Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1856-09-22

show no divided front"
MsacANriL. AosNctEs.-Ths privats
ms. ,utions Of New York are much bet.
ter managed than the public. OF the
former character for instance, are what
are called Mercantile Agencies. And /
sm told they do immense good; that
they have agencies 10 every city 10 the
Union. and in many cities Of Europe;
that their clerks can tell bow almost any
merchant. from Maine to California
stands by merely referring to their books.
The manner in which these agencies
secure their information j. quite likely
to insure accuracy, but they are BY no
means infsllible, and often DO grea in
Justice to the country tradsr.-Their
method 10 % follows:
They have in their employment, in ev-
cry considerable village in the country,
an agent who is 10 daily oorresp njence
With tho hesd-quarters 10 New York.
It 10 bic duty to inform his employers of
the amount Of real estate held BY each
trader In bis district membranes,
II any; whether be speculates, and II 90,
to . dangerous extent or otherwise;
, whether no 10 attentive to business, and
10 capable OF managing it; whether he
besrs good character for integrity IN
bic dealinRs, and promptness in bic pay
ments, 90. This informatio 10 record.
Cd on the books OF tho concern, and
while the country traders is making pur-
chases 10 New York house, . query Of
to bic business condition 10 sent to the
sRenoy, and the reply given. The ques-
ton Is asked-but how 10 the agent &c
inform himself Of the trader 10 respec,
to thess privacies- what are bic oporsu'
mites for prying 10 the business affairs
Of his neighbors, with whom be has ut
legitimate connecticut The answer 10
be makes it his duty daily, or a. OTTER
40 be deems necessity requires it, to vie
it the county clerk's Office, where b.
learns from the books what ave the con
neotions Of the trader with the real es
tate Of tho locality; he learns from th,
books Of the assessor the amount OF rea
and personal estate for which he 10 as
sesssd; he Keeps close watch on tn
doings Of the different courts, and note
down oil the judgments which are rem
dered; he 10 often on the stPeets, ant
with an eye slmost single to bis agenc
business, be tracks the trader, guesse
st his next movement, and II be canno
learn it for certainty, sets bis surmise
- . fact; he 10 cut late o'niehts,' drop
into restaurants and the various place
|, Of amusement, and although ap )srentl
the most indifferent observer Of men an
| kk:A.s fn - ,Aalst~ tkA oA.o-Ao.t i
brief, adopts any and every imaginabl
means to keep himstlf posted with re
esrd to every merchant in bis locality
Not one 10 free from bis inquisitoris
pursuit., and it 10 really surprising ho'
accurately he 10 informed of the bushes
standing Of those who have the grente,
reputation for being "close bushes
men," But although be 10 only occa
sionly guilty Of gross blunders, be of,e
does great injustice to the trader, 10 thi
wsv:
The trader never knows snyshin
about this inquisitorial businessi be b.
comes embarrassed, and the agent a.
prisss bis employers Of the fact immed
stely; in tho course Of time the trade
relieves bimself Of bic embarrsssment
AID 10 again prosperous, but the age,
often forgsts to inform bis employers {
that fact. he has informed them tn,
/ be Was embarrassed at such q time. az
. there the matter too often 10 allowed ,
rest, unless be 10 especially directed
, isform them Of the traders position
; second time, and, consequently, the tr,
der stands on the books Of the conceI
: forever, it may be, unless he ia sppris,
1 Of the fact, BY chance, ss doubtful. II
i. system, too, is lisbls to absuse. II
trader 10, to . certain extent, at the me
u ey Of the agent in his local ~. who b
. the power to misrepresent bic eonditio
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