New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-06-05
describing the Social Palace and giving in bdsa

describing the Social Palace and giving In bro1
space a pretty clear idea Of its management and
the effect of NJ Godin's system upon the education.
morals, economies and comfort Of its inhabitants.
The merit of Mrs. Bristols pamphlet lies chiefly In
the full and accurate presentation OF the whole body
of principles and rules under which the society in-
habiting and managing the Familistere, as the
dwelling part of the institution is called, live and
thrive. BY its aid NJ Godin's system may be closely
studied in this country, and perhaps initiated by
some philanthropic capitalist having the good Of
the labOrng classes at heart.
The Familistere is an immense brick edfce four
stories high, in the form Of three parallclopams.
each of which incloses an interior court, covered
with q glass roof and paved with cement Ths
whole says NJ Godin in his book on Social Solu-
tons," is constructed with view to the preserva-
ton and development of human life. No wood ia
used in the building of any of the walls, and the
interior walls 80 constructed as to prevent tho
spread Of flames. in case fire should break out In
any apartment. The floors are tiled. Around the
entire circumference of each of the three central
courts are three tiers of galleries. These
structed as to prevent accidents to children. Tho
apartments occupied by the families are doubla
Of rooms on each story, the interior row OPEN
ing upon the gallery of the court, the other upon
the exterior facade. This arrangement secures per-
feet ventilation of the family apartments, since tbs
interior courts are ventilated by grated openings
from underground galleries and openings in the
glass roofs.
The rooms are large. well lighted and provided
with everything necessary to clean, heathful, COM
Portable living. The apartments vary IN their di-
mensions so that a workman is able to hire such
comport with his means or wages, and as the adj
vantagcs of water, ventilation light and tho
~ e L. n. ..,I n la
every story workman who chooses smaller apart
ments in order to lessen his rent will experience
little Inconvenience in reference to space, as all
have like access to the courts and galleries In the
lower story of the central portion OF the building arc
cooperative stores, attended by women employed by
the association. At little distance from tho
Unitary Home, and in the midst of the lawns aud
gardens surrounding II. is 4 nursery and infant
school, where mothers employed during the day can
leave their young children in charge of trained
nurses and Kind rgarten teachers. There are also
,,hoos in "A separate building for the older children
Glnhing pretty little theatre where the community
assemblies evenings for concerts. lectures dramatic
entertainment, and To transact the business OF the
association. in which all the members have voice.
still other binding, are used for n restaurant
bakery meat shop stables etc, and just across the
River Oi>e a bend of which incoses the grounds Of
the Home * laundry where all the washing of the
community il done. The shops where the people
work are also on the oppo,t' bank of the stream.
The family life of the members is separate. n it
should be- They unite only Tor labor sociabilty
and education.
1t should be understood that this novel and adj
mrabc institution Is in no respect charity. NJ
Goblin studied the relations Of capital and Labor and
the condition of the working classes for twenty
year, before he put his plans in practice. When ho
built hi, Famlli,crc he did not make il resemble IN
the least an alm,housc. The inhabitants pay suii-
crni rent To make the capital invested in the build
ing aud grounds fairly productive. They live in n
palace surrounded by park and flower garden and
have all the essentials of hcalthfu and pleasant lIy-
ing but they pay no more for the rent of their
apartment, than is paid for the poor tenements IN
the dirty back lanes of manufacturing towns. Nor
arr they oppressed by an arbitrary government.
The institution is in their own hands, the rules arc
of their own making and the officers of their own
choosing In the workshops they share the diTec-
ton and the profits with the proprietor The insti-
tuition can longer be spoken of rs an experiment
II has been long enough in existence to demonstrate
that it is financial and social success. The shops
are profitable the Home pays interest on Its cost,
and the workingmen and their families who inhabit
II are an Intelligent orderly lourishng community.
We should be glad to VI. Collins ideas and plans
Developed in this country in some of our manuiac'
| turing cities.