The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1905-08-09
THE LIEN Law.
Pro Bono PubIco Hits lit a Whack-
But Does Not Say What Shall
Replace 1t.

Mr.. Editor: In the Daily Item OF
July the 18th instant noticed with
great pleasure something that your
worthy correspondent from "Pisgah''
gave to the public. 4 part of his
article touched upon what I call the
most vital subject Of the day in this
State. To wit: the Lien Law" Here
is the short paragraph in his article
which I allude to:
1.-The poor service by negroes in
Sumter is just what we have had on
the farms for years. Trifing don't ex-
press the word as to how they work.
And no wonder when they can buy
anything they want on time. There
is no incentive to labor much. 1t is
hoped that some day the merchants
will see and realize the folly of so
much credit to these people when
there is no gain to them or the coun-
try at large"
This is excellent and to the point
Mr.. Editor. And the only fault I find
with it is that he did not go a step
further, and tell the people the cause
of it all. "Pisgah'' should talk out in
school and call things by their right
name. He should call spade a spade.
He should have called it by name and
say that the vipor they call the Lien
Law is to blame in a large measure
for the condition of things. Why is
it that our legislature insists on keep
ing this old thread bare and rotten
i law on the statute books. Why not
repeal it at once. Have those mem
bers who oppose the repeal, axes or
grind, or are they Influenced by few
merchants who are still dabbling in
the lien business? Just think Of it:
The man who is always good and
pays the merchant promptly, pays as
much on lien prices as the man who
is doubtful in any transaction. This
of itself is enough to condemn the
lien law. But there are several other
reasons why it should be wiped out
of existence. It is a we'll known fact
that the lien law is an incentive to the
abominable practice of extensive, in
stead of the intensive place Of farm
ing. See the great waste of labor,
time and fertilizers, when the inten-
sive plans is practiced. Now to the
remedy. The farmers not only hold
the key to the whole situation, as we'll
as the votes, in their own hands. Now
why not organize in self defence and
resolve to apply the remedy with
singing force at the ensuing state and
county elections. The cotton growers
! association organized and you are
already reaping the benefits Of that
organization. Why not the farmers
organize in every township, hold
meetings, pass rigid resolutions
building themselves not to vote for
any candidate for the legislature un-
less he will pledge himself on the
stump to vote for the repeal~of the
lien law, and then watch to see if he
fulfills his pledge. The legislature
should also amend the dog law and
put two dollars instead of fifty cents
on the yellow dog.
1t would be far better for all con-
cerned that farmers should be farm
ers, and laborers should be laborers.
Then labor would become more
plentiful and enable the brainy man
to remain on his farm instead of
rushing to the tows and cities renting
out their land to be half cultivated by
shiftless and lazy tenants. Farmers
| let me tell you that to my mind there
| is no DOUBT about it, but what the
lien law and the practice of quitting
the farms and renting to the Drain
less and moneyless man, white or
colored, is almost wholly the cause
of the great Generalization Of the
labor question as we'll as the over
production of cotton.
And now in conclusion will only
say that here is an opportunity for
your wide awake "Pisgah'' CORES
pondent to come to the front and
show his patriotism by being the first
to call his people together at his
township and pass the resolutions re-
ferred to above. Then other towr
ships will follow. Your only saliva
ton is in uniting the farmers.
Promo Publico.