The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-04-08
DREAMS OF BELLAMY.
Which Cooperative Common
wealth Expects to Realize.
A NEW UTOPIA PROPOSED.
A Ro<y-Hued Plan by Which the Socf-
ETY. Expects To Reach Mammoth
Proportions Ia Time.

its first monfhiy meeting OF sfocknoNSEs
last week al its headquarters. 22elis Front
street and elected the following officers:
Trustees. s Akerly. II. F. Hesse. u. 5.
Parker. W. Nontelius. III. Raffin. NJ. Stew
art and A. Rarteli. president. 5. Akeriy;
vice president. Fl. T. Hesse; secretary. ID.
S. Parker: treasurer. ". Montelius; man
ager, II. Raffin.
Several communications were received
from other cities apd states fnquiring as
10 the methods of the society's organiZa-
ton and its ends and aims. There We're
also requests that organizers be sent out
so that similar societies or branches might
be organized elsewhere. To this end
twelve men were sent out last Saturday
TO act as organizers. and il was In order
to raise funds 10 defray their expenses
that the mass meeting was held last Fri
day evening.
The Society's Plan.
The articles of Incorporation of the Co
operative Commonwealth Society set forth
that .'the masses everywhere are walk
ing up and down the fields of discomfort
and distress like Gagged lions" That
angry mutterings are heard on all sides
and desperate efforts are being made by
a few reforners TO ease the situation"
MANY affirm" says the preamble, that
revolution, like a dark. onlinous cloud.
hovers over the heads of the people and
needs but favorite current to cause ii 10
burst and sweep with demon-like fury
over the civilized nations of the world.
Others argue. with as much FEASIBILITY.
that the people are fast sinking into
stupid slavery, and while surface erup-
tons may appear as evidence of protest
during the period OF adjustment ultimate
~ the people will accept and tolerate the
most CALLING serfdom. 1t is TO be hoped
that neither will overtake the good people.
he a as
Banquo's ghost, Will not down, and some
means must be employed TO avert social
dissolution and destruction of our ciyili-
cation
Here is a plan which is submitted to
the fair. just and humane people of this
nation:
Four Millions Are Idle.
1T is authoritatively stated that there
are 100000 men In the Quilted States out
of employment At least one-fourth Of
these idle men are unmarried and home
less and live In the large commercial CEN
tiers. Therefore the plan is this: Organ
lie the Cooperative Commonwealth. Say
one-tenth of the 100000 unmarried. unem-
ployed and homeless men of Greater New
York were to organize into such a So
ciety. legally Incorporated under the laws
of the state. Let them be organized in
ten or more different parts of the city.
tate. Immediately solicit donations OF
stoves. dishes, bedding, provisions. etc, TO
equip an eating and lodging headquarters.
Then send committees in search OF work,
and when secured detail a man or men TO
do IL, the money received for wages to go
into common fund for the common sup
port. New men to be detailed alternately
until each has contributed his just share
to the common effort. This method 10 he
pursued until two or three days work per
week for each member Is secured when
wages may be paid under n properly and
equitably adjusted scale. 10 cents per day
from each member TO be deducted and APP
piled to reserve or development fund.
THE work OF organization could be ex-
tended to other commercial centers and In
a short time a membership of 100000
could be secured. which would not absorb
one-eighth OF the idle men, The work OF
organization would be as rapid as the
necessities of the men would attract them
TO the society.
"Here already have been rescued from
the sluns OF Indebtedness and despair
500 900 hopeless men and provided them
with home-alone sufficient 10 recon-
mend II to all humane people. In brief
space OF time. by a systematic canvass
work can be secured, and in the spring
all the surplus men who can not be pro-
vided with employment at wages can he
the cities where enough vegetables. etc,
can be raised 10 feed the members OF tho
society during the year, with perhaps
surplus to sell. BY such method at least
two-thids OF the members could be put 70
work and paid. clear OF board and loig-
ing more than could be obtained any
where else. and apply to the development
fund 10 cents per day for each member.
For example the average wages for
common labor In the East is 81 per day.
Board lodging and washing Will cost an
unmarried man 81 per week. leaving NJ
the close Of the week a balance Of 81 Now
500 or more men living together can he
fed lodged and clothes washed for 81 per
week with as good accomTno rotations as
at the average boarding house. and this
would include 500 per month for rent.
Deducting 10 cents per day for the devel-
onment fund Il will leave the laborer
g % ahead Of the private boarding house
propositlon. and s440 at the end OF the
week. besides insuring him home when
out Of employment, 10 say nothing OF his
interest I'm the enormous reserve fund
which would be Of the most momentous
Importance and destined 20 greatly in
crease the value OF his services 20 him.
The Development Fund.
"But now comes the main feature OF
the plan-the reserve or development
fund On a basis of 10000 men. 10 cents
per day for six months or la1 working
davs. accumulates the marvellous sum az
s. soo COO and in one year 81, edo,eoo The
society Is now organized into a national
body. or corporation. and has at its com
mand 500 600 men and $4,000 90 OF capital.
What now can IL do2 No longer must ;,
fepend on an employer for work. and can
Immediately set nearly all. II not all its
members 10 work I'm It's own employ. Here
ara 800 Coz or perhaps ny this time 1856
apa men 20 he fed clothed and provided
with all the neseSsaries and some Of the
Injuries OF life Extensive farming and
mining would be required 10 produce the
ray material and extensive manufactur-
ing would be required 10 manufacture
the finished product for consumption In
the meantime this development fund
would be accommodating as fast as II could
he invested In new enterprises. Money
maid 10 members Of the society would ma
ia way hack into. the treasury IN the way
- ssvfn- deposits which rsw finds II way
into private savings banks The savings
81 ne peoule now 70 the hanks OF more
than g osa co ne0 could Be placed IN the
Cvr,-or.era tive Commonwealth Savings
tanks ard a percentage used 20 estab-
Ter revr industries instead Of being loaned
ont At rno~rno,Is rates Of Interest 20 serve
az s~ag-ress 20 gather IN the lard AMI its
r-o4,1rt for the benefit Of few CONNER
csal. fishermen.
.~T~.,gs reserve fund couid b. invested IN
purchasing or constructing railroads 20
f~aa ne commonwealth from the trans
uortation corr anIez. which are such val
1,ahie htaIwarkS 20 other nnouorsoli@s- For
Instance a railroad with part % mis- si5.-
as 90 surplus could - constructed from
Cleveland 20 pgttsburg Washington CITY.
a.. - IL