The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-05-03
Sixth Ave-. 2Olh 10 2isi ST., New York.
SAY IT is ONLY A BLUFF.


JERSEY City, N. j., May !, 1874.
To the Ed tor of fhe Jersey City NsaUs;-
In reference to the interview with
Mr.. w. T. Sullivan, manager of the
Boston One Price Clothing House," which
appeared in the columns of last nights Jour-
nal, we, the members of the Early Closing
Association Of Jersey City, accept this, our
first opportunity, Of speaking to the B. O.
PC FL. through ,fHE NEWS. Up to the
present we have carefully avoided rushing
into print in justification of our demand for
shorter hours, as the press and the public
have long since acknowledged that we have
a grievance n that we must receive re-
dress. Now Mr.. Sullivan states that the
Boston is at all times ready to meet the
necessities of the times, and that they will
agree to close their stores at $50 p. m. every
day except Mondaysa and Saturdays, provided
four houses in the same line Of trade agree to
do likewise. He also defends the Boston
from being g stumbling block in the way of
early closing. Now we charge the "Boston"
publicly with being the principal stumbling
block in the way OF any reform for early
closing hat ever started in this city, leaving
past attempts of early closing aside and deal
Mr.. Sullivan and the public that after the
Early Closing Association was organized,
nearly a year ago, our first duty was to ap-
point a committee TO procure the signatures
Of all merchants in this city who were willing
to close their stores at 6 p. m. On and after
January l, 1894. We have placed on record
the signatures Of the principal and leading
business houses in this city who complied
with our request. Who blocked progress ?
The B. o. p. CHI. did. That house was
amongst the first we interviewed. What did
they tell usa Go and get the dry goods
houses to sign, and we will follow. Wegdid.
What next? Go and get the clothiers to
sign; we sell clothing. and If they will sign
we will sign. We did. We secured the sig
natures of the principal and leading clothing
houses. What thens Go and get the shoe
stores to sign; we sell shoes. We did, and
we can produce at the present time the sig
natures Of the principal shoe stores on New
ark avenue. What thens Go and get the
matters. Last, but not least, we had to go,
and get the gents furnishers. We did all
this, and now Mr.. Sullivan want to tell us,
through the press, that the Boston" Is will
ing to close if four houses in the same trade.
agree TO do likewise. Now for q point of in
formation to Mr.. Sullivan; We, the clerks.
of Jersey City, are not alone in this move.
ment. We have, we claim without fear of
contradiction, the support Of 10000 laboring
unanimous support of the public press, and
our cause has been advocated from almost
every pulpit in Hudson County. In the face
of all this Mr.. Sullivan wants to hear per-
sonally from every one In Jersey City who
wants the B. o. Pc. H, to close at $50, ex-
cept Mondays and Saturdays. We lave
been asked to help him In his object. We
had a mass meeting last December in Roche's
Hall. The Boston was invited to send a
representative. But they entirely ignored
us. Now at the eleventh hour they have
1--WE regret to say the audacity to inform the
public they are not in the way Of the move
ment. When a house like the BOSTON,
should be one of our leaders in this great re-
form and say we close at 6 p. M, Saturdays
excepted, instead they try to advocate what
we do not want, and wenever agitated,
viz, $50 p. m. Mondays, days preceding
holidays and Saturdays excepted. We wish
the Boston" and the public to understand
thoroughly what we ask for. We ask for
six o'clock. Saturdays excepted, and leave 1t
optional with our employers as to what time
they will close preceding holidays. That is
what we ask for, and that is what we en-
tered this campaign for. We did not enter
it for q week or month. We entered it to be
in it until our object is gained, namely, to
close all the principal stores in Jersey City
at six p. M, Saturdays excepted. Now we
do not want to be misunderstood. One word
more and we are through: The example is
already set. Let Mr.. Sullivan, if he WISHES
to show be is conscientious in his convictions,
follow. Close the B. O-sP. 6. H. at six
o'clock, and he will find he will nave plenty
to follow.
THE EARLY CLOSING Association.