The Van Buren press., 1875-03-16
An Act to Regulate the Labor System
BE it enacted by the General Assembly
of the State of Arkansas

DC IL tlttNtt ny INC ASSChioil
of the State of Arkansas;
Section l. That contracts made with
laborers or employers beyond the limits
of this state shall be as binding as if en-.
tered into within the same.
Sec 2 BE it further enacted, That con
tracts for service or labor for Il longer
period than one month shall not cntitlc
the parties to the benefits Of this act, un-
less in writing, signed 10y the parties, and
ackno wlCdged before q competent officer
and two disintcrested witnesses, to be
read by the officer. Contracts of married
women, executed as above and spproved
by their husbands within the county,
shall be binding; aud of minors, 81 ap,
proved by their parents and guardians
Sec 3. BE it further enacted, That
specific liens are hereby reserved upon
80 much of the produce raised and ar
ticlcs constructed or manufactured by
laborers during their contracts as will Sc
cure all money, and the value of all sup
plies furnished them by the employers,
and all wages on shares due the laborer.
and if either party shall, before settle.
ment, dispose of or appropriate the same
without the consent of the other so as
to deiraud him Of the amount due, such
party shall be deemed guilty of misde-
meanor, and upon conviction may be
I fined not exceeding one hundred dollars,
and confined in The county Jail not less
! than one nor more than six months +:
| Provided, That nothing in this section
shall be so construed as forbdling the
labor from mOrtgagIn9 so much of his
crop for necessary supplies as may be
equal to his interest therein at the time,
If the employer having contracted to fur
nish such supplies, fails or refuses 50 to
do; and the interest of the lahorcr in the
product of his labor, shall at all times be
held to be for this purpose in the just
proportion to the amount which would
be due at the expiration of the term of
service, which the time past Of such term
bears to the full term of such service.
Sec. t. BE it further enacted, That, for
the purpose of giving notice Of the ex
istence Of the lien herein provided for, n
copy Of said contract in writing shall be
iiltt III tut ItNoI tti tllICt VI tnt DtODtI
county, and such filing shall be 4 suf
iicient notice Of the existence of such
lien, and no third party shall be prcju
diced by the existence of such lien, nor
in any manner liable under the provis.
ions Of this act unless u copy Of such
as above provided The recorder or ex-
otlicio recorder shall keep in suitable
book a convenient index Of all such con,
tracts filed in his office, showing the
names Of parties, the date Of filing, the
date of contract, and the time when the
lien will expire, for VIII ch he shall receive
fifty cents for such iIing.
See. 5, Be it further enacted, That if
any employer shall, without good cause,
dismiss laburer prior to the expiration
Of his contract, unless by agreement, he
shall, theraupon, be liable to such labor
er for the full amount that would have
been due him at the expiration thereof,
aud such laborer shall be entitled to the
lien provided in the preceding section for
its enforcement
Sec. g. BE it further enacted, Taat if
any lahorer shall, without good cause,
abandon his employer prior to tie eXpi
ration of his contract, he shall thereupon
any account he may owe his employer,
and shall forfeit all wages due from the
employer at the time OF his wrongfully
leaving. and the amount Of said account
Sec. Z. BE it farther enacted, That pro
ccedings for the enforcement Of liens
herein provided, shall be governed in the
circuit court by the law regulating me
chanic's liens, ana before justices Of the
peace by the law regulating alta tachmcnts
before justices: Provided, The ailiant
shall only be required to state the amount,
and justice of the claim or share, and that
plaintiff is entitled to the benefit of such
lien; and provided further, that the same
shall be instituted within sixty days from
the time it becomes due.
Sec g. BE it further enacted, That il
any one shall wilIully interfere with, en-,
tcc way, knowingly employ, or induce Il
lahorer or renter, who has contracted
as herein provided, to leave his employer,
or the place rented, before the expiration
of his contract, he shall be liable to the
party or parties injured, in the sum of all
moneys due AMI damages in the case.
Sec g. BE it further enacted. That
justices of the peace shall have jurisdic'
ton, within constitutional limits, Of all
actions based upon contracts and actions
er delictC, and penal ohenses affecting
the rights and interests ofcmploycrs and
laborers. that the rights Of appeal shall
be reserved as in other cases. .,
Sec 10 BE it further enacted, That all
laws and parts Of laws in conflict with
this act be and are hereby repealed, and
this act to take effect and he in force
from and after its passage
Approved, March 6, 1875.