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

ipRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT
ZURICH, Sept 29.-The political spirit OF Swltzer-
land is so intimately connected with the cooperative
and the two movements if theym be separated are
becoming so noted, both for growth and economical
results that have been induced to visit Zurich, the
great school of the Swiss working classes in order TO
study the politicOco0perative store, or konsum
VeIen," as well as TO see my friend Carl Burckh'
whose acquaintance first made year ago at the
Peace Congress of Bcrne. This "Konsum Vereln"
has its headquarters in a large and commodlons
building Hastily divided into compartments for It's
stores and Offices This is the wholesale depot OF the
Society; radiating around it its twelve retail
branches. This association differs in several respects
from any other in Europe. 1t is ont OF debt, ana
possesses property to the amount OF $4,000 tTancs
has 23C0 members ownsIwares to the value OF 1854
francs, and horses, wagons, hOgsheads &c, TO "OOO
francs. Its cash monthly receipts average ll7,2O4
francs or 264 francs per annum, and 1T takes
especial pride in only apportOning per cent OF divi-
dends TO its members. The twelve retail shops OF
branches are distributed in convenient localities all
over the city, and meet, among shopkeepers all the
opposition and abuse common against cooperation
in England This store represents and supplies 1900
persons or nearly One-ifth of the entire inhabitants
of Zurich. counting only an average of four IN
family and is rapidly increasing and threatening 10
supply the whole population with cheap eatables IL
a large bakery; has Ia spacious cellar fuil
of wine casks from which the good people
draw the nutritive beverage at to %
cents quart, and is equally well furnished
throughout Initiating the invariable cooperative
tendency of England. this store. though but few
years DID, has already its library and readlngroom,
and has begun to agitate for cooperative school.
In addition to the immense good that springs from
the practical home comforts it supplies, it openly
cfa tho nnlitiPO-pducgtlOnal move
ment 1t is naugurating, and which must especially
explain.
1t is contrary to the principles of the "Zureher
Konsum Verein" to distribute dividends Again, 1t
rs not exclusive, but sells to the world at the same
rates as to members. 1t buys up enormous quaint
ties of goods at wholesale, and sells them out at
retail at the price, plus the running expenses OF
the traffic and is therefore gigantic enemy to petty
retailers and intermediary hucksters of every kind
All this il does principle. The Konsum Nerein,"
hike other parts of this popular labor movement,
is for direct deal between producer and consumer,
direct instruction from the parent to the child and
direct legislation in the creation OF laws; and is
working out these determinations with all the Obsti-
macy which chaTacterizes German labor, when once
the convictions are satisfied. In THIS respect this
Society is peculiar and interesting One very
naturally asks, what the incentives OF attrac-
tiors to Join such Society, when by remaining
a non-member they enjoy full benefits? The answer
is-tbe intellectual inducement, no other. Yet,
singularly impractical and anomalous as this may
seem when compared with the incessant boast OF
labor organizations elsewhere the Society is widely
supported. 1t never asks Ounce to become a MEN,
Der; for although it would assist the Ounce, if
poor one to a cheap and wholesome living yet it is
better for him to remain outside. 1t wants but
men and women of intellect Riches not courted.
Spectators and imperialists are told 10 keep clear.
No ne but minds already trained in the channels of
study and good deeds and minds of youth suscepti-
bic and passive to its honest inculcatiOns, are
courted for membership. The consequence is that
the "ZuTicher kOnsum Verein" is the most intelligent
and radical society of industrial organization in the
world. The shocking condition of hat is no SYM
Dol here of the absence of intellect underit From
its famed exPresident, Carl Biirckli to the simple
and transformations though learned Hermann Greu-
lch the same plainness of attire and the same ear
nest purpose surprise and captvate the visitor. At
the last election another plain but efficient man,
GOttfred Lcemann, was called TO the executive
Office.
Such is the physical appearance of this curious
cooperative Swiss organization which, in point of
financial economy and true austOcracy, is great
success. But / have not mentioned the import
ant and specific object of its career to which the
Society directs its intellectual powers-drect legsla
ing toward the creation, or might more properly
the resurrection, of direct patTiarchal legsla
ton, wherein people vote. not for ambitious men,
but for laws a plan simple as that of the uralt
Germans may be laughed at by Americans accus-
toned 10 all the cOmplicate manouvers Of modern
pubeansn The bare mention of patriarchal legis-
latiOn. say. might be considered sign of neutral
arrangement, had not the Republic of Switzerland
actually adopted IT, and thus placed it on the cata
lOcue Of fixed facts.
There are fonr cantons in Switzerland-Uri I'm
terwalden Appenzell, and Glarus, which retain the
udH or ancient form OF the LdHdsgemesRde, and hold
their elections every year, iii meadow, IA the month
OF May. This they have DONE undiSturDed, for ages.
Great lords and OverbeaTing privileged classes are
unknown there. The people, unassuning and happy
remain in quiet possession of their primitive usages
AT the annual elections the people, farmers, labOreT
and mechanics, collect together, bringing with them
their carts and provisions and there, invariably III
meadow, every voter exercises his prerOgative by a
simple yea or nay, for or against proposed law In
the large and populous cantons of Zurich, BeTne
Geuf. DC, which were thrown by geographical posi-
ton into contact with civilization, the friction of
circumstances had destroyed the "UTalten
Gemeude,' though the people tenaciously
cling 10 their republican form of government.
But now the "Zurlcher kOnSum Verin' has seized
upon the labor movement, lever 10 Teinstate the
" UTalten Gemelnde, OF form of direct legislation,
anu placing il upon permanent basis What are the
arguments OF its philosophy Simply the arguments
OF the social democratic theories of the French in
1913 revised by them az Cologne in 1913, and shattered
tie struggles for mOnarchism. The Swiss are not
contaminated with popular beliefs based on supeIsi
ton, but discuss these simple social questions with
out suspicion unconscious that in other countries,
III England aud America, they are secuted as evil
gem returned TO destroy mems morals. For instance:
this Intelligent wOrkngmen's cooperative society
has hall where they met 10 discuss what they called
Socialism IL does not occur TO them that Socialism
means free love, bigamy, religious doctrnalism,
spirtuallsm. Socialism in Swiss industrial organiza-
ton Is what the unperverted word implies social
gathering, social discussion. social and reciprocal
utilization for self help. Even the Woman's Rights
question does enter into any further than that
le M il hV he ,tala in,