Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-04-18

Q-TThe following is from the Cecil Whig, Que
of the most respectable Journals in the coun.
try;
The GIFT Book TRADE-TLe Principles on
lphich O.. q. Eudns, the FOnRd Of The Business
conducts IA general denunciation on the
part Of many persons and presses throughout
the country, Of that branch OF the publishing
business denominated the "Giit Book Trade"
has induced us to devote a few remarks to the
subject, aud to speak particularly of the busi
ness as conducted by Mr.. q. G. Evans, 439
Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, with whose
principles and practice in the trade, we have
made ourselves acquainted.
Because swndlers or ignoramuses, in any
trade, subjects us to loss, We are not therefore
TO censure men engaged in legitimate trade
because "Peter Funk" traders in watches de
ceive and cheat the public, honest watchma
kers are not to denounced aud avoided and SO,
because a number of "Peter Funk" concerns
in the Gift Book Business, encouraged by the
great success of Evans enterprise, sprung up
in various cities, and for time cheated those
who were deluded into dealing with lhem
there is no reason that fair, liberal and ener
getic publisher should be condemned along
with them. No injustice could be greater
| People must deal with tradesmeE they must
have watches-they must have books--and let
them take care to seek the place where they
can procure the articles they went without de-
ceplion aud on the most advantageous terms
Mr. Evans originated the Gift Book Business
10 1854 and his great success in it is the result
Of the energy, the integrity, aud the lbrality
that have characterized his course from that
day TO the present The sham concerns that
have from time TO time arisen, in imitation Of
his establishment, have now mostly pershed,
while he pursues the tenor Of his way, giving
satisfaction to all who deal with him.
4 "A =
not be doubted, and are easily understood He
is an enterprising man, and setting out to do
| large business, he purchased his books in large
quantities in order to increase his sales, he de,
termined TO give part Of his profits 10 purcha'
ssrs, in premiums. The pruciple Of Premiums
or Gifts has been adopted in many branches of
business, and, perhaps every newspaper that
has spoken against the Gift Book Business has
recognized the principle, either in deductions
to clubs, extra copies, or gifts of ongragngs,
&c. Evans purchases whole editions Of books
at the lowest figures sells them at the regu
lar retail prices, aud gives premium with each
book in every 1000 worth Of books he ap
propriates $4,000 worth OF jewelry, watches,
&c, which are given away with the books, pur.
chasers often receiving gold watches, costly
canoes, g., Ia every case Of sale, Evans gives
what he pleases-and surely the most iasid'
iOus moralist can find no fault.
On the same principle, il man buy a chest
Of tea, is the grocer 10 be blamed or commend
ed, il he gives his customer a few pounds Of
coffee into The bargsin1 The question needs
no reply. His encouragement TO American
uthOrs, publishers, aud manufacturers, is very
great 10 a single year he purchased from oue
manufacturer alone, S3s 600 worth Of Jewelry,
and thousands Of persons engaged in priuting,
book binding. watch making, &c receive EN-.
ploymeut through his agency.
His assortment Of books embraces the stand
ard works Of the languages, and every depart
ment Of American literature, and through his
agency, vast numbers Of useful books have been
spread through every part Of the country, to the
great advantage Of the rising generation, and
10 this respect he may very properly be held to
be public benefactor
In short, in Mr. Evans we find an enterpri-
sing man-the originator OF business which
he has followed with the greatest energy aud
strictest integrity, until il having vast extent
and importance, host Of imitators (some Of
them honest, perhaps, but ignorant Of the bus
iness) arise aud disapp0int and cheat the pub
| lie, bringing down condemnation not only on
themselves, but on the man whose trade they
were counterfeiting. To rescue Mr.. Il. from
this unmerited eensuTe, aud 20 state what we
understand 90 be the nature oi The Gin Book