Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1856-03-27
NUMBER A5.

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CrOwther will interfere with the Dr.'s mis-
sion to your country.
WITH very few exceptions nearly the whole
OF our journals weekly and monthly. are re.
viewing IN terms Of highest commendation. a
sermon preached before our Queen and Prince
Aioerb duung their recent brief soiourn In
Scotland, by the Rev. IT, Laird. and has since
published by command of her Majesty. The
sermon costs Is. OF 24 cents. and has had a
sale Of upwards of 60O00 copies. MIR. Laird
has netted profits already amounting to f7Oo
or $500 which, however. he has noblv De-
voted to the erection Of a Female Industrial
/ School IN his own parish. Your correspond
ent has not heard Mr. Laird. but those who
have describe him as a second DR.. Chalmers
and that since He disruption of the Scottish
Church IN - IS 20 such preacher has appear
ei m the p1 |1cf ScotIaa1's Kirk
sH sESTINEz
cOMxE6ciAl- Aefsa1'1s >lfile last number.
OF the New York Independent contains the
following able article from the pen Of Mr..
Bowen, Of fhe leading silk house of BowES.
McNAMEE d Co. The Mercantile OF Com
mereial Agency was established in New
York, IN 1871, by LEWIS TAPPAx, who was.
succeeded by ARTHUR TAPPAx and BrSs.
DOUGLASS. Under the skillful business man.
agement Of these gentlemen, the Agency has
become thoroughly organized institution in
every county of the country. The TAPpASs
have sold ont and retired from business. the
Agency being now conducted by B. Doue-
LASS d CO.. who have branches in twelve
cities of the United States. Their business
makes them perhaps the most extensive or
ganization in the country.
Several small agencies have been startea IN
New York and elsewhere, in imitation of the
house of DOUGLASS & Co, but none of them
have met with much success. One of them
has partner Of the name of TAPPAN, a
young man from Ohio, who is sometimes
confcunded with his celebrated namesakes.
We commend this article to our mercan-
tile readers.
No mercantile firm, however well IL NAV he
acquainted with It's customers. can afford to de.
prlFe Itself OF the important information 10 he
obtained at these agencies. Every step taken
independent OF them is dangerous. We should
as soon think Of sailing ship full freighted
INTO New York harbor without pilot, as to
continue business without the everyday knowl
edge they imPart. Not protesting TO be infal
libie, they possess advantages superior To anv
other system vet introduced
commercial agency is n business record
oihee, where all the details are gathered in re-
sMc 10 me character, capital. capacity and so
ciai standing Of business men ia all sections of
the country. These institutions are valuable
lhey frequently warn the city creditor OF
danger TO his interests in some distant part of
the country, and furnish hin, with facilities for
protection.
They warn against irresponsible and frandu
ie"t traders, often tracing them from State to
State and recording their movements in each
locality.
They aid the solvent country merchant in
giving him credit, and the city merchant in
selecting his customers llius acting s.sa valus-
bic means OF Introducing buse -aild SoiieIs 10
They are d,simteresied refsrenoes for the
country merchant, Tor il is impossible TO find
any business IN which honesty and interest are
more thoroughly blended
They throw difficulties in the way Of rash
speculation and oycuGading
They tend TO keep down the cost Of goods 20
the consumer, as without their advantages n
Larger per eentage would necessarily be- laid
upon goods v leave margin for bad debts. de.
lays, aud Extraordinary expenses in making
collections.
They reduce the cost a. well as the RISK Of
doing business with distant parts of the country.
fs Information they furnish would cosi probably
ten times as much as if sought through any
other channel
They tend to produce greater solvency and
prosperity among city merchants and business
men generally.
They aid sound country merchants, for they
throw obstacles in the way Of the irresponsible
and dishonest who attempt to buy goods with
/ no reasonable expectation ar intention OF paying
for them-thus protecting honorable dealers
from unielr competition
Commercial Agencies therefore may be Justly
called one Of the chief aids TO commerce. They
are not local in their influence or benefit. for
/ they extend over the whole country They are
not confined exclusively to merchants. Banks
Insurance Companies, and business men in
every department Of trade can alike participate
in their benefits.
These institutions however are vet in their in.
Fancy. The time will come We believe when
each Of them viii be obliged TO employ at least
one travelling agent constantly ia each State 10
arrange and keep in perfect order a system
which shall, on the wings of the telegraph keep
! this great commercial emporium promptly and
thoroughly posted IN regard 10 every important
change or event IN all business circles
They should know everything that can BE-
kRolcn about every body in trade. They should
point out wrong doing in every quarter They
should act as 4 dakstiye police They should
periodically req lesby a circular or Otherwise.
the condition and prospects Of business. They
should careinHyrspOri he condition Of the crops.
+ They should thoroughly canvass every subject
which can influence the commercial prosperity
Of The country.
We advise every merchant TO subscribe to
these institutions, imperfect they vet are. for
zoe kRor of their value by aefUai experience
And We urge upon each Agency to perfect the
system they have adopted, until they occupy n
position which shall command the favor and
support Of the entire business community.