The mutual strike of the operative engineers and their em-
ployers is now in full operation. On the part of the employers, the closing of the work-shops does not appear to be so general as was anticipated. That step having been adopted for the purpose of compelling the men to withdraw their demands, the partial manner in which it is carried into effect will materially diminish its efficacy. On the part of the operative engineers, associations are in progress to place them in a condition to become their own employers. This seems to be impracticable on such a scale as could enable them to dispense with the capitalists who have hitherto given them work. No doubt, in localities peculiarly circumstanced, a limited number of the more intelligent, industrious, and prudent operatives, might contrive by clubbing their surplus earnings to ob- tain a fair share of employment in those branches of „their trade which do not rectuire expensive machinery; and the formation of such societies might call into existence a class intermediate be- tween the great capitalists and the mere workmen, with advan- tage both to the individuals and the public. But even this limited realization of the idea which seems to have taken possession of the "Amalgamated Engineers" cannot be accomplished by large meet- ings under the influence of passionate and in some cases inflated speeches. Nor can the attempt succeed if in these societies the most skilful and industrious workmen are to receive no greater re- muneration for their labour than the less skilful and more indo- lent. . •
