UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
AT LOS ANGELES
THE
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION
1>) ENGLAND:
ITS LITERATURE AND ITS ADVOCATES.
BY
GEORGE JACOB HOLYOAKE.
Our greatness will appear
Then most conspicuous, when groat things of small,
Useful of hurtful, prosperous of adverse
We can create.— Milton.
VOLUME II.
THE CONSTRUCTIVE PERIOD — 1845 to 1878.
London: TRUBNEK & CO., 67 AND 51), LUDGATE IllLl.
riiiLADELriiiA : J. IJ. LIFPINCOTT & CO.
187".l.
PRINTKU BY THB
LONDON CO-OPERATIVE PRINTING AND STATIONERY COMPANY, UMITKD
2 AND 3, PLOUGH COURT, FETTER LANK, LONDON. E.C
HD
THIS lIISTOltY OF THE
UONSrUL'CTIVE TEKIOD OF INDUSTEIA.L ASSOOIATIO.n
IS INSCRIBED TO THE
Et. Hon. JOHN BEIGHT, M.P.,
WHOSE TUW.SIS.ME.S OF UOCHDALE FIUST MAI)K CO-OPEitATIOX
A SOCIAL rORCE,
ANI> WHO HIMSELF,
THE riUE.Mt OF JUSTICE IX PUBLIC AFFAIRS
AND EQUITY IX INDUSTRY,
WAS FORE.MOSr TO .MAINTAIX, IX HOSTILE DAYS,
THE GilEAT I'RINCIl'I.ES OF I'DLITIC.VL AXD CO.MMEiiCIAL FRKI".!) M.
WITHOUT WHICH SKLF-TitUST AXD SELF-HELP
ARE ALIKK IMPOSSIBLE TO THE PEOPLE.
'<L^^yjf.%iy
CONTENTS-YOL. II.
PACK
DEDICATION.
PEEFACE.
CHAPTER I.
The Stouy of a de.vd Moveme\t ... ... ... ... i
CHAPTER II.
BeGI.VNI.N'G of Co.V.STIlUCTIVE Co-OI'Ei;.VTIO.\ ... ... . . 15
CHAPTER III.
The DiscovEiiY which Ci!E.vted Co-oi>eratio.v ... ... ... 34
CHAPTER IV.
Cauee;; of the Pionleu Store ... ... ... ... 44
CHAPTER V.
Paulia.me.ntauy Aid of Co-operation ... ... ... ... 53
CHAPTER VI.
Co-OI'EKATION IN StoRMV DaY.S ... ... ... ... llO
CHAPTER VII.
Nature of Co-orKitATivE Phincipi.e ... ... ... ... (il)
CHAPTER VIII.
Distribution.— The Co-opeuative Stoiie ... ... .. 89
CHAPTER IX.
Pkouuction. — The Co-op£r.\tive Workshop ... ... ... 122
CHAPTER X.
The Gi'.EAT Vv'holesale Society ... ... ... .. 14<>
CHAPTER XI.
LoxDO.s Co-operation. — The Revolt oy the tfi;oci;i:;i ... ... 1G2
CHAPTER XII.
London Co-operation. — The Revolt of the CusTo.MEi;s... ... 178
CHAPTER XIII.
Metropolitan Propacia.ndism... ... ... ... ... 109
CHAPTER XIV.
Social Polky or Co-operative So( ieties ... ... ... 212
CHAPTER XV.
Industrial Pai;tm;k>iiii' ... ... ... •• ••• 225
VI CONTENTS.
PAGK
CHAPTER XVI.
Industrial C NSPiHAriES ... ... ... ... ... 2-J3
CHAPTER XVII.
Co-OI'EKA.IVE P'ArLllJES ... ... ... ... ... 270
CHAPTER XVIII.
Amekkax Societie.s... ... ... ... ... ... 284
CHAPTER XIX.
Co-orKi!ATivn Faii.-'.iixg ... ... ... ... ... 3(X>
CHAPTER XX.
ECCEVTKIC AND SiXCiULAI! SOCIETIKS ... ... ... .. 311
CHAPTER XXI.
Vicissitudes of Industkial Litekatuke ... ... ... 3.5!
CHAPTER XXII.
Famous Promoters ... ... ... ... ... . . 378
CHAPTER XXm.
Latek LrrEUATUiiu and Leaders ... ... .. ... oO?
CHAPTER XXIV.
Tii:: TcN Congressus ... ... ... .. ... 423
CHAPTER XXV.
Tin; Future or Co-orERATioN ... .. ... ... 441
CHAPTER XXVI.
An Outside Ciiavter ... ... . . . . . 458
PKEFACE
In inscribing tliis volume to Mr. Bright, representative of
my own town of Birmingham, I do it, as an acknowledg-
ment— by one of the working class — of how much we all
owe to him. There will be in the book what may appear
to his greater experience and discernment, errors not
merely of argument but of principle. In prefixing his
name to these pages, I do not imply his concurrence in all
tliat appears in them, I only assume his generous tolerance
which I well know, for all sincere effort for the industrial
improvement of the working-class, and his pride in tiie
honourable distinction so large a portion of his poorer
townsmen have won.
Evil daysbefel me during the progress of the first volume.
Though I could see my way through my subject, I could
not see my subject when I was through it. Fortunately
one accustomed to trace the meaning of Parliamentary
Bills — a pursuit which tries the understanding beyond
any other known — kindly undertook to look over my proofs,
which I am afraid had more than legislaturial confusion in
Vlll PREFACE.
them, and thus preserved the reader from many disasters
"which would have happened to him in my hands. Save for
such assistance by Mr. Walter Morrison I should have been
almost afraid to recover my sight lest I should come to read
my own book. No such aid has been possible to me in this
volume. Now it is too late, I see myself things I should be
glad to change, which I hope the reader will have the-
prudence not to observe. Once I had a printer — not
deficient in care and intelligence — who would insert an
enrao-ing misconceution of some doubtful word I had
written. Questioning him concerning an unusually absurd
mistake he had printed, I said, " How came you to think I
meant that ? It is neither common sense, nor theological
sense, nor legal sense (the most uncertain sense known}
nor any other sense." '•' Well, sir," was the answer, " I
thought so too, but I supposed it one of your quaint-
nesses of expression." So I counselled the Co-opera-
tive Printers when sending them my MS. to stop
surely at any " quaintness " at which they stumbled
in " setting it up." In some places I am afraid they
have betrayed me. The previous volume met with more
favour from critics, both in Great Britain and America,
than I had any right to expect. If this volume fares
as well, I, having very moderate expectations, shall be
more than content : for those who said the first
volume " was not interesting " said it was '' useful," and
those who said it " was not useful " thought it was-
*' interestinfT."
TREFACE. IX
Travelling to distant seats of new co-operative enter-
prise, seeing for myself the conditions under which recent
experiments have been made, editing reports of annual
proceedings of Co-operative Congresses, listening to the
speeches and daily conversation of the new race of co-
operators, in order to be sure what order of men tliey were,
and to judge from what they knew, what mastery they had of
its principles, and what they will do ; writing controversial
pamphlets in order toelicit the views of adversaries and learn
their quality and reach of discernment ; taking part in
discussions at Store meetings to discover what thoughts were
uppermost and what passions lay below, have taken more
time than the perusal of all the books collected and all the
journeys made to obtain them. Whatever I have thus
learnt confirms the impression I set out with, that
tliat history of this movement will be the best whicii
explains with the most explicitness, the conception and
aims by which the men who made the movement were
animated. Their methods of procedure, which are now
of the most practical moment, sprang out of these.
Besides, it would be an abuse of the attention of tlie
reader, to beguile him with the mere picturesque inci-
dents of a movement, and conceal from him the motives
which inspired it. TJie only useful history of a movement
is a history of its idea*. The animating idea which never
slept or slumbered, which moved the most diverse and
distant co-operators of modern times, which oft defeated,
but never extinguished, covered with ridicule but never
X PREFACE,
made ashamed, wliich returned afjain and again to <:fene-
rous-minded, equity-loving men ; stimulating workers
without means, encouraging those who had no hope, and
sustaining those who knew no success — was not distrust
of succeeding themselves by competitaon, but dislike of
it as the sole method of progress. Co-operation was born
of the feeling that at best unmitigated competition was
but organised war, and though war had its great con-
quests, its bards, its proud associations and heroic
memories, there was murder in its march ; and humanity
and genius were things to blush for, if progress could
not be accomplished by some nobler means. What an
enduring truce is to war, co-operation is to the never-
ceasing conflict between Labour and Capital. It is the
Peace of industry.
G. J. H.
I^ewcastle CJ/ambers,
22, Essex Street, 7cm2Jle Bar, London,
December 1st, 1878.
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Tlie Noiseless Tread of New Ideas.
CHAPTER I.
THE- STORY OF A DEAD MOVEMENT.
A new. mind is first infused into society ; — it takes root, it expands
silently, almost impereei^tibly — for the surface of things remains the'
same ; the same laws, the s;ime form of government, the same acknow-
ledged practices and customs still prevail. In the meanwhile, the spirit
that is abroad is breathed from individual to individual, from family to
family — it traverses districts — and new men, men with new hearts and
feelings, unknown to each other, arise in different parts — a new peojjle is
dwelling vrith the old people — but their power is little, for they have no
ties of association. At last a word is spoken which appeals to the hearts
of all — each answers simultaneously to the call — a compact body is
collected under one standard, a watchword is given, and every man knows
his friend. — The First Lord Lytton.
Our story of constructive Co-operation carries ns amid
very different scenes from those with which the adven-
turous reader, who lias pursued the subject through the
previous volume, has been made acquainted. He will
encounter now a very different class of persons from
those he met with in the " Pioneer Period." Move-
ments, like men, die — some a natural, some a violent,
death. Some movements perish early of deficient
strength, or of intellectual rickets, from lack of vitality,
or qf appropriate nutriment ; or, falling into blind hands,
never see their opportunities, and are lost by incapacity.
It is true of movements as of men — those who act and
do not think, and those who think and do not act — alike
perish. In days of social storm, insurrection, revolution,
or invasion by an enemy, every Avord of counsellors
entitled to be heard has significance. Yet words of
counsel, well given, have weight at any time, if wise men
give heed thereto. Storm is but sudden change : and
B
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Ceaseless War of Ideas.
change is but a silent storm, ever beating, ever warning-
men to preparation, and they who stand still are swept
away. But movements do not often die in their beds —
they are assassinated in the streets. Error, fed upon
ignorance, and inspired by spite, is commonly strong and
unscrupulous. Truth must fight to live. There is no
marching on without £foin£f forward and confronting the
enemy. Those who know the country and are resolute,
may occupy more of it tlian they foresee. It is a delusiors
to think that pioneers have all the ground to clear-
Men's heads are mostly vacant, and not a few are entirely
empty. Interest and stupidity guard the portals of the
brain, but there is hollowness within, and, in more cases
than are imagined, hunger for ideas. Interest being^
always sensitive, and truth being a disturbing element,
desperate resistance arises ; in which truth, if it happen to
be feeble, afraid and unskilled in attack and defence, gets
the worst. The war of truth and error goes on like the
war of races, and the survival of the fittest means the
victory of the most dexterous and most persistent. When
capacity and determination are on the side of truth, it
makes way by its inherent vitality, and when we discern
it, we call it progress. In the course of conflict the
infantine forces of truth are oft defeated by the full-
grown powers of interest and error. No bravery can win
— no enthusiasm can sustain the unequal contest, until
time and experience bring reinforcements. Thus it befel
Co-operation, which, after 30 years of valorous vicissi-
tude, died, or seemed to die, in 1844-5. The first Lord
Lytton, in one of those fine passages which oft came
from his fertile pen, has told us (the reader has seen at
the head of this chapter) how neglected, derided, and
apparently extinguished opinion, suddenly breaks like
summer on the winter of the world.
In 1845 the busy, aspiring, and hopeful movement of
Co-operation, so long chequered by ardour and despon-
dency, hope and disappointment, was rapidly subsiding
THE STORY OF A DEAD MOVEMENT.
Dead Journals.
into silence and decay. The little armies on the once
militant plain of f-^ocial proo;ress had been one after
another defeated and disbanded. The standards, which
had been carried defiantly over the ao^itated field with
some daring and loud acclaim, had fallen one by one ;
and in many cases the standard bearers had fallen by
their side. For a few years to come no movement is
anywhere observable. Hardly a solitary insurgent is
discernible in any part of the once animated horizon.
The sun of industrial hope, which kept so many towns
aglow, has now gone down. The very air is cold and
thick over the blank and desolate scene. The star of the
north — the " Star in the East," * strong, lurid, and glaring
(which arose in Leeds, intended to guide the Political
Pioneers of Lancashire and Yorkshire) — is becoming
rapidly obscured. The " Star in the East," promising
to indicate that among the mangers of Wisbeach a
new deliverer f has come (with a greater capacity of
contention than deliverer had .ever shown before), has
dropped out of the firmament. The hum of the " Working
Bee" is no more heard in the fens of Cambridgeshire.
The small "Morning Stars" — that appeared year by
year from Ham Common to Whitechapel, shining upon
a dietary of vegetables and milk — have fallen, one by
one, out of sight. '\. " Journals " are kept no more —
" Calendars " no longer have dates filled in — " Co-ope-
rative Miscellanies" have ceased — "Mirrors" fiiil to
reflect the faces of the Pioneers — " The Radical " has
torn up its roots — " The Commonweal " has no one to
* Of Mr. Feargus O'Connor.
t Edited by Mr. James Ilill, related by marriage to Dr. Soutbwood
Smith.
J This was many years before tbe appearance of the London
"Morning Star " newspaper, which was never so much appreciated as when
it was missed ; the best daily paper, in its main care for tlie interests
and opinions of the nation, which dwells in lodgings and cottages, the
people have had.
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Desolation of the Social Field.
care for it — believers in the '' New Age " are extinct —
" The Shepherd " is gathering his eccentric flocks into
a nev.' fold — readers of the " Associate " have discon-
tinued to assemble together — " Monthly Magazines "
forget to come out — " Gazettes " are empty — " Heralds "
no Tnore go forth — *' Beacons " find that the day of
warning is over — the '' Pioneer " has fallen in the last
expedition of the forlorn hope which he led — there is
nothing further to " Register," and the " New Moral
World" is about to be sold by auction, and will be
lost by its purchasers wrangling on their way home
about the proprietary rights which go with their rival
biddings — Samuel Bower has eaten all his peas — Mr.
Etzler has carried his wondrous machines of Paradise
to Venezuela — Joseph Smith has replaced his wig — Mr.
Baume has sold his monkey — and the Frenchman's Island,
where infants were to be suckled by machinery, has
not inappropriately become the site of the Pentonville
Penitentiary. The " Association of all Classes of all
Nations " has not a member left upon its books. Of
the seventy thousand Chartist land-dreamers, who had
been actually enrolled, nothing is to remain in the
])ublic mind save the memory of Snigg's End ! Labour
Exchanges have become bywords — the Indiana Commu-
nity is as silent as the waters of the Wabash by its
side — Orbiston is buried in the grave of Abram Combe —
Ralahine has been gambled away — the Concordia is a
strawberry garden — Manea Fen has sunk out of sight —
the President of Queenwood is encamping in the lanes — •
the blasts of the "Heralds of Community" have died
in the air — the notes of the " Trumpet Calls " have long
been still, and the trumpeters themselves are dead. It
may be said, as the Lord of the Manor of Rochdale *
wrote of a more historic desolation : —
The tents are nil silent, the banners alone,
The lances unlifted, the trumpets unblown.
Lord Byron.
THE STORY OF A DEAD MOVEMENT.
Examination of the Inanimate Body there.
Time, defamation, failures, losses, derision, distrust,
disappointment, dismay, appeared surely to have done
their work of utter destruction. Never human move-
ment seemed so very dead as this of Co-operation. Its
lands were all sold, its scrip had no more value, its
orators no more hearers. Not a pulse could be felt
throughout its whole frame, not a breath could be
discerned on any enthusiastic mirror held to its mouth.
The most scientific punctures in its body failed to elicit
any sign of vitality. Even Dr. Richardson would have
pronounced it a case of pectoral death.* I felt its cold
and rigid hand in Glasgow — the last '' Social Missionary ''
station which existed. Though not inexperienced in
the pathology of dead movements, the case seemed to
me suspicious of decease. All seemed over with the
poor prostrate thing. Wise Americans came over to
look at it, and declared with a shrug that it was a "gone
coon."' Political and social physicians pronounced life
quite extinct. Political economists avowed the creature
had never lived. Tlie newspapers, more observant of
it, thought it would never recover, which implied that, in
their opinion, it had been alive. The clergy, unenquiring
as they were then apt to be, never troubled themselves
on the point ; but, content that " Socialism " was reported
to be gone, furnished with delighted alacrity uncomfort-
able epitaphs for its tombstone.
Yet all the while tlie vital spark was there. Extreme
exhaustion, efforts beyond its strength, exaggerations,
experience had not taught it to control, had brought
upon it suspended animation. The first signs of latent
lile were discovered in Eochdale sometime subsequent.
In the meantime the great comatose movement lay
stretched, out of the world's view, but neither abandoned
nor disregarded by a few devoted Utopianists, who had
* Dr. W. B. Richardson maintains that men may recover from glacial
death, from pectoral death neyer.
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Great Consultation of the Medicine Men.
crept from under the slain, and other more experienced
adherents. Old friends administered to it, familiar faces
bent over it. For long unnoted years it found voice in
the " Reasoner," which said of it one thing always — " If
it be right it can be revived by devotion. Truth never dies
except it be deserted." Then a great consultation arose
among the social medicine men. The regular physicians
of the party, who held official or missionary diplomas,
were called in. The licentiates of the platform also
attended. The subscribing members of the Community
Society, the pharmaceutists of Co-operation, were at
hand. They were the chemists and druggists of the
movement, who compounded the recipes of the social
doctors, when new prescriptions were given out. Opinions
were not given in the order of the rank of the learned
advisers, but as the symptoms of the patient seemed
to warrant them, or as the contrariety of recommend-
ations given inspired rival doctors.. As in graver
consultations, some of the prescriptions were retaliatory,
and made rather with a view of differing from a learned
brother than of saving the patient. The only thing in
which the faculty present in this case agreed was, that
nobody proposed to bleed the invalid. There was clearly
no blood to be got out of him. Many readers may be
familiar with the names of the physicians. To them
and to others unacquaiiited with them, it will confirm
the reality of the story to give them : besides it may be
of service to the sociological profession, as some of the
doctors are still in practice. The first opinion pro-
nounced, caught up by the timid from the clamour
outside, was that mischief had arisen through want of
orthodoxy in Co-operation. It was thought that if it
was vaccinated, by a clergyman of some standing, with
the Thirty-nine Articles, it might get about again ; and
Mr. Minter Morgan produced a new design of a paral-
lelogram with a church in it — wisely desiring to show
that while the rejection of theological tenets was no
THE STORY OF A DEAD MOVEMENT.
Prescriptions of the Social Physicians.
impediment to co-operative association, neither was the
sincere profession of any form of religion a disqualifica-
tion. The worship of service and the worship of faith
were alike free in a social organisation, where all
conviction was equal. Some Scotch doctors advised the
Assembly's " Shorter Catechisms." A missionary, who
liad been a Methodist, thought that an infusion of
"VVesleyan fervour and faith might help it. A Sweden-
borgian said he knew the remedy, when " Shepherd "
Smith * persisted that the doctrine of Analogies would
set the thing right. Then the regular faculty took
•courage and gave their opinions. Mr. Ironside attested
with metallic voice that recovery was possible. Its
condition was so weak, that Pater Oldham f — with a
beard as white and long as Merlin's — prescribed for it
celibacy and a vegetarian diet. Charles Lane raised
the question, Should it be '' stimulated with milk ? "
which did not seem likely to induce in it any premature
or violent action. James Pierrepont Greaves suggested
that its " inner life " should be nurtured on a preparation
of mysticism, of which he was sole proprietor. Mr.
Galpin, with patriarchal stateliness, administered to it
_grave counsel. Thomas Whittaker presented a registry
of its provincial pulsations, which he said had never
ceased. Mr. Craig suggested fresh air, and if he meant
commercial air, there was need of it. George Simpson,
its best financial secretaiy, advised it neither to give
credit nor take it, if it hoped to hold its own. Dr.
John Watts prescribed it a business dietary, flavoured
with political econoni}^, which was afterwards found to
strengthen it. John Colicr Farn, who had the Chartist
* The Kev. J. E. Smith, who edited the " Shepherd " before he edited
the "Family Herald," which he made popular.
t The attenuated and picturesque Prin.-ipal of the Ham Common.
Coucordium.
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Hopes of Eecorery Entertained.
nature, said it wanted robust agitation. Alexander
Campbell, ■with Scotch pertinacity, persisted that it
would get round with a little more lecturing. Dr. Ti-avis
thought its recovery certain, as soon as it comprehended
the self-determining power of the will. Charles South-
well, in his fearless way, chafed at the timorous speech
and retractations of some of his colleagues, avowed that
the imprisonment of some of them would do the move-
ment good. William Chilton believed that persecution
alone would reanimate it, and bravely volunteered to
stand by the cause in case it occurred. Maltus Questell
Eyall, generously indignant at, the imprisonment of
certain of its friends for orthodox incapacity, spoke as
Gibbon was said to have written — " as though Chris-
tianity had done him a personal injury " — predicted that
Socialism would be itself again if it took courao;e and
looked its clerical enemies square in the face. Mr.
Allsop, always for boldness, counselled it to adopt Straf-
ford's motto of " Thorough." George Alexander Fleming
surmised that its proper remedy was better obedience to
the Central Board. James Rigb}^ tried to awaken its
attention by spreading before its eyes romantic pictures
of Communistic lite. Lloyd Jones admonished it, in
sonorous tones, to have more I'aith in associative duty.
Henry Hetherington, whose honest voice sounded like
a principle, advocated a stout publicity of its views.
James Watson, Avho shook hands, like a Lancashire man,
from the shoulder, with a fervour which you would have
cause to remember all the day after, grasped the sinking
cause * by the hand, and imparted some feeling to it,
which appeared to startle it a little. Mr. Owen, who
never doubted its vitality, regarded the moribund move-
ment with complacency, iis being in a mere millennial
trance. Harriet Martineau brought it gracious new»
* I am not sAe whether a " cause " has a " hand ; " perhaps it has, as it
certainly has a heart.
THE STORY OF A DEAD MOVEMENT.
The True Remedy Found.
from America of the success of votaries out there, which
revived it considerably. Jolm Stuart Mill inspired it
with hope, by declarinfr that there was no reason in
political economy why any self-helping movement of the
people should die. Mr. Ashurst looked on Avith his wise
and kindly eyes, to see that recovery was not made im-
possible by new administrative error. But none of the
physicians had restored it, if the solid-headed and
sagacious men of Rochdale had not discovered the
method of feeding it on projlts — the most nutritious diet
known to social philosophy — which, administered in
successive and ever increasing quantities, gradually
restored the circulation, opened its eyes, and set it up
alive again, with a vigour of action and capacity of
growth which the world never expected to see it dis-
play, and it forthwith began to look over society with
thousand of eyes, and operate upon it with a million hands.
In the narrative of the Lost Communities, which
benevolence projected, devotion attempted, and prema-
turity and incapacity destroyed, the reader has seen
that the last of them, that of Queenwood — the grandest
hope of Co-operation — vanished like a dream, Avhich
leaves a pain behind it. One day the higher conception
will revive as the lower form of it has, and men of more
experience, commanding larger means, and sustained
instead of frusti'ated by popular forces, will renew
the comprehensive attempt. Its failure, however, in
1844-5 was complete. A community was regarded in
social mechanics then as a sort of flying machine, and
it fulfilled the expectation of the day by falling down
like one.
The fall of Queenwood, alike when it became evident
and when it come to pass, intensified the discouragement
of Co-operation. Disappointed adherents kill propa-
gandism in all but the men of conviction, and the efforts
the undiscouraged made were discredited by the des-
pondency of those who had failed ; and it was not until
10 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Capacity of the Utopians.
a new generation arose that co-operative enthusiasm was
seen again.
It returned again through moral discontent with com-
merce. The Socialists were not cowards in commerce.
They could all take care of themselves in competition as
well as tlieir neighbours, and that their neighbours well
knew. The police in every town knew them as the best
disposed of the artizan class. Employers knew them as
the best workmen. Tradesmen knew them as men of
business, of disquieting ability. These societarian
improvers disliked the conspiracy against their neigh-
bours which competition compelled them to engage in,
and they were daily anxious to find some means of
mitigating it.
By what motive were the new Co-operators stirred
into action ? What impelled them to recommence that
dreary march towards success, when they had en-
countered so many failures by the way ? With no
one to favour or cheer them ; with no triumphs to
point to, to mitigate incredulity — what constrained
them to move forward ? Was it the improvement of
their condition ? If this was tlieir motive, why should
they alone be actuated by it, when their artizan com-
rades, in equally low circumstances, were inactive
and hopeless? Their main desire was not merely to
improve the chances, but to improve the morality of
industr}^ They disliked competition more than poverty,
and they imagined Co-operation would terminate or
mitigate both. Save for this belief, they had been no
more bold, or adventurous, or persistent, than their
compeers in labour.
It is of no consequence enquiring now how it comes
about, whether by fraud or fjite — the effect is the same —
that the great total of wealth, which capital and labour,
thought and industry, have produced ; are found in
possession of a few, and the many run about anxious
and precarious, strongly advised to emigrate without
THE STORY OF A DEAD MOVEMENT. 11
Inequality incurable by Insurrection.
Jelay — to some other land where they find the same or
a worse condition of things prevails. Of two parties to
one undertaking, the smaller number, the capitalists, are
able to retain profits sufficient for affluence, while the
larger number, the workers, receive a share hardly
sufficient to pay taxes ; and by no parsimony or self-denial
can they secure for themselves competence. No insurrec-
tion can remedy the evil. No sooner shall the bloody
field be still, than the same principle of competitive
struggling will reproduce the same inequalities, and the
victors of to-day be plundered to-morrow by those to
whom they have taught this murderous mode of redress.
A very different remedy has found fiivour among industrial
thinkers. By producers giving security and interest for
their own capital, and dividing the profits earned among
themselves alone, a new distribution of wealth is obtained
which accords capital equitable compensation, and secures
labour enduring provision. Thus the advocates of the new
form of industry by concert tried to induce society to
combat competition by Co-operation, which promises to
protect society from the further insurgency of individual-
ism ; by creating a field for its energy and security for its
reward. Instead of two men fighting which shall steal a
field, which neither can honestly hold, co-operators
agree to buy it, to till it and divide the produce. This
is the species of constructive Co-operation whose origin
and procedure is the new social feature of our time.
Though the precarious Co-operation of the Pioneer
Period went down, tiiere were distinguished advocates iu
various parts of Groat Britain who continued to speak on
behalf of concerted eftbrts for industrial improvement,
and writers were not wanting in the land, who main-
tained that new life in society was to be looked for in that
direction. Thus everywhere a small inspiration was
diffused, which inclined men in many towns to try Co-
operation again. Ilochdale was one of these, and its
distinction was, that it manifested so much vitality and
•12 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Forgotten Periodicals.
persistence in its methods, and achieved success so
striking, that its Equitable Pioneer Society became the
Pioneer Store upon which a thousand others have been
modelled.
To the reader who has not the previous volume in his
mind some details of the various journals, mentioned
in this chapter, which must be unknown to this genera-
tion of readers, may be useful. The " JSTorthern Star " is still
remembered. It was the organ of Feargus O'Connor,
sometime Member of Parliament for Nottingham. It was
edited by William Hill, a dissenting minister and writer on
grammar. It was printed by Joshua Hobson, then of
Leeds, wlio was also printer of the " New Moral World."
The "Northern Star" is best known as representing
physical force Chartism ; and its most dangerous advocates
had underground relations with the Tories, not of venality
but of passionate antagonism. The " Star in the East " was
edited by James Hill — no relation to the other Hill — but ten
times more disputative than the first Hill, who had great
attainments in that way. The " Star in the East " was the
largest newspaper the Communists ever had. It represented
a wise scheme of Educational Home Colonies- The " Work-
ing Bee " Avas the organ of the Manea Fen Community in
Cambridgeshire. The paper was a small four-leaved penny
quarto ; edited by Mr. James Thompson, who sometimes
carried pistols in his pocket — but seldom fired them off in the
"Bee," which was the organ of Hodgsonianism, after the
name of the wild projector of that scheme. The " Morning
Star," of Whitechapel, was an organ of Ham Commonism,
and represented the vegetarian community at that place and
the poetry of the editor — Mr. James Elmslie Duncan^
The most remarkable specimen I remember, was his
epigram on a draped statue of Venus —
Judge, ye gods, of my surprise,
A lady naked in her chemise !
THE STORY OF A DEAD MOVEMENT. 13
Peculiarities of Concordium Life.
We had poets in those days unknown to Mr. Swinburne
or Mr. Rosetti.
There were several '' Journals of Co-operation," small,
provincial and temporary, which made the mistake of
using the term " Co-operation " as part of their title, a
thing which few cared for and most persons distrusted.
The " Calendar " was actually called the " Newgate
Calendar," which the public took to be a registry of
rascals, ending their career at the Old Bailor. The
" Co-operative Miscellany" — there were several monthlies of
this name, from 1880 to 1833 — had the merit of tempering
Co-operation with general literature. The '^ Mirror " was
a better kind of small journal, in which other subjects were
to be seen besides Co-operation. The "Radical" was
political as well as Co-operative. It meant business, but
did not do much. One monthly bore the sub-title of
" Co-operative Register," recording particulars of new
productive societies — a sort of predecessor of Mr.
Greening's " Partnership Record," which appeared some
thirty years later. The "Commonweal," of 1845, was the
last journal, edited by James Hill, of contentious fame.
The " New Age," of the 1842 period, was a mystic paper,
well written and eccentric, the accredited organ of the
Ham Common Concordium, and represented Mr.
Pierrepont Greaves, celebacy, cabbages, cold toes, and
long beards. One night, 1 and Maltus Questell Ryall
walked from London to visit it. We found it by
observing the patriarch's feet projecting througli the
window. It was a device of the Concordium to ensure
ventilation and early rising. By a bastinado of the soles
of the prophet with pebbles, we obtained admission in the
early morning. JSalt, sugar, and tea, were alike
prohibited; and one lady who wished salt with the raw
cabbage supplied at breakfast, was allowed to have it,
on the motion of Mr. Stolzmeyer, the agent of Etzler's
" Paradise within the reach of all Men." Salt for the
lady was the only bit of the " Paradise " that I ever saw.
14 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Features of a Propagandist Journal.
When tlie salt was conceded it was concealed in paper
tinder the plate, lest the sio;ht of it should deprave the
weaker brethren. The ^' Shepherd " was the journal of
the llev. J. E. Smith. It undertook to govern the world
by analofries. It succeeded R. D. Owen's '' Crisis" of
1833. The ''Associate" was a small Manchester paper
of the 1830 period, the prettiest named and best printed^
and most varied in its contents of any paper of that
species. The " Pioneer" was a Trade Union paper, friendly
to co-operation. Mrs. Morrison, the widow of the editor,
was mistress of the tea-parties at the Salford Institute,,
when I first visited it in 1839. The " Pioneers," ''Monthly
Magazines," " Gazettes," and " Beacon's," the last a
favourite title warning people who had nothing to fear and
nothing to hope — were names of store journals, known in
the provinces between 1830 and 1840. Of "Heralds"
there were many. The last was the " Herald of
Progress," to which I contributed. It was started in
1846 in London, when all progress was ever. These
journals were short-lived, chiefly because the projectors
never distinguished between confirming journals and
propagandist journals. A confirming journal is a class
journal intended for confirming adherents, and interesting-
those of the same way of thinking. It is a mere class
journal bearing a class name, and seldom read by others.
A propagandist journal bears a neutral name or one of
general interest. It has several attractive features, of
which its propagandism is one — and but one.
BEGIIfNING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION. 15
Distinctiveness of Rochdale.
CHAPTER II.
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERA-
TION.
None from his follow strirt?,
IJiit plnying manly parts,
And like true English hearts,
Stuck close together.
Draijion.
Those who sleep on the banks of the Thames, near
Temple Bar, hear in the silence of the night a slow, inter-
mittent, pertinacious contest of clocks. Bow Bells come
pealing up the river ; St. Dunstan, St. Clement, St. Mar-
tin return the answering clangour of the hour. Between
the chiming and the striking, some earlier, some later,
sending out their challenging peals on the still air — there
suddenly bursts out amid them, the sonorous booming of
Big Ben from the Parliament House tower, easily com-
manding attention in the small Babel of riverside
tinklings, spreading its great waves of sound over them
all, and the wakeful hearer can coimt with certainty the
hour from him. "While lying listening to his welcome,
distinctive, and comprehensive roar, it has ofttimes
occurred to me that Rochdale was in some sense the Big
Ben of Co-operation, whose sound will long be heard in
history over that of many other stores. Before this
century was born Co-operation Avas audible on the banks
of the Humber, the Thames, and the Tyne. It made a
16 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
TJii-hill work, years ago.
courageous stir in Bradford twelve years before Rochdale
began in a determined way ; but when the great pale
finally arose from the banks of the Roche, Lancashire and
Yorkshire heard it. Scotland lent it a curious and
suspicious ear. Its reverberations travelled to France,
Italy, Germany, Russia, and America, and even at the
Antipodes settlers in Australia cau<jht its fjxr-travelling
peal, and were inspired by it. The men of Rochdale had
ihe very work of Sysiphus before them. The stone of
Co-operation had often been rolled up the hill elsewhere,
and as often rolled down again. In one place the strength
applied would be too small, and the thing found its way
to the bottom. In another of these efforts the pushers
got tired, and the obstinate stone soon had its own way
back. In another town it was being dragged up by credit,
when that rope breaking, the reluctant mass slipped into
a bog of debt, not far from the foot of the hill. Another
time it seemed getting well up, when the quality of its
provisions being found to be poor, its supporters fell off,
and the thing tumbled downward once more. At length
some enthusiasts gave it another turn, when some watch-
ful rascal made away with its profits, which had acted
as a wedge, steadying the weight on the hill, and the law,
%vhicli was on the side of the thieves, refusing to give a
hand, let the whole thing go again. Another set of
devotees took a turn at the great boulder, but, having
neoflected to put theological questions outside their move-
ment, they fell into discussion by the way, as to whether
Adam was or was not the first man ; when those who
said he was refused to push with those who said he was
not, and the result was that unfortunate Adam was the
cause of another fall in the new Eden, and the promising
Oo-operative boulder found its way once more to the
bottom of the hill in consequence. Then the tireless
Sysipheans took stout heart once more, and got it to a
higher point than ever, when they suddenly found out
that they did not know what to do with it, and left it to
BEGINNIis'G OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION. 17
What was done when the Top was reached.
roll back how it could. At length the Rochdale men took
the great stone in hand, and pushed away with their
patient and far-seeing purpose. They invented an interest
for everybody in pushing the thing well up. They stopped
up the debt bogs. They established a Wholesale Supply
Society, and made the provisions better. They got the
law amended, and cleared out the knaves who hung about
the till. They planned employment of their profits in
productive manufactures, so that the store might grow
ever more with its gains. They proclaimed toleration to
all opinions — religious and heretical alike — and recognised
none. They provided for the education of their members,
so that every man knew what to push for and where to
place his shoulder, and they pushed steadily and pushed
always, pushed on for years, and were the first men who
rolled the great stone to the top.
In those days when Co-operation recommenced there,
Rochdale had no hall which co-operators could afford to
hire, indeed I do not recollect whether the Public Hall
was then built, which was never a very large or grand
place at the best. And those who had places of meeting-
were not benevolently disposed towards the co-operators,
who were deemed a suspicious and rather ineligible
party. There was, however, a small square-looking
room, standing in the upper part of Yorkshire Street,
opposite to St. James's Church, and looking from
the back windows over a low, damp, marshy field. It
belonged to Mr. Zach Mellor, the Town Clerk, whose
geniality and public spirit have always been one of the
pleasant attributes of official Rochdale. He was, happily,
of opinion that any townsmen, however humble, desirous
of improving their condition by honest means, had as
much right as anybody else to do so, if they could. He
treated — as town clerks should, but seldom did in those
days — with civic impartiality all honest townsmen,
without regard to their social condition or the opinion>s
held by them. Through the intervention, I believe, of
c
18 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
A Lecture Eoom in Eoclidale.
Mr. Alderman Livesey, always the advocate of the
unfriended, this place was let to the adventurous
])arty of half Chartists and half Socialists who cared
for Co-operation. It was in this small Dutch-looking
meeting-house that I first spoke on Co-operation, in
1843. I well remember the murky evening when this
occurred. It was one of those damp, drizzling days, as
I have elsewhere said, when a manufacturing town looks
like a penal settlement. I sat watching the drizzling
rain and hurried mists in the fields as the audience
assembled — which was a small one. They came in one
by one from the mills, looking as damp and disconsolate
as their prospects. I see their dull hopeless-looking
faces now. There were a few with a bustling sort of
confidence, as if it would dissolve if they sat still — who
moved from bench to bench to say something which did
not seem very inspiring to those who heard it. When I
came to the desk to speak I felt that neither my subject
nor my audience was a very hopeful one. In those days
m}-" notes were far beyond the requirements of the
occasion ; and I generally left my hearers with the
im])ression that I tried to say too much in the time,
and that I spoke of many things without leaving
certainty in their minds which was the most important.
The purport of what I said, so far as it had a purport,
was to this effect : —
I
Some of you have had experience of Chartist Asso-
ciations, and you have not done much in that way yet.
That platform is a little ricketty, and the planks rather
awry. Some of you have taken trouble to create what
you call Teetotalers, but temperance depends more upon
social condition than exliortation. The hungry will feel
low, and the despairing will drink. You have tried to
establish a Co-operative Store here of late years and
have failed; and are not very hopeful of succeeding now.
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION. 19
A Propagandist Speech
The flour has got out of the bag, and the treacle has
trickled avvaj without profits. Now that sort of thing
ouorht to be tried a^rain, and will not interfere with
Chartism ; it will give it more means. It will not
interfere with Temperance ; it will furnish more motives
to sobriety. True, it has failed pretty conspicuously ;
but you ought not to think too much of that. Many of
you believe the thing to be right in principle, and if a
thing is right you ought to go on with it. Cobbett tells
you the only way to do a difficult thing is to begin and
•stick at it. Anybody can begin ; but it requires men of
a good purpose and good heart to stick at it. You have
got to collect a little money, and that, from people who
to all appearance have none, is not a hopeful under-
taking. Somebody must make up his mind to collect
small subscriptions, and get others to help him ; and
put it into the hands of some one who has honesty, until
you have a few pounds. You must make a few rules to
act upon for the security of subscribers. You must get
3. small room to serve as a sort of shop, and buy some
small articles such as you are most likely to sell. Get
them as good as you can, weigh them out fairly as you
ought. You have to be your own shopkeeper at first, and
you must buy what you want for your fiimilies at your
own store, when you have set it up ; persuade your neigh-
hours to become members and buy there also. You will
have some trouble at home, because, perhaps, your wives
will prefer going to the old shops, not knowing that credit
is catching and debt is the disease they get. Sometimes
your goods will be no better, perhaps not so good, as the
shopkeeper's, and some of your articles may be a little
dearer. Besides, a wife will not always have money to
buy things at the store, and will want to go where she
can get them without, but unless you have the sense to
«ee clearly, and see always that buying at the store is the
only way to make it grow, you will not keep it going ;
but if you do go on with it you will get profit, and
20 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Common Sense in Associaliun.
what you save Avill be your own, and your stock will
grow, and you will get things as good as your neigh-
bours, and as cheap as your neighbours. Besides, when
you have a shop as large as that of ten shops, you will
save the shopkeeping expenses of ten shops, and that will
make profit which will be shared by all members. If you
want to help the Community in Hampshire, you will then
be able to do it. You may be able to build a hall where
you can meet. You may be able to set apart some
portions of your profit for a news-room and little Kbrary
where members may spend their evenings, instead of
going to the public-house, and save money that way, as
well as get information. This is the way stores have
been begun. This you know very well, and some of them
have succeeded, and might have succeeded much more,
if those beorinninof them had known the art of holdino-
well together. This reqmres not only good will, but
patience, and depends upon a man seeing that nearly all
people would do better if they knew how. Chartists do
not understand this. They do not see that a knave i&
mostly a fool, and, through ignorance, they think him a
scoundrel by design, and denounce him instead of giving-
him information. Temperance people do not understand
it, for, instead of regarding moderation as a virtue, they
treat it as an offence, which makes unity very difficult
with them, because they make improvement impossible
except with fanatics, who live in extremes. But you
Co-operators have been instructed that all men are
diff'erent by nature, and come into the world with the
passions and tendencies of their parents, and ignorance
and adversity make the bad worse and the good indif-
ferent. In any society you know, that variety of opinion
and impulse, passion and meanness, generosity and
devotion, noble self-denial, pettiness and selfishness will
mingle together, and the most opposite qualities will
exist at the same time in the same person. Anger at
what yon do not like, or what you do not expect, can
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION. 21
Unity the first condition of Success.
only proceed from ignorance taken by surprise. Great
tolerance and steadfast good-will are the chief virtues of
association. You will want economy, a little business
sense, but the rhyme which tells the young speaker to
gpeak slowly, and emphasis and variety of tone will
come of themselves, has meaning for you. "Learn to
speak slow, and other graces will follow in their proper
places." There is instruction in this couplet for you if
we change a woi'd or two to express it —
Learn to unite — all otbei* graces
Will follow in their wished-for places.
You will have more advantages than others in uniting.
If you do not regard all creeds as being equally true
iind equally useful, you regard them as equally to be
respected. Whether or not you can attain to industrial
equality, you have at least cleai'ed the way to it by
establishing religious and conscientious equality. In
Co-operative associations success is always in the power
of those who can agree. There the members have no
enemies who can harm them but themselves ; and when
A man has no enemy but himself, he is a fool if he
cannot have a friend. Your reputation is not very high
I am afraid at this time — in the pulpits ; but preachers
ought to see that you are free from one great trouble.
Pope, who had great discrimination in men and
inanners, tells you that —
The devil is wiser now than in the days of yore ;
Now he tempts by making rich, and not by making poor.
Tlicre is certain consolation in that. He has not been
w ith you on that business. He is not likely to pay you
iuiy of his })ecuniary attentions. Y'our difficulties will lie,
not in negotiating with 1dm, but in so stating your case to
your neighbours and those able to influence public
•opinion against you, that they shall see the good sense
iiaid moderation of your aims. The main thing you
c 2
22 HISTOKY OF CO-OPERATION.
The futility of " Tall Statements."
have to avoid is what the Yankees call '' tall statements."
Making them is not an unpleasant thino^ to do. It
requires no care ; it always produces an effect, and the
speaker is not required to ascertain whether there is
any possibility of realising what he promises. But
though the believer, in his enthusiasm, does not notice
his deficiency, unsympathetic critics do. We are all
agreed here that competition has a disagreeable edge.
But if we should be betrayed into saying that we
intend to abolish it, we must remember that it exists-
everywhere ; and to abolish competition all over the-
world is a big undertaking. It took centuries to
supersede the feudal system, and it may take longer
to supersede competition. It is enough for us to say,
we mean to mitigate competition, and so far as we are
concerned, abolish the necessity of benevolence ; as the-
industrious should be in a position above needing any
man's charity. Those who cannot regulate their speech,
and others who imagine that because one extreme is
wrong the opposite extreme must be right, will brinij
us trouble. If you describe your object as that of
superseding competition, you will be called upon to
explain how you will conduct the world without it^
which will require a larger answer than you are able
to give ; and by laying yourselves open to the question,
you are at the mercy of all the foolish adversaries,
who fasten upon what you say and never recognise
what you mean. It has been the prudent custom of
co-operators, when they open a store, to sell their pro-
visions at market prices. If you profess you are goincr
to make Co-operation universal, opponents will ask you
how you will find out the market price, when there are
no markets left. There are ]:)eople who would ask the
Apostles how they intended to apply the doctrine of
atonement for sin, when the millennium arrives, and all
people are perfect. Beware of enquirers who are born
before their time, and who spend their lives in puttino-
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION. 23
The Limits of Propagandist Assertion.
questions which will not need answering for centuries
to come. Whether competition can be dispensed v>ith
in all things is a qiaestion nobody need raise this cen-
tury. In some respects, competition is certainly an
evil, so much most persons will admit. In some things
it can manifestly be superseded. This most persons
see. And this is enough to contend for. It is an error
in propagandism to affirm more than can be readily
proved. All beyond is theory, and has no place in
practical movements. It is certain that no co-operator
was ever more mad than the absolute defenders of com-
petition. But those who mean improvement should
never go mad. It delays progress. Like war, com-
petition is not a bad thing for the victors ; but it is no
longer a weapon for the poor. Competition fights vv-ith
capital, and the poor have none. Your outlook down
here just now is not very lively. If you increase in
numbers the tradesman does not like it. It means more
poor rates for him to pay. The gentry do not like it.
It means that they will have to cut you down, if riot
should follow famine. The only persons whom over-
population profits are those who hire labour, because
numbers make it cheap. Your condition is so bad that
fever is your only friend, which kills off your neighbours
without exciting ill feeling, thins the labour market, and
makes wages rise. The children of the poor are less
comely than they would be were they better fed, and
their minds, for want of instruction, are leaner than their
bodies. The little instruction they get is the bastard know-
ledge given by the precarious, grudging, intermitting,
humiliating hand of charity.* Take notice of the changed
condition of things since the days of our forefathers.
* There were no School Boards in those days, and tlie Dissenters pre-
vented there being any, and offered us instead good-natured hut shai)bV\
limping, inefijcicnt voluntary educitiou, which never could, and never did
educate a quarter of the people.
24 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Unconsciousness of the " Sovereign People."
The stout pole-axe and the lusty arm availeth not now
to the braA-e. The battle of life is fought now with the
tongue and the pen, and the rascal who has learning is
more than a match for a hundred honest men without
it. Anybody, save yourselves, can see that the little
money you get is half wasted, because you cannot spend
it to advantage. The worst food comes to the poor,
which their poverty makes them buy, and their neces-
sity makes them eat. Their stomachs are the waste
baskets of the market. It is their lot to swallow all
the adulterations in the State. Besides, what you buy,
comino- to you through the hands of a hundred trades-
men, is taxed to keep a hundred little households before
it reaches your tables. The necessity of the shopkeeper
is not his fault. The evil is the fault of the system.
Too many dealers are the fungus growth of a rank com-
petition ; and so long as you accept in their shops a
convenience you do not provide for yourselves, it would
be shabby to begrudge them payment. He who asks
for credit is owned by him who gives it. In these
days you all set up in a little way as politicians. You
go in for the Charter. You allow agitators to address
you as the '^ sovereign people." You want to be electors,
and counted as persons of political consequence in the
State ; and be treated as only gentlemen are now. Now,
being a gentleman does not merely mean having money.
There are plenty of scoundrels who have that. That
which makes the name of gentleman sweet is being a
man of good faith and good honour. A gentleman is
one who is considerate of others ; who never lies, nor
fears, nor goes into debt, nor takes advantage of his
neighbours ; and the poorest man in his humble way
can be all this. If you take credit of a shopkeeper you
cannot, while you owe him money, buy of another. In
most cases you keep him poor by not paying him. The
flesh and bones of your children are his property. The
very plumpness of your wife, if she has it, belongs to
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION. 25
Humiliations of the Indebted.
your butcher and your baker. The pulsation of your
own heart beats by charity. The clothes on your backs,
such as they are, are owned by some tailor. He who
lives in debt walks the streets a mere mendicant machine.
Thus all debt is self-imposed degradation, and he who
incurs it lives in bondage and shabbiness all his days.
It is worth while trying Co-operation again to get out of
this.
III.
[Knowing that men often think they will do a thing
and then — don't; because they imagine they can see an
easier way of doing it — I asked: — ] Is there an}^ avenue
of competition through which you could creep ? If there
is, get up it. You cannot begin manufacturing — you
have no money for that. Though this store-movement
began as a sort of jury for trying shopkeepers, and
has generally brought them in guilty, no doubt here
and there a juror would try a little shopkeeping
himself, if he thought it would answer in a new
neighbourhood. But if a few of those precarious spots
were found, the poorest could do no good in them.
Competition can only be used now by those who
have capital. Fraud itself only pays now on a large
scale. Neither by fighting nor fraud can you better
yourselves. You have neither money enough to buy
arms, nor capital enough for business in which, when
well and unscrupulously planned, an extensive plunder
can be gathered. In another country you might have a
chance ; in England you have none. Every bird in the
air, every fish in the stream, every animal in the woods,
every blade of grass in tlio fields, every inch of ground
has an owner, and there is no help excei)t that of self-
help for any one, and that lies in the path of Co-opera-
tion. If, however, you begin business on the principle
of equity, you must look well to it ; for if you fail, it
will be said you are not " men of business," and you
26 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
"Men of Business."
Avill not soon get over that. If you say you failed
through trying to be honest, nobody will excuse you or
believe you; so few people are known ever to run that
risk. It is not considered " business-like." Society is
far more respectful to those who succeed without honesty
than to those who fail through it. Be sure of this —
honour in any path has to fight its ways through the
world. Honesty, like good faith, has its liabilities.
There are those who tell you of the advantages of truth,
but never tell you of its dangers. Truth is a great
dignity, but it is also a great peril ; and unless a man
knows both sides of it, he will turn into the easy road of
prevarication, lying, or silence, the moment he meets
with the danger he has not foreseen, and which had
not been foretold to him. Co-operation will have its
difficulties. When you have saved a little money, and
got a little store, and have reached the point of getting
pure provisions, Avhich will not be reached very soon,
you Avill find your purchasers will not like them, nor
know them when they taste them. Their taste will be
required to be educated. They have never eaten the
pure food of gentlemen, and Avill not know the taste of
it when you bring it to their lips. The London mechanic
does not know the taste of pure coffee. What he takes
to be coffee is a decoction of burnt corn and chicory.*
A friendf of mine, knowing this, thought it a pity work-
men should not have pure coffee, and opened a coffee-
house in the Blackfriars Road, where numerous mechanics
and engineers passed in the early morning to their work
at the engine shops over the bridge. They were glad to
gee an early house open so near their work. They tried
the coffee a morning or two and went away without
showing any marks of satisfaction. They talked about
* This was more than thirty years ago, and Metropolitan coffee has
improved. I rather exaggerated its quality at that period.
t Mr. Huggett, secretary of the Middlesex Reform Association, well
itaown in Liberal and Co-operative movements from 1830 to 1850.
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION. 27
Unpopularity of Pure Food.
it in their workshops. The opinion arrived at was,
" they had never tasted such stuff as that sold at the
new place." But before taking decisive measures they
took some shopmates with them to taste the suspicious
beveraire. The unanimous conclusion thev came to was
that the new coffee-house proprietor intended to poison
them, and if he had not adulterated his coffee a morning-
or two later they would have broken his windows or his-
head. As it was, the evil repute he had acquired ruined
his project; and a notice "To let," which shortly after
appeared on the shutters, gave consolation to his indig-
nant customers.'''
IV.
[As men half resolved, apprehensive, or still uncon-
vinced, loaf about the edge of action, misleading thos&
who think they are going to move, it seemed desirabl&
to call attention to the responsibility of indecisive pro-
fession of opinion.]
What of ambition or interest has industry in this
grim, despairing, sloppy, f hole of a town, where the
parish doctor and the sexton (who understand each
other) are the only friends the workman has. Are there
not some here who have lost mother or father, or wife,
or child, whose presence made the sunshine of the
household which now knows them no more ? Does not
the very world seem deserted now that voice has gone
* It ought to be explained that imbecility of taste is not confined tO'
xrorkmen. Some years later a West End brewer, v ell known as a Member
of Parliament and ae a scrupulous man of business, tried the experiment
of producing the purest beverages chemistry could preseribo. Soun, how-
ever, such notices of dissatisfaction came in from his respectable customer?
of all classes that ho was fain to desisr.. Many wine merchants make
fortunes out of the ignorant palates of their customers.
t Rochdale has improved since tho?e days. It has now a Town Ilall
■worth a day's journey to see. Tb.e Pioneers' Central Store is a Duge's
palace compared with any town building wliich existed, and it does not
seem to rain so much in Rochdale as in pre-co-operative times.
28 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
What seems true should be "put through."
out of it ? What would one not give, how far would one
not go, to hear it as usual ? Death will not speak, how-
ever earnestly we pray to it ; hut we might get out of
living industry some voice of joy that might gladden
thousands of hearts to hear. In all England now
industry has no tone that makes any human creature
glad. Listen with the mind's ear to the cry of every
■manufacturing town. What is there pleasant in it? *
•Co-operation might infuse a tone in it a Statesman might
he willing to hear.
if you really think that the principle of the thing is
wrong, give it up — clear your minds of it — announce to
your neighbours, or to any one whom you have endea-
voured to convince of the truth of it, that you have come
to a different opinion. This you ought to do as candid
men of right spirit, so that any adopting the opinion you
iiave abandoned may understand they must hold it for
reasons of their own, and cannot any longer plead such
sanction or authority as your belief might lend to their
proceedings. If, however, you have convictions that
tliis is a thirg to be put through, put it through — and if
you take due precaution, and persevere in your intent,
you will surely carry your point. No blundering of
speech, no folly in enthusiastic intention will be remem-
bered against you when you are successful. Progress
has its witches, as Macbeth had, but the bottom of their
old cauldron is pretty Avell burnt out now. There will
always be persons who will tell you that others have
failed, again and again, and that you pretend to be the
wise person, Avhom the world was waiting for to show it
* Co-operative speakers at that day seldom spoke of hired labour being
superseded by self-employment. Few coneeiyed it, and, if any had, there
were no hearers who would believe it. Increase of wages, or prospect of
competence, there was none in the minds of workmen. Had some said
■there would be no more reduction of wages, they would have thought the
(millennium had come. I know it, for I lived long in workshops and never
inew a man who had hope of the kind. I never knew the news of self-
iielp was in the world, until I found that the Co-operators had it.
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION. 29
The presumption of the Discoverer.
how the thing could be done. * But every discoverer
who found out what the world was looking for, and never
met with; every scientific inventor who has persist«l
in improving the contrivance, which all who went before
him failed to j)erfect, has been in the same case, and
everybody has admitted at last that he was the one wise
man the world was waiting for, and that he really knew
what nobody else knew, and really saw what none w1k>
went before him had seen so well. You have this-
assurance to strengthen you, that Co-operation has-
often succeeded far enough to show that somethin*'-
can be made of it. But no set of men have per-
sisted in it long enough to show the capacity of tlio
thing for the purpose of industrial advantages. The-
only thing wanting to make it a new power, evident
to working-class eyes — is perseverance in it. If it
wanted much money to begin it, or needed extra-
ordinary powers of mind to manage it, you mio-ht
reasonably despair of succeeding where others have
failed. Perseverance is in the power of the humblest.
It only requires the courage of continuing what the
obscurest man is able to begin. If you were to take one-
of those microscopes which arc now coming into use*
and gather the stem of a rosebud and examine it, you
would see a number of small insects, called aphis^
travelling along it, in pursuit of some object interestino-
to its tiny mind. The thing is so small that you can
scarcely discern it with the naked eye, but in a micro-
scope you see it stretch forth its little arms and lef^s
carefully feeling its way, now stretching out a foot^
* In a review of Dr. H. Travis's book on " Effectual Reform," a short
time ago, I was surprised to find the dihipidated old argument turn up in
an unexpected quarter, like an eccentric beggar at a ball. " But there is
(the reviewer said) just one littl^ drawback in all these charming pictures ;
the model village is not built yet, and nobody has ever set about it quite
the right way, says our projector, but only let ' me' fet about it, and this
time you shall really sec I " — Saturday Review, Oct. IG, 1875.
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Wisdom of Insects.
moving slowlj along the side, touching carefully the
little projections, moving the limb in the outer air,
feeling for a resting-place, never leaving its position till
it finds firm ground to stand upon, showing more
prudence and patience before it has been alive an hour
than the mass of grown men and women show when
they are fifty years of age. The aphis begins to move
when it is a minute old, and goes a long way before it
■dies. It does not appear to wait for the applause of
surrounding insects. So far as I have observed, it does
aiot ask what its neighbours think, nor to pay much
attention to what they say after it has once set out. Its
wise little mind seems devoted to seeing that in every
step forward its foothold is secure. If you have half
the prudence and sagacity of these little creatures, who
are so young that their lives have to be counted by
minutes, and are so small you might carry a million
of them in your waistcoat pocket,* you might make
Co-operation a thing to be talked about in Rochdale.
Of course it is no easy task for you to seek colleagues
among dismayed comrades, and convince them that
re-attempting a Co-operative Store was the only chance
of extrication for men who had failed by strikes — their
only chance to raise their wages— they who have small
means, few friends, and are distracted, divided, and
<liscouraged. Still it is worth noting that only common-
place natures let bad things have their way. Difficulties
which are dumb to the coward betray themselves by
speech to the brave. Clear your minds of hesitations —
acquire the dignity of those who have a purpose beyond
themselves — take your measures with your eyes open —
oombine your means — keep terms with the wrong-headed,
but keep no terms with inactivity — and confront the
difficulties of your enterprise boldly — do not, like crabs,
* These prompt little people, born in the morning, marry before
brsakfast, are grandfathers by the afternoon, and rank as city fathers
before the sun goes down.
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OrERATIOK. 31
Directness the sign of manly purpose.
walk sideways to your graves, but do some direct, reso-
lute thing before you die. Of course I expressed, as I
had done elsewhere, my conviction tliat the right men
•could do the right thing. My final words were as posi-
tive as* those used by a great master in the art of ex-
jjressing wilfulness*, whose words I use now instead of
my own : —
This I cannot tell,
Whence I do know it ; but that I know it I know,
And by no casual or conjectural proof
Nor yet by test of reason ; but I know it
Even as 1 know I breathe, see, hear, feel, speak,
And am not dead and senseless of the sun
That yet I look on : so assuredly
I know I shall not die —
until I see Co-operation succeed here or elsewhere.
I know I said something quite as wild or pertinacious
as this, for when the applause came which generally
followed this kind of lecture, chiefly, no doubt, because the
audience were glad it was over, something was said
which implied the impression that a real fanatic had
come to Rochdale at last. Other advocates oft visited
the town, and spoke to the same effect. This address recited
above is but a sample of the arguments of that propagandist
time. If we did not inspire, we at least confirmed the in-
spiration the hearers had taken from their own courao-e
and good sense.! It was no use speaking at all in tho°e
days, unless to try to promote useful action. And for
twenty years after that time, whenever I arrived in Roch-
dale, some store leaders met me at the railway station, and
-^vhen I asked '' Where I was to go to ? " the answer was,
^' Thou must come and see Store." My portmanteau was
taken there, my letters were addressed tliere, my corres-
* Bothwell. By A. C. Swinburne.
1 1 might add, and traditions of their own town, for some know wlmt T
did not know then, of struggles and stores and old endeavours wliich hud
purpose in theiu.
32 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Unexpected Features of Scottish Co-operation.
pondence was written there, and my host was commonly
James Smithies, or Abram Greenwood. My earliest
recollection is of having chops and wool at Smithies', foi'
he was a waste dealer, and the busy odour was all over
the house.
The ascendency of a movement demanding boldness and
intelligence was to be looked for in some larger town
than Rochdale. But the larger the town and the greater
the need of stores, the less is the probability of success.
In a large town there is greater diversity of life and
occupation, greater facilities for diversion, less intimacy of
social life, greater difficulties of business publicity, greater
allurements for making purchases of speculative goods,
greater obstacles in the way of concentrating the
energies of a sufficient number of persons upon one
object, greater mobility of employment among workmen,
and less likelihood of a dozen or two of men remaining
long enough together, pursuing with self-denying zeal
one object year after year, acquiring the mutual
instruction and mutual interest necessary to build up
a Co-operative store and make it grow. Glasgow is the
first town where any prophet, having regard to his
reputation, by basing his prediction on probabilities,
would say Co-operation would answer. The thrift,
patience, sagacity, and clanship of the Scottish race
seem to supply all the natural conditions of gain in a
scheme of economy and concert. But though the Scotch
are the last people to turn back when they once set out,,
their prudence is stronger than their courage at the out-
set, and they wait to see who will go first. They prefer
joining a project when they see it succeeding. There
are men in Scotland as ready to go out on forlorn hopes
which promise usefulness as in any part of the world,,
but these are exceptions. As a rule, the people there
are not given to alacrity in taking risks of a speculative
nature.
It came to pass that the men of Rochdale took the fieldl
BEGINNING OF CONSTRUCTIVE CO-OPERATION. 33
Leaders of the Constructive Period.
like the men of Harlech, and Co-operation recommenced
with them. And amid them the reader must look for the
l)irth of constructive Co-operation. The new field now
beofins to be covered with a new class of advocates.
Alderman Livesey aided the new movement by his stout-
hearted influence. William Smithies, whose laugh was
like a festival, kept it merry in its struggling years.
William Cooper, with his Danish face, stood up for it.
He had what Canon Kingsley called the " Viking blood "
in his veins, and pursued every adversary who appeared
in public, with letters in the newspapers, confronted
them on platforms, and left them no peace until he had
confuted them to his own satisfaction, and that of his
colleagues. Abrara Greenwood came to its aid with his
quiet purposing face, which the " Spectator " '^ said some
time ago, " ought to be painted by Rembrandt," pos-
sibly because that artist, distinguished for his strong
contrasts, would present the white light of Co-operatiou
emerging from the dark shades of Competition. And
others, Avhose names we have elsewhere recorded,!
contributed in that town to the great revival.
* LoDdon " Spectator.'
t History of Co-operation in Eochdale. Parts I. and II.
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Equity the true Name of Co-operation.
CHAPTER III.
THE DISCOVERY WHICH CREATED CO-
OPERATION.
Tbey gare me advice and counsel in store,
Praised me and honoured me more and more ;
Said that I only should " wait awhile ; "
Offered their patronage, too, with a smile.
But, with all their honour and approbation,
I should, long ago, hare died of stai-vation ;
Had there not come an excellent man,
Who bravely to help me along began.
Good fellow ! he got me the food I ate,
His kindness and care I shall never forget ;
Yet I cannot embrace him — though other folks can :
For I myself am this excellent man !
Heine— translated hy Leland.
The men of Rochdale Tvere they who first took the name
of Equitable Pioneers. Their object was to establish
equity in industry — the 'idea which best explains the
spirit of modern Co-operation. It would have been an
advantage if other societies had been attracted by this
excellent term — equity. Industrial Equity is a better
term than Co-operation. Equity is as pretty a name as
utility. Equitarian is not a longer name than Utilita-
rian ; and even Equitablism would at least mean more
than Co-operation, since it would imply an equitable
share of work, and also an equitable share of profit, which
the word Co-operation does not connote. Among them
was an original, clear-headed, shrewd, plodding thinker,
THE DISCOVERY WHICH CREATED CO-OPERATION. 35
Searching for Something.
if that junction of terms be intelligible — one Charles
Howartli, who set himself to devise a plan by which
capital could be obtained, and the permanent interest of
the members secured. It was that the profits made by-
sales should (instead of being taken by the few who were
shareholders) be divided among all members who made
purchases at the stores, in proportion to the amount they
spent there, and that the shares of profits coming due to
them should remain in the hands of the directors until it
amounted to £5, and they should be registered as
shareholders of that amount. This sum they would not
have to pay in out of their pockets, for the good reason that
they had not, and were never likely to have, the money.
The store would thus save their shares for them, and they
would thus become shareholders without it costing them
anything; so that if all went wrong they lost nothing ;
and if they stuck like sensible men to the store, they
might save in the same way other £5, which they could
draw out as they pleased. Thus by this obvious scheme
— obvious when once devised — the store ultimately
obtained £100 of capital from each twenty members.
For this capital they paid an interest of five per cent, as
an encouragement to members to adhere to the store and
save. Of course, before any store could commence by
which members could make profits in this way, some of
the more enterprising promoters must subscribe some
capital in small sums or otherwise with which to obtain
the first stock. This capital in Eochdale was mostly
raised by weekly subscriptions of twopence. For every
pound so subscribed an interest of five per cent, also was
payable, if the day of profit ever came. In order that
there might be as much profit as possible to divide among
purchasers, as a means of attracting more members,
interest was always kept down at five per cent. ; and
hence five per cent, has become to be regarded as the Co-
operative standard rate of interest. The merit of this
scheme was that it tended to create capital among men
36 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Originality of Charles Howarth.
who had none, and allured purchasers to the store by the
prospect of a quarterly dividend of profits upon their
outlay. Of course those who had the largest families
had the largest dealings, and it appeared as though the
more they ate the more they saved — a fortunate illusion
for the hungry little ones who abounded in Rochdale in
those days.
The device of dividing profits with purchasers, had
occurred to others before it did to Mr. Howarth, though
it was original with him. It had been seventeen years
in operation at no very great distance from Rochdale.
It might occur to the reader that Mr. Howarth might
have heard of it. It is singular that it was not until
twenty-six years after Mr. Howarth had devised his plan
of 1844, that any one was aware that it was in operation
in 1827. Mr. William Nuttall, in compiHng a statistical
table for me for insertion in the " Reasoner " in 1870^
discovered that an unknown society, at Meltham Millsy
near Huddersfield, had existed for forty-three yearsy
having been commenced in 1827, and had divided
profits on purchases from the beginning. But it found
neither imitators nor propagandists in England.
Mr. Alexander Campbell also claimed to have recom-
mended the same principle in an address which he drew
up for the Co-operative bakers of Glasgow, in 1822 r
that he fully explained it to the Co-operators of Cam-
buslang, who adopted it in 1831 ; and that a pamphlet was
widely circulated at the time containing what he said
upon the subject. Mr. Campbell further declared that
in 1840 he lectured several times in Rochdale, and in
1843-4, when they were organising their society of
Equitable Pioneers, they consulted him, and he advised
them by letter to adopt the principle of dividing profits
on purchases, after paying interest on capital; and, at
the same time, assisted in forming the London Co-
operative Society on the same principle. No one has
ever produced the pamphlet referred to, or any copy of
THE DISCOVERY 'WHICH CREATED CO-OPERATION. 37
Alexander Campbell's Claim of Precedence.
the rules of any Scotch society, in which the said plan
was described. I recollect nothing of the kind at that
date in London. Yet it is not unlikely that Mr. Campbell
had the idea before the days of Mr. Howarth. It might
be that some copies of the Cambuslang rules may have
found their way to Meltham Mills, as co-operative
publications from the Sussex coast found their way in
1829 to Halifax and Bradford. It is more likely that
the idea of dividing profits Avith the customer was
separately originated. Though no one can produce any
<jopy of the Cambuslang rules of 1829, nor of the
recommendation to the first Glasgow Co-operative Baking
Society : this is not an argument against Mr. Campbell's
claim. Few persons preserve records of suggestions
or rules which attracted small attention in their day.
Mr. Campbell was very likely to have been consulted
by the Rochdale Pioneers in 18-43-4, more likely than
■by any other " Social Missionary," seeing that he alone,
■of all of them, was at the Orbiston community of Abram
Combe, in 1826 ; and he, doubtless, gave the advice he
states ; which being given then, would be confirmatory
of Mr. Howarth's plan, which all the Pioneers con-
temporary with him believed to be original with him.
The records of the patent offices of all countries show
that the most important inventions have been made over
and over again, by persons who have been painfully
startled to find that the idea, which had cost them the
best years of their lives to work out, had been perfected
before they were born. Coincidence of discovery in
mechanics, in literature, and in every department of
human knowledge, is an axiom of criticism among men
of experience. Original ideas often occur to busy or
cogitative minds. It is only when they occur to men of
strong understandings who seize upon them, discern their
applications and advantages, and work out the mode of
realizing them, to whom the merit belongs of really
discovering them. From 1822 to 1844 stores limped
%>*^t->VJ>
38 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Public Taken into Partnership.
alonG^ and failed to attract growing custom, while-
dividends were paid only on capital. During this time
many minds must have been occupied in devising some
method of increasinjx the interest of customers. To
workmen unaccustomed to accounts, difficulties must
have been felt in making out how books could be kept
recording purchases, and dividing fractions of profit on
small amounts. The solution proved simple enough even-
tually, and the process when devised, of giving metal
checks — introduced at Rochdale — representing the amount
of purchases, which the buyer kept made it simpler still.
Then, while the purchases were small, the trouble would
appear greater than it was worth, and so long as dividends
were trifling, the interest in the operation would be small.
To explain the plan, to insist upon it, to devise its details,
and carry them out during hopeless years of slow progress,
was an affair of good sense, of strong sense, and human
faith. And these Avei'e the merits of Mr. Howartli and
the Rochdale Pioneers.
It was thus by taking the public into partnership that
the revival of Co-operation came about. How slowly
the first steps were taken on this new line of advance —
what patience, sagacity, and enthusiasm it required
to inci'ease the travellers upon it — what prejudice law,
religion, and ignorance put in the way — what moral
improvement and pecuniary benefit have resulted to
hundreds of thousands of fajnilies since is already matter
of history. * The circumstances under which this device
was made presents some facts not generally noticed, or
not taken into account, if they are. When Mr. Howartli
made the proposal to divide profits among purchasers it
was the device of despair. Stores, as has been related,^
* The story told in " Self -Help, or History of the Equitable Pioneers
of Rochdale," by the present author, has been re-told by translators and
independent observers in many languages, and need not be recited here.
The object of this book is to present a general surrey of the whole English
moyemanl.
THE DISCOVERY WHICIJ CREATED CO-OPERATION. 39
Unforeseen Results.
Lad been argued down in some cases by impatient com-
munists, and had gone down in other cases pretty much
of their own accord. Not a few had been aided in
their descent by a state of the law which favoured the
development of rascal officers. Few persons believed
stores could be re-established. When, therefore, on the
revival, customers at the store were scarce and uncertain,
it was so small a sum that was likely to arise to be given
them, and for a long time it was so little that it proved
little attraction. The division of profits among customers,
though felt to be a promising step, not being foreseen as
a great fortune, it was readily agreed to. Ko one foresaw
what a prodigious amount it w^ould one day be. Last
year (1876) the profits of the Rochdale Store amounted
to £50,668, and the profits of the Halifax Store reached
£19,820, and those of Leeds £34,510. Had these profits
existed in Mr. Howarth's time, and he had proposed to
give such amazing sums to mere customers, he would have
been deemed mad, and not half a dozen persons would
have listened to him outside the " theoretical " co-
operators. When twenty members constituted a society,
and they made with difficulty ten shillings a year of
profit altogether, the proposal to divide it excited no
suspicion. A clear income of sixpence a year, as the
result of twelve months' active and daily attention to
business, excited no jealousy. But had £40,000 been
at the disposal of the committee, that would have seemed
a large fortune for forty directors, and no persuasive
power on earth would have induced them to divide that
among the customers. Up to that time the shareholders
in most places were merely multiplied shopkeepers, and
tliey took all the profits. Had Rochdale directors of that
day imagined wliat immense sums co-operation would
one day place at their disposal in that town, they would
never have admitted the customer into partnership, nor
carried out the proposal made. It would have been
said ** What right has the customer to the gains of
40 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
First Effects of Co-operative Success.
our trade ? What does he do towards creating them ?
He gets vahie received for his money. He gives no
thought, he has no cares, he performs no duties, he takes
no trouble, he incurs no risks. If we lose he pays no
loss. Why should we enrich him by what we win?"
Nobody then could have answered these questions, or
stated successfnlly the consumers' case. But when the
proposal came in the insiduous form of dividing scanty
and doubtful profits, with scarce and reluctant customers,
Mr. Howarth's scheme was adopted, and Co-operation
rose from the grave in which ignorance, impotence, and
short-sighted greed had buried it, and it began the
mighty and stalwart career with which we are now
conversant. It really seems as though the best steps we
take never would be taken, if w^e knew how wise and right
they were.
At length the time came when substantial profits were
made — palpable profits, actually paid over the counter,
tangible in the pocket, and certain of recurrence, with
increase, at every subsequent quarter day. It took
some years to attain to them. But time was not counted
when they did come. The fact was so unexpected that
when it was generally divulged it had all the freshness and
suddenness of a revelation to outsiders. The effect of
this patient and obscure success was diffused about, as
we might say, in apostolical language — "noised abroad."
There needed no advertisement to spread it. When
profits — a new name among workpeople — were found to
be really made, and known to be really had by members
quarter by quarter, they were copiously heard of. The
co-operator, who had never had any encouragement from
his neighbour, felt a natural pride in making him
sensible that he was succeeding. As he had never had
any success to boast of before, he was not likely to make
little of this. Besides, his animated face suggested that
his projects were answering with him. He appeared
better fed, which was not likely to escape notice among
THE DISCOVERY WHICH CREATED CO-OPERATION. 41
Domestic Signs of it.
hungry weavers. He was better dressed tlian formerly,
which gave him distinction among his shabby comrades
in the mill. The wife no longer had*' " to sell her
petticoat," but had a new gown, and she was not likely to
be silent about that ; nor was it likely to remain much
in concealment. It became a walking and graceful
advertisement of co-operation in every part of the town.
Her neighbours were ncrt slow to notice the change in
attire, and their very gossip became a sort of propa-
gandism ; and other husbands received hints they might
as well belong to the store. The children had cleaner
faces, and new pinafores or new jackets, and they
propagated the source of their new comforts in their little
way, and other little children communicated to their
parents what they had seen. Some old hen coops Avere
furbished up and new pullets were observed in them — the
cocks seemed to crow of co-operation. Here and there a
pig, which was known to belong to a co-operator, was
seen to be fattening, and seemed to squeal in favour of the
store. After a while a pianoforte was reported to have
been seen in a co-operative cottage, on which it was said
the daughters played co-operative airs, as the like of which
had never been heard in that quarter. There were wild
winds, but neither tall trees nor wild birds about Roch-
dale ; but the weavers' songs were not unlike those of
the dusky gondoliers of the South, when emancipation
first came to them : —
We pray de Lord he gib us sigii
Dat one day we be free ;
De north wind tell it to de pines,
De wild duck to de sea.
We tink it when the Church boll rings,
We dream it in de dream ;
De rice-bird mean it when he sings,
De eagle when he screams.f
The objects of nature vary, but the poetry of freedom
* Vide next chapter. f Whittier's.
42 HISTOEY OF CO-OPERATION.
Political and Social Influence of Toad Lane.
is everywhere the same. The store was talked about
in the mills. It was canvassed in the weaving shed.
The farm labourer heard of it in the fields. The coal
miner carried the news down the pit. The blacksmith
circulated the news at his forge. It was the gossip of
the barber's chair — the courage of beards being unknown
then. Chartists, reluctant to entertain any question
but the Five Points, took the store into consideration in
their societies. At public meetings, speakers arose with
confidence quite new — that of men who had experience
in possessing something, and something to tell of what
their neighbours might 'do. In the newspapers, letters
appeared explaining practical points of co-operation
never heard of before. Preachers who found their pew
rents increase were more reticent than they were in
former days about the sin of co-operation, while the Eev.
Mr. Molesworth, son of the Vicar,*'' was from the first its
considerate and practical friend. The " Toad Lane Store,"
as it was called, was the subject of conversation in the
public-house. It was discussed in the temperance coffee-
shop. The carriers who came into the town spread news
of it in the " regions round about," and what was a few
years before a mere matter of contemptuous derision,
became the curious, enquiring, and respectful talk of all
those parts. The landlord found his rent paid more
regularly, and wdiispered the fact about. The shopkeeper
told his neighbour that customers who had been in his
debt for years had paid up their accounts. Members for
the Borough became aware that some independent voters
were springing up in connection with the co-operative
store. Politicians began to think there was something in
it. Wandering lecturers visiting the town found a better
quality of auditors to address, and were invited to houses
where tables were better spread than formerly, and were
* The RcT. William Nassau Molesworth, since well-known by his
History of England and other works.
THE DISCOVERY WHICH CREATED CO-OPERATION. 'l.->
Men of Progress Defined.
taken to see the Store, as one of the new objects of interest
in the town. There was a nevv'sroom opened there, where
more London newspapers could be seen than iu any coffee-
house in London, and readers carried news of what was
being done in Roclidale to other towns. News of it got
into periodicals in London. Clergymen concerned for the
social welfare of the people heard of Eochdale. Professors
and students of social philosophy from abroad heard of it,
and sent news of it home to their country. And thus it
spread far and wide that the shrewd men of Rochdale
were doing a notable thing in the way of Co-operation.
It was all true, and honour will long be accorded them
therefore. For it is they, in whatever rank, who act for
the right when others are still, who decide when others
doubt, who urge forward when others ytand back, to
whom the glory of great change belongs.
44 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Adventures of Dead Ideas.
CHAPTER IV.
CAREER OF THE PIONEER STORE.
But every humour hath its adjunct pleasure,
Wherein it finds a joy above the rest :
But these particulars are not my measure,
All these I better in one general best.
William Shakespeare.
He who would know how an idea may be well alive in
a town and then die, and becomes so dead that no one
believes in its reanimation, let him acquaint himself with
the history of Co-operation in Rochdale. In 1830 co-
operation was an idea of hope, and a source of energy
among a portion of the people. Ten years later the idea
was one of the forlorn hopes of progress — as hopeless in
the Rochdale mind as any hope could be.
The first we hear of Rochdale, in co-0])erative litera-
ture, is an announcement in the "Co-operative Miscellany"
for July, 1830, which " rejoices to hear that through
the medium of the " Weekly Free Press " a Co-operative
society has been formed in this place, and is going on
well. Three public meetings have been held to discuss
the principles. They have upwards of sixty members,
and are anxious to supply flannels to the various co-
operative societies. We understand the prices are from
£l 15s. a piece to £5, and that J. Greenhough, War-
"dleworth Brow, will give every information, if applied
CAREER OF THE TIONEER STORE. 45
A Public Meeting at Cronkey Sliaw.
to." At this very time the working class were in a
deplorable state.
The Rochdale flannel weavers were always in a
vigorous trouble for want of work. In June, 1830, they
had a great meeting on Cronkey Shaw Moor, which Mr.
Bright's house now overlooks. At that time there were-
as many as 7,000 men out of employ. There was an
immense concourse of men, women, and children on the-
moor, although a drizzling rain fell during the speeches —
it always does rain in Rochdale when the flannel weavers
are out. One speaker, Mr. Hinds, declared " that wages-
had been so frequently reduced in Rochdale that a
flannel weaver could not, by all his exertions and patience,
obtain more that from 4s. to 6s. per week." Mr. Ren-
shaw quoted the opinion of '' JMr. Robert Owen at Lanark,
a gentleman whose travels gave him ample scope for
observation, who had declared, at a recent public meeting
in London, ' that the inhabitants of St. Domingo, who-
were black slaves, seemed to be in a condition greatly
to be preferred to that of English operatives.' " * Mr.
Renshaw, who spoke very well, said : " That when his-
hearers went home they would find an empty pantry
mocking their hungry appetites, the house despoiled of
its furniture, an anxious wife with a highway paper, or
a King's taxes paper, in her hand, but no money to dis-
charge such claim. God help the poor man when mis-
fortune overtook him ! The rich man in his misfortune-
could obtain some comfort, but the poor man had nothing
to flee to. Cureless despondency was the condition to.
which he was reduced." It was this year that the first
Co-operative society was formed in Rochdale. The
meeting on Cronkey Shaw Moor was on behalf of the-
flannel weavers who v/ere then out on strike. The
• Mr. Owen did not distinguish between domestic slares nnd field slaves,
and always dwelt upon eooial comfort as though it had not occurred to
hinj that freedom was an element of national progress.
4G HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Petticoat Patriotism.
Rochdale men were distinofuislied among unionists of
that time for vigorous behaviour. It appears that during
the disturbances in Rochdale, in the year 1831, the
constables — " villanous constables," as the record I consult
describes them — robbed their box. One would think
there was not much in it. However, the men succeeded
in bringing the constables to justice, and in convicting
them of felony.
It would appear that Rochdale always moved by two-
pences. " The United Trades Co-operative Journal " of
Manchester recorded that, notwithstanding the length of
time the flannel weavers and spinners had been out, and
the slender means of support they had, they had con-
tributed at twopence per man the sum of £30, as their
first deposit to the Protection Fund, and that one poor
woman, a spinner, who could not raise the twopence
agreed upon at their meeting, was so determined not to
be behind others in her contributions to what she properly
denominated " their own fund," that she actually sold her
petticoat to pay her subscriptions.
At this Birmingham Congress of 1832, the Rochdale
Society sent a letter urging the utility of " discussing in
Congress the establishment of a Co-operative Woollen
Manufactory ; as the Huddersfield cloth, Halifax and
Bradford stuffs, Leicester and Loughborough stockings,
and Rochdale flannels required in several respects similar
machinery and processes of manufacture, they thought
that societies in these towns might unite together and
manufacture with advantages not obtainable by separate
establishments." At that early period there were co-
operators in Rochdale giving their minds to federative
projects. Their delegate in those days was Mr. William
Harrison, and their secretary Mr. T. Ladyman, 70,
Cheetham Street, Rochdale. Their credentials stated
that " the society was first formed in October, 1830, and
bore the name of the Rochdale Friendly Society. Its
members were fifty-two, the amount of its funds was
CAKEER OF THE PIONEER STORE. 47
Federation a Rochdale Idea in 1832.
£108. It employed ten members and families. It
manufactured flannel. It had a library containing thirty-
two volumes. It had no school, and never discussed the
principles of Labour Exchange, and it had two other
societies in the neighbourhood." It was deemed a defect
in sagacity not to have enquired into the uses of Labour
Exchanges as a means of co-operative profit and proj)a-
gandism. Rochdale from the beginning had a creditable
regard for books and education. It also appears — and it
is of interest to note it now — that " wholesale " combina-
tion was an early Rochdale idea.
From 1830 to 1840 Rochdale went on doing some-
thing- One thins; recorded is that it converted the Rev.
Joseph Marriott to social views — the same gentleman,
before mentioned, also wrote " Community : a Drama."
Another is that in 1838 a " Social Hall " was opened in
Yorkshire Street. These facts of Rochdale industrial
aspirations, prior to 1844, when the great Store began,
show that this CoHjperative idea " was in the air." It
could hardly be said to be anywhere else until it descended
in Toad Lane, and that is where it first touched the earth,
took root, and grew.
Co-operation is only new in its modern growth and
contagious applications. Co-operation was long ago
employed in maritime enterprise, in mining, in grinding
flour, in cheese-making, in shopkeeping. Like curious
and valuable animals which have oft been imported, but
never bred from : like useful and rare products of nature
that have frequently been grown without their cultivation
becoming general — Co-operation has long existed in
remarkable forms ; it is only since the middle of this
century that it has been extensively used ; and it is now
thought new because it was not noticed previously.
Farmers grew wheat, there is no doubt of that, before tlie
days of Major Hallett, and practised thin sowing, and
made selections of seed — in a blind capricious way. But
it was not until that observinji aofriculturist traced the
48 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
A Pleasant Pioneer.
laws of growth, and demonstrated the principles of
selection, that " pedigree wheat " was possible, and tlie
growing powers of Great Britain were rendered capable of
being tripled. In Co-operation this was the effect of tlie
Rochdale persistent application of the principle of dividing^
profits on purchases. The Pioneers of that town first saw
its importance ; it was their perseverance in applying it,
until the profits divided seemed so immense that they
became an incentive to others ; and distant tov/ns, and at
length distant countries, saw in the bulk of the gain made
by societies following the Howarth rule the truth of a
principle that was at first invisible to other than Rochdale
€yes.
Of the " Famous Twenty-Eight " old Pioneers, who
founded the store by their humble subscriptions of two-
pence a week, only a few survive. Chief among the
dead is James Smithies, its earliest secretary, its cease-
less worker and counsellor. In his later years he became
one of the town councillors of the borough — the only one
of the Twenty-eight who attained municipal distinction.
After a late committee meeting in days of faltering-
fortunes at the store or the corn mill, he would go out at
midnight and call up any one known to have money and
sympathy for the cause. And when the disturbed
S3*mpathiser was awake and put his head out of the window
to learn what was the matter. Smithies would call out,
*' I am come for thy brass, lad. We mun have it."'
*' All right ! " would be the welcome answer. And in one
case the bag was fetched with nearly £100 in, and tlie
owner offered to drop it through the window. "No; I'll
call in the morning," Smithies replied, with his cheery
voice, and then would go home contented that the evil
day was averted. In the presence of his vivacity no one
could despond, confronted by his buoyant humour no one
could be angry. There was such faith in his pleasantry
tliat he laughed the store out of despair into prosperity.
William Howarth, the " sea lawyer " of Co-operation, is
CAREER OF THE PIONEER STORES. 49
Tlie First. Co-operative Tomb Stone.
110 more. William Cooper, too, is gone. I spoke at Iiis
grave, and AA'^rote this inscription for his tomb : —
h\ fHcmorg of
WILLIAM COOPER,
WHO DIED OCTOB;:!! 31st, 18G3, AGED 46 TEARS.
ONE OF THE ORIGINAL '28" EQUITABLE PIONEERS
WHO MADE CO-OPEPIATION IN ROCHDALE FAMOUS:
He had a zeal eq!"al to any, axd exceeded all
in his ceaseless exertions, by pen ajs'd speech,
to unite and direct others in co-operative work :
HB had THE GREATER AND RARKR MERIT OF STANDING BY PRINCIPLES ALWAYS,
REGARDLESS ALIKE OF INTKllESTS AND FRIENDSHIPS OR OP HIMSELF.
His colleagues added tlitse words : —
He was Ca hier and Correspondent
OF THE EOCHDALE EQUIT.^ DLE PIONEERS' SOCIETY WHEN HE DIED
Secretary of the c o-operative Conference Board ;
Secretary of the Co-operative Insurance Company ;
Author of the "History of the Rochdale Co-operative Corn Mill Society :
This Monument was ere ted by Subscriptions contributed by
The Rochdale i ;quitable Pioneers' Society ;
The Centr . r- Co-operative Board ;
The North of England ■ 'o-operative Wholesale Society ;
The Co-opek., I ive Insurance Company ;
The Eochdale Co tbrative Corn Mill Society ;
AND numerous OTHER ReIA::, OO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES AND FRIENDS
*' Well, after all," the u: icquainted reader may exclaim.
*' what success was obi:i;ned, and by what art was it
won ? " By honest .tits. Rochdale disowned arti-
ficial means of making dividends. It has followed the
advice of its most experienced leaders, it has refused to
advance prices in order (• increase dividends. The Roch-
dale dividends have rei):v-.cnted the simple honest business
profits of economy and iruod management. " What has
been its success? " Look over the following page of facts
reduced to figures : —
60
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Pillars of Light.
Table of the operations of the Society from its commence-
ment in 1844 to the end of 1876 —
Year.
Members.
FUKDS.
Business.
Profits.
£
£
£
1844
28
28
—
—
1845
74
181
710
22
1846
80
252
1146
80
1847
110
286
1924
72
1848
149
397
2276
117
1849
390
1193
6611
561
1850
600
2289
13179
880
1851
630
2785
17633
990
1852
680
3471
16352
1206
1853
720
5848
22700
1674
1854
900
7172
33364
1763
1855
1400
11032
44902
3109
185fi
1600
12920
63197
3921
1857
1850
15142
79789
5470
1858
1950
18160
74680
6284
1859
2703
27060
104012
10739
18(30
3450
37710
152063
15906
1861
3900
42925
176206
18020
1862
3501
38465
141074
17564
1863
4013
49361
158632
19671
1864
4747
62105
174937
22717
1865
5326
78778
196234
25156
1866
6246
99989
249122
31931
1867
6823
128435
284919
41619
1868
6731
123233
290900
374.59
1869
5809
93423
236438
28542
1870
6560
80291
223021
25209
1871
6021
107500
246522
29026
1872
6444
132912
267577
33640
1873
7021
160886
287212
33749
1874
7639
192814
298888
40679
1875
8415
225682
305657
48212
1876
8892
254000
305190
50668
Look at those columns of figures, they will bear scrutiny.
They are not dull, prosaic, and statistical, as figures
usually are. Every individual figure glows with a light
unknown to chemists, and which has never illumined any
town until our day. Our forefiithers never saw it. They
CAREER OF THK PIONEER STORES. 5\
The extent of the Rochdale Stores.
looked with longing and wistful eyes over the djirk plains
of industry, and no gleam of it appeared. The liglit they
looked for was the light of material progress by the poor.
I^ot a pale, flickering, uncertain light, but one self-created,
self-fed, self-sustained, self-growing, and daily growing.
Not a light of charity or paternal invention and support —
not a fat, oily, spotling, intermittent blaze ; but a luminous
inextinguishable, independent light. Look, reader, at
these figures again. Every numeral glitters with this new
light. Every column is a pillar of fire in the night of
industry. That is what common sense and industrial courage
have done — that is what this generous watchfulness of a few
gentlemen have promoted — tliat is what the good sense of
every reader, if lie has good sense, will aid in rendering yet
more triumphant — guiding other wanderers than Israelites
out of the wilderness of helplessness, and far from the house
of a worse than Egyptian bondage — because in these days
there is none to deliver those who have not the sense to
save themselves.
This was the way, and these were the agencies by
■which Co-operation grew into a new system of industry.
It needs only to be stated here that the Toad Lane
Store has expanded into fourteen or more branches,
with fourteen or more newsrooms. Each branch is a ten
times finer building than the original store. The Toad
Lane parent store has long been represented by a great
Central Store, a commanding pile of buildings which it
takes an hour to walk through, situated on the finest site
in tiie town, and overlooks alike the Town Hall and Parish
Church. The Central Stores contain a vast library, which
has a permanent librarian, Mr. Barnish. The store spends
hundreds of pounds in bringing out a new catalogue as
the increase of books needs it. Telescopes, field glasses,
microscopes innumerable, exist for the use of members.
There are many large towns where gentlemen have no
such newsrooms, abounding in daily papers, weekly
papers, magazines, reviews, maps, and costly books of
52 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The influence of lofty aima.
reference, as the working class co-operators of Rochdale
possess. They sustain science classes. They own property
all over the borough. They have estates covered with
streets of houses built for co-operators. They have
established a large corn mill which was carried through
dreary misadventures by the energy and courage of Mr.
Abram Greenwood — misadventures trying every degree
of patience and every form of industrial faith. They built
a huge spinning mill, and conducted it on co-operative
principles three years, until outside shareholders converted
or perverted it into a joint-stock affair. None of the old
pioneers looked back on the Sodom of competitive gains.
Had they done so they would have been like Lot's wife,
saline on the page of history evermore. It was the
Pioneers who mainly promoted the improvement of the
laws of friendly societies, of which mention has been made.
The reader will see in another chapter how largely they
contributed, by experience and management, to the
creation of the great Wholesale Society of Manchester.
They set the still greater example of instituting and
maintaining to this day an Educational Fund out of their
profits. Theirs has been the chief propagandist store. It
would take pages to recount the features of their career
which has brought them fame. Their original objects were
large. They sought to equalise the distribution of
property — to create co-operative workshops-=-to employ
tiieir own members and support them on land, of which
they should be the owners, and create a self-supporting,
intelligent, and prosperous community. They set out with
high purpose, and therefore they have accomplished much.
Those who place before themselves lofty aims, ensure to
themselves great modesty and great usefulness. The
.oreatness they achieve seems little in their eyes ; whereas
those whose aims are low, to them their littleness seems
great — and they are proud without having earned
distinction.
PARLIAMENTAKY AID OF CO-OPERATION, 53
Wise laws make wise action possible.
CHAPTER Y.
PARLIAMENTARY AID OF CO-OPERATION.
Law is but morality shaped by Act of Parliament. — Mr. Bbknal,
Chairman of Committees, House of Commons.
The constructive period of Co-operation had made small
way, and the devices of Mr. Howarth had not carried
Co-operation far, had it not been for thoughtful friends,
and the lawyers and politicians in Parliament. The legal
impediments to industrial economy were very serious in
1844. Because " men cannot be made wise by Act of Par-
liament " is no reason for not making Acts of Parliament
wise. If enactments do not give people intelligence, they
may enable them to act with intelligence, or prevent them
doing so. Still it is true that " Law is but morality shaped
by Act of Parliament." None, however, knew better
than Mr. Bernal, that if there was any morality in a Bill
at first it often got " shaped " out of it before it became
an Act — hence the many laws requiring repeal. Never-
theless there is a great deal of good, living morality in
the world which would be very dead at this day had not
law given it life, by giving it protection. A law once
made in England is a chain or a finger post— a barrier or
a path. It stops the way or it points the way. If
an obstacle it stands like a rock. It is regarded as a
fixture of nature. It comes to be venerated as a pillar of
the constitution. No lawyer will tunnel it — no legisla-
torial engineer will blast it. The lazy will not touch it —
the indifferent think it as well as it is — the timid dare not
54 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Important suggestion of the Eev. Mr. Moleswortb.
approach it — the bold are discouraged by it — the busy are
too occupied to give attention or aid, and it is a miracle
if it is ever removed. At last, some ardent, disinterested
persons, who merely get themselves denounced as nuisances
for their restlessness and their pains, persuade Parliament
to remove it, and the nation passes forward on a new
road to progress.*
The Legislature has of late years opened several new
roads of industrial advancement closed to working men
before. By a great improvement they can become sharers
in the profits of a commercial undertaking, without
thereby incurring unlimited liability, which opens a
new field of advancement ; the advantage both to em-
ployers and to workmen being so great that the most
sanguine despaired of living to see its enactment. This
Act was mainly owing to the late William Schofield, M.P.
for Birmingham.
In a great commercial country like England, one would
naturally expect that law would be in favour of trade and
economy ; yet so slow was the recognition of industrial
liberty that an Act was a long time in force, which en-
abled a society to sell its products to its own members,
but not to any outsiders. Thus the Leeds Corn Mill, as
Mr. John Holmes has related, which naturally produced
bran as well as flour, could sell its flour to its members,
and its bran also, if its members wanted it. But the
members, not being rabbits, did not want the bran ; and
at one time the Corn Mill Society had as much as £600
worth of bran accumulated in their storerooms which they
were unable to sell to non-members who would have
bought it. Societies were prohibited holding more than
one acre of land, and that not as house or farm land, but
* It was tlie Rev. William Nassau Molesworth, then Incumbent of Spot-
land, Eocbdale, who, discerning in the early efforts of the Pioneers, the
prospect of social improvement, first suggested to them the advantages of
obtaining the protection of the law for their members. It was the long
persistence of the Pioneer Store, and the aid of the influential friends it
won, that the Stores owe the protection of Co-operative law.
PAKLIAMENTAKY AID OF CO-OPERATION. 55
Legal impediments to Economy.
only for transacting the business of the society upon.
The Rochdale Manufocturing Society had ample means
at their disposal for the extension of their business, but,
on account of this prohibitory clause, they could not go
beyond the premises already occupied by them, holding
land on a lease to the full extent allowed by law. The
premises occupied by the Equitable Pioneers, in which
the business of the society was transacted, occupied land
nearly to the extent allowed by the Act. Besides, all
thoughts of leasing or purchasing land whereon to grow
their potatoes, grow corn, or ftirm produce, were prevented
hj this prohibitory clause. Co-operative farming was
impossible. No society could invest money except in
savings banks or national debt funds. No rich society
could help a poor society by a loan. No member could
«ave more than £100. The Act pi'ohibited funds being
used for self educational purposes, and every member
was practically made responsible for all the debts of the
society — enough to frighten any prudent man away.
Besides these impediments, there was no provision com-
pelling any member to give up such property, books, or
records that might have been entrusted to him by the
society ; so that any knave was endowed with the power,
an.d secured in the means, of breaking up the society when
a fit of larceny seized him.
The Fi-iendly Societies Act of 1846 contained what
came to be known as the " Frugal Investment Clause,''
as it permitted the frugal investment of the savings of
members for better enabling them to purchase food, firino-,
■clothes, and other necessaries or materials of their trade
or calling, or to provide for the education of their children
or kindred. In 1850, Mr. Slaney, M.P., obtained a com-
mittee upon the savings and investments of the middle aiul
working classes. Important evidence, received by Mr.
Slaney's Committee, was given by various persons, in-
cluding Mr. J. S. Mill, Mr. Hughes, Mr. Bcllundeii Kerr,
Mr. Ludlow, and Mr. Yansittart Nealc. Mr. Neale ha;i
5G HISTORY or CO-OPERATION.
Mr. John Stuart Mill's Evidence.
stated that Mr Mill rendered a great and lasting service
to co-operative effort by this distinction drawn in his great
work, and repeated before the committee — betvpeen the
scientific and the non-scientific elements in political
economy — between the conditions affecting all labour car-
ried on by mankind from the nature of the earth and of
man, and the mode in which human institutions may
affect the distribution of the products of this labour — two
matters commonly confused by the rank and file of politi-
cal economists, who treat the results of human selfishness,
intensified by the modern system of free competition as
if they were unalterable laws of the luiiverse."*
The Industrial and Provident Societies Act of 1852
{15 and 16 Vict. c. 31), introduced by Mr. Slaney, in
consequence of the report of the committee of 1850^
authorised the formation of societies by the voluntary
subscription of the members, for attaining any purpose
or object for the time being, permitted by the laws in
force in respect to Friendly Societies, or by that Act, " by
carrying on or exercising in common any labours, trades,
or handicrafts, except the working mines, minerals, or
quarries, beyond the limits of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, and the business of banking."
It made all the provisions of the laws relating to Friendly
Societies apply to every society constituted under it,
except in so far as they wei'e expressly varied by the
Act, or any rule expressly authorised by it to be made,
or were certified by an endorsement on its rules, signed
by the Registrar of Friendly Societies for the time being,
not to be applicable to it. In consequence, Industrial
and Provident Societies, while allowed to carry on trade
as general dealers, obtained all the advantages given to
Friendly Societies, in regard to the vesting of their funds
* " Co-operatiye News."
PARLIAMENTARY AID OF CO-OPERATION. 57
Recital by Mr. Edward Vansittart Neele.
without conveyance in their trustees for the time being,
protection against fraud by their officers ; whence the
Corn Mill ISociety of Rochdale dissolved itself in order
to be enrolled under the new Act, that it might recover
debts due to it. But they were subject also to the res-
trictions affecting these societies in regard to the invest-
ment of their funds, which were not permitted by the
Act then in force (13 and 14 Vict, c, 115) to be laid out
in the hire or purchase of land, beyond " any room or
premises for the purpose of holding the meetings of the-
society, or any branch, or for the transaction of any
business relating thereto." In 1855, the position of
Industrial and Provident Societies in this respect Avas
slightly amended, in common with that of Friendly
Societies generally, by the 18 and 19 Vict., c. 03, which
permitted laud to be purchased or hired for these purposes-
to the extent of one acre. But, unfortunately, in another
respect it was altered for the worse, namely, by the-
Frugal Investment Clause, imder which, as has been
stated. Friendly Societies were authorised, among other
things, to provide for the Education of their children,
being struck out, with emigration, and the insurance of
cattle from the purposes for which Friendly Societies were
expressly allowed to be formed.* It appears to have been
thought that cases of this sort were sufficiently provided
for by the general i)owers given by the Act to form
Friendly Societies for any purpose certified to be legal
by any of the principal Secretaries of State in England,
or the Lord Advocate in Scotland. But no power of
applying for such a certificate was given to Industrial
and Provident Societies, and their own Act limited itself
to authorising the application of profits to " the payment
* It must be observed that Mr. Tidd Pratt had previously sanctioned rules-
of societies meditating sclf-eduoation ; as he had by a generous latitude of
construction in some earlier cases by which Rochdale bad profited from
the beginning. Rochdale had been an old offender against the law in this-
regpect.
68 }]i STORY or CO-OPEKAIION.
Dr. Jolin Watts' testimonj.
of a dividend on capital not exceeding five per cent, per
annum" — an effective preventive of speculation in the
shares of societies, which has retained its hold even after
the law enforcing it had ceased to operate — " the repay-
ment of loans, the increase of the capital of the society,
division among the members or persons employed by
them, and such provident purposes as are authorised
by the laws relating to Friendly Societies for the time
being." The change in the law had thus, indirectly, the
-effect of preventing Industrial and Provident Societies,
formed after it was passed, and previous to 1862, from
following the excellent example of Rochdale in regard to
the application of their profits, to establish news rooms,
libraries, lectures, or other means of educating them-
selves. It was an effect of which probably no one in
Parliament thought, and no one of those affected
by it appears to have complained loudly enough to
be heard. For, though the Industrial and Provident
Societies Act was amended by the 19 and 20 Yict, c. 40,
no notice is taken of this restriction. But in those days
thei'e was no Central Board. The Act of 1862 authorised
the application of profits for any purpose allowed by
the Friendly Societies Acts, or otherwise permitted by
law. But, although the introduction of rules for
the formation of Educational Funds thus became allow-
able, little use was, for some time, made of the per-
mission.*
Dr. Watts stated at the Social Science Congress, Man-
chester, 1866 : — " That in no case which has come under
his observation, except in the original one at Rochdale,
was there in the constitution of the society any educa-
tional provision, and personal inquiry had informed him
that this is because the Registrar refuses to allow it. The
managers of one of the Manchester stores had no less than
* For the statements of this paragraph I am indebted fo Mr. Neale
whom the reader will prefer to follow, Mr. Noale being professionally
acquainted with the law.
PARLIAMEKTARY AID OF CO-OPEKATION. 59
The Cost of a Charter.
four months' correspondence on the subject, and the result
of the refusal was the necessity for a quarterly vote for
the reading room, which leads to a false economy, in order
to avoid a quarterly quarrel, which, after all, is not
always averted." Roclidale entered their educational
•expenses with the expenses of management, and an indis-
pensable and honest place they held there. Though the
old restriction is no longer in force, there are hundreds
of stores which have never taken advantage of the new
law to create an educational fund. And new stores are
often opened which have no such provision. These are
known as " Dark" stores.
"It must not be forgotten," Mr. Neale has remarked,
''how the law of England has affected the working classes,
that the privileges given them for the first time in 1862,
were also granted in the same year for the first time to the
commercial classes. A large part of the evidence before
Mr. Slaney's committee is occupied by the question of the
desirableness or mischief of granting limited liability to
partners in trade by some method less costly than the one
at that time in use — by an Act of Parliament, or a charter
from the Crown, which was shown to have cost the Metro-
politan Dwellings Association over £1,000. By the
Companies Act of 18'62 tliis was done in the interests of
the trading classes, and in the same year it was done also
in the case of the working classes, who thus obtained the
full measure of legal rights then conferred upon their richer
neighbours, as they had obtained in 1852 the full measure
of legal right possessed by these classes vmder the then
Joint-stock Companies Act.
The Act of 18(32, by permitting a member to own £200
in the society, has doubled the available capital for the
extension of operations, and given new life to societies
which, like Halifax, had lain or lingered like Rip Van
Winkle twenty years without growth or motion. Tliis
single improvement in the law awakened it, put activity
into it, and it has become a great societv-"
so HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
White interest in ebony Workmen.
CHAPTER VI.
CO-OPERATION IN STORMY DAYS.
Nay, falter not — 'tis an assured good
To seek the noblest — 'tis your only good,
Now you have seen it ; for that higher vision
Poisons all meaner choices for evermore.
George Eliot.
Political economists, who are all privately persuaded
that nature would never have been able to carry on until
now had they not arisen to give it an idea or two, were
full of predictions that Co-operation might keep up its health
in times of average prosperity, but in days of adversity
it would take a low fever, fall into bad ways, suffer from
coldness in the extremities, have pains in the " chest,'*
and put the social " faculty " to their wits' end to pull
the creature through. Let the cotton famine arrive,
and fat Rochdale would become as lean as Lazarus.
In 1861, when the American slave war broke out, and
the South armed against the North with a view to estab-
lish a separate slave dominion, the dangerous days set
in. Cotton would be scarce, mills would stop, wages
would cease, and eating would be interrupted in hundreds
of thousands of households. Would white workmen,
who were not quite sure they were not slaves themselves,
put up with privations year after year, consume their
hard-earned and long-treasured savings, all for the sake
of their long-heeled, woolly-headed, black-faced brother,
who probably did not understand freedom himself —
would not know what to do with it when he should get
CO-OPERATION IN STORMY DAYS. 61
Copperbeada crawl about.
it, and who most likely cared nothing for it while the
pumpkin was plentiful, and the planter's whip fell on
somebody else's back ? Sentiments in favour of freedom
mifrht be pretty strong at home — where it concerned
ourselves — but it would be drawn very fine and thin
when it had to reach all the way from Rochdale and
Leeds to the cotton swamps of South Amei'ica. The
French and Italian workmen might in their chivalrous
way die for an idea, but John Bull might be counted
upon to be mainly moved by the disappearances of beef
and beer, and to have small sympathy for the remote
*' nigger," whose ebony caprices and apple squash ideas
of liberty interfered with John's substantial repast. If
members of Parliament, secure of good dinners and the
bountiful resources of territorial acres — if noblemen who
grew rich while they slept — if merchants and manufac-
turers, wealthy beyond the dreams of avarice or limits
of public safety — could basely cvy, " Open the ports, and
let the negro howl under the whip," half educated, or
wholly uneducated workmen need not be expected to be
dainty, discerning, or generously solicitous for the welfare
of remote Samboes.
So thought the mob of politicians of that day, for, as
Samuel Bailey says, " those are a mob who act like one,"
and neither a good coat nor high station alters tlie quality
what they do. Character goes by acts. Copperheads, clerical
and political, infested Lancashire and Yorkshire, retailed
insiduous proposals to recognise the South. It is not my
intention to include among these all the honest politicians
who really believed that the separation of North and South
would increase the individuality of nations, and conduce to
general progress. I belonged to the party who thought
differently, but I neither think nor would describe any
men as disreputable because they held a different opinioo
to mine. I speak here only of the Copperhead class. The
Copperhead in America was apolitical creature who talked
union and helped separation ; and when their agents came
62 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Rochdale stands the Storm.
among the co-operators of the north of England they
talked freedom and argued for slavery. They disguised
their aim under every specious form of ti-ade policy.
Physiology and Scripture were pointed against the Negra
in lecture-room and pulpit. Ultimately the Copperheads-
slunk away under a storm of discerning scorn. Many a
stout blast blew from Rochdale.
Lest the reader should think that there was some
exceptional combination of advantages in Rochdale which
made it prosper, or that some special co-operative Provi-
dence watched over it, it may be as well to give the
statistics (an ugly, recondite, abstract, mysterious, discom-
forting word, invented to turn popular attention from the
study of figures), meaning a statement of money made,
and the number of people who had the sense to combine
together to make it, of the Greenacres Hill Industrial
Co-operative Society (Oldham) Limited, 1857-63 : —
Tear. No. of Members. Capital. Business.
1857 482 1745 13522
1858 702 2667 19403
1859 910 .^538 32912
1860 963 7378 39635
1861 924 9130 47675
1862 824 8034 41901
1863 861 9165 36366
In those days, as now, there were two societies in
Oldham, one situated in King Street, the other at Green-
acres Hill. King Street was the larger by about one-
sixth. The two societies together had 3,299 members,
who did bu.siness to the amount of £87,7GG, and made
£7,636 of profit. So that, taken together or singly,
co-operation carried a saucy head in the slave war storm.
It will be well to cite examples of what was the
fortunes of stores elsewhere : —
Name of No. of Amount of Profits
Store. Members. BuHiiess. Bealized.
Liverpool 3,154 44,3.^5 3,201
Bury 1,412 47,6.58 4,689
Bacup 2,296 53,663 6,618
CO-OPERATION IN STORMY DAYS. 63
Even Manchester makes progi-ess.
The reader may be assured that no bare bones were
found in Mother Huljbard's cupboard in co-operative
quarters in the cotton famine days. There was no old
lady in any competitive district of the working people
so bright and plump as slie. Bacup suffered more from
the cotton scarcity than Hochdale. Bacup had scarcely
any other branch of trade than cotton. Their receipts
went down nearly one half at the time of the greatest
scarcity. At one time the Relief Committee prohibited
the recipients going to the store to bay goods with the
money given them. The poor men might have bought at
the store to more advantage, but probably the Relief
Committee considered the shopkeepers more in need of
support than the storekeepers. The Liverpool store was-
not much affected by the cotton scarcity. Mr. Vrilliam
Cooper wrote me at the time his estimate of store affairs,,
which I quote for his amusingly contemptuous appraise-
ment of Manchester. " Liverpool," he said, " lias had
difficulties of its own making — namelj', by giving credit to
members — but they have adopted the ready money system,
Avhich will check its sales for a time, but its stability and
growth will be all the more certain after it recovers from
the shock of this wise change. Some of these stores have
given a trifle to the relief funds, but not much. Mossley,
JDukinfield, Staleybridge, Ashton, Hey wood, Middleton,
Kawtenstall, Hyde, have suffered badly, being almost
entirely cotton manufacturing towns ; yet none of the
stores have failed, so that, taken altogether, the co-opera-
tive societies in Lancashire are as numerous and as strong
now as before the cotton panic set in. Even Manchester ^
which is good for nothing now, except to sell cottcn, has
created a Manchester and Salford Store, maintained for
five years an average of 1,200 members, and made for
them' £7,000 of profit."
