New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-16
WHAT Ii. b. CLAFLIN SAYS.

ATRlBUNE reporter found II. d. Clatiin, of the
wholesale dry good, firm of II. b. Clailn " Co, at
his home in PieIepOnt-st" brooklyn NJ Ciahlu
was reading in his library. which is richly far
pished: the skins of different animals are spread
here and there upon the floor for rugs and the walls
are adorned with oil PAINTINGS and cngravlngs. lie
received the reporter cordially and led HIM into the
drayiug room, which is filled with works OF the
sculptor in marble and bronze and of the PALMER
III Oil and water cOloIs
"You want to talk to me about the retirement Of
IT. Stewart d Co., don't you !" said Mr. Cla6in,
pleasantly.
"Yes, sir would like to get your opinion as to
the reason for their retirement"
"My opinion about it is that Judge Hilton ana
MIR. Libby have decided to wind Up their affairs and
10 retire from business because they are tired of
it and have made enough money. If that
is so-and | believe it to be-why shouldn't they
retire, as all sensible men should when
they have made enough money have
no doubt that, when their affairs are all settled
it viii be found that they have made ample for
tune, IN the bnsluess."
Do Won think Mir. Clatlin, that the business OF
the hrm has fallen OF of late 7"
No. sir | ala very sure that their sales have
been as large TINS year they were last or III act,
as they have been for two years past"
You do not think. them that the sales have de-
creased since Mr. Stewarts death. or that his death
hal bad effect upon the business OF the nrm y
81 didn't mean that, exactly really wouldn't
like 10 gye an opinion as TO whether the sales of
the firm decreased after Mr. Stewards death not,
or whether his death caused such decrease, If IL
existed, because Judge Hilton and Mir. Libby aud l
are good friends, although some PEG lie have calleC
us competitors. and IT wouldn't look well for one
friendly competitor 10 crltlclSe another or 10 say
that tire sales of his hrm decreased alter the death
of its founder and head would II nOwT
90 But the business of the firm did decrease after
Mr. Stewards DEATH did II not T.
Well-you may say this That it is my opinion
that the sales OF the firm, even If they have de-
aAedf what r.
time nave been as large this last year for some
years past and that the only for the retire
ment Of the firm ~ that enough money has been
made and its members want a rest"
DO you think that the dry goods market will be
affected by so large q stock Of goods being placed
upon IL so suddenly r.
Oh. no. indeed. There will be no mark d effect
upon the market, for the city Is large and the cOun
try il large and no one stock OF goods, however
heavy, can have much effect he goods VIII not ali
be sold IN this city but viii be scattered from Maine
TO California, and in comparison with the whole
amount of dry goods III the country they are really
insignificant in amount. No. | should not say that
the market was overstOcked with goods already or
that there had been any over-prOducllOn. The dry
goods market rs fully stocked, Dut you cOuiu hardly
call II OyeTstocked."
VIEWS OF DRYGOODS MERCHANTS
DECLINE OF THE HOUSE AFTER Mr.. STEWARDS
DKATH-THE METHODS OF BUsINEss-THE RE
MOyAL OF THE WHOLESALE HOUSE MISTAKE
Among Wholesale drygoods merchants yesterday
ONLY one verdict was passed upon the causes which
led TO the withdrawal from business of A. L. Stew
art d Co. Ii was asserted that the prosperity of
the house began to wane with the death OF Mr.
Stewart The character of Mr. Hilton as lawyer
and good general business man was highly spoken
Of But it was said that, for the practical manage
lnent Of so large "A business as that OF Stewart *
Co. lac was deficient In training Regarding Mr.
LIBBY, the opinion was expressed that while an ex-
cellent for the Office" he was not equipped
with the knowled or personal characteristics
uuired for the successful prosecution Of the bust
hess Nc drygoods house, ii said. could become