The Sun.
London, England, 1863-10-08 00:00:00

inhabitants of Lowell almost as completely as those of New
Lanark, while the education of all classes was as entirely
successful. There wanted only the true co-operative
principle to give the workman confidence in each
other and in themselves by removing the super-
intendence of the employer. In truth this, though a
very natural, is the great step of all, and which the work-
people themselves made. The communication to the work-
people at New Lanark and at Lowell of a share in the profits
of their labour was effected in the large provision made for
their education and their health; but this necessarily de-
pended upon the employer, and on his change—by death or
other causes—the successor might not have the same liberal
and enlightened views. Tho communistic principles on
which Owen, both in Scotland and at New Harmony, in
America, established his villages were more nearly co-ope-
rative; but there existed this great difference from true co-
operation, that all shared in the produce of the common
labour to a certain degree equally, for all were not only alike
instructed and attended in sickness, but were fed alike ; at d
though the clear profits, after deducting all expenses, were
professedly divided among families with a reference to the
services of each, there was none of that security to all that
they should reap each the fruits of his labour, which is the
essence of the co-operative plan. Co-operation gives all the
rights and independence of individuals, with all the benefits
of joint labour. The imperfect co-operative principle was
not only the ground of R. 0 wen'a villages in Scotland and
in America—it was also the plan of the French emigrants
under Cabet and others, who carried it to the full extent of
dividing equally among all the produce and the profits of
their joint work, like the bees in a hive, who are genuine
co-operators of the imperfect kind.
" ' Omnibus una quies operum, labor omnibus nuns.'
—Georgios IV.
Their toil is common, common is their sleep. If they acted
from reason and not from instinct, each for itself, it is
manifest that the work would not be done at all; and so
such communities are certain to fail. The true co-operative
principle affords a complete correction by counting the
labour of all according to the interests of each. It is impos-
sible to overrate the advantages of this system to the work-
ing classes. Besides the great advantage of obtaining goods
at the lowest price and free from all risk of adulteration or
other fraud, the first, perhaps the most important advantage
bestowed, is the strict economy which is not only incul-
cated but exacted. Each member must possess a certain
number of shares, and a weekly contribution is required
until their number is completed. Then all dealings are for
ready money, the rule being absolute against giving credit.
But a powerful incitement both to economy and exertion of
industry is afforded by the hope of profit in those concerns
which, not confined to the supply of goods, extend to
branches of manufacture carried on by the labour of the
members themselves. Furthermore, besides promoting eco-
nomy and industry, a manifest encouragement is afforded to
temperance in each member, both by the frugal habits
acquired, and by associating with others the bulk of whom
abstain from all excess. It is also a most important consi-
deration that the members must acquire habits of business
connected with the administration of the common concern.
They are generally by rotation all in their turn parts of the
managing and governing body. Now, it is not found in
mechanics institutes or reading rooms that the individual in-
terest of each member in the welfare of the concern is direct
and immediate, as it is in co-operative societies ; for here
he is a partner and the business is his own, whereas in those
other institutions he feels only such an interest as men have
in the community to which they belong. It thus happens
that in co-operative societies such a thing as a difference or
dispute among the managers, or of these with the members,
is hardly ever heard of. At the Rochdale Pioneers Society
16 years had elapsed before the last return without a single
instance of recourse to the arbitrators under the provisions
of the acts. The discussions among the members upon
their affairs, on the state of trade, and the events of the day
have had the happy effect of making them practically fami-
liar with the fundamental truths of economical science, espe-
cially the principles that regulate prices and wages, and
have thus had a salutary influence on their conduct in times
of distress. Indeed, the sums withdrawn during the late
months, both from the stores and from the manufacturing
concerns, afford striking proofs of the beneficial influence of
co-operation. These sums were wanted to prevent the
shareholders from receiving the aid of the charitable
funds, because the feeling is universal among them to
avoid by all means the lot of paupers. It is a most impor-
tent feature in these societies that provision is always made
for the improvement of the members by setting apart a pro-
portion of the savings or gains for the purchase of books and
support of a reading-room. But this, though beneficial, is as
it:were an accidental result or application of the funds, the
main object and essential principle of the union being
economy and profit. The extending of co-operation to the
agricultural classes, the most important part of the commu-
nity, has already made some progress since the suggestion
was thrown out at our last meeting but one. At Clipston,
in Northamptonshire, Mr. Jarman introduced it above a
year ago, with perfect success, and it has recently been
adopted at Whitfield, in Northumberland. In both places
the workmen inhabit villages the people of which are
labourers on the adjoining farms. Many years ago, in
Suffolk, Mr. Garden allowed 20 working men to occupy a
small farm and lent them capital to cultivate it. They did
