Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-01-10
THE LIEN LAW.

WORK, are CaSn IN aQVauCe.
THE LIEN LAW.
In 1866, the General Assembly passed
what is known as the "Lien Law" We need
not take time to explain what the provisions
of that law are. Unfortunately, they are too
we'll known already. At the last session, the
General Assembly repealed the lien law, the
repeal to take effect January, 1878. The
passage of the law, in 1866, was unfor-
tunate. 1t matters not what arguments were
advanced in its favor, nor how plausible
they may have appeared, time has proven
that the law was founded upon false prin-
ciples. 1t has worked badly for the poor
man. 1t takes from a man his dignity, and
reduces him, mind and muscle, to the condi-
ton of the merest slave. 1t is terrible
form of slavery. Under its fearful pressure,
the man who gives lien upon bis crop for
supplies, never can rise, without desper.
ate effort, above the condition of mere
serf. The law never should have been en-.
acted. No one thing has done so much to
bring about the depressed state of things in
our country. In some instances, no doubt,
the lien law has been attended with favorable
results but these instances have been few in
the past and in the future their occurrence
will ever be more seldom.
Notwithstanding the evils connected with
the working of the lien law, we have Sc
rious doubts concerning the propriety Of
abolishing the system all at once. The law,
we have no hesitancy in saying, should be
repealed but then there are many evils
which must be removed gradually. i is
frequently bad practice to remove excres-
censes with the knife. A speedy death might
follow the sharp edge Of the operators in
struments. Caustics, and even absorptions
will safely remove dangerous tunors from she
human body that can be removed in no
other way, and the life Of the patient still be
preserved.
The lien law-the great tumor on the Ia
boring class of our country-must be re-
moved but can it be done safely at one fell
stroke of legislative enactment? We doubt
it. The majority of the laboring class of the
country are to-day without one months ra-
tions on hand, and are unable to secure credit
for a side of bacon or bushel of meal. This
is the case with quite number of the people
of the country. 1t matters not what has
brought about this state of things 1t is use.
less to say these people are lazy and prodi'
gal. 1t may be said they have brought this
state of things upon themselves; or any 9TH
er reasons may be assigned ; still it is a fact
which no one who knows anything about the
condition of the country can deny, that by
far the greater number of those whose bus-
ness it is to cultivate the soil, are utterly un-
able to make another crop unless they receive
assistance from some quarter. Where are
they to obtain this assistance? No one will
lend them money. No one will stand good
for them unless he is in some way made safe.
Now since the lien law has been in opera
ton, and bad as it has worked, we believe it,,
or something similar, is the only present hope
of many of our people. Let it be distinctly
understood that on the FIRST of January,
1879, this lien law, with all its provisions,
is to cease to be operative. This will give
the people of the country time to prepare
for it. The removal of the excrescence will
be gradual, and not attended with such
crushing effects At present, few persons
are prepared for the repeal of the law.
Very few, if any, have made arrangements
for the great change which its repeal will
produce. Should the repeal of this law 60
into operation at once-which will be the
case unless there is some legislation to the
contrary-the effect upon the agricultural
interests of the State will be similar to the
breaking of some great banking establish
ment, upon the finances Of the country. All
classes in society will feel it. The lands of
the rich man will not be cultivated as we'll
as at present, and the merchants goods will
remain on his shelves in alarming quantities.
In some instances it will be stagnation in
business; in others, starvation.
When the law was repealed, all arrange
ments for the present year had been made.
This being the case, although ithas been more
than half year since the law was prospect
lively repealed, its being put into actual oper'
alton at present, comes upon the country as
suddenly as if the repeal had been passed but
yesterday.
We hope that the legislature, before its f.
nal adjournment, will take this matter into
consideration, and, bad as the lien law may
be, continue it in force until January, lS79
or some time in the future. This would, at
least, save the country from sudden crash,
and enable many persons to make partial ar
rapgements for the future, so that they would
no longer be entirely dependent upon the
provisions of the law. The necessities of the
poor are such as to demand that something
be done to save them from want and suffering