The patron of husbandry., 1882-02-11

man kind. but we do DelleVe tneFe
are millions IN IL. Through an en-
lightened understanding these mil
lions will be applied to the eleva-
tion of those who embrace its prln-
ciples. We have demonstrated for
the last five or six years that this
system beats comDound interest,
government bonds. savings banks,
and railroad stock. The difference
being that in the former the profits
go to few, while under this system
they are equitably divided among
the many, thereby securing more
general prosperity.
Should those who have not con
sidered well the possibilities Of CO.
operation and regard the foregoing
statement as not well-founded and
somewhat visionary we cite a few
Of the many most eminent authori
ties on this subject.
Lord Derby said; "The subject
of cooperation is, in my judgment,
more important than nine-tenths
of those discussed in parliament,
around which political controver-
sizes gather The three substantial
and indisputable gains Of the co
operative movement are no motive
to fraud, no liabilities to debt, no
room for dispute between employer
and employed. If you accomplish
these things, you will have accom-
plished more for the world, or,
rather for that portion of it which
adopts your ideas than has been
done by any other agency with
which | am acquainted"
Thomas Hughes says: "For more
than thirty years I have been testi
flying year by year in all co opera
tive meetings that this great move.
ment has its foundation in religion,
and, therefore, is Christianity"
The eminent Dr. Rylance says:
II am forced to believe that CO.
operation will bring men together
into living brotherhood; will be-
get mutual confidence and self-re-
spect among the classes now often
suspicious of each other. 1t will de-
mand with a steady voice and EN-
phasis that the ctief producers of
wealth shall have moro opportuni-
ties than now in sharing the gen
eral Joy which their wealth pro-
duces -
Allen r. Foote, of New York.
says: "The next step of progress
for America is the propagation OF
the principles of cooperation"
With these and many other au>
thorities before US, and with our
own practical and happy expert
ence, it may certainly be pardcn
able for US to indulge in a reason
able amount of enthusiasm; for of
it success is sometimes born.
Some of you are informed in re-
gard to movement that is about
| to be made for the purpose of work
ing up the cooperative interest in
Western Kansas. We believe it is
a movement in the right direction
and should meet your approval. II
we hope to succeed in this UNDER
taking, the people must be inform
ed in regard to what it proposes to
accomplish for them. | would sug-
gest that you procure the services
ofsome newspaper or public journal
shat will give the desired informa-
Uion.
We feel that the experimental
period of this Association has pass
ed; that we are recognized as
among the things that have come
to stay in Kansas. Doubtless it is
source of qualification to you all
to know that the same harmony
and good feeling prevails that char
acterized the first years of the As
sociation. Your employees seem
to have a common interest with you
in the success of the enterprise, and
are prompt and efficient in the dis
charge of their respective duties to
| the Association. Your branch
stores are doing profitable busi-
| ness.
The directors have decided not
| to start the branch store at De
Soto until the prevailing epidemic
in that vicinity shall have subsided
Your nett profits for the year
ending July 1. 1881, were about
eleven thousand five hundred dol
lars, and the aggregate sales for
the same was in round numbers
100000. The quarterly reports
for the first half Of the year com
mencing July, 1881, and ending
Jul y, 1882, shows a business oil
$121 ,975 90; and net profit OF
S9,S67. This demonstrates that YOU
will probably do a business this
year of $244,000 and make net
profit of $4,000 You have paid
to the people here since the com
mencenent, over forty thousand
dollars in net profits, besides pay-
ing ten per cent. interest on the
capital stock. While this showing
may be gratifying to ali concerned,
and while [ may be as sanguine of
success and of the ultimate triumph
of this principle as any of It's pro-
moters, yet | would hedge it around
with every safeguard. While our
growth under this policy may not
be SO rapid, yet l apprehend that
we are not so selfish but that we
desire to leave to those who will
r.