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.
“Your Committee will, by recapitulating the events related under
each date, bring the various Regulations into one point of view,
which, attached to your Scale of 1810, will, it is trusted,
fully accomplish the purpose for which your Committee received
their appointment. In 1786 a rise of 1-6th (or 4_s._ 6_d._)
was obtained on Newspapers, but no Regulations were generally
adopted; each Paper having its own mode, its internal management
was regulated by existing circumstances; but in the year 1793,
the nature of News-work, in a progress of seven years, was
completely changed, and the price of necessaries increasing with
the labour imposed, rendered it incumbent on your predecessors
not only to solicit an advance of wages, but that the time
and quantity should also be defined. This request was made by
the Newsmen, and though sanctioned by the signatures of their
brethren in the Book department, your Committee consider it as
the first division of the Compositors into two branches of one
profession. Their wishes were granted so far as related to a
rise of ⅐th (or 4_s._ 6_d._) on Morning Papers; but nothing
relating to the hours of work or time of commencing on Sundays
was determined upon. It was acknowledged that the Supernumeraries
should receive a proportionate advance, but your Committee cannot
pass over the distinction then made between Morning and Evening
Papers without expressing their regret at the circumstance. The
latter only received a rise of 1-13th, or 2_s._ 6_d._ In the
same year the Resolutions were passed against the employment of
Apprentices on Papers. Some years prior to this date they were
to be found on many of the Journals, and particularly on those
called _Weekly_, arising from the connection of both classes
with Book-houses; but, from the circumstances already mentioned
(1793), when Daily Papers required separate establishments, and
were conducted by non-professional men, your brethren took the
opportunity of objecting to their re-admission on the latter
class. The Resolutions of that day now stand as Laws; you
struggled--you conquered; and your Committee can only add that
five attempts against them failed of success. A rise was gained
1801 of 4_s._ on Morning and 3_s._ on Evening Papers, making a
still greater difference between the two classes of Journals.
It was given and accepted without any reference to further
regulations in the spirit of the proposition before quoted. The
nature of the work and increase of labour on the Evening Journals
from 1793 to 1800, required the adoption of the Resolution
mentioned under the latter date:--‘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 day’s publication.’ This regulation (with one exception)
was generally accepted; the Printer had the choice of paying
or deducting. A Scale of quantity, and a regulation for the
twelve hours’ work, was also adopted. In the year 1809 it became
necessary to solicit another rise. Twenty-four years had passed
away; the system of News-work had ripened into perfection, and
it merely required registering for the mutual convenience of
the parties interested. With the request for an advance a Scale
was introduced, which specifically defined the sum to be paid
for labour. You accepted the offer of the Employers, which was
a rise of 2_s._ on Morning, and 1_s._ on Evening Papers; but
nothing was answered respecting the Scale, the sole object of
your wishes. The following year you succeeded; and your Committee
merely notice a fractional difference in the sums proposed and
those now paid. The galley on a Morning Paper is stated at 3_s._
9½_d._, now 3_s._ 10_d._; and the Evening Journals at 2_l._
3_s._, instead 2_l._ 3_s._ 6_d._ per week. With this difference
the Scale stands complete; and for its support, with a clear
definition, have the labours of your Committee been wholly
directed. ‘To guide the ignorant, to frustrate the machinations
of the unprincipled, and, if possible, to form a closer bond
of union among yourselves,’ has been their pleasing task. By
a reference to the first Resolution of the Newsmen of May 19,
1810, it will be observed, that they lament the want of a perfect
collection of documents by which they might correctly trace the
advances of wages from 1785 to 1800--indeed they assert that no
records were extant. Your Committee congratulate themselves upon
being more fortunate, and have extracted from, or inserted at
length, every document relating to Regulations or Prices since
1785, which they trust will not be considered uninteresting,
and, handed down as records, may yet be useful. To prove the
strength of your foundation, the Committee have embraced a period
of fifty years, in which is included fifteen years prior to the
date of the first document, and subsequently, through a space of
thirty-five years, to the present time. In pursuing their duty,
your Committee have not deviated from their path to obtrude upon
your notice at this day all the misunderstandings which have
arisen among the Journeymen, nor have they paused to revive the
memory of local disputes with the employers; they have sought
not ‘to rake the ashes of the dead’--they have endeavoured to
avoid any reflection that might cause a blush in the living.
