The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1879-12-13
ABOUT PRICES.

Those in control OF various lines of
business are actively engaged in putting
up the prices of supplies just as fast as
they think the public will bear it. They
are taking a policy suicidal to their own
interests, as we'll as of those to whom
they sell. Last year, forced by the scarcity
of money in the hands of the people. deal
ers of all sorts put their supplies downto
a price at which people could afford to
buy. Coal was So a ton: flour, 80
barrel: bread, cents 4 loaf; and land
lords every where Except i'll the town of
Elkton) took what rent they could get.
and were thankful. Wages were lower
than for twenty years. and dry goods and
domestic fabrics were lower still. Men
were working for one dollar Il day. and
there was less grumbling than tor years.
People, who lived on salaries, drew their
monthly or weekly pay. and were com
paratiyely happy. because some little re-
manned after their regular recurring ex-
pensoS Of living were paid. There was a
general breath Of relief iii the prevalent
idea that 1.-THE bottom had been reached
at hand, excited something like content
all over the country. Just who disturbed
this hopeful state OF things is not appar-
eut, but it certainly would he Interesting
TO know. Greed awoke found odd dol
lars resting in peoples pockets here and
there, and straightway concluded it was
time to transfer those dollars to its own
There is no excuse Of scanty supply of
the necesSarics of living. or limited de-
rrand for things people must have. for
putting up prices no short crops. OF want
Of labor. but the simple reasoning that
= the public can afford to pay more, and
it shall have the privilege.
The pressure Of prices is carefully gradu-
ated, not to crush the life out of the body
at once, but most carefully calculated to
take every increasing ounce of strength.
If the weight of prices does not take the
iIt VI liistli. II iiiC lilt o'I VI lilN
comfort in living, it binds him once more
down to 4 hopeless and chccIlc~s task /
The standard of trade i'll selling the ncces-
saries of life ought to be, NOT bow much
people can afford to pay, but how cheap
the dealer can afford TO sell. Laws. from
time immcmGrial, have been made 10 re-
strain the cupidity Of dealers III food
who were not allowed always to vcnJi-
late the comfortable theory that prices
regulate themselves. It might. with
equal truth and in the same sense, be
but .iails and statute laws are convenient.
notwithstanding.
Prices are not going to regulate them
selves to suit arybody as much as the
seller, unless people stir themselves to
look after their own interests. As long
as the rise in prices is submitted To. and
people pay without grunbling. the tax
viii he charged. Ii they protest. and act
accordingly: if they change TO corn meal.
huckwheat ana rye instead of iiour: if.
without demonstration. they JUietIy cx-
egciSe while longer the virtues of de
NAL and frIgality they hal begun 10 learn !
in the hard times. it will not take long to /
teach monopoiics that this country is not !
the place ior them. and convince dealers /
in tie necessalies Of life that their hope !
Of fortune must lie i'll the aggregate Of |