The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1890-02-27
THURSDAY FEBRUARY 81, 1890.
1T DON'T PAY.

For some time past there have been
parties canvassing among the farmers
in this vicinity, and have made sales to a
very large per cent. of the solid men for
Gosh, the aggregate amount being, it is
said, in the neighborhood Of $4,000, per-
haps more. In order to sell these goods
there have been two men employed for
some time, with the additional expense
of good, round livery bills. On Tuesday
delivery was made of the goods-a half
car load. What is the result? One good
farmer living a little south of the city
received forty-three pounds Of sugar in a
sack which was said to weigh fifty
pounds, and for which he paid a little
more than twelve per cent. more than
the goods would have cost him at retail
here.
Another man bought seven pounds of
tea dust-or supposed he did, for $1.OO.
He had five pounds of it net, of a quality
interior to that offered at retail in this
city at the rate of eight pounds for a
dollar. Another man bought five ; al
Ions of syrup put upin four gallon key.
Another found that exactly the same
grade Of tea for which he paid forty
eight cents retaied here for twenty-five
cents; and for six pounds of currants one
paid fifty-hve cents, when better goods
sell right along here at twelve pounds
for a dollar.
In all these cases freight was added to
the price. at the rate of about half cent
pound.
Our merchants are unit in declaring
that they would only be too glad to
duplicate every bill purchased at the
prices paid-in fact in nearly eycry case
they have offered superior ,ods and
full weights at prices as low as have
been obtained. Said a travelling sales
man for a reputable wholesale house in
Minneapolis, who has been fifteen yeLrs
in this territory; II have met these par
ties all through northern Minnesota,
and tell you know whereof l speak,
when say that these fellows are making
double the profits on their goods that
reputable retail dealers are making, when
quality and weights are taken into ac-
count"
The HERALD has satisfied itself of this
fact: The farmers have been outrage
ously deluded and deceived in this mat
ter. In Ordec to make sales they have
flung out bait, such as offering sugars at
a tribe below legitimate retail prices, and
by so doing have persuaded customers
that their prices are all lower, whereas
they have charged more for everything
else, and in the aggregate have received
more money for the same goods than
would our local merchants.
The HERALD has no axe to griId, no
desire to do any one any I'M ustice-but
feels that it is in duty bound to present
the facts just as it finds them. ANY
farmer, a purchaser from the farmers
friend" concern or not, can verify all
that has been said above, just as the
HERALD has vel flied it, and the HERALD
will lend assistance in doing so.
Just word to our farmer friends: IF
this be true, is 1t nota suicidal policy to
further pursue this delusion? This ques-
ton is asked in all candor, and not for
the purpose of stirring up any animosi-
ty. If our merchants and dealers, your
neighbors-can and will supply you with
goods at the same price. even, which you
pay outsiders, is it not hostile to your
own interests to send abroad for Your
goods? You are dependent upon them
as they are upon you. You have pro-
duce to sell which they want-but can
you expect them to buy of you when
you refuse to buy of them? Investigate
this matter fully-not by asking the
price of singl: article and then jumping
at conclusions; bur offer spot cash for a
bill of goods such as you have sent
away for and examine the quality critic
ally, see that the scales are accurate, so
that you get just what you are entitled
to. Try this method-compare results,
and If you fail to be fairly dealt with. let
the result be known.