New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-03-28
THE TRATH or THE PIUNBROKERS.

There is wrath in the hearts of the children
Of the tribe of Ben Simpson and CONSERVATION among
those who do business under the sign OF the three balls
THIS Is all on account of Assemblyman Began, of this
civ who has introduced In the Legislature bill prOyd
ing that pawnbroker, doing business with a capital Of
$1,000 shall pay 500 Tor their license and additional
SO for every ~ 900 capital above that 1t also
proyidcs that they shall give surety in the Of $1,000
for the observance OF the ordinances regulating their
business keep record OF everything paWncd in their
shops and make daily report TO the Captain Of the pO
lice precinct which they do business The bill allows
no greater interest than II per cent, and aiXes
atty OF 90 tor the violation OF any Of Its provisions
No loan under this bill, be made to person under
eighteen years OF age and pawnbokers required to
send written notices TO the of unclaimed goods
ten DAYS before their annual sales.
\ TEIBUNE reporter started out on u tour Of nspcc-
zion of the pawnbrokcrs shops in the Bowcry and its
Tributaries The day and he found that tine major part
of the men engaged IN the business were named Simp
son. or AT least they doing business under that
name There were Irish simpsons Yankee simpsons and
Simpsons who were Hebrews, and the whole tribe were
ind gnant the action of Mr.. Began The first shop Wis
tied by the reporter presided over by business like
man with baldhead, which shonc IN the light Of
chance sunbeam. A woman was trying to negotiate
loan, offering calico dress collateral security When
The dress had been carefully examined and the loan
fused the man said :" have nothing to say and he
proceeded say 10 the following effect am ready
TO close mp this store t0-m9rroW and VIII II That blll
passes. Why. pawnbrokcr that does square bust
ness coud stand ii. Il would simply crowd out respect
able and leave snides IN their places that's what
it VIII do"
At another shop sWarthy son OF Israel exclaimed:
OH de bill! dc hill! IL de bill is passed We all
ruined. We boOr Peoples " pOunbrokes. our money
list ali borrowed We never make Twin nit dat bill"
Ana he trottcd OF to attend to az customer.
II was nearing o'clock when the reporter entered
place Pcarl-st. 1t large store of its kind. and
all around on shelves, goods of every conceivable
character clothing, brdciOthcs, jewclry, hats musical
instrumen,s-in fact every thing That man buys IN pros
perty and parts with only In The deepest university The
place crowded with men and women bearing IN bls
ktts. or concealed under their shaWls or coats,
articles ON which they hoped 10 realize
sufficient sum To satisfy their necessities or
crafty their vices some were, apparently,
respectable people in " hard luck" who offered their
articles hcsatngly II ashamed Of the poverty they
could hide. Others the very wrecks Of human
ity stranded tine rocks of circumstance and beaten
upon by the sorss Of lYCr-ity and they came up 10
the counter with hang dog" jail bird air. which
was "A. good judges certificate that the articles
they offered had been stolen. The proprietor o the shop
was a very bency client looking man. and, he gIzcd at
the reporter over his -Odimmcd sprctacles, said IL
would be very hard the poor II Nr. Bugaus bill
passed. for il would certainly close all the regular pawn
shops. This WAS the opinion everywhere the pawn
brokers threatening To Put up their shutters and take
down their lgns II the bill passed.