New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-07-10
Interview Between the Richmond
Delegation and the President.
Eow the Rich May be Pardoned and the
Poor Benefited.
Wealthy southerners and tho Be
bcl,ion.
WASHINGTON, July 9, 1903


President johnson was waited on yesterday
nv Messrs Jas A. Jones. r. \. Lancaster, WIN. H.
Haxan and j. l.. Apperson, representatives OF mef-
chants and others Of Virginia. who wished MN 10
amend the Amnesty proclamation by striking out the
18th exccpton-the $4,000 clause. They represented
that this feature nerferod with the development OF m
dustry b. binding NJ capital and. in this way op-
pressed tie poor and that when they endeavored to
borrow money in the Northern or Middle states they
were at once met by the objection that perhaps they
bad over $50 coo: and if they had the accommodation
could not he extended. they were unable to give
work to the poor men who called upon them, etc.
The President reminded them that the Amnesty
proclamation did rot this Gisirusti 1t was the
commission 81 and the violation of law that did
it, Tie Amnesty proclamation LEFT these men Just
where they were before 10 did not add any disability
10 them /, they had committed treason they were
anenable to the couhscatiou law which Congress had
passed aud which be, President could not alter nor
amend. In the Amnesty proclamation be had offered
pardon 70 persons, but that did not inlnre any
other persons Would they Ike to have the Amnesty
proclamation removed at0gc.hor-wonld they feel any
easier in tint casei
Oas # The Depsfafion-No. hut il would assist US
VERY puch II you would extend the benefits Of The
proclamation 10 persons worth over s20oO
The President replied that in making that exception
be had acted the natural supposiuon that men had
aided the Rebellion according 10 the extent Of Their
pecuniary means Did they not know thisi
one NJ ne Dryuia'ioa-No did not know II.
The Prsiden,--Why yes you DO; you know perfectly
web it wa ihe wealthy men ofthc South who draeooned
she people into Secession ] lived IN the South and !
know how the thing was done. Your State was over
RhelmninCy opposed To Secession, bat your rich men
used the press add bulles and your little army TO
force the State into Secession Tne the eco Ocause
Suppose ID worth than that now, the war D.
over and the chances ten 10 one that be made 10
out Of the Rebellion by contracts, &C. We might No
well talk plainly about this matter. don't think you
are very anxious about relieving the poor you want
this clause removed 70 a. enable you 20 make money
don't you II You very eager to help The poor. why
don't Won take the surplus tie $40 600 you and
give h 10 them IN that way you help them and bring
Yourselves within the benefits Of tho Proclamation.
am free 70 say to you that think Of you ought TO
be taxed on all over so 900 to help the poor. when
was Military Governor Of Tennessee l assessed such
,a&es Oh those who had been wealthy leaders Of the
Rebellion, aud it Lad good effect
one u nc DlDs a,ioa--It happens that ~ Us
were leaders. We ttail out long ge could. and
were tho last % ~ 10.
The P5ls,dent-FToquent'y those who went IN last
among re worst aitor they got IN. Bat be that
as It may understand me gentlemen. DO say this
perscnayi an ju-t speaking Of tbs general working
of the matter. know there has been an effort among
10 persuade tie people that the Amnesty procla
nation was iniuriug them by shutting up capital and
keeping work from the poor. II does no such thing
fthat is dse at al II j. done in consequence Of the
violation Of law and the commission Of treason. Tie
President concluded by saying shat he would look at
tic papers they presented. but 30 far had seen no re
son for removing the thirteenth exception