Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-03-03
FOR THE RELIEF OF
SOUTHERN PLANTERS.

v SOUTHERN PLANTERS.
Ct It is not only among the poorer classes
u the south that q pressure is now felt,
which must be relieved, but, go far as the
means for future operations and crops are
a concerned, il extends also to the q
Fowners and planters. IN South Carolina
there is an absolute want of corn and
bacon, or the money with which TO pro-
vide those articles for the labOrers o
on the B~lautatiOns, until another crop
can be made. We lesrn that tue negroes
/ m the Sumter district have generally
entered into contracts for the year, so far
as they could find employment; but the
great drought Of last year has left the
planters in a crippled condition. With
the view Of enabling them to get relief
and be put in a condition to carry on
I their plantations, a law has been passed
by the South Carolina legislature giving
the preference to liens for advances to
I the planters over all others. In order to
make this practically effective, Messrs.
/ Graeser, Lee, Smith q Co, factors OF
( Charleston, have undertaken the effort
to make negotiations on their accep-
tances and the security Of the liens, to
such amount as may be thus ~Obtainable.
MI. Graeser and Mr.. Lee are now in this
city, and will, by invitation, present
their plans to the members Of the corn
exchange this morning. The purpose is
TO exDend the whole amount of any
loans here effected in this market.-But-
tim0re SIN, Ffb. 1871.
The LegislaturesOft he States Of Arkan-
sas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennes-
see would need, we should think, only 20
have this suggested to them, to follow
the example of South Carolina. The
planters on the Mississippi are equally
destitute with those Of that State.
So are they, also, on the tributaries Of
that river In sIl our States. The COM
mission merchants are, as we all know, so
crippled by their unpaid advances Of last
year as not to be able to afford the neces-
sary facilities, unless they can obtain
means from the North or abroad, which
: such legislation would certainly facilitate
Z their doing.
There is no legal or equitable objection
lin tine way. It is a settled principle that
CioIasogE s,7at Jraetgs, aisi iD1peasis de-
DUCTS; there are no fruits till expenses
thave been deducted. Wages oflabourers
sand other expenses are the first lien on a
ocrop; and the lien last in time is paid
| first, As in the case of maritime liens.
THE crop contains and is in part com
. posed Of the advances made to raise it.
If there should be such legislation, we
may not be deemed Presumptuous for
suggesting /.
Ist. That the wages due the freedmen
or other laboreTs, overseers, mechanics,
etc, be declared q in preference to
all others, on the crop, from the time it
is planted.
%. That loans, advances and supplies
for plantations aud farms, be declared
the next lien, to be paid pro rata.
80. That the planter have power to
create a lien for advances made and sup
plies furnished for 1866, to rank next af-
ter the liens Of the second class.
4tb. That all suits to enforce such
liens may be instituted in equity, and
in the first suit so instituted all other
persons claiming liens may intervene,
as in Admiralty, and the Court may or
der seizure Of the crop, upon service Of
process, personal or otherwise, as in Ad-
miralty, and sale Of the same, and thus
decide the causes, and the Marshal dis
tribute The assets without delay.
9Th. The rent Of the land and 8 proper
compensation for the party raising the
crop, for the support and wants Of his
family, should be allowed with the liens
OF the second class.
There ought also to be provision made
by law, giving a lien on engines and ma
chinery sold for plantation or other use,
for the price due the vender, whether
the same become fixtures (or immovea-
bic by Destination or not. That lien,
however, should be limited TO a reasona-
bic length Of time, say two years.
These enactments, Immediately made, |
could not but be Of immense present ben
eft, and as parts Of II present Iegisla-
ton would be both just aud wise, and in
accordance with the French and Roman
law,