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Is the SECRET INaUISITION a CUESE or a BENEFIT? n.v rrioM.vs ku.v.vcis Mi^'.Affiiiou. A Partiiil epitome of the special and wholly novel infoiinntion couveycd by this Volnnio will show its great value to Merehivnts iind Traders, who have so 1<>U|^ and so fruitlessly l)orne the Ageney tax and sutlered from the Agency System's mis-reports, maHce, and misrepresentation. The following Skxsible Reasons will convince all business men why the Work slioulil lie read by them and cireuhited for their own protection. I. Ir SHOWS how pretended Agency information is coUecteil.- -How unblemished Chamctor may be smirched and abundant Capital depreciated by Volunteer Masked Correspouilents, Shysti;r unpaid Ijawyers, and wortbless, malicious, and jealous Itival Traders. The Grand Iiuiuisition of th(^ Churches— The etl'ect of lleligious bigotry and I'oHtical bias. Instances. I'agcs 13, 24, 2'). 41, (\2, 71, 7'2, 106. 11 Ir SHOWS how •' Uatings" are made up ami '• Doi'tored "—How Agency Mana- gers •' l)orrow " from Merchants How Misdemeanant clerks pass from Jails to tlie Counter How Crt'ditmeu live like Secri'laries of War on ostensible salaries of $1,5 per week. Pages 38, 3'J, Id, 411, 44, 4.">, .".;1, IXi. III. It SHOWS how ■• Bogus" Capitalists are created and bolstered up — How real ones refusing to IJribe are run down How suits for Libel are terminatecl. Figures and Facts, cirenastantially stated, with Names and Dates. It also slu)ws the Danger of imparting any Information to agencies, or entering into the League. Pages 31), 47 4!), .")!, r>2, t)-2, «3, (i6, 67, 104, llo, IM, 165. IV. It shows liow SubHcrihors iiro syKtotnnticivlly bctrnvfcl in thiir Ciistdiiurs; liow thoir InquirioB i\re dinclosi'd to cdiiiiifliii)^ 'rrmlcrs ; Imw Siil)sciilit'rsiir(: oiieiily Iluted luul priviitely TrfKluccd; I'ow Faiiiil.y ScimdulH uro iiiixdt; unTcluuidiKt' o)'; how Criini's arciinpiiti'd iiml Iiiitnorilitics iisscrtod mid sprcail on rocord to '.Tutify MalipoorsiTvi' u JliisincHs purpose. Mow to Rcforiii tlio "Systi.in '' without .VboIiHliin;,' it. I'li^jfs 18, 71, 72, !)M, 99, lOO. y. It shows !iow Friiiidiili'Ht ('(iiitr:ii'ts arc iiiadi' wirli Siihs(iil)c'rs ; how Liability lor Kals(! Iiifnriiiation is soiif^ht to hcsMT'//// i,'uardf'd ni^'aiiisl ; How .Si cn't ("iri'iilars an; issiKul privately to A'^'iMiry Maiia'^crs, ti'acliiiiL; l.h''iii to iJci'i'ivc SubsorilnTs ; how Siibsi-rilii'rs may recover direct from .\;4eiicics, for Losses and Hud Faith. .V Test Case is f,'iveii eoiitaiuiiJ^' : -I'A'ideiiee ot Witnesses : Art^nnniits of Counsel ; Cliar^,'e ot' thi' •hidfie and Verdift of tlie Jury — an ^-' ^-^i '^•^i l'"''*- VII. !r SHOWS The '• Seer<'t Hlaek Ijists " containing' the initials ot ten thousand mereliants' names well llateil in the Itefereneo IJooks, and Di'fjraded in tln^ Secret Reports; of other thousands deserving hi'_!h l!alin'_'s. anil Pepreciated to Zero, Pri- vate character as a Sinv.k in Trade. How tlie Trallic miy bi' prevented. .\ permanent Ueinedy .md costless D.-fense. Pa'.,'es 107. PJ'.t, 1(12, l(;il, lf.7, Ki'.), 170, 171. VIII. —It shmws how Trade Pnnies are brouj,dit about ; how the A^jeneies are the princiiial Disturbers and Falsifiers ; how hundreds of thousands have been lost by a lew False Words — Facts. How Settled ( 'omnieree or Safe Trading' is impossibl(> where the system exists without Le^'al Itestraint ; How leadiu),' Merchants and liankers denounci' the "system." Pa.!«s .",1, r,2, !tl, '.12, '.tl, '.t."), Ki.S, ICl, Km. /_ a^> ^ , /OZ^^^^c \>> ^X_.#«-^,» n Ly ^ , vS •^ b l^UJJLTC optNio:s YeRDICT of the PrE33 OJS the i^OOK. (A. F" ID 'W E :5^T:FL A.OTS.) '•Tlic liook is l)i;;iiitifiill.v l)Muiiil ami priiitoil. Tii ciiiiiiiicrciiil iiii'ii it. U iiiii">rl;iiil iiml in- IcrcHliiitf."— /7»' liriti.tli. Wliiij, Kiiiiislon, I'liiiiulii, Tol). ^4111, Is'ii, Mr. Mcut'licr wrilo^ us if fully In iMrni'st, iiml jjivt's iiaiueH, date-) ami diMalls in snp|M>rt of Ills iisscrljoii-^. His hook Is oik; wjiicli is liouiul to (Teate a ^tl•oat sonsatlon In I'Verv imsiniMs center In llic coniitrv. ;is every Mefcliunt. .Maniir;ietnrer ami frader is deeply intcreslnij In the sniiiect of wlliell lie treats. — /Vie riltslinfijli, Coiiiiaeri-iiil, Kidi. '^4111, IsTii, lis taiile of c(>ok."— '/"//I' Mdil, Toronto. Kelt, iuli, IsTu. The exposition i-i :i tlioronirli and r~eeiiis to he an hoin'st one. There Is little donhr, we pro- snnie, hul that the ^Ij' ini-nts inadt; are correct : indoeil, they are hackecl np hy citations of facts ami lli^nres ihatcnnm.i he ri'^isted.— Kcc/im/;/ rriins'n'iii, lloston, I'eh. j.dli, IsTH. Never was the word ■ I'.xposed " in its ailverso sense nseil with more ii|i|)osilf. .1.. I'eh. jiiiii. \>'<\. This is an alariuiiiir i .'■/'".<(' ami should (rlanii the atleiili(Ui .if every iue-is char- iicter and siiindinir are id the mercTof ihese nirencles. The work, no doubt, will he much sonnht alter by merchiinis and oilier business men. — Tin- S'nrfitlk l.'iirtniurK; I'eh. I'Ttli, IsTC. The work Is wrillen in a terse ami iMUstic style, and will iiilerest subscriheis to tin.' iiifeii- cies. — liiiih/ A'yis, lirooklyn, I'eli. Jstli, |s7n. Cn. We liuvr known tlicBo iiittinclP!* to put men in 'lie city down ns liclnir wortli J1(ki,(kki, wlio iit the time WL-ri> imlillcly known to Im' liiinkni|it, iiii<4eM the vliluiii.v oi' ihest- Men'untllc Akrondcs Is an opportuni' imok iind should lie put- ronl/.ed liy ImslncHs mvw.—lhiily 'Mvgruiih. DiilniqiH-, lowu, I'Vii. '^intli, l"'T'i.'' 'I'hoH. Knini'ls Mcavlier has written a very alile liook, ilarini.' in llMassiTllotisalid reniarkalily cxhuiistive in Its re.scarrlii'N and lnvi'sti(;alliy every Imsiniss man In the commu- Mlly.— />((//(/ /,'r(;ii'/((/ Triiri'lii; llosloii, Mar. 'Jd, IsTii. The Hook is a powerlnl and elaiiorate attack on liars, lilackmallers and disseminators o( utterly unrclialile Information at extortionate prices, as pc^is, nnisanccsaiid tcrrorj/cr.s of the ImslnesH comiininlty. it is liy liis liunrcH and not liy Ids < liarttes, thai Mr. Mcairin'r makes the ino.st eirective attack on the credit ot liie Airencies. With such facts to liack him it Is not sur- prising that he should he ahle to make a stroni; l)ook. Tlie hook is allo^rcthi r one i alcidati-d to produce a decided sensation.- >';"'"'!'."'''' (Mas.i.) Iinili/ Inhm, Mar. -d. Isth. lie attacks the Systt^m from every standing' poliii and in the most M^/orous and nnei|nlvocal iniinner, lie mentions names without Hcrnple ami does not lu'siiati' to make InsiniiationH churning inlentlomil framl and hrihery. It is claimed that the rating's are luaile Uy Incompetent and ungcrnpuloiiH clerks at tlie main olllce, and that the standni); ol dealers is tampered ^^ llh ro)!ar(llcsH of conseqiiencen. lie (piote.scopionsl.N Iroiii the .Secret Special Iteports. — rncn Morn- inu UtriiUt, Mar. .id, is7«. Tlie hook Is Well written nnd makes smne dainaKinir cliar;,'es aj:alnHl the system whosi> utter worthle8sness it professes to expose, it certain^ |ire.sents a foniiidahle hill of iiidiitmelit agalust tlie ('oinnierclal .\«encles.— /Vii' Chroniflr uiui Si-nihwl, .\ilanta, tia., .Mar. :;il. fiTD. "This is an inlclll);ent examination of tiie chilms ol the (^)ommeriial .Xuency .System, and our opinion of tlic work is well expressed In the uuthur's prel'ai'e."' (Mere follows un article too long to quote). Vhivugit Ti)iii:i, Mar. 4th, l.sTii. The charges made against these instituti(».''(' seems to he a i;oinplete one, and will no do. iht occasion the Comi»aiiies at whom it is leveled conshlerahic dilllcnlty to clear up.— r/ic C'/ico/t/c/c, WaHlilngton, 1>. I'., .Mar. litli, isTii. He asserts tiukt the .System Is had to the core, and the volume is full of evidence in support of tills allegation.— *')/•/(/»{/ V/imniclr, Halifax, N. .S. Mar. 1. ISTO. The book is invaluable to the husiness puhlie wiiose creilit lias been an article of traile and barter with Commercial Agencies for years past.— -IcAyi/i.vk.s tidzitic, l.lttle liock, I'eh. i'ltli, ls"U. Mr. Meaglicr strikes right and left at the .\geiicies, attacking, however, the system more than particular ilrnis engaged In It. The great niimhcr of persons who depeuil upon the .Agen- cies for Information will doubtless llnd tills hook interesting.— V/ic Kri'iiiini .Uail, New York. March Hth, lsT6. The Secret lilack Lists of the .System, are piihlished in part, exliihiiiug the concerns which are continually underrated and misreported l)y the several agencies. Certainly. Mr. .Meagher makes out u i))'i/ii. Thousands of commendatory letters have been received since the puhlicathm of the book, from leading .Merchants, and several distinguished Hank Presidents and otiiers have verbally stated: "Our husiness and business likeonis is ^ S'. U to n n PQ n PQ n o hi .... TO MY READERS. An intelligent examination of tl'c . laims of tho Commercial Af^cney Bystcni, now Hci'kinK permanent incorporation into tlu; Inisiness lift- of tlic United HtatoH and Canada, and refused liospitality or enconraj^enient evcry- wlierc else, has l)een a want lonj,' felt l)y the business men of both countries. Up to the present moment, no one, whether from hick of facilities or de- ficiency of information, or a jjrudent disinclination to en<^astituted sophistry for reasoning. From the men who find their profit in tlie Agency system, favorable opinions are not expected. In- deed, their bitter o))position is desired, and, so far as possible, anticipated. The silversmiths of Ephesus naturally favored image-worship; and the iconoclast need not look for reward or commendation from the devotcjes and beneficiaries of impostun;. But just in jiroportlon to the violence and unreason of deeply and selfishly interested persons should be tlM; desire of the press and the general public to assure the Avriter a fair anlan from a mere col- lection of evidences of wrong-doing into a ready handlmok of means for reparation. We felt it was not snough to put the trading public on itH guard, and that we should go farther and place it in a position to retrieve loss and assert the rights of reputation. Heside the facts given in the text, a first instalment of the names of merchants depreciated in capi- tal or character will be found in the Appendix. This list will bo increased in future editions. A complete one would entail the publication of a book ten times the »'v/.c of the present one, and place it at a ])ri('e which would greatly curtail the circulation (for the present, at least) of the more im- portant part of the publication. To the trading public, more than to ony special eflorts of our own, the results of the agitation inaugurated heroin will be mainly due. The individual merchant who discovers in the follow- ing pages, for the first time, his best defence against attem])ted or successful libel, will naturally assist in circulating tho book in self-defence ; but it is respectfully submitted that what would be a wise self-interest in the instance of such a person is a just precaution or a judicious preventive for every one who expects to lead a successful commercial career, and to enjoy the un- impaired confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Thk Autiiok. New-York, January H, 1870. , w ^■ fr N O T ICE TO THE VOLUNTKKIl CORUKSPONDENTS or THE MKRCANTILE AND COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. HE AuTItOK. WiiKN lie rominrnrpd tlio publirntinn of thiH work, tho writer (iropoactl to in.<*crt in thv A|))ion(Iix tlio nnmcH of the known rorrospondcntn of tlio novoral AffoncirH. M'liilHt it wiis puHHiiifj tliroimh tho \itvb», ho lenrninl that lurfjo niriibers of tlit-st! jierHonH woro ulruady nMliunied of tho bunincoH, ft-urful of ex- ])08iire, and, for other reasonH, droppinj;; out of nHSociation witli tho AguncieH. It occurn>r. 1 Albany, N. Y ..............!. 223 Atlanta, Ga ^^. Auburn, N. Y „" Baltimore, Md „„„ •o -, 42b Bangor, Me ^^^ Binghamton, N. Y 229 Boston, Mass „„„ Buffalo. N.Y '""^".^'.".".1""'.!!!;!!! ;;■;;; ■;;;■■■■ 232 Burlington, Iowa „„,. Camden, N.J '.". oS Charleston, S. C f . chicagMii '.y^y.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.y.'.'.'. ^ Cincinnati, O Clevelaud.O T:' Columbus, O V. 040 Davenport, la 343 Dayton, O .......!!!....!".!.! 243 Denver, Col ^ Detroit, Mich 246 Dubuque, la " " *^"e.pa ;:: If Evansvillo, Ind ZZ Fall River, Mass „ Galveston, Texas ~.^ Grand Rapids. Mich '. ^I!, Halifax, N. S ■■". "n Hamilton, Ont ^'t Hartford, Ct '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. ot, Houston, Texas ' ' ~.!' Indianapolis, Ind o,. . Jersey City, N. J ..'.'.'.".'.'.'.'.".".'.'.'.'...'. .".".'." ".'. 255 Kansas City, Mo I_, ' «00 iawrence, Mass 2^7 Leavenworth, Kan n^^ XIV CONTENTS. PAOR Lockport, N. Y 258 Louisville, Ky 258 Lowell, Mass 250 Lyun, Mass 260 Manchester, N. H 261 Meniphie, Tenn 261 Milwaukee, Wis 262 Mobile, Ala 264 Montreal, Que 265 Nashville, Tenn 266 Newark, N. J 267 New-Haven, Ct 267 New-Orleans, La 269 Norfolk, Va 270 Oswego, N. Y 271 Paterson, N.J 271 Philadelphia, Pa 272 Pittsburgh, Pa 274 Portland, Me 276 Portland, Or 277 Poughkecps'e, N. Y 278 Providence, R. 1 278 Raleigh, N. C 280 Richmond, Va 281 Rochester, N. Y 282 Sacramento, Cal 283 San Francisco, Cul 284 Savannah, Ga 286 Scranton, Pa 287 Springfield, Mass 288 St. John, N. B ^88 St. Joseph, Mo 289 St. Louis, Mo 290 St. Paul, Minn 291 Syracuse, N. Y 291 Toledo, 292 Toronto, Ont 293 Trenton, N. J 294 Troy.N.Y 294 Utiea, N. Y 295 Washington, D. C 296 Wilmington, Del 297 Worcester, Mass 298 THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. CHAPTER I. PRELIMINARY. '* Business Society" — in the largest sense, the inter-communi- cation of civilized man for admitted purposes of protection, protit, and culture — is a phrase representing an infinitely complex activity ; hut its definition, for the purposes of this Avork, may be properly expressed by calling it " that body of men who live by traffic in each other's goods, and protit or lose by reliance on each other's integrity." The earliest recorded commercial transaction, involving money, is that in the Book of Genesis, 33 : li), where Jacob is re- ported to have bought " a part of a field from the children of Ilamor for a hundred pieces of money." Barter, exchange of commodity, must have been general, however, during the lifetime of Adam, and, either toward the close of his life, or very soon after it, must have reached a condition of fixed valuer suited tu the wants of his inunediate descendants ; for we beiriu to lind the V, ord /leslta/i — which means, indifferently, "a lamb" or a ''por- tion " — used as a standard among them : so many lambs, so much laud. When the purely shepherd character changed into the more fixed j)atriarchal form, ''flocks" came to l)e a means of com- parison Ai ith '' herds," and cattle and oxen signified relative values. From tlio thing itself to the symbol was the next step. One piece of money was marked with an ox ; and thus money, as a represen- tative and medium of exchange, took its names and devices from the first subjects of commerce. A circulating medium may be anything, provided it be a current representative of value. In the Birmaii Empire, tin ; on the coast THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. of Africa, shells; in the interior of the ctitu- tions. The steamboat, the railmiid train, the telegraph, thr tide- water canals, all conspired to (piicken enter[»rise, to enlarge com- mercial relations, to make one seat of special activity promptly re- spond to the excitements ami lluctuatitjus of other seats of energy or capital : and hence arose the necessity, with increased population w THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. and production, for more extended markets, for more intimate ac- quaintance with the resources of traders and tlie character of go- betweens ; and witli these came the want of some authentic, or approximately authentic, substitute for the old-time restricted and personal inquiry of the individual merchant into the integrity and means of his proposed customers. Wiicn Astor's agents bartered for peltries with the Indian and French habitans, he drove a cash business, and his agents had no occasion to inquire into the existence of a capital which they could see and touch whenever they chose ; but when checks, bills of ex- change, and promissory notes passed into general vogue as com- mercial substitutes for the issues of the First National Bank, and indicated the expanding energies of invested capital in forcing a market, it became the interest of producers to acquire a knowledge of the resources of the makers, drawers, and indorsers. The earliest effort in this direction was by means of what are now known as Commercial Travellers — persons in the employment of a particular house, and accustomed to give the result of their investigation to the particular merchant for whom they worked. This method was expensive. It compelled two or more business firms in the same city to pay twice within a year for practically the same information. It had a further drawback in the eagerness of these travellers to sell under a risk, and so deserve either an in- crease of salary or an increased commission on sales. These allow- ances made, the device was suflicient for the occasion. While the American Hercules was yet engaged in his earliest feats of con- scious power and bcneticence ; while the internal seas, lakes, and rivers of the country were throbbing with new forces, and distant coniniunities coming together to traffic in the long and slowly-ac- cumulated wealth of the Arcadian age ; Avhen to go or to be in debt, except for a brief period, or without resources treble its amount, was accounted madness or dishonesty, — a post-office address was as assuring as a deed of trust, and a man's full Christian name almost tlio business eipiivalcnt of a chattel mort- gage. In such a state of society the casual traveller served his purpose well enougli ; and what he failed hx Avas amply compensat- ed for by the strict old-time determination to pay the last penny in satisfaction of an obligation. Even the law was rather a re- served than a used corrector and collector of unsettled accounts. THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. The East (tliero was, pvoi^orly spcakiiii^, no "West tlicn) sold and tlio South buiif^ht ; and tliu year's end found the balances adjusted and the temporary debtor a desired customer for tlic next year. Wliut has more recently come to be called " Southern honor" had its ori^^in in these justified confidences, and the commercial travel- ler was quite sufficient for all the demands arising out of them. I'lit the spirit of change entered into the people with the new discoveries. It soon seemed barbarous to imprison for misfortune ill business, when speculation and energy, in tossing the dice of desperate chances, came to be regarded an individual honor and a national characteristic. The etatntcs in reference to arrest and imprisonment sensibly relaxed in several States. A bankru])t law followed. Tiic introduction, outside of cities, of doulde-boltcd doors, of burglar-proof safes, of a more general carrying of arms on the person, typified the growing sense of insecurity and the re- ccdenco of confidence. Some new contrivance had to bo impro- vised to meet the new conditions of socictv. The formation of an association of merchants in New-York was the first step; the next was the joiut appointment of a common agent, S. P. Church, to secure and forward weekly reports of the condition and business relations of merchants dealing or proposing to deal with the metropolis. His letters were copied and distributed among the members ; were afterward printed, for greater expedi- tion ; and, finally, Avere bound and preserved nnder the title of "Church's Reports," Mr. Church was succeeded in the business by his brother, John It. Church. Lewis Tappan followed John II. Woodward and Dusenberry next entered the field ; and in 184:2 the feeble voices of two competing bureaux of Business Intel- ligence might be heard in New- York, only to be increased, some years later, by the addition of Bradstreet's, piped for a time on the banks of the Ohio, and transferred to the Hudson in tho faith and trust of attaining a lustier pitch and more profitable perfection. "We have traced the need, and introduced the applied remedy. "We admit the need. We deny the efficacy of the remedy. 6 THE COMMEUCIAL AGENCIES. CHAPTER II. THE PRIMAFA(;iE DIFFICUr/riKS OF SAFK INQTIIRY— TIIK SPE- CIAL DEFECT.S OF INVESTIGATION BY BUUEAIJX Oil IN MASS. LiFio iiipuranec i.s based on tlio certainty of death to a ])arti(;n- lar nuiuber of men in a particnlar j)criod. Tlie Kortlianiptdn tables are found, by lon<^ experience, to be ecpiivaleiit to a matlie- matical demonstration of this nundjcr. But who can formulate solvencies or insolvencies? or, if this can not bo done in the mass, who could affix the term of either to any particular man or firm ? Qnetelet, in his /Su?' r/iomme, has shown a recurring scries of crimes, preserving a close approximation to uniforinity (jf number in a given period, but he reaches the result by considering crimes as deeds of violence and, of course, the effective cause of death, and not as mere breaches of moral or statutory law. In other words, he takes the same known certainty of death as the TVoi'th- ainpton tables, and merely differentiates, with the aid of census and prison reports, from the result of violence to the variety of methods of its illustration. But there never can bo a Taljle of Fraud compiled or loga- rithms of insolvency perfected. In its very essence the former is elusive, and, resting in intent more than in consequences, human ingenuity would be taxed in vain to seize it, in any stage of pro- gress or develoi">mcnt, in the individual or in the conunnnity ; whilst the latter, as it may be the result of a single bad bargain, as well as of a succession of bad bargains, or the incalculable acts of others, is no less incapable of calculation. No system can bo devised, therefore, to overcome, or accurately anticipate, condi- tions and circumstances so complex and variable. In life in- surance, besides, the insurer proceeds not only on the proved average oi deaths in a community, but he secures a scientific opin- ion of the state of health of the applicant at the time of his ap- Be TUE SYSTEM EXPOSED. plication. ("((iiKtitutional iiialudiL'S arc nvulily (liscovcrod. Apti- tiult'i', or c(Hir a Cochin- China madness; a " put," a "call," or a "turn" have become a general language and express a general activity. In the era of kuee-broeches and silver buckles, pL'()j)le pointed at a wageror in tho few stocks then in vogue as a man apart from tho ways of men. To-day the ditliculty Avould bo to show a man who is not a wagerer on the possibility of a possibility — a secret thrower of tho dice of chance — a tossing Bull or a stjueezing Boar of some Stato or minucipal security, ])referred railroad, mining or manufac- turiniir stocks. There mav bo no account of his transactiminercial f rs ago, the ^ pitalist in f- unes, and el )m of two '■> its of this f % md doubt f lould not t the dual liter class. THE SYSTEM EXP0ST2D. 11 Its progeny arc recklessness, desperation, shame, and ruin. In- dulged in, at first, as a contrast to the even tenor of conjugal love ; persisted in afterwards from a sense of choosing l)ct\vecn the evil of loss and the disgrace of exposure, but always a source of })rcsent prodigality, and an inducement to hazardous ventures pro- mising large returnr,, the meretricious relationship affects the busi- ness community more than all other causes (■oml)ined. The ex- penses of tlio admitted home may be estimated by the careful creditor at all times, and curtailed by the debtor in emergencies. The exactions of the hidden liospice of lust are under the direc- tion of the imps of whim and caprice, a^^d arc only certain to be uncei'tain, sure to be selfish and jn'ofligatcly persistent. Worse than wine, worse than faro, the hidden lia'mon corrodes and crushes the man of business. Faro may select one from thou- sands to load with a special luck ; wine nuiy make fi-iends who shall prove of service in the day of trouble ; but Lais, never com- pensative, hastens to plant the poppy of forgetfulness over her latest victim, and celebrates his ruin l)y advertising it to his suc- cessor. Personal and family cxtraA'agancc in dress and living is an- other subject of consideration in estimating business risks. It is undoubtedly cairied to great excess, but it is under the restraint of publicity, and therefore subject to approximate computation. It is not always voluntary or a proof of poor business habits, the thriftiest and most prudent often submitting to it from necessity, and iruiking up for prodigality at the house by parsimony at tho store. Again, is not this the era of show ? and how can we always bo positive that the front pew at the church, for a fabulous price, or tho sumptuous entertainment, or the costly equipage, are not so many judicious advertising tricks, and well calculated to lead to business advantages in extremity, or even go far to compensate for restricted capital ? All these subjects must, in one form or another, enter into tho calculations of the circumspect seller. They should be considered carefully by the agencies, if agencies are to attempt supplanting individual investigation. In this connection, incpiiry, to bo etK- ciont, must be impersonal, dispassionate, direct as possible, and thoi'ough. Is it ? Not at all. The chance phrase of some chance accpiaintaace is picked up by tho readiest or most attentive ear. ^ 12 THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. It may mean a fast life with abundant means, a fast life -withont means, or a fast tendency, Avitli the higlicst commercial standing and integrity. To Deacon Sniveller, of the basement, a Park outfit is proof of coining bankruptcy in the case of Solomon Lighthcarl, of the first lloor front. An equal expenditure for the support of "The IIouic for able-bodied Pharisees" would insure a very different interpretation. "What is mere energy and dash to the critic of forty years is darc-devilism and recklessness of the worst kind to the eye of sixty or seventy years. AVeston, without explanation, is oidy a " tramp," and Bennett unexplained, with hisyachts and wagers and walking matches, is only a younger Jim Mace, with the Herald newspaper thrown in. So controlling and important arc these shallower judgments of the tattlers of trade, which the agencies represent, that the heartiest, the purest, and the financially strongest men are obliged to resort to a self- protecting hypocrisy and make-believe in their exterior life and bearings. From these persons, too, rather than from the straight- laced, churches receive their best aids and charity finds her most munificent benefactors. By a further and parallel necessity, almost every great business scandal and fraud recently broached and practised has had a religious phase to it. Howard's Washington Steeple rested on the empty vaults of the Freedtnan's Savings Bank. The Clergyman's Retreat in Lake Erie prefigured the bank- rupt glories of Ogonfz. And almost all the wildest or least-prin- cipled of the disciples of Mammon, from Fisk and Gould to Cooke and Clews, raised temples to Christ in veriest mockery of the Nazarcne. "VVe have indicated a few of the obstacles to any kind of accu- racy in business estimates ; we proceed to notice the one above all others which produces inaccuracy and injustice. Any one who has read the reports of the agencies knows that they are suffused with the essential essence of the spirit of Cant. Liquorish praise or deadly ichor Jistiiiguishes them. That set of men who may be classed as the old maids of the sex, whoso spleen is greater than their judgment, and their active malice greater than both, are the fact and surmise gatherers and the true authors of these under- mining commentaries. Their test is a simple one : Is he a church member in good standing? Does he subscribe to the Tract So- ciety, direct a Sunday-school, help in a choir ? In either event a L.2i THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 13 ifo witliont s her most sity, almost ached and \rashington I's Savings 1 the bank- least-prin- Gould to nockorv of d of accu- one above y one Avho e suffused »rish praise ho may be cater tlian th, are tlie ose inider- e a church Tract So- er event a cheery certificate passes. Lesser claims to piety arc also recognized, but in a descending scale. An " A 1 " heathen will generally be found to bear, in the private archives, a worse financial character than the struggling " brotlier." It is not alone the tendency of the shrewdest and most politic business men to anticipate hostile cant by acquiring a church membership. The owners and city and country reporters of the agencies affect the same judicious show of moral pretence. JVLKillop, of McKillop & Spraguc Co., acts as pastor to a congre- gation at Flatbush, L. I., in a church partially erected and wholly supported by him. The admitted reason of his ministration is to save the expenses of a regular clergyman. The profane allege that it is to preserve, in fullest opportunity of weekly iteration, the standing advertisement of his own godliness and contributions, Tupper, of Dun, Barlow & Co., carries his mortified body — at- tenuated by many fasts and vigils — across the rapt visions of the Seventh Avenue United Presbyterian congregation. Anderson, of the same agency, is an active Methodist and hot revivalist, Wiman was a rigid Presbyterian in Toronto, a Baptist in Mon- treal, and is now an Episcopalian on Staten Island. It used to bo the pride and boast of Tappan, the foster-father of the system, that he retained no man in his employment avIio was not a church member, and who could not give the text of the Sunday sermon. The device is a natural one. In all ages the shrines of piety possessed a special attraction to the most adventurous spirits. Silly nobles, weak kings, here and there, attemptcrl to es'jap3 oblivion by a stained window, a tapestry-lined chancel, or an en- during sculpture ; but the most lavish givers have always boon the boldest getters, from tlie Borgias of Florence to the church- building Plantngonets and Tiidors of England. The comment holds good in our own time. The chnrch not raised on tlie proKt of adulterated food, watered stocks, or a well-timed " corner" sel- dom or never rises outside the granger districts of our God-fearing society. Science is the beneficiary of the successful literary or professional man. Humanity or philanthropy attracts the ingots of the honest and humane. The religion of rewards and punish- ments secures the greater portion of the deceitful favors of the profitably time-serving and advantageously corrupt of every trade and calling. u THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. In these cliurch associations, mainly, tlio agencies procure their private history of husiness men. You may live long next door to a city merchant without knowing his private history. Belong to the same church with him, or know a brother who belongs to it, and your greatest difficulty will soon bo to cut off or lessen the flow of scandal which the connection pours by imknown processes out of his home and into yours, and vice versa. The agencies dabble in these waters of bitterness for want of better. They must accept the measures in which they are meted out or go unrcfreshed. The blind, the halt, and the lame, in the outside world's opinion, here drop their defects and crutches and go forth new men. The hearty, and upright, and straightforward, in the outside world's opinion, arc admonished and soon made to feel their unworthiness. The results to character are astounding judged from anon-church standard; but they are certain, and con- tribute more to the tone and temper of agency opinion and litera- ture than the inquisitiveness of the press, the disclosures of the courts, or the loquacity of traders, combined. Let us not be misunderstood : we make no war on the grand inquisition of the churches. "Wo merely inquire of the business men of the country if they arc content to be judged by the knaves and hypocrites who may enter into these leagues for the purpose of more recondite fraud or the more facile satisfaction of malice. The truly good members are not the tale-bearers and slanderers. They are too busy serving God to injure their fellows. But the splenetic, the suspicious, the sore-headed press forward in the work of slander and detraction, and assume and hold the places fitted for modest merit and true piety. The narrow-minded zealot ; the addle-pated professor of some pet social fanaticism ; the knave who fawns on the prosperous only to assail the aspiring with more successful malignity : who would, who should, be content to be judged by these? or, being judged, who would submit to have these horned beetles and stinging wasps of the social hive pass current for the correct in conduct, the best in manners, and the highest in business dealings ? Into these church reservoirs of news, backbitings, profitable malice, and passionate phariseeism the agencies go for material for opinion. They contribute the "facts" often, the "tone" always; and the agencies, from ncces- THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. ir sitj or design, receive the darkest jiigments in their reports, and the most bleaching lotions as well, fn)in tlie dripping of the sanctuaries. The reader can estimate the chances uf aceiiracj in tlio pre- sence of these complex diflicidties resting in the veiy nature of the agencies' investigations, or arising out uf tlie initial efforts to ])rosecute them. Ilo can, Ave think, already agree with us in our iirst proposition, that the agency pretence of aiding trade l)y correct estimates of credit and capital is sadly marred at the very thresh- old of our criticism; and that between elements which would embarrass and deceive the very best individual examination into a man's circumstances, and others which go n)erely to dldiwh the tmmmittinn hypothet- h may mean •er. Therat- ntain, as the i stream of di-ivel risc.^ from " good for a ivafionahle credit" up to " o-ood for all engagement?:, but of little repntation in the trade, and worth watching," and falls again to " the man has capital to xiime aniDiuit, whicli cannot 1)0 ascertaineth" or " pays ])roni[)tly, hut the m.incv is })resnmed to come from his fathei', wlio failed in l)usiness last year and is Kiijyposed to work on a salary." To add to the 1 )el[ihie donbtf\dness and wary inconseipience and attennated meanings of these reports, a language of symbols is adopted, wliere tlie Araljian Al j)hal)et and Uoman Xnmerals do ser- vice in affording lurking-places for ignorant guessing ; labyrinths of inference where the seeker of information may wander in end- less mazes, lost ; covered ways where character and credit may lie '• knocked iu the head "or not with sublime indilfereiice and benign impartiality — the end and object of all the,/z'y/<\s'sv being sim- ])ly to shield and shnrnd in a twilight haze the tricks and devices by which wholesalers and retailers, bnyers and sellers, are all ex- phjited, and neither benefited, intelligently rated, nor intelligently advised. This is not merely an intennittent vice of the system of at- tempting to reconcile two irreconcilable interests ; to extend and preserve a clientage in practically amagonistic classes : it is the first anil insnrmoiuitablc eonsetpience of the enlargement of the systc'.n beyond the service of the selling classes, and its per- version, for the simple ])urposo of clear gain, to every one who will buy a referencedjook and advance a subscription. A second intrinsic and insurmountable diliicnlty of thesystem is the remoteness c>f the persons affected, whether as seekers or givers of credit, froni the information giving and receiving centres. AVe do not mean remoteness in space — for the telegra])h, if parsimony ilid not prevent its nse, nnght l)e made to t)vercoine that element of inconveinencc — but remoteness, in degree, from the original sources of inforiuation. Tlie chief t.iliice oi' district one, or the manager of either, has never personally met live hnndred of the hundreds of thousands of persons who figure in the. agency jtages ami reports ; of this live hundred the ti-iit' financial position of a ■"^'dujh' one has never hvan j>< I'niDndhj inquired into and deternnned by the person in charge of the chief office or district oifices. The (•o!lecti(,>n of names and pretended data in the agency books is sim- ply the result (d" chance contribntions of intelligence from, generally, 18 TIIK COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. tli(! least .Sflf-rc'spectini,' and loa^t-like(l iiiau iiiliirf own conuuunity : 8t'lt'-reportini,f, wliicli i.s taken fur gninted, if juinod with any ])rofessed interest in oi- service for tlie agency, or is aeeejjted with tliank.s because costless, and merely toned down with a judicious resjiect for the benefactor ; or the I'eprinted and rcvani})ed ac- cumulated odds and ends of business directories and former or other af^ency reports, of ten to tliirty years' standing. Not a pai'- ticle of this agglomerate of names, figures, guesses, self-jn-aisc, dis- praise, malice has been subjected to critical examination by the agency managers, in the lirst instance. They collect it in Xew- York from the country, receive and dmnp it into print, and trust to luck whether it shall ever be incj^uired into ; or, if inquireil about, shall be powerless for good or evil because of its vagueness ; or, if erroneous and harmful, that it will be viewed as an attempt in the interest of trade to be commended or overlooked. Now, while it i.s manifest local sources of information arc the very best and the only relialde means of datti, persons in the vici- nage, even if in high standing, are the most likely to be passionate and prejudiced estimators of its value and importance ; and the reader can I'cadily judge of the oi'iginal value of <^?rt^(t furnished by unpaid volunteer censors, in(|uisitors invited to judicial functions by hajihazai'd selections from a lawyer's directory and their own reference-books, or the eager witnessing of some competitor in the same line of business " over the way.'' The volunteer informer is sure to have a reason of his own in mcddlinu' with his neighbor's affairs. Human experience disqualifies him as an unsupervised collector of facts or opinions. The substantial men in a commu- nity never sink to this work. It can only be performed or tender- ed, theix'fore, by the ill-at-case, struggling, acrid spirits of the pla('e — the meddlesome, mischief-making busy-bodies, Avhose moving- springs are envy, greed, i;nchaiitableness, (ir disappointed ambition. The re([uested legal in(piisitor generally bears the same relation to his jjrofession that the volunteer informer bears to society at large. He is never the leading man, never among the leading men of the local bar, if the town have thre3 thousand or over inhabi- tants. In small places, he may be among the least engaged of the two or three who can survive in such restricted pasturage. But he is sure to be asked, either because he is n<>^ engaged in lucrative litigated practice (for Such a man would be too much related to THE SYSTKJr EXPOSED. 10 ■ommuiiity : 1 with iitiy cepted witli :i judi(-'lous vaiiipod ;u'- (1 former or Not ;i p:ir- f-pvaisc, dis- atiou by tlio it in New- nt, and trust if ini pjyh/ jw^'inei^sed or us>:(l hij tin agencies o^itnlde of ]S'(}r-Yorh and the larger cities. Their only recommendation is their cheapness, for they cost the agency no- thing; and it is from these sources, and long accunudationsof their tinged, muddy, and credit-destroying contributions, that the agen- cies pretend to dole out, at from Sl50 to $5000 yearly, the elixir (if a lusty business life, and the healing water of business sidvation I The agencies, in fact, do not know the people inquired al)out ; they do not know the persons from whom they iiKpiire about them ; they do not know, and can never learn, except through the intelli- gence of a libel-suit or the crash of a bankruptcy, whether iiv not these persons report falsely or only a tittle of the truth; and it is this unrevised, unauthenticated hearsay of hearsay, this secret cloaca of the most distressed and desperate of the comnnmity — UTiiiltcred, undeodorized, and infected — that the agencies pretend to be the product of their paid attaches, examination of original re- cords, and the impartial judicial result of a process of searching examination pursued imder their own ])ainstaking and( ispassioii- atc supervision. Judged by every personal test, it is just the anti- thesis of their representations. Indeed, it may be conceded that the agencies could not do otherwise ; the expense of liccoming ac- (piainted by record, and keeping acquainted weekly, even with the fluctuations of business men in the city of Xew-York alone, would exhaust the resources of the strongest agency. It is not attempt- 20 TIIH COMMKltCTAL AOEXCIES. L!(l ; it cuiiM not 1»l' cllVctcil, if :ittLiii[)t('il, by It-r-s than a million of (!a}»ital, CMiitiiifd to a sinulo city ; and lioncL' the second radical and iiiHUrnii>iintMl)io diiliculty I'csiilts, as mo liavo n(jt(Ml, in not alone a necoHsarily vairno and indetiiiitc, l>nt a j)r<_!Jiidiced, passionate, and ])nr('ly liM[)lia/,ard expression <.if \vliat one person, with motives all . nnkiiown to the aironcies, says of one or more other persons, Avitli means or diai-acter nnkiiown to the aijency or its otKee employees, M'ho cook the hooks and dish np tin; I'eports. The work of rcvis- \ui\ so nsto render their (jnarterly reference-hook of some value, would re([uire the aid of 142-I- men c<))ixt(i))thj cti\ph)ijed ca fr(tvr//!/iy/ reportei'ii onhj. Tf their entii'o stalT" of paid employees (numherin^less than HOi)), from crrand- bovs to nianairers, in all their branches in America, worked in that cai)acity twelve months in the year, a ju r'uxl of not h'ssihitn thrci' (■iiitsfctitii'r ijedi'K III list cJajm'- before ihcalfalrsof each trader could nnderiro a sinu'le ])ersonal investi^-ation ! During all this time their offices should be deserted and closed, and the work of soliciting Bubscriptions wholly al)andoned. The samoargument is relatively ti'uc of the other aii-cncies, Ik'sides these inherent difficulties, the avarice of the ])roprietors of the agencies, assisted and encouraged by the indilference or gullil)ility of the trading public, has fastened several additional causes of difficulty and embarrassment on the original project. The jMiJjllcation ami f<((h\ for profit, of ye;, "ly, half-yearly, and rpiarterly reference-hooks, is one of the first and v.-(M'st of these. This is a \)\i\\\\ temptation to the dishoTiest or doubtful trader to secure the agency for his own ])urposes, i:i'nie<: he 'is aj>/»'/.s>-d of what he is rakd at, and is naturally anxious to ju'opitiate the critic of his solvency, or actively mislead the impugn- er of his integrity. When the rating is an agreeable surprise, the trader naturally encourages the enterprise. When it ia not favorable, he sets to work to make it so by projiitiating the pre- tended arbiters. Failing in this, by oversight or otherwise, in one year, ho turns to the publications of some of the c'>'npeting agen- cies for the next. The consequence is seen in the contradictory ratings given of the same person or firm by two or more agencies for the same year or a series of years. When the ratings are not copied from each other hy the rival companies, the fluctuations of TlIK SVSTK.M KXrOSKI). a luillioll of J radical and II iKjt alono a ssionate, and li lll()tive^^ nil persons, \\'\t\\ a employees, •ork of rcvis- ■; men of the ). claim to 1)0 o render tlieir ire the aid of onli/. Tftlicir ), f roni crrand- rorkod in that h'usllidn ihrei' •h trader could this time their k of soliciting it is relatively lithculties, the nd encouraged c, has fastened jsment on the otit, of yef.-ly, f the first and 3 dishonest or mrposcs, t^ince ally anxious to )d the impugn- eable surprise, V^hen it \a not iating the pre- lerwise, in one nnpeting agen- contradictory more agencies ratings are not fiuctuations of rci»oi ■ted standing and credit are largely produced l»y these active methods of interference. The ohserver sees one neiMlh; violently rcL-ordin" changes of direction, while the other is iixeilly pointing to a settled course of prosperous vc)y:iging ; M'hileone pilot shouts "all's well," the other shrieks '* lireakers ahead ;"' and while the in- terested inniiirer watches the whirling indicator, and listens in doiilit and amazement to the con fusing assurances, ho become.-- only ceilain of one thing — that ho has learned nothing more valualde than his conviction that "all hands," exce[)t himself and others linaiicially intei'csted in the outcome of the venture, arc I)usily and ]trolitalily occupied in trading on its purely s[)eculative featui'cs. As a pru- dent man he will trust to neither ; as a cautious man lie will trca- su as ho tlu le wil takt! care ire his experience in ins own hreast not to attract attention to his discovery, hut leave the public to liiid oiit the secret for themselves by a saddening realization of the as- sault on their judgment and pockets. He may be pleased to read the truth in these pages: but if he be wanting in pui)lic spirit id a leek-cater, h(! will renew his subscription and buy the next ai reference-book ind the airencies w /ill i >•(> on 111 akiiiii; JT moiicv iiv the yearly traffic in the fears or credulity of the trading public. Another indication of the determined greed of the agencies, and one also largely injurious and destructive to any ])olicy of learning the true standing of business men, is the development of Collection bureaux in connection with them, and owned and coii- tr(»lled by them. .1. !^^. Ih'adstreet & Son, alone, have not yet adopted this specialty. The subscriber who entrusts his « laims lo the agency for collection adcei'tl.ses, hij tto )iii(c/i, /a'.s- ihtnlttful or rahu'less O'eclits I suffers from having them placed in the hands of the clica[)est, least expert and self-respectful lawyer, such a- we have indicated ; and in very many instances, in the hands of the attorney recommended to the agency by the creditor's debtor, or only self-introduced to the agencies by liis own iiece->Ities and want of responsibility. Friendly delays, ineflicient prosecution, the need of em])loying additional counsel in ease of litigation, are a few of the earlier consefjuences to the creditor. The larcr ones an are : compromises, cooked up by a man capable of hecomi eavesdroj)])er on his neighbor for the mere love of the employment, and, therefore, capable of being bribed to })roduco them ; liank- ruptcies precipitated, in which the attorney, as attorney for the 22 TIIK COMMKllCIAr, AGKXCIKS. iiioviiii; creditor, will bo \)iiid out of tlio i/ib/»i'{i estate threu or live times us much as he could liiive collected from his client, the creditor, in case of c(;llectiiisuraiu'e that they would cost more than they are wor'' Tlie scheme of collecti(»n, however, allliou;;-h of no value to en tors, e\ce[)t in cases whore the debt(jr is eager to pay, and the Jaiii-hing-stock of tho l)ar in every other ease, serves ono purpose for the aifcncy. It enahles them to call on the attorney, who liopcs to secure any cliance patrouai^e which they may have to dis[)ense, for Ids opinion of any citi/eii in his vicinity, suddenly in- cpiircd about, and, as it costs iiothiui;, this is reason enough with the agencies for its introduction and existence. Its damaging in- ihu'nce to the selling classes is easily traced. Whom this incom- ])etenl and always unintluential limb of the law is ac([uainted with personally or through the mediiun of a doKo nr are discovered to be rated far above their means; whom ho dislikes or is not on ])rolitable relations with, are marked down ; aiul the business pub- lic liave to bear the consequences of the latest devices of agencies to secure tho o2)inion of the only man in tho coiumu who sets no value t>n his pretended knowledge except ii'hat he can laahe out of It hij uidu'eetioii. " Like muster like man." Why shonhl he trouble himself, for a possibility of i)atronuge, to ac- (piire by a laborious search tho true resoxircos of a merchant, when lie knows that the agency, Avhich receives immense remuneration, docs not condescend to payout any portion in securing it^ IIo forwards his gratuitous guess, or his bribed opinion; finds satis- factioJi in gratifying a spite or making a point for a crony; and turns to negotiate for some lire or life insurance company, which might occupy the talents or reward tho industry not illustrated so much in contests in court as in applications to the Governor for vacant notaryships, or in wire-pullings for some justicc-of-the- pcace noniiiuition. We have sketched the Intrinsic difficulties in the way of tho nsefidness (^f any mercantile or connncrcial agencies whatever ; indicated the accidental impediments to usefulness added by the avarice of their mamigers; and cleared the road for that detailed and more searching analys^is of their Interior workings which it will be the province of the following cha2)tcrs to enforce by precept and example. TllK SYSTEM i;xi'osi;i». 23 (iUAPTEU IV. WHAT TIIK AOKXC'IKS IJHCKIVK ■ WHAT THFA' DO Foil IT. AND HOW IT IS DONM. now TIIEV THRIVE WITHOUT' DKSKUVINO. "TIIK lIKAl/ni-LIFT," AND " MOTII-EXTERMINATOI!." Tin: three iiifeiu'ies, J. M, 1 5 n id street sS: Si.ii, ^^(■l^ill()p i*v: S]>rafi;;iie Co., iiiut Dun, Biirlow iSc Co., liaviui^ tlu'ir priiicipiil ollices ill Xe\v-Y()i'k, elaiiii, t(ii;vtlier, .S(»iiio l.')!) l)raii('li oMice.s in tlie riiited States iiiid Canada. Kacli endeavors to .«tart as nmny .'-ell'-sn[)portin^ and pajini^ l)i"aiu'Iies as it can ; neither ever con- tinues a losini; branch "for tlie promotion of t" ide,"' tliat is, the advantai^'e of snbserihers in other phices. In all liic principal cities the a^jjencies are fonnd competing for local snbscriptions ; in those of .small ])opnlation they sometimes try tho experiment, hut desist when the receipts fail to justify the ex'ix'nse. The three institu- tions extract nearly $8,000,000 yearly from the merchants, manu- facturers, and traders of hotli countries. This enormous drain on tho resources of the hnsiness com- munity lias not been going on for more than a few years; hut it is safe to say that since ISil more than $60,000,000 have heen col- lected hy the present agencies or their predecessors in the same line of clTort. Allowing for the payment of salaries, printing re- ports, rents, etc., a net profit of between 820,000,000 and ,$o0,000,- 000 must have lieen received and divided among the projirietors ! One would expect to find sonic very heavy Items of dislmrso- ment for procuring the information which produces this roval revenue. Surprise will become wonder when we assert that, out- side of the city of New- York, where reporting ami subscription- getting go hand-indiand, tho agencies, together, have not .spent $r)0,0(i() for collecting information which they dispense Avitli such magnificent pndit, and that even this sum was largely spent in tho effort to get subscribers, and not a dollar of it, purely and simply, to learn the business standing of business men ! In other words, the 24 THE COMMEUCIAL AGEN'CIKS. Avliolo uiin and ol)joct of the agencies arc to expend only to profit tliemselves, and they care notliing for the acqnisition of true and iisefnl information, if it must he costiy, for its own sake. Their expense; are incidental to the receipt and dishnrseinent of their revenue : nothing, or next to nothing, is ap})Hed, outside of Kew- ^'ork and the i>rincipal cities, to earning or deserving it. If a Bul)scril)er wants definite intelligence, he must pay for telegraph- ing: the agencies "will only pay fur postage if the applicant can afford to wait ivoni Ji'oe to thlrtij days fo'- an answer by mail. Whatever they can get for nothing they sell ; what they would he reipiired to i)ay for is never purchased. For iuftanee, if II. H. Shufeldt & Co., of Chicago, or Smith, Angus & Co., of ]\[ilwankee, desire to inquire about the credit and standinicof ^[. J. (^unnninijs or Irwin . Their t of llieir : of Xcw- it. If u telegraph- lieaiit can • by mail, icy wonltl ]ioj)o of having claims sent to him for collection, and l.icing repre- sented by the agency as the most reliable and brightest legal liuni- narv of that neighi)orhood. Su])[)osc Richardson 6c Co., of St. Louis, or A. Thomson A: (*o., of Xew-Orloans, or Drexel, ^Foi-gan A: Co., Eaton ct Cole, and J. M. Thorbnrn ik Co., of Xew-York, in(pn're in the Xew-York or local ofHces for the antecedents of }.