The labours of your Committee will close with an Abstract of
the Scale, and the Laws and necessary Regulations attached,
which they trust will satisfactorily answer the purpose of their
collection. You require nothing of the employers--they demand
nothing from you; and shall it be said that your privileges
must be forfeited by your own negligence, be scattered into
air by the unprincipled, or sacrificed to the interest of a
designing few?--Forbid it, spirit! while the recollection of the
struggles of our predecessors lives amongst us. Your Committee
conclude with soliciting your indulgence for any deficiency on
their parts; but as your interest has been their sole object,
your approbation their reward, they confidently trust the
purity of their motives will be a sufficient apology for their
unintentional errors.
“P. CHALK, W. YOCKNEY,
H. WARREN, T. PATERSON,
E. M. DAVIS, J. B. SPENCE.
“ABSTRACT OF THE SCALE.
_Per Week._ _Per Galley._ _Per Hour._
Morning Papers £ 2 8_s._ 0_d._ 3s._ 10_d._ 11½_d._
Evening Papers £ 2 3_s._ 6_d._ 3s._ 7_d._ 10½_d._
“Assistants on other Journals are paid the same as Evening
Papers; the Sunday Papers, having their galleys of various
lengths, are paid at the rate of 8½_d._ per thousand, or 10_d._
per hour.
“Long Primer and Minion galleys, cast as nigh 5000 letters as
possible (at present varying from that number to 5,200, partly
arising from a variation in the founders’ standards), are, per
thousand, on
_Morning._ _Evening._
Long Primer and Minion 9_d._ 8½_d._
Nonpareil 10_d._ 9½_d._
Pearl 11_d._ 10½_d._
_or a reduction, in proportion to value, on the galley quantity._
“The galley on Morning Papers consists of 120 lines Long Primer,
and 40 _after lines_--Minion 88, and 30 _after lines_--on
Papers 22 ems Long Primer wide; other widths in proportion; and
a _finish_ of five hours. Another _mode_ is, one galley and a
_finish_ of six hours. Twelve hours on and twelve off (including
refreshment time) was the original agreement.
“The _time_ of beginning to be the same uniformly as agreed upon
by the Printer and Companionship--_i. e._ either a two, three,
or four o’clock Paper--and at whatever hour the Journal goes
to press one morning regulates the hour of commencing work for
the next day’s publication, provided it should be over the hour
originally agreed upon--if under, the time is in the Compositors’
favour. The hour of commencing work on Sunday is regulated by the
time of finishing on Saturday morning.
“Ten hours’ Composition is the specified time for Evening
Papers.--All Composition to cease when the day’s Publication goes
to Press; any work required afterwards to be paid for extra, or
deducted from the first work of the next publication.--This does
not apply to _Second Editions_; they being connected solely with
the antecedent Paper, must be paid for extra.
“Newspapers in a foreign language take, of course, the same
advance as is allowed on Book-work.
“A system termed _Finishing_ having been formerly introduced, it
is necessary to state, that no mode of working can be considered
fair (except as before stated) otherwise than by the galley or
hour.
“No Apprentices to be employed on Daily Papers.”
[Signed by 193 Newspaper Compositors.]
