184 THE POVERTY OF PHILOSOPHY
they would be unable to make head against the land- owners except by putting the workers in the front of the fight. But, as the interests of the workers were not less opposed to those of the manufacturers than the interests of the manufacturers were opposed to those of the land- owners, it was natural to expect that the manufacturers would get the worst of it in the meetings of the workers. But what did the manufacturers do? In order to save appearances they organised meetings composed in great part of foremen and overseers, of the small number of workmen who were devoted to them, and some “friends of commerce,” properly so-called. When afterwards the real working people attempted, as at Bolton and Manchester, to take part in such meetings in order to protest against these factitious demonstrations, they were told they were “ticket meetings,” to which no one could be admitted without a ticket, and were refused admission. Nevertheless, the placards advertising the meetings had announced them as public demonstrations. Every time these meetings were held the capitalist journals gave glowing accounts, with full and detailed reports of the speeches. It goes without saying that these speeches were made by foremen and overseers. The London newspapers gave literal reproductions of these reports. M. Proudhon is so unfortunate as to take the foremen and overseers for ordinary workmen, and to urge upon them the advice not to cross the Channel.
If in 1844 and in 1845 strikes attracted less attention than formerly, it was because 1844 and 1845 were the two first years of prosperity which English industry had enjoyed since 1837. Nevertheless none of the trade unions were dissolved.
Let us now hear the foremen and overseers of Bolton.
