Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-01-10
Co-Operative. Societies.

operative associations. We did so to en-
courage our people to form similar ones.
There has been some interest manifested
upon this subject in our own city, and some
attempt was made to inaugurate co-opera-
tive building association, but we fear 1t has
been permitted to drag, either from failure
to awaken sufficient interest in the subject,
or it's projectors have become discouraged
by the feebleness of their beginnings as
compared with the greatness of their un-
dertaking. The purpose is so noble and
its accomplishment so desirable that we
would regret its entire abandonment on
account of thelittle interestmanifested Units
ircipiency. The establishment of such
associations is new thing with our peo-
pie. They have never known the advan-
tages of cooperation, because they have
never before felt the necessity of economy
which now presses upon them. Conditions
heretofore unknown to our working people
demand new and urgent remedies to meet
them, and all deviations from the ordinary
routine of life must be inaugurated and
sustained by few men more bold and en-
terprising than their fellows.
In our former article upon this subject
we showed from what miserable small
beginning twenty-five years ago sprang the
leading and most successful society, the
Equitable Pioneers, now in Europe.
Twenty eight determined men formed the
society, paying a aceeHly subscription Of less
than four cents. At it's last meeting in 1866,
there were six thousand two hundred and
forty-six members, and share capital OF
half a million of dollars. We have already
stated how usefully, benefcially and profit
ably they were employing this magnificent
capital.
Certainly such results from such begin
ming should be encouragement to our own
enterprising mechanics to associate them
selves together for their mutual benefit.
Let those few who are fully satisfied as to
the importance of this measure begin the
work in earnest, their example will encour-
age others, and their determination and
the noble objects at which they aim will,
sooner than they expect, command success.
LII OluSE III GuO OhAICu
States, in some instances in the South, CO.
operative societies have been put in sue
cessful operation. In New York a CO.
operative grocery of twelve months stand
ing is already doing prosperous business,
and is supplying its members at rates thirty
or forty per cent lower than other retail
shops. So in other localities at the North
they have formed societies for supplying
their members with -four or fuel, which
they do at rates much lower than charged
at the ordinary supply depots. All these
societies are accommodating capital as well as
saving the money of their members, and
will ere long be enabled to go into business
upon a more extended scale-establishing
supply stores of all kinds, aiding and sup
porting sick members, and purchasing lots
and building houses.
We must be content with small begin
nings. The very fact which makes these
associations necessary in the South at this
time, furnishes the reason why their in
auguration should be attended with diff
Guilty and their early progress be slow.
The want of means, frequently the want OF
profitable employment, makes it difficult to
meet the ordinary demands for food and
and those persons most interested
in, and needing more especially the bene-
fits to be derived from, the organization OF
cooperative societies, are least able to
spare thefunds necessary for their establish
ment. But there are few who cannot spare
something from their earnings. small
though it may be, when he feels that his
weekly pittance, like bread cast upon the
waters, will return after many days-that
the fund he is aiding to establish will help
to support him in his old age-or prove a
blessing to his children when he is no
more.
Let those who are more Immediately in
terested in the establishment of a co-opera-
tive society in this community begin the
work. and show the proper determination
to succeed, and they will soon receive
aid from those less concerned. The eff
forts of such men and the necessity Of
the association wilt find material en-
couragement from those whose means place
them beyond such necessities for economi-
cal association, but whose hearts are touched
by the wants and warmed by the manly and
honorable efforts of those less favored to
provide for themselves and families.
We hope, therefore, that the efforts to es-
tablish cooperative society in Whining
ton, partly inaugurated, will not be aban-
doned, but that all difficulties may be sur.
mounted. Let them persevere in their at
tempt and they will soon win. as they now
deserve, the sympathy and the aid of the
whole community. There is no man, what
ever may be his calling, who is laboring to
support himself or his family who has not
an Immediate interest in It's establishment
none SO rich, none SO poor, but will be
benefited by its successful operation. Let
the good work go on.
Great Atlantic Coast Railway.
The various roads constituting this route are
possessed of all modern improvements that look
to elegance, comfort and speed. Between Will