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Leader (1850-1860), 5th February 1853, Edition 1 of 1, Page 129, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      as compared with the openings to vice , debt , and improvidence , our usual mode of credit induces ? Another economic fact is worthy of attention , and illustrates what you , the Leader , have often instanced . Too many salesmen in a trade tend to raise the standard of price , instead of lowering it , by competition ; . because , as all must live , their profits must be levied accordingly , and , if there are more than needful , we pay just so much the more . This v / e avoid , by limiting the number of our shopkeepers to a certain amount of business , which , if not done , they are displaced , and thus a wage at the rate of Is . per bag , for selling , pays them well , Whereas 2 s . is often obtained by other shopkeepers , who probably do not get as much as ours do , because

      they sell much ' less . This item of savings to our society amounts to a very considerable sum , in upwards of 2000 bags per month . I have not touched upon a tithe of the advantages we command , as co-operatives , though , perhaps , there is sufficient to merit attention . During the period of our experiment , there has been the worst trade crisis the milling trade ha 3 ever experienced . In our locality , ten or twelve mills have become bankrupt ; all have complained ; and it is only just now the tide has -turned Jrom a steady and continual fall in price . If we have stood this , with our experience to gain , I leave you to judge whether our success is not likely to be sound and lasting . The trade loudly denounce our results , —they cannot understand

      it , and so say it is not true ; but the members have only to go on to see greater things still . As a sort of philosophic puzzle and social contrariety , I may add , ¦ we have a great opposition manifested by some members to extending our operations into other departments of human requirements , as well as a strong wish to draw out bonuses immediately , instead of accumulating to extend . Ignorance is the principal cause , doubtless ; but let a few more experiments ^ be made , like the Leeds Flour Mill , and we shall be certain to see this principle of co-operation extend , deepen , and grow into a blessing to the members and society in general . Most respectfully , &c , Uevile-street . J- H . P . S . —Shillings and pence have not been reckoned , to avoid complexity . We append the report of the society , which was unanimously adopted : — The directors of the " Leeds Co-operative * Flour and Provision Society , " ( late Leeds District Flour Mill 8 ociety , ) have great pleasure in laying the accompanying balance sheetbefore the members . The prospects of the Society were never brighter ; with proper management , a glorious future awaits us . Our trade is still imnroving—rapidly improving . The last half year of the Society his been the best half year , and the last month the best month in the half year . We have ground more grain , and at a proportionable less cost , than during any month since the commencement of the Society . Twelve months since we considered 1200 bags a fair month ' s work : this month we have ground no less a quantity than 1878 $ .

      If we turn to the profit made we have a still better result . During the last year wo have made a profit of 162-1 L 2 « . 2 Jd . — 5001 . of it being made during the last month . We have not been two months cortifled , and yet wo have added a profit of more than 7001 . Spread the news far and wide ; show your neighbours the balance sheet ; toll them you have realized _ 10 * . in one rear on a oapital of twenty shillings ! Ask them to join , and help to push forward this glorious principle , ¦ which shall yot raise tho working man beyond the reach of poverty , and choor and bless the world . The vexed question of revision of rules is now happily flofc at rest . They are certified , and are now the rules of the Socioty . We can now sell to tho public legally , and at a fair remunerating price . The littlo experionco wo have had of soiling to tho public speaks well for the general principle , and tho men desorv © well who so nobly and persoveringly advocated this doctrine , and brought it to a successful issue .

      Notice has been given of a proposition to increase tho shares from 20 « . to 30 » . This will require soino oxplamitimi . Formerly , when our numbers woro small , and our sales limitod to members , consumption was what wo wanted , and not money . Now that we sell to the public , it is money that wo want , for tho purpose of providing a suflloionoy of tho raw material , as well as consumption . A glanco at tho iieoountB will explain this . Wo have a sunk capital of 370 CV . ; wo owo for tho purchasomoney of tho mill KMXM ., making a mini of 4 , 7001 ., without allowing ono halfpenny for grain . During tho hint month wo sold and delivered goods amounting to 4 > 7 ' A ' M . 11 j . llrf ., or nearly

      V 2 . 001 . por wook . We must havo at tho least ono weolc h stock of grain ; wo ought to havo more , or wo shall lie compelled to buy every wook , whatovnr stato , condition , quality , or prioo tho market may bo in ; but say tho vory lowest posmhlo working point , 1000 / ., whioh , added to 4700 / ., makes ft total of 5700 / . ; supposing wo do not pay oft ' tlin 1000 / ., it loaves us < li 700 / . With what shall wo moot thin p Tho number of paid up members is about 3000 , which , at 1 / . por share , is 3000 / ., leaving a deficiency of 1700 / ., or 700 / . lens than tho oapital alroiuty mink in the mill . 3000 members , at 30 » . por inomhnr , would givo 4 f > 00 / ., leaving it deficiency of 200 / . j but this would noon ho miulo up from tho constant inllux of new members .