so, and paid the rent fixed. But when the capital is not
provided by the men themselves, not only is the gain all
alike, being independent of the labour of each, but there is
a great risk of abuse and of neglect; and to this cause is
mainly due the failure of a great London co-operative so-
ciety, almost the only instance of such a mischance. The
co-operative principle has been applied to the use of goods
as well to their purchase ; and this especially in the article
of cookery. The establishment of kitchens from which, at
a cheap rate, wholesome food may be obtained, and of good
dining-rooms where it may be consumed, if not crrried home
has been attended with great advantage at Glasgow and
other towns, so that the working classes may be suppliedwith
food at their own homes, or may resort for it to the rooms
acoording to their circumstances or convenience, Miss
Catherine Sinclair, of Edinburgh, has just added to her other
acts of benevolence and judicious care for the working classes
the establishment of kitchens and dining-rooms for them,
the success of which in a few weeks was complete. The vast
advantages of combination, without risk of its powers being
abused, must bo obvious upon the simple statement of the
co-operative principle. No one can have any interest in
perverting its powers, for. great as these are, their confine-
meat to one object is strict and rigorous, and each individual
is interested in their never being for one instant diverted to
other purposes, even if such diversion were practicable. But
though the advantage of combination is obtained, the indi-
vidual is not lost in the mass—his separate existence is fully
preserved. Each gains exactly in proportion to his frugality,
his industry, and his skill, and each benefits in proportion
to his prudence in the use of his savings or his gains. The
idle or the inexpert do not profit by the industry or skill of
their brethren, though those who are in want are sure to be
helped by those whose circumstances are more fortunate.
Perfect liberty is combined with the advantages resulting
from concert and united action. One may be a co-operative
as regards his expenditure, while he works for an employer
of the ordinary kind ; another may belong to a manufac-
turing concern and not to a store ; while a third may belong
to both, or may belong to some concern different from
either. There is not in the system or the institutions under
it that balance of good and evil which prevails in other in-
stitutions, that compromise which sometimes in their for-
mation, generally in their administration, is required to
produce harmony—
" When jarring interests themselves create
The according music of a well mixed state."
—Essay on Aran.
All is here natural and necessary harmony, and good,
greater er less, but always good, without drawback or de-
duction. The comfort for the workman in his home is pro-
vided, but the home itself is beyond the reach of co-opera-
tion (unless in so far as wealth, the result of saving or of
speculation, may improve the dwelling), and it has, ac-
cordingly, been deemed expedient to encourage the estab-
lishment of club-rooms, where the industrious, whose
homes are crowded with children, or in any other respect
ill adapted for receiving friends, may be able, comfort•
ably and socially, to pass the hours not devoted to
work, er study, or rest. The institution for the pro-
motion of those places of social relaxation has only ex-
isted during the last year; but it has been attended with as
great success as could reasonably have been expected, and
at the late general meeting in Burlington-house it was shown
how the working classes benefited by these clubs, without
deserting their homes. It was further clearly proved that
the complaint to which Mechanics Institutes have from their
commencement been exposed, of not descending to the
humblest classes, but being more useful to themiddle orders,
can in no respect be made of the club-rooms, for, from the
most remarkable instance—the several club-rooms founded
at Southampton—not more than one-tenth of the 3,000 mem-
bers belonged to the class of shopkeepers and clerks, the
whole of .the other 2,700 being day labourers, either skilled
or ordinary Workmen, and a very large proportion, about
one-third of the lager, the humblest class of all. The Car-
lisle rule is, of course, almost universally adopted, of having
the government and management exclusively in the hands
of persons who subsist by wages. Nor is it possible to cite
that rule without adverting to the admirable associations
which have been formed under He influence, Our worthy
and learned colleague, Dr. Elliott, has furnished us with
the first numbers of a periodical work, a monthly journal
(the Border City), conducted by the working classes, mem-
bers of a reading-room, and written entirely by working
men. It is only just to add that, in composition as well as
reasoning, its pages might well stand comparison with the
common run of our periodical publications, and it is greatly
to be wished that other works of a like kind may be under-
taken by the same class in other places. The great increase
of savings banks since last Congress is a most satisfactory
thing, for they are at once an indication and a source of
popular improvement. By the latest returns, the number
of depositors exceeds 1,500,000, and the sums deposited
nearly £38,000,000, of which above £2,00e,000 aro in sumsTh
not exceeding £lO, by above 700,000 depositors.
number of accounts of dividend not exceeding £lO at thee
Bank of England for the same period was little above 90,000,
and the total about £250,000. A considerable progress has
been made since our last congress in relieving the upper
class of working men from too close and long-continued at-
tendance to their duties. The benevolent and judicious
men who have devoted much of their time to promote the
early closing of shops in towns, especially in London, are
Om all praises and their exertions have happily been