The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1882-11-23
THE LIEN Law.
The Views 'of One Who Favors its Imme.
dfato Repeal.

ncsSfs. traitors: The time of assem-
bling the Legislature being at hand, it
VIII be well for the people to consider
what is to be done in reference to tho
Lien Law. During the canvass it was
frequently discussed, and every candi-
date had something to say, but as one
OF them remarked, they were all
"str"ddling the fence in other words.
they did not icarlcssly express their
views and Intentions, fearing to give
oftcnsc to some voter; but now their
places being secured, and being ser
wants of the public, I~think they could
stand a little instruction, and think
1t world bc as well for every Club to
give scmc uttcrancc TO thri. views and
wishes in reference to it. DO not be
mlsled and trust to your Representa-
uvcs; they will take advantage of your
silence and will be Indifferent if you
are too careless to express your scnti-
mcnts, so that there can be NO m:sun-
dcrslandi1Ig. Let us examine this
Lien Law and see if VIC can't point
out some of tho Objectionable features.
This Act was passed by Democratic
Legislature in 1866, when the State
was prostratc from the results of the
war, her finances totally DESTROYED,
anu her credit almost anIihiatrd. 1t
being necessary that something be
done, and that quickly, this Act was
devised for tho benefit of the farmer,
to enable him to carry on his planting
operations and to furnish him with
some security to offer the merchant
who supplied tho nccdul articles. This
Act also provided that only the nrcrs
sarics were to be furnished, and the
lien was only to cover the growing
crop, and for that year. Now as faras
the Act goes there can be objection, for
simple procedure and security were
provided for every one, enabling many
poor man to plant his crop who
would otherwise have been unable to
give any security, and consequently
could have obtained 10 supplies. The
suffering would have been great, and
there is no question that without the
Lien Law starvation would have stared
many a family in the face. But il j..
not with the Lien Law as t. stands on
INC Statute book that we arc tiissatis-
fed, put it is with the prrvcrsion and
application, of that law a law de-
Vlscd and enacted for the good of ont,
class has been perverted and made 10
lnJnrc that class, whilst the law which |
intended only to furnish Il security for
a!1other class, expecting them to make |
ms legitimate profits on thcirg0ods. has |
occn perVcrtcl to their sole good, en- }
aoiing them to enrich themselves 1T the
expense Of the farmer. And there i
no cNaggcration in this, for any. one |
who has been unfortunately forced lo
1ny on Il lien knows from personal
experience that when lie settles with
his merchant only q minimum, If any
porion OF thc crop, falls t., his sl,nrG
~, ~ many instances he would do better
furnish enough for himself and t;umilvto
eat and not take the chances Of Il poor
yield. Again, this law, which pro-
vidcs that only the growing crop, and
for one year, is to be used as the srcu-
rit!, has been stretched So as to cover
crop after crop. TO ilustratc-il' a
poor man is unfortunate and unable to
settle his lien in full at the end of the
year The balance is added to- the mex;
year leu and ;hc next cropto cover il
hr law intended no such proceeding.
IL Is 'l!cgaI and ought TO be put a
Siop TO. Again, the prices charged
are beyond reason, and render il
almost Impossible iOr any farmer to
clear his expenses and have q balance.
Every one VINO knows anything about
larninY IL aware that it is Il slow WAY
OF getting rich. Even under tl,c old
system, when the turmcr owned the
labor as well as the land, his wealth,
grew not as much 10y his crop as bv the
increase Of his slaves. But when he has
lost halfofhis capital and is expected to
pay from twenty-five to forty Der cent.
for what supplies he needs, it seems to
ne rs If there was very little hone of
his ever being more than the slave of
his merchant; and this is proven bv
the fact that those farmers who arc
succeeding arc not obliged TO run
hen, but have their own means. Again,
IT is said frequently that the merchants
don't want any Lien Law. If this
were SO, why do they advertise that
t'cy can accommodate few more
Soou men! Or why Go they CHARGE
more for bacon to cash customer
than they do on the liun?-as | have
been told actually occurred at Il village
not hundred miles from home. Aid
If the prices charged were TWENTY-FIVE
or thirty per cent. on the cost of the
goods, whilst they would be oncroue,
still it would be better than the pres
cnt system Of adding TWENTY-FIVE or
forty per cent. To the cash price. An
other iniqutous proceeding is, that i'll
farmer pays merchant his lien with
III ten or fifteen dollars he will actual
~ collognc with him to dcfraud any
of his other creditors, and it is done in
this way: The farmer will say, Now,
have paid all Of my lien except -
dollars, and | have so much cotton y,
home. | want soipc money. You
must let me have it, and will bring
the balance Of my cotton TO yon and
spend the proceeds in your store"
This is agreed to, and it makes no diff
terence who is owed, as long as thai
ten or fifteen dollars stands. The lien
is not settled, aud there is no relief
under the present law. Under the
Act the security is only for urccS,irirs.