The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1875-11-06

hardship and defeat. Many Of the
old Spanish adventures, who crossed
the blue waters OF the Atlantic in
company with Columbus, belonged
to the debtor class. VIGOROUSLY was
this the case with the early settlers Of
the Virgins colony, under Walter
Raleigh. These daring, reckless fel-
lows fed from the presence Of credi-
tors whose just demands they were
unable To meet, and braved the dan
gers and risked the hardships Incl
dent to the early settlements of our
country. without "a murmur, rather
than encounter remOrseless creditors
AT home and run the risk of the debt
OTIS dungeon. In the settlement Of
the far west the unfortunate debtor
class has always formed an important
factor. Leaving debts and misfOr-
tunes behind them they came west,
across the AIleghanies, the Ohio,
the Mississippi, the Missouri, ayel
away across the western pralries and
4 lllb ANbChI llbhlAhAAA1s CNNh W NAAE
Pacific shore, bringing with them
bright hopes, strong arms, re5olute
energies and a spirit of industry.
Forests were felled, fields were
cleared, acres were titled, settlements
made and towns and cities were
built by these men. The comforta-
bic creditor remained away until he
could make safe investments, as a
general rule. He at least did not
risk his wealth in developing uncer-
tain resources of new regions of
country. Therefore it has been a
wise policy to protect the debtor class,
in new localities, by sound eXemp-
ti0n laws and statutes of limitation,
prescribing a short term OF years in
which creditors may bring their ac-
tons and enforce their demands.
Many persons oppose these short
periods within which actions may be
brought, on the plea that it is not
Justice to the creditors. Experience
proves that they are not wise. Among
the Romans, ut m time, the creditor
could seize his debtor and sell him as
a slave, to pay what was due, and this
was considered just. Among the ma
tons of the Europe. and notably in
Great Britain, for centuries, the debtor
could be immured in prison and kept
there at the will and expense of the
creditor, and this was not considered
unjust, though oftentimes inhuman.
Among the Jews of old, there was
the year of Jubilee, once every
years. and when it came around all
those who were in debt to their neigh
bors, and were unable to pay, were
discharged. This was the law under a
Theocratic governmental law believed
to have been given by God Himself.
Wyoming cannot afford to continue
its present statutes of Limitation, and
keep its courts of justice as n standing
menace against the settlement in our
Territory OF men and women who
have been unfortunate in business
elsewhere and seek new homes here.
If they bring with them money or
other property, which should justly be
applied to the discharge of their bebts,
the opportunity for cunccaling them
in a new country is far less than in
older places, and diligent creditors
can readily reach them by legal means
in from two to five years. Why
should they be favored with from six
to fifteen years? Those who have
not brought dishonest means with
them, should not be pursued because
of their misfortune and the creditors
rapacity, more than the time sug-
gested. Take Colorado, Kansas or
California as an example.