Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-05-25


are exposed and dlsprOvsd BY the most positive tes
timony their authors neither reiract attempt to
sustain them. We leave it to the justice Of the
honest and discriminating masses to rebuke their
course.
Col. Netherland and the Exemption Law.
1t is amusing to witness the efforts Of Opposition
journals to relieve Col NETHERLAND of the odium
Of his vote sgainst exempt ng from execution, in
the hands of heads of families the last hoe the last
plough, aud the last horse Of the humble husbands
man, and the last set Of mechanics tOOlsn the hands
Of the mechanic.
These efforts at defence generally begin: awe do
not know whether he gave the vote or not. We do
not care whether he did not. II he did the proof
s evident that he voted right Or at least it is no
worse than the vote that some Democrat has given"
This Is the character of argument employed by the
Memphis Enquirer. But, continues that paper, "The
whole policy of exemption laws at that day was
greatly doubted, and even now, although they have
been generally adopted, their good effects are by
no means so pslpable as to bring about unanimity
of sentiment in their favor" Thst's it. That's
lick in the direction Of Col. NETHERLANDS real
sentiments; and If be is elected Governor. and has
the manliRess that his friends give him credit for
these sentiments will manifest themselves when he
comes to send in his message to the Legislature
But is it true as asserted by this recognized organ
that there is Let unsnimiy Of sentiment in favor
of the Exemption laws? And if true, with what
party does this want Of unanimity on this question
PREVAIL We demand Of The inquirer to answer rs
The public are entitled TO know Upon this ques-
tien we feel fully authorized to speak for the Demo
cratic party There is not dissenting voice in
its ranks as TO the right and prOpriey of exempting
from execution, and securing to the heads Of fsmi-
lies, the implements of industry necessary TO the
cultivation Of the ground or the carrying on of
mechanic labor, as a guaranty to some extent to
the women and children of the lard, against abso-
lu!e want and dependence en- the cold charities of
the more fortunate members of society.
The Enquirer has authority to speak for the Oppo-
stiOn, and We presume does so. or those in its
own party unfaVOrable to the Exemption laws, Col.
NETHERLAND stands at their head; and we submit
it TO the people Of Tennessee, if there is any more
vital question of State policy, fer there exists
that want of unsnimiy of sentiment in its favor,
spoken of by this leading organ of the Opposition
party.
The Bonner of this city treats this subject sOmes
what differently. 1t, tOO processes its ignorance as
to whether Col. NETHERLAND approved or dissp,
proved the Exemption law; but the Banner says:
awe confess we cannot admire law which leaves
one unfortunate debtor the Insignificant Of Ten
dollars because he is mechanic, while another
debtor no better than he, is allowed TO keep three
hundred because he is a farmer Such distinction
this being drawn in the act of '33, should not
be inclined to censure Col NETHERLAND for voting
against it"
Unfortunately for Col. NETHERIAND, this posi-
ton Of the Banner but serves 10 place him in still
more awkward attitude since, at a subsequent leg
islature, Col NETHERLAND is found-not attempts
ing to eguaIize the amount of property exempted in
the hands of tae farmer and meehanic-5m actually
endeaVOrng to INCREASE that inequality, By VOtag TO
entirely much ofthe Exemption act 1888 as
related to mechanics. (See House Journal for 1885
6, page 1917 1t is therefore, evident that it was
from no inequality in the act that Colonel Ne
THERLAND voted against proposition to exempt
from execution the implements of husbandry and of
mechanical trades in the hands of heads of families,
by which the poor working could supply his
wife and children with bread. And while thus
voting against the absolute necessities of the poor
this same JOHN NETHER-AND has shown that he
knows how to be liberal to the rcb for he voted to
exempt from taxation al capital over $500 used for
shaving and, ALSO the pleasure carriages Of wealth
and ease. He veted to leave the poor man in debt
to the shaver, in the power of that shaver to the
last pillow hoe, and to exempt the capital of that
shaver from taxation.
But of all the absurdties which have been conjur-
ed up to shield Col. NETHERLAND from the blight
ing influence which his obnoxious course on this
question must have on his prospects for Governor
the Athens Post puts out the most complete 1t
says:
''The Nashville organ Of the Democracy is making
9 terrible fuss about Exemption law against
which it says Col. Netherlsnd voted, when in the
Legislature some twenty five years ago. We hare
not looked into the Journal but 6seUs the act
which contained prOUissOH that euey family should
be furnished at the eTPsnsse of the State, 0ih barrel
Of schiskey and half dozen Tin cups" ave appre-
bend that very few persons will be found condemn
ing the Opposition candidate for vote cast quar-
ter of century sgo against proposition regarded
at the time insult to the honesty and virtue of
the State and cast, too in accordance with the
certained wishes of the majority of constituency
then, if we mistake not, largely Democratic"
As ludicrOus as is this attempt at defence, there
is moral in it it shows the utter hOpelessness of
excusing Col NETHERLAND for his hostility to the
lsbOriRg classes and his favorteism to the rioh as
exemplifed in his record legislator; and shows,
also, the utter recklessless with which his organs
resort to anything in order to avoid that measure
Of justice which is the rightful punishment of the
wicked. IL is needless to state that the Exemption
act of 1888 contained such provision as alluded
to by the Post. We have already published the
law entire, but for the better information of Col
NETHERLANDS friends we will publish it again. It's
provisions are plain, pointed, wise and just;-such
as will command the approval of all sensible and
right thinking men. 1t reads as follows:
l833.-CHAPTER Subsection l. In addition to
the property heretofore exempt from execution by
the several acts of the General Assembly Of the
State there shall also be exempt in like manner in
the hands of person engaged in agriculture in like
manner from execution issuing upon judgments
founded upon contracts entered into from and after
the first day of February next one pillow, one hoe,
set Of geers for blowing one iron wedge and
farm horse mule or yoke Of oxen.
SEC. 2. There shall in like manner be exempt, one
set of mechanical TOOLS such is usually employed
by, and necessary for one workman at any partcu-
lar trade PROVIDED, the defendant in the execution
who may claim tie exemption in such set of tools,
shall usually follow such trade employment.
SEC. 8. All properly exempted from execution by
this act and all former acts of the General Assem-
bly,, shallin like manner be exempt in the hands
Of the widow, executor, administrator, or heirs of
a deceased debtor
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