The Portland daily press., 1868-02-11
More Drum Tnps.

Mr.. EDITOR, - In your Saturdays issue
Merchant" attempts in somewhat lengthy
article to depict the horrors of''drummins'
as ne understands 1t. 1t seems to me that
his views are not altogether correct, made as
they must be from observation and not from
experience. he cannot employ runners, else
he is not shrewd merchant, for he says that
whoever follows drumming must sooner or
later come to grief" He says "this may be
strong language" and to prove it he mentions
"a few facts" with which he expects to startle
the ignorant and set the knowing ones to
sH'','-''-e,s-'H@-- -t~+;-.ie- Win r~ss over,
for believe they are voted bore by every
body, although it is admitted by all that fig
ures will not lie; but some of his other facts
deserve notice, for am inclined to think they
will have an entirely opposite effect from what
he intended, and will startle the knowing
ones, while they will be very likely to set the
ignorant to thinking. He says we (meaning,
presume, the merchants of Portland) are
getting to be pack of Jews, etc. Further
along he says that runners are worse than
locusts to the land. Now, Mr.. Editor, it may
be true that the merchants of Portland are
fast becoming Jews, but don't believe it is
thought SO by persons with whom they do
business in the country; neither do believe
that one merchant has right to style the
whole class Jews. OF course nothing can
prevent man from saying what he chooses
about himself As to runners being worse
than locusts to the land, l think "Merchanto
makes rather an extravagant assertion. The
subscriber has been engaged in drumming
several years in this State, and he claims to
have some knowledge of the business, as well
as of its effect, and he also believes that "drum-
mers" have done this city great deal OF good
in developing and bringing to this market
trade which has heretofore gone TO other
places. Furthermore, he knows that among
the runners sent out from this city are many
worthy gentlemen-men of honor, integrity
and experience in business, who are by no
means to be considered locusts to the land.
1t may be that there are some who lack dis
cretion, and who will force goods upon q
country trader as iD the Illustrations given by
"Merchant;" so there are black sheep in every
flock, but the fact does not change the color
of the whole l..
If Merchant" is satisfied that drumming
viii bring him to grief, that it doesn't pay
financially, that he is fast becoming ike
Jew, and drummers are worse than loeusts to
the land, then he had better let them alone;
but it may be that some merchants entertain
different opinions; some who have tried run-
ners may wish to retain them in their employ
and pay them what they are worth, and it
does seem to me that they should do so If
they wish, and that Merchant should not
try to send voice "in tones of thunder 10
Augusta. II might frighten our Legislators
and lead them to pass hastily measures of
which they might afterwards repent. This
subject OF drumming has been much discuss
ed among the merchants of our city lately,
and would like to say to them Ito be receiv-
ed by them for what it is WORTH don't get ex-
ciied upon this question. Drumming has
been overdone, but it is matter that will
regulate itself in time. Legislation cannot
helpit any more than it can give us gold dol-
lars for paper ones. If some merchants are
satisfied that drumming doesn't pay, LET them
cease to employ the gentlemen. IF others
want them, don't seek to pass laws to prevent
their wants being ,gratifed; and, above all, be
careful that ono extreme does not follow the
other. DRUMMER.