National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-11-03

'MANY MERCHANTS" complain that the
citizens of Washington go to Baltimore or
New York to purchase winter supplies Of
housekeeping articles, clothing, silks, etc., be-
cause they fancy that they can get better bar
gains than can be secured here. These COM
plants are, no doubt, sometimes well grounded.
And the question is propounded, Why is it 500
The guilty parties may be governed by va
riety Of reasons. Some go hence to buy be-
cause they can buy cheaper abroad for cash
than they can at home upon thirty to sixty
days credit. But, says the merchant, why,do
they not come and tell us that they wish to
pay us the cash downl We would then sell
them the same articles as cheaply as they can
buy elsewhere. In this capital city, where all
the Government employees are paid only once
q month, is it not fact that merchants are
too apt to base their prices upon cash at the
end of thirty daysl Do they not make them at
least ten per cent. higher than If they were to
receive net cash, because there may be losses
to cover al the end of thirty daysl If Gov
eminent employee neglects to pay his mer-
chant when he receives his salary, is it not
fact that the latter is powerless to compel
himl Does not the exemption law cover his
household goods, while the Government re-
fuses to recognize garnishee Of his future sal
aryl Consequently, must not the profits be laid
at rate per cent which win result in the honest
man paying for the bills of the delinquents?
Again, is it not the fact that those who go
abroad to buy are generally the very families
who owe almost every merchant in town, and
therefore dread to face them even to make
cash purchases Do not these delinquents
upon each successive payday take their
months salary, which they should pay out on
account of their old bills at home, and, at the
expense of car fare, 60 to neighboring cities to
expend IT. We believe this will be found to
be generally the case, and that there are CON-
paratively few who go abroad to make their
purchases because that they can really do bet
ter than they could do at home If they tried it
with the cash. The true remedy for this state
of things is for our merchants to make two
lists Of prices-one for cash down at the mo-
ment of delivery, and another for goods sold
on book account. This would be fair to the
honest man, who would not then be made to
pay the bills of the dishonest customers. Be-
sides, it would afford strong inducement to
all to economic, so as always to take advan-
tage Of the lower cash prices-to get month
ahead of their expenditures, instead of always
anticipating their salaries by obtaining credit
upon the strength Of money yet to
be earned. We have frequently pointed
out these errors before this, and have
urged that the Government should aid
its employees in this economical effort by semi
monthly or weekly payments. We have no
hesitation in saying that goods may to-day be
purchased for cash as cheaply Of our own mer-
chants as they can in Baltimore or New York
in like quantities and of similar qualities.
Upon the average our best merchants are
obliged to keep frst-elass goods. They have
fastidious set of customers. Those who 90
abroad for low prices usually return with ar
ticles of inferior quality if they obtain them at
lower rates. We say to our friends: "Spend
your cash at home with merchants you know
to be honorable and equitable inthelr dealings.
If you must have little credit go to the same
parties for it, and tell them you expect to pay
them extra for it." Then you may be reasonably
sure that you will not be cheated. But avoid
dishonest merchant always. It may be his
fault if he gives you short weight or measure
or sells you shoddy goods for the genuine ar
ticle once, but if he does It a second time the
fault is your own.