The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-04-05
WINNsBoRo, S. g, THURSDAY MORNING. APRIL s. 1886


A | do not know that they would
make any distinction between the two.
The taxes levied by the Government, so
tar as | know, they are prepared topay
to the best of their ability. I never
heard them make any distinction.
Q. What is the feeling of the peo
pie of Virginia towards the payment of
the so.called confederate debt ?
A. | believe, so far as my opinions 90
and [ have no facts to go upon--thcy
would be willing to pay the Confederate
debt, too.
Q. You think they would ?
A. think they would, if they had
the power and ability to do so. l have
never heard any one in the State with
whom | have conversed speak of repu.
dating any debt.
Q. suppose the Confederate debt
is valueless, even in the market in Vir.
ginia.
a. Entirely so far as / know,
believe the people look upon it as lost
entirely. ! never heard any question
on the subject.
Q. Dogou recollect when the Con.
fcderate bonds were made payable?
A. [ have general recollection
that they were made payable six months
after a declaration Of peace.
Q. Six months after ratification of
peace between the United States and
the Confederate Government.
a. think they read that way.
Q. So that the bonds are not due
yet by their terms =?
A. suppose, unless it is considered
that there is peace now, they are not
due.
Q. How do the people Of Virginia,
the secessionists particularly, feel to
wards the freedmen =?
A. Every one with whom have
associated expresses kind feelings to.
wards the freedmen. They wish,to sec
them get on the world, and particularly
to take up some occupation for living,
and to turn their Lands 10 some work.
| know thai efforts have bsen made
among the farmers near where / live to
induce them to engage for the year at
regular wages.
q. Do you think there's willing.
ness on the part Of their old masters to
give them fair wages for their labor
~. The farmers generally prefer
those servants who have been living with
them before. have heard them cx.
press their preference for the men
whom they know, who had lived with
them before, and their wish to get them
TO return 10 work. 1 am not aware of
any combination among the whites to
keep down the wages of the blacks. /
have heard that in several co,nties land
owners have met in order to establish a
uniform rate Of wages. but I never
heard of any combination to keep down
wages, or establish rate which they
did not think fair. The means of paying
wages in Virginia are very limited now,
and there is a difference of opinion as to
how mnch each person is able to pay.
Q. How do they feel in regard to the
of the blacks? Is there a
general willingness to have them educa.
ted?
A. Where / havo been the people
exhibit willingness that the blacks
should be educated, and they express
All opinion that that would be better
for the blacks and better for the whites.
Q. General, you are very compe.
tent tojudgc of the capacity of black
men to acquire knowledge. Iwant yo If
opinion on that capacity as compared
with the capacity of white men.
A. / do not know that / am particu-
larly qualified to speak on that subject
as you seem to intimate; but [ do not
think he is capable Of acquiring knowl.
edge as the white man is. There are
some more apt than Others. j have
known some to gain knowledge and
skill IN their trade or profession. | have
had servants of my own who learned to
read and write very well.
@. Do they show a capacity to.ob.
tain a knowledge Of mathematics and