individual Printers, that the
demand was acquiesced in, and your Scale, as it now stands,
was acknowledged--Morning Papers 2_l._ 8_s._; Supernumeraries
1_l._ 3_s._; galley 3_s._ 10_d._; 9_d._ per thousand; and
Assistants 11½_d._ per hour.--Evening Papers 2_l._ 3_s._ 6_d._;
Supernumeraries 1_l._ 1_s._ 6_d._; galley 3_s._ 7_d._; 8½_d._ per
thousand; and Assistants 10½_d._ per hour.

“Thus terminated your last struggle. It will be found that
in the space of twenty-four years, your prices and modes of
work have equally changed with the appearance of the Journals.
From the former rise to the present nothing appears worthy
notice, excepting the alteration of measure during the sitting
of Parliament; but from the great pressure of matter, and an
alteration in the size of paper used, most of the Journals
retained the same measure during the recess.

“Your Committee feel that some apology may be necessary for
giving so minute a detail of what perhaps has occurred within
your own memory; but the task imposed upon them embracing so
wide a field, must plead their excuse; and having introduced the
latter document to your notice, considering it the precursor of
an understood and established ‘Scale of Prices,’ they trust its
utility will compensate for the trespass.

“Having now advanced to the period (May, 1810) when your
endeavours, after twelve months’ struggle, were crowned with
success, your Committee, trusting to your own feelings, must beg
to pause on the events of that time.”

[Then follow some observations which are not relevant to the present work, nor to the tracing of the history of prices, nor to the management of Newspapers in the metropolis.]

“In the year 1811, a dispute occurred on an Evening Paper,
respecting the introduction of Apprentices, which lasted but six
weeks.

“About the year 1813, Morning Papers of 20 columns became almost
general. Papers of the present size have not rendered the use of
small type less necessary than when they consisted but of sixteen
columns; and the remarks made in the extracts from the documents
before your Committee, of the years 1793-1810, are equally
applicable as the same causes exist.

“In the commencement of the year 1816, the Trade was thrown into
confusion by the introduction of Nonpareil, a type not recognised
in former agreements respecting the price of Newspapers. The
Companionship were required to compose it at Minion price and
quantity; they refused, and in consequence left their situations;
but others, in direct opposition to the interests of the
profession, submitted to the demand. Ignorance could not be
pleaded by them; for your Committee are well aware, that few men
can be found incapable of casting up the galley on a Newspaper,
or be unacquainted with the difference in price of Nonpareil and
other types used in Book-houses. The bad example set by these
men, with the desire of gain, may have induced others to follow
their steps; but they cannot, unless you lose your unanimity, sap
the foundation of your rights. It is therefore incumbent on your
Committee to protest against any men taking upon themselves the
right of deviating from your regulations, or of settling either
the price or quantity of the galley of smaller type than Minion,
without a general understanding with their brethren of the
profession. It has caused both trouble and expense, and been the
means of removing good men to gratify the meanness or greediness
of those, who have in the end been necessitated to throw
themselves upon the mercy of their fellow-workmen, for permission
to gain a subsistence among those they had, by their previous
conduct, deprived of bread. Your Committee beg to state, that
adding the difference in price given on Nonpareil or Pearl in
Book-work to the price per thousand in News-work, will be found
the equitable charge for those sizes; that is, 1_d._ per thousand
extra on Nonpareil, and 2_d._ on Pearl. Thus the fair charge for
Nonpareil on Morning Papers would be 10_d._ per thousand, Evening
Papers 9½, Pearl, 11_d._ per thousand on Morning and 10½ on
Evening Papers--or a _reduction, in proportion to value, on the
galley quantity_.

“In the latter end of the same year a misunderstanding arose in
consequence of a Morning and Evening Paper being done in the
same place. It might have been considered a local dispute; but
as certain Resolutions were passed at a delegated Meeting held
on the 3d of January, 1817, your Committee cannot refrain from
noticing it:

“‘_At a delegated Meeting of News Compositors, held at the Coach
and Horses, Water-lane, Fleet Street, Jan. 3, 1817, the following
Resolutions were passed unanimously:_

“‘_Resolved_, I. That it is the opinion of this Meeting, that
there are but three classes of Workmen on Morning Papers that
can be acknowledged by the Profession, viz., _Full hands_ 2_l._
8_s._ per week; _Supernumeraries_ at 1_l._ 3_s._ per week; and
_Assistants_ at 11½_d._ per hour.

