The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-04-07
That Labor Law.

Mr.. EDITOR: In my last communica-
tiou neglected to notice point made by
Mr.. Sullivan in his mmunication in
which he still insists that Constitutional
restraints are in the way of better labor
law. Of course neither Mr.. S. nor my
self have any other object in view in this
discussion than to throw light and de-
velop thought and action on matter OIL
deepest interest to farmers directly, and
to every man, woman and child in the
State indirectly. Of course I am unpre-
pared to say what construction the Judges
have or may place on both the old and
new Constitution as regards lmprison-
ment for debt, but it would be very hard
for me to believe, though a Judge should
should declare it unto me, that the franz
ers of the Constitution had in mind sad
vances to laborers with which to make q
crop" do not suppose in that day and
time there was any regulation of the
kind thought of or known in this coun-
try. 1t is altogether post.bellum meas
ure. Besides this it is very evident there
is vast difference between an ordinary
debt and advances under contract for
supplies. In the latter the adyancer is
bound under contract to make the ad-
vances or suffer heavy penalty. In the
other, as in the case of merchants, gro
GERS or other dealers, there is no obliga-
ton to do credit business-they can Ell
ther credit customer or let it alone.
These advances are also made for the
purpose, and with the express under
standing (where made by the employer,
and that is what am talking about) that
the advance grow a crop on the premi-
ses of the advancer. Ordinarily, if ever,
this does not apply to other business OF
credit. Again, our present laws recog-
nize this difference in giving the employ
or preference over all other claims
against the laborer. Another proof of
this difference lies in the fact that even
in the very law which Mr.. S. introduced
and had passed, violation Of contract,
"where supplies have been received" is
made misdem eanor. Have other ordi-
nary debts ever been so made? Ifso, I
must hustle around, for am owing some
little debts myself about Anderson. But
our opinions, Mr.. Editor, are not judicial
decisions, and we must be governed by
the latter. II really big Constitutional
"snag" lies in the way we will have to do
like Sherman did Hood in Georgia dur
ing the war--make flank movement
asked by thu officer of the day what he
WOutu OO SliOulo any oPPASoSA NuS
could not give the countersign. The
sentinel said he would surround him.
And as Mr.. 8. claims that Justice has
not made any suggestion worthy to be
entertained looking to better labor law,
he will now do so as q sort Of flank
movement-if he don't run against an
other ''snag,' viz:
Whenever an agricultural laborer leaves
the services Of an employer let it be law
full for the said employer to receive from
any and all subsequent employers one
half of the proceeds of the labor of this
defaulting employee until an amount
sufficient has been paid to reimburse the
Fl rst employee for all losses sustained by
him, the amount to be determined by the
Court having jurisdiction. In this ar
rangement no case would hardly ever, if
ever, 60 to higher Court than the Mag
istrates. Some such stringent law is ne
cessary, as il is we'll known that many
people 60 into contracts with the very
intention of getting all they can out of
their employers and then "siit the grit."
JUSTICE.