The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1873-05-29
The Sewing Machine.

ne ocCuThty VI p0bc0I6 mas e0cOuf
aged men of talent, capital and enter
prise to engage in this business, and
devote their Time and money exciu
siyely thereto and therein they have
profited no more than sbey would
have done in general commercial bus.
iness. They have expended ,inlllioDi
ia Developing. Inventions peFtaiHing
10 this branch of industry aud pro-
ducing machines chespIy.
They have also invested millions in
bringing them to the doors of the eu.
tire nation, and giving instruction in
their use and care, and guaranteeing
their work for q series of years.
Thousands of wagons are trayersine
the country to Offer them at the door
of the hutnblest hamlet. They are
left tor inspection and trial they are
sold on time varying from q few
months to years, to persons who have
not cent 10 pay until they can earn
it with the machine; and by which
earnings the payments alone can be
made.
They are paid in driblets of q few
dollars per nlonth, and accommoda-
ton is given If payments can not be
made, and the machine is accepted in
discharge of the obligation. A re-
spectacle woman. black or white
without q cent to pay, can get ma
chine from any leading company that
viii enable her to support herself and
dependent children. 1t 10 the potent
ally of the poor.
These facilities create the great bur-
den of the business. A. canvasser
with a wagon averages about ONT
machine per week, In ceiling and in.
structing. His expenses, Investment,
risk and profit must average q large
per. cent. OF the price of the machine
an amount which he must have to en-
able him 10 do business in this man
ner. Then Is to 20 per cent. must 60
40 the general agent to cover risks
Investment, expenses and profits, 60
chat the manufacturer can receive but
30 or 40 per cent, OF the retail price
10 pay for interest and risk of capital
expense Of development and cost OF
manufacture.
The manufacturers would be con-
tent with less than this sum, if mer-
chants could be found who would pay
it and take their entire production
They are merchants per force, because
others will not take this position and
do the business justice. Hence it may
seem that the facilities for purchasing, I,
the expenses of selling. are the great
onrden of this business.
Sales have been pushed beyond all
precedent, and this increase of bust.
ness has been secured, as is the in
crease of speed by rail or steamboat.
At disproportionate increase of ex-
pense. Yet the rapid and steady in.
crease Of sales at present prices, with
present facilities, proves that the pub
lie demand it as much as they demand
telegraphing and express Transports
ton at greatly increased rates over
the slower methods.
Where this system is not practiced
sales are light, and increase five to ten
told when it 10 introduced. The peo-
pie are not only willing to pay for
things but for facilities for getting
them, and $500 10 small sum for o
sewing machine in proportion to its
benefits. There is no combination OF
companies to keep up the prices OF
sewing machines; each may sell for
what it pleases.
The present prices result from the
method of selling the machines. And
indeed, it is noteworthy that no COM
paHy has succeeded with D low priced
machine. If the quality was poor, il
failed for want of business il good,
for want of profits. Reduce the price
materially aud every canvasscr would
stop, and the house-keepsr of the
West would know no more of the
sewing machines than do the peasants
of Europe.-Ph1. City Items.
The reader is referred, in tins CON-
nection, to the advertisement of the
New Davis Sewing Machine, in an
other column.