The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-02-08
SHERIDAN GOSSIP
ALL IS QUIET OF THE
RUBY
ssaess ga ian Behalf OS Home In
sSn~stry leap Year Parties-.A B7Ok-
.NrS. Gse an nse2.

II do not wish to be quoted" said a
prominent merchant OF Sheridan, when
aa}fed by the correspondent to the
N~ADISONIAN to express his views on
cArt&iu business matters, but You may
say This for me. We business men
want Tire peoples trade. Entirely too
u1nch money goe5 back to eastern
houses for goods that we carry in stock
az ali times. If the purchaser really
-&ved money by it we could hardly
felare him for buying in thi, way. but
10 EI0sC cases he actually pays more.
The prices quoted by these houses are
seldom more than p per cent. less
Taua OURS, and on staple articles not
that A bill Of goods amounting to
twelve or fifteen dollars will cost
enough in transportation char ge5 to
offset the little saving in first cost. We
EnaGcve q person has d right to buy
where he can get the most for his
Izg1ney, but it is not right to send away
For goods in order to ave a few cents,
aud then expect to be carried on the
hooks of the local merchants for six
tnonths or year"
The last line or two in the above sug-
ge.ted the idea of making inquiries as
ta the extent of the credit system in
shis locality, and the writer learned
from another source hat a much larg-
e.r part of the business mere is done on
IL cash basis now than a year ago. "We
found" said my informant, "that in
discriminate credit was a sort Of two
edged sword. 1t crippled us and ruin
customers got deeper and deeper into
,3ebt, until they lost all hope Of catch
rag up. Then they grew desperate,
and determined to enjoy life while it
was going, and instead Of economizing
bought more thar ever. A year ago
we decided to shut it off. 1t was hard
at first, on our customers and ourselves
2snt we stuck to it, and to-day there is
@@rS botN NSSPlhS bhAu NC
fore, despite the fact that times were
never du)ler. We dislike very much
~ refuse a man credit, and if he is en-
rioyed and has a reputation for honesty
ae sometimes now consent to help him
y,ut; but we are satisfied that it would
ss3 better all around if all business
Mere strictly cash. We could sell goods
FOR ten per cent. less, and still make
rrlore money.
All of which has beer said a great
Tuany times before and will be repeated
through all time to come. but there is
Elon of what can be done to help the
Gown that can not be too strongly EN-,
9shasized. That is unity of action
Wherever a community is divided
-here can be no prosperity. All the
natural resources in the world cannot
overcome the evil effects of warning
l.actious. The downfall of empires and
lGhe cending Of great commonwealth
%1tbh, liz ilSot l O'Siy Ahoea''SS: W l sSSN
TO internal %,ealousies. And in a more
humble way the petty chickering's and
spiteful opposition of cli4ues and fac
lions in towns and cities tend to keep
sout all that goes to make them prosper
@aas. A move is on foot to establish a
sactory; a dispute arises as to where il
shall be located. One man says if it ii
wv built near his property he will kill
fGae project. Unfortunately, in the
.=xnaller towns, n person can often &C
aeoanplish his purpose. A new church
- to be built: behold, steps are. at once
taken by the other denominations tC
defeat the proposition. Extra induce
anents are offered to candidates to Lead
fsncm to unite with one of the branches
=Sl.e=sdy established. Cold water ii
~hOwored upon every plan suggested
Kfasssible tho project is killed. The
air,is full OF opposition. The children
IL <hA midst ri il and imi.