New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-04-23
The workingmen,. Protective Union.

The following. from the Lowell Voice cf Indus
try opens cheering prospect Of improvement IN
the condition Of the Leboring Class Why should
notthese Unions be multiplied Indefinitely and uni
versaIy Ed
This enterprise for ameliorating the condition Of
the poor and producing portion Of the community
has ceased TO be mere speculative theory, and
settled down into a real matter Of fact.
The Union already numbers twenty Divisions
mostly in Massachusetts and New. Ha pshire and
containing in the aggregate over twelve hundred
members which number is rapidly augnenting
The Union is governed and regulated by Supreme
Division composed Of delegates from the several sub
ordinate Divisions 10 the ratio OF delegate 20 every
twenty-five qualified members, and holds its meetings
quarterly.
AZ have several times stated one of the prominent
objects OF this Unon is to purchase the of
hie-iood fuel clothing &c al wholesale prices there
by saving the enormous profits which fs into the
hands Of spectators and exchangers and which
great at times as 20 actually render the poor sbOrng
man incapable Of providing comfortable subsistence
for his family throwing him into the control of the
pncious upon the charities Of the world without ed
ucaton and that manly Independence essential hu
man happiness and virtue. This is accomplished by
combining the available funds Of each member
purchase their goods in large quantities and At
Die times, which is done through Board OF Trade
appointed by the Supreme Division for this purpose,
and through which the different Divisions transact
Of their mercantile sars entirely upon the cash system
Indeed the whole business of the Union s conducted
strictly upon this principle thereby avoiding evil Of
no small magnitude
The practcsbiity and advantages of this institution
must be apparent 10 every rejecting mind By IL the
poor may be enabled not only 10 provide more
comfortably for the physical wants Of those dependent
upon him, but also 10 furnish them with educational
means-means Of developing and perfectipg the immor
tai mind and fitting themselves for lives Of usefulness
and honor. Taking this view Of the subject we look
upon this institution great Of lettering the
condition OF the working people, or Al least OF greatly
mitigating the Oppressive tendencies Of Labor and finally
leading ii to seek out permanent remedy The weekly
trade OF the Union s about i've thousand dolars which,
at the low estimate OF ten per cent the usual modes
OF purchasing goods would amount % five hundred dol
lars per week saved 10 the members or the snug little
sum of toenfySi thousand dollars year. Thus viii
be that the Union, although 10 its infancy dong
mean business.
Now If this ia bst beginning. what may not reasona-
bly, be expected when the scheme becomes more gene
raj and mature When It's operations shall become ex
tendedi And when instead OF hundreds, its members
shall number thousands and the combined energies and
experience OF these thousands shall be brought to bear
upon this object Lowell, already has two Divisions
numbering nearly two hundred members each Division
having store under successful operation and the
suits OF which have thus far been highly satisfactory
We feel a degree of confidence and pleasure In recon-
mending this institution 10 the workngmen and women
of this city believing that they may be much benefited
il they will proper Of the advantages II offers,
physically intellectually and socially Those however.
who would have igher object 10 joining such
socistion than dollars and cents may md some
things uncoDgenia such therefore should advise,
not 70 be oversnxous about ensting for want men
and women OF principle heart and soul-those who look
beyond the pecunsry advantages OF the insutu-
ton the final good and elevation of humanity and use
them 10 this great and good end