The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-05-27
communicated.
STRoUDsBURG, May 10Th, 1873.


Editor Jefersonian The following
communication, do not know that it will
entirely be in accordance with the views of
the dear old Jef., but knowing that you
are always alive to any undertaking that is
sure to benefit Stroudsburg and its sur
roundings, submit the following:
| have noticed for years past the system
of business relations between the farmer
and the agencies through which he is
obliged to do business, that is, sacrifice his
hard yearly earnings, and [ assert that it
is all wrong. Now do not wish to say
anything disparaging of our store keepers or
our business community in general, but |
think it is time that the farmer should
realize some Of the profits derived from his
own hard labor and the money he has in
vested i'll his property and not let the trade
have it all or, in other words, the producer
should be governed by fair prices obtained
from New York markets and dictate to the
purchaser what he will take cash for his
product, not trade, that does not pay our
taxes, and we some times want few dol
lars to spend where we please, and not to
be compelled to take groceries when we
have already full supply on hand; but
under existing circumstances we are COM
PEELED in some instances to give our pro
duct at from % to 100 per cent discount
or lose the sale. AS a general rule individu-
ally, we have not enough time to bother with
shipping consequently we let it go, thus by
accumulation the store-keepers derive al
the profit. Not only in these simple trans
actions but to the depreciation in value of
his farm are the farmers of Stroud town
ship and Monroe county generally, suffer
ing from this trade system. | think [ am
safe when L assert that is the cause
alone which retards the advancement of
Stroudsburg and depreciates our farms; a
more positive proof could not be obtained
than by pcrusing your own columns and
read the long list of Sheriff sales Go where
you will you can buy farms at a sacrifice every
body wants to sell, no body wants to buy.
"Why?" because they cannot make it pay.
There is no place blessed with greater
natural advantages for prosperity than
Stroudsburg our fertile lands, numerous
water powers, healthiness and easy access
to three good markets, namely New York,
Philadelphia and Scranton, and just look
at us; the county seat with not more than
$500 inhabitants and at least 75 years ac-
cumulating it! We are behind the age Now
why should we not move along with the
out side world by trying to bring about
some method which will obviate the above
evil. Stir up our sluggish system of home
industry and I'll not only guarantee the
farmer success but the store-keepers also,
who will naturally fall into the tide of
prosperity. Why not call a meeting of far
mers and adopt some method.
Why not start cooperative stores? They
always meet with success and give entire
satisfaction wherever adopted | would
like to hear from some one else on the
subject
| hope you will publish this for I would
like to stir this matter up thoroughly and
get at least even with the times, if not
little ahead "Let us have a cash system"
and fair prices say l.
y SUBSCRIBER AND A FARMER.