HISTORY OF Q>OPB 
 IN 5COTIANP 
 
 WILLIAM MAXWELL, J.P. 
 
 
 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 SCOTTISH SECTION OF CO^E 
 
 lit 
 
THE HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION 
 IN SCOTLAND 
 
 ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 
WILLIAM MAXWELL, J.P. 
 
THE HISTORY OF 
 
 COOPERATION 
 
 IN SCOTLAND 
 Its Inception and its Leaders 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM MAXWELL, J.P. 
 
 President of the International Co-operative Alliance 
 Ex-President o/ the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society Limited 
 
 Peace hath her victories 
 Not less renowned than those of war 
 Milton 
 
 GLASGOW 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE 
 
 SCOTTISH SECTION OF THE CO-OPERATIVE UNION 
 
 1910 
 
DEDICATION 
 
 TO 
 
 MR JAMES DEANS, 
 
 SECRETARY TO THE 
 
 SCOTTISH SECTION OF THE CO-OPERATIVE UNION, 
 WHO FOR MANY YEARS HAS GIVEN 
 
 INVALUABLE SERVICE TO 
 
 THE CAUSE OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND, 
 
 WHO HAS CHAMPIONED ITS PRINCIPLES WITH CONVINCING ELOQUENCE, 
 
 AND BY HIS LIFE-LONG EXERTIONS ON BEHALF OF THE WORKERS 
 
 HAS WON THEIR ENTIRE CONFIDENCE AND ESTEEM, 
 
 THIS 
 "HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND*' 
 
 IS DEDICATED 
 BY HIS OLD FRIEND AND FELLOW- WORKER, 
 
 WILLIAM MAXWELL. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 IT is peculiarly appropriate that the history of the 
 co-operative movement in Scotland should be written 
 at this time, as the present year is to all intents the 
 jubilee of co-operation in Scotland, it being in 1860 
 that the principle of dividing profits on purchases was 
 generally adopted in this country, and I think that r the 
 perusal of the following pages should convince the reader 
 that the time is ripe for such a work to be undertaken. 
 
 The Scottish Section of the Co-operative Union deserve 
 the gratitude of all co-operators for the idea of compiling 
 such a volume, and they are to be congratulated on their 
 good fortune in finding Mr Maxwell ready and willing 
 to undertake the work. Mr Maxwell, who so recently 
 retired with honour from the board of management of the 
 Wholesale Society (to the general regret of the 
 co-operators of Scotland), might well have rested content 
 with the reputation he had obtained and the results 
 achieved by his long and arduous labours for the good 
 of the movement ; but his interest in the cause being 
 deep-rooted, his response to the call was prompt and 
 ungrudging. No man better fitted for the task could 
 have been chosen. In his youthful days, Mr Maxwell 
 was an active trades unionist. Removing to Edinburgh, 
 he became a member of St Cuthbert's Co-operative 
 Association, and as early as 1877 was secretary of that 
 society, acting at the same time as secretary to the East 
 of Scotland Conference Association. In 1880 he was 
 elected a member of the committee of the Scottish 
 
INTRODUCTION vii 
 
 Co-operative Wholesale Society as representative of 
 St Cuthbert's Association, and shortly afterwards was 
 appointed president. From 1881 to 1908 he rilled that 
 honourable and responsible position, displaying an ability 
 and diligence which made him one of the most 
 prominent figures in the movement, and at the same 
 time gave him an opportunity of acquiring that intimate 
 knowledge of the aims and work of the movement which 
 peculiarly fits him for the writing of this history. 
 Especially is this the case in the field of co-operative 
 production, as it was during Mr Maxwell's term of 
 presidentship that the productive works of the Whole- 
 sale Society were started. Owing chiefly to his inspiring 
 influence the factories at Shieldhall were established, and 
 he took a leading part in the inception and development 
 of all the productive industries of the society now in 
 operation. His deep interest in the welfare of the 
 workers was evinced by the present bonus and share- 
 holding schemes, which he was mainly instrumental in 
 establishing. 
 
 Although he has resigned his position in the active 
 work of the Wholesale Society, he still retains, in the 
 chairmanship of the International Co-operative Alliance, 
 a close connection with co-operation, and assiduously 
 pursues his efforts in extending its operations, so that 
 its beneficent results may be enjoyed by the peoples of 
 the world. 
 
 The time and labour necessary for the collection of 
 material for such a work as this can scarcely be under- 
 stood by the ordinary reader, and only those who have 
 essayed a task on analogous lines can rightly comprehend 
 the steadfast perseverance required for the preparation 
 of a volume dealing with the rise and progress of 
 co-operation in Scotland. The records of too many 
 societies have not been as carefully preserved as they 
 might and ought to have been ; and Mr Maxwell's 
 difficulties have been greatly increased by the research 
 
viii INTRODUCTION 
 
 work he has had to undertake in order to secure the 
 information necessary for his purpose, meagre as it is 
 in many cases. Fortunately, the task has been a 
 congenial one to Mr Maxwell, for co-operation has been 
 to him not a hobby to be taken up and laid down at will, 
 but the compelling passion of his life, based on his 
 conviction that it is the workers' hope for the future 
 and the key to the solution of many of the industrial 
 problems of our time. Without doubt, a great service 
 will be rendered to the movement if the difficulties of 
 compiling and arranging the facts contained in this volume 
 are or can be realised, and officials thereby induced to 
 attach more importance to the preservation of the records 
 of their societies, especially the minute-books and 
 balance-sheets. A further benefit would result if the 
 example of the pioneer societies were more extensively 
 followed in keeping strictly to ready-money principles, 
 as this would undoubtedly tend to prevent failure, and 
 the consequent discredit to the movement as a whole, 
 which in many instances has resulted from the granting 
 of unlimited credit. 
 
 It is certain that the book will be welcomed by the 
 members of societies, not only in Scotland, but also in 
 England and wherever the principles of the co-operative 
 movement are appreciated. The objects and desires of 
 the Scottish Section and of the Author will be fully 
 realised if the perusal of this work be the means of 
 stimulating the enthusiasm and increasing the loyalty 
 of every co-operator. 
 
 R. M. 
 
 GLASGOW, August 1910. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 IT was at the respectful invitation and request of the 
 Scottish Section of the Co-operative Union that 
 this " History of Co-operation in Scotland," after 
 due consideration, was undertaken. 
 
 The gathering together of the necessary material 
 seemed for a time almost impossible, and one felt somewhat 
 discouraged to proceed ; but, with the willing help of 
 kind friends in almost every part of the country, the 
 difficulty was to a great extent overcome. 
 
 Messrs James Deans, of the Co-operative Union, and 
 Robert Macintosh, of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society, have been very helpful in procuring information 
 on many important matters. Mr John Barrowman, of 
 Dundee, with his usual enthusiasm, has collected and 
 forwarded many interesting books of the old societies in 
 the North. The secretaries and managers of a great many 
 societies throughout the country were good enough to 
 forward material relative to the history of their respective 
 organisations. Mr David Rowat, of Paisley, very kindly 
 volunteered to look over the proofs. To Mr David 
 Campbell, of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society 
 printing department, I am greatly indebted for his many 
 useful suggestions and helpful advice. To all of these 
 gentlemen I am more than grateful for their willing 
 assistance in the compilation of many facts and figures. 
 
 While the research has entailed much labour, extending 
 over several months, still there has been great pleasure 
 in the work ; my great regret being that I had not more 
 
x PREFACE 
 
 space for a more detailed account of some of the early 
 societies. 
 
 Several important historical facts, I think, have 
 now been established beyond doubt that the first 
 co-operative society in Britain was started in Fenwick, 
 near to Kilmarnock, in 1769 ; that the oldest co-operative 
 society in existence (so far as we know) is the Bridgeton 
 Old Victualling Society, Glasgow, established in 1800. 
 Another important fact will be sure to strike the reader 
 that the early societies had no other objective than the 
 one stated in almost all their rules, namely, to procure 
 the necessaries of life at a cheaper rate. Other and some- 
 what higher ideals gradually evolved from association, 
 increasing wealth, and intelligence. 
 
 In Scotland, societies were formed and carried o on 
 entirely on local initiative ; there was no help from 
 without until they began to federate. Nor were they 
 so favoured as societies in the sister country of England, 
 which had eminent men always to encourage and advise 
 them. It was the dour, dogged determination of 
 intelligent Scottish workmen alone that made Scottish 
 co-operation successful. 
 
 I have to apologise to the members of many societies, 
 both large and small, for not taking notice of their 
 interesting histories, but it will be seen by the reader 
 that the conditions surrounding many of the societies 
 were much alike. Societies were, therefore, selected 
 whose circumstances were typical of a group which 
 followed much the same lines. In the same manner no 
 attempt has been made to chronicle all the societies in a 
 given district ; societies from different parts of the country 
 have been taken, so that the reader may be able to form 
 some opinion of the various methods that were followed. 
 After 1860 the system of formation was almost uniform, 
 and it was therefore unnecessary to repeat the history of 
 every society, although many of the societies established 
 after that date have had interesting careers. I trust that, 
 
PREFACE xi 
 
 with this explanation, the members and committees of 
 many good societies will appreciate my position. 
 
 Of the co-operative heroes here dealt with, many have 
 passed away ; others, I regret to say, are nearing the end, 
 but they have left a glorious inheritance to the present 
 and coming generations. Think of the co-operative 
 position fifty years ago and what it is to-day ; think 
 of the start the present co-operators had compared with 
 their predecessors. Then the great want was capital ; 
 to-day we have a plethora of capital, largely through 
 their earnest and loyal adhesion to principle. 
 
 I have always held the opinion that we could never have 
 too much capital ; but we may have too little capacity 
 to use it wisely. Kvery effort should be strained in the 
 future to foster and encourage ability and character ; 
 for the problems of the future will only be solved by a 
 high form of co-operative statesmanship, the training of 
 which should be our most important work at present. 
 
 In adding this humble contribution to co-operative 
 literature, while I am aware of its many imperfections 
 and shortcomings, I have a lingering hope that it may 
 in some small degree give pleasure and information 
 to my many co-operative friends in all parts of dear 
 auld Scotland and elsewhere. 
 
 W. M. 
 
 CAERLAVKROCK, 
 
 ROTHESAY, August IQIO. 
 
 a 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAP. J'AGB 
 
 I. INDUSTRIAL HISTORY FROM 1700 1 
 
 II. THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION THE COAL INDUSTRY 
 
 THE IRON INDUSTRY- - - , - 10 
 
 III. How THE PEOPLE LIVED i!v;* - !^ v - 17 
 
 IV. EARLY ATTEMPTS AT CO-OPERATION IN DIFFERENT FORMS Z& 
 V. ROBERT OWEN IN SCOTLAND - 29 
 
 VI. THE ORBISTON EXPERIMENT *;.*. i -b-'; * - 36 
 
 VII. THE FIRST CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND THE 
 EARLIEST ATTEMPTS AT CO-OPERATION BY THE 
 ECONOMIC SOCIETIES LENNOXTOWN VICTUALLING 
 SOCIETY /-,;,:,"!' ,-n r*c$-: f ir Ft&'ty *v," ' *3 
 
 VIII. LARKHALL VICTUALLING SOCIETY FIRST GLASGOW 
 
 SOCIETY ^ajrfy/r-^ >, , i. * * :->>> i 64 
 
 IX. BANNOCKBURN SOCIETY PARKHEAD AND WESTMUIR 
 
 ECONOMICAL SOCIETY - - k r,.,vr. / '**.*-t..'* ~ 61 
 
 X. SOCIETIES IN THE NORTH BRECHIN UPPER AND NETHER 
 
 TENEMENTS SAVING ASSOCIATION - - . . 69 
 
 XL GALASHIELS STORE COMPANY HAWICK STORE COM- 
 PANY KlNGSKETTLE JOINT-STOCK MEAL SOCIETY 
 
 DARVEL SOCIETY LESLIE SOCIETY SELKIRK 
 SOCIETY THE HILLFOOTS SOCIETIES $* i. 77 
 
 XII. THE DAWN OF MODERN CO-OPERATION, AND THE MEN 
 
 WHO LED IT - ' - - - - 1J i 98 
 
 XIII. CO-OPERATIVE LEGISLATION - 102 
 
 XIV. THE SECOND GLASGOW SOCIETY - - - - - 109 
 
CONTENTS xiii 
 
 CHAP. PACE 
 
 THE MODERN SOCIETIES AND THEIR LEADERS. 
 
 XV. PAISLEY EQUITABLE SOCIETY ST CUTHBERT'S ASSO- 
 CIATION CARNOUSTIE ASSOCIATION ST ROLLOX 
 SOCIETY - - -, {) ^t 115 
 
 XVI. PAISLEY PROVIDENT SOCIETY BARRHEAD SOCIETY - 129 
 
 XVII. KlLMARNOCK SOCIETY DALZIBL SOCIETY - 13U 
 
 XVIII. PENICUIK ASSOCIATION THORNLIEBANK SOCIETY 
 BUSBY SOCIETY CATHCART SOCIETY DUMBARTON 
 EQUITABLE SOCIETY - *Ty ' l - - 143 
 
 XIX. DUNFERMLINE SOCIETY VALE OF LEVEN SOCIETY - 153 
 
 XX. ABERDEEN NORTHERN COMPANY PAISLEY MANU- 
 FACTURING SOCIETY ''"'' lf/v i' :' r 4yvM -*! 160 
 
 XXI. AUCHTERARDER SOCIETY BAINSFORD AND GRAHAM- 
 STON BAKING SOCIETY GRAHAMSTON AND BAINS- 
 FORD SOCIETY BRECH IN EQUITABLE SOCIETY - 169 
 
 XXII. ALLOA SOCIETY BO'NESS SOCIETY - - 176 
 
 XXIII. LANARK PROVIDENT SOCIETY PORT-GLASGOW'S 
 
 SOCIETIES CUMBERNAULD SOCIETY - 183 
 
 XXIV. REDDING SOCIETY PORTOBELLO SOCIETY - '- 190 
 XXV. GRANGEMOUTH SOCIETY GLASGOW EASTERN SOCIETY 197 
 
 XXVI. LOCHGELLY SOCIETY TRANENT SOCIETY - - - 203 
 
 XXVII. EDINBURGH NORTHERN DISTRICT SOCIETY CITY OF 
 
 PERTH SOCIETY - - * - - 209 
 
 XXVIII. THURSO INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY THE POSITION OF 
 CO-OPERATION IN 1866 A FEW OF THE SOCIETIES 
 
 THAT BEGAN IN THE 'SIXTIES - ,1 , - - 218 
 
 XXIX. SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: THE 
 
 INCEPTION ... ... 227 
 
 XXX, SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: THE 
 
 FORMATION - - . 234 
 
 XXXI. SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: THE 
 
 BEGINNING . .' " - -t'"' - '- ' - n -$# i l v*t* 242 
 
 XXXII. SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY : 
 
 THREATENING CLOUDS - - * , ; ; ,* -,, rv 2oO 
 
xiv CONTENTS 
 
 CHAP. PACK 
 
 XXXIII. SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: 
 
 THE IRONWORKS - 256 
 
 XXXIV. SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY : 
 
 PRODUCTION, AND OTHER IMPORTANT DEPART- 
 URES - - f - ..:,.... ,. ,v.. ,- - - - 263 
 
 XXXV. SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: 
 
 THE SHIELDHALI. VENTURE .... 270 
 
 XXXVI. SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: 
 
 STILL ONWARD - * , I- ~ ' ' - 276 
 
 XXXVII. SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: 
 
 PROGRESS - * - - - - - 285 
 
 XXXVIII. UNITED CO-OPERATIVE BAKING SOCIETY "-' - 294 
 
 XXXIX. ST GEORGE SOCIETY KINNING PARK SOCIETY 
 SOME SCOTTISH PRODUCTIVE EFFORTS LEITH 
 PROVIDENT SOCIETY NORTON PARK SOCIETY 
 GREENOCK CENTRAL SOCIETY - - . - 318 
 
 XL. COWLAIRS SOCIETY OTHER GLASGOW SOCIETIES 
 DRAPERY AND FURNISHING SOCIETY THE 
 ANTI-CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN SCOTLAND - 334 
 
 XLI. "THE SCOTTISH CO-OPERATOR" THE LAUNDRY 
 ASSOCIATION CITY OF DUNDEE SOCIETY 
 A FEW EAST AND NORTH-EAST SOCIETIES 
 CO-OPERATIVE WOMEN'S GUILDS SCOTTISH CO- 
 OPERATIVE CONVALESCENT HOMES - - - 351 
 
 XLII. SCOTTISH SECTION OF CO-OPERATIVE UNION 
 CO-OPERATIVE CONGRESSES HELD IN SCOTLAND 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE VETERANS' ASSOCIA- 
 TION THE INFLUENCE OF CO-OPERATION UPON 
 THE CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE - - - 362 
 
 APPENDIX 
 
 THE POSITION OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND IN 1886 - 376 
 
 SUMMARY OF RETURNS FOR 1886 386 
 
 THE POSITION OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND IN 1909 - - 388 
 
 SUMMARY OF RETURNS FOR 1909 398 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 WILLIAM MAXWELL - - Frontispiece. 
 
 EARLY ENGLISH PIONEERS - Facing page 102 
 
 JAMES M'INNES - 110 
 
 EARLY SCOTTISH PIONEERS n 114 
 
 PAISLEY MANUFACTURING SOCIETY'S FACTORY AT 
 
 COLINSLEE, PAISLEY - ' - - -' - - - 166 
 
 CHAIRMEN (PAST AND PRESENT) OF THE SCOTTISH 
 
 CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY *,-* 226 
 
 ANDREW MILLER - - * 254 
 
 PRODUCTIVE WORKS, SHIELDHALL, GOVAN - - n 270 
 
 LEITH GROCERY AND PROVISION WAREHOUSE, 
 
 LINKS PLACE - ' v - - - - 272 
 
 CHANCELOT ROLLER FLOUR MILL, EDINBURGH - . 276 
 
 ETTRICK TWEED MILLS, SELKIRK . u 27* 
 
 CALDERWOOD CASTLE AND ESTATE .. 286 
 
 REGISTERED OFFICE AND FURNITURE WAREHOUSE, 
 
 95 MORRISON STREET, GLASGOW .. 288 
 
 CENTRAL PREMISES, M'NEIL STREET, GLASGOW, r, 294 
 
 ST MUNGO HALLS, GOVAN STREET, GLASGOW - .1 312 
 
xvi ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 JAMES BORROWMAN .... - - - - Facing page 322 
 
 SEAMILL HOME, WEST KILBRIDE n 358 
 
 ABBOTSVIEW HOME, GALASHIELS - *i. >.-, - .. 360 
 
 CHAIRMEN (PAST AND PRESENT) OF SCOTTISH 
 
 SECTIONAL BOARD . . - 362 
 
 JAMES ALLAN -'"'' - n 364 
 
 JAMES DEANS n 366 
 
 J. C. GRAY - - - - .... 368 
 

 
 THE HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION 
 IN SCOTLAND: 
 
 ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 O Scotia! my dear, my native soil! 
 
 For whom my wannest wish to Heaven is sent ! 
 Long may thy hardy sons of rustic toil 
 
 Be blest with health, and peace, and sweet content! 
 
 Burns. 
 
 INDUSTRIAL HISTORY FROM 1 700, 
 
 TOO many of our historians have been of the opinion 
 that the history of a country should simply be a 
 record of the lives of monarchs and their courtiers, or 
 a description of wars, where the victorious general is 
 the outstanding personality. Too few of our historians, 
 especially in Scotland, have made the slightest attempt 
 to enlighten us on the important subject of how the 
 people lived. Only here and there, when the people were 
 driven to extremes through want, do some writers mention 
 the industrial classes. Then, the Union of England and 
 Scotland in 1707 to a great extent absorbed the latter 
 country, and it passes too frequently into the records of 
 England. While there is much in common in the history 
 of the two countries since the Union, still, to the close 
 observer, there has been, and there is to some extent to 
 this day, a marked difference between the conditions and 
 habits of the working-classes of England and Scotland. 
 
 Scotland, during the first half of the eighteenth century, 
 was indeed a poor place to live in. What industries did 
 exist were small from an employment point of view, and 
 few in number. By the great Darien scheme, which had 
 been floated towards the end of the seventeenth century 
 largely under the lead of William Paterson, the founder 
 
HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 of the Bank of England, Scotland lost about 400,000. 
 This sum was equal to two-thirds of the whole currency 
 of the country at the time. All classes of the community, 
 if we except the very poor, were involved in this catastrophe. 
 The unsympathetic attitude of England towards her 
 poorer sister did little to make the relationship of the two 
 countries more harmonious at this time. Thus the 
 eighteenth century began, with Scotland in extreme 
 poverty. Trade was at a standstill ; such industries 
 as did exist were said to be on the verge of bankruptcy. 
 
 About ninety small vessels did all the carrying trade 
 between the ports of Scotland and those of England, 
 Holland, Germany, France, and Norway. The exports 
 were made up of coarse plaiding, stockings knitted by 
 women in the north-eastern counties, dried fish, coal, 
 salt, oats, and barley. The imports included timber 
 from Norway, iron from Sweden, wines and silks 
 from France, earthenware from Holland, household 
 necessaries in hardware from England. This trade would 
 undoubtedly have increased if everything else had been 
 equal ; but, as we have seen, the failure of the Darien 
 scheme, the seven bad harvests, beginning in 1696, which 
 were called " King William's lean or hungry years," have 
 to be taken into account. One authority says that during 
 these years " famine spread over the land ; cattle perished 
 in thousands ; men and women had to hunt and even to 
 fight for their food, and so many died from starvation 
 that it was sometimes found impossible to bury them."* 
 Captain Burt, in his "Letters from the North/' in 1726-1736, 
 describes the fairs, which were possibly the only mediums 
 for barter, as money was rarely seen. " The principal 
 dealers," he says, " bringing a roll of home-made linen 
 or a piece of coarse plaiding under their arms ; others, 
 two cheeses of two or three pounds each, a kid which sold 
 at eightpence, or butter in a sort of bladder, which was 
 put down in the dirty street, three or four goatskins, or 
 a piece of wood for wheel axle-trees. Any money received 
 was spent on a horn or wooden spoon, a knife, a plate, 
 or an onion, which was sometimes eaten on the spot raw." 
 Such is Burt's description of local trade, causing him to 
 exclaim, " Good God ! you could not conceive of such 
 *A. H. Stirling's "Industrial History." 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 3 
 
 misery in this island." Still, there were a few towns 
 giving a little employment, which saved the country from 
 utter stagnation. Aberdeen, Stirling, Musselburgh, and 
 Kilmarnock still wove coarse woollens, and Dunfermline 
 with its fine linen, seem to have been the centres of 
 industry. 
 
 The eighteenth century had just been entered upon, 
 when rumours of the proposed Union between the Parlia- 
 ments of England and Scotland spread all over the 
 land. The poor people resented the idea from the first ; 
 they could not forget England's policy of forbidding 
 Scottish trade with the Colonies. The old feeling of 
 enmity with their Southern neighbours was still alive, so 
 that, in 1707, when the Union did take place, there was 
 much protesting, much rioting, especially in Edinburgh, 
 where the promoters of the Union were roughly handled. 
 " The Equivalent," as it was called, was looked upon as 
 the purchase-money of the nation, and was hooted and 
 cursed on its arrival. When one of the Scottish noblemen 
 remonstrated with his brother for taking part in selling 
 cattle to England, his brother replied that " it was better 
 to sell nowt than sell nations," referring to the part which 
 the nobleman had taken in bringing about the Union. 
 It is said that feeling ran so high that, when Daniel Defoe, 
 the author of " Robinson Crusoe," came to Edinburgh 
 at this time to try to popularise the Union, he was 
 violently abused and his life threatened. 
 
 It is interesting to note that in the country at this time 
 agriculture was carried on in many parts with a kind of 
 rough-and-ready co-operative spirit. The run-rig system, 
 which had been common in England, was adopted in 
 Scotland. The small farmers lived in squalid villages, 
 and the surrounding fields were divided into strips, or rigs, 
 of from twenty to forty feet broad, each of which belonged 
 to a different tenant. One plough, of a very primitive 
 type, drawn by oxen, the common property of the various 
 tenants, was used, and as each had a voice in the work, 
 no action could be taken without the consent of all. 
 Improvements or suggestions for a different style of 
 cultivation had to be discussed and approved ; thus fields 
 lay untilled for weeks till unanimity was secured. 
 
4 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 The Government immediately after the Union called in 
 the currency in Scotland, for the purpose of replacing it 
 with standard English coin, and some idea may be formed 
 of the scarcity of money from the fact that only 411,117 
 was returned to the Bank of Scotland. The population 
 at this time was estirnated to be about one million. The 
 opposition shown to the Union by the people of Scotland 
 seemed to be justified by events; heavier taxation, 
 restrictions, and the competition of English traders all 
 weighed heavily upon the poorer classes, who now set 
 down all their poverty as the result of the Union with 
 England. Many of the young men left the country for 
 the Plantations, others went across the Border to try their 
 fortune. Still, the Union had opened up new markets for 
 Scottish products, and the enterprising merchants were not 
 slow to avail themselves of the opportunity. The English 
 Colonies were now open to their goods, and they also began 
 to do a much larger business with England itself. The 
 Rebellion of 1715 did not affect the workers so much as one 
 would think, the reason being perhaps that they were as 
 low and poverty-stricken as they could be. Mr H. G. 
 Graham says about this time: "The beggars meanwhile 
 swarmed in the streets of every town, and made prowling 
 visits to every village, and neither sought for work nor 
 could find it if they had." 
 
 By 1725 a marked dijfference for the better had taken 
 place in many towns. Glasgow was manufacturing and 
 sending out lawn and cambric and other useful articles 
 which had been collected from England. In return, 
 the merchants were importing large quantities of tobacco 
 from Maryland and Virginia. Paisley was now beginning 
 to take its place as an industrial centre, largely through 
 the action of Christina Shaw of Bargaran, who had received 
 information from Holland that enabled her to begin the 
 manufacture of thread, an industry which has since played 
 an important part in the industrial history of Paisley. 
 
 In every part of the country, except the Highlands, 
 there was a gradual awakening. Industrial enterprise 
 became contagious ; employment was getting more 
 plentiful ; still there was much poverty throughout the 
 land. The want of roads up till this time seems to 
 have kept from many the information of what was going 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 5 
 
 on beyond their own locality. The result was a lethargy 
 and narrowness of mind that can scarcely be conceived 
 to-day. Yet it is interesting to note that the parish 
 school system in Scotland had been a mighty influence 
 for good. If the bulk of the people were continually in 
 dire poverty, they at least were not ignorant. One may 
 be pardoned for thinking that, but for the parish dominie, 
 Scotland would have remained in her poverty for a much 
 longer time. 
 
 Technical education was set agoing in 1727 by the 
 grants given to schools for teaching spinning, and premiums 
 for every acre of bleachfields constructed. Weavers were 
 brought from France to Edinburgh, and settled on a piece 
 of ground for bleaching, where their wives and daughters 
 spun the thread and the men taught cambric weaving.* 
 Little Picardy, as the place was called, is recognised as 
 Picardy Place to-day. 
 
 The manufacture of linen gave employment to great 
 numbers of men and women in twenty-five counties in 
 Scotland, and improvements in spinning and weaving were 
 gradually adopted. In country towns the master weaver had 
 his six-loom shop adjoining his house, and while he worked 
 at his own loom, his journeymen wrought at the others, 
 for which they paid a weekly rent. He called at the 
 houses of the gentry, farmers, and peasants to buy their 
 yarn, which he and his men wove into checks or sheetings. 
 He then bartered his goods, when finished, at the doors 
 of his customers for more home-made yarn, carrying on 
 his own back, or his pony's, tempting webs to exchange 
 by stiff bargain or pawky cajolery for the yarn. 
 
 We may date the beginning of Scotland's real awakening 
 from the year 1740. A new life seems to have been 
 imparted to her small industries. With new trades started 
 in most of her poor little towns and villages, the employ- 
 ment of her people increased. Wages were undoubtedly 
 low, but her people were exceedingly frugal and simple in 
 their habits. Clad in rough homespun, with few if any 
 changes of clothing, their homes most insanitary and their 
 food of the coarsest, their mode of lif e was not an enviable 
 one. Still, it is recorded that, although ignorance in 
 some parts was prevalent, the very humblest had some 
 
 Arnot's "History of Edinburgh." 
 
6 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 knowledge of the points that separated the communities in 
 religious belief. Bven the beggars were fond of discussing 
 points of dogma. Superstition held sway in many parts 
 of the land ; and, as late as 1727, a woman charged with 
 witchcraft suffered capital punishment by burning at 
 Dornoch.* Another peculiarity of the people, at least in 
 the north-east coast towns, was their love of cheating the 
 gauger. A very large trade was carried on in smuggled 
 goods of all descriptions. The want of regular employ- 
 ment, it was said, drew many people to this business who 
 otherwise would have starved. It is recorded of some of 
 them, regular attenders on church ordinances, that 
 although the clergy thundered against the defrauding of 
 the Government, no amount of argument could convince 
 those people that the trade they were secretly engaged in 
 was wrong ; they were convinced and practical " free 
 traders." 
 
 The coming, the activities, and the escape of Bonnie 
 Prince Charlie, in 1745-46, affected principally those towns 
 through which the Highland army passed. The Lowland 
 towns which were not near the line of march heard all 
 kinds of rumours of the coming of the Stuarts, but a large 
 number of the working people seem to have taken less 
 interest in the Rebellion than one would have expected. 
 Some were Jacobite because of their religion, others 
 sympathised with the Stuart cause in the hope that a 
 change might improve and lighten the terrible burden of 
 existence; but it may safely be said that a very large 
 number were simply passive. The vindictive and cruel 
 suppression of the Rebellion by the " Butcher Duke " 
 (Duke of Cumberland) certainly awakened a strong feeling 
 of resentment in most men's minds that was not allayed 
 for many a day. 
 
 The Rebellion of 1745 was the means of drawing the 
 Government's attention to Scotland and her wants, which 
 latterly had a most beneficial effect. The jurisdiction of 
 the chiefs was swept away, the Highlands were further 
 opened up, the roads that had been made by General 
 Wade after the " 1715 affair " were now developed and 
 extended. Highlanders, who formerly led a somewhat 
 useless and unprofitable life, now gave more attention to 
 
 * "Captain Burt's Letters." 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 7 
 
 husbandry, and were frequently in close touch with 
 Lowland centres, where they found a ready market for 
 their cattle and produce. 
 
 In Fullarton's " Survey of Ayrshire," the reader is 
 brought into contact with the real life of the tenantry 
 and ploughmen. He says : " The houses of the tenantry, 
 the ploughmen, and the herds or hinds differed very little ; 
 their dress and manners were much alike. Till long after 
 the middle of the century their homes were little removed 
 from hovels, with clay floors, open hearths (sometimes in 
 the middle of the room), with walls seven feet high, 
 three feet thick, and built of stones and mud. Only the 
 better-class farmers had two rooms, the house getting 
 scanty light by two tiny windows, the upper part only 
 being glazed with two panes of bottle glass. In these 
 dismal abodes the only light they had when night set in 
 was the fitful flare of the peat fire. The ' ruffles,' or split 
 roots of fir, found in the peat moss, were only lit for set 
 purposes, such as family worship." 
 
 A remarkable proof of the stagnation of trade and the 
 total absence of all enterprise and industrial progress is 
 to be found in the fact that the rent of land, the price 
 of grain and of the articles of food and clothing, as well 
 as the wages of the worker, remained almost stationary 
 during the hundred years between 1640 and 1740.* The 
 ploughman in Stirlingshire, in 1730, living with his 
 employer, received 355. per annum, with a few " gains " 
 or " bounties," consisting of a pair of shoes, coarse linen 
 or harn for a shirt, and one or two yards of plaiding. The 
 female servant got 133. 4d. in money, with an apron and 
 a pair of shoes, for her year's service, f It is said that, 
 despite their low wages, coarse fare, and wretched house 
 accommodation, they were fairly contented with their lot. 
 Their habits were frugal in the extreme, their tastes were 
 simple, and their present poor state was a great improve- 
 ment on that of their parents. 
 
 While the position of the agricultural worker in the 
 Lowlands was extremely bad, that of the Highlander 
 was even worse. Knox, in his " British Empire," says : 
 " Upon the whole, the Highlands (some few estates 
 excepted) is the seat of oppression, poverty, famine, and 
 
 * H. G. Graham's "Social History." f "Statistical Account of Scotland." 
 
8 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 wild despair." In his "Wealth of Nations," Adam 
 Smith, who was an eye-witness of these terrible sufferings 
 of the workers, says that " through the greater part of 
 the low country the most usual wages of the common 
 labourer are now eightpence a day ; tenpence, sometimes 
 a shilling, about Edinburgh." Certainly the purchasing 
 power of money was greater, as necessities were lower in 
 price than they are to-day. Sickness and early death 
 were the lot of thousands of children ; only the very robust 
 seem to have been able to outgrow the wretchedness that 
 surrounded their infancy. The author of the " Wealth of 
 Nations " says : " It is not uncommon, I have frequently 
 been told, in the Highlands of Scotland, for a mother 
 who has borne twenty children not to have two alive." 
 
 The country must have been bare and barren to look 
 at ; there was little or none of that agricultural protection 
 given by trees. Dr. Samuel Johnson, who visited Scotland 
 well on in the eighteenth century, said : "A tree in 
 Scotland is as rare as a horse in Venice." The ancient 
 forests which had formerly covered the land had been 
 largely cut down for fuel and other domestic purposes. 
 Timber was imported from Norway for boatbuilding, and 
 for the building of the better-class houses. Some 
 enterprising landowners, before the middle of the century, 
 took to planting trees, and in a few years the adjoining 
 fields, which were comparatively barren, became fertile. 
 Still, the prejudice of the people had to be combated, as 
 they held that the trees drew too much nourishment from 
 the soil, and that they only gave a harbour to birds 
 which devoured the crops. So great was their antipathy 
 in some parts of the country to the rearing of trees, that 
 they went out in bands at night and tore up the young 
 saplings.* 
 
 This deep-rooted prejudice against innovations dis- 
 couraged the inventive and enterprising. When Meikle 
 set up the first barley mill at Saltoun and employed 
 fanners for winnowing purposes, it was looked upon as an 
 impious invention to " create wind " by means of a 
 machine ; and even ministers, it is said, declared that 
 " winds were raised by God alone, and it was wrong of 
 man to attempt to raise it himself." One minister spoke 
 
 * A. H. Stirling's "Social and Industrial History." 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 9 
 
 of the draught made by the fanners as " devil's wind," 
 and refused to administer the holy sacrament to those 
 who made use of it. It cannot be wondered at that 
 our country remained backward and poor under such 
 circumstances. But the ill-paid and frequently ill-used 
 schoolmaster was doing his work silently, but no less 
 effectively, in pointing the road to progress. 
 
 The care of the very poor and infirm was in the hands 
 of the kirk sessions, and it seems from all accounts that, 
 while they did their best to relieve all the necessitous 
 cases in their parish, the congregations in many parishes 
 could not subscribe sufficient for the purpose ; is. 6d. to 
 2s. per month is cited in some parishes as the amount 
 given to each person in need. This allowance was 
 advanced to 33. per month towards the end of the 
 century. It was a miserable dole. The wonder is that 
 so few were in receipt of this relief, considering the 
 poverty of the country. It seems that it was the last 
 resort of the poor, and many who required help hid away 
 their sufferings rather than appeal to the session. It was 
 not always the most needful that made the claim ; then 
 as now there were people who made their distress well 
 known, whilst others suffered in silence and strained every 
 nerve to keep their independence. 
 
 The licensed and unlicensed beggars were everywhere, 
 and succeeded fairly well in making a rough if somewhat 
 precarious living. It is said that the best means of getting 
 rid of these gentry was to offer them honest work to do ; 
 this they would not face. Of course, there were many 
 unable to work, from mental and physical unfitness. 
 Some of these cripples were wheeled through the country, 
 from house to house, by the people, who, rather than 
 have the cripple saddled upon them, simply relieved their 
 pressing needs and wheeled them to their next neighbour, 
 who repeated the operation. We get a peep at a gathering 
 of these nomads in Burns' s " Jolly Beggars." 
 
 The habits of the workers are spoken of in nearly every 
 parish as being quiet, industrious, honest, and fairly 
 sober. It must be kept in mind that in the Lowlands 
 " twopenny " was their beverage up to the middle of the 
 century. Whisky was not popular at the time of which 
 we write. After 1750 the " twopenny " seems to have 
 been pretty much discarded for the stronger drink. 
 
io HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The modern majesty consists of work. What a man can 
 do is his greatest ornament, and he always consults his dignity 
 by doing it. Carlyle^ 
 
 THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION. 
 
 THB growing spirit of commercial enterprise seemed to 
 have awakened the inventive genius and the latent 
 powers of a people who up till now had been content 
 to do the little work they had to do in the same 
 way as their forefathers had done it. The desire to produce 
 more, as new markets were opened up, set agoing faculties 
 that had been dormant. Large portions of territory in India 
 had been brought under British control. Canada, through 
 Wolfe's victory at Quebec, was added as a colonial 
 possession. Ready and profitable markets were thus 
 thrown open to the enterprising merchants and manu- 
 facturers at home ; nor were they slow to take advantage 
 of the new opportunities. 
 
 Some turned their attention to improving the means of 
 transit between the old country and the new Colonies ; 
 many gave their best thought to the improvement of 
 the machinery used in production. Thus Hargreaves, 
 Arkwright, Crompton, Cartwright, and (last, but by no 
 means least) our own James Watt had by their inventions 
 and improvements, in the space of little more than twenty 
 years, so altered and accelerated the production of textiles 
 as to place British manufacturers in front of all others 
 in the world. If these inventions were first taken 
 advantage of in England, it was only a matter of time 
 till they were all adopted in Scotland, and thus opened 
 up a new form of employment for the people. It is 
 unnecessary here to dwell on the horrors of the factory 
 system in England, which continued into the nineteenth 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS u 
 
 century ; it will be sufficient to note that, although the 
 factories in Scotland were modelled on the English plan, 
 the conditions of labour, although exacting and irksome 
 in the extreme, were still much better than the slavery 
 of factory life in Kngland. The first cotton mill in 
 Scotland, it is said, was started in Rothesay about 1776. 
 It was in 1778 that David Dale, in combination with 
 Sir Richard Arkwright, whose patent was adopted, set up 
 the great mills at New Lanark. The patent expired in 
 1786. The new industry quickly found a home in many 
 parts of the West country, and gave employment to great 
 numbers of people who formerly had a most precarious 
 existence. Graham says that " starving droves of 
 Highlanders came south from impoverished crofts, and 
 not too heartily worked in the factories ; ploughmen left 
 the fields for the mills, and farmers were forced to raise 
 their wages to keep workers in their service. Hundreds 
 of poor children were brought from Edinburgh to the 
 mills at Lanark, where good David Dale took care of the 
 training of their souls, but kept their bodies at toil from 
 six in the morning till six at night, with only one hour's 
 interval for rest and food." It is recorded that by 1796, 
 180,000 men, women, and children were employed in 
 cotton factories in England and Scotland, while thousands 
 of others more or less directly gained a livelihood from 
 it. This rush to the towns changed the conditions of life 
 entirely : many men who had been reared in poverty 
 now started in business in a small way, and in a few years 
 amassed a competency ; others were satisfied with a small 
 regular income, and remained docile workmen to the end 
 of their days. 
 
 New industries arose in the form of cotton bleachfields 
 and turkey-red dyeing this latter business being set up 
 by Mackintosh, of Glasgow, in 1785, through the skill of 
 a dyer from France. The exports were now considerable, 
 while the imports of tobacco, sugar, and raw cotton 
 continued to grow and add to the wealth and comfort of 
 a country that a comparatively short time before was 
 sunk in poverty. The manufacture of linen decreased 
 in most places as cotton increased. Muslin was made 
 about 1782, and by 1786 Paisley was discarding the linen. 
 One authority says that " even silk gauze, employing 
 
12 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 5,000 looms and 1,000 weavers, became almost extinct 
 in thirty years." * 
 
 THE COAL INDUSTRY. 
 
 The mining of coal was not reckoned as an industry 
 till about the middle of the eighteenth century. Owing 
 to the supply of peat in the country districts, the demand 
 was not great. The few pits that did exist were worked 
 on a most primitive system. The difficulty of transit, 
 the vexatious taxes, and the almost impossible task of 
 keeping the pits clear of water, as the pumping gear was 
 generally driven by a windmill, kept the coal industry 
 from being developed. But, as early as 1750, we read 
 of Newcastle sending "black stones" to the North of 
 Scotland. 
 
 In 1760 a new era dawned upon this trade when the 
 Carron Company established their iron works on the^little 
 river Carron, near Falkirk. Before then ironstone was 
 known to have existed in many parts of Scotland, but 
 this was the first great practical effort that had been 
 made to use it properly. Thousands of men were now 
 in demand for this industry. Carronades became famous 
 on the battlefield as great destructive agents. Carron 
 works received a great impetus from the invention of 
 Dr. Roebuck, who, by converting coal into coke, made 
 the smelting of iron easy without the use of charcoal, 
 which, as we have seen, it was almost impossible to 
 procure in a country like Scotland, where timber was 
 scarce. Then, Smeaton completed the success of smelting 
 iron by the introduction of his blowing-engine ; this, 
 applied to Roebuck's idea, created a large demand for coal. 
 Iron-smelting and coal-mining developed rapidly ; iron 
 foundries arose ; employment became plentiful. The 
 Highlands and Ireland furnished many recruits for the 
 industrial army. 
 
 We cannot proceed to describe the growing prosperity 
 of Scotland without saying a few words on the conditions 
 under which the colliers and salters were employed, or 
 rather enslaved. By an old statute passed by the Scottish 
 Parliament in 1606, every man, woman, or child who once 
 went to work in a coal-mine was bound to labour in it 
 
 * Graham's "History." 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 13 
 
 all his life as a " necessary servant." * They thus lived 
 in serfdom, condemned by law to life-long labour, 
 without the slightest hope of freedom. These conditions 
 also applied to the people who worked in the salt-pans. 
 If the property changed hands, they (the " serfs ") also 
 passed into the service of the new proprietor. They were 
 " thirled " to the place for life. If they were so wicked 
 as to run away, they were punished for theft for stealing 
 themselves. This miserable servitude dulled all ambition, 
 killed all energy, and they became slaves not only in 
 body but in mind. They looked upon themselves as 
 hereditary slaves. In many cases, when their offspring 
 was taken for baptism, they bound over their infants to 
 the masters in the presence of the minister and neighbours 
 as witnesses. It is further recorded that when the father 
 was in need of money he often sold the freedom of his 
 children, receiving " arles," or earnest money, from the 
 master, who promised on his part to keep the young 
 slaves in house and garden, in sickness and old age, and 
 from that moment the " arled child " was part of his pit 
 property. Compared with the agricultural labourer, their 
 wages were better, and they were provided for life ; but 
 what a price they paid for that provision ! Up till 1763 
 their wages were about is. id. per day, and (according to 
 Adam Smith) after that date they were 2s. 6d. a day, 
 when day labourers were receiving eightpence to tenpence, 
 and when the earnings of free colliers at Newcastle were 
 only tenpence or one shilling per day. 
 
 This system of bondage continued up till 1775, when 
 an Act was passed to emancipate all who after that date 
 " shall begin to work as colliers and salters ; " and all 
 those already working who were under twenty-one years 
 of age were to be set free in seven years, and those between 
 twenty-one and thirty were to be liberated in ten years. 
 This measure, although well intended, did not bring the 
 relief that was anticipated. The masters had the poor 
 wretches in their debt, through the abominable truck 
 system, and threats of proceedings to recover these debts 
 kept them in bondage all their days, unless to the few 
 who lived up till 1799, wnen an Act was passed giving all 
 unconditional freedom. Many of them, being old by that 
 *Erskine's "Institutes of Law of Scots 1730," p. 149. 
 
14 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 time, looked upon their release as a calamity, because no 
 one cared to employ them when near the end of life's 
 journey. The brutalising effect of this system was evident 
 for generations after the emancipation came ; it was to be 
 seen in their habits and manners, in their morals, and 
 even in their faces. Hugh Miller describes the women 
 of Niddry who were survivors of the old days of servitude 
 as " marked by a peculiar type of mouth, from which 
 I learned to distinguish them from other females of the 
 country ; it was wide open, thick lipped, projecting 
 equally above and below, and exactly resembled that 
 which we find in prints of savages in their lowest and 
 most brutalised state in the narratives of our modern 
 voyagers, such as the narrative of Captain Fitzroy's 
 ' Second Voyage of the Beagle.' " 
 
 When freedom did come, very few were to be found who 
 would take the place of the old hands. Higher wages would 
 not even tempt them. There was a demand for labour 
 in the iron industries and the factories, and to these the 
 sons of the old serfs made their way. Coal-mining 
 was thus very unpopular with Scotsmen for many years. 
 
 The Border towns of Hawick and Galashiels were 
 engaged in small manufactures of weaving, the former 
 in making carpets. The latter town had a population 
 of about 600, with thirty looms engaged in making 
 blankets ; it was regarded as a remote village, for 
 Wilson, in his " History of Hawick," says that letters 
 for it were left at a place seven miles away. Kilmarnock, 
 about the year 1770, transferred its attention to carpet- 
 weaving from its former trade of making blue bonnets. 
 This followed a strike of the weavers in Kidderminster. 
 
 One can form some idea of the great transformation 
 that was taking place in Scotland when it is stated that 
 the revenue had increased by fifty-one times during the 
 century, while the population had only increased from 
 about 1,100,000 to 1,600,000. With the growing comfort 
 of the people came a more independent form of thought. 
 The workers had previously, if we except the Scriptures, 
 only read such books as the " Pilgrim's Progress," and 
 the chap-books that were hawked from door to door. 
 Now they began to form little clubs to purchase and 
 read newspapers, to discuss politics, and take a general 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 15 
 
 interest in public affairs. Of course, this was only a small 
 minority of their class ; the great majority had not yet 
 awakened to their manhood. 
 
 Another great work which created a demand for labour 
 was the passing of the Act of Parliament, in 1768, for 
 the construction of the Forth /and Clyde Canal. The 
 distance to be traversed was thirty-eight miles, the ground 
 over which it passes rises one hundred and fifty-six feet, 
 and it crosses two rivers and several roads. This huge 
 undertaking in these days took over twenty years to 
 complete, and in 1790 it was opened amidst great 
 rejoicing. The chairman of the company which carried 
 out the work floated a barrel containing water from 
 the Forth into the Clyde, thus proving the completion 
 of the work. 
 
 THE IRON INDUSTRY. 
 
 The ever-increasing demand for ironwork of every kind, 
 and the limited supply of the raw material from what is 
 known as the clay-band, was a question that absorbed 
 the attention of many of the practical men of the time. 
 "It is most interesting," says one writer on the subject, 
 " that just when iron was wanted in Scotland it was 
 found." In the year when Symington took out his 
 patent for " the first practical steamboat," another 
 Scotsman made the discovery of stores of unworked iron 
 in immense quantities. This was David Mushet, a native 
 of Dalkeith, who was employed towards the end of the 
 century as accountant at the Clyde Iron Works, which 
 had then been started. Of a studious and painstaking 
 nature, he applied his knowledge of geology and chemistry 
 to what is now known as the black-band ironstone. It 
 was in the bed of the little river Calder where he got his 
 first specimens of black-band ore. His discovery was 
 looked on as a myth by the ironmasters of the time, who 
 termed Mushet' s black-band " wild coal." But Mushet 
 erected iron works on the Calder ; he continued his 
 researches, and discovered huge deposits of the " wild 
 coal " in different parts of the Western counties. Some- 
 one has said it was largely owing to Mushet's discovery 
 that Scotland gained its high place in the world as an 
 iron-producing country ; yet the bulk of the ore used 
 to-day is imported. 
 
16 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 We must add to the above discovery the invention of 
 James B. Neilson, of hot-blast fame. The son of a 
 workman who seldom earned more than sixteen shillings 
 a week, this lad, after a fair education at the parish 
 school of Shettleston, began life as an engineman at a 
 colliery in Ayrshire. He was afterwards manager of the 
 first gas works started in Glasgow. His hot-blast 
 invention gave a great impetus to the iron trade all over 
 Britain. It * has been said that what Arkwright's 
 invention did for cotton, Neilson's invention did for iron. 
 
 Industrial progress was everywhere making itself felt, 
 if we except some remote parishes in Galloway and the 
 North, to which the whir of the loom or the noise of 
 Meikle's new threshing-machine had not yet reached. In 
 Edinburgh, where industry on a large scale has never 
 been much encouraged, the change was also felt. The 
 new and well-made roads induced coachbuilders to set 
 up works there, a business that to this day has greatly 
 flourished in the capital. Printing also found a home in 
 Edinburgh, in which for all those years it has held its own 
 against all comers. The building of the new town of 
 Edinburgh gave a great impetus to the building trades, the 
 operatives coming from all parts of the country to take 
 part in its creation. A small silk mill was at one time 
 started, but could not be said to be very successful. 
 Education in the latter part of the eighteenth and the 
 beginning of the nineteenth century found a suitable 
 centre in Edinburgh ; handsome and well - equipped 
 establishments, many of them endowed by former citizens, 
 gave a liberal education to young people, who were sent 
 from all parts of the world to the Edinburgh schools and 
 university. 
 
 In the West of Scotland, the great increase in the 
 number of industries which were started about 1760-90 
 drew people from all parts of Scotland and many from 
 Ireland, who all came in the hope of sharing in the 
 increase of wealth and comfort. They could not lose 
 much by the change, as most of them had left dire 
 poverty behind them ; but the change from an open-air 
 life to that of a factory, mine, or workshop told on the 
 constitutions of many, who simply withered away; yet 
 there was a constant stream of newcomers to fill their 
 place, iv , 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 17 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 To you I sing, in simple Scottish lays, 
 The lowly train in life's sequester'd scene. 
 
 Burns. 
 
 HOW THE PEOPLE LIVED. 
 
 V3ILE agriculture was advancing, the position of 
 the agricultural labourer was not improving in 
 anything like the same ratio. Landlords and 
 farmers were anxious to be rich, and ignored too 
 often the hard life of the toiler. They still lived, well into 
 the nineteenth century, in miserable hovels, and were 
 poorly rewarded for their work. Burns, in his graphic 
 description of their homes and habits in his " Cotter's 
 Saturday Night," gives us a glimpse of how many of the 
 better class of country people lived, but there were many 
 not nearly so well off as the hero of that beautiful poem. 
 Still, it must be said that, from the evidence which we 
 can gather, they were a well-conducted, industrious, and 
 frugal class of people ; they in many cases looked for 
 their reward in the next world, seeing it was denied them 
 in this. 
 
 Crime was not unknown, but it certainly was neither 
 harassing nor menacing. The punishments were more 
 severe than they are to-day, and the disgrace was keenly 
 felt by all connected with the culprit. Drunkenness was 
 indulged in to some extent, but was largely confined to 
 fairs, markets, and family reunions. At the beginning 
 of the century, men were to be seen in towns clad in 
 strange piebald attire bonnet and hose in half yellow, 
 half brown. These were dishonest debtors, who were 
 released on surrendering their goods, but were compelled to 
 wear this garb all their days.* The place of confinement 
 * Acts of Sederunt. 
 
1 8 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 for prisoners in a village was called the "thieves' hole," a 
 little hut with damp earthen floor, with hardly a glimmer 
 of light from the small opening through which the snow 
 drifted and the wind swirled in mad career through the 
 room and out again under and above the ill-fitting door, 
 through a hole in which the wife of the constable thrust 
 the food of the inmates. The guard over these hovel 
 prisons was not always efficient, and escape was easy. 
 From Aberdeen Tolbooth the prisoners quietly disappeared, 
 after putting on the doors the intimation " Lodgings to 
 let."* John Howard visited the Scottish prisons about 
 1784, and said that he found " more debtors than criminals 
 who, in the stench and darkness and dirt, were detained 
 at the charge and cost of their creditors." In 1779, in 
 the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, there were thirteen debtors 
 and nine felons. In Glasgow, Howard found, in 1782, 
 eighteen debtors and only five felons :f showing that, in 
 the growing commercial prosperity of the country, some 
 people were induced " to put their hand further out than 
 they could easily draw it back again." 
 
 The new, or factory, system greatly changed the 
 relationships of master and servant. Under the old 
 system, as a rule, the master worked along with the 
 few men he employed, either in his house or in a small 
 workshop. This was known as domestic industry. If 
 dull times came, the few workers were, as a rule, retained, 
 working "on stock" if possible, or taking turns with each 
 other of the off days, so that they seldom changed their 
 master or their locality. The factory system altered all 
 this. The millowner, with his hundreds of workers, could 
 not afford to work " on stock " if trade was dull ; he 
 could only work " on order," with the result, that as 
 the fluctuations of trade came round, the workers were 
 dismissed in great numbers, and they had to live as best 
 they could till trade revived. This was felt very keenly 
 when the trade began to fluctuate, towards the end of the 
 century. It was noted, too, that the millowner gradually 
 parted with the men, and for lower wages got the work 
 done by women and children. 
 
 Unorganised as the workers were, they had simply 
 to submit to every caprice of the newly-made rich 
 * Kennedy's ' ' Annals of Aberdeen. t Graham's ' ' History. " 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 19 
 
 millowners. It was felt by many that they were slipping 
 back into a worse position than they had been before 
 the Industrial Revolution. Some of the bolder spirits 
 suggested organisation, as they fully recognised their 
 helplessness in their present state. The first modern trade 
 society was formed in Halifax, in Yorkshire, and was 
 named " The Institution." It was formed, in the first 
 place, to prevent the employment in factories of people 
 who had not served a regular apprenticeship. Three years 
 after, a union of shoemakers was formed in Scotland, for 
 the purpose of raising wages. This action was considered 
 illegal, and the leaders were put on trial. Parliament, in 
 1800, passed a law forbidding all " combinations " of 
 workers for the purpose of increasing wages or reducing 
 hours of work.* 
 
 Now began that battle for freedom and justice 
 which trade unions have been waging with the 
 Legislature up to the present day. The cotton spinners of 
 Scotland did not hesitate to form a union, the executive 
 of which worked in secret. Strikes were ordered by this 
 executive ; and, arising from the bitterness engendered 
 by these industrial battles, acts of violence were not of 
 infrequent occurrence. Many just and honourable 
 members of Parliament had vigorously protested against 
 the enactment, in 1800, of the " Combination Laws," as 
 they were called ; and in 1824 the laws were repealed, 
 setting the unions free. Only a year elapsed, however, till 
 new restrictions were placed upon the combinations of 
 workers. Since then, innumerable Acts have been passed 
 having for their object the extension of that freedom 
 which was denied the workers in 1800. 
 
 The first Act of Parliament for the protection and 
 encouragement of friendly societies was passed in 1793, 
 although these societies were in existence in some form 
 long before that date. A sick and burial club was to be 
 found in many towns and villages during the eighteenth 
 century. These small and unpretentious clubs did good 
 work among the poor. Besides giving a much-needed 
 help in times of distress, they were perhaps unknowingly 
 training the people for the greater popular movements 
 that followed, and which are based on the same 
 
 * A. H. Stirling's "Industrial History." 
 
20 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 principle namely, mutual help ; for, as we shall see 
 further on, the great principle of co-operation was in 
 some instances the outcome of men banding themselves 
 together in friendly societies. The weavers, an intelligent 
 and numerous class, early saw the advantage of union ; 
 and many a rich and prosperous co-operative society 
 to-day owes its origin to the weavers' experience and 
 satisfaction with the working of their friendly societies. 
 
 As the workers in towns increased in numbers, towards 
 the end of the eighteenth century, the old feeling of 
 dependence on the " laird," or even the " minister,' 1 to 
 supply them with opinions, died out ; they began to think 
 for themselves. I/iterature dealing with questions that 
 were unknown to their fathers now came into their 
 hands ; and little clubs were formed for debating politics 
 and theology. The result of all this was an outspoken 
 disagreement with " the powers that be " ; democracy 
 had found a fertile soil to grow strong in among the 
 working-men of Scotland. 
 
 The fifteen members of Parliament who represented the 
 burghs in Scotland were elected by delegates from town 
 councils, who were too often self-elected. The thirty 
 members who represented the counties were elected, it 
 may be said, in most cases, by a few friends. About two 
 thousand voters returned the forty-five members for 
 Scotland. The workers were not supposed to have suffi- 
 cient intelligence, and therefore could not be trusted with 
 the franchise. 
 
 It will serve no purpose to discuss the chartist move- 
 ment, which was the outcome of the people's discontent 
 with the existing order of things, nor is it necessary to 
 recapitulate what led up to the Reform Bill of 1832 ; it 
 is sufficient for our purpose to point to the enormous 
 change that had come over the workers' position in 
 Scotland during the eighteenth century. 
 
 The co-operative store system had taken root in several 
 places in Scotland before the century closed. Of the 
 short existence of many of these early efforts little trace 
 has been left, but where material exists to form an 
 opinion, it is evident that each effort was the spontaneous 
 exertion of poor but intelligent men trying to improve 
 their position mentally and materially. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 21 
 
 The beginning of the nineteenth century found the 
 smaller towns, which depended on domestic industries such 
 as weaving and corollary trades, in a pitiable condition. 
 Wages were small and uncertain, the standard of life 
 was very low, and everyone could not go to the larger 
 towns where the standard was somewhat higher, although 
 always subject to frequent fluctuations. How the people 
 lived can be more accurately ascertained at the beginning 
 of the century, as documents and statistics are more 
 plentiful and accessible. From the " New Statistical 
 Account," published about 1844, every parish in Scotland 
 can be examined and its general condition understood. 
 Thus, for instance, in the parish of Lanark, in 1834, it * s 
 stated there were 873 persons engaged in weaving, 702 
 in the town of Lanark. The average wage was 6s. per 
 week, out of which lod. had to be paid for loom rent 
 and 3d. for light ; 2d. had also to be paid for carriage 
 of the web. The wives made is. 3d. per week by pirn- 
 winding. A small advance per yard was got shortly 
 after this date. Shoemakers' wages are set down at I2s. 
 per week, tailors' at qs., and wrights' and masons' at 143. 
 per week. The above may be taken as a fair average 
 of the country towns and villages of Scotland at the time 
 stated. 
 
 In Glasgow, in 1831, out of a population of 202,426, 
 there were 29,287 persons directly or indirectly engaged 
 in the manufacture of cotton goods. There were 1,000 
 persons engaged in printing. The weavers are spoken of 
 as sinking into extreme poverty. In 1837, X 8,5oo persons 
 had to be supported or relieved from the rates, the cost 
 in 1839 bein g *#5&* 
 
 In 1834, Mr L. Home, Parliamentary Factory Com- 
 missioner, reported that there were 134 cotton mills in 
 Scotland, 74 of them being in Lanarkshire ; and he 
 further reported that there was one pauper to every 
 forty persons in the towns. 
 
 It is interesting to note that it was not till the year 
 1806 that a pawnbroker started business in Glasgow. 
 The proprietor, who was an Englishman, found the 
 business so poor that he gave it up at the end of the first 
 six months. In 1813 John Graham, a discharged town 
 
 * "Sanitary Inquiry of Scotland, 1841." 
 
22 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 officer, set up as a regular pawnbroker ; he was eminently 
 successful, and soon had many competitors. 
 
 The following table may be taken as representative of 
 most country districts at the time, and will give a fair 
 idea of the position of the workers when the first 
 co-operative societies in Scotland came into life 
 
 
 YEAR 1750. 
 
 YEAR 1791. 
 
 YEAR 1836. 
 
 Beef and mutton, per stone (14 lb) - 
 
 2/6 to 3/ 
 
 5/ to 7/ 
 
 8/ to 8/6 
 
 Butter, per tb - - - ; 
 
 3d. to 4d. 
 
 6d. to I/ 
 
 I/ to 1/2 
 
 Cheese, per Ib 
 
 Id. to 2d. 
 
 3d. to 6d. 
 
 6d. 
 
 Eggs, per doz. .... 
 
 Id. to 2d. 
 
 5d. to lOd. 
 
 5d. to 8d. 
 
 Oatmeal, per boll (140 lb) - 
 
 11/8 
 
 16/8 
 
 18/8 
 
 it per peck (7 lb) 
 
 8fd. 
 
 1/Oi 
 
 i/2 
 
 A fowl .... vi y. 
 
 6d. to 8d. 
 
 I/ to 2/ 
 
 lOd. to 1/6 
 
 WAGES. 
 
 
 
 
 Day labourer 
 
 6d. to 7d. 
 
 1/2 to 1/4 
 
 1/6 to 2/ 
 
 Masons, per day - ... .. 
 
 8d. to lOd. 
 
 1/8 to 2/ 
 
 2/6 to 3/6 
 
 Wrights, per day .... 
 
 7d. to 9d. 
 
 1/6 to 1/8 
 
 2/6 to 3/ 
 
 Tailors (with meat), per day - 
 
 4d. 
 
 lOd. to I/ 
 
 1/6 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 23 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 No ! He it is, the just, the generous soul ! 
 Who owneth brotherhood with either pole, 
 Stretches from realm to realm his spacious mind, 
 And guards the weal of all human kind. 
 
 F. Wright. 
 
 EARLY ATTEMPTS AT CO-OPERATION IN DIFFERENT FORMS. 
 
 IN the last chapter we have briefly and very inadequately 
 sketched the history of the workers in Scotland 
 during the eighteenth and part of the nineteenth 
 centuries. You will search in vain through that long 
 and painful story of trial and privation for the slightest 
 indication of any of the better-educated classes suggesting 
 or trying to promote a scheme or schemes whereby the 
 people might emancipate themselves to some extent from 
 the thraldom of poverty, which kept them so long in 
 isolated and hopeless lethargy. 
 
 In almost every country of Europe, and even far 
 beyond Europe, history teems with evidences of efforts 
 being made to reform society so that the lot of the poor 
 might be improved. In Scotland the poor were preached 
 at to be content with their lot, as if it were a Divine 
 decree. In the sister country of England there were 
 frequently humanitarians who voiced the grievances of 
 the workers, and in fact led in many of the reforms that 
 brought temporary relief. Scotland had few, if any, such 
 leaders in the eighteenth century, so that it may safely 
 be affirmed that until well on into last century the battles 
 of reform had to be fought by the workers. As we have 
 seen, they had not the means of knowing anything of 
 what was going on in the world outside their own locality. 
 Any little effort of united action for their improvement 
 was entirely spontaneous, and not the outcome of any 
 
24 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 well-planned scheme or organisation, which has done so 
 much for them since the beginning of the nineteenth 
 century. 
 
 Thus their starting of village clubs for sick and funeral 
 relief, and later on the launching of the village store, were 
 simply efforts to minimise the effects of the cruel poverty 
 with which they were constantly menaced ; and it also 
 fereshadowed a hope that they would be enabled by 
 these means to maintain an independence that would 
 keep them from soliciting or accepting charity. Scottish 
 co-operation in this way, at least in the early efforts, 
 owed little to outside influences. 
 
 My late lamented friend, G. J. Holyoake, in his valuable 
 work, " Self-help a Hundred Years Ago," says that the 
 first co-operative society was started in the village of 
 Mongewell, in Oxfordshire, in 1794 ; and that it was 
 started by Shute Barrington, Bishop of Durham. It may 
 be well to keep in mind the date of this early store, and 
 also to remember that England does not include Scotland, 
 as is too often assumed in speaking and writing. I 
 hope to show that the first store started in Britain was 
 in Scotland, and had not the guidance nor influence of 
 anyone outside of its membership. 
 
 The application of the co-operative principle in a 
 spontaneous way was not peculiar to Scotland. In many 
 other countries the same thing occurred ; hence almost 
 through all the ages you will find men clubbing or 
 associating for a purpose, effecting by numbers what 
 never could be attained by the individual. The history 
 of the various ancient communities which have lived and 
 worked together for their common good is most interesting : 
 but as they could have little or no bearing on the beginning 
 of co-operation in Scotland, any detailed repetition of 
 their history here would be out of place. I will, therefore, 
 only mention some of them, to show that united effort to 
 improve society has been before the world, and has been 
 tried in all parts of the world, for many centuries. I need 
 not refer at length to the beautiful picture that Plato 
 gives us in his imaginary Republic, of the New Atlantis 
 of Bacon, or to the description of the City of Eusebes by 
 Thoumasia of Theopompos. These pictures show that the 
 philosophers of ancient times had a yearning for a state 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 25 
 
 of society where the brotherhood of man would lead to 
 peace and prosperity. Josephus and Pliny both deal in 
 detail with the community of Jews called Essenes : they 
 numbered about four thousand, and were all engaged in 
 agriculture ; they held their goods in common ; war they 
 held to be contrary to religion ; they had no slaves nor 
 servants, believing in the brotherhood and the equality 
 of man. Josephus speaks of this community as having 
 existed a hundred and fifty years before the Christian 
 era. The historian Rollins tells us that " while the laws 
 of Mino, the law-giver of the Cretans, were observed in 
 Crete, that island was the abode of justice and virtue, 
 and it remained so for one thousand years. The children 
 were all educated alike ; their parents fed at the same 
 table at the public expense, toward which all were bound 
 to contribute either by personal or substitute labour." 
 In Sparta, Lycurgus instituted the common possession of 
 land among the people, and for seven hundred years 
 Sparta nourished and the people were happy under those 
 conditions. 
 
 The following is taken from a publication called The 
 Working Man : " It is curious to find in Lord de 
 Walden's report to Earl Russell evidence of the existence 
 of co-operation certainly as early as 1297 and 1343. As 
 far back as these dates records existed as to grants of 
 coal-mining ; and his lordship stated ' the first companies 
 for working coal consisted of mere associations of operatives.' 
 Some of these companies like those of * Belle et Bonne/ 
 ' Turlupu/ ' Fosse du Bois,' and others still keep up their 
 original character, and contain a large number of workmen 
 who have shares in the undertaking, and who consequently 
 take part in the deliberations of the society. Here are all 
 the features of practical co-operation. This system was 
 gradually changed at a period when co-operative ideas 
 were popularly supposed to have been introduced into 
 Europe, namely, after the Revolution of 1789." 
 
 As the above is taken from an official report that must 
 be in the possession of the Government, it may be 
 accepted as accurate. Nor can we forget Sir Thomas 
 More's ideas in his " Utopia." So might one deal with 
 many other experiments of the communal kind which have 
 been inaugurated and carried on in all countries and in all 
 
26 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 ages since the days when Plato's Republic was suggested, 
 nearly all the experimenters having borrowed their ideas 
 from that master-work. The early co-operators of 
 Scotland had possibly never heard of the communities 
 we have mentioned, nor were they likely to have profited 
 much from such knowledge if they had possessed it. As 
 we have seen, they were too much separated from each 
 other and had little or no means of communication. It 
 was not till the great Robert Owen arose and began to 
 spread his humanitarian ideas abroad that the thinking 
 part of the workers in Scotland although stores were 
 started long before his time began to take a deep 
 interest in social matters, an interest that has gathered 
 strength and will go on gathering strength as long as 
 the world lasts. As Owen's first social improvements 
 were begun in New Lanark, it will not be out of place 
 to sketch briefly his long and arduous battle and his 
 generous endeavours to improve the condition of the 
 worker. 
 
 Robert Owen was born at Newtown, Montgomeryshire, 
 on the I4th May 1771, and was the youngest but one of 
 seven children. His father had been brought up to the 
 saddlery business ; his mother was the daughter of a 
 farmer in the neighbourhood of Newtown. As a boy, 
 Owen is spoken of as cheerful and studious. It was 
 arranged by his parents that when he reached the age of 
 ten he should proceed to London to join his eldest 
 brother, who had settled in the capital as a saddler in 
 High Holborn. Six weeks after his arrival, we find him 
 on his way to Stamford, in Lincolnshire, where he had 
 procured a situation in a drapery warehouse. His 
 employer, a Mr M'Guffog, had formerly been a Scots 
 pedlar, who had commenced life at the very bottom of 
 the ladder. Owen speaks of his employer in the highest 
 terms, as honest, methodical, and liberal in his conduct. 
 If Owen's remuneration was not large, he at least had 
 the advantage of free access to his employer's well-stocked 
 library. This to him was a great pleasure, and during the 
 three or four years he remained at Stamford he read much, 
 and profitably. He left for London, carrying with him the 
 best wishes of his employer and some valuable testimonials 
 as to character and ability. His next situation was in 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 27 
 
 a large retail draper's on Old London Bridge. Now he 
 had 25 a year besides his board and lodging. His work 
 was hard, and the hours of business extended from eight 
 in the morning till half-past ten at night. But, he says, 
 after the warehouse was shut, the place had to be put in 
 order for next day, frequently keeping the assistants busy 
 till two in the morning ; sometimes he was barely able 
 to mount the stairs to his bedroom. Well might he call 
 this condition of work " slavery." He remembered the 
 effect of this drudgery on his mind as well as on his body 
 when he became an employer. 
 
 We next find him accepting a situation in Manchester, 
 where he is to receive 40 a year with board and lodging. 
 His experience in this situation added greatly to his 
 knowledge of men and business generally, and he 
 remained in it until he was eighteen years of age. He 
 was only a boy, but already he had had wide experience. 
 A year's partnership with a Mr Jones did not turn out 
 as well as he would have liked, but it gave him just 
 the kind of experience he required. The partnership 
 lasted, as we have said, only a year. He now started 
 business on his own account, and succeeded in making 
 about 300 a year. He was still looking out for a wider 
 field for his energies. A manager was wanted for a large 
 mill in Manchester, and Owen applied for the post. 
 Mr Drinkwater, the millowner, asked him his age and 
 what salary he would expect. "Nineteen years of age, 
 and I wish three hundred pounds a year," was the answer. 
 " I have had a number of applicants for the situation," 
 said the millowner, "but all of them put together would 
 not amount to what you ask." " I cannot be governed 
 by what others ask, and I cannot take less," said Owen. 
 Mr Drinkwater was struck by the honest confidence of 
 the young man ; he gave him the position of manager, 
 and took over Owen's business stock at cost price. There 
 were five hundred people employed at the mill where he 
 was now installed as manager. 
 
 At the end of the first six months he had proved his 
 capability as a manager. His employer recognised his 
 ability by offering to increase his salary to 400, and then 
 to 500 in the succeeding years, at the same time holding 
 out a prospect of a partnership. His ability as a manager 
 
28 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 was undoubted, his character was beyond reproach, while 
 his sound judgment was remarked by all who came into 
 contact with him. It will be seen by this time that we 
 have no ordinary man to deal with. At the early age of 
 twenty he was a leader in his profession. The details of 
 his life up to this point are simply meant to show the 
 reader that Owen received no aid from others in his youth ; 
 he practically educated himself, and won his way by dint 
 of study and good conduct to a position that was the envy 
 of men twice his age. Having now seen him on the way 
 to fortune, we need not detail the changes he thought it 
 wise to make and the appointments he rilled till he 
 became partner in the Chorlton Twist Company. At 
 this time the whole of his leisure was spent in study, and 
 he contributed papers occasionally to the Manchester 
 lyiterary and Philosophical Society. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 29 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Yet give me bravery from the heart, 
 From self divested, and apart 
 Type of celestial nature 
 That rushes through devouring waves, 
 And, like a guardian angel, saves 
 A sinking fellow-creature. 
 
 Dibdin. 
 
 ROBERT OWEN IN SCOTLAND. 
 
 OWEN'S life up to the time that he made his 
 first visit to Scotland had been germinal of 
 the career which has impressed the world so 
 much. He was twenty-seven years of age when 
 he first visited Glasgow on business in the interests of his 
 company. Accidentally he met a Miss Spear, whom he 
 knew, and who was on a visit at the time to the family 
 of David Dale, the proprietor of New Lanark mills. 
 Miss Spear was accompanied by Miss Dale, who in the 
 course of conversation offered Owen an introduction to 
 her uncle, who was manager at New Lanark. He visited 
 the mills at New Lanark, and, after a close inspection, he 
 said to a friend who had travelled with him from Glasgow, 
 " Of all places I have seen I should prefer this in which 
 to try an experiment I have long contemplated, and have 
 wished to have an opportunity to put in practice." These 
 words, uttered by Owen at the age of twenty-seven, when 
 he had very little money of his own, disposes most 
 completely of the argument that was persistently used 
 against him in after years that Owen's experiments were 
 simply the eccentricities of a man who had made his 
 fortune from the labour of others. 
 
 Owen called at the house of Mr Dale, in Charlotte 
 Street, on his return to Glasgow, to express his thanks 
 for the pleasure and information he had received during 
 his visit to New Lanark. He failed to find the busy 
 
30 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Mr Dale at home, but had an interview with Miss Spear 
 and Miss Dale. Thus began the acquaintanceship which 
 shortly after resulted in Miss Dale becoming the wife of 
 Robert Owen. 
 
 On his return to Manchester, Owen set himself an 
 enormous task. He had heard a whisper that, owing to 
 advancing years, Mr Dale was likely to part with New 
 Lanark mills. From what we know now, he had made up 
 his mind to purchase New Lanark, and also hoped to wed 
 David Dale's daughter. When once Owen had made 
 up his mind, action immediately followed. It is a 
 somewhat romantic little story, but this is scarcely the 
 place to recount it. Be it said that within a very short 
 time, with the aid and approval of his company, who 
 financed the transaction, the New Lanark mills passed 
 into the possession of the New Lanark Twist Company, 
 the price being 60,000, payable at the rate of 3,000 a 
 year for twenty years. Having secured the mills, Owen 
 was not long till he also obtained Mr Dale's approval to 
 marry his daughter. 
 
 The marriage took place in Mr Dale's house, which 
 stands to this day in Charlotte Street (near to Glasgow 
 Green), which was then the residential street of some of the 
 wealthy manufacturers and " tobacco lords," as they were 
 called. On the 1st January 1800, Owen took up his 
 duties as managing partner of the new company. From 
 this moment he set to work to carry out that great and 
 humane experiment that has drawn the hearts of men in 
 all countries towards this commercial hero. There was a 
 prejudice against employment in cotton mills, and there- 
 fore the character and habits of those who took to it were 
 not all that could be desired. Drunkenness and even 
 theft were prevalent. Mr Dale had suffered through 
 these evil habits, and had not been able to stem 
 the downward moral trend of his workpeople. Owen 
 did not dismiss, as most men would have done, the bad 
 characters who gave him so much trouble ; he set himself 
 to reform them by method, kindness, and encourage- 
 ment. He believed that, by judiciously altering the 
 conditions in which the people worked so as to make them 
 happier at their work, he would ultimately effect an 
 improvement in their character and dispositions. " When," 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 31 
 
 says Owen, " I mentioned to my friends that my intention 
 was to commence a new system of management, on 
 principles of justice and kindness, and gradually to abolish 
 punishments in governing the population, they one and all 
 smiled at my simplicity in imagining I could succeed in 
 such a visionary scheme, and strongly urged me not to 
 attempt so hopeless a task. My mind, however, was 
 prepared for it, and also to encounter whatever difficulties 
 might arise." There were thirteen hundred people in 
 the village, in families, and four or five hundred pauper 
 children procured from the surrounding parishes. By Mr 
 Dale's directions, these children had been well fed and 
 lodged, and an attempt had been made to teach them to 
 read and write after the labour of the long day was over. 
 Owen had no sympathy with this system, contending that 
 children could not be educated properly after being 
 thoroughly exhausted by the day's work. He decided 
 that no more pauper children should be received, that better 
 houses should be built, and that additional families should 
 be brought into the village to fill the places of the pauper 
 children. The mills were entirely renovated, new machinery 
 was introduced as opportunity occurred ; overseers were 
 cautioned as to harsh conduct towards the workpeople ; 
 cleanliness, courtesy, and punctuality were impressed on 
 everyone ; defaulters were to be firmly but kindly reproved. 
 Of course, the new methods were looked on suspiciously at 
 first by the workpeople ; they could not understand this 
 new care and interest in their welfare. Owen did not hold 
 public meetings, and make promises to them, that would 
 raise himself in their estimation ; he discovered who were 
 the most trusted by the workers, and' quietly informed 
 them of his intended policy; they, in turn, communicated 
 to the workpeople the proposals and desires of the 
 manager all he desired was that the people wo.uld 
 co-operate with him. 
 
 Any suspicion as to the sincerity of Owen's unselfish 
 administration was completely swept away in 1806. 
 Owing to the prohibitive price of raw cotton, caused by 
 the American embargo placed on export cotton to Great 
 Britain, many of the mills in this country had to cease 
 operations and dismiss their employees. Owen considered 
 what action he would take ; he ultimately decided to stop 
 
32 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 the mills, but to retain the whole of the staff, and pay 
 them full wages during the stoppage. Thus for four 
 months every man, woman, and child attended to cleaning 
 machinery and slight alterations in the mill, and in return 
 were paid full wages, the same as if production had been 
 proceeding all that time. The gratitude of the work- 
 people was unbounded, and from that time Owen had 
 their confidence and their affection. The country at this 
 time was filled with starving operatives and their families, 
 while New Lanark was an industrious paradise. The 
 wages paid during this time of non-production amounted 
 to seven thousand pounds. 
 
 When work was resumed, Owen turned his attention to 
 a subject that lay near his heart namely, the education 
 of the children. He held strongly that, in the formation 
 of character, knowledge and environment played an 
 important part, and argued that if the child was properly 
 trained, in happy surroundings, the result would be better 
 citizens ; it would, he contended, be a splendid invest- 
 ment for the country and for civilisation. Owen's pro- 
 posal was to spend 5,000 on suitable schools for the 
 training of the young people in connection with the mills. 
 It must be borne in mind, that during the past years of 
 his administration the profits from the business (notwith- 
 standing his expenditure on the workpeople) had been all 
 that his partners could desire. They now demurred, and 
 objected to his educational proposals. On the other hand, 
 Owen stood his ground manfully, and stated that, if he was 
 to manage, it must be in his own way. The dispute ended 
 in Owen offering 84,000 for the whole concern, on condi- 
 tion that his partners would retire. Owen could not finance 
 this himself. He had to look for other partners ; these he 
 found, and soon had his schools in course of erection. 
 
 Poor Owen's peace of mind was only temporary. His 
 new partners attacked him quite as fiercely as the ones who 
 had retired ; they contended they were manufacturers and 
 nothing more, and would have nothing to do with Owen's 
 schemes of improvement. After much disputing, they 
 gave notice of dissolution ; and again, after only four 
 years, the partnership, which from a financial point of 
 view had been most successful 160,000 had been made 
 in the four years, or at the rate of 40,000 per annum 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 33 
 
 was dissolved. After much annoyance, Owen again 
 bought the business, this time for 114,100. It was sold 
 by auction, and Owen's partners ceased bidding at 
 114,000. Again he had to form a partnership in London, 
 retaining the management in his own hands. The work- 
 people were delighted that again he was to be their 
 employer. The schools were soon in full swing, and 
 thousands of people came to visit New Lanark, for the 
 fame of Owen's school system had spread throughout 
 Europe. 
 
 To describe the school methods .and the splendid 
 results attained is scarcely part of our work. Owen was 
 unwearied in his efforts to improve the condition of the 
 worker. We owe much of the factory legislation which 
 took place in his time to his initiative. His manifesto to 
 the other employers, where he begs of them to give some 
 attention to the improvement of the workers, rather than 
 to give all their attention to the making of money, is 
 characteristic, and shows the unselfish life he led. His 
 numerous essays, letters, and lectures all bore evidence of 
 careful and studious thought, and all breathe one great desire 
 namely, to make men rather than money. Volumes 
 might be filled in recounting this good man's work, and 
 yet, in the midst of his beneficent actions, he was assailed 
 and traduced. No flaw could be found in his splendid 
 character, so his enemies and they were numerous who 
 feared the coming of an educated democracy, which he 
 hoped so much from, assailed him because of his attitude 
 in regard to religion ; he could not be good, they held, 
 if he had no convictions in favour of dogma. It was well 
 known to his opponents that he was the most tolerant of 
 men ; all were at liberty to hold what beliefs they thought 
 proper, and he claimed the same liberty for himself. 
 
 There could not be that wickedness in his nature that 
 his enemies continually upbraided him with, when he 
 expressed himself in the following words towards mankind 
 in general : " I say to all men, you are the children of 
 a common Father, whom you worship under different 
 names ; in your relations to your common parent and 
 to each other, your duties of love and help which your 
 ignorance and the antipathies springing from it deprive 
 you of the power to perform. Where you ought to 
 
34 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 love, you hate; where you ought to help, you hinder. 
 You persecute and injure each other because your skins 
 differ in colour, because your religious opinions and 
 forms of worship are not the same, because you differ in 
 language and habits ; whereas, if you understood your- 
 selves, and knew each other, and possessed that knowledge 
 of the laws of your being which you ought to possess, and 
 which ought most easily to be impressed on your minds, 
 you would understand that you do not create for your- 
 selves one of the distinctions concerning which you quarrel. 
 . . . Your character is to be formed for you, and not by 
 you ; so that, instead of blaming and hating, fighting and 
 killing each other, it will be your duty, in the recognition 
 of this great truth, palpable to all who will open their eyes 
 and see, to find out what is truest and best in each of these 
 differences, and to give by education such qualities as will 
 tend to produce the highest and best results in the human 
 race." 
 
 In spite of all the attacks made upon him, Owen 
 continued and increased the facilities for education at New 
 Lanark. Some of the highest in the land, who had visited 
 the mills, bore eloquent testimony to the marvellous 
 change that had come over the habits of the workers, and 
 also to the wonderful success of the schools, which were 
 now considered by many to be the finest in Europe. 
 Owen paid a Gaelic minister to preach to the Highlanders 
 among his workers who only understood English imper- 
 fectly. 
 
 The profits continued to be satisfactory ; but one of the 
 partners, named William Allan, who was a member of the 
 Society of Friends, was continually troubling Owen about 
 his religious views. He visited New Lanark about 1822, 
 and although greatly biassed against Owen, could find 
 nothing to complain of in the religious training of the 
 children ; but he was greatly shocked at seeing some of 
 the boys in their neat Highland dress. He voted the bare 
 knees immoral, which, he held, would have a grievous 
 effect on the morals of the children in after years. 
 Continuous and vexatious interference with his good work 
 by his partners rendered Owen's position impossible. It is 
 only fair to say that, although the well-known Jeremy 
 Bentham was one of the partners, he in no way interfered 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 35 
 
 with Owen. Two sets of partners had been got rid of 
 because of their animosity to the revolution which had 
 taken place at the mills ; the partnership was again at 
 breaking point for the same reason, after long and, to 
 Owen, painful negotiations, in which he proved that, 
 even from a financial point of view, his efforts to improve 
 the conditions of the workers had been a gain to the 
 company. No arguments that they could adduce influ- 
 enced or shook his belief that the better you treat a man 
 the better will he serve you, and his sympathies for others 
 will increase his usefulness generally. Nor would he listen 
 to any modification of his great educational effort, which 
 he held was the greatest, if not the only means, of 
 improving mankind. 
 
 The end soon came: bigotry and narrowness of spirit 
 won the long and unequal battle. Owen must retire. His 
 great work at New Lanark was over ; but the world at 
 large was to gain. He threw himself with even greater 
 spirit into the great work of education and amelioration 
 of the condition of the workers. 
 
 
36 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Even though scorn's malignant glances 
 
 Prove him poorest of his clan, 
 He's the noble who advances 
 
 Freedom and the cause of man. 
 
 Swain. 
 
 THE ORBISTON EXPERIMENT. 
 
 OWEN'S work in Scotland was now practically over, 
 unless we include the Orbiston experiment, which 
 was carried on by others on his suggestions and 
 plans. He was fifty-seven years of age when he 
 sorrowfully left New Lanark. The rest of his life was spent 
 in active propaganda, visiting every part of the country 
 and many foreign lands, forming associations for the dis- 
 semination of his views, writing and speaking continuously. 
 His " New Moral World " reflects his opinions on most 
 subjects and he covered a wide field. Not one of his 
 critics dare say that he was self-seeking ; in fact he must 
 have spent many thousands in his endeavour to improve 
 society. He toiled on till November 1858, when he died 
 at Newtown in the house adjoining that in which he was 
 born eighty-seven years before. 
 
 The reader may be pardoned for asking, what has this 
 sketch of Robert Owen got to do with the history of 
 co-operation ? The answer depends entirely on the 
 definition of co-operation. The word to Owen and his 
 followers had a very different meaning and bearing to 
 what it carries with it to-day. Owen's ideal of co-operation 
 was the perfecting of the mental faculties by education 
 that would lead men to work together for a common 
 object namely, the happiness of all. His views were 
 large, too large for his time. His belief in human 
 regeneration was to be largely reached by better environ- 
 ment. While many of his critics applauded his magnificent 
 work and agreed with him in his efforts for educational 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 37 
 
 reform, still, like many of us to-day, they believed that 
 regeneration must come from within the man and could 
 not be applied from without. Owen gave no heed to the 
 early attempts of the store movement. His own words 
 are, in relating one of his journeys : " Passed through 
 Carlisle, devoting Tuesday and Wednesday to seeing 
 friends of the system and those whom I wish to make its 
 friends ; to my surprise I found there are six or seven 
 co-operative societies in different parts of the town, doing 
 well as they think, that is, making profit by joint stock 
 retailing. It is, however, high time to put an end to the 
 notion, very prevalent in the public mind, that this is the 
 social* system which we contemplate, or that it will form 
 any part of the arrangements in the new moral world.* 
 
 Even at New Lanark the people had no store on a 
 co-operative basis. " I arranged," says Owen, " superior 
 stores and shops from which to supply every article of 
 ordinary daily consumption." He bought everything 
 with ready-money in the first markets, and contracted 
 for fuel, milk, and other articles produced in the 
 neighbourhood, so as to secure all the advantages of a 
 large ready-money purchase. These articles were brought 
 to the doors of the people, and supplied to them at cost 
 price, at a saving of 25 per cent, in the expenditure of 
 their wages. By this arrangement alone an improvement 
 in health and comfort very soon became perceptible 
 among them.f 
 
 Mr Holyoake says the notable passage regarding 
 Carlisle shows " how poor an opinion Owen entertained of 
 co-operation." It is well that this should be noted, for 
 we not infrequently hear it said that Owen was the founder 
 of our modern co-operation. That his large and humane 
 systems of mutual help, his love of his fellows, and his 
 lifelong endeavours to improve society, has had a most 
 inspiring influence on our movement, no one will deny ; 
 though it is also undeniable that the humble store of the 
 people which has done so much in out-of-the-way places 
 had not, according to his own words, any place in the 
 schemes he so valiantly fought for. His great communal 
 schemes, he himself said, went to the root of our social 
 
 * "New Moral World," vol. iv., November 1836. 
 fL. Jones's "Owen," vol. i., p. 66. 
 
38 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 chaos ; the store he regarded as a palliative. If Robert 
 Owen could not recognise the potentialities of co-operation, 
 that is no reason why co-operators should not admire 
 his self-sacrificing endeavours to reform society. If he 
 lived to-day and could have seen what the people have 
 done for themselves through united effort, his large and 
 generous heart would have been greatly rejoiced. 
 
 It must not be inferred from the foregoing that there 
 was no sympathy between the existing English co-operative 
 societies and Owen's ideals. In 1831 there were about 
 250 known retail societies in Britain, and it would be safe 
 to say that the majority of the leaders of those societies 
 were in full sympathy with Owen's proposals ; they 
 regarded the retail co-operative trading, in England 
 especially, as a means to an end, the end being to form 
 communities with the capital obtained through co-operative 
 trading. Evidence of this is to be found in the rules and 
 objects of the societies at the time, notably in the Pioneers 
 of Rochdale rules, which distinctly state that an estate or 
 estates are to be bought, to provide work for their 
 members. The few Scottish societies that existed did not 
 take this view. 
 
 The active period of propaganda was from 1825 to 1844. 
 Nine missionaries were appointed to tour the country and 
 lay before the working-class the schemes as set forth in 
 the " New Moral World." The co-operative societies, as 
 they did not divide their profits as they do to-day, were 
 to a large extent the subscribers to the funds of this 
 enterprise. The only practical application of the 
 communal scheme in Scotland was what is known as the 
 Orbiston experiment. The Queenwood and New Harmony 
 ventures being outside our province, we can only refer 
 briefly to what took place at Orbiston. 
 
 Among the many converts to Owenism, few were so 
 enthusiastic as Abram Combe. There were three Combes 
 George, Abram, and Andrew. The three brothers were 
 all men of ability. George was the author of the 
 " Constitution of Man," and gained considerable reputa- 
 tion as a phrenologist. Dr. Andrew Combe was popular 
 as a writer on physiology. Abram accepted Robert Owen's 
 teachings with enthusiasm, and resolved to make an 
 experiment in Scotland with the help of some others who 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 39 
 
 were like-minded, notably James Hamilton, younger, of 
 Dalziel. From what we can gather, these two gentlemen 
 laid their ideas before Owen. But their ideas were far 
 too moderate for Owen ; his plan, as expressed at other 
 places, was to obtain no less than 250,000 for an 
 experiment. In the very modified scheme of Messrs 
 Combe and Hamilton, Owen could not take an active part. 
 A company was then formed of individuals to carry out 
 the project, with a capital of 50,000. The avowed 
 purpose of the founders was to furnish an institution that 
 would be a model for others of a similar nature throughout 
 the country, the objects being, the founders said, " to 
 remoralise the lower orders, to reduce the poor charges, 
 gradually to abolish pauperism with all its degrading 
 consequences, and to release the country from its present 
 distress." The next step was to secure a suitable site to 
 carry out the work. Orbiston, near Bellshill, in the 
 parish of Bothwell, was fixed on, the idea being to 
 accommodate a community of 1,200 persons. The 
 following is a schedule of the estimated expenses of the 
 whole establishment, taken from the " New Statistical 
 Account " of Scotland : 
 
 1,200 acres of land, at 30 per acre 36,000 
 
 Apartments for 1,200 persons 17,000 
 
 Three public buildings for manufacturing, and 
 
 slaughter-house and washing-house 19,000 
 
 Furnishing 300 rooms, at 8 each 2,400 
 
 Furnishing schools and dormitories 3,000 
 
 Two fanning establishments, corn mill, malting 
 
 and brewing appendages 6,000 
 
 Making the interior of the square and roads 3,000 
 
 Stock for farms under spade cultivation 4,000 
 
 Contingencies and extras 6,600 
 
 Total 96,000 
 
 which sum is equal to 80 each of the 1,200 to be 
 accommodated. 
 