[:irtin F. Hraistod vfc (.'o., l)aid<;ers, Xew-York (!ity, and it tran- spires that one of that linn formerly lived in Westchester County, X. Y., the agency di'o])s a letter (retm'n postage, <> cents') to James P. Sanders, of Yonkers, X. Y., f/i/tr reliable attorney and legal hmiinary aforesaid, who, in r('])ly, retails whatever the gliltbest touii'ue may tell him or the least labo"ious investimition mav result in. Of course, an examination of the comity records i^ not tliouglit of, nor is any other source than rumor consulted; for remitted daiiiis are few and far between in Yonkers, and shoe- leather must be saved for respectable intermittent a[)pearaiiccs in justice courts. ,Iur-t here it is proper to ad'l that the agencies' habit of re.'ommendation cuts Ixitli wavs. Xo attorncv is rcconunendcil to subscribers or others wlio is not a correspondent, although the agency will imblushingly deny the fact, and the iuiiuirer is refused the opportunity of choosing the generally better and al)ler Uion at the local b.n*, who Avill lutt condescend to resort to such an association f(jr a jiractice. It may be said this course h not in accordance with a true econ Miiy, for they must expect to be found out some time, or be- come generally discredited, and l)usi;iess men are not apt to con- tinue paying for nothing. The suggestion would have force if applied as a test to any business involving an exchange of a real COUIU lodity whose defects could and would be discovered bv everv buyer in everyplace; but it has no analogy to the case of an enterprise which ^w.s'^v.sw'.s" t/ie coi rciiy jioti^ir of valouj < rcrij iiiii.ii ni ijie ('oiiuniintti/ as Its iiianci'/i'i's or cUrly^^ nvty fire f/'f. To fully understand the agencies wo must alwaysbear this fact in mind: — that they practice an exceptiona' bu>iiie>;. witli excep- tional means of alfecting the ])urse or the i)rid(' of cxcrv man whose name they choose to put into print. To ap]n-eciatc the conseiiuences wo must romcinlier that human nature is a limited (piantity, and that whoever can do what the agencies can do by 20 TUK COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. rating iuid printing — to say ]iotliing uf private reports — will al- ways find more dupes or sycophants than assailants. If a dozen palpable errors arc discovered in tlie reports by a Imsiness man in an interior town, he concludes that they occur through the partiality or cupidity of the local correspondent — objects to apply the experience to the ■whole iield of agency re- porting — and determines that, since error and falsehood are so easily passed for truth and accuracy, he had better join the enterprise, and purchase a favorable rating or guard against an arrantly false one. He docs not l»uy or sell on the agency dicta ; but he de- termines to join the vast array of approved souls •whom ho finds tranft^lated by a sul)Scrii)tion into the higher heaven of business beatification, and to avoid the fate of the less thoughtful and prudent, "who are sent to the lindjo of mercantile discredit. The errors of the agencies in this m:inner, far from being de- terrents to patronage, are most nrgent and active inducements to patronage. Thousands of honest and reliable men subscribe in self-defence; other thousands subscribe for utilizing the aids which sncli a system supplies to contemplated fraud. Between both classes, the lists increase Avith a growing rapidity, and the example is only lost on the strongest minds Oi the strongest capitalists. Su])pose a business man is convinced of the inutility of tin; insti- tutions, and carefully avoids contributing to them. They rate him notwithstanding. They rate his competitors. At some point liis interests will be found to conflict Avith his opinions. The agencies have an additional subscriber, if not a couA'crt. Another consideration is also operative. As business fraud is best effected Ity means of a credit-giving agency Avhich ^>;'t'^trtf/.s' to be indifferent, and circulates largely Avhere applicants are otlier- Avise unknoAvn, the knave and swindler IcnoAv Avhere to find an ally under the mask of an enemy. Their oAvn opinion of them- selves Avould not iro far or vield fruitfullv. A single false repre- sentation might cut short a career of ioguery by giving occasion and justification for an order of arrest and puHlug in of bail. If the rogue can keej) his tongue quiet, and have an agency to do his talking, the danger is averted; opportunities arc multi[ilicd ; and a scheme, Avhlch might otherwise be rendered futile after a single effort, in a single city or town, is enableil to achieve an elaborate and far-reaching failure Avith comparative inmiunity. It may well be doubted Avhether any plan Avas ever devised ( ill IL THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. -will ul- )rts by a cy occur ondent — ^•eney re- :; so easily iiterpriso, utly false lit he de- ho tinds f business litful and lit. being de- eiaents to bsci-ibo in the aids ;ween both le example capitalists, the insti- riicy rate :souie point ions. The appealing to so many of the worst and lowest human motives at oncL'. The quack-medicine business proceeds on one principal national weakness : tlie known peculiarity that almost every one considers himself or herself ailing, in some way, in a country whose prevailing sickness is dyspepsia and the attendant hypo- chondriacal affections. The patent-right fever appeals to the well- knovn traditions (tf suddenly accpiired wealth, by means of even simple inventions in an era of inventions. Tlie Xew-England (genealogical I'ureau was never a real success, although it llattered family pride in a jKUticuIarly sensitive portion of the country, anxious, somewhat, to compete with the untabulated pedigrees of the Southern chivalries. But the agencies touch the weak, the vindictive, the unscrupulous, in their greeds, their fears, their rivalries, their passions, their hopes of betterment, their anxieties to guard against loss, and, at every j)oint, present an inducement or excite a sense oi danger or insecurity. Deeply considered, the wonder is, not that they have succeed- ed so greatly in procuring wealth from the community, but that, assisted I»y the supineiiess of their victims and the prevailing love of ease, they have not yet ])assed beyoiul the pale of damaging criticism and deserved and adequate ex[)osure. AVhatever may be thought of the agencies, their own conduct betrays a consciousness of weakness. Their latest device to give something for notlung is apt and illustrative. They have caught at the conceit of ii Kealth Intelligence ].>ureau, whereby insurance agencies and others may learn the condition of health of any per- son in a neighbm'hood for two dollars — one for the agency and one for the medical diagnoser. This snudl sum, we are to suppose, in- sures valual)le medical information — as valuable in proportion as any furnished in regard to men's commercial standing. The reader can conceive the social an-arden-seeds might also be adopted, at slight additional expense. Cures for the toothache, salves for wounds, recipes for cooking, phrenological charts, adapted to any heatl, might all be dispensed from the prin- cipal and branch oflices, with the special advantage that the pres- ent clerical force would not tind the employment beyond its ca- l)acity. As for fortune-telling and ])almistrv, that would entail the hiring of a madam ; but could iu)t her salary be readily })roduced by rating down one or two young merchants and calling their at- tention to the change i We throw out these hints. They are suggested by the i»lea of the Health Ihireau, or" Health Lift,"' as we prefer to term it. If the agt'ucies have not determined to act on all of them already, they will l)e pleased, we are sure, at the appropriateness and timeliness of our suii'gestious. * ]{}• llio live, ciH Uio.«o inigcs f^rt tlirougli tlio props we find our idea c.irriod (Hit liy at loiiHt one njxciicy. Duu, Hiirlow & Co. are now nufents for tlio clieap Frcncli brass iiiul li'iitlicr ji-wclry of the jn'rioil ; and they are jrivcn as reference, in a lute New-York llcvidd, on the eHicioucy of a moth exterminator. THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 2'J CHAPTER Y. 'rilE KEYS WHICH UXLUCK XOTHIXCJ— how business CONFI- DENCE IS llE(iULATEl). idea ctirrioil IV tho choap iis reference, I'm-; inctlioils a(l(>[)toil by tlio agoucie.s ti) (lc('rea.so tliu cliaiiccs of exposure of til icir ii-'iioraucc and avarico arc numerous euou::^li to l)e clas.slHeil aiul iK^ticcd separately, namely : those relating;; to the "key"'; tho.?e adopted in the printin^• of their (Quarterly, half- yearly, or yearly reference-books; and those interposed by the de- ce]>tive form of contract made v.'ith subscribers. "We shall devote a iittinii' space to each in turn. .\s to tho lu'st class: the reader -who will turn to the ilydi^af f(.)r the " key" of the three au'encii'S Avill notice the exreedin;^' vague)Lei,<'00 to B-5,000, you hitve a mai'gin of C'^>,'-*'>0 a-'^mihU- cd v'ith a jrirhnuled fact of ^\(),()m\ Take '' F," ^l>."),(m)i) to ^5u,ooo, you llnd a mar<^i!i of donbt epial to the alleij^ation of capital ! In '' I),'' S5i»,0i)0 to J?l()(),()()0, tlie mathematical relation of the capital is nut chanj^ed ; but it must be in "D's"' case <>f greater importance to kiujw whether an amount e^jual to the orii,dnal $,5t>,()00 Avould lie forthciti niiiir 1 re(|Uireil TI U-; IS evidently iu)t the oju'nion of tho agency, as it proceeds at once to show 'u the verv nex t left er. a n If ( which, it informs us, mavl)e ri liel on anvwhere it is found in the book as showii I'j: a aoital of from $100,000 to 8150,000 I Xo ! slT5,Oao i No ! Si'oi),ooo ( No! but from 8 100,000 to 62.50,000, or a margin of doiiht ///vVvj and a half thnc'i greater than their pretence of certainty I One Avould thitdc this lluctuation of tlu.'ir testing .> " stands for 8250,000 to 8500,000! "A," 8^00,000 to' a million, and A+ is equal to " A," that is 8500,000, but, strange anomaly, it is also ecinal to 81,000,000 and as many millions over as yon like ! At this point — A-| — the accnrate series of mathematical progres- sion of the agency gives ont. Precision can go no further. The millionaire and the 8-0,000,00(1 inilli(jnaire arc "all onu"' to tlu; agency; and tlio theretofore painstaking and deliberately prccisi' calculator may be regarded as overcome by the algcbraii; term and its portentous meaning, "unlimited credit"'! IIow stiMugc; it is that the deft processes of the mercantile aixencv ratiny-s and those contrived to express the higlnn' mathematical processes should yet illustrate the finiteness of human ingemiity. At onu million the agency loses its power to calculate capital, or considers it im- material Avhcther a man have one or a dozen millions to fall l)ack on. At a certain number in the trillions I'abbage's brass and iron calculator ceases to record logarithms, and indulges in every kind of mnnerical freak a-; if under the dominion of a freii/v. But there is this dilference. The bi-as-^ and iron machine is nfjjtt- Me of (jb'UKj certahiti/ / is overcome, for a time only, by some law of numl)ei"s not yet discovered ; aiul rctnrtix to accuracy again as if animated with assured conlidence in its own powers. The agency, on the other hand, glad to be rid of even this wild use of its crucial and metrical standards, at the iirst decent opportunity drops them, and never returns to their use. It is candid for the iirst time. It makes no pretence of applying them in the higher altitudes of conuncrcial life — the very Alps where the storms sweep most destructively ; where the Avild beasts, Speculation, Peculation, and Preach of Trust, choose their most inaccessible lairs, ajul from which pour down on society the very direst calamities and most pei'inanent disasters ! To the rapt vision of the agency, oiu' million and over means nidimited credit; and yet, if we consitler of mistakes in these higher altitudes of financial speculation, a single one alfecting them would naturally lead to consecpicnces more to be deplored than a thousand errors in the ordinary lields of enterprise. But taking the limit of one, million, set l)y the Agencies as the extreme within which they pretend to approximate the capital of THE SYSTEM EXTOSKI). 31 comniciviiil men, liow daiigcroiis .'ind visionary and liaphazani must he tlic collection of sunniscs (M1 wliicli tliu Agencies ])\ise even these Avidcly divei'i^^ent values I ]Iavo they no knowledge or data from -svliich they could t-afcly conclude the iSlOojtOO merchant to he o/i/y worth 'i>Vlb,^m) mvX not worth ,Si'5(),()(Ml ^ If they have, why do they leave the matter of his means so horril)ly in doul)t '. If they have n<>t, Avhat security has the public that the Agency knows he controls c\en 6n'0,0(iO ca])ital, or knows he is possessed <.f any i On an (.drctnc limit of a (piarter of a million, they are uncertain as to two thirds of it, I'y Avhat process of reasoning are we assured that, starting Avith the minimum limit of sl(M),(j(i(>, they know any more ixisitively Avhether it should have hcen !?20,()U() or $5(),0()() iii.stcad of the 8100,000 selected? Is not the liberal latitude selected a plain i)roof of the known necessity of adopting it? Is it lu.t reasonable to argue that, when they cannot ])rcsume to set u[) a fuller code of denominators, and graded to express responsibility in the all-important matter of capital more closely than From one hundred thousand to a 2r»,(»(Ml — must convey the same meaning as " oA-" associated Avith "E ''— -^i^"),()(>0 to $50,000— or with " I) "— ?^r>0,(X)0 to >?10(),- 000— or with '• C "— SlOO,000 to jS-^'^OjOl )0. ]t can mean, in Itself or its use, no less or more in the one case than in the otliers. The sanie criticism liolds i;()od in repird to " l',"' "2.V" — "Good "and less than " (Jood" — and " .1," " IJ"-" Ili-h," less"thau " Ilin-h "-whid!, to mean anvthinii-. must mean less than "iriarlow A: Co., use the adverb " very," to give point to "High," " Good," "Fair," etc. Ihit phrases do not change things, and we illustrate this truth by asking what e(ni be the state of a trader who vV iu " very iugli," and not in " vuf/oultec?,'"' credit, and who /.y in "good," and not iu " very good," credit ; who -/*' in " ver?/ good," and not in " high," credit ; who t-s " fair for small lines," and vot " a Fair Business risk" iri those lines ( Is not a jierson in "good credit " a fair business risk ? Is not a person in. " high credit " in " verv crood " credit ? "Where does his title to the one begin and to the other end ? Can it be rationally pretended that a distinc- tion so purely artilicial and gossamer in import is founded on a TIIK SYSTEM EXPOSED. discovered balance of proliability of cvedit arising from a calcnla- tioii (.»f the always variant habits of various members of a lirni, their resi»ective ca[iacities, tlie constantly cliani^'in:,^ hnzardoiisness of tlieir business, and the no less eonstantly cliani^iiin' /irnjnirfloa of capital and worth compared with the business done '. Of tlu't'C members of a firm, one is abstemions, anotlier drinks, a tliird jilays poker at evening parties. Does the alistemioe.s man ncntralize the ])oker-player, or the drinking man neutralize llic aI)>temious'i From the coiitlict of eharacteristies, what is the linal resultant — the true nipiit ),i(>ri>nuib of the seers anil alchemists of the Agencies \ Go a step further: ^fcKillop ct Spragne Co., and \\w oflier Agencies as well, although not on their title-pages, assure ns, or de- sire us to lie a>surest, all are daily more or less mistaken, and a large perceiitag,' a:reatlv ,Oi)(» to i^.'JOjOnO capital who is in '• good,'' and not in " very good," credit i Is he tit to he trusted to the extent of $5000 or $JO,oOo, more or less, because of the credit rating indicating the one condition and not the other? or, indicating either, does the indication denote that his credit as to cai)ital should be ex- hausted at •[ presumption of $20,000 and not at a presum])tion of §50,0(10 ( i low can any sensible conclusion be drawn from the fact that a iirm i-ated " C "—$100,000 to $250,000 capital— is rated at " very go(>tl," and not at " high," credit 'i Does the donbtf ul $150,- 000 of capital bear any secret relation or give any particnlar signifi- cance to the one credit rating and not to the other i Is not the expre-^ed ])ossil)ility of a capital even twice as large as the pre- sumed capital sutticient to convert "very good" into "high" credit, or vire versa ? If not, why not ? (Jne wonld think that a man "■ very good " with $100,000 woidd be in " high " cred- it with $200,000, higher with $250,000. The Agencies know better. They can tell ns juxt 'w/wii a person having a capital of from $500,000 to $1,000,000 is in " very high " credit, and just when he is in '" undoubted " credit, when with $100,000 to $250,000 ho is just less than " higli "' and not " good." If this be not a claim of measuring water accurately with a sieve ; of produc- ing certainty, or an approximation to'it, by increasing the elements of uncertainty ; of regulating business conlidenees by enlarging the doubt-producing combinations whose fewness is the only possible basis for even prophecy, wo do not know what to call it. The Bradstreet " Key," with its 93 letters and 80 figures, is better graded to represent presumed fact than cither of the other two ; but it does not pretend to give ca))ital, avoids estimates en- tirely, and is not applied with any regularity to even thcf^tatesof THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. .;.> ciivumstfinees indicated l)y tin- '• Key" itself. Of cnnrso, the sys- tem proceeds on the siunc inexact infonnatioii and niisinforniation. and the ylidin^i,' scale becomes a toy, instead of an instnmient, inev- itably. The tirm appreciates tlie paucity of terms and c.nditions of the otlier " Keys," recognizes their looseness and insufKcieney, and tries to hide an e(iual barrenness under a deeper festoon of words. . Wo have referred to the " Keys " simply m ln>^fnn»rnh of relative calculation. Their actual use in the lleferencc Books of the Agencies deserves a separate chai)ter. TilE CO.MMEUCIAL AGENCIES. if if: niArTER VI. now Tlir: "KEYS" ARE PLAYED AND l!ATIN'(iS ]S[ADE IT— \VIIO SIT I\ .Il'DOMENT AND DISPENSE AdENCY JUSTICE. Tin; best imd most I'xperieiicod business man in the world, per- sonally informed, so far a?, one man can ever be-, of another man's all'alrs in lii.s inunediatu viuinity, would be in some dilllculty to lix a true capital and di'siu'iiate a safe credit rating'. I'roceeilini^M'rom the point that the>e ratings and " Keys*' of ratings are necessarily false and inetlieient as such, wo come to the (piestion, who alHx them i The persons who «lo it arc : Firstly: Outside of sixty olHco centre.'', not persons of tho neighborhood, but clerks to -whom tho letters and reports are sent from the neighborhood. Secondly : In the cities, ■\vhero tlio sixty oflices arc situated, re- ports concerning residents arc first received by the maiuigers, ])igeondioled nntil the convenient opportunity of co]i)ying has ar- rived, and then turned over to clerks, who ailix the ratings. The managers attend to the more nseful Avork of increasing tho sub- .';cri[)tiondists. The writer, with three others, was lately engiiged for a period of six weeks allixing such ratings as he saw fit to the names of several thousand Xew-York merchants, the latest reports of whom (and on which the ratings were predicated) were in some instances eight years old, in tho vast majority of cases four years old, and not a hundred less than one year old ! This habit, origi- nating in clu)ice and recklessness of the princi]ial office, wli' <• t' responsible managers and proprietors arc supposed to ou- judgment and experience to their work, is followed, ^y > -sity, in smaller places, where nc.o of the company resides ; tiuu young men who never did business themselves, and boys who by reaso of nonage could not do b'.isiness, arc the arbiters of the capital ratings and the atlixers of the credit-marks of merchants longer in business than the lifetime of their incpiisitors and judges. It was THE SVSTK.M KXTOSED. 87 anly xl, vc- las iU'- Tho c ^ub- 1 gage 1 1 to the reports u fcOine years v origi - '. t' • )ung reuse 3 capital tliissultliiiioiih.-iiirdity — irflioiigeiicies wore sincere In their chiiius — and tliissiihliiiie iinlilh-reiiire to results — if they M'cri! not so — whidi set tlie writer lirst. in(|iiiriiig what cnahh'(l lilm Ik extract truth a> to the presi'iit coiiditiKU ol' a niL'rchaiit Irinii an old report, or a new one, all'ording no .siilhcicnt ch/nu-nts for even a wild Iiy[>otlu!- sis. An intimate acnuaintanci'^hip, extending o\er twelve years, with the liiisinos: — commencing as an errand-hoy, jirogressing t(» an assistant, managership and cashiorship of two leading hranch otKces -gave him I'arilities, with increase, of age, to learn the grossness and hoUowness of the pretences of the Agencies in this ri'g.ird, ami ci'rtainly enabled him to foUovV the system and apply the ratings as well as others of shorti'r ex[)erience in the business and his juniors in age. What wonder that, when hi; l)ecanu; con scions of his own incapacity to give any reason to liimself why out; man should be I'ated in j»oor credit and another in high creilit; when he foimd him > If (h)rmg out anatlu-ma i'rom secret re[)orts when the Keferenco JJook ratings indicated large cajntal and high credit, or giving rosy pictures of mei' tvhom the lleference IJook rated poorly or not at all ; when he saw the victim of the latest report coming in and [)aying his nioiu'V to be unconsciously de- stroyed, he determined to iii([uire whether the whole system was not a crying fraud and injury to the business c()mmunity. His opinions, ho further found on examination, were the same as thoso of nearly all the other emph)yees. They enjoyed the joke and took their salary, lint none ever ]>reten(k'd to l)elieve that the information sent out slu»uld determine the ])ropriety of entering into a single bargain or executing a singlo sale! They simply profited by the system, and lield their peace. There were jioteut reasons for this conduct. The merchants all'ected Avere not the'ii' cm[)loyers. The salaries paid were so meagre, averaging ten dollars ])er week, that only persrk grocery trade. Tui)))er — -Dun, HarlDW tS: ( 'o.'s r(;j)ort(!r oi' tlii.s line — is notorions for .sr//7o//i (jiriiKj an cHtiniate of ■meUDs. Tlio business in which he is enijjloyetl en,!j;a_i^es the secoml largest capital — hari-ing the tlry-goc^ds tra.de — invented in the metropolis. The mmi- ber of merchants and traders may he safely .set down at 500U ; and yet, during seven years or nc.'arly seven, Mr. 'j'np[»er has either never secured informatinn eni^ugh to commuiucate estimates, or, to guard against the conse(|uence.s of his ignorance, lias seldom dared to do so. Yet it is J'rom the vague statements of this gen- tleman, couched in language which iits Talleyrand's ideal in its ca- pacity to hide th(jught, that tlie hoys of the Agency sit in judg- ment and award sentences which, within an hour after utterance, may hnperil a pros[)erous Ijusiness or elevate a siidcing lirm into a se!f"-surpri>ing credit. In the city dry -goods trade ^Iv. Chase liolds the like (jflice that Mr. Tupper sustains in the grocery lino. Tapper's excessive tendemy ti> caution is not Cluisc's sole diaraeterislic. lie is a sour, lym|>hatic old man, whose errors lie in the other exti'eme. lie ]um])S at conclusions without what we I'cgai'd necessary in- f(ji'matioii. Th(! clerks have no dilliculty in dealing with his state- ments, lie deciiUis summarily, ami the reports indicate in what spirit, where his curiosily has non to like it, that house will get to the public; and trade thi'oii^h the aireru-y in iiu'.-s at Toronto to a ])artn(.'rship interest ainl a residence in N(;w-Voi-k, in the princi|)al ollice. lie is practically the controlling .-pirit of the institution. Ilis litness f^r presiding 1 ? .i 'hIJot ■'«' 40 THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. mn m over tlie coinincrcial credit of tlie old and voiiii^rmcreliaiits of sudi ail cmporuiin as the Empire City can readily be determined. On the Ittli of May, 1S(5S, Erastiis Wiman was compelled by imx-e.^s to depose Ix'fore Hon. Cliavles ]\Iondelet, judge of tlie Superior Court in Monti'cal, Canada East, that one Jay Lng.sdin, -who had hcen manager in that city from 8eptend)or, ISOO, to March, ISOS, " ■?/,v/,v f/i.s'c/nf/'//otnf/ne))t of LtKjKdhi to the vuinmje.r- fth'/j) of the PhUadelphhij office, and his subsequent promotion to San h'rancisco, the liead-rpiarters for the Pacitic Coast States, with the Portland (Oregon) Pninch under his supervision — a posi- tion vrhicli ho still holds. It Avas not the borrowing therefore, but thehciuij fvHiul out, which stirred \)\\\\, I'arlow A; Co.; it was not the kee})ing l)ack of injiu'ious infrocm-e aid in dilliculties from tlu^ mer- chants of that city. In the very yeuri^ v\heu I.ugsdin Avas operat- ing with the ]\[acfarlans, Wiman was borrowing fr«)m 11. J. Dallas, manager of the .Monli-eal branch of the Pank of Toronto (wl:a subsc(juently absconded with §-K^,**'"*), :ni'^ i'l'om P. D. Browne, Exchange Broker, ami getting the indorsements of David ]\rorrico and others on notes discounted for his individual benefit by the THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 41 ot r>;»uk aiul I'rowiic ! litis Jji'ouiw vas als'o indorse)' on tlw noie (jircii by Lmjsidin in the MtiefarJan, iranmctioii^ and evidently a})pi-eciated tlio necessity of affixing his name, on request, on tlie Lack of eitlici- Winian's or Lugsdin's promises to \yA\\ although botli Lugsdin and Wimau ^\•c^e merely salaried persons, withnut prop- erty, capital, or business — besides reporting on the commen-ial standing of gentlemen Avho might refuse to alTord them these convenient facilities (jf h)eal credit. In the light of these fact-, within tlie writer's personal knowledge, "Wiman's exhibition of a testy sense of ]\[erchantile Agency honor in the Superior Court was one of the coolest exhibitions of the season even in that cli- mate, and gives j>ith and point to his further declaration, on com- ing to Xew- York, that he would never leave the l^roader and richer domain of Agency elfort afforded by the Metropolis, Avithout a clear million to his credit. It is not for us to say whether ho proposes t<) attain his object bv Avorthy orunworthv means : but the readermav draw such con- elusions as he shall see fit from the following data. Edward ]\[athews, Xos. -i and G ]5road street, Xew-York City, is a real-estate owner worth, by the affidavits of half a dozen experts, !5^0,000,000 or more, and in receipt of !$;32<5,000 a year from it, clear income, over and above Taxes, Assessments, etc. Dun, Har- low ifc; Co. rated this well-known capitalist as worth only from §500,000 to $l,000,Oi)(i, with a credit rating such as is g ven to a man with from §25,000 to 850,000 capital ! This rating appeared at a time when Mr. Mathews Avas about to noLCotiato a loan in Knii;- land on property situated in Wall and J>road streets. The Xew- York City ])e})ai'tment manager contrived to put himself in com- munication M'ith >[r. J^^athews by asking for a statement and send- ing a, canvasser for a subscription. ]\[athews received the (Jospcl but dismissed the ^[issionary : that is, he called on Dun, ]^)arlow tfc Co., ma iiiisinfoniiiitiou from some American S(jnrc'e, lia.s lately been oblitjed to jnihliely retnict its misstatements ahout ^[r. Ma- tliews, and to do justieo to a man -whom a Bubscrijttion, or a judi- cious recognition of J)nn, Barlow *k, (,'o.'s i)osition, miglit have saved from all the annoyance and possible injury, D"/t, Ihwloiv tC' Co.^ '(!'<'■ l,'niiii\ nuwU'id nolhiiKj huftJie fitdtviiwiif fi'oiii Mr. 2f(i- tJiews. The uncharitable may say the fact acc(nuitsfor the preser- vation, in the Agency and private circulation, of the mifavorable report up to the time of Avriting. At all events, Morrice and Browne, of ^[ontreal, with a respective capital of $75,000 and $50,0(;0, stand in higher credit, conceded by Dun, Barlow tfe Co., than ]\rr, JMatliews, although ]\[cKillop& Spraguc Co. rated Mr. Mathews " A 1, A 1, A 1 " — tlie higliest ca])ital rating and high- est credit — and Bradstreet ct Son at " A, A, A " — the most un- doubted capital, business character, ability, and credit. Query. If a capital of $50,000, witli a liberal habit of indors- ing paper, ])roduce "High Credit," what woidd a capital of $0,000,000, Lcith the like hahit, produce ? Answer. " b^rdimited Credit," at least. The iinal moral remains to l)e drawn. Since the time mention- ed, P. I). ]3rownc has had his rating increased to an extraordinary amount Avithin a short period. But all is not gold that glitters under the fructifying rays of friendship. Xathless the Agency, Browne incontinently failed in June, 1875, owing $('»0,000 and over, or an amount about etpial to his last false increase of pre- tended capital and credit. Tlieso three gentlemen, Tupper, Chase, and Wiman,with a varying number of cheap assistants, are the reporters and raters of the ]\[erchants, Bankers, ^[anufiicturers, and Ti'atlers in and out of New- York for ])un, Barlow it Co. Of course the Agency must make a show of activity somewhere, and the chief city is the most proiitable place for making it. Hence fine offices, a large array of old I'ooks, a majority t»f illiterate clerks, and an increasitig system of canvassing for sub- scrij)tions. Talk of the curse of tlie Locusts of Egypt or Kansas, of the infliction of the Sewing-Machine travellers and Lightiung- Ivod men : these Agency canvassers arc to the business men of this country ccpially persistent and far more exacting. A new firm is engaged in taking down its shutters for the first time. /'Jnfcr a canvasser. An old one i.s in the labor-pains of bringing forth a TUE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 43 n-s, re, it. of new Special. Entei' a ciiiiva.s.ser. A partiun- is retiring, and llio I'cst of tlie liriu are entitling their new IJocjk.s and rejiaintini:; the .sign. Kilter a cauvariser. An unreported local house is in([uirc'd for at the Agency counter, in l>roacr crosses a threshold in one of the down-town streets, and demands information and a subscription. The amount ranges from §150 to S.1000 yearly, as testified by Wiman in Aj)ril, 1.S75, in the iS^ew-York Supreme Court, on trial of an action entitled ''llobert G. Dun and others i^'. J. Arthur Murphy"; but where §150 cannot be got, §50 placates or molli- fies the itinerant. Even at the latter rate the prolit is enormous and justifies all the effort expended by the Agency. Outside of Xew-York, as the opportunities of getting Sub- scribers decrease, the efforts to get infoi'ination decrease also. The rrinci[)al Oflice makes the subordinate ones self-supporting at least, or ceases to indulge in them. The Syracuse Office was started in this Avise, in ]\Iav, 1ST2. Two clerks ^ot half their travelling expenses to that burgh. One resident ^[crchant, J )uguid, of Uuguid, A\"ells it Co., saddlery, etc., advanced the use of his rooms in place of a subscri})tion, and got rated with miction. Another firm, Cooke, Carpenter, (Joleman &c Co., gave the furni- tui'e for the same consideration and with an abiding faith that their bread '' would come back after nvany days."' Less than §50 sufficed to impose on the ])eoi)le of that city an institution which now costs them annually §12,000, under the direction of a mere youth named Cargell, whose services as a Commercial ]ihadaman- thus of a large contiguous District are rated by the .\gency at the weekly value of §15, It is but just to add that this compensation is fully comnu'iisui'ati'. Cargell will admit he could not earn §10 a week marking boxes or in any other employment requiring special adaptability. It must be -worth §5 nujre to calculate the average risl^s attending the iuvestuKiit and use of 5oo or (loo millions of active capital Avithin the radius of his District. Twelve dollars per week salisfy Mar- shall, in Erie, Pa. Xevili is content with tht; same sti])eiid in Scranton, Pa. Pratt makes Cincinnati profitable on an inlinitesi- nud portion of the revenue derived from tlu; Poi'kopolitcs. Brock lives and flourishes like a Prince in Chicago, on a sal. —y m mn i miwmmi m m H i iibii i 44 THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. sufficient to justify liis a\st]ietic tastes and oj^eii-lianded cxi)endi- turc in tliat fast-living- and energetic community. In the btaider City of Jjuifalo, Jolm If. Smith lius labored tliese six years past on a stinted compensation, and contrived, with a genius not nni(pie in this business, to set aside savings vai'iously estimated at 8*'0,000 to 870,000. Ill St. Jolin, X. B., Augustus P. Ilolj-h performs tlie duty of Sweeper, Errand-boy, Tlep(jrter, and Manager all to- gether for about $20 per week, and d(jes not repine at the ways of Providence. Our friend Lugsdin disj)orts by the Golden Horn on a light apparent ca2)ital ; but who can say how many Macfar- lans he may have met to lighten and brighten his Pacific exile ? Put Ave arc not restricted to generalization in judging of the average fitness of the managers and credit men of the institutions. The records of ^courts in the United States and Canada supply us with abundant proof of particular escapades ; and even the instances of Avrong-doing "hnslied up" by the Agencies, in self-protection and as the better wisdom, arc matters of common repoi-t. One of Dun, Parlow , was convicted, and imprisoned two years. A third, of the same Agen- cy, embezzled at Evansville, Indiana, in March, 1875, and was not prosecuted, as we judge from a statement oi an Evansville news- paper. In Pittsburg, a fourth dc])leted his friends $0000. A lifth. al)sconded from Montreal, and subsequently entered the em- jjloyment of McKillop & Sprague, at Chicago. A sixth is alleged to have depredated in Syracuse, in 1873. A seventh was arrested in Albany, charged by Ilem-y Pi'ock with fi-aud, etc., and was after- wards ap[)ointed to Scranton, Pa. An eighth — a city department reporter — has just been exposed in the courts as the keeper of a house of prostitution. A ninth, in Memphis, explained his de- ficiency in accounts by saying he lost his money in a Faro- bank and is now probably in charge of a less temi>ting neigh- borhood. A tenth is announced, under date of October 18th, 1875, in a circular issued in Houston, T^-^as, as having, within ten days, "practised divers frauds on some i the best citizens by ob- taining money, etc.," on account of his Agency connection. The list might be increased ad llhitum ; but we merely give these facts THE SYSTEM EXPOSED, 45 to show tho carelessness as to cliaraotor evinced bv tlio A^^oncies in selecting their must tnisteil assistants. Jt is no wonder'siich aids turn out thieves or criiuinuls, or are chosen from tho criminal classes. No references arc re(|uircd ; no ])reliininary examination into the antecedents of an ai)plicant is had. If ho will worlc for low salary, the Agencies give themselves little concern what I'lsc he maj have done or may do. Indeed, one of the jnost amusing fea- tures of Agency life is their utter heedlessness of consequences in the case of credit men. The writcT has often been annised at the retiu-n of credit men, after enforced absences in jail or on tho Island, for reinstatement and l)ack salary. He never knew one of them to bo refused renewed service on such grouruls. AVhatcver they did, th(;y seemed to think they knew enoi;gl.i of Agency me- thods to brazen out tlieir transgressions and enforce a re-employ- nient. And so far as the vn-iter's experience goes, they never cal- culated erroneously. If wo only consider the scope for false, fa- bricated, or collusive reports given by and to the persons whose misdeeds we have just noted, Avhat a terrible mass of misrepresen- tation must have got al)i-oad at their hands ! If we consider that tho Agencies take no ])recantion against the recurrence of like of- fences, Ave may naturally infer that the erjxhsed crime bears but an insignificant ratio to the hidden wrongs and (.(fences daily connuit- ted by persons chosen, by such methods, for such work. And may we not reasonably ask the business classes; If the reputations of traders and the safety of sellers are both entrusted to carelessly or capriciously selected men, out of whose raidvs the foregoing offenders have conic, what is to be hoped for from the undetecteil remainder I 'I 46 THE COMMEUCIAIi AGENCIES. CIIArTER VII. FUllTIlEll ILLUSTRATIONS OF AGENCY IGNORANCE, CUPIDITY, AND AVARICE— DO THEY CONTRIBUTE TO MISLEAD CONFIDENCE V Tins remarkal)lc disparity 1)etweon tlic known salaries of tlio employees of tlic Agency and tlieir ostensi])lo means and methods of living may liave an innocent explanation. A man tna;/ be ■willing to carry on his ehoulders, year after year, the responsiljility of a IJranch office in a leading city, and acting over a large ad- joining District, on a fixed salary of from $10 to $20 or $;>() a Aveek. AVc know these men do so. But if they be not driven by- stress of circninstances to take and hold such a position at such a price, they must be moved to the sacrifice l)y other motives than those supplied by their salaries. Are there no jierquisites ? If "VYiman hopes to make a million dollars— he has already got $200,000 — may not Smith aspire to one tenth thereof i If Wiman may liavo his stud and comitry villa and gorgeous retinue, why may not Brock look forward to the not far distant day when he may drive a fonr-in-hand instead of a team on "NYabasli avenue, nor excite the gall of the managcr-nudcers ? Whatever the true explanation, this argument results: the Agency selects cheap labor l)ccause it is cheap, and pays accordingly ; and cheap labor is a dangerous inducement to p(jorly-paid men, -whose position as raters and givers of commercial credit and standing is so grossly at variance -with their stipulated income. The McKillop A: Spraguo Co. and J. ]\r. Bradstreet & Son Agen- cies claim to have as many Branch offices as Dun, Barlow & Co., and employ relatively illiterate men and cheap ones, in preference to any other, for like reasons. For all practical purposes of com- parison, their methods of receiving gratuitous information and, outside of Kew-York City, relying wholly on volunteer and un- ])aid-for knowledge are the same as Dun, Barlow nuu'li ofHces. This error coiiliniK'd tor iiioic; than a nioiitli, and was onlv coriTctt'd JiftL-r Ki'vcrai davs (d" calling attention to it. It is of I'ccDi'd in the liraiich otlices, owinj^ to the neji'li^'cncc and (•ari'les>iu'ss of the Sii- ])ei'intcndent, and will remain so until this j)ul)li(.Mtion sludl liave (•oni[)i'lled correction. Another one occnrs to ns, as wi; write, ^vher(• no correction has been made, and where oiu' was pri'vented lieiiii:; made, to hide the ignorance of tlie Agency. Koehler iV: Kupler are Distillei's; Iler- jnan Koehler is a J>re\ver ; I. M. Koehlei' is a Itanker in X(!W-Vork. The reports of eacli are mixed u[) with the otlier.^'. Onewas re- ported nnfavorahlv, although all 'Avr men of assured ca[)ital. This j'cport was tacked to the most coiis[)ieu()us capitali-t. The Dry (Joods Dank got the had report of the wealthie.-t man; and al- thouiili the mes.-enirer could have heen recalh^l or the coiTcctiou made to the Dank, the Sujierintendent in.-triicted the writer not to do either, clioosing the T.ank should he misled, and the citizen, it might he, ruined, rather than that the Agency sliould he found correcting its mistakes. Still another, liohert ^Macdonald is a Wholesale Dealer in "White (Joods, I'tc, at I'l^ Droadway, Xew-York City, ajid a sidi- fccriher. AViman does not allow the clerks to read Alacdonald's report to subscribers, but refers iucjuirers to himself for those tit- bits which he dare not place on record or within Mac's readi. AVhat if ^blc does drive a four-in-hand, or has mari'ied a d'lcoi'co., or faileil iu I'elfast, or is disliked in Ireland, cannot this bo written down, if true, in a manly way, and the consetpienees borne ^ Do Dim, J'arlow A' Co. fear to lose a .subscription, or to incur a libel-suit, or to earn a thrashing from the man wlioso ac(piaintanccship is turned into a commodity i ( >f course whatever is offensive in this statement is necessai'ily untrue, and wo repeat it merely for the ])ur])ose of cojitradicting it, iu whole or in part, and with infinitely belter authority for oin- contradiction than the Agency conld ever have had for its lirst slaltMuent. The Scluiyler, Hartley A' (iraham and Koehliu" iV Kupfcr eases are not mere >'lerical blunders, 'i'hey arise out cif the j)'"'- 2wscd iKyhd of all the Agencies to print \\\q jildct f hu.siihi^K in connection with tlie names. In this course Uradstreet and ]\rclvil- 'I'lIK S'iSril.M KM'OSKI). .19 in )- lis ■C'S or VVY It it nul tl.e )i'er nir- '^ ill ;il- lop tt Si)rii/,MU' To. iuiit.itc Dun, Pinrlow i.^- Co, One wonlil iiniii^inc tli:it these imlh-hi woiiM i'acilitatc rct'crciiccs. aihl would, ('dii^c- (|U('iitly, !)(' iiilo]it('(l aiul uscil l»y the Anciicics. Tlid'cj is a lietter I'oasdM why they .'-houM not lie iix-il. Tlio miiiihcr o'i a .-treot wiiiiM he an iiu'H'acoabU' si^'ii ami proni dl \\n' iiqc itr iiirniitjih fc- ■iKss lit" the Aii'dicics' pn'tciidcil kiiowlcdiic. Wlicii tin- in(|iiircr fuuiid a tinii liicati'd in Heaver street \vhieh he knew had moved two years ai^'o to Hai'day, or anotlu'r put down in Wall street which had loni,' siueo taken uj) its position in William or .\a>.-.au, what could he think of the freshness and value of the inti'Uiiieiiee possessed liy the A^'eneies^ If so plain and apparent a <'ircuin- stance is found overlooked ov unknown, what warrant (in he have that the ar-soeiated syllahul) of Avords is not i^uess-work of the veriest '. Their ]ilan is. therefor(% to avoid every sii^n or toktai I»y which a tell-tale erroi- niiu'lit have nsady demonstration, and to lessen the ehani-es of discovei'v hy redueiii:L;' tlu; availahh' tots of (•om]iarative accuracy to the niininiuni. AVe recur auain to Mclvillop t.^ Spratrne Co. 'IMiey are in the same 1)o\ with the rest, as a few examples Avill show. Hawkins iV: Ilankeii, Ihiihlers' ^^atel■ials, jirooklyn, were rati'd liy this At;-ency in duly. jsT:'.. " :;. W},, <;" that i~. capital, " S^IKMiO f,, i^4(l()(>"; credit, " fair for small l!ne<." In. Inly. isTI, we (ind tluaii rated '• lA-, 2, 2"— that is, capital, J'roiii " .slO(»,()U(» to S2(M ».(,)( it) •' ; credit, '' very hi;i:h and very ujood." JIow the lirm nianaifed to jump in one year from the extreme of s4(mm) to the extreme of Si'tMijioo capital is best known to tlioniselves, ami is still a subject of serious consultation Avith the Stockholders of the Xew-"\\)rk Plaster Works, who lost a round SS.^dOO in a sinii'h; li'ansai-tion shortly after the aj)])earancc of the latter rating-, and while Hawkins iV- Ilankeii were in the throes of monetary death I Giroud I'ros. iSc Co., ('uban ( 'omniis.-ioii llou-e, were rated in July, lsT4, by Abdvillop^'v Sprai^iie Co.. al " I. l.l, I""— that i^. capi- tal, from s;3(>(>,(lO() to8D0U,iMi(); cnMlii." wry hiizh and undoubted." Van Tuyl I'c Co., I'ankcrs. beini;- about to discount their jiaper. re- ([uosted a special report. It confirmed the I'atini;-. Within a lev weeks, and while the favorable report was still fre.sh in memory, (liroud Bros, ct Co.'s iirst note,_/(^;' d .^hnill sum, went to protest, and all the others followed suit, to the confusion of the Nation- al Park Hank and Van Tuvl |) iV Spr.imic ('i).'s iiiii'('li;il)lr iiilurinntiiiii or imrMrhiii'ilo L'SSCS. .1. M. Ilradstrc'ct, iSc Son will ;i(Torfl us tlin m-xt illiisliMtion of ])r(>iMiiiii^' iiifonimtioii on wliicli llicir KuhscrilnM-.s mv. cxitrctcil to uiiikf y.id' hiirji'Mi'iis mikI salts. 1\\. L. Obordorfc'r tfc (Jo., AV'lioIcsalo Lii|iiors, Syracuse, wci'o inquired abniif-, in XovcnilxM', ls7i*. al llin ])rinci])al otlicc, in New-York, Hi'adstri'ct, had tlicii no olUcc- in Syra('iis(>, u city of r)0,()()() inlial)itaiits and controllini;,' one of tlio f^'ivafc^t stapli" products of tlic State — Salt. In flu: cnicrirfncy they ■wrote — not tcl('i;ra[»li('resunied ignorant of the Transit of N'enus. ()'( 'oiior nsed to show the inipiiry with comniendahle ]iride ; joked his customers on llie de\ious\\ays of commercial credit, and relied on the courtesy of >ome one to "V'/A an answ(,'r, which he could not i.-tle. it oui;1it to 1 c said that neither O'Conor nor the writer e\-er heard of Oherdorfer until the arriv ' of I'rad- sli'cet's ([uery ! ( )ne of tlu! danti'ers of this nietliod of rej)eatin_ii; inquii-ies and trustini;' to random in tlie aiTair of an answi-r may he noticed in tliis comiection. Ih'ad^treet S: Sou were called on for a report of one -losiah Tasker in tlu; same yeai'. They f-ent Iiy post two hnn- (Ii'imI and lifty miles for the matei'ial for an o])iinon — to Tasker's .sou-indaw! 'i'he New-York ci'editor jirohahly understands hy this time tlu^ old u;entleman's notions alxiut his owii standing'. As to Ih-adstreet A: Son, they will, i»f ct)Ui'si', l)e ohliy-ed to tlu^ writer for posting ihem u[) in the Tasker fanuly history, and hinting that ii slight rehate of suh>criptiou ouglit to he allowed, in this case, to the iiKjiuring iirin. (ioing hack to Dun, l>ar]ow i^' Co., we eloso this cliapter witli foui' pri'gnaut exam])les of the consequences of tlieir negligence or conqtlicity, the i-eader can decide whicli or neitlier. In \)\m, JJarlow & Co. \s Reference l]ook dated Jcniuar//, 1S72, occurs the following: " Oswego, jS'. Y. — AY. 11. TIerrick, i>i\, Af/t. for v/fc, Com- 'i'llE .SVSTK.M KXrOSKlJ. 51 ■IICO |ST2, roin- iiiis.-ioii, etc.," rati'd '• K"' — then tlic Ikwc^I r;itiii;;\ and imaiiiii:;- " iicitfii I' viipilal, noi' ci'tiHt,"^ 111 tlio Hi.rt issue of till! n(Mil<, July, iNTii, tlic sanio ix-rsoii was i-atfd " V 2"— ii;lti(),(iu() Id ;sl'."»(>,0(»(i ; criMlit, >• IIi,:,di." NoTlllMi IIAIi UAl'l'IC.VKI), MKANTlMi:, To \V, II. I I IIIJUHK, SlC, liXCKl'T I UA T III; IIAI» I'AIK SldO Sl i;st Ull'llii.N, " I'l Kia.V ( ).N (ilMlNDS OK I'KUsoNAi, it;ii;M)siiii',"' as mm UTiKii statkd! Ill tlilri iiioiitlior .Inly, Is7:.\ ^[(dvillop iV: Sprai^iu; Co. K.-I't Ih'r- rick's raliiii;' //Ao^/', and Howlclt, Lalliro]) iV Co., of < ).->\Vfi;'o, ^«. \ ., and otlu-rs, sult.-crilxi's to the; Pun, Uarlow iV ( 'o. Anviicy, bitti'i'ly coiiiplaini'd oL' the clVt'ct ol" .such a iialpuMc pcrs (M'sioii of ink and pajicr. 'Ihcy were Alillcrs, and knew Ilirrick, Sr., widl through ^raiii si)eculation. Jlurrick knew tlio A_i;vn(y, *• went, oiu; hcttur,'" and ]troin[)tly failed for a sum Avliich cannot, he called less than respectahle, and uroatly enlari^'ed liy tlu; friemlly '"C l','' on :;-ruunds of ''jjerfscjiial friend.>hi|)."' Ili.s liahilities were ,sl !•;>,(;;;',). 5i*, with wry small assi'ls, and tlio estate is now in nankriiptcy. .Vhoul the L".Mh April, ISTo, the Toronto and Montreal .sii!)- f^eriher.s of Dun, Harlow it Co. enjoyed a startlin;^; surprise — if we call that a surprise which the coinnione-.t acquaintance with Agencies .should have taught them to expect. .V fashionahio young gentleinaii named Zevy, or rather going I»y that name, entered \\\v. (Jity of Toronto sudiii'idy, made his way to the Agi'iicy ( )lUce, and, afti'r a short preluilo of engaging conversation, told Mathews, a partner'.s cousin, in charge of the JJranch, that lu>had just arrived from (u'rniany, was ahout to oi)eii u AVine and Si»ice House in the City, and carried in his pocket a, letter of credit on one of tlu; local hanks for 1^15, (»()()"' to [)ay dutic^i. on the iirst con>igninents of stock of the ]»uronl: (ierman House"" to its I'oroiilo protege, ^[atliews duly gave the customary attention to the statement, did not go to the trouhh; (jf verifying it hy calling at the dc>iguat- c 1 Hank, and wrote down Zevy ifc (.'o. as a new iirm of unduuht- ed capital and credit. Whetlu'r from conlidence in his arrangements with ^Tathews, or in utter contempt of the Ageiicy"s i-imulation of effective iii- ([uiry, Zevy did not deign to hurry himself in executing his swindle. He opened a Store ; hought in Toronto, at his leisure; extended his s[)eculations to jNIontreal, where the Agency re[)ort stood him in stead of capital ; hought largely there ; .sold his pur- pansr ^i U 1i m :i*i 'I .rj, 'I'm; (■'j.m.m;;!:(:iai, A';];N(;if;.s. (■!i;i,, (•;■; In ijx; •.if-iuil) nf 'ri»i''/)il') \vilii(;iil. u, v.lio h-(;(,iji,4 to lia\(;a-, ill iiii;k in ;;ivin'/ hitli-faftioii )■/ ,:ih-ci'il, ci'.-i us »itli'!r of liis ))f(;(|<.'C(:>-Hor,~. A , jn-cia! friiji'l (if hi,-, nj* lo .liiiic, l^T"', v.ash'i nani<'-als<; John .ton, ol' ih'-, jii-;ii lA' !'jn|)<'y, John -Ion A-. ( o.. Whoh- ah' l»,"V (ioo'l-, Si. Ilcicii ,-ll'i;':t, i-,iil),-<-fih- <■!>, and I'atf'l " \) \ '/' that, i.-^, caj.ital. ''X.".'".'.!*)'* to .^IviO.OfMr" ; (;n:(|it, " lli;.'h.'' In the la t-incj.'l.ionc'l niont ii, not willi.standiii;^; lhani(; (■li''-ct, i,i-< i'i^1^\S)<\U ,i,ii ij hi j',i', rl ij , Im rij, il h, /iil.i'i: hr/ II. r, ,,i/, 1/ il ji,,.~: ■,!)!, Ill ,-iiiii'!i I'lii- r, , rii ii,:.lii III-, ,: jliihil. 1 1, ii)(jj(.'arfi tlial> tho .Mana;.'i:i' \va-, not, (-((nii n1 uilli j illn^; hi-. Iricinl-: fuvfjj-ahly lo tin: Lit: he '• >l)ainini< '1 thcni uj/'witli lianh.i atifl Danki'i';-, lie n-jn-i: -(nteil i., Mi-. An;/!!-, of the iJanl. of Mon- treal, that the liian wa I'e his j^aflieiilar fi'IiMi'l : ; that, he had aee-cHH to their llool;-: and that, they •::>-vi: una allahle. in credit, or cajJ lal. '1 o Ml', ('hri tian. . weic in:ols(,'nf, with $l(;o,()()0 liahiliti<;,-;: Some year-: airo l);ivi,- A: Weill failed in the f-anie- ^'ilv, and Henry i).i\i-, iV' ( 'o. !■<;-<• on 'heir ruin and ci,imiif-ncid anew. 'I'licy hiih.-crihed $7"' lo the Agency, and L'o' a \iry f.t\orahle J'at hi'^ iind [irivate rcjjin't, in conhcjiuiiici', fi-om Mana^'c-r John, -on. In June, Is;.",, they failed foi' hetween i^TOO.OOi) ami >'^;')().<)(i(), and •lame.-i (.'oiirt, their A.-;d^:.''nee. has olh'i'cd /- //. c //Ay im, lln ilnllur (ni, l/nir I iiihil il I' 'i lo lli'ir ml 'mi.'-. In other \',<*rd-. thej-e h.id i/cen iio c;i|)ital ol anvac!v. r/.i f. Ill- uml a l.VuUV.Uh: !>ai,kr„pt.y h,::,an.^ ,H'aHi..,h!,.. I.il;.. ,|! ,1,- M;mu..r .|.i,,,.,., ,;,,., ,,.,j, ,.„• ,^,^^ ^^,^^„,^,. ^^_, ^^^^^^ .,,^,., ,;. ,,_^^ an.lu-ouJ.ln:p,.l,.,..,n,y.ilW,.;,:.|i,nily of i,i . n.n.r ation ;":V "■ r?"";:';'"' 'r^'"^"""--- '•■- -'• -vn i.,.., .. a,. , , , ' '.. a MOIJ.I. I,, I!,,. ;;n.J„.„;.,o)l t,i ClIJM.T ''"'l"-v. .Io)h,-,!o„ A' C... or II, M/ Da i\cv ( ., ^>|";-iM..lavof Mav, JV;s; li.,!..,, Ma.iaHa,,, .1.,,.,.;,,, I. ii'm;.ic, aK.v/cjV'i as jollow >•: : _ '■ ' •'■■" ■v.v.u-r. tiiM a iimnhcr Miir-Til;,. |„ il,,- \.V,.„ \,u .'"''■'•"■;"■■:' "■'■/''"■■ --^ ' '>'"i. >u.r: ,1. ,1. ;„rL.,;..,, •,/'////,-/ ,/ /„ /;, ,„,.,„.,.,,., ,,^,,1 ^„^^ ,,i;,,ii,.-^ ^. ;•'>'' •'-'-.,. 10 ;.ay, hat svh.M a M-r-ha.,, .ivs a .orn.H, ol hUf-h M<_'Jr)iai/l. f' 11': an ••,\('jc<| ; .. "^^^^ '^-niM,.:. .,u,,H .riKM,.,, „. ,,:vv ;a.^M.,M.^^. .■;„ . '"'•'; ''-V^' ^"!'^ "^'"'•'' -^"^■"^"'^"<.v, 1 .1. .0,, ,.,„.i,],., ,,;„ <.v-/i uj,.-,i ih.-v oMaju <-,n-.;r'l. i,,fo)'!„atioii.- l''--t!i'T o;i )■„ Jii-,<;xaijii,iati.,„ il,,; nitn--, ,...i,j • jii-^-'au...Iu. Mana,.r i'-.r Hun. liaH-uv .^ C,., •..,,, „,,, „•;;:;;,;"'''::'' ..,, ,,, ,,,, ,,., .i,,^^,, n,. ,,,.,., ,tai,i;.i„,.,. in-,, ; h,„, j,„ ;. „„l,.,-.a,|, ani i ) I L' ": ;/''i)l!'(,),an wlio a!|.n\,-,i an .Am(.„,-v ^■"' ^'''"; i'"!' ii- I- nim|,-i- „atli" an.'l )<:|!(:.s iii to N.-uni tin; ]i!o1i(..,l chiiino'l l.tciill v of the iimi;i*Htioii — iiaiiiclv, '■• Ihnt It coabl rtiiv Jilrttifi 'tDdlionldiiij W'oll, l.h4H Ik rolrc-liiii'j-, wlicllifi- uc ci.ij-ifici- Ito cuiidi))' or moi'iililvl '•• Ituihiiii^ lii'iiis witlioiil, iii(:;ui>,"I I-, it nol (Iccoyijio hul).sci-il)fiv, into cii-dh'nt'^ hwiji'llei-.s, uml I -; not, (|<;(;oyiii^' fuh.i'-i'i- bci'n into ,siif:li cni'lith jdavinL"; tin; rof'; of ;;. coiififictico ofjcnitor for ii hliai'f; of tjic " .-\v!i;r " ^ Ami _y(t tliis o|»|jort.iir)ity was tlio fufiilty ulii'-li Mafiai;ci' Jji^j.-ilin llionLilit fo Ik; in'iht, a—urinii; and convinciiii^ wlicn he \vaiif<:'l a loan or dc-ii-cd a. ^ uli-ci'ipt ion. Tli(;;-i(; fa(;tK, hoi<;i.'ti-d at, i'andoni from tlioii-aiids U> .\SU XKW A'MtKKMKXTS AXI) Si:< I!!-;'!' r||;ri|,Alj - A'l'TKMl'TS K, l)\A'i: Si:i5.S<|;ll',|.:i;,s. Will,;, llic ;iM',;||,.i,;,s wciV! lir.-f Jul i-oiIh^tm] fJicy .'iskcl I'-.r foiifi- 'I' !)'•<: unfl piitj-oiK-iLfc. o/i l,li(; 'j:vi,\\\\i\ of j)i-()in(.f in^r siifc liM.liiiL'- l*v ~\M'-hi\ ].;iio\vlc(l;rf. ciin-fiilly iif(juir(<|, \>y littiiiL;- |hthoii-. Tlicy f)IV;f(:lH|<;(l to.Mflvli;itif.slli;it tlicy collM Hl)i),ly tll<; |.lufi; of |,ci--o|'|- ;il iinjiiiry ami -cciirc ;';cii]vicy, |.n)!iij»l ly. o\c|- alar;/!; extent of '(■i-ritory will) tin; same (teriainly a. o\-ei- a .-mali one. Ti'm \- (litcii- ■-'1 iIi'm'i- cljai^'r,- Mh llii^ l,a-i-;an.|alt|joii;.|i -lieldree aL'enei,,.. !,;,,.•(. «'xi,-,te(|, in onr: fwi'iii oc aiiotlier, a conjoi. i life (,f '.)'•} veai'^, tliev ii.'ivc only Lecn aide to ae'inire frotn :,'."..' )i ) » |,, ;;n.()o » \-eai'|v Hiil).scril)Cf.s in the Cnitcd States ant.(!iife has hern pi-eserve'ij, not hy the e<,ntiniie,| .mij.j.oiI f;/ III,, I rr-n -naiit j.roof of what ihrj Hiihscriher.-, think of tiie .-y.-tem. Coaxed r,r hiiilied into it at the Htait ; ii^iiii,'- it as u means (,f 1<-iiiporary ravdit for a jKisdiij- |Hir])OH('. we v(;t find ^23^ F'ifr i)U '1III-; ro.M.MKKCIAL AUKXCIIiS. llxin . ir \V(; cxaiiiitic till! Ii»\\('i'lii^' nf tlu; prctciifCT in llic aijciii-ics llii'iii, elves, \vi'. will f-i'c a .-iiiiilai' (-liaii^c ijoiii^' on \cai' Itv year. 1:1 J'act, iKilliiii^' aliuiit, f liciii is M) ntiiiarkahlc a.i t hi' :-i;ir ;-ii|)|.li(:i| |)l(i')r,S wliii'li tlicy allid'il o/' tr, ^A.v//v /o rnhiiu t/nir airi, cldniis lo iirtiuuiiij (I till. /•i'f('S. ( )n llic otlicr ham I, tli(! iigcncics, as they i;row in ai^c. Ic-sfn their ]>rctcn.-ion: . ainl aft.c'r starting- into liio on the pici of pi'omolini^ trade liy ;i;ivin;^ rcliahh; inioi'maf ion ahout tradcis. ihey come out, al'ler a lonii' st I'liij'iiie foi" (!.\i.-1enee, and disclaim e\(i'v thoiiiilit of "jivinL!,' tiii.-i worthy or relia'iht intelli^-eiice I The mo.-l llaiirant example of this iwl uflia V()- (M.'ss is to lie found in contract -i made l»y Dim, Hai'low iV ( o. with their :-iili,-ciih(;rs. '/ /n i'r or Tiliai; Aiiii.nv iiifonnuliun of lint .Mcr''iilitili', Slniiiliiiif iiiid " (aiilit, I ill tin: (■oijiiiiiiiiilii-s v\lii'|-i'iii tliiy rcs|ii:rlivily rc-iili) nf our (•ii>t " (till im il) i/i fii'iiiiiiiiiij tlif prii/tiii II/ iif c irml id l/n.ir nffu'r to us (jr lo ;-ilcl) coiilldi-u- " t.i;d clerk !i.i liiiiy \ii: ulltlioiii'.rd liy IH to irccive tin; kuiih! huIijccL to llii ir rr;ful:ilioiis. TiiK s^^s'|■!•:\l kxi'oskd. 57 " Aii.l s'lirl Dun, l!:i)l')',v .'c (',,. k|i:,|1 pn-piin- rmM.ur ii ■.•, uik! |.i,irriii cuv Uii-i,\w^, n " iiilnlcd t:ii\iy of a iJcfrnnfi' li(„,U iirrpuriil liy tlicm coiituiiiii]';- i;il,iii;,'. or fiini-|uiii(-i " of lliccntdit. <.l' hiiniiii: ,-i iiicrj. An't nil, iiiijnlrii-i itl //'/-o- -,///.,■, us iiUo ;i II u-c wi; may " |]j:iki: of Kiiid lOfci-rijcc liiiol., hliull l;it cM'lii-ivcly ronlijicd to t.l|i; |c-iUiMul.-. im.iiin.srt " of our i-l:il)li.-^llllirllt. "'J. 'I'liit iiifoiw/mlioii, ripoi-U or r:it,iii'^'.-i, luid luiirMiiL,', uiiiclj ui', ouj- ;r..'r|j|.<, or " rli:rks may hi olilaiii from Dun, Jiarlosv i*j Co. .