The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-05-12
The Farmers and the Lien
Law.

The Farmers and the Lien
Law.
The Agricultural lien law original
ly enacted in the interest of the farm
ers was denounced by the late con-
vention OF farmers, as curse to the
land. Measures for it's repeal will be
takcn. Possibly it may be one of the
issues in the coming elections, or it
MAY be overshadowed by other more
exciting questions. Whether it rises
to the dignity of an issue or not, it IS
highly proper for all who are engag-
ed In agriculture to give this matter
serious and careful consideration.
Is it for the best interest of the
State that the law be repealed? Next,
will the agricultural class, those who
till the soil for a livelihood, be bene-
fitted By it's repesl? If these two ques-
tons can be af6cmatively answered to
the satisfaction OF q majority OF the
cultirators of the soil, then the law
should be wiped from the Statute
book. In order that those most in
terested may be able to have a clear
conception of the law in its different
phases, we will present some of the
plausible arguments used by its adj
vocates and supporters.
The Agricultural lien law is mere
ly an enabling. Act. Under it no one
is forced to execute q lien in accord
anoe with its provisions, but all who
do so act freely of their own vohtion.
The Act being special, affords those
who make advances, that confidence
that the law should impose for the
protection of contracting parties. So
that while no one is compelled to con-
tract under its provisions, those who
avail themselves of it or whose neces-
sites require it, have the advantage
of entering into contract that will
enable them to obtain the aid they
desire on advantageous terms 1t Is
not the only provision of law that en-
ables the farmer to obtain advances.
We're It repealed, farmers could still
get supplies by the more expensive
PLAN OF moztgagging their crops. Ii
the necessities Of the farmers require
these yearly advances, and they are
deprived of this simple method under
the lien law, resort must be had to the
system of mortgaging. In fact, many
now gre using mortgages instead OF
the Statutory lien. Would not their
necessities compel the farmer to turn
to the mortgage system. if the lien
law be repealed? How would this at
feet those without property to mort
gage, and who prefer to obtain sup
plies in order to make their crops,
rather than to become laborers for
wases9 And how would it affect large
landowners who are in the habit OF
obtaining supplies on an agricultural
lien? Or in what manner would the
class of persons now availing them
selves of the Law be benefited? Again,
what proportion of the agriculturists
of the State, or to come nearer home,
of Clarendon, carry on their farming
operations without obtaining credit,
and that under the system of pledg-
ing their crops: OF one thing there
is no room for doubt-a large num-
Der of farmers are forced to seek cred
it-they get it under the present lien
law. Then if this system of credit is
running the farmers, what remedy is
proposeds
In giring place to the foregoing
questions, tits that the people may
fully apprehend their condition when
the lien law is repealed, which we are
:sanguine viii be done at the next
meeting OF the General Assembly.
Whatever may have been the object
81 this law, it has worked untold in
jury to tnany Of our farmers. On the
one hand, a potent means Of extortion
is placed within the reach of the lien
ee, and on the other, the subtle fea-
lures of the law, engenders spirit OF
wasteful extravaganza on the part OF
the ienor, which has robbed farmer
upon farmer of home aud comfort,
and brought them down to poverty
and want. May its adjustment be
the beginning of an era of growing
prosperity to the laboring class. But
the farmers need not expect Legislat-
ion to remove all the evils under
which they are laboring. There is
surer remedy, but one dependent on
their individual action-strict econo-
my and the production Of articles Of
necessitj at home, the intelligent use
Of the means at command to make
the farm not only sustaining, but
cumulating, resort to stores for cred
it being had only when the necessity
is urgent, is one Of the paths to lead
our farmers "out of the woods.
4 Compliment to the Military Academy.
The praise bestowed upon the
Young men of the Citadel Academy,
and the institution, by Ex-President
Davis, al Savannah last Thursday, is