XXV. Other New York Experiments

AMERICAN SOCIALISMS. CHAPTER XXV. OTHER NEvV YORK EXPERIMENTS. THE next on the list of the Confederated Associations of western New York, was THE BLOOMFIELD ASSOCIATION. We have but meager accounts of this experiment. Macdonald does not mention it. The P hala1tz of June [5, 1844, says that it commenced operations on the 15th of March in that year, on a domain of about five hun dred acres, mostly inlproved land, situated one Inile east of Honeoye Falls, in the Counties of Monroe, Livingston and Ontario; that it was in debt for its land about $ 11,000, and had 11> 35,000 of its subscriptions actually paid in; that it had one hUIldred and forty-eight resident n1clubers, and a large number more expecting to join, as soon as employment could be found for them. Two or three allusions to this Association occur afterward in the Phala1zz, congratulating it on its prospects, and men tioning good reports of its progress. Finally in the Harbinger, volume I, page 247, we find a letter from E.

D. Wight and E. A. Stillman, dated August 20, 1845, NEW YORK EXPERIMENTS. 297 defending· the Association against newspaper charges, and asserting its continued prosperity; but giving us the following peep into a complication of troubles, that probably brought it to its end shortly afterwards: " We are not fully satisfied with the tenor by which our real estate, under the existing laws, is obliged to be held. Conveyances, pursuant to legal advice, were made originally by the owners of each particular parcel, to the commi ttee of finance, in trust for the stockholders and members; and a power was executed by the stockholders to the committee, by which, under certain regulations, they were to have authority to sell and convey the san1e. The absurdity of the Statute of Trusts never having been licked into shape by judicial decisions, a close and unavailing search has since been instituted for the fugi tive legal title.

" Some counselors, learned in the law, find it in the committee of finance, as representatives of the Associa tion; others have discovered that it is vested in them as individuals; others still, of equal eminence, and equally intent on arriving at a true solution, find perhaps that it is in the cOlnmittee and stockholders jointly; while there are those who profess to find it in neither of these parties, but in the persons of whom the property was purchased, and to whom has been paid its full valuation! "In order to educe order out of this confusion of opinions, and to enable us to acquire, if possible, a less objectionable title, it has been proposed to petition the Chancellor for a sale, as a title from the court would be free from doubt." If this may be considered the end (as it probably was), it shows that the Bloomfield Association died, as the AMERICAN SOCIALISMS. Clarkson did, in a quarrel about its titles, and in the hands of the lawyers.

THE ONTARIO UNION. "This Association" says t~e Phalanx of June 1844, " commenced operations about two weeks since, in Hopewell, Ontario County, five miles from Canandaigua. They have purchased the mills and farm formerly owned by Judge Bates, consisting of one hundred and fifty acres of land, a flouring mill with five run of burr stones, and saw-mill, at $ 16,000. They have secured by subscrip tion, about one hundred and thirty acres of land in the immediate vicinity, which they are now working. To meet their liabilities Jor the original purchase, I am in fonned they have already a subscription which they believe can be relied on, amounting to over $ 4°,000. They have now upon the domain about seventy-five luembers. This institution has been able already to commence such branches of industry as will produce an immediate return, and as a consequence, will avoid the necessity of living upon thei~ capital. There is danger that their enthusiasm will get the better of their judgment in admitting members too fast."

The editor of the Phalanx visited this Association among others, in the fall of 1844, and gave the following cheerful account of it: " The whole number of resident members is one hun dred and fifty; fifty of whom are men, and upward of sixty children. We were greatly pleased with the earnest spirit which seemed to pervade this little Com tuunity. We thought we perceived among them a really religious devotion to the great cause in which they have embarked. This gave art unspeakable charm to their NEW YORK EXPERIMENTS. 299 rude, temporary dwellings, and lent a grace to their plain manners, far above any superficial elegance. We have no doubt that they will succeed in establishing a state of society higher even than they themselves anticipate, Of their' pecuniary success their present condition gives good assurance. We should think that, with ordinary prudence, it was entirely certain." We find nothing after this in the Plzalanx about this Association. Macdonald merely mentions a few such items as the date, place, etc., and concludes with the following terse epitaph: "It effected but little, and was of brief duration. No further particulars."