■■Ii'iil /in-, ,■ in. nui/ »•iii.\ rrii'ii-h'l, nor 'o ans' olli'-r pi r, on oi- " pcrsoui wlialivi-r othi r lliini llii; irH.'iiilnr,-. of ouj- linn. " '■>. 'I'lii: i-aiil I>uri, li.iilow iV. Ca .shall jirovidi: Mii:rriHi|vi:s svitli t.lii' nanni of l,aw- '• vers, tlirou;,diout tin; L'tiilcil .States and in tin; Donilnioii of (,'an:ida, carifnlly :-:(;l(:cl(;(l " a-i to capability and I'ljiatiilily, (,f wliicli \vi', luay avail (jur.-iidvi-.-i from liiin: to limi; as " occa.sion for llii'ir profc-nional t^crvircs in our liu.-ini'.-.i may ari.-'c, or haid Dun, i'.ar- " low iV: ( 'o. !-hall, if svi: prefer it, tal^i- rpiu .ji: of oiii' loljiiiiou-i tlii-m.iidvu.i, on tirni-; ■' cu -loiiiary in lh;d, dcpartnjint of lliiir l>n inc-s to r'"_'ul.ir .-nli-icrilji-r,--. " 1. \V<- will pay, in advau''!', for one yai-V . irvin-., i,f " mid Dun, I'.arlow it (.'o., to'^etlier willi IIk; n.ii; of : aid U(dVri-ne(i iiook pursuant to " till; fori'.^oini; conditiun.-, and at tin; cmiI of montli.s from tin; d:iti: hereof " we'.'.ill return t'.ie .-aid llefereiie-e Iiook to -aid i)un, Ikiilow I'c ('o. '■ , ....day of , li .•' Il will l)i; Iiol icc'l lli;it litis ;iL^l'(i:lliClil |)l'i /\i(lfS fof I lie ;|ocilcy lii'coiiiliio; 1 111; ;iociit;- of .111). (■i'il>(;i-.s iiicfcly In fiinil -li " 1 'i tlic hcst i»r tlicif ;i!>ilily ill t' ifiiiat loll," iti'., in ni'ili^i' In ;iiil ill,. .-iil)-cfilicf, of prliici ji.il, v// ^AYi"/'/// //'///y ///'■ jiriipi'iil If tij l ric) eij ci jciilal ion, or the few 1 ran -.ii'i ions niaili! A'/// /'/ ol' the i;i- forniatioii e(in\-ey(;i|, or the jii'lieioiis si;tt h-iiiedit, liy eonijiroini.^e. liJLdier imiIiil;.-, or y t!ir |iiir|)(j>" nf (Icvis- iiii^ a "new aL';r<'<'nieiit, ■' wliicli should lei\-e tlieni li^;ally irre- s|t<)n.-iliie to MihscrilxT-, witlHiiit (•all^ill^; flic sii!,;('rilicrs to di- covcv that they were heiiiL'' cozened out ol' riLdits ali'cailv paid for. TIk! tollowiiiii; is tlu^ result ol' tin; laliored ('(jiisitltalioii lictwecn tlu; '" h'adinn' leiral minds of the couiiti'v''; TKK NKW A*;i{i;i:Mi:.N'r. •II i;m< ok -ciiS! kii'IIon to tiii: \ii:i:e.\.N/ii,i; A(.i:mv. '■ .Mi'iiinntriluM iif III'' iiuTi'i'iiicnt lut '.vnn I)iiii, liirlnw iV' ('"., )ir(i|iri( loi-s of II. i: ' Mi'rciiiailc Aixi'iicy, nil 11 iic |orl, aii'l lln' iiii(|ri>i!j:iicil, Mil)-cril)rr:, to Ihi: mid ' a;^i'ncy, on the oIIiit put, iiiiinly : " Tlir siiiil l'ni|iii('i(ji-:, ;irc tn coimiiuiiicMtr to ii?, on n'i|ti''-t, for our ii~'' in our liu^-i- ' IK-'HS, iix nil tii'l to IIS ill ilili'i'iiiiiiiini III'' jii-'i/iriili/ (if i/ii'iiif/ i-rn/il, Midi iiiforiiKi'ioii ' urt till'}' limy posscKH coiicfniliii,' till' imi'I-ciiiiHIi- .-!;iiiiliiiu' iiiiil cri'iiil of .Mit<'Ii:iiiI>, ' Tniil'i'-, .Maiuifuctiircrs, ft''., tliroii'j;lioul tin' I'liiird Sbilis iiinl in tin: Doininio'i of ' Caiiuilii. II is nujri'id tliut siicli iiiforniiition has maim, v iiKi:N, ami siiai-i. maini.v • ui:, or.i'Aisiai and roMMisiiATia) liy 'crvanl-, rlcrlively eonrmed to the bu-iiic-s of our ■ (•stablishmcnt, mul ilmll inn rhf rniiimuiiii'iilnl In l/ir /iirsnus i-rjini-liil, nor to liny oilier ' jxTson or person^; wha|e\rr otlur than niemlier of our lii'in. "!). Till' said Dun, IJiiilow A Co. -ham, n COM.MfNlCATINii Till: HAIII INTdltM ATK iN, AM) Till; A IT I A I. Iri>l/i nrrorrrrliirssiif' »iiil infnriiintinii i.i In in> mnnin r ;/iiniiinluil I ;/ tin- mill Ihui, i;.irl'i"i\- I'll. The iielion of .--.lid u:;eney heiii'i- of m ce-slly almost entirely eonlldcn- tial ill all iU de;.iirlineiit- iiiid detail'^, the. said Dun, Harlow iV; Co. shall never, tiii- dii- any eireiiiii-tanees, lie rei|iiired liy the siili erilnr to (ii-elo>e the liiiine of any such servant, clerk, utloriiey, or (•niployie, or any faet whatever coneerniiis; him or hi.'r, or eoiieiTiiini; the niean.s or soureer> hy or from whieh any information so po-se,-;-ed or conniiimieatecl ua- ohtaineil. '• X The said Dun, Harlow ii. (.:■!. urn henhy reiiuested to iilaee in our keepiiiir, for <.ur exelii.M\e lie, a printed copy of a Uefereiice-Hook, contaiiiint,'rutinf.fs or murkiii-rs TIIK SVS'I'KM KXl'O.-'Kii. :,[) " <'f (•.sliiiiiili''l f^M'"''' "'"' ri'lnlivi' ci-i'ilit. tt:nii|iri'.^ of hiiiI, )iii-itir,s niPti a-^ !iforc:,;\i(l, " |irc[)iiri'tl livlliriii or Hi'i-Viinl^, clri-U^, att'inn-vs, iiud inipl'iyi'iv^ af(j|'i>iii(l, lu^'clhi'i- " with NotlliciiUiiii Sliii'l of cMiri riiuii-,. W't- fiirilirr ii;;nc thai, iipiiii Ihr . "■1. \\'(i will jiay, ill advanci', dollars for one ynnr'.s ficrvici's from thr " (latchcriof, of naiil Unn, I'.arloWiV: (jo., loj^rlhcr with the, iisi' of said Rcfcn^KM' Hook, " pin-siianL to tin: fori-i,'oinL; <'on(lilioiis, and snrh other sinn annually thcn'aflfr for llii' " Kiunu Its may licj HLjntcd ujion hctwrcn n- \crbally or otherwi. '■, sulijeet alwavs to the, " conditions and obligations iiliovr nn-ntionid. '■ o. Dun, Harlow \, Co. ai-i; hcri-hy ["riMitl'-d to jv.sc/c, I:, lliri„yilr(s Ih'- ri'jht l.i " lifiii-iiiiiti: llili niih-ii-rijilinn ni niiij fiiiu-, on Iht: r'liaynirnl of tlie anioiint fur thr nno;- " pircd portion tlnircof. " ilay of IS ." 'J'lii.s new ;iorcciii(.Mit, if only ii-cil uifli new siiliscrilicf.s, wuiiM 1)1! ."imply ail o|)('ii (■(.iii'o.sioti that I Ik; aL-'i'in-y lia'l (lisccjvtTc:!, anil was ready b> admit, in a r<>iiiiaiid-- ol' dollars under the, old con- tract, it was nolhino; h'ss than a i;i'o~s ;i,„f ihm, in in'ti- • lUhuil cusrft, hut II lilll- litrl ,i',l> •ini-r.hiir ,7. .\11 the old fcriits now III \oiir possession ' iniisl be dc:stroyi-.l ul onee, to pntvent th oo-.ll.iliiy of their bc-irii,' ii^. d after this ■ notice. "Ill '"'..I. ion uilli tin , in: to draw yoiir atte,,'' 00 TlIK C'O.MMEUCIAI, AtJH.NClKS. " now in-i'Viilc'iit, more or Ic- ;, cvcrywlii'n' -nf iiskin^', hy li-li'^'m],li or ]r\lfvy, wlictlii'r " piirlics imiiii'il iiri' s^ooil for spccilliul sums or not. // /.i mi iilijirlioiiiihlc jTiria nf iii- " qnifij, fur im ." (Si-iiedi " DTN', li.M'J.OW Si CO. This o-('iier;il (trdi'i* I'roiii the Aufciicy ti» its flci'ks to ciiliM" (»)i ;i pysf;eiimfi(' course of drccptioii witli tlio ])ri!i(*i|);ils of l)f)tli, is n Yixvii and instnictivc lesson in A; to the man who employs both, must be i>afe and iit i)ersons from Avhom to (;x])ect conscientious ratin;.;s or to withstand bribes ! Low-salaried clerks, far removed from the 2>roteci'i ni'inc>p(d ojjlce iih jVeio-Yo/'Jc, and drilled Avitli elaborate detail in tricks of sleii^ht-of-hand sid)sti- tutioii of one thino; for anotlier ; enjoined to the use of tact an know th(;so, ur CMou^di of tlicm, to have; an o|.inion: if ihcv (-an only say tlicy " havo an im[)rossion"' of a man, or tin; man is - lliou.i^-lit to he,'" or only '• supposed to he,' m.,,,,,]^ ,,r in orodil, what can tJio A^-(;ii('i('s () a year ^ They conccdi.! their in(!oni|)etency hy .St ij.u latino- to evade resi.oiisihility. 'I'hey iidmit their i.-^nuraric'e hy pi'ovidin- for lis e\i.re.,>ion in tlu^ most .self-i)rotectin-- w^ViU. They say, in olfect, all wo can ,say of them: they arc; willin^i,' and iinxious to <,^;t the jMihlie's money, but what to return foi- it ii\cej)t faeilities for fraud, hy third [)artius, must remain ,1 pi-ofound mys- tery to tiiemselves and tliu iniblic, '• j^Ki6.siug undur^tauding." I C,2 THE COMMKUCIAL AGENCIES. ciiAi'TKii rx. DISPENsiATION'S OF PIKA'IDKNi'F, olt WIIA'I' v— 'I'llI', Sl'.CUF.T BLACK LIST— WIlA'l' IT IS, WITH I LLI STIt ATloNS. A i;i:m;ui:\ci; to Uk; Secret Ui'])i)r[s and Ulack Li>t>, jjrcscrvcil, read, Mid ciroiilat'cd on ivi]iK'>t hut iiL'xer [nihlislied, is now in order. In I^.aiderson in cliargc of their Xew- ^'ork City Department will tell yon, with a knowing!; leer, " Jcs- '• up lias taken cari^ of Xo. 1 all his life, and "will continue to do so." If this l)e not, pulilcicnt to startle you, he Avill add, ''lie is not '• considere(l hy s(jme very reliahh>, not strictly reliable, and ouly be- '•lievcd safe for enji-agonients when strictly deiiued.'' AVliat elfcct tliese sardonic utterances may have had on A. T. Stewart iSc Co., the ^lerchants' I'ank of Canada, and the various others to whom tliey have been retailed, we know not ; l)ut they are strange thiii,i^s to say or wi-ite of a gentleman mIioiu the Agency is obliged to ad- mit is d'orth, oi'cr one mill'ion dollars and five of outdanding dihls f AVo think it maybe said, however, that A. T. Stewart has bought no exchange thi'ough Jesup & Co. since this coward- ly and unmerited imputation was iiuijarted ; and that Mr. Jesup lias continued to forward subscriptions to his secret assailants, -with- out " caring so nnicli for Xo. 1" as they would have people believe. With the information now first imparted to Mr. Jesup, is it too broad to advise that he increase his subscription and await results? ..iVmong the long catalogue of merchants favorably reported iu the Ivefereuce Uook and sul)jected in the Secret lieports to such I Tin: SVSTKM KXrOSKI). :i>i)(M".-iuiis (tu tlicir l)ii>iiu'.-s iiliilitv. ;iiul .-iii'li iiiipiitatioiis dii tlcir iiitciirity •>!' cliariictcr, ;i-i we Iiiivc initiccd. ,1. iV W. Si'lii^iii;m iV ('ii., the wcll-luinwii (Mi-in:iii naiikiiii;' IIoii.-i", whose rstiiii:itr(| casli ciiiMtal is Hii.diin.diMi, liUs a (•(.iispiciioiis place. This i^wnt lioiisc! lias stoml ahusc eriliri-m ov siis|)iiM(iii since ils (irt;aiii/.al ion. I'anics ha\-e conic ami i;'oiie aii'l left it. uiiairecteil. 'I'lie e-jiecial faNdi'ltes ol' Mercantile! and Coiiiiiiercial Ayeiicies lia\-c siiiilc around it hv the liiiiidrcd. 'I'rial iiiiy ]tv said iievei- to have rcaclied it, I'or !t^ roiindalions Wi'w laid in the eternal vcritie-; of a ])racf ically ine\haiist ilde ca[iita.l ojieratiiii;' on an iinchan^i'eaMv re- lialilc (Jerniaii constituency. It could not he assailed or depre- ciated openly Avithoiit stultilicatioii to the assailant ; \-ct it is soc'i'etly represeiiteil as "not considered eiitii'ely reliahle," and as a lioiise "oidy helie\e(| r-al'c I'or eiii^'at;-eiiients when clearlv (h'lined, '" If/If/ l''/itr/i /till/,'.';, (//ri/'r i'// t/i///'/s', ir< // i//7i /■ /As' />''•// ///A/'r.s'As'." ^'^ut relia])]el Where did any Aiivncy lind iviii-on or authoiity i'or so sweeping' a cliai-acterizatioii i Only iit to ho lii;'hte.-t [>rctenci! of truth, and iiiiist ha\'e heeii in- dulged in for some purjiose discreditable to tin? utterer. llow can it have an 'Imnoi'dhli- exjilanation •' The contrasted ease of Duncan, Sliei'inaii Sc Co. is more recent and as su^-j^-estive. AVilliam Uutler Duncan, the ^[lecenas of Xew- York J\[ercliaiits, the e\eiii[)lar of hi^'h l)usinesri and personal lionor — if till! Ag-encies were to be trusted — was hopelessly in- volved when they coiiipliineuted liini as lilg'liest in creilit and means; and it sounds odd to learii now, from the ('(jurts and Orders of Arrest, that liis father was a secret creditor all the time, lioldiiif^' the greater ])art of the son's wwA estate in iiiirec(U'ded Deeds, jdaeed on tile for the first time two days before! the failure. It turns out now that the iirni was only worth :i ili'irtl of theii' in- debtedness at the very hour when tlie Agencies were heralding their "money-making iiivestnieiits"' and advertising them to all comers as in "• imliniited credit,"' when many mercbauts. taking their information from more reliabb^ sources, knew them to be embarrassed for years and in hourly danger of failure I Jii other Avords, the Agencies i-ated them wiu'tli '• (jiie million and over ;"' that is, over all lialjiiities; go that, in sul)er fact, tliev were about .tu IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 7 ^ ^ /> .i lit error ! J'csido.s, it is now stated tliat, instead of ]uivin do who passes tlirough the Avorld in any public posi- tion and is obliged, by his daily duties, to extend the courtesies of life to those Avith whom luj may come in contact. But there are men who, in pursuit of some hobby, go out of their way to asso- ciate with persons of whose " character" there is no doubt whatever, as that abused word is applied, and yet the Agency moralist is 11 . "^ 4 TUE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 65 exceedingly careful to overlook matter of coiunioii notoriety. Wc can point to at least one liundred names, highly complimented by thorn for " character,'' who travel away from their ostensible busi- ness, whenever an occasion offers, to frequent ganibling-hells, t<» l)lay "sport" on race-courses, and to lead a life of extravagance, excitement, and conspicuous sensuality. J low those persons have escaped censure Avhen better-conducted men have been singled out for attack and condemnation, the experts in human motives must imagine for themselves. Did they strike their colors and lighten their coifers on sighting a piratical craft i Did they pur- chase excm[)tion from the penalties of the proscription by a timely ransom 'i The meudacions details which enter into these infamous records are not worth further illustration. How some respoctabh' and reputable business men arc spoken of as '' onl}' lit for a public '' institution whore they could get their board and lodging for "nothing;'' how family aifaii's of groat age and no A'alue are made to serve a j)rosent resentment ; how matrons' names are associated with fraudulent transactions of whicli they never heard, may be readily inferred from what has been written. It is sufficient for our ]>resont purpose to say : Over eight thousand fonr hundred Merchants an»t, iu their honor, character, and business integrity in these Private Reports. Throughout the United States and Canada over n'mcty thousand others are treated to the same public compliment aiid secret detraction. Is it possible to reconcile the ]irinted report and spoken lie coming from the same origin { If the slander be true, or bidieved to l)e true by the slanderers, why do they Ho in print? If the printed statement be trui', why do they asperse and falsify ])i'ivatt,'ly l The manner of these secret reports is as bad as the matter of them. The same hand can be tn'ced in the same catch-[»ii rases throughout. It is a])j)ai'ent to the initiatcid that ignorance and as- sumption have joined together to produce the worst possil)lo kind of c\viic. Morrit'C, Ilerrick. (/* 'id ihhh! 'j'lnis, tlic liiii(pr<)ii> imivluint wlut vi.sits tliem voliintarilv to show liis ival iiK-aiis, or li-y to correct their misrcprcsoiitiition, luust not always cxpccf jiistiv-c or f;cciiril_v as tlic coiii|tkMuent ot" a subscription. 'J'/f /•"/- /v f/i"f .■<>//).^cr/'/>i"'ti'< iiioH'tfi/ jiisf !/i j>/'iij)i>/'/iii/i til tif' iiiiiouiif pd'iil ; Ixit till' voluiitci'r needs also tu rcmciuhcr tint all the owiu-rs of the concerns have not e(pial control of the ])rivate ri'[)orts. It". 1'or instance, von con- fess your liusiness niattci's to Dun. of Dun, Uarlow tV: Co., you niav look for rei)rw f(U- the lir-1 liine the mortiticationof knowing- that, altliout;]! his capita! wa-^ L'l '■!'.'*•>'> ($2I<>, to sT".<'i>" while cnuinninicatinu' w ilh Charles Pratt ^' Co.. Central National r.ank. Hank of Ih-itisli NtU'th-America, Uaiiover National Hatdv, and others in and out of New- York Citv ; and that, '-althouifh standini;- hit;h anions' Ills "friends, he had conveyed the idea of unreliability to iier.-ons not OS 'I'lIK COMMKKCIAL AC.ENX'IKS. ' ' i \ 1 ; •'.so iiitiiiKitcly cuiiiifi'ti'il with Iiiiii;" that is, liko ihi; nianaijijer, who j)r()l):il)ly ii(!Vor s;iw liiiu in his lifo. Ho soon learned "he was, in ''(111! main, Mil (Miii^iiia, and »»f doiihtfnl rcliahility, ahhon^h cor- " tainly prompt, I'Mcri^i'tic, ami (•apal)h'." The mistake of ealliiijif on the wmnL,' man in this ease shrin\k .t'r)(>,uoo into !S(l(»,(M)0, and etitaileil on ii merchant and lirm of indubitable resonrees and tlici lii^^hi'st. coninKM'cial standing, who should never have entered such a place an ill-favored siroma still hanirini,', without any intentional fault ol" his, around all his enterprises. In the closing words of the manaj^cr, " If he sliduld i^vt into trouble to-morrow it would *' not create a ij^reat deal of surprise, and the universal remark '' would be, ' I told you so I ' " This is what ho as (/anu>ron. Dun and he were actjuaintances of twenty years. |)uii thought him to be as /<» knew him to be. The city mauager did not know him at all, but ho saw through him in a flash — tlu'ongh him and his jidmitted half milli(ju capital — and iia/.etted hiui '"as not the most reliable man in the world." lie was not. indeed '* unsafe," but "your accoimt with him ought to "he watched" — as if every man's account ought not to bo watched, only his. These words of golden wisdom did the nuxuager indite and cause to be communicated to A. T. Stewart & ("o.. Wheel- wright, Anderson A: Co., ^[inot, Hooper v^'. Co., and Kilibe, (Muif- lie, Shreve it Co. what lime M. (J. Dun, under the softening thoughts and pressing duties of a prospective day's recreation after the maTUier of Isaak AValton, committed his departing friend to the nierci'ivs of the guardian of the vestibule. Dtm ma)/ havo been hospitable for the hour; but why, when he left the shores of his ever-llowing Pactolus for Lake Simc>i !)•'.•< tall tower I'rstwhile cast its genial shade, has com- Tnitte(l (in Aijreii.'v ooinion"! some tliro oiTenco ngain>t the stringent rules of morality and conduct favored by the Agenty. lie had had the fortime, or misfortune, to be retained and to plead 1; THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 01) for (say) :i criminal and convict. He liad liad the fnrtlier fortune, • or misfortnuc, to 1)0 counsel (say) for an iiii])eaclic(l judge, llolh nets were in the due exercise of his profession ; were, indeed, duties in a professional Heiise ; but their due perfornmncc did not t'.valt Iiini in Agency eyes; relegated him to doubtful compaiiy, und drew down ou his unconscious head these potent (It'/'fa : '* He "is not very p(»i)ular with some of tliti IcKling nieml)ers of tlie " bar;'' is oidy '* in ftonut (piarters regarded responsible for U'gitl- " mate business wants; Ia su.'ij)frted o\' having no jn'operty in Ins "own name; is dabbling in outside operations, and cayinnt be rc- " commended to credit." It may be of slight importance to the learned gentleman what "some leadiiii; members of (lie liar."' in opposition, think of him; less, how "some cpiarters'' regard him ; none, what the Agency recommends or omits to recommend in liis behalf ; for his credit is unimpeachable. But we should really like to know whether lie lost the chance of a lawn-cutter, a plough, or a client in consequence of the inquiry of Vanderbilt Brothers, or the ignorance, malevolence, or political or personal prejudices of this Agency representative. A Well-known lawver, rcsldinu: near live, witli an odico in Lilicr- iy street, and estimated worth from 8oOO,Of»() to 81,000,000, the owner of dozeuo of houses and the director of a bank, is anotiicr victim. lie Is cirnounced as a "sharp, shrewd man, who will get "the best oi .< bargain, and rather unscrupulous. Transactions "with him should also be clearly defined, antl in 'black and " white.' " The iteration of the same phrase- palls on the ear and indicates the poverty of language which may consort with sly malice and devious detraction. What Mr. C. did to merit these opinions, complimentary to his legal, at the expense of his moral, character, we know not ; but Me Avould wager a ducat that their uttcrer merely spoke from his own inner consciousncsa to CKh-c- land and St. Louis inquirers, and wholly without a tittle of persotial experience or other justification. Passing from the legal fraternity, win* are naturally measured by the Agency's standard of professional ability and integrity — itself indicated by their selection of one AVhelp to superintend their collections and bark, in return, at the citizens of Staten Island — we come to the treatment of literary men and literary ventures. In this citegory of Agency effort, the jealous nature of ignorance 70 TJII'; (OMMKUCIAIi AUKNCIKS. . ( 1 '5 I * 1 I ■1 till I i ■ \ ' .11' it aii'l ;il><> llir CMiitiousiicss <>f cowardico assnl tliciii-clvf-. Wlu'iv tliorc! is et'ause of the compelled restraint in regard to jonrnaiisni ^iropcr. ( )ur lirst e.\am[)le nnn en^au'ed in the puhlications. In Fehrnary lliey were '• smart fellows *' — a favorite tei'ni with the familiar Immpkins of the aifcncies— and, " on the whole, sat- "'isfactorv." In Xoveiid)er the sime atisfaction of the ]iro[)riet(trs," altlion_i,di " paying' pronijitly and making- money." It is nut fur us to re- concile these sudden contradictions of feelintr 'md cinMunstance-:. But it is fair to a.-k how the same lientlemeii, " satisfactory"' i;» Fehrnary and '• making money" up to Xovend)er, came, in ?so- vendier, to he without i)uhlic conlidence and possessed of K) little moral sense as to " take care of themselves, at all risks" i And it is also fair to ask whether or not these gentleiuen, and men like these, connected with the honorahh; profession of journalism, are pleased to find the hoohiesof the agencies ^ircsnmiug to 8ay what is and what is m)t " g(jod management " of oneormore leading news- l);'.pers { AVe do not know Avhat elfeft tlu; wise-saws of the Agency may have had on II. (■. Ilidhert vV Co., F. (?. (Jreen it (\k. ,]. V. Anderson, Jr., & Co., Ihilkley, Dunton *fc Co., W. II. Parson vV Co., and others. "We do know that the assailed gentle- men could graphically resent tin; impertinence if they saw fit. The publisher of another daily news|>:iper, ami known to ]H)s- sess a great deal of wealth, variously estimated from si>r>(Mt,(MIO to .S1,'><'1'0, a member of the "Manhattan Club, and a Director (»f the Associated Press, is denounced in the sjverest terms as a ill Tin; SYSTKM EXI'OSKI). 71 *• h.Ii|>|ii'rv, iiuri'lial)!*' man, iiiililtfil I'.tr ri>iMi w liu-f wortl <•!' Iiniiur pu-scs cunvut with all \\\i>> Uintw liim lor aiiv aiiHMjiit ot" iimiu'v ; whu lias iiuvcr cuiitott-'il a claim uiih-.-s ho ItrlinviMl it I'lainliili-nt, ami who is rati'd In tin; lutiTciici! IJook in ••/■'/// i^ooil" crtMlit! W'v Icani his iihclh-is an; jinxioii.s to ivtract tlii-ir a.^jH-i^ioiis now that tlit'ii SL'crut tU-l'ainafion is cxposi'il ; |»ut wi; shonld think as Hull' (if tilt' ])C'r.-on who wouhl hi) Kiti>liriich a rc(juilal for f-o "jriovtMis !v NVi'oii'' as wu ilo «(f hi> ti'aiinccr-. Tliu familv cii'i'li! is no .sifiT from altai-k than thu I»ar or th • Tress. Thus wo loarn of tine 11 that *• III' takos too iiiin-l'. '• wine, and is |»o.>aL'.-si'd of un < if/i/rin/tinf irij'. taal fa-t Imr^o-." Of anotlur "II. ," that, "ho has ivcciitly Itccii mad-i no- '• torioiis by hid luvr for the; drama ; l>y hiiii;^ ^lud lor divoicc '•/'//" notorloitfi nthcdllid •I'lKidlxt iif' flu' Vnrit fi/, awA hy it lioinj.; " alli.'j,('d that llil-H ist/i, htsf of ihiXi' iii(irri(i(i'M, and that /ii.^jii:if " ii'/j'i' is .sli/U/'i'i'ii'/ !n /J/'/,/>/ii." 'I'lu! second " 11." i-^ coiicodod tohu in ■• oxrcllcnl credit," Imt the o|»|iortiinily of rrcordiii;,' these useless details in a record could iiol, he mi-.-id. ( M" another licii- th'inan it i^ told thai '• he i> doiiiM- a lar^e lni.-inoss and thoiii;-hl to " he niakiiin' nn)ney, Ldi /v tni'ii/r,// at a, .sn/'t iri//i //ir ir,i/(/ir or " l another, wh<) "is worth from !S-J()i»,n(i(» to sj.'ii 1,111 lit," it is carefully relate 1 that ho is " am[»ly .safo and ros|»on.sii)lo for all contracts, Imt wa^ at mt " /////' an iiinialo of the IWiiy-hamtoii Iiieliriati; Asvluni."" An other will h,' .^nrpri^ed to icarn that his daw^hters, li\ in:;- in hi.- Iioiiso .-inco their hirth, " left him on acconntof a secoml marriayt'." Indillerent to the reserve of home, the a;:,'oncios are al-o iiidill'ei- etit totho sanctities of conscienci-, and betray the bitjoteil pr'-pos- sessions, of evi'ry tempoiMiy n.anau'cr., i:i the record. Charles II. .Vliph'i^ate, doinijj ljn.sines-> in l)ry (io(.d> at .'I;')'* liroadway in 1^71. ami as.soeiated as ])artner with a hoii.-'O re|tiited to be woi-th Sl'oii.im).), is made the scaj)e-i:'oat of a narrow re.'iixions )»rejudice. Ileisde- iioaiiced as "an tii'ih ut M( //it.-" lo-t a certain jimonnt of btisine.ss 4ualiiieali<.'ii in pi-oportiou t> iju-ir ar- dor of reliijioiis belief and their eai;erne>s in j)raeiisin_ic ill The editor of the " (Jiu'hee Saturday IhidLref," ipioled in the Montreal /Su/t oi September 14tli, ISV.^, i^ tmr authority for an- s H, I ■ i| I i rr -■ 72 TIIK COMMKUCIAL A surprisiuir still in these rullianly re])orl;s, namely : ''that I'l.-it •( f Ic-^s woallli m" ;^n"i';it('i' si'iisiliilit y to iil)ii8i', if a |Hir[>u&tj iu;iy Iju mi'vuiI nr ;i I'l-eliiii; irratitinl. in teiitliiipj to tliode.structioii of society, seal up from prying eyes the inevitahh- rcconUof iiiiinan frailty. ]A'gi>hifures pus.s Siatutesof Limitation t(» restrain ami prevent discnssiuns of personal eharaeter only cal- culated to foment strife and endani^er social peace. ]\[unicipal ifo ivermnents set apart a time fur removing,' the natural accumula- tions wliicli might alVect the health of localities l»y hciiig hrought in contact with the uir nt less propitious hours for human rest. The Agencies alone, hound up in their own selfish objects, and in- cupahle, from their very constitution as depots of ignorance and ra- ])acity, of rc>i)ecting any tie however sacred, any reserve how- ever urgent, any misfortune however retrieved, set no hounds to the accmnulation of matter obnoxious in itself, and display their indilfcrence to honor, and the comities of Society, by giving it a ])ernuinent ho.-'P>itality and a [lerpetual circulation. 74 Tilt; CU.MMKltCIAL A(Jt;>:ciK.s. CIIAPTKU XI. 'I'm: \\\:v.K\.y ciianok siiKirrs-TiiKiu iNco.MPMrrKXKSS— Til Kill AUK. l^ I S! I i ]»i;siiiK till! vciu'lv, liiilf Acailv, ami (iiiarlcrlv IIcfi'iTiH'i' I'ook.-, tho tliroi! At^eiu'ic's iii pcivoiis. The average miiiiher of names on llies(! Shei'ts is not over thrci; liundred. AVhatever the nraiidi (Ulieesean \>\rk np tiny report to tliG J*ri!U'ipal ( >iru'es,and the Principal ( )tllces print and dislriltnte ^vcekly or monthly, as their eu-^tom may he. The 1ir>t oUji-ction to lliese Sheets is apparent. Anioiii^- .s(»0,(Mi(l persons the lliietna- tiun.s of hn>ine.-s. of a di'cisive kind, nuist nimdier thousands week- ly. Let anv sinyli! Mercliant. in anv town i\\ this Cowntrv or in Canadii recall the clianu'es in hiisiness men's alTairs within his own knowled^^e during' a .^ini;le wei'k, ami he will immeiliati'ly discover how incom[)lete and inadeipiate the few hundred in- .stances i^iven in the Sheets must he to represent ihi' changes hy Deatli, Dissolutions of Firms, Insolvency, .fudgments, Fire, and the thousand and al Offices make up the Sheets from this slowly gathered matter, print it during two days, and, ln.stead of mailing directly \n-: m TIIK SVSTKM KXI'OSKl). t.> lil'^ to siiliscriln'is, rctdni tlie Slu'ct-^ i-i iiuck.igi's to tlio IJniiidi Ollicos for tinal ili^trilmtion hy mail. Ill llii.s inatiiitT tlie weekly l;:.r, wlii-ii rei-eivod, <;c'iicrally ckii- vcvs iiii'di'iiiatidii flin-e wcoks «»M. N'nw, it U the (•(iiiiiiudi (• jK-ricncc of liusliic-s men that tl o pcrio'l iiio>t, (laiii^ci'oiis to limicst tradi-is in always the prriixl just |(rf\i(>iis to micN|icct(Ml cliaiii^i'M, ov witliiii a short time after they Iiavc ha|>iM'ii''il, ami in advance of their hceoiiiiuL^ notorimis. If tlio Am-ncii's meant to servi' their snl>s('ril)er.s in anv wav. th(! ^i'reatest e.xpeilition wonhl he shown in this critical time. If tliey couhl n<»t aid tliem hy approximatiii;^ correct ratini^s, they mi^dit, j't hvist, make an elTort to i>t'i>iiij>lh/ amioniico such njx n, .sirn '■•< as I'ailiires, Sns])eiisions, Receivi-rships ;\iid Fire . They know lietter tlian to attemjit it. Ilowevei- the defects and incompli'te- ness of their arraniivments may lie to sidiscrihers, they are fully appreciated l>y tla^ .\i;'encies. l').stJnit If A is a meaniii,u;fnl motto to tl:em. It is .-^aferand hetter for thorn that th(; iiuoscribcrs shouM wait and sulTer. in tlieir podrels and ^oods, than tluit tho .\t;cncies should he jiut to the additional cost and resi)onsihi]ity of tele;;,raphin^ chanu'es, etc., hy moans of the Associated Press, or rejiorl a financial deatli until it had stunk heyond providoi.t'al resuscitation. This niirj^ardliness and sclf-convictin_u^ caution dis- tiniriiish all thev do and deti'rminc all they decline! and lu'i-'lect to do. The use of tlu' telen'rajili to and from their Uranch Offices would cost from l?-2o,()(lo to $30,00(1 yearly, perhaps more; hut if it saved ten suhscrihers out of .^0,000, durini,' the whole time, from loss arisinij from want of information, it would he a partial, liowever inadetpiate, reijuital for the !5SjO()(),O()0 extractecl yearly from the hushiess capital of the country. Even this slight chance of recompense is disrei^arded. The coercive features of the insti- tution are relied on to make; uj) for every shorteomiui^ or omission. The Ai^encies know they may snore if they choose, on the principle that Apolh) .se/tijx'r iwcHhi fi nilit, aiul a man capable of comnnmicatin^ contairions disease may thank no -one for showinn' him a lIos|)ital. A t;mall-[io\ patient tinds plenty of room and encounters little controversy in any community. Let us, liowever, suppose the OhanjTe Sheet received in due course. Consignments have had plenty of time to reach the buyer's hands, or his lieceivcrs, or his Assignees. Pro rata dlstri- lit If:' m i'H !Hi I ) n ■. 1 TO THE COMMEIJCIAL AGKXCIES. bntinii, iiisioad .if rccuvepv of tlio goods (ir pMyinoiit in full, is tlic iiist coiistviiti'iici'. The second is: ciitailcd ('(ots fur Attoi"iio_\>", iiJid, in Ciisu (»f collection bcinj^ juadc througli llic \, j/rojit yrnni the vct'i/ '"■•<-i ir/t/'c/i f/tcir ne(jl!(j(Ui('c of iilicant's name is a (U'ceiving assurance; wliile, on the other Iiaiid, it' tin' name ap- pear in connection with an honorable change or a suspension, nothing i- salhort, ])rotracted, or distinguished by circumstances justifying forbearance rather than pressure. It is of eomnum occurrence to lind Firms that liad resumed within :i Nveek after susj)ension dropped t)Ut of tlie Change Sheets entirely, and thns excluded from the connnunity of active traders to whieii many ^[erchants and ^fanufacturers look for desirable customers. ])Ut if the resumption be announced, it comes nutnths after the time of h;iji[iening ; and the I'esuscitafed firm has liad a cliance to secure new a.-sociatioiis l)eforo the old ones could wisely take ad- vantage (^{ their longer acipiaintance and formi'r relations. Of the Xotification Sheets of McKillop ^ Spragut; Co., ,]. M. I^radstreet it Son, and Dun, l»arlow »t Co. the general charge liolds good : — tliat they are made np from the same sources as the ]{eferencc IJooks ; are slow to come, and nseless or confusing wlien they do come. Tn a country of (juick transportation, a device Avhicb gives contemplated or accomplished fraud even a week's start is necessarily valueless except as a test of patience; and after-tlie-fact knowledge l)Ccomes likewise a work of supereroga- tion, in the instance of honorable business mi:-fortime; for wdio ever heard of an honest man attempting to incur obligations when in ii state of tlagrant failure M'ithout apprising the credit-giver of his condition 't They are, therefore, too tardy to prevent losses ; too meagre not to deceive the trusting ; and, although the most pretentious sign of activity and alertness of the Agencies, arc of a piece with the decoy of the Prize Package and the trick of the Sawdust swindle. As the yearly, half-yeai-ly, and quarterly Kefercnco Books arc the standing capital and menace of the Agencies, they are made to do double duty — extort the yearly subscription THE SYSTKM EXPOSED. I t principally, and extract .a liiciiiiial liix uf SlO besides from subscribers. One woidd tliink the yearly charifo ninnsti-oiis enough fnr the mass of trash 8U])i)lied ; but this suiipleiuen- tary piece of hii,diwayism partakes iiiore of the ci.ndiuii lu-i-es- sities of the footsore and l)arefaced "Sei-esli" who ]ie','h.'d hi-; victim to tlie l)uir tliau tlie hirh shouhl characterize alivaily Mcll-moimted and well-appointt'd fooi- pads, — wliicli tlie A<;vncies are /taf. Tis the old slury over again. The business publi<; did not re.-i>t, begimiings. They might have singly and cheaply overcome the tirst assault. They liavo paid iifty or sixty millions tor their ri'inissnes-;, and must now essay, with greater labor, to render uni)rolitable the very capital supjdied by themselves, and used to harass the v.-enk and levy tribute from tlie irresolute. The half-yearly and (juarterly Volumes are merely the yearly matter Avith tlie Ts^otitication Sheet alterations. As subscribers riv ceive the yearly volume for the subscriplion-})rice, and the little Sheets to iiK.tdify a fe'W of its manv discovered inaccuracies, thev have the vi-ry matter in their possession for whii-h thiy are re- quired to ]>ay the additional sb*. Tins i- a wvy considerable itnii for Dun, iJarlow vfc Co., ami in a lesser, but also ])ro]iortionably profitable, degree to ^[(dCillop iV S[iragueCo. ami .1. M. Ib-adstrei-'t & Soil. The cost of these absolutely-iu'eclh'ss books is lucrely tliepaj>>>r and priuling, about S'2.,"iO or s:;.():t per volume. The dilTerence is (;lear profit. l>ut tlie dodge; jirodnces a further aooks : the ]irotit of sales supplies enough to pay salaries, rents, and contingencies. Tlu; system of calling in the ohl volumes serves a treble ]>urpose. It contributes to prevent ]\rercliaiits from discovering the extent of obsolete or identical mattt-r, by co!iip,iriM)U ; destroys tlie primary evidence of information whicli may ba\i' indiice(l los-rs, or migli! furnish ground for libels, and enables the .\gencies to recover all the paper and binding material of fvery edition to worlc up again into a next issue or sell to the ])ap(r manufacturer. A calciilatiou will indicate the exquisite adaptation of means to ends in all this arrangement. It will show tin- ab-iii'dity of the ])i'pii!ar impres- sion that Jack cannot eat his ciki; and liave it too. The Agencies iirove tl:e eontrarv. Thev can e it their cake a dozen 78 TIIK COMMERCIAL AGEN'CIES. m •J: 1 1 ■ * { ■';: : 1 n fi i times; lir paid for the successive exertion; and only lose a few crumbs in the whole series of operations in the interests of Trade! The yearly snhscripfions are, therefore, either wholly or nearlv wholly, clear ])roiit ; so that, which ever way we liirn, we iind every appliance disadvantageous to the subscrilier and of prulit to the ])ul)lishers. As to the yearly volumes themselves, tliey cm only contain, additional to the lialf-yearly or (piarterly ones, as the case may be, the substance of the Chan^'e Sheets issued within the time of the publication of the last qiiarterly, and ])revious [o the ojienini^ of the yearly, term. If uo chan^vs be I'eported, none, of course, arc entered; if they are rejtorted, they make a very inconsiderable addition to the last volume's; and, in all events, a[iart from these alterations, the old i'atini:'s of capital and creilit are sold over a^-ain, year after year, with conmiendalde luTsi.stence and constantly ac- cumulatini;- prolits. The merchant who has not failed, and who lias l)een ([uadruplimi; his nu'ar.s within lliive or four years, sees his old ratiui;' occupy the same place with the j)roverbial persistence of error. The merchant who has faileil will, in ninety cases out of a hundred, either iind himself paradeil in all his pristine credit or ovei'looked, as is natural where only about _///v' />, r c^ nt of fh(', husines>i jxi^ndat'nn) of the I nited States and Canada is noticed in any maimer. AdministratiU's and ICxecntors who have passed their accounts and been dischari;;ed, iind their loni^-buried testator in active Ul'e and liiujh credit. T';o nuMubers of long-since dissolv- ed partnerships discover ihemselves still allii'd in elTort ami res[)o!i- eibility. Once in I'very two ov three years a crusade for new sub- scriliers is i ntered on, from the district ot!ic(.'s, into the towns which ajipear to justify the cifort, and these itinerancies have the eifect of biu'vinu' some of the notoriously «.lead, and briuii'inii' into aiixMicv life and me.'-hes some new, traders ; but as the solicited nu-ivhant who refu-cs to sultscribe is sure to be remend)ered as a penalty to lumsf'lf, an inducement to reformation, oi' a terror to others, the anioimt of conse([uential misrepresentation adde«l i> generally in startling e.\ce>s oi the correction made. la'tween the necessity and iiolicv of King /;/ ffimr of .^ub- scribers ami the neces.ity and jtolicy of lying (i;/in'/i.'l» niul pluiKlor. It" tlie ai^eiu'irs wrre rvni coiic'cdcd to juvsrrvc, in a ttiiijitiii^' oin[tloyiiient, even tlio avi'ra^v lunmlity ot" tlie dav, wliv, it may 1)0 stated, should wo (.'Xpcct them to jtropcily pcrfonii a function more delicate than leni>latiou : more renmnerativo l)y its al)U>e tlian lutteiT schemes; more involved and far-exiendiiiu' in purpost> than any single entei'[)risi! of the lime, excepting' tin,- I'nitjii States Revenue Service; when we liave just seen a national Le^islatu^o ijiven over to thi' infernal i^ods hy the i'a[iacity of its nio-t trusted mendicrs, and a carni\al of yreed for dishonest ;Lrain swi'e[> inti> its vortex Cabinet < )llicers, Mini>ters IMenipoteiitiary, and thousands of the nio^t revered characters in and out of places of otlicial trust in the counti-y i What rii;ht have we to ima^'ine illiterate hovs, working;- ou a salary of i^lo ;i wi'ck, more npriiiht than Colfax, or nianaii'crs. earninn' one ihonsand, and li\ im;- at the rate of six, more si'lf-deiiyiuij; than Tweed t \\c do not. Ihit this is merelv their apoloi^y for heinij as they are. It is no excuse or justiticatlou for their I'xi.-teuce. as such. The ayencies are certaiidy //"/ otlici'red or controlled hy men of exceptional mortilication. Their stalf is a promiscuous :;:atlu'r- iui; that can have no other purpose in such a line of life than to make money (piickly and retire. .\s with all enterprises attracting" public odium, appeals to self-interot nuist preserve a constant oxccio iif persuadiu^i; force over deterrent or disi^ustiui; features. There nuist he compensation for shame sulTered as well as labor done. The demeaninu' perfoi-mance over, the ]H'tty assistant may be expected to count his jietty knock-downs in rear of the esfalilish- ment, while the hiji'lier priced and [ilaced niana^-er or confederate may be pi'e-umed to openly ]ia>> through the front d(»or, to a luxu- rious retirement, with jn>t such a portion of the i:oods lA' the com- eern as a feelini; of ju'rfect immunity from le^;'' rfj.i'i-il on \]\c part t>f associates, i)r his own op|)oi-tunities. may have delini'i] t'or liim. The reason is natural. llaii;::nien have alwa\s hid, a< of riuht, something- for thi' executions, ovi'r and aliove tie' fee-. The ro|ii'. or a part vi it, is one. Other aiudojries will su^u'uv-t tliem- selves. M ili III i im n- w ■\-p.i 80 THE COMMEUCIAL AGENCIES, CIIAPTEU XI r. TAMPEliING WITIT THE I.E(J1SLATU1?KS OF CERTAIN STATES AND THE 1»A1{MAMENT OF THE DO.NHNION OF CANADA— MUHE SECUET CIliCULAUS— FACTS AND METHODS. CoNsrKH's wrnrig-dooiN fcur tlic l;iw, Aro tlie A^feiicies an oxcq)ti()ii ? Kvcr hIiicu their iiitrodiK-tic^ii llicy liiivc been luninted l)v tlic fear of L('<:;i.'^lativo intei'fi'reiice. As tliey pr(»^resrtearlow ifc Co. make no mention in their Secret Oirenlar, which follows, of the first iiite- restiniij episode had Avith the Canadian Parliament. They w holly overlook their e.\i)erience at the Dominion Capital in JSTJJ. A merchant of St. John, N'ew-nrnnswick, conceived liimself grossly airgrioved, and induced the local member to pro])ose a CJeneral Act of ]^;irliameiit. A committee was appointed to take testimony. ]\[iddlemiss, of Mcdvillop ct Spragne Co. (and then representing that firm in ^Montreal), was snmnioned before it and examined. An agent went in hot haste from Xew-York to ai)pear for Dun, Ear- low iSc (\k and give his notions. Feeling ran high — high enough to induce the rival Agencies to confer together against the common enemv. Tliev conferred to advantage. Tlie AmMicies were something jioorer for a ])eriod; the Act was not urged; several ambitions members were flush for a month or two; and the jieople of the Dominion found themselves temporarily turned over to the Agencies for further phlebotomy. The connection of ^McKilloj) i^- S[)raguc Co.'s representative with tlie Canadian Civilit >robilier business, known as the '' Canadian Land Swap," and the siibseij^uent -ill I TlIK SVriTE.M EXrOriKl). 81 jiulicious iiivc'stiuLMits (»f Dun, I'.arluw iV ('". ut II;in'isl)iii-L;-. ri iiilcr it iiiiiii-'cesjiiry to assiirt; the iv;iilcr lli.it linth iustitutioiis iisrddnly JidiKH'iihli' !iri,aiiiu'iitri. and i»i'rsiiay the Innate foi-cc; of truth ami the cx- iUn])l(! (»!" llIUM/^lltlK-'S-i. Till! second instance! ol" Lciri-^lntivc iiitcri'crcncc with tlic iicfi- rions l)uslnc-.s was that orii^inatod l)_v soniu cxci'lli'nt ijciitlciiicn In the Lower llonsi! of the Pennsvh aula Leirislatni'c. 'I'Ik; statesmen of that CoinnioiiwealtU, ljron;^ht n[) at the feet of (Janiall(,], in all that |)er)ains to jiopiilar ri.Lch':^, iind i'liHy !lp[»l•eciatin^• the sacred rights of persons and character, early noticed tlie inroads of the new elainiri on the old-time reserve- of husiness and society. They felt, too, that if privileges so ^■enei'al v.'e re asserted in the name of Itight, they should ho met at the threshohl, aiwl denied admittance in the name (»f the (\jmmonwealtli, without conditions calculated to insure safety to Alerchants and traders in purse and character. This cour.-i! was Avorthy of the Key.-tone State, and espociallv lioiiorable to the le_i;'al profession, which has so loni^ madt; its Councils a bulwark against individual wrongs and lax constitution- al inter])retali(»n. The home of a Sharswood, a Black, or a (lur- ney was naturally the lirst in the rniou to challenge the hold pi-e- tcnsions of the Agencies; and the ease with whi(.'h the followine- Act j)assed an Asseudjly, largely composed of lawyiM's r.'ared in the sanio school of jurisprudeiiee, sliowed that there weri; not wanting many men who appreciated tin; danger and sought to avert it. AN' ACT "To piinisl) ooniiTiPrcIal npfoiifs for f;\lsc ivprc-icntntions nf tlio Ihik'hicss cundition "of fcrlain pci'KoiiH '' WlIEKKAS'l'lirrc arcjicrxiiis li'iivilliii'^froiii tiiin: ta lime in diirtM-i'iit, purt.-i of tlu " Coiiiinoiuvi'iillli (.■liiiiiiiiij; Id \n' cninlui-tiiiLC or iT|ii'i'.si'iit!nL; coiiMiiiTri;!] aiji'iH.i'.s lo " !i~i'i'i-tuia Ict'cp u n'l'onl iiiul piitjlisli llu' liiuuicinl rcspoii-^iljility of l)usiiie:;s iiicii in "diirL'reiitpiirlH of tlic country " Am) Wiiiatr.AS fSuiti ihtsohs froni malicious or corrupt motives of ti;n wil fully :iiircprc^cnl tiic liuaucial coudition of piT-ons cuLra'^rd in "dill'i'rcnl kinds /i- " nynllli of I\ iinsijlraiiiu in Hciiirul Af^xniilil^ hut (iml it i.s It'irltij itiiuirl lnj the milhtirilr "of the name " That any person conduetini; the ))usines*of what isknown asa eouimercial ai^'cncy "established in this euiinaonwealth or elsewhere for the purjjose of ascertain in l,' imt)- TTT 'i I I ]il r 82 TIIK COMMKIiCIAL AGEXCIES. "lirliin^j niid koopiiiLr fur putili(! or private infonniitiou a n cdid iif tin' liiiancial rc- "spoii.-iliilily 1111(1 liiisiii(\-.s condition of l)anlviT.s niL'tviuiiits tnulrrs builders nianu- "facliinrs or other jicrsoiis tiii;aj;i'd in any comim reial businc-s and any person ''elainiin;^ to be. the reiiresentative of hueli coniniereial ayeney who j^liall kno\vin;;ly " heeiUessly or wilfully exafi^^eralu or inlBrupresent by writinj; jirintinf; or otliirwlse in "book form or otherwise the credit linancial resjionsibility or business condition of ■'any bunker inerchant manufacturer tradesman builder or otiier person or persons en- "pii^''' '" any coniniereial business shall be LTUilly of a misdemeanor imd upon con- " viction thereof shall he senteiH'ed to ]iay a line of not less than two hundred and lifty " dollars nor more thuu one thousand dollars one half of the lino im|)oso(l to be for.tho "use of the Informer A conviction for the f(M'e<;oinj; odenee shall not bar un action " for daniai,'es by the person or persons injured." Xo i-ooiier Iiiul tliis l»ill passed the Lower House than llie Agencies discovero(l it. aiitl took alarm. They counselled tt»gether how to avoid llic! threatened restraints on uidicensed libel and irre- sponsible slander. One of their modes was ;ho writing and pri- vate circulation, throughout the State, of the following confiden- tial letter, co])ied from the original in the writer's possession, re- ceived from n inerchant too honorable to act on it : Till; Mi:i!( ANTii,;: Aokncy. ., 1871. "Dear Sir: " On the next pafTC you will please find an Act that has been introduced into the Le- "^'isla uiv, of IVnnsylvaiiia, antl which, «'i^/t the icnj slii/htr.it rdiisiilrraiiim, has actually " passed the House of Uepresentatives. There is a good prosi)ect, however, of sloppin;; " its passat;(; in the Senate, and we beg, therefore, to tisk your good services to that cud. "If you can assist its opposition by letter, or otherwise, to the Representative of your " District in the Senate, we beg that you will do so at once. As you w ill see, the Act is " very loosely drawn, and contains a false declaration at the rlart, that information is " ' often ' wilfully erroneous, and moreover oflers a Viribe to unprincij)lcd informers to •' annoy respectable persons for the hope of reward. The laws of the land are already "ade(iuate to protect the public, and the penaUicn now in cristencc for dander uiiil liM '■arc lunch r than even thk DUl j)ro/x>!xceedin<^ly clear and well-expressed statute. The tuiui) falsehooil is worse than the other two in elTrontery. The public; are already better ])i'otected by the laws of slander and libel than the bill j)roposes ! Why, as we have; .-^liown elsewhere in this work, the Ai;encies have always chdiit'd immunity from the operation of these laws on the double tjronnd that their conunuiucations were priviletftHl between master and em[)loyee — princii)al (merchant) and agent (themselves) — and further, that their altered in the character of merchants and traders was a legal protection against either the claim for private damage or public prosecution! The fol'utu falselu)od is " that merchants were petitioidng against "' the passage of the bill. Tiiere was not a word of truth in this statement. The circular was in- tended to induce them to do so, and in the hope that some might be got to sign against tho bill, ou the promises of special rccogru- tiuu from the Agency. A few were caught by this bait, after a time; l)ut their numlier and character were so insignificant that the names were never pre.sented in the Senate, and the bill was de- feated by very dill'ereut methods and ones more distinctly witiiin tlie Agencies' immediate control. A member of one of the Agencies went on from Xew-York to llarrisburg, with means fur- nished by the Agencies, to j)Cf\9ua(l' certain majorities of certain committees of the Pennsylvania Senate that the bill ought not to ])ass. It cost money to travel. It cost money to live in hotels. It was not without large additional expenditure, ami much intrigue, that this agent was enablcil to telegraph that all was right at last ! The exact outlav will onlv be known in a court -of iu.stice: but it is safe to say the contin<;ent or expense accounts of the Aircncies show a marked rise in these spring months of IST-I to whoever may secure access to them. The third interference with the Agencies occurred on tho f , M' 84 TllK COMMEUCIAI, AGENCIES. ;:ii « I ■' '■', l\ iiiii liiinks of tlic ^^i.-^issip^n ami Alissoiiri. Tii December, 1^74, Kiii^, th(; St. Louis (dlicc iiiiiiiajftT, leanicd tliat a l»il! was ahout to l»c iiitrudiiced at .leircrscjii City eiratiiii; /^roati-r rospoiisiliility, for false ivports hy Agoncios, to tlio slaiKk-rcil and di-ccivcd, and de- fiiiinn' tlii'ir liability to i)artli's iiijiirod liy \\\e\\' > .ytt'omi'/' . Tlioso rostricl ions wero barely JM.->t; but they would have a--sa^-e. Tho fact was coinnuinieated to lK'ad-i[uarters in Xew-Vork, and tho Ai^encies took alarm a_i;ain. If this cxanijih! v.'ere to s]iread, their career wouhl be lirou^'ht to a close. li' it were generally known and canvassed even, there was dani^er that, altliou:L;h legis- lation might b(! prevented in Canada, IVnnsylvania, and Missouri, HOUR! of the other States would legi.-1at(( in the like wi>e s]>irit, and, by making the Agencies responsible b)r their malice and nnstakes, practically pr(»hibit them. In this emergency a coii.sultatiou wa.s liad in New-Vork. As the result of the conference a telegram was agreed ou and sent through the Western riiion Telegraph Co, to King, instructing him to "spare ueither moiu-y nor labor to kill tho bill." King spared neither. The sum of ilthiij flinnsntid dol- /((/>; at least, was cx])eiuh'd among tho J'lack llorso Cavalry of tho St. Louirt Delegation, and a few eU'ectivo society men in the coun- try districts; but Ave arc bound to ^A/A', expended in a legal way: what wo hdicvo is aiu)ther matter; and the proposed bill dropped out of sight after serving a few eveniligs sts a scarecrow at tho Cai)itol. There is still, liowevcv, in th:it and other States, the germ of an active opposition which may lead to ellicient legislation. Several energetic attorneys arc badgering the Agencies in the courts; and wo should not bo siwi)rised if the spring and winter of 1S7n's-* upon voti Iho niTOSfslty of poiistiinlly i»'iu«iii:; "Uiu olllciiil iviMirts of voiir StaU' Liu'i^li'l'ii'i', in nrdcr to tliscovir if uiiy I'ill-* or iv- •• Mjliiliou-' uiv iulni.liUHa allrctiii;; tin' Agency busiiu'^s. \V.' luul ii i\iU:> nf tlio doeuiuents. \Vc |ircsutni' tlie daily paper |>u li-li d at " tli(^ Stale caiiltal will contain all that is ueees-ary, aiul a hasty i,'laiice at eacli day's " procccdlu'^ will ciiublc you to keep track of what wu no much tlc^irc to know. " Yours truly, (sigucd; " 1)1 N, Hvui.iiw iV t'o. '• NiiwYiiiiK, .lanuarv 1'.', HI.")." The inciiu'nt \>y tlio '^[;^llair(M• of n SoiitluM-n I'raiii-li on one of tliL'.-o cifctilai-s is ciirt ami tn llie pniiit. '• Don't think t!i(! " JiCnislatiiro, ft»iii|>(jSL'(l as it is of two thifils iu'i,'i-uL'S, will ever '•tliink i>{ a '. Mercantile Ao'encv.' iniicli less pass laws aflectinuf it. '• A// f/i< 1/ iiir, j\ii' /.v iji, iiKiiii 1/ /" Tiie truiiltle which Dun, I'arlow t.^- Co. had in "two cases," thiriiio- the winter of ls74, '-to combat Legislation" nitist ivfer to tlieif intei'feivncc with the tnenihers of the ^lissoufi Legislature thfongh the exertions of their St. Loiiis manager, Iviiig, and the eijiially inii»ortaiit mani[»iilations of the Pennsylvania Legislature hy their Secret Agents at Ilarrishtirg ami the various Si'iiatoriul Districts of that State. Wc must su])pose all done within tin; Law. Tiie confession of ihise two crimes against the public leaves many others of the Kinie nature in the background, but avo have pre- ferred to tise their own proofs and limit ourselves, for the time being, to the ollences which they have admitted. Can that be treated as a safe anil legitimate business which adopts the methods iiulicati'd in the }ireceding circulars to elude leijislative I'estraints ^ Ouoht the public countenance or sustain men who, by their own confession and these ])roofs, might be charged with following tlie [iractice of corrupting the fountains of jA'gislatiou i Is there iiol a pul>lic danger, apart altogether from the tpies- tiou of })rivate Avrotigs, in the growtli of institutions which make a boast of anticipating reformatory measures by capturing tlic re- presentative bodies, or enough of them to make the rest inefficient to carry out the po})ular will I If ' jtl"'" 80 TIIK COMMLUCIAL ACJEXCIlid. Itii !|ii 1 , it ;! ,4: Our llcprcscntative Asscnihlii'S arc l)ad c>noij<,'li already ; but it is full timo to buconie alarmed for them wliou tho.-c Ai,'t'ncj eii- toqirises, " concoivcd in sin aud l)rou;j;lit f(»rtli in iuii|uity," arc etnboldciu'd, by public npatliy, to approach the very s-anetuary of the law-uiaUini!: power, aud lay their unclean handrf on the minis- trants at the Altar ! 'l;t 'f;B,n llvu. TUE SV.'iTK.M EXrOiKD. 87 CIIAPTKK XIH. Sl'READINO Tin: I'LAOUK-TIIH Iv KEKJX (>FFI(M:S AND THF.IU USES— JONATHAN Till: oNI.V SISIMICI'. rrisonoof tlu? wonder.-! of tlio time how .^[l!l•('a^tilool• ( 'i>iiiiiut- c'ial Aijencios couM o^itablisli tlu'iiisdvos and pro.>![)CM' on this sidr (tf tlio Atlantic, M'lien public opinion would not kuITim" tlu lu to be '■j)lantod in many countries, or attain separate vitality in !iny, on the other side of the Ocean. In the I'ritish Islands they were; not permitted to ori!,'anizc a List or report Credits or Standini^s ; and when, in IS7-, they at- tempted, in view of the larije California trade with Australia, to plant themselves in Melbourne, tin; ])eople of that (>olony drove tluan out iii;nf>miniously. "Xotwithstandinii; these eil'eetive exhi- bitions of feelinir, a weak system of correspondence was inanijjii- ratod by ^Iclvillop S: Spraijiie Co., .1. ^I. I^radstreet it Son, arid Dun, IJarlow it ('o. in two or three European Cities; and thoao iirms were put on their "irood behavior'' to let all Dritish and European Citizens severt'ly alone, and confine their attention to Ainjricans. The Eoreign Offices of the American Agencies nre, therefore, used, like the Home ones, to operate on American traders only. They are not suffered to speak — woidd not be ])ormifcted to speak — of the sul)jects and peo[»le in slight of their wimlows, in either France, (rermany, or the IJritish Islaiuls. Hrother Jonath:ui i.s their exclusive resource at home and abroad. The fact is not flatterini,^ to national pride. Is the American Citizen the sole Trader or Merchant who will permit himself to be tried at home by these self-constituted tril)unals of character ; followed beyond sea by their underlings; and harassed by their impertinences and exactions, everywhere t Either the human i-ace recpiiros this protection from his dishonesty, and ho concedes the nr ni" 8s THK C'OMMEKCIAIi ACIE.NCIKS. !li! -1 . >l I % lifcc.