Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1853-11-24

I nave always uCbtCA appearance, IN 8
: well lighted spacious sales-roOm; and
long rows of occupied warehouses Of
such character, give to city an air of
business, that is magnetical in its at
traction of trade; while warehouses Of
a reverse architecture, give a dull,
sombre. sleepy look that is repulsive to
buyers.
No one can fail to perceive the effect
a row Of business houses on both sides
of Fifth street, Wood street, or Market
street, of similar appearance to the
building of the Messrs. Mason, would
have in assisting the natural flow of
business to this point, and in detsin-
ing here those who purpOsed going
farther. 1t may be weakness, but we
believe it is generality, that merchants
would rather buy Of heavy house,
than of small one; even where prices
and all things else are equal; and with
this goes also love of business hustle,
and excitement that leads many to pur-
chase where such things prevail, and to
turn their backs on the proffers of dull,
dark, sleepy-looking establishments
We mention these things as some Of
the generalities of trade, and we believe
the experience of most business men
will bear US out, and relying upon this,
we feel free to argue that great as has
been the natural flow of business to
this point, if the same enterprise and
taste that have been exhibited by the
Messrs. Mason had been used by all of
our builders of houses for mercantile
purposes, Pittsburgh would have had
so increased reputation as a city.
abroad, that the tide of its prosperity
would have been increased four-fold.
The building of the Messrs. Mason,
which we desire to see rivaled by all
future builders of warehouses, and
stores in this city, comprises in great
degree those essentials of useful archi-
lecture, light and ventilation. One
hundred and forty feet long, and four
stories high, it is reared with much
beauty of style. and convenience of
construction. The exterior is too well
known to our citizens and visitors to
need description. The interior is ad-
mirsbly arranged, each floor being
devoted to particular business, from
the domestics in the cellar to the extern
sive manufactory of bonnets and cloaks
on the fifth floor. The building is
heated by two large furnaces in the
basement. There is also in the cellar
well-ftted bathroom for the con-
venience of the employees. Water is
carried to each story, which is also sup
piled with wash-rooms and other con-
veniences, and sky-lights of Bremen
Glass give to the whole interior a
bright, cheerful appearance.
The number of employees to trans
act the business of the establishment IS
about fifty, of which some twenty-five
are women. In the employment of
female assistants, the Messrs. Mason
have been very successful, and have
set an example that will do more for
woman's rights than fifty Women's
Conventions. The firm expressed
themselves greatly pleased with the
fidelity and attentiYeness of their female
employees, and remarked to us upon
their peculiar uprightness Of dealing,
which rendered them very valuable as
clerks in houses where, as in theirs,
the one price system is adopted and
adhered to; from the fact that where
there is sliding scale of prices, sales
women will invariably go at once to the
lowest price, induced thereto by the
natural honest and uprightness of prin-
ciple belonging to their character
while sales men will, where such a sys-
tenn is the rule of the shop, obtain bet
ter prices, from a greater amount OF
pliability in managing a customer, and
tact in Judging of human nature. The
compliment appears to be almost evenly
balanced-the one having great SIN
cerity, and the other stronger aPprecia-
ton of human nature.
1t will not be inappropriate to ex-
press in closing these remarks, wish
that the new buildings upon Market
street, now being erected, had been .
built with entire iron fronts. The lower
story fronts presented very beautiful
appearance; and we were congratula-
ting ourselves upon the fine appearance
the buildings would present, when
carried up three or four stories with the
same material, and in the same style.-
We are sorry to see they are to be
finished in brick. Other citit have
beautiful buildings, with iron fronts,
and Pittsburgh should not be the last
10 use one Of her own staples in so
ornamental a manner. We hope some
of our builders will have the good taste
to commence so laudable an enterprise
by erecting row of iron fronts. No
material offers such opportunity for
architectural display. from its suscepta-
bility to be moulded into any desired
form. Who, among our master-build-
ers. will be the first TO so adorn the city
and give TO our manufacturers a new
and heavy branch of business in the
casting of iron fronts, in the choicest
styles Of architecture?
Mrs. Gaines contrsdicts the statement