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    to acknowledge that the self-organized cooperation of labour must bring about some important changes in the social condition of the working-classes . But passing from general principles to their practical results , I will at once proceed with the history of the Paris Associations . The first association established in Paris was that of the working-jewellers , founded in , 1835 . The founders and promoters of this society were men who had spent their lives among the workingclasses , who to their physical want and sufferings

    frequently add the still more intolerable evil of moral degradation . Their principal object was to ameliorate the social condition of the workman , and to raise him in the moral and social scale ; to make him independent , and enable him to trust fearlessly to his own exertions and rely upon his own resources —thus converting the mere hired labourer into a working-partner in the enterprise . Their motto was the emancipation of the working-classes . " The Sroblem to be solved was this : —To supply the inuatrious workman with the instruments and

    materials needful in his trade ; and to protect him , if possible , by a kind of social insurance , against the evils resulting from the absence of employment for a lengthened period ; and thus , by means of foresight andfraternalcooperation , gradually change the existing anarchy into industrial order . Under the Monarchy , in 1834 , all societies for the discussion of so ? ial or political questions having been suppressed , writings and tracts on the subject of cooperative association , in which the question was treated in a serious and scientific form , were

    circulated among the workmen , or thrown in their way . A working-jeweller on leaving home for his « atelier " one morning , picked up several of these tracts under the gateway of the house in which he lived . He glanced rapidly over them at meal time , and in the evening , when the labours of the day were over , he read them carefully through . The novel idea of cooperative association flashed upon him like a sudden inspiration . His mind became so much engrossed with the subject that it deprived him of sleep —notwithstanding his work-weariness . He at last communicated his thoughts to some of his intimate

    friends , who were equally impressed with the advantages to be gained by such a system of self-organization , if applied either to manufacturing or agricultural labour ; and they thought only of realizing this great boon for the People . At length four of the jewellers formed themselves into an Association ; their little savings , amounting to two hundred francs , being their sole resource . They drew up a code of rules and regulations—a very imperfect one—which was submitted to the men of law and modified , without finding means , however , to legalize the Association , and thus place it under the protection of the

    law . M . Necker , the well-known financier , remarked that all civil institutions seem to have been formed for the proprietors . He says : — "It is frightful in opening the code of laws , everywhere to discover the evidence of this fact . It appears as if a small number of persons , after having divided the earth among them , had passed laws to secure themselves against the multitude , aa it were a defence against wild animals of the forest . " In the civil code , the interests of the working-classes had been completely overlooked . There was not a word about association , but coercive laws in abundance in the interest of the employers .

    This omission , afterwards , proved very disastrous to the associates . After struggling through eight years of toilsome existence , just when their business was increasing , and they were beginning to realize onsiderable profits , the misconduct and egotism of two of their members nearly led to the dissolution of the society . These two dishonest men determined to appropriate a portion of the common fund , and with it they carried off a number of valuable models , and some of the best customers of the association ; and this they were enabled to do with impunity , in consequence- of the defective stute of the law .

    Undismayed by reverses , the little band again recommenced their work , and this time , with the assistance of some enlightened members of the republican party , who took an interest in their welfare , the associates succeeded in obtaining the protection of the law as an association , and were finally registered in 1843-In the preface of their contract they stated , that the undersigned workmen , considering that the association of labour is the true method of enfranchising the aularied classes , and removing the hostility which and the workmen

    now exists between the employers ; considering that association is the best means of introducing order and peace into the industrial ranks , of preserving the sentiments of duty mid morality , on which depend the future destiny of French society ; considering that it i » a simple application of the morality taught by Christianity and i * in conformity with the principles authorized by the evil law ; wishing to set an example to their brethren , and to give them practical proof of the advantages of association ; and being convinced that the association of labour in a work of devotedncBa . und of morality , and tun only huccccU on that condition ; beinj $ therefore

    determined to make all the personal sacrifices necessary for the success of the enterprise ; have , in consequence , drawn up the present deed , which contains the principal basis of their Association ; and all pledge themselves , before God and upon their honour , to execute scrupulously the conditions hereinafter stipulated . ., By their new statutes every associate was required to renounce all attempts to establish himself independently of the society—under a penalty of 25 , 000 f . But , on the true Democratic principle , he was not required to bring any realized capital . All we require , said the associates , is good conduct and a sincere desire to work for the benefit of the Association .

