The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-02-07
THE STATE BILLS.

the State Ct South Carolina is becoming Q matter
of such serious import that wecahnot refrain from
alluding tqihssub5ect, and expressing sincere re-
gret that there. should be any real or imaginary
cause. for the same. SO long as this depreciation
.wassoonfned tozthe principal cities, the people
generally felt no interest in the discussion but the
fact that this action is sustained throughort>the
State by merchants and others implies valid rea-
son, or at least some show of respectable excuse
for refusing them at par. We have been at loss
to divine the alleged reason. 1t Will be remem-
bered that at the extra session in September last
the Legislature made this issue of currency, not
only receivable for taxes and other dues to the
State. butredcemablc at the Treasury in green
backs. For awhile confidence was restored, and
almost every one in the interior received these
bills at par. The farmer received them for cotton
and other produce, and doubtless many are now
cherishing them with high regard, in order to meet
current expenses throughout the year. But the
farmer may perchance reckon unwisey, and the
identical merchant that bought the produce giving
these bills in good faith, may be compelled now
to make q deduction of ten per cent. Evidently
this is on unnecessary hardship upon the farmer,
and yet the merchant cannot assume the loss con-
sequent upon this depreciation. As well might
the seller require the buyer to receive Confederate
money for articles now in store, simply because
this currency once purchased the produce of the
country But where will the injustice be rene
dieds We answer, that the Tax Collector will
shortly begin his annual rounds, and neighbor
must help neighbor to return this deprecated cur
rency to the State Treasury, and thereafter have
none of it. By this expression, let us not be un-
derstood as cndeavoring to undervaluc the credit
of the State This deplorable result has already
been accomplished by the Legislature creating an
unsound currency. We repeat, then. every holder
of these bills should diligently urge their return
to the Treasury, and appeal to the generosity Of
neicllbors for assistance in the undertaking. The
semi-offcial statements which have appeared put
down the present circulation of these bills at less
than $500, ,OOO With nearly million of dollars
accruing from taxes, there can be no question as
to the probability that every dollar of the State
issue will find its way back during the Spring.
We have no sympathy with the movement to
bring about this depreciation, as toriginaly came
forth Beyond doubt, spectators and money
brokers were engaged in its introduction. But,
for the second time, these bills are below par, and
we would protect the laboring masses from repe-
tition of this shameful disaster. The charm comes
with the third time, and who knows that the next
depreciation will not produce worse results than
the present.
Now for the reason inducing the present want of
confidence. 1t is with regret that we are COM
PEELED to declare that this depreciation began with
certain members of the Legislature On the au-
thority of the Columbia Phenir is this declaration
based That paper, in referring to this sub
ject on last Saturday, says "that some Of the
members of the Legislature who authorized these
issues refused to receive them from the Treasurer
for their pay-bills and drew from that officer all
The greenJacks he held for the purpose of redeem
ing these bills, as the wants of the mercantile
community might require such redemption" The
italics are ours OF course, We do not know
single member thus implicated, but are confident
that the journal quoted from would not make such
an assertion without authority to sustain it. What
magninimous patriotism Vote to issue money to
meet the wants of the people, and then refuse to
accept that money for services rendered while thus
voting! "Oh consistency, thou art jewell"
But you were not in possession of the liberal
minded legislators thus acting, and we must con-
cludc that your flight was prematurely hastened
from the capital.
We will not comment further upon this reckless
conduct, and leave the reader to cogitatc upon the
uncertainty of human action IN concluding,
however, we must. express an unfeigned sympathy
with the salared officers of the State whose regular
allowance is duly metcd out and upon whom this
depreciation must fall harshly and unexpectedly.
Having no agency in creating these 'bills rccciva
blc7 they are compelled nevertheless. to endure
the hardship of receiving the same at par, unless
forsooth the Treasury has recupcraed from the
onset made by the members who drew out all the
greenbacks.
TO SOLDIERS AND THE FRIENDS OF SOLDIERS