Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1872-04-24

One OF tne many duueS OF journal IN"
this is to publish, for the information OF lts
readers, articles on such subjects as may Dc
deemed worthy Of space in our columns.
We have chosen for this number ofiei
notice of the
RETAIL DRY GOODS
bus;no,s of Saint Louis. Astonishing as
has been the increase of all other branches
including even that Of uGnufaoturing-
none is more wonderful than that of the
particulsr branch above mentioned.
Within the past few years substantial and
capacious buildings have been torn away
and on their sites have been erected ele-
giant stone front palaces, embracing all the
modern Improvements and conveniences
known to the architects of the older eastern
and weAlthier cities. Prominent among
which stands the beautiful stores built and
occupied By Scruggs, VAnjervoort & Barney,
situated on the north west corner Of Fourth
and ST. Charles streets. An acquaintance
with members of this firm afforded uI an
opportunity of sscsrtGining many facts rela.
tive to the general retail business of the
oity, those pertaining to themselves, regard
ing their commencement, sysIem and mag
nituds to their business, We believe TO be
possessed Of sufficient interest for publica-
ton
This house was established on Fourth
street, but few doors from their present
location, on the first day of April, 1850, and
has continued in business in the same block
under different firm names, for twenty-five
years. The commencement was, in com
PArAsivsly 4 very small way, bnt the sales
have continued TO increase until they have
now reached the magnitude of about mil
lion and g quarter Of dollars annually, and
the increase still continues in q ratio equally
as great or greater than ever-as was
evidenced BY the sales of the year Just
closed, these gentlemen attribute their
power and continued success to three causes
which if followed By others, we doubt not
would meet with the same result.
lss. A rigid adherence 10 justice both to
their customers and themselves.
2nd. A strict observance of one price to
ell purchasers.
Sd. Close study OF the wants of the
public. Purchasing for cash wherever they
can do so TO the best advantage and selling
on the smallest possible margin of profit.
Every article sold in the house is required
TO be Sent-by one of the numerous boys
kept constantly on the floor, for that pur-
pose-to the couuter or parcel desk, here all
yard goods are measured; articles sold sing
lT, in pairs, or BY the dozen are recounted;
the prices charged are carefully examined,
if all be correct, the parcel is LeAtly done
up and returned again TO the salesman, who
delivers 1t to the purchaser. II an error in
either quantity or price be discovered al the
parcel desk no correction can be made until
one of the firm or the gentleman 10 charge
on the floor is informed, who promptly ex
smineI into the mstter-leGrDing the nature
and cause Of the error, and ordering its cor
rec,iou himself, this shows the thoroughnsss
with which every thing thrOug hous the house
is done. Mistakes Of any kind whatever arc
we are told-of rare occurrence and in.
deed we cannot see how it could be other
wise where such system prevails.
Very many goods are Purchased of the
manufacturers, and imported direct from
Europe. European purchases, growing
larger every year, consisting principally of
black silks, velvets, Irish linens, linen
shseting, table daussks towels, napkins,
piques, u&iusookS, jaconets, tarlatans,
alpsocas, mohairs, bombszires and other
mourning goods. The purchasing partner
resides il New York, hes a large off ce in
the very heart of the business portion of the
city, employs two assistants and devotes his
exclusive attention to the interests Of the
house, this Of itself affords gEe&. advantages,
being always posted and in the market, he is
enabled to avail himself of every favorable
change, a. the commencement Of the fell
and spring seasons, q number Of the heads
of the various important departments are
for his special department, at such times as
this, the house is represented by from six to
sight buyers.
The Instructions given q salesman on frat
entering the employment of this establish
ment struck US as brief, yet pointed he ID
told eve have but one price. Never forget
you are q gentleman. No gentleman ever
offsuds lady. Su ch conduct is not per.
mitted in this house."
The reputation of this firm seems to be
already very generally known abroad, al
they are daily in receipt of orders from al
the towns, villages and, in fact from every
section of country contiguous to St. Louis
Many orders come from long distance, al
far west even as Salt Lake. To such al
extent has this order business increased, g
person is employed for the sole purpose o.
given .hem the requisite careful and promp
attention, wherever al express runs the,
send goods with-bills to be collected or
deivery Much of shis results from requests
for samples, which are invariably sent wheI
asked for.
The magnitude and the extended opera
ton of this house we contend exhibitI
plainly what the trade Of this rapidly grow
ing city is now, what ii will be few year
hence no one dare predict.