Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1894-10-03
Al analysts Of the Rouss Principle.


tion recently Mr.. Erastus Wiman, one of
Gotham's great financiers, made most in
teresting analysis of the business principles
which had guided Mr.. Rouss in bis great
success. He said that in Europe the man
who could discover the secret of success at
the gambling city OF Monte-Carlo would be
known as the most remarkable OF men;
equally so in the betting ring and on the
race track, if there was principle to be
discovered by which the book maker could
be beaten and the "talent" always success
ful, the discovery of that principle would
result in enormous profits. But even these
discoveries, or plans, or schemes faded into
uothingness compared with the man who
could in this new world of ours; in this
vast race for supremacy in wealth, in sue
cess and prosperity, discover principle of
business that would make success absolute
ly certain, not only for the man himself, but
for every one with whom he had any deal
ings.
1t had become principle in the govern
ment of this country, and indeed among ITS
habitual business operators that, success
could only be achieved at the expense and
cost of some one else. But in Mr.. Rouss'
case he had demonstrated that the success
of his customer, was his success, and that
the success of the consumer was not only
the success of the customer, but the success
of Mr.. Rouss himself.
To reyolutionize the business habits and
practices in commerce so vast as that
which pulsates through this country; to re-
verse the policy of business, and snatch sue
cess where ninety out OF every hundred fail,
was an achievement of which Charles
Broadway Rouss should be far more proud,
than of the noble building which he occu-
pies on Broadway Of the great rating which
he has in the Agency, or OF the great gift
which, to day, he makes to his people
TIE ability to discern, when in the depths
of distress, sorrow and adversely, principle
which if directly applied to business, would
make him within ten years a semi. million
aire, and within twenty years multi-mil-
lionaire, was to possess satisfaction greater
than that which Carnegie possessed in his
wealth, or a Vanderbilt, or Gould, by
their accumulations and combinations ever
achieved.
Would you, my friend, know this princi-
Pile? 1t is:-To buy for cash and sell for
cash in the first place. And in the second
place, rigidly adhering to fair and legid-
mate profit, so that when the goods are
bought at the best rate that each could buy
for, that a fixed and determined per centage,
known to all men was added to their cost.
Further, that when they were re.sold to the
retailer, a per centage, fixed and determined
was decided upon so that no matter under
what adverse circumstances the sale was
made and the cash paid, the customer, at
the last analyses was sure to have the bene-
fit.
Was it any wonder that looking down the
vista Of time, and discerning and developing,
one afte. another, men of calibre and abili
ty in these great points this simple minded,
clear headed, sagacious merchant should
say that here at Winchester, here, there and
everywhere, and at all times he was Great
ing establishments that sell so cheap that
they will universally attract attention; and
that the men who buy Of them will not
have to pay price double that of the orig
inal cost, to make up for the losses sustain
ed through the credit system, that the man
who has the money in his pocket or in his
hand, can get its worth without paying the
added increase for delinquents, deficiency in
ability, dishonesty of pOor-buying and poor
selling and all the manifold expenses and
disasters which result from the credit system.
Mr.. Rouss, and the amry Of customers,
some six thousand in number that he has
built up around him, have taught new
gospel of success TO the American people,
a lesson of success which in this land of
Righteousness, ought always to be achieved,
for there is no need among the customers Of
this country for any credit at all. There is
an abundance in the farm, in tho manuiac-
tory to pay cash at all times yet nine
tenths Of the business Of the country
Is done on credit II il a mistake which
our friend has done much 10 rectiiy,
and his name and career will be remember
ed and 20 down to future generations, not
only because he was good to his poor friend
in adyersity; not only because he was kind
and generous to every man with whom be
came in contact not only because he gave
his native City beautiful system Of water
works to benefit them for all time; not only
because he was public spirited, generous and
good at all times,-but because he worked
out a new principle in commerce, great
revolution in trade, and has taught the
American people great principle, that 1t
is not in loss in product that wealth resides /;
that it is not in labor or in capital that
achieves great success, but that it is in the
rapidity Of exchangeablity that wealth can
I best be achieved.
In MS own practices and in his own great
business, he has taught the American people
the same lesson which his friend aud COM