Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1878-10-18
Ghe esefS County alerald.
ISLAND POND, OCT. Is, 1873.


our valued correspondents
communication from Montpelier
in last weeks issue, that a bill
is under consideration in the
Legislature providing for a chop.
per S lien on lumber. We sup.
pose that liens proceed upon
the ground that the laborer is
worthy of his hire. The
mechanic who works upon q
building is ordinarily dependent
upon his wages for the support
of himself and family. The
man who furnishes raw mate
rial for the construction of a
building may OF may not be,
but usually is. The artisan
who furnishes machinery for
mills does business on a large
scale, and is usually less de.
pendent. But the wood chop
per belongs to q nomadic race.
He wanders from place to place
not to commit violence, nor as
a tramp, but to seek employ.
ment where he can best find it.
Muscular from necessity, rough
from habit, bat seeking from
the community small compen.
sation for herculcan labour; anC
this, what little there is of it
ought to be secured to him by
law. Is there any reason why
the rich contractor who sup
plies from his extensive manu-
factory the materials for a mill
and who is amply able to de-
fend his rights should be care
fully cared for while the hand
chopper is left entirely defence.
less ? Let us suppose q case
A large lumber interest in
Maine owns a tract of land IL
Essex County. A. is an irres
ponsible man. Under an ar
rangement with this firm, he
goes to that tract of land, anC
employs several hundred chop
pers as they come from various
states seeking employment
The owners Of the land in NJ
way become responsible fol
their wages, and they being il
versed in matters of business g
to work with a consciousness tina
their pay will be alright, but
just how, they know Or care
very little about. Perhaps dur
ing the chopping season if the!
have a little money, previously
earned, that is loaned to thu
honest q Mr.. A., and so they
work with confidence duriny
the rough inclement season
When numbering " breaks up
in the spring, a portion Of TIL
lumber is moving down tn,
Connecticut, and other portion
are in its tributaries in thi
state, and another portion read,
to float as soon as spring freshet
ywill permit. Our lumbermel
now congregate at Mr.. A
place of business, supposing /
Ito be the office of the land
owners, but 10! Mr.. A. is no
where to be found. The poo
chopper seeks advice. Shal
he attach the lumber +? No, b
cause that belongs to the land
owners, and Mr. A. is lumber
ing by the thousand feet.
Shall he summon the Ian
proprietors as trustees to az
count to the workmen for tn
enhanced value Of their pre-
perty? The workman is the
told that Mr., A. is cutting an
floating the lumber by the tho'
sand, and he is much in arreal
to the owners for previous il
debtedness and advances,
this a put up job between NJ
a. and the landowners ?
may be. The law if it does n
invite such a purpose extend
magnificent facilities tor its az
complishment. Shall the chol
per file lien on the lumber
No. Why? The law does n,
permit it. We respectfully as
our legislature, Why not?
Without such a law Il
poor chopper will continue
90 from his winters work
his far off home amid the snee
and epithets of " beggar" ar
" tramn" as he bpps for in