The Express.
London, England, 1868-02-20 00:00:00

(ME. GLADSTONE ON THE 004YEBATIVI
movatext. •

TO ?a 111DITO1 OP TIM =rum
10, Borough, February 19.
STR,—Will you kindly afford space in your
Journal for insertion of the enclosed correepondenee
May we venture to commend very earnestly to the rt•taii
trade the immediate adoption of Mr. Gladstone's=
tine, which is in fact the custom la the wholesale
• lized term of reedit, discount for pampa payment, and
• charge for interest after the aapiration of the credit !
We are, tun, JONES, EMON, and BARTER.

16, Borough, &E., Feb. 13,1863.

To the Right Honorable W. E. Gladitone.—Sir,—Wo
apologise for the liberty of addressing you but our object
is to solicit your attention to the growth of the co-opera-
tive movement, which is at present causing some anxiety
to the retail trade, and is operating prejudicially to their
interests. That width has obtained most prominence is
the "Civil Service oe-operative Story" partly from the
noticeof it in the newspapers, but chic ey from the high
rank in life of many who further the scheme. A conside-
rable feeling of irritation has arisen in consequence, and
is rapidly spreading among the trading clam. It is felt
that the Civil Service, which costs the country so much,
and the estimates for which have grown so rapidly of late
years, are doing their utmost to destroy the trader alto-
, gether ; that in fact they are becoming traders, although
retaining their situations at the country's cost, and it is
I asked, if this goes on—How is the trader to meet the
heavy taxation he has to bear ? Many eyes are turned to
you, in the hope that you may see fit to use your great
influence in the corrcotion of the tendency to which we
have referred, which is being viewed with great anxiety
by many, and which is probably doing more than any
movement has yet done to set alien minuet clear—sus evil
! which as lovers of our country we greatly deprecate.—
' We remain, your obedient servant',
JoNts, EVISON, coA BARTEL

11, Carlton-haase•ternee, Feb. 18.

Gentlemen,—l cannot wonder either on tut one hand
that consumers should endeavour to adopt moans for buy-
ing in the cheapest market, or that tradesmen should feel
sore when their regular mean' of an honourable livelihood
seem likely to be impaired. It is scarcely likely that the
fundamental law, so to call it, of society which has given
the retail trader, or distributor of commodities, his place in
' it ever since it was organised, is erroneous ; and if so, the
tendency at any given moment to replace tl impotent
class by a contrivance for the purpose may indicative
of some defect, removal of which would rest re things to
their natural course. I speak even without she authority
of • private housekeeper, for my engagements do not
allow me to give due and proper attention tothose matters.
But I have the impression that there is a prevailing vice in
the practice of retail trade, which might be cured—l mean
the system of dealing upon long credits, and of allowing no
' discount for ready-money payments. This system prevails,
I :believe, in most trades connected with the supply of
familial', and with many other traders of this great metro-
polis. Long credits mean largo loans by men in business
out of their trading capital to men out of business. These
loans must be paid for at the rates usually current for
trading capital, which are of course lugh. here we have
a total inversion of the natural order, which is that men
in business should be borrowers from and not lenders to
men out of business. This system also aggravates the risk
. of bad debts, which form an additional charge to • good
debtor ; and it is connected with • general irre-
f celerity and uncertainty which must also be
paid for. Ido not doubt that we, the consumers,
are much in fault. But I cannot help thinking
that traders are in fault also, and that much might be
done by a vigorous effort and by combination among
traders in favour of ready-money dealings, either abso-
lutely or as encouraged by discounts. As you state that
others as well as yourselves are disposed to appeal to me
in this matter, although I have no specific to propose, I
am quite willing that, if you think fit, you should give
publicity to this letter.—l remain, gentlemen, your obe-
dient servant, W. E. GLADarOtill.
Messrs. Jones, Belson, and Barter.

MARKET&

TALLOW.—WIDMISDAT Itessnro.—Ths mei* deiei
steady, at 425., spot and Marsh • 425. 1•425. 3dApd
to Jane ; and 435. X, October to

LEATHER.—During the past week the trade in leather
has boon generally quiet. On Tuesday at Lamle:dull then
wss a fair supply of fresh goods, but the demand wm
batted, and only a moderate amount of business ...I
tranasesed. Light Boglish butts, light dressing
shared hides, shoulders, and English horse hides continuo
soars% and are la request at late prima

COTTON—Lixeltrool. Fn. 19.--Strong market al
Id. adranos. Estimated sake to-day 20,000 bales, 14,
eluding 8,000 Apesulation end export. 10,000 Amenmu.
9d. to 11d.; 800 Perham, La. 10d. to 114 d. ; God
Elates 9jd. to 10d.; 200 Mariam. 104 d. to 101 d, ;
1,600 119tlaa, 10Id. to 14d. ; 200 Smyrna, 61d. to .
108 Peen, Oid. ; 6,990 Surat, 7d. to 9.4 d. ; 44.dru,74:
to 0. ,• Bengal, Made do., Id. to Bd. Fair Dhollersb.
; fair Oomrawuttes, 81d. • fair Broach, 81,1“ hig
I &mai, 7Ad. ; fair Eaptian, ; fair Perham, 10Id, ;
middling Bowed', 9jd. ; middling Orleans, 10;d.

CORN.—Borrrow, Fan. 19.—A small supply of pain et
our market. Wheat met a good demand at Ia advance
on the price of this day mennight. Beans and oats scams,
and Is. dearer. Wheat, red, U.. to 765. ; white, 77§. to
81s.; beans, 4S• to 51s. ; cats, 23e. to 33a. per qr.
GLAIWOW Fan. 19.—This day's market was thinly at.
tended, and the demand for wheat limited, an advance rig
6d. per boll on American and Black Sea qualities being re.
paired, which checked the sale. Baltic wheat continued
neglected. Sack flour was held at 6d. higher, but Annt.
can was offered at former prices. Oats and oatmeal on.
changed. Barley firm. Egyptian beans met a free sale,
at about 6d. per boll under last quotations. Peas and
Indian corn unaltered.

CATTLE.—Sourmax, Fre. 19.—The trade wu shek
for beasts to-day, but brisk for other things. Beef made
from 3s. 4d. to ss. ; mutton, 4s. to ss. 4d.; real, Is, r,d,
sinking the

COAL& —Loirpow, Fts. 19.—Cowpen
E Hartley, 1:n. Ga.;
Walker Primrose, lls. Gd.; Wylam, 15a. 3d.; Eden lima;
15a. 63.; Walls nd Braddylls, 15e. ; Walls End
Haswell, 17a. Gd. ; Walls End Hatton, 17s. 641; Was
End Hatton Lyons, 15a. ; Walls End Russell's Hatton,
13s. 9d. ; Walls End South Hatton, 17a. , Walls End,
Tanstall, 15s. ; Walls End Camp, 16s. 3d.; Walls End
Caradoo, 16s. Gd.; Walla End Hartlepool, 15a 9d. ; Walls
End Heugh Hall, 161. 3d.; Walls End Kelloe, Ott -
Walla End East Hartlepool, 16s. 93.; Walls ETA Tee;
17a.; Walls End Thorpe, Lis.—Shipe at market, 6.;, sold, _"J,