THE MIXVILLE ASSOCIATION was one of the group that radiated from Rochester, according to Mr. Greig; but we can find no account of it anywhere, except that it had not commenced opera tions at the time of the session of the Confederated Council; though a delegate from it was a menlber of that Council. How long it lived, or whether it lived at all, does not appear. THE JEFFERSON COUNTY PHALANX. This Association, though not proper! y a member of the group that radiated from Rochester, and somewhat remote from western New York, was named among the confederated Associations, and sent a delegate to the Bloomfield Council. Three notices of it occur in the Phalanx, which we here present. [From the Phalanx October 5, 1843.] "This Association has been commenced through the efforts, principally, of A. M. Watson, Esq., the President, who for some years past has been engaged in advocating )30 0 AMERICAN SOCIALISMS.

and disseminating the principles of Association in Watertown and that section of the State. There are over three hundred persons now on the domain, which consists of twelve or fifteen hundred acres of superior land, finely watered, and situated within two or three miles of Watertown. It is composed of several farms, put in by farmers, who have taken stock for their lands, and joined the Association. Very little cash capital has been paid in; the enterprise was undertaken with the subscription of property, real estate, provisions, tools, implements, &c., brought in by the members, who were principally farmers and mechanics in the neighborhood; and the result is an interesting proof of what can be done by union and combined effort among the produc ing classes. Different branches of manufactures have been established, contracts for building in Watertown have been taken, and an organization of labor into groups or squads, with their foremen or leaders, has been made to some extent. The agricultural department is prosecuted with vigor, and when last heard from, the Association was flourishing. We hope from this Association that perseverance and constancy-for it of course has many difficulties to contend with-which will insure success, and give another proof of the truth of the great principles of combined effort and united interests. "

[From the Phalanx, November 4, 1843.] "The following statement ftonl the Black River Journal of October 6th, exhibits the affairs of the ] efferson County Association in a gratifying light, and shows that so far it has been extremely prosperous and successful. The fact alone of a profit having been made, whether much or little, affords a strong proof of NEW YORK EXPERIMENTS. 3°1 the advantages of associated effort, Jor we apprehend that either farmers or mechanics working separately, would generally find it difficult to show a balance in their favor upon the settlement of their accounts. But a net profit of nearly thirteen thousand dollars, or twenty-five per cent. upon the capital invested, for the first six months that a small Association has been in operation, under circumstances by no means the most favorable, is striking and incontestable evidence of real prosperity. Before a great while we shall have many such cases to record.

ABSTRACT OF SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT. The first Semi-Annual Report of the property, expendit ures and proceeds of labor of the Jefferson County Industrial Association, was submitted to a meeting of the stockholders on Monday the 2d inst. Since the organization of the Association in April last, the real and personal property acquired by purchase and sub scription, has reached the amount of $ 54,832. 10 This is subject to reduction by the amount of subscribed property applied to the purchase of real estate . 5,458.28 Total property on hand $ 49,373.82 The aggregate product of the several departments of business, to Sept. 23d $ 20,3°1.67 Expense of same, including all purchases of goods and supplies . 7,33I.95 Net proceeds $12,969.72 Of this has been expended in improvement of buildings, making a brick-yard, and preparing summer fallows . 1,365.00 Balance on hand . <$ 11,604.72 This balance consists of agricultural products in store, 3°2 AMERICAN SOCIALISMS.

brick manufactured and now on hand, proceeds of jobbing contracts, earnings of mechanics' shops, etc. Published by order of the President and Board of Directors. Report of A. M Watson to the Confederate Council, May IS, 1844. "The Jefferson County Association has made its first annual statement, by which it appears that capital in that institution will receive a fraction over six per cent. interest. Owing to inattention to the principles of Association, and a defective and incomplete organiza tion of industry into groups and series, as well as to the fact that in the commencement much time is lost, labor in this institution fails to obtain its fair remuneration. Another circumstance which has operated to the disad vantage of labor, is, that no allowance has been made in its favor, in the annual settlement, for working dresses. These facts are conclusive, to my mind, that the disad vantages of improper or inadequate organization in all institutions, will be even more injurious to labor than to capital.

