The patron of husbandry. (Columbus, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1881-04-16

to sell cheap. If the profits in
crease the prices are lowered, and
thus the seller is literally barred
from gain" Every thing is ar
ranged to give the member the bar
gain. This society is founded upon
what is known as the Civil Ser
vice Plan," and its aim is TO save
the purchaser and member the pro-
fits ordinarily taken by the retail
dealer. The other CO operative So
cieties, working under what is called
the "Rochdale Plan," sell to their
members at the regular market
rates, and at the end of every quar-
ter return to the purchaser divi
dend in cash on the business he
brings to the store. Itis estimated
that e-twentieth of the entire pop
alton of England now purchase
their daily bread and get their shoes,
hats and clothing at the co-opera-
tive bakery, -four mill and retail
store. Half a million of people have
already joined the shoppers rebell-
icn, and month by month see their
members increase by thousands.
To give an idea of the magnitude
of these associations, it may be
briefly noticed that their balance
sheets can be easily obtained, anC
all may read of their actual work
and financial position. From late
report it appears the Army and
Navy Society sold goods during the
half year ending September, 1880,
to the value of $4,6o6,ooo, while its
total income from all sources was,
100000, this being an increase of
$3.50, 600, over the business of the
same period of the year before. The
net profits after paving working ex-
penses, interest on deposits, ETC.,
amounted to $S3,S3o, this being a
net profit on sales of less than four
pence in the pound. The number
of shareholders is given in the re-
port at 1855. life members, 1906,
annual subscribers 1917. The as
sets of the society in cash, building
stock, ETC., were placed at $2,I54,-
795.
The Civil Service Cooperative
Society, in its fourteenth annual
statement gives its sales at $2,I54,
7o5. Its membership is put down
at about 900.
The Civil Service Supply Asso-
citation, in its half yearly report of
June 80, 1879, gives the number of
members holding shares at 1874
1t issued tickets to the subscribers
to the number of 20,o34. It's sales
for the six months reaches $3,53I,-
$50 the net profit for the half year
being 10000. Its assets are put
down at $I,S37S75.
A new society designed to supply
ladies' dress goods and wearing ap-
parel of all kinds, called the Ladies
Dress Association, has made very
rapid progress within the past two
wears, and from its report for Au-
gust, 1879, claims membership of
14II. Its sales in fourteen months
reached $466, ,765, this being an in
crease of over eighty three per cent.
over the same time a year before.
Since that report business has gen
orally increased A society on the
same plan is in contemplation in
New York, and will, no doubt, be
soon ready for business.
Naturally, it is now asked why
this rebellion began, who is to blame
for it, and what is to be the end OF
it all? Moreover, it has extended
to this country, and seems likely to
reach greater dimensions here thar
abroad. These questions are no
British alone: they are international
The British shopman chiefly, anc
| the American retailer in lesser de
gree are alone TO blame.
In the first place, there are toe
many shopmen. This has resulted
in great number of small stocks il
many little stores, with the conse
| quent increased rent, insurance, la
Dor. advertising, waste, and incoE
venience, all of which the deale
must offset by charging higher pri
ces. Secondly these stores hav'
given credit, which implies book
keeping, the expense of collections
and the loss of bad debts, for all o
which the consumer must pay ii
higher pr ces. Thirdly, there ha
been Misrepresentation and adul
terations, which quite naturally ha
alienated what little regard tn
buyer may have had for the dealer
Lastly, the British shopman, if no
his cousin, has been unpleasant
insistent on purchase, and has ha'
TWO prices.
= The co-operator seeks to remed
all this bV maSsinp MANY stores un