The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-27

Now that there is a prospect of "A re-
and other laboring men should under
stand the position in which they will De
placed II they find 1t necessary to file
lien. Probably every mechanic who
has been actively in business for some
years is familiar with the general law
relating to liens for labor and material.
Stiil, they may not comprehend the full
purport OF the new law relating to sale
of property under execution, In which
they are equally interested. Thanks to
Popuiist legislature. which was so
intent on providing means for people to
avoid paying or postpone payment of
their debts. mechanics and others VINO
cannot get their wages promptly will
have but poor redress. The law as to
liens is unchanged, and In most re-
spects has answered satisfactorily. Ac-
cording to that law every person per-
forming labor upon or furnishing mate
rial to be used in the construction, al
ieration or repair OF any building or
other work Of improvement. has a lien
upon ii for such labor or material It
Is necessary to file notice OF lien and
to begin an action within eight months
Having been satisfactorily adjudicated
and judgment obtained, unless satisfac-
ton is had by other means, the prop
erty in question may be sold under exc
cution.
Here Is where the Populst legislature
shut out the laborer and protects the
debtor. The law passed provides that
no sale on foreclosure can be made for
one year after foreclosure and levy;
that IL the property is not diyisible--
such as house and lot-the debtor
shall have full possession for one year
after sale. 1t will take at least ninety
days TO get foreclosure and sale. and
then 1t viii be year before possession
Of the property can be had, and an
| other year beyond that before title can
be acquired.
The effect Of all this. of course, is 10
forbid purchase of the property. So
far as II is valuable to the lienor. the
property may be considered as out Of
his reach for the full period allowed
by law. Even II "A buyer were willing
10 put up the money on a risk he would
naturally bid much lower price than
IL his title were To be immediate and
absolute; so that frequently the unfor-
tunate mechanic and material man
would he likely to get less than the
fun amount Of their claim after paying
| all these expenses.
Instead of making It more easy for
the workiugman to get his money il is
made more difficult. He usually wants
his money as soon rs he has earned Il;
now he must borrow or get along the
best way he can until the end Of The
two years
Not one measure passed by the last
legislature. with the exception. perhaps
~ the mining inspection Law. in which
workingmen were directly concerned.
has proved To h. for their best inter
ests. The legislature was bent On
einching the creditors. and the work
ingmen ~ the state who voted the f,l-
sion ticket paid 10 heed - the true
friends q labor. who kept pleading With
them 20 recognize the fact that the
greatest creditor in this country IS
labor II was said frequently during
the camp align, but IL can he said now
with more efrec; that the mlschgevoas
policy - the Popglssts ID seen. that
the nottingham IS always compelled 10
give up his lahor before Aa gets his paw.
hg; usually he has TO pay cash before
hs can ~; anything from others. lie
Is q creditor always for 4 week IS
| ssaiast the debtor employer. and ve~v
ettea tor s month. In case Of contra
work Re often has - give credit uutn
the entire sob IS completed.