M ICHIGAN  TR A D ESM A N .

S P E C IA L   C O N V E N T IO N   E D IT IO N . 

GRAND  RAPIDS,  DECEMBER 3,  1890.

NO. 376.

VOL.  8.
A  GRAND  SUCCESS.
FIFTH A N N U A L   CONVENTION 

THE  M.  B.  M.  A .

OF

F u ll  T ex t  o f th e   V a rio u s  R eports  an d  

P a p ers  P resen ted .

The  fifth  annual  convention  of  the 
Michigan  Business  Men’s  Association 
convened at Koyal Arcanum  hall,  Grand 
Rapids, Tuesday morning, Nov. 25.  The 
meeting was called to order by  President 
Whitney,  who read  his  annual  address, 
as follows:
Sixteen months have  passed  since  we 
met in session at the  city  of  Muskegon, 
during which period the mill of  time has 
been grinding out  its  grists of successes 
and failures.  Each patron of this mill— 
and all must  patronize  it—has  received 
the results of what  he  brought,  but only 
so much good as he furnished the materials 
for.  Results have never  depended upon 
chance but have ever been  the  products 
of good plans carefully matured and well 
carried out, subject ever to  natural  law. 
The only good  luck  a  man  has  in  this 
world  is  when  his  business  knowledge 
joined by study  and  experience  enables 
him to  so  interpret  natural  causes  and 
apply natural laws that with  energy  and 
promptness  he  is  enabled  to  command 
success.
Whatever is true of  individuals is also 
true in cases of  associated effort, except­
ing  that  possibly  another  element,  the 
combination  and  use  of  forces  of  mind 
and self interest not always  in  harmony, 
must needs be taken  into  consideration 
The  forces  of  this  element  should  be 
studied and  utilized.  Organized  bodies 
succeed or fail in about the same propor­
tion as do individuals  and  for  the  same 
or similar reasons.  The Michigan  Busi 
ness Men’s Association is no exception to 
the general  rule,  neither  are  the  local 
business men’s associations of this State, 
as we have abundant proof.
Sixteen months ago, the large  and sue 
cessful meeting at  Muskegon  seemed  to 
indicate success everywhere; yet  a  close 
inspection reveals  the  fact  that  only  a 
small  proportion—less than  one-third  of 
the local organizations—were  there  rep 
resented, many  of  them  not  having  as 
many delegates as they were entitled  to. 
A further  examination  shows  that  over 
one-third of the local bodies were not en 
titled  to  representation  at  all  in 
that 
body.  The  report of  Secretary  showed 
a  falling  off  of  membership  of  nearly 
one-half.  Many of those present  at that 
meeting were  anxiously  inquiring  what 
to do to make their local  bodies  success 
ful.  The  condition  of  the  Association 
can be stated in a few  words.  The  As 
sociation sixteen months ago had reached 
and passed its highest  point  in  numbers 
and efficiency and  was  far  along  on  its 
decline. 
I may shock some  present with 
the  bold  statements  made.  To  cure  a 
disease  the  physician  must  make 
thorough diagnosis of  the  case  and  use 
the knife if  needs  be.  The  case,  how 
ever,  is  not  quite  hopeless—something 
may  be  saved  from  it  and  much  be 
learned for future use.  The associations 
of business men are  not  essentially  dif­
ferent  from  other  organizations.  This 
decay is not a  new  feature  in  organiza 
tion.  Every society has been  subject  to 
similar rapid growth, has  had dark  days
which were followed by  partial  decline. 
Some  have  failed  entirely—ceased  to 
exist.  Others  have  recovered  rapidly 
and  many  have  come  back  into  good 
working order and  ultimately attained 
good, sound standing, by  slow,  hard  ef­
fort. -  So may many  of  the  associations 
we in some manner represent here to-day 
be brought Into a  healthy  existence and 
do good work and benefit many.

At the  Muskegon  meeting  there  were 
many  inquiries  relative  to  means  and 
methods  of making meetings  interesting 
and the local societies a  success.  Many 
seemed to think a  missionary  should  go 
abroad and give instruction  and  inspira­
tion at  one  and  the  same  time.  This 
seemed a wise plan,  a  practice  followed 
by  all  successful  organizations,  only  it 
was put into  use  too  late  in  our  case. 
About the middle  of  September,  or  six 
weeks after the meeting  at  Muskegon,  a 
meeting of the Executive Board was held 
at Grand Rapids, and it  was  agreed that 
the  President  of  the  State  Association 
should visit the  local  organizations  and 
do them such good as he  could.  A  cam­
paign of many weeks,  even months,  was 
duly mapped out,  and a letter  of inquiry 
and notice was duly sent  to  the  various 
societies by the  Secretary  of  this  body, 
informing  them  that  the  “ Missionary” 
was  soon  to  visit  them  and  that  they 
would be invited to receive his encourag­
ing visits without  cost  or  price,  save  a 
place to speak and to rest his head.  Not 
one in ten replied at all,  and,  instead  of 
forty or fifty meetings,  we  had  difficulty 
in finding  six  places  willing  to  have  a 
meeting,  and  only  two  of  them  were 
really  a  success,  The  President  and 
Secretary thought this  scheme  a  failure 
and abandoned it; yet every town  visited 
needed just such  a  meeting,  and  many 
needed an organization  of  business  men 
badly.  A few only could  spare the time 
or make the necessary  effort  to  even  at 
tend when visited  by  this  officer  of  the 
Association  at large.
This low condition  of  the  local  asso­
ciations was further seen in  their failure 
to pay the per capita tax,  hold  meetings 
and,  upon the approach  of  the expected 
midsummer  meeting  at  Saginaw,  when 
the  Secretary  sent  a  circular  to  each 
association,  how  many  delegates  might 
be expected to  attend  the  annual  meet­
ing,  not  a  quorum  of  the  whole  body 
reported!  The  last  fact,  coupled  with 
the  knowledge  that  many  were  taking 
summer vacations and all  running  short 
of  help  to  lessen  expenses,  and  the 
further fact that it would  be  difficult  to 
get any concession from the railroads de 
cided the  Executive  Board  to  postpone 
the Saginaw meeting for a time, at  least 
Our  annual  meeting  should  be  held 
either in June or July, or  after the vaca 
tion season has closed,  say September.

The fact now stares us in the face that 
our Association  is  in  a  bad  condition 
The local bodies  are  dormant,  many  of 
them, and the State body is almost  with 
out a constituency.  What shall  be  done 
and how shall we do it? are questions be 
fore us to-day  that  should  receive  most 
careful attention.  What  is  the  matter 
is  a  question  easily  asked  but  not  so 
easily answered.  There are times of ebb 
and times of flow in the  life  of  all  such 
the  body  has 
bodies,  and  if,  when 
reached low  tide,  it  is  judiciously  olfi 
cered  and  skillfully  handled, 
it  may 
come again  to  the  majesty  of  strength 
and exert a greater  and  wider  influence 
than ever before. 
It is not singular that 
business men’s organizations  should feel 
depression and many of the weaker  ones 
pass away entirely.  The same  has  been 
the record  of  organized  effort  in  many 
other  callings.  We  may  examine  some 
of the  causes:
1.  General apathy amoug  all classes of 
people, each taking little interest in any 
thing that does not directly  inure  to  his 
benefit;
2.  Incongruous  elements  of  composi­
tion, each local union  of necessity  being 
made up of those who are naturally more 
or less opposed to each  other  in  matters 
of religion, politics,  business  interests— 
many times  bitter  rivals  in trade—and, 
further,  there  are  often  social  differ­
ences,  real  or  fancied,  peculiarities  of 
nationality, tinctures of  caste,  clan  and 
prejudice—all  preventing  rather  than

time, 

helping the perfect union desired.
3.  Want of time is another cause of de­
cay in local  organizations,  or,  rather,  a 
want of devotion of time of  the members 
to the  care  of  the  association’s  wants, 
officers and members neglecting this duty 
and  leaving  this  labor  to  be  in  turn 
neglected  by  others.  Can  any  person
ho leaves his duties,  individual  or  cor­
porate,  to be done by  others  expect  suc­
cess from neglect?
4.  The breadth of  the  Association and 
the variety of objects embraced within its 
scope have often  been a weakness,  when 
they  should  be  elements  of  strength. 
The great mass  of  people  have  but  one 
object  of  pursuit  at  a 
some 
having  one  and  some  another.  To 
obtain this one aim many  seek  organiza-
ion,  wherein  they  fail  because  others 
have their rights and all  cannot  at  once 
be in control.  Such  persons  soon  drop 
out of the society in  which  they  fail  to 
secure  this  object  of  pursuit,  and  are 
soon found trying something  else,  injur­
ing and  weakening  each  body  they  as­
sume to fraternize with.
5.  Too little time and means have been 
employed.  The  masses  of  the  people 
expect results without the necessary  ele­
ments of cause viz.,  time,  money,  effort. 
Something for  nothing  is  the  desire  of 
the many  when  there  can  be  nothing 
desirable  without  its  cost.  An  organi­
zation  worth  having  must  cost  time, 
money  and  patient  effort  to  each  and 
every one of  its  members,  or  it  cannot 
be truly successful.  Men will  recognize 
this fact in their own personal endeavors
why should they deny  it  in  corporate 
relations?
6.  Many of the  causes  already  named 
arise from a want of comprehension of the 
power and management  of  the  complex 
machine they would  use.  They treat  it 
as an inanimate existence, or,  at  best,  as 
an animate one but foreign to themselves, 
forgetting that they themselves are but a 
part of the veritable forces that make the 
machine they use only  to  gratify  selfish 
aims and attain personal ends.
Many  other  dependent  causes  exist 
that have entered into the apparent fail ure 
of our local organizations.  There is need 
of a closer relation between the local and 
the State organizations.  Each must  feel 
the true  dependence  of  each  upon  the 
other, each sustaining and,  in turn,  being 
aided by the  other.
Do  we  need  business  men’s  associa 
tions?  What is  association?  “A  union 
of persons into a company or  society  for 
some  particular  purpose  or  purposes ** 
says the  lexicon. 
In  short,  ours  is  an 
organization of business men for  certain 
purposes.  Coleridge  asks,  “ What 
organization but the connection  of  parts 
in and for a whole so that each part is at 
once end and  means?”
Have all our  local  organizations  been 
true to nature?  Has there  been  such  i 
connection of parts that each is  and  ha: 
b§en at once an end and  a  means?  Tes 
our 
few  will 
stand the test  in  either  the  crucible  of 
the lexicon or  of  Coleridge!  How many 
have  had  purposes  in  common  shared 
and in union wrought,  and  in  the  State 
Association how many of the local bodies 
have  been 
end  and  means  at  one 
and the same  time.
I will not say, nor  can  it be said,  that 
the business men’s effort at  organization 
has failed—neither can it be said  that  it 
has succeeded;  but much good  has  been 
done, furnishing positive proof that true 
faithful organization  honestly shared by 
all  can  and  will  succeed  and  prove 
power among business men of  all classes 
to the accomplishment  of  great  results 
It makes  little  difference  what  title 
given the organization,  so that it is not 
In  some  of  the  larger  towns 
burden. 
Boards of Trade or Boards  of  Commerce 
seem to be popular,  yet  the  name  does 
not give them  success.  Other  cities  are

local  societies, 

and 

fully  as  fortunate  in  achieving  results 
with a plain business  men’s  association. 
Others have an  Exchange  to  do  associa­
tion work.  What matters it whether  we 
have a Board, a Chamber, a Club, Bureau, 
Union,  Exchange or Association,  if there 
is nothing in a name?  To make  any one 
of them a success,  there  must be a union 
of purpose,  of  hearts  and  hands,  with 
minds to comprehend and  direct.  There 
must be also a wide comprehension of the 
objects to be attained by the forces used. 
An association with  a  single  aim  must 
needs be limited in  numbers and,  failing 
to attain the stipulated object, must cease 
to  exist,  while  a  broader  organization 
would have a larger membership,  a wider 
field for the exercise of effort  and  attain 
more and better  results.  Such  was  the 
cope of our local business men’s associa­
tion,  embracing enough to commend it to 
the hamlet as well as  the  small  village, 
enabling all who produced or aided in the 
production or exchange  of  wealth  in any 
form to co-operate in the development  of 
the general  interests and  the  protection 
of mutual rights.  Each  person  in such 
an association  would use its power, truly 
understand and fully  carried out,  and be 
able  to  obtain  for  himself  and  others 
great results. 
It  would  be each for all 
and  all  for  each — each  “an  end  and 
means”  in  doing  and  receiving.  Then 
the good time promised would come when 
each could say to his neighbor, “Brother, 
be of good cheer.”
It may be here truthfully said that  the 
objects and  aims  of  these  associations, 
so many in number and so broad in scope, 
have not been well understood  by  either 
the people at  large  or  those  who  have 
had  membership  therein. 
They  have 
often narrowed its  broad  aims  down  to 
the mere collecting of  a  few  bad  debts 
and the punishment of  debtors  incident­
ally by  publishing  them  as  dead-beats. 
Beyond this, most  of  the  members  and 
many  of  our  associations  have  never 
ventured,  and they did not  succeed even 
in that effort because it  was  not  under­
stand and not used  aright.  The  collec­
tion system in itself is broad and liberal, 
just to creditors and  yet  not  ruinous  to 
debtors.  This system,  while  efficient in 
the  collection  of  bad  debts,  could  not 
succeed in  the  impossible,  as  collecting 
disputed  accounts,  as  of  persons  at  a 
time when not  earning  living  expenses. 
When the debtor was prosperous,  had an 
income  with  which  to  pay  slowly,  the 
creditor was busy  and had  time to do no 
more than give more credit, not even try­
ing to learn to whom  he  was  giving  It. 
Collections begun under our system were 
not,  as a rule, begun in  the best time and 
were not followed up to completion.  The 
ground  gained  was  lost,  enemies  were 
made  when  friends  were  desired  and 
the greatest and best part of  the  system 
was lost sight of—the prevention of  fur­
ther unworthy  credit  by  judicious  con­
certed action in rating would-be  debtors 
and the general refusal of credit to those 
unworthy of it.  Let the  collection sys­
tem be supplemented by a  thorough  rat­
ing,  and  let  both  be  faithfully worked. 
There is enough of value in that alone to 
pay  well for the maintenance of an asso­
ciation in every village of the State.

The association is a medium  of  co-op­
eration by which a community  may cope 
with the questions of  transportation and 
insurance, enabling its members to know 
and demand and secure their  rights, sav­
ing a per cent,  of  the cost in either case.
Each and every individual  in each and 
every community  has  greater  or  fewer 
trade interests, either as buyer  or  seller 
or both,  and these interests  can  best  be 
served by organized  action, by first gain­
ing an understanding of  the  length  and 
breadth of those interests and  by intelli­
gently co-operating to secure  the  better­
ing of these interests.
The general improvements  of  a town, 
large or small,  in  which one lives and  in

a

T H E   M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N .
Secretary Stowe then  read  his  annual 

which he should be interested and identi­
fied,  is a subject meriting  greater  atten­
tion than is usually  accorded  it.  This 
may not only include the development of 
the features that make  the  town  attrac­
tive to residents and  strangers  but  also 
includes  the  question  of  protection  in 
time of need..  These  important matters, 
in  all  their bearings,  furnish  numerous 
topics for discussion  for many a meeting 
of  our  associations  in  towns where im­
provements are sadly needed—and where 
they will never be had without organized, 
united effort.

Every town desires growth, an increase 
of paramount industries to utilize mutual 
resources and employ capital  and  labor; 
yet the resources of atown must be known 
or they can  never  be  used.  People  at 
home as well as abroad must be informed 
of  the  existence  of  such  resources and 
invited to come and use them.  This needs 
associated,  intelligent efiort, just such as 
a business men’s association can and will 
give  if  rightly  used,  such  as  has  been 
found  useful  in the development of many 
a town and industry.  One  or  two  men 
cannot  and  will not,  as a rule,  use  indi­
vidual  means  and  effort  to  build  up a 
town for the benefit of  others too willing 
they should.  Join hands and hearts  and 
means and minds in an effort  to  interest 
manufacturing capital  to come to you and 
encourage what you now have.  You will 
then  increase  productive  industries  in 
your midst,  and every addition opens the 
door for others.

It may be of interest to  all  to  enlarge 
upon  these  themes,  but  time  forbids. 
These  worthy  objects  of  the  business 
men’s association ought to be  sought  by 
every hamlet in the State,  yet  there  are 
greater advantages even than these  to be 
taken  into  consideration.  We  are  all 
social and moral creatures,  and  as  such 
we need cultivation and development, we 
need recreation and relief from  the  bur­
den of  daily  duty.  We  also  need  the 
educational  advantages  given  by  such 
associated  efforts,  united  by  the ties of 
local interest, of  similar callings.  Busi­
ness men everywhere ought to use organ­
ised,  systematic  means  to  develop  to 
greater  usefulness  the  latent  abilities 
God  has  given  them,  improving  them­
selves and their  families,  benefitting  all 
about them,  promoting  the  interests  of 
the community  and all associated  there­
with.  Where there  is  unity  of  action, 
such  associations  become  a  power  for 
good in case of need and must be honored 
by all who feel their influence.  Such an 
organization should  the  local  organiza­
tion be.  With such,  would it be difficult 
to  tell  what  a  State  organization, com­
posed of the  representative  members  of 
such local  bodies,  would be?  The  foun­
tain cannot rise higher than  the  source. 
The body cannot  be better than the com­
ponent parts,  and  it  will ever reflect the 
local training of its associations.  Give a 
State good local societies of business men 
and the State Business Men’s Association 
will  be a body of the best men,  ready  to 
do the will of an able constituency.  Such 
a body  we  cannot  hope to have,  but we 
must  do  the  best we can with a conven­
tion of men not sent,  but  who come from 
a sense of duty.  We,  as  business  men, 
will feel bettered  by coming together for 
a short time,  to discuss matters in  which 
all have an interest, and devise ways and 
methods by which we can  serve  the  un­
organized people to the  best  advantage, 
or  enable  them  to  better  serve  them­
selves.
The first and most  important  question 
to  settle  seems  to  be,  “How  can  the 
masses of business men utilize  organiza­
tion for the promotion of  their  interests 
and the protection of their rights?”  The 
second is,  “What is  to  be  done  for  the 
interests of  the  business  class  through 
legislation at the coming  session  of  our 
State  Legislature  or  that  of  Congress 
soon to convene?”  We should  consider 
not only what  we  ought  to  have  done, 
but also what ought to have been left un­
done  by  legislation.  When  we  have 
agreed upon a course of action,  let us act 
with all the means we have  at  command 
to carry out our plans.

Our session is to be brief,  but let  it be 
useful.  You will have  valuable reports 
and papers to digest and dispose of.  May 
your action be freighted with good results 
that shall reflect honor upon this body.

report as follows:

The past year has been  an  uneventful 
one for the Michigan Business  Men’s As­
sociation, 
few  additions  having  been 
made to the  list  of  local  bodies  and  no 
work of special importance  having  been 
undertaken by the State organization.
Financially,  the  year’s  showing  is  as 
follows:

RECEIPTS.

There  is  no  denying 

Per capita  dues...................................................$239 50
Charter fee........................................................... 
3 on
Sale of  pins.........................................................   12 00
Sale  of constitution....................................... 
05
Total......................................................$304 55
The receipts  have  all  been  deposited 
in the Kent  County  Savings  Bank,  hav­
ing been forwarded to  Treasurer  Parker 
in three installments, as follows:
Oct. 3,1889, check No.  1.............................. $100 00
Nov. 8,1889, check No. 2..................   .........  100 00
Oct  7,1890, check No. 3...............................  104 55
Total..................................................... $304 55
Our liabilities are $8.50—$7.50  for  the 
use of this hall and  $1  for  reduced  rate 
certificates.  Our  assets  are  $15,  due 
from the Burnell Collection Agency.
the  fact  that 
apathy  has  overtaken  too  many  of  our 
associations, frequently resulting  in  the 
termination  of  their  usefulness.  The 
lack of interest is first manifested in  the 
small  attendance  at  the  meetings,  fol­
lowed by a general  failure,  on  the  part 
of both officers and members,  to perform 
the duties incumbent upon them.  Some­
times a faithful  set  of  officers  have  be­
come  disgusted  at  the  half-heartedness 
of the members and given up in  disgust, 
and  not  infrequently  active  and  ener­
getic members have grown weary  of  the 
shortcomings of their official  representa­
tives and ceased attending  the  meetings 
and acted independently of the  organiza­
tion.  These are some of  the  drawbacks 
which have attended  the  effort  made  to 
build up a compact  and  vigorous  set  of 
local associations in  the  principal  cities 
and towns of the State.  This  effort hav­
ing resulted in partial  failure,  it  is  not 
to be wondered at that the  State  organi­
zation  has  not  flourished  as  it  should. 
Dependent directly upon the  local bodies 
for sustenance, it thrives when  the  sub­
ordinate  branches  thrive  and  famishes 
when they withhold their support.
In no case does there appear  to be any 
lack of appreciation of the  value of asso­
ciation  work  or  the  benefits  derived 
therefrom.  ^ Business  men 
in  towns 
where organizations  have  been  allowed 
to lapse invariably deplore the  fact, and 
cite  numerous  instances  where  the  as­
sociations have  benefitted  them  and  the 
community at large; but,  in  the majority 
of cases,  they appear to  lack  the  neces­
sary incentive to re-organize  and resume 
the work  which  was  begun  so  auspici­
ously.  Why this is so, and  wherein  lies 
the remedy,  I leave to those more able to 
cope with a  subject  of  such  surpassing 
importance to the business  public.

President Whitney then announced the 

following special committees:  *

On  President’s  Address,  Secretary’s 
and Treasurer’s Report—E.  W.  Hastings, 
Traverse City; J. V. Crandall, Sand Lake; 
A.  N.  Woodruff,  Watervliet.

On Credentials, Order of  Business and 
Resolutions—N. B.  Blain,  Lowell;  Geo. 
W.  Caldwell, Grand  Rapids;  R.  D.  Mc1- 
Naughton, Coopersville.

The  report of the  Ex-Board  was  pre­
sented by Frank  Hamilton, detailing the 
proceedings of  the  three  meetings  held 
by the Board,  reports  of  which  have al­
ready appeared in T h e  T ra desm a n.

Chairman Blain, of  the  Committee  on 
Building  and  Loan  Associations,  stated 
that the  Committee  considered  that  no 
report was necessary, as the work origin­
ally  undertaken by  the  Committee  was 
now looked after  by  the  State  Associa­
tion of Building and  Loan  Associations.
Chairman Conklin presented the report 
of the Committee  on  Insurance,  as  fol­
lows:

Your  Committee  on  Insurance  would 
respectfully report that we  made  an  ef­

We  made  an  effort 

fort  to  secure  subscriptions  enough  to 
organize  the  Business  Men’s  Insurance 
Company,  such as  was  outlined  at  your 
last  meeting—a  stock  company 
to  be 
owned by the business men  of the State, 
with $100,000 paid in and  put out  at  in­
terest as  a  permanent  guarantee  fund, 
mutual so far as the  division of  all  pro­
fits is concerned, after  paying losses,  the 
small expenses and a fair  rate  of  inter­
est  to  the  stockholders.  This  we  con­
ceive to be by far the best insurance that 
the business men of the  State  could  ob­
tain.  The first thing  to  be  acquired  is 
positive  and  absolute  safety  from  fire. 
This is only possible  when  your  capital 
stock—your guarantee fund—is so  large, 
and  your  risks  so 
remote  from  each 
other that no one or two fires could bank­
rupt the company.
through  T h e 
T r a d e sm a n  to have  the  local  business 
In some 
men’s associations take  stock. 
localities 
they  responded  splendidly. 
Battle  Creek  and  Flint  did  nobly,  and 
had every  organization  in  the  State  re­
sponded  as  did 
these  two  cities,  we 
would have had a Business Men’s  Insur­
ance Company  doing  business  long  be­
fore now.  As  there  was  no  provision 
made to pay our expenses  while canvass­
ing the State,  and as the  other  local  as­
sociations did not  respond,  we  have  to 
report to  you  about  $8,000  stock  taken 
and nothing  further done.
The  above  stock-mutual  company  we 
recommend as  the  very  best  insurance 
the business men of Michigan  could  get, 
as it gives  the  maximum  of  safety,  the 
minimum of cost and a  reasonable inter­
est  to  stockholders.  To  most  of  our 
business men a total  loss  and  no  insur­
ance  means  financial  ruin.  The  small 
accumulations  of  a  life-time  are  swept 
away in an hour.  No  ordinary  business 
man can afford  to be  a  moment  without 
insurance.
A purely  mutual  insurance  company, 
well managed,  works well when it  is  or­
ganized to take  but  one  kind  of  risks, 
and then only those risks  which  are,  by 
their  nature  practically 
isolated,  as 
farmers’  mutuals,  and 
the  Millers’ 
Mutual we think a good  one;  and  if  we 
had a law that would allow the organiza­
tion  of  druggists’  mutuals,  hardware 
dealers’  mutuals  or  any  other  mutual 
that,  by  its  nature,  would  take  a  very 
few  risks  in  any  one  city  or  village, 
doubtless it would be a good thing;  but a 
business  men’s  mutual  that  takes  all 
kinds of risks and  can  extend  its  busi­
ness  over  three  counties  only  must, of 
necessity,  take too many risks in one vil­
lage or city.  Should that place be swept 
away by fire,  it would ruin many persons 
who had  taken  insurance  in  that  com­
pany.  This kind of  insurance is  repre­
hensible.  A  mutual  insurance  where 
the 
their  premiums 
and  give  their  notes  for  three  to  five 
times  as  much  as  the  cash  premium 
is good in times  of  no  disaster  by  fire, 
but let a city be visited by  a  great  con­
flagration,  as Grand Rapids  and  Muske­
gon have  been—then  the  insured  could 
get but a small amount of  their policies, 
and  all  those  insured  outside  of  the 
burned district would have to pay  large­
ly.  Hence,  this  kind  of  insurance  is 
It  cannot  give  a  positive 
very faulty. 
guarantee,  and it  may  cost  the  insured 
very much more than he should pay. 
It 
has,  in some degree,  the same element of 
insecurity  and  financial  risk  that  the 
purely  mutual  companies  have.  This 
kind of mutual is much better  and  safer 
than a purely mutual company could  be, 
but it is only  a  part  guarantee—It  does 
not really and fully insure.
We would  recommend  that  efforts  be 
made to do away with the three per cent, 
tax that is placed  on  all  outside  insur­
ance  companies  doing  business  in  the 
State, for the business  man  has  to  pay 
enough  without  paying  this  extra  tax. 
We understand that this tax amounted to 
$100,000 during the  past  year,  and  why 
the business men of  the State  should  be 
willing to pay this  extra  tax  is  beyond 
comprehension.

insured 

pay 

Chairman Wells sent the  following re­

port for the Committee on Legislation:

The Legislation Committee of  the  As­
sociation has held no meeting  during the 
last year.  We have  shared  the  apathy 
which  has  fallen  upon  the  State  body

and a large  proportion  of  the  auxiliary 
bodies.  For this reason,  we have no rec­
ord  of  our  actions  to  present  to  this 
meeting, for either consideration or criti­
cism.  We have  no  apologies  to  make 
nor reasons to assign for the  failure,  up­
on the part of  the officers  and  members 
of our Association,  to take  the  same  in­
terest in  its usefulness and  success  dur­
ing  the  past  year,  than  they  have  in 
former years.  We leave  the solution of 
the cause for this lack of  interest, to the 
Association, should they regard  it profit­
able to consider the problem.

from 

We  think  it,  however,  fair  to  pre­
the  present  condition  of 
sume, 
our  organization,  that either  the causes 
which  brought  it  into  existence  were 
inadequate,  that  they  have ceased to ex­
ist, or that the efforts  of our  Association 
have  had  little  or  no  influence  upon 
them.  Should the inactiou  of  the  past 
year be from any  or  all  these reasons,  it 
seems  to  us  evident,  that  we  should 
either  disband  or  start  again  under  a 
new impulse.
Though the avowed scope of  the  asso­
ciation has  been  sufficiently  large,  and 
the interests it has sought to  affect  suffi­
ciently extensive,  two only  have  seemed 
to be of paramount  importance.  These 
have  been  the  listing  of  “deadbeats,” 
and  “local  improvements.” 
The  first 
named seems to have  been  drifting  into 
the hands of commercial agencies,  whose 
efforts appear to be  appreciated, mainly, 
because they charge  fees  for  their  ser­
vices.  The  subject  of  local  improve­
ments in cities and villages is  always  of 
absorbing interest to business men.  En­
terprise in this direction is  an  ingrained 
characteristic  of  the  American  citizen, 
which finds  its  expression  in  Michigan 
more  intensely,  perhaps,  than  in  any 
other State of the Union.  The emulation 
for building  up  manufactories  and  pro­
moting all kinds of commercial ventures, 
tending to increase the capital and popu­
lation of towns,  is never  ceasing.  Com­
petition in securing prizes  of this nature 
is  frequently quite sharp.  Such efforts, 
being local in their nature, must  be  set­
tled  by local organizations  or  individual 
work.  A  State  body  cannot  take  any 
part in them.  Societies of business men, 
brought together for  this purpose alone, 
are becoming common in our large cities, 
while the bond which still holds together 
most of the auxiliary bodies  of  our  own 
association owes its power  to this  cause. 
It seems evident that a State organization 
which should  have  in  view  only  ques­
tions of general  interest  and importance 
to business men is of no value  in  decid­
ing questions of purely local concern.

Is there,  then,  a need for a  State Busi­
ness Men’s Association,  which  shall con­
sider and act upon  those  matters  which 
affect all business men alike.  We believe 
there is.  At  a  time  like  the  present, 
when organization is the potent influence 
in every sphere of human activity;  when 
its  power,  exerted  for  ages 
in  church 
and  state,  has  been  invoked  in  every 
trade  and  profession;  when  social  and 
political problems are all considered  and 
settled by  means  of • its  machinery  and 
strength;  when  manufacturers  of  every 
grade from  those  who  make  pianos  to 
those who make  pins,  unite  for  mutual 
assistance and defense;  when, finally,  the 
class always tardiest to  respond  to  any 
new influence,  the farmers, have  banded 
themselves together to  obtain  privileges 
and  rights  either  fancied  or  real,  it 
seems almost incomprehensible  that  the 
large aud intelligent class called business 
men should enter the  conflict of life, un­
aided  by each other.  The great subjects 
of 
insurance,  railroad  transportation, 
taxation,  adulteration of  food, enhanced 
cost of  products  through  the  machina­
tions  of trusts and  combinations—these, 
and  many  others  which  will  occur  to 
you, call for a union of those most nearly 
affected by them,  the business men.

If this position is a true one, and there 
is a sphere of usefulness to be filled  by a 
Business Men’s Association in  Michigan, 
the question presents  itself, Shall  it  be 
the present organization or one based up­
on some different plan?
If it is to take  cognizance  of  subjects 
of  a  general  nature  only,  the 
theory 
upon  which  our  Association  is  created 
must be abandoned. 
It must  be  a State 
Association  not  composed  of  auxiliary

T H E   M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N .

associations,  but  of  all  business  men 
who desire to co-operate with each other, 
to obtain  mutual  benefits  and  security. 
Backed by the  members  it  should  pos­
sess,  such an association could  wield  an 
influence second  to  none  in  our  State, 
and become  a  blessing  not  only  to  its 
members,  but  to  every  other  citizen, 
through  the  prevalence  of  those  prac­
tices  in  commercial  transactions,  dic­
tated by honesty,  and  known throughout 
the world as business methods.

Chairman Hamilton then presented the 
report of  the Committee on Trade  Inter­
ests,  as follows:
Assembled again after a  separation  of 
sixteen months,  we  have  cause  to  con­
gratulate ourselves upon continued pros­
perity as a whole.  With  all  the  uncer­
tainties  connected  with  merchandising, 
we meet at  this  time  to  convey  to  one 
another the  happy  intelligence  gleaned 
from fair fields of labor.
The confidence in trade,  the basis upon 
which  the  prosperity  of  our  country 
rests to-day,  is marked to  an unusual  de­
gree.  The common  danger,  threatening 
trades and  crafts,  which  existed  in  an 
early day, formed  the  tie  which  bound 
them  together. 
Foreign  enemies  no 
longer threaten our circles to any noticea­
ble extent,  but we have daily  to contend 
with the resulting influences of progress, 
education and competition.
Magnus, the son  of  King  Nicholas  of 
Denmark,  had  slain  the  Duke  Canute 
Levard,  the  alderman  and  protector  of 
the Sleswig Guild.  When  King  Nicho­
las,  in  1130, came to Iletheby,  his follow­
ers advised him  not  to  enter  the  town, 
for the  townsmen  put  in  force  the  law 
with extreme severity within  this  guild, 
and did not sutler any one to  remain  un­
punished who had killed or  even injured 
one  of  their  brethren.  The  King  de­
spised the warning saying, “What should 
I fear from these tanners  and  shoe-mak­
ers?”  Scarcely,  however,  had  he  en­
tered  the  town,  when  the  gates  were 
closed,  and at the sound of the guild bell 
the  citizens  mustered,  seized  upon  the 
King, and killed him  with  all  who  tried 
to defend him.  Thus, even  at the begin­
ning of the  twelfth  century,  the  guilds 
enjoyed  in  Denmark  such  respect  that 
the lord of the  land,  Duke  Canute,  was< 
pleased  to  become  their  alderman,  and 
they  had  such  power  that  they  could 
venture to  avenge,  even  upon  a  King, 
any violation of the law  committed  upon 
one of their great family.
This may  serve  as  an  illustration  of 
the fact that the  confidence  existing  to­
day among business men  arises from  an 
adherence to  the  well-established,  com­
mon  law of trade,  in contradistinction to 
the individual defiance  of  all  principles 
upon  which  confidence  is  based.  Our 
laws to-day—both  State  and  national— 
are  pointing  toward  the  prevention  of 
violation of  this  confidence  and,  in  the 
event of  its  violation,  furnish  us  with 
remedies.
In refering again to  the  trade  guilds, 
as they appeared in the  early  centuries, 
simply to mark the course of action along 
the lines of trade,  we  recognize  a  com­
mon tie  or  brotherhood  existing  which 
has for the most  part  not  yet  ceased  to 
exist, but the practical working of which 
has passed  into  other  fields,  for  other 
hands to manipulate.  On  this  point  the 
statutes of the guilds of all countries  are 
almost identical. 
If a  brother  falls into 
poverty;  if  he  incurs  losses  by  fire  or 
shipment;  if  illness  or  mutilation  ren­
ders him  unable  to  work,  the  brothers 
contribute to his assistance. 
If a brother 
finds another in danger of life,  on sea  or 
in captivity, he is bound to  reserve  him, 
even at the sacrifice of a part  of  his own 
goods, for  which,  however,  he  receives 
compensation from  the  brother  assisted 
or from the  community.  English  guild 
statutes frequently  mention  loans  to  be 
given  to  brothers  carrying  on 
trade, 
often with no  other  condition  than  the 
repayment  of  it  when they should  no 
longer need it.  The  sick  brother  found 
in  his  guild  aid  and  attendance;  the 
dead  was  buried;  for  his  soul  prayers 
were offered and services performed,  and 
not unfrequently the guild  gave  a  dow- 
ery to his poor orphaned  daughter.  The 
numerous provisions as  to  the  poor,  as 
to pilgrims and other  helpless people,  in

the statutes of English guilds, prove that 
non-members in  want  found  help  from 
them as well.
We have  outgrown  the  family  idea  of 
confederating into close unions,  there be­
ing less demand for  the  mutual  pledges 
that  were  prominent  among  the  early 
merchants; we  have  entered  the  larger 
field  of  competition  among  ourselves. 
No  less  necessary  is  it,  however,  that 
commercial 
integrity  be  maintained, 
that wise and beneficent laws for  even  a 
freer intercourse be established;  no  less 
necessary is it for  commercial  bodies  to 
frequently assemble to stamp either their 
approval or their disapproval upon  ways 
and means  that  not  only  create  and  en- 
chance  commercial  honor  but  prevent 
the  vultures  of  trade  from  gaining  a 
foothold.  Whatever  affects  our  real in­
terests,  in like  degree  affects  the  inter­
ests of all.  The  promulgator  of  a  doc­
trine, open or implied,  which  determines 
that the  best  interests  of  society  are 
best promoted by  fostering  antagonisms 
between  merchants,  or  between  mer­
chants and consumers,  is  pernicious.
Every department of our Government is 
receiving its due and timely recognition— 
each has  a  “friend  at  court.”  To  the 
writer,  it  seems  that  Ex-Senator  Mil­
ler,  in his article in the North  American 
Review,  is right  when  he  says,  “Every 
industry and commercial interest  should 
be fairly  represented  in  our  legislative 
halls.  Just  now,  when  business  and 
commercial questions are upmost  in  the 
public mind,  there  is  a  necessity  for  a 
larger number of practical business  men 
in our  legislatures  than  of  representa­
tives of any other  class.”  He closes  his 
article by saying.  “Shall the  adjustment 
and  settlement  of  these  industrial  and 
commercial problems be left to men  who 
either  have  no  practical  acquaintance 
with them, or are  unfitted  by  reason  of 
their subserviency to party  dictation,  to 
consider any question  from  a  high  and 
patriotic standpoint, or,  to  men  who,  by 
training  and experience, have  acquired 
a thorough mastery of these subjects?”
Two questions are now before our  leg­
islators,  of  interest  alike  to  the  mer­
chant, to  the business man,  to  the  con­
sumer—the one,  a Senate  bill  “For  pre­
venting  adulteration  and  misbranding 
food and drugs,” the substance of  which 
has been made prominent  in  two  of our 
previous conventions.  Able papers were 
given upon this topic, the first by  a  gen­
tleman  of  great  ability,  Mr.  Smitli 
Barnes, of Traverse City,  well  known  to 
all,  whose  experience  in  merchandising 
for the last  forty  years  enables  him  to 
speak in  denunciatory terms against  the 
perpetration  of  fraud  upon  an  unsus­
pecting  publ ic;  another  by  a  former 
President of this  Association,  who,  too, 
is deserving of praise for his  able  hand­
ling of the subject—I refer to Mr.  Frank 
Wells, of Lansing. 
I do  not  propose  to 
enter this field again further than to note 
that this bill, introduced at  the last  ses­
sion of Congress by  Mr.  Paddock,  bears 
a near semblance to previous bills  intro­
duced but never passed both houses,  and 
it  formulates  the  thoughts  heretofore 
expressed,  viz.,  that  our  manufactured 
food and drink should be  sold  for  what 
they purport to be,  and  that  all  brands 
should indicate  whether  such  food  and 
drink are pure or compound.  The bill re­
ferred to is now in the  posession  of  the 
writer,  who does not  think  it  necessary 
to say  more  to  this  convention  (which 
will take action  upon  it  as  it  sees  fit) 
than this: if either bill is passed by  Con­
gress,  let it be the  Paddock  bill,  rather 
than the House bill No.  11568,  known  as 
the Conger Lard bill.  This bill is in  the 
line of the Oleomargarine  bill, a  species 
of  class  legislation  which, 
if  passed, 
would  subject  buyers 
imposition, 
to 
while  the  Paddock  bill  protects  them 
from imposition; the latter protects them 
against dishonest competition,  while  the 
Conger bill  protects  hog-raisers  against 
honest competition.
As regards the desirability of the  Pad- 
dock bill even,  it seems  to  the  writer  a 
questionable piece of legislation in  view 
of the  recent  decision  of  the  Supreme 
Court on the' Original  package  and  the 
act of  Congress  following  closely  upon 
it.  Can we.  with any assurance  of  suc­
cess in ridding mankind from  fraud  and 
bodily  injury  on  their  food  and  drink 
question, do more than  ask  the  Federal

Government to do  just  what  they  have 
done on the case ahead  mentioned,  viz., 
subject all imports regardless of package 
or bulk to the operation and effect of  the 
laws of that state enacted in  the  exercise 
of the police powers in the same  manner 
as  though  they  had  been  produced  in 
said state.  Then let each state  regulate 
the food question as she  may  see  fit,  as 
the exigencies of the case warrant.
As  regards  the  Conger  Lard  Bill  I 
would like to  see  the  influence  of  this 
convention pitted against it.  My reasons 
may be summed up in  a letter sent to the 
Retail Grocers’ Association, of Pittsburg, 
by Mr. Jas.  W. Tappin.  He sums up the 
contents of the bill and asks every organ­
ization in the country to consider  it  and 
report against it. 
I will read  a few ex­
tracts from the  letter.
The other  question  of  importance  to 
the business world is the enactment  of  a 
National Bankrupt Law.  The bill  now 
before Congress is  known  as  the  Torry 
Bill. 
It was formulated by Jay L. Torry, 
of St,  Louis, at the request of  the whole­
sale grocers  of  St.  Louis.  Other  com­
mercial bodies  had  agitated  this  move­
ment, and since the introduction  of  this 
bill many  individuals. Boards  of  Trade 
and business associations have urged  the 
passage of it. 
In a memorial  presented 
to Congress by representatives of several 
commercial  bodies, the  following  state­
ments in brief  were  made, covering  the 
main features of the bill:
1.  The constitution confers  on  honest 
insolvents a  right  to  have  a  bankrupt 
law  enacted.
2.  Honest insolvents will be discharged, 
dishonest insolvents will be punished.
3.  A conservative tone will  be given to 
transactions  between  debtors  and  cred­
itors.
4.  Commercial credit will  be  extended 
and the prices of commodities reduced.
5.  The giving and receiving of  prefer­
ences will be prevented.
6.  Fraud will be  prohibited  and  such 
persons as commit wrongs  will  be  pun­
ished.
7.  Dishonest and insolvent debtors will 
be required to make a complete  showing 
and a full surrender of their property.
8.  Creditors  having  claims  of  equal 
merits against bankrupt  estates  will  re­
ceive pro-rata dividends.
9.  The  coercion  of  debtors  by  their 
large creditors, of large by  little  credit­
ors,  will be prevented.
10.  Voluntary  and  involuntary  bank­
ruptcy are necessary in the best interests 
of debtors and creditors.
While this law has been  advocated  by 
the  jobbing  fraternity  in  nearly  every 
state in the Union,  it is of interest  to the 
retailer.  There are features  in  it  that 
are of great  advantage to the  honest  in­
solvent,  and  the  honest  retailer, too,  is 
protected from the “machinations of  the 
devil”—the dishonest insolvent.  A good 
bankrupt law may  not  make  thieves  of 
honest men,  but it is  needed  to  restrain 
them  from  culpable  practices,  and  for 
the better protection of  the retailer.  A 
case of dishonest insolvency has recently 
come under my notice,  and the following 
noticeable  points  are  clearly  marked 
fraud:  The purchase of additional stock 
to equal, say  $10,000;  mis statements to 
the jobber, coupled with a  voracious  de­
sire to sell by the  jobber,  secured  to  the 
retailer 
deference 
to one jobber I will say  that, for his own 
safety—and it is questionable whether  it 
was done before or after  the  attachment 
—he  secured  a  mortgage  sufficient  in 
amount to cover his .sales  to  the  party. 
This  was  kept  quiet  until  the  proper 
time come for the raid.
The retailer goes  home  from  market, 
secretly  ships  goods  to  distant  places, 
pockets  the  proceeds,  sacrifices  daily 
sales, ruins trade, creates distrust and  is 
closed up.  Creditors settle  down  upon 
the town like vultures upon  a  dead  car­
cass.  They are looking for  their goods, 
or the  cash  for  them.  The  promising 
merchant  in  whom  they  had  such  im­
plicit confidence  has  skipped,  but  for  a 
few days  only,  to  return  and  defy  the 
law to measure out  full  justice  to  him. 
The mortgagee,  however,  turns  up  and 
demands 100 cents on the dollar and gets 
it,  while “the other  fellers”  accept  the 
situation  very  blandly  and  take  what 
they can get. 
Ip most cases of the kind 
the man is again  placed  on  his  feet  by

the  desired. 

