The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-04-24
FRIDAY. APRIL "A. 1886.
FRIENDS AND OTHERS.

II develops that passing interest has
been awakened in a special dispatch
under st. Paul date which was printed
In the Standards edition of Wednesday
morning. The wholesale merchants in
Minneapolis and st. Paul. as the dis
patch recites, discover that they have
lost a good share of the Montana trade
with which they were formerly favored.
One feature of the case was presented
in these words: "A recent growing ten
dency on the part of Montana dealers
to refuse their usual orders to Mime
apolis jobbers has led to an invesitga-
tion. Z. T. Leclair of the Baltimore
Packing, company in Minneapolis has
led in the inquiry. Mr.. Leclair said to-
day that he had conferred with many
OF the Minneapolis jobbers, and all who
sent travelling men into Montana or
who have trade I'm that state report
that there is large falling off in or
ders. and that their men are received
with scant courtesy in many Montana
towns. George r. Newell & Co. who
have had a very large trade in the
state. find that they are losing bust
ness. other jobbers tell the same
story"
This result is not surprising. Many
months ago a concerted effort was
made throughout Montana to divert
trade from the cities of Minneapolis
and st. Paul; for its part the Standard
is glad TO learn on excellent authority
that the movement is bearing fruit and
that the two cities in question realize
their loss. Montana had been taught
10 believe that its people have much in
common with Minnesota, a state which
is an essential factor in the broad re-
gion known as the Northwest. The re-
lation was one which the business men
of this state cheerfully recognized.
They were glad to favor Minneapolis
trade; the testimony of all the jobbers
is that II is a trade well worth having,
chiefly for the reason that credits in
Montana's mercantile circles are I'M
usually good.
1t was discovered. however, that the
not reciprocated. This state has i'm
mense interests which have been I'M
fsvorably affected by legislation at
Washington. The citizens of Montana
who protested against this injustice
were denounced and scoffed at by the
press in Minneapolis and St. Paul. We
undertake to say that the bitterness as
well as the bigotry and the ignorance
that have distinguished newspapers
like the Pioneer Press, in their assault
on silver's friends, have not been
matched in any city on the Atlantic
coast.
These twin-city newspapers have a
right to their opinion; so have the mer-
chants OF Montana a right to discrim-
mate when they give their favors to
the jobbers. We do not suppose that
the Montana merchant will feel himself
under obligation to buy in a higher
market merely TO square accounts with
any newspaper critics; fortunately that
is an alternative that is not presented
IL happens that the merchant in this
state fares as well by dealing with Chi
cago or ST. Louis or Kansas City as
with Minneapolis or St Paul. That be-
ing the case, we are glad that the loss
of trade in the two Minnesota cities has
come 70 be Of importance enough to at
tract attention. Those two towns have
ne claims on Montanas good will. II
this state must buy Of its enemies. let
us buy of those who are outspoke a
about IL and who do not set up any
specious pleas based on geography OF
neighborhood or alleged social rela-
lions.
The Standards special dispatch OF
wednesday morning remarked that
some of the representatives OF Anime.
sofa jobbing houses are treated with
scant courtesy by merchants in Mon.
tana, that the Minneapolis Commercial
club lis making Investigations and