The reader may be satisfied from these facts of the
actual and inherent vitality of co-operation to withstand
the vicissitudes of trades. Yorkshire and Lancashire
M HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Surrounding Stores secure.
live on cotton. When the American slaveholders' rebel-
lion cut ofF the usual supply, of course a cotton famine
occurred, and people who regarded co-operation as a
Great Eastern ship — too bulky for industrial navigation —
naturally ]3redicted that it would founder in the southern
storm. The cotton scarcity, instead, however, of destroy-
ing co-operative societies, brought out in a very con-
spicuous way the soundness of the commercial and moral
principles on which they are founded. Mr. Milner
Gibson's parliamentary returns at that time show that
co-operative societies had increased to 454, and that this
number were in full operation in England and Wales in
the third year of the scarcity. The amount of business
done by 381 of these societies was upwards of £2,600,000.
In Lancashire there were 117 societies, in Yorkshire 96.
The number of members in 1863, in the 381 societies,
was 108,000. The total amount of the assets of these
-societies was £793,500, while the liabilities were only
£229,000. The profits made by the 381 societies
(excluding 73 societies which made no returns) were
£213,600 : and this in the third year of the great cotton
scarcity ! It may be, therefore, safely concluded that
Co-operation established for itself a place among the
commercial and social forces of the country. That is
what Rochdale Co-operation has grown to. It was not
foreseen. No one ever can foretell where the right steps
will lead to if men once take them and keep on walking in
them. No moralist ever foresees the whole of that ethical
change which his maxims will generate. No railway
inventor ever had any idea of that omnipresent system
which has grown up in our day. Mr. Bright and Mr.
Cobden, when they first addressed the people in favour of
the repeal of the corn laws, scarcely anticipated that one
result would be that they should make the English nation
heavier. Every man that you meet in the streets now is
stouter and heartier, and weighs two stones more than he*
would have done but for Mr. Cobden and Mr. Bright.
CO-OPERATION IN STORMY DAYS. 65
T!ie Repe.ll of the Corn Laws increase the bulk of the British Nation.
Calculating from our present population, it may be said
tliat these eminent corn-law repealers have increased the
weight of the British race by 400,000 tons. So that if
our men were precipitated unarmed against battalions of
any other nation in the field, they would have increased
advantages in bearing them down by sheer weight. And
the humble co-operative weavers of Rochdale, by saving
twopences when they had none to spare, and holding
together when everybody else separated, until tliey had
made their store pay and grow great, set an example, and
created for industry a new power, and for the working
classes a new future.
66 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Approaching Despotism of the Knife.
CHAPTER VII.
NATURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE.
" It is not co-operation where a few persons join for the purpose of
making a profit from cheap purchases, by which only a portion of tliem
benefit. Co-operation is where the whole of the produce is divided. What
is wanted is, that the whole of the working class should partake of the
profits of labour." — John Stuart Mill. {Speech at the " Crown and Anchor"
Tavern, London^.
To "WHAT chaos is industry tending ? Its insurgency
increases. Will its perturbations ever end ? From being
acrorressive will Trades Unions become destructive forces ?
Will the proletariat finally take the field and the capitalist
have to fight for his life ? Excited, empty-handed Labour
seems on fire and the Political Economist, albeit a damp
creature, seems powerless to extinguish it. Doctrinal
streams of " supply and demand " poured upon it act
as petroleum upon flame. Organized capital grinds help-
less industry as in the mill of the gods — very small.
Isolated labour is frightened and flees to combination for
safety. No protests that capital is his friend reassures him.
Terror has made him deaf and experience unbelieving.
Can the struggle of ages, made deadlier now by dawning
intelligence, end save by the despotism of the knife ?
Every man asks these questions to which there is but one
answer. A new principle has entered Industry which has
slowly awakened hope and will surely bring deliverance.
Its name is Co-operation.
Any one sitting at the windows of the Marina, St.
Leonards-on-the-Sea, finds the great ocean raging before
him, all alive with tumultuous and ungovernable motion. It
NATURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE. 67
Terror allayed by Knowledge.
surges and roars, tossed and driven by the masterful winds.
It is close to the house. The observer knows there is un-
fathomable cruelty in its murderous water. It has swal-
lowed armed hosts. Vessels laden not merely with hostile
squadrons, but with anxious emigrants or peaceful men of
science — have been sucked by it down to death. As far as
the eye can stretch it covers all space, resembling some
boundless and awful beast. Yet there is no fear for safety.
It might sweep the town away as though it were a toy
and leave no vestige, and a future age would dispute
whether a town ever existed in that place. If the spectator
saw the sight without knowledge he would be filled with
terror ; but he has no dread because he knows the ways
of the sea. It comes up like destruction but it ebbs away
at the shore. He who looks upon the restless ocean of
society is alike unalarmed if he has the instruction Avhich
comes from discerning the self-regulating force of co-opera-
tive principle. He foresees the new way the world of indus-
try will take, and the scene which otherwise would be
a terror to him is now a mere spectacle. Society is
heaving with the unrest of competition more devastating
than that of the sea. Its remorseless billows wash away
the fruits of humble labour which can be recovered no
more. On the shore there is no bay or cavern where
property lies, but is guarded by capitalist or trader whose
knives gleam if the indigent are seen to approach it. Tlie
co-operator is not one of them. He can create wealth for
himself, and foresees that the rapacity of insurgent trade
and the tumult of greed will be stilled, as the principle of
equity in industry comes to prevail.
The term co-operation is an old and ftimiliar word
used now in an entirely new sense. Co-operation, as the
name of the modern industrial movement which the public
now so often hear of, is a very different thing from
co-operation as defined in dictionaries. The term iu
general literature merely means united action ibr the
increase of mechanical power — as when several men join
68 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Industrial different from Greyhound Co-operation.
in moving a log or a boulder, because one alone could not
stir it. In this way, a bundle of sticks bound together
present a force of resistance which sepax'ately none could
pretend to, and in this sense the sticks are as much
co-operators as the men. But industrial co-operation, in
the sense in which the wcrd is now used, means not a
union for increasing mechanical force — but for the purpose
of obtaining the profit of the transaction, and having it
equitably distributed among those who do the work. It is
not noting this difference or not knowing it, Avhieh causes
such confusing chatter in the highest quarters in literature
about " co-operation being as old as the world," and
" which has been practised by every people."
Mr. Gibbon Wakefield says, co-operation takes place
when several persons help each other in the same employ-
ment, as when two greyhounds running together, which
it is said, will kill more hares than four greyhounds run-
ning separately." * This is the nature of the co-operation
chiefly known to political economists. But industrial
co-operation unites not merely to kill the hares, but to eat
them. The greyhounds of Wakefield run down the hares
for their masters — the new co-operative greyhounds, of
whom I write, run down the hare for themselves. In-
dustrial Co-operation is not only union for creating,
but for dividing profits among all who have helped to
make them.
Politeness, as explained by that robust master of defini-
tion. Dr. Johnson, consists in giving a preference to
others rather than to ourselves. In this sense, co-operation
may be defined as the politeness of industry, for it consists
in giving the total of its produce to those who create it.
Definition is as the geography of a system ; it is the map
of the roads taken by the projectors of it. The ways are
many which at different times are pursued by the leaders of
movements. These reasons are the different definitions of
* E. G. Wakefield, note to Smith's " Wealth of iS^ations," 1840.
' NATURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE. 69
Co-operation the Organization of the Workshop.
the end to be aimed at. Therefore, to enumerate the lead-
ing definitions with which the history of co-operation makes
us familiar, is to explain the different and progressive
conceptions of it entertained from time to time. Defini-
tions are always vague at first, because, in practical
life, very few people know what they mean. Some are
late in knowing it, and many never do know it; but
if they know somebody who does know, they follow him.
Still, a good many people want to know where they are
going to, and, therefore, those who invite the public to
take a new path, find it necessary to define the objects
they propose.
Though co-operation, as a social scheme, began with Mr.
Owen, he gave no definition of it. Though he founded at
New Lanark the first store which devoted profits to
educational purposes, co-operation was, in his mind, a
paternal arrangement of industry, which could be made
more profitable than the plan in which the employer
considered only himself. The self-managing scheme,
under which working people create profits and retain them
among themselves, Mr. Owen had not foreseen. His idea
was to organize the world, co-operation attempts the
humbler work of organizing the provision store and the
Avorkshop. This is the distinction between communism
and co-operation which public men of no mean discernment
continually confound together.
Von Sybel defines the Communists proper as " those
who desired to transfer every kind of property to the
State." * This is the continental craze upon Socialism and
has nothing to do with any thing English. There never
was but one conspiracy for the transfer of property to the
state, even in France — that of Baboeuf — so the reader
may dismiss the political hallucination from his mind.
There was M. De Metz who founded a criminal community.
M. De Metz was fortunate. He was a rrentleman. He
« Von Sybel, Hist. French Rev., Vol. I.,Bk. IF., p. 249.
70 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
De Metz's Criminal Community.
had wealth, and therefore he was not reviled. Had he
been a working man he had been regarded as a Utopian,
or as ' a hired agitator. He M"as as mad as any other
social philanthropist. He believed in the radical goodness
of little scoundrels, and that honesty could be cultivated as
successfully as vice, and criminals colonized into an indus-
trial self-supporting community.
A writer who has a cultivated contempt for social crazes,
but who is always discerning and fair, remarks : — " We
have had republican societies like Plato's, Fourier's, and
Baboeuf s ; hierarchical and aristocratic like St. Simon's ;
theocratic like the Essenes ; despotic like the Peruvians
and Jesuits ; Polygamists like the Mormons ; material like
Mr. Owen's. Some recommended celibacy as the Essenes
— some enforce it as the Shakers, some like the Owenites,
relax the marriage tie ; '•'' some, like the Harmonists, control
it; some, like the Moravians, hold it indissoluble ; some
would divide the wealth of the society equally among all
the members ; some, as Fourier, unequally. But one great
idea pervades them all — community of" property more or
less complete, and unreserved common labour, for the
common good." | " Both in England and France, the
fundamental idea of socialism, we take to be that of a
fraternal union among men for industrial purposes, a
working in common for the common good, in place of the
usual arrangement of labourers and capitalists, employers
and employed." J
When the Irish Land Bill was before the House of
Commons, May 16th, 1870, Mr. Gathorne Hardy said,
" It was not wise to endorse by the sanction of Parliament
the principle that the ownership of land was a better thing
than the occupation. He protested against the clause as
socialistic and communistic, (Hear, hear.)"§ When a
* This is an unpleasant way of putting it. Mr. Owen's disciples merely
adyocated equal facility of divorce for poor as for rich.
1 Mistaken Aim, pp. 192 and 193, W. E. Greg. + Indem., p. 231.
§ Vide Parliamentary Report.
NATURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE. 71
A good " Working Bugbear."
politician does not well know what to say against an
adversary's measures, he calls them " socialistic," a term
M'hich, to employ Mr. Grant Duflf's happy phrase, is a
good '' working bugbear." In former days, when a
clerical disputant met with an unmanageable argument,
ho said it was " atheistic," and then it was taken as
answered. In these days the perplexed politician, seeing
no answer to a principle pressed upon him, says it is
'^ communistic." He need give no reasons, the " working
bugbear " clears the field of adversaries.
One thing may be taken as true, that the English,
whether poor or rich, are not, as a body, thieves. Now
and then you find some in both classes who have a
predatory talent, which they do not hide in a napkin.
Statesmen may sleep in peace. The working men will
never steal knowingly, either by crowbar or ballot box.
Nor will they be robbed if they know it. Of course they
may be robbed without their knowing it, else neither
Tories nor Whigs had ruled them so long as they have ;
and I think I have seen the Radical hand with marks
about it, as though it had been in the people's pocket-
doubtless in some moment of patriotic aberration. Never-
theless, let not the honest statesman fear — the common
sense of common men is against peculation, whether in
theory or practice, whether done on principle or in error.
The " Co-operative Magazine " of 1826 declared
happiness as the grand pivot on which the co-operative
system turned. " Happiness " was explained as " content
and uninjurious enjoyment, that is enjoyment not injurious
either to one's self or to any other." This, as the Americans
say, rather wants " grit." The mind slides over it. A
later advocate of some mai'k, Dr. King, of Brighton,
defined co-operation as " the unknown object which the
benevolent part of mankind have always been in search of
for the improvement of their fellow creatures." Plainly,
the object of a definition is to make the thing in question
known ; and we are not helped by being told it is th©
72 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Early Attempts at Co-operative Definition.
" unknown." There is, however, something dimly revealed
in what he says of " society," which he derived from the
Greek word sanus, sound or safe, and lieo, to call together,
the meaning of which was declared to be — to call together
for safety.* No doubt there is sense in this. Persons do
require to be called together for safety ; but what they are
to do when so called, is not defined,
A writer in the " Co-operative Miscellany" of 1830, sign-
ing himself " One of the People " saw his way to a clearer
specification of the " unknown " thing. He exclaims —
" What is co-operation, some may inquire." Certainly
many did make the inquiry. The answer he gives is this,
'' Co-operation in its fullest sense is the opposite of Com-
petition, instead of competing and striving Avith each other
to procure the necessaries of life, we make common cause,
we unite with each other, to procure the scime benefits."
This is rather a travelling definition, it moves about a
good deal and has no fixed destination. It does not
disclose how the " common cause " is made. A definition
has light in it as soon as it discloses what a thing is
not, and names its contrary. We learn now that co-
operation is not competition ; but is the '' opposite."
This writer gives an explanation of the method of pro-
cedure. His explanation is that a co-operative society
devotes the profits of the distributive stores to productive
industry and the self-employment of the members of the
societies. After a lapse of near 50 years, the greater and
more important part of the plan — the self-employment of
members — is but scantily realized. The educated co-
operator has always borne it in mind, and it remains as a
tradition of co-operation that production and self-employ-
ment go together.
Mr. Thompson, of Cork, the first systematic writer on
Industrial Communities, never defined their object otherwise
than to say that " workmen should simply alter the
* " Co-operative Magazine," January, 1826, p. 7.
NATURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE. ii>
Slow Progress of the Art.
direction of their labour. Instead of working for they
know not whom, they were to work for each other." Such
a definition could only be made intelligible by details, and
these Mr. Thompson gave with so much elaboration that
the reader wisiied the phm had never been discovered. As
a student under Bentham, Mr. Thompson was sure to
mean something definite, but the conditions under which
men shall " work for each other "the essential feature of
co-operation, he never otherwise brought within the compass
of a definition.
Practically, the principle of co-operation grew out of
joint stock shopkeepiug. At first a few persons with
means, supplied capital for the business, with the under-
standing that after interest was paid on their capital, the
profits should be devoted to the establishment of a com-
munity.
The next conception of it was that of prescribing that
each purchaser should be a member of the store, and should
subscribe a portion of^the capital — the profits, after paying
interest, was to be kept by the shareholders. At this
point co-operation stopped eighteen years. Nobody was
known to have any conception how it could be improved.
If everybody was a shareholder, and the shareholders had
all the profits, nobody could have more than all, and
nobody was left out of the division. There was no enthu-
siasm under this management, and yet there was no
apparent fault. In some cases there was great success.
Shareholders had 10 and 15 per cent, for their money,
which, to a member who could invest £100, was a sensible
profit to him. Nevertheless custom fell oft", interest in the
stores abated, and many were given up. If any solitary
cogitator proposed to divide the profits on purchases, it was
said " what is the good of that ? If there are profits made,
they appear in the interest. You cannot increase them by
varying the mode of paying them." Yet all the while this
was the very thing that could be done. There lay con-
cealed and unseen the principle of dividing profits oi>
74 IIISTOEY" OF CO-OPERATIOX.
The Business Argument for Admitting the Purchaser into Partnership.
purchases which altered the whole future of co-operation.
We have traced the idea of it to Grlasgow in 1822, to
Meltham Mills in 1827,* to Rochdale in 1844, whence
it has spread over the earth. What conception the
originators formed of the new principle, or how they
explained its operation, as an improvement on the interest
on capital plan, has not appeared in any records I have
met with. One thing would strike most persons when they
thought of it, namely, that giving a profit to customers
would increase them. No doubt others saw that under the
interest on capital plan, that Avhile the shareholders who
could subscribe £100 might get £15, the poorer member
who could only put in £l obtained only 3s., yet the large
shareholder who received the £15 may not have been a
purchaser at all, while the poor member, if he had a family
probably contributed £50 of capital to the business, if his
purchases amounted to £1 per week, and the 2s. in the £
which on the average can be returned to purchasers, would
give him £5 a year, besides his little 5 per cent, interest on
his capital. Thus it could be shown that the customer con-
tributed more to the profits of the store than the capitalist.
The purchaser therefore was taken into the partnership.
Thus the mere form of distributing profits actually increased
them. The interest of the purchaser revived : he became
a propagandist. He brought in his neighbour. Business
grew, profits augmented, and new vitality was infhsed into
co-operation. The conception of it grew. The vague
principle that the producer of profit should have the
profit, took a defined form, and he got it — and the
purchaser was henceforth included in the participation of
store gains.
* Mr. Walter Sanderson, of Galashiels, informs me (1876) that the
principle was introduced into that town about the same time, by Mr. William
Sanderson, (founder of the Building Society there) without any connection
with Eochdale. Came it from Cambuslang ? Mr. Walter Sanderson gives
no details, but he is a responsible correspondent, and his word may be taken,
as to the fact.
NATURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE. iO
SuccessiTe Definitions of Co-operation.
Definitions grow as the horizon of experience expands.
They are not inventions, but descriptions of the state of a
question. No man sees all through a discovery at once.
Had Christ foreseen the melancholy controversies over
what he meant, which have since saddened the world, he
■would have written a book himself, and never have trusted
the conditions of salvation to the incapable constructions
and vafjue memories of illiterate followers. Foreseeinor
definitions, guidmg co-operation at successive points,
would have been a great advantage, but it had to wait for
them.
"When it became clear that the purchaser must be taken
into partnership as well as the capitalist, it did not occur
to any one that co-operation was not complete so long as
the servants of the store were left out. If profits were to
be shared by all who contributed to produce them, the
servants of the store must be included.
The definition of the co-operative principle in 1844 had
assumed the following form. Co-operation is a scheme of
shopkeeping for the working people, where no credit is
given or received, where pure articles of just measure are
sold at market prices, and the profits accumulated for the
purchasers. No one said this then, but this is what would
have been said, had any one tried to define the purport of
what was then attempted.
It was not until twenty-eight years later, namely in
1868, that Rochdale attempted to extend the principle of
co-operation to manufactures. The obvious way of doing
this was to divide profits with the artizans. Those who
had discovered that the interest of the purchaser was worth
buying, were ready to admit that the interest of the work-
man was also worth its price. Clerks, managers, workmen,
whoever in any capacity, high or low, were engaged in pro-
moting the profits were to be counted in the distribution.
Fourteen years more elapsed before any current defini-
tion of co-operation contained the following addition : —
The main principle of co-operation is that in all new
76 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Mr. J. S. Mill's ComprehenBive Definition.
enterprises, whether of trades or manufacture, the profits
shall be distributed in equitable proportions among all
engacred in creatino; it.*
At the Social Science Congress held in Edinburgh in
1867, 1 asked Prof. Fawcett to take occasion in one of the
Sections to define co-operation as he conceived it, that we
might be able to quote his authority in our societies. He
did so in words which included labour as well as capital in
the division of profits.
The most comprehensive statement of co-operation is
that given by a master of definitions, that placed at the
head of this chapter. It occurred in the first public speech
Mr. John Stuart Mill was known to have made. A great
Co-operative Tea Party, of members of co-operative soci-
eties in London, was held in the Old Crown and Anchor
Hall, Strand, then known as the Whittington Club. Being
acquainted with Mr. Mill, I solicited him to define the
nature of co-operation as he conceived it, for our guidance.
" It is not co-operation," he said, " where a few persons
join for the purpose of making a profit by which only a por-
tion of them benefit. Co-operation is where the whole of the
produce is divided. What is wanted is that the whole
working class should partake of the profits of labour.''''
Years elapsed before any official definition was attempted
of co-operation. The Co-operative Congress at Newcastle-
on-Tyne (1873), agreed upon a floating definition of a co-
operative society, stating that " any society should be
regarded as co-operative which divided profits with labour,
or trade, or both." Prior to this, I had taken some trouble
to show that if the purchaser from a manufacturing societ}''
was to be placed on the same footing as the purchaser from
a store, a similar extension of business and profits would be
likely to arise in the workshop which had accrued at the
store ; and the cost of advertising and travellers and com-
missions would be greatly reduced. Tiiis led to a more com-
* Logic of Co-operation.
NATURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE. 77
Further Definitions, including tho Consumer.
prehensive definition of the scope of co-operative principle
which was thus expressed.
Co-operation is an industrial scheme for delivering tlie
public from the conspiracy of capitalists, traders, or
manufacturers, who would make the labourer work for the
least and the consumer pay the utmost for whatever he
needs of money, machines, or merchandise. Co-operation
effects this deliverance by taking the workman and the
customer into partnership in every form of business it
devises.*
In a yet briefer form I sought to indicate that the
consumer must be kept in view if co-operation is to be
complete. These wei'C the words used : " Co-operation is
a scheme by which profits can be obtained by concert and
divided by consent, including with the producers the indi-
gent consumer." f This definition is also from the " Logic
of Co-operation," written to show that the original and
defensible purpose of co-operation is the better distri-
bution of wealth throughout the whole community, includ-
ing the consumer. Co-operation to benefit the capitalist
at the expense of the workman ; or to benefit the workman
at the expense of the consumer, still maintains a virtual
conspiracy against the purchasing public. Such co-
operation leaves tho third and larger class unprotected
and unbenefited, save indirectly or temporarily. It creates
new forces of organized competitors against the outlying
community. Co-operation should aim to cancel competi-
tion within its own range of action, and thus mitigate its
pressure. The present general state of society is be^'ond
* Logic of Co-operation.
t In the previous volume I hnve spoken of the capital-lender :ind
labour-lender in a sense which raayiuiply co-equal participation in proiits. In
all definitions in this volume the term captial-lender is intentionally absent.
In the long survey I have had to make of the field of co-operation, I have
seen confusion everywhere from capital being treated as a recipient of profit.
There never will be clearness of view in tlio co-operative field until capital
is counted as an expense — and when paid, done with. Labour by brain or
hand is the sole claimant of profits.
78 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Platform Definition of Co-operation.
our power of changing. The claim of co-operation is that
it is a new force calculated to improve industrial society,
by introducing in distribution and production wherever it
operates, the principle of common interests, instead of
competitive interests.
All co-operators who have, as the Italians say, " eyes
that can see a buffalo in the snow," will see the policy of
counting the customer as an ally. Until this is done,
productive co-operation will " wriggle " in the markets of
competition, as Denner says in " Felix Holt," " like a
worm that tries to walk on its tail ; " whereas, when the
consumer finds his interest consulted, co-operation has a
new and an assured future before it. It will tread as sure-
footed as a behemoth, and, what is more, secure the dis-
tribution of wealth by making moderate competence
possible to all who work. Production is already ample,
and an affliction in society, rendering the poverty of the
many sharper and more abject by the side of the splendid,
ever-growing, bewildering, masterful, and aggressive
opulence of the few, which menaces by endowing dreadful
anarchy itself with the charm of change. There never was
security except by the sword, in any nation, where the few
have been rich and the many poor ; but society will be
secure without the sword when the condition is reversed, and
the many have competence and only the few ai'e indigent.
Audiences unfamiliar with the subject, I have found to
understand it by describing the three features of it which
experience and growth have developed. Co-operation
consists
1. Concert regulated by honesty, with a view to profit
by economy.
2. Equitable distribution of profits among all concerned
in creating them, whether by purchases, service in distri-
bution, or by labour, or custom in manufactures.
3. Educated common sense in propagandism.*
* Lecture to Eleusis Ciub, 1877.
NATURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE. 7i>
The Troublesomeness of Principles.
The general conception of co-operation by outside econo-
mical writers who have paid attention to it, is that given bv
Dr. Elder in his recent work entitled "Topics of the Day,"
who says: "In common use, the term co-operation is
restricted to such organized combinations of individuals as
are designed to relieve them, as far as practicable, of
intermediates in productive industry or commercial
exchange. Co-operation is partnership in profits equit-
ably distributed in proportion to the severalties of
capital,* labour skill, and management.
The reader will see still recurring definitions of co-opera-
tive principle, as they are needed to explain the successive
steps taken in constructive progress. There is need of this,
for principles, like truth,
Truth can never be confirmed enough,
Though doubt itself were dead.
The main idea that should never be absent from the
mind of a co-operator is that equity pays, and that tlio
purchaser at the store and the worker in the workshoj),
mill, or field, or mine, or on the sea, should have a bene-
ficial interest in what he is doing. A soundly founded
movement will grow marvellously if the members act up
to their principles. Of course the difficulty is there. A
principle is a troublesome thing, and no wonder that so
many persons have distaste for it. A principle is a dis-
tinctive sign of opinion, chosen and accepted. It is a mark
by which a man is known. It is a profession of conduct :
it implies a method of procedure : it is a rule of action —
a pledge of policy to be pursued. To be a man of
principle is to be known as a person having definite ideas.
Such an one is regarded as a man who sees his way and
has chosen it. While others are confused he is clear.
"While others go round about he goes straight on. When
* Dr. Elder follows the old idea of including " capital" in the " several-
ties" entitled to profit. For reasons given in this volurae, in definitions of
co-operation, "capital" is expressly excluded as a participant of profit.
Capital takes payment but not profit.
so HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The popular repugnance to Principles.
others are in doubt he knows exactly what to do. But
the majority are not of this quality. They see a principle
for a short time and then lose sight of it ; and when they
learn it requires purpose and courage to act up to it, they
do not want to see it again. They do not understand that
a.ti'ue principle is the best way of attaining the end they
have in view ; and if success presents any difficulty they
are quite ready to try another -way. Indolence or
impatience, timidity or cupidity, suggests to them an
easier, a safer, a quicker or more profitable way, and they
are ready at once to set out on the new path. Some one
may point out that the new paths lead to a place the very
opposite of that they proposed to reach. This does not
disturb them. Having no clear discernment of the nature
of principle, or passion for it, they think one object as
p-ood as another, or better, if they see immediate advantage
in it. These persons are not at all interested Avhen you
explain to them that they have " lost sight of principle."
They o"ive you to understand that all recurrence to princi-
ple is " dry," and if you propose to return to it they describe
you as a ''^ theorist," well intending but clearly " imprac-
tical." There are others who readily adopt a principle
and profess a willingness to carry it out. But when they
are required to stand to it, and stand by it, against all
comers, that is quite another thing. If you remind them
that being pledged to one thing means that they are not
to do the opposite thing, you find they have never thought of
this. Many persons are willing to be regarded as men of
mark, so long as no duties are exacted in support of the pre-
tension. But to be held as committed to a special line of
action is irksome to them. Principle implies self-control ;
it implies the subordination of miscellaneous passions and
interests to one chief thing. Those who profess principle
raise expectations, and as a rule people dislike having to
fulfil expectations. Therefore, if principle is to prevail in
any society it has to be well explained, and the advantage
of abidino- by it has to be well inculcated ; otherwise men
NATURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE. 81
Principles the only source of guidance and defence.
of strong selfishness soon get uppermost — tlieir ambition
becomes tlieir principle ; tlieir interest, their policy ; and
they command the connivance or the acquiescence of all the
capricious feebleness around them.
Since clear action is only to be had from persons who
have clear ideas — the main thing is to impart these.
Yet unless there is some repetition there will be no in-
delible impression — unless the statements include all aspects
of the subject the reader will not see all round the idea —
and if there be much iteration he will grow Aveary of the
matter and look at it no more. Mere co-partnery in
business, which some writers mistake for co-operation, lies
outside of it. A co-partnery which proceeds by hiring
money and labour and excluding the labourer from par-
ticipation in the profit made — is not co-operation. English
co-operation never accepted even Louis Blanc's maxim of
giving to each according to his wants, and of exacting
from each according to his capacity. Tliis is too scientific
for the English mind, and points to the organization of
society. English co-operation gives nothing to a man
because he wants it, but because he earns it. His capacity,
if he has any, is seen in his performance, and there needs
no other investigation into it.
There is an unpleasant ring of infallible assumption in
speaking of true and false co-operation. Co-operation is
a definite thing, and it can always be spoken of as such.
Its principle and all its parts can be brought into view at
once. Where the interest of the purchaser is not recog-
nized in distribution — where the claim of the workman is
not recognized in production, there is no co-operation ;
and the assumption of the name is an imposture and mis-
leading ; and whether conscious or not, it comes under
the head of trading under false pretences. Distributive
co-operation which takes in the purchaser, and leaves out
the servants of the store, is partial co-operation. Produc-
tive co-operation, which does not recognize the directors,
managers, workmen and customers, is incomplete co-opera-
G
82 niSTOPvY OF CO-OPEIIATIOX.
The distinction between a Joint-stock and a Co-opez-ative Society.
tioii. That comprehensive form of industrial action whicli
inchides in the participation of profit all who are concerned
in any way in the production of it, is complete co-operation
as understood in the constructive period. Co-operation
is equity in business. A trading society is co-operative or
it is not. There is no such thing as fiilse co-operation.
Co-operation is complete or partial. There is nothing else
wortli considering.
^Yhen capital divides profits with shareholders only and
as such, that is a mere money-making affair. It is mere
joint-stockism. It is not a scheme that concerns labourers
much. It does not care for them, except to use them.
It does not recognize them nor appeal to them, nor com-
mand their sympathies nor enlist their zeal, or character,
or skill, or good will, as voluntary influences and forces of
higher industry. And to do the joint- stock system justice
it does not ask for them. It bargains for what it can get.
It trusts to compelling as much service as answers its
purpose. Even if by accident or arrangement, all the
workmen are shareholders in a joint-stock company, this
does not alter the principle. They are merely recognized
as shareholders — or merely as contributors of capital.
As workmen, and because of their work, they get nothing.
They are still, as workmen, . mere instruments of capital.
As shareholders they are more likely to promote the
welfare of their company than otherwise : but they do
it from interest — not from honour ; they do it as a
matter of business rather than as a matter of principle.
Tiiey are merely money-lenders, they are not recognized
as men liaving manhood. Joint stock employers may
have and often do have great regard for their men, and
no doubt do more in many cases for their men than their
men would have the sense to do for themselves. But
all this comes in the form of a largess, a gift — as a
charity — not as a right of labour — not as an equitable
proportion of earnings of profit made by the men ; and
tl;e men therefore have not the dignity, the recogui-
NATURE OF CO-OPERATIVE PRINCIPLE. 83
The Eelation of Servant and Master not distasteful to many men.
lion, the distinction of self-provision which hibonr sliould
possess.
If most workmen had a fund of capital and could hold
shares in all enterprises in which they were engaged in
labour (quite a Utopian condition of society — not yet to be
seen even dimly) they would be merely a capitalist class,
regarding work not as a dignity or duty, or hardly so
much an interest as a necessity. Tiieir study would be
how to get most by the employment of others, how early
to desert work themselves, and subsist upon the needs of
those less fortunate than themselves, to whom laboui:
was still an ignominious obligation. What co-operation
proposes is that workmen should combine to manufacture
and arrange to distribute profits among themselves, and
among all of their own order whom they employ. By
establishing the right of labour, as labour, to be counted
as capital, by dividing profits on labour, they would give
dignity to labour and make it honourable; they would appeal
to the skill, good-will, to the ntmost capacity and honest
pride of a workman, and really have a claim upon him in
these respects. But the opposite system has grown ; it
has not been invented, and has certain advantages in the
eyes of a large class of persons.
It is quite conceivable that many working men will yet,
for a long time to come, prefer the present independent
relation of master and servant. Many a man who has the
fire of the savage in him, and whom civilization has not
taught, by example or opportunity , ho w much more happiness
can be commanded by considering the welfare of others than
by considering only himself, prefers working on war terms,
unfettered by any obligation. He prefers being free to go where
he will and when he will. He has no sympathy to give and
he does not care that none is offered him. He would not
reciprocate it if it was. He dislikes being bound even by
interest. Any binding is objectionable to him. Hate,
malevolence, spite, and conspiracy, are not evils to him.
He rather likes them. His mode of action may bring evils
84 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
"With Capital as a Servant there is no Contest.
and privation upon others : but he is not tender on these
points ; and if he be a man of ability in his trade he can
get through life pretty well while health lasts, and enjoy
an insolent freedom.
All the nonsense talked about capital and the imputations
heaped upon it, which political economists have so naturally
resented, have arisen from workmen always seeing its claws
when it has mastery, absolute and uncontrolled. No
animal known to Dr. Darwin has so curvilinear a back
or nails so long and sharp as the capitalist cat. As the
master of industry — unless in generous hands — capital bites
very sharp. As the servant of industry it is the friend of
the workman. Nobody decries capital in its proper place,
except men with oil in their brains, which causes all their
ideas to slip about, and never rest upon any fact. Capital
is an assistant creator. It is nevertheless pretty often selfish
when it takes all the profits of the joint enterprise of
money and labour. It can be cruel in its way, since it is
capable of buying up land and abruptly turning people off it
— it is capable of buying up markets and making the people
pay what it pleases ; it is capable of shutting the doors of
labour until men are starved into working on its own
terms. Capital is like fire, or steam, or electricity, a good
friend but a bad master. Capital as a servant is a help
mate and co-operator. To limit his mastership we must
be subjected to definite interest. This was the earliest
device of co-operators, but its light has grown dim in
many minds, and in the minds of the new generation of
co-operators it has never shone.
The definite co-operative principle — the one maintained
throughout these pages — is that which places productive
co-operation on the same plane as distributive, and which
treats capital simply as an agent, and not as a principal.
In distributive co-operation the interest of capital is
treated as a cost : interest is counted as one of the
expenses to be paid befoi'e profits are accounted ; and in
productive co-operation the same rule must be followed.
NATURE OF CO-OPERATIYE PRINCirLE. 85
The Place of Capital Defined.
In various papers and speeches I have maintained this from
time to time, but in tracing the career of constructive
co-operation its importance has become more distinctively
apparent, and I was lately gratified to hear from Mr. Ros-
well Fisher, of Montreal, that he had quite independently
arrived at the same conclusion. He has favoured me with
a statement of his views which are conceived with vivid-
ness. He regards the Distributive form of co-operation
as seen in the operations of a store, as a form of Capitalist
Commerce. The members of the store contribute the
capital which it uses, and the profit they make on their
sales is the profit derived from the skilful use of their
<}apital, and is not made upon labour except so far as the
directors, manager, and servers of the store may be
counted workers, and they are seldom, as such, accorded
a share of the profit. Should they be included as partici-
pants of the profits, the proportion earned by their labour
will always be small compared Avith the larger profits
earned by the economical and administrative use of capital
employed in purchasing stores for sale. Store profits
being mainly derived from the uses of capital, Mr. Fisher
considers the store as a form of capitalist commerce, the
store being an association of small capitalists who create
an aggregate fund from which they derive a common
profit.
But in England we do not apply the term co-operative to
business in reference to the source of profit, but to the
distribution of the profit. In a store, profit is not divided
upon the amount of capital invested, but upon the amount
of purchases by members. The purchasers are in the
place of workers — they cause the profits and get them,
while capital, a neutral agent, is paid a fixed interest and
no more.
On the other liand Productive Co-operation is an
association of workers who unite to obtain profit by their
labour, and who divide profit upon labour, just as in a
store they are divided upon purchases. Mr. Fisher
86 HISTOEY OP CO-OPERATION
Illustrations of Co-operation in the Workshop.
recognizes what I take to be the true theory of productive
co-operation, one which presents the advantage of the prin-
ciple of dividing profits upon labour in a clear form.
It is this : The workmen should subscribe their own
capital, or hire it at the rate at which it can be had in the
money market, at 5, 10, or 20 per cent., according to the
risks of the business in which it is to be embarked :
then assign to managers, foremen, and workmen of
adequate experience and capacity, the minimum salaries
they can command. Out of the gross earnings — wages,
the hire of labour ; interest, the hire of capital ; all
materials, wear and tear, and expenses of all kinds are
defrayed. The surplus is profit, and that profit is divided
upon the labour according to its value. Thus, if the
profits were 10 per cent., and the chief director has £20 a
week, and a skilful workman £2, the director would take
£100 of the profit, and the workman £10. The capital,
whether owned by the workmen or others, would have
received its agreed payment, and would have no claim
upon the profits of labour.
All the dangerous and ceaseless conflict between capital
and labour arises from capital not being content with the
payment of its hire. When it has received interest
according to its risk, and according to agreement,
there should be an end of its claims. Labour then
would regard capital as an agent which it must pay, but
when it has earned the wages of capital and paid
them, labour ought to be done with capital. Capital can
do nothing, can earn nothing, of itself; but employed by
labour, the brains, and industry of workmen can make
it productive. Capital has no brains, and makes no
exertions. When capital has its interest its claims are
ended. Were capital content with this, there would be
no conflict with labour. It is capital claiming, or taking
without the courtesy of claiming, the profits earned by
labour that produces the conflict. It is only co-operation
■which treats capital as one of the natural expenses of
NATURE OF CO-OrERATIVE PRINCIPLES. 87
Cnpital bas but one claim.
production, entitled to its proper price and no more, and
thus limiting its absorbing power — which puts an end to
conflict with it. In cooperation labour does not consider
profit made until capital is requited for its aid. But that
and all other costs of production paid at market rates,
labour claims the residue as its profit.
A distinguished French co-operative Avriter, M. Reclus,
says — " Give the capitalist only one-third of the surplus
profits, and the worker two-thirds ; " Mr. E. Hill replies,
" In countries like India, wherein capital is comparatively
scarce, it can and Avill command high terms in any agree-
ment it may make with labour ; whilst in North America,
where labour is scarce, labour can and will command com-
paratively high terms in its agreements with capital. It
would seem a monstrous violation of abstract principle, that
whilst in order to earn fifty guineas, a low class agricul-
tural labourer must work hard for two whole years, Jenny
Lind should obtain such a sum for singing one single
song ! But so it is ; and why — but that mere labourers
are plentiful, whilst of Jenny Linds there is but one."*
My argument is quite independent of these cases.
Co-operators must buy capital at its price in the market
which will be ruled by the risks of the enterprise in which
they employ it. A Jenny Lind rate of interest must be
given for it if it cannot be had without, but having got
that it should not come up a second or third time ibr
more.
When capital first came into the field of industry men
were numerous, necessitous, and ignorant of its capacitv,
and could not have helped themselves had they been well
informed save by the co-operative device of creating it or
hiring it. Capitalists, therefore, hired labour, paid its market
price, and took all profits. Co-operative labour proi)oses
to reverse this process. Its plan is to buy capital, pay it its
market price, and itself take all profit. It is more reason-
* " Co-operator," Sept., 1865.
88 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Instead of Capital hiring Labour, Labour has to hire Capital.
able and better for society and progress that men should own
capital than that capital should own men. Capital is the
servant, men are the masters, and when capital is in its pro-
per place there will be no more discontent, no more conflicts.
In competition capital buys labour. In co-operation
labour buys capital, the whole distinction of principle
lies there. Capital is used in co-operation and honestly
paid for, but the capitalist is excluded. Capital is a
commodity, not a person. The worker is the sole person
concerned in co-operation. The capitalist sells his com-
modity to the co-operator. The capitalist has no posi-
tion but that of a lender, no claim save for the interests
for which he bargains, and, being paid that, he should not
be permitted to re-appear as a participant in the profits
of labour. The capitalist being paid his proper interest
has no claim to any more than a landlord to a second rent,
or a coal merchant to a double discharge of his bill.
The self interest — the mainspring of progress — which
the better sort of co-operators have at heart, is the self
interest of health, truth, generosity, justice, and moderate
competence. The self interest of man means his health, of
which temperance, not merely in diet, but in pleasure, is
the security. Self interest implies truth, which means
exactness of knowledge and expression ; it implies genero-
sity, which means liberality in disclosing truth, and befriend-
ing helplessness, and self effort of improvement. Self
interest implies justice, which gives all its force to the right
and against the wrong act, or the wrong judgment of others,
and aims to place the many above the need of pecuniary
benevolence or the mental patronage of charity. Self in-
terest means the command of means of moderate com-
petence by equitable association for the conduct of industry
and division of profits — without which labour is a noiseless,
ceaseless strife, ending in the chance of splendour to the
i'ew, and certain precariousness to the many.
DISTRIBUTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 89
The Store — a combination of shops.
CHAPTER VIII.
DISTRIBUTION.— THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE.
" Co-operation is the true goal of our industrial progress, the application
of the republican principle to Labour, and the appointed means of rescuing
the Labouring Class from dependence, dissipation, prodigality, and need, and
establishing it on a basis of forecast, calculation, sobriety, and thrift, con-
duciye at once to its material comfort, its intellectual culture and moral
elevation." — Horace Greeley, Founder of the " New York Tribune."
Shops in most countries are confined to the sale of one
or a very few articles. In iron founderies, engine works,
and among artificers in metals, work rooms are called
"workshops." In towns — places where small and dainty
articles, and provisions in portable quantities, are sold, are
called simply " shops," But the necessities of growing
commercial districts, and new towns, do not admit of
minute divisions of sale, and great v:»rieties of goods are
collected together in a single shanty and are called
"Stores." This American name was very early applied to
co-operative shops, and there articles of many kinds,
groceries, garments, feet-gear and goods of household use
were stored for sale. This sale bears the name of Distributive
Co-operation — which means the sale of ready-made things.
The manufacture of articles for sale — growing and
crindinfj corn, erecting dwellings, makinc; enofines, belonof
to the department of production. Productive Co-operation .
is an immense question, far mightier than that of Distri-
bution. It involves the organization of Industry which
Carlyle has desired and Louis Blanc has advocated.
The earliest, humblest and quaintest Store founded in
England, so far as my researches have gone, is that set
up by the sagacious Bishop Barrington, one of George
the Third's Bishops, M'ho held the see of Durham at the
end of the last century. At first sight it is not a recom-
90 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The earliest known Co-operative Store.
niendation to posterity to have been one of the Georgian-
Bishops. What did Walter Savage Landor say of them ? *
However, Bishop Barrington was a great favourite in
Durham, and had fine qualities and gracious ways. When
my enquiry for Co-operative facts appeared in the New
York Tribune, a correspondent, at the foot of the Allegh-
anies, sent me pages of an old magazine, which he had
probably carried from England long years ago, with his
household goods, containing, in large type, an "extract from
an account of a village shop in Mongewell, in the county
of Oxford, communicated by the Bishop of Durham."
This humble provision store, with its scanty stock, its-
tottering pauper storekeeper, with his shilling a week
salary, is a picture of the humblest beginning any great
movement ever had. No doubt the Bishop was a good
secular preacher. He certainly was a man of business ^
and showed perfect knowledge of the working of a store,
and would make no bad manager of one in these advanced
days. He describes the condition of poor people in those
times : their ignorance, their helplesness, their humility of
expectation, and the economical and moral advantages of a
co-operative store, as completely and briefly as they ever
were described. I enrich these pages with the entire account
in the Bishop's words:- —
In the year 1794, a village shop was opened at Monge-
well, in Oxfordshire, for the benefit of the poor of that and
* Thackeray had devoted four lectures to the four Georges when Landor
put their history into six lines and sent them to Mr. H. J. Slack, who was
then editor of the "Atlas" newspaper, in which they first appeared :—
George the First was always reckoned
Vile — viler George the Second,
And what mortal ever heai-d
Any good of George the Third,
And when from earth the Fourth descended,
God be praised the Georges ended.
DISTRIBUTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 01
The Bishop of Durham's History of it.
three small adjoining parishes. A quantity of such articles of
consumption as they use, was procured from the wholesale
dealers, as bacon, cheese, candles, soap, and salt, to be sold
at prime cost, and for ready money. They were restricted
in their purchases to the supposed weekly demand of their
families. The bacon and cheese, being purchased in
Gloucestershire, had the charge of carriage. Most other
situations would be nearer to an advantageous market.
This plan was adopted under the apparent inconvenience,
of not having a more proper person to sell the several
commodities, than an infirm old man, unable to read or
write. He received the articles that were wanted for tlie
■week ; and it has appeared by his receipts at the close of
it, that he has been correct. Since the commeacemeut to
the present time, there has been no reason to regret his
want of scholarship : a proof how very easy it must be
to procure, in every village, a person equal to the task.
As he has parish pay, and his house-rent is discharged,
he is perfectly contented with his salary of one sldlling per
week, having also the common benefit of the shop.
As the prices of the shop articles have varied much
during the past year (179H), it will be easy to judge of
the advantage by taking them at the average, and the
account will be more simple. Thepriceof the sale through-
out has been in the proportion stated, against the prices of
the shops in the neighbourhood.
The rate of bacon purchased, has been eight-pence half-
penny per pound ; the carriage rather more than a farthing.
It was sold for nine-pence farthing ; the advantage to the
poor was two-pence three farthings per pound. Cheese
cost four-pence three farthings ; carriage more than a
farthing ; sold for sixpence : advantage to the poor, one
penny per pound. Soap, candles, and salt, sold at prime
cost : tiie advantage on these articles to the poor was one
pound eleven shillings.
There is a loss on the soap from cutting and keeping :
to prevent which it is laid in by small quantities. Buying
92 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Sales at the First Store.
the salt by the bushel, almost covers the loss sustained
from selling it by the pound.
The quantity of bacon sold during the year was one
hundred and sixty-eight score. Cheese twenty -eight
hundred weiorht.
Account of payments in 1796.
Candles, soap, and salt - - £31 1 6
Bacon 120 0 0
Cheese 62 9 5
Carriage - - - - - 7113
Salary ----- 2 12 0
£223 14 2
The receipts corresponded, except by fifteen shillings :
which arose from the poor of Mongewell having been
allowed their soap and candles a penny per pound under
prime cost. The saving to the poor was,
On bacon ----- £34 16 8
On cheese - - - - 11 13 4
On candles, &c. - - - - 1110
£48 1 0
Hence it appears that the addition to the prime cost of
bacon and cheese, is equal to the loss on the hocks and the
cutting. Every other part of the flitch being sold at the
same price.
Since the commencement of the present year (1797),
rice and coarse sugar have been introduced into the
Mongewell shop, with much benefit ; particularly the
former.
From the above statement it is seen that, taking all the
articles together sold at the Mongewell shop, there was a
saving to the poor of 21 per cent, in the supply of several
of the most important articles of life. Many, in every
parish, would lend their assistance to carry this plan into
DISTRIBUTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 93
The benefits the Store conferred on Mongewell.
execution, if it were known that the rates would be
lowered at the same time that the poor were benefited.
From the adoption of this plan, the poor will have
good weight, and articles of the best quality; which,
without imputing dishonesty to the country shopkeeper^
will not always be the case at a common shop. Where
there is no claim on the part of the purchaser, and no
power of rejection, it is not probable that much regard
should be paid to these considerations by the seller.
The comforts of the poor may thus be promoted, by
bringing Avithin their reach the articles of life which they
chiefly want, of the best quality, and at the cheapest rate.
Their morals will also be improved by the removal of an
inducement to frequent the alehouse. As their time will
not be misspent, their means also will be increased. The
parish rates will be lessened, even if the articles were sold
without profit ; lor the labourer will be enabled to purchase
clothing for his family without other assistance. The
farmer will gain by keeping his servants regularly at their
work, and by taking from the younger of them those
examples of bad economy and dissolute conduct which
tend to lead them into the same evil habits.
Another benefit of this measure, is the preventing the
poor running in debt. The credit given to them, adds
much to the sufferings they undergo from their situation.
The season in which they have the best opportunity of
exertion, and their industry is best recompensed, is in har-
vest. Their wages then must be applied to discharge the
debts which they have contracted ; and they are obliged to
their parishes for such clothing and fuel (not to mention
house-rent) with which they are supplied during the win-
ter. As the poor find that they can procure necessaries
for their families, by this indulgence of the shopkecj^cr,
they feel less scrupulous in spending part of their weekly
wages at the alehouse. Hence the earnings of the following
week are diminished, by having mis-spent their time as
well as their money. There are but few parishes, which
9-i HISTOKY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
A Shilling Store-keeper.
do not confirm the truth of these observations ; and which
have not been called upon to redeem such goods of the
poor, as the shopkeeper had at length seized, to cover him-
self from loss, when he had no hopes of security from their
labour.
It is impossible not to feel respect for the poor " infirm
old " storekeeper — although " he could neither read nor
write," his " receipts were always correct," and if he
wanted " scholarship " he did not want honesty. The
reader will agree this is a very minute and remarkable
account of the Village Shop. The grocers of the diocese
must have been as angry at the promoters of the inno-
vatory store as they have been since. There has been no
Co-operative Bishop, until the Bishop of Manchester arose,
who has had such discernment of the subject, has taken
such interest in it, or given so useful an account of it as
the Bishop of Durham.
The co-operative store which Mr. Owen established at
New Lanark was a very rudimentary affair, precisely
such as we have in London under the name of Civil Service
Stores. Knowing that the workpeople — as is the case
everywhere with the poor — had to pay really high prices
for very inferior articles, and could never depend upon
their purity or just measure, he fitted up a store at New
Lanark more than sixty years ago, with the best provisions
that could be obtained and sold them to his work people
at cost price, with only such slight addition as paid the
expenses of collecting and serving the goods. Some house-
holds with large families are said to have saved as much as
ten shillings a week, through buying at Mr. Owen^s store.
After a time he added to the cost and distributing price a
small per-centage for educational purposes, and thus he
laid the foundation of that wise plan of applying a portion
of profit to the education of the members and their families.
Mr. Owen afterwards appropriated a portion of his manu-
facturing profits to the improvement of the dwellings of
DISTKIBUTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 95
A Visit to New Lanark.
the workpeople, and in providing means for the instruction
of their families. On one occasion, when his partners
came down from London to inspect his proceedings, they
found so many things to approve and so much profit made,
they presented him with a piece of plate. Mr. Owen had
incurred an expenditure of £5,000 for new schools. They
had no belief that intelligence would pay. Mr. Owen was
entirely of the opposite conviction, and though he did not
make his workpeople sharers in the profits of the factory, in
the sense of paying them dividends, he made them partici-
pators in the profits by the ample provision which he made
for tlieir education, their pleasure, and their health.
Mr. R. Owen, who was the prince of manufacturers,
lias had no successor, not even among State minis-
ters of education, in conceiving splendid provisions
for the instruction and social advantages of workmen.
For long years after his death the influence of his fine
spirit was discerned in the town. A workman in that
neighbourhood remarked lately, " Lanark is one of the
cleanest cutting places in Scotland now."
Those wiio take interest in the traditions of popular
education in Great Britain, may form some idea of what
Mr. Owen did for it from the following statement : —
'' Before completing my ' History of Co-operation in
England,' I thought it my duty to visit New Lanark,
which I had never seen, to look upon the mills erected on
t!ie falls of the Clyde by Sir llichard Arkwright and
David Dale, now nearly 100 years ago, and afterwards
made famous by the educational miracles of the late Robert
Owen. Though I had often heard him speak of what he
liad done there, and had examined several accounts given
by his son, the Honourable Robert Dale Owen, I never
conceived the high esteem for him which I felt when I
saw with ray own eyes what he had accomplished. I
thought that the schoolrooms, of which so much was said,
were some unused rooms in the mill and were entered by
a hole in the wall — being, as I knew, commodious, but, as
96 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Euins of Education.
I supposed, mean and tame and cheap in construction.
Whereas I found the schoolhouse a separate structure,
built of stone, vast and stately with handsome portico
supported by four stone pillars. There are three school-
rooms on the ground floor, which will each hold 600 or
700 people. Above are two lecture halls, lofty and welJ
lighted ; one would hold 800 ; another, with a gallery all
round it, would hold 2,000 people. The reading desk
(and the stairs to it) from which Mr. Owen first announced
his celebrated scheme for the reconstruction of the world ;
the handsome triangular lights, still bright, which used to
hang from the ceiling, and the quaint apparatus for the
magic lantern, are there still ; and in another building,
built by him for a dancing room for the young people, are
stored numerous black boards, on which are painted
musical scales and countless objects in various depart-
ments of nature. There are also very many canvass dia-
grams, some of immense dimensions, which are well and
brightly painted, as was Mr. Owen's wont, by the best
artists he could procure. They must have cost him a con-
siderable sum of money. Time, neglect, and ' decay's
effacing fingers ' have rendered them but a wreck of what
they were, but they are still perfect enough to show the state
in which Object Teaching was when it was first invented.
Mr. Owen knew Fellenberg and Froebel, and carried out
their ideas with the splendid ardour with which he conceived
them, years before they found opportunity of carrying
them out themselves. My purpose in mentioning these
things is that the South Kensington or other Museum may
hear of them. Most of the diagrams are capable of being
restored and are numerous enough to make an exhibition
of themselves, and would be of great interest to the new
generation of teachers in any town in which they could be
seen. The Messrs. Walkers, who now own the mills, and
who have preserved this famous collection of school furni-
ture, may be willing to transfer them to some public
museum. It is now nearly sixty years since they were
DISTKIBUTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 97
Ruins of Education.
first used, and their existence has long been unknown to
teachers. Dr. Lyon Phiyfair is in America, or I would
have asked hiin to interest himself about them. Probably
Professor Hodgson, of Edinburgh University, would — he
being near them, and being one who cares for the traditions
of education. It matters little in what museum the relics
in question may be placed, provided they are preserved
from loss." *
On kicking away the layers of mortar which had follen
from the ceiling of the great lecture hall, to make sure
that the floor was safe to tread upon, I found underneath
diagrams which had been walked over until they were in
tatters. It was thus I was led to enquire whether any
others existed. Mr. Bright had just then asked whether
ruins of the mills of Manchester would one day mark the
extinction of commerce, as the ruins of Tantallon Castle
marked the extinction of the feudal system. I thought as
I walked through the deserted lecture hall of New Lanark,
that I was treading amid the ruins of education.
The co-operation of the pioneer period was very precarious.
The stores of those days sold goods at the average market
prices ; and what was saved by economy of shopkeeping —
with a few, mostly unpaid servants, without advertisements,
in low rented rooms — went as profit to the shareholders,
who were a few adventurous persons who supplied the
humble capital. These gains were at first mostly devoted
to propagandism, and subsequently to the promotion of
Home Colonies. So long as the directors of the earlier
stores provided purer provisions and fairer weight than was
to be had elsewhei'e, or as long as the store was a centre
of social discussion and information, the stores made way,
until there came a decrease of social interest, or leading
members left, or died, or mismanagement and loss, or
fraud broke them up one after another.
* Letter to the "Times," Nov. 13, 1877, inserted under the head oC
" Educational Archajology."
D8 HISTORY OF CO-OPEUATION.
An obsolete Store.
So late as 1863, a store existed in London exactly in
the condition to which tliey had degenerated when their
social purpose had ceased to be recognised, and they were
conducted merely as a joint-stock shop. At that time
Mr. Ebenezer Edger joined with me in endeavouring to
organise a union of the scattered Co-operative Societies of
the Metropolis. Our circular was sent to one whose
address was 30, Ion Square, Hackney Road, N. Mr.
Chas. Clarke, the Manager, sent the following reply : —
" Our association cannot be classed exactly amongst
Co-operative Stores, so we have no interest to publish
our aft'airs, as Ave won't have anybody in witli us. As for
Directors tee are very particular. I am sole Manager of
all, and intend to keep so. Any who join us can make a
small fortune, but must obey my instructions, but we are
independent of any who wish to join, we keep in working
order with our present number."
Mr. Clarke did not favour us with the method whereby
'' each member joining his store could make a small for-
tune." Had he made it known and it proved satisfactory,
so valuable a manager would never have been left to waste
his abilities in Ion Square.
Dr. Angus Smith has pointed out that London has in it
nineteen climates. Every town has several different cli-
mates and several entirely different classes of people — quite
distinct races, if regard be had to their minds and ways of
acting. No one supposed that the men of Rochdale would
carry co-operation forward as they did. The men of Liver-
pool knew more of it. The men of Birmingham had more
of its inspiration and traditions, and more advocates and
leaders of co-operation in it than any other town. Man-
chester had more experience of it. Leeds had more energy
among its men. Sheffield had more spirit and individual
determination. Scotland had seen its foundations laid in
their midst, and two communities had been started among
them. Yet Rochdale, from whom no one expected any-
thing, eventually did everything. In England there is
DISTPJBUTIOX, — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 99
Difference between German and English Co-operation.
anore business enterprise that in Grermany, yet Schulze-
Delitscli has overrun the hmd with Credit Banks for lending
money to persons who woukl put it into trade or connnerce,
while in this country it has never entered into the heart of
any human being, unless it be Dr. Hardwicke, to imagine
that any person might like to borrow money among us.
The difference between German and English co-opera-
tion is this : the German co-operator sets up Credit Banks,
the Englisli co-operator sets up Stores. The Germans lend
money, the Englishman makes it. The way in which a
modern store makes money was explained twelve years ago
by Dr. Watts so clearly that it will serve now as an
example of co-operative statement, and illustrate what is
still going on everywhere. " A well-conducted co-operative
store can offer a workman 7^ per cent, rise on his wages,
and that without a strike or struggle. I had before mo in
March of 18G1, returns from sixty-five co-operative stores,
and I found their paid-up capital to amount to £15(5,596 ;
the business done over a million and a quarter per annum,
and the average dividends showed a profit of 7| per cent,
which is one shilling and sixpence in the pound on
purchases, or over 60 per cent, upon the paid-up capital in
the year. My own pass-book shows that I paid on
November 3rd of last year (1860) £1 to become a member of
a co-operative store. I have paid notiiing since, and I am
now credited with £3 16s. 6d., nearly 300 per cent, on my
capital in a single year ! Of course that arises from my
purchases having been large in proportion to my invest-
ment. In a Co-operative Store you get 5 per cent. upon,
the money which you invest as a shareholder ; and if the
store be well conducted you will get 7^ per cent, addition
to your wages." *
The first thing the earlier co-operators attempted to do
was to save the cost of middlemen. Dr. John Watts has
pointed out how singular a thing it is that " the poorest
* Lecture, Mechanics' Institution, Manchester, November, 18G1.
100 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Five conditions of Store Success.
people have the most servants, and we know tliat they who
keep servants must pay for them. Strange that those
who can least afford it should have most to pay in this
way. The rich man buys what he want of the importer,,
or the wholesale dealer, and he has at most but two ser-
vants from whom he gets his goods ; but the poor man
has to pay the importer, the wholesale dealer, the retail
dealer, and often the huckster into the bargain. These
are all his servants; they all do work for him — unnecessary
work it may be — but they have to be paid ; so the very
poorest man who wants to become richer has only to drop
his servants, the huckster and retail dealer."
A modern co-operative store generally commences and
obtains success by five things : —
1. Intelligent discontent at being compelled to buy bad
articles at a high price.
2. By opening a small, low-rented clean shop, and
selling good goods at honest measure and at average-
prices.
3. Increasing the cheapness of goods bought by concert
of custom. The more money can be taken into the market,
the further it goes in purchasing ; while the large custom
gives full employment to the shop servers, and diminishes-
tlie cost of management.
4. By buying from the North of England Wholesale, the
stock of the store can be obtained from the best markets
at the lowest rates and of uniform good quality. It is by
contimdty of quality, that the prosperity of a store is
established.
5. By capitalizing the first profits carried to the credit
of the members until they amount to £5. By this means
the first hundred members supply a capital of £5000.
Leicester, which King Lear founded before his daughters
were disagreeable, and which had a Mint in the year 978,
did not at first supply its store with sufficient capital, the
members subscribing but £1 or £2 each. The result was
that the store was pale in the face through financial
DlrfTKIBUTION.— THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 101
Pale-faced Stores.
inanition. If the society liad a physician it would have
Veen ordered an appropriate increase of financial diet
innnediately. Pale-taced stores are starved stores; and
ft'hen young have ricketts.
In a Co-operative Society there must be store feeding,
paper feeding, brain feeding. The store must be fed
with capital, the weekly official paper of the movement
nust be fed with subscribers, the heads of the members
must be fed with ideas. If a store have not sufficient
capital for all the business it can do, it has the look of a
^host, and it is suspected of being a disembodied thing. The
member who does not take in the Journal which represents
the cause of the stores and the workshop, will neither know
his own interest nor how to support those who do.
In commencing a store, the first thing to do is for two
or three persons to call a meeting of those likely to care
for the object in view, and able to advance it. In this
world two or three persons always do everything. Cer-
tainly, a few persons are at the bottom of every improve-
ment, initiating it, urfjing it on. and makinfr it go. The
■callers of the meeting should be men who have clear
notions of what they want to do, and how it is to be done,
and why it should be attempted. Capital for the store is
usually provided by each person putting down his or her
name for twopence, threepence, or sixpence a week — or more,
as each may be able — towards the payment of five shares of
one pound each. If the store is to be a small one, a hundred
members subscribing a one pound share each, may enable
a beginning to be made. In a sound store, each member is
called upon to hold five one pound shares. It is safest for
the members to subscribe their own capital. Borrowed
money is a dangerous thing to deal with. Interest
has to be paid upon it often before any profits are made.
Sometimes the lenders become alarmed, and call it
in suddenly, which commonly breaks up the store, or the
directors have to become guarantees for its repayment,
and then the control of the store necessarily falls into their
102 HISTORY OF CO- OPEEATION.
The art of collecting Store Funds.
hands. Disputes arise about management ; those wha
have become largely responsible fail to receive the support
of the members, when they most need it and most deserve
it ; and the scheme languishes, or has financial convulsions,
followed by fever of feeling and fiital prostration. By
commencing upon the system of the intending co-operators-
subscribing their own capital, a larger number of members
are obtained, and all have an equal and personal interest
in the Store, and give it their custom, that their money
may not be lost. This plan of dividing profits on pur-
chases secures not only a common interest, but a large and
permanent custom. On this plan, it may take longer to
collect the capital, but the capital lasts longer when it is
collected, and is much more productive.
A secretary should be appointed, and a treasurer;
and two or three nimble-footed, good-tempered, earnest,
willing fellows named as collectors, who shall go round to
the members, and bring into the treasury their precarious
subscriptions. Some place should be chosen where mem-
bers can pay them. Some will have the right feeling, good
sense, and punctuality to go, or send, and pay their
money unasked. But these are always very few. Many
will think they do quite enough to subscribe, without
being at trouble to do it. Others who have the right feel-
ing, and know what they ought to do, have no methodical
habits, and no sense of punctuality, and must be looked
well after, or they will be sure to be in arrears. In
building and friendly societies, fines have to be resorted to^
to compel members to do what they engage to do, and
what it is their interest to do. Considering, as Dr. Isaac
Watts says, that " the mind is the standard of the man," it
is astonishing how few people " know their own minds,"
and how many have to be fined to bring it to their recollec-
tion that they have "minds." Numbers of well meaning
working men keep no control over their wages. They can
only pay at a certain hour in each week, and if the collector
does not catch them then, they cannot pay that week at
DISTRIBUTION. THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 1C3
Outside Friends.
all, for their money is gone. The collectors of t!ie store
funds require to be men of practical sense, well acquainted
with working-class nature, capable of no end of trouble,
and have infinite patience. ''Why should any men take
all this trouble on behalf of others who ought to do their
duty ? " is a question that the collectors will be sure to ask
themselves many times. Why should one part of the
society have thus to wait upon another, whose interest is
the same as that of the peregrinating collectors? The
answer must be left to the good nature and good conscience
of these voluntary Avorkers. It is enough to state the
facts of what will have to be done — what always has to be
done ; and to give our ungrudging praise to whoever
undertakes this work. They are the real founders of the
store ; they cause the fund to exist which creates it ; they
teach the first lessons of providence to hundreds of families
who else woiild never learn them.
If the Store goes into the grocery business, or the meat
trade, or tailoring, or shoemaking, or drapery, the
members should get a good-natured, intelligent, experienced
grocer, or butcher, or tailor, or cordwainer, or draper, to
put them in the right way of buying in, and selling, and
preserving stock. Such friendly persons are always to be
found, if looked for. At first, wholesale dealei's generally
were shy of Co-operators, and would not sell to them,
and the societies bought at a disadvantage in consequence.
Before long, discerning and friendly dealers arose, who
treated with them on fair and friendly terms. Mr. Woodin,
of London, Mr. J; McKenzie, of Grlasgow, tea. merchants,
Messrs. Constable and Henderson, of London, wholesale
sugar dealers, Messrs. Ward and Co., of Leeds, provision
merchants, are examples of tradesmen of the kind described.
A wholesale agency now exists in Manchester, which
keeps buyers in, who understand what to buy and where
to buy it. The want of this knowledge is always a weak
point in young stores. This Wholesale Society * enables a
* There is now a brancli of the North of England Wholesale open at
118, Minorie?, London.
104 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Treatment of Store Servants.
young society to offer at once to its customers goods of
quality, so that the poorest residents in Shoreditch or
Bethnal Green conld buy food as pure and rich as though
they were purchasers at Fortnum and Mason's in Piccadilly
— in fact, obtain West End provisions at East End prices.
This is what Co-operation can give them, and nothing save
Co-operation can do this for them. Dishonesty among
Co-operators is very rare, and it is sufficiently provided
against by guarantees. ^Yhen servants are appointed,
they should never be distrusted on rumour, or conjecture,
or hearsay, or suspicion. Nothing but the clearly ascer-
tained fact of wrong-doing should be acted upon as against
them. If every society took as much trouble to find out
whether it has good servants as it does to find out whether
it has bad ones, many societies Avould flourish that now
fail. As Mr. J. S. Mill said to the London Co-operators,
whom he addressed at the Whittington Club, " Next to
the misfortune to a society of having bad servants, is to
have good servants and not to know it." Talleyrand used
to say to his agents, " Beware of zeal," which leads men
into indiscretions. But if earnestness without zeal can be
got, so that members shall go about propagating Co-opera-
tion among all the neighbours, inhabitants, and families
about a store, success is certain. A true Co-operator has
three qualities — good sense, good temper, and good will.
Most people have one or the other quality, but a true Co-
operator has all three : "good sense," to dispose him to
make the most of his means ; " good temper," to enable
him to associate with others ; " good will," to incline him
to serve others, and be at trouble to serve them, and to
go on serving them, whether they are grateful or not in
return, caring only to know that he does good, and finding
it a sufficient reward to see that others are benefited
through his imsolicited, unthanked, unrequited exertions —
which always get appreciated sooner or later — generally
later.
In a properly constituted Store, the funds are disposed
DISTRIBUTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 105
The Seven-fold Division of Store Funcb.
of quarterly in seven ways. (1) expenses of management ;
(2) interest due on all loans; (o) an amount equivalent to
ten per cent, of the value of the fixed stock, set apart to
cover its annual reduction in worth, owing to wear and
tear ; *(4) dividends on subscribed capital of the members ;
(5) such sum as may be required for extension of business ;
(6) two and a-half per cent, of the remaining profit, after
all the above items are provided for, to be applied to
educational purposes ; (7) the residue, and that only, is
then divided among all the persons employed and members
of the store in proportion to the amount of their wages or
of their respective purchases during the quarter, varying
from Is. 6d. to 2s. 6d. in the pound.
It was, as the reader is now aware, the discovery of the
method of dividing Store-keeping profits upon purchases,
which changed the whole face of Co-operation, and made
the lazy, lingering, limping thing to start up with energy,
march forward and walk strong and straight. William
Chambers writing on the subject says " what may be
called the peculiar distinction of Co-operation in the
division of product, from private enterprize, or that of
companies is, that a fixed interest is divided upon members'
capital — say 5 per cent, upon the shares each holds — and
then that all nett profits are divided to the trader upon the
business each member has done. And as it is the trade
which makes profit, so each gets exactly what each has
made. Both principle and mode of working out have, as
a rule, proved eminently satisfactory."
The Co-operators have known how to keep accounts.
Dr. "Watts, being the manager of an Insurance Society,
which guaranteed the integrity of persons in responsible
* Mr. Willis Knowles, an experienced co-operator, says that the Store at
Hyde, finds it most profitable to extinguish the fixed stock charge as early
as possible — making the fund set aside fur depreciations large for this
purpose ; for what eyer value is put upon un-redeemed and fixed stock has
to receive interest which is equivalent to a rent charge. This being cleared
off allows a larger dividend to be paid to members.
lOG HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Unscrupulous TraTellers.
situations, bears this testimony — *■ I liave had to do with
a considerable number of them professionally, having had to
guarantee the honesty of the managers, which has enabled
me, when I saw any fault in the accounts, to insist upon
its being rectified ; and I can say with the chairman, that
the balance-sheets of Co-operative Societies, as a rule,
would be a credit to any public accountant. There is no
single thing hidden ; you may trace the whole of the
society's operations through the figures of the quarterly
report." Co-operators also manage their aflfairs very
peacefully, for though I have been appointed arbitrator to
many societies, I have never been called upon to adjudicate
upon any difference, save twice in thirty years. Other
arbitrators have also reason to complain of want of
business.
It is not pretended that Co-operation is a special solvent
of scoundrelism, only that it diminishes the temptations to
it. The dealer, the order-getter, and travelling agent of
commercial firms, are often the corruptors of store-keepers
and store-managers. Some few years ago, a manufacturer
of a class of articles in general demand in stores, endeavoured
to do business with them. Being a man of honesty
himself, his agents made no offer of commission or any gift
to store-keepers, and he soon found that he could not do a
business with them, worthy of his attention. He succeeded
for a time, but ere long the orders fell off" or complaints
were made without reason. It was Avithin my knowledge,
that the goods offered in this case were really pure. The
manufacturer, for there were not many competitors
in his business, knew that orders were given by the
stores to firms that could not supply goods equal to
his in quality and cheapness. At the same time I
knew of cases in another part of the country Avhere
co-operation was better understood very creditable to
Store keepers. There was a dealer in London known to
me who would corrupt any one lie could for trade, and who
did not care who knew it. His doctrine was the common
DISTRIBUTION. THE CO-OPEEATIVE STORE. 107
Wise Letter of a Storekeeper.
one that if lie did not do it some rival would — an argument
by which any knave micrht justify himself in pocket pick-
ing. This villanous logician was a man of respectability,
punctual in the payment of pew rents, and with a stead}--
unscrupulous eye to the main chance. He showed me a
letter he had had from Jay Giggles, a well-loaown Store
keeper in the North. Any one would think the name
fictitious who did not know what extraordinary names
some Co-operators have. * Giggles had given an order ta
the house in question, and for reasons of his own, sent
afterwards this note : —
*' Sir, perhaps it is right to inform you that I do not ask,
nor expect, nor take any gift from your traveller, to whom
I have given orders ; I therefore expect to have good goods
sent me. I may not find it out very soon if they are not
what I am promised by your traveller, but I shall before
long make the discovery, or somebody will for me, and
then you will have no more orders. I do not pretend to
be such a very virtuous person : but my directors give me
a good salary, that I may not be temjited to seek gifts. I
am therefore bound to do the best I can for them. If I
do not I shall be found out, and I shall lose my place.
" Jay Giggles." f
" Ah " said the dealer in his prompt and miabashed
way, turning to his traveller, who was just up in town,
" Here's a letter from J. G. Jay may have the Giggles,
but there is no giggling about Jay."
* Robert Owen's first employer at Stamford was named Mc'Guffog, a
manufacturer with whom he had early relations, was a Mr. Oldknow.
t Tlie man's name was Giggles. His mother being an admirer of the
Eev. Mr. Jay, of Bnth, whom she had heard in her time, would have her
son named Jay — rather an ab.-urd union. Any one who passes to-day near
Hyde Park entrance may read in large letters over the door, the name
Tagus Shout. Never was there before sucli a wide mouthed name for a
money changer. Co-operators are not alone singular in their nomenclature.
108 HISTORY or CO-OPERATION.
How Stores raise the profits of Shopkeepers.
The local habits of purchasers, make a considerable
difference in the cost of manaffincc a store. In some
towns purchasers will march great distances to buy at a
store. In another place members will expect four ounces of
salt butter to be sent them. In many towns, customers
will wait in numbers to be served in the order of their
arrival. In other towns customers want to be served at
once, and will go into any shop rather than wait long at
the counter of the store. In these cases, the Directors are
compelled to provide more counter-men than are really
needed, in order that customers may be quickly served.
The impetuosity or impatience of members, puts alarge store
to an expense or loss, it may be of several hundred pounds,
which another society in the next town saves. No grocers
could be persuaded that the day would come when co-
operative societies woukl raise their prices and increase
their profits. Yet this continually occurs, and no doubt
grocers profit, and the outside public are taxed by co-
operative stores. The public, however, can protect
themselves by joining the stores. As soon as the dividends
on purchases at a store rise higher than the average
ordinarily attained, it generally means that higher charges
for goods are made by the Directors of the store than is
charged by shopkeepers in the neighbourhood. As soon
as the astute shopkeeper becomes aware of this, he is
enabled to raise his prices in proportion. All this is clear
gain to him, and he owes this gain to the store. The
clever tradesman knows that very little business would
be done if fools did not abound, and he never doubts
that co-operative societies will possess for a long
time a fair proportion of idiots. Therefore the dealer,
wholesale or retail, soon finds that he can disturb
the unity of the innovatory society near him, by offer-
ing some article for sale at a lower price than the store is
selling at.
Any society, or any person engaged in promoting them,
may obtain information and various publications upon the
DISTIlIBUTIOy. — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 100
Lord Ducie's Description of a Store.
subject, by writing to the secretary of the Central Board,
9, City Buildinofs, Manchester. Amonf]^ them is one by
Mr. Walter Morrison, entitled " Village Co-operative
Stores" — it is small because that is necesary to its design,
that of general circulation — but it contains exactly those
practical and familiar suggestions which everybody who
belongs to a co-operative store, or desii-es to promote the
establishment of one, would like to have at hand to
consult. Besides, Mr. Morrison gives a much-wanted
and practical list of the " Description of the Goods,"'
their weight, price and quantity, which a store should
begin Avith ; nor does he omit those higher considera-
tions which make co-operation worth caring for and worth
promoting.
One of the best accounts, next to that of the Bishop of
Durham, of the formation and career of a country store
was given some time ago by Lord Ducie in the Times.
It is a complete story of a store, and would make a perfect
co-operative tract. This store was commenced on Lord
Ducie's property at Tortworth, Gloucestershire, in March,
1867. It was conducted on the " northern " store plan.
The villagers were all in debt to the shops, from which the
store soon freed them. Lord Ducie says " the moral action
of the store thus becomes of great value, encouragino- a
virtue which precept alone has long failed to promote.
The shareholders at the end of the first year are as
follows: — Labourers, 25; carpenters and masons, 11;
tradesmen, 9 ; farmers, G; gardeners, 6; clergy, gentlemen,
and domestic servants, and various occupations, 16. Large
purchases have been made by non-shareholders, receiving
only half profits. The sales have been : For the first
quarter, £320 ; second, £349 ; third, £468 ; fourth, £511.
The dividends to shareholders have been, in the pound
expended : For the first quarter, 3s. 4d. ; second, 2s. 9d. ;
third, 3s. 2d. ; fourth, 3s. 6d. For various reasons, the
dividends will not in future range higher than 3s. in
the pound. The accounts at the end of the year
110 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
A Store Anecdote by Alderman Livsey.
of three
labourers who joined at
the commencement
were : —
A.
Paid-up Capital.
£10 0..
Dividend on
Money Expended.
,.£5 0 7
B.
1 14 10 ..
2 10 0
C.
0 19 3 ..
3 17 0
Those men earn 12s. each per week ; the difference in the
amount of their dividends arises from tlie different amounts
expended by each. A, for instance, has a large family,
some of whom add to the family income ; his purchases
have been large, and the result is a dividend which much
more than pays the rent of his house and garden. These
men have also received 5 per cent, upon tlieir paid-up
capital. The first year of the Store ended, the com-
mittee ventured upon bolder flights and fresh enterprise.
They have added a drapery branch, having expended £230
in stocking it. They have determined to pay their sales-
man 2^ per cent, upon sales m lieii of a fixed salary, and
have secured the whole of his time. They have also decided
to pay committeemen 6d. each for every attendance, a
humble extravagance which will contrast favourably with
the practice of more ambitious institutions."
Of the success of these societies a thousand anecdotes
might be related. In these pages the reader will meet
with many. One is told by Mr. Alderman Livsey, of
Eochdale : — " A poor labouring man, and owing about
£15 to his grocer for provisions, resolved to join a co-
operative society. He called upon the grocer and announced
his intention to leave the shop. The grocer was of course
indi tenant. The debtor, however, remarked that he was
quite prepared to pay his debt by such weekly or monthly
instalments as the judge of the county court inight dictate,
and he was willing to do it without the expense and
trouble of a legal process ; and ultimately the grocer con-
sented to this arrangement. The man kept his promise,
the grocer was in due course paid oft"; profits accumulated
DISTRIBUTION. — THE COOPERATIVE STORE. Ill
The Delusions of Debt.
in the co-operative society, and he is now the owner of
the house he lives in, and is also the owner of another
property which he values very highly — a county vote."
It is the rule of the Co-operators to give no credit and
take none, which has saved them the expense of book
keeping, and enabled so many poor men to escape the
slavery of debt themselves. The credit system existed in the
Halifax society until May, 1861, to the extent of two-thirds
of the amount of paid-up capital by each member. The
confusion, trouble, waste of time, vexation, and moral
harm of even this sj'stem was immense. When some Lord
Chancellor does what Lord Westbury attempted, abolishes
small credits altogether among the people, tlie poor will
become rich enough and grateful enough to put up to his
memory in every town a statue of gold.
The normal condition of a workman who is not a
co-operator is to be in debt. Whatever his wages are, he
has a book at the grocer's, and he is a fortnight beliind the
world. If any one benevolently cleared him of debt and
gave him a week's money to pay his way with, ho would
not know what to do with it, and he would never rest till
he was in debt again. Such is the blindness which comes
with habitual poverty, that a man who first begins to pay
ready money believes he is losing by it. Debt seems to
him economy. The power of saving is an art, an act of
intelligence, and co-operation has imparted it. By its aid
10,000 families in some great towns have acquired this
profitable liabit. Even if members dealing at a store roally
paid more for an article than at a grocer's, that surplus
cost, as well as the entire profit made, are paid back to
them. It is merely a sort of indirect taxation for increasing
their savings, which otherwise they would not make.
A family belonging to a store, and sticking to it, has
about it visible trophies of its benefits. One wife Jias a
wringing machine to diminish the labour of the was!iiug
day, bought out of store profits ; another has a sofa ; somo
who have musical children possess themselves of a
112 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Public effects of the Leicester Store.
pianoforte ; those who have voracious children buy a pic;.
Perhaps the result is seen in a new suit of clothes, the
admiration of the whole neighbourhood. Many have in
view, at no distant day, to put up a small house through
these means. Cobbett used to advise a young man before
he married, to observe how his intended wife employed
herself in her own family, and unless she was thrifty and
a good hand at household duties not to have her. Had
Cobbett lived to these days he would have advised young-
men to give the preference to a girl who belonged to a
co-operative store. A young woman who has learned
never to go into debt, but to buy with money in hand and
save some of the profit at the store, is literally worth her
weight in gold. Many a gentleman would save £500 or
£1,000 a year had he married a co-operative girl. In
many parts of the country now, no sensible young w^oman
will marry a man who does not belong to a store.*
At the Leicester Congress, 1877, 20,000 copies of a clever
little statement was circulated, w^hich will suffice to explain
to the most cursory reader what advantages a good Co-
operative store may confer upon a town.
1. It has made it possible for working men to obtain
pure food at fair market prices !
2. It has taught the advantage of cash payments over
credit !
3. It has given men a knowledge of business they could
not otherwise have obtained !
4. It has enabled them to carry on a trade of one hun-
dred and sixty thousand a year.
5. It has made them joint proprietors of freehold pro-
perty worth upwards of twenty thousand poimds !
6. It secures them an annual net profit of sixteen thou-
sand pounds !
7. It has raised many a man's wages two or three
shillings per week without a strike !
* See History of Halifax Societies.
DIST?JBUriON. — THE C0-0PERA.T1VE STORE. 113
Ex'es3 of success a cause of failure.
8. It lias alleviated more distress than auy other social
organisation.*
Duriniij the last two years the Leicester Society hasr
divided amongst its members, as dividend, npwards of
£23,000, in addition to several thousands added to the
members' share capital.
" Practical " people deride sentiment, but they would
not be able to make a penny Avere it not for " sentimental "
people, who have in })erilous days bleached with their
bones the highway on which the " pi'actical " man walks in
selfish safety. Common people are all dainty in their
way, and would not save money, much as they need it,
did not '' sentimental " people allure them, make it pleasant
for them, and be at trouble to serve them.
The general economical results of co-operation have
been unexpected in many ways. One is that some societies
are obliged to pass resolutions compelling members to
withdraw £10,000 or £20,000 of surplus capital
accumulating. It was the original intention of the
founders of early stores to provide these accumulations for
the purpose of starting manufactories which might yield
them higher dividends than the store paid. In some
towns of enterprise this has been done, and building
societies, boot and shoe works, spinning mills, cloth
factories, have been undertaken. It happened that
many stores have been discontinued or remained stationary
because the members had no faculty for employing their
savings. It seems ridiculous, but it is nevertheless true,
that some societies have failed, not because they were
poor, but because they were too rich, and working men
whose early complaint was that they had no capital, and
expressed violent discontent at being in that condition,
have lived to be possessors of more capital than they knew
* The Parliamentarj return of Co-operative Societies (1877) obtained
bv Mr. Cowen, M.P., shows that there are upwards of 12,000 Societies
now.
114 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Eemissivehess of Thieves.
•what to do with, and have been compelled to di-avv it oat
of the society because they had no capacity for employing
it productively. The men who at one time thought it a
sin to pay interest for money have lived to regret that
they can find no means of obtaining interest for theirs.
Many men who complain of capitalists for taking interest
for their money have lived to become the sharpest
dividend hunters anywhere to be found, and to think of
nothing else, and to sacrifice education and reasonable
enjoyment to the mere silliness of needless accumulation.
Thieves did not understand their opportunity when they
had it. For many years gold might have been captured
in quantities, at many co-operative stores. Between the
time of its accumulation, by increasing and unexpected
sales, and its being lodged in the bank, quantities might
have been captured with impunity. I have seen a thousand
sovereigns lying in a bucket, under a cashier's table — ■
which a clever thief might have covered with waste paper
and carried away. But sharper management, the purchase
of good safes, the rapid transit of the cash to the bank^
have taken away these chances. At one store, the cashier
used to carry a few hundred pounds to the cottage of the
treasurer at night when he thought of it ; and the trea-
surer, the next day — if he did not forget it — would take-
it to the bank. But the fact that the law had began ta
prosecute peculators, intimidated the thieves, and the
general honesty of co-operators afforded security where
carelessness prevailed. I remember a secretary of the
Odd Fellows who was brought before the magistrates in
Manchester, for stealing £4600 from the funds, and he
was dismissed, as the law then permitted members of a
Provident Society to rob one another. Very few rob-
beries of Co-operative Societies have taken place since
the law afforded them protection. In 1875, the Hyde
Society was robbed of £1100. In London, the secretary
of a Co-operative Printing Society made away with
£2000, and the magistrates dismissed the charge, for no
DISTUIBUTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. Il5
Scenes in the illegal days of Co-operation.
reason that we could discover, unless he thought they
being co-operators they ought to be robbed as a warning
not to interfere Avith the business of shop-keepers. But, as
a general rule, it is not safe to rob co-operators, and it
commonly proves a very unpleasant thing for any, charged
with such offence, unless it be in London. In the pro-
vinces if conviction is obtained, punishment follows. Mr.
J. C. Farn, who has recorded very valuable experi-
ence he had both in the illegal and legal period of co-
operation, gives these remarkable instances. " I hav3
been instrumental in placing persons in co-operative stores,
and they have in bygone days plundered almost with
impunity. The following cases which I have reported for
newspapers will show the state of the law as it was and is.
The deciding magistrates were Mr. Trafford, at Salford,
and Mr. Walker, at Manchester. We Avant a summons.
What for ? To compel the trustees of a co-operative society
to divide the money they have among the shareholders. —
* Mr. Trafford : Was the society enrolled ? No. — Did you
take security from those who held the property on the basis
of an individual transaction ? No. — I can't help you, and
I would not if I could. You first form an illegal society,
you bungle in the management, and then you want me to
help you out of the mess ; and, as though this was not
enough, you let the Statute of Limitations cover every-
thing. No summons can be granted.' The second case
was as follows : — ' This man, your worship, is charo-ed
with embezzling the funds of a co-operative society. — Mr.
Walker: Is it enrolled ? Yes. — Where is a copy of the
enrolment? Here. — Very well. Who is here authorised
by the society to prosecute ? I am, your honour, said a
person in court. — Go on.' — He did go on, and the man
was committed. So much for co-operative law in 1853
and 1863. Many societies have been ruined because they
could not obtain the protection of the law. If private
businesses were so placed, the same results would follow."
Admirable as co-operation is as a moral method of
IIG HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Shopkeeping an inextinguisbable Art.
frugality it is not yet a very brilliant one in trading taste.
Stores are in some cases dreary places, and there is often
more pleasure in looking into a well-arranged shop window
than into a store-window. The taste and ingenuity
with which shop-windows in many towns are set out,
certainly give life and interest to the streets. The streets
of some cities, which are now brilliant with every product
of art and industry, would look like a prolonged Poor-
house, if they were filled with Civil Service and ordinary
Co-operative Stores. The act of purchasing is in itself a
pleasure. The dainty association under which a beautiful
thing is first seen, adds to the delight of possessing it, and
the delight is worth paying for. Whatever blessings
Co-operation may extend and diffuse among the people, so
long as taste and art are unextinguished, the higher class
of shop-keeping will always endure. The lower class of
shops, which have cleanliness and simplicity, and articles of
honest make, have always been frequented with pleasure
and always will. The purchasers of prepared food feel
imder a personal obligation to the vendor who sells him
■what is savoury and cleanly made, and what he can eat
without misgiving. Mere vulgar shopkeeping, which
ministers only to coarseness and cheapness, which lowers
the taste of every purchaser, or prevents him acquir-
ing any, and furnishes a means of selling articles which
ought never to be made — is but a demoralizing business.
Such shops were well superseded by real Co-operative
Stores. It is the defect of pure co-operation that it
has not yet risen to the level of an art. It is still a
rough struggling process. It improves taste so far as
honesty and quality go, but its humble members cannot
be expected to have simple and true taste, which might
exist among the poor in degree, as well as among the rich.
It is seen in the jewels of an Italian peasant, in the dress
of a French girl, and in the homes and handicrafts of
working people of many nations. Lectures upon the art
of choosing products, why they should be selected in pre-
DISTRIBUTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 117
A Ghostly Corn Mill.
ference to others, in what state consumed, or worn, will
no doubt be one day associated with co-operative stores.
Possibly they may think it worth while to make pleasant
display of the excellent goods they deal in, making glad
the heart of the buyer.
The Corn Society's New Mill, Weir-street, Rochdale,
according to the engraving which represents it, which 1
published at the Fleet-street House, twenty or more years
ago, is the most melancholy mill that ever made a
dividend. Dark, thick, murky clouds surround it, and
the sky line is as grim as the ridges of a coffin. The white
glass of the plain front meets the eye like the ghost of a
disembodied mill. A dreary waggon, carrying bags of
corn, guided by drivers that look like mutes, is making its
way through a cold, Siberian defile. The builder might
have made it pleasant to the eye, with as little expense as
he made it ugly. But in those days nobody thought of
comeliness, seemliness, or pleasantness in structures, in
which men would work all their lives. The really pleasant
part about the Corn Mill was in the minds of the gallant
co-operators who set it going, and kept it going. But
grimness is gradually changing for the better. Some of the
Oldham Mills put up under co-operative inspiration, are
places of some taste, and in some cases of architectural
beauty, with towers making a cheerful sky line without,
and spacious windows making the work-rooms lightsome
within. The old bare-bones view of economy is dying out.
It has come to be perceived that it is ugliness which is
dear, and beauty which is cheap.
A few years ago there appeared in " Reynolds' News-
paper" a series of letters signed " Unitas," advising the
formation of a " National Industrial Provident Society," of
which, when the prospectuses appeared, William Watkiiis
was named as tiie secretary. The object appeared to bo
to establish co-operative stores, to retain the profits due to
the members, and convert them into paid-up j)remiums in
self-devised Insurance Societies, guaranteeing oado\v:a;:i:->,
118 HISTORY OF CO-OPEEATION.
Premature Forms of Co-operation.
superannuation allowances, and other benefits. The plan
was ingenious and attractive, and no doubt might be worked
as a new feature of co-operation, which would spread the
system in many quarters. The idea of persons being able
to provide payments in sickness, or loss of employment :
and if the fund to their credit was not exhausted in this
way, to secure a sum at death, or a fixed income at a cer-
tain age, by simply buying their provisions at a certain
store — is both feasible and alluring. This scheme made
great progress in Wales. I felt bound to oppose it but
with considerable regret. Its frustation was ascribed
to me, and I was threatened with an action for libel
on the part of the proprietor of the paper in which
the scheme originated. The plan required to be con-
ducted by known persons of character and fortune, leisure,
and great business capacity ; as, if it succeeded to any
extent, the profits of the members — large sums of
money — would otherwise be in possession of a com-
paratively unknown committee of men living in the
metropolis. In their h;mds also Avould be vested the
property of all these stores, the provisioning of these stores
from a central agency would be entirely under their con-
trol, and the rates of charges and quality of provisions,
and the fund of the members, would be practically un-
checked by the subscribers. At the same time there is
no doubt that in the hands of known and able men of
commercial resource and business organisation, a com-
prehensive scheme of this kind of Co-operative Insurance
would have great popularity, great success, and do a great
amount of good, and make co-operation a matter of
household interest in a way not yet thought of by the
great body of co-operators.
Since co-operation means that every body concerned
has an interest in doing what he ought to do, the
directors of the store, the secretary, the manager of it,
all persons engaging in serving it, should have an interest
in performing their duties well — as well as they were able.
DISTRIBUTION. — THE CO-OrERATlVE STORE. 119
Social Life in the Store.
It is not good for business when no one has a permanent
motive for civility. If a fewer persons come to a
counter, the better it is for the shopman, who has no
interest in them. He will repel or neglect all he can. A
shopman having an intelligent interest in the purchasers,
and friendly to them, make custom at the store a personal
pleasure as well as profit. For all to be respectful and
pleasant to each other is no mean part of the art of asso-
ciation which co-operators have to cultivate. Personal
courtesy, which is never neglectful, never inconsiderate,
diffuses more pleasure through the life of a town than the
splendour of wealth, or the glory of pageants. They are
seen but for an hour, while the civilities and kindnesses
of daily intercourse fill up the whole of life, and convert
its monotony into gladness.
The store is a sort of Board School of co-operators,
lilembers are first acquired there, and if they ever get any
co-operative education it is there it begins ; and as the
majority of all co-operators are themselves or their
families in daily intercourse with the store, that is the
place where useful information can be diffused, and the
greatest number of impressions, good or evil, permanently
given. That is where co-operative literature can be sold,
where news of all that concerns members can be jiosted
up, that is, where the stranger looks in to see Avhat is
going on. Everything should be clean there and the brass
work bright, and every article that can be seen without
deterioration displayed with taste. The pleasure of seeing
and selecting is half the pleasure of buying. Knowledge of
the nature and varieties of jnu-e provisions, taste in colours,
patterns and texture of garments is a part of education
in man or woman, and shows the quality of their individual
character. Wise shopmen, therefore, who understand
Avliat business service means, and who have co-operative
sense and interest in its diffusion, are as important
agents in their places as directors or managers. These
persons should be carefully chosen, treated well, and have a
]20 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Influence of Servers at the Counter.
clear interest in the success and popularity of the store.
It is in their power to make the store a repellent place,
or a monotonousj or insipid place, or a pleasant and
popular place of resort. Those who hesitate to give them
good wages and a dividend upon them, the same as that
accruing to purchasers, do not understand what may be
got out of good servants. Service is not in co-operation
as it generally is in competition, a menial office. In a
store it is a place of influence. Service, where the server
is in a position of independence and equality, and where
the server understands the art of service, is one whose
position is superior to that of the customer. For he who
serves obliges. If store servers are not all of the character
described, the condition established by the directors, ought
to be such as to enable co-operative servers to be what
they ought. I purposely write Server instead of Servant,
because servant is understood to imply meniality ; while a
server is one who obliges.
Societies do not yet consider sufficiently the qualities of
those members whom they appoint directors. They often elect
those who talk well instead of those who think well. Some-
times a person coarse-minded, harsh and abrupt, uncere-
monious in dealing with officers of the store under him, will
harden them into indifference to the welfare of the store, or
irritate them into ill-feeling, and they naturally become un-
pleasant to purchasers. A member of fluency and ambition
will be very flattering to quarterly meetings, and Avin repute
for most agreeable qualities until he gets an honourable
appointment, who has himself no sense of personal courtesy,
and will be very offensive to others over whom he has
power. Courtesy, where a man has his ov;n way, and to
all who can help him to it, may co-exist in the same-
person who is at the same time insolent and brutal to any
who have independence of spirit, and who may withstand
him. There never was a tyrant deservedly execrated by a
nation ayIio had not a crowd of followers ready to testify
to his humanity and most excellent amiability. TennysoA
DISTRIBtJTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE STORE. 121
The frequent combination of Courtesy and Insolence.
points out this in William the Conqueror, when he makes
a wise observer warn Harold, who was in his power, to
note that the Duke was gracious only to those who lent
tliemselves to his ends.
" Obey bim, speak him fair,
For he is only debonair to those
That follow where he leads ; but stark as death
To those that cross him." *
In local societies, and among petty men as well as in
great states and public aspirants, the same personal
peculiarities are to be seen and guarded against, and in
co-operative societies directors have to be sought who
unite to capacity a just consideration for the self-respect of
others.
■ " Harold," by Alfred Tennyson.
122 IIISTOKr OF CO-OPER4TIOX.
Definition of a Co-operative Worksbop.
CHAPTER IX.
PRODUCTION— THE CO-OPERATIVE
WORKSHOP*
Che a compagne a 'padrone. — Italian Proverb.
(He who has a partner has a master.)
Industrial Co-operation includes not merely union for
strength but union for participation in the profits made
by the nniou. The reader already comprehends this, but
the theory has never been applied very clearly or con-
sistently to the workshop ; and among co-operators them-
selves there is consequently confusion in argument and
uncertainty in practice. The theory of the store, owing
to its simpler operations and longer experience in
conducting them, is better understood and defined.
In a store the purchasers share the total gains made.
The reader knows that the total profits arising after
payment of all trade and reserve fund expenses,
imd 2i per cent, set apart for education of the mem-
bers, the residue is divided among all the buyers of the
store in proportion to their purchases. In a proper pro-
ductive society, after the payment of all expenses of wages,
capital, material, rent, education, and reserve fund, as
the special risks of trade may require — the total profits
are divisable among the thinkers and workers who have
made them, according to the value of their labour estimated
* This chapter treats the workshop as a co-oj^erative company in which
labour hires capital, deyises its own arrangements and works for its own
hand.
PRODUCTION. — XnE CO-OrERATIVE "WORKSHOP. 123
The Hundred Master System.
by their respective salaries and to customers according to
their purchases. But hitherto productive co-operation
has seldom gone on these definite lines ; or where it has, it
has been by accident rather than design, and having no
distinctive conception of the supreme claims of labour and
the subordinate and auxiliary position of capital, the lines
have been soon departed from.
Not unfrequently the men who form co-operative
manufacturing societies prove themselves wanting in
patience and generosity towards their comrades. They
are unwilling to wait while their fellow-workmen come uj)
to them in sense, energ}', and intelligent acceptance of
the principle of equity. The wiser sort perceiving that
a successful trade may speedily produce large profits
prefer converting the co-operative affair into a joint stock
one, and keeping the gains in their own hands, and taking
their chance of hiring labour like other employers. Thus
instead of the mastership of two or three, they introduce
the system of a hundred masters.* They may not be
said to be traitors to co-operation, since they cannot
be accused of betraying what has not existed. They
simply desert it, and instead of promoting it, multiply
organizations, for the individual rather than the
common profit, and enlarge the field of strikes, and
prepare ground for contests between capital and labour
more furious and savage than any which have hitherto
occurred. The theory of a co-operative workshop is there-
fore very simple. Workmen who intend commencing one
first save, accumulate, or subscribe all the capital they can as
security to capitalists from whom they may need to borrow
more, if their own is insufficient. Nobody is very anxious
to lend money to those Avho have none : and if any do
lend it, they must seek a higher interest than otherwise
they could think of, in consequence of the great risk of
* See Perils of Co-operation— the Iliindred Master System contributed by
the present writer to the " Morning Star " newspaper.
124 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Distinctive Principle of a Co-operative Workshop.
their losing altogether what they lend. The workmen
hire, or buy, or build their premises ; engage or appoint
managers, engineers, designers, architects, accountants, or
whatever officers they require, at the ordinary salaries
such persons can command in the market, according to
their ability. Every workman employed is paid wages in
the same way. If they need capital in excess of their own
they borrow it at market rates according to risks of the
business — the capital subscribed by their own members
being paid for at the same rate. Their rent, materials,
salaries, wages, business outlays of all kinds, and interest
on capital, are the annual costs of their undertaking. All
gain beyond that is profit, which is divided among all
officers, and woi'kmen, and customers, according to their
salaries or services. Thus in lucky years when 20 per
cent, profit is made a manager whose salary is £500
gets £100 additional — a workman whose wages are
£100 a year takes £20 profit, in addition to the interest
paid him for his proportion of capital in the concern.
There is no second division of profit on capital — the
workers take all surplus, and thus the highest exertions
of those who by labour, of brain or hand, create the
profit are secured, because they reap all the advantage. This
is the distinctive principle of a co-operative workshop.
The workman has of course to understand that a co-
operative workshop is a co-partnery, and to take note of
the Italian proverb that " he who has a partner has a
master." He knows it is true when he takes a wife, and
if he does not consult in a reasonable way the interests
of home, things soon go wrong there. And so it will be
in the workshop. All his fellows are partners, all have
aright to his best services, and he has aright to theirs,
and he who neglects his duties or relaxes his care or skill
or exertions ; or makes waste, or loss, or shows neglect, or
connives at it — is a traitor and ought to be put out of the
concern.
The main object of this chnptor is to m:ike clear what
PliODUCTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP. 125
Serpentine intrusion of Capital.
are the interests which a co-operative company of workers
should include. There has been much confusion hitherto
caused by there being no clear conception of the place of
capital, which has been allowed to steal like the serpent
of Eden from the outer world of agency into the garden
of partnership, where like the glistening intruder of old,
it has brought workmen to a knowledge of good and
evil — chiefly evil : and times beyond number the serpent
of capital has caused the original inhabitants to be turned
out of Eden altogether. Hence has come discouraixement
to others, and that uncertainty which rob enterprises of
their native fire and purpose. No sooner, however, shall
one clear principle dominate the whole field of co-operative
industry, than a great change will be seen and a deter-
mined march forward be made.
We have a principle which is distinctive else we have
no right to the distinctive name of co-operators. That
principle must be carried out, else co-operators are im-
l)osters trading under a false name. The co-operative
principle is that we divide profits with labour, that we
recognize always the labourer in the workshop as we
do the purchaser in the store. The co-operative principle
is to give dignity to labour and interest the labourer
in work. It demands that the labourer shall put his skill
and character into his work and shall be repaid by being
secured his full share of the whole profits. The joint
stock system uses the labourer, but does not recognize him.
At best it invites him to join the capitalist class as a
shareholder, in which case he looks for profit, not from
his labour, but from the labour of others. Under the joint
stock plan, labour is still a hired instrument — labour
is still dependent, without dignity, without recognition,
without rights.
A true example of a co-operative workshop was that
founded by the Christian Socialists, a quarter of a century
ago. The condition of the working tailors of the metro-
polis, 23,000 in number, appeared from the description in
126 HISTORY OP CO-OPE PwATION'.
A Model London Workshop.
the " Morning Chronicle," to be so deplorable and so unjust
— owing, as was alleged, to the system of contract work,
sweaters, middlemen, and excessive competition, that
several gentlemen, with Prof. Maurice, Mr. E. V. Neale, and
Canon Kingslej at their head, resolved upon an attempt to
rescue them from such wretchedness, and, if possible, super-
sede the slop-sellers. For this purpose they subscribed
£300, rented some suitable premises, and fairly started in
business a body of operative tailors, numbering some
thirty, under the management of a person who was
a tailor and a Chartist. The principles on which the
Association was conducted was co-operative. The manager
was absolute master until the Association repaid the capital
advanced to it. He received a salary of £2 a week, the
other members worked by the piece, according to a fixed
tariff of prices. All work Avas done on the premises.
Interest at the rate of 4 per cent, only was paid on the
capital lent. One-third of the nett profits was by common
agreement devoted to the extension of the Association, the
remainder was to be divided among the workmen in the
ratio of their earnings, or otherwise applied to their
common benefit. The plan was fairly co-operative. Here
capital took a very moderate interest for its risk. The
manager " went wrong." A manager of energy, good
faith, and good capacity, might have made an industrial
mark under these well-devised conditions.
Printers, who are the wisest of workmen, as a rule, are
not yet infallible in co-operation. The Manchester Co-
operative Prir.ting Society have this rule for the distribu-
tion of profits. " The net profits of all business carried on
by the society, after paying for or providing for the ex-,
penses of management, interest en loan capital, and 10 per
cent, per annum for depreciation of fixed stock, making the
necessary allowance for the depreciation of buildings, and
paying 7^ per cent, per annum (should the profits permit)
on paid-up share capital, shall be divided into tin-ee equal
jjarts, viz., one to capital^ one to labour, and' one to the
PEODUCTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP. 127
Limited recognition of Labour.
customer y Were the capital all supplied by the Avorkers
the double profit to capital Avould come to them. But in
this society none are shareholders, and therefore labour
Avorks to pay capital twice before it gets paid once. Yet
this society is in advance of most " co-operative " pro-
ductive societies, as that of Mitchell Hey, for instance, at
Rochdale, which gives nothing to labour. Mitchell Hey,
however, does admit individual shareholders, giving them
profit on their capital, but not on their labour. In the
Manchester Printing Society the capital is subscribed by
stores, and individual members have no opportunity of
investing in it. But in properly co-operative societies
where capital is simply a charge, and paid separately,
and paid only once — the division of tlie profits in pro-
portion of two-thirds to labour, and one-third to custom
woidd generally be found satisfactory, and the one-third
to custom would end in augmenting instead of diminishing
the value of the two-thirds to labour.
Among the higher class of masters any responsible
servant is adequately provided for ; they give a salary
which secures the whole of his interest and powers, and
they commonly tolerate his prosperity so long as they are
well served. The working class rarely do this. They arc
rather apt to fix all salaries at the workshop rate, and
begrudge every sixpence over that. For a man's brains,
devotion, interest, and experience, they award nothing
willingly, and make it so humiliating to receive anything
extra, that he who does so is eventually glad to accept
competitive employment, and unless his devotion to prin-
ciple is impassable, he does it.
Workmen who have known what it is to want, who
have risen from small beginnings, and through great
struggles and privations, are mostly, like noblemen with
fixed and unincreasable incomes, pecuniarily timid. They
are always afraid their means will fiiil them. "Workmen
who have I'isen from nothing may like to see others rise, but
they expect and rather like to see them rise through the
128 HISTORY OP CO-OPERATION.
The trouble of open administration.
same process. This is excusable, but very uncomfortable.
And it brings discredit upon working men ; it makes
others indifferent to their elevation ; workmen are
often reluctant to go into the employment of their fellows.
Now, working class masters should cultivate large and
generous views ; they should set an example to other
employers. It is only a liberal frame of mind among men
that can make a co-operative workshop possible.
Sometimes a committee of a co-operative society will
find open government more troublesome than secret.
Sometimes their manager will be able to show them that
greater advantages could be obtained if he was not fettered
by the obligation of explaining how he acquired them.
As a rule a few persons will do things in secret, which
many men would never think of doing openly, when the
transaction by being known to many, would be noised
abroad. In a co-operative productive society in London,
it transpired that a person in the office was paid by a
private firm to give it timely notice of all estimates sent out
by the co-operators. It came to pass continually that a
lesser tender was made by the rival firm, and they lost
the work. Had the private firm been co-operative and the
workmen had been acquainted with this expedient it could
not have succeeded long, and probably not have been
attempted. It is well enough known that some manufac-
turers often take an unfair advantage of others and
expend money to this end, and hardly any one is the wiser.
But a co-operative society would seldom be got to vote
secret service money for unknown application. In these
respects no doubt co-operation stands at some disadvantage,
but society has no reason for objecting to it on this
account. The publicity which co-operative policy implies
and compels, is one of its beneficial influences in the con-
duct of trade. There is no doubt that it labours under
natural disadvantage from often being incapable of prompt
action from the necessity of a number of directors having
to be consulted before an important step can be taken.
PRODUCTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP. 129
Higher qualities demanded for Open Co-operation.
Private firms of maniifactixrers are not to be siipposed to
act unfairly because tliey act secretly. The secrecy and
proinj)titude of individual action, is often the source of
honest profit. In many cases co-operative management
of a manufacturincT business may suffer in this respect.
Experience shows that practically members overcome it, by
arranjring that the res])onsible directors meet daily, and
by delenratinr;; considerable power to one of their number.
This is practically acting upon the same principle as
private firms with this difference, that nothing can be
done which those who do it do not feel themselves able
to explain and justify to the whole society at the proper
tinne. Even this is a restriction u])on enterprise as under-
stood in the competitive world. But it tells in favour of
the morality of trade. At the same time it imposes more
trouble on those who fill responsible posts in conferring
more frequently with their immediate colleagues, that they
ma}'' be able to join in their justification. Evidently, it
requires a higlier order of men, of greater patience, capa-
city and tact in communicating their views to each other;
and deficiency in this capacity, the weariness of the con-
tinual trouble it imposes on them, cause many co-operative
directors to give their influence secretly or openly to any
movement in the society for converting it from a co-oj)er-
ative to a joint stock enterprise. We have seen at repeated
Congresses, directors of the great "W^holesale Society
complain of the publicity of criticism brought to bear
upon the details of tlieir proceedings. At the Annual Con-
gress criticisms arise upon the officers of the Central
Board, upon the character of the investments of the
Wholesale Banking Department, and of the sufficiency of
the reserve fund which many consider ought to be provided
for the securify of the Bank, But co-operation always
contemplates the maintenance of reasonable publicity, as
a condition of security. The equality of members, tlie
appointment of all oflicers by representative election, the
eligibility of all members to tlie highest oflices when their
K
130 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Business education acquired in Stores and Workehops.
fitness is discerned by the society, are essential features
recognised in the constructive period of the movement.
It is intended that all members shall acquire the capacity
of conducting their own affairs, and shall possess the
knowledge which holding office shall give them, so that
they shall be competent to understand criticisms upon
their proceedings. The conviction of co-operators is, that
the greatest security and prosperity is to be obtained when
everything can be discussed in a well-informed assembly ;
and their policy is to take care that all their members are
well-informed. Co-operative workshops are the great
means by which hired labour is to be superseded and an
ever increasing body of workmen, who are their own em-
ployers, be substituted in its place.
Winters of the greatest business experience and com-
mercial authority have been among the first to see this and
to see it clearly. Here is a passage in which the effects of
industrial responsibility on the views of workmen are
stated with force and completeness. " The extensive trial of
the system of co-operation in its different forms would tend
to the correction of the present exaggerated ideas of the
working classes respecting the profits of employers, and
their disposition to under-estimate the value of the contri-
bution of capital and skill which these furnish. Experience
would show them that losses are frequent and inevitable^
that it is easy to lose money and difficult to make it, and
that the rate of net profit is not, in cases of only ordinary
good management, very high. They would learn that the
employer is not a man who merely draws a large tribute
from their labour by virtue of his possession of the wealth
in which they are deficient ; but that he contributes to the
process of production, an element of intellectual labour, on
which the efficiency of their manual labour depends.
There is always a disposition in the mass of mankind to
underrate the value of purely intellectual exertion, in com-
parison with bodily labour, and the material wealth which
is its visible result. It is natural that this should be
PRODUCTION.— THE CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP. 131
Average Cotton Spinning Profits.
particularly the case with respect to intellectual labour
a]iplied to manufacture and a^rnculture ; because the part
of the working man in these is so much the more obvious
and conspicuous. Only experience can convince workini^r
men that it is frood economy to allot to a man, who sits aU
day in a countinor house, a share equal to that of a hundred
men like themselves working hard with their hands all
day; because that man's manarrement adds more to the
value of the material products of their labour, than would be
created by the labour of a hundred additional workmen."*
Manchester Commissioners, who visited the Emperor
JSapoleon respecting the Cobden Treatv, explained that the
average profit of the cotton trade was twelve and a half ])er
cent on the capital employed. And the balance sheets of
the Cotton Si)inning Companies of the Oldham District,
Dr. Watts says, confirm the statement. The best known of
the modern crowd of Spinning Mills which have siirun.r
up in Oldham, is the Sun Mill, which commenced in iSi^U
It originated witli the co-operators, members of the Dis-
tributive Stores there, conjointly with a few Trades Union-
ists, with a share capital of £5(),00() and a loan capital of
a similar amount. They soon set .S0,000 spindles to work.
in 18 < 4 their share capital amounted to £75,000 the
whole of which, within £200, was subscribed. In addition
to this, It has a loan capital of £75,000. The entire plant
may be estimated at £123,000. The mill has ahvavs been
depreciated at 2| per cent, per annum, and the machinery
at 7^. The total amount allowed for depreciation durinn-
x!o-.nny^"rl.?^'"' ""^"^^'^ company's existence has been
i32,000. I he profits declared have been very lar^re
varying from 2 to 40 per cent. Most of the Oldham mUls
have declared a rate of profit whicii seems very hi^rh.
