New-York tribune., 1867-06-11

germ of the idea. The cooperative principle il
capable of indefinite expansion and yanety. 1t
is as easy for many different kinds OF woskiag
people To combine IN some general work that
REQUIRES all their various crafts as for the Same
people to support a common provision chop Or
grocery. Why should not masOns. carpcnnss,
plumbers, plasterers, gas-fitters, marble work
ers, furnace makers, glaziers, and so forth, e
together and form an association for building
houses, each investing what he can afford in
the capital fund, using his experience In pro
curing his own kind of materials at the lowest
rates. putting his own skill, interest, aad honor
into the quality of his workmanship, and
making his industry augment his cap
ital stOck' This can be done, Is dOae
now by organized associations, and will
be done more effectually in time to
come. There may be trades which do not
admit of similar combinations OF labor because
they offer no common object 70 concentrate
labor upon. or no common place 70 gather the
results Of labor in; but in such cases, trades
might cooperate with other trades, the com
binatiOn embracing not individual wOrkmen
but whole groups of wOrkmen. In this way
vast enterprises may be undertaken. demand
ing many millions of money and the money
would be forthcoming from capitalists seeking
safe investments and good returns. Prscteed
heads will readily work out the details Of
these schemes, the principle being given. We
are less interested In these now than in the
principle and it's effect on the working classes.
That it will promote economy must be ap,
parent at the first glance. The reduction OF
the costIyEarmy OF middlemen will be an ina
mense saving in the cost Of all products.
whether for consumption or use. The price OF
articles at retail will come down te reasonable
levels. and the quality of the articles them
selves will be at the same time improved.
Equally obvious is it that the personal NOR
ality of the working people will be elevated.
Less money will be squandered at Gin shops,
beer shops, and places Of ruinOus pleasure.
Industry will be put on its mcttie frugalIty
viii be an ambition, and many a mechanic
will be saved from the idleness and vice that
eradicate the man; for now he works for
double purpose-to get a living, and TO acquire
% property.
Not less conspicuous must be the effect Of
the new system on the workngDans self
respect That quality belongs, as a rule 10
the feeling Of proprietorship il lands, houses.
corporations, accumulations Of invested wealth.
To have an income from funded property, an
interest in well-conducted institutions, is 70 feel
oneself q man aud TO be sensible Of being an
organic part of such an institution l. 20 be
I sensible of personal responsibility and charae-
ter. There Is thinking 10 be done, and plan
ming, - well a. working; there Is foresight to be
exercised and selfrtliance, and there Is strength
70 be derived from the act Of cooperation
which will be Of great value as discipline. In
a word. the independence viii be genuine, for
il viii be coupled with the feeling that all IN
I terested depend on each other. This may
/ sound like romance 70 some. but if there be
/ any virtue in a principle II viii prove to DC no
/ romance at all Indeed. IL has already proved
/ To be none. If facts nav be relied on