Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1878-12-06
co-oPnRATIvE ASSOCIATIONS. :

ton of the labOring classes than all otii-
er agencies combined; and has con-
ceiyed the idea, from his observations in
this city, and considering the large class
OF employees included in its poplatlon'
that cooperative associations have an
important mission to perform here,
while, at the same time, he expresses
surprise that they do not already exist
to greater extent.
As an INSTANCE of the success and
benefits arising from the institution
known as "Co-operatiye Store, he
gives some results of the association OF
which he is a member. This store, he
states, was started with fourteen mem-
beers, and now numbers 5000. They
guarantee to each person becoming a
stakeholder five per centum on his IN
yestment. They have paid as high as
l2I per centum. In addition to this
they distribute more than 5000 every
quarter for educational purposes; open
ing schools for their members; establish
ing libraries and reading rooms, rs well
as contributing to the relief of those
who have become sick, disabled or
thrown out of employment. This will
be considered pretty fair report for a
single establishment.
The plan of organizing and conduct
ing these stores is somewhat similar TO
experiments OF the kind that have been
made in this country, and, we believe,
in this city, though differing, perhaps,
in some Of the details. Each person be-
coming stakeholder must pay into the
association-in installments, if he de-
sires-thc price OF one share, which Is
usually s.. The conduct OF the business
is committed to a board OF managers,
chosen bv the stockholders, and who
employ statesmen, keep the accounts,
manage the business in all its depart
ments, and at stated times make re-
port and distribute the proceeds. There
is but little difference III the character
of the organization from that Of the CO.
operative building association, so COM
mon in this country.
The stores sell theirgoods at the usual
market prices, and sell only for cash.
They are not patrOnized.exclusively by
the members OF the associations to
which they belong, but by any and all
persons who choose to deal with them,
and no distinction is made between
persons who buy, except that those
who are not stockholders receive but
one half Of the proportionatc dividend
to which stakeholder is entitled in the
periodical distributions.
A system OF CHECKS is provided
which serve to show the amount pur-
chased by each person dealing with the
stores, as well as to keep the accounts
between the association and its statesmen
and officials Where customer makes
a purchase the salesman gives him a
metallic check on which is stamped the
amount Of his purchase. These checks
are retained by the customer until the
time appointed for general settlement
of accounts, when they are delivered to
and audited by the proper officer, and
the sum OF the purchases by each Gus
toner constitutes the basis upon which
his share Of the dividend is calculated.
Mr. ROBERTS states that these asSocla-
tons occasionally branch out into the
wholesale business. They buy ships,
export and import on as large scale rs
any OF the competing private establish
ments. Moreover the working ex-
penses Of these wholesale enterprises
have been shown to be less than one
per cent OF the capital invested.
We refer simply to this branch Of the
cooperative plans of which our infor-
mant speaks. From his standpoint they
are u decided success i'm England, To
whatever kind of enterprise applied,
and his opinions are fortified 10y docu-
ments i'll his possession, giving the
views Of the most eminent men 0t his
country on the subject. From the
opinion of Lord STANLEY, VI. T., We
quote the following: Il rejoice To see
the movement which is now going on,
and which seems likely to superscae
strikes to great eXtcnt-the movement
in favor of cooperative industry, by
which men are To become their own EN-
ploycs, and to share the profits of the
employing class. The movement will
make its own way, extend (under pru-
dent management into every branch OF
business, and materially alter the posi-
ton Of the working man. 1t is move
ment sound in principle, and right in
practice"
Right Hon. W. F. GLADSTONE. Nj. 7.
says, "There is in my opinion no greater
social marvel than the manner in which
these cooperative societies flourish in
Lancashire, &c"
JOAN STEW ART MILL, has said-"Of
al the agencies which are at work to
elevate those who labor with their
hands, in physical condition, in social
dignity, and in those moral and intel
lectual qualities on which both the
others are ultimately dependent, there
is none So promising as the present CO.
operative movement"
Many other equally distinguished
statesmen and philosophers OF England
have given their endorsement and
thrown their influence in favor OF these
movements among the lsboring classes.
In theory it is certainly plausible, and
much could lie said to commend it to
our Democratic population and to the