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

the purpose of coming together in
their town to discuss methods of CO.
operation and mutual improvements of
retail trade conditions, establishing
confidence among the members on a
basis of square dealing with each 9TH
err as well as with the jobber and con-
sumner. So l say again that it is graf
flying to me to see this interest man
ifested by your attendance at this con-
vention. | have to the best of my
ability done everything in my power
for the advancement of the organiza'
ton not only since my election to the
office which | now hold but ever since
the association was first organized.
During the few months that l have
been your president l have received a
good many letters from all over the
country seeking information and ask
ing cooperation and in all cases ]
have given what information l could
and assisted all as far as | consistent
ly could.
On February 18th. l received letter
from our National Secretary Jno. A
Green, urging to me to write to our
U. S. Senators and ask them to use
their influence in regard to a Bank
ruptcy Bill then before congress in
which he retail merchants was inter
ested. wrote Senators McLaurin and
Money and received replies from time
to time in which they stated they were
were with us and would do all they
could in our behalf March Sth, I re
ceived a letter from Mr.. Jas. w. Mil
Ter, President of the Natchez Associa
ton. registering a complaint from his
city Immediately upon receipt OF
this complaint l took the matter UP
with the parties concerned and as far
as | know the matter was settled to
the satisfaction of all concerned
While there has been much done by
our organization there is much more
to do This state is without a Pure
Food Law. This l think is an import
ant matter and therefore urge the
committee to whom the matter was
referred at our last convention, to
give it their prompt attention. AT
our last convention, there was a reso
luton passed that an active campaign
be inaugurated COR the purpose of hav
I 10 per cent garnishment law. This
exemption law has been a hobby OF
mine ever since l have been in bust
ness and l think it one of the most
important matters pertaining to the
welfare of the retail merchant today
| dare say that there is not a mer
chant within the sound of my voice
but who believes that We need rene
dial legislation along these lines. We
should have a 10 per cent garnishment
law or in other words a 80 per cent ex
emption law. A law Of this kline
would enable the merchants to sell t.
the small wage earners who are most
| ly negroes and thereby be able to col
lect his bills. To better express my
ideas in regard to this law | quote
from the Retail Merchant: Just thu
very mention of such a law seems t.
send terror to the minds and hearts
of certain class and there need be III
surprise at this because with such
law the dead-beats openly defy hi
| creditors and continue in his searcl
| for pastures new and merchant
| green" The object of such law i
not to work a hardship or an injustice
on any one and | do not believetha
there is one case in a thousand wher
it ever has. Some well meaning an,
honest people oppose such a law be
cause they are afraid that if circun
stances should ever place them in
position where they could not NEE
| their obligations that come heartles
and INSCRIPTIONS creditor would finar
cially ruin them. This is a mistak
as they will fully realize if they Wi