The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-02
The Lien Law-"copiah" Replies to
''Plow-Handles.'
WrssoN Nnu on 1sas

an interested party. As has been said
again and again those opposing this Lien
Law are doctors, landowners, mercantile
failures, and some others who have had
| 40 dealing with the law in any way,
| and really have given it no study. Now
| IS 1t patriotism or self-hness that
prompts the opposition? Did not, two
| years ago, certain writer from Crystal
| Springs say: i have several hundl ed
| acres of land uncultivated, because
parties who would be my hands are
| farming for themselves under the exis-
tence of the lien lawT DID not doctor
write: Il can't collect nv fees so long
| as this lien Jaw existsf' Does not this
| clearly show that the parties are self
| interested? Then they, the doctor and
land owner, have waged all this war, and
| they endeavor by an unjust crusade
upon the merchants, to excite the poor
people against the law. They talk about
lE4 cents for bacon and $1,000 for
-four, and all these things, when at the
same time the land owner by the exis
tence of another lien law, gets as much
rent every year for an acre of land as
that land costs; and the doctor charges
dollar for pulling a tooth-a minutes
work-and $50 to $500 for operations
requiring but few hours labor-prices
entirely out of all proportion to the
value of skill, these times; and if the
doctors don't get liens, they get cash,
which is worth more than a lien. But
the agricultural lien law was not made
for merchants, neither do merchants
take one half that are given. Farmers
get them from one another; money
lenders get them stock-sellers and wagon
dealers get them; lawyers and doctors
get them occasionally. Because mer-
chant sells his meat too high, is no ar
gument that the law should be repealed.
Here, in Wesson, money is loaned on
THESE liens at 33 per cent. lis that
just reason for abolishing the law3
Homesteads, stock and land are mort
gagged for money at 25 and so per cent;
is that any reason we should wipe ont
that lien lawl Our banks gets Is per
cent. for money ON any sort of security
shall we therefore wipe out all lien laws
Just because some man buying or bor-
rowing on them pays too much? Every
business has ts profits and outrageous
charges; but as our State regulates in
terest, and a man cannot be sued and
forced to pay more, so our laws provide,
and guarantee that goods sold to parties
securing the money shall be furnished
at market prices. If man permit him
self to pay more, that is his misfortune,
and he dosn't do it through ignorance.
They all know they are protected
There have been numbers of tests in
various counties of the State. 1t is true
that some men buy goods cheaper than
others-even with the cash. There are
numerous reasons for this. But if man
who gives security gets his goods at
market value, he ought TO be satisfied,
and that he can do. But we know that
half the negroes, and thousands of white
men, buy their goods or borrow money
on their crops. They give 124 cents
for bacon and rs per cent. for money,
and pay their accounts and are satisfied.
They have made no complaints. Then
why should "Plow Handles" feel that
he is called forth to fight their battles !?
Has he some land to rent or have work
ed, and is he troubled to get lahorers, or
ia he doctor! Now if he is prompted by
real patriotism-thinks that farmers
should get their bacon at cents
md calico at &c, and get on "con-
fdence," too allow me make the sugges-
non, that he open shop in Terry at once.
I'll guarantee he will offend no other
merchant, and l will canvass the coun
try for him without salary-and | will
sell million dollars worth of goods for
him by March. If he isn't willing to do
this for the love he has for the poor
class, or if he can't, then he ought not
| dictate to Others. When merchant
sells ten dollars worth of goods, he
| losen't make ten dollars. Bradstreet
L IF huDd rod
| tail; and they generally owe a little
more than is on the books, which proves
| that those big profits are only in the
Imagination, and that these lost ac-
| counts are not paid by the mortgaged Gus
| toners, but that they are not paid at all.
| In conclusion, let me say to the negro
| and the poor white men: | am no mer-
| chant and have no axe to grind in this
| discussion, but this | know, that there
is little sunshine ahead for the farm
Iaborers. So long as the lien law re-
| mains you need not be a hireling. Here
/ is land-you can get it; you can get
vour mule and wagon, and you can get
your bread and meat. By industry and
economy you can always pay your mer-
| chant, and you will have your corn,
YOUR hogs and your yearlings. If you
work one-half the time you would have
to work for "Plow- Handles" at $40 per
| month. You can better afford to pay a
merchant 121 cents for bacon than to
nav him &c. Don't permit yourself to
| be blinded in this matter. 1t is to your
interest to farm for yourself; and it was
the first principleiof the Grange that we
have more farmers, and we retard the
growth of big land owners is for the
interest of our State that we have more
farmers. Besides that the consolation that
will be afforded you to do your own
inanciering, your own trading and your
own bossing. When your family want
To go to court, or picnic, or camp
meeting. you can take them, and it is q
glorious privilege cheaply bought by .
little lien upon your crops. There will
never be an end to liens. They are nc
disgrace; and this lien law is no more
. sinful than any other, and it has beer
found that We have number. Farmers
are the only people who get paid but
once in a year, therefore it can never b'
expected for them to pay all cash. Oul
. town people-lawyers, doctors, preach
ers, teachers, and all Others, paid b,
the month or day-have their stor,
accounts, give liens, pay big prices, biz
. interest, and if they don't mortgag'
crops they do mortgage houses, bricl
! stores or any other property-and 81
, long as town people can enjoy sucl
, glorious privileges, let the little farme
! mortgage his crop and pay 12a cents TO
; bacon--for we don't believe in elias
, legislation all against the poor it'll
, farmer. CoPIAH.
Percentage.
+ The reckoning of percentages, like tn
E minus sign in algebra, is a constan