Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-03-09
Will. INCREASE
PEOPLES CREDIT
GROCER GIVES STRONG ARGU
MENTS FOR PASSAGE OF DEBT
ORS' EXEMPTION BILL.
LAW NOT UNDERSTOOD
Measure Now Before Legislature
Would Lake 10 Per Cent Of
Mans Income Liable to Ex-
ecuton on Family Accounts.

Maintaining that the credit of all
working people will be strengthened
and that Its passage will usher in ap-
preciably better conditions for all
classes, local grocer has advanced
some strong reasons why the proposed
debtors exemption bill now before the
legislature should be passed.
Il don't believe that very many peo-
pie understand this measure, else
there would not be tho objection to 1t
that we hear constantly expressed.
'The bill as it is proposed will af-
feet only those people who will abso-
lutely refuse to pay their honest debts
when they have the means to pay
them.
mo honest man wishes nor do the
honest and earnest business men who
have prepared and are urging this bill
wish to do injustice to anyone, much
less to those who are poor, unfort'1-
nate, but honest
THE bill is planned to protect the
honest man, whether laborer OF mer-
chant, from part Of the burdens laid
upon him by the dishonest and indif-
ferent debtor. The effects of the bill,
If it shall become law, will be moral
rather than financial, as the man who
expects to continue after July 4, 1909,
to contract bills for family necessities
and then laugh at his creditor when
he asks for payment will be compelled
to cease his Indifference.
Goa the other hand, the man who Is
honest but poor will find that his
credit will be increased, and in case
of lack of employment or Of family i'll
ness he will be accommodated by the
merchants more readily and more ex
tensely than now under the present
law. The rich but dishonest man also
will have to contribute at least 10 per
cent to his income to pay for future
debts of necessities
Here is the Bill.
"The bill provides that the earnings
of debtor who Is resident of the
state and the head of family for his
personal service or those of his family
are exempt from liability for debt tc
the extent of ninety (90) per cent Of
such earnings, and ten (10) per cer'
| shall be subject to execution upoI
| Judgment obtained for personal anl
family necessities contracted for after
July 4, 1909.
This measure has no hearing upor
any debts except those for persona
and family necessities. Those who ex
tend credit for any other supplies thar
these necessities must collect under
the present provision, which exempl'
all personal earnings of the head of ;
family for ninety days as to all debts
and applies only to debts that shall b,
contracted after July 4, 1909.
ct affects but ten per cent Of tn
family earnings, not taking away tn
living, but reminding men that thos
who extend to them credit must b.
honestly and courteously treated. Cal
any honest man WHO understands th
bill think that the business men hav
presented any other than a just prof.
osition.'
II Works in Missouri.
Anyone who wants to know hoy
the debtors exemption law works ca
be shown in Missouri. The legislator
of that state passed measure simila
to the law we are asking in Iowa bu
providing that Is per cent of man
income shall be liable to execution 70
: judgment on account contracted &c
family necessities. During the frs
year after the law was passed onl
three suits were brought, so far as W
are able to learn
1.-THE especial reason why we wal