The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-07-21
srIrrtr6 ArtirIr5.
From The YorkmHc Miscellany.
Homestead Law---Exempting Certain
Property from Levy and Sale. Pass
ed December, 1851.


MIR. Editor: In presenting to you, and
tNrough your Press, to the citizens Of South
Ca,"'ina. som remarks on the above act,
hope it will not be regarded as censu-
ring our Legislature, or the purpose of
making political strife or division, of which
we have alr"adv had too much, but that
the above act, which is now become law
should b. brought to the notice Of the peo-
pie, that they NAV consider its proprietv
and the result OF its hearing, and if hy
them sustained, be it so If not, let il b.
modified or repealed as the best interests
Of our country seem to demand.
The act above referred TO, exempts from
Levy and Sale to each family, lover and
above property heretofore exempt,) the
dwelling house and houses, with fifty acres
of land, one horse and twenty-five dollars
~ rth ofprovisions, except in in 'orporate
y,l,es aud provided the land does not en-
coed the value of $500; in which case,
Cummissioners are to lay off so much land
- than fifty acres, as it shall not exceed
that value and if | understand the mean
ing of the act, those Commissioners may
lay off part Of the fifty acres, so as to re-
duce the value of the land within the $500,
but the homestead and houses must he
left, though they should be worth FIVE
Thousand. ..ss.. is. .
The object of this law must be either
for general benefit or general nuisance,
from necessity. IL a general benefit, who
are those to be generally benefited p
ltfrom necessity, where is that necessity 2
La the former, We ought to inquire wheth-
e mere would be benefited by it than
are INJURED, and in the latter, if necessity
viii justify all the sacrifices it may make.
IL must b. apparent to every thinking
In!nd, that the necessity or propriety of
'ai. tsw il toprotect people in their persons
and property - III this case property Is con-
tempiated. Now, what class Of people
need the greatest or the kind of protection
contemplated IN this actl | think the
honest. indust. ious class should be those
who most need security, as the wealthy,
the aristocracy, are above It's operations,
aud the very poor need none for property,
IA they do not use the article, and only
care for tomorrow.
Adv Gates Of this measure seem TO ad-
fv,cate il "a an net Of State policy to pre-
vent emigration from the State. Others
advocate it as kind Of State charity or
public beneyolence, for the support and
raising Of INDECENT families. Others adv
cate II no farther than 10 try It awhile,
and II 1t does not work right, repeal it,
First then, let us consider its operation on
the honest, industrious class. think that
the fulfllment, prompt and punctual OBJ
servance Of bona tfde contracts, would be
their interest, and law 10 enforce them
w u!d be their greatest security, (unless
the credit system was entirely abolished,
which presume none would advocate as
being possible or practicable at presently
Let us see its operation. A, mechanic,
has been doing work for b, G, and Others
has 4 family, but has not $500 worth
Of land, houses, nor horses - he has
done faithful work Gor those men under
fair promises, not only verbal, but under
note and seal-he calls on them, but it is
MOI convenient TO pay at present, and each
wonders why he is so very urgent about
10 small a sum--twenty or thirty, dollars.
Either could pay il, but, the one needs his
money TO send a son or a daughter off to
school--another wishes TO aid his son a
little who Is just starting in business--an-
other declares he is owing debts Of longer
outstanding, which ought to be paid IN
preference TO his, but cannot pay either,as
il win require all he can conveniently raise
TO keep his family at present respectable.
a pleads necessity, and claims his contract
--peacesbly, Il he can, fcrcibly, II he must,