The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-02-06

THOSE GARNlSHEES.
A Citizen Submits Some Facts and
Some Opinions.

To the Editor of The Times: Sometime
ago | read an article containing nearly
two columns in The Times about the
poor and needy" and destitute families
OF Roanoke, an article that was very
touching and needed not only the sympa-
thy but part of the dollars of every one
able to give. Fully knowing the stand
that your valuable paper takes in regard
to trusts and monopolies is why | send
this letter to you. have subject now
to present which needs more attention
than either of the above one in which
nearly one thousand people are Interested.
There is Il notice posted on the bulletin
boards at the Roanoke Machine Works
stating THAT amy person who is gar.
nlshced for an account will be dis
charged" Now I do net want it TO mp.
pear that I don't want IL man to pay that
which he owes, for | do think that every
one should pay his honest debts but how
can man pay all his accounts in one
month or one pay day, Here is Mr.. A
working in Roanoke Machine Works eight
hours per day, receives Is cents per hour,
(some get as low as | cents, five days
per week; forty hours at Is cents equals
$500, or 22.S0 per month. Pays house
rent 50; coal 1928, making 1925, leav-
ing Mr.. y Il balance of SO. % on which to
feed and clothe Il family of seven. But
Mr.. y has contracted Il debt OF about So
with MIR. l5 for II pair of shoes. He fails
to pay all on one pay day, Mr.. b. gets
out ''garnishec' against Mr.. A., know
ing Mt the same time that y. does not
make fifty dollars per month which the
law allows HIM. but he puts forth his
garnshee and causes A. to loose his Job.
What is the result: B. never gets his 50,
y. Losses his job and perhaps his family
Is thrown upon the people of the town
for support. Now, would it not be bet
ter for IL. to wait and take part on &C.
count each month, for a. knows that beg
ing II man Of family he must pay his bills
if he wishes to live in The town No
doubt this Carnishee business has been
annoying to the officials, causing them to
issue such notice, hut we trust when
they look upon it, as scores of others see
it, they will think we'll before acting
upon discharge for being garnisheed,
fol there will he scores uf them unjustly
issued, and when you garnshee II mar.
i'ed man you may he shooting ut him,
but you miss your aim and hit the dear
wife and little children. They are the
ones to suffer. trust that YOU will give
this space in your paper, and fully be-
lieve that if the men employed in the
shops have the right kind of Il show they
will pay up. OF course their creditors
want their money, but punishment is IL
poor way to get it,
have heard it mentioned that the men
would form an alliance and open store
of their own if this kind of treatment is
to continue. Now the merchants of
Roanoke know the result of this. l also
understand that the employees will hold
meeting in the Old Opera House Satur-
day night ut 7:30 O'Clock for the purpose
of organizing and ascertaining the legal
ity of the above proceedings. believe
that man who makes good wages and
makes no effort to pay his debts should
he dealt with; but Learn his condition first
a CITIZEN