The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-01-01

Julius Poppe, Anderson c. 81.
3; g. +; = kinard, Newberry g. Il.
w. I. Sims, Union. '-.
j. ID. Allen, Greenville. ,.-. :.
The Prospect OF Government Aid Tor
our Planters.
The North is seriously alarmed at
the intelligence which it receives Of
the terrible destitution and want now
existing in the South. This feeling
might have fruitlessly died away, or
have found its only expression in the
charity of individuals; but, thanks to
the energetic exertions of one of our
own citizens, says the Charleston
-Ne,cS, there is now reason for beliey-
ing it highly probable that some
scheme will be adopted for extending
Government aid to the planters of
the South. The gentleman referred
to has been in Washington for some
time, and we shall endeavor to show,
as clearly as possible, what has been
accomplished, and what remains to
be done.
Three plans of relief were submit
ted:
l. That Congress should authorize
a loan Of $50, 600, 900, to be lent IN
small sums to necessitous planters:
the loan to bear 6, per cent. interest,
and to be secured by mortgage of the
land and lien upon the crops of the
barrowers; the loan to be distributed
by local commissioners of approved
position and standing.
2. That the Government should
lend the Southern people an amount
equal to the gross amount of revenue
already received by the United States
from the cotton tax; the loan to be
secured, issued, and distributed as
under the first plan.
3. That the United States Govern
ment should sell the gold in the
National Treasury, in excess of the
sum required to meet current de-
mands, and lend the premium real
lied by its sale to the South, upon
the terms and in the manner before
named.
These plans were fully discussed
and explained in repeated converse
tions with the President, General
Grant, Chief Justice Chase, Senator
Harlan and General o. O. Howard.
The President was heartily in favor
OF some scheme for Southern relief,
and would do all that he could to in
sure its prompt adoption.
General Grant said that he would,
as Secretary of War, submit to Con-
gress, Immediately upon the re-as-
sembling of that body, a communi-
cation earnestly recommending one
of the plans submitted to him and
already mentioned.
Chief Justice Chase was yery warm
IN his expressions of solicitude for
the relief Of the South. His support
and that Of his party adherents to o
scheme Of Government relief, is CON
sIdered certain. Senator Harlan. of
Iowa, formerly Secretary of the Inte-
rlor, likewise signifed his approval of
the project and his intention to sus-
tain it in the United States Senate.
Gen. Howard saw the necessity of
relief of some character for the
South, but expressed no opinion on
the plans proposed. He urged, how
ever, proper and generous distribu-
tion of food by the Government SO
long as the necessity for its issue
existed, tne cost TO be repaid after a
certain time, and in the meanwhile TO
be secured by lien on the crops.
Thus the matter stood when our
fellow-citizen left Washington; but
besides this, he did actually secure
one most important result. Pendino
the action of Congress, and on ac.
count Of the representations that
/haye been made to him. Gen Howo.5
has taken steps for the immediate
issue of food to all destitute persona,
white and black, in the South, in
sufficient quantities to avert actual
suffering. This measure will doubt.
less be the means of giving our poor
people great and substantial relief.
Every indication is now in favor oj
the speedy movement of Congress
for the relief of the South, and as the