-sity, <»r lif i-; cimIiiwciI witli less scir-a'scrtioii and iiidcpi'ii- (Ifiicc, ill iilTaii's (pf ( 'uimiR'fi'i', tliaii .lulm, I'af, Sawiu'V «»i' I'u'rri!, and U cnjitciil III liavu uvury «iiii' intcwmiMMIc with his alVair.s who mav dr.-in^ In niaku a trachi cf doin'^ .so. Iluwcvcr wi; essay to e.\|»laiii lii^ riirlKjaraiicc, rorcii^iu-rs will fall Imck, at last, oii his con- Hi'ioiisiu'ss fo out; other Aifi'iits oi- Attorneys aro sent here to iiKpiiru on the ground Into the security of proposed investments; and tlio otliee of the Agencies is thereforo reduced to that of prepared detectives in the lighter trans.'ictiitiis l»i'tw(!en linns and individuals f.'/v and /fiiii'< iVtlantic. In these dealings, which ought to he oil ii pliUU! of eipiality hetwecii the rospoetivu iiatituialities, the homo Anu-rican is always the iiwpiired aliout, never the iiKpiirer"; and the purpose ((f tin; foreign ollices can, theruf renunierative in this country. As the American is the only man who submits to it in his native l:ind, it is fitting, ])erha[)s, when hi.s business lies abroad, lie should ht! made to jiay toll again, or take the (!onseijnonees. IJightly or wrongly, no business man or llrm having foreign relations can •wholly alford to disregard the signilicimce of tin; geographical positi(jn of these for<,'ign branches. An unfavorable nmior, however started — even if started to be silenced on j)roper inducement — obliges the iudiu'omont to bo forthcoming:. Amoni>: Ills acquaintances, a man with average grit and sutHcient capital may do busitiess in a storm of detraction. Abroad, a whisper isrm'nous; and he is inconsiderate of liis interests who does not jinrelia.so silence or buy encomiums. Our own impression is that those foreign brandies are not growing in favor, and cannot beconu! permanent, self-sustaining establishments. Thrir 'timbi rccoiue hnx alwaijft Ixen coUectid on th'i>^ x'ldii of th'' iratci'froiii the chdH of jh'rxonx vlto dcs'Jre t/trot/.s' to crrdit on the oi/i< r ,svVA'; and they are so generally suspected iu)w by JJriti.sh, French, and Crerman ]\[erchants, on account of recent occurrences, that their usefulness, even to the fraudulently disposed, must, before long, come to an end. Their oidy duty will bi; purely scenic and spectacular. In the show business every wagon Tin: KVSTKM KXI'O.SKl). 80 and l)(iX iiilds to tli.: clu'ct of I hi' (Mxalcmlt'. In tins A^tMlcy I)U.-«iiie?H ovt'Pv otlici! is mi julvcrti^iiiii'iit. WIicii, Imwivcr, in the I'oi'iiu'i' calliii^r, tliii lUidifiitM! discover tli;il llif htMst.s and jkt- furiiiin;;' aniiiiaU hear an alisiinl i>rii[ii)rtinn l^i tin- ca^'cs and (•((iivivanccs, tlu'V invest in no inc^ris ti(;ki'ts fm- tlmf ciniis. 15v itai'Ilv. when liie 1'i)n'i''n man of li-adu will ii<> li)iin;i.|- 1)(. dcc'i'Lvc'd, and tlu) fraiidnlcnt trader liero can imieure ni> Iteiielit, tlu! forei{j;n ntHcis will he dispensed with a.-i iniTe advertisinij luxuries, chcai) indeed, Imt valneless Un- revenno in tho New Worhl or tlie. Old. Jonathan will thi'n eeaso to snpidy Kiiropo with a htandini,' i)ruof of Ids want of contideneo in hinisi'lf. Ile- tildfs, Lirjkct-ijhop.s are prulitle>rf when exposed to the anthorifie.-*. ' f' ■ 'JO THE COMMEHCIAL AGKXCIKS. m I V4 ■ 1 ' ■)'■ CIIArTER XIV. DO THE AGENCIES COXTRHJUTE TO, OR LESSEN', PANICS IN TRADE •>. The jiaiiir (if 1S3T is cxpLiined in A-arious ways. Some pay the Stuck spoculations of iiicn like Nicholas Jjiddlo, Jacob Bitrkci, J. W. Blcockor, and Saiimol J. 15eebc — the kin;"^ operators of ten years preceding the catastrophe — were the efficient cause. In su]iport()f this theory they contrast the great fluctuations in the favorite Stocks of the day, and give the following examples : Nov. 2,-), 1S3I. Aug. 2.-5, 1835. Morris Eailroad TO 200 Harleiu Ilailroad O-t 105 Dry- Dock TJank 118 145 Delaware and Hudson Canal T2 113 An advance so purely speculative indicated "corners'' worthy of conipari.-^on with the Avorst of our time; but mere Stock specu- lation could not have produced the wide-spread destruction of OO ( . ( )ur own explanation takes a more commercial turn. Forty mil- lictns had been invested in the purchase of wild land in the fiscal year 'o5-0 ! The process of locking up private capital in unpro- ductive laud had been going on for years. The I'ailroad system, then just beginning to draw to itself, in the hope of future profit, private means and public credit both, had succeeded in absorbing forty millions more. Other scliemcs of internah improvement, Canals, Turnpikes, etc., had, to the extent of iifty millions for the former, and twenty-tive millions for the latter, absorbed labor and resources "in drafts upon ])osterity," leuving Bonds and Scrips in the place of the (for all immediate purposes) destroyed values. Counting the liaidc Pxmds, there were at least ^185,000,- 000 of artiticial representatives of removed or unproductive values 'iUL^ THE SYSTEM EXl'OSED, 91 ill tlic country, and, coincitlently, a grcal. slirink!i:j;e in proportion to population of i^roductive agricultn-al labor. A lax credit sy.steni extended from Europe to America and permeated every condition of life to an cnonnous extent. Men worked le^s and " indidi^ed "' mort! than ever before. The crisis came with tlio defective harvests of '3»3. AVhen Flour was worth 822 per barrel in Chi- cao'O, twenty days of excessive rain destroyed the crops; and the "West — so called — which, it, was hoped, wouM come to the rescue, failed for a hundred millions, and brought the rest (»f tht; country tumbUng down with her. In three years, according to Medl)ury, sixty Banks saidc out of >'^ight, dragging $iy2,<>i»(»,(i()0 into the vortex, and out of an aggregate indebtedness of s4-|o,(>()(),(i(i0 the Creditor Class could not realize over one cent o\\ the dollar, the rest disappearing in collectors' fees, brokers' conimissions, and the costs of Courts, Lawyers, and Juries. The sinking of active capi- tal in wild lands ; the neglect to cultivate arable lauds in propor- tion to growth of population and trading needs ; the withdrawal of the labor which should have gone to productive uses from them, and its diversion to heaping up dirt for future railroads, and sinking ditches for future canals, j»rc[)ared the country for the catastrophe ; and the elements, as if teaching the lesson that JS'aturc should not always be relied on to compensate for any unwonted dependence on her, precii)itated the disaster and made it uni- versal. AVhatevcr explanation, however, Ije the true one, t lie Agency svstcm had its birth shortlv af :er the Panic of '?t~ ; and tlie i>eri- odical Trade panics since that time liavc occurred in presence of its continuous development, and as if in deri>ive comiiieiitary on its pretensions. If its claims were well founde 1, irade jianics would have been reduced or impossible ever since Is.M), wlicu it claimed to embrace the greater part of the commercial class. As matter of fact, they have been constantly shortening the period of their recurrence and extending the area of their destructiveness. Of two things, one: either tlio Agencies have not served the purpose of their oriirin in "'ivinir correct estimates of business risks, or the trading body has disregarded their advice, and either credited when it should not, or injuriously refuseil 1o do business Avhen it might credit safely and profitably. We do not ai'giie jxM hoc ergo 2^''oot':'r hoc, but we say that if Ave find commercial panics n' U2 'JIIK CCJ.M.MKUriAI. A(ii;.\cii;.s. ;i^ r' iiicrcii-c ill iiiiiiiljcr, noIiiiiic, ihhI iiitcii>it y in tin: jirt'Sfiici! (if u sy.-ti 111 wliicli claiiiis to allunl |)i'()tcctinii a^'ain.-t; lliciii liy (Mial))iii;^ hiisiiK'.x-; lo lie (•iindiictcil on a ralionally .^aiV; lia-is, wi; cannot o.-('a|i(! tlmyinL;' llii; cllicary of llic syst(!iii or adiniltin^- tliat it is not followi'd. I'^illn.T i.s true; and fitlier leaves tin; f^ysteni, wo were alioiil, to i-ay. a fi-aud on snhiO'ibcr.s or a doccption to tliu coninmnity. 'I'lieir diflicidty dors Jiot end willi lliis dilemma. If they do not eonxcy a i'( liahle basis for tralHc, if tluy ai'e not i^'cnerailv credited with doin^- so, why do tliey ])i'i'>ist in iii'i,dni; unreliable ratinu's on th(^ jiuljlic. and l'orcintent teiidc.'r of a valueless commodity to oui' citizens, accompanied with the oj)|iortnnity of renderinj;; the commodity annoying:; and niiscluexons if not [)nr- cliascd, is a siisj>ici(Jii.s method of iiveliliood, csj)e('ially ulien it is remomlicred that the staiidinir, charactei-, and worldly credit of others than themselves arc tlu; e.\cbi.~i\(! snbjects of sale. If it be; not niackmailinic, it is assuredly not commerce. Tiiere is such a thin<^ as a pui'ely sentimental traflic. in Ilelics and Anti([Ues. We should ca'! it hij^hway robbery, however, if the c(»llector efTeeted lin cxcliani^-e for <;-ol(l nt tlu; muzzle of a jtistol. I'ut the rei^uLir ])uI)lication of A<^ency lie[)ort.-. is fh" Intnjduc- tion into Trade channels of an afllrmatively disturljiii:^ and injuri- ous element. Disrej^arded, in the main, at and near the residence of the .Mei'chant Avliose ;'i'C(iit is rated, well or ill, accurately by lijuess-woi-k, or the reverse by desitrn, the Pi'inted I{e[)oi'ts must liave the elTect, at a distance, of ]>uttinL,'' caution a-lecp and ames- thetizliin' suspicion. Suppose twenty-live tlioiisand Sub.--cribers — Merchants, Manufacturers, Traders, and raidvers— in the jH'incipal commercial centres are I'ated to secure and ])reservo their subscri])- tioiis — that is, as (luy W(julil w ish to be — and an eipial or i^nnsater number are rated .so as to make them anxious to be rated better by subsci'ibiii^j,- : we havi; iifty or more tlmn-and men, in the chief seats of commerce, mai;iiilied or dimini>hed in capital and credit foi' 7'< ((xnn.s ii'Jid'hj ajxift fi'mii Tnidc i\(i^(in>( and at variaucf; M'itli the natural ebb and flow of commercial alTairs. The a(;tual condition of Inisiness is travestied, year in aiul year out, by an arti- -Jmim TIIH S^'STKM KM'OSKI). !t;j iicial <>\\<\ A. coii-tjiiitly ;ii'li\ r ;iii(l aL''irr»'>-iv<' iiilcM'c.-t is lainixn'- iii"- with tlic weit^lits ami iiii'asurc.s dl' crcMlit aii'l caiiila!. If tin: f^L'llcr il"cs not wholly lu'licva; in <>r act on tlicni, \\r i.-. not a[>t to totally overlook tlieni, ami is uion; or less, allhou^-h iniconscioii.-ly, likc'lv to acL'ei)t !iii(l he iiilliienced hy th(;ni in soiih; dcu'nt.'. This is the lirst (li.>tiirhance of Trade. Jf wc; add to this that the eapi- lal ratini^sof the iu'j)orts i'e])rosent, in the case of sno.uiiii names, a variahle excess over tlu; niiniiiiuni caiiltal ihrei; and a half times •n-eater than the minimum of the Katiiiirs, and vastlv in e\rc-;s of the estimated census wealth id" the whoh; country, we mm'. at once, that tlie Ao'eiicies interject a second elementof miscal(),000 Subserihers, while the Secret Jle|)ort,-, desi^•ned to modify tliem, are never publicly sent out; that the; bane is sold and scattered broadcast, and the antidote, real or ])reteniled, is hicked up ill the A^eiu'y archives to be hIkjwu to others than the pei'sous alTected, only when specially aj)[ilii(l for. we need no furtliw )»rouf that in propoi'tiou to the ^'ivjwth ui the Agencies must be the ii;rowth of dan::'eroiis trailini:', and con.-rcjueiitly of Trade })anics — tlie iirstdiorn (d" incon^iderate Adventure The paiuc of 1S5I- Avas precipitated by the loss id' a ('alifornia steamer, ■which threw the house of Pai^e, I5acon tV ( 'o. into sus- pension, and so unsettleil coididi'Uce in others that the sill^■le event assumed the dimensions of a national calamity. If we eou^iderthe usual I'isks taken by I'raders, the narrow ni;n'ii:in (d' true ])rollt, and the inevitable losses, we hhull find ikj (hiliculty in btdievin^- that the additional errors and losses broui^ht about by Ai^ency nusiid'or- niat ion, in even one^yeai', ^'really exceed in volume the freiy'ht of an v dozen ves-(ds that ever .-aileil the seas, or the capital of anv dozen trading firms in tin; I'nited Slate-. The i;-rowin^- dependenci'. too, of one Trade interest on eseiy other cnlaru'es the ar(.M of inlluence and danger, Avliile, within the special Traih,- ino>t (create a ])artial or ^eiioral ])fiiii(; in llie lino. Tlio pn.c.vA'm'^ iia_Ljo,-i liavi; baroiy toucliud flic mavs of hisses (•auscd, witliin tlio porsonal knowlodgo of tlio writor, in a Towcntios in a liricf jicriod \>y oiio Agency, and tlio li^t might ho allno^t in. iinitoly oxtondod if spaoo jjcrniittod. Wo can only instance an ag- gravated additional oxaniphj of tlio sanio kind, wliicli lias just found its way into (.'oin-t. Alioiit SiKjOoO or Ihci'oaboiit.-;, in j)a[»(;r, of a N'(;\v-( )rlcans nior- cliant was olTorcd in ]\Ionti'(:al in connection Avitli an ad\anta^oou.s bargain to a niorcliant of tlio lattor city naniod .). A. Convor.so. IIo .'i])pliod to the MtHitroal ollici! of Dun, Winian I'c Co. for .^[)ecial inforinatioii, stating tlio faetn. Tlio Agency, after f^onio delay, gave him .y>cc/'al a.s.siii"aiK!e that flio f/rt/wco was good for aliiKj.^t any amount. Tho bargain was ofTcctod under this advice, aiul tho Montreal merchant jtlac(;d the; Notes in tho (.'oll(;ction Ijureau of tho Ag(;ncy for collection. The Collectitiii l>ureaii, within a few days, and ignorant of the advice given liy its (,'ompany, returned th<; Xotes as valueless, and reported to the merchant that tho Xow- Orloans ti"aankru])tcy, for this cause, a double-dealing contract which protected it from tho consequences of an almost universal ignorance. I'nder the last, or " New" Agreement, the Agency has secured a double purpose. ly. ..iL.#. •ll\K .S^'HTKM i;Xl'(J.-KI). 9.') l]i;it 1-, liv'', lliir iKUii] ; III il,; .-ill) cri'icr.: .'iml ciihMc 1 il ic!i' i i t dih- liiiif. if i' .-ImiiM cliod.-". with frMiiiliilciit tiMilcrs witli ini|-!iiiil v. \\'li,'tt is \ll-(! tor a I. _•( • ]• diare of jilunder. and (.'xacted one hui - di'cd tlion.-and dollar- it ( paid it. Tl, ve-se aniloi'.-; j.a^-ed ijnietly into the pivx'es.iioii of A ^rency dupi HI If tlio AL^eneies liad eoi'rectly rafcf an, .SIi(;rman it do., .lay (.'ooke it Co., II eni'v lew it Co., 1)1 111- lowe it M: lev, aii'l otheiv-'. when they ]iret(,'ndeil to i'at(! tliem at all, the- last I'anie, undei- Avhich w(; ai'e still laborinix, would not have spreay comparatively small di-tiii'l)- anccs. k^ixty thousand l!ooks, i.-su(;d half yearly and (piartei-ly to thirty tliousand menthants, and incorrectly ratim^ (;r>ii,(ju<» men out of P''>ft,O0('», would seem to sii])ply a .-iillif;ient explanation and to affoi'd a i'easonal>l(j >oliit!on for jnanv untoward vici.-.-itiides in the husine.sH of the T'nited State-^ and Canada. V anic liav (; irroWM out of lesser infl ueiiee: an< 1 it is (jur belief that tlie Atrencies not only do 7iot assist to ^ive stability and security to Trade, but that they always and everywhere un.-(;ttle commercial relatioii.s jiir^t in proportiun to the attention which they attract. ■I '.n; TlIK CUilMLUCIAL AGENClJiri. I'iS! ^M r'TiArTEi: xy. DO Till', ACKXC'IKS MAKF, TIIH COlJlJErTTONS WIIKII TIIF.Y CLAIM TO MAKFV— Hi;TUAYIN(i I.NtiUlUKHS 'lO KACll OTIIKU. Mvi.i: ,-iiii'i' till' wi'itri' ;iiiiiiiiiiii'((l liii Iiilciil imi Id iiitrodin-'.! tliti ]iiililic fii llic interior (if llic Aiiciicic-; IIh.' latter liave sliowii '^vvdt alacrity in rccciviiii^ corrections df tlicir re[KirtH. AVaiitin^^ utlier iiifoi'niation, tliey arc u'lad to take the niorcliant's estimato of liiiiiself, and, eager t(j l;u I'id of tlio respf)nh;ilji]ity foi* gi'ossly false ()!• niidicious statements already gathered or jmlilislied, they promise aiii(ii aJJ cqijicar- (ivo.s^ just as niu.-h above his deserts as they hiid pn vioiir-]y placed him liclow them. They are as considerate and acconniiodating in all this as one of their own canvassers who, exhausting his eloquence In vain to i;et ;i statement and a subscription, recently informe, an im- mediate coi'rection on the Printed Jie])orts, with many verbal pla- cating a])ologies for libel. Jhif ihe old ncord vu/l remain hi the Bool'.s : v'UI lie ctreuhit/ so " evrry ihue the latter is rc- q^icstcdffor years to come — just as the secret reports of some of our \{ : M ii ,r-.^ Tin: PVSTKM EXi'osi:i). lllDSl hoiiMrc:! iiic'fcliaiits (■diitiiiii, wifliiii twciitv linrs df wriliii ,->> details of ])iircly imaginary and scaiulaloiisly malicious charts of fraud and ci'iiiK! alleged to have liccii (•oiiiiiiittcd tliirtv years aijol The new re[iort is adijed, indeed, as the man's o])inion of himself ; the liljels it was meant to eorreet remain too, to he read in e\c'rv nraneli Otllce in tlie United States, Canada, and Knro[)e, ainl to ^o down and out with the inoditieation, as the only '' outside," a!id therefore controlling, estimate of the capital, credit, and cha of the alTectcd merchant. The Airen ish racier It n cies escajie ]»wnistiment tor wrongs done ; IIh.- merchant goes about his husiness ; Iiut the tirst in(|uirer at the ageiuy v:t7l hmw all that ever was written of him read on recjuest, just as if no com]ilaint had been made cu' amend- ment and i'e])aration had been promised. The erasure from tlie secret record of th(! offensive statements in the personal presence df the libelled, both in the principal arid JJranch offices, would alone destroy the ofTenslvo matter and cor- rect the agencies' lialjit of ])erpetuating the wholly false and the half true indiscriminately. This has never been done — the agen- cies ])referring to deceive the injured l)y an amiable exterior, a penitent expression, and an abundance of lies. They think the present agitation oidy a storm after all ; and they hope to (piell it and reach (piieter times by being " all things '* to all men," and ])rotesting they meant no harm while fatally stabbing reputations or imperilling the success of a lifetime. To show the dovetailing of old slanders in new reports, and the system adopted of reading them out together, we select the instance of a well-known I'uilder in New- York City, condensed from Xhv. Pdack J.ist of Dun, Barlow k Co. from June ISOl to 1S74. giving alao the names of persons and firms to whom this epitome was read at the })eri(xls hereunder, and the Branch offices to which the same was transmitted. VOL. XI., I'AfiE 2J:i, NKW-YOIIK CITY KECOKI). " .lune 8(1, 18(il.— Failed many yeiirs apo, and wUlcd at 'H't cents on the dollar. Wim ' KDUii' lime out OL Ijuainc'.-s, but suljseiiin'ntly {^ol a large ci)iitract on the S Iinlt- ' tiitiiiii, Wa.-^liiiijJiton. Of late years has been (ipeculatini^ and buildini; in coiincc'tion ' with hisbrotlier-in-law, , who is well off and has supplied the means mostly. An ' tceedeiits are bad, and he is not reliable ; parties who sold him previous to his failure ' decline dealing with him except for cash down." ir !)S TIIK COMMKKCIAL AC KN'CIKS. I M '• OcIdIki- Kill, isr2.— I.sRllll Dlinctor and Stitcklioldor in llm IJ Niitionnl Hunk; •' ul.-i) ill the Ncw-YorU Iu!'iiniii('c (.'oinininy. (Mviis viilualilu fmiii at , Conn,, ■' ami ~cv(ial valuable jiiufus of real islati; in tlii.i city. Ilusajii liu 1-. wortli nearly ii •' li:iir iiilllidii dollars, while iiiort" VDitarrnitiri' null placi.' liiin at from ^tlOO 0(X) to $;2(X),- •' OIK). Is sliarp and flirowd, liiil inriliKul to be u little overruacliini; ; consciinently he ■' is not iiopiilar. TurticH deuiinj^ with liini ishould have tlieir contracts dearly detlncd." 0C.(5fi— Syracuse Iliancli Olllce, 47(X)— Alliaiiy Hninch olllce. Toil— IJurr i\; Cliielicster. TiTM — f. F. Dnnbnr.inn iV: Co. 4.S.'.S— Kquitahlc Life Assurance Society. 053— Tapjian iV Carr. " .Taiiiiary :?Otli, 1874. — Owns coiisidcnihle iiroiwrty, and is no doubt worth over " *I(M),(l. Some do not lilie his way of deallni;;, but still is reirarded good where u " fair uiKlerstaudini; is had." VOL. viiL, V. rm. " October 23d, IH7\. —Iuiil>d hi 1S4.'), oirhi;/ JW.OOO, ami nnri- »ltlriit//it tliatfor ?30(H) "to $;{()U() he would be a fair risk, and would doubtless settle if matters were clearly ' tli'lincd." w i: \ ".riis— I'coples' Bank. :U)'-:.S— H. Cole & Co. :i:2si— Danimlt & Brolhor. 5(V>1 — Harris, Richmond »fe SehatFer. 51)01— 1'\ Krutiua »fc Co. \\y Dun, I'urlow y MeKillop & Sprague Co., A 1, 1, A a— $750,- (H)0 ti) Si, 000,000 — highest, undoubted C(»mmereial credit ! ]?y J. 3r, Uradstreet & Son, A A, B 15 — superior business character and ability, and in excellent credit! X(jt alone is the contradiction of the report glaring and unac- countable, but the reader must not omit to notice thiit the subject- matter has passed from Yol. XI. back to A"ol. VIII. of the Re- ports ; so that, even if the agency allowed the error to be amended and erased from the last volume, the derogatory matter would still remain on the earlier books, to be seen and used of all subscribers, on request. Perhaps no class of persons arc more persistently and con- tinuou.sly libelled than those engaged in competing with the col- lection l)ureau.\ of the Agencies, and we find hostile reports of TIIK SYSTKM EXPOSED. 09 iraiifc Society. tlu-'.so linns ;iik1 :insociatii)iis niiiiiiii^ throu^li the volimics in uvory direction. Tlic Mcrcluuits' Liw and ('((lloftioii Association, 111- man 6c Kcniin<.(t(>n, .lulin Jl. Watscju S: C'o., Colui iV: C\>., and others, ai'(! industriously assailed heeansc tlicy, cacli in their own way, lessen the ])rudu('t of the Agencies' collections ; and it is to he h(»j)ed that men like AV^atson and assoclationri like tho ^[er• cliaiits' I^aw and (Joilection Association will not rest content with more contradiction, hut will show our merchants and traders the hest method ot' having every thing ollensive iind falso induhi- tahly erased, as well as denied and excused. The advantage of such example would soon crowil the branch ollices ot' the Agencies with clamontus subserlhurs and non-subscribers who have suffered for years, and theso too-patient people would exact tho same pro- caution against future wrongs to reputation and impediments to business. Let it bo understood that erasure is tho lackList — the most destructive and injurious reports — had really been exhibited to them and destroyed. Many have complained and been put off. It rests with the readers of this work to secure etfectual protection from at least the repetition t)f baseless rumord and groundless accusations. Tho past wrong riglited, however, wliat security can be ]i(i ratiii_i,'s -would bo win<^ what is said about him, and to whom it is said. It' it be true, the Aijcncies will have saved their subscribers from loss, and should stick to it as a portion of the venture, for which they are ])aiil so handsomely ; if it is false, it may be corrected as soon as known, and so save imperilled credit and assailed character from a slow, secret, and assassindikc destruction. IJiit how can the Agencies {)retend to lessen the publicity of unfavorable matter ? Why, it occupies a great ])art of the time of the Agencies to (/ice the iiatius of ,subii<'i'!bei'f< who have Six'i'etJy in- (pdred altout their neighhors, and these names are Kcldam refused! That is to s!iy, the Agencies betray all i)arties in turn : in(piir- crs to each other, and subscribers, for small and large yearly sums, alike. For instance, if Opdycke, Terry 6c Steele, or Evans, Peake ct Co., dry-goods, of Xew-York, wish to know if E. S. Jalfray ifc Co., ]I. B. (Matlin 6c Co., A. T. Stewart & Co., or any other house in their owii or oth r lines of trade, have inquired about Clement, It:i' TIIK SYSTKM KXPOSKD. 101 M ol'lo n i^- ( I)., o f CI licMlJo, .InlH w anicr i*^' ( 'o. .f V\ IllUllc'lllillll. or .1. i^' L. Si'iisoii^ixxl, iif n.illiuiorc, M'// /'.'/// /iiir/h t/ir f'lfi of. o)a'(' ; and tlie custoiiiers iiiav rcudilv he iiKlnccI to cliaiii'o tlioir plat'o of Iradiiiy- liy a ffprescutatioii oF flic A^v/ iiujuiriM' tliat tlio olhei'.'i liiul six-rctly iiiiiiiirc'(l ahoiit tlioiii at tin; A^eiU'V, iind had lortt ('oiifidoiu't! ill (heir criMlit I IIV kiioo' that subscrihi'i'.-^ rocoivo tliirt iiifoi'iiiatioii not only from tlic clerks, but arc formally I )(!- II svstcni, and not as; an isolated fact of \\\v Im^.'ic My tr.iyc I, o this means many old and <;-ood customers are lost lo nu'rcliaiitH, tlie nu'anest and most knavlnh generally hein:^ successful in pliiy- iiii:; on the feeliui^s oi the s^olicitor for credit, and indiicinij id'n to withdraw from relations so deroifatory to se]f-resj)ect and hnsiIloa^ jiride. If tlie .V<,H!ncies do not regard the interest of men-hiints who a[»|ily to them in cuntidcuce, they cannot ]>ut on a show of consideration when tlie publicity of the trader's standintj osdy is at stake. Thcv ^ivo another illustration of '• strainintr at ii jrnat and swallowiiii;; a camel." We know of d(»zens of suhscrihcrs to the. Agencies who have lost in one year one hundre^vl ei'iMlit, on the iipntation made or learned in llu' n'ooil old w 'V tf the "'ood old time before A"'eneies existed ; and who ma\ sec no danger in the Svstcm siniiilv becanso they have never i-e.i- lizod that it operates on them lOi'f/ionf f/nlr /incir/i'dije. Of this number more thiiii 800,000 exist in the I'nited States ami Canada; for the .'>(»,000 subscribers to the Agencies are really the only ones w ho make it a liahit to learn how themselves are rati'(l, ] low others are rated, or use the IJeports to Inthihjc tn ^fforfK to roii- ti'ol tilt ir own (111(1 othct'ii ratinf/K. !Now, it is just among this great body of ??r>/i -subscribers thai the Agencies exert the most malign, bcjcause unknown, intlneiices. The Subscribers g(!t the llefereiice Pxioks and learn what isy^/v'/t^ re I about them — if not, what is on the secret records. Tl le lum- subscribers do not get the i»rinted lleports ; liavo no means of even suspecting what is said of them in the private records; and do business in jjcrfect ignorance of the many ways of alTecting their cre- dit and dealings indulged in by the three Agencies and their Credit Raters ami Detective Correspondents. A //(/;/-suljscrilier isrefnse co- trader. The true explanation is to Ihj found in the unl-iinini inul lOi mh'uldtt'd iniei'fcn iii'c 'U'ltli Ji'ix ikihh In/ tin' Ae: on tof iiii.-Micss under a cloud, without discoveriii:' the fact in time to avert tbi; conse- quences There is a sort of wild justice in having snbscrihcrs hurt I )V 104 TIIK COMMKICCIAL AGENCIKS. It' ' I •!■■ I ft l:. 1 tli(;ir own iiistrmnciif ; l)iit it is ccrtiiiiily iiit;qiiital)l(j for llio men who :inj (;itli(;r loo I'ospcclful to enter into tin; k-aguo, or who liiivc h'ai'iUMl to (h) l)U.sinc'.s.s without rct'orcnco to siicli an aid, to ho, as they really are, inoro hopelessly and nneonseionsly thwarted and maligned tlian any other class of mcrehants. AVhether they seek credit or not, the Agencies vrt^^ tlicni to induce suljseription or ji;ralify a s].ite. Whether they conduct a cash trade or not, the Aj'ciicies claiin the ri^'ht to Kjh'ciilafc in ])ul)lic ])rint and private record about their alTairs and character, and to circulate these spec- ulatiouH on the «<;roniid.s that wnnv) one else's curiosity vuiij he gratilied or their IJook List swelled. The Ai^encies liave conceived the idea of inakin<^ a separate and profitable business for themselves out of other men's )iam(;s and reputations, anil it is a|)parently inmiaterlal to them whether or not a third ])erson elfwuhl ever have occasion to desire informa- tion ou the subject. The " world is their oyster," and non-sul)- Bcribers must take their chance of being ac(;urately or inacc'rately rated and criticised by as-cvy mendacious scoundrel who will ren- der, ^•ra.tuitously, liis unworthy services. Th(>y have the<;aj»ital of a jirlnliug e.-tablishment ; and other n\(!n's names must supply an oi>])ortunity for its ])ro{itabI(! usi; while ink and ])aper and ])riiit- ors can be haay one vear's suljsci'intion all will be well. Not so ! " 'Tis the first stc[) that counts,"' but mainly because retreat out of tlie meslies can only be accoiniilished at a risk which ha satisfied ■with it.s rutins;, wliy sliould it rf.'fiise, not iiicroly U) \K\y iit tlio siiiiic ruto as tlio lii-.-t year's .siiIiHcription, hut ilouhh! tlic iiiuount 'i Jf it hc! not .-atislie I with ils I'atiiiLr, then th(j _i^i'eat(.'r reason ox ists wl IV it slioiild i);iv IVcelv and m'licmii.slv auv ad(H- lionai tax iin[)oseil mi th(; succi'edin^- siiliscTiptiuii-day. Wh(!re a man of assured standiuf^ refuses phunjily, at tin; iir-t a[)proa('li, to liave anytliiui^ to do witli the system, ]ie can only Ix; rat(sd h»w or ignoi'od ; and tlu; system is generally i^lad to let him in on the eheaj)est rates of suhseription, if he deign to apply. When; a ti'adiir voluntarily applies, or is easily persuaded to a|tj)iy, either from an lionest o ' fraudulent motive, he isjnado topay a I'idl price the tii'st your, and a roufftdnf/i/ hicrcaHUKj o)u. iftcrnidrdK. One hundred and fifty dollars entrance-fee in the laiger cities may -often does — nm lip to S'j*"^ ii'id 8i"i"*^ }'^'^'"',y iifter 2 or ;» years' association. The Agencies -well know tliat every dollar given to them is an in- duceuK^ut to the trader to keep up the oonncction fortius pi-riod at least ; and that, l)etween the consciousness of having thi'own awavso nuuih monev, the fear of heing worse rated in the event of a discontinuance, and tin; hope of making ])ro}itout of the agijucy misrepresentation, many of those who enter the lists will struggle to meet the exaction for a few years. ]>y and \)\, howevei", they see that concessions bring no i-elief : they inu~t refuse to ])ay at all, or [)ay some time. After the ex[)iration of the period men- tioned they do refuse, and drop out of one agency only to find an- other at the door. The method taken to run up subscriptions is adroit and luitural. A canvasser says to the merchant, "We rated "your business at so and ^o last year, and you paid only so much. "Your capital is laiger this yeai', and your i)usiness increased. " ^'ou should bcMvilling to pay apro])ortionateiucrea-e of subscrip- " tion.'' Tlie merchant does not wish to admit either that his capital or business is less than during the ]iast year ; he lio[)es to have it I'cgarded moi'e. He ddcs not conti-adict the' canvasser, thertjfore, but takes the hint ami ]iays out his monev, vear aft(!i' year, until its exceeding amoii'il startles him and deterinin.'S him lobi'eak with the monster, at wliatever cn-t. Some l.iu.-iuess men and iirms are often indue 'il tn >nb,--cribe to the three Agencies inord(;r to ha\'e their otnn ratings and reports in each institution agrcr! with the other; and wlier'" tla; credulous merchant, unfannliar with .Xgency intrigue, finds unifoi'inily in II' J0(; TlIK tHjMMKIUJIAr, AflKNCIK.-'. \^l tlioir hc|»;ir;il(; CKtiiiiufcK of llic s;iiii(! Iridcr, Ik; utiribiitci il, iu /loiii'.si 2>i'ii'l.si(iii. nitlicr lli.iii j>iirfli(is( d (tmirarif. 'I'liis, liow- over, is ho costly an e.\i)(;i'iineiif, lli.it, coinp.ir.'itivcly few iiidiilm! ill it. Any siihscril)(!r, ]»;iyiii^ .V'^i'ly f''"'" >i^l'"»" 1'» i*^^)0()(», wlio slioiiM voluiilcer ii hiiissccl opinion coiicrrnini^ ;i fnidt-r of whom lit! })i'('S!inics to know, wiictlicr ;i rival in tratlo or ot,li(!rwis(!, will iiiid it rciidily iicceptcd and ptjrniaiii'ntly r(M'<»rdcd as tin; provailinj^ JKilief, in preference to the. opinion (if a sul)scrii)er p.'iyin<( fi less sum, or who docs not pay t.lu! Ai^iincy at all. Herein is when; Kuhscrihers with donlttful motives Hiic(;(;c!d in im[>ressin^ on tin; A^(MK'ies, actively, their own impressions, real or prc^tende-d. A iirm is found by its livai to Ik; nndersellini^ tli(; market or itself, hiivini^ l)()Mut hit us lid<(! lh(! (.-ase of a merchant heavily intenssted in a debtor on the brink (jf bankruptcy. He wants to save whatever he can and recluce his losses by drawini^ otluirs into the catastroidio. lie has only to report 1<» the Aj^cMicies his failin;^ customer favor- ably. The inscjlvent increases his stock and c^idart^es liis liabiIiti(!S. In due time he tumbles into 15ankru[)tcy ; his assets show a, diminution ]iroportI()ned to the amount jialtf. iimiufhiu', to llw J'l'' ikIIiJ (/'((lilof fi iiiirttii'j. There is nothin;^ strange in this pro- ceed mir ]• vcrv II' II' credit to an insolvent iists liim to lessen his liabilities to his ohl creditor out of his 11 nn Hlork and a ni(!r- chaiit, having a doubtful debtor on hand, would stand in his own light if he failed to speak well of him to all inquirers, iiinir par- tictildi'hj tin' Ai/i 'I'-it'.s. The consecpience is that insf»l\(!nt meiTs names an^ made eflicicnt, by Agency interferencf!, to s])read and jisHure greater disaster to the many, for the benelit of tin- one, or the few, in IIk; secret. AVhile on this subject of the general circulation given to false information, designed by others for individual injury, W(! should S^ dti i a '- i^ -' THK SVSTK.M KXl'OSKI). 107 >nU:, if, f(, 'lis, liou- 'W illdllli^t; '0(»(», \vli„ of wlioiij 'U'isc, will >r(;s.'iiliii|»li(>. <■!• fuvor- iahilitics. •sliow .•), e to fl,.' flu's pro- O l(',SS(!M I a iiior- liis own \: iiicir.s •ad ;iji(| one, or fo fjilt-o slioiiM not overlook tlu; fact that tlu; l;it(^ Act of I In; Xcw-Vork Lcj^isia- turi;, enacted fo ])iiniHli tli(! authors or circiilafors of false rmiioi's intended to iiifliienct! (he "Street" or unsettle confidenee, inii^ht l)(> turned to f^ood acctoiint on the Ai,f(!n('ies, not kh Agencies, hiit on the individual ])ro])rietors, on fit occasion. If the law is wctrth anything it should he suflicient to hU])|)ort a |)rosoeuti<»n in any one of the thousand flagrant instances affordcfl hy Agency (;rror ; and if it should not be Hiiflicierit as it stands, thc! insiifliciency ou;^ht to lie (hjiiionstrated, so that fh(! n(;xt Lei(i,slature inay apidy a more stringent and eflicient r(!iii(!utting these elass(;s to the; safest of all methods of in- (juiry--sj)ecial individual (■xamination \ It oceiu's to the writ(,'r that a scIiciik! of ( 'omiiK-rcial Assur- ance or (iuarantee of Husiness liisks ini;rlit Ik; siifciv trie(l in tin; great citi(;s. It wouhl rcpiire, wlien litly deveh»ped, large capit;il, but, we think, not more at th(! start than could r(!My limiting each Company's operations to a coii- cnient di.-l,rict of territorv. it d 1 uoiilU he enaliled to Hccun f. r it- own use (ixclusively, and 'i'\Y the dii'ection (»f its (»wn inve^tm(;ut ^y/t///, tlu! hest attainahle e>tiiiiat(;s of credit ainl capital of I»u>i- ness iiKjn, and would lia\(! lie- very highest inducement, self- interest, to judge accui-alely ;iiid invest caiitifiUhly. \ tai'iff of charor- asod facility I'antee C'oni- Jt bocanio '^ !*■' seems >ne(l ill each u/'oc('fi,s, and acciii-acy of ^vliich the sociirifj to ont; for a I'ltor,— tJio h ha from ecu rate or ■I'cclit ; and is asking » coinnier- ■ discussed •i" private to expect per cent this Joss, I Science ce, in file of ihc is made [' salaries h'viduals V I'J' do- Ion l)y d Caiiil- on and ''', with lirancliL'S in various cities of lliis country and Euro[>r, liaiidlc a business of i>ver $:iO,(»Oi», ()<)<> a year on (Tiiai'antecs from their Au'enls and (Correspondents. They make immense sums yearly, and do not lone a dollar. The Kiii;'iish houses (»f John Henry Schroder it Co., worth £ll>,U(M».(iO(», and Freelinaidc. Insurance, and private robbery has been perpetrated to get holdof ])ortable assets, stocks, bonds, aiul moneys, which the owner had carefully kept within his solo personal knowledge until the agency S2)y had also secured the important details of time, amount, character, and place. How few clerks are fully ap})rised, from day today, of the state of their employer's capital, except in u small bu- siness too limited to afford chance of reserve ! Largo concerns may have one or more confidential men, outside of the partners, who are fully informed ; but the general run of employees is kept in the dark, as a rule of discipline if not wholly as a matter of pre- caution. Aiul yet the Business Classes have heretofore foolishly opened their business secrets to every poorly-paid Tom, Dick, and Harry who presented a Mercantile or Commercial Agency card and demanded to share in the conlidences withheld from well-known and, in other respects, fully trusted servants. A Guarantee Com- pany or Companies couhl ent;iil no such danger as this on their patrons without sulTering themselves. The agencies do not guard against it; and if they could, have no interest in lessening the risk by em})loying only the best-known citizens, and at compensa- tive salaries. Our advice to Merchants is : refuse details of stock or assets to inquirers until fully satisfied that the inquirer is iu)t making an inventory which might reach and assist the princijial cracksmen of the neighborhood. fl. 11' illJ TUK CU.MMEHCIAL AdK.VClI-:;?. « ^1' i 1 ^i CHAPTER XVIT. TlIELK(JAIi DIFFICULTIES OF THE A(iENCIES— HOW THEY STUIKE TIIEIll COLORS Oil ESCAPE FROM THE FIELD— STRAWS FROM THE BAR. ^1 An institution SO offensive and afrgressivens tlic ap;('n('y system very naturally ran athwart the reputations of honest business men at a very early period in its career. Started in 1842, as wo liavc stated, Church, its first traveller, contrived to libel (amongst others) Taylor, Halo tic Murdoch', of Columbus, Miss., and when the libel was discovered these gentlemen sued the lil)eller for damages iu the Xew-York Common Pleas. Church defended on the ground that he was em])loyed by certain Xcw-York mer- cliants to '* report " traders for them as their agent; that he re- ported ])laintitl"s to Wolfe and (lillespie, two of these merchants, in a private and confidential letter; that he had never seen the plaintitfs, bore them no malice, and merely repeated what he liad heard in rejily to intpiiry ; and that the printing of his report was done without his personal supervision, and solely by his employers. Jle further claimed the ct)nnuunication was confidential. For the plaintiff it was contended that Church published the lil)el mali- ciously ; that it was written to be published, if not "printed," and that it was not, and was not contained in, a privileged com- munication. The case finally went to the Court of Ai)peals(-1- Selden's Iteports, y. 452), which decided by a mianinious bench that the report was not privileged, but sent the case back for a new trial on an exception to a ruling on the admissibility of evi- dence in the Court below. The decision in Taylor ct at. vft. Church embodies all the law learning on the subject of privileged comnnmieations iTp to that time, and contains the test which renders all more recent agency pid)licatious, if untrue (and, as some contend, even if true), nnprivileged and amenable to legal restraint and both compensa- iHHM THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 113 tory and exemplary dainatjes. The printing for general circula- tion, and in a manner ^vhicll might reach parties having, or in- tending to have, no business relations with the trader reported, was held to be against public policy, and to subject the rejiorter to such legal penalties as any jury might reasonaI»iy sec tit to intlict. Since this decision, several cases have come before the Courts i»i. other States ; but in all of these the dedication, by printing ami circulating the reports, to general use, of these estimates of traders' characters, qualitications, and standing, has been uniforndy held to take them out of the class of privileged communications, and to leave the writers, compilers, and utterers subject to civil and 2'Mrtsi-criminal reniedies on behalf of the persons affected by them. The reason of this rule of law is very plain. While a mer- chant should be allowed to employ a clerk or agent to learn for his own use the standing of a dca\cv j)roj)os in fj fo have relafionn with him, it would be unreasonable and impolitic to allow the same thing to bo done on the mere hypothesis that ot/ier mer- chants at some future time might have like reason to desire in- formation. Such a purely speculative interest in a future possi- bility coxdd not be safely conceded to give a present immunity to such communications. The trader reported might never ask for credit. No one, in that event, could have any substantial reason for inquiry, still less could any one justify a purely anticipative and precautionary inrpiiry designed for general circulation. Where the necessity for privileged communication ceases, the per- mission ceases also. But even if one or a dozen merchants real- ly desire information about a person proposing to enter into busi- ness relations with them, this fact gives no right to them, or any one in their behalf, to place the information in such a manner that it might reach a non-interested person. In other Avorils, the interest must be a present and existing one to justify any com- munication designed to limit or curtail the chances of credit; and when this interest is satisfied, the qualified privilege lapses again, only to be revived by the occurrence of a new justiuCation for it. Judged by this standard, the whole Agency System, as now conducted by anticipatory inquiry and general publication, is practically at the mercy of the Courts and the public. It is pro- tected in no manner by the subscription system— a device intended to create an agency character for it — for tliQ subscriber has n(» f II' lU THE COMMKUCIAL AGKNCIES. k pi It prcsouf interest, in Jiiiy name in the Itoidv ; his ever liaviiii; .1 fntnro one is jtiirely ])r(>bleiiiuti(;al ; and it is eertain lie can never have any in ei^^ht or niiie hundred thousand whose capital is guessed at and credit standing rated. AVhen the Court of Appeals determined tliat thirty-six sub- scribers did not justify the printing of seventy-five reports in 1S4G, it is very ])lain that thirty thousand could not authorize the use of several hundred thousand merchants' and traders' names, with " estimates" and '" ratings" picked up and attached by the agen- cies, for sale and circulation to whoever might choose to pur- chase. It is (piite probable, too, that the contract of siibs('ri])ti()n itself is a mere nudinio 2)actuiii^ and will be so held when tlio question shall have been squarely brought up. Fortunately for the agencies, their jxnvers of coercion have been so great in other respects that Ihey have had no reason to sue for subsci'iptions. Thev make no bad debts. l>ut they cannot have this luck always. Some one will break with them ; and we shall then see whether or not they will have the coin-ago to go into Court for redress. Our own opinion is quite decided that contracts con- templating a general system of commercial inquiry and the pidj- lication of its results, without the consent of the individuals re- ported, and wanting the element of a subsisting/ interest in the re- ported parties, as traders applying for credit, are void on the ground of public policy, and will be so declared. Whoever shall start the issue will prove a public benefactor. As wo have shown in other i)laces, " the System'' lias a holy liorror of Courts of Law and Equity. Its policy has therefore been, from the beginning, to keep out of Courts; to retain ownership in the Ileferencc liooks sent out and recall them, so that they could not furnish proof to injur- ed parties ; and to supplement the dangerously-published books with a privately communicated plan of Secret lieports, where libel- lous matter may be gathered and doled out with greater impunity. In pursuance of this policy their clerks arc instructed to read injuri- ous details to '' Principals only," or their confidential managers, meaning heads of trading houses and subscribers. Thei'" contracts are drawn so as to make their clerks and informants servants of these '• Principals," and they expressly require that the said Prin- cipals should not have any remedy against them for insufficient, de- ?g^S8g THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 116 fec'tive, or inistakeu iiifonnatloii. The '• Xew AgrocnuMit " of Dun, Harlow 6c Co. i.s a fruitful saiii|)U) of thid over-a('tLv(! cau- tion and (iLvsiro for irresponsibility ; and the conduct of ail the aroof of their judicious sus- ceptibility to legal terrors. For the purjioso of securing the fullest information jii relation to the recent or existing suits against the agencies in the Courts of the United States and Canada, Ave lately sent letters to the known plaintiifs or their attorneys. We have several responses in our j)()Ssession, but we can oidy refer to u few of them. The suit ot* .fohn A. Converse, of the Canada Cordage Factoiy and Plaster Mills, Montreal, recently instituted, has not yet come to trial, and ^Fr. (V)n verse does not know how soon it may, but he is con- iiileut f a verdict. Itis claim is for damages arising from the ^•urcliasc' of mercantile paper of a Xew-Orleans merchant on the assurance of the agency, aftc/' fij)fri'al inquii'tj, that it was '• per- " fectly good.'' He bought the paper, and placed it in the Collec- tion Department of tlio same agency within a few days. Short- ly afterwards the Collection Department informed him that it was worthless, and had been so at a time antecedent to the intpiiry about the maker and the assurance of the agency that he was sol- vent and in good credit I So palpable an instance of agency effort is not likely to reach trial, and wo should not be surprised to learn that, as it produced the immediate occasion for the " Xew Agroe- " ment," it had been settled by the agency paying a round sum in damages and compromise to Mr. Converse. In re3[)onso to a letter of ours of the 2Sth of Jmie, 187.">, Hon. Francis Kernan, of Utica, writes that the action for libel commenced by his firm against Dun, Barlow 6c Co. '' had been satisfactorily '■ adjusted -without trial," and that there was " hence nothing in the " case to interest the public.'' Mr. Kernan concedes that the agency had made a " mistake'' and circulated "an erroneous re- '• port ;" hence wo are at a loss to imagine how ho comes to the conclusion that a "satisfactory settlement " leaves nothing to in- terest the public. Is it of no interest to the public to know that the agency had nuido a "mistake''^ Is it of none that t!ie agency had circulated wrong information '. Is it a matter of indifference that the agency had been compelled to c.it its words m li- ne TIIK COMMEUCIAL AGENCIES. ':;1 and pay $10,000 lu liin clients ^V'liy, what would tlio loarimil Senator have tlio jxihlic iiitorestcid in, it" not thu utandiii;,' danji^er to biisinest* cliaructor in af^iMicy " niistakus," in tlujir op- p(»rtnnitit'.s of circulating "erroneous rq)orts," and in llieir e.i- •^erness to settle privately sooner than <^it before a jury of their countrymen'^ For our own part, we know of few thin«^s of more actual interest to the business public than just such facts. They are certainly inoro important than tlio pre, uiit intimate relations of Mr. Kernan's law partners with certain of the agencies in this city since the "satisfactory suttlcment" aforesaid. From Missouri, where a Mr. Kinealey acted as attorney in an agency case some time ago, we have no direct information of the present condition of tho controversy, but the silence is in- dicative of a settlement after tho Utica fashion, l-'n^m a State Senator and late member of the (.^institutional Convention we loam that an active antagonism to tho agency institution exists in that State, and we conclude from his letter that, however the agencies may '*hush np " the injured by free payments, legislative action will be soon taken to render them responsible in a wider sense or keep thorn out of that Conunonwealth. An instructive instance of Agency methods, with Attorneys n'virer home, occurs to ns, and may be meutioncul. A gentleman on Staten Island, some time ago, ro(piested a well-known criminal lawyer and o.\-Jndge to sue an Agency in Xew-York. The legal gentleman was considerate enough to inform tho ])rospoctivo de- fendant, who forthwitli tocjk measures to radstreet & Son had " jiirated " some of their matter in Canada. Bradstreet denied the charge, and countered by alleging tho like of Dun in Pennsylvania and other States. On the trial it appeared that Dun, Barlow & Co. had invented a lot of towns and villages nnknown to any Geography or Census, rated their imaginary merchants, and quietly waited for their competitor m^^^^n^- •aasBSBWiJjiJ.i.JiuiiiL TIIK SYSTEM KXI'OSED. 117 j;iriicMl •atcfl fn apitroju-iiito llio (list'ovcrv. Tlii-y even swore the lattor (liil so; ami till! controversy is still siiKMildi'riii:; in Court, iit'itlK'r \h>U\>^ anxious to fan it into puldlcitj. Thu trick was conceived in tlio best manner, and showed a mutual a[»i)reciation (d' mutual weakne>s. When the dead mav' ])r ke|)t alivt! to swell a llefei'cnco I>ook, and City Directories laid under contrii)Utioii without compensii- tion, why, indeed, should not a few villaires and lowns i)e invented i The device was also the least harmful of any practi.-ed. ^fer- chants M'ho never existed could not well lie misre|tresentei/v'm^(! reports u[ion which the public ratings were based, nor was it suggested that the names of informants Avould bo given as a badge of good faith. This deceitful " Card " was merely a " stop-gap"' to gain time, while an investigation was in progress, to learn tlie extent of the writer's acquaintance with " bottom facts.*' If a " Card "' were to be issued note, the chances are altogether in favor of a more lil)o- 118 THE COMMEKCIAL AGEN'CIKS. I-?, ■ 1^ ■ i I ral array of terms for the dissati.^ficMl, and a correspond iiii^ reduc- tion in subscription-rates. Perliapri the very meanest act on tlic part of the sitartled traf- iickers in the good name of so many of our iirst citizens, was tlie malignant manner in wliicli tliey commenced dismissing or shift- ing clerks who might liave secured special acfpiaintance Avith the JJIack Lists. The suspicion of being suspected was enough. The known ojjportunity to learn undesirable knowledge was sufKcient to place imder ban. A clearer confession of conscious weakness was never illustrated by a pretentious system, in the instance of its old- est and most devoted servants. Besides this Carding, dismissing, and shifting process, another precautionary one Avas added. A secret circular — tlie trustiest weapon in the rusty catalogue of the system — was dispatched to Branch office managers, informing them that the writer had got great store of facts already, and miglit be in league with the clerks in the various Jh-anches t(j get more. Extreme watchfulness was en- joined. Letters were withheld ; post-marks scnitinized ; any sym])- tom of increased assiduity in labor was held of bad omen ; and such !i fluttering generally was never seen hefore since Coriolanus '' flut- tered the A'olsci in Coriole." The unfortunate clerks were unde- cided whether to look sad or cheerful ; t(j be active or remiss in duty ; to speak or not to speak of the thunder in the Agency sky and the threatened blinding blaze of exposure. All these precau- tions came too late. The persons selected by the writer to im- earth the hidden secrets of the Charnel House had closed their labors long before the System took exceptional jn-ecaution ; and the writer intenticmally gave the flrst alarm himself by informing in- jured subscribers and others, by letter, that they could learn what was said of them in the lleports, free of charge, on a])plication to him at the Agency's counters! Ho the "Secret Circular" was just as valueless to avert exposure iis the " Card" had been, and is now serving the only purpose it can ever subserve — namely, to show how eager the Agency ]\[anagers were to trample out the sparks which threatened their tinder-box institutions. If this was the general conduct of one Agency, largely referred to in these pages, Ave can iind no greater show of couivigi; and self- confidence in the other two, in the presence of tlie threatened danger to their system. Bradstreet it Son were struck dumb, and ► ^ III H] ' j »IIBW"— '--" THE SYSTESr EXPOSED. 119 ii.i;" I'cdiio tled traf- S wnri tlio f or sliift- Avith tlic di. Tlie llicient to u.-iness may bo said to lead a reptile life of secret warfare for it.s own ends, but of cowardly n.treat and elusion when fairly challenged. It can bite and Bting tho unconscious and unsuspecting; but it is wily enough to risk nothing when its opponents are prepared. If wo may judg(! from tlio past history of Agencies, they will ])ursue tho name course which has stood them in good stead y an ea^y and natural transition, from allo;^a- tioiis relatini( ti^ tliu (•apa(Mty und litne.ss of tlio A/v> and ran., tho Ageneies themiielves Avill supply us with incontrovcrtihle testi- mony. or tho three A<^eiK:i(iS Iiradstreets', alone, i^ives no capital rat- ings, fio that it escapes, for the tinui being, from the coirimon pil- lory of comparison into which wo press tho otln-r two. IJut its competitors' " figures" must cast a deep shadow of suspi(Mon over its own " words," and satisfy any reflecting jterson that greater wariness is no indication of equal or superior knowledge;, hut may 1)0 a .sign and symbol of either more conscious ignorance or more alert H(;lf-conviction. Take up, reader, tho 'luly ('IS".")) Ile[)orts or R(!fei-enc(! Hooks of the ^fcKillop & Sprague (Jo. and Dun, liarlow iSj Co. They are the latest published by these firms at tlu; hour of wi-iting. They shouhl be the mf)st jx-rfcf-t. They are sohl for high ]>riccs. They ought to l)e woith something. They are j)onderous and im- posing in exterior looks and iiit(;rior matter; so that tiicy ouglit to serve, or be al)le 1o serve, ^ome usc'ful purpose in the .Xgcncy cconomv Th i\y ])retend to itiore piMcticiil wisdo: II tliau tlie lo-c merelv Tables of "Moses or the Ten ('ommandnuMits ; for tl give nuiral axicjms, and the.