The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-30
Let Lien Law Live.

EDITOR Ola BI0N: Among the vital
questions to arise at the next meeting of
the Legislature will be that of the
Agricultural Lien Law" and as there
may be a strong and new force of
Repealers, it is incumbent on those who
wish no change, to offer every available
mite in aid of their champions; and as
you have ever shown disposition to
have all such matters adjusted as far as
possible through your columns, humbly
submit what follows fer publication.
Repealers boldly attribute all the
shortcomings of planters to our present
lien law; but for one, / have never been
able, either from conversation or read
ing, to detect anything but their bare
assertions. They offer no proof in sup
port of their position. No one for or
against the law denies the shortcomings.
Both sides feel and see them, but where
is the evidence to show that they are
attributable to the lien law? 1t will
not do to leave so momentous a matter
to the mere dicta of conceit, and unless
proof is brought to show that the law is
the sole cause, repealers should 90
unheeded. We all want change for
the better. Something is working
wofully against the planter in the scuffie
of life. Now the great question is
whether the lien law is that something.
Let those who are able dispel the mist
that all may clearly see the law at fault
and all will cheerfully unite for its
obliteration. But there are those who
are not disposed to hang a man on
suspicion, and so in regard to this law
they would have proof positive of its
guilt before condemnation.
When it is asserted that it is the cause
OF credit, and consequently the depen-
dence OF planters. where is there any
thing 10 snow Its being more than a
mere superstition? A fair Interpretation
would be that the law allows credit and
dependence, but enforees neither r.
this behalf its principles are broad even
leaving 1T optional with planters to RIM
on independently and without credit
LII PLAINLY says, Il am not here to create
credit--but if you adopt it under nv
system, 1t will be the means of laborers
obtaining wherewith TO run themselves
and thus save landlords the mort;fca'
ton OF deeds of trust and the ultimate
loss OF their lands. Advancing mar.
chants are made safe, with nronar
sIlpuiat'ons, provided they be not too
grasplng and too eager to sceumulate
fortunes IN wrinkles of time. A law for
aii-poor as well as rich-and SO we'll
adapted TO the times, as to rarely need
the ana OF lawyers to bring about settle
ments OF disputed points
There is considerable harpinp bv re-
pealers about the control of labor ba;no
taken by the law and turned over
merchants. Where is the merchant ~
acknowledge this control? Not s;nrIo
one to be found, and indeed there bas
oeen no control by any one since the
nrst opening OF the Freedmen's Bureau
IN the State, and that long ante dates the
Ven .s law and clears it of that imputation
Sioreover 1T is asserted that il has
Piaeeu cotton crops twelve montbs
aanead, in the hands of canital;s.s
Wonderful-all powerful lawl Tbe
creator OF cotton spectators, Snao,ia.
tors, too, that were in existence in s tha
laaIancy OF cotton planting-aees before
the birth of this law es oeioie
uentlemen, please show proof of tbesa
charges, else tamper not so lightly w;,b |
law which many believe Innocent and |
moreover great blessing. Show nraaf |
else oe considered as acting under nre,
uuiee OF maneuvering for some hidden |
seIl ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. If you are pIan-
terss you can hardly have cons;dara5
your own interest in all its phases. miles,
you are rich planters with wide acres
untenanted, and adopting this course
20 nave laborers removed from, $500 -,
1n y neighbor on to your lands
= you are merchants. who are advocst
lng THIS repeal, it must be because ~,
are not satisfied with the present nrota ~
llon-out are spreading out 40 a. -
deeds of trust on ali lsndS
8netner the landlord so will or NOT
some go 50 far as to declare that ~
aw causes plantation dilanidat;or ~
, , Inmbling, gclches washing. fences
;'vn because of the lien law
:. IL NOS these unsightly things eoino
e before the law came into eT;s1 ns
,nu 3 there an instance of a place ma,
: se Of trust lettering itself. 81 issst
"a turned over to the merebant9 r
-. soo, that the all-cotton and no.ha@
'fievance y caused b. tbe law. q fho,sk
5ePeai woQld not place nlantet;@ssts
Iuder deed Of trust and esss s se1
.e!ght leaving plenfefs g 7nere A.; s s.s
.. .< he voracify 81 their
49, -. 1 e t1e meEchents, for cofton-.
o.. q no noEe ehence than nov e ~ess,l,