Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-01-05
Prompt PAYMENT of Bills.

Why does not every mechanic, when he
performs a job, and every storekceper, when
he sells a parcel of goods, send bill, to be
delivered with the article, or upon the finish
ing of the job? lie would find this adyar-
tage in it, that many bills would be paid
promptly on delivery, which, by lying over for
six months, are frequently left unpaid, be-
cause they come at time when the demands
upon the debtors purse make it inconvenient
or impossible to pay. The mass Of mankind
earn the money they expend by wages re-
ceived from week to week. While the money
is in hand, it is more convenient and easy to
pay off bills as fast as they are Contracted
This keeps the honest man out of debt. and
leaves him always in the position of knowing
how he stands, or Of making it more easy for
him to meet any extraordinary expenditure
which necessity may require. But by post
poning the day of payment for three, or six
months, the obligation TO pay is not so pres
| sing upon him as the qualification Of some
immediate want or pleasure; hence, the mo-
ney which should discharge his debts is, by
| the improvidcnt or reckless, wasted away.
and, when pay day-comcs, he is unprepared
to meet them We have no doubt that every
mechanic in Philadelphia has lost considerable
money, earned by hard toll, from this very
fact, and storekeepers make allowances an
nually of so ruch loss for bad debts
! Now, if mechanics and dealers were inva-
riably to send a bill upon the delivery of
goods, or the finishing of II job, it would ena-
bic those who desire to pay promptly, and
there are many such, To do so at once. But
the custom is to keep the purchaser ignorant
| of the amount till he forgets the nature of the
Job, or the articles delivered. Hence dis
putcs springup, litigation is promoted, and
/ the dishonest avail themselves of every cx-
cuse to avoid the payment Of the debt
/ Whereas, prompt payments would avoid all
! differences of this kind, and leave both par
ties in the position to continue their transac-
! tons with each other without any apprchcn-
sion of loss. To the honest purchaser this
I
ment as it is to the creditor. OF course no
business can be carried on at Il loss. The
debts which are left unpaid by the dishonest
or reckless customer, have to be liquidatcd by
the honest debtor. Hence in the price
charged upon goods, and service, to every
purchaser under this long credit system. is
included the cost of the dad debts liable to
be incurred. The individual, therefore, who
honestly intends paying his own debts, is
also saddled with the debts of the dishonest
creditor, who meant not to pay when he or
dcrcd the service, or goods. The long credit
system in these small transactions is certain
| ly, then, no benefit to any one except those
who ought not to be benefited by it at the cX-
| pensc of the honest man. And if bills were
| always sent in "a soon as the debt was con-
| tractcd, this pcrnicious system would soon
be broken up. Every individual, therefore,
who intends to pay his debts, should ask
( for his bills ut once. and every individual
/ who wishes to be paid for his labor or his
| goods should furnish them on asking, or even
sooner. The bills should always accompany
! the goods This would afford the receiver
an opportunity to correct errors, would avoid
disputes. and remind the purchaser of the
amount due, and would be promptly res
ponded to in many cases, where payment
NAV otherwise be never made IHHddeiphid
/ Je,i1j