Year: 1866




Correspondence of The n. Y. Tribune


MONTGOMERY Ala Nov. l6 ls66.


There is no Southern State whose political and financial
condition is better than that Of Alabama In the Anhual
Message of the Governor which was read to both Houses
f the Legislature on the 18TH informed that the
civil md military authorities have gotten along without
collision or embarrassment and that law and order have
been so far restored that but little military force no" Ie
mains in the State. The relations which have e1ised
between Mai Gen. Swayne and Gov. Patton have pceh oi
the most agreeable naurc-no conflict has arisen, no issue
has been made and they have both manifested audaoe
zeal in advancing the interests Of Alabama and STRIVING 70
restore her to the position she formerly held IN the


DDn the past wear more than s. 600 600 worth Of Gov
eminent ratOns have been issued 20 the destitute OF Aa
bama and Gen Swayne Is authorized 10 continue rduohs
Of corn and bacon for time longer lhe Governor
suggests that the Legislature should memorabilia Con
grcSs 20 the tax on cotton, which IN lhe present
condition Of the country, is very oppressive epceay 70
the freedmen, who, without capital are raising tat s'a
rented land, for which the! eeheIaiN pay oHc'u VI
the crop The finances of Alabama are N coIpaauNe!
favorable condition the total debt being only S1O9j99
There are certain defects aud omissions IN the Revenue
law which when remedied, will increase the amount Of
tax and beside paying the expenses Of The State ana IN
ercst on the debt will leave surplus Az he last SESSION
Of the Legislature memorial was sent to Congress asking
that the State be authorized TO assume e FeIeI" la-
tax but that authority has not yet been granted III con-
sequence Of the scarcity OF money ana the shoutsh o
crop much property has been brought into market ana
the people crying for relief against the present useless
aud mpoyershng sacrifice 10 which tney arc suOecCI W
the sale of property under execution Inc act 'se mt
Winter called yq failed to stand the test OF judicial
investigation and already attempts are being made 6y the
present Legislature TO frame law when VIII give inc IT,
Quirod relief


The South needs money, and her mineral manuiactur-
ing and even agricultural resources be developed but
slowly until capital is brought within her borders.


The banks IN 1861 loaned all the specie IN their vaults
N the Confederate Government and are unable 10 redeem
their paper and they heavy bonus 10 the state


The proposed amendment 10 the Constitution Of the
United States was sent with the message Of the Governor
to the House Of Representative motion was made Dy
Mr Goodwin Of Franklin 20 have II referred to select
committee who should report at an early day what action
in their opinion the House should take relative thereto
Strong opposition made TO such aud the ar
cument made by members that 20 appoint spe-
eial committee TO report on the amendment would be
manesting disposition by the House Of Representatives
TO attach much importance TO matter which the ma
ioty OF the members think should be treated with ndi-
ference 1t aftcrward referred 70 the Standing Com
mee Federal Relations, and will probably be reported
on next week. .


The Representatives Of the people Of Alabama would
undoubtedly consent cordially and promptly 10 the cond-
tOns conained in the proposed Amendment If they were
satisfied that nothing else would be required by the red
era Government in order that the Southern States should
be restored to their former position under the Consttu
tiOn.


It's impossible to disguise the fact that there is strong
repugnance in this State 10 the Constitutional Amend
ment But one paper in Alabama fayOr It's adoption. The
argument used by its advocates is that II impossible Tor
any Southern State 10 be represented IN Congress until
the proposed amendment shall have been adopted, and
that although it may not be paatabe 20 the states lately
in rebellion, yet It is the least Of two evils.


The opponents Of the measure urge that would be un
digned in any Southern State 10 make further efforts 10
be restored 10 the Union that Immediately after the sus
pension Of hostes ii suggested that the abolition
of Slavery by ordinance Of the State Conventions was
requisite TO insure restoati0n next came demand that
the Rebel debt should be epudiacd which no sooner
done than the Legislatures were required 20 adopt On
amendment 10 the Constitution abOshng Slavery In the
United States and giving TO freedmen all the rights Of
citizens the civil After all these things
done in good faith and every requisiton complied with
the States not yet restored but taxed without repre-
sentaton and the advorsaes Of the amendment argue
that It's adoption will be followed by the same result We
can safely predict that the Legislature OF Alabama Will
reject the amendment yet IL will not be done until lis
friends bave made struggle in its behalf majority Of
the members OF both Houses of the Legislature were o
posed 70 the secession Of the State yet they are with lew
exceptions become strong advocates Of the runous policy
nauguraed by the South before the question was settled
by the arbitrament Of the sword. Among the members
original seoessonsts, they style themselves
yecDitafOrs who oppose every measure which tends 20
reconciliation restoration and cling with remarkable
tenacity TO their former opinions.


large majority Of the Senators and Representative
especially those from the northern part Of tho state are
men Of liberal views and will undoubtedly take broad
national grounds upon all great questions. Their course
last session characterized by almost total abnega
tOn Of sectional views and prejudces and every indca
ton has been given thus far that they viii pursue the
same course


Alabama has great cause TO congratulate herself that in
this important epoch in her history, when much is
pectcd from her Representatives in their capacity leg
isators she has Legislature whose members gen
orally national not sectional and who can rise superior
70 party spirit and political prejudice


No Southern State desirous for a restoration
than Alabama her material prosperity Is sadly affected
by the anomalous position she now occupies.