      Hut some ono asks , how do you pay now P Wo owo near 000 / . for tho lant bonus , and have a further iicmimulut . ion of profits for tho laHt year of 10 » . per membra . This is tho money with which wo work . Hupposing the nhuron be advanced to 30 k ., then every member who has not got his bonus , that in , . who lias only got his ( lour , and his other bonus remaining in the Hooioty , would stand thus : -1 st Ihmiiih , tt « . ; 2 nd boiuin , 10 a . —total , 1 H « . Tho member would havo to receive H /» . from tho Hoointy , which could bo paid at once . Those who havo received both boniisoH

      would have nothing to pay , and then ovory mom her would havo paid 30 * . por share . Bnppono you rofurto to advance tho hIiim-cim , tho directors , whoever they may bo , will In ; oMii / mt to keep Ilio money . No Board can pay money unless tlmy have it , and in order to moot their payments , they must keep it , whether you toim it boniiM , or profit , or share , or whatsoever you choose to eull it . If you leave it in without rising tho shares , any ono by paying 20 » . will participate ill the profitH previously made . Advance tho sharos to 30 « ., and the whole of tho boinm can bo paid at ouoo ; keep thorn u » they are , and it cannot . But you

      said 2 < M . per share was sufficient to work the mill . Yes , to work it , but not to biiy it . With 3000 J . the mill could be worked efficiently , if we rented a place ; but 3000 ? . will not pay for a freehold , and buy machinery value 4700 / . If any one said it could , < they committed a grave error . Cannot you buy on credit ? Yes ; but not to advantage . If we buy on credit , wo must pay credit prices , and then farewell to cheap flour , and farewell to bonuses . . . No ; its we stated in our last report , ready money must be our motto . Ready money goes through the world and holds up its head , while credit skulks into back rooms and fears the light of day . If we wish tb be free and independent , we must pay for what we get . With ready money wo can command the best article at the cheapest rate : with credit we must take what we can get . One word as to the choice of trustees and directors . The Society is iust now in a state of transition . The whole of the

      board need election . The trustees need election . Be cautious , and before you vote , think . At the risk of being misunderstood and misinterpreted , we would say , be careful , and do not elect untried men ; men who have had no experience in such affairs . You would have needed no caution if we had only been electing half of the board , as formerly , as there would have been at least one half who would have had some experience in tho matter . The directors , after mature consideration , thought they would not be doing their duty if they did not recommend some plan of action to the members . They recommend the following gentlemen as likely persons to fill tho office of trustees—viz ., John Ardill , cardmaker , Burley ; David Ureen , stationer , Leeds ; William West , tailor , Leeds ; JoTin Holmes , draper , Leeds ; and William Eggleston , merchant , Leeds . They likewise strongly recommend that R . M . Carter be president , and Samuel Sands , vice-preaident . On behalf of the Board , Edwin Gaunt , Secretary .

      Untitled Article

      EARL ST . GERMANS IN DUBLIN . The Earl of St . Germans made his public entry into Dublin at three o'clock on Thursday afternoon . The day turned out very fine , and he rode on horseback from Westland-row to the Castle . ' His reception along the route was extremely cordial . A body of the University students cheered the Earl as the cortege passed the College . The Lord Mayor and Corporation preceded the procession from the railway terminus to the Castle . The Countess of St . Germans and the Ladies Eliot rode in a close carriage , and were also cordially greeted by the spectators stationed in the streets .

