The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-02-15
Cooperation, or Partnership of Labor.


and producers, under which the workmen re-
ceive, in addition 10 the ordinary wages, share
in the profits they create. In its application to
manufacturers il is a plan not unlike that which
was once not uncommon in this country, of
renting farm on shares.p The idleness of him
who, in the days of Solomon, accomplished as
hireling his day." has its precise counterpart
in the eye-servant of present times, who brags
that "he has put IN another day." So on IL will
be for ever under the present system of employ
ment. The laborer feels that no wever pro6ta.
bic may be the business, however rich the EN-.
ployer may become, he who oears the chief part
in II, the producer himself, has no share in the
results, except TO be paid his wages. Thus he
adopts the easiest way of spending his time, is
wasteful of material sights his work, caring
little how it is done if it can only pass inspec-
ton, and has neither pride In the reputation
nor interest in the prosperity OF the firm by
whom he is employed.
often, thinking he is insuffcienty remune-
rated, ne seeks other places of employment or
savings, and those of his iellow-workmen in the
costly experiment, diminishing the capital
and inuring the business of his employer,
who, IN bis turn, hires his men at the
lowest possible price. 1t too seldom enters the
mind of the workman that he might become
practically the partner OF his employer, have the
use of capital on fair terms, profit by the busi-
ness experience and commercial sagacity ac-
uured by early education and long practice, and
devote his own best thought and skill 10 their
mutual advantage
On the other hand, the employer quite as
seldom rem embers that his workmen are not
merely ANIMALS, to be bought and sold, or tenn
porarily hired IN the market at the lowest price.
We have had Southern planters who were proud
70 show their negroes. There are farmers who
are proud to exhibit their cattle, and manutac'
vlf hoya AiEhn np In hni
machinery. But under the present system of
mere hiring, the more honorable feeling of pride
in his Workmen seldom has much hold on the
mind of the employer. Yet he might, with ad
vantage to himself, arrange his affairs IN such
way that the common profits of The establish
ment TO which his men are required to contr
butte their toll and skill may be shared with
them in just proportion to their confidence and
fidelity, Their economy and Industry, their
skill and success"
There are indications that the new relation
will ultimately prevail. In Eur)pe where, from
the pressure of narrow natural resources, the
mind OF man is necessarily forced to devise the
best attainable plans of economy, many en-
ployers were wiling, Tor many years, to insti-
tute these partnerships bet "een labor and capt
tai, but were at loss to discover by what
practical plan they could attain their object. 1t
was 100 hastily assumed by many that, because
the theory and the sentiment were so excellent,
the principle itself was only visionary and base
less. In reality 1t is founded no less upoL q
shrewd calculation of business profits than upon
the principles OF morality and justice, for new
source of profit is opene1 out II each man gives
full attention to his work and puts his good
Will into it,"
We Will illustrate this by an example. 1t was
Observed that in certain collieT1es at WhtHood
and Methley, in England, the colliers could, by
a little attention in separating the inferior from
the better coal, working with cheerlulness and
good viii instead Of sullenness and bad Will,
create profit of more than $4,000 annually.
| Up to that time il was was invariably Wasfed.
Tho 1nlll6 No ok "a DIGifn fO
! separate the coal. But one OF the sagacious
! propretors hit upon the following expedient:-
IL dis cover herein" said he, ia new method OF
mailing asf see my men can !! they ha
! IT gave them $4,000 of il they would have that
motive; they wOu be delighted; should appear
great ben, factor in their eyes And should be a
beneiaolor, 100; for should put in their way and
place 1t IN their power to add $4,000 fl5O0 stermg
TO tn. ir wages We should be on good terms after
this"
The principle of the partnerships of industry
| is clearly stated in these lucid expressions
cleared of all fine sentimentality and the confu
| sion of ideas with which new projects are fire
quently enveloped. There is good feeling in it
The intention Is excellent, but not of that crude
sort OF which it is well said that they pave the
way TO peIdltion; its selfshness IS intelligent
ITS philanthropy is practical; IL costs nothing
and creates double remuneration by It's de
posts in the pocket and bank of the employer
and in the appreciation OF his fello E-men, anC
in all those other respects which may III a secu
ward OF his own conscience.
The first who in England set the example o
improving the relations of employers and EN-
ployed were the hrm OF Francis d. John Cross
ley. Their works for the manufacture of carpets
cover eighteen and half acres of flooring, an(
employ capital of over 10000 ,000 This vas
business they arranged on the basis of public
company, making their work-people II men
women, and children, even minors and married
women, numbering four thousand five hundrei
all eligible to invest their earnings as share
holders, ''thuB giving to every producer al
opportunity OF exchanging the se1vile position
OF hired laborer into that OF the dignity OF
Joint possessor of the millnoor on which b.
treads, and sharing the renown and profits o
the firm to which his toll and skill contributed.
Messrs. Briggs d Son, proprietors OF the Whit
wood and Methley coleres, have the honorable
distinction OF carryn 'he principle OF indus
tral partnership an additional step in advance
and OF being the first manufacturing employer
on a iaige scale who fully recognized the DOo
mans labor as property, even when entirely un
assisted by any accumulation Of his earnings
oistnction OF immense i'm poriance.
Another company, called the "Clayton Plat
al d Ear-lron Company carries the new prime
pie OF partnership yet further and like q &C
operative store, includes the customer also Il
the division OF profits, besides giving to tn
wOrkmen of every grade a regular percentag
rs allowed TO the capitalists annually, and tn
remaining profits are divided into three equf
parts, one OF which is distributed among tn
customers In proportion TO the amount of good
| bought by each of them; another to the shar'
holders according TO the number OF shares hel
hy each; and the remaining third to the officers
| clerks, and workmen, IN proportion TO thei
various salaries and wages.
The CLAYTON Company put into practice MOI
nearly than any other the principle of co-operi
tlOn as explained in the celebrated de6nitio
OF John Stuart Mill
at Is not cooperation where a few persons join Il