Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1904-01-19

by cooperation and education.
The delegates here present have
left their business for a few days to
come and meet with you to deliberate g
over various arbitrary questions.
You are here to bring your grievances
before this convention, and we know
you have many; therer~e. | would
ask that you give careful considera-
tlon and use your utmost endeavors
to bring about the best results possl.
BILE.
Our first convention was Well at
tended, probably the largest ofganiza-
ton of merchants ever held in the
state. You may not believe it. but
over 1900 was spent in sringing
that convention together, and taking
care OF them, but on account of un-
toreseen events that trans pired later.
very little was accomplished. At our
second convention We had very fair
attendance, and some enthusiastic
remarks were made, but the legisla.
turo was IN session and Our bills be-
fore that body iied for the wan. of
breath.
Gentlemen, il you want TO accom-
p'ish anything you must begin cary
and interview your representatives
before you elect them ana ind out
what kind cf men they are. Then YOU
will have at least half 4 chance to
gain something. The laws of this
state so far as the merchant is coli
cerned, are conductive to flsud and
deception, their effort being to pre-
vent the dis scharge of just obligations
to the detriment Of the retail mer-
chant, frequently Forcing him int.
bankruptcy, thus lowering the finan-
cial and social standing Of cc@.se whole
retail business, and fostering luxuri-
GUS crop of fungus denominated dead
beats, who feed on the life blood
OF legitimate business. Take. for
example, the boarding houses and n,
tells. They can sue and place you in
prison for failing to pay your board
bill, but you, Mr. Merchant. can do
nothing with the same boarding
house keepers who have purchased
the necessities of life to feed their
boarders. Then, again suppose ysal
have sidewalk laid in front of your
place of business. The mechanic who
laid the walk has a lien on the prop
erty for the amount of his work and
material furnished Gentlemen. what
kind of lien have you for the provis-
ions ycu furnish said mechanic? Sue
MIN and he will schedule. Justice,
where art thou?' What is good fer
one should be good for another.
''The only way for you to do is to
begin right now to study this uues-
ticm to protect yourself as other or.
ganlzations are doing to protect them
selves. Put men in office whom you
know are honest and who believe in
justice and equal rights to all, but
whatever you do, never put contempt
ible dead beats in office. There is
another place awaiting him in the
next world, and there they will be
taken care of according to the gro
GERS dream
II
Il desire to thank the distinuished
gentlemen who have come from
distance to meet and deliberate with
us in our proceedings. We ask you
while you are here. to make your
selves at home. You are one of us.
We want you to enjey southern hos
pitalty while you ore here, and we
will allow you to sell your goods in
car loads, or train loacs only. remem-
Der, we have come here for recrea-
ton, and tna, is what we would like
for you to bear in mind! Thanking
you for this large delegation, and
hoping this next convention may be
still larger and wishing you all pros
perity, again thank you for listening
to my remarks"
REV. j. M. IUCEY