The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-08
The Jobbins Trade of Charleston.

The JobbinS Trade of Charleston.
It NAV be said without fear OF contradic-
tlon, and even if contradicted, it is capable OF
clear proof, that Charleston is, without ex'
ceplion, the best market for the purchase
Of goods by the smaller merchants OF this
State, Georgia, Florida and Alabama. 1t ls
true that it cannot compare in size with
New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore, and
that the amount and variety of goods at
either Of the places mentioned is immensely
greater than 1t is In Charleston. 1t Is also
true that there are few jobbng houses In
some of the interior cities nearer to the mer-
chants IN their respective localities. But IN
comparing Charleston with other markets.
In regard to the facilities which 1t anoroS iof
a iobbing trade, it must be considered
whether the larger stock and greater variety
offered in Northern cities is OF any real ad-
vantage to the small dealer OF the South. A
moments reflection will show that they are
not. The interior merchant needs for the
conduction of his business but small stock
OF goods at time, and that stock suited to
the peculiar wants OF his nelghborhood.
Maniiestly the larger the stock and the
greater the variety he has to select from, the
more difficult is the task Of selection, aud
the greater the temptation to buy more than
he really wants, and come things that he
does not want at all. In addition to this
difficulty, the extra amount OF time and
money required to go to these large but dis
tant centres OF trade renders 1t very incon-
venient, II not impossible, to 60 more than
twice year. The consequence is that
large amount Of capital is required to lay In
sufficiently heavy stock for the season. The
change 10 fashion, and the change In prices
before the end OF the season, often renders q
large part Of the goods unsaleable, and thus
takes off q large portion OF the profit on
those sold to provide against which it is
necessary to ask higher price on goods at
the opening Of the season than would other
wise be done. It has now become patent,
and is acknowledged even In New York,
that between two rival merchants 10 the
same interior town, one OF whom buys in
New York twice year and carries large
stock, and the other buys at the nearest
market, keeps small stock and constantly
renews it, thus being able to keep up with
the changes Of the fashion and the market,
the latter ia sure to win the race. This is 30
certain and 30 generally acknowledged that
within the last few years the jobblug trade
Of New York has greatly fallen of, and her
merchants are gradually changing their
business to that OF warehousemen. In re-
gard to the jobbers in the interior cities OF
the South, they have to pay almost as much
freight as their customers, and being gener-
ally new concerns, cannot compete with
Charleston either In experience or ;:spitaL
Independent, however, Of all comparisons,
Charleston has facilities which make her
necessarily the centre Of the jobbing trade
OF the South. With fine harbor, and cheap
and rapid water communication with Bos-
ton, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore;
with direct daily railroad communication
with all parts Of the South, with large
capital, which, If not equal to what 1t was
before the war, is ample for the present
trade and increasing every year; with
large number OF experienced merchants and
business connections Of many years stand.
Ing, and an unblemished commercial credit,
she can bid defiance to competition.
In another column will be found an adver.
tisement Of some Of the leading houses In
various branches OF business. All Of these
are responsible and successful concerns.
Some Of them have history dating back to
period long antecedent to the war, and
their names have been as familiar as house.
hold words 10 several generations Of coun-
try merchants. Others are OF more recent
origin, formed by young men OF industry
and energy, who have acquired their busi-
ness knowledge In this community, and have
by their successful careers shown themselves
In every way equal to the task which they
have undertaken. TO those country mer-
chants who are among our readers, and
their name is legion, we would in
view OF the approach Of The Spring
trade offer the above reasons for
coming to Charleston iu preference to going
to any other market. We also specially in
vite their attention TO those houses whose
names appear In the advertisement alluded
to. 1t does not by any means include all the
jobbing houses In Charleston, but those 1t
does include are among the very best, and
are we'll worthy the patronage Of any mer-
chant visiting Charleston.
The Camden Journal.