 Scarcely a fourth part of the intended buildings was erected, 
 the expense of which was greatly beyond the original 
 calculation. When ready for occupancy, the inmates 
 were drawn from all parts of the three kingdoms, and little 
 or no care was taken in selecting suitable people. The 
 highest number accommodated was sixty adults and one 
 hundred and twenty children. They took their meals in 
 
40 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 a large public-room, but they did not all fare alike. There 
 were four tables, each having a different tariff. At the 
 first table, the charge for breakfast, dinner, and supper 
 was 143. per week ; at the second table, IDS. per week ; 
 at the third table, 75. per week ; and at the fourth table, 
 55. 6d. A theatre, a lecture-room, and school-rooms were 
 included in the institution. The children slept in 
 dormitories apart from their parents. Mr Abram Combe 
 was overseer or manager, and at the same time edited the 
 Orbiston Register, which was published at Edinburgh. 
 
 From the very commencement there were signs of 
 disappointment and discouragement. The choice of 
 inhabitants had been unfortunate ; few of them were 
 accustomed to any form of regularity or discipline. 
 Instead of united effort, some of them thought more of 
 individual liberty and license. 
 
 Mr Combe was in poor health ; he died in August 1827. 
 It is very questionable if he was suited for such a difficult 
 position. Financial troubles were present from the first. 
 On the buildings alone that had been erected, there had 
 been 12,000 expended, and it was now difficult, if not 
 impossible, to get more money. The end came. Why 
 dwell on it ? The people left, the buildings after a time 
 were razed to the ground ; it is said that not one stone of 
 it can now be seen. 
 
 It will be noted that Robert Owen was not in favour of 
 the starting of Orbiston on such a small scale, but was 
 entirely sympathetic with its principles. No one can 
 doubt the sincerity of Abram Combe, who lost his all in 
 this the first and last effort to carry Owen's communal 
 ideas into practice in Scotland. 
 
 The following account of Orbiston may be regarded as the 
 most authentic that can be procured ; it is taken from 
 newspapers of the time when the winding up of Orbiston 
 was before the Courts : 
 
 LAW INTELLIGENCE. 
 
 VICE-CHANCELLOR'S COURT. 
 JONES versus MORGAN AND OTHERS THE SOCIALISTS. 
 
 THIS case came before the Court upon the demurrer of a lady 
 named Rathbone, put into a bill filed by several shareholders of 
 the Orbiston Company, on the ground that such shareholders 
 had contributed more than was justly due from them, and to 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 41 
 
 recover the excess. The grounds of the demurrers were want of 
 equity. The case came before the Court upon the demurrer of a 
 person named Cooper. The facts appeared to be these : In the 
 year 1825 a number of persons joined together for the purpose of 
 forming a socialist or communist society, under the superintendence 
 of Mr Robert Owen, the professed object of which was to promote 
 the happiness of mankind. The company was to consist of 
 shareholders, the shares being fixed at ^250 (though after the 
 formation of the company they were reduced to 200 each), and 
 it being further agreed that for the first year no shareholder should 
 be allowed to hold more than ten shares, but, after the lapse of 
 one year from the formation of the society, such stock as should 
 then be unappropriated might be disposed of among the members 
 of the company. The capital was not to exceed ^50,000. The 
 company eventually purchased 280 acres of land from General 
 Hamilton, at Orbiston, in Scotland, as the site of the proposed 
 establishment, for which they consented to pay ^19,995. This 
 money was borrowed in three several sums of 12,000 from the 
 Union Scotch Assurance Company, 3,000 from a Mr Ainslie, and 
 the remainder from another quarter. The articles of agreement 
 were then drawn up. The right of voting was to be vested in 
 the shareholders proportionately to the amount of their respective 
 shares. The necessary buildings were to be erected, and the 
 necessary utensils supplied, and the company were to be empowered 
 to borrow money upon the security of the joint property. Several 
 trustees were named, the first being a Mr Combe, to whom the 
 estate was accordingly conveyed. The following are some of the 
 general articles agreed on : " Whereas the assertion of Robert 
 Owen, who has had much experience in the education of children, 
 that principles as certain as the science of mathematics may be 
 applied to the forming of general character, and that by the 
 influence of other circumstances not a few individuals only but 
 the population of the whole world may in a few years be rendered 
 a very superior race of beings to any now on the face of the 
 earth or who have ever existed, an assertion which implies that 
 at least nine-tenths of the crime and misery which exist in the 
 world have been the necessary consequence of errors in the present 
 system of instruction and not of imperfection implanted in our 
 nature by the Creator, and that it is quite practical to form the 
 minds of all children that are born so that at the age of twelve 
 years their habits and ideas shall be far superior to those of the 
 individuals termed learned men : And that under a proper 
 direction of manual labour Great Britain and its dependencies 
 may be made to support an incalculable increase of population." 
 The 21st article provided for a dissolution of the society if it 
 should be found necessary : " That if, unhappily, experience should 
 demonstrate to the satisfaction of the majority of proprietors that 
 the new system introduced and recommended by R. Owen has a 
 tendency to produce, in the aggregate, as much ignorance in the 
 midst of knowledge, as much poverty in the midst of excessive 
 wealth, as much illiberality and hypocrisy, as much overbearing 
 
42 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 and cruelty and fawning and severity, as much ignorant conceit, 
 as much dissipation and debauchery, as much filthiness and 
 brutality, as much avarice and unfeeling selfishness, as much 
 fraud and dishonesty, as much discord and violence as have 
 invariably attended the existing system in all ages, then shall the 
 property be let to individuals acting under the old system, or 
 sold to defray the expenses of the institution." 
 
 In 1825 the society entered upon the estate, and the lands were 
 divided among the tenants. Among the original shareholders was 
 the present demurring defendant, Cooper, who took one share, for 
 which he paid 20, as an instalment, that he had borrowed from 
 Mr Hamilton on the understanding that unless the loan were 
 repaid by Cooper within two years, the property should belong to 
 Mr Hamilton. At the several meetings that subsequently took 
 place Cooper did not attend, but deputed the trustee Mr Combe 
 to act for him, as he was permitted to do by the original agree- 
 ment. In 1827 it was ascertained that the speculation did not 
 answer, as the company was proved to be involved in debt to a 
 considerable amount, so as to make it necessary that the property 
 should be sold and the establishment broken up. Accordingly, in 
 1828, the sale of the estate was effected, and 15,000 (the purchase 
 money), subject to certain deductions, transferred to the Scotch 
 Assurance Company as a repayment of their loan. A considerable 
 balance of debts to other parties, however, still remained due, for 
 which the shareholders became liable. Several suits were prepared 
 in Scotch Courts, during which the estates of the shareholders 
 were declared liable, and several accordingly had paid much 
 beyond what was due, proportionately, on the amount of their 
 shares. Of the original shareholders many were now dead, many 
 out of the jurisdiction of the Court, and! many in hopelessly 
 insolvent circumstances. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 43 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 What might be done if men were wise, 
 What glorious deeds, my suffering brother, 
 
 Would they unite 
 
 In love and right, 
 And cease their scorn for one another. 
 
 Mackay. 
 
 THE FIRST CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN SCOTLAND. 
 
 IT is impossible to give the exact number of co-operative 
 societies that were in existence in Scotland at the 
 beginning of the nineteenth century. Many little 
 and feeble efforts were fanned into flame, in villages 
 and small towns, of which not a record remains to-day. 
 Thirty or forty years ago, some scrap of information might 
 be picked up from some of the old chartists regarding the 
 spontaneous endeavours that were made in their young 
 days to form a village society in their midst. They would 
 tell of their father's abhorrence of the truck system, 
 and how their parents had clubbed together to get beyond 
 its evil influence. They would also relate how employers 
 persecuted those who dared to lead in such ameliorative 
 efforts. The consequence of this persecution was to 
 stamp out almost at its inception the humble village store. 
 Add to this difficulty the want of knowledge, the want of 
 confidence, and above all the want of a trifling sum with 
 which to procure stock. There was no legal protection, 
 and a few of the early efforts were almost strangled at 
 their birth by the unscrupulous conduct of someone who 
 took advantage of the confidence which had been placed 
 in him and betrayed it. Still, as we shall see in our 
 further consideration of early co-operation, there were 
 some brave and successful efforts to plant the seed that 
 has grown to such ripe fruition. 
 
44 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Perhaps the very earliest notice of efforts made in 
 co-operation is to be found among the traditions of 
 fishermen, not only in this country, but all over the world. 
 The occupation lent itself to combined interest ; the 
 procuring of the necessary instruments or tools was the 
 initial and great difficulty. By combination the boat 
 was frequently built and furnished by the necessary 
 number of poor men who were required to work the 
 craft in their perilous and precarious business. The 
 method of division of profit and loss varied. In most 
 cases shares were taken of equal value, a small payment 
 as wage was paid to each, and a division of any surplus 
 periodically. This wage payment could only last as 
 long as they were in funds ; and often there were long 
 periods of no income, waiting for a successful " catch." 
 Others seem to have divided at the end of each " catch," 
 and, of course, binding themselves equally to keep the 
 boat and gear in working order. These combinations, 
 whatever was their system of working, were simple, 
 spontaneous efforts to do what none of them could do 
 individually ; they had no binding link with other efforts 
 of the same kind. This system, then, was a natural 
 product of circumstances, very much like the first village 
 stores in Scotland. 
 
 The run-rig system in early Scottish agriculture was a 
 combination on similar lines, although the surrounding 
 circumstances were altogether different. To poor men 
 with only a small piece of ground to cultivate, the 
 common possession of ploughs, harrows, and all the more 
 expensive necessaries of their business, was a great boon ; 
 and if they had had the co-operative knowledge that is 
 abroad to-day, they would have worked in common to 
 greater advantage to themselves. 
 
 The weavers, who were a numerous and intelligent body 
 of workmen, although having little or no communication 
 with each other in the various parts of the country, seem 
 to have thought out their various - progressive ideas in 
 much the same way. Thus we find, in the eighteenth 
 century, the weavers forming friendly societies in their 
 different localities. It may have been, and is most 
 probable, that the working of these village sick and 
 funeral clubs suggested the co-operative idea to many of 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 45 
 
 them. We can trace the connection at least in some 
 instances, where the members of the friendly society 
 resolved to form a co-operative society. They certainly 
 in many cases were not influenced to start from without. 
 Some were started before the Owen agitation, some during 
 the formation of the communal organisations. As has 
 been seen, in Scotland at least, the two movements were 
 practically working in their own respective ways. The 
 eloquence of the Owen missionaries must have stirred 
 many to united action ; and thus, indirectly, what 
 we regard as the movement of to-day is likely to 
 have received an impetus from the teachings of the 
 communists. 
 
 The methods of conducting the old societies seem to 
 have varied very much. The earliest efforts were 
 simply a few neighbours agreeing to purchase some of 
 the necessaries of life in bulk, and dividing them into the 
 proportions required by the agreeing parties : this 
 operation was performed in one of their private houses. 
 The money to purchase the goods in bulk having been 
 collected before the purchase was made, the debt question 
 had no place in these transactions. A gentleman known 
 to us, an opponent of everything co-operative, purchases 
 a boatload of coal every winter, and the coal is divided 
 among those of his neighbours who are willing to join 
 him ; they procure the coal for less than they could do 
 locally. They boast of this, and in the same breath 
 denounce co-operators. The poor villagers of over a 
 hundred years ago were co-operating perhaps without 
 knowing it, but it is strange that the anti-co-operator of 
 to-day should be repeating the operation. Farm produce, 
 such as potatoes, meal, flour, and occasionally a pig, lent 
 itself to such forms of division as we have described. It 
 was a simple and easy step from this form of dividing 
 goods in bulk, to forming the same people into a club 
 for the extension of the idea. Here we get the seed of the 
 great co-operative movement, at least in many villages in 
 Scotland. 
 
 The question of profit did not seem to trouble these 
 early co-operators much, for the simple reason they sold 
 at cost, or, when casual service had to be rewarded, they 
 
46 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 paid it by a subscription. But when they began to form 
 themselves into societies and incur expense in stocking 
 goods, then they had to find some means of meeting that 
 expense by charging it on the price of the goods. There 
 seems to have been a great variety of opinion as to the 
 best means of conducting these early efforts. But this must 
 be kept in mind, how isolated many of them were ; the 
 whole business was new to them all ; each village had 
 generally a trusted leader, and not infrequently he had a 
 following of opinion that was possibly the very opposite to 
 what was held in the next village on the same subject. 
 Hence the variety of methods in these societies. 
 
 THE EARLIEST ATTEMPTS AT CO-OPERATION BY THE 
 ECONOMIC SOCIETIES. 
 
 One cannot overestimate the difficulty that presents 
 itself at the very outset of attempting to give anything 
 like a complete record of Scottish co-operation in the early 
 period. Minute-books, from which much would have 
 been gleaned, have been lost, or wilfully destroyed as 
 being of no further use when they had served their 
 immediate purposes. In some cases it is questionable if 
 regular minutes were kept at all. Scraps of old account- 
 books, that throw very little light on those early efforts, 
 are all that remain in some instances, and even these are 
 undated, making them practically of no value. In the 
 few cases where care has been taken of documents 
 belonging to those early societies, it is perfectly delightful 
 to see how anxious, in fact how enthusiastic, these real 
 pioneers were to improve the condition of their members. 
 The selecting of their leaders seems to have been done 
 with care and discrimination. Of course, in the villages 
 the character of every man was well known to his 
 neighbours, and only men of probity were elected to 
 positions of trust. 
 
 The honour of being the first to enter the co-operative 
 field, not only in Scotland but in Britain, must be given (so 
 far as present research can prove) to the Fenwick Weavers' 
 Society. Fenwick is a small village near Kilmarnock, in 
 Ayrshire. The Weavers' Society in all probability would 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 47 
 
 have for its object the relief of its members in times of 
 distress, with sick and funeral benefits. A descendant of 
 one of the original office-bearers has still in his possession 
 some of the original documents, and has forwarded the 
 following statements, which are given exactly as they 
 appear in the old book. It is noteworthy here to compare 
 the date of the Bishop of Durham's store at Mongewell 
 in 1794, which Mr Holyoake claims to have been the first 
 co-operative store. Now we present the reader with 
 reliable data of the starting of a store in 1769, or twenty- 
 five years before the Bishop's kindly effort at Mongewell. 
 This is not said in any spirit of jubilation, knowing how 
 difficult it is to get reliable information regarding the 
 early period. It may be that some diligent student 
 may yet discover a society of even an earlier date than 
 Fenwick. 
 
 9th November 1769. 
 
 THIS present Day It is agreed upon by the members of our 
 society to take what money we have in our Box and buy what 
 Victwal may be thought Nesessar to sell for the benefit our 
 society. And the mannagers of our society may borrow what 
 money They think Proper for that End and purpose. And when 
 the interest is paid of what money yow borrow and the men 
 received their wages for buying and selling thes Victwals we Deal 
 in the society will both reap the benefit and sustain the loss of 
 them, and If any member of our society Pay not what Quantity 
 of Victwals he receives at the end of four weeks If the mannagers 
 require it of him, Neither him nor his shall have any more right 
 to our societys Victwals If he be found buying Victwals from 
 any other and leaving the trade in Debt of the same according 
 to the option of the society. 
 
 JOHN BURNS. 
 
 ALEXANDER WALLES. WM. HBNDRY 
 
 JOHN WILSON. his x mark. 
 
 ANDREW ORR JAMES BROUN. 
 
 his x mark. WILLIAM WALKER. 
 
 ROBERT WALKER. WILLIAM BUNTEN. 
 
 M JOHN BURNS. THOS. BARR. 
 
 J. GEMMELL 
 
 his x mark. 
 
 ^ c 4^ - 
 
 ' 
 
 ^ ' 
 
48 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 FENWICK WEAVERS' SOCIETY. 
 
 PARTICULARS OF CO-OPERATIVE TRADING (IN OATMEAL CHIEFLY). 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 AMOUNT 
 INVESTED. 
 
 PROFIT. 
 
 Loss. 
 
 1770 - 
 
 I s. d. 
 440 
 
 1 s. d. 
 1 
 
 i s. d. 
 
 1771 - 
 
 4 10 
 
 139 
 
 
 1772 - 
 
 5 18 9 
 
 200 
 
 
 1773 - 
 
 800 
 
 3 1 
 
 
 1774 - 
 
 11 5 
 
 240 
 
 
 1775 - 
 
 13 6 
 
 17 11 
 
 
 1776 - 
 
 14 
 
 19 3 
 
 
 1777 - 
 
 15 10 
 
 2 14 
 
 
 1778 - 
 
 17 14 
 
 410 
 
 
 1779 - 
 
 22 10 
 
 11 
 
 
 1780 - 
 
 24 
 
 150 
 
 
 1781 - 
 
 25 15 
 
 12 10 
 
 
 1782 - 
 
 26 10 
 
 3 15 3 
 
 
 1783 - 
 
 30 10 
 
 287 
 
 
 1784 - 
 
 31 15 
 
 1 17 
 
 
 1785 - 
 
 35 12 
 
 
 2 *8 
 
 1786 - 
 
 33 4 
 
 3 17 
 
 
 1787 - 
 
 36 16 
 
 2 14 11 
 
 
 1788 - 
 
 40 
 
 . . 
 
 *7 4 
 
 1789 - - 
 
 40 
 
 17 7 
 
 
 1790 - 
 
 34 
 
 1 18 \\ 
 
 
 1791 - 
 
 34 
 
 12 9 
 
 
 1792 - 
 
 34 
 
 129 
 
 
 1793 - 
 
 34 
 
 12 9 
 
 
 1794 - 
 
 31 8 3 
 
 002 
 
 
 1795 - 
 
 33 
 
 1 16 3i 
 
 m t 
 
 1796 - 
 
 25 
 
 r T of 
 
 . , 
 
 1797 - 
 
 
 . 
 
 759 
 
 1798 - 
 
 26 
 
 18 9 
 
 
 1799 - 
 
 30 
 
 1 16 7 
 
 
 1800 - 
 
 40 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 45 5 li 
 
 10 1 1 
 
 
 
 
 10 1 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 35 4 Oi 
 
 
 
 We have no means whereby we could explain how this 
 interesting little society came to an end. But what is 
 essential to remember is that it started without patronage 
 or help from either bishop or layman. It was the creation 
 of a few poor Scottish weavers, who in all likelihood had 
 never heard of co-operation, but simply saw in an 
 associated effort of this kind a means whereby they could 
 supplement their scanty and uncertain earnings. Owen, 
 it will be remembered, was not born till two years after 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 49 
 
 this village store was an accomplished fact. Three out of 
 the twelve who formed the first committee could only 
 sign by his mark ; which, considering the times and the 
 circumstances, is a fair reflection of the state of education 
 in the country districts of Scotland, and it is nothing to 
 be ashamed of. Note the last sentence or two regarding 
 loyalty to the society : modern co-operators have something 
 to learn from this the first co-operative society in Scotland. 
 This list of committeemen's names ought to find a place 
 among the leaders of co-operation. 
 
 If one could believe the traditions of many villages in 
 Scotland, Fenwick was certainly not the only society of 
 its time, as you will find everywhere, especially in old 
 weaving towns, some one who will repeat the tales of a 
 grandfather, or it may be a grandmother, of how the 
 " meal society " passed away in their village. 
 
 Eight years after Fenwick was launched, we come upon 
 another co-operative society, which began business in the 
 year 1777 : this was Govan Victualling Society. Govan 
 at the time mentioned is described as a pretty village on 
 the banks of the Clyde, some distance from Glasgow. 
 Weaving was the chief industry of Govan in those days, 
 and in all probability this was another spontaneous effort 
 on the part of the craftsmen to improve their position. 
 For one hundred and thirty-two years this society con- 
 tinued in business with varying success, till in 1909, 
 because of its indebtedness, it closed its doors ; and the 
 sad part of its long life is, that it kept no record, at least 
 there is not a shred of material left to tell the story of 
 bygone co-operation in Govan. The oldest inhabitant in 
 the Govan district will tell you that their parents and 
 grandparents looked upon the store as having been there 
 for all time no one could give any idea of its beginning. 
 " It was too far back," they said. Above the door it 
 proudly intimated that it was established in 1777. It 
 was one of the few remaining societies that held a 
 licence, which certainly did not commend it .to modern 
 co-operators. Still, all were more or less sad to see the 
 end of a society which had weathered the storms and 
 changes which are bound to take place in one hundred 
 and thirty-two years. 
 
50 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 LENNOXTOWN VICTUALLING SOCIETY. 
 
 1812. 
 
 The nineteenth century was only a few years old, when 
 a small group of poor weavers might have been seen 
 almost nightly in earnest discussion at the street corner, 
 in the little village of Lennoxtown in Stirlingshire. The 
 war on the Continent was still raging. Napoleon's 
 marching and counter- marching through Europe was the 
 theme discussed in press, and sometimes in pulpit. 
 Wellington's victories in Spain were eagerly watched, as 
 almost every district had contributed some of the " food 
 for powder." Trade was languishing and taxation was 
 on the increase; food was scarce and dear. Naturally 
 one would have expected that our weaver group would 
 have been discussing some of the great problems that 
 were disturbing the whole of Europe. Not they ; the 
 theme of their discussion was a remedial measure to cope 
 with the misery around them. They denounced the 
 rapacity of the traders in these trying times in no 
 measured terms. They argued that life to the poor 
 would soon be impossible if food could not be procured 
 on easier terms than at present. It is very improbable 
 that any one of them had ever heard of co-operation, 
 but unknowingly they fell into line with the only scheme 
 that could help them. They would buy food in bulk and 
 divide it at cost ; but, like many others, they were 
 arrested on the threshold of their plan. They had no 
 money ! And here the question had to rest for a long 
 time. But their hopes had been stirred, their intelligence 
 awakened, and that was a step forward. After much 
 consideration, and no doubt much self-sacrifice, enough 
 was got together to begin a co-operative society in a 
 small way. 
 
 This was in the year 1812 fancy, three years before 
 Waterloo; or, to be more particular, it was the year in 
 which Napoleon began his disastrous Russian campaign, 
 when Moscow was burned and his terrible retreat ensued. 
 These historical remarks may be unnecessary, but they 
 fix the distance of time. Well, in 1812, L/ennoxtown 
 Store started, and it is running to-day, in 1910, with all 
 the vigour of youth. The first minute-book of the society 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 51 
 
 lias been lost. What an immense number of minute- 
 books of societies have been lost ! We sometimes wonder 
 if some one has been making a collection of these 
 interesting volumes ; if so, there must be a grand 
 collection somewhere. 
 
 The second minute-book, beginning in 1826, is before 
 us, the rules or articles of the society being written in 
 a clear and legible hand. Some of the articles are worth 
 quoting, just to show the spirit that animated the men 
 at the beginning of last century. We give the exact words 
 and style as in the old book. 
 
 ARTICLES OF THE 
 LENNOXTOWN VICTUALLING SOCIETY. 
 
 As friendly society and real interest is a virtue commendable 
 in mankind, we, the under subscribers, having taken the same 
 into our serious consideration, have thought proper to form 
 ourselves into a society for our mutual interest, by the name of 
 the Lennoxtown Victualling Society, in order to provide ourselves 
 with the different necessaries of life at the cheapest and easiest 
 terms we can, for which purpose we agree to the following 
 .articles : 
 
 ARTICLE I. That in order to conduct the business of this 
 society in a proper manner, we shall elect six managers from a 
 leet of twelve members six nominated by the managers and six 
 by the members present, and the six who shall have the majority 
 of personal votes shall be declared duly elected, and from these 
 elect a preses, treasurer, and secretary, who shall enter into office 
 at the balance, and remain in office six calendar months. The 
 other three assistants to enter into office at the end of three 
 months thereafter, who shall also continue six calendar months 
 in office. The society shall then choose three auditors, who shall 
 attend the inventory of goods, and shall make a statement of the 
 society's affairs at the general meeting called for that purpose, 
 and said report to be within three weeks after the inventory ; 
 one of these auditors to go out of office at next balance, and 
 another elected to succeed him in office. At same time, be it 
 enacted that at the taking of the society's debts that both the 
 old and new preses shall attend, in order that the old preses may 
 see how matters stand since he came into office and the new 
 preses may know how they stand upon his entry. But upon these 
 or any other member refusing to bear office, he shall pay a fine 
 of five shillings, to be added to the society's fund. 
 
 Articles n. and in. run on much the same lines as 
 above, and deal with the appointment of salesmen, etc. 
 But article iv. may be quoted to show how the society 
 was to be financed. 
 
52 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 ARTICLE IV. Persons wishing to become members shall apply 
 to the managers for the time being, who shall take a note of their 
 names and report them at the first general meeting, and these 
 only shall be admitted members who shall have a majority of 
 silent votes of the members present. But be it understood that 
 no person can be admitted a member who resides above one mile 
 from either end of the village of Lennoxtown, nor any person who 
 retails any article the society deals in, bread excepted. Persons 
 becoming members as above shall deposit in the society's funds 
 not less than four guineas of input stock, who shall be entitled to 
 credit each month to the amount of one guinea ; but in case such 
 member should find it inconvenient to deposit the above-mentioned 
 sum, he may, by depositing two guineas or more, have the 
 deficiency made up by the society by his paying five per cent, 
 interest for the sum advanced. But be it understood that he or 
 they shall pay into the society's funds at the rate of five shillings 
 per share of entry-money to entitle he or they to a share of what 
 sum or sums may be recovered of the society's outstanding debts, 
 and said sum to be deducted from his first profits. Members may 
 increase or decrease their stock according to their family consumpt, 
 but such increase or decrease shall be at each balance. But any 
 member who leaves a balance of his account at the month's end 
 shall not be entitled to profits while in arrears. And any member 
 or members who are found purchasing more of any article the 
 society deals in than he or they consume in their own family, 
 shall be held liable to the forfeiture of profits for six months ; as 
 also any member or members who shall divulge any of the society's 
 transactions whatever shall be fined in the sum of one guinea. 
 
 We quote one more article, which is exceedingly; 
 interesting, explaining as it does the method of dividing 
 profits nearly a century ago. 
 
 ARTICLE VI. The criterion by which members shall be entitled 
 to draw profits is when consumpt for six months is under the 
 stock to be rated by the consumpt, and when the consumpt is 
 above the stock to be rated by the stock, observing always that 
 one-fourth constitutes the stock. Each member shall bear his 
 proportion according to his input stock. The profits to be 
 divided and paid annually to the members as soon after the 
 Whitsunday balance as the books can be settled. 
 
 The above quotations may suffice to show what cautious 
 and clear-headed men led the movement nearly a hundred 
 years ago. Unfortunately the members were largely of 
 one occupation or trade, so when depression fell on that 
 trade the little store was sorely strained, and it required 
 all the intelligence of its guides to keep it afloat. In 
 1826 the trade of the country was very low, and employ- 
 ment in the weaving trade was exceedingly scarce. 
 
ITS INCEPTION v ^ND ITS LEADERS 53 
 
 Thanks to these old societies, many a poor but honest 
 family was enabled to bridge over the hard times by means 
 of the little capital which had accumulated at the store. 
 Others, perhaps less thrifty, were soon face to face with 
 dire poverty. But the store managers, who knew the 
 habits of each of the members, were invariably sympathetic 
 with deserving cases. At one meeting, according to the 
 minutes, held in December 1826, the auditors reported, 
 " That in consequence of the stagnation of trade, a 
 number of members had been unable to make good their 
 payments, and the auditors have deemed it prudent to 
 lay aside the sum of sixty pounds sterling as debts that 
 were formerly considered recoverable. Some of these debts 
 are from one to two years' standing. Notwithstanding, they 
 think that a considerable part of them may be recovered, 
 but they think it improper to divide upon money that you 
 cannot depend upon its being paid at the time." 
 
 In this sensible and business-like way Lennoxtown Society 
 weathered many a storm in which, with less sagacious 
 leaders, they would certainly have come to grief. All 
 through these old and interesting minutes the same care 
 and caution may be observed. Now humorous and 
 anon tragic incidents crop up in abundance, but the intelli- 
 gence of the committee was always equal to the occasion. 
 Thus for ninety- eight years, with the ebb and flow of 
 success, this little society has kept the lamp of co-opera- 
 tion burning : it has been a social beacon for a century. 
 May it continue its usefulness for centuries to come. 
 
 We have reason to believe that by the beginning of the 
 nineteenth century there were several societies in the North 
 of Scotland. In Fifeshire and Forfarshire there are still 
 stories told of old " societies " in several of the towns 
 and villages where now prosperous modern societies are 
 flourishing. All of them seem to have been initiated and 
 worked without the slightest communication with each 
 other ; and if some of them passed away, they left a 
 feeling of sadness of what might have been if they had 
 been better managed. It is pleasant to turn to some of 
 those societies which, by the pluck and determination of 
 the men who led, not only succeeded in surmounting the 
 initial difficulties, but successfully guided their frail barques 
 through many a storm which threatened to overwhelm 
 them in the early period of their existence. 
 
 DUO- 
 
54 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 But we can fill a life-time 
 
 With kindly acts and true; 
 There's always noble service 
 
 For noble souls to do. 
 
 Mason. 
 
 LARKHALL VICTUALLING SOCIETY. 
 l82I. 
 
 VIILE writing these lines, an old minute-book 
 belonging to I/arkhall Victualling Society lies 
 before us. Time-stained and discoloured, it 
 contains not only the articles of association, but 
 the minutes of meetings, written in a scholarly hand. 
 Larkhall Society was formed in March 1821 ; and as many 
 present-day co-operators must be interested to know how 
 these old societies were started, and upon what bases they 
 worked, we propose to give the principal articles of 
 association in detail. Larkhall Victualling Society is in 
 full life to-day, so that for the last ninety years it has kept 
 the flag of co-operation flying. 
 
 ARTICLES OF THE LARKHALL VICTUALLING SOCIETY. 
 
 March 1821. 
 
 PREAMBLE. Prompted by a spirit of mutual interest, a number 
 of the inhabitants of the village of Larkhall and vicinity, in the 
 parish of Dalserf and county of Lanark, viewing with serious 
 concern the many disadvantages they are under in purchasing the 
 necessaries of life, have resolved to alleviate their circumstances 
 as far as in their power ; and in order to give their resolution a 
 1 fair trial, they have agreed to form and unite themselves into a 
 friendly connection, denominated the Larkhall Victualling Society, 
 formed for the laudable purpose of procuring the necessaries of 
 life from the first markets and on the lowest terms. And they 
 hereby bind and oblige themselves strictly to adhere to the 
 following rules and regulations, and to any additional articles 
 that the society may deem necessary for the attainment of our 
 object in view, and which shall be agreed to in terms of the 
 following articles. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 55 
 
 ARTICLE I. That every person of a good moral character 
 residing in Larkhall or its vicinity may be admitted a member 
 of this society, constituted for the sole purpose of purchasing 
 different articles and necessaries of life at the first markets, and 
 retailing them at the lowest possible terms ; but none to be 
 admitted a member under eighteen years of age, except the oldest 
 son of a widow woman living in family with his mother, or the 
 head of the family. 
 
 Articles n. and ill. deal with the election of office- 
 bearers and committee, who are called managers, the 
 secretary being named clerk. The penalty for being 
 absent from three meetings was a fine of two shillings and 
 sixpence. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. That each subscriber or member shall pay the 
 sum of one pound one shilling as his subscription or entry- money, 
 but no member shall be allowed to hold more than one share for 
 his own individual interest ; and at every quarterly meeting the 
 managers are bound to lay before the subscribers the whole 
 of their proceedings. 
 
 ARTICLE V. There shall be a balance struck every three months 
 by the acting managers ; and although the intention of the society 
 is by no means to accumulate money, yet in case of any being 
 made, the whole shall go to the stock for a time. Persons wishing 
 to become members at any future period must pay exactly in 
 proportion to the value of the shares at the time, whether they 
 are above or below the original entry-money. 
 
 It will be seen from this that no moneys were paid out 
 unless the member withdrew from the society. The 
 shares were valued every quarter, and persons withdrawing 
 had to be satisfied with the value of their shares at the last 
 balance, while a sum of six shillings was retained as 
 withdrawal fee. There are seventeen articles all clearly 
 drawn ; the only one that calls for notice is article xiv. 
 
 ARTICLE XIV. That peace and good order may be preserved in 
 the society at all general meetings and meetings of managers, only 
 one member shall speak at a time, who shall respectfully direct 
 his discourse to the preses only. At such meetings, members shall 
 not fall into committees, but attend generally to the society's 
 business ; shall on no account be guilty of cursing, swearing, 
 using intemperate or offensive language of any kind. And 
 members infringing any of these regulations shall forfeit two- 
 pence for the first, fourpence for the second, and sixpence for the 
 third offence, to be declared by the acting preses ; and failing 
 payment when so ordered, the member shall be removed from 
 the meeting, and not be entitled to any share of the profits or 
 funds till a suitable apology is made publicly, and all fines and 
 other sums due to the society paid up. 
 
56 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 The seventeen articles are signed by eighteen members, 
 including president, treasurer, clerk, salesman, and 
 officer whose duties were of a peculiar kind. There was 
 also what was called a purchaser, an office apart from the 
 position salesman. 
 
 It is most interesting to go through the minutes of the 
 meetings of managers or committee of this society. 
 Ninety years ago the most of their attention was taken 
 up with the eternal debt question, in very much the same 
 manner as a good few of our committees are engaged 
 with it to-day. Threatening letters, summonses, even 
 imprisonment is often suggested, but all these measures 
 had no effect, so long as credit continued to be given. Of 
 course, in a society constituted as this was, all irrecover- 
 able debts written off reduced the value of the shares, 
 and affected every member, who saw his holding vanishing 
 quarter by quarter, till in 1825 the value of the shares fell 
 from i, is. to 4$. nd. ; but in 1828 they rose in value 
 to 2, 8s. 8d. 
 
 This will give the reader some idea of what was called 
 the economic system of co-operation. It is to be kept in 
 mind that the committee fixed the amount to be charged 
 over cost price, for the purpose of covering management 
 expenses. Sometimes it was fixed too low, which resulted 
 in a loss ; at other times it was fixed too high, which, of 
 course, enhanced the value of the shares. The duties of 
 the officer of the society seem principally to have been to 
 go round and warn members to attend any meeting to be 
 held ; the issuing of notices or postcards was not in fashion 
 nor in practice in those days. The salesman was paid i6s. 
 per week, which was then considered fair remuneration. 
 The clerk or secretary had 3, 155. per annum. The 
 purchaser, who was chosen from the committee, evidently 
 bought all the goods, and was paid 55. per week. A 
 singular practice was continued for many years after the 
 society started. The New- Year festivities were held at 
 "Auld Hansel Monday," and the committee, regularly as 
 the time came round, resolved " that half a gallon of aqua 
 be presented to every member to assist them in keeping 
 the festive season." One would require to judge them 
 charitably in this matter. Temperance had then made 
 but little headway ; and at births, marriages, and even 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 57 
 
 funerals, the aqua was too much in evidence. One 
 outstanding feature of these old minutes may be noticed 
 not a single suggestion appears of consulting or corres- 
 ponding with any other society ; immediate pecuniary 
 benefit was the beginning and end of all their endeavours. 
 It must be interesting to many co-operators to see 
 how the societies in these far- off days were recognised 
 by law. The following is the certificate given by the 
 Justices to I^arkhall Society, which answered to some 
 extent the same purpose as registration to-day : 
 
 Hamilton, 7th March 1825. 
 Sederunt. James Stewart, Esq., of Carfin. 
 
 William Hamilton, Esq., of Hamilton. 
 
 James Granger, Esq., of Laigh Neitherfield. 
 
 THIS being an adjourned Quarter Session of the Peace : The 
 articles of the Larkhall Victualling Society, consisting of seventeen 
 articles, and written on the nine preceding pages, are produced 
 in this Quarter Session, and are approvan of and confirmed in 
 terms of the Acts of Parliament relative to Friendly Societies in 
 
 Scotland - JAS. STEWART. 
 
 John Currie, Clerk. 
 
 FIRST GLASGOW SOCIETY. 
 
 From the year 1821 co-operation began to make headway, 
 especially in Kngland. In the same year the Economist 
 was started, and bound itself from the very first to explain 
 Robert Owen's proposed associations. This may be said 
 to be the commencement of co-operative journalism. 
 It may save misconception if it is stated here that, at 
 the time we write of, and for some time after, the word 
 " co-operation " was used to indicate the communism of 
 Owen, and was regarded by many as "socialism." Mr 
 Holyoake says : " The term ' co-operation ' came to be 
 restricted to the humble operations of buying and selling 
 provisions." 
 
 As was pointed out in an earlier chapter, Owen had 
 secured many followers, and among his disciples none was 
 more enthusiastic than Mr Alexander Campbell of Glasgow, 
 who latterly became one of Owen's first missionaries. 
 If the societies at this time in Scotland did not accept 
 Owen's views, it was not the fault of Campbell. He was 
 prepared to accept the ordinary co-operative society only 
 as a means to an end ; the land was his objective, 
 
58 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 whereby the people could be employed, and he favoured 
 the stores as a means of raising funds to purchase land. 
 
 By the year 1830 the first Glasgow co-operative society 
 was in full swing, and Campbell was one of its leaders. 
 A bazaar was opened in London Street in connection with 
 this society, its object being to carry out Owen's idea of a 
 labour exchange, similar to that which was tried in Gray's 
 Inn Road, London. The bazaar accepted the products 
 of labour, their value being determined by the time spent 
 on their production, the cost of the material of course 
 being taken into account ; these productions were 
 exchanged for other articles, valued in the same way. 
 Little money was used in this system, as it was really 
 barter. Where money had to be paid for an article, the 
 society had notes of its own, with a face value of los. or 
 2os. ; these notes were accepted for grocery and drapery 
 goods by the co-operative society. This, as is well known, 
 was part of Owen's plan ; but it does not seem to have 
 met with the approval of the members of the society, as 
 we find, in 1831, notice of withdrawal given by a number of 
 members, who were determined to start an Owenite society 
 of their own.* 
 
 In 1830-31, when the first agitation against the truck 
 system was at its height, Campbell led the attack. He 
 carried on a voluminous correspondence with Mr Joseph 
 Hume, M.P., Mr Littleton, M.P., and others, who had a 
 Bill before the House at the time for the purpose of 
 abolishing the truck system. The following letters fully 
 explain Campbell's position, and also show that 
 co-operation was taking a firm hold in Scotland: 
 
 26th January 1831. 
 Mr LITTLETON, M.P. (for Staffordshire), London. 
 
 Sir, As a great many societies are now in existence in various 
 parts of the country, and others rapidly following, founded upon 
 the principle of mutual exchange of labour, represented by a 
 currency of their own, the Glasgow Co-operative Society are 
 anxious to learn from you whether such currency as above referred 
 to a specimen of which is enclosed will be affected in the event 
 of your Anti-Truck Bill being passed into law. In order that you 
 may have a just idea of the manner by which the business of such 
 societies is to be conducted, I beg leave to state the following for 
 your consideration. These societies are generally composed of 
 
 *" Trades' Advocate," 1831. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 59 
 
 the working-classes ; and their capital, held in small shares, 
 payable by instalments, is to be applied to the following objects : 
 The purchasing at wholesale prices such articles of daily consump- 
 tion as the members require, and retailing out to them and others 
 at the usual retail prices, adding all profits to stock for the further 
 object of giving employment to members who may be either out 
 of work or otherwise inefficiently employed, and thereby still 
 increasing their capital to obtain their ultimate object the 
 possession of the land, the erection of comfortable dwellings and 
 asylums for the aged and infirm, and seminaries of learning for 
 all, but more especially for the formation of a superior character 
 for their youths, upon the principles of the new society as 
 propounded by Robert Owen. Can the society, therefore, as a 
 body employ its own members and pay the labour of such 
 members in their own currency ? or will it be lawful for the 
 society to issue their notes to other persons who are not members 
 for labour done or goods deposited ? no note ever being issued 
 till its value be deposited in the bazaar. Your answer to the 
 foregoing queries will, to a considerable degree, influence a number 
 of the operative classes either to favour or oppose your Bill being 
 passed into law. I am, Sir, with respect, you* most obedient, 
 humble servant, 
 
 ALEX. CAMPBELL. 
 
 Co-operative Bazaar, 
 
 42 London Street, 
 Glasgow. 
 
 P.S. In the event of the Bill being referred to a committee, 
 sufficient evidence of the utility of such a mode of exchanging 
 labour and produce can be given if required. 
 
 Mr Campbell, in the above letter, clearly shows the 
 methods by which he proposed to carry on co-operative 
 societies, and that the objects he had in view were quite 
 in harmony with those of Robert Owen. The reply of 
 Mr Littleton is interesting, in so far as it shows his 
 willingness to alter the Bill so that it should in no way 
 come into conflict with the co-operative societies for which 
 Mr Campbell so anxiously pleaded. 
 
 Tiddesly, 30th January 1831. 
 
 Sir, Your letter of the 26th has just reached me. If I 
 understand correctly the nature and end of co-operative societies, 
 I should rather be disposed to favour and protect them. I will 
 show your letter to the council of the Board of Trade, by whom 
 my Bill was drawn, and we will consider the means of withdrawing 
 you from its effect should it appear likely to affect you in its 
 present form. The Bill will be committed pro forma, after the 
 second reading, for the purpose of reprinting it, previous to which 
 stage (the committee) you shall hear from me fully on the point 
 to which my attention is called. I trust the operatives of Glasgow 
 
60 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 will give me every aid in my endeavour to put an end to the 
 loathsome practice of compulsory payment in goods or provisions 
 in whole or in part. It is becoming a common system in many of 
 the cotton districts, and must inevitably spread if not checked, 
 and become general as it has done in some trades, in which the 
 prices of produce and labour have been consequently thrown down 
 to an extent involving universal misery and ruin. I remain. Sir, 
 your faithful, humble servant, 
 
 W. LITTLETON. 
 
 We are almost tempted to give in full an address that 
 Mr Campbell delivered to the old Cambuslang Co-operative 
 Society in 1831 ; it is full of genuine co-operative sentiment 
 and hope ; but it might be out of place at this point 
 to dwell further on the great services and unbounded 
 enthusiasm which he gave so unselfishly to the early 
 struggling societies of Scotland. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 61 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Honour and shame from no condition rise; 
 Act well your part, there all the honour lies. 
 
 Pope. 
 
 BANNOCKBURN SOCIETY. 
 1830. 
 
 ANOTHER addition was made in 1830 to the ever- 
 growing number of societies. In that year the 
 historic village of Bannockburn, in Stirlingshire, 
 began that splendid effort of mutual help which 
 continues to-day, and will, we hope, for all time continue to 
 carry on its great and useful work. It appears a resident 
 medical gentleman, named William Buchanan, offered 
 to give a lecture on the subject of co-operation to the 
 villagers. The offer was gladly accepted, and was so 
 successful that a committee was appointed to draw up rules 
 for the formation of a co-operative society in Bannockburn. 
 In the minute-book, which has been exceedingly well kept 
 from the beginning, we find that on the 2yth November 
 1830, a meeting of intending members was held, and, 
 after hearing the rules read over, forty-nine persons 
 subscribed their names and agreed to abide by the rules 
 and regulations as read. The rules follow the usual 
 lines, in fact they were largely taken from the Glasgow 
 Co-operative Society. One or two may be quoted, to 
 show the methods adopted eighty years ago : 
 
 ARTICLE VI. The capital of the society shall be held in shares 
 of one pound sterling, and to be paid (if necessary) by instalments 
 of not less than one penny per week. Members on registering 
 their names shall pay one shilling as part payment of their share, 
 and for every deposit of five shillings a proportional share of the 
 profits and liberty of voting shall be allowed, but no member to 
 hold more than one share ; children, however, may be entered 
 as members, but shall not be entitled to vote under fifteen years 
 of age. 
 
62 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 ARTICLE VII. Any person desiring to leave the society can 
 only get his share and the profits thereon in goods at the retail 
 price of the bazaar, after paying a deduction of ten per cent, to 
 the funds of the society. But a member removing out of the 
 parish of St Ninians will be allowed his share in money, with the 
 profits thereon as declared at the last general meeting ; and when 
 death takes place in the family of a member, or is himself rendered 
 unfit for work from bodily affliction, he shall be at liberty to take 
 goods at the society's prices to the amount of his share and profit 
 thereon accumulated till the previous general meeting. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. Members having paid their full share will be at 
 liberty, if they find it necessary, to take goods on credit to the 
 amount of five shillings, to be paid in full in one month from the 
 time the first is taken. 
 
 ARTICLE X. That so soon as the funds of the society shall 
 permit, a bazaar will be opened for the purpose of retailing such 
 commodities as shall be required by the members, or sold with 
 advantage to the society (and be advertised in at least two 
 newspapers) ; that no credit be either taken or given, with the 
 exception of regulation ix. 
 
 There are sixteen articles set down embodying the 
 constitution of the society, the above perhaps being the 
 more important. They are signed by president, treasurer, 
 secretary, and twelve members of committee, some of 
 the signatures being splendid specimens of penmanship. 
 
 Here is an exact copy of the obligation that every 
 official and member of committee had to sign before 
 taking over the duties of his office : " I, as a member 
 of committee acting for the Bannockburn Co-operative 
 Society, swear by Him who knoweth and trieth the 
 hearts of every man, that I will discharge the duties 
 that may devolve upon me, as far as it is in my power, 
 with honesty and fidelity, as I shall answer to God." 
 The salesman and other employees had a similar 
 obligation to sign, so that they started their business 
 with every evidence of their sincerity. 
 
 From the very first this society was successful ; the 
 determined stand made against credit was their saving 
 clause. It was not till 1858 that the subject of credit 
 appeared in their minutes. For twenty-eight years they 
 had evidently kept both to the letter and spirit of their 
 rules. After the above date the question crops up 
 frequently, but from the strong expressions used against 
 the system, one can gather that the majority were still in 
 favour of cash payments. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 63 
 
 There must have been some exceedingly able and 
 energetic leaders in this little society. They had no 
 sooner launched their grocery department than they took 
 up the supply of butchermeat, which they carried on for 
 a time with difficulty, and gave up ultimately, owing 
 to losses. A cloth department was then established, 
 also a shoemaking section. They divided their general 
 committee into sub-committees, with officials for each. 
 They had what they called a money committee to-day 
 it would be called a finance committee ; and each sub- 
 committee had to show a balance-sheet for their 
 department. Of course, there was no printed balance- 
 sheet ; the accounts were simply read from manuscript 
 at quarterly meetings. Profits were added to shares at 
 the end of each year, the members receiving a card with 
 the value added to their share or part of share ; thus 
 each member knew his holding in the society. We have 
 seen from the rules that only after members had their 
 shares fully paid up could they reduce their capital, and 
 that by trading, unless they were leaving the society. 
 Another peculiarity existed regarding loyalty to the 
 society. If it came to the knowledge of the committee that 
 one of the members was buying his goods elsewhere, he 
 was at once summoned before the committee, and, if he 
 was found guilty of inconsistency, he was fined is. or 2s. 
 according to the enormity of the offence, and warned 
 of heavier punishment should he continue in his 
 unco-operative practices. Committees of the present 
 day would have their hands full if they proceeded on the 
 lines of the Bannockburn committee ; but the moral 
 obligation is or ought to be as great on members now 
 as it was in this fine old society. 
 
 In 1853 the public spirit of the members was shown 
 by an action which reflects much credit on them. 
 The new Free Church building in the village was 
 nearing completion, and it was moved that ten pounds 
 be voted towards placing in the tower a clock that 
 would be of great service to the public ; there was a 
 division for and against, but by a majority it was decided 
 to give the sum named. A note in the minute says 
 that almost all the members present who were connected 
 with the Free Church, while they approved of the gift; 
 refrained from exercising their right to vote. 
 
64 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 In Bannockburn, as in many Scottish towns, there had 
 been a baking society, serving almost the same people 
 as the store. The energetic and intelligent portion of the 
 members saw a waste of energy and money here, and set 
 themselves to promote an amalgamation of the Bread 
 Society with the Go-operative Society. Of course there 
 were those who beheld disaster in such a proposal, but 
 the committee of the Co-operative Society pressed the 
 matter, as they said, in the " interest of the people." 
 This was a statesmanlike action, which, when it was 
 accomplished, added greatly to the popularity of the 
 store. 
 
 It was not till August 1859 that any action was taken 
 to place this society on the Rochdale plan ; but when it 
 was first moved that profits should be declared on 
 purchases instead of on shares, the motion was rejected. 
 It was again discussed unsuccessfully in 1860 ; and in 
 1861 another attempt was made to alter the system of 
 dividing profits. The seconder of the motion to divide 
 profits upon purchases characterised the present system 
 as " robbery of one portion of the membership to give 
 it to another." Only 13 voted for the Rochdale plan, 
 while 38 voted for the old system. In April 1865 it was 
 agreed to appoint a committee to inquire into and report 
 on the principle of " dividing profits on purchases." 
 A small committee was appointed, one of whom was 
 Alexander Meldrum. When this committee reported in 
 September in favour of a change to the Rochdale plan, 
 the opposition had vanished, and it was agreed to 
 unanimously that in future profits be divided on 
 purchases. 
 
 Mr Meldrum was now elected president, and from 
 that moment entered on that useful co-operative career 
 which only terminated when advancing years demanded 
 rest. Another worthy leader of this society was its 
 secretary, Mr James M'Grouther. Intelligent and pains- 
 taking in all his work, and kindly and courteous to all 
 with whom he came in contact, Mr M'Grouther was a fine 
 specimen of the men who built up and maintained the 
 position of Bannockburn Society. 
 
 The records of this old society have been searched to 
 find if there were any advisers or correspondents who 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 65 
 
 in any way helped with advice. But no ; with the 
 exception of asking the opinion of Paisley Baking Society 
 when they were about to amalgamate with their own 
 baking society, there seems to have been no correspondence 
 with the outside world. It is a splendid record. They 
 built up an institution that is an honour to their memory. 
 At the beginning, credit was not allowed to hamper their 
 good work ; they passed a resolution that no intoxicating 
 drink was to be allowed on the premises ; and they were 
 most generous to those in distress. This is a society that 
 co-operators may well be proud of. For eighty years it 
 has carried the flag of our movement, and its future is 
 still full of promise. This is another great victory for 
 historic Bannockburn ! 
 
 The wonder is that so many co-operative societies were 
 to be found in Scotland in the early years of last century. 
 Communication between them was nigh impossible. The 
 press was a luxury that the workers could scarcely 
 afford, unless by clubbing ; but even the press of that 
 date was not very sympathetic. The men who started 
 our old co-operative societies were sturdy reformers, who 
 expected no help from the class socially above them. 
 Self-reliance was their motto, and most nobly did they 
 labour for the good of their fellows. 
 
 PARKHEAD AND WESTMUIR ECONOMICAL SOCIETY. 
 1831. 
 
 In the year 1831 Parkhead was a weaving village 
 entirely separated from the city of Glasgow, although 
 to-day it forms one of its many suburbs. The weavers 
 carried their webs to and from the city, and in those 
 far-off days this was considered a fair day's work. To-day 
 the return journey may be made by car or train inside 
 of an hour. Like all the weaving villages in Scotland, 
 Parkhead suffered keenly when by change of fashion or 
 general depression of trade there was no demand for the 
 particular kind of goods woven in the village. At the 
 best of times the poor fellows who followed this industry 
 made but a very indifferent living, so that they had 
 little to spare for the proverbial rainy day : it was always 
 a rainy day in some of these weaving villages. 
 
66 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 In September 1831, a lecture was announced to be 
 delivered in Parkhead by Mr William Thomson, who 
 was himself a weaver in the village. The subject was 
 to be " Village Economy," and the place of lecture 
 the " Beaming-house." From the old minute-book of 
 the co-operative society that was formed as a result of 
 this lecture, we gather that the following points were dis- 
 cussed by Mr Thomson : (i) That labour is a natural and 
 necessary exercise of man. (2) That labour is the true 
 origin of wealth. (3) That it is not the productive portion 
 of mankind, but the unproductive, which reaps the real 
 advantage of labour. (4) That the selfishness of man has 
 for ages been fearfully productive of wretchedness and 
 woe. (5) That the magnitude of British labour is the 
 cause of British greatness. (6) That the energies of 
 commerce are paralysed by a system of unparalleled 
 taxation and monopoly. (7) That the consequence of 
 oppression is ignorance, poverty, and degradation. 
 (8) That the possibility of adopting some better system 
 of social economy is illustrated by the example of the 
 ancient Spartans of Greece, the Waldenses of Piedmont, 
 the New Harmonists of America, and the Moravians of 
 the North of Ireland. (9) That it is in the power of the 
 working-class to adopt such a system of economy as will 
 be productive, not only of present good, but of great 
 future benefits. Mr Thomson, it appears, dealt 
 exhaustively with each of these points, and in conclusion 
 he strongly urged his audience to form themselves into 
 an economical society, whereby they could greatly 
 improve their material position. He had carefully 
 thought out the details of working such an organisation, 
 for he laid down very minutely the methods to adopt, 
 and the class of men to select to insure success. Indeed, 
 he built up such an alluring structure of peace and 
 plenty, that at the close of his lecture upwards of fifty 
 subscribed their names as willing to form a society and 
 become members. Poor fellows, they could subscribe 
 little more than their names ! According to records of 
 the times, weavers of lawn, as they were, could only make 
 from 6s. to gs. per week. Under such adverse circum- 
 stances the society was formed. " The capital/' it was 
 decided, "was to be formed by 140 to 150 shares of 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 67 
 
 seven shillings each. Members to have the privilege of 
 drawing from the store every week in exchange for their 
 money, goods at the wholesale price to the full amount 
 of their shares. The salesman to be a man of excellent 
 character, who must produce to the society undeniable 
 security to the amount of one hundred pounds for the 
 honour and fidelity of his conduct. Further, that it is 
 to be an unalterable law that no profit shall ever be 
 exacted ; that no credit shall ever be given or taken. 
 The expenses of the society to be made up by assessments 
 on the shares, these assessments to be paid every week. 
 Its extension of capital all indivisible profits and 
 fractional savings that may occur in the process of 
 dealing to be devoted for a sufficient number of years 
 to the good of the society." 
 
 All this, and much more, was laid down to guide the 
 young society, but as yet not a penny of capital was 
 forthcoming. At a meeting held in October, or one 
 month after the lecture that had been the means of 
 starting the society, it was intimated that i, i6s. 6d. 
 had been collected, and it was resolved that each member 
 pay sixpence per week towards his or her share. 
 Mr William Thomson, who had been the lecturer, was 
 appointed secretary. Parkhead and Westmuir Economical 
 Society was now fairly launched, and began its long 
 and successful co-operative voyage. The minutes of 
 this old society tell of many difficulties, of many hopes 
 and fears. One or two references are made to other 
 co-operative societies to the east of Parkhead, but no 
 indication is given of their names or locality, even at 
 this early date. It would appear to have occurred to some 
 of the Parkhead committee that it would be a great 
 advantage to join with the other co-operative societies 
 in purchasing. The idea was accepted, and much was 
 hoped from this proposed joint buying ; but nothing 
 came of it, as the other and neighbouring societies 
 did not agree to the Parkhead proposition. Some strange 
 entries are to be found in the old book. At one meeting 
 in 1832, a special committee was appointed to keep a 
 fire on for a whole week in a house they had taken. 
 Another resolution says that the shop be shut to-morrow 
 from three to eight o'clock to allow the salesman to attend 
 
68 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 the great procession and demonstration in Glasgow Green 
 in favour of the Reform Bill. The prices paid for goods 
 are all set down, and it is interesting to compare them 
 with present-day prices. Sugar was 555. per cwt., tea 
 5s. per lb., brown soap 565. per cwt., white soap 66s. per 
 cwt., soft soap 2is. per firkin, candles 75. 6d. per stone, 
 and soda was 178. per cwt. Balance-sheets were not 
 printed, but carefully entered in the minutes, and read 
 at the members' meeting. Here is a relic of those bygone 
 days. It was in August 1833 " William Maxwell in the 
 chair" (co-operative chairmanship must be hereditary). 
 
 The balance-sheet of the quarter was then read to the meeting, 
 which is as follows : 
 
 Cash on hand 40 14 3 
 
 Goods . . 86 12 
 
 Gross amount 127 6 3 
 
 Deduct borrowed money 50 
 
 Clear stock 77 6 
 
 Former stock , 60 10 
 
 Increase 1616 
 
 The above statement was all the financial information 
 the members received, and they seemed perfectly 
 satisfied. With varying fortunes this old society con- 
 tinued its good work at Parkhead till a few years ago, 
 when it was absorbed by Glasgow Eastern Co-operative 
 Society, which has opened many new and imposing places 
 of business in the east-end, so that William Thomson's 
 fine effort still lives in the larger and more modern 
 organisation. 
 
 i\0 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 69 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 I reckon my trade 
 
 May be my church, too, if the right heart is there, 
 A-heaJing the wounds which the selfish have made, 
 And helping the helpless their burden to bear. 
 
 Walter C. Smith. 
 
 SOCIETIES IN THE NORTH. 
 
 ONE cannot attempt to name all the societies in the 
 country that had been started before 1830, but 
 the mention of a few of them shows that the 
 co-operative spirit was widespread. In Glasgow, 
 there was what was called the Tradeston Temperance 
 Co-operative Society, Glasgow Co-operative Society, and 
 Bridgeton Victualling Society (started in 1800). Parkhead 
 and Westmuir Economical Society began business in 
 1831. Cadder Society (Lanarkshire) dates from 1832. In 
 Paisley there was the Charleston Co-operative Store, and 
 later a society called West Street Society. A vigorous 
 effort was being carried on in Cambuslang. New Lanark is 
 mentioned as being in existence by this time. Muirkirk, 
 in Ayrshire, had also its little store. Further north, we 
 find that societies seem to have sprung up almost 
 spontaneously. Lennoxtown Friendly Victualling Society 
 dates back to 1812. Leven Baking Society (Fifeshire) 
 began in 1828. The East Forfar was in existence in 1830. 
 The Arbroath Equitable and the Brechin United Associa- 
 tion, both strong and vigorous to-day, were established in 
 1833. The following year (1834) saw tne beginning of 
 the Arbroath West Port Association, while Kirriemuii 
 ("Thrums") was launched co-operatively in 1839. It is to 
 the credit of most of these societies' committees that they 
 have preserved their minute-books during the past eighty 
 years. Almost in every case these compare well with 
 the modern minute-book both for style and caligraphy. 
 
70 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 As these societies carried on their business on the same 
 lines, or nearly so, it is quite unnecessary to go through 
 the history of each. From their reports one can 
 gather some idea of the class of men who were at the 
 head of affairs in Kirriemuir. The following is an extract 
 from the committee's report in 1867. After detailing the 
 progress for the quarter, they say : " We have now, 
 however, an individual at the helm of affairs in whom we 
 have every confidence, and we think it is not too much 
 for us to ask you to give us your confidence in this matter, 
 and we have no doubt our united efforts will be crowned 
 with success. Purchase your goods at your own store 
 is a maxim never to be allowed to be out of sight ; and 
 yet we are afraid some of us forget it, as can easily be 
 proved from the well- attested fact that they are not to 
 be found in Kirriemuir parties more easily charmed than 
 some of our members are with the melodious sound of the 
 ' Forfar whistle.' In conclusion, we would earnestly 
 recommend you to be true to yourselves, true to your 
 fellow-members, and true to the cause you have espoused, 
 a cause which is commanding the honest commendations 
 of the statesman, the patriot, the philanthropist, and 
 the divine ; it is a power which has long been felt and 
 owned by many, and is every day becoming more popular 
 both at home and abroad. From the blessings which 
 co-operation has conferred on us already, in the very 
 limited way we have yet been able to apply it to ourselves, 
 we think we are warranted in saying we have found a 
 friend in our day of difficulty. During the brief period 
 of our existence as a society we have had some uphill 
 work to contend with, but we have overcome it. There 
 may be more in store for us ; we know not ; but we know 
 this, that we have received more injury from our pretended 
 friends than from our open and avowed enemies. Let 
 us, however, in return not render evil for evil, but do good 
 to all as we have opportunity, and thereby help on that 
 time, ' When man to man, the warld o'er, shall brithers 
 be, an' a' that.' " 
 
 From the above it will be seen that these old co-operators 
 had their difficulties, " but aye a heart abune them a'." 
 In the year 1867 they were baking twenty sacks of flour 
 per week, their business amounting to 3,377 per quarter. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 71 
 
 and their capital stood at 2,218. This society is still 
 flourishing. It has a capital record to look back upon, 
 and its members to-day may feel proud of their pioneers, 
 for they added greatly to the comfort and prosperity of 
 the working-people of Kirriemuir. 
 
 Perhaps a clearer idea of the working of these old societies 
 may be gathered from their rules than from any other 
 source, and it is only right to say that, in the early years 
 at least, the rules were rigidly enforced and obeyed. 
 The debt question that perpetual enemy of co-operation 
 the committees fought manfully, and as a rule successfully ; 
 and when we consider the uncertain nature of many of 
 their members' employment, the extremely small wages 
 they were in receipt of, and the willingness of the ordinary 
 trader to give credit, much honour and praise are due to 
 those inexperienced and isolated committees for the bold 
 and successful stand they made against the credit system. 
 
 Here we give a few quotations from the rules of the 
 Arbroath Guthrie Port Provision Association, founded in 
 1833. The rules were revised in 1845, and provided : 
 
 RULE I. This association shall be designated the " GUTHRIE 
 PORT PROVISION ASSOCIATION," and its object shall be to make 
 bread, and to deal in bread, meal, grocery goods, and provisions 
 generally ; the various commodities to be purchased of the first 
 wholesale dealers, of the best description, at cash prices, and to 
 retail them at the lowest possible rate. 
 
 RULE II. The capital or stock of this society shall consist of 
 shares of two pounds sterling each, of which no member shall hold 
 more than one share. Persons may be admitted members on 
 paying ten shillings to the funds, five shillings on entry, and five 
 shillings within three months thereafter, and shall be entitled to 
 the same profits as regular shareholders ; but persons entering 
 in this way shall not be allowed to withdraw any part of their 
 profits until their original entry-money, added to the profits, shall 
 amount to a full share ; five pounds per cent, shall also be 
 deducted from their profits at each division for what the sum they 
 have paid may be deficient of that paid by regular shareholders. 
 
 RULE V. On paying the full amount of a share, or when a 
 part shall have accumulated to a full share, each member shall 
 receive a ticket, bearing the name and designation of the society, 
 with a number corresponding to the number of his or her name 
 on the roll of members. Transfer of shares will in no case be 
 allowed, but members shall be entitled to withdraw from the 
 society on giving three months' previous notice to the committee. 
 Persons withdrawing from the society cannot be again admitted 
 for one year, unless they pay the full amount of a share at entry. 
 
72 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 In another rule, it is laid down " that all members shall 
 be bound to purchase their provisions, groceries, and other 
 necessaries at the shop of the society ; and should any 
 member transgress this rule, the salesman shall be bound to 
 report the case to the committee, who shall cause such 
 member to receive notice by letter that his share of the 
 profits is liable to be forfeited on that account. Should 
 this notice be disregarded, he shall have no claim to the 
 profits after the balance taken previous to his conviction. 
 Should an appeal be taken to a general meeting, the vote 
 thereanent shall be taken by ballot." 
 
 While this society held two general meetings in the year, 
 it only divided its profits annually. Thus at the annual 
 meeting in October, after a fair depreciation and other 
 charges had been met, the net profits were divided on the 
 paid-up shares. For some years the sum amounted to 
 175. 6d. per share. The unfairness of this system of 
 dividing profits, which gave to all alike, was raised in 1861, 
 and a motion was carried to divide profits upon purchases. 
 It is interesting, in view of the apprenticeship question 
 now being discussed by us, to know that these old societies 
 made all apprentices serve three years, the wages being 
 raised annually by one shilling per week. 
 
 The infantile troubles that attack most young societies 
 were not awanting in the early days of this Arbroath 
 Society, but the energy and intelligence of the leaders 
 overcame every obstacle. They controlled the debt 
 question in a way that might stand for a model to some 
 present-day organisations. A list of the members and 
 their occupations is before me, and, with one or two 
 exceptions, they are all working-men, principally weavers 
 and flaxdressers. Guthrie Port Association owes a debt 
 of gratitude to its pioneers. The title of this society is 
 now Arbroath Equitable Co-operative Society. 
 
 Only a year had elapsed since the starting of the above 
 society, when we find a few working-men in another 
 district of Arbroath forming a co-operative society, called 
 Arbroath West Port Association. It was in the spring of 
 1834 that a few workers, anticipating, like their fellows 
 in the Guthrie Port, the great good that would accrue to 
 their class by banding themselves together in a co-operative 
 society, started in a humble way in Keptie Street by taking 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 73 
 
 over the shop and stock-in-trade of a grocer, who became 
 the first manager of the new store. The system adopted 
 for dividing profits was similar to the other " soches," 
 namely, equal dividend upon shares, irrespective of the 
 shareholders' purchases from the society. By the year 
 1846 the society was in a position to build a bakehouse 
 and begin the bakery business. In 1861 they decided to 
 adopt the Rochdale plan of dividing profits on purchases, 
 and from that time their progress has been rapid and 
 substantial. In 1884 they completed their fiftieth year, 
 when their membership was 1,783 ; their capital 13,640, 
 equal to 7, 135. per member ; and, after providing for 
 depreciation, etc., they divided 6,060 among their members 
 at the rate of 2s. 6d. per pound of purchases. Another 
 Arbroath co-operative triumph, which might be capped 
 by amalgamation ! 
 
 THE BRECHIN UPPER AND NETHER TENEMENTS 
 SAVING ASSOCIATION. 
 
 In the year 1833, in the good old town of Brechin, 
 in Forfarshire, the subject of co-operation was being 
 discussed by a few wording-men, who felt bitterly the 
 pinch of poverty, and yearned for some means of 
 escape from its thraldom. They were agreed that co- 
 operation offered the means of escape, but they were 
 absolutely penniless, and therefore could not take a single 
 step forward. Five enthusiasts, viz., James Valentine, 
 Thomas Bakers, Thomas Roberts, Andrew Lawson, and 
 Hugh Kirkland, decided to call a public meeting. For 
 this purpose they could only raise the sum of sixpence 
 halfpenny. Sad at heart, they found this sum inadequate 
 for their purpose. A friend was found who advanced the 
 sum of twopence halfpenny ; and with the ninepence thus 
 collected the public meeting was called. It was a great 
 success. One hundred and twenty persons gave in their 
 names as members, and a committee of sixteen was 
 appointed to carry out the preliminary arrangements. 
 This was all very good, but still there was no money forth- 
 coming. It seemed a hopeless project; without money they 
 could not proceed further. They decided to borrow, but 
 again they were faced with the difficulty of finding security. 
 They tried the local banker, who could not see his 
 
74 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 way to advance them a single shilling. Others were 
 approached, with the same result. Another meeting was 
 held, only to report that no one would trust them. 
 Instead of being discouraged, the meeting appointed 
 another deputation to proceed to Forfar, to interview 
 another banker, and solicit his help. The banker listened 
 to the deputation, who were full of hope if they had 
 nothing else. That banker was a genius ; he saw the 
 class of men who intended to carry on the proposed 
 venture ; he read success in their honest and determined 
 faces ; and he surprised his deputation somewhat by 
 promising an advance of one hundred pounds. There was 
 great joy in Brechin. The money being forthcoming, the 
 Co-operative Society was soon set agoing. In the 
 preamble to the rules, they state in clear and incisive 
 language that the design and aim of their work is to 
 alleviate existing distress, to protect the scanty reward of 
 toil and industry from becoming the prey of intrigue, 
 fraud, or design. This brave little band continued to 
 work on the old share system until 1861, when they 
 amalgamated with the Joint Stock Association. The 
 name was then changed to the United Co-operative 
 Association, and the following year (1862) they began 
 dividing their profits on purchases. They were not 
 registered till 1883. 
 
 On the fifth of December 1883, over a thousand persons 
 assembled in the new City Hall of Brechin to celebrate 
 the fiftieth anniversary of the United Co-operative 
 Association. Many of the most influential citizens were 
 on the platform, to testify by their presence their appre- 
 ciation of the good that had been done by the Association 
 in the city during the past half-century. Only one of the 
 pioneers was living, and he (Mr Valentine) found an 
 honoured place on the platform. Reminiscences of the 
 early struggles and difficulties were dwelt on, the grand 
 work of the pioneers was eulogised, and the present 
 position of the workman compared to that of 1833, when 
 ninepence was their total capital. To-day they have 
 a business of 60,000 per annum, and a profit of 6,000 
 to divide every year. Mr John Barrowman (of the 
 Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society's Branch at 
 Dundee) delivered an able and exhaustive address, 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 75 
 
 dealing with the power of combined effort as applied to 
 retail and wholesale co-operation. 
 
 Such is a brief sketch of this old society, which has 
 done much good work in the city of Brechin, but which 
 would greatly add to its power for good by amalgamation 
 locally and by a closer relationship with our great federa- 
 tion, the Wholesale Society. 
 
 Scotland has every reason to be proud of these old 
 societies, which fought their own battles and surmounted 
 every difficulty by dint of co-operative enthusiasm and 
 sagacity. Of the organisations that are so helpful to-day 
 there was none. If their methods were somewhat crude, 
 and their progress slow in the early days, it must always 
 be kept in mind that each of them was groping after 
 something, many of them knew not what ; each of them was 
 convinced that combination would improve their position. 
 They found what they were seeking for in the Wholesale 
 Society, in the Scottish Section, and in the conference 
 associations, all playing an important part in making 
 co-operation what it is to-day. Before leaving these old 
 and plucky societies of Forfarshire, which still continue 
 to do good work, let it be said that they were the 
 successors of societies whose histories are completely lost. 
 The Rev. John Aitkin, who wrote about 1790, speaks of 
 two societies of a distinctly co-operative character that 
 were in existence at that time one of them confined to 
 members of the weaving trade, the other not so exclusive 
 both located in the Townhead of Arbroath. And 
 when we are at present interested in schemes of relief 
 and pensions for the poor, it may not be uninteresting 
 to note that the weavers' society made provision for the 
 relief of its poor members to the extent of 2s. per week. 
 
 So far as we can learn, these societies took their rise 
 much in the same way as most of the old Scottish 
 societies of the eighteenth century namely, by a few 
 weavers clubbing together, buying a bag of oatmeal or a 
 quantity of other provisions, and then dividing the 
 articles in such quantities as was desired. They thus 
 procured the goods at wholesale prices, and no expense 
 was incurred in retailing. The goods were kept in the 
 dwelling-house of some trusted weaver, who willingly 
 left his loom, which was adjoining his house, to supply 
 
76 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 anything that was wanted. These arrangements could 
 only last while a very few had to be supplied ; when the 
 numbers increased, a small society was generally formed, 
 and the advantages of co-operation were thus extended. 
 The failure of any of these early efforts in no way 
 discouraged others from taking up the work, and rearing 
 some of the great societies that are so popular to-day. 
 
 In the " hungry forties," or even earlier, the experi- 
 ence of Forfarshire was also the experience of Fifeshire. 
 In the district of Hauklemuir, Sinclairtown, which had 
 been a centre of chartism, the weavers founded a 
 little society for the purpose of securing cheaper 
 food. The present Dysart Society began business 
 in 1847, an( i, after some serious difficulties, became one 
 of our flourishing societies. From the time of their 
 joining the Wholesale Society, the Co-operative Union, 
 and the local conference, their troubles seemed to have 
 vanished, a proof of the power of united organisation. 
 Tradition speaks of an old society at Kettle; and at 
 several other Fifeshire villages one may learn of 
 bygone efforts among the people to improve their 
 position. Who knows but that it was to some of these 
 old stories about co-operation we owe the founding of 
 many of the successful co-operative organisations that 
 are so successful in Fifeshire at the present time. The 
 great development of the coalfields in Fife has been a 
 most important factor in the success of co-operation for 
 many years past. 
 
 
 10 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 77 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 The palace, or the hovel, 
 Where first his life began, 
 
 I seek not of; but answer this 
 "Is he an honest man ?" 
 
 Nicoll. 
 
 GALASHIELS STORK COMPANY. 
 
 VS are indebted to Mr William Pringle, of Galashiels, 
 for many of the following facts. Mr Pringle's 
 historical paper on the subject of " Galashiels 
 Co-operation" is a valuable contribution to the 
 historic interest of the locality. 
 
 Galashiels, like its neighbouring town of Hawick, was 
 strongly chartist in politics, and in 1838-39 there seems 
 to have been a great similarity in the social conditions 
 and political opinions of both towns. In the latter 
 year the leaders of the chartist movement were in close 
 correspondence all over the Border counties. From this 
 fact we may assume that the start of the Galashiels 
 Provision Store Company dates from the same year as 
 the Hawick Store. Two gentlemen, who are remembered 
 to this day with feelings of reverence and gratitude in 
 Galashiels, were the trusted leaders of the local chartists 
 Mr William Sanderson, the founder of the Building Society, 
 and Mr Alexander Johnston. Both of these stalwarts had 
 given of their best for the advancement of the working- 
 classes, both politically and socially. They had expected 
 much from the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832, but it 
 had not brought anything like the improvements they had 
 counted on. Therefore, when the idea of forming a 
 co-operative society was mooted, these two powerful 
 champions of the rights of the masses threw themselves 
 
78 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 into the new movement with great enthusiasm. The 
 usual preliminaries were soon got over, and a small house 
 was secured at 31 Overhaugh Street for the purpose of 
 carrying on the business of a mutual help store. For 
 nearly three years the committee did all the buying and 
 selling, one of their number latterly being appointed store- 
 keeper. The want of capital brought the usual difficulties. 
 The shares were ten shillings each. Singular to say, when 
 this society was started, the number of shareholders was the 
 same as the famous Rochdale Pioneers namely, twenty- 
 eight. The capital of the society was 15, los. 
 
 The rules, which are dated I4th July 1839, set fortl1 tne 
 objects thus : "To supply its members with the common 
 necessaries of life at the lowest possible price, and of good 
 quality." Rule in. says : "All transactions of the society 
 to be made with ready-money, both in buying and selling, 
 but in cases of distress or want of employment a member 
 may be allowed credit to the amount of his share or 
 shares." In rule vi. there is a passage in regard to the 
 selling of goods ; " the price of which, in selling, they (the 
 committee) shall always regulate to the cost price, 
 expenses of the shop, etc., included, studying to have the 
 price paid by the members always equal to those ; any 
 surplus profits to be divided among the members every 
 three months by reducing the price of goods." Rule viu. 
 says : " No member to have power to demand from the 
 storekeeper more goods than what he uses for himself and 
 family. Any member who has more shares than one may 
 grant cheques to his neighbours non-members one for 
 each of his shares, should he not require them for his own 
 use, authorising them to be supplied at the store at the 
 lowest price, but to have no vote in the affairs of the 
 society. All members and others who receive cheques 
 must show them to the market-man when they want 
 goods from the store. Should any member be found 
 imposing upon the rules of the society, he shall be 
 expelled and his shares forfeited." The other rules follow 
 the usual lines as to the election of committee, etc. 
 
 It will be noted that, although the leaders of this 
 society were well-known chartists, no political restriction 
 is mentioned in the rules ; all are made welcome to the 
 advantages to be derived from becoming a member. It 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 79 
 
 appears that there existed in Galashiels, as early as 1666, an 
 organisation named the Weavers' Corporation. This old 
 association was co-operative in its theory and practice, 
 and its object was to supply its members with all the 
 necessary apparatus for carrying on the manufacture of 
 woollen cloths. For nearly two hundred years it had 
 proved a great boon to the small struggling manufacturer. 
 In 1842, when manufacturers were independent of 
 such an association, there arose an agitation for its 
 dissolution. The proposal to dissolve did not find favour 
 with the majority of the members, but a resolution was 
 carried to establish a provision store with the funds of this 
 old corporation. Considerable friction was caused by the 
 resolution which had been carried. The result of further 
 meetings prolonged the life of the Weavers' Corporation 
 till 1875 ; it was then dissolved, and its property is now 
 in the custody of the Burgh of Galashiels. The surplus 
 funds of this old organisation, when divided, became the 
 property of many who were members of Galashiels Store 
 Company, and of others who were not members, who, with 
 their new-found wealth, threw in their lot with the modern 
 co-operators. Thus a society that had been in existence 
 for two hundred and nine years was practically merged in 
 the society which started in 1839. 
 
 The business prospered, but difficulties innumerable had 
 to be faced and overcome. The bread supply was a con- 
 tinuous difficulty up till the time they resolved to 
 bake for themselves. It is interesting to note that, among 
 the societies appealed to at the time for information, two 
 old societies are mentioned Coupar-Angus and Alyth. 
 In 1844 Galashiels Society established a bakehouse, and 
 if the bread difficulties did not immediately disappear, 
 they were now, at least, in a much better position to 
 please their members. It was in 1844 that William 
 Sanderson, secretary of the society, brought forward his 
 proposal to divide profits on purchases. Of course he 
 met with opposition, but by letters in the newspapers he 
 kept up the agitation, and his efforts were crowned with 
 success in 1846 or 1847. Till the year 1867 there was 
 harmony and progress in Galashiels Store, but in that year 
 a dispute arose in connection with the management. This 
 difference of opinion, unfortunately, led to a secession 
 
8o HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 from the parent society. The Waverley Co-operative 
 Society was formed, and its first shop was opened in Bank 
 Street. The progress of the new society was great and 
 substantial, and in time branches were opened in Galapark 
 Road and St Boswells. There were now two co-operative 
 societies where one might have done the work better. Some 
 years ago this view was adopted by some of the leaders, 
 and, to their credit be it said, they kept up the agitation 
 for amalgamation. It has taken much time and work to 
 convince everyone of the wisdom of such a step, but, 
 happily, in 1909, the two societies which had worked side 
 by side for forty-two years, became one. It is only right 
 to say that for many years the committees of both 
 societies acted in the most harmonious manner. Now 
 that they have become one powerful organisation, the 
 work will be more efficiently done, and co-operation, as 
 well as co-operators, will greatly benefit. 
 
 Mention ought to be made of another co-operative effort 
 set afoot in Galashiels in the early 'seventies. It was 
 called the Cobden Co-operative Society. It had a feeble 
 existence for about two years, when it was wound up. 
 We believe most of its members became attached to 
 the "Waverley." 
 
 HA WICK STORE COMPANY. 
 1839. 
 
 The jubilee of this important society was celebrated 
 in November 1889, when a carefully prepared history 
 of its first fifty years was published, from which the 
 following facts are largely gleaned. The opening 
 sentence of that history is at once striking and suggestive. 
 It says, "The Hawick Co-operative Store Company is, 
 beyond all comparison, the most important industrial 
 institution in the town." The stocking-makers of Hawick 
 from the earliest times have been noted for the intelligent 
 interest they have always taken in politics. In the 
 year 1838, a chartist association was formed in which 
 the working-men of the town took a warm interest. 
 Numerous meetings were held, where the " People's 
 Charter " was extolled and the privileged class denounced. 
 The men thus got to know each other. They were of one 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 81 
 
 opinion in politics ; it was thus a short step to be of one 
 opinion for social improvement. 
 
 For some time before this date, when some of the 
 commodities of life were high in price, it was not unusual 
 for a few workmen to club together and purchase say 
 a bag of flour, and distribute the same in small quantities 
 at cost price. They now resolved to extend the system. 
 A meeting held in September 1839 resolved : " (i) That 
 a joint-stock company be formed, to be called ' The 
 Hawick Chartist Provision Store/ (2) That its object be 
 to procure provisions to its members at the lowest possible 
 rate. (3) That no persons be admitted as shareholders 
 unless members of the Radical Association. (4) That 
 each subscriber pay the sum of five shillings per share." 
 
 The first general meeting of shareholders was held on 
 4th November, when a number of rules were adopted, 
 and a committee appointed consisting of twenty- one 
 leading chartists. The rules explicitly provided that no 
 person was to be admitted to membership unless he was 
 a chartist ; that the business was to be conducted on the 
 ready-money principle. Every member had to take at 
 least one share, unless in the case of a widow or other 
 poor person, who by the payment of one penny could 
 become a member, but have no voice in the management 
 of its affairs. 
 
 The shop was opened on gth November 1839. The 
 value of the stock in the store, including furnishings, 
 amounted to 13, los. id., certainly not a very large 
 stock to choose from ; but the first day's sales cleared 
 7, gs. ijd., or more than half the entire stock. The 
 following is reported to have been the stock-in-trade 
 when this now great and useful society began business : 
 
 Half boll of oatmeal. 
 
 Half boll of peasemeal. 
 
 Half boll of barley-meal. 
 
 A cartload of coal. 
 
 A few loaves of bread. 
 
 A small quantity of groceries. 
 
 The first effect of the new store was to cause a reduction 
 of prices throughout the town. Oatmeal fell 4d. per 
 stone, although the price per boll remained the same. 
 This was the first success, and doubtless gave heart to 
 
 F 
 
82 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 the committee. The inauguration of this little society 
 had benefited the whole population of Hawick within 
 a few days of its opening. Our little band of chartist 
 co-operators were jubilant over their effort ; but it was 
 evident that they must get more capital if they were 
 to be entirely successful. The Stockingmakers' Society 
 was approached, which promised the sum of 20 as a loan ; 
 but the treasurer of that society for some reason refused 
 to hand over the money. The store committee solicited 
 the legal assistance of Mr James Dickson, J.P., of 
 Dickson & Laing, requesting him to enforce payment 
 of the 20 which had been voted by the Stockingmakers' 
 Society. Mr Dickson was opposed to the politics of the 
 store leaders; still, he must have seen that co-operation 
 was for the good of the people, and instead of assisting 
 them by calling on the law as they requested, he himself 
 generously offered the money as a loan. The offer was 
 accepted, and the Chartist Store was thus helped on its 
 way by the generosity of a Tory ! 
 
 The arrangements for selling were similar to many 
 of the early societies. The shop was open only in the 
 evenings. On Saturdays it opened at three o'clock in 
 the afternoon. The members of committee acted as 
 salesmen, and were remunerated at the rate of threepence 
 per hour. At this time there was a net gain of 
 about 55. per week, which was considered sufficient to 
 pay a fair interest to the shareholders. The committee 
 were most attentive to the many duties they had to 
 perform. Every two weeks they evidently balanced 
 their accounts to ascertain their position. As has been 
 already pointed out, there was no limited liability in 
 those days, so that if the store got into debt the members 
 were liable for the total sum. 
 
 The business increased, but so did the difficulties. 
 The buying of goods as well as the selling of them took 
 time. The amateur salesmen were continually called 
 upon to attend at the store, which meant practically the 
 neglect of their own work. Then their inexperience led 
 them into many an awkward position. The giving of the 
 proper change to the customers seems to have been with 
 some of them a difficult problem. A story is told of a 
 woman who called at the shop for three half-loaves 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 83 
 
 of bread when the price of the 4-lb. loaf was 7Jd. ; she 
 tendered a half-crown in payment of her purchase, and 
 asked for the necessary change in return. The member 
 of committee who acted as salesman for the time being, 
 who was better versed in making stockings than in mental 
 arithmetic, got completely confused, and at last exclaimed, 
 " I'll be hanged if A can tell ye what change ye suld get ; 
 gae awa' to Willie Hogg, and he'll merk it doon I " 
 
 It was evident that a salesman must be appointed. 
 Thus two months after the society was started, the 
 secretary, Mr James Smith, was appointed at a salary 
 of i6s. per week. The sales were now 30 per week. 
 As the business increased the want of capital became 
 more emphasised. In 1840 matters assumed a hopeless 
 aspect, and it was only by dint of careful piloting 
 that the tiny co-operative craft was kept afloat. There 
 was only sixty-four members. By the exertions of the 
 leaders, confidence, which had been on the wane, was 
 restored, credit to half the value of the shares was 
 introduced, and of course the trade per week increased. 
 The committee seems to have managed the credit 
 with considerable ability ; for in 1842 they removed 
 to a larger shop in Sandbed, and an old woodcut 
 shows the little shop, with the sign above the door, 
 " The Chartist Store." This name was continued 
 till 1852. In that year the Excise authorities insisted 
 that the name of a member of the company should 
 be put over the shop door. At first this was resented 
 by the committee, but ultimately it was arranged that 
 the name of " Henry Dove & Co." should be used. 
 This designation continued till 1862. Henry Dove had 
 been one of the outstanding chartists, a follower of 
 Feargus O'Connor and Ernest Jones, and also a much- 
 respected leader of the store movement ; hence the 
 choice of his name for the co-operative society. As he 
 left for America in 1853, the Excise people again 
 interfered, but it was not till 1862 that the store was 
 rechristened with its present designation. Another 
 important change about this time was the admission of 
 any person to the membership on payment of one 
 shilling. The political element of the society had now 
 disappeared. It was in 1850 that a special committee 
 
84 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 was appointed to draft new rules in harmony with those 
 of Galashiels Store Company ; this included the dividing 
 of profits on purchases. When this proposal came before 
 the members, some of the largest shareholders opposed it. 
 Some were still smarting over the excision of their old 
 political principles; thus, when the new proposition was 
 under discussion, some of these old political warriors said 
 
 "the members now were no better than the d d Whigs." 
 
 Again, like so many other societies which had adopted 
 the division on purchases, a new life was opened up to the 
 Hawick Store. Extensions were made in all directions. 
 In 1851 a bakery branch was added. Since then shops 
 have been opened in every part of the town. The central 
 premises to-day will compare with anything of the kind 
 in a similar-sized town in the kingdom. By the time of 
 the jubilee, this interesting society had a membership 
 of 2,705 and a share capital of 36,726, and the sales for 
 the jubilee year, 1889, were 120,530. 
 
 The above sketch is brief, and one is sorry that it was 
 not possible to give in more detail the many earnest and 
 intelligent efforts of the committees to spread the good 
 influences of co-operation. In the Appendix it will be 
 found that their energy is not exhausted ; for the 
 figures there show that they are still making sound and 
 sure progress. 
 
 KINGSKETTLE JOINT-STOCK MEAL SOCIETY. 
 1840. 
 
 In a well-preserved minute-book of the above society 
 we find the following statement, dated i6th June 1840 : 
 " A number of well-disposed individuals in Kettle and 
 neighbourhood, having duly considered the great 
 importance of a plentiful and regular supply of good 
 wholesome meal at the lowest market prices, resolved to 
 form themselves into a society in order to raise a fund 
 with a view to obtain that desirable object. But as no 
 society, however small, can be properly conducted without 
 some rules and regulations for their guidance, we propose 
 the following articles of constitution, which have been 
 agreed to by the members, after being all read over ; 
 subject at all times to be revised, altered, or amended 
 as circumstances and experience may dictate." Then 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 85 
 
 follow fifteen rules, or articles as they are called, much 
 on the same lines as others that have already been given. 
 There does not seem to have been any copying of each 
 other's rules, for each has its own phraseology. Ready- 
 money, good quality in articles sold, and the good character 
 of the members, seem to have been the outstanding 
 characteristics of these old societies. The shares were five 
 shillings each, with no restriction as to the number of 
 shares a member might hold. No matter how many 
 shares a member held, he had only one vote. Their 
 primitive methods of purchasing may be gathered from 
 article 8 : " That the committee have power to appoint 
 one of their number to purchase meal or grain, who shall 
 be paid two shillings and sixpence for each day he is out, 
 power being lodged with the committee to regulate his 
 pay when less than one day out." Any profit made was, 
 of course, divided on the shares, and it is evident they 
 had a fair amount of success. In November 1843 the 
 original five-shilling shares were valued at six shillings 
 and threepence. It was now proposed to change the 
 Meal Society into a co-operative society. A public 
 meeting of the inhabitants was called, and it was 
 unanimously agreed to form a co-operative provision 
 store. Ninety individuals took up three hundred shares, 
 so that the old Meal Society disappeared in the Kettle 
 Co-operative Society. The following poster made the 
 change known to all : 
 
 NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. The committee of Kettle Co-operative 
 Society begs to intimate to the public that the store for the sale ot 
 provisions and other articles will be opened in the house lately 
 occupied by the Meal Society, on Monday, llth December 1843. 
 
 Kettle, 9th December 1843. 
 
 Thus Kettle Co-operative Society came into existence, 
 and through all these years it has continued to spread 
 its good influence over a large area. It was not till 
 June 1863 that the question of dividing profits on 
 purchases was taken up, and, after discussion, it was 
 adopted by a majority of twenty-seven to twelve. It 
 is not a large society, but it holds 233 shares in the 
 Wholesale Society. Much would be saved in this little 
 town to the co-operative movement if the Baking 
 Society and the society we have just described would 
 become one in practice as they are one in principle. 
 
86 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 KINGSKETTLE BAKING SOCIETY 1840. 
 REGISTERED IN 1872. 
 
 A vigorous and truly co-operative effort was made in 
 the village of Kingskettle, Fifeshire, in 1840, when a few 
 working-men, who were sorely pressed by the price of 
 bread sold by the traders, conceived the idea of forming 
 a society whereby they could supply themselves with 
 that important article of food at cost price. The first 
 information we can gather, from a minute-book of the 
 time, states that, having organised themselves, they made 
 arrangements to purchase the necessary utensils from 
 a baker for 11, los. From its very inception this society 
 has been prosperous. Of course its beginning was in a 
 very small way, but, by energy and perseverance, the 
 committee have built up a large and profitable business. 
 They supply bread for miles around, and are loyal 
 members of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society. 
 In the early days they delivered the bread with a small 
 hand-cart drawn by a donkey, the driver being familiarly 
 known as " Cuddy Grant." To-day, handsome vans 
 perform this duty. 
 
 The committee of the Baking Society give bonus to 
 their vanmen, and they report that the vanmen in turn 
 do their utmost to increase the business of the society. 
 They have adopted the " Climax " check system, and 
 an up-to-date method of production. In fact, this old 
 society has all the vigour of youth, although it is now 
 seventy years old. It has a membership of 531, a share 
 capital of 1,523, and the dividend declared last half-year 
 was 2s. lod. per pound. It is to be hoped that the 
 Kettle Co-operative Society, which is also in a prosperous 
 condition, and serving almost the same people as the 
 Baking Society, will see it to be to their interest to join 
 hands, and thus make one powerful organisation that 
 will become the social centre of the whole district. 
 
 The fine old minute-book of the Baking Society 
 contains many interesting local allusions, but it is an 
 exception to the rule in regard to difficulties. All has 
 gone well ; able men have always directed the course 
 of events. May it continue to progress, even if it decides 
 to remain single. But our advice is and it is for the 
 good of all unite with the local society. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 87 
 
 We have made inquiries in Dumfriesshire as to early 
 co-operative attempts there, but while rumours are 
 plentiful, there is nothing to build on. Ayrshire has given 
 much not only to Scotland but to the whole world, and 
 outside of Great Britain is perhaps the best-known 
 county in the kingdom because of its being the birth- 
 place of Robert Burns. We now find (at least so far as 
 can be traced at present) that it was the birthplace of 
 co-operation ; for we have seen that the Fenwick 
 Weavers' Society was the pioneer of co-operation not 
 only in Scotland but in the United Kingdom. It is thus 
 singular that the poet above all others who wrote most 
 of the brotherhood of man, and who was never tired 
 of picturing the coming of that brotherhood for the 
 good of mankind, should have made his entry into the 
 world almost in the same decade as the first co-operative 
 society, their birthplaces being only a few miles distant 
 from each other. 
 
