The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-08
"Co-operative Stores.''

This is tho title Of little book recently puDnsn-
ed by LEYPoLDT & Holt, in New York; transla-
| tion and adaptation of recent work by EUGENE
RICHTER. This book treats of system specially de-
signed to help tho poor and make their little go as
far as possible; and as we are remarkably poor IN
these parts, with expensive and luxurious habits,
wo have thought it may not be Improbable 10
examine some Of the leading features OF the sys-
| tenn.
The history Of these cooperative stores is full
of interest. Like all great enterprises, their be-
ginning was small, their growth slow at the hrst'
and their origin was marked by opposition. But
their success has been signal and complete. The
system had its birth in the brain Of apoor weaver
and it took form on capital of 20 pence. NOW 1t
numbers thousands of members, fsnd has nun
dreds of thousands, if not millions Of capital
| In the month of November, 1s43, dozen poor
| weavers met at an inn in Rochdale, in North Lam
| cashire, England, to devise some means OF reler
from their greatpoverty. One was OF opinion that
the rightof suffrage would relieve their wretched
condition. another proposed strike for higher
| wages. The subject was discussed for some time,
but no satisfactory plan as arrived at Inc poor
men were at their wits end, when one, wiser than
the rest, relieved their painful perplexity He OBJ
served that if they could not get higher wages,
they must mako what they got go further. He
reminded them Of the saying ssWhat is lmpossl-
Bile for ono man is easy for three )" and illustrated
its truth by referring to the great enterprises ac-
| comphshed by the united strength of many.
| "Could VIC not said this wise old weaver, "com-
mence with small things, were it nothing more
| than the furnishing of rhe most indispensable ne
cessaries Of life I? Our savings might even now be
sufficient for that if wo put them into the pot to-
gether.'
That proposition was accepted, because it's adop-
| ton involved no risk, and it was commended py
tho character of the speaker. That evening pa
por was drawn up, on which twelve men set their
names to an agreement to pay 20 pence week into
common stock. They took the name OF "Ihe
Rochdale Society of Equitable Pioneers" They
at once drew up programme, declaring the object
Of tho society and its designs. They called Tor
contributions from its members for the purpose OF
pscuniary profit and in order that they might car
| ry out the following designs:
/. The erection Of store for provisions, groce-
ries, and clothing materials.
2. The building, or otherwise obtaining, num-
ber of houses, in which such members may dwell
| as shall find it easier or pleasanter to dwell to-
| gether. 8. The adoption Of rules agreed upon by
the society," for the assistance Of such members as
arc out OF employment, either on account OF On un-
just lowering Of their wages, or from any other
cause. 4. Tho renting or possession OF farm or
farms; likewise for the purpose Of furnishing en-
ployment to such members as are out OF work. b.
The society will use every endeavor to increase,
and to proftably employ its capital to educate tho
children, and, above all, to advance the power and
prosperity Of the community.
Certainly those weavers aimed at accomplishing
great ends. When we compare those ends with the
| means at their commands, thescheme seems quiz
otical But they went to work with Judgment and
energy, and achieved degree Of success, that was
really extraordinary. In a twelyemonth their
number was increased from twelve to twenty
and their capital from twenty pence to f2S (sls5).
They have rented building, paying the rent in
advance furnished it with stock Of groceries, and
we're prepared to do business. Twenty-Five years
after, that Society numbers 1926 members, and
during the first quarter Of 1866 it's sales amounted
to esq, $40; on which the profit was 865l6, or LIS
per cent; the stock Of the members in the Society
amounted to f7S,610, or about ELS each.
| In 1862 that society owned store containing
full stock OF goods and eight branch establish
ments, which together had o yearly sale OF more
than s12O,12O Three shoe stores last year did
business of over $4,000. In their FIVE butcher shops
1888 head of cattle were bought and sold during
the year. The society also owns room, which is
open in the afternoon to members, furnished with
chess and checkerboards, the best newspapers,
and library Of 5000 well-selected books. In 1855
the capital Of that society f9 0O and they re-
ceived cash for goods that year f1sS,s ,s95. They
devote two and half per cent Of their profits an
nually to educational purposes. 1t is also the
practice of the Pioneers to contribute largely to
charitable Institutions, or to some cooperation
society in need OF funds.
A single item will show the splendid success that
society has met with. It enables us to see what
can be accomplished by the cooperation Of the
poor even, if their affairs are managed with discre-
ton, foresight, energy and honesty. "The little
acorn has grown into goodly tree" Their gross
profits for the year 1866 were f3l, 1884. This fact
shows at once the great gain realized by ordinary
shopkeepers, and the vast advantage resulting to
men in humble circumstances from cooperating
in such organizations for their individual benefit.
The signal success of the Rochdale Society
caused the example of the pioneers to be omulated
in other places, till network of similar societies
in q short timo spread over England. There are
now one thousand such societies in England, and
their membership numbers over 100000, with o
working capital Of f15OO,OOO, and an annual busi-
ness of about f4,5OO,0O0.
These associations hare been successful In Ger
many to degree even exceeding their great sue
cess in England. In Germany they eve their e.
tablishment not to the class they are designed es-
pecially to benefit. HERMAN SoHULTzE, OF De-
litzsch, formerly District Judge, and at present
Prussian Deputy, has the honor Of establishing
these institutions in Germany. Now these socie-
ties extend all over Germany. In 1850 they num-
bered six; their number since then has multiplied
beyond thousand, with $50, ,00o members, and IN
annual business Of $780, 500 900, and nearly $780,
600 in private property.
From the February number of the Peoples
Magazine, 1867, we learn something of the manner
of doing business at these cooperative stores.
The shop is open all day, but is most frequented
in the evening, being generally crowded in tho
Saturday night. As everything has to be paid for
in ready money, all purchasers must Of course
bring their cash with them. Whatever be tho
amount a customer lays out, he or she receives
tin ticket, on which is stamped the sum paid
such tickets being vouchers for the receipt OF the
money. The buyer preserves these tickets until
the expiration of tho current quarter, when he
brings them to the store, and for whatever
amount Of them he can produce, he is entitled to
proportionate share of the profits of the concern
during tho quarter. The whole of his purchases,
in the tlme may amount, perhaps, to five or Blk
pounds; if the profits averaged ten per cent, he
would be entitled to ten or twelve shillings; and
he might either receive the money in cash, or
have the same transferred to his account credit in
his pass-book in which case it would 60 to in
crease the deposits which he receives interest.
The shop being open to the public, and the tin
tickets being issued to all customers alike, non