The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-05-31

ed overseers in different parts of the State
II prevailed all over the State in the face
of the we'll established fact that the pronts
of agriculture, small at best, could not
stand it and we're bound to sink under IT,
As rule the less able man was to pay IN
terest the more he was charged. we know
men in some of the interior towns OF this
State who have pursued this Shylock system
for the last ten years, and who have sue
ceeded III absorbing much of the substance
of the community where they live and IN
making all their customers as poor as JOBS
turkey. We have known some OF these
men to lend their surplus money to ricn
banks in New York at four per cent, With
out security, and to charge their struggling
customers at home thirty per cent. for the
use of money, or 100 per cent. for necessa-
ries furnished, on a deed in trust 1t you
arpue the case with these men they will tell
Won that the laws of trade demand such a
discrimination Do the laws of trade deN
mand the the robbery of the poor for the
benefit of the rich? Do the laws OF trade
require the absorption of the entire sub
stanc of a community by two or three men,
and the removal of the money to distant
marts for safety? How long can any COM
munity stand such drain as such deadly
laws of trade would entailT
We do not wish to be understood as I'M
dertaking to Judge, or criticise, or condemn
anv class. We do not pretend to pass
sentence upon any. We are dealing with
nm era and custom known to all, preva-
lent to large extent, which was author
zed and sanctioned by the laws of the
State. in which one class was as m1ch to
to blame as another. We presume not to
attach blame to any particular Individual
or class of individuals. But we do say
| that the system of extortion for loaned
money and for supplies advanced has been,
in our humble judgment, horrible evil
that this State has suffered under for ten
wears, and shows a decentralization OF cap
ital, greater even than the Generalization OF
labor, which must be corrected before we
can reasonably hope for solid prosperity.
The farmer cannot pay such demands and
thrive, and there can be no thrift without
the thrift of the farmer. Any system that
cripples him paralyzes the State. He is
the golden goose of this State, and he
must prosper if there is any general and
enduring prosperity,
1t will be observed that we have consid-
cred this subject without reference to race
bearings, and we repeat here that the
needy white man who has been compelled
to give deed in trust to procure supplies
has suffered as much and has as much
right to complain as the needy negro. 1t
is all idle and silly sentimentality that
holds up the negro as sufferer for this
cause on account of his color,
The Agricultural Lien Law should be
repealed. If it destroys the credit of the
the poor man SO much the better. 1t IS
infinitely better for the poor man to have
no credit at all if it is to cost him from %
to 100 per cent. The laws against usury
should be enforced, and undoubtedly will
be if ever brought into our courts. Farm
ers and other poor men who are hopelessly
involved, under the cruel system referred
to- should have the benefit of cheap in
solvency law passed for their benefit, and
the sitting pressure upon their hopes lift
ed off, aud then they should be more care
full about going in debt in the future Ex-
horbitant charges against the helpless man,
bound hand and foot in the meshes of the
deed in trust, should not be made, and if
made the courts should pro tect him.