But as their loan capital is large and pavs onlv 5 per ce'iit.
the high profits are counted from dividends paid upon the
share capital alone.
* Charles Morrison, " Labour and Capital," pp. 134-5.
132 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
Distribution an Art requiring Uncommon Qualities.
It lias certainly been held by political economists that
distributive stores could never succeed without one directing
mind invested with absolute authority. The argument
from experience Avas completely in their favour. Since
those days numbers of stores have been successfully con-
ducted by directors, chosen in what appeared to be the
very worst manner — that of public election, — where those
who made the most speeches won the most votes. A man's
capacity for talking is no measure of his capacity for
business. Yet it has come about that men of business
faculty are generally brought to the front. Now the
same objectors say, this plan may do well for such a
simple affair as distribution, but, in productive manu-
factures, nothing can be done without the presiding
and commanding mind. Distribution is not, after all,
such a simple affair ; a few small errors will suffice to
ruin a store of 10,000 members, and it requires great
organisation and capacity to plan distribution on a
large scale, to watch at once the fluctuations of 100
markets and consult the personal tastes and interests of
10,000 families. There is no good reason to think the
working class will be unable to conduct productive co-opera-
tion by means of elected directors. There is good reason
to think they will eventually be able to take the workman
and the purchaser into partnership and realise satisflictory
profits, and establish equit}^, content, and competence
amid those concerned. Joint Stock Companies are being
successfully conducted by working men. They do not yet,
to any creditable extent, take the workmen into partner-
ship; but they do surmount the difficulties of manufacturing
management which heretofore were declared to be in-
sm*mountable. Such associations will rise and fall, even
those devised on co-operative principles will fluctuate.
Error or selfishness, reinspired by prosperity, will break
many up. Sometimes, employers who establish partner-
ships of industry will be discouraged by the apathy and
selfishness of their men, w^ho will be willing to take profits
PRODUCTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP. 135
Description of Productive Societies.
without exerting themselves to create them; and sometimes
men will be discouraged and deprived of advantages they
are entitled to have, by impatience or injustice on tlic
part of" the employers. But the number of new experi-
nieuts will increase and the number which succeed will
increase.
So far back as tlie days of Bellers, who advocated
"Colleges of Industry," production and distribution were
associated. The operatives in the colleges were to produce
from the land, or in the workshop, food for consumption and
articles for use. The manufacturers and the consumers
were the same persons. In the communities proposed
by Mr. Owen, 15(J years later, the same thing was to take
place. These forms of combined co-operation have never
been realised in England. Co-operation has been destined,
in this country, to be commenced and conducted by smtdl
groups of persons in towns and villages, scattered and
unconnected, some engaged in the sale of provisions and
some in manufactures. The most successful societies have
been, as we have seen, those for conducting stores whose
business w-as confined to distributive co-operation. Farms,
mines, mills, manufactories, ships, banks, building associa-
tions, are what are meant by ])roductive societies. These
have never made much way hitherto in co-operative hands.
They have never been inspired and directed by any dis-
tinctive co-operative policy. Productive co-operation would
make greater way if it was not supposed to be
sentimental. This impression deters many of those who
have most power to put it in motion. This impression
arises from the desire frequently expressed by well known
co-operators to pi-omoto good will. It is therefore useful
to point out that good will, though a pleasant grace and
even a paying quality in co-operation, is but a subordinate
part of it. The commercial sentiment of-co-opcration is
not philanthropy but equity. Charity is always a grace
in business men, but charity is not an element of business,
and many persons would be glad to see it eliminated
134 niSTOKY OF CO-OPERATION.
Justice is more than Good Will.
from life. The demand of people of spirit and insight is
justice, not charity: for if justice was oftener done there
would be less need of charity to redress inequality of
condition. Hence the business-minded co-operator says,
give us equitable industrial arrangements and good will
will take care of itself. The Rochdale co-operators, with
good judgment, called themselves Equitable Pioneers, and
this is the right name.
Good will is chiefly a virtue of transition. Masters
may show it to servants, the rich to the poor — but
masters do not use it towards one another ; the rich do not
ask for the good will of the poor. They prefer not to
require it. It is not wanted between equals. Courtesy,
cordiality, deference, respect are the virtues of gentle-
manly intercourse. Co-operation seeks to supersede good
will by establishing good conditions.
The names of Mr. Slaney's Committee of 1850 which
first inquired into the laws affecting the finances of the
Industrial classes deserves recording.
The Select Committee originally consisted of the follow-
ing members : Mr. Slaney, Mr. John Abel Smith, Mr.
Labouchere, Mr. Cardwell, Mr. Greene, Mr. Ewart, Lord
James Stuart, Mr. Wilson-Patten, Lord Nugent, Mr.
Stafford, Sir 11. Ferguson, Mr. Littleton, Mr. J. Ellis, and
Mr. Frederick Peel; to whom Mr. Heald and Mr.
Stansfeld were added in place of Mr. Wilson-Patten and
Mr. Stafford. Mr. John Stuart Mill gave evidence on
this Committee, one part of what he said was strikingly
new and highly interesting when taken in connection with
the subsequent development of co-operative enterprise.
In a long statement in the earlier part of his evidence,
in speaking of the remmieration of capital, and the mis-
taken notions Avhich he believed to prevail among the
working classes in regard to it, Mr. Mill dwelt upon " the
extravagant jjroportion of the whole produce wliich goes
now to mere distributors," as at the bottom of the greater
part of the complaints made by the workers against their
PRODUCTION. — THE CO-OPERATIYE WORKSHOP. Idi)
The Theory of Oldham Co-operation.
employers; and in answer to the question whether this
evil would not cure itself by competition among the
distributors, replied " that he believed the effect of com-
petition would be rather to alter the distribution of the
share amon;G; the class who now get it, than to reduce the
amount so distributed among them." But no one dreamt
then that when these obstacles had been removed the effect
would be that large bodies of these working men would
combine to use the savings on their own consumption, not to
employ themselves, but to employ other working men to
work for them, that they might put tlie profits in their
own pockets.* This is done in Oldham with an absurd
fervour. In the fertile field of Oldham co-operative pro-
duction is unknown. Mr. William Kuttall, a man of great
ability and energy as an industrial agitator, has developed
quite a passion for Joint Stock Companies there.
In Oldham Joint Stock Companies do not give workmen,
as workmen, a chance. A town of great acuteness, without
the co-operative instinct of equity, is not favourable to
the enfranchisement of labour. Mr. Joseph Croucher,
writing from the Koyal Gardens, Kew, related that a
gentleman once told him that he was stopping at an hotel,
and noticing the waiter (a Yorkshireman) to be a sharp
fellow, he asked him how long he had been in tiie place ?
" Eighteen years, sir," was the answer. " Eighteen
yeais I " said the gentleman ; '' I wonder you are not the
proprietor yourself I" "Oh," said the waiter, "my
master is a Yorkshireman also."t Wit may outwit wit :
equity alone gives others a chance.
The theory of Oldham Co-operation is that if every
inhabitant becomes a shareholder in some com))any, the
profit of the whole industry of the district will be shared
by everybody in it — which is what co-operation aims at.
but if this universal joint stock shareholding really results
in the same equitable distribution of profits as co-operation
* " Co-operative News," Dec. 1(1, 1870, Art. by Mr. E. V. Neale.
t "Co-operator," March lidth, 1668.
136 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
EiUles of the Brampton Bryan Parm.
seeks to bring about — why not r.clopt tlie co-operative
method to attain it? Co-operation works by coinnioii
arrangements for the couinion benefit — provides for the
common good by common consent — establishes common
confidence, saves rival calculations, anxiety and the
uncertainty of speculative risks, which the joint stock
system involves. The Joint stock system works by mu-
tual scheming and distrust, to obtain what can be more
economically and wholesomely got by friendly concert and
confidence.
Some examples of the diversity in the division of profits
in co-operative societies will be of the nature of informa-
tion to the reader.
The rules of the Brampton Bryan Co-operative Farming
Society, promoted by Mr. Walter Morrison, order that
€very person employed as an officer or labourer shall be
paid such sum of money that neither exceed one-lOth
part of the net profits, nor one-Gth part of the salary or
Avages earned by such officer or labourer, during the year.
The rules of this society are all through remarkably clear
and brief, and are Model Rules for Co-operative Farming.
The Agricultural and Horticultural Co-operative Associa-
tion, of Milibank Street, London, limits its interest upon
capital to 7^ per cent. It takes no second interest, but
returns the balance of profit to the purchasing shareholders.
The East London Provident and Industrial Society set
apart 2^ per cent, profits for an educational fund, and a
portion of the profits may be applied to any purpose
conducive to the health, instruction, recreation, or comfort
of the members and their families, which may include
lectures and excursions.
The Ho wick Co-operative Hosiery Company, 1873^
divide such portions of the net profits, or such portion as
may be agreed on at the quarterly meeting, equally
between capital and labour, at so much per £ on shnre
capital, and so much per £ on wages received by the
worker. The profit rule of this society has one merit, that
PRODUCTION.
Curious Methods of Dividing Profits.
of not containing the word " bonus," but it pays capital
twice.
The Manchester Spinnino; and Manufacturing Company,
18G0, jiermits net profits to be equally divided upon capital
and wages at so much in the £, payable to all workers
who have been a full half-year employed, others have
such sum placed to the credit of each workman, until
he by pin-chase or otherwise hold five shares in the com-
pany, the rest is paid to the worker. These rules recog-
nize ca])ital as an equal participator with labour.
The Union Land and Building Society of Manchester
has a special rule on the marriage of female members.
Any married woman, or any woman about to be married,
may be a member in accordance with, and subject to, the
]H'ovisions of section 5 of the Married AVomen's Property
Act of 1870, and such female member may apply in
writing to tlie Committee pursuant to provisions 5 of
the aforesaid Act, to have her shares entered in the books
of tiio society in her name as a married woman, as being
intended for her separate use. If she omits this notice,
the shares would be credited to the husband. The profits
of this society are divided equally between labour and
capital. Capital is a creature with an imj)udent face, and
as Elliot said of Communism, always '' hath yearnings for
an equal division of unequal earning."
The Cobden Mills Company distribute half profits
arising over 10 per cent, interest to capital, among the
ofticers, clerks, overlookers, weavers and other persons
in the emplo3'mcnt of the company, in proportion to the
wages or amount of salary received. If any invention or
improved process be placed at the disposal of tlie com[)anv,
by any one in its employment, the value of it is taken into
account in fixing the amount of profit to be given to him.
But the remaining half of such clear net profit over and
above 10 per cent, is to be divided between the members of
the company in proportion to the respective amount belong-
ing to them in the paid up capital of the company.
138 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
How the allurement needed by Labour was accorded to Capital.
It is a homoeopatllic amount of " half profit " that ever
reaches the workman in this mill, and the capitalist share-
holders come in as claimants for the other half that should
fall to the "workman. The division of profits in this
company has some good features, especially the recogni-
tion of the inventor or improver of processes; but whatever
advantage may accrue from the workers having a
substantial interest in the welfare of the mill has not yet
been provided for.*
In the Co-operator's Hand-book it is provided in the
60th clause, which relates to " Bonus on Capital," that
" Capital (having received its interest) shall further be
entitled to a bonus consisting of all surplus of the dividends
from time to time, apportioned therein beyond the interest
rfug."t This being the doctrine of the Hand-book of 1855,
the first Hand-book issued, no wonder confusion as to
the claims of capital has so long existed in the co-opera-
tive mind. Mr. Neale and his coadjutors the Christian
Socialists made no claim of this kind with regard to their
own capital. It was put in the Hand-book under the
belief that capital could not be obtained for productive
enterprises without the allurement of this extra remunera-
tion. This it is which has led to the slow and precarious
career of co-operative manufacturing. The allurement was
needed for workmen, instead of which it was accorded to
capital. It was enthusiasm among workmen that was wanted
to be called out by prospect of gain. Had it been so en-
couraged, immense sums of capital subscribed in the pros-
pect of double interest would never have been lost, as it
often has been, through the indifference and torpidity of
* Dr. John Watts, chairman of the Cobden Mills Co., states that the
general manager of the concern gets a bonus on all profits exceeding 10 per
cent. ; the weaving manager and the loom tacklers get bonus whenever the
weaving wages exceed a given sum in the week ; and the weavers themselves
get a bonus whenever their individual earnings exceed 58. a loom per
week
tPage 28.
PRODUCTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP. 139
Major CartwrigUt's experience of Co-operation in tlje Greek War.
the workmen. Had the second interest been secured to
the men, the capitalist had seldom lost his first*
The rules of the Hebden Bridge Fustian Co-operative
Society, 1873, after paying 7^ per cent, on paid up shares,
divide profits at an equal rate per £ between labour and
purchase. This is a proper kind of workman's society.
There are very few examples of a manufacturing society
giving any consideration to the purchasers. This is one of
the unsettled questions which will occupy attention in the
future. Its importance as a feature of constructive policy
requires a statement of it here.
in the division of profits prescribed in the Hand-book
pviblished by the Co-operative Board, 1874, the surplus
which exists after payment of all charges legally incurred,
is to be divided equally between purchasers and workers :
which fully recognizes the consumer.
The determination of this policy has been the sul))ect of
much controversy of recent years. Jt is one of the high
signs of the growth of co-operation that the question is
agitated. Its increasing interest caused it to become a
Congress question at Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1873. The
questions there debated were, shall labour and custom be
taken into partnership with capital in co-operative societies
of the future ?
To most persons this is an entirely repugnant proposal,
and requires to be strongly supported to obtain any con-
sideration for it. It strikes well-informed persons as being
wholly silly and a needless dispersion of profits to those who
have no claim whatever to them either in usage or sense.
* " Good old Major Cartwright, the reformer, a venerated friend of mine,
served in his youth in the Royal Navy, whifh took him into varioua parts
of the world, and among othera into the Mediterranean Sea, when we were
at war with the Turks. Greece being formerly part of Turkey, our cruisers
had to give cliase to Greek merchant vessels, but they rarely if ever made
a capture. Cartwright was curious to ascertain the cjvuse ; and after
observation and inquiry, he attributed it to the fact that, according to the
custom of the Greeks, every one of the crew, from the captain to his cabin-
boy, had a share in the vessel." — Letter by Matthew Davenport liill, "Co-
operator," No 41, July, 1803.
140 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Diflaculties of the Workshop merely those which Stores have overcome.
Productive societies have to go through the same
experience, more or less, which befel distributive societies —
before they can acquire the wisdom or tlie confidence to
adopt the policy of sharing profits with the customer.
Through not doing this many of these societies have
peddled along a few years, and ended in bankruptcy ; or
the affair has lapsed into individual hands. In the early
history of co-operation we have seen that productive
societies chiefly prevailed. Self-employment was at first
extremely popular. Societies attem])ting it were numerous.
They overspread the country. Few lasted and none
flourished. They fell like the distributive stores, and for
the same reason — their customers had no interest in con-
tinuing with them stronger than that which other manu-
facturers offered. When the revival of co-operation came,
and the stores adopted the principle we have described of
sharing profits with purchasers, productive societies
regarded its adoption by themselves (so far as they gave
it any thought) as a mere '•' waste of profits." Yet it
would be no less true that with yearly augmentation of
custom — ever increasing capital would admit of a vast
succession of manufactories being built : then an army of
operatives being employed, and the great gains which
come of great organizations being realized — profit would
arise in the workshop as in the store. The wholesale pur-
chase of materials and the economy which arises from
extensive and well arranged labour would bring great
success in manufactures, as the same conditions have
brought it to the stores.
To understand this question of admitting the consumer
into partnership the reader must consent to look upon
co-operation from the point of the poor. The scheme v»^as
first taken up by . pinched and needy men with some
powers of thinking. They are the sort of people who have
clung to it, carried it on, failed in it : then came back to
it, tried it again and finally improved it until it became
a power, and extended it until it became popular. The
PRODUCTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP. 141
The Case of the Consumer.
well-to-do did little for it practically. They did not care
for it — they did not, except in a few instances, aid it.
They did not, as a rule, even believe in it, nor did they
need it if they did. But the poor, to whom sickness is the
only boundary of labour, and the poor house, the only
boundary of age, co-operation was the only plank up
which they could crawl out of the ditch of indigence,
without fear that the policeman or capitalist would knock
them back again.
AVlien productive co-operation is consistently organized,
and labour hires capital and takes all the profit, it will
be the interest of the workman to make all the profit he can,
and it will be open to him to do it: and his way of doino-
it will be by charging the highest prices he can get for
his goods. The predatory feature of competition will still
bo retained. Though the outside public should be all
members of co-o])erative stores, or employed in co-opera-
tive workshops, their gains will be liable to confiscation in
some degree, greater or less, by producing companies, who
will have unlimited right and opportunity to exact the
highest prices they can get, or can conspire to get.
The problem therefore is, can tliei'e be a division of
profits between labour and trade which shall content
the worker, and accord to the consumer that proportion
wiiich shall secure his custom without cost of adver-
tisements, travellers, commissions, and other outlays in-
cidental to competitive business ?
Even now persons not devoid of power of thought,
not afraid of new ideas, not deficient in S3-mj)athy
with industrial justice, " do not see the sense of making
the consumer a sharer in profits." " He has," they
aver, " no more right to share in them than has the
man who goes to an inn, is fed and lodged there and
pays his reckoning and never dreams of a share in
the profit made b}' the landlord." But suppose it was
known that the landlord made a good administration of
his house and reserved to himself a fixed but sufficient
142 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Customers to the Workshop as profitable as Purchasers to tlie Store.
profit, and in some way returned to his customers what
mifiht accrue upon their expenditure. That might lead to
a popularity and continuity of custom, saving so many
expenses to the House, that it might fay to do it.
It all turns upon this. Those who advocate the recogni-
tion of the purchaser in production as in distribution, do so
on the ground that it seems to be the natural complement
of workshop co-operation and will pay as it has done in
the store. Mr. George Storr, of Staleybridge, a person well
acquainted with early social views, wrote to me in 1872, to
urge me to insist upon this neglected coherence of practice.
Three things are necessary to production — labour,
capital, and custom. Capital and labour would have a
poor time of it were it not for the consumers who pay for
their produce. Of these three, custom alone is left idle.
It supplies neither skill, means, nor attention. It is always
away, and has to be sought, waited upon, and often
expensively looked after. While the customer can be as
active as any one if he has a motive. He can think,
devise, point out what he -wants, give ord(?rs, bring them,
and procure them from others. In fact he can make it
wortli the while of any producing society to recognize him.
It is quite time custom was put on duty and set to work.
There will be one day as much discussion as to who
originated the plan of placing manufacturing on the same
principle as the stores, and giving profits to those who
give orders, just as the stores give profits to purchasers.
M}^ wish to see the consumer included as a participant
of productive profits is not because I think him a saint ;.
on the contrary, he is often a thief at heart, and will buy
the cheapest article he can without knowing or caring-
whether the producer was starving who made it. It was
this which excited the generous indignation of Canon
Kingsley, when he wrote " Cheap Clothes and Nasty."*
A rich man or a poor man alike, feels misgiving and
* Bv Parson Lot.
PRODUCTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP. 143
George Eliot's description of a true Workman.
discomfort lest it bo an immorality to select the
cheapest article before him. Any purchaser of common
feeling and common honour would rather feel sure that
tlie goods were honestly made, that those who made theui
were not ground down in wages, but had been pleasantly
and fairly paid. As well buy off a murderer as buy from
a manufacturer who murders his men through excess of
business capacity. If there be not a spot of blood on the
article when you place it in your room, there is a spot
on the mind content to profit by it. Including the con-
sumer in. the partnership would put an end to this.
His share could only ai-ise when capital was satisfied and
labour requited ; and besides the equitable distribution of
Avealth is compassed when the consumer obtains his share
without being left to scramble for it among the cheapest
articles in the market.
If the co-operative workshop is to succeed like the store,
we must pray for men of the type of Caleb Garth, with
•whose portraiture George Eliot has enriched industrial
literature. It would be difiicult to convey, she says, to
those who never heard Caleb Garth utter the word " busi-
ness," the peculiar tone of fervid veneration, of religious
regard, in which he wrapped it, as a consecrated symbol
is wrapped in its gold-fringed linen. The character of Caleb
is so remarkable a description of the men necessary to a
co-operative workshop that it is necessary to quote it here.
''Caleb Garth often shook his head in meditation on the
value, the indispensable might of that myriad-headed,
myriad-handed labour by which the social body is fed,
clothed, and housed. It had laid hold of his imagination
in boyhood. The echoes of the great hammer where roof
or keel were a-making, the signal-shouts of the workmen,
the war of the furnace, the thunder and plash of the
engine, were a sublime music to him ; the felling and
lading of timber, and the huge trunk vibrating star-like
in the distance along the highway, the crane at work on
the wharf, the piled-up produce in warehouses, the
144 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Character of Caleb Garth.
precision and variety of muscular eflPort wherever exact
work had to he turned out, all these sights of his youth
had acted on him as poetry without the aid of the poets,
had made a philosophy for him Avithout the aid of philo-
sophers, a religion without the aid of theology. His early
ambition had been to have as eflFective a share as possible
in this sublime labour, Avhich was peculiarly dignified by
him with the name of ' business ; ' and though he had
been only a short time under a surveyor, and had been
chiefly his own teacher, he knew more of land, building,
and mining than most of the special men in the ciunty.
" His classification of human employments was rather
crude, and, like the categories of more celebrated men,
would not be acceptable in these advanced times. He
divided them into ' business, politics, preaching, learning,
and amusement.' He had nothing to say against the
last four ; but he regarded them as a reverential pagan
regarded other gods than his own. In the same way, he
thought very well of all ranks, but he would not himself
have liked to be of any rank in which he had not such
close contact with ' business ' as to get often honourably
decorated with marks of dust and mortar, the damp of the
engine, or the sweet soil of the woods and fields. Though
he had never regarded himself as other than an orthodox
Christian, and would argue on prevenient grace if the sub-
ject were proposed to him, I think his virtual divinities
were good practical schemes, accurate work, and the faithful
completion of undertakings : his prince of darkness was a
slack icorkman. But there was no spirit of denial in Caleb,
and the world seemed so wondrous to him that he was
ready to accept any number of systems, like any number
of firmaments, if they did not obviously interfere Avith the
best land-drainage, solid building, correct measuring, and
judicious boring (for coal). In fact, he had a reverential
soul with a strong practical intelligence."*
* Middlemarcli.
PRODUCTION. — THE CO-OPERATIVE WORKSHOP. 145
Pothier's singular defiaition of Partnerships.
Potliier, in liis "Treatise on the Law of Partners,"
defines partners as " a society formed for obtaining honest
profits," a definition which Avonld tell against a good many
])artnerships of very respectable pretensions. However,
this is the kind of partnership to which co-operators are
pledged and restricted.
It is, as any man of " business " will admit, a disad-
vantage to any commercial undertaking to say that it is
honest. The first 'thing a business man (a "practical"
man is his favourite designation) asks is, not is the thing
moral, but does it pay ? I know nothing that better reveals
the fine sentiment of competition than the spontaneity and
universality of this admirable enquiry. To others, how-
ever, who think that what isriglit, ought to be " practical,"
there is a charm in any plan that has a moral element
in it, and if the element be what the lead miners call a
'' lode,"" or the colliers a '*' tliick seam," or iron masters a
" bed cropping out on the surface," so much the better.
If, however, the moral element be merely like one of
Euclid's lines, having length but not breadth, it is not
worth public attention, and human interest in it takes the
form of a mathematical point which has position but no
parts. But if it has in it a palpable equitable element,
recognizing the right of the artificer to ultimate com-
petence, the interest in such a workshop has all the
dimensions of solid satisfaction.
146 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The natural history of Discovery.
CHAPTER X.
THE GREAT WHOLESALE SOCIETY.
The kingdoms of this world began with little,
A hill, a fort, a city — that reach'd a hand
Down to the field beneath it, " Be thou mine,
Then to the next, " Thou also — " if the iiekl
Cried out " I am mine own ; " another hill
Or fort, or city, took it, and the first
Fell, and the next became an empire.
Te^nnyson's Harold.
Everybody n.nderstands the natural history of discovery.
Some one proposes to do something which it is thought will
fee useful. It is at once declared to be very absurd ; then
it is found out that if it was done it would be very
dangerous; next it is proved impossible, and that it was
never done before, and it would have been done if it had
been possible. Nevertheless the proposers of the new
thing persist in advocating and agitating it. They come
then to be designated by the disagreeable name of "fanatics."
Things are made very unpleasant to them. They are
charged with being impracticables, spoliators, incendiaries,
visionaries, doctrinaires, dreamers, and generally, trouble-
some and pestiferous persons. It is surmised that they
are probably of very bad morals, unsound in theology, and
certainly ignorant of the first principles of political
economy. At length they succeed. Their ])]an is then
found to be eminently useful, very desirable, and the
source of profits and advantages to all concerned. Then it
is suddenly discovered that there never was anything new
in it — that it had always been known — that it is all as old
.as the lills, and the valleys too — that it was recorded from
THE GKEAT WHOLESALE SOCIETY. H7
Fetlerated distribution defined.
the clay liistory began, and, doubtless, before. Those who
reviled it, and distrusted it, now find out that they always
believed in it; and those -who opposed and denied it now
become aware that it was they who suggested it — that they
were the originators of it, and they who bore all the obloquy
and opposition of carrying it through, had really nothing
to do with it. Something like this is the history of the
Co-operative Wholesale Society of Manchester, which is
a federation of stores for the wholesale purchase and
distribution of commodities for store sale.
By Federative production we understand an alliance
between producers and consumers, for their mutual benefit:
the one side furnishing goods and the other custom, wiiile
they unite in 8uj)plying the materials and plant required
to produce those goods, by the joint contribution of
capital. Such an alliance might be made between pro-
ducers and consumers under various conditions.
This maybe taken as an official definition of federative
production, it being defined in these terms in a recent
address of the Southern Section of the Central Board.
When co-operative societies first began to multiply on
the Sussex coast, the idea of organizing arrangements of
buying first took form. Dr. King was chief promoter of a
plan for this purpose. Lady Byron contributed as much
as £300 to enable it to be carried into effect. My
townsman, Mr. William Pare, of Birmingham, was an
advocate of a plan of this nature for twenty years before
it occupied the attention of Promoters of Working Men's
Associations in London, who vt'ere the first to practically
advance it.
The first official mention of a Co-operative Wholesale
Society dates as far back as 1832. The idea was started
at the first Manchester Conference when it was thought
that £500 would be sufficient to set it going, and one was
established at Liverpool which bore the name of the North
West of England United Co-oj)erative Company, its ()i)ject
being to enable the societies to purchase their goods under
148 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The project debated at Jumbo Farm,
more advantageous terms. Mr. Craig relates that at a bazaar
held in the Royal Exchange, Liverpool, the rent of which
v:as contributed by Lady Noel Byron, delegates attended
who brought goods which had been manufactured by co-
operators, and a large exchange was effected. There were
linens from Barnsley, prints from Birkacre, stufts from
Halifax, shoes from Kendal, cutlery from Sheffield, and
lace from Leicestershire. One society had £400 worth of
woollen goods, another had £200 of cutler3\ Some of the
delegates were nearly entirely clad in clothes made by co-
operators. The AVigan Society had the possession of a
farm, for which they paid £600 a year.
But it was in Rochdale that the idea was destined to
take root and grow and be transplanted to Manchester,
A mile and half or more from Oldham, in a low lying
imcheerful spot, there existed, twenty years ago, a ram-
bhackle building known as Jumbo Farm. A shrewd
co-operator who held it, Mr. Boothman, had observed in
the Shudehill Market, Manchester, that it was great
stupidity for five or six buyers of co-operative stores to
meet there and buy against each other and put up prices,
and he invited a number of them and others to meet at
Jumbo Farm on Sundays, and discuss the Wholesale idea ;
and on Saturday nights at the Oldham store at King Street,
a curious visitor might have observed a solid and ponderous
load of succulent joints well accompanied, a stout cheese
being conspicuous, for Sunday consumption, during the
"Wholesale discussion ; for the hearty co-operators at Jumbo
had appetites as well as ideas. Unaware what efforts
had preceded theirs, they came to imagine that they also
devised the AVholesale. It was another mind earlier occupied
than theirs in attention to it, which had matured a
working conception of it.
Jumbo Farm is nearly effaced or built over now. It had
a dreary commonplace look when I last saw it. Though I
do not believe, as certain old frequenters of that jaggling
spot do, that the gravitation, the circulation of the blood.
THE GKEAT WHOLESALE SOCIETY. 149
Further schemea discussed.
and Queen Cassiopia's chair were first discovered there. I
respect it because useful discussions were lield there under
Mr. Boothman's occupancy ; and I am glad to hear from
Mr. Marcroft authentic particulars how thejoints got there
■on the good days of debate, when co-operators were '' feeling
their way" — and, what shows their good sense, eating
their way too ; for lean reformers seldom hit upon fat dis-
coveries. There were and still are two great stores in
Oldham, Greenacres and King Street. Grreenacres has
never carried out Sunday gatherings on any occasion.
King Street Co-operative Society has done so for over
twenty-five years,and many of their best and most success-
ful projects have first been talked of at these Sunday
meetings. That society has probably the largest number of
members who are ever trying to get new light to
better understand what is possible and immediately
joracticable. The members have no dogmatic opinions as
to religion or party politics, but are prepared to hear
all men, and change action when duty and interest lead,
reverencing the old and accepting the new. For all this,
as well as tor its interest in the commissariat of Jumbo,
King Street shall be held in honour among stores! The
■"Christian Socialist" periodical, of 1852, published an
account of a conference held in Manchester, when Mr.
Smithies of Rochdale was appointed one of a committee,
of which Mr. L. Jones was also member, to take steps for
establishing a general depot in Manchester for supplyino-
the store with groceries and provisions. At that time,
Mr. L. Jones drew up a plan rccentl3' published,* which
contained the elementary ideas of an organized depot so far
as experience then indicated them. Thus the idea had from
the beginning been in the air. Costly attempts were
made to localize it in London in 1850. A few years later
Itochdale conducted a wholesale department in connection
■with its store ibr the supply of Lancashire and Yorkshire.
* " Co-operatiye News," May 12, 1877.
150 HISTORY OF CO-OrERATlON.
Abraham Greenwood tlie practical Founder of tlie Wholesale Society.
But it became apparent that the increasing stores of the
country could never be supplied adequately by a depart-
ment of any store, however large, and that Rochdale having
co-operated with the Wholesale ISociety in London, devise(l
and carried forward a working plan suited to the needs
and means of the stores in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
They trimmed the lamp afresh, and for some 10 years
ihey bore it burning : its light enabling other poineer
co-operators to see their way to founding a new, separate,
and more comprehensive society, which came to bear the
name of the North of England Wholesale. The question,,
who should be credited with the chief conception and
origination of this successful and yearly-growing society,
is put beyond all doubt by evidence elsewhere adduced.*
Mr. Crabtree, whose testimony walks close by the side of
incontestable facts, is material. He was himself on the
committee of the Wholesale in 1865, the same year in
which Mr. Nuttall first joined it. Mr. Crabtree recalls n
series of public facts which prove that by all contem-
poraries best acquainted with the subject, Mr. Abraham
Greenwood, of Rochdale, was the chief founder of the
Wholesale. First, Mr. Crabtree sets forth that " in the
'Co-operator' for March, 1863 (vol. 3), Mr. Green-
wood propounded his plan for a Wholesale Agency, which,
Avith some modifications, formed the basis of the present
admirable organization." Mr. Nuttall's paper, read at the
London Congress, in 1869, makes reference to the efforts
of 1856, and shows that they broke down, at that time
iipon the most important part of any undertaking, namely,
as to the best means of raising the capital. Particulars of
this are given on page 3 'J in the Congress Report, and on
page 40 Mr. Nuttall gives credit to Mr. Greenwood for
having proposed a plan which was ultimately adopted.
Some have had the idea that the directors had to abandon
Mr. Greenwood's plan and adopt the plan of 1856. The
* Part II. — History of the Equitable Pioneer:^.
THE GREAT WHOLESALE SOCIETY. 151
Vicissitudes of the Project.
plan of 1856 was never completed, for its devisers never
did ai^ree upon the principle of raising the capital ; and
■without capital it would be iin]:)Ossible to commence busi-
ness. The change of plan in question was simply this :
That, instead of charging a commission upon goods bought
for societies — which proposition the directors abandoned —
they commenced to charge for their goods a market price
which had to cover the commission, and was intended
only to be sufficient to cover expenses incurred. The
Wholesale have, as far as possible, carried out the
original idea, for they have never gone on the principle of
making large dividends, as in co-operative stores. Mr.
Greenwood's plan, as adopted by the delegates in 1862, has
been carried out.*
The Wholesale scheme in its inception, proof, and careful
steps for carrying it out in 1864, is a complete example of
the capacity of the constructive co-operators. Thrice the
attempt had been made, thrice it had deplorably or dis-
couragingly failed. More than thirty years had intervened
since the project was first launched. The idea had been
lost like a ship at sea, but had not foundered, and was
heard of afrain. Ao^ain and again it went out of si^ht and
record, and yet re-appeared. Mr. Greenwood examined
the vessel, found its sailing powers were all right, but
was sent out to coasts where no business could be done,
and consequently could not keep up a working crew, and
the ship could, never get back to port without assistance.
The reader knows from public report what the expenses
usually are of promoting and establishing an insurance
society or other company. Many would think that the
* Those who have written to the effect that the Wholesale had discarded
the principle on wliich it was first founded, had in their mind what is
commonly regarded as a detail of manigeinent. In the minutes of Oct. 1),
1864, it is recorded " that in future no commission will be charged on goods
sold." The reason of this was tbat the knowledge of prices which the
system of charging a commission disclosed, enabled buyers to take advantage
of the Wholesale. The society itself has always gone on tlie great lines
originally marked out for it. — Letter to Author hij Mr. James Crabtrec.
152 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Farthing Federation.
magical "twopence," out of which Rochdale finance arose,
•would be insufficient here, but the actual levy fell very
much below, as the following circular, sent to each society
by Mr. William Cooper when the Wholesale was resolved
on, will show : —
" At a conference of delegates from industrial and provi-
dent co-operative societies, held at the King Street Stores
meeting room, Oldham, on December 25, 1862, it was
resolved : — ' That all co-operative societies be requested
to contribute one farthing per member, to meet the
expenses that may arise.' The purposes for which the
money is required are — to meet the expenses of the com-
mittee in carrying out the resolutions of the conference,
viz. : — To remedy a few defects of the Act of 1862 in the
present session of Parliament ; to prepare plans for a
central agency and wholesale depot ; and consider plans
for insurance, assurance, and guarantee, in connection
with the co-operative societies. Therefore your society is
respectfully solicited for the above contribution of one
farthing per member."
This mighty Wholesale tax, when it was gathered in,
would have been of small avail had not strong and clear
proofs of advantage been drawn up and presented to the
confederators. The benefits calculated by Mr. Greenwood
as likely to arise (and which have been realised) he fore-
told as follows : —
1st, Stores are enabled, through the agency, to purchase
more economically than heretofore, by reaching the best
markets.
2nd. Small stores and new stores are at once put. in a
good position, b}^ being placed directly (through the
agency) in the best markets, thus enabling them to sell as
cheap as any first-class shopkeeper.
3rd. As all stores have the benefit of the best markets,
by means of the agency, it follows that dividends paid by
THE GREAT WHOLESALE SOCIETY. 153
Lord Brougham's estimate of the Distributive Federation.
stores must be more equal than heretofore ; and, by the
same means, dividends considerably augmented.
4tb. Stores, especially large ones, are able to carry on
their businesses with less capital. Large stores will not,
as now, be necessitated, in order to reach the minimum
prices of the markets, to purchase goods they do not
require for the immediate supply of their members.
5th. Stores are able to command the services of a good
buyer, and will thus save a large amount of labour and
expense, by one purchaser buying for some 150 stores ;
while the great amount of blundering in purchasing at
the commencement of a co-operative store is obviated.
Never was a greater movement created by clearer argu-
ments or a smaller subscription. The Wholesale began at
a bad time, wjien the cotton famine prevailed, and the first
half-year the store lost monc}-, but tlio second half-year its
directors contrived to clear off the loss, and j)ay a dividend
of 12s. 6d. per cent. With an average ca])ital of £2000,
and working expenses amounting to £267, the company
transacted business to the amount of £46,000. The
economy of capital and labour thus achieved was unprece-
dented, and a proof of the power and advantage of the
ready-money rule. Such were the results accomplished by
the Farthing Federation in 1864.
Within twelve months. Lord Brougham (than whom
none knew better how to appreciate the significance of
such a step) spoks of it as one " which, in its consequence,
would promote co-operation to a degree almost incalcula-
ble." When Mr. Horace Greeley was last in England, he
inquired of me, as was his wont, with Cobbett-like keen-
ness, as to the progress of co-operation. Fi'om information
he received from others also he wrote an account of the
Wholesale in the " New York Tribune," in which he con-
firmed Lord Brougham's estimation of its importance.
Scotland has a Wholesale Society of its own, which is
situated in Glasgow, The Manchester Wholesale was
solicited to establish a branch there, but ultimately the
154 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
Vast latent power of Federation.
Scottish co-operators established one themselves. In 1873,
the new warehouse of tlie Scottish Wholesale Society, a
large commanding building, was opened in the Paisley
Road, Glasgow. Mr. Alexander James Melclrum was the
President, and James Borrowman, Manager. The first ye;ir
of the Scottish Wholesale Society thev did business to the
amount of £81,000. In the fifth year £380,000. Their
capital the first year was £5,000, in the fifth £37,000.
Their total divisible profit, exclusive of interest, exceeded
£18,000 in the first five years.
In 1863, Ellen Mason, writing from Whitfield Rector}-,
remarked that " a Wholesale Depot at Newcastle would be
an immense boon to us." Many years later the sensible
appeal was listened to, as was also an application made in
London where a branch is established at 118, Minories, with
great advantage to the Southern stores. In 1865 an
application was made from New South Wales to the
Wholesale, to consider whether the Co-operative Society
of Sidney could not purchase through it.
This Co-operative Wholesale Society of Manchester sells
some three millions pounds worth of goods in a year.
There are a great number of societies in England which do
not buy of the said Wholesale Society, and the entire sum
these societies expend in the competitive markets is a very
large amount. If all these societies were federated
together they might buy vessels, farms and grazing
grounds, and set up countless manufactories, and guaran-
tee orders which would keep all profitably going, secure
good provisions and honest workmanship, and add the
profits of production to the profits of distribution among
all concerned. This is what is meant by federative
production. Its method of business and provision of
capital are simple.
W^ith the first order a remittance must be enclosed
sufficient to cover the value of the goods. Future accounts
must be paid on receipt of invoice, or within seven clays
from the date ; but if not paid within fourteen days no
THE GREAT WHOLESALE SOCIETY.
Thirteen Years' growtli of the Wholesale.
155
more goods will be supplied until such overdue accounts
are paid.
The shares, which are £5 each, are issued on condition
that a society takes out one for each ten members belong-
ing to it, increasing the number annually as its memliers
increase. One shilling per share must be paid on applica-
tion, on which interest at the rate of £5 per cent, per
annum is allowed ; the remainder can be paid up at once,
or be paid up by accumulations of dividend and interest.
The sales for 1877, amounting to £2,7U1,477, do not
represent half the business possible. According to the
Registrar's Return the purchases of co-operative stores
amounted to £10,009,515. If all the Societies bought
all they require form the Wholesale, the business might
soon be at least that amount or £10,000,000 yearly.
What the progress of the Wholesale has been during
fourteen years, the following table makes clear. The
figures are taken from the Rochdale Pioneers' Almanac
of 1878 :—
No. of Membera
Year.
in Societies
which are
Shareholders.
£0 Shares
taken up.
Capital, Share
and Loan.
Value of Goodi
Sold.
Net Proflt.
£
£
£
1864
18,337
2,4.o6
51,858
267
18G5
24,005
7,182
120,755
1,859
18G6
31,030
10,93H
175,420
2,310
1867
57,443
24,208
255,779
3,452
1868
74,494
28,148
381,464
4,925
1869
77,686
37.785
469,171
3,584
1870
87,854
43,950
()53,r>(i8
6,818
1871
114.184
5,821
49,262
727,737
8,038
1872
131,191
6,651
133,493
1,049,394
10,468
1873
163,661
12,894
r.l6,.57«
1,531,950
14,U44
1874
192,457
16,041
228,817
1,9 25, .548
19,9C.3
1875
241,829
21,473
360,527
2,103,22()
23.810
1876
274,874
24,658
399,255
2.(;44,322
34,8(18
1877
273.351
24,850
414,462
2,791,477
33,274
In 1877 there were 588 societies buying from the
Wholesale. In the table above, the reader will see number
156 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The extended Organization of the Wholesale.
of members in these Societies exceeds 273,000. The
Eeserved Capital of the Wholesale is £27,898. This great
Society has now 32 buyers and salesmen, including those
stationed at Cork, Limerick, Kilmarnock, Tipperary,
Waterford, Tralee, Armagh, and New York. The large
Reserve Fund is yearly increased so as to render every
department of the Society secure. One department is that
of banking, which has grown to such important dimensions
that its separation from the Wholesale is advised by the
most prudent friends of the Society, and that it be con-
ducted on recognized banking principles.
The quarterly balance-sheet of this society, after it had
been twelve years in operation, presented to outside readers
a fair idea of the diversity and magnitude of its operations.
Such an analysis Avas lately made by a writer in the
<' Newcastle Chronicle." He says :—" The fifty-first
quarterly report of the Manchester Co-operative Wholesale
Society is a huge folio pamphlet of twenty-four pages,
filled with all sorts of accounts and statistics rendered with
painstaking minuteness. Under Manchester is included
Lancashire, and great part of Yorkshire. The Wholesale
serves 22 counties, besides parts of Scotland, Ireland, and
the Isle of Man. Lancashire has 190 societies, with 101,000
jnembers. Y^orkshire, so far as it is under Manchester,
has 143 societies, having over 66,000 members, in con-
nection with the Wholesale. The Manchester district
shows a total membership of more than 212,000. The
Newcastle district comprises eighteen societies in Cumber-
land, with 3,496 members. Durham has forty-three stores
and 23,630 members, sent £100,000 ; Northumberland,
thirty-eight societies and 14,000 members.
The great total of cash received from the whole area
covered by the Wholesale during one quarter was
£815,411 183. 4d., yielding a dividend to the customer-
societies of £6211. The expense of management for the
quarter was £6223 12s. 7d. in the distributive depart-
ment. Apparently all the counties in England are
THE GREAT WHOLESALE SOCIETY. 157
The large possessions of the Wholesale.
represented in this report, except Lincolnshire and
Rutlandshire. The smallest return is from Cornwall,
amounting to £3 10s. 4d. The Wholesale holds land and
buildings and the ship " Plover " of the estimated value of
£72,130. The productive establishments belonging to the
"Wholesale are a boot factory at Leicester, a biscuit factory
at Crumpsall, and a soap factory at Durham. To these
must now be added the Tyne (late Ouseburn) Engine
^Vorks, towards the payment for which the sum of
£10,433 has been written off last quarter. Besides these
direct and exclusive investments, the Wholesale holds
shares in seventeen manufacturing, printing, coal, and
insurance companies.*
Share capital receives 5 per cent, per annum interest.
The profits, which are divided quarterly, after paying in-
terest on capital and working expenses, are distributed
among societies, according to their ' purchases — to share-
holders the full rate of dividend, to non-members only
half.
Members of this society, being stores, the division of
profits is made after the manner of distributive associations,
of which the Wholesale is the chief. In the productive
workshops owned by the Wholesale there is no division of
profits with labour, which is a serious blot upon its adminis-
tration. In some businesses custom is great and labour
small, and in others labour is large ; but labour in every pro-
ductive society should have representation on the directory,
where the profits of custom and labour could be adjusted
equitably and liberally between them. It is not possible
to prescribe an inflexible law of division ; but what should
be inflexible is the partnership of labour and custom in
every society, and that labour should have adequate self-
protecting representation ; and this is precisely what
Federation alone can adjust and maintain, and should
secure, free from caprice and decadence. The Wholesale
* " Newcastle Daily Chronicle," 1876.
158 HISTOKY OF CO-OPERATION.
The distinction wliich might be won bj its Workshops.
should set apart in its workshops, as the stores do, funds
for educational purposes. It does not pay to have fools
for members, and it is shabby to depend for information
upon papers written and speeches given by charity.
Thus every producing society would be co-operative all
through, self-acting, and self-sustaining. Like the pro-
ducts of nature, every seed of organized industry, wherever
it took wholesome root, would yield perfect fruit in every
place and every clime ; then federation will be the federa-
tion of equals gaining like an army by combination, with
each society like each soldier perfect in individual disci-
pline, and able, each like the English at Inkermann, to
make a stand on its own account. Under the co-opera-
tive system, fiictories and industrial works will become
Institutions. They will rear workmen who will have the
old ambition of skilled craftsmen, who will put their
character into their work. The men will remain foryears
connected with firms in which they will be partners, and
the means of trade and social education should be available
in every mill and mine, foctory and farm.
If the directors of the Wholesale add to their other great
achievements, the direct recognition of labour in their
productive works, they may increase their profits, com-
mand the enthusiastic good will of the whole labouring
community, and win a more splendid repute and do more
lasting good than was accomplished by Robert Owen at
New Lanark, who left behind him an enduring name as
the Prince of Manufacturers.
How difficult it was in the early days of co-operation to
get persons qualified to buy. Buyers, like poets, seem to
be born, not made. They must possess the tact of the
market. It is of small use that a man has money to buy
with, unless he knows where to find the right dealers, in
the right thing. A mechanic, while confined to work-
shops, does not often know where to go to buy. There
are certain tea fields in the world known to produce
certain qualities of tea, and cert:un houses get possession
THE GREAT WHOLESALE SOCIETT. 159
The art of Buying.
of tliem. He who does not know these facts does not
know with whom to deal. Some men who do know
where to look for the article tliey want, probably do not
know it when they see it. A man who is a great tea buyer
lias tea in his blood : just as famous mechanics liave steel iu
their blood, and who know metals by instinct, as some
men do colours, or textures, or as artists do forms and
tints. I know one coffee roaster in Manchester who has
coffee in his blood, and I never knew but one man in
London who had. Sugars are also a special field
for the exercise of natural taste. The Central
Wholesale Society in Manchester engage, or create, or
nurture a class of great buyers, to ensure to the humblest
store advantages they could not command i'or themselves.
The officers of the Wholesale submit any doubtful food to
the operation of the public analyst. Sometimes a Store
will report through its local buyer that it can purchase
much cheaper than the society can buy through the
Wholesale. Specimens of what has been so bought are
asked for, when, on sending it to the analyst, it has trans-
pired that the cheapness was owing to the commodity being
fraudulently adulterated. Local buyers are subjected to so
many temptations, by commissions clandestinely or openly
offered, by agents seeking orders, that many who are men
of honesty when they take office, cease to be so in a short
time. Unless the store finds a buyer of unusual virtue
who resists doing what he sees others do* — a store must
])ay a higher salary than it need do, to place him above
temptation. The Wholesale Society has been a great
source of fiduciary morality and economy by affording the
stores a buying agency. A society is regarded as wanting
in co-operative sense if if it does not join the Wholesale,
just as a jiroductive society is deemed wanting in co-opera-
tive principle unless it recognizes the partnership of labour
in profits.
*See " On CommissionB." By John S. Storr. Triibner & Co., London.
160 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Quarterly Parliament of the Wholesale.
In the advertisement of this society at the end of the
volume, the reader will see how extensive its operations
are. These Federated Stores are shippers and owners of a
screw steamer. Considerable sums of money were lately
spent with a view of instituting a Mississippi Valley
Trading Company. A deputation was sent to New
Orleans to promote that object, and a scheme being
promoted of International Co-operation between England
and America, it has been officially brought under the
notice of the Grangers of the United States at tlieir
Annual Conferences.
At a quarterly meeting of the Wholesale several hundred
delegates assemble and a more striking spectacle of the
capacity of the Avorking-class for business, when their
minds are set upon it by self-training and intelligent
interest, is not to be witnessed in England or elsewhere.
Between the House of Commons of to-day and the
Wholesale Conference there is an instructive comparison.
The delegates of the Wholesale present an appearance of
more alertness, brightness, and resolute attention to
business, than is to be seen in the House of Commons.
In that House of 658 members, there are not more than
58 who attend earnestly to business. There are about
100 who attend pretty well to their own business, and the
remainder attend to anything else when it occurs to them.
At the Wholesale Conference all the members attend to
the business. The Chairman not only knows what the
business is, he knows what it ought to be, and sees it go ;
and if it loiters on the way, makes it go. Each delegate
has in his hands a huge-sized folio covered with a perfect
wilderness of figures ; and when one page is exhausted,
the rustle of leaves turning over simultaneously in every
part of the hall, is not unlike the rising of a storm at sea,
or a descent of asteroids in November, or the vibration of
silk when the rush of ladies takes place at Her Majesty's
Drawing-Room, or the wind striking the glaciers at the
North Pole. The directors of the Wholesale, like
THE GREAT WHOLESALE SOCIETY. Ifil
The capacity for debate and business displayed.
Ministers in Parliament, are all on tlie platform, ready
■with answers the moment objections are put, and some-
times iiave replies on hand to questions Avhicli are not put.
In every part of the large hall in Downing Street the
voices of questioners and critics break out in quick
succession. No body of the industrious classes in i^ng-
land — excepts Trades Unionists — can be compared to a con-
ference of the Wholesale ; nowhere else are the delegates
so numerous ; nowhere else is every one so able to make
ii speech ; every one having business knowledge and ex-
perience of the branch he represents.
it
162 HISTORY OP CO-OPERATION.
The insurrection of Shopkeepers.
CHAPTER XI.
LONDON CO-OPERATION.— THE REVOLT 01
THE GROCERS.
An observer stilled in the pathology of knowledge has said that " Foll^
is a contagious disease, but that wisdom is by no means catching."
M.M. {Modern Manuscrii^t)
Co-operation has produced two distinct and protracted
revolts — one of the grocers, another of their customers.
The first revolt is very little known, and few persons ar(
now alive who were observant of it, or actors in it
Co-operation is one of the commercial troubles of the time.
It cannot be said to be a disturbing influence since it
seeks unity, and has always been pacific ; but society has^
been perturbed concerning it for fifty years. The first
revolt of the grocers against it took place before the days-
of the first Reform Bill. We know tradesmen conspire
against it now, when Mr. Baliol Brett (since Mr. Justic<
Brett) went down to oppose Mr. Cobden at Rochdale,
his chief charge against the great free trader was that ht
was friendly to co-operation. At the general election of
1872, candidates were reticent concerning it, and other:-
not reticent, who had held seats in the previous Parliament,
lost them. The knowledge that they had stood up for faii
play for co-operation proved fatal to their claims. Co-
operation we know has been the perplexity of two Govern-
ments. Chancellors of the Exchequer have a terror of
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — THE EEVOLT OF THE .GROCERS. 163
Unknown conflicts of the past.
deputations praying to have it put clown. The Grovernment
of Mr. Gladstone carefully abstained from saying anything
in its favour, and that of Lord Beaconsfield abstains from
doing anything against it. The general opinion is that co-
operation is absurd and impossible ; and if not impossible
impractical. Nevertheless unnecessary efforts are con-
stantly made to prevent the impracticable from being
realised.
The adversaries of co-operation among shop-keepers
have shown more skill in preserving themselves from the
infection of wisdom than any o})ponents of a movement
that could move. Many traders have been defeated by
more competent and trained competitors than themselves ;
but grocers and tradesmei\ show distress at the appear-
ance of amateurs in the field, as the Church clergy did,
when the untutored Wesleyans took to preaching on the
village green. It was beneath their dignity to fear that
humble competition. They strengthened it by showing
terror at it.
The reader of these pages will often be struck with the
perfect coincidence between the past and the present
liistory of co-operation. This generation of co-operators
are doing, thinking it quite new and innovatory, precisely
what their forefathers did with more ardour and a brighter
lio]ie long years since. Tiie co-operation of our time,
which many imagine to be an invention of to-day, is
built, as has been explained in the previous volume, upon
the ruins of an extinct movement, buried out of sight and
knowledge of the commercial classes of to-day, under the
forests of forgotten publications as completely as Pompeii
under the ashes of Vesuvius ; not less strange is it to see
grocers and tradesmen descending into the streets, to
arrest the progress of co-operation, and holding indigna-
tion meetings in the ante rooms of the Government in
Downing Street ; and to read that their forefathers in
business were equally excited more than sixty years ago.
When the Union Mill was first commenced in Devon-
164 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The conspiracy at Plymouth.
port, adjoining Plymouth, in 1815, the members had no
mill, bakehouse, or shop, in which to make up or sell
their flour. They rented a small store, in which to sell
their bread, and were dependent on a baker for making it.
The bakers soon combined against them, and wrote to
the Admiralty to put them down, but somehow the co-
operators of the Mill surmounted the difficulties in their
way. The Government uever appear to have been very
anxious to take the part of one set of tradesmen against
^another. A venerable survivor, who was 84 years old in
1863, mortgaged a house he had to raise £600 to enable a
new society to be established in the town.*
The British Association (for the advancement of co-
operation) of 1830 brought under the notice of its
members " with extreme regret that an ignorant yet
powerful band of petty shop-keepers at Hampstead, has
been successful by bribes and low cunning in frustrating
the attempt of some co-operators in that place to hold
a public meeting, and that the parochial authorities of
Tunbridge Wells and of Thurmaston, in Leicestershire,
have wi^lidrawn the trifling pittance given by the parish
to sonr.e poor people who were making attempts
to relieve themselves from so degrading a dependence
for bread. Others threatened with like deprivations
have been obliged to withdraw from membership of the co-
operative societies, and remain a burden to their parishes, "f
It would seem that the shopkeepers preferred paying poor
rates to having workmen as competitors in their
business. The probability is that the shopkeepers who
liappened to be guardians were willing to throw upon
their neighbours this liability in order to protect their
own interests at the counter. In other })laces local influence
was brought to bear upon officers of the Government, and
* Letter of James Pound. " Co-operator," vol. 4, p. 87.
t Third Quarterly lepcrt of the "Proceedings of the British Associa-
tion for Promoting Co-opera ':iTe Knowledge."
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — THE REVOLT OF THE GROCERS. 1G5
The Board of Excise reprimand the Shopkeepers.
representations were made to them, on behalf of grocers.
At Godahiiing, in Surrey, the Trustees of a Co-
operative Association in 1830 wore refused a licence for
the sale of tea by the Excise Officers, to prevent them
beginning the grocery trade, which would interfere witli
that of retail dealers close by. Whereupon Mr. Gr. R.
Skene wrote to the Board of Excise who behaved very
■^rell in the matter. The persons refusing the licence
received a severe reprimand and a licence was instantly
granted with apologies, and an illegal fee returned. At
Poole a tlireatened extortion of the parish rates was made
upon the co-operators with a view to deter them, but it
was successfully resisted. Mr. Skene Avas the Secretary
of the British Association for Promoting Co-operative
Knowledge, which met in London. Mr. Skene was an
able influential man of high connections who knew how
to communicate with the authorities. He was himself
connected with official persons and some were known to
be attendants at the meetings of this Association, which
may account for the prompt and impartial action of the
Excise.
The grocers being the most numerous class of persons
affected by co-operative sho|)keeping have been ol'tener
before the j)ublic in opposition to it, but they have not
been more unpleasant in their action than manufacturers,
or farmers, or other classes, whose trade interests have
been affected by any rival movement. The Clergy have
been quite as disagreeable to Dissenting Ministers, and
have appealed to Parliament to suppress them oftencr
than shopkeepers have appealed for public aid against
storekeepers and their frequenters. There seems to be no
difference in the practises of gentlemen and poor men
where trade interests are threatened. Employers,
capitalists and shopkeepers, and even bishops and noble-
men were all as bad, as spiteful and as offensive as
workmen, to whom lower wages meant disease and
home misery. From 182G to 1836 numerous instances
166 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Bishops take part against the people.
occur of the " superior " classes being engaged in strikes
and rattening and picketting as against the lower classes,
but it is always denied on their part, and the discredit-
able practices are solely imputed to working men and trade
unionists. Grocers have been the most noisy, but co-oper-
ators have been attacked by more dangerous adversaries.
Mr. William Carson, a delegate to the Third Co-
operative Congress, held in London in April, 1832, related
that " he held a situation with a highly respectable archi-
tect employed by the Commissioners for building churches,
amongst whom were several bishops and others of the
aristocracy. His discharge was sent him although he had
a wife and large family to maintain, because he had ren-
dered himself obnoxious to the Commissioners by the
active exertions he had made in aid of co-operation." Upon
the architect appealing to the Commissioners on Mr. Car-
son's behalf, telling them of the situation in which he
would be placed if they were determined upon his dis-
charge— the reply was " he must be discharged and they
would bear the responsibility." Whatever injustice these
inspired gentlemen practised, they were pretty safe in
those days, and they knew it.
Mr. E. Taylor, delegate from Blrkacre, Lancashire,
who represented a society of more than 300 persons, whose
premises for printing silks and cottons stood them in at a
rental of £600, stated that they suffered greatly from the
jealousies of capitalists and masters who had tampered
with their landlord to get them turned out of their pre-
mises.''' These cases were oft reported. The jealous
adversary generally succeeded.
In the days of the Cotton Famine in Lancashire and
Yorkshire, the shopkeepers on relief committees oft be-
haved with incredible shabbiness to the co-operators. In
many towns they caused the co-operators to be refused any
* Keport of Third Congress, 1832.
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — THE REVOLT OF THE GROCERS. 167
Eminent politicians defend Co-operation.
participation in the funds publicly subscribed for the relief
of the distressed.
Liberals have always been more or less prompt in be-
friending co-operation ; but tradesmen, in their hostility to
it, have always assumed that the Conservatives could be de-
pended upon to put it down. It is therefore justice to re-
cord the honourable letter which the late Earl Derby wrote
at the opening of the new store at Prestwich. It is dated
Knowsley, January 6th, 1864. His Lordship said to
Mr. Pitman, "If any persons have been led to believe that
I look coldly on the co-operative movement, they are greatly
mistaken. It has always appeared to me to be well calcu-
lated to encourage in the operative classes habits of frugality,
temperance, and self-dependence ; and if the managers of
these societies conduct them prudently, not entering into
wild speculations, and retaining in hand a sufficient amount
of reserved capital to meet casual emergencies, they cannot
fail to exercise a beneficial influence upon the habits of the
population, both morally and ])hysically." Lord Derby
was a man of honour, he might sincerely sacrifice his
country to his principles, but he never sacrificed his con-
victions to his party.
There has been published from time to time passages
by men of eminence or influence favourable to co-opera-
tion. Among these were John Stuart Mill, the present
Lord Derby, Mr. Gladstone, Professor Francis William
Newman, Professor Frederick Denison Maurice, Canon
Kingsley, the Eev. William Nassau Molesworth, Lord
Brougham, Mr. Bright, Mr. Cobden, and William
Chambers. Mr. Mill's opinion, written at the opening of
the Liverpool Provident Association, is remarkable, like
most statements of his, for its completeness and compre-
hensiveness. He said, " Of all the agencies which are at
Avork to elevate those who labour with their hands, in
physical condition, in social dignity, and in those moral
and intellectual qualities on which both the others are ulti-
mately dependent, there is none so promising as the
168 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Eight Hon. Kobert Lowe's adyice to Shopkeepftrs.
present co-operative movement. Though I foresaw, when
it was only a project, its great advantages, its success has
thus far exceeded my most sanguine expectations, and every
year adds strength to my conviction of the salutary in-
fluence it is likely to exercise over the destinies of this and
other countries."
It was the perilous but honourable practice of Mr.
Kobert Lowe when he was Chancellor of the Exchequer
to give what information he could which might serve a
deputation waiting upon him. Had he talked a few plati-
tudes to them and left them to believe he would do what
he could when he knew he could do nothing, he had
been more popular and less deserving of honour. He
told the deputation from the National Chamber of Trade,
introduced by Mr. Smith, M.P., the present Lord of the
Admiralty, that " The only way to defeat these societies
was by competing with them in the market, and if they
were in a condition to do that, let them do so, and combine
together, and offer to the public as good terms, as these
societies did."
Mr. Gladstone in his correspondence with Messrs. Evisoii
& Barter in 1868, told them with like wisdom and honesty,
*• Long credits mean Itirge loans by men in business out
of their trading capital to men out of business. This
system aggravates the risk of bad debts, which form an
additional charge to a good debtor : and it is connected
with a general irregularity and uncertainty which must
also be paid for. I cannot help thinking that traders are
in fault also, and that much might be done by a vigorous-
effort, and by combination among traders in favour of
ready-money dealings."
Many inquirers of Mr. Gladstone, and some of the
deputation to the Liberal ministry were incited to go up
for political reasons, to elicit som.e expression of opinion
that might be used to influence shopkeepers' votes at the
next election. For tradesmen to ask the Government for
aid against competitors was to confess their incompetence
LONDON CO-OrERATION.— THE EEVOLT OF THE GROCERS. IGD
Astute tradesmen possess the means of self-defence.
to conduct their own business on trade principles. Most
of them knew that the Tories could no more interfere on
their behalf than the Liberals, and Mr. Gladstone was more
their friend than they deserved to find him in the advice
he gave them. He had the sagacity to see that if the chief
grocers in any district would combine together and open a
large ready money five per cent, store, guaranteeing tii&
best kind of provisions — at prices the same as those at
the stores — they might easily rival the stores and in many
cases supersede them ; make themselves as great a profit as-
the stores make, and serve their customers with more
address and celerity, by reason of their better knowledge-
of their business. The economics of cash payments and
large custom would enable tiiem to serve the public cheaper
than any " London "' store has yet done. If they had wit
and unity ,'they could beat "London" stores out of the
field, and grow triumphantly rich in the campaign,.
Professor Tliorold Rogers states — in the address delivered
by him at the London Congress in 1875 — that, " from care-
ful inquiries made by him of large manufacturers in many
branches of productive industry, as to the cost at which
these articles were charged in their books when they left
the workshop, compared with the prices charged to the
purchaser by the retail trader, he found that the additions^
made, as the charge of distribution, very commonly
doubled the price of the article distributed. Not that the-
retail trade gained the enormous addition, but that the cost
of distribution is unnecessarily increased from the needlessly
great number of persons who are employed in the work."
Co-operators are often tinder the illusion that their savings
represent the profit of the shopkeeper, whereas they maiidj
represent tiie cost which the shopkeeper incurs. Tlie co-
operator gains what the shopkeeper loses. Herein the
shopkeepers by combinadon can gain equally.
The Civil Service Co-operative Society have a place of busi-
ness in the Hay market — one of the most unpromising places-
in the whole of Loudon — yet every day, nearly from top t»
170 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Noble ladies in the Haymarket.
the bottom of the street, as great a crowd of carriages of
the nobility are to be seen as are to be found in Piccadilly,
at Fortnum and Mason's, the day before the Derby day.
As many footmen surround the doors of this Civil Service
Store as are to be found round Swan and Edgar's, or the
Waterloo House, in Cockspur Street. Yet this Haymarket
store is clumsily managed ; there are more forms to be
gone through, and more trouble to be encountered in buy-'
ing a pound of butter than in obtaining a dividend from
the Bank of England. This is not all tlie wonder. The
Haymarket is not a place of sweetest repute. True, there
are honest houses and residents of good fame in it ; yet it
is rather curious to hear a young marchioness accosted in
Eotten Eow by a young nobleman, who assures her he haa
not had the pleasure to see her since he met her in the
Haymarket. It could hardly be any light or unimportant
thing which induces ladies of '' high degree" to subject
themselves to be addressed in terms which are considered
to require personal explanation. What is it that attracts
these illustrious customers ; and induces them to incur all
this conspicuousness, suspicion, discomfort, and fatigue, but
the satisfaction of providing their houses with articles of
consumption which they think they can depend upon for
purity, and obtain at moderate charges ? There is no
instance in the whole of Loudon of any shop so little
attractive, commanding customers so numerous and so
distinguished. This shows the grocers what they have to
do, and they can do it better and make more by it, than
those amateur shopkeepers.
The expression concerning " profits which go into the
shopkeepers' pockets " is oft used by co-operators. Still
it would be better qualified, since, as it stands, it incenses
the shopkeeper needlessly, and hides from the co-operator
what the source of his gain really is. The main gain of
the co-operator is made by concert — by numbers buying
at one place — 'by avoiding loss through bad debts — by
abolishing the endless book-keeping attendant on giving
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — THE REVOLT OF THE GROCERS. 171
The gain of the Co-operator not the loss of the Shopkeeper.
credit — by buying with ready money in the best wholesale
markets — by having a great buying agency of their own,
saving the cost and loss of sending a hundred buyers into
the same market to compete against eacli other and put
up prices; by economy in the transaction of business; one
large store saving the rents of a hundred shops, a hundred
servants, the support of a hundred proprietors, in addition
to saving the taxes and advertisements of as many places.
The actual profit of the little shopkeepers is very small.
The cost of small shops is very great to the public, but the
gain to the small shopkeeper is really little. The greater
part of what the shopkeeper receives in price is lost on the
way by his many expenses in making his little sales, that
there scarcely remains in his hands enough to keep him in
his useful but often needless calling. It is only this little
profit of the shopkeeper that the co-operator captures. The
co-opei*ator's greater gains arise from his intercepting what
the smitll shopkeepers lose. Tiie co-operator gathers up
what never comes into their hands. The ordinary shop-
keeper's profits scarcely amount to one-fifth of the co-
operator's profits. Four-fifths of co-operative savings
arise from the economy of the new method of buying, from
the economy of management, and from the economy of
■distribution. The unseeing way of saying that " What
the co-operator gains comes out of the shopkeeper's pocket "
docs double mischief. It causes the shopkeeper to think
himself five times more harmed than is true, and it con-
ceals from the co-operator that four out of five portions of
his gain are not won in a victory over the tradesman, but
by his good sense in joining in business with his fellows —
by faithfulness to his own store — by prudence in specula-
tion ; by honesty and equity in trade; by a liberal economy
(there is a crooked, stingy economy, which loses money) ;
by directors keej)ing faith with purchasers, and by pur-
chasers giving a discriminatino;, unirrudofinnr an encourag-
lug and honouring sui)port to vigihuit, persevering, capable,
and faithful directors. If every shopkeeper was abolished
172 HISTOEY OF CO-OPERATION. W.
The main sources of Co-operative profits indicated.
to-morrow by Act of Parliament, co-operators would not
gain a penny if they relaxed in fidelity in the principles of
concert, of confidence, of mutual trading, of honesty in
quality of goods, and equity in distributing profits, which
are the main sources of co-operative profits. Co-operative
prosperity does not come by prayer, but by prudence ; not
by caprice, but by concert; they do not depend upon
advantage gained over the shopkeeper, but upon wisdom
among co-operators themselves. It is seeing this clearly,
seeing it constantly, seeing it always, which constitutes
what is meant by the education of the co-operator. It is
the intelligent conviction of this, and putting the convic-
tion into practice, and keeping it in practice, which con-
stitutes the security of the co-operator.
Pictures have been constantly drawn in the public
papers, of every tradesman being bankrupt and the town
in the hands of the co-operators. Of course this never
happened ; . but it was tiiought all the more likely by
the excited outsiders, because it never could happen. An
enterprising friend of mine, wishing me to name some
town where he might open a new shop, I at once said,
"Rochdale, and nestle near the store, that is the best place
for a shopkeeper." " Well," he answered, " any one who
looks about towns to see what is the matter with them^
and what openings they offer, sees what people living in
them do not see, because they are so obvious, and the obvious
is the last thing people do see — but you must be wrong
about Rochdale." My answer was, " Under a store is the
place for a new shop to pay. First, a number of outsiders
will buy oflt" you, to spite the store. Next, half the
co-operators will buy off you themselves. Your articles
will sell anywhere on their merits and will be sure to be
thought well of there, for half the co-operators always
think the goods in the shops are cheaper and better than
those in their own stores." Every director of a storo
knows this. He has heard it at quarterly meetings a
hundred times. Half the stores do not buy themselves off
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — THE REVOLT OF THE GROCERS. 173
Eccentricities of uninstructed Co-operators.
tlieir own Wholesale Society, because thej believe they
" can do better elsewhere." Half the members of any
store are mere dividend hunters — ^Jiot a bad sort of hunting
in its way — and 1 am ijlad that co-operative stores are
^ood hunting grounds for the working classes; but an
ignorant hunter is like an untrained setter, he has not an
educated nose. He does not know where to find the bird;
or he starts it foolishly, wdiereby it gets away. Hearken
thou to me, my friend. I went the other dav into
one of the three greatest stores in the country. My first
question, after a long absence, was, as is my custom,
" Have you the ' Co-operative News ' about (tlie Journal
of the societies)? How many purchasers enter this shop
in a week ?" " Four thousand," was the reply. " How
many ' Co-operative News ' do you sell ?" " Oh, four
liQZEN !" "Yes," I answered, "that statement wants a
great big ' 0 ' to preface it. That means that out of
every four thousand members of the store three thousand
nine hundred and forty-eight believe they can be co-
operators and hunt dividends better without co-operative
knovvledge than with it. You must be a bright lot of co-
operative ' cusses' down here." In the pork and butter shop,
where they had 1,000 customers a week, they sold one dozen
*' Co-operative News " only. There w^as the same mafrni-
ficent proportion of intelligent members found all over
the store. The dividend hunters, their name is legion. The
intelligence hunters are — twelve in the thousand. Since
that time that cultivated store has lost a great pot of o-okl
at one swoop— enough to have bought a copy of the
^' Co-operative News " every week for every member for
the last ten years, and given each a penny with it to read
it. Had they done this they would have now £30,000
in hand out of the vanished funds. 0 my teetotal, ener-
getic manufacturing friend, if thou wantest to make
money, oj)en thy shop under the shadow of a great store,
and if only half the uiu'cading members buy of thee, thou
will make a fortune long before they take in their own
174 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The neglected opportunities of the Shopkeepers.
paper. Besides, put into thy account the mass of people
who do not understand co-operation. In towns like
Liverpool and Birmino;ham the memory of it has almost
died out. That is a mighty and historic store which has
10,000 members in a population of 100,000 inhabitants.
That leaves nine-tenths of all purchasing people to the
tradesmen. Does not that give you an abounding chance ?
Then remember that the majority of persons use their
brains so little, that the avenues of their minds are blocked
up. When they were born there was no School Board
to keep the entrance of their intelligence clear, and put
something through it. ISever fear, shopkeeping will last
your time. My friend followed my advice, and prospered
exceedingly. A shopkeeper who knows his business can
hold his business. It is the other sort who turn into
querulous outsiders.
There is a saying, " Mad as a hatter." There is nobody
so mad as an incapable grocer, when he imagines a
co-operator is after him. Yet the better sort of shopkeepers
are among the best friends co-operators have found. They
have generously taught workmen the art of keeping shops.
In many an emergency they have given counsel and aid.
In Scotland and England I know many shopkeepers — men
of genius in their way, masters of their business. Their
service of the public is a fine art, and buyers of taste will
always go to them. The co-operators are not born who
will harm them. Shopkeepers have no more reason to be
afraid of co-operation, than innkeepers have to be afraid
of the Permissive Bill. Of course there will be mad
publicans as well as demented grocers.
The grocers sadly want wit. They set Sir Thomas
Chambers to make an inquiry in Parliament whether the
Government could not put down Civil Service Co-operative
Supply Associations. Any clear-headed co-operator, for a
moderate fee, would put them up to a thing or two
which would endanger the best Civil Service Co-operative
Society in the metropolis. All Sir Thomas Chambers
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — THE REVOLT OF THE GROCERS. 175
The sin of Liberals is aiding wliat Consei'Tatives sanction.
could do, if he got his silly way, would be to spite the
Civil Service gentlemen. Once they are removed,
capable men of business would be put in their places.
Dainty, perfumed, kid-glove loungers about clubs ar&
not great in grocery knowledge. They have succeeded
through the popularity of co-operation won by "very
different persons, and through the infatuation of grocers,
who do not know where their own strength lies.
The Right Hon. 0. B. Adderley, M.P. (Conservative),
attended a meeting of the Ladywood Co-operative Society
in Birmingham, 1869, and made a speech strongly in its
favour, and said that " God intended the whole world to
be one great association of co-operation." Mr. Sampson
Lloyd, the present M.P. for Plymouth (also a Conservative
elected in lieu of Mr. Morrison, the former Liberal member,
who was charged with sympathy with co-operation), also
sent a letter to the Ladywood meeting in approval of
its object. Mr. William Howitt afterwards made it an
occasion to thank God that Mr. Adderley had dis-
covered, like many other statesmen and landholders that
co-operation is a great " school of natural instruction."*
Certainly the Liberals being more in favour of self-action
and self-lielp among the people, have been more friendly to
co-operators. Certainly tlie only Members of Parliament
who have been active on their behalf, and who have made
sacrifices for their success, have been Liberals. Conser-
vatives are not unwilling that the poor should do pretty
well, but generally think it best that they should believe
that it is in some way owing to what their " superiors "
do for them that they prosper. Liberals are more in
favour of the people owing success to themselves : which
is right — but foolish in the Liberals, since it leads to the
people becoming independent of them, and to their re-
ceiving no more respect than intelligent gratitude may
show : and as this is not an abundant sentiment they are
" Co-operator," January, 18G9.
176 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Political sacrifices for Industrial equity.
ofttimes not so popular as the Conservative, "who in
favounnfij dependence and patronage keep people in their
places, and by judiciously i^iving them back, at election
time, a little of that which the people ought to have kept
is their own hands, appears as their benefactor for having
conserved their neediness and secured their subordination.
Not protecting themselves where they might by the
legitimate arts of greater expertness and business capacity,
shoj^keepers proved in many cases as spiteful as they were
supine, and as ignorant in their hatred as in their trade.
It has been the Civil Service Stores, Army and Navy
and Supply Associations, which have done them harm in
London, and not the Working Class Stores Avhich Mr.
Morrison and Mr. Hughes supported. None of these
have ever been strong enough or lasting enough in the
metropolis to supersede a single shop. The Imitative
■stores of amateur gentlemen grocers, Mr. Hughes and
Mr. Morrison not only never joined, they never
•countenanced them : they not only never countenanced
them — thev spoke and acted against them. Yet they
■were sacrificed by the imdiscerning shopkeeping elector
who gave his vote to the real enemy. Mr. Hughes was
•certainly kept out of Parliament at Marylebone through
the reputed resentment of the shopkeepers who were
regarded as an element of such uncertainty that he was
prevented going to the poll. Only Liberal members have
lost their seats on account of friendliness to co-operation.
Mr. Walter Morrison, M.P., wrote a remarkable letter
to the " Daily News " in 1873, in reply to some editorial
•comments, critical but not unfriendly. Mr. Morrison
■said : — "You seem to think that the societies there repre-
sented conduct their trade after the fashion of the Civil
Service societies in London. I venture to assert that the
very large majority of those who have at heart the con-
tinued prosperity of co-operative societies deprecate that
manner of doing their trade as earnestly as an}'- retail
shopkeeper. We hold that it is unfair to the latter.
LONDON CO-OPERATION. —THE BEVOLT OF THE GROCERS. 177
Co-operation a social not a political question.
especially to the honest tradesman, who sells genuine and
unadulterated goods at a fair living profit, that it degrades
co-operation into a mere mercantile machine for cheapening
the price of goods. From the Land's End to John
o'Groat's tliere is not a workman's retail co-operative
store which attempts to undersell the tradesmen of the
locality ; when tradesmen have combined to ratten the store
out of the district by underselling it, the stores have not
retaliated in kind."
Though Conservative candidates have profited by op-
posing or conniving at opposition to co-operators it ought
to be said to the honour of the Conservative press that
it has never concealed its approval of the principle, even
as respects productive co-operation as applied to manu-
factures, which fewer persons can be found to speak hope-
fully or approvingly of. The " Standard" said, before the
lust general election : —
" Co-operation, on the other hand, though possibly too
weak a remedy to be relied upon altogether, is the best
device for putting labour, more or less, on a level with
caj)ital, which has ever been attempted. As far as it goe&
it is thoroughly healthy in its action. The co-operative
factory '■' * * competes with the private capitalist, and
tends to keep up, at their highest possible level, the terms
offered to the workman in return for his labour."*
Tliis was plainly and boldly said, the reader can see.
The tradesman therefore has no ground for treating
co-operation as a political question.
" Standard," June 4, 1869.
N
178 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Distinction between Eochdale and London Co-operation.
CHAPTER XII.
LONDON CO-OPERATION.— THE REVOLT OF
THE CUSTOMERS.
The friends of order became insurgents when a real grievance came
home to them. Partizans and apologists of trading confiscation, who
regarded it as the reward assigned by Nature to successful competition, so
long as they shared the spoil, discorered it to be a shameful exaction when
they were the subjects of it. — Eccentricities of Opinion (unpublished.)
The second revolt produced by co-operation proved to be
a revolt of customers. This long foreseen, but late
arriving insurgencj, led to what, for convenience of de-
scription may be designated " London Co-operation." This
Metropolitan invention sprang up, extended and has at-
tracted a pretty good share of attention. Early, original
co-operation, as it is now regarded, is that which was
organised and pursued in Rochdale. It was there that
co-operation first became conspicuous by its success, in-
structive by its equitable features, and intelligible by its
simplicity and methodical procedure. This model on
which the great provincial stores of the provinces have
been founded, has become known as ^' Rochdale Co-opera-
tion." What is generally regarded as " true Co-operation "
is usually described by that name. It may be taken that
there are two kinds of co-operations — Rochdale Co-opera-
tion and London Co-operation. The public generally are
not familiar with the distinction, but it contributes to
clearness of view to apprehend the nature of the two forms
and not mistake one for the other*
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — REVOLT OF CUSTOMERS. 179
Origin of the Civil Service Supply Association.
The Civil Service Supply Association began (the
^' Saturday Review " has said apparently by the pen of
•one concerned in devising it) with some members of the
Civil Service " who were pinched by low salaries and
high prices ; " they combined together for the purpose of
obtaining articles of common domestic use at wholesale
prices. They were soon encouraged by finding that they
not only saved a good deal of money but stood a better
-chance of obtaining goods of high quality than when
they bought at retail shops ; but also by learning what
.great profits the Rochdale, Halifax and Leeds Stores had
made in the same way. Thus gentlemen of London were
inspired by the artizans and weavers of Lancashire to
establish themselves as shopkeepers. Their humble prede-
cessors had, by unity and prudence, proved the advantages
of trading by concert. Thus it dawned upon the metro-
politan understanding that competition, held up as the
nursing mother of all social blessings, had not proved itself
to be that self-regulating and provident agency it was
supposed to be. Certain members of the Civil Service
therefore proposed a general revolt of customers in their
body, against London shopkeepers, and devised an associa-
tion consisting of two classes of members — members who
were shareholders, and members who merely held tickets
entitling them to make purchases at the stores. Some of the
promoters of one association were considered to have acted
not without regard to their personal interest, as certain
private contracts appear to have been made, concerning
which the members were not consulted. * The general
* At a public meeting in 1 S75, at which Sir Cecil Beardon presided —
He said he had only accepted the ofllce of chairman upon repeated solicita-
tions. He had then only read the prospectus, but alter joining the board
he read the articles of tlie association and also the contracts, and was now
ready to admit that there was a great deal to condemn in the articles. Tho
contrajts were not such as he should have agreed to, if he had been on the
board. When he looked at them he found that the contracts with the
promoters had been cleverly drawn, and it was impossible to set them aside.
Therefore, instead of going into legal proceedings, the issue of which could
180 HISTORY OP CO-OPERATION.
Ambiguity of its early management.
principle professed by all was co-operative, as far as it
went which was to supply the members with goods, at
wholesale prices, with such addition as left a sufficient
margin for managing expenses. The value of a share at
death or withdrawal was fixed at 10s.
Shareholders of the C.S.S. A.* had prescribed to them the
same advantage as members — namely, that of obtaining
good articles at moderate prices without deriving profit
from the transactions carried on in their name. This
association soon came to have two places of business, one
in the City, the other in Long Acre ; each being a vast
warehouse embracing almost every description of retail
trade. During several years the association has inter-
cepted half a million of money on its way to the ordinary
shopkeepers' tills, and bids fair to intercept a million and
more annually in this way. Of course care Avas taken,
that the addition made to the wholesale prices was prudently
arranged to leave sufficient to prevent risk of loss. An
excess of profit over working expenses thus arose, which
left every year an accumulating sum in the hands of the
association. In a few years this amounted to more than
£80,000, when stormy meetings were held to determine
who should have this money. On the whole this associa-
tion seems to have been governed by a committee of very
honourable gentlemen, desirous of preventing it descend-
ing into a mere trading company, in which the share-
hardly be doubtful, lie set himself to work, with assistance, to endeavour to
abate the terms which had been agreed upon with Messrs. John Chisholme and
Co., and the endeavour was not altogether unsuccessful. He had also used
his influence with Mr. Bentley and Mr. Evans. Mr. Bentley had agreed
to submit to any reduction of his commission which the board thought
reasonable, and Mr. Evans had done the same. This related to the New
Civil Service Store. At none of these London Stores is there openness
and publicity of financial facts as there is in real co-operative societies.
* C.S.S. A. (Civil Service Supply Association) are the initials on the
windows of the large new building erected in Bedford Street, Covent
Gnrden, by this Association, a vast well-built store of great completeness
and convenience.
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — REVOLT OF CUSTOMERS. 181
The Civil Service Co-operative Society of Post Office origin.
liolders make special profits at the expense of others. The
committee were lionourably in favour of applying the
great balance in their hands to the reduction in the prices
of the articles, by Avhich every member would obtain ad-
vantages in proportion to his purcliases. It was ultimately
decided to distribute it among the shareholders as was
done among the same class in the old co-operative societies
of the Pre-Constructive period.
In the Haymarket, is a modest business looking shop,
tame and solvent in appearance, with the Royal Arms
over the door, and a small brass plate on the entrance,
bearing the words Civil Service Co-operative Society.
This is the principal provision store belonging to an asso-
ciation of gentlemen from every branch of the British
Civil Service.
This Haymarket Store, the most eminent of the kind, is
recorded* to have grown out of one commenced by certain
clerks at the General Post Office in 1864. Lowness of
salary, and serious charges on the part of grocers, were
alleged as reasons for forming a combination against them.
A strange circular Avas issued, calling upon members of
the Civil Service generally to form a Co-oj)erative Society.
At the Post Office there were high officials — Sir Rowland
Hill and Mr. Ashurst, the solicitor, who were both
acquainted with the history of co-operation. They
M'ere probably not consulted when it was first thouo^ht of,
as the project wns carried out in a far less complete way
than persons so well informed, might have advised.
Members of the Civil Service generally did not then
know co-operation from communism, nor were quite
sure which was which, and the ])roposal was viewed with
considerable disfavour by the majority of them. Peri-
odicals and pamphlets, published in London, had oft told
the marvellous story of co-operative profits in the north of
England. Mr. Mill, in his " People's Edition of Political
* " Saturday Eeriew."
182 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Socialistic insurgency in high quarters.
Economy," had borne powerful testimony to its siijnifi-
cance. Competition was held to be the parent of all the
advantages of the market, but the excesses of tradesmen's
bills were felt to be a great price to pay for them, and
eminent members of the Civil Service at length agreed to
join in the revolt against them. Ultimately a Board of
Directors were formed from each of the principal depart-
ments of the Crown. It was agreed to commence with a
capital of £5,000 in £5 shares, bearing 5 per cent, interest^
and no more. This was the Rochdale amount of shares
and limit of interest ; a good rule, though adopted
originally from an ignorant distrust of capitalists. The
first store was opened near the Genei-al Post Office, and
limited to members and their families. Purchasing
members were required to pay a fee of 53. annually for
tickets not transferable, giving the power of buying
at the store. The success of the Post Office iStore
extended the spirit of the insurgency all over the Service,
and a new society was opened in the Haymarket,
by officials of the higher State Departments, who were
joined in their rebellion by members in every branch of
the Service — Home, Colonial, and Foreign ; by Peers^
Members of Parliament, Bishops, Judges, Colonial
Governors, Foreign Consuls, and other high Government
officials, who had never before regarded co-operation
otherwise than as the ignorant dream of dangerous
visionaries.
The store tea was imported direct from tea-lands.
With the purchasing ticket of the member was handed
to the subscriber a book giving a detailed list of every-
thing sold at the store itself, with price of each article an-
nexed, a list of every merchant or tradesman with whom
the association had dealings, and a catalogue of special
articles sold by special tradesmen, advertisements of mer-
chants on the society's list, and other information of
considerable importance to members of the Civil Service
abroad. The society had its physicians, surgeons, accou-
LONDON CO-OPEBATION. — REVOLT OF CUSTOMERS. 183
The invention of Floating Co-operation.
cheurs, apothecaries, consulting counsel, solicitors, stock-
brokers— all of whom are well known in London as men of
good standing in their several professions — who engaged to
attend to the wants of members of the society at a
considerable reduction of their usual charges. The Provi-
dent Clerks' Life Insurance Association had an understaud-
inff also with the society by which members were insured
at lower than ordinary rates. These operations arose in
another London invention, to wdiich in courtesy, w^e may
give the name of Floating Co-operation, which consists
in inducing tradesmen to advertise in some store list of
prices, or store journal, and in return customers at the
store are invited to give their orders to him. The trades-
man further undertakes to make a reduction in his prices
to these customers. In some cases he also gives a com-
mission to the store, upon the orders he thus receives. If
a tradesmen gets a great accession of orders by this means,
he can afford to sell as he would to a wholesale purchaser,
who, however, in this case, has no security as to the
quality or fairness of his bargain, which a co-operative
store affords him. It is an unpleasant device at the best.
If the customers are few, the tradesman gives them a poor
Avelcome ; and if he has two prices for his goods, he some-
times tries to discover if the customer has a co-operativo
ticket upon him, before he names tiie lower. The customer
who has heard that with respect to co-operativo buyers, the
reduction is often put on before it is taken off, sometimes
conceals what sort of purchaser he is, until he has made
his bargain. It seems a jjrostitution of the honest name of
co-operation to apply it to these furtive Pauline contrivances
for economizing expenditure by overcoming the tradesman
" with guile." The attributes of co-opei'ation are equity,
openness, and frank consent ! None of these qualities are
much present in this system of cheapening by connivance.
Imitative co-operation is hardly worth more notice than
any other expedient by which trade is diversified without
increasing public morality, or amity among purchasers.
184 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Insurgent Poor compared with the insurgent Rich.
These details will give the reader a practical idea of the
many sides on which shopkeepers and professional men
were attacked at once. Carriers by land and sea, insurance
companies, and all orders of men, were made to "stand
and deliver " up the profits, which, from time immemorial,
had been theirs. The English excel in insurrection when
they once give their minds to it. Peers, bishops, members
of Parliament, and gentlemen, when they commence it,
put the poor and limited insurgency of working men to
shame. Neither communism nor co-operation, in the
liands of the people, has ever displayed this comprehensive
rapacity. No working people ever broke so many ties
with their neighbours. No friend of co-operation wishes
to see it advanced in this hasty and embittering way.
The poor are driven by necessity, and oft display an
ignorant impatience of wrong which cannot be rectified at
once. They precipitate themselves into change, and hope
to find it improvement. But from the classes better off,
who have larger means of deliberate action and more
intelligence, there are to be expected some taste in ad-
vancement and that considerateness in progress which shall
make it alluring — raising it from a brutal impetuosity to
the level of a fine art.
Many a gentleman forsook the shopkeeper between
whose family and his own friendly offices had been
interchanged for generations. Peradventure father and
grandfather before him had been honoured customers at.
the shop which he now clandestinely deserted. Had these
gentlemen offered cash payments and gone and given their
orders themselves, or sent their wives in their carriages
to do it, as they do at the Haymarket shop, they would
have been served in many cases quite as cheaply, and
with infinitely more courtesy than at the cheap store of
Imitative co-operation. Co-operation is the necessity of
the poor, it is not the need of gentlemen. When a shop-
keeper cannot supply good articles, or will not make
reasonable charges ; or has no special knowledge of com-
JLONDON CO-OPERATION. — REVOLT OF CUSTOMERS. 185
The Middleman of skill and taste indestructible.
modities, and pursues shopkeeping as a mere business aud
not as an art, customers of taste have no choice but to
make a change. Some gentlemen, who have taken the
part of leaders in this revolt of customers, have been actu-
ated by the conviction tliat the middle man as an agent
of distribution is a mere costly instrument of obsolete
■commerce. Seeing him with discerning eyes, they adroit
that where the retail dealer is also the manufacturer of his
commodities, as in the case of many trades where the
shopkeeper sells the productions of his own handicraft, he
will always hold his place. He can guarantee tlie good-
ness of his materials, and his skill and ingenuity ought to
speak for themselves. Where this is the case, he will
attract and keep customers despite all the co-operation in
the world. He needs no costly shop, customers will go in
search of him anywhere. Work or product of any kind,
which has the character of the artificer in it, will always
be sought after so long as taste exists, or honesty is valued.
The mere middle man who has special knowledge of the
nature of the articles or commodities in which lie deals,
and who has a character for honestly describing them, and
of charging reasonably for goods to which his discernment
and attestation add value — will always hold his place and
command respect. But the class of mere mechanical
middlemen and shopkeepers who do not know, and do not
care what they offer you, provided they can induce you to
buy it; or who conspire to keep up prices by preventing
the customer from finding any better article in the market
— are mere parasites of trade, whom co-operation serves
society by sweeping away.
London Co-operation, as represented by Civil Service or
Army and Navy Stores, have only the merit of saving
somewhat the pockets of their customers, without affording
them the facility and inducement to acquire the habit of
saving, which is needed as much by the middle class as
by the poor. These societies, organised chiefly to supply
goods at a cheap rate, and make a large profit for the
186 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Mutuality of interest absent in London Co-operation.
shareholders, are not co-operative in the complete sense
of that term, since the managers have an interest distinct
from the shareholders, and the shareholders an interest
distinct from the purchasers. The managers are not-
known to care for co-operation as a system of equity and
honesty, and are not under the supervision of directors
elected l3y the purchasers, and charged with the duty of
carrying out the principle of Co-operation. Civil Service
Stores, or Military Service Stores, and similar associations^
are virtually private commercial societies bent upon realis-
ing the economy of combination without caring much
about the morality of it. They do not intend to disregard
morality any more than other commercial firms, but leave it
to take care of itself, and peradventure hope it will come all
right. The managers generally have in view the highest
remvmeration they can obtain for themselves compatible
with keeping the shareholders in a contented state of mind
with regard to their dividend. The shareholders in their
turn are chiefly solicitous to see that purchasers have
goods of such quality and at such prices as shall secure
their custom. But whether the quality is as pure as it
should be, or the prices as low as they might be, are
not considerations which they have any interest in enter-
taining. These associations do not proceed so much upon
the principle of equity as upon doing business. The
common principle of managers, shareholders, and purchasers
is that of all competitive commerce — each for himself and
the devil take the hindermost : and such is the activity of
the devil in business, that he commonly does it. Co-
operation, on the other hand, is a concerted arrangement for
keeping the devil out of the affair. A scheme of equity
has no foremost and no hindmost for the devil to take.
Everybody in the society stands in a circle, and the
total profits made are distributed equitably all round
the circumference.
" London Co-operation " begius in distrust of the shop-
keeper, and ends with obtaining, at considerable personail
liONDON CO-OPERATION. — REVOLT OF CUSTOMERS. 187
Imitative Co-operation without the element of permanence.
trouble, a reduction of a shilling in the pound at the store
counter; and if the purchaser can obtain the same reduc-
tion at the grocer's shop, and the goods used are equally-
satisfactory, there is no reason why he should not return to
the shop and abandon the store. " London Co-operation "
which most stirs the terrors of shopkeepers has small hold
upon the interest or respect of its customers, beyond that
which accrues from saving them a shilling in the pound.
Under this cold and covetous plan the mighty phalanx of
great stores throughout the country would never have
existed. All the public would ever have seen would be a
solitary big grocer's shop here and there, mentioned perhaps
by some commercial traveller in the commercial room at
night, but neither Parliament nor history would have heard
of Co-operation. The great movement has grown in strength
and in public and political interest by two pregnant
principles — that of capitalizing the savings of the customers
and of establishing productive manufactures, gaining a
second time the pi'ofits of production as well as those of
distribution. By its Stores it creates a new art of distri-
bution ; by its Productive societies it aims at changing
the character of industry by substituting self-omployment
for hired labour.
It is imperative to treat with fairness, but it is difliculfc
to treat with patience. Imitative co-operation. Unfairness
of any kind is foolishness, as he who emj)loys it weakens
his own argument by his own hands. Therefore I will
readily admit and put in the fore ground the admission
that Imitative co-operation is, so far as it may assist the
incomes of some struggling middle-class persons, and
poorly paid civil service, law, and mercantile .clerks, an
advantage. In so far as these shadowy stores call the at-
tention of the more influential classes to co-opei'ation, and
interest them in it, and induce them to connive at the
co-operative principle, they do public good and are part of
the general propagandism of the idea of economy by concert.
Such praise as belongs to this order of service I ungrudg-
188 HISTORY OF CO-0PERATI0>r.
Market price Stores, and underselling Stores.
ingly give, but there is no use in making more of anything
than there is in it : and if a scheme is good as far as it goes
but falls short of what it sliould be, and fails to acquit itself
as it might, or do the good it ought — that should be made
clear in the interests of progress.
Thus there are two kinds of stores, the market-price
•charging and saving stores, and the Civil Service under-
selling and improvident stores. The market-price and
saving store belongs to real Co-operation, which is a device
for the improvement of the condition of the poor. In
the provinces the sort of supply association which the Civil
Service stores have brought into imitative existence are
often mere schemes of gentlemen at large for intercepting
the profits of tradesmen, for the benefit of shareholders and
persons of position who turn amateur huxters for a pecu-
niary consideration. Among the " patrons " or " directors "
whose names are published there is scarcely one fiimiliar
to co-operative eai's. They know nothing of co-operation
— they care nothing for it. They cannot explain its prin-
ciples nor advocate them, nor vindicate them. In its
struggles they have taken no part, nor rendered any aid.
In its difficulties they have given it no encouragement, nor
made any sacrifices to support it. In the days when
adversaries abounded, they stood aloof. When co-
operation has been regarded with odium they disowned it.
In all its literature, their speeches or writings in its
defence are nowhere to be found. When Acts of Parlia-
ment had to be obtained, at the infinite labour and cost of
years of agitation, they took no part, and gave no thought, or
time, or trouble to conquer the reluctance of the House
of Commons for facilitating the formation of societies, or
concede them legal protection.
There is no reason, of course, why those who did not
•do what they ought, or what they might, should not be
applauded for doing what they will in the right direction.
Since, however, many halt on the way, not really knowing
what the way is, who would proceed further if the road
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — REVOLT OF CUSTOMERS. 189
Features of Original and of Imitative Co-operation.
was pointed out to them : — it may be useful to enumerate
the distinctions between Original and Imitative co-operation.
A co-operative society proper divides whatever savings it
makes among all its customers who buy from it ; an
Imitative one merely gives partial reduction in price to the
purchaser, and awards the remainder as personal profit to
managers or directors, to promoters, or patrons.
An original co-operative store permanently increases the
means of the poor, by saving their profits for them and
teaching them the art of thrift. An imitative store does
nothing more than cultivate the love of cheapness without
providing security that the cheapness is real and complete.
An. original store, by augmenting the means of humble
purchasers, prevents them becoming a burden upon the
poor rates and a tax upon shopkeepers. An imitative store
renders little service to tlie indigent, and by abstracting
the custom of the tradesman reduces his means of paying
the poor rates which fall upon him.
This imitative, inferior, and one might say, spurious co-
operation, availed itself in most instances of the Friendly
Societies Acts, has obtained exemption from stamp duties
and acquired other privileges intended solely for the humbler
classes. This is a direct peril to industrial co-operation.
Mr. Lowe, when Chancellor of the Exchequer, proposed
to abolish these exemptions on the reasonable ground that
well-to-do people availed themselves of Industrial and
Building Societies Act not intended for them.
Another evil of this shifting species of trading above
described, is further, that it lowers the standard of co-
operation in men's minds, sets many against it, and im-
poses upon other pei'sons the belief that the imitative thing
is real co-operation, that there is nothing in it be^'ond
that. Such co-operation is a little more than joint stock
sliopkeeping, at which the shareholders reduce their charges
with a view to alkire custom.
At the same time since the better class of London stores
have stopped credit purchases, and enabled the public
190 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The useful features of London Co-operation.
to obtain articles at a lower rate than otherwise they could
oht:\ia them, they have raised the expectation that the
articles they supply can be depended upon to be good of
their kind, and to raise this expectation is useful, as it
imposes a certain obligation of meeting it, and so far as
the London stores accomplish these things, they may
claim credit for usefulness, and are to be regarded for the
merit they have. As copyists of co-operation they are
entitled to " honourable mention " according to their
skill.
If amateur painters attempt to make transcripts of the
Old Masters without obtaining previous instruction, they
commonly prove ver}^ feeble copyists. If, without caring for
that degree of excellence, which shall not degrade, if it does
not exalt art, their object is merely to sell their work for
what they can get — what they sell is seldom worth buying.
Of course it would be no more fair in commerce, than
in literature, to judge any one by some other standard
than that which he has set before himself. A critic oft-
times condemns an author because his book does not come
up to some ideal in the critic's mind, of what such a book
ought to be. This is not criticism, it is dogmatism. A
Avriter, or a social contriver, is not to be condemned for
ftxlling below a model which he never proposed to imitate.
If the model he has chosen is a poor one or an unworthy
one, it is plainly useful to say so, that nobler attempts
may be incited in him or others. A trader in ideas or
commodities, is to be estimated mainly by the good sense
and good service to be found in the work he actually does.
It is therefore suggested to the reader, that the London
cheap store scheme has not been formed on the co-operative
type. The leading aim of co-operation is not merely to
increase present comfort (albeit not a disagreeable thing
to do), it seeks also to ensure competence. It contrives
economy in spending in order to extend the habit of
saving. Those who do not provide for the future of them-
selves and families, as far as they can — so far as they
3:,0ND0N CO-OPERATION. — REVOLT OF CUSTOMERS. 191
The pauper spirit preralent among the Bich.
oupjlit * are not merely dependent, they are mean, since
they leave to chance, or the charity of others, to provide
for them when the evil day comes. The middle and upper
■classes are not much better than the working class in these
respects. Noblemen used to quarter their families on the
State, and do it now in too many cases, when they can,
and a Conservative Government (unless It is much mis-
judged) is always ready to find them facilities to that end,
in the ecclesiastical, military, and maritime departments,
and by keeping in their hands the school endowments of
the poor. Noblemen have no general reputation for pay-
ing their bills when due. Industry is considered a plebeian
mark, and among the middle class frugality is regarded as
mean, and they ape a gentility of indebtedness their
creditors are far from approving. Mere cheapness tends
to mere profusion, and profusion to waste, and waste is
allied to debt, therefore if one form of co-operation more
than another tends to thrift and savingness that is on public
grounds to be preferred.
In a so-called Co-operative Store, where goods are
merely sold cheaper, the store is merely an irritation
and offence to all shopkeepers or dealers whom it under-
sells. If it charged every member the market price of its
articles, it would save its officers the infinite trouble of de-
termining the graduated price which shall leave the society a
profit upon each article. The purchaser obtaining his goods
at a lower price than at another shop has an advantage
worth giving him, but not all the advantage he might
have. His money goes farther than it would under other
circumstances ; it goes farther for the week, but not often
for the quarter. His total expenditure is commonly the
same, for instead of putting by the money gained by his
purchases, he commonly buys other things with it. He
or his family are the better for the time being, but they
* For instance no one is bound to provide for his family so far as to
relieve them of the duty of self -exertion.
192 HISTORY OF CO- OPERATION".
How the art of saving is taught in Co-operation.
are seldom richer. Whereas in a society on the Rochdale
plan the directors are pledged to provide goods of the
greatest purity they can procure, and sell them at just
weight or quantity, and at the ordinary market prices.
The difference between the cost price, the expenses of
management, and the price at which the goods are
sold — the profit due to the purchaser is, by arrange-
ment, saved for him. Certain portions, £5 usually, in
sound societies, is retained as the purchaser's share in the
business, for which he receives interest, and the residue of
his profits stands to his credit in the society's books at
interest also. The society becomes to him a Savings'
Bank, and he can withdraw the whole or portion of the
residue at any time he may require it. He is compelled
to pay cash for all his purchases, and thus learns to do
without credit. Thus the purchaser learns something of
the art of saving. As his profits for the first year are
commonly retained for the payment of his share, and after
that is paid up he can only obtain his weekly profits
quarterly, the member of a co-operative society on the
Rochdale plan, has always something saved which he is
able to invest, if he has wisdom to do it, and every facility
and encouragement is given him to that end. He finds
himself surrounded by members and neighbours who have
£20, £50, £100, and some £200 in the society, intending
to invest it in buying a house, or drawing it out and
paying it into a building society, with a view to do the
same thing : or investing it in some co-operative spinning
company, or quarry, or mine, or co-operative manufactory,
as the prospects of profit and security may present them-
selves to him. In what is called " London Co-operation,"
as represented by Civil Service and similiar societies, no
facility of saving in the way we have described is afibrded,
though in thousands of families of the middle class, and
indeed in many of those of the wealthier classes, the facility,
the inducement, and the practice of saving would be as
valuable as in the households of working people. In
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — REVOLT OF CUSTOMERS. 193
Young Co-operators.
co-operative families, when the father or mother begins to
save in tliis way, the example spreads through the house.
The young people acquire a passion for saving, which is
not mean or selfish, or narrowing to the sympathies in any
way. They feel the pleasure and see the advantage of
possessing money of their own, at their own control, and
acquired by their own prudence and good sense. They
acquire a spirit of honourable independence because they
owe everything to themselves. This saving costs them no
privation ; they lose no comfort or pleasure to effect their
accumulations. They have simply to make all their small
purchases at a store, and the small profits they would
distribute among the shopkeepers about them, come at the
end of the quarter into their own pockets. Sometimes
these young co-operators persuade their friends, who do
not belong themselves to any store, to let them make their
purchases for them, and they can always promise them a
better quality of provisions and articles than any small shop-
keeper is able to sell, whatever may be his honesty and
good intentions. These commissions, entrusted to these
minor co-operators, cost nothing to those who give them,
and the youthful commissioners learn thrift and gain
by the opportunity, and become little millionaires in their
own estimation.
In co-operative families the sons and daughters commonly
become members on their own account. The youno- men
learn other economies, avoiding needless and Avasteful
pleasures which they would never otherwise avoid, and are
the better in their habits and health in consequence ; and
when the time for setting up households of their own
arrives, they often have a house of their own to go into.
It is found that young women are often as clever as their
brothers in saving, when their minds are well put in the
way of it. They too, discover, that they often spend money
to no purpose without thinking about it, because means of
saving have never been set before them and made pleasant
to them ; and many a girl has found herself sought for in
0
194 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Family thrift a Co-operative device,
mai'riage by a better class of suitor than would ever hav&
fallen in her way, had it not been discovered that she had
a fund of her own creation in the co-operative store.^
The certainty that a prudent girl will make a prudent
wife, and be the mistress of a' prudent household, is a
popular belief which acts as an unsolicited letter of recom-
mendation to her. It is in the training of home that
personal character is most surely formed, and the saving-
habit can be induced in no other way so natural as when
it is made to grow out of the daily expenditure, which
occurs to every one. If it can be shown that persons can
save without laying anything b}-, and accumulate money
without paying anything out of their pockets, and save
without living any way poorer, or meaner than they did,
and without depriving themselves of a single article they
have the means of purchasing, this were surely to make
saving easy, alluring, and inevitable. This is the moral,
social, and salutary discovery which co-operative societies
have made. If persons can save only by depriving them-
selves of something which they need, very few have the
strength of mind to do it. Future advantage seems to
most persons a poor thing compared with present satis-
faction. The weak-minded only half believe in the need
and privation of a future day, which comes to the impro-
vident as surely as death ; and often they both come
together. A true co-operative store dispenses with this
scant, difficult, and precarious heroism of daily life, and
without requiring the strength of mind which looks the
future in the face, provides for it. Without asking the
exercise of the greater courage of privation to-day in order
to secure comfort for the morrow, a co-operative store
ofPers means of saving without privation, or sacrifice, or
effort. Nothing ever brought this advantage to the
humblest household until the co-operative device arose.
No homily, no precept, no wise saw, or modern instance,
no exhortation, or prayer, or entreaty, can inspire strength
of will or wise and lasting purpose in the average mind of
LONDON CO-OPEPwATION. — REVOLT OF CUSTOMERS. 195
Moral value of economic facility,
any class. Facility alone brought to their doors, put into
their hands, saving made part of the very convenience of
their daily life, wliich co-operation furnishes ; effects the
change from thoughtlessness to thrift, as no other human
device has ever been found to do. If the great Civil Ser-
vice stores of London could be induced to connect the
merciful compulsion of saving with their rules, they would
have a certainty of the attachment and continued support
of their members which is unknown now, and besides, they
would create the habit of economy in a hundred thousand
households, where it will otherwise never exist.*
Professor Hodgson — brilliant and instructive as his presi-
dential address to the Co-operative Congress at Glasgow
(1876) was — gave in some respects a cold, alien, and deficient
view of this subject, when he said, " The plan of giving a
bonus upon purchase if he could not regard it as a stroke of
financial genius, or a discovery in social ethics, seemed to
him a skilful device for making palpable the gam that
accrued from lessening cost of management in proportion
to the work done. Whether one got 10 per cent, as one's
discounts as they were made, or a bonus of 10 per cent, on
that amount after three, six, or twelve months, was surely
not of vital moment." No one who had personal co-
operative experience among the working people could have
said this.f Surely it is idle to say (as other political
* This was admitted lately at Oxford, where dogmatic theology has been
much better cared for than social morality. At the opening of Keblo
College, the Marquis of Salisbury said, " There never was a time in which
frugality required to be so much preached to the educated classes of thi»
country ; " and Lord Selborne praised the arrangements of the College as s
means much needed of protecting young students from pernicious indifference
to " debt."
t The " Standard " (newspaper), which does not understand Co-operation,
often confounds the London version of it with the Rochdale theory, thus
speaks contemptuously of the many moralities of the genuine Store. " The
worst mistake into which the ' Co-operative leaders ' seem to hare fallen, is,
that of over-estimating the importance of their retail grocery business.
Playing at shop is a favourite amusement with children, and the managers
of Co-operative Stores have carried out that innocent pursuit on a colossal
196 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The wild dreams of Political Economists.
economists as eminent as Professor Hodgson have said)
that if a man saves 2s. in the pound in a purchase it
makes no difference to him whether he receives the money
weekly or at the end of the quarter ; he has the money in
his pocket, and if he wants to save it he can do so. This is a
mad theory of human conduct, as it impHes that all men are
perfect, that all minds are prudent, and bent upon prudence
always ; that the advantao;es and fine spirit of self-
providence is present to the mind of every one, and
pi'esent unintermittingly. It implies that opportunity of
some gratification, which betrays nine out of every ten,
every wakeful hour of their lives, can be set aside and
disregarded at will. It implies that omnipresent strength
of purpose, which the philosopher extols as the perfection
of character, which he never expects to see prevalent ;
which no Utopian ever dreams will be universal — is to
be found in every one, and found always. If men could
be trusted to save because they have the means of doing
so, Insurance societies would be impertinencies, since
every man could more or less provide for himself if he
took care of his means when he has them. All the laws
and all the devices of social life, to protect the thoughtless
from themselves, and to prevent temptation from destroy-
ing the foolish or the weak, would be unnecessary. Thus
the compulsory thrift of co-operation is one of the most
necessary and beneficent features of that great self-
helping scheme.
Cobden once held the theory that nothing would be so
popular as a newspaper distinguished for furnishing facts.
scale with this useful result — that a number of ladies who have plenty of time
on their hands succeed in procuring marmalade and Worcester sauce at a
visible saving in pence. Let us hope that in many households, where the
saltation of pence is an important object, it has been achieved without too
great a waste of hours on the part of the housekeeper ; but it is nonsense
to imagine that the Co-opei"ative Stores can do more towards the regeneration
of the world than is involved in the partial cheapening of groceries and the
wholesome lesson thereby imparted to ordinary tradesmen." — " Standard,"
June 4, 18G9.
LONDON CO-OPERATION. — REVOLT OF CUSTOMEUS. 197
A taste for facta a sign of considerable cultivation.
No paper ever lived long enough to succeed in this ad-
venturous department. The cost of getting at facts is
enormous. They are as scarce as gold. The most valuable
facts commonly lie very low down, and are as uncertain
to find, and costly to get at, as boring for coal in an un-
explored field. So difficult are they to find that men are
celebrated as discoverers who first produce facts in art, or
politics ; in science, or social life ; and when found it re-
quires a man of genius to identify them and interpret
them. Ordinary people do not know what to do with them.
