New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-12
1.-THE INST1LMENT PLAN."
ITS BLESSINGS AND ITS BANE.


There is one trait in which people OF the present
day have departed widely from the example Of
their forefathers Without giving the latter credit
for all the virtues 1t Is safe TO say that generally
speaking they didn't buy things until they had
the money with which 10 pay for them. They were
not victims OF the "insament' habit. which now
numbers its thousands in NewYork and every
large city
An Irlshman who kept little store in Barclay
ST. thirty years ago has the credit Of being
the first man 10 grasp the fact that there were
unnumbered people in this city who would be glad
buy merchandise of all pertaining to home
making but whose circumstances would not allow
them pay cash down for Il. They were am
bilious to have more clothes. more furniture. more
bric-a-brac to rise 10 a higher plane to keep
pace with their better-to-do neghbors; but alasi
their income would not allow II. They had never
been taught 10 save, which is slow. uncertain.
od-fogy method anyway, and so they sighed and
longod in vain.
This ong-headed man realized this fact and sat
him down TO cogitate. He had little capital which
turning quickly he could wish,
and he wisely reasoned that these people whe
wanted all sorts Of things so badly might be Will.
ing and glad buy them If they could have .
httle Accommodation" OF course these good cit-
had been allowed a little occasional credit at
the grocers' and butchers shops. and perhaps even
the talors where they known. But he would
do better than that He would sell them almost
anything reasonable person might desire and de-
liver 1t to them and he would allow them to make
payment at such intervals and of so small amount
cash that they would feel it'-magic words!
He commenced in small way; engaged half
dozen good men. gave them some samples and
list Of the different goods he would furnish this
plan. and before long the returns began 10 come
In. 1t Immediately evident that this filled
long-felt want People last way to
satisfy their longngs for fine things without bank
rupting themselves TO pay for them. The goods
first sold in this manner were neither large nor
costly. Lamps. clocks albums. bibles, rugs ana the
Ike. But the business has been gradually sys-
ternatized until a can step into an I'M
mense shop, select from large stock furniture
carpets. stoves crockery, kitchen utensils pictures.
everything wanted 10 furnish his house or fiat
completely. then supplement his own wardrobe with
whatever is lacking, and that OF his vile ana
children: more than that. he buy the house
which is 10 contain all this on the same plan. can
insure his and their lives. and last Of all, can
arrange with a funeral director" Ghe undertakers
are all dead, bury him, all this beautiful
insalment plan.
fancy that the goods You have selected win be
Immediately loaded on a and sent 10 your
house. You must first go through the hands OF an
investigator" This interesting person takes your
name address and place Of business at the once.
and goes out a still-hunt 10 find out what ne
IN relation to your income aao actS yods
the scheme, and a good man commands a goo0 900.
salary His report being satisfactory. then are you
soon made happy with house filed with new
goods and your duty and pleasure now consists
only In having the weekly monthly payment
Don't imagine that he will forget you. or be bash.
full In claiming his money, or can be thrown on ing
scent by moving He has ways you woulo
never guess at of following your movements ana
will stick 10 YOU closer than your shadow until ne
has extracted the last cent due. For man who
has a horror Of being dunned the plan is not an
unmiXed good.
Then there Is the ironclad mortgage, which r. an
Interesting accompaniment of the instalment plan.
giving the creditor the right TO repevin his goodS
whenever the payments are not prompt ana &C.
cording TO contract. This is practically never en-.
forced eNcept In the of sales or furniture
sewing machines safes and the like. Clothing.
carpets boots or shoes and bonnets II can readily
be seen would be useless to offer for sale second
time. II is said that the commissions OF good
canvasser for safes this plan are enormous IL
is hard TO effect much damage on an iron SAFE
When the purchaser gets tired OF the never-endin6
pavments and SAYS he will pay no more. and his
safe is lifted and returned 10 the warehouse. un-
kind people hint that II IS very easy TO apply
little putty paint and varnish. and send 1t out a.
a new article to go the rounds again; out this n
probably a SANDER. -
enormous and Increasing. They can be seen on
every car and ferryboat. pulling out their DOCKS
and slips. making memoranda, calculating exc
penses and worrying their brains over the ingrati.
iude of some they have just come in contact
with who has possibly received them colby. has
frowned at them. has money, doesn't know when
ne will have any. and wishes from the bottom or
OF the siren who sells her Establishments BY IN