Industrie

1875 · réf. 33711 — Somverville MA 1875. Broadside 5" x 10". A few old folds. Signed in type by A.T. Small Jas. E. Crawford Able Jones Sarah J. Price and J. Campbell as the Committee on Charges. Official Council blindstamp at the bottom right corner. Very Good. The Sovereigns of Industry established in 1874 grew out of the Patrons of Husbandry a mutual aid society for farmers. The Sovereigns sought members among all workingmen not just farmers. Its purpose articulated by its founder William H. Earle of Massachusetts was "elevating the character improving the condition of and as far as possible perfecting the happiness of the laboring classes" through the establishment of consumer cooperatives. The cooperative network would allow workers to "control the whole of what they produce and exchange it as near as may be even with other hand-workers thus saving to themselves the fortunes which those who are devoted to manipulating other people's labour and to getting rich thereby have heretofore taken by extortion." Commons John R. et al.: HISTORY OF LABOUR IN THE UNITED STATES: NATIONALISATION 1860-1877 VOLUME II New York: 1921 Pages 172-173. A scandal occurred in Union Council No. 71 Somerville Massachusetts. A conspiracy to usurp the authority of the Council majority on the location of a new Hall was charged. The conspirators allegedly were guilty of self-dealing by choosing a Hall for their own personal gain. "Riotous disorderly and disgraceful proceedings" erupted. Not located on OCLC as of May 2017. unknown