      Untitled Article

      MORE OF THE AGAPEMONE . We find the following report in the morning journals . Matters , it is said , are not proceeding very smoothly at this establishment near Bridgewater , and it is not improbable that some of its mysteries may shortly be exposed . An affair has recently occurred which has caused much gossip in the neighbourhood . It appears that about five years ago , Mr . James House , an attorney , of North Curry , Somersetshire , 4 | ecame an inmate , with his wife , of the " Abode of Love , " conforming , of course , to one of its paramount conditions , by conveying all his property in favour of that institution . Weary , at last , of Uic nsngo lie experienced , and disgusted with the conduct of those around him , he contemplated his escape ; but , aware of such , intention , he was vigilantly kept in surveillance , and no opportunity of effecting his object presented itself until the night of Sunday , tho 16 th ult ., when he managed to make Ins way over tho walls of the building , and , leaving his wife therein , he succeeded in reaching tho house of his brother , a respectable farmer of North Curry , where ho was kindly received , and congratulated on his return . The retention of Mrs . James Itouso soon attracted tho atttontion of tho family , and her rescue was undertaken by Mr . Itouso s brother . Accordingly , with a companion , they left North Curry in a lig ht carriage , and . were proceeding towards Charlinch , when , at a four crossway on tho road , they encountered one of tho vehicles belonging to tho Agapomono , driven by a servant on tho box , and Mrs . Itouso m the rumble , who was delighted at tho prospect of her release from captivity . A few words sufficed to announco Mr . House ' s intention , but it Avas vehemently resisted by tho Agapemono charioteer , who resolutely refused to admit of her leaving tho carriage . Mr . Itouso , however , was not to be deterred , and , brandishing a stout oaken cudgol , contested tho matter too strenuously to render his victory doubtful . Tho struggle , howovor , continued for some time , to tho great terror of tho poor woman , whoso habiliments were disordered in tho contest ; and it was not , until she was dragged out of tho hind part of tho carrmgo that Mr . Itouso ultimately succeeded in placing her in lus ^ own vehicle , in which ' ho then rapidly drove oil" to North Curry . The head of tho establishment still continues to flaunt about tho neighbourhood in a curriago-and-four , with outriders in rich livery , and escorted by bloodhounds . It is not improbable that Mr . ltouso will seek to recover his property , and obtain redress lor his coerced detention . It is stated that several other inmates havo avowed thoir determination of quittinAho establishment .

      Untitled Article

      HOW ONE MAY LIVK AND DIE IN ENGLAND . Mr . IClmott , at tho Lambeth Police-court , was occupied on " Wednesday in an extraordinary investigation touching the death of Mr . William Jones , tin aged gentleman of fortune , residing at Springfield Cottage , Acre-lane , Hrixton . Klizabeth Viokors , a middle-aged well-dressed woman , who had for many years lived in tho capacity of housekeeper to deceased , stood charged with having caused his death by became

      violent meuiiN . Tickers , ho it- had been arranged , entitled to the bulk of tho aged man ' s property , to the exclusion of the relatives . It appeurs from the evidence , thai , the prisoner had long held complete ascendancy over the infirm muster ; indeed , her influence was mich that of late the crudest prison life would have been merciful compared to what the subjugated gentleman had received in his own house , at . the hands of his masculine housekeeper . MissHusan Allen , residing next ; door , staled Miuf , Klizabelh Vickers came to live witli Mr . Jones thirteen years ago - On New Ycar ' a Day , oho spoko with Mr , Jonea oyor tho

      garden fence . This was a week prior to his death , and fie then appeared in excellent health , and cheerful , although displaying marks of having been cruelly treated . Miss Allen observed a very large bruise on the right side of his head , as big as a walnut , and another just above that , as large as a moderate sized tea-cup , which was still bleeding , his night-cap being saturated ^ with blood . The strangest part of the affair is the infatuation of deceased in cheerfully submitting to a series of cruelties and manifesting no desire of escape . Miss Allen had seen the prisoner beat the old man with her clenched fists , and pull him about tho garden by his grey hairs . For the last twelve months not a week had passed in which the cruel servant had not beaten the master , who had in his dotage

      made ovor to his keeper tho sum of 1000 Z . Miss Allen belie-wed Tickers had not been sober an entire day except Sundays for a year . Mrs . Annie Gray had been a next door neighbour up to the 6 th of December . She had been an ear-witness to the dreadful doings at Springfield cottage ; had spoken with the aged gentleman , had commiserated with , and proffered her services . The old man , in bis anguish , had told her that be was a " miserable man . " Tickers and Mr . Jones had quarrels about money matters . Mrs . Gray had heard prisoner say , " Give me the money and let me go ! " at the same time beating the old man , who would reply , " Don ' t leave me ; I cannot lose you . " Mrs . Gray had heard cries of " murder ;" and had spoken to a policeman . The old man ' s life was made up of blows and groans . Relatives called to take the old man away , but were unable to obtain admission , such was the vigilance of the domestic turnkey and to the ht

