Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-01-03
LEa1sLAT1vE RELIEF.


During the latest political campaign
democratic speakers, especially those
who were candidates for the lekisla-
ture, pledged themselves to work for
such revision of the redemption laws
that would give more time to men who
had mortgaged property and were un-
able, on account of crop failures, to
meet the obligations. Such legislation
ought to be given the people of Kansas,
especially central and western Kansas,
aud if the representatives from the
localities most effected will pull to-
gether to that end, such laws can be
made and relief given to thousands of
earnest and honest farmers who would
pay if they possibly could.
The way to bring about such benefits
Is, for the people to wake up to their
own interests; talk the matter over
among yourselves; obtain a thorough
understanding of the facts and unite
in demanding of your representatives
action OH the matter. While the men
who made the question Of such relief
to Kansas farm mortgagors q part
of the issue were not all elected
to the legislature, the men who
were elected should recognize the
great need Of such legislation, and we
believe they will act in accordance with
the desires Of the people.
The Kansas Farmer of a recent date
says concerning Legislative relief for
debtors:''
1.-Two successive years of crop fail
ures in all the western and south
western states set debtors generally
two years nearer payday without prep
aration for payment. In many PLACES
failures were 30 nearly total that it
was found impossible to pay even in
terest due without borrowing more
money. 1t was not that bad in all
cases, but it was bad enough. 1t was
good deal better this year, though little
relief has been afforded yet, and it will
require several good years to get even
if creditors will wait for their money.
Will they wait? And if not, what then?
Can the legislature afford relief? it so,
what will it be-what ought it to be?
Indebtedness is Il fact proved by
written and recorded evidence; there is
no disputing that, and there is no way
of avoiding payment as far at least as
Yo0rfOa Ood ,,rovortv 10 oOucoruo6 T,1,os
legislature cannot impair the obligation
Of contracts, that is u constitutional
provision, and very wise one. But
cannot the legislature afford some relief
without affecting the contract OF in
debtednessp Might not the time of
payment be extended by legislative act?
That would he in effect a redemption
law, allowing the debtor a certain
period after judgment in which to re-
deem mortgaged property OR property
which is subject to a judgment lien.
This would not be unjust to creditors
i'll view of existing conditions. Property
security would not be lessened or
jeopardized by Il extension of time, and
it would afford opportunities for relief
OH one side while saving rights on the
other.
''Creditors do not want the property
which is mortgaged to them. In 80 per
cent. of the cases creditors would much
prefer extending the time of payment
if the security remains good, rather than
to forclose and take the property in
order to save themselves.
''This is Il matter of great Importance
TO people of at least one-half the states
of the union. 1t is not only to Kansas
that 1t is applicable. But legislative
relief must come from state legisla-
lures. We submit that the subject
ought to be taken up early by our legis-
lature, to the end that some sort Of
relief may be afforded. \ great many
persons can save themselves and their
property if they are not crowded be-
yond their present ability to pay. Let
us have some relief"