Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-11-20
That colesburg License Case.

That Colesburg License Case.
There was little excitement in
town last week over clothing sale
held in the w. I'll. Z. Bristol store.
As considerable feeling was created
over the matter and no little misun-
derstanding, we feel that it would
be only fair to all concerned to give
the details through the columns OF
the Clipper so far as we are able
to gather them. Some time ago the
town was billed to the effect that
Mr.. E. c. Bolsinger of Mancheter,
representing large and complete
line of mems clothing, would be at
the Bristol store to conduct cloth
ing sale on November 18th and Sth.
While the name of the company rep
resented was not given it was gen.
orally understood from statements
made by Mr.. Bristol and his en-
ployes, and also from the fact that
d. G. Bolsinger was an employee of
Gildner Bros. Of Manchester, that
this was the firm that was the prin-
cipal in the sale advertised. At the
regular meeting of the town council
on Monday evening of last week,
Councilman Adams called up the
matter stating that his attention had
been called to the sale by citizens
and business men of the town, and
concluded by asking Mayor Foote,
who has the power TO fix the license
of transient merchants in Coles
burg, through a regular ordinance
of the town, what he was going to
do about it. la the discussion that
followed the following arguments
were presented favoring the collec-
ton of a license:
LIST. That while the people hold
ing these sales expecting the protec-
ton of the town, their stocks of
goods, whether sold under their own
names or under the name Of the To-
cal merchant, never pay cent of
taxes to the town.
I'd. That as these transient deal
ers are out of their regular trade
territory and are not under the ne
cessity Of maintaining their regular
prices, every cent for which their
goods are sold above their cost to
them and their commission to the
local merchant is clear gain, and
hence they can establish prices that
are detrimental to the local business
men who have their regular prices
to maintain.
3D.. That we have a local firm in
the same business who pays taxes or
stock and who is entitled to protec-
ton.
4th. That as this license is not
collected off the local merchant there
should be no objection on his part to
the establishment of a policy intend
ed to protect all merchants alike.
9Th. That as no licenses had been
collected by the mayor on previous
sales, that he be directed to collect
licenses from all future sales held in
Colesburg by transient merchants.
Mayor Foote then asked for ad-
vice as TO the amount of license to
be collected, and by vote of the
council was instructed to fix the
amount at $40 per day for each day
of the sale. Accordingly the mayor
gave notice to Mr.. Bristol of the
action of the council and Of his in.
tention to collect the license as di.
rected. Mr.. Bristol took exceptions
to the proposed action, stating that
as he was getting a commission OIL
the sale the business was his; thai
he is already taxpayer to the towr
and that he would pay no license
Mr.. Bristol then notified Gildnel
Brothers Of the proposed license
The goods were shipped, invoiced te
Mr.. Bristol, and accompanied by
Z. G. Bolsinser and j. @. Bolsingel
who were to assist in the sale. Aftel
reaching Colesburg it was an
nounced that L. G. Bolsinger hac
been given a few days vacation b.
Gildner Bros. and he was relieved
Of all connection with the sale, not
wlthstanding he had been adyer
tised as the one to conduct it. May
or Foote sought the advice of tw'
law firms regarding the license AMI
called a special meeting Of the coun
Gil Thursday noon. The condition
of affairs was presented to the bod,
and their advice as to further pro
ceedings asked. The council tool
the view that the subsequent actor
of Gildner Bros. and Mr. Bristol wa
not intended to evade the town ordi
nance, but the presumption remain
ed that the sale was still that of Gid
ner Bros. of Manchester. Mayo
Foote was directed to engage coun
Gil and proceed with the case. Fl
accordingly placed the matter befor
Cloud & Cloud Of Earlyille who ar
now preparing the case.
The above is the truth OF the mai
ter as nearly as can be determined
and if there is anything contrary t
the, fact it is because the writer ha
been misinformed. The positio
of the town council now is to max