The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-23
The Lien Law.
From Farmers Advocate, Meridian.l

From Farmers Advocate, Meridian.
We publish letter this week clipped
from THE CLARION, against the repeal
of the lien law, signed "Copiah." 1t is
well known that we are opposed to the
''lien law, but we desire to see. the matter
thoroughly discussed, and if we are in
the wrong, we want to know it, that we
may get on the right track. "Copiah"
thinks that the ellen law" is benefit to
The poor people of the State, and that
they are not in favor of its repeal. We
entertain the opposite opinion, and
think that large majority of the poor
people of the State are opposed to it. II
we thought otherwise, we would cease
our opposition Immediately. IF it isn't
a law that tends to make the rich, richer,
and the poor poorer, then we are mis-
taken in its effect, and.we have had first
rate opportunities to see The effect of its
operation. We evil state a few objections
to the lien law:
LIST. 1t has been a statutory law 70:
nearly eighteen years, and seven tenths
Of the people who have been forced to
give trust deeds, are still very poor
Notwithstanding they have worked very
hard, have lived hard, and have
economical in almost every way posi-
BILE.
I'd. 1t destroys confidence, removes
one of the strongestincentives to honesty
by taking away a mans independence.
forces him TO pay debt that he would,
IN all probability, pay of his own free
will, thereby deprives him of an oppor-
tunity to establish credit that would
be advantageous to him in his business
Sd. 1t destroys competition by put
ting the purchaser entirely at tie mere,
of the seller, and gives the seller an op
portunity to charge exorbitant prices
which the experience of the past has
taught US that they generally do.
4th. BY its workings the industrious
and honest portion of community have
to support the indolent and dishonest;
because those who furnish supplies make
an estimate of how much loss they may
sustain; notwithstanding they are
fortified by trust deeds, they add on
enough above a legitimate profit 10
cover losses, and as a matter of course
those who come up and pay promptly
have to make up this loss and they and
their families suffer thereby.
9th. In all our experience we never
knew an honest and industrious farmer
to suffer for food and raiment for him
self and family, and we have no fears
| that they would suffer If the lien law
was stIcken from our statutes.
We Don't claim that land owners are
all saints; but we are amazed az the
sweeping charge that "Copiah" makes
against them. If they were actuated by
no higher motive than self interest, it
would dictate to them to pursue a fair
and liberal policy towards the labor OF
the country. We cannot hope for
country to prosper where laborers are
discontinued, and where they are moi
remunerated for their labor. The
experience in Lauderdale and adjoining
counties goes to prove that the reverse
of what "Copiah says is true Negroes
work with farmers until they get start.
such as team and wagon and some
provisions, and then they either rent or
buy land and get merchants to run them.
and in very few years most of them
are right back where they started. This
may be owing to improvidence and bad
management, but the fact remains the
same. We do not want to give farmer
any advantage over other creditors. and
therefore are in favor of dispensing with
all liens except for rent, and that will
put doctors, money lenders, merchants.
farmers and everybody else on an equal
footing; then honesty will be rewarded |
every tub will stand on its own bottom,
and men with some pride and ambition
will have an opportunity to better their |
condition, surround their families with
comforts and educate their children. If |
there are any men in the State who have /
been forced to give deeds of trust, and /
want the law continued in force. we
would like to hear from them. We
have been in search of men who are in /
favor of The lien law but have not sue
eeeded in finding them. We are tired I
of 1t over this way, and want it stricken
.'ut, and We are assured that nobody will |
oe nurt: Lets hear from the people on
the subject. and do not let us be fright.
ened with English landlordism and ten
antry; but lets repeal the law that the
iahoring people may have fair oppor-
tunity to acquire property.