The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-06-25
M1DDLEMEN ARE INDISPENSABLE

MIDDLEMEN ARE INDISPENSABLE.
| It is only in q primitive state OF develop
ment that producers make direct exchange
of their products. In barbarous countries
we know that the savage who has gathered
calabash full Of berries will exchange part
for a fish part for an arrowhead, and part
for glass ornament. The more close 70 ao-
original untaught and lazy barbarism coun-
try ia. the more nearly will it's commercial
system approach to simple barter between
those who exchange surplus of what they
have for something else which they desire for
immediate personal use.
As society deyelopes, certain members OF
the savage horde will remember that sundry
things are always wanted, and they will readi-
ly buy them because they know that although
they cannot consume or use them they can
always exchange them for something else
which they may need. As soon as the bar
barian buys with his products what he does
not need for his own use, in anticipation of
demand by others, he becomes merchant
and q step has been taken toward civilizs-
ton.
In centuries ideas ripen and develop.
Those who find certain products Of the waters,
lands and forests, always in demand, will
give their care and labor to the production Of
such articles, being always sure that they can
exchange them for whatever else they may
need. Others see that soon or late there is
demand for every thing which they can lay
up in their store houses. The producers get
out of the habit of looking out for others who
have more than they need of certain products,
and all find it to be to their interest to put
their wares and products into common
depot, drawing thence an equivalent in things
which they may require for subsistence, COM
fort, convenience or luxury.
Advancing still another step, the redeemed
savage finds commodity which is always in
demand, and when he has surplus of fruits,
fish, game, hides or other products he takes
in exchange this universally wanted commod-
ity, which he knows he can at any moment
exchange for anything he may desire.
Still further along he discovers metallic
substance which is very precious and very
scarce. It is very useful and very desirable
for ornamentation. If he has it he can ex-
change it for anything he wants to wear or
eat or use. Any surplus product he may have
he is willing to exchange for this
metal since with it he can again pro-
cure by exchange, at any time, anything
which he may need. This precious
metal becomes an exceedingly important
agent in exchanges, superseding direct barter,
establishing relative values, and creating
necessity for the intermediary class found in
all countries not absolutely barbarous. Per.
haps there were merchants before there was
money. Perhaps property was gathered and
stored in large quantities, and parcelled out
in exchanges long before there was medium
Of exchange and monetary measure OF
values; but merchants as distinct class
wers of necessity the contemporaries Of money
as representation Of values
In the modern refined, elaborate, complex
system of commerce the original element still
subsists, the merchant being the indispensable
middle man between buyer and seller, pro-
Queer and consumer.
There is at this time o very great outcry
made against middlemen, or those who are
neither producers of the raw material, nor
carriers, nor manufacturers, nor consumers,
but who handle the produce and the articles
made from it. Between the farmer who
raises and prepares grain for market'and the
merchant who returns to him the proceeds in
the form of foreign goods, there are numer-
siderable profit, or commission, or bonus, or
tee, or charge must be paid 1t is against
these costs of exchanging our surplus pro-
ducts for such foreign wares as we need that
q very active revolt and rebellion is now be-
ing waged. Every expedient is tried to dis
pense with merchants in the interchange of
products and wares.
It is not because our lot has been cast in
commercial city, nor yet because we hold
merchants, as class in honorable esteem,
that we are disposed to treat the most Of
these complaints against middle men, the
agents who effect exchanges, or merchants, as
unfounded. If the wheat of Illinois must be
eaten in Germany and be paid for in German
cloths, the grower has no right to expect the
same benefit as if the cloths were made and
ths wheat consumed within q mile of his
farm. His wheat must be bought by one who
has capital and who, by right must be paid
for the use of his capital 1t must be carried
to the seaboard by company rich enough to
own railroad or steamboat, who naturally
and Justly expect to be paid for their services
and for the use of their capital.
At the home port it must be bought and
shipped by some one who has capital to in
vest, and who must be paid for his trouble,
his risk and the use Of his money. 1t requires
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