" This institution commenced operations without the investment of much, if any, cash capital, and they now are somewhat embarrassed for want of such means. A subscription to their stock of two thousand dollars in cash, or a loan of that an10unt for a reasonable time, for which good security could be given, would, in my opinion, place them in a situation to carryon a very profitable business the ensuing year. If this obstacle can be surmounted, I know of no institution of better promise than this. This would seem to be but a small matter; hut when the fact is considered that they are located in the midst of a community which sympathizes but little in the movement, while many exert themselves NEW YORK EXPERIMENTS. 3°3 to increase the embarrassment by decrying their respon sibility, it will readily be seen that their situation is unenviable. Their responsibility, when cOlTIpared with that of most business concerns in the country, is more real than that of a majority of business men who are considered perfectly solvent. Considering the difficul ties and embarrassments through which they have already struggled, I have strong confidence in their ulti mate success. The whole number of members will not vary much at this time, from one hundred and fifty.

They have reduced, by sale, their lands to about eight hundred acres, and I refer you to the annual report for further information as to their liabilities." We perceive in the depressed tone of this report, as well as in the reduction of numbers and land which it exhibits, that decline had begun and failure was impend ing. Nothing more is said in the Phalanx about this Association, except that it sent a delegate to a socialistic convention that met in New York City on the 7th of October, 1844. We have to fall back, as usual, on Macdonald, for the summing-up and final moral. He says: H After a few lTIonths, disagreements among the men1bers became general. Their means were totally inadequate; they were too ignorant of the principles of Association; were too lunch crowded together, and had too luany idlers among them. There was bad man agement on the part of the officers, and some were suspected of dishonesty. As times grew better, many of those who joined on account of hard times, got employment and left; and many more thought they could do better in the world again, and did the same AMERICAN SOCIAL ISMS.

thing. The only aid they could get in their difficulties, was from stock subscriptions, and that was not much. Men who invested actual property sustained heavy losses. One farmer who involved his farm, lost nearly all he possessed. After existing about twelve months the land was sold to pay the debts, and the Association disbanded." THE MOORHOUSE UNION is mentioned in the first number of the Phalanx, . October 1843, as one among the many Associations just starting at that time. Macdonald gives the following account of it : "This experiment originated in the offer of a grant of land by A. K. Moorhouse, of Moorhouseville, Hamilton County, New York, who owned 60,000 acres of land in the counties of Hamilton, Herkimer and Saratoga. As most of this land was situated in what is called the 'wil derness of New York,' he could fi nd few persons who were willing to purchase and settle the inhospitable wild. Under these circumstances he offered to the Socialists as luuch of 10,000 acres as they might clear in three years, hoping that an Association would build up a village and form a nucleus around which individuals and Associations might settle and purchase his lands.

"The offer was accepted by an Association formed in New York City, and several capitalists promised to take stock in the enterprise; but none was ever paid for. In May 1843, Mr. Moorhouse arrived at Piseco from New York, with a company of pioneers, who were soon followed by others, and the \vork commenced. The locality chosen at Lake Piseco was situated about five miles. from Lake Pleasant, the county seat, a village of NE\V YORK EXPERIMENTS. eight or nine houses and a court-house. On the arrival of the party it was found that Mr. Moorhouse had made some improvements, which he was willing to exchange for $2,000 of stock in the Association. This was agreed to. He also engaged to furnish provisions, tools etc., and take his pay in stock. The land on which the Association commenced its labors was a gift from Mr Moorhouse; but the· improvements which consisted of 120 acres of cleared land with a few buildings, was accepted as stock at the above valuation.