>e claim to give lessons of succes-fiil business life to a people ten times as numerous as the .lews at their rr il v^* 122 TUE COMMERCIAL AGE^X'IES. f-'i't best, and engaged iu tninsiietioiis involving ten times nioi'tj wealth than the treusiircs of Judea or Kgvpt. Thcjy are the ripe result and full fruition (it is said) of the elYorts of a standing army of eor- vespondcnts numborod by the 50,000; an auxiliary corps of. muni- cipal sappers and minors counting -well up in the hundreds ; headed and directed by the inherited and attained gciuiralship and discre- tion of a staff of sui)erb appointments and magnificent incomes, and they ought to be — well, -worth more than waste paper, Alas! the anti-climax. These ponderous tomes, out of whose feculent growth several fortunes have been made — out of whose hoped-for continuance several more fortunes are expected to be made — are self-convicting impostures. These mammoth accumulations of names and figures are discovered to be neither more nor less than ntensils for withdrawing money from business men's pockets under the disguise of improving their nndcrstandings and facili- tating their interconrsc. Open the two Books at the State of " Maryland," take the title " Iialtimore," and for greater convenience, whi e picking at hazard from the roll of names for our examples, select them alphabeti- cally and set them down tabnlarly. Having (-hoscn the names for contrast, note the ratings, and put down their ccpiivalcnts, by the respective keys, in numerals. As both Agencies give the extremes of capital ratings, let us take their lowest and their highest, each as to itself, and next as to each other, and contemplate the result. Tt is certainly startling; and if the Agencies cran profitably exist in an intelligent community after the exposure, the fault will not lie at our door. m ILU < O I— ( H < " '^ a MS 1.2 O 5J 3 to o 73 P4 I .y ^ o CJ ! C3 1: B rt ', c 1 1 3 7J ii o ii/ « TUE SYSTEM EXPOSED. ooooooooooooo o o o o o o o o o 2 g X S OOOOO'-'iOO ooooo iS '-"i O O 1^ >- w »^ ^ O '''' '^i o O 'Jl ■* C '?! 1-H 71 CM S-J ^-/^ (H CO 123 o : t^ o o ? 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CJ CI 1 CJ 2 (^ -4-> O O «'rH- 2 ?- »- rt 1— i li (5' »— 4 r/3 -(J 2 s % CO 0) rt -4-1 ^.2 they, respectiv riation of ove possible capita drumlie stuff. o CD o o .5 X- 3 C4 S is 5 3 +-• ua 0) -4-" 0) either ever we S3, or from part rain ackt-rs icture- anker, rocker rugs rociT eal Es rokera yers a CJ y did A va mean such 1^ ^M CJ PL, fo Ph pq w « M Q U2 0) tc fee rfT CJ CJ •T.S 1 CO ^ -3 ;S .,. 2 rt of po thers \ ban tl elch p a 51 '^ CO P3 a Ph • p— » -^3 is inciple • all, reater t vbicb b 'O -H a *" 1 U *3 'o Sh 3 ifJ "^ C>4 0) S3 P3 ^ '"' .0 >^ ?5 m rt) (O H-* -M ^ .ii r-^ << U a CJ ■4-1 to M a' V ^ • 1— t 4-' ;^ 3 ^."-gs^.-^^-^I^S H c3 CJ 1 tn CJ r3 tco rH ^ rt —, k. i^ .2 :^ 2 ^ -^ ::: •-H «i .<;p£ PC ?: PC W W ^ w "-M bX3 "5 .5 Ci rrt 1 28 TIIK COMMliUCIAL AGENCIES. 11 i,^-. ' -v t -1 ■1 '{ o c 2 P 1^ n '88 roc e o 1 -§ N R » -^ t- TH (JJ ■Vf ^^ t- CO i.-s" 'A ^ *-. a n 8© coco >o< ip< > O <_ _ ■ o ■? o < ;S88^ 8S; > p o o © © ! © CI o o o 88 rl O m to CI I ©©©©©©©© -oSopgg© o© ©o _ _ ©©©©■So.. , _ ©©©©o©o©o© ©■ ©' — ' ©" ©' ©" I ■i ©" ©" c" ©' s" ©■ ir Lo i.o © o if5 c< 'o o o © © © •'/^ Ct f l-O CI CI O rH rH © © o tn o o £ £ 5 iii K- •-; ^ .== tn a •a rn a fc a c c "3 &■ c [go - c - „, C O H ^ .— o s ^ 2 o OS S (-< be rt C o o U ^ pi^ "^^ "-^ ^™ ,-•• c a tfi* m a a 1 w tt. ?= ~ 2 ^ s 1 tJJ . H 2 '/. 1 "^ 1 "^ +-< ^1 15 o 1 "^ 1^ ?' o o 5 c o -*-J r— 4 c: o o 2 o C CO 15 o o .^ O o .2 f-4 o ■4— » p "^^ t. o o to 2 ."^ ^ 2 P- •s o Is o l-H 1 r— t '3 C3 ^ (=-> C3 o • ,^ O o O 'A 'S CJ a> o' ^^ f— ( O r* S; r/: ri -i C ^H .S iJ ^ f] c •"^ c5 o 3 -*-J cS 2 CO O r/3 5 o o ■4-» o ^^ (/, rji *> "a CO s t o o 1- 0& -4^ < 'C -1 o j:;' 1-:; ^ ■i C •1 CS w O 1— c 1^ ■S-2 . t» ^ w ° S to c 2< «.tj) U It til fe-s n ;sss: c o O Tj< ■»»< CJ C< T W -^ (TJ » c o_ o 5 © 5 o o 5 © © © i.t lo © S 5 0? S o OC" ■ 1/; o r-c I* o i-l L-' SS§SSg§8SSS o_©_^ ©_©_©_ ©©_©_©_© S ©" ©' © ©" ©' ©" ©" ©' ©" ©" ®" © o © l'^ 1.-? © © o o rt © •-^ »-lC- tc-s 5 ceo o ^ »J m 6C -' o o ^ ^ S i^ a 7i i: = '/I a S o -M "rOJaj ■^ s^ -^^ ^O^oi ofe j:^, £ r '^ ' 'f Z -^ TT . n N -^ o tc a o o 4; ^ r X " ° ■• ^ ~ :i, fa So « w o u U fa i" K W 5 S « '^ 2J CJ o 9 is c !:^ ~ ~ J^ - ^ Cj n **- ir; •/J > ^ w — *j O - ^ .:^ :S - ? P Es 2 ^ 3 o ^ ^ ,' -c 2 % rt ":£ .5 •-■ '^ ~' -^ -^ 2 t ..^ c3 OK = a o o o ^ « rt s2 -^ - s rt a •i o <^ ^ O •=5 -I F- -J --^ _■<- ►" ^ ..!< O o -- o ^ c3 jh a "' s o - it! ^ •'"' ^ i-< t-l -4-1 tM .-. P O w ~ ^-i 3 s _ ' :2 o C1- V "1 ^— .^ ^ 5i o S 2 o o o p:^^ c _2 ^5 -^^ ^ ^ a - -M ^, ~ ^ i^' m o — o o E. 9 ^ _ S 'fl s ^ ii -^ •^ fi s ^ ^'2 9 ? 9. o ^ r, o. ^ s-^ a o ~ ^ ^-1 a cS ^ H it S o c X 'I 'ii o ^ .'Z H ^ to O bfj r:} t;^ i- O r I r/J O ^ •-< 'i' a '« - ^ ./. ^ Ph 5i -^ ii 3 d '-' S o '-' r1 "^ '^ Z3 J^ ^-* »-< "^ f— ' 13 r-i .1-1 130 TIIK COMMERCIAL AOKN'CIES. ■■ 5 \ it' • »— 4 o H W 1^ So l-s P a W in 'A b (• o -a n ©< O < ©( © > is 'O C« C» 'C o > CO >o©»< -sis; ;i< oOi;j©oooQ©©o © o © l.'S o lO © O lO o >- TJ O CJ CJ « i-l M ** n3 o m V • S S 2 b- 3 s ^ C rt I— I • "- o "O ^ :.■->; «3 si s 5^ ii c * «-\S - 9 •2 = 5-^ m a o VI pq Q Q O Q d^ Ci; C9 » S M -§.5 6 C p^ fcfl C ^^ C s o a — 0' o CI I- (-* 2 u o # .i2 ;^ i'f. ^-* "ff. -!-> ^4 *zz H-4 1 rt c -2 *-> C3 rt O 1-4 t-] ^ p^ w c ^O ^ r— 1 • ^^ ^H ^ -^ O a- .t; ■♦-« rt e , !•• 0^ >. r< rj\ O I-; r! .-^ o E pJ3 I^ o •^ 4-» ■4^ H o 4— • o ?=5 /fl o a • ■■« r^ '^-1 n V i? o r— 4 Co. ral dollar. ■*- o o ■4-1 rt is rt o '/; s o - ■*-• c o "'Tj o J^4 ? o 'fl 'D CU <+H c W o o 13 f/J o 3 § o o »- 1— 1 8 o CI 'fl 4^ -4-' o O o d "E o o c 0) o L. f— < P3 t^J g s CJ ■4—* "3 ■4.4 »N 5 "^ 4-^ o is o 3 5S 'fl 1 «3 -4^ 1-^ o o O ^4 ^ ^ rt <»-j TS r*^ o r\ 5 ^ O c C^ ^ o afJ' ^ ■*-» C5 '-P! ' Jf c o ^ ■4^ ^^ d tH >^ Ch &< ^ ■^-f O S •^ 1 i3 »5 5 w 2 o o CS -t-> 1^ d 2 o Is O ■4-1 O C CJ H 75. is o rt o o o O .- k 1 .^' o" fi _ f -=^ "o o o ^ *+H £ tc r\ o o ♦— ' o *Zh 1—1 >^ 4^ o ,tL "* rt •72 HH c: rt ■4..' •1-t ^4 ^ P4 5 o n c5 o is O rt « 5 Q 'w is o ri r— H ZJ .^ ^^ tl # J£ +-' 0) ) *«^ r— 1 -< ^ g •e i w w W w w CO -11 ¥to So 1 = 7:2 m H THK SYSTKM KXI'OSED. 2j . ^ ^ a S yi B fi-rf ' Xc) 01 CV CI "t «u CI iOOOr-i 80r-c©Or-<«©OQ5> «t» O O O 10 Q i-T c; o 1-1 e< u5 |S§ o »« '9. ^ Pom O o M >,^ ca 'o o to K S* .S fl . to 5 T3 4* C H Q H PS ta O ?; cE u ^ J u U o 4^ S O i« »^ "^ S -■ Eh * C tc .0 OJi !B a> u m CO 'HO «! o o a ■B a a a -« fl <5 < < p u o Q w o w w a 181 "E ^J? ^. 's'^ .^ •-• /^i *^ (U C4 -M O X O I* 000 .^ j^ ^ 'B< fei, '-' .'« Cu ''» C3 Q '" .2 !3 O ■^ :? a o 52 - c C I- s P 'f" -— !-. 'M S b ,% .5 ••/. % = o p ^00 C Si 9 S •^ o -^ - ■•'■ 's o S i !3 r1 L. g S '» ? O IJ rj ^ -2 !- o U ■'=^ ■•-' rQ Crt '-' t/j re r: aj -I r; C o c3 a S "z: O 2 "5 ^ a ^ '/J a) o o r '-' k 3 .'i ♦-> F- S " ^ 00 o 'S t--- a> ^"^ .2 a -- -« c3 S 8 J2 ^ ^ 0) (U ca o ^' O "T^ ^ O -d O 60'- o c L- ^r «S <-) r— ♦-. rS .Q O (» f^ 1=1 fl 3: )'5 O ^ rt -r^ o o -« C' 5J 2 ^ 5 5^^? ,3 o TS o -5 C 0) 3 S £ ^ Vi I -e -u H '/^ t^ « ST" 5? "^ -C i! /'Ji li >! :<": 132 THE COMMEUCIAL AGENCIES. Li ^ m 'Ji o c S «> r«M ^11 w ■y i PS s i^ ©0©QO< OOOOQ< ©©^o_o_©_< ©©"©*©©"© S ©©©©©©©© ©TJ©0®©©© •»!<■«)• ■^ ■ni « CJ W W 00 (M « '©© © "o©"©" 0©0©®©©©©©0©©< ©©©©©oo©©©©©©; ©o©©©©©©© ©_© © ©^< © o" © ©" ©' ©" ©" ©' ©* © ©" ©" ©" c ©©©©»0ciSWOt-c©10©T-(l — ' l-t ■r- T-( Cl CJ ©©©©©©< o©< >s©s 8§8g o lo in o >©©oo©© )©©©©©© >©©©©©_© §"©"©" ©"©■©' © o © © © ©" ©" ©" ©" ©" ©" ©" ©" ©" lO i-H "O U5 W W l?< (?« rH © Cl © 1-1 O K P 01 p a fl d a fl o o o ^^ c o CO a! y o o D m M m 03 .S .S a a» *.i fr^ "^ ' - .2.2 'm 'tft CO iC 22 o«2 2^3 11 OO?- w;? a s g s s 3 0:^000 ?!Jh-50UfeOUU 3'2 f.1 ^5 02 : f/i S C C o P =: O .J- <+-l ox 'ii i>0 K C O CS rj O '-H o o) '" -- O U3 O o tif)! P 5 0) ;:2 P I— I •3 *- o s ^ cs a, a P 5 ^ « 2 S ^j M 5 S lU C i- cj £3 C3 W ^ 2 c .2 53 ■= •" -« •*-^ r^ o -t-J G o fcfi o <1 0) u fX, ? o r— t 71 rt «+-( r/J •"* O o ? C • r-1 t/j t>0 n tT F-* 0) ■4-J -*-» 3 'D O !>. d C "-" OJ ^ C •FH s 0) o o o -1^ s S-4 C) c3 o fl. o o til ' J • *^ o g '3 OJ o -»-> &J H (—1 U o I So - * a S o a C4 Oi o e _. C5 O © oS ©o ic © © © '■'5 i.l P © O lO i- ic a; lo ci t" © © (Tj M c> CJ ■^ C5 r- •* t- c» ■^ £.-- 410 «© a Si « ?; b o 13 a (1 o 'd a In O c a ©©© oo si ©© c o coco 88; ©©< >"©"©"< > lO o < §©©<:. ® © © © © o o © © o © © ric ©■©■©©" ©- 1 e- i-T ® © ic © > I- lo © t» :o ©C ©1 © ' ©■ S8S: >©© >©© lo ©' ©" ©" id i6 ©" ©' ©' >d o ©' CJ lO T-i W CJ W W © © Ol O iS ;S88§L >©©©©© 'd a 88 ©© ** r« *— -d a © 8 I* o CD ^^'- ( 9W^ i rfi -^ n S CS is Ti g 2 tX) r— « t/J CS «-i ci cT I—* Ph '£ ■4-1 •4— • CS CS d a disparity r- "75 CS ^- «; -i— 1 i C-l ■4-4 -4-» tc B c ! fi ^ f^ r. ^ ! !« ■4-J ^^ 3 Ci [2 and .2 CS --- E.*^ >■, ?P 'V s i 1^ -4-< -4-» *3 (0 'S Ph f^ r^ *^ *-> t- § CO p- •0 la V ourt to +2 SH , ( -i-i '%, •— ■< c CJ fl ;■' -4^ • ^N '3 s CS tn • 3 2 C! 2 2 ■♦-• ct ,7j <1 K* ""€ c3 'T\ £-1 ' jJ ^ "orki r/i -4:; +J '0 P4 CJ H c -*-j .«_;« ~i w^ ^ VJ 73 ,_i -0 <^ <^rf 4-^ _t. ^, -£ -ri -g '3 ^ ^i •4-* 1 "3 ■jr. t/j 1 £ «4H f^ 'J2 "♦J .'< i i; : ( 1 t ■ il? 134: THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. •2 25 ° c to » 91 O CO a . O a ) O 0< >o ©< SOOO OOOOQOO© OSCOOJ'OOlOCSO — hi > o a 2 4» SOOOOOOOOQOOOOOOOOQ 0©o25oOOOOOQOOO*0 ©_^o ©,©.© ^^R,® H,®.® ® ®,®,®,® * * ®. o ©"©"©©©"© ©*©"©' o©©® ©"©'©* ©"©" •»-c(M«0lO©l(tl©©m©©t-l©©IO©©05© OS 3] «a P en S CI o >'< a !S ©©©©©< o©©o O c o©©© © I I e S©©©©00000 ®00©0©©®0 <©©©©©oo©©© ©© ©1.-3 © © © © © © O O © © lO lO © '"S © o © o o © o w ® © oj © <:« ©© lOO^ . CJlffllSr-iOl-l(M©0(M o to C o n _ ^% p= a <-> O >- fcl (JO .2 a 5 2 e 3 U a C3 .5 e "rt g: mC os'o'Sy-S;:^ a'S ^ oa>isaooo,«i-55*c^ o f*^ ^ MM jy — ^C t- .Si i w (■1 •• '•^ .— ca c. cj '■'■■ ^ O r 2 I 5 ^^^-^ ;. 1 u i -id -^ =y = ^- '^ — c; "^ -™ j> "^ • ^ Ut ' ■ a ir. .5^ ->►-; en u 02 o c o I ^ THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 135 'A CO 'A 1-5 Q <1J J3 II. = = 60 "a a Si S- 51 n i-i ississ >.'r"o''©"o''oo" Ci O 05 l.T o w ^ 'a a at O O © OO o o o OO OOOOO O o o 1?; 03 ooooo OOOOO ooo_oo_ o'"©"o"o''o" O r-1 lO O lO O C-lTi OJ «- 05 o — c a Is Hi C Ui — — C S 3 3 ca cj mP3MOU u I* o C! a o O o o ««■ m o «) r-i o •^ 3 1— H rt o 3 o 01 r< .— « c/a C! o +-< o tf) o Cl, p: c o ■< <4-J o o (/J rs rn rn 1 o O 'fi -i-t O b o Tl •^^ 4-) ^ O o o ':^, o o o fi o o 'T! ^ <^ r/i S ^ o r/3 tH .. to o fi CiH f/3 •w t|_i "-1 5 O -H fi| 8 a o o o ts tc >> fi .fi JXi Ss to ^ ^^ to fi « 2 g j3 —I - - r^ o ■*-» C3 fi "fi fi c^ fi «3 o i; <+H o 55 Q ^ o ^ O r\ ^ '^ u ^ fi = o 5 S P.2 o •' tj to r^ ^ bo *- ^ fi o o-r: s to <1 o o o g ^. O fi cs !? ci ^ a o ii O fi fi Vc CS i^ p ^. xP 2 ■B o to p O r/T 'I: o o .0 ^\ rt .2 oT - 5P y o o o ■11 '/3 , r— • 2 '^' ^ /^ o ^ "5 ^ 5 P It ^ ^ 'I bo 2 r/) S ^ ^ ryj w • ■^ -" ?: -.»< O ? o ^ S P fi fi x; o ^ it * ^^ ■*! ffi t II 1*1 'P U $i >- J j '1 (■i '^ -V ?t ' , > yjf' t IVM. 4i ii£tj Ii*« 130 THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. /, t W PQ H H •a S 'J o ?i ? I" o -" u c n .5 a I c a ooooooooooooo© oooooooooooooo o o o o © © o o © ©^© © © © ©" ©" ©" ©' ©" © ©" ©" ©" ©' ©" ©" ©" © CC iO 'O O lO © CO © © lO O* CI lO © o » ■'ti o X) © •<*< c< I- 1- c< oj or^ ■"t a © © © ©" © © o ©< © © ( ©©< ©© in © o >oo©©©©©©© O o jc ■ o ■ r: ci o uO, i;S -° § £ o '■J ^ bn ^ «•; fi'-^-p.^^- a 5; 'K O fci !J a a cS el sa -4^ O >" ^«-:i 1 -4-1 ; 5 ^ 3 ' 1 t^ o ^— « l| ^ — ^ • 1— f '4— i ■/J i •" c3 c^ -*— -l-J o -*-" • " •-; CJ 1 ^ • ^ 'w' ^ •^ Cj o rp •_, r3 o 1 T3 O P C3 2 o o o to 1— < +2 3 I' <-^ o -4-* 1 o cS rt 't:' & fi ) . 1—^ 'n o CI • ^ o -4-' s o O -4-' 3 ,o =^5 -4-3 o *-^ rt o Oi rn m o -4-< O 2" c" o 1 -4.J 2 -»-l 3 i r3 -4-3 *-( 0.1 53 1 1— ' .SP -4— t '3 c To ■^ K o -4-» 2 <1 c p ^ C3 < O o o -4-» 'lit r' 1— i o J -4-1 o <-^ o « CS O -4-* 2 |3 3 t -M ^ ■*-' -^ rS (1h '■fi r' ^H o • •S j— ' •'"' Es ^ 1 «3 d o ■«-:> C3 CS i 0) C/J i-t P o « Sh o ;< *>H '3 o ^^ ^ ■/J -M »— ( rj^ able OD c s ■4^ 'S t— 1 5 o -4-' "'-' r— 1 rt c3 O o .™ H '^ 1^ ^ 3 •£ !> P 5 3 2 "^ c i: o C. - - « P ;1>V THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 137 •^-^ • u " u .„ » d Si's » o « S S to »— I O 6 ss o o to .5 a oooooooooo oooooooooo O^ O^ u'^^ o^ o^ o^ o^ o^ o^ o^ irT o~ cT o" o" cT o' o~ cT o" l-^O COOOOOOO oooooooooo OOOCC'OOOOO 0*0000^0' O^O 'O^ o^o" o'o o o'^o^'O'cT OiO (MOOOOlOO ©1 O T-l 1— I O OOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOO O^O O O^O^O^O^O^O^O^ 1 fT o" o*" o" o" o" o" o" o*" cT 01 irs iH >.'i O >^ O O lO o €» CN (M r-( CM O O " ® C5 (N c 'S 5 00 -JO 1- o o a sis >© ©"l-- 1-5 -It I- CI Li o a © © o CO "*- 00 HI o 'd s V o '< > a o n3T3 a a c si ©©0©®©©«©©© >- ©" ©" o o" ©* ©" p" ©' q" eo" v> >i«ooo®ioo©© > I- © i-< © © s o© o ©o > © o ©© 2 c ©_© ■©"©"< o at © © © a et S2 __©__©_ >© 5© «& g©©©Ot _2220< )©©©©©< '©©©O © © < )© >© ©©©©©©©©©o©o©©©©© '•J 10 © 1(0 10 10 1.-5 © © »o 10 © ira io to o in ,<{ 3; 0/ 2_cj g g bo " u — o to 8 .5 C 5 tt 2-0 o c tc£ -3 j: << <; <5 <5 <5 H « pq fq M pq ^ a • S ■^ r^ r/3 r/5 .N fc. "T C r^ 1 ^^ • —4 u -; '/) t. iJ r^ " d- S p D ~sr-^ >• rt C tn to 2 P^ <1 -M m A ^H « -H- 4-1 Is -,i rC s s= 3 1 IS 5 =« ^H - rf '^ "-1 s ^> -l-> C3 ,_-i' g -72 d c4 ^'^ d c - ^« .S CJ a, t(-l CZi ^> ^ ^ ^-^ a. 2 3 JTP f— 4 •-^ -. C3 rT u y>' C n hH d H c '^3 •" f-i ,^ ■*-• ? rt'^ 2 '/) C/2 d •^ »— < cn oO f* p— H ^ -M H .. (yj From d 1 S d ^ r3 rt (i> c3 THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 139 o s s cj n.2 3 _ri O '3 3 o cS r' fci o' r;i C! Ph a a> l-H o O w Q c3 "S^ 0/ ^ v l3 o •a T) a a 1 ""-3 cj cd ' •-S3 llllllllllll ^ 1 O 3 ^ § o" O I.-5 t" o" o" o o' c > ©"©"o" •^ up ICS^lO 53 ae- aot-'^'>*c 3 -s- B-t a 8 I- s IP a m" =* >-; «3 ti a P^ ^ v o a .2 g'^ % d a a '^-'l 3 ^ o o o o n 2 2'il'i o o1 = 2 o : .HflSsScScjCrvifi't^ : 6cooocoo>. • Si p : <; ;i< ^ o ^ r< r-i ?- P5 f^ H ; d O 03 a HH o ^ o O O 2 "♦J 2 C O o O l> «-4 1> r-l • p— t o > ^3 «+-( C3 o rl .-s O 03 •pH • ■-1 03 3 ;^ " I— I -i-; o s ^ •- s o ^ 0) !=H ^2 '^ oT ^ s a, o o to S o 03 o '^ -r P fclj o o I- CO if M 140 THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. rii ivi' li r <1 O I— I '33 o C C5 o '-4-4 O o <+-4 >-> O 1 'C •~i ic a> ~i CO o l4 o o ^ w\ o >♦-' ■73 o o S T— 1 VJ rt es a> ^ o • ^ r-* « CO H >i •-< o c3 rz^ ■^ d pjc •wi .s o ^ ;-. "^ •s" pi o o .-4 o _fi ^ w> O l7-« ^ t/3 >^ ^ 4— ' fi tC o '*— • O '5 .4^ c3 o o O ^ y 4-' s >-s ■ ^ ft ( — t 5 4— • o o o • .-< s s 0) T) "ifl >-« c3 o c P o s -<-> CS r* +-• 'S fi fi rx '^ p ff -i-> '^— ' o ?-l o O O r-l CO .C3 1^ -3 rft o o ^ ;- •-M ?H cj U3 03 H— 1 o >^ CO o r^^ t? o ^. r/5 -^ fi ■£3 c <1> T/D t3 a ^ a 0) -t-J <1 i THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 141 ri "> ! O ' a < o ' ^ bn ) <— ' ( ' u ^ r^ ^< < *-' r/l • o C J -u o 1 i o s ■*-» rr . o O) a; ; <*^ 0) •Z! ,n i S o H -*-» 1 " rt 1 o is ' s o 1 Ph r=i ri " o O ;-! c3 t' CO e o 0) P3 n't? O) < o l-H C/2 = •3 fi-^ "'a. 1 "5( > S < iOO< O C" o tip n : «i> o o l•^ i."5 o I- © l.-^ 3 o ; 01 o §© © -3 o pp ©55 "©"©'i.'s"©" ) O IC I?! I.'S ) ©J t- TT ir © © 8 §88SSSSS§8SS§S§¥8 ^ .-1 1-1 O M rH © O O ri T-l CI (TJ UJ 0? © O © o 5 5 © < o" ©" ©" ©" < C O O O t L-; © ! > |■^ © © © p 1 > (?i © in © © c > T-< © O < Si8 5555© ©"©"©"©"©" ~ ■ " i."5 © O § c o tC'/! o ~ O^ o .J g 13 1) C 72 o •« V* U '^ bo c 2 5 KM .2 n ; o :c b a o ^'V m : > ts o .S 3 2 a a.-:: ^ t; . c- a :3 t g s a o •y-J 25 3 . ty ti 2 '3 i ;d' \ • a u ji! -3 ti u :« D " i: S *3 •■n • i'' t*."^ . t- «. a -'■' 5 _5i *j t! 1? iJ ;:3 . o §.oo 1 9 to u Si p c S 5 ■" C rj "^ ■ u .^ a o .^ .S ?~ tto ;^s S o Uj ^ o *^ Cj ,» o t. g c '— * 'JJ u 1-^ "™V. f/i o 'fH ^ o ^ o .—1 "El rn ua rt s *4-l g rt C3 o o -3 ■4-^ .2 n 1-^ c ^-j c. 73 C5 rt rt ?^ •j: fc»j ^ O (t! o p ^ , -i-i ^ »-* r/ i^i rt rt O ^ rn • p-i F-H "rt o ;2 ■4-:j o '3 o o -4— t :2 tc o r/3 r^ ? s -t 0) C3 o 2 ^2 r/J a o a 4— H r— t o o o m u Xh to , o e« (^ .£ ^ o 1-4 o 'S o 4-J CJ o •^ o Is o a> ^ -*— ) •^ 7-1 r2 r3 o s O r- .*-» o • 1 o !—• i** cS ^ r' ct rt //3 H' '-' O o > p r— ( ^ r^ o o -t-J -4— > "^ (— 1 -t-j o '/r rn rt /4 o o s; f— < rt o rt rt l^/if ljjil,.„„J o o a o m S •/3 PP ;^ ^ Oi TlIK .SVSTKM KXI'OSKD. '? rt ti 2 *ti Ij -r — I— ' ;i"i 7:00 -tJr^ .5 Ji «. J ;f :.'> li - X* o o f^ 5^ *-• S -^ 6 P -^ -3 rt - Si S -' > ? -s -^ f/j r- ,i S "» *-• es ^ g O rt jr -^ 3 ^ .c b ? ." 9 = 5, ^ i^ 3 O .. H 5 2^-^ ■^ ^^ ** *. ^ -^ o •4-* .^ rj O l-^ SJ li -IJ '■^ -4-^ r^ ^ S- tp^ " o ~ to ■= rt 5 " t- o 5 .P !3 .:2 « tfj o ? -::: ^ « *- p ■£ ^ 2 o .ii ^ ~ a o "2 2 ^ p s •- '7i o =: -^ 3 "Vj Xj -4-^ Js r! r< ~ Ti 3 S --H tC >'r^ _ O o id a C3 'ft zl " 2 S > o .- to C :::J o g .5' - H -^.g E O' O _r2 •^ S >^ == r2 ~ ^ P- 9^ CO ^ S 'S 5 '^ o — ^+-1 'T? "^ e f^ s CJ 3 1i i) rt fl +0 o s to 2 ? <^ - ^ ^ S 2 ^. rt rt - ?J .= 5 o o —(CO t^ 9 rt ^ CAj a o 1-3 -' L:i 'S r^ r- « ^ ^ .^ § § s :2 1 ^ g 143 j^ i' IT 144 Tim COMMKUCIAL AGENCIES. ,'isi Iv^ \ n CirAPTEn XTX. IMPOIITANT I-EOAL niX'ISION-TIIK M( LKAN CARE IN TORONTO- TIIE AlJENCV PHIM.'IPLK OF NON ACCOUNTAIULITY DENIKD UY A CANADIAN JUUY— A VEUDICT FOll THE PLAINTIFF IN A TEST CASE. Tin; Toronto Globe ami Toronto JA//7 of Duceinljcr 8tli and 0th, 1875, contain a full report of tho trial of an action bronjL^ht by ono Andrew McLean a'^ainst JJuii, AV^inian it Co.'s Aijencv f(jr dania^fe.s Knstained in consecjuenco of relying on info'.ination given to liini by tlieir clerks and servants. The gist of the action goes, of course, to tho very marrow of tlie controversy in which we are engaged; and the thoroughness of tho contention in tho Canadian court, tho strong array of counsel employed, the direct- ness of tho testimony on tho (piostion of negligence, and tho linal result in favor of tho plaintiff at tho hands of the jnry, render an ex;:>nded notice of tho case eminently proper in these piiges. In fact, wo have purposely delayed this publication so as to spread this corroborative proof of our arguments of ])rinciple and j>oli(y before our readers, believing that nothing could bo more acceptable or convincing than a legal determination of a plaiidy test case coming after our own proofs, and showing their legal, as well as practical, bearings. Mr. I5cthune opened the case for plaintiff. He said tho facts were as follow : Mr. McLean was a dealer in leather, and in Juno last E. M. Wilson, Avlio at that time was doing business in the shoo trade on King street, called at plaintiff's to purchase goods. Mr. McLean Avas not at home, but on his return ho had sent to tho agency of Dun, Wiman tfc ih. to get a rejjort of Wilson's standing and character and business. The infonnation was to the effect that Wilson claimed lo be worth $7000 ; that he had $.5000 or $0000 in his business ; •;hat ho was doing a fair business, and that his credit was fair. The inquirer as to this information resorted to it ■ ■,1 1 i 1 1 ■V ■ ■ TUH SV.STKM liXl'OSKl). U5 uliDut .\|iril, it Kci'iiiL'il, or ])i'rli!i[).s iiti (.Mrliff d.iUj, Tins artiou \v;iri IImmI uii tliu alli'^'nl duty ol' tin- (IclViidaiit.s to use ordinary dili;;vii('u ill oldaiiiiii^' iid'ormatiou accKnliii;^ tu tludr cuiitract, uiul ill rc;iMril t(i lliu htaiidiii;,' (if liu>iiu'.>s iihmi, ami diIi,i;Liiitly and t'aitli- t'lillv to rcpoii to tlicir Mil).si*i'il)e'i'ri tlii! nsiilt of hiicli ini|iiiriis. Mf. .M(d-('aii liad liccn in tlic lialtit for yuars Itufoii: of |)ayin_:; iiis siil)scri[»lioii, and tliu plaintill" clainu'l tliat, Iiu had a rii;lit to tho (laiiia;n'(;s Ik; a^Iiud as a coniin'ii.sition for lliu los.s lit; liiul siistainod owiii;^ to tin; iiicoiToct information t.Iicy had ^^ivcn to Jiiin. Tlio (h.'fL'ndants, M\: Ikitliinie said, caiiio into conrl, and wcro i»rc[)ai'e(l to deny ovuiytldn^' — tliat tliuv wwo not a nifivantilc! ayx'iicy, and that tlioy had not siynud tlnj ayivonR'nt. Tin; plaintiir liad a ri^iit to conipuiisation lici'c! just as much as if In- had onj^a^^'ud a private detc'ctivi'. wlio liad actt'd in iK'i,di«;i;nco of his onh/rs; of a^•ainst a ])]iy>ic'ian wiio liad hern lu'^'li^-ciit or i^fnorant of liis cn^-ag'oniL'nt. ]\Ir. .1. !I, Canu'roii ai'^'ucd that tho plaintiir liad no i^'round for liis action, , (looi'^-o J\'. ; Swan v.v. Phillips, 8 ; Adolphus v.y. Ellis, -1-, 5, 7. lUit in this action, ^Mr. C'amon;;i said, tlioy would havo to coiilino tlu'inxdvcs to tho j^roiinds j)or- inittcd in tho -tth Hoc. of tho Statuto (d" Frauds, or i^iif. (I in tho Act relating' to proinisos and agroomouts, and in Avhich tho niis- chiof intended to bo j^'uardod against was siillicioutly ])ointoil out. Tho plaintitrs case, as they had heard it, could not ho sustained, as tlioro had hoeii no written contract, and ho would ask for a non- suit. Mr. Eethuiic said the only caso ho would oHor was a recent Knu'lish decision, Lloyd r-w J'erny was, an action ai^ainst tho WccJdif Itaniu'Ujit Gazette for not supplying- inforniatiou 'in agroemont with a pul)lished prospectus. Tho jury had found tiiat a contract liad heon made, and t,^'ivo the iilaintill" damai^es. lie thought the cases to which Mr. Cameron had referred were entirely outside the argument here. lie Avoiild ask his Lordship to let the case go to the jury, although ho would liav'o preferred tho matter to come up by demurrer. Mr. J. II. Cameron replied that tho case cited by !Mr. Be- thune did not sustain the argument or form a sulHcient ground for action. \\\\ m - 'm mnsimsmiaiiBassmm mmmm I -' \^c> TUE COMAJKkCJAI, AChSr'! l-y.. Ill Ill.-i I>'/r'l -hip 'l(;'-i'](''i t!i;tt, ll)(; (■■a.,(: (H.'i j,*/, i:ol;if; wilLiu t,li(; St.utilt'; iif l'"r;tU'l.~, ;ui'l tli',- 'jU':-t;',;) of \', lii.t hi;i- il, (;uin(; v.illii.'i ti;<; hCOpf; oi I-jI''1 Ti;lit';l-'li;r|'-; Art v. ;i-! i,i:)i; (r;/i.it.ioii, it:-! ri'':(:i|>t, it ■; font.CAt .-tutin;./- tnut. " \\'iJ,-:'))i ■■v;i.--; worth $7000, Jiii'l ill ;_"/o'l \'i'-,i\ f)'(rlir " t.hf; hilc :(ii'l 'l''livi:rv of I'-oo'i-. >ni<\<-r thi-, infonnuii'.!/, li.ii'l th'; lo,--. .M/. Jiothunc callo-'l h. M'-i.ca;). who t';.tili(;'| : '■ i al;i ili l!i'; lc:it.ii'-I' h;j -.i/)': ,-. ]j';l'':: I liir. i: h':(-n in i»li -IllO.-B aljoiit. t-,\(rl vc xcar.T ; I liari u paftrii r. Mr. I >;j!y, aljoiit. l(:n ■.■r;;trh a;_'0, aii'i I tliidk v/o h(;''ai;ii; ';o)ili*;ft':'] v.i'ii th',- .\ic<:wv oJ"/'//. //.■': I'lj.iiiti l.'ini'i 1 iia (;oiit,aitii;'52 1.1 7, oil tho ii.-wa] to-rm.- : 1 ajipliol lor no oiJif:)' jni'onnal ion f.y.a-.^A that I {^ot, from tho (jc- f<'jidanl.): it. was ho <;Apli''ii. .'tnd .".o .-t.ron;/ I )ja.d no doui/1. uhont. it; I 'jiA infoj-niatiori early in .luly thai Wii-'^ii l,:,.,! r^ji aj-(.d out,; 1 .M;nt niv hookk(;';jj';r to lin'l out th'; j>art.i<,-ular.-, and foiind tlifrre wa- nothiiiL'' l<:fl ; 1 ri';v(:r 'juotiono/i th*; triitli <>\ tlio infoiwnafion 1 f/ol iViii/i tho d'-f(;ridant.-; ; 1 l.nov,- Mr. W'inian pcr.-onally. Jj'/ .!//■. M. < '. f.''i/ii' /on. I IniO-W till; cldij- \\'!'-'.M, vvjjo wa.s (■■.ivv\\\i'^ on hii-ini;-,-. lio-lon; in tho haruo .-.land a-; hi : .on afto)-- wui'do ; 1 kn'w a-; a faet. that, \\ il.-.on, tlio .-on. carri'rd on huc in ';.•;.•; in tin; r.ani*; place a.-; hi.s fat!i(;r had dono- hofore : 1 havo hf;f:n con- nected for ahout, ten y<;ar.s wit.h the defr-ndant-.;, and hav; made a //reat inany in'(iiiri';i in that. lime. /;/•«/./'/.■• Wini'in. I am 'ino of the d>f<-.nd.:n! • : J live in Xew- "^'ork : "A.' do oiw hu-ine,--, here hy dejnily ; oni' ■hjiuty jjere i;s \\'. r. Mathew.s; th'-re ai'e t.weK<; or tliiileen In the olliee ; i wan not, here in -JuJie ; I have he-en told that one of om" elork.s l'hvo Tin: hYHTKM KX <)HVA). 147 flif; Iiifonriiitloi) t'> M:'. \\i-]j::i:i. \Vi; 'j'wc tlic iriforuiutioii \v<- }i;tvr; ; v:i; <1<; Wit. ^>n:Uti\(\ Vi ;riv<; f.li-'; iiij'oi'iii;it,ioii 'jowri to tlic (];iv .(; Lri'.i; i' : V,''; is<-ni:r;i]\v 'ji'X lofrd-rriati'jrj t^\■i';(; a vc/M'.an'/ f/o nof /•onat.o 'l<:i' 'il, 'ii.i'c.cj'Hti I'll I') (l(> Kii lift. r ; V. '; Jij.'tl.c iij< tlic r<>'>\<. wjtli t,lihi <„' t llu /' iii'i) ii'i I r '. Ill III' III \\ ilii'lm 'J /I'n/ij I'm . a !)0 . Mr. \Vi' on : I u;i.th.T of 1 J. — f wa- in tljc fnij:|ov of f. f: lit) to t!i(; (■•.'lunir onfor': !;'• ■'.■f;nt a',v;i I fool: Honu; ''ood,-, of !ii-. down to tin; au'-tioi •on i\: K: .M 'FaHan (;',■■ : f ''ould not t i-foorn to ll'-ndf'i- '■)'! !;o\v oftcri f took ;rood-do\vn tlicro ; f tool: l!if;i/j in a ulif;--iljarrov/ ; I took ;-otfi(; in tijr; dav- tiinc and -oino in t!;<; mor-niri;.' : \]\i:y w-rr; in IiO.vh ; a j.'ood inanv p(:o[)l(: f;irn<; in !ait; tiicy di'i not huy ifjiJ';lj._/o/' /"" /I'l ' nr,! 7li i"-fi t'l ••" ''/. />'// Mr. .)/. r. Cn, Ji(; tiaii 111 .JalMi'ir I do not L'nov/ ), iDUfl) ''ood.s ;Ml .■'■n> tia;."c / I. ii'/ii; till I I 'I'lX' :i 'ii'i-.i'i f'ifi])lii. \i' "• I' tv(; ni'- lh'; '■•o.-t. pfif Nff. .\I, ( '. <" :,!ii' r',ri a-k^d v li it thi- f-\ i'htrK-'; atnounti 'I tt,. ^I)■. llithurx; i-aid lh*'V <\[)i''-tcfi to ,-how hu'-li a noi'iriou-. htatf; of Miaftcr.-, ti,,it othci- p<((p''; kn';'v, if th'; d''ff-nd.i'it ^ did not. \'' n I.5T i m !K, ■it *V 1 148 TIIK COMMKUCIAL AfiKXCIKS. m wliat was |1h> 1()\v f^tate of (M'cdit. J jn'oposo to .■-lidU' llifit from Miircli lie. liad sold ])robul(]y u[) to SlOOO \v«i)-lli of ^oods ;it, nuc- Uion. ^y^• will Avant to go further, and sliow that it was well hiK'wn that Wilson was in oiid)arrassc:d oirciiiii>tanf('s. /'/li/'jf Ji'rrihi. — Was a dcah'r in shoc-liiidiiiL';s and leatlier; kin'W Wilson, and had sonic talk last wintc.M' ahout his ci'cdit ; it was said tu ho very had ; tho talk was ever since hi^ ( M. M. Wil- son) was in hiisiness ; I wonld not have trusted him ; I did trust him for aliout »^55, ami ho gave a cheek, hut heforo 1 could get it cashed he, was gouo ; I am a suiisci'iher to tho Dun-Wiman agency ; 1 never made any iu(|uiry there ; I hnew enough myself ; it was ciirreiilly ]-i|iorte(l that ho had hecn ti'avelling in the States wilh a li'Miipe (,f iKigro minstrels. (On cross-cxanunalio!! the wit- ness said it was not a good cxperionco for husincss to have heeii going with a minstrel troupe.) i!'(//A/' II iir(liii<>i'i\, wliolesalo dealer on l-'i'ont sti'cet. — Wilson had a.-ked lor a credit at our house, ami had ordci'eIi f*nci^fiii to which the information was t!i Api'il, and had not given it as iiifoniia- tion np to June .l"tli. Then the information was given up to the time when it was stat(;il, and it did not ihi'i'efore apj)carth:it lli;'ie had been iuiy b'-each. INfr. T'ethnnc re[)lied that tlio conli-ai-r .•ould not mean to he irnrely 'he information tiny had, hut flnij nrjreed to yioe (I'ith reit- .soiiidih CO r rectne.HH at (i (jlreii, titite or a partic.idnr (luie, (Uid vot anil ^'' ''"-') "•^' 'd iivJtjht hijjli'ii or /'vV; ijinrx. The information must 1^1 fi 'it r i filiiili \i\ M 5;,. ^r ? %•& , "V \ • i.M, 1 I'd i 150 TllK CO.MMKUCIAL AGEN'ClliS. b(; of !-(nn(! ii,«e, and to l;o of tlii.s cliuractei- i! iiiii>l Ik; lliercfore of sucli dates that it (; b(! worth 8T000 : cliara(!ter and habits are jrood; is doin:i.-t live years engaged in the Mercantile Agency Coni[)any ; Avas an occasional I'tjxjrtor with Murray, Middlemiss k, Co., Aronlrcal ; had iiu previous ac- (juaintance with J\Ii'. AVibon ; knew tin; linn was about di.-solving, and went to get particulars ; came to tlu; conclusion that ho was not Worth m<»re than ivoxw S-'^OO to 810"0 ; ho claimed to 1)0 worth 84"00 in property; did not ank him hh hidchUtlinHH ', Ik; may hasc liad some cash besides, for all \ know ; dhl not axl: tlieni. to show thctrhoolcH ', consulted some of the boot and shoe maiiiifac- 'IIIi: SYSTKM KXI'OSKI). 151 Hirers (I Ik; ( Its- III) iiiil 11(11 I'l nil III li'' ///'///'■. --\Vas not the, )-eii;ular repuiler at, the time; [Ka'foriiK.'d l!ie duties of city repoi-ter \'i// .]//'. JiifJnnv. — David Wilson w.is not a ]).irtner at th)\\\\ ^Fclvilloj) it (,'o. ; a sindlar coin|iaiiy to that of the defendant.-' ; J niaile n, re[)ort of I']. ^^. Wil>on oil the Tth April, is"."); the result of my iiKiuiry was favoi'ahle ; I saw E. M. AVil-on personally ; I looked through the stock and saw the in.-iiiiM,nce papcri he held, and lie i;-avo mc .'i statemcait of the Iradi; he wns doin^', the iii-iii-anrc, and the rental he was payinif. T repfH'teil liim woi'ili fmm !S lodo to sTjO'iu, and his stock AvortJ. s7"()') ; I madi' inquiries from others; he u[)- |)(!ared to lie 'J-ang a good biisine s(U'ted. md his stock was "well as- 4 ;|| •rP li '*''d m 5 Vh 1 ^'1 i. iT ; i ■H 152 TIIH COMMEKCIAL AGEXCIKS. ./>'/ J//'. Jtrf/nnw. — I liiivo not n cupy of llio J'i'jxirl I iiiiuU! ; I s]M)l<(i Id All', J;i('(il)i about. Wilson in SciitLMiihcr, lvS74 ; it wa.s the iii'iii thfii ; I re[»orto(l tlie iiriu woi'tli from sTono to !5lO,(X)U ; oil tli(! April i-('|)ort I tliouj^lit lio (AVilsoii) jiad a stock of over $(!(HI0 ; ]io told niu lie liad ; I voxihl not ,sii\(tr f/iat I Ui-iked tvhat /lis' debts 'iror, but I reported liim AvortU $JO(i() {o $5U(*0, This was llio case. Ilis Lordsliip remarked tluit he would liold tlie action to be one of breach of contract, and lie said the contract mduM be that part of the general conditions tliat referred to tlio obligation of the defendants to supply information to the suloscribers. His Lord- sh'p asked them liow they were to estimate the daniage-j under this assumption. Mr. Ijethuno said thcv would ask iust as niucli as thev had lost by the sale to Wilson. Tie thought they should recover the whole loss or merely nominal damages. Mr. J. II. Cameron said lie was prepared to show that the •utmost the plaintiif could recover were nominal damages. In the case of Kinghorii tw, Montreal Telegraph Co., 18 U. C. Q. 15., he presented a case where his contention Avas sustained, and that niori! than nominal damages could not be assessed ; Stephenson r.s". Monti'cal Telegra})h Co., K! U. C. Q. ll, was a similar case, and in which the decision was that the plaintiff could not recover unless there was fraud in the delay by the Company's official delivering the message. ]\[r. Cameron said also there was no Iweach of the contract. He asked again if the i)laintifl: liad any case to go to the jury. His Lordship answered that he lliought it would be most ])roper to allow the case to go to the jury. There would be the single issiu! of the breach of contract, hut he was not at all sure whether Mr. McLean had acted with reasonable care, lie said it would ho hcttcr to place the matter in a specilie niaiinei' heforc the jury ])y asking their answers to the two (juestions : L Did the defendants, who are persons oigaged in the ]\rLi-- cantile Agency business, furnish to the best of their ability infor- mal ion to the plaintiir of the standiii;;- and credit of Ernest M. Wilson 2 2. Did the plaintiff act as an ordinarily prudent man in not making any further in(}uiries in view of the fact that AVilsou re- THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 163 silled and caiTit;d on biisiiit'ss in liis iininudiafe ni'i_i,dd)orlu)()d, and wa-< well known, in \\\r. fitv, and that the >'(>(,ids Avero not furnished for a fortni^;'l>t after the applieation ? ^Ir. .1. II. Cameron addrc.-sed the jiirv, reniarkini,' that thoy ■would have nuthini^ to do wirli fi^qu'es, as tliat, by arrangement between eoun.sel, had l)een withdrawn from the (juestion. l)Ut tliey Avould have to deeide npoii a matter that Ava.s of as great conseqneiK'C to the mercantile ageneies as to the pnblie. And although these agencies had been iti existence for about forty years, there was not a case n-ported in tlie courts that could 1)0 called an examide, except the one cited by ^ir. .l»etliune, which was the English case he mentioned. Mr, Cameron said this case was not a contract of guarantee. Tlie question, Did the defen- dants give information to the best of their ability ? was what they would have to consider. After a rccapitnlatio!i of the evidence and a statement of the case, Mr. Cameron laid down the proposi- tion that if the Company gave all the information they possessed at the time, they had done their duty ; and lie said the Company had done this. Further, Mr, Cameron said it could not l)e ex- pected that these agencies should be held to such a strict account as was sought to be imposed on them in this case, and that all that could be expected of them was a fair report of the individual at the moment when they were asked. Mr. Eetluine, addres-ing t'lc jury, observed that many people thought these agencies were not advantageous to trade, and it was a (piestion on which tlio mercantile public were divided whether they should be tolerated at all. The law would not look at the question of consideration, based upon' the amount paid by the plaintiff; illustrated by the exauiple of an accident insurance policy, where a mere trifle would yield a large sum 1)ack in case of accident. That tlicy have not been sued before is no argument not to deal fairly with the (picstion. Tluit, if- they escape scot-free now, will be an argument and an inducement for, perhaj)>. greater carelessness tlian hereto- fore, and greater risk to the subscribers. .VU the i)laintiif -asked tliS defendants to perform was to give a fair report. Tt was.casy to see the p'wer and facility the cnic.-s lis' anv m- <|wiii(s h(! conhl mal<(; as the ;\;^('Mcy, with all their means of pro in(jtiii<^ inquiries, eouh! (Jo. Mr. Ilethnne jiroeeodefl to .'•■ho'A' the Jini(jiiiit of stoek that Wilson had i'0('(ji\ed and owned at any time, iiiul idl tli(! sfo(.'k li(! liad ht'Oii possessed of, and to prosa; that, lio eoidd ]iot lia\'e had IIk; fpiantity of stoek that was credited to him hy the A |^(;ncy. 'I'he o|)<'i'aMons (d" tla; i'i'jiort(;rs lA' IIk; Agency le sort that entitleil them to eonli- wcrc (.•latHMoed as not Jiemii' o (loiicc. 'I'hero were in,* [)ai'ticnlar imjuiries, and no V(trilication of the unswf'rs fiiv(ii ]>y any oik; peiMai hy answers of another, ^^r. I'ethmie a.-ked the, jury to infei' that the rejxjri.M's liad f(;rii;ott(;n ah' ahont the matt(;r, and that really no ini|niries had heeii made; at all. ^J'he enti'ies in the Agency hook, too, wei'i; not asstirin;^ as far as Ihey (-(juld be ascertained, eithei' for their oivler or for their correctness. It appeared, indeed, that the i\^ency had not made their iiifpiiric.s at tlio veiy ])laceH where they mi;^lit liave learned jnost, and w hei'(! common-sense woiu as'e |)oint(;i| as the he-st .soun;(!s (d iiiloi'mation. Wilson's stock and j>roperty in A prii HI a conld not exceed a, value of §10(iu. It was shown that In; h balance at the hank indeed, but tin; amount at IIk; hank was made; 11 le saif'S mad(; ut unction. The comj)any said I hey did not know that h(; was selliiiif o(T the stock at a saci'ifico in an aiiction- j'oom ; hut a niimbei- of j)ri\ate ])ers'*ns, nuirchants in the <;i' mi.-take-. And when, two weeks aftei" he trot a certilication of the character ainl standinir "f this man Wilson, Mr. ]\rcLean 'j;-a\('. him a crelllC-,i W ll vvi' Hot true. IIi; v.niiM n'[ic,it tli;it f till! \;iliic ol tli(S(; in.stillllKiMS wiiH UK! (lc^r(;(; ol care, tfivcii to tlii! II.! )(;f: infonuiitiDii tlwy pi'ofcs-cil to iiU'onl to their siilj.^eril cli^sod by .'isle involved a niiniher of ijiie-tioiis of dillicnltv, 1)111 thi'V had heen instriiclecj in tlio-e that were ti ho decid(;'l hy them. He ])ointed out what thi! diitit;s of the de- fendant.-; were v.hicl) they had iindei'take'ii to (;.\(;ciite. And it was only jii-l, to mention, too, that Wilson had not heen dfialiiii^ nuicli with any of the wln^lcsale merchants liero. lie ma.h: llie.su remarks as to the ,-taiidinii; of Wilson and th(! f.icility the defend- ants had of makinn' an iicciirate re]»ort, of Wilson's hiisinc,>s. 1'his rej)ort, 1 1 is Lonl-lii]) did not hesitate to .say, as his o|>inion, was not correct ; and he thought ther in tin; coni[>any in oht.ainiiiLj^ in- tlie r;ominerciuI v.aliK; of K. y\. Wilson, and in not loll Ol o.-se.-S','( 1 no aptitude for hn.-ines-. The evideii format iioticinu' that he p of IIh! employees was not satisfactory; they could n(jt, ti-H Jiow they got their information e.vactly. with the e.\c;'plion of om' who t-aid lie li.ad communicateil with ^Ir. .jacohi. And if they took their information from Wilson's comniiiiiication alone, they wi'rc illop',, reporter gave evidcjiic*;, it of the defendant-, hiit the not doinu' all their dutv. .M(dv liad to lie rei nendiei'i'd, similar to tl jury would coii.-idei' whether he had made sidiicieiit iiMj'.iiric'S as well, hefore th(,'y would (let(;rmine (ni its v.alue. Hi-, Lord-liip then glanced at the (piestion of Avhether the plaintilF had acted It J.i' ■ II ir Ml 1 hi m . it'^p, 'ihlr UJM, J ■' i*. 150 THK COMMKllCIAL agi;n'cik^<. \vltli oi'diiiuiy }»ni(len('c' in ;ic('i'j)tiiig the iiiforiiiutioii and acting oil it witlioiit making any inquiries on lii.s own part. Tlic jtiiy tlion retired. The jnry retnrned, after a slioi't aljsence, with a verdict fur the plaintill", being an answer to the lirst (]iie.sliun in tin; negative, and to the second ({ucstion in the alHrmative. Jlis Lordshijj re- corded a verdict for the ainonnt chiiiiied. The local opinion on this verdict is also of great importance. AVe append two editorials from the O'loOe and Jla/'l respectively niuler date December lUh, IS"."). [ /)(tUi/ (I'/iiljc — Toronto.] MCUCAX VS. l)l\, AVIMAX & CO. l\ ,t .'■- ii*t i *. i r a ^; n .5 ^■ }'"^ Tlic verdict rendered in tliis case yesterday by a petty jury in the Toronto Assize Court (ijfpcars to atrlke a 'cery aouoas Uoio at the cxideuce of the corMiici'vldl ansoc kit Ions known as Mkkcantilk Agknciks. Mr. McLean, a liigldy respectable and extensive dealer in leather, in this city, was applied to in April last by Mr. E. M. AVilson, then a shoe-dealer in King street, to ^supply him (Wilson) with a (jnantity of leather. IMr. McLean was a snhscril)er to tlie Mer- cantile Agency of Dim, AV^iman & Co., and entitled to obtain from them from time to time rejH>rts as to the solvency of parties pi;r- chasing from them on credit, for the consideration of seventy-five dollars ^>cv annum. Mr. McLean accordingly applied to Dim, AVimaii tfc Co. for a report as to the standing of ]\[r. AVilson ; and, having received a favorable reply, sold $.500 worth of leather, or thereby, to that person. In July following AVilson absconded, and Mr. McLean lost his money. Mr. J\[cLean thereupon com- menced suit against Dun, AViman t*c Co. for the amount of his loss, not alleging for a moment any want of good faith on the part of the agency, or that different information from that given Avas in possession of the Agency or its employees, but simply on the ground that its report was erroneous, and that the Agency had not used due diligence in obtaining information. The jury sus- tained Air. McLean in this pretension, and gave a verdict against Dun, AA''iman & Co. for the full amount of his loss, Sr)00. In the examination of witnc>ses it was brouirht out that some parties were aware, previous to AVilson's absconding, that he was :,M 'iiiM svs'i'KM r;xi'()si;i). 15T l!i it Wdi'tliv 111 ci'odil ; and that if huii. W'iiiian iV ( 'u. liad y'oii to ci'i'taiii |)ar ti(s f« ir iiit'di'inatiiiii, tlicv would lia\(,' luariiod mucli iiiiirr al'iiiit him tliaii thcv tnM tn yiv. ^^(•l-^aIl i^ i^: ^ ^i ^ i> <«• w I '/'/((■ Mi'i'. — 'I'liniiiiD. I I.IAHIMI V (iK MKKC AN TII.i; A(ii:.\l IK-;. The ('as(^ of ^[(d.caii /'v, huii, Wiiiiau i*^ ( 'o., wliich has oocu- plrd the attt'iitidii of thr Assizo Court for tlio last two day.-J, -was ('(tiic'ludod yesterday ; a vci'dict boing re^iinu.'d for tlic plaiiitilT for tlie aiiudint of daman'os claiiiied, (iubjoct ti) cortain coiisldoratioiis r('.»('rvc'(l for tlie i'u\[ Court. Two (jucstions wero left to tho jury, as will he seen in our re[)(jrt of tlio ease, and hotli wuvo answered in favoi- of the j)laiiitilT. The juiy iu point of fact have detor- mineil that Dun, AVinian iV Co. did not use; duo diligeiieo wlieii they _nM\(f a favorable report of AVilson'.s standing, and that i^Fr. McLean was perfectly justified iurelyini:; sok^ly on the Company's statement. The mercantile community will bo glad to hear that even thus far the ease is in favor of their riglits. They are dragiKiU( (1 into subscribing to these agencies, and the least they can ex[iect is that tho iufoi'mation i-eceived is so accurate! that it may be safely acted on. The Court above will havo to decide whether the ])laintiir can r(>ally recover more than nominal damams, and even if tho so-called ]\rercanlilo jVm-ncv should succeed in esea))ing the heavier penalty, it and kindred institu- tions Avill have been taught a useful lesson. The jiopidarity of these agencies is on tho wane, and niorcliants are Ijoginning to tjuoto the long list of failures whicli have occurred in direct contradiction of agencies' reports and liierogly])hics. There is something un-nritisli and repugnant to most right-thinking men in a system of espionage that has become a huge iNFercaiitilo Jncpiisition, by no means infallible, and, it now a])])ears, not always \ery careful of the way in which it coiulucts its in(]nirie--. As a matter of fact, tho cases are few in which private inepiiry will not discover all a merchant wants to know of a ])nrchaser sccldr.g credit. Kcw customers arc bought at too high a jn-ice whose standing has to be certified by an Agency. Tlio system of cre'led system camo ■I'm I ■?■:. w IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MTO) 1.0 t'J 12,8 IIIIU m I.I 1 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1 1 ^ ^ f^r ► ^ /a ^l eS '.s r ^'^s- / 'V / '/ /^ Hiotographic Sciences Corporation ^ i\ « \\ % V •f^' # ^^^ ; ^^ 6^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WE'STER.N.Y 14580 (716) 872-4503 168 THE COMMKUCIAIi AGEN'CIES. Into oppratiftn. AVitlioiit impugninp^ tlio homf Jule.^ (<( lliis parti- cular Agoiicy, wo are of (jpinioii that cullectivcly ropin(piity to tlu; buyer and the buyer's fraudulent absconding. The former fact, it was hoped, would raise the presumption of contributive negligence in McLean; the latter, as the residt of 'iiitda Jf-^ rather than finan- cial insolvency alone, was relied on to relieve atrainst mere contract damages. Had the Agency any doubt whatever of victoiy it would willingly have ])air THE IN- Ql'ISITIOX— ( "OH IlESPON DENTS HEIIINI) A MASK— WHAT MEIi- niANTS TFIINK OF THE NEED OF (TIAN in most others, faith without works avails not ; and he is the best reformer who, having demonstrated tlu; necessity of reform, goes on and illustrates the most diri!ct means of its accomplishment. Our I'IKST proposition is a ])lain one. Xo honest man can support the system believing it to be noxious anle inon)ent, or least (if we must adapt our sense of duty to the average of business moralities) at the close of his present sul)scriptit)n. Even if he avoiil selling on its estimates, he owes it to himself, as a conscientious man, to withdraw his 8uj>- port from an institution on which his own opinio!! has already I it 1 I iff ..t 'i iV II 11 160 TIIK COMMEUCIAL AP.KN'CIES. l)af'SO(l jii(l<;iiu'iil. If lie ('((iitimu; piiviiiir lor prrtciidcil iiifonn.i- liiiii oil wliicli lie cannot or i\i>{s not rely, lie is nicrely liiidiMi;- liis nanie and means to the |ieri>et nation of an exacting' and iiiiscrinin- lotis eoniliination a:^ain.»t tin- [>ur>e.s and reputation- of other men, and tlierehy nnikin<^ liiinself a i>artv to wliahjver of \vron_ii' or in- justieo may be done to them. He may besatislled, for peace's sake or a hoped-for beneiit, to stand a yearly loss of subscription ; but docs he not owe sometliint;' to the el!i?-s to wliieh he bidon;,'s, and ."hould he not be ready to resent, reprove, and repress any and every lla^'rant assault on lionordile tradin;.-; so far, at least, as his (Avu contribiitive example may i^o? "We lay itdown as a true ride of commercial honor, that no one xhonlil coiuifi namr 'm itnollur cctn trfiicJi lie K'diihl not inrfoi'in h'intxdf. I'csides refusiiiir to bear the vearlv tax of subscriiilinn and lJ(.'fereiu-e IJook buying, our merchants should studiously avoid aiding the parasitic appliances of Collection I'lireaiix aditication of a trader's doubtful debts for i)urposes of colli', -tiou and turning over to the Agencies bad no depreciatory elfcct on the ti-ader's own standing as a careful credit -giver, he must see, in a moment, tliat the Agencies' attorneys are not apt to be elHcient. in any liti- gated eases, against tlio generally more competent lawyers who will be found retained by the defence. Is it to b;- lielieved that the Agencies' creature will exert all his energies against ;;n Agency su])j)orter, or that the Agencies would encourage him to jircss col- lections for a small percentage wluii the withdrawal of .subscrii)- lions may reasonably be ex[)ected to induce a much greater loss than any possible i)roiit so obtained^ ]>ut even if his utmost ability were seriously exerted, what so:'urity can a creditor have for prompt returns from a person cajiable of the personal mean- ness of giving np his time to double service as an iinpohl spy and \\. poorhj-p(ud lawyer? If he exacted a silary from the Ageiu-ies, even that fact would indicate a certain amount of moral stamina, and ji certain respect for his professional calling ; but, being either too weak lo impose terms, or too eagi'r, from want, to secure even Vi pittance of agreed compensation, he is certainly more amenable to temptation than his more independent and self-asserting brethren. A TiiiKD means of decreasing the evil elfeets of the Agencies li!i TiiK svsTE^^ F.xi'osr.i), in I is tlie very Kimplo OHO of not ai)|)l_viin; to tliem fur inrorinatioii. We have siiown that, acconliiii; to their own statenioiits, they can- not really tell whetl\cr or not any biiii^le tradiT is i^ood lor any single transaetion. Of wli n, rim anij Ktufi niiiif i>f lil'< (iji'iiii'H ]H'in'i' inliii'h (foit )n>f ijo ti> tlw. t:iicnf "f j>i.sf)fi/iiiii///art with his jfoitds on the strenjfth of it, Avhon the Agencies confess their own want of couli- dcnce in it hy sMpulating against any lial)ility for imparting it ? Ihit over au( lal )ove a 11 t lese consu lerat i i(»us, have we not sliown that thcM>tem is the natural parent of constantly-aggravating errors and misrepoi'ts'^ A ForuTM means of lessening the ill elTects of the Agencies wonhl he p.-rslstent refusal to supply them with nnpaid-for infor- mation. Why should not a merchant impart whatever he may lind m.'cessary or \iseful (lira-fli/ to ilw jn i\si>ii or jn /•■'<'iih'< f/'oi/i, ii'Iioiii //'•.si'il-sc/'cillf/ Already this is done in the vast majority case au( I Ih le credit-giver is accustonuMi to Avrilt; down the .-talenirnt or to carrv it m his miiK II e can lia\t' it vcn tied or col ifuled l(y telegraph or h'tter with'n a short time — within liort or shorter time than the Agencies Th 'v must mijuire specially, at his special ex[)ensc, if ho insist on the latest attaiuahlo ni. irs. ^'/'''y 7ilif'sf (hal O'Uli (I rlii'j h'ltiiid ii hoisj,-. TIk! merchant, on the other hand, can impiire from otlu'r mercliant^ of known stamlini:-, whoso answers would bo intinitely preferalih', and whos(> >tale- nients, if knowingly erroneous and not eoupleil M'ith reser\atioiis, niiglit even ho followed by legal recourse, on lit occasion, l>e.>ides insuring kiu>wn channels of inform:ition, this jiractice, if geuerallv adopted, would also leave the wlioh; non-cre(lii seeking mass of traders free from even the i)ossibilitv of i)einir injm-eil in character or standing within their selfdimited lines ami methods of trade. The credit-seeker would nut he, euuld nut be, aware of the course j<;2 TIIK COMMKUCIAI- A(;KNC[KS. 11 i .i , M : of iiKjiiirv Ixforcliaiid, mikI tlii'ivfoi'o coiiM nut imtici|i;if(' it. Tic iiiii^Iit rely uii a i^ood report from liis iieii^'lihorliood if he had earned :i j; 1 i'e]nit:itioi'. If he had not earned it, or the matter ■were; in doiiht, h(! could jiersoiialiy convince the crecHt-^ivcr of any injustice done him, and indicate llie direction from which inju- rious i-emarLs nii<;ht liave, or mii^ht he expected to liave, come. In every event, he wouhl have the uhlo satisfaction of lstes of correctiui; the ' lirowini; r wroii; .f tl le iXijjency system wouhl he the prompt recjuest, monthly, of every jicr^on whose name appears in the J'ouks f<^ f«'it/i<' fcfiuf I'ljuti't on "Iticli !' i\ hitfiiil. If the Agencies refuse to show it, in t/i W OI'KII- nnl recofdy hi><>l\ (DkI jitnji', to the api)licant, ho may rely that it is lil)ellous, ;!nd sliduld secure coimsi'l who could either cause the name to he suppressed or ivtpiire the record to he prtxluced, or hoth. If the Aijji'ucies allow tin; recctrd to he examined on a]>pll- cation, tlit? person alfei'ted should then choose whetlu'r they shall continui! to trade in ///v rcjtutatictn or desist. The result, in either hypothesis, must crip[)l(! the system. < )f what service to any (im; exce])t tlu! person rated satisfactorily could the systi-m he, in the one case ^ In the other, merchants could have no iu(ti)sil)lo criticistn siinjily bociiuso, at some tiinr, oiio or moro tiiousiiids (»f OHO iiiid !i (jiuirter iiiillioiis of men lulijhf. seek credit from one of tliirty thousand other men, subscribers to and em[)loy- ers, so called, of the Agencies. Jhit this is not the whole of the olijection. Of the million and over rated and criticised bv tlie A;^e?icies not one half have ever had, or have ever sought tithave, a single transaction with the thirty thousand subscribers I How can a theory of constructive agency be stretched so as to cover these iimumerable and wholly indefensible interferences with private character and commercial standing? Then, as to the litness of ex- a-ting any. L. II. P., a leadiiigliipior merchant, says his experience is '• that, with the nse .«i" an agency, and the ex])enditnre of a bottle "of wine with its spy, he can break the credit and reputation of '•his neighbor, lie knows of no other purpose it :'au serve, and " wishes it suppressed." The President of the Savings Hank says : " I have borne " the double relation of subscriber and corresjwjulent. AVHiile "■ acting in the former capacity, I always took care to compliment "my own friends and keep my own ci-edit in the meridian. As '• a partner in a linn without more tlian ^.''.0,(Mto c-apital I found '• no ditllculty in getting the agencies to rate the house at S4(>(),- " (1(10 (I) up to the moiiu'nt of its failure. I think tJH'iu a colossal " humbug, and carefully avoid them in the sense of giving a dol- " lar to them." The President of the and 's r)aidc says : " I would not " throw away Avinc on any of them. A glass of lager is enough to " reaoli the credit men and raters." w 1G4 THE COMMEUCIAL AGENCIES. An iron lucrcliaiit on sti-eot fiavs : '• T never finbscribcd I! If! 'I il: :!' " to any l»iit AfcKillop's, and I foiir.d tliry always oniittt-d to rato "nio wliou my sulisfrij)tiiin Ava.s discontinued. L iiiially jLjot so " indignant 1 forcibly ejected one of tbe oanva-snersi from my " ollice, and kicked liis liat after liim." A sliii>|)ini,f-liousc in South street regards tliem as " ])lackmail- " crs, to whom lie would neither give a statement nor sul)scrii>tion, " and forbade their canvassers to come on our ])remises. Our " ratings liavc sulfered, and are false, but wc are too well known "to care." A mend)er of another shii)ping lionsc writes : " A canvasser in- " sinnated that an attack on our credit would bo made if we did " not subscribe. His threat is fulfilled. Ibit I rc'-rct its vai^ue- "ness prevents legal proceedings, although, to himself, the mean- " ing and malice are (piite clear.'' Another gentleman, well known as a leading political economist, sends a lt»ng letter declaring in the most positive terms that" the " system is a curse, and ought to be abated by legislation." A hair importer of another city says: "I discovered I was li- " bulled through the eifort of a rival trader, who used the agency " against me. He pretended to be friendly, but was on the inside. *' I now know how to get even, and will surelv trv." The President of the X. T. Co. states : "■ Jf merchants arc "attacked it serves them right for supporting such an institution. '' Let them blame themselves, and turn a nev.' leaf." A gentleman, only second to irenry C Carey in deep study of the economies ot' trade, etc., says : '* They are dollar and centcon- " ccrns, started and continued for a livelihood under a public j)re- " fence. I hope to see tliem placed on the defensive in the press, " in the courts, and in the State legislatures. For my part, I am " (juitc certain the District Attorneys in some States could take "them in hand criminally." ]\rr. II., I'f H. iV: A., Wall street, says : " AVe subscribed at one " time, but, Jinding the n-ports vague, incorrect, ami useless, dis- " continued. Since then the agencies have thought less of ns, " and in their re[)orts say ' the father of one of our linn,' who died "twenty years ago, 'is still interested,' and i>lace ns with our " $40( ',<""• capital below where they did whuu we had net a qnar- " tcr of it." THE SrSTEM EXl'OSEI). 1G5 A larii'o Tlroiul-stroet Li([U(ir MiTcliiint iviranls it tlif "c'>st'nco "of rockli'ssiioss to i)ay any uttciitioii ti> tli(i ivjMirts. It is a ([UHik " way, a pi-rfect short-cut, to ]>aiiknii»tcy." A leadiii'' Clotliler savs : '' Our travelirr latolv found an a'a>n- " cy corri'siMindent in league; witli a trader to purchase all he couM '•(tn a fav(»rahhi rejtort and share tlie profits. I trust your ai^ita- " lion will _i,dve us an orj^'anization or eoinnioii system of ai-tion '• !iu:ainst thi'in."' These few sainiiles, selected at ran(h)ni from a mass of citv corresponcU'iice, with two exceptions received within fourteen days, harely j^ive an i(h'a of the extent and (Uspth of feeliiiii; already eai;er to he directed ai,'ainst the ohnoxious system. If we were to insert a tenth }>art of the jjeneral (k'nunciation. hy h'tter or woi'd of mouth, of which we liavt* heen made tlie receiver or liearer witliin the erint it in detail. Uut even tliese examples will sulHce to show the hesitatini; trader tliat ///.s' views arc^ also those of numy, many other active aiul reputahli' merchants in every city and town in tlu^ country, and that he can ri'ly on efhcient countenance and supjxirt, from tliis time henceforward, in every' jiistiliahle a<;ii-ressive imtvement whicli he may contemplate ai:;ainst the a^vncy system, its aiders and ahettors. While tliis proof nf an aroused puhlic oi>inion must he assur- •P ing to loui^-patient and lonjx-sniferin<^ traders, it carries a very (hf- ferent lesson to tliosc wlio liave lieretofore freely exj)ressed opin- ions of their nei:irhl»ors to auency detectives. Such persons must hear, in these I'umhlinirs of an apj^roachinij cimtroversv, the pre- saofe fif disclosiM'es very painful and surprisint^. A'^ictims will soon he ilemandinii' the names of their tradiicers. f.