Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-26
Discrimination Against the Mer-
chant.



Evington, Cempbeli County, Wa.
TO TIA Editor OF the Dispatch:
, II yo'I will allow me space desire n
submit few thoughts In reference 70
one or two bills recently offered in the
| Legislature. First. AS 10 the bill exempt-
| ing wages OF railroad employees from
punishment for debt. The object Of this
measure IL obviously 10 catch the In
fluence OF that class of voters. and. there
fore. Is an electoneering scheme
Now, n law that benefits q use the
word for the sake of argument only
particular class evidently works TO the
injury OF some other class. If this law
should benefit a certain class Of labor by
shielding their wages from the payment
Of their debts, II would certainly work
TO the disadvantage OF the creditor, and
these are the two classes directly af-
fected-the railroad employee and the
Now. | hold that a law 20 aid a debtor
In avoiding payment OF his Just debts is
wrong I'm principle. 1t opens temptations
TO defraud. II encourages dishonesty.
large proportion OF the laborng class are
dependent for advances of supplies for
the support OF themselves and families
20 be paid for out of their wages 1t often
occurs that some OF these have little or
no regard for the honor OF their obliga-
tins. and it becomes necessary to enforce
them 10 respect the same by the strong
arm or the law. Who is expected 70 ac-
commodate these people? The merchant
OF course. There is none other to do IL
strip the merchant of his only protec-
tion-the law-and what will be the re-
suit? He will be forced TO withhold adj
vances. and hardship and. possibly, great
suffering follows. Therefore, / hold that
such a law would be to the disadvantage
OF the very class whom it is aimed to
benefit
h.
this law? Surely, not the employed
surely. no is not asking the LEGISLATURE |
for law TO defraud HIS benefactori If |
he Is. then the infamy and gnOmy should |
and doubtless will fall OH his own head |
Are the merchants Of Virginia asking |
for 1t? / think not. If the two classes |
interested are not behind this tn 2, then |
whence cometh II? IL should fa.., and |
doubtless will. The. last vestge of these
exemption laws should be wiped from the !
statute-books Of this Commonwealth.
There was doubles some excuse for
them directly after the war, when debts
had been contracted based on property |
which had been lost. Those We're condi-
lions which we could not control, but
which have long since ceased
Nov. as TO another bill. offered by a
Mr.. Pendleton, / believe, which is aimed
directly at the merchandise wit 10
make IT unlawful for them to serve as
public-school trustees. Possibly the au-
NOR of this bill has incompetent and UNI
worthy merchants OF his constituency
who are or may become school
trustees If so. by all means let
him have a special law for his county,
md thereby save his people from the aw-
'ul calamity of the unworthy, incompe-
ent, and rapacious merchant school trus-
ee! The duties and penalties of school
rustees are plainly prescribed by the
avs and regulations of this State The
Jay Is nominal; the position is unde-
iirable. The trustee, If he does his duty
makes no friends-enemies rather A pub
ic-school trustee who is faithful In the
discharge of the duties Is a public bene-
actor
But why should merchants be prohibit
ID from holding positions of trust? Mr.
'endleton appears to lose sight Of the
act that they have common, if not a
pecial, interest in the public schools:
nd that he Is a citizen and "a taxpayer
Untitled 70 rs many privileges as any
Their law-abding citizen. He only wants
ustice. He does not mean to be kicked
ut without cause. 1t is said that ninety
Inc merchants in "A hundred fail and
that's the wonder, when they are dis
against on almost every handi .
/ little special legislation for them would .
g very much i'm order. And certainly ac-
eDtable What say you, brethren of the
fraternity of Virginia?
But must cut this short for this time.
banking yOu in advance for this cour-
asy. Yours truly. q.