, 1889-01-11
A NJ FOR IMPROVEMENT

CHANCE FOR .LHPR o YEMENT
The most encouraging sign Of the
times is the slreAdy well established con
yiction Of the permanent aud prosperous
future Of the city. abe change which a
lew days have worked is marvellous
This was very pleasantly manifested at
the meeting OF the board Of trade held
yesterday. Not only was the attendance
larger. hut applications for membership
were received from thirtytwo business men
This of itself is sufficient to show an
awakened interest that must result in
much general good.
The town is now headed in the right
direction, but a plain duty lies before each
individual citizen. Reliance must not be
entirely placed on a few men in the OK
pcciation that they can accomplish every
thing desired. Each citizen of the city
can contribute something toward the
general good and the new year, which
opens so auspiciously, should be marked
by a united effort to accomplish every
thing possible Tor the good of the city
and territory
As a mans first duty is TO his family so
a citizens first duty is to the community
in which he lives. The man who is not
truq 10 the community interests is not in
the best sense a thoroughly good citizen
We have in the community a number Of
people who. for reasons obvious, prefer TO
send out of town for goods which they
could duplicate in price and quality right
here at home. As an example we have
known people who had their measures
taken for clothing by an agent here and
sen on TO st. Louis, Chicago or Phila-
dclphia to have them made up. There
have been instances where the fit, the
cut and the quality of the goods could
have becn duplicated ut a lower price by
the dealers in ready made clothing. Many
people have ACQUIRED the notion hat ex
trcmely high prices prevail in all branches
of trade here, and withou; stopping to
inquire INFO the matter send out OF town
for manv goods which they require. The
result OF course is to take away from the
community money which righttully be-
longs here, and thus injure business men
who help TO sustain our public institutions
by paying heavy taxes. This action is
not just to the community or to the men
who are endeavoring to do business here,
These remarks will apply to most
branches OF trade, and yet there are some
lines in which the prices which prevailed
n few years z are still maintained. This
works incalculablo injury to thecity. 1t
tends to establish in the surrounding
country a reputation for high prices which
not only Injuries one branch Of trade but
indirectly every branch. 1t likewise tends
to make it very difficult to build up any
thing like awholesale. or iobbing trade and
forces ONE people. who are so situated as
to be able to save a dollar, to go elsewhere
for their supplies.
The quicker it is realized that the day
of high prices has departed never to re-
turn the better Tor all concerned. The
town could not possibly have a better rep
utation than that its merchants sell goods
at a close margin. Dealers in various
lines are already reaching out to secure
more than a local trade. A little persever-
Ance and prices which every merchant can
afford to make when he changes his stock
frequently will, almost before we are
aware Of it, build up a jobbing trade
which will soon reach enormous proper.
tions.
If the individual owes a duty to the
community, the merchant likewise ives a
duty. All classes Of goods can be sold to
just as good advantage here as in Denver,
for there is no difference in the freight
rates. II the merchants here are satisfied
with the same profits as the merchants
OF Denver there can hen be no object in
anyone sending away for Il dollars worth
Of goods.
This is a matter which should receive
earnest consideration, for it will prove to
the interest not only Of the merchant and
the individual but the whole community.
Cattlemen.