\)urts will compel diseovcrv. The natural anxietv of informants to avoid disclos- urc oui^ht t(t he a waniinn, is our last reconunendatitjn m tins connection th It. wisdom is apparent. The neglect of it, whether from ihouirht-, lessness orniisap])rehension of the scope and purpose of the system, is certain to hring trouhle ami annoyance, in the near future, to hundreds who thought thev could stab in the dark and never be (J i ICC THE COMMEUCIAL AGENCIES. doteetod. What lioiionihK! iiierchaiit would like 1m liiid liiiiisulf dict'k l»y j(twl with thu army of iMirposefid or iJiirportoli'ss infcjnii- ers 'i AVhich one, with his own j»r(»i»er luihiiics.s to hiok after, irt |)rci»arod to act as a slciith-liound, at tiie whip and Itt-ck of every a^'cncy adventurer wlio may i)ro]»oNe to retail, for hire and profit, neighl)orH' opinions of each i»ther ( The oceupatiMii is certaiid}' not very di<,'iutie(l (»r ^raeions, at any time. After the jiubjication of this hook, Me tlnnk we may wiy it will also he very apt to be- come both troid)lesome and di^•rep^ltal>le. Kaeh of the means above HU^rj^'ested is f;ood, in its way, in the effort to rednee the harmfulness of the agencies. A few of them, faithfully persisted iri, will give back to injured business men u large i>art of the fortunes made out of their characters. The use, by any respectable nund)er of men, of all the means indicated, Mill speedily ])ut an end to the system, and release Americati com- merce from the tilthy beak and strident talons of the agency vul- ture. TlIK SYSTEM KXPOSED. Iti7 CirAl'TKIl \XI. the enoijmitvof tilk ulack lists— tiif, nimnku of i'kllsons and amoints »»l' invi'.stki) caimtai, im.ackd ini>ki{ han — .mi:i)1)m:i) cukdits and paualvzkd tuadk. IIavi.\(j (It'iiKiiistratiMl in ;i ])ri'ci'(liiii; chapter, liv iinluhitiiliU! jtroot's c'xtracti'il rnmi Aifciicv Ivi'tVrt'iicc IJuok,-, tlu' iihsunl ]>osi- tiou o('('U|tii'l(! ratin-rs appear in the Ui-fertMice, iSooks, oppi'olirions inattei's tind constant cireiihition. AVe have seen that small capital ratings are never associatiMJ with <;oo(l ei'edit ratinirs, even For small amoniits; that is, the Aiijen- C'ies do not eonsidi-r lin>iness character orjirivatt; character, as such, Buthcient to determine tlie rii;lit to !-redit ]>ro])ortionati' to i'ecoook nitinj^s fur either ow or liiijh cajiital low or hiijh cajiital, and is led, if rated satisfactorily, to believe that his character has not been attacked, or, if rated unsatisfactori- ly, that the worst ai)pears instead <)f bein^ reserved for private sale and distribution. On the other liand, tlie expert in Aireiicv literature Mritten or })rinted, even if he never read a line of the i)rivate reports, can lay his iinu'er in the lieference iJooks on every name smirched by masked corres]»ondents or secret spies and recorded for ]»erman(!nt bkc'keuin> tin' ciiiiital (•fill rill or (•viiiliitl>, it is caiisi'd jiv Mi|»|»rcsM'(| iiil'oriiiatioii or |»ri'- tciidcd ilit'oriiiatioii of a daiiia^nii^ kiinl ; Init. as \vc liavc .siiij. tlic aliM'iu'c of ,-iicli (li>criiiiiiiatioii is tio >,qiaraiilfv' w iiatcvcr lliat mat- ter ti'iidiiiLC to jii>tirv it isz/o/ on tli(( n-cord. 'liii' A^ciirii's arc iriili>|Hi>cd, except for MJlisii reasons, to |iuMi>li low raiip-s of credit ill coiineclioii with lar;^-e capital, and tlierei'ore avoid doiii;;; so as iiiiicli as |io>,->ilile ; foi* tlicir sul»crilters arc c\|iccted to conic tVoni sncli piivons, intlicmaiii ; imt if \vc di'diict f/iii't;/ t/i)>ii-siiiiihYvv>v\\\. Knlisci'ilicr>") names from tlic lists of the three? Ap-ncics, and allow as many more to reprocnt the \cry hi<;Iicst ranifi's of capital from which f'iiliir> sniiscriliers are to come. wv. shall still haxc ahoiit .v '•- // Inm- (h'dl flioi'siiiiil jiersoiis .s »////'< '7 to private? detraction or I'alsi' ratin<^, and (intsidc the pin-view of a sclli>li policy of siippi'i -sioii or favor- itism. When we are ahle to siy that a (> iil/i of the tradini;' popu- lation of New-York is on tlu' I'dack lasts of a sini:'Ic A;L;ency. it will not ap|icar exair^eratioii when we add that the total niniilier of Merchants and Ti-aders in the Cnitcil States and Canada iirfiidlhj deroii'atorily writli'ii ahoiit, to, or in, the thivi' .\^t'iicifs sum np NiM;rv rnoi SAND, at least I As wv. hav(! seen, in a former chapter, how thccai)it.il ratiiii,''sof ■rwo iirNi)i;i:i» and sixi v-rwo ^^ercllants arc made to dilVer oni; III niii;i:d and tiil'KK Mii.iaoNs oi" dom.aus, it is not dilliciilt to conceive! ii similar discordanci', many tinu'S multiplii'il, hetwi'cn thu Ai^encii'S, in n-fereiice to estimates and rei>orts nf j>i /-mi/h// rjuii'iic- I'nder the most favoraiih- c<»nditioiis, one man 1 s /•< i'i| ' iiiiiiiiiiiitv Iroiii i)Uiii>liiiu-iit. TIm' I»i,A( Iv I.isrs, tlii'i'i'l'drc. ;irc tlic (IcsiLriiafinii we ('m|ilny tu (•lijii'iiclt'ri/,»' tlu! VMst mass (if iiaiiics lilackciicd liy slaiiiitTni' cliaiTcd liy riivv. All ici'licrif is kimwii to In- two thirds under water. Tlic niack M.-tH are sunl; mit ol" .^ij^dit with their aeemmilatctl wi'iirlit of imdti]»Iied iiii|iiiritie.s. The Apjieiidix whicii follows contains the initials of .alioiit TKN' 'illoisAM) Merchant./ and Tradei's' names, with city, Stale, and l'il>ine>s adih'd. It re|»resents sciectitnis from thi- le'M.ftsof ihc^ thi'ee Aiicncies under late tl.ati's, and is the rc^iili of .scncimI iiiont|i>' ahiio^t eon>tant lahor. In oiir second and fntiire e(liiioiis ii' |tro|iose to eiilar!;:^ tlie List nnii! we shall 1 / //. l, tlie liaiiiea nis nd •ry i;s>ailed Trailer and ( 'orpor.atioii in tlu- l'tiitelii,dit clue niiuht, in small placi Trades, lead to ideiititicatioii, we have omitted .selection. The Lists, taken in connection with the Comparative Tallies in ('hapti-r W'lIL, supply iiiciiiitrovertilile proof of every alleiratioii m.aile in tlie.-e )»a;j;'es,and leave our readers in po>,ses.>ion of .a fund of infor- mation not nu'i'elv novel and conviiicin ir, hut iii'Ver iieloi'e attaiii- alile, nor apt to ho amplilied or extended, excejit l»y the author. Its |iulilicatioii will induce and compel such clian;^-es in the Aii'eiicy lie wholly ;it a lo>s to .secure' • found willinn' to dcvott; Syr-ti'iii that the future ini[uirer will materials, and few, or none, will li the wmie amount of lahor or time to their comiiilation. Luckily the author's opportunitie.s for enlarii-inij his proofs and exposini^ tlio A_i;t'i>cies can only cease with tlu; System ; for while thcv con- tinue to puhlish lie can continue to confute, and will a.-.-uredly do so. In .somi! 1'oriii, it may even heconie necessary and desirahli; to liusiness men that a weekly record of Aijency mi.stake.s, oiiii.-.-ions, calumnies, etc., should he made up and circulated, and the recep- i'' ^ 170 tidii ( if tl TIIK COMMKIUMAL A(iK.\CIi:S. lis vnlmiK' \\ ill sliuw wlicllirr thorn exists n desire for ;i (•lieii]>er, lU'-re (•uiiveiiieiit, ;iiieriu(li('iil form <•!' curi-eiit eoiTi-c- tidib acci'ssi hie t Air o hiisiiiess men, side l»v side \\\ til t le cos tlv ii.ml cumhi'i'soiiie Aijeiicv System iiil;iiiiies. Our immetliate diitv, liowever, is Avitli the Ulack J.ists and such ]torlioMS of them as an; appended. How i-tiii any I'atioiial l)ein_i;' wonder at \\h' coii(Hlion of trach; wiieii told that this vast army of maliijned Aferchantfi and Traders is sinqtly the advanee- I Is veil in the cities seli'cted for illustration wo only cull a few names out of the ^reiieral mass. The vast multitiKU' is not iiotahly lessi-ned. ]n all its miiihty pro- ]>ortions of numhers, wealth, accumulated hopes and a>pirations, it awaits the next roll-call. Why, if a foreii,'ner were to hear from these Aijjencies that the ])roportion of re[)utahl(! and trustworthy Merchants and 'I'raders in tlu; I'liited States was less than f< n jx r ri)if, could we hlame him for lielieviiiii' that our social fahric M'as incorriijihly rotten i And yet the passivists will say it makes iio matti-r how nuicli tlu^ Ai^eiicii-s helii' or misreport so loiiijif as only a few dozen ])eisoiis, in the case of each trader, are let into the secret ! '^riiey for/• f((Jhii'i' ill ii'iuU to till' pvrxoih hiipi'irnl Khnuf. AVhat I'lse is wanted to leave the Trade of the country and commercial confidence both })rostrate so far as A<;eiu'ies can ]»ros- trate tliein ? Even if we leave out of account the wronu^ committed on private feeliiii^s, or the daniijer to individual ])rospects, here arc; thousands of millions of business ca|>ital confessedly in the liands of cheats or swindlers ! Js it iiothini^ to throw a cloud round the ntili/atioii of this wealth ? to place its owners in a sort of moral s of tlio Black Lists are inconceivably the most infamous and most THE SYSTKM KXPOSKI). 171 (li-adly t(» loi^itiinutc cuimiicrci'. It" they cii.'ililt' our rc'idcrs to i'\- ;ict relict" mid I'cdi'css, mii- hilxir in coiiipiliiig tlioiii will liavi' Ituoii ;iiii]>ly ivwai'dt'd. 'l\i ri'iK'w our liiK! of aririiniciit : I. AVu set. out to ])rovu tiiat tlu; An'cncy '* SystcMii" wa^ a sliain and a swindle of \]n\ li.'st niai,'nitued (o show that it, was really no Si/sf,i/i, iiaviiii,' neither coherent' principle nor cohoriMit illustration in its leui^th or hn'adlli ! 77i<; clxtplii' mi ihr " /\''i/.s" iimf tlf cJnijifti' lUux- fi'iifliKj ihi' iJiscorilinict' of i/ii' A tliifil juirt'iiH iind I ilc/i ofJii /', intto a singli! line; in the work which is )iot a ra- tional deduction from facts stated in it. \'ii iMI m mm ¥^ S 1 m i _ ^1 1 In- ' 172 TIIK COM.MKUCIAL Ar.K>'CIES. /Kcoiii//!/. To CM.NIKADKT, I'.V ]'i:()(>K, A SINfil.i: AI.M;( .AIK (N (iT I'ACT IN 'iiii; wiioi.r, iKKiK If wc! liavo wi'ittfii with wjirnitli lictinics, -wo liavo Ik'cii iiiic( If, scions of tlu! spirit of cither iiiaHci! or uiicharitalik'Hi'; OM lool< 1111 M, over our ])air(.'s, we see iimch lliat iiiin'iit he hi'ttereih w ,<<)■<: HiitlniKi 'V '•III I'll irr h ilt'i' not Ol'KjllnO Jii'iiof fn ,si/.\/(i itv 1o /;/- lusfi'((fc. Oiir fears are cauM'd hy a sense of our iiica|ia( justice to tlic! suhjeet ; we have none ahout either the amount of ]»re|iaratioii oi' the inatei'ial at our (hsposah Ihii wliether the ^Vyencies enter on a lahore(l (h'lenci' or not. tliey arc sure to rely soniewliat on the use of their cliea]* talent for ])rivato eireulars. 'J'liese will reach suhscrihers — will he practically exclusive and diUlcult for the mifNidi' jmlilif or i]i(> ituihui' to oh- tain — and may ho made more etHcieiit in retaiin'm;: ]»atroiiai;-e than al! otl ler instrinneiitalities comhnu'd nev lossi'ss a II tl le aflvaii ta<;es (if ]tartisan statements without entailing the jienally of open confutation like a newspaper article or a pani|>hlet is>ued foi- ;j.'en- ei'al readiiiL;'. W(! must rely on some one (.f our I'l'adt'rs for any 8])ecimen of this kind of missile which may he stealthily put into liis liand. "i'lie opi'ii di'fence, if any, we can lind for oursi'lves. One additional device occurs to lis. The .\ii'eiicies are ciM'tain to revamp and )'i'])uhlish an ohJ collection of ("ommeiidatory Let- ters written hy a few suhscrihers, years aij,'o, in I'eturn for overrat- \\v^. These letters are simply jxior inntatioiis of the ones found in auv Cherry Tectoral almanac or in any Stomach I'itters ])ronunci- amento. AN'hen not mamifactured outrii;'ht, they are sini[»ly eulo- gies etiuipiled hy knaxes f((r unsK'adiuii' fools. lleconunendations datiMJ .-oihunjihuf to t/o- rKitliiii/ of tliis ]iuh- lication would ni>t deserve the same characti'rization — for we are hound to helie\c' the writi-rs inust ]iroceed ou some knowledi;e of tl len" topic hut we ]iredict that tlii'V wi II I te s( » few that the apocalyptic duty of catinii- ihoni would he within the eajiacity of an t>rdiiiarv diii:estion. i TUE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 178 CIIATTKli XXII. LAST ^VOUDS. So far of tlio jmst. What is tlio l)Ost inotliod v( criiipling this (laiJi^enms and (k'stnu'tive sy.stt'iii in the fiituiv i Most of the suiruc'stioTis already iiiadt; ai'e liiiiiti'd in ap[)licatiou to snhsc'ril)ers. Those ahout to he made may he acted on hy tlio whole ti'adiiii; eommunity, and. on onr theory, should hi; carriiMl out ]»r(Hn|»tly and ])i'rsistently TUitil relief fnjiii the Airency imaihus .shall have heeii attained. One ot" the mo>t etfectivt; of wea])ons Avill he the accmnulatioii at some eeiitre, for|)roin]it distrihution, of proofs of Ai^ency errors, Avhether arising- from i^-norance ^>r malice. It Avill readily occur to a merchant avIio has, at any lime, heeu deceived hy Aijfeiicy reports, that the value of his information dc]icnds wholly oii liiviui^ it ]>uh- licity, and, so far as may he, in connection with like information from otlu'r merchants. Its point, too. will :,q'i'atly depend on itscir- culation. in the iiei<;hhorhood where it orii;'inated, and miu'ht liavii tant lire aloiiy the whole line of At^vncy occu])a- tioii. The writer will he ,i;'lad To constitute himself this ci.muiuii repository. Kven superior in importiince to this i^'athcriiii!,' <>f juMof-; i< the necessity that they slioidd he ii-refra^-ahle and iiicoiitestahle. Thi; oj)ponents of the System inu.-t imt imit;;te its l(.i;>ciii'rei;'arded. Whi're ])ei'soiial feel!ni;'s miuht e-say to get ii hearing, they .should he watched, weighed, and cluninated. III ■Ml. V J7-t TIIK COMMERCIAL AGK>'CII':S. ill! In illustration of the great care whidi .should he exercised in ac- cepting statements, even at one remove, we cannot d<» hetter than mention our own cautiousness in the same connection. Sitice the a])pearance of our Prospectus "\ve have heeu ])estered with innumer- ahle olfers of testimony against tlie Agencies from their ^fanagers. Ex-iManagers, and Clerks, hut we have not taken a single illustration from their experience, fearing that, as our time did not ])ermit us to go to the various ])hices referred to and verify the tendered evidence, Ave might fall into even unintentional error and give exi)ression to individual griefs and selfish })urposes. AV'hen, for instance, one De Lestre, an Agency em])loyee, Avrotefrom Utica that '' he knew of several instances of jindcrniintiitj the merchants of that city," and would he glad to place the information at our service ; or when one Francey, in like employment, informed us, among other thiiigs, that the Krie />/.sy'^/A7/ had shown certain favor to the institution, and several others tendered us lists of correspondents and damaging de- tails for a consideration, M'e threw their ])ro])ositioiis in the waste- hasket. AVe could not give any weight t(» statements incapahle of ready jtroof, and disregarded them at once. Each merchant must exercise a similar watchfulness in taking nothitig for granted, and oidy vouch for alleged facts near at hand and cai)al)le of instant verihcation if disputed. If suhscrihers have strong motives to assist in furnisiung eviden- ces of Agency mistakes and mismanagement, ;/c)«-suhscrihers liave intinitely more reasons for doing so. ^«on-suhscrihers are the suh- jecls of Agency tlissection for the ])reten(led henelit of suhscrihers. Their character and standing are the System's stock-in-trade. Their iinancial assistance, through yearly sul)scriptions, is one of the constantly-pursued ohjccts of Agency effort. If they wouhl esca])e the alternative of jiropitiating T)ag(in hy gifts, or of he- ing in hotn-ly fear of his malignity, let them strike hands with e\- ery man who has already set his face against the monster, and who i)roposes to destroy him. The ruined may retrieve themselves in time; hut it hi'hooves .svAvAy/ victims, as v.'ell, to do everything in their ])ower to escape either the \»enalties of a worshijiper or the ]iaiiis of a sacrifice. We have now linished our initiatory woi-k in these suhterranean crypts, and are aliout to emerge again into the open air. 'Tis a pleasing riddance — the escape, even fur a short time, from the rank 1^: TIIK SYSTKM KXl'OSKD. 17.- (.) viijinrs of tlic'so lower ivgioiis, ivckiiiir witli foHid exlialntions of assiiilcfl or (Iccaviiiy' ('IiMnictLTs. I5ut soiiR! one must liiive ijone cl(»\vii into tlieir depths to explore mikI expose their secrets, and wo iiro eonlideiit that, however |)oorly we lia\-e pei'fornied our duty, tlio world of husiness will he the Iti'tter for it. ]\rneh that \\v. could have ad>ir with discussion, and should he supplied, in its proirress, with new wt-apoiis and nussiUs suited to the varyiniji; phases of the con- test, lie is not a cari'ful soldier mIio hrinii's all his ti'oops into ac- tion at the o})enin_i;" of the eiiu'au'ement. 'i'lie knowledne of a pow- erfid resi'rxe force is also as enconra^iui;' to friends as dis]>iritini;' to the enemv, AV liavi- tl lis resi-rve, an( I inte nd to use i t wl ier(! ancf when it may reasoiialily he hoped to do most i^'ood to para- lyzed trade and sadly 'oeset tradei's. As for the A<;ency system itself, this work ]>lac-es it on trial in the United States and Canada. Wi' call upon it to plead, and i^o to the country on the is>iie framed. Here is our evidence in part. AVhere is theirs to contradict or refute it i The {(uestion is not, '• What is the writer's motive^*' althoun-li we can ai'ujue on motives, if necessarv ; hut, " (^an liis facts 1)0 re- futed r stitution Not, >• 1) hnt oes Istl he h to 111! henelited I>v assailin:j: tho in- le institution, in its jirinciple or as com ei 1, lit to exist in a free comnuniitv A\" luct- ■:\\' it is not, call on its defi'iiders to come forth, and, w itii an a>sui'cd faith in tho ont- coi ue, leave the result to the liiial opininu an mtelhi^'ent ])ress ami an eclncated ])nhlic. The Detective and Iid'ormer Iteloni;' to the paths of illicit trade or the skidkini:;-places of accomplished criine. 'i'hey >liould have no countenanco in the marts of k\ii'itimate comniei'ce or amon^' the men whosi; pre-eminiMit acliieveiiioats ha\e ])laced \\> in the ])osition of one of tho (Ji-cat I'owers of tho AV^orld. If we //ii(.st havo luipiiry, let it bo open, straii^ht forward, re- it'- H^ 1 ' i- ». i » '8 , 17(5 TIIK COMMKlU'lAIi AGENCIES. s|)(tnsil»lo, iiilL'lli ;-JI NEW-YOIIK CITY. A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- I. . . Pawnbroker. P Ui-t. t'loIllini,^ (}. W St<,ck8. • J. Ti Cotton IJrokfrs. .1. K H. U. Contractor. & C Ilotpl. & ir Com'n Flour. J. S Iii(lia-Uiil>l)er Broker. J Beor Siiloon. N I'aintcr. 5. & Sou Tailors. A. . Ilct. Hats and Men's Ftirn'jr. ■ P Hoots anil SIiohh. & C . . .('oni'n Tol). and Cig. H. X Sewinij M. Findings. (" '. .Mnfr. Boxes. (i. B. . . .Wliol. Wines and Liq. .1. II Stoves, etc. 1 1 Watches. Teas. B. F. .Coni'n Prod, and Confec. • S. .M Glass Stainer. W. C Bottles, etc. W. ]•: Prov. W. H., ,Ir Pickles, etc. ■ U k Co Clieniiculs. ■ II. M. & Co Li()Uors. • McII & Co.. .Stock Brokers. ■ 1{. W. & Co liUinbor, etc. 6, A Jobbers and Ret. Cloths. ■ & Co .Jewelry. ■ M. M Bet. Fancy Goods, etc. • M Coni'n Triin'gs. ■ M Jobber Jewelry. ■ W Tailor. • A Flour. • I W Founders. • F Artificial Flowers, . s & Co Flour Mills. • J Saloon. ■ & D Leaf Tobacco. -U. F Coal. A- A- A- A- A- ^- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- J. G. II Liquors. \- F Gro. iV; B Coui'n Flour and Storaj,'(!. A: F Sugar Ui-tincrs. W. C K. E. Broker. F P Co W. K. & Co Sprinnr Beds. W. II BuiUler. L Boots and Shoes. M Bet. Millinery. & Co Drugs. C. (*. & Co Mnfg. Jeweller.-^. B & Co Befrigerators. ('. C Stock Broker. Mrs. V. . .lloopskirtsand Fancy (roods. C Watches. Bet. Boots and Shoes. (J. II J. 1) II J. L- H Drugs. Sons JoblxTS Bopc. B. &Co Printers' Ink. T. & Co Furniture. and P Co A- A- A- A- A- A- ■ & Co Tobacco. ■ & S Lumber, etc. • (J. B. & Co Stock Brokers. • E. S Wine and Fruit. ■ Bros Ins. Agents. ■ U Felt Horse Cloths. • & J Jobbers Hosiery. • C. . .Optician and Mathematical lusts. • Bros Hojia and .Malt. ■ & Co Ui>holsterer3. & K • Bet. I). G. • & II Bectifiers. - J. C Tailor. -G. B., Jr., Agent Bet. Hats. T Co B Co American B- Anierican B- American ('- American D- American E- Americau F- ■Co. -D- {'- Co. ^m hJ- i Co. ■Co. p ISO TJIK CuM.Mi;i:C]AIi ACKNCli:?' ■Il ■ i li I m •^ 1 1 1 k 1 Ai A I I Ai Ai Ai Ai A I Ai A> Ai Ai Ai Ai Ai A A A A A A A A- A A M lien II r D- ricuii (i- Co. ricaii (J— linin M— rii'iiii 1' — i'i( III) I' rici M I* ricu'i '' li- linin P 1'- ricaii 1' Co ricaii S S Co. lic-iin S K- riiiiii S — riciiii \N'- ricau '/• — Co. W- aiul C.i ]{- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- - Co. Co IMuting. - 1' Co. Co. n H. E. AffiMit. A: T . . .l)ni;jgitrii;;>i. K. C TuikiHli HatlLS. W. 15., Aireiit Li(iii()rs. A li Co. ..bolt Hooliiijr. .) Het. ]). (1. iV Co Suslies and IJliiidH. i\: (i Jobbers Jewelry. A Ladies' l'nder I'udeitaker. A 1. Wet. .Millinery. A W. 15 Li(|uors. A iV T Hardware. A iV 15 Stationery. A '1'. H Li(|Uor8. A T. \ Co Com'n Prod. A K. .M 1{. E. Broker. A T. S Mnfr. White Lead. A C. 15. iV Co .Mnfrs. Hibbous. A J (ierinan l'"ruit and Prod. A 1 Who!. Clothimr. A J (Iro. A AV. I" .Vuction Fancy Hoods. A P Co. A 11 and (I Co. A S V P Mnfir. Co. A J Metropolitan Bakery. A vewiii)ds. B P iV 11 Dvlin- etc. B 1. II hiauKinds. B it B .Mnfrs. Slu.es. B J Paper, etc. H .], \V l,ii|Uors. B Bros Flour and Feed. B M I'ipirrt. B C Coni'n. B — - II. K Ii)bl)er and Coiu'n. B it S lubbers Tea. B :• S Mnfrs. .bwelry. B— - (1. Z Bottles. P K Sad.llery. B W. II Tailor. B ('. B Uepairer .lewelry. B 1. B Butler, ( 'heese, etc. B J. E Donu'sfif (iloves. B M Stoves. B I. it F Leaf Tobacco. B W Bet. Shoos. B A it Co. . , .>Infrs. Clothinif. B W. A Coiu'n Tobacco. B A Artificial l''lo\v(!rs. B ]•]., Est. of House Furn'jif. B 1 liet. I). (1. B P 1). (J. B .M Co Atr'l Iniplts. B 1. A ...Clocks. 15 T. it Son PrintiMS. B T. II. it Co Fishiii.ir Tackle. B S it Co. ...Mnfrs. Straw (Jd.s. B it Co Patent Meds. B it Co lubliers Tea. B «'. M Wool Broker. B F. W Teas. B A Broker I). (». B E Furnitiiro. 15 Bros. . ..Mnl'rs. Boots and Shoes. B it F Oro. B A Teas. B it Co Ship])inL,'' and Coni'n. 15 M. fr Co Manfrs. Shins and Drawers. B it K Willowware. B 11. H Banker. B W. C (irain Broker. B Iv \\'. it Co Furniture. B J. C. it Sons Chandlers. H S C T Co. 15 s E Co. • 15 (i. 1) Liiiuor Broker. B— • — B Pipes and Tobacco. B .M Uet. Fancy (iood.s. B M Auctiop.iu'r. B S Painter. B L. P. & Co Stock Brokers. B E. R Af^eiit Furniture. B W. D Mnfr. Bonnets. B N. B Painter. \Sm n if )'^'< v 182 ■rili; tOMMEUClAI, AtiKNClKS. 13 M . ImpH. Ti)V«, etc |{. U. Tir^. H- U- H- H- 11- H- U- H- H- U- U- H- n- n- n- 15- «- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- w 1 . 11. .\; C. .M. \- Son W. \ Co I 15 I. . . . .MiilV.-i. l.iif-s l''.Mll)l'oilll' ( 'oi>| A. s. K KoimI 1>liiii \\ . 1, Di \\ M llanlw \ (»V> I W F, ...Ill- (', 1 .('iitlicr mill 1' iiiil «). 'I'ol.i A. \ Soil. . A. 11. iV I'ci \; (J _. .. 1.. i\: T. 11, iV Ulr) 1!. K. Hiol S. M. N.T Com'ii I'l U. !•;. 15i<.l \\ . X lliii'il« 1' {.' Liiji J \V I'aii J Ij'kh s. ^c A Coiu'ii 1' Wiiol. .M Till A. \- .1 . . . . ,V- 11 .Miilr.s. Curlfil 1 Hiuf 1 . Het. Fiuicv (i< W . II H (i 1, P . . . 11 V Slaiiifil (■ . Nii'k.l \V. 15nis.s\vo \\ s .Miifr lliiir Kill Mils.'. Hroker. 1. ...'.. . .Li'iitlirr anil Kiiiiliiifjs. II lint, liiiots ami SliiH^s. C. II. iV Co Mroki-rs anil Dealers Syrups, ete. , liel. lioots ami SI (i S. T 1.- \V 1 Z. K 1' I 15- A. V 15- iiiaker. t orks. ijiiorH. 'ainlH. rintcr. Artists' Muleriiils. Iilreii's rwear. 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- B- 1). 15 & A I'mli! .Leaf To J. Mr.l. iVCi) To liaceii Inspi T, a 15 J. II 15ro.s Can (i- iV Co. . ..Sliippii ,1 ( 11a 11 (i (.iilili i; 1 iaini'alri-s. iv r Stuck llnikfrM. ('. W Slii|i|(iiii,' anil ('(itii"ii. I'. It Mntr. I'oi'krflMinkr*. n (• Tullnr. H U IJcpack.-r Kriiil. U i\: II 'ri'iiiiiMiM).rH. H I' rriiiiiiiiii;;H. H W. .1. iV * ' liii|H. j.iiifiiH, Wliilf (!i)ci(ls, I'te. H I (Iro. I) |< A: Co It. K. Urc.k.TH. H <1. iV *'<) \in'ii()iircrH. H J. II. \- Hri. liot.-l. H iSrC I{.t. I). U. H ]•]. A: Co I'lun'n Cuttoii. H k Cn I'"maiicial A,i,'<'ntH. H iV Hi-i) Tiiiwan' tuid HunfiT.H. B H Tailor. H .1 1'ianoH. iJ ,1 Hardware. H li iV Co ItiipH. ToyH, etc. H \V. II Ilakiiif: I'owdiT, «'tc. H M ( 'ci Sodii ApiHiratuH. IJ II Sliip Ciiaiidicr. Uros. iV ( 'ii Hay.M. I TobarC'). 11. K Hotel. iS: \V Orj^aiiH. B \V. T. . Varuish. < ' iV ( 'o Stovt'H. H I''. A: Co IiiipH. rpliolsti-ry. H S. Sou I'riiitcr.s' IJolicrs. U .\ Coiii'ii li)in>; and Coiii'ii. ]\ II Tinsiiiitli. IJ (i. \- Co HookH. H C t 'om'ii Hroom Corn, etc. H <>. 1' WiiieH. B & Co |{. !•',. Auctioneers. B & W \Vli. B ,1 llor.se.slmeinj,'. B M Sliirt.-^. B C. .Ir Hot. Fancy (iood.x. J} C. S House Furu'g (foods. B &V ...Oils. B S. Sou & Co..(iernian Prod., etc. B (J Toys. B II Iol)ber Men's Fiirii'ir. B 1 Ciffars. J5 S. II. iS: Co Jobbers White (J. K. \V I''elt ilshioilS. — W < 'arria;;e 'I'r.iii'Ks. C. F ....I'riiiter. I. iV Hr lilt. Fancy (foods. \ H Imps, and .loliliers I''»IICV ( iooiU. - — i\ U I>. (J., etc. K — — & Co .Mnfrs. Sliirls, it Co I''e,'d and Oraiii. A; S ltd. Cjotliin^,'. S |{ct. Shoes. it (> I'ianos. Uros Wet. FVy iukI I ». (I. U. S ( 'oiu'n I'rod. A. ,1 I) (i. F. M liel. Winis anle. C Caliiiwtiiikr. .1 Toys, Whips, etc. W. F Paper Warelioiise. I> Imp. Italian and French I'rod. T I'iiijxfaver, etc. iV' I' Mnt'is. Ciirars. J''. .Ir. it Bro I'iaiiot'orte.t. — .1. it Co Stock IJfoker.s. — S. W. & Co Stock B'-oker.s. — H. II Hank.M-. — it I) Presses. B n Painter. ' ' > 'I ! '•'; ■' * », '1 (i t. ) "\ ;H'' u. aim '••I, 'm 'i'> I I i .1 AiVl,„.,4. 1st '['UK COMMEIJCIAL AOEN'CIES. il^ >' i i{ H- J5- 15- li- IJ- 1!- H- B- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- r.- 15- 15- 15- IJ- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- S. 1, \- ■M i^; 11 I', V T. I-. ]■'. L. iV & A. , Boilcriiikr. -. . .('roclvcry, Chinnwarc, cic. . ..lobber lints and Ciips. 'I'liilor.s. lift. Fancy (Joods. -. . . .I'rhitfi's iind Stul'rs. Ht'sliuiraiit. C'luiiU'd Fruits. Ti.ilor. J''. S. Am. Coni'ii. Tailor. 1',. . .(oiu'u llivot.«, 15olis, etc. Li(|U()r.s. (ho. F ("ahiuc'tinkiH. & ("o Coin'ii I'roil. Z <.'i)tttH. .1. \V (irain. Feed', etc. U II. Tc.i Co. iV (i Jobht'i's Flour. \V. .1 Iron. l'\....Mnlr. Cldldrt'n'a Carriages. '1'. W Tip I'riniinir. K. .\ Com'n Fancv (ioods. Bros l^'t. 1). ({. J. A Sail Duck. I'] House Furn'ir. .1. S Eimnivini^s. S. 1, '.Huildcr. 1' iV Co Ciirriairi's. A. 1' lift. Men's Furn'^'. &T Fruit Brokers. SiO Wliol. (fro. (' KindlinLr-^^'<>^'d. J Bet. Hats. A: Son 1 'enlists. N. S .lewelry. P Li(|uor Broker. C. v.. . . . Hackgiimmnnand CIu'sh 15o;irds. \\\ V iV' Co. . . .Com'n Wines anil Ijiij. P. Hotel. F. .V Co DyestutTs. II Ilet. Fancv (ioods. B- .1. (i .Carpent(•r^ • F urnitnre. B- F Stationery, etc, (> Foreiffu Fruit. 15- .B Coal C .1 Huilder. ookseller. .1 i(luor.s. iiptorH. Co Litlio^rapliers and I I' rinters. B Son & Co. .Shij'pinfT and Com'n. F. 1 15- .1. &Co ,1. A Manlr.s. Vt (}. H. iV Son. J. B. &C...... N. S liiirdx^ Cani; U. J5. & C(.. . N. 11 Pajier St Ship lii( C. I & M ...Jobber Millii 1 .1. .(iernuui Silver V.W 1), 'rod. are. iker. ware. W. Jr. &C .1. \V .Mnfrs. B. \- S. .B uiider. 1>. B Com'n Iii(iuors Van V- H iV' Co. .Stock Broke .1. (J. II. M... .Coal. Tob Bros Furs, etc. F...Exchanf;u and Ticket Otlice. S Mnl'r. Trimminos. iV Co Scroll Mill. li Bet. Hats, etc. Moulds. 'i]>l>injr. H U 1!. D.iV J. r SI ( '. C Bet. Hoots and Shoes. L. \' Son Bet. 15. & S. iV N\' /iiuworkers. A. K ( '. A .I']xchanf;o Broker. .Knreka Solvent. I)e W. C ColKe-P^ B- 15- 15- ots. linist. S Com'n (irain. .Mad .1. B..\\'. I. Shippin.^i: andC .). .15r ■ners supplies. .1 Clothiii B L 15 M . Bet. Hats. .1. H Hats, Caps, Furs, etc. Dm Tail( ,i;s. M Mnfr. Shirts M. 15 lob Printer. M. P !'.bber Fancv (ioods. B B Laces. H U. ,) Mnfr. Cacks. B T. E Contraical liistrunients. P— M W S ( 'o. J. ii. it Hro Hunkers ami Hrokers. II. L. & Co Woolens. W. M Printer. C \- Co Coin'n I'rod. & Co Shipoiui!; and Coni'n, Flour and (irain. Mr.-i. I) Het. Fancy (ioods. J IM. 1). (i. .\ Whol. ClothinfiT- H. M Croekery. & K M n f rs. Clot h < 'aps. & M Caliinetinkrs. (' liiqu irs. F Tailor. 'I' Card l^nifraver. (i. \- Co Mnt'rs. Cloth Caps. .1 Het. ClothinMf. ■ C. L Storage, eic. .1 1'pholsterer. II lewuller. M. F.liet. Hats, Caps, Furs, etc. it Co I'ajier. (" Costunu's, .1 Mer.Tuih.r. W & L Co. J. A. & Co Stock Hrokers. it F Huilders. h Het. ClothiniT. A. W Lumber. W. 11 Li(iuors. M- — Co. F (Iro. F. S Stationery. M. V. iV Co tiro. it I! Imps. Lacrs. {'.(' Iiciot'er. T Het. Hoots an Lamps. T Old Iron. - it I' Sewinir .Miu'liines. - I' '.Haw Silk.s. ■ H tiro. • (i. .\ Paints. - H. T. it Co I'ati lit .Metallic White Wire. • .I..T Leather. ■ it ,1 , Ajrcuts for H Hros. ■ F. it Co Tinilier. ■J. A l.'Weller. • \. T Coni'n Paper. - F Imii. Crockery. .M. ,1 Lii|iiois. ■ W. H., Fsiate .,t' Stoves. ■ it Co I>ruLrs. • it H— — ■. . ..Ihiildeis' lianUvare. •it, I Paper. ■ C Soap, etc. (i. W Liverv Slaliles. ,L C ■ Coal. • P Coal. H Woodiiiware, (!tc. ■it I. . . ..Mil Irs. Str:i\v (idods, ( ' Sho(! FindiiiLi's. •C. A Diiiirs. ■ ,1. C I'.iinraver. ■ A. i\. it P- — . .Mnlrs.' Agents, etc. Mrs. C Het. Men's Fnriri;. F, W Painter. ■ l'\ .1 Liquors. ■1. .1 Let. Clothiiiir. .M Tail.U'. ■ W. 1' .Mineral Waters. i!i"-^. I'v Co Hitters. .M Huilih^r, etc. ,L H Stables. A I). (L ]•".. ( ' ., . . . .Pictures. T Kit. 1). (L L. [■'. it Co .Mil Irs. (iold I liailis, etc. 1). (J H. i:. Hroker. A. M. it Co Stork Hrokers. it H i'rathers. W iV Co Coal. \'— — it ( 'o Pianofortes. D Co. ^l* ■1' i .1 :ili h. A ISO THE COMMK]i<;iAL AGi'.NCIES. ■ II. <' PIuwIht. -A. I'", it Cii Iron FouiKlcrw. • A. F. i*^ 11. ('..Wood I'livcun'iits. ■ (' l,i(]uors. -.) lU't. lIlUH. - (' loblicr Straw (foods. (i. A HutcluT. -II Irouworker. ■ (' Co. - P iS; (.'() Linens. ■ P Mnfr. IlatH. - J. T. & Co. .Mnfrs. 'I'rininiinirH. ■ A: 15 Cotton (Joodn. A.J Iron l'"oiind('r. ■ .1 1.iciuoi's. S Dni^rH. • K. k, Son Coiu'n Prod. S. ii (iro. . A: S IJuildiTs' .Miitcriiilr;. A. 'J' Hooks. M lift. Clo'hiiifr. ■L . . .Imp. Wines. ■ II Wines iind I.i(i. ■ I) ..Cliinii, (iliiss and Croclierv. 11. T Sto.k HfokeV. • S.]\Iiilstones and I?ollin!X Cloth. • it \ Sliii) lirokers. ■ T. J Dibiiiler. iV S ('lo. W. S Haidier. S. it Co Calirornia Wines. ]■' Com'n Woollens. J Lo()kiny-(.i lasses. • 1) Iron. ■ ]•;. 1) (Jrain Broker. II., Airent Paskels. • F. II. iV Co Patent .^a.. (i. '[' l/K|Uors. ■A. II Jol.lier 1). (i. • A. L Stat'v and I'^uiev 0. .(. II. it Co ' ()ils. .1. F. it Son Tailors. T Li(iuois. I Piekles, etc. ■ W. II (ien'l Coni'ii. \\'. .\ \nelioiieer. i;. I{ Ket. I), (i. it Co Imps. Teas. it ( 'o Silverplaters. F Tailor. .1 1'.leclrotyiier. J. It I/ninors, 1{. C Anetioni'er. • .1.. .Imp. Toys and F'aney Goods, ■ C Peddlers' Sujiidipa. -Mrs. II. J ... Ladies' I'nderwear. •J Pawnbrokers' (ioods. W. J Frnit Proker. H. &Co Whol. (iro. .1 Builder. .1 Pawnbrokers' (Joods. .\. V. & Co Stock Prokera. S. .\. &Co... Com'n Sniallwares. .1. it Co ini])S. and Dealers Teas. P. B. .P. P. Contractor. iitlei-lor.- ^I Sliii)ping and Com'n. J. F I.iijnors. P pet. I,i(iuors. K ., 15- it C iiil'jnnjr am Com'n \Vines and Prod. .1. M. & C( .Sh iiliinm. d it D- Com'n Prod. .IMnfrs. Sliiits. .\!.;ents French and Itidian Prod. Co. .Slat(g. les, etc. (>. ^I Sewini' Mai'hine At- it D- .Pick tad inienta. ■P. S Com'n Prod. & Co.Shippin .Whol. Hats. THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 187 c- (•- (•- ('- ('- c- c- c- ('- c- ('- ('- V- ('- c- c- ('- c- C- c- ("- ('- ('- c- V- c- C- c- c- c- c- ('- C- ('- (•- c- ('- ('- t"- ('- (■- ('- ("- (•- ('- ('- ('- ('- c- ('- ( '- ('- ('- -A. &C'o Wlinl B, andS. - 1). T ("idckiTv, I'tc. -A. S Hut. Boot.s iiud Shoes. - (}. M Macliincrv Airi'iit. -II. B IM. ]). (J. - iS. E Ptiirl lUitloiis. - W . & Co StDcli Brokers. -D FlorLst. - D I'ai liter. -II Li(|uor.s. -J. B Teas. - ,1. M \Vai,a)iimaker. - T. II Bet. Boots and Shoes. - A. & Co (iraiii. -I). W. & J. 1) Twines. - I) & Co Bankers. - .1. A. & Son 'I'ai'ors. - L. S. «!i: Co Jobber Fancy (ioods. -W. S. &Co Live Slock. - & II CofTee and Spices. - & T Ilorso Nails. ■ .A, X Slii|)i)inff and Com'n. • & C .Mnt'rrf. i,ace (ioods, etc. • & B Imps. Laces, etc. ■ A Siiip and Freight Broker ■ & K ... Wines, etc. ■ .1 Cotton and Ccjtton Waste. ■ M Li(iiiors. -T Blueslone. ■& S I'aper. ■ lS: W Mdse. Brokers. •A Wines, etc. ■(). B Dolhir Store. ■II ... .liiiiiiors. • K 1' Co PlatillJ,^ ■ M Coui. •&S Coal. • E. II ^Vllol. Li(|U()rs. •J. \V Panerliaiiiiiiijjs. ■A. II *. Paper. ■ O. 1} IJiiuors. • J, W Bnilder. ■E. P Job Print, •!•. ■T. J.& Sun Hotel. ■ A. M Piod., etc. ■ & \ Coin. Prod. ■ B. L Mnt'r. Neekiies. •J Het. Clothinix. ■ J Jobber Clotliiiiir. • L. M Toys, Stat'y, and Faiicv (i. M ?>Iillinery. S. A Wliol. Clolhiii';;, S Jobber Clollis. B. iV Co. . .Jobbers Clotliiiiij: and Fancy (ioods. Bro:^ M'hol. Jewelry, I. & S . .U"t. Hats and ('aps. A 'I'oljacco. Mrs. C Jobber Jiibbons. C- C- c- C- C- c- c- c- c- c- C- C- c- c- C- C- C- C- C- C- c- C- c- c- c- C- c- c- c- C- C- C- C- C- c- c- C- C- C- C- c- c- C- C- C- C- ('- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- c- - 1>. L. .Imp. (ilovcs and Fancy (}. - L. H Paiiiter. - S liet. Boots and Slioes. - S Bet. Clothin-,'. - S Bet. 1). (f. - W Het. CIothinLC. - J. & Son Peddlers' Supplies. - A. it T Jobbers Flowers. -I. P Hats, Caps, Furs, etc. -J. H Tinware. - II. F. iV Co TyiJU-Foiuidrrs. - iV' C Veneers. -& V .Marble. - J. B. i\: Co (lold and Stock Brokers. -& S Coal. - J. W Wines and I/kj. - F. A Trees, etc. ■ & S Printers. -O.G Sliip Chandler. - S iV- () R. U. Cont'rs. - (J S Co. - I C!c (I Patent Fire-Pioof Hoofers. ■ \ Carpenter. - F lii(piors. ■ iV Co Het. Fancy (ioods. • I. H Cii,'ars. -J. T .Mason. • J. \. k Son Kindlinir-Wood and ('bildren's CariiaLjes. ■ L. \'. A: Co Iron Founders. ■ C ('o. of Maryland. ■ lV Co ],umb( r Storjii^e. ■ F IronworkiT. • X rinbrella.s. H iV Co Sn^'ar Hefiners. • iV H Wliol. Li^piors. vS; C Stone. J:. P ...■ Shade.s. I'. P. iV' Co liroiiins. J. & Co. Hot(d. • & A Hotauie -Meds. i> Music. (>. 11. iV Co (irr). H. P Mer. Tailor. W. 15. vlv I 'o. . Ibcikcr.s litinp and Jute. 1 ,. < ^1 ■s * !^M4l W. p^pr' 1^ ISS TIIK COMMERCIAL AGKXCIES. I i! ■ ' ^ ; ;;# J . .Builders. .MnlioL'iuiv. J Hot. Hoots uiul SliDCS. ir. W Prod. F. & J. &('o Red C'cdiir. ]) IIiitHiind Ciipy. . S. iV' l!ro \. Fur Co. J IJcstuuraiit. J. K \Virc\v()rkt'r. & Co Cotton ]?r<)ktM'8. ]?njsi lift. I). ()., etc. U FurnueeH. Co Mnfr.s. Insect Powder. M. & Co Oils. II. Is: Co Jol) Printer.s. & C tShiiii)ing luul Coni'n. & S Li()Uoi-8. M. vS: Co Cotton Dealers. & Co Liijuors. F. W. & Co. . . .lIopH and Essen- tial Oils. A & Co ytora;i;e. C Stone. J.S Het. B. and S. B. F lloui^e Furn'o- (Joods. & II Wliol. Clotliin.ir. J. () Imp. Lace Collars, etc. (i. A Mnfr. Ink, etc. F. II.. K. I. Shippingand Coni'n. B. M. & Co Furniture. I) Towing. & B <)i!-^ C II. II. k Son Plumber's .>..i- te rials. C B Het. Fancy (Joods. C Bros Shipping and Coin'n. C & Co Coni'u Foreign Pickles and Sauces. C & Co Stock Brokers. C F. M Jobber Leaf Tobacco. C C Co. C- C- C- C- c- C- C- C- c- C- c- C- C- c'- ('- c- c- c- C- c- - (i. 11 Xaval Stor(>a. -J.S Coiu'n Lumber. -(i. M (iro. -A. M Auctioneer. - 1) Bet. I). <;. -W. A B. E. Broker. -11. 1I.\- Co Mdse. Brokers. - iV K Mnfrs. Ilats. -II Grain I'.oker. • i\: B Painters. ■ '!'. J Lumber. ■ ll Hardware. • J. F Prov. Broker. • W. B. «.V Co Advg. Agents. • J. S Imp. Cigars, etc. • J. M Architect and Builder. ■\V. II. & Bro. ..Com'n Hardware. ■ J Mason and Builder. ■ L. X Builder. & 11 Painters. C J Contractor. C k Bro Mntrs. .Mats. C J. k Co Oil Brokers. C & A M (;<). ...Ammonia. C F Lifjuors. C T Smoker and Packer I'rov. C & W Plaster Moulds. C A Millinery. C J. W Carpets, etc. C B k Co t'om'n Prod. C J Mnfr. Wire (Joods. (,' I{. & J Contractors. C iS: Co Mnfrs. Laco (Joods. C II. A. & Co. . . .Imps, and Coni'n Liijuors, etc. C M Carriages. C J Furniture. C J Iron. C k S (Ailifornia Wines. C & B Printers. C J Li(iuors. C II. E Com'n Fancy Goods. C & S Coal. I) .\. \V Children's Carriages. I> L. . . .Imp. Wines and Brandies. 1) E. (J Bet. (.'lothing. I) S. S Bet. Clothing. J) M Co Silks. I) W. II Paints, etc. D W Coal. 1) J Mnfr. Head Nets. I) B Li<]uors. I) 1) Bags. I) 1 Builder. D J Coal. 1) M. k Co Coal. I> C Het. ]Men's Furn'g. D'A J. N Com'n Fruit. I) F. H. k Co. Forwarders. 1) I. & W Mnfrs. Cloaks, etc. 1) H. T. & Co Hide Brokers. 1) J. iS: Son Het. Fancy CJoods. 1) & W Drugs. D Bros Awnings. I> J. & Son Bookbinders. D C. F Stock Broker. I) 1. G Pickles. D & Co. .Woolen Mnfrs. Supplies. D J tirain Broker. D & X Mnfrs. Clothing. I) f Bet. Shoes. D J Het. D. (J. D W. M Coal. D A. Sons Prod. I) Bros. ..Pipes and Leaf Tobacco. D II. J Clocks. D J. L Het. D. G. D T k Co Express. D II. J Shipping and Coni'n. D J Het. Clothing. D J. S Silk Broker. i,y Vt I THE SYSTKM KXl'OSKI). ] K) ,1 1,tiiiil)(>r. — J. r. r.iiii.i.!!-. J. S Inii). I/niiioM. .1. F I'liintiinTrt, i.'tc. S \\'aiclics. S ISclis, etc. W. 11 Silk Hiokcr. \V Hit. L'kiuoi'h. A. (». &('() Fiiiicy (idiids. F & Co. .Jobbi'i'rt Milliiiciy. A. S'ons Prod. T. It I'liiitcr. F,. it Son ("o;iclu'H. F & Co Miifrrs. LocUs. II & S Drug's. & n . . . . IV'trolcuiu Urokcrs. .\: M Coiii'a I'rod. V. \V Svruiis ami Siitrni'S. 1. .M ". .Who]. .Ifwclrv. W Uct. D. (i. l\V Prod. Di'iil.r. C. A. iV Co .('oiilVc. H. II Furnituro. v.. & Co lllll)H. liill.'CS. U. II Collin. A. B niiiKlmkr. W. H Tcii Hrok.r. r>i().-5 Piaiiol'ortcs. h. \ Co..Mntrd. Billiard Tables. iV liro Piano.s. \- S- .Coiu'll .Mratf- — S Shippiiiy: and Coin'n. — U. & Co. . . .-Miit'rs. I)nii;"s, I'tf. J. C. F P .Militarv (ioods. n Co. • 1) 1) I) I) D- D- i D- I D- ii;: I D- ! D- I ])- D- D- ])- D- ])- D- D- D- D- D- D- D- D- D- D- D- D- D- D- 1>- D- D- D- ])- D- D- D- D- D- D- ]>- i)- C. 11 A. W.... Stock Bivikor. Ih'u;,' Broker. .1. 11 W - - li ^\; 11. . . Hair (ioods. Leaf Tobacco. ( 'abinelinkrs. J S. iS:Co... I'"ancv (ioods. lieal Kstate. .. L. (i Tailor. J. .Com'n C Brooms, Brushes, etc. Contractor. - .1 DniLTS. II. & Co.. C . . . .ClothiiiLC aiul Liip ;... Baker. J. & Co. . Printers. iV M J DniLj ISrokers. Harness. - M Secondhand Clothinj,'. - B. S Diamond liroker. ■ k. 11 \rtilicial Flowers. -C Confec. - iS: M Sui^'ar Iteliiiers. ■ E Hardw.'ire. -& B Miifi-s. Silk Hals. -A. S liluestone. - 1\: T Hardware. - C Liquors. ■ J. IT. & Co. Coiu'n Domestic D. ( {. - II. K Knit (i(ior. iS; (J llav. ct,.. \V. .M. iS: Ci. Cuiltry. J., EhUUcoI', . . .Printer ami Sia- tiiiiH'r. T. X Packing' IS.ix.h. Urop 'I'fiiH. ]. •Co. Hi inkers n ,1(1. lul P. C. ^- Co .15r .Ket. I'aiicv (ii)O(ls. .Sli PI' 111(1 Cdiu'i). .\ Het. I). (}. 15i(..- . Perfiinierv. iV C ipe 15 oxen. .Coal. i:- ,1 i^tOVCH. M. C Patent Medf^. W. A l/iirliters. A - Prmiilier. J. M., .Ir Hct. I>. U. C & Co Whol. Li(i. M. &S)n T( .). D. J..., . .Mnfrs ' AfTciit. . rrcialit i; inker. A. H l!et. I'aiicy (mmi(1<>. Mr.-. !M Fancy (mmkI.-j. I. 1) Cli( mist. E- i<: T- ..M(l~e. 1 Idkers. .l.adicK' ( Inaks. .1 li( t. li ipiioi.s I). K ()y>ter.'<. A\'. iV Co Leaf 'I'ol aeco. C ])- P Co. J. C. U. &Co (il P Coiu'n Trinimiii no. «. irewer. E- I..lnii). 'I'ovH and Fancy (ioods. II. &C()...' !.Sliirh^ "anev iVC. .lobl;i 15. 11. ^ 1- (■oons. !■: I'.. I Pap.'r nox.s. M 1. W. & Co Printers' Ma- terials. !•; Broi Fancy anies. | 1'. (> I'pholsterer. j F S Co Counter Si'ales. I' .V Coiu'n Prod. F 1. 15 (Jro. E \V. -M Carpet Siretidier, etc. I". B & Co Shippinij and Coiu'n. F T. & (i. . . .Cottoa Sliii)plnir and Coin'ii. E \V. & Co. , .Slii[ipinii; and Coiu'n I'rod. E it- Co I!et. Clothing'. E iV (i- — - Blank hooks. I'" .1 Iviirraver. E II. W Drii- Hn.ker. E J Ket. l-iiiiiors. E S. 11. it C Hotel. E Bros Stationers. E I'' Doors, etc. F 1 (iro. V. J. 11 Wiiol. (iro, E it T . Stock Hrokers. F C Co 1{. li. Chairs. E M Co ColTee Crns. !•' II Com'n Teas and CnU'ee. F Bros Sliiiii>ing and Coiu'ii Cotton. F F D.^Htist. K .1. C PaperliaiiL;ini;s. I' .1 Wood Eniiraver. F it B Yarns. V it .1 . . .Stamping and I'^ainy (ioods. F ■! Furniture. F .). (i I/npiors. F 1). it Co VwAiS. Aireiits. F A Heal Estaf. F S Mnfr. ('ii:ars. F- — - (i. & Bro .Mnfrs. Ciyars, F -M. & Co Tohacco. F ,1 (ho. and 1). (i. F— (i. \V 1!, E. Airent. F S. . , Tailor, F I Watches, etc. F .Miss A Millinerv, etc. F C. ,1 Stalde. F 11. (i I/npior.'f. F C Caliinitinkr. F B it Co Note lirokers. F 11. F Li(piors. F J Li(iiiors. F J Ijicpiors. I' P I.iipiors. I'^ it Son Books. 1-' -M Custom-lioiiso Broker. 1'- M. ,J. it Co Wines. I-' T Fllrdre^ser. F Bros Saddlers' llardwaie. F it T Auction Boors and Shoes. F ,T ......Plninl.i-r. 1'' T PaperhaiiLrinu's. 1' M '.il|!10IS. F & I) -Marlile. F J. II. & Son l,i(piors. F I Whol. Cl.thinir. F it It ..Mnfr.s. Woollen Shirts. F M Hestaiiiant, 1'^ ^V Co Stationery. F it Co Com'n Prod. M;- 1 ;■ f Im 19 TlIK COMMKKCIAI, AGENX'IK.S. If !il i , :^m*isa V- V- V- ¥ V- V- V- V- F- F- F- F- V- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- V- V- F- F- F- F- F- ■ II. 1) I.iciiiors. & {' n Ili.iisc. ■ n. & ('( Auction 1111(1 ( (iiii'ii. -L.k K ("nlliiis. • (J. I J. &■ »'•) Hct. Nr)ti()li.«. •J. N.. .Umkcr I'loiir, SimmIs, rtc. ■ J. B. . . .Coiii'ii l'"li)iir iiiiil (irain. I Cuttle Hair. i\; W C'oiii'ii Ilarilwiirc. • W. & SoiiH riideituiicrs' (fonds. & Co Cuban Coiu'ii. S. M Cubuu Sliii)|)iiii,'' and (.'"in'n. Hall. inc. .1 Hi't. Miliinc'iy. S I. ii I IK U.S. J Fiour and l''('cd. & C Salt. i\: Son l!(t. ]\.& S. 15 Ship A,'.c(nt. |)rni.'s. K Iliivana Tobacco. l)nijj;s. , & Co ... Hairs. BnilcUr. Hct. I). (J. & Son ChciniHtH. Imp. AVhito Hccr. & E. II. . . lict. I'ancy (ioods. Funcv (jloods. - !•; -& -J. - K, -E, ■ C. - c. -& ■B, -II F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- M- - A ■]. •F J. ■ C, & • A, ^v (i- .(iii II Sons .Mnfr,<. . (i. — Dr. S. S I'liient Meds. — E. .\. & Son I'led. — (k B Coiii'n i'rcd. — J. . . .Bet. Hats, Caps, Furs, etc. — J Horseshoir. — & H .. .Mnfrs. Watch Cases. — iN: Co Pastintj .Machines. — & II Coin'ii Southern I'rod. — D. J Crockery. — C. II l{ui)l)er (ioods, etc. — & B Furniture, eic. — A. F" Crockery. -H Bet. Hal's. — S Men's Eurn'ir (foods. — .\ Books and Stat'v. — S.I) Bet. Hat's. — \V (iro. — A. & D. & Co lnii)s. Euiicy (ioi (!s. — C Painter. — J. W Cooperaije. — Bros Imps. Kid (i loves and I.a<'es. — B I,i(|nnis. — M Liiiuurs. — S M Co. — J Ret. Boots and Shoes. -P. F (iro. — M Dressmidier. — V. Coilon. — \V. S. 1!< ihiiiiir. — W. S. & Bro ^;edl^H!i,^ -J Mnfr. (fold Pens. — INI. W Bet. Boots anil Slioes. — P Bestiuirant. — C Guns, Pi.stols, Cajis, etc. — M Com'ii Prod. -F Builder. — A. ( J I>rue s. — B. II Broker, etc. — D Coin'n Hats. -J. J Uet. Men's Furn'jr. — P Ie\v(drv, etc. -F. & Co lobbers Hats. — B. B. & Co .Cotton Brokers. — C. B. & Son Leather. J. & Sons Piii)er Stock. ii.V Spool Cotton. Mrs. J Her. I). (J. ('. F. &Co Coin'n Prod. &II- Jobl rs F'cy (». J. Sons Coin'n W. I. Prod. • Co. F A. E Builder. J. A. & Co Wool Brokers. ill THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 193 id Splines. . . .< il'll. ;siiiiikcr. .('(lltOll. i~;Cll(lil!g'. 1(1 Pens. il i^lioi's. ■stiiiirrtiit. iijip, etc. n'li Prod. Builder. . .Diiiys. iktT, etc. I'n Huts, s Finir;x. ■hy, etc. )cr.s Huts. l?r<)kcrt<. Lciitlier. icr Stock. I 'oil on. Uct. 1). (J. n'n Prod. F'cv (). 1. Prod. F n , W I )rii>;H. V I', li. i*c JJro liiip.-^. Hit!'. K li Miifr. Sliofs. 1'" l....Nliifr. Cloth lints iiiid ('u|is. ]•' ('. Son iV Co. .Mill !•.■<. lliitrt, Cii|is, ».'tc. 1' (r, \V. & Co Coni'n ('iir|u't8. I'" iS; i'" Cotton iiiid I'rov. iiroki'i's, i" & W Iron Foiinili'rH, 1'" ,1. 1{. iV Ci ini|)H. Woolli'ns. F 1). (i iJookscllcr. F A A; Co Coiion. 1'' 11 Hct. Shoes, I'' 1 Uct. Clotliin;,'. F 1 Wiiol. Clo, I'' L. .) (fold iJrokcr. I'' li. iK: Son lol)l)cr Sliirts. F M. M Mnfr. Wliito (ioods. F S i). ({., etc. 1'' — — S Hut. Hoots and Sliocs. 1'' S liCiif ToliiU'co. I' 15 i\: Co Whol. lii(|uor,s. !•"' ii. 1!. \' Co. . I'rliitcr.siind i'lih'rs. i'" L K . . . .Mnfr.i. luid Johhcrs Shlrt.s. V & iv Li'[iiors. 1' M Ciiriir.s. I'' Ij Iict. Men's Fiirn'jf. !■" \- W -.Jul>l>cr.s Wliito (ioods. I'" L, Jr Tailor, I' 15 Mnfr. Ijiicii Uooils. F ( ' ( "o. of \V , I'll. I" — — 15. & Co. . . .Mnfrss. Clock Cnpos. !■" .1 Oyster Saloon. !■' i5ros Shipiiiiiij iind Coni'ii. 1'" K-c ('() Wiitchnikrs.' 'I'ools. F 1. \V Militiirv (ioods. F F Billiiud Tallies. V T, A Furn. I' y\vr> W iiol. iiUdies' (Joods. I'" ,1 Mnfr. Shin 15osoiiis. I' M O. a. i5roker. !■■ 15 & Co Whol. Clo. [■' li. N. & Co Cotton i5rokers. I" F Wliol. Jewelrv. F Fi. F. Mnfg. Co Sewiiiir-.Mii- chine Cases. 1'' (r. P. & Co. . . .(ieu'l Coiu'n, etc. 1' S. iS: Son Pnblisheis. 1' F (Jro. 1' N liet. Boots and Siioes. F i. A Ret. Clothinsr. K M. il Tobacco. I' T. Son EuanieUed Clotli. 1' i5ros. & C'o MnfvH. Ciirars. l'^—- C Li(|iiors. I" li 'i'uilor. I'" i 'I'oliacco. I" S Clothinf,^ F II Tailor. F- i-'- F- F- 1'- F- !•'- 1- F- F- F- F- 1- F- F- I'- F- F- 1 F !■ !•' F C. .M Iinji. 'i'ovrt. F iS: T Mustard .Mills. F ii. C Bet. Men'.s Fiirn'y:. (i J Bet. Fancy (ioods. (i C. Ii Paper i5oxes. O- . (i. - i5 (Iro. - ^^'., Estate of iron. -Mrs. W Hotel. -T Bet. 1). (}. - J. . .Imp. Watdics and Jewelrv. -J Hotel. - M Contractor. - V i\: S . ..Militaiy (iools. - Mrs. I'i .Mi liniT. - .Mrs. C. A C.piscis. - W. il. \' C , .Carpr:iici's. - 1 lilt. Faii^'v 11 Is. -I' SmiVi'-;. luc. - E r.ioker. - (i Imp. Photo. Mati'i j lis. - il Fur.s. - E...^ Mer. Tailor. - J. W Stoclv Speculator. -V. E. & Co.. .Mnfrs. Perfumery. - N. Lf IIard\var<', etc. ' ) •I'I ■ ! m 'fei m^ 101 TIIK COMMEHCIAL AGKNCIKS. I i i G- O- (!- (J- (i- U- (i- (i- . .Linen Handker- chiefs. - J. C. & Co. ..Jobbers FVjMioods. - J{ .Mnfr, Slides. ■ & T CoUoii Brokers. - A. ]•; JJrokiT li'ware, etc. - K. A Wines and liiq. -& B Corks. -&Co Mnfrs. Silk Hats. (}. W Liquors. -S. &Co Whol. Furs. • II Co. Furnaces and Heaters. ■I* Ojjtician. • & (J liiijuorH. ■A Mnfr. Flowers. • iV 1{ IMiotofrraplis. ■ II. N.J Mnfr. Shirt Fronts. ■ lJn>8 Cloaivs, etc. ■T. A Stationer. ■ R Crockery. ■ S. & Co Tobacco. ■ J lints aiid Caji.s. M Fancy Goods. G- Clothin;:. — S. & Co Mnfrs. Neckties. — \: H .Mntrs. iiiulies' 'rrininied Hats. — F Pawnbroker. — iV lb- Whol. Ciothin^r. — II Cotton Ibiiker. — A. A: < ' Mnfrs. and Ini]is. Swiss iMubroideries. — i*i; A . . . . Iniiis. Fruit, Wines, I'te. — M, .1 Mnfr. Feather Dusters. — - iV I'". . . .Shi|>iiiii;; and Cnni'n Flour, (irain, etc. — ^^' Het. l''iincy (foods. — Hros Whol, I^iquors. — H Mnfr. Collars and CtiiTs. — II lobl)er Cloths. — J Het. Hoots and Shoes. — M Ibitcher. — F Het. 13o()ts and Shoes. — C. T. & Sons. . .Cracker IJakers. — J, fc Co I'aia.'r. _ I l{ II V Co. — .\, I) Coni'ii and A;;'ent. — iV- S Het, I), (i, — S i\; Co Mnfrs, Hals. — S. I) Findini^s. — ■) (.'oni'n Cement. — S. A. vS; Co Driif^s, — & * o Ii'on Foundry. — J Artilicial Flowers. — L. G I'ub'r Hooks. — I''. 'I' Perfumer. — J. S 'i'obacco. — I'' lohljer Wliito (ioods, — C Saddler. — .1. F Het. Shoes. — T Gro. — 'I' Painters' Sui)i>lies. — J. iS: Son Mnfr.s. Bindings. — A P Co. — C Liiiuors. — II C \V . — II Hestaurant. — I), II Sulphur. — -M Fh)ur Dealer. — H Gro. — tV- P Plumbers. — II & Co. . . .Mnfrs. Jewelrv. — G Builder. — G. 15 Coni'ii Flour. — 1. 11 Tailor. — J. C Hardware. — S. W Printer. — A. & Co Com'n Prod. — Bros. Cotton Brokers. — J A. &Co...U. U. Contractors. — P 1 M Co. -S. H Hats. fii: •riiK svsTK.M i;xi'()si;i). I'.*:. Hooks, ■rfiiincr. Toliui'co. :c, (ioodt*. Siuliller. •t. Shoes. . .(iro. Sii])i>lieH. Bindings. .Liiiuoi's. 'f-taurant. Sull)liur. ur Di'iilcr. . .(iro. 'linnber.-i. Jewelry. HuiUkr. n'n Flour. Tailor, lard ware. Printer. !u'n Prod. Hrokers. )ntractors. ,'. . . .Huts. Furn. iV Co Stock Hrokers. — Uet. Fniicv (Joodn. O- O- • n... N — &■ U- 1{ Uet. Clothin^r. ■ (J. (i Carpenter. •J l{et. HootH and SliocH. (• Silk Dyer. ■II Tailor. • F. J ('al)inetinkr. ■ II. A Fruits and (Jio. ■ J. L. & (-"(> (il'o. ■ M. F Li(|nor.'4. ■It LadieH' rnd. ...InipB. E. I. (idifs. ■ ,M lilt. Hats and Caps. • 1' Uft. Clolliinir. ■ S. M Knibroidcrii's. ■ A. W. iV' Co Toliaci'onists. • F Co Showcanls. \' <'() Jolibcrs CloiliiiiLr. .V II Woollen liaiTS. ■\- II Who!. Clotllin. - li. M Co Silverplaled Ware. - & Bro Com'n I'rod. - iV II .Mnfrs, .Ni ekties, - Uroa Whito (Joods, Siiawls, etc. -L Hotel - W Clonus. - iS: Co Imim. Colors. - .) Faints, - .1 i'ainter, -F I)ru-s. - C. F. iV Co Imps. Hair. - II. \ C(» Mnfrs. Tassels. - ,1. iV Co liet. Clothinjr. - W. A Jolihur Fan, & Co Bankers and Urokeis, - .1, X Com'n liUiiiber. - .1. II. & Son Fiimber. - A: C J{et. Cloihiiif;-. W. Jr Builder. - W Com'n Fliuir. - C Packer, etc, - II, S Corsets and Skirls. - .\ Banker, eic, - ,1 Litlio,nra|dier, - W Liiii lis, - .\. & Co Soa|), Candles, elc, -II Ship Chandlerv, - Fi, li H. F. Broker. ■ P Tailor. - T. F Ink and Mueilaj;c. - Bros Patent Skyliylii.s, - .1. F. & Co Com'n Paper. -& I- Printers. - C Boots und Sh()(^s. .1 \ ' TIIK SV.STKM KXl'OSKD, i:*: li.A %m^ .'rn'ilorH. vs. Drr.-s miiiiiniis. .I'niil. . Dniu's. Unikcr. I/Kjiiors. lllllln'l'. 1{» tillers, kiis mill liriiUcis. liUlllllll'. l,Ulul)rl', liiihinj;". InliMrr. n Flour, kir, I tc, 1 SUirif*. ikrr. fic. ii;'r:i|illi'r. l.iu. lis. (lies. I'ic. uuiillcry. ■:. Hidkcv. .Tiiilor. Mm iliij;-i'. ikyliii-lus. I'li I'aper. Priiucr.s. \d Shoes. • Hrcif*. iV Ci) SponjjcH. -('. \ II Still. Icrt. • \ Co t'liiirii Hi'ililiiit; .MuMH. ■ J. . . .I{rt. UlltM, flips, I'lMH, etc. J. 11 loiii'ii I'n.il. . H .Miitr. Climks. ctf. r. II. \ Co < 'iirn. 'I'. S I). iliTH. & S ....Miifis. .Icwi'lry ami ImmIiIimii.s. • it Co I'iiiii'rlmn>:iii^rs. ■ {', I' Iron naiJinirrJ. iS: M ISffripTiiiors. J ,'rt. II. U (iriiin Hroker. .1. 11 (iraiii Mroker. ,1 Joljlier Hosiery'. S. A l{et. I). U. A. & Co Mnlrs. Tiiiwaro iV M Het. I), (f. I». .1 Skirt .Materials. |{. .Ir Coal Broker. ■ C. IJ. iS: Sou Syrups and Molasses. F. Ij Fiirnace.s. (i Heal I'.Hiate. C Builder. F Kitl . Cij^'ar lii! .lions. - II. I Tailor. -.1. L Tailor. - I Bet. hunts and S'lO.'S. - h |{.t. Clotli.nu-. - Bros W'liol. l.ii|uors. -.1. H Mdse. Brker. - .M Co Stencil I)ii< and I'hr.'S. - W. C. & .1. M. ..A.n-ents Sewing; .Maciiiies. - K. S l?rass I'"oniider. -A Whol. Carpi'is. -d.W Jeweller. t'f i* M 198 THE COMMEHCIAL AGENCIES H II Saloon. II (". & Co Com'n (Jro. II M & Co llet. D. U. II W. &Co D. (i. II S. C Machinery. II \V. A Paporlmii'^inf^.s and Clotliinp. II F Imp. Teas. 11 11. H Inii). Enibroi(lerii'.s. II II. (r Liquors. II I) Coal. II M Miifr. Trimnjinf,'8. II Mrs. T Uet. B. and S. 11 C. .S: (■ Wliol. Liquors. II II. & Co. . .Imps. Dress Trini'fifs. II IJ Cloths, etc. II L. & Co Tobacco. t & N Ship Cliandlers. II L Chemicals. II A P.itent Rights. II IJ. W Music \>Mi, etc. II C. U li'oataurant. II F Het. Cigars. II & T Imps. Milliiierv. II (). 1) Drugs. II J. T Com'n Flour, etc. II U. S Paperhangings. II k W Hatters. II & C Mnfrs. Straw Ilata. II & S Mnfrs. Hats and Straw (Joods. 11 A. D Nickelplating. H D. & Co Rubber Goods. II W Lager Beer. II W. C Leaf Tobacco. 11 C. C. M Human Hair. II P Restaurant. H C Real Estate. II J. M Musical Insts. H M. & Co Bedding. II tl. E Shipjoiner. II W. & Co Iron. II 11. &C() Com'n F. (Jro. II C Hall. II C. V. L Ret. Drug.s. 11 & F Mnfrs. Fancy Boxes and Basliets. II ll Liquors. II T. G Painter. II (J Furniture, etc. II E. J. & Co Mnfrs. Files and Saws. II it S Shipwrights. II J. F Hotel. II T Mnfr. Glass Oilers. II II Cigars. H L Cigars. II C. & Co Scroll Sawing. II E Uestaurunt and Beer. II \' Co. Lager Beer, etc. U & 1) Mirrors. II- 11- H- II- H- II- II- 11- H- H- II- II- H- 11- II- H- II- II- 11- II- II- - B Operator. - & B Flour and Fc^ed. - & C Flour and Feed. -J Stevedore and Liq. ■ M. & Son Whol. (iro. - W. B. &i Co. . .Photo. Materials. - & Co Feed. • & L Metals. ■ L. & Co Whol. Liquors. ■H. N Coal. ■ H Cancelling Stain ])s. ■ H. & Co Booiv Pub'rs. ■ L. V Imp. Gloves. ■ & D Tobacco. II. O. &Co Wines. M Whol. Fancy Goods. ■ & M Jewelry, etc. Mrs. A Ret. F'cy Goods. J. M R. E. Broker. & Co Canned Fish. J. D Gro., etc. 11 & D M Co Locks. II- 11- II- 11- II- II- H- H- I!- 11- H- II- II- II- 11- 11- II- 11- II- II- 11- II- 11- II- II- II- II- II- 11- II- 11- II- H- II- II- II- II- II- - & E Cabinetnikrs. -C. & Co Mnfr. Caps. - B & Co Men';> Furn'g. -J. II Jeweller. - T. C. . . .Whol. Millinery (Joods. - T. B. & Sim Hay aiul Grain. -A Imp. Watches. - 1). & Co Metal Brokers. • & F Builders, -C. X. &Co Com'n Prod. - K & S Boots and Shoes. - W. K. &Co Com'n Prod. ('. II Painter. N. F Com'n Hops, etc. ■J. &Co. Com'n Flour an'; |nni{< 1-1 P^ . '1 ■)! Is s' *! 1 !J I I J & E Hotel. J 1' Com'n Prod. J 11 Com'u For. 1). G. J II. iV Vo Imitation Hair. J J. S. &;Co Prod. J H Liquors. J D. J Com'n Prod. J VV Crockery. K E Het. Millinery. K S. W Mnfr. Cloaks. K I'\ J . . . Meerschaum Pipes, etc. K (t Worsted Goods. K L Stoves. K J, iV, Bro. . . .Mnlrs. Pocketbooks. K .1 Calfskins. K ]SI Cigars. K J. & Co Mnfrs. Pipes. K P Wines. K ?J Ini]i. Cutlery. K ,1. .) Trimmings. K E„ Jobber Uresa Trim'gs. K 1 Peddler. K S. li. & t5o;i Kesttturunt. K ). K ..Furs. K E UiamonuH, ''tc. K J. »*c C:> Clothing. K A. !c Bro Mnfrs. Cijiars. K .J Uro. and Baker. K 1. Mnfr. B. and S. K »*; Co Mnfrs. Boilers. K Mrs. M Het. 1). Ci. K iV Co Shoe Bows. K C Butcher. K 1 Whol. Clothing. K S. & C() Com'n Cotton. K & ( •() Clothing. K 6: J— — . . . .lmj)S. Pictures, etc. K & Co Imps. Pictures. K P Li(|Uors. K (S: D Billiard Saloon. K J Imps. F'cv U. K i»; M-- — Mnfrs. Cloaks. K & C S!iipi)ing and Com'n. K & Cii Patent Med.s. K .) . i*c ^v>■.l Flour. K i': C Mnfrs. Letter Files. K A. 'r Li(Hiors. K 1>. B., .Ir Ins. Broker, etc. K S. C. c'; C(). Lumber and Veni'crs. K .1 Furniture. K I). i;Co Liquors. K J. .M. Miuuifiictiiring Co. K i! .Jewelry. K .M. & Smi Li(iuors. K & W- Whol. Clothing. K B. & Co ■. . .Cliemists. K S & Co. . . .Mnfrs. .lewelry. K C .Mer. Tailor. K E. (i Oils. K C. (i Leather Weigher. K J . (i Patent Meds. Advp. Agent, • & Co Tobacco. K 1). D Spice Mills. K D Carpets. K J Li(iuor8. K VV Uectilicr. K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- 1^- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- iv- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K-- K- K- ■ &Co Furniture. & E Paiier Stock. & M Lumber. ■ F. C. & Co Men's Furn'g. • & II Stationery'. ■ J. F R. E. Broker. U. W Oils. & II Stationery and Printing. 1). T .■ Builder. \V. II Undertaker. H. C. & Co Com'n. &Co Ret. D. O. & ^I ..Children's Carriages. F. A 'J'hiatrical Hosiery. ■ C. B Sashes, Doors, and Blinds. J Mnfr. Morocco. F. O Com'n Oils. A. W. & Co Silk and Fancv 1). i'i. & P Mnfrs. B. and S. A Jobber Clothings A; B Stock Brokers. Bros .Com'n Mits. .Prov. and Fis] .Auctioneers. . .Silverware. K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- &c '1'. & T- • A: J — 11. T. & Son Patent Meds. C. T. V Furniture. I'i Con fee. 11. il Banker. 