The Somerset reporter., 1891-12-17
Trade at Home

A correct theory for any man who has
an interest to help along his town Is to
make his purchases in his town'or Il near
his own homie as practicable.
l. is a decided advantage to town,
whether small or large to have nice stores
with extensive stocks of goods. THESE
stores and stocks must necessarily be such
as the condition Of trade and the number
Of customers will call for and sustain,
and II the trade that legitimately belongs
to the stores in a country town is divert
ed to other and larger places it must in
time have disastrous effect and cause
the merchant to reduce his stock in size
aud variety snd curtsil his business, to
the detrment of the merchant, his leeiti
mate customers, aud the town.
We think we are safe in stating that as
rule with few exceptions, your home
trader can do better for you thsn those in
distant cities, II he has the merchandise
You want. II he does not, Of course you
must 90 where you can get the goods you
desire. In our home yiIlsges the rents
and taxes are less, the methods Of doing
business not 20 expensive and we save in
travelling expenses and loss of time by
making our purchases just as near our
domelles as 1t is possible for US to do,
Another thing to be taken iuto consid
Grafton Is when we thus deal with people
with whom we are acquainted, we can
have a bit Ola discussion with them after
wards If things are not just what they
seem, or just as represented. 1t is worth
something to be able 10 get lick at" Il
man with whom we have had dealings
sometimes, even though our grievances
may be imaginary. This we do not have
after we have taken leave Of our money
in exchange for goods with strangers,
especially II these strangers be street
vendors or peddlers
| Speaking OF peddlers. As rule, those
who come from other towns and cities
are expensive Injuries and damage to
/ honest business. The goods they handle
are about sure TO be in some way crook
| ed" defect We out Of style, shop-worn or
of cheap grade. They come into places
travel from house to house, offer what
they call big bargains and by hook or
crook often induce people to purchase
goods they do not need or want They
do nothing for the good Of the town, pay
no taxes or rent, contribute nothing for
the public good, or any individual inte-
rest. They are leeches who get sll they
can and give rs little in return as possible.
1t Is different with the merchants OF a
town. They are usually among the most
enterprising citizens. They pay rents,
taxes, and contribute literally for church.
es, schools, charities and public institu-
tions, as well as invest in business enter
prises and industries that give employ
ment to people and build up the town.
In many ways they contribute to its
growth and success, and have claim up
on the patronage of the CITIZENS of that
town if he eau serve them satisfactorily
ne ptuuiet anu lne ndWhef lfom oInei
towns hi s no such claims, and should be
made to understand it.
Give the home traders as well as the
home mechanics, and, for that matter,
the home professionals aud the home PEG
pie all around, fair opportunity to live
and thrive.
They are entitled to the preference In
the matter of patronage, and not that
fraction of it that you cannot give to an
outsider without great Inconvenience to
yourselves. In niue cases out Of ten, pat
ronage of home people Is an advantage to
the one who gives 1t and 10 every case II
helps the town.