The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1882-05-20
PRICE THREE CENTS.

| to the closing of the house. Again,
the methods of the firms manage
ment was faulty in the extreme. The
firm, after Mr.. Stewards death, en-
ployed its assistants by the day only,
and made no contract with them for q
longer period. The result was that
there could not be that spirit of hearty
cooperation between employer and
employee essential to the successful
main tenance of large business.
Often the treatment of the employe
was arbitrary, and as the men came to
believe they had no permanent hold
upon the firm, SO far IS continued en-
.ployment was concerned, they sought
other situations as soon as opportunity
offered for change. After the aban-
donment of the down town house the
policy OF the firm seemed to be con-
tracted. Instead of bidding for con-
tinuance of the we althy patron age the
firm once possessed, the house seemed
to cater to the humber and less profit
able trade.
Instead of advertising silks, satins
and cancels hair shawls it announced
napkins three cents apiece" and the
like. Under these circumstances it
was not long before carriages which
were wont to line the stree is during
Mr.. Stewards lifetime gradually dis
appeared and their place was taken
by customers going into the store with
baskets on their arms In search of
cheap bargains. All this marked a
radical cha nge in the eharac of the
business, and indicated its steady de-
cline. simultaneously merchants
ceased to give large orders to the firm,
and it came to pass that only such
goods were ordered as could be got
there cheaper than elsewhere.
This was not a satisfactory basis of
doing business and indicated rather
the methods of the small jobber than
the broad and comprehensive system
of great business house. Being a law
yer and possessed of common sense, it
was not long, said the merchant who
spoke as above, before Mr.. Hilton
came to the conclusion the best thing
| he could do was to abandon entirely
the improbable business, and this he
has finally done. 1t will be done
honorably without doubt.
Every outstanding obligation will
be fully met, as the house has doubt
less four dollars resources to meet each
single dollar of its liabilities. With
the re irement will disappear once
prominent mercantile establishment.
There will be regret among merchants
generally, but no effect upon the mar
ket. It's place will be taken by others
! and the name of A, T. Stewart & Co.
will be only memory of former COM
mercial greatness.
A. T. Stewart when in active busi-
ness did not have particle of sympa-
thy with any employe except it was
for his own interest or gain, and no mat
ter what his condition or circumstances
were, he was summarily dismissed
from employment in his house even
if his family or relatives were starv-
ing. He died unmourned and unla-
mented, and his millionaire body has
not found resting place known to
the public.
Judge Hilton, who was his legal ad.
wiser and friend, succeed to a large
portion of his princely fortune and
business, and Notwithstanding his
handsome remembrance of Hilton in
his will, he never had the soul to give
his patron and friends bones a rest
ing place. To-day the great house of
Stewart & Co. retires from business for
the want of patronage.
If Edwin Forrest, the great actor,
and his friend, Colonel Forney, were
alive to-day, with what shout of de-
light they would receive the news Of
Hlton's failure.