 DARVEL SOCIETY. 
 
 Seventy years had elapsed before we get the next 
 co-operative birth in the same county : it was at Darvel, 
 in 1840. There had been a co-operative effort before 
 this time, but it was in a small way. In March 1899 
 there was great rejoicing at Darvel in connection with 
 the laying of the memorial-stone of the handsome new 
 buildings in course of erection for the co-operative 
 society. Commissioner Cleland, president of the society, 
 gave an interesting sketch of the society's history, from 
 which the following summary is taken. It was in the 
 year 1840 that a few hand-loom weavers met together 
 to discuss the question of co-operation. They had no 
 advisers, but that did not keep them from unanimously 
 agreeing to the principle, which they had already tried 
 to a small extent, and they decided to start a co-operative 
 society. In their previous effort their goods had been 
 retailed from one of their houses, and only at meal-hours 
 or Saturday afternoons ; now it was to be a regular society 
 for the purpose of supplying the necessaries of life to all 
 who cared to join. Nineteen villagers gave in their 
 names, from whom was appointed a small committee to 
 canvass the village for more members. In a short time, 
 
88 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 this committee reported that they had received the names 
 of thirty-six villagers who were willing to join. With 
 this number of members the society was started. 
 To their credit be it said, although they were in very 
 poor circumstances, they resolved that the business 
 should be conducted on the ready-money principle. Like 
 most of the societies that had started up till this time, 
 they adopted the joint-stock system. The capital 
 was raised by shares and half shares, according to 
 the size of the member's family. Full members were 
 only allowed to purchase eight shillings-worth of goods 
 per week, and the half members four shillings-worth 
 per week ; the reason for this restriction being that 
 members with large families were considered to require 
 only eight shillings-worth per week, and those with 
 smaller families only four shillings- worth. Full members 
 assisted in paying the salesman's wages by contributing 
 twopence per week into what was called in the village 
 the " society cess," while the half members contributed 
 a penny for the same purpose. This weekly " cess," 
 along with the small profit taken on the goods, was 
 expected to meet all working expenses for the labour 
 of the committee was gratuitous. Each member received 
 a pass-book, or purchase-book, which was taken to the 
 store when doing business, and every purchase was entered 
 in this pass-book, which was added up weekly, so that 
 the rule regarding the full member and half member was 
 strictly adhered to. By and by it was thought advisable 
 to allow the members to purchase whatever goods they 
 might require, so that the old rule restricting their 
 purchasing became obsolete. This was followed by a 
 higher percentage of profit being taken on the goods ; 
 and any surplus profit, after paying working expenses, 
 was divided among the members and half members 
 according to the share or half share held. After a 
 time it was seen that the system of paying dividend to 
 members on their share or half share was not all that 
 could be desired, as the full member sometimes purchased 
 very little and yet received double the .dividend paid 
 to the half shareholder, the latter being often the better 
 customer, because he was burdened with a large family 
 and had a very modest income. It was therefore agreed 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 89 
 
 to abolish the system of paying the dividend on shares 
 and half shares ; and the present system of paying the 
 dividend on members' purchases was thereafter instituted, 
 which commends itself as being more equitable and just. 
 In the year 1868 the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society was started. It has proved the binding force 
 to societies throughout Scotland. On the loth of 
 June, in the same year, the Darvel society was 
 registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies 
 Act as " The Darvel Industrial Co-operative Society 
 lyimited." It was in this year also that the society 
 started its drapery department, which has been a great 
 blessing to the members. In the year 1871 the " cess " 
 system was abolished, and was superseded by the 
 establishment of a " loan," of which the members have 
 taken full advantage. This is a way of gathering by 
 systematic collection, and many a working-man has 
 saved a few pounds in this way which he might not have 
 done otherwise. In the year 1873 the bakery business 
 was started, which has also been a great success, 
 although in its early stages there were difficulties to 
 overcome. In 1880 the central premises were built, and 
 two years later No. I branch premises were erected. 
 In 1892 a well-equipped building was erected for No. 2 
 branch, with dwelling-houses connected therewith. 
 After a time shoemaking and tailoring departments 
 were inaugurated ; a coal depot followed ; and iron- 
 mongery and crockery added in due time. One 
 would have thought this was enough for a village with 
 only 3,000 of a population ; but no. The latest kind 
 of breadmaking machinery was installed in the bake- 
 house, and the distributive central premises were fitted 
 and lighted with electricity. In 1892 a fleshing 
 department was added to the already long list of trading 
 branches. Dressmaking in all its branches has now 
 taken a place, and is contributing to the general success 
 of Darvel Industrial. Members have been educated 
 from childhood and by natural perception, till now 
 throughout the village an intelligent grasp of co-operative 
 principles has been learned by most. From the small 
 beginning in 1840, when 500 would represent the annual 
 turnover, and probably 50 the amount of share capital, 
 
90 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 we find that the last balance-sheet represents 26,567 
 as members' claims, and the turnover for the half-year 
 is 13,835. The population of the village has certainly 
 grown considerably, but not in proportion to the increase 
 of sales. The means by which this has been attained 
 have been principally strict loyalty on the part of the 
 members, earnest and capable men at the head of affairs, 
 and a consistent allegiance to the Scottish Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society Limited in all its purchases. 
 
 The above history of this enterprising society, given 
 by one of themselves, is quite invigorating ; no puffing, 
 no loud and not over-truthful advertisement, simply the 
 principle of mutual help adopted and rigidly adhered to 
 the result, an unqualified success in everything under- 
 taken. Keep on with your splendid work, men of 
 Darvel ; what would your position have been to-day 
 but for the men of 1840 and their worthy successors ? 
 
 LESLIE SOCIETIES. 
 
 1840. 
 
 In 1840 a small society was started in the busy little 
 town of Leslie, Fifeshire, and is all alive to-day. It 
 appears that, some few years before the above date, the 
 workers were dissatisfied with the extortionate price of 
 bread as retailed by the town bakers, and, to remedy the 
 evil, they formed a baking society. It was the success 
 of this baking society that led to the formation of a 
 regular co-operative society in 1840. Of course, it was 
 started on the old lines of paying profits on shares, but, 
 when it had been a few years in existence, the question of 
 dividing upon purchases was raised, and as usual there 
 were many who were opposed to the proposed change. 
 The discontent increased when it was found that the 
 " auld lichts " were in the majority. The minority, 
 having used and exhausted every means in their power 
 to bring about the desired change, came out and formed 
 another society, called the Leslie and Prinlaws Co-operative 
 Society. The Baking Society was amalgamated with the 
 latter society in after years, so now we have the two 
 societies. The Leslie Society many years ago adopted 
 the Rochdale method, so that there can be little if any 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 91 
 
 reason for two societies now. Some six or seven 
 years ago, when the Leslie Society was in difficulties, 
 caused by a former secretary, negotiations were actually 
 opened up with a view to the Leslie and District Society 
 taking over the older society, but nothing came of it. 
 The younger society has a rapidly increasing business, 
 and is administered with enterprise and energy. The 
 older society seems now to have got over its difficulties. 
 Both societies are loyal members of the Wholesale Society. 
 It seems strange, in a small town like this, that two 
 organisations, with the same aims and objects, should 
 continue to work separately ; a united association would be 
 more economical, and more in harmony with co-operative 
 ideals. Let us hope that we will soon hear wedding 
 bells at Leslie. 
 
 SELKIRK SOCIETY. 
 
 1846. 
 
 The earliest record of this fine old society dates 
 back to 1846 ; but even at that early date the share 
 capital was 115, so that the real beginning must 
 have been some time before the date mentioned. 
 Two of the original members were alive in 1906, 
 when the society held its diamond jubilee, and were 
 able from memory to give a few details of the far-off 
 start of the society. The " souters of Selkirk " were 
 for generations noted for their intelligence and activity 
 in political and social questions, so it was but natural 
 that they should interest themselves in co-operation, 
 seeing that a successful society had been in existence in 
 Galashiels, only seven miles distant, since 1839. According 
 to the statements of the veterans alluded to, when 
 the little store was started the shopkeepers of Selkirk 
 were inclined to treat the " souters' " experiment with 
 contempt. The pioneers set up their first shop in 
 Market Place, near the Kirk Wynd. Judging from the 
 description it was not a very elaborate or attractive 
 affair, but behind the little effort there were some strong 
 and resolute men that were determined to succeed. 
 
 The society had been most fortunate in its choice of 
 officials, who worked hard and continuously for the good 
 of the society. Mr J. Anderson for a long time acted as 
 
92 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 secretary in his spare time ; but, as the business increased, 
 he was appointed secretary and manager, giving his whole 
 time to the duties of his office. When he retired, the 
 position was placed in the able hands of the late Mr 
 Walter Rae, afterwards the successful manager of Alloa 
 Society. Then the late Mr Adams held the position with 
 credit for five or six years till his untimely death. Mr 
 D. Fisher, the present manager, then took up the duties, 
 which he carries out to the satisfaction of all concerned. 
 The presidents of the society have also played a most 
 important part in its history. Pastor Brown, of the 
 Baptist Mission, gave valuable assistance during his 
 chairmanship, and never doubted but that he was 
 performing his duty to his Master in thus working for 
 his fellows. Councillor T. Bolster gave five years to the 
 work of the society as president, and during his term 
 he won the entire confidence and respect of the 
 membership. 
 
 The society has not been without its serious difficulties, 
 some of them exceedingly trying and discouraging. When 
 it was resolved to become a member of the Wholesale 
 Society in 1884, there was a revolt by a section of the 
 members, who formed another society, under the title of 
 the " Selkirk Provident." Much could be said on this 
 episode, but it would serve no good purpose to-day to 
 rake up old and all but forgotten history. The 
 " Provident " was not many years in existence when a 
 secession from it took place, and a third society was 
 formed, called the "Selkirk Equitable." The spirit of 
 co-operation was now at its lowest in Selkirk, and 
 competition was bound to exist among the three 
 societies. There was not space for the three societies, 
 and the " Provident " in due time passed away. 
 
 It is most interesting to note the progress of the 
 parent society, in spite of its ungrateful family. When 
 its jubilee was held in 1886, the members numbered 840, 
 and the capital was 10,250 ; the sales were 29,435, 
 and the profits 5,076. When we come to the diamond 
 jubilee, ten years after, the membership was 1,157, the 
 capital 27,566, the sales 42,464, and profits 8,512. 
 
 From time to time efforts were made to amalgamate 
 the two societies, but without success. However, 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 93 
 
 towards the end of the diamond jubilee year of the 
 Selkirk Society amalgamation did take place, but 
 under very painful circumstances. The " Equitable " 
 had not been successful of late, and the final balance- 
 sheet, which was published under special resolutions of 
 both societies, brought out a very serious condition of 
 affairs. The share capital of the members, which had 
 stood at 2,365, had to be written down to 591, or 
 five shillings per pound. 
 
 In face of this disaster, the members of the parent society 
 considered it to be their duty to take over the remnant of the 
 " Equitable." Of course there were some heart-burnings, 
 as some of the old members had not forgotten the 
 secession of the " Provident," which really contained the 
 members of the " Equitable." It was a wise and 
 generous action of the Selkirk Society ; if they could not 
 save the members' capital, now unhappily gone, at least 
 to some extent they could save the good name of 
 co-operation. The following is a striking paragraph 
 taken from the last report of the committee of the 
 " Equitable " : " We regret the unfortunate state of 
 affairs which this balance-sheet shows, especially after 
 the loss which the members had to bear through want 
 of dividend in November. The great depreciation in 
 the share capital beyond what was anticipated is largely 
 due to the number and amount of outstanding accounts 
 due by members." 
 
 To the lasting credit of the co-operative societies 
 throughout Scotland, and especially those in the Border 
 Conference district, the loss sustained by the members 
 of the " Equitable " was at once sympathetically taken 
 up, and donations amounting to 954, 145. 6d. (400 
 of which was given by the Border district) were applied 
 to redeem the loss of the shareholders. This, with 
 some debts collected by Selkirk Society, and interest, 
 reduced the loss to the shareholders to about three 
 shillings per pound. 
 
 The Selkirk Society did not get much benefit from 
 the amalgamation for some time ; their own members' 
 confidence was somewhat shaken by the disaster, while 
 the members of the late " Equitable " did not at once 
 recognise their duty to the Selkirk Society. It was 
 
94 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 fully two years before the effect of this co-operative 
 catastrophe disappeared from the locality. Happily the 
 confidence of the members is now thoroughly restored, 
 and the trade has reached a higher point than ever. 
 For the last half-year (1909) the sales were 24,127, and the 
 share capital was equal to 18, los. per member. The 
 list of contributions to charitable institutions does the 
 society infinite credit, while the educational committee 
 is evidently doing good work. After the long weary 
 years of discord and of storm and stress, it is to be 
 sincerely hoped that for the future Selkirk Society will 
 enjoy peace and prosperity. 
 
 THE HILLFOOTS SOCIETIES. 
 
 The traveller from Bridge of Allan to Dollar traverses 
 that beautiful road which runs at the base of the Ochils, 
 hence the name of Hillfoots which is used to denote the 
 district. Three robust co-operative societies are grouped 
 within a distance of three to four miles, each of them 
 having carried on its useful work for over sixty years. 
 The industries of the three villages are much alike. 
 
 MENSTRIE. This society was founded in 1847, the 
 weavers of the village being its promoters ; and if it was 
 impossible for it to grow large because of its circumscribed 
 area, at least its pioneers and those who followed them 
 were determined that it should be kept sound and safe 
 for its members. It was not till about 1869, or at their 
 ninety-third quarter, that they printed and published their 
 report and balance-sheet. From this we find their sales 
 were 842 per quarter ; and as they had already proved 
 the benefit of purchasing from the " Wholesale," of which 
 they were an early member, they state that " the profits 
 from their Wholesale purchases add nearly 2|d. per pound 
 to the members' dividend," which was 2s. per pound of 
 purchases. This little society has done its work as 
 well and as co-operatively as some more pretentious 
 organisations. 
 
 ALVA BAZAAR. In the same year (1847) ^ Menstrie 
 began its co-operative work, the neighbouring village 
 of Alva also started its little store, which gradually won 
 the confidence of the people of the neighbourhood. 
 In May 1865, or eighteen years after the establishment 
 

 ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 95 
 
 of the society, Alva was en fete. New premises were in 
 course of erection, and the foundation-stone was laid 
 by Mr Johnstone, the lord of the manor. After the 
 interesting ceremony had been completed, addresses were 
 delivered by Mr Thomas Hunter, Mr Johnstone of Alva 
 House, and Mr Paton of Barrhead and thoroughly 
 practical addresses they were. About this time the 
 society was doing a weekly average trade of 126 ; it had 
 223 members, and a capital of 1,596. In 1897 the 
 society's jubilee was held. A magnificent public clock 
 was gifted to the town ; an outdoor demonstration was 
 attended by many of the leaders of the movement, where 
 some of the veterans fought their co-operative battles 
 over again. Like the other societies in the district, 
 Alva has always been true to its co-operative faith, both 
 in buying and selling. A co-operative baking society is 
 also situated in the village, but time, it is hoped, will 
 unite them, which will be for the good of all. 
 
 TILLICOULTRY. About a couple of miles farther north 
 than Alva, we come to the picturesque village of 
 Tillicoultry. Here co-operation was entered upon 
 in 1849, and although, like the other villages in the 
 district, it has a limited area to supply, it has been 
 most successful in its good work. Twenty years after its 
 formation (1869), the annual report says that " the 
 total sales for the year amounted to 8,267, ^ e drapery- 
 contributing 1,777 > th e capital of the members amounted 
 to 1,993 ; the net profit for the year was 429." This 
 was only one year after the "Wholesale" had started; 
 yet we find this society had paid its shares in full, 
 which amounted to 75. They have taken an 
 earnest interest in the welfare of the " Wholesale " 
 since its inception. As at Alva, so at Tillicoultry, when 
 in 1899 they held their jubilee demonstration, we had the 
 honour of taking part in a most interesting ceremony 
 the presentation by the society of a beautiful polished 
 granite drin king-fountain to the burgh. In receiving it 
 in name of the burgh, the Provost said "it was not 
 only a much-needed and useful gift, but a decided 
 ornament to the town." Like Alva, a baking society 
 worked alongside of the store till 1905 ; but amalga- 
 mation since then has made for strength and economy. 
 
96 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 One cannot leave the history of these old economic 
 co-operative organisations in Scotland without expressing 
 a feeling of satisfaction and pride. Modern co-operators 
 must always have a difficulty in appreciating the 
 co-operative position as it existed a century ago and 
 for many years after. The members who joined the 
 old societies had no limited liability as we have to-day ; 
 their liability was unlimited. Yet with this knowledge 
 they trusted the men whom they elected as officials, 
 and they placed their trust worthily. Very few, if 
 any, of the old stores came to grief through dishonesty. 
 Many which have disappeared have either been merged 
 into other societies, or were quietly wound up by paying 
 everybody their own. There seems to have been a high 
 moral tone among the weavers and others who were 
 the founders of so many of the early societies. In 
 almost all the old rules they take powers for penalising 
 persons who may be guilty of using bad language or who 
 may take drink to excess ; in this way they did their best 
 to keep up a high moral standard. The reader must 
 have noticed the unanimity with which these societies 
 condemned the giving of credit, and also how they made 
 provision to assist any of their members when in distress. 
 Disloyalty they would not tolerate ; and it is evident that 
 a disloyal member to the store, which on joining he had 
 promised to support, was a man not to be trusted, and he 
 certainly did not get oft scot-free from the enthusiasts 
 who were members of committee. One may learn, 
 in reading the old minute-books, that the members were 
 guided by deep religious convictions. We do not say this 
 because of much scripture quoting, but because of their 
 actions. One illustration will serve. At a full quarterly 
 meeting of one society the question of Sunday labour in 
 the bakehouse was raised. It was discussed very calmly, 
 and although it was pointed out regretfully that the ovens 
 had to be kindled and the sponge for the bread set, it was 
 agreed that a committee be appointed to inquire and 
 report if it was absolutely necessary to do this work on 
 the Sabbath. The committee reported in due time 
 " that the work must continue ; it was a work of 
 necessity," and the report was regretfully accepted. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 97 
 
 It may be urged that these old associations did very 
 little good seeing that some of them divided so little of 
 their profits. We think it said much for the character of 
 those who formed the membership that they united and 
 paid up their shares, which in most cases had to be 
 done by small instalments, sometimes as low as a penny 
 per week, and that they allowed their small profits 
 to be used for the building up and consolidation of 
 the society. Of course, they bought their goods at little 
 over cost price, so that the benefit was immediate. The 
 village trader of that time was not unlike the trader of 
 to-day, always decrying the store and always willing to 
 give credit. The thriftless villagers fell into his net and 
 remained there. Yes, our predecessors in co-operative 
 committees were men of character and ability, when we 
 consider what they accomplished under circumstances 
 where poverty, isolation, and inexperience were ever 
 present ; a strong f eeling of independence and hope was 
 their greatest asset. After the perusal of these old histories, 
 one wonders at the failure of a modern society, where 
 experience, advice, and help of all kinds which were 
 unknown to the co-operators of the economic times, are 
 available for the asking. 
 
 u\ 
 
 
98 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Auspicious Hope! in thy sweet garden grow 
 Wreaths for each toil, a charm for every woe; 
 Won by their sweets, in Nature's languid hour 
 The wayworn pilgrim seeks thy summer bower. 
 
 Campbell. 
 
 THE DAWN OF MODERN CO-OPERATION AND THE 
 MEN WHO LED IT. 
 
 ALTHOUGH this history deals entirely with 
 co-operation in Scotland, we will have to cross 
 the Border for a short time, to explain more 
 fully how the new era in the movement came 
 about. Before doing so, however, it will be necessary to 
 discuss briefly the part a distinguished Scotsman played 
 in the great change which is generally believed to have 
 begun at Rochdale. 
 
 Mr Alexander Campbell, of Glasgow, it will be 
 remembered, was appointed in 1837 one f ^ e fi rs * 
 missionaries under Robert Owen's scheme to advocate 
 the cause so fully set forth in the " New Moral World." 
 This appointment took him over a great part of the 
 kingdom, lecturing in all the towns of importance. It 
 will also be remembered that in 1830 he was the leader of 
 the first Glasgow Co-operative Society, which at that 
 time had attempted to carry out some of Owen's ideas in 
 regard to a private currency and a labour exchange. 
 Campbell was no ordinary man, as will be seen from his 
 lectures and letters, and his articles which appeared in 
 the Glasgow Sentinel some years after, when he became 
 attached to the staff of that paper, then under the editor- 
 ship of that fine old Radical, Peter Mackenzie. Sincere and 
 enthusiastic, with a full and well-balanced mind, Campbell 
 was soon a power to be reckoned with. He accepted 
 challenges from all comers to debate Owen's schemes, and 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 99 
 
 acquitted himself in a way that brought out enconiums 
 from his opponents. Mr Holyoake, who was personally 
 acquainted with him, says: "He was the most fatherly- 
 minded of all the missionaries, whose voice sounded like 
 a truce ; he was forcibly prevented preaching the new 
 gospel of industry on Glasgow Green on Sundays ; but 
 he was an earnest, pacific advocate. Mr Campbell is 
 remembered as one of the managers of Orbiston com- 
 munity. One of his daughters married Mr William Love, 
 known as the chief Liberal bookseller of Glasgow. Mr 
 Campbell discovered the principle of distributing profits 
 in stores in proportion to purchases as early as 1827, 
 which was acted upon in some stores in Scotland. The 
 principle was rediscovered sixteen years later in Rochdale 
 by Charles Howarth. Mr Campbell was for many years 
 connected with the Glasgow Sentinel, a paper established 
 by Robert Buchanan, the social missionary. An excellent 
 three-quarter portrait in oil of Mr Campbell hangs in the 
 hall of the Secular Society, Glasgow, where he was a 
 valued speaker." 
 
 I have given the full quotation from Holyoake's 
 " History of Co-operation," in the hope that it may catch 
 the eye of some Scottish co-operator whom I trust may 
 be more fortunate than I have been in finding some docu- 
 mentary evidence to establish Campbell's claim ; for years 
 I have tried, and have failed. If the old rules of the first 
 Cambuslang Society could be found, I think some light 
 might be thrown on this old controversy. Over twenty 
 years ago I approached my old friend Mr Holyoake on 
 the subject : he was a friend of both Campbell and 
 Howarth. He said he could never doubt what Campbell 
 said, and undoubtedly Campbell had claimed both publicly 
 and privately to be the discoverer of the new system. 
 "Is it not possible," said Mr Holyoake, " that the idea 
 may have occurred to both." But he thought Campbell 
 had it first. 
 
 At page 278 of the " History of Co-operation," the case 
 is stated as follows : " The device of dividing profits with 
 purchasers was original with Mr Howarth, although 
 seventeen years in operation at no great distance from 
 Rochdale. It is singular that it was not until twenty-six 
 years after Mr Howarth had devised his plan (1844), that 
 
ioo HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 any one was aware that it was in operation in 1827. 
 Mr William Nuttall, in compiling a statistical table for 
 the Reasoner, in 1870, discovered that an unknown 
 society, at Meltham Mills, near Huddersfield, had existed 
 for forty- three years, having commenced in 1827, and 
 had divided profits on purchases from the beginning. 
 But it found neither imitators nor propagandists in 
 England. Mr Alexander Campbell also claimed to have 
 recommended the same principle in an address which he 
 drew up for the Co-operative Bakers of Glasgow in 1822 ; 
 that he fully explained it to the co-operators of Cambuslang, 
 who adopted it in 1831 ; and that a pamphlet was 
 circulated at the time containing what he said upon the 
 subject. Mr Campbell further declared that in 1840 he 
 lectured several times in Rochdale, and in 1843-4, when 
 they were organising their society of the Equitable 
 Pioneers, they consulted him, and he advised them by 
 letter to adopt the principle of dividing profits on 
 purchases, and, at the same time, assisted in forming the 
 Ixmdon Co-operative Society on the same principle. No 
 one has ever produced the pamphlet referred to, or any 
 copy of the rules of any Scottish society containing the 
 said plan, nor is any mention of it in I/ondon extant. 
 Yet it is not unlikely that Mr Campbell had the idea 
 before the days of Mr Howarth. It is more likely that the 
 idea of dividing profits with the customer was separately 
 originated. Few persons preserve records of suggestions 
 or rules which attracted small attention in their day. 
 All the Pioneers contemporary with him believed the 
 plan originated with Howarth." 
 
 Such is the position of the claim made for one of the 
 greatest, if not the most important discovery in connection 
 with the co-operative movement. Rochdale was early in 
 the field with co-operative ideas. As early as 1830, the 
 Co-operative Miscellany states that a productive society 
 had been formed for the purpose of supplying co-operative 
 societies with flannels. The members numbered fifty-two, 
 and the capital was slightly over a hundred pounds. Two 
 distributive societies can also be traced to the same 
 period in this locality. The late J. T. W. Mitchell, 
 chairman of the Co-operative Wholesale Society, used to 
 tell liow his mother never could get rid of her suspicions 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS, i'K ' *oi, 
 
 regarding co-operative societies, owing to the loss 
 to her occasioned through the collapse of one of these 
 early stores in Rochdale. 
 
 Previous to 1844, with the exception of the congresses 
 held in various places throughout England, to consider 
 the best means for carrying out Robert Owen's large 
 communal scheme, co-operators both in England and 
 Scotland took little or no interest in any united efforts 
 being made beyond their own locality. Societies' rules 
 were compiled with a view to suit local conditions. 
 Officials acted on their own initiative without consulting 
 the officials of other societies. But they all seemed 
 to have the assurance that they had got hold of 
 a scheme which would assist in improving the material 
 conditions of their own particular members. It is only 
 here and there that you find some of the more advanced 
 and intelligent leaders expressing the hope of a drawing 
 together of the scattered co-operative efforts throughout 
 the country, and foreshadowing the time when the people 
 as a nation would work together for a great common 
 cause. It is only truth to say that these men were 
 looked upon as dreamers, whose visions would never be 
 realised. Men of this stamp were generally followers of 
 and believers in the schemes and aspirations of the great 
 Robert Owen. 
 
102 HISTORY OF CO OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The thought was small, its issue great, 
 
 A watch-fire on the hill ; 
 It sheds its radiance far adown, 
 
 And cheers the valley still ! 
 
 Mackay. 
 
 CO-OPERATIVE LEGISLATION. 
 
 THE Pioneers of Rochdale started their little venture 
 in the midst of poverty. The twenty-eight who 
 formed the nucleus of the society were mostly 
 flannel weavers, who were poorly paid and 
 frequently out of employment. The relationship between 
 employers and employed was not always what could have 
 been desired. Many of the leaders of the Pioneers had 
 been struck with the truths contained in the lectures and 
 pamphlets of the Owenite missionaries who visited Rochdale 
 in the early 'forties. Men like A. Campbell and I/loyd 
 Jones had given them hope when they were despairing. 
 So impressed were they with Owen's ideas that their first 
 rules unmistakably pointed to the time when they hoped 
 to found communities and employ their own members. 
 
 The proposal to subscribe twopence per week for the 
 purpose of raising capital to carry out their great reforming 
 ideas was naturally laughed at, but that in no way 
 daunted the men who had conceived the plan. There 
 was nothing new in their proposals till Mr Howarth 
 brought forward the proposition to divide the profits of 
 the store on purchases instead of on shares, which had 
 been the system up till that time. One cannot say whether 
 they had heard at this time of the Meltham Mills Society, 
 which claims to have divided upon purchases since 1827. 
 Howarth's proposal was at once adopted, because of its 
 equity to all ; and the twenty-eight weavers, with their 
 
Early English Pioneers. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 103 
 
 28 of capital, started on a journey of hope for the 
 amelioration of the people that will continue for all 
 time. 
 
 It may be of interest to many Scottish co-operators 
 to know the objects and plans of the Rochdale Pioneers. 
 Being in possession of a copy of their first rules (a gift 
 from the late J. T. W. Mitchell), we quote the following 
 from that document, printed in 1844: 
 
 LAW FIRST. The objects and plans of this society are to form 
 arrangements for the pecuniary benefit and the improvement of 
 the social and domestic condition of its members, by raising a 
 sufficient amount of capital, in shares of one pound each, to bring 
 into operation the following plans and arrangements : 
 
 The establishment of a store for the sale of provisions, 
 clothing, etc. 
 
 The building, purchasing, or erecting a number of houses, 
 in which those members desiring to assist each other in 
 improving their domestic and social condition may reside. 
 
 To commence the manufacture of such articles as the 
 society may determine upon, for the employment of such 
 members as may be without employment, or who may be 
 suffering in consequence of repeated reductions of their wages. 
 
 As a further benefit and security to the members of this 
 society, the society shall purchase or rent an estate or estates 
 of land, which shall be cultivated by the members who may 
 be out of employment, or whose labour may be badly 
 remunerated. 
 
 That, as soon as practicable, this society shall proceed to 
 
 arrange the powers of production, distribution, education. 
 
 and government ; or, in other words, to establish a self- 
 
 f supporting home-colony of united interests, or assist other 
 
 societies in establishing such colonies. 
 
 That, for the promotion of sobriety, a temperance hotel 
 be opened in one of the society's houses as soon as 
 convenient. 
 
 The above rule reflects exactly the system advocated 
 by Owen's missionaries, one of whom, as we have seen, 
 visited and lectured in Rochdale for a year or two before 
 the starting of the society. If Alexander Campbell had 
 not a hand in drawing up this first rule, he at least had 
 the satisfaction of finding his sentiments embodied in it. 
 
 The only other rule which demands our attention is 
 rule xxii., which deals with the division of profits. 
 It may be said that this simple and new arrangement 
 of dividing profits really revolutionised the co-operative 
 
104 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 movement. It made co-operation attractive to all lovers 
 of equity and justice ; it placed all, however humble, on the 
 same level. Consumption was the basis of division, instead 
 of shares as formerly. Whether it was Campbell or 
 Howarth who was the discoverer, it gave to co-operation 
 a root principle which has been the foundation of its 
 success. 
 
 RULE XXII. That at each general meeting the officers in their 
 financial statement shall publish the amount of profits realised by 
 the society during the preceding quarter, which shall be divided 
 thus : Interest at the rate of 3 per cent, per annum shall be 
 paid on all shares paid up previous to the quarter's commence- 
 ment ; the remaining profits shall be paid to each member in 
 proportion to the amount of money expended at the store. 
 
 From this moment co-operation pulsed with a new 
 life. A way had at last been discovered whereby the 
 working-classes could supplement their scanty and 
 irregular incomes. A new hope of helping themselves 
 animated the despairing, and that without effort. All 
 must consume, thus all could participate in the profits 
 which formerly were so inequitably apportioned. The 
 very poorest now had a chance, if they cared to accept 
 it ; for the shares could be got with accruing profits. 
 Thus the sun of co-operation had risen, and its feeble 
 rays gathered light and heat as the day advanced. 
 Men from every corner of the earth were to feel its 
 beneficent influence, as it mounted higher in the social 
 firmament. The new system was naturally somewhat 
 slow in being accepted. We cling to old customs, some- 
 times even after we are convinced that they could be 
 improved upon. Some co-operators, when they heard of it, 
 were suspicious of its success, and preferred to wait for a 
 time and then judge from results". Of course the news of 
 the departure at Rochdale travelled slowly when compared 
 with what it would to-day. Railways had not long 
 commenced, and were comparatively few, especially to 
 out-of-the-way towns and villages. The stage-coach was 
 costly, and communication generally, even by corres- 
 pondence, extremely limited. Thus, through a variety 
 of circumstances that do not exist at present, the 
 Rochdale plan was some time at work before it became 
 generally known to co-operators even in England. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 105 
 
 In Scotland, besides the distance and the meagre 
 communication between the workers in the two countries, 
 we have to dKid our habitual characteristic of caution, 
 which kept the new system from being adopted long after 
 it was thoroughly understood by many of the leading 
 men in the Scottish societies. Holyoake gives his opinion 
 of the Scots at this particular time. He says, " Glasgow 
 is a town where a prophet would say co-operation would 
 answer. The thrift, patience, and clanship of the Scottish 
 race seem to supply all the conditions of economy and 
 concert. But though the Scottish are the last people to 
 turn back when they once set out, their prudence leads 
 them to wait and see who will go first ; they prefer 
 joining a project when they see it succeeding. There are 
 men in Scotland ready to go out on forlorn hopes, but 
 they are exceptions."* If Mr Holyoake had known the 
 unhelped and brave efforts of the early Scottish 
 co-operators, he would probably never have written 
 these words. As the early part of this history shows, they 
 went out on forlorn hopes in scores, and triumphed where 
 most men would have failed. At the same time, it cannot 
 be denied that, while the leaders were anxious to adopt 
 the Rochdale plan, many of the rank and file were content 
 with the old system, especially the large shareholders, 
 who from self-interest were exceedingly jealous of any 
 innovation hence the delay in accepting the new proposal. 
 
 The " hungry forties " did not add many new societies 
 to Scotland, and many of those already in existence con- 
 tinued in trouble. It was in 1846 that Parliament was 
 first called upon to deal with co-operative societies. The 
 Friendly Societies Act of 1846 had a clause introduced 
 that was termed the " Frugal Investment Clause," 
 which enabled societies to be established for the frugal 
 investment of the savings of the members by providing 
 themselves with corn, coal, flour, and other necessaries, 
 or to provide education. This seems to have been the 
 first legislative recognition of the humble store. Mr 
 E. Vansittart Neale, Mr J. M. I/udlow, and other legal 
 advisers of the societies were still dissatisfied with the 
 state of the law in regard to co-operative societies. 
 These gentlemen induced Mr Slaney, M.P., to ask for 
 * " History of Co-operation," p. 275. 
 
106 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 a committee upon the savings and investments of the 
 middle and working classes. In 1850 the committee was 
 obtained, and important evidence was given before that 
 committee by men of various opinions, which included 
 John Stuart Mill, J. Malcolm L,udlow, Thomas Hughes, 
 and E. V. Neale. It may be inferred that the co-operative 
 cause was in good hands when it had such an array of 
 champions. 
 
 The direct result of this committee's report was the 
 introduction in Parliament of a Bill by Mr Slaney, M.P., 
 and the passing of the Industrial and Provident Societies 
 Act of 1852 (15 and 16 Viet. c. 31). This Act, although it 
 opened a separate register for these societies, continued 
 to apply to them many of the clauses of the Friendly 
 Societies Act. The new Act gave permission " to carry 
 on in common any labours, trades, or handicrafts, except 
 the working of mines, minerals, or quarries beyond the 
 limits of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and 
 Ireland, and the business of banking." The title of the 
 Act is "Industrial and Provident." Mr B. W. Brabrook 
 says that " this expression has never superseded the term 
 ' co-operative societies/ by which they are familiarly 
 known. It aptly indicates their two-fold operation. 
 They are ' industrial ' in their productive sense, as 
 combining the labour of many for the benefit of the 
 whole ; they are ' provident ' in the distributive sense, 
 as enabling the member to economise the cost of the 
 necessaries of life and thus to obtain some modest 
 luxuries, to increase his standard of comfort, to 
 accumulate profits, to apply them to educational 
 purposes, to become by their means the proprietor of his 
 own dwelling, and in many other ways to improve his 
 position. The industrial side of the system is most truly 
 co-operative when it pays good wages, and gives the 
 worker a share in the profits." 
 
 By the year 1860 it was seen that another extension 
 of the Act was necessary, in order to give more freedom to 
 the societies in dealing with their profits. The indefatigable 
 Mr E. V. Neale and his friends were unwearied in their 
 exertions to extend the educational side of the movement, 
 and in the new Bill education was provided for. The 
 Bill became law in 1862. Mr Brabrook says that this 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 107 
 
 Bill " granted the societies the privilege of incorporation, 
 and assimilating them to companies tinder the Companies 
 Act rather than to societies under the Friendly Societies 
 Act. It retained, however, their more cheap and simple 
 system of registration. They became, in fact, what the 
 French call societes a capital variable^ and in that lay 
 the principal distinction between them and companies 
 with fixed capital/' 
 
 Again (in 1867) further amendments were made. It 
 was Mr E. V. Neale who in 1876 prepared the Bill to 
 consolidate and amend the Acts relating to industrial 
 and provident societies, and it was passed in August 
 of that year. The tendency apparent in 1862 and 1867 
 to assimilate the law to that of companies was now 
 completely reversed, for, with the exception of the 
 incident of incorporation and its consequences, the Act 
 is almost a transcript of the previous year. 
 
 In 1893 the Co-operative Union, with the aid of 
 Mr George Howell, M.P., obtained the passing of another 
 consolidating Act. The amendments introduced were 
 few, but some of them were important. The Act of 1876 
 had provided for the free inspection of the books by 
 every member or person having an interest in the funds, 
 saving only such entries as related to the individual 
 affairs of other members. The Act of 1893 materially 
 restricts this right, except in the case where it is granted 
 by a subsequent amendment of rules. The Act enables 
 societies to receive deposits of ten shillings at one time 
 instead of five shillings ; and it reduces the number of 
 members who may apply to the Registrar to appoint 
 inspectors or call a special meeting to one-tenth of the 
 whole number, or, where the whole number exceeds one 
 thousand, to one hundred members. Among the 
 privileges which the Legislature grants to the societies 
 are exemption from income-tax, where the society is not 
 one that is limited to a certain number of members, and 
 that deals with the public ; nomination for payments 
 at death ; and all the privileges of incorporation.* 
 
 As there has been some confusion of thought regarding 
 this exemption from paying income-tax, let it be noted 
 
 *" Provident Societies." By E. W. Brabrook, C.B., Chief- 
 Registrar of Friendly Societies. 
 
io8 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 that the Act is quite clear on the subject. Article 24 
 says : "A registered society shall not be chargeable 
 under Schedules C and D of the Income Tax Acts, 
 unless it sells to persons not members thereof, and the 
 number of shares of the society is limited either by its 
 rules or practice ; but no member of, or person employed 
 by, the society shall be exempt from any assessment of 
 the said duties to which he would be otherwise liable." 
 Observe that the society must sell to the public and limit 
 its shares before it is chargeable. 
 
 K'\! 
 
 I ^ \\ 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 109 
 
 ,, . "\ ;, 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Have I done something for the general interest? 
 Well, then, I have had my reward. 
 
 Marcus Aurelius. 
 
 THE SECOND GLASGOW CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY 
 
 HAVING detailed the legislation that has taken place 
 in the interest of co-operation for the societies 
 in the United Kingdom, it will be necessary to 
 return to the history of the Scottish societies. 
 It will be somewhat of a surprise to most readers to 
 know that not only in the " hungry 'forties," but through 
 a large part of the 'fifties, co-operation in Scotland 
 diminished considerably. Societies one by one dropped 
 away, and very few new ones came into life. The reason 
 does not seem far to seek. The societies that up till 
 1840 had done fairly well under the old system of ready 
 cash and charging only a slight increase on cost price 
 on the goods to cover expenses began to increase prices 
 for the purpose of showing a profit, which they divided 
 upon the shares irrespective of the purchasing power of 
 the shareholder. The profits thus often went to the 
 wrong persons. As long as there were no profits made 
 there was no cause for dissatisfaction ; but with the 
 higher prices put upon the goods, and the largest 
 purchaser in some cases getting little or none of the 
 profits, because of being a small shareholder, the 
 attraction to the store diminished. Credit also crept in ; 
 in some cases the committee being of opinion that by 
 retaining the profit of credit members they would be able 
 to safeguard the interests of the society. There was 
 more credit than profit sometimes, which brought untold 
 
no HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 troubles, and many useful societies between 1840 and 
 1855 simply withered away, leaving a bad odour in their 
 locality, and certainly not improving the chance of 
 co-operation succeeding in the district for many years to 
 come. Two societies that are still vigorous came into 
 existence in 1847, namely, Alva and Menstrie, both in 
 Clackmannanshire. 
 
 It would be safe to say that the low-water mark of 
 co-operation was touched in 1850. Then for some years 
 there were wars and rumours of wars, that may have 
 distracted men's minds from the subject. The Crimean 
 War and the Indian Mutiny filled the political, and it 
 may be said to some extent the domestic, atmosphere. 
 But the recollection of the many failures in the 'forties 
 had most to do with the lethargy of the early 'fifties. 
 However, " when night is darkest morn is nearest." 
 Railway communication was now an accomplished fact, 
 and already a popular means of conveyance. literature 
 had become cheap and therefore more accessible. The 
 press began to take an interest in social questions, and even 
 gave items of co-operative news. Towards the end of 
 the 'fifties, in every town and village in Scotland, the 
 subject of co-operation was discussed. Societies such as 
 Bannockburn, Arbroath, I/arkhall, and others, which had 
 never lowered the flag, were pointed to as examples to 
 imitate. Communication was opened up with these old 
 societies, who readily gave every information of how to 
 start a society and how to keep it going. We see now 
 how much we owe to the heroes of the early societies, 
 who successfully overcame every difficulty, and were now 
 shining examples of what was practically a new movement. 
 The success of the Rochdale system was assured in many 
 places in England ; its simplicity and fairness appealed 
 to many who were anxious to try it in Scotland. The 
 street corner served in many towns for a meeting-place, 
 after the day's work was done ; in others the kitchen of 
 a dwelling was the first committee-room of many wealthy 
 societies to-day. With the years 1857-58-59, and the 
 first five years of the 'sixties, it may be said that a new 
 era opened for co-operation in Scotland. It is not 
 possible to tabulate every society that came into 
 existence during these eight prolific years, but, as the 
 
JAMES M'INNES. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS in 
 
 majority of them are still with us, we can form some 
 idea of the great enthusiasm that spread over the 
 country, and the new hopes that it stirred among the 
 working-classes generally. 
 
 The Registrar of Friendly Societies appealed to all 
 co-operative societies to have their rules registered under 
 the Industrial and Provident Societies Act, but it is 
 to be regretted that many societies gave no attention 
 to the appeal ; the result being that any list of 
 societies the Registrar published was very incomplete 
 and unreliable. As time wore on this state of things 
 improved, and societies in out-of-the-way villages for 
 the first time seem to have awakened to the fact that 
 they were part of a great movement consisting of scores 
 of societies, all animated with the same desires and like 
 aspirations. They were thus brought into touch with 
 each other, and the more richly endowed minds soon 
 recognised that in the union of these scattered societies 
 there was an enormous power for good. The " Whole- 
 sale " was already shaping itself in many minds, in a 
 kind of nebulous form that only required the meeting 
 of the leaders to give the dreams bodily shape. 
 
 What had been a long-felt want among the societies 
 came at last in July 1863 the first co-operative journal 
 in Scotland. It was named The Scottish Co-operator, and 
 was edited and published by Mr J. T. M'Innes, of 
 Barrhead. This little monthly was ably conducted, 
 the price being only one halfpenny. Reports of 
 societies' meetings, with extracts from their balance- 
 sheets, were regularly published. An article on the 
 progress and position of co-operation usually adorned 
 the front page. These articles were almost prophetic; 
 they indulged in describing the future of co-operation 
 in Scotland, when production would run side by side 
 with distribution. Truly, Mr M'Innes was a seer of no 
 mean order. Many of the hopes because they were only 
 hopes expressed by him in the early 'sixties have 
 actually come to pass. 
 
 It will be remembered that among the early societies 
 the Glasgow Co-operative Society played an important 
 part as far back as 1830. It will also be remembered 
 that dissensions and disunion were carried to extremes, 
 
ii2 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 one party breaking away to start a new society more in 
 harmony with Robert Owen's ideals. By 1850 nothing 
 of the Glasgow Society remained, if we except a melancholy 
 memory. Some time in the early 'fifties G. J. Holyoake 
 delivered a lecture in the Trades Hall, his subject being 
 " The Rochdale Pioneers." It is said that from this 
 lecture the second Glasgow Co-operative Society took its 
 rise. Alexander Campbell, who distinguished himself in 
 the first society, was again an appointed leader in the 
 second. The progress of this second effort was pheno- 
 menal ; by 1860 they were branching out in various parts 
 of the city. They had at least two branches on the 
 south-side of the river ; they had two branches in the 
 east-end one in Bridgeton and one in Calton where 
 they built a great pile in .Marlborough Street ; another 
 branch in the northern part of the city, also a branch at 
 Cranstonhill, besides their central premises in Stirling 
 Street. If the ascent was rapid, the descent was 
 equally sudden. Undoubtedly this was the largest 
 society in Scotland at the time. They had what was 
 then termed a modern baking department, and even 
 supplied surrounding societies with bread, allowing such 
 customers a portion of the profits made in the bakery 
 in proportion to the trade done. They had also a 
 fully-equipped drapery, and a boot and shoe depart- 
 ment. They were an enterprising lot, but to-day we 
 would call them reckless. They seem to have rushed 
 into localities, opened shops, and were disappointed 
 because the people did not flock to them. There does not 
 seem to have been any preparing of the ground ; they 
 were continually planting without cultivating the soil. 
 As the failure of this large society had a serious effect on 
 the future of co-operation in Glasgow and district for 
 many a year, it might be well to follow it to the end, and 
 see really if co-operation got a fair chance to live, or 
 whether it suffered most from its professed friends. 
 
 At a soiree held by the southern branches of the society 
 in 1863, a Mr M'Gee, a member of committee, in an address 
 tells the whole story of the coming downfall in a few 
 words. He referred to those who had turned traitor to 
 their principles, after inducing the Glasgow Co-operative 
 Society to expend a large portion of its capital in fitting 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 113 
 
 up shops in all directions on the promise of persons giving 
 them their support, but which they failed to do, thus 
 throwing the burden on others. He said that, however 
 painful it might be, there was no other remedy than to 
 lop off those profitless branches from the society, and 
 allow those who did their duty by purchasing to have the 
 benefit of their own profits. He stated that the profits 
 would yield a dividend of only sixpence per pound on 
 purchases, owing to the reduction in the sales of several 
 of their shops, which he recommended should be shut up 
 as early as possible. 
 
 From the above it will be seen that this overgrown 
 society was beginning to topple. The zeal of the leaders 
 had outrun their discretion. The society had been barely 
 six years in existence, and already had at least seven or 
 eight branches. 
 
 We find Mr Alexander Campbell, at the twenty-third 
 quarterly meeting, pleading with the directors to compel 
 defaulting members to make good their engagements to 
 the society. At another meeting he is advocating " the 
 issue of the society's own co-operative notes, say for 55., 
 ios., or 2Os., payable at the stores of the society in goods 
 for the money previously deposited, and these notes would 
 no doubt pass current in payment by the members or 
 others holding them, the same as money, as they will at 
 all times command their value in goods at any of their 
 stores when presented by their holders, or money might 
 be even given for them by a discount equivalent to the 
 profits on their value in goods. This was no new idea 
 of his (he said), as it had been adopted by the first 
 Glasgow Co-operative Society more than thirty years ago, 
 and he was sure, if honestly carried out, it would greatly 
 increase the business, profits, confidence, and success of 
 the society, and co-operative principles (applause)." 
 At this same meeting we find Mr William Barclay 
 addressing and urging co-operators to do their duty. 
 Mr Barclay will be remembered as a member of Kinning 
 Park Society, and the generous donor to the Co-operative 
 Seaside Homes, to which he presented about 2,000 to 
 build the " Barclay wing " at Seamill. The first notice 
 regarding the formation of a wholesale society was read 
 at this meeting. It was proposed to have a delegate 
 
1 14 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 meeting on the 6th March 1864, " to consider the necessity 
 of establishing a wholesale depot or agency in Glasgow 
 for the purpose of supplying co-operative societies in the 
 West of Scotland and elsewhere with pure groceries and 
 provisions from the best markets." 
 
 Countless difficulties seem to have confronted the 
 directors of this society in 1864. The sales were falling 
 away ; a large number of the members had added nothing 
 to their shares since they paid their first instalment. The 
 directors summoned these defaulting members before the 
 Justice of Peace Court and obtained decree against them. 
 This in no way improved the position of the society, and 
 a requisition was signed by twenty members to call a 
 special meeting on 2ist June 1864, " for the special 
 purpose of winding-up the affairs of the society." A 
 heated and somewhat acrimonious debate took place at 
 this meeting, and the resolution was declared carried by 
 three-fourths of the meeting, as against an amendment to 
 adjourn for a month. For several reasons the winding-up 
 did not really take place till May 1865, when the second 
 Glasgow Co-operative Society passed away, after a con- 
 tinuous struggle during the whole of its existence, which 
 only extended to about eight years. There can be no 
 doubt that this large society fell a victim to the in- 
 discretion of its own promoters and leaders, as, with 
 greater caution and better thought-out plans of extension, 
 it possessed all the conditions which in time would have 
 made it a splendid and useful association. 
 
 Another co-operative society in Glasgow at this time 
 showed for a while signs of great vitality, although its 
 business was small. It was called the Southern Co- 
 operative Society. In 1865 it had 136 members, the 
 capital amounted to 223, and its profits allowed of 
 is. id. for dividend. It carried on its good work for 
 many years, but its area and members are now absorbed 
 by the Kinning Park Society. HO 
 
 The Glasgow Artisan, the Tradeston Temperance, the 
 Partick, the Star, the South-Eastern, the Southern, and 
 the Anderston societies have all passed away, but the 
 organisations now in existence are carrying on the work 
 more vigorously, and certainly more efficiently, than these 
 small societies could do. 
 
r^cr ~^- 
 
 4 i J.T^uEp/tv^Si 
 
 ^fl * * J? * V /. LANARK 
 
 \& .h^im 
 
 Early Scottish Pioneers. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 115 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Distribution shall undo excess, 
 And each man have enough. 
 
 Shakespeare. 
 
 THE MODERN SOCIETIES AND THEIR LEADERS. 
 PAISLEY EQUITABLE SOCIETY. 
 
 1858. 
 
 TWO years ago (in 1908) there were joyous demon- 
 strations in Paisley, the occasion being the jubilee 
 of the Equitable Co-operative Society. Fifty years 
 before, a few poor weavers, after long and careful 
 consideration, launched the Charlestown Co-operative 
 Mutual Friends Society. At the time of starting, Paisley 
 was in a very low position in regard to trade. The burgh 
 itself was almost if not altogether insolvent. The famous 
 harness-shawl industry was disappearing, and machinery 
 was taking the place of manual labour. Soup-kitchens were 
 to be found in every district for the relief of an industrious 
 and intelligent population that had fallen on evil times. 
 One wishes that he could have heard the discussions of 
 these old weavers during the formation period of the 
 Equitable. Many of them had been supporters of the 
 chartist movement. All of them were keen politicians 
 and well-informed workmen. They were now inclined to 
 lay aside their differences in politics, and join together 
 for the purpose of improving themselves materially. 
 At first their business was small, and their difficulties 
 great. 
 
 Among the outstanding leaders of this society Mr 
 Alexander Hutcheson made his power felt. His quiet and 
 intelligent argument carried conviction, while his old- 
 world style of expressing himself endeared him to his 
 
n6 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 colleagues. " He is not a loud speaker, but a sound one," 
 was the happy phrase employed by the chairman of the 
 Wholesale Society, thirty years ago, when calling for 
 order, so that Mr Hutcheson should receive a hearing, at a 
 somewhat noisy quarterly meeting. Gradually the business 
 of the Equitable increased, and by 1885 they were in a 
 position to feu ground in Great Hamilton Street, where they 
 erected tenements and a bakery. The various branches of 
 business were added in due time, and branch shops were 
 opened. In 1899 the buildings and hall in Great Hamilton 
 Street were erected, at a cost of 6,000 Many excellent 
 co-operators have filled the presidential chair of this 
 society, and its managing secretary, Mr William Ritchie, 
 has been connected with the Equitable for nearly thirty 
 years. The management has always taken a lively 
 interest in all co-operative federations, and it is quite 
 refreshing to see the harmonious relationship that exists 
 between the Equitable and Provident Co-operative 
 Societies of Paisley. 
 
 ST CUTHBERT'S ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The following year (1859) a sma U seed of the 
 co-operative tree was planted in the capital of Scotland. 
 That seed has come to rich fruition to-day. By far the 
 largest society in Scotland, it must be interesting to all 
 co-operators to know what it sprung from, and how it has 
 attained its present gigantic proportions. Edinburgh 
 could not with truth be termed an industrial city, still 
 there are a large number of workmen employed in 
 printing, building, and cabinetmaking. Here was the 
 nucleus for a co-operative society. In the west-end of 
 Edinburgh, near Haymarket Station, several industries 
 employed the right class of men, because their sober 
 habits and thoughtfulness were suitable for initiating 
 and developing co-operation. A number of them wha 
 had discussed the matter decided to call a meeting of 
 the inhabitants of the district, and lay the proposal of 
 starting a society before it. The meeting was held in 
 August 1859, an d was most successful, a committee being 
 appointed to make arrangements for an early start. On 
 the 4th of October a small shop was opened in Fountain- 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 117 
 
 bridge, within a short distance of the spot where stands 
 the society's stately pile to-day. The first committee 
 were men not only of considerable ability, but dogged 
 perseverance and honesty of purpose. The first chairman, 
 Mr John Borrowman father of Mr James Borrowman, 
 who latterly became manager of the Scottish Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society was just the sort of man to float and 
 pilot such a scheme. Mr Richard Lees became secretary 
 in the early days, and he was perhaps the most valuable 
 asset the society then had. Mr Sylvester Lowe was 
 also an outstanding member of committee. 
 
 No fewer than five co-operative societies started in 
 Hdinburgh within four years after St Cuthbert's had been 
 established. There was no competition between these six 
 organisations ; each worked in its own district, and by 
 and by formed a kind of united purchasing committee. 
 Although this foreshadowed wholesale buying, it did not 
 work out to the satisfaction of all the societies interested. 
 The names of the other five societies were : Hdinburgh 
 Co-operative Society, Richmond Place ; Greenside Co- 
 operative Society, Union Place ; St Margaret's Co- 
 operative Society, Abbey Strand ; Water of Leith 
 Co-operative Society, Dean Path ; and Western Co- 
 operative Society, Grove Road (now Grove Street). After 
 a somewhat feeble existence, one by one these five 
 societies passed away, leaving St Cuthbert's master of the 
 situation. The debt question had much to do with the 
 demise of the other societies ; and but for the tact and 
 determination of St Cuthbert's committee, it would have 
 followed in the wake of the others. 
 
 Troubles and difficulties innumerable were surmounted 
 by this brave little band. So hopeful had they become by 
 1863, that a branch was opened on the north side of the 
 town, but was only kept open for about three years. 
 When St Cuthbert's resolved to close this branch, the 
 members who had been customers there resented their 
 action, and formed a society called the Northern 
 District Co-operative Society, which, after some infantile 
 troubles bravely surmounted, became a great and useful 
 organisation in the northern part of the city. In 1900, 
 after being separated for thirty-four years, these two great 
 societies amalgamated, and are now known by the name 
 
ii8 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 of the first society 3t Cuthbert's. The results of this 
 amalgamation cannot be overestimated ; harmony and 
 goodwill pervade the whole organisation, whose member- 
 ship is not much less than 40,000. About 1881, when 
 St Cuthbert's was in very low water from various causes, 
 there was a change of management, and Mr Alexander 
 Mallace, of Armadale, was appointed manager. From 
 that time the society went forward at an increased rate of 
 progress. He reorganised the business, and established 
 confidence, while branches of all the departments were 
 opened in almost every part of the city. Some of the 
 buildings belonging to the society are an ornament to an 
 already beautiful city. 
 
 But St Cuthbert's has distinguished itself in other 
 co-operative ways besides its great trade. Education 
 bulks largely in its work. Classes for bookkeeping and 
 kindred subjects are carried on during the winter months ; 
 musical evenings, by their own choir and orchestra, are 
 held monthly, where a co-operative address is introduced, 
 which seems to be much appreciated by the large 
 audiences ; a women's guild, with branches in different 
 parts of the city, has lectures on subjects that must be 
 helpful in everyday life. It would be no exaggeration 
 to say that St Cuthbert's Association is as fully equipped 
 as a co-operative society could be ; all its agencies are 
 fully appreciated by its members, whose lives and homes 
 are greatly brightened and sweetened by its useful work. 
 
 Among a crowd of splendid men who have given of their 
 best to St Cuthbert's we might mention Allan Scott and 
 Thomas Cuthil, both of whom filled the chair at critical 
 periods of the association's history ; James Lochhead, 
 who has filled all the offices, and is still a respected 
 member. Many others could be named who fought for 
 St Cuthbert's interests for many years. 
 
 The jubilee of the association was held in 1909, when 
 the members presented the Royal Infirmary with a cheque 
 for r,8oo to endow a bed. They also gave 1,000 to 
 endow a cot in the Edinburgh Sick Children's Hospital. 
 Some idea of the success of this large organisation 
 may be formed from the fact that, since the humble 
 beginning in 1859, ft has divided profits among its 
 members amounting to 3,646,726. Perhaps a clearer idea 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 
 119 
 
 may be got of the immensity of this, the greatest society 
 in Scotland, and the second largest in Britain, by a study 
 of the following tables, taken from " First Fifty Years of 
 St Cuthbert's Co-operative Association " : 
 
 ON 
 u-> 
 
 00 
 
 o 
 <J 
 
 o 
 
 52; 
 
 o 
 
 CJ 
 
 PC 
 
 US <M CO 
 
 2 o 
 
 1*8 
 
 CO I-* i 
 
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 00 O O* 
 
 p oi -r 
 
 O co P-H <N o F- 
 
 <N *-T f" O" 00" Q~ 
 
 i s 
 
 CO 
 
 2 3 
 
 r; Jrf;~| 
 
 C/3 C/3 C/3 C/5 
 
 >H t: 
 
 fr 3 
 
 V} s 
 
 o o o cc 
 
120 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 00 
 
 O 
 
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 i 
 
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 s 
 
 D 
 
 H 
 
 H 
 
 u 
 
 IS 
 
 :ls 
 
 O 00 
 
 O 5*t 
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 s s 
 
 vj I S 
 
 o o -* 
 
 O 05 OJ 
 
 00 O5 00 
 
 O t~ OS 
 
 i 1 I B 
 
 ? JO jf CO g 
 
 -dO $> CO 
 
 . o co * t- co 
 
 _ .-. 
 
 C CO C C CW W2 S 
 
 '%---- = " 
 
 I 
 
 55 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 
 121 
 
 I 
 
 H 
 P 
 
 
 ^ - 
 
 c/} >2 
 
 > 
 
 s ^ 
 
 w o 
 
 S P 
 
 
 
 Q y 
 
 H 
 
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 IT) 
 
 2 2 ^ ^ 
 
 05 (M O 
 
 i CO 00 
 
 CO eft Ir^ Ir^ 
 OS S 00 J-H 
 
 ^ 00 ft CO 
 
 55 8 
 
 6* 2 
 
 en >O I-H o OS 
 
 CO Oj CO ^ 
 
 CO 00 ** 
 
 ^HJCO 5 O CO 
 
 S 5 
 
 tL 
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122 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 u 
 P$ 
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 O 
 
 8 
 
 C/2 
 
 PQ 
 ffi 
 
 H 
 
 U 
 
 C/3 
 
 i i i OS t- CO (N 
 
 rri j% V rn Drrt CO K Ui 
 
 w "S >^ d **' * r '- hH 
 x|o_ 
 
 S rt 
 
 tf 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 123 
 
 CARNOUSTIE ASSOCIATION. 
 1859- 
 
 On the 26th November 1909 there were great rejoicings 
 in Carnoustie, Forfarshire the co-operators of the town 
 were celebrating the jubilee of their society. The leading 
 co-operators of the district were there to take part in the 
 rejoicings with their brethren of Carnoustie. Two of the 
 first committee were on the platform all that was left of 
 the " old guard." The story of fifty years' co-operation 
 was told, and was listened to with great interest by the 
 large audience. We have selected the following facts 
 from another source, given in the local newspaper of the 
 above date. 
 
 The pioneers were largely made up of weavers ; for we 
 learn that the first meetings were held in a weaver's 
 shop, the men sitting around with their feet in the 
 " treddle-box." After the committee was appointed, 
 the question of getting capital was the first difficulty ; 
 they aimed at securing 100. In time this was obtained, 
 but their first balance showed a loss of 155. 9d. A succes- 
 sion of misfortunes befel them in regard to their salesmen. 
 The first shop was ready for opening on the 27th December 
 1859, but no salesman had appeared. One of the com- 
 mittee, a mason to trade, at once volunteered to open the 
 shop and conduct the business till other arrangements 
 could be made ; and he did so, with considerable success, 
 till a salesman was forthcoming, when he returned to his 
 chisel and mallet. The sales for the first day were 
 2, i6s. 5d., and they gradually increased till, in May 
 1861, they were 60 per week. By 1863, the business 
 had become so prosperous that a larger building had to be 
 secured. The rules were drawn on the Rochdale model, 
 and everything seemed to be making good progress. But 
 everyone was not quite friendly to the success of the new 
 store. In December 1863 a letter appeared in the 
 Montrose Review throwing considerable doubt on the 
 solvency of Carnoustie Society. The committee saw that 
 harm might be done if they allowed this correspondent to 
 go unchallenged ; they decided on a prosecution if an 
 apology did not appear in the next issue of the paper. 
 Of course, there was much excitement as to the result. 
 
124 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 and the committee were anxious to allay any panic, which 
 might have been serious to the young society. There 
 was great joy when a letter appeared in the next issue 
 of the newspaper, humbly apologising for the statements 
 made, and withdrawing them unconditionally, the writer 
 saying that he had been misled. This incident had a 
 most beneficial effect, and raised the society considerably 
 in the estimation of many who up till now had held 
 back. 
 
 By 1866 a bakery was started, a horse and van was put 
 on the road, and the store became more and more popular 
 with the people living at some distance from the town. 
 The sales had reached 10,000 for the half-year by 1873, 
 and the dividend was 2s. 3d. per pound. The capital of 
 the society was now 3,000. Drapery premises were 
 erected, and a branch opened in the village of Monifieth ; 
 a tailoring department was added in 1874. By 1885 the 
 capital had reached 10,000 ; but the sales had not kept 
 pace, for we find they only amounted to 9,000 per half- 
 year, whereas they had been 10,000 twelve years before. 
 It was in this year that trouble arose over which check 
 system the society should adopt. The metallic checks 
 had been discarded in favour of paper checks, which 
 were not favourably received by some of the members. 
 The quarterly meeting decided in favour of returning to 
 the metallic checks. This was the cause of a secession 
 that immediately took place, and the seceders at once 
 started the Carnoustie Equitable Co-operative Society. 
 
 There must have been some laxity in 1885 m allowing 
 the grocery stock to accumulate to such an extent ; it 
 was valued at 5,849, but through the efforts of the 
 manager, Mr James Anderson, in two years this was reduced 
 by 4,000. In 1905 Mr R. J. Smith, C.A., Glasgow, was 
 called in, and remodelled the system of bookkeeping. An 
 educational committee was now appointed. It was not 
 till December 1907 that this society saw its way to 
 become a member of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society. It has also attached itself to the Co-operative 
 Insurance Society. This foreshadows even greater pros- 
 perity in the future, for co-operators have everything to 
 gain by closer unity, and much to lose by isolation. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 155 
 
 BATHGATE SOCIETY. 
 
 The town of Bathgate, in Linlithgowshire, is situated 
 about half-way between Edinburgh and Glasgow. We 
 find it was in the year 1859 ^ at ^ e present healthy and 
 progressive society came into existence. Its jubilee has 
 just been held, when the story of its fifty years' useful 
 work was told by its most efficient president, Mr Turner. 
 One of the most intelligent co-operators in Scotland 
 was secretary of this society for many years. We refer 
 to the late Mr George Haldane. A good scholar, 
 a profound thinker, and a careful speaker, Mr Haldane 
 was respected by all who knew him, not only for his 
 irreproachable character, but for his sagacity and kindness 
 of manner. Mr David Gardiner, the respected chief of the 
 drapery department of the Scottish Wholesale Society, 
 received his early training in the Bathgate Society, which 
 has fitted him so well for the wider field he now adorns. 
 Mr Allan Gray, the efficient cashier of the Scottish 
 Wholesale Society, was also in early life an active 
 member of the society. Bathgate has never shirked 
 its co-operative duties, being a loyal member of the 
 federations, and taking an intelligent interest in all 
 that pertains to progress. 
 
 ST ROLLOX SOCIETY. 
 
 1860. 
 
 The co-operative store has been a valued institution 
 in the north-eastern district of Glasgow for the last half- 
 century. Its leaders have been noted for courage in the 
 midst of continuous and serious difficulties, and also for 
 their progressive and constructive policy. It was a long 
 uphill battle, but peace and prosperity for many years now 
 is the reward of their long and arduous struggle. 
 
 St Rollox Society came into existence in 1860. Its 
 promoters were largely composed of the employees of 
 St Rollox Works. The first year's business was very 
 successful in fact, in the latter half of the first year two 
 shops were opened, one in Parliamentary Road and the 
 other in Garngad Road, they were doing a business of 
 1,500 per quarter. With caution, this was something to 
 give hope for the future. It was this very success that 
 brought about some of the difficulties which the society 
 had to contend with before it was very old. 
 
126 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 When the society was but three years old, the com- 
 mittee brought forward the following proposal, showing 
 clearly the advanced class of men they were : " That two 
 and a half per cent, be taken from the profits, to be applied 
 for educational purposes, such as taking a commodious 
 house in the district, and supplying books, newspapers, 
 periodicals, etc., so that the members might pass an hour 
 or so in the evening profitably." 
 
 A building fever seemed to have taken hold of the 
 members ; they must have suitable buildings to house 
 their rapidly growing trade. Of course, if they had had 
 plenty of capital, no one could have remonstrated, but 
 capital was not forthcoming, and the building went on. 
 This might have been overcome by borrowing, but a 
 chapter of accidents followed in quick succession which 
 all but overwhelmed the devoted band who led St Rollox. 
 The leaders of this society, as we shall see, were no stay- 
 at-home co-operators ; they invested in everything 
 co-operative, with the result that when the co-operative 
 disasters of the 'seventies took place, they were deeply 
 involved and lost heavily. In the " Ironworks," the 
 " Cooperage," and the federated " Drapery," they had 
 taken a part, and suffered severely. The members took 
 fright, and simply ceased dealing ; action was taken in the 
 Sheriff Court, with the result that some of those would-be 
 runaways had to pay up their shares and their debt as 
 well. But a society cannot thrive on legal proceedings. 
 The sales fell as low as 376 one quarter ; there was little 
 or no dividend for some time ; and it is reported that the 
 purchasing members only numbered fifty. Indeed, many 
 of the leading men at the time thought that it would be 
 better for all if the society, being beyond hope of reviving, 
 was wound up. There were two old warriors who would not 
 own defeat, and who by their heroic efforts actually kept 
 life in the society when many thought it was practically 
 gone. The two gentlemen referred to were Mr C. Stewart, 
 secretary, and Mr Wyper, treasurer. Never was a case 
 more hopeless, but never did physicians struggle harder 
 to keep away the grim enemy. The wife of the treasurer 
 placed her life's savings at the disposal of the committee, 
 to help them in their hour of distress. So determined were 
 these men to save the society, that some of their economies 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 127 
 
 deserve to be recorded. Of course, they were not 
 remunerated for their services, and they agreed to fine 
 any of themselves who might be absent from a meet- 
 ing unless there was a valid excuse forthcoming. To 
 save postage stamps, all correspondence in the city was 
 delivered by members of committee or their families. 
 Any printing that was required was done by the secretary, 
 who had made a small printing-press, which he himself 
 worked at home after giving his evenings to committee 
 meetings. All this attention and economy had its effect. 
 Modern co-operators owe much to such men ; they saved 
 many a society, and thus averted disaster in many 
 districts where the death of a society would have 
 retarded progress for many years. 
 
 It is noteworthy that, before the Scottish Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society came into existence, St Rollox was 
 dealing with the Co-operative Wholesale Society in 
 Manchester. They had the honour through one of their 
 members, Gabriel Thomson, to propose the formation of 
 the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society. The same 
 honour belongs to them, as we shall see, in regard to the 
 United Co-operative Baking Society. They instituted the 
 weekly half-holiday for their employees as far back as 
 January 1869. They also took a prominent part in the 
 Glasgow Co-operative Cooperage, which was begun in 
 1871, and two of their members were the liquidators of 
 that concern in 1879. ^ n I &7 they sent out letters to all 
 the co-operative societies in Glasgow and district, pleading 
 with them to meet and form a conference association, now 
 known as the Glasgow and Suburbs Co-operative Con- 
 ference Association. At the present time, when the 
 amalgamation of the city societies is being discussed, it 
 is interesting to note that in January 1871 St Rollox put 
 forward a proposal to unite all the city societies. A 
 meeting was held in the Drapery Hall, 230 Argyle Street, 
 to discuss the project. The following societies were 
 invited : Petershill, Springburn, Kinning Park, Southern, 
 Eastern, Ixmdon Road, Barrowfield, Union, Anderston, 
 and Parkhead. A paper was read on the subject ; but, 
 after being before the societies for forty years, the 
 question is still under consideration. 
 
128 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 There was a most interesting little society in existence 
 at this time, situated in the immediate vicinity of St 
 Rollox, named the "Barony Glebe." Its members were 
 principally workers in the Blind Asylum. The want of 
 eyesight did not deter those poor fellows from founding 
 and carrying on a co-operative society for some years. 
 Unhappily it came to an end in 1877. 
 
 It is also worthy of remark, as showing the go-ahead 
 nature of St Rollox Society, that it was the first co- 
 operative society in the city to possess property of its own. 
 Of course, we except the Glasgow Co-operative Society, 
 whose buildings were only in course of erection when it 
 failed. St Rollox was also early in the field with a drapery 
 department. In 1867 this department was doing a good 
 trade, and was only closed when the city societies formed 
 the United Co-operative Drapery Society, in Argyle 
 Street, which, as we have seen, also came to grief. 
 Butchering also formed part of this pushing society as 
 early as 1862. 
 
 What a change has come over the fortunes of St Rollox 
 to-day ! They have many grocery branches, in different 
 parts of their district ; they have a corresponding number 
 of fleshing departments, also numerous dairies, and one 
 creamery. They have also drapery and boot and shoe 
 departments, and now a coal supply has been added to 
 their numerous activities. Handsome new central 
 premises have lately been opened in Parliamentary Road. 
 Now St Rollox has no difficulties, unless it be to keep 
 pace with their ever-growing membership. 
 
 Many able and wise leaders have guided this society 
 to its present position. Among the goodly company 
 Messrs Pettigrew, Pringle, and Stewart, jun., have given 
 wholehearted service. To Mr David Miller, manager, 
 and to many more co-operators, St Rollox Society's 
 position to-day is a cause of pride and satisfaction. 
 
 
 ibji 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 129 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 As a rule, co-operative societies are composed of 
 sober and industrious men. . . . Co-operation is 
 fast becoming a power in the State. Lord Brougham. 
 
 PAISLEY PROVIDENT SOCIETY. 
 i860. 
 
 IN April of this year (1910) there were great rejoicings 
 by the Provident co-operators. Their splendid society 
 has carried on its beneficent work for fifty years. 
 They have inaugurated one of the finest buildings for 
 distributive purposes in the co-operative world. This 
 great organisation is the outcome of a very humble 
 beginning. In 1860, co-operation in Paisley must have 
 been in the atmosphere. As we have seen, only two years 
 before the Equitable Society was launched by a few poor 
 men, who had little more than their strong faith and high 
 hopes to carry them to success ; now a small number of 
 weavers, principally employed in the factory of the late 
 David Spiers, thought that by united action they could 
 greatly improve their own position and all who cared to 
 join them by establishing a co-operative society. They 
 had had a private rehearsal of co-operation among 
 themselves before they proclaimed their intention ; they 
 had subscribed among themselves sufficient capital to 
 purchase one pound of tobacco, which they divided at 
 cost price. Another subscription was raised, this time a 
 quantity of tea being their objective ; when the division 
 of this article took place, satisfaction was expressed on 
 every hand. Why not treat the other necessaries of life 
 in the same way ? Some who had not an opportunity 
 of taking part in the above efforts, were now anxious to 
 enlarge the operations. A sufficient number having 
 
130 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 indicated their desire to form a society, the matter was 
 heartily taken up, and preliminary arrangements were 
 soon completed. 
 
 A small shop was opened in Storie Street on the I5th 
 August 1860, and what is now recognised as one of 
 our best organised societies started on its co-operative 
 voyage. At first, caution was the dominant note of the 
 executive. The distribution of goods was attended to by 
 the committee themselves on one or two evenings in the 
 week ; thus, if the business was small, the expenses were 
 almost nil. Their total capital was, by a coincidence, 
 equal to the Rochdale Pioneers', namely, 27, 35. 3d. 
 They had only been in business a few months when it 
 was made evident that other parts of Paisley were anxious 
 to have a branch of the Provident established in their 
 midst. Four months after they had started, they opened 
 their first branch in the east-end, over seventy having 
 enrolled themselves within a week, and pledged them- 
 selves to make the new venture a success. It was also 
 made clear to the executive that there was a sufficient 
 number of earnest would-be members in the north-end of 
 the town, and by February 1861 a second branch was 
 opened there. Thus in six months they were working 
 three places of business successfully. Another old society, 
 called West Street Co-operative Society, that had simply 
 been marking time, saw with surprise and not a little 
 chagrin that the forward and energetic policy of the 
 Provident was bound to win, and they wisely sought 
 amalgamation with this new social force that had made 
 co-operation so attractive. The Provident embraced the 
 old society, and it became merged in the society that had 
 started so humbly only a few months before. In seven 
 months after the Provident had opened its little shop in 
 Storie Street, it had three branches, with an aggregate 
 membership of 320, and a share capital of 280. Drapery 
 was begun in 1862, but had only a short existence. The 
 first complete year, 1861, shows the sales to be 8,754. 
 
 But the Provident, which had such a brilliant beginning, 
 soon had its share of troubles, which need not be detailed 
 here ; suffice it to say that by the year 1869 the sales had 
 fallen to 1,408, or about 7,000 less than 1861. During 
 the troublous times which they had to pass through, a 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 131 
 
 few of the leaders did some heroic work to save the 
 society. On one occasion there was no dividend forth- 
 coming. The effect of this might have been fatal to the 
 society, but, to the honour of the following men William 
 Mackinlay, John Gilchrist, Robert Pa ton, Alexander 
 M'Naught, and Andrew Brown the situation was saved ; 
 they themselves subscribing sufficient money to pay 
 threepence in the pound. Truly the co-operators of the 
 present day owe much to such men, whose greatest 
 ambition was to preserve their society and the good name 
 of co-operation. The above was no exceptional case ; 
 the old minute-books testify of men willing to make 
 any sacrifice to save the reputation of the cause they 
 had espoused. Things at that time must have got very 
 low in the Provident, for in one of the balance-sheets the 
 committee addresses the members as follows : " For 
 some time past a want of interest has been shown by the 
 non-attendance of the members at the public meetings of 
 the society ; unless members come forward to the 
 quarterly meetings, and show that they are interested in 
 co-operation, the directors have as a body made up their 
 minds to retire from office." This seemed a despairing 
 cry on the part of the directors ; but all hope was not 
 yet lost. The ship was lightened, branches were closed 
 where the expenses and the lessened sales did not warrant 
 their continuance. The old guard stood by their post ; 
 members were reminded of their duty, and informed of 
 what they might expect from the traders (who were in 
 great glee over the society's troubles) if the society was 
 put out of existence. The herculean efforts of a few won 
 the battle ; in 1870 the sun of prosperity again shone on 
 the efforts of the Provident. The trade increased, con- 
 fidence was restored, the closed branches were reopened, 
 and by 1877 the sales had risen to 30,000 per annum. 
 In 1888 a bakery was started ; before this, a boot and shoe 
 shop had been established. The ramifications of the 
 society now spread rapidly ; its splendid branches are now 
 to be seen in every part of town. In the Appendix, 
 its present position will be found to compare with any 
 society in the kingdom. Among the great number of 
 outstanding men that the Provident produced it is 
 difficult to particularise, but John Gilchrist (" Wholesale 
 
132 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 John "), Andrew Brown, Alexander M'Naught, John 
 Peacock, and its present popular manager, David Rowat, 
 have done yeoman service in the people's cause. 
 
 BARRHEAD SOCIETY. 
 i860. 
 
 Fifty years have passed away since a few workmen in 
 Barrhead had so satisfied themselves with the idea that 
 co-operation, if properly administered, would greatly 
 improve the material and moral condition of the people, 
 that they decided to adopt it. We may be sure that this 
 conclusion was not hastily arrived at, for the class of men 
 we have to deal with were cautious and thoughtful in the 
 extreme. After the few leaders were satisfied that they 
 saw their way clear to start and carry on a society, no 
 time was lost in calling a meeting of the public to hear the 
 propositions of the few who were taking the initiative. 
 These men were well known for their good character and 
 their deep interest in the welfare of their fellows. The 
 first meeting they called, on nth December 1860, was a 
 decided success ; at the following meeting fourteen 
 members were enrolled, and a provisional committee 
 appointed. Here for the first time we meet with some 
 names that are respected to this day throughout the 
 movement. Mr Robert Stark was appointed secretary, 
 a position he held for nearly half a century, respected 
 by all who knew him for the good work he had 
 done. 
 
 The promoters were greatly encouraged by the support 
 they received, for both members and capital were forth- 
 coming. Two of the promoters' names were a guarantee 
 for probity and intelligence namely, J. T. M'Innes and 
 John Paton. The former was the founder and editor of 
 the Scottish Co-operator, which appeared in July 1863, an( i 
 was printed and published in Barrhead. Mr Paton was 
 an eloquent platform speaker, and for nearly thirty 
 years was the most popular advocate of co-operation 
 in Scotland. At soirees or public meetings in the 
 late 'fifties, the 'sixties, and the 'seventies, Mr Paton of 
 Barrhead was the speaker of the evening. In later years 
 he was connected with the United Kingdom Alliance, and 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 133 
 
 distinguished himself as an earnest advocate of temper- 
 ance. Then we had Mr John Allan on the first board of 
 directors in the new venture at Barrhead. This gentleman 
 here began that useful and eminently successful career as 
 an administrator that won the esteem and confidence of 
 Scottish co-operators. We meet Mr Allan frequently in 
 other positions in the movement, which no doubt will give 
 a better idea of the man and his ability than at the 
 present time. 
 
 The first officials at Barrhead were Mr Adam Crawford, 
 president ; Mr Robert Stark, secretary ; and Mr David 
 Caldwell, treasurer. The first shop was in Main Street, 
 opened in June 1861. Business and membership gradually 
 increased, and although no dividend was declared at the 
 end of the first quarter, no grumbling or discontent 
 was evinced. At the end of the second quarter the 
 membership was 100 and the capital 180, and a dividend 
 of is. id. per pound was declared. This was the beginning 
 of that long and prosperous career which has distinguished 
 this society. It escaped most of the early difficulties 
 that so nearly submerged many of the young societies. 
 This continued peaceful growth may have had some effect 
 upon the men of Barrhead, who were early in the field in 
 advocating the further development of the movement by 
 the federation of societies. The important part they 
 played in instituting both the Scottish Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society and the United Co-operative Baking 
 Society will be dealt with in its proper place. 
 
 Perhaps the following report, given by Mr Stark, 
 secretary, at the third annual soiree in June 1864, will 
 best explain the position of this progressive and well- 
 managed society. Mr I/aw, president, was in the chair ; 
 the speakers of the evening being Mr Alexander Campbell, 
 of Glasgow, and Mr John Paton, of Barrhead. Mr Stark 
 said : " On reviewing the past twelve months, and taking 
 into consideration the depression of trade that has 
 prevailed in this locality, we are glad to be able to report 
 that our society continues to make steady progress, the 
 last year's operations being the most successful. During 
 the last year the capital account has increased by the sum 
 of 173, 175., which shows that great confidence exists 
 among the members. The receipts for goods sold amount 
 
134 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 to 3,8o6, and the profit to 315, 153., which has been 
 divided in the following manner : Interest on paid-up 
 capital, at five per cent., 19, 143. nd. ; dividend to 
 members, at is. 5jd. average per pound on purchases, 
 288, 2s. 4d. ; depreciation on fixed stock, at ten per 
 cent., 7, 173. gd. During the past year six members 
 have withdrawn, and forty have joined the society, 
 making the present number of members trading with the 
 society 165. The benefits of co-operation are immediate 
 and tangible. It is based on legitimate trade, and adds 
 considerably to the workman's wages. Its objects are to 
 supply the members with pure food and good clothing ; 
 and in its higher developments it promises those enjoy- 
 ments, social and political, that make life desirable and 
 homes happy, the people contented, and the nation great 
 and prosperous. We value co-operation because it 
 enhances not only our wealth, but our moral responsi- 
 bility ; for no sooner do we commence to reap the benefits 
 of our united efforts than we are bound to protect and 
 respect the rights of others. Co-operation cannot be 
 carried out without work work of head, heart, and hand 
 for it intends to raise the working-class up to the 
 fortunate position of those who have made wealth, and 
 not to pull down to a lower condition those who, through 
 industry and frugality, have raised themselves. Let it be 
 seen that, by means of self-help, it is possible to uplift our 
 class out of despair, want, and misery, which are the 
 principal causes of much disease and premature death." 
 Such was the encouragement given to co-operators fifty 
 years ago by good old Robert Stark. The Barrhead 
 Society acknowledged its gratitude to him by making the 
 evening of his days more comfortable and independent. 
 
 The society continued to prosper, so that in 1871, 
 or ten years after its start, it was doing a business of 
 223, 95. per week in grocery, drapery, and boots and 
 shoes. They had now become a loyal member of the 
 Wholesale Society and also of the United Baking Society; 
 they had investments in the Cooperage Society and the 
 Paisley Manufacturing Society. Its effect on the people 
 was soon evident ; the cash system had inculcated habits 
 of thrift that were now observable in a higher standard of 
 living. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 135 
 
 The branches of the society carry its influence into a 
 wide area, providing the members with everything they 
 require. About eight years ago their new central premises 
 were opened, giving additional facilities for business, and 
 arresting the attention of passing travellers, who are 
 generally amazed to hear that the splendid pile is the 
 property of the working-men of Barrhead. The Co- 
 operative Laundry Association was largely promoted 
 by Barrhead co-operators, who follow the progressive 
 lead of their pioneers. Mr G. Pinkerton, Mr William 
 Ferguson, and the energetic manager (Mr Weir) have all 
 worked with a will and with intelligence for Barrhead 
 Society. The old Barrhead Victualling Society had ceased 
 to exist before the present society was started. 
 
136 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Co-operation is a new way of fulfilling the Divine 
 command, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." 
 
 Isaac Pitman. 
 
 KILMARNOCK EQUITABLE SOCIETY. 
 i860. 
 
 OF the many reasons given for starting co-operative 
 societies, few if any were promoted for the purpose 
 which is assigned at Kilmarnock. A few working- 
 men who were noted for their advanced views on 
 most subjects were in the habit of meeting together weekly 
 for the purpose of discussing the topics that interested 
 them most ; sometimes it was theology, at another time 
 politics, but frequently it was some social problem. As 
 they had no means to provide hall accommodation, their 
 principal gatherings took place in summer in the open air. 
 Saturday afternoons and Sundays found them on their way 
 to some arranged meeting-place, a few miles outside the 
 town. It is reported that at Craufurdland Bridge, about 
 three miles from Kilmarnock, on a certain Sunday in 
 August 1860, a meeting was held, and these worthies, who 
 were determined to remodel society, were discussing the 
 advisability of beginning a course of lectures in Ayrshire, 
 the subject being " The Social Well-being of the Masses." 
 These enthusiasts could arrange almost anything, but they 
 could pay for nothing. How was the world to be re- 
 modelled without these proposed lectures ? and how were 
 the lectures to be delivered without money ? They here 
 came to a standstill ; it seemed as if the world would have 
 to go on without remodelling. Of course, many plans 
 were proposed; among them was that of establishing a 
 co-operative society on the plan of Rochdale, and not on 
 the old economic plan of dividing on capital. It is 
 evident that certain of them knew something of the old 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 137 
 
 stores, which seem to have been established in more places 
 than we know of to-day. The proposal to start a Rochdale 
 store was eagerly agreed to. Now they saw a way to get 
 the proposed lectures delivered, with all the hoped-for 
 results. The following week a meeting was held, and a 
 resolution adopted to establish a co-operative society in 
 Kilmarnock. Thirteen members were enrolled, and 
 fi, 33. 6d. was collected towards capital, a committee 
 being also appointed to carry out the resolution of the 
 meeting. This committee was endowed with energy, 
 for at the next meeting they reported that they had 
 rented a meeting-room till Whitsunday at 3, 55. per 
 annum, rent to be paid monthly. Here was the store ready 
 made. A little more capital collected, a few articles such as 
 tea, sugar, and tobacco purchased, and the society was in 
 full swing. Two nights a week the committee attended for 
 the purpose of distributing the goods. One cannot help 
 remarking on the earnest energy of these men, who within 
 a week or two had around them the nucleus of the now 
 great society in Kilmarnock. Business prospered in spite 
 of the crude service of the amateur shopmen. They 
 soon required larger accommodation. New premises were 
 found in Cheapside Street, and a removal was made in 
 May 1861. The committee attended three nights per week 
 to sell the goods to the members, the other evenings being 
 taken up with matters of administration. Rules were 
 prepared and adopted. The society received the name of 
 the Kilmarnock Equitable Co-operative Society Limited. 
 " The social well-being of the masses," which, it will be 
 remembered, was to be the theme of the proposed lecture, 
 was now the object of their constant work. It was 
 evident now to most of them that their practical work in 
 co-operation would attain even more than the lectures 
 which they originally had for their objective. At the end 
 of the first year a report showed the following results : 
 the membership was 80, the cap*al 49, 43. njd. ; the 
 sales amounted to 510, and the profit for the year was 
 24, i6s. lod. Everyone was satisfied, and none more so 
 than the committee who had worked so hard to make the 
 little society a success, without hope of fee or reward. In 
 1863 another removal took place because of the continued 
 expansion of business. Now it was to a commodious shop 
 
138 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 in Waterloo Street, where they set up a fully- equipped 
 and attractive place of business, which had the effect 
 of drawing public attention to the advantages of 
 co-operation. 
 
 The report of the eighteenth quarter shows that the 
 directors were thoroughly satisfied with the results. They 
 say : " That the principles of co-operation are becoming 
 better known, and its claims upon the working classes are 
 being more fully recognised, is evident by the large number 
 of members admitted during the quarter ; seventeen have 
 been admitted, making a total of no. The sales have also 
 increased in a corresponding ratio, the total amount being 
 534, los. 8d., which is an increase over last quarter of 
 84 ; from which we have realised a profit, after paying 
 all expenses, of 29, 195. 5jd. : from this we pay five per 
 cent, interest on capital, five per cent, to the reduction of 
 fixed stock, and two and a half per cent, for educational 
 fund, leaving 26, I2s. 8Jd. to be divided on purchases, 
 which will allow a dividend to members of is. id. and to 
 non-members 6Jd. per pound. It will be seen from this 
 brief report that we not only deserved but commanded 
 success, which will always be sure to follow if we prove 
 true to ourselves, and hold fast to the first principles of 
 co-operation." 
 
 The directors go on in their report to inform the 
 members of improved facilities for conducting their drapery 
 department, and of the acquisition of a suitable place 
 to be used as a clubroom or reading-room. It will be 
 admitted that this progressive policy of the directorate 
 was bound to inspire hope and confidence in the member- 
 ship. By July 1866 a branch had to be opened in 
 Bonnyton Road to meet the requirements of the growing 
 membership in that locality. Another forward step was 
 taken in the same year. The committee put themselves 
 into communication with the other societies in the district 
 regarding the advisability of forming a baking society, 
 for the purpose of supplying all with bread. The result 
 of a very few meetings of the representatives of the 
 various societies was the establishing of the Ayrshire 
 Co-operative Baking Association, which for many years 
 had its business premises in Kilmarnock. When it had 
 served its purpose successfully, it was taken over by 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 139 
 
 the Kilmarnock Equitable, the other societies being 
 able to carry on baking on their own account. In 
 1867 another branch was opened in Titchfield Street, 
 and a drapery warehouse was also opened in the Corn 
 Exchange Buildings, Green Street. The following year 
 saw the formation of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society, and Kilmarnock at once joined the new federa- 
 tion. In 1870 ground was purchased and a building 
 erected at Titchfield and St Andrew Streets ; and in the 
 following year another branch was opened in Glencairn 
 Square. The butchery business was taken up in 1872 ; 
 and by 1875 other two grocery branches had been opened, 
 one in the village of Riccarton ; dressmaking and millinery 
 were added to the drapery department in the same year. 
 The central premises, which are an architectural feature 
 of the town, were begun in 1879, ano ^ with frequent 
 extensions up till 1898 cost a total of about 18,000. 
 Progress continued till 1880, when an unfortunate 
 secession of some hundreds of members took place over the 
 question of management. Another society was formed, 
 but was ultimately dissolved in 1898. The Equitable 
 soon regained its former position, and further extensions 
 were at once entered upon. Branches were opened in 
 the villages of Stewarton and Kilmaurs. In the " auld 
 toon o' Ayr," where there had been four unsuccessful 
 attempts to plant a society, Kilmarnock has succeeded 
 in establishing three branches. A prosperous and much- 
 appreciated loan section has greatly improved the homes 
 of the members and the appearance of the town. In this 
 way many poor men have got beyond " the factor's snash." 
 From the very first year, the character of the pro- 
 moters might be recognised by their enthusiastic interest 
 in education. They devoted i6s. to this purpose during 
 the first year of the society's history ; in 1900 406 was 
 granted for the same object. Their libraries now contain 
 several thousand volumes of informing works, while 
 the reading-rooms are plenished with the current daily, 
 weekly, and monthly literature. Lectures are also 
 arranged for the members by the educational committee, 
 while classes on various subjects are carried on during 
 the winter months. A women's guild also carries on its 
 useful work in connection with the society. Truly " the 
 
140 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 social well-being of the masses" has not been neglected 
 by the Equitable Society. Thomas Earl, David Maculloch, 
 John Stevenson, James Rennie, John M'Murran, James 
 Deans, and many others have left the mark of their good 
 influence on Kilmarnock Society. 
 
 DALZIEL SOCIETY. 
 
 1860. 
 
 The very mention of Motherwell to a student of 
 co-operation recalls the Orbiston experiment, which was 
 carried on little more than a mile to the west of the now 
 busy industrial town of Motherwell. It may be that the 
 traditions of Orbiston lingered in the locality for many 
 years. Nothing is more likely than that many of the 
 dwellers in Orbiston, when the disaster came, migrated 
 to the neighbouring towns of Bellshill and Motherwell, 
 where their sons would hear the oft-repeated story of 
 the ill-starred venture. Whether it had a co-operative 
 influence or not, it is impossible to say to-day. 
 
