Democratic Sentinel, Volume 18, Number 7, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 March 1894 — A SOCIALIST VILLAGE. [ARTICLE]

A SOCIALIST VILLAGE.

Ono la Now Being Established in the State of Michigan. A village is being established on • tract of land not far from Grand Blanc, Mich., which will be governed on purely socialistic principles. The members will every one engage in labor, the proceeds of which will, at the end of each year, be divided according to the necessity of each. No one will ever be in want of wo.'k, as industry is one of the first requisites for members of the community. In religious or political opinions each member can satisfy himself so long as he complies with the usagesof enlightened people generally. The pecuniary qualification necessary for joining the community is the payment of SIOO into the common fund by each head of a family. At present this membership numbers 211 families. The fund amounts to $21,000. Four hundred and fifteen acres are now owned by the community. A basket factory has been already established, and a broom factory and large dairy are now being built. From all over the country applications have been made for membership, and it is believed that many more will yet join the community. Every care is taken, of course, to enroll only and worthy persons; if oth./s, by chance, should be taken in they will be dismissed after proof is given of their unsuitability. The community is being formed by S. 8. Gibson, to whose father the large estate thus used originally belonged. The place will be called Gibsonville and promises, in return, to become a large and successful expositor of socialistic doctrine.