The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1873-07-25
Radical Reform Demanded-A Practical
Need.


For several years we have contended
in favor of the enactment 10y our Legis-
ture of a Homestead Law. No selfish
interest has prompted our course IN the
matter. We have conceived IL 10 be
need of our State as well as humane
and enlightened provision IN oeilali oi
the helpless against possible Dankrupley
be il the result of accident, lihpIoNi
denee or blunder. In all cases WheIe
the homestead i sacrificed for the debts
of the husband and father, the wife and
children are the sufferers they nave
no remedy or resource against impend-
ing want.
Every State i'm the Union save oregon
has n more or less liberal homestead
system: and those States which make
and enforce the most liberal homestead
stafutes are essentially the most pros
narous STATES we have. Take for exam
nIe Ohio. Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Wis
consin and Michigan. These States all
nroyi,le ample and sufficient safeguards
for tbe moderate in circumstances and
the rich alike against the contingency
of absolute destitutiOn following ia the
wake of financial misfortune or ill-ad-
yised venture.
In those States he who is the creditor
becomes such with a full knowledge
that, whatever befalls the debtor, his
homestead, the pride and hope aud
shield of his wife and children, is sacred
against the ruthless inrOads of the law.
And all the enlightened and humane in
these States concur in the belief that
such a policy is the better policy.
Leave the homestead secure against
distraint, and the desire for accumula-
q TT
enhanced. \ large per cent. of the pop
ulation become and remain solvent and
Trustworthy, thus and by this means
enhancing the security of the creditor.
IL is for this reason that the creditor
class i'm all these States are champions
of the Homestead Law. And whatever
enhances the prosperity of the citizen is
of practical value to the State and what
is of practical value to the State ell
hances the commonwealth. No State
which has once enacted Homestead
Exemption Law has ever repealed it,;
the tendency has always been rather To
enlarge and amplify it it. Then can
Oregon long afford TO bring up the rear
OF all the States in a matter at once so
vital to her welfare and of such moment
TO the Individual citizen? We contend
that the highest considerations of an
advanced policy demand the enactment
of a well guarded Homestead EXemp-
tion Law. We do not demand this
specially on behalf of women, for they
are entitled to the security and protec-
tion vouchsafed by it. They demand it,
and because they are wise, i'm con-
sideration of its universal application
and the general distribution of its bene-
/ fits. Let us have it. Let each county
take the matter in hand and elect mem-
bers Of the Legislature pledged to il and
the work is done.
Another needed reform in our juris-
prudence is the actual, absolute and
positive exemption of the wife's one
third of the real estate from the ruthless
touch of the minions of the law set on
by sOulless creditors whose bump of ae-
quisltiveneSs overbalances all other
bumps; whose humanity bump is indi-
Gated 10y hole in the head. a law of
this character would bring prosperity
10 thousands of households and cause
smiling happiness where now dread
and uncertainty often occupy the chief
places Of the sanctuary.
Thus far, and probably farther, we are
in favor of wOmen's rights, so-called
We have determined to adhere less in
the future TO the beaten paths Of party
politics, and devote our energies to the
achievement of measures and reforms
which can only be approached and ar
rested Oh plane quite Independent of
party considerations. Will Madame
Duniway and the NEW NORTHWEST
join us in our demand for more availa-
bic good and less partisanism? Through
the columns of the NEW NORTHWEST
much can be accomplished toward the
speedy enactment of a Homestead Law
! Contradict it who will, women are al
ready a power in politics, and make
themselves felt in their own quiet way,
by instructing hubby" son and brother
to vote so and so, just TO please them.
And the women of our young State need
only to be reminded of so manifest a
want as the Homestead Law in order TO
enlist them increasingly in its favor
! Courier.