“‘_Resolved_, II. That we consider the situation of _Finishers_
on a Morning Paper, (where no person is employed to do the
preceding part of the work,) as an innovation that would tend to
disorganize the system hitherto acted upon.

“‘_Resolved_, III. That under this consideration we recommend
to our fellow-workmen to refuse any such situation should it be
offered them.

“‘_Resolved_ unanimously.--_That with respect to the ----
(having no precedent to act upon) and there not being a regular
Companionship, we recommend to the persons employed thereon to
regulate the trifling difference between them and their employer
as amicably as possible, keeping in view that the interests of
the profession are not invaded thereby._’

“This matter was amicably adjusted; but your Committee regret
to state, that at the commencement of the following year, a
dispute arose on another Journal, by a demand being made for
eleven hours’ work (time and quantity)--or two measured galleys
and a finish, sometimes extending to three hours. This mode was
declared inadmissible by the trade; it was resisted; and you
again triumphed by the sacrifice of situation only of those who
refused their acquiescence.

“Nothing appears worthy of notice after the above date till
the month of May in the present year, and while your interests
impose upon your Committee the necessity of laying before you
the circumstances that then arose, they will trespass upon
your patience only so long as the subject demands.--After the
introduction of Nonpareil on the Journal mentioned in the year
1816, the Trade were ignorant of the _men_ and their _modes of
work_; you had no interest in the enquiry, for they never could
be respected who had deserted your standard, nor pitied when
labouring under difficulties they had brought upon themselves.
From an accidental occurrence, not necessary here to repeat,
a request was made, that a statement of the situation of that
Journal might be laid before you. Policy dictated the propriety
of receiving it; if those employed acted up to the spirit of your
laws, you would have nothing to condemn; but if, on the contrary,
they had violated your system, you would have the opportunity of
declaring against it, and of preventing the evil example from
spreading further. Custom, it is said, will in time become law;
so would your silence have permitted the unprincipled to gratify
themselves by the sacrifice of your rights and interests, and to
undermine your whole system before you were aware of the danger.

“By this statement it was discovered there were two _modes_ of
work on that Journal, both in direct opposition to the rules and
prices agreed upon in 1810. From the pressure of advertisements,
two companionships were formed, one for the outer, and another
for the inner form; those engaged on the former were offered, and
accepted an Evening Paper price per galley for Nonpareil, Minion
quantity; while those on the latter were employed according to
the custom of the trade. It is unnecessary to comment on the
introduction of _two companionships_ on a Daily Paper, much
less to point out the absurdity of consenting to receive an
Evening Paper price on a Morning Journal, upon the plea of its
being performed by day-light; by the same parity of reasoning,
you might demand a Morning Paper price for an Evening Journal,
because, for a great part of the year, a portion of the work is
done by candle-light. But an alteration on the inner-form system
was shortly proposed, which was that rejected by yourselves in
the year 1818--viz. _two galleys_ and _remaining_ till the paper
went to press. This was refused by the employed, and seven out
of twelve deserted this ‘flag of blackest hue.’

“This circumstance, from the consequences that might probably
follow, led to the appointment of a Committee to draw up, and
circulate, for the information of the trade, a statement of the
regular mode of working on Newspapers--‘to guide the ignorant,
to guard the unwary.’ To assist them in their labours, and
to maintain that harmony which should ever subsist between
two branches in one profession, your Committee requested at a
delegated Meeting of Book-men, the appointment of a gentleman
from their body to assist them in the task assigned, which was
most cheerfully met and cordially assented to.

“After the appointment of your Committee, another circumstance
arose which necessarily occupied a portion of their time. The
Proprietor of an obscure Evening Journal, out of which a Sunday
Paper is formed, made a demand on the employed to complete
the Weekly Journal, not merely with a _reduction_ of wages,
but absolutely for _nothing!_--as a kind of make-weight for
the salary they received upon the other. This not being found
in any article of your scale, was, of course, refused by the
companionship, and the loss of situation followed: their places
have been filled by some _distinguished_ characters, now out of
the pale, but whose _memories_ will be cherished.