France. Replica (commemorative token) 20 Francs Marengo, “L`ITALIE DÉLIVRÉE A MARENGO”

Le Progres cooperative was founded on the summer solstice on June 21, 1886 by Émile Herman*, a molder in Fayt, Jules Mansart, a miner in Jolimont, Philibert Maréchal*, packer (of glassware) in Jolimont, Théophile Massart, blacksmith in La Hestre , Camille Selvais*, planer in Familleureux, Jules Stracmans, miner in Fayt, Jean-Baptiste Thomas, miner in Hestre. They constitute the first board of directors. Théophile Massart, unemployed, becomes managing director. They enjoy the support of the People and the POB General Council. This new cooperative will be the center of the democratic socialist movement in the Center basin. About fifty cooperatives set to work developing the land and erecting new buildings. “Working in the classroom” - that`s what this is all about.

The match is not yet won. The Federation of Central Workers` Leagues, which has largely followed Defuisseaux and joined the Republican Socialist Party (PSR), has criticized the project, which threatens to muzzle the working class and does not devote all its profits to propaganda. Paradoxically, the Federation`s leadership is trying to take control of the cooperative, massively recruiting supporters to control it. Without success. Some, along with opponents in the cooperative, formed L`Avenir des Travailleurs, a rival bakery in Baume, near Haine-Saint-Pierre, in May 1890 (Victor Duby, Hector Evrard, etc.). She didn`t live long and in 1901 her estate was taken over by Le Progres.
Source: www.maitron.fr (article152846)