Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-09-06
A DEAD OYSTER.

election of a Democratic president, and
since they have got a Democratic major
ity in congress, they begin to feel that
Democracy and the threat Of free trade
are not good things for the men or
money engaged in the oyster business.
One of them said to me: During the
past season l have not sold. as far as
money represents, one-tenth of the
oysters that 1 used to sell before we put
all these Democrats into congress"
THAT seems an enormous difference,
a loss of 80 per cent in your oyster
trade, " l said.
Wei, " he replied, Il have not sold
30 per cent less of oysters, but l have
not sold half as many oysters this season
as l used 10, and those that l have sold
have been for less money, and even this
less money / have not been able to col
lect."
That is pretty hard lines, " l said,
smaller sales, smaller prices and
smaller collections.
Yes, was the answer, land, take il
all along this side of Long Island, the
number of oysters sold have been just
one-half of what they were before We
" SlCNS ldld- ht We nav .
beds TO supply the New York market
and the American trade, it is there that
we oystermen W suffered"
How does dull trade in New York
affect the oyster business" was my next
question.
well it is in this way: If people
are out of work or not earning as much
money as they used to, they nave to re-
duce their expenses, and the first things
they do without are amusements and
Injuries. People are not Obliged to eat
oysters in order to keep body and soul
together, nor are they obliged to go to
theaters, and when they do not 60 to
the theaters they do not eat oysters after
the theater, and that's just where We
get left"
Where do you sell your oysters
MOSTLY"
II used to ship my oysters and sell
them direct 10 many of the large res
taurants on Broadway and Sixth ave-
hue, and l can tell you that they have
been buying less and less oysters from
me steadily. 1t is not So much that |
cannot collect my money, but collections
are harder, and where L used to come up
once a week and have no difficulty in
collecting every dollar owing to Inc
now / am sometimes asked to wait a
week, or perhaps two or three weeks,
by some of the Sixth avenue restaurant
keepers. And besides this we have to
sell our oysters for less money. 1t is
hard to get Just what will pay actual
working expenses and the wages of the
man xuhn ara WORKING for ms
There is no tariff on oysters" ]
said, land the Democrats say that it is
the tariff that prevents business. There
fore as there is no tariff ON oysters the
oyster trade should be rushing, and peo-
pie should be scrambling and fighting
for oysters"
He looked at me sharply and said:
Whats yer givin us? What affects our
oyster trade is the general prosperity of
the people of the country. If people are
working, they have money to spend; If
they have money to spend, they will
have some amusement and luxuries. i
used to be a strong Democrat, but !
guess | have had just enough of it. !
have suffered pretty badly in my bust
ness since the Democrats got into power,
and that has knocked put of me all the
belief / Used to nave in them. I have
got to look out for myself. my wife and
family, and If l cannot earn money
enough to supply them with food, cloth
ing and comfort while the Democrats
are in power, just the same as l used to
when the Republicans were in Office,
why, l am going to vote for those who
help me. Next election you will find
me voting a straight Republican ticket. "
b. THNKEN.