Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-03-04

In Orangeburg county the law will prac-
tically have no effect, although it is said
that large number of the colored people,
many of whom were the best laborers in that
county, have gone West, although they had
entered into contracts for the new year. 1t
is not definitely stated whether or not this
emigration has been the direct result of the
passage of the priority law, but doubtless
the law has had something to do with this
outward movement of the colored people
from that county.
In Pickens county the landowners are
pleased and the merchants are making ag-
riculturaI advances as usual. A smaller
number of liens have been recorded this
year than up to the corresponding period
of last year. A number of the colored
people have emigrated from that section,
but their departure is not attributable dl-
rectly to the change which has been made
in the lien law.
In Rchland county there has been no
material change in the acreage rented to
tenants. The merchants believe that their
security has been lessened by the priority
law, and have been issuing fewer liens and
the small farmers, who have heretofore de-
pended on these advances for the prosecu-
tion Of their work, find themselves in bad
way.
In Spartanburg county the Act seems to
have narrowed down into fight between
the landowners and the tenants, the farmer
wishing to force the laborer to work for
wages, when the latter have not the means
or character to secure supplies. The ten
ants regard this movement as oppressive
and unjust. The ultimate results OF the
farming operations under this law cannot
be predicted at present. There is consider
able difference of opinion in different sec
tions of Spartanburg as to the effect OF the
law. The general impression seems to be
that while the law is good for the landlord
it is hard on the tenant.
In Sumter county it is expected that the
priority law will decrease the volume of
trade. Many of the lien merchants have
entirely withdrawn from the business. The
farmers, however, hope that good may re-
suit from the law.
In Union county the law has been accep-
ted as the best that could have been adopted.
In Williamsburg county the farmers have
found greater difficulty in arranging for
advances this year than for several years
past. The priority given the landlords
lien has not, however, appreciably affected
the value of the lien as a security for ad-
vances. The real mischief wrought by the
Priority Act is said to be caused by the pri-
ority given the laborer's lien. AS many
nave UCCI lieu al lllO SlCin OillSS siiA'
year as up to the corresponding period in
1885, although in most cases the advances
have been only about one-third as large as
the amount secured last year.
The Yorkville correspondent writes as
follows in reference to this county: Up to
this date not more than o. e-half OF the
number of agricultural liens have been in
deXed in the clerks office, as to the cores
ponding date of last year. The reasons at
tributed are: The passage of the priority
lien law and the inability of the merchants
to make the required advances. Much of
the Indebtedness for advances made last
year not having been paid, landholders are
cautious either in making contracts or en-
dorsing to merchants, but in no case are
they disposed to take any advantage of the
laborers. Likewise the merchants are eau
tious, and take no liens from the renters
without endorsements from the landhold-
ers.
The law has not disorganized labor to
any serious extent, nor demoralized the
laboring class. A light crop in this section
last season and low prices of cotton have
produced a stringency, having the effect to
materially check the credit system, ire
spective of the law. The law, however,
has been productive of no good to either
class.