Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-03-24
OUR HOME MARKET.
Communicated.

communicated.
Let us say q few words in behalf OF
our local merchants to those of our
homo people who have habit of going
to Philadelphia to purchase commodi-
ties OF various kinds which they Gun
obtain just as well right hero at home.
We say habit, because with great
many, it Is nothing moro than habit
which cannot be defended IL subjected
to the test OF the application of common
sense and business principles.
We do not find fault with any Gus
toner who goes where he can purchase
things the cheapest, provided, Of
course, that quality and quantity go
with tho price. This il not the point
in controversy. II will not apply to
one tenth of those who go to Philadel
phia to do their shopping.
II persons residing IN Dover. for in
stance, can purchase goods in their
own town as oheaply and with as large
an assortment from which to make
their selections, il would lie manifestly
unfair TO ask them to leave their home
market and come to Wilmington to
trade. We are not seeking from them
! that trade which their own merchants
are enjoying. but that which the home
merchants do not cater to and which
they are seemingly averse to bidding
for. We arc only after that portion of
the trade which goes to Philadelphia
and Baltimore.
In speaking Of Wilmingtonians who
go outside tho city for things which
they cannot get within its channels of
trade no word OF cepsure or disrespect
should be- said. Our reference 10 not
to them In any particular, but t., that
large class who run oil to Philadelphia
for every little thing they need, regard
less of the advantages offered by the
local market When expense OF travel,
lost timR aud Inconvenience ARE con
Eidered, it is safe to assert that Will
mingtoGian can purchase any article
sold here at home as cbeaply, if not
moro so, az he can in Philadelphia. IL
ia his duty as a citizen to keep his
trade here at home If he can do &c
without suffering in pocket. In fact,
it would not be HmiHs ii he were ia
sacrifice little money now and then
tu the trade interests Of the city which
affords him his living, for he would
benefit by the reflex Of general activity
in the trade Of his home community.
If thoss business men who demand the
mechanical skill of an artisan were to
go TO Philadelphia every time they
need the services OF such man, where
would the living OF the local artisans
come in? And IL the artisans GO tc
Philadelphia every time they want
something which ia kept by the bust
ness men OF Wilmington, who keep
them at work, what incentive has thu
business man 10 have his work don't
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ciprocal relation. and the sooner it il
recognized the botter it will be for al
trade interests.
Women are the worst of these Phila
delphia shoppers, Their husbands give
them the money, expecting them to ust
it to the best advantage, and pay bu
little heed to the matter of where II ID
nut in circulation. Their wives tel
them that they can get thinga cheaper
in Philadelphia; the statement goes il
one ear and out the other, and the
womsn proceed on their little juuketinG
trips. Men do not care to be bothered
with the details of household economy,
They leave them to their wives. Hence
few of them sit down 10 figure out tht
saving made by trading in Phiadel
phia. When q woman comes home from
] I
pair OF ahoes which she got for SO anC
which would have cost her from 49, 81
to 81. 80 here at home. She gloats ove
them as great bargain. and her hus
band compliments her on her business
sagacity in saving him from % to 81
centa. He does not consider the 81
cents or dollar which it cost her Il
get to Philadelphia; the 20 cents fol
street car fare; the ice cream Of
luncheon; the various little articlei
which attracted her attention aud lee
to their purchase; the wear, and teal
and Inconvenience; the cold lunch a
home or the poor dinner at til.
restaurant during her absence. i
would make his wife exceedingly angr,
il he were to monitor any OF theat
things. They do not enter into th'
matter from her point of view. Sh,
can only sec the difference Ia the pricl
of the same shoes ut home and IL
Philadelphia. This is simply one ex
ample OF woman's bargain. Sht
bitterly resents its Impeachment, ant
she glorjes in its achievement.
II those men who countonance sucl
actions on the part OF their wives viii
take tho matter home and consider j
calmly and deliberately they will 80,
what grave injustice they are doinl
themselves and their business aeso
ciates and co ahorers in the local felt
OF business endsavor. -
Let the heads OF households pay NOR,
attention to this matter. They are th
wage earnsrs and the question 10 on
which affects their self interest tn
creator or less degree. When they hav
thoroughly grasped the Importance o
tue matter they will act With wisdom
and decision.
| IIctureg Inv Telegranb