The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-09-24
TIE LIEN LAW.

Messrs. Editors: There has been so
much written OH this subject, that one
would think It had become exhausted.
If lett to the vote of the various town.
ships, MS ono Of your correspondents
advises, tho negro vote will prcdomi-
nate for its present existence. This
measure will defeat its repeal in all
probability. 1t must be repealed if
we expect to live hero in n state of
prosperity the sooner the better. I
Know quite well of what am writing.
My conclusions are drawn from a six
ty-ycars' experience. Our lands are
already deprecated in value fully fiflv
per cent within the last ten years bSv
the rulnous system Of renting, and It
viii not require another decade to
hrlng us to starvation. This is not all
ovcrWrought picture Of our future
sense and experience. On the i'm
provcment Of our soil depcnds orr
only hope for existence, and it is hon
ing against hope to expect this desired
result, unless the owners of our soil
are allowed to control it. The colored
laborers would also be better paid for
their labor than at present. The mcr-
chants who take liens from the one
steer or mule farmers would do safer
business than heretofore, and we would
certainly have more to cot and more
change III our pockets. Let the next
Legislature repeal the Lien Law with
provisions, if necessary, Of which thcv
must surely be appriscd. Then let
every man and boy 90 to work and moi,
bc afraid oft. Work will make them
prosperous and happy and healthy.
try It, ye young loafcrs and itllers, and
sec If l am not right. WE.
Another Communication on tho Same Sub.
MesS'S. -Eaators: AS the discussion
of the Lien Law seems to be the gcner-
al topic all over our State, / would like
to see it discussed in this way, viz.
Which would be benefited most by the
repeal Of the Lien Law, or which
would suffer most by its continuance,
the merchants or the farmcrs2 think
tho merchant is most benefited bv the
Lion Law, as he derives the greatest
profit from it. Now, would the re-
peal of the Lien Law remedy the evils
of the high and cxtrnvagant priccs2 If
not, then the farmers would not be
benefited by its repeal. The merchant
should have some security for his pro-
lection, and know of no other that is
any better than q lien or mortgage,
but there should be some limit to his
profit. For instance, lie should be al.
lowed certain per cent. over and
above the cash price, the same that ia
allowed by law for money, and then
make tho lien hold good over nll crops
untilpaid. The law prohibits the lending
OF money tor over scycn per cent. per
ann!,m. OF course merchant will
not lend his money to n farmer at scv-
cn per cent. as long rs he can invest in
supplies and charge him from fifty ia
one hundred per cent. on IONS over the
cash prices.
After all has been said and done
about the Lien Law the greatest re.
form Ia wanting among ourselves as
farmers. We arc to blame for allow
ing ourselves tn get in such depend.
ent condition. The farmers should be
the most independent OF all classes OF
men. A man should not bc worthy
tho namr Of q farmer who hns to buv
such articles that he himself should
raise. There is not more tl,an one
farmer out ten bat that is buying corn
flour, bacon, hay, ctc:-thc very arti