Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1850-07-19
Western NechanicS--PriceS, sc.

The question is frequently asked why
it is that the various products of mechan-
les shops can be brought from the east
and sold at lower price than they can be
manufactured in the west. That the va
rious articles of boots and shoes, clothing,
hats, &c. sc. are manufactured in the
eastern states. sold to the wholesale mer-
chant, by him to the retailer, and then
brought to this market, and afforded to
consumers, latter each person through
whose hands they have passed has receiy-
cd his profts,) at lower prices than the
mechanics in the west can afford to sell
such articles as they manufacture, is fact
that admits Of no doubt But why is it
so, IS the question. Why cannot the tai
lor or the shoemaker of Mineral Point
afford the wares Of his own manufacture
at as loT prices as the tailor or shoemaker
Of Boston, New York, Lowell, or any 9TH
or eastern city
In answer, we would say, in the first
place, if the mechanics in this place
should attempt to dispose of articles of
their own manufacture, of similar quail
ty with very large portion of those
brought from the east, they would be re-
tanned upon his hands and pronounced
unfit for use, even if sold at prices cor
responding with the quality, and he would
be considered as unworthy of patronage.
Again; 1t is a well known fact, that in
all branches of business, the more extern
sive the sales, the less profits are required
to make living business. To Illustrate
We're we called upon to print a single
copy Of tie New Testament, the expense
to Us would be some hundreds of dollars;
whereas, if we were to have sale for seve-
raj thousands, they could be afforded at
bat few cents each So with every
branch of business, though not perhaps to
go great an extent A merchant whose
sales amount to but FIVE dollars a day,
certainly cannot afford his goods at as low
prices a. him whose sales amount to as
many hundreds. Each has his rent to
pay, family to support, sc, and, as mat
ter OF course, the one who sells FIVE hun
dred dollars worth a day at low profits,
comes out far ahead of him who sells but
i've dollars at high profits, So with the
mechanic Give to the shoemakers of
Mineral Point the sales Of all the boots
and shoes brought to this market. with
equally good pay as is received by the
eastern manufacturer, and, our word for
it, he would afford better article than
those brought from the east, at equally
low prices. And so with all other
branches Of business Nor would the
profits Of large sales be conferred alone to
the manufacturer more workmen would
be required, and a corresponding increase
IN business Of all branches would be the
result Farmers would find more ready
sales for their produce, merchants for
goods, and every branch of industry
would receive an impetus heretofore un-
known in this place The money that is
sent off to enrich other places, would be
kept among US, and each class Of society
would be a mutual benefit to all others.
We see no reason, in fact there is no
good reason, why every article of mechan-
les wear, used to any extent in this place,
cannot be manufactured as well and sold
A. cheap in Mineral Point as in any other
place. All that is necessary to bring
about such a state Of things, Is to Sup
port Home Industry" and home indus
try will support you.