New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-10-16
COOPERATION IN FRANCE.

THE FAMILIsTERE OF GUISE--GODIN LEMAIRE
AND HIS MISREPRESENTATION OF THE PAL
ACE OF LAB0R-FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL
REWARDS AND PUNISHMENTS.
Bhe "Familistere of Guise" was founded by
Godn Lemaire twenty years ago. and is stl in the full
tide of success Godin Iemare born of parents
in Equesheres passed his youth till seventeen
IN the labors Of the field and mekin He then trav
eed for ten years. In 1874, still simple workman he
returned 10 his native village and directed his onghts
TO tho founding of this establishment. The problems
which he undertook solve, the equitable dstribu
ton of the products OF labor and the dnuson OF wealth.
or its equivalents, among the poor.
The buildings composed of two paralleograms with
court the center and covering 324 yards OF ground
the most apartments being only 100 yards apart
The wings also in the form Of paraelogram, and
have an area of 300 yards Cellars and barns at the
disposition Of the several families whose privacy is per-
fecty secured The interior courts than 200
Yards wide and from to 40 long, and covered IN
with glass Communications effected by starcases and
balconies Each story provided with fountains OF pure
water in great abundance Every arrangement Is MADE
10 secure neatness purity and convenience The nhab
tant the "Famstere" has his servants like the rich
man. Fifty five persons are constantly employed to keep
the buildings in ORDER and every day the courts stair
cases. the balconies and all the apartments whether for
enjoyment or utility, swept and cleaned by
them. The salaries of these persons are
paid by the general administration. When the workman
and his wife return from their laborS they find large
kitchens their service from which they can procure
food prepared by experienced cooks at prices as low
as if they had cooked it themselves. Wine, beer, and
cider are always fresh Every desirable article Of food
found in the storehouse and Of the best quality
Each day the physician takes at the names OF
the SICK Extensive bathing privileges are accessible 10
all while portable baths sent to the invalds Parlors
lecturerOoms. ayrooms, and library are at the public
disposal. Gardens bowers, walks, and the tranquil
the tenants with walking fishing, and boating while
whoever wishes can cultivate some chosen plot OF
ground
The feature OF the Familistere," that has
recommended IL chiefly TO its inhabitants, is the
training and education 1t furnishes gratis for their
children. Cribs arranged so as to be accessible
night and day to mothers and good nurses are pro-
vded for their care when the mothers find IL necessary
to leave them. At six years of age the child is ex.
pected to know how spell, 10 count hundred TO add
on the counting-frame, and TO draw upon the
slate. He then passes into the second class,
where he learns to read and cipher, but at
intervals he returns TO the former stage TO
take part in the preliminary exercises The use OF cor
pOra punishment suppanted by the recreatons the
degree, the rewards, distinctions and compliments and
the publicity Of these testimonials Honorable distinct
assduy and progress OF each week. not the degree OF
even fan upon the feebleSt of the class,
Every day the children seen. with their little spades
everything neat around buildings, one of their own
number preserving order The gardens have never yet
paid their expenses but the assistance OF capable man.
Inspired with the same sentiment as the founder would
give a strong impulse to horticultural industry.
Two councils composed OF II members each, superin-
tend the Famstere" Both elected by secret ballot,
one from among the men, the other from theRwomen.
Every person of 10 Of is entitled 10 vote, and Is
also eligible for office The council OF men is particularly
occupied with organizing insurance Institutions with
questions OF cooperation, and the distribution OF the
funds, which are often examined and discussed
in open conference 1t sustains order, prepares
the festivals, gives its opinion upon works in
of the various services and
their results and decides the employment OF the
profits realized. The council OF women occupies itself
cleanness, ventilation the quality Of the provisions,
the education OF the children, IN Short every
thing that internal order ana tranquility.
such the moral side Of the "Famlsere" Its material
side we have yet consider. In April 1859, the foun
daons OF this palace for the people" were laid. In
1861 800 lodged there the second part OF the es
tabshment being begun in 1862 and occupied in 1865
The buildings are elegant and solid; carefully con.
every detail and have returned fair rate OF
interest the capital invested. The land about l6
acTes) G00OO francsS2 0OOand the buildings and
property connected fixtures &C. $4,000 The total rent
equally cODmOdiOus, but differ IN price according to
the hight Of the story. Each chamber is provided with
press the wall bureau. The walls all plastered
with gray-cOlOred lime The ground floor is rented nj
little less than three cents square yard the first story at
three cents the second the the ground OO and
the third at and half fifth OF the rent is
added to the cost Of every square yard for those outside
apartments which overlook the country. The buildings
Themselves rent for 1907 the rest for orchards and
dens This low rent determined by the prices OF the
wTetched novels in which the labOTers previously lived
which ranged from 81 TO 81 90 per month