The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1908-09-10
Debtors and Creditors.

l ne NreOlt OySteIn very iNiuSii
Abused in Every Commu-
nity-Four Classes of Per-
sons to Whom Credit is Ex-
tended-Merchants and Bus
mess Men Generally Taking
Steps to Protect Themselves
Against the Deadbeat Class
Parading in the Disguise OF
Responsibility,
Commenting on the action of the
Merchants Association ofGreensboro
In dealing with the bad debtors
deadbeats and Others who will not
pay their honest debts-the Raleigh
Times says:
"This same condition exists in al
most every city in the country and
the merchants are acting wisely in
protecting themselves against a class
of people who live in style and luxury
solely by beating the merchant out
of his hopest dues. Not only the
merchant, but every other business
enterprise is afflicted with these para.
sites who live by the toll OF Others,
and the Merchants Association de-
serves much credit for placing such
people in the hands of the law"
One trouble with most merchants
isIthat they are too anxious to sell
goods. IF | do not sell him my
competitor will' they argue to them
selves. and they take chances fire.
quently rather than miss Il sale, ex-
tending credit where credit is not de-
served. And i'm this way unwittingly
encourage the habit of de bit contract
ing which often leads to oextravagance
and deadbeating on the part OF the
dishonesty inclined. Credit is all
right, but it should not be abused
by the merchant in giving it any
more than it should by the person
who receives it.--Henderson GOLI
LEAF.
The credit system is abused in
every community. A few weeks ago
the Merchants Association OF San
ford had printed q little book con.
tanning a list of all the men and
women whose names are on the led
gers of our merchants and business
men. A mark was placed after each
mans name showing whether or not
he was prompt to meet his Obliga
tions. If he paid his debts wher
called upon for a settlement bis
credit was marked good, but il
he made no effort to meet his obliga
tions, he was marked no good at all
1t would surprise the readers of th'
Express to know how many mer
there are in Sanford and Lee county
who will not willingly pay an honest
debt.
Our merchants extend credit to foul
classes of men. First, the man whose
word is as good as his bond. 1t il
not Il question of what he is able tc
buy but how much the merchant
can sell him. He is careful not tt
buy beyond his means and he settles
the bills at the end of each month o.
whenever they are presented.
Second, the man land we all have
had dealings with him) who hal
means, but who is slow pay. Will
money in his pocket he goes into th'
store, buys goods and then waits 81,
months or whole year to pay fo
them He is the man who makes j
hard for the merchant to pull through
the panic.
Third, the man who is withou
means, but who is honest. He has 1
house to rent and a family to sup
port. Sometimes there is sickness a
home and sometimes he is out of {
job. During a year like this the hon
est merchant will go far with him, a
he ought to do, for it is not Oftel
that he loses anything by extendin.
him credit.
Fourth, the man who does no
want to pay and who knows he i
not going to pay if he can keep from
it. One would think that merchant
would have him spotted, but he beat
them out of thousands of dollars
He is usually seen with creased pant
and patent leather shoes on and h
goes to all the picnics and on all tn
hayrides. He never works and has II,
visible means ofsupport. He is foun'
everywhere the sun shines and tn
stars twinkle. OF course all men win
wear fine clothes and go to picnic'
do not belong to this class.
The merchants have done wis
thing in organizing to protect them
selves against men who make debt
with the intention of never paying
The bad debtor is a bold man, bu
hereafter it will not be so easy fo
him to buy goods as it has heeI
Wherever he may move in this Stat
his record will follow him. In re
fusing him credit, merchants no
only protect themselves, but the,
protect the balance Of the communit
and make life easier for all homes
and deserving men--Sanford Tx
! press.
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Z :. 4 4