lOG INDIANA HISTORICAL COLLECTIONS 



ess an amount of personal property, reaching about 

 $1,000 in value, and besides this, all books. 



The exemption in favor of all books is certainly a vi^ise 

 policy. 



I believe the constitution of Wisconsin exempts in like 

 manner, 40 acres of land vv^ithout regard to value. 



The statute of Michigan, enacted in 1839, exempts from 

 execution books exceeding in value all the amount of 

 property exempted by the laws of this State. 



Several other of the States, I believe, have similar lavi^s 

 on this subject; but further comment seems useless; how- 

 ever, it may be added that even in England the debtor, if 

 he be a trader, is allowed from £300 to £600 for his future 

 maintenance, to put him in a way of honest industry. 



The writer might add much more, but this communica- 

 tion has already swelled beyond his original design — his 

 object being merely to call the attention of the legislature 

 to this subject, where it is hoped, it will find more able 

 advocates than himself. 



It remains to be seen what policy the legislature will 

 adopt on this subject. If it does not move on this subject, 

 sooner or later, the people certainly will. 



In the estimation of the writer, this measure is of more 

 pressing importance than any that the Legislature could 

 act upon. 



Why not enact such a law as is proposed? It would do 

 more to feed the hungry and clothe the naked and the 

 poor, to prevent destitution and pauperism, vice and 

 crime, than all the alms, than all the charities ever be- 

 stowed, simply by allowing the unfortunate to have and 

 hold the means necessary to feed and clothe themselves. 

 Surely the time has come for action. SOLON. 



