Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1865-07-13

Important Intsrview-Visit to President John
yon--"Plain Talk from the Exeoutive-His
Views Upon the $40, 900 Olause.
President johnson was waitei upon on
Saturday by deputation from Richmond who
wished him to alter the Amnesty Proclama-
ton by striking out the thirteenth exception
the S2O, 900 clause. They represented
that this clause interfcrcd with the develop
ment of industry by binding up capital, and
so oppressed the poor They said that when
they endcavorcd to borrow money in the Nor
thern or Middle States they were met at once
by the objection that PERHAPS they had over
$40, 000 aud if they had they could not lend
it to them So they were unable to assist to
work the poor men that called upon them.
| The President reminded them that the Am-
nesty Proclamation did not cause this distrust.
1t was the commission of treason and the vio-
laton of law that did it. The amnesty Pro-
c!amation left these men just where they were
before. 1t did not add any disability to them.
If they had committed treason they were
ameuablc to the confscation law which Con-
gress had passed, and which he as President,
could not alter or amend. In the Amnesty
Proclamation he had offered pardon to come
ncrsons, but that did not injurc any other per-
Proclamation removed altogether Would
thcy feel any easier in that case
One of the deputaticu No. Bat it would
assist US very much if you would extend the
benefits Of the proclamation to persons worth
over $40, 600.
The President replied that in making that
exception he had acted on the natura! suppo-
, sition that men had aided the rebellion accor-
, ding to the extent of their pecuniary means.
Did they not know this
c One of the deputation Mo- he didn t know
e it.
) The President-Why. yes you do; you
: know perfectly well it was the wealthy men
of the South who dragooned the people into
r Secession. | lived in the South, and l know
f how the thing was done. Your State was
d overwhelmingly opposed to Secession, bu
1 YOUR rich men used the press and bailles ant
YOUR little army to force tic State into Seces
C sion Take the S20,O00 clause. Suppose
+ man is worth more than that, now the war i
: over, and the chances IRE ten to one that h
a made it out of the rebellion by contracts, Nc
We might 40 well talk plainly about this mat
/, ter. | don't think that you are SO very anS
t, ious about relieving the poor. You want thi
l. clause removed so as to enable you to max
lc money, dout you' If yor are very eager
help the poor why don't you take the surpl1
e over the 800, 600 you own, and give it
10 thcm2 In that way you'll help them, an
id bring Yourselves within tile benefits Of IL
=. proclamation. / am free to say to you that
n think some of you ought to be taxed on a
T. over so 900 to help the poor. When WI
IS Military Governor of Tennessee l assestt
such taxes or those who had been wealtl
IT. ealcrs of the rebellion, and it had goo
effect.
in One of the deputation-1t so happened tn
ed none of US were leaders. We stayed out
.w long as we could, and were the last to go i
.rs The Prcsilent-Frcqueutly those who We
ds in at last were among the worst after they 6
ny in But be that as it may. Understand l
gentlemen, do no. say this personally.
I'd nm just speaking Of the general working
hc the matter know there has been amo
ms some an effort to persuade tie people that
tic Amnesty Proclamation was njuring the
the by shutting up capital and keeping work FRI
nj the poor 1t docs no such thing. II that
er; lone at all it is done in consequence of
ore violation Of law and the commission o. tr
lty son.
vas The President concluded by saying that
ose would look at the papers they resented.
car fur he had seen no reason for removing
18th exception.