Hillsdale Whig standard. (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1846-1851, 1850-04-16

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D creditor TO do so, for he feels convinced
: that if the payment of small debts depended
| entirely upon the honesty OF the debtor,
that there would be a stigma attached TO
the violation Of honor in falling 20 redeem
, tho plighted promise, that would secure
the payment of more such debts than the
r most stringent collection laws.
The right to collect the debt by law be.
ing part Of the contract, If lhe debtor
thinks fiji TO fail in the performance of this
promise, he can quiet his conscience by
the refec ton, that the power to collect by
Iao was part of the arrangement between
bin and the creditor, and without which he
would not have obtained the credit-there
being no reproach attached TO il, ahd the
debtor having no pecuniary interest invol-
we'd in failure TO perform, where he is
disposed 10 cover up and conceal his prop
ertv from the reach of the creditors, he
leaves the creditor 10 pursue the course
pointed out By lac. by which great delay
ensues, and often io.sl failure to collect.
There are certain debts incurred now
such as funeral expenses, debts contracted
in distress, for money borrowed for short
time without the imposition of interest, and
other similar debts, which the debtor can
lot fail to meet without mourning a re.
proach-which a man Of pride drends
more than he does the most severe colec-
tion laws that the ingenuity of man can in
vent; and all debts which can be made
debts ofhonor would, in the opinion of the
undersigned have the same effective Sc
curity.
None bat those possessing a character
for honesty and promptness would be able
TO obtain such credit, and it would not only
be honorable, hut for the pecuaiary advan-
toge Of all needing credit, to maintain a
character for promptitude and honesty;
and mankind pay regard 10 their pecunia-
ry interests, if nothing else.
Ift be inquired, what are the direct
benefits 10 be secured by the abolition Of
such collection laws? it may be said, il
would do away with all inducement to the
commission of frauds concerning such
debts, ana, consequently, oil the iurnoils
aud Disturbances in communities which a.
rise from their investigation, and which so
| frequently disturb the peace aud harmony
OF society. In the second place, it would
do away with terrible destruction Of prop
er,y and consequent misery that so often
! follows in the train Of such collection laws;
for, in most cases, the laws for the collec-
ton of small debts only become necessary
to enforce payment from debtors Of mode
rate means; and who are most benefited
by such laws! In many cases, no one but
the officers who prey upon the destruction
thoy produce; and, in multitude OF cases
where creditors can possibly gain anything
! by them, it is only the hard-hearted and
unfeelng creditor that profits thereby
! for the merciful and humane creditor learns
when he comes to the conclusion that he
is justified in enforcing the lar upon his
| debtor, that some hearllcss creditor is far
in advance OF him. and has already secured
the ruin Of his debtor.
( In the third place, the expenses OF our
judiciary system would, in the opinion of
the undersigned, be reduced more than one
half; for il is fact well known 10 every
person familiar with the proceedings of our
/ courts, that more than two-thirds of the
/ business which comes before them for ad-
Indication, proceeds from the collection of
debts under one hundred dollars, and the
,rover, trespass and replevin suits, arise
| from the struggles between debtors, credi-
tors. and officers To obtain and retain pos
session of property; and not unfrequently
| in these struggles, do both debtor and cred
tor expend for the satisfaction Of the ami
moslies more than the amount Of the in
debledness about which they are contend
ing.
Were the laws for the Collection of
that small class Of debts named by your
committee abolished, he confidently be-
! eves that the number of our supreme
court judges might be reduced 10 four,
! our county court system entirely abolish
! ed, our number of justices of the peace
! reduced TO two in each town, and the num-
/ Der of censtables 10 the same number;-
and that there would be more despatch in
business which would then come before
courts, and which the people are general
/ " interested than now; and the public
would be relieved from very large a.
1 mount Of taxes now borne for objects ia
which but few are interested.
/ In the fourth place, the abolition of such
! laws would have a tendency to greatly in
crease emigration TO this state;-not a
worthless, pernicous class of emigrants,
but a class of unfortunate, though indus.
trious and frugal citizens, unable to over
come the severity Of the laws of other
state, would look upon this state as an as
sylum-a spot where by the practice Of e.
economy, they could arise above their mis-
fortunes, and secure dependant family
the comforts Of life.
Our present collection laws Nre almost
wholly Intellectual, in enforcing the col
lection Of small debs against the will of
the debtor; and operate more as bate TO
allure creditors to make debts, than as of
fering any real security; and were the
snare removed both parties would be BEN
efitted.