Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-06-20

fenSlve ana SUCCESSFUL cooperative schemes
in that country;
am writing this letter from the manu-
town of Halifax, in Yorkshire,
where have gathered much valuable in
formation and enjoyed a peculiar gratifica
ton in visiting the celebrated carpet man
ufactories One of my first objects was te
see a mammoth establishment, owned
chiefly by Liberal member or Parliament
and his family, famed throughout the world
and conducted on the co operative princi-
pie, under which the "wofk peciiie," as
they call them. can purchase direct inter
es in most profitable concern out of the
proceeds of their own labor. In this era
ii was very significant TO watch
the progress Of q movement. which, if gen
emlly acted upon in this country, will re-
move many Of the just causes of complaint
CT the part of the toiling classes In con-
vusation with Sir Francis Crosley himself,
one of the owners, and the member of Par
lament from Halifax. found That he was
highly pleased with this benevolent exper-
iment. More than a thousand of his work
hen have taken advantage Of his offer and
become interested in the business. These
great works comprise a large number OF
patent looms fer the weaving Of tapestry,
velvet and Brussels carpets: also, table COW
ers and hearth rugs-hand looms for weav-
ing Scotch carpets and machinery for pre-
parirg and spinning wors,ed, woolleL, Mh-
en- and cotton, which are carded, combed.
spun, dyed and printed on the premises
Ii is the largest manufactury Of the kind
in the world, cnrApri.ing Isl. acres of
flooring, using 1000 horse power in its
steam machinery, and giving employment
over 1000 men, women and children. l
saw this mass of human beings dismissed
for and returning from iheiT hooniay meal
"a sight shall never forget. They seem
ed unusually conteptcd and healthy. At
terwafd | had an opportunity cf seeing
them at their labors. Taking the cotton
and wool almost as they came from the
growers hands, from the early cleaning to
the first dyeing, we followed them through
their various processes until we stood i'm
the department where the finished fabrics
are stored which have attained worldwide
celebrity, and are used in all parts Of the
civilized world. The various inventions
which have brought this cis-. of manulac
lures so near perfection, from that now twt1
centuries old TO the great discov-
cry of one of our own country
men, here exhibited ;heir amazing capaci-
lies. To see mere machines doing the
work of human beings, sorting delicate
threads, producing the most beautiful col
Ors, and combining these threads and colors
into pictures and figures riva'ing the genius
of the individual artist, was an experience
that awakened many reflections. The
buildings in which these immense opera
tons are carried on are prOpOriiOnatoly gi
gantic. As | have said. they cover acres,
and arc alike substantial and ornate Some
oil them are nine stories high; and as you
stand on one Of these floors and cast
your eyes along the forest of looms and
watch the persons engaged on ;hcm, you
seem to be i'm the busy street Of some Gu
rious old city. The town of Halifax is as
unlike any American town as possible. II
is miniature metropolis, built of the incv
liable stone of the country, with long rows
of elegant stores. comfortable dwellings for
the poor, a lortlly town hail fine hotel,
and other public buildings. Ey-
erywhere you mark the evidences of the
wise generosity of the Crosleys. The park
almost as neat and beautiful as that at liv-
erpOOl. was gift of Sir Francis TO the peo-
pie. The funds of his family contributed
chiefly To the beautiful town hall. and their
iiberaliiy has founded what is styled an
for the education Of the faith
erless children of the better and more en-
uiOus Of their wOrkmcn
CO OPERATION N CINCINNATI.
The Cabinet Makers Uni0n.--This
was incorporated i'm lS52, under the State
act, with forty-two members, each "A work
lngman, who subscribed so each. Until
this share became, by accumulation, worth
four hundred dollars, no diridends were
declared; and even now that sum is sup
posed To remain intact, ard Cn I, no inter
est is paid. There were thirty nine share
holders during ten years, and there are
twentythree now. They purchased the
perpetual lease of n small factory to- begin
with for 81 800, paying down $500
cash: They borrowed in the first year
S2i 900. Their capital, i'm buildings, yards,
stock and machinery, Is now valued at
over 100000. During these fifteen years
they have paid an interest of eight per
cent. less the 500 each stockhOldcr is sup
posed to have invested as fixed capital
But they pay ten per cent. additional on
the wages of the working stockholder,
more than on the wages of those who are
not. Thus. if a stockholders wages he
Last year having been a very successful
year, they divided two hundred dollars to
each, besides the balance of profits accord
ing to the amount OF wages each hand had
earned. If stockholder be sick he re
ceives interest on his share, but no wages.
Each man has now dwelling house Of his
own. The total dividends paid in 1866
were $4,000 profits, and $4,000 interest.
Their sales in S66 were $4,000, and in
1865 Sl26,0O0. To my inquiry, what they
did with refractory members, they told me
of one who had become so confirmed a
drunkard they refused him work; but after
the lapse of "A year, on his promise ofrefor-
nation, they admitted him again, and he is
now a steady man. Another wild man
went away to the war, but has since re-
turned to work, and is steady. They are
all Germans. At first they held weekly
meetings after supper, but these became
troublesome from their disputations; and
now they meet monthly, and before sup
per, and the desire to go home materially
contracts their debates. They employ 9th
ers besides shareholders, and do very
successful business. For the first year or
two they had many difficulties to contend
against, chiefly in the want of confidence
in any cooperative society among business
men, but now they can obtain all the credit
they ask.
Queen city Furniture Company
This was incorporated in January, 1864, or
$4,000 capital. 1t began with fourteen
stockholders, each paying $500, making q
cash capital of $1,000. 1t has had nine
teen stockholders, and has thirteen now
all Germans, who had been workmen in
Mitchell & Rammelsberg's factory. The
present estimated value of shares is $500
They have rule not to draw profits iii
the shares are worth $1,000 each. They
hold meetings monthly Of stockholders.
They employ seventy-eight hands. giving
members a preference, but pay only usual
wages.
Cincinnati Furniture Associations
This was incorporated 1868 on $lO,o0t