The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1900-02-27
JOHN l. sLAIR's PRgcEeTs.
Business Rules For the Guidance Of His
Clerks.

When John |. Blair. who died re-
Gently, worth from $50, GOO, 900 to SO. q.
600, 600, and who is said to have owned
in the course of his ninety odd years
of life more railroads and also more
land than any other private individual
IN the world, kept country store at
Gravel Hill NOW Blairstown) in New
Jersey, in 1881, he employed two
clerks. He had then been in business
for himself eleven years. He had set
up for himself before he was eighteen
years old.
For his two clerks he wrote out a
set of rules The original, in Mr..
Biair's handwriting, was given by the
late Charles ID. Vail TO William C.
Howell, who has had it in his posses
sion for forty years. The reward OF
- referred 10 in the rules was claimed
by Aaron II. Kescy, then one of Mr..
Blair's two clerks. The document is
as follows:
RULES 4 REGULATIONS To BE OBSERVED
By J. l. BLAIR's CLERKS.
''lst. The Storehouse and the Goods
In the same-to he kept in the most
perfect order. Nothing to he per
mitted to Lie in q SlovenIy manner
about the floor. Neither clothes.
shoes, Goods or any other article.
''2nd. No article of Goods, cloth
ing. or any other matter. to be made
use of unnecessarily. But in the
most prudent and respectable manner.
This is q matter worthy to be observed
and Lived up to; as carelessness, and
10 -. j.. g Ill
aud this particular, above all others.
ought to be most strictly, and pru-
IDENTIFY observed; in order to make a
Merchant, or any other good Citizen.
Unless this Principle, the most i'm
portant ofall, is lived mp to, it is use
less to undertake any Business, what
ever, with the Idea Of Making q Liv-
ing. And any person who does not
live up to this Rule of conduct loses
my confidence.
"3rd. Every article Of store Goods
to be kept in their place, in the most
respectable, and neatest manner and
order.
9th. The Books are to be kept
posted mp by the head clerk, and
every item examined by the first and
second clerk, the Charges and post
age thereof; that in no case mistake
can be found Which, ii so done.
will give our business n character
worthy Of notice; and Appre ciatel by
our customers aud ourselves.
18th. L cannot allow my clerks to
associate too much with loose aud i'm
moral characters; nor Frequent the
Taverus. Neither do wish them to
scuftie or wrestle with such, but pride
themselves above this, % no good can
result from 1t, but n Great Injury, it
viii bring on them, such as slolhful-
ness and longing about the store.
And those characters Will take many
privileges in my absence, which would
give uneasiness.
"6th. wish my clerks on the Sab
bath to go Regular 10 church. This
is.a good principle. It sets n good
example to others, if they should not
be immediately benefited by il.
81. Never permit yourself to use
seven broOms to sweep the house with.
neither five blickeys to keep water in:
and other like.extravagances, in pro
portion. Those principles Of extraya-
gance are disgusting, and would rain
any man IN due time. Can you think
IL looks better, or why is il done?
18Th. The Great Principles Of trade
are these and must be observed By
any person, going into business or
carrying on same; which are. Be
strictly attentive always TO your bust
ness. Be Punctual in all Matters. Be
careful and economiZlng in all things.
Make the best Of all things you have.
Watch the situation Of your accounts.
Strictly attend TO your collections
moderately pressing the debtor when
he has funds that you know Of. Ii
dunued. III due form, you generally
succeed. Always know the Situation
Of your own Affairs Avoid riding or
going to any place where you have no
business. It IL always better to at.
tend to your business II You con
tract debts, look ahead and make cal
culatious 20 pay them.
gay \ decent, careful, prudent
man will appear much better i'm a
Hemp Suit, than a slovenly, careless
fop in Silk Suit.
~. y. The clerk best complying
with the above rules shall be paid on
the first Of next April five dollars. and
II both live mp to It, five dollars each,
with my good will.
IN. y. Always consider that you are
doing business for yourselves. when
you do my business. IF yOu live mp
TO the Rules laid down. I will make
men Of you aud it viii make men OF
yourselves. All that ! can do for you
would be Of no Service, n you don't
comply with my rules, and follow my
advice
III you pursue the course I havo
laid down, al viii be safe, and 7 small
have the pleasure Of keeping good ma.
tured but If not an will be confusion.
aud / must EternolIy find fault"
a Feripateuc London church.