In a west-end district in London, where needy or
thoughtless people are not expected to abound, there is a
pawnbroker's shop where two thousand pledges are re-
deemed every Saturday night and four hundred new pledges
are brought in. Pawnbrokers shoi)s are the humble banks
of the poor, who, when sudden sickness or distress over-
takes them, or a journey has to be made to a dying child
or parent, indigent women can there obtain a little nioney
when they have no friend to lend them any, and only
possess some wearing apparel, or wedding ring, which they
can give up in exchange for mone}'. These cases, however,
represent a very small portion of that great crowd whoso
folly, or vice, or improvidence make up the two thousand
four hundred applicants, who, in one night, throng the
pawnbroker's shop we have indicated. What an igno-
minious crowd to contemplate ! Two or three co-operative
stores in that neighbourhood would do more to thin the
deplorable throng than all the moralists, philosophers, and
preachers London could furnish. These stores ought to
bo promulgated by missionary zeal. And men might give
themselves to the work, as to a great religious duty.
If gentlemen had taken to co-operative trading with a
view to elevate it, and improve shopkeeping by improving
the taste of purchasers, by the gradual introduction of
becoming colours and qualities, and articles of honest
manufacture, no words of honour would be too strong to
apply to these amateur shopkeepers. Some years ago I
198 HISTOEY OF CO-OPERATION.
Uses of Co-oporation to the Churches.
made an appeal * to the piety of London, to do something
practical in the name of faith. A few congregations in
every district of the far extending metropolis might unite
in setting up a good co-operative store. If deacons,
elders, lady visitors, and city missionaries were to visit the
poor of the neighbourhood with half as much interest in
the welfare of their bodies, as that they display for the
health of their souls, they would soon have thousands of
poor members at their co-operative store. If they saved
the profits of the poor for them, and encouraged them to per-
mit the slow accumulation, they would teach them in time
the holy art of thrift and independence, which no preacher
inspires them with and no prayer endows them with. If
the wealthy members choose to deal at the stores and save
their profits, not for the baser reason of adding to already
sufficient gains, but for the purpose of devoting them to
works of art, or to that charity which helps the unfortunate
and does not make mendicants, they might do good with
dignity and do it without cost.
* Vide letter to " Pall Mail Gazette."
METROPOLITAN PROPAGANDISM. 199
Notable propagandist Halls in London.
CHAPTER XIII.
METROPOLITAN PROPAGANDISM.
" I regard social schemes as one of the most valuable elements of human
improvement." — John Stuakt Mill, " Political Economy."
London lias started more Co-operative societies and
projects than any city ten times told. If it has not suc-
ceeded with them, it has enabled others to do so. It may
be held that it has had real co-operative enthusiasm and
enterprize. Somebody must go forward with an ideal,
which the " practical " people carry out, but rarely have
the capacity to discover for themselves; and when they
succeed, they are apt to disparage the thinkei's who inspired
them.
The vicissitudes of co-operation in the metropolis would
be an instructive narrative in itself, but it would occupy a
disproportionate space here. In several parts of England,
as is elsewhere instanced, societies formed in the Pioneer
period, and before it, continue to exist. In London no
society formed in those days has continued. There was
an intermittent platform advocacy of it at the old Hall of
Science, City Road (rented mainly by Mr. Mordan, of gold
pen repute, for Mr. Rowland Detrosier to lecture in), when
physical science really was taught there ; and industrial
advocacy was continuous and incessant on the platform at
the John Street Institution, Tottenham Court Road, and
at the Cleveland Hall, hard by, for a time. Indeed in
every hall — in Theobald's Road, Gray's Inn Road, in
Goswell Road, Islington, Whitechapel, Hackney, Black-
friars Road, in the Rotunda in the days of Carlile, Queea
200 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Mr. George Miidie's plan of 1818.
i:
Street, Charlotte Street, at Castle Street, Oxford Street,
and, subsequently, at the new Hall of Science, in Old
Street, St. Luke's, and in every Free Thought or Secular
Hall which has been occupied in the metropolis, Co-
operative advocacy has more or less been heard.
The reader has seen in the previous volume on the
Pioneer period, how earnestly the social propaganda was
promoted in London. It was here that the " British
Association for the Diffusion of Co-operative Knowledge "
was formed. It is the tendency of the metropolis to think
more of disseminating true ideas than to profit by them.
The tone of the metropolitan mind is imperial. Strong
thinkers strive to act from London upon the empire. The
best ideas do not often originate in London, but they
receive a generous determination there. Through the
kindness of Dr. Yeats, there has lately come to my hands
"The Report of the Committee appointed by a Meeting
of Journeymen, chiefly Printers " to consider the first
systematic plan of Co-operation known to have been pro-
posed. The plan was that of Mr. George Mudie. The
second edition of the Report is dated January 23, 182 L
The Report first appeared in 1820, and it speaks of
having been long under consideration, so that as early as
1818 or 1819 Co-operation, as a " plan of arrangement"
-for working people, was formally put forth. Mr. Mudie
is spoken of as having delivered discourses thereupon in
the metropolis. Mr. Mudie's scheme was that of a com-
munity of goods ; but the Committee proposed to adapt its
Co-operative features to friendly societies and working
men's clubs, which was done in 1821, and was the beginning
of Co-operative societies in London. The Report was
signed by Robert Hunt, James Shallard, John Jones,
Georo-e Hinde, Robert Dean, and Henry Hetherington.
The Report is the ablest, least sentimental, the most
clearly written and exhaustive — touching community-
schemes and Co-operative application — I have met with in
the early literature of the movement.
METROPOLITAN PROPAGANDISM. 201
A remarkable statement of Co-operation in 1820.
One passage, which expresses the first conception formed
of that practical co-operation which Ave now know, will
interest the reader and enable him to judge of the correct-
ness of my estimate of this remarkable report. " It
appears to us that the principle of co-operation is suscei)t-
ible of so many modifications, as to be capable of being
brought to bear upon almost any supposed circumstances.
In some cases the benefits of co-operation could only be
partially obtained. Wherever Friendly Societies or Benefit
Clubs exist, the members would do well to form themselves
into associations for reaping the advantages of this plan. Iti
some cases it might be merely practicable to unite a portion
of their earnings for the purchase in the best markets,
certain articles of provision or clothing ; while in other
cases where the parties inhabit contiguous dwellings, some
of the advantages resulting from the sub-division of
domestic labour might also be secured, and erections
adapted for the purposes of cooking and washing be made
at the back of one or more of the dwellings at a small ex-
pense. If men can be brought seriously and earnestly to
consider how they can unite their talents, experiences, and
pecuniary resources, to attain advantages in which each
should equitably participate, they will assuredly succeed
in improving their condition ; and if by any economical
arrangements the earnings of individuals in question can
be made to produce a greater quantity of articles of com-
sumption than is to be obtained on the plan of each indi-
vidual catering for his own family, the effect will be the
same as would follow an increase of wages or a decrease of
taxes.'
The Home Colonization Society, of which Mr. William
Galpin was the chief promoter, and to which Mr. Frederick
Bate was the chief subscriber, was formed in London twenty
years later, 1840-1. The first Central Board of the
Society had offices in the metropolis for some years in
Bloomsbury Square, and the " New Moral World " was
printed by Ostell round the corner in Hart Street.
202 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
New Advocates in 1848-9.
After the fall of QHeenwood no action of moment was
made in London until the Christian Socialists took the field
on behalf of co-operation, 1848-9. Some important services
of theirs are recorded in the chapters on " Parliamentary-
Aid," " Famous Promoters," and elsewhere in these
volumes. The higher aims they put before and kept before
co-operators* have made their influence the most fortunate
•which has befallen the movement. It was in Charlotte
Street, which Mr. Owen has previously made famous, that
the barristers' and clergymen's co-operative movement
commenced, the said Christian Socialist organization of a
Central Co-operative Agency and AVorking Men's Associa-
tions. Having fortune, learning and influence, they
attracted important attention to the subject; and issued
publications explanatory of their intentions. With what
generosity and zeal, and at how great a cost the work was
conducted, will never be known until they themselves tell
the story. Those who had been connected with former
movements knew well that the scale on which they worked
must involve great loss ; and had they not been men of
hio-h character, caring for the principles of industrial
reform they espoused, and believing in them, they would
have abandoned a cause which had been so expensive
to them, instead of continuing to this day to sustain and
promote it.
From 1850 to 1855 attempts were made in London to
establish a Wholesale Supply Association, under the
name of the Universal Purveyor, for the manufacture,
preparation, and sale of food, drinks, and drugs, guaranteed
against adulteration and fraud, and just in purity, quality,
weight, measure and price. The commencing capital was
£10,000 in 1000 shares of £10. The project lasted in force
but a few years. M. Jules le Chevalier St. Andre, formerly
a Fourierite enthusiast, but not at all an enthusiast in London,
* See Lecture to the Guild of Co-operators, Exeter Hall, London, by
Thomas Hughes, Q.C., 1878.
METROPOLITAN PEOPAGANDISM. 203
The Eev. Charles Marriott and St. Andre.
but a very obese and accomplished projector, was con-
cerned in both these schemes. The chief supporter of the
Purveyor was the Rev. C. Marriott, who at that time was
Dean of Oriel, Oxford. He was certainly a clergyman of
great disinterestedness, who ran great pecuniary risks,
and incurred several losses to serve others. M. St
Andre had a masterly way of putting a case which would
interest a man like Mr. Marriott. It was not until after much
money had been lost in Cliarlotte Street, Fitzroy Square,
and the business there was ended, that M. St. Andre com-
menced his "Universal Purveyor" at 23, King William
Street. In one of his last circulars he said, " The most
obstructive difficulty was inherent to the state of the English
law, whereby it was not possible to take part in any enterprize,
admitting of some risk, without being entrapped, as it
were, into unlimited responsibility. The unalterable faith
in God, which has supported me all through the apparent
hopelessness of a righteous cause, strengthens in me every
day more and more the belief that by coming forward
personally as trustee, and financially with every means ho
could place at my disposal, the Rev. C. Marriott has laid
tlie foundation of an institution pregnant of important
results. The Rev. C. Marriott was perfectly aware that
iis a trustee he would have been made responsible with us.
But there was no other means of doing what he thought
his duty, and he did it. Thank God he has come out safe,
after enabling us to reach the time when the principle of
limited liability has been introduced in the English
law."
All that relates to Mr. Marriott was true and most
honourable to him. "What it cost him to '' come out safe "
is not stated. Gentlemen more experienced in the world,
and more in it than Mr. Marriott, had found that " aa
unalterable trust in God," while very well in its place,
may be very costly in business, unless accompanied by
secular qualifications. St. Andre well knew this: and
also well understood what a "Wholesale Agency should be :
204 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Mr. E. R. Edger and the " Social Economist."
and his description of it is worth preserving. Its condi-
tions were these :
1. An extent of operations embracing the supply of all
articles for domestic consumption. 2. Making the guar-
antee of parity, quality, quantity, and ftiir price, the special
duty and responsibility of the establishment. 3. Selling
on commission only, and not making any speculative
profits. 4. Extensive warehouses for examining and
testing the goods before packing and delivery. 5. The
most perfect machinery for weighing, packing, and label-
ling large quantities of parcels of every description.
6. Organization of a Commission of Referees, composed
of professional men of the highest standing. 7. Appointed
buyers, morally responsible to the public. 8. A
strong body of respectable servants as clerks, travel-
lers, packers, warehousemen, pledged to certain modes of
dealing, thoroughly impressed with the fact that they are
on public duty.
Years after the disappearance of the Working Men's
Associations founded by the Christian Socialists, I and
Mr. E. R. Edger held meetings at The Raglan (Mr.
Jagger's coffee-house), 71, Theobald's Road. The object of
these meetings was to suggest a plan of combined action for
all the London stores, and to invite their co-operation in
circulating an address to the people, with the object of
increasing the members and custom of every store. There
were then some twenty or thirty stores in London scattered
and isolated. Mr. Edger and I published the " Social
Economist " for the purpose of promoting organization
among these stores, and Mr. Edger wrote a wise series of
tracts for circulation among the members. By the
generous aid of a munificent friend of co-operation —
always nameless, but incessant in service — Mr. Greening
and I established in London the " Social Economist," which
for a considerable period sought to inform co-operators the
nature of continental thought, as respects the organization
of social life and labour. It was subsequently discontinued
METROPOLITAN PROPAGANDISM. 205
Establishment of tlie Agricultural Association.
on behalf of the '' Co-operative News " that there might be
unity and greater interest in the new journal then projected.
A " London Association for the Promotion of Co-operation "
was for some time in operation in 1863. Mr. J. S. Mill,
Professor F. W. Newman, and Mr. E. Vansittart Neale,
permitted their names to be announced as honorary mem-
bers. The committee was composed of officers of these
existing co-operative societies. It was stated by this body
that there was at that time " forty societies in London and
its vicinity."
The establishment of the Agricultural and Horticultural
Co-operative Association in London devised by Mr. Edward
Owen Greening; Mr. Walter Morrison, M.P., and Thomas
Hughes, M.P., the Hon. Mr. Cowper-Temple, M.P., and
other gentlemen, being Directors, gave practical co-
operation position in the metropolis. The progress of this
association is as remarkable as that of any society extant,
considering that it occupied an entirely new field, and
sought members among the farmers of England who do
not take readily to new ideas. Mr. E. 0. Greening, the
manager, being possessed of real co-operative knowledge,
skilled in devising new applications of the principle, and of
unquestionable zeal and capacity in advocacy, has exercised
considerable propagandist influence in London. This
Agricultural Association has maintained a standard of co-
operative principle which has been operative upon the
Civil Service societies in some instances. Mr. Greening
and others have caused to be carried on for some time a
Co-operative Institute in Castle Street, in a large building
formerly the Concert Room of the Princess's Theatre, Oxford
Street. The names of Thomas Brassey, M.P., the Earl
of Rosebery, and Arthur Trevelyan appear among the
promoters in addition to other well-known friends of In-
dustrial organization, as Walter Morrison, Charles Morrison,
and the Right Hon. Cowper-Temple, M.P. The " Daily
News" has given a comprehensive account of it, saying : — •
*' This Co-operative Institute is not, as might be inferred
206 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The London Co-operative Institute.
from the name, a store or a trading company, but a Society-
formed to organize the means of pure and elevating enjoy-
ment, the revenue arising from members' subscriptions
being applied to educational or recreative purposes
It provides the combined advantages of lectures, concerto,
the use of Mudie's books, a reading room, and, as far as
possible, the usual adjuncts of a club. There are occa-
sionally social evenings for dancing, but no intoxicants
are permitted, and admission is limited to members."
It ought to be added that the Central Co-operative Board
and some societies have made subscriptions to it. If it
had an assured revenue from the great societies it might
become an important institution of representative
propagandism.
A Central Co-operative Agency Society, Limited, was
established in London some time ago, for the sale of
co-operative manufacture and provisions, wholesale and
retail. The object of that part of the agency, devoted to
the sale of manufactures, was intended to provide a market
in London for the sale of the produce of manufacturing
societies elsewhere. It unfortunately entrusted its opera-
tions to a manager, supposed to have good intentions, but
not known to have anything else. A fire occurred among
the goods, which did not much increase the confusion in
•which the affairs of the agency usually were. It did not
need a fire to destroy the concern. With a manager of this
world it might have become a profitable and useful agency.
The want of London is a few men who can be assigned to
each special undertaking, and who will attend to it person-
ally and exclusively. An excellent thing is at times set
going, and none devote themselves to seeing it go and
taking care that it does go. The chief leaders of co-
operation engage in too many things at once.
Since the Agricultural Association built a council room in
Millbank Street, the Central Board of the Southern Section
has sat there and has devised a Metropolitan Co-operative
Society, one object being to open stores in suitable districts
METROPOLITAN PROPAGANDISM. 207
The Manchester Wholesale Society in London,
on the plan which experience in the provinces has war-
ranted. These stores are to be efficiently superintended
and supplied with provisions from the Manchester Whole-
sale, which can uniformly be depended upon. So compre-
hensive a scheme was impossible before the Branch of the
Manchester Wholesale was opened at 118, Minories. This
step has brought with it the advantage of stationing
provincial men in London, who are practically acquainted
with co-operation. Mr. Benjamin Jones, the Manager of
the Wholesale Branch, possessing a minute knowledge of
co-operative procedure and great judgment and resource
in methods of organization, is an addition to the co-opera-
tive forces of London.
Since 1875 the proceedings of the Annual Congress has
been regulated by the laws of a Co-operative Union
adopted at the London Congress in that year. This Union
prescribes the conditions under which societies may become
members of it, and send delegates to it. It appoints a
Central Board which officially governs the proceedings of
the united co-operative body, seven members of which
meet in the midlands, seven in the northern, eleven in
the north-western, nine in the southern, five in the
western division of England, and ten in the Kingdom of
Scotland. Delegates from each of these district Boards
meet periodically in Manchester to transact the general
business of the Union under the name of the United Board.
" This Union is formed to promote the practice of
truthfulness, justice, and economy in production and
exchange —
(1) By the abolition of all false dealing, either —
a. Direct, b}' representing any article produced or sold
to be other than what it is known to the producer or
vendor to be ; or
h. Indirect, by concealing from the purchaser any fact
known to the vendor material to be known by the pur-
chaser, to enable him to judge of the value of the article
purchased.
208 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Formation of the Co-operative Guild.
(2) By conciliating the conflicting interests of the
capitalist, the worker, and the purchaser, through an
equitable division among them of the fund commonly
known as Profit.
(3) By preventing the waste of labour, now caused by
unregulated competition.
[The Union does not affect to determine precisely what
division of this fund shall be considered equitable, believing
that this is a question admitting of different solutions,
under different circumstances, and not to be concluded by
any hard and fast line. But it insists on the recognition
of the principle.]"
Mr. Hodgson Pratt, a ceaseless worker for social im-
provement, not merely doing with zeal what routine work
may come before him in the movements he assists, but
assiduously devising new methods of advancing the objects
in view — has projected a Co-operative Guild for the
purpose of creating an organized propagandism of prin-
ciples of Industrial Association. At the Glasgow Congress
of 1876, it was first agreed to form a Guild on the plan of
the ancient societies of that name. It was proposed by
myself to give effect to a striking paper on Propagandism
read by Mr. Joseph Smith, secretary to the Manchester
Board. The draft of the Guild was signed by G. J. Holy-
<oake, A. Greenwood, W. Nuttall, J. Smith, E. V. Neale,
J. Crabtree, J. M. Percival, H. J. Wiley.
This " Guild of Co-operative Pioneers " was intended
to comprise a Master of the Guild, and (1) Associates
examined in Co-operative Principle ; (2) Companions
examined in Methods of Co-operative Procedure; (3)
Administrators examined in the Government of Societies ;
(4) Members of Court examined in the Policy and Debate
in Societies and Congress. The object of this Guild was
to train a body of persons in every town who should
possess usefulness and authority by reason of their known
devotion and ascertained qualifications.
Mr. Hodgson Pratt's scheme was originated quite
METROPOLITAN PROPAGANDISM. 209
Pretended Co-operation.
independently and is of wider range and comprises more
popular features. It commenced in March, 1878, a series
of four lectures in Exeter Hall ; the first being delivered
by Thomas Hughes, Q.C., on the History of Co-operation,
Mr. Hodgson Pratt presiding.
As spurious co-operation became the fashion, in London
it raised its impudent head in many streets, which it
defaced with pretended '' Co-operative Shops." A single
adventurer multiplied himself into a Firm, and announced
himself as a '•' Co-operative Company." Fictitious " Co-
operative Banks " made their appearance, and treacle and
calico, boots and money, were offered ostentatiously in the
name of " Co-operation." The tendencies of these impos-
tures was to invest co-operation with suspicion ; and often
when an honest co-operative store really appeared, it
made no way through being distrusted. Mr. Richard
Banner Oakley, of pestilential repute, failed in the many
specious attempts to get the Co-operative Congress to re-
cognize him, or the Central Board, or "Co-operative
News " to countenance in any degree his operations, Avhich
were so effectually explained in co-operative journals as
dangerous, that no single store ever had dealings with him,
nor was a single person, professing to be a co-operator,
found to be a depositor in his pretended bank. The outside
public, from treating co-operation with ignorant distrust, at
last believed in it with an ignorant credulit}'', and these
were the creatures Oakley caught. When he invented his
Co-operative Credit Bank, the papers spoke of it as an
instance of " Co-operative credulity," whereas the co-opera-
tors were the only persons who had no faith in it.
His victims were persons seeking dividends, not knowing, or
not caring, how they were to be made. So late as 1871) (he
newspapers reproached co-operators for having sometimes
*' ruined a society because the uneducated members refused
to allow the manager due discretion." Nothing was
probably known to this writer of the cases in whicli
societies in England, and even in Scotland, had lost very
P
210 HISTOllY OF CO-OPERATION.
Co-operathe Coal and Insurance Societies.
large sums through allowing unregulated discretion to
managers. There is a medium between discretion and
absolute irresponsibility.
There is a Co-operative Coal Society in Chancery Lane,
London, managed by Mr. Julius Forster. In this climate
life without fire is ])recarious in winter, and to the old
insupportable. Deficiency of fuel means sickness, increased
contagion, premature death to the old, and sharp pain and
privation in many ways. To help to avert this, in the
days of the coal famine, the Co-operative Coal Supply
association held a conference in Millbank Street Hall,
to promote co-operative coal mining. In the North of
England the working miners had then taken some coal
roj^alties, and, with secured orders from London, they
could work them with profit and avoid many costs of
administration. The chief Civil Service stores connected
themselves with the Coal Supply Society ; and all who
were not afraid of co-operative coal could get that article
cheaper than their neighbours. There are a good many
people in London who do not care one whit on what
principle they are warmed, if warm they can be kept in
winter.
The Manchester Co-operative Fire Insurance Society
(which has shown a growing prosperity for some years), of
which Mr. James Odgers is secretar}^, has offices also in
Chancery Lane, London. There are many signs now that
real co-operation will attain substantial ascendency in
London in a few 3'ears. This Society, commenced in 1872,
also issues Guarantees of Fidelity of Servants of Co-operative
Societies. It hns now added a Life Department.
It is one of the pleas for the incapacity of London to
co-operate tliat the population is transitory. Tliis is
true of visitors ; still householders remain pretty constant.
And this sufficiently explains the possibility of oven metro-
politan co-operation. Population, which seems fluctuating
under facilities of transit and emigration, yet resembles
the deposits at a bank. Though withdrawAble on demand
METROPOLITAN PROPAGANDISM.
Stationariuess of Co-operators.
211
a profitable proportion of money always remains on hand.
It is the same with workmen. Great numbers expect to
live in the place in which they were born or have settled ;
as witness the statements made at the meeting of '' Tiio
British Association"* at Bradford in 1873, that the
following building societies, f composed mainly of working
people, had these members and income in 1872 . —
Title of Society.
1
Members. ! Funds.
Bradford Seeond Equitable , . .
Bradford Third Equitable ...
Leeds Permanent
Leeds Provincial
Halifax Permanent ...
6,277
7,200
12,020
5,250
6,167
£265,000
537,000
365,000
200,000
174,000
These masses of membership do not look like a flying
population. Here, too, is capacity for co-operation clearly
shown by them. If as much interest was taken in co-
operative as in religious propagandism, and 100 members
of any congregation were to guarantee to buy not less than
£1 worth of goods from any good store, the store-keepers
might undertake to contribute £1000 in four years to the
income of the Church.
* The association of the oight-worded name "for the advanceiuent ot
science."
t The five societies are those cited by Mr. A. Binns at Bradford.
212 niSTORY OP CO-OPERATION.
Honest men and knaves alike, have a Policy.
CHAPTER XIV.
SOCIAL POLICY OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES.
He neither power or places sought,
For others not himself he fought.
He might have been a king,
But that he understood
How much it was a meaner thing
To be unjustly great — than honourably good.
llie Duke of Buckingham's Epitaph on Lord Fairfax.
The noblest and most perfect scheme of liberty or set of
rules in the world, will be dead letters unless men with
sense and a passion for the right carry them out. The
right men are known by the policy they pursue. Some
men profess not to know Avhat policy is. Yet they know
that if a man wishes to appear superior to his neighbours
without trouble, his policy is not to Avork. If his inten-
tion is not to work, his policy is to live by borrowing as less
dangerous but not less dishonest than stealinof. But if a
man intends to live by industry and to get on by good
sense, he adopts certain rules of probity and usefulness,
and these are his policy.
Co-operation implies a training in an entirely unknown
art, the art of association. The earlier advocates of in-
dustrial equity had everything to learn, and to fight their way
step by step in the shop, in the market, on the platform,
and in the press. The instructed seldom befriended them,
and adversaries never gave them quarter. In this solitary
contention tliey discovered the policy of their success.
1. Never to conceal what ought in business honestly to
be made known, nor communicate to assailants outside
business what is no business of theirs. ■
Catlin tells us that tlie astute American Indian always
SOCIAL POLICY OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES. 213
The disease of Publicity.
l^eeps his mouth shut, until he has some purpose in opening
it ; and the Indian mother watches her boy while he sleeps,
carefully closing his lips, if apart, that he may acquire the
habit of keeping them shut night and day, as audible
breathing may one day betray him in his lair. There are
men in every movement who always have their mouths
open. It may be owing to mere labial deficiency, or to
their having had parents who knew nothing of the im-
portance of educated habit ; but to the spectator it seems
a sign of vacuity or foolishness. The early socialists
mostly had this peculiarity, not from physical but intel-
lectual deficiency in the power of reticence. Speech
escaped from them without calculation of its relevancy or use.
Co-operation still suffers from a dangerous publicity of its
})urpose8. If some rival firm refuses to sell to them pro-
visions or materials they go to the expense of printing a
circular about it, or put it in a paper and circulate the
fact that they are disabled from carrying on their business.
Everywhere they warn powerful capitalists to combine
against them, and then squeal out when the pressure is
put upon them, although they alone have informed their
own limited connection that they are distressed,
disabled, and excluded ; thus ministering to the personal
triumph as well as business success of their clever and
reticent adversaries, who know better how to close their
mouths and work in the shade. A manufacturing society
will proclaim its disasters when applying for more capital.
Co-operators know that competition is a battle in which
there are few scruples and no quarter, and yet many of
them chatter as though it was a tea party. It is the same
in Radicalism, where publicity is a disease instead ol a
purpose. It is the malady of inexperience. Conservative
working men are as bad when they are allowed to speak.
What matters it to co-operators if the enemy close the
markets where they must purchase provisions to distribute^
or materials with wh.icli to conduct productive manu-
factures ? This can be overcome in commerce and trade
214 HISTOEY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
Divergencies of opinion so many approximations to Truth.
by establishing wholesale societies, and entering the
markets with means of making large purchases. But no
machinery can be devised to counteract erroneous specu-
lative impressions. Theological alarm is far more im-
placable than that of business. Welcome defamation is
conveyed down a thousand electric and devious lines of
prejudice, where deliberate, stately, and friendless truth is
too proud, too scornful, or too poor to follow it ; and there
it lives till Time starves it, or the contempt of a second
and better instructed generation kills it.
2. The co-operator, therefore, gives no information as to
his religious opinions, and treats any demand of the kind
as a social outrage.
Religion in the sense of reverence for Grod as the Author
of nature, or reverence for truth as showing what th^t
nature is, is confined to a few persons in every generation.
With this religion of the understanding co-operation i&
wholly coincident. But to the literary religion which pre-
vails, and strange to say is believed in mainly by the mass
of persons who have no literary knowledge, discernment,
or capacity whatever — co-operation is often found to be
repugnant. The most human and gracious parts of the
Bible are those which express sympathy for the poor.
Co-operation respects but declines this sympathy. It
objects to being poor, and holds that there is neither need,
nor use, nor good in being poor ; yet while it is my belief
that frankness alone is force, and concealment is shabbi-
ness and weakness when persons have a right to informa-
tion, it Avould be mere folly and harm ; if from covetousness
for the credit of boldness, a writer should make more of
religious divergence than really exists. There is no
serious divergence in the opinion of those in whose minds
passion has no power to exaggerate facts. Divergence does
not apply to nature, it only relates to man. Divergence
does not mean that nature varies, but that man does.
Divergence is only a terra which indicates that we have
SOCIAL POLICY OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES. 215
Sympathy with the right of dissent confounded with identity of opinion.
not yet got the measure of truth. There is no clifFerence
of opinion amoug those who see a fact exactly as it is.
When one man discovers that the established measurement
is wrong and announces one more accurate, men put him
down as being no better than he should be, which merely
means that he is nearer to the real dimensions of the truth
than his neighbours.
3. Self-helping in all things, the co-operator chooses his
own principles, and answers for them himself.
Thepoorer sort of persons with new ideas are eager to have
them discussed. It is their only chance of getting attention.
To accomplish this, they must uphold the principle of free
discussion. Yet discussion once sanctioned in any party,
all sorts of questions are raised, and the respojisi-
bility of the opinions advanced is, in a manner, ditl'ased
over the whole party wdio uphold the principle. Hence
co-operation, in its early days, was charged with complicity
with every utopianism of the hour, discussed in its halls,
or advocated by its su])porters. Of course this mistake
would not be made about it, if the public discriminated ;
but the public is a creature which never does discriminate.
Not only do parties, unskilled in managing the unmanage-
able, suffer from this misconception, but philosophers sutler
from it. Jolm Stuart Mill was a memorable instance of
this ; because he wrote letters on behalf, or on some occa-
sions gave support to, persons whose views the public did not
like, it was assumed that Mr. Mill did like them. This did
not by any means follow. Mr. Mill believed that progress
needed to be promoted. He believed that it was retarded in
two Avays — by persons not saying what they thought riglit,
and by not acting upon it when they had said it. He,
therefore, enqouraged this being done, without at all
implying that he agreed with the particular views of each
individual, or his mode of carrying them out.
The men who inspired the co-operative movement, who
believed in it when no one else did, who stood by it when
216 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Unimputative argument a Co-operative habit.
others once attracted to it deserted it, and whose intrepidity
and persistence have been the cause of its success, were men
who held no secpnd-hand opinions, but debated out for
themselves what they sought to know, and had to depend
upon. So vigilant were they that they never suffered any
speaker to address an audience in their name, unless he
submitted what he said to criticism and opportunity of
refutation. They regarded as a deceiver or a traitor any
who sought to impose upon them opinions he did not invite
them to verify and enable them to do it.
4. To regard every member as actuated by veracity
and right intentions, and in case of difference of opinion
to reason with him as being in error — not as being base.
So solicitous were the early co-operators for neutrality
in imputation that they prohibited all praise or blame,
in order that the mind being kept passionless, might move
in the equable plane of simple truth. Certainly this dis-
cipline kept a speaker quiet but it made him dull. He
never knew whether he was a fool or a wit. He might as
well have addressed so many bales of cotton as an audience
of social improvers. Other and wiser exactions — still less
agreeable to the fervid and loose-tongued orator, were
made. Whoever spoke among them was strictly forbidden
to be imputative. He was told to pity the vituperative
assailant to whom nature nor culture had given neither sense
or taste — not to imitate him. Thirty years before Mr.
Matthew Arnold pointed out that Paul when he called
his adversaries " dogs " and " vain babblers " had no
chance of convincing them, nor had Christ any chance
of gaining the Scribes and Pharisees by the invectives He
launched at them, when He abandoned His mild unconten-
tious winning mode of working. " He shall not
strive or cry " was his true characteristic, in which all his
charm and power lay. Thirty years ere this was said, co-
operators were taught consideration in speech, and it was
known among them that denunciation of persons was
SOCIAL POLICY OF CO-OPEBATIVE SOCIETIES. 217
Traitors to Truth.
the cheapest, easiest, most popular and most unwhole-
some use to which the human tongue could be put — and
that the wanton imputation of evil motives to others was
an abuse of free speech. Defamation of motives assume
an infallibility of discernment which no man is endowed
with, and denotes utter ignorance of the duty of exposi-
tion and of the art of persuading the minds of men. Those
who seek the truth, and care for the truth, are traitors to
it when they employ unfairness of terms. He who is
imputative and unjust of speech turns men from him for
ever, and is not long credited himself with purity of
motive. So sharply should consequence be connected
Avith conduct, that a brutal sincerity should be held as
much a betrayal of the truth as the denial of it ; for he who
denies it merely hides it, while he who makes it offensive
makes it to be hated. The moment an unjust imputation
is made ill-feeling begins, the wisdom or error of any step
is at once lost sight of. The moment personalities are
permitted, the tongue of every fool is loosened, and floods
of resentment and rancour drown all harmony and arrest
all concert.
Mr. John Holmes, Avho has published some wise con-
ditions of co-operative success, errs in one where he
prescribes, " Forbearance towards each other's disintei'ested
opinions." Now co-operators have nothing to do with the
question whether the opinions of their colleagues are
interested or " disinterested," but simply with the truth and
value of their opinions. Any question as to the motives
or " disinterestedness " of the opinions is the beginning
of disunion and of imputation which disgraces and kills
the society. •
A hearty geniality is of great value in co-operative
societies. A business watchtulness which never sleeps,
and a pleasantry of manner which never fails, are qualities
above all value in a co-operator in office. His smile is a
public gift, the tone of his voice is an act of friendship.
A hard man, with a sharp tongue and a short temper, is a
218 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Defect of Goodness largely owing to defect of Knowledge
local misfortune, diffusing discomfort wherever he treads.
I know entire towns which never had a genial man in
them — where every speech is an attack, every suggestion a
suspicion, and every meeting a conflict. Co-operation in
these places is alM^ays rheumatic and unhappy— labouring
under a sort of suppressed social gout. Not that I object
to grumblers ; if they have any sense they are -an uncom-
fortable kind of benefactors. No English society would
'do without them. They act as a sort of Spanish muleteer
— they prick slow animals with long ears over rough
places. It must be confessed they are rather apt to over-
do it, and make the patient, steady-working, good-natured
animal bolt, and then they ruin everything.
5. To constantly remember that there is no one not a
fool who would not be wiser and better than he is, had he
the choice ; and that the disagreeable, the wrong-headed,
and the base, are to be regarded as unfortunate rather than
hateful.
Leigh Hunt well expressed this when he said, " Let
us agree to consider the errors of mankind as proceeding
more from defect of knowledge than defect of goodness."
Those who learned this, and those alone, have given per-
manence to the co-operative movement. Those who never
knew it, or who, knowing it, have forgotten it, flounder
for ever between hatred and hopes.
Long before the Welsh reformer was born, Goldsmith
had said, without censure, that " had Csesar or Cromwell
exchanged countries, the one might have been a serjeant
and the other an exciseman." Owen did but suggest the
undeniable conclusion that in such case Cromwell would
have been a Pagan and Csesar a Puritan ; and therefore
co-operators should meet in stores or communities men of
every sect, without hostility or dislike — since particular
faiths are to be honoured as far as they make men into
brethren, and are to be accepted by all who deem thera
true ; while their special varieties are to be equally
SOCIAL POLICY OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES. "219
The kind of knowledge which inspires justice and patience.
regarded as arising in geographical or chronological
accidents, and not to be ascribed to sin. Co-operation
would be impossible if its disciples stooped to sectarian
antipathies and spoke of each other with the bitterness
with which Sir John Bowring found the Chief Priest of
the Samaritans of Sychar speak of the Jews after eighteen
centuries of dislike. It was the knowledge given them of
the human burden of inherited incapacity that imparted to
co-operators that great strength of patience and charity of
judgment which enabled their societies to endure, while
the retaliating and fiercer political parties around them
fought themselves out. Those who look may 'see that the
same nature is master of us all ; that individual man and
diversified races, every sect and every opinion, every
passion and every act, are the product of a tireless destiny,
which went before, and of circumstances Svhich follow
after, besetting us at every step — now inspiring the lofty,
anon inflaming the base, making men objects of gladness
or pity ; saving the high who know it, from pride ; pro-
tecting the low from scorn and despair; striking or serving
us, just as we are wise, to study the ways and observe the
methods of nature. Those who learn this know no more
haste or apathy, foolish hatred or foolish despair.
Co-operators will never remain leal and true to their
society unless a foundation which never gives way is laid
in the understanding. You cannot command unity, no
exhortation will produce it. By mere business sense a
member will put up with some failure or loss, or inferior
commodities at times for the advantage which can be had
in the main, by holding together. By mere business sense
he will not expect too much ; he will know that success
comes little by little, and generally arrives late and takes
disagreeable caprices on the way. By mere business sense
a man may be found in his place on dividend day. But
more than this will be wanted to make him a pleasant,
ardent, and continuous associate. If he is made aware that
wrong-headed people mostly had that twist before they
220 HISTORY OP CO-OPERATION.
Diffused intelligence well understood self defence.
xvere born — that the querulous man has vinegar nerves,
which he would be glad to exchange and cannot — that a
conceited associate has gas on the brain which inflates all
his faculties and makes him think they are solid because
they feel big — he will be tolerant and steadfast when others
turn aside offended. Half the irritation we feel at the
errors and angular ways of others arises from forgetting
that we ourselves are not infallible, and have stupid and
ungracious intervals like others.
6. A fdol cannot be a co-operator, and since those who
!know every thing do not remember it always, every one
should be instructed and kept instructed in what he is
•expected to act upon.
Co-operators have made money by their method of busi-
ness, they have won honours by being the first of the
working class who cared for self education as a hiorher form
ot property. Aristipus having counselled a father to see for a
good tutor to his son, he was asked what would that amount
to? He answered, " A hundred crowns.'" The father,
thinking the sum large, replied that " such a sum might buy
him a slave." " Well," said Aristipus, " bestow your money
so and you shall have two slaves, the one your ill-bred son
and the other he whom you buy for your money." *
The Church for a long time disliked education as tending
to make the lower orders unmanageable and the Dissenters
feared it as making them carnal-minded — not seeing that
the intellectual must always be more spiritual than the
ignorant : but the co-operators had no dislike of it, no
misgiving about it. It was to them a means of self defence.
In 1835 Mr. Owen announced that he had received £500
for the purpose " of commencing a school on the most
scientific principles for the children of co-operators and
£2000 more were to be had to extend a knowledge of
sciences among the people." The co-operators made schools
* Thoughts on Education by Bishop Burnet.
SOCIAL POLICY OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES. 221
Intelligence a " practical " Investment.
for mechanics popular. Sixty years ago they were in
advance of the nation now, in proposing the best instruction
for the humblest.
Knowledge is the same thing to the understanding as
the eye is to the body. Knowledge is the sight of the
mind. A man may get on without seeing, but while he
halts and stumbles others will pass him on the way. All
knowledge which throws light on what a man has to do,
or on the men or circumstances existing where he has to
act, is of the nature of outside help to him. A mind of
few ideas may be compared to a short lever : it can move
only little things ; while a mind of many ideas has a
longer leverage, and can move larger obstacles out of the
way. Thus knowledge of the right kind and of the
necessary quantity is plainly a good investment.
Every human society in which life and property were
in daily peril has found law and order worth paying
for, as soon as they could be got. In these days society
everywhere and all individuals in it, are threatened by a
longer and further insecurity not yet provided for, that of
the assault by the millions who are poor against the
thousands who are rich. Those who believe that thinsfs
will last their time still have misgivings for their children.
It is therefore the acknowledged interest of all persons to
})rovide against this last form of civilized insecurity. If,
however, it can be shown that the art of association,
on the principle of industrial equity, will secure com-
petence to the many without any war upon the opulent
classes, that knowledge is worth a high price and will be
a good investment. There will be many who have not
given the subject much thought, who think they can
do better than by incurring expense on this account.
We know that in the old state of society in which rapine
prevailed, there were many who could take care of them-
selves, and objected to be taxed for the preservation of
general order. But they found in the end that their
welfare depended in the long run on their neighbours and
222 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Ugliness not a necessity.
on the country being secure, and they found that to con-
tribute to the common fund for the general protection was
a good investment. In the same way there are many
employers who calculate that it is cheaper for them to
take the loss occasioned by strikes than enter upon labour
partnerships. This may be true until the day comes when
all gains are jeopardized by the revolt of unrequited
industry. It is therefore that the knowledge of the art
and advantages of equity is a good investment.
It was one of Mr. Owen's practical merits that he
foresaw this, and it was the object of his great industrial
experiments to demonstrate that considerations for the
security of society in the future paid in the present. He
was persuaded that even expenses which introduced art
and refinement into the lives and households of the
common people was a sound investment for gentlemen to
make, whether they regarded personal wealth or personal
security and honour. Mr, Owen had not, like Fairfax,
the opportunity of being a king, but he might have been
known as the richest of manufacturers, had he not preferred
something higher ; and distinction greater than that of any
king came to him, and riches also. Co-operators knew that
it was the want of intelligence that keeps up ugliness in
life. Beauty in art, order in cities, grace of action, good
manners, all pay ; only few persons know how to appre-
ciate them as things of value in life, or to estimate them at
a price. One reason is that the majority of persons are born
poor and die so. They never have the means of buying
perfect things, or using them. They are obliged to do
without them, and naturally do not regard them as other-
wise they would. But persons who have anything to spend
and only spend it in buying mere sensual pleasure, have
the minds of animals, not the minds of men. Scientific
knowledge, and literary knowledge is now provided more or
less. Board Schools, Art Schools, Science Classes, in Tech-
nical and other colleges are now open to working men. But
education in probity, in self-possession, in courtesy, in pride
SOCIAL POLICY OF CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES. 223
Perils of a deferred Education Eund.
of workmanship, in public spirit, in public duty, in citizen-
ship, that co-operators can only acquire by keeping
Libraries, News Rooms, Lecture Halls at their own
command, and for their own use. A recent writer has
shown that in Civil Service Examinations none are exa-
mined in manliness,* good sense, or the elements of personal
character. Mr. Brudenell Carter has proved that there is
no over work within the limits of daily strength. Within
those limits work is a condition of health. The idle die of
idleness. Many more than are imagined die of acquired
stupidity. Of course there are a good many people who do
not need to acquire stupidity. They always have a stock
on hand. He is base who, having principles he knows to
be useful to others, does not endeavour to diffuse them ;
and since co-operation becomes more profitable the more
persons engage in it, it is want of sense not to extend it.
Co-operation is liable, in one place or other, to be
overrun b}^ the vermin of competition, who see with selfish
C3'es an escape from miseiy to money in the new system,
and see nothing else in it. Co-operation, like the corn-
laden caravans of merchants in the desert, is seized upon
by marauding bands, who carry off treasures intended for
honest sale. Once it is discerned that co-operation creates
wealth, swarms of mere mercenaries swoop down upon it,
to avail themselves of it as a means of gain, caring nothing
for the social education and equality it was intended to
promote.
There are towns now, where there stands a noble pil©
of buildings, the co-operators who own it are counted by
thousands. No educational fund was devised in the
infancy of their society. Now, no will is strong enough,
no reason can prevail, to retrace the deplorable step.
Ignorance grows upon a society, as age upon an individual.
It stiffens its limbs, it bows its head, it dims its sight, it
enfeebles its mind, until it retains nothinn: but the courage
* Essay on Commissions by John S. Storr.
224 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Tardiness of progress measurable by the ignorance in its way.
of cupidity ; and to gratify that, it walks in ignorable ruts
all its days. Such a society may grow, but it has neither
suppleness nor soundness ; its largeness is puffiness, and a
shock of adversity brings it at once under the hands of the
fiscal coroner who sits in the Bankruptcy Court. Timely
information might avert this imbecility, for since you
cannot make co-operators out of simpletons, it is prudent to
take care that they do not overrun the society.
Csesar, we are told, lamented that he could proceed no
faster on his victorious march than the asses who
carried his baggage could travel. The progress of most
societies is often retarded by the same kind of animals.
The best directors are always hampered by want of
more intelligence among the members. The ignorant do
not understand their own interest, nor how to support
those who do. Stores whose members are unvaccinated
with business intelligence are sure to break out with the
smallpox of ignorance sooner or later ; some have it in a
very bad form, and some die of it. Lectures and literature
must be supplied for general information. The brain like
the body is starved if not fed with ideas. The thought is
thin, the language is lean, the logic is limp, the illustrations
rheumatic, and can hardly stand upright.
The co-operator cannot, like the theologian, increase the
income of the working class by prayer. He works by
human arrangements, economy and sagacity, and it is
only those who have confidence in these means that have
enthusiasm in extending co-operation. It was the first
murderer, Cain, who asked, " Am I my brother's keeper ?'*
The co-operator cannot keep his brother, but he has a
strong interest in enabling his brother to keep himself,
and he knows the way, and knowing it, if he does not exert
himself to make it known to others, who may be lost
through not seeing it, he is a murderer by his neglect.
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP. 225
Defence of Industrial Partnerships by Lord Derby.
CHAPTER XV.
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP.
" It is a natural and not an unreasonable wish for every man to form
that he should have some interest in and some control over the work on
which he is employed. It is human nature, I think, that a man should
like to feel that he is to be a gainer by any extra industry that he may put forth,
and that he should like to have some sense of proprietorship in the sliop, or
mill, or whatever it may be, in which he passes his days. And it is because
the system introduced of late years of co-operative industry meets that
natural wish that I look forward to its extension with so much hopefulness.
I believe it is the best, the surest remedy for that antagonism of labour and
capital ; for it is not in any way necessary to successful co-operation that
the capitalist should be turned out of the concern." — Earl Derby (then
Lord Stanley) at opening of the Liverpool Trades Hall, October, 1869.
An Industrial Partnership is a business in which the em-
ployers pay to the hands a portion of profits made in addition
to their wages, on the supposition that the men will create
the said profit by increased interest and assiduity in their
work. In an industrial partnership capital employs labour.
In a co-operative workshop labour employs capital.
M. Le Comte de Paris, the author of the wisest and
most readable book on Trades Unions which has appeared,
describes " Co-operative Societies for production as trans-
forming the workman into a capitalist by securing to him
a share of the profits of the undertaking, in which he has
invested the capital of his labour." This relates merely to
the arrangements of an industrial partnership and is quite
distinct from Co-operation. A co-operative workshoj)
divides not a share but all the profits among the producers.*
* Trades Unions of England, p. 214. Edited by Thomas Ilughes, Q.C.
Q
226 HISTORY OF CO-OPEKATION.
The Tlieorj of Labour Partnerships.
Earl Derb}--, distinguished among public men by the
faculty, not at all common, of seeing a question from which
he may dissent from the point of view of those who
accept it : and such is his clearness of statement that those
who listen to him find their own case put as it were
by themselves, when they see it most completely and state
it best to their own satisfaction. Thus if dissent is ex-
pressed it has the force which belongs alone to the words
of one who knows all about the subject, and if it be con-
currence which is announced, men regard it with pride as
that of a new authority in favour of a struggling truth. The
whole question of industrial partnerships is contained in the
following passage from the same speech mentioned at the
head of this chapter : —
" It seems to me desirable, no matter by what particular
agency or mechanism it may be secured, that the men who
give their labour to the concern shall to some extent share
in the profit that it makes. But in participation there
are losses as well as gains ; but the very fact that these
occur will make the men who share in them understand
and feel better than they ever did before the responsibilities
and the difiiculties of the employer, and if, as js quite
possible, many having felt its difficulties, prefer the certainty
and security of fixed wages, they, at least, have had their
choice between the two systems. I am well aware that
such a state of things as I have pointed out is one which
cannot be brought about in a day. It is quite probable
that there are some trades, some kinds of businesses in
which it cannot be brought about at all ; but it seems to
me that it is in that direction that the efforts of the best
workers and the ideas of the best thinkers are tending,
and we are not to be disheartened by a few failures, or
disappointed because we do not at once hit on the best
way of doing what has never been done before."
Industrial partnerships seem to have entered the Irish
mind before it did the English, if regard be had to legisla-
tive evidence. In Dublin as early as 1788 there was
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP. 227
Industrial Partnerships first legalized in Ireland.
*' printed by Georije Grierson, printer to the King's Most
Excellent Majesty" (there has been a prooddeal of Majesty
since 1788 which has not appeared '^ Most Excellent " to
anybody) " an Act to promote Trade and Manufacture by
regulating and encouraging partnerships." The words
*' Chap. XL VI." were annexed thereto. Its preamble set
forth that " whereas the increasing the stock of money
employed in Trade and Manufacture must greatly promote
the commerce and prosperity of this kingdom, and many
persons might be induced to subscribe sums of money to
men well qualified for trade (but not of competent fortune
to carry it on largely) if they (the siabscribers) were
allowed to abide by the profit or loss of the trade for the
same, and were not to be deemed Traders on that account
or subject thereby to any further or other demands th.m
the sums so subscribed." This is excellently put. Tiio
whole theory of industrial partnerships is here. Mr.
Scholefield, M.P. for Birmingham, whfcn he onmed his
Bill in the English House of Commons eighty years later,
could not have constructed a more relevant preamble. But
the Irish always were a lacky people. Ireland has no
Established Church, it has a better land tenure and better
tenants rights than England has. The English Parliament
never gives half the time nor half the tenderness of con-
sideration to the affairs of the English people it does to
those of the Irish. IMr. Gladstone has given Ireland real
pre-eminence. Ireland is the real " Land of the Free " to
which emigrants from England ought to direct their steps.
If some one would make a statement of the Statuary
advantages of Ireland over England, many would be sur-
prised at English inferiority.
In Great Britain it was Mr. Owen, at Lanark, who first
showed masters what they might, with honour and profit,
do by acting on voluntary understanding of partnership
with those they employed. The English law did not
permit participation of profit with workmen in those days.
It could only be done in the Ibrm of gifts. Mr . Owen
228 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
First attempted in Great Britain at New Lanark.
made these in the form of education, recreation, improved
dwellings and increased wages. All these were revocable
— the law forbade contracts of participation with work-
men. Industrial equity bore the name of benevolence, and
dividends of profit reached workmen in the ibrin of a
discriminating charity.
Great discoveries and comprehensive schemes of change ,
oft include other ideas which society afterwards better
comprehends, or finds more practicable, and they are
carried out. At the same time the virtual originator of
them scarcely perceived them, or appreciated their value.
Thus Mr. Owen, through his great advocacy of co-operation
in public life, certainly drew men's attention to the use
of the principle in workshops. As to industrial part-
nerships : he neither foresaw them nor believed tliat any
thing of the kind would be necessai-y. He had as great
faith in his new system superseding all the " worn out
•systems of the world" which he continually called ameliora-
tive devices — as the apostles had that the end of the world
would arrive in their time. There were industrial partner-
ships among men successfully conducted by tliem, long
before Mr. Owen's time ; they were, however, widely
scattered, lew in number, and little known : while at the
same time there prevailed a genei'al belief that such part-
nerships were entirely above the capacity of the working
class. Besides Mr. Owen was a Paternalist. He believed
in the general goodness of humanity, and that goodness
could guide it ; but he had no strong conviction that it
should guide itself.
Industrial Partnerships owe to Fourier the principle of
making labour attractive instead of repulsive, and of dis-
tributing the profits in proportion to the capital, skill and
labour, contributed by each: that is, Fourier made definite
the idea of labour becoming the partner of capital, instead
of merely its servant.
It is, however, to the practical genius of an Engli.^hman,
Mr. Charles Babbage, that we owe the earliest distinct and
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP. 229
The first scientific statement of them made by Mr. Babbage.
practical proposal, made by a writer of repute in England,
in favour of workmen being associated as participators in
the profits of a manufactory. He held it to be of impor-
tance tliat in every large manufactory a mode of payment
should be arranged under which every person employed
should derive advantage from the success of the whole, and
"that the profits of each individual should advance, as the
foctory itself produced profit. Mr. Babbage recalls the fact
dear to traditionary Englishmen that what he proposes had
really been done before. On the south coast of England
it was known that one half of all the fish caught belonged
to the owner of the boat and the net, the other half being
divided in equal portions among the fishermen using the
net and boat, they being bound to make repairs when
needed. Among Cornish miners a s3-stem of participation
of profits had long existed. The miners were paid in pro-
portion to the richness and produce of the vein worked.
Thus they naturally became quick-sighted in the discovery
of ore, and in estimating itsvsdue, and it was their interest
to avail themselves of every improvement in bringing it
more chea[;ly to the surface ; Mr. Babbage therefore
argued that if some joint participation of profit in manu-
factures was devised, the result of such arrangement
would be : —
1. That every j^erson engaged in it would have a direct
feeling in its prosperity ; since tlie eftect of any success or
interest off would almost immediately produce a corres-
ponding change in his own receipts.
2. Every person concerned in the factory would have an
immediate interest in preventing any waste or mismanage-
ment in all the departments.
3. The talent of all connected with it would be strongly
directed to its improvement in every department.
4. None but workmen of high character and qualifi-
cation could obtain admission into such establishments,
because when any additional hands were required, it would
be the common interest of all to admit only the most
230 HISTORY OF CO-OPEEATION.
Unwise disparagement of Mr. Eabbage's plan by Co-operators.
respectable and skilful ; and it would be far less easy to
impose upon a dozen workmen than upon the single pro-
prietor of a factory.
5, And by no means least, that there would be removed,
by common consent, the causes which compel men to
combine for their own separate interests.
Clearly Mr. Babbage proposed the removal of the
causes which compelled workmen to combine for their
own separate advantage. Happily an English soldier
never knows when he is beaten, but a workman of any
sense does know when he has won, or whether the spirit
of fairness in an employer has conceded to him the oppor-
tunity of equal benefit in the trade in which he is engaged.
So that there would exist a union between employer
and workman to overcome common difficulties and
promote a common interest. And such workman would
be quite free to aid with his increased means, unions
of their fellow workmen elsewhere to attain similar
advantages. Lieut. Babbage, in a letter which I had
the pleasure some time since to receive from him,
points out that his father advised co-operative manu-
factories as the chapter in his work shows, entitled " A
New Manufacturing System."
Mr. Babbage's wise scheme met with very scant co~
operative recognition in those days. The editor of the
*' New Moral World " saw no good that was likely to
come of industrial partnerships. The scheme which has
attained ascendency and rendered great service to the
industrious class, and made co-operation possible, as it was
never possible before, was dismissed with these discouraging^
editorial words, " As a temporary expedient we are very
doubtful of the value of Mr. Babbage's plan, while as an
adequate amelioration of the condition of the industrious
classes, we can have no faith in schemes that render them
dependent for subsistence on the chances of employment."*
" New Moral World," p. 197, Vol. III.
INDUSTKIAL PARTNERSHIP. 231
Distinction between Industrial Partnerships and Co-operation.
The Radicals amoiifr the working class thought it a Whig
scheme to deceive them ; workmen suspected it as a con-
trivance to get more work out of them. Indeed those the
most concerned and best informed gave small heed to the
far-seeing device. Not the slightest attention Avas paid by
any manufacturer to this sensible and well-put plan.
Mr. Babbage might as well h ve spoken down a well, as
far as any response was concerned. There is more
attention paid now to a plan of establishing a balloon
traffic between England and America than was then given
to Mr. Babbage's wise scheme. Nobody then had any real
confidence in establishing industrial communication between
capital and labour. But it remains an honourable fact
that a great mathematician should give the actual details
of the industrial policy of the future as e.^cact as the
calculation of the appearance of a new planet.
Pure co-operation — that in which the purchasers and
servants take ajl the profits of the store, and in which the
workmen and the customers take all the profits of the
manufactory — is quite a distinct thing from an industrial
partnership, where the employer shares a portion of his
profits with his workpeople, who contract on their part to
render an equivalent in zeal and skill. In some businesses
this kind of partnership might be impracticable. In some
cases it may involve more trouble than the result would be
worth. Li some cases employers pay the largest wages
they are able from pure good will to their men, or
provide news-rooms, or dining-rooms, or schools for their
children, or provide them with good habitations at low rents,
or pension old workmen, or contribute to Provident or oth r
Societies for their personal advantage. Such employers
do virtually establish an industrial partnership, though not
in a formal way. A direct industrial partnership iji which
the workmen calculate upon a certain dividend of profits
in addition to their wages, could only be carried out where
the employer himself has the time and disposition to act
as a " Captain of Industry " (to use Carl^dc's j)hrase) and
232 HISTORY OF CO-OPEBATION.
View of Mr. Brassej, M.P.
establish personal relations with his workpeople. It can
only be done by personal attention, by special devices ;
such trouble is never continued save where the employer
has much sympathy with the well being of all about him.
Mr. Brassey, M.P., evidently takes more even than his
Father's interest in the commercial welfare and industrial
security of the working class. He has pointed out in his
Halifax address, how it comes to pass that " the rich," who
happily are always getting richer (that shows there is greater
hope for the people when the art of equitable distribution
is improved) " gathering themselves together in the most
eligible situation in every town, the price of land becomes
so enormous that it is impossible to erect houses at rates,
which, while not exceeding what workmen can afford to pay,
will be remunerative to the owners and builders. Hence
the working class are compelled to occupy more remote
suburbs. They live in daily contact with no other class but
their own, and a consequent danger is incurred of social dis-
union. This state of things is practically inevitable under
our existing system." Then the existing system requires
altering. This seems one of the cases in which the inter-
ference of Parliament would be warrantable. In the town
of Leicester, the wealthier portion of the population have
taken possession of all the higher and salubrious parts, and
the poor have no choice but to live in the lower and un-
healthier. Mr. Stansfeld, it was said, had in view to
introduce a Bill to enable corporations to acquire land, in
the vicinity of large towns, so as to secure the poorer
population some opportunity of healthy existence. Un-
doubtedly " the tendency of modern industry," as Mr.
Brassey remarks, " has been, and will continue to be,
towards the concentration of capital in large corporate or
private establishments." There must be contrived some
participation of these inexorable and unhinderable profits
among the artizan class ; else the many will have no choice
but to combine against the few, and stop in some disagree-
able way that which stops them from existing endurably.
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP. 233
Ancient Peruvian care for Workmen.
Common people increasinop in intelligence cannot be ex-
pected to perish in the sight of ever increasing affluence,
and die gratis.
The saying that " it is liberty which is old, and it is
despotism which is new," oft recurs to a writer on indus-
trial welfare. It seems a new thing to propose now, that
employers, whether capitalists or workmen, should be
studious to provide for the welfare of those who labour. In
Egypt, the pyramids endure ; the huts of the Fellahs, of
the makers of bricks, have been destroyed and renewed a
thousand times since Pentaour watched their misery. But
other ancient nations showed noble regard for workmen.
At Mocke, the great pyramid of the Chimus remains built
by the ancient Peruvians. The mighty Peruvian pyramid
still stands imposing in its decay, and by it equally remain
no less permanent, the dwellings of the masons and metal
workers "organized,"' says a recent explorer, " Avith an
order and a system which a socialist phalanstery might
despair of rivalling." * In all the dominions which the
Incas ruled as monarchs or suzerains, this combination of
love of display and care for the well-being of the humblest
subjects, speaks of a wise and noble consideration for the
people.
Thouorh on the side of those who maintain that the
workman and the consumer are to be rightfully included
in co-operation, I divest all co-operative argument in this
direction, of sentimentality ; not that I deride it, but
because it is above the level of the average of our societies,
and gives the common thinkers in our ranks the idea that
all participation of profits voluntarily conceded, is not busi-
ness, but benevolence. Tiiis is their mistake, which we
have to prevent them falling into. They do not understantl
sentiment in trade. A "sentimental" man is one who
does what is right because it ought to be done. A "prac-
* Incidents of Travel and Exploration in the land of the Incas. George
Squiers, M.A. See Art. in "Saturday Review."
234 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
" Sentimental " men originate the profits of the " practical " men.
tical " man is one who does what is right because it pays.
The practical man I respect because he raises co-operation
into the region in which it can live. The sentimental man
I honour, because he raises co-operation above the region
of dividends into the nobler region where the indispensable
pursuit of gain is purified by the loftier feeling of duty.
There are those who think a man *' practical " who gets
dividends anyhow. I do not. I define the *' practical "
man as one who does " right " because it pays. He who
willingly does wrong because it pays, is a fool or a rascal.
He may profit by it, but he fills his little money bag with
a scoundrel shovel ; and the executive business of perdition
will be very badly managed if there be not somebody's
janissary on the other side the grave waiting for these
knaves. It is a great thing to keep up the interest of
the merely practical men, who do right according to the
light they have. Sentiment is as yet unmacadamized
ground, and unwise men stumble thereon. There is all
the difference between light and twilight, of pursuing
equity from a sense of justice and pursuing it from a per-
ception of gain. Since the many can see gain, and the few
only see justice, I invite the many to look at what they can
see.
Political economists with a perspicacity unexercised until
lately, now discern that " all extra remuneration that is
awarded to labour in .excess of the wages that are earned
by labour of the lowest or most ordinary kind, is, in reality,
given, not for the pure or simple labour itself, but for the
greater skill, ability, knowledge, or intelligence with which
it is accompanied; and these additional qualifications which
accompany labour, are regarded by Adam Smith as a
species of capital that is fixed and realized in the persons
of those who possessed them, and the value of which is to
be estimated by their worth in simple labour." *
*' Some years ago," says Dr. Doherty, " it was reported
* Certain practical questions of Political Economy, by a former member
of the Political Economy Club. Simpkin & Co., 1873,
INDUSTKIAL TAllTNERSHIP. 235
Industrial Partnerships on Belgian Railways.
in the public press that a great saving of coko had been
eflfected by the managers of the Belgian railways ; the
work formerly done by ninety-five tons now being accom-
plished with forty-eight tons. And this is the way in
Avhich the saving was made. It was known that the men
who used the coke to heat the locomotives on the line were
not careful of the fuel ; but how could they be trained to
be careful ? Ninety-five kilogrammes of coke were con-
sumed for every league of distance run, but this was known
to be more than necessary ; but how to remedy the evil
was the problem. A bonus of threepence-halfpenny on
every hectolitre of coke saved on this average of ninety-fivo
to the league was offered to the men concerned, and this
trifling bonus worked the miracle. The work was done
equally well, or better, with forty-eight kilogrammes of
coke, instead of ninety-five ; just one-half, or nearly, saved
by careful work, at an expense of probabl}^ less than one-
tenth of the saving. We say less than one-tenth at a
guess, because we do not know the relative proportions of
weight and value between a hectolitre and forty-seven
kilogrammes of coke."*
Mr. Thomas Hughes, writing to the "Pall Mall Gazette,'
in reply to an article which suggested that if no profits
were made at Methly there would be no means of paying
the labourers, who while they would share the profits
would not stand to any of the losses, remarks that : — " In
the first year of the partnership a very considei'able surplus
profit may be made. By the articles the board of directors,
consisting of the former employers and several of their
foremen, have the power of setting apart and investing a
large proportion of these profits as a reserve fund, which
may be used at any time in aid of wages or in making up
the fixed interest on invested capital in future years. It
this power is exercised, and the first year or so is profitnljle
I think the danger is overcome. I believe that as a rule
* Philosophy of History, Dr. Doherty, Fourierist.
236 HISTORY OF CO-OPEEATION.
Industrial Partnerships in Leicester.
tlie periods are not long during which a properly managed
business does not return enough to pay the average rate of
^vf1ges and the interest on capital usual in the trade, be it
7 or 10 or 15 per cent. The reserve fund once established
may fairly be looked to to enable the partnership to tide
over these slack times without a reduction of the wages of
labour or the fixed interest on capital."
Lord George Manners, who projected an industrial
partnership on his farm, answered a similar objection.
He said, " True, I may have to pay wages some years when
there has been a loss, but I do not forget that the best
work the labourers could do may have decreased that loss
Jind in other years have increased my profits materially."
This implied a generous feeling and perfect perception of
the question.
In Leicester, at a " Treat" given by Messrs. W. Corah
ifc Sons, hosiery manufacturers, to 450 of their work people,
one of the Firm said : " Masters were making profits and it
was nothing but right that those who worked for them should
<^njoy as far as possible their share of the profits (cheers).
He took it that there were respective duties for employers."
In the same town there are other employers who equally
exemplify the sense of industrial equity. In the North
■capital as a rule bites. In Midland England it is friendly
in tone to the workman. In Leicester Michael Wright
and Sons made a deliberate effort to introduce the principles
of Industrial Partnership into their Elastic Web Works ;
but did not find their efforts supported by their work-
people. In the same town Messrs. Gimson and Co. intro-
<lnced it into their large Engine Works. They adopted
the wise plan of first intrusting its operation to a selection
of their leading workmen to whom they offered the advan-
tage of a share of the profits after the attainment of a fair
dividend upon their capital. To these selected workmen
Avas left the power of nominating other workmen whom
tiiey discerned to be capable and willing to increase the
prosperity of the company by zeal and judgment in the
INDUSTRIAL PARTNKUSIIIP. 237
The cilculation of tlie Employer.
discharge of their duties. This plan Ind the advantage of
limiting the division of profits totiiose whosliowed increased
efforts in increasing them, and left the responsibility of
excluding the indifferent with their fellow workmen. Thus
the oppoi>tunity was fairly given and it depended upon tiie
men to make the arrangement permanent by making it
profitable.*
Before an employer takes this step he values his entire
plant and prescribes the interest it ought to yield him
on the average. It is the surplus that may arise above
this that he proposes to share with his men. Whether he
will do this is a matter of calculation and good taste. He
knows that if a workman has no interest in the business,
beyond his stipulated wages, he requires to be timed and
watched ; he adopts the easiest processes ; he cares nothing
to economise material ; he has small pride in his work,
and little concern for the reputation or fortune of the firm
in whose employ he is. He changes his situation whenever
he can better liimself, leaving his master to supply his
place as ho may by a strange hand, who loses time in
familiarising himself with the arrangements of a workshoj)
new to him, or blunders, or destroys property for the want
of special local experience. If tiie workman has no chance
of changing his place for a better, he engages in strikes,
perils the capital and endangers the business of his master^
If his strike succeeds, his master dislikes him because of
the loss and humiliation he has surtered. If his strike,
fails, the workman is poorer in means and sourer in spirit.
Pie works only from necessity ; he hates his employer with
* Women were often tlie best friends of tlie Store, and persuaded their
Lusbands to become uienibers when they had not the sense to do so them-
selves. In promoting industrial partnership plans, they often show (piicker
wit than their husbands. I heard one say at a j)ai-t,nership dinner of Messrs.
GiuiBon's men at Leicester, tliat he had no fuitli in getting anything that;
way. Ilia wife said, " Well don't boa fool. You join and give me your
share of prolits to buy a new gown with." He made tbe promise, and found
tliat she had enougli the first year to buy her three gowns, and t!ieu iio
added, laugliingly, he " was sorry he had made tiie promise."
238 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The workman an instrument of unexplored uses.
all liis heart ; lie does him all the mischief and makes all
the waste he safely can. He gives his ear to alien
counsellors, and conspires and waits for the day when he
can strike again with more success. If an employer has a
taste for this disreputable conflict he can have it. If he
does not like it he can prevent it. The newly made middle
class gentleman is prone to say, " What is my neighbour to
me ? " It is enough for him that his neighbour does not
annoy him or does not wantto borrow anythingfromhim,nor
create any nuisance upon his premises which may reach to
him. Beyond this he thinks very little about his neighbour,
find will live beside him for rears and never know him, nor
want to know him. A co-operative thinker has a much
clearer and more practical mind. He sees in his neighbour
a person who pays and whom it pays to know. He has a
social idea in his mind, and which is not merely kindliness,
it is worth money ; and money can be made of it. Charles
Frederick Abel became chamber musician to the Queen of
George III. because none but he could play upon the viola
de gamba (a small violoncello with six strings) with equal
perfection. Afterwards came Paganini, who entranced
nations by the melody concealed in a solitfiry cord. It was
genius in him to discover and display it. We have not
3'et explored all the mysteries of cat-gut ; yet capitalists
would assure us that they have sounded all the compass
of the most wonderful of all instruments — man ; whereas
the employer of labour, as ho grandly calls himself, chiefly
knows man as a slave who trots under the whip, or as a
hired machine — a sort of self-acting wheelbarrow. The
workman has skill and goodwill, contriving, saving, and
perfecting qualities, which are never enlisted where one
man is a mere instrument bound to fidelity only by the
tenure of starvation — designing to desert his employer, and
the employer intending to dismiss him the moment either
can do without the other. Industrial partnership is a
policv of buying the skill and will of a man — his genius
and his self-respect, which elevate industry into a pursuit
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP. 239
How TradcB* Union luiglit promote Industrial Partnerships.
of art, and service into companionship. All this is a
matter of bargain, not of sentiment. It is a scheme of
reciprocity not of benevolence on one side or the otlier.
An industrial partnership is but a better business arrange-
ment.
But it would be a bad sign if co-operators went suppli-
cating for these partnerships. They can make better for
themselves by establishing workshops of their own. To
supplicate for them would simply give employers the idea
that some charity was sought at their bauds. Better fir
to exact partnership terms than beg them. They can bo
obtained by combination. Trades Unions are the available
means for this purpose. At the Social Science Congress
held in Leeds in 1871, I said in the Economy Section over
which Mr. Newmarch presided, that the working classes
should be in that position in which they should neither
supplicate nor depend upon the Avill of their masters.
What they had no right to, no entreaty should obtain for
them. What they had a light to, they should be in a
position to command. The conception of working a mine,
the French express by the word exploiter. By the phrase
I'exploitation de I'homme par I'homme, is meant that a
capitalist uses a man and works a man as he works a mine,
he gets all he can out of him. There is no great objection
to this so long as the man likes it. Where, however,
these partnerships are volunteered, that is a different
thing and too much regard or honour cannot be paid to
those whence the offer comes. A speech quite as impor-
tant as that of Lord Derby's, considering the rank of the
gentleman who made it — is of this nature, I mean the speech
which the Right Hon. Mr. Brand, Speaker of the House
of Commons, addressed to his labourers at Glynde. Ho
said " We shall never come to a satisfixctory settlement of
the relations between employer and employed until the
employed, according to the amount of labour and c:i[)ital
he has invested in the concern, is interested iu the good,
conduct of that concern."
240 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Remarkable proposal of the Speaker of the House of Commons.
One merit of this speech was that it was followed by a
plan for practically enabling his labourers to become
shareholders in the estate at Glynde. The language and
the example are alike important. To admit labourers as
part proprietors of the Glynde estate confers upon them a
position of pride and self-respect as valuable as it is new.
Such admission, rightly used, would produce more advan-
tages than many agitations such as are within the means
of labourers to conduct. To have it admitted by a gentle-
man so eminent and influential as the representative of
tlie House of Commons, that labourers had a social right
to share in the profits of the estate, which they contributed
to cultivate, was an admission of more service to the-
Avorking people than many Acts of Parliament passed in
their name, and professedly for their benefit. For an
humble villager to be able to say that he was a shareholder
in the Glynde estate, however small might be the portion
which his prudence and frugality enabled him to acquire,
however small might be the profits thus accruing to him,
his position was entirely changed. His forefathers were
slaves, then serfs, then free labourers. He becomes in
some sort a landowner. He henceforth stands upon what
Lord Cockburn would call a " colourable " equality with
the proprietor himself. If he had any cultivated spirit of
independence in him, such labourer would have more
satisfaction in the idea, than many a tenant farmer is able
to find in the position which he holds. It must follow in
a few years, that the wages of such a man must increase,,
his political inconsideration must be recognized, and by
prudence, temper, and good judgment, the relation
between this body of small proprietors and the chief owner
must be the most pleasant and honourable in England..
That these labourers were wanting in the disposition or
were ill-advised by those to whom they would naturally
look for counsel, and neglected to act on the unusual offer
made by Mr. Brand, detracts in no way from the value of
it. IMeu may be taken to the steps of Paradise, and
INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIP. 241
Tlie advantage of afTording Industrial opportunity to tlio people.
decline to ascend, yet he is not the less meritorious who
irives them the opportunity. A man may not have the sense to
ascend — he may not nnderstand his opportunity — he may
even distrust it through his own ignorance, he may have
the humility which makes him doubt his own fitness to
advance, he may liave the diffidence which makes him
tlistrust his own power of going forward, ho may even
])rerer to remain where he is, content that he may advance
on another occasion ; but he is no longer the same man,
lie stands higher in his own esteem. He has had tho
chance of better things, and the old feeling of discontent
and sense of exclusion, and bitterness at his precarious
state, are for ever killed witliin him, and an inspiration of
manliness, and equality, and undefined satisfaction takes
the place of his former consciousness. A man may have
-a great opportunity, and not embrace it. For some purpose
or preference, or infatuation of his own he may go past it,
he may regret it, but he is a happier man by far ever after,
than he who never had the chance of bettering himself. So
every manufacturer, and every landowner who makes
overtures of industrial partnership toxins men, raises the
character of mastership and proprietorship ; sooner or
later men will accept the offers, and be grateful for them,
and turn them to fortunate account. In the meantime,
the whole temper of industry is being changed by these
overtures ; the mighty doors of conciliation and equality
are being opened, through which, one day, all the workmen
of England will pass.
In the mean time the mere dream of this invests the
order of industry with new interest and hope. This will
seem sentimental only to those who know human nature
second hand. We all live in ideals. Those who deny the
ideal of others live in one of their own — lower or higher —
although they may not know it. The true artist, solitary
and needy though he may be, paints for the truth, the
thinker thinks for it, the martyr dies for a principle, the
glory of which only his eye sees. Progress is the mark of
242 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The national influence of Co-operation.
humanity, the seal of its destination ; and the aspiration
even of the lowest is the ideal which carries him forward ;
and when it fails manhood falls back and perishes.
"Whoever or whatever presents men with a new opportunity
of advancement, brings it near to them, and keeps it near
to them until they understand it, inspire progress.
This is what Co-operation has done. It has filled the
air with new ideas of progress by concert. When these
Utopian ideas were first revived in industrial circles men
thought they were the mere flashes of lightning
which play upon the fringe of a coming tempest. They
may be rather compared to the rainbow arch which denotes
a permanent truce between the warring elements, a sign
that the storm is passing away.
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES. 243
Conspiracies defined.
CHAPTER XVI.
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES.
" In these times when there is so much talk about the rate of wages, you
•will hardly think I am doing my duty if I do not say something in reference
to it. My opinion is, we shall never have a satisfactory settlement of the
question until the labourer receives in some shape or other a share, though
it may be a small one, of the profit of the business in which he is engaged
I refer not only to those employed upon farms, but to those engaged in
mining, in manufactories, and in trades of all kinds." — The Eight Hon. Mr.
Brand's (^Speaker of the House of Convnons) Speech to labourers at Glr/nde
1876.
Had declarations of opinion like that of Mr. Brand, above
cited, been made and acted upon by leading employers fifty
3-ears ago, industrial conspiracies, tlie " conflicts of capital
and labour," and the confusion and discredit they have
brought, had never existed in England.
A conspiracy is a secret scheme for attaining certain
advantages by coercion. Modern trades unions have been
mostly of this kind, the advantage being, in their case,
increase of wages. Co-operation is not a conspiracy, it is a
concerted industrial arrangement, open and legitimate,
with a view to place moderate competence within the reach
of workmen and — keep it tliere. The end souglit by
Unionists and Co-operators being practically the same, the
means of its attainment being different, is no intrinsic
ground of antagonism between them. Because two com-
panies of excursionists to the same place choose to go, one
on foot and the other by railway, is no reason for their
hating each otiier on the road, and not associating at the
end of their journey. Nor if any of the walking party
become foot-.'^ore, is tliore anv reason win- thev should not
244 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION,
Co-operators conspire not, nor wail, nor supplicate — they supersede evils.
be invited to come into the train at the first convenient
station.
The co-operators imagine themselves to have adopted the
easier, cheaper, and speedier way of reaching the pleasant
territory of" competence. They lose no money on the way,
they even make what money they expend productive.
They do not annoy masters, nor petition them for increase
of wages, nor wait upon them, nor send deputations to
them, nor negotiate with them — they make themselves
masters. They dispute neither about capital, nor wages, nor
profits. They supply or hire their own capital, they fix their
own M'ages, and as has been said, divide the whole of the
available profits among themselves. Thus they attain
increase of income without consuming precious time on
strikes or incurring absolute loss of money by pfiying men
to be idle. 1 am not among those who consider money
wasted, or entirely lost on strikes. It is an investment in
resistance to inequitable payment, which brings return in
increased manliness if not in increased wages. At the same
time it must be owned, there is loss of the capital of the
community. The masters' profits and men's savings spent
in strikes, disappear as though they were thrown into the
sea. A strike is war, and all war is a waste of the
material means of the combatants. Therefore the co-
operator, whose mind turns mainly upon the hinge of
economy, holds that employers, when unfair, or incon-
siderate, or aggressive, or harsh, are to be superseded, not
combatted. The superseding process has more dignity and
costs less. If a gentleman has cause of complaint against
a neighbour, an associate, or a stranger, he explains the
matter to him, asks for what in reason he has a right to ask,
taking care himself neither to be impatient nor give just
cause of offence in his manner of putting his case, and if
he fail to obtain redress he avoids the person and takes
what steps he can to render it impossible that he shall bo
treated in a similar manner again. This is the co-operative
plan of dealing with tco exacting middlemen or incon-
IN'DUSTRIAL CONSriRACIES. 245
Concilation impertinent where justice is evaded.
sicleriite employers. Nobody quarrels but the bully ■who
has an object in it, or the incapable who do not know how
to put themselves right, except by the primitive expedients
of the savage or the washerwoman, by the use of the
tomahawk or the tongs.
Just as there would be a good deal of reverence in the
world were it not for theologians, so there would be more
peace and better understanding between adversaries were
it not for conciliators. Conciliators are often disagreeable
persons who having no sympathy with either side, see
" faults on both," or liaving a predilection for one party
lectures the other npon the good sense of giving way.
Conciliation is like charity, it is irrelevant where justice is
needed — it is offensive where justice is refused. Many
papers better intended than conceived have been written to
prove that unionists and co-operators ought to be united.
This assumption of antagonism encourages a suspicion of
a state of severance which never existed. All workmen
have one interest and one object, which is to get by honest
means reasonable competence out of their industry.
Industrial conspirators have not been very intelligently
treated. A combination of workmen to advance their
industrial interests is called " a conspiracy," while a similar
combination of employers passes under the pleasant des-
cription of" a meeting of masters to promote the interests of
trade."
Trades unions, regarded as offsprings of the guilds, came
first, but their modern revival was the work of men who
knew little of what had gone before. It grew by a sort
of political instinct. It came to be seen that it was not by
revolution that the poor could fight their forlorn and frantic
way to competence, nor could they in isolation alter the
constitution of society. That big, unmanageable thing
could not be changed by them. The custom of service
for wages offered was too strong for them. They might
be glad if service was open to them on any terms. If
their wages were low and they could only starve upon
246 HISTORY OF CO-OPESATION.
Historic origin of Trades Unions,
tliem, tliey might tliank God they were not so low that
they died upon them. In some fjiint and perplexing way
it was discovered to them that by combination they might
acquire power. Many could resist Avhere the few were
crushed ; and combination did not require money — only
sense. The poorest could unite. They who had nothing
could agree to act together. It cost nothing to cohere,
and cohering was strength, strength was resistance,
resistance was money, for thus higher wages came. True
the gain to one set of workmen often proves a serious cost
to others, as when masons compel higher wages they put
up the house rents of all the poor in the town, and make it
more difficult for an artizan to build a house.' Yet it was
an advantage to the feeble to learn that combination was
power, its right use is the second step. Union teaches
strength, co-operation economy.
So little attention has been given by historians to pro-
jects of the people for protecting their industrial interests,
that it is difficult to tell how early Trades Unions, such as
we now know them — began in England. Ebenezer Elliott
told me he believed that the ancient Industrial Guilds arose
in efforts of Avorkpeople to fbrefend themselves and dignify
labour, by creating for it rights and privileges which might
enable it to raise its head under the contempt of gentlemen
and insolence of the military spirit. Dr. John Alfred
Langford who has himself helped to raise the character of
the industrial class, by the persistence with which he, a
member of it, has acquired knowledge and the ability with
which he has used it — relates in his "A Century of Bir-
mingham Life " curious particulars of an early conspiracy
of needlemen in that active town. The needlemen of
Birmingliam ahva^'s knew how to sew ideas together as
well as fabrics, if their strike of more than 100 years ago
was the first one — strikes came to perfection very early,
for this had all the features which we meet with to-day ;
besides it is a remarkable instance, as Di-. Langford ob-
serves, of Unionists turning to co-operation in self-defence.
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES. 247
The first Co-operative "Workslaop of Trades Union origin.
showing a mastery of resources not common to this time.
In Dr. Langford's pages we learn, that in " Swinney's
Chronicle" of February 18th, 1777, the master tailors of
Birmingham advertised for 100 hands who were sure to be
able to earn 16s. a week. They were to apply to William
Moyston, 130, Moor Street, in that town. As the war with
America was then about over, many thought that a nude
tribe of Red Indians had arrived in Birmingham and
needed clothing at a short notice. Four days later the
mystery w'as explained by a notice to "Journeymen
Taylors " signed by George Hanley, telling the public
*' The statement of the masters was false " and tliat " the
prices were stipulated so that he must be an extraordinary
hand to get 12s.," and for that reason they were " all out
of work." The masters rejoined by asking for " 40 or 50
journeymen taylors to work piece-work, holding out pros-
pects of 16s. to 18s. per week." The applicants '* were not
to be subject to the House of Call, as none would bo em-
ployed but such as called at the masters houses and are free
from all combinations." It appears therefore that " combi-
nations " must have been common then and the masters' re-
strictions were precisely what we hear of to-day. Tha
journeymen in their turn ai)pealed to the public whose sym
pathy was with the men. They said they '' objected to piece-
work on the ground of their late suffering by it." They
defended their " House of Call as an ancient custom both
in London and all other capital towns " and announced
*' that they had joined together in order to carry on their
trade in all its different branches and that good work-
men and those only who applied at their House of Call
at the Coach and Horses in Bell Street, would meet witli
good encouragement." By " hunting the country round "
all the masters obtained were "inexperienced lads,"
whereas they were able to serve gentlemen well. Tims in
Birmingham a hundred years ago a co-operative workshop
was devised as the natural sequel of a strike. It is the
first instance known. Trades Unions in England as this
248 HISTOIIY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
Simplicity of the early trade conspirators,
century has known them were not tlie device of policy but
the oiisprings of instinct and courage. There were splendid
Trades Unions in the days of the English Guilds. But of
them the very tradition had died out before modern unions
arose. Nor would they have arisen save that men enraged
by poverty, were inspired with boldness by political
teachers, and began to combine to offer some resistance.
They little thought of demanding higher Avages — they
thought it a great triumph to prevent their being lowered.
The fable of the bundle of sticks struck them as it did the
poor co-operators as a very original story. As one set of
Avorkmen after another faggotted themselves together, the
humble and familiar S3'mbol of the tied-sticks appeared in
their trade journals, and was soon carried on their banners.
Then combination laws were passed afjainst the strucroflino-
unionists. Those Avho did not get imprisoned or trans-
ported like the Dorchester labourers, were told that what
they sought was all of no use : supply and demand liad
been discovei'ed, and in case these failed, the labourer
could not be sufficiently grateful that a poor-house had
been provided for him, and as the workhouse mastei*
admonished the dying pauper for his jiresuming to want to
see the clergyman — that " he ought to be glad that he had
a hell to go to."* Still the workman clung to his union^
feeling, but not knowing how to explain it, as Mr. Roebuck
has subsequently done. This is the unionist case as put
by that master of statement : —
" The working man, single-handed, as compared with
the master, is a weak and impotent being. The mastei*
lias him in his own hands, can do with him what he likes^
give him what wages he pleases ; ibr there are a large
number of persons outside wishing to be employed — labour
is cheap and plentiful ; and the master decides that he
Avill give the men low wages. There are 200 or 2000 men
working together and they say one to another, ' Let us
* A story related by Mr. Frederic Harrison.
IXDUSTUIAL CONSl'IUACJKS. 24D
Employers do nob leave profits to rise of themselves.
act as one man.' Tliey bring the whole body of workmen
to bear as cue man on the master. Let there be equahty
on both sides, the working man having the benefit of the
only capital he possesses, viz., his labour ; and the master
luiving the benefit of that which is absolutely necessary to
production — his capital."
Now everybody admits the right of the workman to
combine; but those who admit tlie right deny its utility,
and contend that the workman had better leave things to
take their course, and wages would rise of themselves.
Since, however, employers and merchants who say this
are observed never to wait for prices to rise of themselves
but combine to help them upwards, the workman came to
the conclusion that he had better continue to combine to
quicken wages in their laggard movement towards
elevation.
Any one can see that combination is a distant })o\ver,
only reached by many steps ; confidence, organization, and
discipline are some of them. The working people have
conspired in many ways, according to their knowledge.
The reason why political philanthropists have always made
it their chief object to promote the education of the
poorest class in the k5tate,was their perceiving that workmen
would one day exjjcct the exiiortations to irugality and
prudence, given them by their " betters," to be followed
by them, and insist upon it being foUov.-ed. Wiien Mr.
Malthus and the Political Economists began their prote.-^ts
against the large families of the poor, wise and friendly
protests as they were, the day was sure to come when the
poor in turn would ]>rotest against the large families of
the rich, whom the indigent would infer had in some way
to be provided for at their expense. If the labourer is to
be frugal, and live upon his small income without debt
when in health or need of charity in sickness, he will bo
sure to wonder, one day, why those who admonish him
should need mansions, parks, carriages, and footmen.
Unless the poor are kept absolutely ignorant and stui)id;j
250 HISTOKY OF CO-OPERATION.
A little Piecer's Petition.
no man can advise frugality to poverty without those who
receive the advice expecting that he who gives it will
follow it. If knowledge and admonition are given together,
all monitorial improvement of the lower class must end
in enforcing a corresponding improvement in the upper
classes. These ebullitions of sense on the part of the
working classes are very infrequent in their history. I
have met with only two or three instances, long forgotten
now and buried in the obscure pamphlets of 1832. Their
relevance, however, is not gone, and the vigour of the argu-
ment, forcible beyond the defamatory invective on which
feebler agitators so commonly rely. When Mr. Joseph
Pease, one of the firm of Pease & Co., worsted manufacturers
at Darlington, one of the Society of Friends, and a strenuous
member of the Anti-Slavery Society, was a candidate for
the southern division of the county of Durham, he issued
an address to the electors, in which he said, '' In all
iiicasures for the amelioration of our kind in striking off
the chains of slavery and mental darkness, in restraining
the oppressor, and in turning the attention of a Christian
Legislature to Christian principles I would be ardent and
exertive." Whereupon a little piecer in his factory was
sent to him, with this little infantile speech in his hand : —
Good master, let a little child, a piecer in your factory
Prom early dawn to dewy eve — relate her simple bietory.
Before I came to work for you, my heart was full of mirth aiid glee ;
I play'd, and laugh 'd, and ran about, no kitten was so blytbe as me.
But just when I was eight years old, poor mother, press'd with want and woe,
Took me one morning by the hand, and said, " To factory thou must go."
Thoy thrust me in and shut the door, 'midst rattling wheels and noisy din,
And' in tlie frame gait made me stand, to learn the art of piecen-iug.
I often hurt my little hands, and made my tender fingers bleed,
Wiicn piecing threads and stopping ilys, and thought 'twas very hard indeed.
Tbe overlooker pass'd me oft, and when he cried — " An end down there "
My little heart did tremble so, I almost tumbled down with fear.
When at the weary evening's close, I could not keep myself awake,
He sometimes strapped me till I cry'd as if my little heart would break.
Oh, master ! did you know the half that we endure, to gain you gold
Your heart might tremble for the day, when that sad tale must all be told.
Ah, then I thought of days gone by, when far from spindles, din, and heat,
1 deck'd my little giddy brow with buttercups and violets sweet.
INDUSTKIAL CONSPIRACIES. 251
The Poor Man's " Dead Body BiU."
Prom year to year I sigh in vain, for time to play, and time to read.
We coiue so soon, and leave so lute, that nought we know but mill and bed.
They tell us you grow Tery rich, by little piec'ners such as me,
And that you're going to Parliament, to guard our laws and liberty,
They say you pitt/ Negro Slaves, and vow, oppressors to restrain
To breuk the chains of ignorance, and Christian Principles maintain.
Oh ! when you're there remember us, whilst at i/our frames we labour still,
And give your best support and aid, to Mr. Saddler's Ten Hours Bill.
The poor, we know, must work for bread, but master, are not we too young ?
Yet if such little ones 7)iust work, pray do not work ns quite so long !
Your " Christian Principles " now prove, and hearken to the piec'ners prayer,
Soon Christ in Judgment shall appear, remember, t/ou mtist meet us there.*
The other instance occurred in 1833, when Mr. H.
Warburton had introduced what was known as the Anatomy
Bill, called in Yorkshire, the " Paupers' Dead Body Bill,"
which provided subjects out of the poor-house for doctors
to cut up. As the wives and families of workmen in those
days, had no prospect before them but that of ending their
daysin the poor-hou.se, they did not hke this Bill, which
they believed was intended to bring them all to the dissect-
ing-room. At the same time Mr. Wilson Patten, instead
of supporting the Ten Hours Bill, which the poor people
believed would render pauper subjects scarce, had proposed
a commission to enquire into Pactory labour, but that
subject they thought had been enquired into enough, and
they thought the Commission a trick intended to delay
passing the Bill. It is a custom of Parliament when people
are mad and perishing for lack of some long denied
amelioration, to appoint a " Royal Commission" to enquire
whether they wimt it. The young girl Piecers, or the
*' Pieceners," as they sometimes called themselves, addressed
a letter to Mr. Wilson Patten, M.P. It was shorter than
the previous address, somewhat more lyrical, but quite as
mucn to the purpose in its way. It ran thus : —
Have you no children of your own,
Cold hearted Wilson Patten ^
We wish you'd send Miss Pattens' down
All decked in silk and satin,
* The italics are given as I find them.
252 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Factory Girl's Letter to Wilson Patten, M.P.
Just let them work a month with u?,
And " doff" their nice apparel ;
And " don " thpiir " brats " like one of us —
We promise not to quarrel.
We'll ourtsy low — say " Ma'am " and "Miss,"
And teach them how to " piece," Sir ;
They shan't be strapi when aught's amiss,
They sha'n't be treated rough, Sir.
We'll call them up at " fire o'clock,"
When all is dark and dreary ;
No miller rude, their tears shall mock.
Nor vex them when they're weary.
We'll guard thein home when work is done,
At seven or eight at night. Sir,
We'll cheer them with our harmless fun,
And never show our spite, Sir.
And when they've wrought a month at mil!,
If they do not petition
For us to have the Ten Hour Bill,
TlJEX SEND us YOUR " COMMISSION."
In "Eraser's Magazine "at this period, attention was
called to the evidence of Mr, Gilbert Sharpe, the overseer
of Keighlejj Yorkshire, who was examined by the Factory
Commission. He was asked whether he had any reason to
think that any children lost their lives in consequence of
excessive work in the mills. He said he had no doubt of
it, and he gave this instance. Four or five months back,
there was a girl of a poor man's that I was called to visit ;
it was poorly — it had attended a mill, and I was obliged to
relieve the father in the course of my office, in consequence
of the bad health of the child ; by-and-bye it went back to
its work again, and one day he came to me with tears in
his eyes. I said, " What is the matter, Thomas ? " He
said, "my little girl is dead." I said, "When did she
die ? " He said, " In the night, and what breaks my heart
is this : she went to the mill in the morning ; she was not
able to do work, and a little boy said he would assist her
if she would give him a half-penny on Saturday ; I said I
INDUSTRIAL CONSriRACIES. 253
Cupidity of employers a less evil than a base spirit in workmen.
would give liim a penny." But at ni^ht, when the child
went home, perhaps about a quarter of a mile, in <^oin£]^
home it fell down several times on the road through exhaus-
tion, till at length it reached its father's door with difficulty.
Verse writers with more or less skill put these facts into
sonfj. Here are two of the stanzas enforcino; the arirument
■of contrast of condition : —
All night, with tortured feeling,
He watch'd his speechless child ;
While close beside her kneeling.
She knew him not — nor smil'd.
Again the factory's ringing,
Her last perception's tried ;
Wh«n, from her straw-bed springing,
" 'Tis time ! " she shriek'd and died !
That night a chariot pass'd her
While on the ground she lay ;
The daughters of her master
An evening visit pay ;
Their tender hearts were sighing,
As negro wrongs were told,
While the white slave was dying,
Who gain'd their father's gold.
This is true of another factory child, who Just before died
of a consumption, induced by protracted factory labour.
With the last breath upon her lips, she cried out, " Father,
is it time ? " and so died.
The true ground of resentment is not that employers
should take children into workshops, for many workmen
when they become overseers, and derive a profit on child
labour do now the same thing, it is that any workmen in
England should be so base or so indigent as to send
children into a workshop, and were not to be restrained
save by an Act of Parliament. If unable to protect their
children it showed a humiliating Aveakncss, and it was high
time that the better sort of them sought power by com-
bination to prevent it. This at least is to their credit.
These dreary fiacts rf factory life recounted, were told in
every household of workmen in the land, and no one can
understand the fervour and force with which industrial
254 ' HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Good diseerninent of a Trade Union Journalist.
conspiracies were entered into, who does not take them into
account. Mr. Lucas Sargant, of Birmingham, has stated
that " though his interest as an employer might lead him
to deprecate trades unions and strikes, which have often
caused him losses, he had declared in print his opinion
that mechanics were wise to enter into such unions, and
occasionally to have resort to strikes."
A sense of right and sympathy always connected co-
operators with the industrial conspirators, allies, or advisers.
It was on March 30, 1830, that Mr. Pare delivered his
first public lecture in the Mechanics' Institution, Man-
chester. He appeared as the corresponding secretary of the
first Birmingham Co-operative Society. It was Birmingham
that first sent co-operation officiallv to Manchester. The
editor of the '' United Trades Co-operative Journal "
wrote of Mr. Pare as being " A young man who impressed
his audience by his earnestness and wide information," but
objected to his tone as to trades unions. Mr. Pare did not
speak in a directly hostile way of them, but suggested the
inability and uselessness of combining to uphold wages.
Mr. Pare had caught Mr. Owen's indifferent opinion of
everything save the " new system." But at that early
period co-operators were intelligent partisans of trades
unions. The Manchester '* United Trades Co-operative
Journal" of May, 1830, justified Trades Unions by the
memorable saying of the Right Hon. Eobert Peel in the
House of Commons : " I wish the people would see their
own interests, and take the management of their affairs
into their own hands." " Such is the advice," said the
editor, " which Mr. Peel, the Secretary of State, has given
the working classes. It is rare indeed that public men,
especially ministers of State, offer such counsel, and it is
still more rare for those to whom the advice is given to act
upon it." It is a remarkable thing and a very honourable
distinction that Sir Robert Peel should have conceived and
advanced such advice. -Ti-ades Unions and Co-operation
are two of the matured answers to it.
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES. 255
Famous answer of Dr. John Watts to " Cogwheel."
No advocate can influence others, who is devoid of
sympathy with them, and is not scrupulous in doingjustice
to their best qualities. Most co-operative advocates talk
to unionists in as heartless a way as political economists,
and attempt to change their policy of action by holding it
up to ridicule as financially foolish. They seem not to
see, or do not own that mone}' spent in resistance of wrong
or fancied wrong is never wholly lost. Education in
independence which men pay for themselves is a lesson
those who learn it never forget, and is worth a good deal.
The difference between the Trade Unionist and the
Co-operative way of dealing with a strike is capable of
historic illustration. In 1860 a famous strike took place
in Colne, Lancashire. The weavers were out for fifty
weeks and kept 4,000 looms idle. Cogwheel, one of the
weavers, put their case very neatly thus : He said, In
Colne there are 4,000 looms. In East Lancashire there
arc 90,000 looms. If the Colne Strike had not taken
place the prices all over East Lancashire would have been
reduced to the Colne standard, and therefore, East Lan-
cashire saved money by contributing £20,000 to the Colne
Strike. Dr. Watts put the Co-operative view of the
strike not less concisely thus : If the Colne people, instead
of going on strike for fifty weeks had kept at work and
lived on half wages, as they had to do during the strike,
and had saved the other half, and if the East Lancashire
jicople had subscribed £20,000, as they did towards keep-
ing the Colne pco})le on strike, the result at the end
of fifty weeks would have been £54,000 in hand, and at
£15 a loom that money would have set to work in per-
petuity for the hands themselves 3,600 looms out of the
4,000 in Colne ! The self-same efibrt which threw them
into beggary would have raised them into independence.*
Isext to the wastefulness of their methods the weak
point of unionists is their coercion of their own order and
» D:-. Ji^lin W&tic; Lecture, ISGl.
25G HISTORY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
The riglit of minorities among workmen.
limiting their freedom of working. Of course it is a
necessity of trade war — but at that point the union action
becomes a tyranny. No one has explained this in fewer
words or with greater clearness than Lord Derby. Free
from any imputation the argument has unimpeded force.
^' I know it is sometimes said, * We are getting, or trj'ing
to get, advantage for the whole trade, and it is not fair
that those who had no part of the cost or trouble should
reap the benefit.' Well, to that my answer is, If what
you are doing is for your own interest and for that of
your fellow workmen, be patient, and in time those who
now stand aloof will join you. In the meantime, 999
men out of 1000 have no more right to control the single
■dissentient, than the one would have, were it in his power, to
control them. There is hardly a despotism since the world
began that has not founded itself on the same plea that it
would carry into effect more surely than free citizens the
recognized will of the majority. To refuse to recognize
the freedom of your neighbours is the first step towards
losing your own.* "
The hasty acts and imputations of ignorant workmen
have often provoked employers to high-handed injustice.
Yet any one conversant with the literature of strikes must
be well aware that U.e tone and language of men has been
far more moderate and deferential to masters, than that of
masters has been fair and considerate to the men. The
^'United Tro.des Co-operative Journal" of Manchester
relates that in 1830 the dressers and dyers of Manchester
and Salford formed a Co-operative Society, the master
spinners having a private Trades' Union of their own had
turned out simultaneously all their hands owing to a dis-
])ute about wages, and the master dyer had turned all his
men out because they wanted an hour for dinner and he
would only give them half an hour. The men fearing all
* Earl Dkp.by Opening of Trades Hall, Liverpool, Octohir, 1869.
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES. 257
Conteiuptuousness of Employers a cause of Strikes.
tlieir comrades would be turned out by a general conspiracy
■of their masters they resolved to begin working for them-
selves ; but as all the premises suitable were in posses-
sion of masters, they were driven from Ancoats to
Pemberton before they could commence operation. The
masters being holders of all suitable property or able to
influence others who held it, pursued their hands with
malevolence.
Hundreds of strikes would have been averted, years of
aullenness and bitterness would have been avoided, had
employers reconciled themselves to the admission that
workmen were so far equals as to be entitled to conference
and explanation. Middle class masters, less assured of the
dignity they aspired to, than the born gentleman whose
superiority lay in inherited consideration for others, have
been the most repellent. They would not condescend to
confer. They would receive no committee, they would
admit no delegates to their counting house. It was co-
ojjerators who first taught working people how to respect
tliemselves and to cease entreaty. They said, " Do not
discuss with employers, dispense with them." None but
€o-operators could give this proud counsel.* The great
Newcastle-on-Tyne strike of 18GG had been avoided, if
employers concerned, who were known to have good
feeling towards men, had had ordinary condescension.
In Newcastle-on-Tyne the '• Daily Chronicle " did more
than any other newspaper to prevent loss to employers, by
a generous and considerate advocacy of the claims of
workmen. Where it could not approve their claims, it
conceded them free publicity of theii* case and the grounds
on which they have rested it. Thus many conflicts,
where violence was probable, were prevented there, wliich
lias occurred in other places where workmen have been
denied access to the press and treated with contemptuous
* Mr. William Nuttall. Speech in the City Hall, at the opening of the
Glasgow Wholesale Society, Sept. 19, 1873.
S
258 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Driving trade Abroad.
exclusion, or subjected to contemptuous criticism which
they were not allowed to answer.
Nor have the arguments oft employed by capitalists to
restrain union action been well chosen.
Intelligent workmen were intimidated by being told
that they would drive the trade of the country out of it.
This consideration did cause many of them to hesitate^
In time some of them came to the conclusion that if they
could not get living wages at home, they would be driven
out of the country themselves, and, therefore, if they did
" drive the work out of the country " there might come
this advantage to them — that they would know where ta
find it when they were driven out after it. Indeed it was
obvious that if trade could not be kept in JSngland except
by workmen consenting to accept starvation wages, it could
not be kept in England at all. For men on low wages
would emigrate sooner or later, and so soon as the labour
market was reduced below the needs of business, wages
would rise ao;ain and trade be driven out as before^
So they concluded that to insist on good wages at once
miirht make things better for them and could do no harm to
trade.
Few writers upon the working class can be aware of
what has been the experience of living men, else some
would be less severe in the judgment they pronounce upon
them. One bit of real life is more conclusive than many
arguments on this point. The president of the Rochdale
Co-operative Society in 1847, Mr. George Ad croft, told
me to-day (Oct. 3, 1877) that wdien he worked in the pit,
men got coal without even a shirt on. They worked
absolutely naked, and their daughters worked by their
side. This was forty years ago. It was the rule then for
the men to be kept at work as long as there were waggons
at the pit mouth waiting to be filled. He and others were
commonly compelled to work sixteen hours a day ; and
from week's end to week's end they never washed either
hands or face. One Saturday night (he was then a lad of
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES. 259
Incredible condition of English Workmen.
fifteen) he and others had worked till twelve o'clock, still
there were waggons at the pit mouth. They at last
rebelled — refused to work any later. The banksman went
and told the employer who came and waited till they were
drawn up to the mouth and beat them with a stout whip
as they came to the surface. Despite the lashes they
clambered up the chain cage, got hold of the whip and
tried to kill the master. Negro slavery was not much worse
than that. Mr. Adcroft states that a man who had worked
the long hours he describes would not earn more than 17s.
or 19s. a week, and ■ half of that would be stopped for
" tommy," on the truck system. Living unionists who
have passed through this state of things have not been
well trained for taking a dispassionate and philosophical
view of the relations of capital to labour.
Though Mr, Carlyle holds some absolute views as to
government, workmen ought not to forget he has been
the most valiant and influential defender of the dignity of
honest labour of our time, and has done more than any
other writer to bespeak for it that importance and respect
and position which it is acquiring. It was in their
interests that he exclaimed, " Now all England, shop-
keepers, Avorkmen, all manner of competing labourers
awaken, as if with an unspoken, but heartfelt prayer to
Beelzebub : — ' Oh help us, thou great lord of shoddy,
adulteration, and malfeasance, to do our work with a
maximum of slimness, swiftness, profit, and mendacity.' "
Trade unions might command regard, and exercise
influence unforeseen, did they treat labour as a dignity as
well as a question of wages. It is quite time this
occurred.
The condition of the mere working man was so poor and
helpless at the time when the discovery of steam gave rise
to the manufacturing system, that he may well be excused
if he thought of nothing but peddling and coercing
methods of increasing his wages. He is not to be despised
because his views were low and his ambition was not to
260 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The ambition of Craftsmanship discouraged in various ways.
be a great craftsman, but to keep himself from the
poor-house. He could not be expected to think much about
the pride of an order wliicli had nothing to eat. The in-
vention of the spinning jenny superseded the small spinning
rooms by which so many lived with some control over their
humble fortunes. The jenny drew thousands into mills, where
they were at the mercy of capital and panics. Manu-
facturing by machinery put an end to most of the little
workshops and pride in handicraft which a man felt when
the credit or discredit of his work was connected with
himself personally. Any reputation he was enabled now
to acquire passed to the credit of the firm who employed
him. He became merely a machine, a little more trouble to
manage than those patented, and he sank as an artificer
into a little more consideration than a man in a large
prison, who is known by his number instead of his name.
He had no longer a character to acquire or to lose He
was only one of the hands in a large factory or mill.
Hand work, into W'hich a man could put his skill and his
character, has become so much the exception ia every
trade that it has deteriorated for want of recognition
nnd encouragement. When the feudal system was slowly
superseded care for the labourer or workman, thought for
his health, his subsistence, or his recreation,, naturally
died out also. Being poor he had no power, being ignorant
he had no sense, to insist upon such laws and such
advantages as would give him the opportunity of freedom
and competence by the exercise of his industry. The
<!ommencement of the trades unions of the modern kind was
the first evidence he gave of understanding that he must
do something for his own protection. That he blundered
in the method he adopted — that his experience was marked
by waste, coercion, and retaliation, were small things com-
pared with the great merit that he struggled at all for some
elevation. In late years he has had information enough,
opportunities enough, to improve his methods of action.
Yet no unionist leaders have arisen until the time of Mr.
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES. 261
Working class disbelief of Knowledge being Power.
Burt, M.P., who have comprehended, or comprehended in
the same degree as he, the new possibilities of their day.
Ever since mechanics' institutions were established by Dr.
Birkbeck and Lord Brougham, Francis Place, and others,
these institutions have mostly languished. The class rooms
liave more or less been tenantless, the teachers have had few
pupils, the funds subscribed have afforded small satisfac-
tion to those who generously supplied them. Had trades
unionists understood what knowledge would do for their
children, had they taken note of the inferiority of their
sons compared with the educated sons of middle class
masters under whom they worked, they would have crowded
the mechanics' institutions with their own sons. The
higher manners, the preciser speech, the greater capacity,
the more disciplined mind, the tone of intellectual
authority shown by the sons of their employers, should
have taught them once and for ever that education was
the only equality in their power, and they should have
insisted that the sons of every member of the union should
be sent to the mechanics' institution. They should have
held meetings of insistence in every town, and remon-
strated to Parliament if provision was not made for
their instruction. The leaders of the people who first
devised mechanics' institutions surely expected that this
would be done. The enemies of the people who disliked
*' institutes," and distrusted them, and feared them, thought
this would be done. Church dignitaries, Conservative poli-
ticians, alarmed employers and country squires, united to
condemn the dangerous innovation of knowledge which
would make the people discontented with " the position to
which it had ])lcased God to call them." All tiiosc fears
were as foolish as they were wicked. The workmen had
unhappily no sense of their own interests, and needed no
restraining from usiwg the means of power placed at their
disposal. They were without the intelligence even to see
their opportunity.
The great trade guilds of London have mainly sunk into
262 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Trades Unions offer no guarantee of good Workmanship.
private dining societies.* They do not represent the great
traditions of industrial pride. They are the mere degene-
rate inheritors of traditions which are dead, and the modern
masters of guilds are without even the capacity to feel the
inspiration which made their forefathers the leaders of art
in industry. To-day, indeed, we hear of the Turners
Company of London, awakening from ,their long ignoble
sleep, offering prizes to young handicraftsmen for skill at
the lathe ; and the Baroness Burdett-Coutts, distinguished
for discerning generosity, has given the largest sum to be
expended in this way. This is what trades unions ought
to have done long years ago, they should have given
prizes to the best workmen in each trade. They could
have had the money for asking. The first persons in the
State would have done them the honour of distributing their
prizes. The character of English workmen would have
stood the highest of the world in skill and in the self-
respecting dignity of labom*. No man should be admitted
into a trade union unless he was a good workman, or
willing to be made one, and his beipg allowed to remain a
member should be a guarantee to the public that he was a
good workman. Now, a man being a unionist, is no
guarantee to anyone that he will not scamp his work or do
the least for the most he can get. Some of the first work-
men of the day, and men of character and good faith in
work, are members of trades unions, but good skill and
good faith are nowhere made the conditions of member-
ship. A trades union council are not leaders of art in
industry, they are, with a few exceptions, mere con-
noisseurs in strikes. All a union does is to strike against
low wages, they never strike against doing bad work. It
will be a great thing for the reputation of industry in
England when they do this. Now they cover themselves
with the excuses that their employers want bad and cheap
things made. There is conventional but no moral difference
* See " City Companies," by Walter Henry James, M.P.
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES. 263
Strikes against executing bad work unknown.
in doing bad work and picking the purchaser's pocket. A
bungler is but a thief with a circumbendibus in his method.
Trades unions ought to resent the demand that their
members should do bad work, as an affront upon their skill
and character as workmen. A few well devised strikes on
this principle, would raise wages as no union has ever done
it yet, and, what is not less important, raise the whole
character of industry in England in a few years. This is
one form of the organization of labour Avanted. Let us
hope tluit if trades unionists do not do this before long
co-operators will.
It is only fair to own that trades' unionists are begin-
ning to recognize the iini)ortance, in an indirect way, of
increasing the reputation of their members for efficiency as
workmen. Several Congresses of Trades have passed
resolutions applauding the attainment of technical know-
ledge by workmen. The Society of Arts at the Adelphi,
London, which docs so much for the advancement of
popular knowledge, issues yearly now, a programme of
technological examinations, in which mechanics of leading
trades, and men engaged in agriculture, are offered an
opportunity of proving their practical knowledge of the
nature of their employment. When they have done so,
certificates of three degrees of proficiency are awarded them,
various prizes in money, and even scholarships. Mr.
George Howell transmits the necessary documents to
different trades to induce workmen to enter into these
wise competitions. This, however, is only approval of
knowledge, not insistence upon it. At the same
time he would be an unobservant writer who did
not perceive that there is more original artistic thought
and pride among the artizan class than they are credited
with. The Matsys and Cellinis are not extinct. The
famous blacksmiths and gold workers have merely had their
genius turned in other directions by science. The old
artists who worked for fame in their obscure chambers are
succeeded by men who expend genius and devotion in
264 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
A Trade Strike a Japanese Duel.
devising wondrous machinery. They are Pygmalions of
invention who impart to inanimate metal the miraculous
action of living intelligence. They think in poverty — thej^dio
neglected, and their splendid ingenuity enriches the nation^
The acclaim of their (genius never reaches the dull cold ear
of death. In later generations the tardy monumental bust
is erected over their forgotten graves. The Patent Office
is the record of their fine patience and unrequited skill.
