8TATE GRANGE OF ILLINOIS. 09 



shares of one pound each, to bring into operation the following plans and 

 arrangements: 



' 1st. The establishment of a store for the sale of provisions, clotliing, 

 etc. 



'2d. Tlie 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 

 dftermine upon, for the employinont of such members as maj' be out of 

 employment, or wlio may be suHering in consequence of repeated reduc- 

 tions in their wages. 



'As a further benefit and security to the members of this Society, the 

 Society shall purcliase, rent an estate or estate of land, which shall be 

 cultivated by the members who may be out of emi)i<)yment, or whose 

 labor may be badly remunerative. 



' 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-supporting home colony of united interests, or 

 assist other societies in establishing such colonies. 



' In the month of October, 1844, the Rochdale Equitable Pioneer 

 Society was registered ; and in December following, with a membership 

 of about twenty-eight, and a capital of about $140, the store was opened. 

 Having expended half the sum for fixtures, the working capital was 

 reduced to about $70, and the goods purchased therewith were exhibited 

 for sale on the opening night.' " 



For the description of the effect produced upon those living in the 

 vicinity of the store, we again quote Mr Holyoke: 



"And on one desperate evening, (the 2l8t of December, 1844,) the Equit- 

 able Pioneers commenced business; and tlie few who remember the com- 

 mencement, look back upon their present opulence and success with a 

 smile at their extraordinary opening-day. It had got wind among the 

 tradesmen of the town, that tlieir competitors were in the field, and many 

 a curious eye was that day. turned up ' Toad Lane,' looking for the appear- 

 ance ot the enemy; but, like other enemies of more historic renown, they 

 were rather shy of appearing. A few of tlie co-operators had clandes- 

 tinely assembled to witness tlieir own denouement; and there they stood, 

 in the dismal, lower room <if the warelumse, like the conspirators under 

 Guy Fawkes in the Parliamentary cellars, debating on whom should 

 devolve tlie temerity of taking down the shutters and displaying their 

 humble preparations. One did not like tn do it, and another did not like 

 to be seen in the .shop icfien it was done. However, having gone so far, 

 there was no choice but to go further, and at length, one bold fellow, 

 utterly reckless of consequences, rushed :it the shutters, and in a few 

 minutes '^ Toad Lane' was in a titter. On tliat night the b<>ys came out 

 in full force in Toad Lane; peeping with ridiculous impertinence round 

 the corners, ventilating their opinion at tlie top of their voices; inspect- 



