The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1857-08-26
Gen. Packer the Poor Mans Friend.

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1t is well known that while Speaker ofth
House Of Representatives, 10 1849, Genera
Packer, The Democratic candidate for GOV
| ernor, contributed very materially by his in
huence toward the enactment Of that now
popular measure known as The "Tbree Hun
dred Dollar Exemption Act" During the
winter Of 1850, il will also be remembered
strenuous effort was made by persons who
fancied themselves aggrieved by The law, !c
have i repealed. Gen. Packer was then in
the Senate, where he At once took the lead
among those who opposed a repeal. A re-
monstrance against the law, numerously sig !.
ed by his own constituents, being forwarded
10 him 10 present 10 that body, he complied
with the request, accom- panying it with the
eloquent remarks which we print below, and
which The Philadelphia Sun, when publishing
them, at the time, prefaced as "philanthropic.
just and truly democratic." We need hardly
say that ltey contributed largely to proslra.
ting further e forts at repeal; and the poor,
unfortunate debtor and his dependent family
now enjoy line protection which that humane
law affords and sympathiziug public opn.
lon sustains.
Gen. Packer said -
"Mr Speaker, do not sYmpalhize with
the prayer Of the petition have just present..
ed. do not believe that the law of last ses-
sion will injure The ''poor and middle classes"
of community. | do not believe that by ex-
empling the last three hundred dollars worth
Of property of the poor unfortunate debtor
from levy and sale on execution, and by dri-
wing from the door Of poverty and distress,
The sheriff and the constable, urged on by a
close listed, misery and heaness creditor,
that you injuriously affect the interests Of the
poor Sir, it canHot be true. Do you for a
moment suppose that you would benefit the
"poor and middle classes of community" by
exposing their las, article of household furni-
ture-their last bed-heir last siove--or their
last cow--to the tender mercy of an avari-
cious creditor?
II Senators entertain such an opinion, lei
lhem comply with the prayer of The petition
ers, aud vote for the repeal OF the law tf last
session, together with all the exemption laws
previously enacted, and they will promote
the interest Of The poor and middle classes 10
the hearts content of The rich. Sir, so far
from sympalhsing with The petitioners,
would extend the exemtion law still further.
Aud, permit me 10 soy, which do with all
confidence, that the day is not far distant
when it will be carried further The day is
dawning When every family will he protected
in their little Aoa,e, in detence Of the bad
conduct of an inlemPelaie father, or profit.
gate husband. The day is coming, nay it is
no,0 here, when ii will be conceded that The
man with comfortable, permanent home,
will much sooIer pay his honest debts Than
he who is almost distracted with impending
troubles, and who is ever at the mercy of an
execution.
Many OF the States of this Uuion have led
the way in This humane reform. Maine ex-
empts G homestead 10 the value of $500, and
in the absence OF homestead, personal pro-
perty 10 that amount. Vermont exempls a
homestead 10 the value of $500. Iowa and
Minnesota forty acres of land or lot. Cal.
iionia exempts $50 acres of land or lot,
worth $4,000. Desetet, the proposed Nor
mon Sale, il is said, secures home 10 every
family: All the States aud Territories named
having acted on this subject within the past
few months. Georgia, Texas, Michigan,
Wisconsin and Connecticut, have long since
enacted liberal exemption laws. New York
always among the foremost in popular re-
forms, is also pressing on this matter. have
before Ine the annual message of Governor
Fish 10 The present Legislature of that great
State, 10 which beg leave to call the atten-
ton of Senators. On The subject OF home
stead exemption, the Governor says:
"While il is admittedly primary duty of
The legislature 10 enact laws for the punish.
ment of vice, it is no less its duty TO remove
The causes which frequently lead 10 the COM
mission of crime. The impression made up.
on the youthful mind, by The gentle force of
parental authority and example, and by the
of the family circle are among
The most active and enduring of The innuen-
ces which control the conduct of after life.
Much of the vice that we are called upon to
deplore, may be traced 10 the removal of its
subject from the reach of that authority and
example, and from the innocent but whole.
some associations ofa home, however hum
Bile. The cause of morality, no less than the
dictates of humanity, demands The preserva-
ZION of the family circle, and the maintenance
OF the family home, as efficient preventives of
vice, and sure and permanent contributors to
individual virtue and happiness, and TO public
and order"
Such, Mr.-Speaker, arc the views of the
Governor of New York. They are the senti.
ments of a humane and far-seeing statesman
and honor him for his manly intepend.
ence in giving them the weight and sanction
of his official station. Sir, | go with The Gov
ernor Of the Empire State would secure
10 every family HOME and HEARTH.
would no, permit the covetous and hard-
hearted creditor 10 drive his unfortunate debt
or, naked and penniess, out upon the cold
char rities of an inhosnitabIe world The Ia VIC