Mr. George Wallis has discerningly pointed out that the
originality of the ai'tizan class is expressed in machinery in
these days. Living men comparatively unnoted see hidden
tilings in mechanics which would have made Archimedes
famous.
The character of trade conspiracies naturally varies with
intelligence and opportunity. The co-operator strikes as
well as the trades unionist, but the co-operator makes
a silent strike, not a noisy one, an economical, not at
wasteful one. He does not expend the money he
has earned by hard labour to obtain an increase ©f
wages which he may never get. The co-operator holds
that the right thing to do is to prepare for self em-
ployment before striking, and when he does strike it is not
against the master, but against the system.
A Trades Union strike is a contest of starvation. It is
the siege of capital with a view to its reduction by famine^
in which the besiegers are more likely to suffer than the
enemy. It is a waste of wealth in order to increase it. It
is the maddest device known in war, in which the belliger-
ents who have little strength render themselves helpless in
order to fight. The Comte de Paris happily compares a
strike and lock-out to a Japanese duel, in which each
combatant is under obligation of honour to put himself to
death with his own hand.
Some people are manifestly born before their time v.
some are born after — a very long while after ; and in any
well-regulated system ought to be put back again. There
are others apparently born for no time in particular ; they
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES. 265-
The Alliance of 1834 between Co-operators and Unionists.
are neither offensive nor useful, but chiefly in the way of
other people ; while there are others who belong to the
age and know it, who comprehend very well the oppor-
tunities of the hour, who employ them and mean to put
them to account All of this class regard unionists as allies
in constructive progress. Among co-operators there is an
instinctive repugnance to be mixed up with schemes of
industrial redress so ill devised, so wanton, and wasteful
in the use of means as ordinary strikes. This is well under-
stood, and the ablest unionist leaders have always seen that
co-operation should be their chief resource. The alliance
between co-operators and trade unionists has been honour-
able and of long standing. On the 21st April, 1834, Mr.
Owen headed the great procession to Lord JMelbourne to
ask the release of the Dorchester labourers. The union-
ists assembled in Copenhagen Fields. Lord Melbourne
agreed to receive a limited deputation of leaders at
Downing Street. On the list of names handed in to
him Mr. Owen's name was not included, it being
probably thought that Mr. Owen being known to Lord
Melbourne would be admitted. His Lordship, prefer-
ring to see the men alone, refused to see any one
not on the list he had assented to. Thus the interview
took place without the assistance of their most important
advocate.
During the early period of this co-operative movement
the Socialists and Unionists might be heard from the same
platform advocating their respective principles.* At
Salford the society ojiencd a subscription to support a
strike, f In London Mr. Owen was elected the (jrrand
Master of a lodge and lie permitted the trades to use his
Lecture Hall.:;: The " Crisis " added to its title that ot"
"National Co-operative Trades Union and Equitable
Exchange Gazette." Mr. Owen specially charged himself
* Crisis, Vol. III. p. r)S. t Ibid p. 191.
+ New Moral World, Vol. I. p. -11)3.
-266 HISTOHY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
Trade L'nions and Employers Unions, both Fighting Powers.
to eifect the release of the , Dorchester convicts, but the
demonstration which took place on the occasion is said to
have exercised an unfortunate influence by increasing the
severity of the Government* But that was not Mr. Owen's
fault. It rested -with those wlio devised a demonstration
which could only increase the alarm which led to the
severity the procession sought to stop. Mr. Owen must
have depended on other influence than that of the streets
to efi:ect the release of the men.
Trades Unions are simply fighting powers on behalf of
Labour, just as Employers' Unions are fighting powers on
behalf of Capital. Masters' Unions do not concern them-
selves with the improvement of manufactures, with excel-
lence of material, or equitable charges to the public. So
far as their action appears they consult only the preservation
of profits. On the other hand Workmen's Unions, as such,
do not charge themselves with promoting a high standard
of skill among the men, and honesty of work or education
of the workers, so much as the protection or increase of
wages. Nevertheless as fighting powers they can render
supreme aid in the emancipation of Labour. They can
more effectually than any other organized bodies of work-
men, encourage co-operative manufacturing founded on the
principle of Labour buying capital and dividing profits on
work alone. They can issue advice to workmen to refuse,
as far as possible, to work except for emploj'crs where a
partnership of industry exists. It is quite as legitimate
for them to strike against emploj^ers who refuse this, as to
strike against those who refuse increase of wages. Indeed
strikes for partnerships would be fairer than strikes for
wages, because in partnerships the profits must be earned
before they can be had; whereas in strikes for wages, the
employer is simply plundered if he is forced to yield where
he cannot really afford it, just as the public are plundered
when unions of capitalists or merchants combine ^to raise
* Crisis Vol. III. p. 253. See Mr. Booth's Life of K. Owen.
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES. 2<J7
The Capitalist chatter of Charity.
at will the price of commodities which the public must
have.
Even at Co-operative Congresses now, we hear from
leaders who are making profits in joint stock companies,
vigorous arguments against conceding to workmen a share
of profits. The J say, just as competitive employers have
always said, capital takes all the risks and the workman has
his share of the profits in his wages. To ask for what they
are pleased to denominate a " bonus " on labour they repre-
sent as demanding a gift, and if it is granted they describe
it as proceeding from the " benevolence " of the employer.
It is time this chatter of charity on the part of capitalists
was ended. The workman should never prefer his demand
as a " right." He lias no " right " to anything save his
wages, unless he contracts for more. If he desires a por-
tion of the profits of the undertaking he can prefer a
*' claim " to them, and refuse an agreement to work unless
it is conceded. A co-operative store, or a co-operative
workshop, where capital is only admitted as an agent, and
the profits belong to the producers, is a mutual arrange-
ment. But competition is not an arrangement, it is
hostility — it is war. The interests of capital and labour
are in conflict ; and the demands for participation in
profits after capital, management and expenses have been
paid, is no more an hostile act than a demand for the
highest wages a workman thinks he can get. Capital as
a rule gives the least it can, and labour as a rule exacts
the most it can. If an agreement is come to it is merely
an armed truce until the next opportunity of contest arises,
when both parties fight again. In co-operation mutual
arrangement renders the equitable divisions of profit
a right, and " bonus " and •*' benevolence " pernicious
and offensive terms. Outside pure co-operation there is
no right ; it is all claim and contest. The capitalist has
no right except to what he can keep — the workman has
no right save to what he can get.
When at the Amsterdam Exhibition, a few years ago.
268 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
How Dutch workmen stipulate for Schools for their Children.
I went one day, at the invitation of Baron Mackay, to see
the great works of the new canal out in the Zuyder Zee.
Far away on the sands mid the North Sea I found what
I took to be a Dutch chapel. Its pretty overhanging
roofs and quaint desks and seats within, all out there,
surprised me. On asking what it was, I was told it was
the School House for the education of the children of the
Dutch workmen, employed in cutting and building the
mighty canal through plains of sand lying out in the North
Sea. " Why do you erect a School House out here ? " I
enquired of the chief contractor, who was a Scot, " You
do nothing of the kind in your own country. Contractors
do nothing of the kind in England." " Oh," was the
reply, "it is a convenience for the workmen's families."
" Yes, I understand all that," I answered, " but what sets
you upon consulting their convenience in Holland when
you never think of it elsewhere? " " Well, the truth is,"
he at last admitted, " that the Dutch workmen having good
secular schools in every town where their children can be
educated, and knowing the advantages of it, having profited
themselves when young by it, will not work for any one
who does not provide schools where their families can be
trained." This shows what intelligent workmen can do
who have sense to understand their own interests, and
this is what English workmen might do, with respect to
education and participation of profits, if they had as much
wit and determination as the drowsy, dreaming, much-
smoking, but clear-minded, resolute Dutch.
Adjoining the school house was a large co-operative
store exactly on the plan of the one first devised by Robert
Owen at Lanark. It consisted of a large wood building
containing large stores of provisions, lodged there by the
contractors and put in charge of a storekeeper, who sold
them at cost price — less his wages as salesman. This was
a further economy for the men, it made their wages go
farther, and was an additional source of contentment to
them, costing the employers nothing save forethought and
INDUSTRIAL CONSPIRACIES. 269
A Co-operative Store on the Sea.
I^oocl feeling. This was the only co-operative store I ever
found on the ocean ; it lay in mid-seas.
Thus conspiracies for obtaining a larger share of
industrial profits than has usually fallen to the workmen
have been conducted both by unionists and co-operators,
and the unions and stores have been the diversified contri-
vances of the Constructive Period.
* The conQicts of Labour and Capital — a History and Review of
Trades Unions, by George Howell, may be mentioned as the ablest
book yet produced by an English Unionist leader : as the work of Nadaud
is the best produced by a French workman. In point of weight of authority
and exhaustive treatment Mr. W. T. Thornton's volume on " Labour" stands
next to the writings of Mr. J. S. Mill. The philosophy and practice of
Unionism and Co-operation are dealt with by Mr. Thornton with a complete-
ness and impartiality not elsewhere to be found.
270 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Outsiders lying in wait.
CHAPTER XVII-
CO-OPERATIVE FAILURES.
If thou wishest to be wise,
Keep these lines before thine eyes ;
If thou epeakest — how beware !
Of whom, to whom, and when and where.
Btron.
The principle of industrial partnership makes progress.
If in some places it is adopted by workmen among them-
selves, and is afterwards discontinued, it is superseded
rather than abandoned, for co-operators create confidence
in their undertakings. Outsiders come in as shareholders,
and not understanding or caring for co-operation, they
seize the society as soon as they are able to outvote the
co-operative members and convert it into a joint stock
business, which they believe to be more immediately
profitable to them. This was the way the Mitchell Hey
Society at Rochdale fell. Though these instances are
perversions, they do not involve entire reaction. The
outside shareholders are mostly working men and the
business is conducted by working men. This implies that
a larger number of working men are acquiring the skill
of masters — and are themselves taking the position of mas-
ters. This is a progress after its kind, though wanting in
the principle of equity and equality, which co-operation
aims to introduce among workmen. There have been no
co-operative failures save from errors into which com-
CO-OPERATIVE FAILURES. 271
Causes of the failure of Queenwood.
mercial men, of greater experience, occasionally fall.
Dr. John Watts has gi\^en an account of the failure
of the Queenwood community. As he was one of those
concerned in it, his evidence has weight. As communities
will be attempted again in England, his statement will be
instructive. He says " the failure of the Hampshire com-
munity was attributable, amongst other causes, firstly, to
the extravagant price paid for very poor land ; secondly, to
the large amount of capital sunk in buildings which were
not profitably occupied ; and, thirdly, to the attempt to
convert skilled artizans, used to good wages, into agricul-
turists upon bad land ; and to satisfy them with agricul-
tural labourers' fare, and no money wages."*
The tone of the press is greatly changed from what it
was forty or even twenty years ago, toward the failures of
working men in their manufacturing enterprises. In days
of the limited and dear press newspapers mostly represented
the interests of masters, and when a ■working class enter-
prise failed the matter was mentioned with contemptuous
derision, and was treated as a warning to men not to
exhibit the presumption that they could be masters. All
this is changed now. When a failure occurs to working
men it is thought to be a misfortune that they are not able
to better their condition by honourable attempts at indus-
trial enterprise. If their failure has arisen through
unforeseen rise in prices, which made their contracts
unprofitable ; or, through the bankruptcy of customers
owing them money whose solvency they had no reason to
doubt when they took their orders,f or if the losses of the
men have arisen from unexpected decay of trade, the same
allowance is made now in the judgment of their failure as
is made in the case of other manufacturers or merchants
who conduct business on competitive principles.
When the Ouseburn Engine works failed, the " Eastern
* Co-operatiye Societies, Dr. J. Watts.
t Both tlese causes operated greatly in producing the failure of the Ouse-
burn Engine Works, at Newcastle-on-Tyne.
^72 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Honesty of the Ousebum -workmen.
Daily Press " remarked that " Mr. Holyoake Avould have
to chronicle that in his History," which he certainly
intended to do ; but injustice to the "Eastern Press"!
record that that failure was judged in that journal upon
its merits. It was not, as formerly would have been the
case, set down as a failure of the co-operative principle,
but regarded as arising from errors in business manage-
ment, and the outside causes of the loss were fairly taken
into account. The main source of failure was a series of
contracts made by an agent (£30,000 under their values)
which no manaofer who understood his business should
or would have permitted.
The co-operators are the most open creatures who ever
entered into business. So far from concealing a failure,
or desiring to conceal it, their fault is they proclaim it
too loudly, and make too much of it, their desire being to
learn all about it from friend or adversary, that all may
take note of what to avoid in the future. When the
Ouseburn Engine Works had lost the £30,000 mentioned
through the manager not knowing how to make contracts,
the fact was publicly proclaimed. The manager was not
dismissed, nor did he resign, so that the co-operators
remained the pity of all the Tyneside, for remaining under
the management which had brought the great disaster
upon them. Incapacity is of the nature of a crime when
it meddles with the fortune of a struggling cause, or does
not take itself away when its incompetence is plainly
perilous. The Ouseburn workmen behaved admirably.
When they were informed that false contracts had been
taken, involving the enormous loss cited, it was open to
them to avenge themselves by badly executing the work ;
but they honestly resolved to execute it to the best of
their ability notwithstanding, and they did so ; and no
engine works on the Tjaieside ever won higher credit for
honest and perfect workmanship. They got through their
great and unjustifiable losses. It was by failure of sub-
sequent creditors that the concern fell into liquidation.
CO-OPERATIVE FAILURES. 273
Failures not peculiar to Co-operation.
Since then the Wholesale Society in Manchester have
taken in hand the business, and are likely to conduct it
profitably. The Wholesale Society thouglit that for the
credit of co-operation these engine works ought to be put
through their early difficulties. All this is highly creditable
to the Wholesale Society, and they will well earn the
success which is likely to befall them.
People who hear now and then of the failure of co-
operative engine works, or mines, imagine they forbode
the end of the system and do not take into account that
other persons wlio are not workmen, and who are experi-
enced in business, sometimes fail also. At the time of the
Ouseburn difficulty the " Daily Ciu'onicle," at Xewcastle-
on-Tyne, published a list of the failures which had occurred
in Cleveland in tlie course of twelve months, giving
the amount of the liability in some cases. The following
is the list : —
Sivert, Hjerlid, ironfounder, Middlesbroiigb.
North Yorkshire Iron Co. (Limited).
W. A. Stevenson, iron merchant.
Eston Grange Iron Co., Eaton.
Thomas Richardson & Sons.
Nicholas Raine, South Hylton Ironworks.
R. Jaques, Richmond Ironworks, Stockton.
J. H. Garbutt, coal owner, Darlington.
E. Watteau, bolt and nut manufacturer, Middlesbrough.
Erimus Iron Company, Middlesbrough.
P. Ireland, iron merchant, Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough Cut Nail Works.
Stockton Rail Mill Co., Stockton.
The Britannia Iron Company, Middlesbrough.
Boss, Willis, &, Co., Middlesbrough.
Thos. Vaughan & Co., Middlesbrough.
J. B. Walker, shipowner, Middlesbrough.
Swan, Coates, & Co , Middlesbrough.
Raylton, Dixon, & Co., shipbuilders, Middlesbrough.
Thos. Charlton & Co., coal and ironstone mine owner?, TMiddlesbrougb.
South Cleveland Iron Co. (Limited).
The Lackenby Iron Co., Middlesbrough.
R. H. Ciiarlton, Stranton Ironworks, Hartlepool.
Messrs. Thomas & Co., ironfounders, Mkldlesbrough.
.T. W. Thomas, Acklam Refinery.
West Hartlepool Iron Co. (Limited).
274 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
Wise belinyiour under Failures.
Liabilities.
Thos. Vaugban & Co. ... ... ... Jl.200,000
Swan, Coateg, & Co. ... ... ... 280,000
Lackeabj Iron Co. ... ... ... 200,000
E. Dixon & Co. ... ... ... ... 175,000
M«S3ra. Charlton ... ... ... ... 270,000
^2,125,000
Only one of these firms was expected to pay more tlian 5s.
in the pound. The dividends to be declared by the others
were likely to be below that amount.
Within a recent period the Wholesale Society of
Glasgow lost £10,000 by an investment made withoiit
their formal authority. There was, however, no doubt
that the investment, though irregular, was made in good
faith, and had it turned out fortunate it had been
applauded. The Society remembered this, and quietly
provided for the loss, and took precautions that the same
thing should not occur again. Not long ago the Halifax
Society lost £60,000 by injudicious investment in Foreign
Securities. The members behaved like men of business.
They knew that had the large profits they calculated upon
accrued, they would have thought their Directors " smart
fellows." They did not break up their Society as a few
wild members stimulatedby shop-keepers proposed ; and as
their predecessors did a generation earlier, on the loss of
less than 160th part of that sum. They simply arranged
to repair the loss from future profits and m.ade a note to
invest more prudently in future. Working men who
have acquired this kind of good sense will very rarely
stumble into failure.
If a series of failures disproved a principle, what must
be said of the failures of competition where twenty men
fail for one who succeeds ? Had any one invented com-
petition, it would hav^e been hooted out of the world long
ago, as an infernal contrivance of spite and greed. To use
a phrase, made picturesque by Mr. Henley in the House
of CoramonSj competition is an '' ugly rush " — an ugly
CO-OPERATIVE FAILURES. 275
Degrading conditions imposed by Employers.
rush after bones, which every body is equally ambitious
to pick. As to failure, what are the failures of banking ?
Let those hideous, criminal, calamitous, and not un-
frequently idiotic failures be catalogued ; and banking
must be pronounced unsound in principle. Co-operation,
in its most unfortunate days, will bear comparison with
banking.
Messrs. Fox, Head, & Co., of Middlesbrough, proposed,
with fair intentions, a partnership of industry with their
men ; but stipulated that the men should give up their
trades unions and sign a contract to that effect. The
company on their part agreed to withdraw from the
masters' union. They were at liberty to please themselves
in this matter. But the condition they exacted from the
men was a degrading condition. What was it to them,
to what purposes the men put their earnings so long as
they fulfilled their contract with them ? The proceeding
of this company was an abuse of industrial partnership,
and calculated to bring it into disrepute. It had been better
far had they never touched the question.
Tha Messrs. Briggs of the Whitwood Collieries brought
their scheme to an end in a similar spirit. Their partner-
ship with their men brought them great gain while it lasted.
Some years several thousands of pounds were divided
among their workmen, being merely the half profits made
by the increased exertion and care of the men ; apart from
the exceptional profits of the years when the price of coal
rose greatly. But the total, made in the way of profit
while the precarious partnership lasted, has never been
declared.* The Messrs. Briggs appear to have taken ad-
vantage of their men attending a certain Trades Union
* The most remarkable statement is that given by the Comt« de Paris,
who says : — " In 1867, Messrs. Briggs realized a net profit of £20,417 after
paying all outlays and allowing for wear and tear. A portion only of thi»
sum was divided. £8000 was laid by in order to secure a bonus to the men
in the bad years that might come. In Mr. Briggs' opinion, the old system
would not have yielded equal profits under similar circumstances. "Tradea
Uaioos of England." By Comte de Paris, p. 21U.
276 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The failure at Whitwood caused by the Messrs. Briggs.
meeting, which they had forbidden them to attend, ta
exclude them from the partnership, and even to withhold
from some the money they had ostensibly earned in the
partnership. This dictation to their men in matters out-
side their duties to the company, was a disastrous lesson to
set the men. It has been inferred that the company find
strikes less expensive than fulfilling, what was regarded by
the public as an honourable and mutually advantageous
partnership. They may have terminated it because it was
more troublesome to them, than their interest in the
welfare of their men induced them to take. They have-
given no satisfactory explanation of the facts, financial or
otherwise, involved in the case. The failure, so far as it
is known, has not been on the part of the men but on the
part of their employers.
When the Messrs. Briggs first proposed to adopt some
plan of co-operative partnership in their colleries, I re-
ceived from them several letters explanatory of their
objects, and of the difiiculties which presented themselves.
With a view to promote their wise intention, to diminish
obstacles which the prejudices of trades unionists might
naturally entertain towards the project, and to support the
Messrs. Briggs in their views, to justify them in the eyes
of other employers, and to increase their public credit for
taking a lead in so useful and honourable a design, I
solicited the opinions of the project from Mr. John Stuart
Mill, Professor Fawcett, Louis Blanc and others to whom
I explained the possible industrial advantages of it. The
letters I received were published, and the words of honour
spoken of these employers by such friends of equitable in-
dustry, continue to be repeated in their praise to this day. In
any way I could I was glad to strengthen their hands; but the
letters I received at that time from the Messrs. Briggs did
not make me veiy sanguine that they would carry their plaa
through, or persevere in it from conviction of its public
advantage. They manifestly inherited a distrust of work-
^len. They imputed venality and self interest to leading
CO-OPERATIVE FAILURES. 277
Employers who draw back to be fairly judged.
unionists, who advised their men. They thought too much
of disparaging and destroying trade unions. They spoke too
much of the proposed participation of profits as a " bonus "
to the men, as though it were a largess or gracious gift to
the Avorkmen arising from their employers' goodness of
disposition and depending for its continuance upon the good
behaviour of their hands. Their plan was complex, there
v.'ere too many conditions, and even the conditions were
conditional. It would, hoAvever, be unfair to make much
of these peculiarities. The project was new in their
business. They could not foresee to what administrative
inconvenience it might lead. Conflicting claims, in-
tcrest and prejudices, are always called into play,
when any new plan is adopted among the working
<,'lass more or less uninformed, or unfamiliar with it.
These were real difficulties which might well render the
best disposed employers uncertain as to the measures to
which they would commit themselves. Besides the Messrs.
Briggs were not themselves co-operators. The principle
and definite line of thought Avhicli co-operation implies,
must have been strange to them. It therefore remains a
credit to them that they entertained the idea of establishing
co-operative relations in their works, and actually
attempted it. It would be scant encouragement to other
employers to try the same thing if those Avho do try it,
and do not succeed in carrying it forward, or turn back
discouraged, were to be treated with less consideration than
those who never made any attempt of the kind. "What
Mr. J. S. Mill thought of their attempt he stated very
strongly in his letter to me from Saint Veran Avignon
(Nov. 21, 1804). "The Messrs. Briggs have done them-
selves great honour in being the oriffinators in England of
one or the two modes in co-operation which are probably
destined to divide the field of employment between them.
The importance of what they are doing is the greater, as
its success Avould make it almost impossible hereafter for
any recreant Co-operative Societies to go back to the old
278 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Infrequency of Co-operative Failures.
plan of paying only fixed wages when even private capi-
talists give it up." Unfortunately they have returned to
fixed wages and given comfort thereby to others besides
"recreant Co-operative Societies."
The failure of Co-operative Stores have been so infrequent
in the Constructive Period as not to be worth counting.
Their success as a rule is so overwhelming, that any
failures have been due to common neglect of well-defined
precautions which experience has established. Mr. J. C.
Earn has relevantly pointed out that " the art of organiza-
tion was in its infancy thirty years ago ; now, if it is in-
complete in practice, it ai-ises from' neglect, and not for
want of models. Popular intolerance in days gone by was
a hundred times more powerful than it is now. Without
tolerance societies cannot permanently succeed. The co-
operative ship of thirty years since had to sail over the sea
of difficulty without chart or compass. Now the rocks are
known and marked dangerous, none but unskilful or neg-
lectful pilots need allow the ship to strike upon them.
Finally, with more members, more money, more experi-
ence, more support, more protection, more confidence,
more encouragement, more tolerance, and sounder views,
there is no reason to believe that the disasters of former
times will be repeated."
One source of distrust to which co-operative enterprises
are subject, arises in the enthusiasm in which they are
often commenced. The projectors of a new company,
conscious of the purity of their own intentions, behave
just as knaves do, when they set floating a frauduJent
scheme. They deprecate all inquiry into it. and regard
any one who points out objections or difficulties, to be
encountered, as a disagreeable person who wants to damp
the enthusiasm of others, and destroy the prospects of a
company which he does not intend to help. The enthusi-
astic promoters are so strong in the honesty of their
intentions, that they imagine their wisdom to be as obvious
as their integrity, and regard doubts of their success, as
CO-OPERATIVE FAILURES. 279'
Intelligent objectors the friends of new projects.
imputations upon themselves ; they do not perceive
that just objects, and noble aims, though necessary to the
success of an unusual enterprise, do not necessarily make
it successful. There must be fair business prospects and
fair business sense in addition, in order that great interest
may be taken in any project. There must be confidence in
the capacity, as well as the honour of those who promote
it ; and confidence depends upon the knowledge of the
persons and jiurposes of those with whom it is proposed to
work ; and it is wisdom in the promoters of any new
company to furnish this information, without waiting to be
asked lor it. It is good policy to solicit all the objections
that can be made at the outset of a concern, so that they
may not come when it is too late. The objector is a
very valuable person, if enthusiasts knew how to profit by
hira. Enthusiasm, desire of personal distinction, or hope
of profit, is apt to blind the understanding, and the wise
objector (if he can be found) is the occulist who opens the
eyes of the company, and enables the members to see what
the facts of the case really are. It matters not how strong
or peculiar the points urged in opposition may be, the
general soundness of a sound scheme can always be shown,
and shown to far greater advantage when the objector has
given his evidence against it in open court, than it could be-
tbre he was heard. If the soundness of the project cannot
then be made clear, it is better for all concerned, that the
difficulty should be apparent. Objections may be disallowed,
or over-ruled, but they should be heard, and considered as
far as their relevance seems to warrant. ^Vhen this is done,
the shareholders find themselves well advised and candidly
informed, and they go into the undertaking with their
eyes open ; and if it does not answer they have nobody to
reproach but themselves. They feel none of the bitterness
of men who have been misled by others, and they even
feel respect for those who afforded them so fair an oppor-
tunity of profit ; and the failure involves no loss of self-
respect to any one, since a fair measure of ])rudence had
280 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Ignorant earnest Error, as dangerous as Dishonesty.
marked the proceedings. But if critics, suggestors, or
objectors, who do tlie society the service of volunteering
advice upon its affairs, are put down as offensive or
suspicious persons, the interest of members is foolishly
jeopardized. If the promoters of a doubtful or dishonest
company succeed in obtaining the money of the share-
holders, everybody can see that it is as criminal a thing as
though their money had been taken by an act of burglary,
and is more irritating to those who lose by it, because
insidious professions have made them parties to their own
loss. The wrong done by honest, earnest projectors of schemes
is not less serious in its results, because unintended. But
their honest intentions do not absolve them from crimin-
ality, if they have incurred risks without the fullest inquiry
possible into them, and without communicating the
results of that inquiry to all whom they invited to share
those risks with them. Of course there are projects con-
tinually started upon which the principle of profits depend
upon celerity and secrecy of action. In these cases it is
obvious that to solicit objections from outsiders, would betray
the purpose. In these cases, only a few persons are ever con-
cerned, and they know perfectly what they are doing, and
do not go about complaining if their money is lost. It is
in public companies where shareholders are sought among
persons of large and small means alike, and who invest
money and ti'ust in the honour and capacity of the
directors of the company, that a scrupulous and complete
information should be furnished, as a matter of fair pre-
caution and good faith. It should be a matter of pride in
co-operators that no failure should take place among them.
Their aim should be to acquire the reputation not only for
honesty, but for soundness of judgment, and sureness of
procedure. In the days of Harry Clasper and Robert
Chambers, it was known that w^hen Newcastle oarsmen
rowed a match upon any river, they would win if they
could — they were never to be bought. They contested
for the honour of the Tyne side ; and co-operators should
CO-OPERATIVE FAILURES. 281
A machine needed for testing applause.
always be known as contesting for the honour of co-oper-
ation.
A frequent source of failure arises from a cause which,
when fairly true, involves no imputation upon the honesty
of those concerned, that is " commencing a project with too
little capital." Though this implies merely want of judg-
ment, the effect of failure is the same upon the outside
public. The public never trouble to notice why a thing fails.
The failure itself is enough for them, and the cause with
which it is connected is damaged in their eyes. " Insuffi-
ciency of capital," is so vague a cause, and is so often used
as an excuse for graver errors, that nobody accepts it for
much. It depends upon whether the scale of expenditure
has been prudent and cautious from the beginning, whether
the capital is really too small. Deficiency may be produced
by imj>rudent and disproportionate expenditure. Deficiency
of capital is of course a distinct and determinable cause of
failure, and should be guarded against like any other. It
often arises through enthusiasm which impels premature
action. A meeting is called to consider whetlicr a new
scheme can be undertaken. Good and approving plaudits
will soon be heard, if the proposal be popular. Some
generous person is inspired by the hearty applause to make
a liberal ofi^br of support. He probably mistakes the
enthusiasm for intelligent, well-considered purpose. Pro-
fessor Tyndall has proved that heat is a source of motion.
Mr. Crookes has proved that light is a source of movement,
and delicate machines have been contrived for estimating
these forces. But no one has invented a machine which
will denote the peculiar force of api)lause; some men applaud
because they are impulsive, some because they approve of
the proposal, some because they intend to help it — when it
succeeds ; a few because they intend to aid it ; but the
greater part applaud because they think somebody else is
going to aid it ; and it frequently comes to pass, that ex-
periments are commenced under the contagion of chequeless
enthusiasm, which only considerable capital can carry out.
282 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Connoisseurship in Enthusiasm.
There are always sanguine and dangerous people, who
think a right thing will get support if it is once begun.
But wise promoters should never permit action to be taken
till reasonable means of carrying it out are secured.
A man who has had much experience in popular move-
ments, becomes a connoisseur in enthusiasm, and is disposed
to analyze it, before he counts upon it as an element of
action. When Mr. Forster was proposing his 25th clause
to the Education Act, in the House of Commons, he
stretched out his arm before the Opposition, and informed
them he had Puritan blood in his veins. I begged a member
who happened to be in the Speaker's gallery at the time to
go down and ask Mr. Forster to put a drop of that blood
into his Bill. The Nonconformists said " the blood would
do no good, it was of a degenerate quality." I asked Pro-
fessor Huxley whether he could analyze one of the globules
that we might know whether the quality was pure. This
is what has to be done with popular enthusiasm, it must be
tested before it can be trusted. If this were oftener done
failures of co-operative enterprise, though small in number
now would be fewer still.
In a considerable number of cases manufacturing and
productive societies of various kinds have been formed,
which have included in their rules the principle of partner-
ship with labour, or trade, or both ; which have scarcely
gone beyond the publication of rules. In some instances,
capital has not been subscribed sufficient to enable the
undertaking to be commenced, or not sufficient to carry
on business long enough for success, when the business
has begun. In other cases the accession of new shareholders
who joined for profit mainly, not knowing, or not caring
about improving the general relations of labour to capital,
have in due course, when profits were low, voted against
sharing them with workmen. Sometimes they have done
this because the profits were great, and they became
covetous of obtaining all for themselves. Such shareholders
being shrewd, and not animated by any principle of con-
CO-OPERATIVE FAILURES. 283
Why Co-operators sometimes retrace their steps.
sideration for the advancement of workmen, have calculated
that the cost of strikes was less than the loss of profit,
through conceding a share to the men, and have deliberately
elected to take the risks of strikes, and rescind the rule of
participation. In the formation of a new business, depending
for prosperity upon sales in the competitive market, greater
capital often becomes necessary than was at first calculated
upon ; and this capital being exigent it becomes necessary
to take it from any subscribers of shares who may offer,
without regard to what industrial views they hold, and
without any' inquiry, or examination, as to whether they
are co-operators or not. In the early days of co-operation
every society instituted a propagandist department, for
winning co-operators to join them, or of educating them
afterwards. Where this is not done, and shareholders are
received without conditions, or precaution, or preparation
— the co-operative principle of the society is left at the
mercy of new members, and often drifts and disappears.
In this way the principle was cancelled verj^ early in the
Rochdale Co-operative Manufacturing Society of Mitchell
Hey. In this way it was lately attempted to be destroyed
in the Hebden Bridge Fustian Co-operative Society, but
happily resisted successfully, by the loyalty of a sufficient
number of the members. The " Fustian " had not got
into their brains.
It is no matter of wonder or permanent discouragement
that even co-operators turn back after proceeding for
awhile along the new path of co-operation. Many make
their way badly along an unaccustomed road, and they
naturally return again to the old trodden path with which
they are familiar. All men must live somehow, and
industrial or commercial fighting is the only general way
in which men have hitherto been able to sustain them-
selves, and until adventurous co-operative pioneers perse-
vere in showing how the needs of life can be better
commanded, competition will be the resort of all who
are timid, or rapacious, impatient, or distrustful.
284 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Importation of Foreign Ideas.
CHAPTER XVIII.
AMERICAN SOCIETIES.
As wine and oil are imported to us from abroad, so must ripe under-
standing, and many ciyil vii'tues be imported into our minds from foreign
writings : — we shall else miscarry still, and come short in the attempts of
any great enterprise. — Milton's Hist, of Brit., Book III.
Some brief account of co-operation in America is really
part of its English history. The English students of this
science found hospitality for their ideas in that country,
when they found none in England. No English journal
of the importance and character of the " New York
Tribune," founded by Horace Greeley, ever accorded the
attention to it, the hearing to it, or the vindication of it
which he accorded there. He himself promoted co-operation
and wrote upon it with that practical clearness by which
he was distinguished. As a journalist he aided whoever
assisted by thought and art the improvement of social life.
From sentiments of public admiration,^not less than from
the regard inspired by his personal friendship, I inscribed
to him my " History of Co-operation in Halifax." While
schemes of social life have originated with philosophers
and theorists, co-operation has been generated by the
pressure of competition in over-populated cities. In new
countries, whether America or Australia, where there is
wide range for individual enterprise, ordinary persons are
content to accept the chances before them, careless of
pacific methods of advancement.
As to moral scepticism in America there is no more of
it than there is in England, while there are certainly ten
AMERICAN SOCIETIES. 285
Moral scepticism less prevalent in America than in England.
people in America for one in England, measured by popu-
lation, who sacrifice time, money, and, what is more,
personal repute, to try and carry out social schemes and
individual plans of life, which can never benefit themselves^
This honourable, because useful, form of moral trust has «
good deal died out in England. Since the early days of
the co-operative dreamers, a race has succeeded who
dream not so much of new modes of higher life as of
dividends, but men of the old mark at times re-appear,
and will, let us hope, increase.
America owes its chief co-operative inspiration to English
socialist emigrants. Its communities have been mainly ori-
ginated by European world makers. The societies meditating
the improvement of industrial condition in large towns
have been chiefly stimulated by British co-operators. The
late Mr. Bellamy Hoare, of New York, possessed the most
authentic information as to the earliest efforts to establish
co-operation there. But the narratives he is said to have
left, have not yet been obtained.
A former member of the Socialist Branch 1(3, Hall of
Science, London, Mr. B. J. Timms, was concerned in the
affairsofthc Sylvania Phalanx and the Co-operative Bakery
of the City of New York, which are deemed the original
societies of this kind there. The date of their operations
cannot be at present determined, as Mr. Timms so little fore-
saw that any persons might one day bo curious about them,
that he sold as waste-paper, the printed and manuscript
documents relating to them. Both these projects were
failures. They were succeeded by what was known as
the organization of Morrisania devised to purchase land for
a village. The few actual socialists in the society could
not induce the majority to unite further than in buying
the land collectively ; so that the only co-operative feature
in the scheme was the joint effort to obtain land without
loss by the competition of each making a separate purchase,
and every one searching the original title. Mr. Timms
reports that subsequently they attempted to apply the prin-
286 HISTORY or co-operation.
Pioneers wlio fail retard their own work.
ciple of co-operation to colonize public lands, but that after
spending 5000 dollars of other people's money that scheme
also failed. These facts show how in America (as used to be
the case in England) the one story of co-operation is that it is
always failing — everybody who engages in it is disappointed
— all who furnish money to it lose it, and those who relate
their experience of it do it in the language of discourage-
ment and warning. Still the efforts go on, as though there
were some industrial destiny in co-operation. So long as
many who have failed live, very few new workers around
them have the courage to approach the question ; but no
sooner do the pioneers who have failed die, or the memory of
their disaster fades, than fresh conspirators against com-
petition resume the old work — and succeed. In other
cases the fresh adventurers are fortunate^ enough to meet
with some old and brave compaigners who, though they lost
their money, never lost their faith, and who never cease
to proclaim that others may win though they were beaten.
Indeed, it ought to be observed what is very true and well
known to any one accustomed to examine co-operative
correspondence from other countries, that the co-operator
abroad is very much like the Irishman — a very different
person from what he is at home. In Ireland he is sluggish
and despondent ; in America he is active and enterprising.
In like manner the discouraged co-operator at home stoutly
predicts and stoutly promotes co-operative success abroad,
and counts those ignorant who do not understand the
principle, and those of an inferior order of mind who do
not believe in it.
Dr. HoUick informs me, that Morrisania, the First Co-
operative Village as it was called, is now a large town. Dr.
Hollick, writing in New York, says, " Co-operative affairs of
all kinds here, as far as I can see, went on this plan : some
man of money was elected treasurer. No money was
paid to him, and as long as he honoured all drafts made
on him the thing prospered ; but when he discontinued
this obliging arrangement the thing * bust up.' Horace
AMERICAN SOCIETIES. 287
How Fall River traders lost their liead3.
Greeley was treasurer to two or three schemes, and his
official duty consisted in paying the expenses."
One of the few co-operative societies of America,
English in its vicissitudes, un-English in its mode of work-
ing, is one at New Bedford, Fall River. Provisions being
high, and other things, as in England, being costly, a few
persons, who had been connected with co-operative
societies in this country thirty years ago, bethought
tliemselves of setting up one there. Certain dressers
clubbed their money, bought goods at wholesale prices, and
at first divided them at their private houses. Their business
soon grew, and they had to open a store. Then the grocers
of Fall River — storedealers, as they are called out there, did
as we have found them do in London and in our provinces,
went in a body to the wholesale traders, telling them that if
they supplied the co-operators they, the storedealers,
would no longer buy of the wholesale traders. The
dressers were consequently rejected as customers, and they
went to Providence, a town fourteen miles away, and tried
to buy there. The storekeepers of Fall River attempted
to terrify the wholesale traders of Providence ; but intimi-
dation in business is not so easy in America as in England.
Some of the Providence traders were men of business,
and told the storekeepers of Fall River "to go home
and mind their own business ; for so far as they were con-
cerned they should sell to whomsoever they pleased." The
dressers were customers worth having, and Providence
dealers sold to them, and the dressers obtained goods and
triumphed. Shortly the spinners, weavers, and other trades
joined the dressers, until twenty-one trades were united,
having sixty members each ; and the Co-operative Store
soon did a business to the amount of 2,500 dollars a month.
This evidence of success brought the intimidated Fall River
dealers to their senses, and then they came and offered to
supply the co-operators whom they had rejected, and so
the co-operation conquered in Fall River. The plan ot
working the society here, which is new or not common la
288 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Anti-Co-operative " rings " in America,
English experience, is this : a committee manage its
affairs at a cost of 4 per cent, for I'eiit, buying, and sell-
ing. On the second Tuesday in each month they receive
orders which are copied out on to a large sheet, with
printed and descriptive headings. From the 12th to the-
13th they receive money which cover all the orders. Then
their buyer goes to the wholesale traders (who now raise
110 objection to his visits), to them he gives his orders,
paying cash therewith, and on the four following evenings
men appointed for the purpose, servo out the purchases to
the accredited applicants. The society buys nothing save
what is ordered — orders nothing but what is paid for — it
keeps no stock — has no bad debts — no paid storekeepers —
and having no provisions on hand to keep, a small place is
sufficient for its business, and that is open only four or
five nights in the month.*
From Lombard Ville Stark Co., I learn on the testi-
mony of one who has been for ob years a socialist, that
the fortunes of industry are hampered by combinations
and monopolist " rings " out there. There seems to be no
place where these cobras of competition do not crawl
around the resources of the poor.
At the Glasgow Congress (1876), greetings were re-
ceived from the Grangers of America. Mr. J. W. A. Wright,
who represented them, gave me this extract from the
published proceedings of those bodies : — " That, having
examined the plan of the co-operative societies of Great
Britain, popularly known as the Rochdale plan, and the
history of the humble beginning, the most remarkable
success, and present grand proportions of business enter-
prises begun and conducted under this plan, we heartily
recommend it to the careful consideration of our State and
Subordinate Granges, and to the members of our order,
and advise such action on the part of the executive committee
of the several States as may be necessary to the organiz-
* Letters to Author, from Peter Sidebotham, Fall River, Massachusetts,
formerly of Hyde, and Thomas Stephenson, formerly of Blackburn, England.
AMERICAN SOCIETIES. 289
An " Old Mortality " among the graves of Communities.
ation and operation of such co-operative associations within
our order."
It appears that we were once nearer than we ever shall
be again to havinoj a history of American communities.
We learn from what Mr. Noyes relates, that a Scotcli
printer and a disciple of Owen, who had settled in New
York, devoted himself between 1840 and 1854 to personally
<^ollecting materials for the history of the communities in
the United States, social and co-operative, their origin,
principles, progress or decline and causes of failure.
Little is known of him save that he was a person of small
stature, black hair, sharp eyes, and a good natured face.
In any circular to the societies he signed himself A. Je
Macdonald. He wisely went himself to the sites of the
various communities. Mr. Noyes, who believes in the^
immortality of nothing but Oneida, says unhopefully, "He
was the Old Mortality of socialism, wandering from grave
to grave, patiently deciphering the epitaphs of defunct
phalanxes." He collected particulars of sixty-nine associ-
ative schemes, and portraits and sketches of founders and
places ; but unfortunately died of cholera in New York
about 1854, before he had time to state in a book the
results of his investiirations. From the good sense and
moderation Avith which what he wrote was expressed, his
work would have been readable and valuable. Mr. Jacob i
M'as another investigator who spent several years in visiting
the chief communities, but his journeyings also are barren
for the purposes of history. Mr. Jacobi knew the state
of these establishments in 1858.
Some business-like account of all the known social schemes
which the hospitable soil of the United States has received
or nurtured, would be curious if not profitable. Under
this impression I took up Mr. Noyes' History of" American
Socialisms " with interest, and laid it down without any.
Mr. Noyes is an Oneidaite merely, and has no appreciation
for forms of social life, except as they approximate to that
peculiar creation of criticism and eccentricity, known as
290 HISTORY or CO-OPERATIOX.
Mrs. Stanley, the Shaker Prophetess,
Oneidaism. It is allowable that he should applaud his
own theory, but not that he should disparage every other'
that does not accord therewith. Lately there has appeared
a new book on '' American Communities," by William
Alfred Hines. It is Oneidan in tone, but written with
great freshness and vigour. It is next to NordhofTs work
in force and interest.
Mrs. Ann Stanley , known to the public as "Ann Lee," has
proved a most successful community maker. She was
practically the foundress of the Shakers of 1774. Eighteen
societies exist at this day. There is a small compendium
of Shaker principles, and a life of Ann Lee, by F. W.
Evans, published by Auchampaugh Brothers, of New
Lebanon. The brevity of the book is a recommendation, for
it is as much as most persons will be able to bear. As this
body of communists are the best known and the most
frequently referred to, because they have made communism
a bye-word in the world by fanaticism and eccentri-
city, Mr. Evans's book is worth consulting that the
Shakers may be judged in the fairest way by their own
•professions. Ann Stanley, the foundress or chief pro-
phetess of the order, was a Mrs. Abraham Stanley, but her
people never called her by her husband's name. She appears
to have had strano-e and disaorreeable conversations with her
mother on marriage, previous to her own. However, her
reasons for joining the Shaker Society were creditable to
her as she considered them distinguished for the clearness
and swiftness of their testimony against sin, a very great
merit if they knew what sin was ; and if the Shakers of
1878 retain the characteristic which Mrs. Stanley believed
the first Shakers to possess in 1758, they w^ould be very
useful, could they be diffused over Europe, where people
of that quality are very much needed. " Mother Ann,'' as
Mrs. Stanley came to be called, held that it could not be
wrong to imitate Jesus the wifeless.
Shaker is an uncomfortable name, and gives most
persons the idea of a lean, shivering enthusiast, but their
AMERICAN SOCIETIES. 291
Geniality and generosity of Shakers.
conduct is that of comely, hospitable, warm-liearted persons.
One acquainted with them tells me that once he met an
Englishman in Alleghany. He was an old man, dejected,
broken in spirit, altogether a pitiable and hopeless object.
My friend advised him to make his way to a Quaking
Shaker Society, of which there were then (and may be
still) two in the neighbourhood of Cincinnati. He was not
much inspired by the recommendation, but his abject eon-
dition overcame his scruples, A few years later he was
seen on his way to Europe in search of his son, whom he
desired to bring to the society in which he had found
refuge. On his way he called upon the friend who had
sent him to the Shakers. His object was to leave a well-
stocked trunk in Alleghany until his return. He said the
society had supplied him with two, and one was more than
enough. No longer dispirited or abject, his countenance
beamed with happiness and gi'atitude as he spoke of his
Shaker friends, and ids hope was to place his son among
them, who else probably had no future, save some Poor
Law Union in England, Mrs. Stanley appears to have had
good reasons for disliking marriage. But her successors
give Catholic reasons in defence of it. The community is
the bride they are advised to wed, which receives all the
more attention from the affections of the members not
being diverted in any human way.
The Rappites, though they have a disturbing name, have
certainly proved that even religious and restricted forms
of co-operation con^luce to economy. Their riches are
celebrated by the friends of competition. They have
acquired the name of Economites. They began in Pa in
1803. These were they of whom Robert Owen bought
New Harmony town, and 35,000 acres of land in 1824.
The term " Economitof'," which describes their habits, 's
derived from the town of Economy, which they built 1 >»
miles below Alleghany. My correspondent, who resides
near them, says they are counted as millionaires, being
reputed to be worth 20 millions of dollars, or aboiU live
292 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Great wealth of the Rappites.
millions English money, not much for a community to
possess, seeing that individuals of the commercial octopus
class often obtain more. But regarded as the surplus
wealth of a people who have all enjoyed complete prosperity
— among whom no one has been a pauper, no one poor,
no one having cause of care for the future, it would be
difficult to find any nation so Avealthy. The Economites
have been extensive manufacturers of woollen goods and
some silk goods. At present they manufacture nothing.
The few death has left of them are past the time for labour,
and unless they take in new members their wealth will
probably go eventually to the State.
The Icarians under Cabet began their community in
1854. It had 60 members and 1829 acres of land. The
Cabettians were French Socialists. Cabet, had no illusions
like other social leaders among his countrymen. His ideal
was industrial. He sought to improve life by labour and
equity. Cabet made marriage obligatory in Icaria.
Of disciples of Josiah Warren and Stephen Pearl
Andrews, who have written to me to testify the growth
of labour emancipation ideas in America — one proclaims
himself a two-meal-a-day convert, which does not of itself
point to prosperity. Whether this is an economical persua-
sion depends of course upon the quantity eaten, and upon
this point no data has been forwarded to me. If the limita-
tion of meals arise from pecuniary scarcity it is to be hoped
that co-operation would supply him with the means of
trinitarian repasts. In England, Co-operative Stores are
favourable to those who eat as often as it is wise, and
awards its highest premiums to those members who do not
neglect their meals. As a rule, fat reformers are found to
be more congenial than lean ones ; and they look better at
quarterly meetings. The idea that mankind are to be saved
by preaching merely, appears to be waning in America,
and the conviction is growing that criminals are made by
bad social institutions, which ought to be superseded.
There is no reason for naming these communitiec. such
AMERICAN SOCIETIES. 293
'Nordhoffs History of American Coirnnunities.
a's they are, here, except to show that co-operation is
capable of being applied to life as well as to shop-keeping.
Co-operation in England is mere peddling, compai'ed with
the larger applications to which it is susceptible. Mr.
Nordhoif, a Russian writer, has published an illustrated
volume on these peculiar schemes of social life in America.
America has merely been the experimenting ground. The
schemes themselves have been nearly all of European
origin. It is only in old, over-crowded cities, or countries
where competition is nearly used up, or has nearly iised
lip the mass of the people, that new schemes of social life
are thought of, desired or devised. Though caricatured by
celibacy and defaced by religious and sexual eccentricities,
American communities show that wealth, morality, and com-
fort can be had in them. The day will come when men of good
sense will arise, who, seeing through the social crotchets and
religious ignorance by which these social schemes are over-
laid, will add intelligence and art to the material philosophy
of co-operation on which they are founded, and attain
results that the people of many a careworn town will gladly
imitate. Mr. Nordhoff relates that many of the established
communities obtain a higher price in the markets for their
commodities than any other firms — because their commodi-
ties can be trusted. Whether seeds of the ground or work of
the loom, they are known to be honest and good products.
They are the only dealers in America who have known hiow
to make honesty pay. Some say they are the only trades-
men who have attempted it. Utopianism makes money — a
thing not believed in in England. We are so " practical "
here. Dr. W. B. Richardson has shown in his plan of a
Healthy Town, that if capital should take to moral ways,
and put itself to scientific uses, communities can be self-
supporting, and made to pay in Great Britain, without
going to America to try them. The career of tiic Amanes
or Ebeuezers show abundantly that the crotchetteers of
communism in America beat tiic " practical " co-operators
of this count rv.
294 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
A Community 200 years old
The " Ebenezei's " are a colony of religious Socialists,
who consider themselves under the guidance of an invisible
spirit, who, however, seems to possess good business
ability. Marriage is regulated by its consent; but the
spirit is prudent, and is like Malthus in favour of deferred
unions. This settlement is of German origin, and
numbered 600 when they arrived in Buffalo from Hesse
Darmstadt, in 1842. They date their origin 200 years
back. It would be curious to know what they did, and
why they did it, and how they succeeded during the 200
years of their Grerman career. Their success could never
have been what it has been in America, else we should
have heard of them in Europe. Their social scheme must
be as old as that of Bellers, yet no social reformers of this
century have been aware of it. Their distinction, if they
had any, at home would have been a fine illustration of
the practicability of social theories. They must have
realised what must have been "contrary to human nature,"
according to the authority of those who are " set in
authority over us," or who have put themselves over us —
for our good. America, however, is the laud where social
theories have room to grow, if there be any vitality in
them. These " Ebenezers," a somewhat nasal name,
call themselves in lucid intervals by the prettier term of
" Amanes." When they went to the United States they
settled upon an old Indian resarvation of 6000 acres, near
Buffalo, New York, They found it too small for their
numbers ; about 1857 they moved west. They have now
30,000 acres at Amana, on the banks of the Iowa river,
about seventy miles from the Mississippi — woodland and
prairie pleasantly diversified. They have made progress in
agriculture and other industries. The colony now numbers
about 1300. They have everything in the way of property
in common, but recognize the accepted form of family life,
ajid each family has a separate house or apartment. Those
who join the community contribute their property to the
common stock, and, if they become dissatisfied, they receive
AMERICAN SOCIETIES. 295
Wonderful success of the Amanes.
back just what tliej put in, witliout interest or wages, and
leave. Property, therefore, is no bone of contention, and no
one can regard himself a prisoner when he is free to go
where he pleases. The objects of the Amanes society are,
religious association, industrial and domestic co-operation,
and the special advancement of the useful arts. The
members dress plainly, live plainly, build plainly, but
substantially. They have extensive vineyards, make and
drink wine and lager beer, but drunkenness is unknown
among them. They appear to have no talent for vices,
commit no crimes, and have no use for courts. There is,
however, a committee of arbitration, to settle minor
disputes when they arise. The government is administered
and the whole business of the community is supervised by
a Board of thirteen trustees, who are elected by the votes
of all the adult population, and hold the common property.
Each department of industry has its manager, who is
responsible to the board of trustees, by whom he is
appointed. This is what they have done in sixteen years :
They found wild lands, and have bridged the rivers, made
good roads, planted hedges of white willow, built a canal
nearly nine miles in length, to supply their needed water
power. They have erected flourishing mills, woollen factories,
machine shops, starch, sugar, and vinegar manufactories,
all fitted out with fine machinery made by their own
machinists. They have built five A-illages on the tract,
and two of them are stations for the Rock Island and
Pacific railroad, which come to their doors. They have
good school houses, and plain churches, and two grain
elevators at the railroad stations, each of a capacity for
storing 80,000 bushels of grain. The children are kept at
school until they are fourteen ; and tiien they are taught a
trade or agriculture, and their education is continued in
night schools. English is taught, but German is the
medium of communication in business and social life.
Their religious services are very simple, consisting
principally of reading the Scriptures, prayer, and singing.
296 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Co-operative life among the Amanes.
and thej' have some good voices, and no " School Board
difficulty," and no Mr. Forster. The women assist in
light outdoor work, especially in the vineyards. Early
marriages are discouraged, and men are not considered of
suitable age for wedlock until they attain the maturity of
thirty-five years. There is a great deal of intelligence in
this community, but no brilUancy of any kind. They
have no "population question,'" no impecuniosity, no misery
such as develops such fine virtues among us, and no
calamities, from which English moralists deduce the
salutary lessons of responsibilit}'. Having no ecclesiastical
expounders to teach them the grounds of duty, they are
reduced to the necessity of doing right by good sense, and
have hitherto achieved no higher distinction than that of
having attained to a state of reasonable enjoyment and
tame happiness, deprived of the civilized excitement of
great crimes ; and their monotonous security is not even
variegated by murder. They affront the philosophical
connoisseurs of pleasure by being satisfied with satisfaction,
and contented with content.
In 1844 there appeared in America the " Social Pioneer,"^
representing the New England Social Reform Society.
Mr. J. P. Mendum, of Boston, was the publisher, and Mr.
Horace Seaver was the corresponding secretary, — the same
two gentlemen who have been long and honourably known
as Editors of the " Boston Investigator." In thatyearacon-
ference was held in Phillip's Hall, Boston, with a view of
promoting social re-organisation. This conference repre-
sented the pioneer community of Skaneateles, New York.
One of the persons present was Dr. Charles Knowlton, of
Ashfield, Mass., the gentleman whose name has frequently
occurred of late in this country. He took no part in the
convention, and it is the only time I have met with his
name in the reports of public proceedings in America.
The most Irequeut and eloquent speaker at the convention
was Mrs. Ernestine Rose, of New York, a Polish lady
well known in this country. Mention is made then of her
AMERICAN SOCIETIES. 297
Latest account of New Harmonj,
delicate health, which '' prevented her speaking with her
wonted effect." It is pleasant to report that more than 30
years later she is still a speaker of remarkable power.
Origen Bacheler, of Rhode Island, famous as the opponent
of Robert Dale Owen in the best expressed discussions of
modern times, appeared as au opponent in this conference.
Another adversary appeared who refused to give his name,
except that he Avas a disciple of Christ. The Chairman
(Captain Taylor) accordingly announced that " the disciple
of Christ had the floor." The resolutions submitted to thc-
conference amounted altojTether to the amazing number of
nearly fifty. It would be wonderful, therefore, if they did
not contain some expressions to which some one could
object, but they were remarkably wise, temperate, moral,
secular, and social in their purport. They mark the pro-
gress of popular opinion. Chi'istians in America and
England would be found now generally claiming to agree
with the spirit of them. Just as our co-operative colony
at Queen wood was disappearing, the most comprehensive
conference ever held in favour of new forms of social life
was held in America.
The Indiana Store of America will always have interest
to the co-operative reader. New Harmony, Posey County,
Indiana, is the old seat of the famous co-operative
store which existed there in 1826. One who knows — an
intelligent correspondent out there — informs me that there
is no store there now and that it is the last village in the
United States in which it might be expected one might be
found. New Harmony is now very much like other places
in the industrial, social, and intellectual character of its
inhabitants. Mr. Noyes, in his History of " American
Socialism," conveys a very wrong impression when ha
says that it is probable that New Harmony is a semi-
socialist village to this day, representing more or less the
spirit of Robert Owen, and that after the failure of his
attempt to establish a community fifty years ago, the
village has continued to be flourishing, rather peculiar, and
298 HISTORT OF CO-OFEEATION.
Historic habits and character of Macdonald.
the centre and refuge of Socialists and Innovators. Mr.
Noyes has drawn this conclusion from " inspiration " and
in opposition to the facts regarding New Harmony, which
he has derived from Macdonald's MS. History of the
social and co-operaiive experiments made in that country.
Macdonald arrived at New Harmony in 1842, fifteen
years after Owen's departure ; he resided there two years
as a bookbinder. He says after Owen's departure the
majority of the population removed and scattered about
the country and that the remainder, like them, returned to
Individualism, and settled as farmers and mechanics in the
ordinary way. Macdonald tells us further, that, on his
arrival he was cautioned not to speak of socialism as the
subject was unpopular, and that an enthusiastic socialist
would soon be cooled down at New Harmony. In the
preface to his unpublished work, written shortly before
his death, in 1854, he says, he '• imagined mankind to be
better than they are, and was sanguine that communism
would speedily produce brilliant results, but that years of
experience in mingling with the world have shown him the
^ stern reality ' and he hopes that his work will help to
awaken dreamers." The fact is Macdonald was one of
those capricious enthusiasts who were hopeful when social
schemes were incohate and doubtful, and distrustful
and despairing when they were really succeeding around
him. He was a Scotch emigrant, who began by having
too much fervour for socialism and ended, like most
persons of that class, with having too little. He was,
however, a man of original ways ; he was, as the reader has
seen, a sort of Old Mortality of Co-operation, who visited the
grave xavds of commimities in America, and wrote their
epitaphs. Living by his trade as a bookbinder he obtained
w^ork in the neighbourhood of a communistic settlement,
and spent some time in learning the particulars of its
history. He wrote his account of it ; but he had no skill
in arranging his materials, and died leaving them in con-
fusion. Mr. Noyes, into whose hands they fell, has not
AMERICAN SOCIETIES. 299
The natural rc-acLion of enthusiasts.
printed them. They deserve publication as they must
contain curious facts unknown to any other author. Mr.
Noyes, who has a very mean opinion of social life, save
the semi-spiritual and semi-sexual one of the Oneida
])attern, is not a trustworthy reporter of Macdonald's MS.
The account given me by my correspondent of New
Harmony Society, is probably true. Everyplace in which
schemes of undisciplined enthusiasm have been put in
operation, always prove reactionary in later years. The
residents are ashamed of the failure associated with their
place, and in their endeavours to repudiate it, deny the
existence of any liberalising influences which must have
been left behind ; or find some other paternity for them.
All the persons I ha\e known who have lived to repudiate
their early socialistic faith — have always remained more
liberal and enlightened in some respects than they would
liave been if they had never held it. It is singular how
men of eminent experience take a partial view of the
qualities of a nation, because it falls short of their
ideal in a particular respect in which they look for
jjerfection. We know from Madison's Report, " of
the convention that framed the famous Constitution of
America," that Washington said, that '' he believed all
the virtues had left the land." Since, however, modern
Americans have put down slavery in it, at such a cost of
l)lood and treasure, let us hope that some of the virtues
liave come back. Had slavery existed in England for as long
a time and to as great a proportional extent, it would have
iound abler advocates among us than it found in America,
and have cost a fiercer struggle to extinguish it. The
population of New Harm.ony in the year 1877, was but
ubout 1000. It had neither market nor railroad, though
one was expected to be formed. The place is not what
Americans call a " flourishing village." Tradesmen in it
I'ear that the railroad (the great bringer of business) may
injure them, which shows that England is not the only
place where antiquated notions can nestle.
300 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The farm labourer's case stated.
CHAPTER XIX.
CO-OPERATIVE FARMING.
" Parson do preach, and tell we to pray,
And to think of our work, and not ask more pay :
And to follow ploughshare, and never think
Of crazy cottage and ditch-stufTs stink —
That doctor do say breeds ager and chills,
Or, worse than that, the fever that kills—
And a'bids me pay mj' way like a man,
Whethar I can't, or whether I can :
And, as I han't beef, to be thankful for bread.
And bless the Lord it ain't turmuts instead:
And never envy the farmer's pig.
For all a'lies warm, and is fed so big ;
While the Missus and little 'uns grows that thin,
You may count their bones underneath their skin :
I'm to call all Ijgits ' the chastening rod,'
And look up to my betters, and then thank God."
" Punch."
Seeing that social schemes of life are as oki as Society, and
that the first form was that of communism, which meant of
co-operative uses of the land, it is singular that the first
idea should be the last in realisation.
The greatest and most needed application of co-operation
is to agriculture. England has always been backward
herein. It is odd that the most important application of
it occurred in the restless land of potatoes and whiteboys.
Amid the bogs of Ralahine, an experiment of co-operative
agriculture produced great results. The reader has seen
the story of its singular success in the chapter on " Lost
Communities." Mr. Craig has written upon it. The most
complete account of it was that published by Mr. William
Pare.
C'O-OPEEATIVE FARMING. 301
Early interest in co-operative Farming.
Mr. Craig's often published testimony as to the success
of Mr. Vandeleur's co-operative farming experiment at
Ralahine, Ireland, half a century ago, shows that in the most
unlikely country in Europe, and at a time when murders of
farm stewards was rife, and in a place where martial law
existed, and was inefficient to prevent lots being drawn for
shooting Mr. Vandeleur's steward, who was accordingly
murdered with impunity in open day — that co-operative
farming could put savings into the pockets of shoeless,
shirtless, desperate labourers, and form habits of persistent
and contented industry.
Mr. James B. Bernard, who dated from King's College,
Cambridge, wrote in the " New Moral World," November
29, 1834, in favour of a scheme of raising the status of
the agricultural labourer as well as the mechanic. A
committee of twenty-two Members of Parliament published
a small twopenny monthly paper at 11, Waterloo Place,
Pall Mall, in promotion of this object. Mr. E. S. Cayley,
M.P. for the North Hiding of Yorkshire, was chairman of
this early project. Mr. Bernard was a Fellow of Cam-
bridge. It was not often that the " New Moral World "
had so respectable a contributor. We are apt to think in
these days when we hear of a baronet or a lord contem-
plating setting apart 800 acres of land for the purposes of
co-operative farms, tliat the agricultural millenium is
arriving by an express train ; but we may read in the
" Morning Herald " of 1830, that a peer had several
years before set off 500 lots of land, consisting of about
.') acres each for a similar purpose.
The testimony of Lord Brougham as to what might be
accomplished by uniting agricultural and other industries
with instruction and culture was very explicit. Mr.
Fellenberg, of Hofwyl, in Switzerland made a famous
attempt to prove this. In the beginning of this century
Mr. Fellenberg's agricultural college was the talk of
Europe. Robert Owen sent his sons to it, and Lord,
then Mr. Brougham, went to see it. He declared that the
302 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION,
Lord Brougham's account of Hofwyl.
habits of common labour are perfectly reconcilable with
those of a contemplative and even scientific life, and that
a keen relish for the pleasures of speculation may be united
with the most ordinary pursuits of the poor. " All this," he
said, " seems to be proved by the experiment of Mr. Fellen-
berg. His farm is under 220 acres ; his income, indepen-
dent of the profit he derives from breeding horses (in which
he is very skilful), and his manufacture of husbandry
implements, does not exceed £500 a year." ..." The ex-
traordinary economy," he observed, "is requisite to explain
the matter : for although the academy and institute are
supported by the richer pupils, these pay a very moderate
sum ; and the family, who are wholly supported and lodged
at Hofwyl, amounts to 180 persons. These dine at six
different tables, and their food though simple is extremely
good." When Mr. Brougham was there he found seven
or eight German princes among the pupils, besides several
sons of German nobles, and the Prince and Princess of
Wurtemberg were expected to visit the place to arrange
for another young prince under their care. There never
has been a doubt in modern days among men of observa-
tion, that the agricultural life of England is the dullest and
most ignominious known as far as the labourers in
southern and western counties are concerned. Mr. Mill
has applauded the metayer system of other countries as
including, as far as it goes, co-operative usages attended
with many advantages. Metayage is a mode of letting
farms in the south of Europe, where the landlord furnishes
a proportion of the means of cultivation and shares the
produce with the cultivator or metayer.
In the days when any relation between labourers and
farmers in which the labourers did all the work and the
farmer did not take everything, was called '' co-operative"
farming, Mr. John Gurdon's little paternal arrangements
with certain labourers at Assington was thought much of.
In 1862 the " Times " sent a commissioner to Rochdale to
report upon co-operative proceedings there. In conse-
COOPERATIVE FARMING. 303
The Gurdou Farm at Assington — not Co-operative.
quence of what the editor said upon the subject Mr.
Grurdon wrote to the '' Times," giving his own account of
what he had done, saying : — " About thirty years ago, upon
a small farm in Suftblk becoming vacant, I called together
twenty labourers and offered to lend them capital without in-
terest if they would undertake to farm it, subject to my 7nilcs
and regulations. They gladly availed themselves of my offer.
In the course of ten years they paid me back my capital,
so that I was induced to let another farm of 150 acres to
thirty men upon the same tarms. These have also nearly
paid me back the capital lent to them, and instead of eating
dry bread, as I regret to say many of the agricultural
labourers are now doing, each man has his bacon, and
numberless comforts which he never possessed before, thus
the rates are reduced as these fifty families are no longer
burdensome. The farmers are sure to meet with honest
men, as conviction of crime Avould debar them of their
share and the men themselves have become much more
intelligent and present happy, cheerful countenances. If
every country gentleman would follow my example, distress
among the agricultural poor Avould not be known. I
merely add I have no land so well farmed." At the same
time the Rev. Mr. Banks Robinson, vicar of Little Wallino--
field, Suffolk, living near Mr. Gurdon's place, wrote to
the " Co-operator " to say he had visited Assington
and wrote very highly of .Mr. Gurdon's friendliness to the
labourers and the kind intention of his plans, but they
v.'ere not co-operative as the word was understood in
Rochdale. Ten years later my colleague i\Ir. E. R.
Edger visited Mr. Crisell, the manager of the farm whom
the Rev. Mr. Robinson had found to be of " manly, open,
and ingenious appearance," beyond what he expected of
one belonging to the " depressed " class. Mr. Edger sent
me this report : —
" I paid a visit to Assington; and had a little conversa-
tion with the manager Mr. Crisell (pronounced v.-ith i
long, ' Cry-sell '). I can feel no enthusiasm at all about
304 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Analysis of the Assington plan.
the Assington Farm. There seems no ' co-operation ' in
the right sense of the term, but only bounty of the squire
towards poor neighbours.
*' (1.) It is limited to inhabitants of the parish.
" (2.) Each member can hold only one share.
'^ (3.) Members have no voice in the management.
" (4. ) Wages to workmen same as usual.
" (5.) No special inducement offered to the workmen to
become shareholders, or to the shareholders to become
workmen. The manager remarked that they did not care
particularly to employ the members, they found no
advantage in it, this seems to me very significant.
" It has been in existence forty-one years, so it will take
a long time to renovate society that way. Remember I
only give my impressions.''''
Still they are the "impressions" any one has who looks
at the matter from a co-operative point of view. Mr.
Gurdon's merit was that he did something for labourers
around him when few squires did anything: and his isolated
example has served to call the attention of others to what
may be done without loss by squires of ordinary good
intentions. That what Mr. Gurdon did in this way should
be the only notable effort of his class during 40 years in
England is the most melancholy measure of the tardiness
of thought for the agricultural labourer's improvement the
reader will find anywhere.
What an honourable stride from Assington is that made
by Lord George Manners at Ditton Lodge Farm, near
Newmarket. Writing to the " Agricultural Gazette," in
1873, his lordship states : —
" At my harvest supper in August, 1871, I informed
my labourers that, commencing from Michaelmas, 1872, I
should take them into a qualified partnership, paying them
their ordinary wages, but dividing between capital and
labour any surplus above the sum required to pay 10 per
cent. (5 per cent, as interest, and 5 per cent, as profit) on
the capital invested in the business : or, in other words.
CO-OPERATIVE FARMING. 305
Real Co-operative knowledge of Lord George Manners.
that I should take half such surplus, and divide the other
half among those who had laboured on the farm the whole
of the preceding twelve months. I have recently made
up accounts for the twelve months ending Michaelmas,
1873, and I have a surplus, after paying capital 10 per
cent., of £71 16s. 6d. ; there will, therefore, be a sum of
£36 18s. 3d. for division among the labourers, which will
give each man a sum of £3. Many will shake their heads
and say, 'AH very well: but if the next is a bad year,
you will have to bear the whole loss.' My answer is,
' Quite true ; hid who can say that my loss nia.y not he less
than it would otherwise have heen, owing to the stimulus which
this system can scarcely fail to e.nei't on the lahourer in his
daily ivork.^ "
The answer here italicised denotes tjreater knowledsre of
co-operation than many co-operators show. Mr. William
Lawson, of Blennerhasset Farm, had a famous stallion
which he named " Co-operation." Some Newmarket
breeder would find "Industrial Partnership" a good name
for the favourite at the Derby.
Lord Hampton, when Sir John Pakington, spoke in 1872
with great liberality upon the same subject. " He," he
said, *' supported the idea of co-operative farms and an
extension of the system of co-operative stores into every
village of the kingdom. He considered that those who
entered upon a farm and cultivated it with spirit, and
devoted his capital to its due cultivation, had a moral right
to security for the capital invested. In his opinion,
the best way to secure that was by the system of
granting leases. Then came the question of compensation
for unexhausted improvements, and lie considered that
such compensation was only simple justice. In the lease
there should be covenants to protect the landlord in the
concluding years of the term, and there should be equal
justice to the tenant for unexhausted improvements."
Elsewhere mention has been made of the interest taken
by the Speaker of tlie House of Commons in the improvc-
X
306 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Brampton Bryan Farm.
ment of the condition of the labourers of Glynde. Mr.
Walter Morrison has afforded the means for farm hands
conducting a real co-operative farm at Brampton Bryan,
in Herefordshire. As a rule, few landowners as yet know
much, or think little seriously of the advantages of this
form of industry, and labourers have fewer facilities of
learning how to conduct farms, than artizans have of
learning how to conduct manufactories, so that co-operative
farming will make slower progress than co-operative work-
shops. For a farm to succeed in the hands of labourers,
requires the presence and guidance of a good farmer, until
they a6quire the habits of independent management. The
Assington labourers would not have made much of the
facilities Mr. Gurdon kindly provided, had he not been
near to countenance and control the results.
The most remarkable of all the experiments of agricul-
tural co-operation, is that recorded by Mr. William Lawson
(a brother of Sir Wilfred Lawson, M.P.), in his "Ten Years
of Grentleman Farming." Mr. Lawson spent more than
£30,C0O in this way. Though this large sum was spent it
could hardly be said to be lost, since at any point of his
many experiments he might have made money had he so
minded. But he proceeded on the plan of a man who
built one story houses, and as soon as he found that
they let at a paying rent, pulled them down and built two
story houses to see if thej^ would pay, and when he found
that they answered, he demolished them, and put up houses
of three stories, and no sooner were they profitably occu-
pied, than he turned out the inhabitants and pulled them
doAvn, What he lost was by the rapidity of his changes,
rather than by the failure of his plans, for he had sagacity
as great as the generosity of his intentions. His chief farm
was at Blenncrhasset, in Cumberland. He was the first
to introduce the steam plough into the country, and every
form of scientific farming matured at that period, between
1860 and 1870. He maintained for the use of his neigh-
bours two travelling steam engines^ which he named Cain
CO-OPERATIVE FARMING. 307
Mr. William Lawaon'a remarkable farius.
and Abel. He founded Co-operative Stores, supplying the
•capital himself, which ill-judged paternalism desti'oyed all
self-helping effort in the members to subscribe their own
capital. At Blennerhasset, he founded a People's Parlia-
ment, where all those employed upon the various farms,
and all the villagers periodically assembled and discussed
the management of the co-operative farms, and the quali-
ties and characters of the managers. This was a dancrer-
ous feature borrowed from Oneida. The result to the
farm was great variety of counsel, and some of the drollest
debates and votes ever recorded. The effect upon the
people was, however, very good. Mr. Lawson's plan of
inviting miscellaneous criticism is not so silly as it looks.
If you do not feel bound to take all the advice you get,
and are strong enough not to be confused by contradictory
oi)inions, there is no more economical way known of getting
wifsdom. Even disagreeable people have their value in
this way. There must be education of some kind, since
some social qualities are necessary to co-operators, such
as good-will and a sort ot neighbourly feeling, for it is
easy to promote the welfare of those you like, but how
about the people you didn't like? When quarrelsome
people come into such a society they began to discuss, not
the merits of the society, but of each other. It is a
difficult thing for people to act together — neither people
devoted to politics nor people devoted to religion can do it
without training. Some years after the farms were sold, I
found more intelligence and ready sense among the villa-
gers than I ever met Avith elsewhere. On a plot of land
at Aspatria, bearing the name of Noble, Mr. Lawson built
Noble Temple, a public hall, always available for lectures.
He also established medical dispensaries, schools, and news-
rooms. No agricultural population were ever so liberally
or generously cared for in England. Mr. Lawson's " Ten
Years of Gentleman Farming " is the most interesting and
amusing book in co-operative literature. Never was laud-
owner more sagacious, inventive, genial, or liberal or
.308 HISTORY OF CO-OrERATIOX.
Capriciousness of Agricultural Labourers.
changeable — not in his generous purpose but in hismethods.
Had he been less paternal and taught his people the art of
self-help, he had been a great benefactor.
The rise in lateyears of the Agricultural Labourers Union
has had the effect of promoting distributive co-operation.
Many labourers never heard of co-operation at all, others
did not understand it, and more did not care for it or
.Link much of it, though acquainted with it. The general
impression was that it was a thing which might do very
well for mechanics in populous towns. This kind of
impression is not peculiar to agricultural labourers.
Most people consider when any new improvement is
proposed, that it may suit somebody else. The comfort-
able sense of self-];)erfection, with Avhich many persons are
endowed, leads to the complacent judgment we so well
know. One of the co-operative stores recently set u]>
by the members of the Agricultural Union, numbered
sixty persons. Their business and profits being in con-
siderable confusion, Mr. John Butcher was asked to
look into their affairs. He saw at once that they needed
an intelligent secretary. " flave you no carpenter among
you," was his first inquiry, " one with a little skill in
figures, who could keep your books ?" The answer was,
'' We have no such person." " Surely," Mr. Butcher
observed, " you do not mean to say that there is no car-
penter in the village?" " 0 yes," was the answer — " we
have several, but they are not members of the Union."
" You do not mean to say that you require every member
of the store to be a member of the Union ? " The unhesi-
tating reply was, " 0 but we do. The doctor and the
parson w^ould have joined our store, to have encouraged ut>
to improve our position in this way, but we would not
have them because they were not members of the Union."
And it turned out that the lawyer would have joined the
store, but did not see his way to becoming a member of
the Union. It transpired that a noble earl, having
property in the neighbourhood, and a seat hard by — would
CO-OPERATIVE FARMING. 309
Progress of the London Association of Co-ojierative Agriculture.
have joined tlie store, from an honourable feeling of
oneouraging the poor men in efforts of social self-help, but
ho was refused because he had not qualified himself by
entei'ing his name as a member of the Agricultural
Labourers' Union. Mr. Butcher explained to the exacting
labourers that co-operation took no account of politics,
religion, or social station, and regarded members only as
they subscribed capital and purchased goods. Thus, some
of these stipulating Unionists, whom exclusiveness treated
as a caste^ and whom isolation kept poor, came to see
that it ill became them to imitate the narrowness which
degraded them, and the iealousy which impoverished their
order. Mr. Arch, when he has time, will be likely to con-
firm them in their wiser views.
In 18G7 the Society of Agricultural Co-operation named
]M*eviously, was formed under the title of the Agricultural
and Horticultural Association, Limited. Its offices are at
47, Millbank Street, AVestminster, where it has extensive
premises extending into Church Street, where its seed
warehouse is situated. It has depots at Liverpool, Hull,
Southamptom, Totnes, Wolverhampton, and Newcastle-
•on-Tyne and other ])laces. The following table shows the
progress of the Society from 1868 to 1877 : —
1
Date AJembi-s
Share
Capita).
Deposit Capi
tal.
Saies.
Net Gain to
Members.
1
£
£ s.
(1.
£ s.
d.
£ s. d.
1808 174
1,066
10,342 0
5
493 2 3
1869 235
3,5S4
19,102 4
t>
433 6 5
1870 315
4,256
21, .521 2
8
1151 6 4
1871 430
5.275
29,351 0
11
1127 18 11
1872 578
9,045
1,165 18
0
47,490 2
5
2083 9 8
1873 783
12,153
3,958 4
8
5(),336 15
2
2585 5 9
1874 892
13,542
7,793 6
8
64,676 15
8
2914 1 11
1875 978
15,352
6,515 18
2
64,428 2
3
1741 9 0
1876 1041
15,95.5
17,360 9
8i
66,405 1
0
1877 1113
16,495
14,279 15
8"
89,334 4
11
3126"l6 8
Some of the Northern stores possess farm property, but
310 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
General progress certain.
agricultural co-operation has not made any distinctive
way in their hands as yet. Some Manchester co-operators
have entertained projects of commencing farming on a
larger scale than has yet been attempted, and one day it
will become a feature, as the Wholesale Society could find
markets for abundant produce. Landowners, friendly to self-
help among the people, are now disposed to encourage
these attempts. Very lately, Mr. Arthur Trevelyan, of
Tyneholm, always foremost where social improvement can
be promoted, offered the Wolfstar and Wester Pencaitland
farms for co-operative purposes. It is quite time, and
quite worth the while of squires to efface the feeling
Bloomfield described among the agricultural poor of his
day, who were —
" Left distanced in the maddening race
Where'er Refinement showed its hated face."
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES, 311
Mr. Gladstone's estimate of Co-operation.
CHAPTER XX.
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES.
An obstacle to the co-operation of working men is the difficulty of getting
good, sufficient and trustworthy instruments for giving it effect ; but where-
ever that can be done, I commend it without limit. I cannot "ay what I
think of the value of it. I hope it will extend to other things which
it has scarcely yet touched. I hope it will extend to all the amusei-
ments and recreations of the working man. It fosters a strong sentiment
of self-respect among working men. It fosters a strong sentiment of
independence, and yet the sentiment of independence appears to me to be
entirely free from all tendency to doing injustice towards anybody else, or
of thinking injustice to anybody. — The Right Hon. W. E. Oi.adstonb at
Hawarden, Speech to Leigh ^- Tyldesley Liberal Clubs, Sept., 1877.
No RAPIDITY of narration, no compression, of sentences,
consistent with explicitness and instruction, can brinor into
two moderate volumes all theincidents and all th® societies
which now deservedly challenge notice. There is no choice,
therefore, save that of noticing the salient features only of
those societies which stand as it were upon the highway of
co-operation. In this chapter some societies are mentioned
because they are either curious for their period of origin, or
their career, or remarkable for their growth iiind influence.
At first I thought it possible to combine in this volume on
constructive co-operation, brief sketches of all the stores of
the country, that none might appear to be overlooked or
undervalued. The story of the early efforts of all of them
would have some features of novelty, interest, and merit.
There are always unlooked for incidents, amusing or
tragical, in beginnings by small means of the members' own
subscribing, and in perseverance through difficulties until
312 HISTORY OF CO-OPEKATION.
A Thousand Stores extant.
success came by tlie economy of combination. But the
story of a thousand stores would never be told within the
dimensions of a volume which the public would be willing
to buy and likely to read.
Including the societies which report themselves to the
Registrar of Friendly Societies and those which do not (and
are therefore not reported upon in detail by him) they may be
taken as numbering upwards of a thousand. If they are
fewer one day they exceed that number the next, for new
societies are constantly being formed. The reader must
therefore imagine himself the prolonged panorama on which
these thousand stores might be depicted. All that I can do
usefully is to describe the main means by which they have
arisen, and the principles on which they can extend them-
selves. If stores now existing, or that may be started, adopt
the principles of capitalizing profits, their growth, pros-
perity, permanence, and extension will be great beyond
ordinary expectation.
Professor Masson tells us that Herodotus mentions 100,
Aristotle 120 forms of diverse life : communal in some
sort, all succeeding in their da,j. Co-operation relates but
to one form of life — that by association, and society is
plainly tending to that. It is hard if the moderns have
not enough originality to make one thing answer. These
pages are a record of slow but accumulating success in
the application of the principle. The facts concerning the
early societies here enumerated will at least show in what
various towns the new method of progress seemed so
desirable and feasable, that it was attempted. In hundreds
of towns and places where co-operation has arisen again
and had its flourishing stores and workshops — no tradition
remains among the people that such stores existed among
their forefathers long ago. Most of the stores mentioned
in the following list, excepting three or four, are now deader
than the Dead Cities of the Zuyder Zee, for not a trace of
them remains. But happily live co-operative cities stand
on their ruins.
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES.
The 3ix earliest Co-operative Societies.
3ia
The six earliest societies in England on the co-operative
])lan were the following : —
Birmingham (Tailor's Shop), 1777.
Mongewell Oxfordshire (Store), 1704.
Hull (Corn Mill), 1795.
Woolwich (Store), 1806.
Davenport (Store), 1815.
New Lanark (Store), 1816.
London Economical Society (Printers), 1821.
The following is a list of the London Societies existing
ill London and around of which mention is made in
Co-operative publications of 1830-3. A few of later date
are included from subsequent periodicals : —
LONDON SOCIETIES.
SociBTiES Names
Place of Meetixo.
Storekeeper.
First London ...
19, Greville St., Hatton Garden
W. Lovett.
Second London
6, Little Windmill St., GoldenSq.
W. Watkins.
First West Lonr'oji
33, Queen St., Bryanstone Sq....
W. Freeman.
Kew London ...
17, Plumber St., Old Street Ed.
—
London Branch Al
• ••
C. Gold.
.l-'irst Soho
27, Denmark Street, St. Giles ...
J. Elliot.
Lambeth ail Sout Lark
3, Webber Street, Waterloo Kd.
J. Booth.
First Wesl minster
37, Marsham St., Vincent Square
— . Jarrold.
First Pimli'jo...
8, Eanelagh Street ...
—
First St. James'
5, Rose St., Crown Court, Soho
—
Pimlieo
First Finsbury
69," 'old Street Road.'.'.
Committee.
Soiners Town...
22, Great Clarendon Street . . .
—
Islington
" White Horse," Back Road ...
—
Islington Methodists ...
6, High Street, Islington Green
—
Hampstead ...
" Duke of Hamilton "
Not trading.
Fentonyille
Chapel Street
First Betbnal Green ...
9, South Conduit Street
J. Bred ell.
Second „
17, West Street, North Street...
—
Third
" Norfolk Arms "
—
Fourth
Wilmot Grove
—
Fifth
School, Sydney Street, Twigg's
Folly ...
R. Oliyer.
Sixth
10, Thomas Street, Buck Lane
T. RQey.
3]4
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Names and addresseB of the London Societies of 1830.
London Societies, {continued).
Societies' Names.
Place of Meeting.
SlOKEKEEPER.
Seventh, Bethnal Green...
" Well and Bucket," Church St
Middlesex
22, St. Ann's Crt., Wardour St.
— . Basset.
Do. Second
8, Berwick Street, Soho
Not trading.
Pirst Southwark
" Gun," Joiner Street, Westmin-
ster Road
South wark
" Black Bull," Bull Ct., Tuoley
Street ...
Cooper's, Ratcliff
75, Heath St., Commercial Road
S. Sennitt.
North London
"Duke of Clarence," Pancras
Road
r 11, Duke Street, Lincoln's Inn
Second West Londoa . . .
J Fields ...
" The King's Head," Swinton
—
[ Street, Gray's Inn Road . . .
—
Hand in Hand] j
" The Crown," Red Cross Street
First Hoxton ...
" The Bacchus," Old Hoxton ...
Kiugeland
—
Bow...
Whitechapel ...
••. ... ... ...
First Stepney..,
_..
First Bloomsbury
"Bull and Mouth," Hart Street
—
Metropolitan ...
Eagle Coffee House, Farringdon
Street ...
Committee.
First Kennington
The Union, Vassal Road
—
First Chelsea ,..
36, Regent St., Chelsea Common
Committee.
Knightsbridge
—
Kensington
Birch's School Room...
—
United Christians
74, Leonard Street, Shoreditch
G. Richardson,
Methodists
Newel, Baker, Wardour St., Soho
—
St. George, Hanover Sq.
"Portsmouth Arms," Shepherd
Street
Not trading.
MANCHESTER AND SALFORD SOCIETIES,
EXISTING IN 1829 ANB 1830.
First Charlton Row, Evan Street, Charlton Row, established
May 3, 1829 — 18 members— weekly subscription Is. Id. — capital
£100 — weekly dealings £20 — principle to divide at four years' end.
Economical, Frederick Street, Salford, established August 22,
1829 — 30 members — weekly subscription 3d. — capital £57 — weekly
dealings £'25 — principle, division.
Temperance, 15, Oldfield Koad, Salford, established October 26,
ECCENTRIC AKD SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 315
List of the Manchester and Salford Societips of 1820 and 1830.
1829 — 40 members — weekly subscription- 3d. — capit;il £1:2 — weekly
dealings £14 — principle, non- division.*
IxDEPENDEXT HopE, Hope Street, Salford, established February
'26, 1830 — 45 members — weekly subscription 3s. — capital £70 —
weekly dealings £60 — principle, non-division.
Perse\t;rance, 13, Shepley Street, London Road, Manchester,
established April 12, 1830 — 56 members — weekly subscription 4d.—
capital £24 — weekly dealings £11 — principle, non-division.
Amicable, Ormond Street, Charlton Row, established May 1,
1830 — 24 members— weekly subscription 4d. — capital £10 — weekly
dealings £7 — principle, non-division.
Friendly, Bentley's Court, Miles Platting, established April W,
1830 — 27 members — weekly subscription 4d. — capital £18 — weekly
dealings £6 — principle, non-division.
Benevolent, Sandford Street, Ancoats, cstabliahed April 22,
1830 — 124 members — weekly subscription 4d. — capital £45 — weekly
dealings £46 — library 50 books — principle, non-division.
Good Intent, Hope Town Salford, established JMay 8, 1830 — 48
members — weekly subscription 3d. — capital £10 — weekly dealings
£7 — principle, non-division.
Fortitude, Long Milgate, established June 1, 1830 — 15 members
— weekly subscription 3d. — capital £2 — weekly dealings £1 — prin-
ciple, non-division.
**None of these societies," it was stated, " are at present
manufacturing, but the Owenian expects to begin shortly.
With the exception of the Benevolent they are not yet
provided with libraries." They had the sense in those days
to make apologetic confession of the absence of means of
acquiring knowledge.
The following societies are placed alphabetically for con-
venience of reference. The year of their formation is
given where it has been traced. Those without dates
mostly existed between 1830 and 1833 :— -
A
Armagh
1830
Ashby-de-la-Zouch.
AUerton
1829
Ayr
1838
B
Almondbury
>i
Ashton
Birmingham Taylors
Aberdeen
Ackworth
1834
Manufacturing
Ardsley
1831
Anstey
1828
Society 1777.
Armitage Brdg.
1830
Accrington
Do Store 1828
* This means that profits were being accumulated for the purpose chiefly
of reconstituting the world. Co-operators worked ou that scale in those
days.
31G HISTORY OF CO-OPEKATION.
Names of 200 societies of the 1830-3 period.
Broadbottom
1831
Chowbent
Hyde
Beliser
1821)
Crcmford
Hereford
Barnstaple
11
Cambuslaug
(Scot-
I
Brighton
1826
land)
1829
Ipswich 1829
Blackfriars
J,
D
Indiana (America*)
Bradford
1829
Devonport
1815
1826
Bury
?)
Darlington
1827
J
Barnsley
i)
Derby
11
Jersey New 1826
Bolton
11
Derby
1829
Jamy Green 1835
Boothfold
1831
Dolphin
1833
Jedburgh 1830
Birkacre
"11
Due ley
K
Barns
i>
Daventry
Kidderminster 1829
Broadford
11
E
Keighley 1829
Bursleni
1830
Exeter
1826
Kendal 1829
Bath
1838
Eccleshill
1833
Kearsley 1831
Bristol
11
Exhall
1832
Kenilworth
Bilston
i>
F
L
Bridgnorth
Finsbury(see '.
^ondon
Lamberhead Green,
Brighlingren
1832
Societies)
1829
Wigan 1830
Bolton-le-Moor
^^
FoleshiU
1829
London (see List of
Blackburn
ii
Farnley Tyas
18o3
]\Ietropolitan Soci-
Burnley
J)
Failsworth
eties) 1821
Banbury
ij
G
Leeds 1829
Burton-on-Trent ,,
Glasgow
1829
Loucrhboroiigh, 1829-
Bromsgrove
11
Godalming
1830
1832
Bungay
11
Greenock
1838
Lindley 1832
C
Garstang
1838
Liverpool 1830-1832
■Canterbury
1829
H
Longroyd 1832
Congleton
11
Halifax
1829
Leicester 1829, „
Chatham
11
Hastings
^f
Longford, near Co-
Clitheroe
11
Horton
>>
ventry 1832
Clayton
^j
Highroyd
Lower Houses, near
Coventry
11
Huddersfield
1829-
Huddersfield 1834
Cambridge
1832
Leigh
Cumberworth
1829-
Hothorne
1829
Lynn
1832
Holmfirth
1832
Leamington
Cheltenham
1830
Hulme
1831
Lutterworth
Carlisle
ji
Holbeck
1830
Leeks
Clayton Height
s 1833
Holywell
1830
Lancaster
Chester
1830
Holdsworth
1832
M
Chorley
Horton Bank
Top
Manchester (see Man-
Cockermouth
1833
chester and Salford
•Colne
Horbury
1830
Societies) 1829
* Though this was not an English Store it was founded by Englishmen.
ECCENTUIG AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 317
Estimated number of Co-operatiTe Societies in 1820 and 1^.3(1.
Macclesfield 1829
Morley ,,
Marylebone ,,
Maidstone „
Mansfield „
Millsbridjie 1830
Miles Platting ,,'
Marseilles * 1830
Mixenden Lane 1832
Mixenden Stones ,,
Mixenden Rocks ,,
Mottram
Malpas
Mossley
IMelross
N
Nottingham 1827
Newark 1831
Norwich 1827
New Mill 1832
New Catton 1830
Newchurch 1827
Newcastle
Northampton
O
Oldham
Oldbury
Outwood
Oxford
Orbiston
P
Paris
Preston
Prestolec
Pilkington
Poole
Penis ton
1832
1831
1830
(Scotland)
182G
1821
1821)
l.s;',()
1830
1833
Padiham 1833
Penkridge ,,
Pudsey ,,
Q
Queenshead 1829
II
Rochdale 1830
Ralahina (Ireland)
1831
Runcorn 1830
Ratcliffe 1830
Ripponden 1832
Rastrick 183S
S
Sheepshead 1829
Stone ,,
Soho ,,
Sheffield 1830
Salford 1829
Stockport 18.39
Shipley 1830
Stamford ,,
Shelley ,,
Stockmoor .,
St. Columbo, Corn-
wall 1830
Systou „
St. .lames ,,
Stourbridge ,,
Southampton ,,
Stratford
Sandbeds 1833
Shibden 1829
Staffur<l
.Shrewsbury
Shiffnal
T
Thorne 1829
Tunbridge ^Vel]sl82'>
Thurstanland, 1 83(>
Thames Ditton 1830
Twickenham ,,
Thurmaston ,,
Todmorden
'J'arporley
Tabloy (Derbyshire)
Uley
Upperley
Unsworth
IT
n29
1S30
1832
Worcester 1829
Westminster ,,
Worthing 1828
AVhitehaven 182!)
Wallingford. ,,
^^'arringtoll 1829
Wool ton ,,
Wigan ,,
Warley (near Ilali-
fiix) KS;!1
A\'arsboro' P>rdg.l832
Worksworth (Derby-
shire)
Wells
"W'nlvtM-liauipton 1 832
Walsall
Wellington ,,
Wellingborough „
"\^'arwick ,,
Wisbecli ,^
Yarmouth
York
1830
There were 125 Co-operative Associations in Eni^larKl
and {Scotland in 1829. They were stated to amount to
250 in 1830, to which number they doubtless amounted,
* This store was of English inspiration.
318 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Hull Corn MUl of 1795.
as they were often estimated by competent authorities
in those days at 300. Forty co-operative societies were
formed in London, and about 400 in various parts of the
country, so far back as 1833 ; and four of them, all in
Yorkshire, still remain.
In Chapter XVI., the reader has seen the account of the
BirminghamCo-operative Workshop of 1777 : and in Chap-
ter VIII. Bishop Barrington's masterly little history of the
first store, known in 1794 as the Village^Shop of Mongewell.
The third of the early stores was one established in
. Hull in 1795. It was not a mere shop, but a society. It
was formed by a few persons for the sale of the necessaries
of life at lower prices than were current among the ordinary
retailers. Their transactions were more particularly in
wheat and flour. Eventually it became a corn mill purely,
and has continued to be known as such.
The Hull Industrial Corn Mill is the oldest in the
Parliamentar}' return of 1863, the Society there dating
1795, Its members were given at 3,818, 701 having joined
during the year 1863, and none withdrawn, and yet its
members in the 1862 returns were only given at 1,900.
By what error this arose was not explained. Its shares
of 1862 were 50s. each ; in 1863 they were 25s. ; the total
amount of which is £4,776, on which it paid 5 per cent,
per annum interest. Mr. Nuttall remarked,* " Its sales
receipts in 1863 were £38,821, and profit £2,947, or nearly
i)2 per cent, on share capital, and 7| per cent, on sale
receipts, or, as co-operators generally say, about Is. 6d.
per £ for dividend."
This volume would never be finished if I were to visit,
as I should like, the seat of every remarkable store (as I
have done with respect to numbers), elsel should certainly
spend a week at Hull to explore the early books of the
Society of the Corn Mill, to discover what manner of
people began it, what was their inspiration, and what
were their early adventures.
* English Leader.
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 319
The Bingular Woolwich Society of 180G.
In October, 1806, twenty-six of the workmen in the
Arsenal at Woolwich determined to resist extortionate
demands of the shopkeepers ; they each subscribed 10s. 6d.,
and -with the amount so raised they sent one of themselves
to Smithfield, where for £20 they purchased a bullock. It
was found that in this manner the price of their meat was
reduced exactly one-half, from 9d. to 4^d. per pound. Their
first effort had been generally ridiculed, but its success
could not now be denied. They were speedily joined by a
large number of other workmen, and were soon able to rent
a shed at £20 per annum, where they occasionally had as
many as fifteen cattle at a time. It was not long before
they acted upon the same principle in respect to other
articles of their consumption. They bought tea by the
chest, butter by the load : plums for their Christmas
pudding by wholesale ; thej contracted for bread at a
reduced price. The movement, while it lasted, was very
successful ; but the termination of the war put an end to
its existence. The workmen were thrown out of employ-
ment to relapse into the misery from which they had
emerged, and which was the common lot of working people
in those days. It is singular that dealing in meat, which
has been the difficulty of nearly every Co-operative Society,
and has been for many years together a loss in most, and
has had to be abandoned altogether in others, should have
been the great success of the Woolwich Society, the first
which undertook its sale.
Co-operation, extinguished at Woolwich reappeared at
Devon port, in 1815. A shop for the sale of bread was
opened in the town ; a corn mill was erected at Toybridge,
thirteen miles distant. It still exists under the name of
*' Union Mill ; '" to the bakery was added a coal associa-
tion which shares its prosperity. It is remarkable that
both these societies have practised a system that has not
proved so successful elsewhere ; credit is given, and the
retailers are undersold. It is also worthy of remark, that
coal selling, Avhich has often been a difficulty and loss
320 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Brighton Society of 1828. .
elsewhere, was one of the early successes at Devonport.
According to the account given by Dr. King to Lord
Brougham, the Brighton Co-opei'ative Society of 1828
was quite a curiosity in its way. Its funds were raised
by penny subscriptions. It had 170 members who ulti-
mately accumulated £5, with which they commenced their
store, and their first week's sales amounted to half-a-
crown. The administration of the affairs of this society
must have been simpler than that of Mongewell. Total
i-eceipts of half-a-crown a week could not have been per-
]ilexiug to the most bewildered store-keeper. The early
ilochdale pioneers were wealthy tradesmen compared with
these of Brighton.
A Brighton Co-operative Benevolent Fund Association
was formed in April, 1827, which spread a knowledge of
the principles of co-operation, and sent industrious families,
not having the means of journeying, to any co-operative
community where they might be required. The original
Brighton society changed its objects three times, and
varied its regulations accordingly. The South Coast co-
operators did much for co-operation in those days — they
have never done anything of note since.
Mr. Jonathan AVood informed me in 1872, that he was
the second store-keeper of the Co-operative Benevolent
Fund Association then at 31, West Street, Brighton. Mr.
Wm. Bryan was the first who left suddenly for America.
Why do not persons who emigrate abruptly, send remit-
tances? Since 1829 that departure is remembered. The
store took land about nine miles from Brighton, built a
house upon it, cultivated a market garden and sent the
produce to the Brighton market. The store had two cows,
two horses and carts, and many pigs. Mr. Jonathan Wood
says, " They did wonders enough to prove what might have
been done had the people been honest enough to do it.
Dishonesty of those on the land broke the affair up." This
is one of the many examples in which the want of legal
protection destroyed early stores. In 1877, fifty years
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 321
The Worthing Society of 1828.
later, Brighton is not doing one-tenth as much in co-
o])eration as it did in 1827.
Since there has been 9 " Southern Section" of societies,
with a Central Board in London, the south coast is
becoming astir again. The Brighton society reported
in the ''Associate " for May, 1821>, that '' Early in 1828
a member of the name of G. H. left us for his native
place (Worthing), and there formed a society very similar
to our own, except the payment to the common fund, which
with them was only formed from profit ; and from this has
sprung up, as a branch, a society at Findon. The Worth-
ing co-operative society soon found reason to regret
having begun business in a manner too expensive for its
extent. The hire of a shop and salary of a person for his
whole time were unnecessary for the first months of their
undertaking ; and they are only now beginning to retrieve
the heavy drawback which transferring as much as £70
worth of their goods to the branch store at Findon must
have occasioned them : for though there seemed a fair
opening at that village, and some hearty friends to co-
operative views came forward, it was a hazardous step for
a society so young as that of W^orthing. Yet, upon the
whole, there is every appearance, as we had the pleasure
to witness last month, of co-operation succeeding in both
those places, where the members are distinguished, as
much as those of any society we have seen, for a consider-
ate and affectionate spirit of union." When I was in
Worthing in 1877 I spoke with several members who were
quite unaware of the pre-existence of a co-operative society
there in the old days. The '"' Chester Co-operator " for 1830
took for its motto two long extracts from the " Brighton
Co-operator' of 18211. It is one of the many instances
I have found of the influence of Sussex co-operation. It
is of the nature of encouragement to advocates to hear of
the numerous societies which were formed by so small a
paper as the "Brighton Co-operator," issued by Dr. King.
It consisted of merely two small leaves published monthly.
y
322. HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Darlington dividend of Senna.
A single number of the " Co-operative News " contains a&
much matter as the yearly yolume of the " Co-operator"
did.
Darlington furnishes an early instance of a store
coming out of a strike. This was in 1827. The wool-
combers and stuff weavers of Bradford struck in that year
for higher wages, and the wool combers and linen weavers
of Darlington participated in the movement. At the
conclusion of the strike the combers and wool sorters of
Darlington started a co-operative grocery. The President
of the trade society of Darlington, out of which the store
originated, w^as John Brownless_, a linen weaver, and it
had for its secretary George Elwin, a shoemaker. The
store traded under the name of Topham & Co. After a
few years it fell into a few hands and ultimately became
the private affair of John Topham.
Twelve years later, in the turbulent 3'ear of the Chartists,,
1839, the Socialists and Chartists of Darlington set up
up another co-operative provision store. Tlie shares were
ten shillings each. John Brownless,* son of the Mr»
Brownless previously named, was one of the directors. It
proposed to give a dividend to shareholders and a share of
profits to customers, who were required to have their
purchases entered in a book as they made them. One
Nicholas Bragg was salesman. Some domestic difficulty
in the household of this functionary brought the society
into unpopularity, and it broke up by a distribution of salts-
and senna to each member, being probably the only unsold
stock. This is the oddest final dividend that is to be met
with in the annals of co-operation. Subsequently, allured^
peradverture, by the curious medicinal " bonus" of the last
society, the Oddfellows set up a third store in Darlington.
With a portion of their funds they started a co-operative
grocery under the charge of one John Brason as salesman.
* Who emigrated to the western world in 1842 and is now settled a
Akron Summit Co., Ohio, and from whose letters I gather these facts.
ECCENTEIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 323
Aspects of Birmingham.
This was in 1842. But as it was in the beginning, so it
Avas in the end. Before long the store fell into private
ownership.
In London a Store was opened in John Street, Tottenham
Court Read, for the sale of tea and groceries as early as
1830. This is worth mentioning as the only practical step
ibr the advancement of co-opei-ation tliat John Street —
the mo^t famous propagandist street in London, next to
Charlotte Street — made. In the same year Mr. xiUan Devon-
port's name appears as offering to prepare a Co-operative
Catechism. This was the first proposal to devise one of
that useful instrument of propagandist statement. A man
must find out what he means, if he did not know before, if
he constructs a successful catechism. Davenport was,
when I knew him, well advanced in years, slender in frame,
gentle, earnest and steadfast in advocating views. Temperate,
frugal, and industrious, yet he never had sufficient for proper
subsistence. It was the common lot of workmen in his
time. He never complained, and never ceased to try and
improve the condition of his order. He was a writer on
agrarianism which never had a milder advocate.
A stranger hardly knows what to make of Birmingham.
It is not teacup-shaped, like Rochdale, nor a cavity like
Stockport, nor a ravine like Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Bir-
mingham is neither quite flat nor properly elevated. It is
a town in an undeterminate condition. It is not a plate,
nor a dish, nor a tea-tray, nor any compound of plane and
rim. It is a disturbed table-land, bounded by woods and
blast furnaces. If you could approach it via Hagiey, ycu
might mistake it for Derby ; if you reach it through
" Dudley Port," you would take it to be Sodom and
Gomorrah in the act of undergoing destruction. Forty
years ago the business part of the town was an expanded
Whitechapel, variegated by a Bethnal Green — Bethnal
Green being in this case " Deritend," where the Old Crown
House, 50'J years old, still stands sound. Owing to
municipal energy and sense Birmingham, is growing into
324 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Dull towns the most farourable to co-operatiye success.
a great pleasant, civilized community. It is precisely
that kind of town where co-operation should succeed.
Co-operation is in England a plant of vigorous growth,
when it has fairly taken root. Under the hot-house
forcing of the first enthusiasm of forty years ago it
gave signs of rapid vegetation, but the shrub withered
upon exposure to sharp business blasts. At length it
has been acclimatized, and grows readily, not only
in the milder atmosphere of large cities, but also in
the bleak and exposed towns and villages. Its greatest
vegetative efforts have been made amid close-lying popula-
tions of workmen, in towns of small social attractions,
where men will take trouble to improve their physical
condition, and are not diverted from the attempt by the
allurements of city life. Wherever men have sense, and
ordinary industrial ambition and devotion, co-operation
can make way. There was a reputed co-operative store
near the Town Hall, Birmingham, between 1860 and 1870,
— a mere shop. Its profits were not capitalized — it had no
news room. Its administrators were frigid — they had no
co-operative passion — they did not know what a store
meant. There was no co-operative life about it. The
store failed from not knowing its own reason of being.*
When the newj London Guild takes to propagandism, it
had better try its skill in Birmingham : Co-operative " dead
men " lie thick about there — and some live men too, for
several real stores have arisen there of late years.
As well as a reputed " Co-operative " Farm, Assington
in Suffolk has a real sort of store. A member of the
original Assington Co-operative Society wrote a letter in
the " Co-operator " of January 10th, 1869, '' The first
time," he said, " they had attempted to write to a news-
paper," which proved them to be the quietest co-operators
known.
There was a Manchester society in 1831, which had a
* Letter to "Birmingham Gazelle" Sept. 1877.
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 325
The first Manchester Society.
storekeeper of the imposing name of William Shelmerdine,
who gave a short and instructive account of the formation
of the first Manchester co-operative society.* As the city
of Manchester would appear to be a natural seat of cc-
operation, and as this society v/as well conceived, well
devised, and had reasonable and practical ideas of self-
expansion, the mystery is not explicable now, why it
failed to be a leading; and distino-uished association. It
bore the winning name of the " Economical Society," and
its rooms were at 7, Rodger's Row, Jackson's Row, Deans-
gate, Manchester. Mr. Shelmerdine stated that it was
founded on the 28th August, 1830, by eight persons who
agreed to form a co-operative trading society and to pay
£l each as a share, at not less than threepence per week.
Four of them paid the £1 down, and the other four one
shilling each as entrance money. With this £4 4s. they
bought sugar, soap, and candles, Avliich they sold to them-
selves and others. They soon found confidence to add to
their stock, rice, coffee and raisins. At the end of the
month they found their profits, they said, accumulating
fast. They no doubt were astonished to make a profit at
all, and thought much of the little they made. Witli it,
however, they at once bought some leather, and employed
one of their members to make and mend shoes for them.
With new profits they bought stockings, worsted, linen,
and flannel, manufactured by other co-operators. They
were poor hitherto, they had seen nothing before them
but poverty and degradation, and they were delighted at
discovering that they could place themselves above the fear
of want by working for themselves and among tlicmselves.
So they came to the unanimous resolution to begin manu-
facturing good, stout, fast-coloured ginghams, tor them-
selves and other co-operative societies. Tiiis Economical
Society by this time numbered 3(3 members, amongst
*See "Lancashire and Yorkshire Co-operator," No. 12, 1832. There was
a society in Salford, in 1829, as elsewhere rejorcled.
326 HISTORY OF CO-OEERATION,
The early repute of Co-operative manufacturers.
whom were spinners, warpers, weavers, dyers, joiners,
hatters, shoemakers, tin-plateworkers. They had a shop
well stocked with provisions, with woollen cloth manu-
factured by the co-operators of Huddersfield, linens,
checks, and calicoes made by the society at Lamberhead
Green, stockings from Leicester, flannel from Rochdale,
pins from Wai'rington. The magnitude of their business,
which excited so much hope, would be thought very little
of now. At their stock-taking in August, 1831, the date
was the 28th, they record that memorable day (a shorter
day in the year would have been sufficient for their purpose),
when their stock was found of the value of £46 12s.
The subscriptions which they had received amounted to
only £26 lOs. and their profits but to £20 2s. They gave
as a reason for purchasing their articles at co-operative
societies, that they "knewthey were made of good material
and showed good workmanship, entirely different in character
to the light articles commonly made for mere sale, and not for
wear and durability." The members met twice a week
at, their own meeting room and store for discussing their
business and general conversation, thus avoiding public-
house diminution of profits, and they looked forward, the
moment their numbers and means enabled them, to establish
a school for the instruction of their children, and a library
and reading room for the improvement of their members.
This early store, therefore, combined all the good features
of a co-operative association. Good articles, good work-
manship, mutual employment, the acquirement of economical
and temperate habits, and instruction for themselves and
children. They relate, however, that when they contem-
plated manufacturing gingham they saw their error infixing
their shares at £1. Their reason was that they might not
deter poor persons from joining them. They did commence
manufacturing. Two of their membei's having a little
money in the savings' bank, courageously brought it to
them, and it was agreed that they should have five per
cent, interest for it.
ECCENTKIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 327
The Denton Hatters' Society.
The great store in Downing Street, where the Congress
met this year, lias not the complete co-operative features of this
humble store in Manchester of nearly half a century ago.
At the first Manchester Congress of 1832, it was reported
also that the first Salford co-operators had established a
Co-operative Sunday School, at which 104 male and female
adults and children were taught, and they intended to
request Lady Shelley to becorne a patroness.
Mr. George Simpson, of Motti'am, who was the general
secretary of the Queenwood Community before mentioned,
prepared the rulesof the United Journeymen Hatters of Den-
ton, about 1840, of which he was secretary. From the first
year every member was required to be a shareholder of £5,
and he could pay up the amount by such labour as might be
prescribed by the directors. When profits arose enabling
interest to be paid it was limited to 5 per cent., and the
surplus profit might be applied by the directors in aug-
menting the property of the society. It took no credit,
and gave none. It was a well managed manufiicturing
society, and had a useful career so long as Mr. Simpson
was able to remain with it.
In 1860, the C{)-oj)erative Printing Society of Manchester
was formed. A hundred shares were taken a few minutes
after the decision to form it was come to, which shows with
what alacrity societies are formed in districts where there
are meii who understand them. This society covers a good
deal of ground now, and has a branch at Newcastle-on-
Tyne. Mr. John Hardman is manager of the Manchester
society. The first volume of this History was printed there.
There is a Printing Society in London of some years stand-
ing, which had a secretary who abstracted £2000 of its funds,
possibly with a view to test its stability. The proof was
satisfactory to the secretary, and the society still flourishes.