_Acts of Parliament relating to Newspapers._--The Act of the 39th
of G. 3. c. 79., for the more effectual suppression of Societies
established for Seditious and Treasonable Purposes, &c., which
requires the entry of all Presses and Types with the Clerk of the
Peace, and the affixing of the name and address of the Printer to
his productions, with other regulations, does not extend, alter, or
vary the then existing Acts of Parliament in force respecting the
printing, &c. of Newspapers; for the 32d Section says--
“Provided also, That nothing herein contained shall extend, or be
construed to extend, to alter or vary any Rule, Regulation, or
Provision contained in any Act of Parliament now in force respecting
the printing, publishing, or distributing any printed Newspaper, or
other printed Paper.”
53 G. 3. c. 108. s. 19., “and that from and after the passing of this
Act the several other Instruments herein-after specified, shall also
be exempted from all Stamp Duty; (that is to say,) All Bonds to His
Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, which shall be entered into by
Cardmakers, for securing the Payment of the Stamp Duties on Playing
Cards; and by the Proprietors, Printers, or Publishers of Newspapers,
for securing the Payment of the Duties upon the Advertisements
therein contained; and by Stationers or others, who sell Paper
stamped for the Purpose of being used for printing Newspapers, for
the due Performance and Observance of the Matters and Things required
of them by the Act passed in the Thirty-eighth Year of His Majesty’s
Reign for regulating the printing and Publication of Newspapers;
and also all Warrants to sue and defend in the Courts Baron of any
Honors or Manors which hold Pleas in Actions or Suits for any Debt or
Damages not exceeding Five Pounds, as well as all Plaints, Summonses,
Executions, Writs, and other Proceedings, in or issuing out of such
Courts.”
6 & 7 W. 4. c. 76., “An Act to reduce the Duties on Newspapers,
and to amend the Laws relating to the Duties on Newspapers and
Advertisements.
“Whereas it is expedient to reduce the Stamp Duties now payable on
Newspapers in _Great Britain_ and _Ireland_ respectively, and to
consolidate and amend the Laws relating thereto, and also to the
Duties on Advertisements: Be it therefore enacted by the King’s most
Excellent Majesty, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords
Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament
assembled, and by the Authority of the same, That in lieu of the
Stamp Duties on Newspapers by this Act repealed as herein-after
mentioned, there shall be granted, raised, levied, and paid unto
and for the Use of His Majesty, His Heirs and Successors, in and
throughout the United Kingdom of _Great Britain_ and _Ireland_, the
several Duties or Sums of Money set down in Figures, or otherwise
specified and set forth, in the Schedule marked (A.) to this Act
annexed; which said Schedule, and every Clause, Regulation, Matter,
and Thing therein contained, shall be deemed and taken to be Part
of this Act; and the said Duties hereby granted shall commence and
take effect on the Fifteenth Day of _September_ One thousand eight
hundred and thirty-six, and shall be denominated and deemed to be
Stamp Duties, and shall be under the Care and Management of the
Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes, who are hereby empowered and
required to provide and use proper and sufficient Dies for expressing
and denoting the said Duties; and all the Powers, Provisions,
Clauses, Regulations, and Directions, Fines, Forfeitures, Pains, and
Penalties, contained in and imposed by the several Acts of Parliament
in force relating to the Stamp Duties, and not repealed by this Act,
shall be of full Force and Effect with respect to the Duties hereby
granted, as far as the same are or shall be applicable, in all Cases
not hereby expressly provided for, and shall be observed, applied,
enforced, and put in execution for the raising, levying, collecting,
and securing of the said Duties hereby granted and otherwise relating
thereto, so far as the same shall not be superseded by and shall be
consistent with the express Provisions of this Act, as fully and
effectually to all Intents and Purposes as if the same had been
herein repeated and specially enacted with reference to the said
Duties hereby granted.
