The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-03-15
The Legislature.
90 oprRArrvE ASSOCIATIONS.

.ssOcl2tlODS, the dlIlereuL -u>UI1 nS0 SSA-'
,anies, mining, manufacturing, smeltibg'
md the thousand and one other companies
treated By the laws OF this state 4ney
ire nothing more OF less than cooperative
Associations, O.. based Oh the cO-OperatiFe
principle. Onlvthe members are chiefly cap
talists. Therefore, correctly Interpreted
and acted upon, cooperation slgniAes me
doctrine OF seli-heip.
l. The law prayed for, if passed, will au-
thorize ten or more persons 70 unite as 4
mechanics and labOring men, IN any Co
operative association, for the purpose OF
purchasing groceries and provisions, ana I
10 sell the same 20 the stockholders and otb- /
ers, at such reasonable price over The COST
as will enable the association 10 obtain the
same.
?. To authorize the mechanics belonging
10 the association, 70 manufacture thelr
own boots, shoes. clothing. hOur and other
necessary articles, deposit them IN the co
operative store. sell the same, and ENJOY
the fruits OF their own labor, instead 0i
giving Il 70 the capitalist
3. Tie capital stock IN no case 10 % less
than IS, 900, nor more than $500, eco, diVi-
ded into shares Of not less than ten DOL
lars.
4. The stockholders aud directors are
Jointly and severally liable for all debts ior
labor performed for the corporation, besides
all debts incurred 10 the amount OF the cap
ital stock by each subscribed
These are. in brief. the leading features
or this bill that capitalists dread.
But narrow must be the mind barren the
intellect. precariOus and Of doubtful stabii-
ity the status OF the capitalist. who IS afraid
70 compete with an institution founded upon
the wholesome and legitimate provisions o.
this bill. We envy not that mans posi-
ton
Are the working classes entitled 10 no
legislation NJ our hands, are they suita-
bic only Tor "hewers Of wood and drawers
Of water 70 work night and day 10 pay
the taxes which we heap upon them so
prOiuselyi
This is the first time this sessiOn-yes,
the first time in the history Of our State
that the working classes, the poor men, have
asked u for any legislation.
How has il been with capital, II has
been here IN force ever since we assembled.
Day alter day and week after week, have
been spent legslating for capital, and thou
sands OF dollars OF the peoples money al
sOrbed with il. New corporations have
been organized, and whatever capital
wished has been eagerly and willingly
/ given.
/ Nothing has been done for the working
/ classes, and, f0rsOoth, when they now come
and ask anything, we are met with the IN
/ terrogatOry, ''Have they petitloned To-
/ thlsg" IS if they must come here, take OF
their hats, and on Bonded knee, lmplOre us
their servants. TO grant their request.
Did you apply this inquiry 10 the appli
canIs upon whom you have conferred TIL
legislation first citedl No.
Did you have petitions asking you for tn
] legislation. Not one.
Then why demand it in this case! BE
cause, We suppose Us some have said, "th
working men don't know what they d.
want. They are unaccustOmed 10 do bust
ness, and arc liable 10 be imposed upon b.
i set Of sharpers. We know that they wi
fail if they embark in bookkeeping.
These are. in the opinion OF your com
mittee, no objections TO the bill. il true
ANY respectable portion Of our citizens ar
entitled 10 have such bill passed. if the
wish.
These cooperative associations are In ez
istence in England and Canada, and hav
successful operation in Massachusetts an
PENNSYLVANIA, and have been for years, an
no complaint is made in any place wher
|, they exist. that they are detrimental 10 To
r interests Of society and sound morals.
Corporations and individuals fail in a
branches OF business, public and private
the wealthiest companies as well as IN
weakest combinations. 4 Senator mad
the remark on this floor Yesterday, that OF
? IL eight mining companies formed in tbi
State. as yet, had been able TO pay any dix
idends.
While the history OF this State has Ofte
recorded the failure of mining companie!
in Boston. Massachusetts, q careful recOr
Of the merchants OF that city. showed ID;
nnety-thTee out OF every hundred failed.
Look II the city of Detroit. Where al
{ the mercantile men who were in businc,
there ten years ago We think we are sal
in saving that One-half Of the then pro-
porous merchants are to-day insOiyent.
SOLDIERS 10 VOTE.
In the Senate, on Friday, a joint re4oll
ton for amending the Constitution pas5e,
Mr.. Treat only dissenting. II recites Il
qualifications for voting prescribed in Il
Constitution, and adds to them a. follow:
"Prorilsd, That in time OF war. insu
rection or rebellion, no qualified electOr
The actual military service Of the Unite
states, or Of this State, in the army or max
hereof, shall be deprived Of his vote L
reason Of his absence from the TOWNSHIP
ward or State in which he resides; aud 4
Legislature shall have the power and sha
! provide the manner Ia which and the tin
and place II which, such absent ciect0
, may vote, and for the canvass and return
their votes 10 The township, or ward e.ecti-
district in which they respectively resiC
or otherwise. The said amendment shall Z
and is hereby submitted 10 the people
the next general election 10 be holden @
the Tuesday Succeeding the first Monday
November. 1866. a pTOyidedin section on
article twenty. Of the Constitution; and Il
Secretary Of state IS hereby required
give notice Of the same. to the sheriffs
the several counties OF this State. 10 Il
. same manner that be is now required I
law 70 do, in the case of an election Of Co
ernor and Lieutenant Governor; and the il
spectOrs Of election in the several township
, and cities in this State, shall prepare a sui
able box for the reception Of ballots cast f,
and against such amendment. Each pc
son voting for said amendment, shall hay
written or printed on his ballot, the word
amendment IS TO soldiers voting. yes
, and each person voting against II, the word
amendment as 70 soldiers voting. no
the ballots IN all respects shall be canvasse
as the votes tor Governor and Lieutcnal
Governor are required TO be canvassed.p
When this came down TO the House, N
Brockway moved an amendment so az
exclude from voting all who had merely d
clared their intention 10 become Citizen
He stated Instances IN his own knowledg
where persons. under this provision. had c,
ercised the privileges Of citizens for man
years, and when liable 20 eOuscription Ia
sworn they were foreigners and go; e.
empt
Mr.. Giles was opposed 10 the amendmeI
on the ground that it would injure emigr.
ton with Us, so long as other States we!
more liberal.
Mr.. Dunlap opposed It strenuously {
being the worst kind Of Know-nothins
ism. which he had supposed was extinc
BE was for the enfranchisement OF all MAJ
kind. He represented many languages an