The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1886-02-11
view upon the 5subjeet Of the lien


views upon the subject of the lien
law, and said: 4
This question is connected with
and incident to one Of the most i'm
portant questions that now concerns
the agricultural people of South Car.
olina. The lien law is a necessary
EVIL, produced by the Constitution
OF the State. There is no blame in
the law in itself. No one is compel
ed to give lien, and no one is fore
ed to take one. After the adoption
OF the present State Constitution the
Legislature enacted the lien law tc
enable our farmers who were poor
and without means to obtain credit.
This was, perhaps, the best that
could be done at that time, under
the circumstances. Now it would
do no good to repeal this law, under
the present Constitution For it is
cheaper and more SIMPLE way to
obtain credit than to mortgage the
crop, which many good farmers
would have to do, OF hire for wages.
And it would be more than cruel to
have laws that would force q man
to become hireling for wages. No
agricultural people could prosper
and be contented under such laws.
The great source Of the evil results
of the lien law, is in the Constitution.
In fact our State Constitution was
drafted and made by mon who were
not acquainted with our people, and
know very little Of their wants and
necessities. It was drafted from
and suited to thickly settled, rich
and prosperous people, few of
whom had more money than all the
citizens Of our State.
Our State is agricultural, and fill
ed with people generally without
much money. The property of our
State consists chiefly in agricult-
ural lands. Our money has to come
out OF the ground, and the support
Of our Government is dependent up
on those who till the soil. Our far
mers have retroc raded as q class ever
since the adoption of the present
Constitution. 1t is too expensive.
1t provides for too many Offices; we
cannot prosper under it. The re-
peal of tho lien law would do no
good. But few farmers can prosper
in Pickens County and pay two per
taxes. Already a great many Of our
most cntorprising men, and best Ia
borers have left; and many more
will follow, and ore long our folds
may become waste places, unless our
taxes arc reduced and the farming
interests of the country nre protect
cd. 1t will make but little difference
III tho end whether you plow deep or
shallow, failure will continue to be
the result under our present State
laws.
know the views that I here OK
press will meet with strong opposi.
ton, but they are true, and I am
willing to be placed upon record in
saying that the farmers of Pickens
County can not prosper and pay
their present rate Of taxes. Some
thing has got to be done, and the
farmers must take hold and holp
themselves, and demand new Con
stitution adapted to their wants
abilities and necessities.
In regard to the expenses Of our
county Government, Mr.. r. G. Rob
inson said he did not think there was
any chance for q new Constitution,
but he wanted to know if the Repre-
sontatives could not have special
act for this county reducing salaries.
Mr.. Durant said that the only Off
GERS in this county that received a
salary paid out Of the taxes assessed
and collected were the School Com.
missioner, Treasurer, Auditor, Coun-
ty Commissioners, Supervisor of Reg
istration and Trial Justices. The
maximum of tho School Commission
er's salary is 100000 and 800 for
travelling expenses, but this is regu-
lated by tho Board Of Examiners,
who have the right to limit the num-
Der of days he shall work. The Au-
ditor has salary of $4,000 paid by
the State, $3U0.0o additional compen-