Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1894-08-16
WAYslDE TALK.

The great "sea day" has just been
celebrated in New Jersey. 1t is an an
cient custom in that state for the coun-
try people who live inland to spend one
day every year on the shore of the old
ocean and to take an annual dip in the
waves. Originally it was called "wash
day" and some of the older inhabitants
still cling to that title but whatever the
name the fun goes on just the same.
The Jersey canvas covered wagon is a
great factor on this occasion, for it not
only is the usual mode of conveyance,
but is also the bath house, when drawn
up by the shore. The bathing costumes
are selected from home garments and
the men, at least, spend half of their
time in them in the water and on the
sand. We are glad that there is great
sea day and that those who have few
days of pleasure in the year can enjoy
this event with neighbors and friends.
1t is equal to county fair in bringing
out crowd and for picturesqueness
it in every way.
The New Jersey farmer has been
watching and patiently waiting for rain
to break the drought. In some parts
of the state no rain has fallen for
month and the crops have been dam
aged to a very great extent. Corn is
now being harvested for fodder and un-
less rain comes this week it will be too
late for much benefit. Reports from
the west say that distilleries at Peoria,
ILL.,, are closing down because of the rise
in corn which was brought about by
the dry time. The drought has been
broken in two states and it is reasonable
to suppose that the distilleries will i'm
mediately do business at the old stand.
We doubt if the price of corn has cut
much of a figure in the matter. I'm
doubtedly there will be plenty to eat
and to drink, and it is hoped employ
ment enough for all in the near future.
When the crops are harvested there will
in all probability an average yield
throughout the county. The south
seems to be favored particularly.
Advertising schemes are getting to be
a marked feature in the business world
and we frequently hear of some new
dodge to pull in trade. Here is one:
An ambitious New York firm sent out
agents into two or three small cities
within reach of the steamboat lines.
These agents distributed free excursion
tickets to the metropolis and return,
with no obligation to purchase goods.
A steamer was chartered which car
ried full load. At the New York
landing horse cars, engaged specially,
were in waiting to convey the excur-
sionists to the great schemer's place of
business. 1t is safe to say that the
sales that day were enormous, likewise
profits. We have never been in favor
of doing business in this way. In this
particular case it was individual action,
but in many New England cities there
is united effort in making gala week
and getting cheap railroad rates for the
sole purpose of selling goods to the resi-
dents of country towns. 1t is usually
expensive for the buyer and certainly
hurts the local dealers of the towns
from which they draw their custom.
We believe in buying where most can
be had for the money, but it is fact
that people often make mistakes in un-
dertaking to buy half years supply
of dry goods upon occasions when
crowds are in attendance.
Now is to come the final and most
distressing scene in the Pullman strike.
Three thousand persons, strikers and
their families, are to be evicted from
their homes unless they go out of their
own account. The strikers refuse to
work and have paid no rent as a rule
since the commencement of the trouble.
New hands are taking their places and
the company want the houses of the
defaulting tenants. What is to become
of the women and children of these
workmen? Help they must have from
some source. If instead of the miser-
able sympathetic strike of Debs' rail-
way union, a fund had been started for
the Pullman men, how differently it
would have been taken by the public.
There was waste enough in halliday
of the railway war to have fed and
clothed the families of the destitute
men they pretended to help for long
time. 1t is to be hoped that further
trouble in Pullman may yet be avoided.
Let us have peace, and more than all,
let us have a better understanding
one with another. Capital and Labor
should not quarrel further at this time.
Let what fighting there is to be done
the balance of the year be done in
Washington we expect nothing better
there and are fully prepared to stand
the consequences, but as between man
and man in the working world, we say
again, let us have peace.