Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-12-20
LITERARY CADET
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 20.


PEpLARs.- We understand that il is the in
tcn,ion OF a number Of our citizens 10 present,
at the next session of the Legislature, a pc
tition for tho increase Of the sum now paid by
pedlars as n %licence. The evils attendant, up
on the system Of hawking goods about street.
and carrying them from house 10 house, be-
como moro apparent overy day il is suffered TO
continue and we believe public good demands
its suppression. The persons who thus travel
about, have no motive to be honest = no into
rest 10 trade fairly no character 10 lose BY
bargain. They can sell cheaper, became they
pcncss arc smaller than those OF a regular
dealer. But when NO say they can soil cheap
or, wc do moi say they do sell cheaper. On the
contrary. IT is the candid opinion Of tlioso who
have looked well to this matter, that ~i,incrant
vendors, although they may aba.e in price in
somo inferior articles, for tho purpose of de-
ceiv:ng the buyer, yet, on al average, they
get more for thor goods than the regular deal
or, who 10 known, and has a character to lose.
Yet they can compete, md in some Instances
have sold before tho very door Of a dry-goods
merchant, ten per cent less than tho occupant
Of the store could, and make n living profit.
The Pedlar makes it a point to trade with
women and cbildren-they so calculate their
visits, that the master Of tho house shall be alb
sent, and by an apparent show Of choapness
md durability, they seldom fail to cheat those
who buy. to a greater or a less extent. lie is
generally from a di.,ancc-with those with
whom ho trades he is una acquainted; and when
she fraud is detected, 10 not 10 be found, or il he
is found = who thinks Of restitution from an un-
known hawhsr. Tho whole object of a pedlar
Is 10 make what he can out Of the public ; for
tins purpose he losvcs his home, his family,
his neighbors, md his conscience-the sooner
no can accomplish the end at which hc aims
tho better ; no matter what sacrifices of prin-
cipae he is compelled TO mako I; no matter
how many enemies are created, or how many
curses are drawn Town upon his head. He
has calculated all these evils before nc CON-
menced his occupation-ho considered the sa-
crifice bef"ro he counted the gain, and under
all, he decided TO go on. At home, perhaps,
he would 30 as honest as other men /; but at
home he is not, aud no only looks a, the mo.
tive which called him away.
Tho regular dc,!cr in every article, makes
his bargains with the wife or the child, as he
vyn,IlI pifh thu u,aefor IF thu Ion, IL.
trades to-day as he will be willing 10 acknow.
lodge he did Tomorrow. lie transports no,
his store on his back from place to place ; but
his customers know where to end him, to buy
again. if they have been treated fairly, or to
kaow the reason why, if they have been irca-
ted unfairly. HIS neieabors are around him
he fills a place in society which will not per-
nit him 10 be dishonest, If he would-and the
duty he owes to his family and himself, de-
mands a correct course Of conduct. But if he
will disregard all these incentives to morality,
he mce's his punishment, at once, in public
neglect.
Pedling, which a few years ago was con-
fined 10 4 fcw articles o. merchant 20, is nov
extended to almost every Thing. A travelling
cabinet warehouse is no new thing, and a ira
Yelling grocery store quite common. Every
article Of necessity or Of luxury, is thus car
red about for speculation, and sold in every
street. And many persons whose means
would not lot them 60 into a store and pur-
chase. are induced to buy because they can
got them cheap. whom IN the end they find
themselves most egregiously deceived. Wives,
in tho ab<soee Of their husbands, are tempted
10 ,pend their last penny for what they do no,
want. aad daughters, in the absence Of their
mo,hers. give away their money for what, if il
was an equivalent, they do not need.
These are but a few Of the evils which the
practice Of Pedling entails upon The public I;
and il kto be hoped that the subject will re-
ceivs The carly attention Of the Csncral As
scmbIy.
CoAssrs AND COMETS TAILs.-WondeT-