In 

3
the  preferred  creditor  and  allowed  to 
I run another  course  with  most  unhappy 
j consequences to his  contemporaries;  or, 
j  the stock is bought by one of a neighbor­
ing band for 50  per  cent,  on  the  dollar 
and  his fellow merchants are  the  suffer­
ers.  These cases are of almost daily oc- 
currencey, and  the  law  and  the  jobber 
combined permits  it.  There  are  many 
ways of proceeding, many phases of  this 
work.  The worst feature of  it  is  that 
they  are  permitted  along 
this  line  of 
thieving.  Honest money is wrecked out 
of the legitimate channels of trade; crime 
goes  unpunished;  the  innocent  suffer; 
the public are deluded. 
Is  it  not  time 
for this organization to  stamp  its  disap­
proved upon this method of  merchandis­
ing,  to petition,  as others  are  doing,  our 
legislations to enact a law that will cover 
this whole  ground  of  insolvency,  better 
known as a National  Bankrupt  Law,  to 
the  end  that  justice  and  fairness  and 
greater confidence may parade the circles 
of trade?
The convention  then  adjourned  until 
afternoon.

A fterno o n  sessio n.

At the  opening  of  the  afternoon  ses­
sion,  Rev. Chas. Fluhrer implored the di­
vine  blessing,  when  A.  J.  Stebbins, 
President of  the  Common  Council,  wel­
comed the business  men  to  the  city  in 
the following terms:
In behalf of the city of  Grand  Rapids, 
I extend to the Michigan  Business Men’s 
Association  a  cordial  welcome.  Grand 
Rapids claims,  and  justly  claims,  to  be 
the second city in the State of  Michigan. 
It aspires to and expects  to  be  within  a 
few years the  first  city  in  the  State  of 
Michigan. 
It recognizes that its  present 
position  of  solid  development  and  as­
sured growth is  mainly  due  to  business 
men,  and that if we have,  as we do have, 
many things to be proud of  as  a  city,  it 
is chiefly owing to the enterprise,  intelli­
gence,  pluck and push of  business  men.
Our city is essentially  a  business city; 
not  only  a  manufacturing  city—for 
which, perhaps,  it is most  conspicuously 
noted—but also as  a business city  in the 
sense of  its  commercial  enterprises,  its 
wholesale and retail houses,  its  commis­
sion houses,  and  all  that  is  implied  in 
the word “business.”  One  thing  I  de­
sire to call marked attention to,  and that 
is that though the business men of Grand 
Rapids, 
its  manufacturers,  merchants, 
commission men and  retailers have been 
noted  and  marked  for  enterprise  and 
courage,  and have not been  slow to fore­
see the future of the metropolis  of West­
ern  Michigan,  yet,  at  the  same  time, 
they have been marked as men  who have 
been  conservative 
in  their  methods  of 
business, as Grand Rapids  has never yet 
been blessed,  or  rather  afflicted,  with  a 
boom.  We, therefore,  recognize  that  it 
is to  business  men,  in  the  proper  and 
broad sense of the  term,  that  this  com­
munity  owes  its  present  condition  of 
prosperity.  We recognize  the  fact  that 
to associations like that of the  body now 
in session is largely to be  attributed  the 
development,  not only  of  the  cities  and 
villages of the State,  but of the  State  it­
self.  Though  physical 
labor  is  the 
foundation, 
it  requires  the  intelligent 
and  unselfish  co-operation  of  business 
men  to  produce  the  grand  results  of 
building up a great commonwealth,  such 
as Michigan to-day  is.
It is not at all necessary for me  at this 
time to praise the city of  Grand  Rapids, 
to call your attention to  its city  hall,  its 
public schools,  to its enterprise  and  pro­
gress,  because  you,  as  business  men, 
"thoroughly  understand 
the  position 
which Grand Rapids holds  as  an  impor­
tant business center of the State.
You have met here for  the  purpose  of 
still further developing the prosperity of 
the  business  enterprises  of  Michigan. 
These are  matters  with  which  you  are 
especially 
No  suggestions 
which I can make would aid you  in  that 
most laudable and important  enterprise.
In conclusion,  I  will  simply  say  that 
Grand  Rapids  bids  you  a  most  hearty 
welcome within  its  gates,  and  that  all 
that we can do for you to  make  your  so­
journ here  pleasant,  will  be  done,  and 
that we trust that your stay  here may be 
both pleasant and profitable.

familiar. 

4

T H E   M IC H IG ^ L lS r  T R A D E S M A N ,

The  city  of  Grand  Rapids  officially 
does here and  now  grant  to  your  body 
the freedom of the city.

The response was made by J. V. Cran­
dall,  of Sand  Lake,  in  his  usual  felic­
itous manner.

Their 

EL W.  Hastings,  of Traverse  City, then 
read  the  following  paper  on  “How  to 
Improve Oui  Collection System:”
Credits first—collections follow,  as the 
night follows the day;  but  can  there  be 
anything said that  is  new  in  regard  to 
collecting from these slow  and  irrespon­
sible parties whom  we  will  continue  to 
trust just so long as we continue a credit 
business?  Yet what part of our business 
is demanding more of our time and atten­
tion?  What is more perpiexing  or  more 
exasperating?  What  tries  our  patience 
more, or causes  us  to  lose  faith  in  our 
brother man,  than  these  same  poor  and 
worthless  accounts  that  we  carry  from 
month to month and from  year  to  year? 
Is  there  no  solution  to  this  question? 
Must  we  be  continally  harrassed  with 
the  “dead-beat,”  as  we  call  him,  who 
continues  to  stalk  our  land,  seeking 
whom he  may  devour?  How  shall  we 
exterminate him?  The  individual  man 
or woman who would  successfully  solve 
this  problem,  so 
that  these  accounts 
might be collected dollar  for  dollar  and 
the dead-beat be no more,  would  have  a 
bonanza! 
lithographs  would 
adorn the walls of our  summer  cottages, 
their memories  immortalized  by  having 
their bust  distributed  to the  trade  as  a 
premium with  one  dozen  bars  of  ivory 
soap!
The only solution that  1 am able to of­
fer is a strictly cash business—not  where 
innumerable  signs  and 
you  will  find 
placards  with,  “positively  no  credit,” 
“do not ask  for  credit—you  will  be  re­
fused,”  “trust in God  and  pay  cash  for 
your goods,” etc., etc.  Then,  at the end 
of the year,  you  would  have  from  three 
"to five hundred dollars  less  of these same 
poor  and  worthless  accounts  on  your 
books.  We have a  few  successful  cash 
stores in  this State,  and  1  have  been  in 
hopes that  our  friends,  the  Patrons  of 
Industry,  would stick  together  and  live 
long  enough  to  convince  them  that  to 
pay  cash  on  delivery  was  by  far  the 
cheapest and best way  for  them  to  buy 
.their goods.  And yet, on the other hand, 
1 think you  will all  bear  me  out  in  the 
assertion that the  credit  system,  in  one 
way or  another,  is  steadily  on  the  in­
crease.  The  lease  plan,  which  at  one 
time was confined  almost  exclusively  to 
the sewing machine trade,  is  now  being 
adopted by many other branches  of busi­
ness.  Good as this is,  it cannot  be  used 
by all,  more especially by the grocer,  the 
dry goods or boot  and  shoe  man.  The 
druggist,  for instance,  might take a lean 
on the drugs  he  sold  and  have  nothing 
but a corpse to  show for  them.  Yet the 
lease  plan  is  not  always  successful. 
Having  had  more  or  less  experience 
with this plan for the  past  ten  years,  1 
find  that  these  leases  must  all  be  fol­
lowed  up  very  closely,  pushed  contin­
ually, 
earnestly  and  persistently—in 
fact,  it is the only way  a  lease  business 
can be carried on  successfully.
But, gentlemen,  I  am  of  the  opinion 
that the retail merchant  who  is  doing  a 
credit  business  is  largely  at  fault—he 
has so many of these poor and  worthless 
accounts.  You are probably  acquainted 
with some who allow an account to go on 
from year to year  without ever getting  a 
settlement in any  way  whatever.  That 
is not business.  All  accounts should  be 
settled once or twice a year—if  possible, 
every month would  be  better.  You  get 
your statement  from  the  wholesaler  on 
the first of the  month  with,  “Please  re­
mit.  Will draw on the  tenth.”  That is 
business and  you  admire  it;  so,  I  say, 
your customers would admire  you if you 
were more explicit,  had  a  definite  time 
when  you  expected  a  settlement,  were 
not afraid to ask for what was your own, 
even  pushed  the  matter  pretty  hard. 
“Life is  short.”  Why  leave  these  ac­
counts until you or your  customers have 
succumbed to the chilly  blasts  and  been 
laid away in  the cold, cold  ground—they 
cannot be collected then for ten cents  on 
the dollar.
We find, in looking over the  early his­
tory of the work of this Association,  that

one of  our  fundamental  principles  was 
the collection of bad  debts  or  worthless 
accouuts and the branding  of those from 
whom  we  could  not  collect  as  “dead­
beats,” or, more properly speaking, pub­
lishing  their  names  on  our  delinquent 
list.  Much  printing  matter  was  care­
fully  arranged  for  this  purpose  and  a 
number of by laws drafted  that  we were 
bound to support.  Here  is one:  “Any 
member trusting a man  whose  name ap­
pears on the delinquent list shall be fined 
$10.”  1 am of the opinion that we might 
gather in a good many ten  dollars  about 
this time!  Now,  while  this system  has 
had  a  number  of  exceptionally  good 
points,  we find that it did  not  work. 
I 
have no doubt but what this one fact has 
caused the  early  death  of  many  of  our 
local associations. 
I do not  believe that 
it can be carried on  successfully  by  any 
local association.  We, at Traverse  City, 
having outlived many other local associa­
tions,  have had an excellent opportunity, 
with our large  membership,  to  give  the 
system a  very  thorough  trial.  This,  I 
believe,  we have done and,  while  we try 
to do something with it now,  it is almost 
a dead letter.  Why?  Because,  first,  we 
have  outgrown  that  part  of  the  work; 
second,  it requires  too  much  time  from 
our  local boards,  that  are  made  up  of 
our busiest men.  We cannot  spend  the 
time necessary to give to  these poor  and 
worthless accounts; they  are  your  indi­
vidual  property, of no interest  to anyone 
but yourself.  Nor  has  the  local  Secre­
tary the time,  and,  if he  had,  he  cannot 
afford to push them  if he  has  any  busi­
ness of his own whereby he is  dependent 
upon the good will of  the  community  at 
large,  for,  with  this  system,  there  is 
more or less friction,  and  the  Secretary 
is bound to have  trouble  with  someone. 
Unless he can have enough of this  to  do 
so that he can  give  his  undivided  atten­
tion to the work,  he will do well  to leave 
thg collections alone;  yet,  we  have  men 
in our association who think that, for the 
honor conferred upon  us  as  secretaries, 
we should  be  perfectly  willing  to  give 
of our time to their  individual  business, 
and  to  that  part  that  they  themselves 
can do nothing  with.
Geutlemen, just so long  as  you  are  in 
business you  will find a  class  of  people 
in  this  great  commonwealth  of  ours— 
glorious as we  consider  it—that,  sooner 
or later, you are  bound to  lose  by—they 
will beat you.  This  is  deplorable  but, 
nevertheless, 
the  unvarnished  truth. 
The question for us is,  “How can  we  re­
duce this  loss  to  the  least  possible  fig­
ures?”  What  we  want  is  to  be  ac­
quainted  with each  individual  customer 
who is trading or likely to trade with us. 
This, you say,  is impossible.  1  say  that 
this is our only remedy,  and for  this  in­
formation or acquaintance  you  can  well 
afford to pay a good price, for  it will  be 
money in your pocket.  The name,  occu­
pation  and  postoffice  address  of  every 
consumer in the county,  are they respon­
sible and for how much,  are they prompt 
or are they slow pay,  are they  honest or 
will they “ beat”  you  when  they  can— 
these are things you  want to  know. 
It 
would be of far greater value to you than 
Dun’s or Bradstreet’s  possibly  could  be 
to the  wholesaler.
Now, I  believe  that  the  system  out­
lined is the coming system,  but  it should 
be  the  work  of  an  individual,  or  of  a 
stock company,  with  such  little  assist­
ance as it is possible for  the associations 
It  would  require  time,  labor 
to give. 
and money,  but, in the end,  it  would  be 
a  permanent  and  paying  business. 
j 
should also  turn  into' this  company  all 
accounts that we  are  unable  to  collect, 
allowing them 20 per cent, the same as we 
do  now  for  collecting. 
I  believe  that 
such a company could  bring  more  force 
to bear in collecting  than  it  is  possible 
for us to do as an association.  With  the 
rating  of  each  individual  customer  at 
your elbow for  you  to  refer  to, 
it  cer­
tainly will be your own fault if you have 
many  of  these  accounts  to  collect,  un­
less,  perchance,  your  spinal  column  is 
of that delicate  nature  that  you  cannot 
stand behind  your  own  counter  and  re­
fuse a man  whom  you  know  to  be  un­
worthy of credit.  That  being  the  case, 
your existence as a business  man  will be 
of short  duration.
1  understand  that  something  of  this 
kind is being  carried  on  quite  success­

fully in several States, both  in  the  East 
and in the West. 
I have had  the  oppor­
tunity of looking this up quite  thorough­
ly.  The  business  men  with  whom  I 
have corresponded are very much pleased 
with this system.
1 have not written this paper  to adver­
tise any  particular  system.  The  busi­
ness men of  this  State  should  have  the 
very  best,  for  nothing  is  too  good  for 
If it  is  possible  to  improve 
Michigan. 
this system,  let us  have  something  bet­
ter, but I believe in it thoroughly. 
I be­
lieve it to be practical. 
I believe  that it 
is the only way to do a  safe  credit  busi­
ness,  and in my  opinion  the  day  is  not 
far distant  when  you  will  demand  the 
credit rating and collection system.  The 
question  is  this: 
“Shall  we  who  are 
right here in the field take up  this  work 
and adopt a system of our own,  or,  shall 
we let someone outside of the  State  step 
in and  secure  this  opportunity?” 
It  is 
for you,  gentlemen, to answer.
the 
recommendations set forth  in this paper, 
but said  the  “raking”  system  would  do 
better  than  the  “rating”  system  up 
around Crandall Corners.

J.  V.  Crandall  warmly  praised 

President Whimey commended the rat­
ing  plan  set  forth 
in  the  paper  and 
pointed out the advantages  it  would  be 
to the merchant to have such a system at 
hand.

Frank  Hamilton  approved  the  rating 
system and hoped  to  see  it  undertaken 
by men of good reputation,  using one of­
fice and one headquarters  through  which 
to prosecute the work.

N.  B.  Blain asserted  that  he  obtained 
better results by collecting  his  own  ac­
counts,  but would cordially  support  any 
system which received the support of the 
Association.

P.  J.  Connell,  of  Muskegon,  read  the 

following paper on “Fire Protection:”
Having been educated to  never  refuse 
to do my part in the interest of organized 
efforts to improve ourselves, I reluctantly 
consented to  assume  the  task  assigned 
me by our President.  Feeling my inabil­
ity to cope with the whole subject,  I  will 
briefly touch some of  the most important 
points.  Being a  gathering  of  business 
men and not  critics, I  shall  proceed  at 
once and in my own  way  to  say  a  few 
words from a fireman’s standpoint,
1 will first ask, What is fire protection? 
The true fireman  will  answer:  To  pro­
vide the best  means  of  saving  life  and 
property  from  loss  by  fire,  and  at the 
smallest  possible  cost,  consistent  with 
proper protection.
Nearly every city  in  our  State  has  a 
well-organized  fire  department,  under 
the command of  trained and experienced 
officers,  who  are  ready  and  willing  to 
discharge their  duty  under  all  circum­
stances; but, unfortunately,  the purchase 
of the necessary supplies  and  apparatus 
is in the hands of commissioners or coun­
cils who know nothing  of  the  needs  or 
wants of a fire  department  or  who,  for 
political  reasons,  refuse  or  neglect  to 
procure  proper  equipments  and  appli­
ances for fighting, thus crippling an other­
wise efficient fire department.
There are no  funds  expended  by  any 
city or village which do more direct good 
to the taxpayer than those  used  for  the 
proper equipment of its  fire department. 
Do not understand me  to advocate lavish 
or needless  outlay of money,  but enough 
to furnish and keep all fire fighting appli­
ances in good  working  order.  Buy  the 
best of its kind and see to it that there  is 
always a good supply  of  hose  on  hand. 
Do not adopt the “penny wise” plan and, 
when you  come  to  need  it,  find to your 
sorrow that the hose will  not  stand  the 
pressure or hold water—very good  for  a 
gardeu sprinkler but a failure  for  fight­
ing fire.  Such  hose and  other apparatus 
are too plentiful, and this cheap policy of 
the  purchasing  agent  has  cost  many  a 
taxpayer the savings of a lifetime or  the 
life of one or more  members of  his  fam­
ily.
Another enemy of the fire service in this 
country is politics.  See to  it  that  your 
chief  is  appointed  for  his  worth.  Let 
him select his own firemen.  Never mind 
their religion or  their  politics.  That  is

their business.  Are they  good  firemen? 
That is your business. 
If not, put others 
in their places.  The  fire  department  is 
no place for ornaments, paid  or  unpaid. 
There are many cities and villages which 
rely entirely on a  volunteer  system  and 
there are many in  Michigan  as  good  as 
the world produces; but, with due respect 
for them and the noble  work  they  have 
done,  I  claim  there  should  always  be 
one paid man  (the chief  or  foreman)  to 
look after the  apparatus;  to  keep  it  in 
good working order and to see that  it  is 
always ready  and  gets  to  the  fire  and 
that it will work when it does gets there. 
What is everybody’s business is  no  one’s 
business,  and  many  entire  towns  have 
been  destroyed,  simply  because  some­
thing failed to work at the critical  time, 
when a few pails of water,  properly  ap­
plied,  would have put the fire out.
There is still another  class  who  have 
no fire*fighting  appliances  of  any  kind. 
To them I would recommend  the  chemi­
cal fire engine.  They are made  by many 
different firms from one gallon up  to  the 
double eighty-gallon machines.  A child 
can use them,  and they  are always ready 
if charged  (and should be  charged at  all 
times).  No  merchant  or  manufacturer 
should be without one  on  his  premises. 
I believe it to be one  of  the  best  means 
of fire fighting  that  modern  science  has 
given us. 
It is both  efficient  and  dura­
ble.
Having thus briefly  reviewed  the  pro­
tection  furnished  by  fire  fighting  ma­
chines and  appliances, I  now  ask,  what 
do we do to protect ourselves?  Echo  an­
swers,  keep insured—at 2>£ to 5 percent, 
premium.
Is it not a fact that our  buildings,  as a 
rule,  are put up in the  cheapest possible 
manner without any regard  for  the  pro­
tection of its occupants from  fire  or even 
a means of  escape  in  many  cases,  and 
this is something worthy the attention of 
all  business  men,  for  even  a  wooden 
building can  be built to burn  slowly, and 
a common  brick  building  can  be  made 
almost fireproof with a very  slight  addi­
tion to its original cost, and the owner or 
tenant would soon save the  difference  in 
rates of insurance.
I would also call attention to  the  stor­
age of oils andjpowder.  What little thought 
is bestowed  on this subject by  the  aver­
age merchant! 
I have  seen  a  merchant 
weigh out powder at night as careless  as 
in the day time,  and a keg or can  always 
in reach  of  the  hand—and  the  fire,  as 
well. 
It saves  time,  you  know.  How 
many ever study the composition  of  oils 
and how  many different gasses they  con­
tain; at what degree  of  temperature  they 
will explode, or,  by  coming  in  contact 
with  each  other,  will  cause  conbus- 
tion?  They should never be stored 
in a 
cellar or under a building,  but in an  out­
house  made  for  the  purpose. 
If  more 
care was taken,  we  would  have  less  of 
the so-called  incendiary  fires  to  report. 
It is a fact that nine out of  ten  of  them 
are caused  by  spontaneous  combustion.
Mr. Connell  explained  his  references 
to explosive gasses  by  citing  numerous 
examples  of 
that 
source.

combustion 

from 

The following paper  on  “The  Conger 
Lard Bill,” by  H.  F.  Bannard,  of  Chi­
cago,  was then read by  Frank Hamilton:
Few  business  men  fully  understand 
how  deeply  mercantile  interests  are  af­
fected by  the  principles  underlying  the 
Conger lard bill,  which passed the House 
of  Representatives last summer and now 
awaits  the  action  of  the  United  States 
Senate.  These  principles extend to the 
ultimate regulation of all local commerce 
and  retail  trade  through  governmental 
interference and it is the duty of all  bus­
iness men to consider how their interests 
are involved and  what action is desirable 
or necessary.
it  is  to 
that  prior  to  the  War  of 
be  noted 
the Rebellion,  in  1860,  no  one  imagined 
that the general government  ever  could, 
or  would,  interfere  with  or  attempt  to 
regulate  the  ordinary  transactions  of 
everyday business  life.  All  such  work 
was  left  to  the  local  authorities.  We 
thought in those days that  it was not in­
cumbent  upon  the  President  of 
the 
United States to execute  laws relative to 
shop-ke$ping. 
If  a  man  kept  a  mock-

thirty  years, 

To  go  back 

auction,  or  a  peddler  dealt  in  “snide” 
wares,  or  a  mark etui an  sold  spoiled 
meats  and  vegetables,  all  these  evils 
were  attended  to  by  the  municipal  au­
thorities.  The swindler’s license was re­
voked  by  the  local  police,  or  the  un­
wholesome food was condemned  and  de­
stroyed  by  the  proper  health  officers. 
No legislation was  looked  for  at  Wash­
ington.
As the war continued»  the  question  of 
raising money to support the government 
became paramount and  the  ingenuity  of 
Congress  was  exerted  to  the  utmost  to 
invent  new  taxes.  Among  other  taxes 
thus  devised  were  taxes  on  “dealers.” 
Nearly if not quite, every  merchant  and 
business man in the  country  paid  a  tax 
as some kind of a  “dealer.”  He  might 
have  been  a  “wholesale  dealer,”  or  a 
“retail dealer,”  or  a  “commission  deal­
er,”  or  a  “whiskey  dealer,”  etc. 
In 
some  instances  merchants  paid  two  or 
more  taxes  as  “dealers”  to  include  all 
branches of their business.
These were recognized as  “war taxes” 
and  were  necessary  to  help  to  support 
the  government.  But,  in  levying  these 
taxes,  the  government  in  no  way  at­
tempted  to  regulate  or  interfere  with 
trade and merchants’ rights, beyond what 
was  absolutely  necessary,  to  make  sure 
of the collection of  all the Internal Rev­
enue.
After  the  close  of  the  war, Congress 
naturally commenced to reduce the taxes 
and to abolish one  after  another, as  the 
expenses of  the government were dimin­
ished and  the money  raised  by these ex­
traordinary  methods  was  no 
longer 
needed. 
It was all the while understood 
that  the  Internal  Revenue  taxes  were 
the most objectionable and  that these es­
pecially should  be  abolished,  wherever 
possible.  General  dealers’  taxes  and 
revenue stamps on  checks and deeds and 
proprietary  stamps  on  medicines  and 
perfumes  all  gradually  vanished,  until 
finally the so-called McKinley bill has re­
moved the special  taxes on all dealers  in 
tobacco, cigars and  snutf.  The abolition 
of  these  so-called  license  taxes  for- to­
bacco dealers closed out  the  last  of  the 
war taxes levied by the national  govern­
ment  upon  general  merchants,  grocers 
and  store-keepers.  Meanwhile,  a  new 
idea sprung up in  Congress  in  1885  and 
1886.
For many years chemists and other sci­
entists  had  been  interesting  themselves 
to produce a cheaper edible fat, as a sub­
stitute  for  butter.  Oleomargarine  had 
been invented and from its rapid and  ex­
tensive sale had  proved  to  be a substan­
tial  success.  But the  natural prejudice 
against artificial  butter led  many  to  im­
agine that there was something unwhole­
some in  the new product  and  that  some 
great national danger  might  be  lurking 
therein,  concealed  from  the  knowledge 
of the general public.
It was proved that nearly, if  not quite 
all, of  the  oleomargarine  manufactured 
was sold  under  the  name  of  “ Butter” 
and this was considered to be  a  gigantic 
commercial fraud.  Under  these circum­
stances a newspaper man  in  St.  Louis  is 
credited with  the ingenuity that first sug­
gested the oleomargarine law.  He  rea­
soned,  that if  the powers  of  the govern­
ment could be stretched to levy  Internal 
Revenue taxes,  to meet  the great danger 
caused  by  the  rebellion,  then  Internal 
Revenue taxation  should  be  sufficiently 
elastic  to  include  regulation  of  manu­
factures and commerce,  to meet  the sup­
posed national  danger  from  poison  and 
fraud through  oleomargarine.
The law  was made radical  and  sweep­
ing.  Congress  undertook  not  only  to 
regulate  the  manufacture  but  also  the 
sale of the new artificial  butter,  extend­
ing the regulation to the most trifling de­
tails of  the  trade.  Methods  of  manu­
facturing were  to  be  examined  into  by 
government chemists.  Sizes  and  styles 
of packages, and even the materials to be 
used  for  packages,  were  all  minutely 
prescribed.  Every  package  was  num­
bered  and  wholesale  dealers  were  re­
quired to keep  books,  showing  by  such 
number the receipt, sale and shipment of 
each individual package,  no  matter  how 
small.  Then  Internal  Revenue  officers 
were hired to  watch  every  retailer  and 
see that  every  pound  and  every  ounce 
was systematically dipped out of an orig­
inal package and  rewrapped  and  deliv­

concerned 

ered to the buyer  with  a  fresh  label  on 
it, printed  with  letters  solemnly  meas­
ured by the Commissioner of the Internal 
Revenue  Bureau  at  Washington.  The 
whole arrangement was crowned  with  a 
most unreasonable and senseless outfit of 
special  taxes,  including retail dealers’ li­
censes, at the rate of $48 per annum.
The  enactment  of  the  oleomargarine 
law aroused considerable  interest  at  the 
time,  but  business  men  and  merchants 
generally stood aloof,  and so far  as  they 
were 
the  measure  went 
through Congress almost  without  objec­
tion.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  nobody 
pointed out that there might be a distinc­
tion made,  and  a  line drawn between the 
policy of  governmental regulation of the 
manufacture of an article supposed to be 
fraudulent,  or  even  dangerous,  and  the 
policy of regulating the  sale  and  traffic 
in  the  same  article,  after  it  had  been 
manufactured under governmental super­
vision and packed in accordance with the 
law  under  rigid  scrutiny  and  thorough 
inspection, so as to meet all  the  real  or 
imaginary necessities of the case.
These questions of policy are again be­
fore the public,  and  under  consideration 
by Congress,  in the Conger lard bill,  and 
this is the proper time for merchants and 
business men to  consider  whether  such 
legislation 
is  altogether  necessary  or 
conducive  to  the  best  interests  of  the 
entire community.
It is claimed, on behalf of the lard bill, 
that cottonseed oil compound is sold  to a 
large extent as a substitute for  lard  as  a 
cooking fat, so as  to  constitute  a  fraud 
on the public, just as prior to  1886  oleo­
margarine was a fraud among edible fats. 
There is,  so far as we  can  learn,  no  in­
dictment against  cotton  oil  lard, on  the 
ground  of  poison  or  unwholesomeness. 
Governmental  interference  is  implored, 
in this instance, only on  the  grounds  of 
commercial fraud.  Governmental inter­
position in the manufacture of  cotton oil 
lard is provided in the  Conger bill,  after 
the  fashion  of  the  oleomargarine  law, 
and the question  in  which merchants and 
traders  are  interested,  is  simply  this: 
Admitting that there be such a grave and 
stupendous  fraud  in  the  manufacture, 
does this necessarily call for  such  regu­
lation of  the retail  trade  of  the  whole 
country,  as to establish a  precedent  for 
the regulation hereafter of  all  the  local 
commerce  and  market  business  of  the 
United States by national legislation?
The Conger bill prohibits  the  packing 
of  cottonseed  oil  or  other  lard  substi­
tutes,  resembling lard,  in  wooden  pails 
or buckets, and  likewise prohibits pack­
ing  the  same  in  tin  cans or caddies or 
other  hermetically  sealed  receptacles. 
It further prohibits the shipping  of  one 
package inside of another,  so  that  small 
tin pails  with  movable  covers  may not 
be placed  inside of  boxes and, therefore, 
cannot be transported.  Dealers  are  not 
allowed  under  the  Conger  bill  to  sell 
quantities less than three pounds, except 
the grease be dipped  out of  the tierce or 
tub, or other  permissible  original  pack­
age  and  repacked  with a printed  label, 
having letters measured  in inches by the 
Commissioner  of  Internal  Revenue,  the 
same  as  in  the  case  of  oleomargarine. 
Railroads cannot transport lard compound 
in any style of package without elaborate 
and  most  vexatious  restrictions.  No 
dealer  is  permitted to sell  a quantity as 
great as three pounds, or upward,  unless 
in  an  original  package.  No  original 
package suitable for  shipment  or  trans­
portation  is  allowed,  except  a  wooden 
tub,  and thus all  traffic  in  any  cooking 
fat resembling lard, other  than clear bog 
grease,  is actually prohibited  in  quanti­
ties above 2% pounds and below an ordi­
nary wooden tub of say thirty  or  thirty- 
five pounds.  A  full  line  of  taxes and 
licenses is provided  to  correspond  with 
the war system of  Internal Revenue tax­
ation.  Our dictionaries may be searched 
in  vain  to  find  adjectives  adequate  to 
characterize the absurdity and rottenness 
of such a law. 
In  the  first  place,  any 
apparent  necessity 
for  governmental 
regulation of the manufacture  and label­
ing of cotton seed  oil  does  not  afford a 
sufficient  pretext  for  dictating  to  mer­
chants  how  little  they  must  sell,  or to 
consumers how much they shall  buy.  In 
the second place,  no  fraud  of  whatever 
magnitude in trade, can  possibly  justify 
the fraud that will be perpetrated against

the  rights  of  the  people  of the United 
States  if  Mr.  Conger,  of  Iowa,  should 
succeed in dictating to the people  of  the 
whole  country  any  particular  rules  to 
govern  the  purchase  and sale  of  their 
cooking materials.
The question  involved is much broader | 
than appears at first glance.  A bystander j 
or mere casual  observer  might  imagine 
the contest  to  be  merely  between  hog | 
lard and cottonseed  oil  as a cooking fat. 
Such  a  man  might  feel  that  it  was a 
struggle  between 
two  agricultural  or 
manufacturing 
interests,  based  upon 
purely selfish  reasons,  in  which the gen­
eral public had no concern.  But a close 
analysis of the points in dispute discloses 
how  deep  and  far  reaching  the  conse­
quences may be.
It has been said that our forefathers in 
1776 renounced allegiance to  Great  Brit­
ain because of  a  tax  of  three pence per 
pound on tea. 
It  was  not  the  “three 
pence” or the “tea” alone  that  were  in­
volved in the  eusuing  struggle.  There 
was an underlying principle, so plain and 
so unmistakable that the  “three  pence” 
or “tea,”  instead  of  being  a  matter of 
apparent insignificance,  became  an issue 
of absolute grandeur.
We  have  to  contemplate  to-day,  not 
only as merchants and business men,  but 
as  citizens  of  a  free  and  enlightened 
country, a similar issue  of  equally vital 
importance.
If any  set  of  men,  call  them  by the 
name  of  “Congress”  or  call  them  the 
“Government,”  can  dictate  to their fel­
low citizens  such  preposterous  and out­
landish rules of  trade as those laid down 
in the Conger lard bill,  then,  and in  that 
case,  this is certainly  not a free country, 
and we shall no longer be  free  men,  but 
mere slaves to the whims and caprices of 
any  set  of  cranks  who  may happen  to 
have a  “pull”  upon  legislation at  Wash­
ington. 

Two hours discussion on  the  “good  of 
the order” followed,  at the conclusion  of 
which  the  convention  adjourned  until 
evening.

#

EVENING  SESSION.

At the opening of the  evening session, 
Geo.  B. Caldwell  read  the  following  pa­
per on  “Some  Phases  of  the  Insurance 
Question:”

You have requested me  to give the in­
surance question  some  consideration  at 
this time; and  you  have  made  my  sub­
ject  very  broad,  but,  after  listening  to 
the report of  your Insurance  Committee 
and the able  paper  of  Brother  Connell, 
froni Muskegon, on  “ Fire  Protection,”  1 
must ask  you to excuse  my  production, 
prepared as  it  has  been  under  adverse 
circumstances and limited time. 
I  will 
not consume your time by  reviewing  the 
work of  the Association  in  the  past,  or 
by drawing imaginary pictures  too great 
to be realized,  but  will try to point out a 
few things which 1 believe worthy of crit- 
cism  by this body and which can be rem­
edied by you. 
1 will  divide the subject 
into three divisions—first,  the relation of 
the insurance business to  other branches 
of business; second, mutual insurance vs. 
stock insurance,  and,  third, the three per 
cent.  tax.
In the business world it is most  essen­
tial that we know  with  whom  we  deal, 
and one of  the first  questions  asked  re­
garding one another  is  the  question  of 
financial stability. 
In entering  into bar­
gain,  agreement or contract it  is  not  so 
much to us to know that  we  are  compe­
tent to perform our part of the agreement 
as to know  that  you,  the  second  party, 
will not disappoint us.  So. in  the insur­
ance world, to know that  your  property 
is.  to-day, protected from fire,  by a small 
investment by you, concerns  each  of  us 
but little. 
It is more to us to know that 
the  capital  guarantying  our  indemnity 
reaches the millions and is  sufficient  be­
yond doubt for  any  and  every  demand. 
Our part of the contract in  the matter  of 
paying premiums and providing  fire pro­
tection  also  reaches  many  millions,  as 
Mr. Connell has  shown  you.  We  have 
millions of dollars invested in our water­
works,  fire  apparatuses  and  organized 
fire departments, quite as  necessary  and 
as great a source of security as  your  in­
surance  policies. 
It  remains  for  me, 
however,  to speak of  the insurance com­

T H E   M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N

in 

1879, 

average 
and 

the 
1889  was  $1.41 

5
panies  in  particular.  Pardon  me  if  I 
burden you with figures from  the  Insur­
ance Commissioner’s report for ’89.  The 
magnitude of the  business  can  thus  be 
expressed  in  numerals,  as  follows: 
In 
1889,  theje were doing business  in Mich­
igan  three  stock  companies  organized 
within the  State,  with  $950,000  capital 
and  $2,160,500  assets; 
insurance  com­
panies of  other  states,  114, capital, $53,-
557.000,  assets,  $160,250,000; 
foreign 
companies, 25, capital, $5,000,000,  assets, 
$46,491,000;  whole number of companies, 
144,  whole paid capital, $59,507,000, total 
assets, $20S,57S,000.  This represents  to 
us the  responsibility  of  the  companies 
doing business in Michigan,  and shows  a 
guarantee for all insurance  contracts  is­
sued  by  stock  companies.  But ,let  us 
look at the liability as against  this  body 
of assets.  The Michigan companies alone 
wrote,$24,680,000  of  insurance  in  1889, 
premiums, $352,902,  average  rate, $1.21; 
the 114 companies of  other  states  wrote 
$192,229,000 of  business,  premiums,  $2,-
503.000,  average rate,  $1.37;  twenty-five 
foreign companies  wrote  $58,609,000  of 
business,  premiums,  $875,493,  average 
rate, $1.65; whole amount of  risks  writ­
ten  in  Michigan,  $275,518,000;  whole 
amount of  premiums  collected,  $3,732,- 
000,  average rate,  $1.41.  As  compared 
to the business ten years  previous,  or in 
1879,  we  find  the  amount  of  insurance 
written  7-10  of  one  per  cent,  greater, 
while 
the  premiums  collected  were 
little more than twice the  amount, show­
ing that we paid  a  higher  rate  in  1889 
than 
rate 
in 
in  1879 
but $1.11, or 3-10 of one  per  cent,  more, 
to-day, than ten years ago.  This applies 
to  the  stock  fire  insurance  companies 
alone.
It is surprising to most of  us to  know 
that,  while we have better fire protection, 
better buildings and  a  better  degree  of 
less  moral  hazard, 
civilization,  hence 
than  ten years ago,  we must  pay  higher 
rates of insurance. 
If we have  done  so, 
we have performed our part  of  the  con­
tract,  and  if  these  statements  are  true 
the  insuring  public  have  a  right  to  a 
lower rate of premium,  or to an  explana­
tion for the causes of  present rates. 
In 
analyzing  the  question,  I  find  that  the 
expenditures of  the  companies  for  1879 
compared with those of 1879,  were 57 per 
cent,  in 1879, as against  60  per  cent,  in 
11889  for  fire  loses.  Here,  then,  is  the 
difference—the expense ratio  or  cost  of 
doing  business  is  about  the  same,  also 
the dividend and  surplus  ratio, showing 
I that the  fire  losses  have  accounted  for 
the extra premium we have  to  pay. 
It 
| is hard to understand why,  the  older  we 
I grow,  the wiser we  get;  and  the  better 
fire protection we have,  the more  our  in­
surance costs  us.  To me it  proves con­
clusively that present  methods  of  stock 
companies are not  modern  but  old  and 
expensive.
It is here 1  will  introduce  the  second 
phase of  this question, mutual insurance 
vs. stock fire insurance. 
In the  fire  in­
surance world there are to-day two kinds 
of companies: the one,  where for a speci­
fied sum, you are insured for a  given pe­
riod,  not to  exceed  a  certain  amount— 
this  is  the  stock  company;  the  other, 
where,  by  your  consent,  and,  perhaps, 
the payment of a membership fee, or  the 
giving of a premium  note, you  become a 
member of the association, each  member 
or body of  members assuming any liabil­
ity that may occur.  The result to policy 
holders in both  cases  is  supposed  to  be 
the same,  but in method they so  differ as 
to become enemies.  The one holds  up  a 
certain capital  as a guarantee  to its con­
tracts; the other finds its  strength  in  its 
membership and  low  rates.  For  years 
past, 
insurance 
thought to be  correct,  has  been  held  to 
be impracticable.  Failure was predicted 
to be certain,  and in shorter time than in 
stock companies,  but,  with the aid of  ex­
perience,  these  weaknesses  have  been 
strengthened, and,  although there is still 
some chance for  adverse  criticism, it  is 
no more in that respect in mutual under­
writing than in  stock  companies,  and  it 
is also true that the failures are  no more 
numerous.  The lesson  we get from this 
is that  the  factors  contributing  to  the 
success of fire underwriting at  the  pres­
ent day have  changed, and  old  theories 
must be laid aside and  new  ones  recog-

the  mutual 

idea  of 

T H   h!  M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N

6
nized.  The mutual companies,  in  their 
competition  for  business,  have  so  im­
proved their methods  and  analyzed  the 
different kinds of  risks as to  be  able  to 
excel the  stock  companies.  They  are, 
consequently,  becoming  numerous  and 
strong and have in many  states,  under  a 
more favorable law than  ours, succeeded 
in  obtaining  what  has  always  been  a 
most  profitable  business  to  the  stock 
I can prove the truth of this 
companies. 
by  pointing  out  to  you  the  numerous 
manufacturing  concerns  in 
this  city. 
They are getting their kind of insurance, 
to-day,  at much  less  than  what  it  eost 
them five years  ago,  but  this  applies  to 
mauufactui ing risks alone.  While many 
improvements help  to  bring  about  this 
change, the greatest cause is competition. 
At a recent meeting of  the Underwriters 
of  the  Northwest,  held  in  Chicago,  in 
September,  Mr. George P.  Sheldon. Pres­
ident  of  the  Phenix  Insurance  Co.  of 
Brooklyn, says:  “ While 1 do not recognize 
that all the wisdom  as  regards  fire  un­
derwriting lies under the hats of  mutual 
underwriters,  I  must  recognize the  fact 
that, during the last two  years, over  ten 
millions  in  risks  have  gone  from  our 
books to the mutuals, and that, in twelve 
months  more,  unless  radical  measures 
are taken by us, there will  not be left  on 
the books of  the stock companies  a  pol­
icy on a single textile plant.”  He refers, 
in his speech, to the Eastern States, where 
the  mutual  companies  have  been  most 
aggressive,  most  successful  and  most 
beneficial.  We,  in Michigan, do  not  re­
alize this.  Our present laws are discrim­
inating in favor of  the  stock  companies 
and against the mutual companies in  ev­
ery  branch  except  farm  property  and 
manufacturing  risks.  We, as  business 
men,  are compelled  to  either  write  our 
insurance  in  stock  companies,  or  go 
without. 
1 do  not  condemn  our  insur­
ance  departments,  nor  present  laws— 
they  are  both  very  excellent,  but  we 
alone are  to  blame,  because  we  do  not 
have,  as  merchants  and  business  men, 
a  law on our statute books giving  us the 
piivilege  of  organizing  and  operating 
mutual  companies  that  can  insure  our 
class of  property. 
In  referring  to  the 
insurance laws of  Ohio,  Iiliuois,  Indiana 
and the Eastern States, 1  find that each of 
them  permit  the  organization of  insur­
ance  companies  with  premium  notes,
having guarantee capital,  to operate on  a
mutual  basis  and 
insure  all  kinds  of 
property. 
It is now time  for  us  to  act, 
and  there  is  but  one  conclusion  to be 
drawn—if we will not go into  the  insur­
ance business ourselves,  pledge our  own 
capital and organize stock companies,  we 
must either  submit  to  present  rates  of 
stock companies in the  mercantile  busi­
ness, or have the  competition of  mutual 
companies.  We are on  the  eve  of  an­
other  meeting  of  our  Legislature,  and 
Michigan business  men  can,  by  prompt 
and  harm onious action,  open  this avenue 
for their own good. 
I  do  not  advocate 
the days of wild cat  banking, or wild cat 
insurance,  but it is a fact which  we  will 
do well  to regard that other  states so  far 
excel  us  as  to  possess  more  insurance 
companies and cheaper rates of insurance 
than we do.
I now maintain that  the  proper  thing 
to  con­
for  business  men 
the  organization  of  stock 
tribute  to 
companies. 
this 
is, 
to-day. 
for  busi­
ness  men 
to  get  cheaper  insurance, 
and get all there is  in  it,  for,  if  you  are 
both a stockholder and  a  policy  holder, 
you cannot find  fault  because  rates  are 
high. 
In that case,  it  would matter  not 
whether  rates  were  high  or  low—the 
greatest concern  with you would be as to 
the hazard of your own risk; and I would 
warrant that such a policy  would  stimu­
late any of you to the  greatest  possible 
care in the prevention of fire, and  to  the 
adoption of modern methods  of  fire  pro­
tection.
We meet here in  convention,  we  anal­
yze the question.  We boast of our pros­
perity, of  our industries, of  our ability, 
but  we  return  home  reluctant  to  turn 
out of  our well-beaten  tracks and  under­
take to do what others are reaping a ben­
efit from. 
It is plain enough that Mich­
igan  business  men  have  the  matter  in 
their own hands and  have  no  reason  to 
find fault with  things  as  they  are. 
If 
you want stock insurance and stock com-

