The Kansas herald of freedom., 1857-11-21
Ihs Isfaio Of freedom.
The Homes.esd Exemption Law.

Nearly every Ctdtc IL thc oHioH LIDS
discussed the question of homestead en-
emptioas lac; and many of them have pas
sed it with the most liberal allowance.
Texas exempts half section of land
to each family Wisconsin exemptsa quar-
ter of section; and some other States ex-
empt literally. Ohio exempts $500
worth of real estate, and about $500
worth of personal property. The object
of this is to prevent pauperism and crime;
and also to encourage all classes of men TO
improve home for themselves and their
posterity. Secure homestead, so that
reverse of fortune cannot turn a widow
with family of orphan children upon
the charities Of cold world for subslst-
ence. Secure the homestead. 1t will
give permanence to our inhabitants, and
make Kansas one of the most populous,
most wealthy, most refined, most moral,
and best educated, and best cultivated
States in the Union. The country is
adapted to higher state of civilization
and refinement than is common. The
people who are here, and those who are
coming, know how to appreciate the beau
ties and blessings which are everywhere
scattered in the greatest profusion. Hon
est men, laborers, the bone and sinew of
the land, will hailit as rainbow of prom
Use, and harbinger of better days.
Spectators and traders may OPPOSE it,
but the poor and the needy, the toil-worn
man, the professional man, and the stu
dent will rise up and call it blessed.
In pecuniary point of view, it is simp-
ly question of profit and loss, or of poll
cy. It resolves itself into this: How low
down shall we think an unfortunate man
before we give him foot-hold to stand
upon. The old fashioned way was, to
shut him up in jail. The first improve
.ment on this was, to let him run if he
would swear that he was not worth FIVE
dollars. The plan how is not to allow a
man to be thrust down to a level with
the beasts, and strip him and his family,
not only of the means of subsistence, but
of all stimulus to exertion.
We would suggest something like the
following:
/. Be it enacted &C., That it shall be
lawful for every man being the head of a
family, or every woman being the head of
family, or every family of orphan chill
dren, living together as a family, andse-
ing citizens of Kansas, to hold exempt
from legal attachment, or debt of any and
every kind, dwelling house, including
the lot, in which said family may reside,
with all the books, furniture, clothing, and
other articles used by said family in their
said dwelling house.
g Be it further enacted, That the
persons above described, following the oc-
cupation of farming, to hold exempt from
attachment for debt, in addition to the
dwelling, farm of a hundred and sixty
acres of land, with one pair of horses, one
yoke of oxen, FIVE COWS and calves, five
hogs, twenty sheep, and all tools and i'm
plements used on farm for the purpose
of agriculture.
3. Be it further enacted, That any person
orpersons described insection 1st., and fol-
lowing some mechanical pursuit, may hold,
in addition to the dwelling, &c, as pro-
vided in section 1st., the shop with all the
tools used in the trade which he or they
may follow for livelihood, with stock
of $1,000.
4. Be it further enacted, That every per-
son or persons as described in section 1st.,
and following the business of merchan-
dizing, to hold, in addition to his dwell
ling, the storehouse and lot wherein he
carries on business, and goods to the
amount of $1,000.