The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1871-02-04

oraole distinctions are awarded upon The
principle of noting the assiduity and pro
gress Of each week, rot the degree Of knowE
edge acquired. The crown Of first meri,
can even faiLupon the-feeblest of the class.
EEery day the children are seen, with
their little spades and rakes, arranging the
garden paths and keeping everything neat
around the buildings, ono Of their own mum.
Der preserving order. fr-f a
lhe gardens have never yet paid their
expenses; bnt the assistance of a capable
man, inspired with the same sentiments az
the founder, would give strong impulse to
horticulture industry.
Two councils, composed of 10 members
each, suPerintend the ''Familistere. Both
are elected By secret ballot, The one from
among tile men, the other from the women.
Every person Of Is years Of age is eutitt
70 vote, and is also eligible for Office. The
cOuDcH ct men 10 particularly occupied with
organizing insurance institutions with q,es
tons OF cooperation, and the distribution Oi
the fundss WHICH are often examined and
discussed in open conference. It suStains
order, prepares the festivals, gives its opin.
ion upon works in progress, takes cogni
Eance Of the various services and their re.
.uIts' and decides upon the employment oi
the profits realized
The council of women occupies itseli
more particularly with all that relates to do
mestic affalrs-cleanliness, ventilation, the
quality Of the provision, the care and edu-
cation Of the children, in short, everything
that concerns internal order and tranquility
Such is the moral side of the "Famihs
tere" Its material side we have vet to
consider. In April, 1858, the foundations
Of thS aplsce for The peopel' we're laid
In 1851, 800 persons lodged there The
second part Of the establishment was begun
in 1852, and occupied in 1865.
The buildings are elegant and solid care
fully constructed 10 every detail, and have
returned fair rate of interest on the capi
tai invested. The land (ahOut Is acres
cost $4,000 frsncs-Or Sl2, ,0D0,-snd the
buildings and property connected, fixtures
&c, 1892 600. TIE total rent received j,
Sc 936, or Al per cent
All the suits Of rooms are.equally com
TOdiOns, bqI differ in price according to tb.
hight Of the story. EIch chamber is pro
V'ded with press in be- wall or bureau
The wallis are well plastered with gray col
Ored lime.
The ground. floor is rented at little lesl
than three cents a square yard; the frs
story at cents. The second s'ory the sam,
A. the ground floor, and the tbiid story a
y Ct nts. Consequently each room On th'
GROUND for 15L. by Is. rents for 621
cents, or about one third Of a cent per foot
and 50 on Of the rest in proportion.
A fifth part Of the rent is added to tn,
cost OF every square yard for hose outside
apartments whch veilOOk the country.
The buildings themselves rent for IS. go
the rest is for orchards aud gardens. Tbi
low rent was determ ned by the prices O
previously lived, which ranged from 81 I,
*2 per month.
Now, cannot We have the same chsncc
here for our labOrers as in France Hov
much better would it not be, and easier, too
for our men OF wealth to imitaIe the abov
scheme and so elevate the laborer as to pu
him in way to take care OF himselff How
long shall we continue to degrade him b.
our Relief Unions, poor houses. soup kiteh
ems, and similar Oldworld fsncies, all O
Whlch are falsely called charities? Th.
labOrer needs none of these, all that is want
ed Is to put him in the way TO take care o
himself. Ii such can be done iD France
how much more easier here and no risk
whatever?
1t is now no use to shut our eyes to com
ing events; we are IN the midst Of q Revo
luton, and blind, indeed must he the mar
who cannot see it. IL then, we must have
the reform needed, let us by all means &C
quire it pesceably.
Let US be wise in time. 1t is hoped thai
the above article will be thoroughly studied
by those who have the means, and assist in
averting the danger which is sure to over
take our slothfufness. Noah's food NAV
be allegorical, as it no doubt is: still i
conveys great moral lesson to poor, short
sighted, sluggish mortals.