the  best  method 

is 
that 

1  believe 

to  do 

than 

to  business  men 

| panies,  why  don’t  you  start  them  and 
build them for yourselves, or  stop  kick­
ing about things as they are;  but,  if  you 
want competition and mutual companies,
I it  remains  with  you  to  provide  a  law 
that  will  allow  them  to  organize  and 
flourish  here  as  elsewhere.  This  dis­
crimination of Michigan laws in  favor of 
stock  companies  as  against  mutuals 
must,  without  doubt, compel  manufact­
urers and some merchants to carry  much 
less  insurance, or  insurance  written  in 
companies not licensed to do business  in 
Michigan.  These companies evade pay­
ing  any  tax  here,  have  no  authorized 
agents or attorneys against whom process, 
of law can be served.  They ought not to 
be  patronized,  but 
there  are  certain 
classes of  our  business  so  peculiar,  so 
hazardous and having  such  a  high  rate 
fixed by  our  own  companies,  that  they 
must go without insurance or  violate the 
law. 
There  is  no  question  more  im­
portant 
this 
one,  and  there  is  no  reason  why  we 
ought not to enjoy,  as well as  our neigh­
bors, every advantage of this  question to 
its full extent.  Some insurance  agent is 
aching to say,  “If this field is  so  profita­
ble, and  these  things  are  true,  why  so 
few  Michigan  companies?”  Because 
Michigan,  with its vast resources,  has al­
ways been  a  profitable  one  for  the  in-, 
vestment  of  capital  and  consumes  our 
surplus as  fast as  it  accumulates,  while 
foreign and eastern  capital steps  in  and 
realizes 8 to 10 per cent, on  their  invest­
ments.  So I will answer the question by 
saying that,  if the field  is  not profitable, 
why so  many  foreign  companies  in  the 
State? 
In  regard  to  profits,  the  three 
Michigan  companies  paid 
last  year  in 
dividends  and  passed  to  their  surplus 
fund,  16 per cent, on a  capital  of  $950,- 
000,  and,  out of 142 stock  companies  do­
ing business in the State,  eight  of  them 
paid less than  7  per  ^ent.,  fifteen  paid 
less than 10 per  cent,  and  110  of  them 
paid from  10 to 40 per cent. 
Is  there  a 
merchant present who did as  well?  Ten 
million dollars more went  out  of  Michi­
gan last year for fire insurance  than was 
paid back  by  the  companies  for  losses 
and expense  in  doing the  business;  yet, 
we are told that there is no  money in the 
insurance business, and are  scared  from 
investing our own capital,  and  into  pay­
ing present rates.
There is oue other phase  of  this  ques­
tion  worthy  of  our  consideration—it  is 
the 3 per cent.  tax.  Each  stock  insur­
ance company in  this State  is  compelled 
to pay a 3 per cent,  tax on its  gross  pre­
miums,  which,  while  it  goes  into  the 
State  Treasury  and,  in  a  measure,  re­
duces our direct tax,  is  certainly  a  dis­
crimination against the  man  who has his 
investments  in  personal  property  and 
must  have  insurance  and  pay  a  direct 
tax thereon, and in favor of  the one who 
has  it in  lands  and  mortgages  and  re­
quires  no  insurance. 
It  seems  to  me 
that,  under the  present  prosperous  con­
dition  of  our  State  Treasury,  this  tax 
law should be amended or  repealed. 
If 
it  is not  practicable  to  repeal  the  law, 
then let it be amended so far as Michigan 
companies are concerned,  or be  modified 
to 1  per cent, on the business  of  foreign 
companies.  The amount, then,  would be 
more than adequate to  cover the  expense 
of 
the  State  Insurance  Department. 
There is no question but what  this tax  is 
paid by the policy holders,  and, as I have 
stated, justice in  the  collection  of taxes 
demands that the whole law should be re­
pealed.  This, gentlemen,  brings  before 
us  a  few  questions  of  present  conse­
quence,  and which I trust  you  will  take 
into consideration. 
In conclusion,  I wish 
to say that I have paid due respect to every 
insurance  company, 
to  any  insurance 
agent  present,  whether he be a  stock  or 
a mutual man; but 1 will also  say  that  it 
is to the credit of the  Michigan  business 
men and the merchants and insuring pub­
lic of this State  that  we  lead  the  insur­
ance companies in the matter of providing 
fire protection, building fire  proof  build­
ings and performing our part  of the con­
I do not say that we  are  perfect, 
tract. 
that it is right for us to accept your poli­
cies  without 
if 
we suffer a loss, to find there are conditions 
of which we are ignorant, and must go to 
law to adjust. 
I plead no excuse  for the 
ignorance  of  the  business  man  in  the 
purchase of insurance,  not  because  you

reading 

them, 

or, 

do not get proper  insurance  at  a  proper 
price,  anymore  than  I  would  excuse  a 
man in purchasing a stock of goods in his 
branch of business for which he pays too 
dear and for which he alone  must suffer. 
But certain  insurance  journals  and  in­
surance men have branded  the Michigan 
Business Men’s Association  as  a  selfish, 
narrow-minded,  pernicious class of  men, 
incompetent  to  analyze  these  questions 
and good for  nothing  but  to  kick.  To 
them I would say,  cast  the  mote  out  of 
your own eye before you attempt  to  cast 
the beam out of ours.  We,  to-day,  show 
more progress than you.  There is money 
in  the  fire  insurance  business,  and  we 
know it, and,  while we have no  scruples 
against your making a  reasonable  profit, 
we do object to  your exacting  from us  a 
rate that will enable you to pay  a  larger 
dividend on  your  capital  invested  than 
the average in  any  other  kind  of  busi­
ness. 
If you hold your  conventions  and 
maintain  your 
combine 
against us, do  not  expect  us  to  submit 
and say  nothing,  for  I  can  assure  you 
that the Michigan business men  have  an 
Association competent  to  analyze  these 
questions,  willing  to  listen,  eager  to 
learn and anxious to  do,  which  will,  in 
the near future, meet you in  competition 
in your own line,  unless you favor  us  in 
more ways than  you  have  in  the  past. 
In every sphere  of  life  the  world  owes 
much  to  its  men  of  courage,  and  the 
Michigan  Business  Men’s  Association 
should have the praise  for  having  inau­
gurated  several  reforms  in 
insurance 
Prominent 
methods 
among them is the anti-compact  law and 
Michigan  standard  policy  law. 
For 
these two  things  thousands  of  business 
men thank you,  to-day; but, while we en­
joy praise for this,  there is still work for 
this Association and  the  business  world 
expects this Association to do it.

this  State. 

rates 

B.  D.  West then read the following pa­

and 

in 

per on  “Fire Insurance Problems:”
It could  hardly  be  expected  that  the 
Business Men’s Association  of  Michigan 
would feel any marked  degree  of  inter­
est in fire insurance  problems  generally, 
but so  far  as  these  problems  relate  to 
this State,  and especially to  this  portion 
of the State, they  concern every member 
of  this  organization.  Many  of  these 
problems cannot  be  readily  solved,  and 
ail of them are more  or  less  difficult  of 
solution.  Because they cannot be solved 
immediately, 
the  insurance  managers 
are frequently most roundly  and unjust­
ly  abused.  They  have  been  not  only 
thus abused,  but in  many  of  the  States 
laws have been enacted,  the  direct  ten­
dency of which has been to render  satis­
factory solution almost impossible.
To draw your attention  to some of  the 
difficulties in the way,  I  would  ask  you 
to bear in mind  the  great  differences  in 
the conditions  existing  in  this  country 
and  also in the older,  such  as  England, 
France  and  Germany.  Comparatively 
speaking,  the entire United  States is,  or 
was a few years  since,  new  and  unset­
tled.  At the same time, all of the condi­
tions affecting fire  underwriting  therein 
have been exceedingly  rapid in their  de­
velopment  and  often  overwhelmingly 
disastrous.  The  great  fires  of  Chicago 
and Boston,  and,  back  of  these,  of  Al­
bany,  if  Vicksburg  and  of  New  York, 
are sufficient evidence  of  the  peculiari­
ties of  what  we  may  term  the  “North 
American  hazard,”  while  the  changes 
which occur in the  business  interests  of 
different  localities,  including  often  the 
entire 
leading  commercial  affairs  of  a 
state,  are rapid enough to  attract the  at­
tention  of  the  most  thoughtless.  The 
tanneries, the woolen mills,  the  flouring 
mills,  the saw  mills,  in  fact,  mills  and 
manufactories of  all  kinds,  serve  their 
day in some Eastern  State,  and  are then 
either  paid  for  by  the  insurance  com­
panies,  or  transferred  to  some  locality 
more favorable  farther  West  or  South, 
while new and  strange  industries spring 
up to take  their  places  in their  original 
locations.  The  frame  range  cannot  be 
so easily transferred,  and it  succumbs to 
the march of events  and  the progress  of 
the times in a  manner  quite  unsatisfac­
tory  to  the  underwriter.  This  rapid 
transfer  of  business  interest,  this  un­
ceasing  change  and  this  constant  pro­
gress of events,  so  largely  developed  in 
the United States, constitute  some of the

great causes which tend to make  fire  in­
surance problems far more  difficult of so­
lution here  than  in  any  other  country. 
Then,  again,  there  are  lesser  items  of 
change, which,  after all,  may be  equally 
important.  Take, for  instance,  the item 
of light,  which,  at  first, 
included  only 
the hazards of the  tallow  candle;  after­
wards, the  camphene  and  burning-fluid 
lamp;  then  coal  oil  and  petroleum  and 
gasoline in all their various  phases,  and, 
now,  the electric  arc  and  incandescent. 
I might say a  great  deal  upon  thn  one 
point alone,  but  will  only  remark  that 
electricity as thus used is,  in one  sense, 
fire in harness,  which,  if  given  full  and 
careless  freedom,  wili  burn  up  almost 
anything on which  there is a good policy 
of insurance.
Insurance managers scarcely  had time 
to learn, from experience,  the  hazards of 
any one of these elements of  light before 
the other  was  forced  upon  their  atten­
tion,  and  another  new  and  difficult 
problem  was  presented.  Thousands of 
new  labor-saving  machines  have  also 
been brought  into  existence,  sometimes 
apparently changing the  whole  inherent 
hazards of the risks to  which  they  have 
been applied.  On the other  hand,  there 
have  been  many  and  decided  improve­
ments in  the  construction  of  buildings 
and,  in many instances, in the prevention 
of incipient fires.
The laws  of  average  and  the  expe­
riences of  the  past  are  the  only  guide 
and they  must  not  be  forgotten  or  ig­
nored. 
In life insurance these laws may 
be determined with reasonable certainty, 
but  in  fire  insurance,  where  new  and 
constantly  changing  conditions  prevail 
so extensively,  they  are not so easily fig­
ured  out.  Reasonable  latitude  should, 
therefore, be  given  to  the  managers  of 
fire insurance  companies.  The  cost  of 
the policy cannot be  readily  ascertained 
and  stamped  upon 
it  beforehand,  and 
yet, notwithstanding this,  if  a  company 
would remain  in  a  sound  and  solvent 
condition,  such cost  must be ascertained 
and the total premium  receipts  must  be 
something more than the total losses and 
expenses.  This  rule  applies  alike  to 
both joint  stock and mutual  companies. 
The value of  the  policy  to  the  assured 
must be the value which comes to him in 
the hour of need,  at the time  of disaster,- 
no  matter  when  that  may  be  or  how
many others may have received thefbene-
fit of  such  value  just previously;  other­
wise, 
it  is  a  delusion  and  a  snare. 
Therefore, the premium  receipts  should 
be not only equal  to  the  losses  and  ex­
penses but  sufficiently  more  to  provide 
for a series of disasters. 
In  view  of  all 
these facts, no intelligent  and  reflecting 
mind can  fail  to  understand  that  it  is 
somewhat difficult for the  fire  insurance 
companies to determine,  in  advance,  the 
exact and proper  rate  of  premium  that 
should be charged under  each  classifica­
tion of risks.  B y  reason  of  these  diffi- 
i culties, certain classifications  may possi­
bly be charged a little too high,  while  it 
is certain that others are  placed  entirely 
too low. 
It is so  much  easier to  realize 
a loss than it is to make sure of a reason­
able profit.  So far, however,  as they are 
able to do, the underwriters should place 
the several classifications  upon an equit­
able  basis  to  each  other;  they  should 
also, as far as is  possible,  so  write  and 
word their policies as  to  avoid  all  com­
plications  and  uncertainties  at  time  of 
loss.  To do this,  it is essential that  dif­
ferent policies covering the same proper­
ty should be  concurrent.  To  have  con­
current policies and to have  rates of pre­
mium,  under the  different classifications, 
equitably adjusted,  it  is  equally  essen­
tial that agents and companies should  be 
permitted to confer together and,  to this 
extent,  to  act  in  harmony  with  each 
other.  For  these  reasons,  laws  should 
not be so constructed as  to  prevent such 
conferences and such unity of action.
A large number  of  companies  are  al­
ways in the  field  striving  for  business, 
some of which,  as in every  other  branch 
of industry, are willing to  try their  luck 
at desperate chances.  The  rivalries and 
jealousies which creep into this,  as  into 
all other pursuits,  the  hope  for  smaller 
losses  and  larger  premiums  in  the  fu­
ture, the desire  to  succeed  in  some  di­
rection where others  have  failed—all  of 
these will ever prevent any  such  consol­
idation of insurance interests as  will  re-

THE  MICHIG.AlSr  TRAEESMAlSr.

these, 

suit In any injury to the public  at  large. 
There can  be no consolidation or combin­
ation in the sense  in  which  these  terms 
are applied to  commercial  interests gen­
erally.  There are too many  purely local 
companies, too many small  shareholders, 
too many conflicting  views. 
If  it  were 
ever possible to establish any  such  com­
bination,  it  would  have  been  accom­
plished immediately after the  great  Chi­
cago and Boston fires  of  1871  and  1872. 
Seventy-five per cent, of the agency com­
panies  were  then  wiped  out  of  exist­
ence,  and  rates  of  premium  advanced 
from 50 to 100 per cent.  One might sup­
pose that,  under such  eminently  favora­
ble  circumstances  as 
the  few 
remaining  solvent 
agency  companies 
would have  combined  and  permanently 
maintained  this  advance.  Such,  how­
ever, was not  the  result.  On  the  con­
trary,  scores  of  small  local  companies 
began to creep,  then  walk  and,  finally, 
rush for the agency business,  and in less 
than five years after  the  Chicago fire the 
rates of  premium  were  as  low  as  ever. 
'All  history repeats itself,  and the history 
of fire insurance companies  is no  excep­
tion to this rule. 
It may be  summarized 
thus:  Few companies  make  fair  rates, 
fair rates make 'fair  profits,  fair  profits 
make many companies,  many  companies 
make 
low  rates,  low  rates  make  big 
losses,  big  losses  make  few  companies. 
Thus you get  back  again  to  the  begin­
ning.  All  of 'these  divergent  elements 
are,  in point of fact,  constantly  tending 
the wrong way, to  the  permanent injury 
of many companies and,  as a  final result, 
to the injury of  the  assured.  A  sound 
basis both for the companies and  the  as­
sured  must  be,  as  before  stated,  one 
which means permanent solvency.
It is,  undoubtedly, right  that the pub­
lic should demand  this at the lowest rea­
sonable figure, and to reach that figure is 
a question  in  which  you  are  all  inter­
ested.  If you have the means with which 
to  erect a few  solid  and  properly  con-1 
structed  brick buildings, you  will  soon 
find that you have secured for yourselves 
as  low  a  rate  of  premium  as  you can 
fairly expect,  much  lower,  in fact,  than, 
as a shareholder  in  a  joint  stock  com­
pany,  or  as a partner  in a mutual  com­
pany,  you  would deem  it altogether pru­
dent to accept from “the other fellow.”
For years the loss record of  this  State
was  an  unsatisfactory  one,  and  many
companies would  not write  at  all  north 
of the D. & M.  Railway.  There are sev­
eral  good companies, to-day,  which  will 
not go much, if any, north  of  that  line. 
The shingle mills of  the past, even at 10 
per cent,  per annum,  have  shingled  the 
tomb of more than one company,  and the 
sawmills  have  converted  into  dust  the 
assets of  several.  Meantime, there have 
been some radical changes occurring in a 
better  direction  and  especially  here in 
Western Michigan.  The most noticeable 
of these are the recent and  modern  con­
structed  wood-workers.  Some  of  these 
plants are of great magnitude and as pre­
fect in their  construction and equipment 
as any  of  their  class  to  be  found any­
where.  They are entitled to and are re­
ceiving the  lowest  possible  rate of per- 
mium;  in  many  cases  these  rates  are 
dangerously close  to “the burning line,” 
and,  in some  instances,  in my judgment, 
below that line. 
If  this “burning  line” 
relates to a mutual company,  the  result 
directly affects  you  if  you are a partner 
therein;  if it relates to a joint stock com­
pany, they directly affect the  shareholder 
and,  ultimately, the assured,  also.
I am not here  to  discuss  the  relative 
merits of  the two systems;  undoubtedly, 
each has its friends in  this  Association.
I belong to  the  joint  stock  side  of  the 
question,  but the  problems  which  I  am 
now considering concern  all.  New and 
important industries are just  now  being 
rapidly developed in the  field  of  which 
you are the leading representatives.  Roll­
ing mills,  foundries,  wagon works,  glass 
works, agricultural implement works and 
a large number of  valuable  manufactur­
ing plants are  being  established.  The 
future of this district, indeed, looks more 
promising than ever before.  The insur­
ance companies  will  find  it  difficult  to 
keep pace with you.  They  have  many 
new problems to  solve.  There  is,  how­
ever, one of very great importance, which 
can be solved here  as easily as anywhere 
else—it is the problem of  moral  hazard.

The  fire  insurance  policy 

The record of the past in this  respect  is 
largely in your favor.  The  members  of 
this Association, the citizens of  this dis­
trict and of this State, in intelligence and 
morals,  are the peers of any.
recently 
adopted by  the  State  is sufficiently fair 
and equitable to all.  The State laws re­
lating to the solvency of joint stock com­
panies are sufficiently  rigid to protect the 
interests  of  the  citizen,  and  such  com­
panies,  when duly  admitted to the State, 
are  sufficiently  taxed  for  the benefit of 
the commonwealth.  While  thus  taxed, 
as a matter of  fair and equal justice, the 
citizen is morally bound  to  aid  them  in 
excluding all companies  not  legally  ad­
mitted and duly taxed.
As before stated, the conditions  in the 
Eastern States are more favorable for low 
rates  than  in  the  Western,  and,  if  we 
were to cross the Atlantic and go to Eng­
land or  France  or  Germany,  we  would 
find them still better. 
It is true that the 
differences in these conditions are gradu­
ally growing less each year and  are  con­
stantly tending toward bringing  margins 
of profits of all kinds down to  a  sharper 
point; nevertheless, it would be decidedly 
unsafe  for  any underwriter, in his anxi­
ety to secure premiums, to rush ahead of 
this progress;  he should rather keep at a 
good  and  prudent  distance  in the rear. 
Any company  that  would  undertake  to 
write business here at rates  of  premium 
current  in  either  England  or  France, 
would soon find itself  on—if not entirely 
over—the brink of  ruin.
Nowhere on this broad earth do greater 
opportunities  for  progress  exist  than 
right here.  The Great Creator of all  has 
blessed you  with unlimited  means.  You 
are  not  only  surrounded  with the most 
valuable  woods,  but with a soil capable 
of producing in abundance every product 
of  food.  Beneath  your  feet  are  vast 
mines of mineral wealth which long years 
of labor cannot exhaust.  Stone of the very 
best  quality  and  of  very  great beauty, 
clay from which the  finest brick are now 
being produced, sand, lime and  building 
materials of all kinds are  all  at  hand in 
great plenty. 
If you cannot and will not 
build  beautiful  and  lasting  structures 
here,  you would not do it anywhere.  The 
saving in the rates  of  insurance  would, 
in many cases,  prove to be  a  fair  inter­
est on the increased  cost;  but,  when you
build, do it as  intelligent  men  of  these
enlightened days should do.  If the build­
ing  is  a  two-story  structure,  have  the 
walls  at  least  eighteen  inches thick on 
the first story and thirteen inches for the 
second;  if a four-story building, let  your 
first  story  walls  be  twenty-two inches; 
second and third stories should  be  eigh­
teen inches; fourth story, thirteen inches. 
Do not drop off to thirteen-inch walls be­
fore reaching the last  story.  Parapet or 
division walls  should  not  rise less than 
eighteen inches above the roof, and  they 
should not be less  than  thirteen  inches 
thick. 
If there are  any  openings neces­
sary in these division walls,  let  them  be 
fully protected  with  approved  standard 
doors made and placed in compliance with 
the requirements of the underwriter.  Let 
all floors be properly constructed, both as 
to material and thickness.  Let  all  ele­
vators and stairways be properly enclosed 
and cut  off.
Let steam pipes and  electric  wires  be 
carefully  guarded  and  insulated  at  all 
points.  There are many persons who do 
not appear to have a proper appreciation 
of the dangers arising  from  steam pipes 
in direct contact with wood and light, in­
flammable materials or from defective in- 
sulatiou  or  careless  placing  of  electric 
wires.  The  varying  conditions  of the 
weather and atmosphere  do  not  receive 
due consideration, either  with reference 
to these two important items or in regard 
to external exposure.  When the weather 
has been  continually  hot  and  dry for a 
long  period,  the  hazard  of  the  steam 
pipes of  the  frame  ranges and external 
exposures  of  all  kinds become more ap­
parent to us.  They  force themselves on 
our attention.  We  feel  as  though  we 
would and must have all of these defects 
remedied at once;  but  these  defects  are 
again quickly forgotten, when  the  rains 
and snows have fallen and  everything  is 
well moistened. 
It  is,  however, just  at 
this time,  when the hazards of  defective 
placing and insulation  of  electric  wires 
become  greater.  New  and  rapid  con-

ductors to the earth are  then  developed 
and “short circuits” easily made and any­
thing  combustible  that  the  electricity 
“short circuits” across may be set on fire. 
Division walls which do not extend above 
the roof are not regarded as standard fire 
walls,  and interior walls  ceiled  up  with 
lath and plaster, or with  lumber  of  any 
kind,  thus  creating  a  vast  number  of 
flues for flames  as  soon  as  started,  are 
allways  objectionable.  An  occasional 
brick  building,  properly  constructed, 
with substantial fire wall on either  side, 
will not only prove of  truly  great  com­
mercial advantage to the interests of  the 
street and town, but  will  sometimes  re­
sult in a decided reduction  in  the  rates 
of  premium,  not  only  to  the  owner 
thereof but also to his  immediate  neigh­
bors.
The establishment of  just  and  equit­
able principles and rules of  guidance  in 
the  different  classifications  of  hazards, 
in the wording and forms of  policies,  in 
the inspection of risks  and  in  the  solu­
tion  of  some  of  the  difficult  problems 
herein named,  is the object of the Inspec­
tion  Bureau,  with  which  I  have  the 
honor to be connected as  a  deputy. 
Its 
managers are gentlemen  of  large  exper­
ience,  broad views and honest  purposes, 
and I am  sure  that  there  is  not,  and 
there should not be, anything  of  conflict 
between the interests of this  Association 
and this Inspection Bureau.
Integrity, equity, and fair  and  square 
dealing constitute  the  foundation  upon 
which we are all trying to build.  We may 
make mistakes,  but if we shall faithfully 
continue to build  upon  such  a  founda­
tion as that,  we'shall not  only  have  the 
cheering comfort  of  an  approving  con­
science in our labors,  but  we  shall  also 
find when the end is  reached  here,  that 
we have been working in the direction of 
a satisfactory solution of the great  prob­
lems of the  future.

A.  N. Woodruff called the  attention of 
Mr.  West to the exhorbitant  rates  estab­
lished by the Board at Watervliet.

Geo. E. Steele spoke of  the benefit  re­
sultant upon  the adoption of the uniform 
policy.

P.  J.  Connell asserted that  his  experi­
ence taught him that  many  of  the  fires 
were brought about by over-insurance on 
the part of the agent.

Geo. E. Steele  said  he  was  glad  that 
the business men had  secured  some  ad­
vantage  through  legislation  and  sug­
gested that steps be taken to prevent  the 
construction of fire trap structures.

Chairman Crandall presented the report 
of Committee on President’s address  and 
Secretary’s report, as follows:
Your Committee, to whom was referred 
the  P resident’s  address,  w ould  respect­
fully report that  it  has  not  had  ample 
time to give said address the careful con­
sideration  its  practical  suggestions  de­
serve,  yet we find much  food  for  reflec­
tion, and were our State and local associ­
ations to fall into line with its teachings, 
all would receive  untold  benefits,.  The 
matter so ably treated  in  every  page  of 
the address is suggestive of  a deep inter­
est for  the  wel fare  and  prosperity  of 
our associations.  »
The subjects  of “how to  increase  our 
usefulness”  and the “causes  of  the apa­
thy now existing”  are handled in  a  mas­
terly manner,  which breathes an  earnest 
hope of immediate and permanent return 
to our former condition of usefulness.
The  report  of  our  able  Secretary  is 
brief  and  to  the  point.  All  accounts 
have  been  kept  in  a  straightforward 
manner, showing his fitness for the  trust 
and confidence reposed in him.  Our As­
sociation made no mistake when it called 
E.  A.  Stowe to wield the pen  as  its  Sec­
retary.
In the matter of  the  letter  by  Frank 
Wells,  our able  ex-President,  your  Com­
mittee can see a  remarkable  coincidence 
in its thoughts and spirit  to  the  worthy 
and eminent breathings so ably laid down 
by our worthy President.
Chairman Bridgman sent the following 
report for the Committee on  Transporta­
tions
Your  Committee  on  Transportation 
beg  to  report  that  there have been  no

in 

7
questions of  importance  brought  to  its 
consideration during the  past  year.  At 
the annual meeting in  1889,  held at  Mus­
kegon,  the late Committee  on  Transpor­
tation  was  quite  severely  criticized  by 
several of  the  delegates  present.  Com­
plaint was made that the Committee  had 
done nothing.  One delegate  said,  “Ap­
point  a  good  Committee,  pay 
the 
expenses  necessary  and  let  them  visit 
the  different  railroads 
the  State. 
Write to them and put the  grievances  of 
the different towns in the  hands  of  that 
Committee.”  Another  said,  “We  may 
have had  a  good  Committee  last  year, 
but it has not met the views of this Asso­
ciation.  Now, then,  can  we  not  have  a 
Committee, which we can bring our griev­
ances before?  That is what  a  Commit­
tee is for.”  Still another  delegate  said, 
“It would  be useless for you  to  make  a 
Committee  unless  you  stand behind  it. 
It would  be  basswood,  just  as  the  one 
we have got now.”
Now, gentlemen,  you can  imagine  the 
feeling of  the  members  of  the  present 
Committee  on  receiving  their  appoint­
ment.  They supposed that they were to be 
a second Inter-state  Commerce  Commit­
tee; 
that  large  interests  were  to  be 
brought  before  them  for  adjudication; 
that they would  be  deluged  with  docu­
ments from every town  in the  State  and 
from  unnumbered  shippers;  that  they 
would have to give up their private busi­
ness,  employ a  stenographer  and  travel 
about the country,  visiting  railroad  offi­
cials,  taking testimony, listening to griev­
ances,  etc.
Your  Committee  has  held  itself  in 
readiness to listen  to  any  complaints or 
grievances,  but none  have  been  presen­
ted—nota  peep—not  a  grieve. 
It must 
be that the railroads have taken alarm at 
the fierce expressions used by the  speak­
ers at  the  last  annual  convention,  and 
have conceded everything asked.
Otherwise we cannot  understand  how 
it is that the members of the M. B. M. A., 
who a year ago were  in  such  straits  re­
garding transportation,  have  not  asked 
the  Committee 
right 
their wrongs.
We regret that we  have  no  report  to 
make  of  work  accomplished,  but  the 
fact remains that nothing has been  done, 
for the reason that no one has  made  any 
complaint, nor  asked  or  suggested  that 
we do anything; and we greatly fear that 
the Association  will conclude that  it  has 
another  “basswood”  Committee  on  its 
hands;  but  its  time  now  expiring,  we 
trust  that  another  will  be  appointed 
which  will  accomplish  wonders  during 
the coming  year.

to  attempt 

to 

The following letter was read  from H. 

H.  Pope,  of Allegan:
I  regret  exceedingly  my  inability  to 
attend the fifth annual convention of  the 
Michigan Business Men’s  Association,  to 
be held in your city  Tuesday  next,  and 
tell  that  body  “What  I know about oil 
wells.”
My task would not be long or  difficult. 
You may, however,  congratulate the con­
vention in not being brought too  near so 
unpleasant a subject.  Possibly  1  might 
have interested you a few  moments,  but 
this is hardly the right  time! 
I  dislike 
to talk about what is regarded as  a  dead 
dog,  but,  friend Stowe,  let  me say to you 
privately,  there  is  oil  under  us  down 
here in paying quantities, and  we intend 
to find it,  and when that time  arrives,  as 
in my judgment it surely will,  I  shall  be 
loaded for  you.
I bespeak for the convention a pleasant 
and profitable session.

The  following  letter  was  read  from 

Geo.  R.  Hoyt,  of  Saginaw:

1 find it is impossible for me to be pres­
ent at your meeting.  My business  is  so 
pressing I have a large  responsibility on 
my hands and at this time of  the  year it 
seems  to  require  every  minute  of  my 
time. 
I trust you will have a very  har­
monious meeting and that  it  may  result 
in a great amount of  good and  also  that 
it may stimulate all  present to  do  more 
than ever for the welfare of  the Associa­
tion.  Business  men,  you  know,  are  a 
little given to be a  trifle  narrow-minded 
in the respect of legislating for  the  gen­
eral  good  and  for  the  best  interest  of 
business at large throughout our country. 
They too often do  not  stop  to  think  of

8
the large amount of good that may result 
from  getting  together  and  comparing 
notes on the subject of pushing  business 
locally. 
I really hope you  may do some­
thing  that  will  sound  throughout  the 
State and stimulate us all.  whether  with 
you at your delilerations or not.
The election of  officers was  postponed

until the next meeting.

Chairman Blain  presented  the  report 
of the Committee  on Resolutions,  as  fol­
lows:

Resolved—That  we 

W h e r e a s,  The  House  of  Representa­
tives  has  passed  the  so-called  Conger 
lard bill, which we  deem  the  worst  sort 
of  class  legislation,  inasmuch  as  it  dis­
criminates  against  the  product  of  one 
section of  our  country  in  favor  of  an­
other; and
W h e r e a s,  no claim  is  made  that  the 
Conger bill  is  in  the  interest  of  purer 
food, on which  subject  this  Association I 
has  repeatedly  put 
itself  on  record; 
therefore
Resolved—That we are  opposed to  the 
Conger bill and respectfully  petition the 
U.  S. Senate to  refuse  to  pass  such  an 
iniquitous measure.
recommend  an 
amendment to the present insurance laws 
reducing  the  tax  on  insurance receipts 
from 3 to 1 per cent
Resolved—That the Michigan Business 
Men’s Association,  believing  that the en­
actment of the said Torrey bankrupt  bill | 
in the form in  which it passed the House 
would tend to give  a  more  conservative 
tone  to  transactions  between  creditors 
and  debtors, 
strengthen  commercial 
credit, and that it would prevent the giv­
ing and receiving of preferences by those 
interested in a  bankrupt  estate,  prevent 
fraud,  secure  creditors  of  equal  merit 
pro rata  dividends,  a  quick,  economical 
and  equitable  division  of  a  bankrupt’s 
assets,  and help to guarantee  the contin­
uation  of commercial prosperity  in  this 
country,  do  indorse 
the  said  Torrey 
bankrupt bill and  respectfully  urge  the 
Senate of  the United  States  to  take  up 
and pass it at the ensuing session.
Resolved—That we  recommend  all  lo­
cal  building  and  loan  associations  be 
placed under the supervision of the State 
Banking  Commission,  to  the  end  that 
their  efficiency  may  be  increased  and 
public  confidence  enhanced;  also  that 
foreign building and loan associations be 
compelled to deposit a  sufficient  guaran­
tee with  the  State  Treasurer,  as  is  the 
case with  foreign  insurance  companies.
Resolved—That the  reduction of letter 
postage to one  cent  now  appears  to  be 
desirable and feasible,  and that such  re­
duction would  be a boon  to the  business 
interest of the country  and promotive  of 
the uses of the mails by all  the people.
Resolved—That we  recommend the en­
actment of legislation  for  the  establish­
ment of a governmental postal telegraph.
Resolved—That our  hearty thanks  are 
due the officers  and  committees  for  the 
able services they have rendered  the As­
sociation.
Resolved—That the thanks  of  the  As­
sociation are due  to  the  several  gentle­
men  who have prepared  and  read before 
this convention the very able  and  inter­
esting papers to which we  have  listened 
with pleasure and profit.
An invitation from  Jas.  H.  Moore  to 
hold the next  meeting  in  Saginaw  was 
presented and unanimously accepted.

The meeting then adjourned.

MEETING  OF  EXECUTIVE  BOARD.

«

At  the  conclusion  of  the  convention 
proper,  a meeting of the Executive Board 
was called  to  order  by  President  Whit­
ney. 
Each member pledged himself  to work 
unceasingly for the success  of  the  next 
convention and to do all that  lay  in  his 
power to revive interest in  the  local  or­
ganizations  in  those  fields  where  the 
work bears evidence of lagging.
Each member present  pledged  himself 
to write a  letter  for  T h e  T r a d e sm a n, 
setting forth the benefits of  local organi­
zation.
On the suggestion of  Mr.  Hamilton,  it 
was decided to bold meetings of  the  Ex­
ecutive Board hereafter as often  as  once 
in three months.

The meeting then adjourned.

B Y   USINO

“TRADESMAN’
“SUPERIOR”

OB

' Coupon Books

Manufactured by

THE  TRADESMAN  COMPANY, 

Grand  Rapids.

See quotations In  Grocery Price Current.

Fornitore

-AT-

Nelson, 

M atter 
&  Co/s

S ty le s   N e w ,  C h eap , 
M ed iu m   a n d   E x p e n ­
siv e.
Large  Variety. 

Prices Low.

Langeland Mfg. C o .

Wholes  Manufacturers  of

S A S J T

Office,  Mill  and  Yard:
East  M uskegon  A ve.,  on  C.  A  W.  M. R’y.

MUSKEGON,  MICH.

W A N T E D .

POTATOES,  APPLES,  DRIED 

FRUIT,  BEANS 

and all kinds of Produce.

If you  have any  o f  the  above  goods  to 
ship,  or anything  In  the  Produce  line,  let 
ns  near  from  yon.  Liberal  cash  advances 
made  w hen  desired.

E A R L   B R O S . ,

C o m m issio n   M e r c h a n t s
Referenoe: First National Bank.  Chicago. 
Michigan Tradcbman. Grand Rapids.

157 South Water St.,  CHICAGO. 

T H E   M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N .

AVOID  THE

Corse of Credit 562,500  Envelopes

IN   O N E   IN V O IC E.
T h e se   g o o d s a re  n o w   in  tra n sit a n d  

w ill  s w e ll  ou r sto c k   to

Over a Million.

By buying in  large quantities, direct  from  the manufacturer, and 
taking advantage of the cash discount, we obtain the lowest  price  and 
are able to distance all competitors.
We solicit orders from the trade, printed or unprinted, case lots or 
less.  Samples and prices sent on application.
THB  TRADBSMAN  COMPANY,

PA PER   DEALERS  AND  PRINTERS.

El.  P u rita n o   Cigar.
The FinestlO Gent Gigar

O N   E A R T H .

MANUFACTURED  BY

DILWORTH  BROTHERS,

PITTSBURGH.

TRADE  SUPPLIED  BY

I. M.  CLARK  &  SON,

Grand Rapids.
BRADDOCK, BATEMAN  & CO., 
Bay  City.

}iave  Some  Style  About  You!

The  dealer  who  has no printed letter heads on which to ask for circu­
lars, catalogues and prices,  and  conduct  his  general  correspondence 
with,  suffers  more  every  month  for  want of them than a five  years’ 
supply  would  cost.  He  economizes byusing postal cards, or cheap, 
and,  to his shame, often dirty scraps of paper,  and  whether  he  states 
so or not he expects the lowest prices, the best trade.  He may be  ever 
so  good  for  his  purchases,  may  even  offer  to pay cash,  but there is 
something  so  careless,  shiftless  and  slovenly  about his letter that it 
excites  suspicion,  because  not  in keeping with well recognized, good 
business principles.  When such an enquiry comes to a manufacturer 
or a jobber, it goes through a most searching examination as to charac­
ter,  means and credibility, half condemned to begin with. 
It would be 
examined  anyhow,  even  if  handsomely  printed,  but the difference to 
begin with,  would be about equal to that of introducing a tramp  and  a 
gentleman on a witness stand in court.  Besides, the printed  heading 
would answer the question as to whether the enquirer was a dealer and 
at the same time indicate his special line of  trade.  Bad penmanship, 
bad  spelling  and  bad grammar are pardonable, because many unedu­
cated men have been and are now  very  successful  in  business.  But 
even those are less  objectionable  when  appearing  with  evidences  of 
care,  neatness and prosperity.

Please write us for estimates.

T h e  Tradesman Company,

GRAND  R APIDS,  MICH

T h e   P.  B .  C o u g h   D r o p s

H AV E   NO  EQUAL. 

SOLD  EVERYW H ERE. 

PUTNAM   CANDY  CO.

MANUFACTURED  B Y

T h e  P. B.  C o u g h   D ro p s

a r e   p u r e ,  Cl e a n   a n d   h i g h l y  m e d ic a t e d ,  m a n u f a c t u r e d  b y

PUTNAM   CANDY  CO.

---- AND-----

DOORS
M¡
toil  Shingles

DEALERS  IN

Lumber, 

GRAND  RAPIDS,  WEDNESDAY,  DECEMBER 3,  1890.

NO.  376

YOL.  8.
ESTABLISHED  1841.

THE MERCANTILE AGENCY

R. G. D un  &  Co.

Reference Books issued  quarterly.  Collections 

attended to throughout United States 

and Canada.

GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICH.

For  Rent  by  Dunton  &  Bates,
A corner store on Cherry  Street.  One  of  the 
best locations in the city for a hardware  store.
A single store on Ionia  Street.  An  excellent 
location for a restaurant or harness shop.
A single or double corner  store on South Divi­
sion St.  Good place for drug store and grocery.
Low  ren t  to  good  tenants.  DUSTTON  &  BATES, 
Rooms IS A I t   W iddlcomb  B'ld’g, Grand Rapids, Mich.

E N G R A V IN G

It pays to Illustrate your  business.  Portraits, 
Cuts  of  Business  Blocks,  Hotels,  Factories, 
Machinery,  etc.,  made  to  order  from  photo­
graphs.

THE  TRADESMAN  COMPANY, 

Grand Rapids,  Mich.

Playingßarfls

WE  ÄRE  HEADQUARTERS

SEND  FOR  PRICE  LIST.

Daniel  Lynch,

19  So. Ionia  St., Grand Rapids.

B E A C H ’S

New  York  Qoffee  Rooms,

61  Pearl  Street.

Five  Cents  Each  for  all  dishes  served 

from bill of fare.

Steaks, Chops, Oysters and All  Kinds  of 

Order  Cooking  a  Specialty. 
FRANK  M.  BEACH,  Prop.

Grand Rapids  Fire Instance  Co

CASH  CAPITAL 

- 

$200,000.00

F a ir   R a tes. 

P r o m p t 

S e ttlem en ts.

Call on onr agent in your town. 

JULIUS  HOUSEMAN,  President.

8  F.  ASPINW ALL,  Secretary.

A l l e n  D u k f k e. 

A . D .  Le a v e n w o r t h .

A lle n   D u rfee  & Co.,
| FUNERAL  DIRECTORS, |

10S Ottawa St.,  Grand Rapids.

S. A. M o r m o n

WHOLESALE

Petoskey, Marblehead and Ohio

LIME,

Akron, Buffalo and  Louisville

C E M E N T S ,

Stucco and Hair, Sewer  Pipe, Fire Brick 

and Clay.

W rite  for  Prices.

20 LYON  ST., 

-  GRAND  RAPIDS.

