The Southern herald., 1899-04-28
Agricultural Lien Laws.

. 4AG NDAAA " N-- q e'-'----
alton not only by the gentlemen
who offer their services TO translate
the existing right, and formulate 1t
into statutory snae,menis, but BY
al the people. The people are
deeply concerned in these ques-
tiOns, and they want information
Let rs know the views Of the can.
didatss, and let Us have the fruit Of
their study 10 reference to the leg.
isla,ioD urgently demanded BY the
condition Of the people.
A gentleman remarked not many
weeks sgo, that an Efficient lsgisla-
ture, earnestly desirous TO work for
the common welfare of all the peo-
pie, can lift the State out Of its pres
en-, condition, and place it in that
other condition that will assure TO
ell classes, en- far as the government
touches the individual, and touches
Iindus,rial, commercial and other
economic relations, fair degree Of
competence. We need undoubled-
| ly healthy legislation at this time
indeed, at all times, but the pres
eni time is urgent.
II would take pages TO outline
what can be done and what ought
TO be done 10 assure the prosperity
OF this Commonwealth. Narrow
views cannot remedy existing evil.
The man that looks through blow.
gun will not see much Of the heav-
ems above US. 1t is thus with the
grave public questions that demand
solution.
The press has a high duty TO per-
form as preparatory to this end.
namely, to arouse the peoIle-all
classes, from their deadening indif-
ference TO public matters, this is
an essential step forward; and the
second Of no less importance, urge,
plead fol efficient men, unseliish
men for the legislative body. Let
the past alone. Let present pur
pose 60 into this important busi-
ness. Let the people know what
measure or res,-study, ex-
perience and knowledge have sug
gested as adapted to remedy evils,
and 10 meet the necessities of the
situation. Ineed hardly add, that
these suggestions have a kind, earn
est, generous heart, and are intend
ed in no sense whatever 10 diminish
the worth and services Of any faith.
ful officer in the past or any man
that contemplates serving now or in
the future. We wish, however, to
put conscience and a high sense Of
duty in this matter. Let strong
men be the men for the legislature.
My main object in writing these
} lines is TO say a word about the lien
laws. Memo does not say abou,
which liens he and the commun-
ity desire informa,ton-presumably
. the Agricultural Liens.
t Pardon me for referring to my
=. personal efforts to understand a lit
q tie about them. l have had con
siderable correspondence with som'
of the most prominent lawyers il
Mississippi. have no time to CIV
the results OF these efforts at length
= The whole matter may be briefly
stated: Let, these agricultural lien
are the fruit Of the Common Law
e and can not therefore be repealed
y After the statutory enactment t
n give these liens validity, which va
It at one time regarded as necessary
was repealed, the lien under th
. Common Law was then tested u
the Supreme Court, and the cor
. tract was declared valid. This
our status now.
Nothing can be done with this II
iquitous agricultural lien law sav
e this: prohibit it by enactment.
d believe this ought 10 be done fc
J. the people. The reasons Tor sue
's prOhibitory enactment are as plai
n as the mile boards on country road
Under the operations of thes
y Liens born Of the Common Law, an
o whose validity is affirmed by tn
IS Supreme Court, millions Of acres
D. lands have been wrenched from th
D. original owners. About one.htl
N of the area in AmiIe county lie gon'
The meaning is this: Farming hi
ls not paid sxpensrs. The farmeI
ia that have lost their land have col
ye sumed all that was made on Il
30 favna and the farm with it's belon