Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-12
From the New York Tribune, l0th.I
MIR. GurIev,a 3iII.

MIR. GurIey's Bill.
The bill which Mr.. Gurley, of Ohio intro
duced into the House OF Representatives yes
terday embraces some of the most important
measures ever brought before Congress. II
is drawn with remarkable precision, clear
ness and force, and is certainly as we'll cal
culated as any legislative measure can be TO
effect the end in view. What that end is
will be best understood by the following syn
opsis of the bill. Section first provides for
the confscation Of all the property-real and
personal-of all persons engaged in or aiding
or abettiDg the present rebellion. Section
second makes 1t the duty Of the President to
appoint in each State where, by reason OF
the rebellion, the law can not be executed
through the ordinary process, a commissioner
TO carry it into effect, and in order TO insure
the services of competent and trustworthy
men, the salary Of the Commissioner is fixed
at Sc, 900 per annum. a'
Sections three, four and five provide for the
taking Of adequate sureties from the Com
missioners, for the faithful performance of
their duties, for their severe punishment by
fine and Imprisonment, for malversatioD or
corrupt conduct, and for the appointment Of
the necessary deputies, clerks and msrshsls.
Section six provides that any loyal citizen,
whose property shall be unlswfully seized and
sold under this act shall have full compeusa-
tionor restitution. Section seven nprovides that
all slaves of rebels shall be free, and that the
Commissioner shall hear and determine the
cases of all who may come before him in a
summary manner, and if they are entitled to
freedom shall grant them certificate in the
name of the United States, which shall be
conclusive proof Of their lawful liberation.
Section eight provides that ALI slaves 80
liberated may be employed by the Commis-
sioDer in cultivatipg the land confiscated by
the United States, and other useful labor,
receiving reasonable wages, and that they
may be employed, if the Commissioner con-
sents, by the commanding officers of the
army, at their discretion, in such service as
may best contribute to the suppression of
the rebellion; also, at reasonable wages, to
be fixed by the Commissioner.
Sections nine, ten and eleven provide that
it shall be the duty of the President, as soon
as may be practicable, to take military pos.
session of Florida, or ofsuch parts as may be
easily occupied and defended, and appoint a
Commissioner for that State, who shall carry
into effect the con6scation and liberation
clauses of this act, and sell the estates of the
rebels to loyal purchasers and who shall
purchase at reasonable prices such slaves of
loyal masters as may be offered to him, pay
ing for them out of the confscated property
of the rebels, and giving them certificates Of
freedom. .a.u
The President is also authorized, through
the Commissioners in other rebel States, to
transport 10 Florida the slaves of rebels of
other States and put them in charge of the
Commissioner there, who shall, at his dis
cretion, apprentice them for such terms,
long or short, not to exceed six years, as he
may judge best, to loyal proprietoIs of land
| who shall-psy them reasonable wages, and
| give adequate security for their good treat
ment and proper lodging and sustenance.
| On the expiration of their times of appren-
ticeshipEwhich, in the case of the most
capable and orderly of the negroes, will of
course be shOrt-they will become their wn
| masters, and at liberty to work for whom
| they please, and .go where they please
within the limits of the State of Florida.
1t is furthermore provided that florida
shall be held aud governed by the military
| power of the United States, until the Presi-
| dent shall be satisfied that the necessity for
| military occupation has passed way, when
he shall communicate the fact to Congress,
and recommend the erection of Provisional
Government similar to those of the Terrific
ries of the United States, or if there be a
sufficient number of loyal white inhabitants
to entitle them to a Representative in Con
| gress, he shall recommend the passage of au
act authorizing them to form State Gov
erpment and Constitution excluding slavery.
| The remaining sections of the bill provide
for the disposition of the Copfscation Fund,
which is 10 be used TO pay the expenses in-
Cured under this act, and to compensate
loyal creditors of rebels and loyal citizens
who have lost their property by the rebel
| lien.
The most novel and important feature Of
the bill is that relating to Florida, the effect
of which, if carried out, will be to create a
place of refuge for the free blacks of the
county, all of whom can find congenial
homes in its hot climate and fertile lands,
the extent of which is amply sufficient with
out being more densely peopled than Jamaica
or Hayti to support the whole coored pop
ulation of the United States. In Florida
according to this plan, the liberated slaves
will be hey ond the reach of molestation from
their former masters or from oppressive State
laws, while there is nothing in the bill tc
prevent the settlement there of whites who
may desire to own cotton, rice or sugar plan
tstions, cultivated by free black labor, OF
who may wish to reside there for health OF
the pursuit of trade or manufactures.