The sun., 1898-03-26
LACK OF Interest CAUSED|I
Also Selfshness Defeated the
Trading Stamp Bill.
WHAT GENERAL DONOHOESAYS

Thinks the Action Taken Was Right--
The People Will This Week
Sec Which is Right.
spesial to The SUN.
DOVER, March 25.-Selfshness and a
lack of interest in the business interests
Of the city of Wilmington is largely to
blame for the defeat OF the trading stamp
bill in the State Senate.
The Senators are not the only persons
who deserve the censure of the business
men of the State metropolis, as many of
those having considerable influence
throughout New Castle county and the
State failed to see the importance of Il e
bill as to take the interest in it which it
deserved.
The citizens of Wilmington, outside Of
the business men, could have done much
toward securing the passage of the bill
had they made the effort, but it seems
that many who are supposed to be iden
titled with the growth and welfare of the
city and its business permitted their own
seltishness to hinder them from actively
working for measure which would have
greatly benefited themselves and their
friends as we'll as releasing the retail
business men Of Wilmington from sort
Of bondage which is most oppressive and
degrading to them.
John ?. Donahoe, that great patriot,
who is known in Loyal Legion circles all
over the State as a loyal and patriotic
Wilmingtonian, was here for several days
this week in the interest of friend, who
desires to have child sent to the Penn
sylvania Institute for Feeble Minded
Children and who, it is alleged, is re-
sponsible 10 some extent tor the bill now
pending in tho Legislature to increase the
State quota for that institution, so that
the doors may be thrown open to dozen
more feeble minded children at an i'm
mense expense to the State, Delaware's
State institution not being considered
good enough for them.
In conversation with Mr.. Donahce, /
asked him what he thought OF the defeat
of the trading stamp bill, and his reply
was that he considered it just the action
which. should have been taken. He
added
"These trading stamps amuse the
women and children Of Whining
ton and do no harm to the public
at large. What do you care about what
use the money is put to after you have
spent it for an article OF some sort?
You have the article and the storekeeper
has the money; that ends it, so far as
you or are concerned
"No. The business man must look
after his own interests ana do the best
he can, and if he don't succeed that is
his own affair. These tradilg stamps
secure to the retail merchant a cash
business, and if he is willing to give up
two or five per cent. of his profits for
this purpose he is being benefited in
that way and has no cause for COM
plaint"
Well, / asked, would it not BE- better
in the long run were this retail mere hant
to be permitted to retain that per cent.
He is now compelled to yield up to the
stamp syndicate and put it into his
business either in stock or advertising,
instead of paying it over to corpora
tion which takes the money out of the
State and thus deprives us Delawareans
of it's use as circulating medium.
81 don't think he would do it. Now,
you are the second man with whom /
have spoken on this subject; the otker
one was one OF the Senators, and | tell
YOU as told him, the trading stamp
anuses the women and children and
does the purchaser no harm. Why,
when Old Sweetheart Mrs. Donahoe)
wants one of the children to 60 to the
store they all run to her and plead to be
permitted to do the errand 50 they will
get the trading stamp to play with. /
am walking over them every day in my
home, for my children leave them laying
around on the floor in their play, and I
know they enjoy the amusement
But would it not be better for the
children to have the money which these
trading amps represent fer the pur-
chase of dolls or other toys, n..,.l
would increase some other retailers sales
and profits and keep the money in active
circulation in Wilmington?
"Were the storekeepers to pay cash
premiums for cash purchases ''old sweet
heart" would see that it went into her
pockctbook and the children would be
deprived OF their pleasure and wouldn't
be so anxious to run to the store
as they now are. Now look here.
Those merchants wont hang together
and why should we worry about them.
They may agree to do this, that or the
other, SO far as selling at certain price
or for cash only is concerned, but the
agreement is broken within a day or
week and then they all try to do each
other by every possible means.'
The above conversation shows how
some people interest themselves in the
waIfare of their home city,
or am convinced that Mr. Donahoe is
1ot the only one who holds such views
IS are expressed in the brief conversation
lere given. Seltishness and lack of
interest and pride in the growth and
welfare of Wilmington is as much to
blame for the trading stamp bills defeat
Is was the vote of Wilmington's own
senator, Mr.. Stewart.
With many people it is considered
wrong to be interested in another per-
on's prosperity or business, but when it
omes to saddling debt upon the State
" the passage OF q law in which they
ire directly interested, or in which their
riends may be interested, it is all right
hat the public should be tayed to pay
or their pleasure or accommodation.
During the coming week the public
nay learn which is of the most con-
equence--a private bill drawn up to
one or two people, or the
business interests of the city of WiIm-
Dgton. MCCULLOUGH.