Red Wing sentinel. [volume] (Red Wing, M.T. [i.e. Minn.]) 1855-1861, 1860-01-28

ders on the treasury drawing tso.nty:fce
per cnt interest. The apportionment bill,
is through the House, reducing the legisla-
ture sixty members. Goodhue will have
under it one Senator and two Representa-
tives. A bill has been introduced, attach.
ing Goodhue to the sixth Judicial District
which will carry.
THE ABOLIsHMENT OF THE COL.
LECTION LAWS.
We observe measure is being talked o
at st. Paul, for staying all proceedings 70,
the collection Of debts for two years. This
would probably be productive Of good, ani
in connection with the late interest decision
enable all honest citizens, by jndiciou
and economical administration of affairs, t.
extricate themselves from the load of deb
which, as matters are at present, will obligt
the sacrifice of their property for little o,
nothing, in order to pay.
But this measure is suggestive Of o:he,
ideas, that are now becoming prevalent
throush bout the civilized world and all the
more forcibly, on account Of the great ex
tent to which the credit system is now car
ried, and the extravagant habits Of life, and
still more, tho awful disregard Of correc
principles Of integrity and honor Throughout
society, which it has so generally induced.
The idea Of abolishing all laws for thu
collection Of debts, is now being seriousl,
discussed by the leading men throughout al
most every State Of the Union, 'nl brie
consideration will impress any one with thu
conviction, that that measure, if not in eve.
ry respect beneficial. would be so in very
many and we are inclined to think that
full discussion would do away with most, i
not all, the objections that can bo urged
against it. .
And first, the primary object Of law being
to preserve good order and peace in socie.
ty-to protect every one in the enjoymen,
Of the largest liberty consistent with the
welfare Of the whole; is it not extending its
jurisdiction and power beyond the rational
and logical development Of that object, "a
make it interfere in the private transactions
Of two or more individuals, with which the
society at large can have no interest in any
possible contingency? This would no,
cover the case where two had actually ex-
changed and obtained the possession either
actually or constructively Of propert,-but
when, as it was originally, one had volunta.
rily given credit to another on the assur.
ance Of his honor and integrity alone. Why,
when man has thus knowingly and vol.
unfairly disposed Of his property, should he
have had any claim on the society at large
for assistance in obtaining the pay for it 2
Why should the public be bothered with
his private matters, and because he has been
kind or foolish enough to sell on a credit,
be required to seize the person or property
of the debtor and sell it to pay the debt e
Surely, such purpose was not contempla-
ted in the original compact.
1t is by such practices that the system Of
law has become So complicated and cum
bersome-its administration diverted from
its proper and only necessary course, and
the line between its just aud oppressive &C.
ton, become 50 fine as frequently to have to
be arbitrarily establ,shed-and no portion Of
that system is so complicated or uncertain
IS that which relates to the collection Of
debts. From it results the great bulk both
|of the legislation and litigation Of tho pres
ent day, and necessarily great portion
Of the public expenses. Not only that, but
. numerous class and vast amount Of
crimes and corruptions have grown out Of
:t,-from which results new materials and
subjects for more litigation-and from thu,
again more crimes, and SO ON al in1initum-
and all continually adding to the into!erable
burden of taxation. A few moments con-
sideration on this point, will show what d
large proportion Of tie public business would
be done away, and What vast amount o.
crime, corruption, trouble, and expense, car
be blotted out Of existence by one brief en-.
aetment.
I As We have intimated above, the credi,
system. IS responsible, in great degree, 70,
the habits Of extravagance and the disreso. I'd
Of obligations that are now so prevalent; The
workings by which this is brought about arr
apparent. 1t is = standing invitation for ali
to purchase what they desire, without con,
sulting their circumstances in life-and SC
a debt is contracted exceeding the means o
payment, and properly is then sacrificed and
antilles left in distress or the property is
covered up. Then follows exemption, ap'
plaiselnent, and stay laws, to prevent the
sacrifice Of property. The creditors are in
their turn driven to the wall-and all is at.
tended with general decentralization, dishon.
esty and ruin.