The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-24
Drumming Mt the South.


Mich has been said 81 late OF the somewhat novel and
highly oscre1iable practice recently brought ntc vogue
ard vugary known as ''drumming." the system from
fret 10 la If vle ooous, ana uubecomnC nigh minded
commercial commonly. As might be sntcipa'ed IL orr
gnsteo among the Keen aud uDscrupuous Yankees Of the
North There Vi indigenous growt but among Us its
Gu tvaiou has been forced and weed il at
best bul imported stimulated TO uxursut de-
velopemont by dollhouse appliances THIS ''drummng
unequal substitute healthy legId-
mote comp tiioD Honorable mer chants shrink from It,
and ud rather sacrifice portion of their business Than
engage systematically N 80 dlsiastetul pursuit.
There are tso modes In which cruz mipa Is now car
rsd on The Gfs and principal one which are about
the most signal bad faith. Tho Southern merchant
pioceeos to New York or Boston, and there lays ia
an extensive STOCK, at Certain rates aud credit,
IN the iun expectation, based upon past expert
ence and knowledge Of The trace, that he wal
readily dispose Of it to bis country customers Hardy
does be receive and unpack his goods when he nds bust
Xpecredly dull some of his best customers fail
to make purchases. Others to whom he habitually
thousands restrict their to third four III
the usual amount The merchant, amazed, begias 70
nake Inquiries and learns, TO his surprise and indgna
ton that the Northern ers from whom he I'd OBJ.
tanned his supplies, had Immediately after selling him,
despatched active Intelligent agents throughout The SOUTH
with view Of drumming up the country merchants and
pesuading them to give their orders direct Tho latter
naturally pleased at this attention, and especially at the
proer Of extended credit easily induced comply
material portion OF bis through reachery OF
the Northern Obber whom be has helped to enrich No
wonder the community OF New Orleans memorabilia the
legislature for protection against practice well calcu
lated 10 depress not ruin Southern trade These drum
rners told, peculiarly sharp and indefadgsbe
Thy lind their way to the most remote and almost
cessibe places. Wherever village storekeeper is be
found, there the drummer is certain TO appear and
remain until he succeeos In getting order. Our
country merchants who so fond OF boastng their
achment 10 the South, and SO prone TO preach
ciai independence, have must be confe sed, ain.
guiar way of evnciDg their exclusive Southern devotion
This abomnabe practice has led 70 species OF domes-
tic drumming scarcely less obnoxious For instance,
numbers Of respectable grocery and other houses New
Orleans employ clerks for the exclusive purpose or
drumming cuatcmers These watch the arrivals at the
different ho.es and do they learn that pur
chasors from the country have reached city THAI
they pouDce upon them as the eagle its quarry These
drumming clerks haunt the hotels boarding houses aud
leading places Of public resort, and leave the
no peace until they promise 10 buy IL needless say
that this is most unworthy and censuraola custom. It
has been introduced only Of late years, foreign
importation from that teeming and prolific granary Of
from respectable authority tina, such extent the
system oeen pushed as TO be productive OF somewhat
rous consequences Ia their eagerness TO secure Gus
TONER'S the drummers not untrequenty offer to sell
at cost price. THIS may do for q while, bat must
necessarily be ruipous in the long The apology
aoe for persistng in dru mining that what some houses
90 mus, BIO initiated by Others the business will
chiefly confined to those who employ drummer We
shood say that better plan be for the merchants
10 call meeting, and agree among themselves TO
giving the slightest cOunenance encouragement
n, SIS house, Set their face against drumming, will
Gle a natural death.
II worthy OF remark that the practice Is invariably
detrimental IN the end TO those who are addicted 10 it.
shrewd Intelligent and INDUSTRIOUS drummer becomes In
e~ years Indispensable his employer that he
make his terms. Controlling many thousands OF
dollars worth Of business be becomes quite Independent
aud imposes oDerous copdIons upon those he
threat. carry his influence and command of custom
else Thus he Is enabled 10 give himself airs of
master and - name bis own salary, nasmnch as he
sTviceabe 10 he allowed TO leave This result
the confirmation OF ruth too often overlooked-that the
evil is certain 10 meet with retTibutOn.