The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-30
Our Norfolk Correspondence.

NORFOLK, Va, Sept %, 1865.
To promote the condition Of freedmen and do away
with an obnoxious statute in the code OF Virginia, pro-
hibi,ng courts from admitting negro testimony Major
General oliver o. Howard, Chief Of the Freedmen's
Bureau at Washington accompanied by Brgader General
w. f. Strong Inspector General, and Colonel Orlando
Brown Chief of Freedmens Bureau of the State of virg
MA visited city this morning. and according to previ
Gus appointment Mayor Tabb, OF Norfolk and Mayor
Collins OF Portsmouth, at the City Hail. TO obtain from
them expression Of sentiment relative TO the above
subject and adjust any difficulties that might have
arisen thus far, and to adopt measures TO prevent
others likely TO again. General Howard was re-
ceivod by Brgadier General L. Mann, Commandment Of
the District of Norfolk, and escorted TO the City Hall
In the council chamber General Howard was introduced
to Mayor Collins and the Common Council Of Ports
mouth subsequently Mayor Tabb ntrodsced the Council
and officials OF this CITY,
After cordial greeting all around General Howard
took the aoor and in q clear and succnc manner sd
dressed the assembage the subject Of his visit He
said that he had thus far visited nearly part and
county Of the State Of Virginia. and general thing he
found the people disposed to accept the condition Of
affairs far related TO freedmen cheerfuy and as
became enlightened public. The President Of the
United States does not wish 10 force any obnoxious
measures the people, but he desires hearty coope
ration His great object now In making this is
adopt some mode whereby the freedman may obtain civil
rights in courts which the laws Of the State deny him.
and this ond he General Howard proposes that two
gentlemen each county should be appointed-one
to DO satisfactory to the citizen employer and to
the freedman, employees the two to b. associated with
fhe agent Of the Freedmen's Bureau and form boar
which Is 10 constitute court having power and ursdc
fion to adjudcate petty offences and impose fine Of
from one dollar 10 one hundred dollars, on mprison
mcnt of rom TO thirty days, both nne and i'm
prisonmont Offences Of higher grade are to be sub
The object Of this IL to seek the cooperation Of the
people, and give gradual commtal OF government into
their hands as soon as they shall DE prepared, by a
proper enactment OF laws In consonance with those Of
The general government TO receive H. The Bureau Of
Freedmen would be abolished soon as the State pre-
pares TO take charge Of the poor and destitute.
General Howard next touched upon the question Of
education He remarked that prior TO the II was
criminal in the South to teach negro TO read and
the emergency arises 10 have every coored person
educated for the they know the better they on
and unless they are educated they cannot understand
Abe laws which are 10 govern them.
Several other topics General Howard reviewed In tho
OF his remarks and on taking his seat he invited
the gentlemen present 10 give him their opinion.
Mayor Tabb, after consulting with Mr.. Whitehead
President Of the City Council and addressed General
Howard, stating that he was very happy TO meet him.
and thought that he could vouch for the citizens OF
Norfolk as being law abiding and loyal, and inclined 70
assist the government establishing order II must,
however be remembered that the social status Of the
country has boen altered by the sudden abolition OF
slavery an institution which has been handed down 10
them from generations Mr. Tabb then illustration
of visit 10 friends plantation, who owned some
hundred negroes and these people were very kindly
Created and their master went lar as tO build
chapel and appoint parson TO them for their in
ptruction in religion. These negroes taught obe
hence and general thing the relation between tho
white and colored people had been most cordial ant
would b. so again society became settled
Mayor Tabb continued and called attention 70 the fac
that the negro must be governed by strong laws HI
poes not know what freedom Ia. masines II mean