Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-09-24
Important Statement im Regard
to the Stan Ld1C.


history of this piece of Legislation for US TO
repeat it here. IL would have been better
perhaps for il never to have been bor1i'9f
the imag instion for when the memories OF
the war and its sacrifices were fresh in the
hearts and minds of men the debtor and
creditor conif have made more liberal adj
justment than has been possible since that
day. But this view was not taken; a tenn
PORTING policy prevailed, and the stay law
was its result
Mcn care more Tor putting ia their gFain
crops for daily bread than they do for pIdut-
ing orchards for Ger; ain iorfun', and the
immediate gain perpetually obscures there
mote, even though that near US is poor IN
the comparison. The law was enacted,
however. and as we showed upon rlauysoc-
casions in the lat canvass its absoln e re
peal is provided for by the constitution,
wh CHI We opposed: "a
In addition, we repeatedly produced the
fact that, according to the Fl least Herald,
more than go, 900 executions stand dock
eted in the State to day, like hounds. h. d
in the leash, ready to fiy out and bring down
their game Mhateye err the number is, ii Is
undoubtedly appalling; but our peope,
with one accord, refused to recogniza The
fact that they re voting to put aside'the
shield interpOsed between themseyes~ and
sheriff. 1t was their own act, and There
fore we are panied, though not astonishsd,
at tue following dispatch lent from Wash
ington to the New York Herald, based on
il formation received from Richmoud:l
The debtor class in the State it 'seems,
have voted against their "wn inter; q in
adopting the new constitution. by its pro
visions the stay law, which has saved them
from financial ruin during the last three
years, is abrogated, aud the LEGISLATURE l.
prohibited from passing any law to stiy the
collection of debts. This will bring most Of
the land property in the State under the
hammer of the sheriff; for as soon rs the
State is reconstructed and the new constilu-
ton becomes the law the sheriffs, who have
been held in check by the repeated military
extensions OF the stay law, will at once
| pr1ceen to execute the judgmen against all
parties, aud the only relief that can be af
forded them will be through the doubtful
medium of the Insignificant homestead ex-
enption provided for ia the constitution
| IThis cannot be enforced in law Ed. NIR
II will be source of much hardship 10 NIL
| who owe heavy debts and have heavy judg
ments recorded against them. Had the
| election been conducted on the merits of the
constitution, and had its various provisions
been ftly discussed instead of being con
fhed to the disfranchising ani test oath
! clauses, it is pynblble the entire debtor
class would have opposed its adoption and
preferred to remain under military rule
which could have in the future as it has in
the past extended the stay law and saved
their property from sale AZ n sacrifice
large portion If the judgments are in favor
Of Northern creditors against merchants
here, who in turn hold judgments against
the farmers and planters.
This is a grim picture, overdrawn, w
trust, but sufii GENTLY life like 10 send a thrill
! through the heart Of many man wh Sc
cheek never paled at the scream Of shell.
or the whistle of bullets. What can be done
Ia this matter Il Is not easy T. say but it i,
a question which Governor Walker IN hi,
provisional" action should consider will
the gatvest attention. Between himself anC
Gen. Candy further extension : beyonC
January may lie devised. and the fact shn
the CONSULT n is not operative for oar good
that our autonomy has not been Restore,
should have great weight in dotei1nlpini
/ .her action. Gsb
We regret that the Governor elect shout,
be confronted OIL his installation with qurs
lion at once so nice and complicated a
this; but his financial abili y wifi enabl
him to appreciate at ! lance its full mag
nitude Ii, as stated, the :" greater part o
the land of the State is TO be brought unde
tie hammer it, as we know, there ha
b'en great depreciation ia prices Of ren
prOperty throughout the State, .hen il q
| plain that the feast TO which we have beef
Invited is MT that expected by the guests
mr. yet that offered by the entertainers.
oslxr ..a l. l..s -.
and palliative we know, but momentar
stimulant has saved many desperately il
man, and IN this case that il the hope wit
US. If Governor Wslker, as "Pr6visiona
Governor" eau proong the time allow ed
il, accessory, thea 10 the An:oni, s and Bas
AMOS If the State he can trni sfer the ne
possibility Of further action ~ the Legis
aiure within the State is admit ell
When that body assumes cohtro Of affair
il can enact new stay law, and the count
can pas on that with the celtainty tina
time, which is a question Of financial life 0
death, will be gained by heir epactmeni
This has been done ia North Carolina
where the same state Of things exists
and while we do not pause to debate III
legal questions involved, we point out
the Governor elect the course he may tax
aud TO The Assembly that which they ma
follow, If ever compets at to act, 10 hi
great emergency.
Mr.. walktr can become the friend Of III
people who elected him. and we have II
doubt that his kindness Of feeling and hi
financial kin will enable him TO meet the fri
great question thrust. upon him ia ma
ner satisfactory 60 his own conscience an
the wishes-nay, the needs .sfsthe people
the State. With the wolf at the door, IL
: his duty to zee that It does not pass ii
threshold aud we believe he has the wi
ana the ability to meet the fest great quel
, ton which stands ready TO confront him .
HE induction into uflso N,rGJL l'gr,iufti