The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1909-05-19
Thu HATT1ESTDRG NEWS

to whom the head of the family goes
when out of employment to obtain
help until such a time as he may be
able to pay for what he wants? Who
is it that he goes to for medicine when
he or any member of his family is
sick? Who is it to whom his widow
in case of death goes for the necessary
articles for a decent funeral? To
whom does his widow go for some
thing to eat and wear and provide
such other necessaries of life as she
and her children may need? 1t seems
but vain to ask such questions but it
is so often the case that such things
are entirely overlooked by those who
oppose any legal means by which
creditor may be able to compel dis
honest debtor to pay. When troubles
seem to fall thick and fast upon fam
lily regardless of what has been their
history as to the payment of their
debts, it is tn grocer, butcher, drug
SAHN, VI y SOOhS man. anu ShNu ONhOl
as can render assistance who open
up their hearts and stores to furnikN
relief, trusting alone 70 their honesty
for the pay for the goods furnished,
and in a number of instances it is all
lost either from total inability to pay
or disposition to beat.
This world may have a cold and
cruel side to it but it is not shown by
the merchants towards a fellow crca-
ure when in need of the necessaries
of life. Then why should any well
meaning and honest person for one
moment oppose a law that will protect
the best friends the poor and unfortu-
nate person has or ever had. No
gentlemen, law of this kind is just
and fair. | believe in honesty of pur-
pose and principle and if backed up
by a vcareful consideration for the
rights of others cannot fail of making
people better and happier. l would
also call your attention to the Grab
Car evil. l do not think that the rail.
road companies should open up in
competition with the Retail Merchant
The Retail Merchants are distributors
for at least 80 per cent hauled by them
and l think it nothing but right and
just that they should discontinue the
Grab Car and in turn turn this trade
into the channel to which it rightful-
ly belongs. | hope that that this mat
ter will be thoroughly discussed at
this convention and the necessary
step steps taken to get the matter ad-
justed. There was also a resolution
passed to have our association incor-
ing to the fact that our finances have
not been sufficient. | trust that the
necessary funds will be forthcoming
at this convention so we may have
this done. There are many things
that | could suggest for the associa.
ton to take up but | realize that our
time is limited and | know that there
will be some important matters pre-
scented by the different committees,
therefore | will not take up your val
liable time offering any more sug-
geStions.
Now in conclusion | want to thank
the officers and members of the asso
citation for the hearty support given
me through my entire term and as
sure you that | have done all in my
power for the betterment of the as
ISOLATION and my fellow merchants.
also want to thank the good people OF
this magic city of Hattiesburg, the
metropolis of South Mississippi FL,
their kind words of welcome and q n
eral hospitality. To our delegatc5
want to say that | am awful glad TIA
you are here and hope that you viii
get so full of enthusiasm that you viii
never miss another convention. Gent
lemen, | thank you.
Following the address of the presi
dent, the secretary made the follow
ing report:
Meridian, Miss, May ), 1909
Mr.. John a. Green, Secretary Nationa
Association of Retail Grocers, Cleve
land, Ohio
Dear Sir-I submit herewith a state
ment of the organization work done il
Mississippi since the last session 0
the National Association in Boston.
am not inclosing the names of the mel
chants, but only the name of the as
ISOLATION, with its officers.
Mendenhall-S. S. Boswell, pres
dent; A. NJ. Edwards secretary.
Newton-J E. Collier, president,
Ellis B. Cooper, secretary.
Wiggins-J B. Dorset, president.
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