    A seventh of the profits of the society was reserved for the indivisible capital , in order to perpetuate ( " eterniser" ) association ; and in recognizing the collective authority of the members in the election of their managers and foremen , they acknowledged the sovereignty of the People . Instead of treating each other like enemies , and sacrificing the weak to the strong by the inexorable law of unrestricted hostile competition , they lived together like brothers . As men and as citizens , their duty was to fulfil these moral obligations , and by the generous spirit of voluntary cooperation to raise themselves to the social dignity of man . But they did not commit the error of adopting the system of equal wages , which they thought calculated only to lower and depress the energy and activity of the

    workman . The principle of payment was this : — " In proportion to the work done , and according to the capacity of each ; and at the end of the year the division of profits is made in the ratio of the daily pay . " This association has never numbered more than seventeen members ; it now consists of eleven . The following reasons are assigned ( in a return made by themselves ) for the absence of the six : — " Doubt of success" deprived them of " one asso" Delicate health and want of skill , of another . "

    «• Love of gain , at the expense of ( en exploitant ) their brothers—two . " " Moral death ( or misconduct which is degrading)—one . " " Natural death—one . " Ever since the association has been regularly constituted and acquired legal security , no misfortunes have occurred . Like other establishments , it has suffered from depression of trade , and from pecuniary embarrassment , yet it has punctually fulfilled all its engagements . Honest and straightforward in their dealings , the reputation for integrity of the associates is well established .

    When the Government , in 1848 , opened a credit of three millions of francs for promoting associations , the jewellers obtained a loan of 25 , 000 francs ; and the following passage , taken from the report of the Government commissioner—M . Lefevre Durufleis a remarkable testimony in their favour , as that gentleman is hostile to the cooperative system . He says , in his report—" The association of jewellers established previously to 1848 appeared to be based

    upon sound and enduring principles . Although secular in its character , this association is founded on a religious idea . The directing authority is vigorously constituted , but mildly exercised . The moral improvement of its members , rather than the acquisition of wealth , which , however , has not been found wanting , is the aim of this society . In short , the most perfect harmony appears to reign in the community , which would be more conclusive in its retail ts it its members were more numerous . "

    I will now direct your attention to the association of pianoforte makers in the Faubourg St . Denis , as another very remarkable instance of success . The business of manufacturing pianos is divided into a number of distinct branches . The lar ^ e manufacturer firat places himself in communication with the " chefs de specialite , " or heads of each particular branch , who realize large profits . The heads of departments then enter into contracts , by piecework , with other master workers or foremen , of whom there are a limited number ; und , lastly , these foremen or contractors employ the working-men , and reap their profits out of the skill , Htrength , and low wages of the men ; and thus , however liberal and generous be the head manufacturer , wages often decline to twenty or thirty pence a day . Tins business of the middleman or contractor is

    called murchanduge ; and during the revolutionary period of 1818 the words , " No more marchandage !" were inscribed upon the banners of the workmen . When the Constituent Assembly opened a credit of . ' 5 , 000 , 000 of francu in favour of the associations , out of « i 000 working pianoforte maker * generally stationary in Paris , several hundreds acting in concert together determined to solicit the Government for a loan for the purpose of founding a greut uhhociution . After the lapse of several months their request was refused , lly that time the individual resources of the workmen were exhausted , and the great association failed ; but fourteen of the men resolved to peraevere , und each brought a contribution according to his metinn—some brought money , but in very small sums , amounting to 22 Uf . ( £ 9 ) in all , ( Although first established on thy 8 tU of

    March , 1849 , the association was not formally registered until the 10 th of December following . ) Their most important acquisition was the remnant of a stock of well-seasoned wood , valued at

