The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1875-10-16
A Chapter on Political Economy.
Money Matters and Business OF Ottawa
PERSONAL.

Personal.
Sixty years ago the merchandising read "Casn
and Barter Store--W. I. Goods" which signiaed
that the merchant had West India goods, tmain-
| IL sugar, molasses and rum), which he would
exchange (barter) for farm products or for cash
Farmers and mechanics would trade with each
other. III you will take your pay In my way;
merchants would "pay in goods"
Times have changed, business has assumed
cash exchange in place Of "barter." The change
has called for more n0ney and into existence banks
and middle men, or commission merchants.
The legitimate use of money is to measure
values apprehend there are few people who
fully comprehend the part money plays in our
daily business transactions.
Money makes itself felt most where 1t changes
hands rapidly. 1t is no: the large amount We
REQUIRE, If it is not shut up In some ones pocket
or safe.
Let us follow five dollar bill for a day by
way of Illustration. Brand the bill ~ anil pay
five dollars in my ray; good only in Ottawa." A
owes b., B owes c., c. owes d., d. owes E., Z.
owes F. A pays B., B. pays c., c. pays d, d.
pays f., f. pays F.; and so the bill may travel all
day to the foot of the alphabet. FIVE hundred
dollars of debts have been paid In one day and
the bill Is good and ready for another days work,
provided some old miser or some one who will
not pay his debts does not get hold Of it and
shut II up.
Let us inquire where A. got the five dollars to
pay b. Answer-from stranger who paid cash
for all purchases he made.
The sign "cash and barter store" has gone and
In its place we read, pay today mo credit"
"terms cash." Our dealers in dry goods, cloth
ing, furs boots and shoes, stoves and hardware,
farm implements, wagons carriages and lumber,
our builders and laborers all ,cdnt cash. The
stranger paid B. the Ave dollars for board, A.
paid the butcher and baker and they set 1t aioat.
1t is fair to suppose each person makes profit
Of one.ffth on the gross-amount Of receipts.
This one five dollar bill from the stranger there
fore puts one dollar in the pocket OF each person
who handles it, and yet the bill is intact 1t mere
ly measured he palue Of the article each man ex-
changed with his neighbour it was the scale or
yard stick Of commerce.
APPLICATION AND PERSONAL.
The writer of this article believes in business.
He believes not only one person may be induced
TO come to Ottawa and exchange his five dollars
for health. Not only one bat hundreds would
come II they only knew Of the healing waters
Of Ottawa. He believed it of the utmost i'm
portance that S!liman's analysis of that water
should be placed in the hands OF strangers dur
ing the state fair. With this in view he asked
nearly ever business man of Ottawa to help "pay
the printer" Many of them responded cheer
fully while Others said sit will do me no good"
1--WE think We have shown such view OF the
matter to be erroneous); while others said let
the spring company do their own advertising.
so say we. But has not every one an interest in
the prosperity of that spring? Is itnot public
institution? Every citizen Of Ottawa has, indi-
recty stock in it. Then advertise it and call
people here.
Personally, we wish to set people right as to
the fact that the spring company did not ask or
suggest the publication Of that analysis. When
asked, some Of the stockholders subscribed
cheerfully-others refused! some were not asked.
The getting up of the circular was voluntary
act OF the writer of this article, He worked
hard for three weeks on it and paid out over
twenty-five dollars of his own money. Is not,
was not and has not been, in the employ Of the
spring company for the past two months. He
was told people of Ottawa would not help to
advertise the spring. He believed they would.
They did; and nearly every man has paid his
subscription. No doubt all will when asked.
The getting up OF that circular was feeler.
The question was, will people OF Ottawa help to
forward an enterprise in which all have so much
interest. The response is, but few are willing.
The writer of this article will now look on and
see what others will do. Humanity says go on,
so says the best interest of Ottawa; we will see
G.CW.