O Y S T E R S

We quote:
“ 
“ 
“ 
"  “ 

SOLID  BR A N D —Selects.................................25
B. F ..............  ...................... 23
Standards......................... 21
DAISY  BRAND—Selects.................................23
Standards..........................19
Favorites.............................. 17

“ 
“ 
“ 
“ 

Standards, in balk, 21.35 per gal.

M in c e   M e a t.

BEST IN  USE.

20-lb. Pails..................................7V4c  per  lb.
40-lb.  “ 
2-lb. Cans (usual weight), 11.50 per dot.

..................................7%c  “

Pure  Cider Vinegar, 10c per gal.
Choice  Dairy Butter, 20c.
Sweet Potatoes, $3 per bbl.
Fresh Eggs, 22c.
13.  PALLAS «6 SON

Prop’s V alley  City Cold Storage, 

GRAND  R APIDS, MICH

,   Parties  having  beans  or  clover  seed 
for sale will find a purchaser,  if  samples 
and prices are right.

We  also want
P o ta to e s  a n d   O n io n s
In car lots.

We pay highest market  price  and  are 

always in the  market.
W. T.  LAMOREAUX  &  CO.

128, ISO and 132 West Bridge St., 

GRAND RAPID S, 

- 

MICH.

A.  8HBLEY.

W. O. WILLIAMS. 

A. S.  BROOKS.
WILLIAMS,

SHBLBY

& BROOKS
Successors  to

FARRAND,  WILLIAMS  &  CO., 

W holesale  Druggists,

AT  THE  OLD  STAND.

Corner  Bates  and  Larned Streets, Detroit.

IT WILL PAY YOU
GOOD CHEER SOAR

To Buy A llen B.Wr isley's

Leading Wholesale Grocers keep it.

A N V IL   V S.  M USKET.

D iscu ssio n   O ver  th e   R elative  M erits 

o f th e   T w o  Im p lem en ts.

W ritten for The Trad*smam.

The anvils and the fire-arms  were near 
neighbors  in  a  large  hardware  store. 
One cold,  stormy night  about  December 
first,  after the business  of  the  day  was 
over,  finding  themselves  suddenly  en­
dowed  with speech,  they  concluded  to 
discuss their respective merits as  to  the 
benefits they were conferring  upon  civi­
lization.

always 

considered 

“ You  must  admit,”  said  Mr.  Anvil, 
“that  my  family  is  much  older  than 
yours and,  consequently, has  had  more 
experience; also that,  while  my  father’s 
family  were 
a 
noisy and  loud spoken  people,  we  were 
far more peaceable than yours, never be­
ing engaged in  fighting, nor  in  quarrels 
of any kind—in truth, we seldom wander 
away from home, except  it  be, perhaps, 
to attend a  Fourth  of  July  celebration. 
We take nothing strong, have never been 
known to lounge about a saloon,  while it 
is  an  every-day  saying 
that  you  go 
around  half-cocked  much  of  the  time, 
and,  if you happen  to  be  irritable,  you 
hesitate  at  nothing, often  killing  inno­
cent people, even your best friends.”

“ 1 concede a  part  of  what  you  say,” 
answered  old  Mr.  Army  Musket,  “but 
you  must  consider  the  great  work  my 
family and fore-fathers have done toward 
civilization?  Why,  sir,  while  I  admit 
that our power is snch that  we  can  and 
do sometimes take life,  yet generally, our 
very presence is  sufficient to protect  and 
preserve the lives of others.  Yon  speak 
of our habit of  sometimes  going  around 
half-cocked.  We are not always  respon­
sible for that.  If allowed to have our own 
way, we would never  be  found  in  such 
a foolish  and  dangerous  condition,  but, 
when in  the  company  of  ignorant  and 
intemperate  person  we  cannot  always 
do what  is  best. 
I  contend  that  there 
are  no  more  efficient  peace-makers  on 
earth than our family,  and, with  the  re­
cent  improvements  of  our  bodies  and 
supplies,  mankind  expect  tnrough  the 
menace of our  power  alone 
to  prevent 
wars altogether. 
In this respect  it  may 
he  said  that  we  are  confering  greater 
benefits  upon  humanity  than  you  are. 
Our entire family of  Fire-arms  are  now 
passing through a period of  unexampled 
prosperity  in  their  own  history,  and, 
through superior educational and  inven­
tive genius, are achieving  distinction  in 
the  world. 
In  time  of  peace  we  are 
found  to  be  valuable  in  many  ways. 
Where animal food must be had, or  star­
vation  results,  we  often save  scores  of 
lives.  Without our aid it is  doubtful  if 
large  bodies  of  treasure  of  any  kind 
could be  transported  with  safety  from 
place to place, either upon land or water, 
while now they may be  carried  in  com­
parative  security.  We  aid  the  com­
merce of the  entire  world  and  perform 
our  most  important  work  among  the 
most enlightened nations of  the  globe.”
“Much that you have stated is,  indeed, 
quite true,” resumed Mr.  Anvil,  “bat  I 
still contend that my  family  are  in  the

advance.  Without  our  aid  you  would 
not have arisen to  the high eminence you 
have attained,  itf fact,  if  you . had  even 
existed at all,  it would  have  been  In-  a 
crude and  rudimentary  state.  Again [I 
will say in the  presence  of  our  friends 
around us that my family,  while  promi­
nent in  the arrof] war, ' have  been  still 
more distinguished in  tbearts of  peace. 
We  have  been  the  forerunners  of  all 
the great and  vast  quantity  of  machin­
ery  which has increased  the food  supply 
for mankind! beyond  anything  ever  be­
fore  accomplished. 
In  the  past  centu­
ries, not'a metal  implement  was  in  use 
that did not owe to our  family something 
connected  with 
its  existence.  To-day, 
however,  great  pressure,  together  with 
rollers and knives,  have superseded some 
of our labor.”

Just 

Messrs.  Stove,  Shovel 'and  Chain  had 
beenMnterested listeners  to  this  conver­
sation and'could'not  resist  an  exclama­
tion of  surprise  or  gratification  as  the 
argument  proceeded. 
then  Mr. 
Chain  asked  the  privilege  of  a  word, 
which was granted.  “So far as  ultimate 
results t.o mankind  are  concerned,”  said 
he,  “it seems  to  me  that  the  claims  of 
Mr.  Auvil  and  the  family  called  Fire­
arms are  about  equal,  and  each  should 
have the same  credit  as  the  other,  for, 
while their different lines of work  lie far 
apart, they converge to  the  same  point, 
and either one deprived of the other’s as­
sistance would'  fail  to  accomplish  even 
one-half of what he  does'with  the  help 
of his colleague.  * I myself owe  my birth 
to the  Anvil  family,  and  yet,  in  many 
instances, the usefulness—nay,  the  very 
existence—of  our 
family  would  have 
been  in  jeopardy  had  not  the  Messrs. 
Fire-arms stood guard over us.

“Mr. Stove!  Mr. Stove!  Let  us  hear 
from Mr.  Stove,” cried several of the com­
pany.  Mr. Stove was  already  upon  his 
feet  on  the  platform  and  facetiously 
spoke as follows:

“Brothers,  owing  to  my  corpulency 
and consequent inability  to  move  about 
easily,  I  beg  the  privilege  of  standing 
where I am.  Ordinarily, I am  more  apt 
to take part in somewhat  heated  discus­
sions,  and  sometimes I  am an inveterate 
smoker of  an old pipe, even in the  pres­
ence of ladies.  To-night,  1  will promise 
not  to  smoke—in  fact,  my  pipe  is  not 
with me—and to  keep  cool.  My  drum 
has 
received  the  impression  of  your 
words,  and  I  must  agree  with  Brother 
Chain  that  the  disputants,  Anvil  and 
Fire-arms,  are  inseparable  in  the  good
Perfection  Scale•

The  Latest  Im proved  and  Best.

Does  Not  Reonire  Down  WeiiM.

Will Soon Save  Its  Cost on any Counter. 

For  sale  by  leading  wholesale grocers.

2

T H E   M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N .

work  of  aiding  civilization.  Only  a 
small portion  of  my  royal  family  owe 
their birth to either of you,  but  I  think 
to  the  Fire-arms  family  nearly  all  are 
indebted for  their  lives.  Personally,  I 
am  a  fire-worshipper  and  acknowledge 
no other creator,  as  I  came  direct  from 
the furnace into this  regal  existence. 
I 
will add that I am  a  rough  looking  and 
plain old Gookstove,  though possessing a 
warm heart,  while many of my family by 
whom I am surrounded,  with  the  aid  of 
our friend,  Mr.  Anvil,  and  some of  his 
more  youthful  relatives,  are  so  richly 
adorned  and  decorated  that  their  fore-
fathers  would  hardly  recognize  them. 
Allow me  to  introduce  a  little  friend, 
Mr.  Hammer.  His family are among the 
oldest,  and I think he will interest you.” 
And Mr. Stove  stood  down.  Mr.  Ham­
mer,  being diminutive in stature, was as­
sisted upon the counter  where  he  could 
be plainly heard. 
In  ringing  tones,  he 
said:

‘‘There are probably no  two  others in 
this audience more  intimately connected 
by the closest family ties and whose vital 
interests  are  so  interwoven  than  my 
august  Brother,  Mr. Anvil,  and  myself. 
[Cries  of  ‘Hear!  Hear!’  in  which  the 
tongues of several bells joined.]  In what­
ever  good  work  Mr. Anvil  is  awarded 
praise, I claim a small share of the honor, 
without in the least  detracting from his. 
While I acknowledge his superior weight 
and standing in the  community,  particu­
larly  as  a  Fourth  of  July speaker, the 
familiar sound of  my voice  and  that  of 
members of my  family  is  heard daily in 
almost every village  and  homlet  of  the 
land,  and many of the most  costly  edifi- 
cies owe much of  their  substantial char­
acter to us.  Some of  the finest aud rich­
est ornamental work of the world is solely 
due to the labor of our family.  Without 
us,  mankind would be obliged to dispense 
with gold and silver leaf, which is a large 
factor in the  ornaments made.  With re­
gard to  my  friend,  Mr.  Fire-arm,  he is 
more  indebted  to  me  than I to him. 
I 
cannot admit that he  has  ever  rendered 
me the least service. 
I have  no  respect 
for his mission  and  do  not  agreee with 
those who  consider  that  he has done so 
much for  civilization. 
I  might  enlarge 
upon the extent  of  my  usefulness in all 
the arts of peace or war,  but,  as  time  is 
pressing,  I will cease by asking  Mr.  Axe 
to make the closing remarks of the even­
ing.”

“My work,” said  Mr.  Axe,  “has  been 
mainly  not  of  a  hostile  character. 
I 
have been aided greatly  in  all  my  best 
work by  our  friend,  Mr.  Anvil,  and  1 
agree with Brother Chain and others who 
look upon Messrs. Anvil and Fire-arms as 
equal claimants for the glory  of  the  age 
in which  we  live.  My  family  is  very 
ancient.  Our  forefathers  were  a  dull 
and strong-hearted set,  with  no  bright­
ness or sharpness  in  their  natures  and 
quite  unlike  our  refined  and  polished 
family of to-day. 
I have  said  that  our 
work has  been  mainly  peaceful. 
It  is 
only just,  however,  to  say  that  one  dis­
tant branch of  our family,  by  the  name 
of Hawk—a mosfr detestable  little  rascal 
—sold himself to  the  Indians  long  ago 
and  has  aided  them  in  their  bloodiest 
deeds ever since.  His given  name  was 
Thomas, although he is  generally known 
as Tommy Hawk.  He is the  only mem­
ber of  our family  who  ever  voluntarily 
entered upon a life of crime.  Others  of 
the most respectable of  the  Axe  family 
have,  in times past, been forced to  assist

H.

in much  nefarious  work,  against  which 
they always protested.  Our family have 
ever been favorites  everywhere, even  in 
royal fimilies, and we have  been  called 
upon  to  remove  several  crowned  heads 
and, during the past century, to assist  at 
public executions.  The most useful  and 
I civilizing part of our work  has  been  in 
aiding agriculture, that most peaceful  of 
all avocations. 
In  closing,  allow  me  to 
say that all of us can trace  our  commou 
parentage to one source, the great father, 
Iron, and each of  us being useful  to  the 
other,  there should ever be  the  warmest 
friendship between ns.” 
A   P r o te st  W h ich   Is  N ot  a   C h estnut.
I saw a grocer the other day measuring 
chestnuts in a tin  pint measure.  It might 
have been none of my business, but I was 
about to speak to him about it,  when the 
lady  customer  saved  me  the  trouble. 
“See  here,  Mr.  Smith,”  said  she,  “are 
you  aware  that  all  kinds  of  nuts  are 
classed as seeds,  (which  they really are) 
and if you do not  choose  to sell them by 
the pound,  the law says it  must  then  be 
dry measure?” 
“Is  not  this cup a dry 
measure?” replied  the  grocer,  laughing 
at his pun. 
“I am not finding any fault 
for myself,  Mr.  Smith,”  continued  the 
lady,  “but for those who cannot afford to 
buy them in this way.  You bought those 
nuts by the bushel and they  were  meas­
ured to you by the  half-bushel at a time, 
and now  I  submit  the  question—ought 
you  not  to  sell  them  by  the  same dry 
measure,  or by the pound,  if  you  prefer 
that way?”  The  merchant  was  called 
inside  the  store  for a moment and I did 
not wait to  hear  the  conclusion  of  the 
argument, but it gave me food for thought 
and a text  for a sermon  that I  will  not 
preach  this  week. 
I  remembered  the 
little square wood boxes of  strawberries, 
by courtesy  called a quart, and the effort 
of my grocer  once  to  get half a peck of 
turnips  into a round  wooden  measure— 
in  which he  succeeded  in  packing three 
of the vegetables and  four  large  vacan­
cies—and I thought  all kinds of measur­
ing about an even thing, and that I should 
appeal to the blind-folded lady who holds 
the scales on the dome of the court house 
to come down and  weigh  everything  for 
us hereafter. 

Cit iz e n.

George  L. Thurston, a  valued  contri­
butor of T h e  T r a d e sm a n,  was  married 
Thursday, November 27, at Central Lake, 
to Miss  Lenore  Mohrmann.  His  many 
friends will join  with  T h e  T r a d e sm a n 
in  wishing the happy couple  a  long  life 
of  married happiness.
C ro ck ery   & G la ssw a r e
No. 0 Su b..............................................................   45
No. 1  “  ...............................................................  50
No. 2  “  ............................ 
75
Tubular........................................  
75

 
lamp  chimhxts.—Per box 

LAMP  BURNERS.

 

 

 

6 doz. In box.

“ 
“ 

Pearl top.

First quality.
“ 
“ 
XXX Flint

No. 0 Sun..................................... .......................1  75
No. 1  “  .............................................................. 1  88
No. 2  “  .............................................................. 2 70
No. 0 Sun, crimp  top......................................... 2  25
No. 1  “ 
“  .......................................... 2 40
No. 2  “ 
“  .......................................... 8 40
No. 0 Sun, crimp top.........................................2  50
“  .......................................... 2 80
No. 1  “ 
No. 2  “ 
.........................................8 86
“ 
No. 1 Sun, wrapped and  labeled......................3 70
No. 2  “ 
.................... 4 70
No. 2 Hinge,  “ 
......................4 70
No. 1 Sun, plain bulb,  per doz......................... 1  25
..........................1 50
No. 2  “ 
No. 1 crimp, per doz..........................................1  35
............................................1 60
No. 2  “ 
Butter Crocks, per gal...................................  
06Mi
Jugs, % gal., per doz.......................................  75
.......................................  90
.....................................   1 80
Milk Pans, % gal., per doz.  (glazed 66c)__   65
“ 
r * ‘  90c).  ..  78
I  “ 

“ 
STONEWARE—AKRON.

“ 
“ 
1  “ 

“  1  “ 
“  2  “ 

La Bastie.

“ 
“ 

“ 
“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

BBMON  &

9

IMPORTING  AND  *

Wholesale  BroGers

SOLE  AGENTS  FOR

McGinty*s Bine Gut Tobacco,
Bautz Bros•  &  C o .’s   Soaps,
Niagara  Starch,
A c m e   Cheese—'Herkim er Co•, N.  Y , 
Castor Oil A.xle Grease.

G R A N D   R A B I D S .

R IN D G E , B E R T S C H  &  CO.,

19.  14  AND  16  PEARL  ST.,  GRAND  R APIDS.  MICH.

We ask the trade to examine our line of Lumbermen’s Socks.  All  the  staple 
kinds,  men’s and boys’,  at popular prices;  also  the best line of Felt Boots made,  in 
prices from $9 to $14.  We can show you  a fine line of Beaver Shoes and Slippers, 
foxed and plain,  turns and M.  S.  Agents for the Boston Rubber Shoe Company.

BANKRUPT SALE

O f  S p o r tin g   G oods.
H a v in g   b o u g h t 

sto c k   o f 
Spalding  &  Co•, 
lOO  M o n ro e  St.,  o f  th e  
a ssig n e e ,  it  m u st  b e  so ld   o u t  a t  o n c e   at w a y  
b e lo w   w h o le s a le   p rices.  A v a il  y o u r s e lv e s   o f 
th is o p p o rtu n ity .

en tire 

th e 

C.  B.  JU D D .

HOGLE  OIL.  CO, 

Wholesale  and  R etail  Dealers  in  Oils 

and M akers of Bine JLubi icants•

OFFICE—19 and 21 Waterloo St. 

The largest and most complete oil line in Michigan. 

I WORKS-On C  & W. M. and G. R. & I. R. R.,one
Telephone No. 319.  | mile north of Junction.  Telephone No. 611-3R 
Jobbers  of all kinds of 
Cylinder Oils,  Engine Oils, W. Va.  Oils,  Lard  Oils,  Neatsfoot  Oils,  Harness  Oil, 
Signal Oil,  Axle Grease, Boiler Purger, Kerosene  Oils,  Naptha,  Turpentine,  Lin­
seed Oils, Castor Oil, Cooking Oils, Axle  Oils,  Machinery  Grease,  Cotton  Waste 
Etc. 

See Quotations.

T E T E   M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N .

A  Mistake  Which  Might  Have  Been 

Fatal.

W ritten fo r The Tradesman.

“Did I ever tell you how  I  barely  es­
caped killing a baby?” remarked  a  Mon­
roe street druggist, as  we  were  discuss­
ing the responsibilities  of  the  business. 
“No? well,  then, as  the  result  was  all 
right, I will give you  the  story: 
I  was 
younger than I am  now,  though  no  less 
careful..  1  was  working  away  down
East,  where  the  old  heads  think  no 
change must  be  made  while  life  lasts. 
This  man  had  his  father’s  old  sign, 
‘Apothecary Shop,’ over  his  door,  which 
had been in existence over seventy years. 
His yellow  paper  latfels  on  the  bottles 
were also ‘back numbers’  in  every  par­
ticular—printed on  such  poor  paper  it 
would not do to wash the bottles, though 
we did, occasionally,  wipe  them  with  a 
damp cloth.  The labels had been in  use 
so long that many had  portions  of  them 
rubbed off and we had to familiarize our­
selves with what was left and, like a true 
Yankee, guess at the balance of the word.
I had asked if I might not re-label a  few 
prominent bottles with new paper labels, 
as  I  was  confident he  would  admit  no 
other  innovation,  but  his  only  answer 
was,  ‘I never allow any change of  labels 
for fear of accidents.’  One cold winter’s 
night I was the last to leave the store.  It 
was ten o’clock,  and I had turned off  the 
gas,  and,  with  a  small  hand  lamp,  was 
just putting the prescription case  in  or­
der for the night, when the  door  opened 
and two young ladies came in.  I stepped 
toward the front counter with  my  light, 
when one of them said,  ‘Ten cents’ worth 
of powdered ipecac, please?’  ‘Shall I put 
it up in one powder?’ I enquired. 
‘Yes, 
please. 
It’s  for  a  young  child,  and 
grandma knows how to use it.  Baby has 
a severe cold.’ 
I  returned  to  the  pre­
scription  case  and  glanced  along  the 
shelves — saw  ‘Pulv.  Ipecac’ — took  a 
spatula and weighed out sixty grains,  la­
belled it properly and  handed  it  to  the 
lady, when they quickly departed.  There 
was no snow on the ground and it  was  a 
fearfully dark night. 
I was  weary  and 
anxious to get home and  again  hastened 
to put things in order, that I might leave. 
Returning to the case, I was  about to re­
place the bottle I had left standing where 
I had used it, when, as my light fell upon 
the paper where I had handled the medi­
cine,  a  few  bright,  glistening  particles 
attracted  my  attention. 
thought I  knew  they  were  sulphate  of 
potassa  and,  uttering 
several  hasty 
words  (which,  if  in  print,  should  have 
an exclamation point at the termination), 
I jumped for the door and listened;  then 
ran up and down the street  a  short  dis­
tance  to  listen  again. 
No  footsteps 
could be heard and  I  neither  knew  the 
young ladies, nor in which direction they 
had gone.  The bottle I  had  taken  the 
medicine from read  ‘Pulv.  Ipecac,’ but  it 
had once read ‘Pulv. Ipecac et Opii’ (Lov­
er’s powder) and the last  two  words  had 
long since been gone, but  the ragged end 
of the label was to remind us of the miss­
ing words.  The bottle I should have dis­
pensed from also read  ‘Pulv.  Ipecac,’ al­
though  its  label  was  cut  smoothly  at 
each end. 
I had been  both  sleepy  and 
cold  before  my  customer  came—now  I 
was wide awake  and  perspiring  freely. 
I locked the  door and left for  home  and 
to bed,  but not to sleep,  and  had  no  ap­
petite for  breakfast. 
I  had  not  asked 
the age of. the child  and  wondered  how 
much that dear  old  grandmother  would 
If she would only give one-half
give it. 

Quick 

or all of  it, the  child  might  vomit  and 
live.  There was one grain of  opium  to 
every ten of that powder,  and two grains 
or less of opium would probably kill that 
baby.  The door never  opened  the  fol­
lowing day but I  expected  an  officer  to 
arrest me,  but,  still  hoping  something 
would occur to save  the  child, I  locked 
the secret in  my  own  breast.  As  day 
after day passed, I grew less nervous and 
had quite forgotten my  fright, when one 
day in the early spring as  I  was  at  the 
counter, my two evening visitors of  long 
ago entered the store and  asked  me  for 
some perfumery. 
I knew them in an in­
stant.  As  they  seemed  very  happy,  I 
ventured  to  remark  that  they  did  not 
visit us often. 
‘Yes,’ was the reply,  ‘we 
have  been  in  several  times  since  the 
evening we came for the  ipecac,  and  we 
enquired for you, but you were out.  We 
wanted some medicine and grandma  told 
us to ask for you,  as she  liked the ipecac 
so well.  When we got  home that night, 
the baby  was  suffering  great  pain  and 
she gave it a powder from the package at 
once. 
It  quickly  went  to  sleep  and 
never awoke until nine o’clock  next day. 
Ma wanted to wake  it  up, but  grandma 
said it was all right, as  it  was  dripping 
with  perspiration. 
It  awoke  perfectly 
well, but was  so  weak  it  could  hardly 
make a noise,  and  it  required  no  more 
medicine of  any kind.’ 
‘Has  she  used 
any of the ipecac since?’  I  anxiously  en­
quired. 
‘0 !  I  forgot  to  tell  you  that 
when she was putting  it away, after giv­
ing the first dose, the balance was spilled 
over the  carpet,  which  she  always  re­
gretted,  as  it  was  the  best  and  purest 
ipecac we ever purchased.’ ”

C hickens  C om e  H om e  to   R oast.

Sta n to n,  N ov.  25.—The  suit  brought 
«gainst the  original  stockholders  of  the 
defunct Carson City Savings  Bank  came 
up in the Circuit Court here to-day.  Con­
trary to  expectation,  C.  W.  Middleton, 
S.  W. Webber,  L.  L. Trask, E.  H.  Morse 
and Geo. H. Thayer swore that they paid 
in their stock in full. 
It is claimed that 
this statement can easily be controverted. 
The defense  will  endeavor  to  establish 
the fact that M.  J. Miner, who signed the 
company’s notes, was  not  authorized  to 
do so.  The  case  was  adjourned  until 
such time as the attorneys  have  time  to 
prepare and present briefs.

A b o u t  H a lf a   Crop.

Gl e n   A rbo r,  Nov.  29— Dr.  W.  H. 
Walker has completed picking  the  cran­
berries on his thirty-acre marsh and finds 
he has 250 barrels—about half an average 
crop.  The shortage is due to cold weather 
during  the  blossoming  season  in  July. 
Dr. Walker  markets  his  berries  in Mil­
waukee,  where  he  receives  more  than 
Cape Cod stock commands. 

______

Bicycles,
Tricycles,
General Sporting Goods

AND

Agents for A. G. Spalding & Bro.’s 
Sporting  and  Athletic  Goods  and 
American Powder Co.’s Powder.

We have on hand a complete line of Columbia, 
Victor and other  cheaper  bicycles, also a splen­
did assortment of  Misses’  Tricycles,  Children’s 
Velocipedes and small  Safety Bicycles.

E. G. Studlev,

4  Monroe  St.,

GRAND RAPIDS

Call and see  them 
or  send  for  large, 
illu s t r a t e d   cata­
logue.

C.  N .  R A P P   &  CO.,

WHOLESALE  DEALERS  IN

Foreign  and  Domestic  Fruits.

* 
ORANGES,  LEMONS and BANANAS.

9  No. IONIA  ST., GRAND  R APIDS,  MICH.

HEADQUARTERS  FOR

A L F R E D   J.  B R OW N ,

SEEDSMAN  AND

Fruit Commission Merchant*

We are direct receivers of  CALIFORNIA  and  FLORIDA  ORANGES  and  are  headquarters 

for BANANAS all the year round.  The leading features in our line just now are

Cranberries,  Grapes,  California  Frnit,  Bananas,  Oranp,  Etc.,  Etc.

Parties having Clover Seed and Beans  to  offer  please mail samples and we will endeavor to 

make you a satisfactory price.

THE  ALFRED  BROWN  SEED  STORE,  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.

SEEDS
---- AND-----GRAIN

Mention  this  paper.

Wholesale Dealers in

W .H .M O R E H O U S E & C O
GRAIN, CLOVER and TIMOTHY
Red Top, 
Hungarian, 
Millet,  Alfalfa  or  Lucerne,  Blue Grass, 
Orchard Grass, Lawn Grass, POPCORN,etc.
HOICE  CLOVER  and  TIMOTHY 

White Clover, 

SEEDS 

a specialty.

Orders  fo r  purchase  or  sale  of  Seeds  for  future  delivery 
W arehouses—325 & 327 Erie St*  )  toy v n n   otyto 
Office—46  Produce  E xchange.!  TOLEDO.  o m o .

prom ptly attended to.  Correspondence solicited. 

WM. R. KEELER,

Confectionery and Fruits, Nets anil Cigars,

JOBBER  OF

TELEPHONE  92-3R.

412  SOUTH  DIVISION  ST.

prices.  Send me your mail orders.  1 will guarantee satisfaction.

My stock includes everything generally kept in my line, which 1 sell at rock bottom 
P E R K I N S   Sc  H E S S
Hides, Furs, W ool & Tallow,

DEALERS IN

NOS.  122  and  124  LOUIS STREET.  GRAND  R APIDS.  MICHIGAN.

W F   C A R R Y   A  STO CK   OK  r * K R   T A L L O W   FO R  MTT  t  CSV!__________________

W ANTED!

P o ta to e s   a n d   O n io n s 

C a r   D o ts.

in

GRAND  R A PIDS  FRUIT  A N D   PRODUCE  CO.,
______________________________

GRAND  R APIDS. 

W M .  H .  T H O M P S O N  &  CO.,

C O M M ISSIO N   M E R C H A N T S .

WHOLESALE

SPECIALTY

P O T A T O E S !

No.  166  South'. W ater St., Chicago.  Fair cash advances m ade on consignm ents.
Offers of stock for direct purchase, in car lots,  will not  be  entertained  unless 
quality, size, variety and  condition  of  stock  is  stated, condition guaranteed,  and 
price named per  bushel  delivered  track  Chicago, with weights guaranteed not to 
fall short over two  per cent,  from invoice billing.

MOSELEY  BROS.,

Fruits,  Seeds, Oysters | Produce.

------W HOLESALE-----

All kinds of Field Seeds a Specialty.

If you are in market to buy or sell Clover Seed,  Beans or  Potatoes,  will be 

2 0 ,2 8 ,3 0  and 32 Ottawa  St., 

pleased to bear from yon.
- 

- 

GRAND  RAPE S

r

4

AMONG  THE!  TRADE.

AROUND THE  STATE.

Sherwood—R.  M.  Beckwith,  furniture 

dealer, is dead.

Lake Odessa—M.  L. Eaton  succeeds J. 

C. Torrey in the grocery business.

Alpena — Eller  &  Deadman  succeed 

Eller & Beyers in the grocery business.

M arin — Murray  &  Backman  have 
bought the meat market of  E.  N. Jacobs.
Saginaw—John  McLeod succeeds John 
C.  Hammer in the hotel  and saloon busi­
ness.

Harrison—P.  E. Witherspoon  succeeds 
Witherspoon & Sugnet in the  drug  busi­
ness.  '

Owosso—D.  L. Murphy succeeds  Mur­
phy & Connor  in  the  wall  paper  busi­
ness.

Quincy—Barnes & Son  has  sold  their 
to 

grocery  stock  and  meat  business 
Clisbe & Rogers.

Muskegon—E.  R.  Ford  &  Co.  have 
opened a meat  and  vegetable  market  at 
52 W. Western avenue.

Mancelona—Edson,  Moore  &  Co.  have 
caused the  arrest  of  H. L. Welling on a 
capias,  alleging fraud.

Detroit—J. L.  Hudson has  bought  the 
Barnes Bros,  stock  of  paper,  stationery 
and printers’ supplies.

Saginaw—Slawson  Bros,  are  closing 
out their boot  and  shoe  stock  and  will 
retire from the business.

West  Bay  City—Grow  Bros,  succeed 
Grow Bros.  & Judd in  the  clothing  and 
merchant tailo-ing business.

Middleton—There is no  drug  store  at 
this place and the man who  takes advan­
tage of the opening  here  presented  will 
put shekels in his purse.
•  Flushing—L.  A. Vickery  &  Son  have 
sold  their c-eamery  machinery  and  fix­
tures  to  E.  H.  Dudley,  of  Owosso,  who 
has removed them to that city.

Whitehall—C.  S.  Anderson,  who  has 
clerked for A.  Linderman and  C.  Mears 
for many years,  has engaged  in  the gro­
cery business on his own account.

Albion—The  John  Brown  drug  and 
stationery stock, which was recently pur­
chased by A. J. Gale  &  Son, is now con­
ducted  under  the style  of  Thomason  & 
Gale.

Owosso—C.  H. Peacock,  who  recently 
removed his drug stock  from Corunna to 
this  place,  has  discontinued  business 
here and shipped the  stock  back  to  Co­
runna.

MANUFACTURING  MATTERS.

Omer—Parker & Haley are  putting up 

a small shingle mill here.

Mt.  Pleasant—Horniug  Bros.’  new 

heading factory is now in operation.

Cold water—C.  W. 

Johnson  has  re­
moved  his  cooper  business  to  Union 
City.

Saginaw—E.  O.  &  S.  L.  Eastman  are 
operating camps in  Gladwin  couuty,  and 
expect to bank  about  10,000,000  feet  of 
logs during the winter.

Tawas—William Long has taken a con­
tract to  cut  and  skid  2,000,000  feet  of 
pine  and  hardwood  on  the  Loon  lake 
branch for E. B. Warren, of  Bay Ci£y.

Lansing—E.  F.  Cooley  paid  $90,000 
for the Lansing Iron  Works,  last  week, 
and  will  consolidate  his  new  purchase 
with the Central  Michigan Milling Co.

Kalamazoo—Wm. E.  Hill  &  Co.  have 
decided to erect a  two-story  brick  addi­
tion, 40 x 80  feet  in  dimensions,  and  a 
foundry, 40 x 100 feet,  as soon  as  spring 
opens.

Mt.  Pleasant—Forbes  &  Hardgrove 
have purchased the pine timber  on 2,00t) I 
acres of land in Chippewa township, Isa­
bella  county,  which  will  stock 
their 
shingle mill for four years.

Michigamme—F.  W. Read  &  Co.  shut 
down their sawmill last  Saturday.  This 
mill has  cut  about  12,000,000  feet  this 
year,  and is  one  of  the  liveliest  single 
circular mills on Lake  Superior.

Onekama—The Onekama Lumber Co.’s 
mill shut  down  last  week,  and  will  be 
repaired and put in  order to  run  during 
the winter if  necessary.  The  company 
will have a full supply of logs as soon as 
snow flies.

Gladwin—Wagar &  Pfeiffer,  who  own 
a shingle mill near this  place,  will  start 
the mill as soon as the ground  freezes  so 
that logs can be hauled.  They will com­
plete operations this winter in  that  sec­
tion if it is necessary  to  run  night  and 
day.

South Manitou—The Garden City Sand 
and Gravel Co., of Chicago, is putting up 
a sawmill  on  the  Dick  Kitchen  timber 
tract,  which was  recently  purchased  by 
the corporation.  A  summer resort hotel 
will  be erected  by  the  same  concern in 
the spring.

Pequaming—The sawmill of  Hebard & 
Son will run until Christmas  if  the  fair 
weather continues.  The burning  of  the 
mill in the spring and  its  not  being  re­
built ready  for  work  until  the  first  of 
July leaves the  operators  quite  a  stock 
of logs yet.

Matchwood—A  shingle  mill  is  being 
built here by Brown & Kelly,  who expect 
to have it  ready  for  operation  early  in 
the spring.  They are putting in a  stock 
of shingle  timber,  and  as  soon  as  the 
mill is ready will be prepared for  a  full 
season’s run.

Saginaw—The  McLean  planing  mill, 
which has been idle for a while, has been 
purchased by Frank Dennie.  He has re­
fitted  the  plant, increased  its  capacity, 
and  will  manufacture  sash,  doors  and 
blinds in addition to mill work. 
It is the 
intention to  run  the  mill  full  capacity 
during the winter.

Owosso—The Estey Manufacturing Co. 
has purchased six acres of land for its new 
plant and will  immediately erect thereon 
three buildings—a frame building, 80x256 
feet in dimensions,  three  stories  high;  a 
brick engine house, 26x46  feet;  a  brick 
boiler building, .34x36  feet,  and  a  brick 
shaving room,  12x24  feet.

Bay City—A $50,000 company has been 
organized for the  manufacture  of  A.  C. 
Haven’s new disinfectant, which is called 
Purifine and is made from the residue  of 
brine.  The manufactory will be removed 
to Chicago after Haven gets it  fairly  go­
ing in a small  building  he  has  built  to 
start the thing  along.

Saginaw—The Tittabawassee Boom Co. 
has suspended operations  for the season’ 
having rafted and  delivered  about  302,- 
000,000 feet.  The final footings will not 
be made up for several days. 
It is  esti­
mated by the company that there will  be 
fully 275,000,000 feet put into the streams 
to come through the booms  next  season.
West  Bay  City—The  Saginaw  Steam­
ship Co., composed of  Saginaw  and  Bay 
City lumbermen, expects to contract with 
Wheeler,  to construct during  the  winter 
two more iron ocean freight  steamers  of

T H E   M T C m G ^ J S r   T R A D E S M A N ,
Wingleton—W.  D.  Wing,  associated 
with others, are  about  to  locate  in  the 
Upper  Peninsula,  and  are  organizing 
what is to be known as the  Trout  Creek 
Lumber Co. 

latter 
the  Mackinaw  pattern. 
steamer,  launched in  September,  is  now 
on her  way  from  Cape  Breton  to  New 
York,  with 3,000 tons of  coal, on a $1.75 
freight.

The 

|

Saginaw—The  Michigan  Log  Towing 
Association has  filed  articles of incorpo­
ration, with a capital stock of $75,000.  It 
is organized for  the  purpose  of  towing 
logs from Georgian  Bay,  Ont.,  to  Michi­
gan  mills.  Emery  Bros.,  members  of 
the Saginaw Lumber & Salt  Co.,  Nelson 
Holland  and  others,  are  the  incorpo­
rators.  The  Loveland  Transportation 
Co.  will be bound up,  and  two  steamers 
owned by  it will be put into the  new  as­
sociation.  Mr.  Loveland  states  that 
there  are  15,000,000  feet  of  logs  being 
put in by the Saginaw Lumber & Salt Co. 
over  there  this  winter,  which  will  be 
manufactured on  that  side,  as  arrange­
ments were consummated  to  that  effect 
before the Canadian authorities  removed 
the log export duty.

S tru ck   th e   T rade  F avo ra b ly .

Gr a n d   Ra p id s,  N ov.  29.—You  frank 
and manly editorial, entitled  “ Is it  Good 
Policy?” in your last issue,  has ]been  fa- 
uorably commented upon by  many retail 
druggists outside  of  Grand].Rapids  and 
has made you many warm friends.  The 
fratricidal policy of  a leading dry  goods 
house of this city does not affect  the  re­
tail druggists of  the city alone but of ev­
ery druggist within 100  miles  of  Grand 
Rapids,  as the cut prices on  staple toilet 
articles are  frequently  quoted  by  their 
customers.  As “South Division” states, the 
antagon.sm of half a hundred local drug­
gists will not help  any  house.  Add  to 
this the active antipathy of half  a  thou­
sand druggists within 100 miles of Grand 
Rapids and the results are  by  no  means 
problematical.  As a case in point, I  re­
fer to an instance  which  recently  came 
under my observation.  A newly-married 
merchant  in  a  certain  Northern  town 
came  to the city to purchase an  outfit of 
carpets,  drapery,  table  linen,  bedding, 
etc.  The bride was favorably inclined to 
the cut-rate dry goods store,  but the hus­
band happened to consult  with  a  friend 
who  is  a  druggist,  in  consequence  of 
which  a  $300  order  went  to  another 
house.  Unless  the  dry  goods  house 
ceases to cut prices on the staples  of the 
drug trade, every druggist and drug clerk 
in the State will lift their  hands  against 
such competition  and  make  their  influ­
ence felt in other directions  of  which  it 
is  unnecessary to speak.

D rug S a l e sm a n.

A  S u p p ly  o f R ed  E ars  in  R eserve.
Ma p l e t o n,  N ov.  28.—Capt.  Fred  L. 
Johnson,  who is known  to  many  Grand 
Rapids people as the master of the Queen 
of the Lakes,  recently gave a husking bee 
at his commodious farm house on Bower’s 
Harbor. 
It was noticeable  that the Cap­
tain drew all the  red  ears  and  that  be 
had enough to enable him  to  kiss  every 
lady present,  which gives ground for  the 
belief  that  he  had  previously  secreted 
all the red ears in  the  neighborhood  for 
that occasion.

T he W orld ’s  O ld est L a w  Suit.

The oldest law suit on  record  was  on 
trial during the past spring and  summer 
in  the  highest  Russian  tribunal  at  St. 
Petersburg. 
It was begun  five  hundred 
years ago by the heirs  of  a  dead  noble­
man against the city of Kamenes Podolsk 
for the recovery of a large tract  of  land, 
which the municipality had incorporated 
within their city  limits. 
It  is  needless 
to say that a decision  has  not  yet  been 
reached.

To  D r u g g ists  or  P h ysician s.

L isbo n,  N ov.  28.—1 very  much  desire 
to communicate with  Dr.  W.  J.  Bruce, 
formerly of  Boyne Falls,  Mich.  Should 
this come to the Doctor’s notice or should 
any druggist  or  physicion  in  the  State 
know his address, or his  present wherea­
bouts, he  or  any  one  so  knowing  will 
confer a favor on the  subscriber by com­
municating with me by postal or through 
T h e T r a d e sm a n. 

S.  J.  K oon.

FOR  SA L E ,  W A N TE D ,  ETC.

Advertisements will be inserted  under  this  head for 
two  cents  a  word  the  first  insertion  and  one cent a 
word  for  each  subsequent  insertion.  No  advertise­
m ent taken for less th an  25 cents.  Advance  payment.

BUSINESS  CHANCES.

WANTED—ALANSON  WANTS  A  GOOD  LIVE  DOC- 

to r to locate there.  Ohe who  can  p u t  in  a   drug1 
store in connection w ith his  practice  would  do  w ell; 
to such, a  warm reception  will  be  given.  For farth er 
inform ation  w rite 
John,  care  box  45  Alanson 
Mich. 

F o r  s a l e—c h e a p   f o r   c a s h ,  c l e a n   st o c k   o f

general m erchandise invoicing $8,000 in  flourishing 
m anufacturing town in  Saginaw county; best location 
and building in town, surrounded  by  first-class  farm ­
ing  country;  doing  best  cash  business:  bargain  for 
rig h t person; reason  for selling too  m uch  o th er  busi­
ness.  Address box 200. St.  Charles Mich. 

153

150

to 

154

155

OR SALE—$3,000 STOCK  OF  GENERAL  MERCHAN- 
dise in good town  in  central  Mich.  Best  location, 
in  State for  capital required.  Address 154, care  Michi­
gan  Tradesman. 

I DOR  SALE—JEWELRY  STOCK  WITH  SPLENDID 

'  trade in Grand Rapids on  one  of  best streets,  will 
invoice  about  $2,500.  This  is 
the  best  opening  in 
Michigan for lim ited  capital,  best  reasons  given  for 
sale.  Address 155 care Michigan Tradesman. 

tory.  O. H. Richmond A  Co., Grand Rapids, Mich.

business;  established six years;  will  sell  a t inven­

FORT8ALE^DRUG  8TOCK  AND  FIXTURES—GOOD 
IJOR SALE—A SPOT  CASH  CLOTHING  AND  GENT’S 

furnishing goods  business  in a  live  town of 2,000 
population;  factories  p a y o u t  regularly  every  week 
in  wages  $2,500;  only  clothing  store  in  town;  rent 
$150 a   year;  stock will  inventory  $4,000 by 1st o f  De­
cember:  good  reasons  for  selling.  W rite a t  once to 
M.  S.  ROG AN,  Otsego, Allegan Co., Mich. 

D e s ir a b l e  b u s in e s s f o r  s a l e  a t a  b a r g a in —a

$7,000 stock o f dry goods, well  selected  and  well 
arranged, w ith a well established p atronage of tw enty 
years’  standing;  best  location  in  St.  Johns, a   lively 
town o f 2.500  population  and  one of  th e  best  county 
seats in Michigan* for general trade.  For  inform ation 
apply to  W. Sunday, St. Johns, Mich. 

