Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-04-17

properly considered as little episode. If
so, then why treat it SO seriously might be
asked. 1t is not the reflection itself upon
our merchants that has prompted these
com ments, tor that will soon die, SO far as
their misunderstanding is concerned. We
take the opportunity it offers to counsel
the culture of better purposes, and first
make careful investigation, should any
person be disposed in the future to DO
similar ipiustce. If that be done, then that
disposition will becore extinct.
We also take this occasion TO speak of
the manner in which the produce-trade is
conducted in this city. If the merchants
were to propose the organization of a. Prod
uce Exchange. ten chances to one that
farmers would complain. Why sc? Be-
cause they prefer to be their own commits
sion merchants, to offer their own products,
and to ascertain for themselves. through
bids, all they can receive for their offerings,
The buyers do not complain of this some
what tedious process for the reason that it
is the most satisfactory method to the pro-
ducers. Nor is there anything wrong in
one dealer to say that be is not buying on a
certain day, of certain kind of produce, and
that another merchant is. We illustrate in
this way with wheat. First with our mil.
lers; one firm in their office and others
whose mills are in the country are on the
streets and in their offices also during every
business day of the year. To them every
seller has free and full access, and we chal-
leDge as practical farmer ourselves, and
one who annually has surplus of wheat,
and for our brother farmers too, any man
to rise and say that they have ever failed to
pay full price or attempted in any way to
lower quotations below just Standard
Now for the shippers of wheat. 1t is not
every day that all can buy with safety
Why? Because, as at this season especially,
when the quantity in producers hands is
running low and only small wagon loads
are offered, there is great difficulty in
making up q carload of equal grade and as
quickly as any prudent dealer must do to
keep his business we'll in hand. Then
again, another shipper may be near the
end of making up carload snd he is buy
ing. Then where is the harm in one dealer
saying that he is not, but that another is
buying at that time, and this for the infor'
nation of the producer who often makes
the enquiry which calls for the answer
With the millers in the market the year
round, it would be futile attempt in any
or all the shippers combined to make q
corner, and this we state more in the inter
est of the farmer than for any other pur-
pose.
Confidence and industry will build up
calumny and distrust will pull down. The
last does its work quickly. Many years Of
effort, guided by the first, to accomplish
prosperity, is no protection against the
speed with which the last undermines it.
The Argus of the 10Th contains the fol
lowing, which is all that it says Of the
matter, and is copied according to the
promise made above:-
"Our little say last week on the subject
IF the ring and the farmers created quite 2
furry. A perfectly reliable gentleman no.
now in business informed us uD Saturday
that ne rIng existed among the grain meI
at the time he WAS here and that they alt
honorable men aud dealers"