The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1865-11-09

can take it without committing perjury.
But the Constitution of the United States
prescribes an oath for members OF Con-
gress to take, and they cannot be required
to taNe any other oath consttutlonally.
There may have been some show of pro-
priety for exacting this oath when it was
enacted, amidst the war between the
Southern States and the United States ;
but there can be none now, unless it be
for the purpose Of excluding the Southern
people from all Office within their respec-
tive States, and still holding those States
in military subjection. know that this
is not the policy of the President, and |
cannot believe that it will be the ayomed
policy of the Federal Congress. If the
Southern members are present when tho
roll is called by States; they will take
part in the organization of the House,
and may vote against the oath being ten
dered to the members when they arc
sworn. =
The subject of fnanceis one of great
embarrassment and serious difficulty at
this time in South Carolina, and will re-
quire great wisdom and sagacity in your
legislation. The people are in most
destitute condition, without money, and
without the means of paying their taxes.
Their gold and silver were exported du-
ring the war as a species of commerce.
The State banks are oil broken, and their
bills have ceased to circulate. The Con-
fsderate money, with which the country
was inundated, is utterly worthless. The
Federal currency is inaccessible to our
people. Their cotton has been destroyed,
and their provisions consumed by the ar
mics, and they have nothing to procure
money with. Under these circumstances,
it would be we'll for you to consider
whether or not it ispossjble to defray the
necessary expenses of the State by issu-
ing and selling State bonds, SO as to avoid
levying any tax during the ensuing year.
The present Indebtedness of the State is
not large, and her credit ought to be such
as to secure the sale OF her bonds at fair
prices. 1t you conclude to raise money
in this way, you ought to include the
payment of the direct tax, and which
South Carolina now owes the United
States, and which her citizens will soon
be called upon to pay.
1t is important that the courts of JUS
~tice in this State should be once more full
ly opened, civil law restored and properly
administered. This cannot be done till
you fill the several vacancies on the
bench. You will have to elect Chief
Justice of the State, two law Judges and
one Chancellor. Opening our courts, and
the administration Of civil justice once
more, would have most salutary infu-
ence On society, and do more than any
thing else te preserve the peace and quiet
of the State. We have been living with
out law long enough, and have suffered
enough from lawless violence.
The Act to prevent the collection OF
debts, known as the stay law, was wholly
unnecessary at the time it was passed, but
;
is now amatter of prime necessity to the
community. This Act should be contin-
ued, with permission, however. to collect
the interest on debts due. There are many
widows and minor children whose sole
subsistence depends on the payment Of
interests due them on their estates.
The reorganization of the militia is q
measure of the highest Importance, undel
existing circumstances. have received
information from the SECRETARY of State
at Washington, that as soon as our State
Government is organized, all the Federal
n