The suburban citizen., 1900-01-13
IoHN /. eLAIRls eREcEers.
Business Rules For the Guidance of HI.
Clerks.

Clerks.
When John I. Blair, who died re.
Gently, worth from $50, 900, 900 to S7O,.
900, 900, 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. Ho 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..
Blair's handwriting, was given by the
late Charles ID. Vail to William @.
Howell, who has had it in his posses
sion for forty years. The reward of
So referred to in the rules was claimed
by Aaron H. Kesey, then one of Mr..
Blair's two clerks. The document is
as follows:
''RULEs 4 REGULATIONS TO BE OBSERVED
BY I. BLAIRs CLERKS.
'1st. The Storehouse and the Goods
in the same-to be kept in the most
perfect order. Nothing to be per-
mitted to Lie in a Slovenly 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 a matter worthy to be observed
and Lived up to; as carelessness, and
Negligence is the ruin of all Business;
and 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 inn
portNnt ofall, is lived up to, it is use
less to undertake any Business, what
ever, with the Idea Of Making a Liv-
ing And any person who does not
live up to this Rule of conduct loses
my confidence.
Bird. Every article OF store Goods
to be kept in their place, in the most
respectable, and neatest manner and
order.
"4th. The Books are to be kept
posted up by the head clerk, aud
every item examined by the first and
second clerk, the Charges and post
age thereof; that in no case mistake
can be found. Which, if so done,
will give our business a character
worthy of notice; and Appre ciated by
our customers and ourselves.
"5th. 1 cannot allow my clerks to
associate too much with loose and inn
moral characters; nor Frequent the
Taverns Neither do I wish them to
scufle or wrestle with such, but pride
themselves above this, as no good can
result from it, but a Great Injury, it
will bring on them, such as sIothtul-
ness and lounging about the store.
And those characters will take many
privileges in my absence, which would
give uneasiness.
18th. l wish my clerks on the Sab
bath to go Regular to church. This
is.a good principle. 1t sets a good
example to others, if they should not
be Immediately benefited by it.
81 Never permit yourself to use
seven brooms to sweep the house with,
neither five blickeys to keep water in;
and other like esextrayagAnces, in pro-
portion, Those principles OF exrava-
gance are disgusting, and would ruin
any man in due time. Can you think
it looks better, OF why is it done?
"9th. 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 busi-
ness. Be Punctual in all Matters. Be
careful and economizing 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, If
dunned, in 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. 1t is always better to at.
tend to your business. II you con-
tract debts, look ahead and make cal
culations to pay them.
''Bsg@ A decent, careful, prudent
man will appear much better in
Hemp Suit, than a slovenly, careless
fop in Silk Suit
IN. B. The clerk best complying
with the above rules shall be paid on
the first of next April five dollars, and
If both live up to it, five dollars each,
with my good will
IN. b. Always consider that you are
doing business for yourselves, when
you do my business If you live up
to the Rules laid down. l will make
men of you, and it will make men OF
yourselves. All that / can DO for you
would be of no Service, if you don't
comply with my rules, and follow my
advice.
"If you pursue the course have
laid down, all will be safe, and shall
have the pleasure of keeping good ma.
tured; but if not all will be confusion,