 In the year 1860, Motherwell was a comparatively 
 small place to what it is now. The population was only 
 about 5,000. The mineral wealth of the surrounding 
 district was being rapidly opened up, and large numbers 
 of miners were continuously arriving from all parts of the 
 kingdom to find employment in the many new pits that 
 were being started. The Glasgow Iron Company 
 employed an enormous number of people, and were 
 continually increasing their great business. Here were 
 all the elements for the formation of a sound co-operative 
 society ; and some of the men thought so too. A meeting 
 was held on loth November 1860, and it was at once 
 agreed to form the Dalziel Co-operative Society. 
 
 A small shop was taken and opened in Merry Street 
 within a month of the preliminary meeting being held. 
 This looked like business. At the end of the first year of 
 the society's existence there were seventy-three members 
 and a capital of 196, but they had not been able to pay 
 a dividend. Provost Purdie, of Motherwell, who is 
 the esteemed manager of this society, and has been in 
 its service for the last thirty-five years, writes that 
 " there is no record of the early days left, nor can one 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 141 
 
 trace even the names of the promoters." He suggests 
 " that perhaps the trials and struggles with which the 
 founders had to contend during the first fifteen years 
 of the society's existence made them feel rather uncertain 
 of the outcome of the efforts they were engaged in, so 
 that they were content to let their names drop into 
 oblivion." 
 
 For six years they struggled on with very little success ; 
 the society was not attracting the people, because they 
 saw so little, if any, advantage in becoming members. 
 The seventh year all but finished this brave effort to 
 establish co-operation in Motherwell. A serious loss 
 confronted them, and it seemed for a time to foreshadow 
 the end. But no ; the members agreed that they would 
 fight on ; they would meet the loss that had been made 
 by paying i6s. gd. each. This was bad enough, but two 
 years after, they were again face to face with another and 
 more serious loss. What was to be done ? Their 
 membership had dwindled away to thirty-nine, and their 
 capital to 84. Most men would have yielded to the 
 menacing circumstances. Not they ; the thirty-nine 
 agreed to pay i, 2s. 5d. each to cancel the loss. What 
 a pity the names of those thirty-nine who still stood by 
 the feeble society have not been preserved ! The future 
 seemed hopeless even after the sacrifices those few heroes 
 had made, but they were determined to battle till success 
 crowned their efforts. One can fancy the ridicule that 
 would be heaped upon them for following a policy that 
 had all the appearance of being hopeless. But the night 
 gradually passed away, and the long-looked-for morning 
 came, and with it new hope and new energy animated 
 the few who had stood by the ship throughout the long 
 and trying storm. The business slowly but steadily grew 
 till the year 1875, when another loss reduced the profits 
 somewhat, but which was soon forgotten. Since that date 
 the course of this society has been upward and onward. 
 Their business premises alone, which are the property of 
 the society, cost 55,732, and the dwelling-houses owned 
 by them are valued at 11,023. Their business to-day is 
 carried on in twelve grocery shops, three butchery shops, 
 three drapery shops, furnishing shop, boot and shoe shop, 
 two bakery shops, fish shops, dairy and bakery. Their 
 
i 4 2 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 educational facilities are in keeping with their general 
 progress. Thanks to those thirty-nine nameless cham- 
 pions, we have now one of the most progressive societies 
 in the country. The late Mr Macdonald, chairman, was 
 no local co-operator ; he made his good influence felt 
 over a wide area. The present manager, Provost Purdie, 
 has long been known in the movement as a thoughtful 
 and painstaking official, who has had no small share in 
 building up the now great and successful Dalziel Society. 
 The following interesting table shows the gradual growth 
 of the society and the population of Motherwell : 
 
 Year. 
 
 Members 
 at end 
 of Year. 
 
 Capital 
 at end 
 of Year. 
 
 Sales for 
 Year. 
 
 Population. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1860 
 
 73 
 
 196 
 
 3,543 
 
 5,438 
 
 1870 
 
 39 
 
 84 
 
 1,550 
 
 6,943 
 
 1880 
 
 336 
 
 2,270 
 
 11,652 
 
 12,915 
 
 1890 
 
 1,726 
 
 20,572 
 
 84,105 
 
 18,727 
 
 1900 
 
 4,027 
 
 91,759 
 
 223,834 
 
 30,423 
 
 1910 
 
 6,283 
 
 156,049 
 
 334,976 
 
 40,048 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 143 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Of all the agencies which are at work to elevate those 
 who labour with their hands, in physical condition, in 
 social dignity, and in those moral and intellectual qualities 
 on which both the others are ultimately dependent, there 
 is none so promising as the present co-operative movement. 
 
 John Stuart Mill. 
 
 PENICUIK ASSOCIATION. 
 i860. 
 
 PENICUIK Society owes its origin largely to the 
 intelligence and enthusiasm of four men, whose 
 names are yet honoured all over the East of 
 Scotland. Although not claiming to be more than 
 ordinary workmen engaged in the paper mills, they 
 spent much of their leisure in reading and discussing 
 subjects that their fellow- workmen took little interest in. 
 It happened that in the summer of 1859 some of the 
 newspapers and journals referred to the progress of the 
 Rochdale Pioneers. The Messrs Chambers, of Edinburgh, 
 had also described a visit to Rochdale Society in their 
 " Miscellany." This was a new subject for our four 
 worthies to discuss. The names of these four earnest and 
 clear-headed men were James M'Beath, Andrew Cowan, 
 Joseph M'Darmaid, and James Skinner. They held many 
 meetings, sometimes in their meal-hours, sometimes in 
 the evenings in the house of Andrew Cowan, at Lowmill. 
 Mr Skinner had communicated with some existing societies, 
 and with Mr William Cooper, secretary of the Rochdale 
 Pioneers. Much information was gained in this way. 
 They were exceedingly cautious in making known their 
 proposal ; they were careful in selecting the men whom 
 they took into their confidence. The first they approached 
 with the plan they had in their minds was Mr Robert 
 
144 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Veitch, a shrewd, far-seeing man. Veitch at once threw 
 himself into their proposals with all his heart. Others 
 in turn were approached with the same result. A meeting 
 was held, Mr Veitch presiding, when a committee was 
 appointed. Mr Skinner was instructed to secure all the 
 information possible in view of a public meeting being 
 held. This meeting proved a more difficult task than at 
 first had been expected. The news of the proposed 
 starting of a store had got abroad, and the traders were 
 in arms. Neither schoolroom nor hall could be had for 
 such a purpose. The open-air seemed to be the only 
 place where freedom of speech would be tolerated in 
 Penicuik ; and, indeed, it was arranged to meet at the 
 public well, on the 24th April 1860. On the day of the 
 proposed meeting, Mr White, lessee of the Gardeners' 
 Hall, gave his consent to its use. The meeting was 
 successful as far as numbers were concerned, but many 
 evidently attended out of curiosity. Mr Veitch, the 
 chairman, explained the purpose of the meeting, which 
 Mr Skinner supplemented by quoting the success which 
 had attended other societies. On the chairman calling 
 for names to join, very few responded. At the close, many 
 left the meeting remarking that the project would die a 
 natural death in six months. This was certainly not 
 very encouraging to the leaders, but nothing could now 
 stay their hands ; and they let that be known. 
 
 At the next meeting, held in June, the rules were agreed 
 to, and a committee appointed. Some of the most 
 respected names in the movement appear for the first 
 time on this committee, hence we give it in full 
 Robert Veitch, treasurer ; James Skinner, secretary ; 
 Alexander Forbes, Alexander Clapperton, Stephen Cranston, 
 Joseph M'Darmaid, Andrew Cowan, David Smail, James 
 Cossar, Alexander Porteous. Mr Cranston was elected 
 chairman. A room was secured to begin operations, the 
 committee to attend in turn two nights a week to serve 
 members with goods, one always to be present to act as 
 cash clerk. Thus was started, on the 5th July 1860, 
 one of the most successful societies in the country, with 
 forty-eight members and a capital of 61, 55. From 
 that moment, it may be said with truth, Penicuik 
 Society never looked back. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 145 
 
 The progress of the society was slow, still there was 
 increase. At the end of the fourth quarter, the member- 
 ship was only fifty-eight, the capital 134, ios., the sales 
 for the quarter 230, and the profit 6, igs. ofd. The 
 average dividend for the first year had been 4jd. per 
 pound. It is recorded that this dividend created some 
 enthusiasm and gave confidence to the members. The 
 second year showed a marked improvement ; they had 
 ninety- two members, a capital of 248, and sales of 
 1,674. The dividend was now is. 2jd. per pound. . Baking 
 was commenced in the autumn of 1862. In this year 
 Andrew Cowan passed away, leaving a sweet memory 
 behind him. The following year a property suitable for 
 the business of the society was bought, the idea of the 
 committee being to borrow a sum from the bank, but a 
 circular was issued to the members intimating that the sum 
 of 470 would be required. The members in a few days 
 placed 700 at the disposal of the committee. This put new 
 heart into the committee, and gave an impetus to business. 
 
 At the formation of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society, Penicuik played an important part, which will 
 be noticed in its proper place. 
 
 In 1871 the butchery business was entered upon, and 
 has been successful since the beginning. Another large 
 property was bought in 1874 for 1,150, and a handsome 
 drapery department was fitted up, which was greatly 
 appreciated by the members. Still another purchase of 
 property took place in West Street, in 1879. 
 
 The principle had now got such a firm hold of the 
 inhabitants of the town that the opposition ceased from 
 troubling. It has been often said that the fact of so 
 many workmen being in debt with the traders kept many 
 from taking an interest in the local store. No doubt 
 there is considerable truth in this statement ; but we hear 
 of a case at Penicuik where a workman was so impressed 
 with the advantages of co-operation that he borrowed 
 money to pay off his grocer with whom he was deep in 
 debt, joined the store, and with his dividends returned 
 the money he had borrowed. The story goes further, 
 and tells how the grocer, being an elder in the same church 
 as his former customer, never spoke to the man again 
 after he had squared his account. 
 
146 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Mr W. F. Stewart, commercial manager of Scottish 
 Co-operative Wholesale Society's flour mills, was manager 
 of Penicuik Society for many years, and left when 
 he was appointed manager of Leith branch of the 
 Wholesale Society. Mr John Macdonald, buyer in the 
 grocery department of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society, followed Mr Stewart ; and he in turn was followed 
 by Mr Peter Robertson, now manager of I^eith branch 
 of the Wholesale Society. 
 
 The late Stephen Cranston, who died in 1880, was not 
 only a strong man in Penicuik, he was recognised as an 
 able and sagacious man throughout the movement. Few 
 indeed were respected like Stephen Cranston when living, 
 and few so sincerely mourned when gone. Mr Robert 
 Veitch performed the duties of treasurer for nineteen 
 years, retiring from office in 1879 owing to failing health. 
 The society showed its appreciation of his long and 
 faithful services by presenting him with a testimonial in 
 1881. Mr James Skinner, whose sketch of the history of 
 the society has been freely used in the above remarks, is 
 also a notable personality. It was his method that was 
 adopted by the " Wholesale " to clear off the debt caused 
 by the " Ironworks " incident. Mr A. Clapperton was also 
 one of the respected pioneers. Few committees worked 
 so harmoniously as that of Penicuik, the reason being 
 they had studied the question together long before it was 
 launched. They were inseparable as friends of the people, 
 holding similar views on the power of the democracy to 
 emancipate themselves from the thraldom of poverty. 
 The committees of later years have been worthy successors 
 of the pioneers. The society still makes progress, and still 
 takes an earnest interest in everything that affects their 
 fellow-workers. Handsome places of business have 
 now taken the place of the obscure little shops of the 
 early Sixties. A few years ago, when some of their 
 principal buildings were unfortunately destroyed by fire, 
 the energy and promptitude of the committee, assisted 
 by the " Wholesale," restored the business to its usual 
 form in an incredibly short time, the members suffering 
 little or no inconvenience from the occurrence. 
 
 An amusing reminiscence comes to our mind regarding 
 the early days. They were fond of holding social meetings, 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 147 
 
 to which they invited one or two speakers. It was about 
 the years 1878-9 that Mr J. T. M'Innes, of Barrhead, and 
 the writer were the speakers. Mr M'Innes was rather 
 long-winded, and the audience got somewhat impatient 
 while he was still in the middle of his address. He 
 paused and said, " Well, if ye'll no' hear me speak, I'll 
 gie ye a sang " (loud applause), " an' after that I'll 
 continue my speech " (profound silence). He was 
 encored for his song, but not for his speech. He was a 
 charming specimen of unselfishness and co-operative 
 enthusiasm of the old school. 
 
 THORNLIEBANK SOCIETY. 
 
 This society belongs to that period of co-operative 
 awakening which swept over Scotland in the early 'sixties. 
 It was formed in 1861. The promoters were employees of 
 the Messrs Crum, calico printers, perhaps at that time the 
 only industry in the village. There existed at the 
 time a store connected with the works, but in which 
 the employees had no part in the administration. The 
 pioneers took a wise line of policy when they agreed 
 to start a society of their own. They laid their proposi- 
 tion before the head of the firm. That gentleman, to their 
 surprise, highly commended their proposal, gave them 
 some useful business advice, and offered to close the 
 store in connection with the works. The sympathetic 
 attitude of Mr Crum was life to the new society. The old 
 place was closed, and the workmen threw themselves with 
 enthusiasm into the new project. Two years after they 
 started they were doing a business of 1,180 per quarter 
 and paying a dividend of is. 5d. per pound. For nearly 
 fifty years, notwithstanding the many changes that have 
 taken place both in the personnel of the firm and in the 
 industry for it has changed greatly the society con- 
 tinued its good work, and is stronger to-day than ever. 
 
 BUSBY SOCIETY. 
 
 L,ike Thornliebank, the village of Busby was dependent, 
 so far as employment was concerned, on calico printing, 
 and in 1861 was a busy hive of industry. The 
 workmen were of a sober and studious turn of mind, and 
 
148 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 the social movement which was spreading over the 
 country early arrested their attention. The result was 
 the formation of a co-operative society. Considering the 
 small population, the society was soon a power for good 
 in the district. Its ninth quarterly report shows that it 
 had done a business of 1,095, and had a capital 
 of 264 ; the dividend was is. 6d. per pound. Careful 
 management brought this little society to a high state of 
 efficiency ; and for many years, as long as employment 
 continued steady at the works, Busby was a village of 
 comfort and happiness to the workers who were members 
 of the store. But a day came that changed everything in 
 that pretty village. A syndicate was formed of all the 
 calico printers ; some of the works had to be closed, to 
 effect certain economies, and Busby works was one of 
 the doomed. Its hundreds of employees had to find 
 employment where best they could. The store even then 
 was their best friend, providing many with capital to 
 migrate elsewhere, and to others giving the means of 
 subsistence for many a day. The village has now lost its 
 former activity, and so has the store to some extent, but 
 it still keeps the flag flying. 
 
 CATHCART SOCIETY. 
 
 In 1861 Cathcart was only a weaving village, and in no 
 way resembled the fashionable suburb of Glasgow that it 
 is to-day. The weaving trade was practically at a stand- 
 still, and those who could find no other occupation were 
 gradually sinking into want. The supplement which the 
 co-operative movement promised to their very limited 
 incomes would be most welcome, so a very humble society 
 was formed ; and although it had many difficulties to 
 contend with, it surmounted them all, and three years 
 after its formation was doing a business of 44 per week, 
 and paying a dividend of is. 3d. per pound on purchases. 
 In 1869, or eight years after it was started, the committee 
 reported that 1,150 had been divided as profit during 
 the eight years of the society's existence. A new factor 
 in later years has contributed to make this society the 
 powerful organisation it now is. Weaving has disappeared, 
 and Cathcart is a residential suburb of Glasgow, 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 149 
 
 Thousands travel to and from the city daily ; many have 
 joined the society, and the business has extended. New 
 properties have been erected, with commodious modern 
 shops that supply everything required by the growing 
 population. The humble Cathcart store has now become 
 a great social power for good. 
 
 DUMBARTON EQUITABLE SOCIETY. 
 
 1861. 
 
 Few places in Scotland speak more strongly to the 
 student of history, of the old fighting times, than 
 Dumbarton. Visitors to Scotland in former days did not 
 consider their tour of the country complete till they 
 had seen the rock of Dun Bretain (the Welshman's 
 fortress). Even her late Majesty Queen Victoria made 
 a special visit in the early days of her reign to see 
 this historic castle. It was emblematic of strength ; it 
 was considered a bulwark against invasion, and also a 
 place of refuge for the people of the surrounding district 
 in those times of stress and danger. To-day it is 
 but a landmark, playing no part in the activities of 
 the busy town that has grown around its base. 
 Dumbarton was created a royal burgh by Alexander II. 
 as far back as 1222. But to-day its fame rests not upon 
 royal charters, or the armaments of its old castle, but on 
 its shipbuilding industry, which has made it famous over 
 the world. For more than half a century this industry 
 has given steady employment to thousands of artisans of 
 all kinds, who have appreciated greatly the liberality and 
 kindly conduct of the employers. The conditions were such 
 as to encourage workmen to combine to form a society. 
 Some early efforts were made to carry on societies in the 
 'forties and 'fifties, but without success. The honour of 
 initiating the present robust society belongs to a Mr 
 William Hay, who was influenced to move in the matter 
 from the description of the Rochdale Pioneers published in 
 " Chambers' s Miscellany." Mr Hay laid his views before 
 his fellow- workmen, who were not slow to understand the 
 benefits that were likely to accrue from starting a co-op- 
 erative society. A committee was appointed, with Mr Hay 
 as the first secretary. Rules on the Rochdale plan were 
 
ISO HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 drafted and accepted. A small store was opened, which at 
 first was open only in the evenings, when the committee 
 performed the duties of salesmen. There were only thirty 
 members, so that their duties were not very onerous. 
 Capital was scarce, and confidence in the new venture was 
 slow in growth. The boardroom is described as a place 
 where coal was kept, and a piece of coal or a packing-box 
 served as a chair. The success which the leaders hoped 
 for was, indeed, slow in coming. Adverse criticism was 
 the only reward they got for their trying and continuous 
 labours. A letter from a member to the Scottish Co-operator, 
 and the editor's remarks on same, which we give in full, 
 show how little encouragement the committee were getting 
 in their uphill fight : 
 
 Dumbarton, 23rd September 1863. 
 
 SIR, I am sorry to say that I cannot report favourably of our 
 society here, for as yet it has been a failure in so far as profit is 
 concerned. The sales are such as would lead the members to 
 expect a profit, but in this they have hitherto been very greatly 
 disappointed. The executive seem anxious enough to do their 
 best for the interest of the members, but somehow they have a 
 wrong way of going about it. They keep up a heavy expense, 
 which a society with double the capital would not be justified in 
 doing. A great rent, a flashy appearance, an itching after change 
 of locality, seem with them the ideal of certain return for the 
 invested capital of the society ; but the realisation of their dreams 
 has been a sacrifice of the profits which should have gone to the 
 members. Would you kindly aid us with your advice ? I am, etc., 
 
 A MEMBER. 
 
 The following is the advice which the editor gave to the 
 letter-writer : 
 
 Attend the monthly meetings of your society regularly, and 
 kindly aid your executive in every way you can with sound 
 practical advice ; impressing on your fellow-members the duty of 
 supporting their own stores. Aid as far as you can to cultivate a 
 ready-money business ; if you want a thoroughly healthy society, 
 it must be free of credit customers. Endeavour to reduce your 
 whole working expenses to one shilling per pound on the amount 
 of your sales ; the Paisley society with four shops is conducted at 
 that expense, the Barrhead at l()|d., and the Thornliebank at lid. 
 per pound. Let the press be the last resource whereby to make 
 your complaints. Should you manage all these matters and we 
 do not see how you should not you will find improvement in your 
 dividends. 
 
 Capital advice to the dissatisfied member, and we hope he 
 acted up to it. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 151 
 
 To add to the many troubles of the committee in 1864, 
 a salesman left their service, and raised an action for 
 10, 45., the amount of security held by the directors for 
 his intromissions. The Sheriff absolved the society from 
 any such claim, leaving the directors the option to proceed 
 against their salesman for a balance of his accounts in 
 goods and money amounting to 12, i6s. 
 
 At the twelfth quarterly meeting the statement for the 
 preceding quarter showed that the cash received for goods 
 amounted to 614, i6s., or a reduction in sales compared 
 with the previous quarter of over 100. The members 
 numbered seventy-three, and the capital was 169. Of 
 the sales the members contributed 432, the re- 
 maining 182 being the business done with the general 
 public. The profit for the quarter was 16, 143. 4d., 
 which, after allowing for depreciation of fixed stock and 
 interest on paid-up shares, left a dividend to members of 
 7d. per pound on purchases and 4d. per pound to non- 
 members. This was not very encouraging after three 
 years' strenuous work. But the committee never lost 
 heart. They took every means in their power to stimulate 
 the interest of their fellow-workmen, keeping a high 
 ideal of the movement in the forefront of all advertise- 
 ments. By the eighteenth quarter some improvement 
 was shown; they were now doing a business of 48 per 
 week, and were able to declare a dividend of is. 2d. per 
 pound. 
 
 It was not till the year 1870 that real progress could be 
 reported. From that time fortune was with them. By 
 1878 the membership was nearly 1,000, and the total 
 capital amounted to 6,438. Baking was started at an 
 early period of the society's history, and was a useful 
 auxiliary to the now thriving organisation. The present 
 bakery, which contains every modern appliance, is of a 
 recent date. The " Equitable " became a household word ; 
 building after building had to be acquired to meet the 
 ever-increasing demands of the members. The late Mr 
 William Denny had a warm corner in his heart for the 
 good work of the co-operators, and, to show his interest 
 practically, he presented a series of handsome pictures to 
 the society, which adorn the walls of the reading-room 
 to-day. 
 
1 52 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 By 1886, or twenty-five years after the founding of the 
 society, its membership had grown to 1,319 ; its total 
 capital, 27,025 ; sales for the year, 55,850 ; the profits, 
 7,223, giving a dividend of 2s. 7d. per pound on pur- 
 chases. Since then it has gone upwards and onwards, 
 spreading its good influence far and near, till to-day (1910) 
 the membership is 3,270, and the capital, 100,687. 
 
 But Dumbarton co-operators have not kept the good 
 things of co-operation to themselves : they have branched 
 out further than most societies. To the east they have 
 established successful branches at Old Kilpatrick, Bowling, 
 and Dumbuck ; while to the west branches are flourishing 
 at Helensburgh and in Argyllshire at Dunoon. True to 
 co-operative principles in the early days, they remain true 
 and steadfast to-day. They have been fortunate in their 
 leaders, who have all left honourable memories men like 
 J. Allison, I. Macdonald, J. Black, A. Galbraith, and 
 J. White. Robert Raeburn was secretary for many years, 
 which position is now ably filled by Mr G. E. Mitchell. 
 Mr H. H. Bennett has won golden opinions as general 
 manager. So long as Dumbarton Society follows with 
 vigour its past and present policy in co-operation, so long 
 will it be eminently successful. Unfortunately, a few years 
 ago, another co-operative society came into existence in 
 Dumbarton, named the " Lennox." It is to be hoped 
 that this hive-off will find its way back, and take its place 
 under the parental roof. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 153 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 It is a movement sound in principle and right in practice. 
 
 Lord Stanley. 
 
 DUNFERMLINE SOCIETY. 
 
 1861. 
 
 FOR many years before 1861 the handloom weavers 
 of Dunfermline had discussed and even put into 
 practice the system of co-operation. The old records 
 show that there must have been two or three 
 experiments, each in its turn coming to an undignified 
 ending. The knowledge of this did not daunt the men 
 of 1861 from trying again. Of course, by this date there 
 was more knowledge obtainable. The Rochdale plan 
 made the experiment more attractive, and the Industrial 
 and Provident Societies Act was in anticipation. The late 
 Daniel Thomson (and few knew the history of the town 
 better) wrote : "The population of Dunfermline had for 
 many generations been made up mainly of weavers, a 
 class of men who, by the varying circumstances of their 
 trade, were frequently reduced to poverty and suffering, 
 while many of them were steeped in debt, alike to their 
 employer and the merchants of the town. From this 
 condition of dependence many other evils grew up, so that 
 the daily life of the operative called urgently for improve- 
 ment." By the year 1861 other employments were taking 
 the place of the declining handloom. The time was 
 suitable, it was said, to make an effort to improve the 
 condition of the workman, by gradually withdrawing him 
 from the thraldom of debt. There was unanimity on this 
 point, that if a store was started it must be on the ready- 
 money principle. After the preliminaries were settled, it 
 was found that there were 170 members with 102 of 
 
154 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 capital ; the half of this sum was expended in fitting up 
 their shop. The small stock they held was sold out in two 
 days, but as cash was the order of the day, they could 
 easily and profitably renew it. From the first hour of its 
 existence Dunfermline store was voted a success ; and 
 many an honest fellow made the effort of his life during 
 the early days of the society to place himself for 
 the first time in line with his income. Having 
 accomplished that, he felt himself a stronger and more 
 useful member of society. Unlike most societies we have 
 had to deal with, Dunfermline had few troubles to con- 
 tend with in its early days. The reason is obvious; the 
 absence of the debt question left the leaders free to develop 
 the society's business in many directions. Four years 
 after they started (in 1865) their capital had risen to 1,213, 
 four years later (1869) & was D > I1: 4 an( i *& I ^73 & was 
 14,851, their members at the latter date numbering 
 1,932. 
 
 The following significant remarks are taken from the 
 fourteenth quarterly report of the committee, showing 
 the care and forethought that was exercised in conducting 
 this young society : " It will be observed from the 
 balance-sheet that ten per cent, (in addition to the two 
 and a half per cent, provided by the rules) has been 
 retained agreeably to the suggestion at the last quarterly 
 meeting to go to reserve fund, for building or other 
 purposes, leaving the sum of 260, 135. lod. to divide on 
 purchases, which gives a dividend to members of is. lod. 
 per pound and to non-members of is. 2^d. Your com- 
 mittee would also call attention to the fact that the whole 
 expense of conducting the business during the quarter 
 just ended, including two and a half per cent, to increase 
 fixed stock, interest, rent, wages, printing, and repairs, 
 only amounts to a fraction more than 7jd. per pound on 
 the sales. The habits of self-denial induced and fore- 
 thought required to carry out the ready-money system 
 is also a matter for congratulation, as it must tend to raise 
 the moral standard of the community." From the above 
 it can easily be seen that the society was ably and economi- 
 cally administered. 
 
 By 1882 the capital of the society had reached 75,861 , 
 and it is evident that the committee were somewhat 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 155 
 
 alarmed at the rapidly increasing wealth. The old argu- 
 ment that the richer members were getting the greater 
 advantage over the poorer members in the matter of interest 
 was used with considerable effect. It was agreed to reduce 
 the maximum of holding from 200 to 50, so that those 
 members with more than 50 in the funds of the society 
 had to withdraw all money above that sum. One does not 
 know all the local circumstances, but it does seem a 
 humiliating confession of want of ability to utilise the 
 savings of the people through co-operation to pay back 
 money in this way. A reduction of interest has always 
 had a powerful effect in matters of this kind, and cannot 
 be regarded as a hardship upon anyone. But, better still, 
 a building scheme to provide better and cheaper homes for 
 the members would by this time have placed Dunfermline 
 Society in a proud and profitable position, and would have 
 added greatly to the comfort and general improvement of 
 the people. Three years later (in 1885) the same question 
 again became troublesome. This time it was agreed to 
 reduce the interest from five to four and a sixth per cent, 
 per annum. Still the capital increased, but the Scottish 
 Co-operative Wholesale Society now made their capital 
 remunerative. To-day Dunfermline has deposited with 
 the " Wholesale " no less than 60,110. 
 
 It is to the great credit of this society that for the last 
 forty-nine years it has held fast to the ready-money system, 
 hence their steady and rapid growth. Before the end 
 of the 'sixties, baking, drapery, millinery, boot and 
 shoe, and butchery departments were opened in quick 
 succession. A branch was planted in the south-side of the 
 town in 1863. Another branch was opened in Golf drum 
 Street in 1868. A large number of the members resided 
 in the village of Cowdenbeath, about six miles to the east 
 of Dunfermline. In 1869 a branch was placed there, but 
 in 1875 the leasehold of the premises and business were 
 made over on fair terms to all parties, and the Cowden- 
 beath members and others set up a society for themselves in 
 what had been the premises of Dunfermline Society. Still 
 another branch was opened, in the village of Townhill, in 
 1877, in buildings erected by the society. By 1880 the 
 village of Crossgates was invaded by Dunfermline Society, 
 and they opened what has proved a most successful branch 
 
156 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 since the very start. In Albany Street, the society in 1883 
 bought some handsome property, where another branch 
 was opened. The following year a large and well-appointed 
 butchering branch was inaugurated in Queen Anne Street, 
 and since then some property has been secured for business 
 purposes at Rumblingwell. 
 
 A peculiar part of the society's business is tobacco- 
 spinning. It is the only retail society in Scotland that 
 attempts production of this kind. It may be for some 
 local reason that they follow this trade, but the hopes of 
 expansion are not very great. 
 
 There are few towns in Scotland where " the store " is 
 held in higher respect than in the " auld grey toon " ; it 
 has simply revolutionised the character and the homes of 
 the people for miles around, thanks to men like James 
 Richardson, Willie Brown (who was a bailie of the burgh, 
 and for many years a useful member of the directorate 
 of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society), Daniel 
 Thomson (than whom Dunfermline had no truer son), John 
 Kirk (whose advocacy of the " Wholesale " has made him 
 famous), and many others, who have made co-operation 
 in Dunfermline what it is to-day. The membership in 
 1909 was 7,659. 
 
 VALE OF LEVEN SOCIETY. 
 
 . 1861. 
 
 The present position of the Vale of Leven Co-operative 
 Society is all that could be desired, but that position has 
 only been reached after many years of hard work and 
 intelligent administration. It was in the early part of 
 1861 that a number of workmen met in Dalmonch School- 
 room, where it was arranged that a firm of wholesale 
 merchants in Dumbarton should send a weekly supply 
 of provisions, which they would divide themselves. This 
 was only experimental ; for by and by a committee was 
 appointed to draft rules, which were framed on the 
 Rochdale principle, and an appeal to join the newly- 
 formed society was circulated in the district. The 
 following is taken from the circular issued in November 
 1861 : " Co-operation is taking deep root in the country, 
 and is always attended with most beneficial results when 
 managed with prudence and discretion. The objects the 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 157 
 
 co-operative society has in view are first, to provide 
 their customers with such articles as they require of a good 
 quality, and then to sell these articles at the lowest price, 
 or to give the customers the profits on their sales. The 
 Rochdale system, when condensed, is simply this after 
 the profits are ascertained, capital is paid five per cent, 
 per annum, the balance is divided among consumers, 
 members receiving full profits and non-members half 
 profits. The society will be registered under the Limited 
 Inability Act. The purchases will be made with caution, 
 and paid for in cash. The goods will be honestly repre- 
 sented at their value when sold, and paid for in cash 
 which lessens the risk, gives confidence to the purchaser, 
 and enhances the profits . . . ." After giving examples 
 of what co-operation had already done for the workers in 
 Rochdale and elsewhere, the appeal closes with the 
 following, which is worth being reproduced : " We have 
 looked too long for outward help to better our condition. 
 Let Government but give us free trade and peace, and we 
 will soon see better times. We must, by self-denial, 
 elevate ourselves, and purge out of our midst every vice ; 
 purifying ourselves from every pernicious custom ; work 
 out our own social regeneration, united in a firm bond of 
 brotherhood ; frugal, intelligent, and temperate ; diligent 
 in business ; respecting our neighbour ; loving our country, 
 and glorifying in her welfare. Then indeed shall we be 
 worthy of the name and the heritage of British freemen." 
 If such an appeal, of which I have only given a small 
 quotation, did not move the people of the Vale towards 
 unity, then they were indeed hard to get at. It had the 
 desired effect, for about 200 members were enrolled, and 
 a shop was opened in February 1862. The little business 
 prospered, and by 1866 a branch was opened in Bonhill, 
 and a boot and shoe department added. Up till this date 
 all had been smooth sailing, but a storm arose at the end 
 of 1866, when a loss was reported of 129, 133. 6d. During 
 the following year, there was a succession of troubles ; 
 the members, like rodents, left what they believed to be 
 a sinking ship. But a brave little band of seventy all 
 that was left of the gallant two hundred stuck to the 
 vessel (some of them had their all in it), and by tact and 
 patience the ship was brought to port in a short time. 
 
158 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 The course pursued by the members to adjust and place 
 the business on a proper basis is worthy of all praise. 
 They agreed to penalise themselves to the extent of 153. yd. 
 each ; this money, with the reserve fund, cancelled all 
 the past losses. It may be said that they began anew their 
 experiment in co-operation, but with a feeling that they 
 had paid dearly for their first efforts in trying to improve 
 their position. The old Scottish Co-operator, in 1869, in 
 noticing the above action, says : " The members of the 
 Vale of lyeven Co-operative Society have pursued a course 
 of business action that has been the means of redeeming 
 the society from a position which at one time seemed a 
 very hopeless one, and it is creditable to all concerned 
 for the faith they have displayed in the principle, the 
 business tact and capacity they have exemplified in over- 
 coming their difficulties, and the energy and patience 
 which have characterised them in their labours to redeem 
 the society and place it in its present prosperous condition. 
 Their devotion and faith are worthy of imitation by every 
 society placed in adverse circumstances." Confidence 
 having been restored, many returned and deposited 
 capital which they had withdrawn. 
 
 The year 1870 was exceedingly prosperous, and put 
 new heart into the committee and members alike. The 
 principle of profit-sharing with the employees was dis- 
 cussed and agreed to, as the members were of opinion that 
 this was a fundamental principle of co-operation. As far 
 back as 1872 they agreed to form an educational fund. 
 They circulated the Co-operative News free week by week. 
 This was the beginning of the well-equipped educational 
 department that to-day is a credit to the Vale. The 
 handsome and commodious hall and committee- rooms 
 which the society erected some years ago have been of the 
 greatest servic^ to the educational work of the society. 
 There classes are conducted by the women's guild, fre- 
 quent social meetings take place, all tending to inform 
 the minds and brighten the lives of its many members. 
 In 1875 a penny savings bank was initiated, which, like 
 all that the society has put its hand to, has been a great 
 success. An enterprising and wise step was taken in 1872, 
 or fully ten years after the society came into existence. 
 It was resolved to open grocery branches in every village 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 159 
 
 in the Vale. This meant setting up business in Bonhill, 
 Jamestown, and Renton, and two branches in Alexandria. 
 To enumerate the departments would be simply to mention 
 every business that ever was thought of by co-operators. 
 
 The continuous progress of this society, if pleasing to 
 its members and co-operators generally, did not bring the 
 same feelings of satisfaction to some of the traders in the 
 district. But the men of the Vale have always been able 
 to defend themselves ; they resemble Diirer's old knight 
 mounted on his strong steed, and coolly making his way 
 through every difficulty and over every obstacle. 
 
 The present-day members owe much to the pioneers ; 
 but for their self-sacrifice the society would undoubtedly 
 have passed away. Many eminent men since that time 
 have rendered great services to the society ; among them, 
 names like Archibald and Thorburn, and the present 
 manager, Mr Thomas B. Stirling, will always be respected 
 by co-operators in the Vale of Leven. 
 
160 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 There is, in my opinion, no greater social marvel than the 
 manner in which these co-operative societies flourish . . . 
 combined with a consideration of the soundness of the basis 
 on which they are built. IV. E. Gladstone. 
 
 ABERDEEN NORTHERN COMPANY. 
 
 1861. 
 
 MANY circumstances have combined to prevent 
 co-operators generally from knowing and appre- 
 ciating the vigorous and intelligent efforts of 
 this great and successful co-operative company ; 
 and the space at our disposal will not avail in giving 
 all the details of the ramifications and the extensive 
 area over which this excellent organisation holds sway. 
 
 One of the causes which has kept so many co-operators 
 in the South from knowing more about the work of their 
 co-operative brethren in the North is the fact that having 
 been registered under the Limited Liability Act their 
 activities have not been so well known to co-operators. 
 It is only of late years that their representatives have 
 been seen and heard at our great co-operative gatherings. 
 For some years the company has been a member of the 
 Co-operative Union, and the present respected president, 
 Mr George Bisset, has been a member of the Scottish 
 Sectional Board for a considerable time. From a local 
 journal we gather that, as far back as 1830, there were 
 co-operative stores in Aberdeen. Obviously there were 
 too many, because, when the present company was being 
 formed, one of the arguments used against the new venture 
 being registered under the Companies Act was " that 
 so many co-operative societies had failed in Aberdeen, it 
 would be riskv to start another on the old lines." These 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 161 
 
 defunct societies had been carried on during the time 
 when there was no limited liability, with the too frequent 
 result that, when the concern was mismanaged and got 
 into debt, the humble shareholders were held liable for the 
 whole indebtedness which sometimes took everything the 
 poor people had. 
 
 It is recorded that as early as the 'fifties several of 
 the trades in Aberdeen had formed co-operative clubs on 
 Lord Brougham's plan. Meetings had taken place to 
 promote a fusion of those clubs, which in other words 
 meant the starting of a large co-operative society for the 
 workmen. But it was not till February 1861 that 
 William Lindsay, bookseller, Gallowgate, convened a 
 meeting for the purpose of considering the advisability of 
 forming a co-operative society. There was perfect 
 unanimity as to the desirability of starting such an 
 organisation. A provisional committee was appointed, 
 with instructions to procure copies of the Rochdale 
 Pioneers' rules for the following meeting. It was then, 
 after hearing the Friendly Societies and Limited Liability 
 Acts explained, that it was agreed to form the company, 
 and get it registered under the Companies Act. Before 
 the preliminary arrangements were made, attention was 
 called to another co-operative society in the town the 
 Aberdeen Co-operative Society, which was about to start 
 or had just started, registered under the Friendly 
 Societies Act. Negotiations were at once opened up with 
 the hope of securing amalgamation. A very few meetings 
 sufficed to come to an arrangement. The Aberdeen 
 Co-operative Society threw in its lot with the new 
 company, now known as the Northern Co-operative 
 Company Limited. The capital was fixed at 1,000, in 
 shares of one pound each. A directorate of carefully- 
 chosen men set to work to carry out the behests of the 
 enthusiastic shareholders. 
 
 As there has always been some misunderstanding as to 
 how the Limited Liability Act works out co-operatively, 
 we propose to lay before our readers the method of 
 contributing the share capital. It will be seen from the 
 following articles of association that the humblest and 
 poorest inhabitant of Aberdeen can easily become a 
 shareholder. 
 
 L 
 
i62 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 The articles of association in Table A, annexed to the Joint 
 Companies Act 1862, shall not apply, and in lieu thereof the 
 following shall be the articles of the company : 
 
 SHARES. 
 
 I. Every person shall be deemed a shareholder in this company 
 who has applied for a share or shares thereof, by writing under his 
 hand, and who has received written information from the secretary 
 that share or shares have been allotted to him. 
 
 II. The shares may be paid up at once, or in instalments of not 
 less than at the rate of threepence per week in advance. Interest 
 as aftermentioned shall be allowed only on fully paid-up shares, 
 but holders of more than one share may prepay any share or 
 shares, and be entitled to rank for interest thereon. 
 
 III. If several persons are registered as joint holders of any 
 transferred or transmitted share, any one of such persons may give 
 effectual receipts for any dividend or interest payable in respect 
 of such share. 
 
 IV. The directors may decline to register any transfer of shares, 
 unless the transferee be approved by them. In the event of any 
 shareholder wishing to dispose of his shares, he shall first offer 
 them to the company, but if the company decline to purchase 
 them, he may dispose of them to any person of whom the directors 
 approve. 
 
 V. Every shareholder shall be entitled to a certificate, under 
 the common seal of the company, specifying the share or shares 
 held by him, and the amount paid up thereon. 
 
 VI. If such certificate is worn out or lost, it may be renewed on 
 payment of such sum, not exceeding one shilling, as the company 
 may prescribe. 
 
 VII. The transfer books may be closed at the discretion of the 
 directors, during the fourteen days immediately preceding the 
 ordinary general meeting in each half-year, statutory notice being 
 given. 
 
 VIII. Every application for one or more shares shall be accom- 
 panied by a deposit of one shilling, to be placed to the credit of the 
 reserve fund of the company, but returnable to the applicant if 
 refused admission to the company. 
 
 IX. No shareholder or joint-shareholder shall hold more than 
 one hundred shares. 
 
 From the above articles it will be seen that the entrance 
 is easy, and the success of the company has proved that 
 the working-classes of Aberdeen have not been slow to 
 avail themselves of its advantages. 
 
 The first shop, opened in 1861, was a great success from 
 the beginning. Some idea of this humble start may be 
 gathered from the fact that the rent of this shop was only 
 18 per annum. A leaflet circulated by the company at 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 163 
 
 the time ran as follows : " This company is now 
 incorporated under the Joint Companies Acts, 1856 and 
 1857. The business in the grocery and provision line 
 commences this day, 4th July 1861, in the large and 
 central premises, 51 Gallowgate. The company will 
 carry on this business on the following principles to keep 
 the goods of the best quality, to sell at a very moderate 
 profit, and for ready-money only. The number of share- 
 holders is two hundred and twenty-three. The company 
 is founded on the Rochdale model." 
 
 Such was the beginning of this great and successful 
 co-operative experiment. In looking over the names and 
 designations of the first directorate, we find they were all 
 working-men, if we except one who signs himself an 
 ironmonger. The business rapidly increased, but the 
 directors kept pace with it, cautiously adding one 
 department at a time, after they had thoroughly satisfied 
 themselves of its necessity and practicability. Thus in 
 time were added baking, drapery, tailoring, millinery and 
 dressmaking, also boot and shoemaking. Soon butcher- 
 meat was included, then coal-dealing, and last, but not 
 least, a meal mill was added to their now gigantic 
 business. 
 
 We regret that it is impossible in this brief sketch to go 
 fuller into some of their enterprises, but there is one 
 exceptional department which deserves a word in passing. 
 Aberdeen, because of its geographical position, has to ship 
 the greater part of its coal from the North of England. 
 The company has a large business in this article ; they 
 did a coal trade last half-year of 16,564, 8s. yd., and to 
 cope with this great business they bought a steam-vessel 
 to bring the coal from the English ports. They have 
 appropriately named the vessel Thrift. The officers and 
 crew number thirteen. This vessel cost 10,782, but by 
 depreciation it now stands in the books of the company 
 at 7.730. 
 
 In 1909 the number of shareholders was 19,749, holding 
 141,461 shares, 141,203 of which were paid up. The 
 retail sales for six months were 323,096, on which a 
 dividend of 35. 4d. per pound was paid. 
 
 It is not to be supposed that this great concern has been 
 conducted so successfully without getting much adverse 
 
164 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 criticism from the traders of the town. Efforts to 
 displace some of the leading men from their employment 
 have been tried and failed. But the greatest trouble 
 the company has had to contend with came from within 
 its own ranks. About 1906 a feeling of revolt was noticed 
 among a few shareholders, who expressed their doubts as 
 to the solvency of the company and the methods of its 
 management. They formed what they called a vigilance 
 committee, and left no stone unturned to harass the 
 executive. The directors faced the situation with courage 
 and prudence. Matters went so far that a motion was 
 brought forward to dismiss the present board of directors. 
 This was ruled incompetent ; but, to restore confidence, 
 and vindicate their own position, they had the assets of 
 the company valued by neutral parties. Mr Robert J. 
 Smith, C.A., who had been recommended by the directors 
 of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society as a 
 suitable person to make an investigation into the affairs 
 of the company, was called in. Mr Smith, after a most 
 exhaustive examination, reported to a meeting of share- 
 holders that he was satisfied with the soundness of the 
 financial position of the company, and declared there was 
 a surplus of 21,011, 2s. lod. There was no doubt some 
 soreness caused by this defeat of the vigilance committee, 
 but the crisis passed. The position of the directors was 
 vindicated, and peace now reigns where too long there 
 had been strife. 
 
 There have been many friendly overtures between 
 the Aberdeen Northern and the Scottish Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society, in the hope that a way might be 
 found whereby the company might reap the advantages 
 of wholesale co-operation. The company has signified 
 its wish to become a member, and the Wholesale 
 Society would gladly welcome it if legal difficulties were 
 removed. This is to be hoped for, as much good would 
 result from such a union. We cannot close these remarks 
 without expressing our appreciation of the splendid 
 condition of the first minute-book of the company. 
 Although fifty years old, it is as fresh and well kept as if 
 it had been written a year ago. The scrap books kept by 
 the company is a useful auxiliary; every newspaper 
 cutting referring to the company since its inauguration 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 165 
 
 has been preserved, and thus a lucid history is ready- 
 made. Mr Valantine and Mr Doig, past chairmen, and 
 Mr Ferries, the courteous secretary, have all done useful 
 work for Aberdeen Northern, by the enthusiastic and 
 self-sacrificing way in which they performed their duties. 
 Mr George Bisset, the present chairman, has won the 
 confidence of all classes by his courteous, firm, and 
 intelligent performance of difficult duties for many years. 
 
 PAISLEY MANUFACTURING SOCIETY. 
 1862. 
 
 In the late 'fifties Paisley had suffered much from 
 trade depression : in fact, it was the beginning of the 
 transition that came over the town before another 
 decade passed away. Handloom weaving had suffered 
 frequently in the past from change of fashion and other 
 causes, but now it was nearing extinction. The power- 
 loom had come to stay ; and the harness plaids, which 
 were really works of art, were no longer in demand. 
 Having a vivid recollection of these times, we have often 
 wondered how the many excellent men who were trained 
 to the weaving trade managed to survive when their 
 occupation was gone. 
 
 No doubt the existence of the distributive societies set 
 some of the intelligent minds to think out the application 
 of co-operative principles to production. The question 
 would naturally be well discussed before practical steps 
 were taken. In the summer of 1862 a decision was 
 arrived at. A manufacturing society was formed, and a 
 committee of seven set to work in a very humble way to 
 begin to build the edifice that to-day reflects so much 
 credit on the weavers of Paisley. The day of small things in 
 our co-operative work has always been the day of difficulty 
 and grave concern. The experience of these weavers was no 
 exception to this. They wisely began in a humble way, 
 for the good reason that their means were very small ; 
 and while they had sufficient knowledge of the practical 
 part, their experience of the commercial part of the work 
 was extremely limited. The secretary's house, at 
 25 Cotton Street, served as their committee-room, and 
 also as the warehouse where their goods were stored. 
 
166 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Sympathetic friends gathered round them as time went 
 on, and by and by they were enabled to lease a warehouse 
 for three years at 2 Gauze Street. They manfully 
 struggled on, and by the end of 1865 they announced that 
 their sales for that year had been 1,047, an ^ their 
 capital had reached the respectable sum of 818. 
 Nothing daunted by the adverse circumstances which 
 they encountered during the next two or three years, in 
 which they made little or no progress, they gradually 
 emerged into the light of success. No sooner were they 
 in possession of profits from their united efforts, than 
 the co-operative spirit which had animated them all 
 along was expressed in a resolve to share the profits with 
 the purchasers, and, only a year later, also with every 
 worker whom they employed. This was in 1869. The 
 business for a time was conducted at 14 St Mirren Street, 
 and later at No. 7 of the same street. These premises 
 they were forced to leave in 1873. What seemed a 
 forlorn hope only eleven years before, when they started, 
 was now recognised as one of the permanent businesses 
 of the town. In order to cope with the extending 
 business, the property situated at 114 Causeyside was 
 purchased for 2,040. 
 
 Up till the year 1870 only individuals were admitted 
 members. But the executive in that year wisely opened 
 their membership to co-operative societies, and their 
 neighbour, Paisley Kquitable Society, was the first to 
 take up one share, which has been frequently added to 
 since that time, till now they hold over one thousand 
 shares. From 1870 the fame of the Manufacturing 
 Society spread over Scotland, and some English societies 
 also began to take an interest in its progress. Thus 
 in 1874 we find that thirty-seven societies had become 
 members, eight of which were English. The sales for 
 the year 1873 were 6,860, while the capital had now 
 reached 3,029. Let it be understood that neither of 
 the two successful distributive societies in the town 
 had a drapery department in connection with their 
 business, so that the Manufacturing Society became the 
 source of supply for both of these growing concerns. 
 By the year 1883, or twenty-one years from its founding, 
 the Manufacturing Society had become popular, and 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 167 
 
 comparatively wealthy. The sales for that year amounted 
 to I 3>546, the capital was now 7,554, while sixty-one 
 co-operative societies had become" members. 
 
 An important departure was resolved upon in 1888. 
 It was decided to build a weaving factory and warehouse 
 to meet the requirements of the business. A site was 
 fixed on at Colinslee, and by the end of March 1890 the 
 factory was complete ; forty-eight looms were running, 
 with the necessary winding, warping, beaming, and other 
 apparatus that go to make up a modern factory. The 
 trade bounded up, and the year's business reached 
 44,697. So great was the demand upon the society for 
 their goods, that the year in which the factory was started 
 had not closed when a further extension was decided upon. 
 The factory was to be enlarged to accommodate two 
 hundred looms. Instructions were also given to extend 
 the warehouse accommodation at Colinslee, so as to 
 enable the society to undertake the making-up of shirts, 
 blouses, and underclothing. These extensions involved 
 an outlay of about 5,000, and were ready for occupation 
 in 1898. 
 
 Property to the value of 3,500 was purchased by the 
 society at I, 2, and 3 Causeyside, in 1903. Here the 
 registered office and the committee-room are now located, 
 the remainder of the property being fully let to other 
 parties ; but the committee are in hopes that at an early 
 date, owing to the continued expansion of the business, 
 they will be able to use the whole of the property for 
 their own business. 
 
 For the year 1904 the returns show that the membership 
 was 2,372, consisting of 311 societies holding 21,373 shares, 
 and 1,992 individuals holding 13,515 shares, 69 employees 
 holding 438 shares. The total share capital was 34,893, 
 the loans 39,843, or a total capital of 74,736. The sales 
 from the manufacturing department were 44,370, while 
 the sales from the retail department were 46,013, or a 
 total trade of 90,383. When we consider the humble 
 beginning of this experiment, the result in later years is 
 truly marvellous. The two or three handloom weavers 
 have been changed into over three hundred employees. 
 The trade, which was only a few pounds per annum, is 
 now a hundred thousand pounds. Of course, that large 
 
168 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 sum includes the retail department, which deals in many 
 classes of goods not made by the society, but meets the 
 requirements of the membership of the two local 
 distributive societies. 
 
 It may be said, in passing, that the Causeyside, which 
 formerly was anything but a picturesque thoroughfare, 
 will in a short time be transformed into an extremely 
 handsome avenue, and largely through the agency of the 
 co-operative societies. The street has lately been 
 greatly improved by the municipality, and now, with the 
 palatial pile erected by the Provident Society and the 
 attractive premises of the Manufacturing Society, it will 
 soon be by far the finest street in the town. 
 
 From the very inception of the society it has had 
 sagacious leaders, to whom much of its success is due 
 men who gave of their best, night and day, willing and 
 gratuitous service, that co-operative production might 
 succeed. For years, with little or no encouragement from 
 anyone, they fought on, and were only recognised when 
 they had at last become victorious. By that time the 
 few who were left were too old almost to express the 
 pleasure they felt at the success of their early struggles. 
 One of the old champions, who played an important 
 part in the building-up of the Manufacturing Society, 
 still remains. Mr Alexander Hutcheson, an employee of 
 the society, was its trusted president for many years. 
 This position always appealed to us as showing the 
 democratic character of the .Paisley men that they 
 elected and retained the services of one of their employees 
 as their chairman. We still think it was a fine and truly 
 co-operative action. Mr John Gemmell, the present 
 chairman, has done much for the society, and done it 
 well. He is trusted and respected by members and 
 employees alike. 
 
 15: 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 169 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Co-operative societies will raise the feeling of independence 
 in the working-classes ; they will begin to feel that they are 
 not mere hired labourers, but partners and, to a certain extent, 
 capitalists. It is a significant movement of the workers for 
 their own improvement. It would be a happy thing if they 
 succeed. Duke of Argyll. 
 
 AUCHTERARDER SOCIETY. 
 
 1861. 
 
 THIS Perthshire village lies about fourteen miles 
 south-west of the city of Perth, and has a 
 population of about 2,500. The principal employ- 
 ment is found in the woollen industry. Here in 
 1861 a small society was formed by a few of the villagers. 
 Although its rules only date from 1862, it must have been 
 at work the preceding year. This also must have been 
 a spontaneous venture. The City of Perth Society did 
 not start till five years later, so the men of Auchterarder 
 could get no assistance from that source. 
 
 From a manuscript balance-sheet, dated April 1862, 
 we find that the total receipts for the quarter were only 
 201, the capital 44, and the net profit 7, 35. 3d. It 
 is interesting to note that 33. 6d. is laid aside for 
 " intellectual improvement." In the old minute-book 
 which was consulted, this somewhat isolated society seems 
 to have been admirably conducted. To-day it has two 
 hundred paid-up shares in the " Wholesale " ; its pur- 
 chases last quarter from that society were 1,445, i* 8 
 present claims in shares and deposits being over 600. 
 This is splendid work for such a small society, and 
 reflects the greatest credit upon the pioneers and their 
 worthy successors. 
 
170 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 BAINSFORD AND GRAHAMSTON BAKING SOCIETY. 
 GRAHAMSTON AND BAINSFORD CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. 
 
 1861. 
 
 Co-operation, in the form of a baking society, began 
 in Falkirk in the year 1847, under the title of the 
 Bainsford and Grahamston Co-operative Baking Society. 
 The early records of the society are lost, and it is 
 not till the year 1868 that we can speak with certainty 
 of its methods. About that time they paid part of 
 their profits on capital and part on purchases. It 
 is recorded that they paid, in 1868, from forty to fifty 
 per cent, on capital, and from 2s. to 45. 3d. per pound 
 dividend. When the capital increased and new co- 
 operative ideas were more widespread, the old system 
 was departed from, and five per cent, was paid on 
 capital, and the remainder of the profit divided on 
 purchases. Their position to-day is a strong one in regard 
 to capital, which stands at 9,045. Their property is 
 valued at 4,610, and their membership is 1,390. Several 
 overtures have been made in the hope of bringing about 
 amalgamation with the prosperous local society, but up 
 to the present nothing has been accomplished. A strong 
 united society would not only be more economical in 
 working, but would be quite as efficient, and more in 
 harmony with accepted co-operative ideas. 
 
 The Grahamston and Bainsford Co-operative Society was 
 promoted by a few intelligent working-men, who considered 
 the prices charged for the necessaries of life in Falkirk far 
 too high. This same feeling in many other towns had 
 led to the formation of co-operative societies, and the 
 " Falkirk bairns " thought they were fair specimens of 
 their class, and therefore equal to try the experiment 
 of starting a co-operative society. Consequently, early 
 in 1861, after consideration as to how best to make their 
 ideas known, the town-crier or bellman was engaged to 
 summon a public meeting. The bellman had done his 
 work well, for there was a capital turnout of the inhabi- 
 tants. Mr D. Robertson, tailor, was called to the chair, 
 and he explained the object of the meeting. Not a 
 dissenting voice was raised ; the meeting was unanimously 
 in favour of starting a society. A committee was 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 171 
 
 appointed, arrangements made to collect subscriptions, 
 and rules suggested, so that the committee were soon in a 
 position to begin business in a small way in a tiny shop 
 they had rented. There were 36 members, and a share 
 capital of 50. The members grew in number, while the 
 capital gradually increased. Trade flowed rapidly upon 
 the little venture, and in a comparatively short time a 
 one-storey building was purchased to accommodate the 
 growing business. This small building formed the nucleus 
 of the present handsome central premises, other feus 
 being taken in as necessity required. By 1881, or twenty 
 years after the formation of the society, the membership 
 was 355, the share capital 3,059, and the average weekly 
 sales 256. In 1891 there were 1,031 members, a share 
 capital of 15,364, and an average weekly sale of 929. 
 When forty years had elapsed after the society was estab- 
 lished, the sales averaged 1,840 weekly, the capital was 
 37,463, and the members numbered 2,002. 
 
 In 1909 the capital had reached 39,968, the members 
 2,552, and the average weekly sales 111,440. Branches 
 have been planted in various parts of lie town for grocery, 
 drapery, fleshing, shoemaking, coal, and dairy purposes. 
 The profit divided in 1909 amounted to 11,895. An 
 educational committee, supported by the Baking Society 
 conjointly with the local society, do their utmost to 
 keep the ideals of co-operation before the members ; they 
 possess a circulating library, and the Scottish Co-operator 
 is issued free to the members. The charities are well 
 supported, and the two societies have a great influence for 
 good in the town and surrounding neighbourhood. 
 
 BRECHIN EQUITABLE SOCIETY. 
 
 1861. 
 
 It will be remembered that the Brechin "Auld Soshie" 
 was dealt with in an earlier chapter ; it will also be kept 
 in mind that the successor of the "Auld Soshie " is the 
 present "United." The subject of this sketch is the 
 " Equitable/' which was formed in 1861. In the old 
 societies there was a compulsory loyalty enforced, under 
 certain penalties. In Brechin the standard of purchase 
 was eight shillings per week, and not a penny was to be 
 
172 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 spent elsewhere. This went on for many years without 
 being considered a grievance. The profits being divided 
 on shares, purchases was not a factor in the disposal of 
 the profit. It was nearly sixteen years after the inaugu- 
 ration of the Rochdale plan of dividing profits according 
 to purchases before the question was raised in Brechin. 
 
 Towards the end of 1860 some advanced thinkers began 
 to raise the question ; they showed the injustice that was 
 done to the poorer shareholders, who were frequently the 
 largest purchasers, and they condemned the old system 
 as being entirely in the interest of those who had large 
 sums in the society, but who did little or nothing to make 
 the profits by purchasing. By 1861 the question was 
 quite ripe for decision ; every one had made up his mind, 
 and feeling ran high. A meeting was called, and the 
 Rochdale plan of dividing profits was fully explained. 
 The proposed plan had many ardent supporters who were 
 eager for a change of system. When the question was put, 
 it was found that 160 voted for dividing on purchases, and 
 57 voted against. It was a capital majority, but it was 
 not sufficient to alter the rule, which required three- 
 fourths of those voting. The disappointment was great, 
 but the majority were determined to continue the agita- 
 tion. They invited a Mr Chalmers, of Forfar, to lecture 
 to them on the equity of the Rochdale system. This had 
 a most telling effect, and before the meeting separated 
 they had resolved to form a new society, to be con- 
 ducted on the Rochdale principle. 
 
 The breach seems now to have been complete, and the 
 "Auld Soshie," that had started in 1833, was rent in 
 twain. The difficulty of forming a new society was con- 
 siderable, because the men who had seceded were not the 
 capitalists of the society. In all probability, the large 
 shareholders remained in the old society, where there was 
 a certainty of receiving interest. The new society's com- 
 mittee, if they had little capital, had at least plenty 
 of grit ; and they worked incessantly to get members and 
 subscriptions for the new venture. Economy drove them 
 to make some strange arrangements. They must meet 
 frequently, but they were not inclined to spend much on 
 committee-rooms. They took possession of a tumble- 
 down shanty, some twenty feet by twelve, named " the 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 173 
 
 Ark," because it was frequently surrounded by the South 
 Esk when in flood. In this poor place they matured their 
 plans ; and when the initial difficulty of securing members 
 and capital had been overcome, a meeting was called, in 
 July 1861, at which the provisional committee reported 
 that no members had been enrolled and 150 capital 
 subscribed ; thereafter the members present gave instruc- 
 tions to open a shop immediately. Thus was floated from 
 " the Ark " the Brechin Equitable Co-operative Society. 
 The first five months' operations were extremely satis- 
 factory, in spite of many a tussle among the members of 
 the three stores for the other two societies only became 
 one about this time, under the name of the " Brechin 
 United." In the meantime, the " Equitable " had added 
 two branches. 
 
 At a general meeting of the " Equitable," held on 
 nth January 1862, the results reported by the committee 
 gave great satisfaction. The business done by the three 
 shops for the short time they had been opened amounted 
 to 1,578, los. ; the dividend was 2s. per pound ; the 
 membership was now 239 ; and the paid-up capital 309. 
 A bakery had been started, and was reported on as doing 
 well. Energy and ability had triumphed over all diffi- 
 culties. A fourth shop was ordered by the general 
 meeting, which was secured in due time. Before the end 
 of the year (1862) they had built and were in possession 
 of suitable central premises, which served their purpose 
 for over thirty years, continually adding as the business 
 expanded. In the bakehouse they had five ovens con- 
 stantly in use. The various departments were taken 
 up as required, till the members could be supplied with 
 every necessity of life. In 1863 we find them ordering 
 a shipload of coal to be brought from Newcastle to 
 Montrose. 
 
 The first decade of the society's existence closed in 
 September 1871. The sales for the last year had been 
 22,876 ; the membership now was 751, with a paid-up 
 capital of 4,803 ; and the dividend was 2s. 6d. per pound 
 on purchases. More property was acquired for business 
 purposes, and dwelling-houses for members were also 
 erected, notably a range of working-men's model houses 
 on part of the Newington property at Montrose Street. 
 
174 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 In 1881 the present able manager, Mr Fred. M'Leod, 
 was appointed, who has been a most valuable asset 
 to the " Equitable." By 1903 the sales for the year 
 were 37,585, the members numbered 1,918, the paid-up 
 capital was 29,872, and the dividend 33. per pound. 
 
 In this brief sketch it is impossible to convey to the 
 reader the amount of unselfish and energetic work that 
 was done by the early committees of this successful 
 society. They seem to have been animated from the very 
 first by a broad and intelligent outlook. They antici- 
 pated their difficulties, and thus lessened their force ; they 
 tempered their energy with caution, and made sure of 
 new ground before they advanced. But their co-operative 
 efforts were not confined to their own society. They sent 
 a representative to the first conference, in 1868, where the 
 Wholesale Society's formation was discussed. And if the 
 reader looks at the list of societies prepared by the 
 Registrar, he will see that Brechin Equitable divided more 
 profits in that year than any other society in Scotland ; 
 in fact, it had the largest co-operative business in the 
 country at that time, and had only been five years in 
 existence. 
 
 Brechin Equitable was an early member of the 
 "Wholesale," and, considering its geographical position, 
 a very loyal one. At present it has two thousand paid-up 
 shares and deposits of 8,763 a total claim of 10,673 
 at the Wholesale Society. Its purchases from the " Whole- 
 sale " total over 20,000 per annum. It is a splendid 
 record, and the just reward of adhesion to principle. 
 
 The relationship of the two societies is exceedingly 
 harmonious, although they have followed different lines 
 of policy, the Brechin United not yet having seen its way 
 to affiliate itself with the Wholesale Society. Many efforts 
 have been made to bring these two great forces for good 
 into line with each other, but up to the present they 
 " each tak aff their several way." Let us hope that 
 before long amalgamation will put an end to this 
 unco-operative state of matters, which would be an 
 economy both in energy and money. The " Equitable " 
 has had quite a crowd of able administrators all through 
 its history, and it is therefore difficult to particularise, but 
 men like Beattie, the first chairman, and Ford, also a 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 175 
 
 chairman, and William Scott, the first manager, cannot 
 be passed over. Mr George Napier, who was president in 
 1903, was not only courteous, intelligent, and eloquent, 
 but an outstanding co-operator. Mr M'Leod, who for the 
 last thirty years has managed the society with such zeal 
 and success, has won the confidence and respect of all who 
 have come into contact with him. 
 
i;6 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 There is a way of winning more by love than fear: 
 Force works on servile natures not the free. 
 
 Ben Jonson. 
 
 ALLOA SOCIETY. 
 
 1861. 
 
 AMONG the many excellent periodicals published by 
 the Messrs Chambers of Edinburgh, few have done 
 so much lasting good as the Miscellany, published 
 in 1861, in which the working of the Rochdale 
 Pioneers Society was described. Mr Archibald Ewing, 
 who was manager of AUoa Co-operative Society for over 
 forty years, says that " the article was read by many of 
 the working-men in Alloa at the time of its publication." 
 It set many men in Scotland to reflect besides the men of 
 Alloa, and was the direct cause of many stores being 
 started. Rochdale was appealed to for information. 
 Judging from some old minute-books which have been 
 consulted, Mr Cooper, secretary of the Rochdale Society, 
 must have had a busy time of it answering all the 
 questions that poured in upon him from all quarters ; 
 but Mr Cooper was courtesy itself, and gave sage advice 
 that has led to many co-operative successes. 
 
 At the first meeting held for the purpose of starting a 
 co-operative society, it seems that those who were loudest 
 in demanding a store an attractive store, well stocked, 
 and situated in the best part of the town were the very 
 men to hesitate to subscribe ; so that for want of cash the 
 first meeting was not productive of any results. About a 
 fortnight after, an informal meeting took place of a few 
 friends, who had been interested in the scheme from the 
 beginning. After earnest consideration it was agreed to 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 177 
 
 form a society, but in a much more humble way than had 
 been suggested at the first meeting. They drew up a 
 document, which read as follows : " We, the undersigned, 
 with a view to start a co-operative society on the Rochdale 
 principle, hereby agree to subscribe five shillings each, to 
 be taken up in two instalments." This document was put 
 into the hands of George Beattie and another, in the hope 
 that many signatures would be secured, but, after much 
 canvassing, only eleven names were adhibited. The names 
 of those pioneers were George Beattie, Robert Millar, 
 James Wilkie, David Rolland, Archibald Ewing, William 
 Cunningham, William Cooper, James Low, David Easton, 
 Walter M'Laren, and John France. Thus with eleven men 
 and fifty-five shillings Alloa Society began. A small shop 
 was rented at 4 per annum. The work of preparing and 
 altering the shop was done by themselves ; and by the 
 time a couple of shelves and counter were fitted in, some 
 second-hand weights got, and a small quantity of tea and 
 sugar bought from a firm in the town, the fifty-five shillings 
 of capital was exhausted. The position was serious, their 
 credit was nil, and they had scarcely any stock to sell even 
 if customers called. They reasoned together ; they would 
 make a bold effort rather than own defeat. They placed 
 the eleven names before a merchant in the town who dealt 
 in the goods they required, and informed him of their 
 position, soliciting his good offices in trusting them with 
 some goods, for which they could offer nothing but the 
 eleven working-men's names. Mr Andrew, the merchant, 
 looked over the names, and said, " I know a number of 
 these men ; be good enough to let them know that we will 
 supply them with what they want in our line." This was 
 a splendid testimonial of character to these poor but 
 honest workmen. 
 
 The little shop was stocked in this way, and the next 
 step was to elect office-bearers. George Beattie became 
 chairman, Robert Millar treasurer, and Archibald Ewing 
 secretary ; the remaining eight which formed the member- 
 ship would naturally fall into line as the committee. The 
 stock of the shop, it may be stated, consisted of only seven 
 articles of consumption. The little band solemnly styled 
 themselves the Alloa Co-operative Society Limited. 
 Archibald Ewing and Robert Millar were deputed to open 
 
178 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 the shop in the evenings from seven till nine o'clock, on 
 Saturdays from five till nine o'clock. By the end of the 
 first quarter they had made three new members. 
 
 It was slow and trying work. The people of the town 
 had not studied the question of co-operation, and were 
 somewhat prejudiced against the little store. Mr Bwing 
 says that he was approached by a foreman in one of the 
 mills, who warned him of the coming failure of the store, 
 saying, " your little society has not the confidence of the 
 working-men of the town and you cannot expect anything 
 but failure." Within two years, Mr Hwing adds with a 
 smile, that man was amongst us, taking his part in the 
 now thriving store. 
 
 The first year's sales amounted to 445, or a weekly 
 average of 8, irs. ; the second year averaged 24 per 
 week, and the third year 100 per week. It reads like 
 fiction, but " truth is stranger." What a passion for 
 principle, what sterling honesty, what ceaseless toil entirely 
 unremunerated ! The days of chivalry are not gone when 
 men would sacrifice themselves as these pioneers did. 
 Now Alloa Society is a blessing to the whole community, 
 having followed for all these years the upright policy 
 inaugurated by the pioneers. 
 
 The difficulties of this society may have been less than 
 many other societies in Scotland. One can only account 
 for that by the growing confidence the members had in 
 their leaders. They were not without enemies, who 
 through the columns of the local press attacked them with 
 abuse, seeing they could not attack them with argument. 
 A dignified contempt in time brought peace. Loyal to 
 their own society, they have been loyal to the movement. 
 An early member of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society, it has had a representative on the board 
 almost continuously for the last thirty-three years. The 
 Ironworks loss frightened some members for a time, 
 but in a few months confidence was restored. This shows 
 how sensitive the movement is, and how far-reaching 
 are the results of any mistake at headquarters. By the 
 Oak Mill failure Alloa Society lost 250 ; and a further 
 200 was lost when the Bo'ness Pottery collapsed. 
 
 It is interesting to note that it is thirty-eight years since, 
 by instruction of committee, all the shops of the society 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS 4 LEADERS 179 
 
 were shut at twelve o'clock on Tuesdays, and this half- 
 holiday to employees has been rigidly adhered to for all 
 those years. The shares of the society have always been 
 withdrawable, which no doubt has frequently aided the 
 members in distress. Like most of our Scottish societies, 
 Alloa always remembers the poor and afflicted ; in 1909 
 over 100 was voted to charities. Their members' claims 
 in the same year were 84,165. Their property, which had 
 originally cost 59,987, has now a nominal value of 41,238. 
 The sales of the society for the year was 173,291 ; the 
 profit, 7,666, or 35. 7d. per pound. The membership is 
 4,121. Cottage-building for the members is encouraged, 
 while education and recreation receive considerable 
 attention. 
 
 The central premises of the society is one of the features 
 of the town, where the members can be supplied with 
 everything from the proverbial needle to anchor. 
 Branches are to be found in the neighbouring villages, such 
 as Kincardine, also Tullibody (which was an independent 
 society up till lately, when Alloa took it over), and Airth. 
 Next year (1911) will be the jubilee of the society, when it 
 is hoped that the sales will reach 200,000. Speaking to 
 one of the large employers of labour in the town, he said 
 to us, "I am proud of the men of Alloa ; their successful 
 store is a monument to their honesty and intelligence." 
 To Mr Ewing and Mr William Thomson (the present chair- 
 man), and many other enthusiasts, the people of Alloa 
 are indebted for their self-sacrificing efforts on behalf of 
 the society. The late Mr Walter Rae, manager, was a 
 worthy successor of those he followed. 
 
 BO'NESS SOCIETY. 
 1861. 
 
 Although somewhat aside from the beaten track, and not 
 easy of access, Bo'ness Society has distinguished itself 
 frequently by the deep interest it has shown in matters 
 co-operative. Its history is similar to that of many other 
 societies in Scotland full of difficulties at the beginning, 
 which were overcome by the determined perseverance 
 of its founders. 
 
i8o HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 It was in April 1861 that a few workmen, who had talked 
 the matter over, had come to the conclusion that Bo'ness 
 was a suitable place to begin a co-operative society. 
 It was really a working-class locality ; the nature of the 
 employment, especially in the shipping, was somewhat 
 irregular, which kept many of them at a very low standard 
 of living. Twenty good men and true were got together 
 at a preliminary meeting, and a resolution was carried 
 to start a co-operative society right away. They resolved 
 that the funds of the society be raised in shares of one 
 pound each, and that each member be limited to twenty 
 shares ; that the shares be paid up by instalments, the 
 first to be one shilling, and thereafter the subscription 
 to be not less than threepence per week ; and no person 
 to have a vote till he had paid five shillings towards 
 shares. A provisional committee was appointed, and the 
 first name mentioned for committee was John Ramsay, 
 a name that can never be disassociated from the difficulties 
 and the successes of Bo' ness Society. John Ramsay was 
 cheerful and optimistic when every other person was 
 downcast. We used to regard him as a kind of Mark 
 Tapley ; he seemed never to have lost the buoyant 
 spirit of boyhood. At the same time, he was a sagacious 
 leader, and was held in respect by his colleagues. They 
 appointed him the first chairman of the young society. 
 It was the month of June before they had a little shop in 
 which to begin business, and from the minutes it would 
 appear that the shop was only to be open on Saturday and 
 Monday nights ; two of the committee being appointed 
 to act as salesmen on these occasions. The first night the 
 store was opened, the sales amounted to 4, 55. 4d. There 
 was great rejoicing in Bo' ness over this great commercial 
 feat, and it certainly had an inspiring effect on those wha 
 were inclined to hold back. This form of shopkeeping went 
 on till October, when it was found that the shop would 
 require to be opened daily. A girl was then appointed as 
 saleswoman. Her salary and conditions of labour do not 
 reflect generosity on the part of the committee : the hours 
 were to be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for five days a week, and 
 on Saturdays from 8 a.m. till 10 p.m. ; the wage was fixed 
 at eight shillings per week. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 181 
 
 The committee seem to have ordered every article that 
 -was sold in the shop, and likewise fixed the selling price ; 
 and this, of course, engaged their time and attention to a 
 large extent. Their differences of opinion as to qualities 
 and quantities are expressed in a peculiar manner in the 
 minutes of the committee. The business was carefully 
 watched in the interest of the members, and there was 
 great excitement in expectation of the first dividend ; 
 it turned out to be one shilling per pound, and all were 
 satisfied. But by and by there was no profit, and 
 the business and membership decreased. A motion 
 to wind up the society was brought forward, but, happily, 
 was defeated. The committee never lost heart. Later 
 on they began to sell a few boots and shoes, and 
 extend the variety of goods sold ; with this, and a spirited 
 propaganda, they began to make headway. A salesman 
 was now in the shop, and seems to have given satisfaction. 
 Still it was slow work for a long time. In 1862 they had 
 only fifty -five members, and a capital of 101. The sales 
 were 636, and the profits 16, giving an average dividend 
 of lod. By 1867 they had left the most of their serious 
 difficulties behind them, and their course was now upward 
 and onward. To-day they have a well-equipped business 
 in all its departments. Branches have been extended as 
 far as L,inlithgow, all doing useful work over a large district, 
 which is highly appreciated by an ever-growing member- 
 ship. The fight to establish this now successful society 
 was a hard and a long one; but the present members 
 are indebted to a band of heroic men, who led at the 
 beginning, and to their successors, who have followed and 
 developed the policy of the pioneers. Men like Ramsay, 
 Crossthwate, Grant, King, and the present chairman, 
 Mr Gardner, have made a new social history in Bo' ness. 
 
1 82 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 The following table will tell the wonderful history of 
 this society even better than words : 
 
 Year. 
 
 Number 
 of 
 Members. 
 
 Share 
 and Loan 
 Capital. 
 
 Sales. 
 
 Profits and 
 Interest. 
 
 Average 
 Dividend 
 per. 
 
 Buildings 
 and Fixed 
 Stock. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1862 
 
 56 
 
 101 
 
 636 
 
 16 
 
 10d. 
 
 23 
 
 1867 
 
 261 
 
 483 
 
 1,025 
 
 381 
 
 1/2 
 
 194 
 
 1872 
 
 494 
 
 3,970 
 
 2,263 
 
 737 
 
 2/ 
 
 657 
 
 1877 
 
 617 
 
 5,136 
 
 23,635 
 
 2,992 
 
 2/2 
 
 2,043 
 
 1882 
 
 684 
 
 5,372 
 
 27,880 
 
 4,548 
 
 2/10 
 
 1,912 
 
 1887 
 
 1,152 
 
 11,764 
 
 46,128 
 
 6,568 
 
 2/8 
 
 3,354 
 
 1892 
 
 1,140 
 
 14,635 
 
 45,000 
 
 7,788 
 
 3/ 
 
 5,157 
 
 1897 
 
 1,117 
 
 20,136 
 
 47,016 
 
 8,546 
 
 3/ 
 
 9,362 
 
 1898 
 
 1,134 
 
 21,568 
 
 38,436 
 
 6,008 
 
 2/5 
 
 10,920 
 
 1899 
 
 1,058 
 
 21,174 
 
 42,900 
 
 7,476 
 
 3/ 
 
 10,949 
 
 1900 
 
 1,046 
 
 19,632 
 
 40,360 
 
 7,764 
 
 2/10 
 
 10,608 
 
 1901 
 
 1,070 
 
 20,988 
 
 44,904 
 
 8,192 
 
 3/2 
 
 10,740 
 
 1902 
 
 1,109 
 
 22,737 
 
 47,632 
 
 9,112 
 
 3/4 
 
 10,539 
 
 1903 
 
 1,178 
 
 24,201 
 
 50,836 
 
 10,520 
 
 3/8 
 
 10,526 
 
 1904 
 
 1,305 
 
 26,214 
 
 54,924 
 
 11,600 
 
 3/8 
 
 11,642 
 
 1905 
 
 1,529 
 
 28,438 
 
 65,516 
 
 13,444 
 
 3/8 
 
 11,363 
 
 1906 
 
 1,639 
 
 30,964 
 
 66,820 
 
 13,667 
 
 3/8* 
 
 14,623 
 
 1907 
 
 1,690 
 
 30,502 
 
 71,155 
 
 17,027 
 
 3/8 
 
 19,104 
 
 1908 
 
 1,752 
 
 32,663 
 
 76,847 
 
 17,642 
 
 3/6 
 
 22,144 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 183 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 All your strength is in your union, 
 All your danger is in discord; 
 Therefore be at peace henceforward, 
 And as brothers live together. 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
 LANARK PROVIDENT SOCIETY. 
 
 1861. 
 
 BEING in the immediate vicinity of the great work 
 carried on by Robert Owen at the beginning of 
 the century, many traditions and memories of 
 Owen and his work would still linger among 
 the people. Some of the men, we believe, who 
 were early members of Lanark Society had as children 
 been in Owen's school. Forty years had passed away 
 when a few workmen banded themselves together for 
 the purpose of forming a modern co-operative society. 
 It was a humble beginning; but what these men 
 lacked in capital, they made up for in a complete faith 
 in the principles of united effort. They each agreed 
 to subscribe threepence per week, and this they con- 
 tinued for eight months. During this period they were 
 doubtless gathering much information to guide them in 
 their future action. By the end of November 1861 they 
 ventured to call a meeting, and lay their views before the 
 public ; they were also in a position to submit rules for 
 the guidance of the proposed society. The proposition 
 was readily accepted ; the rules were adopted, and ordered 
 to be registered. This was completed on loth January 
 1862, and at the next general meeting it was agreed to 
 open a shop, and a committee of eleven was appointed 
 to carry out the resolutions of the meeting. It was six 
 
1 84 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 months after the rules were registered before the shop was 
 opened namely, the i4th June 1862. In the interim 
 many general meetings of the members were held. The 
 present able secretary says that during this period " things 
 were lively in L/anark." No less than four presidents had 
 filled the chair during those six months, and many changes 
 had taken place in committee. This did not look very 
 rosy for the future of the young society. The shop was 
 in charge of a salesman, who was in receipt of fifteen 
 shillings per week. The capital, which had been in course 
 of subscription for many months, only amounted to 32, 
 and 20 of this had been spent on fixed stock. It will be 
 seen that this was a very tender plant, and would require 
 the most delicate nursing. The committee were equal to 
 the occasion. They argued that the want of knowledge 
 had much to do with the backwardness of the people in 
 accepting the principles of the movement, so they engaged 
 the well-known Alexander Campbell of the Sentinel to 
 lecture to the members. Whatever was the result of 
 this lecture, it could not now be said that they did not 
 understand co-operation, for Campbell was by far the most 
 accomplished advocate of the movement at that time. 
 
 The sales for the first year were 1,142, and the first 
 dividend paid was 6d. per pound on purchases, non- 
 members 4d. The total profit for the first year only 
 amounted to 28, 145. 8d. The following year there was 
 a slight improvement, the sales being 1,409, and the 
 profit 61. The corner was turned, the people began to 
 have confidence in the store, and also began to take a 
 practical interest in it. Four years after its formation the 
 sales for the quarter had reached 1,094, and the profit 83 
 for the same period ; the dividend now was is. 9d. per 
 pound. Still the capital was small ; it only amounted to 
 245. An article appearing at this time says : " The 
 population of the town is chiefly engaged in handloom 
 weaving, and the membership is almost exclusively com- 
 posed of that trade, an occupation in the best of times but 
 miserably remunerated, and the average earnings are 
 greatly interfered with by the fluctuations which this trade 
 above all others is subject to. None but those acquainted 
 with the trade of this society could form an idea of the 
 labour which this turnover of 28 weekly entails upon the 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 185 
 
 servants of the society, owing to the limited means of the 
 members, which obliges them to buy in small quantities and 
 frequentty. With all their disadvantages, they had nobly 
 resolved to conduct their business on cash principles, 
 which circumstance might shame many members of 
 societies receiving credit whose circumstances ought to be 
 such as to place them in a position of purchasing with 
 ready-money. . . . The committee of management have 
 our best wishes. They have established a society of an 
 extent and respectability under circumstances of pecuniary 
 hardship, which says much for their moral worth and 
 business capacity." * 
 
 In 1869 Lanark Society affiliated with the Scottish 
 Co-operative Wholesale Society. At this time a singular 
 controversy arose among the members. They willingly 
 recognised and admitted the benefits of co-operation to 
 individual members in the retail societies, but some of 
 them would not or could not recognise that any benefit 
 would accrue to the retail societies from the Wholesale 
 Society. It appears that this peculiar notion was pretty 
 widespread, for the committee received a numerously 
 signed requisition from the members to hold a special 
 meeting to condemn the action of the committee in 
 sending to the Wholesale Society 50 as loan capital. 
 At the meeting the committee was taken to task, and 
 the minute of the above date says, " The committee 
 defended their action on co-operative grounds. We con- 
 sider the money is safe. But the question may be asked, 
 what guarantee have you ? We have a guarantee to have 
 a voice in the management of the society, and are convinced 
 that failure can only take place when co-operators forget 
 their duty, and seek to destroy or crush in its infancy the 
 future development of the co-operative movement." The 
 decision of the meeting, after much discussion, was that 
 the loan be not withdrawn from the Wholesale Society. 
 
 By the twenty-ninth quarter the sales were nearly 100 
 per week, and the dividend was 2s. per pound. The 
 members were purchasing on a average eight shillings per 
 week per member. Considering the circumstances, this was 
 good work. Lanark even at that early day foreshadowed 
 that policy which distinguishes it to-day its purchasing 
 *Old Scottish Co-operator. 
 
i86 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 from co-operative sources. Already they were doing well 
 at the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, and they 
 were naturally proud of their first dividend from that 
 organisation, which amounted to 4, 6s. nd. While 
 monetary matters naturally absorbed a good deal of their 
 attention, still the mental development was not forgotten. 
 We read of a lecture being delivered to the members by Mr 
 James Borrowman, which was bound to have an educative 
 effect. The sales still increased during the following years. 
 If we take the figures for 1882, or twenty years after the 
 humble beginning, the sales were 14,921 ; the profit, 
 1,598 ; dividend and interest from the Wholesale Society 
 being 220, 95. 4d. Ten years later (1892) the sales were 
 21,635 ; the profit, 2,878 ; dividend and interest from 
 the Wholesale Society being 556, 155. nd. The increases 
 still continued. By another ten years (in 1902) the sales 
 were 37,418 ; the profit, 5,607 ; the dividend and interest 
 from the Wholesale Society being 1,237. But t* 16 Y ear 
 just closed (1909) is a record, the sales amounting to 
 51,241, and the profit to 7,134- 
 
 The above to our mind is a romance in figures. In 
 1862, after subscribing for months, they could only raise 
 32, and since that time they have declared profits to the 
 amount of 122,271. All honour to the co-operators of 
 I/anark. They allow no travellers from outside merchants 
 to tell them fairy tales of bargains ; the local produce may 
 be said to be all that is purchased outside of co-operative 
 sources. 
 
 In this slight sketch many eminent co-operators should 
 have found a place for work well done, but none 
 deserves mention more than the present secretary and 
 manager, Mr James Murphy, who for many years has 
 conducted the business to the satisfaction of all. His 
 brother, Mr Henry Murphy, president, has won and kept 
 the confidence of all good co-operators for a generation. 
 
 PORT-GLASGOW'S SOCIETIES. 
 
 There are unfortunately two co-operative societies in 
 Port-Glasgow. Fore Street Society was started in 1861, 
 the promoters being workmen engaged in the local ship- 
 yards. From a small shop in Church Street, where the 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 187 
 
 society first saw the light, it opened a larger place in 
 Scarlow Street, where for many years it carried on an 
 increasing business, till about seventeen years ago the 
 property in Fore Street was acquired by the society. The 
 above may serve as an outside history of the society ; 
 but it has had an interesting and inner history. Its 
 difficulties for a long time were not only numerous but 
 sometimes very serious. Happily it has always had on its 
 executive men that were equal to the occasion, and but 
 for whose indomitable courage and intelligence the society 
 must have passed away. In 1866, Mr Bell, the salesman, 
 who was a faithful friend of the society, worked in such 
 harmony and energy with his committee that the difficulties 
 were surmounted and the society placed on a sound 
 financial basis. This was only five years after its start, 
 and it had already established successful baking and 
 drapery departments. The occasional depressions of 
 trade in the shipbuilding industry had its effect on the 
 store ; sometimes it looked really serious, with falling 
 sales and diminished membership, but it still struggled 
 on, now hoping, now fearing. The following report by 
 the directors in 1871 shows an upward tendency. The 
 cash sales for the quarter were 1,142, or 102 more 
 than the previous quarter. After paying necessary 
 expenses, the net profit realised amounted to the sum 
 * 76, 9S. iod., while 16 had been added to the 
 payment of shares in the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society. The directors agreed that a dividend of 2s. per 
 pound be given on members' and is. per pound on 
 non-members' purchases. Although it had at this time 
 been only ten years in existence, and its capital was 
 only 102, a delegate from this society at the quarterly 
 meeting of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society 
 had the temerity to suggest the desirability of the 
 Wholesale Society erecting a sugar-refinery in or about 
 Port-Glasgow. That is nearly forty years ago, and the 
 Wholesale Society has not yet considered it advisable 
 to enter this business. However, Fore Street Society has 
 prospered. To-day it has a thousand paid-up shares and 
 deposits of 5,204 in the funds of the Wholesale Society, 
 its purchases from that institution being 10,889 for the 
 half-year. A truly magnificent result, after all its trials 
 
i88 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 and difficulties. Another successful society, an offshoot 
 from the above, came into existence in 1879, named the 
 " Provident." It will have our attention in its proper 
 place. 
 
 CUMBERNAULD SOCIETY. 
 
 In 1861 the population of this village may have been 
 about 1,500, and has not increased much since then. 
 The industries consisted of coal and limestone mining, 
 and a few looms were still to be found giving a 
 very precarious living to some old weavers. During the 
 year mentioned, some of the workmen employed at Nether- 
 wood Colliery, being dissatisfied with the goods and their 
 prices as supplied to them by the local shopkeepers, and 
 being free to choose their own shops, thought that 
 co-operation would give them a way out of the difficulty. 
 About this time Alexander Campbell was writing on the 
 subject in the Sentinel newspaper, which was beginning 
 to give reports of the success of some societies. After 
 much deliberation, it was decided to establish a society in 
 Cumbernauld. Mr Daniel Cameron, the manager of the 
 colliery, highly approved of the action of the men, and was 
 elected the first president, and Mr Alexander Wilson, a 
 young, intelligent miner, became its first secretary. While 
 collecting, in small sums weekly, the necessary money 
 with which to make a start, the committee wisely 
 engaged Mr Campbell to address the inhabitants on the 
 subject they were all so much interested in. Before that 
 meeting separated forty persons pledged themselves to 
 become members. They had 20 of capital when they 
 rented a small shop at 6 per annum. The opening 
 ceremony, if such it can be called, took place on 8th 
 November 1861. The number of members was now sixty, 
 and the capital had reached 40. They employed a Mr 
 Daskine, who formerly had a small shop in the village, to 
 be salesman, at sixteen shillings per week. From its 
 inception this little effort was an entire success. The 
 first week's drawings amounted to 36, and the sales for 
 the first quarter were 520, the first dividend being is. 8d. 
 per pound. The members were delighted. As their 
 business was conducted on the cash principle, they soon 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 189 
 
 drew all the* respectable workpeople in the neighbour- 
 hood to the shop. The shopkeepers, who seemed to give 
 unlimited credit, were paralysed they were left with the 
 credit customers ; the principal merchant became bank- 
 rupt, his book debts, amounting to over 1,000, being sold 
 for 20. One of this society's admirers, speaking when 
 it had been seven years in existence, said : "It has 
 cheapened the necessaries of life, selling at very small 
 profits, and yet it has benefited the members directly to 
 the amount of 600 during the seven years of its 
 existence." 
 
 
190 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 And if the idea of mutual help the principle 
 that work done should be done for the benefit of 
 all were established, the more they worked together 
 the better it would be for all. Thomas Hughes. 
 
 REDDING SOCIETY. 
 1862. 
 
 MANY of our Scottish co-operative societies owe 
 their inception and formation to the miners- 
 Some of our larger coal-fields are situated at a 
 considerable distance from any town or village, 
 and the colliery proprietors have had to erect rows of 
 workmen's dwellings in the vicinity of the colliery. It 
 cannot be said that those dwellings, as a rule, are 
 either comfortable or picturesque. The massing together 
 of numerous families in somewhat isolated places has 
 always been an attraction for enterprising shopkeepers. 
 The miners, then, were ever at the mercy of any 
 trader that set up a business in their midst, the more 
 especially if there was a licence in connection with it. 
 Because of these circumstances, many intelligent miners 
 in the 'sixties advocated successfully the starting of a 
 co-operative society in the remote colliery villages. 
 Redding was one of those isolated mining districts that 
 lent itself to the formation of a society. Falkirk, the 
 nearest place of any importance, was two or three miles 
 distant. In January 1862, a little society was formed at 
 Reddingmuirhead, a detached hamlet then, but less so 
 to-day, owing to the growth of the population through the 
 introduction of such industries as Nobel's explosive works. 
 Although careful search has been made, not a scrap of 
 information remains in the society's premises regarding 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 191 
 
 its formation. A few of the pioneers are happily still 
 living, but, like old soldiers, each gives a somewhat 
 different description of the campaign, according to the 
 position he occupied. The first rules were signed by 
 James Russel, jun., president; James Bennie, secretary; 
 John Taylor, director ; and James Simpson, trustee. 
 The registration is dated igth February 1862. 
 
