The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-11-15
GOV. oRR oN TEsE RELIEE QUESTION.

GOV. ORR ON THE RELIEF QUESTION.
That JAMES L. Orr is q gentleman Of superior
of enlarged experience and pro-
found legal knowledge, few persons will have the
temerity to deny If he is not thus endowed, the
people Of this District, of the State of South Caro-
lima, and the members OF the House OF Representa-
tives of the United States Congress have been un-
doubtedly deluded. AS o member OF tAe State
Legislature-member to Congress and Speaker OF
the House. and Confederate Senator-he has filed
all these positions with marked ability, and taken
rank with the foremost men of the nation ANA
when the members of the late State Convention
placed his name in nomination for Governor, we
were satisfied that no one could have been pre-
sented to the people better calculated from his e1-
periencc, abilities and business qualifications to
fill worthily the distinguished position. If, then,
we have not the abilities and worth OF
Gov. OnR, his recommendations upon oil questions
which affect the honor, interest and welfare of
our people, are entitled to their careful considera
tion. Upon the all-absorbing question of relief to
debtors he has given US his views in his message to
the Legislature at the extra session. To afford re-
lief to debtors was one of the causes which impel-
ed him to convene that body in extraordinary ses-
sion, and We must suppose that he brought all of
his powers as lawyer and astatesman to the con-
sderation of the question in order to devise some
constitutional and permanent mode of relief To
suppose that he did not thus seriously and earnest
" consider the matter, would be to charge him with
tring with the nigh duties Of his Office, and sport
inc with the misfortunes of the people. Consider
ing the question with oil the ability of profound
lawyer and lights Of an experienced statesman, he
gave his views to the Legislature. We do not say
that he exhausted the resources of his fertile mind
in the views presented but do not soy That he
recommended those modes of relief to the debtor,
which he considered most consonant with the Con-
sttution, the rights of the creditor and the perma-
nent interest of the debtor. Without stopping to
comment we present his recommendations. After
adverting to the decision of the Court of Errors,
declaring the Stay Law unconstitutional, and con-
curing in the correctness, the Governor then
briefly recapiulates the disasters which have be-
fallen our people, and says "Surely The creditor
class viii practice forboarance and give their
debtors still further indulgence. If compelled to
enforce collections, they should make compromises
with debtors so as not to drive them and their
families from home, kindred and friends"
"The existing embarrassments growing out Of
the Indebtedness of the country, will, like other
evils, produce beneficial results. Debtors will find
it to their interest to make final adjustments for
debts, even though they compelled to surrender
their property. As long as their debts remain in
terest will be accumulating to culminate i'll more
disastrous bankruptcy. If they surrender their
properly now to creditors they can resume their
operations and labor with Notwithstanding
that its proceeds will sooner or later rebuild their
broken fortunes"
"The debtor who desires to compromise with his
creditors has the means of compelling the veriest
Shylock TO accept fair terms or exclude him in all
share of his estate by assignment, giving liberal
creditors the preference, or by voluntary confess
sion of judgment"
"Believing that no Stay Law can be passed, en-
bracing antecedent debts, that will not conflict
with that clause of the Constitution of the United
States which declares that mo State shall pass any
law impairing the obligations of contracts" he
recommends for the relief of debtors:
1st That Imprisonment for debt be abolished
except in cases Of fraud.
I'd. That the Plaintiff pay the cost of suit.
Sd. That Bankrupt law be passed, to allow the
debtor to surrender his property to his creditors,
and be discharged from all further liability.
That the Legislature has the Constitutional right
to pass such law, the Governor proves very
clearly.
HISTORY OF LoNGsTREETs CORPS.