The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-11-03
The Democratic Advocate.
WESTMINSTER, MD.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 1894
Facts for the People.

eht agriculture, commerce anu IhahhlaNtuiSa'
make living cheaper and bring about general
prosperity.
The Republicans have held to the opposite
theory. The tearing down of the Protective
system, they have contended. meant ruin
and disaster The press and orators of that
party have been laboring hard to prove their
predictions, since the passage of the tariff
bill, but the signs of returning confidence
business activity and industrial revival are
so overwhelming that the people can he
no longer deceived.
The ADVOCATE last week noted some of the
many evidences of returning prosperity and
today notes more There can be no question
that the new tariff law has had very benefi-
cial influence on the business and manufactur-
ing interests of the country, and has resulted
in renewed activity in all lines and a eheapen-
ing of many of the articles of prime necessity.
We do not propose to deal in theory or
opinions, but to state plain facts in regard to
the lower cost of goods. Westminster mer-
chants have been asked how prices compare
now with those of last year or even last spring,
and we propose to let them speakin their own
way.
Mr.. William f. Derr, of the firm of Theo.
Derr & Son. and who is the buyer for the firm,
said
I'm high class novelty dress goods the prices
are about the same. In plain cloths there is
a reduction of ten cents yard from last year
prices The same quality we sold at 50 cents
a ward we now sell at 10, and the Sl.OO quail
on, I,Fh hat ,a.t, ,safltr
sold for so cents yard we now sell for 81
cents; the 60 cent quality is now 45.
Here are hannels There is a reduction of
five cents yard ON the SaXony and Talbot
makes and seven cents ON the Queche.
Look at these drawers. We sold them last
year at 81. % pair. Here are some OF this
wears purchase we are selling for Sl.00, and
ifthere is any difference those of this years
purchase are little better finished. We sell
those left over at 81 100 pair also.
In ladies vests the better quality are % cents
less and the cheaper quality 10 cents less.
In ribbons there is about ten per cent. re-
duction.
Wooden blankets that sold last year for $3.50
a pair are now $500, and the $500 grade are
now $500.
In ladies cloaks the prices are about the
same as last wear, but the quality is better for
the money.
The fact is there has been a reduction of
from ten to twenty per cent. upon all dry
goods, and $50 will buy now as much as 500
would last year.
On some goods we get more profit, while
selling at less price, than we did last year, and
ON some the profit is much less. On some
cotton goods the margin is only quarter of a
cent a yard when it was one and half to two
cents last season.
Ladies hose are about cents pair less.
We give three pairs for dollar now that were
last year 80 cents pair.
Best ingram carpets that were 10 cents
ward last year, we are now selling for 90 cents.
Brussels carpets that sold for sl.0o year are
now 80 cents.
Mr.. Fred. D. Miller, of Miller Bros, when
asked if there was any difference in the price
of goods now than formerly, said
..AIl wooden goods are reduced considerably:
at least fifteen per cent Cashmeres and hen
riettas that were so cents yard are now 80
cents Here is a gray camel hair underShlrt,
Tmen's that sold for IS cents, we are selling
for so cents.
Piedmont cotton yard wide, unbleached,
we are selling at cents yeard, that cost %
cents last season. We are selling ginghams
at cents that formerly cost us q andS. The
8 cent grade is now cents.
LADIES ciOdks nave uuNdHttu ~ pei VIM.
the past few DAYS, on account of a strike among
the cloakmakers, but our stock was all pur-
chased beforehand We have some cloaks
that we are selling at $500 that formerly sold
for $1,000.
Wooden blankets are from so cents TO Sl.00
n pair cheaper, according to quality.
All wool cashmere that sold for 30 cents
yard we can now sell at 35 cents
Ladies' Atwood flannel skirts that were Sl0O
and 81 20 are now 70 cents.
All hannels are from to 10 cents less
yard.
In silk velvets, good quality, there is re-
duction of % cents yard. The Sl.25 grade
of last season is now Sl.00.
In wooden carpets there is a reduction of
..lent 10 cents q yard.
Ribbons are not much less in price, but this
is owing mainly to strikes, and most mills
are behind in their orders.
Hosiery is cheaper. Hermsdorff dye, an
imported hose, that sold for 35 cents Is now y
cents. We have n lot of mems at Is cents
that were 25, and we give three pair for half
dollar.
At Orndorff 5 Double Stores, the buyer for
the firm was not in, but the other member. Mr.
Clarence J. 0rndorff, said goods generally are
cheaper. particularly wooden fabrics, dress
goods, ilannels, carpets, &C.; that giughams
that never sold for less than cents heretofore
are now cents; that better grades of goods
are now given for the same money than form
erly.
Mr. NJ. Schneeberger was asked
Are YOU selling goods this season of the
same quality less than YOU did last year
Mr.. Schneeberger Certainly | ann
ssWhat lines are cheaDer p
Mr.. Schneeberger-''A All lines, in dry goods
and notions, but profits are not good all
through as heretofore.
Mr.. Z. L. Reayer, who deals exclusively in
boots, shoes, hats and caps, said
.sThere has not been as much reduction in
my line as | expected. There is some little
reduction in wool hats. | have wool hats as
low as 25 cents, and have a fur hat for S1.00
that was formerly Sl.25. | have ahand.made
shoe that sold some time ago for $500 that | |
now sell for 100, and ladies handmade
welt shoe for So. 80 that was once $500.
The reduction in my line has resulted mostly 7
from improved machinery and competition,
but look for considerable reduction in wool
hats by spring.
The merchants were not asked what effect
the new tariff had upon prices, but simply if
there was any difference in the prices of goods
now than last year or last spring, and in what
lines. We have given their replies just as they
were made to US They were not discussing
the effect Of the tariff but giving plain answers
'laain questions
hsse hen an facts, and the facts show a