The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-01-26
Bureau OF Emancipation.

The bill introduced by Mr.. Howe, Of
Michigan, for establishing = Bureau Of
Emancipation, provides:
1. For the appointment Of commits
sioner, who shall be under the direction
of the Secretary Of the Treasury, and
and shall have authority in ali matters
srising out of proclamations Of the Presi-
dent, or military orders now or hereafter
in force, affecting in any manner the
freedom Of persons of African descent,
heretofore or hereafter held as slaves Ia
any State or Territory.
The salary Of the commissioner is not
to exceed $1,000 q year, not that Of
clerks $1,000. The commissioner shall
siezs all lands, houses and tenements.
with appurtenances thereon, lying with
in the rebelliOus States and Territories.
which are subject 70 confscatiOn under
the law. The commissioner is 10 b.
charged with the duty of carrying into
practical force and effect the contiseation
law, by holding and controlling proper
", sc. Military officers having such
property In charge must turn it over 30
the Commissioners. The slaves are 70 be
wards of the Government, and are 30
have its projections: The Commissioner
may appoint clerks, agents, managers.
superintendents, surgeons, chaplains, and
school teachers, and establish "produc.
tive armed Oecupances," provided that
the proportion Of such occupants shall
not be less than one hundred l0ya,
white mails citizens to one thousand la
boring freed male persons. The Secre-
tary Of War is authorized 10 furnish
arms to such Occupances. Military com
msnders are 10 render them assistance
to get lands and hold them.
Section Z is IS follows.
"That any person claiming 10 have
owned any Of the houses, tenements, or
lands liable to seizure and confscation.
or who may claim rights or property In
persons Of African descent, who shall
voluntarily surrender all such property
and persons 70 the control Of the Bureau
Of Emancipation and subscribe and take
the required oath OF allegiance, shall Be
deemed 10 have complied With the con-
ditions Of tho Presidents proclamation Of
amnesty and pardon"
A descriptive list Of owners, as afore-
said, is TO be made and kept in the State
and War Departments. Clerks are b b
appointed for this purpose. The com
missioner shall have power in respect 10
the leasing Of property, the disposition Of
freed persons, and the establishment Of
schools. The Secretary Of the Treasury
shall appoint a receiver Of revenues
arising from the management Of the prop-
erty, who shall receive all moneys com
ing in from the management Of said prop-
erty. Receivers salary, $1,000.
The Commissioner is authorized 70 r.
ceiye, transport, locate, hire cut 10 labor.
and apprentices 70 trades any and all freed
PERSONS and provide them with f,od.
clothing and shelter 81 the expenss Of
the Government, and may have facilities
Of transportation By the military when
possible. Reports are 70 be mads 10
Congress annually. All freed persons
coming under she supervision Of the Bu-
reau Of Emancipation are TO have The
same rights in court as any citizens Of
the United States; and any person OF
African descent residing within anv
State OF Territory Of the United State
(having been born in the United Statesl
who can read aud write The English ian
guage on the 2st Of January, 1888. are
hereafter declared citizens OF the Unitsd
States.