Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-01-18
CONVENTION ADJOURNS
The Thfee-Day Session Of the Retail Merchants AssO
citation Closed Yesterday After Pleasant and
Successful Meeting Delegates Pleased
With Bismarck

association was full of interest to the
members and closed what they were
pleased to state was one of the most en-.
joyable sessions the association has yet.
held, and in this connection it may be
said the members, without exception,
have been profuse in their expression
of appreciation of the many excellent
papers read before the convention, of
the generous hospitality of Bismarck as
expressed through the Commercial club
and of the fine time generally they have
had.
This morning the executive committee
checked up the official reports and at
tended to other routine matters and re-
ported finding everything in excellent
shape. The first paper read at the
morning session was by Hon. A. I.
Kraabel of Clifford, his subject being
legislation He spoke as follows: r.
Legislation.
As class, the merchants do not take
the interest they ought to take IN the
politics of Our state, and especially does
this apply to legislation. @.,
This should not be SO; politics should
not be left to irresponsible parties that
prey upon the better class of citizens and
make their living by corrupting politics.
In the first place, we should, as good
citizens, take an active part in politics
and do our part in having responsible
men elected to represent us in both coun-
ty and state affairs. In the second place
we should make it a part of our bust
ness to keep close track of pending leg
islation during each session of the legis-
iature and give our approval or disap-
proval of same to our representatives
We should also inform them of such
legislation as we think would be bene-
fetal to our state and locality
Our state being mainly an agricul-
tuTal state, such legislation as will pro
mote the general welfare Of the farmers
should be encouraged, as their prosperity
means our own prosperity.
While we should not, as class, ask
for any special legislation, it is only
just and fair that we demand our just
and equal right with other interests
within our state We find on our stat
ute books today less laws protecting the
general merchant than any other bust
ness or profession. To prove this it is
only necessary to mention few of the
many laws favoring and protecting other
. interests within our state.
There is the labor lien, protecting the
1aborer. while he, seldom being possessed
of any more than the law holds exempt
may treat the merchant who has fed
and clothed him and his family, with
scorn when he presents his bill.
0 There is the mechanics lien, protect
ing those who furnish the material fo1
the building Of homes, while the general
merchant who, by extending credit
makes it possible for the family to en-
JOY the home, stands unprotected
There is; the seed lien, protecting the
man selling the farmer seed, while the
merchant who, by credit, feeds and
clothes him while he plants his seed ane
harvests his grain must not grunlble fol
not having first place when collection
time comes
There is the thresher,s lien, giving t.
the threshing machine companies so pei
cent Of the gross earnings of the ma
chine. not leaving enough to pay ths
running expenses of the machine, while
the merchant who has extended credi
to the farmer during the entire summer
J in order that he may properly seed crop
thresf and market his grain, must, wher
collection time comes, take his plac'
at the foot and be content with the few
crumbs that are left after those favored
Il by law have had their fill.
/. Does it not seem to you, brother nler
chant, about time that we ask OF tn
legislature that our rights also be res
pected
The nature of OUR business IS sucl
as makes impossible to take lien OF
goods sold, but why not do away witt
all liens, and place us all on equal foot
ing in doing credit business?
~ AT the last session Of our legislator
the exemption law was reduced as affect
ing personal property but not as affect
ing real estate. This directly affecte
the general merchants. They do not
52s rule, own much real estate that the
can hold exempt Under the law, an
their personal property, OF which
merchants assets principally consist
was left without any exemption On III
other hand, the farmer can hold eS
e1npt from his creditors q quarter sec
4 tion of land with any amount Of i'm
proyements, together with the sam
amount Of personal property that tn
merchant can.
There is another law to which I Dc
sire to call your attention, and that