The San Saba news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1873-1966, 1882-10-28
Undertaking and Advertising.

Undertaking and AdiertlStpg'
From tho New YoSSTdbqhc(
Doueles Jerrold once renarfed that
every branon eff business had its bright
side, and then, by way OF making good
his assertion, he added; Nov, were /
an undertaken l know OF several per
sous ! could work for with not a little
,a.sf iction." Doubtless If Mr.. Jerrold
is familiar with the current undertake
ing business he has discovered anoth-
err and signal advantage that it pos
sesses. SO far as we are aware, no
other trade or profession is permitted
to advertise itself upon the walls OF
churches. The patent-medicinc men
the patent bitters men, the patent den
thrice men, the circus-men, the negro
minstrel men, tue theatrical and oper-
attic stars in fact all people except
undcrtakers who bid for public Pit
ronage are never suffered under any
circumstances to set forth their attrao-
ton upon such capital coigns of van.
tage as church wall. Having done their
best in the newspapers they are com.
p He'd to put up their posters placed
on fences, sides OF houses, aud dock
fronts. Phines I, Bhrnum, like another
Alexander, is always seeking Tor fresh
fields in which he may call peoples Mt
tention to what he has to interest them.
But we have ct to learn that he ever
succeeded in getting one of chose i'm
pressivo Autographs of Jumbo upon
even the most liberal of churches. The
undertaken of the period, however, is
permitted not only to utilize fences,
sides of houses, dock fronts and q
hundred other secular places, but to
nail his business sign generally neatly
picked out of gilt-upon the very walls
OF the temples erected for the worship
of God.
Why should this he SO? How does it
happen that IN these days when anti
monopoly ideas have free course and
gloiiiied by both political parties, any
class in til community should be grant.
ed so remarkable a special privilege ?
1t may be said in reply, by the defend
ors OF this monopoly, that experience
has demonstrated that underlakera as II
class nre moro worldly than the
'-a.ei 81 ~ la,t faIisasfsl nttitsiiA, ana that,
therefore, the ehurchca Of the country,
without regard to sect, are simply ON
ploying a iusIiilable means OF grace
when they suffer these extremely world
ly.minded men to catch the public eye
from church walls. But we cannot re.
gard this NJ satisfactory reasoning. For
we do not believe that the average
undertaken is closer welded to the
world, is less seriously minded than The
average lawyer, or hackman, or dealer
in horses, or lightning-rod dispenser,
or professional politician. Unless We
are greatly mistaken in our estimates
u competitive examination would firm
~ establish the fact that your under
taker is just as good, as men go, as any
other man. But heaven forbid that
such IN examination ever should DC
made. We would infinitely prefer thai
the undertakers should'enjoy their ad
vertising monopoly nndisturbed. May
the day be far distant and constantly
receding when to the sigu-boards Of
undeltakers upon our churches shall b'
added those of the representatives o
the hack and industries which VIC hav,
referred to. II is better to let bat
enough alone.
II anything IS done IN the premises
let the undertakers be politely re
quested to remove their business card
from the churches. Centuries ago Tia
money-changers and dove sellers wer
driven from the inside OF the temple
and no valid argumsnt can be urge
why other branch of business whic
now desecrates the outside OF the tenn
pie should not be similarly treated
What is there in the nature OF th
undertaking business which should SC
I cure it the privilege tina. it now has2
! family needing, he services ofHn undel
I taker has no mt re trouble in supplyin
its need than a family needing the SCI
l vices OF grocer or a dry goods me
/ chant. Not bit more. AAd the unto
3. rehensibie a. the union Of cii6rch al
A state.