      the decrepitude of the victim . We now come nig of the old man ' s death . Miss Maria Hammond lived next door . On the night when Mr . Jones died , she was much disturbed by noises in the next house . From the voices she could distinctly tell that only the prisoner and Jones ¦ were in the room ( the back parlour ) at the time . Heard Tickers talking angrily , and beard the deceased say , " O ! what do you say . " Miss Hammond immediately after heard a heavy fall upon the floor , followed by a death-like silence , during which not so much as a whisper was to be heard . The silence was at length broken by the prisoner opening the door and admitting , as Miss Hammond believed , some persons to her assistance . She could disr tinctly hear several voices , and for the remaining part of the morning the noises appeared to be most " unpleasant . " Miss Hammond here described the noises to resemble the scratching or scraping of the floor with a shovel . Other witnesses were examined , whose evidence went to confirm

      that which we have detailed . On being apprehended the prisoner offered a desperate resistance ; Superintendent Lund " was as nothing m her bands ; " Sergeant Quinncar had to help in her capture . The prisoner , who throughout the investigation behaved with great levity , was remanded , in order that her trial might not come on before her law advisers had had time to prepare a defence .

      Untitled Article

      PRACTICAL USE OP Tr iti br i cnrrfTTrcvi . We arc only going to narrate a police-case , so the reader need not expect an essay . Four Frenchmen , two named Albert , and two named Leon and Berville , were charged before Mr . Corrie , at Clerkenvvell , with stealing fifty-two sovereigns . They denied tho charge , saying that it was got up through spite , as they had been challenged with getting up an " infernal machine . "— Mr . Corrie questioned the officers upon the subject . —Sergeant John Saunders , of the detective force , said that the prisoners Albert and Leon had by fraud and conspiracy , obtained 31 . from the Fronch

      ambassador , by pretending that the prisoner Leon was privately manufacturing an " infernal machine" of an improved description , in order to take away the life of tho Emperor Louis Napoleon . Tho prisoners Albert were tho informants . They communicated with tho French ambassador , stating that Leon had taken a cellar in a houso in Theobald ' s-row , Itcd Lion-square , in which he occupied himself by making an " infernal machine" to assassinato Louis Napoleon . They had an interview with the Ambassador , who made the affair known to Sir Richard May no , tho police commissioner , and for a length of timo numerous officers in plain clothes had been privately

      watching the house , and the lnaiucuvres ot the prisoners , both by day and night . Sergeant Haumier . s was deputed to call upon the French Ambassador , when . he happened to find tho prisoners Albert , there , to give " important information about the infernal machine , " and the ambassador handed them 3 / . Saunders then , pursuant to lnntructioiiH , made proper inquiries , and on visiting the " cellar" in TheobiiUTs-row , he merely found a few rusty old gunbarrelN , but nothing else that the Ambassador , Louis Napoleon , or any one else need bo afraid of , and it was evidently a trick or conspiracy to extort , money . He , prethe Albertswho persisted in

      viously to this , called upon , demanding JO / , and then ML , before they would givo further information , and he suggested to the I ' reneh Ambassador not to give them any more money . I lie Ainl . as-Hiulor , however , declined prosecuting them for oblnmmg money under false pretences . Tie n . UU'd that , them woro two other persons connected with the pr . HonerH , whom tho police woro in pursuit , of , and he requested a remand » tho prisoi . ei-M . ~ -Mr . Corrio thoug ht , then , was Hufhcen evidence to commit the Albert a .. » . >> ut lll ! l wo " 1 d remand thorn for a week ; and he should discharge JJ « rvillo for wunt . of Hudicient evidence to detain him .

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      CRIMINAL It K CORD . Minn Coodwin lived at . Hat tie with her sister , engaged in tho dressmaking line- Mr . IVgge , o £ ilaHtingn , Haw her , and was introduced to her . After due courtship , during which Miss ( ieodwin presented Mr . I ' egge with a child , and subsequently with another , he having promised to marry hor , Mr . IVggo deserted her , and married another woman who had money . Miss Goodwin then sued him for damages in tho Coqrt of (^ ueon ' o Bench , and tho cano

      Untitled Article

      FESRtrAfeV 5 , 1853 . ] THE LEA PER . 129

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 5, 1853, page 129, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1972/page/9/