140

149

145

OR  SALE—TWENTY  SHARES  STOCK  IN  THE 
Haxeltine A  Perkins Drug Co. a t 105.  No. 145, care 

Michigan Tradesman. 

148

147

Tradesm an. 

discount.  Wm.  S.  Hopkins, St.  Clair,  Mich. 

Savings  Bank.  Address  No.  147,  care  Michigan 
STOCK
American Eagle Tobacco Company a t 15 per  cent, 

F o r   s a l e—b l o c k   o f   st o c k   in   t h e   p e o p l e s ’
■ OR  SALE—500  SHARES  FULL  PAID 
MU8T  BE  SOLD  ON  ACCOUNT  OF  FAILING 

health, a  No. 1 stock of boots, shoes and rubbers, 
groceries  and  provisions;  best 
location  and  good 
trade;  easy term s and a big bargain.  For  particulars 
see Rindge, Bertsch A  Co., Olney A   Judson Grocer Co., 
Grand Rapids, o r address Lock Box 25, H arbor Springs, 
Mich. 

Charlo tte for grocery stock; any location  Address 

J. D. Burkhead, 594 South Madison, Grand Rapids. 142

Fo r   s a l e   o r   e x c h a n g e  — a  g o o d  h o m e  in  
CLOTHING MEN—ATTENTION—NEW  STORE  VERY 

centrally located in one  of  the  sm artest  villages 
in  Michigan can  be  had  for  the  clothing  business; 
ren t reasonable.  Address  139,  care  Michigan  Trades­
m an. 

F OR  SALE—WELL-SELECTED  DRUG  STOCK  AND 

new  fixtures  in  desirable  location  in  this  city; 
w iilsell  a t  invoice  on  reasonable  term s;  reason  for 
selling,  owner  has  o th er  business.  L.  M.  Mills,  54 
South Ionia street.  Grand Rapids. 

143

139

137

giac, Mich. 

OR SALE—SHOE  8TOCK.  J.  E.  FOSTER,  DOWA- 
YTTANTED—TO  PURCHASE  STOCK  OF  MERCHAN- 
dise, hardw are, groceries, boots and shoes;  send 
VV 
particulars.  Address Box 57, Salem, Neb. 

city  property  to  exchange  for  merchandise  in 
stocks of $1,000 o r  upwards.  G. W. W atrous,  Lansing, 
Mich. 

alO   EXCHANGE—I  HAVE  $40,000  IN  FARMS  AND 
F OR SALE—A  COMPLETE  DRUG 8TOCK  AND Fix­
IjX)R SALE—$300 STOCK  OF DRUGS.  ADDRESS J. B.. 

tures;  stock well  assorted  can  be  bought  a t  a 
bargain.  Address for  particulars  S. P. Hicks,  Lowell, 
Mich. 

1  care Michigan Tradesman. 
OR SALE—STOCK  OF  HARDWARE  AND  BUILD- 
ing in the best town of  N orthern  Michigan.  Ad­

dress No. 95, care Michigan Tradesman. 

WANTED—I  HAVE  SPOT  CASH  TO  PAY  FOR  A 

general  o r  grocery stock;  m ust be cheap.  Ad­

dress No. 25, care Michigan Tradesman. 

124
115

130

135
135

25

95

145

SITUATIONS  WANTED.

WANTED—BY A YOUNG MAN WITH GOOD  REFER- 

ences, position  as  book-keeper.  Has  had  actual 

experience.  Address 151 care Mich. Tradesm an,  151 

ANTED—SITUATION  BY A  REGISTERED PHAR- 
m acist of five  years  experience.  Best  of  refer­

ence.  Address H. E. H., Stetson,  Mich. 

perienced  grocery  clerk  twenty-one  years  old; 
best  of  references.  Address  No.  144,  care  Michigan 
Tradesm an.____________________________________144

WANTED—SITUATION  IN  GROCERY  BY  AN  EX 
WANTED—POSITION  BY  REGISTERED  PHARMA- 

cist;  four  years’  practical  experience.  Address 

152.

Box 170. Bangor, Mich. 

ANTED — SITUATION  IN  OFFICE  BY  YOUNG 
lady of 20, who  has  had  the  advantage  of  col­
legiate education;  does n ot  w rite  short  hand,  but  is 
good penman; wages i o t so much an object as a  pleas­
an t place to work.  Address Z,  care  Michigan  Trades­
m an 

122

141

MISCELLANEOUS.

rp o   DRUGG18TS  OR  PHYSICIANS—I  VERY  MUCH 
X  desire to comm unicate w ith  Dr.  W.  J.  Bruce,  for­
m erly of Boyne Falls, Mich.  Should  this  come  to  the 
Doctor’s notice or should any druggist o r physician  in 
the S tate know his address, o r his present whereabouts 
he o r any one so knowing will  confer  a   favor  on  the 
subscriber by  com m unicating  with  me  by  postal  or 
through the Tradesman.  S. J.  Koon.

Gooding A  Son. Gooding, Mich. 

state price  and  how  m uch  you  have  for  sale. 

WANTED—5,005 BUSHELS  OF NEW  CLOVER SEED;
FOR SALE  OR  RENT-A  NICE  BRICK  STORE  IN 
■ BOLISH  THE PASS  BOOK  AND  SUBSTITUTE THE 

the village of  Morrice;  size  of  store,  25x50 feet; 
insurance low ;  good opening for general  store.  Call 
on or address B. F. Rann & Son. Morrice, Mich. 

Tradesman  Coupon,  which is now in use by over 
5,000  Michigan  m erchants—all  of  whom are  w arm  in 
praise  of  its  effectiveness.  Send  for  sample  order, 
which  will  be  sent  prepaid  on  receipt  of  $1.  The 
Tradesman Company, Grand Rapids.

SAMPLE8 OF TWO  KINDS  OF  COUPONS  FOR  RE- 

tailers  will  be  sent free  to  any dealer  who  will 
write for them  to  the  Sutliff  Coupon  Pass  Book  Co., 
Albany. N. Y. 

121

133

654

Alberts.  Steele,  general  dealer,  Advance: 

mThe Tradesman Is a dandy.”

H e L ived: T hey D ied.

children,  uncle.”
ago.”

Prom the New Tork Tribune.
Benovolent Citizen—Don’t  you  think, 
uncle,  you might live a great deal  longer 
if you didn’t use tobacco?
Uncle Pete (aged 97,  lighting his pipe)— 
I s’pect I mought,  honey,  but  Ise  gittin 
so old (puff)’pears like I cain’t quit.
“Did you  raise  your  children  to  use 
tobacco,  uncle?”
“Lan’,  no!  The’s  mammy  hated  it 
iike p’zen.”
“And they never touched  it?”
“Nuvver.  Nur her,  nuther.”
“I should like to meet  your  wife  and 
“They(puff,  puff)died ’bout  forty  yur 
Visitor changes the  subject.
Why  She W anted  Him to  Chew. 
Mrs.  Jones—You  should  make  your 
If  you 
husband quit  chewing  tobacco. 
ask him to do it I reckon he will.
Mrs.  Brown—1 dare say,  but  I  am  not 
going to ask him to quit chewing.
“When your husband kisses you, don’t 
the taste of tobacco make you sick?” 
“Yes,  but I want him to  keep chewing 
tobacco just the same.  He  kisses  three 
or  four  more  women,  and  the  tobacco 
makes them sicker than  it  does  me,  for 
they  haven’t  got  used  to  it  yet  like  I 
have.”

FINANCIAL.

L ocal  S to ck   Q u otation s.

 

 

Reported by the Michigan Thrust Company.
Anti-Iialsomine  Co.............................................. 150
Alpine Gravel  Road Co  .......................................77
Alaine Manufacturing  Co..................................  60
Belknap Wagon & Sleigh Co................................00
Canal Street Gravel  Road Co.............................  80
Fifth National Bank............................................ 100
Fourth National Bank......................................... 100
Grand Rapids  Brush Co—  
85
Grand Rapids Packing  and Provision Co.  ... 102
Grand Rapids Fire Insurance C o .....................115
Grand Rapids Electric Light and Power Co...  75
Grand Rapids  Savings Bank...................... 
120
Grand Rapids Chair C o ......................................110
Grand Rapids National Bank............................. 135
Grand Rapids Felt Boot Co................................ 107
Grandville Avenue  Plank Road Co................. 150
Kent County Savings Bank.................................125
Michigan Barrel Co..............................................100
New England  Furniture Co.................................95
National City Bank.............................................. 132
Old National  Bank..............................................132
Plainfield Avenue Gravel Road Co...................  25
Phoenix Furniture Co...  ......................................60
Sligh Furniture  Co..............................................  85
Street Railway Co. of  Grand Rapids...............  40
Walker Gravel  Road Co  ............ 
80
Peninsular  Club 4 per cent. Bonds.....................75

 

 

U T S   OF  THE  GRIP

Manufacturers  of

Slow  Cases

Of  Every Description.

WRITE FOR  PRICES.
Pirst-GIm  Work  Only.
G R A N D   R A P ID S .

i i i i n

6 3   a n d   6 5  C an al  S t ,

O R D E R

H U D S O N

L IN E N

FOR  YOUR  STATIONERY.

Printers  usually  buy linens a ream or so at a 

time,  paying roundly for this buying “hand to 

mouth.”  By using large quantities we are able 

to buy  of  the  maker, thus obtaining a paper 

which,  while  it  is not pure linen, is equal  in 

writing qualities and appearance to that  cost­

ing the smaller printer double what this costs 

us.  Furthermore, our output is so large that we 

have reduced the cost to the minimum,  while a 

margin of a few cents on each  order  gives us 

satisfactory returns.  In view of the close mar­

gins we must insist upon cash with order from 
all customers not known to us or not having a 
satisfactory rating with mercantile agencies.
$3.25®$2.50  per M. 
2.50®  3.75 
“
3.00®  4.00  “
2.75®  3.00  “

-

COMMERCIAL  NQTE  HEADS, 5V4x8N4,
PACKET  NOTE  HEADS, 6x9*,
LETTER  HEADS, SHxll, 
ENVELOPES. 
-
-
SEND  FOR  SAMPLES.
THE TRADESMAN

- 
-

-

-

-

GRAND  RAPIDS.

GRAND  RA PID S  GOSSIP.

Another jobbing house in  a  line  akin 
to the grocery business is likely to be  es­
tablished here in the near future.

Will  Barry,  grocer  and  druggist  at 
Harrietta,  has added a line of  boots  and 
shoes.  Rindge,  Bertsch  & Co.  furnished 
the stock.

Elmer Des Voigne has  engaged in gen­
eral  trade  at  Crystal  Lake,  Houghton 
county.  L M.  Clark  &  Son  furnished 
the grocery stock.

The suit brought against Hessler Bros., 
the Rockford druggists, for selling liquor 
as a  beverage,  was  nolle  prosequed  by 
the Prosecuting Attorney Saturday.

Henry Van Dyke,  formerly engaged  in 
the  grocery  business  at  the  corner  of 
East and Sherman streets,  has  opened  a 
grocery  store  at  the  corner  of  Tenth 
street and Alpine avenue.  The Olney  & 
Judson Grocer  Co.  furnished  the stock.
D.  A.  Brown,  formerly  engaged  in 
trade at Ganges,  has formed  a copartner­
ship  with  Fred  Spafford  and  the  two 
have engaged in general trade  at Grange 
Hall,  near  Ganges,  under  the  style  of 
Brown & Spafford.  The Olney & Judson 
Grocer Co. furnished  the  grocery  stock.

P u rely  P erson al.

Will  Barry,  the  Herrietta  grocer  and 

druggist, was in town over Sunday.

Geo. H. Smith, general dealer at Pearle, 

was in town Saturday.

Eli  Lyons,  general  dealer at  Altona, 
was in town a couple of days  last  week.
C. W. Caskey, President of the Northern 
Michigan  Lumber  Co.,  at  Tanderagee, 
was in town  Monday.

A. DeKruif,  the Zeeland druggist,  now 
stands  sponsor  for  thirty-one  head  of 
horses on his stock farm.

J.  M.  Flanagan, manager of the Brook­
ings Lumber  Co.’s  store,  at  Brookings, 
was in town one day last week.

Peter DeWitt, the  Spring  Lake  drug­
gist, slaughtered seven deer  on the occa­
sion of his hunting trip in the Upper Pe­
ninsula.

John Harvey, of the firm of  Harvey  & 
Benjamin,  proprietors of  the Hope flour­
ing  mills  at  Hamilton,  was  in  town a 
couple of days last week.

G ripsack  B rigad e.

Handsome  invitations  to  the  annual 
traveling meu’s  social  party  have  been 
sent out by Secretary Seymour.

“Doc” Withey went  to  Chicago  Mon­
day to tender his resignation as traveling 
salesman for N. K.  Fairbanks & Co.

D.  A.  Harrison, traveling  representa­
tive for  Farrand,  Williams  &  Clark, of 
Detroit,  was  in  town a couple  of  days 
last week.

“ Windy”  Hawkins’  boom 

the 
wardenship of  the Ionia  House  of  Cor­
rection is said  to  be  assuming  gigantic 
proportions.

for 

Jas.  D.  Wadsworth  has  resigned  his 
position with Lemon &  Peters  and  will 
remove his  family  to  San  Francisco  in 
the near future.

Walter E. Cummings has sold  his resi­
dence on  Lake  street  and  removed  his 
family  to  Chicago,  which  has  been  his 
headquarters since the  beginning  of  the 
year.

J. H. Green, who travels  for  a  Cleve­
land house,  was seriously ill  at the  Bai­
ley House, Stanton,  last week.  He  was 
cared for by members of the I.  O.  O.  F., 
of which order he was a member.

T H E   M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N .

H e y m a n   &  C o m p a n y ,

Would  you  like  to carry a side line and 
establish  agents  or  sell  to  the  trade ? 
If so, address

Bell  Furniture  and  Novelty  Co.,

NASHVILLE,  MICH.

In theDealer’s OwnHands.
D ead-beats,
.  P ed d lers an d

In our opinion the three chief drawbacks of the retail trade are

C om bination Goods.

FA T  £  N T

F L O W ’S
i* 
^SHIPPING
jB L A N K S .^ lE /o ,
Wm P L E -S H E E  T'i'il! PRICE 3
10W BROS.GRAND RAPIDS.MICH

The Dead-beat can be avoided by giving no credit;  the Peddler can be ostra­
cized bv enforcing the State law;  and goods not controlled  by  trusts and combina­
tions can be obtained by  dealing  with  our  house.  Every dealer, therefore, has it 
in his own hands to curtail the abuses which serve to make retail trade unprofitable.

Telfer  Spice  Company,

GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICH.

O P..... 7H

D r y   Goods•

P r ic e s  C urrent.

U tilizin g  B u tto n s  for  A d v ertisin g   P u r­

p o se s.

W ritten for Thb T radesman.

While the best of all ways of  advertis­
ing is to make a free but judicious use of 
printer’s ink,  a Kalamazoo  clothing mer­
chant suggests a novel and, perhaps,  val­
uable aid, based  upon  the  fact  that,  if 
any commercial  article  which  it  is  de­
sired to sell is universally  talked  about, 
its sale is assured  beyond  question,  pro­
vided if  has  any  merit  whatever.  He 
does not say that this novel method is by 
any means to take the place  of  printer’s 
ink, but would  prove  a  useful  aid  and 
adjunct  He says,  “I  would  first  visit 
one of the largest button factories  in the 
country and,  if  my advertising was to be 
national, would contract to purchase, say 
half a million gross of  buttons  for  gen­
tlemen’s clothing—possibly this might be 
extended to buttons for ladies’ garments, 
also—and  engage  the  maker  to  stamp 
certain words in a circle or  circles  %pon 
them;  as,  for  example,  ‘Purchase  the 
Electric  Hand  Lamp,’  Use  Langdon’s 
Liquid Dentifrice,’  etc. 
In  contracting 
for so great a number of buttons the cost 
would be insignificant, although it would 
still*more enhance their value and ensure 
their use,  if made of  more than ordinary 
good material.  Of  course, it  is  under­
stood  that  they  must  be  of  the  styles 
most in use. 
I would then have, if  pos­
sible, every tailor and  ready-made cloth­
ing manufacturer in the  country  visited 
and  furnish  them  all  the  buttons they 
could use in their own places of business, 
either gratis, or so low  in  price  as  per­
haps to partially cover the cost only.  Of 
course  parties  ordering  suits  specially 
made might object to  this  button,  but  a 
far greater number of  others  would  not 
from the fact that it would  have  a  half 
military appearance and would  ‘take’  as 
a curiosity with  thousands  of  men  and 
boys who  would  care  very  little  about 
the kind of button they wore, and still  it 
would tell its  own  story,  as  other  eyes 
would see it.  The same system could be 
made a local one for all or any  one  kind 
of  merchandise  at  a  slight  advance  in 
the  cost.”

The  Advertisement Paid.

Ma r sh a ll,  Nov. 28—It has  well  paid 
my firm  to  advertise  their  business  in 
your paper and you  will  surely  receive 
another  order  from  them  next  season. 
Tou have  my  permission  to  make such 
use of  this acknowledgment  as  you  see 
fit™ 
Traveling  Representative  for  Michael

W m.  Connor,

Kolb & Son.

USBU 1C BID   COTTONS.

BLEACHED  COTTONS.

Atlantic  A ............... 7
Clifton CCC............6^
“  Arrow Brand  514 
H................. 6*
“ 
“  World Wide.. 7
“ 
P ...............6
“  LL.................5
D .........  ...  6*
“ 
Pull Yard Wide.......614
“  LL...............  5i£
Amoiy..................  71a
Honest Width..........  6k
Hartford A ............ 514
Archery  Banting...  414 
Madras cheese cloth 6k
Beaver Dam  A i . . .   514
Blackstone O, 32__ 5
Noibe R......................51»
Our Level  BeBt.......614
Black Rock  ............7
Boot, AL.................  714 Oxford  R ...............   614
Chapman cheese cl.  3k Pequot........................714
Comet....................... 7  Solar...........................  614
Dwight Star.............  TklTopofthe Heap....  714
Amsburg.................7
Blackstone A A.......8
Beats A ll....................414
Cleveland..............   7
Cabot...........................714
Cabot,  %.....................6k
Dwight Anchor.......9
shorts.  8k
“ 
Edwards............... 6
Empire.................7
Farwell.....................  7k
Fruit of the  Loom..  8k
Fitch ville  ................ 714
First Prize................. 614
Fruit of the Loom X. 8
Fairmount..............414
Full Value................. 6k
Geo.  Washington...  814

Olen Mills...............  7
Gold Medal.............   714
Green  Ticket.......... 814
Great Falls...............614
Hope..........................714
Just  Out...........4k@ 6
King  Phillip............7k
Lonsdale Cambric.. 1014
Lonsdale............  @ 8k
Middlesex.........   @ 5
No Name............. . 
714
Oak View.................6
Our Own..................514
Pride of the West...12
Rosalind...................714
Sunlight................... 414
Vlnyard....................  814

“ 

“ 

“ 

“
“
“

“
44 

“
“
“
“

“
44
44

“ 
“ 
“ 

44
*•
“
“

“ 
“ 
“ 

Hamilton 

HALF  BLEACHED  COTTONS.
..............7kl

UNBLEACHED  CANTON  FLANNEL.

Allen, staple............  514
“ 
fancy............514
“ 
robes............5
American fancy....  5k 
American indigo....  5k 
American shirtings.  414 
Arnold 
“  —   614
long cloth B. 1014
“ 
..................... C.  814
century cloth  7
“ 
gold seal.......1014
Turkey red.. 1014

Hamilton N .......
Middlesex P T ..
A T ..
X A ..
X F ..
........ ....  8 Nameless
.........
G G  Cashmere..
Nam eless.........
.........
Blddeford..........
Brunswick.......

Cabot........................ 7141 Dwight Anchor......... 41k
Farwell. 
Tremont N ........
...  5k Middlesex No. 1.  . .10
Hamilton N .......
2 ... .11
...  6k
3... .12
...  7
L.......
Middlesex  AT..
...  8
7... .18
8... .1»
X ....
...  9
No. 25 ...  9
BLEACHED  CAHTOH  FLANNEL.
...  7k Middlesex A A
.11
.12
2
...  8
• 13k
...  9
AO
...  9
• 17k
4
5
.16
...10k
DBE88 GOODS.
.20
.25
...  9
.  10k
27k
»1
...21
■ 32k
...16
...18
35
CORSET JEANS.
...  6 N aumkeag saneen •  7k
...  6k 1 Rockport.
•  6k
Merrlm’ck shirtings.  414 
“  Repp furn .  814
Pacific  fancy...........6
“ 
robes.......... 614
Portsmouth robes...  6
Simpson mourning..  614
greys.........614
solid black.  614 
Washington indigo.  6 
“  Turkey robes..  714
“  India robes__ 714
“  plain T’ky X k  814 
“ 
“  X...10
“  Ottoman  Tur­
key red..................6
Martha Washington
Turkeyred k .......714
Martha Washington
Turkeyred........... 914
Riverpointrobes....  5
Windsor fancy.........614
gold  ticket 
indigo blue.......... 1014
AC A ........................1214
Pemberton AAA__ 16
York.......................... 1014
Swift River..............  714
Pearl River..............1214

“  oil blue...
“ 
“  green  .
Cocheco fancy...
“  madders 
Eddystone  fancy 
Hamilton fancy.
staple. 
Manchester  fancy
new era. 614 
Merrimack D fancy.  614
Amoskeag AC A ....13
Hamilton N .............   714
D ............... 814
Awning. .11 
Farmer......................8
First  Prize............... lU4iWarren......................14
COTTON  DRILL.
Atlanta,  D ...............6k|Stark  A 
..............  7k
Boot...........................6k  No  Name...................714
Clifton, K .....'.........  7>4;Top of  Heap............10
Imperial...................1014
Simpson...................20
...................18
Black..................9® 914
...................16
.......................1014
Coechco.................. 1014

“ 
TICKINGS.

Berlin solids 

“ 
“ 

“ 
“ 

“ 
“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 
“ 

Amoskeag............... 1214
9oz......1414
brown .13
Andover.................. 1114
Everett, blue...........12
brown.......12

Jeffrey......................1114
Lancaster................ 1214
Lawrence, 9 ox.........1314
“ 
No. 220....18
“ 
No. 260....1114
“ 
No. 280.... 1014
GINGHAMS.
Lancaster,  staple...  6k
Glenarven..................6k
fancies__ 7
" 
Lancashire...............  614
“  Normandie  8
Normandie.................714
Westbrook............... 8
Renfrew Dress.........714
Toil du Nord.... 1001014
.........................10
“  
York............................6k
Amoskeag................7
Hampton.................... 614
AFC......1014
Winaermeer............ 5
Persian....................... 814
Cumberland............ 5
Bates...........................6k
Warwick.................  814
Essex........................414
Peerless,  wnlte........18  IPeerless  colored...2014

CARPET  WARP.

“ 

“

“ 

No.

Amoskeag.

RED  FLANNEL.

MIXED  FLANNEL.

KNITTING  COTTON.

Coats’. J 
Holyoke

6  .
..33
8... ....34
10... ....36
12...
.36

GRAIN  BAGS.
.17 Valley City...... .......15k
.164 Georgia...........
..  ..15k
Pacific............. .......14k
20k-16k
THREADS.
.45 Barbour's........
....88
45 Marshall’s ........ .......88
.22141
White.  Colored.
White.  Colored.
42
38 No.  14... ....37
43
“ 
39
16... ...38
44
“  18... ...39
40
“  20... ....40
41
45
CAMBRICS.
Washington.............  4k
Slater........................   4k
Red Cross..  ............ 4k
White Star..............  4k
Lockwood.................. 4k
Kid Glove................   4k
Newmarket................4k
Wood’s ....................   4k
Brunswick.............  4k
Edwards...................  4k
TW.
Fireman................... 32k
■ 2 2 k  
F T ...............
C reed m o re ..................2 7 k
,8 2 k  
.35 
Talbot XXX.............30
J R F , XXX. 
Nam eless................27k
Buckeye....
-32k
Red A Blue,  plaid. .40
Grey SR  W..............17k
Western W .............. 1814
Union R ...................22k
Windsor...................18k
D S P ........................18k
6 oz Western........... 21
Flushing XXX.........23k
Manitoba..................23k
Union  B ..................22k
9 @10k
Nameless.......8  & 9k I 
.......8k@10  I
12k
Slate.  Brown. Black. Slate. Brown. Black.
13
9k 
15
10k 
17
ilk  
20
12k 
Severen, 8 oz....
...  9k West  Point, 8 oz ...10k
10 oz ...12k
...10k
M ay la n d , 8 o z ...
Greenwood, 7k os..  9k Raven, lOoz.......
...13k
Greenwood, 8 oz ...I lk Stark
...13k
WADDINGS.
.17 50
White, doz...............25  I Per bale, 40 doz.
Colored,  doz............20 
Slater, Iron Cross...  8 
“  Red Cross....  9
Best.10k
“ 
12k
“ 
CORSETS.

Pawtucket................I0k
Dundie........................9
Bedford.................... 10k
Valley  City..............li»k
Coraline..................19 SOlWonderful.............64 75
Schilling’s ..............9 OOjBrighton...................4 75
Corticelli, doz..........75  [Corticelll  knitting,

CANVASS  AND  PADDING.
13
Ok
15
lok
17
H k
20
12k

ok 13
10k 15
Ilk 17
12k 20
DUCKS.

DOMET  FLANNEL.

SEWING  SILK.

Best AA 

..12  “ 8 
..12  I “  10 

twist, doz. .37k  per koz  ball........ 30
50 yd, doz. .37kl
HOOKS AND EYES—PER GROSS.
“ 
“ 
“ 
“ 

No  1 Bl’k & Whlte„10  INo  4 Bl’k A Whlte.,15
“ 
..20
“ 
..25
No 2-20, M C..........50  INo 4-15, F  3 k .........40
‘  3-18, S C ...........45 
No  2 White A Bl’k.,12  INo  8 White A Bl’k..20 
.23
“ 
“ 
..26
No 2..........................28 
INo 3 ............................36

COTTON  TAPE.
..15  “ 10 
..18  I “  12 
SAFETY  PINS.

PINS.

2 
3 

“ 
“ 

“ 
“ 

4 
6 

I

|

NEEDLES—PER  M.

A. James.................. 1 SOI Steamboat.................  40
Crowely’s................1  35 Gold  Eyed.......................1 50
Marshall’s ................1 00|
5—4....2 25  6—4...3 2515—4....1  95  6—4...2 95

TABLE  OIL  CLOTH.
“ 

“ ....2  10 

...3 10|

Voigt,  HewMeimer k Go.,
Dry Goods

Importers and Jobbers of Staple and Fancy

NOTIONS AND HOLIDAY GOODS.

Manufacturers of

Shirts,  Pants,  Overalls,  Ete.

Complete rFall  Stock  now  ready  for 
inspection, including a fine line of Prints, 
Underwear,  Pants, Gloves,  Mittens  and 
Lumbermen’s Goods.  Chicago and Detroit 
prices guaranteed.

48, SO and 52 Ottawa St., 

GRAND  RAPIDS, 

- 

-  MICH

W H O L E S A L E .

Carpets,  Linoleums, 
Mattings,  Oil  Cloths, 
Rugs  and  Mats,  Dra­
peries, Brass and Wood 
Poles,  Brass  Rings, 
Brackets,  Etc.
Send for circular and price list.

Smith l Moni,
FOURTH NATIONAL BAM

GRAND  RAPIDS.

Grand  Rapids,  Mich.

A.  J.  BOWNR, President.

D. A. B l o d g e t t, Vice-President.

H.  W.  Nash, Cashier
CAPITAL,  -  -  -  $300,000.

Transacts a general banking business.

Make a  Specialty o f Collections.  Accounts 

o f Country M erchants Solicited.

J.&P.GOATS

6

T H E   M IC IH G _A .ÎSr  T R A D E S M A N ,

Eaton,  Lyon  !t  Go,, y  m a s  h o o d s

IN  HANDKERCHIEFS,  MUFFLERS,  GLOVES,  NECKWEAR,
TABLE  COVERS,  NAPKINS,  SPLASHERS, APRONS, DOLLS, 
PERFUMES,  JEWELRY,  CLOCKS,  POCKETBOOKS, KNIVES,
FANCY  SOAPS,  FANCY  CASES,  PAPETERIES,  AND  A 
COMPLETE  LINE  OF  FANCY  NOTIONS.

B.  S T B K B T B B   &  S O N S,

IMPORTERS  AND  JOBBERS,

81  and  83  MONROE ST. 

10,  IS,  14,  16,  18  FOUNTAIN  8T.,

GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICE.

IN

SIX-CORD

Spool Cotton
IBM,  BUCK  ID   COLOSE,
Hand and Machine Usa
F.  STEKETEE  &  SONS  j

FOR  SALE  BY

FOR

Olir Fall Line Now Ready

E A T O N , L Y O N   & CO.,
St™  Grand  Rapida.

O 

T H E   M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N ,

7

P r ic e s  C urren t.

T hese  prices  are  for cash  buyers,  w ho 
pay  prom ptly  and  buy  in  fu ll  packages.

AUGURS and bits. 

dls.
Snell’s ................................................................  
60
Cook’s .......................................................... 
40
 
  26
Jennings’, genuine........................................ 
 
Jennings’,  imitation....................................... 50*10

AXXS.

*  
“ 
“ 

First Quality, S. B. Bronze.................................. I 8 SO
D.  B. Bronze..................................   12 50
S.B .S. Steel...................................   9 50
D. B. Steel.......................................  14 00
Railroad................................................................ $14 00
G arden....................................................net  30 00

BABBOWS. 

dig.

BOLTS. 

dig.

Stove....................................................................50*10
70
Carriage new list.............................................. 
Plow....................................................................40*10
Sleigh shoe  ...................................................... 
70

BUCKETS.

Well,  plain.............................................................$ 3 50
Well, swivel......................................................  4 00

BUTTS, CAST. 

dig.
Cast Loose Pin, figured...................................70*
Wrought Narrow, bright 5ast joint................60*10
Wrought Loose Pin...........................................60&10
Wrought  Table................................................. 60*10
Wrought Inside Blind......................................60*10
Wrought  Brass................................................. 
75
Blind,  Clark’s...................................................70*10
Blind,  Parker’s ................................................. 70*10
70
Blind, Shepard’s .............................................. 

50
dls.

25

40
dls.
40
25

Ordinary Tackle, list April 17, '85.

CRADLES.

G rain.............................................
CBOW BARS.

40

dls. 50*02

Cast Steel.............................   ............... per 1b 
lily’s 1-10.................................................per m 
Hick’s  C. F .............................................  
G. D .........................................................  
M usket.................................................... 

-  CAPS.

“ 
“ 
“ 

5
65
60
35
60

Rim  F ire....................................................... 
Central  Fire...............................................dls. 

CARTBinOBS.

chisels. 

Socket Firm er.................................................. 70*10
Socket Framing................................................ 70*16
Socket Corner....................................................70*10
Socket Slicks....................................................70*10
Butchers’ Tanged Firmer.......................... 

combs. 

CHALK.

COPPIB.

Curry,  Lawrence’s ...................................... 
H otchkiss..................................................... 

White Crayons, per  gross............... 12@12H dls. 10

“ 

14x52, 14x56, 14x60..................... 

Planished, 14 oz cut to size........ per pound 
Cold Rolled, 14x56 ana 14x60.......................... 
Cold Rolled, 14x48............................................ 
Bottoms 
...........................................................  
Morse’s  Bit  Stocks..................................... 
Taper and straight Shank.......................... 
Morse’s Taper Shank..................................  

DRILLS. 

dls.
50
50
50

31
29
28
28
30

DRIPPING PANS.

Small sizes, ser p o u n d ...................................  
Large sizes, per  pound...................................  

07
6H

elbows.

Com. 4  piece, 6 in .............................. doz. net 
75
Corrugated.........................................dls. 20*10*10
Adjustable.................................................dls.  40*10

EXPANSIVE BITS. 

Clark’s, small, $18; large, 826..................... 
Ives’, 1,118;  2, $24;  3, $36.......................... 

dig,
30
25
piles—New List. 
dls.
Disston’s .................................. 
60*10
 
New  American............................................60*10
60*10
Nicholson’s ..................................... 
Heller’s ............................................... 
50
Heller’s Horse Rasps................................. 
50

 

 

 

 

GALVANIZED IRON

12 

Nos.  16  to  20;  22  and  24;  25  and  26;  27 
List 
15 
dls.
50

Stanley  Rule and  Level Co.’s ................... 

13 
GAUGES. 

Discount, 60

14 

28
18

HAMMERS.

 

 

 

. 

dls.

dls.

“ 
“ 
“  

HINGES.

dls.
dls.

HANGBRS. 

MATTOCKS.

WIRE GOODS. 

locks—door. 

HOLLOW WABE.

.......................... 

knobs—New List. 

HOUSE  FURNISHING  GOODS.

Maydole  A Co.’s ...................  .................. dls. 
26
25
Kip’s ........................................................... dls. 
Yerkes *  Plumb’s .....................................dls. 40*10
Mason’s Solid Cast Steel......................... 30c list 60
Blacksmith’s Solid Cast  Steel. H and.  . .30c 40*10
Gate, Clark’s, 1 ,2 ,3 .................................dls.60*10
State............... ...............................per doz. net, 2 50
Screw Hook  and  Strap, to 12 In. 4V4  14  and
314
longer............................................................. 
Screw Hook and  Bye, % .......................   net 
10
“ 
“ 
net  8*4
%...................... 
X ........................... net 
“ 
“ 
7V4
“ 
“  %........................  net  7*4
Strap and T .............................................  dls. 
70
Barn Door Kidder Mfg. Co., Wood track— 50*10
Champion,  anti-friction................................  60*10
Kidder, wood tra c k ......................................... 
40
80
Pots..................................................................... 
Kettles................................................................ 
60
Spiders  .............................................................. 
60
Gray enameled.................................................40*10
Stamped  Tin W are..................................new list 70
Japanned Tin Ware........................................  
25
Granite Iron W are.....................new list 33)^&10
dls.
Bright........................................................... 70*10*10
Screw  Eyes................................................. 70*10*10
Hook’s .........................................................70*10*10
Gate Hooks and Eyes  ...................... 
70*10*10
levels. 
70
Stanley Rule and Level  Co.’« 
Door, mineral, jap. trim m ings..................  
55
Door,  porcelain, jap. trimmings..................  
55
Door, porcelain, plated trimmings  .............  
55
Door,  porcelain, trim m ings.............  
 
55
Drawer  and  Shutter, porcelain......  
70
Russell *  Irwin  Mfg. Co.’s new list  ..........  
55
55
I  Mallory, Wheeler  *   Co.’s ........... .................. 
Branford’s 
55
Norwalk’«  ..................... 
56
Adze Bye  ................................. . 
•  $16.00, dls. 60
Hunt Bye 
............... ..................  
$15.00, dls. 60
Hunt’s ........................................ $18.50, dls. 20*10.
dlS.
50
Sperry *  Co.’s, Post,  handled.......... 
dls.
Coffee, Parkers  Co.’s ..................  
40
40
40
25
Stebbln’s Pattern..............................................60*10
Stebbin’s Genuine............................................ 66410
Enterprise, self-measuring............................. 
25
Steel nails, base..................................................195
Wire nails, base..................................................2 45
Steel.  Wire.
60...........................................................Base 
Base
10
50...........................................................Base 
20
05 
40.................................. 
20
10 
30.......................................................... 
20..........  
30
15 
35
15 
16.......................................................... 
12..........................................................  
35
15 
10................................. 
20 
40
8.................................................. .........  25 
50
7 * 6 .......................................................  40 
65
4 ............................................................   60 
90
1 50
1  00 
3 ............... 
2.............................................................. 1  50 
2 00
2 00
Fine 3..........  
1  50 
90
Case  10..................................................  60 
1 00
8.................................................  75 
6.................................................  90 
1 25
Finish 10..............................................   85 
1 00
8.................................................1  00 
1 25
6 ............................................... 1  15 
1 50
Clinch’ 10..............................................  85 
75
8............................................ 1  00 
90
6...............................................1  15 
1 00
Barren * ...............................................1  75 
2 50
Ohio Tool Co.’s, fan cy ...................................   @40
Sciota  Bench....................................................  @60
Sandusky Tool  Co.’s, fancy...........................  @40
Bench, first quality..........................................  @60
Stanley Rule and  Level Co.’s, wood............  *10
Fry,  Acme............. ..................................dls.60—10
70
Common,  polished................................... dis. 
Iron and  Tinned.............................................  
40
Copper Rivets and Burs................................  
50
“A” Wood’s patent planished. Nos. 24 to 27  10 20 
“B” Wood’s  pat. planished, Nos. 25 to 27...  9 20 

... 
«  P. S. *  W. Mfg. Co.’s  Malleables  ... 
“  Landers,  Ferry *  Cl>'  k’s ..................  
“  Enterprise 
....................................... 

PATENT PLANISHED IRON.

Advance over base: 

MOLASSES GATES. 

MAULS. 
mills. 

PLANES. 

RIVETS. 

“ 
“ 
« 

N AILS

PANS.

dlS.

dls.

dis.

Broken packs He per pound extra.

“ 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HOPES.

squares. 

.  10
15
dls.

SHEET IRON.

Sisal, *4 Inch and la rg e r...........................  
Manilla............... ............................................. 
Steel and 
Iron................................................ 
Try and Bevels.............................................  
M itre.................................................................. 

75
60
20
Com.  Smooth.  Com.
$3 10
3 20
3 20
3 30
340
3 50
All  sheets No. 18  and  lighter,  over 30  Inches 

Nos. 10 to  14.......................................... $4 20 
Nos. 15 to 17 .........................................  4  20 
Nos.  18 to 21..........................................  4 20 
Nos. 22 to 24 ........................................   4 20 
Nos. 25 to 26 ............................. 
. . 4 4 0  
No. 27 .................................................  4  60 
wide not less than 2-10 extra
List acct. 19, ’86..........................................dls. 40*10
Silver Lake, White A .................................list 
50
Drab A .......................*..........  “ 
55
White  B ..................................  “ 
50
“  55
 
Drab B.................................. 
White C.....................................“ 
35

SAND PAPER.
SASH CORD.

“ 
“ 
“ 
“ 

Discount, 10.

BASH WEIGHTS.

. 

dls.

saws. 

traps. 

H and............................................ 

“ 
Silver Steel  Dla. X Cuts, per foot,  ... 
“  Special Steel Dex X Cuts, per foot__  
“  Special Steel Dla. X Cuts, per foot__  
“  Champion  and  Electric  Tooth  X
Cuts,  per  foot................................................. 

Solid Eyes.................................................per ton $25
so
70
50
30
30
dis.
Steel, Game......................................................60*10
Oneida Community, Newhouse’s ................. 
35
Oneida  Community, Hawley a Norton’s __ 
70
Mouse,  choker....................................... 18c per doz.
Mouse, delusion.............  
$1.50 per do*.
dls.
Bright Market..................................................   65
Annealed M arket..............................................7®—10
Coppered Market............................................ 
60
Tinned Market.................................................  6214
Coppered  Spring  Steel................................... 
50
Barbed  Fence, galvanized.............................. 
3 50
painted.......................................  2 90

wire. 

“ 

 

horse nails.

WRENCHES. 

Au Sable..................................dls. 25*10@35A10&06
dls.  06
Putnam .............................................. 
N orth western...................................  
dls. 10*10
dig.
Baxter’s  Adjustable, nickeled................... 
30
Coe’s  G enuine..................................... ;.........  
Coe’s Patent Agricultural, wrought,.............. 
Coe’s  Patent, malleable.............................. 75*10
dlS.
Bird Cages....................................................  
50
Pumps, Cistern............................................ 
75
Screws, New List.......................................... 
Casters, Bed  and  Plate............................. 50*10*10
Dampers, American..................................... 
Forks, hoes, rakes  and all steel goods..........  
66

MISCELLANEOUS. 

50
40

50
75

METALS,

PIG TIN.

 

 

28c

30o

zinc.

SOLDER.

Pig  Large...................................................... 
Pig Bars...............................................  
Duty:  Sheet, 2*4c per pound.
680 pound  casks............................................ 
7^
Per  pound...................................................... 
7*4
*4@*4..............................................................  
18
Extra W iping................................................ 
15
The  prices  of  the  many  other  qualities  of
solder In the market Indicated by nrivate brands 
vary according to composition.
Cookson............................................per  pound  16
Hallett’s .......................................... 
18
TIN—MBLYN GRADE.
10x14 IC, Charcoal............................................$ 7 00
14x20 IC, 
7 < 0
10x14 IX, 
8  75
8  75
14x20 IX, 

Each additional X on this grade, $1.75.

antimony

“ 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 

10x1410,  Charcoal..........................................8 6 25
6  25
14x20 IC, 
10x14 IX, 
7 75
14x20 IX, 
7  75

Each additional X on this grade $1.50.

 
 
 

“ 
“ 
“ 
TIN—ALLA WAY GRADE.
“ 
“ 
“ 

 
 
 
ROOFING PLATES

“ 
“ 
“ 
“ 
“ 

“  Worcester..................................   6 25
“ 
“ 
“  Allaway Grade.................. 
“ 
“ 
“ 
BOILER SIZE TIN PLATE.

14x20 IC, 
14x20 IX, 
20x28 IC, 
14x20 IC, 
14x20 IX, 
20x28 IC, 
20x28 IX, 
14x28  IX ..................................................................$14 CO
14x31  EX.................................................................   15 50
14x56 IX, for No. 8 Boilers. I 
14x60i x ! “ 

...............................  7 75
.............................   13 00
5  50
7  00
11  50
14  50

< PW pound

“ 
“ 
“ 

 
 
 

10

“ 

 
 
 

“ « 
9

HJLRDWAJm.
P en   P ictu res  o f  th e   T raveler.

From  the Supply World.

on the road.

A man without brains  has no business 
Why?
Because,  to become a successful  sales­
man,  a man requires a  head  full  of  that 
needful  commodity.  And  we  do  not 
mean merely brains  in  quantity,  but  in 
quality.
Without  brains—well  cultivated,  har­
rowed,  plowed,  raked  and  weeded—a 
man cannot be  ingenious.
A drummer must be full  of  ingenuity.
Without  brains  he  cannot  be  apt, 
A  drummer  must  possess  all  these 
He meets and  deals  with  all  kinds  of 
men.  He  “stacks up”  against a  perfect 
medley of human  nature—pleasant  men, 
cross men,  dyspeptic men, religious men, 
sporting  men,  business  men,  and  men 
with  no  idea  of  business  methods—all 
kinds,  all sorts,  all nationalties.
The drummer  meets  all  these  people 
under all sorts of conditions  and under a 
variety of circumstances.  He is  expect­
ed to deal with them all  successfully.

quick,  thoughtful.
qualifications.

