Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1907-12-13
OUR BUSINESS MEN.

ing or profession we may have,
after years of toll at it we become
weary at the task, and naturally
come to the conclusion that our
neighbors make money easier,
live better, wear better clothes
and have more of the comforts of
life than we enjoy. This feeling
seems to be growing rapidly dur
ing the past few years and di-
rected principally against the bu-
siness man. People conceive the
idea that if this comes through
the channels Of trade his profits
are exhorbitant. Shrewd, de-
signing men, some of whom made
absolute failures as merchants,
have taken advantage of these
unfortunate conditions and be-
come parasites on the legitimate
trade Of the country through the
catalogue system, and hence we
see great packages of goods of
nearly every conceivable thing
on earth coming through the post
Office, express Office, and the
latest and most ridiculous addi-
tion to this peculiar condition of
affairs is by wagon through the
mud and loaded with groceries
from neighboring town.
Were we the only sufferers from
this fanciful notion of saving
money through this channel we
would conclude oursbusiness men
were a set of grand rascals, un-
worthy of the confidence of the
people. But it seems the Ameri-
can PEOPLE "like to be humbug-
ged," and hence all over the Uni
ted States money is gathered by
the thousands and sent away to
men and business firms with
whom you have no acquaintance,
either as to their integrity or re-
sponsibility.
If the purchaser was capable
of judging of the merit of the
goods purchased, or had them
under his view for inspection it
would seem a different PROPOSE
tion. But are you judge of the
goods sent you? and did you
know that even in staple articles,
such as ginghams, calicoes and
muslins, with the price commenc-
ing, say at 4 cents per yarl, they
rise from l cent per yard up to
10 cents, and when the tag is ia
kc.. off it takes an expert to tell
the difference? Did you know
that Two pieces Of silk may be
exactly matched in color and
texture and when put under a
magnifying glass you will find a |
difference of two or three threads
to the square inch? Did you know
that rubber boot, after being in |
stock for two years in a warm
climate is considered worthless. |
and could you tell the difference
when you looked at it?
Have you ever stopped to think !
that men are paid fabulous sala-
ries for their delicate sense of
touch in the selection of delicate
fabrics? Yet, Notwithstanding
all this, you are willing to trust
this entire stranger, whoever he|
may be, to make your selection
for you, while you watch your
home merchant like a hawk /
watches a chicken, or a hog
bucket of swill. Why don't you
send your money off to some city
bank for safe keeping instead of
seeking some sound financial in
stitution which has stood in your
community for years and defed
he storms of adversely, and to
whom you can go with your de-
oosits feeling sure that when you
get up in the morning the certif-
cate will be good? Some of you
;ried this recently and you know
he result.
Did it ever occur to you that it
.akes years of deep study and
careful application of all the in.
~o-,,sAx, of 49, ,~,s~l - l.z |