    £ 80 , which belonged to one of the associates who had been himself unsuccessful in business . This man when isolated , and with an insufficient amount of capital , was unable to maintain his position , but the novel idea of cooperative association opened a fair prospect of redemption to him , and thus also , perhaps unconsciously to himself , he became an instrument of good to others . He died , however , in a few months prematurely ( of cholera ) , but ten unfinished pianos , forming part of his old stock , were completed by his brother associates for his widow and her children , whom she is thus enabled to maintain by letting out the pianos for hire . For some months the associates suffered great privations , and were obliged to deny themselves even the necessaries of life ; but , after three months of anxiety

    and suffering , a purchaser from Sweden appeared , and on the 4 th of May , 1849 , the price of their first piano was received a peaceful conquest in the cause of association . After payment of some pressing debts the share of each associate amounted to 6 f . 12 sous ; and after appropriating 5 £ . to each of them , the surplus was devoted to a fraternal fete . For one day the ateliers were deserted , and all the associates with their wives and children adjourned to the neighbouring " barriere . " For another month they were obliged to content themselves with 5 f . a week . In June , a musical baker offered to purchase a piano for 480 f ., to be paid in kind ( in bread ) . The value of this bread , however , was not deducted from their wages ; every one ate as much as he wanted , and the married associates were

    freely allowed to carry home sufficient bread for their wives and children . After the month of August their wages gradually rose to 10 f ., 15 f ., and 20 f . a week ; but , before this payment was made , the amount necessary for the purchase of tools and materials was deducted for the benefit of the whole association ; and all surplus money was placed respectively to the credit of each associate . The system of payment adopted in this association is by piece work , according to a tariff fixed upon by the general assembly ; but a per centage is retained from the share of each member until he have completed the sum of 1000 f ., when 5 per cent , is paid upon all further deposits . Profits are divided equally . But all the improvements or services rendered by individual associates are duly registered , and rewards are voted for them , as a stimulus to zeal and intelligence .

    The neat and accurate manner in which the books are kept , under the superintendence of the family council , " conseilde famille , " and manager , elected by ballot , is very striking . " Mantien de tous les fonctionnaires , " is the motto generally adopted by the associates , and sometimes written on their ballottingpapers . Three accounts are opened in the name of each member , by which he can ascertain , at any moment , the general Btate of affairs and of his own account as a shareholder and stipendiary . The capital or stock accumulated now amounts to 45 , 0001 " . with about SOOOf . in money in the coffers of the association , which now consists of thirty-two members . Two hundred and fifty-five pianos have been completed and sold , besides two sent over to the great Exhibition , under the name of Detir ( the gerant )

    and Co . One of the distinguishing characteristics of these societies , to which none but working-members are admitted , is the accumulation of an indivisible capital or hereditary fund , destined for the use of successive generations of workmen . The indivisibility of this fund has been objected to by some ( very sincere friends of association ) , as tending to Communism ; but I do not think the objection of much weight . Communism , as I said before , being the negation of all individual property , tends also to annihilate

    individual liberty ; but under the cooperative system , individual property and liberty are perfectly secured . It is of the utmost importance to impress upon the working-classes the absolute necessity of ace jmu luting capital , and the Economists urc very touchy upon this point . But when the moral and intellectual faculties of the People are fully developed by a sound system of education , the claims of family—of th « rising generation , will be found quite as powerful an incentive to oeconomy aa the thrift of the most spirited capitalist . for the

    In all the associations a fund i . <« net apart relief of the widowH , orphans , and invalid associates , besides a reserve , in ease of any casualties orcontmgencicB which may und do frequently occur . The surplus profits , varying from () 0 to 80 , or even W ) per cent ., are then divided among the members , either in equal or unequal proportions according to the wtututea of the uHSociation . The workmen are now generally opposed to the system of equal wuges , and it would appear that nearly ttimilur objections apply to « n equal division of profits . wuh

    A singulur trial of the system of equal wages made by M . Lodurd , a French bottlo-muker , at the request of hia workmen , and ttignully failed . Iho system of equal wuucu und equal profit , UowuYcr ,

    Untitled Article

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• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 2, 1851, page 722, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1894/page/6/