The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1884-01-10
The Lien Law-Reasons Why 1t
Should not be Repealed.
Walden. Jnnnary s. 1Ss.

EDITORS CLARION: noticed commu-
nication in your paper from Hon. d. l..
Smythe, of our neighboring county, Alfalfa,
in which he offers some good reasons why
the Agricultural Lien Law should not be
repealed, and urges the exercise OF good
sense and fair dealing on the part OF the
members OF our present Legislature on this
question, and states that he is fully salts
fed that the people Of his county want the
law to stand as it is. / am fully satisfied
that the sentiments expressed by him find
hearty response in the hearts Of the people
of Carroll, and that they stand on the
same platform with the good people of
Alfalfa, and would consider it a great ca
lamity if the law were repealed.
1t is true, we have some meu in our
county whose heads are above water, tinan-
cially, and who are able TO furnish lands,
mules, and supplies TO tenants, obtain pay
ing rents, and enjoy the full benefits of the
infallible protection that is thrown around
them by the Landlords Lien Law,
who oppose it (the Agricultural Lien
Law and hurl their envious invec-
tives at it, calling it "ruinous, oppres-
sive, unjust and vicious" and there are
others--and they constitute an important
part Of the pposition-who through indo-
lence, extravaganza and mismanagement
have fallen victims to it. This class, YER
flying the feet that men who fail at bnsi-
ness OF any kind, even those who are prac-
tical failures at everything they undertake,
always attach the blame to something else,
lin this case, to the Agricultural Lien Law
and thus endeavor to shift from themselves
the dire responsibilities which justice de-
mands they should carry on their own
shoulders. / don't think either OF these
classes should exercise any influence in
passing upon this question, because the
former is prompted by hope OF gain, and
the latter moved by malice and revenge.
There is vet another class who oppose it,
no doubt, with honesty of purpose, think
ing il it we're repealed the good of the
country would be enhanced. This class, by
force Of circumstances, Or superior mental
/ and physical endownments, have reached
that point in financial concerns, where they
are Independent of the benefits accruing
from such laws. And they either take it
for granted that every one else is in their
same good condition, or they have an idea
that such law is sort Of disgrace to a
civilized people, and should be blotted as
nuisance from the pages OF our civil
Code, for pride's sake, regardless of cir.
cumstances or results; and l cannot
refrain from expressing asdeep and pro-
r found admiration for that glorious prin.
ciple thai steals its way into the bosoms Of
such patriots, and moves them to be proud
of their country, and jealous of her honor
vet | do not think that this pride and
: jealousy, however commendable, should
influence them more than the actual neces
stiles OF the poor people about them.
For fear OF controversy, which have nc
!, desire to invoke, will not further com
. ment upon what | consider to be the op
position to this law, but will try to offei
some reasons why 1t should not berep-aled
1st. The people OF our State do not pos
sess sufficient capital TO buy mules and
I farming implements, cultivate and gather
crop, and consequently are forced tC
! invoke the aid of foreign capital. As proc
of this, when our various crops are made
! and gathered, and our great cotton crop
/ which Is worth annually about two hun
/ bred and forty millions OF dollars, is mar
keted, it is mainly absorbed in replacing
the borrowed capital used in its produc
ton, and the State is left comparatively
: bare Of money, and the people as a mass
helpless as to their ability to carry on this
: their paramount interest, without financial
E assistance from some source.
: I'd. This necessary capital must be OBJ
tanned and distributed among the poorer
: classes of the laboring people, and this enc
. cannot be reached, without the aid OF thii
!, law or something similar. While cap
ital seeks investment, it at the sams
r time seeks security, and cannot be OBJ
e tanned withOutit Then If this law wer,
D repealed, this class land / believe i
r constitutes a majority Of the citizens o
E the STATED would have no access whateye
e to capital, for they have nothing to pledgl
a except their labor and its results which
are only realized in their crops after the,
: are .made and harvested, and a CROWN,
y crop, il properly cultivated, is just as mucl
3 a. certainty, and is Just as reliable security
t as any thing else, except the land upoi
0 which it grows, for never, in the history o
: our State, has her consecrated soil faile,
e to respond TO the touch Of honest industr'
e with haryests sufficient to meet the ordi
e nary wants Of her people, and supply then
/ with the common comforts and necessarie
r of life, even under the most unfavorabl
e circumstances.
+ Sd. In face OF the fact that the people 0
j the State cannot conduct their agriculture
& interests without the aid of borrowed CAPT
tal anothar rnsaan IL uraae<fed whv III