The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-01-13

pleasure The new officers took ihe
places. and Presidenteect Stanley E. Pal
kill read the following excellent address
which was carefully listened TO by ever
one present. nd at its close the sentimel
expressed heartily applaudcd.
PRESIDENT PARKILLs ADDRESS.
Gentlemen and Members Of the OwOsso Bus
mess Mems Association:
We have just finished the first year q
our existence and have every reason (
congratulate ourselves on having so SUE
cessfully passed through all the trial
and tribulations that always beset al
organization Of this kind at its begin
ming. Gathered here upon this our frs
anniversary it is fitting and proper thai
we should recall our good works, and ~
warriors around the campfire draw in
SEPARATION for new victories by relating
The doughty deeds Of thepast, so we may
hope thereby to gain inspiration for still
nlore earnest works in the future.
Twelve months ago the credit system
Of the merchants of this city was in q
most chaotic and unsatisfactory condi.
ton. Unprincipled men made bust.
ness to go about from place to place get
ting credit wherever it was obtainable,
with no intention of ever paying the
debt. By courtesy we call them delin'
Quents, but the man who takes mer-
chants goods when he knows he cam
not pay for them is no better than the
thief who breaks in at night and steals.
This class is comparatively small and
constitutes but small part Of the ire
sponsible portion Of the community ask
ing credit, but they are nevertheless re-
sponsible for hundreds Of dollars of un-
,collectable debts on the books Of the
merchants Of this city and, gentlemen,
hold il To be the greatest work We
have accomplished, to have headed of
This class Of people and compelled them
10 DC honest and pay cash, and in doing
-ihis, far from being their enemy We
have been their best friend. We have
,efriended that unfortunate class Of peo-
ole who through force Of circumstances
have been unable to pay and have been
,lassed as delinquents, for any commu-
nity that lives within it's income must
i'm the end be better for il. We have
befriended the great majority who
are good pay for they 10 longer have
10 pay the irresponsible mans debts
as they certainly do under the old sys'
tcm or tho merchants fail.
ANY merchant Of this city who will
watch his business to-day and compare
il with year ago will he struck
with the improved condition of our
credits. Fewer people want time on
their purchases and those who do, be-
long to the class who can and want TO
LAY their debts.
In this matter alone the association
las saved hundreds of dollars to its
members and established system that
benefits every dealer in the city wheth-
er belonrinr 10 il or not, and in the end
when all understand our system and
our objects, the very class that Low re-
viles us and seeks by misrepresentation
and SANDER TO ipjure us will acknowl-
edge that we are their best friends
But we have not confined our work TO
this one object alone we take pride IN
the fact that we have been instrumental
ia adding very materially to the city's
growth and business during the rast
year. that we have been alive to matters
OF public interest and have taken hand
in shaping tho policy and conduct OF
affairs pertaining to the city. This is
no more than VIC have an undoubted
right to do, and in exercising this, the
unquestioned privilege of every citizen,
the right of knowing and advising in
matters affecting our own and the citys
fnterests, we do not encroach on the
rights or privileges of either the city
government or any association or society
of individuals in the city. We are in
sympathy with, and the friend of any
man or class or association Of men who
are interested in promoting integrity in
business relations, or aiding in the
growth and prosperity of our city.
Our work during the year just closed
is too we'll known TO you all, gentlemen,
To- make particular repetition desirable,
bat it is eminently proper that on the
threshold of new year VIC take look at
the future and endeavor to get a correct
view Of the work in which ID seems
desirable to interest ourselves.
With this object in view / wish to call
your attention to few matters which
out Of the many things to be done seem
particularly to need our attention.
TAXES.
The subject Of taxes is one ofunfailing
interest to every citizen. How TO get the
best government at tho least expense,
and how to meet our obligations to that
government with the least inconvenience
TO ourselves is a problem that comes
home 10 every honest citizen. Under