The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1876-01-22
o-Operation and Direct
Trade the Hope ofthe
South and West.

ton upon which the British Co.
operative Union condrct their
stores, and which is popularity
known as the Roohdale Plan. ]
comply the more readily from the
fact that your almanac is read by
a large number of farmers, who,
unless they are forewarned, are
very likely to he deceived by a
few men whom they have elevated
to leading positions in one Of their
most prominent societies. Selfish
ness, unhallowed ambition, and
exclusiveness are incompatible
with true co operation. To assume
to be acting upon the Rochdale
plan and yet to exclude any mem.
her of the human family, and es
pecially any member of the indus.
trlal classes, is tantamount to an
attempt to build an arch with the
keystone left out.
The only society in America, as
far as | know, that has adopted
the spirit us well as the details oil
the English plan Is the American
Comparative Union, whose head
quarters are in your own city OF
Louisville, This body is not only
extending the benefits of co,opera
ton to all men in this country
who + willing to organize for
self help and mutual help, but
they have formed u close alliance
with their British brethren,
through the great Mississippi Val
leg Trading Company-a cooper
ative society that promises to give
free and direct trade to the South
and West. and thus secure COM
meroial redemption to those espe
ciaIly of the agricultural classes
who have been too long held in a
state of vassalage by spectators,
monopolists, and commercial
gamb'erS,o of a section of this coun-
try. We trust that the farmers
will not permit themselves to be
deceived, but will. like indepen
dent men, examine this grand
scheme of direct trade. Let chem
he assured that the English co
operative societies are not going
to sell themselves nor their plan
for promoting direct trade at the
bidding OF a few men who think
nothing good except it emanates
from themselves or is under their
absolute control. To imagine that
the British Cooperative Union is
going to invest twenty five million
dollars III developing direct trade
and the manufacturing, mining,
and agricultural resources of this
county without having some one
here to watch over their interests
is a stretch of credulity nnparal
leled in the annals of trade. and
to imagine that they will intrust
their capital IN the hands OF al
organization who excludes them
selves and all other co-Operators
Is to insult their judgment. The
planters and farmers of this conn
try have more to gain from direct
trade than from any other effort,
and they are not likely to permit
the ambition. Jealousy, or cnpidity
OF a few men who turn them aside
from the society which has both
the means and ability to give
them 50 rich a boon.
To prepare all who desire to
organize in the true cooperative
spirit, and thus entitle them 10
admission into the American Co
operative Union and the Missis
~ippi Valley Trading Company,
we present the following plan
viz. ANY number of men may
subscribe capitol in shares of five
dollars each. When a small capital
has been subscribed they should
be organized under the laws of
the state in which the society
is located They thus become a
legal body. This done, the whole
Of the members should meet and
elect a committee who should
have the general direction and
management of the business. A
president and secretary should
also be elected. The society may
also elect a manager and cashier
to conduct the business of the
under the supervision of the com
mittee, or they may leave the ap
pointmenJ OF these to the commit
tee. The committee should lease
or rent a store to commence bust
ness. The manager should go in
the first instance to any whole
sale establishment existing in
the neighborhood, and get sam
piles of such goods as are likely
to be needed by the members.
and household supplies
required in every family should
he the first things dealt in. These
with prices, SHOULD be
placed before the committee.
who will instruct the manager
sI.I - Hl