Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-29
AGAINST THE STAMPS
pusISEss-MEN VOTE TO PRESS THE
ANTI-TRApING-srA BILL.
MEETING At CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Large Number oC Dusiuess-Men
Present, md the Whole Matter
Thoroughly Dtscussed-RcsoIuti
Endorsing the Murphy BnI.

have The Legislature enact into law the
bill now pending in committee abolishing
the use OF trading stamps and similar
devices.
The meeting was largely attended, and
The discussion Of the subject was pro-
lorrcd and thorough. II developed that
there were only two opponents OF the
auti-trading stamp bill present. and II is
"a remarkable fact that each of these
publicly declared. before the meeting ad-
jmrncd. at least half-formed inten-
ton to abandon the system-a determi-
nation 10 investigate certain facts
brought cut.
The speeches were all strong ones.
showing that the system has not only
suTed up the opposition OF the mer-
chants but that the subject has received
careful thought at their hands. The ap-
pause that greeted every shot at the
trading stamp system indicated that the
feeling against it was strong--a fact Of
which the sweeping resolution adopted
leaves no room TO doubt.
OBJECT OF MEETING EXPLAINED.
Mr George Med. Blake called the
meeting 10 order. and Mr.. Moses Thalhi-
mcr nominated Mr.. James T. Vaughan
as chairman. Mr.. Vaughan was unani-
mously elected. The members of the press
present were requested to act as secreta-
r.es Delegates Murphy and Anderson
were invited TO seats upon the platform.
The chairman invited some one present
10 state the object Of the meeting. and
In sd he- inc in q
r8l way something of the evils of the
lrading-stamp system. and then said he
had been asked TO interest the me rchants o
the city in a bill to have the system abol-
isbsd 10y law He said ne had circulated
petition among the merchants praying
Tor the repeal. and had met with almost
unanimous response. The sentiment
among the grocers was especially strong.
He believed that 525 out of the 600 grocers
ir Richmond wanted the business done
away with entirely.
THE SYSTEM DEFENDED.
Mr.. J. II. Busby said he felt in a minori-
~ as he saw not another merchant pres
trt who gave away stamps as he did him
self Mr. Busby then went into quite a
warm defence Of the trading-stam sys-
TEN. replying to the charges made that
The system was a lottery: that it was cal
culated 10 create extravaganza, or was
=
the stamps in his line Qurniture) in the
d, city. and thought he was a competent
authority on the subject. IL il could be
shown The business was not proper he
wanted il abolished.
Mr.. Blake replied by asking Mr. Busby
90 tell what his stamps cost him, but the
latter did not do so, though he said he
could Mr. Blake continued by saying
that. Mr.. Busby did not know what ne
H.. cold ha .fa ann Al sayn
was not a lottery. He could say, truth
fully there was big chance of not get
ting anything at all. He had seen pres
eats costing $50 which could be bought
for the meEest trihe.
Mr.. Busby thought he was the one tC
kick Il he was paying too much for The
stamps.
THE CURSE OF HIS LIFE.
MI L. H. Cloves said he found in
handling bicycles and typewrlters that
the trading stamps, which he had given
and was still giving, were the curse OF his
.ife making his days miserable. He pro
ceeded in a very witty way 10 describe
his experience with them, his remarks
bringing forth great applause.
Mr. Baughn spoke briefly against the
STAMPS. and Mr.. Lewis Nachman fol-
lowed al some length, denouncing the
system as being a monopoly and lottery
and hurtful 10 his business, and the Dusi-
ness Of every dealer who did not give
stamps and could not. if he wished, for
some one else had been given exclusive
use Of the stamps in particular.
LEADS TO EXTRAVAGANCE.
Nlr. Peatross. shoe dealer said he could
endorse what Mr.. Nachman had said bu'
could also go further. and say that Inc
system greatly conduced to extravaganza
10 make buyers spend money for tre5f
purchases. instead Of paying up wha
they owed on old scores.
Mr &. F. Sauer opposed the bill now
uending before the Legislature, urgnt
a. reason therefor that II would prevent
his giving away coupons In his bahns
powder, with the privilege of redeemne
them in a certain way
Mr.. Murphy said the bill was not in
tended for anything Of the kind; that the
Legislature could not prevent mans
giving away all he had If he chose; he
could make any kind of present TO Gus
toner that he had mind to.
4 HURTFUL SYSTEM.
Mr.. Murphy followed in a strong speecf
AGAINST the use of the stamps. He sait
he sold goods, but ne did not usa th'
stamps. for good reasons. The consumed
had 10 pay for the presents you VII
never hear" he said, "of businessmen
giving away presents, habitually. Thel
have 10 have value received.
He said the whole system was hurt1u
10 the men who used them 10 those wh'
did not use them. and 10 the persons wh'
were In the positions OF consumers. NO
body on the face Of the earth, he sald
is benefited by the scheme but the stami
people. IL is a great boycott, used u
make people do what they don't want Z
do Mr. Murphy was loudly applauded
Mr. Busby said there was no compulsloi
about buying the stamps you could 90 a
YOU pleased The stamp people pals
their license; they had the right 10 sci
the stamps TO the merchants, ;he mer
chants had the right to buy II they chose
and the same right existed for me peo
Pile Mr. Busby was frequently inter
rupted with questions. the chief point U
which was that the business y a monop
oily or fosters monopoly. Mr.. Busp.
thought the fact that large merchah
was charged less for stamps man
smaller one was perfectly legitimate a
all merchants charged less in pToporuoi
on big orders than on smaller
Mr. Cloves again inveighed against IN
stamps. saying he wished he sad neVe
seen them.
Mr.. Busby: IF you would start staml
system here | would like"
ITO be the stamp mani don't oouo
it" interrupted Mr.. Cloves, amid grea
applause
Cr,,ccr.t, NJ, crrf.TI SYSTEMS