The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-03-31

lively discussed that nothing is left to be
said: However as every one is giving express
sion to their opinion / will say something.
With reference to the the homestead law, l
think. that being imbedded in the Constitu-
ton it is fixity and therefore will not discuss
it. Ifit were an original proposition whether
or not we should have such law, l would
have something to say, as have very decided
views on the subject. AS to the lien law l
confess am in favor of it, because think
the condition of the country imperatively
demands some such law. 1t furnished basis
of credit to those who would otherwise be
unable to obtain credit. No one is forced to
take advantage of it if he does not wish to do
so. believe that, to some extent at least,
every man is the architect of his own fortune
and If you give a man chance and he does
not succeed, then the fault is in himself. The
lien law simply gives every man chance.
If the lien law is repealed, then the land
owner will have to make the advances. 1t is
q lamentable fact that the condition of the
country is such, that q great many farmers
would be unable to make the advance without
mortgaging their lands. Thus it would force
many men to stake all upon the uncertainty
of single crop.
think the last Legislature made mistake
in their amendment to the lien law. This
amendment should be repealed and let the
law stand as il was before. There has been
so much tampering with this law that 1t IS SO
unsettled that no one not even the courts can
keep up with it, 1t is like the views of kaleide-
scope-ever changing. Let the next legisla.
ture repeal the recent amendment and pursue
a course of mastery inactivity, so the mer-
chants, the farmers and laborers, and lastly,
the law yers and judges, can know what the Law
Is.
Mr.. L. ". SMITH
said have listened with great interest to the
essay and the discussions which have follow
ed. hardly know on which side OF this I'M
por tant issue my convictions are. When the
essayist finished reading his paper | though
agreed fully with what he had said and al
each person concluded their remarks l coult
see no reason why l should differ from tht
views they entertained. l do not agree with
those who think all of our present depression
in business and the general poverty of ou'
country is due to the operation OF the lier law
Upon Investigation, and mature deliberation
the fault will be found more in our people
themselves than in any particular law on ou
Statute book. l object most strenuously t
the present status of the lien law, for by legis
lation and judicial Interpretation the law ha:
been rendered inefficient and useless for th'
object for which it was originally intended
The lien law is almost a necessity as long a.
the homestead law remains in force and dis
agree with Mr.. Parker when he says the tw'
are in no way dependent on each other: Th
essayist has very properly discussed the tw'
together. The homestead law virtually re
| / pf nj
who have the good fortune ~ be worth tina
much. The majority of our citizens are not 81
fortunate and unless they mortgage what littl
they have they would be unable to obtall
credit. The lien law comes in right here ant
gives an opportunity for credit to the poore
classes of our people without compelling then
to mortgage what little they have. Of cours
when say lien law, mean an efficient law
one that will insure the secnrity it is intende'
to give. As long as the homestead law stand
let us have an efficient lien law, but II tn
homestead law is repealed, if the merchan
and others feel when they sell goods or ad
vance money, thev will be able to collect thel
accounts and that the law favors the COLLECTION
of all Just demands against their debtors, am
that the law will not allow man to hide nj
property behind the homestead act, then tn
merchant feeling that there is safety in hi
business will be able to sell his goods at re
duced rates and not at the unnatural credi
prices of to-day, forced upon him on account
Of the great risk he runs.
MR.. E. B. GARY
said that he was neither in favor Of the llel
nor homestead laws, that the lien law disorgan
lied labor and put many in possession OF lam
who should not occupy that position. 1t wa
a maxim of political economy that the owner
of the soil govern the country, and possession
of the soil was near akin to ownership. DE dl
not see why a man should have his propert
as a homestead and leave his debts IN
paid. Let there be justice before generosity
DR.. F. F. GARY.
Experience will confirm the assertion tha
the enactment of the lien law has added 8
little to the material wealth an
! No doubt it would have been repealed lon
ago, but for the fact, that the politl
clans were afraid. 1t was never contemplate
to make it a permanent law, but simply t
tide over the losses Of the short crop of 1865
Nv obie ction to the law is that it partakes
the nature of class legislation an
bossism. It. is we'll known fact tina
those who give liens are compelled to plan
the grea .er part of the crop in cotton. Tn
consequence has been that our State has bee
compelled to rely upon other States for tn
hay, meat and bread that should be raised
home. This drains the country of all money
thereby entailing poverty and preventing an an
improvement IN agriculture. 1t is impossibl
to farm successfully without capital, and t
secure it from the merchant, who in turn sc
cures it from the factor, who.in turn gets
from the banks, entails too much cost:
Congress would amend the National Bankln
Act so that money could be borrowed upo
real estate real benefit would be conterre
upon our people.
The lien system has almost put stop t
diversified farming. 1t reminds me ofa gamh
ler who risks his all upon one card and loses
Another objection to the law is that it make
the party taking the lien preferred creditor
There are other debts just as important, tina
ought to be paid. ,,,
Another OBJ bjection is it encourages thriftles
farming, which entails positive loss to tn
whole State.
AS to the homestead law, We favor that Law
1t prevents the buying up of our homestead
by capitalists and spectators. 1t preserve
the homogenty of our people, makes US one
so soldi6ed our influence is felt throughout tn
United Sttaes. Let the law remain as
monument to our humanity for the w0me