The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1865-07-22
The Twenty Thousand Dollar Rxcep-
tion Clause. "a 5


Lancaster, M. Fl. Hoxall and J.. L..
Apperson, representatives of merchants
and others, of Virginia, who wished him
to amend the amnesty proclamation by
taking out the $4,000 clause. They
represented that this feature interfered
with the development of industry by
binding up capital, and in this way op.
pressed. the poor, and when they at
tempted to borrow money in the north.
ern and middle States, they were at,
once met by the objection .hat they had
over $4,000; and that if they had,
accommodation could not be extended
so they were unable to give work to
the poor who called upon them.
The President reminded them that
the amnesty did not cause this distrust.
it was the commission of treason and
the violatian of law that did it. The
amnesty proclamation leftthese men Just
where they Were before. 1t. did not
add any disability if they had commit
led treason they were answerable to the
confscation law, which Congress had
passed, and which he, as President, csculd
not alter or amend. In the amnesty
proclamation he had offered PARDON to
some persons, but that did not inIure
other persons. Would they like to
have the amnesty removed altogether :?
Would they feel any easier in that
case?
One Of the deputation answered,
mo; but it would assist us veryanuch
If you would extend the benefits to
persons worth over twenty thousand
dollars
The President replied that, in making.
exceptions, he had acted on the natural
supposition that men had aided the re.
bellion according to the extent of their
means. Did they not know this?
One of the deputation replied, "No;
1 did not know it," 81 A's
The 'President-,"Wby,. yes you DO
know perfectly well it was, The wealthy
men OF the South who dragged tho
people into secession, / lived in the
South, and know how the thing was
done. Your State was overwhelminely
opposed to secession but your rich men
used the press and bullies, and your little
army, to force the State into secession.
Take the twenty thousand dollar clause:
Suppose that a man is worth more than
that, now war is over, the chances are
ten to one he made it out ofrebellion
contracts, &c. We might as well talk
plainly about this. / don't think Won
are so very anxious about relieving the
poor. You are very eager to help the
poor ! Why don't you take the surplus
over $4,000 you own and give it to
them In that way you will help them
and bring yourselves within the benefits
OF the PROCLAMATION. am free to say /
think some ofyou ought to be taxed on
all over 1926, 900 to help the poor. When
l was military governor of Tennessee i
assessed such taxes on those who had
been wealthy leaders of rebellion, and 1t
had good effect.
One o. the deputation--It so happened
that none of US were leaders. we s.aid
out as long as we could, and were the
last 10 go INTO the rebellion.
President -. Frequently those who
went in last we're the worst after thew
got in, but be that as it may, understand
me, gentlemen I don't say this personally,
| am just speaking Of the general work.
ing ct matters. L know there has been
an effort made by some to persuade the
people that the amnesty proclamation
was lWurng them by shutting up capital
and keeping work from the poor. II
does 10 such thing. If that is done at
all, it is done in consequence of VIC.
lation of law and the commission of
treason.
The President concluded by saying
he would look at tho papers presented,
but so far had seen no reason for remoy.
ing the exception.
NoRTH ,CARoLlNA -REsToRArroN OF
THE MUNICIPAL AUTHoaITIus-Gov.
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