Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-12-29


These gentlemen and others who
could be mentioned understand all
about the business, pleasures,
and hardships of the modern
travelling man from Wheeling,
whether on the railroads or drives
through the country, and they would
have no trouble If 80 disposed, in filllng
a few volumes from their experiences
in business, its changes and progress
and the many sides of humanity in
general which they have observed or
been called upon to meet.
In former days the travelling men
from Wheeling visited their customers
not more than twice year, and as the
customer at such times was always IN
need of goods and travelling men fewer
and not so much competition as to-day,
former purchasers were little more
anxious to see salesman than at thls
time and the representative OF whole
sale house could exercise mild kind or
ownership over his customers. Inc
sample trunks were not very numerous
in those days, and travelling and hotel
accommodations at times a little crude.
The former travelling man in many OF
the country places where he visited
was looked upon by the people, VINO
would gather at the store, as nttie
above the average or humanity, anu
great questions in those communities
were referred to him for his advice and
judgment In other words, he would
tell stories and carry news to the
places he visited, which would be the
current topics discussed by the coun-
try people for many months after. He
was also always loaded down in his
trips with accounts, and as business
was generally good, would often make
things around the hotels and stores a
little lively at times for all those
there gathered. In fact, this came as Of
course, and was looked upon TO some
extent as necessary in the business.
Wheeling was in those days the busi-
ness centre for much larger scope OF
country than at present.
The travelling men Of Wheeling to-
day are as body far different class
than in years past. The growth of man
ufacturing has made them experts or
the goods they handle in all respects,
and the fund Of knowledge possessed
by them as to the history and manu-
facture OF the same is very complete
and necessarily abreast OF the times.
They are also keen students Of the
markets for their goods, domestic and
foreign, their quality and current
prices, and the causes OF such condi-
lions. They are also as a class shrewd
and well informed business men from
the details OF the business they repre-
sent to every department of affairs
into which the same enters. In bank
ing, commercial law, credits, and
knowledge of human nature they must
be up to date to hold
their positions and have success, not
only in the theories but practical appli-
cation Of the same, to the interests
which they serve.
The wholesale merchant Of to-day re-
quires such accomplishments to be
vested in those whom he employs 10
represent his business. and as a result
the travelling men OF this city and coun-
try are of much higher class and
ability than twenty-five or thirty years
ago, and on every hand many OF those
long in the service of a wholesale firm
become one Of its members in the
active pursuit of its business. A major
ity OF the travelling men Of Wheeling
are married, great change in domes-
tic conditions from that of former years,
and the several names allotted to them
formerly are not so much in use at
the present time. In fact, the hard
name feature Of the class held by
many is a matter of history and not
Of present application. The travelling
man of to-day has more to contend with
in business than formerly. The rage
of competition, requires him, if
successful at the present time
in his territory, 10 be a
live man in more directions than one.
Expenses are higher, especially in the
matter of excess baggage, and no
longer can the modern travelling man
with the certainty of former years
hold his customers, and the spirit OF
competition in these items establishes
no rules Of honor or propriety as to one
salesman of the same line going among
the customers Of an established trade
and attempting to do business. and
often they are successful
The travelling salesman of to-day is
emphatically the concern he represents
while on the round. and the highest
type Of business judgment is demanded
of him in all transactions that his firm
becomes interested. Collections. f1nan-
cial Stringency and embarrassments OF
his customers and what rivals are do
ing are subjects with which he must
deal in prompt and accurate way, To
the end that losses may be cut down
and trade held and increased.
1t is not to be taken that the travel
ing men Of Wheeling are ancient in
any sense of the word as to matters
outside OF their business They are
still very good judges of hotels, thea
tres, lectures, music and the arts in
general, and some can tell as good a
story as their brothers now retired. and
they enjoy the latest in the affairs of
the world quite as much as other
classes OF men.
The travelling men o. Wheeling are
nearly all members Of their fraternal
order, the L. c. T., established for its
social and insurance features, and the
same is now in flourishing condition
The future field for the travelling men
will continue to grow broader as pro-
gress and advancement takes place in
the country and world. His calling. in
the judment of those best Informed
will never cease. as was thought some
ten years ago. In the matter of cred
its and human nature for the near
future will then be presented a field
together with better mastery of mod
ern business problems, to engage the
attention and ability of the travelling
men of this generation, and in that
solution and proper application will
his vocation continue to hold its nres.