and bye-laws; and this, fortunately, has lately been rendered very easy by the publication of a work on "Co-operative Stores," which gives the latest and best results of the movement in England and Germany. In this may be found a model for the constitution of a Co-operative Store Society, which, with a few additions and alterations, would serve perfectly, it seems to me, for the organization of an association of co-operative housekeepers.
The Author's attempt at a Constitution.
Should such a body as this organizing committee ever come into the being, I suppose, of course, that the members will provide themselves with copies of this work,[1] and, after studying it thoroughly, will draw up their plan for themselves. But as I regard their future existence as highly problematical, lest co-operative housekeeping should never boast even a "paper constitution," I will give here, in small type, my own modification of the the one set forth in the book, with explanatory remarks, many of which also are copied.
Article I.—General Objects.
The Co-operative Housekeepers' Society of has for its object to furnish the households of its members, for cash on delivery, with the necessaries of life, unadulterated and of good quality, and accurately prepared, both as to food and clothing, for immediate use and consumption, and from the profits of this sale to accumulate capital for each individual housekeeper or her family.
Explanations of Article I.
Several general and indispensable principles are embodied in this declaration.
1st. That the association is to sell only to its "members." This excludes trade with outsiders (which would complicate the business indefinitely) and in consequence induces more housekeepers to become regular members.
