Mr. Peyton on the Lien Law.
JACKSON, JAN. 23, 188[4].
EDITOR CLARION – I wish to explain my standing in regard to the lien law acted upon in the House to-day. I am proud it is my privilege, as well as my duty, to express my views and wishes as to the section of the Code we are discussing, and the two pending bills. While I am in favor of the repeal of the lien law of this State, and while it seems to be the wish of this Legislature to do something which will better the condition of the poor classes of people, I am clearly of the opinion that the present bills under consideration are not for the benefit of the poor classes in my section of the country, for these reasons:
First – It only repeals the lien law so far as the merchants are concerned, and I hold that the merchant’s right, in my section of the country, is under the existing law a protection to the poor man, and not against him; the merchant has only about one-fifth or one-sixth of the chance the landlord has, and his right to furnish with a lien is the only claim against the tenant, against five or six chances of the landlord. In its present condition the law is a protection to the poor man, and I don’t think this bill amounts to anything that will do him any good in my section.
Second – Section 1359, of the Revised Code, only relieves a certain class of men, and as a general thing applies mostly to the landowners, and merchants supply tenants with goods, and the merchants generally require the landlord to become responsible for the payment for the goods by the hands; therefore the hands will only owe the landlord and make settlements with him, giving him all the advantage of the merchant.
I was in favor of doing away with all of the Lien Law and put every man on an equal footing, but when you take away every one’s rights who may be able to go independently to the merchant and get assistance it does not meet my views. I am satisfied that to repeal that section of the law only applying to merchants would be to ruin the poor classes of our people, and I hope before the adjournment of this Legislature a law that will be of some benefit to the poor class and the laborers of the State will be passed. I am in favor of a bill that will do away with the entire law.
Very respectfully,
PERRY PEYTON.