The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-04-12
BUSINESS DISCOUNTS A CHANGE.
The only trouble with the business

Inc only Trouble With lHe DuSlhS97
world is its love for the existing way
of doing things-its lack OF desire 10
try any but the most well-beaten
pathg of Investment. How different
the rule in every other ayocatlon OIL
life! In science, art, literature, law,
medicine and theology, there is con-
slant undercurrent Of change, that al
most daily wells up in new place.
The theories of today are changed by
the discoveries OF tomorrow; the
ideals Of last week are remodeled
this; and even in religion the preach
ing Of a decade ago is discounten'
anced now. But in business the
same conservatism rules yes
terday, today and thlough
the future. 1t is paraphrased In the
saying "capital liz timid." The trouble
lie. In all other fields Of human action
inuuisitivenesa is the rule, but in bust
ness acqulsl'iveness reigns supreme.
In other v0cations, to study, to invent,
to try the new is the essence OF their
advancement; in business it is to hold
fast to the present and only attempt
to improve il upon lines explored and
approved centuries ago. Why 1t 10
that in all things man holds most
dear, his development and enjoyment
of himself in the present and working
out his hopes for the unknown future
he Is not only willing but anxious to
indulge in all manner Of theorizing
and experimenting, but in the
care Of the almighty dollar
be holes with death
Ike grip to belief in what has
been will be" until time is no more
no change for me.
And thi, is the foundation OF the
solid wall every progressive idea IN
business is conquered by or stumbles
over. The groove Of routine business
has worn into such terribly deep rut
that to pull out of it takes almost
super human effort. Shaving paper
from time immemorial has proven to
be a safe and lucrative business; then
let US keep at it forever. Lending
money, at a high rate of Interest,
upon collateral worth four or five
times the amount Of the loan has been
a very satisfactory business in the
past. and why should we seek
change now? Buying vendors
and mechanics liens has made US
money in the past and though there
may be dearth Of them in the mar
ket now, we will keep our money
piled up in bank waiting until such
time as enterprising men may call
some more of them into existence.
The appeal is made to you pointedly,
IL not this the line of argument and
reasoning along which the business
OF handling money proceeds, has and
will proceed; and because all lines of
business are affected by the condition
OF the money market does not all bus
mess accordingly suffer?
50 1t Is that when progression
approaches the realm of business
IL has to use not the
mere incentive of suggestion but
the siren song of strong persuasion and
that too long drawn out. What but
this stubborn adherence to old &C.
cust0med business investments and
usages has kept the South, but to us
most important, Texas, 30 long from
engaging in that line of business that
for half century has proven 80
profitable in the North-we mean, OF
course, manufactures. But persua.
sion has been at work, the scales are
falling from our eyes, Austin for Texas
has taken the initiative step forward,
and we with Texas will soon be COM
p!etely in line with the advance of the
New South, which only became New
when it shook off the trammels of old
Business methods.
|
CITIZENS, 1t is Sunday morning
our dam will ha com nleted in two