Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-08-04
THE REPEAL OF THE LIEN LAW.

At the recent joint meeting of the State
Agricultural and Mechanical Society and
the State Grange, at Greenville, a number Of
essays on different subjects were presented,
and among them, the following in favor Of the
repeal of the agricultural lien law, was read
by Col. A. P. Butler, the Commissioner of Ag.
riculture:
Worthy Master, N1'. President, Ladies and
Gentlemen: Occupying the position do in the
Department of Agriculture, feel that it is a
duty owe to myself and the agriculturists of
South Carolina, to give publicity to whatever 1
may regard detrimental to the material pros
perity Of our people, and having given some at
tistical information as deem of much impor-
tance, will briefly refer to some facts in ref
erence to the lien law. have only been able
to get the necessary returns from eighteen
counties, but they probably fairly represent the
whole State, and my estimates are based upon
these returns. In 1879, 27,470 liens were re-
corded in eighteen counties, averaging $S6.83
each, and amounting to $2,267, ,167. If the
other fifteen counties had the same number
each, and averaging the same, the wholeamount
of liens for 1879 was "a ,372 1853, and the whole
number of liens 50,359. The number Of bales
of cotton produced the same year was SIG, 490,
and if sold at $50 per bale yielded S25, 1924 800
This would show that it required about 177O
of the gross amount the crop sold for topay the
liens. Now the profit to the merchant cannot
be less than 50per cent. E; it has been estimated
at "a per cent, or 81, ,457 ,5SS.
The number of liens given in 1880 was 81, :
SIS, averaging $l09, andaggregating 81, 1853, 462
If the crop was the same as in 1879, and sold
for the same, it required about % per cent. to
cancel the liens, and the profit to the factors
was probably over 81, 900. 1t must be re-
membered that the liens are given to cover ad-
vances, and represent from a quarter to half
of the Indebtedness on the crop. The planter
then has to pay commissions on sales, storage,
insurance, interest on advances, and incident
al expenses, so that the surplus, after cancel
ing all these claims, is very small, and he is
forced to resort to the lien system to run his
crop another year.
Now, is the lien law responsible for his mis-
fortune? Is the law blessing or curse
What do these figures prove? First, that the
larger number Of liens are given by small ten
ants, the average amounts being, as have been
stated, $S6 and S1O9. Does this not enable the
laborer, who has nothing but his muscle, to
make the same terms as the farmer who owns
the land? After he has made such arrange
ments with merchant, does he not become
worthless as a laborer? Does he benefit him
self or his landlord by the crop he makes BY
his careless tillage he depreciates the land eve
ry year, realizes nothing for his labor and pays
very little rent. Would he not be better off if
he received wages and would not the owner
of the land be able to give him a fair compen-
sation for his services if he was employed by
one who could direct and utilize his labor in
telligently, and apply it where it is now misdl-
rected through ignorance and lack of means
If the lien law was repealed could the planter
control the labor, and if he could, would he be
able to get such advances as he needs without
the lien law?
1t occurs to me that a farmer who owns
land stock and farm implements, could get
credit without this law. The figures mention
ed show that larger number of liens are given
each year, proving the increasing number OF
tenants and decreasing the number OF wage
hands. Experience has taught most of us that
this class Of tenants are not desirable. The
terms upon which advances are granted under
the lien law are such as no business will justl-
fy, and we cannot prosper until we make some
change in this respect.
If the money obtained last year under the
lien law could have been borrowed at 3 per
cent, the difference in favor OF the farmer
would have been over $2,O00,000. But it is
useless to speak Of this unless we can offer
remedy; but agitation of the subject will do no
harm and in the second there is possibility
of this being done. Money is abundant and
can be had in the Northern States at from 4
to Der cent. per annum. Bonds and stocks
that bear the latter rate sell readily for 25 to
80 per cent. above their par value. Real estate
is the best security, and certainly should easi-
ly command money. We have the land i'm
migration and capital are seeking our State,
and they will soon cause lands to appreciate in
value. Under these circumstances we should
have no trouble in procuring what advances
we need by mortgage upon realty. have re-
Gently seen it stated that a gentleman in New
York had secured $100, 600 for loans to farmers
on real estate in Georgia, and that in a short
while any amount needed could be procured.
1t is urged that the homestead law in our
State will act as barrier to loans of this char