The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1876-12-06
The Interests Of Red Wing.
RED Wing, Nov. SOTO, 1876


Editor Of Accommodations sugges,
ton that the business men of this city
should meet occasionally and consult
with each other about our interests gem
orally struck me as peculiarly well.
timed. We have become accustomed
to running along in certain old ruts,
and it is a difficult matter for Us ~
raise ourselves out of them. We cam.
not arouse ourselves to realization st
changes which are continually occurring
in surrounding circumstances and ma
terially affecting our interests, unless
we step outside of the customary rout-
inc of employments and take fuller
survey of the field; and occasional
meetings with each ether, for the pur-
pose of talking over business matters
and exciting thought to take wider
range, will do more than anything else
can think of to enable us to see and
appreciate our condition. The natural
consequence Of such meetings will be to
call out important suggestions and de-
velope practicable plans of improve.
ment; to keep us advised of competing
movements and enable us to counter
act them successfully; and, in short, to
give us the advantage of cooperative
effort in seeking to promote the general
interests of the community.
As it is we are all suffering under
serious disadvantages. We have not yet
got over what I may call our "carpet.
bagging'' propensities. These led US
to work for the present only, regardless
Of the future, and we frequently operat-
cd under the impression that our being
here was mere temporary adventure,
which we were likely to abandon at any
day and move away to other scenes and
to the prosecution Of other enterprises.
Hence, instead Of laying foundation
for future business and striving to
build up Il commendable reputation for
public spirit and fair dealing, we only
aimed to make the largest possible
profit out of each transaction and get
rich in a hurry. We have become so
confirmed in this habit that it is not an
easy matter now for us to change it,
and, in our desire to drive good bar
gains, we are likely to forget the con-
sequences on the future prospects Of
our young city. We need complete
revolution to compel US to adopt
wiser policy, and l know of no better
way for it to be brought about than by
frequent meetings to talk over matters
affecting the business interests of our
city.
Let us, for a moment, look at some
Of the disadvantages we have to con-
tend with, and, in doing this, I will not
accuse others Of aught to which I will
not plead guilty myself. Go where you
will in Goodhue county, and you will
hardly fail to hear complaints about the
sharp practice and unfair dealing of
Red Wing business men. Instances
are cited wherein the display Of avari-
ciousdess has been worthy of severe re.
buke, and nnfavorable comparisons are
made between our merchants and those
of neighboring cities. There is no
doubt but that, in most cases, these
causes of offence are exaggerated and
some of them may be wholly untrue,
but we cannot deny that there is too
much foundation for them, and if only
single instance of this sort Of dealing
is established against us, il, :: comnu-
nifty generally disafected towards US,
the injury ia serious.
Again, right here in our midst, we
find that many of our citizens, who are
themselves engaged in business, make
practice Of sending to St. Paul fox
articles which they could purchase JUS
as cheaply here ut home if they would on
. ly patronize their fellow dealers in prefer
ence to those Of larger distant city
Or, if St. Paul or Chicago merchant
comes here to sell off an old stock
which he tinds difficulty in disposing of
In his home market, by little shrewd
management and skillful advertising he
can induce many of US to patronize
him, to the prejudice Of our own deal
ers, and actually to pay him more for
his 'cullings' than the latter would
>la..o ~ Coz haitian ond lako. a4ula