The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1857-09-11
GENERAL PACKER THE POOR MANS
FRIEND.

GENERAL PACKER THE POOR MANS
FRIEND.
il is well known, says the Lycoming Gazette
that while Speaker of the House of Represent
aives, in l849, Gen. Packer, the Democratic
candidate for Governor contributed very mate
rally by his influence toward the enactment of
that now popular measure known as the ''Three
Hundred Dollar Exemption Act" During the
winter of 1880, it will also be remembered,
strenuous effort was make by persons who fan
ced themselves aggrieved by the law, to have
it repealed. Gen. Packer was then in the Sem
ate, where he at once took the lead among those
who opposed repeal. A remonstrance against
the law, numerouSIy signed by his own consti-
uents, being forwarded to him 10 present TO that
body, be complied with the request, accompany
ing it with the eloquent remarks which we print
below; and which the Philade phia San, when
publishing them, at the time, prefaced as 'phil-
anthropic, Just, and truly Democratic" We
need hardly say that they contributed largely TO
prostrating further efforts at repeal; and the poor
unfortunate debtor and his dependent family
now ENJOY the protection which that humane
law affords and sympathizing public opinion
sustains.
Gen Packer Sad;-
Mr. Speaker, | do not sympathize with the
PRAYER OF the petition | have Just presented, do
not believe that the law of last session will nure
the ''poor and middle class" Of community. |
do not brlieve that by exemptng the last three
hundred dollars worth OF property TO the poor
unfortunate debtor from levy and sale on execu-
ton, and distress, the sheriff and constable,
urged on by cIose-fsted, nisery and heartless
creditor, that you lnjurlouSly affect the interests
Of the poor. Sir, il cannot BE- true. Do you
Tor moment suppose, that you would benefit
The "pOor and middle classes Of community"
5y exposing their last article of household fur
nturr--or their last cow-to the tender mercy
OF an avarcious creditor.
II Senators entertain such an opinion, let
them comply with the prayer the petitioners
aud vote for the repeal OF the law of the last
session, together with all the exemption laws
previously enacted, and they will promote the
interests Of the poor and middle classes to hearts
content oithe rich. Sir, from Sypathizlng with
the petitioners, | would extend the exemption
law Still further And, permit me to say, which
| do with all confidence, that the dav Is not far
distant when il will be carried further TIE
day is Gawnng when every family will be pro-
trctrd in their little home, IN defiance of the bad
conduct Of an intempefate father, or prohgate
husband. Iheday IS coming, my ii is nor kere.
when At pW be conceeded that the man pitA a
omtortabie, permanent home, ,cW much sooner
h5o ,ieIf i ,Eo II,
tracted with impending troubles, and who as eUer
at tie mercy of an erscution.
Many OF the States of this Union have led the
way in this humane reform. Maine exempts
homestead to the value of $500. and in the alb
sence OF homestead, personal property to that
amount. Vermont eXempts homestead to the
value OF 5000. Iowa and Minnesota forty acres
of land or lot. California exemps 800 acres
of land or lot worth $1,000. Drsrret, tue pro-
posed Mormon STATE, it is said secures home
to every family All the States, and Territories
named having acted on this subject within the
past few months. Georgia, Texas, Michigan,
Wisconsin, aud Connecticut. Have long since
enacted liberal exemption laws. New York
always among the foremost in popular reforms,
is also pressing on 10 this matter. | have be-
fore me the annual message of Governor Fish /
to the present Legislature Of that g:rat State, to
which beg leave to call the attention of SEN
ators. On the subject of homestead exemption,
the Governor says
"Whie it is admittedly primary duty of
the legislature TO enact laws for the punishment
of vice, ii is no less IFS duty to remove the eau
ses which frequently lead TO the commission of
crime. The impressions made upon the youth
ful mind, by the gentle force oil parrntal au-
tbory and example, and by the associations of
the family circle are among the most active and
enduring of the infurnc-s 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 lis subject from the reach of
that authority, and example, and from the in
nocent, but wholesome association of home
how ever humble The cause of morality no
less than the dictates of humanity, demands the
preservation Of the family circle, and the main
tenance Of the .famiiy home, as efficient preven-
tives of vice, aud sure and permanent contrib
utors to individual virtue and happiness, and to
public prosperity and order"