Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-10-16

Principles of a SociaIistic and Cooperative
Company Lately Organized in Iowa.


Democrat: Secretary Ernest B. CASTOR.
of the Socialistic and Co-operative Com
pany. organized In this city on the ideas
CT Edward Belamy, started, in company
with E. D. Smith of Louisiana last night
to look up a location for the colony. Be-
fare starting he stated to a reporter:
We have no authority to bind the COM
pany In any way, but are expected to in
vestlgate the merits of the various points
of the country visited. Our report will be
submitted to all the members of the COM
pany and final location determined by
d 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 of its
| operations. We expect to go to New
Iberia, In the southern portion of Lou
isina, where we understand there is a large
body of fertile land which we IAN get very
| cheap. The project is in such shape now
that | can safely say that the colony will
be started. Just how many families we
will take with Us is hard to state, as we
have received many letters from people
| who contemplate joining, yet who have
not had time to take the necessary steps.
From this city about ten families will go by
the middle or last of October, and think
there will be fifteen more from other local
tiles. | have received letters from nearly
every state in the Union inquiring about
the plans, with a view of becoming mem
bers. Some Of them are, of course, from
cranks. The most seem to be in best
earnest.
There need be no fears of too many.
Fifty men can by association of capital and
division and sy stematization of their labor
accomplish 100 times as much as one man
can alone. We hold that all wealth is the
product of labor expended on natural re-
sources. and that the community of state
should hold those natural resources in trust
for the benefit Of the whole people, and
that every man should have the opportunity
to labor thereon. We hold, further, that
as it is only through society and assoeia-
ton that man can do effective labor and re-
ceive the benefit of that
DIvERsIFICATION OF INDUSTRIES
which makes comfort and luxury possible.
that he owes for the maintenance of society
in proportion to the benefit he has receiv-
ed. Under our plan, the man of simple
tastes can work enough to satisfy his de-
sires, and the others will be compelled to
work as much more as their tastes are more
expensive. No restrictions are placed upon
the manner in which any member may use
his earnings, except that he can not use
them to Cypress some other member He
can not bny company land and charge the
company or any member thereof rental.
He may not loan at interest to the company
or any member thereof. He may not en-
gage in private production for profit, en-
ploy his fellow members and make profit
off of their work, but he may use it in any
manner that gives him pleasure and harms
no one else, He may buy and drive fast
horses; he may entertain eXpensively; he
may gather around him works of art and
things of beauty; he may give to his friends
or bequeath to his heirs. Each member
family life. OF course he will build on
be paid the value of his Improvements. In
bushes enterprise.
1t will oe an industrial and productive
community in the strictest sense in the
and no member will be permitted to COM
pete with the society. Ours will be
cOmmunistic society. Just as railway COM
panies are. AS to the details of our Or
ganization we are organized into a joint
stock company; our declared object is, as
far as possible, to secure the organization
Of society wherein it shall
be unlawful to take interest, profit, or rent;
where all labor shall be systematized and
shall be paid IN full value where the ad
ministration of affairs shall be democratic
and fully within the control of the mem
bers. The company will acquire lands,
machinery, stock, and merchandise, en-
gage in agriculture, fruit stock raising,
manufacturing, and merchandising; will
lay out tow's and villages, erect public
and private buildings, erect water, gas
and electric light works; build, equip, and
operate lines of transportation and
communication, establish proper methods
of distribution, transportation and stor-
age; establish a just system of credit, &C
count and exchange; issue to It's members
In payment for services rendered or mater
ial furnished the company; provide for the
arbitration and just settlement of
DISPUTES BETWEEN ITS MEMBERS;
enforce its rules and regulations by suit
able penalties, and provide for the educa
ton of its members and their families in
proper physical, mental, moral and arts
tic lines. One man may hold one share
and it is non-transferable. merely emitting
the holder to residence and employment
on the grounds of the colony and an equal
share in the2possession and privileges of
the company. Wifes of members are en-
titled to become members, but have no
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 time checks. There will be no
other store permitted. No member of the
company may employ any other member,
except as d physician, minister or domes-
tic. There is no religious object in view;
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