Mr. Robert Taylor, formerly of the Colchester Store, is now
manager, and th.is volume is printed by tiiis society. Last
year, 1877, when the new Town Hall of Manchester was
opened, 400 co-operators from various parts of England,
328 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
One of tlie early co-operators, Mayor of Manchester.
delegates to a quarterly meeting of the Wholesale Society,
were received by the Mayor (Alderman Abel Heywood)
who addressed them after he had shown them the new
Town Hall. He said that '' he became a member of a co-
operative society in the year 1828. These societies were-
then in their infancy, and those at the head of them did
not clearly understand how to manage them in the way they
are managed now. Since 1830 the co-operative societies
that existed in Manchester at that time, some twenty-
four in number — had dwindled away, because the members-
did not understand the principles they had espoused. It
was very natural that this should be so, seeing that
■vorking-men were so jealous of each other ; and with the
Keen competition that existed with regard to the sale and
purchase of articles of consumption, the people did not
understand how or Avhy they should deal at the co-opera-
tive store. The seed then sown, however, had taken root
in the country, and they were there that day as the-
i-epresentatives of an opinion which in its influence had
been growing that length of time. They were the pioneers
of one of the greatest social movements of the day. They
had called the attention of the whole country to their
reports, they had established their own organs, and had
secured friends- amongst every class of society withoiit any
exception, and if with all this support they did not further
succeed the fault must remain with themselves." Whether
the reader regards the honourable and singular career-
of the Mayor, the office he held, the words he spoke^
and the changed position of the co-operators whom
he addressed, this was a remarkable morning in Man-
chester.
Oldham Societies have already been variously described
as their importance demanded. Still the following account
of the financial features of the Oldham Industrial Society
has additional interest. The facts are taken from a
letter by an " Oldham Co-operator " in the *' Times " of
August 21, 1875. In the Oldham Industrial the number-
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 329
Financial features of the Oldham Industrial Society.
of members at the end of 1874 was 5344, with a capital
of £86,000. Of this sum, £54,500 belonged to 680_ mem-
bers, while other 2200 members' investments did not
amount to £2000. The net profit, after paying 5 per cent,
interest on capital, 10 percent, for reduction of fixed stock,
and 2^ per cent, for Educational purposes, is divided as fol-
lows : — Any person, whether a member or not, can receive a
dividend of Is. 8d. in the pound for money spent at any
time ; or if the person is a member and keeps his
checks (these checks are given in exchange for money spent)
until the quarter's end, he will receive his share of the div-
isible profits according to the number of checks he has had
entered to his credit ; or if he is a non-member, he will
receive the same amount of dividend as a member, less 2d,
in the pound. A large number of the members' invest-
ments do not amount to £1 each, yet tliese are the
members who spend the largest amount of money at the
stores, and hence, while they receive little or no
interest, they receive the largest amount of dividend —
in some cases £6 or £7 per quarter ; while, on the other
hand, those members who have the largest investments as
a rule spend the least money. Therefore, while they
receive at the quarter's end something like £l for interest,
their dividends are small compared with the other mem-
bers. A non-member with no capital invested receives as
much dividend as a member, less 2d. in the pound.
Failsworth is distini^uislied for amusino; adventures in
cow co-opei'ation. But unfortunately when the cow died the
society died. Failsworth has also attempted cattle farming.
Of course there are always difficulties in persons having
chiefly factory knowledge succeeding in field work.
Field and cattle culture imply special knowledge of out-
door and animal life. Weavers and mechanics would
hardly know that the sun went dow^n doily, if gas w-as not
lighted in the evening. It is as difficult for mill hands
to turn to farming as it is for farm hands to turn to
weaving. Unless workmen have pi-eviously had some
■330 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Cow Co-operation.
farm experience, they do not do well at land work. How-
ever, Mr. Joel Whitehead best supplies the facts of what
befell the early co-operators of Failsworth. He informs
jne the co-operativs feeling is not of a recent date in that
place. He has often heard his father regret that working
people had not the confidence in each other which would
enable them to do their own. business. But there was no
acknowledgment by law then of the right of working men
to embark in business on their own account in large
numbers. There was no protection against fraud. And
often has he heard the rejoinder by persons asked to sub-
scribe to a co-operative enterprise that they durst not entrust
their little property where it could be stolen with
impunity.
About 1838 a number of youths, whose ages would
range from thirteen to sixteen years, begun to club their
pence together with the object of renting a plot of land to
grow potatoes upon. They intended to delve the land
themselves, collect -manure, buy seed, plant and reap the
potatoes or whatever grew, and sell them amongst their
neighbours. Of course their ideas of co-operation were
very crude, but the fact shows that there was the germ of
the principle in their minds, even at their early age.
However, they were too sanguine. Their means were
too slender for some of them to compl}^ with the terms of
subscription of one penn}' per week. They got behind
with their cash contributions before there was a sufficient
sum to purchase seed, which damped the ardour of the
others who had managed to muster their share weekly.
At that time, pennies were as scarce in the pockets of lads
as shillings are now, consequently nothing came of their
juvenile attempt.
Eight or ten years later, a number of very young men
directed their attention once more to co-operative effort.
This time in the form of distribution only. They sub-
scribed their cash in larger sums than they had been able
to do before, and actually bought a cow and had it killed in
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAIl SOCIETIES. 331
Thoughtless conduct of a Co-operative Cow.
a barn. They sold it out to tlieir neiglibours, but they
eitlier sold at too low a price, gave too good weight, or
liad too much waste. Their deficiency could not arise
from excessive wages paid to rear the animal, because all
the work was done for nothing, except a trifle to a butcher
for killing. But whatever the cause, the balance was on
the Avronfj side of their humble ledger. So down went the
movement again. For about ten years after this collapse
of cow selling no one had the courage to make another
attempt till the present successful society was commenced.
Soon after, a number of the promoters of it attempted to
establish a Farming society. They framed a code of rules
under the title of " The Self-Help Co-operative Society,"
and took a farm of about nine statute acres. They bought
two cows, half-a-dozen pigs, reared several hatches of
ducks, and bred a number of rabbits. They planted
potatoes, cabbages, turnips, and various kinds of vegetables,
besides wheat, oats, and vetches. But the work was
imoouth to them. Tiiey had not the practical knowledge
and physical qualifications among them necessary to
command success. They had the misfortune to lose a cow,
which proved a death blow to tlieir enterprise, as they
never numbered more than seven members, the lowest
number recognized by law, and their means were too limited
to bear the strain to which this thoughtless cow subjected
them. So the farming society at Failsworth died with
the cow. They called it in reporting language " suc-
cumbing to the force of circumstances." Another attempt
has been since commenced by a number of Newton Heath
and Failsworth people, to solve the problem of food
production on a small scale, and if they can get cows of
more consideration they. expect to succeed.
A fair example of the rapidity with which little diffi-
culties succeed each other in tiie establishment of a store,
are contained in an account sent me by Mr. John Living-
ston of Macclesfield. The wife of a member was thought
to be living in a degree of affluence disproportionate to her
332 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Singular misfortunes of the Macclesfield Society.
expenditure at the store. She became a subject of ob-
servation, and was found outside the store with butter
which she did not pay for. She was forgiven on conditioa
of her husband leaving the society. Then a joiner, doing
a job in the shop (who was a member) mistook his instruc-
tions, and worked at the till. The police disposed of him
for a month. This meant some pounds of loss to the-
society. Next, one of the committee men, when he had
learned the profits of the trade, commenced shopkeeping,
and continues so yet, on his own account. Some loaves of
bread discovered to be missing from the bakery, a potato was
put in another loaf for a mark. But potato and loaf were
both missing. This baker being discharged, the next spoiled
two or three Iaro:e bakings, of which each loaf was 41bs. Thev
were sold at a reduced rate to the poor. The directors after-
wards learned from a servant girl that she heard the baker
say he was paid for spoiling the bread. A donkey and cart
were set up to carry in and out the bread baked for the
members. But the animal died, not for his country's good
nor that of co-operation. The store stood the market
with potatoes on a Saturday, and chalked on a board the
words " Co-operative Potatoes." They gave checks and
it occupied half their time to explain their use amidst the
derisions of the hucksters. The store next removed to a
very large shop and building in the same street. It cost
£1000 to the original owner. The store have since
bought it and two cottages, now a steam bakery and
drapery shop. They obtained a very smart shopman from
another county and he had a shopman for his bondsman.
The first lot of coffee Avas ordered from a Liverpool house
by the shopman from their traveller. In time they had to
take the kej-s from this shopman and sell a portion of the
coffee at the wholesale price to his bondsman. The Liver-
pool house was written to to ascertain the weight mark. The
answer was, " We have made a mistake and should have
allowed you 18 lbs. as the tare.'' The persevering fellows-
get along smoothly now.
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 333
A Curious Market-stall Store.
There was a store in another energetic manufacturing
town (name lost) which was held in the market place. It
never had any other place of business than its stall there.
In what way Mr. Tidd Pratt enrolled it (if it was enrolled)
has not been communicated to me. Mr. Tidd Pratt, had
he been a man of curious mind, with a taste for describinor
the humours of humble men,- could have told amusino-
instances of the adventures of the provident poor. This
market store was commenced by some young men of
means too small to take a shop, but with vigour of mind
and determination to do something in the way of co-oper-
ation ; so they negotiated with the market authorities for a
stall, and the little enterprising committee, manager, sales-
man, secretary, and treasurer, or whatever officers thev
had, stood the market on Saturday afternoon and night—
the only time when they were off work. They made more
noise than profit : but some nights they cleared as much as
nine shillings, when their hopes rose so high that had tiie
Government stood in need of a Loan at that time, the
Chancellor of the Exchequer had certainly heard from them,
to the effect that if he could wait a bit they would see
what they could do for him. Their difficulty was to make
the public purchasers understand all about the division of
profits. Surrounding traders supplied gratuitous informa-
tion to the effect that the buyers would never hear of any
profits. They had no checks to give — those outward and
visible signs of inward " Tin," which in other stores allay
suspicions. Indeed these market co-operators did not
themselves understand the mystery of checks. But they
promised a division of profits quarterly, which they had
heard was the regular thing. The dubious purchasers of
cabbage and treacle went away in hope. But before long, at
the end of a fortnight, a shrewd old woman, who was afraid
they would forget her face, appeared to ask if they would
pay her dividend on the three pennyworth of potatoes she
had bought two weeks ago. No doubt the store would have
answered had not the salesmfin, who had been all the week
• 334 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION".
Origin of the Halifax Society of 1829.
in hot mills, caught cold in the damp air of winter, which
ended in rheumatic fever with two of them, and the co-
operative stall became vacant. A good out-door man, who,,
like Sam Slick, was waterproof and lively, could have made
the" Co-op. Stall, '^' as it was called — pay.
The Newton Heath Society, which Avas commenced iu
1840 by a few enterprising young fellows, paid their sales-
man fourpence in the £ upon the sales he made — a
simple way of fixing a salary, and as the sales were few
and far between in those days, he earned his money, and
had a motive for endeavouring to increase the purchasers.
But in later years, when the sales at stores exceed £lOO
a day, some limit would have to be found where the four-
pence should stop.
Co-operation was unknown in Halifax till the spring of
1829, when the first recorded society was formed. May 29th
in that year. An old and nearly worn out member of the
*' Brighton Co-operator," and another of the " Associate "
fell into the hands of Mr. Nicholson, who became the Secre-
tary of the first society. These he showed to his father and
three brothers which induced them, and four others, to
commence a society. Their first Co-operative tea party
was held in April the following year. About two hundred
persons, chiefly women, were present ; the " Tea Feast " as
they called it, being given gratis, in order that the women
might get some practical and pleasant knowledge of
co-operation. In the record of the society's existence
they made a levy of four shillings a member to enable
them to join the Liverpool Wholesale Society. At the
end of two years and a half, the Halifax Co-operators
found that they had made a profit on their capital of
£200, twenty times as much as the same money would
have yielded them in a savings' bank. This society
published in the " Lancashire and Yorkshire Co-operator,"
the first financial table of their progress which appeared. It
exhibited as follows : — the receipts, profits and expenses
of the society for the first three years of its existence.
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 335
Striking instances of success cited by Mr. Farn.
TABLE OF THE
FIRST
HALIFAX SOCIETY.
Year. Sales. Gross Profit.
1
1
Per cent-
age on
rate of
profit per
£100.
Expenses.
Clear Profit.
TotaL
l> £ s. d. i £ s. d.
1830 2266 5 94140 18 3|
18312921 16 8|182 17 14
1832 3196 2 10^193 18 6|
£ 8. d.
6 4 104
6 4 ir
6 1 4
£ s. d.
73 10 74
123 3 8"
147 3 11
£ s. d.
67 7 8i
59 13 54
46 1 91
£ s. d.
140 18 3f
182 17 14
193 18 5i
Total 8384 5 4^517 13 10|
343 18 2^
173 2 Hi
517 13 10|
The Halifox Society of to-day, which numbers 12,000
or more members, makes yearly £lli,000 of profit, is
one of the mighty stoi'es of the time, has a history to itself
like Rochdale, and if it happens to lose £60,000, still
goes on its way no more disturbed than one of the planets
when an eccentric comet loses its tail.
Mr. J. C. Farn has given instructive instances of early
successes of co-operative societies, occurring between 1826
and 1830. A society had cleared £21 by the butchers'
irade in one quarter; a second had been able to divide
profits at the rate of 30s. per member : a third, which had
commenced with 6s., had grown to £200 in 8 months,
£75 of which was profit; a fourth Jiad a capital of £207,
and had cleared £32 during the quarter ; a fifth had it&
capital formed by payments of Qd. per week until it had
reached £25, and in fifteen months it had cleared three
tim(^s the amount in profit ; a sixth, with a capital of
£109, had cleared £172 ; whilst a seventh could boast of
700 members, who went boldly in for Manufacturing.
The story of the Burnley Society is well worth telling,
though it be ever so briefly. It has had great vicissitudes^
vears elapsing without progress or gain. Savo for in-
cessant attention, ceaseless nights of labour at the books,
;ind unwavering devotion given by Mr. Jacob AVaring,
the society had never stood its ground. Other members
worked as devotedly ; that Mr. Waring did so in the chief
degree, was acknowledged by the society when its day of
336 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Singular effect of thick ledgers on the dividends of the Burnley Store.
success came, by a public presentation to him, alike
honourable to giver and receiver. Sometimes when the
books had been worked at till late on a Saturday nifi;ht
and almost into Sunday morning, the Directors when the
balance came to be struck, were afraid to look at it, lest it
should be against the society, as had so often happened
before. For two or three years things were systematically
going to the bad. No one could discover how or why.
The stock entries, as goods arrived, were made in a small
book. Being small it got mislaid, or overlaid at the time
when the quarterly accounts had to be made up. It was
so likely an occurrence that nothing was thought of it.
Every thing seemed regular and yet the result was never
right. At length, not from any suspicion, but because no
other change could be thought of to be tried, Mr. Waring
requested that a stock book be got so large that it could
not be overlooked, so bulky that it could not be hidden,
and so heavy that no one could carry it away and not
know it. After that quarter profits reappeared, and never
went out of sight any more. Amid the many advertised
qualities of good account books, I never remember to have
seen size and weight put down as virtues. Yet there
must be some obvious merit therein ; for a bulky book
saved the Burnley Store. It was not want of capital, not
want of trade, not want of watchful management, the
protracted deficits lay in small account books. Thin books
brought thin dividends ; fat books produced fat profits.
In Burnley success seems related to size.
Human nature is porcupine in Sheffield. Suspicion is a
profession, disagreement an art, among Sheffield operatives.
Leeds used to have great talent in this way ; hence it has
presented an entirely diff'erent phase of co-operation from
Rochdale— different in its aims, its methods of procedure,
and its results. When Leeds men made profits they would
spend them instead of saving them. A noble mill and
o-rounds were to be sold. A year's profits would have
bought the property and made a mighty store. Years
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 337
Honourable tenacity of Leeds Co-operators.
after they had to give more for the ground alone than
they could have had both land and building. Leeds has
been remarkable for possessing two friends of the
industrious classes, knowing them thoroughly, sym-
pathizing with them thoroughly, mixing with them,
taking a personal part m all their industrial efforts, and
accustomed to write and speak, and capable in both
respects. No town ever had the advantage of two better
industrial and co-operative expositors than John Holmes
and James Hole. Mr. Holmes's economic advantages of
co-operation in reply to Mr. Snodgrass is a notable
example of practical controversy, fair, circumstantial, and
cogent. A gentleman whom nobody supposed existed
save in the " Pickwick Papers," one John Snodgrass, a
practical miller, was proprietor of the Dundas Grain Mills,
Glasgow. He wrote against the Leeds Corn Mill. It was
in defence of the mill that Mr. Holmes wi'ote in reply.
The men of Leeds showed true co-operative honesty in
their corn mill affair. When they made no profit they
were advised to grind a cheap kind of Egyptian corn
instead of more costly English or good foreign wheat.
The Leeds co-operators would not use Egyptian corn on
principle. Hard, suspicious, jealous, discordant, and
greedy as many of them then were, they would not use it.
They could make thousands by doing it, and yet they did
not do it. They loved money, but would not make it in a
deceptive way. Mr. Gladstone showed in his great speech
at the inauguration of the Wedgwood Memorial that
beauty paid — that Wedgwood had found it so. Manu-
facturers may be expected to stud}'- beauty when it i>^v^.
The Leeds co-operators honourably stuck to purily when
it did not pay.
In the winter of 1S47 David Green, of Leeds, John
Brownless, and others, began to meet in a room in
Holbeck, used as a school and meeting house by the
Unitarians. Mr. Mill, afterwards known in London as
Dr. John Mill, acted as minister. At times, Mr. Charles
338 HISTORY OF CO-OPEEATION.
Picturesque aclTentures of the Leeds Society.
Wickstead officiated. In that room the project of the
Leeds Co-operative Corn Mill originated. The Leeds
Co-operative Society would furnish materials for a curious
and picturesque history as any store in the kingdom.
Though its profits in 1865 were £16,500, and in 1877
£34,000, there was a time Avhen it lost upon everything it
undertook to deal in ; never were there such unfortunate
co-operators. They lost on the flour mill ; they lost on
the drapery — they lost always on that ; — they lost on the
butchering department, they never could get an honest
butcher ; they lost on the tailoring ; they lost on the
groceries ; they lost on boots and shoes ; and they lost
their money which they did take, for that used to dis-
appear mysteriously. When Mr. John Holmes used to
predict that • they would surely make five per cent, profit
like others, and by economising in their management,
they would eventually make more, and that he should
live to see the day when they would make £10,000 a- •
year — the quarterly meetings, which had beenlong looking
for dividends and seen them not, used to laugh at his
speeches, and not knowing how to express their utter
disbelief otherwise, they would whistle as he spoke, and
tap their foreheads to indicate there was something wrong
there in the speaker, and exclaim — " Holmes has a slate ofi",
.and a very large one too ! Holmes is up in the clouds
again, and will never come down!" Mr. Holmes
complains they never would believe his statements then ;
now, he complains, they are too credulous, and believe
1 00 much without his authority. They go into Mississipi
Valley speculations, and into colliery enterprises without
sufficient precaution, and lose " pots of money."
Mr. Holmes relates amusing anecdotes of the applica-
tion of dividends, since they became frequent and
substantial in Leeds. One day he met a Avoman whom he
had long known as a steady frequenter of the Store, who
gave him brief, indistinct ansAvers to his friendly greetings,
nothing like her accustomed vivaciousness in answering.
ECCENTEIC AXD SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 339
The Worms of Igaorauce.
and he said to her, " What's the matter ? Have you the
face ache? " With some coufusion and hesitation, she at
longtli said " she had been having some decayed teeth taken
cut. Her husband had found that he had a good accu-
niuhition of dividends at the store, and said she should
have a new set of teeth, and look as well as a lady, and
they had not come home yet." Mr. Holmes very properly
complimented her husband on so honourable a proof of
regard for his wife and pride in her good looks, and went
away amused at this unexpected use of dividends which
had never occurred to him.
Of the interest which co-operators take in their property
when they eventually get it, Mr. Holmes gives me this
instance. Once when their mill was burnt down and thev
had some horses in the stable, hundreds of members ran
Irom every part of the town, and rushed into the stables,
and, despite the fire, got the horses out safelv. Had
the horses been owned by some alien and absentee
])roprietor, he would have been telegraphed to, to Loudon,
to come and get them out himself.
Though the Leeds Society has 18,000 members, it has
no Educational Fund, notwithstanding its great prosperity
and great profits. Of late years, the committee
have made occasional graiits of a few hundred pounds to
enable lectures to be delivered at the chief stores in their
district, Holbeck, Ilunslet, Morley, and other places.
When I have had the honour to be one of the lecturers I
Jiave argued for knowledge on commercial grounds, and
taken for my subject : " Intelligence considered as an in-
vestment." Unfortunately, the members whom it is most
desirable to influence, do not, as a rule, attend such
lectures, naturally not caring for information because not
knowing its value; not having knowledge enougli even to
know that knowledge has value. Wiser directors, Avho
have proposed an Educational Fund, find it opposed by
the general meetings lest it should diminish the dividends.
Mr. Holmes has likened making the proposal to walkin.>
340 HISTOKT OF GO-OPERATION.
Unwise disparagement of Journalistic aid.
in a garden immediately after rain. The paths, as any-
one knows, which were perfectly clear before, are suddenly
covered with crawling creatures. They spring up out of
the earth so rapidly that you can scarcely place your
foot without treading upon the slimy things. In the
same manner, when you make a proposal for Education
Funds to an uninformed meeting, the worms of ignorance^
crawl forth on every path where you did not expect their
existence, and elongated and vociferous cupidity carries
the day against you.
Bradford, not far from Leeds, is another of the likely
towns in which it might be supposed that co-operation
would flourish. Yet it has attained no distinction there.
Its artisan population energetic, conspiring and resolute,
have suffered as much as the work-people of any town.
Chartism could always count on a fighting corps of
weavers in Bradford. It has also had some stout co-
operators, and in socialist days there was a branch of
communists there who held a hall.
Liverpool, though a dead place now, has known co-opera-
tive initiation. Mr. John Finch, dating from 34, East
Side of Salt House Dock, Liverpool, appears as the
treasurer and trustee of the first Liverpool co-operative
society, and of the wholesale purchasing committee of that
society. He reports that the '' First Christian Society "
in Liverpool has 140 members, the business at the store
being £60 per week, and that a second Christian Society
has 40 members. He reports the existence of five societies
in Carlisle, and gives the names of five presidents, five
secretaries, and five treasurers. The highest capital pos-
sessed by one of these societies was £260, the weekly
receipts £50. The weekly payments to the various
societies varied from sixpence to threepence halfpenny and
twopence. Mr. Finch gives expression to that common
and discouraging discontent with friendly papers, which
serve a rising party without identifying themselves with
its views. He savs " The Weekly Free Press," takes
ECCENTEIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 341
Care of tbe Warrington co-operators ns to character.
co-operation up too coldly and is too much of a Radical to
do the cause any good." Yet as the most important
advocates of co-operation wrote in it, and the chief Metro-
politan social proceedings were printed in it ; as this was
the only newspaper representing co-operation, a public
advocate of the cause should have held his disparaging
tongue, until there was a choice. The " Weekly Free
Press " Avas a London newspaper, of 1830, which an-
nounced that it was " exclusively devoted to the interests,
and in its pages would be unfolded the system, of co-
operation." It mentioned that the Godalming co-operative
society had passed a resolution '' that every member who
takes in a weekly paper shall substitute the ' Weekly Free
Press ' in its stead." This society had very decided ideas
how to get an organ of the movement into circulation.
The " Weekly Free Press " was the earliest newspaper of
distinctive pretensions which represented co-operation.
The first Liverpool society of 1830 was the first that I
have observed which prefixed an address to its rules. It
was not very well written, but the example was a good
one. It gave the opportunity of interesting those into
whose hands the rules fell.
The Warrington society of 1831 prefixed to its articles
iin excellent sentence from Isaiah. It was this : " They
helped every one his neighbour, and every one said to his
brother, be of good courage." The rules of this society
i\ro remarkable, like all the rules of the co-operative
societies of that day, for their anxiety concerning the
moral character of their members. They prohibited in-
decent and improper language in the committee-room ;
they would hold no meeting in a public-house ; no person
was refused on account of religious opinions ; no person
of an immoral character was admitted, and, if any mem-
ber became notoriously vicious after he was a member, he
was expelled unless he reformed. They fixed the interest
on money borrowed at 5 per cent. — the earliest instance of
that amount being named in official rules. Oue of their
342 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Curious law against disparaging Store goods.
rules "was, that " when sufficient money was in their
hands some kind of manufacture should be commenced."
They refused, " as a body, to be connected with any
political body wliatever, or with an}^ unions for strikes
against masters.'' The society was pledged to ^' steadily
pursue its own objects" Had it done so they would have
been going on now. They, however, did think of progress.
This Warrington Society agreed to form a librar}-, to take
in a newspaper, and to publish tracts on co-operation — a
thing which it is difficult to get many modern societies to
do now.
The Runcorn Economical Society of 1831 took for its
motto the brief and striking passage — " Sirs, ye are
brethren." But they did not apply the spirit of this to
women, for they allowed no female to serve in any office.
Neither did they permit any member to make known to
any person who was not a member, the profits arising from
the society's store ; a great contrast to the more profitable
publicity of later societies. No doubt the Runcorners
made good profits. No society ever forbids disclosures,
imless it has something to its own advantage to conceal.
This society was very fastidious as to its members. It
would have none but those of good character, and who
were sober, industrious, and of general good health.
They did not Avish sickly colleagues, nor w^ould they admit
a member under sixteen, nor above forty years of age —
as though frugality was a virtue unsuitable to the youngs
or not necessary for the old.
In the rules of the first Preston Society, instituted on
Whit Monday, 1834 (I quote from the copy which belonged
to Mr. John Finch, then of Cook Street, Liverpool), there
was one against speaking disrespectfully of the goods of
the society. It declared " that, if any member did so, he
should be excluded, and his share should be under a forfeit
of six months' profit, together with a discount of 10 per
cent, for the benefit of the establishment. The directors
of the Wholesale at Manchester, and those of many other
. ECCEilTRIC AND f^IIsGULAR SOCIETIES. 343
Capacity of English workmen for self-help and Self-government.
co-operative societies, would have more peace of mind if
tliej could get passed rules of this description. This society
accepted no member who belonged to another co-operative
society, nor, if he had formerly belonged to one, unless he
produced testimonials as to his character and the cause of
his leaving. Any market man neglecting to attend when
sent for, or not attending on market days at proper time,
was fined a sum equal to that paid for anotlier member's
attendance. Xo money was paid to the wife of any member,
unless her husband agreed to her receiving it. The
Rochdale Society never put any of this nonsense into its
rules, but paid tlie female member, and left the husband to
his remedy, which wise magistrates made it difficult for
him to get.
The rules of the earlier co-operative societies would form
an interesting subject of study to modern co-operators.
Some of the societies seem to have expected rapscallioa
associates, for tliey had rules for the treatment of felons
who might be discovered among them. But as a whole, a
study of the rules would greatly exalt the estimate rulers
form of the capacity of the working class for self-gov(3rn-
ment. The Avisdom, the prudence, the patient tlevices,
which co-operative rules display, must be quite unknown
to the majority of statesmen and politicians, or we should
never have heard the foolish and wholesale disparagements
of working people which have often defaced discussion in
Parliament.
America is not only a country where social ideas have
room for expansion, but is also, it seems, a place where the
art of writing about them improves. Certainly emigrants
there Avill relate what they never tell at home. The
Countess Ossoli used to value the " rough pieces of personal
experience " (always fresh and excellent packages of know-
ledge when you can get them) which backwoodsmen would
tell by their night fires. At home persons imagine homo
facts can have no interest or conclude that the facts
are known. Few writers know everything, and it is wcl
344 HISTORY OF CO-OPEKATION.
The ambition of Blackley.
for the reader if an historian has but a limited belief in his
own knowledge, and is minded to inquire wndely of others.
Under this impression I became possessed of the following
curious history of the early adventures of a Lancashire store
related to me by a Lowell correspondent.
The Blackley (Lancashire) Store commenced in the fall
of 1860 with some forty members. We lost no time in
renting premises and commencing business. The first year
I acted as secretaiy, and then resigned my office to abler
hands, which still retain it. I was, however, elected a
director and served in the various offices of Committeeman,
President, Auditor and Librarian, six years more. During
the first year we acted on the plan of giving the store-
keeper a dividend on his wages, equal to that paid to
members on their purchases. We may, therefore, claim
to be the first or about the first society in England to adopt
the system Eochdale had devised. It was discontinued for
a time at the instance of the storekeeper himself, who pre-
ferred the equivalent of the dividend in his wages. The
dividend plan has, however, since been readopted. Our
first president, who was an overseer in one of the mills in
the village, was addicted to thinking that respectability
was a good thing for us, and thought us fortunate when
the elite of the village smiled on us. It was a great day
for him when at one of our meetings we had a real live
mayor to preside, supported by the chairman of the
Chamber of Commerce, a canon of the church, the village
rector and other dignitaries. But it did us little "good.
When the show was over there was an end of them,
because they did not really care for us. But one gentle-
man, the Rev. Mr. Child, rector of a neighbouring parish,
did take a kindly interest in us and was always ready to
help us when need came, and our members became much
attached to him.
At the end of the first year we set about building a
store of our own, and our president designed that the
laying of the corner stone should be a grand affair. A
ECCENTKIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 345
The story of the Silver Trowel.
silver trowel was to be presented to some one. Every one
of us turned to our friend, the Rev. Mr. Child, whom we
wished should possess it. Alas, our ceremoniously-minded
president suggested it would not be courteous to our
rector, the Rev. Mr. Deeling, to ignore him and offer it to
another, though he had shown us little favour, and was
under the influence of the shopocracy. At length Ave
agreed to offer the silver trowel to the Rector, in the hope
that he would refuse it, and we should be free to confer it
on our friend Mr. Child. Woe on us ! Rector Deeling
accepted it ! He came and did the work, made us a short
speech, took the trowel, and ever after shunned us. During
the cotton famine many of our members suffered severely,
but it was an inexorable condition with the committee of
relief which came into being in our quarter, that no member
of the store could receive anything from them so long as he
had a shilling invested; and I shall long remember seeing the
poor fellows coming week after week for a few shillings out of
their savings, until it was all gone, whilst their neighbours,
who had as good an opportunity but saved nothing, were
being well cared for. I have often felt a wonder, on
looking back to that dz'eadful time, how we got through it
without coming to grief. A young society, with small
capital, and putting up a building that cost .£1000, yet
we stood well upright. I am certain if we had foreseen
the events of the four years that were then before us, we
should certainly have shrunk from encountering them.
Nevertheless, we ■weathered the storms, and came out px-os-
perous. I can only account for our success by the inherent
soundness of the co-operative principle, and its self-
sustaining power. It was certainly not owing to any par-
ticular ability or foresight in the men who had the conduct
of it. I have no further facts from this American side iho
Avater for you, and you do not ask for opinions, yet I
cannot help giving some. The people of America, I think,
are not ripe for co-operation — they have not been ^n';jr/«?a5
enough, and the opportunities for individual enterprise
S46 HISTORY OF CO-OPEKATIOX.
Tlie English •wisdom of reserTing distinction for the useless.
are too good. They cannot understand anything but a
speculation to make money, and the general moral scepticism
is such that any one promoting a store it would be
suspected of wanting to make something out of it.-*
The story of the silver trowel is as pretty an episode as
anything to be met with in the history of co-operative
adventures. The rector who took it did quite riglit, and
the silly co-operators who offered it deserved to lose it.
How was he to know that they did not intend to honour
him when they pretended they did ? The president who
plotted the presentation was evidently a man well up in
his line of business. It is a sound rule of English public
life never to bring to the front any actual worker of
mark, lest you should deter people from coming to the
front w])o always hold back. If any honour is to be shown
the rule is to pass by all who have done any public service,
and bestow it upon some one never known to do anything.
The Blackley co-operators are to be congratulated. They
lost their trowel on sound constitutional principles. But
if they had no money left to make an equal honorary
present to their real friend, the Rev. Mr. Child, they
ought to have stood in the market place on Saturday nights
and begged like Homer with their hats, until they had
enough money for the purpose.
In Cumberland exists an original species of co-opera-
tion devised by Mr. William Lawson (referred to in
Chapter xix.), a man of fertile and devising mind, who
unaware of the self-helping form of association so long in
operation elsewhei-e, originated a scheme of paternal
co-operation. In Eadnorshire there is a parish of the name
of Evenjobb — pleasant to a workman's ears. Plcasanter
than Mealsgate or Boggrow, or other extraordinary named
places which abound in Cumberland, is the wide, watery
plain of Blennerhasset, with its little bridge and quaint
* To my regret I have mislaid the name of my correspondent. In the
Agricultural Economist, for reasons no longer valid, I changed the names
of Blacliley into " Blockly." Child into " Wild," and Deeling into "Reeling."
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 347
Paternal co-operatiou at Blennerhasset.
houses. Here in this seldom-mentioned spot, is a very
old endowed Presbyterian meeting-house, where heretics
of that order once made a secure reluge to themselves.
The co-operative store there is a very primitive one ;
none like it exists in England. The members subscribe
no capital and take no shares. Mr. Lawson generously
provided the whole. They have all the profits and he has
all the risk and no interest, or if any accrues to him he
spends it for the " public good." He has now wi.-ely
placed at the service of the members, the opportunity of
purchasing the shares for themselves, and remodelling the
store on the plan of those which are self-directed and
managed by members, who take interest because they take
the risks.
There are stores of the self-helping type now established
in the neighbourhood of Blennerhasset. I delivered ia
1874 the opening addresses of the Aspatria Society's
Store in Noble Temple, and a well built, substantial, woU-
jirranged store it is. From the name Noble Temple, the
stranger would expect that it was some stupendous structure
of unwonted beauty, or that some architect, amazed at the
felicity of his conception, had given it that exalted name ;
whereas the ground on which it stands happened to be
named *' Noble," and the very flat and oi-dinary fields
around are called '' No])le Fields." Mr. Lawson built the
hall for the people and considcrat(dy stipulated that it
should be used on Sundays for useful addresses.
There are many of the Scotch societies remai-kable for
singular features. There was the Kilmarnock store, which
kept two cats — a black cat and a tabby cat, to eat the mice
of the store. But a prudent mcniber, thinking this double
feline expenditure told unfavourably on the divitlends,
attention was duly called to it. At a Board meeting the
question was argued all one night. There was a black cat
party and a tabby cat party. It was agreed on both sides
that the two could not be kept ; and a strong partizan of
the tabby cat moved the adjournment of the debate. In
348 HISTOEY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
The famous Cat Debate at Kilmarnock.
the mean time the black cat, either throuirh hearinij the
discussion, or finding a deficiency of milk, or more pro-
bably being carried off by the kind-hearted wife of some
member — disappeared ; and the division was never taken ;
and the secretary who was instructed to ascertain what
effect its support would have upon the dividends, never con-
cluded his calculations.
Mauchline, which Burns knew so well, never took to
co-operation imtil the agitation for the People's Charter
set men thinking of self-help. The committee began with
giving credit to the extent of two-thirds of the subscribed
capital of each member. At a later stage in their career,
they extended the credit to the whole of the subscribed
capital. That store must have been the most ricketty
thing out. Mr. Hugh Gibb, who was its president, and
wlio understood co-operation, resisted this discreditable
policy with an honourable persistence which rendered him
unpopular. He constantly described credit as a foul blot
upon co-operation, since it tended to keep the members in
that state of dependence from which co-operation was
intended to raise them. By this time the Store has got off
the siding of credit, and is fairly upon the main line of cash
payments.
The purchase of the Mechanics' Institution at Blaydon,
by the Co-operative Store, is an instance of public
s])irit more remarkable than that displayed by any other
society. This Mechanics' Institution has fulfilled in its
■day, more of the functions which Mechanics' Institutions
were intended for, than have usually been fulfilled else-
where. Political, social, and theological lectures could be
delivered from its platform. Its newsroom was open on
the Sunday, when it could be of most service to the work-
ing class. Eminent public men were honorary members
of it, Garibaldi, Orsini, Kossuth, Mazzini, were the chief
names. The only honorary distinction ever conferred
upon me, and one I value, was that of placing my name on
that roll. On the Co-operative Store annexing it to their
ECCENTRIC AND SINGULAR SOCIETIES. 3-49
Remarkable career of the Blaydon-on-Tyne Store.
Society, they still kept the platform free and the newsroom
open on Sunday. The Institution is copiously supplied with
books and the best newspapers of the day, accessible to all the
members of the store free, and to the villagers not belong-
ing to the stores on payment of a small fee. In addition
to a free library, which is well supplied with desirable
books, the social features of a working-man's club are
added. This liberal and well devised provision for the
education and social pleasures of the co-operators, illus-
trates the high spirit in which the best stores have been
conceived and conducted.
Co-operators have received distinguished encouragement
to devote part of their funds to educational purposes
whenever they have made known that they were endea-
vouring to form a library. The Sunderland Societv, in
18<I3, received gifts of books from Mr. Tennyson, Mr. Mill,
Lord Brougham, and Mazzini in 18G4. Later in 1877,
Professor Tyndall gave a complete set of his works to bo
presented to such Co-operative Society as I might select.
They were awarded to the Blaydon-on-Tyne Society.
Blaydon-on-Tyne is merely a small village, through which
the river and the railway run, and distinguished as the birth-
place and residence of Mr. Joseph Co wen, M.P. The houses
are encompassed by violent manufacturing works, yet
Blaydon has the most remarkable store next to that of
Rochdale. It befjanto grow, and went straifjht on irrowino-.
Its book-keeping is considered quite a model of msthod. Tho
store has grown from a house to a street. The library
contains upwards of 1500 volumes of new books. Of course
they have an Education Fund of 2^ per cent, nett profits,
reserved for instruction. No co-ojjerative society is to be
considered respectable which has not this.
The store assets have increased by npwards of £.500
during 187n, notwithstanding that there has been £20,1 li)
in shares and profit withdrawn. The profit for that year
amounted to £li3,{s80 9s. Gd., and after paying interest on
shares, pro[>er reduction of fixed stock, and h-^^o.^ ai^d cart
S50 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
Its vai'ied pjroTision for education,
accounts, there lias been paid in dividends £13,003, besides
making a liberal provision for the reserve fund to meet all
liabilities. Mr. Spotswood informs me that their Educa-
tion Fund is close upon £400 a year, and that thej are
busy now fitting up three branches with news-rooms and
libraries.* There is a good science class in Blaydon, and
most of the students are the sons of members. The pitmen
and artizans of the Tyne side ai'e distinguished among
workmen for their love of mathematical science, and
Professor Tyndali's gift will be read, and studied, and
valued there.
* The Acerington and Cliurcb Society is hardly less remarkable for the
amplitude of its educational devices. It has 'never been explained to
strangers whether the Acerington Society is a Church store, or whether the
Church owns the store at Acerington. The reader, however, is to under-
stand that Acerington and Church are two adjacent places, used to
designate the dis'tingnished store in that neiglibourhood.
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATURE. 351
Specific " growths " of co-operative ideas.
CHAPTER XXL
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATURE.
'Tis not the wliolesome sharp morality,
Or modest anger of a satiric spirit,
That hurts or '^vounds the body of a state,
But the sinister application
Of the * * * ignorant * * *
Interpreter who will distort and strain
The general scope and purpose of an author.
Du. Joii.Nsox, Poetaster.
Co-operative literature, as it is kno\Y!i in this country,
lias a distinctively English character, which means that its
policy is self-help not State-help : that it is enthusiastic
and considerate, attem])ting gain only by equitable means.
It is neither speculative nor selfish. If it dreams no
grand dreams, it dreams constantly how it can best take
the next step before it. Xevertheless it would be the
better in some respects for an infusion of Continental and
American ideas into it. There are what naturalists
would call '^ specific growths " of associative conceptions
in other countries. Some are richer and loftier tlian ours,
and they would be valuable additions to the bleak and
hardier products of Great Britain. The co-operative idea
in its " germ state " has always been in the mind of man
in all countries though in very atomic form. The power
and advantage of mere unity was a theme of the ancient
fabulists. And philosophers s]")cculated how unity in life
miglit produce moral as v/cU as physical advantages.
352 HISTOEY OF CO-OPERATION.
American State Propagandism.
Ancient India, as we now know, was rich in pacific thought
which gave rise to pastoral communities. Comparative
co-operation would be as interesting in social science, as
comparative language, or comparative anatomy, has been
in philology and osteology.
The co-operative custom of Greek fishermen, of Cornish
and Northumberland miners, of Gruyere cheesemakers, of
American and Chinese sailors ; the elaborate devices of
the great industrial partnership of Ambelaika, show that
for some two centuries, constructive co-operation has been
germinating in various places without being extended to
other places or trades than those in which it arose, and
without being practised by a sufficient number of persons
to call attention to it elsewhere. The peculiarity of
modern co-operative literature is that it treats of the idea
systematized and of new applications and extensions of it.
In other countries there are bolder conceptions of it
than among us, often put in an original light, with
a welcome daringness and penetration. Men of the "wilder
sort " are wilder than in England, and sometimes make
co-operation hostile and alarming. In America it is
dealt with as a social force as in England, but, as a
rule, dealt with more vigorously and with more decision
of object.
One reason why the American nation is smarter than
the English is, that the State has a Propagandist De-
partment, and publishes costly books for the information
of their people. To them England must seem parsi-
monious, seeing that we have an annual growl in Parlia-
ment at the expense of printing the dreary-looking Blue
Books we produce. There came over here from America,
every year for a long period, handsomely-bound volumes,
teeming with maps and diagrams of every kind, issued by
the State Board of Health and the Bureau of Labour of
Massachusetts. But Ave have no Bureau of Labour, though
we owe everything to our being a manufacturing country.
Ko minister has ever thouglit of creating a State Depart-
VICISSITUDES OF IXDUSITJAL LITERATUKE. 353
English Blue Books on the Condition of the laclustrial Classes Abroad.
ment of Labour. It is with extreme difficulty that we
get, every three years, a few sheets printed of the Reports
of Friendly and Co-operative Societies. Deputations of
Members of Parliament have to be appointed to wait on
the Printing Committee to get this done ; and it is believed
the Committee take medical advice before meeting the
deputation. There is no one who can foresee what the
effects may be. For several years we had debates at the
Annual Congress as to how the House of Commons
may be approached with this momentous application. This
is not a question of loss. It is economy to give the in-
formation. In America it is given by the State to every
society or manufacturer of mark likely to profit by it.
The American reports mentioned, some years exceed 600
pages. The volume is handsomely bound and lettered, '
and made suitable to a gentleman's library. A consider-
able number of these volumes have been sent to England,
to societies and individuals publicly known to be inter-
ested in the questions to which they relate.
There is one instance in which the English Government,
it must be owned, has done more than any other govern-
ment, that is, in publishing Blue Books upon the con-
dition of the Industrial Classes Abroad, MTitten by Her
Majesty's Secretaries of Embassy and Legation which
were issued for three years under the direction of Lord
Clarendon. The reports gave information as to the state
of labour markets in foreign countries, the purchasing
power of the wages paid compared with what the same
money would procure at home ; the manner in which
workmen were hired and housed ; the quality of the work
executed ; the kind of education to be had for families
of workmen ; the conditions of health in the quarters
workmen would occupy, and other information of the
utmost value to emigrant artizans and labourers.
So long as social ideas on the continent are sensible,
we seldom hear of them in our journals or from the lij)S of
our politicians, even though the social movement may be
AA
354 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Eevolutionary peculiarity of the " Standard."
extensive and creditable. But if an idiot or an enemy
makes a speech to some obscure club it is printed in small
capitals, as though the end of the world has been suddenly
discovered.
The ^' Standard " is a curious and mysterious source of
this information. Though Conservative, it has long been
the only penny daily paper in which the working class
democrat can read a full account of the proceedings in
Parliament, so essential to the information of such
persons. Besides, it gives copious accounts of the
revolutionary leaders, their movements and speeches
abroad. If Castelar, Gambetta, Victor Hugo, or Bakunin
have made speeches of mark, or of alarming import,
insurgent readers in England can find the most complete
and important passages in the columns of the " Standard "
alone. Possibly its idea is that these reports will forewarn
and excite the native apprehensions of Conservative
supporters, and terrify the immobile and comfortable
portion of the middle class. In 1871, when the Indus-
trial International Association met at Geneva, this
journal told us that the internationalists raised the " Svvisi=;
flag without the cross, democracy without religion,"
and the Red Republic, and a good deal more. The late
Mr. Odger was at the congress. At that time, the
Emperor Napoleon being uncomfortable about the pro-
ceedings of Garibaldi, whom the association wished to
invite to their congress, M. Boitelle had the foreign
members arrested as they passed through France, and
their [paper seized. Two of the members, Mr. George
Odger and Mr. Cremer, "being of English birth," and the
*' Standard" said " English like, they made an awful row
about this insult to their country and their flag. Lord
Cowley took the matter up ; the men were soon at liberty,
but their papers were detained by the police, and months
elapsed before the delegates received them back. Napoleon
wished to please Lord Cowley and to win the working^
men of Paris, so M. Rouher yielded up the documents to
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATURE. 355
Nihilist principles the invention of adversaries.
Odger, and requested Bourdon, as the man whose signature
stood first on the Paris memoir, to honour him with a call
at the Ministry of the Interior."
The " Standard" of October, 1871, gave particulars of
the trial of Netschaiew, and quoted a document produced
on that occasion, purporting to detail the duties of the
real Revolutionists being the profession of faith of the
Russian Nihilists — presenting it as " the Ne plus ultra of
Socialism." A more scoundrel document was never
printed. The conciseness, and precision of its language,
prove it to be the work of a very accomplished adversary.
The creed contains eleven articles ; but the quotation of
six of them will abundantly satisfy the curiosity of the
reader. They treat of the "position of a revolutionist
towards himself."
" 1. The revolutionist is a condemned man. He can have
neither interest, nor business, nor sentiment, nor attach-
ment, nor property, nor even a name. Everything
is absorbed in one exclusive object, one sole idea, one sole
passion — revolution.
" 2. He has torn asunder every bond of order, with the
entire civilised world, with all laws, with all rules of
propriety, with all the conventions, all the morals of this
world. He is a pitiless enemy to the world, and, if ho
continue to live in it, it can only be with the object of
destroying it the more surely.
'' 3. The revolutionist despises all doctrines and re-
nounces all worldly science, which he abandons to future
generations. He recognises only one science — that of
(lestruction. For that, and that alone, he studios
mechanics, physics, chemistry — even medicines. Ho
studies night and day the living science of men, of char-
acters, and all the circumstances and conditions of actual
society in every possible sphere. The only object to be
attained is the destruction, by the promptest means possible,
of this infamous society.
" 4. He despises public opinion ; and detests the existing
856 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Socialism the antipodes of Nibilism.
state of public morals in all its phases. The only morality
he can recognise is that wliich lends its aid to the triumph
of revolution ; and everything which is an obstacle to the
-attainment of this end is immoral and criminal.
"5. The revolutionist is without pity for the State and
vail the most intelligent classes of society. Between him-
self and them there is continued, implacable war. He
ought to learn to suffer tortures.
" 6. Every tender and effeminate sentiment towards
relations — every feeling of friendship, of love, of gratitude,
and even of honour — ought to be dominated by the cold
passion of revolution alone. There can be, for him, but
one consolation, one recompense, and one satisfaction — the
success of revolution. Day and night he should have
only one thought, one object in view — destruction without
pity. Marching coldly and indefatigably towards his end,
he ought to be ready to sacrifice his own life, and to take,
with his own hands, the lives of all those who attempt to
impede the realisation of this object."
Society is very safe, if the destruction is only to be
•accomplished by agents of this quality. No country could
hope to produce more than one madman in a century,
"capable of devotion to this cheerless, unrequiting, and self-
murdering creed. AVhat there would remain to revolu-
tionize when everything is destroyed, only a lunatic could
discover. Poor socialism, whose disease is too much trust
in humanity — whose ambition is labour — and whose
Toassion is to share the fruits with others, has met with
critics insane enough to believe that Netschaiew was
its exponent.
8o late as when the Commune was a source of political
trouble in Paris, the advocates of the Commune were
called " Communists," and the ignorance of the English
press was so great, that these agitators were always
represented as partizans of a social theory of community of
property. Whereas, in that sense, rjone of the leaders of
the Commune were comnuinists. The Commune meant
VICISSITUDES OF IXDU3TRIAL LITERATURE. 357
The 20,000 interior governments of Eagland.
the parish, and the same party in England — had it arisen in
England — would have been called Parochialists. The
advocacy of the Commune, is the most wholesome and
English agitation that ever took place in France. It arose
in a desire of the French to adopt our local system of
self-government. It was the greatest compliment they
ever paid us. And the English press repaid it by repre-
senting them as spoliators, ntopianists, and organised
madmen. During the invasion of the Germans the
French found that centralization had ruined the nation.
The mayors of all towns being appointed by the Govern-
ment, when the Government fell, all local authorities fell,
and the Germans over-ran the helpless towns. Had the
Germans invaded England, every town would have raised
a regiment by local authority, and every county would
have furnished an army. Every inch of ground would
have been contested by a locally organized ibrce. It wag
this the Communists of France wished to imitate. The
claim for local self-government was made chiefly in Paris
and for Paris alone — there being probably no chance of
sustaiiiing a larger claim : but as far as it went, the claim
was wholesome. The French have been so long accus-
tomed to centralization that their statesmen are incapable
of conceiving how local self-government can co-exist with
a state of general government. In England, we have some
20,000 parishes. If we had centralization instead, and
any public man proposed that 20,000 small governments
should be set up within the central government, he would
seem a madman to us. But we know from experience
that local self government is the strength and sanity of
this nation. The first time the French imitated this
sanity, our press, with almost one accord, called them
madmen. William de Fonvielle — whose brother, Count de
Fonvielle, was shot at by one of the Bonapartcs — exerted
himself, in the French press, to procure for the Com-
munists the name of Communardists, to ])revent the
English press making the mistake about them which
358 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The canvas of communism coloured by eccentric artists.
wrought so much mischief on public opinion here. I
assisted liim where I could, but we had small success
then.
So changed in tolerance and discrimination is journal-
istic literature during the last thirty years, that the
ignorant viciousness which was formerly common, is now
so exceptional that the explosions which once were a source
of danger are now a source of amusement only.
The pretty name of Socialism had got a few dashes of
eccentric colour laid upon it by some wayward artists in
advocacy, which casual observers — who had only a super-
ficial acquaintance with it, and no sympathy for it Avliich
might lead them to make inquiries — mistook for the
original texture, and did not know that the alien streaks
would all be washed off in the first genial shower of
success. Earl Russell pointed out, some years ago, that
if the Reformation was to be judged by the language and
vagaries of Luther, Knox, and other wild-speaking
Protestants, it would not have a respectable adherent in
these days. Mr. "W. R. Greg, in his "Mistaken Aims of
the Working Classes," mainly appears as the adversary of
'• Socialism," but Avrites with sympathy, fairness, and
discrimination of socialistic aims. The co-operator who
desires an intelligent opinion of what he is about, will find
the articles of Mr. Greg among the most instructive he
can peruse.
The English theory of '* communism," if such a word
can be employed here, may be summed up in two things.
1. The hire of capital by labour, and industry taking the
profit. 2. All taxes being merged in a single tax on
capital, which Sir Robert Peel began when he devised the
income tax. Labour and capital would then subscribe
equitably to the expenses of the State each according to its
gains or possessions.
Workmen are not the only men with a craze in advocacy.
No sooner does a difficulty occur in America as to the rate
of railway wages, than sober journalists screech upon the
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATURE. 359
Crazes not confined to the working class.
insidious prevalence of " socialistic " ideas and put wild
notions into the heads of the men. The ancient conflict be-
tween worker and employer always seems newtojournalists.
Tlie mechanic calls his master a " capitalist," and the
journalist calls the workman a " communist." The same
kind of thincr no doubt went on at the buildinor of the
Tower of Babel and the confusion of tonfjues, which Moses,
unaware of the facts, otherwise accounted for, was no doubt
brought about by journalists.
Among all the people of America, no one ever heard of
a conspiring or fighting socialist. The very small number
of people who form communities in America are pacific to
feebleness, and are criminally apathetic in regard to politics.
Tiie communistic Germans there are peaceable, domestic, and
dreaming as they are at home. Tiic followers of Lasalle,
if they had all emigrated to America, would be insufficient
£o influence any State Legislature to establish Credit Banks,
and this is the utmost their socialism ever amounted to ;
and this can have no connection with the strikes. The
railway men do not want Credit Banks. The Irish never
understood socialism , nor cared for it. The mass of working
men of America do not even understand co-operation. The
Russians have some notions of socialism ; but Russians are
very few in America, and Hertzen and Bakuuin are dead.
Tiie French are not socialists, and Avould be perfectly con-
tent as they are, were it not for the " Saviours of Society,'*
tlie most dangerous class in every community. The term
" communism " is a mere expletive of modern journalism,
and is a form of swearing supposed in some quarters to bo
acceptable to middle-class shareholders.
lu the time of the first Reform Bill, many of the active
co-operators in London were also politicians, and some of
them listened to proposals of carrying the Reform Bill by
force of arms. Tiiis was the only time that social reformers
■were even indirectly mixed up with projects for violently
changing the order of things. But it is to be observed
that their object was not to carry their social views into
360 HISTORY OP CO-OPEEATION".
Colonel Macerone at large.
operation by these means, but to secure some larger
measure of political liberty. The conspiracy, such as it
was — if conspiracy it can be called — was on behalf of
political and not of social measures. The fact is, at that
time, the action in which they took interest was less of the
nature of conspiracy than of excitement, impulse, and
indignation, at the existence of the political state of things
which had become intolerable and which seemed hopeless of
improvement by reason. Indeed the middle-class shared
the same excitement, were equally forward in proposing
violent proceedings, and were as much mixed up with th&
conspiracy for change — if conspiracy it was — as the working
class themselves. It is worthy to be particularized that the
best known practical instigator of military action was a
foreigner — one Colonel Macerone. If tlie reader will turn
to the little pamphlets which the Colonel published he will
find that the kind of men Macerone sought to call to arms-
were far from being dissolute, sensual, or ambitious of
their own comfort. The men who were to march on the
Government were to be allowed but a few pence a day for
their subsistence, and the Colonel pointed out the chief kind
of food they were to carry with them, a very moderate por~
tion of which they were to eat. Water or milk was to be
their only beverage. A more humble or abstemious band
of warriors were never brought into the field, than those
whom Colonel Macerone sought to assemble.
About 1830, a penny pamphlet was published by C. Ben-
nett, of 37, Holywell Street, entitled "Edmund's Citizen
Soldier." The first portion was the following, on " Mace-
rone's Pikes :" — " That true citizen-soldier, Colonel Mace-
rone, justly remarks that the population of most countries
are much better acquainted with the use of arms, and with
the practice of military movements than the English citizens-
now are. Every man, and almost every boy, in America
possesses the unerring rifle. In France, one man in ever}"-
ten has seen military service. Our insular situation has
perhaps made us better sailors than soldiers. England,
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATURE. 361
Humble equipment of citizen soldiers.
however, is the great workshop for arms for all the world,
and the fault is our own if wo learii not the use of the
things we make. There is no lack of pistol barrels and
powder in every district. Temi)orary |)ikc3 may bs
made of carpenter's chisels, dinner knives, fixed into mop
sticks. Macerone says, and common sense says, go not
out with inferior weapons, with blunt clubs to fight
aristocracy's hirelings armed with ethcieat weapons, and
sharp swords. Get the most effective and cheapest weapous-
for general use. Macerone says that the best weapons
and readiest for citizen warfare are a pike 1) feet long
accompanied by a 32 inch barrel fowling piece, and a brace
of good sized G-inch barrel pistols. Tlie pike, made of the
best ash, is sold by Macerone, at 8, Upper George Street,
Bryanstone Square, at 10s. Men shoukl never fight
with the long pike in less rank than three deep, six deep
is the best. Nothing but a body armed with similar pikes
can withstand six-deep pike-men. But citizen soldiers
with pikes can all effoctivel}'- do harm six deep, because
citizen's 9 feet pike will reach three deep further than the
soldier's 6 feet musket and bayonet. If pike citizens stand
firm, the horse-soldiers can never break the citizen ranics.
The short bayonet will not protect a man from severe cuts
from the loni; sword of a bold horse soldier. The lona; pike
will. Pike men are equal to double the number of men
armed on the old plan. A walking soldier, mind, runs
tenfold more danger in flying from a horse-soldier, than in
showing a determined neck or notiiing front to tho
mounted horseman."
Of course had revolvers been then a military arm, the
half famished pike-men had had a poor chance against the
well fed mounted horseman. But the yeoman cavalry of
that day were far from being unapproachable. My old
friend James Watson, mentioned before as one of the
earliest co-operative missionaries on record, possessed one
of the " Colonel Macerones " as these pikes were called.
When I came into possession of his publishing house in
362 HISTORY OF CO-OPEKATION.
Latent perils of the British GoTernment.
Queen's-head passage, London, I found 'one which had
long been stored there. It is still in my possession. In
1848, when the famous 10th of April came, and the Duke
of Wellington fortified the Bank of England because the
poor Chartists took the field under Feargus O'Connor —
and a million special constables were sworn in, and Louis
Napoleon, then resident in London was reported to be one
of them — this solitary pike was the only weapon in the
metropolis with which the '^ Saviours of" Society " could
be opposed. The Duke of Wellington could have no idea
of the risks he ran. It still stands at the door of my
chambers, and I have shown it to Cabinet Ministers when
opportunity has offered, that they might understand what
steps it might be necessary to take, in case the entire social-
istic arsenal in England, (preserved there) should be
brought to bear upon the Government in favour of
co-operation. *
Joseph Smith the " Sheep maker " (who would not
allow an audience to depart until they had subscribed for
a sheep for the Queenwood community), mentioned in the
first volume, returned to England in 1873, and after
thirty years absence unchanged in appearance, in voice,
or fervour, addressed a new generation of co-operators.
He has returned to Wissahickon, Manayunkway, Phila-
delphia, where he keeps the Maple Spring Hotel, where
he has the most grotesque collection of nature and art ever
seen since Noah's Ark was stocked. Joseph Smith cer-
tainly had as much " grit" in him as any Yankee among
whom he now lives. There is no doubt that he began
business on his own account at seven years of age in some
precocious way. There is no danger to him now in saying
that his first appearance in politics was by knocking an
officer off his horse by a brickbat at Peterbro in 1819,
* The danger is more serious now since the " Macerone " has beea
supplemented in 1876 by the sword of John Frost.
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATURE. 363
Joseph Smith the "Sheep Maker," among the Blanketeers.
excited by the way the people were wantonly slashed by
those ruffians of " Order." He was the only one of the
Blanketeers I have known in this co-operative movement.
The Blanketeers were a band of distressed weavers, who
set out from Manchester in 1827 to walk to London, to
present a remonstrance to George the Third. They were
called " Blanketeers " because they each carried a blanket
to wrap himself in by the wayside at night, and a pair of
stockings to replace those worn out in the journey. Each
poor fellow carried in his hand his " Remonstrance " with-
out money or food, trusting to the charity of patriots of
his own class for bread on his march. Thus these melancholy
insurgents, armed only with a bit of paper to present to
as hopeless a king as ever reigned — set out on their march
to London. The military were set upon this miserable
band, and Joseph Smith was one of those who were
stopped and turned back at Stockport. He chxims to
have devised the first social tea party at the Manches-
ter co-operative society on December 24, 1829 — a much
more cheerful and hopeful undertaking than Blanketeering.
In November, 1847, we had a German Communist
Conference in London, at which Dr. Karl Marx presided,
who always presented with great ability the principles of
co-operation with a pernicious State point sticking through
them. He said in a manifesto which he produced that the
aim of the communists was the overthrow of the rule of
the capitalists by the acquisition of political power. The
aim of the English communists has always been to become
capitalists themselves, to supersede the rule of the
capitalists by creating new capital for their own use,
consequently taking the " rule " of it, as they earned the
right to do, into their own hands for their mutual advan-
tage. ^ A congress of the same school was held at Geneva
in 18G7, when the International there resolved that it
" acknowledged the co-operative movement as one of the
transferring sources of the present society based on class
antagonisms." Restricted contempt was expressed for
364 IITSTORY OF CO-OPERATTON.
Solitary journals and periodicals, in the Constructiye Period.
the dwarfish forms of redress which the slave of wages
could effect by the co-operative s}'stem. " Thej could
never transform capitalistic society. That can never he
done save by the transfer of the organized forces of society."
This was no congress of co-operators but of mere politicians
with an eye to State action. Of the sixty delegates at it
only seven were English, and this was not their doctrine.
Of later literature, including chiefly publications,
explanatory and defensive of co-operation, appearing since
1841, may be named the "Oracle of lieason,"' the
" Movement," the " Reasoner," the " People's Review,"
the "Cause of the People," the " Covinsellor," the
^' English Leader," the '' Secular World," the " Social
Economist," and the " Secular Review." These journals
extending from 1841 to 1877 were edited chiefly by
myself, sometimes jointly with others. They are named
here because they took up the story of co-operation where
the " New Moral World " left it, and continued it when
there was no other representation of it in the press.
Every prospectus of these papers dealt with the subject,
and the pages of each journal were more or less con-
spicuously occupied with it.
The " Oracleof Reason" was commenced by Charles South-
well, whose name appeared as editor until liis imprisonment,
when I took his place until the same misadventure occurred
to me at Gloucester, being at the time on my way to Bristol
to visit him in gaol there. When the two volumes of the
*' Oracle " ended, Maltus Questell Ryall and myself com-
menced the "Movement." The"Oracle'' and the" Movement"
contained " Letters to the Socialists of England," and
the " Movement " ended with the " Visit to Harmony
Hall " giving an account of the earlier and final state of the
Queen wood Community.
In 1845, I published a little book entitled " Rational-
ism," which was then the legal name of co-operation.
The societies then known to the public being enrolled
under an Act of Parliament as associations of '' Rational
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATUEE. 3G5
Enumeration of pamphlets of the Constructive Period.
Relii^Monists." The only reason for mentioning tlie book
is, that the reader who mr.y chance to look into it will see
that the conception of the co-oi^erative movement, the
«"itieism and defence of its principles and policy pervading
this history, were indicated tliere. The " Cause of the
Peoj)le ■' was edited by W. J. Linton and myself, Mr.
Linton well known to young politicians of that day, as the
editor of the '"National," and to aftists as the chief of
wood engravers, and since as an advocate of the political
and associative views of Joseph Mazzini. When the
*' New Moral World " ceased, I contributed papers on the
social movement in the " Herald of Progress," edited by
John Cramp, and incorporated this periodical in the
^'Reasoner" commenced in 1846, of which twenty-six
volumes appeared consecutively. The " Counsellor " con-
tained commnnications from William Cooper, the chief
writer of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers, and one from
Mr. Abram Howard, the President of the Rochdale society^
at this time.* The " English Leader" which appeared under
two editors, extended to two volumes, and continued to be
the organ for special papers on co-operation. The " Sec-
idar World " also included a distinct department entitled
the *' Social Economist," of which the chief writer was
Mr. Ebenezer Edger belbre named, who promoted co-
operation with the ability and zeal of his family, never
liesitating at personal cost to himself. Afterwards the
*• Social Economist " appeared as a separate journal under
tlie joint editoi'ship of myself and Mr. Edward Owen
Greening, who liad previously projected the '' Lidustrial
Partnerships Record," published in Manchester in 18G2,
the first paper wliich treated co-operation as a purely
commercial movement. Co-operative stores and ])roduc-
tive manufacturing societies, had by that time grown to an
importance which warranted them in being treated as
See Part II. Hist, of the Equitable Pioneers of Rochdale.
366 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Details of pioneer publications.
industrial enterprises, affording opportunities to the
general public of profitable investment. The " Industrial
Partnership Eecord " was the first paper that published
" Share Lists " of those concerns. Mr. Greening afterwards
established the " Agricultural Economist/' (the name-
being suggested bv me), the largest commercial paper the
co-operative movement has. I edited the department of
" Associative topics," while it was retained as a feature of
the paper. Of separate pamphlets the best Ivnown are
the " History of Co-operation in Rochdale," Part I.
narrating its career from 1844 to 1857 ; Part II. com-
pleting Tts history from 1858 to 1878. Mr. William
Cooper, of the Rochdale Pioneers, in a letter to the ^' Daily
News" (1861) reported that as many as 260 societies
Avere commenced within two or three years after the
publication of Part L, through the evidence afforded in the
story of what can be done by people with the idea of self-
help in their minds. In some towns the story was read
nio-ht after night to meetings of working men.''' This was
also done at Melbourne, Australia. Many j-ears after the
appearance of the work, when its story might be regarded
as old, Mr. Pitman reprinted it in the " Co-operator," it
being supposed to be of interest to a new generation
of co-operators. It has been translated in the '' Courier
de Lyons " by Mens. Talandier and by Sig. Garrido
into Spanish. ^ It has appeared also in other languages
so that the Rochdale men have the merit of doing things
distant peoples are willing to hear of.
In 1871 the thirtieth volume of the " Reasoner " was
commenced, which extended over two years. I issued it
at the request of a committee of co-operators and others
in Lancashire and Yorkshire, who made themselves re-
sponsible for the printing expenses. The editor was to be
paid out of profits ; but the comet of profits had so large
an orbit, that it has not yet appeared in the editor's sphere.
* The Blaydon Store was thus commenced by Mr. Cowen, M.P., reading
the story to the villagers there.
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATURE. 367
Adyentures in authorship.
The '' Modern errors of Co-operation," a paper orirrin-
ally read at the Social Science Congress in the Guildhall,
London, lias been frequently reprinted by various societies.
The " Hundred Masters' " system, written in aid of the
■workmen when the famous struggle took place in Rochdale
when co-operation halted on the way there, originally
appeared in the " Morning Star," a paper which gave more
aid to progressive movements than any daily paper of that
day in London. '• Lidustrial Partnerships, divested of
Sentimentality " was written to explain their business basis.
The "Logic of Co-operation,'' and ''Commercial Co-
operation " were two pamphlets of Avhich many thousands
were circulated, Avritten in support of a question not
yet successful, of establishing in co-operative production
the same principle of dividing profits with the pur-
chaser which breathed life into the moribund stores
of that day. In maturer years some authors are glad
to liave it forgotten that they have written certain
works in their earlier days. For me, no liabilitv to
this regret happily remains. Other persons have, in
many instances, considerately come forward and taken
this responsibility on themselves, either by printing
editions of my books and putting their own name on the
title page, or by copying whole chapters into works of
their own, as their own ; or by translating a whole book
into another language where it had the honour of
appearing as an original work in that tongue. The
*' History of Co-Dperation in Rochdale " has as often
appeared without my name as with it. In Paislev a
summary was made of it and sold without my knowledge.
After it was done a copy was sent to me, and I was asked
whether I would permit it ; and I said 1 would. The
reason given for the request being that people would be
more likely to i-ead the book if they did not know who
was the author, which I took to be a delicate way of
telling me I was not a popular writer. The Chambers
Brothers published a pnper in their Journal, bv one of
S68 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION".
Singular tboughtfulness of the public.
tlieir contributors, who had interwoven essential portions
of the Eochdale story into his article without reference
to its origin, no doubt apprehensive lest the mention of
the author might jeopardize its insertion. But when
the Chambers became aware of it, they frankly supplied
the omission by a note in their Journal.
Even distance, which lends enchantment to so many
thinrrs, can do nothing for me. A few years ago an
American preacher called upon me and told me that one of
his brethren had printed an edition of one of my books
^' Public speaking and Debate " (written for co-operative
advocates and others) and composed a preface of his own
ar.d put his own name on the title page, which had done
the sale a world of good. Some of the proceeds vs'ould
have done me good in those days, but my friendly informant
did not advert to the probabilit}^ of that. Not long ago
the editor of an " International Journal," a paper issued
in London with a view to furnish benighted English-
men with original translations of foreign literature,
bestowed upon his readers chapter after chapter of what
he led them to believe and Avhat he believed himself, was a
new and readable history of certain co-operative stores in
EnMand, based on tlie recent German work of Eugene
Eichfcer. After this had proceeded for some weeks I sent
word to the editor that if he v.-as at any expense in pro-
Tidino- his translation, I could send him the chapters in
English, as they were part of a book published by me in
London sixteen years before. The editor sent me the
volume from which he was printing, that I might see in
what way he he had been misled, and discontinued further
publication. The book was entitled " Co-operative Stores"
and published by Leypoldt and Holt of New York, who
probably had no knowledge from what materials the
work had been compiled. Eugene Richter's work, on which
tlie Leypoldt one is based, I have never seen. As far as
reprints of anything I have written is concerned, I have
given permission without conditions to any one to reprint.
VICISSITUDES OF INDU.STiUAL LIT3UATUUE. 3(30
Unexpected consideration of the " Quarterly Review."
content that any one tliought some usefulness might thereby
arise. An unexpected instance of care for my reputation
as shown by the thoughtful omission of my name
occurred in the " Quarterly Review." A well known
writer having supplied an article on a Co-operative topic,
the History of the Rochdale Pioneers was one of five or
six works placed at the head of it. Of course the names of
all the writers were duly added. But when the editor came
to mine, something had to be done. To put down the book
as authorless had been a singularity that might attract
attention. To avoid this the name was omitted of every
other writer in the list and for the first time an article in
tiie " Quarterly " was devoted to six nameless authors, who
had all written books of public interest. The envious man
in ^sop by forfeiting one eye put out two others, by losing
my head five other writers were decaj)itated and have gone
down to posterity headless in " Quarterly " history.
In June, 18G0, a record of co-operative progress, con-
ducted exclusively b}^ working men, and entitled the
" Co-operator," was commenced. Its first editor was Mr.
E. Longficld. Mr. Henry Pitman, then of Manchester,
was one of its early promoters. This journal represented
the Lancashire and Yorkshire co-operative societies. By
this time the reputation of the Rochdale Society con-
tinually attracted foreign visitors to it. Professors of
political economy and students of social life frequently
sent inquiries as to its progress. The letters which many of
these gentlemen wrote and the accounts they published in
foreign journals of what had come under their notice in visits
to England, form a very interesting portion of the papers
in the "Co-operator." Professor Y. A. Huber, of Wer-
nigerode, was a frequent and instructive contributor.
Early in 1860 Gabriel Glutsak, civil enirineer of Vienna,
wrote to the Leeds Corn ISliW Society for their statutes,
and those of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers, with a
view to submit them to his government, and to ask
permission to establish similar societies there. In 1863
BB
370 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Commencement of the Manchester "Co-operator."
L. Miloradovitsch, residing at Tschernigor, in Jiussia, two
■weeks distant from St, Petersburg, contributed an inter-
esting paper on Russian associations. Mr. Franz Wirth,
editor of the " Arbeitgeber," Frankfort, contributed
information concerning co-operation in Germany, and
reported concerning their German " Co-operator," the
" Innungder Zukunft," by Mr. Schulze of Delitzsch.
At first the " Co-operator " was a penny monthly. At
the end of twelve months it was stated to have reached a
circulation of 10,000 copies. This was an illusion by
confounding the number printed with those sold. When
the first shriek of debt occurred, bales of obstinate numbers
were found which would not carry themselves off. Co-
operation always proceeded under greater restrictions than
those which trade imposed upon itself. Besides pledging
itself to genuineness, fair weight, and fair prices, the
editors of its official papers frequently refused to recognize
applications of the principles, however profitable, which
were not considered useful or creditable to working men.
Mr. Pitman, the editor of the '' Co-operator," kept no
terms with any who wished to go into tobacco manufac-
turing or brewing, and ultimately became disagreeable to
those who thought of having their children vaccinated.
The periodical literature of the societies contmued to
present various drolleries of thought, though not executed
with that Japanese vividness of colour observable in its
primitive efforts. If a passing notice of them is made
here, it is merely that the narrative may not be wanting
in the light and shade belonging to it. If the wilful
reader should bestow as much attention upon periodicals
the present writer has edited as he has upon co-operative
journals, such reader -would no doubt find (of another
kind) quite as much matter to amuse him. In the
"Co-operator" the artistic imagination was again occupied,
in earlier years, in endeavouring to devise symbols of
co-operation, but nothing very original was arrived at.
Societies fell bnck upon the old symbol of the Hand in
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATURE. 371
; Drolleries of Co-operative symbolism.
Hanfl, to which they endeavoured to give a little freshness
hy writing under it the following verse —
" Hand in hand, brother,
Let lis march on.
Ne'er let us faint, brother,
Till victory's won."
It did not occur to the poet that the worthy brothers
would faint much sooner if tliey endeavoured to march on
hand in hand. Co-operation has many applications, but
crossing the streets of London is not one of them, for if
two persons should endeavour to do tliat on co-operative
principles, they would both be knocked down. The revivers
of the " hand in hand " symbol seem to be ignorant or
regardless of Mr. Urquhart's doctrine, imported from
a land of lepers, that shaking hands is an unwarrantable
proceeding, a liberty not free from indelicacy, Avanting
in self-respect on the part of those who offer or submit
to it. The co-operator of 18<)2 had recourse to the figure
of our old friend, tlic young man endeavouring to break
a bundle of sticks ; but he is now represented as doing it
in so dainty and fastidious a way, that he is not likely
to succeed if he operated upon them singly ; and there
stands by him two young co-operators, one apparentlr
a (Scotchman, wearing a kilt, both, however, watching
the o{)oration as though they were perfectly satisfied that
nothing would come of it. A belief that art must have
some further resources in the way of symbols led the
editor of the " Co-operator " to offer a prize to students
at the Manchester School of Art for some fresh emblem
of unity. The best of four designs was published, repre-
sentiug an arch with a very melancholy curvature, on
which reposed the oft seen figure of Justice witji her eyes
bandaged, so that she cannot see what she is doing ; and
near to her was a lady representing Commerce, and who
appears to be playing the violin. Underneath was a youth
apparently tying the immemorial bundle of sticks, and a
pitman wearing a cap of liberty, with a spade by his side^
372 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Further efforts in emblematic art.
apparently suggesting that freedom was something to be
dug for. In the centre was a spirited group of three men
at an anvil, one forging and two striking, in Ashantee-
attire, the limbs and body being quite bare. The flying
flakes of molten iron must have been encountered under
great disadvantages. The action at the forge is certainly
co-operative, but the editor betrayed his scant appreciation
of it by saying it would make a capital design for " our
brothers in unity," (the Amalgamated Engineers were
meant) ; but " our brothers in unity " did not take it up.
The third volume of the " Co-operator '' was edited by
Mr. Henry Pitman. He introduced a new illustration in
which two workmen are approaching two bee-hives with a
view to study their habits ; but, unfortunately, a stout
swarm of bees are hovering over their heads, making the
contemplation of their performance rather perilous. A
bee-hive does not admit of much artistic display, and bees
themselves are not models for the imitation of human
beings, since they are absolutely mad about work, are
brutal to the drones when they have served their turn.
A society conducted on bee principles would make things
very uncomfortable to the upper classes, and the capitalists
would all be killed as soon as their money had been
borrowed from them. The popularity of bees is one of
the greatest impostures in industrial literature. However,
the " Co-operator," under Mv. Pitman's management, was
a very useful paper. Mr. Matthew Davenport Hill,
Recorder of Birmingham, and Mr. William Howitt, oft
wrote in it very valuable letters. Dr. King, of Brighton,
sent information to it. Canon Kingsley and the chief of
the eminent friends of industrial progress with whom he
acted, were contributors to its pages. All the writers
actively engaged in the movement at one time or other
supplied papers or letters, and foreign correspondents
furnished interesting facts and inquiries which will long
have value. But the success of journals of progress does
not depend on their merits — even when they have them. The
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATUPvE. 373
Strong writing not necessarily strong thinking.
people, the editor has in view to serve, are the uninformed
and they do not care about papers precisely because they are
uninformed. It is to the credit of social propagandists
that they appeal to reason. This is against their success ;
since reason is seldom popular. When Mr. Thornton
Hunt left the " Spectator " he joined a journal which
understood the popular taste, and the shrewd proprietor
at once said to him, " Take note, Mr. Hunt, what we want
on this paper is not strong thinking but strong writing."
Tlic " Co-operator " had little strong writing, that not
being in its line, and was not overweighted by strong
thinking ; but it had merits which deserved greater
success than it met with. It very early hung out signs
of debt, and gave a great scream on the occasion, and
actually put a black border round the statement in its
own pages, as though it was anxious to announce its
melancholy demise while it was yet alive. Some had
revealed to the editor the difference between 10,000
printed and 10,000 sold. Mr. J. S. Mill and Miss Helen
Taylor gave £10 eacli to promote the continuance of the
*' Co-operator," of which eight more volumes were issued.
In 1871, however, the debt amounted to £1000. The
editor, nevertheless, refused to relinquisli it or accept an offer
from the co-operators to purchase it. It was not probably
that he loved liability, though it had that appearance. It
was, doubtless, from a natural reluctance to relinquish a
journal which he had conducted with so much usefulness and
honourable perseverance during so many years, that he clung
to it. It had but one printer during all that time, who had
cheerfully suffered that considerable debt to accumulate.
If in patience or in faith he had shown this perseverance
of trust, it was equally unprecedented and inexplicable.
Had his virtues been known in London, he would have
been much sought after by editors of other periodicals,
who would have appreciated such a printer. Ultimately
the debt was paid rightly and creditably, mainlv by gifts
from co-operative societies, and votes from the Wholesale,
374 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
Commencement of the " Co-operatiye Kews."
who paid at one time the residue unliquidated, of upwards
of £500.
To the " Co-operator " has succeeded the " Co-operativa
News," of which nine vokimes have appeared. This.
journal is the official representative of the societies. A.
Newspaper Society was formed to establish the " Co-oper-
ative News." At the request of the committee, which
included the leading co-operators of the North of England,.
I wrote the earlier prospectuses of the paper, and as they
purposed buying up Mr. Pitman's " Co-operator " I and
Mr. Greening relinquished to them the " Social Economist,"
which we conducted in London, in order that the new journal
might have a clear field and the widest chance of a profit-
able career. The " Co-operative News " is now owned by
co-operative societies who respectively hold shares in it-
Tor a time individuals held shares. I was the last who did.
In 1876, 1 resigned mine in order that there might be that
unity in its ownership which in the opinion'of its promoters,,
promised most efficiency for its management. During an
important period it was edited by Mr. J. C. Earn, who
increased the economy of its management. It has since
been conducted by Mr. Joseph Smith and Mr. Samuel
Bamford. " Co-operative News," though a relevant, is
not a profitable name. The outside public look less into
it than its general interest would repay, believing it to be
a purely class paper. Indeed co-operators Avould take it-
in with more readiness if it bore a fresher name — a routine
title tires the mind. Working men some years ago would
not take in the " Working Man," one of the most instructive
journals ever devised for them. Working men are not
fond of being advertised once a week as working men : for
the same reason that the middle class would not be enthu-
siastic on behalf of a paper called the " Middleclass Man."
Mr. Cobden thought when the " Morning Star " was
commenced that the public would value what they very
much needed — news. But news is only of value in the
eyes of those who can understand its significance, and that
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATURE. 375
Good Journalism the life of a Movement.
implies considerable political capacity. What the averaore
public wanted was interpreted news — ready made opinions —
having little time and thennot'much power to form theirown.
Journals which gave them less news and more opinion, had
greater ascendancy than a journal which sought mainly to
serve them by enabling them to think for themselves. If
men in a movement knew the value of a good paper repre-
senting it, guiding it, defending it, they would certainly
provide to have one. A co-operative society without
intelligence, or an industrial movement without an organ,
is like a steam boat without a propeller. It is all vapour
and clatter without progress. An uninformed party is
like a mere sailing boat. It only moves when outside
winds blow, and is not always sure where it will be blown
to then.
In commencing their paper the co-operators entered
upon a new department of manufacture — the manufacture
of a newspaper. This is an art in which they had no
experience, but in which they have displayed as much
skill as people usually do who undertake an unaccustomed
business — and no more. Journalism is a ])rofession, and
requires capital, skill, and technical knowledge, as other
productive trades do. Any one familiar with the
mechanism of a newspaper can tell without being told —
when it is conducted by charity. Every column
betrays its cheapness. It is not the flag, it is then the
rag of a party, and every page in it is more or less in
tatters. Instead of being the weekly library of the mem-
bers, consisting of well-written, well-chosen articles,
readable and reliable, it is the waste paper basket of the
movement, and everything goes into it which comes to
hand and costs nothing. No one is responsible for its
policy ; its excellencies, if it has any, come by chance ;
its subjects are not predetermined ; the treatment of them
is not planned ; and a journal of this description repre-
sents a movement witiiout concert. Poverty is always
fatal to journalistic force. Those who manage a [xjor
376 HI.STOKY OF CO-OPEEATION.
Difficulties and conditions of Journalism.
journal mean well, but they do not know what to mean
when they have no means. They cannot be said to
fail, because men who aim at nothing commonly hit it,
and this is the general sort of success they do achieve.
Indeed, a journal may do worse than aim at nothing,
because then nobody is hurt when its conductors strike
their object. It is much more serious when persons are
attacked, and local views and plans — however excellent —
are pursued in a party spirit, with disparagement of others,
producing excitement instead of direction. A repre-
sentative journal owes equal respect and equal protection
to all parties, and might guide with dignity and secure
progress with good feeling. There is a difficulty in con-
ducting an official paper, and I put the difficulty in the
front because everybody ought to see it from the first —
and the difficulty is this, that an official journal must be
impartial, and impartiality is generally considered insipid.
Few writers can be entertaining unless they are abusive ;
and few editors are good for anything unless they are
partisan. If they have to strike out of an article the
imputations in it, they commonly strike out the sense
along with it, until the paper has no more flavour than a
turnip. Still, if there be no choice, it is better to have
a turnip journal than a cayenne pepper organ — better to
have a salmon for an editor, who is always swimming
about his subject, than a porcupine one, who is
sticking his fretful quills into every reader, and pricking
the movement once a week.
Every new member of a store should be required to take its
official paper. This alone would give the " Co-operative
News " a circulation of 50,000 a year. If every new mem-
ber took the paper, every old member would be very much
wondered at if he did not take it also. No groceries
carried into any member's house ought to be warranted
unless the newspaper of the stores went with them. No
articles in any productive society ought to be trusted,
nless each workman subscribed his penny to the Journal
VICISSITUDES OF INDUSTRIAL LITERATURE.' 377
Bicycle features of Co-oporation.
of the movement. If this were done, the journal of the Cen-
tral Board would one day be ver}^ large, and its revenue
I'rom circulation and advertisements would augment the
means of propagandism.
Co-operation is like a bicycle. If those who ride it keep
going they go pleasantly and swiftly, and travel far, but
if they stop they must dismount or tumble uncomfortably.
There are many great measures a statesman could devise,
and which he would gladly have his name associated with,
which he cannot venture to bring forward unless there
be educated opinion to appeal to. He is obliged to
confess that " the time has not arrived." This is often a
cant excuse put forward by timid or insincere states-
men. But the truth of the plea is too obvious where the
])ublic are ignorant. In co-o])erative societies, in their
smaller way, the same thing is true. Every intelligent
board of directors know that the}' could do much better
for the society if the members were all well-informed.
There is not a co-operative society in the kingdom, not
excepting the Wholesale of Manchester, which might not
be twice as rich as it is, if the members were as intelligent
as they should be. Without knowledge all movement is
like that of the vane-motion without progress, whereas
co-operation should resemble the screw steamer, and unite
motion and advancement.
378 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The intrepid testimony of Mr. Mill.
CHAPTER XXII.
FAMOUS PROMOTERS.
Of all the paths which lead to human bUss,
The most secure and grateful to our steps,
With mercy and humanity is marked
The sweet-tongued rumour of a gracious deed.
RicuAUD Glover.
In 1848 co-operation received unexpected recognition
great beyond anything before accorded to it, and one
which only a man of singular fearlessness would have
accorded : it was from John Stuart Mill. In a work,
sure to be read by the most influential thinkers, he said, —
" Far, however, from looking upon any of the various
classes of socialists with any approach to disrespect, I
honour the intention of almost all who are publicly known
in that character, as well as the arguments and talents of
several, and I regard them, taken collectively, as one of
the most valuable elements of human improvement now
existing, both from the impulse they give to the recon-
sideration and discussion of all the most important
questions, and from the ideas they have contributed to
many, ideas, from which the most advanced supporters of
the existing order of society have still much to learn " *
When this tribute was rendered to these social insurgents
their fortunes were at a very low ebb. Only three years
before they had publicly and ignominiously failed. The
prophets who had done their best to fulfil their sinister
* J. S. Mill, Pol. Econ., Vol. I. p. 265.
FAMOUS PROMOTERS. 379
Early letter of Miss Martineau.
predictions were exultant, contemptuous and conceited. It
was no pleasant thing to bear the name of " Socialist"
when Mr. Mill spoke of them with this generous respect.
He even went farther than vindicating their character —
he suggested a justification of one of the least accepted of
their schemes. Mr. Mill said : — " The objection ordinarily
made to a system of community of property and equal
distribution of produce — ' that eacli person would be
incessantly occupied in evading his share of the work ' —
is, I think, in general, considerably over-stated. There is
a kind of work, that of fighting, which is never conducted
on any other than the Co-operative sijstem : and neither in
a rude nor in a civilized society, has the supposed diffLculty
been experienced.* In no community has idleness ever
been a cause of failure.
Long before Miss Martineau visited the Socialist Com-
munities of America she held communication with Co-
operators at home. The Manchester and Salford Associa-
tion for the spread of Co-operative knowledge, wrote to
her, as her illustrations of Political Economy had in-
terested the society. Miss Martineau sent a reply in which
she professed that their interest in her labours was veiy
gratifying to her. One passage is worth preserving from
its curious import, " Within a short time, and happily
before the energy of youth is past, I have been awakened
from a state of aristocratic prejudice, to a clear conviction
of the Equality of Human Rights, and of the paramount
duty of society to provide for the support, comfort, and
enlightenment of every member born into it. All that I
write is now with a view to the illustration of these great
truths : with the hope of pressing upon the rich a con-
viction of their obligations, and of inducing the poor to
urge their claims with moderation and forbearance, and
to bear about with them the credentials of intelligence and
good deserts." Miss Martineau took care to indicate that
* Tol. Econ., Vol. I. p. 251.
•380 IIISTOET OF CO-OPERATION.
Lord Brougham aided what he approved.
"the equality which she favoured was the equality of human
right, and not of condition.
Lord Brougham personally promoted co-operation. The
first part of the History of the Pioneers of Rochdale
by the present writer was dedicated to him by his
consent. Where others Avere content to vaguely and
generally praise a principle, Lord Brougham would single
out and name for their credit and advantage, those who
had promoted or served it. This is never done save by
those who intend to aid a cause. Lord Brougham was
the first politician of great mark who cared about general
progress, and whatever faults he had of ambition and
preference of popularity, he had little of the common fear of
being compromised by being identified with the promo-
tion of social welfare, because the persons caring for it
had unpopular opinions of their own on other subjects.
Those who write the most useful books have often to wait
long for appreciation. At the time of their appearance
the public may not be caring about the subject and when
it does care about it, it has forgotten those who have
written well upon it. This or some other cause has led to
the comparative neglect of the works of Arthur John
Booth, M.A., author of a work entitled the " Founder of
Socialism in England " and of a volume upon '• St. Simon,"
being a chapter on the Histoiy of Socialism in France,
remarktible for its research and completeness of statement.
Tliis work, like the previous one named, has been far less
spoken '(of and read in the socialist circles than books so
conscientious deserve to be. Several of the disciples of
Robert Owen have been designated to write some
memorial of him, yet to this day the most complete view of
his principles and character which has appeared, is that from
the pen of Mr. Booth — which embraces other subjects
than those in Mr. Sargent's life of Robert Owen, and
gives a more detailed account of his efforts in originating
public education and promoting the art of industrial asso-
ciation in England. No one can peruse Mr. Booth's book
FAMOUS niOMOTERS. 3S1
A Mad Simonian.
without acquiring very great respect for Mr. Owen's
character and a very high estimate of his capacity.
Mr. Booth records that Mr. Owen not only incited
parliamentary committees to inquire into ameliorative
plans and recommend them, but he supplied them with
the designs of industrial establishments and calculations of
costs -which must have been the result of great labour and
expense to him.
The disciples of St. Simon were mad compared with
the disciples of Robert Owen. Gustave I'Eichthal, Avho had
been born a Jew, and traversed many faiths, made his
confession of Simonism in these terms, " I believe in God ;
I believe in St. Simon, and that it is Enfautiu who is
St. Simon's successor. To him," I'Eichthal said, " it is
given to root up and to destroy, to build and to plant, in him
all human life has its development and progress : in him
are peace, riches, science, the future of the world. We kno w
it, and it is this which gives us strength. The world does
not know it, and it is this which constitutes its weakness."
This is the crazy adulation of the genuine enthusiast who has
lost all measure of men, which the world is continually hear-
ing, with happily decreasing power of believing. St. Simon
was a man who had as much philosophy as enthusiasm.
When he found himself unable to complete his schemes
and on the verge of starvation, he determined to shoot
himself at a certain hour. That he might not forget that
unpleasant resolution, he occupied himself in the interval
in looking over the schemes of reform to which he had
fruitlessly devoted his life, and when the time came round
he shot himself as he had intended. It is evident that
human progress can never advance, either rapidly or far at
once. All who undertake to introduce new views of an entirely
distinct character from those prevailing, soon find them-
selves, as it were, outside of humanity, wliei'o having few to
sympathize with them, they oft fancy themselves deserted
when the fact is, they have deserted the world. In time
their originality becomes eccentricity, their solitariness
582 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Original Thinkers often Mad.
Tenders them morbid, and eventually, like the disciples
of St. Simon, they play more or less what their compeers
deem fantastic tricks, and schemes which began in hope
end in ridicule.
Philosophers continually forget that the progress of
wisdom must alwa3'S depend upon the capacity of the
multitude to advance, whom ignorance makes slow-footed :
these philosophers should not be impetuous. We know
on legal authority that a fool a day is born and they mostly
live. Patience is as great a virtue in propagandism as
fortitude.
Jules St. Andre le Chevalier was one of the disciples of
St. Simon * and one of their orators. A brother of the
celebrated Pere Lacordaire went to hear him address a
large audience at Dijon. The devotion in the heart of
the Simonian preacher carried everybody with him. It is
wonderful to us how one so obese, adroit, and master of
all the arts of this venal world, could have moved any one
to enthusiasm. By personal grace, in which he excelled
when young, he might have charmed audiences, but
serious enthusiasm must have been impossible to him.
Skilfulness which dazzled you, ho had in abundance, but
not a tone remained which could inspire trust in persons
of any experience in enthusiasm ; and St. Andre knew
such persons by instinct, and avoided them. He was
a master in devices and resources, and amid men stronger
than himself he would have been a force of value. Under
other circumstances he was a costly colleague. At the
co-operative agency, some years in operation in
Charlotte Street, London, of which he Avas an inspirer, he
saw fortunes confiscated which he should have prevented.
He had seen in his French experience what others had seen
in English movements, that it is an immorality to permit
without protest, generous men risking more money in any
* Not a Fourierite, as lie is erroneously described (p. 202), where hia
tenets are confounded with those of Dr. Dohertr.
FAMOUS PKOMOTERS. 383
St. Andre of the Black Chamber.
cause, however good, than they are able and willing to lose
for the chance of being useful. It is either inexperienced
zeal or traitorous enthusiasm which connives at risks and
losses Avhich warn men in the future against aiding
unfriended causes. When the secrets of the Black Cham-
ber of the late emperor of the French were disclosed, it
was found that St. Andre had an office in it, and was in
tlie pay of the second empire. The function of agents of
the Black Chamber was to corrupt the press of other
countries, and obtain the insertion of articles in favour of
the Bonaparte government. The personal knowledge St.
Andre had of social and political leaders in England, it
appears he was able to sell for a price — and did it. Ho
died before the crash of that excellent Government came.
Mazzini in presenting some books to the Sunderland
Co-operative Society in 1864, said, in a letter to Mr.
T. Dixon : — " It is my deep conviction that we are
unavoidably approacliing an Epoch of Mankind, History,
and Life, in which the ruling principle in all the branches
of moral, political, and social activity, will be the simple
one — ' Let everu man be judged, loved, placed, and
rewarded according to his ^corks.^ Of this all-transforming
principle, you — the associated working men throughout
Europe — are the precursors in the economical sphere."
Guiseppe Mazzini was as distinguished an advocate of Asso-
ciation in Italy, as Owen in England, or Blanc in Franco,
but it was the nature of Mazzini to dwell more on the
moral conditions of progress than upon the matcriak
According to Madame Venturi, who has given the most
vivid account of Italian socialism extant : associations of
working-men have spread rapidly in the cities of Tuscany,
Lombardy, the Romagna, and Southern Italy ; rising up
in the footsteps of the national revolution. Tliat of ^Tuples
in 18(30 counted more than twelve hundred members.
All these associations have been organized in imitation of
one founded by ]\Iazzini, years before that time, in Genoa ;
and their character is quite distinct from that manifested
384 HISTORY OF CO-OrERATION.
Mazzini's formula of Association.
by similar societies in England or France, wliicli mainly
attempt social and economical progress. The peculiarity
of the Italian movement is, that while the working men
of other countries start from a theory of rights, the Italian
v;orking-men — like their great teacher — start from a moral
point of view — a theory of duty. They take his motto,
" God and Humanity," and accept his doctrine — that
rights can spring only from duties fulfilled. This
characteristic of the movement among Italian artizans is
also remarkable from the contrast it presents to the
materialism of the aristocratic or moderate party in Italy,
one of whose most prominent members. La Farina, has
Avritten — " The only parent of revolutions is the stomach."
In the rooms belonging to these societies in France,
there is sometimes written up, "It is forbidden to discuss
religion or politics " ; whereas in Italy, instead of limiting
themselves to material economic interests, they devote
themselves likewise, if not prominently, to moral instruc-
tion and patriotic work. These societies contributed a
large share of combatants to Garibaldi's expedition, and to
those subsequently dispatched from Genoa to Sicily.
Three-fourths of the signatures to the petition of 1860
in Italy, for the removal of the condemnation to death
which had rested on the head of Mazzini for twenty-eight
years, were by working men. The Genoese Society of
that day wishing to celebrate the anniversary of the
Sicilian insurrection, decreed that the best way was to
purchase three hundred copies of his book, "Duties of
Man," and distribute them gratuitously to poor working-
men.
In Florence an Association was formed, called " Fra-
tellanza Artigiana" — Working-men's Brotherhood — which
aims at a general organisation of the whole class through-
out Italy, embracing the double aim of moral patriotic
education — through a people's journal — schools, circulating-
libraries, lectures, and of the emancipation of labour,
through the establishment of banks for the people in
FAMOUS PROMOTERS. 385
Napoleon III. a Socialist author.
different localities, destined to furnish with advances of
capital, such voluntary associations of workinf]^ men as
^ive proofs of their honesty and capability, and intend to
work independently of intermediate capitalists.* Since
that date Professor Saffi, one of the Triumvirs of Rome
in 1849, has promoted the formation of co-operative
societies in Italy, having also English economic features ;
co-operative stores as we understand them, being
established in many places.
Whether it is good fortune or ill fortune to be able to
count an emperor among socialist advocates, altogether
depends whether his personal character or career is likely
to awaken confidence or distrust in associative life; certain
it is that an emperor has appeared on the side of modern
socialism. During his imprisonment in Ham, between
18-U and 1845, Louis Napoleon, who had previously resided
in England and had probably seen Mr. Rowland Hill's
plan, published one of his own, which he called by the
same name, the " Extinction of Pauperism," in which he
added the untenable project of the State organizing
(which includes patronizing and politically controlling)
" twenty millions of consciences." The future emperor
talked wonderfully like the socialist agitators, whom he
afterwards sent so liberally to Cayenne and colonized them
there. He said " manufacturing and commercial industry
has neither system, organization, nor aim [public aim he
meant]. It is like a machine working without a regulator,
and totally imconcerned about its moving power. Crushing
between its wheels both men and matter, it depopulatxjs
the country, crowds the population [who survive, he must
mean] into narrow spaces without air, enfeebles both mind
and body', and finally casts them into the street, when it no
longer requires them, those men who, to enrich it, have
sacrificed strength youth and existence [forgetting that
most of them would have no mature existence but for manu-
* Sec Pref. to Regulations of the Leghorn Society of Mutual Succour.
CC
886 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Passages from the Emperor's writings.
facturino: industry, badly as it is conducted]. A true
Saturn of labour, manufacturing industry, devours its
children and lives but upon its destruction," Very few
workmen know anything about Saturn and its nnpaternal
ways, still this description Math its socialistic exaggeration
in every line, gives a substantially true picture that work-
men have a bad time of it. That something more than
Savings Banks are needed for the ill-paid workman, he
fcliows in an admirable sentence " To seek to mitigate the
wretchedness of men who have not sufficient food, by pro-
posing that they shall annually put aside something which
they have not got, is either a derision or a folly." The
Imperial socialist writes " It is a high and holy mission to
strive to do away with enmity, to heal all wounds, to soothe
the sufferings of humanity, by uniting the people of the
same country in one common interest." But breaking
oaths, cutting throats and deportations, were not socialist
methods of fulfilling this mission. This remarkable author
caught the idea without caring for the principles which
animated his famous teacher Louis Blanc. His essay, how-
ever, has much merit and some phrases of felicity, as when
he contrasts the old feudality of arms with tlie modern
^' feudality of money," for which he had apparently an
honest contempt all his life. This ''plan "of socialism,
which the late emperor sketched, it is but justice to say,
has the merit of plausibleness in some respects, moder-
ation of statement, silence on questions by which other
■writers have alarmed the reader, and a freedom from
eccentricities of proposal which have so often submerged
merciful schemes in derision.
The Conite de Paris has written a book, neither Utopian
nor paternal, of singular fairness and discernment upon
'' Trades Unions " which indeed does much more than
describe them ; it explains industrial partnership and co-
operation to the French workman ; and more still it
distinguishes and attacks the modern middle class ideal of
a state of things in which capital reigns supreme, and
attracts all profit to itself, and as the " Spectator " puts it
FAMOUS PK03I0TERS. 387
The Coiute de Paris explains Co-operation.
■" sternly represses, in the name of economic science and
of law, all attempts of the workers to secure their indepen-
dence and raise their condition by combination and organ-
ization." It denotes great capacity for social thought in
the Prince to perceive that this ideal must be changed for
one more equitable, before society can have industrial peace
within its borders.
In the story of the Lost Communities mention is made of
Dr. Yeats as a distinguished teacher at the Queenwood
Hall Educational Establishment. Dr. Yeats Avith honourable
modesty reminds me that he was less known as a teacher,
and an author than the following gentlemen, who were
all engaged at Queenwood, under Mr. Edmondson : — John
Tyndall, F.R.S., and Edward Frankland, F.R.S., Thomas
Hirst, F.R.S., H. Debus, F.R.S. The present Professor of
Chemistry at the Royal College of Science for Ireland,
Robert (xalloway, also dates from Queenwood ; and
his colleague, the Professor of Physics, W. F. Barrett, was
a pupil at Queenwood. An account of Proft Tyndall's con-
nection with Queenwood may be found in No. X. of tht
Photographic Portraits of men of Eminence, for March,
1864.*
The Dutch, who if they do dream always dream about
business, succeeded in establishing successful Pauper
Colonies on the east bank of the ZuyderZee in 1818. The
idea was derived from a Chinese mandarin, who presided
over a colohy of agricultural emigrants from China, situated
at Java in the East Indies. General Van Bosch brought
the idea to Holland and originated the Dutch Colonies.
In England the orthography of his name would have been
altered into Van Bosh. In 1833 these colonies were visited
and described by a Member of the Agricultural Employment
Institution of Enghiud, who reported that " Beggary and
mendicity had disappeared in Holland, for in a journey of
500 miles he had seen only three little boys asking charity,
* Published by LotcII, Eeade &, Co., Henriettft Street, Covent Garden.
388 HISTOEY OF CO-OPERATION.
Letter from Sir Eowland Hill.
one at Rotterdam, and two at Delft, although the country-
had swarmed wdth beggars previously to the establishment
of the Home Colonies." In 1832, Mr. Rowland Hill
(subsequently Sir Rowland) published "A Plan for the
Gradual Extinction of Pauperism." In 1857, I asked him
to inform me whether the Dutch Colonics had been dis-
credited or remained useful? He answered, " Since 1831^
the year in which the greater part of the pamphlet was
Avrftten, changes have taken place which materially affeci
tiie question discussed. These changes are chiefly an im-
proved poor-law; the establishment of systematic emigration
and (as I believe) the abandoimient of the Pauper Colonies
in Belgium and Holland. With regard to any present
discussion of the question, it would of course be necessary
c:irefully to investigate the cause of such abandonment,
])ut circumstanced as I now am, I need scarcely say that I
have no time for it."*
A work long needed appeared recently, one calculated to
give systematic form to socialism, namely, Mr. David
fSyme's " Outlines of an Industrial Science." Utterly
different from many similar books of the same pretensions, it
is neither pretentious nor obscure, nor a theory of one idea.
The reader soon finds he is in the hands of a writer who
can think ; not over the heads of common people, in a
region of his own where no one can tell whether he is
right or wrong, but in the sphere in which common
people think and with the power of making plain what per-
plexes them. He shows there is no sense in the unex-
plainable name Political Economy, which if it means any-
thing, it is that the State should direct industry, which no
body in England ever proposed or desire that it should.
Then Economists proceed by the deductive method, that
* Sir Eowland Hill was the third of five brothers, of whom Matthew
Davenport Hill, the late Eecordor of Birmingham, was the eldest. Mr. M. D
Hill was born in Birmingham, Sir Eowland in Kidderminster. Aremarkin
the first volume erroneously implied that Miss Octavia Hill was related to
the families above mentioned. The name of Hill has become a,ssociated witli
the public service but not necessarily imjjiying relationship.
TAMOUS riiOMOTERS. 389
David Syme's proposal of an Industrial Science.
is, they assume some principle of desire in all men, and
infer from what that principle implies, what men should
do to obtain their object. For instance, Mr. James Mill
takes the principle that all men desire Power; his son,
John Stuart Mill, assumes that all men desire Wealth
mainly or solely. They, and Economists generally, from
Adam Smith dowuAvards, define political economy as the
science of wealth. This, Mr. Syme says, is treating
mankind as monomaniacs of avarice, and he maintains that
society would be equally impossible if men were scientifi-
cally misers or philanthropists. AVealth is no more a
universal and sole motive, than power, or honour, or health,
or fame. Mr. Syme argues that there might as well ho
a science of each of these subjects as of Avealth. Plainly,
industry being wider than all, and being pursued from :i
thousand motives besides that of gain ; an Industrial
Science is a far more appropriate, a more needed and more
instructive term. Mr. Syme, though a journalist, with
whom writing in haste generally leads to inaccurracv
of expression, is neither redundant nor careless but
singularly brief and precise in expression.
A work of great value, entitled a " History of English
Guilds," was written by Toulmin Smith, of Birmingham,
and ])ublished subsequently hy his daughter Lucy, who
had assisted him in the great iabour of compiling it. The
information is such as could only be collected by one who
had his sympathy and industry, and his immense capacity
of research and peculiar knowledge where to look in the
historic wilderness of early organized industry. As
respects the delineation of industrial life, or utility of
conception, no work has appeared which a co-operatoi-
seeking guidance irom the wisdom of past times, couhl
more profitably peruse. Mr. Smith says, the "English Guild
was an institution of local self-help Avhich, before Poor
Laws were invented, took the place, in old times, of tho
modern friendly or benefit society; but with a higher aim,
or while it joined all classes together in a care for the needy
390 HISTOEY OF CO-OPEEATION.
Tho Christian iSocialist Writers.
and for objects of common welfare, it did not neglect the
forms and the practice of Relisfion, Justice, and Morality."
In 1852 appeared the " Journal of Association " in
London. It was conducted by several promoters of Work-
ing Men's Associations. It advertised the tracts of the
Christian Socialists and the Central Co-operative Agency.
It was a somewhat grave periodical. " Parson Lot "'
contributed some poetry to it, and its selections were good.
The conductors had tlie- advantage of knowing poetry
when they saw it, (which was a new and welcome feature
in this species of literature,) and some of them could write
it, which was better.
The " Christian Socialist," like other publications
devoted to questions of progress, very soon appeared in
two forms. The first volume was a tolerable large quarto,
the second was a modest octavo. The work was altogether
discontinued at the second volume. Its social creed was
very clear. Its watchwords were association and exchange
instead of competition and profits. Its doctrine as to
Christianity was not quite so definible. It maintained
tliat socialism without Christianity is as lifeless as the
feathers without the bird, however skilfully the stuffer
may dress them up into an artificial semblance of life.
Christianity may be true and sacred in the eyes of
a co-operator, but he cannot well connect the special
doctrines of Christianity Avith those of co-operation.
When Mr. Pitman associated anti-vaccination with co-op-
eration, the incongruity was apparent to most persons.
If an attempt was made to inculcate atheistic co-operation
few would approve the connection of an industrial scheme
with that irrelevant form of opinion. Christian Socialism
is an irrelevance of the same kind, though it sins on the
popular side.* The Editor of the '' Christian Socialist "
* " Cliristian Socialism " was a name which I never liked, but regarded
as a mistake, tending to alienate on the one hand Christians who were not
eocialists, and on the other socialists who do not like to call themselves
Christians. Eut being myself a Christian as well as a socialist, I h;id no
])ersonal reason for objecting to the nume. — S. V. Neale, " Co-opeiativ©
News."
FAMOUS mOMOTErwS. 391
Mr. Ruskin's description of Professor Maurice.
very fairly pointed out that every socialist system which
has abided, has endeavoured to stand, or unconsciously to
itself has stood, upon those moral grounds of righteousness,
self-sacrifice, and mutual affection called common brother-
hood, which Christianity vindicates to itself as an ever-
lasting heritage. But these four qualities of righteousness
in the sense of right doing, self-sacrifice, mutual a^fection,
and common brotherhood, are equally the attributes of the
moral conscience among all men, and were the sources of
co-operative inspiration. Special doctrines alone are the
"heritage of Christianity " proper. Mr. Ruskin has summed
up the characteristics of the Christian socialist school in a
remarkable passage. " I loved," he says, " Mr. Maurice,
learned much from him, worked under his guidance
and authority. . . . But I only think of him as the
centre of a group of students whom his amiable sentimen-
talism at once exalted and stimulated, while it relieved
them of any painful necessities of exact scholaiship in
divinity. . . . Consolatory equivocations of his kind
have no enduring place in literature. . . . He was a
tender-hearted Christian gentleman, who successfully, for
a time, promoted the charities of his faith and parried its
discussion."*
It is right, liowever, to say that the spirit shown 1 y
Mr. Maurice's disci})les was free alike from condescension
or assumption. They were not dogmatic ; they asserted
but did not insist on other persons adopting their view«!.
You felt that it would be a pleasure to them if yoii could
think as they did; but they matlc it no offence to 3-ou if
you did not, but treated with cordial equality every one in
Avhom they recognized the endeavour to do that which was
right according to the light he had. Mr. Thomns Hughes
in his " Memoirs of a Brother " gives the authentic history
of the origin of this pai'ty, in passages of robust d.sarniing
candour which is the charm of Mr. Huo-ho's \vritinl^
» John Ruskin " Fors Clarigoni " Lett. 22.
392 HISTOEY OF CO-OPERATION.
Origin of Social Sciences.
Though the terms ,'' Christian Socialist " * caused co-
operation to be regarded in Parliament for a time as a
" Sentimental " question, yet it must be owned that it
greatly improved the general reputation of social ideas,
and helped to divest them of the "wickedness " at first
associated with them. Since that day social science f has
been accepted as a substitute for socialism, and now there
is a disposition to try sociology, which sounds innocent and
learned In party warfare some good words like some
good persons (^et banished and pass as it were a generation
in exile. Then there arise persons who knowing nothing
or caring nothing for the old hateful controversial connota-
tions of the word are struck by its simple fitness, and
recall it. Schemes like words and persons undergo a
similar fate. The Labour Exchange is an instance of this.
In due course there appeared tracts on " Christian
Socialism." The first was a dialogue between '^ A Person
of Respectability," and " Nobody the writer." " Nobody,"
however, conducts his argument quite as vigorously as
though he was somebod}-. He maintains that any one who
recognizes the principles of co-operation, as stronger and
truer than that of competition, is rightly called a
' socialist," and admitted that the followers of Owen,
Fourier, Louis Blanc and others, came under this definition.
* The term " Christian Socialism " first appeared as the title of a letter
in the " New Moral World" of November 7th, 1840, signed Jos. Squiers,
who dated from Thomas Street Infant School, Coventry, October 2()th,
1840. But there were several societies of " Christian Co-operators" about
1830.
f Mr. William Ellis having been mentioned in the "Times" as the
founder of Social Science, he explained (1873) that " Fifty years ago it was
my good fortune to be introduced to Mr. James Mill, and through him to
his son, John Stuart Mill, to both of whom I am indebted for more than I
can find words to express. They set me thinking for myself. One result
of my studies and reflections has been the deep conviction that the elemen-
tary truths of Social Science — founded long before I was born — ought to
be taught in all our schools ; and for more than 25 years I have employed
the greater part of the time which I could spare from business to promote
such teaching, both as a teacher and a writer of little books intended
chiefly for children and their teachers."
FAMOUS PROMOTERS. 393
Mr. Ludlow'a writings,
Mr. E. V. Neale wrote tlie first " Hand Book for Co-
operators," which he fjave me, free of conditions, to publisli
at the Fleet Street House for their use. His works and
papers have been very numerous on co-operative subjects.
