The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1908-02-07
The Lien Law.

would be rccreant IN my duty to
my fellow citizens, especially the
poor white, did | not give express
ion to my opinion in regard to the
operation CT this law, which, at
this time is provoking such acri-
monious discussion. / note with
congratuiation, that all men who
arc competent to form an intclli
gent opinion Of the question: arc
very pronounced in their approval
Of the law. | would not give the
opinion of a j Mathcson, the big
hearted, wealthy, patriotic, practi-
cal statesman and successful plant
or for the opinion Of all the impc-
cunious lawyers, news paper cdi-
tors, ct id omnc genus, who do not
pay taxes even on twenty five
dollars worth Of real estate. Men
Of tbs class should not be allowed
W ulSCtSS SuCll WclSlUN pI0UlclllS,
only mel whose agricultural in
tcicsts are impcrillcd, can with
propricty, take part in the discuss
ion Of Il problem Of such momcn-
tous gravity. Like Mr.. Mathcson,
| am SO situated, as to fully apprc-
ciatc the necessity Of the law to
the laboring class, as | own one of
the largest, most valuable, and, 1
might add, best organized planta-
tions in the banner county-as cs-
tate, which from it's fertility, it's
solubillty, its eligibility it's known
far and near, as Beauty Spot. |
run the place on the tenant system
and have for many years very sue
ccssfully. My land annually np-
prcciatcs in value. | am paid five
or six, 500 weight bales Of cotton
to the farm Of 25 acres, have never
lost a pound and the merchants
with whom they trade arc gentle
men and charge no more for adj
vanccs to them, on the lien law,
than they do to me and are
promptly paid for such advances.
1t is a piece Of the bascst SANDER
Of the merchant to say they charge
cXorbitant prices. My tenants
have prospcred to such extent, I'M
der the law, that they have acquir-
eel property both personal and
real. The plantation last year made
over 300 bales, with sufficient for
age, corr etc. You will find no
happier people anywhere or better
citizens. Many Of these people
have been with me 20 years and
have as comfortable homes, with
work and driving animals, as YOU
will see anywhere, Beauty Spot is
only two miles from The incorpo-
rate limits Of our beautiful county
scat, BcnncttSvillc, which reflects
SO proudly, the entcrprising spirit
and business capacity Of \ j Malh-
cson. Although SO near, the sheriff
has never been to the place onici-
cially. Most Of my tenants came
to me very poor, but by means Of
the wise provision made by our
legislature III the enactment Of the
lien law for the poor, are indcpcl-
dent happy, moral and honest pco-
pie. | see no apology for a repeal
Of the lien law. In my opinion, it
would be the most dircful disaster
that has ever happened to the state.
The legislature could better occu-
Ply its time, in providing for the
comfort Of our Confederate vctcr,
ans in their declining years. One
Of whom, | say it with shame and
mo %tllicatlon, was Il bcggCr on the
streets Of Columbia the other day.
y Confederate veteran, a bcgwar,
ON the streets Of the capital c;ty
Of South Carolina, the mother OF
secession. @ Temporal q morcs !
Anothcr's lifclcss body WAS borne
r,.>,, ,..nr ln,, y I'm