The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-08-14
Requisites Of True Prosperity.

THERE are certain indications by
any business man can be pretty accu-
rately determined. 1t is true, the evil
dences of prosperity must be deter
mined from reliable sources of infOr-
nation. 1t will not do to Judge of
mans general prospects by one sided
and prejudiced view of what has hap
pened to other people under different
circumstances and surroundings.
Neither will an occasional departure
from common practices justify the OBJ
server in predicating an opinion from
such premises, either prejudicial or ia
vorable. The true way to form a cor
rect idea of the matter is to weigh the
evidences of qualification or knowledge
of the pursuit which the party pos
sesses, in connection with the capital
invested therein, and the demand that is
likely to exist for the commodity which
is produced or kept on sale.
There have been times when almost
every one temporarily succeeded; Oc-
casions when even the most chair
brained' ventures proved remurerative;
but these are only exceptions to a
well-known and established principle,
viz. that Sin order to be successful
one must deserve success"
1t is quite certain that if a business
man trusts to mere luck for propitious
results he is more than likely to be
bankrupt; where, otherwise, persever-
ance and promptitude would have car.
ried him safely forward TO success. In
cases of great emergency, every BUSH
ness man must be his own pilot. Inn
plicit trust in the judgment of others is
very apt to involve one in ruin. Mel
Their should a man rely too much on
precedents; for in commercial transac-
tons the illusiveness of certain theo-
ries has carried many merchant rap
idly to his downfall.
No man can do business successfully,
and for any length of time, without q
purpose, and that purpose must be
plain and explicit. Of course we refer
to business of an extended character.
He must have a chart mapped out be-
fore him constantly in view, and, with
his day. book and ledger for reference,
he must take frequent observations of
the course he is pursuing, and the
dangers to be avoided. In this way,
alone, can a business man ne nlgnly
successful.
Lack of efficient aid, dishonest or UNI
popular clerks or employees, an in
Competent superintendent. false estl-
mate of profit or loss, the mystery OF
intricate books, and q general negli-
gence about the entire establishment,
are fruitful causes of ruin. Beside.
disasters are continually recurring all
over the country, with scarcely warm
ing which makes itself appreciated by
the person who is the most interested
in knowing the true condition of affairs.
Extended credits have been greatly
instrumental, in every commercial
country, in producing bankruptcy; but
long credits, highly detrimental as they!
are, have, time and again, been charged
with the evils that should be assigned
to other causes-among which are IN
competency, bad habits, extravaganza
and an entire lack of system in the
management of details. While trifles
should not be looked after at the ex-
pense of more weighty matters. there
vet are times when even trifies give
color and direction to the most impor-
tant enterprises. In an extensive bust
ness, a fortune can be saved by giving
proper attention to the remnants, or
wasted by pursuing the opposite course.
N. Y. Mercantile Journal.