Then he needs brains,  doesn’t he?
He must be a man of ready resources— 
ready to  smile,  to  laugh,  whoop  e’-up, 
feel  ugly and act sweet,  be  able  to  sym­
pathize,  sorrow,  and,  if  need  be,  weep! 
And with  all  this,  be  must  never  lose 
his independence.  He  must be a man all 
the  time.
Show  me  a  successful  salesman  who 
isn’t a man all the way  through,  and I’ll 
show you a duck that can’t  swim.

S elk irk   S till  o n   T op.

So uth  H a v e n ,  Nov.  28.—A  recent 
statement in T h e  T r a d e sm a n,  to the ef­
fect that  M.  Y.  Selkirk’s  carriage  and 
harness  stock  had  been  seized  under 
chattel mortgage, does that gentleman an 
injustice.  The  stock  was  not  closed 
under chattel mortgage, but was attached 
by a competitor,  who  managed  to  keep 
the business closed for  a week.  No  pa­
pers were served on Selkirk,  but  the  at­
tachment  was  then  withdrawn,  the  at­
taching party paying  all  costs  and  $100 
damages.  1  know  T h e  T r a d e sm a n  is 
friendly to Mr.  Selkirk and  will  be  glad 
to  set  him  aright  before  the  business 
public. 

V in d e x .

In  a   S afe  P lace.

you have?

Grocer—Well, my little  boy,  what will 
“Fifteen cents’ worth of molasses.”
Grocer (as he  hands  the  pitcher  over 
the counter)—Where is your money?
“In the pitcher; I put it there so  as  to 
be sure not to lose it.”

2! PERFECTION
■  M e a t C u t t e r

T n«  Latest, 

Best and 

Most  Improved 
for  Family  Use.

CUTS

Instead  of  M ashes.

Requires 
No Repairs.

E qualled 
by None for 
Family Use.

8 imple to Use.

Easy to Clean.

Cannot get  Dull 

or Out of 

Order.

No. 1—$2.00.  No. 2—$2.75.  No. 3—$4.00.

Liberal discount to the trade,  and 

descriptive  circulars  on  application  to 
A M E R IC A N   M A C H IN E   C O .,
Lehigh Ave. and American St., Philadelphia, Pa.

MANUFACTURERS  o f  H ardware S pec ialties,

JOHN  H.  GRAHAM  &  CO.,

«tom*, agents. 

i 13 Chambers St., New York.

—OR  TO-----

H E A D Q U A R T E R S   F O R

FOSTER,  STEVENS  &  C O .,

GRAND  RA PID S,  MICH. 

Send for P rice List.

T H E   M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N .

The M ichigan Tradesm an

Official Orgr&n of Michigan Business Men’s  Association. 

A  WEEKLY  JOURNAL  DEVOTED  TO  THE

Retail  Trade of the Wolverine State.

Tradesman  Company,  Proprietor.

Subscription Price, One  Dollar per year, payable 
Advertising Rates made known on application. 

strictly in advance.

Publication  Office,  100 Louis St.

Entered at  the  Grand  Rapid» Post  Offlce.

E.  A.  STOWE,  Editor.

W EDNESDAY, DECEM BER  3 ,1890.

The past week has witnessed  the birth 
of  another  enormous  combine,  twenty- 
one manufacturers of threshing machines 
having  joined  hands  in  a  corporation 
having a capital stock of  $20,000,000. 
It 
is claimed that all  the  details  attending 
the organization have  already  been  set­
tled and that the combination  will go in­
to effect as soon as Jan.  1.

Complaints  continue  to  reach  T h e 
from  grocers  who  have 
T r a d e sm a n 
taken the trouble to count  the pickles in 
a barrel and found  them  short  from  10 i 
to  25  per  cent.  T h e  T r a d e sm a n  will 
shortly publish a list of the packers  who 
put  less  pickles  in  their  barrels  than 
they  brand  on  the  heads,  and  dealers 
who have investigated the matter are  in­
vited to send the results of the investiga­
tion to this office.

It  affords  T h e  T r a d e sm a n  no  small 
pleasure to be able to  present a complete 
report of the fifth  annual  convention  of 
the Michigan Business Men’s Association 
in  supplementary  form. 
It  is  issued 
separately from the paper,  so  as to be in 
convenient form for  preservation.  Like 
all other reports  which T he T r a d e sm a n 
has  been  privileged 
to  present  to  its 
readers,  it is  a  valuable  contribution  to 
the literature of business.

The critical  situation  of  the  fur-seal 
interest is disclosed by the report  which 
Professor Elliot, of the  Smithsonian  In­
stitution,  has prepared  for  presentation 
to Congress,  in  which  he  estimates  the 
number  of  animals  remaining  in  the 
American  “rookeries”  at  no  more  than 
100,000, and advises that the catching  of 
them  be  suspended  for  some  years  to 
come.  This is a scientific report,  with a 
scientific  recommendation,  but  of  what 
avail  are  they  agaiust  the  poachers  of 
British  Columbia?  Whether  the  busi­
ness  be  butchery  and  folly,  or  not, 
whether the  United  States  has  a  right 
to forbid it or not,  the  poachers  will  go 
on and exterminate  the  seals  while  the 
process continues profitable,  unless  they 
are held back by the strong arm.

The meeting of  the International  Law 
and Order  Society,  in  Pittsburg,  marks 
an era in the progress  of  civilized  com­
munities toward an  appreciation of,  and 
command over, their organized  legal ma­
chinery.  The principle that the suprem­
acy of the law is essential to free govern­
ment is quite  generally  recognized,  but, 
oddly  enough, 
there  is  a  large  num­
law-abiding  people  who  ap­
ber  of 
pear 
to 
think 
this  supremacy 
will  maintain 
itself  through  some  in­
herent  virtue, and  that, so  long  as  we 
have  legislative  bodies  busying  them­
selves  by  entering  new  acts  upon  the 
statute books,  we  need  not  worry  our­
selves very greatly about  the  matter  of 
It is  a  sad  truth, never­
enforcement 

that 

theless,  that executive functions  are  not 
always conscientiously discharged, and it 
is to the Law and Order Leagues  in  this 
country and Canada that  we are at  pres­
ent indebted for  much  of  the  improve­
ment which has recently  been  recorded. 
So long as these  societies  confine  them­
selves  to  existing  laws  and  avoid  the 
temptation to undertake the procurement 
of  new  legislation,  their  position  is  a 
strong one.  A yielding to  this  tempta­
tion has  occasionally  hampered  useful­
ness,  but, on the  whole,  the  record  pre­
sented at  the  Pittsburg  meeting  is  one 
concerning which a little honest pride  is 
quite pardonable.
W h a t I  N o ticed   a t  th e   M eetin g  o f  th e 

M. B.  M. A .

I noticed that although few in numbers 

the delegates were terribly  in earnest.

That  they  felt  themselves  a  power 
which should and does command respect.
That each one  present  acted  as  if  he 

represented a  thousand constituents.

That the questions they discussed were 

of vital interest to the Association.

That every delegate showed  the  deep­
est interest in  the  welfare  and  prosper­
ity of the  organization.

That they expected much from the  as­
sociation  in  the  future  and  that  the 
next  annual meeting would be  composed 
of hundreds of representatives.

That  they  devised  many  methods  to 
benefit the Association and resolved they 
should be made practical.

That fire insurance was a leading ques­

tion and ably  discussed.

That they resolved  to  ask  the  aid  of 
enactments from  the  State  Legislature, 
if required.

That all  present  were  in  the best  of 
humor  with themselves and  mankind  in 
general. 

A  V isito r.

B ank  N o te s.

John  W.  Baldie,  formerly  connected 
with the  Steele  Packing  and  Provision 
Co., has returned to  Ionia  and  resumed 
his former position as Teller of  the Page 
bank.

J. S.  Schmittdiel,  Cashier  of the Home 
Savings Bank of Detroit, has  originated, 
and the Bank will  put  into  practice,  an 
entirely new method of aiding  people  to 
It  is  a  handsome 
save  their  pennies. 
nickel-plated model of  a  bank. 
It  con­
tains  four  compartments,  for  as  many 
depositors,  the name of each to be placed 
above the slot  in  which  each  depositor 
places his  or  her  savings.  The  banks, 
which are secured by a  patent lock,  will 
be loaned to families,  and  once a  month 
the collector of the Bank will  visit them, 
collect the deposits and give  each person 
credit for the  amount  on  a  savings  de­
posit book,  when  it  will  begin  drawing 
interest at 4 per cent.

D ish o n e st  P ick le  P ack ers.

Owosso,  Nov.  28.—The  pickles  re­
ferred to in  our  communication  of  last 
week were purchased  of  E.  D. Dailey  & 
Co., of Detroit.  They  were  packed  by 
the Highland Vinegar  &  Pickle  Co.,  of 
Highland Station.  We could get no sat­
isfaction from  either  dealer  or  packer, 
so rejected the goods.

L a w r e n c e  & So n.

R eferred  to   Mr.  V e m o r .

Gr a n d  Ra p id s,  Dec.  1.—I  notice that 
Secretary  Vernor  is  sending  out  the 
pharmacy  certificates  for  1891  under  a 
2-cent stamp, whereas  the  regular  post­
age is 6 cents.  This  involves  the  pay­
ment of 4 cents to  the  postmaster at  the 
receiving office  by  the  recipient  of  the 
certificate.  Why is this thus?

D s u o q i s t .

K EEP 

INSURED.

E x p erien ce  o f  a   M erchant  W h o  H eld 

N o  P olicy.

W ritten fo r Tan T u t m u x .

“I have called  this morning  to  see  if 
yon will not allow me to place that $3,000 
insurance on your  stock of goods. 
It  is 
now  December  and  as  the  winter  ap­
proaches  your  risk  is  always  greater; 
and every windy  night  I  think  of  you, 
and of your large and handsome  stock of 
groceries, entirely unprotected, and what 
a calamity it would  be  if  a  fire  should 
once start in this wooden block  of build­
ings.  You  cannot  afford,  in  justice  to 
yonr family,  to be a  day  without  insur­
ance.”

“I know that your words are  true, Mr. 
Burns,”  I  replied,  “but  I  have  been 
waiting for just  a  little  more  available 
means,  so as  to pay  as I  go  and  really 
expecting every day to  take  the  policy, 
and next week I will surely be  ready  for 
yon.”

“Better  give  me  fifteen  minutes  o f: 
your time this morning, Warren,  and  fix 
this matter now,  as the money  will make 
no difference  for  a  few  days,  and  your 
mind will then be at ease.”

“I  am  really  obliged  to  you,  Mr. 
Bums,” I replied,  “but I  am  so  full  of 
business just now that you  will  have  to 
excuse me.”

“All right,  Mr.  Warren,  only  I  trust 
you may  not  delay  too  long,”  and  the 
gentlemanly agent bade me good  day.

I had moved into  the  village  of  Wal­
tham,  six months before,  and engaged  in 
the grocery business with a  $4,000 stock, 
to which I had made large additions,  and 
was doing well.  My large  store  was  a 
wooden building,  closely  surrounded  by 
other structures no less inflammable, and 
while I had often serious  thoughts about 
fires occurring,  I had  not  one  dollar  of 
insurance,  and  was  prejudiced  against 
all such  companies,  and  regarded  them 
with little favor. 
In return,  they looked 
upon my situation as bad and the risk  as 
extra hazardous,  consequently  the  pre­
mium was high,  and 1 felt disposed until 
now to carry the risk myself.  Alas! de­
lays  are  particularly  dangerous  as  re­
gards  fire.  Of  late,  the  subject  had 
preyed upon my  mind  to  the  exclusion 
of  many  other  matters.  My  dwelling 
house was just two blocks away  and  the 
store was in  plain  sight  from  my  bed­
room window in the second story and my 
last 
thought,  night  after  night,  was 
about fire and to look from  that  window 
over  the  peaceful  village  and—toward 
my store.

*   *   *

A dreamy consciousness  of  the  rapid 
tap of a fire-bell, the  rattling  of  a  hose 
cart and  the  shouting  of  men,  as  if  in 
great  haste,  aroused  me  from  slumber. 
“Mary! Mary!” I cried,  “do you hear that 
noise? 
Is  it fire!”  and  1  sprung  from 
my bed to notice that the  room  was  red 
from the glare of light, then to  the  win­
dow only to see at  the  first  glance  that 
my store was wrapped in a sea  of  flame. 
My God!  I am  ruined! 
I  have  no  in­
surance! 
It has been  neglected!”  and  I 
sank upon the floor  and  gave  way  to  a 
paroxysm of grief.

*   *   *

“Why,  James,  what  in  the  world  is 
the matter  and  why  do  you  weep  so? 
You seemed to be  ill  and  I  arose  some 
time ago to light  the lamp  and  see  if  I 
could not do something  for  you-  Here, 
drink  this hot stimulant,”  and  my  wife 
I  swallowed
held the glass to  my  lips. 

a mouthful: then,  realizing  my  terrible 
loss, I burst out afresh with grief, crying 
as if my heart would break, and between 
the sobs reproaching myself for my  neg­
ligence.  “James! are you ill or insane?” 
and my wife shook me with  both  hands. 
“Do wake up! what  is  the  matter  with 
you?” 
looking  at  her 
through my tears, and seeing  her  smile, 
as the true state of the  case  broke  upon 
her mind,  and the next instant I was my­
self again.  “What does all this  mean?” 
I asked, as I  sat  bolt  upright  in  bed. 
Have they extinguished  the  fire?”  You 
have been dreaming,  that is all;  there  is 
no fire and no loss.”

remember 

I 

None can know,  except  by experience, 
the  true  condition  such  a  revulsion  of 
feeling causes.  To  me  it  was  fearful, 
and I sank back upon  the  bed,  weak  as 
an infant, and unable to speak while  my 
wife explained to  me  that  I  had  heard 
the  ringing  of  the  4  o’clock  bell,  and 
just at that moment  the  baggage  wagon 
and omnibus drove furiously  to  the  de­
pot,  and  the  shouting  and  noise  soon 
after was  caused  by  some  farmers  and 
their boys who  were  starting  out  early 
with a drove  of  cattle,  while  the  room 
was  filled  with  light  from  the  lamp, 
when I had first sat up  in  bed  wringing 
my hands in terror.  That  brief  conver­
sation  with  my  friend, 
the  insurance 
agent,  at the opening of this true history 
had left a lasting impression on my mind 
which had caused  me  all  this  suffering. 
That evening,  as soon as  I  was  able  to 
sit at the telephone,  Mr.  Burns was sum­
moned to  my  house  and  before  I  slept 
again the  welcome  policy  on  my  stock 
was written and locked in  my  fire-proof 
safe,  and the recollection of  that  fearful 
mental suffering of a  brief  half  hour  is 
also  as  safely  and  indelibly  stamped 
upon  my  memory,  never  to  be  effaced. 
If the reader is  a  merchant  let  me  beg 
him not  to  rest  another  night  without 
some  insurance  and  have  this  motto 
printed or painted and given  a conspicu­
ous place in your store: 
“Any  business 
which will not pay to keep  insured,  will 
not pay to engage in.”

A  Su f f e r e r .

The  Philadelphia  patent  flat-opening 
back is controlled in Michigan by Barlow 
Bros.,  of  Grand  Rapids.  Don’t  fail  to 
have your next ledger or  journal  bound 
with it. 
It  adds  very  little to the cost 
and makes the strongest blank  book  ever 
known.  Send for prices.

M. Y. Selkirk, the South  Haven  carriage  and 
harness dealer, writes: “I have taken  a great In­
terest  in  the  Business  Men’s  Association  all 
over the State and hope to see  the  interest  soon 
revive.  We have a first  class  set  of  officers  in 
our Association and, although we are  quite,  we 
are not dead."

AVOID  THE

B Y   USINO

“TRADESMAN”
“SUPERIOR"

OR

Ooifpon  Books

Manufactured by

THE  TRADESMAN  COMPANY, 

Grand  Rapid*.

See quotations in  Grocery Price Current.

in 

Fortunate  Children  of  Circumstance.
Written for Th*  Tradesman

What is it  that  causes  so  many  boy* 
who are naturally bright, intelligent  and 
well-educated  and  whose  future  seems 
bright with promise,  to  become  careless 
and dull in after life,  until  compelled  to 
confess that life is a failure? 
I  am  as­
suming that these boys have  no  bad  nor 
vicious habits of  any  kind.  Some  per­
sons say it is  a  lack  of  proper  counsel 
and advice in their youth  by  those  who 
are older and who  may  be  fully  compe­
tent, having been  wrecked  on  the  same 
quicksands long before.  Others attribute 
it to a fickle mind,  a want  of  concentra­
tion of purpose—that they  fly  from  one 
business  to  another  just  at  the  point 
where success might culminate.  This is, 
no doubt,  sometimes the case,  but taking 
a thoughtful and  unbiased  view  of  the 
subject,  as regards  merchants  and  men 
of business more particularly, the writer 
believes that more  often  than  anything 
else, the entire after  life  of  the  boy  of 
brilliant  promise  has  been  shaped  or 
moulded,  so to speak,  by  a  combination 
of  circumstances  which, 
the  first 
years of  his  manhood,  he  has  struggled 
to release himself  from,  with  indifferent 
success.  Chief  among  those  circum­
stances will be found a want of means or 
the  assistance  of  friends  to  carry  for­
ward  his  chosen  work,  which  may  be 
good in itself,  but  is  worthless  without 
capital.  Add fb  this  the  fact  that  he 
may have been  left  fatherless  and  that 
he  is  the  only  male  protector  of  his 
mother and several younger brothers and 
sisters.  He is then called  a  success  if 
he is free from debt and has  a home left.
We all give too much credit to the man
who  wraps  his  silken  lined  overcoat 
about him  and  pompously  says,  “Look 
at me!  a successful  and  self-made  man! 
a  millionaire  merchant  or  speculator!” 
Even though he was left  fatherless when 
a boy,  $3,000 was, perhaps,  invested  for 
him,  to come  into  his  possession  at  his 
attaining  manhood.  Old  men  shook 
their wise heads  at  the  investment  and 
prophesied  a  total 
loss  of  the  boy’s 
money.  Dame  Fortune—that  curious 
combination of circumstances—was more 
kind than usual; at any  rate,  the  invest­
ment—almost  through  accident—turned 
out a  brilliant  one  and  the  man  of  21 
found himself  in  possession  of  $30,000, 
although, perhaps,  a  boor  in  character, 
and  appearance.  Here  was  capital  to 
begin life with, and brains may  often  be 
purchased to  superintend  business,  pro­
vided one possesses the  means. 
“Great
expectations,” as  some  one has  written, 
made him a careless,  shiftless  boy and  a
shoddy aristocrat!  There  are  compara­
tively few men of education  and  charac­
ter with great wealth who,  in  the  broad 
and  best  sense  of  the  words,  deserve 
praise  and  honor  for  their  success. 
They are only thé  fortunate  children  of 
circumstances,  while 
is 
pleased  to  attribute  their  success  to 
genius and talent.

the  world 

Little  Tricks  in  Trade.

From  the Town  Topics.

While I stood chatting with him  in'the 
doorway a rather overdressed youth  was 
looking in at the window  with a longing 
gaze. 
It was the scrutiny of  an  uncer­
tain  buyer.  Presently  he  entered  the 
store.  The  suave  proprietor,  beaming 
benignantly  on  him 
through  his  eye 
glasses, approached.
“I want to look at that Windsor  tie  in 
the window,”  said  the  customer,  point­
ing through from the back of the window 
to a blue scarfing in the front row.

Spring & Company,

9

IMPORTERS  AND  WHOLESALE  DEALERS  IN

R ib b o n s, 

D ress  G oods,  S h a w ls,  C loak s, 
N o tio n s, 
H o siery , 
G lo v es,  U n d e r w e a r ,  W o o le n s , 
F la n n e ls,  B la n k ets,  G in g h a m s, 
P r in ts  a n d   D o m estic  C otton s

We invite the attention of the trade to our complete and well 

assorted stock at lowest market  prices.

Spring & Company.

BROWN  <&  SEHLER,

Dealers in ENGINES, BOILERS and MILL MACHINERY, Farm Machinery, 

Agricultural Implements, Wagons and Carriages.

the 

T H E   M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N .
“Certainly,” said the clerk,  “I will get 
it  for  you;”  and  in  reaching  for  it  he 
knocked down  several  boxes  of  collars 
and some other goods awry.
“Sorry to have troubled you,”  said the 
swell, as he beheld the havoc  his curios­
ity had caused.
“No trouble at all.  One of  the clerks 
will straighten things up in  a  moment.”
“What is the price?”
“One dollar.”
This seemed to stagger  the  youth,  al­
though the scarf  was  made  of  a  hand­
some texture tmd well worth the  money.
“Isn’t that a little  high?”  he  queried, 
politely.
“Not for that scarf; but I can show you 
some at 25 and 50 cents.”
Accordingly, 
assortment  was 
brought  forward  and  looked  over;  but 
the youth was true to  his first  love,  and 
although I have no doubt it  cramped  his 
finances  somewhat  he  selected  the  $1 
Windsor.
“There, you see,” said  the  diplomatic 
clerk, after the  customer  had  departed, 
“I  knew  just  how  to  catch  him!  He 
was one of  those distrustful sort  of  fel­
lows; and if,  instead of  immediately  go­
ing into the  window  after  that  scarf,  I 
had said I ‘had one in stock just like it’ it 
would have been certain to look different 
to him and I should nave  failed  to  land 
his money. 
I  instruct  my  clerks  that 
when  a  window  article  is  asked about 
always  to  get it  out. 
It  is  the  surest 
way, and really saves  time  In  the  long 
run, for you frequently have to get it out 
anyway to prove  that  it  and  the  stock 
article are of one and the same lot.  Be­
sides, did you notice that I knocked  over 
a lot of stuff in reaching for it?  Well,  I 
did that on purpose!  That  just  settled 
him!  He made up  his mind then,  after 
having given me all that  trouble and my 
being so  polite  about  it,  that  he  could 
not go out of  the  store  without  buying 
something. 
I tell you there are tricks in 
every trade  now-a-days,  and  you’ve  got 
to know them all—that is, the  legitimate 
ones—if you are going to  keep  up  with 
the procession!”
H ester & Fox

MANUFACTURERS’  AGENTS  FOR

Corner W est  B ridge and N orth F ront Sts., 

- 

GRAND  R APIDS,  MICH

REDUCED  PRICES

ARCTIC  BAKING  POWDER.
1-4  lb.  C ans  p er  D ozen , 
6 0
1  
1 - 2  
2 0
1 
2  OO
5 
9   6 0

“  
“ 
“ 

“  
« 
« 

“  
« 
« 

Arctic  M anufacturing  Company,  Grand  Rapids.

Doilp  Wood  Split  Pulleys.

WALES GOODYEAR*, 

First Quality. 

WOONSOCKETS, 

First ¡Quality. 

CONNECTICUTS, 
Second Quality. 

RHODE  ISLANDS, 

We carry a large stock and are prepared 
to quote factory prices.  Send for sample 
pulley and be convinced of  their  super­
iority.
4 4 ,4 6  & 48  So. D ivision  St., Grand Rapids. G.  R.  M A Y R B W ,

HOME  RUBBER  CO., 
Write  for  Discounts.

Second Quality. 
Third  Quality.

Grand  Rapids'

DO
CO
O O

OO
O O
O O

t=a'U=3

CO
C O
OO
I-»*
DOero

HIRTH & KRAUSE, 118  Canal  St., Grand Rapids.

THE  MTCHIGLaJSr  TRADESMAN

IO
Drugs #  Medicines•

Stale  Board  o f  Pharm aqj.

One  Year—Geo. McDonald, Kalam&xoo.
Two  Years—Stanley E. Parkill, Owosso.
Three Tears—Jacob Jessoa, Muskegon.
Pour Tears—James Vernor, Detroit.
Fire Tears—O ttm ar Eberbach, Ann Arbor 
President—Jacob  Jesson, Muskegon.
Secretary—Jas.  Vernor, Detroit.
Treasurer—Geo.  McDonald, Kalamazoo.
Meetings for 1891—Saginaw, second Tuesday in Janu­
ary ;  Grand  Rapids,  first  Tuesday  in  March;  Ann 
Arbor,  first Tuesday in May;  Detroit,  first  Tuesday  in 
July;  U o p e r  Peninsula,  first  Tuesday  in September; 
Lansing, first Tuesday in N ovem ber.__________________
M ichigan  State  Pharm aceutical  Ass'n. 

President—D. E. Prall, Saginaw, 
f ir s t Vice-President— H. G. Coleman, Kalamazoo. 
Second Vice-President—Prof. A. B. Prescott, Ann Arbor. 
Third Vice-President—Jas. Vernor, Detroit.
Secretary—C. A. Bugbee, Cheboygan.
Treasurer—W m Dupont, Detroit.
Next Meeting—At Ann Arbor, in  October, 1891.

G r a n d   R a p i d s   P h a r m a c e u t i c a l   S o c ie ty . 
President. W. R. Jew ett.  Secretary,  Frank H. Escott
G r a n d  R a p i d s   D r u g  C le rk s *  A s s o c ia t io n . 
President, F. D. Kipp;  Secretary, W. C. Smith.______

D e t r o i t   P h a r m a c e u t i c a l   S o c ie ty . 
President, J. W. Allen;  Secretary, W. F. Jackm an.

M u s k e g o n   D r u g   C l e r k s ’  A s s o c ia tio n . 

President. C. S. Koon;  Secretary, A. T. W heeler. 
Next m eeting—Not. 14.

NEARLY  FATAL.

Another  Case of Substituting Morphine 

for  Quinine.

W ritten fo r The  Tradesman.

“The  frequent  reference  to  mistakes 
made  by  pharmacists  reminds  me  of  a 
serious mistake I once  made,”  remaiked 
a Monroe street druggist  the  other  day. 
“ My services had been secured  as  an as­
sistant pharmacist with  an  old  German 
druggist,  who had many curious  ideas of 
business,  and on  no  account  could  they 
be changed.  His own laws were as  arbi­
trary as those of the Medes aud Persians. 
One was,  that  many  medicines  in  com­
mon  use should  not  be  dispensed  from 
the  original  bottles  but  emptied  into 
larger ones,  and an extra good  bark cork 
should keep it from the  air.  No  ground 
glass  stopper  would  answer  for  these. 
The labels upon these bottles  were writ­
ten in a fine plain hand in his  own  writ­
ing,  and  no  other  was  allowed.  Sub. 
Nit. Bismuth, Carbonate of  Zinc,  Powd. 
Alum,  Nit. Potass,  Quinine,  and—worse 
than all—Morphine,  with  half  a  dozen 
other  white  powders,  all  were  placed 
promiscuously on one  shelf  back  of  his 
dark prescription  case,  and  all  bearing 
the  finely  written 
labels  mentioned, 
which one could  not  readily  read  with­
out a good light. 
I do not repeat  this  to 
excuse myself,  but to show  that  bis  pe­
culiar ideas were not  American. 
I  had 
only been  in  his  employ  a  short  time, 
but long enough to  notice  all  the  shelf- 
ware  and  the  peculiarities  of  my  em­
ployer and I did not dare  make  any sug­
gestions  as  to  changes.  He  had  the 
fullest confidence in me and  I  was  soon 
entrusted with  nearly  all  prescriptions, 
though he watched  me  closely  as  I  put 
them up and seemed to approve  of  what 
he  was  pleased  to  call  the  “ Yankee 
manipulations.”  I  was  in  a  large  city 
where  resided  many  foreigners,  but  I 
made  many 
valuable  acquaintances 
among the Americans, one  of whom was 
a detective who resided only a few blocks 
distant,  and  made  the  store  a  kind  of 
headquarters when  he  was  in  the  city. 
He was  seldom  or  never  ill,  but  often 
took small  quantities  of  quinine,  as  he 
remarked,  ‘just for instance.’ 
I  think it 
must have been  for  that,  as  I  knew  of 
nothing else. 
I shall  always have a sus­
picion,  though,  that  he  took  it  for  the 
sake of the menstruum, as he  invariably 
ordered it in half a tumbler of best whis­
ky,  with  a  teaspoonful  of  glycerine  to 
sweeten  it—no  more  nor  less. 
I  will 
call him Williams as I do not  care  to re­
veal his  real  name.  There  was  also  a 
Dr. Johnson,  who  had  his  office  in  the

building and who  was  numbered  among 
my best friends.  One night  about  dusk 
1 was left alone  in  the  store  and,  as  it 
happened,  was rushed  with  business. 
I 
had also that afternoon received  a  letter 
containing  disheartening  news  and 
I 
could hardly think of  anything  else* and 
was in a poor mood for  business. 
I  had 
not yet turned on the  lights,  except  one 
small  burner  at  the  prescription  case. 
Just then Mr.  Williams  dropped  in  and 
said,  ‘Give me five  grains  of  quinine  in 
the  usual  menstruum.’  He  was  in  the 
habit of taking less, and,  in  my  present 
condition of mind,  it  somehow  annoyed 
me to think he should take  such a quan­
tity.  Feeling that I  knew  best,  1  made 
the weight just a trifle  short.  He  drank 
the dose,  and started home for  his  even­
ing meal.  Not  more  than  fifteen  min­
utes after Williams  left,  his  wife  came 
hurriedly into-the store  and,  seeing  Dr. 
Johnson, with  whom  she  was  well  ac­
quainted,  whispered a word  to  him,  and 
they  both  walked  into  his  office  and 
closed the door.  1 shall never know how 
it was that at that moment  a  voice*  close 
to my ear  uttered  just  one  word,  ‘mor­
phine.’ 
I  was  busy,  but  dropped  the 
spatula l  was  using  and  turned  to  face 
the intruder,  when I  found myself  alone 
with  the  full  conviction  in  my  mind 
that I had given  Williams  a  fatal  dose. 
Just then Mrs. Williams and  the  Doctor 
I came from  hisoffice,  walking  toward the 
street door,  and  I  heard  her  say,  ‘Qui­
nine has never agreed with him,  but  this 
affects him  worse  than  usual,  as  he  is 
acting  very  strangely.  Come  over  as 
soon as  possible,’  and  she  passed  out. 
Mr.  Johnson then turned to me  and  caid 
in a kindly tone,  ‘It is possible  you  may 
have given Williams  something else  and 
I will run over at once and report to you. 
From the symptoms I fear it  is morphia.
“It is needless  to  say  I  was  alarmed 
and that I frankly confessed a feeling  of 
having made a mistake,  but  begged  him 
to  save  the  man,  if  possible,  at my ex­
pense,  and let the error  rest  between us, 
as they thought  it  was  quinine  he  had 
taken. 
I saw Dr.  Johnson at  10  o’clock 
that night/long enough  for  him  to  tell 
me he thought it  doubtful  about  saving 
the  man’s  life, as he  was  then  spotted 
from  a  peculiar  petechia  covering  the 
entire body and that he then had two men 
walking  him  about  constantly  to  keep 
him awake.  He was giving the man  all 
the strong hot coffee his  stomach  would 
retain,  but Williams  was constantly beg­
ging to lie  down  and  sleep.  Dr.  J. re­
mained with him all night and about day­
light the patient was pronounced  out  of 
danger and allowed  to  lie  down  to rest. 
The man was not able to  leave the house 
for  several  days.  The  most  singular 
part of the case was  the  after  effects  of 
the  drug.  Williams  has  told me since 
that when out riding  alone in his buggy, 
at different times from ten to fifteen days 
afterward,  he would apparently  lose  all 
consciousness  of  what  was  occurring 
around  him  and  become  interested  in 
something  in  other  localities,  as  in  a 
dream,  having no conveyance  with  him. 
With returning  consciousness  he  would 
find  himself  driving  along  some  miles 
away  from  his  intended  route,  but  his 
intelligent  pony had apparently kept the 
street and avoided  collisions.  At  other 
times,  while  sitting  with  the  reins  in 
hand,  he  would  be  rudely  shaken  by a 
stranger,  who,  seeing  he  was  awake, 
would enquire what was the  matter  and 
if  he  was deaf,  as  he  had  just  barely

escaped a collision  with  other  vehicles. 
I never see Mr. Williams that he does not 
remind me  of  that  overdose of  quinine 
and says he will  never  swallow  another 
grain  of  i t   That  nearly-fatal  dose 
cemented the  friendship  of  myself  and 
Dr. Johnson for life and its nearly tragic 
termination  will be known  by us alone.”

The Drug-  Market.

Opium is weak and  lower.  Morphine 
has declined.  Quinine is steady.  Nitrate 
silver  has  declined.  Cocaine has again 
advanced.  Lidseed oil has declined.
‘T H E   M O S T  K £ l I i I A . B L i £ :   F O O D  
TNI I'.'T.'I —if 
E l  I I I  U  J ^ i U s e d   everywhere,  with  unqualified! 
P A  I  I  I n  ^ ^ ^ ^ « uccpm.  Am  a medicine, but aste&m-* 
1%  I   I  
foody  suited  to  the  weakest!
I   U ^ T T l l  I  1 stomach.  Take  no other,  Sold  few] 
W   V   \
 |   |  i  I   A  druggists.  In cans. 35c. and upwards 
Wooleich A  Co. on every labMa

For Infants and Invalids.

c u r s i n ' c   R o o t .

We pay th e highest price fo r it.  Address 

P r r iT T   DTJOC!  Wholesale  Druggists, 
L  LjVj Bl  JjllU lS ti  GRAND  RAPIDS.

For  Fall  painting  you  have  to  use  a

D R Y E R

in mixing  WHITE  LEAD

TTflW  A ffD

GROWN  JflPRN  DRYER.

We call vour attention to onr CROWN  JAPAN 
DRYER, that we can guarantee  equal  In  every 
respect to any on the market.

Its points of superiority over all others, are: 
1st.  It will mix with RAW or boiled-oil.
It will dry any paint without tack.
2d. 
3d. 
It will dry with a good glOBB,  thus  ADD­
ING a GLOSS to the paint,  rather  than  making 
it FLAT, as most Dryers  do.
4th.  It  is  free  from  Rosin,  and  is  entirely 
without sediment, and will not thicken.
5th.  It is always  reliable and is the STRONG­
EST  LIQUID  DRYER in the market.

P at up in one gallon  square cans.

Write for special prices.

Hazeltine & Perkins Drug Co.,

GRAND  R APIDS,  MICH.

« B I B

1 " á
1 1

[ESTABLISHED  1874]

VnJv

mm

Offers  to the trade of Western Michigan, at prices that will compare favorably with 

any house in the trade.

A  COMPLETE  STOCK  OF  EVERY  ARTICLE  PERTAINING  TO  THE

D R U G   B U SIN E SS

A  LARGE  AND  WELL  SELECTED  LINE  OF

Druggists’  and  Stationers’  Sundries

AND  A  MAGNIFICENT  ASSORTMENT  OF

H o lid ay   Goods,

COMPRISING  THE  LATE8T  NOVELTIES  IN

PLUSH,  METAL  AND  LEATHER

FANCY  GOODS,

European  Pottery,  Minims, Dolls, Toys  and  Caines

IN   ENDLESS  VARIETY.

Many years of experience in purchasing  goods  especially  adapted  to  the  trade of 

Western Michigan enable us to bring together a collection of

Soluble  and  Popular  Priced  A rticles
Not to be seen elsewhere,  and with  greatly  increased  facilities,  we  have  outdone 
all previous efforts for the present season.  Dealers  who are looking  for  something 
new,  will  find  it  to  their  interest  to  look  over  our  samples  before  placing  their 
orders.

Orders  by  mail for any goods In our line w ill  receive  prompt attention.

F R E D   B R U N D A G E ,

21,  23,  35 and  27  Terrace  SU,  MUSKEGON,  MICH

THE  MICHIO-A^lSr  TRADESMAN.

11

“ 

Ä 

S. N.  Y.  Q. &

Morphia,  S. P. & W. ..2 45@2 70 
C. Co.........................2 35@2 60
Moschus Canton.........  @ 4 0
Myrlstiea, No. 1..........   70®  75
Nux Vomica, (po 20)..  @ 1 0
Os.  Sepia......................  33®  38
Pepsin Saac, H. & P. D.
Co..............................   @2 00
Plcis  Liq, N.  C., M gal
doz  ...........................  @2  00
Plcis Liq., quarts.......  @1  00
pints..........  @  70
Pil Hydrarg,  (po. 80)..  @ 5 0
Piper Nigra,  (po. 22)..  @ 1 8
Piper Alba,  (po g5)__   @  35
Pix  Burgun.................  @  7
Plumb! A cet...............  14®  15
Pulvis Ipecac et opii..1  10@1  20 
Pyrethrum,  boxes  H
& P. D.  Co., doz.......  @1 25
Pyrethrum,  pv............  30®  35
8®  10
Quassiae...................... 
Quinia, S. P. & W .......  39®  44
S.  German__   27®  37
Ruble  Tinctorum.......  12®  14
Saccharum Lactis pv..  @ 4 0
Salacin.........................2 40@2 50
Sanguis  Draconis.......  40®  50
Santonine  ..................   @4 50
Sapo,  W........................  12®  14
a   M.........................   10®  12
“  G.........................   @  15

“ 

Seidlitz  Mixture........   ®  25
Slnapis..........................  @  18
opt....................   ®  30
Snuff,  Maccaboy,  De
V oes.........................   @  35
Snuff, Scotch, De. Voes  @  35 
Soda Boras, (po. 13}.  .  12®  13 
Soda  et Potass Tart...  30®  33
Soda Carb..................   1H@  2
Soda,  Bi-Carb..............  @  5
Soda,  Ash....................  3M@  4
Soda, Sulphas.............   @ 
t
Spts. Ether C o............  50®  55
“  Myrcia  Dom.......  @2  25
“  Myrcia Imp........   @3 00
*•  Vini  Rect.  bbl.
2 23)...........................  @2 33
Less 5c gal., cash ten days.
Stiyehnia Crystal.......  @1  10
Sulphur, Subl..............2M@  3M
Tamarinds..................  
8®  10
Terebenth Venice.......  28®  30
Theobromae...............   56®  60
Vanilla....................... 9 00@16 00
Zinci  Sulph................. 
7®  8

“  Roll............... 2M@  3

OILS.

Whale, winter............  70 
Lard,  extra.................  55 
Lard, No.  1.................  45 
Linseed, pure raw  ...  53 

Bbl.  Gal
70
60
50
56

“ 

Lindseed,  boiled  __   56 
59
Neat’s  Foot,  winter
69
strained..................   50 
Spirits Turpentine__   46 y,  50

paints. 

bbl.  lb.
Red  Venetian.............. 1£  2®3
Ochre, yellow  Mars...  IX  2@4
“ 
Ber.........IX  2@3
Putty,  commercial__2M  2H@3
“  strictly  pure.......2M  2X@3
Vermilion Prime Amer­
13®16
ican ............................. 
Vermilion,  English__  
85®88
Green,  Peninsular__ * 
70®75
Lead,  red......................  @7X
“  w hite.................  @7X
@70
Whiting, white Span... 
@90
Whiting,  Gilders’........  
White, Paris  American 
1 00
Whiting  Paris  Eng.
c liff............................  
1  40
Pioneer Prepared Paintl  20@1  4 
Swiss  Villa  Prepared 
Paints....................... 1 00@1  20
VARNISHES.

No. 1 Turp  Coach.... 1  10@1  20
Extra Turp.................. 160@1 70
Coach  Body.................2 75@3 00
No. 1  Turp  Furn........ 1  00@1  10
.. 1  55®1  60 
Eutra Turk Damar 
Japan  Dryer,  No.  1 
T utt>.................... 
70®  75

HAZELTINE 

&  PERKINS

DRUG  CO.

  60

Importers  and  Jobbers  of

-D R U G S --

Chemicals  and  Druggists’  Sundries
Patent Medicines, Paints, Oils, Varnishes.

Sole  Agents  fornthe  Celebrated  Pioneer  Prepared  Paints.

Dealers in

We  are  Sole  Proprietors of

WEATHERLY’S  MICHIGAN  CATARRH  REMEDY

Wholesale Price  C u r r e n t *

Advanced—Cocaine.  Declined—Opium, Opium po., Morphia, Nitrate silver, Linseed oil.

ACIDUM.

A ceticum ....................  
8®  10
Benzolcum  German..  80@1  oo
Boracic 
......................  
%
Carbolicum................  30®  38
Citrlcum......................  SO®  55
HyOrocmor................. 
3®  5
...................  10®  12
Nltrocum 
Oxalicum....................   11®  13
Pho8phorium dll......... 
20
Salley ileum .................1  4G®1  80
Sulpnurlcum...............  
IX®  5
Tannicum....................1  40®1  60
Tartarlcum ....................  40®  42

n u oH U .

a 

Aqua, 16  deg...............   314®  5
ao  deg..................5H@  7
Carbonas  ....................   12®  14
Chloridum...................   12®  14

Black...........................2 00®2 25
Brown...........................  80@1  00
Red................................   45®  50
Y ellow........................2 50@3 00

Cubeae (po. 1 50.......... 1 60®1 75
JuniperuB....................  
8®  10
Xantnoxylum..............  25®  30

BALSAMUM.

Copaiba........................  60®  65
Peru...............................  ® l  60
Terabln, Canada.......  35®  40
Tolutan........................  45®  50

CORTEX,

Abies,  Canadian...................  18
Casslae  ..................................  11
Cinchona F la v a .......... . 
18
Euonymus  atropurp............  30
Myrica  Cerlfera, po..............  20
Promts Virglnl......................  12
Quillala,  grd.........................   12
Sassafras  ...............................  12
Ulmus Po (Ground  12).........  10

BXTRACTUM.

Glycyrrhiza  Glabra...  24®  25
po............  33®  35
“ 
Haematox, 151b. box..  11®  12
u 
Is.................  13®  14
“  Ms...............   14®  15
“  Ms...............   16®  17

VEBRUM.

Carbonate Preclp.........  ®   15
Citrate and Quinia....  @3 50
Citrate  Soluble............  ®   80
Ferrocyanidum Sol__   ®   50
Solut  Chloride............  ®   15
Sulphate,  com’l .......... 1M@ 
2
pure..............  ®   7

“ 

FLO RA .

A rnica...  ...................  28®  30
Anthem ls.............  20® 
25
Matricaria...........   25® 
30

FOLIA.

“  Alx. 

