The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-09-19
How the Laws Protect Mechanics and
Laborers.


Here is a carefully compiled catego.
ry Of the advantages which working
men enjoy under the laws at present
in force in this State
/. Under the United States Bank
rupt law, every workingman has pre-
ferred claim on the fund over other
creditors to the extent of fifty dol
lars.
2. Under the laws of Pennsylvania
he has preferred claim against the
estate of deceased or insolvent en-
ployer to the extent Of two hundred
dollars for work done upon such es.
tate within six months prior to such
death or insolvency.
3. He has similar preference where
an estate is assigned for the benefit of
creditors. After thirty days have elaps-
ed from the date Of the assignment, be
may ignore the assignment entirely and
proceed as if it had not been execut.
ed.
4. He has similar preference be.
fore auditors in the distribution of the
proceeds of Sheriff's sale, having pre-
viously fled notice of his claim with
the Sheriff.
5. The preferred claim of a landlord
for rent is postponed to the claim of a.
workman for wages in all cases of
landlords warrants, executions, at
tachments, and writs.
6. He has similar preferred claim,
which operates as lien, upon works,
mines, manufactures, business proper
ty, etc, for work done within six
months prior to any sale or transfer of
such property.
T. Under the Mechanics Lien law,
the mere filing in Court of his claim,
with description of the property and
a specification of the names Of the
owners and contractors, within six
months Of the conclusion of work done
by him upon the property, which takes
precedence on recorded mortgages and
judgments created or obtained after
work thereon was commenced by the
workmen.
s. Certain classes of workmen have
preferred claim upon vessels, which
may be entered as lien, and the.prop.
erty be summarily attached.
8. In the oil and coal regions, spe.
cial preferences are given to the claims
cf workingmen in addition to those
specified above.
10. In appeals from magistrates by
employers in suits against them for
wages, security must be entered for
debt, interest and costs, while in all
other cases of appeal the security is
entered for costs alone.
II. No stay of execution is allowed
upon any judgment given for 500 or
less in suit for wages.
II. Wages cannot be attached for
any debt whatever.
Is. In all actions brought in the
courts for wages, upon application to
the Prothonotaries, precedence will
be given upon the trial lists to such
cases over all other cases ready for
trial.
IA. Under the General Corporation
act of 1874, stockholders are liable in
their individual capacity TO the amount
Of the stock held by each for the wages
Of W0rkmen.
Is. Under the same act the stock
holders of mining, manufacturing, and
mechanical corporations are person.
ally liable to work men for wages for
work done within six months before
demand made on the company, and if
a workingmln obtain judgment
against a corporation for less than
5000, the company cannot obtain a
stay Of execution. Such corporations
cannot withhold wages from employ
ees by reason of sale of goods to
them.
16 By Act of Assembly eight hours
is declared days term of labor.