Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-07-25
THE QUESTION OF SITE.

or SITE.
Tho colonists have under considcra-
ton four sites in this section. viz: On
Chuckatuck creek in Nansemond coun-
"; on the Virginia coast near Lynn
maven; on the James river, and on the
Peninsula
The first mentioned site. about twcn-
~ miles from Norfolk. is more faVora-
ply regarded. and Il Nirginian- Pilot re-
porter who called on Mr. A. letters Inn
migration agent. learned Yesterday that
1t was very probable that the colony
would rc-establsh itself there. Sites in
Georgia and other Southern States have
been offered TO the cCloniSts hut for
various reasons Norfolk is preferred.
Among these reasons are the excellent
and cheap transportation facilities, the
productive soil, the good climate. and
cheap steam coal. The colonists realize
that III this section they can easily and
cheaply get their manufactured and aC-
ricuitural products to the best mar
kets. 1t was the opposite conditions at
Ruskin. which caused the failure of the
colony there.
WHO CONSTITUTE THE COLONY.
The men who make up the population
OF the little colony OF Rustin are not
of the uncducatcd and harum- scaruln
class of socialists. They are thinking
men. and men of education. Among
the first of the institutions to be found
ed IN the colony was IL public library
which now contains |. 200 volumes. a
well-cdited and live weekly paper. call
ed The Coming Nation has been
published there since tho inclpiency OF
the colony.
An industrial community almost per-
rect IN the theory OF It's workings has
been established. Everything seems to
be organized on the economic basis
upon which Bellamy founded his fa-
nous novel. Looking Backward"
Even to the public eating house, there
is Il Bellamy faint to the order of the
community. Nothing is owned by indi-
Vidunls. save only necessary personal
property; everything else is held i'm
common. The men and women. who
work AT different pursuits. are all paid
the same. not in money. but in checks.
good FOR stated amount ut the public
storchousc. In short the CO. operative
plan Is carried out completely, though.
or course, I'm its dealing with the out
side world the colony has to meet with
the conditions of the former.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS.
In the election af-E4tIIiie--+ for the col
ony women who arc shareholders in the
cooperative association. have "a vote
the same as the men. A share in the
association costs $500 and was formerly
payable on the installment plan. but is
now required to he paid in cash No one
can become Il member of the colony I'M
til this is paid.
INDUSTRIES ESTABLISHED.
Besides its large farm covering hun
dreds of acres OF ground in Dickson
county, near Tennessee City. the colo
ny has established the following indus
tries: y job printing and book binding
establishments. IA grist mill. saw mill,
blacksmith shop. photograph gallery,
steam laundry. telephone system,
storehouse. planning mill. shoe shop.
drug store. boiler shop. suspender mani
ufactory. library. tailor shop. cabinet
shop. and a cereal coffee mandatory.
THE FAITHFUL.
OF the members of tho colony 2lf still
have determined fniih in the principles
of their cooperative system and will
come 10 Virginia 10 start the new col
ony. Great interest has been manifested
In this colony all over the country, and
its removal 10 Virginia and start on n
new life VIII BE- closely watched
Among the colorists is Il former Nor
folkian. Mr.. II. ". Rowson. who is fore
man of the printing house OF the coll
ony.