The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-08-12
Travelling Wan and Politics.

Speaking Of The travelling men and pdsl
tics, the Lawyer and Travelling Man saws:
There Is Que question in which they
should. as class, interest themselves.
What does the candidate for congress
from your district propose to do for the
travelling salesman? If he Is to represent
the travelling men, he must be ready to
protect their interests by such legisla-
ton as may be required. The Interstate
commerce law is not in danger and sufd-
| ciently protects he traveller from the
mistaken narrowness of certain local leg
islation that has been attempted in TIMES
past; with deals, the respective States
must deal. What remains. then, for
the National legislature 10 do for the trav-
cling men?
! II must amend the present bankruptcy
law. As Interpreted by recent decislon
| full particulars regarding which were
! published in the May issue of the Lawyer
/ and Travelling Mamie law dscrlm-
mates in favor of the house salesman.
and against the man on the road. After
| the fees and expenses OF administering
u bankrupt's estate are paid "workmen
clerks and servants" are paid in full. II
| there is enought % satisfy their demands.
after them other creditors including the
| travelling statesmen, receive a pro rate
dividend from the remainder Few es-
tates pay more han 30 per cent OF the
claims.
This. then. is what the travelling men
as a class must work for in this cam
paign-the amendment of the fourth
clause OF section Sab OF the presen bank
ruptcy law to include travelling statesmen
In the list OF those employees of the bank
rupt who are gwen preference over other
cfeditorN 4 requires the insertion OF
but one word--put statesmen" after or be-
fore the word CLERKS" and the thing Is
done; the man on the road IS then pro-
tccted equally with the mun at the ooun-
ter.
The advice OF the Lawyer and Travelling
Man is this: Lose no opportunity of
letting 1t be known that this Is demand
ed; let each candidate for congress In
your district know that II he expects to
receive the vote OF any travelling man. no
must pledge himself to vote for such
an amendment. Tell your brethren on the
road what inequality Is wrought by me
law as II stands; insist that the orgaui-
cations 10 which you belong take the mat
Ter up--the Travellers Protective Assocla-
ton has already done so At It's National
convention. Let every post, council
lodge or any other local association OF
travelling men In the United States agi-
tate the question. II Is matter Of right.
1t is an injustice under which you should
ruptcy law to secure Justice for the COM
merclal travellers.
You will certainly find helpers, although
IL The travelling men themselves be aura :
GENTLY determined. they can accomplish
this unaided The credit man Of your
house will tell you what the Credit Mems
association has effected along this line.
and what action viii certainly be taken.
as tho result OF It's efforts during the
next session OF congress The law will
assuredly be amended then; when II Il zip
for discussion, It VIII BE- easy enough II
the way has been properly smoojhed. II
forehand to secure shis one more amend
ment. but It is your duty to smooth that
way by seeing that the member from your
district Will speak and vote In support OF
that amendment.
NOW, doubtless, your house Is hnanciaily
Solo has lightning never struck in an
unexpected place? Is there no possibility
that at some time | viii totter and fall
without warning? Are You ready then to
aeoept--if you can get it--3o per cent at
/, such Of your salary as YOU have not
drawn, while the bookkeepers and house
statesmen are paid in full for no more
fall hful services?
But II your own interests are not en-
, nangered are you not ready TO assist in
protecting those OF your brethren less
favorahly situated Every time that a
great house goes crashing down. there are
men thrown out OF employment. What
are the hardships at such time. and how
much are those hardshirs increased n.
! In addition TO the loss OF he position.
and the uncertainty OF securing another.
there be Joined the emharra ssmeut
Drought about by the circumstance that