Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-07-06
the Homestead Law

I have a letter before me from gen
tIeman In south Georgia who Is seriously
opposed to the present homestead law
which he mistakenly took before ne saw
its full working in his own case Thus ne
writes:
"Dear Mrs. FELTON,: AS you so readily
respond TO many calls. 1 now ask you
to reply 10 a request.
OF want you to write piece for Inc
Atlanta Semi Weekly Journal on the
homestead law OF Georgia. am VIC
tim myself-took the benefit when barely
a man In years
ct want the law repealed, TO turn me
and others Cwho seel as 1 dol loose. l
think II Is a bad law, TO say the least
of Il.
"A mans credit is always damaged by
II. 10 a greater or less extent. have
also written to Governor Hoke Smith,
asking him to recommend its repeal In his
last message TO the legislature.
ct want you to insist on II, also, by
agitating Il all you can, not only to stop
others from taking II, but to release 9TH
er people who have taken II also. You
are doing a great and good work, and 1
read every one OF your articles IN the
county home column.
A mans credit Cor. in other words, MS
good nancy is the most valuable as
UOEECECAOh
credit Is really what his neighbors and
associates think of him as to honesty and
integrity Of character. Anything which
impairs his credit taints his reputation
among his fellOw-men, and although the
world swarms with designing tricky men.
who have beaten their way, so to speak, BIZ
taking Improper advantages IN trades or
business, still their conduct and trickery
stands as object lessons to the honest
ones who are thrown in contact with
them every day.
The bible saws a good. name Is better
than riches" and we understand that the
Bible means to teach US that honesty is
the best policy 10 live by, as well as to
die by. because truth and honesty lie at
the foundation of good character.
1 know nothing of the workings of the
homestead law, personally. so 1 cannot
speak from experience, but conclude II
became a law during the times of stress
and strain which followed the hard ex-
periences which came after the civil war.
and was intended TO be a protection to
helpless. innocent and dependent ones
who might suffer.
perhaps there is no law that
can be made perfect, or give
protection from crafty and de-
signing people. and the homestead
law. we know, has sheltered many such.
but there should be weeded out from our
statute books everything which shelters
dishonest claimants, because II means
robbing honester people of what lawfully
belongs 10 them and giving swindlers a
mighty chance to rob them.
People soon find out the apparent mo-
tive prevailing In these homestead opera
| lions, and am safe in saying, also, that
most people have absolutely no
respect for a man who aims 10 beat his
creditors out OF what ne has obtained un-
der his own false promises TO pay and
which he cllngs to and holds fast under
homestead exemptions in spite of his OBJ
legations to those who trusted him.
There are, OF course, many cases where
difficulties and Unforeseen disasters affiict
an honest debtor. and he seeks temporary
/ relief to be able to pay UP his creditors
later, but nevertheless these homestead
exemptions damage his credit, II he seeks
TO buy goods or supplies again after he
has scheduled his property under the ex-
listing homestead law.
Between our bankrupt laws and home
stead exemptions. money loaned out has
a tight struggle to ever get back to the
owner or creditor again. and when a
break comes then IL is a fast and furious
game TO get a small share out of the gen.
eral wreckage.
II is a grab game-first come. first
served, and the id take the hindnfost. -
The Hardshell Baptists once unchurch-
ed any member who didn't pay his debts
maybe they do so stilD. Credit is a
wholesome but sensitive plant. and worth
cultiyating.