The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1907-05-18
MAIL ORDER EVIL
ITO RISE 10 NOT THE RESULT OF
LEGITIMATE DEMAND,
DUE ENTIRELY TO GREED
And Il Feeds Upon the Prosperity
Of the Country Towns-A
Menace to the
Nation,

A. the years go by we are more
than ever brought face to face with
the vital question of trading at home.
During the past decade the habit Of
buying goods abroad has grown to
such proportions that the country
merchant may we'll feel alarmed at
The probable outcome unless something
b done to forestall the great calamity
which will surely result therefrom.
Trade conditions 25 years ago were
satisfactory. At that time catalogue
houses we're entirely unknown and
country merchants were ''monarchs of
all they surveyed" 80 to speak. in the
lines represented. and the people were
prosperous and happy. Perhaps not
20 much because they generally had
money enough to meet their wants.
but because Of the contentment that
prevailed throughout the country at
that time. The farmers raised good
crops. generally. and received good
iyices for what they had to sell. They
Sbld their surplus stun to the local
merchant and bought what they
wanted; and this was the height of
their ambition. hence the contentment
that prevailed.
But In after years. when cities
grew and trade expanded, the mer-
chapts OF these cities not being con.
tent with conditions of trade, devised
plans by which they might reach out
tor more business Advertising In the
newspapers being a cheap way of
putting the merits Of their goods be-
fore the people. this plan appealed to
them and 1t was adopted. AT first they
operated on a small scale; then. as
the merchant saw the opportunity for
making II pay. he added to his adver-
Using fund. And 80 It has continued
until to-day millions OF dollars are
annually sent to mail order houses by
the people Of the United States.
The best and most effective way to
throttle the catalogue house has been
. question uppermost In the minds of
country merchants for several years
past: some advocating one plan and
some another. There are several plans
which might be presented to induce
the farmer to buy at home. In the
6rst place his pride might be appealed
to. There are very few farmers who
own their own farms but that would
be interested In building up his own
locality. He realizes the fact that II
his farm Is TO he valuable It must be
farmed In the most scientific manner
and all buildings. fences. etc. must be
kept up Ia the best possible shape.
and above all the farm must be To-
Gated not too far from some good
town. for we all know that farm land
brings . much better price when near
10 some good town or village. II il
not hard to get the farmer to realize
this. for II he ever sold any farm land
or tried to sell any. he knows this to
be . fact. Well. then. after he has
realised this fact. the thing for him
70 do 10 to patronixe his home mer.
chants and business men. 10 they may
- able to build and maintain q good
town.
Public schools are much better In
The towns than In the country for the
reason that where the population 10
most dense. there IL more taxable
property to the amount Of territory
covered. hence there IL more money
collected for school purposes. and ~
. result more and better teachers are
employed. All this 10 OF the highest
Huportance to the farmer. ~ most
tAemers who are Of any importance In
their profession are Interested In Civ.
Ing their boys and girls good cduca.
ton. And right here ID wnere the good