s. 2. “And be it enacted, That a Discount after the Rate of
Twenty-five Pounds _per Centum_ on the prompt Payment of any Sum
amounting to Ten Pounds or upwards, for the Duties on Newspapers
granted by this Act, shall be allowed to all Proprietors of
Newspapers in _Ireland_ on the Purchase of Stamps for the printing
of Newspapers in _Ireland_, which Discount shall be denoted on the
Face of every Stamp in respect of which the same shall be allowed:
Provided always, that if any Newspaper shall be printed in _Great
Britain_ upon Paper stamped with a Stamp denoting the Allowance
of any such Discount, such Stamp shall be of no Avail, and such
Newspaper shall be deemed to be not duly stamped as required by this
Act.
s. 3. “And be it enacted, That from and after the Thirty-first Day
of _December_ next after the passing of this Act, in the Stamp to
be impressed on each and every Newspaper under the Provisions of
this Act, the Title of such Newspaper, or some Part thereof, shall
be expressed in such convenient Manner and Form as to the said
Commissioners of Stamps and Taxes shall seem expedient; and the
said Commissioners shall cause a proper Die for stamping each such
Newspaper to be prepared under their Directions, and a new or other
Die to be from Time to Time prepared, in like Manner as they shall
think necessary; and the reasonable Costs and Expences of preparing
such Stamps or Dies shall be from Time to Time defrayed by the
Proprietor of each such Newspaper, and paid when and as required by
the said Commissioners to such Person as the said Commissioners shall
appoint to receive the same, before any Paper shall be stamped under
the Directions of such Commissioners for each such Newspaper; and
that from and after the Thirty-first Day of _December_ next after
the passing of this Act no Newspaper liable to Duty under this Act
shall be printed upon Paper not stamped with such Die, containing
the Title of such Newspaper, or some Part thereof as aforesaid; and
if any Newspaper shall be printed on Paper stamped otherwise than as
aforesaid the Stamp thereon shall be of no Avail, and such Newspaper
shall be deemed to be not duly stamped as required by this Act.
s. 4. “And be it enacted, That every Paper declared by the Schedule
(A.) to this Act annexed to be chargeable with the Duties by this Act
granted on Newspapers shall be deemed and taken to be a Newspaper
within the Meaning of this Act and of every Act relating to the
printing or publishing of Newspapers, and shall be subject and
liable to all the Regulations by this Act imposed; and wheresoever
in this Act or in any other Act or Acts relating to the printing or
publishing of Newspapers the Word ‘Newspaper’ is or may be used, it
shall be deemed and taken to mean and include any and every such
Paper as aforesaid; and in all Proceedings at Law or otherwise, and
upon all Occasions whatsoever, it shall be sufficient to describe
by the Word ‘Newspaper’ any Paper by this Act declared to be a
Newspaper, without further or otherwise designating or describing the
same.
s. 5. “And be it enacted, That every Sheet or Piece of Paper which
shall be published as a Supplement to any Newspaper, except the
_London Gazette_ and _Dublin Gazette_ respectively, shall be printed
with the same Title and Date as the Newspaper to which it shall
be or shall purport to be a Supplement, with the Addition of the
Words ‘Supplement to’ prefixed to such Title: and upon every such
Newspaper, except as aforesaid, there shall be printed in conspicuous
Characters some Words clearly indicating that a Supplement is
published therewith; and if any Sheet or Piece of Paper shall be
published as a Supplement to any Newspaper, such Supplement and the
Newspaper to which the same shall relate, not having printed thereon
respectively the several Particulars by this Act required to be
printed thereon respectively, and in the Manner and Form by this Act
directed, the Publisher of such Newspaper shall for every such Sheet
or Piece of Paper so published as a Supplement, and for every Copy
thereof, forfeit the Sum of Twenty Pounds; and if any Person shall
sell, deliver out, or in any other Manner publish any Sheet or Piece
of Paper which shall be or shall purport to be a Supplement to any
Newspaper, without at the same Time selling or otherwise publishing
and delivering therewith the Newspaper to which the same shall be or
purport to be a Supplement, every such Person so offending shall for
every such Offence forfeit the Sum of Twenty Pounds.