Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1908-03-27
The Old Question Again.

A subscriber Of this paper, living just
out of the village, states that the Regis
ter has been coming to his family for over
forty years and that they would not like
to be without it. This is appreciated and
accepted with thanks. But in the same
communication the writer states that he
has for years been buying from mail
order houses.
This is his priviege-he may do as he
wishes. But there are just few ques'
tons that might not be out of place at
this time. We assume our subscriber to
be farmer, as he has enclosed an article
clipped from so-called farmers paper
Valley Farmer gives the value of a
years subscription each month. 1t Is
forum for farmers, and provides place
for them to air their quirks that have
proven to be of value. But this is Just
part of its usefulness. | bought a glass
door of one of its advertisers for S24i,
including % cents freight; the sash
bought from our dealers here would have
cost a. | also Fought storm sash for
$l.13, including % cents freight. which
would have cost here 81 -. The same
lONdl utdltl Miio SdNN AilO AiiN0t iAr~ti'7
sold me 800 pounds of hard coal, which
weighed at home and found G3 pounds
short weight. They say they cannot
give honest weights and hold up in their
business. F. 5. Weaver, Vivian, ). d.
What price, Mr.. Farmer, do you get
for your butter, eggs, cheese, potatoes,
ETC., from the mail order houses; or Is
it possible that you do not sell anything
to them? What would you think if the
local people-merchants and buyers alike
would refuse to purchase the product
of your farm? Would you like to be dis
eliminated against: Are you not doing
that very thing to others when YOU send
money that you collect from your neigh
bors to city five hundred miles away:
In the article quoted above we can see
the statement they say they cannot
give honest weights and hold up in their
business" meaning local dealers. 1t
would be interesting to know if our cor
respondent agrees to this statement; and,
if he does how would it suit HMM case
one dishonest farmer was found-to have
lilell all ufolSud'rA % 0hNll'
The paper from which our correspon-
dent clips the article favoring mail order
houses is no doubt subsidized entirely by
house-wrecking companies and man
moth cheap stores who carry on just such
journals so that these papers generally
appear at your home unasked, unex
pected-and unpaid for. Or, at least
you are informed in red letters, that yot
can secure this triumph of erudition fo
the fee of twenty-five cents for five
years, and, withal, get a free share in al
air-ship factory or a stock-certificate in {
diamond mine all thrown in, take you
pick.
Mr.. Farmer, do you accept corner-lot
in Dismal Swamp in exchange for tn,
product of your farm? How, then, car
you expect others to do so? 1t is tru'
that an occasional bargain can be secured
from a catalogue store. But you can ge
good honest goods from your neighbors
the country merchants as well, that he il
willing to tell YOU he makes an honest anC
legitimate profit ON. Do you deny his RICH
to do so? Does not he and his employee
use up the product of your labor? Lool
at this matter in a little broader light
and you will think twice before you WI
be so anxious to send away the life-bloo'
of your own community, where you
children are reared and educated, wher
your hest friends are to be found an,
where no doubt your bones will be laid
Or persist, if you will, in sending tn
best you have to some distant place. Blu
do not forget to have codicil to you
will made to the effect that your remain
be cremated and sent as last tribute O
fealty to your beloved castle Of cheapnes
the mail-order emporium.