The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-23
MERCHANTS ADOPT
 MANY RESOLUTIONS Annual Convention of Retail
 Grocers Stands Adjourned IN ANNISTON NEXT YEAR Association Is to Be Incorporated-Ae-
N ANNISTON NEXT YEAR
Association Is to Be Incorporated-Ae- ton Is Taken Looking to Leais-
 lation-Garnishm and
 Other Laws Discussed.

After electing officers for the ensuing year, naming Anniston as the next place of meeting and passing many resolutions, the Alabama Retail Grocers and General Merchants association, which has been in session for two days adjourned yes- terday afternoon. The election of officers resulted as follows:
 President-W. B. Tomlin, Birmingham.
 Vice-President-W. J. Walsh, Mobile.
 Treasurer-H. J. Copeland Birmingham.
 Secretary-F. M. Nixon. Birmingham.
 Board of Directors-J E. Davis, Bir- mingham S. P. Fowlkes. Birmingham; L. M. Yhetstone, Anniston; w. H. Hous- ton, Tuscaloosa; George Finley, Greens boro; W. A. McKinzie. Greenville; A. J. Farley, Mobile; Job Going. Pratt City; s. T. Key, Pratt City.
 Attorney-Escar Floyd, Birmingham.
 The association has also elected G. J. Williams, who has been southern organz izer for the National Retail Grocers' as- sociation. as state organizer, and he will devote all his time to organizing local associations in every city and town in the state It is expected that by next year the membership of the state asso- citation will be several times as large as at present.
 Escar Floyd, chairman of the commit tee on resolutions, made report which was adopted unanimously by the associa- tion yesterday morning. The resolutions are as follows:
 To Be Incorporated.
 Whereas, It is greatly to the interest of the retail merchants of Alabama to incorporate the Retail Grocers and Gen eral Merchants Association of Alabama, therefore, be it
 Resolved, first That it Is the sense of this convention that the Alabama Retail Grocers and General Merchants asso- citation be Incorporated.
 Second. That the president, first vice president secretary and state attorney and five or more members of the state association, to be appointed by the presi- dent of said association, are hereby au- thorized to file declaration of incorpor- ation to incorporate said association un- der the name of the Alabama Retail Gro cers' and General Merchants association,
 
 of business, and adopt constitution and bylaws.
 The best interest of the retail growers and general merchants of Alabama de- mands a strong state organization which can only be accomplished or brought about with the assistance of a good or ganizer. Be 1t
 Resolved, That the president, first vice president. secretary and treasurer are hereby authorized to employ state or ganizer on such terms as may be nec- essary to secure the services of good state organizer.
 Garnishment Law. Whereas, The statutes of Alabama re- lating to collection and garnishment pro- ceedings and the judicial decisions under them have become so complicated and contradictory that they have resulted in increasing that undesirable class which by fraud and deception live off the honest and industrious, making it utter ly impossible in the majority of cases for retail merchants to collect their Just debts; therefore, be it
 Resolved, That this convention of the Alabama Retail Grocers' and General Merchants do unanimously request that the legislature, whose duty it is to fur nish safeguards to life and property. re- peal the statues of this state pertaining to exemptng personal earnings or in come, and adopt the following plan, measure that will be 6 help to every honest debtor. enabling him to secure credit when he most needs 1t, and ma terially assist in developing and soldi- flying the mercantile interests of this state:
 Be it enacted by the general assembly Alabama q toI l,x, authority of the same) that on and after the passage of this act the salary, wages or income due laborer, clerk or other em- ployee of any individual, firm or corpor- alton within this state shall be subject to seizure in the following manner: Ten per cent of the monthly wages salary or income of from $15 to s3O, or in the sanc ratio of weekly or daily service; 20 per cent of the wages, salary or income from $SO to $50 or upwards; 30 per cent of wages, salary or income of $50 or up- wards. The balance of weekly or monthly salaries, wages or income can be claimed as exempt by either defendant as set forth in answer to the garnishee. Provided, however, that any debtor within the meaning of this statute may waive his right to claim any part of his wages, salary or income due by signing an instrument in writing to that effect That all laws and parts of laws In con- fict with this act are hereby repealed. False Pretenses.
 Resolved, That the general assembly of Alabama do enact q law: That if any per son with intent to defraud or cheat an : other. shall obtain any advance in money provisions, goods, wares or merchandise from any other person or corporation up- on any promise or agreement, that the person making the same will apply his wages or salary then due, or thereafter to become duo at a stipulated time, and from certain person or corporation other than whom said advances are obtained, then the said person so making said prom lse or agreement shall unlawfully and wllfully fail to apply the proceeds of said wages to the discharge of said indebted ness, according to contract, without lawful excuse, the person so offending shall be guilty of a misdemeanor. and up- on conviction shall be fined not exceeding $50 or imprisoned not exceeding thirty days.
 Fraudulent Sales.
 Resolved, That as fraudulent sales of merchandise are deterimental to legiti- mate retailers. usually being advertised and sold as bankrupt sales. fire sales, etc., in competition with goods honestly paid for at the regular rate. We ap- t,rnva of a laW eirnf1ar to thoga in Minpp-