Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-05-04

ness to every household.
1t is the Philosophers Stone-the great
desideratum of the age-the strength and
comfort of the poor-the convenience oftbe
rich.
Read the following able and discriminat-
ing argument:
SEWING MACHINES.
The security of patents has encouraged
men of talent, capital, and enterprise to en-
gage in this business and devote their time
and money exclusively thereto; and therein
they have profted 10 more than they would
have done in general commercial business.
They have expended millions in developing
inventions pertaining to this branch OF in
dustry and producing machines cheaply.
They have also invested millions in bring
ing them to the doors of the entire nation,
and giving instruction in their use and care,
and guaranteeing their work for series OF
wears. Thousands of wagons are trayers-
ing the country to offer them at the door of
the humblest hamlet. They are left for in
spection and trial; they are sold on time,
varying from few months to years, to per-
sons who have not cent to pay until they
can earn it with the machine; and by which
earnings the payments can alone be made.
They are paid for in driblets of few dol
lars per month, and accommodation is Civ
en- if payments cannot be made, or the ma
chine is accepted in discharge Of the obliga-
ton. A respectable woman, black or white,
without cent to pay, can get machine
from any leading company that will enable
her 10 support. herself and dependent chill
dren. 1t is the potent ally Of the poor.
These facilities create the great burden
of the business. A canvasser with wagon
averages about one machine per week in sell
ing and iustrueting. His expenses, invest
ment, risk and profit must average large
per cent. OF the price of the machine, an
amount which he must have to enable him
to do business in this manner. Then 10 to
20 per cent. must go to the general agent
to cover risks, investment, expenses and
profits, so that the manufacturer can re-
ceive bat 80 to 50 per cent. of the retail
price, TO pay for interest and risk Of capital,
expense of development and cost of manu-
facture.
The manufacturers would be content with
less than this sum if merchants could be
found who would pay it and take their en-
tire production. They are merchants per
force, because others will not take this posi-
ton and do the business justice. Hence it
nav be seen that the facilities for purchas-
ing, the expenses of selling, are the great
burden of this business.
Sales have been pushed beyond all preee-
dent, and this increase in business has been
secured, as is the decrease of speed by rail
or steamboat, at a disproportionate increase
of expense. Y ct the rapid and steady increase
of sales at present prices, with present facil-
tiles, proves that the public demand it as
much as they demand telegraphing and ex.
press transportation at greatly increased
rates over the slower methods.
Where this system is not practiced the
sales are light, and increase five to ten fold
when it is introduced, The people are not
only willing to pay for things but for facili-
| ties for getting them, aud $500 is small
sum for sewing machine in proportion to
its benefits. There is no combination OF
companies to keep up the price 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 company has succeeded
with low priced machine. If the quality
was poor, it failed for want of business; il
good, for want of profits. Reduce the price
materially and every canvasser would stop
and the housekeeper of the South would
know no more of the sewing machines than
does the peasant Of Europe.