The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1875-10-29
COOPERATION IN ENGLAND.
The Civil Service supply Association a.id
Its Workings.

This institution, little heard of in the
United States, is one of the peculiarities
of the British capital. The object is to
supply families with articles for cOnsump-
ton and general use at the lowest possible
prices 1t originated in a combination
among persons holding subordinate posi-
tons under the government, municipal
and national; hence the title. With their
comparatives small salaries, and their anX-
iety to live respectfully, they found it
impossible to pay the high charges for the
various necessaries of life, and so they
adopted a co operative system, a little
like that attempted by the oranges or the
patrons of hus1andry in some parts of
America, or, in other words, something
like the old-fashioned plan of orders
adopted in many of the manufacturing
towns in our own country, the difference
here being that cash must be paid for
everything on the spot. The institution
issues 4 800 shares to its members, each
of whom pay G5 or S25 per annum, which,
besides securing the benefit of the society,
entities the holder to take part in the
meetings of the association and to have
voice in the management. Tickets may
be sold to others on the payment of half
a crown 1927 cents), which tickets, secure
the purchasing of goods at the stores and
from the firms connected with the assO-
citation, but they cannot attend the meet
ings or take part in the management.
Tickets may also be obtained by the wild
Ows of civil servants upon the payment
of half a crown yearly, and by the widows
of members without payment. When
you are told that this organization con-
sists of hundreds of thousands of persons,
and that the supplies are furnished by
thousands of establishments, and that no
such thing as pecuniary loss has ever
happened, or anything like dishonesty in
any one of the branches, you realize how
successful it has been. And this fact is
more apparent as you examine the prices
paid by those who enjoy the benefits of
the system. In looking over the list of
articles furnished, l perceive that it in
cludes literally everything groceries,
wines and spirits, provisions, tobacco and
cigars, hosiery, drapery, gents and ladies'
clothing, fancy goods, drugs, plate, furs,
stationery and jewelry, books and music,
household furnituro; in fact everything
in the way of necessaries and luXuries.
The price list for the quarter ending
the 31st of August, 1875, showed a re-
duction Of from 5 to % per cent. on the
prevailing rates. When you reflect that
this organization is not patronized alone
by the poorer classes, but is really sup
ported by persons in the very best cir.
cumstances, and includes, as learn, very
many Of the nobility, you will see at once,
not only how useful it is, but how neces-
sary integrity is essential to its manage
ment. AT first there was a decided pro-
test against it among old establishments,
but now it has become so powerful that
it includes thousands of co operative
stores, and, of course, compels by the
very nature Of its competition reasonable
prices among those who are not connected
with it. During the christmas holidays
some of these civil service stores received
over their counters as much as $4,000
in single day, and it is a noteworthy
fact, as illustrated, iOr instance, by Mr..
Forster, NJ. p, in his speech on the odd
fellows, which is in England a kind of
mutual relief organization, that the CO.
operative system as applied to working
people has been a triumphant success
London Letter