The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-09-19
For the Times.
xAA Much Needed Law.

MIR. DparoR '--Thereis il n subject now engag-
ing the attention of the planters OF this scctios,
ana which is Of vital Importance to every COM
munity in our County and State-one too upon
which the statutes of tho State are compara-
lively silent.
refer to the "enticng inveigling or moving
away" by one party, the laborers, hirelings or
tenants of another l venture the assertion
that no section Of our County has been free
from such "enticng, inveigling or moving
away" and yet the only recourse that the far.
mer has had. has been to the old English law on
such cases and the decisions of our Supreme
Court. 'Tis n sad fact, yet n truthful one that
SELF interest is the ruling passion Of the majority
of mankind and, in disregard of all custom or
counsel, many n man will wilfully attempt 10 set
at naught the plans Of his neighbor, unless re-
strained by the stern edict Of a law he under
stands, Such case as the following, often
happens:
hires laborer, or laborers, goes to the ex-
pense of building them house, moves them from
distance, and they have actually commenced
work for A.--perhaps prepared some of his lands
for planting-when neighbor B comes along or
sends ana by means of higher wages promised,
entices said aborers away, thereby damaging A
no little in purse. besides disconcerting his
whole arrangements for cultivating his lands for
the year.
What is AS remedy? As we have said only
recourse to the old English statutes. 1t has al
ways been TO me an inexplicable mystery why
our Legislators have been so loath or easy on
this subject; and while we arrogate to ourselves
no extreme or even medium foresight upon the
subject we are of the opinion that some law like
the following is needed in our State:
Let every man be compelled by statute to en-.
ter into Uritfen contract, the first Of every wear
with his hirclings or tenants (unless where the
tenancy is for term of ycars) and in default
of entering into such written agreement let him
or them be debarrcd from prosecuting or main
tanning any suit against any person or persons
who may "entice, inveigle or move away such
laborer or tenant and let the Bill contain a
clause making it q criminal offense against any
person who shall wiliully endeavor, even, or
who shall knowingly ''entice. inveigle or move
away" said laborer: and let there be, also a
clause empowering the farmer or contractor to
maintain suit for damages against the often
der" This wi lie spread custom of Interfering
with neighbor's laborers has become too COM
mon but if such law ms we have mentioned
above is enacted we opne it will moi only be
beneficial to the individual farmer and contract
or, but will have sautary effect, in placing the
labor OF our country upon more stable and
reliable basis, and thereby add not only to the
amount of crops raised annually, but contribute
to the general prosperity of all. IL will tend In
create q stronger confidence between the con.
tractor and his laborers, md it will serve to
strengthen the cords of existing friendships be-
tween neighbors, instead of engendering those
internal Tor Internal il you please) discords that
now so often arise and disract the good feelings
in neighborhoods. Let Trial Justices lie EN-.
powered to approve and 6le. in book kept for
the purpose, such contracts MS may be presented
to them, charging say, 10 cents for the same,
and there will be no further trouble, SO far as
all lasabiding citizens or contractors are con-
cerned.S .',"".'
= Until men are taught by THE stern penalties of
the law, that every one has rights, in this par
ticular. that are sacred and not TO be- violated
with impnnity, there willibe.a disposition, un-
derlyng the ground work Of our social state, to
lord itwith might over right" and keep in
continued 'upheaval the quietude Of every com
munity, and our country will be deteriorating
instead of advancing in that material wealth
and prosperity which the God Of Nature has
placed in our reach. By all means let our Leg
islators look into the matter this winter, and
II possible let the law be in operation january
LIST, 1880. "LI0NNEL."