Page 132 - Industries_of_San_Antonio

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SAN ANTONIO-HER TRADE,
CARTER & MULLALY—Transfer Line, Livery and Sale Stable, and
Undertakers ; Alamo Plaza, Joining Menger Hotel.
Political economists in discussing trade and classifying the numerous
branches, regard those as most important, which approximate closest to
the fundamental rule of the science ; that is, branches which occupy a
reciprocal relation to the community ; and their importance can only exist
or be conceded, when the articles dealt in, or manufactured, or furnished,
are of real and intrinsic benefit, contributing un-
questionably and essentially to the convenience and
necessities of the community. In San Antonio, we
know of no firm which so fully meet these require-
ments as Carter & Mullaly, and they meet them
with tripple force. In the exigencies of travel,
especially at points where depots are distantly situ-
ated from each other, from hotels, or from the residence section of cities, the
transfer line- for passengers and their baggage is not only a pleasant con-
venience, but an absolute necessity ; time, physical comfort and security
are subserved, and in an economical manner. In effect, transfer lines are
most important subsidiary factors to railroads and steamboat lines, as
well as agencies affording facilities to the traveling public. Then again,
there is no one feature that tends so generally to give a city the reputa-
tion for progress and metropolitanism, as the facilities afforded both to
resident and visitors, for transacting business ; for the interchange of
social visits and customs, for sight seeing, or for rapid transportation be-
tween localities, combining pleasure with convenience. In this class the
livery business, furnishing hacks, etc., stands pre-eminent. In this sec-
tion where so much attention and capital is devoted to stock, the useful
offices of the proprietors of sales stables are too apparent to need com-
ment. Another point, the natural tenderness felt by men for the bodies
of those who were dear to them, as well as the necessity of removing
from sight or contact, objects which become offensive, has in all ages led
to some disposition of the dead, by which these ends could be effected.
Funeral rites, have in all ages been interwoven with the teachings of reli-
gion and consecrated by its ceremonies ; portions of these rites have sur-
vived the people and the religion to which they owed their origin, and
the christian is consigned to the tomb, with ceremonies, handed down
to us from pagan Rome and Greece ; among these the funeral
was conducted frequently with great pomp and ceremony. The
burial of the dead, with fitting ceremony was a sacred duty,
including preparation, procession and sepulture. In modern times, these
last offices, or the major portion of them have been handed over to the
undertaker ; relieving the relatives from anxious trouble and excitement
at a sad occassion. Carter & Mullaly transact the three important
branches above enumerated, and so thoroughly and so efficiently do they
manage and conduct their treble business, that they are the ranking firm