The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-05-29

One Of the frequent complaints heard
by those whose duties take them
among the merchants of our city is
that it has become a habit among many
Scrantonians TO do much OF their pur-
chasing in Philadelphia or New York,
thus sending away money which would
be of decided value to all Glasses if kept
~steadily in home circulation; and by
that extent Gripping the prosperity Of
the community in which they live.
The following remark was made not
long ago by a local manufacturer who
spoke with some bitterness. Inasmuch
as be was not expecting to be quoted,
we feel obligated to Withhold his name:
l could tell you of members Of the board
OF trade, some even prominent in the eff
forts OF that organization to induce new
manufactures to establish here. who have
not for years patronized several branches
of home industry already established. One
buys his carriages and harness in New
York, and sends his old vehicles there to
he repaired. Another purchases his clothes
there, and a third has not for many years
Lad n new piece Of furniture in his elegant
home that did not reach him through some
dealer IN the metropolis. Aud so on,
through the list. We merchants get the
trade Of those who canuot afford to go to
New York to do their buying: and a good
bit OF this trade we have to carry along ON
credit. But those who have the money to
pay cash for what they need frequently
ignore us altogether. and we notice it, /
tell you, when we come to balance our
hnpkg ut tho aOI nF fla vaar
Is it possible that this view of the
case is somewhat exaggerated; but
there is undoubtedly an element of
truth in it. No doubt the habit of
which complaint is made ia Que largely
to thoughtlessness. In few instances
would we like to believe that it ia re-
peated deliberately. While there may,
upon occasions, be a superficial gain in
the purchasing of goods far away from
nome, as a general ruls this supposed
economy in the long run defeats itself.
A community like our own, when snec.
tally favored with certain natural re-
sources that comprise practically an
exclusive item of wealth, stands in
much the same relation toward distant
communities not thus favored that OBJ
tains between the United States as a
whole, and less favored countries in
Europe. We protect our American
labor and American CAPT.
tai by interposing such tar
if laws between this country
and those countries as will preserve to
both our great national home market.
While it is not feasible to duplicate
those tariff laws in the smaller SUBJ
divisions of our common country, it is
at least feasible for each community.
40 far as it cRn without actual inius.
lice, to care for its own interests first.
The thirty or forty square miles Of
which Scranton is the logical trading
center would enjoy a better prosperity
If there were less diversion of active
capital to distant places except in the
purchase of wholesale stocks or raw
materials which we do not manufac-
ture or produce in this valley. This
would give to all of US a mutual eaina
which is the secret and essence of in
dependent citizenship, national pros.
pe-ity and advancing civilization.
By such an application Of the protec.
ZIONIST theory it is not meant to dis
criminate against any other section or
class; hut simply to apply, in practice,
the Scriptural theory that "he who
will not provide for his own family
hath denied the faith and is worse
than an infdeI." The Scrantonian who
votes for national protection to home
industries aud then proceeds to neglect
the industries of his own home, hath,
it seems to us, consciously or uncon.
eciously denied the faith" aud is
worse than q Democrat.