Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-01-03


y to take il back: most in
= kre unwilling 10 do anything
ss q even sSheH-convinced of er-
nss@sApor to have p do
vim ef. 4Sat tpd is especially un-
easant; but Ths44Enquirer oegs leave
WITHDRAW an fopinton II expressed
SEechntly as to tie lien law.
That opinion was TO the effect that the
.usa law haA outliyed its usefulness
and that It should be repealed. The
opiniot. was 0ased on the fact that the
law seems TO contribute to idleness and
improvidence among q large class OF
negroes, and it seems that repeal would
remedy this situation. In this one view
of the matter, we have nothing to re-
tract; but more careful study of the
whole situation leaves us in doubt as
to whether this reason should be suth-
cient to govern action on such an i'm
portant question.
In another column today, we print
a thoughtful and interesting talk from
a York county farmer on the subject
Since having the talk with this farmer
we have taken occasion to refer to the
files of The Enquirer and review the
previous agitation Of the subject from
1882 to 1886. AS the outcome OF the IN
yestigations we have arrived at the
conclusion that the whole matter is OF
much graver import than this genera
ton generally seems to appreciate.
. AS a general principle The Enquirer
believes in the cash basis. We have
always tried to practice this principle
in our own business, and we have been
satisfied with the result. 1t has occur
red to US that it would be best for all
concerned if the country generally could
get on the same platform, and we mad
arrived at the conclusion that now Is
very good time to try the final step.
We still believe in the cash basis. We
think that the cash system should pre-
vail as far as possible in all transac-
tions. and we hope to see the day when
every individual who makes preten-
sions to business Importance will stand
ready to cash his obligations whenever
called upon. But the points raised by
our friend Mr.. Wood make it clear that
the time for the inauguration of an
iron clad cash system has not yet ar
rived.
One Of the arguments" used in this
county in favor Of repeal back In the
early eighties was that with the lien
law out of the way, the small farmer
could trade all over town." Let US
repeal the law so we can trade where
we please" was the campaign cry that
was put in the mouths Of thoughtless
small farmers. This was met by the
more thoughtful ones with: Repeal the
lien law and you won't be able to trade
on credit anywhere. All the trading
Won will do will be with the wages paid
to you by the man to whom you are
hired"
And with many the situation is still
the same today. Notwithstanding the
old time high prices that were charged
for credit under the lien law, 1t Will
have to be admitted that thousands or
good white men have won material in
dependence by the help Of the SYSTEM
and there are thousands OF others VINO
are beginning to see daylight over the
same route. 1t is true that other thou
sands have fallen by the wayside; but
in view Of conditions as they exist II
is hardly fair to charge their failure
to the law These failures do not in
clude farmers only. 1t has broken as
many merchants in proportion as 1t
has broken farmers.
After all there are two sides to this
repeal question, and we are not willing
to recommend too much precipitation
in regard to the matter. We believe
that repeal will work a revolution in
conditions as they exist, and we are
unable to figure out how that revolution
will be to the benefit Of that great
class Of small farmers who constitute
the backbone of this country.