New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-24
SOCIAL, CHANGES IN NETWORK.

SQUAD CHANbE- IN NEW -1Ohh'
LIFE AS AFFECTED BE- OLD WORLD HABITS AND
PARTICULARLY Ely THE CREDIT SYSTEM.
TO the Editor Of The tribune.
Sir: The letter OF the "Ex-Dplomat' In
recent issue of The Tribune would not have had the
weight il has nor have been deserving Of the same
degree of public attention few years ago, as II does
today Our merchants will tell you that times have
changed I'm the matter Of credits, That they CANNOT
refuse to recognize the order OF things, ana nave
accustomed themselves to It, They open accounts
freely and the more prosperous the firm the more
smoothly the system works to the advantage OK the
BUYER and seller alike Our fashionable and semi
fashionable society is now modelled upon that OF the
old World Our needs have become the same, ana
our opportunities have had to grow to meet our neces
stiles
Foremost is tho privilege OF buying "on account
Our incomes are derived from various sources How
ever stable they may be, the receipts not return
able I'm season TO make cash purchases effective
For instance, one must buy far In advance OF the
time for USE While winter yet fingers in the street.
nav before she has a thought OF departing the shop
windows are gay with the lghtest OF summer fabrics
What does this mean Why, simply that we must
bny at once for use six months from the time OF pur
chase. You may fancy some diaphanous textile some
day when you simply looking land that means
that reason l. still rullng) and q few days later IL
has disappeared, having been secured by q more
prompt buyer. Not only must these simpler fabrics
be bought but the richer and cOstler garments and
all the accessories OF elegant toilet We must
80 early to the dressmaker to secure her valuable
services. She Is lenent as possible, although think
as a rule, in this country have not far de-
parted from the ancient and honorable customs OF
paying for this kind Of service promptly. Perhaps
they are afraid OF their sex. So rarely does
difficulty arise in this listing order OF things that you
would not know by the newspapers that tho credit
system exists at all
The social distinctions prevail today in Amer
lea abroad, only under different The people
who pay promptly are tho " middle Glass; called
because. neither possessing the wealth Of the upper
crust the poverty OF the subStrtum they occupy
the golden mean Of comfort and sound prosperity.
have heard from very artleSs the statement
that very rich people the hardest to get money
from, This would corroborate the statement CT the
TX Diplomat for the possession OF abundant means
constitutes our ariStOcracy think II is conceded that
this privileged class with regard 10 every advantage
OF purchase II Is naerng TO the tradesman 10
number prominent people on his list of consumers In
more ways than II is proof OF the righteousness
OF his method, and the good taste Of his selections 10
have people who are acquainted with the best the
looms supply. and whose tastes are trained by travel
md familiarity with all that IS sumptu0uS. recognize
Tho de,irubilty Of his goods. | have even heard II
expressed that such customers are never asked 20
SETTLE and the greatest good sense is shown when the
little word remit Is never allowed to be seen on the
monthly statement ard collector is sent to look after
delinqucnts The instant n collector appears the
account pretty to be closed II other firms treat
the creditor with broader consideration II used to be
said Of Demonico that the rule there existing was
TO ask for unpaid accounts and that no III results
attended the iudicious proprictors maxim Of trade
wealthy people are not incOnsderate. They do not
trade where their peculiar methods would embnrrass
and hinder progress. suppose this is why our large
o.. hmm ify and dWindlp :
hopccssly.
There IS one thing sure OF the credit system. Women
by th, means Yield readily 10 impulses than they
would by prompt cash payment Women cannot be
called lavish Of money. As class they use money
sinCilarly well. Those who are truly exravagant
i've exclusively FOR pleasure. Light come. light 60
and the alternate periods OF welbeing and the stress
OF necessity are not unknown 70 them Put Of women
Of welItO do families In modest relation 10 society nj
large Il can be said that prudence is the rule and not
the exception But the tendency II toward another
order Of things. Within the last decade much Of the
simplicity Of the democratic living had departed. The
term Of the Clevcands at Washington was marked by
tho arlstocmtc tendencies II n would be American
Court and the presence 81 now species OF royalty
To an external observer London life i Reproduced in
Ncw-Y0rk with little weakening in the copy. This
lifc calls for different requirements than our simple
social habits inherited from New England ancestry.
Truly we need not follow un",, we choose. No
one i, anxious for another 70 swell the ranks unless
he or she can contribute 10 the general und of enjoy
mcnt but then every wishes TO Dee in the swim and
why should stand the gaping observer when
there IS much light aud brightness beyond tho
canopcd doorway. and It IS not closed 10 u.s. This
change in social affairs produces another order ~
woman from the best known to American literature
but one who will stand the test of common-senNe ana
viii probably make more Of her sons and daughters
thnn the Intensely utarian hOuSclcepr or the help
cssy weak and colorless woman VINO Is SO often her
product. , ,,. -,
As 10 the impulSivc women whose Impulses lead
IN crime they are happily few. They should serve
as danger signals To all who have the care OF youth
in their keeping. But II Is refreshing In these DAYS
who1 women are rclapsing into maScullnny ana arc
being treated no longer with the c0nsldei'lton OF a
farmer pcriod 10 be shown the gI1vure Of possible
woman all heart and helpless head. the creature
ia coddlc n some dumb thing. or rs child whose
ortcs.ncss in it, charm. IL seems dream OF peace
i'm an age Of conflict. breath from old chlvalrc times
norndI,c rcgained But II will not do. II i not for
ns and perhaps is not best to inquire TOO closely
nto tc experiences Of those who from ancient times
- hovcr or hall have lived the life OF the emotions
We NAV find deeper sorrows than we have ever com
nrchcndcd and n bitterness stccpe To the drcgS The
hotter position for woman In society Is To Keep her
intellect weltraincd and by reason hold Impulse NJ
bay. - 900, fh'>'N''' - "' 80