The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-01-31
8istorieal.
From the Nsv York World.
THE ANTI-RENTwAR IN NEW YORK.


THE AHTI-REETW WAR IN NEW YORK.
The pending discussions as to the rights
or wrongs Of landlords or tenants in Ire.
land, and the recent evictions there for
non-payment Of rent, which have been
accompanied by violence iu the msinte.
nance or defense of legal process, are all
matters which yiyidly recall very similar
discussions aud events which have passed
iuto the history Of this State under the
name Of the "Anti. Rent Insurrection.
This began and eliminated exclusively 10
the counties Of Albany, Columbia, Della
ware, Greene and Rensselaer, during the
years Of l843 to l847. In these counties
land had been royalty granted 10 the old
colonial times to "Lords Of the Manor"
who were sometimes called patrons"
The tracts Of land 50 granted to them
were enormous In extent, aud they had
made leases in perpetuity, with the ground
rent payable generally in "kind, such as
in corn, grain, skins Of animals and pro.
ducts Of the soil or chase. As civilization
extended and population increased such
possession of their lands by tenants in this
nature Of feudal possession grew irksome
to them. While nominally owning their
farms they were not the real owners.
From complaining the tenants turned to
resisting, and especially upon farms which
were handed down through families from
generation to generation, until finally the
tenants In those counties which have been
named banded themselves in associations
in order In attempt to break their leases.
Their appeals to the law courts we're, how.
ever, Intellectual. Then the question en-.
tered into the domain of politics, as il has
similarly entered in Ireland aud Eng
land. Monster meetings were held 10
these counties, as they are held in Ireland.
Agitators who had no particular interest in
the anti-rent questions, as we'll as tenants
who had the greatest interest, organized,
fostored and addressed these meetings. at
which there was more or less ''sedition -
aud rash phrases spoken, as was perhaps
natural under the circumstances. Some.
times tenants would refuse to pay even the
most nominal rent or to recognize the
"landlordism' in their cases, and then. Of
course, resort would be had to the courts
for eviction procedures, to which there
would be resistance. From legal resist
ance the tenants went on TO armed and
belligerent resistance. They would dresi
like Indians and disguise their faces will
paints and then seize the deputy sheriff.
who came TO serve process Of eviction ant
tar and feather them. In one or two in
stances extreme violence was resorted to
aud all this resistance led to the passage
of statute against men appearing in pub
lie in disguise.
This anti-rent agitation as a politica
question first exhibited itself at the polls a
the election in November, 1874. There ha,
during the winter Of that year been severa
outrages committed by the Van Rensselae G
tenants in the county Of Albany. Tn
pretenses for these outrages was the rigi,
and unreasonable conditions contained il
the leases by which the tenants held thei
lands. There was, however, large clas
Of citizens Of the counties 10 auestio
which entirely disapproved of physical op
position to the laws, although admittinI
the Injustice Of long leases and Of the pro
visions Of forfeiture for breaches Of tridiu
and frivolous covenants, and Of a restrain
on alienation by the tenant by means O
payments from the tenant to his landlor
upon any transfer of the tenants interest
which prevented useful and permauen
improvements aud which were inconsisteu
with the genius Of our government. Thi
class Of conservatives also admitted tha
the summary collection Of rent by distres
aud sale was unreasonably oppressiy,
But this class insisted that these evil
ought to be relieved by Legislation, and tina
if efiectual relief could not be Obtained i
any other way that the State ought to e,
ercise its right Of eminent domain.
During the summer Of 1S45 some alarm
ing outrages we're committed by indians
Of the anti-rent association 10 Columbi
county, and the law to prevent people ar
peariug disguised and armed did not. as
was hoped it would, have the effect 70 pre-
vent the outrages. For instance, a der
uty sheriff was shot at and wounded
DR.. Boughton one Of the most actiy
agents in exciting these disturbances, wa
finally arrested and brought to trial befor
the late Judge EdmuDds, but all the iur
would not agree to convict him. On
second trial, however, with the preseu
Judge Miller, Of the Court Of Appeali
acting as District Attorney, DR.. Boughtor
or "Big Thunder" was convicted an,
sentenced to the State prison. In Dell
ware aud Schoharie frequent riots oceu,
red, aud finally, on the 9Th Of August
Mr.. Steel, a deputy sheriff and YER
worthy citizen, while engaged in the dis
charge of his Official duties was attacke,
by an armed party and :..humanIy mur
dered in the open daylight.
The parties styling themselves Indian
were so numerous in the county Of Dcla
ware and so bold in their resistance 10 IN
law that the peaceable citizens of tina
county applied to Governor Sins Wrich
to declare the county in state Of iusur
rection. The Governor acted on mi
emergency with great promptness an,
energy. He issued a spirited proclama
ton, ut the same time ordering out an eI
fclent military force. The proclamation
pointed out the enormities Which had bee
committed, il exhibited with great clea,
ness and force the necessity of maintainin
law aud order, and solcnnly appealed d
the tenants who felt aggrieyed 10 consc
quence OF the rigorous tenurcs under whiel
some held their lands to seek relief an,
redress solely by constitutional measures
and to support the laws and civil institu
iions Of the country as the only means e
insuring the preservation aud safety o
their own lives and property.
A special Court OF Oyer and Terminel
was soon afier held by Judge Amasa ]
Parker 10 the county Of Delaware Oh,
county in which he commenced and pur
sued his professional business until he wa
appointed Judge which continued sever
al weeks. A considerable number Of III,
accused were convicted and sentenced 1,
punishment in the State prison, and tw,
were convicted Of murder aud sentenced
70 be hanged. The death penalty wa
afterwards commuted By Governor Wriph
for confinement In al. c.... r -