1! Miifr. Ladies' Wear. J liniker Naval Stores. M. .V Mnfr. CorsetM. W' Licjuors. A. tv Co (ien'l Com'n. — M ( 'o Syru])S. I'l- Co R. li. Supplies. J. i)c Co Prov. \V. i'; Co Iiii[)a. and Mnfrs. Corks. ^.-Co R. E. B-roker.?. i^ }.l Sauci-. W. P Furniture. N. & Sou Pickles, etc. R— — w ( '() Com'n Lumber. C. \ Cotton J'roker. F. S Mnfr, Ci-ar.s J. P.. Hay. ru • K. ■ A Leatiier and Fimlinys. ■ .) Mnfr. D:)or Knolis. Bros Slate. • (J.(i Bronze Powder W'orJis. ■ K & S Jobl)ers Cloths. Hankers. .Carriairrs. .^; Ci ■ L — -&S- - A. A; <'o. . . .Mnfrs. Lace (Joods. - iV F Jol)l)er8 Ilosierv. ■ M Oils and I). (J. J., H>tate of Carpets. A. \V.... Broker U. K. Supplies. U. W..Mul'r. yoda-Wuter Cups. L & Co Sewing-Machino At- ta<'lMnents. L L Bookbinder. L J. J Ijicjnors. L W Butcher. L M. C Jobber Men's Furn'jr. L T. J I'ldiolstery (Joods. L P. W. & Co Mnfrs. Ladie.s' Belts, etc. L S & Co Mnfrs. Tables. li II Furnitnre. L B & Co Bankers. L (i K & T Co L P Wind. Shirts, etc. Ij V & C . .Mnfrs. Cutlery. L A. & Co Mnfrs. Neckties. L H. E Furs. L S Imp. Watches and Jewelry. I< K Jobber Dress Triniminjxs. L M Co Huliber (Joods. L II Stock Broker. L & B Stock Brokers. L J Licj. ami Billiards. L & N Mnfrs. Hats. L & B Imps. Sjjonires. L F. K Teas and ColTees. L (• S M Co. L J. & Co Flour, (Jrain, and (ien'l Com'n. li & S Cabinetmkr.s. L S & Co. . . .Com'n Sliiiipiiig. L M Cattle Drover. li N Leather, etc. L vS: Bro Baidiers, etc. li (J . .Shi[) and Steamboat Owner. L M Prod. L Bros Prod. l)ealers. L 1. \V Baker. L 1 Jeweller. L W. S Jobber Flour. L .\. C. iV Co Liiiuors. L Bros. & Co Baidsers and Brokers. L C Co Cem<'nt. L iS: Co Storiiu'e. L iS; N . . Wines, Liij. and Teas. L 1. iV- Co Mnfrs. U:v^!<. L H. M Com'n (f rain. L J Staii.rner. L S. B Metal Broker. 1 L. T Prod. L I.i'v Co I). aces. S Uet. Boots and Shoes. A. & J Mnfrs. Clothinjf. Bros Mnfrs. Cigars. J. & M Witol. Clothing. J. & Co Lye. & B Stock Brokers. Si K Mnfrs. Slides. ■ & Bro Fancy (Joods. .\. & Bros Mnfrs. Clothing. ' Mrs. li Mafr. Ladies' Suits. T. M llet. Men's Furn'g. Bros Law Books. E. & Co Mnfrs.' Agents. W. H. &Co Uectifiers. & B I'rov. and Tallow Brokers. S Imp. Kid Gloves. It Uet. Men's Furn'g. ■ -M Co Machinery. ■J Vinegar. & E Pianofortes. & I Mnfrs. Hats. J Boxmkr. A. W Gro. and Liq. J Li (juai)o. ■ D. II Coui'u Cotton, etc. 1 THE SYSTEXr EXPOSED. 203 1> J . . . , Ret. Boots and Shoes. II A lliirnefs. I. M (Jlovfs, etc. Sc ("o Kid (ilovcs. K. II..Steam-Enr- M- xM- M- M- jSl- iM- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- - J Hotel. «S; Co. . . AiiM Fixtures, China, etc. D ki.'i>. . . .Shipi)inff ami Coiii'ii. Mis. J. . . Alvt. Fancy (Joods. ]{ IJonnct-Frimie VV'iio. k I) . . . .SliipClmndltTs. F WIk.I. II. unil C., etc. & M LiqiifU's. - A Stont^janl. \y & Co Printers. - & V Lo()kiiiiny and Coin'n. • C Colors. . VV. .V iw Prod. ■J iUil. Fancy (Joods. ■ J. '!', Scrap lion. ■C. \V. ]}— ''o Mnfrs. lirnsl.i'H. • & li . . . .Coll(,'0 aui" AiUJ.:M'd Mills. P Vurnislier. ■ M Mnlr. and Wliol. Furs. II Whol. (Jro. J lii ill M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- iM- jM- M- M- M- M- IM- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- Jl- M- M- M- .M- M M- M- M- iA[- M- M- M- M- M- ■ S Gro. • J. 1). & Co liiijiiors. ■ (". H 'roliiicro. ■J. .1 ("rockt'iy. •J. 1{. iV Co. . . .Coiu'ii iiikI Iiii|)s. Ciffui's iiiid Suf^urH. ■kVt) Tailors. ■J 8t()V«!S. ('. F Miifr. Stiitioiicry. M. & Co Wiiiilow Sluulcs. S, M Miifi^'. SilkH, etc. ■.^^ Fancy (Jofxls, ■ N Jo\v<'lIt'r. X Het. HiitH. • \V Gro. F. & H (Jro. it M Saw Mill. • 1 Men's Furn'f^. •M. & II Li(i. and Oils. & L Ci^'ars. M. II ClotiiiitK. • '1' Iiii|uorH. T Ship Broker. ■ & Co Jewelry. .1. F. &.Co Prov. & II ToyH. A. II Mdse. Broker. •J. B liet. HootH and Shoes. • T. .1. . . .Tea, Coiruo and Si(ic<'a. T Furniture. ^V. C. . . .Tinwaro and Uoolinjx. ('. U. & .1. \V Tailors. <'. S. & Co. .Sashes and Blinds. • J. i\: ("o Liijuors. .1. II. i\: Son (ien'l Coin'n. -M. U. i\:Co Coni'n I'rod. iV Co Dru^s. iV Co Painters. ■ \V. E, iV Son Musi<'. Bros Af^onts Thread, etc. Mi>s A Uet. Millinery, etc. S. A Stock iiroker. T. B Fishinjr Tackle, etc. S. II. iS: Son. .Purchasinjf A^ts. ('. ,1. &C() Ret. llaiH. B. U Tobacco an. P. fcCo Stoi'k Brokers. ■ E. E. Sous Shiiiping and Coin'n. ■ II iS: Co. . .Financial Ai^ents and Brokers. li. A: Sou Founders. ■R iV Co....Roiul Rrokeis, etc. ■H. E. & Co..Conrn E. I. Goods. • S Whol. Clothin^,^ • E Stock Operator. ■C & Co Wines and Li(|. (J. F Printers' Ink. H. (i Prod. •Mrs. A Crockerv, elc. . 1 1! A: C R— ^ Co. II Ins. Broker. ■ .1 Patent Meds. iS; R Ret. Clothinjr. iV .M Spectacles. ■ M Mnfr. Hair (Joods. ■ N Cifi'ais. .1, \V Fioiir. ■ Mrs. iv 1' House Furu';r. ■iV K Gilders. .F. !•; Ret. Fancy (ioods. J Tailor. .1 Hotel. -.1. (i Uv.i. I).(i. ■\- C \Vh(d. Men's Fiiru'y. ■ Pros Drug's aiul lOsseutial Oil.s. iV I i < i l< ). N. 1,. iV Co Pul.lishcr.-*. tV llro lolilier.s 1>. Coin'n Prod. M V Ilet. Boots and Shoes. M II Printer. M II Jobber Cloths. ^I S Women's Cups. M S. F Hot. Fancy and I). U. M M Co. . . .SnioothiniT Irons. M & (} Pickles. M & U Coni'n Flour and Feed. M & P Laces, etc. N M Liijjer Beer. N M lloiis(! Fiirn'jif (Jooda. N A Photographer. N (} Liquors. X & L . . . .]\rnrr8. Suspenders. N H. II. Ret. Hats, Caps, Furs, etc. N S Co. X iV O Jewelry. X K. W Broker. X I']. & Son Jol)bers Clothinfj. X & P Mnlrs. Imitation Hair. X C" Co. N T Co. X M' L & 'A Co. X W M Co. X A Stoves. X 8. & Co Imps. Wines and Li(l. X A Metals. X L Whol. Clothing. N K <& ti Fireworks, etc. X Mrs. R Gen'l Com'n. X' F. A Brewer. X D Ciibinetnikr. X & II Mnfrs. Xeckties. X 1 Z Co. X II Mnfr. Boots and Shoes. X A Jobber Straw & Co Teas, etc. J. W. &, Son House Furn'g. (>- O- ()- ()- O- O- ()- <)- O- <)- ()- O- O- ()- ()- ()- ()- ()- (>- P- P- P- 1'- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- &C thins. — (}. & Co Bankers. — S V Co. — S Sausage Casings. — M & S . . . .Siiusiige Cas- ing Mnfg. — P Jobber Hosiery, «'tc. — M Co. . . .Patented Articles. — Fj Harness. — (J Mnfr. Caps. — J. U. & Co Bankers. — VV Tailor. — W. C Hemp, Bagging and Twine. — ,T Wines. — F. A. & Co Oil. — II. 1) Mattresses, etc. — & W Laces, etc. — L Fancy (ioods. — 1). Fi Carpets. — (). C. & Co Stationers. — K & F . . . .Hoofing Ma- terials and Varnish. -- M. J. & Co Music Boxes. — N & Co. . . .Leather Brokers. — J. 11 Wireworker. — A Mnfr. Suits. _ A IJ W Co. — Bros Jobbers Cotton Goods. — & Co Confec. — M Tobacco. -U. It Prod. — Bros Drugs. — J. A Lithographic Presses. -N. O. &Co Oils. — W. S Woodenware. — (} Fireworks. -M. H Oils. -W.J Chemist. — J.&Co Gen'l Coni'n. P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P~ P- P- P- P- P- P- P- 1'- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- r- p- V- p- p- p- - & C Mnfrs. CigarB. -J Ciiairs. -P.J Drugs. - Bros Stock Brokers. • B U Co. - C S H & W Co. - K T L Co. - S A S Co. - H. & Co. . .Shipping and Com'n. - L. & Bro Photo. Goods. - C. G Operator. -G T Bookbinder. - H. A Stock Broker. - F. &; Co. . . .Druggists' Sundries, etc. - K & Co Foundry. - F. C. tS: Co Billiard Saloon. . I M c. - W. & Co Com'n Flour. - G. W Jobber Dry Goods. - L. ISI. & Co Tea Dealers. -P. L Ship Chandler. - M. M Carriages. . & 1} M . .Children's Car- riages. -C. II Banker. -&M ..Mnfrs. Silk Uibbons. - C Artificial Flowers. - & P Com'n Furs. - Bros. & Co Shipping and Coni'n. - & O . . .Shipping and Com'n. - & S I{. J{. Securities. -J. A Gen'l Com'n. -J. L Music Pul)'r. - S. D Wheelwriglit. • Bros Imps. Cuilery. - C;. & E. J Coni'n Lumber. - &Co Publishers. - & O . , ..Wheelwrights, etc. - J. T Tailor. - L. A Liq. and Canned Fruits. - W. K Uet. 1). (i. -T Wines. - J. & Co Paper Hexes. - E Het. Men's Furn'g. ■'l 41 ' it 4 'fH M ; Wiii 208 ^ TIIH COMMKUCIAL AdKXClES. I ' mr i ; ;i 1'- r- 1'- I' j'- p- 1'- i»- 1'- A Tii(|unrH. Jii'os. iV Co Hops, etc. 1{. ], Kniit Broker. .1 IS Fw.ljr. li. Soil Optician. II. II IJookHellfraiul Stiit'.v. iV Co .Gold 1111(1 Spi'cit!. F. II. & Co I'liblihiuiH. I Hct. FaiK'y (JooiIh. () Machinery Affcnt. P iV Co SpiccH. ]' ,M. A Stock Broker. P H. H. & J. L Furniture. P 11 Ket. Clotliiuji. P H.& Co Lv«^ V 1. & Hro Conlec. P k, L . . .Mnfra. Ladies' Cii]in, etc. P & Co Store. P v.. 1) Coni'n Prod. p E Co. P & U iMiuiiderH. P W. K Muf.r. Agent. ]> H A I'o. P ]^ro.^ CaliinetiiikrH. P E Het. Millineiv. P- P- 1'- P- P- 1'- P- P- 1'- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- P- 1'- P- P- P- ]'- !'- i>- 1'- P- P- P- P- • J Hardware. ■ & S M Co Furii. llrcM. . .Sowing Machine Attach- ineiitH. & M R. E. Apiits. 1) Cliiiirs. P. F ....Tailor. M A; S Printers. ■M. & Hro Wiiol. SiiirtH. ■ S. L Imp. Featlicrn and Flowers. .T.P Printer. U. M Ket. Slioes. Hios Cloaks. J.ll Gro. ■ iV' Sons AVines and \a{\. ■ W. I. . . .Coiu'n Floiiraiid (fraiii. ■Dr. C. T Patent, Meils. ■ 1> Driiji'''. •J.I) Ket. Clotliiufr, ete. -.1 Kooks. ■ J. & Son Jajjiuiners. 1). II Priir.er. J. I. Hit. IlaiH. J. I>. & Co Stock Brokers. k. T Mnlrs. Plated Jewelry. M P Co. ■ 1! Ret. Men's Furn'g. k P R. R. Suiiplics. J. 15. . . .Jobber Toy.s and Ftincy (iooils. A & M Mnfrs. Ladies' Suits. C. J R. II. Iron. P- P- P- P- Q- Q- * \ C Mnlrs. Ladien' Suits, etc. - M Co. F Pul)li.~lier. Mrs. (i Hair (ioods. II .Maiiogiiny. ■J Boots and Mines. ■ 11 & Co Cut and I'hi- giaved Glass. E. A Coal. (». C Satis. •J. II Fisli. • & Bro Ship Hioki rs. • S iV Co Mnfrs. Hats and Caps. <) Co. P— Co. ■ iS; K Manurog. -M W. 1. Coin'n. ■ P L Co. ■ J. R. & Co. . . .Blasting Powder. • & T Bookbinders. (>. A i'rinter. ■ S Coulee. S. R llardwiui! • I. C. B Crockirv. ■ W (iri). ■ & S . Ins. Brokers. ■M. L Mnfr. Unibrelias. ■, l't(!. iriiitiiri'. iriiislii'S. uterials. .I'cod. K- H- li- 11- H- 11- 1{- 1{- K- II- li- ]{- U- K- K- 1{- 11- K- li- 1{- K- 1{- li- It- n- li- K- i{- i{- 11- 11- 11- li- 11- 11- 11- li- 11- it- K- 1{- 11- li- K- 11- 1{- li- K- K- . I» IJrt. Jewelry. - K Mii.- ,V B Bet. Fancy tioods. B F Fancy Goods. 1! .M Jol)l)er Fancv Goods. R & Co D. G. Brokers. B iV Co Tohacco. B iS: Co Whol. Clothing. B iV M Mufrs. Shirts. B M Bet. I>. G. 1! iV Co Jobher.s Fancy I). G. B S Hoopskirt^-. B E Put. Iwmcv Goods. B A. & Co Whol. Li(|uors. B A Mut'r. Cloaks. B J Leather and Findings. Ji Mrs. M Fancy (ioods. 11 1. &' A Bet. 1). ({. B S. D. & Co Neckwear. B J Liipior.-i. B J Distiller. B iV W Com'u (iro. B J. O'l) Hotel. B W C Co Toothpicks, etc. II W Imp. I'^uii'v Leather. B J Billiard Tallies. B W Leather an, INI. & K 'J'oliacco. H S S K S S K- S- S- s- S- K- S- H- S- s- K- K- S- s- s- i'i. Y Coin'n. M Ui't. I'"aiicy . (i. T. &Co AK''MtH Ales. &S \V]iol.( lo. & 11 Afi^oiit for II '.s Sons. J Hair Goods. - 1) , Iji(|llol-: . - K CofTco HroliiT. - S Co Mineral Wiitcr.-;. -.1.15 Ouiuio. - .1. II Hostauraiit. -^J Fancy (j'cxjds. - \V. E. Jr. & Co Ut;t. Drii^.s. - K (Iro. - K. & A Jdwidltra. -P Blower. •J HuildiirH' Hardware. -I). &Co Vhol. IJ. andS. - &. S Hankers, etc. - Bros Wlioi. Clothing. - H Ayent Stationery. - F. X '.. . .BcHtaurant. -J A lloiiKe. - J. & Co Mnfr.H. Tinware. -J Importer Optical tloods. ■ C. & Co Cabinetmakers. - R Speculator. - E Auctioneer. S C Com'n Fnncy Oooilfi S 1. I' Iron. S 1! I'ictiire {''raiiiiH, it(;. S (J. iV Son Jol)l)( rn ( 'loiliiiiir S S. iV N Wiiol. (ip'! S V i.i(|iinrs. S — — li Itct. Hals iiiid ( 'apH. S jM 1,'ct, I'luicy (iodds, S II. & Co Uet. Clo. S ].. ': Co {{ct. Cloijiinir. S .J. {''aiicy (loods. S W.J lolilier <'lotlis. • S T |.,i, Printer. I S II I'lumijer. ' H \i. & Co Sldiipiiiu' Com'n . I S J KJiine ^Vin.^ ! S J. k Co ]i( af 'I'oliacco. S k S Furniture. S F Mnf. Hair (inods. S II PeddliMs' Supplies. S F I'rov. Broker. S J. M Uet. Fancy (ioods. S S k K Co. . ..Soldi r and Lend. S (.'. II Hills. S 1, (i ..Mnfj,'. Jeweller. S W I''iiriiitiire. S 1). L Coiu'ii l{. [{. Iron. S k Co. ^ ,Ma])S, etc. S II 1). (i. Aiictioiieir. S .1 Fi.>5li and Oysti.'rs. S k 1) (iiins, etc. S J. I-; Texan C(>iii'n. S li lira.sH Band In.sts. S k C Showcases. S ,1 St air builder. S F Prov. Broker. S 11 Pianos. S k Co. ...Mnfrs. Cloth Hats, Caj)H, etc. S J.(} T;"dor. S C. L 'I'oyrt and Fancy (ioods. S J. F J \V— Park. S & M .. . .Cement and Mineral W'ater.s. S ir. W (Iro. S P Uet. Fancy 1). (J. S W Itet. I''aiicy Ooods. S F. II Specie Broker. S F. C. k Co M^l>,^ Stiitioners. S & Co I'mhrellns. S M. F. & Co Planiii},' Mill. S S Butcher. S P M ('o. .Looking-Cilnss Plates. S 11. K. & V. II Whol. (Jro. S A Furnituro. K H. H. & Co ^'ovidtieB. j S II Tailor. I S MrH. J Mnfr, Tohacco. I S L Hot. Millinery. 'iiiK sv.-'TiiM i:xpo««i;i). S A.. J SffiVfH. H (i H C... S ('. \V'..SIii|i|i('r l-'lrmr iiikI (imiii, K (». \V iV <'.. ClntliiliK. S J. iV Ci). .Miifrn. lloix- HlniikcfH. S IF. M I) ll.MiM). S \V. il Stock Urokcr. H iS: (' .Soda WutiT A|)|iiiiatiiH. H H. V. I*.- F. 1» I)vi-w(.(m1m. S I tiiiH, etc. S K (iro. S Mi'H. !•; Ifi'Minuniiit. S J. A Sliip CliiiiKllcr. S II. I Cimrii I'md. H (' Mirmr.^, etc. S J Wll^jOllH. S I. M. .Ir Icw.liy. 8 ^^. iV Co. . . .('om'ii [■'uiicy (IooiI.h, S Z Contractor. S S. A: Soil IJoilrriimUiT.s. K S M ( ■(). S iV K Coiii'ii Prod. K II liii[). l''on'ii,'ii I'Viiit.-*. K & M . .. MnlrH. ». and S. S I,. I) Crock, ry. S !;. iS: \V l()l)licrH KIowith. S A lolilicr Wliii(' (ioodn, S 11 Iiii[». (■eriiiau l/mciiH. S Z Tobacco. S IF (icriiiaii I'rod., «'tc. S iV V Miifr.s. f>iio\vciisi,'S. S 1. I! Optician. S S Ciirar.s. S A.T. i^Soii Moiiidiiii,'.--. S M K C„. S (' , .T,i()iior;<. S 1'^ F'ictiircH. S \\- — iVCo....MnfrH. Silk Hats. S & K . . . .Salinutsand Cottmi- ftdcH. S M <'" CordiiilH, ISittcr.-J, etc. S & \V Coni'n .Meat. S S U. K. ()i)crator. S J IJ(]iiors. S & S Not(! FJrokcrs. S S. F Men's I'nrn'i,' ( iood.s. S \V. 1''. iV' Co Cotn'ii IF'wiirc. S h Human llair. S J. (i. ^ Co. ..Mnfr.4. I5lank hooks. S .M. .V; W. I. k, Co.Coiii'a Carprts. S iV I{ 1 Co. .Metal I'ipes. S C. C. iV Co Ket. IF. and C. S I) Tow lioats. S Bro.s Cariiets. S T Iii(inorH. S S. W. iN: I) . . Ajrcnts (irocers' Sundries, etir. S J I/Kpiors. S N. M Mdsc. Brokur. S- S- S- S- S- s- s- S- s- s- s- s- S— S- S— S- S-- S- S- s~ s- S- S- ««;_ s- s- S- S- S- S- s- s- S- S- S- s- S- S- S- S- S- S- s- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- - .1. .Ir Hardware. - |{ Ilooi-i and Shoes. - !•;. S .Metal Broker. - I. A 'I'nisse-i, - II iV Co Imps. Whit.. ( ioods, l/iiii'ii, etc. - W. \ Co liuiikcrs. -C. \V (Iro. - I) CcHijier. - . iV Co .MiiHonii; (foods. - (1 lewellcr. - H. 1> loMierToys. - A. \- Co Het. Clothitii,'. - .). .). it F Wines and Liip - iV. .J Suwinx Machines. -T Cl. :>[ Huildcr. S Mrs. V. ,\ Ii'ct. I'"aiii-v . S J. M.iV Co Cotton. S li. \V. <.': Co ilookliiiuler.-^. S .^ 1' Coal. S iV Co., Au'i'iits. , Carpiis. tS iV ]■! Coin'ii I'rod. S iV (i- li'e^ti'.nrant. S iV 1 4 Hron/e Articles. S A; S .M Co. ..Maehiidsts. S iV i; Iron li'ailin^s. S \V. H loh Printer. S \V. j: Sliip Hroker. S 1 \rt (iallerv. S \V luMii r l>. ("i. S ]•; HiiildcM'. S 1 Builder. S i\; K— — . . . . .Sliiiii iiii:; \' ('om'n. S i\: Co I'ianos. S .\. A: Sons .Mulrs. llilil'ons. S 1>.A- Co IJel. I>. . P. iV Co Pianos. S M.J. A: ('., Pr.Kl. S I, O Co. S }i\ Co \\'onien's T'lider- ^vear. S A ShippiiiL'' and Com'n. S M. W Prod. Uroker. S iV I>- Li(|Uors. S P. H. .V Co Ci.L'ars. S iV C . ..I'ankers and Proliers. S H .Mnlr. Trimmed Hats. S 1 Hotel. S J Ship Chandler. S-— — F. P Fninber. S— J. J lobb.'r Jewelry. S A. iV Co Tobacco. S iV Uro leweliy, etc. S iV S -Mnfrs. Sns] lenders. S W. i\: C« Whol. Clothini:. S W. C Hops. S T. iV Co. . . .S. Am. ShippiiiLT and Com'n. S A- V Whol. Clothing. S >.*: P . . ..lobljers F'ancy (iooiLs iuid Hosiery. S 1 Pet. Pools and Shoes. S P. i^ Co lewelry. S S I5onednst. S A. F ."Mnfr. Ci^-iis. S J' V Co. . -Mnfrs. Vices. S J. & Co Car Ihiilders, etc S ]■] Furs and Skins. S vV I) Skin Brokers. S— J i'eddler Cloth. S S Pawnbroker' S M. & S Bankers. I 'IlfK SYSTKM EXI'OSEn. 2V^ ii'vii f'diirii. KHiiitc, etc. Clollis. l)iT ("lotllS. •i' Sn]i|irK'.s. . .'riibiu'co. . . .1 j(iu(irs. lilipiiii;' iiii'l Cdiirii. iniiniinlinii. M MiliiiH'iy ( Jiiods. cc'o Uriikcr. cii'I Ciiiii'ii. I'li'l Cmu'ii. lldi.'l. Ildt.l. uiimn lliiir. ( il'il. 1 Miinlii-c. T.'iis. iicil Phu.'s. nicy (iouelr^. Co. . . . .riiU'.os. rr.Kl. 'iiV T'lidi'V- ami ('(iin'ii. ■(nl. ]lri:l;cr. . . .Li<|ii(ii's. CiLriU's. 11(1 lh-(ii;crs. iiincil Hilts. ..Hotel. [) CliiUuHi'i'. laiiiilicf. I'l- Jewelry. . .'robac'co. welfv. eti'. Siis),einlclH. ". Clotliiiii:. lloj.s. ippiii-riiuil Coiu'll. 1. ('lotirm,i>-. ilicy (Joods 111 llo.'^it'fy. luiil Shoes. . ..lewelry. . Hoiicdust. fr. t'i;:-ifs. llt'l'H. \'i('es. lllderp, (■!-■ and Skins. in Mi'okers. cr Clotli. awnlirokei" .Bankers. S A. k Co... .California \Vini'.-< mid Liii. S 1'. 1*1: Co Tniitation .Ic'Weli-y. S iN: H ..Johbcis White (ioock S L.,.Ir Jol). .lewelfv. S S. S Builder. S W i'aiicrhiiti>.cinj,'.s. K A. T. A Co I'aiiits, Oll.s, i.'tc. S :\I vS: L Co. S iV Co .Teweler.s. S V. K., .Ir !{. ]■]. l'.roker, etc. S (i. 11. & Co ihiiid Stanijis. S A Stock linikei- S T WiiR'H and l,ii|. S W. I). I'otleiy. S ]{. A: Co . . . M 11 1'rs. Shirt iiosoniH. S & -M l!i;t. Kancv < ioods. S ^: \V— Mnhs. 15. \- S. S T. T I'rod. S iV X — — ..Mnfrii. Hats and Cap.s. S (!. \V...]i' Frei-lit Broker. S M & Co Jobbers ( 'lot lis. S C liake:. S & r Mnfrs. AVoolleiis. S h Mnf'r. Shoes. S & Co .Mnfrs. Vinc^rar. S K k Co Ladies' Collars, etc. S iS: C Ket. Clothin.,^ S >V ^V ..Jobbers Fancy (ioods. S T Millineiv. S ]■] Ci^rai'.s. S \': k S— — Ci^jfars, etc. S H. iV ( 'o ColTee, Spices, etc. S 1. W Pickles, etc. S W. T Wireworker. S II. ]) Alachinery. S -M Co Machineiy. S B Stationer. S k 11 Bros. . . .W'ool Brokers. S Jv \V lloiiso FurnV. S K. M C.ml. S .\ \"'iu'ers, etc. S S Mnfr. Ci.-ais. S S Mnfr. N.'ckti.'s. S S. iV Co Imps. NVatche.'-. S — — iV S~ Coni'n Flour ana (iraiii. S W. II Coiii'n Pro!. S h. \'. i"v: Co Soa'i. S .Mrs. M. 11 P.et. 1), (i. S .M. 1) Prod. S 1 Carriae-n U'warc. S 1). II Shipstores. S 1. P Coni'n Prod. S— — .1 Broker Window (ilass. S 1 Metal Broker. S 1. K Painter. S Bros . . .Whol. B \- S. S U vV Co.( 'otton, Sliippinj; and Coiu'n. S U. A liuikler. S .Mrs. 1? Mnfr. Ladies' Scarfs. S S. M. k Son Builders, e u . S II Caijinetmkr. S I. (i Printintr Presstis, ete'. S .1. (i .Sinfr. Clothii:!r. S -.1. 1) Ped.lleV. S— — .M Lii|ii(C-s, S C rpli(d-terv. S MiH. M. L Ciirai's. S S. iV Co llafs. S 1' lo'iiacker. S J. P. iV Son l)rutr Urokers. S 1. P '. Oils. S I). W Hotel. S S. A \i. K. Atren;. S— 11. k Co Ship Brokers, etc. S i*v 1) .Com'n Bats and Twiwe. S- — \- W Fert i 1 i/,ers. S C. H. & Co Stock Broki IS. S— S. & Co Cloths. T \- 1! Ci-ar Dealer-. T .1 .Mnlr. 'I'lierniometi'i's. T Printer. 'I' K. W., Jr Mnfr. Knllles. •I" II. A lolilier Ibwierv. T— - II. 11 CiillerV. 'I' 1 llestauran't. T .1 < 'ontractor. T S. W Ket. .Men's Fiirn'j;-. T T A— House. T 'r Printers' Materials. T W. U Saw .Mill. T — - A. H. P P »S; M— Co. T F. B. .V Co Oil Shippers, etc. 'r II. k •). A ..Shippinii' a'lid ('oinu. T — — 1 \- Co Pli(]toi:faphs. T k ( 'o Havana Lotlerv. T i: D Paper and Paper Stock. 'I" 1 Tobacco. T I-', Coat 111 kr. '1' K C. .\ Li,i;liter.<. T 1. II. \ Co Cen'l Coin'ii. T .\ Bet. 1). (i. '1' .1 .Mnfr. NMiiilow Shinies. T 1, i; I.'et. Ilatsai\d Cai)s. 'I' Bros Lea'Jier, etc. 'I' W (iro. T Bros .lobliers Whito tJoods. T II Co Heaters. r N. C Plmlo. .Materials. '1' M Co. . . .Imitation .lewelry. T W liestauran't. 'l' (> Liiiuor.s. i -m fir It:::, i 'J 14 T- T- T- T- T- TilK ('(JMMin.'CIAI, AGKNCIKH, '1'- 'I'- T- T- 'l'- T- T- T- '1'- J. A... .l)npli( I, I'niv. iiii'l I'.lii, I li'iiin. ■A. .1 l lic'fliMirniil. Ii ( (illiiii (iiHid.s. MlH. J{ CorMI-lH. A. I'l. iV ( 11. . .('omii I'liiiiiji, etc. \i. iV ( 'u IllipS. I), (i. •&■- M lul.1,,-1:; MilliiMTv. IL W 'I'.iilnlV. »V. Sun liiililii-r mill l,i-iilliri- < i I II 111:'. <". I", Sliirlv Itrnkir. II. 'r. .V ci. CiiMJ. & ( '(I \;.n|il;: < 'iiiil|iii.iil 'mil < 'ii:il in; v.. ,V (■ Sl.ni \V.\ ( ....... I .1. M, .V )■:. A. 111. ill'.' Airi'iil; ..... .Milium.; 'r — .1. i:. .V Co i;,i. (i,i!H. T .1. V. A , rlr. > ( 'lll■llli^t^^. \llilicilil .\. \ (' T~- .MiM. M. A. A. \:. .V ('. I'. .(•Ill <;. II .ii.iiiiiT 111 .11. III'!. I .MilH. i.-di-rv. J. .1. I). .\ (' K. M. .Iiwiliy mill .Miii'f* l''iiiiiY';. . ..liililirIM .leu I'liv. ( .lull K'l'S ( ' \V, S I'ulili. r. II. .V S. '|i DC Mull-. 'I'l T- T l...'v < ii.Sli.ivv (iiiiiil.s, CiipM, etc \V ..\ilifr. I'liLl.'il (iiii.il,^ T — A. I, llilvlll"' lioXcH 'I' lil (J- \v. w. \v. S. .V .1 . - iV ( II.. .. ..\\, alh.T Si . . Sltilim Sliii A P II ( 'lllu'll ( I'lilltl'l'.-l. li|iH, ell'. liT;^ ell'. I''. A . W.. filrliilliH. il|llillH. ■tlltiolHT. ..I.W.'llV. .1 •I* I Iiililiir Mllliiirrv. M. IrWfll'V T W. U SiiM'kh 'r J. 1''., Agent ('olli)Il (iiHiilr T- T- T T — Mth. C. M Liiiiihcr. — liniH. iV / ..liililii I'M l'"iv (i'lls. — M Tiiiloi. • ' l,lllll|lH. -- .1. iV Son .Maliii;.;iiiiy, clr. - .1 I'llillllT. — MiM. A. .1 Iti'l. Mi'ii'.s Fiinrir, I'l. I{ Sliitiiiiicr. .1. Iv .V Sun Wliul. Diii^rH. — It. M. A (u luliliiMH .li'wilrv. - If IIii,. I). Ci. -— .1. I'". iV Sun I'linli'iri. — iMiH. .1. S Kil. .MiHiiii-ry. — iV- (i Slum yiinl. — fi <'i> Siuik linikiiv. iV I. - l''riii;fcH, <■!(•. I''. W.. hV.'il. II, W I'lillllT liri'.s liiiiikii.s. ,1. .\ Cii oil, Suiqi, clc. .1' .Naval Sli T \ I |iliiilnlrrv Slii|) liiiikciM. II. 'I' ('"111. . iV T--- l!ci. M.n'n iMirii'K. |{ - - W . vi ... Aniliciiil l''l(p\vi'i-H. ,1. W I''iii iiiliirc. I) M. M Il.,i.-I. I) iv 1> ...Miilr.H. Scwiii- Mlll-llilin 'i'u|)M. . (1 |5p,,:< Iliil. I.i'iiilii T.H. 1I__ — ,1. iV Siiii. . . . \V ijlowwiii'i'. • I II tliu. N it ,V ( 'o.Slii|i|iiii^'iiliil < 'oiii'ii. 11 ,1 Iiri|>. AlcH, fic. . It ,1, 1'., .Jr. . .SIii|i|)iiiL' iiiiii < 'ciin'ii. t^ \ (',, ( 'JldClilillc. \| I I'i'iil. T A. IV , .lr..Miiil.lc Wniks. '1' ,M — Co l''oiiii(l( r.t' l''ilcillJ^'H. . V A U. K. HioLcr. . \V II. S \ <'o. .('olll'li I'lod. \V A.iV Soii,Slii|><'ii!Uiillir.-^. . W. !•; l'llotooTIl|iiirr. , M ,V IJi'oii liiipH. <'i;,fiir.-s ILIld 'I (illiU'CO. F Co. I>. .I.wrl, ,). A ^\ liiili Ihhii-. ('. K T.ii. .V I Cui.l. A. II . .I'l-uil r.rokrr. ,V, ( 'o liilllk l''l<. . (! iV Co I lard Willi'. . S \V. «S; Hon. .!Shi|il>in;C and Com'ii. \' 1! lilt. Mimi'm I'lirn'tr. V—— ,1. \ \dv;r. An<.|ilH. V — K \J — I'll lid I -I'm' 11 'ware. V .M (iro. \V !•' Walih .MaliiiiilH, clc. W \ C, llankciH. W- i;. .1. .V Co film- and Sand- papiT. \\ \\ .Mm! I'. Sii.''|MMidcrH. \V - !•'. VV I»|.liial lli.- I'rov. W .M. 1! I!. 1(. Sii|.|.lii;;. W T- .M Co. .MiiiiMs 'I'ooIh, cIi;. \N' M Ulii.'Sinnc. NV A. <; Diii^r r.rok'T. W H....liil. .Mrn'.s I'liru'i.'- (ioods. \V w. II, .\ Co ..Coal. \V II. .V (Son I'lanoforliv). \V C. C K.I. .Mi-u'h I'lirn'tr. \V Iv .l.iVCo .Mnlrf. Silk. W K J) Iron \V(jrk.H. • i 216 THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. S|' I Ik ' y l>l W J. 8 .Tinware. W .t ( t WinoH, etc. W a.B Excliiiuyo Broker. W ,1, A Liquors. W IMi'H. M. V IIoiiHO Furii'^'. W II. \V Jlnfr. 'I'riniinini(inors. - C. H liruHlies and ]?riHt'es. - (f. ]{ Irou BrokcT. -Mrs. .J. H Coal. -1' Oyster Saloon. - W. A Oils. - Bros. Co Carrin,f,as. - C & Co 'Government Sujiplies. -J Qro. and Liq. - Mrs. S. A Stationery. - & K . ..'rol)ncco and Ci1 t ■ -I 1 1 !« :i.s THE COMMEUCIAL AGENCIES. It i Hi r-r; r>EOOTvLYX K Y. iij i l»'i m A !Mrn. H Tolmrco and Cianvs. A_ — . J. & 1{ ,S])riiisr JliittrcsscH. A IM Fancy (ioixls. A I. \V ^Sfacliinif^t. A (' l/K|U(irH. A ]) l,i(|ii. Aniericnn V. & 15 U— — • Co. A T. W <'ro. A— — 1? Tailor and ('lotliin,ir. A & (•( 1). (J. A- J Hakcr, A— — .f. ]| ('o|i|iiTsiiiilli. ]\ AV. AV Aiiclionci'i-. 1! J:. H CiiriK'ta. n ,1 ]''aiicy (ioods. I! 15ro8 C'ai'ix'ts. I? S !>.<;. M_ 1. .S: ,) I'aiiiti-rs. U ]'. J Mcn'H Fiirn'jr. H ], LaiT'T Beer. 15 W Dnitrs. I! (J... rainier. |j_ W. J icwtlli T. ]]— — & ]\I r.iliiavuH and l/u|. I! J5 Clotliinii'. H S.,.li' Crockery. 15 MrH. .1. II SIio.fi. 15 K Baker. I] A 1). U.,etc. I) \- N (iro. 15 ('. & Co Awninj^s. 15 S. A Huts and Caj'f^- IJ iV C' I'lour ISIills. n 11. A Cro. 15 MrH. \V. a iMincy (ioodn. 15 Mrrt. A Millinery, etc. 15 ;Mrs. ]{. . . .Wonien'.s Cnderwcar. 15 MrH. ]S[. . . .Hats, Cajts, and Kiirn. H C. 11 Miifr. Straw (Joodn. 15 T. ,1 Boots and Slioen. 15 S. C. & Co ,Mi\fr,s. Dress 1'riniminffH. 15 & I; Paper Stock. 15 & D lirass FiiiiHliera. 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- c- C- c- c- c- C- c- c- - Mrs. P fJro. - iV 11- ClirfunoH. - M ^\ nironinkr. - .1 15re\ver. - iV Co ( 'oopers. - k S ^Infrs. ( 'arriajjes. - jV[ Si'ra]) Iron. - 1*. IF l,i 219 (• K. K. . ..Mnfr. Oil-Can SlopiMTa. (' J. E I'rcssrri, etc;. «• W. II TninkH. (• \V. 1' U. !•:. A^a•nt. I ' \V. A Fancy (Jood.s. (' '!'. 'a Sliipbuildisr. ( ' .1. II Foundry. (' • .( Fancy (Joodrt. «' — — (', 11 Ilousi! Fiirn'j,^ (ioods. (' F Teas, (.'ulTiM'.-^, t'U-. (' T. F. .\:('.. F'.'v (J. I) K I'riiilci-. 1) \V. II Sliirtnikr. 1) II ('r')ckci'y, ('t(!. 1) (iro. I) S- J;. F H.ioksand Stal'y. ]) I', 15 Si'wini; Machines. I) . !•; Sodii Water. I) C (iro. I) A. \V I'lCHtaurant. 1) I' Wajifon.s. 1) .1 Ihitrt and Cai).s. i> 'I'. (>. M HniKlin-. 1) . W I'.iiiider. I) \V. F Paints and Il'ware. I) |) Stai'r and Printer. I) ^.I, C Tailor. I) iV Co Soaim. I) 1 Stairl)niider. 1) W. 1', Mnfr. Hats. 1) 1) I-iqUorri. 1) I, Painter. I)- I.e. &Co 1). U. 1) 1. W Iii(]Uors. (i P Licpiors. U M (Iro. (! it S Crockerv. (j 1 Fancy and 1). (i. U iK; Co Pi.iiiii,--, G B. F Wasliljoards. (J P ■ V, Cu. (i Mrs. P I'aiicy (ioods. (i C. II l'"aiicv ( ioods. {J V.C .' Tail(n'. H II Fancv and 1). (i. II I >. I' ( 'arpets. 11 'i'. A BuiUler. H- H Hardware. II Bros Brassworkers. II J. M Books, etc. 11 Mrs. It F'ancy (ioods ami Millinery. II D Clolliini,-. II II. A (eweller. II 1 Saloon. H S I).(i. II II I). (J. II— .Mrs. (i. I''.... Bet. Fancv (ioiids. II 1 '.Tailor. II \V. .1 Mnfr. Skirls. II (i. A Painter. 11- (i. II. ...Mnlr. Children's Shoes. II Mrs. C Teas. II iV 15 Boofer.s. H- — P I-iqunr.s. II 1 Tailor. II .Mrs. i:. A Hairdresser. II II Turner. II II. P (iro. II L Tailin-. II 1. .V Co (iro. II S (iro. II- • W. i;. ^ Co Foundry. II H. II iV M ."Men's I'-urn'j.'. II P. \- Co I).(i. II U. B. vVCo Mntr.s. II T. M rpholstery. II J St^win;,^ Machines. 11- — — J Liipiorp. II J. C. iS: Co Stoves. II C. G Dressndir. II T Hats uud Cups. \ '^m 5 ill ill m I ■•at m if I ■J ill-'' %i r.j#T in m lift JnB r^ i un ril ' li |l 220 THE COMMEUCIAL AGKNCIES. -TT Mnfr. Sim,..'!. -\- V TiiiloiH. (' lircwir. E Uro. ]5i-()s Miirbli^ Work.s. (' Ciiriiuntcr 1111(1 Hiiildcr. ] i. v*c M Li vory. - H Cluinist. -('. M U.ioks. - W. K Mnrl.lo. - (i. II Fiincy Fancv (Joods. -& 11 Builders. -A Iii(iiiorH. - M riiiinber, -J. J Auction. - (1 ("oal. -E Builder. - P Drnirs. -]M. .M Millinerv. -N Tailor. - ISIisscri Fancy (Joodn. - A 1). Hotel. L (J. U Brewer. I II (Jro. L L (Jro. Ii I M Co. Ii P. & Co Painters. L T. C. i\: J. t; Saloon. Ii Ii Clothing;. Ii M Clothin).f. Ii JI Li(juor8. Ii S. B. & Co I>. G. McB 1. II Painter. McC Mrs. P (Jlass, eti-. McC M. C Hestanrant. Mcl> M Litiuor.s. MuE iS: ('o Boots aiul Shoes. McF J. Jr Boilermkr. McF T IIoo].skirts. Mi( ; A PliimlKT. .Mc( J S Fancv (Joods. Mc(J W. A Ship ("iiandler. Met i JI. J leweller. M,.(| J Builder. Mc( J J ClothinLT. McK T. II Hotel. McK F. & W Iii(iuors. Mclv V Iii(|uors. Mcli J. S Build.M-. .McM I'. iV Son Furniture. McM A I). (J. .McM Mrs. S 1). (J. M Mrs, I'' Boots and Shoes. M Mrs. .1 1.i(|uors. M J, T Tailor. M «V Bro (Jro. M- E. II Plumher. M . M S Tciis iiiiil Si)iccs. ^[ M Faiicv (iooiln. M U iS: Co Miifr.s. Hnii.l.-. M !1 Faiwy (ioods. M li. M Fiiiu'V (ioods. M 'I' "l/Kiuoi-.s. M C liiiililor. JI W I,ii|Uors. M & li Cotton Dealers. M & It l/K|Uors. .M T. II Fhmt.T. N U I'liiitcr. N A. A 1/kiu()I'.s. N A. I) Liijuoi's. X F (in). X iV S .Miifis. Shoes. X \V I''aiu'v iinil 1). (J. X X. T ■. . . Fainter. X 1 W . X .1. 1) Drii.irs. X \- F— — .Maeliinirit.s. X F. T Ihitter. O'l) F (iro. and !,i(i. O'X J. 11 Wireworker. O 1. W IIooiiskirtH. O F. \V Hat.'*, etc. O II. n I). . (i. F 1. U Mnfr. Hats. F 1) Window Shades. F Mrs. T. 11 Fancv (ioods. F .S: 11 Mnlrs. Soai>. i: W Carriay-e.s. U & Co Fruits. n- II- 11- n- u- u- 1!- 1{- U- 1!- K- J{- R- II- II- H- U- H- H- K- U- li- K- K- It- H- S- S— S- s — s — s — s — s — s — s — s — - C Cahinetnikr. - H. 1''. iV C l'a[perh;ul•J:in^•.^ and Faints. - Mr.'J. I. n liools and ShoeB. - A. F Carpenter, etc. -M D.ti. -.1 'i'ailor. - Mrs. S. 1>. . . .Slurts and Corsets. - C. I) Koolintr Materials. - ih'os itestaiirant. - C, W Cigars, etc. - F 15aker. -It Ciipiiersmith. -T Ihiilder. -\V Ihiilder. - .1. I'' Fancy Toilet Articles. -J.Ji Fainter. -.1. S leweller. - W. S liuilder. -T. W liuilder. - .1 Li(|uors. - il Fancy (ioods. - M Hoots and Shoes. - F Hats, (/ajis and Furs. - -' ( i ro. - .(. iV Co Furniture. - .1. II Men'd l-'urii'j^ (i. - A. It Hilliards. - 1^: Co Fuor Knohs. • .1 lirewer, - L I.V .M Furniture. - i:. A Drugs. ■ 11 Clothii'ig. ■ F Clothing. ■J Mnfr. Brooms. ■ .1 .Mouldings. - C Faperhangings. ■J t'arriayes and 1/ivery Sta!)le. ■ t Co Brewer.s. ■ B Boots and Shoes. • S Boots anil Shoes. ■ J. F Brewer. ■ H Contractor. ■ 1. S Li(i. and Billiards. ■ M Clothini:-. ■J. H Buihh'r. ■]•: Tailor. ■ J ('uth'ry. ■ .1. 1' Boxniaker. < t Fainter. ■ 15 Builder. ■C. B liuiMer. • Mrs. M. A lloopskirts, etc. ■ H. (i .Millwri<.'ht. B Boots and Slious. • Bros. . . .Itectiliersnnil Distillers. F Boots and Shoes. .1. F Dry Dock Builder. A Sashe.s. E, E (Jro. M it i ■ 1 m F I 1 ''f' t ' ■ • •■■'I \l 222 Tlir: COMMERCIAL AGENCIKS. s- H- S- S- H- H- S- S- s- s- s- s- K- S- S- y- H- K- s- s- s- s- H- H- K- S- T- T- 'i'- 'V- T- 'J- T- T- T- T- 'r- T- T- '['- T- T- T- U- U- U- U- V- V- V- V- -F.]? D.ff. ■0. II T<•a^^. li. 11 nriiiTH. ■ W Siiw Will. ■ II. S. iV^ i;. 11 'rriiimiinifs. • Si A I'liilirflliiiukrH. ■J l).(i. 1; (fro. -.1 ,l'limiii;,'Mill. ■ H S 1) Cii. . 15 s !•: W .1 (Jio. ■1'' Piiititcr. • Hr lloufio l-'iirirfT. .1 LiipiorH. T. \V Biiiid.T. - K. it Co 1). (i. ■M Painter. ■J. iV Hro Funiitiin;. ■ J Boots and Shoes. i'.Il Huts. V.V Pianos. ■K.J llatH. • P. J Wrouyht-Iron. Mi'.s. A. M Stovca. J Li(|iioi'.s. A. M Clothinij;. • jVlr.s. M Fancy (Jooils. ■ W. A Aui'tioiU'cr. J Foundry. ■ Miss M. . .Children's Carriaj^cs. ■ F. () Rostaurant. S. II Dentist. • J. (i I>nik. I'uckciH. U I Urkr. iiiul C'lotliiiifj. H A. M. &Co (ii-o. H 1 Wut.lios. (' \V Uoota uiid Slioi!.^. (• (iro. (" C S J5 t'o. (' AV Conl. (' M. L (iro. (' .1 Poultry, Fruit, etc. (' S & Co LuiuImm-. < ' IJroH Bk'g I'owdiT. (' J. & Son Piiino.s. C A. M Flour, <'ti'. C J' Coo|)nr. n & K Luiuhor. 1) U. C. &Co Clotliinj,'. 1) P & L IJoots !Uid SliouH. D .T. W. & Co. . . .Paptir-lianfjiu.ujH. K C. P. & Co liumb(u'. K J Gro., etc. l'' N. A (iriiiii. (i J. & Co Carriages, etc. (i i{. J .'..Coul. (i P. U Co])persiuitli. 11 W. & Co Oy.'^tern and Fruit. II J Furniture, etc. II &D IJav, etc. II (} Saloon. IL J. H Music Store. H .1. L. &C Lumber. J J (.iro. T;- L- 1.- .Mc Mc .Me .AI<: .Me Mc M- M- M- M- M- O- ()- P- I'- P- S- S- S- S— S- S- S- s- T- T- 'I"- T- '1'- V- \V w \v w \v w W- W- w — If. V. U., .Tr rientw' Furn'g. — I .Millinery. — .1. W Car|)enter. .\ C Tailor. C I"' I'^ating lioii.sc. I) 11 Carriages. I) liios 1). (ids. K P. H. iV Co Caudl-'.H, etc. K iS; Co Flour, (Jraiii, etc. J. W I'.iliiard Saloon. liro.s Oro. tJ Til] rH. fi'V Coni'n. IJ I), ({. — (r Clothing. — ]•: I), (i., t;u-. — .1 C<)ntract(U'. — i\: .McL Coal. r. A I), (i. — F. A Builder, etc. — P Tailor. — II. 11 (iuns, etc. — HroH CahiiietiukrH. — C iS: Co Lumber. — S & \V Tobacco. — & II Pai)er,etc. — U. it Co Silver-plated Ware. — M r.H. M Fancy (ids. — W Drugs. — & W Cai pets. — C. II Physician. — L & Co \Vheels. — C. C. & Co Drugs. Mrs. .1. M DresHUikr. S. F Flour, (.iraiu, (sic. «' Carpets. ,1 ( i ro. , etc. P. II Doors, etc. W. M.iVCo D. (i. W. II. it S(Uis Watches. A .Whol. (iro. W. P Provisions. 11 MouldiuK,- Sand. tlj ALT3ANY, K Y I i [Ti> 111; CI)XTI.NUi;i). 224 THE CO.MMKUCIAL AOEN'CIEa. ATLATsTA, (I A. H\ A J. W Pliintcr. A 1. W. i^ ('. !•' Niir.-i TV. A W..I I'laiitiT. A W. C I'laiitfr. A •!. S St<»vrH, <'lc. A II. \V I'liuitcr. li 15 (in.. 15 J. \V i'iniitcr. H \V, It I'riiit.T. 15 ('. 1'' .Mti.Hic. 15 I*. 10 (irna-r. J5 MiH. F. M I'luiitcr. 15 ('. 15.&('() (in.. 15 k (I A^[n. ]i J. H (icii. Ston-. ]t ,1. ].; (in,. 15 K Fuiicy (i(lH. 15 (i. A (i.ii.'Ston'. 15 iV I) L'kjuoih, etc. (' F. M Pliii.Ktr. (' W. T (in.. (• (i. W l'l:iiit. II. & A. W.lJoots and SIioch. V W I'laiil.r. y & K I'lmiihciu ¥ .1 I'laiitir. (i S Plant. r. (j| W. II IMantcr. [to li; l a W & Co l\f M.^ic. fir. II T. J (in..,ilr. II (>. !■'. iV A. F C.im'ii, (If. .1 M. \V Ag'l Imi-lts., etc. .1 .M. \V. iV lin. Conrn, etc. .1 I' I/K|ii()r.s. h W. !5. A: Cn C'loiliiiiK. L I, D.O. I J II I''i.iin(lry. I, r. II I'larit.T. McC |{. I' I'hinlcr. McX \V. iVCo .MillH. M iV .1 Liiiiilicr. N 1) (i nicer. O'N J (iidcci'. () |>. Ji I'lantir. () F I'laiitir, I' iv W Iii'.'^taiifaiit. I' F iV Cu 1). (i. V W. !{., Jr., iV Cu (In.., I'tc. n A. .1. K. !• I'laiit.r. |{ (i. (• Sad.llci'. U I.C (in.. S ('. II. iV Co Cotti.n likiH. S I I'lant.T. S J. M (in.. S A. S IMantir, T .V. J l)ni;,^H. V K Mill.r. W J. li l-'niiiitiin'. \V iV C Stk. Yaril. iTlNLliU.] m Wi •niV. SVSTKM KXl'OSKD, I Miinic, ftr. . .ni;,fH. Miller. . l-'iirnitiin'. .Stk. Yuril. AUlUJTiN, N. Y. A- A- U- H- H— H- D- - A -H. II ■('. S., Sr... • UriiM. .t {,'<). • (;. I' ■ & Sdii M &i H SIlDCH. / I»- . Slovcs, etc. I 1>_ 1'- I'- ri». 10. I). I) — a J I) ,sis M- .M M- I). <: A. H.. W. 11. . 1' — ( '„. -KH'n D. Al. k (V l-'ir,-'. .MucliiiiiMt.s. Mill.T. . .DiKtill.TH. Urn. . M ilwiiri'. . MM ware, .<..MnfiH.'<''()ri',Hiu.|!lTH \'i ^''ft^T. AirnUH. '^'•"- "^ >'• A Milliner. '! (Jn.. ,, Jioot.H and SIicc.h. V iV i. 1), „^ [to he co.vtim.'ki lili w m ^u i ■■ 226 THE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. >i:- , BALTIMORE, MD. A W. II. k Co Oyster Packers. A T & Co Aiii'tioncors, ctr. A E D. G. American F I Co. ■;■■■' ^■ ■ & D Fiirnitiiro. • M Notions. ■ J. J Provisions. C Shoes. ■ S Wines, etc. • a. \y Hardware. (i Brewery. ■ J Brewery. & 11 Gen'l Com'n. ■ & B Furniture. J Shoes. ■ J Slioes. ■ j.». (f Tobacco. .&H Tailors. II Liquors. W Foundry, etc. .] Books. B. & Sons Whol. Slioes. B. P Books, etc. J Coaches. (f. II Paint.s Oils, etc. V. II. &,I Silverplater.-^. W. C Urocr. k Bro Slioes. L iV Co Oysters. C Uros. iS: Co Druo-p. C- C- c- C- c C- C- <"- A- B- B- B- 1?- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- C- C — V- C- C- C- C- c- H (iro. & W F'cy (ids. ■ I'l ,1 Lumber. - 11 i\: Co Founders. ■P. n Broker. ■ T. F.&C(. Gents' (Ms. ■ li. B Hotel. ■ .^:T Boilers. (J. W Mnfr. Cotton Bats and WaddinjT. • & Co Stoves. T, K Lqr.s. (}. W. M Shoes. J Periodicals. J Whol. Lqrs. , etc. & Co Books, etc. D- D- D- D- E- F^ E- F- F- F- F- ]<^- F- G- (}- ({- G- G- (J- G- (i- G- II- II- 11- II- H- 11- II- II- II- II- II- II- .1- K- K- K- K- K- K- K- L- li- -.1. W Ildware. -J. F. W Stencils. - F. F. & Co.Drugf^ists' Sundries. - J. O I). G. -C. L &Co Gro. -& B Saw Mill. - J. K. & Co Boots, Hats, etc. - S. A. & Co Oysters, etc. -J Millinery. - S Stov(^s. -H Baker. -M. L Plumber. - N.. . . Junk. - & B Mirrors, etc. - Sons & Co Cotton Duck. . (' c Co. - S , Tavern. - .1 Silverplater. -II. T. &T Com'n. - Bros. & Co (iro. -H. C Distiller. -J Iini). and Com'n Fruits. -I Clothinl,^ - A. ^ I5()()k.s, etc. - ('. B. & Co (jry -l'r"« Cigair. - I{. & Sons Criu-kcrs. ~ '[■ '^ I''iirnituro. "'', <>'ro.,('tc. - \^ '*■'<'" Tailors. ~ •'1 Hoop Skirts, etc. -•j; ^ <^'" A^niiicy. " !' • Shoes. ~ '^ "''"' l'iilierliann;infrs. - '^••^' '^i'" Clotlis. - A. iV- Sons (jj.,,., ete ■^ JI D.(J.,et<-. ''' Shoes. ~ ^ ' Carriages. iV (v Jjros MkigH. Y Brewery. A. B. & ( 'o Stock Broker. -'^- "■'^^ ^'" Com'n Liiiuber. ^/- '«''"'"- '; "• '^' < " Clothing. ^ ^,-; D.u. !, \ ■ y Furniture. 2 '• V l-'vcry Stables. S A. A: rioii Turners. s=?>:s:;;:::;;;::::::::::^"£ Madiinist. I'reservcs. liOatiier. ,p , ,, Lumber. ,\: -^ ^' Hatter. ^^. {' D. (i. ,\. ^\ Furniture. ^^ ' Junk. . . .Steel and Iron. ('lothing. ,,, Clothing. ^' Brcwerv. T - S (J '[' -W . II.... '1' N. k Co. . '1' L- .\: ( Jir [to i;:: co.ntinuec.] t: hi 'S TiJK COMMLlUAIi AGKN'UIK.S. BAIS^GOE, Mil ^iii •■ Hit V- &f^-— -. M 1? II (i B, n — & ('• T Sc f'li .('loili AT i. F . A'lotl -Co. lO.S. & 1 ) '. JI 1.1111 t K T> & Co . .< 'Olll'll iuul F . I^Ulll I !<' . ...Mil linory, ]. A ( !. W Proil.. iccit,'^, etc. Ill^r. (in), lour. (iro. etc. J. A. .^: ('. V l,\lllll)('r, etc. Liiiiihcr. M- O . iV- \^nn S. & Co. . . . \' Ililw ...M.Mlic i. w tr - :. A I J (iro and Linii J Jill V T iV ( V. t jllllllx'T i. Vu k Co.. . . . . 1" "niit, L. W . .Mad 11 11 [. M liUIU ; I, . . .Uro. . ]>,! . .11 , C . .... L)i 111 V ..N ivi'aition. aro ibcr. (i ro. etc. ibnr. ibcr. i-ti-. ctr. lerv. otr. Dtcl. cU 1). . F'cv (jds, , ctr [to r.i: foNTiM.:::).' !)'!? f I THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 221) r>rNGTiAMTO]sr x. y. iff .-. •^ '^ S'poctiliitor. •\ <'l' Ildwaro. 15 () [J (•„. " )^ (iio. \] /' Bitters. » ]'■ -\ JowoUer. ]^ •' Woo]. ", 'I <' Dru^rs. '- > O ,V Co Paper. D- D- I.- L- M- ()- ()- ()— !•- \V- -I' Grist MillH. -K K Gro • Bros. & Co IJoots and Slioc^. ■I''- '' Liquorn - ^'' I* Physiciiin. II. 15 Huildcr, i:u:. ^y HuildiT, Coni'ii Oils. H ^^.J. &Co Shoes. B U OiK 1^ '^I Ma.sou. 15 •' Shoos. 15 "t H Uubbcr (Joods B & I! iiatH. etc 15 &1! Oils 15 B KhoO FlKJ.rf; 15 W. I!.\-Co Spices. 15- < '• ' > Contractor, I r. F. Lumber J5 (,-- __ ^v- c, Storago, etc. j! •'• I' • . . Japaiiner. ; -J ('lothiuLr. u •,'■*• ''^' ^"" Clothing. |5 & 'I' ■ CiirrierH. 15 'i' ,v W Fumitt.re. 5 (' k Co. . . .Tailors' 'IVin'-s. |5 •!• I' nothiiur ' '•^' 15 Ciilinetiukis. J5i)ston C S -Co. Boston I) Co. . . . ;. .Kancy Goodr^. Boirtoii F ( 'o. I Ml i im ■ill ! ml i ; i'-' I! t- t 230 '.'HE COMMKRCIAIi AGKNCIKS. Bofiton M P Co. Boston R :M . J} n & ('.) Millinery. B k L Ciirpcntcrs. \i J. & Co Shoea. B (i & Co I'iiintrt, etc. \i 'J'. (' Ijiquor.s. B T. 15. .V (' Tninks. B O. I. IViUiuril Tables. H J. B. & Co Com'n. « n. &Co Clothing. B (!. M Stoves. B H. T Inmcy Gwnh. B 'J' Iii(]uore. B B. & Sons lirokora. IJ J Shoes. B V. &i C SimiUware.s. B & B Machinery. J} s & .M A—. B & S T.c.ntlier. V M. S Shoe Blacking. (' J. B (ihisswuro. (; F LiiiiiorH. C J liDoUseller. C IJ. B Tin Cann. C V Gro. C. X. ]) Ciil f Bts. *.' C. & Co StoveK. <1 C. II. & Co Tolnu-co. C U & Co '. A.& Co Shirts. - \V. 1). it Co Boots. - & 11 Liquors. - S iV Co Curriers. - O. L Li(iuors. - & Co Woollens. - S & Co Navy Shirts. - 1). F. & Co Li(iuois. - J. P. & Co Firebricks, etc. -M. J Hotel. -O. & Co Tallow, etc. - H A Co Sniallwares. - Mrs. J. (j Cor.sets, I'tc. -I. S Tailor. - & 11 I'at. Sponge Bed- ding. - K. & Co Fish. - A. iV Co. . . Crockery, etc. -J. H Distiller. - S. \ Baker. -S. X. it Co Butter. -A P— — Co. -F &- Co Fish. -it (i Chemical Engs. - K ■ it Co Chandlers. -A Shipwriglit. - P- \ Co Woollens. - B. J Shoulder Braces. -J. & C Flour. - W Wool. - it Bros Crockery, etc. - it Co Furniture, etc. - F Furniture, etc. - H. V.'. it Co Men's Furn'nr. - V. E. & Co Coni'n Wool. - F it Co Shoes. - M Co. T]IK SYSTEM EXl'OSEU. 201 II A. it Co Doors, etc. II H & Co .Mi'ii'8 Fiirn'g'. II ]?ros. iS: Co. . . . HoDtH und Slioos. H F A: Co Lciitlicr. II \V. 1> Wool. H C k ( 'o Clicmictilri. II & 1} NN'oiuen's Collar.'!. II I'. H. \- Son Luiubi'r. II S. I/. i\: Co Machinery. II S. S IJootH, i-t'c. II M. C. A- Co Fiinrv P. G. II K. \- Cci \\'ulclic.s. H J. A Triin'g.i, etc. H W &C Co. H Bros... . Huttoiiliolo Macliinca. II C. a. & Co <)rf,'aiis. .1 1) tS: Co Bookhiudcrs. .1 it M — - U. E. Brokers. .1 U it V Hats. .1 T. L Ajtothecary. .1 \V. II. it C(. Piuno.s, .! C it Co S. Machinos. .1 II. M. it Co Iron. .1 & n Iron. K .1. (i. .Ir (iro. K K. J Boots, lite. K N Liiiiiors. K & I) Leather. K & J Boots, etc. li J Boilernikr. L 1 (Jro. li it II Carjx'ts. li \V it Co Men's Fiinr it C< Co. -J. .1 Flour. - F it Co Hats, etc. - T. S. it Co Slioes. - & B Brushes. ■ Bro.it Co Steel. - C. H. it Co Iron Works. -S. H. L Planing Mill. - ( J. it Son Leatlier. - .1. & Co Junk. -J < 'hocolate. - tj Co. - 11 Co (iranito. - S it Co () riudstones. - Ij. it Co Clothinu;. - it Co Metals, -(1. H Clothing. W. A Heal Estate. II it Co Lumber. J. P. it Co Provision. L it (i P Co. S Builder, etc. M Co Furniture, etc. (i Co (ilassware. - U, F. it Co Leatlier. ■ I? it Co Books. - Mrs. J Millinery. - Bros, it II Paints. - E. Il.it Co Produce. - Iv Clothinjr. - it*Co Coiu'n 1). ("oin'ii, etc. B lU'os Whol. Jewelrv. B N Clothier. B J Lumber. B A. Sou A <'((. . . .llata. Boots and Sliocs, etc. B Bros Saloon. B k Co Saloon. B \V. C Hotel. B C. S. BroH Tolmcco. B iS: F — — Clothing. B :M. a Bricks. B jM. W Hell. Furniture. C J Coal. C T Files. C W. a Tin, Copper, etc. C J. A.^ Co G. S. C J. A. & S & Co I^api-r, etc. O J U.K. Agt. 1' & <• Bolts and Niit.s. 1' J. & Co lloctitiers. P 1. II D. G. P F P J-; Co. 1' S. ;.s. S A Brewery, etc. S & Co Fruit, Game, etc. S J. F. & Son Leather. S 1 Planin-r Mill. S F Buildi;r. S & Co Meds., Perfiiniery, etc. a- S- s- H- H- S- S- S- S- S- s- ']'- T- T- T~ IJ- U- V- V- \V- W- \V- W- \V- W- W- W- (>. E. . ..Jewelry and Silverware - A Gro. ■ H (iro. •&H I..ir.s, l>r. F. (i Oculist and Aiirist. .1 Broker, etc. F. J (iro. •I. F Sliipiiinii;. Mrs. M. & Son Cabtnikri--. .1. N. & Co Clothin^r. Uros Machinists. H Dining Sal. ■ (i. II. & Son Coal. .1. K Hotel. F. D. &H Hotel. - C Variety. . I) 1) (o. ■ V J Lumber. H & H Variety. -A (iro., etc. -J Jeweller. - J. I). & Co Posters. - I'^ Butcher. - & B Engravers, etc. -& T ' Gro. - P Lounges, etc. - & U — — Cattle Oealerri. m [to UK COXTINUEt.. I3UPtLITNGTON, IOWA A- B- j}- B- B- B- B- B- C- D- G- - i^' Co G rocers. -T. \V. &Co Whol. Hoots. -A Brewer. - I Co. • ( . J Newspaper. - W Oil Broker. - W. it Co (irain. - I). B Match Mnfr. - J-M-^ Coal, <-tc. - W. E & Co Shingles. -J. S Heal Estate. -Mrs. E. M .Millinerv. -VV Buildrr, etc. -H Ciirai-s. - G. & Co L(|rs. - J. <& Co Carr'g Fcty. O N. P Painter. (J s &C:o 1). (i. G C Hotel. (• H. & Co Bookbinders. G W F \V . II M Candv Mnfr. 1! iS: S ; .'. .1). (i. I T— Co. J VV Stationery. K A. . . Clot'iino-, (>tc. K G Sloves, L— P Lqrs. M Bros (iro. M & Sons Builders. M I \v Fndry. M D Gro. u 11 ' 1.1 I •!' ^i \ \% i i'. 234 o- ()- 1'- T- I'- l{- S- THK COMMERCIAL AGKNCIKS. • y(! Stuffs. 15 1), it Son Harness. 15 it .M Lumber. 15—— (' Contractor. 15 J. it Co (inns, etc. C W H'dwaro. V l5ro.s lU-al Instate. C A. .1. it C.) Bricks. C & l{ Coni'n. C L. 11 Loan Bkr. C F \\ C I B Co. (' it N I{ ^Co. ('_ ;{ (' Co. C S ( '<). C s— it I) Co. C- — S., .Ir CloUiinp:. C S. 1)., Jr., it Co l''jif,n'avors. C A. 15. it Co Carria. (i. . . . l.Timl"'!' . . .liiiiiluv lilcldlH, fie. . .riotliinjr HaslicH, <'1<'- D. (i . . .'ro'-nceo. rcwery, «'t('. \(lvrrtiH'mj,'. <'iii(l Stiiii'l. ;. ()])friUor. .Furnitiirt'. .11(1 Notiiins. 111. L'uniorH. ifdilintr, etc. * lUul SllOOH. (iiv . . .'riinn(M-j. l'ii]ifr-liniio<)i«, etc. uro l''i: nies. . . .t'ldtliinir- , . . .Liinilicr. 'oiii'ii (.ifiiin. 'hininjj: Mill. 'loihiiitt.ctc. k Miu'liiiu'H. ,\Mi()l. Cini. .(h'uin, etc. Itiinil. IMwiirc, etc. loi. Tobiicco. Loan Ukv. 'ig Iron, etc. s and Sliocs. . .l'",l('vator. - Co. Co. ;t and Hotel. ...HaUery. . . .Hanker. Mercliant^:. Klonr, etc. oollen ]?i>gH. ]). U. .. .Ih-ickh-. {(i[M! Mould- in _ (J \V Co. (' ,1. S. \' Co. . . Ilorlicultiirists, etc. (; I', ^, Co Mnfrs. Shoes. (' i;. 0^'; Co ijumlii^r. (" !■'. .\ l)nij,'s. D— 15 I' S & K Co. I) 1. A. rV Co. . .Ovsters, Fi.sh, etc. 1) ■ W. &('o ". Spice .Mill. I) & .\ Whol. and Hei. •Music, ete. ]) K. M (li-o. and Tobacco. 1) (f. T Whol. ..Jewelry, etc. ]) li Hooks, etc. I) 1). H Uan,i;es, et<'. I) 1. T. iV Co ...Coal. 1) W (iro. H E.V I'aint. F & .M Paperhan;rinjrs. F ( ). B. & Co Pork. F li. &. Co I'rod. and ( 'oin'n. F A Dru"H. w m m :':\> n- t;'! I';-.; ,ii. 1111 ^l^ 288 TlIK COMMKUCIAL A(iKNCIi;.-'. V A. a. W. A: Co Tol). mill ("Iflr. 1.' r. \V. \ (• Com'n. F 11. II. i\i Co Coiii'ii luid Cdul l''.li'V(itor. F 1) Cmrkcr Hiiluny, V K. ,1. & Co Hoots mill SliniH. F .1. I'\ & Co, .Slici'iiskin TmiiKTH. F \V. H. & iJro Slii'i'pHkiii Tmiin'rH. F 1 Miifr. I'lipiT Ci.llars. F n. ^- \V Clolliin^'. F I. <' Saw Mill mill IjiinibiT. (.1 J Kiiiicy ( iooil.s mill Si'liool IJooRh. 1 Colli. (J 1. iV- W Iloti'l. (i .1. 11. iV C I'ork I'lickcih mill Coiii'n. 1) Coni'ii .Mcr. II & Co. . . .Com'n Mi^rH., vie. (}- (J- (»- G- (J- (1- (i- (1- (J- O- a- (j- G- G- II- II- II- II- II- II- 11- II- II- II- II- H- n- II- II- II- II- II- II- IT- I- J- -II 'rubucco and (^i^^avH. -& W ClotliinjLf. - & Co W'inf'H anil Liq. -J Gro., Fri'il, et(!. - C. C Coni'n liiinilKM". - M Clii^ap Notions. - P. . .' Fancy GooiIh. - W. i\: Co Hcllin;r miistillt'iri. 1(1 Stiit'v. . ...n.)i."i. ml Atcfiii. . . .('oiu'ii. v'fds mkI ['1 Iniiilt.^-. (Iro. I(l*'rH, rtc. 1(1 lioofiiiK MiitoriulK. (J. S. Silk lliils. .Distiller. \i HrokiTs. riiicliiiii'i'v. . . . .II(i|is. ■nl KHtiitc. iV (Idods. 1111(1 Flii(,'?<. ;itli(!r, fic. jlioilH, ftc. llot.l. . ..hiwcln-. .(liislitt«"r. mid Shot's. II <■". |(1 C'iiri)t!ts. imd Clips, iiid SIkx'h. .Clothiti}^. hoi. I), (i. .Lmiihcr. luid Soda )()k Piih'r. . .Huiklcr. 1. and Het. DriigH. nh-ti. Lead Pi]).-. ,Io\vollt'I•^'. A'liol. (iro. lachinery. 1. I'ainiK. . .Com'n. 1. lji(|uors. liOathoi'. iirniturt-. iiiloi'H and Stat'ir. p, Tin, etc. . .Pub'r. icy Qoodf . 1. and Uet. Clothing. \- .V- N- N- N- ()- ()- ()- <)- i'- 1'- !•- I»- !•- 1'- ]•- I'- !•- U- 11- U- 1{- 11- II- u- u- li- u- S- s- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- S- - II. (i. i^: Co Piildlshiii),-. _ K S .M Co. - C. A. k Co Whol. Drii^H. - II Pork. - \' II I'ork PackfTH and Com'n. -!•'.. I Hotel. - J. iV Hon liiipior.'^. - (}. I'. & Co Aliifr.s. Scalinj,' Wax. - W. fi *'<) Icwflry. - Mror*. iSr (.'o 'I'ranrtft!!' Orna- nii'iitH. -.1. 11 Pulj'r. _ I) s Co. - L. it <'o . .. .I'Moiir and Coni'ii. - M I'H. M. >I Not ioiiH. - M Co Fiirnitiiri'. -M Ilol.l. -& S II. I{. SllI)lllifH. - \V, & Co MraHH WorkH. - 'I', (f. \ Cci Tin and Siatu Koolillfr. - .\. A W'liol. lji(|iiorH. -- .), M .Miifr. Cij^'arn. - Hros. & Co. . .\\ iiol. Fancy (iro. - C. I-; Hilts and Ca|).H. - F. .1. ilv: MroH Cliair I'actory. - J. (f Mcr. Tailor. -.V P T C . - 15. H Com'n, Tailor and i). U. _ \V Co. - (i. I i.imc, Cement, etc. - Tj. II. iV Co Salt, Urain, etc - ,1, F Printer. - \V. II. & Co Whol. ami liet. Hiit.s and Caps. - (' Fancy (iood.s and Paper- liangintTH. - C AVliol. Iii(iiiorH. -i\: II Whol, Till ami Fiirn'f^ (iood.s. - F • & Co ^Vhol. LiqiiorH. - A. & Co Maltsters' and I5r(!\verd' SiipplieH. - & A < i ro. - J. T. & Co llattors and I'lir- rier.s. - J. W. & Co Iron Uridines. -A Boots and Shoes. - A. L Piih'r. - L. 1) Printer. - F. & Co Com'n Mers. -J.&J. &Co WHiol. I). O. - V Whol. Boots and Shoes. S — S— s- s- s- s- S- H- S- S— s- S- S— S— S- T- T- T- T- T- T- ']'- T- 'J'- T- T- T- r- ^v- ^v- w- w w- W- \V- w W- \v- W- \\- \\-- \V- \V- w \\- W- w- .1. A I), (i. !i. N. iV Co Whol. < 'aiidies. W. H. \- Co hoitery. i^ Co < 'oiu'm. K S Co. H. W. it Co I'iil)'rH HookM. .1. A: Co Ii^welrv. {• I». (i. iV N . . . .Saw .Mill and Liim- her. NV. II. . . .Cnr[)(Miter and Builder. .1 1''erlili/er^. F. \' Bro WJKil. Iii(piors. I. P. \ Bro Wliol. Clo.. etc. T Pork and Beef Packer. . & (' Wliol. Conrir. I) ■ ('. S < "ill. J)- ■ M iJn'Wi r. r. I. Wlidl, Iwiiils and li'-t. < i I'l. ■Mrs. ,M. < '. .. liooKs !u;il NotiunK. (i. ('. .V Co I 'oil; I'arluiH. ■k Co Wnoil.-h .Mill. • C. If. iV Crooiii'<. .11 ,VCo. . . .Mid.s, I'.-lt^, ctr, (I- - I'.io-* !io(ik.- .MnfiH. Stuv(! .loiMliii'' MacliincH. .\. .Cro'k Iv !•; — |.; |.; .1 .1. W. V. .W'liol. Liq and \'ini".rHr li. & SoiiH \Vh(d. Coal. •ry. .I..I Miok.T. r . liooi and SliMi; Mkr. C. II. ,V Co ;"^lonf (iiiiurv. N - ■ i*;;Co Ay'l lu)\,\i^. J. \- C, I'j.'iniin.r.^ and Wall- paprfr. A; S Ihffd wan:. MrOH \V llol. l,ic|l|i;|H. C <'o. A i'linfi-.is and I'nh'r.y. ' > -Saloon. .\I — ( ■,, '••I reel l.ainp^i. W. i'\ it Co W Im.I. Conf.-c. iV \V- — <•.,:•!. .1. I' Colli, (HO. and Salo. S. II. .V l>. I' Wl.ol. l.i(lno;^. 'i' l.'iidfTtakiT. .1. 11..^ C„ MnfiH. (Ji-oii)id ( 'o(T('v.-i and SpiccH. A. II. iV Co. . . ..Mnl],^. I)ni(.'-;,'isl!J. I— — \\ Macliininf..M. .J. ll.i'c A. H Ciiirk.T and ISisrnit HakciB .J lioolcr. .1. i''.; Co I). S-- M (• Co. T- M C iV Co Pliinit)in;;, ,. : \V- P T & P Co. i \V V \V. K Claim Aj^ent. j VV- P II. O Saltx.ii. I W P- II. O..V<'o liilliardSuUjon, j W- It J. .1 Cooperajre. i W- K II i^: Co. . . I'laniiijf and ShhIi I V- Factorv. I A . . . iV A A . . . J ' — I A.&(i. 1).(J. . .Iron and (ien'l Coni'n. (jiro, ( ■(.. . . W'liol. and I{et. Fancy (Joods and .N'. & Co Pai)cr, — C Browor. ■■4.,., , [to be I ONTI.M.KI),] 2-12 'IIIK COMMKltClAI, AGK.NCIKS. cotjimp>t:s. o. A A Jfrwolrv iitid Clotliiri^r. A I>. I' .' DiiitfK. A — S. A: Co ri.,il,iiitr. A tV F Clot hi 11^'. A .1 Sliito Uoofcr. I A I', li. iV ( 'o C(,i ui'rcH, Stoves, iiii'l 'I'iii. li I,. M. .V,c,, MiHiiKiy. H .J Miifr. Cif(!iiH. 1? K. (V II. K Ciiiriii^^iuiikrH. |{ ,v II . . . Whol. (iro. imd Mcj. ( ,' A Li: III her. |m.,.,|. V Mr- 11 C|.,iiiiM{r. a 11. C (in.. a ,1. 1/ .Mnlr. I'IomkIim, <:U: . J. A < Ir.lllillf,'. . , I'ic. C J. N I'lioto. Mal.Tial'*. f-' •' lioiltH (UI(1 SIlDCH. '' < ' 'ii'iit'.s Fnrii'if (iiind.H. f' — M. 15 I'"uniit lire. (y — it S — ~ liicjiiorH. (■ J. k S((ti (Jro. I) .Mrn. |{, ).; lliiir(i.Kyatli(r and Findings. - ( ' D & D ( '.(). - I Co. -.). V. &Co D. a. -15 O 1 . - 1) Brickvurd. -J.G Piii)'r. - & K Mnfre. Turbinn Water Wlic.'Is. - & M Mnfrs. Tools. . i^c II TailorH. - C. M. & Co. . . .Mnt'rs. Extension Tables. G Boots and Siioes. I), a. & Co... Woollen Fnctorv. Huts. F— G — G— G— G— G— G— G— (i— G— (J— IT- II- II- H- ■J. L K K. . . .1, & l}ro Pub'rrtMnfic. (J. II Drngs. (J. II Saloon. F Boots and Sliocs. & D Builders and Car- jienters. J. S.&Co Whol. Drugs. ■ V Saloon, etc. iV B Liverj'. II. C. & Bro WLol. (jiro. and Li(]. W. ]Sr Confer., etc. J Wajjonmkr. ■ T Carpenter. Bros Whol. Millinery W. (} Gro. ■ W. A Agent. A. W Children's Carriages and Baj-kets. -I B. & R., Hats and Caps. -J. B Saddles and Harness. - (i. P (iro. • W Speculator. 11 W^ Tailor. II A. II Drug.s, etc. II Miss It Milliner. I II & II . .Mnfrs. Iron Bailings. II & H M Co. H II Gro. H W. II Clothing, etc. H B. E Notions. 11 Bros Lumber. H B. H. &Co Lumber. II Z. T Drugs. II J Trunks, etc. II W. S Auction, Com'n and I). G. H W ...D. O. J 1. T Hotel. J L. B. & Son Leather and Findings. J II. II.. .WHiol. and Bet. Liquors. K K. S Mer. Tailor. K W. & Co Hopemkrs. K J Boots and Shoes. L J Furnitun>. L 1. T Hotel. I & B Mill. L C. P Gro., (;tc. L W Saddles, etc. L 15 Clotliiiig. L II Tree Agent. L A Stoves anil Tin. L Bros Whol. I'liinls, Oils, etc. L ,1. () Bool.- and Shoes. I (i. 15. & Co.. .Mnfrs. Table Slides. MeC & W (iro. Mcl> & F Marbli workers. Mi'll A. . . .(,'arpentir and liuililer. McS D. E. & Co Mnfrs. Grain Drills. M & Ij Whol. Liipiors. M 1. .L.Mnfr. Baggin-, Miller, etc. .M 15 Mnfr. Brushes. M G (iio. and Saloon. .M S (iro. .M ^V (jiro. and Liq. M W Hii.ker. M N Moni.'v Liiider. .M II. & Bro Mnfrs. Hakes. N G Pub'r. N E (ill)., etc. N A leweller. O'N & D Coin'ii Ml IS. and Li af Tobacco. O M Bet. Furniture. O P B. and S, II. & C. P P Machine Agent. P II. F -. Flour and Feed. P O. G. & Co D. (i. H & Sons Hides and Furs. H F & Co Mnfrs. Cigars. H J Whol. and Bet. Books, etc. H & D Photo. Materials. THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 215 U- S- S- S- S- S- «- s- - J Buildorand I'luning Mill. - Drug's. -<' IJ. iiiul S., Hul.H and t'ajj^. l^r- W. li Patent Meda. T- '1- W- W- W- W- W- Z— - »• (' Mnfr. Rakes. " !• ^i Stove.H, etc. -H. F D. (J. - ''■ 15 Nursery. -J. II Marble. -A Oro '.md Saloon. - !^ ( i ro. A Uruit-s. 1 \\ {to be C0NTIJH7ED.] DETsTVER, COL. .\ s. &^Son flothint,--. A II. E Com'n E^'ks. (^te. 15 J Hutcher. 15 & II Curriaj^e I'aintens. ^ M. A Restaurant. <' W. J Carpenter, etc. (' VV. ]). & Bro Stock Dealer.^. C E BlkMuth. C (". S (iro. ^' A Jeweller. <■ F Builder. E Mrti. B Millinery. F 1 Stock Dealer. F— f Clothing, etc. F J. If Dru^s. F & Bro Si)orting (Mh. *.i Bro.'i (iyrt G 1M> .'..Saw Mills! <^ J Pawnbroker. n M (iro. II B Tailor. II & B Clotliin-. II Bros Soap, etc. II J. 11. &Co Tailor.'^ I'^ t'. .\. & Co Stationery, etc. 1' >-^ A Citrars. M L.M Il,.tel. -'^I A I'niiits, etc. '^I J- M IIub.s and Felloes. M J.w ^ Il,„el. <-> J. B Stairliiiilder. I' Mrs. E Milliner. 1' w. U. & Co Transfer. li M.l (Jun.s. *^ ■!. W Jeweller. ^ 1' Stock Dealer. ^ CM Li(|. and Tobacco. ^ •! Confc^ctioner, etc. ^ 'I"- II- & Co. . . .Flour and Com'n. f'' F- K Pajier. •■^ Mrs Ilai r ( i„„ds. ^^' Bros D. (J., CIolllinf,^ etc. ^V 'V- W IManinjr Mill. \y~~.h II Publisher. ^V \V. A Tobacco. [TO liE CONTINUED.] i 1 •■ Mil W M 240 Tim COMMEUCIAL AGRNCIES. X)ETROIT, MTCH. & Q Coiii'ii. S ll'tlwarc. (.', 'robaccoH. J'i. Ijiimlicr. iV M JiUmlMT. .1. 15 CoiitriicltT. IJ 1. .Hotel (1- ('- C- V- v~ ('- (.'- <"- (•- ('- (;- D- ])- ])- D- D- D- ])- 1-J- K- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- F- (i- (i- U- A Boots mid Sliof.s. & 1' (iruti'S, ftc. P. P CoiilVc. k (i 15(M)k8, etc. ■ IJroH (ilo. & K 'i'ninUs. 11. 15 Dru;rs. ■ P Brewer, ele. M Broker. N Notions. T. &('. (iro. ('. & SoiiH 1). a. J. 11 (Ksters. Bnw Hoilerri. - It- TJIK COMMKIICIAL AOK.N'CJEB. A I'nxl. It JiUiiihi-r. -J (int. - fi W MiifrH. HootH uiid SIlOfH. l{n*H LiijuoiM. • M. It Li I', k tSoil SoilpH, OilH, itc K— -- II J.;w(,-ll.;r. H M <' V T iJnots, «•!<•. (i^ — — . J SaiiKUf;<'H. (i J, (' liihuraiitf; A''l. (» H Aurtioni.M^r. (J T. .1 I'rii.i..-r. II- & (/—— LilJIiOIH. H a . O., <:\r. .\I Bricks, <;tc. H. — '1'. — M- — K. k \\ I'uiiiiiuh-. K Mnfr. Wati.Tpioof.s, lU;. .\I. k Co Clotliin;.^. ... ..Mritr. Hla'kin/, f;l<'. I-" Roll Covi^rcr,". V. S Cotton. K Drugs. 'iro. — ClotliK. (iro. .M — (JlolhH. .v. r .SiMNin;r .MaV I! ( 'oiitiiiclorH. .1. .N . . . ..Mull'. lioot.H iiijil Slioi'H. — •). •! Iliiriii -^iH. — S Wiitcliiiiuki T. ■ .1 Ale. A .Miifr. HittcfH. — S I '. • i. iiiHJ N^li()Il^^. — ./tS— - W'liol. .Nolioiifi. — W . \V. A C0...C0U01] |''iiriorM. — .1. 1 UIm.I. (;m. S I!, ill I'ihliili-. HroH Ciolliilif,', elf'. 1^ If » '^llilo|•^'. — tl. .M. . L'5 1 (iliANI) UAI'IDS, MICH. A- A- »- H- H- 0- (;- c- <;- <;- D- ij- D- j-;- E- K- K- K- F- K- (]- (1- (i- (1- (i- ■ k K Urcwfiry. -& K 1. \V .MsicliiiHrry. 1' — K., SoiihAiCo Teas, i-u:. i' . K. U I'lui.iiijr .Mill, i:U'.. 