.....................  20®  22
28
35®  50
15
10
®1 00 
®  90 
®   80 
®   65 
75®1  00 

“ 

Barosma 
Cassia  Acutifol,  Tin-

nivelly...............  25® 

“ 
“ 
“ 
" 

and  Ms...............  12® 
8® 

Salvia  officinalis,  Mb
UraUrsl................  
UUMMI.
Acacia,  1st  picked..
“ ..
“ ..

2d 
3d 
sifted sorts.
p o ...............
Aloe,  Barb, (po. 60).
“  Cape, (po.  20).
“  Socotrl, (po.  60)
Catechu, Is, (Ms, 14 Mb
16) ................................
Ammoniae.................
Assafoetlda,  (po. SO)..
Benzoiuum ...............
Camphors...................
Buphorblum  po  .......
Gal bah urn...................
Gamboge,  po..............
Guaiacum, (po  40)  ..
Kino,  (po.  25)............
M astic........................
Myrrh, (po. 45)..........
Opii.  (po. 4 5 « ..........

50®  60 ®  12 ®  50
®  1 
25®  30 
®   15 
50®  55 
50®  52 
35®  10 
@3 00 
80®  95 
®   35 
®  20 
®   80 
®   40 
2 85®2 90 
28®  40 
?3@  35 
30®  75

bleached
Tragacanth  .......

“ 
herb a—In ounce packages.

Absinthium...........................   25
Kupatorium...........................   20
Lobelia....................................  25
Majorum................................   28
Mentha  Piperita...................  23
»  V lr...........................   25
Rue..........................................   30
Tanacetum, Y ........................  22
Thymus,  V .............................  25

MAGNESIA.

Calcined, Pat...............  55®  60
Carbonate,  Pat............  20®  22
Carbonate, K. &  M__   20®  25
Carbonate, Jenning5..  35®  36

o leu m .

Absinthium.................6 00®5 50
Amygdalae, Dulc........   45®  75
Amydal&e, Amarao__ 8 00®8  25
Amisi............................ 2 00®2 10
Auranti  Cortex..........   @2  50
Bergamii  .....................3 25®4 00
Cajiputl........................  90®1  00
Caiyophylll.................1  25®1  30
Cedar...........................   35®  65
Chenopodil.................   ®2 00
Clnnamonll................ 1  20©l  25
Cdtroneila....................   -  ®  45
Conium  Mao...............   SB®  65
Copaiba  ......................}  20®l  30

Cubebae.................... 12 00@12 50
Kxechthitos.................  90®1  00
Brigeron............................1  90@i 00
Gaultheria........................2 00@2 10
Geranium,  ounce....... 
®   75
Gos8ipii,  Sem. gal.......  50®  75
Hedeoma  .....................1  85®2 00
Juniperl........................  50@2 00
Lavendula...................  90@2 00
Limonis............................. 1 50®2 20
Mentha Piper.....................2 90®3 00
Mentha Verid...................2 50@2 60
Morrhuae, gal...............   80@1 00
Myrcia, ounce.................  ®  50
Olive..............................     90@2 75
PIcls Liquida, (gal. .35)  10®  12
R icini.................................1  16@1 28
Rosmarlnl.............. 
75®1  00
Rosae,  ounce...............   @6 00
Succinl.........................   40®  45
Sabina.........................   90®1  00
Santal  ..........................3 50@7 00
Sassafras.  ...................  50®  55
Slnapls,ess, ounce.... 
®   65
Tiglii......................... 
@1  50
Thyme.........................   40®  50
opt  .................   @  60
Theobromas.................  15®  20
BiCarb..........................  15®  18
Bichromate........ a ...  13®  14
Bromide...................... 
37®  40
Carb...................  
12®  15
 
Chlorate,  (po. 16).........  14®  16
Cyanide........................  50®  55
Iodide................................ 2 80@2 90
Potassa, Bitart,  pure..  30®  33 
Potassa, Bitart, com ...  ®   15
Potass  Nitras, opt....... 
8®  10
Potass Nitras............... 
9
7® 
Prussiate......................  30®  33
Sulphate  po.................   15®  18

POTASSIUM.

“ 

RADIX.

“ 

“ 

Aconitum....................   20®  25
Althae...........................  25®  30
Anchusa......................  15®  20
Arum,  po......................  ®   25
Calamus........................  20®  50
Gentiana,  (po. 15).......  10®  12
Glychrrhlsa, (pv. 15)..  16®  18 
Hydrastis  Canaden,
(po. 45)......................  ®   40
Hellebore,  Ala,  po—   15®  20
Inula,  po......................  15®  20
Ipecac,  po......................... 2 40@2 50
Ins  plox (po. 20@22)..  18®  20
Jalapa,  pr....................   55®  60
Maranta,  Ms...............   @  35
Podophyllum, po........   15®  18
Rhei................................   75®1 00
“  cut........................  @1  75
“  pv..........................  75@1  35
Spigella........................  48®  53
Sanguinaria,  (po  25)..  ®   20
Serpentaria...................  40®  45
Senega.........................   50®  55
Simllax, Officinalis,  H  @ 4 0
M  @  20
Scillae, (po. 35)............  10®  12
Syuiplocarpus,  Fceti-
dus,  po............¡  ___  @ 3 5
Valeriana, Bng.  (po.30)  ®   25
German...  15®  20
ingiber a ....................   10®  15
Zingiber  j ...............  
22®  25
BEMEH.
Anisum,  (po.  20).. 
..  @ 1 5
Aplum  (graveleons)..  15®  18
Bird, is .......................  
4®  6
Carui, (po. 18).............. 
8®  12
Cardamon.........................1  00@1 25
Corlandrum.................  10®  12
Cannabis Sativa..........3M@ 
4
Cydonium......................  75@1 00
Cnenopodium  ............  10®  12
Dipterlx Odorate.........2 00®2 25
Foenlculum.................  @  15
Foenugreek,  po..........   6®  8
L lnl.............................. 4  @ 4M
Lini, grd,  (bbl. 3H)...  4  @ 4M
Lobelia.........................   35®  40
Pharlaris Canarian__ 3M@ 4M
Rapa............................. 
6®  7
Slnapls,  Albu.............. 
8®  9
Nigra............  11®  12

“ 

“ 
« 

SPIRITUS.
Frumenti, W..D.  Co. .2 00@2 50
D. F. R .......1  75@2 00
1  10@1  50
 
Juniperis  Co. O. T ....1  75®1  75
“ 
1 75®3 50
Saacharum  N.  B .........1  75@2 00
Spt.  Vini  Galli................. 1 75@6 50
Vini Oporto...................... 1  25@2 00
Vini  Alba..........................1 25@2 00

 

 

SPONGES.

Florida  sheeps’  wool
carriage..........................2 25@2 50
Nassau  sheeps’  wool
carriage  ................... 
Velvet  extra  sheeps’
wool  carriage.......... 
Extra  yellow  sheeps’
carriage....................  
Grass sheeps’ wool car­
riage .........................  
Hard for  slate use—  
Yellow Reef, for  slate 
u se ............................. 

2 00
1  10
85
65
75
140

SYRUPS.

A ccacia..................................  50
Zingiber................................  50
Ipecac.........*..........................  60
Ferri  Iod................................  50
Auranti  Cortes......................  50
Rhei  Arom.......... .................   50
Simllax  Officinalis...............  60
Co.........  50
Senega....................................  50
Scillae.....................................   50
“  Co................................  50
Tolutan..................................  50
Pranus  flrg.......... 
50

“ 

“ 

TINCTUR 

.

 

 

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

™ 

Aconitum Napellis R ..........  60
F ..........   50
Aloes.........................................  60
and myrrh....................   60
Arnica.....................................   50
Asafoetlda............................... 
o
Atrope Belladonna.................  60
Benzoin....................................  60
“  Co...............................  50
Sanguinaria.............................   50
Barosma..................................  so
Cantharides.............................  75
Capsicum................................   50
Cardamon................................  75
Co........................  75
Castor..................................... 1 00
Catechu....................................  so
Cinchona................................  50
Co........................  60
Columba..................................  50
Conium................. 
50
Cubeba.....................................   50
D igitalis..................................  50
Ergot.........................................  50
Gentian...................................   50
“  Co................................  60
Gnaica.....................................   50
ammon...................   60
“ 
Zingiber..................................  50
Hyoscyamus...........................   50
Icmine.......................................  75
Colorless..................  75
Ferri  Chloridum................  35
Kino '........................................  50
Lobelia.....................................   so
Myrrh.......................................  50
Nux  Vomica...........................  50
Opii..........................................   85
“  Camphorated...................  50
“  Deodor........................... 2 00
Auranti Cortex........................  50
Quassia....'.............................  50
Rhatany...............................  
  50
Rhei..........................................   50
Cassia  Acutifol......................   50
Co.................   50
Serpentaria.............................   50
Stramonium.............................  60
Tolutan.............................  
Valerian..................................  50
VeratrumVeride....................   50

“ 

“ 

 

 

MISCELLANEOUS.

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 
“ 

@ 20

@1 10

* 
“ 

squibbs.. 

u 
ground, 

“ et Potass T  55®  60

Æther, SptB  Nit, 3 F..  26®  28 
“  4 F ..  30®  32
Alumen......................... 2M® 8J4
(po.
7)................................ 
3®  4
Annatto........................  55®  60
Antimon!, po............... 
4®  5
Antipyrin................... 1  35® 1  40
Antifebrin..................  @  25
Argentl  Nitras, ounce  @  70
Arsenicum................... 
5®  7
Balm Gilead  Bud.......  38®  40
Bismuth  S.  N ............ 2 10@2 20
Calcium Chlor, Is,  (Ms
11;  Mb,  12)...............   @  9
Cantharides  Russian,
p o ..............................   @1  75
Capslci  Fructus,af...  @  16
po__   @  20
@  15 
Bpo. 
Caryophyllus,  (po.  20)  15®  18
Carmine, No. 40..........   @3 75
Cera  Alba, S. & F .......  50®  55
Cera Flava..................   38®  40
Coccus.........................  @  40
Cassia Fructus............’ 
Centrarla......................  @  10
Cetaceum....................   @  45
Chloroform.................   60®  63
Chloral Hyd erst.........1 85@2 00
Chondrus....................   20®  25
Cinchonldine, P.  &  W  15®  20 
German  5®  12 
Corks,  list,  dis.  per
cent  .........................   @  60
Creasotum...................  @  50
Creta, (bbl. 75)............  @  2
“  prep....................  
5®  5
“  preclp................. 
9®  11
"  Rubra.................  @  8
Crocus.........................   30®  35
Cudbear........................  @  24
Cupri Sulph 
6®  7
Dextrine......................  10®  12
Ether Sulph.................  68®  70
Emery,  all  numbers..  @
po....................  @ 
i
Ergota, (po.)  60..........   50®  55
Flake  White...............  12®  15
Galla............................   @  23
Gambler.......................   8  @ 9
Gelatin,  Cooper..........   @  90
“ 
French............  40®  60
Glassware  flint,  70 per cent, 
by box 60 less
Glue,  Brown...............  
9®  15
“  White.................  13®  25
Glycerine.....................18  @  25
Grana Paradis!............  @  22
Humulus......................  25®  55
Hydraag Chlor  Mite..  @1  05
“  C or.... 
@ 95
Ox Rubrum  @1  15
Ammonlatl.  @1  25 
Unguentum.  E0@  60
Hydrargyrum.............   @ 8 5
.1 25@1 50
Tchthyobolla, Am. 
Indigo...........................  75@1  00
Iodine,  Resubl............ 3 7£@3 85
Iodoform......................  @4  70
Lupulin.........................  60®  66
Lycopodium...............   55®  60
M acis...........................  80®  85
Liquor  Arsen  et  Hy-
drarg Iod...................  @  27
Liquor Potass Arsinitis  10®  12 
Magnesia,  Sulph  (bbl 
2® 
s
ijKTTtt! . . . . . . . . . . . .  
Mannla,  S. F .............. 
50®  60

..........  

“ 
“ 
“ 
“ 

“ 

We have in stock and offer a fall line of

W l^skies,  Brandies,

Gins,  W ines,  Slums.

W e are  Sole  Agents  in  Michigan  for  W . D. & Go , 

Henderson County, Hand Made  Sour Mash 

W hisky and Druggists’ Favorite 

Rye  W hisky.

W e sell Liquors for Medicinal Purposes only.
W e give our Personal Attention to Mail  Orders  and  Guar* 
All orders are Shipped and  Invoiced  the  same  day  we re* 

antee Satisfaction.
ceive them.  Send in a trial order.

ftaltine i  Perkins  Drug  Bo,

GRAND  RAPIDS,  MICH.

THE  MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN.
Tallow is weak  and  in  ample  supply 

PRODUCE  M ARKET.

1 2

GROCERIES.

The  Condition  of Trade.

From  th e New York Shipping List.
The Thanksgiving  holiday  has  inter­
rupted the  progress  of  business  affairs 
and curtailed the volume of trade during 
the latter half of the  current  week,  and 
accordingly  quietude  has  characterized 
the principal markets and there has been 
an absence of any new or  prominent fea­
tures.  The monetary situation  although 
still abnormal in many respects is gradu­
ally undergoing  satisiactory  adjustment 
and the outlook is  improving,  but  there 
are still evidence  of  uneasiness  abroad; 
the  advance  in  the  gold  premium  in 
Buenos Ayres showing that  the situation 
there is unsettled,  and  the  comparative 
high rates prevailing in London for loan­
able  funds  showing  that  the  strain  in 
that  centre  has  not  been  entirely  re­
lieved.  Two small failures  in the Stock 
Exchange  and  one  in  the  cotton  trade 
have occurred this week as  the result  of 
the recent shrinkage in values,  but  they 
have been without significance  and  only 
reflect the further  development  of  weak 
spots from causes that in  other  respects 
have been discounted and are not due  to 
any new  financial  complications.  The 
new  combination  of  Western  railroads 
under the control of Jay  Gould  is  favor­
ably  considered,  and  the  outcome  is 
likely to prove beneficial to interests that 
heretofore have been out of harmony and 
have created more or  less  friction.  The 
speculation  in  produce  has  been  of 
moderate  proportions,  fluctuations  ir­
regular and the situation devoid of spec­
ial feature.  The  tendency  of  prices for 
wheat,  flour,  corn  and  provisions  has 
been  firmer,  but  cotton  has  shown  an 
easier  tendency. 
In  the  principal  mer­
chandise  markets  trade  has  continued 
fairly active.  The demand for dry goods 
has  been  of  seasonable  proportions, 
staple  groceries  quiet,  and  iron,  steel 
and metals have developed an easier ten­
dency.  The dullness of the sugar market 
is due to the marketing of  the Louisiana 
crop,  which  planters  are  sending  for­
ward rapidly  and  which  therefore  cur­
tails  the  demand  for  foreign  refined. 
The coffee trade  is  awaiting  the  settle­
ment  of  the  December  deal  in  options 
and the tea  market  is  influenced  by the 
fluctuations in  the  price  of  silver.  The 
easier  feeling  in 
iron  market  is 
the  result  of  a  falling  off  in  the  de­
mand  and 
increased  offerings,  while 
speculative  influences  have  caused  a 
sharp  decline  in  tin.  Continued  mild 
weather has  imparted  a  weak  feeling in 
the coal trade, the absorption of supplies 
having been  disappointing  and stocks at 
the  tide  water  points  showing  a  con­
siderable increase.  The firmer tendency 
of  sterling  exchange  has  caused  some 
discussion as  to  the  probability  of  gold 
exports, but  no  actual  shipments  have 
been reported.
Wools  Firm—Hides  Unchanged—Tal­
Wools remain firm in  price,  with  good 
average  sales,  but  quietness  prevails. 
Buyers have been looking for concessions 
in price, based  on  the  stringent  money 
market and  found  a  few  ready  to  sell 
where lower prices have  been  accepted. 
Holders consider the  outlook  favorable, 
although present prices are comparative­
ly low,  with a short  supply  to  fill  from 
before  any  new  wool  comes.  Again, 
holders claim that  present  prices  make 
them  no  profits  on 
their  purchases, 
which is a fact and they will not sell un­
til they have exhausted every resource to 
obtain a profit on their  investment.  On 
the other  hand,  if  prices  on  goods  ad­
vance much,  it lets in  foreign  manufac­
turers,  which,  with what stock is now on 
our market, tend to keep prices down.

low Low.

the 

Hides show more  firmness  at  the  de­
cline,  but  leather  is  at  its  lowest  and 
tanners  will  not  pay  an  advance  for 
hides.  Accumulations are large  and  at 
every  point,  but  are  bought  at  priees 
which show  a  loss  on  to-day’s  market. 
Holders do not let  go easily.

and light demand.

Furs  are  low  in  price  and  only  the 
choice  skins  are  wanted,  which  bring 
fair values. 
It remains for a  cold  win­
ter to help out  by  running  off  the  two 
past years’  collections  which  were  car­
ried over.

Dedicated Cocoanut.

From  th e Texas Siftings.

Joe Gref n and Tom Luster are the new 
proprietors  of  our  Bobbletown  grocery 
store.  The other day  they  were  taking 
account of a new stock of goods  just  re­
ceived to be sold on  commission.  “Say, 
Tom, what is this stuff?” asked Joe,  tak­
ing a package of  coeoanut  from  a  box, 
and laboriously spelling the  word  D-e-s- 
i-c-c-a-t-e-d.”  How  do  you  pronounce 
that four-horse word,  and  what  does  it 
mean,  anyhow?
“Why,  that  spells  desiccated, and  it 
means—why, it  means—yes,  of  course, 
it must mean the same as dedicated.”
“Well, what in thunder does  dedicated 
mean?”
“ Why, dedicated means  given  away.”
“Oh! yes,” said Joe,  slowly,  “I  under­
stand it now,”  these  must  be  a  sort  of 
‘sample copies’ for us  to  give  to  custo­
mers.”
“That’s just it,”  said Tom,  glad  to  be 
understood.
So, in the course of the day,  some hun­
dred and forty-four of the housewives  of 
Bobbletown  were  made  happy  by  the 
gift of a pound package of the  best  des­
iccated cocoanut;  and  many  a  word  of 
praise was spoken  of  the  enterprise  of 
the young storekeepers who could  afford 
to give away such an  amount  of  delica­
cies in  “sample  copies”

A  Slight  Misunderstanding.

“Dennis,  are  you  still  feeding  that 
Christmas turkey by  artificial  means,  as 
I told you?”

“Yes, sor, 1 was. 

I fed  him that  way 
the first three days, sor, but Marg’ret had 
to honld  his  head  while  1  pushed  ’em 
down wid a  stick.”

“Pushed  them  down!  What  in  the 

world were you  feeding him?”

“Nothin’ but  the  artifishal banes,  sor, 

an’ they wor castor oil banes at that.”

“Beans!  Who  told  you  to  feed  him 

any beans?”

“Yer  honor,  sor,  I  undtherstood  yes 
to say wid  ‘artificial  banes,’  an’,  savin’ 
yer prisence, he wor doin’  well  on  ’em, 
only that he tuk sick an’ died yesterday.”

Only  a  Small Drink.

“Say,  Marier,  did  ye  see  that  (hie) 
worm  crawl  into  my  (hie) shoe  on  the 
floor?”

“No, nor  you  didn’t, either.  You’ve 
been out a little too long and have ‘snakes 
in the boots.’ ”

“No,  Marier,  ’t  couldn’t  (hie)  be  a 
snake!  Too small a  drink  (hie)  fer that! 
Two glass’s beer ’tween four of us!  Take 
’im  out!  ’Snothin’  (hie)  but  ’n  angle 
worm,  (hie)  ’twon’t hurt ye.”

The  Grocery  Market.

The sugar market is  apparently  a  lit­
tle  stiffer,  Spreckles  having  raised  his 
quotations  on  hard  sugars  to  within  a 
sixpence  of  the  trust  prices.  While 
there are some indications of  a slight ad­
vance 
in  price,  conservative  dealers 
claim that it will  be more apt  to  decline 
than go higher.  Raisins are  higher  and 
the market is  firm.  Corn  syrup  is  still 
unsettled  and the market  is open,  prices 
depending largely upon circumstances.

For the finest coffees in the world,  high 
grade teas, spices, etc., see  J.  P.  Yisner, 
17 Hermitage block, Grand Rapids, Mich. 
Agent for E. J. Gillies & Co.,  New  York 
City. 

363tf

Apples—Green,  $3.50  for  choice  eating  and 
$3 for cooking stock.  Evaporated are firm at 13c, 
with every  indication  of  an  advance  to J 4c in 
the near future.
Beans—The market is hardly as strong as it has 
been. Handlers pay $1.6501.80 for country picked 
and  find  no  difficulty  in  making  sales  at  $2.10 
@2.15 for city picked.
Beets—50c per bu.
Butter—Bury  is firm and in  good  demand  at 
17@20c per lb.  Creamery finds moderate sale at 
25@26c.

Cabbages—50c  per doz. or $4 per 100.
Carrots—20@25c per bu.
Celery—20@-5c per doz.
Cooperage—Pork barrels, $1.25;  produce barrels 
25c.
Cranberries—Michigan  berries  are in fair de­
mand at $2.75 per bu.  Cape  Cod  commands  $10 
per bbl and Bell and Cherry  are held at $9.  The 
market is firm.
Eggs—Fresh stock is so scarce as to  be  hardly 
quotable, but ali  lots  which  find  their  way  to 
market are grabbed  up at 2ic.  Cold storage and 
pickled  stock are in good demand at 20c.
Field  Seeds—Clover, mammoth,  $4.60  per  bu.; 
medium, $4.30@4.43.  Timothy, $1.51 per bu.
Game—Venison, 13c  per  lb.:  Babbits,  15c  per 
doz.;  Partridges, 25c per pair.
Grapes—Catawbas  ana  Concords,  35@40e  per 
9-lb basket.
Maple  Sugar — 8@10c  per  lb.,  according  to 
quality.
Maple Syrup—75@85c per gal.
Onions—The market is weaker, dealers paying 
80c and holding at 90c.
Potatoes—The market hardly as firm as a week 
ago, the Chicago and  Pittsburg  markets  having 
declined  materially,  on  account  of  large  re­
ceipts.  Buyers still paying 75@80c., but the cold 
weather is likely to  interfere  with  shipping  op­
erations very soon.

Squash—l*4c per lb.
Sweet Potatoes—Baltimores, $2.75 per bbl;  Jer­
Turnips—30@35c per bu.

seys, $3.25 per bbl.

PROVISIONS.

 

 

The Grand Rapids  Packing  and Provision Co. 

FORK  IN  BARRELS.

lard—Kettle Rendered.

sausage—Fresh and Smoked.

quotes as follows:
Mess,  new.........................................................  11  50
Short c u t..........................................................   12 00
Extra clear pig, short cut.................................13 75
Extra clear,  heavy..........................................  13 00
Clear, fat back.................................................  12 75
Boston clear, short cut...................... 
13 00
Clear back, short cut.........................................13 25
Standard clear, short cut. best......................  13 25
Pork Sausage..........................................................6*4
Ham Sausage........................................................9
Tongue Sausage...................................................9
Frankfort  Sausage..............................................8
Blood Sausage......................................................5
Bologna, straight................................................ 5
Bologna,  thick.......................................  .......... 5
Headcheese.........................................................5
Tierces..................................................................7
Tubs........................................................................ 7*4
501b.  Tins.......... ................................................... 7*4
Tierces..................................................................6
30 and 50 lb. Tubs................................................. 6*4
3 lb. Pails, 20 in a  case.......................................7
5 lb. Pails, 12 in a case..........................................6ft
10 lb. Pails, 6 in a case...........................................6*4
20 lb. Pails, 4 in a case...........................................6Vi
501b. Cans..............................................  
6*4
Extra Mess, warranted 200  lbs............................  7 00
Extra Mess, Chicago packing................................ 7 00
Boneless, rump butts............................................... 9 50
Hams, average 20 lbs............................................ 9*4
16 lbs.......................................... 10
12 to 14 lbs.................................. 10*4
picnic..........................................................934
best boneless............................................  9
Shoulders.............................................................   634
Breakfast Bacon, boneless................................ 8
Dried beef, ham prices,......................................  9
Long Clears, heavy............................................... 6*4
Briskets,  medium...............................................   6*4
ligh t............  ....................................... 6*4

smoked  meats—Canvassed or Plain.

BEEF  IN  BARRELS.

lard—Family

“ 
“ 
“ 
“ 

« 
“ 

„ 

 

FISH  and  OYSTERS.

F. J. Dettenthaler quotes as follows:

FRESH  FISH.

“ 

Whitefish.............................................
smoked.................................
Trout....................................................
Halibut.................................................
Ciscoes.................................................
Flounders............................................
Bluefish  ..........................  .................
Mackerel..............................................
Cod.
California salmon.........................
o y st e r s—Cans.
Fairhaven  Counts.........................
F. J. D. Selects................................
Selects  ...............   ...........................
F. J. D ..............................................
Anchors...........................................
Standards.........................................
Oysters, per  100........................................ 1  25@1  50
Clams, 
.........................................  75@1  50

@ 714 
@ 8 @7*4 
@15 @ 4 
@ 9 
@10 
@25 
@10 
@22
@35
............   @28
...............   @25
............  @23
...........  
@ 21
............  @19

SHELL  GOODS.

“ 

BULK  GOODS.

Standards,  per gal. 
Selects,
Scrimps,
Clams,
Scallops,

@1  30 
@1  75 
1  50 
1  50 
1  50

FRESH  MEATS.

Swift and Company quote as follows:

Beef, carcass..............  

* 

3*4@  6*4
hindquarters..................................  5  @ 5!4
fore 
..................................S  @ 8*4
loins. No. 3.....................................  8  @ 8*
ribs................................................. 
@ 7
rounds............................................  5  @ 6
tongues...........................................   @

Hogs...............................................................4*4@ 4*4
Bologna.......................................................  @ 5
Pork loins...................................................6  @ 6*4
shoulders..........................................   @ 5
Sausage, blood  or head...........................  @ 5
liver.............................................  @ 5
Frankfort................... 
Mutton....................... 
6*4@ 7
Veal.............................................................  t*4@ 7

............  @7**.

 

CANDIES.  FRUITS and  NUTS.

The Putnam Candy Co. quotes as follows:  -

STICK  CANDY.

 

 

 

MIXED  CANDY.

 
fancy—In 5 lb. boxes. 

Standard,  per  lb........ ..............................  @  8*4
“  H.H..............................................  @ 8 *
T w ist..........................................  @8*4
“ 
“ 
pails or packages, net  weight..........   9
“ 
241-lb. bbls  .............................................8
Boston  Cream.................... .............................. 11
Cut  Loaf.............................................................. 10*4
Extra H. H.......................................... ............... 11
Boxes.
Bbls. 
8*4
Standard, per lb ........................  ..  7*4 
8*4
Leader............................................:.7*4 
9
Special...............................................8 
Royal.................................................8 
9
Nobby.................................................... 
9*4
Broken.................................................................... 9S4
M idget............................  
 
10
English  Rock.......................................................10
Conserves..............................................................10
Cut Loaf................................................................ 10
Ribbon...................................................................10
Broken Taffy........................................................10
Peanut Squares....................................................10*4
Extra...........................................  
11
Kindergarten  ...............................................•— 11
French Creams............... 
12
Valley  Cream s.................................................. 13
Per Box.
Lemon Drops........................................................65
65
Sour Drops..................................... 
 
Peppermint Drops................................................75
Chocolate Drops.................... 
75
H. M. ChocolatenDrops....................................... 90
Gum Drops........................................ 
40@50
Licorice Drops...................................................1  00
A. B. Licorice Drops...........................................80
Lozenges, plain....................................................70
printed................................................75
Imperials...............................................................70
Mottoes.......::.............................................. 
  75
Cream Bar...................................... 
65
 
Molasses Bar........................................................65
Caramels........................................................ 16@18
Hand Made  Creams.................................. 9C@1  00
Plain Creams........................................................ 80
Decorated Creams.............................................100
String  Rock..........................................................7*
Burnt Almonds.......................................1  0C@1  10
Wintergreen  Berries...........................................70
Lozenges, plain, in  pails....................................12
printed, in pails.................................13
Chocolate Drops, in p u ls....................................13
Gum Drops, in pails.............................................. 6
Moss Drops, in pails.............................................10
Sour Drops, in pails.............................................11
Imperials, in pails................................................12
Florida......................................................4 00@ 4  50
Messina, choice, 360................................  @ 50 0
fancy, 300.................................  @ 5 50
360................................  @ 4  50

ORANGES.
LEMONS.

fancy—In bulk.

“ 
OTHER  FOREIGN  FRUITS.

Figs, Smyrna,  new,  fancy  layers........   18@19
“• 
  @16
 
“ 
“ 
......  Si»
Fard, 10-lb.  box...........................   @10
“  50-lb.  “ 
............................   @ 8
Persian, 50-lb.  box.......................6  @

choice  “ 
“ 

“ 
“ 

“ 
“ 

“ 

“ 

 

NUTS.

.“ 

“ 
“ 

Almonds, Tarragona................................  @17*4
Ivaca.........................................  @17
California................................   @17*4
Brazils.......... '..............................................  @17
Walnuts, Grenoble....................................  @17*4
“  Marbot.......................................   @13
“ 
Naples........................................  @17
“ 
Chili............................................  @12
Table  Nuts, No. 1.....................................   @16
No. 1.....................................   @15
Pecans, Texas, H. P.................................14  @16
Cocoanuts, full sacks..............................   @5 00
Fancy, H.  P., Suns  .................... —
@   7*4 
“  Roasted 
.........
@10 
Fancy, H.  P., Stars 
.......................
@  6*4 @ 9 
“  Roasted  .............
Choice, H. P., Ex Prince  ..........
@ 6*4 
Roasted..............
@   9 
F$ncy, H. P., Steamboats
@
@

Roasted.

PEANUTS.

“ 
“ 

“ 
“ 

Florida  Oranges

W e   a re  a g e n ts 

for  H illy e r ’s  c e le b r a te d  
S ta g   b ra n d ,  w h ic h   is  th e   fin est  fruit  so ld   in 
M ich ig a n .
Tie  P u tn a m   Candy-  Co.

¡ale P r ic e   C u rre n t•
'aw  are  such  as are ordinarily offered cash buyers who 
l packages.

& 40
1  75
1  75
2 25
II  20
1  56
2 28
2 76
4 20
5 40
26 CO
rs.
.1  00
.1  90
.3 50
45
85
1  10
10
45
85
1  50
60
1  20
2 00
9 60
40
60
1  50
80
75
70
iross
4 00
7 00
LO 50
2 75
4 00
8  004 50
1  75
2  00
2 25
2 50
2 75
90
1  20
3 25
2 75
.6  00
.4 50
10
9%
11
25

.1  10
.2  10
.1  25
.2 25
.1  90
.2 65
.2  50
.3 25
3 50
.1  20
.2 00
.3 50
.3 50
II  90
>1  60
6
• @  8
@10
@12
10
2 50

!2 50
.1  10
.1  30
.1  40
!l  50
.1  10
.1  fO
.1 85
.2 30
2 65
.2 85
.1  50
.1  25
.2 75
.3 00
.1  10
.1  30
.1  40
.1  25
.1  40
.2  00
.1  75
.  85
&1  60
a  go
.  90
.1  40
£1  25
.  75
£1  30
.1  40
%\  75
.2  10
.1  80
%\ 00
.1  10
.  85
.1  30

C H IC O R Y .

“ 

“ 

CHKESB

Sulk...................................... :  6%
Red..........................................7
?ancy Full  Cream  ..  11  @12% 
3ood 
.  ..10  @1C%
’art Skimmed.............  8  @  9
lap  Sago......................  @22
gaam  ..........................   @1  00
Swiss, imported........   24@  25
"■ 
domestic  __   15@  16
CHEWING  GUV.
Rubber, 100 lumps................. 30
200  “ 
Spruce, 200 pieces..................40
Snider’s, % pint..................... 1 35

fA T flT T P

“ 

 

“ 
“ 

pint...............................2 30
quart.............................3 50
CLOTHES PINS.
COCOA  SHELLS.

COPPEE EXTRACT.

coppee—Green.

Frime....................   @23

i  gross boxes  ....................65
Sulk...................... . . . . . 4   @4%
i’ound  packages............  @7
Talley City............... . 
75
Cellx........................................ 1 15
Rummers............................. 
65
Rio, fair........................  @21
good......................21  @22
ancy,  washed...  @24
golden...................23  @24
lantos........................... 22  @23
Mexican & Guatemala 23  @24
rava,  Interior..............24  @26
Mandheling  ...27  @30
’eaberry...................... 22  @24
docha, genuine.......  26  @28
To  ascertain  cost  of  roasted 
toffee, add %c. per lb. for roast- 
ng and 15 per cent,  for shrink- 
ige.
coppees—Package.
Sunola....................................24%
in cabinets................ 25%
d cLaughlin’s  X X X X .... 25%
jion  .......................................25%
in cabinets  ..................26
lurham...............   ................25
otton,  40 ft.......... per doz.  1  36
“ 
1  50
1  75
“ 
2 00
“ 
“ 
2 25
ate 
100
“ 
1  15
Ragle.....................................  7 50
inglo Swiss...............6 00@ 7 70

CLOTHES  LINES.
50 ft...........  
“ 
“ 
60 ft...........  
“ 
70 ft...........  
80ft...........  
“ 
60 ft...........  
“ 
72 ft '......... 
“ 
CONDENSES MILK.

“ 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 

•* 
“ 
“ 
“ 

“ 
“ ,r 
“ 
“ “ 

COUPONS.
“Superior.”
“ 
“ 

1. per hundred.................  2 50
3 00
12, 
' 5. 
.....................   4 00
(10, 
5 00
(20, 
......................  6 00
“Tradesman.”
11, per hundred.................  2 00
“ 
2 50
’,2, 
3 00
“ 
(5, 
(10, 
“ 
4 00
(20, 
“ 
5 00
Subject to  the  following  dls- 
;ounts:
200 or over...............5  per  cent.
500  “ 
1000  “ 
Kenosha Butter...................  7%
Seymour  “ 
5%
Sutter....................................... 5%
“  family............................. 5%
“  biscuit........................... 6%
Boston.......................................7%
3ity Soda.................................. 7%
Soda........................................ 6
5. Oyster............. 
5%
Dity Oyster, XXX.....................5%
Strictly  pure........................ 
38
Grocers’................................ 
25
D R IED  FRUITS. 

..............20 
CRACKERS.
 

CREAM TARTAR.

10 “
“

 

 

 

DOMESTIC.

“ 

PEEL.

Apples, sun-dried.......... 8  @ 9
evaporated___ 13  @14
20 @21
“ 
Apricots, 
 
.... 
Blackberries “ 
10
Peaches 
.......20 @22
“ 
PRUNES.
Turkey.........................   @ 8%
Bosnia...........................  @ 9
18
Lemon........................... 
Orange.......................... 
18
......................  @18
in drum, 
.....................   @20
in boxes.
CURRANTS.
Zante, in  barrels........   @  5%
in  %-bhls........   @  5%
in less quantity  @  6
r a isin s —California.

3 
Foreign.

Bags  ............................
London Layers, 2  cr’n
3  “ 
fancy. 
Muscatels, 2 crown  ... 
“ 

2  50
2  75
2  <0
2  25
Valencias..................... 
8
Ondaras........................  8%@ 9
Sultanas....................... 13  @17
Farina, 100  lb. kegs.............   04
Hominy,  per  hbl...................4 00
Macaroni, dom 12 lb box—   55
imported.......  @11
Pearl  Barley...............3  @ 3%
Peas, green...................  @1  10
"  split......................  @ 3%
Sago,  German..............  @  5

PAR1NACEOUS  GOODS.

.... 

1 50

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

Tapioca, fl’k or  p’r l ...  5  @ 6
Wheat,  cracked..........   @  5D
Vermicelli,  import__   @lt
domestic...  @55
pish—SALT.

Herring, gibbed,  bbl 

Cod, whole..................   5%@  5%
“  b ric k s.....  ........  7%@  7%
“  strips  ...........   ...  7%@ 8
5 25
 
3 00
% bbl.. 
“ 
“ 
12 00 
“  Holland,  bbls.. 
75
“  kegs, 
“ 
... 
S caled ............ 
“ 
20
12 00
Mackerel, No. 1, % bbl.. 
40
“ 
10  lb  kit.. 110
Trout,  %  bbls.............   @4 75
“  10  lb.  kits...................  60
White,  No. 1, % bbls..  @5 50
10 1b. kits.......  80
“ 
Family,  % bbls......... 3 00
“ 
k its...............  65
“ 
FLAVORING EXTRACTS-Jennings’ 
D C   DC 
Lemon. Vanilla
2 oz folding box...  75 
ISIS
...1  00 
3 oz 
“ 
2 00
...1  50 
“ 
4 oz 
“ 
6oz 
...2  00 
3 00
8 OZ 
.. .3  00 
4 • 0
“ 
SUN  POWDER.
K egs...................................... 5  50
Half  kegs..............................3 00
Sage...  .................................. 15
Hops............................ a ........25
Chicago  goods......................  5%
30
No.  ... 
 
No. 1.......... 
40
No. 2......................................  
50
Pure.........................................  30
Calabria..................................  ^
Sicily.......................................  18
Condensed,  2  doz...................1 25
No. 9  sulphur.......................2 00
Anchor parlor............. ..........1 70
No. 2 home  ...........................1  10
Export  parlor.......................4 00
Black  Strap........................ 
17
Cuba Baking...................... 
22
Porto  Rico..........................26@33
New Orleans, good............ 
35

LAMP WICKS.

MOLASSES.

MATCHES.

LICORICE.

JELLIES.

HERBS.

LYE.

 

 

 

 

 

“ 
“ 

choice...................  40
fancy..................... 50

One-half barrels, 3c extra

OATMEAL.

OIL.

PICKLES.

Barrels  ..................................6  7
Half barrels..........................3 50
ROLLED OATS.
Barrels........................ 
@6  5
Half bbls......................  @3  50
Michigan  Test......................  9%
Water  W hite..........................10
Medium..................................$7 50
“  % b b l.........r.  ___ 4  25
Small, bbl.............................  9 00
“  %  bbl............................5 60
Clay, No.  216........................ 1  75
“  T. D. full count............  75
Cob, No.  3................................1 25
Carolina head..........................7
“  No. 1..........................6%
“   No. 2.................6  @
7
“  No. 2............................. 6

Japan, No. 1........... 

PIPES.

RICE.

 

SAUERKRAUT.

3  “ 

“ 
“ 
“ 

spices—Whole.

SAPOLIO.
“ 
SOUPS.

Barrels.................................... 5 25
Half barrels........................... 3 00
Kitchen, 3 doz.  in box.......2 50
Hand 
.......2 50
Snider’s  Tomato.................2 40
Allspice................................. 10
Cassia, China in mats.........  8
Batavia in bund___15
Saigon in rolls.........35
Cloves,  Amboyna..................22
Zanzibar................... 16
Mace  Batavia.......................80
Nutmegs, fancy.....................80
“  No.  1.........................75
“  No.  2.........................66
Pepper, Singapore, black — 16 
“  
w hite...  .26
shot...........................20
“ 
spices—Ground—In Bulk.
Allspice.................................15
Cassia,  Batavia................... 20
and  Saigon.25
“ 
Saigon......................42
“ 
Cloves,  Amboyna................26
“ 
Zanzibar................. 20
Ginger, African.....................12%
”•  Cochin...................... 15
“ 
Jam aica..................18
Mace  Batavia........................90
Mustard,  Bngllsh................. 22
“ 
and T rie..25
“  Trieste.....................27
Nutmegs, No. 2 .....................80
Pepper, Singapore, black__ 18
“  w hite.......30
Cayenne................. 25
SUGARS.

“ 
“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

Cut  Loaf......................  @  7%
C ubes...........................  @6%
Powdered....................   @6%
Standard  Granulated.6.31@  6%
Fine............6.31®  6%
Confectioners’ A __ __  @6%
White Extra  C..........   5%@  6
Extra  C...... ...................5%@  S%
C ...................................   @  5%
Yellow 
.......................   @5%
Dark  Molasses............  @ 5
Less than bbl.  %c advance.

THE  MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN.

“ 

“ 
“ 
“ 

22- lb,  tin 

Lump in Bulk.

scales—Perfection.
Tea, 2-lb,  tin  scoop.......... S 6 50
..........   7 25
“  brass  “ 
“  5-lb,  tin scoop..........   8 75
“  “  brass  “ 
..........   8 75
Grocers’, 11-lb,  tin  scoop.  11  00 
brass  “  ..  12 25
“ . .13 25
brass  “  ..  14 75
starch  — Combination  Prices. 
Large boxes and barrels__ 4%
12-lb boxes  ...........................   5%
Gloss.
1-lb packages  ........................  6%
 
3-lb 
6%
6-lb 
......................... 7
Corn.
20-lb  boxes............................   7
6%
40-lb 
Lots of  200  lbs., freight paid. 
Lots of 500 lbs., freight paid and 
5 per cent,  discount.
Goods made by manufacturers 
not in  the  trust  are  sold from 
%@%c lower.
Scotch, in  bladders............. 37
Maccaboy, in jars.................35
French Rappee, in Jars.......43

SNUFF.

“ 
“ 

“ 

 

SOAP.

Detroit Soap Co»’s Brands.

Superior.................................3 30
Queen  Anne.........................3 85
German  Family....................
Mottled  German..................3 00
Old German..........................2 70
V. S. Big  Bargain.................2 00
Frost, Floater.......................3 75
Cocoa  Castile  ......................3 00
Cocoa Castile, Fancy...........3 36
Old Country, 80.....................3 20
Uno, 100..................................3 50
Bouncer, 100..........................3 00

Allen B. Wrisley’s Brands.

SODA.

SALT

SEEDS.

SAL  SODA.

B oxes....................................... 5%
Kegs, English..........................4%
Kegs..................................... 
1%
Granulated,  boxes................. 2
Mixed bird...................4%@ 6
Caraway..................................  9
Canary......................................3%
Hemp........................................3%
Anise...................................... 13
Rape.......................................  6
Mustard....................................7%
Common Fine per bbl.......  @95
Solar Rock, 56 lb. sacks.......  27
28 pocket................................ 1  75
“ 
60 
................................2  00
100  “ 
................................2  15
Ashton bu. bags................  75
Higgins  “ 
...................  75
Warsaw “ 
...................  35
...................  20
Diamond Crystal,  cases_1  50
“  28-lb sacks  25
“  56-lb 
50
“  60  pocket.2  25
“  28 
.2  10
“  barrels..  .1  75
Church’s, Arm & Hammer.. .5%
Dwight’s Com......................... 5%
Taylor’s ...................................5%
DeLand’s Cap  Sheaf.............5%
pure.......................... 5%
Our Leader...........................  5
Corn, barrels......................
one-half  barrels—
Pure Sugar, bbl................ 30@40
“ 
half barrel....32@42

“ 
“ 
“  % bu  “ 

SALERATUS.

