The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-09-12
Our Home Interests,

AH'ItSiN, FaCH cooeHCIdl 10 our CROWN III pup
ulatton and business Importance. Only one
aspect of these interests will be considered
now; others may be dwelt upon hereafter.
1t is not only correct in theory, but demon
strated by observation, that the success of
any city of the population of this, can be
prospered only by a general unity of purpose
ana especially in proportion, as the different
branches of trade and occupations are made to
mutually assist and help each other. The
Ipatronizing of home manufactures, trades
and professions, tends SO swell the business
Interests, and to increase capital in all indus
trial pursuits. While the too common prac-
tise of giving patronage elsewhere than at
home, tends to deplete our general busine g
capital, and to cripple every branch of trade.
These observations are nothing new they
are such as often occur to almost every mind,
and to which all yield ready assent. The
chief difficulty is, that while SO many admit
what ought TO be done, there are so few who
act in view OF the general welfare and pres
perity of the city Without further general
| izing, it will not be amiss to particularize.
There is a common practise among US, almost
as fixed as if it were q decree of law, that
whatever article of show, ornament or fash
ion, especially if it is of much value, must be
purchased in Chicago or some other large
city. In a majority of cases the excuse that
valid one. The pervading sentiment seems
actually to give prestige to any article of
furniture, household goods, or of dress, if it
can be said of it that it came from some
neighboring city. There are no doubt multi
| tudes of instances where merchandise and
almost every namable article, have been
purhased abroad at prices no more favorable
than might have been obtained at home yet
a sort of fictitious importance has been at
tached to these purchases, simply because
they were not made in our home markets
Such statements as these may seem exagger
careful observers Of the currents of fashion
and of practise, will admit their correctness.
We have in this city respectable number
of mercantile houses, and almost every kind
of mechanical establishment needful to me et
the demands of our city and country
trade. Could the amount of business, which
llegitmately belongs to this city, but which i!
now diverted to other points chiefly out o
the state, be correctly estimated, it would
surprise most persons. Our purchases at re
tail prices in the city of Chicago, alone, would
increase some kinds of business in this city
full fifty per cent, were they made at home
1t is not insisted that buyers should confnt
their trade to sellers in the home market
when more advantageous bargains are Offered
elsewhere. There exists no good reason VIII.
merchants and mechanics in this city, should
not sell their goods and wares as cheap as il
Chicago or Milwaukee. If it be said tina
some kinds of the more expensive goods ant
wares are not found in this market, it is read
lily accounted for from the fact that the NOR
wealthy classes are not in the habit of en-
couraging home dealers in the line of expen
sive articles. Were there demand at home
the supply would certainly be forthcoming
Merchants will not keep costly styles o
; goods, while buyers are sure to obtain then
J some where else booksellers will not keel
on hand expensive books for the same reason
Printers tire with the expense of supplyin!
their offices with the latest styles of materia
and type, when those who wish work done
which is expected to cost much, are quit
certain to carry it out of the county. TIL
same reasoning is applicable to all othe
branches Of trade among us.
Whoever wishes to see home interest
thrive and prosper, must encourage them b,
his patronage. Mutual cooperation is be
coming more and more to be understood tn
power of great achievement. Individualisn
works antagonsm. The elements of success
are more than ever recognized in combine
effort. This is seen by the industrial an
business associations, which are springing u
and becoming popularized in every part Of th
country. A city like ours, should, as far a
practicable, act upon the same principle c
mutual cooperation and protection. BET
ter demand for real estate, an enlargement {
business and an increased aggregate ofwealt
might be realized, were there more unity {
aim, of purpose and of action in the matte
of our home interests.