The state capital., 1892-03-05

In last weeks publication Of the
CAPITAL we had cooperation detin-
ed. This time we wish to speak
Of the POSSIBILITIES Of cooperation.
] may perhaps state that co-opera
ton is not altogether hobby with
me. [ will admit though, that |
am a student Of it, and like the
true student, seek to iimpart to
others what | may obtain from
study. SO powerful IS the tend
ency Of the iron law Of wages that
it is even hard for poor people to
secure a home; in fact it is strug-
gle for years to buy the humblest
home. Ii it is a struggle to obtain
a home, it is much harder and will
take much longer to get savings
enough together to start and con-
duct a business. Large fortunes
are not the result Of direct labor.
It is impossible for a man to make
million dollars in q lifetime
from direct labor, no matter how
artful he performs it. Mlllionaires
are products of corporations. 1t
it is not possible for one to save
enough to start business, it is
possible for a number OF men to
combine their small savings and
start business.
There is no man, woman or
child, who receives wages, but that
can live enough within the stand
ard of life to save at least 100
every year. Now suppose that
five hundred such persons should
combine their little savings, that
would be $4,000. Now $4,000
would buy a lot in some parts OF
our town and build on it cozy
little house that would rent for at
least $500 per month; in one year
that would be $4,000, which is in
terest on $4,000. Five hundred
dollars invested at II per cent;
that is a big thing.
Suppose the same persons should
each invest $1,000, that would be
$4,000. In how many years could
$1,000 be wisely invested? 1t
could at least be invested success
fully in real estate A productive
and enterprising business OF some
kind could be started and success
fully conducted.
There ale societies enough in this
city, if each would take stock OF
| $500 in cooperative business to
msznce money enough TO buy Q
l1ot and erect a public hall, and the
actual cost to each member would
not exceed $1,000. The possibili-
ties Of cooperation are many. The
probabilities are what we make
them. Why cannot the negroes
of Springfield conduct a profitable
enterprise of some kind? Ii even
they expect to be an important
factor in political or social affairs
we must be united, Cooperation
is union, and union is everywhere
strength. Very many large build
ings, especially those Of public
amusement, are almost exclusively
built on the cooperative plan.
There is the St. Louis Exposi
ton building, which covers nearly
ten acres of ground, was erected OF
this very plan, and shares were pu
so low that very many Of the labor
ing class were able to take stock IL
it. Our fair associations are co
operative institutions.
Seeing what great things ar
done through cooperation, wh'
, can tell what advantage the coloret
; people Of Springfield might brin!
to themselves by successful at
= tempts at cooperation; not onl,
those Of Springfield, but III ever.
CITY, town and state. In man.
, places our people have made sue
i cessful attempts at cooperation
: which facts, we hope to show il
l our paper on the progress OF CO
i, operation later Oh. We woul'
E like to see a cooperative union o
e our people in this city, that is, on
4 conducted on business principles
not hap-hazard one. There
much in knowing how to cooper
: ate. Cooperation is the one inst
/. tuition that is fast settling th
: troubles that arise between capita
and labor; it is the institution tha
\ helps to make 50 many fortunes
It is, in my opinion, just the thin
= for our race. 1t will bring to L
: that coveted recognition and equa
!. ity Of right, sooner than anythin
3 else. 1t is through cooperate
we obtain the races greatest nee
-7tniOn. CHARLIE.