New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-01-21
The Operation Of Lien Law.
MoRRIsANIA, Westminster Co., y. Y,
Ian X 1870
10 n, Editors Of The Tribune:

Jan. 10, 1917.
10 tbe Editors Of The Tribune:
SIR: On the nth of last April Lien
Law was passed by the Legislature OF this State
supposed to be for the benefit Of the mechanics
Of this County As this law was never submit
ted to the inhabitants they were surprised at Its
uncaled-ior passage the modps operanf of
which viii show how mechanics are humbug-
ged by their dear representatives. and friends IN
general In the course OF events the mechanics
of Your City have been forced, by high rents and in
direct taxation, to look around for some spot within
a reasonable distance, where they could live at less
expense, as distance under our now rapid mode OF
travelling, nothing, compared 70 time TneRau-
roads branching like so many arteries from your
great city, brought County with ts sure and I'M
proving facilities to their notice, and they have al
ready built up number Of villages, with few If any
law suits, until the passage of this act This Lien
law according TO the reports made at the meetings
held here, was drawn up by four lumoer merchants,
aided by eknown lawyer, taken to Albany and
lobbisd through in the absence Of members opposed
to It. In fact this act was bought through by lew
interested persons Under this act, any person fur
nishing materials, such as lumber lime, brick, &c,
for abuldiug. even II the owner IN compliance with
his contract mas paid the contractor IN full, can
place a hen lot Only the house, but also on the
lot and sell the If the owner refuses to pay for
ms house over again. nteT tins act, the lumber
merchant will sell as quickly 10 a dlt honest
honest contractor. as he can sell the house aad lot
and get MS pay. ndeF this law, The mechanic mat
is striving for home Is unable TO get money, AS the
Building Associations Of your City viii not loan and
the capitalists charge eXorbltani bonus, bee use
liens take precedence of bonds and mortgages Ia
ger tins act the owner compelled TO ADVERTISE for
SIX weeks and thus keep the workmen waiting, or
else he is held liable ior one year IN shors, ts aN
ias been of no benefit to the day aooleis ~ the me-
chances who are no" building IA our Comfy, or 10
the properly owners, - the erection OF bindings AAs
now ceased under It's beneficial lndlen,e, tnToAlng
mechanics out Of employment, and nenehtng not
even the short sighted lumber ncrch an, out the
lawyers alone, who appreciate Us 0eauucS b. the
number Of lawsuits II has created. 4 IA nber Of
meetings have been held, and the opinion has been
strongly expressed against the passage O any Law for
the collection Of debts that gives precedence to one
/ class Of creditors above all Others
Yours respectfully, JOAN SNirH, sen.
70 We respectfully advise Mr. Smith, IN case
lie undertakes to have a house built, 10 5uow his
man, and employ none other than an honest, sol
vent, responsible builder. Then he VIII have no
trouble 1.-The sees III to deal with the slippery sort,
and thereby subject the laborers to their tender
mcrcies. he must abide the consequences Ii the
Lien Law conpelS him to look well to this
poin,, SO much the better. I'd Tribune