As the general secretary of the Central Board his legal
knowledge has been of great value to the body. Indeed,
the co-operators of twenty years ago always spoke of him
with regard and pride as " their lawyer." Mr. Neale
promoted industrial association with munificent trustful-
ness, and is remarkable amono; his eminent colleagues for
his perception of co-operative principle and the fertility of
the applications he has devised.
A paper by J. M. Ludlow, on '' Trade Societies and
Co-operative Production," was read in 1867 at the
Industrial Partnership's Conference in Manchester.
Another publication by Mr. Ludlow in 1870, was upon
'' Co-operative Banking," described as '•' written at the
request of Mr. Abram Greenwood," and read by Mr. W.
Nuttall at the Co-operative Conference, held at Bury in
that year. Mr. Ludlow, like Mr. Neale and Mr. Hughes,
has written much on special co-operative questions, upon
which, without legal knowledge, no one could write usefully.
It was a great gratification to the Societies, Co-operative
and Friendly, when Mr. Ludlow succeeded to Mr. Tidd
Pratt as Registrar. Mr. Tidd Pratt is held in honourable
remembrance for his patience and solicitude in promoting
tiie soundness of the institutions in his charofe, though he
liad never been personally interested in their welfare like
Mr. Ludlow.
Previous to 1850, there appeared a series of ''Tracts by
Christian Socialists." The most remarkable was the tract
by Parson Lot, entitled " Ciieap Clothes and Nasty," whose
vigorous pen never failed to call attention to any subject
which he treated. All these publications sought to com-
pass the same end — the social improvement of society.
Their tone was so fair that any person might agree with
their object without adopting their personal and peculiar
o9-l HISTORY OF CO-OPEKATIOls.
Characteristics of Christian Socialist?.
views indicated upon other subjects. One tract explained the
principles of the " Society for Promoting Working Men's
Associations," the object was defined as thJi. of enabling the
associates and their families to receive all the net ' profits
arising from their labour, after they shall have had a just
allowance for the work done by them. The only condition
required was that the candidate for association must be
of good reputation, and a competent workman. It was
prescribed that none of the associations connected with
the general union shall ever be made the instruments or
agents of political agitation.* The associates in their
individual capacity were left at liberty to act in this matter
as they pleased. A curious rule was to this eftect — " The
work shall not be disturbed by speculative discussion ; "
yet one of the ti'acts was a " Dialogue between A. & B.,"
two clergymen, " on the Doctrine of Circumstances as it
Affects Priests and People," a subject which had often
been discussed by the followers of Mr. Owen, not much to
their social advantage. The subject included the greatest
speculative question which had agitated the secularist
portion of the working class for twenty years. It is a
great merit to be noticed that the co-operators had the rare
capacity of being teachable ; next to possessing knowledge,
is the faculty of appreciating sound direction when you
get it. Without this, the progress which has been made
had not been possible. In the earlier days of the move-
ment there were scholars in it Avho lent many graces to its
defence — but assiduity and completeness of service have
been greater in later years among its educated "promoters."
The " Christian Socialists " were an entirely new force
of opinion on the side of co-operation. On the part of the
earlier co-operators there was the genuine sentiment of
morality, else they had never maintained the struggle they
did against adverse fortune and unfriendly opinion. De-
* This was prescribed in terror of ihe Chartist and other Franchife
agitations, in vliich all vorkmen, good for anything at tbat tiiue, took
creditable iiiteres: .
FAMOUS riiOMOTERR. 395
Qualities of the old Coinmunists.
feated, they lost not hope; treated as wikU they never
abandoned their purpose, nor conceived permanent dislike
of those from whose scorn they suffered. When loss and
ruin came, when theirhard earned savings were gone, and they
had, in old aire, to befjin again to save what they could,
they abated not their trust that equity in industry would
answer some day ; and none repined at what they had
attempted at so much sacrifice. While these pages were
being written, grey-headed, feeble men came to the writer
saying their loss had been a bad business ; but it brought
no regret, and their last days were gladdened that they had
helped against hope. There was a noble sense of rightness
in all this. These men were mostly bad members of
churches, as far as formal and accepted believing went,
but they were good members of humanity and truth accord-
ing to their light. During the earlier period men and
women — for women as well as men gave their all to the
cause — when the day of life was past, and the decline came
without means of comfort ; and the sun of their days had
gone down, and penury was left with the darkness ; they
yet were cheered by the light of conscience and duty. Such
devotion commands generous regard, and a sort of glory
seems to linger over the places where their otherwise
undistinguished graves are to be found.
Not less honour and regard are due to those gentlemen,
who owning the Christian faith, and having the advantage
of higher culture than befel the majority of their humble
predecessors, yet actuated by a generous and catholic
morality, did not hesitate to risk the unpopularity of
sympathy with the rightful aims of those whom they suc-
ceeded, and made sacrifices sometimes greater in a
pecuniaiy sense, and always with as noble a motive, in
order that social equity might prevail in common life, and
commerce be redeemed from fraud and the poor from
precariousness. With wider knowledge — with exacter
aim — with the command of accurate statement which
culture alone can give — they with a disinterested sedulous-
390 mSTOKY OF CO-OPERATION.
Obligations of Co-operators to their Christian allies.
ness, with a patience which never wearied, with a personal
and laborious attentiveness — incredible save to those avIio
saw it daily — advanced step by step the great movement to
stages of legality and security, to order and progress,
which seems a miracle to all who know not to whom it has
mainly been owing. And among these — though he came
later into the field — Mr. Walter Morrison is to be num-
bered, as not less distinguished for tireless and costly
services.
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 397
Abandoned invocations.
CHAPTER XXIII.
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS.
Wben Cain was driven from Jehovah's land
He wandered eastward, seeiiing some far strand,
Ruled by kind gods who asked no offering,
Save pure field fruits, or aromatic things
To feed the subtler sense of frames divine,
That lived on fragrance for their food and wine ;
Wild, joyous gods, who winked at faults and folly,
And could be pitiful and melancholy.
He never had a doubt that such gods were,
He looked within, and saw them mirrored there.
MoRKis's " Earthly Paradise."
Some of these pleasant gods must have remained about
until later co-operative days. Anyhow, our story now
carries us among persons who needed them. The later
literature of this movement has, it is true, been com-
paratively free from the sentimental outbursts of the
pioneer times. Yeiy seldom now does a co-operative
orator break out with Gray's bard —
Visions of glory ! spare my aching sight.
They do- The modern speaker does not see visions of this
sort anywhere about. When co-operative poets fifty years
ago used to sin£c —
Illustrious band of sacred Pioxeeks,
That strive to weed th' entangling growth of years,
And open up to wandering man the road
That blind with error he has never trod.
Ply well your f;isk ; nor think the vieLory won
Till througii the gloomi shades the rwdiant Suv
Ol Knowledge dartb ui» uiglit-dispelhng beuma.
398 HISTOKY OF CO -OPERATION.
Telescopic inspection of new Parties.
We let that sun alone now. We think of a certain
society with its 18,000 members which has not opened
a news room yet. But the sun does at times get behind
clouds, and if the haze be of ignorance it is pretty dense.
We meet with fewer instances of permanently eccen-
tric agitators in this period than in the preceding one.
Now and then one appears who digresses into oddity.
After long intervals of coherency he will act as though
Nature had left a little snuff in his brains, which sets
his ideas sneezing unawares, and he mistakes the
convulsion for vigour of thought : but as a rule
enthusiasm is more equable as society has become more
tolerant.
Any party of social improvement concerned with the
advancement of new opinion necessarily includes men
of a turn for individuality of mind. Its recruits must
come from this class. All others stand aloof, or wait to
see what success the men of enterprise achieve. The men
of action in any movement are an incongruous collection ;
and a single wild writer or speaker will cause an entire
movement to be distrusted. When the small party becomes
conspicuous by energy, the thousand telescopes of the
nation are pointed at it, and the smallest feature is dis-
cerned, and enlarged. It cannot retaliate. It has no
means, and is unable to command equal attention to the
errors of its adversaries. If it points its solitary telescope
at them, nobody condescends to look through it. Every
party has sins and errors enough of its own to answer for ;
but a new movement has them all to answer for, as it is
the nursing-mother of individuality and freedom of action.
Co-operation has not been worse off than other causes, but
more has been made of the eccentricities of its uncontrollable
adherents, being more easily noticeable in smaller than in
larger parties. What a wonderful orator was the late
Lord Mayo when it fell to him to state the views of the
Government ! It was my lot to listen to him. To have
nothing to say, and to take three hours and three quarters
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 399
Co-operators of mark.
in saying it, was a feat of oratory Demosthenes could
never equal. To speak as though you were every minute
going to stop, and yet never give over, was a miracle of
elocution. Members listened till they lost the power of
Iiearing. They went to dine ; when they came back
Mayo was still speaking. They went to the theatre ;
when they returned he was still at it. Some went to
Brighton to dinner, and when they came back Mayo had
not given over. Lord Mayo lives in men's memories as a
marvel. At that time members of Parliament awoke in
their sleep, thinking that Mayo was still speaking.
Everybody liked the Irish Secretary personally, but nobody
expected to be called upon to like him so long at one
time. When he went out as Viceroy to India, every
one knew there would be no more mutineers, for if his
lordship made a speech to them they would disband long
before it was half over. Had co-operators had an orator
of this stamp the public would never have heard the
end of it.
It is difficult to separate, in some cases, the literature
from the leader. Both services are entirely blended in
some persons. The last of the world makers who followed
in the footsteps of llobert Owen was one Robert Pemberton.
He announced his scheme as that of the" Happy Colony,"
and he fixed upon New Zealand as the place where it was
to be founded. The New "World, as he conceived it, was
to be circular. More mechanical and horticultural than
any other projector, he avoided altogether paralello-
grammatic devices. He declared his system was deduced
i'rom the discovery of the true attributes of the human
mind. He had the merit of being solicitous both about
education and the arts, and spent much money in pub-
lishing books which were never read, and in devising
diagrams which were never examined.
Some time ago, I had the pleasure to receive from the
sou of Dr. King, of Brighton, a volume of " Thoughts and
Suggestions on the Teachings of Christ," which I believe
400 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
An Eccentric Co-operator.
is quite unknown among co-operators. A copy ought to
be in their libraries, first, as a mark of respect to the old
propagandist, next, because of its intrinsic interest. It is
written with more vigour and vivacity of thought than
was shown in the " Co-operator," which he edited and
which first made him known beyond the South Coast. Ho
was a physician of Brighton, and for sixty years he was
an active propagandist of co-operative principle. Lady
Byron left him in her will a sum of money " hoping,"^
as she said, " that it might be in part dedicated to the
promulgation of those ideas which had given her so much
pleasure and consolation." It was in accordance with her
Avish that he was at the time of his death engaged in
preparing some of his papers for publication. The volume
of which I speak contains a selection from his writings
published at his express request, in the hope that it might
afford to others the same pleasure his conversation and
writings had done to Lady Byron.
In 1875, Pierre Henri Baume, of whose eccentricity the
reader has seen an account in the previous volume, died at
Douglas, Isle of Man. He was born at Marseilles in 1797,
and at an early age was sent to a military college at
Naples, where he became private secretary to King
Ferdinand. About the year 1825 he came to Londou.
After being a preacher of Optimism, he became manager
of a theatrical company, and subsequently by privation
and calculation he amassed a considerable fortune, and
bought land at Colney Hatch, together with a small estate
in Buckinghamshire. After living about a quarter of a cen-
tury in London he went to Manchester, and engaged in a
movement toestablish "publichouses without drink." Healso
instituted Sunday afternoon lectures to working men, which
were carried on with varying success for several years. In
1857, he settled in the Isle ot Man, and purchased an estate
there. At Douglas he fitted up an odd kind of residence, the
entrance to winch he m:ule almost inaccessible, and
admission to which could only be obtained by those whom
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 401
Pierre Baume's furtive life.
he had initiated into a pecuh'ar knock. In this little den
he lived like a hermit, sleeping in a hammock slung from
the roof, for tlie room was so crowded with dusty books that
there was no space left for a bedstead or even for a table on
which to take his food. He resided in this place for several
years, but his decease occurred at a tradesman's house in
Duke Street, Douglas. In 1870, proceedings were taken
by him to evict a number of squatters who had located
themselves on his Colney Hatch property, which became
known as ^'The Frenchman's Farm," as his former place
at Pentonville was called the " Frenchman's Island." In
1832, M. Baume took out letters of naturalization. He
left the whole of his real and personal property, valued at
£54,000, in trust for perplexing purposes in the Isle of
Man.
Some persons are deemed eccentric because they have
some peculiarity, or because they differ from others in some
conspicuous way. Whereas, Mr. Baume seemed to have
every peculiarity and to differ from everybody in every way.
Though born in France, he began his career as secretary
to King Ferdinand of Naples, and doubtless one or other
of his parents was Neapolitan, for he had all the subtlety
of the Italian and more than the suspicion of the Frenchman.
Those who had earliest experience of him, regarded him as
a Neapolitan spy gone mad of sus])icion. He must have
been a most dangerous man if employed in that capacity.
Ho would be always reporting plots, for he believed in
them. He spent a part of his time in correspondence.
His furtive mode was to send letters written on a half-
sheet of paper reaely directed to liimself and folded, to be
returned to him. His part of the writing would abound
in small capitals and underscored words, every sentence
being written in the most careful manner in thick black
characters as legible as print. Each paragraph would be
numbered and consist of questions concerning somebody of
a most circumstantial and often most compromising
character. A broad margin was left by the side of his
DD
402 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
His spy nature.
writing for the information he desired, so that he might
have his question and the reply returnable to him in the
form of complete evidence. The only protection of those
Vv-ho wrote to him was to return the paper unsigned and
have the answers filled in by another hand, and the replies
composed on the plan often adopted by certain ministers
ia Parliament, who, with great parade of candour, circum-
stance and emphasis, answer the questioner without telling
him anything. The Baume correspondence with publicists
of every class carefully filed by him, must by the time of
his death be sufficient to fill several houses. And if he has
bequeathed it with his other property to the Isle of Man, a
curious posterity will find wonderful entertainment some
day. His favourite mode of living in London was to lodge-
in a coffee-house, to which he would bring in a cart the
peculiar bed-room conveniences, necessaiy for himself and
the bo}^ whom he reared, the articles being in a state of
exposure which excited the merriment of the whole neigh-
bourhood. His mysterious ways as a lodger, and his frantic
mode of running in and out of the house in all manner of
disguises soon alarmed the family, and his excited conduct
in the coffee-room soon frightened away the customers.
He would often try to get rooms in the private house of a
socialist lecturer, and his ingenuity was such that it was
very difficult to prevent him ; and if he once got in, it was
far more difficult to get him out. His practice was to dis-
play a bundle of halves of bank-notes, or bonds, making a
show of wealth which tempted people of narrow means to
put up with his ways in the expectation he might be useful
to them, of which there was not the slightest chance. His
bank-notes were always in halves and useless if lost — he
was very circumspect in these matters. He was, after his
kind, the greatest philanthropic impostor abroad, not in a
conscious way, so much as ni consequence of his manner
of mind. Like many other benefactors he wanted the credit
of giving Avithout ceasing to hold. He had an honest craze
lor social and educational projects, and during his long
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 4J3
The peril of his colleagueship.
life he was allured by tliem only. He had a suspicion
which never left liiui, that evexybody was conspiring against
him and wanted to get possession of his money or some
advantage over him. And he had as constant a conviction ,
very honourable of its kind, that it was a man's duty to
resist injustice and knavery, and he would really make
great sacrifices to defeat it. His misfortune was that he
never distinguished between knaves and honest men, but
suspected them all alike. The only persons he seemed to
regard Avithout distrust were those wlio never asked Lis
co-operation in any work of theirs. Those who were so
artless as to think he might do something useful, and began
to give attention to his schemes, he put to more trouble
and expense than all his money was worth ; and ended by
laying down such impossible conditions of action, tint
they ultimately turned away in weariness and contempt.
There could not have been a greater calamity to aw
struggling movement than that Mr. Baume should take r.n
interest in it. A man of irreguhir ability, considerable
knowledge, great courage and audacity, an eloquent speakei',
a voice of contagious force, an impassioned manner, hand-
some as lie was and opulent as he always gave himself out
to be, he easily obtained ascendency in working class
meetings. His boldness, his fire, his fertility of purpose-, -
naturally influenced those who knew nothing, and h;ul
nothing of their own but expectations. His abstemiousness
of habit, which not only never diverged into indulgence —
it seemad never to digress into sufficiency — lent an air cf
sincerity to his proiessions. He lived as though his
object was to show upon how little a man could subsist,
and in this way he maintained a vigorous activity until
liis 78th year.
In popular assemblies, where the right of the platform
was given to all who entered, he could neither be repressed,
nor suppressed, until the leaders made a stand against him
and put him down. "When he once frot influence in a
society, he seemed never to require sleep or rest. He was
404 HISTOr.Y OF CO-OPERATION.
The mad partizan.
there the earliest and the latest, and at all intermediate
times. As ready Avitli his pen as his tongue, he painted
innumerable placards, abounding in astonishing statements
Avhich struck the public in Manchester like a loose mill
band, making them smart with rage and derision. He
stuck his placards on doors and windows, and made the
society he infested the ridicule and terror of the district.
Mr. Owen very reasonably taught that the sympathies of
ordinary people were too confined, and ought to be
extended to their neighbours. Mr. Baume brought sharp
ridicule upon the wise sentiment, by proposing that the
mothers should suckle their children through an aperture
in a metal plate, through which the mother was to place
the nipple of her breast, the child was to suckle on the
other side, thus concealing the child and parent from each
other, le>t filial and maternal ties should frustrate the
universal sympathies which were to be cultivated. The
misfortune to the mother was, that as she could never see
the tender face of her offspring, she could not be sure
whether the right baby came to the aperture. But this
detail did not trouble the mechanical philanthropist. A
man so disastrously mad, should have been shipped back
to King Ferdinand, of Naples, without delay. It is
wonderful that any wise and merciful scheme of irnnrove-
ment of social life ever gets public acceptance, seeing how
many doors a popular cause leaves open for wild partizans
to enter and ruin it.
Yet Baume's courage and sublety could not fail to make
him useful. Julian Hibbert, mentioned before, was rich,
scliolarly, and retiring. Between him and Baume, both
being men of fortune, there existed the friendship of equals.
Holding proscribed opinions, the fearless companionship of
Baume was interesting to Hibbert, Hibbert subsequently
meeting his death through the public indignity put upon him
by Mr. Commissioner Phillips, then an Irish barrister at
the criminal bar. Mr, Hibbert refused to take an oath
at the Guildhall, Mr. Hibbert being an atheist. At his
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 405
Baume at Hibbert's grave.
death, he requested his friend Baume to take care that his
skull was preserved for phrenological purposes. Phreno-
logy was then a discovei'v of great interest, and Hibbert,
having respect for the teaching of Spurzheim, wished to add
to his illustrations, at a time when a popular dread of
dissection put impediment in the way of physiological and
mental science. Hibbert's family being wealthy, and not
sharing his intrepidity and love of new thought, determined
to avoid this, and had the body removed at night, to an
undertaker's in Holborn. By what subtlety of watchfulness
and disguises by day and by night, Baume fulfilled his
friend's injunction, were never known. But his head
found its way to the Museum of Mr. Devonshire Saull.
When the hearse arrived at night to convey Hibbert's
remains away, the undertaker on the box discovered a
mute on the hearse more than he had provided. His long
cloak and hat band resembled the others, and it was only
by getting sight of the glittering eye of the additional
attendant, that he became aware ot a supernumerar}" being
with him. It is said he drove with alarm, imagining some
supernatural being had entered his employ. When the
burial party assembled in church, and the family mourners
stood round the bier by torch light — for his burial took
place in the night — they were astounded to see Mr. Baume
uncover his head, witnessing the last rites over the remains
of his valued friend. It was remembering this, when
Eobert Owen was buried at Newtown, that made Mr.
I^ighy take precauti(jns* in putting furze-bushes in the
grave, to prevent access to the coffin, and remaining by it
until I went to relieve him at midnight, lest in some
mysterious way Mr. Baume should appear in that lonely
churchyard impcllcil by some fanaticism for science, where
be had no knowji authority to interfere. I shared none of
Mr. Rigby's alarm, but I took his place as watch to satisfy
his apprehension.
* Rclr\tc;l p. ."-7!, To], i.
406 HISTORY OF CO-OPEEATION.
Silk Buckingham tlie social seer.
Only two or three years before Baume's death, deeds M'ere
drawn up by which his property was to pass into the hands
of the Manchester Co-operators. Mr. W. Nuttall mainly
negotiated the matter. Comphcated arrangements proposed
by Baume, were of the old pretentious and impossible
kind. The deeds were never completed, and as everybody
expected when death obliged him to relinquish his hold of
his propert}^, it would fall into the hands of people, alien to
his sympathies and his projects, rather than to that party
whcse objects he had cherished in his mind for fifty
years, who had borne with him, who alone cared for him,
despite his eccentricities, and who would have preserved
his memory with some honour and distinction, by carrying
out, in his name, the sensible part of his ideas. A book
might be written on the Idiots of Progress.
One who attended to everything in his time, namely,
James Silk Buckingham, certainly deserves mention as
being the author of a large volume, in which he proposed
and described a Model Town Association. Mr. Buckingham
was some time member for Sheffield, but before that he
had travelled everywhere, and had written in favour of
more schemes of improvement than any other man save
Mr. Bridges Adams. Long before he closed his fertile
career he was known to have Avritten eighty volumes.
Though devoid of originality, he had an amazing faculty
for understanding every scheme of improvement made
known, and had the art of presenting it in the most un-
objectionable, agreeable, and — uninteresting way. Every-
body approved of what he said, but never took further
notice of it. He travelled through the most unwholesome
climes, and preserved his health by ijiflexible temperance.
He performed a prodigious amoimt of work without any
apparent fatigue. He had a commanding presence, a
jdeasing voice, and a limitless fluency of speech. He had
the sagacity to foresee the coming improvements of civili-
zation, and advocated them before the public saw their
significance. Upon most subjects he gathered together all
LATKS LITilUATUIiE AND LEADERS. 407
Generous incaution of Farqubar.
the authorities who had consciously or unconsciously
iavourecl the project he discussed, and many historians
might look into his forgotten books for information th;;t
might be long sought in vain elsewhere. He greatly im-
proved his readers and his hearers in his time, but the silk
in his name was in his nature, and in his manners ; and
the gratitude of the public has slidden over his memory by
reason of the smoothness of his influence. A useful
catalogue might be made of the number of projects
which he advocated and which were realised during his
life and since, for which he was ridiculed for proposing.
His " Model Town " was entered by eight avenues, to
which he gave the names of the avenues of Unity, of Con-
•cord, of Fortitude, Charity, Peace, Hope, Justice and
Faith. It was this mixture of spiritual fancy with practical
ideas that led the public to distrust him — not being
sufficiently interested in his project to look at them dis-
cerningly.
Most men who were attracted by Mr. Owen, were men
who had done something, or were capable of doing some-
thing. One of them was William Farquliar, The best steel
engraving of Mr. Owen — the one in which he appeared
most like a gentleman and philosopher — was executed at
the cost of Mr. Farquliar, the tribute of his regard. lie
claimed to be the real inventor of the Universal Under
Water Propeller, subsequently patented by Lieutenant
Carpenter, K.N. The circumstantial account he published
of his invention, the spot at the London Docks where it
first occurred to him, and his exhibition of it by desire of
Admiral iSir Arthur Farquliar, were ]n'oofs of the paternity
of the idea. Lieutenant Carpenter was in the room, who
had a model of a Gun Brig with him, which the Admiral
<leclared to be fruitless. The Lieutenant v/as disheartened
and took liis model to a side table, William F;n-quhar
followed him in sympathy, and pointed out exactly what
was wanted. He said the idea never occurred to him, and
shortlv after patented it in very nearly the same words
408 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Thornton, the French propagandist,
William Farquhar had described his plan of an under
M ater propeller. It was a curious instance of the generous
incaution of an inventor.
In 1847, Mr. T. W. Thornton, a young English
i:;entleman ayIio lived upon a small fortune in Paris,
published in French, a life of Robert Owen, with an
exposition of his social principles, which Mr. Thornton
well understood. It was his custom to translate some of
the most striking social papers on social subjects, which
appeared in the French press, or publications in journals
in England, reaching those of the working class interested
in such subjects. Original papers of his own, marked by
much accurate thought, appeared in the early volumes of
the " Reasoner." He had given promise of a career of
much usefulness, when he perished by cholera in Paris in
1849.
There has been Dr. Henry Travis, heretofore named,
one of those remarkable figures who sometimes appear on
the boundary of a new movement, gliding silently about,
bearing the burden of a secret not vouchsafed to him, nor
confided to him, but possessed by him — that secret is what
Mr. Owen meant by his system. Mr. Owen did not
imderstand himself, that is quite clear to Dr. Travis' mind,
who has published elaborate volumes to prove it. He also
demonstrates, in his waj"-, that no one else ever understood
the founder's idea. Dr. Travis avers that Mr. Owen used
to say that he Avas not understood by any of his disciples
or opponents. If that were so, how came Dr. Travis to
understand him ? He has told us* that the daughter of a
baronet, who paid great attention to Mr. Owen's conver-
sation, came to the conclusion that Mr. Owen could uQt
explain himself. By what process, then, are we to under-
stand that Dr. Travis understands him ? By what
transformation of genius has the disciple become master?
The doctor tells us Mr. Owen's " teaching " has been
* " Co-operatiye News," October I6th, 1875.
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 409
An isolated Disciple.
SO " defective " as to " produce the failure of all who have
endeavoured to understand him." If everybody has
failed, Dr. Travis must have ftiiled, unless he is that
singular and extremely isolated person, separate and out-
side everybody ! What Mr. Owen really said was, " I do
not know if I have made one disciple who fully comprehends
the import of the change which I so much desire to
impress on the minds, and for the practice of all.*" Dr.
Travis quotes this passage, without seeing its " import "
himself. It does not mean that Mr. Owen's disciples did
not understand the principle of his system, but that they
did not " fully understand its import " in practice as con-
ceived by himself, who had thought about it the longest,
and thought about it the most. The principles of Mr. Owen
were few and sim))le. They were that material circum-
stances were indefinitely influential on human character,
and that every man being what he has mainly been made
to be, by the circumstances which preceded his birth and
which have operated upon him since, the most available
means for his improvement are to put him as far as can
be done, under better circumstances if he appears to need
them ; and if we cannot make him what we wish, we
should rather compassionate than hate him, on account
of the natural disadvantage under which he labours.
These principles Mr. Owen did explain very well.
These principles his disciples very well understood. These
principles society has very widely perceived to be true^
and has accepted to a degree which has exceeded the
expectation of the most sanguine of his adherents. But
this is a very different thing to perceiving, as the master
j)erceived, all the applications of them, and all the changes
that might be made in society to realize their " full" import.
Great discoverers in science commonly foresee greater
changes that may result from the adoi)tion of the new
thing they have introduced, than any of« their contempo-
* "Millennium G,;zettc," Oceober, 18'ifl.
4i0 HlSTOliY OF CO-OPEiiATION.
Aui absentee Enthusiast.
raries, though thousands of observers perfectly under-
stand the thing itself. The law of gravitation, the circu-
lation of the blood, the invention of travelling by steam,
are all familiar instances. Common people at once under-
stood the nature of these neAv additions to human knowledge
and power, and it will be erroneous to say that the
originators of these forces of intelligence were not under-
stood by their followers, because these originators saw with
a keener glance, and throughout a wider range, the infinite
capacity of their discoveries. It is creditable to Dr.
Travis, that he should succeed in improving the master's
statement of his principle, or, extending his discoveries.
But it is an error of grace or gratitude to disparage the
teacher, or make him appear ridiculous, by representing
him as incapable of educating a single disciple to under-
stand him. As next to Charles Bray, Dr. Travis is the
most important living writer who expounds Mr. Owen's
views upon the authority of long personal intimacy with
him, it is relevant to estimate here, the points of
disparagement which he has raised in his works. In
the Pioneer period of co-operation. Dr. Travis was an
active and much regarded officer of that adventurous
movement. But during a long period of years, which
elapsed during its slow revival, he was seldom seen, and
rarely heard. We regarded him as an enthusiast without
enthusiasm. Among those who rekindled the fire upon
the old altar, he was no longer prominent. He was
not discernible amongst those who fanned the spark
which was not quite extinguished. His voice was not
heard in cheering the thin curls of ascending smoke, which
surely indicated the coming flame. But when the pile is
increased, and the fire is conspicuous in the world, and
thousands of devotees stand around, the doctor reappears
as the lost High Priest proclaiming himself Avithout
misgiving as the master of the master. It is impossible
for one who has oft vindicated Mr. Owen to pass by these
pretensions without notice.
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 411
Political fastidiousness of a- Social Reformer.
Ml'. Max Kyllman, a young German merchant -who
resided in Manchester, rendered generous assistance to the
co-operative, as he did co other movements. Like many
other German gentlemen, he h'.id a passion for promoting
public improvement beyond that which Englishmen
ordinarily display. Germans seem to regard the promotion
of liberal principles as well understood self-defence.
Colonel Henry Clinton, of Royston, Herts, published
several very interesting pam])hlets upon the scientific and
social arrangements of households, to Avhich he gave the
genial name of " Associated Homes." The devisor
differed from Mr. Owen and most others who have pro-
posed social schemes, in maintaining the separate family
system. Since this author first wrote, several schemes of
the same kind have been devised, less comprehensive in
spirit and detail than his. Col. Clinton has a reasonable
respect for all the human race except the Americans, who
defeated his grandfather. General Lord Clinton. But
Col. Clinton's amusing disapproval of the Americans does
not prevent him giving generous aid to many social and
literary projects by wliich they may benefit.
. Prof. V. A. Huber, of Wernigerode, died July 19,
18(39. He was regarded as the fiither of Co-operation in
Germany, and no man was considered to have done so
much as he, to circulate a knowledge of English co-oper-
ative effort in that country. In his own land he is said to
have stood aloof from all parties. This has been a
peculiarity of other eminent co-operators. A man must
be intolerably wise who perceives that all his countrymen
are in the wi-ong on everything, or intolerably dainty if
there is no movement immaculate enough for him to touch
or help on the way to usefulness. English co-operation
must have been very good or very fortunate to have
interested him.
Mr. William Lovett died in London in 1S77. He was a
leading co-operator in the metrojwlis when that party first
arose, and the greatest liadical secretary of the working
412 HISTOliY OF CO-OPERATION.
Career of William Lorett.
class. Mr. Lovett observed everything and kept I'ecord of
everything politicah He wrote resolutions, petitions, mani-
festoes, remonstrances, and kept notes of interviews and
councils at which eminent politicians of the time took part.
He was the first person whodrew up and sent to Parliament
a petition for opening the British Museum and Art
Galleries on Sunday. Its prayer creditable, just, and
useful, has not been complied with at the end of fifty
years since it was made. No statesman can say that
progress proceeds in England in any reckless celerity.
Late in life, Mr. Lovett wrote the story of his career since
he came, a Cornish youth, to London in 1821. It is the
most documentary and interesting narrative of Radical
days, written by an actor in them. William Lovett
excelled the average of the working class in intelligence,
in probity — and suspicion. He was distinguished alike by
integrity of principle and mistrust. In politics, he was a
Radical irreconcilable. Yet he steadfastly sought to
promote political ends by popular intelligence. Excepting
in political transactions, he appears to have kept no
records, and when he wrote in later life from impressions
of earlier years, he was often inaccurate. In his last work
he made some statements of Robert Owen's views of
marriage in communities — the like of which had never been
known to any of his adherents. I reprinted them during
Mr. Lovett's life-time, pointing out the manifest contra-
dictions involved in his own narrative, and sent them to
him, and also to his nearest friends, requesting his answer
concerning them, lest after his death they might acquire
importance from the authority of his name. But as he
never made any answer it may be presumed that in that
particular, his statements were not capable of confirmation.
At his burial (which took place in his 78th year),, at
Highgate, London, in August, 1877, I spoke at his
grave on behalf of distant co-operators who held him
in regard, testifying that as far back as 1821, when
advocates of the people cared, some for political and
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 413
The Advance-guard of Progress.
some for social advocacy, it was a distinction of Mr.
Lovett that he cared for both. He has been mentioned
as the keeper of the Greville Street Store, London,
in 1828. It was one of the distinctions of Mr. Lovett
that it wns his hand which first drew the People's
Charter, which the pen of Mr. Roebuck revised. Mr.
Lovett was imprisoned in Warwick Gaol in 1839. When
in prison he Avrote the first book on Chartism which
associated that movement with the intelligence of the
people. I well remember the dreary hopelessness of
political advocacy in those days and many years after-
wards. At public meetings the same people seemed always
to be present, and I knew their faces by heart. It seems
wonderful now that the humble arguments they employed
should ever have radiated from those meetings into
cabinets, and that their claims should have come to be
conceded. They looked forward to the glamour of a final
conflict, and the splendour of a great concession, when it
came to pass that all they claimed was given almost with-
out their being aware of it, and with an air of reproach
that they had made so much to do about what everybody
was agreed upon. Under the friendship of Mr. W. Ellis,
Mr. Lovett had devoted the latter years of his life to pro-
moting secular education among the working class. He
gave influence to his principles by his character, indepen-
dence, intelligence and integrity. He advanced his prin-
ciples by his life as much as by his labours. It is not,
as one had well said,* " by the purity of the sinless alone
that progress is advanced. It was not by the monk in
his cell, or the saint in his closet, but by the valiant worker
in humble sphere and in dangerous days, that the land-
marks of liberty were pushed forward."
Robert Dale Owen died in America in 1877. He always
retained a h'king for the Indiana settlement. Ho said that
lie hoped his children would always bo connecteil with it.
*W. E. G]e£.
41'i HISTpRY OF CO-OPERATION.
Characteristics of Robert Dale Owen.
One, a long resident in New Harmony, informs me he once
called a meeting there at the beginning of the rebellion of
the South to advocate the extension of slavery, at which he
denounced Republicans for the inconsistency of their
scruples regarding it. Many of his old friends reproached
him for having at a public meeting in the county supported
the Crittenden compromise, which proposed to carry
slavery into all the States. He quelled the storm by
exclaiming — " Now I will settle that." I declared I would
not support these resolutions unless the word " substanti-
ally " was inserted. Mrs. Chappellsmith was present at the
meeting, and thought the explanation not at all satisfactory.
In Mr. Owen's mind, the introduction of that word, what-
ever it might mean, appeared to have an exonerating
force. Mr. R. D. Owen, like his father, thought the
benevolent intention of rulers was better for the people
than good conditions of liberty, by which they should be
able to secure good for themselves. Mrs. Chappellsmith
was formerly the Miss Reynolds, known to the socialists
of London in the period between 1835 and 1841 as an
eloquent and accomplished lady, who delivered public
lectures in favour of their views.
American papers, vrho best know the facts concerning
Robert Dale Owen, explain that for a long period before
his death he had suffered from excitement of the brain,
ascribed to overAvorkin his youth. He was a man of singular
moral courage, and to the end of his days he maintained
the reputation of great candour. As soon as he found he
was deceived by Katie King, the Spiritist, he published a
card and said so, and warned people not to believe what
he had said about that fascinating impostor. A man of
less courage would have said nothing, in the hope that the
public would the sooner forget it. It is clear now that
spiritism did not nffect his mind ; his mind was affected
before he presented gold rings to pretty feminine spirits.
Towards the end of his days he fancied himself the Marquis
of Breadalbane, and proposed coming over to Scotland to
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 415
His last days.
take possession of his estates. He had a great scheme for
recastinor the art of war by raising armies of gentlemen
only, and proposed himself to go to the East and settle
things there on a very superior plan. He believed himself
in possession of extraordinary powers of riding and
fighting, and had a number of amusing illusions. But
lie was not a common madman ; he was mad like a
philosopher — he had a picturesque insanity. After he had
charmed his friends by his odd speculations, he would
spend days in analysing them, and wondering how
they arose in his mind. He very coolly and skilfully
dissected his own crazes. The activity of the brain had
become uncontrollable ; still his was a very superior kind
of aberration. ]lobert Dale Owen was not a force so much
as an ornament ; he never fulfilled the promise of his
youtli in being a leader of men — he was a graceful writer,
of lightness and imagination — a .species of Washington
Irving among publicists.
In 1848-9 the "Spirit of the Age" newspaper was
issued, projected by Robert Buchanan, Alexander Camp-
bell, and Lloyd Jones. When they no longer were able
to sustain it, " Mr. Edward Search," the trusted legal
adviser of Mr. Owen, undertook to continue it, and I
became the editor of it. For three months the projectors
of the paper were retained upon it from considerations to
them. Mr. Search believed that a good literary social
newspaper might be established, if conducted with equal
fairness towards the middle class and the industrious class,
whom it was designed to benefit. Arrangements were
made with now writers and there was at last prospect
of a real newspaper of general interest. The pro-
jectors of the paper, however, desired to see it conducted
in their way, and Mr. Lloyd Jones led the hostility to it,
and wrote a letter in the last number over which his
friends could exercise the right of inserting it. The
'' Spirit of the Age " had been bought in the hope of
rescuing co-operative journalism from its insipidity and
416 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Story of a lost Newspaper.
precariousness — then well apparent. As public support was
then very limited, there was small prospect of establishing
such a newspaper when a hostile one was announced to be
immediately started by the first proprietors of the " Spirit
of the Age." I therefore saw it was my duty to advise
Mr. Search that he would lose all further money he had
arranged to devote to the journal he had bought, and that
it was better to consider as wholly lost the £600 he had
generously spent. And thus I relinquished an appoint-
ment which I valued more than any I had ever held. So
the '' Spirit of the Age " ceased. There has been no
journal since, like that which was then organized, and
which might have been established, had co-operation' been
possible then among co-operators. The most eminent
representatives of social movements in the chief European
nations would have written in its pages. The last number
of the "Spirit of the Age" contained the following
announcement from the pen of Mr. Search : —
" It is due to our readers to inform them that with this
number the ' Spirit of the Age ' ceases. He who took
to the paper at No. 3 8, and defrayed the entire of its
liabilities, has since sustained it, to see whether an addition
of quantity, more care in superintendence, and a well-
considered devotion to the interests of those whose views
the paper was intended to advance, would obtain for it that
support which would give it an independent existence.
During three months the experiment has been tried. Three
months has been a short period of trial ; and, money not
being essentially important, the experiment would have
been continued longer ; but the receipt of Mr. Jones's
letter, which will be seen in another part of this paper,
has confirmed a fact previously entertained, that unless
the * Spirit of the Age ' was continued in precisely the
same tone and style under which it had arrived at death's
door, it would not be satisfactory to those who had origin-
ally issued it. It seemed, therefore, unwise to seek to give
currency to views of which his letter shows we were, in
LATKK LITEIIATUEE AND LEADERS. 417
Store Journals.
tlie opinion of those who sought, our aid, not satisfactorj
exponents. To continue this experiment ui;der the same
title would, it was evident, subject us to imj)utations which
wo would much rather avoid, by sacrificing the money
which has been expended. And, on the receipt of Mr. Jones's
letter, we found that the propriety of the resolution we had
come to was at once established. For the sake of the
cause itself, we deeply regret this want of accordancy with
the views of management, and of the tone in which it was
desired our advocacy should be conducted. Our own views
are that just ends should be sought, and ought to be sought
by peaceable means. But the difference between us seems
to be this, that the ])arties who launched this jjaper do not
consider that peaceable and gentle-toned language is a
necessary condition of the means of progress. All sub-
scribers to the ' Spirit of the Age,' who have paid for
their subscriptions in advance, will receive the residue of
the subscriptions due to them."
Scotland has had its co-operative papers as well as
England. The " Scottish Co-operator," which has been
edited by 3Ir. J. Mclnncs, is a snuill neatly ])rinted well-
looking ]K'riodical, always clearly and sensibly written.
Mr. Mclimes also edited the Hand Book of Co-operation
of the Scottish "Wholesale Society, in Avhich the subjects
selected were practical, various, and stated with great
clearness and relevance.
English Co-operative Stores have at different times
issued a small halfpenny or free journal, giving a monthly
account of their proceedings, with a view to increase local
information concerning them. Mr. Butcher projected one
in Banbury. One was issued at Leicester, and others at
Derby, Leeds, ajid I])swich. There is the " South of
England Pioneer "edited by Mr.AV. V. Carter, of Worthing.
Quite a series liavc bemi devised in London for the use
of the Metropolitan Society and stores of the South. One
of the tracts published in Banbury, contained a dialogue
between a stranger and a member of tlie store, bearing
EI-:
418 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
Features of the Scottiih character.
the pleasant name of John Joyful. Co-operators always-
turn up cheerful.
In this later period disagreeable writers have been few^
and one sample of them will do. Mr. Jobn Hill Burton's
book on political and social economy, published by Cham-
bers, though containing on the whole excellent advice to
those whom it concerned, is as offensive to co-operators as
a book can well be. Ihe impi-ession left on the mind of
the reader is that every person, from Plato to Louis Blanc,
who thought that society might be improved by mitigating
competition, were not merely fools, but fools of so hopeless
an order, that reasoning with them was to reduce yourself
to their level. For a people so fond of writing and so
wonderfully gifted with the desire of expressing their
opinions as the Scotch, we have scant contributions to
co-operative literature. Were any one asked to name a
nation with whose people co-operation would be most con-
genial and most successful, they would first of all name
the Scotch. They are clannish, prudent, sagacious, calcu-
lating and persevering. Of the daring which comes from
duty and is inspired by duty they have much — but the
daring of self-regardless impulse they have less than the
English or Irish. Their prudence is of the nature of
timidity, and many wait to see whether a thing succeeds
before they join it ; and as success in co-operation depends
upon tlic concurrent action of numbers, great Scotch success
has not occurred. Yet in unexpected qualities the Scotch
excel. They are masters in hospitality. An Englishman
is pretty generous on impulse, and on the whole more
spontaneous ; but he is liable to look back on what he does,
and be of opinion that he has gone too far. A Scot is not
so impulsive ; but when he gives, it is with his understand-
ing and his heart, and he never looks back.
Co-operation has (bund its way to the Antipodes long
ago. Mr. Charles Frederick Nichols, formerly an active
member of the social propaganda in London, and since an
active writer in Australia, has published several small
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 419
Australian Co-oj)eration.
works, in favour of co-operative inJusfiy. " The Rise ami
Pro^^ress of Quartz MiQing in Clune.^," is one of his pub-
lications, in which, as elsewhere, he has advocated tli3
introduction of the co-operative principle in the gold fields
of Australia. There was considerable prejudice to over-
come in Melbourne (Englishmen when they emigrate
carefullj carry their prejudices with them) before a co-
operative store was opened. But in 1872 one was com-
menced which had 200 members ; and a Conference was
contemplated of all those in the colony favourable to social
concert among the j]eople. References to the subject in
the press show that the question will take root there. The
" Outlines of Industrial Science," b}^ David Syme, else-
where described, is the work of an Australian journalist.
It would occupy too much space to record all the works
which have been written since 1844, illustrative of co-
operative ideas. Even Edmund About, in France, has
written a Handbook of Social Economy, or the Worker's
A, B, C. Among man}' eminent writers in England,
Professor F. W. Newman and Professor Thorold Rogers
have written upon the question. Professor Hodgson, Pro-
fessor Fawcett, and ]\Ir Thomas Brassey, M.P., have-
contributed books, papers and addresses u])on it, Avhich we
all read. Mr. Brassey has published a work on " Cj-
operativc Production," an indication that co-operative
workmen have practical counsellors now, unknown in earlier
years. His facts are drawn from sources of authoritv in
England and on the Continent, and interpreted as only one
familiar with great commercial undertakings could inter-
pret them.*
Mr. Brassey's father was an eminent friend of co-opera-
tion, who promoted it })racticall3' by his example in his
great business undertakings. He had not only co-operation,
but the true co-operative spirit in his mind. Sir Arthur
* Mr. Brassey's volume " Lectures on tbe Labour Question," contain
inforiuatiun and suggesti'ms of great yalue to Etudents ol' coaimercial and
productive co operution.
i20 inSTOKY OF CO-OPERATIOX.
Life of Thomas Erassej the Elder.
Helps, in the dedication of his " Life of Thomas Brassey "
to the Queen, says : " Your Majesty "will find that the late
Mr. Brassey was an employer of labour after your Majesty's
own heart, always solicitous for the welfare of those who
served inider him ■. never keeping aloof from them, but
using the powerful position of a master in such a manner
as to ^^■in their affections and to diminish the distance,
which is often far too great, between the employer and the
employed." In recounting the facts of his life Sir Arthur
says : " Mr. Brassey favoured and furthered the co-opera-
tive system ; constantly giving a certain share of the
]ironts to his agents, and thus making them partakers in
the success or failure of the enterprise."*
Doubtle.-s I have wearied the reader, if any one has
arrived this far, by mentioning so many things because
they seem relevant to me. But the reader would acquit
me did he know what obligation he is under to me for what
I have omitted. ISI^ow only a few more of the later leaders
have to be named.
One of the social advocates, of considerable activity in his
day, Mr. llobert Cooper, died a few years ago. He had zeal
and oratorical ambition, which was a merit so far as it showed
care to render the manner of his lectures acceptable. Though
lie had incurred no peril he fared better than those who had.
Mr. Fletcher, of Kennington, had given me his fortune, at
that time £30,000, and for tv^o years left his will in my
])ossession. In those days inflation, coarseness, and
fierceness of advocacy, which deterred inquirers from
looking at your ])rinciples, were regarded as signs of spirit,
and Mr. Fletcher, who was of that way of thinking, was told
that I did not much encourage books with those character-
istics at Uiy publishing house in Fleet Street ; he asked
for his will, and making a new one gave it to Mr.
Cooper in my presence, when we Avere at tea together
one evening at his house. D}iiig suddenly before I had
* Life of Thomas Erassey, cLap. iii., p. 51.
LATER LITERATURE AND LEADERS. 421
Henry Hetherington, the Poor 'Man's Guardian.
knowled^re of what had been said to Mr. Fletcher, or oppor-
tunity of explaining to him that now we had won freedom,
the success of truth depended henceforth verj much upon
consideration, temper, and taste in statement. And so
I lost the only fortune that ever came near to me, and I
should have regretted it had it not occurred in the course
of doing what I thought right.
Of the lost Pioneers Mr. Henry Hetherington, whose
name was among the projectors of the first London Co-
operative Printers' Society of 1821, perished of cholera in
1849. I spoke at his grave in Kensal Green. As many
as 2000 persons assembled to mark their regard lor " the
poor man's guardian " as he was familiarly called. He was
the foremost defender of the unstamped press, and his
journal, the " Poor Man's Guardian," which gave him liis
public name, was prosecuted 150 times before the lawofHcers
of the Crown discovered it to be a strictly legal publication.
The Government were slow in those days in making things
out. The next grave I spoke at was that of Mrs. Emma
Martin, who incurred more dangers than any other Ladv
who spoke on Social platforms. The address on her burial
. was reported in the "Leader" newspaper of 1854. It
was the first time any metropolitan newspaper had accorded
that kind of notice.
Mightier names which have lent fn'ondly ir.fl:icnces and
advocacy to the cause of industrial improvement, have
since gone througli the pass of death. lu addition to some
already mentioned, one remains to be named who will
occur to every co-operator — Canon Kingsley. None were
more resolute in maintaining his own opinions than he,
and none were more consitlcrate in the judgment of
opinions opposed to lus own. The last time we met, ho
asked me to come and see him, when in residency at "West-
minster, and observed, " The world is very difierent now
from what it Avas when you and I commenced trying to
improve it 25 years ago." Tiiere was no ground at all for
taking me into comparison vrith himself, but it was done
4i2 HJSTOKY OF CO-OPEKATION.
Memories of Canon Kingsley.
in that hearty courtesy which attached co-operators to
him, even ■\vliere some of us dissented from views he
cherished. We all owe gratitude to his memory for great
services, but I recall no circumstance which I could tell in
briefer words, which may indicate that generosity of
speech which was new to us. In no way could it profit
him to befriend us, and therefore his civility was to us as
a sign of sincerity.
THE TEX CONGRESSES. 423
Jdazzini's tlieory of Co-operation.
CHAPTER XXIV.
THE TEN CONGRESSES.
" We ought to resolve tbe economical problem, not by means of an nn-
t:igonism of class against class ; not by means of a war of workmen and of
resistance, wbose only end is a decrease of production and of cheapness of
•consumption ; not by means of displacement of capital whicli does not
increase the amount of social richness ; not by the systems practised
among foreigners, wliich violate property, the source of all emulation,
liberty, and labour ; but by means of creating new sources of capital, of
production and consuuiption, causing them to pass tlirougli the hands of
tlie operative's voluntary associations, tliat the fruits of labour may
constitute tlieir property." — Gtuiseim'k ^Iazzi.vi {Addres.i to the Opcra'ives
■of Parma, 1801.)
This comprehensive summary of co-operative policy ex-
actly detjcribes the procedure and j)roi;ress, gradually
jiccomplishetl in success! v<j degrees, at the ten successive
Congresses of which we have now to give a brief account.
Tlie Central Board have published every year, during its
existence, closely ))rinted reports of the annual Congress of
the societies. Ten small volumes have now been issued.
They contain the addresses delivered by the j:)reiidents,
who have always been men of distinction ; the speeches
of all the delegates taking ])art in tho debates ; speeches
delivered in the town at public meetings convened by the
Congress ; all the papers read before the Congress ; foreign
correspondence with tl;e leading promoters of co-operation
in other countries. These reports exhibit the life of co-
opei'ation and its yearly ])i'()gress in numbers, conco])tion,
administration, and application of its ])rinci])les. Though
the Reports are liberally circulated, tli(>y ai'o not kept in
]irint,and thus become aspeciesof lostliteratureof the most
instructive kindastranger can consult. These annual reports,
mill the annual volumes of the " Co-operative News,"ougiit
424 EISTOliV OF CO-OPERATION.
The Presidents of Congress.
to be carefull}^ kept in every library of the stores, and
every stox-e ought to have a library to keep them in.
There have been three series of Congresses held in
England within the last forty years — a Co-operative series
— a Socialist series, and the present series — constructive
congresses — commencing 1809. The first was held in
London,
The following have been the Presidents of the Conirresses
and names of the towns in which they were held : —
18G9. Tliomas Huglies, M.P., London.
1870. Walter Morrison, M.P., Manchester.
1871. Hon. Auberon Herbert, M.P., Birmingham.
1872. ThoniMs Hughes, M P., Bolton.
187-3. Josejih Cowen, Jun.,* Newcastle on-Tjne.
1874. Thomas Brassey, M.P., Halifax.
1875. Prof. Tliorold Rogers, London.
1876. Prof. Hodgson, LL.D., Glasgow.
1877. Hon. Auberon Herbert, Leicester.
1878. The Marquis of Eipon,f Manchester.
Mr. Thomas Hughes, M.P., was the president of the first
Congress. He was one of the chief guides of the co-oper-
ative Israelites throughthewildernessof lawlessness into the
])romised land of legality. From the Mount Pisgah from
which he spoke, he surveyed the long-sought kingdom of
co-operative production, which we have not yet reached.
Among the visitors to the first Congress of 1869, were-
the Comte de Paris, Mr. G. Pipley, of the " New York
Tribune," the Hon. E. Lyuiph Stanlev, Mrs. Jacob Bright,
Henry Fawcett, M.P. ; Thomas Dixon Galpin, T. W.
Thornton, Somerset Beaumont, M.P. ; F.Crowe (H.B.M.'s
Consul-General, Christiania, Norway), Sir Louis Mallet,
Sir John Bowring, Col. F.C. Maude, Wm. Shaen, the Earl
of Lichfield and others.
Prof. Vigano, of Italy, contributed apaper to this congress;
and a co-operative society of 700 members, at Kharkof,.
* The present M.P. for Newcastle-on-Trne.
f The President on the second day was the Bishop of MMnchestcr, an dl
on the third dar Dr. John Watts.
THE TEN CONGRESSES.
The flrst Central Board.
425-
sent M. Nicholas Balline a delegate to it. On tlie list of
names of the Arranfjement Committee of the Congress, was
that of "Guiseppe Uolfi, a Florentine tradesman, who, more
perhaps than any other single person, helped to turn out a
sovereign Grand Duke, and remained a baker."-'' He was
a promoter of the People's Bank and the Artizau Fraternity
of Florence. There was an Exhibition of co-operative
manufactures at this congress which has been repeated at
subsequent congresses. As productive co-operation ad-
vances, this exliibition is likely to grow, like that of the
lloyal Agricultural Society, from being an accidental display
into a large organized interesting show.
The following list of names of the first Central Board
of the Co-operators, which was appointed at the ISG^
Congress, includes most of those who have been concerned
in promoting the co-operative movement in the Constructive
Tcriod. iMr. Fare and Mr. Allan have since died : —
LONDON.
Thonins TTiighcs, 51. P.
Walter Morrison, M.P.
Anthony J. Mundella, jr. P.
Hon. Aiibcron Herbert, M.P.
Llonl Jones.
William Allan, Secretary of tlie
Anialganiated Engineers' Society.
Robert Applci^nrth, Secretary of the
Amalgamated Carpenters and
Joiners' Society.
Edward Owen Greening, Managing
Hiro'Ctor of Agricultural and llor-
ticultural Co-operative Association.
James Hole, Sc-retary of the As-
sociation of Chambers of Cotn-
merce.
George Jacob Holyoake.
Johr\ Mak'ohu Ludlow.
E. Vansitt.irt Neale.
AViUiam Pare, F.S.S.
Hodgson Pratt, Hon. Secretary of
the Working Men's Club arc!
Institute Union.
Henry Travis, M.D.
Joseph ^\'oodin.
PROVINCLA.L.
Ahraliam Greenwood, Rochdale.
Samuel Stott, Rochdale.
T. Cheethatn, Rochdale.
William Nuttall, Oldham.
Isaiah Lee, Oldham.
Januvs Cliallinor Vox, Minehester.
David Baxter, Manchester.
Thomas Slater, Bury.
James Crabtree, Hockmondwike.
J. Whittaker, Bacup.
W. Barnett, Macclesfield.
Joseph Xay, Over Darwen.
AVilliam Bates, Eccles.
J. T. McLmes, Glasgow, Editor of
the " Scottish Co-operator."
James Borrowman, Glasgow.
* Pref. to Cong. Rep. by J. M. Ludlow.
420 IJISTUllY OF CO-OPEKATIUN.
Presidents' Speeches.
Tlie Congress of 1870 was held in the Memorial Hall,
Manchester. The attendance was considered small, but the
practical business of co-operation was advanced by it. Mr.
Walter Morrison, M.P., delivered the opening address,
which dealt with the state of co-operation at home and
abroad, and occupied little more than half an hour in
delivery. Subsequent addresses have exceeded an hour.
The example of Mr. Morrison was in the direction of
desirable limitation. As a chairmail of Congress Mr.
Morrison excels in the mastery of questions before it, of
keeping them before it, of never relaxing his attention,
and never snfFering debate to loiter or diverge. Mr.
Hibbert, M.P., presided the third day. At this Congress,
as at subsequent ones, during Mr. Fare's life, foreign
-delegates and foreign correspondence were features.
The Birmingham Congress of 1871 met in the com-
mittee room of the Town Hall. The Hon. Auberon
Herbert, M.P., was president. He spoke on the fidelity
nnd moral passion which should characterize co-operators.
Mr. Morrison, M.P., occupied the chair the third day.
Mr. George Dixon, M.P., presided at the public meeting
in the Town Hall. The " Daily Post " gave an article
■on the relation of co-operation to the industries of the
town. All the journals of the town gave fuller reports of
"the proceedings of the Congress than had been previously
•accorded elsewhere. At this Congress a letter came from
Herr Delitzsch ; Mr. Wirth Avrote from Frankfort ; Mr.
Axel Krook from Sweden. Dr. Muller, from Norway,
reported that co-operative stores are extending to the
villages ; and that there is a Norwegian Central Board.
Prof. PfeifFer sent an account of military co-operation in
'Germany — a form of co-operation which is to be hoped
will die out. Denmark, Russia, Italy, and other countries
were represented by communications.
The Congress of 1872 was held in Bolton. Bolton-le-
moors is not an alluring town to go to, if regard be had
alone to its rural scenes or sylvan beauty ; but, as rcsnects
THE TEN CONGRESSES. 427
The wet Congress nt Bolton.
its inhabitants, its history, its central situation, its growth,
its iiianufacturiug and business importance, its capacious
co-operative store, and the hospitality of distinguished
residents, it is a suitable place to hold a congress in. The
town has none of the grim aspect it wore of old, when it
was warlike within, and bleak, barren, and disturbed by
enemies without. Flemish clothiers sought out the strange
place in the 14th century, and possibly it was Flemish
genius which gave Arkwright and Crompton to the town.
In 1651, one of the Earls of Derby was beheaded there.
The latest object of interest in the town is a monument of
Crompton, who made the world richer, and died an
inventor's death — poor. Bolton, however, did not owe
oo-operation to Flemish, but to Birmingham inspiration.
Forty-two years before, Mr. Pare delivered the first lecture
^iven in Bolton upon Co-oj)eration, in March, 1830.
He spoke then in the Sessions Room of that day (which is
now an inn) mostly unknown to this generation. I
sought in vain for the "Bolton Chronicle" of the year
1830, to copy such notice as appeared of Mr. Fare's meet-
ing. Unluckily, the " Chronicle " office had itself no
complete file of its own journal. The public library of
the town was not more fortunate. The volumes of the
'• Chronicle " about the period in question in this library
are for 1823, 1825, 1829, and 1835. The 1830 volume was
not attainable, so that the seed was not to be traced there
which was found upon the waters after so many days.
Many remember it as the Bolton wet Congress. Even
Lancashire and Yorkshire delegates were not proof against
Bolton rain. The Union Jack persevered in hanging out
at the Congress doors, but drooped and draggled mourn-
fully, and presented a limp, des})onding ajipearancc. Even
the Scotch delegates, who understand a climate where it
always rains, except when it snows, came into the hall in
Indian file, afraid to walk abreast and confront the morning
drizzle, against which no co-operation could i)revail. Some
unthinking committee actually invited Mr. Disraeli, then
428 HISTORY OP CO-OPERATIOX.
Wild InTitations.
on his visit to Manchester, to attend the conference.
Crowds would be sure to surround the splendid Conserva-
tive, and it would be sure to rain all the time of his visit —
everybody knew that it would in Manchester — and yet the
Co-operators invited him and the Countess Beaconsfield to
come drippinor to Bolton with the 10,000 persons who
would have followed. The town would have been impass-
able. The Co-operative Hall would never have held them
all ; and there would never have been any business what-
ever transacted while Mr. Disraeli sat in the Congress. It
is not more foolish to invite the dead than to invite eminent
living persons, unless it is known that they are able and
likely to come, and can be adequately entertained and
interested when they do come. Otherwise it is the reverse
of complimentary to them to ask them. They send civil
letters in reply, because they rightly assume friendly feel-
ings towards them ; but to the outside public it is apt to
appear like ignorant ostentation. I have known a working
man's society, without means to entertain a commercial
traveller pleasantly, invite a cluster of the most eminent
and most engaged men in the nation, of such opposite
opinions that they never meet each other except in Parlia-
ment, to attend the opening of a small hall in an obscure
town, where the visitors pay nine-pence each for tea, when
a great city would deem it an honour if one of them came
as its guest.
This Cono-rcss held a iniblic meetino; in the same hall
where Scholefield, the republican, was murdered not long
before in the Royalist riots in the town. It was during
this congress that Professor Frederick Denison Maurice
died. Knowledge of his influential friendliness to co-
operation caused every delegate to be sorry for his loss.
Few co-operators probably among the working class are
able to estimate Mr. Maurice's services to society, or
measure that range of learning and thought which has
given him a high place among thinkers and scholars." A
m:m can be praised by none but his equals, but the tribute
THE TEN CONGRESSES. 429
Foreign Co-operative Societies.
of regret all who are grateful can give, in the respects in
which they can understand their obligations. This co-
operators could do, for they were aware he had ibundcd
Working Men's Colleges in Loudon to place the highest
education within the reach of the humblest children of the
humblest working man in the nation.
At this Congress M. Larouche Joubert informed us that
the Co-operative Paper Manufiictory made ,£20,000 of
profits between June, 1870, and June, 1871 — a period so
disastrous to France. It used to be the common belief
that co-operation would fall to pieces in trying times, but
in Lancashire it stood the test of famine and in France it
stood the test of war. Equally during the German war
the co-operative credit banks Avere unshaken. Professor
Burns, writing from Italy, told us of the interest taken by
J3:iron Poerio in a Co-o])erative Society of iSTapbs, which
actually existed among a generation reared under a o^overn-
nient of suspicion. M. Yalleroux reported that not a sino-le
])roductive society gave way in Paris neither under the
siege nor the commune.
Mr. Villard, the secretary of the Social Science Associ-
ation of America, sui)plied a survey of co-oj)eration in
America, and ])a])ers were expected from M. Elisee and his
brother M. Elie lieclus, of France, eminent writers on co-
operation. Tiiey would have been present had not the
suppressors of the commune laid their indiscriminatino-
hands on one of them. Too late M. Elisee Reclus Avas
liberated from Satory, where he was confined by misad-
venture, on account of alleged complicity with the affairs
of the commune, which he opposed and deplored, being
himself a friend of j)acific, social and industrial reform. lie
was (and his brother also) a prominent member of a society
for promoting peace and arbitration of the national differ-
ences which led to war. Elisee Reclus being an eminent
man of science, whose works have been translated into
English, great inteiest in his welfare was felt by men of
science in this country. M. Elisee's work upon the
430 niSTORT OF CO-OPERATIOy.
Tbe death of William Pare.
^' Earth " is lielcl in high repute among geographers. The
memorial signed in this country, and presented to M. Thiers
on his behalf, bore many eminent signatures, and was
happily successful, as M. Reclus's life was in danger from
privation and severity of treatment.
The Congress of 1873 was held in the Mechanics"
Institution of Newcastle-on-Tyne, Mr. Joseph Cowen,
jun., being president. His was the first extemporaneous
address delivered to us, and its animation, its freshness of
statement and business force made a great impression. Jt
was the speech of one looking at the movement from
without, perfectly understanding its drift, and under no
illusions either as to its leaders or its capacity as an in-
dustrial policy.
At this Congress was recorded the death of Mr. Pare.
It was he who first introduced the American term
Congress into this country, and applied it to our
meetings. For more than 40 years he was the tireless
expositor of social principles. He learned early from
Robert Owen the golden principle which Leigh Hunt so
finely expressed — namely, that " the errors of mankind
proceed more from defect of knowledge than from defect
of goodness." All the acerbities which over arise in any
of our societies, arise from members who do not know
this, or who forget it if they do. Mr. Pare never forgot it.
His angerless voice, and his pleasant patience, were an
endowment as strong as his generous zeal, which never
hastad and never rested, until envious death took him from
US.
Newcastle is an old fighting town ; there is belligerent
blood in the people. If they like a thing, they will put it
forward and keep it forward; and if they do not like it,
they will put it down with foresight and a strong hand.
There is the burr of the forest in their speech, but the
meaning in it is as full as a filbert, when you get through
the beard and the shell. Several passages in the speeches
of the Presid( nt of the Congress give the reader historic
THE TEN CONGRESSES. 481
Gaieties of Hospitality in Newcastle-on-Tyne.
and other knowledge of a town, dlstingnislied for repelling-
foes in long-gone warlike times, and for heartiness in
welcoming friends in industrial days. The co-operators
had the satisfaction of meeting upon the Tvnesido, but
they saw little of it. With two exceptions, all the delegates
who arrived on Good Friday immediately held a Central
Board meeting Avhich lasted all day. On other days there
were speeches at breakfast, Congress until evening, public
meetings at night. When the delegates were handsomely
taken down the Tyne in the " Harry Clasper " steam-boat,
there was a Central Board meeting going on in the cabin,
and a public meeting on the deck. If co-operators held a
congress in Paradise they would take no time to look at
the fittings, but moA^e somebody into the chair witln'n ten
minutes after their arrival. On leaving the " Harry
Clasper " a salute of 42 guns was fired in honour of the
42 elected members of the Central Board, a tribute na
other body of visitors had received in Newcastle.
The delegates were welcomed to the Tyneside — with a
greater hospitality even than that of the table — namely,
that of the press. The " Newcastle Daily Chronicle '^
accorded to the congress an unexampled publicity.
Double numbers were printed during the sittings ;
giving full reports of the entire proceedings, the papers
read, the debates, and the speeches at every meeting.
When the British Association for the ad\nncement of
(Science, and the kindred society for the Promotion of
Social Knowdedge, have visited Newcastle-on-Tyne, the
" Daily Chronicle " has reported their jn-oceedings in a
way never done in any other town of Great Britain or
Ireland, and the Co-operative Congress received the same
attention. Double numbers were issued each day the
congress sat, and on the following Saturday a Sur^plement
of fifty-six cohnnns was given with the '' Weekly
Chronicle," containing the complete report of all tlio co-
operative deliberations. Th.anks were given to Mr. liichard
Bagnall Reed, the manager of the " Newcastle Chronicle,"
432 HISTORY OF CO-OrEKATIOX.
Political Pitmen above ground.
for that interest and tireless prevision -whicli this extended
publication involved. Of the '• Chronicle," containing
the first day's proceedings of the Congress, 100,000 copies
were published, and 00,000 sold by mid-afternoon. The
same pnper contained a report of a great meeting on the
Moor, of political pitmen, Avhichled to the large sale ; but
the cause of co-operation had the advantage of that
immense publicity. The iTewcastle Moor of 1,200 acres
was occupied on the first day of the congress b}' a
^' Demonstration" of nearly 100,000 pitmen, and as many
more spectators, on behalf of the equalization of tlie
franchise between town and county. The richly bannered
procession marched with the order of an army, and was
the most perfect example of working class organization
which has been witnessed in England.
Mr. Cowen, the president of the congress, was chair-
man of this great meeting on the Moor. The Ouseburn
Co-operative Engineers carried two flags, which they had
asked me to lend them, which had seen stormier service.
One was the snlt-washed fitigof the " AYashington," which
bore Garibaldi's famous " thousand " to Marsala, and the
other a flng of Mazzini's, the founder of Italian Co-opera-
tive Associations, which had been borne in conflicts with
the enemies of Italian unity. The best proof of the
numbers present is a publication made by the North
Eastern Railway Company of their receipts, which that
week exceeded by £20,224 the returns of the corresponding
week for 1872, which represented the third class fares of
pitmen, travelling from the collieries of Durham and
Northumberland to the Newcastle Moor. The congress
nlso made acquaintance with the oarsmen of the Tyne. A
race over four miles of water between Robert Bagnall and
John Bright was postponed iTntil the "Wednesday, as Mr.
Cowen thought it might entertain us to see it, and it was
worth seeing^ for a pluckier pull never took place on the
old Norse war path of the turbulent Tyne.
It was this year that Mr. Walter Morrison, M.P., pre-
THE TEN CONGRESSES.
Speech Condensing Engines.
433
sented the Congress with eio-ht handsomely mounted minute
glasses, which, out of compliment it would appear to the
Ouseburn Engineers, were described as Speech Conden-
sine: Enorines. Four of the glasses run out in five minutes
and four in ten minutes. The object of the gift was to
promote brevity and pertinence of speech. There has
been engraved upon each glass a couplet suggesting to
wandering orators to moderate alike their digressions and
warmth ; to come to the point and keej) to the point —
having, of course, previously made up their minds what
the point is. The couplets are these —
Often have you beard it told,
Speech is silver, silence gold.
Wise men often speech withhold,
Fools repeat the trite and old.
Shallow wits are feehly bold,
Pondered words take deeper bold.
Time is fleeting, time is gold,
When our work is manifold.
If terseness be the soul of wit.
Say your say and be done with it.
Fluent speech, wise men hare said,
Oft betrays an empty head.
Conscious strengtli is calm in speech.
Weaker natures scold and screech.
Patience, temper, hopefulness.
Lead you onward to success.
In Athens, an accused person, when defending himself
before the dikastery, was confronted by a klepsydra, or
water glass, and the number of amphoroe of water allowed
to each speaker depended upon the importance of the case.
At Rome, the prosecutor was allowed only two-thirds of
the water allowed to the accused. At the Congress, the
five minutes glass was generally in use, the ten minutes
one when justice to a subject or a speaker required the
longer time.
The Congress of 1874 was held in Haliftix, when ^Mr.
Thomas Brassey, M.F., was president, who gave us infor-
mation as to the conditions of co-operative manufacturing.
The authority of his name and his great business expe-
rience rendered his address of importance and value to us.
The great store at Halifax had come by this time to
command great attention, and the co-operative and social
FF
i'd-i HlSTOliY OF CO-OrEBATlON.
In-vitation to Wendell Phillips.
features introduced into the famous manufactories of the
Crossleys and the Ackroyds, rendered the meeting in that
town interesting. The delegates were entertained with a
co])ious hospitality resembling that of Newcastle-on-Tyne.
Professor Thorold Rogers, of Oxford, presided at the
London Congress of 1875, who stated to us the relations
of political economy to co-operation, sometimes dissenting
irom the views of its leadez's, but always adding to our
information. It is the merit of co-operators that they look
■to their presidents not for coincidence of opinion but for
instruction. Not less distinguished as a politician than as
a political economist, the presence of Professor Rogers in
the chair was a public advantage to the party whom he
addressed.
Mr. AVendell Phillips, of America, was invited by the
congress to be its guest. The great advocate of the
industrial classes, irrespective of their colour, would have
received distinguished welcome from co-operators who
regard the slaves as their fellow working men, and honour
all who endow them with the freedom which renders self-
help posssible to them. Mr. Phillips was unable to leave
America, but a letter was read to the congress from him.
At this Congress in a paper contributed, N. Zurzoffex-
])lained the introduction and progress of Schulze-Delitzsch's
banking system into Russia. It was met by a very
unfavourable feeling on the part of the Government and
the people. They did not understand it and did not want
it. It took Prince Bassilbehikoff no little trouble to make
it intelligible in St. Petereburgh. In 1870 thirteen banks
were got into operation ; in 1874 more than 200. At the
same confrress Mr. Walter Morrison read a paper giving
an English account of the history, nature, and operation
of the Scimlze-Delitzsch German Credit Banks, the fullest
iind most explicit to which the reader can be referred.
A proposal was made at this congress to promote a
co-o[)erative trading com|)any between England and the
iii.isi:jsippi Valley, and a deputation the following year went
THE TEN CONGRESSES. 435
The American Grangers.
out to ascertain the feasibility of the project. It has not
been prosecuted in the form contemplated. But friendly
relations have been established between the better class of
Grangers. It is necessary to say better class, because
some of them were concerned in obtaining a reduction of the
railway tariff for the conveyance of their produce, by means
which appeared in England to be of a nature wholly in-
defensible. With this procedure English co-operators could
have no partizauship. But with 'all those who sought to
promote commercial economy by equitable co-operative
arrangements, they were anxious to be associated. The plan
devised by Mr. Neale, who was the most eminent member
of the deputation, would promote both international co-
operation and free trade ; objects which some of the
co-operative societies made large votes of money to assist.
At the Glasgow Congress of 187G, Professor Hodgson,
of Edinburgh, was our president. In movements, having
industrial and economical sense, Professor Hodgson's
name lias oft been mentioned as that of a great
advocate whose pen and tongue could always be
counted upon. The working-class congress at Glasgow
had ample proof of this. Political economy has no great
reputation for liveliness of doctrino or exposition ; but in
Professor Hodgson's hands its exposition was full of
vivacity, and the illustrations of its principle were made
luminous with wit and humour.
At this Congress, Mr. J. W. A. Wright was present
as a delegate from the Grangers of America, who had
passed resolutions in their own conferences to promote
*' Co-operation on the Rochdale plan." Mr. Neale and
Mr. Smith have since promoted an Anglo-American
co-operative trading company.
The Museum Hall, Leicester, was the [ilaco in which
was held the Congress of 1877. The Hon. Aubcron Her-
bert was president tliis year, and counselled us with im-
passioned frankness against the dangers of centralization,
and described merits unseen by us in the adjusting
436 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Sermons preached before the Congress.
principle of competition. He owned we might regard hini
as a Devil's advocate, but we all agreed that if he were so,
the devil had shown hiausual taste in sending us so earnest
and engaging a representative. For the first time a sermon'
w'as preached before the delegates by Canon Vaughan,
whose discourse was singularly direct. It dealt with
the subject knowingly, and with that only ; and the subject
was not made — as preachers of the commoner sort woukl
have made it — a medium of saying something else. It dealt
with co-operation mathematically. Euclid could not go
from one point to another in a shorter Avay. No delegate at
tlie Congress could understand co-operation better than the
Canon ; he made a splendid plea for what is regarded a&
an essential principle of co-operation — the recognition of
labour in productive industry — the partnership of the
worker with capital. The church was very crowded, and
there was a large attendance of delegates.
The Tenth Congress, that of 1878, was held in Manchester^
where great changes had occurred since the Congress of
1870. Balloon Street had come to represent a great
European buying agency ; the Downing Street store had
acquired some twelve branches, and the Congress of 1878
was more numerous and animated in proportion. On the
Sunday before it opened the Rev. W. N. Molesworth of
Rochdale preached before the delegates at the Cathedral,
augmenting the wise suggestions and friendly counsel by
which co-operators had profited in their earlier career.
The Rev. Mr. Steinthal also preached a sermon to us the
same day. The Marquis of Ripon presided at the Congress,
recalling the delegates to the duty of advancing the neglected
department of production. We criticised the Marquis's
address, as is our custom, reminding him that we regarded
the Presidential address as Parliament does a royal speech,
concerning which Mr. Canning said Parliament receives
no communication which it does not echo, and it echoes
nothing which it does not discuss. On the second day the
Lord Bishop of Manchester presided, making one of those
THE TEN CONGRESSES. 4<J<
Death of George Alexander Fleming.
bright cheery addresses, for which he is distinguished :
showing real secuhir interest in co-operative things ; his
religion, as is the characteristic of the religion of the
gentleman, was never obtruded and never absent, being
felt in every sentence, in the justice, candour, and sympathy
shown towards those whose aims he discerns to be well
intended, though they may have less knowledge, or other
light than his, to guide them on their path. The Rev.
Mr. Molesworth presided on one day as he had done at
the Congress of 1870. Dr. John Watts was president on
the last day, delivering an address marked by his unrivalled
knowledge of co-operative business and policy, and that
felicity of illustration whose light is drawn from the
subject it illumines.
There was one who died durinfj congress time, once a
familiar name when earlier congresses were common —
Mr. George Alexander Fleming. Between 1835 and
1846 there was no congress held at which he was not a
principal figure. He was editor nearly or quite all the
time (13 years), of the " New Moral World," a well-
known predecessor of the " Co-operative News." We
used to make merry with his initials, " G. A. F.," but he
was himself a ])ractical, active agitator in the social cause.
A border Scot by birth (being born at Berwick, North-
umberland), he had the caution of his countrymen north
of the Tweed ; and though he showed zeal for social ideas,
he had no adventurous sympathy with the outside life of
the world ; and socialism had an aspect of sectarianism in
his hands. He was an animated, vigorous speaker, and
there was a business quality in his writing which did good
service in his day. After he left the movement he soon
made a place for himself in the world. Like many other
able co-operators, he was not afraid of competition, and
could hold his own amid the cunningest operators in that
field. He took an engagement on tlie " jMorning Adver-
tiser," and represented that paper in the gallery of the
House of Commons until his death, over a period of a
438 HISTOKY OF CO-OPERATION.-
His Propagandist Services.
quarter of a century. He founded, or was chief promoter
and conductor of, tlie " South London Press." lie first
became known to the pubhc as an eloquent speaker in the
"Ten Hours' Bill " movement. All his life, to its close,
he was a constant writer. Of late years he was well
known to visitors at the Discussion Hall, in Shoe
Lane, and the " Forum," in Fleet Street. He had reached
70 years of age, at which a man in these days is called
elderly About a year before, he married a second time. He
was buried at Nunhead. Many years ago, at a dinner
given at the Whittington Club to the chief socialist
advocates, he boasted, somewhat reproachfully, that he
then obtained twice as much income for half the work he
performed when connected with the social movement.
But that was irrelevant, for the best advocates in that
movement did not expect to serve themselves so much as
to serve others. I have seen men die poor, and yet glad
that they had been able to be of use to those who never
even thought of requiting them. The consciousness of"
the good they had done in that way was the reward they
most cared for. Mr. Fleming's merit was, that in the
stormy and fighting days of the movement he was one of
the foremost men in the perilous fray, and therefore his
name ought to be mentioned with regard in these pages.
Like all public men who once belonged to the social move-
ment, he was constantly found advocating and supporting,,
by wider knowledge than his mere political contemporaries
possessed, liberty both of social life and social thought.
I have often come upon unexpected instances in which
lie was true to old principles, and gave influence and
argument to them, though quite out of sight of his
old colleagues.
The hospitality to delegates commenced at JTewcastle-
on-Tyne, have been features with variations at most
subsequent Congresses, the chief stores being mainly the
hosts of the delegates. In Bolton and in Leicester, as on
the Tyneside and London, eminent friends of social effViit
TUK TEN CO^'GRESSES. 431)
Parliament of Co-operation.
among the people entertained many visitors. The exhibi-
tion of co-operative manufactures was better organised
and displayed at the last Congress in Manchester than
heretofore, and the arrangements for publicity by the
press were for the first time systematic.
The Central Board have publislied a considerable series
of tracts, handbooks, special pamphlets, and lectures
by co-operative writers, and sums of money every year
are devoted to their gratuitous circulation. Any person
wishing information upon the subject of co-operation, or
the formation of stores, or models of rules for the consti-
tution of societies, can obtain them by applying to the
Secretary of the Co-operative Board, 9, City Buildings,
Manchester.
Industry owes respect to the co-operators who have
preceded those of to-day. Coming before their time, they
hastened the time in which we are enabled to act. They
furnished the knowledge by which we have profited. Ihey
had more than hope where others had despair. They saw
progress where others saw nothing. They pointed to a
path which industry had never before trodden. The
pioneers who have gone before have, like Marco Polo, or
Columbus, or Sir "Walter Raleigh, explored, so to speak,
unknown ceas of industry, have made maps of their
paths and records of their soundings. We know whers
the hidden rocks of enterprise lie, and the slioals ami
whirlpools of discord and disunity. We know what vor-
texes to avoid. The humble movement has been one
army though it carried no hostile flags. Its advocates
were all members of one parliament Avhich though several
times prorogued was never dissolved.
The reader who best discerns the difficulties such a party
encounters will judge its errors with most Icnionoy. A
movement is like a river. It percolates frcm an obscure
source. It runs at best but deviously. It meets with rock,
and has to run round it. It mikos its way where the
soil is most pervious to water, and wh.cn it has travelled
440 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The devious inarch of movements.
tlirough a great extent of country, its windings sometimes
bring it back to a spot which is not far in advance of its
source. Eventually it trickles into unknown apertures
Avhich its own impetus and growing volume convert into a
track. Though making countless circuits it ever advances
to the sea ; though it never goes straight and appears
to wander aimlessly through the earth, it is always pro-
ceeding; and its very length of way implies more
distributed fertilization on its course. So it is with
human movemeuts. A great principle has often a very
humble source. It trickles at first slowly, uncertainly, and
l)lindly. It moves through society as the river does through
the land. It encounters understandings as impenetrable
as granite, and has to seek a course elsewhere. It finds a
passage through more impressionable minds ; it digresses
but never recedes. Like the currents which aid the
river, principle has pioneers who make a way for it, who,
if they cannot blast the rocks of stupidity,, excavate the
more intelligent strata of society. Though the way is long
and lies through many a channel and maze, and though tho
new stream of thought seems to recede and lose itself, the
great current gathers unconscious force, new Outlets seem
to open of themselves, and in an unexpected hour the
accumulated torrent of ideas bursts open a final passage to
tlie great sea of truth. It is then found that the devious,
disappointing course has led the mighty river into scenes
of richer beauty than otherwise it had found, that on
its way it acquired those tributary currents which gave
il victorious momentum, that what seemed to spectators
on the banks to be craven expediency was fortunate
necessity, and that patience and persistence in right
endeavour is the true policy of those who conduct a
strus2r£:lincT movement.
THE FUTURE OF CO-OPERATION. 441
Marahalliug strayed ideas.
CHAPTER XXV.
THE FUTURE OF CO-OPERATION.
Folks say, a wizard to a northern king
At Cliristmas-tiile such wondrous things did sliow,
That through one window men beheld the spring,
And through another saw the summer glow,
And through a third the fruited vines a-row,
While still, unheard, but in its wonted way,
Piped the drear wind of that December day.
So with this earthly Paradise it is,
If ye will read aright, and pardon me,
Who strive to build a shadowy isle of bliss
Midmost the beating of the steely sea,
Wh(!re tossed about all hearts of men must be ;
Whose ravening monsters mighty men shall slay,
Not the poor singer of an empty day.
" The Earthly Paradise." By William Moekis.
The reader will doubtless feel relief at having arrived at
the last chapter. To him I owe an apology for having
detained him so long over a story upon which I have
lingered myself several years. Unevadable engagements
to write on other subjects, have often withdrawn
me from these pages, until of late, when I have been able
to return to tliem, it has taken me long to fiimiliarize
myself with the materials to be dealt with. I have been
like one driving shecj) to market, who, having abandoned
them for a time, has found difficulty in re-collecting them.
This has often been the case with my ideas. No doubt I
have lost some of them in this way, and have probably
finally driven up some belonging to other persons, without
being aware of the illicit admixture.
442 HISTORY OF CO-OPliRATION.
Main objects of the Co-operatiTe story.
Mr. Morris' lines, -which I prefix to this chapter, are
not inapplicable to the story of working class progress,
which I now close. For myself I am no " singer,"
nor do I believe in the "empty day" which the poet
modestly suggests. No day is " empty " which contains
a poet. Nevertheless I am persuaded that " the isle of
bliss" will yet arise " midmost the beatings of the steely
sea," and that the " mighty monsters," industrial and
otherwise, which now intimidate society, ''mighty men"
will one day " slay."
The two main purposes for which I have written have
been (1) to explain as completely as I could what principles
co-operation is naturally founded .npon, and induce co-
operators to keep their movement on those lines and push
it forward upon them. (2) To give such general informa-
tion of the constructive character of associative industry
as shall enable the reader, unaco[uainted with the subject,
to understand it. It only remains to add a few pages on
the probable influence of co-operation on society in the
immediate future.
Society is improved by a thousand agencies. I only
contend that co-operation is one. Bad brains, bred of bad
conditions and bad health, generate insane persons. These
multiply a mad or half-mad progeny. The truths. of phy-
siology can alone arrest this evil. Other great agencies of
improvement effects each a new good. The distinctive
merit of co-operation is that it will terminate pauperism.
Co-operation is the new force of industry which attains
competency without mendicancy, and effaces inequality
by equalizing fortunes. The equality contemplated is not
that of men who aim to be equal to their superiors and
superior to their equals. The simple equality it seeks
consists in the diffusion of the means of general competence,
until every family is ensured against dependence or want,
and no man in old age, however unfortunate or unthrifty
he may have been, shall, whether blind or seeing, stumble
into pauperism. His want of sense, or want of thrift, may
THE FUTURE OF CO-OrF,KATION. 44^
The equalitysof EquiTalencc.
rob him of repute or power, but shall never sink him so
low that crime shall be justifiable, or his fate a scandal to
any one save himself. The road to this state of things i&
long — in many parts the way is so dark that no states-
man has made his way through it. Defiles in it are
dangerous — cross roads meet and mislead the traveller at
many turns ; but beyond we know lies the pleasant Valley
of Competence.
There is no equality in nature, of strength or stature, of
taste or knowledge, of force or faculty. Many may row
in the same boat, but, as Jerrold said, not with the same
skulls. Nature has taken care of that. But there may be
equivalence though not equality in power : the sum of one
man's powers may be equal to another's if we knew how
to measure the degrees of their diversity. It is in equality
of opportunity of developing the qualities for good each
man is endowed with, that the equality of equivalence may
one day come.
Co-operation seeks the material means of growth. It
liusbands provisions for its members by creating Stores,
and supplies articles of utility by manufactures — it aims
at the ownership of land and vessels — it builds — it engages
in commerce and farming operations, with a view to the
self- employment of its members — it provides for their
education and self-government, that society may be self-
sustained and self-controlled. Its means are capital and
industry. The capital it saves by economy or hires it,
using it as an agent, and paying it its fair market value
as such, and paying it no more. Its policy is to divide
the entire profit made by thought, skill and labour,
equitably among those who produce it. This is what
co-operation means, and the nature of the principles which
will influence the future of industry.
The perplexity of mind concerning society is serious.
Machinery has become a power greater than man himself.
It is greater than though thirty millions of giants had
entered Great Britain to work for our thirty millions of
444 HISTORY OF CO-OPEKATION.
The seTen waves of progress.
people. And these giants never feel hunger, or passion,
or weariness, and their power is immeasurable. Yet the
lot of the poor is precarious, and the very poor amount
to millions. Yet somehow the giants have not worked
adequately for the many. This is the reason of the
public indigence, and why the ranks of industry are
degraded by the existence of paupers among them. It is
true that a higher scale of life is reached by the poor sort
'than of old ; still they are but mere servants of capital
Avith more power to change their masters, but few are
able to escape them. Co-operation is the new means of
superseding them.
The two wants of Industry are distribution of profit and
education in industrial morality. Co-operation supplies
both, and when "Distribution shall undo excess and each
man has enough " for secure existence, the baser incentives
to greed, fraud, and violence will cease. The social outrages
coarseness of life, at which we are shocked, were once and
common and thought to be inevitable. Our being shocked
and impatient at them]now are signs of progress. Progress,
like the tide, comes in in great waves. The steps of society
are — (1) Savageness ; (2) The mastership by chiefs of the
more ferocious ; (3) The government of ferocity tempered
by rude lawfulness; (4) Kude lawfulness matured into a
general right of protection ; (5) Protection instructed by
political representation ; (6) Self-control of the people
diminishing the impertinence and espionage of government;
(7) Self-control matured into self-support and common
sense among common people ; when the physician and the
philanthropist become merely ornamental personages, and
charity and disease are regarded as unnecessai'y evils.
We are not in that state yet ; but co-operation is the most
likely thing apparent to accelerate the march to it.
Communism, therefore, of the " working bugbear" type
;is not one of the thino;s of the future in England. Sir
.Arthur Helps has told the public that " What Socialists
are always aiming at is paternal government, under which
THE FUTURE OF CO-OPERATION. 445^
Features of State Socialism.
they are to be the spoilt children." Sir Arthur must have
in his mind State Socialists — very different persons from
co-operators.
There are only two kinds of Socialism : one in which
the State is to be the Public Pedagogue, the nation a
great Charity School, in which the pursuits and rations,
are all to be regulated, and the ears of the refractory boxed
by authority. This is the dream of the famished and
ignorant poor, reared under priestly and arbitrary govern-
ments. This kind of communism is, as M. Thiers described
it, the disease of despotic rule, and disappears under
governments of liberty. Only political exiles in other
countries and the stagnant-minded poor, reared under
Tory profession of paternal charity in our own country,,
take this disease. In England socialistic craving for paternal
government is a pure Tory nurtured craze, and is never
found in any other political party.*
The other torm of communism is the organization of
self-help, in which the industrious do everything, and the
State nothing ; in which the people themselves devise
that state of things in which it shall be impossible for
honest men to be idle or ignorant, depraved or poor : in
which liberty shall be tutelage, and self-help supersede
patronage and political paternalism. This is the socialism
of co-operation.
The new applications of co-operative association to
industry will come of themselves, and come fiist. Among
others I have noticed the Insurance plan, which I helped to
* In Russia, wbere government is absolute and brutal wben incensed.
Communistic scbemes are always rife, and Mr. Mackenzie Wallace ha&
explained in the " Fortnightly" at what periods and under whiit circum-
stances they appear. In England the Sidmoutli cabinet liad an car for
them. The Scott-Russell scheme was a Tory contrivance, not in tlie sense-
that all Conservatives incline to these projects, for Lord Derby's name will
occur as one, to any who have noticed the wise lessons of self-reliance he has
given to his countrymfn. But, as a rule, Conservatives rule by patronage.
When Mr. Owen carried socialism round the continental courts, despots,
and paternalists chiefly were his auditors.
446 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Successful career of fraud.
tirrest, because it was in incapable bands. Tbat plan will
-come again. New classes of stores will one day be devised
and spread faster than the old stores did. The organization
of co-operative economy has hardly yet commenced.
Labour Exchanges will re-appear — a forgotten form of
profit, which society can better sustain and more needs than
when they were successful fifty years ago. They would be
revived now save for the incapacity of "practical" minds
to believe in anything which has " failed," although its
failure has been brought about by fraud or violence.
These kind of people would have stopped the creation of
the world on the second day, on the ground that it was no
use going on. Had the law of gravitation been explained
to them, they would have passed an unanimous resolution
to the effect that it was "impracticable." Had the solar
system been floated by a company, they would not have
taken a share in it, being perfectly sure it could never be
made to work : or if it was started they would have
assured us the planets would never keep time. Were the
sun to be discovered for the first time to-day, they would
not look at it — but declare it could never be turned
to any useful account, and discourage investments in
it, lest it should divert capital from the more important
and more practical candle movement. Had these people
been told before they were born that they would be
"fearfully and wonderfully made," that life would be a
crreat mystery — that the human frame would be very com-
plicated— they would have been afraid to exist. They
would have looked at the nice adjustment of a thousand
parts necessary to life, and they would have declared it
impossible to live.
^yhat a premium it offers to obstructives, conspirators,
or adversaries, that if they can but succeed by any means,
however fraudulent or base, they may depend on men of
honour rising up half a century later, and giving plentiful
reasons wh}^ the thing suppressed should not be attempted
airain !
THE FUTURE OF CO-OPERATION. 447
The jieoplo Imperial, .not the Crown.
One feature in the near future of co-operation will be the
cheerfulness introduced into industry. There can be no
hopefulness unless there is security of progress, and co-
operators have discovered this security and are confident.
They have succeeded in the fight for industrial success and
know it. In conflict, Englishmen, as a rule, do not
know when they are beaten. This is to the credit of their
courage ; but they are fools who do not know Avhen they
have won. The co-operator has the sense to see that the
means of social and political redress greatly exceed the use
made of them. The day of social despair is certainly past.
Hopeless and grim, or sensational and melodramatic
fervours, are become now diseases of popular advocacy. Im-
provement is still arduous and needs pluck and persistence
to carry it, but progress need not be cheeidess or disagree-
able on principle ; nor doubtful, since the lines of march
fire clear.
The hopeless tone of most members of the working class,
who used to speak out on their position, has now changed.
In these days an artisan begins to see that he is a member
of the Order of Industry, which ought to be the frankest,
boldest, most self-rehant, and fearless of all " Orders."'
The Order of Thinkers are pioneers — the Order of Work-
men are conquerors. Tliey subjugate nature and turn the
dreams of Thought into Realities of life. Why then should
not a workman always think and speak with evident
consciousness of the dignity of his own order, and as one
careful for its reputation ?
The "Sovereign people "sliould be Imperial, not tlieCrou'u.
It is time therefore that they put on an lm])erial tone. It
is absurd to see the sovereign people with a perpetual
liandkercliief to its eyes, and a constant hat in its hands,
the im])erial people should neither cry, nor beg, nor whine.
A workman in this country should ever remember, that
having English blood in his veins, he should have some
lignity in his manner. Something more is expected from
him than from the peer manacle i negro, wlio could only
448 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The old sheep-dogs of Indusfcrj.
put up his hands and exclaim '' Am I not a man and a
brother ? " The EngUsh artisan ought to say, " I will be
a man whether I am a brother or not." I hate the people
who wail. Either their lot is not improvable, or it is. It'
it be not improvable, wailing is weakness : if it be improv-
able, wailing is folly and cowardice.
When I entered the social agitation, forty years ago,
competition was a chopping machine and the poor were
always under the knife. Masters have changed from what
they were then. Then if an employer had a reasonable
reo"ard for the welfare of the operatives engaged by him,
his manner was hard (as still is the manner of many) and
never indicated a feeling intention. He lacked that sym-
pathy the want of which, the late Justice Talfourd said,
was the great defect of the master class in England. The
master of the days of my youth, seemed to regard
his men as a flock of wayward sheep, and himself as a
kind of sheep dog. He kept the wolf from their door, but
they were not sensible of the service, because he bit them
when they turned aside. Owing to this cause, and owing
as much to the ignorance that then existed among workmen,
creditable kindness when displayed was not discerned, nor
its results appreciated. At no time in my youth do 1
remember to have heard any expression which indicated
cordiality or esteem on the part of the employed towards
their employers ; and when I listened to the conversation
of workmen elsewhere, in foundries and factories in the
same town, or to that of workmen who came from distant
places, it appeared that this state of feeling was general.
The men regarded their masters as commercial weasels who
slept with one eye open, in order to see whether they
neo-lected their work ; and the employers looked upon their
men as clocks which would not go, or which if they did
were ri^ht only once in twenty-four hours ; and that not
throucrh any virtue of their own, but because the right time
came round to them.
Employers are now, as a rule, a different race of men.
THE FUTURE OF CO-OPER ATIOX. 449
Frugality a virtue of the rich as well as of the poor.
Factory legislation has done muuli to improve the comfort
of \vorkshoj)s and limit the labour of children and women.
Farm legislation will come next, and do something to the
same effect for agricultural working people. Besides these,
the consideration, taste, and pride of employers liave done
more. The warehouses of great towns are no longer
hideous to look upon by the townspeople and dreary to
labour in. Workshops are in many places opulent and
Jofty, and are ])alaces to work in conij^ared with the
penitentiary structures which deformed the streets and
high-roads a generation ago. The old charnel houses of
industry are being everywhere superseded. Light, air,
some grim kind of grace, make the workman's days
liealthy and jdeasant ; and conveniences for his comfort
nnd even education, never thought of- formerly, are
supplied now. The stores and mills erected by co-
operators show that they have set their faces against the
architects of ugliness, and the new standard can never go
back among employers of greater pretensions.
Under the self-supporting example of the common people,
the better classes may be expected to improve. Being self-
dependent, the working-class will be no more told to look to
frugality alone as their means of competence. " Frugality "
is oft the fair-sounding term in which the counsel of privation
is disguised to the poor. "We shall see the opulent advised
to practise the wholesome virtue of frugality (good for all
conditions). They might then live on much less than
they now have need to appropriate. There then would
remain an immense surplus, available for the public
service, since the wealthy would not Avant it. Advice
cannot much longer be given to the people which is
never taken by those who offer it, and wliich is intended
to reconcile the many to an indefensible and unnecessary
inequality.
The next generation will find that progress may be more
placid without decreasing. The unrest of competition pro-
GG
450 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATIOy.
Industrial activity compatible with competeaee,
dnce disastrous consequences in diseases which strike down
the most energetic men by day and night, without warn-
ing. Some quieter method of progress will be wished for
and be welcomed. In the old times when none could read,
save priest and gentleman, learning was a passion, and the
thoughtful monk who had no worldly care or want, toiled
in his cell from the pure love of study, and carried on the
thought of the world as Bruno did, with no spur, save that
supplied by genius and the love of truth. Now the print-
ing press has called into activity the intellect of mankind —
ambition, and emulation, industry and discovery, invention
and art, will proceed by the natural force of thought, how-
ever co-operation may prevail. Indeed, co-operation
may facilitate them. If peace hath her victories as well
as war — which a poet was first to see — concert in life has
its million devices, activities and inspirations. The world
will not be mute, nor men idle, because the brutal goad of
competition no longer pricks them on to activity. The
future will not be less brilliant than the past, because its
background is contentment instead of misery.
People who say that the world would come to a stand-
still were it not for the pressure of himger and poverty, and
that we should all be idle were we not judiciously starved^
should spend five minutes in the study of the ceaseless,
joyous, and gratuitous activity of the first Lord Lytton.
Of high lineage, of good fortune, of capacity which
understood life without effort, occupying a position which
commanded deference, and of personal qualities which
secured him friends, he had only to live to be distinguished
— only to smile to be applauded; and yet this man, as
baronet and peer, woi'ked as many hours of his own will
as any mechanic in the land, and of his own natural
love of activity created for the world more pleasant
reading than all the House of Lords put together save
Macaulay.
In the immediate future — for the present casts its light
of change some distance before, and the near future can be
THE FUTURE OF CO-OPERATIOX. 451
Equitable industry always took pride in occupation.
cliscernecl — co-0))eration bids fair to clear the siglit of the
ifidustrial class as to what they can do for themselves and
dispel the coafiision in their minds as to their relations to
the employing class.
Men as a rule are not oppressed with sense. They have
not lialf the brains of bees. Bees respect only those who
contribute to the common store, they keep no terms with
drones, but drag them out and make short work with
them. Men suffer the drones to become kings of the hive,
and pay them homage. Co-operators of the earliest type set
their faces against uselessness. With all their sentimen-
tality they kept no place for drones. They did not mean
to be mendicants themselves nor to have mendicants in
their ranks. They had no plan either of in-door or out-door
relief for them. The first number of the "Co-operative
Magazine " for 1826 defined happiness and made its first
condition to consist in "occupation." Avoidable T.-'pen-
dence will come to be deemed ignominious. As wild
beasts retreat before the march of civilization, so pauperism
will retreat before the march of co-operative industry.
Pauj)erism will bo put down as the infamy of industry.
A million paupers — a vast standing army of mendicants —
in the midst of the working class — depending for support
npon the middle-class — is a reproach to every workman
now. Pauperism means more than mendicancy, it implies
political feebleness. Workmen have their affairs in their
own li mds now, and they will learn to clear their way,
and j)ay their way, as the n:iiddle-class have learned to do.
Every law which deprives industry of a fair chance —
whatever facilitates the accumulation of immense fortunes
and tends to check the equitable distribution of property,
will be stopped — as far as legitimate legislation can stop
it. Not long since a ])oliticianso c.Kperioaced as Lo.iis Blanc
made a great speech in Paris, in wiiich he said " Mo.^
frankly he admitted that the problem of the extinction ol
pauperism [politically was understood] which hj believed
possible, was too vast ami compile ited to hi treated
452 HISTOKY OF CO-OPERATION.
Pauperism a political preference in England.
without modesty and prudence, and be would even add,
doubt." In our English Parliament I have heard ministers
use similar lanfruao-e, without seeminn: aware that no Legis-
lature would extinguish pauperism if they could. If the
proposal was seriously made in our Legislature — on every
bench in the House of Commons, peer and squire and
manufacturer would jump np in alarm, dismay and appre-
hension. The sudden "extinction of pauperism" would pro-
duce consternation in town and county throughout the
land. Were there no paupei's there would be no poor.
Nobody would be dependent, service of the humble kind
that now ministers to ostentatious opulence would cease.
The pride, power, and influence that comes from almsgiving
would end. In England, as in America, the " servant "
would disappear and in his place would arise a new class,
limited and costly, who would only engage themselves as
'•' helpers " and equals. Besides there would, in Great
Britain, be opposition among the paupers themselves. The
majority of them do not want to be abolished. They have
been reared under the impression that they have a vested
interest in charity — humiliation sits eas}^ upon them. It is
not Acts of Parliament that can do much to alter this.
It is the means of self-help which alone can bring it to pass.
Co-operation bids fair gradually and surely to do it.
At a public meeting in the metropolis, some years ago,
the late Prince Albert was one of the speakers, and he
was on the occasion surrounded by many noblemen. The
subject of his speech was some improvement in the con-
dition of the indigent. The Prince, looking around him
at the wealthy lords on the platform, and to some poor
men in the meeting, said, very gracefully, '' We," looking
again at a duke near him, " to whom Providence has
given rank, wealth, and education, ought to do what lies
in our power, for the less fortunate." This was very
generous of the Prince, but men look now for a surer
deliverance. Providence is no Tory, ho does not wait
THE FUTURE OF CO-OPERATION. 453
Diffusion of wealth an accident, not a public idea.
on dukes alone with blessings. He gave them no posses-
sions. They got them in a very different way. The wealth
of nature is given to all, not to the few, and co-operation
furnishes means of acquiring it to all who have honesty,
sense, and unity.
Nothing is more astounding to students of industrial
progress than to observe, in conversation among commer-
cial men and politicians, the utter absence of any idea of
distribution of gains among the people. The only concern
is that the capitalist, or the individual dealer, shall profit.
It is nobody's concern that the community should profit.
It is nobody's idea that everybody should profit by
what any man's genius creates. It does not enter into
any mind that disproportionate wealth is an aggressive
accumulation of means in the hands of a few which ought
to be, as far as possible, diffusible in equity among all for
mutual protection.
It was stated by the editor of the " Co-operative
Magazine," in 182G, in very explicit terms, that " Mr.
Owen does not propose that the rich should give up their
property to the poor; but that the poor should be placed
in such a situation as could enable them to create neiv
ivealth for themselves."* This is all co-operation wants to
do, and this it will do ; and that means much. Any one
who can think, can foresee what changes will come in a
nation in which the common people are assured of modest
competence.
The instinct of co-operation is self-help. Only men of in-
dependent spirit are attracted by it. Tiie intention of the
co-operator has always been never to depend upon parlia-
mentary consideration for any helj), nor upon the sympathy
of the rich for charity, nor upon the pity, nor the prayer of
the priest, however much ho may respect such source of
aid. Tiie co-operator may be a believer, and generally is,
but he is self-reliant in the first place, and a believer in
* "Co-operative Magazine," No. 1, Jan., 182G, p. 31.
454 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
No form of theology a substitute for self-lielp.
the second. Pity is out of his way, because he does not
like to distress people to give it. Help by prayer is the
most compendious and easy way of getting it, but the
co-operator, who is generally a modest man, does not like
to give the priest the trouble of procuring it — who, indeed,
is apt to make so many conditions in doing it that his
machinery seems never in order when it is most wanted
to work. When the working class have learnt the lesson
of self-support, self-dependence, and self-protection there
will be piety and devotion, and the love of God among
them, but they will owe their spirit of worship, as they
will owe their fortunes, to themselves. Many of the
co-operators, indeed, came to the conclusion that however
excellent faith might be, it was not business. They could
not fail to observe that no trades imion could obtain
an increase of wages by any profession of faith. No
employer will give a man a good engagement in con-
sideration of what he believes. His chances entirely depend
en what he can do. The most celebrated manufacturing
firm would be ruined in repute, if the twelve apostles worked
for it, unless they knew their business. Piety, ever so
conspicuous, fetches no price in the labour market. There
is no creed the profession of which will induce a chancellor
of the exchequer to remit the assessed taxes, or a magis-
trate to excuse the non-pnyment of local rates. People
have been misled by the well-intentioned but mis-
chievous lessons which has taught them, to depend upon
mendicant supplication. When the evil day conies —
when the parent has no means of supporting his fjimily or
discharging his duty as a citizen, the churches can render
no help — the State admits of no excuse : it accords nothing
but the contemptuous charity of the poor law. The day
of self-help has come, and this will be the complexion of
the future.
Co-operation, in imparting the power of self-help, abates
that distrust which has kept the people down. Above all
projects of our day, co-operative industry has eradicated
THE FUTUHE OF CO-OPERATIOX. 455
Independence of Co-operation.
the wholesale suspicion of" riches and capitalists. This
means good understanding in the future between those
who have saved money, and the many who need to save it,
and mean to save it. The old imbecility of poverty has
nearly disappeared. The foolish, because incapacitating,
objection to paying interest for money, is scarcely visible
anywhere. What does it matter how rich another grows,
whether he be capitalist or employer ; whether he be called
master or millionaire, providing he who is poor can
contrive to attain competence by his aid ? Jealousy or
distrust of another's success is only justifiable when he
bars the way to those below him, equally entitled to a
reasonable chance of rising too. War upon the rich is
only lawful when, not content with their own good
fortune, they close every door upon the ])Oor below them ;
give no heed to their just claims; deny them, whether by
law or combination, fair means of self-help, discouraging the
honest, the industrious, and the thrifty, from ascending the
same ladder of prosperity on which they have mounted.
Property has no rights in equity when it owns no obliga-
tions of justice, and ceases to be considerate to others. If
the wealthy }jroposed to kill the indigent, they would
provoke a war in which the slain would not be all on one
side ; and since the powerful must consent to the Aveak
-existing, that consent implies the right of the weak to
live, and the right to live includes the right to a certain
share of the wealth of the community, ])roportionate to
the labour and skill they contribute in creating it.
Property has to provide for this or must permit it to be
effected by others, or it will be itself in jeopardy. The
power of commanding a pacifying distribution of means is
afforded by the sagacity of co-operation. I have proved,
as I have proceeded, what I said in the beginning, that it
asks no aid from the State ; it petitions for no gift from
individuals ; it disturbs no intei'ests ; it attacks nobody's
fortune ; it attempts no confiscation of existing gains ;
but stands apart, works apart, clears its own ground.
456 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Self-belp includes all conditions of progress.
gathers in its own harvest, distributes the golden grain
equitably among all the husbandmen ; and without needing
favours or incurring obligations, it establishes the indus-
trious classes among the possessors of the fruits of the
earth. As the power of self-existence in Nature includes
all other attributes, so self-help in the people includes all
the conditions of progress. Co-operation is organized
self-help — that is Avhat the complexion of the future will be.
The progress of that future will be accelerated in pro-
portion as the story, by whomsoever told, of the new
Industrial movement shall interest the outside reader,,
disposing him to enter the co-operative ranks : but the
progress to come much more depends on the unity and
persistence of tliose in whose hands this great cause is.
To that party I say : —
In thy halls
Let faction so corivolTC ber serpent councils
Tbat art may ne'er untwist them ; let them in
Perplexed entanglement, unravelled rot,
And so be buried in forgetfulness.
Leagued friendship clip thy people in one bond
Of compact guard, for very lack of cunning
To plot a mischievous division — so farewell.
Thus ends my story of the rise, vicissitudes, and growth
of the new Force of Industry. In a story spreading over
a field so diversified, there must be statements incom-
plete, and some no doubt erroneous. Impressions of
the same facts must often vary, according to the views
and capacities of individual reporters. Prejudice, strong-
bias, and different religious and personal convictions^
have no doubt lent an unconscious colouring to
versions of the same occurrences. For myself, I have con-
sidered with patience and respect the views of others, and
studird wiLli equal interest and candour whatever informa-
tion I have obtained, desiring to do justice, irrespective
of any personal opinion entertained^ or any local party to
which the real promoters of the great movement belonged.
If injustice has been done to any, it has been done
THE FUTURE OF CO-OPERATION. 457
Farewell words.
unintentionally. If I have spoken words of honour of
any who did not deserve it, it has been only from lack,
of discernment ; if I have omitted to name any who
ought to be mentioned, it has been from lack of informa-
tion which 'I have studiously and perseveringly sought,
it has not been from wilfulness, or omission, or pre-
deliction on my part. I have cared mainly for the truth
of my story, and the honest repute of the co-operative
cause. The early generation of pioneers have nearly dis-
appeared, and tlieir successors will soon follow ; other
generations will arise who will carry the great cause
forward, make applications of the principle unforeseen
now, until the fortunes of the many who labour shall be
consolidated and assured in our midst. Some day in the
future, when the curious and passionless gaze of other
writers shall review the rise and progress of the co-operative
principle, they will find in these pages the record of early
experience which might otherwise be lost, and which I
hope will be found to have value, instruction, and use
hereafter, in making universal the principle of co-operative
self-help among the working people of the world.
'456 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Ciitieism of Prof. Newman,
CHAPTER XXVI.
AX OUTSIDE CHAPTER.
Reply t^p " Eraser's Magazine."
The only notice of my first volume to which I desire to
reply is one which Professor Newman did me the honour
to make in " Eraser."* Mr. Newman is alike incapable
of being unfair or unjust, and to me he has been neither,
but he has misconceived what I have said about State
socialism and capitalists, and as the public mind is excited
on these questions, and will be more so soon, I ought to
make what I mean clear, if I can. I blame no one who
misconceives what I say — I blame myself. It is tlie duty
of a writer to be so clear that obtuseness cannot mis-
apprehend him, and so explicit that malice cannot pervert
what he says. Mr. Newman is neither obtuse nor
malicious. Few men see so clearly as he into social
questions, or are so considerate as he in his objections.
He scrupulously says I have "unawares" and "^'incon-
sistently " with my known views, fallen into errors. Mr.
Newman does me the honour to remember that I try with,
what capacity I have, not to be foolish — which I see does
not often save me from it — and that I regard unfairness and
even inaccuracy of statement as of the nature of a crime
against truth.
* "Fraser's Magazine," December, 1875.
AN OUTSIDE CHAPTEK. 459
Four forms of acquiring" wealth.
I quoted the edict of Baboedf (p. 4), vol. L), " That
they do nothing for the country who do not serve it by
some useful occupation," to show that the most extreme
communists kept no terms either with " laziness or
plunder " — the two sins usually charged against these
theorists. From this Mr. Newman concludes that I
would deny persons the right to enjoy inherited property.
Writers on property arc accustomed to enumerate but
three ways of acquiring it, namely, to earn it, to beg it,
or to steal it. Mr. Newman's sagacity enables him to
point out a fourth way — persons may inherit it. I confess
this did not occur to me, nor did I ask myself whether
Baboeuf thought of it. I took his edict to apply only to
persons for whose welfare the State made itself responsible.
It was in this sense only that I thought it right that all
should be " usefully occupied."
