The Northwestern standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1885-1886, 1886-03-27
Cooperation and It's Benefits.
10 the Editor Of The Standard.

TO the Editor OF me STANDARD
Co operation, we are told, is in itself
very old thing. III not as old as the
hills it is as old as humanity. it's q
friendly society, inasmuch as it renders
comparatively poor people able to en-
joy benefits which they could not 9th
erwise possess. I refer you to the early
ages Of man, to the dark ages, which
has kept our religion alive, notwith-
standing persecution, imprisonment
and burning at the stake, and yet BY
looking at the houses Of worship all
over the world we see the fruits OF CO
operation. If co operation has not the
means of reforming the world, IT has
the means Of reforming millions in it.
It is the means Of lifting upthe trading
community Of this country by honest
commercial transae tion. operation
Of to-day is an acknowledged power in
the land acknowledged by all classes
Of society to be one Of the most bene-
fetal movements that was ever orga-
nized to benefit the classes Of the peo-
pie. Cooperation promises, in any
capacity, fair measure. good quality,
and no adulteration. For instance,
take our cooperative mercantile gro
Gerry store in this city. They do not
believe in oleomargine, or what is
termed butterine, or in any other COM
modify knowing it to be Of inferior
quality. Should they purchase such
they would simply purchase whip to
thrash themselves with. What they
believe in is economical and equitable
dealing. It is asked, rs there any
thing saved by co-operation?" Let them
take brief glance at the rise and pro-
9ress Of cooperation in England. Years
before 1914 cooperative societies had
been tried in many different ways, but
lit was not until that year that those
ltwenty-eight men of Rochdale, Eng
land, put them ON q fair, equitable and
sound basis. Il was ct q very critical
period Of the history OF the country.
which was on the verge Of revolution.
Thousands Of people were starving and
]could not obtain bread. for the accursed
corn laws had not been repealed. Sub
sequently they wee repealed by Robert
Peel who, when he saw that the corn
laws were the curse of the country
brought in his measure to repeal them
| twas at this time that these twenty
eight men met together to consider the
best means Of improving their condi
ton. They began their venture insa
very small way, some wheeling Their
wares through the streets in wheel.
barrow. But success was theirs, great.
| er than anticipated, and ct one time
Hooked like mountains; when approach
cd. vanished into mole hills. That So
ciety had now grown into million
members in the country, which, At ~
average Of four in the family would bt
| four millions. The annual turnover
i is over twenty millions pound sterling
the profits on which Is over three mil
/ lions, Or over Per cent on the pound
returned on their purchases. This !,
the result of cooperative enterprise; 4
Is an example Of whist can be done b.
! working men and women combining
together who, can BY energy, Persevor
ance and thrift, acquire capital &C
Ecumnlating 70 the amount Of $35. 600,
'I0O0, which pnt into the pockets 81
nuslly, ii the shape Of interest, III