 The first minute-book in existence is dated April 1869, 
 and begins with describing the following drama. The 
 opening scene is in an accountant's office in Glasgow ; 
 time, 5th May 1869. Dramatis persona : James Bennie, 
 secretary, and John Chalmers, shareholder, of Redding 
 Co-operative Society, accompanied by their law agent ; 
 in the background were ten or eleven creditors of the 
 society, amongst them being Mr Borrowman, manager of 
 the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, which had 
 only been a few months in existence. The story was 
 soon told. The society was deeply involved with these 
 creditors, and saw no immediate prospect of meeting its 
 obligations. A statement of affairs was submitted by 
 the society's agent, in which time was craved to give the 
 society an opportunity of recovering itself. It was a 
 humiliating spectacle. The representatives of the society 
 had practically nothing to say. Although their rules laid 
 down that the society was to be conducted on ready- 
 money principles, yet the debt of the members had 
 brought them into their present unfortunate position. 
 
 After deliberation, the meeting " appointed an 
 accountant to investigate the state of lie society's 
 affairs, and report to a small committee of the creditors ; 
 and if this committee were satisfied with the report, 
 the society be allowed twelve months to pay the debts 
 due by them, on condition of their lodging in the bank, in 
 name of the accountant and principal creditor, monthly, 
 a twelfth part of their liabilities, to be divided quarterly 
 among the creditors, till the whole claims are paid off. 
 The accountant to be paid by the society ; and a meeting 
 of the creditors to be called in the event of the society 
 failing to lodge the necessary sum in the bank." 
 
 This was the sentence passed on those poor fellows for 
 playing fast and loose with their own rules in regard to 
 that terrible enemy of co-operation, the debt question. 
 
1 92 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 On the following night a special meeting of the members 
 was held to hear the report of their representatives who 
 had attended the meeting of creditors. After hearing 
 the report, the meeting agreed to a proposition of the 
 committee, that they should borrow 180 on security of 
 the lease they had on land and buildings. It is to be 
 inferred from what followed that one of their own 
 members, who had been one of the promoters of the 
 society, at once came forward with the amount required, 
 and the bond was made over to him. 
 
 Another meeting was to be held shortly to consider 
 what steps should be taken to have the members' 
 balances collected. It is interesting to note that at this 
 meeting Mr John Walker was appointed secretary of the 
 society, a position he held for over thirty years, with 
 credit to himself and profit to the Redding Society. A 
 strong effort was made to induce the members to clear off 
 their balances once a quarter, which was fairly successful. 
 At a general meeting, held in August, a resolution was 
 agreed to, that no money could be withdrawn from the 
 society till the society had cleared off all their merchants' 
 accounts. This action, coupled with the committee's 
 determined efforts to compel members to clear off their 
 balances, soon began to have an effect. Another step 
 taken to meet their liabilities was to write off the 
 members' capital a sum equal to the interest due upon 
 creditors' accounts and the expenses of the accountant 
 for his investigation of their affairs. His report had 
 evidently satisfied the creditors, as the society was 
 allowed to go on with the business, but the obligation to 
 make the quarterly payments into the bank to satisfy the 
 creditors was rigidly held to. It is not recorded how 
 much was written off capital at this time, but I have it 
 on good authority that it amounted to eighteen shillings 
 and sixpence per member. To show a little profit, a sum 
 equal to sixpence per pound on purchases was taken from 
 reserve fund. What a determined and protracted struggle 
 these men had to keep the society in life will never be 
 fully known. 
 
 That their continuous troubles had not killed their co- 
 operative spirit is evidenced by their agreeing, in February 
 1870, to take five shares in the Scottish Co-operative 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 193 
 
 Wholesale Society, though, happily, this did not call for 
 an immediate expenditure. The same year they opened 
 a loan fund, inviting their members to contribute, 
 and made over what property they had outside of the 
 former bond to their trustees to be held as security for the 
 lenders. The legal expenses of their financial trouble fell 
 heavily on them in July 1870. Nothing daunted, they 
 unanimously, in general meeting assembled, agreed that 
 135. 3jd. should be taken from each member's capital, 
 except those who had joined the society since October 
 1869. Trade was increasing, and no money was allowed 
 to be paid out, so that financially the society was 
 improving. They were soon in a position to meet any 
 applications for withdrawal of capital ; but they enforced 
 a rule that no member would be allowed to withdraw 
 profits unless he had at least three pounds in the 
 funds of the society. By March 1871 they were enabled 
 to pay back the loan of 180 that had been advanced 
 by one of their old members. The long night was 
 past ; morning had at last dawned on this devoted 
 band. What shall we modern co-operators say of 
 them ? They kept the light of co-operation burning 
 for years amidst what seemed to most people impenetrable 
 darkness. They had no advisers and few sympathisers; 
 on the lonely moor, or in dark coal mine, they studied 
 what seemed for a time their hopeless position. But 
 honesty and determination solved the problem. In May 
 1871 they sent their old and valued director, Mr 
 Peter Maxwell, to be their first delegate at a Wholesale 
 Society quarterly meeting. After this, their former 
 terrible experiences stood by them as a warning ; they 
 instituted safeguards that would in future prevent the 
 debt question again submerging them. Their secretary, 
 Mr John Walker, who only passed away a few months 
 ago, was a tactful and faithful guide, and to him much 
 credit is due for the splendid position this society 
 occupies to-day in the co-operative movement. Their 
 methods for many years might be considered somewhat 
 crude, and their meetings sometimes difficult to control, 
 but there has always been a number of earnest men that 
 worked determinedly and unselfishly for the society's 
 interest. Mr Colin Maxwell, a quiet but thoughtful man, 
 
194 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 during his long connection with the society gave of his 
 best for the good of his fellows. The present manager, 
 Mr Arcnibald Smart, follows the policy of his predecessor 
 with marked success. The outstanding feature of this 
 society is most commendable to other societies. Its 
 property, the original value of which was 16,800, stands in 
 their books to-day at the nominal value of 800 ; it has thus 
 been depreciated by 16,000. It has a capital of 71,304, a 
 membership of 2,474, an( i a trade of 33,231 per quarter, 
 allowing a dividend of 45. 4d. per pound on purchases ; 
 a reserve fund amounting to 3,860, and loans to 
 members for housebuilding purposes, 1,312. There is 
 also a well-stocked library, which is much appreciated by 
 the members. They have now six grocery and drapery 
 centres, also four shoemaking departments, besides bakery 
 and fleshing businesses. Few, if any, societies in Scotland 
 have been so low down as Redding Society, and very few 
 have risen so high, wherl the circumstances are taken into 
 account. 
 
 PORTOBELLO SOCIETY. 
 I86 3 . 
 
 Although Portobello now forms part of the municipality 
 of Edinburgh, with an almost continuous line of buildings 
 between the city and its suburb, the time was when 
 Portobello seemed a long way off, and was completely 
 apart from Edinburgh in nearly all its activities. Of 
 industry there was comparatively little ; the glass works 
 and brick fields being the principal, if we except the 
 building trades, which have always had fair employment 
 because of the continuous extension. In 1863 it was, 
 comparatively, a more unlikely place to form a 
 co-operative society in than it is to-day. However, in 
 the above year a society was started, and it is healthy and 
 sound at present, and likely to continue so as long as the 
 policy that has built it up to its present dimensions is 
 continued. 
 
 A working joiner named Robertson Rodger had left 
 Portobello to follow his trade in Liverpool some years 
 before our story begins, but, returning to Portobello in 
 1862, he soon made a stir among his fellow- workmen. 
 While in England he had come into contact with some 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 195 
 
 enthusiastic co-operators, and, being studious, he soon 
 recognised its power for good among his class ; and, further, 
 he mastered the details necessary for forming a society. 
 On his return to Portobello, he soon fixed on likely 
 comrades who would help him in the rather ambitious 
 task he had set himself. John Borthwick and William 
 Brown, also workmen, joined hands with Rodger, and 
 this trio may be said to have been the joint originators or 
 promoters of Portobello Society. They must have been 
 men of good character and reputation, because, imme- 
 diately they laid their co-operative scheme before their 
 fellows, it was accepted with enthusiasm. 
 
 The usual preliminaries were got through with the 
 minimum of trouble, and the little society started on its 
 useful voyage with the good wishes of a rapidly growing 
 clientele. L4ttle more than a year after they had 
 commenced, we find them voting 2, IDS. to the 
 Wolverhampton locksmiths, to help them in a struggle 
 they at the moment were carrying on for better conditions 
 of labour. Another significant incident we note, that at 
 this early period of their history they ordered eight dozen 
 copies of the Scottish Co-operator, to be distributed 
 monthly among the members of the society. 
 
 In December 1865, what seems to have been their third 
 half-yearly report and balance-sheet was issued by the 
 directors : " Your directors have great pleasure in again 
 presenting you with the usual half-yearly report and 
 balance-sheet, the statements in which show that the 
 society is still in a prosperous condition. The receipts for 
 goods during the half-year amount to 1,989, 195. iofd., 
 being an increase over the previous half-year of 484. 
 During the half-year twelve new members have been 
 added to your society, making the present number 104, 
 after allowing for those who have withdrawn. The net 
 profits amount to 121, 55. 6d., which will allow (after 
 paying the usual interest on capital and placing 6, is. yd. 
 to the reserve fund) a dividend of is. 5d. per pound. 
 The directors are glad to find that the drapery and shoe 
 departments have enjoyed a large share of your 
 patronage, and beg to remind you that the greater the 
 business the better could these departments be supplied 
 with the variety of goods required, and the quicker the 
 
196 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 returns the cheaper could the society afford to sell its 
 goods." 
 
 A capital report for a society only about eighteen 
 months in existence. One favourable item among others 
 in the balance-sheet is the fact that sales to non-members 
 amounted to 343. The society was attracting people 
 who would shortly become members. 
 
 By the time the society was six years in existence 
 (1870) it was doing a business of 3,851 per half-year. 
 The average weekly sales were 142, I2s., the profit was 
 276, allowing of a dividend of is. 7d. per pound. 
 During the half-year twenty-five new members had been 
 added, and eighteen had withdrawn, and the membership 
 was now 137. The balance-sheet shows that at that early 
 date Portobello Society was purchasing well from the 
 young Wholesale Society ; they had received 13, 35. 4d. 
 as dividend and interest from the Wholesale Society, and 
 135. 4d. as profit from the Paisley Manufacturing Society 
 these two items being the cause of much rejoicing 
 among the enthusiasts. In the two items referred to 
 some of the promoters of the society saw the beginning of 
 the expansion of co-operation from the humble village 
 store to a great co-operative commonwealth. Well might 
 Robertson Rodger and his friends be satisfied with their 
 effort to improve the conditions of their fellows. 
 
 The society has now an excellent position ; fine 
 properties, good trade, and sound financially. The late 
 John Poole was president for many years ; he was a wise 
 and cautious guide, and was respected far beyond the 
 area in which his society was situated. Portobello 
 Society to-day has 860 paid-up shares and 1,360 deposits 
 in the Wholesale Society. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 197 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Even if the stores only provided cheaper food, 
 they aided in the improvement of the material 
 condition of the people, which was the beginning 
 of all reforms. E. 0. Greening. 
 
 GRANGEMOUTH SOCIETY. 
 l86 4 . 
 
 IF the beginning of this now flourishing society is not lost 
 in the proverbial mists of antiquity, at least all that 
 would throw any light on its birth and early troubles 
 has gone, no one knows where, years ago. The 
 date of its formation is fairly well proved to have been 
 1864, and some of its promoters were well known as active 
 co-operators for many years after. James Irishman was 
 its first president, John Arnot its first secretary, while the 
 office of treasurer was filled by John Hogg. Like so many 
 other societies in Scotland, its beginning was extremely 
 humble. The registration is dated 2oth April 1864, and 
 the first place of business was a small house containing 
 a room and kitchen ; here the pioneers, with varying 
 fortune, struggled on for some years. It is said that great 
 satisfaction was expressed when the sales reached thirty 
 pounds per week. We have evidence that when the 
 society was seven years in existence it was only doing an 
 average business of 92 per week. In the report at that 
 time prominence is given to the fact that eleven new 
 members had joined during the quarter. The capital of 
 the society, including loans, amounted to the respectable 
 sum of 1,259 ' but already they had sunk 816 in the 
 premises of the society, leaving only about 443 of actual 
 working capital, and at the same time the members' debts 
 stood at 406, 135. 7d. It will thus be seen that their 
 
198 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 capital was far too small. Still they fought on, and in 
 time overcame many difficulties. From their present 
 balance-sheet we gather that they have now a member- 
 ship of 1,450 ; their quarter's sales amount to 14,561, 
 equal to an average weekly purchase of 153. 3d. per 
 member ; and they pay a dividend of 2s. lod. per pound 
 on purchases. Their central and branch establishments 
 comprise grocery, drapery, boots and shoes, baking, 
 fleshing, tailoring, dressmaking, and millinery. The 
 capital (including loans) now stands at 37,691. The 
 original value of their property was 22,608, while its 
 nominal value to-day is 15,097. They have also a 
 reserve fund of 1,810, and they give generously to 
 charities and to educational purposes. 
 
 The society must have been of the greatest benefit to 
 the people of Grangemouth, who periodically suffer from 
 the fluctuations of trade which is more or less felt at all 
 shipping ports. 
 
 GLASGOW EASTERN SOCIETY. 
 1865. 
 
 The Glasgow Eastern Co-operative Society's history is 
 more or less bound up with the early attempts at 
 co-operation in Glasgow, at least in its initial stage. It 
 will be remembered that the second Glasgow Co-operative 
 Society came to grief in 1864. It will also be in the 
 reader's mind that that society had opened branches all 
 over the city. When the crash came, the members in the 
 Parkhead district took over the branch which the Glasgow 
 Society had planted in their midst. This society, called 
 the Parkhead Co-operative Society, was carried on success- 
 fully for many years, being finally amalgamated and 
 merged in the present Glasgow Eastern. In passing, it 
 may be said that the Cranstonhill branch of the Glasgow 
 Society was treated in the same way by the members in 
 the Anderston district, and was known for some years as 
 the Anderston Co-operative Society : this little effort 
 succumbed in 1879. Of course, the failure of the Glasgow 
 Society told heavily against co-operation for many a day. 
 But there were a few of the members who had learned to 
 prize the principles of the movement, although some of 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 199 
 
 them had lost pretty heavily in the late disaster : they 
 had been discouraged, but not defeated. Those of them 
 who resided in the Calton and Bridgeton districts had 
 come to the conclusion that if a co-operative society was 
 carefully and properly managed, the members must be 
 greatly benefited. They began very cautiously. A pound 
 of tobacco, a load of meal, and a cheese was the first 
 experiment, and the articles were divided among the sub- 
 scribers, it is said, in many an out-of-the-way place. In 
 1865 they were in a position to rent a back kitchen in 
 Struthers Street. This was their first place of business ; 
 and anyone looking at their grand and imposing premises 
 to-day would scarcely believe that these buildings were 
 the successors of the humble back kitchen. 
 
 The committee kept the kitchen open a few nights in 
 the week, and they themselves performed the duties of 
 salesmen. There were only eighteen members the first 
 quarter, and some of them were easily served, judging 
 from the exceedingly small sales. The first week's sales 
 amounted to 2, 93. iJd-> the second week's fell to i, 45., 
 and the third week's rose to 3, 175. 6d. After that they 
 seemed to grow, and the first quarter-end showed that 
 sales had been effected to the amount of 101, 53. lid. 
 This was truly a humble beginning ; but the leaders were 
 grateful, and they were able to declare a dividend of 
 eightpence per pound. 
 
 For two years this cautious committee continued the 
 uphill fight, selling the goods in the back kitchen two or 
 three evenings in the week, and giving their attention to 
 buying and administration on the other evenings. No 
 salary, no hope of reward beyond that of making the 
 society a success. It was a struggle, but they felt they 
 were succeeding, and that was everything to them. At 
 length, in 1867, the kitchen was discarded, and a tiny 
 shop was taken in Clyde Street, Calton. Although the 
 business was growing, they would not yet risk the employ- 
 ment of a shopman ; but continued to attend to the 
 customers, only opening the shop in the evenings. 
 
 If we take the sales by the year, the first year's were 
 524, los. 4d. ; the second, 794, 73. iojd. ; and the 
 third, 629, 155. The average dividend had been about 
 ninepence per pound. Not much to boast of, after three 
 
200 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 years' unremitting toil. But this committee was not 
 going to be beaten. They lauded the benefits of the store 
 by day in their workshops and factories, and at night they 
 worked hard to please the customers. At length they saw 
 their way to open the shop in the daytime, a girl being 
 put in charge at ten shillings per week. It is not to be 
 supposed that these amateur shopmen merely sold 
 groceries ; from the very start they dealt in drapery as 
 well. It is strange to-day to read that when the little 
 shop required papering, they bought some pieces of wall- 
 paper, and some of the members were commandeered to 
 place it on the walls. 
 
 It was not till 1868, although they had been in business 
 for three years before, that we find the rules were regis- 
 tered. It was also in this year that the Wholesale Society 
 was formed, and the Eastern was amongst its most earnest 
 supporters and among its first customers. In 1871 they 
 became a member of the United Co-operative Baking 
 Society. By this time the tiny shop had to be given up, 
 and a larger shop was opened in M'Kechnie Street. They 
 also joined with the other city societies at this time in 
 forming the United Drapery Society, which was estab- 
 lished in Argyle Street. Another step forward was the 
 resolution to grant a weekly half-holiday to the store- 
 keeper, and to grant bonus on the wages of the same 
 person. 
 
 After six years' work, the sales for the twenty-fourth 
 quarter amounted to 412, and the profit now allowed of 
 a dividend of is. 3d. per pound. They had still only 
 one employee, the committee being yet willing to lend 
 a hand. 
 
 There are some curious entries in the minutes at this 
 time. "A letter was read from a member, intimating his 
 withdrawal from the society, and agreeing to take the 
 amount of his capital in goods." Another is " that the 
 secretary be instructed to write to the Wholesale Society 
 to know the reason why his letter about the rise in carvie 
 was not answered." Another : "It was duly moved and 
 seconded that we try three tins of New Zealand beef." 
 Still, they were going forward. Some of the members in 
 the lyondon Road district were demanding a branch in 
 their neighbourhood ; and this not being granted, the 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 201 
 
 dissatisfied members started a society of their own, and 
 thus Ixmdon Road Co-operative Society came into 
 existence. 
 
 The starting of a butchermeat department in 1873 was 
 only partially successful for a time ; but even this 
 department was mastered by the Eastern men. Coal was 
 added in due time. A grocery branch was opened in 
 Graham Street, the first week's sales amounting to 12, 
 being largely a deduction from the existing shop. Ten 
 years after this society started (in 1875), the membership 
 was only 130. The sales for that year were 4,772, and 
 the profit yielded is. 5fd. per pound on purchases. 
 
 An educational committee was formed, and a room was 
 rented for the purpose of giving the members an oppor- 
 tunity of meeting in the evenings to hear papers read 
 occasionally. On the other evenings it was used as a 
 reading-room ; and an effort was made to begin a library. 
 This was in 1876, and speaks well for the intentions and 
 character of these early educationists. 
 
 The following year, through the failure of the United 
 Drapery Society, the Glasgow Eastern lost 59, los. id. 
 The stock of the Drapery Society, when its end came, was 
 divided among the shareholding societies, and the portion 
 falling to the Eastern was sold off in the education room 
 by two members of committee. 
 
 Another small society, called " The Bloomvale," whose 
 premises were in Crownpoint Road, was near the 
 vanishing point in 1878, and it was thought wise by the 
 Eastern to take it over, thus averting a co-operative 
 failure. There were only thirty or forty members 
 attached to the Bloomvale Society, but some of them 
 were enthusiastic co-operators, who soon became valuable 
 members in the Glasgow Eastern. 
 
 The Eastern was rapidly becoming popular. Another 
 branch was opened ; and boots and shoes were added to 
 the growing business although this latter department 
 could only be accommodated in a room and kitchen, 
 which was fitted up for the purpose. Other three 
 branches were added in 1887-88. In the latter year, to 
 support the Scottish Farming Association, the first 
 co-operative dairy in Glasgow was opened in the Gallow- 
 gate. Before the end of 1892 other five branches had 
 
202 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 been added, and ground secured for the purpose of 
 erecting central premises. In 1893 these handsome 
 buildings were dedicated to co-operative purposes, the 
 total cost, including ground, being 7,500. Still the 
 business extended, and the minds of the committee kept 
 pace with it. Stables, cold storage, a packing depart- 
 ment, and offices, with all the necessary plant, were 
 added in rapid succession, at a cost of 17,000. It reads 
 like a romance. Twenty-six years ago this society had 
 only one miserably small room, open a few nights a 
 week, for transacting its little business ; now the district 
 seems to be rapidly becoming their property almost 
 every street bears witness to their growing power and 
 their great possessions. 
 
 The history of Parkhead and Westmuir Society (1831) 
 has been already given. Reference has also been made to 
 Parkhead Society, which was saved out of the wreck of 
 the Glasgow Society. About the year 1885 these two 
 Parkhead societies became one, and for years was recog- 
 nised as Parkhead Society. In 1901 an amalgamation 
 took place, and the old society of 1831, and the remnant 
 of the old Glasgow Society known as Parkhead Society, 
 thus became merged in the Glasgow Eastern Society. 
 Thus to-day these ancient and modern societies work 
 harmoniously and successfully together in carrying out 
 the principles that fired the enthusiasm of the weavers of 
 Parkhead and Westmuir eighty years ago. 
 
 The business activities of the Glasgow Eastern Society 
 cover a large area in the east- end of the city, and its 
 capital, membership, and trade still increase, while its 
 usefulness and advantages are greatly appreciated by 
 an ever-growing number of co-operators. From all this 
 success it will be seen that the old Glasgow Society, 
 although regarded as having been recklessly managed, 
 still, in its disaster was planted the seed that has given 
 us the Glasgow Eastern. Its lending library, its reading- 
 room, its classes, and its guilds all speak of intelligent 
 administration. Mr Robert Baird, who was first appointed 
 secretary in 1876, still gives of his best to the Glasgow 
 Eastern. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 105 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 What do co-operators principally need? 
 Plenty of honesty, in thought and word and deed ; 
 Plenty of desire towards all men to be just; 
 Plenty of cash dealings, but very few on trust. 
 
 E. V. Ncale. 
 
 LOCHGELLY SOCIETY. 
 1865. 
 
 W OCHGKLLY is a mining centre about seven or eight 
 miles from Dunfermline, where co-operation has found 
 I ^ most fruitful soil in which to flourish. This society 
 need scarcely apologise for want of early documents 
 and books relating to its formation and its years of youth. 
 Thirty years ago its buildings were burned to the ground, 
 and much that would have been useful and interesting 
 was destroyed by the conflagration. While we write these 
 lines, another similar disaster has overtaken the society, 
 and at present, what a few days ago was a beautiful pile 
 of business premises, is now a mass of blackened ruins. 
 But the men who have so long and so successfully led this 
 fine society are not disheartened by this temporary check 
 to its progress. Already steps are being taken to carry- 
 on the business, so that the members will suffer no 
 inconvenience. 
 
 In 1864 a few energetic villagers began to discuss the 
 desirability of forming a co-operative society. The 
 leaders were well-known men, whom the people looked up 
 to and respected : this was the secret of the growing 
 enthusiasm. The first meeting was held in the Iron 
 Company's Hall on 24th April 1865. There was no hesita- 
 tion in accepting the proposal to start a society. Office- 
 bearers were elected, and a capital choice was made 
 William Arnot, president ; William Smith, secretary ; 
 
204 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 and George Westwater, treasurer. Equal care was shown 
 by the meeting in selecting the committee. Looking over 
 the names to-day, it is not too much to say that at this 
 the first meeting the proposed society was established on 
 a sure foundation. The usual preliminaries were soon got 
 over, and a shop rented at 9 per annum was secured. 
 This shop from the day it was opened became a magnet, 
 drawing people from far and near. They had a salesman 
 from the first, and a purchasing committee, with certain 
 well-defined limits of power, who did the whole of the 
 purchasing. No doubt the secret of the success of this 
 society was largely due to the determination of the 
 leaders to enforce loyalty. The secretary was instructed 
 " to acquaint the committee of all members not purchasing 
 at the store." What was done after this is not very 
 clear, but it is certain the sales increased considerably 
 the following quarter. The sales for the first year were 
 3,210, and the average dividend is. 8d. per pound. 
 Everybody was satisfied, and there was growing peace and 
 prosperity in the village. It appears that lyochgelly Iron 
 and Coal Company had long possessed a store which, it was 
 said, was kept open for the sake of their workmen. Now 
 that the co-operative society was getting strong, and 
 possibly the company's store getting weaker, we find the 
 old store purchasing from the society and getting a non- 
 member's dividend. It shows the grit of the men in office 
 when they carried a motion to discontinue paying a non- 
 member's dividend to the company's store. A generous 
 spirit was evinced by the members when they agreed to 
 close their shop at six o'clock in the evenings. They also 
 voted one pound to the shopman for " extra trouble " and 
 ten shillings to the shop-boy for being " dutiful and 
 attentive." By 1867 the Iron Company, no doubt feeling 
 keenly the opposition to their old store, offered through 
 Mr L,andale to sell their store to the co-operative society. 
 This caused considerable anxiety to the committee, because 
 the old store sold spirituous liquors. The committee could 
 not agree, and the question was laid before the members 
 at quarterly meeting. On a vote being taken, by a 
 majority of fifty to twenty-five it was decided to buy the 
 store and sell spirituous liquors. It was said at the time 
 that it was owing to the insidious training the Lochgelly 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 205 
 
 people had received through the medium of the company's 
 liquor store that they wished to continue the evil practice 
 in their co-operative society. The committee reluctantly 
 sent an offer to rent the company's store for 50 per annum. 
 Mr Landale, for the company, replied that " owing to other 
 arrangements having been made, he had to decline their 
 offer with thanks, but he was gratified to know that a 
 large number of the company's workmen .were members 
 of the society, and the society had his best wishes for 
 success." Thus Lochgelly Society narrowly escaped being; 
 tied to the detestable drink traffic, which would have more 
 than cancelled all the good of its co-operative efforts. 
 
 From the very first Lochgelly has taken the keenest 
 interest in all pertaining to the Wholesale Society ; they 
 were represented at the formation meetings, in 1868, and 
 Mr William Smith, their trusted secretary, was elected 
 a member of its first committee. Baking was added to the 
 society's business about this time ; and but for the 
 want of sufficient capital a lease would have been taken 
 of Boswellknowe farm, the committee showing their 
 wisdom by curbing their enthusiasm and declining to 
 enter a business without the necessary capital to carry 
 it on successfully. New and larger premises were 
 now necessary for the growing business, so that by 
 the end of 1875 a fine building with all the necessary 
 accommodation passed into the use of the society. On 
 the loth February 1877 this fine range of business premises 
 was completely destroyed by fire, though fortunately the 
 stocks and buildings were covered by insurance. In 
 describing the fire a local newspaper concluded with 
 these complimentary remarks on the society : "It 
 has been said that the greatest incentive to make money 
 is just to possess a little. Many a workman with a few 
 pounds in the store has thereby been induced to add to it ; 
 and in many cases in Lochgelly there are men living a 
 comfortable and respected old age whose first inducement 
 to save was by becoming members of the store." 
 
 The remainder of the history of this splendid organisation 
 is a record of steady increase and extension. Branches 
 had to be opened in the outlying villages, which have all 
 been successful. Thus at Auchterderran the business 
 comprises grocery, drapery, fleshing, and shoemaking ; 
 
ao6 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 at Glencraig the same departments are carried on with 
 conspicuous success ; and at lyochore grocery and drapery 
 departments are doing well. An educational committee 
 does good work during the winter months in organising 
 lectures, and in superintending the bright and cheerful 
 reading-rooms. The society is thoroughly co-operative 
 in relation to the federations, the Section, and the Con- 
 ference. To-day they have 3,120 members ; a capital of 
 71,303, an average of 22, 173. per member ; and their 
 trade is 46,557 per quarter. To men like William Smith, 
 Henry Cook, and the present painstaking chairman, Mr 
 Alexander Kerr, much credit is due for past and present 
 prosperity. Long live Lochgelly Society ! 
 
 TRANENT SOCIETY. 
 I86 5 . 
 
 In 1865 the population of the village of Tranent, in 
 Haddingtonshire, was chiefly made up of miners and agri- 
 cultural labourers. It was a few miners, who were anxious 
 about the moral and material welfare of the inhabitants, 
 who conceived the idea of forming a co-operative society. 
 The character of these men may be measured from the 
 fact that from the outset one outstanding rule was to be 
 adhered to " that no alcoholic liquors shall be sold in the 
 name of the society.*' If they were poor, they had con- 
 siderable self-respect, and they thus early determined 
 that the store should in no way lend itself to the demoral- 
 ising traffic. Another good feature they kept in the 
 forefront of their rules was, that no credit would be given 
 at the store. The share was fixed at one pound, but could 
 be paid in instalments, no dividend to be paid on purchases 
 till the share was fully paid up. With 20 of capital they 
 began, in 1865, in a humble way, and, because of their 
 wise and sensible rules, their progress was immediate 
 and continuous. When a few years after they wished to 
 purchase a property for their growing business, they 
 raised the value of the share to two pounds, and added 
 all profit to capital. This action showed great confidence 
 in the future of the society. The members went on 
 purchasing, receiving no profit, quite satisfied that all was 
 for the good of the society. In this way capital was 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 207 
 
 secured to purchase the property, and considerable 
 prosperity attended all their undertakings. By 1870 the 
 business had so increased that capital was again wanted 
 for new premises. A resolution was adopted " to increase 
 the capital by each member holding five one-pound shares, 
 all profits of members to be added to their share capital 
 till each had the requisite amount." Members under this 
 system grew rich without effort, as each member's profit 
 was added to his or her share capital. The members seem 
 to have been very loyal, for in a short time we find the 
 directors bringing forward a scheme for the building of 
 shops and houses above, the total cost being set down at 
 4,000. To poor working-men this seemed too ambitious 
 a scheme, and it took a long time and much discussion to 
 convince everyone that it would be a success. In 1872, 
 or seven years after the formation of the society, they 
 took possession of this splendid pile of buildings : and, 
 be it observed, it was built from accumulated profits no 
 bonds or borrowing being necessary. 
 
 About this time, the co-operative society in Cockenzie, 
 a village only one and a half miles distant, was not in 
 a flourishing condition. Tranent boldly held out its hand 
 to this struggling society, and took it over. 
 
 About the same period a very awkward affair arose over 
 an impending strike of the miners. One member made 
 himself obnoxious to the general body by using every 
 opportunity at the store meetings of raising the question 
 of the impending strike. Thus sides were taken and 
 parties formed. A special meeting was called for the 
 purpose of expelling this troublesome member, but it was 
 not successful ; much temper was shown, and the safety 
 of the society was feared for by the more moderate men. 
 However, in time tempers cooled and all became friends, 
 but the incident shows how easily a successful society may 
 be rent in twain when party strife and feeling rule instead 
 of reason. 
 
 It is pleasant to read in the records of this society that 
 from its inception no serious check to its prosperity 
 has occurred. The members were always willing and 
 able to supply all the capital and trade that were required. 
 
 Few societies starting in 1865 can sav that they have 
 had only two managers till now. Mr John Cairns, who 
 
2o8 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 fills that post at present, entered the service in 1889, and 
 during his managership has greatly helped to develop 
 this enterprising society. 
 
 In 1893 the society bought sixty-three acres of agricul- 
 tural land, and when the tenant's lease expired, in 1900, 
 the society became the occupier, and added farming to 
 the many departments of its organisation. A further 
 purchase has been made since the above date, and now 
 the society owns one hundred and thirty acres, the total 
 cost for land and farm buildings being 9,715. The whole 
 of the land is worked by the society for the society. After 
 paying interest on capital at the rate of four per cent., 
 they have been able by means of the net profit to reduce 
 the accounts for implements and permanent improve- 
 ments, such as draining and fencing, to a nominal sum ; 
 they have also depreciated the original value of the land 
 and buildings by 1,035 : tnus au< profits arising from this 
 interesting experiment go to depreciation of the farm. 
 
 Great credit is due to Mr William Shaw, the president, 
 who has been a member since 1873, for the tact and 
 talent he has placed at the service of the society. Mr 
 John Young should be remembered for all time for what 
 he has done in the best interest of Tranent's store. In 
 1910 the membership is 2,436, the share capital 30,508, 
 and loans 12,159. 
 
 Sugb 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 209 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 Thus the circulation of wealth in a nation 
 resembles that of the blood in the natural 
 body. ' . . There is a flush of the body 
 which is full of warmth and life. 
 
 John Ruskin, 
 
 EDINBURGH NORTHERN DISTRICT SOCIETY. 
 1866. 
 
 THE above society bulked so largely for many years 
 in Edinburgh, and during its thirty-four years' 
 existence accomplished so much good work, that 
 one feels it would be ungracious to leave it out of 
 our history because it wisely took up a wider field of 
 co-operative usefulness. 
 
 It will be remembered that St Cuthbert's Association 
 started a branch of their business in the Stockbridge 
 district, and that in the year 1866 they resolved to close 
 this branch. The members who had been dealing at the 
 branch made arrangements to carry on the business as a 
 separate society, under the designation of the Edinburgh 
 Northern District Co-operative Society Limited. The 
 chairman of St Cuthbert's, Mr John Borrowman, who was 
 a resident in the district, left St Cuthbert's and became 
 the chairman of the new society. A group of able and 
 determined co-operators formed the first committee. 
 
 From the beginning of their career they were beset 
 with difficulties of no ordinary kind. The debt question, 
 the want of capital, and the want of trade brought them 
 nearly to an ignominious end when they were barely two 
 years in existence. The members numbered only fifty. 
 A motion to bring the society to an end was proposed in 
 1868 ; the motion, however, was defeated. In the 
 following year the value of the shares was reduced by 
 
210 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 seven shillings, making them worth only thirteen shillings 
 on withdrawal. The committee went from house to house 
 in the district, pointing out the advantages of co-operation 
 to every householder, and their efforts were to some 
 extent successful in getting a few to make purchases 
 at the little store. A loss of 90 in 1869 again plunged 
 the committee in despair. The membership now 
 fell to forty. In 1870 the members had not increased, 
 although the trade had improved somewhat. The outlook 
 was dark and hopeless ; but still these brave and 
 unselfish committeemen went about lauding the principles 
 of co-operation, although they could not point to any 
 financial gain beyond the 5d. per pound dividend they 
 had just declared. During the next year (1871) they 
 carried on their local propaganda with even more energy, 
 with the result that a feeble ray of hope appeared their 
 sales were slightly increased. Six years after they had 
 started which had been six years of incessant toil, 
 without the slightest remuneration they had only fifty- 
 six members and a share capital of 28, 195. lod. ; but 
 they had managed to build up a reserve fund of 11, 
 195. 7d., of which they were extremely proud. Their 
 profits would now allow of lod. per pound on purchases. 
 
 Frequent public meetings, with good speakers, began 
 to have an inspiring effect, and, with the exception of 
 the eternal debt question, their troubles were decreasing. 
 By 1875 the membership had reached 175, the sales for 
 the quarter were 921, the share capital was 133, and 
 is. 5d. per pound was the dividend. A bakery was set 
 agoing ; and a motion was carried to pay the committee 
 five shillings per quarter. It was now nine years since 
 they took over their self-imposed task, and this was the 
 first recognition they had received ; yet some of our 
 opponents say that but for the emoluments of office 
 there never would have been a co-operative movement. 
 Such remarks only show a want of knowledge, not only of 
 men, but of the fascination and power of co-operative 
 principles. 
 
 No sooner did prosperity smile upon their efforts than 
 this committee immediately connected their society with 
 all the co-operative organisations. The Wholesale Society 
 was early and loyally supported by them. The Union, 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 211 
 
 the local Conference, the Insurance Society, the Edinburgh 
 Printing Company, the Paisle}^ Manufacturing Society, 
 were all contributed to as became earnest co-operators. 
 
 The year 1880 found the Northern on the high road to 
 success : the membership was now 406, and the capital 
 reached 1,938. The following years only added to their 
 prosperity. Increased sales, membership, and capital 
 marked every succeeding balance-sheet. New property 
 was secured, new departments were inaugurated, education 
 was attended to, and appreciated by the members. But 
 just when everything was going smoothly, a difference of 
 opinion on the question of management rent the society in 
 two. About one hundred members seceded, and formed 
 another society in the district named the St Bernard 
 Co-operative Society. Nothing discouraged, our friends 
 of the Northern by energy and good management soon 
 restored their society to its normal condition. A 
 reconciliation took place in 1895, and the members who 
 left the Northern six years before were received back into 
 the original fold. 
 
 Branches in all departments were now opened all over 
 the district, and all of them were successful. Mr David 
 Rowat, late of Kilmarnock, was appointed manager, and 
 during his eight years' service added greatly to the 
 usefulness of the society. Mr Dunsmore was the next 
 manager, who sustained the high reputation enjoyed by 
 the Northern. 
 
 It was a statesmanlike action that took place in 1899, 
 when St Cuthbert's Association approached the Northern 
 Society for the purpose of amalgamation. The economy 
 of administration and the increase of co-operative power 
 in the city outweighed all selfish thoughts with the 
 Northern. They agreed to amalgamate with the premier 
 society of the country. The preliminaries were soon 
 settled, on a fair basis to all ; and thus the Northern, 
 which had really been a part of St Cuthbert's in 1866, 
 and had for thirty-four years carried high the banner of 
 co-operation, now in 1900 returned to the parental roof. 
 What had formerly been two great organisations now 
 for ten years have unitedly worked harmoniously and 
 powerfully for the common cause, and have set a 
 splendid example for many other societies to follow. 
 
212 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Nothing too good can be said of the pioneers of this 
 society. They led a forlorn hope and won. John 
 Borrowman, David Rintoul, B. Todd, J. Mallinson, 
 D. Campbell, Wm. Mackenzie, W. Crawford, and Mr I/aw 
 have all reason to be proud of the good work they did 
 with many eminent colleagues in the Northern District. 
 In 1900 the share capital was 27,301 ; loans, 3,513 ; 
 reserve fund, 3,684 ; membership, 2,799, 
 
 CITY OF PERTH SOCIETY. 
 1866. 
 
 It is scarcely conceivable to-day that the great 
 co-operative institution which bulks so largely in the 
 city of Perth has only been about forty-four years in 
 existence. Its present appearance, with its numerous 
 splendid properties, looks more like the growth of a 
 century. Its humble origin^ its gradual but solid progress, 
 reflect the character and the ability of the men who 
 were its promoters and also those who have had the 
 honour to be their successors. 
 
 It had a singular beginning. The only resemblance 
 that characterised the start of our early societies may 
 be summed up in the one word poverty. Perth was no 
 exception. It is very questionable if the founders of this 
 society had any idea beyond the immediate benefit that 
 was likely to accrue from banding themselves together in 
 a co-operative society. The higher and broader ideas of 
 brotherhood came afterwards, as their minds were enlarged 
 and the possibilities of co-operation developed. At first 
 the dominant idea was to make their scanty earnings go 
 a little farther, and thus raise their standard of living. 
 It was in April 1866 that five individuals conceived the 
 idea of making a wholesale purchase of cloth, which was 
 afterwards to be made up into garments for themselves. 
 The names of those five individuals were James Mill, 
 James Scotland, David Glass, William Henderson, and 
 John Henderson. These names ought to be cherished by 
 every citizen of Perth ; their action at the time, and 
 persistent efforts for many years after, has endowed Perth 
 and its people with an asset whose value cannot be 
 overestimated* An attic in Thimble Row served as their 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 213 
 
 first place of business. A meeting had been called to 
 explain their programme, but the audience consisted only 
 of the five worthies named. Nothing daunted, the attic 
 was rented, and the combination styled themselves The 
 Perth Cloth Society. They subscribed one pound each, 
 and their first purchase was twenty yards of tweed, which 
 all but exhausted the capital of the society. They 
 divided the tweed, making a small profit on the transac- 
 tion. There were no expenses, if we except the few 
 shillings per annum for the attic. A venture was next 
 made in flannel. The small margin of profit added, when 
 realised, was looked upon as the veritable key to the 
 wealth of the world. Other purchases turned out equally 
 remunerative. Their friends made purchases from them, 
 and thus their stock and trade increased. The great 
 difficulty was capital. The one pound they had each 
 subscribed had exhausted their reserves. They scraped 
 on for a year ; of course they could not make a loss 
 with their system, as they gave no credit. At the end 
 of the first year the balance showed that they were in 
 possession of 60. This had cost them days and nights 
 of toil. Was it possible to go on, was the question that . 
 now pressed upon them ; so few were taking an interest 
 in this great reforming work of theirs that some began 
 to have doubts. 
 
 The co-operative spirit carried the day. As the result of 
 their deliberations it was agreed to open a shop, and in 
 May 1867 they took possession. They only counted thirty 
 when they took this important step, with a capital of 60. 
 But this was the making of them. As long as they sold 
 their cloth in the attic no one could be got to lend them 
 money ; now when they came out into the open and 
 showed some confidence in their plan, those who had 
 money advanced it to the young society, at the rate 
 of five per cent, per annum. One member, taking 
 advantage of their need, lent them sixty pounds at five 
 per cent., repayable in six monthly instalments of ten 
 pounds, interest being charged on the whole sum from 
 the date of the loan until it was repaid, so that in the 
 last month he had something like thirty per cent, for 
 the final instalment. The shop was stocked, and the 
 leaders had gathered on a Saturday evening for the 
 
2i 4 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 grand opening ceremony. They sat in the shop more 
 like a funeral party than a proud band of reformers. 
 The question that was exercising their minds at the 
 moment was : Who is to take off the shutters ? David 
 Glass, who had been secretary and salesman, was 
 suggested. Speaking of this incident years after, Mr 
 Glass said that, ardent co-operator as he was, he could 
 not screw up sufficient courage to show to all and sundry 
 that co-operative effort in Perth was no longer to hide 
 itself away in a corner, but was ready to reveal itself 
 fearlessly in one of the best streets of the city, and 
 boldly ask the public to join with those who brought 
 it thus far to help to continue the good work. The shop 
 was opened, and was looked upon as a seven-days 
 wonder. But it hung fire for a long time in fact, at the 
 end of the first three years they had gained more in 
 experience than trade. Their opponents and they had 
 many even then retold stories of former co-operative 
 failures in Perth and elsewhere. 
 
 However, the committee was stirred to fresh action by 
 the rumour of another society being started for the sale 
 of groceries. A house-to-house visitation resulted in 
 getting twenty-two who were willing to raise five shillings 
 each by paying at the rate of threepence per week. 
 After five months' subscribing at this rate, they found 
 themselves in possession of 5, los. This was the total 
 capital, after all their weary exertions, that they had to 
 start a grocery department with. They invested it all 
 in a purchase of tea, which they retailed at fourpence 
 per Ib. profit. Now came another difficulty. It appears 
 that some of the subscribers were of the opinion that 
 they were to receive tea to the value of the five shillings 
 they had contributed. No amount of argument would 
 convince them that what they had subscribed was share 
 capital, so tea they had to get to the value of their 
 subscription. Those timid ones were allowed to go without 
 regret ; the remainder stood firm, and re-formed the 
 Cloth Society into the City of Perth Co-operative Society, 
 although some of the Cloth committee still held together 
 under that name. Up till 1870 tea and tobacco seem to 
 have been the only goods kept. In 1871, or five years after 
 the start of the society, they were able to get the rules 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 215 
 
 printed. Their difficulties were great .and continuous ; 
 they were frequently at their wit's end, but would not 
 own defeat. They might have done more business if they 
 had given what was continually being asked for credit ; 
 but no, ready-money only. In September 1870, they 
 showed a profit of 25, 5s. 7d. for nearly a year's trading. 
 In December of the same year their capital only amounted 
 to 32, 155. 4id. ; in the following June it had risen to 
 58, us. id. By and by, after many meetings, the old 
 Cloth committee threw in their lot with the City of Perth 
 Society. Mr John Grace, of the Cloth committee, was 
 now made president, and to his tact, zeal, and ability the 
 success which followed was largely attributable. Business 
 was only done in the evenings, and the week's trading 
 now amounted to 30. Thus for five years these members 
 of committee had been the only salesmen, and had not 
 received one penny of reward, but frequently were reviled 
 by those whom they were so anxious to assist. They 
 were no ordinary men who undertook such a thankless 
 task ; if they had been, these lines would not have been 
 written, nor would there have been co-operation in 
 Perth to-day. 
 
 Overcoming obstacles that would have discouraged most 
 men, their first hope came at the December balance, 1872, 
 when they declared a dividend of is. 3d. per pound, and 
 were able to carry 10 to reserve fund. They could now 
 afford an assistant salesman, who would deliver bread to 
 the members. A bakery was also resolved upon, but it 
 would require to wait till more capital was forthcoming. 
 We now meet for the first time with names that for 
 some years were inseparable from the progress of Perth 
 Society D. Scrimgeour, A. M'Ewan, D. Halley, and 
 T. Todd. The bakery was no sooner started than the 
 bakers in the town lowered the retail price of bread, 
 although the price of flour had gone up. However, the 
 committee were equal to the occasion, and, at the risk of 
 making a loss, sold their bread at the same price as their 
 opponents ; and in the end they won. The business had 
 now got a hold of the people, who at last were convinced 
 of its advantages. Some important steps were taken 
 about this early period. They became an interested 
 member of the Wholesale Society, they joined the 
 
216 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Co-operative Union, while they also instituted the weekly 
 half-holiday. For the first time the directors were 
 recognised by getting six shillings and eightpence per 
 quarter. All this was the outcome of the long-delayed 
 success. A committee was appointed " to consider the 
 best mode of providing a fund to assist parties to join 
 the society who were chained by debt to the private 
 merchants." In 1874 it is recorded to us, strange 
 that they invested 5 in boots and shoes, which were 
 frequently in demand ; and shortly after they agreed to 
 invest 30 in the Scottish Ironworks Company. In the 
 former they had full control ; in the latter they had none. 
 However, it was discovered before they had sent on the 
 money that the Ironworks Company was insolvent, and 
 the 30 was saved. In 1877 that admirable co-operative 
 periodical " The City of Perth Co-operative Pioneer " 
 made its first appearance, and for thirty-three years it 
 has done splendid service to the Perth Society and the 
 movement generally. Mr T. Todd not only made it 
 popular but also a useful educational auxiliary to the 
 society. An educational committee was formed, which 
 has been a valuable asset to the society. 
 
 The society was seemingly sailing in very smooth 
 waters, when, in 1879, a sudden storm arose. A Mr 
 Calderwood was Perth's representative on the Wholesale 
 Society's board, when it was discovered he had taken the 
 chair at a meeting to form another society. He was at 
 once deposed from his seat at the Wholesale, but he 
 positively refused to resign. The matter disappears from 
 history at this point, but we fear Mr Calderwood would 
 get the worst of the combat. 
 
 New premises and increased business are now recorded 
 in every quarterly report, and branches were opened in 
 country districts. By 1883 the society was master of the 
 situation in Perth. Its progress may be gathered from 
 the following figures of that year : membership, 2,465 ; 
 capital, 18,277 : sales, 76,681 ; profits, 8,988. The 
 merchants of the town had on many occasions given the 
 committee some trouble, but, unless in exceptional cases, 
 the society held on its progressive way, treating their 
 tactics with the contempt they deserved. An opposition 
 society started, but only lived a few years ; it was 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 
 217 
 
 called St Johnstone Society. In 1897, co-operators from 
 all parts of the kingdom met in the " Fair City " to hold 
 their annual Congress. There was unanimous approval 
 expressed on all hands as to the completeness of the 
 business and the educational arrangements of the City 
 of Perth Society. Its present position is second to none 
 financially, as will be found in the Appendix. What a 
 crowd of good men is brought to mind at the name of 
 Perth Society. David Glass, A. M'Ewan, D. Scrimgeour, 
 Thomas Todd, T. Young, G. M'Farlane, and its present 
 able and amiable manager, J. Clark, have all done good 
 work ; but many others who are not named deserve our 
 remembrance and gratitude. 
 
 
2i 8 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 
 Capital and labour are both rendered vastly more 
 productive when the energy and skill of all are 
 stimulated by the feeling that they will enjoy the 
 fruits of their own industry. 
 
 Professor Fawceti, M.P. 
 
 v 
 
 THURSO INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY. 
 1866. 
 
 44 m ^, the working men in Thurso and neighbour- 
 hood, in public meeting assembled, agree to 
 become members of a co-operative society, and 
 bind ourselves to pay the entry-money and 
 subscription of shares required by the rules of such society, 
 after they are approved by the Registrar of Friendly 
 Societies." Such was the obligation a number of working- 
 men undertook at a public meeting held in March 1866, 
 in the Parish School of Thurso, They had no ulterior motive 
 in forming this society beyond what is contained in their 
 own prospectus, which was as follows : " That the working- 
 class feel the necessity of some means being used to 
 advance their social position, and that a co-operative 
 society for the purpose of providing the necessaries of life 
 in the cheapest and best market would tend in a great 
 measure to forward their prosperity, do form themselves 
 into such a society, under the title of the Thurso Industrial 
 Co-operative Society Limited." At the first meeting, on 
 the above date, fifty-three signed their names under the 
 obligation set forth above. The rules were soon approved 
 and registered, a general committee was appointed, and 
 now far-off Caithness- shire had its co-operative society. 
 
 The shares were ten shillings each, to be paid by 
 instalments if necessary, and no member could hold more 
 than ten shares. By October, or eight months after their 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 219 
 
 first meeting, they had collected 38, 35. 2d. of capital ; 
 and in the same month they rented a shop at 10 per 
 annum. Among the first arrangements made after they 
 were in working order was the ordering of Pitman's 
 Co-operator weekly, a copy to be supplied to each member 
 of committee, also that last year's bound volume be 
 ordered for committee-room. 
 
 Considering the great distance this society was from 
 any similar organisation, their progress was exceedingly 
 satisfactory. In 1867 they received a circular from 
 Glasgow calling a meeting of societies to consider the 
 question of a wholesale society. Our friends at Thurso, 
 although they could not afford to send a delegate to the 
 meeting, at once agreed to the principle of wholesale 
 buying. They further agreed to send a sum equal to a 
 farthing per member to help to pay the expenses of the 
 preliminary meetings. Further, they requested Mr 
 M'Innes, of the Scottish Co-operator, to represent them at 
 the proposed meetings, and a short time after they 
 acknowledged his services as their representative by 
 sending him a sum of money. This all appears in a well- 
 kept minute-book, of which these Thurso co-operators 
 may well feel proud. Two years after they started they 
 began baking for themselves, and seem to have been 
 successful. A branch had to be opened, so great was the 
 pressure on the original shop ; and then a deputation 
 from the village of Castletown waited on the committee 
 to request that a branch be opened there, which in 
 time was agreed to. It is also noteworthy that this 
 far-away society was perhaps more co-operative in spirit 
 than many societies who hung back for a time to see how 
 the Wholesale Society would succeed. Not so Thurso ; 
 for, immediately they were assured that the Wholesale 
 was really in existence, their secretary was instructed to 
 apply for membership and send on the necessary money. 
 Another entry in this old minute-book is worth recording, 
 as it throws a strong light on the character of the men who 
 were conducting the affairs of the society : " I5th April 
 
 1868 : committee meeting : present, It was 
 
 moved by Mr that in future the society have no 
 
 bread baked on Mondays, but, to save Sabbath profanation, 
 that a double batch be baked on Saturdays if necessary ; 
 
220 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 that the manager take full charge of the bakehouse in all 
 its workings, and report to the committee weekly : which 
 resolutions were unanimously adopted." I have not 
 found any indication of their rescinding the above resolu- 
 tion, so that it could be no snatch vote, but a calm and 
 deliberate finding. 
 
 The twenty-fifth quarterly report shows how firmly this 
 society was getting established. The sales were 1,372 
 for the quarter, the members numbered 238, and the 
 capital amounted to 397, a dividend of 2s. per pound on 
 purchases being declared. The average purchase per 
 member per week was about nine shillings. The following 
 year (1871), through some mismanagement, the profits 
 fell so that the committee were only able to declare a 
 dividend of a penny per pound to members and a halfpenny 
 to non-members. But the members did not fall away 
 from their responsibilities ; they rather increased in loyalty 
 and numbers, till in 1906 their sales reached 17,532 for 
 the year, and their profits totalled 1,739. To-day their 
 purchases from the Wholesale Society are 3,590 for the 
 half-year, and their claims in that institution 3,608, their 
 paid-up shares numbering 1,150. 
 
 To those who can fully grasp and appreciate the almost 
 complete isolation of this plucky little society, its successes 
 must appear a kind of wonder. As one of themselves 
 says, " Our geographical position renders fellowship with 
 kindred associations difficult, and has added to the 
 difficulties we have experienced." In 1870, Mr M'Innes, 
 the editor of the Scottish Co-operator, having business in 
 Shetland, called on Thurso Society ; he was warmly 
 welcomed, and the committee at once set about arranging 
 a meeting for the evening of the day on which he had 
 called, the chief magistrate taking the chair. Mr M'Innes 
 had to wait next day to again address a larger meeting. 
 This was the first person outside of themselves that had 
 spoken to them on co-operation. Twenty years after the 
 above incident, we had some co-operative business at Wick, 
 so, accompanied by our friend Mr Robert Macintosh, 
 accountant of the Wholesale Society, we called on Thurso 
 Society. Their welcome was exceedingly hearty, and 
 among the first questions they asked was, would we address 
 a public meeting to-night ? We answered in the 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 
 221 
 
 affirmative, and the fiery cross was at once sent round. 
 The fiery cross took the form of the town-bellman, who 
 announced at the street corners that " twa shentlemen 
 frae Glesca would speak to-night on co-operation." A 
 large audience assembled, and gave us a most attentive 
 hearing. These were the only two occasions on which 
 they heard co-operation spoken of by outsiders. 
 
 CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND IN l866. 
 
 The position of the movement in Scotland in 1866 may 
 be fairly well understood from the accompanying table, 
 which is signed by the Registrar. This would be the first 
 authenticated list of societies published in Scotland, and 
 therefore is of considerable value so far as registered 
 societies are concerned. Some societies were not registered 
 for many years after they started : for example, Bridgeton 
 Old Victualling, formed in 1800, was not registered till 
 1865-6. 
 
 Return of the General Statement of the Funds and Effects of the 
 Co-operative Societies in Scotland for the Year ending 31st 
 December 1866, made out by A. Carnegy Ritchie, Registrar 
 of Friendly Societies in Scotland, according to the Reports 
 transmitted to him by the Secretaries of the respective Societies. 
 
 N. P. stands for No Property. 
 
 NAME OF SOCIHTY. 
 
 Value of 
 Property be- 
 longing to 
 Society in 
 1866. 
 
 Average of 
 Stock 
 belonging to 
 Society in 
 x866. 
 
 Profits derired 
 by Society 
 in 1866. 
 
 Abemetliy 
 
 
 
 262 
 
 
 247 
 
 
 20 
 
 Auchterarder Co-operative Provident 
 Auchterarder 
 
 161 
 262 
 
 165 
 184 
 
 25 
 63 
 
 Airdrie Bread 
 
 N P 
 
 1 041 
 
 252 
 
 Alloa 
 
 530 
 
 600 
 
 322 
 
 Alva 
 
 848 
 
 1 261 
 
 772 
 
 Alva Baking * 
 
 1 184 
 
 504 
 
 331 
 
 
 142 
 
 2002 
 
 1 637 
 
 Armadale 
 
 N P 
 
 232 
 
 76 
 
 Anderston 
 
 264 
 
 215 
 
 116 
 
 Auchenheath. 
 
 189 
 
 330 
 
 340 
 
 
 515 
 
 317 
 
 57 
 
 Blairgowrie and Rattray Equitable 
 Bonnvbridge . 
 
 N. P. 
 191 
 
 3,398 
 252 
 
 1,145 
 182 
 
 Bathgate 
 
 1 357 
 
 847 
 
 206 
 
 Balerno 
 
 150 
 
 200 
 
 54 
 
 
 354 
 
 369 
 
 470 
 
 Bridgeton Old Victualling & Baking 
 
 N. P. 
 263 
 
 1,348 
 304 
 
 2,199 
 269 
 
 Barrhead , 
 
 N. P. 
 
 769 
 
 460 
 
222 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 NAME OF SOCIETY. 
 
 Value of 
 Property be- 
 
 SSgta 
 1866. 
 
 Average of 
 Strck 
 
 belonging to 
 Society in 
 1866 
 
 Profits derived 
 Tn 5 ^ 
 
 Borrowstounness 
 
 
 201 
 1,484 
 3,477 
 803 
 244 
 219 
 N. P. 
 325 
 234 
 176 
 110 
 N P 
 
 
 184 
 626 
 2,523 
 4,191 
 250 
 135 
 1,831 
 279 
 450 
 648 
 110 
 308 
 405 
 3,200 
 52 
 216 
 1,100 
 151 
 733 
 750 
 241 
 250 
 248 
 230 
 564 
 456 
 1,778 
 130 
 359 
 539 
 100 
 259 
 450 
 694 
 727 
 567 
 413 
 558 
 154 
 127 
 2,000 
 950 
 2,333 
 212 
 420 
 238 
 594 
 503 
 1,301 
 351 
 276 
 5,129 
 130 
 2.652 
 
 
 , 44 
 788 
 1.131 
 1,908 
 318 
 93 
 743 
 67 
 216 
 121 
 37 
 120 
 341 
 1,146 
 132 
 82 
 380 
 389 
 466 
 364 
 290 
 64 
 53 
 50 
 104 
 379 
 1,484 
 493 
 185 
 179 
 64 
 84 
 308 
 271 
 206 
 618 
 214 
 227 
 123 
 119 
 1,621 
 373 
 1,702 
 154 
 197 
 5 
 79 
 879 
 506 
 345 
 16 
 345 
 102 
 946 
 
 Bainsford and Grahamston Baking. 
 Bannockburn 
 
 Brechin Equitable 
 
 Carronhall and Kinnaird 
 
 
 
 Catrine 
 
 
 Co u par- Angus Equitable 
 
 Cambuslang Weavers' Industrial . . . 
 Comrie Village 
 
 Clackmannan 
 
 N. P. 
 1,055 
 29 
 258 
 340 
 328 
 857 
 100 
 339 
 280 
 217 
 20 
 N. P. 
 360 
 3,675 
 116 
 30 
 N. P. 
 69 
 N. P. 
 532 
 422 
 N. P. 
 230 
 458 
 132 
 189 
 101 
 2,000 
 961 
 2,938 
 165 
 574 
 N. P. 
 N. P. 
 20 
 216 
 28 
 258 
 N P. 
 
 
 Cathcart 
 
 Cumbernauld 
 
 Cockenzie Store Company 
 
 Camelon 
 
 Coatbrid^e Bread 
 
 Crosshouse 
 
 Carluke Equitable Pioneers 
 
 Dalbeattie Provision ... 
 
 Dumfries & Maxwelltown Equitable 
 
 Dalziel 
 
 Dysart 
 
 Dunfermline 
 
 Dunfermline Baking 
 
 Dumbarton Equitable . . . 
 
 Deanston 
 
 Edinburgh Northern District 
 
 Eyemouth Industrial 
 
 
 Edin burgh. Bread 
 
 
 Grahamston and Bainsford . . 
 
 Grangemouth 
 
 
 Govan Equitable 
 
 
 Galashiels 
 
 
 Hawick Co-operative Store . . 
 
 
 Innerleithen 
 
 Johnstone Flax Mills Workers 
 
 Inverness 
 
 Kilsyth 
 
 Kirkcaldy District Equitable 
 
 
 Kinross and Vicinity 
 
 Kilmarnock Equitable 
 
 Kctmes and Hillhouse 
 
 27 
 1.574 
 
 Kirriemuir Equitable . . 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 
 223 
 
 NAME OF SOCIETY. 
 
 Value of 
 Property be- 
 longing to 
 Society in 
 1866. 
 
 Average of 
 Stock 
 belonging to 
 Society in 
 1866 
 
 Profits derived 
 by Society 
 in 1866. 
 
 Kilbride (East) ! 
 
 
 168 
 
 
 237 
 
 
 308 
 
 Lanark Provident 
 
 362 
 
 409 
 
 315 
 
 
 N. P. 
 
 29 
 
 No profits 
 
 Lass wade 
 
 635 
 
 856 
 
 114 
 
 Lochee Equitable 
 
 196 
 
 356 
 
 160 
 
 Leven Baking 
 
 200 
 
 400 
 
 120 
 
 Leslie and Prinlaws Equitable 
 Leven (Vale of) 
 
 49 
 68 
 
 891 
 456 
 
 510 
 83 
 
 Larkhall Victualling 
 
 388 
 
 560 
 
 372 
 
 
 N. P. 
 
 388 
 
 290 
 
 Linlithgow . 
 
 N P 
 
 288 
 
 No profits 
 
 Leslie 
 
 N. P. 
 
 *2 668 
 
 371 
 
 Menstrie Baking and Provision .... 
 Musselburgh 
 
 120 
 638 
 
 293 
 
 1 086 
 
 116 
 131 
 
 Mauchline 
 
 N P 
 
 3 560 
 
 177 
 
 Newarthill 
 
 54 
 
 69 
 
 28 
 
 
 N. P. 
 
 574 
 
 442 
 
 Parkhead 
 
 N P 
 
 81 
 
 71 
 
 
 560 
 
 900 
 
 528 
 
 Paisley Equitable 
 
 361 
 
 381 
 
 244 
 
 
 18 
 
 492 
 
 870 
 
 Roslin Baking and Provision . 
 
 N P 
 
 799 
 
 82 
 
 Redding 
 
 371 
 
 1 050 
 
 345 
 
 Renfrew 
 
 N P 
 
 241 
 
 172 
 
 St Cuthbert's 
 
 231 
 
 380 
 
 '467 
 
 
 567 
 
 346 
 
 93 
 
 Shotts 
 
 173 
 
 530 
 
 175 
 
 St Margaret's 
 
 324 
 
 286 
 
 141 
 
 St Rollox . . 
 
 550 
 
 300 
 
 278 
 
 Stenhousemuir Equitable 
 
 1 779 
 
 1 166 
 
 981 
 
 Stenhousemuir East Baking 
 
 782 
 
 573 
 
 350 
 
 Sinclairtown and Gallatown 
 
 476 
 
 2 281 
 
 455 
 
 Selkirk 
 
 1 000 
 
 850 
 
 650 
 
 Tranent 
 
 841 
 
 1 200 
 
 1 258 
 
 
 1 013 
 
 611 
 
 449 
 
 Troon 
 
 50 
 
 193 
 
 42 
 
 Thornliebank 
 
 299 
 
 367 
 
 342 
 
 Thurso Industrial 
 
 93 
 
 No stock 
 
 No profits 
 
 Uddingston 
 
 78 
 
 126 
 
 53 
 
 Walkerburn 
 
 31 
 
 360 
 
 196 
 
 Water of Leith Industrial 
 
 48 
 
 27 
 
 65 
 
 East Wemyss 
 
 110 
 
 520 
 
 238 
 
 West Wemyss Equitable 
 
 510 
 
 500 
 
 324 
 
 
 
 
 
 TOTAL 
 
 45,018 
 
 86,379 
 
 43,122 
 
 *This should be only 068, instead of 2668 as in this certified Return. 
 
 Certified as a correct Return of the General Statement of the 
 Funds and Effects of the Co-operative Societies in Scotland in the 
 Year ending 31st December 1866, by A. Carnegy Ritchie, Registrar 
 of Friendly Societies in Scotland, according to the reports trans- 
 mitted to him by the secretaries of their respective societies. 
 
 Edinburgh, 8 Broughton Street, A. CARNEGY RITCHIE, 
 
 December 1867. Registrar of Friendly Societies in Scotland. 
 
224 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION JN SCOTLAND 
 A FEW OF THE SOCIETIES THAT BEGAN IN THE 'SIXTIES. 
 
 In addition to those societies already dealt with in 
 detail, there were a number which came into existence in 
 1861-2 whose beginning was much on the same lines as 
 those spoken of. Some of the organisations about to 
 be mentioned are still making headway, as will be seen 
 from the Appendix ; a few have disappeared, but the 
 work is being carried on by some more powerful society. 
 
 ARM AD ALE. This society was evidently started in 1862, 
 and from its seventh quarterly report one can gather that 
 even at that early date it was in a highly prosperous 
 condition, for, after liberal depreciation and addition to 
 reserve fund, also payment of five per cent, interest on 
 capital, is. gd. per pound was paid on purchases. To-day 
 it is a robust and vigorous society, doing its duty 
 thoroughly to its large membership and to the movement 
 generally. 
 
 KIRKCALDY, FIFESHIRE. Another of the 1862 societies, 
 which for a number of years did its work well. When it 
 was only two years old it had a membership of 173, and a 
 capital of 409. But we fear its policy was scarcely 
 co-operative enough as years went on, and its work is now 
 done largely by that splendid modern society, Pathhead 
 and Sinclairtown Reform. 
 
 RENFREW. This society first saw the light towards the 
 end of 1861, and was not without its trials and difficulties 
 in its infancy. Before it was four years in existence, it is 
 recorded that its sales averaged 59 per week, and it was 
 paying a dividend of is. 6d. per pound. By wise adminis- 
 trators it has been guided to its present very honourable 
 position in the movement. 
 
 GIRVAN, AYRSHIRE. The handloom weavers of Girvan 
 were in poor circumstances in 1859, when they first resolved 
 to become co-operators ; by subscribing threepence per 
 week for two and a half years they were enabled to open 
 their little shop. Their tenth quarterly report shows that 
 the goods sold during the quarter amounted to 269, on 
 which a net profit of 15, 95. id. was realised. They had 
 only 30 of capital and 15 borrowed at five per cent: 
 it was small, but the weavers were determined to succeed. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 225 
 
 They struggled on for some years ; the weaving trade 
 getting less and less remunerative, evil days fell upon the 
 little effort, which gradually flickered out. After some 
 years, co-operation again appeared in Girvan ; this time 
 it was by a branch of the Maybole society, which now 
 carries on the good work. 
 
 GALSTON. Another Ayrshire society that began in 
 1862, and from an extremely small beginning, gradually- 
 rose to the proud position it holds to-day. In 1909 it 
 purchased over 11,500 from the Wholesale Society during 
 a half-yearly term. 
 
 SLAM AN NAN. This society came into life in 1862, and 
 had a prosperous career for many years. The coal mines 
 in the locality gave employment to great numbers of 
 earnest co-operators. After the society had been three 
 years in existence, they were drawing in cash 1,615 per 
 quarter, and paying is. 4d. per pound as dividend. While 
 the society does a fair trade to-day, it is to be regretted 
 that its business has suffered from the fact that many of 
 the mines are worked out, and employment has thus 
 become much less than formerly in the district. 
 
 In addition to the societies named, there were Govan 
 Equitable, Camelon, Cambuslang, Carluke, Comrie, Dal- 
 keith, Dalbeattie, Bast Kilbride, Gatehouse, Hamilton, 
 Hamilton Industrial, Kinross, Newmilns, Pollokshaws, 
 Rutherglen, Rutherglen Friendly Victualling, Rutherglen 
 "Raking, Rutherglen New Baking, Rutherglen Economical, 
 Rosewell, Springburn, Stirling, Stewarton, Tollcross, 
 Troon, and West Wemyss Equitable. 
 
 The above societies were in existence by the beginning 
 of 1865. We might add many more names of societies that 
 were known, but unfortunately they took so little interest 
 in the appeal that was made to them, that their names 
 were not sent in, and consequently do not appear in the list. 
 If space had permitted, the history of many of the above 
 societies would have shown the same devotion to duty, 
 and the same success attending their efforts, as that 
 which has characterised those societies whose histories 
 have been treated in detail. It must be interesting 
 to Scottish co-operators to thoroughly analyse the list 
 given, and to compute how many of them have ceased to 
 
226 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 exist ; it will be found that very few indeed have dis- 
 appeared after the changes and vicissitudes of forty-five 
 years. If some have been removed, in nearly every case 
 their place has been taken by a more powerful modern 
 society, that has added greatly to the strength of the 
 movement. 
 
 Thus, when the year 1865 was Y et young, the leaders 
 of many of the societies in Scotland began to take a deep 
 interest in the larger question of wholesale co-operation ; 
 letters had appeared in the press, even a meeting had been 
 called to discuss the subject ; the movement seemed to be 
 ripe for another great development. England had already 
 started its Co-operative Wholesale Society in 1864. This 
 great departure in the South took its inception from a 
 paper read by Mr Abraham Greenwood of Rochdale, at 
 Oldham, in 1863. Efforts at joint buying had already 
 taken place among some of the societies both in the East 
 and West of Scotland. So enamoured of the idea were 
 some of the Scottish societies, that they began doing 
 business with what was then called the North of 
 England Co-operative Wholesale, at Manchester. We 
 mention this to show that the ground was being prepared 
 for the coming spring, when the seed would be planted 
 that was to come to such rich fruition in later days. 
 
 
Chairmen (Past and Present) of Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 227 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 Fellow- workers might 
 So work together for the common weal, 
 To pour together in a common store 
 Those sacred gains of labour, which are life, 
 As to become masters of themselves, 
 Masters and lords of their own heritage, 
 Of labour. Tennyson. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY : 
 
 THE INCEPTION. 
 
 1868. 
 
 THE force and power of the Scottish Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society, apart from its commercial 
 aspect, is now admitted by friend and foe alike. 
 Although their hopes were high, little did its pro- 
 moters dream that its influence and strength would become 
 the great binding power, and the great protector of societies 
 from one end of the country to the other, that it is to-day. 
 For a moment let us trace the idea that led up to the 
 establishment of this powerful institution. We have hinted 
 elsewhere, that as far back as 1830-32 the old I/ancashire 
 and Yorkshire societies had formulated a scheme of a 
 wholesale depot at Liverpool. The plans for this under- 
 taking were in existence little more than twenty years 
 ago, and we regret that we cannot reproduce them here, 
 because, as we remember them, they would have been 
 invaluable as showing the faith which these early 
 co-operators were possessed of in projecting such a huge 
 and elaborate scheme. It remained simply a scheme, but 
 it was remembered by some old men thirty years after, 
 when the present Co-operative Wholesale Society was in 
 the making. The idea of wholesale buying was in the 
 minds of all intelligent leaders, both in England and 
 
228 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Scotland, almost from the inception of the retail society ; 
 it was the necessary corollary to the banding of individuals. 
 What delayed its being put in practice was, first, the 
 difficulty of raising capital ; but that might have been 
 got over if the leaders had had the opportunity of meeting, 
 which was the second factor in the delay. Might we 
 suggest another reason. We fear there was not the 
 necessary confidence in each other. But even that was 
 the outcome of isolation ; for, when men began to meet 
 and express their views, no matter how distant from one 
 another they lived, co-operation lessened the distance, 
 and mutual trust was established. 
 
 At a conference of co-operators, held at Oldham in 1863, 
 Abraham Greenwood (then chairman of the Rochdale 
 Pioneers) submitted his scheme of wholesale co-operation 
 to the delegates, who represented many societies in 
 I/ancashire and Yorkshire. The following were his pro- 
 posals : (i) That a wholesale agency should be opened 
 in Liverpool or Manchester ; (2) that the members should 
 be co-operative stores, and that individuals be excluded ; 
 (3) that each store should contribute capital according 
 to the number of its individual members, and should 
 possess votes on the same basis ; (4) that the stores which 
 became members should pledge themselves to deal 
 exclusively with the central agency for those articles 
 which it supplied ; (5) that the method of trading should 
 be cash payments and cost prices plus a small percentage 
 as commission. Another conference was held on Good 
 Friday of 1863, when the above proposals were unanimously 
 accepted, Manchester being fixed as a suitable place for 
 the headquarters of the new federation. In the following 
 August the North of England Co-operative Wholesale 
 Industrial and Provident Society I/imited was registered 
 under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act of 1862. 
 The society began business on I4th March 1864. Such 
 was the beginning of that gigantic business, which last year 
 (1909) did a trade of nearly twenty-six millions sterling. 
 
 The above facts appear to have been followed with keen 
 interest by some of the leaders in Scotland. In the 
 December number of the old Scottish Co-operator, 1863, 
 the editor appeals to the societies in Scotland to arrange 
 for a conference of representatives for the purpose of 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 229 
 
 discussing the advisability of forming a similar agency. 
 Numerous letters appeared in the succeeding numbers for 
 some months approving of the suggestion. In the 
 February number of the Co-operator the following letter 
 appeared, showing that the wholesale idea was making 
 friends : 
 
 To the Editor of the Scottish Co-operator. 
 
 Sir, With a good deal of satisfaction I read your remarks 
 on the propriety of a conference of delegates from all co-operative 
 societies in Scotland, with the earnest hope that so important 
 a meeting will take place this summer. I would suggest that a 
 programme of proceedings be got up by a small committee, and 
 each society furnished with a copy. I have often lamented the 
 want of a wholesale society in some convenient locality or 
 localities in Scotland. The want of a flour mill must be severely 
 felt wherever there are co-operative bakeries ; and a great many 
 other things, too numerous to mention here, might be discussed 
 if drawn up in the form of a programme and laid before the 
 delegates. Much could be done by such a meeting to pave the 
 way for the adoption of improvements, and carrying out to the 
 fullest extent the principles of co-operation. Trusting that your 
 seasonable remarks may meet a hearty response from all true 
 co-operators. I am, yours respectfully, JAMES MACDO NALD. 
 
 Hamilton, llth January 1864. 
 
 A meeting of delegates was held in the Bell Hotel, 
 Glasgow, in April 1864, and, according to a letter from 
 Mr James Borrowman of Crosshouse, " the Glasgow 
 Co-operative Society was the prime mover in the scheme." 
 This society was in a sinking condition at the time, yet 
 some of their members accepted office on the committee 
 that was appointed to make inquiry and report. There 
 were twenty-three societies represented at the meeting, 
 and while the principal business transacted was the 
 appointment of the committee referred to, it is evident 
 there was unanimity as to the advisability of forming a 
 wholesale agency. 
 
 More than a year passed, and the Glasgow Co-operative 
 Society was but a memory, and not a very good one at that. 
 In a letter which appeared in the October number of the 
 Scottish Co-operator, the long silence of the appointed 
 committee is explained. Mr John Duncan, secretary of 
 the Glasgow Co-operative Society, wrote : "In respect to 
 the committee of the wholesale agency in Glasgow, I have 
 
230 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 to inform you that there are but two of them now the rest 
 are all gone to other towns or countries so that you need 
 not count on anything being done, I doubt. For myself, 
 I am to sail for America in a few days." 
 
 But if the committee failed in their duty, there were 
 others who would not let the matter rest. Mr M'Innes 
 and some of the leaders in Barrhead got tired of waiting for 
 the report of the vanished committee previously appointed. 
 The editor of the Scottish Co-operator says : " We invited 
 the secretaries or the directors of co-operative societies of 
 Glasgow and neighbourhood to a meeting to be held in our 
 office here (Barrhead) on the afternoon of Saturday, the 
 2nd September 1865, with a view, if possible and practi- 
 cable, to establish a series of stated meetings for the pur- 
 pose of social intercourse on co-operative topics. The 
 meeting was held, and turned out a decided success, the 
 number present being beyond our most sanguine 
 expectations." 
 
 The following gentlemen were present : Mr Robert 
 Stark, representing Barrhead Society ; Mr James Borrow- 
 man, Crosshouse Society ; Messrs Paterson, Alexander, 
 and Roger, Equitable Society, Paisley; Messrs Edmond, 
 Cockburn, Pearson, Wright, and Paton, Provident Society, 
 Paisley ; Messrs M'Kay and Hamilton, Manufacturing 
 Society, Paisley ; Mr Thomas Locke, St Rollox Society, 
 Glasgow ; Mr John Robertson, First Society, Hamilton ; 
 Messrs Simpson and Macdonald, Port-Glasgow Society ; 
 Mr Borrowman, St Cuthbert's, Edinburgh ; Messrs Paxton, 
 M'Nab, and Philp, Renfrew Society ; and Mr J. M'Innes, 
 editor of the Scottish Co-operator. Mr James Borrowman, 
 of Crosshouse Society, near Kilmarnock, was unanimously 
 called to the chair, and Mr M'Innes was appointed 
 secretary. 
 
 After various subjects had been talked over, a long and 
 interesting discussion took place on the wholesale agency 
 question, the whole of the gentlemen present taking part. 
 The propriety of the Scottish co-operative societies 
 supporting the North of England Wholesale Co-operative 
 Society received the serious consideration of the meeting, 
 but ultimately it was agreed that owing to distance 
 and other considerations it was impracticable. The 
 meeting also considered that, in the present state of 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 231 
 
 the movement in Scotland, it would be impossible to raise 
 the requisite capital for carrying out efficiently the whole- 
 sale agency to its fullest extent ; it was therefore suggested 
 that an effort be made to raise the necessary capital to 
 carry it on partially, by confining the agency in the 
 meantime to sugar and butter. The suggestion was put 
 to the meeting as a motion, and carried by acclamation. 
 It was afterwards unanimously resolved that the secretary 
 write to the committee in Glasgow, appointed at a former 
 meeting, respectfully requesting said committee to call 
 a general delegate meeting of the co-operative societies in 
 Scotland. 
 
 We have already noted the explanation of Mr Duncan 
 regarding the disappearance of the former committee, so 
 that further action would require to be taken by the 
 parties who had resumed the inquiry at Barrhead. The 
 next meeting on the subject was called for the 7th April 
 1866, in the Bell Hotel, Glasgow. In the notice calling 
 the meeting, Mr Borrowman, who signs it, says : "As 
 this preliminary meeting will be attended with some little 
 expense, we would propose a levy of one shilling from each 
 store to cover the same." 
 
 These details may seem to some unnecessary, but they 
 are matters on which many co-operators would like to be 
 informed ; and also who the promoters of the Wholesale 
 Society were, and what their hopes and fears. 
 
 The editor of the Scottish Co-operator now formulated 
 a set of questions to be filled in by co-operative societies, 
 the answers to which might inform the delegates attending 
 the meeting as to the trade that might be expected ; 
 but he was only partially successful in getting replies. 
 The following table is the result of his inquiries. Many 
 societies sent no reply, hence the table is incomplete. 
 The delegates' names are also entered : 
 
232 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 TABULATED STATEMENT OF CONFERENCE QUESTIONS. 
 
 SOCIETY. 
 
 Members 
 
 Members' 
 Capital. 
 
 Sales, 
 Last Quarter. 
 
 Insur- 
 ance. 
 
 j 
 
 DELEGATES. 
 
 
 
 S. d. 
 
 & s. d. 
 
 & 
 
 Bags 
 
 
 Alexandria 
 
 176 
 
 442 7 7 
 
 936 16 7 
 
 
 
 J. Mills 
 
 Alloa 
 
 220 
 
 366 16 9J 
 
 945 16 5J 
 
 700 
 
 36 
 
 J. Millar 
 
 Alva 
 
 356 
 
 2,220 11 7j 
 
 1,695 
 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 Bannockburn 
 Ban-head 
 
 231 
 
 189 
 
 3,067 6 9 
 703 6 5J 
 
 3,832 14 3J 
 1,338 7 5J 
 
 900 
 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 R. Stark 
 
 Bonnyrigg 
 
 
 tN.I. 
 
 
 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 
 Brechin 
 
 658 
 
 2,889 10 4 
 
 5,734" 
 
 
 515 
 
 ,, 
 
 Busby 
 
 
 357 13 7 
 
 1,508 1 8J 
 
 
 
 J. Nimmo and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 A. M'Nab 
 
 Crosshouse 
 
 190 
 
 515 2 2 
 
 1,902 2 H 
 
 
 
 Jas. Borrowman 
 
 Coaltown of Wemyss 
 
 60 
 
 294 
 
 673 1 3 
 
 200 
 
 i2 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 
 Cumbernauld 
 
 
 N.I. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Deanston 
 Dumbarton . . - - . . 
 Dunfermline 
 East Kilbride 
 
 112 
 654 
 
 360 
 236 1 2 
 2,051 14 5 
 N.I. 
 
 672"5 9} 
 736 19 4 
 3,689 10 4 
 
 Not I 
 1400 
 
 's 
 
 130 
 
 J. Saunders 
 J. M'Kinlay 
 J. Henderson 
 W. Bright 
 
 Blast Wemyss 
 
 161 
 
 500 
 
 2,035 'is 
 
 400 
 
 372 
 
 R. Morris 
 
 Edinburgh- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Co-op. Society .. 
 
 
 376 11 11 
 
 2,045 19 2| 
 
 
 
 John Borrowman 
 
 Western 
 
 
 189 18 11 
 
 768 18 11 
 
 
 
 ii 
 
 St Margaret's .. 
 
 176 
 
 260 
 
 900 
 
 300 
 
 52 
 
 
 
 St Cuthbert's 
 
 
 323 6 5 
 
 1,934 13 8 
 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 Galston 
 
 220 
 
 323 16 9 
 
 1,540 19 11} 
 
 
 
 J. Cunningham 
 
 Glasgow- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Southern . 
 
 
 N.I. 
 
 
 .. 
 
 
 R. Hart 
 
 St Rollox . 
 
 228 
 
 327 10 10J 
 
 1,190 i4 3J 
 
 
 
 J. Annandale 
 
 Grangemouth ' .. 
 
 
 N.I. 
 
 
 
 
 J. Arnott 
 
 J Hawick . 
 
 666 
 
 2,575 10 10 
 
 4,461 
 
 1260 
 
 546 
 
 R. Tough 
 
 Kilmarnock . 
 
 163 
 
 205 15 6| 
 
 1,061 4 
 
 
 
 J. Burnett 
 
 Kinross 
 
 140 
 
 80 
 
 325 
 
 300 
 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 
 Lanark 
 
 
 N.I. 
 
 
 
 
 ,, 
 
 North of England 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Wholesale Society 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 J. C. Edwards 
 
 Newtonshaw 
 
 190 
 
 316 15 
 
 1,021 "5 9 
 
 500 
 
 36 
 
 J. Millar 
 
 Paisley Equitable . . 
 
 212 
 
 259 2 
 
 1,352 14 
 
 
 
 T. Nairn and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 R. Edmond 
 
 Paisley Provident . . 
 
 630 
 
 628 4 2| 
 
 1,817 6 8i 
 
 
 
 T. Vance and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 R. Paterson 
 
 Penicuik .. ^ (r . 
 
 240 
 
 1,611 12 11J 
 
 1,747 17 4 
 
 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 
 Portobello 
 
 108 
 
 252 
 
 1,147 
 
 500 
 
 ie 
 
 John Borrowman 
 
 Shotts 
 
 40 
 
 87 19 11 
 
 563 12 5i 
 
 INotI 
 
 
 J. Brunton 
 
 Springburn 
 
 107 
 
 N.I. 
 
 1,253 8 3| 
 
 200 
 
 18 
 
 J. Morrison and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 D. M'Kechnie 
 
 Thornliebank 
 
 160 
 
 275 
 
 1,438 
 
 400 
 
 26 
 
 J. Gibb and 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 D. Cameron 
 
 Tillicoultry .. 
 Tillicoultry Baking 
 
 300 
 
 1,825 
 N.I. 
 
 1,800 
 
 700 
 
 16 
 
 R. Finlay 
 R. Murray 
 
 Troon 
 
 225 
 
 148 6 3 
 
 638 il 11 
 
 
 27 
 
 J. Montgomery 
 
 West Wemyss 
 
 99 
 
 477 6 4 
 
 1,193 3 1J 
 
 600 
 
 16 
 
 J. Brown 
 
 
 
 24,538 6 3J 
 
 53,901 14 4} 
 
 
 
 
 * In some instances this column includes the flour baked as well as sold. 
 
 t and marked thus ( . . ) stand for no information on these points. 
 
 J In addition to the working capital of the Hawick Society, the members are owners 
 of heritable property, valued at 1,500, which is also insured. The profits on the 
 quarter's sales amount to 340, 9s. 10$d. The capital and sales are the largest of any 
 of the Scottish societies, with the exception of Brechin. 
 
 DELEGATE MEETING. A meeting of delegates, representing 
 forty of the co-operative societies of Scotland, was held in the 
 Bell Hotel, Glasgow, on Saturday, the seventh day of April 1866, 
 at twelve o'clock noon. 
 
 Mr James Borrowman, of Crosshouse, near Kilmarnock, was 
 unanimously called to the chair. Mr Borrowman, on assuming 
 the chair, opened the proceedings by delivering an eloquent 
 address on the importance of co-operation, its beneficial effects, 
 and the objects of the conference as regards co-operative societies. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 233 
 
 The Chairman afterwards called upon Mr J. C. Edwards, of 
 Manchester, cashier and manager of the North of England 
 Wholesale Industrial Society Limited, who attended the meeting 
 by request, kindly acceded to by the directorate of that society. 
 
 Mr Edwards gave the meeting a very succinct and graphic 
 history of his society, stating the difficulties and dangers it had 
 to contend with since its inauguration these obstacles not alone 
 arising from the jealousies of private wholesale houses, but also 
 from co-operative societies. He also gave an amusing description 
 of the nefarious tricks resorted to by the trade in respect to butter 
 and tea, showing that a co-operative society, such as he represented 
 and such as the meeting contemplated establishing, had not the 
 same incentives to delude ; their customers being shareholders, 
 adulteration could be no gain to them, as the profit arising in this 
 way would be only changing the money from the one pocket to 
 the other. The information given to the meeting was very 
 valuable, and highly appreciated by the delegates present. 
 
 The question was then taken up as to the starting of a wholesale 
 agency. Each of the delegates gave their opinion on the matter, 
 all tending to be favourable, but judiciously concluding that the 
 societies in Scotland were not yet in a position to maintain one. 
 
 Mr J. Millar, of Alva, in accordance with the general tendency 
 of the meeting, moved : " That the delegates impress upon the 
 members of their respective societies the importance of taking 
 shares in the North of England Wholesale Co-operative Society, 
 and also the great necessity of giving to it the largest measure of 
 support possible." The resolution was seconded by Mr J. Morrison, 
 of Springburn, and unanimously adopted. 
 
 The advantages to be secured by, and the possibility of starting 
 a co-operative flour mill, was then discussed, the result being that 
 the delegates were pretty unanimous in the opinion that the 
 present state of the co-operative societies in Scotland did not 
 warrant their recommending the formation of a co-operative flour 
 mill. The question of a co-operative insurance society was also 
 considered, but postponed till the results of the forthcoming 
 conference on this question by the English societies be ascertained. 
 
 On the question of a uniform balance-sheet, the delegates were 
 unanimous that such was necessary, and the following committee 
 was appointed to draw up one : Messrs Thomas Nairn and Robert 
 Paterson, Paisley, and Robert Stark and John M'Innes, Barrhead. 
 
 This may be looked upon as the largest and most 
 influential co-operative meeting that had yet been held in 
 Scotland. There was not much result from the meeting ; 
 but the men had met, and that was a great step forward ; 
 they now began to know each other, and they compared 
 notes for the first time. It only required such a meeting 
 to set such men athinking on the possibilities of the 
 movement. If the binding together of individuals in retail 
 societies had done so much, what could these societies 
 unitedly not do ? The sky of co-operation was clearing, 
 and dormant minds were being stirred. 
 
 D^iloho 
 
234 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 There is plenty of intelligence, reading, curiosity ; 
 but serious, happy discourse, avoiding personalities, 
 dealing with results, is rare.- Emerson. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY : 
 THE FORMATION. 
 
 SCOTTISH co-operation up till this time was singularly 
 poor in leaders of thought. If we except such 
 men as Campbell of Glasgow, and Paton of 
 Barrhead, who were occasionally engaged to speak 
 at social meetings, or to give lectures on co-operation when 
 a society was being formed, there were no other advocates 
 of the movement. The result of this paucity of infor- 
 mation and -proper appreciation of the economic value of 
 co-operation was to kill all idealism. The local store 
 and its success was the beginning and ending of co- 
 operation to the greater number of those who had 
 become connected with the movement. In vain will 
 one look for anything higher than local interest and 
 immediate reward from purchases in the prospectuses, 
 in the rules, or in the speeches of the local leaders. Here 
 and there in a burst of enthusiasm some orator did 
 picture a new moral world ; but if enquiry was made, 
 in all probability it would be found he had been a student 
 of Robert Owen. But now all this centering of ideas in 
 localities was to be changed ; the village store was about 
 to become part of a great national organisation. To the 
 imaginative, co-operation had now assumed a new garb, 
 that would make it attractive to all. 
 
 But the inception of the Wholesale Society was not 
 only calling forth new thoughts regarding the future of 
 the movement ; it was producing new leaders. The 
 representatives at the first conferences in connection with 
 the formation of the Wholesale Society were not slow to 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 235 
 
 recognise the men able to lead them in their new venture. 
 The choice of Mr James Borrowman, in our opinion, was 
 the right one at the moment. He was the son of 
 that intelligent and determined old co-operator John 
 Borrowman, who in his time was president of St Cuthbert's, 
 and then filled the same office in the Edinburgh Northern 
 District Co-operative Society. The son in many respects 
 resembled the father ; he was exceptionally well informed 
 on both social and scientific subjects ; his ready forms 
 of expression were both attractive and convincing. His 
 letters to the Scottish Co-operator on co-operative insurance 
 had made him known and respected before the conferences 
 on the wholesale agency began. We believe the present 
 Co-operative Insurance Society was largely the outcome 
 of his advocacy. His greatest asset at this time (as it is 
 with all leaders) was that he had won the confidence of 
 the representatives. If his manner was brusque and 
 forceful, it was set down to his strong convictions. 
 
 The resolution passed at the April meeting to impress 
 upon societies to support the North of England Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society was not carried out to any great extent, 
 although some societies did associate with the Wholesale 
 at Manchester. But it was evident from the first that 
 this arrangement could only be a makeshift; the 
 distance was too great, and Scottish desires could not 
 always be met by English supplies. Some other method, 
 more under the control of the Scottish societies, must be 
 found. The year that had passed since the last con- 
 ference had been well spent, for societies throughout the 
 country had got time to consider and decide on the best 
 course to pursue. 
 
 Another conference of Scottish delegates was held in 
 Whyte's Temperance Hotel, Glasgow, on the 8th June 
 1867. There were thirty societies represented by thirty- 
 three delegates. The names of societies and representa- 
 tives will be found in the accompanying table. 
 
236 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 SOCIETIES REPRESENTED AT CONFERENCE MEETING. 
 
 Name of Society. 
 
 Number 
 of 
 Members 
 
 Amount 
 of 
 Capital. 
 
 Delegates. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Alva 
 
 417 
 
 2535 
 
 Name not given 
 
 Auchinleck 
 
 *N.I. 
 
 N.I. 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 
 Bannock burn ... ... 
 
 319 
 
 4056 
 
 J. M'Gruther 
 
 Barrhead 
 
 238 
 
 897 
 
 J. Allan and R. Stark 
 
 Bathgate 
 
 436 
 
 1100 
 
 W. Davidson 
 
 Busby 
 
 180 
 
 348 
 
 John Nimmo 
 
 Carluke 
 
 120 
 
 408 
 
 II. Andrews and 
 
 
 
 
 G. Laurie 
 
 Crosshouse 
 
 220 
 
 680 
 
 James Borrowman 
 
 Dalkeith 
 
 176 
 
 231 
 
 Thomas Leslie 
 
 Dairy (Baking) 
 Dalziel (Motherwell) 
 
 440 
 N.I. 
 
 220 
 
 N.I. 
 
