The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-05-25
(Communicsteil

To THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUs, Sir In
your issue of the 18th you thought proper to
to publish one of the several anonymous let
ter which have been In circulation at the
Plow Factory for the last few weeks. AL
though aware of the existence of such let
tiers, l have hitherto took no notice of them,
treating both letters and writers with the ut
most contempt. But as l.. NJ. Coplin has
thought fit, in semi way, to indorse one of
them, and as | believe he is one of the trio
from whose brains emanate these silly and
cowardly epistles, | will briefly notice this
one. l.. III. Coplin has stated, many times,
in hearing of his fellow workmen, that there
was not an honest man in Rock Island. OF
course no one will be so uneharitsble as to
suppose that L. NJ. Coplin is egotistical
enough to believe himself an exception to
his statement. 1t is an old adage that mis-
cry loves company-hence the attempt to
bring others to his own level.
As regards the business, wherein l am
charged with cheating, the facts are these
When the Great American Tea Company
was first brought TO our notice we resolved
to form club,and did so. / took the names
| and sent them on to New York, with the
| amount of tea each person wanted, 80 that
every ones package was made up In New
| York with the name written thereon. When
the Express Company brought the teas to
the Pillow Factory went to our employers
| (Messrs. Bufords) and borrowed the money
| to pay for the same. The complimentary
package which the Tea Company gives to
the person who gets up the club was divided
| equally by reducing the freight, and no more
was charged for the teas than what the Tea
| Company charged, except the balance of the
| freight, after deducting the value of the
| complimentary package; 90 don't think,
made much of q fortune in the business.
| The other charges are as destitute of truth
as the above in fact it is an insult to the
Members and Company who have the sole
management of the Cooperative Store &c
| suppose that could do as charged.
The only truth in the letter is that, mem
bers are drawing out. Eleven have done
80, and Others have Joined. All have been
/ promptly paid in accordance with the Arti
cles of our Association. Can any one see
"swindle' in this?
No one would be better pleased to have
another Storekeeper than myself, and the
Committee can appoint one at any time
But we must walk before we can run, and
we have always said to those who wanted .
change: Gentlemen, make up your shares
| risk your money with ours, and we will ge
with you.'
| Remember the Davenport Cooperative
Store. They did as these anonymous gentr,
want-and what was the result? A break
4 up in few months. Our store stands al
4 good to-day as at any time, and we hop,
still to make it all we ever expected
In conclusion let me say TO l.. NJ. Coplin
or any other person, that if he or they cal
show anything wrong that have done the,
are welcome to do so and are hereby invited
to the undertaking. But what shall be sale
of the men who dictate and write such stuff
and when asked if they are the authors, de
ny IT. They have both my pity and con
tempt.
| .r Respectfully &C., &c, .q ~
GEORGE DowEIEG.
4 Rock island, May %, 1868.