The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-10
This is the Idea Of the Cooper
atiYe Congress,
Vow in Session in the City Of
Topeka.
What Prof Bemis, Formerly Of the
University Of Chicago, Says in His
Paper Read Before the Congress.

herculean proportions. This is the re-
forming Of all people and infusing into
them the spirit of true Christianity
and the carrying out Of the Golden
Rules instructions.
OF course the Kansas congress does
not expect to institute this reform and
this new system at a single stride, but
If what the speakers say is true. Kan
sas is expected to set the pace for the
country and even the world.
Co-operation upon a freer basis and
equality for all seems to be the creed,
the religion of most of the prominent
workers here in attendance. The meet
ings are being held in Representative
hall now altogether, since the cattle
men have vacated, and the sessions
win continue until and including Sat
urday night.
When Chairman Reese called the
congress to order last night at eight
O'Clock. Representative hall was fairly
well filled with delegates and interest
ed listeners from this city.
A vocal solo by Miss Julia Caldwell
followed the opening OF the night SeS-
sion. Miss Caldwell is member OF the
church choir of the famous Rev Myron
Reed, the Denver preacher politician
of POpulist faith, and who came into
prominence by reason Of his saying
Christ was an anarchist
The address Of welcome was then de-
livered by Governor Morrill, The gov
ernor said in part. You have met to-
gether to discuss questions Of great i'm
portance and of profound interest to
our commonwealth and to the nation
I am glad you are here for the pur-
pose of discussing these great ques-
lions that so directly and intimate
affect the prosperity fthe state and the
happiness of her people. The more in
telligence that can be thrown upon
them, the more speedy and satfsfacto-
ry will be the results and the more cor
rect the conclusions. Calm, honest and
disspassienate discussion should be
earnestly invited
"The changes that have been made
have constantly disturbed existing re-
IatiOns and required freer assignments
of labor, and in these changed rela-
tons cooperation has been an impor-
tant factor in their adjustment, and in
improving the condition of the people
financially, socially, Intellectually and
morally.
1T is no good argument against CO
operation that efforts in this direction
have not been uniformly successful
IF men We're perfect; If human judg-
ment were unerring; if the future could
be as plainly foretold as the past, there
would be no public failures. No mis-
takes would be made. and there would
be no lessons learned from bitter and
disappointing experiences 1t is enough
to know that on certain lines and under
certain conditions the happiest results
&
forts in this direction"
With good wishes for the success of
the enterprise contemplated by the
congress Governor Morrill, closed his
address.
Following the address by the gov
ernor. N. o. Nelson of St. Louis ad-
dressed the congress upon "Co-opera-
ton VS.. Competition" 1.-THE motto Of
co-operators," said Mr.. Nelson, lis to
do rather than to get.
ut is a recognized fact that Christian
ity is not what it was nearly 1900 years
ago in the days of Christ. Christianity
meant something then, but not much
now. The trouble is. the competition
for property and for things has become
50 great that it is inculcated in men.
and women too, from their days of
childhood and infancy to the grave. 1t
is made a business to get all we can, no
matter how.
"If we would have more regard for
for helping the other fell
low this would all be changed"
After Mr.. Nelson had closed his ad-
dress. questions upon cooperation were
put to him by the audience. which he
answered in a satisfactory manner Mr.
Nelson has had years of experience in 1
enterprises being a CO /
operator Of the old school
Prof. c. p Judd. of HOxie, Kan. de- /
livered an address on "Co-actiOn, y
before the cooperative congress to- /
day.
In the beginning Of his address he I
asked this question: Where are we I
at2"
Answering his question, he said;
Lost in the fog of prejudice; buried /
under a mountain of debt and oppres- /
sion: suffering the weight Of usury, the |
result of our own folly.
What are we going to do about it?
Organize, fraternize and acknowledge /
the brotherhood of the labor family /
proceed to business and do business !
upon business principles.
Let US organize and incorporate a I
joint stock association with a capital /
Of say SIO0 600 600. Buy the products /
Of labor and store and insure and pro /
7eed to drive the prices upward Capt. /
tai buys for speculative purposes, and /
why not labor do the same? ?"
Mr. Judd moved the appointment of I
a. committee of seven to look into the +
merits Of his paper and report upon it, /
with the ultimate idea Of drafting arti- I
cles of agreement, for the Immediate 1
and PRONUNCIATION of CO.
operation. This motion was carried /
and the committee will be announced /
later on in the day.
A paper by S. II. Comings of St. /
Joseph, Mich. upon Incorporation and /
was read. He favored a I
social democracy.
The committee on resolutions will /
hardly report before tomorrow The /
members Of this committee are:
c. B. Hoffman, Enterprise.
Mrs. Emma r. Troudner, Carbonate. /
J. D. Efbner, Gardner.
Mrs. E3ina A. Otis. Topeka
r e. Ewing, Sutton.
TOnight's session viii begin at s /
o'clock in Representative hail, and the [
is the programme:
Cooperation and Equal Opportun- /
ty.'' C. F. Lindstrom, Enterprise, Kan. /