The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-09-03
TO TRY 1T IN THE SOUTH.
THE BELLAMY PLAN TO BE TESTED
IN LOUISIANA.


The Des Moines Colony VIII Transfer
Their Experiment TO More Congo
NAL Soil
| Secretary Ernest B. Castor of the Social
istic and Cooperative Company, organized
| in Des Moines on the ideas of Edward Bel
lamy. started in company with E. D. Smith
for Louisiana recently, says the St. Louis
/ Globe Democrat, to look up a location for
the colony. Before starting he stated to
/ reporters:
"We have no authority to bind the COM
pany in any way, but are expected TO in
vestigate the merits of the various points
of the country visited. Our report will be
submitted to all the members of the CON-
pany, and final location determined by a
majority vote. after careful investigation
| and study of the advantages of different
sections Of the country. The projectors
have unanimously decided that the new
south is the most promising field for its
| operations. We expect to go to New Iberia,
in the southern portion of Louisiana, where,
we understand, there is a large body
OF fertile land which we can get very
cheap. The project is in such shape now
that can safely say that the colony will be
started. Just how maOy families we will
take with us it is hard to state, as we have
received many letters from people who con-
template joining, yet who have not had
time to take the necessary steps. From
this city about ten families go by the middle
or last of October, and think there will be
fifteen more from other localities. l have
received letters from nearly every state in
the union inquiring about the plans, with a
view to becoming me mbers. Some of them
are, Of course, from cranks. The most of
them seem to be in earnest
There need be no fears OF too many.
Fifty men can, by association OF capital
and division and svstematization of their
labor, accomplish 100 times as much az one
man can alone. We hold that all wealth is
the product of labor expended on natural
resources, and that the community of q
state should held these natural resources in
trust for the benefit Of the whole people,
and that every man should have the oppor-
tunity to labor thereon. We hold, further,
that, as it is only through society and asso-
citation that man can do effective labor and
receive the benefit Of that diversifcation of
industries which makes comfort and laxuries
possible, tthat he cares for the maintenance
OF society in proportion to the benefit he has
received. Under our plan, the man of sim
pie tastes can work enough to satisfy his de-
slres, and the other will be compelled to
work as much more as their tastes are more
the manner in which any member may use
his earnings, except that he cannot use them
to Cypress some other member. He cannot
bny company land and charge the company
or any other member thereof rental He
may not loan at interest to the COM
pany or member thereof He may not
engage in private production for
profit. employ his fellow members and
make profit off of their work. but he NAV
use it in any manner that gives him pleas
| ure and harms no one else He may buy and
drive fast horses; he may entertain expen-
sively; he may gather around him works of
art and thing of beauty; he may give to his
friends or bequeath to his heirs. Each
member will own his own house, have his
family life. OF course he will build on COM
pany ground, but if he leaves he will be paid
the value of his improvements. In one
| sense it ought to be called business enter
| prise
at will bs an industrial and productive
community in the strictest sense In the work
| of getting living. Well be united, and no
member will be allowed to compste with
the society. Ours will be communistic
| society. just as railway companies are As
to the details of our organization, we are
organized into joint stock company; our
| declared objects are, as far as possible, to
| secure the organization wherein between
the members it shall be unlawful to take
interest, profit or rent; where all labor
shall be systematizsd and shall be
| paid its full value; where the administra-
| ton of affairs shall be democratic and fully
within the control OF the members. The
company will acquire lands, machinery,
stock and merchandise. engage in agricuit-
| ure, fruit stock raising. manufacturing
and merchandising; will lay out towns and
villages, erect public and private buildings,
erect water, gas and electric light works
build, equip and operate lines OF
| transportation and communication, 81.
tablish proper methods of distribution,
transportation and storage. Establish a
| just system of credit, account and ex-
| change; issue script to its members in paw.
| ment for services rendered or material fur
nished the company. provide for the arbi-
tration nd just settlement of disputes be.
regulations by suitable penalties, and pro-
vide for the education of its members and
their families in proper PHYSICAL, mental
moral and artistic lines.
"The man may bold one share and it il
| non-transferable merely emitting the
holder thereof to residence and employ.
ment on the grounds of the colony aud an
equal share in the possession and privileges
of the company. Wives of members are
entitled to become members, but have nc
vote. There will be a schedule of rates OF
wages fixed according to the kind Of labor
skill required and the laws of supply and
demand. The company will keep store
at which purchases may be made with
company's time checks. There will be nc
other store permitted. No member of the
company may employ any other member
except as physician, minister, or domestic
There is no religious object in view; eacl
member will be entirely free to think as ht
pleases."
|