History of American SocialismsNoyes, John Humphrey
History
History of American Socialisms
Noyes, John Humphrey
Communism -- United States; Socialism -- United States
"A practical trial of Association might be made by appropriation
from a State Legislature. Millions are now spent in constructing
canals and railroads that scarcely pay for repairs. Would it
endanger the constitution, injure the cause of democracy, or
shock the consciences of politicians, if a Legislature were to
advance for an Association, half a million of dollars secured by
mortgage on its lands and personal estate? We fear very much
that it might, and therefore not much is to be hoped from that
source.
"The truth of Association and attractive industry could also be
proved by children. A little Association or an industrial or
agricultural institution might be established with four hundred
children from the ages of five to fifteen. Various lighter
branches of agriculture and the mechanical arts, with little
tools and implements adapted to different ages, which are the
delight of children, could be prosecuted. These useful
occupations could, if organized according to a system which we
shall later explain, be rendered more pleasing and attractive
than are their plays at present. Such an Association would prove
the possibility of attractive industry, and that children could
support themselves by their own labor, and obtain at the same
time a superior industrial and scientific education. The
Smithsonian bequest might be applied to such a purpose, as could
have been Girard's noble donation, which has been so shamefully
mismanaged.
"The most easy plan, perhaps, for starting an Association would
be to induce four hundred persons to unite, and take each $1,000
worth of stock, which would form a capital of $400,000. With
this sum, an Association could be established, which could be
made to guarantee to every person a comfortable room in it and
board for life, as interest upon the investment of $1,000; so
that whatever reverses might happen to those forming the
Association, they would always be certain of having two great
essentials of existence--a dwelling to cover them, and a table
at which to sit. Let us explain how this could be effected.
"The stockholders would receive one-quarter of the total product
or profits of the Association; or if they preferred, they would
receive a fixed interest of eight per cent. At the time of a
general division of profits at the end of the year, the
stockholders would first receive their interest, and the balance
would be paid over to those who performed the labor. A slight
deviation would in this respect take place from the general law
of Association, which is to give one-quarter of the profits to
capital, whatever they may be; but additional inducements of
security should be held out to those who organize the first
Association.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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