Evening journal., 1889-08-10
ON THE CREDIT SYSTEM
A Big Baltimore House to
Open in Wilmington
ON MONDAY AT III MARKET ST.

Carpets. Furniture and House Furnishing
Goods sold on Credit without Guaran-
tee or Security, on Small Weekly or
afonthIy Paymenis-The New system
Described.
For some time past, and until within
pw davs, a small army Of workmen have
cen in possession Of the large four story
aiding at No. III Market street. They
pere engaged in renovating, painting
and papering the entire establishment
and their work was done with artistic
completeness During the past week
new stock Of goods has been coming IN
and Judging from the elaborate prepara
tions being made this latest accession tc
Wilminetons mercantile interests gives
evidence of having been projected on
grand scale. Considerable curiosity has
also been excited around town as 1t had
been rumored that the new house was 20
Introduce an Innovation in Wilmington
business circles.
A reporter for the EVENING JOURNAL
ascertained that Frank ]. Murphy OF
Baltimore. who Is the proprietor Of two
large business establishments In the
Monumental city, had decided to extend
his system TO this city. This gentleman
Is the originator of new credit system
in selling furniture, carpets, oil cloth,
mattings, stoves, baby carriages, refrig
orators and housekeeping goods Of all
kinds. Its salient features are low
prices for the best quality Of goods in all
departments and at terms which will
prove surprise. Any responsible
housekeeper can purchase bill OF goods
Mt Mr.. Murphys establishment without
security OF guarantee and the terms re-
uttf
down and equally small weekly pay
ments In the course Of an interview
with Mr. Murphy, who by the way
is a very courteous and entertaining gen
tleman, the JOURNAL reporter obtained
the details Of how the new system was
introduced and operates in Baltimore.
An outline Of the firms operations there
will convey an idea of what win be
done by the new house in Wilmington.
Mr. Murphys principal establishment is
at Nos. AIS and All West Baltimore
street, where during the past ten years
two commodious stores have been occu-
pied. The system met with such favor
with the Baltimore public and proved
such success from business standpoint
that four years ago Mr.. Murphy found II
imperative to increase his facilities,
This was done by opening another extern
awe store-The Arcade--at No. 300
North Gay street, corner Of Front street,
Baltimore The business continued to
expand until Mr.. Murphy is now doing
An annual trade which aggregates
$500, 600.
Heretofore the popular impression has
been that to carry on a retail business on
the credit system higher prices must be
charged than when sold for cash. In the
case Of the house under consideration,
Mr.. Murphy buys direct from FIRST hands
IN large quantities and thus is able to
give his customers the benefit Of the
middle.mens profits Then the liberal
terms on which the goods are sold brings
a largely increased volume Of trade. For
instance on $40 purchase a cash pay
ment of 81 Is required; the balance on
weekly payments of 90 CENTS on 81 a
month. On bill of $50 the weekly pay
nents are 81 or $4 monthly.
Larger bins IN the same proportion.
The experience Of this house has been
shat with a large portion Of the oommun-
hy depending on comparatively small
Incomes, the credit system with easy
payments, is popular Institution. es.
pecjaliy when customers are assured that
they are under no obligations to the
house in taking advantage Of 1t. On the
contrary, the house appreciates their
patronage on the same principle as If IL
were accompanied by the spot cash.
During the past week, as already
stated. the new stock has been coming Ia
for the Wilmington store and the work
OF putting it in position has been goinl
on vigorously. On Monday next It will
be formally opened to the public and th'
occasion viii doubtless be taken advan
tage Of for liberal inspection on th'
part of those particularly interested
The display of bright new goods vii
make a favorable impression, beyond
doubt The building. which is wei
lighted, and extends through to Shiplel
street, presents a very attractive interio
appearance In the basement will b
found stoves, refrigerators, baby car
risges and oil cloths The first foo
contains an elegant and varied dis
play of furniture, carpets and othe
floor coverings Second aoor, upholstery
parlor suits. hat racks, rattan goods, etc.
third ioor. chamber furniture and car
pets ia medium and cheaper grades. MI
John T. King. for several years with th
house IN Baltimore, viii have charge @
the Wilmington store Visitors and Gus
toners will have prompt and courteou
attention, and the new house starts L
Rnder the most favorable auspices A
An Indication Of what Mr.. Murphy's sys
sem has accomplished IL may be state
shat fifteen years ago he began busines
In Baltimore on a very modest scale; "a
day he ranks among that city's leadin
do