 James Anderson 
 D. Marchbank and 
 
 
 
 
 Robert M' Arthur 
 
 Dumbarton 
 
 122 
 
 280 
 
 J. M'Kinlay 
 
 Dunfermline ... 
 
 900 
 
 3697 
 
 Joseph Henderson 
 
 Edinburgh St Cuthbert's ... 
 
 320 
 
 N.I. 
 
 Allan Scott and 
 
 
 
 
 Richard Lees 
 
 Galston 
 
 300 
 
 f431 
 
 James Cunningham 
 
 Grahamston and Bainsford, 
 
 
 
 
 near Falkirk 
 
 N.I. 
 
 N.I. 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 
 Glasgow 
 
 
 
 
 Eastern, 3 Clyde Street ... 
 
 19 
 
 39 
 
 James Whitelaw 
 
 St Rollox 
 
 203 
 
 337 
 
 G. Thomson and 
 
 
 
 
 D. M 'Caiman 
 
 Kilmarnock ... 
 
 400 
 
 666 
 
 George Merrylees 
 
 Kingskettle 
 
 269 sh. 
 
 N.I. 
 
 James Navin 
 
 Kirkland 
 
 156 
 
 408 
 
 David Kidd 
 
 Lochgelly 
 
 147 
 
 315 
 
 W. Smith 
 
 Lanark 
 
 118 
 
 376 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 
 Montrose Baking and Grocery 
 
 850 
 
 2334 
 
 Andrew Lindsay 
 
 Paisley Provident 
 
 300 
 
 450 
 
 Robert More and 
 
 
 
 
 Daniel Andrew 
 
 Port-Glasgow... 
 
 200 
 
 86 
 
 P. M 'Donald and 
 
 
 
 
 Archibald Walker 
 
 Portobello 
 
 113 
 
 340 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 
 Shotts 
 
 N.I. 
 
 N.I. 
 
 James Brunton 
 
 Renfrew 
 
 100 
 
 246 
 
 Matthew Ireland 
 
 West Wemyss 
 North of England 
 
 N.I. 
 N.I. 
 
 N.I. 
 N.I. 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 J. C. Edwards 
 
 
 7062 
 
 20,480 
 
 
 *No information on these points. 
 
 t In addition to this capital, there is an educational fund of 31, 10s. 5d. and 
 redemption fund of 66, 12s. 8d. 
 
 Mr James Borrowman was appointed chairman. In 
 his opening remarks the chairman emphasised the 
 importance of the subject which the meeting was called 
 upon to discuss, and requested the delegates to express 
 their opinions on the first question for consideration 
 namely, " The necessity of a wholesale agency in Glasgow, 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 237 
 
 either as a branch of the North of England Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society or independent of it, but purchasing 
 through it as much as possible." The discussion which 
 followed was very much on the same lines as at the 
 former meeting. The delegates who spoke all expressed 
 themselves in favour of something being done, but 
 hesitated to take any decided action. Mr J. C. Edwards, 
 who again attended as representing the English Wholesale, 
 said that he was present at the express desire of 
 the executive of the North of England Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society, who had commissioned him to say 
 that a branch of their society could not in the mean- 
 time be opened in Glasgow, as places in England had a 
 prior claim should his directors feel in a position to 
 open branches. He further said that his directors 
 empowered him to say that if that meeting resolved 
 on the formation of a separate society, their aid and 
 experience in the trade as wholesale buyers, and every 
 advice which would conduce to the success of the society, 
 would be cheerfully given. The discussion which followed 
 showed that the delegates were in favour of immediate 
 steps being taken for the formation of a wholesale society 
 in Scotland. It was now that Mr Gabriel Thomson, of 
 St Rollox Society, moved his historic resolution, which 
 was seconded by Mr Matthew Ireland, of Renfrew Society : 
 " That this conference, convinced of the advantage and 
 necessity of a wholesale agency, and seeing that the 
 North of England Co-operative Wholesale Society cannot 
 extend a branch to Scotland, hereby appoint a committee 
 to diffuse information, make the necessary arrangements 
 for commencing a wholesale co-operative society in 
 Glasgow, and in the meantime to make use of the North 
 of England Society for the supply of our wants as shall 
 be deemed desirable." There does not seem to have been 
 a single dissenting voice when the question was put. 
 Thus the principle of wholesale co-operation was launched 
 in Scotland, and at least thirty societies pledged to carry 
 it into practice without further delay. The committee 
 was appointed, and consisted of Messrs James Borrowman, 
 Crosshouse ; John Duncan, Glasgow ; Thomas Nairn, 
 Paisley ; Richard Lees, Edinburgh ; Joseph Henderson, 
 Dunfermline ; James Cunningham, Galston ; and John 
 M'lnnes, Barrhead. 
 
238 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 The question of the urgent need of a corn mill was 
 remitted to the above committee to take such action as 
 they deemed advisable. The committee, we fear, had 
 quite sufficient in the wholesale agency question to engage 
 their whole attention for a long time to come. 
 
 Among the first steps taken by the committee which 
 was appointed by the conference to carry out the 
 resolution regarding the formation of a wholesale society, 
 was to issue an address to every society in Scotland, 
 showing the objects aimed at, advantages to be secured, 
 and the conditions essential to success. The address took 
 the form of a four-page tract ; it was accompanied 
 by a circular, from which the following extracts are 
 taken : 
 
 As the expenses connected with the conference committee will 
 wholly fall on the conference fund, it has been deemed prudent to 
 defer calling a meeting until our arrangements are completed for 
 laying before the members definite data whereby they can at once 
 cany out the principal object of their appointment. For this pur- 
 pose the enclosed address has been drawn up, in which the claims 
 and advantages of a wholesale agency are set forth to the members 
 of the societies in Scotland. This address is therefore submitted 
 to you as a member of committee for approval, or to make any 
 amendment on itj or suggestion, which in the circumstances you 
 think would have greater effect. After you have approved, or made 
 such amendment as you think necessary, the address is to be 
 returned to the secretary. 
 
 Further statistics were also requested from societies, 
 and in time all were tabulated, and, with the suggestions 
 sent in, printed in pamphlet form, and sold to societies at 
 is. 3d. per hundred for distribution among the members 
 of all the societies in Scotland. In this way every 
 co-operator in the country was made aware of the 
 interesting and important proposal that so much was 
 expected from. Opinion was rapidly ripening, and the 
 committees of the various societies were in high expectation. 
 A letter appeared in the Co-operator advising the con- 
 ference committee to hold the next conference during 
 the new-year holidays, to allow of some co-operators 
 attending who had no other opportunity. The committee 
 accepted the suggestion, and let it be known that already 
 they had answers from eighty societies, doing a business 
 of 716,857 per annum. All promised well for the new 
 venture when it was announced that two conferences 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 239 
 
 would be held one in Glasgow on the 1st January 1868, 
 the other in Edinburgh on the following day. 
 
 The Glasgow meeting was held in Whyte's Temperance 
 Hotel on the first day of 1868, and was attended by 
 thirty-four representative co-operators from twenty-six 
 societies. Mr James Borrowman presided, and, after an 
 excellent address, called on the various representatives to 
 report as to the attitude of their societies towards the 
 wholesale agency question. Kach of the delegates in 
 turn then reported how their respective societies viewed 
 the proposal. On the general question of formation there 
 was practical unanimity, but there were many questions 
 raised that could only be properly answered by experience 
 in actual working. The following representatives 
 reported favourably : Shotts, East Kilbride, Mauchline, 
 Kilmarnock, St Rollox, Cathcart, Crosshouse, Troon, 
 Carluke, Cambusbarron, Port-Glasgow, Glasgow Eastern, 
 Barrhead, Dalziel, Dunfermline, * Govan Equitable, 
 Galston, Busby, Paisley Equitable. Mr M'Innes said he 
 had letters from the following societies who were 
 favourable : Thurso, Strathisla, Montrose, Lanark, 
 Kingskettle, and Bannockburn. The chairman, in reply 
 to several questions, said that all the societies generally 
 understood that Glasgow would be the first place for the 
 wholesale agency, and Edinburgh afterwards if Glasgow 
 succeeded. He also indicated that a store would be 
 required for goods requiring to be divided in bulk, but a 
 considerable quantity of the goods would be sent direct 
 from first-class merchants. It is interesting to note that 
 some delegates objected to fourteen days' credit ; they 
 supported a ready-money system. The rules were ordered 
 to be prepared by the conference committee on the basis 
 of the North of England Wholesale Agency. 
 
 The following day (2nd January 1868) the second 
 conference took place, in Buchanan's Temperance Hotel, 
 High Street, Edinburgh Mr James Borrowman presiding 
 when thirty-two delegates representing twenty-five 
 societies attended. As some of the societies were also 
 represented at the Glasgow meeting on the previous day, 
 the total number of societies represented at the two 
 
 *Govan hesitated, unless they could get an assurance of easy 
 withdrawal. 
 
240 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 meetings was forty, and the delegates present numbered 
 seventy-eight for the two days. The business was gone 
 over as on the previous day, and again the delegates were 
 unanimous on the question that a wholesale agency should 
 be formed at Glasgow. At the close of the meeting 
 co-operators who had never seen each other before parted 
 as fast friends ; in many cases the friendship begun here 
 only ended with life itself. Some additional names were 
 added to the committee, which now consisted of the 
 following gentlemen : 
 
 William Macgregor, chairman of Dunfermline Society. 
 Daniel Kay, chairman of Alva Society. 
 John Poole, chairman of Portobello Society. 
 James Cunningham, secretary of Galston Society. 
 Gabriel Thomson, secretary of St Rollox Society, Glasgow. 
 Richard Lees, secretary of St Cuthbert's Society, Edinburgh. 
 Archibald M'Lean, secretary of Govan Society. 
 John Arnott, treasurer of Grangemouth Society. 
 James Borrowman, secretary of Crosshouse Society. 
 
 The following are the names of the delegates who were 
 present at the Edinburgh meeting : 
 
 James M'Beath and Stephen Cranston, Co-operative Society, 
 
 Penicuik. 
 Allan Scott and John Chessar, St Cuthbert's Co-operative Society, 
 
 Edinburgh. 
 William M'Gregor and John Spence, Co-operative Society, 
 
 Dunfermline. 
 
 John Poole and George Low, Co-operative Society, Pbrtobello. 
 Thomas Cornwall and Finlay Lumsden, Co-operative Society, 
 
 Tranent. 
 
 James Cunningham, Co-operative Society, Galston. 
 Gabriel Thomson, St Rollox Co-operative Society, Glasgow. 
 James Borrowman and Robert Fisher, Co-operative Society, 
 
 Crosshouse. 
 Archibald M'Lean and John M'Creath, Equitable Co-operative 
 
 Society, Govan. 
 Andrew Rennie and William Anderson, Grahamston and Bainsford 
 
 Co-operative Society, Falkirk. 
 
 William Dawson and Daniel Kay, Co-operative Society, Alva. 
 Thomas Adamson, Co-operative Society, Newtonshaw. 
 William Cunningham and Robert Finlay, Co-operative Society, 
 
 Tillicoultry. 
 James Dewar and William Herd, Co-operative Society, Kirkland, 
 
 Fife. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 241 
 
 William Smith, Co-operative Society, Lochgelly. 
 
 Thomas Phillips, Equitable Co-operative Society, Kirriemuir. 
 
 Joseph Gibb, Co-operative Society, Thornliebank. 
 
 John Arnott, Co-operative Society, Grangemouth. 
 
 John Ramsay and Charles Cattanach, Co-operative Society, Bo'ness. 
 
 John M'Innes, secretary of conference, representing co-operative 
 
 societies of Bannockburn, Montrose, Lanark, Thurso, 
 
 Strathisla, and Kingskettle. 
 
 Reports of the meetings were evidently sent out to all 
 the societies ; and for the first time in the history of the 
 movement every committee in the country was exercised 
 by the same question. Some committees, who were 
 inclined to stand aloof, on reading the report of the 
 meetings, became quite interested. One secretary wrote 
 as follows : " Our executive have made a careful examina- 
 tion of the goods in stock, and have resolved to reduce the 
 stock as far as possible, to be ready to purchase whenever 
 the start is made ; and I think it is the duty of every 
 society to do what they can to enable the ' agency ' to 
 commence on a sound foundation ; there must be neither 
 apathy nor lukewarmness in the matter." Another 
 secretary wrote : "I feel that we shall not be absent at 
 any future meetings of the conference ; we have resolved 
 to join the ' wholesale/ " 
 
 Co-operation was now aroused in Scotland ; the leaders 
 had at last found what they had been groping for so long. 
 All their jubilation was pardonable ; for they knew the 
 benefits of retail co-operation, and in many cases they 
 knew its limits ; but this new form of unity opened up 
 a new vista of hope that seemed to have no limit. 
 
 
 10 TO 
 
242 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 T 
 
 CHAPTER XXXI. 
 
 Head straight for the goal, casting not a glance behind. 
 
 Marcus Aurelius. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: 
 THE BEGINNING. 
 
 HE prospectus of the Scottish Co-operative Whole- 
 sale Society that was placed before every 
 society in Scotland in 1867 is worthy of being 
 reproduced after the lapse of forty-three years. 
 
 OBJECTS AIMED Ax. First : In the retail stores individuals 
 unite their purchases for two reasons namely, they prevent the 
 frauds of the retail dealers in adulteration, light weight, etc. ; and 
 they economise the expense of distribution. The wholesale agency 
 proposes to advance a step further in the same direction by 
 aggregating the purchases of the various stores. It would dispense 
 with the wholesale dealer, as the retail store has ceased to employ 
 the retail dealer, thus coming into closer contact with the producers 
 and with large purchasers and also commanding the best markets, 
 thereby securing an additional guarantee for purer articles. 
 Second : To consolidate and extend the movement by increased 
 facilities for the formation of retail stores, as through the wholesale 
 agency they would reap at once the full benefits of a larger experience, 
 and so be secure from the danger of imposition ; and through the 
 increase of retail stores, the wholesale agency would be more firmly 
 established, its sphere of usefulness extended, and its power to 
 benefit working-men increased and still more fully developed. 
 
 ADVANTAGES TO BE SECURED. First : If, through the action 
 of the retail stores, an actual saving can be effected, wealth arrested 
 and distributed over many, which under the old system of selling 
 would have swelled the fortunes of a few, so in like manner the 
 Wholesale Society, which is simply a union of stores as the store is 
 a union of individuals, can arrest wealth at a still earlier period for 
 the benefit of the store. Second : In purchasing through a whole- 
 sale agency, retail societies are in a position to employ first-rate 
 skill, which in an isolated state would be impossible, except for a 
 few of the largest and even they would hesitate to pay the wages 
 to obtain first-class purchasers ; but, by uniting, the expenses are 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 243 
 
 reduced to the minimum, and even the poorest stores can reap the 
 full benefit, as the expenses are paid by the wholesale agency, and 
 does not encroach on the present profits of the stores. 
 
 CONDITIONS ESSENTIAL TO SUCCESS. Unbounded faith in the 
 progress of co-operation and in the abilities and honesty of our- 
 selves as working-men ; for, if we have successfully united to secure 
 the profits of the retail dealer, the obvious inference is, we can as 
 easily secure the profits of the wholesale dealer 'the principle is 
 the same : a certain demand makes a sure profit ; and if working- 
 men have always been found able to conduct the business of the 
 retail stores, do not doubt but that they will be found, when 
 required, for the wholesale agency also. 
 
 For these reasons we would respectfully urge upon all co-operative 
 societies to take advantage of the wholesale agency and join it at 
 its start; by doing so their stability will be increased and the 
 Wholesale Society placed in a position of security. The cost of 
 membership to the poorest society should be no obstacle. To raise 
 at intervals of three months one shilling per member, on which 
 sum they will even receive five per cent, per annum, can surely be 
 made up by any society professing the principle. Should the 
 Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society at any time be improperly 
 managed, we have little fear but that the intelligence and experience 
 which a very large number of working-men now possess of the 
 practical management of co-operative societies will develop the 
 business of the Wholesale Society to a successful issue. 
 
 It will be seen from the above statement that the 
 promoters had an intelligent appreciation of the business 
 they had in hand, from which they hoped so much. 
 
 The next meeting of delegates in connection with 
 starting the Wholesale Society was held on ist August 
 1868, in Whyte's Temperance Hotel, Glasgow Mr James 
 Borrowman, the president of the conference (who had 
 the work in hand), presiding. The secretary, in submitting 
 the report of the executive's work, described a visit that 
 he and the chairman had paid to Manchester to inquire 
 into the working of the wholesale society there. They 
 had obtained much valuable information that would be 
 of great assistance to them in the formation of their own 
 society. In the remarks of the chairman, it is most 
 interesting to note how clearly he foresaw the develop- 
 ment of the then embryo Wholesale. He said : " We 
 expend annually on flour and meal 200,000, on sugar 
 120,000, on soap 56,000, and on tobacco 20,000. 
 I mention these articles because they point us onward 
 in the direction of profit ; they show us that a corn mill, 
 
244 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 a sugar refinery, a soap or tobacco manufactory, are safe 
 investments." With one exception all these things have 
 come to pass, and they are " safe investments " ; but 
 it took a quarter of a century to prepare the movement 
 for them. The rules of the proposed society were 
 submitted and adjusted, many alterations taking place. 
 The shares were to be withdrawable. " Every society 
 being a member shall have one vote, and one additional 
 vote for every 200 worth of goods purchased through 
 the Wholesale Society." The committee was to consist 
 of nine three officials and six members of committee. 
 The following gentlemen were elected, and formed the 
 first committee : President, Mr . George Merrylees, 
 Kilmarnock Society ; treasurer, Mr Gabriel Thomson, 
 St Rollox Society, Glasgow ; secretary, Mr John Allan, 
 Barrhead Society ; committee Messrs John Hall, 
 Portobello Society ; Richard Lees, St Cuthbert's Society, 
 Edinburgh ; Daniel Kay, Alva Society ; Alexander 
 Meldrum, Bannockburn Society ; John Smith, Lochgelly 
 Society ; George Dodds, Penicuik Society. The auditors 
 were Archibald M'Lean, Govan Equitable Society ; and 
 James Inglis, Paisley Equitable Society. Mr James 
 Borrowman was unanimously elected manager. 
 
 The accompanying table gives the sales, and the names 
 of the societies' representatives : 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 245 
 
 SOCIETIES REPRESENTED AT CONFERENCE MEETING. 
 
 Name of Society. 
 
 Amount 
 of Sales. 
 
 Delegates. 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 
 
 Alexandria 
 
 1,992 
 
 James Burnett, James M'Intyre 
 
 Alva 
 
 14,018 
 
 Daniel Kay 
 
 Barrhead 
 
 8,577 
 
 A. Johnstone, John Allan 
 
 Bannockburn 
 
 14,806 
 
 Alex. Meldrum, J. M'Gruther 
 
 Bo'ness 
 
 1,821 
 
 J. Ramsay 
 
 f^arliikp 
 
 2 560 
 
 Hunter 
 
 v iinuH i ... ... . * 
 Cathcart 
 
 9^000 
 
 William Shirlaw 
 
 Catrine 
 
 1,972 
 
 William Murray 
 
 Crosshouse 
 
 2,846 
 
 Jas. Borrowman, John Murdoch 
 
 Dalziel (Motherwell) ... 
 
 1,500 
 
 William Paul 
 
 Dunfermline 
 
 32,262 
 
 Wm. M'Gregor, John Spence 
 
 Edinburgh St Cuthbert's 
 
 11,786 
 
 Richard Lees, R. Scott 
 
 Glasgow 
 
 
 
 St Rollox 
 
 5,662 
 
 F. Maxwell, Gabriel Thomson 
 
 South Eastern ;>>.,- 
 
 1,496 
 
 W. Robertson 
 
 Anderston 
 Galston 
 
 2,341 
 9,420 
 
 H. Fitzpatrick, J. M 'Donald 
 James Cunningham 
 
 Govan ... ... 
 
 2,200 
 
 Archibald M'Lean 
 
 Grahamston and Bainsford 
 
 5,730 
 
 John Logan, John Morrison 
 
 Kihnarnock Bakery 
 
 25,308 
 
 Alexander Hunter 
 
 Kilmarnock 
 
 10,200 
 
 F. Bain, J. Weir, G. Merrylees 
 
 Kirkland ... ... 
 
 5,650 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 
 Lochgelly 
 
 3,750 
 
 William Smith 
 
 Mauchline 
 
 4,388 
 
 
 Newmilns ... /^ ..|.j 
 
 6,000 
 
 Alexander Dykes 
 
 Port-Glasgow 
 
 4,416 
 
 John Duguid 
 
 Paisley Equitable ,....' 
 
 4,710 
 
 J. Thompson, John Alexander 
 
 Portobello 
 
 1,660 
 
 J. Poole 
 
 Penicuik ... ... ...... 
 
 5,561 
 
 J. M'lnnes 
 
 Shotts 
 
 4,000 
 
 James Brunton 
 
 Thurso .... /.I. ""//.# 
 
 3,900 
 
 J. M'Innes 
 
 Tillicoultry ... ^i-< 
 
 5,400 
 
 Robert Finlay 
 
 Troon "\. .,. 
 
 4,228 
 
 William Neil 
 
 Thornliebank 
 
 3,675 
 
 W. M 'Naught, John Gibb 
 
 
 222,835 
 
 
 The ship was now fully manned, and many were the 
 good wishes expressed that day that she might have a 
 long and prosperous voyage. The delegates vied with 
 each other in building " castles in the air," but not one 
 of them, however extravagant their language, mentally 
 realised the immensity of the Wholesale of to-day. They 
 gave rein to their imagination, but even that fell far short 
 of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society as we 
 know it. 
 
 Suitable premises were secured on lease at 15 Madeira 
 Court, Argyle Street, Glasgow, and business was 
 commenced on 8th September 1868. One of the first 
 
246 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 important duties devolving upon the committee was the 
 appointment of a qualified buyer of grocery goods. 
 After careful consideration, their choice fell on Mr James 
 Marshall, manager of Alva Co-operative Bazaar Society. 
 It was a happy choice. Mr Marshall was in every way 
 suited for the new position to which he was appointed. 
 Trustworthy, industrious, intelligent, and amiable, he 
 soon made himself a favourite with the leaders of the 
 movement ; and it is not too much to say that but for 
 his sound judgment and gentle manners friction would 
 have arisen between the Wholesale Society and some 
 of the managers of retail societies. His correspondence 
 was tactful and peaceful, as also was his conversation. 
 The Alva Society, in presenting him with a handsome 
 testimonial on his leaving their service, showed how 
 much they valued his long and faithful services. 
 
 The first quarter was germinal of the future, and the 
 report of the committee was hailed all over the country 
 as cheering and most encouraging. Many societies still 
 held back to see how the experiment would work out, 
 and only fell into line when the few had made it a decided 
 success. The sales for the first week were 200, but they 
 increased before the quarter's end to 1,200 per week. 
 The total sales for the quarter were 9,697, 75. id., the 
 distributive expenses 3'8d. per pound, the net profit 
 48, 12s. lojd. which the committee wisely recommended 
 should be laid aside to form a reserve fund. In a notice 
 of the first balance-sheet issued by the Scottish 
 Co-operative Wholesale Society, the Scottish Co-operator 
 says : " We are glad to notice that a few of the larger 
 societies have shown themselves true to their principles, 
 and supported their Wholesale Society with consistency. 
 First among these is Crosshouse, and then comes hard 
 upon it Kilmarnock, Tillicoultry, Alva, Newmilns, 
 St Rollox, Barrhead, Galston, and Govan. Special notice 
 should also be taken of Bo' ness, Menstrie, and Cathcart ; 
 though their purchases are smaller than the other societies 
 mentioned, yet comparatively they are much larger, and 
 give proof of their confidence in the society and deter- 
 mination to support it as a duty incumbent upon them 
 as true and faithful co-operators. It is also pleasant to 
 observe that, besides the capital paid up by the societies 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 247 
 
 of Kilmarnock, Alva, Barrhead, and Bannockburn, they 
 have advanced loans to supplement the capital of the 
 society in sums of from 100 to 200 ; and since the 
 balance-sheet was printed, the Tillicoultry Society has 
 placed at the disposal of the managers the sum of 300. 
 This shows faith and principle that is worthy of record." 
 
 At the first quarterly meeting of the society, held on 
 2nd January 1869, the delegates agreed to the committee's 
 recommendation regarding the laying aside of the profit. 
 They took occasion to express their delight at the quarter's 
 results, and felt stronger than ever in their co-operative 
 faith. They resolved that in future five per cent, of the 
 profits be added to the reserve fund ; they then discussed 
 the desirability of forming a co-operative insurance society 
 in Scotland ; a great building society was also suggested 
 in fact, they were so overjoyed with their success that 
 they felt strong enough to tackle anything and everything. 
 
 The new and energetic spirit that had been created 
 would now live on, gathering strength and power in its 
 progress. Singular that for years these same men, who 
 had lived in isolation from each other, thinking only of 
 their local efforts, when they had now met and heard 
 each other's opinions, were ready and willing to attempt 
 anything in the name of co-operation. Another proof 
 that isolation means death, and that association gives 
 life. 
 
 At the third quarterly meeting of the society, held in 
 Edinburgh on 22nd June 1869, there were hearty 
 congratulations exchanged. The business continued to 
 increase. The purchasing societies now numbered ninety- 
 three, and the sales showed an increase over the previous 
 quarter of 2,096. 
 
 The conference that had originally been called to 
 consider the formation of the Wholesale Society was still 
 in existence, the societies throughout the country 
 subscribing towards any expense contracted by it. This 
 conference may be looked upon as the prototype of the 
 Scottish conferences that were afterwards formed. 
 A meeting of this conference was held after the Wholesale 
 Society's business was disposed of. An effort was made 
 to make the conference more representative, and a motion 
 was agreed to, that the conference committee should 
 
248 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 consist of not more than one member from each society 
 in Scotland. Prospectuses of the Scottish Co-operative 
 Mutual Protection Society, also of the Scottish Building 
 Society, were considered and approved. The committee 
 was instructed to draw up rules for the above schemes, 
 and submit them to another meeting. It may be noted 
 that any approval of these schemes given at this meeting 
 in no way committed the societies represented by the 
 delegates, so that the realisation of what was proposed 
 was a good way off. 
 
 The fourth quarterly meeting of the Wholesale Society 
 was held at Stirling on the 25th September 1869. Again 
 there was expansion reported, and again increases were 
 shown that were most encouraging. Forty delegates 
 represented twenty-two societies. An examination of the 
 balance-sheet at this time shows the change that has come 
 over the position of societies since then. We find that 
 Alva was the highest purchaser for the quarter with 
 1,248, while St Cuthbert's was thirty-second on the 
 list of purchasers with 259. To-day, Alva purchases 
 well at 7,786 for the half-year, while St Cuthbert's leads 
 the federation with 332,773 for the same period. Other 
 changes, quite as striking as the one given, speak 
 eloquently of the growth of co-operation during the past 
 forty years. The profit was fourpence per pound ; the 
 expenses of management only threepence per pound of 
 sales. If we take the first completed year of the Scottish 
 Co-operative Wholesale Society's existence, at 5th 
 December 1869, we can grasp the position better for 
 comparison with later years. The capital of the society 
 then stood at 5,174, the sales 81,094 ; the distributive 
 expenses had been 1,035, or 3d- P er pound on the sales ; 
 the net profit was 1,303, or an average of 3jd. per pound 
 for the year ; the reserve and insurance funds amounted 
 to 112, while the depreciation was 138. 
 
 The initial difficulties of formation and finance seem 
 now to have been surmounted. But another difficulty 
 was looming in front, foreseen by a few, but laughed at 
 by the majority. The great success that had attended 
 the floating of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society had set many of the more enthusiastic spirits 
 into a kind of co-operative fever, and at every meeting 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 249 
 
 they were discussing great schemes, and urging 
 immediate action. We have seen how they passed 
 resolutions for a great building scheme and an insurance 
 scheme without consulting their societies. The Glasgow 
 Co-operative Cooperage Society came into existence about 
 1868, and the delegates attending the Wholesale meetings 
 in 1870 were urged to consider the claims of this society ; 
 it would confer, it was said, a great benefit on the 
 membership, which was chiefly composed of working-men. 
 This had the effect of causing some societies to place 
 capital in the concern without very much inquiry. Then, 
 in 1872, there was established the Scottish Co-operative 
 Ironworks, which had its place of business at Charles 
 Street, St Rollox, Glasgow, and a shipbuilding yard at 
 Irvine, in Ayrshire. Provost Bennet, of Dumbarton, who 
 was a keen co-operator, was its president for a time ; 
 and in 1874 he publicly stated that the company had 
 got over its initial difficulties. Many co-operators, in their 
 enthusiasm, invested in the concern in their individual 
 capacity, and induced their societies also to take up 
 shares. 
 
 [.IP 
 
250 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XXXII. 
 
 Have love. Not love alone for one, 
 But man, as man, thy brothers call, 
 And scatter like the circling sun 
 Thy charities on all. Schiller. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: 
 THREATENING CLOUDS. 
 
 ANOTHER co-operative venture was brought before 
 the societies in November 1871 this was the Oak 
 Mill Company Limited. As stated in the rules, 
 the object of this company was " to carry on the 
 business of manufacturing wool, cotton and silk, and 
 weaving same, and to carry on the business of banking, 
 and the doing of all things incidental or essentially 
 necessary to the attainment of those objects, in conformity 
 with the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1876." 
 These rules were not registered till 1878. In December 
 1871 a letter appeared in the Co-operative News, signed 
 " Oatmeal," in which the writer warned the promoters 
 to be cautious, and pointed out other industries whose 
 produce could be taken up by the movement, while he 
 says that the produce of this proposed venture will 
 largely have to be sold outside. The editor's note to this 
 letter shows no sympathy with the letter-writer, and 
 strongly advocates the going on with the proposed mill. 
 
 Readers may think this a digression from the history of 
 the Wholesale Society ; but it will be seen by and by that 
 these productive efforts were so closely interwoven into 
 the very life of the Wholesale that they cannot well be 
 separated. 
 
 From what has been said it is evident there was an 
 over-anxiety to push matters more rapidly than experience 
 warranted. Some of those who led the Wholesale at the 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 251 
 
 time were not so enthusiastic and urged caution, but 
 their opinions were disregarded, and they were blamed 
 for lacking the true co-operative spirit. This was the 
 state of matters in 1871. The Wholesale Society con- 
 tinued to increase in sales, members, and capital, and in 
 what is better than all perhaps, the confidence of the 
 societies in Scotland. Mr George Merrylees, who had 
 been president since the formation in 1868, retired in 
 March 1871. He was a quiet, thoughtful, unassuming 
 gentleman, who had won the respect of all the leaders in 
 the movement, and it was with regret that the delegates 
 parted with him, thus losing his valuable services to 
 the still young federation. Mr Alexander Meldrum, of 
 Bannockburn Society, a member of the Wholesale board, 
 was elected president. 
 
 Another slight digression has to be made at this 
 point, as the subject is historically important. It will 
 be remembered that the Scottish Co-operator first appeared 
 in July 1863 as a monthly journal, entirely devoted to 
 co-operation. Mr J. T. M'Innes had given ungrudgingly 
 of his best to make it a success, and, considering the 
 unorganised state of the movement at the time, he 
 succeeded fairly well. He was in no small measure the 
 medium through which the movement in Scotland was 
 consolidated by the formation of the Wholesale Society 
 and the inauguration of co-operative conferences. It was 
 through his little interesting halfpenny monthly that 
 Scottish societies learned of the methods of other societies, 
 and also of the extent that co-operation was practised in 
 different countries. Henry Pitman had long carried on The 
 Co-operator in England, on somewhat more ambitious 
 lines than the Scottish Co-operator. In September 1871 
 the " Co-operative News " Society was established, and 
 the serials of both Mr M'Innes and Mr Pitman absorbed 
 by the new periodical. Both gentlemen were retained 
 by the Co-operative News, and Mr M'Innes, as Scottish 
 correspondent, carried on his work much in the same way 
 as he had done when he started in Barrhead in 1863. 
 The following is an extract from the last number of the 
 old Scottish Co-operator : 
 
 The giving up of our paper occasioned a considerable amount 
 of regret, more than many will credit, as it was begun when the 
 
252 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 movement was in its infancy and carried on for a time with a very 
 limited circulation and under other discouraging circumstances, 
 but gradually the circulation increased until it reached a com- 
 paratively large one in Scotland and a rapidly increasing one in 
 England, and in every way growing in popularity and influence. 
 But although regrets and doubts existed, we have no hesitation 
 in sinking these, as a matter of duty, by looking only at the claims 
 of the movement, and these we are warranted in believing were 
 consistently viewed and prominently carried out on our part as 
 well as by the committee, the arrangements being concluded with 
 the utmost harmony and kindly good feeling as became those who 
 professed the principle, while we felt flattered in seeing that our 
 efforts in the past had been so appreciated. 
 
 Mr M'Innes's great services to Scottish co-operation 
 were recognised by the societies throughout the country 
 subscribing and presenting him with a handsome 
 testimonial. To the last day of his life he took the 
 deepest possible interest in the movement, and especially 
 in the Wholesale Society, which he had done so much to 
 create and place on a firm foundation. 
 
 The Wholesale Society by 1872 had outgrown the 
 premises in Madeira Court, and, after much consideration, 
 and we may say calculation as to ways and means, it was 
 resolved to purchase ground in Paisley Road, Kingston, 
 and build suitable premises for the ever-growing business. 
 In April 1872 this site was purchased for 5,050, and 
 the building proceeded with. 
 
 On the igth September 1873 the new building was 
 opened with great rejoicing. A company of about four 
 hundred sat down to dinner, in the upper floor of the 
 new warehouse. Mr Meldrum, the president, presided, 
 and among the invited guests were Messrs Lloyd Jones ; 
 Provost Bennet, Dumbarton ; G. J. Holyoake ; 
 G. Howell, London ; James Crabtree (chairman Co- 
 operative Wholesale Society, Manchester) ; William 
 Nuttall (secretary Co-operative Congress, Manchester) ; 
 the members of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society committee ; and the representatives of the 
 co-operative societies in Scotland. Letters of apology 
 for absence were received from Messrs W. Morrison, M.P. ; 
 Thomas Hughes, M.P. ; Auberon Herbert, M.P. ; 
 G. Anderson, M.P. ; and J. M. Ludlow. Speeches of 
 great interest to co-operators were made by the chairman, 
 by Mr Borrowman (the manager), and ( by the English 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 253 
 
 visitors ; the keynote of all was fraternity and goodwill, 
 each speaker expressing not only their hope but their 
 assurance of the future success of the Scottish Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society. In the evening a great audience filled 
 the City Hall, when Provost Bennet, of Dumbarton 
 (who was also president of the Scottish Ironworks), took 
 the chair. Addresses were delivered by the chairman, 
 Messrs Lloyd Jones, James Crabtree, George Howell, 
 Dr. Rutherford, Andrew Boa, William Nuttall, and G. J. 
 Holyoake. 
 
 The premises now opened were considered by many to 
 be too large and ambitious for the society's business ; by 
 others they were thought to be sufficient for all time. 
 The price at the time was looked upon as being enormous 
 for working-men to expend on business premises ; but a 
 very few years served to convince the critics that the 
 executive was right, and that they were wrong. The 
 total cost of land and building was between 17,000 and 
 18,000. Little did the most sanguine of the orators at 
 the opening ceremony think that the great building they 
 were so proud of that day would in a few years be dwarfed 
 by some of the finest buildings of the city, erected and 
 controlled by the same society. 
 
 It was in December of 1873, in the upper floor of the 
 building just opened, that the drapery department was 
 established. Mr David Gardiner, of Bathgate Society, 
 was appointed manager, a position he still holds with 
 credit to himself and to the society. At first the trade 
 of the department included boots and shoes, but withal 
 it was so small that it could easily have been accommodated 
 in less space than some of the sub-departments take 
 to-day. 
 
 By the end of this year grave rumours were heard 
 regarding the financial position of the Scottish Ironworks. 
 At the quarterly meeting held on ist January 1874 the 
 question of the debt of the Ironworks Company was 
 raised, and a long and heated discussion took place 
 regarding the amount and the method by which this society 
 was allowed to overdraw upon the Wholesale Society. Mr 
 Borrowman, the manager, took all the blame upon 
 himself, entirely exonerating the management from any 
 share in the transactions. He told the meeting it was 
 
254 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 his faith in its ultimate success that prompted him to 
 allow the overdrawing to go on. This explanation did 
 not seem to improve matters, and some rather strong 
 remarks were made. Ultimately the following resolution 
 was adopted : " That the matter of dealing with the 
 affair of the cash overdrawn be remitted to the committee 
 of management to take such steps as will according to 
 their judgment best secure the interests of this society." 
 
 That it may be clearly understood how the Wholesale 
 Society became involved with the Ironworks Company, 
 it may be as well to describe the method of working their 
 accounts. The Scottish Ironworks Company to all intents 
 and purposes made the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society its bank. They paid money received into the 
 Wholesale, and drew upon the Wholesale when money 
 was required ; in this way, it will be seen, their account 
 at some periods might be considerably overdrawn. The 
 committee of the Wholesale let it be known in the usual 
 way in their balance-sheet how the account of the 
 Ironworks Company stood : hence the reason of the 
 discussion at the last quarterly meeting as to whether the 
 Ironworks should be allowed further aid in the form of 
 overdrawing ; it was left, as already noted, with the 
 committee. 
 
 After this meeting, matters did not improve with the 
 Ironworks ; but the Company continued to draw upon 
 the Wholesale Society, till the committee found that its 
 debt was 1,023, I 5 S - To that extent the committee, 
 acting it may be said on the powers granted them by the 
 shareholders, had allowed the account to be drawn on ; 
 but inquiry showed that 9,162, igs. 4d. had been 
 overdrawn unknown to the committee. With the interest 
 on the above sum added, the indebtedness of the Ironworks 
 Company was 10,427, us. The total capital of the 
 Wholesale Society, including shares, deposits, reserve, 
 and insurance funds, only amounted to 50,433. The 
 situation was serious, and indeed there was much anxiety 
 throughout the country for the safety of the Wholesale 
 Society. In reviewing the position after the lapse of so 
 many years, one would like to judge charitably; still 
 it cannot be denied that a grave error had been com- 
 mitted. The committee were the responsible persons, 
 
ANDREW MILLER. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 255 
 
 the only custodians of the shareholders' interest, and 
 therefore should have been the only party to take action 
 in a matter of this kind. They had not been consulted, 
 nor had they been informed of the extent to which the 
 Ironworks Company had overdrawn. The manager took 
 the whole blame on himself ; he had had every confidence 
 in the ultimate success of the Ironworks, and had allowed 
 them to go on overdrawing, without consulting or advising 
 his committee. There was no suggestion that he could, 
 either directly or indirectly, receive any personal gain from 
 the transactions in fact, he had everything to lose and 
 nothing to gain. 
 
 At the following quarterly meeting, held on 2Qth March 
 1874, we find Mr John Allan, of Barrhead, appointed 
 cashier, and Mr Allan Gray, of Bathgate, elected secretary. 
 Again the state of the Ironworks account came in for 
 considerable discussion, and it was stated by a delegate 
 that the financial position of the Ironworks was dangerous ; 
 but still the giving of further aid in the form of overdrafts 
 was left in the hands of the committee. This significant 
 resolution was agreed to : " That power be given to the 
 committee to raise the sum of 5,000 on the property of 
 the society." There can be no doubt that there was con- 
 siderable unrest among the societies. Business was 
 increasing, but not at the same rate as before this 
 unhappy incident occurred. The dissatisfaction was 
 shown at the meeting held in June 1874, when the late 
 Mr Stephen Cranston, of Penicuik, brought forward a 
 motion demanding a committee to inquire into the 
 working of the Wholesale Society. The previous question 
 was moved, for which the majority voted. At this 
 meeting, Mr Andrew Miller, of Tillicoultry, was elected 
 secretary, a position he retained for the long period of 
 thirty-three years, and it was only when death called him 
 hence that the post he had so long and so honourably 
 held was vacated. 
 
 lo 
 
 ID 
 
256 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIII. 
 
 God works in all things ; ail obey 
 His first propulsion from the night : 
 Wake thou and watch ! the world is gray 
 With morning light ! 
 
 Whittier. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: 
 THE IRONWORKS. 
 
 VEEN the next quarterly meeting came round, on 
 26th September 1874, it was evident there was 
 still dissatisfaction. Notice of motion was given, 
 " That the next quarterly meeting consider the 
 propriety of appointing a committee to inquire into the 
 whole details of the business and its management." 
 
 After this, the relationship between the committee and 
 the manager was considerably strained, the details of 
 which would not add much to what has already been 
 said. On the 3ist October 1874, the committee resolved 
 to ask the manager to send in his resignation. This was 
 done, and the resignatibn accepted at the next meeting, 
 on the I4th November. At the following meeting, held 
 on the I2th December, the committee decided that the 
 manager leave his situation on the 26th inst., and that 
 he receive his salary till the expiry of his notice. 
 Mr Borrowman was informed of the decision in presence 
 of the committee, when there occurred a somewhat 
 painful scene that would serve no purpose to describe. 
 
 Mr James Marshall, who up till this time had acted 
 as grocery buyer, was now appointed manager, and a 
 better choice could not have been made. Mr Robert 
 Macintosh, who had entered the service in April 1870, 
 was appointed to the position of chief bookkeeper, and 
 for thirty-five years he has adorned that important 
 position. The enormous expansion of the business into 
 various industries has found him ready and able to cope 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 257 
 
 with all extensions. By night and by day he has given 
 his valuable services ungrudgingly for the good of the 
 movement ; it will never be known how many societies 
 in Scotland owe their success to his unwearied efforts 
 to rescue them from confusion, if not worse, and place 
 them in a position that in many cases has led to dignity 
 and power. It is in no disparagement of the work of 
 many eminent leaders of the movement, when we say 
 that the silent and practical work of Mr Macintosh has 
 frequently kept co-operation in life when others despaired. 
 Another valuable employee who joined the service thirty- 
 eight years ago is still with us Mr Ebenezer Ross, who 
 by his upright character and faithful services deserves well 
 of the movement he has so long and so disinterestedly 
 served. 
 
 On ist January 1875, the quarterly meeting of the 
 Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society was held in 
 Nelson Street Chapel, Glasgow Mr Meldrum, president, 
 in the chair. The delegates numbered about four hundred. 
 It was evident from the excitement of many of the 
 delegates that the business to be considered was of no 
 ordinary character. The position of the committee and 
 the manager was by this time well known, and had been 
 fully discussed in almost every committee-room throughout 
 the country. Sides had been taken, and parties were 
 sharply divided ; the meeting was to be the battleground 
 of contending policies. It would be entirely out of place 
 here to seek to reproduce what was said and suggested ; 
 there was much heat, and a good deal of bitterness. 
 The meeting began at twelve noon, and at five in the 
 evening it was agreed to adjourn till 3Oth January. 
 
 On the 30th the adjourned meeting was held, and, 
 after further discussion, on the motion of the Perth 
 delegates, the following was agreed to : " That the 
 management of this society be left in the hands of the 
 committee." Mr Andrew Boa was elected chairman. 
 Mr James Skinner, of Penicuik Society, moved : " That 
 a penny per pound be taken from the dividends to form 
 a fund that would cancel or repay the money overdrawn 
 by the Scottish Ironworks Company." Mr Skinner 
 elaborated his scheme, showing that by August 1880 
 10,926, los. id. would be repaid. The motion was 
 
 R 
 
258 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 agreed to, and it may be said that, with the increase of 
 business that took place, by 1879 tne money was repaid. 
 
 If the matter had been kept to the delegate meetings 
 it would not have been so bitter perhaps, but the late 
 manager thought it wise to circularise the societies ; the 
 committee retaliated in self-defence, and thus the strife 
 was embittered. We have left out many details from this 
 unhappy incident, that did much to hinder and much 
 to spoil the good work of fellowship that had been so 
 promising. 
 
 When the Ironworks collapsed, which it did in January 
 1875, many earnest and hopeful co-operators who had 
 invested individually were badly crippled. It is an easy 
 matter to say now that it was a foolish venture ; but it 
 must be kept in mind that the promoters really believed 
 they could imitate the success of the Scottish Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society, forgetting that what was produced 
 at the ironworks must find a market in the competitive 
 world, where they found little or no sympathy ; and, 
 like many of our co-operative ventures, the Ironworks 
 was handicapped for want of capital from the beginning. 
 It seems strange that so many co-operative prospects 
 liave been blasted from this same cause. There was too 
 much eagerness to begin some of our projects, and too 
 little consideration of ways and means. 
 
 In time the wounds of the late rupture healed up, and 
 the co-operators of Scotland showed a fine manly spirit 
 in closing up their ranks again. Numerous societies came 
 into existence, most of them taking up shares in the 
 Wholesale Society. The following societies were registered 
 in 1875 : Blairdardie ; Dumfries Meat Supply Society ; 
 West Calder Society ; Musselburgh Industrial Society ; 
 Lebanon Factory Workers ; Industrial and Provident, 
 Cupar-Fife ; Cowdenbeath Society ; Freuchie Society ; 
 West Port Saving Society, Forfar ; Barony Glebe Society, 
 Glasgow ; Stane and Shotts Provident Co-operative 
 Society, Stane ; Crieff Co-operative Society ; Bast-End 
 Co-operative Society, Greenock ; Kelso Co-operative Store ; 
 Skinflats Co-operative Society, by Grangemouth. In 1876 
 there were registered the following societies : Don 
 Co-operative Society, Port Elphinston, Kintore ; Dreghorn 
 Co-operative Society, Dreghorn, by Irvine ; Juniper Green 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 259 
 
 Co-operative Society ; Strathkinness Co-operative Society ; 
 Free Trade Saving Society, Forf ar ; Strathaven Manu- 
 facturing Society ; Bridgeton Old Victualling and Baking 
 Society, Glasgow ; Rutherglen New Co-operative 
 Victualling and Baking Society ; Whifflet Co-operative 
 Society, by Airdrie ; Grangemouth Building and 
 Investment Society. 
 
 The progress of the Wholesale was now rapid and 
 substantial. Changes had taken place in some of the 
 official positions. Mr John Barrowman, of Rutherglen, 
 had become treasurer ; Mr Craig, one of the auditors, 
 had resigned ; and in January 1876 Mr John Allan was 
 called to the chair. Mr Andrew Boa had resigned the 
 chairmanship owing to ill-health, and shortly after he went 
 to Australia, where he died. Mr Boa was a keen trade- 
 unionist, and in fact was interested in every movement 
 that had for its object the improvement of the condition 
 of the worker. A clear thinker and an eloquent speaker, 
 he was sadly missed on the platforms of many movements 
 in the West of Scotland. He was a member and one of 
 the promoters of Kinning Park Society. 
 
 The Glasgow Co-operative Cooperage Company, which 
 had for some years been fairly successful, came to an 
 end in May 1879. Their business was one that the 
 movement could not assist much as regards trade, the 
 greater portion of which was therefore done with outside 
 firms. They had little sympathy from their customers 
 in their co-operative methods, and they had too little 
 capital to meet any reverse in trade. Mr James 
 Borrowman, the late manager of the Wholesale Society, 
 had become manager of the Cooperage, but, despite his 
 efforts to make it a success, it gradually withered away. 
 Owing to the realisation of their ground in Barrack Street 
 turning out extremely well, the liquidator was enabled 
 to pay the creditors twenty shillings in the pound, and 
 the shareholders received about ten shillings in the pound. 
 The Wholesale Society lost only a trifling sum. 
 
 The Oak Mill Society, at Tillicoultry, which had begun 
 with seemingly well-founded hopes of success, was also 
 wound up in 1879-80. The want of sufficient capital 
 again had much to do with this disaster, which involved 
 many individuals and societies in considerable loss. 
 The Wholesale Society was also involved. 
 
260 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Still another co-operative failure has to be recorded, 
 which took place in Glasgow in 1877. The United 
 Drapery Society, it will be remembered, started about 
 1871 for the benefit of the city societies, although it appears 
 a small trade was also done with some of the country 
 societies. The Wholesale, as we have seen, had entered 
 on the drapery business in 1873 ; and the United Drapery 
 Society, which had never been very robust, soon showed 
 signs of weakness, being ultimately wound up. Again 
 the shareholding societies were badly hit, and as none 
 of them were strong financially, it was a trying time at 
 least for the few city societies. The Wholesale Society 
 was again among the creditors. 
 
 The Anderston (Glasgow) Society which was carried 
 on at first as a branch of the Glasgow Co-operative Society, 
 but for many years after that society's failure had been 
 fairly successful as an independent society succumbed 
 in 1879, an d again the Wholesale lost money. The 
 heaviest loss from the failure of a retail society happened 
 in 1881, when Dundee West Co-operative Society came 
 to an end, causing a loss to the Wholesale of 2,806. 
 It will thus be seen that the faith and courage of many 
 co-operators were sorely tried ; but they soon rose above 
 their trials. 
 
 Mr John Allan retained the position of president till 
 January 1879, when he retired, and was succeeded by 
 Mr John Barrowman, of Rutherglen. The Wholesale had 
 now a trade of 600,590 per annum. It had now opened 
 two branches, one at I/eith and one at Kilmarnock. 
 An agitation had been carried on for some years by the 
 co-operators of the East of Scotland to have a branch 
 planted at I/eith, that being the port to which most of 
 the Continental produce was shipped. The agitation 
 had a successful issue towards the end of 1876, and in 
 April 1877 a branch was opened, Mr W. F. Stewart, of 
 Penicuik, being appointed manager. The results of this 
 forward step amply justified the arguments of its 
 promoters, the sales for the first year being 76,767. 
 In 1909 they were 1,480,059. The first place of 
 business was unsuitable, so that ground was bought at 
 lyinks Place and a fine building erected, which was 
 opened for business in May 1880. Mr Peter Robertson, 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 261 
 
 also a late manager of Penicuik Society, has been 
 manager since 1894, when Mr W. F. Stewart was 
 appointed commercial manager of Chancelot flour mill. 
 
 Kilmarnock branch was opened in 1878, in accordance 
 with a demand of many societies for Ayrshire produce. 
 Mr James Black was the first manager, and the late Mr 
 William Laird the second manager. The branch soon 
 did a large trade, drawing supplies of farm produce from 
 Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, and the neighbouring counties. 
 Mr David Caldwell has been in charge for some years. 
 The business still increases ; in 1909 the turnover was 
 102,709. 
 
 It will thus be seen that by 1880 the Wholesale was 
 well equipped for distribution. But still another branch 
 was opened at Dundee, in July 1881. For many years 
 it was uphill work. The retail societies in the North-East 
 of Scotland, with a few honourable exceptions, have 
 not given this branch all the support they might ; and 
 it will be safe to say that they have lost much in 
 consequence. A better co-operative spirit prevails to-day 
 in the district, with the result that trade at the branch 
 is improving. A handsome new building was erected by 
 the Wholesale and opened last year, which it is hoped 
 will soon become an attraction to every co-operative 
 buyer in the North. The sales in this branch for 1909 
 were 201,168, which gives a well-founded hope for 
 greater things in the near future. 
 
 The capital of the Wholesale Society has been from 
 time to time a source of anxiety to the various committees. 
 In 1880 an effort was made by the then committee to 
 raise the value of the shares from ten shillings to fifteen 
 shillings each, but it was unsuccessful. Loan capital 
 there always has been in plenty, but that is, or was, 
 withdrawable at call ; and it was felt by the committee 
 that the continued demand for more accommodation for 
 the ever-increasing business meant the locking-up of 
 capital in land and buildings that might be called up at 
 any moment. It was in the best interests of the 
 shareholders that they made the appeal for more fixed 
 capital. 
 
 In June 1881 the committee decided to appoint a 
 lecturer, or co-operative missionary, whose duty it would 
 
262 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 be to address meetings, visit backward societies, and 
 generally forward the interests of the movement in any 
 part of the country where explanation or advice was 
 required. Mr John Barrowman, the president, resigned 
 his position, applied for the situation as advertised, and 
 received the appointment of co-operative missionary. 
 
 The committee appointed Mr William Maxwell, St 
 Cuthbert's, Kdinburgh, who was a member of committee, 
 to be chairman pro tern. ; he was duly elected at the 
 following quarterly meeting to serve three months the 
 unexpired time of Mr Barrowman at the expiry of which 
 he was again elected. The trade at the end of this year 
 (1881) was 986,646 ; and great were the hopes expressed 
 that in the following year the trade would touch the 
 magic word of a million : and it did for 1882 produced 
 a turnover of 1,100,588. Extension of premises in 
 Paisley Road was entered upon, and the first productive 
 effort was giving great promise of success. It was in 
 January 1881 that a humble beginning was made with 
 shirtmaking, as an auxiliary to the drapery department. 
 Everyone knew that it was a miserably paid trade, 
 and there was some little reluctance to enter it. 
 Outside the movement one heard of from sixteen to 
 eighteen hours per day being worked for is. lid. 
 The committee of the Wholesale Society began by saying 
 the shirt factory shall work the same hours as the 
 drapery warehouse namely, forty-four per week. Great 
 were the prophecies of failure that would overtake the 
 experiment when these conditions became known ^ 
 The disaster did not come ; instead, lives were made 
 brighter and more hopeful for the future. 
 
 feS Jo" 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 263 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIV. 
 
 Worth, not birth, shall rule mankind, 
 And be acknowledged stronger ; 
 The proper impulse has been given : 
 Wait a little longer." 
 
 Mackay. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY : 
 PRODUCTION AND OTHER IMPORTANT DEPARTURES. 
 
 AT the risk of being blamed for bias towards one side 
 of the Wholesale Society's activities, one had 
 better make a personal confession at this point. 
 From early studies of co-operation we had formed 
 very strong and lasting opinions of the advantages of 
 productive co-operation. This was long before the 
 Wholesale Society existed, so that when we found ourselves 
 in a position to further this side of the movement, the 
 early fascination was strengthened. We confess, although 
 deeply interested in distribution, it never appealed to us 
 in the same way as production, from which we hoped so 
 much. Some of the directors on the board of the 
 Wholesale Society were in perfect harmony with the new 
 proposals for production, if some others were not so 
 enthusiastic ; and it was perhaps as well, because their 
 restraining influence did much to steady what was called 
 at the time our " fiery impetuosity for production." 
 Having given years of thought to the subject, the work 
 lay clearly before us; the next step was to seize the 
 opportunity. But the ground had to be prepared. 
 The constitution of the board of directors was of the 
 most transitory character. In these days societies were 
 elected to send a representative to serve on the board ; 
 the society so elected choosing one of their members to 
 fill the position. By this system, as there was always 
 
264 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 a strong desire to be represented on the Wholesale 
 board, there were frequent changes, which did not tend 
 to a continuity of policy. It was a delicate question 
 to raise at quarterly meeting, but it had to be done. 
 Then the capital of the society was largely made up of 
 loans that were practically at call, the share or fixed 
 capital being comparatively small. A successful appeal 
 was made to increase the share capital by raising the 
 value of the shares from ten to fifteen shillings, and 
 latterly to twenty shillings. The loans or deposits were 
 arranged at so much per cent, interest for twelve 
 months' notice, six months' notice, and at call. These 
 alterations took some years, but they were part of a 
 settled policy from the beginning. 
 
 Another difficulty confronted the committee at the 
 outset, and continues a difficulty to this day. The 
 obtaining of the necessary information regarding any 
 new industry that was contemplated was difficult to get. 
 Some captains of industry were generous, but many were 
 not. Our friends at the C.W.S. in England were more 
 than generous in giving information, but the Scottish 
 Wholesale Society tackled some industries they had not yet 
 begun. The appointment of suitable managers was another 
 important matter. Whatever other mistakes were made, 
 in the selection of reliable and intelligent managers the 
 committee are to be congratulated on the appointments 
 made from time to time. This factor contributed very 
 largely to the great success of the committee's efforts 
 in production. 
 
 In August 1881 another productive department in 
 connection with the drapery section was set agoing, and 
 is still developing namely, the tailoring factory. 
 
 Ground had now been purchased at Kilmarnock to erect 
 suitable buildings for carrying on the increasing business. 
 The Dundee warehouse was opened in July 1881, with 
 a great gathering of Northern co-operators, who had 
 travelled great distances to take part in the ceremony. 
 The veteran Lloyd Jones, also J. T. W. Mitchell, chairman 
 of the C.W.S. , and others, came from the South to wish 
 ,us godspeed. Thus for nearly thirty years the Scottish 
 Co-operative Wholesale Society has been trying to make 
 the societies of the North more co-operative. Happily, 
 at last there seems to be a gleam of hope. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 265 
 
 A most important purchase of property was made in 
 1882. Those who are familiar with the Paisley Road 
 premises will recall a portion facing west ; this building, 
 if purchased, would complete the block, or " island " as 
 it was termed, besides being of great service to the 
 increasing business ; it was secured for 6,000. A 
 number of rearrangements took place in separating 
 departments that had grown up together. 
 
 It was at the end of 1882 that the delegates had the 
 welcome information that the sales for that year had 
 reached 1,100,588. What had been dreamed of and 
 yearned for had been realised at last. One cannot 
 convey the pleasure this million per annum of trade gave 
 to the pioneers of the society ; many of them, who were 
 still taking part in the movement, were in ecstacy ; their 
 work had come to rich fruition. John Ramsey, of Bo'ness, 
 said it was the happiest day of his life. 
 
 The committee now proposed to begin cabinetmaking 
 in a small way ; powers were granted, and in November 
 1884 a humble start was made in a back street, near the 
 warehouse, which gradually outgrew its original habitation. 
 
 On the I7th June 1882, the handsome buildings that 
 had been erected at Kilmarnock were opened with a 
 series of meetings, in which all the co-operative leaders 
 in the West of Scotland took part. These buildings have 
 served the purpose they were intended for, to the full 
 satisfaction of the proprietors. 
 
 It was also in 1882 that a most important departure 
 took place in regard to tea-buying. Up till that year the 
 two Wholesale Societies had bought this article from what 
 each considered the best market. The English Wholesale 
 had a kind of agent who bought for them in London we 
 think, on commission. It occurred to both committees 
 that this was an article in which joint buying would be 
 most desirable. A very few joint meetings settled the 
 question all were in favour of the experiment. A suitable 
 expert was appointed, a portion of the London branch of 
 the C.W.S. was set aside to make a beginning, and soon 
 a large staff was required for testing, buying, and packing 
 the multitude of different kinds of tea and coffee that are 
 required for British co-operators. Cocoa was soon added 
 to this business, the grinding of which was carried on 
 
266 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 in another building. When a few years after it was found 
 necessary to build very large and commodious premises 
 in Leman Street, London, for the ever-increasing trade of 
 the tea department, the Scottish Wholesale committee 
 arranged, with the consent of the quarterly meeting, to 
 take delegates from every society in Scotland who were 
 members of the Wholesale to London, to be present at 
 the opening of the new tea warehouse. Two immense 
 trains conveyed the delegates to London and back, the 
 expense of which was borne by the Scottish Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society. This no doubt had a good effect in 
 allowing the delegates an opportunity of seeing for them- 
 selves the unique facilities the Wholesale Societies had 
 for serving the retail societies. 
 
 One of the most important announcements that had 
 been made from the chair was that at the quarterly 
 meeting on ist January 1883, when it was suggested that 
 the committee, after careful consideration and after 
 securing much useful information, would ask powers at 
 the next meeting to build suitable premises for the 
 manufacture of boots and shoes. At the following meeting 
 powers were granted as desired by the committee, 
 ground in Paterson Street, adjoining the drapery 
 warehouse, was secured, and a suitable building was 
 erected. All this productive activity was to some 
 extent forced on the committee by the continuous growth 
 of capital that could not be made remunerative in a better 
 way. In January 1885 the new boot factory was ready, 
 and opened in the presence of hundreds of delegates from 
 all parts of Scotland, each and all of whom promised 
 by their acclamations to use their best endeavours 
 to make it a success. Truly it has been a great 
 success, giving satisfaction to the federation and 
 constant employment to hundreds of men and women 
 under the best conditions. 
 
 About this time the demand for Irish farm produce 
 was greater than could be supplied with certainty from 
 the Wholesale. The committee commissioned the manager 
 and chairman to make inquiries in Ireland for a suitable 
 locality to plant a collecting depot ; the result was that 
 Hnniskillen was fixed on, and a depot established there. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 267 
 
 BONUS TO LABOUR. 
 
 The many additions made to the staff occasioned by 
 the rapidly developing productive departments necessitated 
 some reconsideration of the method of paying bonus to 
 labour. It was at a quarterly meeting, held on 8th 
 October 1870, that the following resolution was adopted 
 unanimously by the delegates : " That a bonus of double 
 the amount of dividend declared each quarter be paid to 
 the employees of this society." This system had 
 continued till 1884, when a special meeting altered the 
 rule to read as follows : " After providing for the 
 expense of management, interest on share and loan 
 capital, the net profit, or such portion of it as may be 
 agreed upon at the quarterly general meeting, shall be 
 divided at so much per pound on purchases and wages 
 in the following manner wages earned in the distributive 
 department to receive bonus in conformity with the 
 aggregate profit made in that department, and the wages 
 earned in the productive department to receive bonus in 
 conformity with the aggregate profit made in that 
 department." But after a few years' experience, another 
 change was proposed and carried into effect in 1892. 
 It reads : " Bonus will be credited to employees in both 
 productive and distributive departments at the same 
 rate per pound on wages earned as is allowed per pound 
 dividend on members' purchases. No more than half 
 the bonus which may have accrued to each employee 
 shall be paid. The remainder of the bonus shall be 
 credited to each employee in the loan fund of the society, 
 bearing interest at the rate paid from time to time on 
 loans from members lodged at twelve months' notice of 
 withdrawal. Employees, on leaving the employment, will 
 not be entitled to the accumulated bonus and interest 
 which may have been credited to them until the expiry of 
 three months, nor to any share of the current six months' 
 bonus, unless with the consent of the committee. The 
 committee shall also have power to deprive any employee 
 who may have been dismissed of the bonus for the current 
 six months." 
 
 This is the position of the bonus to-day ; and while the 
 committee of the Wholesale were in favour of capitalising 
 
268 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 the whole of the bonus, which would have been of great 
 benefit to the workers, still on a plebiscite being taken 
 the majority were in favour of only the half being 
 capitalised. While it is projecting the question into 
 the future, it might be as well to state what steps were 
 taken to form an employees' shareholding association. 
 The scheme was submitted by the committee and approved 
 at the same meeting as the bonus scheme referred to 
 above. 
 
 It will be permissible for any employee who is over twenty-one 
 years of age to become a shareholder in the society, shares to bear 
 interest at five per cent, per annum* 
 
 An employee wishing to become a shareholder must apply for not 
 less than five twenty-shilling shares. These shares may be paid up 
 in the same way as that adopted by societies namely, one shilling 
 per share on application, the remainder of the value being made up 
 of accumulated bonus and interest ; but any member may pay up 
 shares in full or in part at any time. Fifty shall be the maximum 
 number of shares allowed to each employee. 
 
 The employee shareholders shall be entitled to nominate and 
 send one delegate to general meetings, and when the number of 
 shareholding employees shall have reached one hundred and fifty 
 they may select another of their number to represent them, and 
 every additional one hundred and fifty shareholders shall be 
 entitled to send one delegate to represent them at the society's 
 meetings. Proxy voting not allowed. 
 
 Shareholding employees on leaving the employment of the 
 society must place their shares on the transfer list, as no one 
 outside of the society's employment can be allowed to hold any 
 of its shares. 
 
 Such is the scheme that gives employees a voice in the 
 management of the society. 
 
 In March 1886 another productive factory in connection 
 with the drapery department was formed the hosiery 
 and from the first was a decided success. The factory 
 was started in Morrison Street, while the other small 
 factories were scattered over the locality. 
 
 The distributive departments were crying for more 
 space owing to increased trade. The business was growing 
 at such a rate that one could compute pretty accurately, 
 if all went well, what it would be in five or ten years 
 hence. It became more apparent every day almost that 
 some reorganisation on a large scale was required, so as 
 to allow for the future expansion of the departments. 
 It would require caution accompanied with a certain 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 269 
 
 amount of boldness to carry out any scheme that 
 would be really effective. It was the opportunity of a 
 lifetime, yet it was fraught with certain dangers. Money 
 there was in plenty ; but, as we have seen, it required to 
 be altered in its form, so as to make it of a more fixed 
 character. Then societies themselves had not the hold 
 on the people's confidence that they have to-day ; would 
 they allow their money to be tied up ? 
 
270 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XXXV. 
 
 We can try to make our common brotherhood wiser and happier ; 
 We can build forward where they were forced to leave off, 
 And bring nearer to perfection the great edifice which they left 
 uncompleted. Longfellow. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: 
 THE SHIELDHALL VENTURE. 
 
 A SCHEME was drawn up and submitted to the 
 committee. It took some time to win over the 
 majority to the idea : it was said to be too large 
 and too ambitious ; it would require too much 
 capital, which would be locked up in land, buildings, and 
 machinery. Time did the rest of the work, although 
 there were degrees of enthusiasm while the scheme was 
 at this stage. 
 
 Briefly the scheme was as follows : That the society 
 should secure a large piece of land, from ten to fifteen 
 acres, in the vicinity of Glasgow, but still outside the 
 city boundaries ; on this land they should erect factories 
 for the production of goods required by Scottish 
 co-operators. That they should begin by erecting suitable 
 factories for those industries which had already been 
 entered upon ; after that they could erect factories and 
 workshops for other industries the products of which 
 were already in demand by the retail societies. Further, 
 if possible, the surrounding ground should be secured 
 for building houses, schools, etc., for the workpeople. 
 
 It was a large order, but the committee latterly were 
 unanimous in laying it before the shareholders. At that 
 time the Wholesale Society published every year a 
 pictorial calendar ; so for 1885-6 a calendar was designed 
 and printed in colours, showing the proposed " garden 
 city." Some copies are extant to-day, which show the 
 

 
 
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ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 271 
 
 proposed works with railway connection, with neat 
 cottages, public hall, school, and pretty gardens every- 
 where. 
 
 Whether this had any effect on the minds of the 
 shareholders we would not like to say, but it certainly 
 did not convince them all. It was not till the quarterly 
 meeting, held in June 1885, that the scheme was hinted 
 at by the chairman, who showed how the capital was 
 increasing, and how difficult it was to make it remunerative. 
 The manufacture of tobacco, preserves, and sweets was 
 suggested ; and further, a third suggestion was thrown 
 out it was stated to be the wish of the committee that 
 10,000 or 15,000 should be left in the hands of the 
 committee to lend to societies for building purposes on 
 the security of their property. We think we hear to-day 
 the warning of some old co-operators, who, when they 
 had heard all the suggestions, simply said, " Ca' canny, 
 ma man ; it's no* yer ain siller ye* re spendin'." 
 
 The next three months were utilised largely by some 
 members of committee in explaining the proposed 
 productive scheme, and discussing the necessity of being 
 unanimous in taking this great departure. To show 
 what a small venture it was compared with what followed 
 a few years after, the committee intimated that it might 
 not cost more than 80,000 in the meantime. Still it 
 was uphill work for a time to bring some of the societies 
 to see that it was a step in the right direction. The 
 September meeting came round with its fears and hopes. 
 The plan was fully described, and it was clearly pointed 
 out that the committee had already trade in the move- 
 ment for what they proposed to produce. The delegates 
 had evidently come with instructions, for there was no 
 opposition worth speaking of just a few kindly warnings 
 expressed to " hurry slowly " ; and, on looking up the 
 record of the meeting, it only says, " That the directors 
 be empowered to proceed with the co-operative 
 productive scheme as sketched by the chairman." 
 
 But the scheme was not complete so long as the capital 
 remained in its present unsatisfactory condition. Six 
 months after, at a special meeting held for the purpose 
 of considering the committee's propositions regarding the 
 capital, the shares were raised from ten to fifteen 
 
272 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 shillings ; the loan capital was also placed on a sound 
 basis in fact, it was arranged in the form that holds 
 good to-day. 
 
 Now the course was clear for the long-talked-of 
 scheme being carried into effect. Ground was sought 
 in various localities ; Renfrew, Hillington, and Shieldhall 
 were looked on as the most likely to suit the purpose. 
 Renfrew dropped out, because of the distance and terms. 
 Hillington was almost fixed on, but for want of a guarantee 
 to provide good drainage it also had to be dropped. 
 Shieldhall answered all the desires of the committee, and 
 after many delays caused by legal formalities, in the spring 
 of 1887 the twelve acres of Shieldhall estate, costing 500 
 per acre, passed into the possession of the Scottish 
 Co-operative Wholesale Society, and is now pretty well 
 known everywhere as Shieldhall Co-operative Productive 
 Works. The situation is all that could be desired, 
 although it has not the rural appearance to-day that 
 it had a quarter of a century ago. 
 
 On the 23rd July 1887, the first sod was cut by the 
 chairman, in presence of the directors and all the 
 managers. There was less rejoicing about this interesting 
 function than one would have thought. All felt the 
 responsibility of such an undertaking ; an error in 
 judgment now might set back the productive phase of 
 the movement indefinitely. The address of the president 
 closed with these words : "I know many of you are 
 thinking of what form this productive concern will take. 
 I trust when years have revolved round the scroll of time, 
 and other busy hands and busy brains, after we have 
 passed away, have taken up this work, that this fair 
 valley will be peopled by thousands of happy and 
 contented people, 
 
 ' Whose best companions, innocence and health, 
 And their best riches, ignorance of wealth.' " 
 
 After the ceremony, Shieldhall was left in the hands of the 
 building department which had been established some 
 time before this, and which from this time forward has 
 erected every building required by the society in all 
 parts of the country. 
 
 One cannot leave this interesting period without 
 referring to the men who took a part in this most 
 

ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 273 
 
 important productive development. The late Mr Andrew 
 Miller, the secretary, was in harmony with the scheme 
 from the beginning, and did much to bring it into life. 
 Mr William Brown, of Dunfermline, was also an 
 enthusiast and useful supporter. Mr Henry Crosswaithe, 
 of Bo'ness ; Mr Andrew M'Hwan, of Perth ; Mr J. Barr, 
 Dumbarton ; Mr Marshall, manager ; Mr Macintosh, 
 accountant ; and Mr J. Davidson, master of works ; 
 with others whose names are not at hand, all worked 
 for the scheme as if their own life depended upon its 
 success. 
 
 While the Shieldhall project was forming, other 
 important extensions were being carried out. At the 
 I/eith branch a splendid addition had been made, which 
 was opened in 1887. The branch had now been ten years 
 in existence. Its first year's trade had been 76,767 ; 
 it was now 496,241. At the opening ceremony of this 
 great addition, the speakers from the societies served 
 by the branch were unanimous in their expressions of 
 satisfaction at the good work done for co-operation 
 in the large area the branch supplied. 
 
 The same year, with the consent of the delegates, the 
 committee established a printing business in a small way 
 in Clarence Street property, but its growth soon 
 necessitated its removal to Shieldhall, where is carried 
 on a great and growing business in printing, lithography, 
 paper-ruling, bookbinding, bag-making, etc. Mr David 
 Campbell was its chosen manager in 1887, and he is its 
 successful manager to-day. 
 
 In June 1889 the society had attained its majority. 
 Twenty-one years had passed since its humble formation, 
 and it was now doing a varied business of over two 
 millions per annum. Great meetings were arranged to 
 be held in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The new drapery 
 business premises were at the time being erected, and 
 the respected secretary, Mr Andrew Miller, laid the 
 foundation-stone. All the co-operative leaders from 
 England attended, including Mr J. G. Holyoake and 
 Mr J. T. W. Mitchell. Perhaps what pleased the old 
 co-operators of Scotland most was the presence of the 
 men who led in the early days of the Wholesale. 
 Mr G. Merrylees, the first chairman, came from Gloucester 
 
274 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 to take part, with Mr Meldrum, from Bannockburn 
 (the second president), who let it be known that his 
 sentiments had not changed. The third president, 
 Mr A. Boa, had died in Australia, and his eloquent voice 
 was missed. Mr John Allan, who had filled all the 
 offices treasurer, secretary, and president received the 
 ovation he deserved for the great work he had done for 
 many years in the movement. The fifth chairman, 
 Mr John Barrowman, who had always been a favourite 
 at co-operative gatherings, fought some of his old battles 
 over again, to the great delight of his old colleagues. 
 These great gatherings of the veterans of the move- 
 ment had a most inspiring effect on those present ; 
 their modest and unassuming style of address, their 
 continued confidence in the principles of co-operation, 
 and their great pleasure expressed at the productive 
 departure, remains a pleasant memory with many of 
 us to-day. The company was also taken to Shieldhall 
 and entertained there. It was a happy series of meetings. 
 But it had its sad side also : we parted with many of 
 these old worthies when the meetings were over, never 
 to meet again. It was a great pleasure to hear them say 
 a few encouraging words to the present workers, for they 
 agreed that they were, in their old age, more than 
 rewarded for their early struggles by seeing the progress 
 the movement was making. 
 
 Shieldhall by this time had become a busy hive of 
 industry ; factory after factory followed in rapid 
 succession. Each building was fitted with the most 
 modern machinery, and in the various factories powerful 
 engines gave the necessary driving force : to some extent 
 this has been superseded by electricity, where it can be 
 applied with advantage and economy. Some idea of the 
 rapidity of the development may be gathered from the 
 following statement : Boot and shoe factories, and 
 tanning and currying factories ; artisan clothing factory 
 (1890) ; cabinet and brush factories ; preserve works 
 
 (1890) ; confectionery works (1891) ; mantle factory 
 
 (1891) ; tobacco works (1891) ; coffee essence works 
 
 (1892) ; printing department ; chemical works (1892) ; 
 engineering works (1892) ; sausage works, in Glasgow 
 (1892) ; tinware works (1893) ; pickle works (1893) ; 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 275 
 
 Parkview (Adelphi Street) boot factory purchased in 
 1893. 
 
 But while all this activity was going on in the West, 
 the East was not forgotten. At the quarterly meeting, 
 held in February 1891, a scheme of flour milling was laid 
 before the delegates. The words used at the time were 
 these : " We propose going into flour milling. The 
 societies in the federation purchase from the Wholesale 
 Society over 180,000 bags of home millers' flour per 
 annum, or nearly 4,000 bags per week, and this trade 
 is increasing rapidly. Our scheme embraces two large 
 flour mills one situated in or near I^eith, to meet the 
 demands of societies in the east and north-east ; the 
 other situated in or near Glasgow, to supply the western 
 counties of Scotland. We propose to go on with one 
 mill at present, which in all likelihood will be placed 
 at I<eith. From flour milling we will naturally take up 
 in due time, in adjoining premises, oatmeal and barley 
 milling." This proposal, although it involved a great 
 expenditure in addition to what was going on in the West, 
 was received with considerable satisfaction, even if here 
 and there one met with a pessimistic opinion and a 
 suggestive headshake as if things were going too fast. 
 The committee hailed with pleasure any reasoned arguments 
 against their progressive policy, because there were such 
 enormous sums involved that it became everyone who 
 was interested in the institution to look thoroughly round 
 the whole policy that was being advocated. We may 
 confess, now that it is all over, that it was a time of 
 intense anxiety. At the following meeting, in May, 
 the committee were empowered to proceed with the 
 erection of a flour mill at Leith. 
 
 An agitation had been going on for some time in the 
 Bast of Scotland to establish drapery, boots and shoes, 
 and furnishings departments of the Wholesale in I^eith 
 or Edinburgh. While it was not carried out in the above 
 form, still the committee were not unmindful of the 
 societies' interests in the East of Scotland, as will bo 
 seen further on. 
 
276 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVI. 
 
 Let no act be done without a purpose, 
 
 Nor otherwise than according to the perfect principles of Art. 
 
 Marcus Aurelius. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: 
 STILL ONWARD. 
 
 CATTLE buying for the societies had been almost 
 forced upon the committee owing to the 
 unco-operative system that was carried on in the 
 cattle rings by the competing societies, and after 
 a time the farm of Carbrook was leased to keep a stock 
 of animals suitable for retail societies. This venture 
 cannot be said to have been a brilliant success, so in 
 time the farm was given up and another taken near 
 Glasgow, at Carntyne, where a good trade was done by 
 shipping cattle direct from our own buyer in Ireland, 
 and keeping them at Carntyne till they were required. 
 A stance for dead meat was also taken in the Glasgow 
 Market, which has been fairly successful. 
 
 The Chancelot mill foundation-stone was laid in 
 August 1892, when the co-operators of Scotland made 
 a great display. They turned out in their thousands ; 
 they brought gaily decorated vehicles, bands and banners 
 from all parts of the country. Leith and Edinburgh were 
 amazed. Co-operation to some minds meant a little 
 huckster shop, where everything was kept, but nothing 
 could be found. But now Leith Links was crowded 
 with quite a large army of respectable and evidently 
 well-to-do working-men, marching in procession to take 
 part in laying the foundation-stone of the first co-operative 
 flour mill in Scotland. The press did not gush over the 
 event, but admitted it was a very significant demonstration. 
 The opening ceremony of the mill took place in 
 August 1894, when again many English wellwishers 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 277 
 
 travelled long distances to be with the Scottish 
 co-operators on this important occasion. The great 
 engines were set in motion by Mrs William Maxwell, 
 assisted by Sir James Russell. At the dinner which 
 followed, the Knglish visitors congratulated the society 
 on the site, on the beautiful building, and on the excellent 
 installation of machinery. It was a happy meeting of 
 friends, who rejoiced together over another victory. 
 
 At the quarterly meeting which was held the same 
 afternoon, it was explained that only half the machinery 
 was as yet installed in the mill, and for that reason the 
 output would be restricted till trade warranted the 
 committee completing the installation ; the other parts 
 of the mill would not require to be enlarged when that 
 time came. For these reasons the committee recom- 
 mended " that 30,000 be transferred from reserve fund 
 to depreciate the book value of buildings and machinery 
 of Chancelot flour mill." The recommendation was 
 adopted, and the mill had a lighter load to carry. Since 
 then the full installation of plant has been completed, 
 and many alterations and additions have taken place to 
 bring the machinery up to date. The mill has been a 
 capital investment for the movement ; and has been 
 termed by experts the finest flour mill in the world. 
 
 The trade continued to increase, and it was evident 
 to all who were interested in the business that another 
 reorganisation of the distributive departments in Glasgow 
 was required. Powers were granted, and the ground 
 where the central premises now stand was purchased 
 in 1892. Steps were at once taken to secure competitive 
 plans from several architects for a great central building 
 that would become the registered office and headquarters 
 of the society. The successful plans were those of 
 Messrs Bruce & Hay, who had formerly done work for 
 the society. Our own building department at once took 
 the work in hand, under the direction of Mr James 
 Davidson, and it was ready for opening in January 1897, 
 when a most notable procession of vehicles containing 
 delegates from almost every co-operative society in 
 Scotland went through the streets of the city, causing 
 many to remark regarding the growing power of 
 co-operation. The great new building was admired by 
 
a;8 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 all. When the electric light on top of the tower was first 
 lit, the question was asked in various parts of the city, 
 " What light is that ? " An old co-operator said it was 
 " the only social light in this world worth following." 
 
 It was at the quarterly meeting held on 30th May 1896 
 that it was announced from the chair that the Bttrick 
 tweed mills, Selkirk, had passed into the possession of 
 the society. It is necessary to state that a few years 
 before this date largely through the efforts of Mr Joseph 
 Clapperton, who was a practical tweed manufacturer, 
 and was animated with co-operative sentiments a 
 co-operative association had been formed to acquire 
 these mills. The association thus formed comprised both 
 individual and co-operative society shareholders ; it was 
 known as the Scotch Tweed Manufacturing Society, and 
 its executive was composed of representatives from retail 
 societies and the Wholesale Society. After the property 
 had passed into the hands of this society, nearly three- 
 fourths of the buildings remained in the tenancy of other 
 manufacturers, who held the portions they used on lease. 
 A very fair amount of success attended the efforts of 
 this new co-operative productive venture ; but it was 
 seen from the very start that its products, if they were 
 to be sold among the retail societies, would simply lessen 
 the sales of similar productions sold by the Wholesale 
 Society. The Wholesale bought as largely as possible 
 from the Tweed Society, but even that arrangement did 
 not always give satisfaction. The question of taking 
 over the mills by the Wholesale Society was mooted, 
 and the idea at once found favour. The English 
 Wholesale Society promised to give the Scottish 
 Wholesale Society all the trade they could in fact a 
 joint arrangement was concluded, similar to what 
 existed with some of the other productive concerns. 
 Terms were arranged, which were considered fair to both 
 parties, and in April 1896 Bttrick mills became the 
 property of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society. 
 Since it came into the possession of the Wholesale, new 
 machinery at considerable cost has been introduced, 
 and the making of blankets and the spinning of yarns 
 have been entered upon. The goods produced have 
 given every satisfaction to the societies in federation, 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 279 
 
 and the trade amounts to about 40,000 per annum. 
 But it cannot be said that it is one of the great profit- 
 making departments. It gives employment to 177 persons, 
 who partake in the good conditions that are provided 
 for all the employees of the Wholesale Society. 
 
 In the same year, another important industry was 
 entered upon. It will be remembered that when the 
 proposal to enter flour milling was made, a promise was 
 given to add oatmeal milling as an auxiliary as early as 
 possible. It was communicated to the board of the 
 Wholesale Society that Junction mills in L,eith might 
 be acquired on fair terms. The question was at once 
 taken up, when it was found that the business consisted 
 of a small flour mill as well as having all the facilities 
 for producing oatmeal, etc. The purchase of Junction 
 mills was completed in 1897, and the society at once 
 entered into possession of this useful property. Additions 
 and alterations have been made of late years, which 
 have been of considerable value from a productive point 
 of view. 
 
 Scarcely had a month elapsed from the time of the 
 above purchase till another important addition was 
 made to the property of the society. The Tron Free 
 Church, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, was for sale. The 
 committee had for some time been of opinion that a 
 furniture and furnishing warehouse would be of service 
 to societies in the East, if established in Edinburgh, and 
 they considered the building and central locality admirably 
 suited for this purpose. Since the building passed into the 
 possession of the society great alterations have been 
 effected, and about a year ago a large addition was made by 
 purchasing the adjoining property known as Minto House. 
 
 Some time before the date we write of, considerable 
 annoyance was caused to the whole movement through 
 the action of a firm of soap-makers. The story is short 
 and simple, and as it leads up to the Wholesale Society's 
 next departure in production, it may be well to tell it here. 
 The firm of soap-makers referred to had laid down 
 conditions to all their customers that they (the customers) 
 were not to sell their goods below a certain price, to which 
 conditions both the Wholesale Society and retail societies 
 agreed. But a discovery was made in Glasgow by some 
 
28o HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 of the opponents of co-operation who continually say 
 that co-operative societies sell at higher prices than the 
 trader. The charge now brought against the co-operators 
 was that they were selling too low, in so far as they 
 returned profit to their members, even although the soap 
 was sold according to the conditions ; the amount of 
 profit returned to a member on the article sold was equal 
 to the amount the society was underselling. Pressure 
 was at once brought to bear on the makers, who took 
 up the matter with the Wholesale Society, through whom 
 the retail societies were supplied. The board of the 
 Wholesale Society denied the right of any firm or individual 
 to dictate to the societies what they should do with their 
 profits, and held that if the societies kept faith in selling 
 according to conditions, there the matter should end so 
 far as the maker was concerned. The result was that the 
 account of this firm was closed by the Wholesale Society, 
 who at once made arrangements with other firms to 
 supply this article. The societies were appealed to by 
 the Wholesale committee to defend the right of doing 
 with their profits as they liked, and at the same time 
 made known their arrangements for future supplies. 
 There was a hearty response from nearly all the societies 
 at the time, although, as time wore on, advertisements, 
 pleadings, and explanations of retractions by repre- 
 sentatives of the firm had its effect on many of the 
 weak-kneed societies. Meantime the board of the 
 Wholesale Society was not idle. Ground had been 
 purchased at Grangemouth, and a modern soap factory 
 erected, which was furnished with all the latest machinery. 
 This factory was opened in October 1897 ; it has been 
 of the greatest possible service to the loyal societies, and 
 at present is doing a business of 83,295 per annum. 
 
 The little collecting depot, started at Enniskillen, in 
 Ireland, in 1885, had developed into a large and important 
 centre, where the curing of bacon had been added to the 
 other useful work. This little store of 1885 had simply 
 led up to a spacious and handsome warehouse, and now 
 to this fine business a creamery was added in 1898, to which 
 the farmers of the district bring their milk, and where 
 some of the finest butter in Ireland is made, as the many 
 prizes in the possession of the society can testify. But 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 281 
 
 that was only the beginning of this great business. 
 From time to time ground was secured in the country 
 districts within a radius of ten or twelve miles from 
 Enniskillen, till now ten auxiliaries or milk- receiving 
 centres are established. The cream separation takes place 
 at each of these centres, the cream being conveyed to 
 the central creamery at Enniskillen to be made into butter. 
 Recently three and a third acres of land have been taken 
 up near to Enniskillen, and transformed into a pig- 
 rearing establishment ; hundreds of these animals are 
 always in stock, and are used for the bacon trade of the 
 Wholesale. The various places of business in and around 
 Enniskillen give employment to ninety-nine persons. 
 Mr William Whyte, who has managed this now large and 
 growing business for years, has by his tact and upright 
 character won the confidence of the Irish people, who 
 highly appreciate the business-like methods of what they 
 call the " Scotch company." 
 
 It soon became evident that what had been done so 
 successfully in Ireland could be done in Scotland with 
 equal success, so in February 1899 a creamery similar to 
 that which has been described was started at Bladnoch, 
 in Wigtownshire ; since then a large auxiliary has been 
 erected at Whithorn, for the purpose of gathering in 
 the milk of that district. At Bladnoch, it should be stated, 
 a large business is done in the making of margarine, and 
 the rearing of pigs is extensively carried on. All these 
 businesses, apart from being profitable, have been of the 
 greatest service to the co-operators of Scotland, who are 
 assured of pure and unadulterated goods, made by them- 
 selves. The transfers from the Wigtownshire creameries 
 equal 80,000 per annum, employing about seventy people. 
 
 During the same year (1899) the Aberdeen fish-curing 
 works were set agoing ; and, from a very small beginning, 
 is now among the largest, if not the largest, curing 
 establishment in Aberdeen. Besides purchasing daily at 
 the great fish market, the society has made arrangements 
 with several fishermen in Shetland for their " catch." 
 In this way a constant supply of fresh fish finds its way 
 daily to the works, and from there it is distributed to 
 the stores throughout the country. The business amounts 
 to about 70,000 per annum, and gives employment to 
 seventy-six persons. 
 
282 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Other industries have been added. /Erated- water manu- 
 facture is carried on at Glasgow, Leith, Stirling, Dunferinline, 
 and Kirkcaldy, with distributive centres in other places. 
 
 In 1891 a large factory was erected at I/eith, on the 
 ground of Junction mills, for the purpose of making 
 dress shirts, collars, etc. Later on the laundry-work of 
 this factory was removed to Barrhead, and more recently to 
 Potterhill, near Paisley. In this business, as in many others, 
 the English Wholesale Society purchases largely for its 
 drapery centres at Manchester, Newcastle, and London. 
 
 During the same year (1891) a most important 
 partnership was concluded between the English and 
 Scottish Wholesale Societies for the tea, coffee, and cocoa 
 departments. Up till this time there was no legal binding 
 contract between the two organisations, but, after con- 
 siderable negotiations, a partnership was arranged. 
 The Scottish Wholesale does roughly about one-fourth 
 of the whole trade in tea, coffee, and cocoa, and it was 
 agreed that the Scottish Wholesale should have the 
 opportunity of contributing a fourth of the capital 
 necessary for carrying on the business, with a proportionate 
 representation on the tea committee, while care was also 
 taken that the auditors appointed by the Scottish 
 Wholesale would take part in the audit of accounts, 
 including those of the tea estates belonging to the 
 societies in Ceylon, the tea from which is shipped direct 
 to our warehouse in London. 
 
 This arrangement has worked out admirably and 
 harmoniously. Joint arrangements in other productive 
 departments have been of great benefit to both institutions, 
 such as Batley cloth, Bury weaving, Ettrick mill, dress shirt 
 factory, and waterproof factory. Similar arrangements for 
 joint buying exist in the various buying depots abroad. 
 At New York, U.S.A. ; Montreal, Canada ; Copenhagen and 
 Aarhus, Denmark; Denia, Spain; Gottenburg, Sweden; and 
 at several other places the two societies truly co-operate. 
 
 The directors had been under promise to the delegates 
 since the proposal to start Chancelot mill, that when 
 the time was suitable a flour mill would be started in or 
 near Glasgow. The time had arrived when action could 
 be taken without the slightest danger to the federation 
 if the societies would only do their duty. There were 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 283 
 
 rumours abroad that one of the finest mills in the country 
 namely, Regent mills, Glasgow although not openly 
 in the market, could be bought. Cautiously and tactfully 
 the directors made inquiries. The mill had been inspected 
 by several of the committee before this date, so that its 
 capacity and value were fairly well known ; experts were 
 quietly consulted, and every possible information 
 obtained. Negotiations ended in Regent mills becoming 
 the property of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society in November 1903. The following year it was 
 declared open by Mr Isaac M'Donald, one of the directors, 
 amidst the great rejoicing of a large company of Scottish 
 co-operators, who were highly delighted at becoming the 
 possessors of this historic mill. 
 
 Still the trade increased it was now over seven 
 million pounds per annum and the directors looked 
 for new worlds to conquer. The buying of wheat for the 
 purpose of keeping the three great mills running night 
 and day had now assumed gigantic proportions. This 
 buying up till now had been done through the New York 
 branch, or through agents on this side. Could the 
 Wholesale Society get nearer the producer ? After 
 collecting considerable information, it was agreed to 
 send out a deputation to the far west of Canada, where 
 the majority of the wheat came from, to ascertain if it 
 was possible to purchase on the spot, and thus dispense 
 with the expensive middleman. The deputation 
 consisting of the late Mr T. C. M'Nab, director, and Mr 
 W. F. Stewart, commercial manager of the mills on their 
 return reported that a representative ought to be placed at 
 Winnipeg in the Wholesale Society's interest, whose duty 
 it would be to purchase the wheat required from the 
 farmers, or as near the farmers as possible. The question 
 was carefully thought out, and an agreement come to 
 that was in conformity with the report of the deputation ; 
 and in August 1906 Mr George Fisher (who had acted as 
 traveller for the mills, and was assistant to Mr Stewart) 
 opened an office in Winnipeg. The trade has since grown, 
 and it was found necessary a few years ago (in 1908) 
 to erect a number of wheat elevators in suitable places 
 for the storing of the grain awaiting shipment to this 
 country. Our English neighbours do not use the same 
 
284 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 class of wheat to any great extent, but they have helped 
 as far as they could. 
 
