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.