SYRUPS.

“ 
“ 
“ 
“ 
“ 

SWEET GOODS.
Ginger Snaps...............  
8
Sugar  Creams.............. 
8%
Frosted  Creams..........  
8
Graham  Crackers....... 
8
8
Oatmeal Crackers.... 
SHOE  POLISH.
Jettine, 1 doz. in  box..........75

“ 

“ 

“ 

“ 

TEAS.

ja p a n —Regular.

@20
Fair..............................
Good.............................
@22
Choice........................... 24
@29
@36
Choicest........................32
@14
D ust..............................10
SUN CURED.
Fair..............................
@20 
Good.............................
@22 
Choice...........................24
@29 
Choicest........................32
®? 6 
@14
Dust.............................. 10
BASKET  FIRED.
Fair..............................
@20
Choice..........................
@25
@35
Choicest........................
@40
Extra choice, wire leaf
GUNPOWDER.
@35
Common to fair...........25
Extra fine to finest___50  @65
Choicest fancy.............75  @85
Common to  fair........... 25  @30
Superior to  fine........... 30  @50
Fine to choicest........... 55  @65
Common to fair........... 20  @35
Superior to fine.............40  @50
Common to fair........... 18  @26
Superior to  fine........... 30  @40
Fair............................... 25  @30
Choice............................30  @35
B est............................... 55  @65
Tea Dust........................ 8  @10

ENGLISH BREAKFAST.

YOUNG HYSON.

IMPERIAL.

OOLONG.

tobaccos—Fine Cut.

PAPER.

D. Scotten & Co.’s Brands.

tobaccos—Smoking.

40 gr 
50 gr
P A PE R  A WOOD«

Hiawatha  ................... 
62
Sweet  Cuba................. 
36
tobaccos—Plug.
Jas. G. Butler &  Co.’s  Brands.
Something Good...................... 37
Peach  Pie  .................................34
“Tobacco” .................................35
Hector..................................... 17
Plow Boy, 2  oz......................32
4 oz...................... 31
18  oz...................... 32
VINEGAR.
.............................. 8
..............................   9
A R E
Curtiss  &  Co.  quote  as  fol­
lows:
Straw 
.................................... 165
Rockfalls.................................190
Hardware................................ 2%
Bakers......................................2%
Dry  Goods...................... 5%@8
Jute Manilla...................6%@8
Red  Express  No. 1.............  5
No. 2...............4
48 Cotton..............................   25
Cotton, No. 1.«..................... 22
“  2.........................18
Sea  Island, assorted..........  40
No. 5 Hemp.......................... 18
No. 6  “ ...................................17
W ool.......................................  8
Tubs, No. 1............................  8 00
“  No. 2............................  7 00
“  No. 3............................  6 00
1  50
Pails, No. 1, two-hoop.. 
“  No. 1,  three-hoop  ...  1  75 
50
Clothespins, 5 gr. boxes —  
Bowls, 11 inch......................   1 00
13  “ 
.......................   1 25
........................ 2 00
15  “ 
17  “ 
........................ 2 75
assorted, 17s and  19s  2 50 
“  15s, 17s and 19s  2 75
35
bushel  .................  1  50
willow cl’ths, No.l  5 75
“  No.2 6 25
“  No.3 7 25
“  No.l  3 50
“  No.2 4 25
“  No.3 5 00

Baskets, market —   ..........  

WOODENWARE.

TWINES.

splint 

“ 
“ 
*’ 
“ 

“ 

“ 

 

 

“ 

MEAL.

FLOUR.

WHEAT.

13
GRAINS and FEEDSTUFF»
W hite........................... 
90
Red.............................. 
90
All wheat bought  on 60 lb. test.
Bolted..................................  1  30
Granulated..................  
1  75
Straight,  in sacks  ...........   5  10
“ barrels.............   5 30
“ 
Patent 
“ sacks...............   6  10
“ barrels.............  6  30
“ 
Graham  “  sacks...........   4  do
Rye 
“ 
3 70
MILLSTUPPS.
Bran.....................................  16 50
Screenings.........................   16  50
Middlings...........................  20 00
Mixed  Feed........................  23 00
Coarse meal..........  .............23 10
No. 1....................................   @60
No. 1.....................................  1  20
No. 2....................................   1  15
Small  lots...........................   61
Car 
“  ...........................   58
Small  lots...............................53
Car 
“  ...............................49
No. 1.....................................   9 00
No. 2....................................   8  00
HIDES,  PELTS  and  FUR8.
Perkins  &  Hess  pay  as  fol 
lows, nominal:
Green...........................  4  @ 5
Part  Cured..................   @ 5
Full  “ 
'  @ 5
Dry.................................   6 @ 7
K ips,green.....................4 @ 5
Calfskins,  green..........  5 @ 6
cured............6 @ 8
Deacon skins.................10 @30

“  cured....................5  @ 5%

BARLEY.

HIDES.

CORN.

OATS.

HAY.

RYE.

“ 

 

 

No. 2 hides % off.
PELTS.

WOOL.

Shearlings.................10  @25
Estimated wool, per lb 20  @28
Washed............................. 20@30
Unwashed  ........................10@22
Tallow..........................   3 @3%
Grease  butter  ............   1  @ 2
Switches......................1%@ 2
Ginseng 
. 2 5   3 01
LUBRICATING  OILS. 
The  Hogle  Oil  Co.  quote  as 

MISCELLANEOUS.

ANIMAL  OILS.

LUBRICATING  OILS.

“  No. 1  “ 
“ 

follows:
Extra W S Lard............53 @58
...........45  @50
No. 1.... 
...........35  @40
PureNeatsfoo*..........52  @60
WVa  Summer............?%@12
“  Medium  Winter.  8  @12
15 Cold Test..................  9 @13
Zero................................10 @14
Old Reliable  Cylinder  @65 
600 Mecca 
.  @50
“ 
Anti-monopoly  “ 
..35  @40 
Corliss Engine  .......  @40
Golden  Machine..........18 @25
Mower and Reaper___ 25 @30
Castor Machine........... 25 @30
Pure............................*1  26@1 30
Distilled....................81  l(l@l  25
Mineral  ......................   30@  35
b u r n in g   o il s.
Water White...............   @10
Michigan test.............
Gasoline.......................  9%@14
PAINT  OILS.
Linseed  Oil, boiled.. .65  @75
“  raw........62  @72
Naptha........................... 7%@10
Turpentine..................45  @50

CASTOR  OIL.

“ 

RBO T h e   m o st  effectiv e  C ou gh   D rop  in
COUGH  ££,.Try 
DROPS

S e lls   th e 
J.  / l l V   q u ick est  a n d   p a y s  th e

A. E. BROOKS & 00.
The Pin8  Lins  of  Candy  in  the  State.

th e  m a r k e t 

MANUFACTURED  BY

Grand Rapids, Mich.

1\

O Y S T E R S . 

H. 
The  packing  and  distributing  of  FRESH  OYSTERS  among  the  trade in 
Michigan i9 one of the features of our business,  and  from  September  first  to  the 
May  following,  we  are  headquarters  for  these  goods, and shall appreciate  and 
promptly attend to all orders sent us,  as heretofore, guaranteeing  quality, measure 
and satisfaction.

T H E  P U T N A M   C A N D Y  CO

H o w   to  K e ep   a  S tore.
By  Samuel  H.  Terry.  A  book  of  400  pages 
written from the experience and  observation  of 
an old merchant.  It treats of Selection  of Busi 
ness,  Location.  Buying,  Selling, Credit, Adver­
tising, Account Keeping, Partnerships,  etc.  Of 
great interest to every one in trade.  $1.50.
TH E  TRADESMAN  COMPANY,

Grand  Rapids.

CUTS for BOOM  EDITIONS

---- OR-----

P A M P H L E T S

For the best work, at  reasonableapricea, address 

THE  TRADESMAN COMPANY, 

Grand  Rapids,  Mick.

THE  MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN.

14
Seasonable Suggestions for tbe Holiday 

Trade.

W ritten fo r T h e  Tradesman.

Within  the  coming  fifteen  days,  the 
thoughtful merchant will endeavor to add 
many desirable goods  to  his  stock.  He 
remembers that something a little  better 
is wanted in all lines of goods at this sea­
son of the year.  Who can judge so well 
as  he about the kind and the quality, and 
the price his customers will be willing to I 
pay?  It will not do  for  him  to  entrust 
the selection to others.  He is personally 
acquainted with his customers, with their 
wants,  to  some  extent 
their  financial 
matters, and what amount of money they 
can naturally afford to expend  for  extra 
necessities or luxuries.  He  is now look­
ing  about  for  his  fancy  holiday stock. 
To the dry goods dealer,  that means new 
styles and extra qualities;  to the  grocer, 
goods superior in both quality and appear­
ance,  with  less  regard  to  price than at 
other seasons of the year;  indeed,  if  the 
quality  is  exactly  what  the  customer 
desires,  he  will  not  wrangle  over  the 
price a moment.  His  only  thought  is, 
“This is the best, and  once  a  year 1 can 
afford to have it.”

All the spare  time  for  the  next  fort­
night should be expended  in  renovating 
and cleaning the  store.  EVery  piece  of 
goods  should  be  handled,  brushed  and 
changed in  appearance,  even  if  only  in 
position  on  the  shelves  or  elsewhere. 
The windows should be well  cleaned  be­
fore being  redressed  in  holiday  attire, 
and it will pay richly to put  extra  work 
on them, as  daylight  will  be  short  and 
darkness  long  for  the  coming  month. 
An extra lamp or two in a  store,  if  only 
during the holidays,  will  give  it  an  en­
tirely new appearance,  add to  its  attrac­
tiveness and draw new customers.

There are other schemes  for  making  a 
store attractive  which  were  adopted  by 
two  merchants  in  a  neighboring  town 
and carried into  effect  during  the  holi­
days.  When I asked them if  it paid, the 
first  one  tersely  answered,  “You  bet,” 
and the other replied slowly,  “You  may 
be sure it did.”  The  first  one  had  two 
large baskets filled with  good eating  ap­
ples and placed conspicuously on each of 
his two counters,  with a  large  card  sus­
pended over them  reading,  “Every  cus­
tomer please take an apple.”

The other one placed a long table  in  a 
small  room  back  of  and  adjoining  his 
store,  upon  which  was  hot  coffee  with 
cream and  sugar and a bountiful supply 
of doughnuts.  The room was kept warm 
and comfortable and a young woman was 
in  constant  attendance.  Over  the  en­
trance to this room  was the  simple  invi­
tation,  “Welcome,” and all  who came the 
last two days before  Christmas and New 
Year’s  were  invited,  before  looking  at 
goods, to walk into the next room and be 
served  with  coffee  and  doughnuts. 
I 
never knew what all the apples  cost  the 
first man,  but  the  coffee  and  cakes dis­
bursed during the four  days were as fol­
lows:
Coffee, 17 pounds at 25 cents............................$1.25
Cream, two gallons............................................  1.60
Doughnuts............................................................ 2.40
Total.............................................................. $8.25
Should any of T h e  T r a d e s m a n ' s read 
ers decide to adopt either plan, I trust he 
will acquaint his brother merchants with 
the result through the medium  in  which 
I am now speaking. 

Ca d il l a c .

Tbe  Cultivation  of Bice.

Since it is said  that  rice  furnishes  to 
three-quarters of our race their chief art­
icle of food, the history of its cultivation

must be of general interest.  The  plant 
is a native of the East Indies,  and it is in 
India and China that  it  is  most  largely 
cultivated and consumed.  In those coun­
tries its use is well  nigh  universal.  So 
closely does the consumption  of  it  keep 
pace with the production that other coun­
tries have to cultivate it in order to have 
a  supply. 
It  is  now  grown  in  every 
quarter of the globe where the conditions 
of heat and moisture are favorable.
In this  country, rice  is  said  to  have 
been  first  planted  in  Virginia  by  Sir 
William  Berkeley,  as  early  as  1647. 
Other  authorities  say  that  it  was  first 
brought  to  Charleston, South  Carolina, 
from  Madagascar,  about  the  end  of  the 
seventeenth century.  Whichever of these 
two accounts may be correct, it is certain 
that  the  attention  of  the  English  who 
were interested in the  settlement  of  the 
New World was directed to  the lowlands 
of South Carolina as suited to the growth 
of rice. 
In the report of  the agents  for 
1666,  it is stated that “The  meadows  are 
very proper for  rice,  rapeseed,  linseed, 
and many of them be made to overflow at 
pleasure with a small charge.”
Since the introduction of rice into  this 
country  its  cultivation  has  extended 
through most of  the  South. 
Its  habits 
of growth have been  so  far  modified  by 
cultivation that a variety  is  now  grown 
on uplands and without  irrigation.  The 
upland variety yields from twenty-five to 
forty bushels to  the  acre,  and  the  low­
land,  where irrigation is practiced, yields 
from fifty to seventy-five  bnshels.  The 
lowland cultivation has this in  its favor, 
that where the  rice  is  grown  no  other 
crop could be  raised.  The  upland  can 
be devoted to other  crops.
The Carolina rice  fields  are  subjected 
to extreme irrigation.  Swamp land used 
to be considered  the  best  for  rice,  but 
lands that are subject  to  tidal  overflow 
of fresh water have been  found  to  give 
better  results. 
In  Louisiana  the  rice 
planter occupies  ground that has a slope 
from the river.  The water is  let  on  by 
flumes cut in  the  levee,  and  closed  by 
gates.  The fields are  divided  into  sec 
tions by ditches  and  laterals.  Some  of 
the  ditches  are  made  deep  and  broad 
enough to form canals  for  the  transpor­
tation of crops to the barns.
Tbe rice is flooded  at  different  stages 
of its growth.  First,  it  is  kept  under 
water from four to six  days  when  it  is 
sprouting.  Ten days later, what is called 
the “long water” is let on  for about two 
weeks.  That is kept  at  a  considerable 
depth four days, and then is  made  to di­
minish slowly.  When a joint appears on 
the plant,  what is called  the  “joint  wa­
ter”  is put on.  This  remains  until  the 
grain  ripens,  about  two  months.  The 
water has to be renewed frequently.  Salt 
or even  brackish  water  is  fatal  to  the 
crop. 
In places where the water used in 
irrigation is likely to be mixed  with salt 
water  by  the  incoming  tides  from  the 
ocean,  men are stationed at the flumes to 
taste the water as it  comes  through, and 
to shut the gates as  soon  as  salt  is  de­
tected.  _____  

_

The  Hungry  Man  from  Fremont.
N e w a y g o ,  Nov.  28.—I  witnessed  a 
scene to-day  which pleased  me  so  much 
that I am constrained to describe it for the 
amusement of  T h e  T r a d e sm a n’s  read­
ers.  Forrest Tibbits, Prosecuting Attor­
ney-elect of  Newaygo county,  took  din­
ner at the  Courtright  to-day,  prefacing 
the  repast  with  the  statement  that  he 
was not hungry.  Then he ordered roast 
beef,  roast  turkey, stewed  rabbit,  three 
soft boiled eggs,  two pieces of  toast, cup 
of coffee, glass of milk and a  liberal  as­
sortment of pastry and  dessert.  He did 
ample  justice  to  everything  set  before 
him,  after which he again  remarked that 
he was not  feeling  well  and  asked  the 
clerk if he could be given a room  with  a 
sofa on which  to  rest  until  train  time. 
If any of  T h e  T r a d e sm a n’s readers are 
inclined to doubt these  statements, I  re­
fer them to a prominent grocery salesman 
who sat at the same table  and nearly ex­
ploded with  hilarity. 

Oc c a sio n a l.

Robert  Collins,  who  formerly  clerked 
in  tbe  retail  department  of  Foster, 
Stevens & Co., died at Mendon on  Satur­
day.  Tbe  interment  will  be  made  at 
Plainwell.

G r a n d   R a p i d s   f t  I n d i a n a .

In  effect October 6,1890.
TRAINS  GOING  NORTH.

For Saginaw, solid t r a i n ........... 
For Traverse C ity.......................... I  6:15 a m  
For Traverse  City A  Mackinaw)  9:20 a  m 
For Saginaw, solid tra in ............. 
For Cadillac.....................................t  2:15 p m  
For Mackinaw.................................t  8:50 p m  
From Kalam azoo..........................t  3:56 p m

Sooth. 

Arrive from   Leave going 
North.
t   7:30  a  m
t7:06 a m
til :30 a  m
t  4 :30 p m
t  5:00 p m
110:30 p m

TRAINS  GOING  SOUTH.

North. 
For  Cincinnati..............................I  0:00a m  
For Kalamazoo and  Chicago.. .fl0:16 a  m  
From Saginaw...............................11:45 a  m
For F ort W ayne and the  B ast.. 
F orC incinnati............................... t  5:30 p m 
For Kalamazo and  Chicago...  tlO:50 p m  
From Saginaw...............................110:30 p m

Arrive from   Leave going 
Sooth.
t  6:30 a  m
tl0:30 a m
t  2:00  p m
I  6:00 p m
|11:30 p m
Trains m arked (|) ra n  daily; (t) daily exoept Bonday. 
Sleeping and p arlor car  service:  N orth—11:30  a   m 
train , parlor  chair  car  fo r  Mackinaw City;  10:30 p m  
train ,  W agner  sleeping  car 
for  Mackinaw  City. 
Sooth—6:30 a m train , parlor chair car for  Cincinnati; 
10:30 a m train, through parlor coach to  Chicago: 6 p m  
train, W agner sleeping car for  Cincinnati;  11:30  p  m 
train , W agner sleeping car  for Chicago.

M u s k e g o n , G r a n d  R a p i d s  A  I n d i a n a .

For Muskegon—Leave. 

7:00 a m  
11:15 a m  
6:40  p m 

From  Muskegon—Arrive.
10:10 a m

3:45 p m
8:45 p m

Through tickets and full inform ation  can  be had by 
calling upon A. Almqoist.  tick et  agent  a t  Union Sta­
tion,  or  George  W.  Munson,  Union  Ticket  Agent, 67 
Monroe street. G rand Rapids, Mich.

General Passenger and Ticket Agent.

O. L. LOCKWOOD,

D e t r o i t ,   G r a n d  H a v e n  &   M i l w a u k e e .

-  
•  

GOING W IST.

GOING BAST.

A
Arrive«.
12:60 p m
tM orning Express............................ 12:50 p
5:00 p m
tThrougn MALI...................................5:00 p m
.19:25 p m
tGrand Rapids Express.................. 10:25 p m
6:40 a m
•Night E xpress...................................6:40 a  m
tMixed...................................
tD etroit Express................
,10:10 a m
tThrough Mail.................................. 10:10 a  m
3:35 p m
tEvenlng Express..............
9 :50 p m
•Night Express,.................

Leave«.
1:00 p m
5:10 p m
7:06 a m
7:30 a m
6:50 a m
10:20 a m
3:45 p m
10:65 p m
tDaily, Sundays excepted.  *Daily.
D etroit Express  leaving 6:50 a  m has W agner parlor 
and buffet c ar attached, and E vening  Express leaving 
3:45 p m has parlor car  attached.  These trains m ake 
direct connection in D etroit for all points East.
Express leaving a t  10:55  p  m  has  W agner  sleeping 
car to ¿Detroit, arriving in D etroit a t 7:20 a  m.
Tickets  and 
sleeping  oar  berths  secured  a 
D.,G. H. A  M .R’y offices, 23 Monroe St., and a t th e depot
J ab. Campbell, City Passenger Agent. 

J no. W. Loup, Traffic M anager, Detroit.

T o l e d o ,   A r m   A r b o r   &   N o r t h e r n .

F o r T o led o  a n d  a ll p o in ts S o u th  a n d  E a st, tak e  
th e  T o led o , A n n   A rb o r ft  N o rth   M ich ig an   R ail 
w ay  fro m  O w osso J u n c tio n . 
S u re   c o n n e ctio n s 
a t ab o v e p o in t w ith  tra in s  o f D., G.  H .  &  M., a n d  
c o n n e ctio n s a t T o led o   w ith   e v e n in g   tra in s   fo r 
C lev elan d ,  B u ffalo , C o ln m b u s,  D a y to n ,  C in cin  
n a tl,  P ittsb u rg , C resto n , O rv ille   a n d   a ll  prom t 
n e n t  p o in ts on  c o n n e c tin g  lin es.

A. J . P a is l e y , G en ’l P ass.  A g en t

M i g h i g a n  (T e n t r a l

“  The Niagara Falls Route.’*
DEPART.  ARRIVE
D etroit Express.....................................7:20 a m  
10:00 p m
Mixed  .................................................... 6:30am  
5:00pm
Day  Express........................................12:00 a m   10:00 a m
•A tlantic A Pacific E xpress.    .........U:16 p m  6:00 a  m
New Tork Express...............................5:40p m  
1:15p m

train s to and from  Detroit.
Express to  and  from   Detroit.

•Daily.
All other daily except Sunday.
Sleeping  cars  run  on  A tlantic  and  Pacific  Express 
P arlor cars run  on  Day  Express  and  Grand Rapid 
Fred M. Briggs, Gen*l Agent, 85 Monroe St.
G. S. Hawkins, Ticket Agent, Union  Depot.
G k o . W. Mu n s o n . Union Ticket Office, 67 Monroe St. 
O. W. R u g g l k s. G. P.  A   T. Agent., Chicago.

THE  GREAT

RDMUHDB.DIKEMBfi
Watch (laker 
i Jeweler,
44  CANAL  8T„
Brand Rapids  -  f\±
SHIPPERS

fROUBl e -A B

. A N D  

^ « K l ( n \ :

DEPART.

C1HICAGO  &  WEST  MICHIGAN  RAILWAY, 

Frnit Belt Line.

ARRIVE.

Mail and Express for Big Rapids, Lud- 
ington,  Manistee ft Traverse City..  *7:25 a  m 
E x p re ss  for Chicago and  Muskegon..  t9:00 a m
Fast Mail for Chicago  ......................... tl :00  p m
Express for Muskegon and H art.......t5:0>  p m
Night Express for  Chicago  .............   *11:35  p m
Night Express for Indianapolis  __   111:35  p  m
Midi  for  Big  Rapids,  Manistee  and
Traverse City  ..................................... +5:05 p m
Ex. for Grand Haven ft  Muskegon...  +8:40  p m
Night Express from Chicago  .............   *6:30 a  m
Night Express from Indianapolis 
...  ftf:30 a  m 
Ex. from Muskegon, Hart ft Pentwatertl0:45  a m 
Express  from  Big  Rapids,  Baldwin
and Traverse  City  .............................+12:15  p m
Mail from Chicago and Muskegon  ..  +3:55  p m
Express from Grand Haven................+5:50  p m
Fast Express from  Chicago 
.......... +10:15 p  m
Ex. from  Muskegon and Pentwater..+ 5:50 p  m 
Ex. from Baldwin and Traverse City.  +5:40 p  m
Express from Traverse City.................*10:40  p m
•Daily.  tDaily except Sunday.  IDaily except 
Saturday.  tDaily except Monday.
Through chair  car  for  Chicago  on  9:00  a  m 
train:  no extra charge for seats.  Trains leaving 
Grand  Rapids  at  1:00  p  m  and 11:35 p  m  run 
through to  Chicago  solid.  Through  sleeping 
cars  between  Grand  Rapids  and  Chicago  on 
night  express  trains.  Through  combination 
sleeping and chair  car  between  Grand  Rapids 
and InaianapollB on night express trains.
Wagner drawing  room  buffet  cars  on  trains 
leaving  Grand  Rapids  1  p  m and Chicago 4 :«  
pm.  4:40pm  train  leaving  Chicago  connects 
with sleeper leaving Grand Rapids  11:30 p m for 
Traverse City.  The5:(-5pm  train  has  through 
free parlor car to Manistee via M.  ft N. E. R’y.
For tickets  and  Information, apply  at  Union 
Ticket Office, 67 Monroe Btreet, and Union Depot

Gen  Pass, ft Ticket A gt, Grand Rapids.

ARRIVE.

DEPART. 

De t r o it,  l a n sin g   ft  n o r t h e r n   r.  r.

Lansing  Route.
*

Express for Saginaw and Bay City—   +7:30  a 
Mall for Lansing,Detroit and East...  +7:25  a 
Express for Lansing, Detroit and East  +1:20 p 
Mail for Alma, St. Louis and Saginaw  +4:30 p 
Fast Ex. for Detroit, New York, Boston*6:2S p
Mail from Saginaw and  Bay City.  ...+11:45  a 
Mail from Lansing, Detroit and  East.+12:10  a 
Fast Express from Lansing and East.  *5:05  p 
Express from Lansing  ana Detroit...  +9:50  p 
Ex. from Saginaw, St. Louis and Alma+10:30  p m 
"Daily. 
The ahorteat line to  D etroit and  th e  East.  Elegant 
parlor cars between D etroit  and Qrand Rapids.
Solid  train s  between  Qrand  Rapids  and  Saginaw. 
Two solid trains between  Qrand  Rapids  and  Detroit, 
leaving Qrand Rapids l:*5 a m   and  6dtt  p  m,  leaving 
Detroit 1:15p m  a n d 5:00p  m. 
For tickets and inform ation, apply  a t Union  Ticket 
Office, 67 Monroe street, and  Union Depot.
Qso. Di Havs». Q an . Pees. A Ticket Agt., Qrand Rapids.

tDaily except Sunday.

_  

PA T E N T

^BLOW’S
■ ^ S H IP P IN G
BLANKS. -si'SL'V
SAMPLE  SHEET*#?PRICES
BARLOW BROS.GRAND RAPtDS.MICH

F I T   F O RA Mum

Table:

All  goods bearing the 

name  of

thurber. whyland  ft co..

OR

ALEXIS  GODILLOT, JR.

Grocers visiting New York  are  cordially invited 
to  call and  see  ns, and  if  they  wish, have  their 
correspondence addressed in our  care.  We shall 
be glad to be of use  to  them in  any  way.  Write 
us about anything you wish to know.

THtJBBCE, WHYLAND  &  00.,

West Broadway, Reade & Hudson Streeta 

New York Oity

(BEFORE  BUYING  GRATES

ret Circular and Testimonials.  N e n t  F r e e .

Economical,  Sanitanr,  Cleanly  and  Artistic.
4L0INE  FIRE  PLACE,  6RABP RAPID!, BICB.

UCTRofVPCRS 
• Stereotyped

\ 0 O & z  ir\c  C rv ^ K a v
LEAD j SkUC-  6 ibtf r
,e  "w o
M a p l e .

w ooD j.M £rA i  Furniture
Bt’CRAHO RAPIO? MICH.

i

THE  MICHIGAN  TRADESMAN. 
contained  about $25,000.  T he  neighbors 
say th a t he  was  so  elated  th a t  he  pre­
sented 
for  her 
honesty.

the  girl  w ith  $3,000 

Most of  the  family  are  dead.  Swift 
was killed,  when  intoxicated,  by  being 
thrown  from  his  horse.  Many  have 
since  searched  for  gold  coin  along  the 
banks  of  that  stream;  none  may  ever 
know  with  what  success,  or  whether 
thousands  yet  lie  hidden  beneath  the 
soil of that fruitful valley.

Addison.

Judgment as  a  Business  Factor. 

From  the American Merchant.

It is always well for a man in business, 
no matter  what  its  kind  and  character 
may be,  to cultivate  a  capacity,  to  look 
at every day events from a  practical and 
thoroughly sound standpoint.  A lack  of 
good judgment is in  all  cases  bound  to 
bring about disaster and failure.  There 
are many  men  to-day  who  would  have 
been  examples  of  successful  business 
men if they had possessed  to  any degree 
a capacity to look matters squarely in the 
face,  and  consequently  been  endowed 
with an ordinary  share  of  sound  judg­
ment.
One mistake in  a  business  has  many 
times caused  its  wreck.  Yet  there  are 
many men to-day  who pay very  little  at­
tention to trivial things,  and  are  conse­
quently being  the  victims  of  errors  of 
judgment.  Sound judgment is not alone 
required  in  dealing  with  the  customer 
across the counter, but it  is  also  a  con­
siderable factor in buying and in selling. 
It  is  an  old  story  that  a  thing  well 
bought is half  sold,  and in the matter  of

Curious  Incidents  in  California.

W ritten to r T h e  T r a d e sm a n.

(probably 

From  the  year  1836  the  writer  has 
known  much  about  California,  having 
listened with much interest when  a mere 
boy to the conversation  of those who,  as 
sailors,  visited the country in the  vicini­
ty of Los Angeles and other  points along 
the coast where the old Boston merchants 
dropped anchor off shore—there  were no 
harbors then except such  as  nature  had 
furnished—to  load 
their  vessels  with 
hides  and  tallow  and  occasionally  salt 
fish 
salmon  and  halibut). 
Since grown to manhood  he  has  visited 
almost  every county  in  that  now  great 
commonwealth,  and  has  verified  nearly 
all he had ever heard concerning it,  even 
to  visiting  the  old  Catholic  missions, 
many of which were in ruins,  and  walk­
ing  in  the  underground  vaults,  where 
the melted tallow was poured  in  by  the 
barrel until the  room  was  filled  and  it 
cooled in one solid mass,  the  dimensions 
of  a  small  room,  say  6x8  feet.  This 
method  of  preserving  the  tallow  was 
necessary on account of the  steady  heat 
of the  climate  during  the  summer  and 
the uncertainty of  selling  it  within  the 
year,  as, at that  time,  few  foreign  ves­
sels appeared on the coast.  Early in the 
present  century,  gold  and  silver  was 
paid for the tallow and  hides,  which,  in 
fact,  was  about  the  extent  of  the  pro­
ducts  exported;  later,  sugar  and  flour 
were wanted in* exchange,  as neither was 
produced in that  country.  One  Boston 
merchant and ship owner,  whose  name  I 
have forgotten, for a long  period bought 
two-thirds  of  all 
that  the  Catholic 
Fathers  held  for  sale  at  the  missions. 
From that day to the  present,  the  entire 
coast from the boundaries of  Old Mexico 
on the south to Puget Sound on the north 
has been the weird  and  wonderful  land 
of  America,  replete  with  romance  and 
mystery,  and the acknowledged  home  of 
the  earliest  races  of  the  New  World. 
Can we, then,  wonder  that  it  possesses 
an interest to the present generation sur­
passing that of any other  portion  of  the 
continent?  It is  the  coveted  Mecca  for 
all,  which to visit is the  event  of  a  life­
time. 
It is a land rich  in  all  that  per­
tains to tropical wealth,  whose future  is 
brilliant with promise. 
Its curious  inci­
dents of the past would fill  a  large  vol­
ume, only a few of which  I will produce 
here.
At  one  time  during  the  gold  excite­
ment in California,  certain kinds of  mer­
chandise were shipped to  San  Francisco 
in such quantities that they could not  be 
sold for the first cost with freight  added. 
That was somewhere between ’52 and ’54. 
A man who was  about  to  erect  at  this 
time, a three-story wooden block  of  two 
stores in San  Francisco  discovered  that 
the rock for  his  foundation  would  cost 
many thousands of  dollars,  as  labor  of 
that kind was enormously high,  and, see­
ing the large piles of nearly square pack­
ages  of  plug tobacco  being  landed,  he 
conceived the idea of using them  instead 
of stone.  Upon consulting his  architect 
it was done.  That  building  was  stand­
ing in a  fair  state  of  preservation  and 
still occupied in ’74,  and it  had  not  set­
tled more than one or two inches, neither 
was it out of  plumb.  The  entire  foun­
dation wall was  built  with  those  pack­
ages of plug tobacco,  which  any  grocer 
knows  are  nearly  as  solid  as  stone. 
They were laid in cement.  The cost was 
fully one-half less than rock  could  have 
been obtained for at  that  time.  A  man 
-by the name of Swift,  who  had  a  stock

less 

farm in the Sacramento Valley in ’48 and 
was raising cattle  for  hides  and  tallow 
ouly,  had  twelve  or  fourteen  Mexican 
Indians hired by  the  month  to  perform 
the labor required.  Swift was  poor  but 
ambitious,  and  his  Indians  were, 
in 
Darwin’s gradation, only one  or  two  re­
moves  above  the  brute  creation  and 
quite satisfied with just  enough  to  feed 
and shelter them,  for little  clothing  was 
required.  As soon as  gold  was  discov­
ered,  he left one  or  two  of  his—nomin­
ally—slaves upon the  place  to  care  for 
the  cattle,  and,  loading  half  a  dozen 
mules with provisions,  he  took  the  bal­
ance of the Indians and  set  out  for  the 
mines.  Arriving  at  a  favorable  point 
on a small stream, he set  his  Indians  at 
Work  turning  the  water  into  another 
channel,  being  his  own  foreman  and 
In 
overseer. 
than  six  months, 
Swift  had 
taken  from  the  bed  of  the 
river, by the aicfof his  Indians,  gold  to 
the  value  of  over  $600,000,  Loading 
this upon his mules,  he  set  out  for  the 
old village of Sonomia,  at  the north  end 
of  the  bay  of  San  Francisco.  Almost 
or quite in sight of this village,  in  one of 
the loveliest valleys the  sun  ever  shone 
upon,  and  sheltered from  the  ocean  by 
the coast rauge,  he  purchased  400  acres 
of land for a . small  sum  of  money  and 
proceeded to  build  himself  a  mansion, 
which,  in  point of  size and  architecture, 
should far exceed any residence  then  in 
San  Francisco. 
It  was  built  of  cut 
stone,  brought from a long distance.  The 
cost of this building  was  over  $250,000. 
He engaged one  white  man  as  overseer 
upon his  farm,  and  forever  abandoned 
his former home.  He had had 'the  bal­
ance of his gold  dust  coined,  by  private 
parties in San Francisco,'into  octagonal­
shaped  $50  gold  pieces,  which  were 
without  a  particle  of  alloy  and  were 
known  as  slugs. 
Twelve  years  ago, 
such  pieces  were  readily  sold  at  from 
12 to 20 per cent,  premium.  They were 
found to be too soft for  ordinary  use  as 
money,  and were afterward all  re-coined 
into smaller  denominations.  Thousands 
of  dollars  of  this  money  in  different 
amounts he put  into  stout  canvas  bags 
and buried in different  places  along  the 
banks  of  a  small  creek  upon  his  new 
farm.  He  did  this  for  fear  of  being 
robbed, but gave his wife a rude diagram 
of the creek  and  the  points  where  the 
bags could be found, in case of his death. 
Through  some  family  quarrel  he  soon 
became intemperate  and  profligate,  and 
his wealth dwindled rapidly away.  Soon 
after he had  buried  his  money,'a  great 
freshet swelled  the  stream  through  his 
farm almost into a river and  so  changed 
its 
it 
find  his  buried 
was 
left  him 
treasure. 
soon 
He 
always  believed 
this  overseer 
had watched him  and  had  afterward se­
cretly dug up some of the  bags,  particu­
larly as,  in a few years,  ostensibly in the 
liquor  business,  the  man  was  found  to 
have  acquired  great  wealth.  A  long 
time after this freshet occurred,  his  ser­
vant girl was wandering along  the  bank 
of the stream when the water  was at  its 
lowest and saw  something  glistening  at 
the bottom in the sunlight.  She thought 
it had the appearance of  gold and,  upon 
examination,  she picked out  four  or  five 
$50 gold slugs  from  the  sand.  On  her 
return to the  house  and  exhibiting  the 
coin,  Swift at once proceeded  to  invest)' 
gate the banks  of  the  stream  and  soon 
unearthed one of his  canvas  bags  which

course  and  appearance 
impossible 

His  overseer 
this 

occurred. 

after 

that 

that 

to 

y

15
buying,  the man who is  influenced solely 
by sound judgment  very  rarely  commits 
an error,  whereas the  man  who  has  no 
reliance  upon  himself  and  who  is  not 
possessed of that happy faculty of clearly 
examining all  the  conditions which bear 
upon the situation,  is apt to  fall  into er­
rors which might result in loss, if  not  in 
bankruptcy.  Carelessness is responsible 
for as many failures  in  business  as  al­
most anything else, and if we look around 
and see what is the cause  of  many  fail­
ures,  we will  find that they have been  al­
most  entirely  the  result  of  errors  and 
judgment.
To judge correctly the  merchant  must 
be well informed.  He must have  a  ca­
pacity to  take  in  at  a  glance  all  the 
bearings  of  the  situation;  and  he  can 
only do this by commencing early in  life 
and  thoroughly  weighing  over  the  va­
rious causes and effects which  are  daily 
brought to his attention.  The  merchant 
who  cultivates  good  judgment  will  al­
ways  have  a  better  chance  of  success 
than one who neglects to.

He  Had  Been Treated.

“Well,  Jim,  what’s  happened ?  ■  To 
look at your coat and that  stove  pipe of 
yours,  a  stranger  would  naturally sup 
pose  you  had  taken a couple  of  horns 
this morning.”
“You guessed it  the first time, Martin, 
but they cost me  nothing.  As  I  came 
down  the  road,  I  was  interviewed  by 
Smith’s bull.”

A Genuine Difference.

From  H arper’s Bazar.

“Has your wife gone shopping?”
“Pm  afraid  not. 

I’m  afraid  she’s 

gone buying.”

T i l ©   “ H O M E   R

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WARREN,  OHIO.

A T   W H O L E S A L E   B Y

F oster, Stev en s & Co.,  Grand  Rapids. 
“
Curtiss & Co., 
Oln ey & J udson Grocer Co.,  “
Gu n n Ha r d w a r e Co., 
“
Geo.  C.  We t h e r b e e & Co.,  Detroit. 
F le tc h er,  J e n e s & Co., 
E.  F.  P er c iv a l,  P o rt H uron.
D.  Robeson, 
“
Robson Bros., Lansing.

“

Dan d t,  Watson  &  Co.,  Saginaw.
Wel ls-Stone Mebct.  Co., 
W a lz  & Ke l l e r, 
G.  W.  B ru sk e, 
J ennison & Co., Bay City.
W a lsh & E dinbobough, W.  Bay City.
H.  D.  W ood  & Co., Toledo.
Dunscomb & Co., 
“
S t a l l b e r g  & Cl a p p ,  “

“
“
“

F.  J.  D E T T E N T H A L E R ,

T'ETE  M I C H I G A N   T R A D E S M A N .

JOBBER  OF

Pennsylvania  Lnlnai's.

The  best  fitting  Stocking  Rub­
bers in the market.  A  full line of 
Lycoming Rubbers on hand.  Try 
them.
GEO. H  SEEDER & CO.,

State  A gents for 

LYCOMING  RU BBER   CO.

158  and  160  East  Fulton  Street.

Mail Orders Receive Prompt Attention. 

See Quotations in Another Column.

CONSIGNMENTS  OP  ALL  KINDS  OP  WILD  GAME  SOLICITED.

C U R T I S S   &   CO.,

WHOLESALE

Paper  Warehouse.

FLOUR  SACKS,  GROCERY  BAGS,  TWINE  AND  WOODEN  WARE.

W M . S E A R S  & CO.,

Craeker  Manufacturers.

8 7 ,  8 9   a n d   41 K e n t St.,  G rand  R a p id s.

________________ 68  MONROE  STREET. 

»House and Store Shades Made tolOrder.

Wall  Paper  and Window  Shades.
N E L SO N   BROS. &  CO.,
Muskegon Cracker Co
1  Connection  with  Any  Cracker  M

L A R G E S T  
457,  459,  461,  463  W.  WESTERN AVENUE, 

CRACKERS,  BISCUITS  AND  SWEET  GOODS.

S P E C I A L   A T T E N T I O N ^  P A I D   T O   M A I L   O R D E R S .

- 

MUSKEGON,  MICH.

____________

V A R IE T Y  IN  T H E  S T A T E

S.  K.  BOLLES. 

E.  B.  DIKEMAN.

S. K .  H o lie s  ¿t  Co.,
W h o lesale  C igar  D ealers.

77  CANAL  ST..  GRAND  R APIDS,  MICH.

“ T O S S   U P ! ”

The  “ TOSS  U P”  Cigar  is  not a competitor 
against  any  other 5c brands, but all 10c brands, 
because  it  is  equal  to  any  10c  cigar  on  the 
market.

,

W e   q u o te  th e  fo llo w in g   p rices  on   N o.  4 
ta g s, d e liv e r ed   to  a n y   e x p r e ss office or jo b b in g  
h o u se   in  th is  city:

1 ,0 0 0  
2 ,0 0 0  
8 ,0 0 0  

-  
-  
-  

$ 1 .6 0
2 .8 0

4 6 0

W e   c a r r y   a ll  o th er  sizes  o f  ta g s  a n d   c a n   fill 

o rd ers  o n   sh o r t  n o tice.

T h e  T r a d e s m a n  

G R A N D   R A P ID S .

DON’T  SCATTER  YOOR  FIRE, OR  WASTE  COSTLY  AMMUNITION
UNNECESSAR1LY--DECIDE  UPON  WHAT  YOU  WANT,THEN  REACH  FOR  IT.
H ERE  IT  I S !  A N D   W E  GIVE  THEM AW AY F R E E !  They  are  dollars 
and cents to you, Boxes and Barrels are  good in their place, but these Cabinets dress up your store, 
and cost you nothing.  They are made  by regular Cabinet  Makers at a slight expense over the cost 
of  making  Boxes, consequently we  can  use  them  instead  of  the  old-tumbled-down-Barrels  and 
worthless  boxe-.  These  Cabinets  are  beautifully Panelled, Painted  and Varnished.  Their use in 
the store is apparent.  Tlie  *50 lb.  Cabinet  is  m ade  particularly  for  the  Counter 
Shelf;  the  lOO  lh.  Cabinets  to  take  th e  place  o f  the  unsightly  Barrels  so 
often  seen  on  the  floor.  To  secure these Cabinets  you have only to buy your Bulk Boast­
ed Coffee of the Woolson Spice Co., or order through your Jobber.  You assume no risk for we fully 
guarantee the Coffee to  give  perfect satisfaction. 
It will cost  you only one cent for a Postal Card 
addressed to the Woolson Spice Company, Toledo, Ohio, for Price-list of Boasted Coffee in Cabinets.

THIS CABINET HOLDS 50 lbs 

ff^LION  COFFEE  NOT  SOLD  IN  THESE  CABINETS.~9l 

J|||§ CABINET HOLDS 100 IbS.

