The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-06-28
Congressional.

Of the Treasury, in Il communication to the
House; expresses IN opinion based upon
his observation Of the operation of the
law of 1861, that an additional enactment
authorizing the resumption cf the South
crn States respectively Of the remainder
of the direct tax due from each, would,
in view Of the present impoverished con-
dition of their people, prevent much
hardship in individual cases, and save
from confscation the property of many
persons against whom ths Government
has no grounds of complaint; while no
public interest would be injuriously af-
icctcd by the change. He states, should
this policy be adopted, the collection OF
taxes under the present system might and
ought to be discontinued, until an oppor-
tunity for assumption be offered. Wheth-
er the amount realized from rcsales of
property bid in for the Government
should or should not be allowed to the
States respectively, in computing the
taxes still due, is question well descrv-
ing Of consideration, which is submitted
without comment.
The Senate refused to take up the House
resolution fixing day for final adjourn
ment. 1t was engaged in the considera-
ton of the tax bill, and adopted the
amendment Of two cents pound on cot
ton.
The House refused to concur in the
Senate amendment to the Paris EXposi
ton bill, and a committee of conference
was appointed on the disagreeng votes.
WASHINGTON, juno 22-The Senate
was engaged in the consideration Of the
tax bill.
The House devoted its entire session to
the discussion of the Indian appropriation
bill.
The President sent into Congress, to-
day, the following message in relation to
the reconstruction amendment to the
Constitution
To the Senate and House Of representa-
tiues:
1 submit to Congress report Of the
Secretary Of State, to whom was referred
the concurrent resolution of the 18th
instant respecting submission to the
Legislatures of the States Of an additional
article to the Constitution Of the United
States. 1t will be seen from this report
that the Secretary of State had, on the
10th instant, transmitted to the Govern
ors of the several States certified copies
OF the joint resolution passed on the 18th
instant, proposing an amendment to the
Constitution. Even in ordinary times
any question of amending the Constitu-
ton must be justly regarded as of para
mount Importance. This Importance is
at the present time enhanced by the fact
that the Joint resolution was not submit
ted by the two houses for the approval Of
the President, and that Of the thirty-siX
States which constitute the Union, eleven
are excluded from representation in either
house of Congrcss-although, with the
single exception Of Texas, they have been
entirely restored to all their functions as
States, in conformity with the organic
law of the land, and have appeared at the
national capital by Senators. and have
been refused admission to the vacant
seats. Nor have the sovereign people of
the nation been afforded an opportunity
of expressing their views upon the i'm
portant questions which the amendment
involves. Grave doubts, therefore, may
naturally and Justly arise rs to whether
the action of Congress is in harmony with
the people, and whether to such an issue
they should be called upon by Congress
to decide respecting the ratification OF the
present amendment, giving the question
as to the constitutional validity of the
proceedings of Congress upon the joint
resolution proposing the amendment, or
as to the merits of the article which it
submits through the Executive Depart
ment to the Legislatures Of the States. l
deem it proper to observe that the steps
taken by the Secretary Of State, rs de-
tailed in the accompanying report, arc to
be considered rs purely ministerial, and
in no sense whatever committing the En-
ecutive to an approval Of recommends
tion of the amendment to the State Leg
islatures or to the people. On the con-
trary, u proper appreciation OF the letter
and spirit OF the Constitution, as we'll as
of the interests of national order and the
harmony Of the Union, and Difference
for an enlightened Republican Govern
ment may at this time well suggest
doubt whether any amendment to the
Constitution ought to be proposed by
Congress, and pressed upon the Legisla-
lures of the several States for final de-
cision, until after the admission Of such
loyal Senators and Representatives Of the
non-represented States rs have been, or
may hereafter be, chosen in conformity
with the Constitution and laws of the
United States.
(signod:) ANDREW JOHNSON.
Accompanying the message Of the
President is the report Of the Secretary of
State, announcing that he had. in con,
formity with the proceeding. which had
been adopted by him in 1860, in regard
to the proposed and afterwards adopted
Congressional amendment of the Consti-
tntion of the United States concerning