The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-11-12
$40 TRUSTEE PROCESS
GIVEN A HEARING
An Interesting Discussion of The Merits
Of The Proposed Legislation Was
Held Last Evening.

A very interesting discussion arose at
the public hearing before the Senate iu.
dietary committee last evening on the
bill which exempts the wages Of the
laboring man TO the extent OF $40 from
trustee process. S. Hollisler Jackson
appeared in behsf Of the Vermont
Branch OF the American Federation Of
Labor, representing $4,000 workmon,
and prayed for the passage OF the bill.
He said that he had had the pleasure
OF twice voting for the bill in the House
when IL was killed in the Senate. He
believed that il the farmer and lawyer
enjoyed exemptions Of one kind or an
otner that the laboring man deserved
consideration. He contended also that
the fact that the predominant party
in this state inserted a plank in its
platform and promised TO give the
laboring man this exemption was rea.
son In favor of the passage OF tho bill.
An interesting feature Of the evening
was the debate between the author Of
the bill. Mr. Barber Of Brattleboro, and
Mike Moran Of Brattleboro, the other
party to the bitter contest waged for
the election OF representative in that
town. Mr.. Moran represented the mer-
chants association of that town and
stated that the committee had petit
tion praying for the killing Of the bill
which bore the signature of every mer-
chant in Brattleboro with one possible
exception. Mr. Moran stated that be
was not a member OF the Republican
party and somebody asked him If the
Democratic platform did net contain
a similar promise TO the laboriug man.
lie maintained that because the ques.
ton happened to be in the platform was
no reason why man should not object
to it II he thought il was not right.
Mr.. Barber called attention 70 tine
fact that Mr.. Moran was member Of
the Democratic state committee and
asked If he did think that two political
tain measure should not try to carry
the measure to a reality. Mr.. Moran
stated that he thought as a party il
should. He said ne was free to admit
that he was ignorant that the measure
was in the Democratic platform and
that he was not member Of the COM
mittee on resolutions at the conven-
tion. lie believed that the merchant
simply wanted justice. He didn't get
any exemption as merchant. Mr.
Barber again answered him by saying
that he got exemption from his team
and his homestead and that a large per-
centsge OF the merchants mad both.
Senator Mcintyre thought that the
vHrtfI 80 Iaks 9
both parties He said that he had been
a workman and merchant and ne
thought that the merchants were not
unfair and did not resort to the trustee
process except in cases where a man
to beat the merchant out Of
n bill. He said that he believed it
would break down the credit OF the
man with the merchants and
therefore work to their discredit.
Senator Cory spoke effectively for
the bill. He said that he had told some
Of the laboring men present that he |
should support the bill il elected rs he |
thought it was right and he should, |
lie said that he had been a merchant |
for 81 years and that he had never trus-
teed but one mans wages and It was
the meanest thing he had ever done in
his life Speaking of the petitions Of |
the merchants he said "You could get /
1p petition big enough to hang me
II you went to the night people"
John Adams, who had listened to the |
apparently got his" stated I
that be did not believe that il should I
he a ma ter Of merchants against I
aboring men. he said he based his I
credit on man and not on strength OF /
The trustee process. As merchant he |
favored the bill. Fred Blanchard con
lemned the idea of people voting for
hing, right or wrong, because party
it in a platform. He said it
idn't matter one iota to a merchant,
he trustee business and like MIR. Cor
" he could not remember a case in
which he had resorted to it, He thought
he question should be decided on the
Justice Of the question.
Several spoke in favor of the bill
saying that if the bill drove the labor.
ng men to cash basis in trading ii
would be the best thing for them Ben
amin Straehsn queried Mr.. Barber as
o where the merchant got exemption
ind was answered by the argument of
he team and homestead. Judge But
er suggested that working man
night have the homestead as well as
he merchant but Mr. Barber did not
hink the men working for small wages
ia n eeneral thing could have them