The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1904-03-17
THE LIEN LAW.
Hon J.. Davis Carter Points Out its Dis
advantages to All Classes.

GQltOI SpuHIN 1ecSOAu.
l have been casting about for
some time to find something TO write
about that would be interesting to
y,ur many readers, and find so many
things that might be discussed with
profit to our people until l hardly
know where to take hold; but as |
have said in times past ! believe the
lien law is the greatest hindrance to
the material advancement of the
agricultural interests of Williams
burg county and to the whole State,
Notwithstanding the opinions of our
Legislators to the contrary; and now
l shall try and give my reasons for
saying SO.
The lien law offers an inducement
for the farmer to 60 in debt, which
is clearly demonstrated in all sec
tions where it has been operated.
Well, the liener makes the obliga-
ton in good faith, puts the amonnt,
Whatsoever it may be, tt. his credit,
say the fist of January; then the
amount necessary for his years sup.
plies is provided for. He goes home
and tells the old woman aud the
first opportunity takes. her in his
buggy or wagon and goes to the
store to get some shoes, cloth, hats
End other necessities for family nee.
Well, they price some things and the
old woman whispers into his ears:
"Ain't these things mighty high?"
Old man: "Oh, well, you know they
are not to be paid for until next
fall. That's all right; you get what
YOU want" And so she takes him
at his word and buys right good
bill and off for home they 60, talk
ing about their plans for the years
crop. And they make frequent
trips to the store during he crop
season. Well, seasons are not very
favorable and they only make an
ordinary crop. Prices are low at the
time he is forced TO sell, and his
account at the store is much larger
han he expected, ard then he finds
that his crop is not going to pay the
debt he has contracted on it. The
merchant then begins to push him
for his money and then he begins to
wish he never had given that lien,
for be is worse off than when he
started and about the end of all
this his home is put up to secure
this debt. Now would it not been
better for this man to have planted
less and denied himself of many
things until he could have made
one crop and then been his own
man? All this trouble came about
because the lien law held out this
credit to him. And, now, take up this
labor question. Under this system of
cheaper andcheaper land rent can the
negro labor be controlled? 1 say no,
if you give him credit he will steal
enough cotton in the fall to buy
him an old buggy and he then has
business to attend to. Now l re-
member well after the war many cid
negroes went to work, supported
heir families, bought land and
paid for it without the assistance of
the lien law and since this induce
ment has been held out to them
nine out of ten have lost their land.
Now if l can understand this thing
the lien law has just had the oppo.
site effect to what it W, 8 intended to
have. And now, brother farmers.
have we always got to labor under
these disadvantages or shall We arise
and demand its repeal? Now, Mr.
Editor, if my position is not logi-
cal and tenable one l yield the
floor.
We'll 7 have intended to get some-