 The tables given below require no comment, but may 
 be regarded as a sufficient reply to those opponents who 
 are continually stating that co-operative production has 
 never been a success. The figures are taken from the 
 Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society's diary for 1910, 
 the complete statistics for 1909 not being yet available. 
 
 PRODUCTIVE DEPARTMENTS AT SHIELDHALL. 
 
 BOOT AND SHOE, RKADY-MADE CLOTHING, CABINET, BRUSH, PRINTING, PRESERVE, 
 
 CONFECTION, ARTISAN CLOTHING, HOSIERY, TOBACCO, COFFEE ESSENCE, 
 
 CHEMICAL, PICKLE, AND TINWARE. 
 
 
 Year ending 
 28th Dec. 
 1907. 
 
 Year ending 
 26th Dec. 
 1908. 
 
 Value of transfers . 
 
 
 815,504 
 
 
 846,751 
 
 Average capital employed 
 Interest charged ... ... ... _ . .*** , 
 Rate per cent, on capital ... ... ... 
 Net profit, after meeting all charges ... 
 Percentage per annum on capital employed ... 
 it M it including interest 
 Depreciation on buildings, machinery, etc. ... 
 Wages paid 
 Bonus allocated ... 
 
 275,113 
 12,654 
 4-7 
 39,030 
 14-2 
 18-9 
 9,839 
 155,563 
 5,185 
 
 283,949 
 14,956 
 5-2 
 35,456 
 12-5 
 17'7 
 9,496 
 164,494 
 5,477 
 
 Percentage of bonus to net profit 
 Number of persons employed... 
 Average capital per worker ... 
 
 13-3 
 3,440 
 
 80 
 
 15-4 
 3,649 
 
 78 
 
 GENERAL SUMMARY OF PRODUCTIVE DEPARTMENTS. 
 
 SHIELDHALL WORKS ; DRESS SHIRT ; SHIRT ; UNDERCLOTHING ; MANTLE ; WATER- 
 PROOF ; BESPOKE TAILORING ; ETTRICK MILL ; SADDLERY ; CHANCELOT, JUNCTION, 
 AND REGENT MILLS; SOAP; SAUSAGE; FODDER; CARTWRIGHT; CRATED WATER 
 (Glasgow, Leith, Stirling, and Dunfermline) ; BLADNOCH CREAMERY; FISH-CURING 
 37 DEPARTMENTS IN ALL. 
 
 
 Year ending 
 28th Dec. 
 1907. 
 
 Year ending 
 26th Dec. 
 1908. 
 
 Value of goods sent from factories, work 
 done, and sales ... 
 
 
 2 148 481 
 
 
 2,270,104 
 
 Average capital employed ... ... ."-'"=..> 1 
 Interest charged ... .^ 
 
 678,458 
 31,155 
 
 751,096 
 39,577 
 
 Rate per cent, on capital ... ... 
 Net profit, after meeting all charges 
 Percentage per annum on capital employed 
 ii i ii including interest 
 Depreciation on buildings, machinery, etc. 
 Wages paid 
 
 4-7 
 62,221 
 9-2 
 13-9 
 
 27,858 
 234,779 
 
 5-2 
 49,273 
 6-6 
 11-8 
 28,715 
 246,954 
 
 Bonus allocated - u 
 
 7 825 
 
 8 231 
 
 Percentage of bonus to net profit... ... 
 Number of persons employed ... l! ..;- : 
 Average capital per worker 
 
 12-5 
 5,063 
 134 
 
 16-7 
 5,412 
 139 
 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 285 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVII. 
 
 Every doctrine not based upon progress, considered 
 as a natural law, is inferior to the idea and the 
 demands of the epoch. Joseph Mazzini. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WHOLESALE SOCIETY: 
 PROGRESS. 
 
 THESE descriptions can only be said to touch the 
 larger enterprises. A multitude of smaller but 
 important ventures have been added from time 
 to time ; and if they do not find a place here, 
 it is not because they are considered unimportant, but 
 because the list would fill this entire volume. 
 
 The purchase of Calderwood Estate has been left to 
 the very end of the description of the progress of the 
 Wholesale Society. Some years ago from ten to 
 twelve the delegates gave powers to the directors to 
 purchase two estates, one in Ireland and one in Scotland, 
 the idea being that such estates could be profitably 
 utilised for fruit farming, as the Wholesale Society was 
 a large purchaser of fruit both in Ireland and in various 
 parts of Scotland. 50,000 was mentioned as the 
 maximum sum to be expended. At the time the condition 
 of the law in Ireland in relation to landlord and tenant 
 was undergoing considerable change, and, after considera- 
 tion, the committee thought it best to leave the Irish 
 scheme in abeyance, and concentrate their energies on 
 the Scottish ; this also was agreed to by the delegates. 
 
 Many estates were offered, for, of course, it was known 
 to everybody who had an estate to sell that the Wholesale 
 Society was in the market. During 1903 the estate of 
 Calderwood was frequently visited, and expert valuators 
 reported on the land and buildings. The estate 
 comprised eight farms, the policies around the castle 
 being very extensive in all, 1,125 acres. The castle 
 
286 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 is partly ancient and partly modern. It is no part 
 of this work to give the history of this old home of 
 the Maxwells, but for situation and varied beauty very 
 few estates in Scotland can compare with it. The estate 
 was purchased in May 1904, and on the 30th July 
 following a company of Scottish co-operators, numbering 
 over seven hundred, assembled in front of the old castle, 
 to formally take over this fine old historic estate, that in 
 future was to be devoted to co-operative purposes. 
 
 During the years the estate has been in the possession 
 of the society it cannot be said to have been a great 
 financial success, although it has been a source of great 
 pleasure to thousands of excursionists who, during the 
 summer months, frequent its sylvan beauties. The 
 castle has been transformed into a co-operative museum, 
 where the industries of the Wholesale Society can be 
 studied ; the various distributive departments are also 
 represented ; and a co-operative historical collection is in 
 course of formation. Immense glass houses have been 
 erected for the growing of tomatoes ; some of the farms 
 are now utilised for fruit-growing ; a scheme of house- 
 building has begun : so that in time, if the delegates will 
 only have patience, this estate may even give some little 
 return financially. It may be well to quote the chair- 
 man's warning at the quarterly meeting held on 27 th 
 August 1904, when he said : "In the meantime your 
 committee mean to commence to develop its possibilities ; 
 this will entail the expenditure of a considerable sum, and 
 you must be prepared for some time to come, I fear, to 
 see money spent on it rather than money returned from it." 
 
 Some time ago the directors were empowered to open 
 shops in towns where there was no co-operative society, 
 the idea being that in time the customers would form a 
 society to which the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society would give every assistance. Up to the present, 
 Elgin is the only experiment made in this direction. 
 
 Before closing this sketch of the Wholesale Society, it 
 may be necessary to say a word on the conditions of 
 labour. In the last return there were 7,592 persons 
 employed in all the departments connected with the 
 society. In most of the industrial departments trades- 
 union conditions exist as regards wages, but even these 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 287 
 
 are sometimes exceeded. As to hours of labour, they 
 are, as a rule, less than elsewhere in the same trade. 
 Where no trades-union conditions exist, such as amongst 
 girls and women, the most generous treatment is meted 
 out to all, and it has occurred more than once that the 
 committee have advanced wages without the slightest 
 solicitation on the part of the worker. The bonus is 
 entirely above what may be fixed as wages, and it cannot 
 be too strongly stated that it is never taken into 
 consideration in the settlement of wages. The total 
 amount of bonus paid or credited to employees from 1870 
 till June 1909 was 175,731 ; the amount capitalised in 
 bonus fund at the credit of employees to the above date 
 was 50,797. This is a record we may all feel proud of. 
 The directors, almost from the beginning of the Shieldhall 
 experiment, took the deepest interest in the welfare of the 
 workers by providing reading and recreation rooms for 
 men and for women. Food is provided at cost price for 
 workers who live at a distance, and desire to avail 
 themselves of the convenience. 
 
 The following tables will show in figures the continuous 
 progress of this wonderful organisation. But figures can 
 never convey the good work that has, perhaps more than 
 anything else, been done during the forty-two years of 
 its existence. Its great quarterly meetings reflect the 
 improvement that has come over the working-class of this 
 country. When eight or nine hundred men are brought 
 from every part of Scotland to unitedly discuss and settle 
 some policy of the future, it is truly inspiring to note the 
 intelligence, the relevance, and the mutual forbearance 
 that characterise the debates. In this lies the hope of the 
 future, for the growing intelligence of the delegates must 
 always be equal to whatever difficulties may arise. The 
 donations voted by the delegates annually to charities 
 all over Scotland are simply munificent. The Scottish 
 Co-operative Wholesale Society is the greatest as it is the 
 strongest possession ever held by the working-men of 
 Scotland : may its power for doing good work increase. 
 
 The supreme power of administration is certainly in the 
 hands of the delegates ; and the great driving force of the 
 Wholesale is the loyalty of the societies who form the 
 membership. To these two factors, in the first place, 
 
288 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 belongs the credit of building up this great democratic 
 institution, where no man dare say, I alone did this. 
 But the directors have always the guiding hand, and 
 largely the power of initiation, and up till now these 
 powers have been used with intelligence and success. 
 Few men are subject to such keen criticism, both at 
 quarterly meetings and at conferences, and even in the 
 press ; and few men, we venture to assert, have been more 
 successful in defending the policy they have pursued or 
 the position they have taken up. Criticism is the very 
 breath of life in such a mighty organisation, but let it be 
 free from bias and personal imputation. Where all have 
 done their best it would be invidious to mention names, 
 but that in no way detracts from the splendid service 
 given by all, and where each should be respected for his 
 high character and business capacity. 
 
 This history would certainly not be complete if it did 
 not refer in some way to the blots on our escutcheon, 
 which have been placed there largely by co-operators 
 themselves, and were in most cases preventable namely, 
 the failures and losses which have taken place since the 
 inception of the Wholesale Society forty- two years ago. 
 Many societies had drooped and died before that time, 
 but records are awanting. Hven the list now presented 
 is not complete, for a few societies not connected with the 
 federation have passed away. But the list is more than 
 sufficient. The money lost is nothing compared with the 
 volume of business ; it is the enervating and retarding 
 influence we deplore, which follows every failure and loss. 
 The first financial loss to the Wholesale was caused by the 
 Napoleonic conduct of the then manager ; that loss is not 
 on this list, as it was redeemed by the delegates' action. 
 The other forty-seven failures may be set down to 
 preventable causes : credit-giving claims most of them ; 
 a few are attributed to careless, and in one or two cases 
 almost criminal, management. It is a sombre monument 
 to the evil system which some of its champions call 
 " accommodation." Let it be understood that the losses 
 in the investment account were sums voted by quarterly 
 meeting. It is only fair to say that in most instances 
 the mone}' was invested after the concerns had got into 
 difficulties, and was given in the hope of saving them. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 STATEMENT OF LOSSES. 
 
 289 
 
 TRADE ACCOUNT. 
 
 NAME OF SOCIETY. 
 
 Date 
 written off. 
 
 Net 
 Amount of 
 Loss. 
 
 Fund 
 rom which 
 written 
 off. 
 
 East Linton . . . ... 
 
 Aug. 1874 
 
 s. d. 
 17 15 10 
 
 P & L 
 
 Coleraine ... ... ...'..* 
 Barrowfield (Glasgow) ... ':'..' 
 Shotts 
 Ardwell . . 
 
 May 1875 
 Aug. 1875 
 M 
 Nov. 1876 
 
 135 5 
 26 10 11 
 419 4 
 165 17 11 
 
 Reserve 
 
 n 
 ii 
 
 Lurgan 
 
 
 72 9 I 
 
 
 Elderslie 
 
 
 6 18 8 
 
 
 Maryhill 
 Ste warton . ... '* 
 
 M 
 
 175 18 2 
 216 
 
 M 
 
 Southern (Glasgow) 
 Star ii 
 Saltcoats ' ' r 'i f . 
 Linlithgow Bridge ... 
 Barony Glebe (Glasgow) ... 
 United Drapery n 
 Whifflet 
 
 n 
 Nov."l877 
 Mav 1878 
 
 72 1 5 
 14 15 3 
 29 16 3 
 137 13 1 
 53 7 6 
 126 12 11 
 72 15 4 
 
 II 
 
 II 
 
 It 
 
 Farme (Rutherglen) 
 Leith ' ';.. 
 Whiteinch .. ... ' i.. 
 
 M 
 n 
 
 4 9 11 
 133 6 7 
 30 9 2 
 
 II 
 II 
 
 Anderston (Glasgow) 
 Ayr Road 
 
 Aug. 1879 
 May 1881 
 
 107 18 2 
 13 4 
 
 It 
 
 Oak Mill 
 Dundee West ..^. 
 
 Broughty- Ferry o .#J4 
 Blairgowrie and Rattray ... .-^ 
 Allander Provident 
 
 St Ninian's 
 
 M 
 
 Nov. 1881 | 
 
 Nov. 1883 
 Feb. 1884 
 
 86 17 10 
 1,849 17 7 
 956 14 9 
 150 9 8 
 407 6 4 
 3 18 9 
 58 19 4 
 
 II 
 
 P. &L. 
 Reserve 
 ii 
 ii 
 
 Motherwell ... ... ... ~~ "t.l" 
 
 July 1886 
 
 87 1 9 
 
 
 Clachnacuddin ... 
 Partick .."' 
 
 Dec. 1886 
 
 46 5 11 
 41 1 4 
 
 n 
 
 Forth 
 
 Dec 1887 
 
 383 9 
 
 
 Belfast 
 Bumtisland Reform... ... ... 
 Ayr Equitable 
 Govan 
 
 Mar."l888 
 Sept 1888 
 Dec 1889 
 
 10 13 1 
 713 
 77 2 9 
 103 1 9 
 
 ii 
 n 
 
 M 
 
 Irish Industrial 
 Airdrie Provident ... 
 Leven ... ... ... ... 
 
 Dec."l891 
 Sept 1893 
 
 12 6 5 
 235 15 11 
 26 13 11 
 
 Reserve 
 
 Saltcoats 
 
 Ne whaven . . 
 
 June 1895 
 
 40 4 7 
 291 
 
 - 
 
 Holytown 
 Kinross Equitable 
 Scottish Farming Association 
 Bridgeton Victualling ... ... 
 Edinburgh Roperie ... 
 North Dublin -.v. 
 Friockheim . . 
 
 Mar. 1896 
 
 July" 1899 
 June 1900 
 
 Dec. 1901 
 Tune 1903 
 
 200 1 6 
 a 120 8 9 
 538 3 9 
 30 8 3 
 189 1 1 
 3 10 11 
 235 17 
 
 P.&L. 
 n 
 n 
 n 
 
290 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 NAME OF SOCIETY. 
 
 Date 
 written off. 
 
 Net 
 Amount 
 Loss. 
 
 of 
 
 Fund 
 
 from which 
 written 
 off. 
 
 Cobbinshaw 
 Coalsnaughton Industrial ... 
 Newtonshaw Industrial 
 Niddrie 
 
 Dec. 1903 
 it 
 H 
 June 1905 
 
 S. 
 ^282 14 
 <?57 18 
 /714 8 
 d38 14 
 
 d. 
 9 
 5 
 8 
 9 
 
 P.&L 
 
 H 
 11 
 
 Glasgow Workers ... 
 Annan date 
 
 it 
 
 10 14 
 r!38 
 
 2 
 
 
 l 
 
 Cbryston 
 
 
 116 6 
 
 
 
 
 Muthil %|/; 
 Annandale . . 
 
 June 1909 
 
 132 
 
 -38 17 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 II 
 
 Elgin 
 
 
 A 9 10 
 
 5 
 
 
 Londonderry 
 Lurgan 
 
 it 
 
 N 
 
 65 15 
 t5 6 
 
 11 
 
 
 H 
 
 M 
 
 Less Dividends realised 
 a June 1897 
 b June 1901 
 c June 1905 
 rfDec. 1905 
 e Tune 1906 
 /June 1906 
 ,f June 1908 
 h Dec. 1908 
 /Dec. 1908 
 i June 1909 
 t Dec. 1909 
 
 13 2 3 
 31 3 8 
 5 17 9 
 6 11 2 
 21 14 4 
 29 15 5 
 67 2 11 
 3 15 1 
 1 6 
 10 3 
 5 15 10 
 
 9,333 19 
 ISfi Q 
 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Total Loss on Trade A/c to date ... 
 
 
 9,147 9 
 
 10 
 
 
 Total Trade to June 1909, 118,151,671. 
 Trading Losses equal l'85d. per 100 of Sales. 
 
 INVESTMENT ACCOUNT. 
 
 NAME OF SOCIETY. 
 
 Date 
 written off. 
 
 Amount. 
 
 Fund 
 from which 
 written 
 off. 
 
 
 
 s. d. 
 
 
 Lurgan 
 
 Nov. 1876 
 
 20 
 
 Reserve 
 
 Cooperage . . . 
 
 May 1879 
 
 406 
 
 
 Oak Mill I 
 
 Aug. 1879 
 Oct. 1880 
 
 12 10 
 
 88 15 
 
 
 Hawick Hosiery ... 
 
 
 
 24 7 9 
 
 
 ( 
 
 Dec. 1893 
 
 500 
 
 
 Bo'ness Pottery 
 
 Mar. 1894 
 Dec. 1894 
 
 500 
 993 13 3 
 
 P.&L. 
 
 Fanning Association 
 
 Dec. 1897 
 July 1899 
 
 2,000 
 154 3 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to date 
 
 
 4,297 9 10 
 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 
 291 
 
 II 
 
 i 
 
 
292 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 
 
 ' '' " 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 293 
 
294 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XXXVIII. 
 
 "Yet in the hidden vales of life 
 
 Are battles lost and won 
 Genius, though seeking not the blaze 
 Of Fame's too partial sun." 
 
 UNITED CO-OPERATIVE BAKING SOCIETY. 
 1869. 
 
 THE Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society had 
 only been in existence a month or thereby when 
 the idea of another federation was mooted among 
 the leading co-operators of Glasgow. The societies 
 in the city and neighbourhood were small, and none 
 of them had the capital or trade sufficient to conduct 
 a bakery on their own account. Their difficulties had 
 been greatly increased by the inefficient service which 
 they received from the local bakers. They argued that, 
 if it was possible to successfully combine retail societies 
 for the purposes set forth in the Wholesale Society's 
 programme, it was equally possible to combine retail 
 societies for the purpose of bread baking. 
 
 The first idea was to induce the Wholesale Society to 
 take up the business, but it was latterly considered that, 
 as the bakery was bound to be largely a local effort, 
 societies at a distance could not be expected to take 
 financial risks in it. 
 
 The committee of St Rollox Society (ever forward in 
 all co-operative development) convened a meeting in 
 October 1868. Mr Gabriel Thomson, of St Rollox, and 
 treasurer of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, 
 read a paper on the subject of " Federation," in which 
 he pointed out the necessity for a federated bakery. He 
 elaborated his subject by giving the price of flour, the 
 
o 
 
 00 
 
 I 
 
 b 
 
 CO 
 
 O 
 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 295 
 
 cost of the production of bread, and the selling price of 
 the article. The bakeries throughout the country at 
 the time were insanitary, and unhealthy for the workmen. 
 Mr Thomson did not fail to impress his audience with 
 the fact that it was the duty of co-operators to improve 
 the conditions of labour. 
 
 So successfully had Mr Thomson used his opportunity, 
 that another meeting of delegates was called shortly 
 after. At this meeting there were representatives from 
 Barrhead, Paisley Provident, Glasgow Eastern, Anderston, 
 Parkhead, Johnstone, Paisley Equitable, Howwood, 
 Thornliebank, Larkhall, Cathcart, Glasgow Southern, 
 Motherwell, St Rollox, I/ennoxtown, and other societies. 
 The delegates were unanimous that the time had arrived 
 to establish a federated bakery, and they pledged them- 
 selves to endeavour to get their societies interested in 
 the new federation. 
 
 Within a fortnight eight societies had agreed to join 
 namely, Anderston, Barrhead, Cathcart, Johnstone, 
 Lennoxtown, Motherwell, St Rollox, and Thornliebank. 
 These were the pioneer societies which laid the foundation 
 whereon was to be built the largest bakery business known. 
 A sub-committee was appointed to look out for suitable 
 premises, to consider the best means of working a bakery 
 and to provide for delivery to the federated societies. 
 Only two weeks elapsed till premises were secured, 
 and the report of the sub-committee adopted regarding 
 the working of a bakery capable of baking forty 
 sacks per week. The repairs necessary at the 
 proposed bakehouse, 52 Coburg Lane, Glasgow, were 
 soon completed. An executive was formed, which con- 
 sisted of Mr Gabriel Thomson (St Rollox), chairman ; 
 Mr James Borrowman (Wholesale Society), secretary; 
 Mr John West (St Rollox), treasurer; Messrs James 
 Ferguson (Barrhead), Gibb (Thornliebank), Dodds 
 (St Rollox), and D. Cameron (Thornliebank). The rules 
 were adopted on 2Oth May 1869, the registered office 
 being at Madeira Court, 257 Argyle Street, Glasgow. 
 
 It will be seen that energy was not awanting in the 
 setting up of the new organisation. Whatever the future 
 held in store for them, the pioneers were determined 
 neither to lose time nor opportunity in carrying out 
 their cherished ideas. 
 
296 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 The important event which had been in preparation for 
 some time came off on the last Monday of January 1869, 
 namely, the production of their first batch of bread, 
 and they naturally felt proud of their achievement. 
 But their pride and pleasure were shortlived ; the 
 difficulties incidental to production assailed them early 
 in their career. The chief baker was an erratic character, 
 who evidently thought that continuity of service was 
 not absolutely necessary. On one occasion, shortly after 
 the business began, the officials were aroused in the 
 middle of the night to be informed that the baker had 
 absented himself from duty, and that there would be 
 no bread for the following day. The baker was found and 
 induced to return to duty, but he intimated his intention 
 of leaving the service the following Saturday. They 
 hurriedly advertised for a successor ; but co-operation 
 in these days had not the attraction for workmen that 
 it has to-day only one baker applied, and he demanded 
 thirty-six shillings per week. The committee were at 
 their wit's end. It was Saturday night, and they waited 
 till half-past ten in the hope of engaging this man who 
 had offered his services. They hung about a public-house 
 which they knew the baker frequented, and at last saw 
 their man and his master issue forth ; they were des- 
 perate to secure his services, or the members of societies 
 might be breadless on Monday morning. The baker 
 quietly informed the despairing committee that his 
 master would retain his services at thirty-six shillings 
 per week. Here was a setback they had not reckoned on ; 
 they parted at midnight dispirited, and arranged to meet 
 again next day (Sunday) to continue their search for 
 a baker. Happily they succeeded in getting a man, and 
 thus the catastrophe they had anticipated was averted. 
 But their troubles with bakers continued for a time. 
 Everything depended on having a good and dependable 
 man in the bakehouse, and certainly this was not easily 
 obtainable in those early days of productive co-operation. 
 
 The committee gave every attention both by night 
 and day to the struggling business, and by the end 
 of 1869, or eleven months after they had started, they 
 were delighted to find that they had made a profit of 
 23, 35. id. Societies outside the city began to take an 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 297 
 
 interest in the growing federation, and city societies 
 increased the number of their shares. 
 
 It was found necessary in the early part of 1870 
 to remove the business to St James Street, Paisley Road. 
 They had now accommodation for baking three hundred 
 sacks per week ; but at the end of this year the average 
 was only 75 \ sacks per week. The sales for the year 
 amounted to 9,165, and the profit to 306, 145. yd. 
 
 The committee and the societies in federation were 
 satisfied ; their hopes were certainly being realised. 
 When one thinks of the artistically fitted boardrooms that 
 are now part of many of our successful societies, and 
 the conditions under which the early directors of the 
 Baking Society met, the change for the better is certainly 
 great. The committee at first met in the Wholesale 
 Society's premises in Madeira Court, and each society 
 had the right to send a member of committee, which 
 made sixteen at a time. It is recorded that these sixteen 
 gentlemen were accommodated in a box ten feet by 
 six feet when they held their meetings at the St James 
 Street premises. 
 
 Mr Gabriel Thomson only held the chair for the first 
 3 7 ear of the society's existence, and was followed by 
 Mr William Barclay, also of St Rollox Society. The 
 following year Mr Cameron, of Thornliebank, was elected 
 president. Business increased, and it seemed that some 
 of the societies were more eager to do business than to 
 pay their accounts. The Wholesale Society, in October 
 1872, sent a reminder to the Bakery committee that their 
 debt to the Wholesale amounted to 4,000. This looks 
 a small sum to-day, but at the time we write of it 
 seemed enormous. Rumours spread as usual, with 
 just a grain of truth in them. When the quarterly 
 meeting took place on 3Oth November 1872, the manager, 
 Mr Sturrock, handed his resignation to the chairman, 
 and immediately left the meeting. Whether intended or 
 not, this had a sensational effect on those present, and 
 a feeling got abroad that the federation was in danger. 
 Barrhead and Thornliebank societies requested a special 
 meeting to consider the position of the United Baking 
 Society. There was certainly a feeling of unrest and 
 suspicion as to the financial position. This was evidenced 
 
298 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 by the fact that at the special meeting no less than 
 eight different propositions were submitted for the 
 improvement of the management. 
 
 A change of manager had been effected before the 
 special meeting took place, so that confidence was 
 somewhat restored. On the recommendation of Mr 
 Borrowman, Mr Robert Craig, formerly bookkeeper at 
 the Wholesale Society, was appointed manager ; and 
 although the society was in financial difficulties at the 
 moment, this gentleman, by his shrewd and businesslike 
 methods, in conjunction with Mr Robert I/ang, foreman 
 baker, gradually improved the position. Mr Andrew Brown, 
 of Paisley, was appointed president in 1872, just when 
 the society was at its worst, and no doubt his thoughtful 
 counsels and upright character did something to restore 
 that great asset of a co-operative society namely, 
 confidence. The struggle was intense while it lasted. 
 Accounts were presented for work done in years gone by. 
 Mr Craig also advised the withdrawal of some distant 
 societies owing to the heavy expense entailed in 
 delivery. A loan fund was started, which at last enabled 
 the management to clear the debts owing, and work out 
 several improvements that had been delayed for want of 
 capital. But for the generous assistance which some few 
 societies gave, it is doubtful if the young federation could 
 have survived. As it turned out, much of the credit was 
 due to Mr Craig, who had the pleasure of seeing the good 
 results of his work before he left the service in 1875 in 
 consequence of ill-health. His early death was mourned 
 by a large number of co-operative friends, who had come 
 to know his worth, and highly valued the services he 
 gave to the Bakery in its darkest days. 
 
 Now that the federation was considered convalescent, 
 after its long and dangerous sickness, societies which 
 had held aloof for some time began to take a livelier 
 interest in its fortunes,, taking up shares and helping 
 to increase its trade. Mr David Smith, who had 
 acted as secretary for the last three years, was appointed 
 manager on the resignation of Mr Craig ; and Mr 
 Thomas Slater, of London Road Society, became 
 secretary. Mr Slater, who had much co-operative 
 experience in Hawick, was certainly a valuable addition 
 to the administration of the society. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 299 
 
 By the end of 1875 there were twenty-six societies 
 members of the federation. The capital was 5,145, the 
 profit for the year amounted to 1,787, and the bonus to 
 employees (which had been paid since 1870) was 
 114, 133. 8d., while 9,407 bags of flour had been 
 baked. Although the trade increased considerably, 
 caused no doubt by the shareholding societies growing 
 larger, the number of members in the federation grew 
 less, till in 1880- 1 there were only twenty-one. The 
 reason for this will be seen as we proceed. 
 
 The society was only two years in existence when 
 the question of establishing branches was mooted. 
 Paisley and Johnstone societies raised the matter, and 
 this continued a burning question for a number of years. 
 It was discussed in November 1872, and there must have 
 been a strong feeling in favour, for the meeting agreed 
 " to leave it in the hands of the Johnstone, Paisley 
 Provident, and Paisley Equitable societies to make 
 inquiries in their respective localities anent a suitable 
 place to rent, lease, or buy, with probable cost, and all 
 other information necessary, and forward their report 
 to the committee." 
 
 From what took place immediately after, it is evident 
 that the desire for a branch or branches was not 
 unanimous. Barrhead Society sent a deputation to the 
 committee to point out that owing to the small amount 
 of capital available it Would not be expedient to establish 
 branches. It has to be kept in mind that the total share 
 capital was only 1,672 at this time. This wise protest 
 of Barrhead Society must have had a salutary effect, 
 for, when the report prepared by the Johnstone Society 
 was read at the meeting held in March 1873, it was 
 considered inexpedient to go further in the meantime, 
 owing to the state of the funds of the federation. This 
 did not satisfy Johnstone Society apparently, for at the 
 June meeting they raised the question again. Several 
 motions were submitted and ultimately withdrawn in 
 favour of leaving the whole question in the hands of the 
 committee, but that no extension should take place until 
 sanctioned by a general meeting of the members. 
 
 The branch question seems to have lain in abeyance 
 till March 1876, when a special committee was appointed 
 
300 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 " to inquire into the best methods of increasing the 
 production of bread, and enable us to meet the increasing 
 demand made upon us, and report to a future meeting." 
 On the 8th of April the report was submitted, and the 
 special committee gave it as their opinion that a bake- 
 house with three ovens, to let in Paisley Road, should 
 be taken for three years at a yearly rental of 30. 
 Nothing resulted from a long and animated discussion, 
 but it was resolved to hold a special meeting on 2Qth April 
 to further consider the question. On that date no fewer 
 than ninety delegates, representing twenty societies, met 
 to discuss this now vexed question. The first motion 
 came from the Paisley delegates, " to empower the 
 committee to open a branch either at Paisley or 
 Johnstone, and to lease temporary premises in the 
 locality chosen, until the bakery be ready." The 
 Avonbank delegates moved " that power be given to 
 the committee to use their discretion in the matter." 
 Still another motion, from the I^inwood delegates, " to 
 adjourn the question till the quarterly meeting in June." 
 The various motions having been put, the result was 
 that the Paisley delegates' motion was carried by a 
 narrow majority. 
 
 The committee were evidently not in any great hurry 
 to carry out this resolution, for in July we find a 
 deputation from Barrhead protesting to the committee 
 against their taking any steps to plant branches at 
 Paisley or Johnstone. It is to be feared the committee 
 were not very enthusiastic about opening branches, for, 
 instead of carrying out the quarterly meeting's resolution, 
 and after hearing the Barrhead deputation's protest, 
 they agreed to call another special meeting of the 
 members. Of course this led to further trouble and 
 friction. The special meeting was held on 2Qth July. 
 It was evidently lively. Motions, counter-motions, and 
 amendments were made from all parts of the meeting, 
 only to be withdrawn till the opinion of the next 
 quarterly meeting was ascertained. On 2nd September 
 the quarterly meeting took up the question again with 
 considerable feeling. Barrhead and Thornliebank delegates 
 proposed, " That in order to preserve the integrity 
 and harmony of the federation, we consider it necessary 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 301 
 
 that the resolution passed at special meeting held on 
 agth April to plant a branch bakery in Paisley or 
 Johnstone should be rescinded, and that no permanent 
 extension of the bakery take place beyond the present 
 premises." Paisley and Johnstone at once moved " that 
 the resolution of the special meeting be adhered to." 
 There was a prolonged and heated discussion. When the 
 vote was taken, it was found that the amendment moved 
 by Paisley and Johnstone had a majority of nine. 
 
 It was an anxious time for the committee. Barrhead 
 was dissatisfied with the decision, and took no pains to 
 hide it ; on the other hand, Paisley and Johnstone 
 condemned the committee for not carrying out the 
 resolution passed in April and confirmed in September. 
 It looked as if the federation was to be rent in twain, 
 so determined was each side to have its own way. 
 Looking at the question now, Barrhead Society seems to 
 have been the most loyal. They saw the difficulty of 
 conducting two places of business on such a small capital, 
 which they argued would only increase expenses without 
 a corresponding increase of trade. It was rumoured that 
 Barrhead Society would withdraw from the federation 
 if the branch idea was carried out. 
 
 The committee still took no action ; and when the 
 next quarterly meeting came round, in December 1876, it 
 was expected that there would be another " battle royal," 
 but the unexpected happened. On the chairman being 
 asked if anything had been done regarding the with- 
 drawal of Barrhead Society, and what steps, if any, had 
 been taken in reference to extension, he replied in his 
 characteristically pawky style that no official information 
 had been received from Barrhead regarding their 
 withdrawal, and no steps had been taken relative to 
 the planting of a branch at Paisley or elsewhere. 
 
 It was singular both sides seemed to have been 
 satisfied with the chairman's reply, and the meeting 
 joined in a hearty laugh at its own defeat. There was 
 no battle, and there was no branch. Mr Brown, when 
 leaving his position as chairman in 1880, confessed that, 
 while he acted impartially, he was not in favour of the 
 branch at the time, and he thought of two evils they had 
 chosen the less. He further stated that, " in looking 
 
302 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 back to those dark days in the history of the United 
 Baking Society, it seems like the dream of an enthusiast 
 to have been talking of branching out when the society 
 was so deeply in debt, and with the buildings and fixed 
 and live stock at a high fictitious value." 
 
 One would have thought that the trouble concerning the 
 branch question had been completely settled. On the i6th 
 December 1876, a letter received from Barrhead committee 
 was read to the committee of the Bakery intimating that 
 at a special meeting of their members, held on 8th 
 November, they had agreed by a vote of three-fourths 
 of those present to withdraw from the United Baking 
 Society, but that the time of withdrawal was left in the 
 hands of the committee. In the meantime they would 
 continue to take their full supply of bread from the 
 Bakery till they were ready to bake for themselves. 
 Here was a confession that had, it appears, been 
 anticipated, but now that it was boldly put before them 
 it certainly had a somewhat discouraging effect. A sub- 
 committee was appointed to confer with the committee 
 of Barrhead Society. 
 
 Notwithstanding the shadow that hung over the 
 committee, owing to the threatened withdrawal of such 
 an important society as Barrhead, the trade kept up, in 
 fact it increased somewhat. Efforts to conciliate Barrhead 
 Society had not been very successful, nor was it certain 
 when that society would withdraw its trade. It will thus 
 be seen that the Bakery committee were in a very difficult 
 position ; their premises were congested with their present 
 arrangements, and they were afraid to propose an 
 extension of the premises in case it might raise 
 the whole question of branching out, which they felt 
 would be impolitic. They drafted a circular, which they 
 sent out to the federated societies, giving their reasons 
 for not planting a branch in either Paisley or Johnstone, 
 but recommending that temporary premises should be 
 opened in Glasgow to facilitate the dispatch of business, 
 which the growth of the trade of Glasgow societies had 
 caused to increase materially. At the next quarterly 
 meeting this circular was considered. The Paisley and 
 Johnstone representatives thought that if they adopted 
 the circular this involved the shelving of the project 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 303 
 
 to establish a branch in their locality. They moved 
 " that it lie on the table, and that the committee 
 take their instructions as to how they should meet 
 the extra demand, from resolutions agreed to on 
 the matter at previous meetings." Avonbank and 
 Barrhead moved, as an amendment, " that the committee 
 be empowered to rent premises temporarily in the vicinity 
 of the present bakehouse." The amendment was carried 
 by thirty-nine votes against thirty-four votes given for 
 the Paisley motion. This should have settled this 
 burning question under ordinary circumstances. But no ; 
 our Paisley friends were determined not to be baulked, so 
 they gave notice of motion, that the question be again 
 brought up at the quarterly general meeting, six months 
 later. The committee wisely acted on the resolution that 
 had been carried, and at once secured the temporary 
 premises, which were soon put in working order. These 
 details are given so that the reader may have some idea 
 of the difficulties and trials of this plucky committee, of 
 whom it may be said, if they had some faults they had 
 many virtues. 
 
 A serious fire in May 1877, * n which much property 
 and six valuable horses were destroyed, added considerably 
 to the already numerous troubles of this much-tried 
 committee. 
 
 At the September quarterly meeting another skirmish 
 took place over the branch question, and it ended in the 
 appointment of a committee to investigate the matter and 
 report at next meeting. At the following meeting, in 
 December, the report of the special committee was 
 submitted and considered. It was carefully drawn 
 up, going into the question in every detail. The 
 following are the findings : " First, that we are not 
 prepared to recommend the adoption of any one of the 
 former schemes in the meantime ; and second, that we 
 recommend that the branch in Paisley Road be retaken 
 for another year." " All's well that ends well " ; here, 
 after years of hard fighting, the special committee, on 
 which there were at least two Paisley representatives, 
 reported practically in favour of the committee's action. 
 A controversy which caused divided councils and bitter 
 feelings was now set at rest ; the energy and ability 
 
304 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 expended on the long struggle were worthy of a better 
 cause. 
 
 While no new society joined the federation in 1877, the 
 business still continued to increase. When the year 1878 
 opened, the sales began to fall off ; Barrhead Society's 
 withdrawal accounted for some of this. Then the debts 
 of some of the societies became alarming. Their own 
 indebtedness was also considered, but by the transfer of 
 500 from their loan account to goods account at the 
 Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, and the uplifting 
 of 800 which was on deposit receipt in the bank, they 
 were enabled to liquidate many of their current accounts. 
 In this way, having paid their own debts, they could go 
 forth to their societies with a clear conscience. 
 
 It was hard and discouraging work ; but a man like 
 Andrew Brown, the president, was not easily discouraged ; 
 his kindly smile and hopeful remark were contagious. 
 It will be remembered that the time we are now writing 
 of was trying the stability of many societies in Scotland ; 
 the failure of the productive societies, in which many 
 had invested, had crippled the resources of not a few 
 who were members of the Bakery. Hence the gloomy 
 outlook at the moment. 
 
 Whatever feeling was shown by Paisley Provident 
 members over the branch question, it is pleasant to note 
 that they had every confidence in the Baking Society. At 
 this time they increased their shares by two hundred, which 
 must have had a stimulating effect on others. The 
 introduction of machinery was now engrossing the 
 attention of the committee. The Co-operative Cooperage 
 solicited a loan from the Bakery, but it was politely 
 refused. As time wore on and business increased, the 
 financial difficulties which had haunted them for years 
 began to lessen, in fact to disappear. Although 
 Barrhead Society had ceased buying, it does not appear 
 that they had withdrawn their share and loan capital, 
 but the Bakery committee were now in a position to 
 request Barrhead to withdraw their investment. What 
 a change in circumstances in such a few years ; but it 
 was a change to delight in. 
 
 Societies at a distance had always kept in view the 
 prospect of baking for themselves, and, as they grew 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 305 
 
 stronger, as a natural sequence they added baking to 
 their other departments. The societies in the immediate 
 vicinity of Glasgow were also growing stronger and 
 increasing their trade at the Bakery, hence the United 
 Baking Society increased as some of the more distant 
 societies hived off. The following societies withdrew from 
 the federation at the dates given : nth January 1873, 
 Vale of Leven Co-operative Society ; igth April 1873, 
 Dalziel and Motherwell Co-operative Society ; 23rd 
 August 1873, Lennoxtown Co-operative Society ; 2oth 
 February 1875, Glasgow Southern Co-operative Society ; 
 I7th August 1878, Barrhead Co-operative Society ; 
 2ist September 1878, Bloomvale Co-operative Society. 
 Thus in 1880, with only twenty-one societies as members, 
 the society had a much larger trade than in 1874 with 
 twenty-six societies as members. 
 
 The transition from hand-made to machine-made bread 
 brought its troubles, but, when these were overcome, the 
 business made progress. Mr Andrew Brown, president, 
 demitted office in 1880, and was warmly thanked for his long 
 and faithful services in the continuous difficulties through 
 which the federation had passed. A testimonial was 
 presented to him to mark the respect and admiration 
 in which he was held by the societies. Mr Alexander 
 Fraser, of Busby, was elected president. 
 
 The disloyalty of some of the societies caused a good 
 deal of anxiety to the committee. Some societies were 
 apparently indifferent as to the source from which their 
 members should be supplied, for, without a word of 
 remonstrance or warning to the Bakery committee, they 
 would occasionally transfer their orders to some private 
 trader. It was unco-operative practices such as these 
 which made the committee write of those societies 
 as follows : " Their system of dealing was detrimental 
 to the true interests of federative co-operation, and, 
 if carried out, could only result in an extension of 
 unfair trading, totally at variance with those principles 
 upon which the co-operative movement had been 
 established namely, a sound commercial morality 
 between producer, distributor, and consumer ; any 
 society professing to have co-operative principles at 
 heart, and who acted contrary, retarded progress to a 
 
3o6 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 more general acceptance of co-operation." No doubt it 
 was plain speaking ; but not too plain for those who had 
 called it forth by their fickle and unco-operative actions. 
 
 The first exhibition of the society's products took 
 place at Leith, at the opening of the new branch of the 
 Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, and a very 
 favourable impression was made on the eastern men 
 by the fine display. 
 
 Mr Fraser, the new chairman, found that his position 
 was not an enviable one. Complaints as to quality 
 were frequent, and it was always difficult to please a 
 society when once it got into the habit of making 
 complaints. Continuous comparisons with other bakers' 
 products, and ceaseless attention to detail, in time 
 reduced the complaints to a minimum. Parkhead Society 
 had dropped out, but in January- 1882 Dalmuir Society 
 joined the federation. The Oak Mill investment was 
 considered worthless, so it was recommended to extinguish 
 the loan by taking the amount from the reserve fund. 
 
 By the end of 1883 the membership consisted of 
 twenty-five societies, and the capital had reached 
 8,874. An unsuccessful effort was made to have a 
 branch planted at Greenock ; but, after some discussion, 
 a proposal to erect additional ovens in the existing 
 premises was agreed to. With the completion of the 
 oven extension, some further additions to the machinery, 
 and some important improvements in the methods of 
 delivery, the result was general satisfaction. 
 
 By the year 1884 the United Baking Society had left 
 its experimental days behind. It was sharing in the 
 prosperity of the shareholding societies, some of which in 
 the Glasgow district were emerging from a cloud of 
 indebtedness which had hung over them for the last 
 ten years at least. The treasurer's statement at this 
 time was truly encouraging, after the long and sometimes 
 seemingly hopeless struggle in which they had been engaged. 
 He stated that the societies' debts during 1884 could 
 sometimes be covered by 100. The difficulty of keeping 
 pace with the demands now made upon them raised the 
 whole question of accommodation. In the meantime a 
 bakehouse with three ovens was secured in Scotland 
 Street, but this only gave temporary relief. A proposal to 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 307 
 
 dispose of their present somewhat antiquated premises 
 and build a large modern bakehouse elsewhere was 
 looked on with great favour. 
 
 In 1885 the increased demand continued, and at least 
 two societies that had applied for membership had to 
 be refused owing to the inability of the committee to 
 promise a regular supply of bread. Many schemes were 
 considered as to how to meet the difficulty ; plans were 
 even prepared for remodelling their present place of 
 business, but it was seen that even by spending 6,200 it 
 would only give temporary relief. Kilbarchan Society 
 withdrew from the federation, as they proposed baking 
 for themselves ; but there were other societies waiting 
 for admission, so that this withdrawal did not affect the 
 position to any extent. 
 
 A special general meeting was held in July 1885 to 
 consider the various proposals that were to be brought 
 forward, with a view to solving the difficult problem. 
 A claim was again made for a branch at Paisley, but the 
 majority decided in favour of instructing the committee 
 to look out for a suitable site in Glasgow and erect new 
 premises. The committee lost no time in carrying out 
 the instructions they had received. The M'Neil Street 
 site had some buildings upon it that might be of service, 
 so negotiations were begun through an agent, and the 
 ground was secured for the society at 4,500. It was 
 now a matter of pushing forward the proposed buildings, 
 as St James Street bakehouse was quite inadequate 
 to meet the demands of societies, who had often to do 
 with short supplies, especially on Saturdays. 
 
 On closer inspection, the committee and their experts 
 found that the old buildings and engines that went with 
 the site were of no service, and they were cleared out 
 of the way to make room for a great modern bakery. 
 Another bakehouse had to be taken temporarily, so great 
 was the rush of trade. The committee were successful 
 in getting a firm of bakers to lease St James Street 
 premises, at a rent of 225 per annum, the lease to run 
 for five years, entry to be given to the tenants as soon 
 as the new premises in M'Neil Street were ready. 
 
 It is pleasant to note that several of the city societies 
 were now enabled to deposit considerable sums in the 
 
308 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 loan fund of the Bakery. Co-operation in Glasgow was 
 at last becoming popular ; it was emerging from the 
 little, out-of-the-way shops into the large and handsome 
 establishments that are now a feature in the Second City. 
 
 Delays, for which the committee could not be held 
 responsible, prevented the completion of the new buildings 
 till May 1887. Let it be kept in mind that the great 
 Shieldhall scheme was begun the same year ; so that 
 it will be seen that the co-operators all over Scotland, 
 who were part-proprietors in both schemes, were deeply 
 interested in the new ventures. 
 
 The opening ceremony took place on the 2ist of May, 
 when it was estimated that 30,000 persons visited the 
 new premises. The effect was educative ; many who 
 had never given a thought to co-operation, although it 
 was at their door, saw in these spacious and well-appointed 
 buildings a genuine and decided effort to improve the 
 conditions of the workmen. The old bakehouses of 
 the city were too often underground, or situated in 
 insanitary slums ; here was light and sweetness everywhere. 
 It is not too much to say that many persons date their 
 connection with co-operation from the object-lesson which 
 they got in M'Neil Street. In the evening over a thousand 
 persons assembled in the Wellington Palace Halls, to 
 rejoice with the committee on the completion of their 
 great work. 
 
 The increased facilities for the production of more 
 bread had not come a moment too soon. Societies 
 became more loyal, trade and capital increased, till at 
 the close of 1889, or two years after the new bakery was 
 started, the sales were 68,841, the capital had risen 
 to 36,998, the profit was 2,710, and the bonus to 
 employees was 227 ; forty-one retail societies were now 
 attached to the federation, and 31,090 bags of flour had 
 been baked during the year. This was progress undreamt 
 of a few years ago. But if we take the figures of 1891, 
 or two years afterwards, they give some idea of the 
 rate of increase of this deservedly popular society. In 
 that year there were forty-eight societies in membership, 
 the sales were 118,220, the profits 11,720, bonus 821, 
 and the capital had reached to 51,647 ; during the year 
 50,425 bags of flour had been baked. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 309 
 
 Mr Fraser had retired from the chair, and Mr John 
 Ferguson, of Glasgow Eastern, was elected in his place. 
 In 1888, Mr Peter Glasse, St George, Glasgow, was elected 
 secretary. A sub -committee was appointed to inquire 
 into and report on the fancy biscuit trade. Some wise 
 rearrangements regarding interest on loan capital took 
 place, which clearly showed that they were now in a 
 position almost to dictate terms. 
 
 The recommendation of the committee to proceed with 
 biscuit baking, and also the building of a new wing, was 
 unanimously adopted at the eightieth quarterly meeting. 
 Operations were begun forthwith. Mr Duncan M'Culloch, 
 Kinning Park, Glasgow, had now been elected president. 
 The buildings were completed and ready for occupation 
 by May 1890. 
 
 It was a happy coincidence that the opening of the 
 new wing and the majority of the society should fall on 
 the same date. Twenty-one years ago the society had 
 begun its operations in poor and humble surroundings ; 
 now it was wealthy, and one of the marvels of 
 co-operative progress. It was certainly a proud occasion 
 for some of the old heroes who had fought its seemingly 
 hopeless battles at the beginning. Since its inception 
 it had realised a profit of 15,238, and 1,547 ^ a( i ^ een 
 paid as bonus to labour. A splendid record ! The 
 buildings at M'Neil Street had cost about 30,000, 
 and the accommodation now obtained would permit of 
 1,000 sacks being baked weekly, provision having also 
 been made for carrying on a large biscuit business. 
 
 The majority celebrations were carried out on a large 
 and elaborate scale. The buildings were thrown open 
 for the inspection of the public, and thousands of the 
 citizens availed themselves of the opportunity. At the 
 opening ceremony Mr Duncan M'Culloch, the president, 
 took the chair, and in well-chosen words gave to all a 
 cordial welcome, and gave some most interesting statistics 
 regarding the progress of the society since its inception. 
 Mr Peter Glasse, the secretary, performed the opening 
 ceremony, and gave a thoughtful and inspiring address, 
 touching not only upon the prosperity of the Baking 
 Society but of co-operation in general, showing how 
 co-operation had led in the improvement of the conditions 
 
310 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 of labour. At the dinner which followed, and to which 
 over four hundred guests had been invited (among them 
 being many leaders of the movement, and at least two 
 of the original committee Mr Gabriel Thomson, of 
 St Rollox, and Mr Cameron, of Thornliebank who 
 received quite an ovation), the addresses were inspiring 
 and full of hope for future prosperity and gratitude for 
 work accomplished during the past twenty-one years. 
 
 The manufacture of biscuits was now pushed on with 
 considerable zeal. The Wholesale Society had been 
 approached, and terms were arranged whereby the Whole- 
 sale would take up an agency for the biscuit trade ; 
 distant societies were thus brought in touch with the new 
 industry. The nucleus of an insurance fund was formed 
 by transferring 1,000 from the reserve fund, and many 
 matters of improvement in administration received the 
 attention of delegates and directors. The long-coveted 
 trade of 1,000 sacks per week was now in view, and as 
 that was the full capacity of the premises, the chairman 
 laid the question before the delegates in March 1891, 
 at the same time asking powers for further extension. 
 The powers asked for were granted unanimously. 
 
 A praiseworthy step was taken about this time in 
 forming a joint committee of directors and employees 
 to draw up a scheme whereby a portion of the bonus 
 paid to labour might be retained in the funds of the 
 society in name of an employees' shareholding association, 
 thus drawing the employees into closer relationship with 
 the interests of the society, and at the same time 
 providing for old age and infirmity. At the following 
 September meeting the scheme was submitted and 
 adopted by the delegates. It set forth " that a society 
 be formed, which may be called the United Co-operative 
 Baking Society Employees' Bonus Investment Society, 
 the object of which is to enable the employees to become 
 members and invest their bonus by taking up shares 
 in this society. Not less than one-fourth of the bonus 
 at present paid to employees whose wages are over 
 one pound per week may in future be retained and 
 invested in shares in this society. Any employee on 
 leaving the society's employment may place his shares 
 on the transfer list ; all transfers to be made through 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 311 
 
 and by the committee of management. The Bonus 
 Investment Society, as such, may have by virtue of 
 membership one vote, and one additional vote for every 
 eighty pounds of share capital invested in the society." 
 In the last report this investment society of the employees 
 had taken up no less than 14,000 shares ; its claims, 
 including dividend and interest, were 14,540. This 
 truly co-operative scheme ought to interest the 
 employees in the welfare of the Baking Society, and 
 cement the relationship between employer and employed. 
 
 The generous action of the society in the trying winter 
 of 1892-3 must not be overlooked. There was much 
 distress in the city owing to want of employment and 
 the severity of the weather. Co-operators have always 
 been in the forefront of those who are wishful to relieve 
 the poor and needy. But we notice their generous actions 
 are grudgingly recognised both by press and pulpit. 
 In co-operation there is no expectation of applause for 
 good deeds, therefore there is never disappointment in 
 not being recognised ; generosity carries its own reward. 
 Acting on powers given by the quarterly meeting, the 
 Bakery committee distributed twenty dozen of bread weekly 
 to the deserving poor, and this continued till the severity 
 of the weather had passed and employment became 
 more plentiful. But this was only one of their kindly 
 and humane actions ; every year large sums are voted 
 to the various charities, while their educational and 
 social sympathies are shown by increasing contributions 
 annually. It may be noted that in connection with the 
 society there is a fully-equipped instrumental band, 
 which the directors encourage in many ways, while the 
 band by its excellent performances has become quite a 
 favourite with the public. 
 
 Extensions continued in South York Street, where a 
 double travelling oven and six hand ovens were installed, 
 and more stabling accommodation was provided to 
 relieve the congestion in M'Neil Street ; still there were 
 not sufficient facilities for the continuous increase of 
 business. 
 
 An important departure took place in 1893, namely, 
 the opening of tea-rooms, or co-operative restaurants. 
 The society had for a long time carried on a large 
 
3 i2 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 purveying business, supplying soirees, public dinners, etc. 
 They now opened tastefully fitted-up places of refresh- 
 ment. The first of these was opened in Renfield Street, 
 where it soon became popular to co-operators and the 
 public. Some years ago it was removed to West 
 Nile Street, above which is the Union Hall, a favourite 
 meeting-place for all kinds of co-operative functions. 
 
 A pleasant incident took place at the beginning of the 
 year 1894. Barrhead Society, which had withdrawn from 
 the Baking Society twenty years before, applied for 
 membership. The old feud was now forgotten ; they 
 were cordially welcomed back to the fold, and 1,500 
 shares were allotted to them. 
 
 The directors had the entire confidence of the delegates ; 
 this was seen by the unanimous adoption of all their 
 suggestions. Thus a splendid suite of tea-rooms was 
 opened at Glasgow Cross in October 1894, and 
 shortly afterwards dining-rooms were opened, near the 
 society's premises, in Albyn Street. In due time another 
 restaurant was opened, in Paisley Road. There had 
 been no halting with the trade of this now great society ; 
 every year had been a record ; so that when we come 
 to 1903 we cannot wonder that the long-discussed branch 
 question had now taken practical form. In that year 
 a new branch bakery was planted at Clydebank with the 
 latest and most improved machinery, and plant and equip- 
 ment installed for baking 1,000 sacks of flour per week. 
 The progressive spirit of this committee was displayed 
 again in the following year (1904) by building and 
 equipping another great branch, this time in Belfast. This 
 fine building has facilities for baking 550 sacks per week. 
 The total plant of the society at the central and two 
 branches is equal to a trade of 4,750 sacks per week ; 
 the actual average in the six months ending 3ist July 
 1909 being 3,771 sacks per week. 
 
 During the year 1910 another valuable addition to the 
 premises in M'Neil Street was opened, in the form of a 
 very handsome suite of offices. Much credit is due to 
 all concerned for the public spirit displayed in building 
 a beautiful suite of halls a few years ago, also in the 
 neighbourhood of the central premises. The co-operative 
 visitor to Glasgow cannot grasp the great co-operative 
 
o 
 
 ctf 
 
 DC 
 I 
 
 C/5 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 313 
 
 activity of the city until he has seen those two wonderful 
 developments of the people's cause Shieldhall and the 
 United Bakery; in both places he will be heartily welcomed. 
 
 What a long list of exceptional men have been the 
 builders of this gigantic institution. One would like if 
 in every boardroom the names of former directors were 
 inscribed. In the Bakery, in the early days, by the 
 slightest carelessness or want of the necessary interest 
 on the part of the committee, the frail barque would 
 have been driven on the rocks ; we owe a deep debt 
 of gratitude to their indomitable perseverance, their 
 unselfish labours, and love of their fellows. The present 
 leaders have been worthy successors of the pioneers, and 
 have developed the business in a manner undreamt of 
 by the men of 1869. We can never forget the services 
 rendered by heroes like Mr Andrew Brown, of Paisley, who 
 steered it through many a storm in early times ; nor 
 Mr Duncan M'Culloch, who for many years gave of his 
 best, and was successful in all his good work. Mr Thomas 
 Slater, Mr Peter Glasse, and Mr James Bain have in no 
 small measure helped by the efficient discharge of their 
 secretarial duties to popularise this great association. 
 The present chairman, Mr Daniel H. Gerrard, has won 
 the esteem of co-operators years ago ; his future success 
 should therefore be assured. Mr James Young, the 
 present general manager, is courtesy itself, and full of 
 information which gives him a strength and power 
 which is effectively used in the management of the 
 " greatest bakery in the world." 
 
 The following table of statistics explains in figures 
 even more strikingly than has been possible in the fore- 
 going pages the progress of the society : 
 
 lo 
 
 10 
 
3M HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Half-year enc 
 30th January 1< 
 
 ed 
 X. 
 
 Dr. CAPITAL 
 
 ACCOUNT, 
 
 LIABILITIES. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 To 158,825 Shares, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at 20/ each 158,825 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Less Unpaid 1,973 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 156 851 10 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 1 Societies' Deposits, at 1 2 months' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 notice of withdrawal ... 59,607 3 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 
 n Societies' Deposits, 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 at call ... 52,272 7 1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 n Dividend Credited 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 to Societies' De- 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 posits Account 22,881 16 8 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 75 151 3 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 282^27 I 
 
 3 
 
 
 .001 CIO 
 
 17 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 n Deposits (private) at 12 months' 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 notice of withdrawal ... 52,496 7 
 
 5 
 
 
 
 
 
 Deposits (private) at call ... 19,025 4 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 t-r *y *y *y*7 T& 
 
 _ 
 
 
 71 521 
 
 12 
 
 o 
 
 73>7 2 7 J 
 
 
 n Insurance Fund Fire ... 10,580 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 n n Employers' Liability 2,695 
 Third Party Risk 2,665 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 T jt ^n f\ 
 
 
 
 15 940 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 1 4)*~Qu u 
 
 37 AOO O 
 
 Q 
 
 n Reserve Fund 
 
 41,601) 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 01 t^-'-"-' f 
 T 086 A 
 
 IO 
 
 n Societies Overpaid 
 
 1 308 
 
 13 
 
 o 
 
 t ,uou q. 
 ? O2 2 O 
 
 8 
 
 M Bonus for Half-year 
 
 3,472 
 
 18 
 
 I 
 
 IO2 II 
 
 9 
 
 n Security ... 
 
 107 
 
 13 
 
 6 
 
 128 10 
 
 ? O 
 
 o 
 o 
 
 n Rents Owing . 
 
 128 
 
 10 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 n Rents Paid in Advance ... 
 
 2 
 
 J 
 
 
 n Owing for Goods 6,250 8 
 
 9 
 
 
 
 
 
 n n Expenses 758 5 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 4,890 2 
 
 8 
 
 
 7 008 
 
 14 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 
 ii Messrs Richard & Scotfs Share of Royalties 
 
 63 6 
 573 
 
 8 
 7 
 
 on United Moulding Machines 
 n Educational and Benevolent Fund 
 
 806 
 
 11 
 
 10 
 
 1,095 19 
 
 8 
 
 n Balance to next Half-year 
 
 41 
 
 8 
 
 4 
 
 ,418,900 8 
 
 i 
 
 
 433,551 
 
 8 
 
 1 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 
 2QTH JANUARY 1910. Cr. 
 
 Half-year ended 
 30th January 190l>. 
 
 ,110,453 * 7 
 
 39,436 13 r 
 
 4*0 s 6 
 9,088 15 s 
 
 19,990 a 2 
 
 If 2 18 
 
 888 17 ii 
 236^00 o o 
 
 1,904 10 3 
 55 3 ^ 
 
 ASSETS. 
 By Investment, as per Investment 
 Account 
 Shares 10,898 3 3 
 Deposits 107,565 13 
 118 463 16 3 
 
 n Goods in Stock M 'Neil Street 32,804 12 10 
 , Clydebank Branch 5,070 2 4 
 Belfast Branch 4,110 1 
 ii Purvey Depart. 81 17 
 ii Tea Rooms... 106 2 
 , St Mungo Halls 4 14 
 4 177 ft ^ 
 
 n Stock of Provender in Stables 
 Glasgow 286 2 
 Clydebank 79 5 9 
 
 365 7 9 
 
 n Goods Account Overpaid ... 9,30514 2 
 i Owing for Goods 20,046 1 9 
 n n per Sundries Account... 40 11 6 
 n n per Bread Delivery, Hire, 
 and Shoeing Account 462 
 
 for Manure 31 18 2 
 on 100 17 n 
 
 n n for Rent Tenements... 98 
 i, n M Stables Belfast 2 10 
 it n Tea Rooms 200 
 n n St Mungo Halls 65 5 3 
 
 miK 
 
 ii Taxes, Insurance, and Telephones Prepaid ... 508 8 8 
 M Land and Buildings 210,000 
 n Plant, Fittings, Fixed and Live 
 Stock, and Machinery ... 30,750 
 <MO 750 O 
 
 n Partick Accident Compensations and Law 
 Agents' Expenses 1,012 1 5 
 n Cash in Belfast Banking Co. ... 230 1 6 
 n n Clydesdale Bank ... 16 14 5 
 n ii Bank of Scotland ... 377 11 4 
 64 7 3 
 
 n Cash on hand M 'Neil Street 32 16 5 
 Clydebank ... 309 
 i, Belfast ... 17 14 8 
 53 ii 10 
 
 
 433,551 8 5 
 
 418,900 8 i 
 
316 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
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3i8 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XXXIX. 
 
 I look with great interest on the efforts of the 
 working- classes to raise themselves by co-operation. 
 The movement is a good one, and the object aimed at 
 must commend itself to the sympathy of every person 
 who wishes to see the mass of the people elevated in 
 the social scale. Cobden. 
 
 MANY of the large and prosperous societies of 
 to-day came into being after the Scottish 
 Co-operative Wholesale Society was established. 
 If space had permitted, all would have found 
 a place in these pages ; as it is, there is only room for a 
 very few. 
 
 ST GEORGE SOCIETY. 
 1871. 
 
 This now large and prosperous organisation had a 
 humble beginning, like many of the other societies in 
 Scotland that to-day bulk so largely in the public eye. 
 Crovepark weaving factory employed a large number 
 of tenters, twisters, warpers, and weavers, and from 
 that factory came ninety of the first hundred members 
 who were enrolled. In all likelihood it was among these 
 workers that the inception of St George Society took 
 place. The first meeting was held in Grove Street 
 Hall, in December 1870, when it was agreed to form a 
 society, and a committee was appointed to carry out 
 the preliminary arrangements. Only thirteen signed the 
 roll 'at this meeting, but they were numerous enough and 
 intelligent enough to select an inspiring name for the 
 young society for which they were so willing to stand 
 sponsor. Some delay in getting the rules registered gave 
 the committee time to add a number of names to the 
 membership. It shows the co-operative spirit of these 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 31 
 
 men when we find that the first motion proposed was, 
 "That we join the Wholesale Co-operative Stores/' 
 The first shop was at 398 St George's Road, which was 
 opened for business on 22nd July 1871. They had now 
 one hundred members. 
 
 The committee soon had their hands full ; complaints 
 were numerous, and both the Wholesale and the United 
 Baking societies were taken to task. Then the salesman 
 was not all that could be desired, and a change had to be 
 made. As usual in young societies, great anxiety was felt 
 regarding the publication of the first balance-sheet, and 
 some midnight oil was consumed over its production. At 
 last it was announced that the profit would allow of six- 
 pence per pound on purchases. Everyone seemed satisfied, 
 and every exertion was made to increase the business. 
 Even at this early date the educational spirit was not 
 awanting ; the Co-operative News was to be sold to the 
 members, the boy who sold the papers getting all the profit. 
 
 Like wise men, the committee began business on the 
 cash system ; but before the society was many months old, 
 members were anxious to get credit. It was proposed 
 to allow members to trade on what capital they had 
 above the twenty-shilling share which each member 
 held. Again the salesman left, the sales fell away, and 
 the committee seemed despondent. It was stated that 
 the purchasing members did not number more than 
 fifty ; and in July 1873, or two years after the society 
 started, there was a loss of 6, 35. id. Of course, 
 there was neither dividend nor interest on capital. In full 
 knowledge of this state of affairs, the quarterly meeting 
 passed a resolution that "members be allowed to trade 
 on one-half of paid-up shares." It is not to be wondered 
 at that withdrawals were numerous, and prospects were 
 discouraging. A saleswoman was advertised for, and a 
 Miss Jessie Johnstone was appointed at a wage of sixteen 
 shillings per week, with security of 25. 
 
 At the next quarterly meeting, a wise step was 
 taken in rescinding the resolution formerly adopted 
 regarding the trading on share capital. There was still 
 a determination to overcome their difficulties ; they 
 appointed the president and two members of committee 
 to visit the shop daily, and thus get a firmer hold of the 
 
320 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 business. In April 1874 there was a dividend of fourpence 
 per pound. There was little or no progress being made, 
 and it did not cause much of a sensation when at the 
 July meeting it was moved " that the society be wound 
 up." The majority voted for holding a special meeting 
 to consider the question, and in August this meeting, which 
 looked as if it would be the last of St George, was held, 
 when the motion to wind up was defeated by one vote. 
 It was rather narrow, but it meant another chance for 
 life. A vigorous effort was made to get members to pay 
 up their shares. The Wholesale Society had been charging 
 interest on overdue accounts, and their committee was 
 consulted with a view to its remission. 
 
 The committee of St George took a bold step by 
 proposing to wipe out past losses by a reduction in the 
 value of the shares. They could only afford to present 
 their accounts in manuscript now printing was too 
 costly. There must have been a strong sense of humour 
 in this committee, though their many difficulties had 
 now almost driven them to despair. It appears that the 
 auditors disagreed as to some items in the balance-sheet, 
 and would not sign their names ; the committee got over 
 the dispute by asking each to sign his own form, and 
 they thus had two balance-sheets for the one quarter. 
 
 Business improved and dividends were increased 
 during the next few years ; but Miss Johnstone, who 
 had given every satisfaction as saleswoman, resigned, 
 and a young man was engaged to conduct the business. 
 In 1877 an arrangement was come to with the salesman 
 that he was to be paid six per cent, on the business done, 
 but from this he was to pay wages and be responsible 
 for loss. This arrangement only lasted till March 1878. 
 When the committee met to take stock, it was found 
 that the salesman had absconded ; the books were 
 balanced, and a deficiency of 150, js. 2jd. was 
 shown. At the same time the Wholesale Society was 
 pressing for payment of account. Truly it looked as if 
 the Dragon would vanquish St George. Merchants who 
 ought to have been paid from money which the salesman 
 had received were also clamouring ; the committee, 
 thinking that they had been paid, fought the question 
 before the Sheriff, but they were unsuccessful. It was a 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 321 
 
 bitter experience things were at their worst. Mr George 
 Bell was appointed secretary in 1879, an( * Mr James Mill 
 some time after was appointed president. If hard work and 
 well-directed effort could have improved matters, these men 
 gave both. The society, after ten years' hard struggling, 
 had only 100 members and 245 of share and loan capital 
 and note, 245 was due by members for goods. 
 
 The following year (1882) saw an improvement. 
 An educational fund and savings bank were established. 
 By April 1884 a double shop was taken at 300 St George's 
 Road, to which the business was removed. A Mr Tulloch 
 was now in charge of the shop. Business must have 
 taken a decided turn for the better, for in November 1886 
 a branch was opened in Anderston district. In the 
 following January Mr Peter Glasse was elected president ; 
 he had held the position pro tern, since November. By 
 April 1889 the sales had reached 6,000 per quarter. 
 
 It ought to have been mentioned that Mr Archibald 
 Norval was appointed secretary in July 1886. An 
 unfortunate incident occurred in 1889 by the rejection 
 of the committee's proposal to appoint a secretary. The 
 committee, with two exceptions, retired. Mr Mill became 
 president, and by January of the following year Mr R. Milne 
 returned to the board as treasurer. It is said that this 
 incident was the cause of some members in Possilpark 
 district forming a new society. In 1890 it was agreed that 
 the secretary give all his time to the duties of his office. 
 
 Mr P. Glasse was again elected president in July 1891. By 
 this time the society was twenty years of age. Its members 
 numbered 1,950, and the quarter's sales were 11,809. 
 
 St George Society had gone forward with great rapidity, 
 spreading its branches near and far. Its power and 
 growing influence were early recognised by the smaller 
 societies situated on its borders, and, with a truly 
 co-operative spirit that might with advantage be copied, 
 amalgamation with no fewer than three of those societies 
 has taken place. Maryhill, Possilpark, and Scotstoun 
 and Whiteinch have all thrown in their lot with St George, 
 and the influence and operations of this great organisation 
 now cover a wide and ever-extending area. 
 
 For 1909 its sales amounted to 484,970 ; capital, 
 177,194 ; profit, 44,999 ; bonus, 4,576 ; to education, 
 
322 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 997 > while the reserve fund is 12,418. The members 
 number 15,270. And this, let it be noted, in a year when 
 there was much unemployment and consequently a 
 reduction of purchasing power. It might be remarked 
 that their votes to charities in 1909 amounted to 140. 
 Education and recreation receive much attention. 
 
 The names of some of its trusted guides have already 
 been given, but there are some, deserving of mention, who 
 have never spared themselves in the service of the society. 
 Mr Monteith filled the chair for some years with great 
 power and tact, so also did Mr Carnegie with credit to 
 himself and to the society. Mr Norval, by his conscientious 
 work and courteous manner, has made friends not only in 
 St George but all over the movement. Mr Glasse has 
 been president for many years, and by his enterprise and 
 activity has done great and good service for the society. 
 
 That the reader may fully grasp the progress of this 
 society, the following figures are given : 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY FROM 1884 TO 1909. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Member- 
 ship. 
 
 Sales. 
 
 Capital. 
 
 Dividend. 
 
 Bonus. 
 
 Educa- 
 tion. 
 
 Reserve 
 Fund at 
 end of 
 Year. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1884 
 
 200 
 
 3,683 
 
 635 
 
 261 
 
 9 
 
 4 
 
 59 
 
 1885 
 
 300 
 
 5,134 
 
 751 
 
 569 
 
 14 
 
 6 
 
 13 
 
 1886 
 
 454 
 
 7,854 
 
 1,265 
 
 765 
 
 17 
 
 9 
 
 16 
 
 1887 
 
 660 
 
 10,601 
 
 1,591 
 
 1,039 
 
 34 
 
 21 
 
 23 
 
 1888 
 
 900 
 
 15,998 
 
 2,403 
 
 1,722 
 
 46 
 
 23 
 
 40 
 
 . 1889 
 
 1,378 
 
 25,748 
 
 3,327 
 
 2,400 
 
 65 
 
 32 
 
 65 
 
 1890 
 
 1,520 
 
 25,117 
 
 3,463 
 
 2,465 
 
 70 
 
 31 
 
 90 
 
 1891 
 
 1,950 
 
 35,805 
 
 5,745 
 
 3,654 
 
 124 
 
 62 
 
 100 
 
 1892 
 
 3,500 
 
 81,086 
 
 10,661 
 
 8,069 
 
 377 
 
 218 
 
 185 
 
 1893 
 
 4,850 
 
 118,140 
 
 17,406 
 
 10,836 
 
 625 
 
 283 
 
 350 
 
 1894 
 
 4,850 
 
 128,368 
 
 21,929 
 
 12,023 
 
 727 
 
 296 
 
 710 
 
 1895 
 
 5,798 
 
 156,570 
 
 29,846 
 
 16,651 
 
 1,050 
 
 355 
 
 1,125 
 
 1896 
 
 7,080 
 
 198,656 
 
 36,307 
 
 21,795 
 
 1,412 
 
 466 
 
 1,700 
 
 1897 
 
 8,988 
 
 252,875 
 
 46,498 
 
 25,680 
 
 1,767 
 
 550 
 
 2,250 
 
 1898 
 
 9,872 
 
 317,727 
 
 58,772 
 
 31,556 
 
 2,085 
 
 680 
 
 2,775 
 
 1899 
 
 10,600 
 
 339,488 
 
 69,830 
 
 33,887 
 
 2,703 
 
 732 
 
 3,225 
 
 1900 
 
 11,217 
 
 368,077 
 
 74,716 
 
 35,306 
 
 2,922 
 
 764 
 
 3,807 
 
 1901 
 
 11,776 
 
 381,144 
 
 80,639 
 
 38,114 
 
 3,133 
 
 824 
 
 4,424 
 
 1902 
 
 13,585 
 
 428,047 
 
 101,766 
 
 43,807 
 
 3,656 
 
 948 
 
 5,150 
 
 1903 
 
 15,082 
 
 497,746 
 
 124,974 
 
 50,889 
 
 4,340 
 
 994 
 
 6,010 
 
 1904 
 
 15,922 
 
 542,029 
 
 146,290 
 
 58,234 
 
 4,953 
 
 1,207 
 
 7,080 
 
 1905 
 
 16,200 
 
 541,776 
 
 162,813 
 
 58,254 
 
 5,112 
 
 1,291 
 
 8,100 
 
 1906 
 
 16,340 
 
 540,921 
 
 178,936 
 
 64,091 
 
 5,082 
 
 1,241 
 
 9,125 
 
 1907 
 
 16,704 
 
 551,649 
 
 180,751 
 
 55,164 
 
 5,116 
 
 1,234 
 
 10,220 
 
 1908 
 
 16,220 
 
 525,112 
 
 178,652 
 
 52,511 
 
 5,121 
 
 1,178 
 
 11,340 
 
 1909 
 
 15,270 
 
 484,970 
 
 177,194 
 
 44,999 
 
 4,576 
 
 997 
 
 12,418 
 
JAMES BORROWMAN 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 323 
 
 KINNING PARK SOCIETY. 
 1871. 
 
 It is a singular coincidence in the history of the two 
 largest societies in Glasgow that both were in the making 
 at the same time. There was no connection, so far 
 as can be discovered, between the parties who were at the 
 formation of the two organisations beyond the fact that 
 each party knew of similar action being taken in a distant 
 part of the city. They opened their first shop within two 
 months of one another. But there was no similarity in 
 their origin. The one started from what seems to have 
 been a jocular remark, the other from the reasoned- out 
 decision of a few enthusiasts ; but both societies for 
 nearly forty years have worked on the same lines, their 
 line of demarcation being well defined by the river Clyde. 
 
 In 1871 the question of annexation with the City of 
 Glasgow divided the inhabitants of Kinning Park into two 
 distinct camps. The working-men were of opinion that 
 annexation would be in the best interests of the people ; 
 the shopkeeping class and employers were opposed to it. 
 Since then the opinion of the workmen of forty years ago 
 has been adopted ; the two municipalities being now one. 
 
 In that year the workmen had appointed a committee 
 to present a petition in favour of their views. Some 
 little expense was incurred in carrying out their work, 
 and it was found, when accounts were balanced, that 
 there remained a surplus of threepence. What was to be 
 done with this sum became the question of the moment. 
 " lyet us start a co-operative society with it," was the 
 jocular remark of one of the annexationists. We have 
 reason to believe that both Messrs Boa and Cook were 
 of that company, and the remark about starting a 
 co-operative society was at once seized on, and thought 
 out by those worthies and others. The next step was to 
 call a public meeting, and Mr Borrowman, manager of the 
 Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society, was requested to 
 deliver an address on the principles of co-operation. No 
 better man could have been got to enlist the sympathies 
 of workmen in favour of starting a store. The sequel 
 shows this to have been correct, for a shop was opened in 
 West Scotland Street on 24th May 1871, or just two 
 
324 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 months before a similar effort had been made across the 
 water in the St George district. The opening of a 
 co-operative store by working-men was regarded by the 
 traders in Kinning Park as adding insult to injury ; it 
 was bad enough for these annexationists to oppose them 
 in local politics, but now the workmen had opened a shop 
 for the avowed purpose of annexing their trade. Their 
 opposition to the little store was carried to such an extent 
 that the co-operators had to claim the protection of the 
 law, to allow of their venture getting a chance to live. 
 
 The apathy and indifference of working- people to their 
 own interests has always been more difficult to combat 
 than any forces that have yet been brought against them. 
 Kinning Park Society was no exception ; the committee 
 waited for custom that went to their opponents. How- 
 ever, the men who had taken hold of the government of 
 this society were not easily beaten ; they did not hide 
 their light under a bushel, for never was an opportunity 
 lost of lauding the principles of co-operation, and by 
 this means many a member was won to the society. 
 
 The first quarter's sales were 360. Unlike so many 
 societies whose histories are to be found in this volume, 
 Kinning Park Society kept adding to its sales, capital, 
 and membership. The work of the committee has not 
 been hindered with difficulties which frequently discourage 
 and dishearten ; if the debt question did trouble them at 
 any time, it does not now, for by means of a workable 
 scheme they seem able to keep the credit under control. 
 
 The history of Kinning Park Society would not be 
 complete without reference being made to Mr James 
 Borrowman, first manager of the Scottish Co-operative 
 Wholesale Society. Mr Borrowman, in 1884, was 
 presented with a testimonial, amounting to about 200, 
 subscribed by the Scottish co-operators. He became an 
 employee of the Wholesale Society, and was in time 
 elected chairman of Kinning Park Society. Mr 
 Borrowman made an excellent president, and was 
 generally respected by the members. He had been in 
 failing health for some years, and in 1898 the end came. 
 A personal note might here be introduced. We stood by the 
 bedside in his last illness, his great virility gone, yet his 
 encouraging words to fight on in the good cause are with 
 us to-day. When one thinks of the part he played in 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 325 
 
 establishing our great Wholesale Society, and the assistance 
 he gave to many a feeble retail society, the great service 
 he rendered to a large extent cancelled his mistakes. 
 
 The business of the society has always been in safe 
 hands, which is shown by its continual expansion, till 
 now the whole of the south side of Glasgow is supplied 
 co-operatively by the familiar " K.P." Its places of 
 business are to be found in every district, and 
 compare in appearance with anything in the city ; while 
 its new drapery warehouse in Bridge Street is a land- 
 mark, alike of beauty and social power. 
 
 The society is strong in all forms of educational and 
 recreative work. Its musical section is famous from one 
 end of the country to the other ; its ambulance work has 
 brought it many honours ; while its women's guild 
 has justified its position as the first guild in Scotland. 
 
 All through its history it has been generous to charities ; 
 as the business grew, so did the votes increase in liberality. 
 
 The co-operative spirit of this society may be judged 
 from the fact that they purchased 92*4 per cent, from 
 co-operative sources, according to their last half-yearly 
 statement. The membership presently stands at 18,599 ; 
 the capital (share and loan) is 258,856 ; and the sales 
 for the half-year were 252,937. 
 
 The leaders of Kinning Park Society have frequently 
 been leaders beyond their locality. Mr Andrew Boa, who 
 became chairman of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society, was a recognised leader in trades-unionism and 
 politics. Mr Cook also made himself heard in almost 
 every movement to which he was attached. Mr James 
 Borrowman has already been referred to. These were 
 men of resource and tact, besides being zealous 
 co-operators. Kinning Park Society largely profited by 
 their services, and to this d&y respects their memory. 
 Of the more modern leaders, the society has also been 
 fortunate in having men like Messrs Douglas, Welsh, and 
 Stewart, all of whom gave of their best, and the progress 
 of the society reflects their leadership. Mr Robert Stewart, 
 the present chairman, is also the trusted president of 
 the great Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society. 
 
 The accompanying table shows the continuous progress 
 of a great co-operative society which began its operations 
 on a "threepenny bit": 
 
 r *i 
 
326 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY FROM 
 
 Year. 
 
 Share Capital, 
 Deposits and Loans 
 at end of Year. 
 
 Reserve Funds 
 at 
 end of Year. 
 
 Sales 
 for each Year. 
 
 Dividend and 
 Interest Credited 
 to Members 
 during Year. 
 
 Average 
 Dividend 
 per. 
 
 
 s. d. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 S. d. 
 
 *1871 
 
 67 9 2 
 
 
 928 9 1 
 
 14 17 11 
 
 5 
 
 1872 
 
 127 19 
 
 
 2,526 8 7 
 
 132 4 9J 
 
 1 H 
 
 1873 
 
 181 13 1| 
 
 4 13 10i 
 
 3,492 19 11| 
 
 152 18 8 
 
 9* 
 
 1874 
 
 350 7 5| 
 
 40 10 
 
 4,285 1 1 
 
 352 14 11 
 
 1 4i 
 
 1875 
 
 414 10 1 
 
 31 14 3i 
 
 4,705 2 5 
 
 398 14 H 
 
 6fc 
 
 1876 
 
 389 10 5J- 
 
 31 14 2 
 
 3,802 19 1 
 
 259 15 10i 
 
 2i 
 
 1877 
 
 405 10 3 
 
 20 
 
 3,572 19 4 
 
 241 2 2 
 
 2i 
 
 1878 
 
 424 16 7 
 
 21 
 
 3,585 5 11 
 
 221 10 3 
 
 if 
 
 1879 
 
 645 3 4 
 
 40 18 11 
 
 4,300 2 9 
 
 369 8 6 
 
 7 
 
 1880 
 
 1,042 8 8 
 
 55 4 2 
 
 6,902 15 1 
 
 545 13 7 
 
 H 1 
 
 1881 
 
 1,714 19 6 
 
 86 
 
 11,981 18 4 
 
 953 11 2 
 
 5f- 
 
 1882 
 
 3,147 14 7 
 
 117 10 
 
 18,473 4 7 
 
 1,454 3 6 
 
 3 
 
 1883 
 
 3,738 8 5 
 
 140 
 
 20,295 10 
 
 1,619 4 5 
 
 5 
 
 1884 
 
 4,568 2 1 
 
 176 
 
 17,590 16 4 
 
 1,708 7 10 
 
 | 
 
 1885 
 
 5,104 17 5 
 
 200 
 
 17,036 15 
 
 1,785 15 8 
 
 
 1886 
 
 5,757 9 
 
 326 15 3 
 
 22,573 8 
 
 2,225 15 8 
 
 9f 
 
 1887 
 
 7,658 16 
 
 330 
 
 33,295 18 1| 
 
 3,188 16 11 
 
 4 
 
 1888 
 
 10,628 2 7 
 
 501 12 3 
 
 46,843 8 9 
 
 4,284 5 8J 
 
 2 
 
 1889 
 
 14,779 8 
 
 631 17 10 
 
 72,911 17 2 
 
 7,834 8 
 
 2 
 
 1890 
 
 21,326 5 7 
 
 955 10 11 
 
 105,208 9 H 
 
 10,111 6 6 
 
 2 1 
 
 1891 
 
 33,104 10 4 
 
 1,220 
 
 163,906 19 8 
 
 15,722 8 
 
 2 
 
 1892 
 
 45,546 15 7 
 
 2,050 
 
 191,194 5 4 
 
 21,488 12 9 
 
 2 1 
 
 1893 
 
 59,857 3 4 
 
 2,799 
 
 204,393 11 11 
 
 22,745 10 11 
 
 2 
 
 1894 
 
 74,463 9 
 
 3,603 6 
 
 228,660 8 9 
 
 25,202 9 9 
 
 2 1 
 
 1895 
 
 93,457 1 9 
 
 4,283 17 6 
 
 264,475 18 9 
 
 35,335 6 8 
 
 2 2 
 
 1896 
 
 99,268 3 7 
 
 5,264 8 
 
 319,990 4 3 
 
 40,914 4 10 
 
 2 6 
 
 1897 
 
 112,320 4 4 
 
 6,237 14 7 
 
 389,503 4 11 
 
 49,223 13 4 
 
 2 4f 
 
 1898 
 
 121,901 3 6 
 
 7,581 10 7 
 
 430,384 5 7 
 
 48,954 12 1 
 
 2 Of 
 
 1899 
 
 118,997 9 4 
 
 7,808 3 2 
 
 434,033 10 11 
 
 47,971 16 1 
 
 2 
 
 1900 
 
 112,493 4 3 
 
 9,083 12 6 
 
 440,014 13 4 
 
 45,533 10 11 
 
 1 11 
 
 1901 
 
 122,202 5 8 
 
 9,979 15 11 
 
 428,309 11 2 
 
 47,507 16 4 
 
 2 
 
 1902 
 
 141,513 9 11 
 
 11,126 4 8 
 
 454,807 14 1 
 
 49,452 8 6 
 
 2 
 
 1903 
 
 172,252 18 4 
 
 12,438 9 10 
 
 478,373 11 2 
 
 52,181 4 1 
 
 2 
 
 1904 
 
 206,508 18 3 
 
 13,818 18 2 
 
 513,696 15 4 
 
 58,776 15 7 
 
 2 2 
 
 H905 
 
 243,650 14 5 
 
 14,189 15 
 
 517,593 15 9 
 
 65,684 11 10 
 
 2 1 
 
 1906 
 
 248,420 15 6 
 
 15,357 10 9 
 
 551,744 3 4 
 
 60,531 18 5 
 
 2 OJ 
 
 1907 
 
 243,793 15 2 
 
 16,480 15 11 
 
 565,339 1 2 
 
 64,131 19 6 
 
 2 
 
 1908 
 
 252,534 9 10 
 
 17,716 10 11 
 
 550,788 1 
 
 63,590 12 1 
 
 2 
 
 1909 
 
 258,856 16 8 
 
 15,931 12 8 
 
 530,312 17 11 
 
 61,824 19 2 
 
 2 
 
 
 - 
 
 ' """ '.. 
 
 8,061,835 13 
 
 914,629 6 11 
 
 
 
 * December 31 (6 Months). 
 
 t 48 Weeks. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 
 3*7 
 
 COMMENCEMENT IN 1871 TO 1909. 
 
 Bonus on Wages 
 during Year. 
 
 Amount 
 Allocated for 
 Educational 
 Purposes. 
 
 Interest 
 and Dividend 
 from 
 Investments. 
 
 Working 
 Expenses 
 per, 
 inclusive of 
 Interest. 
 
 Purchases 
 from 
 Co-op, 
 sources 
 Per cent. 
 
 Members' 
 Average 
 Purchases 
 for Year. 
 
 Year. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 S. d. 
 
 
 s. d. 
 
 
 
 
 934 
 
 1 li 
 
 
 
 1871* 
 
 a"2 oi 
 
 
 5 11 3 
 
 llf 
 
 
 . 
 
 1872 
 
 1 17 6 
 
 
 19 4 7 
 
 11 
 
 
 
 1873 
 
 735 
 
 
 64 9 7 
 
 11 
 
 
 . m 
 
 1874 
 
 10 4 10 
 
 
 90 8 2 
 
 llf 
 
 
 . . 
 
 1875 
 
 727 
 
 
 90 10 3 
 
 1 2|- 
 
 
 
 1876 
 
 4 17 2 
 
 5 16 5 
 
 75 2 
 
 1 3 
 
 
 
 1877 
 
 5 7 11 
 
 304 
 
 83 13 5 
 
 1 3 
 
 
 
 1878 
 
 11 3 
 
 8 10 10 
 
 96 19 
 
 1 3|. 
 
 . . 
 
 . . 
 
 1879 
 
 16 17 3 
 
 9 11 11 
 
 169 2 8 
 
 1 l| 
 
 
 
 1880 
 
 27 4 
 
 
 277 9 8 
 
 i IH 
 
 
 
 1881 
 
 41 19 10 
 
 . . 
 
 412 12 10 
 
 Ollff 
 
 . . 
 
 
 1882 
 
 41 5 
 
 300 
 
 606 4 2 
 
 1 
 
 ' ''.'", . V. 
 
 
 1883 
 
 54 8 11 
 
 16 3 
 
 644 16 11 
 
 i H 
 
 . . 
 
 . . 
 
 1884 
 
 58 2 5 
 
 13 6 6 
 
 647 5 1 
 
 1 2 
 
 
 
 1885 
 
 64 17 5 
 
 12 2 9 
 
 758 17 3 
 
 1 
 
 ' . ." l 
 
 f - 
 
 1886 
 
 85 7 7 
 
 72 2 1 
 
 1,095 15 2 
 
 1 
 
 
 *H 
 
 1887 
 
 141 14 5 
 
 99 
 
 1,449 18 2 
 
 o 10* 
 
 
 
 ' '-* 
 
 1888 
 
 217 4 5 
 
 150 
 
 2,071 17 
 
 10A 
 
 . . 
 
 * 
 
 1889 
 
 291 
 
 255 
 
 3,368 8 2 
 
 10* 
 
 - 'ii 
 
 4 
 
 1890 
 
 555 3 1 
 
 446 9 2 
 
 5,195 18 4 
 
 o iw. 
 
 . . 
 
 . . 
 
 1891 
 
 1,134 1 6 
 
 597 11 7 
 
 5,266 16 11 
 
 1 1* 
 
 
 
 1892 
 
 1,181 4 
 
 429 8 10 
 
 5,797 8 1 
 
 1 2* 
 
 ' * i'^ 
 
 f ,.'*' 
 
 1893 
 
 1,317 18 4 
 
 395 
 
 6,266 9 8 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 1894 
 
 1,712 12 5 
 
 552 8 3 
 
 8,533 9 6 
 
 3 
 
 . . 
 
 . . 
 
 1895 
 
 2,413 5 6 
 
 662 
 
 9,443 11 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 1896 
 
 2,840 
 
 755 
 
 14,003 9 1 
 
 2 
 
 . , 
 
 '-' .'15 
 
 1897 
 
 3,035 1 10 
 
 552 
 
 15,371 16 7 
 
 3* 
 
 
 
 1898 
 
 3,015 6 9 
 
 599 10 
 
 14,100 13 7 
 
 4* 
 
 76 : 2 
 
 33 9 9 
 
 1899 
 
 2,872 2 9 
 
 623 
 
 12,578 1 
 
 5 
 
 76-2 
 
 32 18 2 
 
 1900 
 
 3,119 5 
 
 733 
 
 11,575 3 5 
 
 5 
 
 73-2 
 
 32 17 5 
 
 1901 
 
 3,329 1 
 
 787 10 
 
 14,633 11 1 
 
 6 
 
 76-2 
 
 33 1 1 
 
 1902 
 
 3,576 17 6 
 
 823 
 
 14,752 1 10 
 
 6 
 
 84-9 
 
 33 9 2 
 
 1903 
 
 3,900 18 2 
 
 978 
 
 18,714 18 9 
 
 g 
 
 87-7 
 
 33 9 4 
 
 1904 
 
 4,423 15 4 
 
 788 
 
 20,639 13 1 
 
 
 86-9 
 
 30 17 9 
 
 1905t 
 
 4,068 17 5 
 
 954 
 
 21,475 12 9 
 
 10 
 
 84-6 
 
 31 19 11 
 
 1906 
 
 4,430 15 7 
 
 981 
 
 20,432 11 
 
 1 10i 
 
 81-1 
 
 32 5 1 
 
 1907 
 
 4,500 3 9 
 
 934 
 
 20,998 4 
 
 2 
 
 87-4 
 
 30 17 6 
 
 1908 
 
 4,479 18 8 
 
 880 
 
 20,992 13 2 
 
 2 
 
 92-4 
 
 29 11 4 
 
 1909 
 
 56,996 15 6J 
 
 14,118 5 8 
 
 272,808 8 7 
 
 
 
 > '/, \ 
 
 . ' 
 
 
 December 31 (6 Months). 
 
 t 48 Weeks. 
 
