New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-11-01
COOPERATION IN ENGLAND.

We print in another column, from our En-
glsh correspondent hopeful account OF Co
operation in various parts OF Great Britain.
This movement il not confined To operatives
alone, for some of the most enlightened minds
are interested, as witnessed by a notable meet
ing of the friends of industrial partnership and
cooperation recently held in Manchester, En-
gland. From a speech delivered theTeat by Mr..
Thomas Hughes, NJ r., we learn that the move
mcnt first commenced over twenty years ago by
the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers; in few years,
stores multiplied though meeting with great
difficulties but in 1851 there was general
gathering at Bury 10 establish general depot
at Manchester, and to frame rules for guiding
the movement in England. Ii Is noticeable
that one of their main objects, even at that
carly day. was TO use their influence in pre-
venting the sale OF adultcmtcd articles, mas
much as a departure from the strlctcst honesty
is "A gross violation OF the principles of CO.
operation. At first, the idea of much profit
was not entertained but the profit proved
unite considerable. Particularly was this the
case when those not belonging to the organi-
cation began To trade with it, being induced by
fair dealing. After consultation, these custom
crs were allowed half profits. Meanwhile, with
wise forethought, the coOperators decided
that only moderate dividends should bc allowed
to capital for they took the ground that who
eyer furnished the trade was entitled to n
greater share than he who only furnished the
capital.
Beside stores. there were Building Associa-
tons. which furnished homes in the vicinity of
cities hy the payment of instalments, which
plan worked well, and there were combina-
tons of common mechanics. Nv Hughes gives
two accounts The Working Frame Makers
and Gildcr,' Association of London commenced
with so and three members; they steadily
advanced, until last year they absorbed the
business Of the landlord, when he himself
ioincd them; and now they are doing bust
ness of $4,000 year. The Northampton
Plate Locksmitlis, being on q strike, started in
1864. when they were opposed by formidable
connection from their old employers; but they
met the conflict and, while working under high
pressure. they lost Il sum equal to their whole
capital every week. They pulled through tn
umphautly; and now they have sixty men en-
ploycd. and rs much work a. they can do. In
consequence of the competition with their Old
masters, prices were much reduced; but they
are working out of debt 10y weekly assessments
on their profits. 1.-The character OF their work
sis SO high that in an exhibition last year they
"were put on par with Messrs. Chubb
az Cottcral.r High praise must be
awarded to these English worllmcn since they
furnished from their own ranks both compe
tent and honest managers. AT first there was
dstrlst of managers but, after a little, each
was busy with his own affairs, and intent on
] oil Ia. irst
expcls drunkenness and disorder, and, 10y de-
grees the small tricks and dlshonesies in
workmen. Fixed employment coupled with
common interest creates new ties between man
and man, and it suggests new forms of fellow
ship till there is a family feeling. When this
state shall become permanent, a new type OF
wolkmcn, honest, frank, and courteous, must
De evolved This, in particular, is the condi-
ton of the Associations OuvriGres OF Paris.
Mr.. Hughes speaks at length of the neces-
sty of Cooperation, that the maxims OF morals
of trade may be elevated from the low condl-
ton TO which they have fallen. Day after
"day, for eighteen months, the journals have
"teemed with the failures of our commercial
Companies, and the frauds and sharp prac-
"tices of their managers" People have be-
come so weakly good-natured with regard to
this class of frauds as scarcely to consider such
olicnses crimes at all. Trade is considered
kind of gambling in which fair play is not to
be expected and if one makes money by telling
lie, the law must not be enforced, notwlth-
standing mutitudcs of families are thereby
brought to helpless want. When business
morality reaches this point, n reorganization
must follow, because no elements remain by
which society can be held together. To those
who create, and who must continue to create
the wealth of England, belongs the responsl-
bility and the duty of fixing upon commercial
fraud the stamp of infamy, and OF taking
charge of tic fruits of their own industry since
the managing class has proved itself unworthy
While free trade has been demanded by the
English workmen, aud while il did much Tor
them, mainly as result Of the superior skill
which they had acquired during many ages oil
protection, Mr.. Hughes says that cheapncss
is at best Il two-edged sword, as easily used
against the people as for them" and he points
TO the kinds of labor, dsgracelul to ClyIlZa-
ton and Christianity, which the ldolalry OF
cheap production imposes on women ana chll-
dron, aud on gangs OF agricultural laborois'
The endcavor 10 buy cheap and to sell dear
without regard 10 moral consequences hl7 i'-
suited n a civil war brlVecn MU0lci1 Hd ch-