Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-07-10
Selett Sf(istella>1g,
From the Newberry Rising Sun.
SECRET ESPIONAGE.

SECRET ESPIONAGE.
1t is not generally known that in almost
every village and town in the interior of the
country, certain persons of the community
are employed by merchants and agencies ir
larger cities to report the character and stand
ing of men engaged in business in their i'm
mediate district or county. All this may be
very we'll. 1t may probably afford to the
wholesale dealer, or to the agencies in Char
lesion, New York, Baltimore and Philadel
phia some imperfect knowledge of the cir
cumstances of the country dealer, and We
light admit farther that occasionally tolera
bly, correct statements may be given. But az
a general rule, it cannot be relied on, and il
injurious both to the wholesale dealers anc
the country merchants. 1t is impossible fol
any man to know the exact condition of others
For instance; man who is farmer, per
haps, badly involved, only known to few
yet, honest, upright and respectable, may
enter upon merchandising under the mistaken
notion, as many do, that he will realize Q
fortune in a few years, pay up his debts, &C.
He commences busines with fair reputa
tion and property, purchases goods at the
above mentioned places, and the secret re-
porter, from what he actually sees and hears
reports favorably. Now, how is he to know
He is too cautious to make known his bust
ness as reporter, and only obtains his in
formation by secret means, consequently it is
not safe ? Again, young man or couple
of young men, who, perchance, have been
employed as clerks and who have coed rep
utation for honesty, sobriety, and but with
small capital, conclude to embark in business
on their Gown hook"
Letters of recommendation are obtained
most probably one from the reporter, who
has not the moral courage openly to excuse
himself or even favor the wholesale dealer
or agency whom he is employed with what
he believes, looking forward, perhaps, as he
does, to its aiding his popularity at home
In many instances those young men after
they have purchased their goods, launch in,
to speculations wildly and recklessly with
the progressive notion of the age, to
get rich suddenly and quickly. The result
is heavy losses, a failure to meet the payments
of drafts and notes an assignment is made
and the creditors get about ten cents in the
dollar or perchance nothing at all. In
some instances the secret reporter may have
grudge, reports unfavorably even when the
man is solvent, and to certain extent i'm.
pairs his credit. In another instance, when
called upon to report, he renders it in, ow'
ing to certain circumstances which he may
know, or with which rumor may have fur
nished him without just and accurate
knowledge of the condition or circumstances
of the man, which may prove, as it is repor.
ted, either hurtful to the wholesale or re.
tail dealer.
Now, we hold it-this system of secret
espionage-to be utterly wrong and wholly
at war with every principle of justice, libe
rality and honesty. The secret reporter, ii
one instance, pronounces his sentence upor
a man industrious, economical, honest and
energetic, promoted by malice toward him
which is unknown to the wholesale dealer
and hangs like an incubus on the country mer
chant-the cause of which is wrapped ir
mystery to his mind. On the other HAND
the secret reporter reports favorably of mer
without due and honest investigation Of
their circumstances and capabilities, be
cause they may give him business, or tina
he may find it difficult to obtain his informa
ton or relies upon what some friend of tht
party may say, which in the end results il
loss to the wholesale dealer
1t frequently happens, that men entirely
innocent of such things are charged with
and criminated as the party concerned
which charges, though utterly false, even i
proved up clearly, are difficult to be erased
from the minds of those who take up o.
receive the information that such is tho
case.
Now, we maintain the true policy to be
that this matter Of reporting should be
done openly and above board. If the safety
and security of the wholesale merchant at {
distance renders it necessary that this "sys
tenn of being posted up in regard to the cir
cumstances of country merchants" should
be kept up, let an agency be established in
every village, branch of the fountain head
from larger cities, or let the reporters name
be made publicly known. By this means q
truer, more correct more honest, more liber'
al knowledge and information of the circum'
stances and standing of every business man,
or of every man entering into business car
and could be obtained. Partially, preju'
dice and negligence could nor would not en-.
ter so largely in reports. The system would
insure to a certain extent reliability, the
wholesale dealer would be safer in his trans.
actions and the country on securer footing
in regard to his standing and reputation
As it is the wholesale dealer has no security
in the CORRECTNESS of the reports, from the
fact that any one who acts the part OF spy
upon his neighbors is unworthy of credit.
G9> The Congregation of Rhode Island
have resolved to discontinue fellowship with
the Presbvtarians. both Old and NeWSehool