The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-06-29
LABORERs' LIENS.

The Chicago Tribune, with characteristic
Misrepresentation, attributes the late emil
grafton OF negroes from Louisiana and Mis-
sissippi to certain causes which are altogether
groundless. That journal says: THE exodus
thus far has been exclusively from Missis-
sippi and Louisiana, In which States the laws
bear hardest on the laborers. Both States
have lien law, the purposes Of which is to
authorize the mortgaging Of property not
yet In existence"
The fact is that the lien laws Of Louisiana
are particularly favorable to the laborers
Whether they work for share Of the crop or
for wages, these shares or wages are even
considered before rent claims of lessons, Ii
the land whereon they are employed Is
worked by lessee The liens, which are
called by the Tribune mortgages on property
not yet in existence" are based upon spirit
Of confidence and Hberality that we venture
to say Is not extended to white laborers by
the land owners Of Illinois,
The negro, Without property Of any kind to
be pledged as collateral security obtains
lands, teams, implements Of agriculture pro-
Visions and money. His quid pro quo for all
these advances, this mortgage on property
not yet In existence" LIS simply a sworn
promise, and one made binding ID law, that
he will pay rent for his land in a certain
amount Of its produce and that he will return
the value of the money and provisions ad-
vanced him by his merchant when his crop is
gathered. This is the only laborers' lien that
Expresses him. On the other hand, land own
ers and merchants have no guarantee that he
Will raise crop, and they are benefited by no
laws which compel him to do 80. Therefore
many negroes who received all these ad-
vances, and returned nothing for them, have
been able to leave for Kansas and other parts
OF the North without the fear Of legal moles-
tation.
There Is scarcely laboring population In
the world that enjoys 50 many advantages
as do the negroes in Louisiana. The wages
they receive are higher than those Of the
white laborers to every State OF the North
except two They are provided with COM
Portable homes. land to work, teams, fuel and
many privileges which are enjoyed by laborers
nowhere else in the world. Where they work
for themselves they are furnished with the use
OF property worth several thousand dollars
without the requirement. OF any security ex-
cept q promise to pay when they make their
crops. Where they work for wages, as they
do In the sugar regions OF the State. they are
well cared for, obtain high wages for agricul-
tural labors and are paid promptly at the end
OF every month. All these advantages are
enjoyed by the laborer in Louisiana. If he
makes debts and has property it is liable for
his debts, as in other States, but there are alb
solutely no restrictions upon his personal
freedom.
The laborers without property may make |
engagements and utterly fail to produce any
portion OF q crop, either from misfortune or |
design, but no law prevents him from engag-
ing to another planter, removing to other
lands, or even from leaving the parish or
State without let or hindrance.
The charge that prisoners are ill-treated in
this State was fully Investigated only few