The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-20
THE LAST DITCH.
Fricntis OF tho Lien Law Rally for the
Fight to Finish In the Senate-Thc
VIII of the People May Yet be De-
featod.

Columbia. Feb. is.-The senate
discussed the lien law repeal bill very
fully tonight, but no vote was taken.
Several other senator's will speak on
the bill tomorrow.
Debate was adjourned until tomor-
row. after third reading bills. and
vote will likely be taken on the bilr
then.
Senator yohnstone spoke In favor
Of the bill. He pointed out that the
farmers have been able to furnish
the State with the fruit Of the field.
but what 10 left at the end of the year
to begin another season? MT. John
stone felt that inasmuch as the law
has thus far shown that the people
are not prosperous under the law that
prosperity must lie on the other side.
Mr.. Johnstone stated that the meas
ure has served It's purpose. having
been enacted to allow the Confederate
sidiers to begin life over again. The
law II now being abused. said Mr..
Johnstone. and other articles besides
those intended for agricultural pur-
poses. are being secured under lien.
"what do we hope to accomplish
by this repeal ?" asked Mr.. Johnstone,
las to the negro question. the color
I'd laborers would be benented. but
likewise. the white tenant.
| Mr.. Johnstone's argument was also
that the farmer would pay his obli-
gations. and he would not 60 begging
for credit. The farmers have asked
for the repeal. The repeal would
permit Of diversified crQp. Senator
Johnstone wished for the law to be
repealed. and this be given q trial.
The law now In operation. he argued.
hos caused misery He pictured the
coming Of the constable with few
sacks Of cotton and . few bundles Of
fodder with nothing left at home for
the farmer.
Senator OTIS spoke In favor Of the
law remaining a. It now Il. 'The re-
peal Of this law would drive labor
from the farms would reduce the
rental value Of our lands. Would
drive the white labor to the cotton
mills. The result would be also that
those who cannot themselves look at
ter their crops would be ruined"
Senator Otis stated that he would
vote against the tepeai Of the law
and against tho ''Hydrick amend
msnt." He prophesied that In two
years the law would be put back ON
the statute books.
Senator Summers spoke for the re-
peal. He contsnded that extrava-
ssncs 10 one Of tho evils Of the pres
emit law. and that II repealed this
would make the farmers careful In
their expenditures.
Senator Summers made en- extend
cd plea against the lien law, claiming
that everything now works against
the farmers un,fer It.
Senator Smith ytated that the re-
peal OF the law would hurt the poor
white farmer : In that he would be
driven in - laborer. Although the
negro Il the best laborer for the farm
the repeal of the lien law will not
keep him on tthe farm. and the ne
gro does not enter into the discus
Ision.
Senator Johnstone stated objections
that the present law IL bad In that
something IL niortgaged that does not
exist.
Senator Bless stated that when he
was In the house he made some re-
marks against the repeal OF the lien
law. and two-thirds Of the people oi
his county were in favor Of the pas.
sage Of the bill. but he is satisfied
now that the majority Of the people
of his county are against the repeal
Of the law. The speaker thought IL
legislation against q class Of people
In our State that is most helpless and
In favor of class that Is most able
to take care of itself.
Senator Bates claimed for South
Carolina prosperity under the lien
law. His contention was that to re-
peal the law would take away from
the farmer his only means of being
secured.
Senator Griffin pointed out that If
the farmers and merchants want to
have the lien protection let them have
1t. The tenant Is not asking for this
repeal.
Senator Griffin claimed the position