CO-OPERATION IN THE UNION. 233 



convening the board of directors. Such a narrow and 

 contracted policy is almost sure to result disastrously. It 

 is evidence of the incapacity of the directors. If you 

 think your manager is going to steal, or don' t understand 

 his business, discharge him and get one in whom you have 

 confidence. If you can't find such a man you had better 

 employ yourselves to run the business. If the plan given 

 is adopted, and the people are thoroughly in earnest and 

 secure a good manager, restricted with a liberal code of 

 rules, there need be no fear whatever of its success. The 

 outsider is benefited by the low price of goods, and every 

 member, whether a stockholder or not, is interested in 

 giving the enterprise the largest volume of trade possible. 

 This plan will suit those who are cautious and hesitating, 

 as they can take it in broken doses until their constitution 

 will stand larger ones. It gives them a chance to test the 

 efficacy of co-operation without any risk or responsibility. 

 It will be a true test of the sincerity of those who make 

 loud professions of being " Agricultural Wheelers, " and 

 apostles of co-operation. It will lay bare the selfish ambi- 

 tion of those who have an u axe to grind." If it is desired 

 to establish an enterprise on a different basis, one in which 

 the stockholders alone shall share the profits of the busi- 

 ness, we give below a form of articles of association for 

 that purpose. 



ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION, 



Of Co-operative Society, County of 



State of 



Section i. The object of this Association shall be to 

 buy and sell goods, wares and merchandise, perform and 

 transact a general mercantile business. 



Sec. 2. This association shall have the power to sue 

 and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer and be 

 answered, to make a common seal, to alter or break the 