"The money, property and labor were put into common stock. Labor was rated at fifty cents per day, no matter of what kind. A store was kept on the premises, in which articles were sold at prime cost, \vith an allowance for transportation, &c. By the constitution the melnbers were entitled to scrip representing the excess of 'wages over the amount of goods received from the store; or, in other words, laborers became stock holders in proportion to that excess. No dividends \vere to be declared for the first five years. "The persons thus congregated to carry out the principles of Association [nunlber not stated], belonged to a variety of occupations; but it appears that but few of them were adapted to the wants of the Community. Some of the members were intelligent and moral people; put the majority were very inferior. No property qualifications were necessary to admission. It appears that men1bers were obtained by an agent, who took indiscriminately all he could get. The most common religious belief among them was Methodist; but a large proportion of them. did not profess any religion, and some were what is commonly called infidels.

"Though the persons congregated here had left but 306 AMERICAN SOCIALISMS. humble homes and poor circumstances generally, yet the circumstances now surrounding thelTI were worse than those they had left, and as a natural consequence there was a deterioration of character. Not having formed any organization in the city, as is custonlary in such experiments, they received no aid from without; and the want of this aid does not appear to have insured success, as some enthusiastic Socialists have imagined that it would; but on the contrary a most signal failure ensued. "The leading persons \vere Mr. Moorhouse and a relative of his named Brown. The former furnished every thing and turned it in as stock. The latter kept the store and the accounts. The members do not appear to have been acquainted with the mode in which either the stor~ or books were kept. " At the commencement, when they were sufficiently supplied from the store, they agreed tolerably well; but during the latter period of the experiment, when Mr.

Moorhouse began to be slack in buying things for the members, there was a good deal of disagreement. The store was nearly always empty, and when anything was brought into it, there was a general scramble to see who should get the most. This, as a matter of course, produced much jealousy and quarreling. All kinds of suspicions were afloat, and it was generally r~ported that the executive, including the store-keeper, fared better than the rest. " Some work was done, and some improvements were made upon the land. Rye and potatoes were planted, al1d probably consumed. The experiment existed a few months, and then by degrees died away."

NEW YORK EXPERIMENTS. 3°7 The following from a person who took part in the experiment, will give the reader a nearer view of the causes of the failure: "The population congregated at Piseco was com posed of all nations, characters and conditions; a rnotley group of ill-assorted materials, as inexperienced as it was heterogeneous. We had some specimens of the raw material of human nature, and some of New York manufacture spoiled in the making. There were philosophers and philanthropists, bankrupt merchants and broken-down grocery-keepers; officers who had retired from the Texan army on half-pay; and some who had retired froln situations in the New York ten-pin alleys. There were all kinds of ideas, notions, theories, and whims; all kinds of religions; and some persons without any. There was no unanimity of purpose, or congeniality of disposition; but there was plenty of discussion, and an abundance of variety, which is called the spice of life. This spice however constituted the greater part of the fare, as we sometimes had scarcely anything else to eat.

" At first we were pretty well off for provisions; but soon the supplies began to be reduced; and in Novem ber the list of luxuries and necessaries commenced with rye and ended with potatoes, with nothing between 1 .l\S the supplies were cut off, the number of members decreased. They were starved out. But of course the starving process was slower in those cases where the individuals had not the means of transportation back to the white settlements. When I left the' promised land' in March 1844, there were only six families retnaining. I had determined to see it out; but the state of things was so bad, and the prospects ditto, that I could stand 30 8 AMERICAN SOCIALISMS. it no longer. I thought the whole would soon fall into the hands of Mr. Moorhouse, and I could not afford to spend any more time in a cause so hopeless. I had given nine months' time, was half starved, got no pay, had worn out my clothes, and had my best coat borrowed without leave, by a man who went to New York some time before. This I thought might suffice for one experiment. I left the place less sanguine than when I went there that Associations could succeed without capital and without a good selection of mem bers. Yet my belief was as firm as ever in the coming abolition of conflicting interests, and the final harmo nious reconstruction of society."

Here ends the history of the Fouder Associations in the State of New York. The Ohio experiments come next.