Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1878-05-25
COMMUNICATED.
COMPETITION.

MI. LullOT-SOiupSliNiou "'', ""'
and ought to come, and every business
man will willingly or unwilling,y pre-
pare to meet it, Many changes are go
ing on in the business world; it is use
less to complain and quarrel with ;hem
the only wise course is 10 conform TO
them rs tar as necessary, e. G., the In
PRODUCTION of machinery has increased
production and decreased the demand
for labor This is an unfortunate fact,
but one that cannot be prevented; the
only plan is to shape our conduct as TAR
as possible 10 conform 10 inevitable
progress; it may be necessary TO con-
duct our business differently-perhaps
to change our business or residence.
We must reason-use our bralns-and
whatever policy We determine on after
careful reflection We must cheertully
and energe:ically pursue. 1t is vain TO
think OF success in any vocation without
work-persevering, concentrating labor
of mind and body. This is Gods law
the wise man acknowledges it and
succeeds.
Another change that is progressing
is the tendency of business 10 cities and
large establishments, whether they be
stores or manufactures Look at the
fighting rivalry between New YORK,
Philadelphia and Baltimore. Mark the
fact that very few boots and shoes and
clothes are made in the small towns or
inland cities Your country or town
merchants will sell you the goods, or
order you a suit of Wanamaker, Walk
er, or some other city manufacturers
What must the country merchant do to
counteract this change of trade? Tho
merchant must sell bis woolens at
small advance, and the tailor must re-
duce his charges, cut iashionably, and
guarantee a fit, i. @, the country mer-
chant and tailor must combine 10 recov-
err their lost trade-they must come
boldly and resolutely in the war OF COM
} petition, and fight for their interests.
, Every man ought 10 deal at home, but
he cannot be expected to do it if be has
, to pay more and get suit OF clothes
which do not fit.
: Merchants ought to buy their sup
plies from their customers, and will do
; it if they can buy at the same price as
from others, c. G., the merchants OF
: Shepherdstown will not and ought not
TO lay their customers more tor pota-
: toes, butter eggs, &c, than they can
: buy them from Marylanders and others
the farmer must submit 10 competl-
} ton in what he sells.
The merchants and talors Of Martins
e burg have combined TO recover the
: trade lost by rcady-madc clothing and
n suits made TO order in the cities; they
: are acting wisely. The competition In
t Martinsburg is very great, it is manifest
e from its many stores, and the numerous
e advertisements in the REGISTER.
What do the merchants and mechan-
y les of Shepherdstown propose TO do !
o Do they intend to let our trade 60 TO
Martinsburg, build it up, and let our
h town die?
/: Much of the trade that properly be-
longs here has gone to Martinsburg.
t Why? Because the purchaser believes
= he can buy goods cheaper there. Wheth'
: er this be so or not, he thinks so. You
s have to show him Le is mistaken, and
a that it is his interest to buy at home,
r which he will do as a matter OF conyen-
: ience, if he thinks he can buy as cheaply.
Y Our town will not prosper with THIS
Y halfdead, hall. alive, don't care policy
e we must wake up, and enter as yalia0t
! soldiers in the war Of competition.
Martinsburg has been great wool
e market, the result of competition among
buyers They look after the wool all
t over the counties, aud give the highest
4 prices. Is any one buying wool in
Shepherdstown' We have not seen n
| wool advertisement. Wool is sent TO
Martinsburg, Duffieds and Kerneys-
: Vile that would be brought here if any
t one would energetically compete for
the trade. II man brings his wool to
: town be will spend some or all OF tho
l money; as with wool, so with other
, things, this makes trade, business and
prosperity. We suggest TO our mer-
chants aud mechanics to look after the
; residents OF this part Of the county who
deal in Martinsburg and elsewhere, ask
: a trial, sell goods as low az they can be
bought in other places, not only do it,
but make people believe it. The only
, disadvantage we suffer is the hauling of
goods from the railroad; we must sacri
fee this if necessary, because there is
more money made by doing a large
business on small profits and having q
live town, than a small business on
large profits and let all the cash go to
Martinsburg, and we sell all our goods
and wares on credit or for trade. This
is the way business is transacted: the
cash buyer goes where he thinks he can
DO the best--the credit buyer goes
where he can. Sell for cash or very
short credit il is no kindness to permit
any one to make large store accounts
Oh long time. If possible make diff
ference publicly between cash and cred
it sales. Wake up! he live, active,
business. fEIEK.
DR.. J. b. Strayers farm ia Shenan-
doah has 500 acres in wheat which will