New-York tribune., 1905-04-09
MUTUAL AID SOCIETIES.
Promoted in France by VI. de
NaImce-What He accom- pLisked.

Paris, March II
BY the death of N. Augustin de Malarce.
which occurred here this week. the peasants and
toilers Of this country have lost their best and
most practical friend. The whole Of long and
active life was devoted by this great economist
ard philanthropist 10 the object Of improving
the condition Of the laboring classes and for
the last sixty years almost everything that has
been done in this direction was either initiated
or promoted by him. After closely studying the
economic systems Of the oth1r European coun-
tries. NJ. de Malarce went 10 America. and from
there he brought the principles on VIII h ne
founded over three hundred societies of beaev-
olent aid for different classes Of the laboring
population. His efforts called together the FIRST
International Scientific Congress Of Mutual Aid
Societies, in 1875. which a triumph of hu-
raanitarianisrn. There vve-e assembled on that
occasion in the great han Of the Trocadero Pal
ace Gambetta and Gladstone, Alexander III and
Nordenskjold. General Franklin and AIenabTea.
Rowland Hill and Deitzsch with many other
eminent men Of all nstioaalities.
That congress was the first Of series which
has been fruitful Of much good. From the
discussions Of the problem which 50 dear
10 the heart of II. de Malarce there sprang a
number OF institutions intended TO encoura age
thrift and to anleliorate the conditions under
which the humber workers OF the community
school teachers ou minimum salaries and post
Office emp!oyes-for al OF these savings banks
and Insurance funds, with old age pensions. were
established. Il was some time before ths miser-
liness and caution Of the French peasant were
SO far overcorv as 10 induce him 10 make use
OF these Instruments Of grace He infinitely pre-
1erred either 10 keep his small savings in a
stocking hidden ~ The old wooden bedstead. or
else to invest il ia some risky speculation which
offered enormous prohts 10 has cupidity Be
tween these two extremes there seemed TO he
no medium. However, the idea Of ''mutualite''
did finally gain ground, and France is to-day
covered with network Of societies which guar
antee the economies q thousands Of peasant
families. An entirely different class Of the popu-
lation absorbed the attention Of N de Malarce
through the last years OF his life. The navigable
rivers and the canals Of France support a float
ing community OF something like thirty-two
thousand persons. living IN some thirteen thou
send bargcs. The secret Of perpetual motion is
theirs. Ever gliding along the seventeen thou
sand kilometres Of waterways whose slow
course IS marked by straight rows OF tall poplars
disappearing in endless perspective. these
people, with no abiding place were cut off from
participation in the advantages possessed by the
landsmen. Their children were unable 10 at
tend any school. and were brought up in the
same unenlightened conditions as their fore
fathers. A careless, happy life such children
led! TO sit for hours lazily watching the banks
slip by. the boat drawn hy a gayly capari-
soned donkey. or two. in cases of special anu
ence. covered with brightly colored wool POM
pons and little tnkling bells. slipped down from
lock 70 lock. what child would not infinitely
prefer such life 10 a desk in a dull schooroom
with its succession OF tedious tasks? Here, ex'
cept in very inclement weather. every meal was
a picnic, shared by bird and fish. Plenty Of va
riety was AFFORDED by the taking in and getting
out OF cargo al one or another town. when pro-
visions would be purchased for the next cruise
The child grew into It's fathers work. learning