Mr. Newman says, " I would fain ])ass off" Mr. Owen's
administration of the New Lanark Mills '' as co-operation."
Surely I would not. Mr. Newman says, "" Mr. Owen
patronized the workman." Certainly — that is exactly what
he did, and that is what I do not like. It was at best but a
good sort of despotism, and had the merit of being better
than the bad sort. He proved that equity, though
paternally conceded, |x«'</, which no manufacture had
made publicly clear before.
One who has not written on this subject, and therefore
1 may not name him, but who is as famous for
his familiarity with it, as for his readiness in repartee,
said to me, " There is one thing in your book to which
I object, you speak of the tyranny of capital."' " But
it was not in my mind," I rejoined. " But it is in
your book," was the answer. No reply could be more
conclusive. Capital may be put to tyramiical uses ; but
capital itself is the independent, passionless means of all
material progress. It is only its misuse against which we
have to provide, and I ought to have been careful to have
said so.
460 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
European Leaders of State Socialism.
For State socialism I have less than sympathy, I have
dislike. Lassalle and Marx, of the same race, Comte
and Napoleon III. — are all identifiable by one sign, they
ridicule the dwarfish efforts of the slaves of wages to
transform capitalistic society. I have quoted their sayings.
Like the Emperor of the French they overflow with what
seems eloquent sympathy for helpless workmen, ground to
powder in the mill of capital. They all mean that the
State will grind them in a more benevolent way of its own,
if working men will abjure politics, party and self-effort,
and submit themselves to the paternal operators who alone
know what is best for everybody.
There was a German Disraeli of the same race as our
own. Bismarck befriended the German Jew as Lord Derby
did the English one. It was Ferdinand Lassalle, hand-
some, unscrupulous, a dandy with boundless bounce. A
Sybarite in his life, beaming in velvet, jeweller}', and curly
hair, he affected to be the friend of the working class.
Deserting the party to which he belonged for not appre-
ciating him, he turned against it, and conceived the idea
of organizing German workmen as a political force to
oppose the middle class, exactly as the Chartists were used
in England. Lassalle's language to the working men was
that " they could not benefit themselves by frugality or
saving — the cruel, brazen law of wages made individual
exertion unavailing — their only trust was in State help."
With all who disliked exertion Lassalle was popular ; for
there were German Jingoes in his day. B}' dress and parade
he kept himself distinguished, and also obtained an annuity
from a Countess much exceeding his age. The author of
"Vivian Grey "was distanced by Lassalle who told the w^orld
that " he wrote his pamphlets armed with all the culture of
his century." In other respects he showed less skill than
his English rival. Mr, Disraeli insulted O'Connell whom it
was known would not fight a duel, and then challenged his
son Morgan, wdiom he had not insulted, and who declined to
fight until he was. His assailant omitted to act upon the
AN OUTSIDE CHAPTER. 4(51
Dr. King's Letter to Lord Brougham.
hint. Lassalle,less wary, discerned no discretionary course,
and Count Rackouitz shot him, otherwise Bismarck would
have heen superseded at the Berlin Congress, and a German
Beaconsfield had been President. In blood, reliorion, and
policy, in manners and ambition, and in success (save in
duelling), both men were the same. Our Conservative
Lassalle had an incubator of State socialism for this country
and the Young England party came out of it.
Co-operative Methods in 1828.
Exactly fifty years ago, when Lord John Russell was
laying the foundation stone of the British Schools in
Brighton, Dr. King was writing to Lord Brougham, then
Henry Brougham, M.P., an account of the then new
scheme of Co-operative Stores. It is a practical well-
Avritten appeal to a statesman, and enables us to see what
Brougham had the means of knowing at that early period
of the nature of co-operation as a new social force. The
folio win Of is Dr. King's statement : —
'^' Anumber of persons in Brighton, chiefly of the working
class, having read works on the subject of co-operation, con-
ceived the possibility of reducing it to practice in some
shape or other. They accordingly formed themselves into
a society, and met once a week for reading and conversa-
tion on the subject ; they also began a weekly subscription
of Id. The numbers who joined were considerable — at one
time upwards of 170 ; but, as happens in such cases, many
were lukewarm and indifferent, and the numbers fluctuated.
Those who remained began at once an evident imjirove-
ment of their minds. When the subscriptions amounted to
£5, the sum was invested in groceries, whicii were retailed
to the members. Business kept increasing. The first week
the amount sold was half-a-cx'own ; it is now about £38.
The profit is about 10 j^er cent. ; so that a return of £20
a week pays all expenses, besides which the members have
a large room to meet in and work in. About six months
4:62 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
Devices of Brighton Co-operation in 1828.
ago, the society took a lease of twenty-eight acres of land,
about nine miles from Brighton, which tliey cultivate as a
garden and nursery out of their surplus capital. They
employ on the garden, out of seventy-five members, four,
and sometimes five men, with their 'own capital. They
pay the men at the garden 14s. a week, the ordinary rate
of wages in the country being lOs., and of parish labourers
6s. The men are also allowed rent and vegetables. They
take their meals together. One man is married and his
Avife is housekeeper.
" The principle of the society is, — the value of labour.
The operation is by means of a common capital. An
individual capital is an impossibility to the workman, but
a common capital not. The advantage of the plan is that
of mutual insurance : but there is an advantage beyond,
viz., that the workman will thus get the whole produce of
his labour to himself; and if he chooses to work harder or
longer, he will benefit in proportion. If it is possible*for
men to work for themselves, many advantages will arise.
Tlie other day they wanted a certain quantity of land
planted before th6 winter. Thirteen members went from
Brighton early in the m.orning, gave a day's work, per-
formed the task, and returned home at night. The man
who formerly had the land, wlien he came to market,
allowed himself lOs. to spend. The man who now comes
to market for the society is contented witli Is. extra wages.
Thus these mien are in a fair way to accumulate capital
enough to find all tlie members with constant emploAonent ;
and of course the capital will not stop there. Other
societies are springing up. Those at Worthing and Fin-
den are proceeding as })rosperously as ours, only on a
smaller scale. If co-operation be once proved practicable,
the working classes will soon see their interest in adopting
it. If this goes on, it will draw labour from the market,
raise wages, and so operate upon pauperism and crime.
All this is pounds, shillings, and pence ; but another most
important feature remains. The members see immediately
AN. OUTSIDE CHAPTER. 463
First Sales in Toad Lane.
the value of knowledge. Tiiey employ their leisure time
in reading and mutual instruction. They have appointed
one of their members librarian and schoolmaster : he teaches
every evening. Even their discussions involve both prac-
tice and theory, and are of a most improving nature.
Their feelings are of an enlarged, liberal, and charitable
description. They have no disputes, and feel towards
mankind at large as brethren. The elite of the society
were members of the Mechanics' Institution, and my pupils,
and their minds were no doubt prepared there for this
society. It is a happy consummation.
" In conclusion, I beg to propose to your great and
philanthropic mind tlie question, as to how such societies
may be affected by the present state of the law ; or how
far future laws may be so framed as to operate favourably
to them. At the same time, they ask nothing from
any one but to be let alone, and nothing from the law
but protection. As I have had the opportunity of watch-
ing every step of this society, I consider their case
proved ; but others at a distance Avill want farther e.\'-
perience. If the case is ])roved, I consider it due to you,
sir, as a legislator, philosopher, and the friend of man,
to lay it before you. This society will afford you additional
motives for completing the Library of Useful Knowledge —
the great forerunner of human improvement."
The First Sales of the Rochdale Pioneers.
In 1866, when Mr. Samuel Ashworth left the Rochdale
store to manage the Manchester Wholesale Societv, a
presentation Avas made to him in the Board Room of the
Corn Mill. A correspondent of the "Working Man" sent to
me at the time these particulars, not elsewhere, save in that
journal, published. In the course of the proceedings, i\Ir.
William Cooper related liow ho and Samuel Ashworth
were among the first persons who served customers in the
store in Toad Lane, when it was opened, in 1'6-li, for the
464 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
The Toad Lane Salesmen.
sale of articles in tlie grocery business. " We then," said
Mr. Cooper, " sold goods at the store about two nights in
the week, opening at about eiglit o'clock p.m., and closing
in two hours after we had opened. Mr. Ashworth served
in the shop one week, and I the week following. We gave
■our services for the benefit of the society the first three
months, except that the comuiittee bought each of us a pair
of white sleeves — something like butchers wear on their
/arms, to make us look tidy and clean, and. if the truth is
to be owned, I dai-esay they were to cover tlie grease which
stuck to and shone upon our jacket sleeves as woollen
•weavers. At that time every member that worked for the
store, whether as secretary, treasurer, purchaser, or auditor,
did it for the honour and the good of the society, without
any reward in wages or salary.
'" When Samuel Ashworth joined the society, in 1844, he
■was only nineteen years of age. He was behind the counter
on tlie 21st of December, 1844, that memorable day when
the shutters were first taken down from the shop-front in
Toad Lane, and was one of those stared at by every passer-
by. The stock with which the co-operators opened the
■shop was as follows : — 1 qr. 22 lb. of butter, 2 qrs. of sugar,
S sacks of flour at 37s. 6d., and 3 sacks at 3(3s., 2 dozen of
candles, and 1 sack of meal. The total cost of this stock
was £16 lis. lid. ; and it appeared they must have had a
fortnight's stock of flour, for there was none bougbt the
second week. The second week the stock wa? slightly
decreased, the amount of purchases for the fortnight being
£24 14s. 7d." Those goods Samuel Ashworth and William
Oooper had the pleasure of selling as unpaid shopkeepers —
*' a bad precedent," remarked Mr. Ashworth, in the course
of a speech made by him, " because even now some of their
members did not like to pay their servants the best of
wages." It is instructive to compare the difference between
the weekly sale of goods during the first fortnight of the
society's existence, and their weekly sales twelve years
later :
Weekly Sales
IN 1844.
Butter
... 50 lb.
Sugar
... 401b.
Flour
... 8 sacks
So:.p
... 5G lb.
AN OUTSIDE CHAPTER. 465
Last Law case of Orbiston.
Weekly Sales in 1866.
220 firkins, or 15,400 lb.
170 cwt., or 19,040 lb.
468 sacks.
2 tons 13 cwt., or 5,936 lb.
Subsequently when the price of sugar was rapidly rising,
Mr. Ashworth ordered 50 tons of sugar in three days,
and on another occasion lie gave an order for 4,000
sacks of flour at once. The weekly receipts during the first
fortnight of the society's operations did not average £10,
twelve years later, in 1866, the weekly sales were £4,822.
The End of the Orbiston Community.
The most interesting and authentic account of Orbiston,
its objects, principles, financial arrangements, and end, is
that given in the newspapers of 1820 and 1830. The
following appeared under the head of " Law Intelligence —
Vice Chancellor's Court": — Jones v. Morgan and Others.
— The Socialists. — This case came before the court upon
the demurrer of a lady, named Rathbone,put into a Bill filed
by several shareholders of the Orbiston Company, on the
ground that such shareholders had contributed more than
was justly due from them, and to recover the excess. The
ground.s of tlie demurrers were want of equity. Our
readers will recollect that the case came before the court
during the last term, upon the demurrer of a person named
Cooper, and upon that occasion the court ordered the
demurrer to be overruled. The case now came before the
court upon the demurrer of another party, and there arc
also several other demurrers sot down for hearing. The
facts appeared to be these : — In the year 1825 a number
of persons joined together, for the purpose of forming a
socialist or communist society, under the superintendence
of Mr. Robert Owen, the professed object of which was to
promote the happiness of mankind by abating, or extin-
guishing the evils which flesh is heir to. The company
was to consist of shareholders, the shares being fixed at
HF
466 nisToiiY OF co-opekatiox.
Principles of the Orbiston Comraiinity.
£250 (though alter the formation of the company they
were reduced to £200 each), and it heing' farther agreed
that for the first year no shareholder should be allowed to
hold more than ten shares, but that after the lapse of one
year from the formation of the society, such stock as should
then be unappropriated might be disposed of among the
members of the company. The capital was not to exceed*
£50,000. The company eventually purchased 280 acres
of land from General Hamilton, at Orbiston, in Scotland,
as the site of the proposed establishment, for which they
consented to pay £19,995. This money was borrowed in
three several sums of £12,000 from the Union Scotch
Assurance Company, £3,000 from a Mr. Ainslie, and the
remainder from another quarter. The articles of agree-
ment were then drawn up, providing for the internal
regulations of the society. Tlie right of voting was to be
vested in the shareholders proportionabl}^ to the amount of
their respective shares. The necessary buildings were to
be erected, and the necessary utensils supplied, and the
compr.ny were to be empowered to borrow money upon the
security of the joint property, under certain specified
restrictions. Several trustees were named, the first being
a Mr. Coombe, to whom the estate Avas accordiugly con- •
veyed. The following are some of the general articles
"agreed on: — "Whereas the assertion of Robert Owen,
who has had much experience in the education of children,
that principles as certain as the science of mathematics
may be applied to the forming any general character, and
that by the influence of other circumstances not a few
individuals oiily, but the population of the whole M^orld,
may in a few years be rendered a very far superior race of
beings to any now on the fttce of the earth, or who haA^e
ever existed, an assertion which implies that at least nine-
tenths of the Clime and misery wlricli exist in the world
have been the necessary consequence of errors in the present
system of instruction, and not of imperfection implanted,
in our nature by the Creator, and that it is quite practical
AN OUTSIDE CHAPTER. 467
Grounds of Communibtic dissolution.
to lorm the minds of all clilldren that are born so that at
the age of twelve years their habits and ideas shall be
Tar superior to those of the individuals termed learned men.
.... And that under a proper direction of manual labour
Great Britain and its dependencies may be made to
support an incalculable increase of population." The
articles then prescribed rules for the management of the
affairs of the comjiany. The 21st article then went on to
provide for a dissolution of the society if it should be found
necessary : — " That if, unhap])ily, exjierience should demon-
strate to the satisfaction of the majority of proprietors that
the new system introduced and recommendcil by E. Owen
lias a tendency to produce, in the aggregate, as much
Ignorance in the midst of knowledge, as much poverty in
the midst of excessive wealth, as much illiberality and
hypocrisy, as much overbearing and cruelty, and fawning
ind severity, as much ignorant conceit, as much dissipation
•md debauchery, as much filthiness and brutality, as much
'ivaricc and unfeeling selfishness, as much fraud and dis-
nonesty, as much discord and violence, as hnve invariably
attended the existing system in all ages, then shall the
property be let to individuals acting under the old sys-
tem, or sold to defray the expenses of the institution."
In 1825 the society entered upon the estate, and the
lands were divided among the tenants. Among the
original shareholders was the present demurring defend-
ant, Cooper, who took one share, for which he paid £20
as an instalment, that he had borrowed from Mr. Hamilton,
on the understanding, that unless the loan were repaid by
Cooper within two years, the property should belong to
Mr, Hamilton. At the several meei.ings that subsequently
took place. Cooper did not attend, but deputed the trustee,
Mr. Combe, to ;tct fc^r him, as he v/as permitted to do by
the original agreement. In 1827, it was ascertained that
the speculation did not answer, as the company was proved
to be involved in debt to a considerable amount, so as to
make it necessary that the property should be sold, and
468 HISTOKY OF CO-OPERATION.
Last Lawsuit of the Queenwood Community.
the establishment broken up. Accordingly, in 1828, the
sale of the estate was effected, and £15,000, the purchase-
money, subject to certain deductions, transferred to the
Scotch Assurance Company, as a repayment of their loan.
A considerable balance of debts to other parties, however,
still remained due, for which the shareholders became
liable. Several suits were prepared in Scotch courts,
during which the estates of the shareholders were declared
liable, and several accordingly had paid much beyond what
was due, proportionately on the amount of their shares.
Of the original shareholders many were now dead, many
out of the jurisdiction of the court, and many in hopelessly
insolvent circumstances. — Mr. Rolt appeared in support of
the demurrer. — In consequence of the absence of Mr. James
Parker, who was engaged in the Lord Chancellor's Court,
the further arguments were ordered to stand over. The
*' further arguments " I have not been able to procure.
The End of the Queenwood Community.
The reader has seen in the chapter on " Lost Communi-
ties" in the previous volume the closing da3's of Queenwood.
Twenty years after, in 18G5, a suit in Chancery being
instituted the property was sold and the assets distributed.
After paying the expenses allowed by the Court, and
one creditor, who was held to be entitled to be paid in full
to the extent of £l5 10s. lOd., there remained for division
£6226 10s, 5d. amongst the several persons in the pro-
portions hereunder mentioned.
All those who had to receive less than £10 obtained it
from Messrs. Ashurst, Morris & Co., of 6, Old Jewry,
London ; those whose dividends exceeded £10 received
payment from the Accountant-General, on being identified
by a solicitor upon such application.
The following is a list of the persons and amounts
payable to them : —
AN OUTblDE CHAPTEK.
Loan holders of Queenwood.
469
Joseph Craven & Mary
Craven
Ann Craven ...
Green, Charles F.
Pare, William
William Pare
Galpin, Thomas D. ...
Travis, Henry
Trevelyan, Arthur ...
Barton, J. W
liobinson, Thomas ...
Sutton, James \V.
Scoular, William
Kussell, Walluce
8tapleton, Joseph G....
Smith, Thomas
Tolmce, William F. ...
Marchant, Thomas F.
jNIarchant, Elizabeth...
Dornbusch, George ...
Banton, William
Barnes, John ...
Bartlett, William ...
Barton, Charles
Beveridge, William S.
Betram, James
Berwick, John
J'racher, George
liuxton, John ...
dement, Charles
Collier, John
Dean, Hannah
])ean, Mary A.
Duly, Thos. & Mary A.
Farn, J. C.
Garside, John G.
Ooodiuf];, James
Green, James ...
Hardy, Charles
Sarah McHugh
HoUoway, James H. ...
Holliday, John H. ...
Howard, Samuel
Howard, Ashton
IroMsides, Isaac
Jackson, Jobn...
Jackson, William
Jervis, James ...
Lauton, William
£ s. d.
IG 7
8
20 10
1
11 13
6
191 17
5
2679 14
5
1020 15
3
205 1
0
41 0
2
82 0
2
4 19
4
38 19
2
4 2
0
4 2
0
1 8
4
57 17
0
IG 8
0
Gl 9
10
2 9
2
OJ 7
2
0 8
•>
2 1
0
19 4
9
4 2
U
20 9
G
2 1
0
4 1
10
574 1
4
20 9
G
0 8
•)
3 5
7
4 2
0
4 2
0
8 12
4
fi 2
lU
8 12
3
5 14
2
8 3
10
2 18
()
27 IG
(i
U I(>
4
0 8
2
I 16
0
I It;
0
I 12
8
28 18
7
8 3
10
4 1
tl
10 3
11
Lees, Robert ...
Matthison, Robert
Moadowcroft, William
Milson, John
Mollalieu, William ...
Messider, Isaac
]Millor, Trusty
Paterson, Robert
Peny, James
Pilling, Andrew
Plant, James
Punter, William
l^hodes, William
Rhodes, William
Richard, James H. ...
Ibjse, William
liichard, James H. ...
Rose, William
Sturzaker, John
Sturzaker, Elizabeth ...
Trustees of Social Re-
formers' Benetit
Society
Sturges, John ...
Smithies, James
Simpson, George
Simpson, Thomas
Tapping, James
Tiihu, Charles
AValker, Geoi'go
Wilson, Thomas
AVhitely, John
Watterson, William ...
Wolfenden, Betsy
Wolfenden, William ...
Webley, John
Whitehead, John
Thomassoii, Thouias ...
Mitchell, Samuel
Pearson, Charles, Ex-
ecutor of Elizabeth
Pearson
Pearson, Charles, Ad-
ministrator of Amelia
Pearson
Gurney, John
Carr, John
Trustees of the Hall of
Science Bldng. Sooty.
£
s.
d.
IG
6
4
8
3
2
3
16
8
2
0
9
2
0
9
0
8
2
3
13
4
3
16
4
6
2
4
3
12
7
2
0
9
21
12
4
0
8
2
1
12
7
11
6
6
1
12
7
11
G
6
8
3
2
12
4
9
4
1
7
20
9
7
2G
12
8
5
14
10
16
16
6
5
6
9
19
4
0
2
1
0
2
1
0
18
8
8
69
3
9
2
17
6
2
1
0
1
4
6
3
13
2
0
8
2
8
4
0
0
12
4
86 0 10
86 0 10
0 8 2
19 19 8
12 6 5
470
HISTORY OF CO-OPEKATIOX.
Famous decision of Lord Eomillv.
£
s.
d.
£
s.
d.
Boyce, James
6
8
2
Ardhill, John...
41
4
0
Browne, John
6
10
8
The Trustees of Lodge
Healey, George
7
4
0
No. 201 of the Order
Harrison, Francis
2
9
2
of Free Gardeners...
4
17
0
Samuel, George AV. ...
20
9
7
Lamb, Lewis ...
1
19
6
Lees, Thomas P.
8
4
0
Batt, Philip ; AVhitely,
Palmer, Edward,
0
3
0
Thomas ; and Robin-
Kobinson, Samuel ...
4
2
0
son, John, Executors
Smith, Samuel
2
0
9
of Hirstwood, R. ...
10
4
4
Truelove, Edward ...
8
11
3
Ramdens, William ...
0
ii}
6
Black, Richard H. ...
265
11
0
Shftpherd, Samuel ...
1
4
8
The Trustee of tlie
Lees, Edward
0
S
2
Good Samaritaa
Lodge of Odd Fel-
£%
':'2,o
I)
5
lows of Manchester
Union, Lodge 11:37
12
9
0
The expenses incurred by Mr. Pare in carrying out this
suit amounted to £360. The suits were conducted by Mr.
George Davis of Mr. Ashurst's firm, and it was owing to
his skill, resource, and mastery of the case that the money
recovered reached so large an amount. The defaulting
trustees endeavoured to defame the principles of Mr. Owen,
and to prejudice the Master of the Rolls against the case,
• it was a matter of justice that they should be defeated.
Sir John Romilly exceeded all that was to be expected of
any judge, and he refused to suitor the trustees to escape
by these means, which in days not then long i:j;one, would
liave been successful. Mr. Davis's control of the case was-
surrounded with difficulties which would have deterred
■ many solicitors, and placed the creditors who benefited
by his judgment and success under great obligation to
him.
Reciprocity in Siior-KEEriNG.
After contending in several places in this vv'ork that it
was in the power of shop-keepers of wit to apply Co-
operation to their own business, a circular reaches me from
Glasgow, issued by a sagacious tradesman there, a Tea
Merchant who has a large establishment at 508, Gallowgate,
written with evident candour and business explicitness,
AN OUTSIDE CK.VPTilR. 471
Xew Theorj- of Trada Reciprocitj.
setting forth the new method of dealing. Being the first
document of the kind, it will be instructive to many trades-
men, if I insert it here. Mr. John McKenzie, the tea mer-
chant in question, thus states the principle of Reciprocity
he has introduced : —
" Every one, whether he has been in business or not,
knows that the natural competition of trade keeps the
shopkeeper's profits Ioav ; and if he makes any gift to his
customers upon small purchases, he must be a loser by it.
If, therefore, a customer is offered such gifts, he has good
reason to suppose that the articles he buys are inferior to
what they ought to be, and if ho docs suppose it, he will
commonly be right.
" The only ways in which profits can be made in business
is by numerous customers and consequently large sales,
which enable the shop-keeper to buy in the best markets.
It is by this reciprocity alone that profit can arise, which
can be divide I with purcliasers. Therefore, if customei's
make purchases to tlie neoessai-y amount, a real reciprocal
plan of giving dividends on purchases can be carried
out.
" The tea trade is one of the best fitted of any business
for applying this reciprocity principle, and we have
arranged to make the experiment for one year, dating from
January, 1878.
" Therefore upon every purchase of tea of the amount
of 4d. and upwards a metal warrant will be given, and
when these warrants amount to 5s. a return will be made
of 4d. in money, which amounts to a dividend of Is. 4d.
in the £ sterling.
" We prefer paying the dividend to purchasers in money
as the honest way. When the ptd)lic have the money in
their hands they know that they have their money's worth,
which they are not sure of when they arc paid a dividend
in articles of doubtful value and more doubtful use. We
try this experiment because we think a practical and
gimi)le ibrm of reciprocity is possible in shop-keeping, and
472 HISTOKY OF CO-OPERATION.
Popular Ignorance of the Tea Tax.
believe that if the public understand it thej will trj it,
and if they do try it they will find it satisfactory.
" The public are not geneially aware what interest they
have in buying the best teas. The Government duty is
uniform, and is sixpence each pound weight upon good
and bad teas alike ; so that if a purchaser buys twenty
shillings worth of ' cheap ' tea, at Is. 8d. per pound, he
pays six shillings in duty, or a Government tax of 30 per
cent, while if he bought twenty shillings worth of very
fine tea, at 3s. 4d. per pound, he only pays three shillings
duty, or a Government tax of 15 per cent., and has the
value of the other 15 per cent, in high quality. Thus the
public, not being acquainted with the subject, buy ' cheap '
tea, not knowing that it is the dearest tea, and not only
dear, but often dangerous, and they are taxed enormously
for drinking it. Whereas, the best tea is not only greatly
cheaper but a luxury to drink, and goes further, because
it has real quality. We have never sought to sell ' cheap '
but ' good ' teas. We have made our business by it, and
we do not doubt being believed by any who make the
experiment of buying from us.
" With accessible, convenient, and commodious premises,
and a well organised service, it is possible for us to sell a
larger quantity of tea without increased expenses, and it
is the profit upon increased sales, without increased
expenses, that enables a dividend to be given. We can
thus give (with a dividend of Is. 4d. in the £) the same
superior quality of tea which we have always supplied.
" This is our whole case. Were it not explained, the
public might think it a new device to allure custom by
seeming to make a gift for which the purchaser paid
either in price or quality of the article he bought. Any
sensible person can understand the good faith of the plan.
We make no change in price — no change in quality.
The dividend is given out of economy made by larger
sales. It would be dishonest to promise what we could
not perform, and foolish to promise what the public did
AN OUTSIDE CHAPTER. 473
Scheme of the " Wholesale " Workshops.
not see could be performed. We have tlicrefore frankly
e.Kplained the grounds ou which we ask the support of the
public in this experiment of honest and substantial divi-
dends in the tea trade, on the fair Principle of Reciprocity.'*
Progress of Co-operative Workshops.
The Marquis of Ripon's address to the Congress of Man-
chester, 1878, which drew attention to the tardy ])rogres3
of Co-operative Production, has increased public interest
in it. As yet competitive emi)loyers in many towns are
bofoi-e co-operative employers in extending the partici-
pation of profits to labour. What any visitor to Notting-
ham hears from workmen in Mr. Samuel Morley's lace
factories in that town, would make a remarkable and plea-
sant chapter in the history of workshops. Some time ago
I received from an eminent auctionter's firm in Loudon
their scheme of the recognition of skill, goodwill, and
assiduity in business among their employers, which had
many equitable and kind features. The statement had been
prepared for the Right Hon. W. H. Smith, who is known
to have established similar arrangements in his great
business. The great Co-operative Wholesale Society,
described in a previous Chapter, has now several productive
works. There is no reason why they should not set the
example of instituting real co-operative workshops ; build
and stock them, paying their managers and workpeople
the ordinary wages of the day for the services they re-
spectively render, then (after discharging interest on capital
and other costs of materials and taxes, ])roviding funds for
the redemption of the works, for their dei)reciation, a
reserve fund for casualties, and one for education,) divide
the profits equally between the Wholesale as order givers
and consumers, and all persons employed according to their
wages, which are the measure of their merits. Wiien the
works wore redeemed and interest on capital ceased, the
half profits to the Wholesale would be the greater ; besides
474 HISTORY OF CO-OPEKATION.
Last proposal of Self-supporting Villages.
their being owners of the works in reward for their enter-
prise and wisdom in providing capital. And hibour
would thus win a substantial share of the profits. Thus
Co-operative Workshops would exist which migiit be
pointed to with pride.
Co-operation Proposed to Pope Pius IX.
Astute Co-operators, with a turn of mind for State
Socialism, followed in the footsteps of Mr. Owen, and
sought to interest courts and clergy in their schemes.
Mr. John Minter Morgan was so sanguine of this kind of
success, that he sought an audience with the Pope in
1847. In May, 1846, he had held a public meetingin Exeter
Hall, London, at which tlie Bishop of Norwich, Lord
John Manners, and Sir Harry Yerney Avere present. The
object was to promote self-su]iporting villages for people
destitute of employment. The number of persons in each
village was to be 300, and £40,000 was the capital
required for the undertaking. A vague reference occurred
in the prospectus to " the period when the inmates would
become proprietors ; " but whether self-government was
then to be a right was not mentioned. Tlie village was to
be a place under favourable conditions of religion^ morals,
health, and industry, into which people were to be invited
to come and be good. There were to be two rulers, a
resident clergyman and a director : and if they were
genial and tolerant gentlemen, a pleasant tame life, undis-
turbed by Nonconformists or politics, could be had. In 1847
Mr. Morgan carried his scheme. The Secretaries of the
scheme were the Rev. Edmund R. Larken, afterwards one
of the principal proprietors of the "Leader" newspaper, the
Rev. Joseph Brown, who gave poor London children happy
days at Ham Common every year, and Mr. Morgan him-
self. If the projected villages were to be directed in the
spirit of these gentlemen they would surely have been
happy and popular. There were three bishops, those of
AK OUTSIDE CHAPTEli. 475
Minter Morgan's interview with the Pope.
Exeter, St. David's, and Norwich, Vice-Presidents of the
Village Society. Considering how angry the Bishop of
Exeter was at Mr. Owen's community schemes, it was a
great triumph of Mv. Morgan to induce this bishop to be
Vice-President of another. Lord John Manners, Mr.
Monckton Milnes, M.P. (now Lord Houghton), the Hon.
W. F. Cowper, M.P. (now Mr. Cowper-Temple, M.P.),
were upon the committee, which included eighteen clergy-
men. Though these probably had Church objects in view,
the majority, like Mr. Cowper-Temple, "whom we know as a
real friend of co-operation, were doubtless mainly actuated
by a sincere desire to advance the social imi)rovement of
the people. Their prospectus said that '' competition in
appealing to selfish motives only, enriching the few and
impoverishing the many, is a false and unchristian prin-
ciple engendering a spirit of envy and rivalry."
In 1847 Mr. Morgan carried his model and paintings *
of his village scheme to Rome ; he says contemptuously
that " the British Consular agent, being more favourable to
Free Trade and the general principles of Political Economy,
took no interest in the plan." At length Monsignor Corboli
Bussi, Private and Confidential Secretary to the Pope,
" devoted nearly an hour and a half to an examination of
the ]jlau, and informed Mr. Morgan that His Holiness
would meet him at three o'clock or half-past three, as he
descended to walk that day, February 2ord, 1847, and
that Mr. Morgan was to attend on Monsignor Maestro de
Camera, in his apartment a little before three."
On that afternoon, the Peripatetic Communist and the
Pope were to be seen in consultation together. His
Holiness commended the object, and said the painting had
been explained to him. Mr. Morgan asked the Pope to
commend his plan to the Catholics. He said he would
speak to Mr. Freeborn, the Consular Agent. Mr. Morgan
* Where Jire they now ? Tbey were of some merit as works of art, for
Mr. Morgan was a gentleman of wealtii and taste. They ought to be
preserved in the Social Museum of the Central Board — when it puts upone.
476 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION.
An ignominious Proposal.
wrote to that unsympathetic Consuhir Acrent wlio never
replied. Then Mr. Mor/^an prayed Monsignor Bussi that
*' His Holiness should be pleased to direct that he, Mr.
Morgan, should be honoured with a letter, implying, in
such terms as his superior wisdom and goodness would
dictate, that the theory of the plan appeared to be unobjec-
•tionable, and that he would be glad to hear of experiments
being made according to local circumstances." " Such a
letter," Mr. Morgan added, " would not be incompatible
with the rule, which he understood His Holiness observed
•of not interfering Avitli the temporal affairs of our coun-
tries."
Mr. Morgan's transparent painting was sent back to him
with the civil intimation, that the Holy Father and August
Sovereign had " gone so fiir as to remit the printed exposi-
tion which accompanied Mr. Morgan's project to the
examination of the Agricultural Commission, presided
over by His Eminence Cardinal Massimo."
The Christian Village propagandist had interviews with
Cardinal Massimo, and sent to the Pope the assurance that
^' that which peculiarly distinguished the proposed
Christian colony from the constitution of society in general,
was the power which it afforded of maintaining the supre-
jnacy of religion, not only in theory and in precept, and in
framing the laws and regulations, but by suppressing and
prohibiting all institutions, practices, and influences cal-
■culated to impair the love of God and man as the ruling
principle of action."
There is no more instructive example than this of what
state or clerical socialism comes to. JS^ever was a more
ignominious proposal carried to Rome by an English
Protestant gentleman. It was an offer to place co-
operative Industrialism under the conditions of an absolute
■clerical despotism, which might include an Inquisition in
-every village. No poverty, no precariousness of com-
petitive life is so abject or humiliating as this ignominious
tutelaore and control.
AN OUTSIDE CHAPTER. 477
Modern opportunities of Political Adventurers.
Mgr. Jolin Corboli Bussi wrote Mr. Morgan from
Quiriual Palace, April 18th, 1847, saying, " Yery
willingly I will place under the eyes of His Holiness, my
august sovereign, the note you have remitted : and after-
wards, as I suppose, it will be communicated to the
Agricultm-al Commission. But I am not able to foresee
the result. Certainly I cannot but ]H-aise your moral
princi])les and judgment, and I believe every generous
and religious heart would partake of them. But as to the-
application of these principles to the economy of a country
like ours I could not dare to have an opinion."
Thus ended the negotiation between Mr. Morgan and
tlie Pope. Some respect is due to the Vatican for allowing
the proposal made to it — to pass out of sight.
When old feudality disappeared, and the serf-class
passed into dependence upon the capitalist class, anybody
with eyes that could see social effects, discerned that
wages, which gave industrial freedom would lead to
growing intelligence and social aspiration, which beino-
constantly checked by the larger foresight and more
powerful ambition of capital, there would be never-ending
hostility between capital and labour, until labour learned
to acquire capital and self-direction for its own advantnoo.
This opened a field which unscrupulous adventurers coidd
enter and obtain a following among workmen, by pro-
mising a political deliverance which no political contrivance
can give. When working people come to have votes,
the same adventurers taught them distrust of their own
efforts, distrust of the middle class avIio were nearest to
them in sympathy and in industry, and who alone stood
between the people and the sole rule of the aristocracy.
When this distrust was well diffused, these skilful ]n'o-
fessors of sympathy with the people who had been their
enemies in all their contests for freedom, asked for their
confidence at the poll, which, as soon as it was obtained,
478 IllSTOKY OV CO-OPERATION.
Meaning of Stats Socialism.
thej set up Personal Government, and put a sword to the
throats of those who had given them power, as the
Emperor Napoleon did. State Socialism means the
promise of a dinner, and a bullet when you ask for it.
It never meant anything else and never gave anything else.
Go-operation is the discovery of the means by which an
industrious man can provide his own dinner (without
depriving any one else of his), and the certainty of eating
it with pride, security, and independence.
HEAD-LINE INDEX.
ron ADDllIONAL TOP. a .'.EE GEXEKAL IXDEX.
A
Abandoned Vocations, 397
Absentee Enthusiast, An, 410
Advance Guard of Progress, 413
Adventures of Dead Ideas, 41
in Authorship. 3';7
Agricultural Association, London, 309
its Establishment, 205
Alexander Campbell's Claim. 37
Alliance of Co-operators and Unionists
iu 1834, 2G5
Amanes, their Wonderful Success, 205
, Co-operativo Life Among them, 'iW,
Ambiguity of Early Management, 13'J
Ambition of Craftsmanship Discouraged,
260
American Grangers. 43.5
American State Propagandism, 3.52
Ancient Peruvian care fur Workmen, "J":;
Anti-Co-operative "Eings" la Americ.i,
2S8
Approiiching Despotism of the Knife, CU
Art of Buying, l-jy
of Collecting Store Funds, lfi2
Assington Farms not Co-operative, 303
Plan Analysed, 3U4
Astute Tradesmen, their means of Self-
defence, 1(;'J
Australian Cooperation, 419
Average Cotton Spinning Prollts. 131
B
Babbage. Charles, First Statement of
Labour Partnership, '^29
, unwise Disparngemeut of. -3'i
Eaume, Pierre Uenri, his furtive Lif3, 401
, ai Hibberfs Crave, 405
, his Spy Nature, 402
Bicycle Features of Co-operation, 377
ISrmingham, Aspects of, 32 i
Bishops take part aaainst the People, IGU
Blackley, The Ambition of, 344
Blaydon-on-Tyne, its licmarUabic Store,
349
, Its Provisions for Education, 350
ISlennerhassett, Paternal Co-oporatioQ
thfro.3J7
Board of Excise reprimand Shopkeepers,
165
Brampton Brvan Farm, 30C
, Rules of. 136
Brassey, Thomas, the Elder, Life of. 420
, 3J.P., the younger. Views of, 232
Brighton Society of 1828, 32 J
Buckingham, James Silk, UP., the Social
Seer, 400
Brougham, Lord, his e-^timate of Fede-
ration, 153
, aided what he approved, 3S0
Burnley Store, its device of thick Ledgers.
336 " '
Business Education of Store and Work-
shop, 130
C
'• Caleb Garth," Character of, 144
Calculation of the Employer, 237
(xipacity of the Utopians, l(i
Capital has but One Claim, S7
Capitalist Chatter of Charity, 267
Capriciousness of Agricultural Labourers
303 '
Cartwright, Major. Exporienco in thn
Greek War, 139 ^
Ca.<c of the Consumer, 147
Cat Debate at a Store, 348
I 'ausi's of the Failure of Quaenwood, 271
C^easolcss War of Ideas, 2
Cciiiral Board, The first, 425
Christian Socialist Writers, 390
, Characteristics of, 394
Citizen Soldiers, the:r humble Equipment.
361
Civil Service Co-operation of Post Office
origin, 181
Colonel Macerone at large, 360
Common sense in As.sociatiou, 20
Community, A, 200 years old, 294
Comte de Paris explains Co-operation, 3S7
Conciliation, an Impertinence where Jus-
tice is evaded, 245
Connoisseurship in Enthusiasm, 282
Conspiracies Doilned, 243
Conspiracy at Plymouth, The, 164
Contemptuousness of Employers a cause
of Strikes, 257
Co-operation, a Social not a Political
question, 177
The Organization of the Wtirk.shop, C!)
"Co-operative News," Commencement of,
374
Coal and Insurance Societies, 210
Store on the Sea, 269
Workshops of Trade-L'nion OrigJn.
247
Co-operators supersede Evils, 24 1
of mark, 399
Copperheads crawl about, 01
Cost of a Charter, 59
Cow Co-operation, 330
Crazes not Cunllned to the Working-
Class, 359
480
HEAD-LINE INDEX.
Criticism by Professor Newman, 458
Cronkej' Shaw Moor Meeting. iO
Cupidity a less evil than a base spirit, 253
Curious Methods of Dividing Profits, 1S7
Customers profitable to Workshops as to
Stores, 142
D
Darlington Dividend of Senna, 322
Dead Journals. 3
Debate and Business, capacity for, Ifil
Defect of Ooodness largely owing to
Defect of Knowledge. 21S
Definition of a Co-operative "Workshop,
V2-2
Degrading Conditions Imposed by Em-
ployers, 275
Delusions of Debt, 111
De Metz's Crimiijal Community, 70
Denton Hatter's Society, 327
Derby, Lord, Defence of industrial Part-
nerships by, 225
Description of Productive Societies, 133
Desolation of the Social Field, 4
Devices of Brighton Co- operation in
1828, 462
Devious March of Movements, 440
Difficulties and Conditions of Journal-
ism, 376
of Workshops and Stores the same,
140
Diffused InteHigence we'.l understood
Self Defence, 220
Diffusion of Wealth not a Public Idea, 453
Directness the Sign of Manly Purpose, 81
Disease of Publicity, 213
Distinctions of Joint Stock and Co-opera-
tive Society, 82
of English and German Co-opera-
tion, 99
Distinction possible to Workshops, 158
Distinctiveness of Bochdale, 15
Distinctive Principle of a Co-operative
Workshop, 124
Distribution an Art requiring Uncommon
Qualities, 132
Divergent Opinions Approximations to
Truth, 214
Domestic signs of Success. 41
Driving Trade Abroad, 258
Drolleries of Co-operative Sj-mbolism, 371
Dull towns, their favourable features, 324
Ducie, Lord, his description ot a Store, 100
Durham,Bishop of, Story of a Store by, 91
E
Earliest known Co-operative Store, 90
Early attempts at Co operative Defin-
ition, 72
Earnest Error Dangerous as Dishonesty,
280
Eccentric Co-opeiator, An, 400
Social Artists, 358
Eccentricities of Uniu&ttucted Co-opera-
tors, 173
Edger, E. Il.,and the " Social Economist,"
204
Educatienal Archwology, 97
Imminent Politicians deleud Co-operation,
167
Employers do not trust profits to rise of
themselves, 249
who Draw Back to be Fairly Judged,
277
Eliot, George, her Description of a True
Workman. 143
English Blue Books on workmen abroad,
353
■ Wisdom in according Distinction to
uselessness, 346
Workmen, capacity for self-help and
self-government, 343
Emblematic Art, Further efforts in, 372
Enthusiasts, their natural reaction, 299
Equality of equivalence, 143
Equitable Industry, its pride in occupation,
451
Equity the true name of Co-operation, 34
European leaders of State Socialism, 460
Even Manchester makes progres.s, 63
Examination of an inanimate body, 5
Excess of success a source of failure, 113
F
Factory Girl's letter to Wilson Patten,
M.P., 252
Failure not peculiar to Co-operation, 273
at Whitwood caused by the
Messrs. Briggs, 276
Fall Eiver Traders, how they lost their
heads, 287
Family thrift a Co-operative device, 194
Farn. J. C, Instances cited by him, 335
Farewell words, 457
Farming, Co-operative, Early interest in,.
301
Farm labourers" case stated, 330
Farquhar, W., Generous incaution of, 407
Farthing Federation, 152
Features of a Propagandist Journal, 14
Federated distribution defined, 147
Federation, a Rochdale idea in 1832, 47
First Industrial Partnership in Great
Britain, 228
Co-operative Tomb-stone, 49
effects of Co-operative success, 40
Manchester Society, 325
Five conditions of Store success, 100
Fleming, George Alexander, Death of,
437
— Propaganda services of, 438
Floating Co-operation, Invention of, 1S3
Foreign Co-operative Societies, 429
Forgotten Periodicals, 12
Formation of the Co-operative Guild, 303
Four forms of acquiring wealth, 459
Founder of the Wnolesale, The Practical,
150
Frequent combination of Courtesy and
Insolence, 121
Fruijility a Virtue of Kich as well as
Poor, 449
Further definitions, including the Con-
sumer, 07
Futility of " tall " statements, 22
a
Gain of Co-operators not the loss of
Shopkeepers, 171
Ghastly Co.'-n Mill, A. U~
i
HEAD- LINE INDEX.
481
Gladstone, Et. Hon. W. E., his estimate of
Co-operation, 311
Good Journalism the life of the move-
ment, 375
discernment of a Union Journalist,
254
Good " Working Bugbnar," A, 71
Great Consultation of Medicine men, C,
Grounds of Communistio dissolution, 4G7
H
Halifax Society, Origin in 1S29, 334
wise behaviour under losses. 274
Hetherington, the Poor Man's Guardian,
4-21
Hill, Sir Rowland, Letter from, oii
Hofwyl, Lord Brougham".-! account of, 302
Honest men and Knaves aliUe have a
Policy, 21-'
Hopes of recovery entertained, 8
How the Art of Saving i.s taught, 102
Howarth, Charles, Originality of, ">n
Hubert, Prof., his political fastidiousness,
411
Hull Corn Mill of 1795. 31S
Humiliations of the indebted, '2."»
Hundred Master System, The, l-'3
I
Ignominious Proposal, An, 47(i
Illustration of Co-operation in the Work-
shop, 86
Imitative Co-operation without the ele-
ment of Permanence, 187
Importation of Ideas, 284
Incredible condition of English Workmen,
25i»
Independence of Co-operation, 455
Industrial, different from Greyhound Co-
operation 68
Activity compatible with competence,
45!)
Industrial Partnerships distinct from Co-
operation, 231
First legalised in Ireland, 227
in Leicester, 236
in Belgian Railways. 2:}5
Inequality incurable by Insurrection, 11
Influence of lofty aims 52
of Service on the Consumer, 120
of Industrial opportunity, 211
Infrequency of Failures, 278
Insurgent Poor compared with the insur-
gent Rich, 184
Insurrection of Shopkeepers, ir,2
Intelligence a Practical Investment, 221
Intelligent Objectors Friends of New
projects, 27!)
Isolated Disciple, An, 409
J
Justice is more than good will, 31
K
King, Dr., his Letter to Lord Brougham,
461
li
Labour, never yet fairly allured, 13S
— — has to learn to hire Capital. 8s
Limited Kecogniliou of Capital, 127
Large Possessions of the Wholesale, 157
Last Proposal of Self-supporting Village,-;,
474
Law suit of the Queenwood Com-
munity, 4(i8
Latent Perils of the British Government,
362
La wson'.s. William, remarkable Farms, 307
Leaders of the Constructive Period, 33
Lecture Room in Rochdale, IS
Leeds Co-operatives, their Honourable
Tenacity, 337
Society, its Picturesque Adventures,
338
Leicester Store, its Public Effects, 112
Legal Impediments to Economy, oo
Limits of Propagandist Assertion, 23
Livsey, Aid. Thos., Store Anecdote by, 110
London Co-operative Institute, 2U6
Societies of 1830, 314, 316
Lost Newspaper, Story of, 416
Lowe, Rt. Hoa R., his advice to shop-
keepers, 16S
Lovett, William. Career of. 413
Ludlow, John Malcolm, Writings of, 393
Macdonald, his Historic Habits, 293
Machine needed for Testing Applause,
281
Macclesfield Societv, Singular Misfortunes
of, 332
JIad Partizan«, 404.
Main Objects of the Co-operative Story.4-12
Manchester, even it makes progress. 66
•' Co-operator," the Commencement
of, 370
Societies of 1829 and 1830. 315-317
Manners, Lord George, his Co-operativo
knowledge, 305
Manufacture, Co-operative, Early Report,
326
Martineau, Miss, Early Letter of, 379
Market-prio Stores, and Underselling
Stores, 138
Market Stall Stores, 333
Marriott, Rev. Charles, and St. Andre, 203
Marshalling strayel Id.Ms 411
M'lynr of Manchester, Tlie, 32S
Mazzini's Formula of Association
Theory of Co-operation, 423
Memories of Canon Kiugsley, 422
" Men of Business," 26
Men of Progress defined, 43
Middlemen of Taste indestructible, 185
Mill's. J. S., Comprehensive DeUuitiou, 76
lutrepid Testimony, 378
Evidence by, 56
Minter M<jr;ran's Interview with the
Pope, 475
Model London Workshop, A, 126
Jlongewell Store, its Benefits, 93
Moral Scepticism less prevalent in
America. 285
Value of Economic Theories, 190
Molesworth. Kev. W. N., important sug-
gestion by him, 54
II
482
HEAD-LINE INDEX.
MutuOility of Interest absent in " LondoH
Co-operation." ISG
Mudie, George, his Plan of 1818, 200
N
Napoleon III. a Socialist Author, .3.?>
Passafres from his Writinics, 3SG
National effects of Co-operation, "21:3
Natural History of Discovery, 140
Neale, Edward Vansittart, Recital of. 57
Neglected Opportunities of Shopkeepers,
17-4
New Advocates in lStS-19. 202
Newcastle-on-Tyne, Gaieties of Hospitality
there, 431
New Harmony, Latest Account of, 297
Nihilist Principles the Invention of
Adversaries, 3.0.5
Nohle Ladies in the Haymai'ket, 170
Noiseless tread of New Ideas, 1
Nordhoff's " American Communities."' 293
Notable Propagandist Halls ia London,
199
O
Obligations of Co-operators to Christian
Allies, 396
Obsolete Storo. An, 98
Oldham Co-operation, Theory of, 135
Industrial Sociclj'. 329
Old Moi-tality among the graves of Com-
munities, 2S9
Open Co-operation, Higher qualities
needed for, 129
Opportunities of Political Adventurers,
477
Original and Imitative Co-operation, 189
■ Thinkers often mad, 3S2
Origin of the Civil Service Supply Asso-
ciation, 17 9
Orbistou, its last Law Case. 4G5
Outsiders lying in wait, 270
Outside Friends, 103
Ouseburn Workmen, Honesty of. 272
Owen, Kobert Dale, Characteristics of, 414
, His Last Days, 41 5
P
Partnership of Purchasers, Argument for,
74
Pale-faced Stores, 101
Pare, William, Death of. 430
Parliamentary Co-operation. 439
Pauperism, a Political Preference in
England, 4.J2
Pauper spirit prevalent among the rich,
191
Peculiarities of Concordium life, 13
People, The. imperial, not the Crown, 447
Perils of Colleagueship, 403
of a deferred Education Fund, 223
Petticoat Patriotism, 4G
Phillips, Wendell, Invitation to, 404
Piecers Petition, A Little, 2-jU
Pillars of Light, .50
Pioneer Publications, SCO
Pioneers who fail, retard their cause, 286
Place of Capital defined, 85
Platform doflnitions, 78
Pleasant Pioneer, A, 48
Political Pitmen above ground, 432
Sacrifices for TnduRtrial equity, 170
Poor Man's •• Dead Body" Bill. A, 251
Popular repugnance to Principles, S:)
Pothier's singidar definition of Partner-
ships. 145
Premature forms of Co-operation, lis
Proscriptions of the Social Physicians, 7
Presidents of Congress, 424
. Speeches, 426
Presumption of the Discoverer, 29
Pretended Co-operation, 209
Principles, the only source of guidance
and defence, 81
of the Orbiston Community. 4'3o
Profit. Sources of Co-operative, 172
Progress. General, certain. 310
Project, The, debated at Jumbo Farm, 148
Propagandist speech. A, 19
Public, The, taken into partnership, 38
a
Qualities of all Communists, 395
•'Quarterly Kevicw," Unexpected con-
sideration of the, 3G9
Queenwood loan holders, 469
Rappites, their great wealth, 292
Reciprocity, New theory of Trade, 471
Relation of Servant and Master not dis-
tasteful to many men. 83
Remarkable Statement of Co-operation
in 1820, 201
Remissness of Thieves, 114
Repeal of the Corn Laws — singular effects
of, G5
Right of Minorities among Workmen. 2-56
Romilly. Lord, his Famous Decision, 470
Rochdale stands the storm, 62
extent of Stores, 51
and London Co-operation, 178
Ruins of Education, 96, 97
Ruskin, Dr. J., his description of Prof.
Maurice, 391
s
Rales at the First Store, 92
Scenes in the Illegal Days of Co-operation,
115
Schemes Discussed, 149
Science, Social, Origin of, 392
Scottish Character, Features of, 418
Searching for Something, 35
Self-heip includes all Conditions of
Progress, 456
" Sentimental" Men Originate the ProSts
of the " Practical," 234
Sermons Preached before Congress. 43G
Serpentine Intrusion of Capital, 125
Seven-fold Division of Store Funds, 105
Seven Ways of Progress. 444
Shakers, their Generosity and Gcnialily,
291
• , their Prophetess, Mrs. Stanley, 290
Sheep-dogs of Industry, 443
'• Sheep Maker," TJie," among the Elan-
keteers, 3G3
HEAD-LINE INDEX.
483
Shilling Storekeoiior, A. Ot
iShopkeeping An luoxtinguishable Art,
, Profits Raised by Stores, 108
Simplicity of Early Trade Conspirators,
248
Simonian, A Mad. oSl
Singular thouglitfuluess of the Public, 3RS
'Sin of Liberals is Aiding what Conserva-
tives Sanction, 175
Six Eirliest Societies, 310
Slow Progress of the Art of Definition, 73
Social Life in the Store, 111)
Socialism the Antipodes of Nihilism, 356
Socialistic Insurgency in High Quarters,
182
Societies, The Two Hundred,-of 1S30-3, 310
Solitary Journals in the Constructive
Period, 364, 305
Sources of Justice and Patience, 219
Speaker, Et. Hon., The, llemarkable Pro-
posal of, 241)
Specitlc "Growths" of Co-operative Ideas,
351
Speech Condensing Engines, 433
" Standard," the, Kevolutionary Pecu-
liarity of. 354
St. Andre of the Black Chamber, 383
State Socialism, Features of. 445. 478
Stationariucss of Co-operators, 211
Stipulations of Dutch Workincu, 23S
Store Journals, 417
Goods, Law against disparaging
them. 342
Stoi'es a Combination of Sbops. 89
Story of the Silver Trowel, 345
Strikes against executing Bad Work
unknown, 2G3
Strong Writing not necessarily Strong
Thinking, 373
Successful Career of Fraud, 446
Successive Delluitions, 75
Surrounding Stores Secure, 64
Symn. David, Proposal of an Industrial
Science, 389
SjTnpathy with Right confounded with
Identity of Opinion, 215
T
Tardiness of progress measura))lc by the
ignorance on the way, 224
Taste for facts a sign of cultivation, 197
Tea Tax, Popular Ignorance of. 472
Telescopic luspection of new Parties, 398
Terror allayed by Knowledge, G7
Theory of Labour Partnerships. 226
Theology no substitute for Self-help, 451
Thirteen years' Grow^lh of the Wholesale,
155
Thornton Mr, tho French Propagandist,
408
Thoughtless Conduct of a Co-operative
Cow, 331
Thousand Stores extant. A, 312
Toad Lane Salesmen. 464
its political and social influence,
the tlrst sales in it, 463
Trades' and Employers' Unions both
fighting powers, 266
Trades Strikes Japanese Duels, 264
Ti-ades Union, Historic Origin of, 246
— — Agencies of Labour Partnerships, 239
no guarantee of good workmaushii),
262
Traitors to Truth, 217
Treatment of Store Servants, 104
Trouble of open administration, 12S
Troublesomeness of Principles, 79
True Remedy found. 9
Twenty Thousand Governments of Eng-
land, 357
U
Ugliness not a necessity, 222
Unconsciousness of tho Sovereign people,
24
Unexpected features of Scottish Co-oper-
ation, 32
T'nforeseen results, 39
Uuimputative argument a Co-operative
habit, 216
Unity the lirst Condition of Suc'^ess. 21
Unknown Gondifons of the Past, 163
Unpopularity of Pure Food. 27
Unscrupulous Travellers. 106
Unwise Dispar.igement. 340
Uphill work years ago. 16
Useful features of London Co-operation,
190
Uses of Co-operation in the Churches, 193
V
Vast Iiatent Powers of Federation. 154
Vicissitudes of the Wholesale Project, 151
W
Watts. Dr. John, Testimony of. 58
Famous Answer to Cogwheel, 255
Warrington Co-operators, their Care as
to Character, 342
Wet Congress at Uoltnn. 427
What was done when the Top was
reached, 17
seems true should be " put through,"
28
White Interest in Ebony Workmen, 60
Why Co-(jperator3 retrace their steps, 283
Wild Dreams of Political Economists, lUG
Invitations, 428
Wi.sdom of Insects, 30
WLse laws make wise action pos.iible, 53
■ — — Letter of a Store Keeper, 1U7
Wholesale Society. Great extent of, 15C
in London, 207
its Quarterly Parliaments. 160
Scheme of Workshops, 473
With Capital as a servant there is no
Contest, 84
Woolwich Society of 1.806, 319
Working Class Disbelief of Knowledge
being Power, 261
Workmen unexplored Instruments. 238
Worthing i^ociety of 1828, S21
Worms of Ignorance, 339
Y
Young Co-operators, 193
GENERAL INDEX
OF SUBJECTS ADDITIONAL TO THOSE IN HEAD-LINE INDEX.
Abel, G. F., his Viola de Gamba, 23S
Abiding idea of Co-operators, iv., 10
About, Edmund, 419
Abrupt emigration, 320
Accrington and Church Society, 350
Adam, Later difficulties about him, IG
Adcroft, George, his experience in the pits,
Adderley, Eight Hon . C.B., M.P. Approval
of Co-operation, 175
Agencies of improvement — Co-operation
but one of them, 442
Agency, Central Co-operative, 20G
Agricultural Association, London, 13G, 20C
"Agricultural Economist," 34G
Albert, Prince, on the Obligations of Eank,
452
Allsop, Thomas, S
Amanes, singular wealth of, 294
Andrews, Stephen Pearl, 2!)2
Anglo-American Trading Company, 435
Aphis, their singular wisdom, 30
Arch, iToseph, 309
Aristipus, Council of, 220
Aristotle, forms of Communal Life in his
Day, 312
Arkwright, Sir Eichard, 95
Army and Navy Stores. 1S5
Art of Shopkeeping, 116
Ashurst, Morris, Messrs., & Co., 4GS
Ashurst, W. H., 181
Ashworth, Samuel, opening day at Toad
Lane, 4G3. 464, :
Aspatria, Noble Temple there, 307
"Associate," 331
B
Babbage, Lieut., Letter from, 230
Babbage's Theory of Labour Partnerships,
229
Bacheler, Origin, 297
Bailey, Samuel, 61
Palline, Nicholas, 424
Balloon Street, 436
Bamford. Samuel, 374
Barnish, William, 51
Barrington, Bishop. 89
Bassilbehikoff, Prince, 434 ■
Bate, Frederick, 201
Baume, Pierre Henri. 4
Mysterious Movements of, 402
the Qualities which gave him As-
cendency, 403
his mad' Proposals, 404
Beaconsfield, Earl, 1G3
Beardon, Sir Cecil, Revelations by, 179
Benthani's Students, 73
Bernal, Mr., M.P., 53
Bernard, J. B., 301
Birmingham Co-operative "Workshop of
1777. 247
its Inspiration, 97
strange Store there, 324
Blanc, Louis, 89, 81, 276, 386, 451
Blackley, its Adventures in Eespecta-
bility, 344
Blaydon-on-Tyne, Chieftains on its Eoll,
348
— its Mechanics' Institution, 348
its Newsroom open on Sunday, 349
its Bookkeeping, 349
Blennerhassett Horses, 305
Bloomfield"s dread of Eelinement, 310
Board School Feature of Stores, 119
Bolton, Searching the Newspapers there,
119
Bonus a Misleading term, 2G7
Boothman, Mr.. 149
Booth, Eev. John Arthur, M.A., his.
writings. 266, 3S0
Borrowman, James, 154
Bosch, General Van, 387
" Botbwell," Passage from, 31
Bower, Samuel, 4
Bradford of more Eepute for Fighting-
than Uniting, 37. 340
Brampton Brj-an Farm, 13G
Brand, Et. Hon. Mr., Speech at Glynde,
239, 240. 243
Brassey, Thomas the Elder, a Passage-
from his life, 420
, Thos.. M.P.,the Younger, 205, 232.
Lectures on Labour, 419, 433
Brett, Mr. Justice, 162
Brewer, Anecdote of a, 27
Brlggs & Co., Messrs., profits of the Whit--
wood Partnership, 275
Bright. Mrs. Jacob, 224
Bright, Et. Hon. John, 45, 64, 97
" Brighton Co-operator," 334
British Association of Co-operative Know-
ledge, 164,200
Brougham. Lord, 153, 380, 461
• gift of books by, 349
Bowring, Sir John, on Samaritans of
Sychar, 219
Brownless, John, Letter from Akron
Summit, 322
GENERAL INDEX.
485
Brown, Rev. Joseph, 474
Buckingham, Duke, Epitaph ou Fairfax,
212
—— Silk, his fertility in Projects, 406
Building Society Statistics. 211
Burdett-Coutts, "Baroness, 2(i2
Burnet, Bishop. 220
Buried literature, ICO
Bums, A., 210
Burton, John Hill, his amiable estimate of
Co-operators, 41S
Burt, Thomas, M.P.. 2G1
Bussi, Monsignor John Corboli, 475, 477
Butcher, John, ;«is, .309, 417
Byron, Lady Noel, 147
Byron, Lord. 4, 270
C
Cabet, M., founder of the clear-headed
Icarians, 2!i2
Ceesar's dependence on asses, 224
Cain's question, 224
Cambuslang Dividend Scheme, 30, .37
■Campbell. Alexander. 8. 315, 37
Canning, Rt. Hon. (xeorge. Parliamentary
criticism, 4yi;
Capital — its agency or master.ship ? 77
Carter. Brudenell, on Work as a Condition
of health, 223
Carter, W. P., 417
Carlyle, Thomas, indebtedness of work-
men to him, 8!), 2.09
■Cayley, E. S., M.P., 301
Central Board, 8, 201
Publications of, 430
Chambers Brothers, their fairness, 38S
William, 105
Robert, 280
Sir Thomas, M.P., 174
Chapelsmith, Mrs., at an Indiana meeting,
414
Chartists, The, 20
Chartist and Socialist union in Darlington,
322
Child, Rev. Mr., 344, 31G
Chilton, William, 8
Christian Co-operators, 302
"Christian Socialist," its characteristics,
390
Workshop. 120
Church Architect in Trouble. A, 166
Circulation, Neglected Conditions of, 376
Civil Service Co-operative Society, 181, 182
Supply Association. 180
Clarendon Lord, his Blue Books for
Workmen, 353
Clasper, Harry, 280
Cleveland. Competitive Failures there, 273
Clinton, Col. Henry, liis Advocacy of
Associated Homes, 411
Coal Society, 210
Cobbett, William. 112
Cobdcn, Richard. M.P., 162, 374
his Theory of Newspaper Facts, 196
. helps to increase the avoirdupois
Weight of the nation, 64
Mill Company, 137, 138
Colleges of Industry 133
Combe. Abram, 4, 467
"Commonweal," 13
Commune. English Ignorance of it, 357
Communities, their Characteristics, 70
Competition, a Fighting-power, 23, 213
Comte, Auguste. 460
Congress Literature, 423
Addresses, Length of, 426
Connoisseurs in Strikes, 262
Constable <fc Anderson, Messrs., 103
Consumer, The Unincluded. 77
Co-operation a Necessity of the Poor. 184
mere Resentment in the Rich. 1S4
• bears the Test of Famine and War,
429
Definition of, 442
Definitions of, 72, 75, 76. 77, 78, 79, 442
Eminent Writers upon it, 419
Co-operative Methods in 1820, 461
"News," 173
'• Co-operator," Manchester, 370
Co-operators, their Cheerfulness. 41. S
Cooper, Robert, the Fortune which befel
him, 420
Cooper, William, 33, 152. 305, 403
Inscription on his Tomb, 40
Co-partnery in the Workshop, 124
Copperheads Defined, 61
Corah & Sons, Messrs , 236
"Courier de Lyons," 306
Cowen, 424
Cowen, 349, 366
Cowen, Joseph, M.P., 113. 340, 366
his Address to the Congress of 1873,
Cowley, Lord, his Protection of Working-
men Abroad. 354
Cowper-Temple, Hon. Mr., 3LP., 475
Crabtree. James, 150, 151
Craig, 7
Cremer, R., 354
Crisell. Mr., the Manager at Assington
303
" Crisis," The, 14
Criticism of Social Schemes. 190
Crowe (H. B. M.), Consul-Geueral, Nor-
way. 424
Crumpsall Biscuit Factory, 157
Cutlin, ou Indian Habits, 213
"Daily News," 205, 366
Dale, David, 95
Danger of sayings which cannot bo
proved, 22
Dark Stores, 59
Davis, George, 470
Dead Children, Stories of, 252
Dedication
Deeling, Rev. Jlr.. 344
Deficiency, a conditional source of failure
281
Derby, Earl, 226, 256
Letter from, 157
Devils' Advocate, 436
Devil, not an Industrial Difficulty, 21
Devonport Union Mill, 163
Disraeli, Rt. Hon. B., 410, 460
48G
GENERAL INDEX.
Distinction between principles and their
" import " 40!>
Dixon, George, M.P., 424
Dolierty, Dr. Hugh,
Dolfl, the Political Baker, 42-5
Dividends on Purchases, 35-3G
Drayton, R., 15
Dr. Travis, his real services, 410
Duff, Grant, M.S.. M.P., 71
Duncan, Jame?, Elmslie, 12
Durham Soap Factory, 1C7
E
Early Arguments for Co-operation, 3->
"Eastern Post," 272
Eccentricities of Opinion, 17S
Economites, 291
Edger, Ebenezcr R., 9S. 204. 3<i.5
his visit to Assington, 304
Edmondson, George. 387
Educational Fund, the sign of a Sound
Store, 339
Education made Illegal 57
Egyptian Corn Question at Leeds, 337
Elder, Dr., 79
Eliot, George, CO
EUis. William, letter on Origin of Social
Science, 392
Eleusis Club, 78
Eminent visitors to the Congress of 1SG9,
424
Equitable Pioneers, 12, 150
Equitarians. 34
Equity wider than Wit, 135
Etzler, Mr.. 4, 13
Evans, F. W., 290
Evil Days of Great Schemes, 38
Experience, its effect on Workmen, 131
F
Facilities for Saving a form of Morality,
192, 195
Failsworth, its Industrial Adventures, 329,
330. 331
Fall River, Adventures there. 2S7
Families, Limits of provision for, 191
Farquhar, William, 407
Farn, John Colier, 7, 115, 27S, 335, 374
Fawcett, Professor, M.P., 76, 27(;, 424
Federative Production, Defined, 147
Felix. Holt, 78
Eellenberg's Agricultural College, 96, 301
Fictitious Co-operation, 209
Finch, John, 340, 342
Fire and Life Insurance, 210
First Maxim of Speech. 21
Fisher's, Roswell, Theory of Capitalist
Commerce, 85, 86
Fleet St. House, 393
Fleming, George Alexander, 8, 437, 438
Fletcher, Mr., 420
Fonvielle, William de, 357
Fools cannot be made into Co-operatcrs,
220
Forster, Julius, 210
Forster, Et. Hon. W. E.. Puritan blood
of, 282
Fortune, its Caprices, 421
Fourier, Theory of Partnerships, 22S
Fox, Head & Co., 275
" Fraser's Magazine," Reply to, 458
Friendli^ Societies Acts, 55, 5G, 57, 58
Froebel' 96
Frugal Investment Clause, 55
G
Galpin, T. D., 424
Galpin, William, 7, 201
Garibaldi, General, 348, 354
Garrido, Sig. Fernando, 366
Gentleman, Definition of the, 24
German Communists, 359
Jingoes, 460
Gibb, Hu^h. Regards Credit as a Blot, 348-
Gibbon, Edward, 8
Gibson, Rt. Hon. T. Milner. M.P., 64
Gimson it Co., Messrs., Leicester, 236
Gladstone, Rt. Hon. W. E.^ M.P. 163. 337
Influence of Co-operation on Working
People, 311
Letter of, 168
Glover, Richard, Influence of Gracious
Deeds, 378
Godalming Grocers perturbed, 165
Grangers. The, 160
Greaves, James Pierrepoint, 7, 13
Greeley, Hon. Horace, 89, 153, 284, 2S7
Greenacres Hill Store, 62
Green, David, 337
Greenhough, J., 44
Greening. Edward Owen, 13, 204, 205, 365,
374. 425
Greenwood, Abram, 32, 33. 52, 151, 393
Greg, W. R., Fairness of his Writings,^
358, 70
— — his Description of the Leaders of
Progress. 413
Grim Corn ilills, 117
Guild of Co-operators, 208
Plan of the First, 208
Gurdon, J., his Paternal Farms, 303, SOS
H
Halifax, 37,274
Progress of First Society, 335
Hallett, Major, 47
Ham Common Concordium, 7, 13
Hamilton, General, vendor of Orbiston
estates. 4G7
Hampton. Lord, 305
Hand-book of Co-operators, 138. 139, 393
Happiness, Co-operative idea of, 71
flardman, John, 327
Hardwicke, Dr., 99
Hardj', Gathorne. Mr., 70
Harrison, Frederic, 248
Haymarket St jre. The, 170, 181
Hebden Bridge Fustian Society, 283
Heine, H., his great friend, 54
Helps, Sir Arthur, 444
" Herald of Progress," 14
Herbert, .Hon. Auberon, 424
Hetherington, Henry, 8, 200, 421
Heywood, Abel, Speech to Delegiites, 3277
Hibbert. Julian, beheading of, 405
Hill, Edwin, 87
GENERAL INDEX.
487
Hill, Oetavia, Miss, SSS
Hill, James, 12, 13
Hill, Matthew Davenport, l.no. 372, SSS
Hill, Sir Kowland, ISl, 385, oSs!
Hill, William, 12
Hines, William Alfred, 290
Hoare, Bellany, 285
Hebden riridgc Fustian Company, Vi'J
llobson, Joshua, 12
Hodgson, T., 424,4-35
Hodgson, I'rof., 195, 435
Hof wyl, when Brougham was there, "02
Hole, James, 337
Hollick, Br. F..28G
Holmes, John, 54, 217
, Predictions of, 337. 338. r,?.0
Home Colonzation Society, 201
Houghton, Lord, 475
Howard, Abram, 3G5
Howarth, Charles, 35, 3G, 37, 38, 3'J
Howell, George. 2(13, 269
Howick Hosiery Company, 13(i
Howitt, William, 175. 372
Huber, Professor, ]\.^.. his fastidious
partizanship, 411. 369
Hudderslield linens. 326
Hu.ggett, George, 26
Hughes, Thomas, g.C, M.P., 55, 17C, 202,
205, 209, 225, 235
Memoirs of a brother, 391
Hull Cora Mill, 318
Hundred Ma.stor System, 123, 367
Hunt, Leigh, Saying of, 218
Hunt, Thornton, theory of writing, 373
Huxley, Prciessor, 282
I
Ideals the inspiration of life, 242
Idiots of progre .s, 406
Ignorance to be treated as a calamity, 218
Ignorance sometimes a source of progress,
39
niegal bran, 54
" Imitative Co-operation," 187, 189
Impatience of the poor alone excasal)le,
184
Indifference to politics, 255
Industrial character of Co-operators, 10
Industrial and Provident Societies Acts,
56, 57, 58
Inferences of printers.
Institute, The Co-operative, 205
Ireland, its advantages over England, 227
Irish Partnerships, Act of, 1788, 2:;7
Ironside, Isaac, 7
Italian proverb, 122
—^ war Hags at the Tynesido Congress,
432
J
Jaeobi, M., 289
Jagger, J,, 204
Jay, Ecv, Mr., 107
James, Walter Henry, M.P., on City
Companies, 262
Johnson, Dr., (lellnition of politeness, CS
on sinister criticism, 351
Joint Stock not Co-operative Societies, 82
— — Companies Act, 59
Jones, Benjamin, 207
Jones, L., 8, 149, 424
"Journal of Association," 300. 303
Journals of the struggling years, 304, 365,
366
Jumbo Farm, 148
K
Kerr, Bellenden, 55
Kilmarnock calculations, 343
King, Dr., 71, 372, 399, 461
Kingsley, 372
Kingsley, Canon Charles, 3?. 172
his disinterested friendliness, 422
King Street Stoi-es, Oldham, 62
Kuowlton, Dr. C, 20G
Knowles, Willis, 105
Kyllman, Max, a German Pronagandi.=;t,
411
L
Landor, W. S., his History of the Georges,
90
Lane, Charles, 7
Larken, Edmund R., Rev., 174
Lassalle, Ferdinand, 460
Langford. Dr, John Alfred, 246, 247
Law, its Influence for Kvil or Good, 54
Laivson, Sir Wilfrid, A1,P„ Sdi;
Lawson, William, 306,346.
Lean minds. 23
Leeds. 97, 336
Corn Mill, 54
Society of 18,000 members, 339
Leicester, 100
Boot Factory, 157
Handbill, A, 112, 113
Lind, Jenny, 87
Linton, W, J., 365
Liverpool Wholesale Society. 97. 147, 33 1
Livesy, Alderman Thomas, 33, 110
Livingstone, John, 331
" Loudon Co-operation," 178, 186
London Printing Societj-, 114, 327
LongUeld, E., 369
Lot, Parson. 390
Lovett, William, his Authorship of the
People's Charter, 413
his Character as a Publieist. 41
— — his Statements concerning Ivobcrt
Owen, 412
Siieech at his Grave, 412
; Ludlow, J. M., 55, 393.
I Lyttou, The first J^ord, 1-2
I his needless industry, 450
I M
I MacclesQeld Market Store, 332
' Maedonald, A. D., 289, 298
i Mackay, Baron, 208
I Macerone, Col., Uelics of his Weapons, 3G0,
361, 362
1 Mauchline, Hicketty about Credit, 31S
I JIallet, Sir Louis. 424
I Manchester, Bishop of. 424
Presidential address of, 437
Printing Society, 126, 327
and Sal ford Society. 63
Spinning Compnny. 137
Union Building Society, 137
488
GENERAL INDEX.
Manchester Wholesale, 155, 156
Morrison, Mrs., 14
Manea Fen, 4
Mother Ann, 290
Manners, Lord George, 236, 304
Mudie, George. Scheme of, 200
Manners, Lord John, 474
Mundella, Anthony J., M.P.
Manufacturing Co-operation, 46
N
Marcroft. G., 149
Nadand, M.. 269
Market Price Stores, 188
Names of Co-operation, 34
Marina, St. Leonards-on-the-Sea, C7
Napoleon, Emperor HI., 131, 354, 385, 460,
Marriott, Rev. Charles, 203
478
Rev. Joseph. 47
Neale, E. V., 55. 58, 59, 393, 435
Martineau. Harriet, 8, 379
"Newcastle Chronicle." 156, 257, 273
Slartin, Mrs. Emma, Public notice of her
New Harmony in 1877, 299
Burial, 421
— Lanark Store, 94
Masson, Prof., 312
its Halls and Schools. 96
Masters assail Co-operators, 166
Newman, Prof. F. W., 167, 205, 419, 458,
Preferential, 83
459
Unions show no concern for Art, 266
" New Moral World." 4
Malthus, Rev. Mr, 249
" New York Tribune," 90, 153, 284
Maurice, Frederick Denison. his death. 428
Nicholls. C. F.. on Co-operative Mining in
Mayo, Lord, his wonderful Oratory, 398
Australia, 419
Marx. Dr. Karl, 460
Nicholson. Mr., 334
his contempt f tv self effort. 363
Nihilist Reputed Principles, 356
Mazzini. Guiseppe, Gift of Books bv, 349
Noble Temple. 347
Letter from, 383
Nordhoff, M., 293
McGuffog, Mr.. 107
" Northern Star," 12
Jlclnnes, J.. 417
Norwich, Bishop of. 474
McKenzie. John, 103, 470
Noyes. H.,History of American Socialisms,
Jlechanical Giants, not properly directed,
289
443
Nuttall, William, 36, 150, 257, 318
31echanics' Institutions uncomprehended
o
and unused, 261
Melbourne, Lord. 265
Oakley, Richard Banner, 209
Meldrum, Alexander James, 154
Obiecfions the lights of new projects, 279
Mellor, Zach, 17
O'Connell, Daniel, M.P.. 466
Meltham Mills, Dividend Scheme, 36
O'Connor. Feargus, 12, 362
Mendum, J. P., 296
Oddfellows try Co-operation, 323
j'llendicancy of Debt. 25
Odger, George, 254, 255
Metropolitan Dwellings .Association, 59
Odgers, James, 210
Cost of a Charter, 59
Old Crown and Anchor Meeting, 76
Co-operative Society. 207
Oldham, Pater, 7
Mill, John Stuart, 9, 55,"l04, 1C8, 199, 373,
Societies, 327
378, 379
Oneidans, 289. 307
— Definitions of Co-operation, 66, 76
Openings for Shops, 172
Letter from. 277
Orbiston Community. 37, 465
Mill, Dr. John, 337
its Mortgages, 466
Mill, James, 392
its furious Statement of Principles,
Miloradovitsch, L,, 370
467
Milton, John, on Importation of Ideas, 284
Order of Industry. 447
Mississippi Valley Trading Company, 4D5
" Orisinal Co-operators," 189
Mitchell Hey Spinning Mill, 127, 283
Ideas, 37
Modern Mauu'^cript. 162
Ossoli, Countess, 343
Molesworth, Rev. William Nassau. 42. 54
Ouseburn Engine Works, causes of Failure,
Sermon in Manchester Cathedral, 436,
271, 272
437
Owen, Robert. 8, 14, 45, 69, 107, 220
Mongcwell Store. The, 93
and the Dorchester Deputation, 265
Morgan. John Minter, G
his " patronage " of Working Men,
his interview with Pope Pius IX, 475
459
Morley, Samuel. M.P., 473
Owen. Robert Dale. 14. 291. 415
Morley Society. 339
his hcnest Katie Kiug Card, 414
" Morning Star," The, 3, 123
one of the Critteuden Compromisers,
Morrisania, 286
414
Morrison, C. 131, 205
P
Morrison. Walter, 109, 13G, 205, 306, .396,
Parallel. Lassalle and Boaconsfleld, 460
424,432.434
Pare W., 147. 254. 300
Letter to " Daily News," 176
Parliament of Blennerhassett. 307
Morris, William, habits of the early gods,
Paris M. Le Comte de, 264, 275, 386
397, 441
Delinition of Co-operation by, 225
<
GENERAL INDEX.
489
Parson Lot. 140
Partnerships, Industrial, defined, 225
"Kecord,"13
Patten, Wilson. M.P., 134, 2-31, 252
Pauper Colonies of the Dutch, 388
Pawnbrokers, 197
Pease, Joseph & Co.. Petition to, 250
Peel, Sir Robert, Et. Hon.. his famous
advice, 2-54
his Income Tax Communistic, S58
Pemberton, Charles Eeece,
Robert, his Cii'cular Communities, 309
Perseverance, a Power of the Poorest, 29
Peruvian Paternalism, 233
Phillips, "Wendell, 434
Physiological Features of movements, 1
Pitman, Henry, 3G6, 3G9, 370. 371, 390
Piety not a Commercial Quality, 454
Pius IX., Pope, 474
Place, Francis, 2GI
Plever, The, 157
Policy of Co-operators, 214
Political Economists discern new things,
234
"Poor Men's Guardian," vicissitude of,421
Poole enraged, 165
Popularity of Pauperism, 452
Post Office Clerks imitate Co-operation,
181
Practical Minds, The timid side of, 44G
Pratt, Tidd, 57
Pratt, Hodgson, 208, 209, 333, 393
Preston Society forbids criticism of its
goods, 342
its Foolish Fear of Wives, 343
Principles. Signs of Character, 79, 80, 81
Production, a Possible Evil, 78
Co-operative, seen afar off, 424
Profits. Source of Co-operation, 172
Property, its Security depends upon its
Fairness, 455
Propagandist Habits of a Spy, 401
Publicity, a Question of Discretion, 212
" Punch's " Portrait of a Farm-hand, 300
Pure Co-operation, 231
a
Questions as to Tenets not a Right, 214
Qualities of a Co-oporator, I114
of a True Workman, 144
of Collectors, 102
Queenwood, 9
R
Radicals, their Industrial Suspicion, 231
Ralahine, 4
Rapacity of Gentleman Dealers, 185
Rappites, 291
" Reasoner," The, G
Eeclus. Eli Elisee, their Perils under the
Commune, «7, 429
Relief Committee, its Shabbiness, 63
" Reynold's Newspaper," 117
Richardson, W. B., Dr., 5, 293
Rigbj-, James, 8
Eipon, Marquis, 424, 473
Robinson, Rev. Mr. Banks, his Visit to
Assiugton, 303
Rochdale, 9, 336
Description of, 27
its Central Stores, 52
Thirty-two Years of Progress, 50
Corn Mill, 52,57
Roebuck, J. A., M;P., Theory of Trado
Unions by. 249
his Revision of the People's Charter,
413
Rogers, Prof. Thorold, on Cos: of Dis-
tribution, 169, 424, 434
Romilly, Sir John. 470
Rosebery, Earl, 205
Rose, Mrs. Ernestine, 295
Eosetti, D. G., 13
Runcorn Society, its Motto from Paul, 342
Care as to Character of Members, 342
Russell. Earl, 35S
Eyall, Maltus Questcll, 8, 13, 3G4
Saffi, Prof.. 385
Salesman, Newton Heath, Rate of Pay,
334
Salisbury, Marquis, on Frugality, V.)'j
Sanderson, William, 54
Sanderson, Walter. 74
Sargant, Lucas, 254
'• Saturday Review," Statement of, 179
Saving Stores, 188
Scholefield, William, M.P., 54, 227
School Boards, 23
Schulze-Delitsch, 99, 434
Scott-Eussell Scheme, 445
Scottish Characteristics, 32
Wholesale, 154, 274
Search, Edward, and the " Spirit of the
Age," 415
Scaver, Horace, 296
Secret Business, Theory of, 128
Selborne, Lord, on Discredit of Debt, I'lj
Self-help pertains to Principles, 215
Abjures State-help, 351
Second-hand People, 25
Shaen, William, 424
Shakers, Generous Characteristics of, 291
SUakespere. 44
Shai-pe, Gilbert, an Inspector's Evilcnce,
252
Sheffield Men. Features of, 97, 33(i
•• Shepherd," The, 4
Sidebotham, Peter, 238
Simpson. George, 7, 327
Skene, G. E., writes to tho Board of
Excise, 1C5
Slaney, Hon. E. A., M.P., 55
Committee, names upon it. 134
Smith, Dr. Angus. 97
Joseph, of Wissahickon, '-U'.-j
Joseph, of Manchester, 374, 435
Eev. J. E., 7.14
Rt. Hon. W. H., M.P., )fis, 473
Toulmin, History of English Guilds,
3S9
Lucy, 3S9
Smithies, James, 32, 33, 149
Sniggs End, 4
490
GENERAL INDEX.
" Social Economist," 204
relinquished for the " Co-operative
News," 374
Socialism painted by wayward artists, SJS
Social Phj'sicians, The, 7, 8
Source of associative acerbity, 430
Southwell, Charles. 8
" Sovereig'n people,'' Duty and Conduct of
l,44S
" Spectator," 33
Speech, A Co-operative, 18
Speech glasses. Inscriptions upon, 43;1
" Spirit of the Age.' ' the hostility which
destroyed it, 415
farewell words by Mr. Search, 41 G
" Standard," its characteristics, 3-34
Testimony of the, 177
on "playing at shops," 18S
St. Andre, Jules Le Chevalier, 202, 3J2
Stanley, Hon. Lyulph. 424
Stansfeld, Kt. Hon. James, 134, 232
" Star in the East," 3. 12
Statistics of Stores, G4
Steinthall, Kev. A., Sermon to Delegates,
43G
Stephenson, Thomas, 288
Stolzmeyer, J., 13
Stores, how to begin one. 19
origin of the term, 89
Journals, Increase of 417
Insurance scheme, IIS
Storr, George, 140
Storr, John S., 159
Strangeness of success, 40
Success, changes of opinion wrought by it,
43
Suspicious Courtes}', 120
Sussex Co-operation, 321
Swinburne, A. C, 13, cl
Sybel Von, 69
Syme, David, 388, 419
T.
Talandier, M., 36G
Talfourd, Mr. Justice, 44S
Taste, a Difficult Acquirement. 2^!
Taylor, Captain, has the Floor, 297
Helen, 373
. Robert, 327
Tea, the Cheap Suspicious, 471
Tennyson's Harold. 121, 14G
Gift of Books by, 349
Testimony of an Insurance Society, 106
ThomiDson, William, 72
Thomson, James, 12
Thornton. T. W., "Work on Labour, 2G9
Mr. T., his Services in Paris, 408
Thurmaston Perturbed, 164
" Times," Letter to, 97
Timms, B. J., 285
Toad Lane, First Sales at, 4G5
Tortworth Store, 109
Tottenham Court Eoad Store, 1830, 323
Town Clerk of Eochdale, 17
Toybridge Mill of 1815, 319
Tracts by Christian Socialists, 392, 394
Travis, Dr. Henry, 8, 29
— — his Singular Ee-appearance, 408
Treasurei'3 of Progress, 287
Trevelyan Arthur, 205, 310
Truth a Fighting Power, 2
its Dangerous side, 2S
Tunhridge Wells Parochial Shabbiness,
164
Two Magistrates : Mr. Trafford and Mr.
Walker, 115
Tj-ndall, Prof. John, 281. 387
gifts of Books by, 349
Tyneside Festivity and Publicity, 431
Tyranny of Capital an Erroneous Phrase,
459
u
Underselling repudiated by Cc-operators,
178
Union. Co-operative, Laws of, 207
Unity, toleration one source of it, 20
Universal Purveyor, 203, 204
Urquhart, Dr., doctrine of shaking hands,
371
Utopian Economists, 19G
Vandeleur, Mr. 301
Vaughan, Canon, sermon to Leicester
Congress. 43G
Veuturio, Madame, account of Italian Asso-
ciations. 383
Veracity of adversaries to be assumed, 21G
Verney, Sir Harry, 474
Vigano, Professor, 424
Villages, Christian, 476
■ — — Self-supporting, 474
Voluntary Economy, a form of Heroism,
194
W
Wakefield, E. Gibbon, his Co-operative
greyhounds, 67
Walters, Messrs., 9G
Wallace. Mackenzie, 445
Wallis, George, on Mechanical originality,
2G4
Ward & Co. Messrs., Leeds, 103
Waring, Jacob, 335
Warren, Josiah, 292
Warrington Society, its motto from Isaiah,
341
Washington George, singular despair of,
299
Watson, James, 8, 3G1
Watkins. William, 117
Watts, Dr. Isaac, 102, 105
Dr. John, 7, 58, 99, 138, 255, 271, 424,
437
"Weekly Free Press," 341
Wellington, Duke of, his unknown Peril,
362
Westbury, Lord, 110
Whitehead. Joel, 330
Whittier's Song of the Gondoliers, 41
Whittaker, Thomas, 7
Wholesale Society, 207
its First Tax, 152
its Foundation, 153
Window Subscriptions, 48
GENERAL INDEX.
491
Wirth, Franz, 370, 424
Women, their Industrial Sagacitv, 237
"Woodin, J., 103
Wood, Jonathan, 320
Woolwich Store of 1S06, 310
" Working Eee," 12
Working-clas:5 Hope, 28
Workphope, NewTaste iu Construction of,
44 IJ
Progress of Equitable, 473
Worthing, Early Experience of, 321
Wright, J. W. A., 2SS, 43-5
Michael <i; Sons, Leicester, 23S
Y
Yeats, Dr. John, 200, 201, 3S7
Zurzoff. N., 431
Zuydor Zee Store, 2GS
EXD OF YOL. II.
CO-OPERATIVE ADVERTISEMENTS.
THECTILD OF CO-QPERATORs!
Estahlulied to investigate the j^rinclples, and to promote the practice
of Co-operation, rroductive, Distributive, and Social.
THOMAS HUGHES, Q.C., Chairman of the Council.
HODGSON PRATT, Eon. Treasurer.
BENJAMIN JONES, Hon. Secretanj.
THE PuRrosE -wliich the founders of this Guild have in view is
to promote among the working classes the habit of saving and
investing, by means of Distributive Societies or Co-operative Stores ;
and the application of those savings to the creation of capital in pro-
ductive industry, the j^urchase of land and dwellings, and the
acquisition of the means of social, mental and moral welfare.
The proposed Means of attaining these objects are to diffuse a
knoirledge of the principles of Co-operation and to promote its practice in
various forms. This will be done by circulating books and pamphlets,
organizing meetings, lectures and conferences ; and in order to
carry out this work, the Guild has formed a Central Council in
London, elected by all who become members of the Guild. In
connection with the Council, it is desired to form Branches and
Loccd Committees in the villages and towns of the South of England.
The Guild and its branches invite men of aU ranks to join them, and
they especially seek the alliance of existing organizations formed
among the working classes.
The Terms of Membership are an anniial payment of not
less than One Shilling ; of One Guinea or upwards (entitling the
Subscriber to a Copy of all Publications of the Guild) ; or a
single donation of Ten Guineas, constituting Life Membership.
Associations may become Members of the Guild on a payment of
Five Shillings annually.
A Copy of the Constitution of the Guild and Scheme of Procedure
will be sent to any one applying for the same.
ADDRESS :
-CO-OPERATIVE GUILD" OFFICE,
IdO, STR.\ND, LONDON, W.C.
A good cause makes a strong arm.
-O-
/
y
A-
oV
s>^ ^- y "EVERY X ^. /> \\^^. '
^vy
'/
DESCRIPTION OF ^ 'f^ '*X '>i X 'vli.
terpress ^ Litbjrapliis ^^^\?-oJ/>
>- '^, *^
^. . PRINTING V .
EXECUTED WITH DESPATCH EY THE "\^
(LIMITED),
2 & 3, PLOUGH COUHT, FETTER LANE, E.G.
k ^X'^V^mnxx ffi'0.
ESTIMATES SUPPLIED BY BETUEN OF POST.
^^X STEAM PRINTING & LITHOGRAPHIC /
"\^^ WORKS, ^.^
>. ^'^^SZ^'^-Ky. FETTER LANE, ->°^2^^*^X
■'Vx^^ V-x_ _^_ / ^/>^^ ,
^
He prospers best who labours well.
Agricultural Co-oPERATioi
THE ALEdUATS EEMELY POB ALULTERATIOI^T.
THE
nil Si i
(CO-OPERATIVE)
ASSOCIATION, LIMITED.
47, MILLBANK STREET, WESTMINSTER,
(Established 1867-)
COUNCIL.
WALTER MOEKISON, Esq.
TnOMAS HUGHES, Esq., Q.C.
E. VANSITTAET NEALE, EsQ.
DANIEL ROBERT SCEATTON, ESQ.
CAPTAIN TAYLOR.
MAJOR CAELETON SMITH.
ALEXANDER E. ALLEETOX,
WILLIAM MARSHALL, ESQ.
F. H. NEWTON, EsQ.
W. H. ANTHONY, ESQ,
OSCAR W. ROBERTS, Esq.
CHARLES E. LYON, Esq.
Esq.
EDWARD OWEN GREENINa, Esq.. Managing Diredoi:
TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP.
1st.— Five shillings per annum for tbe Agricultural Economist.
2nd.— An investment of £1 or upwards iu the Capital Fund (on interest at G per pent.).
3rd. — Cash prepayment tor goods, unless a Member has invested in the Association
a sum exceeding the amount of his orders.
DEPOTS.
LONDON, LIVERPOOL, BRISTOL, GLOUCESTER,
HULL, SOUTHAMPTON, TOTNES, WOLVERHAMP.
TON, AND NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.
The Association S2ip^lies Pure Feeding Stuffs, Artificial
Manures, Farm and Gardeii Seeds, Maize, Household and
Steam Coals, by the trucli load, direct from the Collieries to
Members'' Station. Also Agriculticral Engines, I7nple77ients,
Fc7icing, a7id Farm requisites, ESPECIALLY Steam CultI'
VATING Machinery, •ivith very rece7it a7id 77wst i77i^orta7it i7n-
provemcnts, equally advantageo7is far large and S77iall Farms.
COAL CO-OPERA.TIVE SOCIETY, Limited,
115, CHANCERY LANE, LONDON, W.C,
COAL FACTORS, COLLIERY AGENTS, AND COAL MERCHANTS.
ESTABLISHED 1872.
COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMEXT.
TTTOM.VS HUaHES, QC, Chairman.
Major-Oeneral E. B. McCREA, Army an' Xavy Co-operative
Society.
Tho Kev. ISAAC DOXSEY. F.S.S.
WILLIAM H. ANXnOXY, Agricultural and Horticultural
As.=;oointion.
TIIOS. E. WEDC, Co-operative Wholesale Society.
J. FORSTER, Secretary.
The Coal Co-operative So.'-icty supplies Country Co-operative Societies by the trunk
load, and London Societies by retail ; London and Country Working Men's CIub.s are
also supplied by the truck, and retail in London. During the year 1875 about 100
Co-operative Societies were Rupplied. The trade increased from £2.413 for the six
months ended 30th June. 1873, to £30,370 for the year ending 31st December, 187G.
Arrangements are now being made for the supply of members of the Coal Society
througli tho local Co-operative Societies.
Model Rules for Coal Clubs an<l Societi'^s free on application.
After payment of a diviil.^nd not exceeding 5 pnrceut. per annum on capital, providing
for Reserve Fund, and setting aside 2\ per cent, for Propaganda purposes, surplus proMfs
are divisable among Shareholders according to the number of tons ordered during tho
year.
All classes of Coals are supplied by rail, oanal, or sea. Coalssent from any coal district
in England.
I'.very information will be readily afforded on application to the Secretary.
See advertisements in the Co o/>erativ3 .Vewa.
Hebden Bridge
SOCIETY, LIMITED.
JiNUOLLED Sr.l'T EMBER \st, 187i\
Shares £1 each. Societies enrolled as Members.
Co-operativo Societies may cnsuro the purchase of a sound article at
an ordinary price from th(3 ahovo Society. Seveu-and-a-half per cent.
])(-r annum to share capital, and no sucond division; the remainder of
tiic profits to labour and trade, at an equal rate per £.
CURDS, MOLESKINS, VELVETEENS, and TWILLS, in every
varietv, promptly supplied.
KEADY-M.\L)E CLOTHING neatly cut and finished.
Samj)los and pricros on application.
All Goods quoted arc .subject to beinq; sold out as to the rise or fall of
the market. Societies would oblij^o by sending small samples of what
they arc accustomed to use. Terms, 2\ per ceUt. discount.
N.B. — Tho Society hfis purchased an estate which is in every way cal-
culated for carrying out its business. Wo have already commenced
Dyeing, and are prepared to Cut, Dye, and Finish all kinds of Cords,
Moles, and Twills, at reasonable terms, wliich may be had on application.
Nut Clovgh, Oct.. 1878.
Agents : North of Enplnnrt Co-oporative "Wholosalo Society, 1 Balloon Street
Manchester, and Pviddini? Chare, Newcastle ; the Scottish Wnolesale Co-opera-
tive Society, Paisley Road, Glasgow.
THE
CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY,
XjinvniTZEiD.
EXKOLLED AUGUST, 1863. BUSINESS COMMENCED MARCH 14, 1S64.
WHOLESALE GROCERS, PROVISION DEALERS, DRAPERS^
DEALERS IN
"Woollen Cloth, Moleskins, Eeady-made Clothing,
BOOTS, SHOES, BRUSHES, FURNITURE, ETC.,
AND MANUFACTURERS OF
BISCUITS AND SWEETS, BOOTS AND SHOES, AND SOAP.
Central Ofice,Banlc, and Gam-al Ware- \ .^ j^^j^j^qox Street Manchester.
houte ... ... ... ... ... )
Drapery and Boot and Shoe Warehouse ...JikSTZic Street, Manchester.
Woollen cloth Beady-made clothing, and ^ q^^^^^^ 8^^^^,^.^, Manchester.
Furniture narehouse ... ... )
Brandies:— WATEKLOO STREET, NE'WCASTLE-ON-TYNE ;
118, MINORIES, LONDON.
purchasing and forwai:ding depots: —
NSW YORK, AMERICA; LIVERPOOL; CORK, LIMERICK,
TIPPERARY, KILMALLOCK, WATERPORD, TRALEE,
and ARMAGH, IRELAND; and HARTFORD, CHESHIRE.
Biscuit and Sweet "Works :-CRUMPSALL near MANCHESTER.
Boot and Shoe Works :— WEST END SHOE WORKS,
LEICESTER.
Soap Works :-DURHAM.
A Federative Institution coinposed of .578 Societies, comprising 290,824
Members. Subscribed Capital, 27,820 Shares of £5 each, or £]3'J,100.
Societies and Companies only can become Sh.ireholders, and must take up
One Share for every Ten Members. One Shilling per Share is required to
be deposited on application ; afterwards Interest and Dividend are placed
to credit until paid up. Interest at the rate of 5 per cent, per annum is
allowed on Share Capital. The Net Profits, after this charge has been
met and due provision made for Eeserve Fund, are divided on Purchases.
In the year ending July 13th, 1878, the s:iles were £2,791,112 ; Butter
shipped from Ireland, 108,329 Firkins, besides a large business in
Continental Butters ; and Tea and Coffee Sales £198,068.
The Boot and Shoe Works, Leicester, are capable of manufacturing
300,000 Pairs of Boots per annum, which are noted for being excellent in
style and very durable.
'The Banking Department is doing a Business of upwards of £5,000,000
per annum, and divides its Xet Profits among its customers.
The above figures will convince Societies not already federated with this
Institution of the advantages such extensive and varied operations are
calculated to confer.
Fonnt of Application for Shares can le obtained at the Registered Office as above.
THE
BLAYDON DISTRICT
Industrial and Provident Society
(LIMITED.)
ESTABLISHED IN" 1858.
THE Society supplies its members and the public with goods of tho
best quality, and at prices that will compare favourably with any
house in tho trade.
At the Central Stores, Blaydon-on-Tyne, all kinds of groceries, pro-
visions, flour (our own manufacture), butcher's meat, boots, shoes and
clogs (made on the premises by our own workmen), also other kinds
of the best and cheapest description, general drapery goods, consisting of
the best makes in flannels, cottons, stuffs, beds, and all kinds of furnishing,
sewing machines, tailoring and woollen cloth, clothes made by our own
workmen of the best quality, and guaranteed to wear well and give satis-
faction, china and all kinds of earthenware, clocks, watches, gold and
silver guards, and almost every article required in a household.
The Society arc also carrying on the same business at their branches,
Burnopfield, Prudlioe, Lemington, and the Spen.
The Society is connected with other co-operative societies in manu-
facturing their own flour, furniture, printing, insurance, house building,
and engine works.
Good reading rooms and libraries free to all their members.
Any Person can join the Society at any time by paying Two Shillings
and Sixpence, and paying Three Shillings and Threepence each Quarter,
until they hold Five Shares of One Pound each in the Society.
Number of Members, December Quarter, 1878, 2480.
£ s. d.
Business for the 3-car 1877 ... ... 122,l0'5 5 2
Profits made „ „ 12,910 9 3
To Education ,, .. 240 14 7
Castle Street^ Oxford Street^ London^ W.
Established 1874.
" The Co-operative Institute is not, as might be inferred from the name,
a store or a trading company, but a Society formed to organize the means of
pure and elevating enjoyment, the Revenue arising from Members' Subscrip-
tions being applied to educational or recreative purposes. *****
It provides the combined advamtagea of Lectures, Concerts, the use of
Miidie's Books, a Reading Room, and, as far as possible, the usual adjuncts
of a Club. There are occasionally Social Evenings for dancing, but no
intoxicants are then permitted, and admission is limited to members." —
Dailj/ d^'eu'S.
First President.-THOMAS HUGHES, ESQ., Q.C
CHIEF FOUXBEES.
The Central Co-operative Board of the United Kingdom: The Right Hon. the Earl of
Eoseberj' ; The Right Hon. Cowper-Temple, M.P. ; Thomas Brassey. Esq., M.P. : Walter
MurrJpoD, Esq. ; Thomas Hughes. Esq., Q.C. : Hodgson Pratt. Esq. ; E. Vansittart Neale,
Esq, M.A. ; Charles Morrison, Esq.; Mr. Geo. Jacob Holyoike.
VICE-PRESIDENTS AND LIFE MEMBERS.
His Royal Highness Le Comte De Paris; Sir Walter C. Trevelyan, Bart. ; Sir Erskine
Perry; Lieut.-Col. Chichester.
EDWARD OWEN GREENING. Chairman. HERBERT TAYLOR, Hon. Sec.
E. TEALS, Strretan/.
DBKBY
Co-operative Provident Society,
LIMITED.
ESTABLISHED 1650.
REGISTERED OFFICE, ALBERT STREET, DERBY,
Present number of Members, S'JOO. Share Capital, £48,000.
This Society supplies its Members by means of a Central Establishment and Sixteen
Branches with a supply of Pure Groceries and Provisions, Drapery, Furniture, Cloth-
ing. Boots, Jewellery, Coal, Butchers' Meat, <fcc.
We are Manufacturers of Boots, Clothing, and Bread (5000 stones weekly), and have
a Building Department in connection with »he Society and during the last three years
have erected for the Members about 200 cottage hou,ses.
A Monthly Record of the Society is published Free. One per cent, of the nett profits
is placed to its Educational Fund.
Business, £l#i),000 Per Annum.
SHEFFIELD INDUSTRIAL AND PROVIDENT
d^utkriT 5bni(liir0 & Ifaimfacturing
SOCIETY, LIMITED.
12, COURT EOCKINCtHAM STREET, SHEFFIELD,
YORKS, ENGLAND.
TABLE KNIVES AND FORKS, SCISSORS AND TAILORS' SHEARS^
Pen, Pocket, ani Sportsman's Enives,
RAZORS AND ALL KINDS OF CUTLERY.
Traders in Electro Plate and AHckel Silver Goods,
Spoo7is^ Forks, &c. Qfc.
AND
BRITANNIA METAL TEA AND C0F7EE POTS.
AGENTS-CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETIES.
THE GLOUCESTER
CO-OPERATIVE AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY,
Limited,
general drapers, clothiers, boot and shoe makers,
BAKERS, GROCEKS and PRtniSION DEALERS, BUTCHERS and
COAL MERCHANTS.
ESTABLISHED JULY, I860.
Central Stores and Offices. — Brunswick Road.
BE, A. ITCHES :
No. 1.— .STR.VTTOX RO.\D. I No. 4.— STDHROOK.
„ 2.— B.VRTON" STUEET. „ .J.— CURSE, uear GLOUCESTER.
„ 3.— 106, WESTGATE STREET. | „ «.— CLARENCE ST., Cheltbsham.
Checks Given and Dividend Paid on all Goods Purchased.
WEEKLY UALF-UOLIDAY, THURSDAYS from ONE o'clock.
Reading Room and Lending- Library, Free to Members.
The. Committee meet on Tuesday and Fridaij evenings at 8.
Oeneral Meetings of Hembers. first "Wednesday in eacii month.
THE ^'CO-OPERATIVE NEWS."
THE ONLY ORGAN OF CO-OPERATIVE INFORMATION IN
THE UNITED KINGDOM.
The " News " is the property of a Federation of Co-operative Societies
located in all parts of Great Britain. It is an exponent of opinion,
thoroughly impartial and comprehensive, upon all subjects connected
with Association, particularly in its application to the Distribution and
Production of "Wealth. It is a free platform for the discussion of topics
bearing upon the soeial -well-being of the people, and affords an oppor-
tunity for the expression of every view of Co-operation which commends
itself as thoughtful and sincere.
It aims at becoming ihe paj^er for the working man, by embracing every
subject interesting to him in his daily life.
The importance of maintaining a vehicle for the conveyance of co-
operative intelligence cannot be overrated. Each society is invited to
become a shareholder, and every individual co-operator is solicited to
subscribe.
To Advertisers. As the organ of one of the largest putchasmg
communities in existence, the '■ Co-operative News " offers unequalled
facilities for bringing any article of general consumption before the public.
The "News" ma}^ be had by application to any Bookseller, through
the Local Stores, or from the Offices of the Society, City Buildings,
Corporation Street, Manchester. Price Id. weekly.
ESTABLISHED 20 YEARS.
Jrirmcmalvcrs' ^ 6illrtrs' ^ss0ria;ti0iT,
^' LIMITED. "^
TASHLEY, JsEWTO^\ cj- YOUXG, Managers.
COMPOSITION AND CARTON-PIERRE ORNAMENT,
LOOKING GLASS, PICTURE FRAME, AND DECORATIVE FURNITURE
MANUFACTURERS,
19, Red. liion ScLuare, Holborn, Liondon, W.C.
Csnsole, Pier, Occasional, and Fancy Tables. Looking Glasses of every description.
Picture Frames in every variety. Decorations for Drawing and Dining Eooms. Libraries,
Theatres, and other Public Buildings. Shop Fronts, &c. Carving and Gilding in all its
branches. Designs furnished and Estiinates given.
LEWES CO-OPERATIVE
BENEFIT BUILDING SOCIETY
Is the most economical Building Society in England, and is conducted on Co-operative
principles, viz., the profits are divided with Borroictrs as well as investors in proportion
to the number of shares held. All persons in the South of England wishing to purchase
their house on easy terms should send for rules and information to fl. Pumpheey,
Secretary, Lewes. (Price of rules, 6d.).
Eepayments may be spread over any time from Onb to Fifteen Years.
"Weekly payment for an advance of S.V'f) for 15 years, 3s. Dd. per week. SubscriptionB
may be paid weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Societies, or individuals having surplus
cash, will find it advantageous to invest with this Society. Shares, £10 each. Interest
on shares 5 per cent, per annum. Loans can he taken to any amount ; interest 4 per
cent, per annum. Loans are withdrawable at short notice.
SOCIETY, LIMITED,
Central Office and General Grocery, Provision and Drapery
Warehouse,
101, Paisley Road, Glasgovv^.
BRANCHES.— 137, Constitution Street, Leith,
and Braefoot, Kilmarnock.
ESTABUISHED ISSQ.
This Federation of Co-operative Societies was instituted and is carried on for the
purpose of aggregating the purchasing power of the Co-operative Societies in Scotland,
und to bring tliem into closer contact with the producer, thus adding the prollt of the
Wholesale Merchant to that of the ratail trader, and ther<jl)y greatly increasing the
individual consumer's profit. It is :ilso a hond of union b}- wiiicli established societies
are able to direct, assist, and foster young and inexperienced Societies, and will prove
the best medium for the Development of Oo-operative Manufacturing Societies,
(ioods are supplied to none but registered Co-operative Societies.
A weekly Price List is sent to about •.'■5u Societies, which contains sound, valuable,
and important information regarding the state of the various markets.
Having taken up the position of Sugar Bi-okers, and attending the Greenock Sugar
Exchange daily, we are in a position to supply this important article on the very
^st terms.
Special arrangements are in operation for supplying American and Continental
Produce, the former from Glasgow and the latter from Leith, consisting of Flour,
Butter. Cheese, Hams, I'acon, Lard, etc.
We keep a large, varied, and carefully-selected stock of Drapery Goods always on
hand. Patou'a famed Alloa and Baldwin's Fingering Yarns supplied direct from
the mills.
The Boot and Shoe Department contains a large and varied assortment of Goods
unsurpassed for stylo, durability, and finish.
We are Agcuts for the l'aisle3', Dunfermline, Hawick, Hebden Bridge, Eccles,
Airedale, and Leeds Woollen Cloth Co-operative Manufacturing Societies, and the
Agricultural and Horticultural Association (Limited), London.
We supply Singer's, Kimball ifc Morton's, Howe's & Bradbury's Sewing Machines on
the most advantageous terms.
We have also made arrangements with the Co-operativo Watch Manufacturing
Society, Coventry, to be their sole Agents for Scotland. All watidies guaranteed, and
the prices are much cheaper than similar articles can be got through the ordinary
channels.
We are also the principal agents in Scotland for the Co-operativo Insurance Company
(Limited), Manchester. Forms of application and all necessary information may bo
obtained at our central oEBce.
Household Furniture of all kinds supplied at Wholesale prices.
A Registry for Co-operative Servants kept ; particulars on application.
Account Books specially prepared for Co-operative Societies always on hand. Speci-
men pages of Books, Price Lists, and sampies of goods forwarded to any Society on
application.
Every information, on application, will be given to assist in the formation, or for the
successful conducting of Co-operative Societies.
%ii\ifM ^nkmtxml ^o(i{% ^imiti^l
&
REGISTERED OFFICE, NORTHGATE, HALIFAX.
ESTABLISHED SEPTEMBER, 1850.
The Society now consists of a large Central Store and twenty-four
branches. The branches of business carried on by the Society are as
follows : —
GROCERY AND PROVISIONS j BUTCHERING
LINEN AND WOOLLEN DRAPERY 1 FARMING
TAILORING ; COAL
ROOT AND SHOE MAKING ■ GENERAL HOUSE FURNISHING
CLOGGING I CABINET MAKING
ALSO DEALERS IN PATENT MEDICINES, JEWELLERY, Ac.
The business of the Society has increased from £2000 in the first year of
its existence to a quarter of a million and upwards.
The ijianageuient of t.lie Society is vested in the President, Vice-president,
thirteen Directors, and the Secretary.
GREAT GRIMSBY
liiksiriiil Jioiir Slill ^adt%
LIMITED,
ABBEY WALK. GREAT GRIMSBY,
LINCOL3S"SHIRE.
DEALERS IN FLOUR, OFFALS, AND ALL DESCRIPTIONS OF HORSE
CORN, <tc.
'^REGrsTEREFi COVENTRY CO-OPERATIVE
I ^:^ Matcljlllaimfarturing <^0rict]T>
i ^^S^ I LIMITED.
TRADE MARK. I President- Mr. JOSEPH HEPWORTH.
Aquits—TllE MAyCIlESTER AND SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALES.
Sound EDglish Silver Lever Fuzbp aud Chain Watches sent to anj' address in the
United Kingdom on receipt of P. O. Order or order from Secretary of a Registered Co-
operative Society, from 55/- Letters, Telegrams, and Parcels to be directed to the
Secretary, 35, MOUNT ST., CHAPEL FIELDS, COVENTRY.
All kinds of Watdies made lo order.
TRUBNER & CO.'S LIST.
GREG.— The Devii/s Advocatr. Bj' Percy Greg, author of " Interleaves." 2 vols.,
crowD Svo. pp. iv. — 340 and 302, cloth, 21s.
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