1 1> W. T Wltl.T i'<>\V.T,.'lc|.oi. I i> \v. T. it Son |jmil.iT. : (2 I. j, Lmnl.ri-. I S k 11 l)ni;;-i, rU\ I S 15. C Il..t.;l. : S" — k A I). IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 I.I *fMa iiliiM il6 m 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ■m 6" ► V] <^ /} "m *% *>%; / 7^1' ■■>' 7 /^ Photographic Sdences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14S80 (7.6) 872-4503 ^ *■' ,\ :\ ;V \ ^^ <^- V "^Ci^ <^ '^ . J (Iro, and Coin'n. -&Co Furnituru. ■A Machinist, etc. M D. A Brass Founder. M a. E. & Co Drugs and Ikmks. M J. K Clothier. M 1». & J Brewers. O W. 1) Contractor, O E Uro. O & C« ( oni'n Mere. 1' M Liquors. U D Uro. and Llq. S VV Hutther, etc. W T Boots aud Shoes. ' I [to uu continued.] HAMILTON, ONT. A AT Oro. A W (Jro. B H. M Books, etc. B J. A Drugs. B J. N. & Co. . .Wines and Spirits. B & Co. . Vinegar. K N. F Fwdtr. B S & M Iron. C II. (1. A: Co Carringefi. C T. & Co Founders, etc. C J Shoes. 1) J. II. & Co Comn Wool. F C.J Hotel. F T DM. F 1{ Lumber Coni'n. U W Boots and Shoes. a O Ftcpl Sprin? Mnfr. II T Ciibinctnikr. 11 W. J 1). (J. K W Clothing. K J. & 11 Music and Sewing Machiners. M J Lani]>s, etc. M 1 Whip Laslies. N T SiM'ciilator. K J. W Piivsicinn. T J Melodeons. W T. C I). (1. W U Ice. W li & Co. .Sewing Madiines. W S BtM)tH anil Slioes. W J., Sr Uro., etc. m 1.T0 UK CONTINUED.] TUE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 253 HARTFORD, CT. B- B- IJ- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- {•- (;- ('- D- D- D- U- E- F- F- (1- O- O- G- G- n- H- n- H- II- H- H- H- K- K- K- K- - B. B Silvcrsiniili. - & Co Dyi'stutlH. - H. & S MnsoDH. ■II. F. &C.) Iron, etc. -J. II «ro. • K Ilnrnesii. ■II.M Icwell.T. • II. H CoilfliCtioiKT. - A. E Ut'stnurnnt. ■ K., Sr Cnpitulist. • W Ilarncfl.s. •P Gro. I. H. 1' Co. •E. W Fish. A Clothing. J Clothing,'. S & W F M Co. ■L Miller. - & 1{ Ciirriagenikrs -A. B Clocks. ■ A. & Son Wool. ■ C I' Co. • T S M Co. & II Gro. ■ 1) ... i )<)ts und Slioe.s. ■ H. &Co D. «J. ■ I). A Furniture. •II. A., Eat. of Drug.s. ■ & F Soap and CundleH. • II. & Hro Jewellers. -P Co. . s (;„. & F D. G. •\y. K Flournnd Fwd. ■ N Leaf Tolmcco. •A. J Baker. • W. C Printer. ■ II. P (Jro. - & F Wines, etc. • K. & Son Cnrringeinkrs. -II. F Gro. K- L- L- M- M- M- M- M M- M- M- N- N- N- O- P-- P- P- P- P- P- P- H- H- S- S- s- s- S— S— s— s- s- T- '1- W- W- W- W- W- W- -F. W PcHB- - L Hotel - \V. II Klectrotyper. - B Carriages. - Bros Builder*. -T Tea. - U Banker. - II. & Co UpliolMterers. - L. B. & Co Sashes, ete, -S. M Marble. - C Silvcnsmith. - S Co. - M. t; Tens and Lqrs. - K Lcjr. and Gro. -J Lqrs. -T. 11 Coni'u Prod. - Bros Meat. -M Hotel. - A. (J ToI>aeco. -M. M Oysters. -P & Co Milliners. - S. S lioots and Shoe.s. -S & Co. . . .Ag'l Iinpl'ts, etc. - .1. C. & Co Packinjr Boxes. • E. & Son Lime and Cement. • & I) Cigars. P. H. B Tailor. ('. L Builder. O. I) U. E. Broker, etc. & Co (Jro. F. C. & Co Whol Meats. 1) Builder. W. B Lumber. - C & Co Tripo, etc. • W Auctioneer. _S M Co. - E II. & W. S Stevedores. -D. U Coal. - C PainiM, Sashes, »?lc. - & <"o Boots and Shoes. -J. K , ..Druga. [to be comtinuld.] 254 THE COMMEKCIAL AGENCIES. HOLTSTON, TEXAS. A N I'rov. A 1. J Ilot.'l. 11 M. A Tail(,r. H J. (' (iro. (• J. W. & ( '.) Cigars, otc. C Afrs. F (». S. C K. II . .Books, etc. C J. A Machinery, etc. T. W Baiikinjj. J. W Ciirriago Trimniings. VV &Co Mill. D- D- D- D- D- D- E- m^y K- F- F- F- J. U F'cy . «. T. 11 D. O., etc. F- (f- H- n- I- L- M- M- M- li- S- S- s- S- s- s- V- V- z- - ('. J Carriapro Trimmer. - F Boot and Slioe Mkr. - A.&F Whol. 1). a, - II. & Co Whol. and Bet. (Jro. &0 . ..Furniture and T'phol- sterers. -&Bro D. G. - W. II Carriagenikr. -S (Jro. - S. S Lumber Dealer. -Mrs. M. J Millinery. -J Uro. - F. A Clocks, etc. & II Fub'rs. ■ C Cabinetnikr. & S Clothinp. ■M O. S. - W. B Cotton uud Coin'n. -&B O. S. • L Faucy Uoods. •fiv [to be continued.! INDIANAPOLIS, IND. A- A- A- .\- A- A- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- -I). M Broker. - C Boots and Shoes. -H. &Br Saddlers. -&a Wood. -E. S Real Estate. -D NV Co. •&Co Factory. . & D Belli Estate. • & San Drugs. •II. S Agent. ■ W. P. & Co Jewelry. .w\ Oils. ■ J.' C. & Co! '. '. ..... .Wiioi. Lqra! B- B- C- C- C- C- C- C- D- D- D- D- D- C. II Patent Medicines. •&B Chairs. W.S Printer. & T Engines, etc. .1. II Jeweller. H. P Phofograidiic Mtr'ls. P Money Lender. H. &Co Coal. •J Fruits, etr. -R. M Millinery. •II Notions, etc. W. J. & Co Il'dware. ' C Drugs. THK SVSTKM EXPOSED. S66 ■ Hro. &Co (Motli.n^. • \N' Hoot.s ami Slious. ■C & Co Miilrs. Sup. -.(. H Drugs. ■ J Shoes. ■ M TaniHT. & () ('nri)ciit(M'rt, I'tc. S .Stoves. 1. \, Stoves. I. T Tobacco Broker. A C'urpets. I K I' Co. • J. C Mill. J. W Hotel. ■ 1{. A:Co Mill. (i. (> L(irs. -M. T (iro. ■A. N. & Co Miicliiiies. •J. (> N'ewsixiper. ■ & M Drugs. -.1. C Saddler. • K iV 11 . . . .I'lidertakers. ■ K & Co D. (J. (M) Hotel. C Co. 1' A: P Co. W NV . • A Candles. • E. \V Marble. J Marble. K A Jeweller. K J. S Drujj-*. K C (iro. K A Drug.-*. li L. it ('d Notions, etc. li jMiss Millinery. li & li Iron Works. M J. W Chairs. .. K Drujia. M K D.U. M S Iii(|uor. M H &0 Agts. M J. P Brewer. M P & Co Coal. M C Chairs. M W. L Sewing ^hu:hs. M 1) Mnlr. N 11 Fey 1 Ale. P E. L Statnr. P H Boots and Shoes. P J. T Lumber. P s P I'o. li Mr.i. M Hotel. |{ W Stoves. H & P Uro. \{ & S Kurnituro. K & L Coal, etc. U H. I{. & Co Pumps, etc. S C , Uro. S J Notions, etc. S it Co Lumber. S Mrs. L. D Millinery, S W (iro. S M. H. & Co Notions, etc. S .' Boots and Shoes. S 1. B. & Co L(irs. S Mrs. S. L Millinery. S J I Iarne.>iS. T & S Faetorv. V S. C PublisheV. AV L. S Chemicals. W R II Hotel. W & S Drugs. W 15 & Co Printers. Y & P Books. Z T Jeweller. [to be CONTINUK!..] JEHSET CITY, N T. A W S: a P Co. C A Lumber. D S Hulling .Much. F J. A Shoes, etc. O- M Stoves. (! 11. L Dry (Joods, etc. (i T .' Livery. I[ A. itCo Fcv(ids. II \V. C Iron. J C I \V K W Druffs. L T. T Tin, etc. L L. 1) Il'dwarc. M B Ueal Estate. 250 TUK COMMKKCIAL AOKNCIKS. M J. A Nt)W«j)tt|»or. M 11 Co. Al J. M. ii Co Livery. M U. II DruKH. N 10. S. & Co ('lotiiinj?. !S (I. (i t'oiitractor. y & F Urowcrs. S J B.)k«, •!tc. T 11. A (ioutM' Kurii'g. W tn unci SlioeH. S— C II. I) IJ >bbiii Miifr. S- (,' I). .Ir. &0> (Jro. T- C .Mrn. J I/Kiuor. T- D S. & Son Contractors. 'I'- ll T. \V Hotel. W- H \V Millinerv. etc. W- II \V. IS Waterproof "riot li. i W- J J. K Pottery. - W. A Braid Mnfr. < ' liootH HUd HIlOtM. ('. H l)rii«H. [) S A: It . < 'o. - H Jewclliir. - MIhh 1{ Fey UdH. VV Fey «d«. M. A llarnoH.s. ■ 1> LiquorH. M. A I). (1. .1. A. & Co Painters' Sups. -J Stowing Macli. - A. H (Iro. -S (iro. [to be L'ONTZ.NUBD.] LEzVVENWoirrii, ka:n. A S C^apitalist. A K. 11 CapituliHt. A .1. M Stationer. A J. & ('o Ixjr.s. It M Clotliintf. B W. (.'. Jr. & Co BoolH. B T. .t. • R. L Com'n and Pmd. ■ I Millinery. • H. S. & Co Notions. • & T Liquors. •D & Co Stock. •&M Coiu'u. C- C- C- C- C- C- D- D- D- D- E- F- F- F- a- (}- (i- (i- H- H- D & Co Gro. & Co Com'n. E. H. & Co Liquors. A D. O. M D. O. Mrs. A. II F'cy (jioods. M & Co Foundry. J (iro. D. & Co Hides, etc. F BookH. 11 & S Hats, etc. .1. V. &, Son Pictures, etc. F Lard, etc. J Parlor Furniture. II Books. J Frnits, »'tc. E. S Publisher. Mrs. A. E Millinery. Mrs. AV F D. 0. ■J Elevators, etc. K & Co Furniture. THE SYSTEM KXPOPKI). 259 . . . .(ilnns. Ayt." wdfr., etc. Wool. . . .Dairy. ("ariiiifii'H. .ClothiiiK' Dyer. H- K- K- K- K L- L- L- h- L- L- M- M- iM- M- M- M- N- N- N- O- _M fi Co (Motliiiitf. -J Uuil.Ur. -U (Jro. -I I'tmlractor. -& \ tiro. - it Son Uro. - II. J IMiyHiciiin. - & iJrcj I'riiittTrt. -J Coiifi-c. -J (Jro., etc. -J HutH. - J. & Co XcwHpapt'r. - B.C Aj,n'iit. - .\. \- Co Clotliiiiji,'. ■ J. S StovcH. ■ l> Foiiiiilrv. - A. H CoiifoV. ■ ,1 Nuil.s. - \V M Co. - \V. II CarpctH. -T I). (1. - W. 11 Hoot8 und Shot's. -J Jowelrv. -& V H'krs. -J. \V. & Co Saddlery. - N & Co l-'lori-sts. - M Clothing. - E. P. k Co Ilurdwuro. U. F Oro. r n. U Ueal E.stato. I' K. & Co (.'i;rarH. 1' M Browor. U M. C Jewelry. II M. & Son VVuj;oii8. K .M Carriajjes. K L Saloon. 11 J. IF. &Son8 Uro. S F Trunks, S C Oro. S F Clotiiinff. S J (JIuc. S A MachinoH. S F Flour .Mill. S A Brkr. S .M & Co Li<{uorH. S -Mrs. li Br'wcry. S (J. M IUmhu DuHters. S B W . T Miss K Fancy Good.-*, etc. T tl. H Xcwspaper. V C. J DrugH. V 1' Iteal Rstate. \V J. C Bk8. \V & B Tobacco. W 1. S. iV Co Tobacco. W H A & Co Livery. W J. II. II Agent. Y & Co Uoofers. [to be continuko.] Oro. , . .Com'n. . Liquors. ,...D. U. ...D. «. cy (joodf. .Foundry. (Jro. Hides, etc. . . BooUh. Hats, •tc. ;tiire8, etc. .Lard, etc. Furniture, . . .Books. ruits, «'H'. Publisher. Millinery. D. G. ators, etc. Furniture. LOWELL, MASS. A- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- C- C- - S. , . . Dry Goods and Sewing Machines. - W. &Son Flocks. •A. & Co Planing Mills. • W Fuis. . E (Jro. M. A (Jro. ,M Provisions. .1. M Fancy (Jiods. S. r>. . , , Foreign Fruits. E. O Notions. S Tinsmith. C. E Drugs. P. & Co Gro. S Co. C- I ^'- D- ! D- ! D- ! F- 1 F- F- G- Q- H- H- H- H- H- & X Iron. E. (r Tanner. •T Tailor. ■ J.& Son Mnfrs, ■A Mnfr. Shoe Shanks, F Mason. O. D • Drugs. (J. 11 liadii's' Suits. J Boots and SIkk'b. •J Boots and Shoes. ■ M Dry (Joods. •B. V Shoes, D. W Coal. ■J Mnfr. Boots and Shoes. ■ C , NewBpa|)er. i 4 960 THE COMMEUCTAIi AGENCIES. K- K- I.- L- li- L- M- M- M- 1»- U- -H. Tens, oto. -It Mncliinory. J, H Ilata, Caps, etc. V H Co. D. it Son Mnrrs. Kuives. O C Co. -J. A Mnfr. - O Furniture. - D. J Liquors. J. N Muchinist. A.J Produce. S J Mnfr. ShaUo Hollers. 8 A. VV Uro. S H & Co Flour. 8 T Co. T— T Waters, etc. T J. M. & Co lioxcs. T J Uoll Coveror. W (J, II Miilr. W Hros. & K (llov«fB. W W. II Builder. [TO DB CONTINUED.] LYNN, MASS. A S. T Hotel. A J. L Upholfltercr. H T. W Shoes. B S. J ShoeH. B W. N. & Co Coal, etc. B S. H Boots, etc. B P. \V. & Co (iro. B B Slioes. B W. N Stitcher. B H. n Drugs. C C. 11 Builder. C II. U Boot and Shoo Mnfr. C II. & N Mororco. C B. K Carpent.r. D & D Shoes. D B. & Co Shoes. D II. T Boot nnd Shoe Mnfr. a W. II Paster Inner Sol.s. a S. A Shoes. O S., Jr Shoe.s. H J. VV Cement. H «. W StiffeninRS. H P. C Shoes. H W. S (Jro. n Shoes. . II Builder. S Slii)perH. Paints and Oils. , P Hotel. , II rpi>erB. W. Shoc-8. P. Shoewnx. . S Boots and Shot-s. (Iro. . W Shoes, 1 Carpenter. W Shoes. 1 Shoes. SIUM'S. Shoes. . L Shoes. K Stoves, etc. P Siioes. P Shoes. F Slioes. M Shoes 1^. S Operator. [to he CONTiMVEO.] TIJK SYSTEM EXl'OSUD. 201 do UoUuri. (Jro. Flour. Vaters, etc. . . . .Uoxes. 11 t'ovcrer. Mnfr. . . . .(lloVOB. ...Builder. MANCHESTER, N. II. B (1. F Auclionccr. M- C .1. H. ii Co LcatlicT. M- V T I'rnviNiuii.M. M- V T ClotliiuK. N- (." W Nctdlo Miifr. U- (• I) On.. H- K W. II Jtsweller. S- F H. C. & Co MuchiniBlH. W- (1 F Hoots and SluH'H. W- II V. W llotol. \V- II A. D Tolmcco. W- J C. II Fey Uda , - H. T. & (V) PriiirgliitK. - S & Ii Ck>. -&('o . (J., etc. H M. M Sewing Mncliint s. H B.J Conin. B N. A. &Co (ir.>. B II Furniture. B .1. T. & Co Com'n. etc. B & C Books and Stat'y. B C. O. & Co Prod, and Com'n. B .1. M Cotton. B W. M Stockyards, etc. B W Newspaper. B & P Cotton a;id Com'n. B J. .1. & Co Com'n. C J. S Cotton. C W. J. & c;o Ferdstore. C E. Ii Books and Stat'y. C E. 1). & Co. . .Cotton and Com'ii. C 1 1).(I. C J. W Contractor. I) II. C. A:Co I'rov. 1> E Hats iind Caps. I> A: S Com'n. I) & B 1{. E. Ajjency. etc. 1) .IS Cotton Buyer. F. NV. .1 » .rplioisterer. F H & C<)..(V)tton and Com'n. F T. A Stoneworker. F S I). (J. F & 1) . . . .Tobacco and Cijjars. F F (Jro. (J S Boots and Shoes. (J Bro.-j Cipars, etc. G W. B., Sr Cai)itali8t.. H Q Furniture. «'■:• 968 THE COMMKUCIAL AOKNCIKH. H- II- II- II- II- H- H- II- II- 1- 1- J- J- J- K- K- K- I.- L- L- h- ~ J. H. & Co Uookrt mill Stiit'v. -J. !•; Urn. - \l. {' N»'VVH|IU|1IT. - H. A Dytr. - II. . - (■ Htiiiair. - S. I). & t-'o ('iiiu'n. -H Hrt'wiT. -& (i ridlist.H, rtf. & I'o l'lmiil)rr.i. P Miichini! Coni'ii and (iio, ■H.IJ I>. O. ■ H. N (iro. • H Conlee. & C Hotel. M ,v M II . \ Cliitliin^', etc. .1. H I'nltnli IJuyer. iV S Cotton. <' Pliinilii'r. J Piipi'ihan^iiifTS, etc. (). W. & Co Coiii'n. .1. M. \ Co Wliol. tiro. ' iV: Co \uriioii und Conrn. ). (). I) P. W DniKH. ■ & Co .Storage. • Alius A. .\ Millini ly. ■ iV (i CaiTiau'es. V.i. & Hro Who!. Drill's. & Co Dental Depot. • . (J. (Jrc). . . . .('on Iff. Ilot.l. Intliin^', ftf. iltmi Miivfr, Cotton. . .l'liiiiilijH. >fiitul l)fpot. It-nl I'lmi'ii. llolfl. , l'ul)lir,'H. II- M \. M Coiii'n. li- lt II, M W.Mid and Coai, II- U K Com'n and DiNiillrr'. H V Mil'. H & I' Coal and Wo ..(, H I* Hoots and SIioch. M A, \V. iV Co Car|iits and .MnfrH, Woollen (ioodn, \i Mif.H r Millin.r. H V. iV Son Coni'ii niid I'md. U . .1 (Iro. M F. H. & Co Pianos. | H II. I, Mdsf. Hndvfr. H K &K ,,A (> Co. ' I) II. s I'liotoifrapli.T. ; H li. .1. iS: Co Afj:'l Iniidtft, i U .1. W. \- Co I'ainifrH. i C iV H Whol. Tobacco. C N Co I'riiittMn and l*iil)'rj<. C iV H Newspaper. C 'r. I', \- Co I'aiiiters and Wallpaper. C K <■' Coin'ii. C W. W Mdse. Hrolu-r, C I I.niiiber, ^' lj Hoofer. (• .1. II Whol. «J|<). C & Tanners. C W. .1 Wool. I) T Wliol. l.i.inors. , V, V llatH and Caps, i E H. 1'. iS: Co Coal. : E T Co. E J WftgoiiH, etc. I E F. & Uro. . . . Flour and Woollen Mills. E A. I) Agent. E 1. W Hoili-rmkr. F .1. S. & Sons I'pliidstere rs. F & S Mnfrs. Furniture. F W. & Co Whol. and Het. Hardware. F & H Whol. Licpiors. (J .M Hotel. « S Dry (ioods. ()— Si Co Carpets, etc. U S Mnfr, Slippers. (J T Fruit, etc. (J .\ Vinegar. S- (J F Whol. Hats and Caps. S- H J Boots piid Shoes. S- II & S Millinery. S- II J. iM Notions. II E. A Foundry. S- H W Hags. 'I'- ll & S Publishers. 'I'- ll E. C Jeweller, T- it D Inn. AgentH, !'• .1 Coni'n Flour, .' (iro. !1 Notioim. iS: V Coni'n and I no. II 1. 11 Ie« filer. II W Conipositioii .Marblf. J •!■ & II I''iirniture. .1 IV HlHcksniilh. K F Liiinors. K S I). (J. K F 'I'vpn Foundry. K & C ■ Ilotfl. K I. iV Co .Notions, etc. K A Moots and Slioes. K A I). (1. K E .Musii-nl liiKts , etc. I C. C Saw Works. M l{. A.iV Co .Mnlrs. Soap. A. I> I iiiot-t and Shoes. .1. S. iV Co Lumber. .1. T. iV Co Musical Insts. iV S ('"ounilry. II Feed. .1 \\ ngons. M H \- I Co. M (! I) (•„. M iV N W S M ( •(). -M F Cigur.s. •M M iS: Co Fhnir Ma. chiiiery. X iS; I) Doors, Sashes, etc. & H- .Printfrs. i) H. A Coni'n. P F Wine.., etc. P E. n. \- Co Coni'n. P A. P., Son fi Co Soap, etc. P A Miller. P (1 Sashes, Doors, etc. P 1). (} u. !•:. Agent and Trip llannner. W. C Agl IinpItB J Fruit, etc. H. & Co Clothing. P. Jr Coni'n. 1 Distiller. Bros Whol. I.iiiuors. A. & Co Jewellers. U Wines and l,i(juora. J (J. S. J. II H. E, Wood, etc. S J. & Co ■. Bridge Huililers. C. A Furniture. (' Wood iiiid Coal. & P Ales and l/iquors. M & Co (jeiit'a Furn'g (ioihIs. &■ Co Books. • \' C Pub'rs, etc. . 11 Mnfr. Httt.8. S & Co Lumber. K- H- K- U- U- U- II- S- S- S- ; Hi mi i4 U 264 u- vv- w- vv- w- TlIE COMMERCIAL AGENCIES. A Com'n. • J. I'. & Co Coin'u. J- W Prod, and Coin'ii. • W. A BilliardN. ■ E Boots and Shoes. ^V It. J. C Fruit, etc. ^V A Tobacco and Ciprars. W J.T Packer. \V & M Afe'-l Imj)lt.s. i2 & R Jewellers. [to be continued.] MOBILE, ALA. B- B- B- B- C- C- C- c- c- c- u- D- D- D- F- F- G- G- G- H- H- K- L- I,- — T. S Books and Stationery. — W. A Drugs. — 11 & Co Drayagc and Storage. — J Coni'n. -U. W Drugs. — Mrs. M. C Hotel. — P. Z Drugs. — L. & Co Cigars. — K. W. & Co Produce. — J. & Co Cotton Coni'n. -J D. (1. — & W (Jro. — J.I) Ilarne.ss. — J. A Furniture. -S Gen. Store. — L. (i. & Co Com'n Prod. — K. L. & Co Tobacco. — G Jeweller. — C V Co. — I. L Drugs. — E. V Cotton Com'n. — S. N. &; Co Dredgers. — J. & Co Founiier.i. — B. II Boots and Slioes. — Mrs, M Boots and Shoes. M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- ' M- I N- i P- i P- I 1 - P- P- ! R- s- s— s— T- T- W- Y- Z— - M Cotton Factor. - 1. A. & Co Com'n. - & Son Cotton Brokers. - J Livery Stable. - D Furniture. -F &Co D. G. - G. H Boots and Shoes. - ^V. H Auction. -A. J Safes. - M Furniture. -C. D Gro. - & P Cotton Pickery. - L. & Co Gro. - A. A. & Co Coni'n Prod. - \V. D Soids, etc. -C Whol. Hardware. - A. B. & Bro Cotton Press. -E. R R. E. and Ex. Bkr. - J. F. & Co Gro. and Com'n. - 1 Co. - R. E Prod. Com'n. - & C Lumber. - W. L Cotton Factor. -G. W Hotel. O. & B Furniture. [TO EE CONTINUED.] ' TUE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 265 MOISTTHEAL, QUE. A A. & E Imps. Lsather. A E Banker. A & ("o Fey Ods. B E. I. & Co Livery. H & S Exi)retis. B \V. II Crockery. B W. I'. & Co Founders. B B Contractor. B S. W. & Co Coal. B A. H Liquors. B E Coal Oil. B C Provisions. B A & Co Furs. B J Butcher. B &C D. tJ. B I). & Co Coni'n Merchants. C \\. A. & Co. . . .Coffou and Spice Mills. C S. &Co D. (J. C J. B D. (J. C J. & Co Soda Water. C. E Wines, etc. ^ A Trader. D N. A: Co Bkrs. D & P Cijrurs. 1) S. & Co Mnfr.-*. Ci;rars. D J Contractor. I> E Hotel. D &M Gro. D I.N D. (J. E U Com'u Teas. E II. & Co Imps. Cijjars, etc. F U Marble Works. a &Co D. (J. - L- S Tailor. F Mnfr. Trusses. & Co . . .Lumber. J. X. it Co. . .Whol. Ilurdware. D. A Fancv (ioods. T. W. &Bro Liquors. & S Fwdrs. M. & Son Mnli's. Hats. E. Fils & Co. . . .Dry Goods, etc. B Whol. Oro. & Co Machinisls. W. L. & C'o Engin'rs' Agts. K A Co(ij)er. L U. & Co Produce. L- L- L- L- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- O- P- P- P- P- P- H- U- It- U- U- U- U- H- S— J« S— s— s T— T— T— V_ W- Y— - H Lumber. - L. II. & Co Whol. I). G'ds. - F Lumber. - A Carpenter. - H. Flour. - T. & Co Boots and Shoes. - J. . .Whol. Jeweller, and Fancy (ioods. - M Iloopskirts, etc. - I). E. & Co Drugs and Oils. - W. F. &Co Wines. - C. B. & Co Lumber. - L, &■ Son Brokers. -P. P. &Co Whol D. Od.-^. -J Agent. -a I Gro. - W' Straw Works. - L> Leather. - & Co Lumber. - hiiiiiber, etc. ■ <' iV Co iMiicliinir^ts. •I* Coiitnictor. II T Co. M Co. M (',,. • \V. J. . . Boots and Shoos. ■ t^ .Morocco. ■I Livery. A. I. Undertaker, etc. •I Soda. H.J En- 1{- H- H- S- S- T- T- V- \V- VV- \V- Z- - M Co. - -J . II Wagons. -.M I'rov. - 1* Li<|uors. -J Hats. - L. B -Mattresses. - S & Co Machinists. -J. & .M. A Livery. _T T Co. - M Spring Mnfr. - C Co. -J. II Sprinirs. -& s I link. -\V H:,„,s. ■I Brewer. ■ &• S Flour, etc. - Bros. . . .Gents' Furn'g. ■ W Builder. ■C. W Hotel. •F. S, &Co H'dwaiv. I. -M Dnii^s. • \V. H. & Co....Mnfrs. Couches. M. P Conset Mnfr. S 0. (i. ■ F Boots and Shoes. I^ . « etc B I. & Co Wl,„l. Gro.' Jl ''• & Co \vi,„l. (jro. ]\ -^J Whol. Millinery. — - : Tailor. « H (". H. Broker. B & C Whol. H'dwarc. 5 -l Paints. g ;' Exchange. , . •/,■ *^ Lumber. ), I' Conrii. ^ V- ^^' »r<'ki"r. J; „ "^ Wines, etc. ^ "• Y Bonded Warehouse. J^ ^- • -^ Coltoii iMiclor. ^ "^ ^V Steani Cotton (Junnery. '-^ J Foundry. <^' W Chxliing. V T. M.& Co com'a. <; W. C. & Co Wliol. Grain. ^ T. a P]anter.s' Agent and ,, ^ Com'n. ^' -T. n Saloon. C H. & W I) ,; ^ ',';•' Oils and liaiiips. 1> T. &. Sons I) (J , » — P ■.■.■■.d.g" D J A Ho,,.]. J? I' Blksmith. }■:( ^^ I'ianos. ^ A Oro. and CofTce. ' I, V AloBotthT. I i'-,; ^'ro. I ' V~: — '^^^ Com'n. i l; « '> Bldng .Materials. ^ j--- Saloon. f ^^^. J Builder, etc. ; " ^ Sugar Broker, i ^} ^ Stoves. . i\ \\- Tailor. ( M. & Son Com'n. O Bros Hntj,. }} •/• « Broker. [ } I^--- Tailor. f} *^- & <^'" Cotton Factors. I \\ J- E. & Co Heataurant. i {{ P Mill, etc. > f,^/ Cotton. I " •! ;; Com'n. ! jj J- ^^1 Powder. ! ^1 L Coffee House and Wood- 1 -- „ ,, yard. I II & >r Produce. •i {I A- ^V^ Stationery. i \ «. B.&CO Saloon. ! J J. W Builder. •> I; Books. ■ i- — w^? <^'""'- ; j^ W. A Oil and Lamps. : ^ E Fancy and D. G. j L G. II. W Boots. I J" I D. G. ! J ^••- D.O. ' L '• '^- & »Son Notions, etc. '< I" V Gro. I ^ •^- <• Com'n Cotton. ! Y '^ B siiip Brokers. i }■' P Cemetery Marble. It ^' Brewer. \\ /; Uro. ^1 " Fancy Goods. ^1 1^ Clothing, etc. M N Q.G. M G. F Com'n Coal. ^[ •', • ; Produce. tV '''*• '*' Crockery, etc. {, <^; T Ilay ami Feed. ' E Cotton Brkr. Q F. A Nursery. « Mr.s. C Millinery. « J Saloon. Jl ^^ Boots, etc. \\ E. Ji Furniture. 1^ *' Oro. 270 TJIK COMMKUCIAL AGKN'CIES. R 1 Suloon. 1 H— U & Co HMwur.). I S— B J Cnxkcrv. ' K— S J. A HooiH. i T- K & H . • & Co MdHo. HkfH. • .M (iro,, cic. ■ A; 1$ WincH, etc. - C UootH. -J.J Hr.wory. - M I'aiiit.s. - l'\ k Co Uiilchi'rH. -& M Clotliinjf [to UK CONTINUED.. ]s'C)ptr()Lnv, YA. f.. A J. S. H Fnnry OnodH, etc. 1{ \V. n. & Co Coin'n. B A. S. & Co Whol. (iro., t-tc. li li D. (i. H W. & \V I). (1., ctr. H S (iro. and Li(|. H J). 1< Curriug*! .Miifv. B B. B Coinii. C A &U I), a., etc, C & II Coiu'ii. K n OjHtcr I'ack.r. K & I' Crorkcrv. F K 1). (i., etr. a J. (). Jr Lumber and Coal. a J. it Stoves, i^tc. (i & (.' Miifr.'<. Funnels. (i M & Co Finnitiire. a — J. w 0. s. II W. T, &i Son L'i)hol.st<-rer8. II- II- K- K- K- L- M- M- H- S- S— s- T- V- V- \V- W- w- ■ W. T. &Co VVliol. Gro. - W. T Confec, «3tc. -Mrs. B LiqiiorH. - I''. I J I)nn(B. -J. H Tailor. VV Sliiiipiiifr and Corn'n. -A. A Luinher. - K. W., Son & Co Hardware. • HroH. & Co (-'oni'n. I, Furniture, etc. .] & I., Wliol. (iro. and Com'n. S. \V Whol. IJ(|iiorH. F ic W .Whol. Ildwar-. - K. & ( 'o Liijiiors. ■ 1) Co. - B. F Prod., etc. - S Boots and Shoes. -&1I Uro. [to IlK tONTINCED. I f TIIK SYSTEM EXPOSED. 271 OSWEGO, X. Y. A- A- A- A- I{- H- B- J}- ('- (■- ('- ]>- J)- F- F- G- (1- H- II- II- II- -ff.W !).(,. ~ ^ 1). <<. mill .ViitiotiH. ~ *' Cujjitali.st. ■A l|„t„). -I'M-: (ir... - IJ- I) I.'wcll. r. ''' Moot.s iind SIkich. -''•<>; Clotl.iiiir. " ' ■ •' Toldicro. vy. (i Oil. ' Piii liter. '* Sitf^lM's, ou: ■^ MoiiH ('!irriiif,'i'H. ■ A &(•<> Mill (Jro. {^■&ll Clothintr. ' • (iro. J^ & <'<> I.iiiiiljer. ^1* _ 'uiik, i I I |)li()I.-,'. *' •'• ''(^ <'" Ua.sliitiiiirH. <> M Co. O I» Co, '! •' Tailor. , \- I'aint.s. ' ^* (iro. I.&W ur„. [} ''• H l.wHler. t ''•'•' Took }- « '5 I'aiiitcrH. ;,, '^ I'iituit: Fraiiii'H. " <-'iI Uuildur. [to BK C'J.NTIN'CEU. 1 J^ATEP.SOX, :\. J. •* '^ Hiiriiis^. A C. a A: (V, MiilVs. Silk. '' -'■ Liipiors, 'f ';• J-, •'!• Silk Mill.s. *^ '■' LaiiipH ami Oil. ^' J^' Scrap Iron. '' '^ JI Crockiry. '' •' Contractor. '■ ''' (iro. !; V',^' I>r"f,'H. '; « I' DyerH. {} ^J'" Furnitiin-. 'i >V^ Cottons, etc. ,V ■^ " I'aintrr. II ^■'' .Miller. '" •' Cotton .MilJH. I nroH , Silk. ^ ■'• '' l''aiiry ( iooils ^, -l Hotel. W H C fo. ^y -^f Co Mailiiiiislfi. J " Tinsmith. ^' •'■ I' Hotel. [to UE CO.NTIN-fED.] 272 TU£ COMMEUCIAL AGIINCIKS, ! i PiriLiU)ELPIIIA, PA. A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- A- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- ]{- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- ■J. K Clothing. ■J Coul. ■ H. Jr Coal. •'J'. M Klourand Feed. ■E Clotliing. - S Clotliing. - W. K. & Co Sashes, etc. ■ & K Lumber. ■A Liquors. - P B Co. - (j. & Co Miifiic. -&B10 Colli. -V. E 1). (}. • D Hatter. - E. D Lumber. - V & Co Queensware. ■It Uriat Mill. ■ W Shoes. - II & Co.Mnfis. Sewing Silk. . II & L Co. • S. W Tobacco. ■C. W., Jr Flour. ■J Furniture. T. W Jeweller. J. J. & Co. Hosiery, Notions, etc. • F. & Co Brandies. II. A U. E. Agent. S. M 'I'iiilor. • E Hotel. ■J Mnfr. Shawls. J. V (jients' Furn'g. - & S Files. - P Stoves, etc. ■ A. & J. B D. (f. - W. T Spar-yanl. -II Gro., etc. - W (jro. - Bros H'dwarc. - & S .• t lotliinir. - T. & Bro Finishers. -I Brewer. -& U D.«. - E Notion.s. - D. & Son Coppersmiths. - A. & Bro Lumber. - & Factors. -J Wines. -C Lqrs. -11 Machinists' Tools. B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- B- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- C- c- C- c- c- c- c- C- C- c- c- c- c- E Mnfr. Carpets. D C & I Co. Jj.& Co Hatters. & F Li<]uorK. F. E lloni. DriifTgist. ■ (}. &. Co Japanned Ware. ■ & (1 Chemists. • Mrs. J . Crockery. Bros Mnfrs. Paper. • VV. II. &Co Lumber. • & Bros. . . .Hosiery, loves, etc. E Colli. & Co Mnfrs. M Co Machinery. • J. O. &Co Cars. • & Bros Whol. Dyestufts. & Son Printers. D. & Bro Lumber. M C Co. W. K. & Co Iron Pipes. & M Liquors. P Coal. J Painti r. ■ P & \V . .L Works. ■ E Millinery. & K Tin Plate, etc. • S. S. & Co Confectionerv. & A Sash Mill. W. P. G, W. II- & Co. T ..D. G. .Whol. Drugs. M- E. — Co Sleeping-Cars. Co. W. & Co Brokers. ■J. S Hanges and Stoves. • T Com'n Merchant. ■T. & W Liquors. ■ M. Jr. B & N Co. J D. G. • J Hotel. •J H'dware. ■ S. I. & Co. . . .Flour and Grain. - & Jiro ( tro. -S Whol. Linen Gda. - F Soap. ■ S. v' Auction and Com'n. - J. W. & Bro. . . .Mnfrs. F'cy Ca- binet Ware. - W. & Sods.. Ships and Engines. TlIK SY.STKM EXPOSED. 27;] c- c- (;- V- <•- D- D- D- ])- ])- D- D- D- D- D- D— E- E— E— ]•:— J']— F— 1-' — F — 1' — F — a — (J — (J — (i — If — II — II — II — K — K — ■&. •(*, & J. E, H L. K J. J. T. li. II. Co & SoilH K .. <'uip{?t8. \Viii('H. Kuiikcrs. lUiildcr. Cutholic Uku. ■■•: Miifr. "V ( o.. .Wluil. Millinery Ud'H. Flour, etc. ; Miiliiu-ry. '■''^ J MiifrH. Woollens. •^ <'" Mnfrs. IIoHierv. ^^'>'^^ Cliina. ■?" J^''" Liquors. ■I Co. '^''V^'. lUnkcrs. J. Ki\; (Sons l'aintii\fr,s and I'ookjn^f (ilas.si's. •J; '■^ W"" Sonp. ;', ;•• '''f>3H, otc. Ji ^^'> liiinkt 1 Co, J- * t'o. Com'n D. (i. I'—;- '^ ^' Notions. \l ^' (ien'l Com'n, J* & Co Whol. Druijs lJro.'<. t*;- 15 ..Wliol. Clothiiiir C I' i> ".. ^ kers. It- it Co. c , „ Coal. - & C S 1' li (■„_ " J, Brewery. " {\;: '^<-'<' Hrickiiikr.s. - >> • W Mn!r. Biljles and Albums. "f ^,1' ; Oils. - Co, I U IM- I M- ! .M- M- i M- M- I <>- J'- I 1'- ; I'll ! Ph ; I'll p- p- p- p- u- u- H- R- IJ- li- I{- R- R- S- S- S— N & H Supnr Ke- liners. Stationer. iquor and Distiller. . . . .Cotton Brokers. iV C, - w, . - T. J . -S -.V IJro - W. C. it (\> -II. U •J. S. & Son. .(Jen'i Com'n. Hrokors. . . .Maeliinist. .> Carjjet Yarns. J Builder. [to he CO.NriNTKD.] f 274 THE COMMJiUCIAL AUENCIK3. :' fi PITTSBUPvOn, l^A. ■\ \ '0, A- A- A- A- A- A- A- H- IJ- H- H- H- M- li- U- B- B- J^ IJ- Tl- ]J- 1}- ('- (•- (;- C- (•- C- (V- (•- c;- c- ('- ('- ('- (•- c- Vr- - .F Il'W(.'lllT. - .1 Lumber. - V |{ ('.). - H M Co Sash lialunccs. - ]). D. iS. Co Urn. - .1. < ' MoliiHscH Cims. - C. II. i^ Son I'oiil und Cokrj. - S.H (iro. - .). .1. & Hi'o Toimcco. -T 'IVuH. - W. A. iV I'.ro. .IJoota and SIhk'S. - ^V. I? Contractor. - S Mer. Tailor. -C.C ...Oil. ■ & S iMdi-o. Hrokcrs. -.r (Vml. -T. 1.. & Co .Mnfrs. Ollico Furniture, etc. - .Mrs. AI NoiiouH. ■ N. N Huiidor. -A U'wure and (iro. ■ .) Wines, etc. - .T. M. & Son Boilers. - H. \V. & Co Min.'ral Water. ■ \V. & Son Lund DeulerH. .1. U WifTH. ■ .\ l.icjuorH. .1. M. it Co Wind. Jiiijuorti. Bros Stained UIuks. 1 Co. ■ T Co (ilasswnre, etc. () U Co. .1. W Hotel. .\. .J Hotel. C Co. S. P Tobacco, etc. 1 Co. ■T. M Ba.< I'ounder. 1) (J Co. . . . Dialers (ilaH.swarc. I) I Co. 1) II Mnfr. Briekfl. 1) J. 11 l'hy«ic'n and Dru^n. I) A &«.'<) C.al. I) Bros firo. and Liq. I) .1. L VVIiol. Liijuors. I) W. C BootH und Siloes. K ). 1) Htrnks. K I) Whol. Tobacco. K (' T Co. !•; &(J Hold. K (J fcsculufl, etc. K V Co. K 1 Co. K 1). W Variety. V W lewell.r. F C Hotel. F J. S. it Co Distillery. F it l5ro Oil Dealer.^. F Mrs. C (iro, F 1). 11. it Son 1). (J. (J B Co Mnlrs. HrirkH. (r C Tnilois' TrinindnyH. a J. \v. it Co !).(}. (i it B Patent Af;entfl. (J S Afjent. (i W.J Trunks. (i P Silks. (i it M Nuipory. (} 1. ^V' Coni'n Coal. II IF ,tC Co. 11 W it Co. .(iiain. Flour, otr. 11 M. it () .. .Mnfrs. H. H. Iron. H it M l{a. P H. F. Agent. II E Brewer. II Ij Lumber. 11 F. Jr (iro. H W. & Co Com'n Whol. Tobacco. H W. A II. E. and Ina. Agent. II J Lumber, etc. 11 O. B. itCo Brokers. H W. & W Coal. II H. M CoaL MM iMXimler. ((ilafiXWHri'. Infr. IJiifks. and Drills. Cnul. I'D. 1111(1 Liq. ml. l.i(|ii<>ra. I uml Sli(>(!fl. li(M)kB. ol. Tobacco. Hotel. .Scttll.H, UtC. . . . .Vnrii'ty. .. ..hwclltr. Hotel. . .Distillery. .Oil Dealerfl. (iro. ...1). (J. Tin; SVSTI M KXrOSKD. T liH. l$ii,'litH. - 1' l.i(|uors. -J. W J.'w.ller. - .S: Co.. .I'roi.'r. of (< \V . -(i Till. - I> Harness. - Mrn \'ari iVcCo SpriiigHunil Axle.s M — ,'; \ - I()l» Printers. M c. W Conf.c M I-..'.- A Suw.Mill. .M P Oro .M S Tin aial \V. U. .urLdi \ C S U Co. Mirijli iV; St. I I I ("o -C. T Oil. — iV J Scciiic, and Fresco Artists. -.1. B Lumber — II Wauou:i Mid (.Carriages — ,1 Ciothinj,', liats nnd l^aps. — \V. (i. Sr Found rv -.1. S. i^: Co • Oi'l — f: U Coiil !uid Lumber. — ,1 (Joui'ii Iron -,l. W. .'. ('.. Coal — .\ Jliifi. Corru^juted Iron. — C Pianos — .1 Brnwory. -T. U BiHits and Shoes. — W. \\ . v': Co LiirnbtT :ind rianingMill. -.1. I) Coal ttsl ttsl p- p- p- II- U- li- i:- K- R- n- II- n- R- R- R- R- I{- R- R- S- S- s- S- S- S- S- s- S- S- s- S- s- — R. .1 \iialyticul Chemist. __. ,t W Coal. — II. (j Carpi^nter. — L Hotel. — M Hotel. — F WoodcMiwiiro, etc. — ic II I'liysicinii:'. — k II Clothing. — V. W. lC Bro (carriages. — .1. .1. i: Bro Printcr.M, Books, etc. — P .' I'umiture. --,1. A Tailor. — C Tin and llousoFurnV. — T Co. — C. A Tobacca. — L. B Fancy (ioods. — T Clothing. — (I. K Boots and Shoes. — N D. (.). 270 TlIK COMMiaUAI. AGENCIES. f H T. A Kditnr. i T O Co. S W..I.iVrH. W \V. AV. . . .Murbli- uiid Miicliiuo ^ iSiCn <'oal uiuK'okf. I Workn. « itO M Co. I \V S. n lliiildiT, t!tr. >^ •'• I Icwcllcr. W Uriir*. iV Co Iron. •^ C liiiiiiorw. j W II Hrrwcr. •"j '' •'"• NV .1. W. . . ..Mnfr. iint;h, ^* ^ H l''iri'l)rickH. ' i;lc, T UroH Oil nroiitTH. J W 1. \V. \- Soils riirnitiirc. '•' 1' HootH uiid Siioc'H. I \N' .1. T Contractor. '1' NV I T . I V S .M Oro. ii [to liK ( ONTIMKU ; i m\ • ''!; ^ ^1! fki\ ■ « II I k POKTI.AXl). .All-:. A !'. C Hooks. A i{, & SoiiH l-'urnitiirc. » \ \V .Mioses Imv . «., etc. . .Findings. \- A- A- B- H- »- B- B- B- C- (;- C- C- C- C- D- D- D- F- F- F- (}- (f- (J- U- II- II- II- II- II- 11- - G Com'n. - & H Saw and l'lanin>f MillH. - Mrs. L D. (J., etc. -I'*' Contractor. - C. (' Books and Stat'y. - \V. it Son (Junwiniths, etc. -J n. & S., Clolhinp, etc. - M i^ Co 1). «., (iro., etc. - F. .1. . . .Huililer and Contractor. - iV a Boots and Shoes. ■I Painter. -If. II Crockery. ' ^-^ Saloon. - W. & Son .Mcr. Tailors and Sewinf,' Machine .Ayents. •&M Whol.Oro. - I{ Money Broker. - 'I" Tobacco and Ci<,'ars. • A. .1 Agent. ■ & 1) (iro. A. it Co Boilernikrs. M. it IJro I). (i.,etc. • ^V Prod. Dealer. •'• W Builder. •'• & Co Drugs. it C Contraetors and Builders. •'■ L Contractor. H.S Hotel. . S it L T Co. F. B (Jro., etc. B. . . .Steamboats and Railroads. A' Locksmith, i K- K- L- I^ L- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- M- X- X- ()- S- S- s- s- S- s- S— S— V- - i^' !^ Biitchors. ""•'•••• Clothing. -•'• ^ Co Hoots und Shoes. - •'• 'iliie and Curled Hair. -J. B U. n. Contractor. - 1'. II Plumbing and Uas- fixtures. - '^' 1' Tuilors. - S S and (• -S Co ■1' Pub'r. •^V. T .Agents. M. S. F. .Carriagendvr and B'smitli. 1> '^ Clothing. • ■) . ..Doors, Sashc,-, anil Window (•lass. 1^ y T.imc and Cement. Bros, it Co Lumber. 15- L lewidry, etc. ■ C Hooks and Stat'v. - it M Saddlery. - 1 AV - R T Co. - . (}., etc. [to be (.O.NTl.NUED.] w t.>7S TiU; CUMMEi:CIAI, AOEN'CIKS. THOUGH KEEPSIE, N. Y. A- A- ('- O- (•- C- D- D- !•:- n- II- - S. Vt. 1*; Son I'nots, etc. - it M Drill's, etc. •' liootH ami Shro". il 1). (}. \V, II Tailor. ■A. V Hciot.s iind Shoes. - ('. li StoVl'H, clc. -H ...Builder. it ]^— — 'rolnicco, etc. - F. & Soil Slovi'H. - U C'loclu'i'v. II h. y, C'rnr-kerv. 11 1'. .M I)rutc. V M. i: Co Browors. ITO 111-; COXTINTKI). PROA'IDE^CE, 1\. 1, j'Tt 4i A T Totton Dealer. ' 15 A E. «t Co Carriapri's, etc. B A S Miifr. Cotton. H .\ T Hotel. I B A \V W^ Co. 15 .\ (;. ().. .IVriocru'uls and Vcv Cds. 1? A I) Co. .Miilis Woolleii (ids, 1? <'tc. B H A. () Jewel rv. B n_^ .). M I'atternnd;V. B i: S. \V. . .Mnlr. Prints and Ilorso ; M l?laid;ets. | U i! \V. & Co. . .Steam and (ias-Pi|)o i 1} Fitters. ' B B r. 11 Pianos, j r. — w. 11 1), (i. I li — I! r. L Harness, etc. C B J Boots and Shoes, i C H (i 'r(>a aniUiro. i C B E. \V Fcv (ids. Toys. etc. j C B C. E. & Co. . . . ."Mnfrs. Ladd<'i:s. : C B &I3 MnffT. Jewellers. > C B J. B. & Co Mntf,'. Jewellers. ; C B II Brass Fouuder. ' C ■ C 11 Co. (i. W. B (ifo. • Bros. . . .Flonr. othecarv. S. AV. it Co Fruit and Proil. j\: (i Lumber Healeis. D. B. & Son Hay, ( tc. ('. B Driiy-s, etc. C. G. it Co Miifrs. Kaleido S('o|)es. ( ' Piu; Iron and Stoves. (J. M (ins Pipes, B. B Painter. T &C<) Furniture. J Paints, etc. S. B. it S«m. . .Mnfix. Jcwelltirs. E. P Silk Bibbons. J. H A])othecary. v.. S Mnfr. Straw (joo(1h. m ' THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. 279 . .Crockery. Driijis. I), a. , ..Fey (ids. Stoves, etc. I iiiui Sliocs. oodcnwarc. (.'otl'ees, etc. . . .IJ'sinith. . .Soap, (>tc. , . .lire worn. ( iro. I. lliiy, etc. 'ile Uriver. ....Bonks. . .Fey (ids. .'omrorters. d Fey (ids. iliotliecary. t and Prod, er ]>oa]ei'.s. . .Hay, ( tc. 11rnl (iro. ■ C- H Tean, etc. . ( i (iro. and Li(]. • C. ^\ Sewint!: Machines. W. .V Steam I'liij^ines, etc. a. i'-; t'OllS. . . . .Wliol. Prod, and Fruit. .Laces and Fey (ids. - >^' Co Macliinists. - F. A Coal and (irain. - I; M Mnfii;. Jeweller. - ('. 1j Flour and (irain. & C ... Agen ts. C. \V. & Bro Mnfrs. Paper Boxes. -J I/i(|uor.s. - 1). II Who!. (Jro. and Fruit. - P Wool Waste. - iJ^.' Co House Furn'ir. K- E L- L- L- E- L- E- E- M- M- U- M- M- M- M- M- -M- M- M- N- N- X- N- ()— ()— ()— P— P— P— P— P— P— P— P— P— P— P— P — P — Q— U— K— If— - & P Boots and SIioor. - 11;^ & Co (jro. - W. II. . . .(iro., Flouraiid (irain. - ^V Tob., Periodicals, etc. - O. F. &; Co House l'"urn'fr. - 1) Whol. Teas and Sj)iceti. ■M Co Soap. ■C. 1? Jeweller. ■T. J .Mnfjr. Jeweller. - ^^ (iro., etc. - -^I Saloon. " •' Ei(|iiors. -.' I). . II Hats and Caps. - .1 Mnfr. Woollens. - A. & Ct) I'^ruit and Coni'n. -J. S lluruu.-^s Weaver. r ! [to 1;E I.D.MINLEI). I SI fit RALEIGn, i.\ c. 1 1 i '1' I m ■■vN i A P. & W firo. A Mrs Milliner. B J.C (!. S. B S (Jro. and Liij. 1? |{. W tiro. B 1)1-. (i. \V Hotel. H I.M Hotel. B L Books, etc. B T. B Speculator. B C. S Hotel. B N. L Confec. C 1. li.H Druys. E MI Books. H J Editor. II S. 1) <;io. II J tJro. K J. I, Patent Pumps. K Mrs. A: Son (lunsmiths, etc. L J. S Whol. lii(|Uors. L A. (}. & Sons Coni'n, etc. L J. C. S Tinner. N P Co. X C 1 Co. "11 S ." B i\; H Iii(iuors. S W Dnijrs, i^tc. T J. :M Auction and Coni'n. l'— — • \. X (iro. and Li(]. W ,1. V.' Photr)f,'rapher. W B & Co Coin'n and Cotton Factors. [to liE tONTlNl-EU.J ' ..D. (J. . ..D. U. THE SYSTEM EXPOSED. rjciiMo:Ni), XA. 2SI ^ ^ Baker. „ }[ 1 Imp. Tobacco. Ti I' '■ Tobacco. , ' ^^/, Books. M u ' ^^'''^'- I^''!""!-"- \l i; ClothinL'. "— -M...... Clothing. )V. W.&Co Editorl 1. ]'■■■ Clothing, etc. H r *^ *^'«- " {'-J Kopenikr. ] -Mrs. K. V Millinerv. |, — '\- •'••-, lIot;.l ,, ^ "^ *'" Com"ii. <^ i*c U U Co. S •^' ••• ^^' Co Coma Tob. ;, '^ ■ ^^ ^'" I-aiicy Uooils. c i ^ ,; <^'«'il- i^ Y lious(! Fiirn'g. n ' iV Vr Bicwciy. etc. (^ f-l- Drugs. fj J;- >^ •. '■'^' ^'" Curpciiter.M, etc. £, (*• •'■ "-^ ^'<> Fertilizers. t\ J • • • D. ( i. unci Clotiung. t, l^-}' Confer. I r .,",•• I'laning Mill. | ^ y- ^^- "-^ < '> Tobiicco, etc. ; JT I , I.iiiuor.s. ! (I \-- Tobacco, etc. ; G KB Printer., i « J. I[ 'J'ohacco. U O.P.&Cn Tobacco. ", '^ Tob. Boxes, etc TT \l-^''^ *'" '^1'"^- U r- ■ ;; Contractor. I! v'." Pap'r Boxes. }} i^ ^] Publishers. ir Ar^ ^^'''o>- <''•"• II :, •. Com'n D. (f. f-^' Com'n. : V , • • Xotion.s. •J •':•'•; ■'^'^'«''- Broker. • ^ll\}'- i' Milliner. f. \\- ^'^ Speculator. i^^:^::::::::::::::::::^;Si, K E- E L E E JM M M M- M M- M- M M- AI- M- M- JI- N- N- o- lie i P- i 1'- II- Pc- ]{— ]{— S— S— S — s — K — S — S — S — S — S — S T — Trunkn. (iro. liulertaker. t'lotliing. ....... .i>. (i. Ck. Shoes. '^- '■'• and Aiictioneer.s. ; Y"- -^' Comu Ei,j. ":••;•• Auctioneer. ■*,- ^ • J Hardware. ,•;, Fertilizers. ~f,'^ Coal Oil, etc. Vt' ■ " M' lii'.stuurant. Vj fv Fancy (ioods, etc. ?J-"^^'" Com'n. ^*- <^-'!^Co Tobacco. 1). 0. .Baker, etc. ^Vhol. (iro. . .<'i')tliin(r. A. M. W.JI. .1 M.... ICCO. (i ro. ,...T- - M.;& Bro Clotiiinir, etc ~ ?\: ..tiro. -^i^ll? Hardware. - {'• }■; -Mnfr. Tobi; - Jlrs. V\'."'i' -P Co. -\i- ^ Tolwcco ~ IV ''■•■, UinesiindEi(|, - J >-— ;- 1' \ ( ■ M - '[• I*'-'ro. and 'J'ol ^,V• •,; • . : W Clothing. 'I. F Li(]Uois. lr>) I." CONTI.NLTli.] k()oiiesi;ee, :^. y. A- A- A- IJ- J5- J}- :n- n- ij- J!- < '- ( '_ ( '- ('_ ('- !■'- !••- (i- • i- (i- H Tiulor,s. A IMi-iit. T I'ictuivs. ■ J. Jl Ciro. I Cii])italist W. .V Sdii Leallior. W IMusoii, etc. li iV Co..(,\)V('riiiii' Mucliiii'N. H. II '.Stavcr^, I ... II ('(iO])cr, I'tr. M H(M)k>clIfr, etc. • iV J. .MilliiuTv (idcdfj. ■ 1). M Hooks, etc. ■ ^^'. I*: Co C(.tiou rjiitriiin-. .1 .':.M Hiiiiker.s. ^V. S I'rliiter. .1 (iro. 'i' 'raimer, etc. .1 IhUter. »v ( (1 Niirnerv. •"n. "• '^' ' " Foinulrv. ,V '■^' ^" 1). (i. ' ■ ■■••.•••, '^"*''*^ "'"1 Shoes. \\ . A. k Co Carringo and r Wagon Material.s. '^•■' -^ Boots and Shoes. -A., Sr... -.1. F. ... ■A. n.tiV I?. .V Co, . ■ S. C L. A: ('.). , W. P. . . X. (i , , 'J,-, f'arriageinkr. u- u .;.•• "''"'I- 1 V \ '""''■' '""^ I'lu'iil'fr. '- '^ Steam Saw and K' T .. Planing Mill.s, > ''• • -Stovi^s, 'i'in and Ihmiwar.' ,. ;\' '^^'«S<>ii^ and Blaek.'^mith f ^} FevtuK 5i:=:j::::: ^^"ji- I Jtl ""^ ''•"•'■"■ •••••■•••^ '-'''!'- ^ )^ Wagons. I V f, Toys, etc. ^i ^ l>ryand Fev (id.s. Vl -V- Cigan, et.-. iN >..\ Clothing and B. and S ;, ,V ''••■^ ^'" Cloihing. I. W'r'V, ^""'« »'"'• ^l""-'^. I ;^''-:-''-' Drug;. y. l;/^*" Whol. Liquors. K n. ]5 Blacksmith. tS h W « ^'j^^"-^f Milliner. S \^ A Pnuiuee. r,, Vi - ^ ohiieeo. tZ~ r SaUK)n. ,,. v. Boot.s and Shoes. ^V ^«^veller. W \n Stove,s,ete. ^^ •'• '5 Tinware. [10 EC CO.Sri.VUEI). it'- 284 THE COMMEUCIAL AGENCIES. I!!- !. I ■ 4' SAX FRANCISCO, CAL. mi M ("lotliiiif^. Hro \'iiriety Storo, •• & Co liUiiiber. C'lotliiiig. . iV' ('< IiiijiH. Clotliiiifj. lliit.s and Caps. . O. & Co luipH. Clothiiiijf. Hard war*!. H Whol. Jjiijuors. Co. .Coal. J)- .(JoutH' Fiirn'jr. lewrdlt-r. . Woodwarc, «'tc. ]?- B- n- n- li- u- 15- 15- 15- 15 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- 15- li- isr, A. 15r I. K C S. II. J. J. & 1'. M N ■S. it 1{. L. M & & T. ({. & M • C. G A J. M . S VarifticH. II Ai^'l IlllJlltH, t'{c. , M. & Co Coiii'n and Whol. I'rov. M. & Co Jtfwelry. J,. Si Co Stationers. us Clothina:. ]) Real Kstate Aireiit. 1 Cigars and Lici. P. & Co Produce. iV Co Whol. Fiirn'nr. 1) liaiikor. Tanner. C Carpi'tH. P Coiii'n. & 15ro Hals and Caps, Mnfr. Soaj). Coal. Fancy CJoodH. Co (Jro. M (icnts' Fiirn'g. HoolH and Khoey. rs. N Millinery. T lloni. ]M<'dicin('H. 15 Livery, etc. Advg Afifcnt. , F. & Co Com'n. 15ro Imps. Leaf Tobacco and Mnfrs. Cifrars. Contractor. (). it Co Com'n Prod. Marble. Hay and Grain. L Tailor. Com'n. Co Drugs. 15 A. .1. & Co Ins. 15 M. C Stoves and Tin. 15 J. W. iS: Co Carpets. 15 A Drugs. 15 1 Warehouse. C C. A Printer. C F M Co. (' 15 M (V,. C F. & P. J Whol. LiquorB. C P Co. (' J. & Co Inijis. Crockery. C T \V . i' W'. S S]U'cnlator. C II. A Mntg. Jeweller. (; T. 1{ Clothing. C & 15 Newspajjer. C 1. P Brickmkr. C C. \' Co Com'n Prod., etc. C & M Cigars. C it H Ship Chandlers. C (!. it Co Whol. Cigars. C C. J Hatter. C D Fruit. (; F. I), it Son Flour Mills. C M. (i Saddlerv and Harness. C I. & 15ro Wiiol. Dry Goods. C A.O Coal. C W. 15. it C( Blankbooks. C V A . 1) it W Whol. Liquors. 1) Hros Fancy (ioods. ]) V. M. it Co Whol". Wines. 1) 15 it Co Boys' Clothing. 1) A. C. it Co Oils. Lamps, etc. 1) H it Co.. Leaf Tobacco, etc. 1) l'" (ients' Furn'g. 1) A Jewelr}'. D T Mnfr. Soap. D J. it Co Distillers and Rec- tifiers. D M l,amps and Oils. 1) 15. & Co California Wines. E J. U. it Co Wire Works. K Bros, it Co Boots and Shoes. E II. it Co Bitters. E & B Tobacco, et<'. F it Co Shiji Chandlers. F II., Sr Com'n Prod. F B. P. it Co Packers, Wool Dealers, etc. W i •» ^ THK SVSTKM KXl'OSKJ). 2So V- V- F- F- iSp Co. I ]>vvM\ati>r, cti.'. 'raiincrs. \\'in(!H. ..Hi I'r-H.iU'o.In.p.s. Kai,cv(J'.i.s,.tc '^' A i„.i,.... .1. • a- u- II- II- H- H- II- II- II- II- II- H- riidcrtiikiT. Hiiot.s iuid SIhx H. Foil 11(1 rv. iAI i*i: <'<).. . . (i. S ('.('. iV- (•,)'." T. II. .VC„. :^i. c. k Co.. Hi'os. \- Co.. ^vt'S- ^'"T'r . < orks. j, ;••.•■••''■■ J"- mid l5n.k(M-. 1 .V (o Saw luul I'laiiiiiM; .Mi U.S. 'i'liinspoi-tatioii. •• • . -CDiitractorH. • ■ . .l-iiiKj and Coiuout. 'no. Clothin;;-. . • .Hiiltcr, etc. Hardware, etc. • . . ..Millinery. ■ . . I'iaiio.s, ele. L L L L I; L I- L- U M .M -M- M. M- Hardware. < 'lotliiii^''. Clotllill^r. • ■ .l'"riiits ami Nuts. Hoiid.s, et('. (J. O. &Co.. • a. A. & Co. , & W I — & ii_ ■■■_ .Matelies. • •'■ro. and Coin'n. . . . .Imps. CarpeLs. I/iiiiiher. I), (i'ds. Sealed (ioods. Leather. 'I'o.Vf*. <;lc. ihy (ioods. I'"iiriiitun!. Slieej), etr. .Crockeiv. ..I>. (Jdk ..I), (i'd.s. Hides, cie. iards, efi'. • ■ ^ I'^iirs. . .'I'oliacco. etc. Hardware. | Coiu'ii. I). (1. . . .llwilE.stato. <.'ro. Saw MilLs, ete. liiiinlx-r. Coiii'ii. M- AF M- M- iM- M- M- .M- M- M- M- ]\I- X- N- N- O— P— P— P— P— V — 1' — P — H — a — n — u — u — R — S S— S— S— S— S — S— S— S— T— T— . .15111 V-— - \V AV W \V A\- A\' AV A\' A\' AV A\' W '/' ./. — i; Halt ^; ^'-ffW' l-iiiiiber, ..(,•. — -X''-^-^' " Candy. •.•,: Money Lender. l[ ..HaMs. ••••, Clothinur. ~ •'^' '^"1' .Mill rv (i'ds ~ "■ ' • -^ *■'> SliipClia'ndlers. 'J'' ^' Coni'ii Hiiles, etc ~t *,'■'■■. "^■^'"■■^• 3|- ; -'^ '" Fiir.H. '..' Coin'n. ~'>^ ^- •■•.l.iiniher, Tools, etc. •'• ' I kinjf (ila.sse.s mid Picture iM'aines. - !■.. l'....Iewel]e!-, Ship Chandler, -<•— .VI W— -K .M ,■„. ~l-f:^-\; Ch.thin-. I p , ■^' ' '"• ' '"'ria-es.etc. '''■ '^ 'iiip- Luiiiher 7 i! Foundrv. '■^, '\ — —•, Carriai.(! .MaKM-ials. ,• ''• '1^' '" Coni'n Shippin-r. 1'. ].. iV Co.. .Oil ;uid Lamp Sfk ^^ *,'"••;•■; ^'""i'". iV »'>.. Hardware, .Machinerv, etc ,r~~- '''"l". Steel, etc. i • ', Drui^^s. 'V- '^ NVinesand Li.|. ■•■>■ ••, Stones. •;'■ < " Wines. |, -l^'* " • Merchant.s. V'rr- Wines, etc. ,\\- ' Drnjrs. V •'^' * " Li(|iiors. I',"— .'"^^ *'" Piano.s. ''■ k '^ <> ioj>liers K'cv (ioods '■■"■■^ Cl.kks.etc. ';: '*-■ *'" I), (i. •V ^ " ComuProd. [to he CO.STi.NirEI).] 2S() TJIK COMMEUCIAL AOENC'lEb. 'mi. a SAVANKAII, GA,. i A- A- B~ B~ D- «- H- IJ- B- C- C- C- C- D- D- Vr- V- 1'- F- F- .1'"- (i- NVii;r,,„,iikrs' Miite- ■,, ,, rial.-^. '^ y' Fiini't;: Coods, etc. i, ''. lioi)k.4 iind Motions. < {' Co. fi — V'\ """"•■•• ; ;\'- '^ -Mnfr.Soap. y, — '•" Hotel. J; — •;. ciotiiinjr. ;. ,, *' Clothin.'. ,S -y'-f; ^'•<' MiUinen 1) t H "^''• n ". .. Liquorn. t"i 15. and S. yZZv U:uwsi>. f, Vu^ »evv..;ier. ! '\ ^— Tiiilois. <> C Co. rlll P * " Civl'inetinkr.s. /j i^, Furniture. il V";; I/nneliiln. f} 'I 1^ Millinery and F'ey (i. ' {| ■\ Painter,* etc. ' H A Car,H.nter. , H & «— - Hats, F'ng Goods, etc. j :{' ' & I Co. I [ •'.•;. • Tfotel. ; ,' ^) '• Furnitun-. ; J' V,: •^'- • • •^'•''"•'■i- ii'nd" W'Yk')]'.' l!i,','.' ^ .^-^TT-^^'" l'n.,1. 1^ ^' ^ Phvsieian. i ^ -J tiro., etc. ! } ', D.(i. I '' '* Hutchor and (iro. ! ^J ■ •'••■■■ Contractor. i ^ •'•. -Ir- • • • Fruit and Veo-ctuble.s. ; l\ J- J- & <^''> (iro., vU:. : ? [,■ "i-o-. . •^I II (is ^} H ^;V^^<'" U(i.,etc. h f,-'^<" \Vhol. Ei.,s. ^, ')• " Contractor. IJ /^ Concliiniir. ^ J' • • i^aker and Saloon. '^ ^Ij Piiy.sician. '^ '■^' 1 Euniber and Com'n - C— s— ''''''■ ~^\, ','• Phvsieian. -,^^" :..(irn. ~ ' a. s. - ;'•<«•. I), (i. and Carpets. ~ ■'• ^^ (iro and I!, und S, ~ J ( nrpeuter, I'.uilder, etc' j liaker, Confec eii' ^■^ ■" Hall. T- \V- W- W- \V- W- Z— 'A— [to UK C JN-TIVUEU ] 28iJ TlIK COMMEllCI I.L AGENCIES. PULXGIMKLD, :MASS. A- A- H- B- B- «- H- n- 15- (•- ('- ('- (■- (■ Ir J F F- F- ii- (i- (i- II- II- II- II- .T. F Viiniish Mnfr. .1. ('. !•;. A I)(jc.skiiis itW liotfl. M — * ■() Sdilii A])i)iiriitus. H, \ i '() Klimr A. ]j Hoots niul SliocH. H. S Coal, etc. G Ilotol. W, S ('ai'pi'iitcr. G BiHtin^r iMiifr. G. E I'iijxT Stock. II Tool iMiilV. II. M PiiptT Wtoik. A. W. & Co Afxts. C. II. & t'o Miilr. i\: K (iro. II. xM. iS; Co Boxi'H, t'tc. Miss S. ,1 BooUh, etc. B. F Builder, etc. & "SV 1), 0. II. C Tol)acio. • I. X Driijj;?!. •C. M. .*c Co Pniicr. •iV B Pipes. & S Gro. ■ S Coal Sifter. -& 15 Bri.lires, ■ T Hotel. II .1. A' ( o Carriafies. II C. T (iro., etc. 11 \ S Furniture. .1 iV B iMiruitiirc. J A. II Coiifec, etc, K 'I', .Ir I'uniitiire. li (i. jNl l,aiiii)S, etc. L C. M lints. ('a|)S, etc. L C. 1) .MiilV. Caitriilire Sliells. 1. J. 1- '..Builder. M .1. 1) CariietH. M .\ .V II 1). G. M W. P. ^ I'o Shoes. M A Contractor. M tS: F Curriers, etc. M A. I). iV' Son Soaji. M I). B. iV Co Tinware. M A. '1' Soap, etc. N Y \V Co. N P C Co. B & B Luinher. S C. II. iV Co Lumber. S C Co. s — :m — :m — T C. C Boxes. A' C Kirctriitvper. V- ■& P Clot'liinjr. \\' & E Founders. [to he CO.NTIKUEU.] ST. JOIIX, X. 13. A- A- A- A- B- B- B- B- J. il- Co Dry Goods. • Bros Foundrv. • II. T. & Co Bopewalk. ■ A Com'n. {). I? Musical Inst'ts. T Gro. anil Li(|. V. F.. & Co Furniture. T. li (iro. and Li(is. ( ' J Sliipl)uilder. .1. B Cotton Mill. II. i^ Son Fancy G'ds. etc. C Liquors. •iM Gro. ■ .1 Boots and Shoes, B. U Coju'n. & C< Com'n. TIIK .SV.'iTK.M i;xroyi;i). !S!) . .('nirinpcs. . . .(iro., (.'ti'. , .Funiiftire. .I'"iii'niturt'. • '•iiifi'c., etc. .I'muitiin'. . l-iuiijis, etc. tS, ('!l|)S, C'tC\ i Huts, Caps, (.■tc. ,,;• • • ■ Junk, otc. VtV.'V- notliinff. ■•'• '■ ''^<-<' Tinware. ■ !'• 1* l)ru^'.H. ■|^, 1 VictuulliTs. ■{.; /•;■• "■■"• ' J- ^ Sliippiiiy uiiii t'lini. ., , Millinory. '^l • 15<'"ts and Slioe.H. n-_/c:i-m:ii;vv '-i-iuors. sZI }'!i";;;, siiip,-i„^.. S & M On. ."and ''Flour.' Vv: ^rV:; Flnu-and Fisli. \V 't u *^''^ ■"' ^^"''"«- W U-' Suit. .'tc. V , -^ Flour. * ■''■ StOVOH. Ito LE tO.NTl.NLEl).] ^T. JOSEPTI, .ALU. . .Liiiiilicr. . , l.uniber. . . . .Boxes, fc'ti'otvpcr. . .('lotliiiiir. .Founders. A- M- 15- M- B- H- H- ('- ('- ('- D- D- n- !■]- 1-^- F- F- o~ ir- ~i-\:;: "otei. -jV-^^" riotiiinir. -Jv '''"■ r,-; «'•<'. " c;~7~ '' I'\)iiiiilr\-. :?^.5:.'.'.'.'.'.v.v.'. '^'^^ -f,;. -^i^-oks.' ■•(;,' Hotel. ',,, Liverv, (!te. " y' Factors. i News Depot. ■J^ Hlucksmiih. , V Fainter. ■^^, Hotel. ■^•^* Tailor. I H- ! H- ! H- K- J.— I,— M~ y\~ R~ S — S — s — S — S — s — T — T — i: — W— ,'j- y :\ <'*iipituiist. " ;-'^^" Li.,iior.s. ~\- '^ Hotel. "{" ■ Tolnuro. "■'■ * Saddlery H'waiv. ,; Wucksiiiil)!. -f'l^ HotLd. - iV J (J ^ "fVy Jeweln-, He! "(.• V ....Sealos. , ,■ , ^'ewsjmpor. {vT7 l-uinlier. V\- ' Feed .Mills. V^T" ^*"- •■ y Hotel. '^^"••;, <-«. J Co. -& W . Wagoiw. lipbnilder. otton Mill. ' G'ds. etc. . .liiquors. Gro. and Sliops. . . .C'om'ii. . . .Coin'n. [to liE LUNILSL-KU. li 2SiO IW- Till: COMMKUCIA'i AUK.N'CIKS. ST. LOTUS, ]\I(). A- A- 15- H- n- n- H- n- M- H- V- ('- <•- (•- ])- j)- D- y. V- (i- HooUh, etc. — - W. II. it Co NntidiiH. - & Hm HiifcH, - \V. & Co IMiifj Tolmccn. - I{. iV Co Son]). - \V. S HooliH. - Hros. iV It 'I'Dbucco. - Uro. & Co Ilat^, vU\ - Ij. & Co Coiii'n, -J CorkH. - B NuwHimiM!!'. - W L Co. - I.& Co Clotliin;:. - U Co 1). (i,,(tc. - U iS: Co I), (i. -\V (iio. - (J Toliiicco. - .1. 1). iS: Co (iuwIltttTH. - S. (i. & Co I'oili'll. - J. II. it Co Iii(|iinr.H. -.1.15 Ales, itc. - K. & Co Wool. vW. - HroH (iliiss. -C. II. L Hotel. - W. II Auction, t'to. - llroH Medicines. - iV S Clotiiiiiff. - It & Co. ..Huilwiiy Siijipliert. - fi (J LiuiilxT. - li. W. & Co StovcH, etc. -C &Co Books. -J (fro. - K. V. & Co UookH, etc. - & Co ( 'lay. - .T Mncliines. - J I. .1 Tol). and Cig. _S li . -I{ V Co. & Y Carrian;c9. ] w . -H.A 'rohacco. - it 13 ('li>|]iin,•»■;• "'"■'•' 'It- ^'- ^^ Notions. " ;,• • • • I'oriodiciils. ■ '.'• ^^ I>iug.s ,^ • Book^. It" — '^^^ — ^'"• n '>,~ri' •'•■ather. otc. \,yy' Carpets, ''••'- ^ ^o i-uniber. [y\---. N^WH AHt. V\^>'^^" Coni'a. -'• *^ Livery [to UK C(J\TI.Nl-l;l).J SVJJA(,^USE, X Y A- IJ- 15- !!- B- c- C- D- E- F- F- 11- -.T. ..VSon.« Flo,,,., oic. ~ ll ^- • ; Siiortinif Mat'ls. - 'Y" — ; '-'o Mowing Maeliines. - »■ ^ t f> Millinery ({ds, e-tc ■ "••• , ^''^■'•"'• ■^■^i-. a (L.irdware.etc J- Salt. ;{; \, Saloon. ■^ •• ('iffar.s. f • • ( ontractor, etc. \y^''l' Carriages. i^' Notions. ( Boilers- Brewer. 11- II- II- II- II- .1- J- L- L- i\r- M- M- M- X- ~ j^ <'ro ~ ' Saloon, etc -]y"^ Oil ~ ,'• • C'arriajres. - S. h. & Co (jro ■ )\' --^Son-' Shoes .\' B FcvCds. ■ '•,: (*'•«,. ■'Y^ ...Sashes,] ■ '' Speculator. - k a H'dware. ■;V,'; Clothing. -[• ]^ (Iro, art t' W P- !'- P- !•- It- It Tin; COMMKKCIAL AGEN'CIES A. F. & ('.) Lqrs. S- (i. A. & Co Suit, i S— • & L Foiindrv. i S — M. S I). U. j W- ■ A. & Uio ('lotliiiif,'. I W- • 11. &, Sou TruuliM. ' \V- ■J Plunin^Mill. 1). It Il'dwarc. & U (.'loihiiig. — v.. h Bootti luiil Shoes. -C (Jro. -J. M Ladies' Furu'y (Jda. [to liK LClMINfliO.I TOLEDO, O. ill A- A- A- A- A- A- A- »- I!- I5-- »- H- «;- «;- (!- <;- <;- D- 1)- .)- F- F- r Vo. - S ^ S— — Sew! lite ^r-"^- cliint'S. -J U. S. - (; Milliiicrv and Fey (ids. -E : Malt. -J Ship Timber. -L. C Shoos. - & C Ins. Af,a'iits. - W. II. & ('o..\Viiul.('ari).'ts,cto. - ]j. A. & (.'() IjUiiibcr, etc. -J. W Jowcllor. -C.W Comn. - H. E 'JVns and (V)fTiTs. - (i & Co Com'n. - J. 1) AuctioiKMT Fey (.ids. - J. v. & Son Firo Ai)])aratns. -M. S I hits and Caps. . S M c'„. -C. E Clothini,'. -Dr. D. (J Diiiffs. -J (Jro. -&. B Prod. - M Clothint;. - V. W. &Co M.'r. Tailors. J ins. Agent, etc. Com'n. !I- K- Tl- 11- H- il- & W- P. T Com'n. ■ & B Drnrra, etc. ■ & W . . . .Sashes and Blinds. & N Paints, Cilass, etc. 11- K- K- K K- K- K- K- ].- L- I.- L- L- L- M- M- isr- N- O- O- ()- O- P- H- K- H- R- S— S— s- s— s- .1 Brewer. T M. W. .KeulEitute. T- - L.J. II Box F.-.ctory. -T. L. & Co Com'n. -P. W (iro. - Bros It. E. Agents. - J. & Co Com'n. - L Saloon. - C Boots and Shoes. - F Boots and Shoes. -&C D. (J. -J D. (J., etc. -& W .; Staves. - (J Stoneyurd. -I Clotliinir. - F Boxes. -(i Uro. - W. II (;ro.,etc. - & Y . . . .B. it S. and IL & C. -J Boots and Shoes. - .1 Marble, etc. - ■) Teas, etc, - P Co. - iV S Lime, etc. - .]. S Mill Sn])plies. - (J. JI Sowing Machines. -<1. \V. &Co Millers. - B Harness. - & T N Works. J. V Planing Mill, etc. S Boarding House. & H Fwdg and Com'n. & Co Brewers. T N. & Co. .Miif'rs. Tinware, etc. J. L •Furniture. J Hotel. J M.T. Tailor. ■ A. B. ...Ag'l Impl'ts and Seeds. ■J, L Jewelry. TIJK SVSTEM EXPOSED. 2U3 i — U- U- W- &I)- - & W- ■ Co. Co. . . Urower.s. .....Coal. .Tobacco. W- W- W- VV- ■]',■■■ Builder. ' ^- " Boots and Shoe* ^ I*' • • .Waddlci-y llanhvaro. 11 i; Co. , , .Mul'ra. Tobacco. [to 1!K continl-ed.) TOrvO]S^TO, OXT. A A A H B B B- B- B- B- B- B- C- (;- ('_ C- C— D- l>- D- D- F- F- O- -^<-<> Whol. 1). {*}, f Miller. ^ Shoes. ,;-k- Saloon. M.^V, Iron. •'•'^ J- i' Milk, etc. " Flour, Grain, etc. Builder. „ ^, "S^^'o i'^y 1). a. ~^,*-^ ll'dware. — C Co. ~i}---- Books. — '^ "S^ Co I)y — P. (i. &Co Whol. (Jro. ~v- ••••;•;. F. rov ',\y^ ^"" 1> J Liquors. -&C Hats. - & V nndortukcrH. - D. O l.ii(|U()rH, etc. - Ij. Furniture. -I). P. &Co Pork, etc. - & Sons IJrkrs. - I. C (Jro. - AV. E H:ik(r. -H Co Rubber. - l» .' Uro. - K DlackKmith. -F. M Mote'.. J. T TobuccouiHt. T.- L- M- M- M- M- M- N- P- P- n- u- s- s- T- '1=- '1'- ']'- W- ■ J Sliorn. ■A. If Hotel. - li. 11. & Co Fiirnituri', - & K i)_(i_ - Si A Potfcrv. - 1 Mllit'r. -J. W NcwKpajJcr, - 1) & .\ Piibr'H. (J. A Caiiitiilist. - F, & Co t'rackcrH. •J. \V (iro. - .1. A. Sons I{(>j>('. n. (} u. s. A. D H'dwaie. ■J Boots and SIkm'S. •J Packer. J. L Pli^-.siciaii. 11 & 1} A - B Carpet Mnfr. [•;■() ill; coNTiNt'En. | TROY N. Y. A- A- A- A- B- B- B- B- B- (;- C- V- C- c- -M Hotel. - S. & Son (iro. - II. & Cc.AgtH. N S Co. - .1 ,. . . .F irnituro. • (>. H, Tiiquors. ■ P. & Son I'^lour and Gro. • J. ]j Tinware, etc. ■ J. W. . . .rndertakcr and lii very Stable. II. K Hotel. F ll'dwarc. Tools, etc. ■ & F Wooden Ware. •Mrs. S. A Milliner. II. & II. S Stoves. O Mnfr. Sbirts. C li. & Do W. . ... .Mnfrs. Paper. Collars, etc. .T. W Comn Mer. Mrs. K Brewer. T. A Hoofer. »Sr Co (ho., etc, W. S. &Son Tailor.s. n. F Books. F. & Co Gro. ■ M Furniture. •W. II. & L. L Stone. ■ .T I">rups. W Boots and Slioes. Ti. D Eufiiueer. E J. , . .Billiard Saloon and Cirars. C- c- C" C- c- c- D- D- D- !•:- F- F- THE SVSTE.M EXPOSED. 2Vo . . . .Shoo.'--. Hotel. Fiiniitiin'. D. U. . .Pottfi-v. ...Miller, cnv.^piijjcr. . . .l'iil)r'«. Ciipitiilist. .C'ruclvcrH. (jil'O. . . . . Hope. U.S. . Il'dwaie. .11(1 Sliocei. . .I'tu'kcr. 'liy.siciaii. E V- F- F- F- F- F- (i- G- "it." "• J Hiiilder. lol) l'rint(;r. . .If. K. Ojmrator. .<'cnt.s' Fiirii't,''. • C'lo. iuid Tailor. „ , Foundry. '■^; ^" Shodriy MiUcrial. ^ IplioLstoivr. U ro. Iii(luor.'<. Clotliiny. ('lotliin;^:. Cloth ior. Feed. ...D. (J. Viirii'tios. ■ Hotel and J.ivery. ■ r",^' l!ool.4 and Shoe's. '}} 1^- '■• and Notionii ' }, ;, Fwdjr. ■^;^''^- J' Fanrv - D- D- E- 1- !•'- 7 crs and Fruit. lloiol. Hotel. cturo FraineH. fro. and Pro v. V Shades, etc. Tol). and Cig. . .I'aiuts, etc. Its and Shoes. )t.s and Slioes. ind l{ct. Qro. uts and Shoes. .Tobacconist. (iro. Builder. iiid Bookb'dr. iro. andD. G. Hotel. Mnfrs. Saws. Hotel. Spring Ucds. ifr. B. and S. . . .Jeweller. Fdwjnr. Paints. H- H- H- H- J- K- K- K- L- L~ L~ M- ~^, v: • nai^''r. -};• ^ t'lothinir. - i^ JewclltT. ",':■, Whol. Gro. -jl: ^ Saddler. a'v, Clotliing, ~}\,^' Drugs. -f '^"> 1). G. ~V;''^'^|\-; r.umber. ■ W A: i . . .(jents' Furn'g. "^ Hotel. ;j , 'I-' Restaurant. M 1-; ! V. !>•<'• mIT vv I ' Lumber. *,} \\.' *^ iXewspaper. S )^ PaintH, Kc. ^ / sUJ_L' roundry. o , '.I r~ (iro, f; ••',l-*<'" Clothing. ^ — ;Vc7~ i^""'i^"'-- u~~ v ,\ " Apoth.'carieH. ^ -^ Hotel. [to be CONTIM-En.l WILMI^-GTOX, DEL. md Stat'ry. Gro. . Boots, etc. Shoes. Gro. . . . . Cigars. .... Tailor, m'li l>aj)er. . .Hats, etc. Prod. ....Tailor. D. G. abinctnikr. . .Tinware. ' Materials. .Architect. Stoves, etc. ■} J- ^ Stoves and Ranycs. ;} ;!■/, <^ro. andProv. n \^'^~T •'^'"f''^- H R~^ ^ ^-" Builders. n I ''^^^- '^^^^^'"S ^li>-^'hf>. ,, *; Paints, etc. ,. •',.••,; China, etc. ^'>" Mor.Mcd. J: " ^ : Mail.!,- r: [', Bak.r. D'" ^" M— _ \- G f,„,,^ ,.j,. S M.B. & Co I5„i,s, etc. vv T^Vr Fl.. lists. v\ J. ji. & Sou. . . .Gent.s' Furn'fr. y ^r ^'^nt'^' I'^urng. ^ "^ Cooper. (Ti) UK rovTiNtrEi).] t ; i^ys THE CUMMKHCIAL AGENCIES. |!^' r I WORCESTER, MASS. IIP li\: ' !- i ;■ I A J. C. VV Boots and Shoes. A .1 Tdbucco. A W. G. & Co CabiiietinkrH. B C. & Co Lumber. B R. & Co Mttchiiry. B H & Co Boots. B & W ird ware. B W. C Soajimkr. B — — J. J. . . Fancy Dry Goods. B a'. Mnt'r. Slippers. C .J c' Leatlii-r Varnish. C 1 F'cy (ioods. C .J Gro. C J Brass. C .T .; <'o Gro., etc. C (f H Paints. C W.S Wool. C C.&J.A Fndrv. E B Gro. E D. H. & Co Clothing. E H. W Carpenter. F A Clothing, etc. G G Hats, etc. H J Gro. H C. C Mnfr. Paper Bags. H VV. P Crockery, etc. L J Boots, etc. L- M- M- M- N- P- V- P- P- P- P- I'- S- S- S- 'J- r- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- w- V. A Gro., etc, -P Gro. - O 11 Co. - E. A. &Co Shoes - S Co. F. II Dry Goods. P Siitincts. & C Stoves. ]' Co. D. \V Tools. L. W Tools. O. N.&Co Agts. iV Br