The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-07-03
THE EXEMPTION LAw.-THE CRED
1T SYSTEM

by the sheriff, alledged violation of the pro-
vision of three hundred dollar exemption
law, Judge Parsons is represented TO have
said that "All the laws that had been passed
by the legislature for q number of years
back, 10 protect poor man were retro
grade from civilization Formerly poor
man could get credit; now he could get
none. Nobody would trust him."
With all due Difference 10 the better
judgment of Judge Parsons, we think lie is
wrong in his opinion Of the effects Of the
three hundred dollar law, and the law abol-
ishing imprisonment for debt (Which we
suppose is included in the measures he al
ludes toy upon the interests Of the poor man.
We admit that there are cases in which
credit is desirable and necessary for the poor
man, and that there are also cases in which
he is deprived of it by the operation of the
laws In question, bdt as general rule de-
privation of credit is, in our opinion, an ad-
vantage rather than an injury 10 the poor
man. "Man wants but little here below,n
and none but those who have tried it are
aware of how little man can get along
upon who limits his expenditures 10 his ac-
tual wants. This the poor man who has no
credit is compelled 10 do, and gets along, if
not so comfortably as he might upon larg-
er income, much more independently, aye
and in the end more comfortably than he
would do by seeking 10 increase his income
by the use of his credit, but in reality only
increasing his wants and anticipating future
earnings, which when the time comes for
their receipt and necessary expenditure, are
already apptoo ooriated.
To the business man the credit system Is
unquestionably beneficial, when used and
not abused as it too often is but our own
experience is, that to the working man, the
day laborer, the journeyman mechanic, to
any one who works for day wages it is
much more likely TO prove injurious, and
that the less they have to do with it, the bet
ter.
The very assertion (no doubt of its being
fact that) the enactment of the laws abol-
shing imprisonment for debt and exempting
limited amount Of property, the bare ne
cessaries OF life, from execution and sale,
operates 10 prevent the poor man from OBJ
tanning credit, should show him the nature
and operations of that credit, and of the
friendship of those who will only credit him
OF such conditions.
We could not easily be persuaded 10 re-
gard that man friend, or as doing a
friendly act, who would allow us TO purchase
from him on credit, articles either of real or
imaginary necessity with the determination
if we should be unable to pay at the stipula-
ted time, 10 raise the money by stripping
our home of'its comforts, taking the beds
from under our wife and children. and the
bread from their mouths, or failing in this, TO
compel payment by consigning our body TO
a prison. Far from ii !; but on the contrary,
when the means are used that often are
used, to induce men 10 contract debts, by
the purchase of articles that are not neces-
sary, by the assurance that "the seller don't
want money!" relying upon the strong arm
of the law TO enforce payment when he does
want it, we look upon the seducer as the
poor mans worst enemy, and the laws that
aid him in the enforcement of his claims as
relics of barbarism, that should not be suf-
fered 10 disgrace the statute books Of free
people. "Owe no man anything" was the
wise injunction of the great apostle, and
well would it be if all who acknowledged
it's inspired source would obey the precept.
For the working man, the cash system Is
the best, the only safe system, and 1t would
be we'll if those who profess SO much regard
for his interests and desire SO ardently to be
considered his only friends, would turn their
attention TO the advantages he would
derive from its adoption, instead of plum
dering him of half his eatnings by
means of orders, trade prices, semi-occa-
sional payments, and the other machinery of
the credit system Cash payments and
sound currency will conduce more than any
thing else to the comfort, prosperity and in
dependence of the working classes. Paid
for THEFT labor in cash they will purchase
what they want, and only what they want
upon the best terms, if paid in sound cut
rency, which they can lay by with an as
surance that il will not depreciate OF become
worthless in day, a month, or year.
A shinplaster currency has the same ef-
feet in leading The poor man to dissipate his
earnings that the credit system has in the
one case he is induced by the desire of pos
session, which he is tempted by the cupidi-
~ of the vender TO crafty, 10 anticipate his
earnings, and for the possession of that which
he does not really need, depriying himself al
a future day of the ability TO procure thar,
for want Of which himself and family must
suffer privation and in the other case no
purchases an Unnecessary article, that he
may have some value for that which he
fears will prove yalueless before he has oc-
casion 10 spend it necessarily.
The legislature Of Michigan, we believe,
have abolished AL laws for the collection of
debts, and we are of-opinion that they have
done wisely. The great blessing of the
credit system is the impetus it gives to busi-
ness, the facilities it affords for increased
production, and over production appears to
be the very "eror Of the times" the fruit
f,i ,anea If al tba av;Is ,h,Y onn,a.. t,ko.