The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-11-30
WHOLE NO. l25.

OsuuiSs oOuu cOUcS ILSQ.. WHICH
referred to the British system OF co-ope
ton among the producers OF textile
fabrics, and the possibility ot applying
the same system here in the United States
to the producers of food; and thus estab
iisll between the two populations a pro-
cess OF interchange that would give them
cheap TODD Tor cheap manufactures, and
thus get clear OF the thousands or Eid~
dlemen along our seaboard who enrich
themselves off the transfer.
The subject is q vast one, and vastly i'm
portant: and we are glad to sse the Mas
ter Of the National Grange uissussingit.
And we would say, right here, that
Mr. Jones' whole address is well>con-
ceived and well-expressed. He says:
AS part of the system and plan Of the or
ganization and government OF the cooperative
societies OF Great Britain, which it was onr
purpose TO adopt, these rules. with some
Slight changes, will be most valuable but taken
alone theyare a dlslointed link in chain, the
! perfection OF which by our British friends has
been the work Of their educated, thinking.
practical men, for the last thirty-live years.
The fraction which we have give our order has
been utilized to al extent which we can only
| conjecture. Hundreds, and it may be thou
sands OF co-operative stores have been
established in the various states and territories
capital, and perhaps as various in other fea-
! lures, and in their fortunes. They ara without
a head or connecting link, "Gke so many is-
lands in the sea, without even a boat plying
from one to the other"-without that principle
of unity which is the hfeo co.operation and
the guiding star of humanity.
Contrast this chaos and ignorance with the
admirable and intelligent system we would
follow. l have before me, single sheet, a
| birds eye view of four hundred cooperative
societies in the United Kingdom;givin ofeach
! the name, location, number of members, pur-
ohases from wholesale during the year: quar-
terly, half yearly and annual sale in each
department Of trade; share capital, reserve
! fund, buildings and fixed stock for trade pur-
poses, rate of dividend per e, amount OF div
ldend declared 10 members and amount
devoted to education. On the same sheet is q
biri's eye view Of cooperation ii England
aud Wales, compiled from the government
returns, showing the financial progress and
POSITION OF the co-operstive movement during
the past seven years. With such information,
1eir CO. operative congress, the head OF this
system. acts inteiligentiy. Without it, they
could take no safe action affecting their sub
ordinate organizations.
With the perfection of our system Of orsani-
1ation, is the necessity OF educating mem
bers III the true principles of cooperation.
Letus follow the example OF our English
friends in this also. Through their courtesy
have received A large number OF tracts, with the
proceedings oil their cooperative congress from
1883 to the present time, making iaost val
liable collection OF cooperative literature We
have to reach the minds ofmany Wllo are g-
norant, and to stirnulafe. in them q thirst for
knowledge. The iatter.et hioh is the iirs. req
uiste, il better accomplished by living inis-v
slonaries. Ii WEI could send out soigl of the
friends OF CO. operation twho conld he nanled)
to ast as pioneers in this work, we would soon
see !. large demand for cooperative iuteli
genoe.
Ii may be thought By some who take a solely
-sentmen,al view OF our organization, That am
; giving an undue proinineneesto lt5 materials
objects. If Icannot think they have stud
. led the deep philosophy, pure morality, lofty
operative life. Rightly understood> il IL the
r practical REALIZATION Of christian ethics The
: silent virtues Of tempeElnce, forethought, just
! dealing, aud fellowship In work, will do m0Io
TO correct the moral disorders which darken
our land, and have tainted our government,
as well as trade ana commerce, than all TIE
penal statutes that hare been or can W de-
s vised. The material, moral, SCOTLAND INTEL
/ lectual Influences are in near connection with
j each other. The most material things havs
great influence On mental subjects, q sentiment
that ages ago the poet Homer gave vent TO, In
S saying that "when man becomes slave Le
loses half his virtue"
. | At the last session Of this grange much in
!, terest was expressed in the action which had
! | been taken by the cooperative societies of
J tlrea. Britain to inaGgaraye !. system Of ex-
I change with them and the agricultural pro-
: dacers III this country, and in their friendly
a messages TO our order, through their special
deputation, and subsequent correspondence
| with oag execl'ivs committee, which was
: directed, by a resolution 81 this body, 10 con
tinuo, ~ did, ,ui4tii point Tas reached gllen,
D IN ray ogn Judgment, wi.htb approval Of the
: executive cJnifatte. il became expedient to
:, ssad special eoulmissioner TO confer With the
aasheri1ges in those societies upon this subject
asid tu revrexeut orf ideas and interests In this
I connection. I5rcEnsf j WI. a. Wright was
: appeined 70 tsiis dice, aDi II alfyrds me sin
cele pleasure 20 bsar testimony ~ the ability
dignity and grace with which he discharges
:, is important duties.
!. IN compliance with this resolutfon.I again
2 brought DeEore the committee, at thelfIats sss-
0 sion IN Philadelphia, TIE proposed articles Of
1 association Of an Aflg American operative
association, with a plan os organizing the
American section thereof, published In my cir
cusar o. July 18th, copies q! which srs also IN
4 the hands of the seerasarT for yUnr fse. the
q executive cofnrnitt~ will report 10 fcu what
. action they have taksa in these matters.
, cornmtEd this ssiio.e SUBJECT - y6nr cs.rs-
fui consideration, - che 81 sapresus iTapor-
J, tsnce 70 our order, trusting s1at vy your wiss
e action. the system D. o-ol-rataon ofnmsnd-
4 I'd a. your Las. ye-ssor Efay w EeTf-et~J and
!, that the articles provided fDr ss extension II
International commerce., through az Anglo
American association, Lay bs fo1rid acc.pf-
able, and may h. recsTusns,ided 10 our rne.r,-
r ters. Every sale guard shiets the * f,@rienc,
j. OF British co-op~rzioys, and tbr rnost careful
\ consideration on orr eide cnHl1 dgvsss. n
thrown around the whols schane.
I'll Ofcourse we are unable TO speak o,
: the details oftne proposed plan, or ol
4 the spirit in which IL Is to be carried out
Bat ws desire 70 express our satisfaction
atfinding the National Grange discuss
ing these great practical questions,
instead Of proving. a Ia Parsons. that q