328 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 SOME SCOTTISH PRODUCTIVE EFFORTS. 
 THE AUCHTERMUCHTY CO-OPERATIVE MANUFACTURING 
 
 SOCIETY. This society was formed in 1862, its object 
 being to provide employment for the handloom weavers, 
 then suffering greatly from depression of trade. It 
 was registered under the Trading Companies Act with six 
 hundred shares of five pounds each, to be paid at once or 
 by instalments of threepence per week. The Wholesale 
 Society was the agent of this society, but the trade never 
 reached very large dimensions, and, for want of business, 
 this little society passed away. It is recorded that a 
 shoemakers' society was also in existence at Auchter- 
 muchty about this time, but the information is too meagre 
 to build on. 
 
 HOSIERY MANUFACTURING SOCIETY, HAWICK. At a 
 trade meeting, held on i6th December 1872, it was agreed 
 to form a productive co-operative society as a means of 
 putting an end to the strike in which they (the stocking 
 weavers) were then engaged. There were one hundred 
 and forty-two members, and the shares taken up were 
 two hundred and seventeen. In 1873 they reported that 
 the membership and shares had more than doubled ; 
 but in time their limited capital and the long credit 
 demanded by their customers brought about the end of 
 this plucky effort. 
 
 THE MANUFACTURING SOCIETY, DUNFERMLINE. This 
 society originated through a public meeting, held by the 
 handloom weavers on 26th September 1872. At the end 
 of the first year they had a membership of one hundred 
 and four, and a capital of 236 ; but for want of support, 
 both in money and business, the society gradually 
 sickened, and went the way of the others. If there was 
 any loss, it was borne by themselves. 
 
 THE GLASGOW COOPERAGE, THE SCOTTISH IRON 
 WORKS, and THE OAK MILL SOCIETIES have been dealt 
 with at length in connection with the Scottish Co- 
 operative Wholesale Society. 
 
 THE BO'NESS INDUSTRIAL POTTERY AND MANUFAC- 
 TURING SOCIETY. This society was largely initiated by 
 the leading men of Bo' ness Co-operative Society, who, in 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 329 
 
 March 1890, issued a prospectus calling upon co-operators 
 to subscribe the necessary capital. The shares were one 
 pound each, and although considerable capital was 
 subscribed by co-operative societies, it was commenced on 
 hope rather than on sufficient capital. Its troubles lasted 
 from beginning to end, which was only about four years. 
 The share capital was all lost, the Wholesale Society 
 losing most heavily. 
 
 THE SCOTTISH FARMING ASSOCIATION. This association 
 was brought into existence to meet a felt want of the 
 retail societies namely, to provide farm produce of 
 good quality. About 10,000 were subscribed by 
 societies the Wholesale twice investing 1,000 by the 
 vote of quarterly meetings while the individual shares 
 and deposits could not be less than 3,000. Five farms 
 were taken three at Nitshill, one at Castlecary, and one 
 at Campsie. For a time all seemed to go well, the retail 
 societies taking the milk and other produce. But the 
 initial charges were too much for them, and again the 
 want of sufficient capital was telling its tale. The com- 
 mittee struggled on bravely, but the end was reached 
 in 1896. It had eleven years of earnest endeavour, of too 
 much ambition, and too little money. The entire share 
 capital was lost, only the deposits or loans being saved 
 from the wreck. 
 
 LEITH PROVIDENT SOCIETY. 
 1878. 
 
 Two or three co-operative societies had come and gone 
 in the busy seaport of Leith before the year 1878. 
 Co-operation was not therefore in very good odour when 
 it was again proposed to start a store. But in spite of 
 the prejudice that was shown everywhere, there were 
 some determined spirits who were of opinion that a 
 well-conducted society would be successful. Mr W. F. 
 Stewart, manager of the new branch of the Wholesale 
 Society, Mr James Nicolson, Mr P. Turner, and a few 
 other intelligent workmen were willing to make the 
 attempt. The East of Scotland Conference took up the 
 proposal with enthusiasm, and arranged for a public 
 meeting, which was a decided success ; forty-nine members 
 and a promise of 85 share capital was the outcome. 
 
330 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 A small shop was rented in Great Junction Street, and 
 opened in May 1878. The first week's drawings were 24. 
 New members joined, and sales and capital increased. 
 In less than a year larger premises had to be secured. 
 Baking was commenced, and boots and shoes and drapery 
 were added in due time. By the end of the second year 
 a horse and van had to be purchased to serve the 
 customers in the extending area of their activities. 
 
 From the very first success attended every effort of 
 the committee, and it may be said with truth that they 
 escaped all the usual co-operative infantile troubles. 
 One reason for this placid career arose from the fact 
 that no credit was given, and for many years this policy 
 was rigorously carried out. Five years after the start 
 the weekly sales were 400, the share capital was 2,853, 
 and the members numbered 730. The former failures of 
 co-operative societies were forgotten in the success of the 
 Provident, which, phoenix-like, had risen from their ashes. 
 
 Loyalty to co-operative principles marked every step 
 of their progress. A savings bank and an educational 
 department were latterly added, every new departure 
 increasing their prosperity, till now they have a business 
 doing an average trade of 3,877 per week ; share capital 
 of 68,762 and loans of 10,814, a total of 79,577 ; the 
 members numbering 6,095. There has been expended on 
 property 68,837, which has been depreciated by 31,062. 
 This is a record of which any society might well feel 
 proud. 
 
 Mr W. F. Stewart has been president since the 
 inception of the society, with the exception of three or 
 four years when Mr Marshall held the position. To Mr 
 Stewart, Mr Nicolson, and the late Mr P. Turner the 
 society owes a debt of gratitude for their long and 
 arduous labours. Mr Briggs, the present secretary, and 
 Mr Terris, the manager, have shown by their work how 
 deeply they are interested in the prosperity of Leith 
 Provident. 
 
 NORTON PARK SOCIETY. 
 
 1881. 
 
 This society is largely indebted to the East of Scotland 
 Conference for its formation, which took place in May 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 331 
 
 1881. This populous district in the north-eastern part 
 of Edinburgh had a large working-class population, who 
 were not slow to avail themselves of the benefits of 
 co-operation. The sales for the" first half-year averaged 
 80 per week, the capital was 247, and the members 
 numbered 180. And year by year increases were 
 recorded. The past half-year's record gives sales at 
 14,002, the share capital stands at 5,322, while the 
 membership is 997. Of late years St Cuthbert's Society 
 has made overtures for amalgamation, but up till the 
 present Norton Park has not looked favourably on such 
 a proposal. It is greatly to be regretted that wiser 
 counsels do not prevail. There can only be one ending 
 to the solution of the problem, unless there is conciliation. 
 
 GREENOCK CENTRAL SOCIETY. 
 1880. 
 
 Greenock is the birthplace of James Watt. A great 
 shipbuilding locality, and now the centre of the sugar- 
 refining trade in Scotland, it is a busy hive of industry 
 to-day compared with what it was during the boy- 
 hood of the great Watt. It has been rather prolific 
 in co-operative efforts. The first society formed had a 
 short and weakly existence, a defaulting salesman 
 having put an end to its struggles. Greenock Industrial 
 arose on the ashes of this defunct society, and a few 
 years later another society was started in the east-end 
 of the town, called the Greenock East-End Society, 
 which is still in full co-operative life. 
 
 The artisans residing in the centre of the town, 
 who were anxious to participate in the benefits of 
 co-operation, appealed to the Industrial Society's executive 
 to have a branch placed in a central locality which would 
 be more convenient than the shops already established. 
 The executive of the Industrial at once agreed, on 
 condition that 100 was subscribed and a guarantee 
 given of fifty new members. The deputation from the 
 centre of the town looked upon these conditions as a 
 refusal of their request, and set to work to form a society 
 of their own. In a very short time they had a subscribed 
 capital of 100 and a membership of fifty, exactly the 
 
332 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 figures representing the demand of the Industrial. In 
 May 1880 the new society started with the title of 
 the Greenock Co-operative Society. The name was 
 changed a few years afterwards to the Greenock Central 
 Co-operative Society, so as to make it more distinctive. 
 It was by no means plain or easy sailing for some years. 
 Two large works were burned down, throwing many of 
 the members out of employment. Sometimes there was 
 a small dividend, at other times there was none, and a 
 difficulty was experienced even in paying interest on 
 capital. 
 
 They had pessimists with them, as many other societies 
 have had, who recommended that the society should be 
 wound up ; but there were others who had faith and 
 courage. When the life of the society hung in the 
 balance, let us look in upon a committee meeting and 
 listen to their arguments. One had proposed to put on 
 the shutters. " What ! " said another ; " not yet ; I'm 
 good for 100 to keep the ship afloat." " Put me down 
 for 50," " And me for 30," cried two others. The ship 
 was saved. 
 
 This society has gone on prosperously since. Buildings 
 have been added to buildings, and branches opened 
 in various parts of the town. One of their latest 
 buildings stands on about three acres of ground, which, 
 with certain buildings, including a modern stable affording 
 accommodation for fifty horses, was acquired at a cost 
 of 3,000. This was certainly a happy purchase for 
 the society, and is looked upon as a sound investment. 
 
 What changes time brings about ! The Central is 
 now the premier society of the town, with the Industrial 
 a poor second. The Industrial had not prospered, so in 
 1903 it was taken over by the Central. Thus the 
 Industrial, after being thirty-two years in existence, 
 became merged in a younger society. It was a wise 
 step. Then a little society which had been established 
 at Gourock for some years, with a membership of one 
 hundred and fifty, also threw in its lot with the Central. 
 
 Co-operation in Greenock has now become exceedingly 
 popular, as can be seen from the following figures : 
 The membership is now 4,352, share and loan capital 
 61,457, * ari d and buildings are returned at 41,708, and 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 333 
 
 the sales 33,566 per quarter, 186 being paid as bonus 
 on wages for the quarter. It will thus be seen that the 
 Greenock Central has had a prosperous career, and its 
 prosperity is largely the result of wise administration. 
 It has been fortunate in having able and sagacious men 
 to guide it. Mr J. P. Weir, its late secretary, was both 
 cautious and painstaking and thoroughly devoted to the 
 best interests of the society. Mr Kee, and now Mr 
 Ivemmon, past and present chairmen, and the manager, 
 Mr Aitken, have all assisted in making the Central what 
 it is to-day. Many others who have gone hence, 
 although not named, are certainly not forgotten for 
 the splendid work they did for the Greenock Central 
 Co-operative Society. 
 
334 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XL. 
 
 I look upon co-operation as the beginning of a new 
 era in social progress. Followed out discreetly, it will 
 serve to create temperance, frugality, and many other 
 virtues ; and in time give an entirely new aspect to the 
 conditions and prospects of the working-classes. Labour 
 has a bright future before it by associating itself with 
 capital. William Chambers. 
 
 COWLAIRS SOCIETY. 
 
 1881. 
 
 SPRINGBURN is one of the most populous districts 
 of Glasgow. Its population is almost entirely 
 industrial, and just that sober and thoughtful 
 portion of working-men which is attracted to 
 co-operation. 
 
 In the spring of 1881 the present society began in a 
 very humble way. It had for its pioneers a few men 
 who had had some experience in co-operation in other 
 towns. The first shop did duty for grocery, drapery, 
 boots and shoes, and possibly was boardroom also ; but 
 that only lasted till the people of Cowlairs discovered in 
 their midst a new social and economic institution, 
 entirely set up in their interest. From the first day it 
 was a success. Every branch of business that a society 
 can enter into has been prosperous in Cowlairs. Loyal 
 to the movement, and generous to all deserving objects, 
 they have made quite an enviable position in the 
 comparatively short time they have been in business. 
 
 In 1902, when they attained their majority, they 
 commemorated the event by erecting a beautiful granite 
 drinking-fountain for public use, which they handed over 
 to the Corporation of Glasgow ; this cost 300. 
 
 For some years they have carried on an educational 
 department, which has done good work in the district. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 335 
 
 Two branches of the women's guild have been established 
 in connection with the society, which are a great boon 
 to the women themselves and a valuable auxiliary to 
 the society. 
 
 Among many earnest and good men, Mr Robert M%ay 
 and Mr Hugh M'Pherson, chairmen, and Mr Hugh 
 Campbell, secretary, have been earnest and useful workers 
 in the interest of Cowlairs Society ; nor can we forget 
 the good service rendered by the late Mr Thomas 
 Barrowman, who held the position of manager for a 
 number of years. 
 
 OTHER GLASGOW SOCIETIES. 
 
 The other co-operative societies in Glasgow are London 
 Road Society, Shettleston Society, and Tollcross Society, 
 all of them doing splendid work for co-operation, and all 
 of them giving loyal support to everything co-operative. 
 Only one thing is required to make them even more 
 co-operative, and that is amalgamation. One great 
 east-end society may be a dream, but it is a dream that 
 should be realised. 
 
 DRAPERY AND FURNISHING SOCIETY. 
 
 The " D. & F.," as it is familiarly called, keeps 
 co-operation well to the front in the midst of bustling 
 competition in the very centre of Glasgow's teeming 
 population. It is rather unique in its constitution, as it 
 is a federation of societies, and at the same time it is a 
 retail warehouse, doing a large business with the general 
 public. 
 
 It is one of the latter-day societies, and its inception 
 arose out of circumstances entirely different from what 
 called other societies into being. In 1884-5, co-operation 
 in Glasgow, as will have been noted, was just beginning 
 that continuously successful career which it still pursues. 
 The city societies were content to stock only the plainer 
 and commoner articles that go to make up a drapery 
 department. In fact it cannot be said that any one of 
 them had a properly equipped drapery department ; they 
 fell upon the expedient of granting lines to their members, 
 who called at the Wholesale Society's premises and had 
 
336 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 their wants supplied from the immense stocks of that 
 organisation. In this way the character of the Wholesale 
 was being changed into a retail business because of the city 
 societies' members with their lines. The directors of the 
 Wholesale reluctantly issued a circular to all the societies 
 interested intimating that after a given date the members 
 of retail societies could not be served with drapery or 
 boots and shoes at the Wholesale warehouse. This 
 seemed a somewhat harsh measure to some of the 
 local societies, but the directors had satisfied themselves 
 that many of the societies were in a position to hold 
 stocks, and they felt by continuing the practice they 
 were giving a privilege to some city societies that was 
 not taken advantage of by many country societies 
 who had already provided themselves with drapery 
 departments. 
 
 The question was raised and discussed at length at the 
 Glasgow and Suburbs Conference. A special conference 
 was held to consider the formation of a federated drapery. 
 It is only fair to note that some of the societies held very 
 strong opinions as to their inability to run a drapery 
 department along with their ordinary business ; they, 
 therefore, were strong supporters of a federated drapery 
 business. Twelve retail societies signified their intention 
 of forming a federation. The usual preliminaries were 
 soon got over, and on 6th March 1886 the Drapery and 
 Furnishing Society opened premises in Great Clyde 
 Street. The first committee wisely began economically. 
 The rental was only 60, and the other expenses were 
 correspondingly small. It is no exaggeration to say 
 that the D. & F. actually leaped into success at the 
 opening of the premises. At the end of 1886, their first 
 year, the committee were enabled to announce sales 
 amounting to 10,257. Five years afterwards (1891) 
 they had reached 44,312. Of course the expansion of 
 business had necessitated many extensions of premises. 
 
 What was feared at the beginning came to pass in 
 1892-3-4. Two of the twelve societies that formed the 
 federation intimated their intention of opening drapery 
 establishments of their own. The result of this was to 
 severely cripple the D. & F. The trade diminished 
 considerably, the manager resigned, and for the moment 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 337 
 
 the outlook was anything but promising in fact, grave 
 rumours were abroad. The committee had not lost 
 hope, if others had ; they secured the services of Mr 
 Andrew S. Gardiner, of Hawick, as manager. The 
 committee would be the first to admit that from that 
 moment the dark clouds began to disperse. The D. & F. 
 was soon convalescent. It was an agreeable surprise 
 when at the end of 1895 the decrease in sales was found 
 to be only 517 from the sales of 1891. After this there 
 was continuous improvement. 
 
 It now became evident to the committee that the 
 rapidly increasing business could not much longer be 
 housed where it was. The enterprising manager 
 was anxious for a more central locality, where an 
 attractive warehouse in a busy thoroughfare would be 
 certain to gain a large share of public patronage. 
 Unfortunately the desires of a co-operative society cannot 
 be so easily attained as those of a private firm. This 
 was proved when the committee had all but concluded 
 negotiations for the lease of a handsome warehouse at 
 Glasgow Cross ; a well-known firm in the city made a 
 higher offer for the premises, and it was accepted. Thus 
 the co-operators were outgeneraled on this occasion. 
 They waited the course of events, and as the firm 
 mentioned had not succeeded as they expected, the 
 premises had to be given up at Whitsunday 1898. No 
 time was lost in making an offer to purchase ; this time 
 the D. & F. was successful, and secured the Glasgow 
 Cross Warehouse for 21,000. 
 
 Co-operation had now secured one of the finest sites 
 in the city for retail purposes. The warehouse is large 
 and imposing, and when lit up with the electric current, 
 with its striking illuminated title on the front, it is not 
 only attractive to purchasers, but an artistic addition to 
 the street architecture. Increase upon increase followed 
 the removal to the new warehouse. Additional ground 
 was secured at a cost of 6,820, new buildings were 
 erected valued at over 12,000, so that by 1907 the 
 society was in possession of property valued at 40,000, 
 and in that period the business turnover was equal to 
 124,000 per annum. Tailoring, dressmaking, mantle- 
 making, etc., are carried on in the same premises. 
 
338 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Branches have been planted in various parts of the city 
 to suit the convenience of local societies' members. Of 
 late years, after considerable discussion by the delegates 
 at quarterly meetings, it was agreed to open a large 
 grocery department, which now finds a home in the 
 historic High Street, close to the central buildings. 
 
 The forty societies who are members contributed, during 
 the half-year ending January 1910, 417 per cent., the 
 1,899 individual members 31*6 per cent., and the non- 
 members (or passing trade) 267 per cent, of the total 
 sales. The last item is creditable, as it shows, in spite 
 of all the prejudice against co-operation, that a large 
 number of the public purchase D. & F. goods on their 
 merits. There is an item in the balance-sheet that 
 deserves attention, namely, employees' bonus, 380 for 
 the six months. 
 
 I,ike most drapers, the society has an annual sale, 
 which has a magnetic effect on some people. It will be 
 sufficient to say that on the first day of the sale in 
 February 1910 the business amounted to nearly 2,600, 
 and 1,000 of that day's sale was credited to the outside 
 public. 
 
 From the above it will be seen that this is no ordinary 
 business. It is managed with energy and enterprise. Mr 
 A. Gardiner, the courteous manager, has given faithful 
 and profitable service to the society for many years, and 
 has won the respect and confidence of the directors and 
 shareholders. The late Mr R. Reyburn was an enthusiast 
 in the service of the D. & F., while the late chairman, 
 Mr T. Miller, championed its cause with success on every 
 occasion where it was assailed. 
 
 The figures given in the following table speak 
 eloquently of work well done, and they foreshadow 
 even greater results in the future. The D. & F. stands 
 for " determination and fearlessness." 
 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 
 
 339 
 
 PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY FROM 1886 TO 1909. 
 
 Year. 
 
 Number of 
 Members. 
 
 Shares 
 held. 
 
 Net Sales. 
 
 Increases 
 over 
 previous 
 Year. 
 Per cent. 
 
 Capital Share, 
 Loan, Reserve, 
 and Insurance, 
 etc. Funds. 
 
 Societies 
 
 Individuals 
 
 
 
 
 
 s. d. 
 
 
 s. d. 
 
 18S6 
 
 14 
 
 
 1,805 
 
 9,242 10 8 
 
 
 3,676 2 
 
 1887 
 
 17 
 
 . 
 
 2,525 
 
 12,380 14 2| 
 
 33 : 95 
 
 5,094 15 7 
 
 1888 
 
 24 
 
 
 3,240 
 
 17,105 19 9 
 
 38-16 
 
 7,029 18 1 
 
 1889 
 
 27 
 
 . 
 
 3,475 
 
 23,329 9 6 
 
 36-38 
 
 9,833 8 
 
 1890 
 
 30 
 
 
 4,660 
 
 30,049 2 3 
 
 28-80 
 
 13,396 8 5 
 
 1891 
 
 33 
 
 Y j- *< 
 
 5,380 
 
 39,917 18 1 
 
 32-84 
 
 17,549 19 1 
 
 1892 
 
 38 
 
 
 6,200 
 
 39,984 15 7 
 
 2 ! Q9 
 
 20,004 5 4 
 
 1893 
 
 42 
 
 121 
 
 10,817 
 
 34,651 19 OJ 
 
 *13-33 
 
 18,841 19 6 
 
 1894 
 
 41 
 
 208 
 
 11,446 
 
 35,085 16 1 
 
 1-28 
 
 19,531 6 2 
 
 1896 
 
 39 
 
 265 
 
 6,840 
 
 39,517 19 4 
 
 12 -as 
 
 18,147 3 
 
 1896 
 
 41 
 
 298 
 
 8,987 
 
 46,798 6 3 
 
 16-18 
 
 21,859 6 3 
 
 1897 
 
 41 
 
 314 
 
 10,277 
 
 48,923 3 
 
 6-55 
 
 22,177 4 6 
 
 1898 
 
 39 
 
 370 
 
 10,635 
 
 52,415 10 9 
 
 7-13 
 
 32,882 12 1 
 
 1899 
 
 39 
 
 430 
 
 11,279 
 
 62,767 2 9 
 
 19-75 
 
 40,278 11 9 
 
 1900 
 
 39 
 
 488 
 
 12,233 
 
 82,135 16 7i 
 
 30-85 
 
 48,798 18 5 
 
 1901 
 
 41 
 
 553 
 
 14,261 
 
 91,359 2 10 
 
 11-23 
 
 56,085 4 5 
 
 1902 
 
 40 
 
 672 
 
 16,508 
 
 106,164 14 7 
 
 16-20 
 
 69,838 19 
 
 1903 
 
 40 
 
 792 
 
 16,857 
 
 107,248 7 1 
 
 1-02 
 
 69,054 10 9 
 
 1904 
 
 40 
 
 955 
 
 19,602 
 
 107,099 5 10 
 
 *0-14 
 
 70,217 11 4 
 
 1905 
 
 39 
 
 1,069 
 
 20,471 
 
 106,458 16 8 
 
 *0-05 
 
 76,426 14 8 
 
 1906 
 
 39 
 
 1,474 
 
 22,792 
 
 116,384 18 9* 
 
 9-03 
 
 78,978 2 
 
 1907 
 
 40 
 
 1,580 
 
 24,358 
 
 123,669 1 2 
 
 6-02 
 
 81,168 7 7 
 
 1908 
 
 40 
 
 1,741 
 
 31,029 
 
 112,894 Hi 
 
 *8-7 
 
 88,479 14 2 
 
 1909 
 
 40 
 
 1,899 
 
 35,324 
 
 112,440 
 
 *0-4 
 
 89,960 8 4 
 
 f!910 
 
 40 
 
 .. 
 
 .. 
 
 42,605 
 
 8-0 
 
 
 t May quarter. 
 
 Decrease. 
 
 THE ANTI-CO-OPERATIVE MOVEMENT IN SCOTLAND. 
 
 It would not be very difficult to prove that opposition 
 to co-operation is quite as old as the movement itself. 
 From the very earliest records we find selfishness 
 assuming virtues it certainly never possessed. In modern 
 times this belief in the superiority of individual effort 
 over that of united effort was not content to merely 
 assume, but in Scotland, in 1888, it took the form of a 
 declaration of war not of open war, where competition 
 and co-operation would have laid their claims before 
 the unbiased judgment of the world, but a guerilla war, 
 where the valiant defenders of competition could use 
 their privileged position to cripple the most defenceless 
 of the co-operative army. 
 
 During the year referred to the Scottish Traders' 
 Defence Association was formed in Glasgow, its declared 
 
340 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 object being to sweep co-operation from the country. 
 Soon the traders of other towns were affiliated with the 
 central association, to aid in staying the onward march 
 of co-operation. At first the press was the medium of 
 attack. Co-operation and its leaders were denounced. 
 Co-operators returned fire in grand style, and for a time 
 the controversy waxed vehemently. Mean and false 
 statements were made against managers and foremen of 
 public works, who were charged with using their position 
 for the purpose of coercing the workmen to join the stores. 
 In one case a general manager of a railway company 
 warned his foremen not to take any prominent position in 
 co-operative administration. Through the action taken at 
 once by our leaders this general manager in a few days 
 resiled from the position he had taken up at the dictation 
 of the traders, and allowed the employees their former 
 freedom. Still, the influence of the traders was sufficient 
 to make the position of a poor pointsman untenable; 
 he was given the choice of continuing in his employment, 
 or leaving the store. The response in a case of this 
 kind was, restore the man, or no traffic. The man 
 was restored. When the battle raged at its fiercest, the 
 Scottish Section of the Co-operative Union sent a 
 challenge to the Traders' Defence Association to publicly 
 debate the merits of co-operation versus private trading. 
 Some time afterwards the challenge was accepted. Mr 
 James Deans was chosen to champion the cause of 
 co-operation, while Mr Robert Walker, organising agent of 
 the Traders' Defence Association, was selected to uphold 
 the merits of private trading. On 5th February 1889, the 
 Waterloo Rooms, Glasgow, was crowded with an audience 
 composed by arrangement of equal numbers of co-operators 
 and traders. The audience soon made it known what side 
 they belonged to when the champions appeared. 
 Mr John Turnbull, president of the Glasgow Parliamentary 
 Debating Society, made an excellent chairman. Of course, 
 no award was made, but, whatever the traders thought 
 of their champion, the co-operators were more than 
 delighted with the gentleman who had championed their 
 cause ; he won golden opinions from his own side, and 
 even encomiums from his opponents. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 341 
 
 A short time afterwards Mr Deans was made the 
 recipient of a handsome testimonial from the co-operators 
 of Scotland in acknowledgment of their high appreciation 
 of the service he had rendered to co-operation. The 
 direct effect of the debate was felt in the quieter and 
 more peaceful attitude the traders assumed for some 
 months after, although employers of labour were still 
 being approached and urged to dismiss those of their 
 employees who still persisted in remaining members of the 
 store. 
 
 Co-operation seemed to have greatly benefited by the 
 traders' agitation, for the attention of the people was now 
 drawn to the subject in a manner it had never been before. 
 This naturally incensed the Traders' Association, and 
 in 1895-6 the war broke out afresh. The press had 
 columns of correspondence, the letters, frequently 
 anonymous, making more or less untruthful statements 
 regarding co-operative societies and their methods. 
 Public meetings were held in most of the towns in 
 Scotland, more especially in those towns where there 
 were flourishing societies. Speeches were delivered by 
 officials of the Traders' Association, who certainly could 
 not be blamed for moderation in the terms they used 
 when denouncing co-operation. When an opportunity 
 was given at any of these meetings to ask questions, the 
 local co-operators arranged to put some pertinent queries 
 that have not yet been answered. 
 
 In the letters which appeared in the press, and in 
 the platform speeches, the principal objective was that 
 all employers of labour should cease giving employment 
 to persons who were either directly or indirectly 
 connected with co-operative societies. But co-operators 
 were neither silent nor inactive. Meetings were held, 
 and the arguments of the traders vigorously replied to. 
 A committee of representative co-operators was formed, 
 called the vigilance committee. A fund was willingly 
 subscribed to, and in a short time the sum of over 
 20,000 was at the call of this committee. 
 
 A so-called " manifesto " was issued by an individual 
 trader, in which he set forth that after a given date the 
 co-operators were to be practically cut adrift from 
 civilisation. We have only space for the last clause, which 
 
342 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 practically explains what he had said before : " That 
 we, the traders of Scotland, have signed an agreement 
 that we shall only purchase goods from those wholesale 
 houses and manufacturers who have publicly advertised 
 themselves to be non-supporters of co-operation." This 
 " manifesto " was evidently a one-man show, and was 
 repudiated by the officials of the traders' organisation. 
 They felt somewhat jealous of anyone else having a tilt 
 at co-operation ; they had promised to slay the monster, 
 and they could not tolerate the idea of any individual 
 interfering and partaking in the pleasure of even having 
 a slap at it in passing. 
 
 The Co-operative Vigilance Committee now sent forth 
 a manifesto, which read as follows : 
 
 MANIFESTO. 
 CO-OPERATORS AND THE TRADERS' DEFENCE BOYCOTT AGITATION. 
 
 Appeal to co-operators, trade unionists, social reformers, and all in 
 sympathy ivith the improvement of the condition of the people. 
 
 The system of production and distribution of the commodities 
 of life by combined action on the part of the working-classes, or 
 what is popularly termed co-operative enterprise, after more than 
 fifty years of anxious thought and labour, has assumed proportions 
 of so gigantic a nature, and its rate of progress, especially in the 
 cities and large manufacturing towns, has so much increased, that 
 a section of the trading community have become seriously alarmed. 
 The columns of the press have for weeks been largely occupied by 
 articles and correspondence commenting upon and violently 
 attacking co-operation as a method of trading, and a combination 
 of traders has been formed against it. The tactics of our opponents 
 are peculiar. They desire to shake the confidence of the people 
 in the financial stability and the beneficial results of the movement, 
 even to deprive its members of their means of livelihood, and it 
 is not thought advisable that co-operators should let their voice 
 be unheard on the matter. 
 
 The object of our enterprise is to eliminate the principle of 
 individualism from trade and commerce, and to gradually establish 
 a system of trade the benefits of which will not be mainly confined 
 to the few, but will be largely shared by the whole community. 
 Co-operators fail to discover how such aspirations and efforts can 
 be either legally or morally wrong, and, if not, why they should be 
 interfered with by any party in the prosecution of their work. 
 
 They consider it very unreasonable on the part of private 
 traders to claim that to them should be exclusively be given the 
 privilege of conducting the trade of the country, or to suppose 
 that trade should for all time be conducted on the principle of 
 individual enterprise. It is admitted that private enterprise has 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 343 
 
 in the past stimulated effort and conferred many benefits upon 
 the country, but it has also been the source of much that is evil. 
 We propose to eliminate it, and to do so certain changes are 
 necessary. As hand labour has been all but entirely superseded 
 by machinery, with universal advantage, so private enterprise will! 
 be compelled to give place to a better and more perfect system, of) 
 which co-operation is the pioneer. 
 
 The trend of affairs is obviously in the direction of associated 
 effort. It may be noted even in the ranks of capitalists and traders 
 themselves in the form of limited liability companies and syndicates. 
 Competition has thus developed into combination, and the wisdom 
 of the principle is everywhere approved by those in business, for 
 it enables them to raise the price of commodities, or at least to 
 increase the profit to be derived from them. It is, however, a 
 two-edged weapon, and the reason for this virulent attack on the 
 co-operators may no doubt be found in the fact that they have 
 used it to diminish profits and cheapen commodities. 
 
 That the co-operative movement has been the means of con- 
 ferring enormous benefits on a large section of the working-classes 
 is admitted by all unbiased persons, and the movement has on 
 this account all through its history received the approval and 
 support of the most eminent thinkers and writers in the country, 
 
 The following statistics will show at a glance the financial 
 stability of the movement and the business capacity it has 
 developed among the wage-earners of the country, but it is 
 difficult to estimate the measure of comfort and happiness implied 
 by this wealth in the homes of the people : 
 
 Number of societies in the United Kingdom 
 
 at the end of 1895 ....................... 1,711 
 
 Number of members ...................... 1,414,158 
 
 Amount of share and loan capital .......... 20,331,569 
 
 Amount of trade ........................... 52,502,126 
 
 5,397,582 
 
 The Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society has been specially 
 attacked, but the soundness of its financial condition, as well as 
 the colossal dimensions of its trade, may be judged by the 
 following statistics : 
 
 Trade for twelve months, to 28th March & s. d. 
 
 1896 ............................... 3,545,925 3 4 
 
 Share and loan capital at 28th March 
 
 1896 ............................... 1,123,655 3 
 
 Reserves at 28th March 1896 ............ 83,680 19 2 
 
 Investments at 28th March 1896 ........ 57,940 3 3 
 
 Paid for land, buildings, plant, and 
 
 machinery, 28th March 1896 .......... 519,936 19 4 
 
 Depreciation on same, 28th March 1896. 174,485 19 4 
 
 Nominal value, 28th March 1896 ....... 345,450 
 
 Cash balance, 28th March 1896 ........ 365,594 19 10 
 
344 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 The effort presently being made to boycott co-operators in their 
 employment is both unwarranted and unjust. It is the wage- 
 earner who alone has the right to say where and how his wages 
 will be spent, but, retorts the private trader, the employer also 
 possesses the right to say whom he will, or will not employ. We 
 grant it ; but the motive and object of his doing so will be taken 
 into consideration, and we do not hesitate to affirm that an 
 endeavour to coerce individuals by fear of losing their employment 
 into spending their wages in certain ways will be regarded as 
 conduct of a mean and selfish description. It will receive the 
 condemnation of every fair and right-minded person, and, if 
 enforced to any extent, will not only be strenuously resisted by 
 co-operators, but will, we feel sure, be resented by trade unionists, 
 social reformers, and all who have the welfare of the working-class 
 at heart. 
 
 Pro the Vigilance Committee, 
 
 PETER GLASSE, Chairman. 
 JAMES DEANS, Secretary. 
 
 In reply to the above manifesto, the traders wrote as 
 follows : 
 
 MANIFESTO. 
 
 Central Office, 67 West Nile Street, 
 
 Glasgow, 25th May 1896. 
 
 Dear Sir, The Traders' Defence Association of Scotland believe 
 that the time has arrived when vigorous action should be taken 
 by manufacturers and merchants against the movement misnamed 
 co-operation, which aims at the destruction of all individual trading 
 and private enterprise. 
 
 The association have printed a notice for posting in factories, 
 workshops, and warehouses, and, in case you should be at one with 
 them as to the principle of the non-employment of co-operators 
 by private traders, a copy is enclosed for your use. 
 
 While the association represent the urgent necessity of manu- 
 facturers and other employers of labour recognising and acting 
 upon the principle referred to, you must understand that it is left 
 solely to your own discretion as to whether you should use the 
 notice, but if you decide to do so kindly send intimation to that 
 effect to the organising agent, Mr Robert Walker, at the above 
 address, as it is proposed to publish a list of those firms who adopt 
 this course. 
 
 The association will be glad to supply you with additional 
 copies of the notice should you require them. 
 
 For the Board of Management, yours truly, 
 
 ROBERT MOWAT, President. 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 All employees who are directly or indirectly connected with any 
 co-operative society must cease to have such connection before 
 
 if they wish to retain their employment. 
 
 or accept this intimation in lieu of the usual notice to leave. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 345 
 
 It is to be feared the issue of these manifestoes did not 
 allay the bitterness, but rather accentuated it. The 
 sentence that inflamed the traders most was that which 
 says, " ^e___object_ of co-operative enterprise was to 
 eliminate the principle of individualism from the trade 
 and commerce of the country." From that day forward 
 they have made capital out of this sentence, never once 
 suggesting that they had again and again threatened 
 and promised to sweep co-operation from the land. 
 
 The notices referred to were posted in the workshops 
 of many towns throughout Scotland, and notices of with- 
 drawal from societies were made, but not to an alarming 
 extent. A great number of employees preferred 
 dismissal from their employment to giving up their 
 membership at the store. Mr Deans, in writing on the 
 subject, says : "A painful and most regrettable feature 
 of the tactics of the traders at this time was that a 
 section of them appeared to purposely select as their 
 victims of the boycott the sons and daughters of poor 
 widows, who were in several instances the sole support 
 of their widowed mothers, and in many other instances 
 there was evinced a heartlessness of conduct which 
 constitutes a serious reflection on our common humanity." 
 
 It is interesting to note that, despite the great 
 efforts made by the traders' organisation, very many 
 employers of labour flatly refused to interfere with 
 the freedom of their employees. Mr Peter Glasse, the 
 chairman, and Mr James Deans, the secretary of the 
 vigilance committee, called on a number of employers, 
 who assured them that they had no sympathy with the 
 tactics of the traders. One large employer of labour 
 is reported to have said that he would rather close the 
 gates of the works than resort to any such action as 
 that suggested by the traders. 
 
 But the boycott proper was yet to .come. The fleshers 
 of Glasgow, alarmed at the great success of our societies 
 in the butchermeat trade, decided to hold a mass meeting 
 to consider their position in relation to co-operation. 
 At this meeting it was resolved " that the fleshers of 
 Glasgow pledge themselves to refuse to supply co-operative 
 societies, either wholesale or retail, with fleshmeat, or to 
 have any commercial transactions with them of any 
 
346 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 description whatever." Printed notices were at once 
 posted outside the dead meat market in Glasgow, which 
 read as follows : 
 
 CO-OPERATION. 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 In compliance with the resolution come to at the mass meeting 
 of master fleshers, held in Trades Hall, on Thursday, 25th June 
 1896, intimation is given that from and after this date no co- 
 operative society will be supplied at this establishment. 
 Glasgow, 25th June 1896. 
 
 The salesmen, with one exception, were compelled to 
 cease doing business with the societies. The market is 
 the property of the Corporation, and the markets 
 committee, representing the Corporation, caused the 
 notices to be removed. But that in no way affected the 
 boycott, which still continued. Co-operators, too, in 
 some mysterious manner were being partially supplied, 
 and there was trouble in the enemy's camp. 
 
 The successful efforts of the Wholesale Society to bridge 
 over the difficulty ought never to be forgotten at this 
 time. Profit was no part of the business with the Whole- 
 sale ; it was simply a determination that the societies 
 should not suffer by the traders' tactics. Societies that 
 had not been over-loyal formerly now found that their 
 only chance of supply was through the Wholesale Society. 
 
 Public meetings were held by both parties, and in a 
 traders' meeting the business capacity and ability of the 
 Wholesale buyers were attacked ; the speaker was landed 
 in a law court, but without result. To keep up the 
 agitation against co-operation, two periodicals appeared 
 in 1897. Each of them did its best (which was not very 
 much) to traduce the movement and the men who took a 
 leading part in its administration. All this trumpet- 
 blowing and loud denunciation of co-operation was only 
 adding members and trade to co-operative societies. 
 
 Up to this point the traders felt they were making no 
 progress, and something more sensational must be done 
 if they were to win. An advertisement appeared in the 
 Glasgow Herald of 2Qth March, stating that at the sale of 
 cattle that was to take place that day at Yorkhill Wharf, 
 " no co-operative society, or persons selling to or dealing 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 347 
 
 with co-operative societies directly or indirectly, will be 
 allowed to bid." The auctioneer, Mr Roderick Scott, 
 stated the conditions of sale before commencing business ; 
 he stated also that if an animal was accidentally knocked 
 down to a person who afterwards was proved to be a 
 co-operator, delivery would not be made. But there 
 must be two at the making of a bargain ; and as the 
 Wholesale Society, through its efficient buyer, Mr 
 William Duncan, was a constant and large purchaser in 
 the market, they were not going to allow Mr Scott to thus 
 ride roughshod over them without having something to 
 say. Accordingly, Mr Duncan made a bid of twenty 
 pounds for an animal that was put in the ring ; he was of 
 opinion that the sum he had bid was its full value. The 
 auctioneer wished to know if he (Mr Duncan) represented 
 the Wholesale Society. Mr Duncan answered in the 
 affirmative, adding that he would pay cash for the 
 animal. The bid was declined, and the animal was 
 knocked down to another bidder for eighteen pounds 
 fifteen shillings. 
 
 It has to be borne in mind that this market is also the 
 property of the Corporation of Glasgow. On Mr Duncan 
 reporting the incident to his committee, the chairman and 
 Mr James Marshall (manager), of the Wholesale Society, 
 proceeded to Yorkhill, at the next public sale, to acquaint 
 themselves with the methods prevailing there. It will be 
 sufficient to say that they received a rather warm recep- 
 tion from the assembled fleshers. Sir James Marwick, 
 town clerk, acting for the Town Council, was appealed to. 
 Sir James wrote an exhaustive letter on the subject to 
 Mr Roderick Scott as chairman of the fleshers' executive. 
 The following quotation from the letter will be sufficient 
 to show the opinion of the Council : " But, if the fact be 
 as reported to the committee, and stated above, they 
 deem it necessary to remind you that the foreign animals 
 wharf is a public place provided for the service of the 
 whole community, and that no auctioneer or seller of 
 animals there is entitled, or can be permitted, to discrimi- 
 nate between persons to whom animals shall be sold, so 
 long as the bidder, whether a member of a co-operative 
 society or not, is prepared to satisfy the seller of his 
 ability to pay the price offered. In other words, the seller 
 
348 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 has no right to differentiate between members and non- 
 members of such societies." 
 
 The press generally took the same view of the situation 
 as Sir James Marwick states in his letter, and strong 
 condemnatory articles of the butchers' tactics appeared 
 from time to time in the leading newspapers. Still 
 the butchers held on their way, vowing vengeance, 
 as only butchers can, on all who trafficked with 
 co-operators. I/ocal societies purchased their supplies 
 from neighbouring farmers ; this greatly enraged the 
 butchers' organisation, which used every means in its 
 power to get the farmers to pledge themselves not to 
 supply to stores. The farmers, as a rule, rejected their 
 proposals with contempt. 
 
 The directors of the Wholesale Society were equal 
 to the occasion, and arranged for direct shipments of 
 Canadian cattle to arrive weekly. If a little money was 
 lost to the Wholesale in this effort, the stores were saved 
 much annoyance and money in having their supplies 
 brought to their door. This move of the Wholesale 
 Society fairly upset the butchers ; they at once circular- 
 ised shippers of cattle and shipowners, and their chairman 
 hurried off to the States and Canada to try to stop 
 supplies. But all to no purpose ; co-operators, through 
 their Wholesale, had more resources than were dreamt of 
 in the butchers' philosophy. 
 
 As the result of much earnest and continuous work, the 
 Town Council of Glasgow at last moved in the matter. 
 They passed what was called new by-laws for the markets. 
 These by-laws made it imperative for salesmen in the 
 markets to receive all bona-fide bids, and inflicted a 
 penalty upon any salesman who refused to accept such 
 bids. This, most people would have thought, should 
 have settled the market question ; but it only fanned the 
 fire to a whiter heat. The Wholesale Society raised an 
 action for damages against Mr Roderick Scott on account 
 of loss sustained by the society because of his refusal to 
 sell to Mr Duncan, their buyer, an animal for which he 
 had offered the highest price in the public market. Mr 
 Bishop, of Leith, was also brought into court for libelling 
 the buyers of the Wholesale Society in a speech he made 
 at a traders' meeting. In both cases the Sheriff decided 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 349 
 
 against the complainers. Still, the Wholesale Society, 
 through its directors, were not satisfied that justice had 
 been done to co-operators, and they forthwith raised an 
 action against the Master Fleshers' Protection Society 
 and the cattle salesmen for breach of the Conspiracy Acts, 
 by conspiring to damage the trade of the society by 
 refusing their buyer's bids in public auction marts at 
 Glasgow. This case came before Lord Kincairny, in 
 December 1897, but his lordship decided that there was 
 no case, and the matter dropped. 
 
 The market question had now somewhat passed out of 
 the hands of the co-operators. The Corporation by-laws 
 alluded to, if carried out, would upset the butchers' plans. 
 They defied the Corporation, and the case was taken to 
 Court, and latterly to the House of Lords, where it was 
 decided that in such a market all honest bids must be 
 taken in accordance with the by-laws. This was a terrible 
 blow to the knights of the cleaver. They resolved to sell 
 no more cattle publicly ; all sales in future would be by 
 private bargain. 
 
 There had always been a section of the Town Council 
 in favour of rescinding the by-laws, but up to 1909 they 
 were in a minority. In the year mentioned the question 
 was again brought up, and, after discussion, it was found 
 there was a majority in favour of rescinding the by-laws. 
 The salesmen and the butchers had won. But it was not 
 the want of supplies that troubled co-operators now 
 that was assured ; it was the principle that a portion, a 
 very large portion, of the ratepayers were shut out from 
 the use of their own markets. It was hoped for a time, 
 with the organising aid of the vigilance committee, that 
 an element more co-operative would have been intro- 
 duced into the Council at the next election, but the 
 apathy of the co-operators generally was much greater 
 than the zeal of the vigilance committee, so that little or 
 no change took place. 
 
 To-day the boycott is a memory. The traders have 
 found to their cost that the movement they sought to 
 destroy has its roots too deeply fixed to be easily torn up. 
 After all, co-operators had nothing to complain of in regard 
 to their prosperity during the long-drawn battle ; sales, 
 members, and capital all increased abnormally, largely 
 through the advertisement they got by the agitation. 
 
350 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 During the ten or twelve years over which the 
 controversy raged with fury, some leading co-operators 
 distinguished themselves in many ways. By their 
 arguments they brought conviction to many of the 
 righteousness of the cause ; and by their willingness to 
 appear wherever there was danger and to take part in the 
 fight, they in many ways proved their worth, and estab- 
 lished their claim to be trusted. They claim no reward ; 
 but if it were in our power, we would give a dozen of them 
 the " legion of honour." 
 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 351 
 
 CHAPTER XU. 
 
 'Tis education forms the common mind ; 
 Just as the twig is bent, the tree's inclined. 
 
 Pope. 
 
 " THE SCOTTISH CO-OPERATOR." 
 
 AS was noticed in former chapters, the only co- 
 operative journal which Scotland had in the 
 past was that brave little effort of Mr J. T. 
 M'Innes, of Barrhead, who published the Scottish 
 Co-operator from 1863 till 1871. It was also noticed 
 how that journal and Mr H. Pitman's Co-operator were 
 incorporated in the Co-operative News in the latter year, 
 binning Park Society, in June 1891, issued a monthly 
 journal, named the Kinning Park Co-operator. It was 
 a well-conducted and valuable paper, and was much 
 appreciated not only by Kinning Park members but by 
 co-operators generally in the other city societies. 
 
 In 1893, a few of the more enthusiastic city leaders 
 were of opinion that the time had come when a news- 
 paper for the whole of Scotland ought to be published. 
 A society was formed, and the Kinning Park Co-operator 
 was merged in the Scottish Co-operator, which was 
 published monthly. It is necessary to state that the 
 object of forming the society for the publication of the 
 paper was not to make profit ; it was rather to interest 
 members in the principles of, and to inform them in 
 everything pertaining to, co-operation in Scotland. 
 
 The private traders' agitation against co-operation 
 kept the members anxious in those lively times, and 
 the executive of the " Scottish Co-operator " Society 
 decided to issue the paper fortnightly. This continued 
 till 1901, when it was seen that a weekly issue would be 
 
352 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 much appreciated. Since that date it has been a weekly 
 journal, and has been conducted with ability and 
 discretion. It holds no brief for any particular school of 
 thought, but is most tolerant to all. The social and 
 economic problems are from time to time dealt with 
 in their relation to co-operation in a thoughtful yet 
 hopeful manner. It gives encouragement to all forms 
 of united effort, but clearly points to their practical 
 limitations. 
 
 Dr. Henry Dyer, LI^.D., who fills the editorial chair, 
 is well qualified for his post, not only from his deep 
 sympathy with the people's endeavours to attain to a 
 better and a more humane state of society, but from his 
 long and well-directed studies in social and economic sub- 
 jects. The paper is printed at the Shieldhall works of the 
 Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society. Rumours have 
 lately been heard of a working arrangement between 
 the Scottish Co-operator and the Co-operative News. 
 If such can be carried out without injuring the 
 characteristics of either paper, then it would only be 
 co-operative that it should take place ; the result would 
 be economy and the disappearance of the slightest 
 semblance of competition. The News for years has 
 published a Scottish edition, which is also very popular, 
 and a working agreement between the two organisations 
 would place both journals on a more truly co-operative 
 basis. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE LAUNDRY ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Barrhead Society, through its executive, has been in 
 the forefront of almost every co-operative venture that 
 has taken place in Scotland during the last fifty years. 
 It is not then to be wondered at that they took a 
 prominent part in connection with the inception of the 
 Co-operative Laundry. 
 
 During the year 1896 many mean devices of the 
 traders came to light, but none affected the movement 
 so directly as the pressure that was brought to bear on 
 some employers of labour to give their employees 
 the choice of leaving their employment or their 
 membership of the co-operative store. It appears that 
 a Barrhead firm had lent a willing ear to the competitive 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 353 
 
 champions. This firm made it known to their workers 
 that they could not be in their service if they continued 
 members of the co-operative society. Barrhead Society 
 called a special meeting to consider the situation. It 
 goes without saying that tyranny was about the mildest 
 term used by the speakers when describing the choice 
 which the firm had given to its workers. An under- 
 standing was come to that some kind of industry must 
 be started to employ the people who preferred to stand 
 by principle. In the meantime, most of the men who 
 had chosen to leave their employment in preference to 
 leaving the store had secured other employment. This 
 did not in any way allay the strong feeling that had 
 been raised. The operation might be repeated in other 
 industries to-morrow ; so reasoned our Barrhead friends 
 in casting about for some co-operative enterprise that 
 would take up any surplus labour of the town. It was 
 ultimately arranged to form a laundry that could 
 undertake the work of many societies. It was a happy 
 idea, for there are few industries that would appeal 
 more strongly to the households of co-operators. The 
 question was carried to the Renfrewshire Conference, 
 which took up the suggestion heartily ; while the 
 Glasgow and Suburbs Conference and the Ayrshire 
 Conference were not slow in showing their sympathy 
 with the scheme. The three conference associations 
 appointed a committee to visit the societies in their 
 respective districts and ask them to subscribe share 
 capital, and generally give their help to the proposed 
 laundry. By the end of July 1897 share capital to the 
 amount of 945 had been subscribed by twenty-six 
 societies. 
 
 Ground was secured in Barnes Street, Barrhead, where 
 suitable buildings were erected and machinery installed. 
 Work was commenced in June 1899. The share and 
 loan capital was only 1,291, while 1,881 had been 
 expended on buildings and plant. 
 
 The committee were full of faith in the ultimate 
 success of the enterprise, and this to some extent made 
 up for the insufficient capital. During the first three 
 years of their operations, it was found that the losses 
 totalled 840, IDS. lojd. ; these were largely incurred by 
 
354 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 the heavy preliminary expenses. The sum of 960 was 
 obtained on loan from the Wholesale Society, on security 
 of a bond on the property. 
 
 Still it was an uphill fight, but the committee were 
 confident of winning the battle. As matters did not 
 improve financially, they turned to their good friends 
 the Barrhead Society, who gave them a temporary loan 
 of 500. This steadied the shaking fabric. Trade was 
 increasing. By June 1902 a profit of 20, 2s. njd. was 
 declared. Two years afterwards the deficit was cleared 
 off, and in December 1904 there was a profit of 358. 
 The committee discreetly applied that profit to depreciation. 
 
 At the close of the year 1909 there were sixty societies 
 in membership ; shares and deposits amounted to 6,315, 
 private deposits 1,388, a total capital of 7,703 ; and a 
 profit of 545 on the half-year's trade. Mr Robert 
 Campbell, president, and the committee deserve the 
 success they have achieved ; and, further, they deserve 
 to be supported in the future for the good work they 
 have done for co-operation. 
 
 STATEMENT OF PROGRESS. 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 Trade Done. 
 
 Wages Paid. 
 
 
 
 
 s. d. 
 
 s. d. 
 
 1st Report, Weeks 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 2nd Report, 26 .. t J 
 
 
 
 658 14 7i 
 
 650 2 2* 
 
 3rd Report, 26 .. ^ 
 
 
 
 931 5 11 
 
 674 12 1 
 
 4th Report, 26 L .. 
 
 
 
 ,123 12 9i 
 
 768 10i 
 
 5th Report, 26 n * 1 
 
 
 
 ,270 18 8 
 
 804 14 3 
 
 6th Report, 23 
 
 
 
 ,031 11 11 
 
 645 14 2* 
 
 7th Report, 26 .. v ;., 
 
 
 
 ,400 16 6$ 
 
 824 16 9 
 
 8th Report, 26 ,. *'.. 
 
 ;'6 II 
 
 
 ,538 5 
 
 881 17 
 
 9th Report, 26 n 
 
 , 
 
 
 2,018 5 1 
 
 ,097 3 11 
 
 10th Report, 26 M ,,. 
 
 
 
 2,076 6 2^ 
 
 ,157 11 6 
 
 llth Report, 26 H J .. 
 
 . 
 
 
 2,451 3 7i 
 
 ,247 16 
 
 12th Report, 26 ., f-tti 
 
 
 
 2,326 3 6* 
 
 ,192 7 9 
 
 13th Report, 26 ^ T .. 
 
 
 
 2,856 8 3^ 
 
 ,366 6 11 
 
 14th Report, 26 .1 .. 
 
 
 
 2,893 11 2 
 
 ,482 14 2 
 
 15th Report, 26 ,. W. 
 
 
 
 3,653 14 1H 
 
 ,796 11 
 
 16th Report, 26 ., 
 
 
 
 3,937 8 3 
 
 1,959 15 3 
 
 17th Report, 26 
 
 
 
 4,438 3 Oi 
 
 2,150 14 4 
 
 18th Report, 27 ' .. 
 
 
 
 5,199 5 6 
 
 2,509 9 1 
 
 19th Report, 26 ' ^ 
 
 
 
 5,423 15 7i 
 
 2,606 17 10 
 
 20th Report, 26 .. 
 
 
 
 5,729 11 7 
 
 2,715 19 2 
 
 2 1st Report, 26 M 
 
 
 
 6,085 12 6 
 
 2,809 12 4 
 
 22nd Report, 26 .. \ su 
 
 
 
 6,063 7 10 
 
 2,875 10 6 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 355 
 
 CITY OF DUNDEE SOCIETY. 
 
 It was in 1897 that a number of earnest co-operators, 
 attached to the Dundee East Society, after many attempts 
 to bring that society into line with modern co-operative 
 ideas, made up their minds to form a new society. They 
 were joined by others who had never looked favourably 
 on the methods of Dundee East. At first it was an uphill 
 fight ; for the failure of Dundee West Society, in 1881, 
 which has already been referred to, was still in the minds 
 of some who had lost by it. But the slow progress at first 
 in no way discouraged the little group of workmen who 
 had banded themselves together to establish co-operation 
 on proper lines. The first half-year's trade only amounted 
 to 1,107. The following six months these figures were 
 exactly doubled. Since then they have gone on 
 increasing in sales, membership, and capital till, in 
 March 1910, their members numbered 1,881 ; the share 
 capital, 8,836 ; and the six months' trade, 28,202. 
 They have established six grocery places of business in 
 different parts of the town, they have a drapery and boot 
 and shoe warehouse, a hardware and furnishing depart- 
 ment, and a well-equipped bakery. A vigorous committee 
 attends to educational matters, whose efforts are much 
 appreciated by the members. Two branches of the 
 Women's Guild carry on useful and interesting work at 
 the Central and Lochee. 
 
 This society deserves recognition, for it started in 
 the midst of an opposition which, after a long-drawn-out 
 effort to strangle the young society, seems now to have 
 recognised defeat. Much energy and determination 
 were required on the part of the men who led the 
 society, and these virtues have never been wanting in 
 the administration of the City of Dundee Society. 
 
 A FEW EAST AND NORTH-EAST SOCIETIES. 
 
 DUNDEE AND DISTRICT CO-OPERATIVE COAL SUPPLY 
 ASSOCIATION. Established in 1890, this society has had 
 a most successful career. It applies one per cent, of 
 its profits to education and charity. In 1891 the capital 
 was 418, the membership 1,179, an( ^ trade 2,047 tons. 
 
356 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 In 1909 the capital was 3,838, members 2,185, and! 
 trade 8,217 tons. It is affiliated with all co-operative 
 organisations that have for their object the further 
 development of co-operative thought and practice. 
 
 Numerous efforts have been made in the North-East of 
 Scotland to establish co-operative societies in the villages 
 and small towns where there is employment for a few 
 workmen. With very few exceptions, these efforts have 
 been entirely successful ; only limited space keeps the 
 writer from giving a sketch of the manner by which 
 they surmounted their many difficulties. 
 
 STRATHKINNESS, FIFE. This society was instituted in 
 1872 by a few quarrymen, and it is recorded that at first, 
 even at so late a date as 1872, the dividend was paid in 
 goods. The quarries are now getting worked out, and 
 the population has consequently declined. The brave 
 little store still fights on, and nobly upholds the 
 banner it raised nearly forty years ago. 
 
 ST ANDREWS, FIFE. Largely through the efforts of the 
 Conference Association, the torch of co-operation was lit 
 here in 1900, and it is now sending its kindly rays over a 
 large area in and around the old University city. 
 Judging from the minutes of the committee, the ability 
 and energy of St Andrews are certainly not all centred at 
 the colleges. 
 
 NEWBURGH AND DISTRICT, FIFE. The Conference 
 Association again were the assistant-builders at Newburgh, 
 where the present society was formed in 1903, with fifty 
 members and 50 of capital. The usual obstacles had 
 to be surmounted, while opposition had to be faced and 
 overcome. Now the business is thriving ; the members 
 number 196, the share capital amounts to 1,474, and 
 loans 872, the trade for six months being 2,292. A 
 good and loyal society that deserves all success. 
 
 FRASERBURGH, ABERDEENSHIRE. This is a small but 
 vigorous society, and was only started in December 1905, 
 with a membership of ninety-one and a capital of 150. 
 The sales have risen from an average of 55 per week 
 to over 100. In four and a half years they have paid in 
 dividend and interest 1,066, and have now a reserve fund 
 of 39. The secretary says : " We stock nothing but 
 Scottish Co-operative Wholesale Society goods, and are 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 357 
 
 confident that this is a great factor in the co-operative 
 movement." This sentiment is not so widespread as it 
 ought to be. 
 
 HUNTLY, ABERDEENSHIRE. Another praiseworthy 
 effort that is making progress, although only a few years 
 in existence. It is isolation that retards the progress of 
 those brave little societies. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE WOMEN'S GUILD. 
 
 A meeting was held at the Edinburgh Congress in 
 1883, composed entirely of women. Although the meeting 
 was not reported, there is no doubt as to its purpose 
 namely, to develop the Women's League, which has for 
 its object the spread of co-operation. The subject had 
 been in the minds of some ladies since the Oxford Congress 
 of the previous year Mrs A. H. D. Acland, of Oxford, 
 and Mrs lyawrenceson, of Woolwich, being enthusiastic in 
 its formation. It was not till 1889, or six years after the 
 League now known as the Guild had been brought into 
 existence, that any steps were taken in Scotland to 
 develop it. The educational committee of Kinning Park 
 Society were anxious to interest the women of their 
 society in co-operation generally. They proposed to 
 institute cookery classes as a means of bringing the women 
 together, and they hoped, not unreasonably, by imparting 
 useful practical knowledge in cookery to add greatly to the 
 domestic economy and comfort of the member's household. 
 The classes were a great success from the start, and 
 opened up a new vista of hope. The committee saw a 
 powerful agent for propaganda in the frequent meetings of 
 their lady pupils ; the women, on their part, were strongly 
 of opinion that a closer bond of union should exist between 
 them than merely attending cookery classes. The com- 
 mittee called a special conference to consider further efforts 
 of usefulness. Mr D. M'Culloch presided, and thus became 
 " the father of the Guild." A letter from Mrs M'Lean 
 was read, in which that lady sketched a scheme of work 
 which included mutual instruction in almost every 
 domestic duty. Twenty-one names were enrolled, the 
 first name being that of Mrs M'Lean thus beginning, at 
 its very inception, the work to which in after years she 
 rendered such valuable service. The Guild was thus 
 formed in Scotland in 1889, and the idea spread with 
 
358 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 wonderful rapidity over the country, until now there are 
 few societies of any pretentious but have a faithful 
 auxiliary in the women's guild. 
 
 The work of the Guild has greatly expanded since 
 then. If it has cost a little to carry it on, this 
 has been more than repaid in the knowledge that 
 the information gained by the women at these guilds will 
 greatly improve the domestic arrangements, and make 
 homes happier and brighter. Sick-nursing, ambulance- 
 work, and some knowledge of the general laws of health 
 are simply invaluable in the workman's household, and 
 have been too long neglected. Add to this, instruction in 
 dressmaking, millinery, fancywork, etc., and it will be 
 readily conceded that the guild is of inestimable value to 
 the ordinary household. But it has repaid the movement 
 in another way that is apt to be forgotten. But for the 
 sympathy and well-directed energy of the guilds, it is very 
 questionable if the Convalescent Homes would have been 
 in the position they are to-day ; as it is to the guilds 
 that they are largely indebted for the two successful 
 bazaars which yielded about 7,000 towards the building 
 funds of the Homes. 
 
 There are now considerably over ten thousand members 
 in connection with the guilds in Scotland ; and we 
 fervently hope that their numbers and usefulness may 
 increase. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE CONVALESCENT HOMES. 
 
 Since the inception of the co-operative movement in 
 Scotland, the members of the societies have never turned 
 a deaf ear to the cry of the distressed. We have seen 
 how, over a hundred years ago, they made allowance in 
 their rules to assist those who unfortunately were in want 
 or sickness. When our societies became more prosperous, 
 the modern charitable institutions could always depend on 
 generous contributions. It requires no argument, and 
 it certainly implies no boast to say that this was no 
 more than the plain duty of a cause which professed 
 brotherhood. 
 
 As time went on, and ideals were getting better 
 understood, some of the more advanced leaders, who 
 held that co-operation stood for more than mere monetary 
 gain, cast about them for a practical scheme for assisting 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 359 
 
 those members who after an illness had frequently to 
 return to their employment before their health was 
 properly restored. A convalescent home, where the 
 worker might recuperate, and where change of scene 
 would invigorate, was at once a practical and a truly 
 co-operative idea. It was at a meeting of the Ayrshire 
 Conference Association, held at Ardrossan in January 
 1890, that Mr George Seymour read a paper on the 
 subject. The project was at once taken up with 
 considerable enthusiasm. At first it was thought that 
 about 2,000 would suffice for the purpose. Plans were 
 prepared on this basis, and societies were appealed to 
 for the necessary funds. The committee were unceasing 
 and most energetic in visiting societies and laying the 
 claims of the scheme before the committees and 
 members. At the first meeting of subscribing societies 
 it was decided to extend the scope of operations. The 
 committee were instructed to prepare rules, secure a 
 suitable site, and get plans drawn on a much larger 
 scale. Messrs Bruce & Hay, architects, Glasgow, 
 generously offered to prepare plans free of cost. The 
 plans submitted were considered by the committee as 
 too extensive, and they decided to proceed with only 
 one-half of the proposed building at that time. An 
 ideal site was secured near West Kilbride ; the ground 
 measured about two acres, on which there was an annual 
 feu-duty of thirty pounds. 
 
 The first sod was cut by the writer of these lines, 
 on i6th September 1893, in presence of hundreds of 
 representative co-operators from all parts of the country. 
 While the building was in its first stage of construction, 
 the committee were delighted to receive information of 
 Mr William Barclay's intention of giving 2,000 to assist 
 in the erection of the Home. This sum was gratefully 
 received, and it allowed the committee to proceed with 
 the erection of another wing, which was to bear the 
 donor's name. The remaining part of the plan was 
 finished in 1902. The furnishing of such a great building 
 required an immense sum, and the coffers were nearly 
 empty. Some great effort would require to be made. 
 Then it was that the ^omen's GuM stepped forward 
 and solved a problem that seemed too much for the 
 
36o HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 committee. The guildswomen proposed a great bazaar. 
 The suggestion was accepted, and a committee repre- 
 sentative of women's guilds and educational committees 
 set to work with great determination and hope. The 
 bazaar was held in the City Hall, Glasgow, in January 
 
 1894, Lord Provost Bell, of Glasgow, performing the 
 opening ceremony. The bazaar contributed over 2,000 
 to the funds, and the gratitude of the committee to the 
 guilds was unbounded. 
 
 Mr William Barclay laid the memorial-stone in June 
 
 1895, and in July 1896 the Home was opened for the 
 reception of residents. Still the committee were in need 
 of funds, and another bazaar was held in 1898, which 
 produced the handsome sum of 4,000. 
 
 The Home was a noble idea, nobly carried out, and 
 reflects the spirit of true co-operation perhaps better 
 than our greatest success at the stores. One of the 
 speakers at a function which took place some years after 
 the institution had been opened said that he was certain 
 that every one of the ten thousand inmates who had 
 passed through the Home had been made better men 
 and women by being shown the value of associated effort, 
 and that when they left it they went out into the world 
 better co-operators, determined to work more strenuously 
 for the success of co-operation than they had done before 
 entering its portals. 
 
 The success of Seamill Home, as it is called, no doubt 
 led our brethren in the East of Scotland to consider the 
 advisability of having a similar Home in their district ; 
 and an inland site, it was thought, would be preferable 
 for some convalescents. It was therefore resolved by the 
 East of Scotland Co-operative Conference, at a meeting 
 held in November 1899, to establish and equip a 
 convalescent inland home, to be situated in the valley 
 of the Tweed. In August 1900 a committee was formed 
 to carry out the resolution of the conference. On 
 1 4th February 1903 the committee recommended the 
 subscribers to purchase the beautiful house and grounds 
 of Lynhurst for 5,400. This proposal was accepted 
 unanimously. The site is one of the finest that could 
 have been found in the country ; the grounds extend 
 down to the river Tweed, on the opposite side of 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 361 
 
 which is that " poem in stone and lime " Abbotsford. 
 Additions were made to the house so as to suit it for 
 the purpose of a convalescent home. 
 
 The two Homes were placed under one directorate, an 
 arrangement that has much to recommend it. Still, the 
 societies kept the directors in great anxiety or, in 
 plainer words, in debt up till a short time ago, when 
 the Wholesale Society was requested by the quarterly 
 meeting to take out more shares. This is not creditable. 
 Many societies have subscribed magnificently, but others 
 have failed in a sacred duty. If these Homes are to be 
 the glory of the movement, as they ought to be, then all 
 should share directly in the glory, and support the 
 directors in their splendid work, keeping them free from 
 financial anxiety. 
 
 From the annual report, it is interesting to note how 
 popular these Homes have become. During the year 
 1909 no fewer than 2,842 persons were admitted to the 
 Seamill Home, while 1,434 were admitted to Abbotsview ; 
 thus 4,276 persons have been cared for, and no doubt 
 invigorated both bodily and mentally by their stay 
 amidst such picturesque and inspiring surroundings. No 
 sacrifice would be too great for the movement to make 
 to keep those Homes fully equipped so as to carry on 
 the noble work of health restoration. 
 
 The men who pioneered the Homes, and the men who 
 have carried them on since, deserve our gratitude for 
 their great sympathetic work. Mr George Seymour has 
 been in harness since the beginning, and Mr James Deans 
 gave valuable service as president for many years. More 
 recently the irrepressible and enthusiastic Mr Andrew 
 Young has been ubiquitous, and wherever he goes his 
 good influence is felt. Long may he continue in doing 
 this good work. 
 
 There has been 40,490 expended on the two Homes 
 in buildings and furnishings, and from this expenditure 
 comes the greatest dividend in the world the pleasure 
 in doing good to others. 
 
 6>hv\\o 
 
362 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 CHAPTER XLII. 
 
 Then let us pray that come it may 
 
 As come it will for a' that 
 That sense and worth, o'er a' the earth, 
 
 May bear the gree, and a' that. 
 
 Bums. 
 
 SCOTTISH SECTION OF CO-OPERATIVE UNION. 
 
 IT was at the Co-operative Congress held in Manchester 
 on 6th, 7th and 8th June 1870, that the proposition 
 to form a Central Board (which is now recognised as 
 the Co-operative Union) was accepted. The following 
 are the details : Mr William Pare read a paper by 
 Mr E. V. Neale on " The prospects and objects of co- 
 operation with reference more particularly to production." 
 A committee was then appointed to disseminate 
 co-operative information, to organise a movement for 
 diffusing the principles, and to give information to 
 existing societies. Thirty gentlemen were then appointed, 
 all being representative men at the time. Mr James 
 Borrowman, Glasgow, and Mr J. T. M'Innes, Barrhead, 
 were appointed representatives for Scotland. A resolu- 
 tion was also passed empowering the Board to employ a 
 secretary and a law clerk to give advice on legal and other 
 matters affecting societies. It was also recommended 
 that the various societies make a levy of one penny per 
 member, to be paid quarterly, for the expenses of the 
 Central Board. This was the beginning of the present 
 Union, and the formation of the various sections followed 
 in 1873. It is to be remembered that conferences were in 
 existence before this, but there were only a few in Scotland. 
 The first real co-operative conference in Scotland that 
 we can trace was that formed by the societies in Edin- 
 burgh, and, according to the minutes, the first meeting 
 
Chairmen (Past and Present of Scottish Sectional Board. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 363 
 
 was held on 5th June 1863. Four meetings were held 
 previous to this date, but, as the persons attending were 
 not authorised by their respective societies, it cannot be 
 said that these were representative meetings. On the above 
 date office-bearers were appointed, and a title was given 
 to the association it was named the Edinburgh Central 
 Co-operative Committee. This was changed at the next 
 meeting to the Edinburgh Central Co-operative Associa- 
 tion. The meetings were held monthly. At the meeting 
 in April 1867 only four delegates appeared, and it was 
 resolved not to meet again, as the stores had ceased to 
 send representatives. The four gentlemen present paid 
 the expense of the meeting, and thus ended the first attempt 
 at co-operative conferences in Scotland. During its 
 existence much good work was done by this association 
 in arranging joint buying for the societies represented 
 in fact, it was a miniature wholesale society. Federated 
 bakeries, drapery, and coal supply were all discussed, and 
 a considerable amount of joint buying took place as the 
 result of these discussions. " Co-operation and the Poor " 
 was discussed at this early date. Mr Allan Scott, of 
 St Cuthbert's, was the last chairman of the conference 
 association, and he was the first chairman of the East of 
 Scotland Co-operative Conference which was established 
 soon after the collapse of the first association. 
 
 We have seen that what was known as the Scottish 
 Co-operative Conference originated in 1864 for the purpose 
 of forming the Wholesale Society, but was continued, and 
 out of it arose the Glasgow and Suburbs Conference. In 
 the above we have the germ of the conference idea, which 
 quickly developed till the country was mapped out 
 roughly at first into conference districts. As has been 
 stated, it was not till the Newcastle Congress of 1873 that 
 the present arrangement of dividing Great Britain into 
 sections took place. Thus Scotland was deemed one 
 section, and was given the co-operative management of 
 its own affairs, in conjunction with the United Board, 
 which was representative of all the sections. 
 
 This United Board meets at Manchester quarterly, and 
 an office committee conducts the business of the Union 
 between these meetings. Since 1878 each section has been 
 
364 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 empowered to elect its own Sectional Board ; formerly 
 these elections were conducted at the annual Congress. 
 It was not till 1889 that the Co-operative Union was 
 registered as a society, when the rules were altered to 
 conform with the new conditions. 
 
 It will thus be seen that the organisation is fairly com- 
 plete and democratic in its constitution. Scotland is 
 divided into ten conference districts, each with its local 
 executive. These conference associations are, or should 
 be, representative of all the retail societies in their respective 
 districts. Meetings are held in various parts of their 
 district each quarter at least ; and papers on co-operative 
 subjects are read and discussed by the delegates sent from 
 the societies which form the association. The various 
 associations and federated societies are -in turn linked to 
 the several conferences, so that at conference meetings 
 there is representation by authorised delegates from most 
 of the co-operative organisations in the country. 
 
 Much important co-operative thought and work are 
 thus initiated at these meetings, where the difficulties of 
 societies can be ventilated and advised on, and where the 
 future policy can be discussed and opposing schemes 
 harmonised. In fact, there can be no better training- 
 ground for the future leaders than the conference 
 meetings. Each conference association prepares and 
 sends in a report of its work every year, which is 
 embodied in the Congress report. Representatives from 
 the Section attend every meeting of the conferences, and 
 are thus kept in close touch with the co-operative work 
 of the whole country. 
 
 The Scottish Section is composed of ten elected members, 
 the secretary devoting his whole time to the duties of his 
 office. It meets monthly, while an office committee 
 attends to all business that may arise during the inter- 
 vening periods. Thus advice is always at hand to societies 
 who may be in difficulties, or who may feel that a 
 neighbouring society is encroaching upon their area. The 
 service of the Section, because of its great experience, is of 
 inestimable value to many societies which may have been 
 loosely conducted and requiring prompt and intelligent 
 assistance. 
 
JAMES ALLAN. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 365 
 
 The Section is to a large extent the trusted guardian 
 of the best interests of the movement. I^egal questions 
 of a complicated nature frequently arise in the conduct 
 of such large and intricate businesses as are to be found 
 in co-operation. Almost from its inception, in 1873, the 
 legal business of the Section has been in the hands of 
 the same firm Messrs Keyden, Strang, & Girvan. The 
 late Mr James Keyden was appointed legal adviser in 
 1890, and at his lamented death the business passed 
 into the hands of his brother, Mr Philip Keyden. No 
 better choice could have been made. To a thorough 
 knowledge of the working of the societies, Mr Philip 
 Keyden adds a kindly and sympathetic nature, and his 
 advice in many a hard-fought battle has brought the 
 co-operators out on the right side. Societies that are 
 members of the Union are supplied with free advice and 
 opinion on all questions relating to their co-operative 
 business ; and many are the societies which have reason to 
 be grateful to the Section for the sound counsel they have 
 received from Mr Keyden in their hour of adversity. 
 
 Not the least part of the work of the Section is that of 
 propaganda. Wherever there is the slightest chance of 
 co-operative principles being adopted the Section sends 
 its representatives, and sometimes their reception has 
 been on the " north side o' frienly." Still, to their credit 
 be it said, they, with the valuable assistance of the con- 
 ferences, have been the means of carrying co-operation 
 into districts where it was viewed with suspicion, if not 
 with hostility. 
 
 To a large extent the Section has placed the educational 
 phase of co-operation in the high position it stands 
 to-day. Continuous advocacy of devoting a portion 
 of societies' profits to the education of their members 
 has had an invigorating influence. But of late, largely 
 through the instrumentality of the Section, a Central 
 Committee on Education has been formed, and, although 
 only a few months at work, this committee promises 
 to be a very valuable accessory to co-operative work 
 in Scotland. 
 
 Mr Deans, the able secretary of the Section, has given 
 much thought and labour for years to perfecting arrange- 
 ments for carrying on training classes for co-operative 
 
366 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 employees in different parts of the country. The Section 
 compiles a report of its work annually, which, along with 
 the conference reports, is presented to Congress as the 
 Scottish Sectional report. For some years past this report 
 is presented and discussed at an annual meeting which is 
 held in different parts of Scotland in the month of April ; 
 co-operators have thus the elements of home rule, in so 
 far as they can criticise the Scottish report before it is 
 presented to the United Kingdom Congress, which is held 
 at Whitsuntide. 
 
 Nor must be it forgotten to note how indefatigable the 
 Section has been in defending the interests of societies and 
 individual members when attacked by opponents. Along 
 with the Co-operative Defence Committee they have 
 repelled the enemy at every point, and have been the 
 means of exposing the unmanly tactics of opponents. 
 
 Co-operative Congresses were held during Robert Owen's 
 agitation for his communal schemes. Fourteen of these 
 were held, the last of the series being at Queenwood in 
 1846. It was not till 1869 that the first Congress under 
 the present system was held, and it was convened by some 
 of the enthusiasts in London ; but after 1870, when the 
 Central Board was formed, the duty of calling the Congress 
 together became the duty of this body, and consequently 
 Congress became more of a representative gathering. 
 The various sections of the United Kingdom have the 
 opportunity of meeting en masse during Congress and 
 discussing questions of national importance. It cannot 
 be said that the Congress has much if any legislative 
 power, as resolutions carried by overwhelming majorities 
 of the delegates have ofttimes not been confirmed by 
 the societies which sent them. Still the Congress has a 
 practical and an educative influence. The papers read are 
 generally of a high order, and the variety of opinion 
 expressed in the discussions must be informing to many. 
 
 The Scottish Section has been singularly fortunate 
 in having men of tact and ability as guides. The 
 first president was Mr James Borrowman, and he was 
 followed by Mr Andrew Brown, Mr James Ix>chhead, 
 Mr James Deans, Mr John Allan, and the present 
 chairman, Mr James Allan, all of whom have rendered 
 most useful service in helping to bring order and method 
 

 JAMES DEANS. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 367 
 
 out of what at the beginning was little better than 
 confusion. No man detests flattery more than the 
 present secretary of the Scottish Section, Mr James Deans, 
 but his services have been of such a unique kind that it 
 would be exceedingly ungrateful to overlook them. Mr 
 Deans was elected a member of the Scottish Section in 
 1882, and two years later he was appointed chairman. 
 In 1884 Mr John Common, manager of the Co-operative 
 Printing Company, Edinburgh, retired from the secretary- 
 ship, and Mr Deans succeeded him. Thus he has filled the 
 office of secretary for twenty-six years. The post was 
 made a permanency in 1891. Mr Deans has been a great 
 asset to co-operation since that date. By night and 
 day his valuable services have been at the call 
 of the societies, and they have been made full use of. 
 His powers of organisation have frequently been put to 
 the most severe test, and never found wanting ; and his 
 knowledge of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 
 has been of the greatest service in keeping some societies 
 from straying in the wrong path. His many useful and 
 informing papers and addresses make him a trusted and 
 respected guide ; and his power of ready and eloquent 
 address marked him as the proper man to champion the 
 cause of co-operation in 1889, by which he enhanced his 
 already high reputation. 
 
 CO-OPERATIVE CONGRESSES HELD IN SCOTLAND. 
 1876, 1883, 1890, 1897, 1905. 
 
 The Co-operative Congresses, or annual meetings of 
 co-operative delegates from all parts of the United 
 Kingdom, have continued since 1869, the first being held 
 in L/mdon in May of that year. By a sensible arrange- 
 ment, they are held in each section in turn ; thus 
 Scotland's turn comes every seven or eight years. 
 
 The first Congress in Scotland was in April 1876, being 
 the eighth of the series. It was held in the Assembly 
 Rooms, Glasgow, and ninety-four societies were repre- 
 sented by one hundred and sixteen delegates. Thirty- 
 three Scottish societies sent thirty-six delegates to 
 represent them. Professor Edward Caird, of Glasgow 
 University, presided; and Professor Hodgson, L/I/.D., of 
 
368 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 Edinburgh University, delivered the inaugural address. 
 Mr E. V. Neale, the general secretary of the Co-operative 
 Union, says : " The impression produced by Professor 
 Hodgson's address on the assembled delegates was so great 
 that a desire for its circulation in a form more popular 
 than has been adopted in other cases was expressed from 
 more than one quarter." The address was published in 
 tract form, and was much appreciated all over the 
 country. The delegates visited Loch Lomond, and were 
 enchanted with the scenery. 
 
 The next Congress in Scotland was held at Edinburgh, 
 in 1883, when the Right Hon. W. E. Baxter, M.P. for the 
 Montrose Burghs, presided on the first day, and delivered 
 the inaugural address. The press, although not agreeing 
 with co-operation, were unanimous in praise of the right 
 honourable gentleman's pointed and eloquent oration. 
 The delegates were entertained to a conversazione in the 
 Museum of Science and Art, and to an excursion to the 
 Kyles of Bute on the rising of Congress. 
 
 The third Scottish Congress was held in Glasgow 
 on 26th May 1890, when the Earl of Rosebery took the 
 chair, and gave the address. The City Hall was filled 
 with delegates and visitors. His lordship gave great 
 satisfaction by his eloquent appeal for continued and 
 closer union, and for the now proverbial remark that 
 co-operation was " a State within a State." An out- 
 standing feature of this Congress was the launching of the 
 lifeboat which was presented to the National Lifeboat 
 Institution by co-operators. The procession to the river, 
 where the launch took place, is remembered to this day, 
 and certainly must have given a fillip to the cause in the 
 West of Scotland. 
 
 The next Congress was held in Perth in June 1897. 
 The chairman of the Scottish Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society presided, and delivered the inaugural address, 
 taking for his subject " Direct Parliamentary Re- 
 presentation." Spontaneously the delegates passed a 
 resolution in favour of representation, and remitted 
 the matter to the Co-operative Union. It showed the 
 value of Congress resolutions; for, when the Union 
 approached the societies for support, only a very few 
 would have anything to do with it. The echoes of the 
 
J. C. GRAY. 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 369 
 
 traders' opposition were heard at this Congress, but that 
 only increased the enthusiasm of the delegates. A visit 
 to Aberdeen and Balmoral greatly delighted all who took 
 advantage of the arrangements made by the reception 
 committee. 
 
 In June 1905 the Congress was held in Paisley. There 
 must have been about 1,300 delegates present. Dr. Hans 
 Miiller, of Basle, Switzerland, delivered the address, 
 which gave widespread satisfaction. This was looked 
 on by many as a happy augury in regard to future co- 
 operative relationship with foreign countries. Again the 
 subject of direct representation in Parliament was discussed, 
 a paper in favour of the subject being read by Mr Thomas 
 Tweddell, vice-chairman of the Co-operative Wholesale 
 Society. The vote was decidedly against the proposition. 
 The delegates, on the Thursday, were taken to view some 
 of the beautiful scenery of the Firth of Clyde. 
 
 SCOTTISH CO-OPERATIVE VETERANS' ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Perhaps the most convincing proof of the power of 
 co-operation to assist in providing for old age is to 
 be found in the very small number of really good 
 co-operators who require financial assistance in the 
 evening of their days. But there must always be some 
 cases where circumstances are too strong for declining 
 years to successfully combat. In this way a few good old 
 co-operators have been stranded at a time of life when 
 self-help is impossible ; they are of the kind who would 
 rather succumb than make known their wants. It then 
 reflects the highest honour upon those who initiated and 
 organised the Scottish Co-operative Veterans' Association, 
 the objects of which are truly co-operative, for they 
 breathe the very soul of brotherhood. 
 
 The objects of the association, as set forth in the rules, 
 are as follows : (a) The creation of funds for the relief 
 and assistance of necessitous members of co-operative 
 societies, who may be considered by the committee or 
 members in general meeting as having rendered good 
 service to their societies or the co-operative movement in 
 general. (6) The recognition of public or other services 
 rendered by persons to the co-operative movement, who 
 
 2A 
 
370 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 may be considered worthy, (c) Adequate provision in 
 old age for such persons as may be deemed suitable and 
 deserving. 
 
 Such sympathetic objects require no apology or 
 explanation. " Inasmuch as ye did it unto one of the 
 least of these My brethren, ye did it unto Me." The 
 association is registered, and is administered by a number 
 of well-known co-operators, who give their services not 
 only gratuitously, but with great pleasure. The income 
 for 1909 was 188, i8s. 6d., and 114, i6s. was gifted to 
 deserving persons in sums varying from 2s. 6d. to 75. 6d. 
 per week. The recipients are located in different parts of 
 the country, consequently there is no truth in the statement 
 that it is a local idea. The subscriptions come from a wide 
 area, and the distribution of the funds covers a radius 
 equally as wide. The expenses for the administration of 
 this excellent association are almost nil, so that subscribers 
 have every guarantee that the funds are practically all 
 spent on the veterans. 
 
 This is a work that should receive every encouragement 
 from societies and individuals ; for when we remember 
 what we owe to the efforts of the early co-operators, we 
 surely will not fail to render some assistance to the few 
 who have fallen by the way. Its inception goes back to 
 1902, when the subject was mooted at a social meeting 
 of co-operators. Among the leaders at that time were 
 Bailie J. Shaw Maxwell, Mr A. Norval, and Mr John 
 Dewar. Mr Dewar has been the painstaking secretary 
 since the beginning ; and although he and Mr Norval, 
 the treasurer, have done much good co-operative work in 
 other directions since that time, no work can reflect so 
 much goodness of heart and high appreciation of 
 co-operative ideals as the sympathetic and useful work 
 they have done for the Veterans' Association. If financial 
 rewards have hot been given them, they have what is 
 better the gratitude of all good men. 
 
 THE INFLUENCE OF CO-OPERATION UPON THE CHARACTER 
 OF THE PEOPLE. 
 
 In the early years, although the financial gain 
 from co-operation was nothing like what it is to-day, 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 371 
 
 the old economic stores must have had an influence for 
 good ; it brought men together for a common purpose, 
 namely, to discuss the best methods of helping each 
 other. 
 
 We have seen that in the early societies the leaders 
 would not tolerate disloyalty, and, it may be thought, 
 rather harshly penalised defaulters, yet they always had 
 a sympathetic ear for the distressed or suffering. It will 
 have been noticed that the rules were not infrequently 
 drawn up so as to tender relief to those who were in tem- 
 porary difficulties ; this in turn engendered gratitude in 
 the recipients, and thus the giver and receiver were drawn 
 to each other by the kindly actions. 
 
 The rigid application of the cash system in the old 
 societies had also a good effect on the character of the 
 people ; they only bought what they could pay for at the 
 time their simple but correct idea of honesty being that 
 the goods in the village store belonged to the members 
 generally, and to take credit was to take a loan of other 
 people's goods which they might never be able to pay for. 
 This thought is not so prevalent to-day. If our modern 
 co-operator in some cases is not so scrupulous, it is because 
 there has come about a looser definition of the term than 
 formerly ; but this is by no means confined to co-operators. 
 
 But the good influence of co-operation is more apparent 
 now than it was previous to 1860, simply because 
 of its expansion and development. It would certainly be 
 unwise to exaggerate its good influence, nor would it be 
 right to underestimate it. One cannot deny the presence 
 in the societies of many drones, whose object in being 
 members is largely if not entirely monetary gain, and 
 who give little or no heed to ameliorative schemes ; 
 but even some of them in time begin to take an interest 
 in sympathetic proposals and work. Up till the time of 
 admission to membership few have any idea of the ramifica- 
 tions or possibilities of co-operation : hence the value of 
 co-operative education as to its possibilities and our 
 relation to other progressive forces. Out of such studies 
 the duties of citizenship become apparent, opening up a 
 wide outlook on social questions of all kinds. This 
 is perhaps the best and highest influence of co-operative 
 education, as it compels an answer to that ever-present 
 
372 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 question, What is my duty to others ? If this question 
 is understood and answered properly, it will add 
 considerably to the well-being of the world ; because 
 another co-worker has been got, one who will not step on 
 the neck of his brother in order to reach a higher social 
 plane. The business meetings of societies are possibly 
 the best test of growing co-operative beliefs ; for, in 
 spite of some irrelevant remark here and there, the 
 great body of opinion is always sympathetic, tolerant, 
 and generous. This is an influence that cannot be 
 measured by pounds, shillings and pence, but it makes 
 life sweeter for all. 
 
 It will not be regarded as boastful to say that the con- 
 ditions meted out to labour in co-operation are of the best. 
 The granting of those good conditions is simply the expres- 
 sion of that brotherliness which is the most vital part of 
 honest co-operation. In our trading, men are influenced 
 to be fair and honest to each other, selling articles by their 
 proper names, and not for something they are not. This 
 feeling is strong in co-operation, for, where some employee 
 has neglected this fundamental, no one condemns him 
 more severely than the true co-operator. One has felt, 
 when a conviction did take place for any kind of fraud 
 which had been committed in the name of co-operation, 
 that the penalty ought to be doubled in their case because 
 of their accepted creed. Co-operation stands for a higher 
 morality in trade and commerce; it condemns what our 
 American cousins call graft, which is but another name for 
 bribery. While shams and shoddy in industry and 
 commerce are far too prevalent, co-operation would violate 
 every true sentiment if it encouraged such practices. 
 
 The continuous reiteration of healthy and moral senti- 
 ment has had an uplifting effect on the members ; 
 they require no parliamentary enactment for early closing 
 or granting of half -holidays to the employees; and they 
 deplore that the statute book should contain so many 
 necessary measures and penalties to compel the seller to 
 do justice to his customer. 
 
 Another it may be an unseen effect of co-operation, 
 but it is no less true is its relation to temperance. It is 
 generally admitted that much of the prevalent intemper- 
 ance arises rather from the despairing circumstances with 
 
ITS INCEPTION AND ITS LEADERS 373 
 
 which the poor are surrounded than from a positive love 
 of liquor ; the saving of a few pounds a year, without the 
 slightest effort on their part, has arrested the downward 
 trend of many. The monotonous toil, with no prospect of 
 anything being saved for sickness, old age, and infirmity, 
 has driven many to despair, and the temporary solace of 
 partial unconsciousness which intemperance gives them 
 from their hopeless outlook l\as only made the darkness 
 still more dark. Inform some of these people that by 
 <:o-operation a few pounds can be saved for them annually 
 without the slightest effort on their part, the result in many 
 cases within the writer's knowledge is that the store has 
 more attraction for them than their former haunts. 
 Every society has some cases of this kind. It is the getting 
 the start on the road to comparative independence that 
 has been the trouble. The store gives that start. 
 Temperance is therefore a necessary corollary to co- 
 operation. 
 
 This great united effort, then, is training our people to 
 be more sympathetic with each other, to have no connection 
 with shams and shoddy nor the sharp practices of trade 
 and commerce, to be self-respecting and self-reliant. 
 And it is giving the monetary assistance to strengthen 
 them in this great moral and material reform. 2,852,782 
 represents the profit in trade for the year 1909 in Scotland. 
 This great sum divided among the members means a 
 higher standard of living to many, and to others a fuller 
 education to the family, while to many it gives the means 
 for acquiring their own dwelling and thus get beyond 
 " the factor's snash." The steadying influence of all this 
 cannot be overestimated. Men who formerly were com- 
 paratively hopeless and correspondingly careless, looking 
 upon themselves as outcasts who had no place in civilisa- 
 tion, interesting themselves in no one because no one 
 seemed interested in them all this is changed by joining 
 hands in co-operation ; all are made welcome, all are 
 treated alike, the highest offices in the various organisa- 
 tions are open to the humblest. 
 
 The training of workmen on the administrative 
 lx>ards of societies has had a far-reaching influence, 
 not only on the men who have received such training, 
 "but on society generally ; we find them serving the 
 
374 HISTORY OF CO-OPERATION IN SCOTLAND 
 
 public on school boards, on parish councils, on town 
 councils, aye, and in St Stephen's itself. All this has an 
 uplifting tendency ; the long unheard-of wants of the 
 people are being at last voiced by themselves, and in such 
 a manner that commands immediate respect and attention. 
 Thus, while the monetary gains are making the people 
 more comfortable and independent, its moral training 
 is leading them to interest themselves in the welfare of 
 others. Our hopes of the future are high, because we 
 have found a means which we believe will purify trade 
 and commerce, and give each and all at least equal 
 opportunities to live sober, peaceful, and industrious lives. 
 Then, with improved laws that are bound to come, men, 
 instead of being mere unthinking hewers of wood and 
 drawers of water, will become intelligent, interested 
 citizens, having the good of all at heart ; and although 
 great riches may be denied them individually, great 
 happiness will undoubtedly be theirs. 
 
 in the valiant man and free, 
 The eager heart, the kindlier hand ; 
 Ring out the darkness of the land, 
 Ring in the Christ that is to be." 
 
APPENDIX 
 
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. ^UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY, 
 BERKELEY 
 
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