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140 METHODS OF SOCIAL REFORM.
The first of theee, no doubt, is sufficient to prevent the
workman being much below the average of efficiency, but it
cannot do more. Ths second is a powerful incentive where
an smploymont allows of many grades, and promotion is free
and depends on merit. In many of the ordinary handicraft
employments, however, both these motives are to a great
extent relaxed by tho regulations of the unions which favour
tho equal payment of all moderately efficient workmen, and
yield a strong support to those mho are in their opinion
wrongfully dismissod. The third motive is really operative to
a greater extent than me should suppose, but is not one that
we can oxpcct to trust to. The fourth motive-direct interest
in the work donois entirely excluded by the present mode of
payment, which lcnves all profit t,o tho master. It is upon
thin rnotive that tl~e partnership principle depends. So far,
indeed, is tho principle from being a new one, that it lies at
the basis of nll ordinary relntions of trade and private enterprise.
The very opponent of indust,riaI partnerships argues
upon the ground that the emplopr must have all the profit
because it is requisite to compensate him for all the trouble
and skill expended in management; in short, that he must
have powerful self-interest in the matter. But it may be
eafely answered that the men have so many opportunities of
benefiting the work of a large factory, and they have so many
means of injuring it by strikes and contentions, that it is
entirely to the interest of the employer to buy their exertions
and goodwill with a share of profits.
Though I have spoken of this scheme as an innovation, it
is only so as regards the larger branches of trade. All that
is proposed is to extend to other trades what has long been
found absolutely indispensable in special trades. In the
whaling trade, in fishing, and in the Cornish mining system,
a8 Mr. Babbage pointed out ;* in American trading-ships, and
somo other instances noticed by Mr. Mill in his remarks upon
the subject ;t in the form of co-operation adopted in the Welsh
a ’‘ Economy of Manufactures,” p. 2.59.
t “principles of Political Eoonomy.” Book IV., chsp. vii., aec. 5,
3rd 4.) vol. If., p. 335.