The sun., 1898-03-11
OPPOSE TRADING STAMPS
Wilmington Merchants Talk to
the General Assembly.
SOME FAVOR THE BUSINESS
The LEGISLATURE Treated to Lllt.
WArInr>t Time Durin. the.
Present Session.
SlrCial to THE >rN.

Special to THE >,N.
DnvEn, De-. March 10. Trading stamps
held the floor in the House to-day.
Practically Y nothing was done at the
morning session. In the afternoon, how
eyer, came the promised delegation from
Wilmington An array OF legal talent
accompanied them which was really
startling.
The presence Of a strong lobby also gave
additional force and 81 !niticancc to their
visit.
Promptly at 1880 the forces OF the
trading stamp delegation marched into
The House and were provided with seats.
Chairman Donaldson, who presented the
bill presided over the meeting.
Peter l.. Cooper, representing the Will
mington Trading Stamp Company, opened
the ball with an explanation of the legal
status Of the business. lie regretted that
the Legislature should Interfere in such
matter.
The first speaker was manager David
son, Of the Wilmington Trading Stamp
Company. lie gave clear and concise
explanation Of the way in which the
business was conducted.
He stated that p,tr,n> Of his COM
mny did not pay until they had used
the stamps and then only for those they
hu,l used. They have from l7O to l7G
subscribers.
Mr.. >nlaIcy produced Il contract
which Mrl been violated by Mr. David
Sun'sc mpany.
Alr. C"pnr r>,alr'l hat the opposition
came from two CLASSES "i people. There
were, first, the newspapers, who. he
thought had said n 'rr than D lblic -rn-
tim .nt w,ld warrant; and secondly.
from !; : ni men who wish to get rid OF
their contracts by legislation.
Manager bIlll, OF he Red Star Coupon
Company, corr"b''Htrd Mr.. C"opr'>
statement and added Il remark tn the
effect that "'rhlS man l.awt,n got jealous
and raised Il big l1lnlpuS and carried he
matter to tine Legislature
men we're there in support OF the stamp
to which they were subscribers. tile
principal one, J. II. Wright at Eighth
and Market, cothier. His testimony
was that it had been good !hing for
him and that for some Ii ne he vas the
only clothing merchant in Wilmington
who used them.
A number ui others. cua merchants :,
Ir rrIvInrM. hattrr~ and S'r"Il'rn. spoke
in favor 81 tine st imp and asked tia the
bill. be ,lc:rHlru.
At thr G inclusion ui tAiS expression ui
opinion by u~r,S "t llr stamps. rN.
ElHn"ullpr W"icult ntt,lr Il lengthy aI-
Dire - owing a. hcrn lraNu rd 90 prove.
tine absuruily ni trying to pa~> such Il
bill.
lie was listened to palirnll y and al the
conclusion Of his remarks William +.
>nalIcy, who represented the ant :
stamp movement, said lie had two m n
both subscribers to the trading stamp
and both were di>glsted with the re-
suits.
4. j. Gillespie. one OF the leading
grrccrs of Wilmington, denounced it. lie
lad been in it from ,Ju|y 10 AMI had de-
rived no benefit from it, lie did not be-
!iryr that the scheme could b worked
honestly in connection with the grocery
business. Mr.. Gillespie was followed by
r,irS>,r We'll, who stated that he la
given the thing Il thorough trial. In
fact, in order /" test i, Thoroughly he
gave two where tl,r other merchants
gave one. on tn princi pie iii !, was goo,
T." gif one il is lI,lcn peter t" gil two
When asked why he went into il he
stated, II vent in I" get rirn nit lI"yrl>-
lnrgtf.
Mr.. >nalIry then took the Il nor and
stated that he was there with no crowd
ui speakers. no array ni legal talent anh
no lobby. but he dit represent GN n"r-
Giants OF the clty wh's' nailn'- were
signed to II petition which he submitted
and who comprised ir,lr-iiith- nl the
merchants Of Wilmington.
lie also ll'l he u "k nt subscribers /"
each Of the trading stamp companies.
\ |ncn iir fact was that over ui" la nf
liw names VIII ch appeared ~ subscribers
on the books Of either company. alS'
appeared ON the Wiili ~ which asked
ior he bill alpiShlny trn.
Barring this discussion which ll>,rd
nearly all the atlcrm"r, there was little
Of interest or importance done durin!
the day. One bill in relation t" pr'Nid.
ing for the apl"'''tncnl Of Il notary for
the exclusive business Of William II.
Robinson. real estate and insurance
hruk II in Wilmington. was passed.
Several notices were given of uninI-
prrt;,n. measures and Mr. Dempsey
intrpdu"rd a bill amending the law in
lrIa, ion t., deception in the manufacture
of butter.
The bill in relation to the State drcr-
tivcs was returned to the House ul-
Il tN' by Srcrtl ny II It ne Hughes.
Tur ';nvrrn"r'> objection I" sign NJ
the bill was that while the bill was ont y
to ma ir he time Of their appointment
fall during lllr session OF the Senate. an
important nnl>>inI had occurred in
drafting the bill The omission was
that no means are provided for II" r..
m"va| or punishment m aplnintrcS in
case Of tlercIc,inn or abuse Of authority.
The Senate during the day c"nrnr',d
in the House joint resolution app"int-
ing Il committee oi three /" draft laws in
relation to the fishery question, which
rs now the subject Of dispute and litiga-
tion between this State and New Jersey.
SHILLING.