New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-08
RICH VI ON ID.
FEELING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.

POPULAR FEELING AND PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS.
From Special Correspondent
RICHMOND Va june 4, 1865
The people of Virginia not friends OF the Freedmens
Bureau. Far from it, The Bureau itself may not be at
fault something of the kind may be needed but why nos
Give ms fsav thew officers who are practical men-fames
or planterand not colonies and brgadiergeneras' On
the other hand the system itself fault and will never
do met person to-day who complained not about be-
inc conquered but because he had los, his property 81
had twenty negroes, said this sad man, land they arc
all gone" The North ought 10 have paid nsthats whae
we comrsin about But am assured by better speci-
men of reconsructionst that If Emancipation was an an-
welcome blessing Slavery was downright curse 'nal no
would not have il back again II all his property III slaves
could be restored. So far so good yet TINS man would
have his negroes still call him massa and, OF course does
not Ike the Freetmens Bureau lou can run through
all degrees of the nuaT feeling and home prejudice ana IN
every ease find II arrayed, more or less, againss
the Bureau. That was TO be expected There could
be no form of Government supervision IN the
South without causing annoyance. III the buresu
eft its place authority and influence would have 10 DO
filled up by the army and would Southern friends
like that If they accept the war as fact why not the
Bureaui No dominant institution can be made popular
in the cities especially OF conquered people but else
where those who 20 10 work with w disposed 10 gve
free labor fair trial and ambitious TO profit by H. have
little or nothing 10 complain OF the Bureau lhe Trouble
from the outset has been not IN the unwlhngneSs OF inc
freedmen to work. but the natural difficulty OF choosing
masters The South has lately been larger knd OF lneil
office lhe negro, S.atlhe VI
the working preferred TO work for the man who PAID
most money at all events, fair wages The Impoverished
planters who could pay but little of course complained
that their hands would not remain 10 heP .noll 70
biz profit az small expense Some If the worst master
before the have the best abocrs and the most
prosperous pautation-and whyf simply because these
planters have been able pay good wages for good work.
aud thus accept the situation IN an economic point oiHIew
From county TO county Vg MIA is reporting progress, al
least in the material interests Of labor. d. j. r. ho
combe late one OF the Canada Commissioners now work
ing plantation in Bedford County reports that he has
never had better work obedience from MS nands
Col Durv of Drurys Bluff is, hear equally gratihed
More instances could be cited On some OF the best pan-
tations the freedmen in amount 500 year and
have house. raiions aud truck patch beside This the
owners easily afford, and make handsome proht Do
side.
Virginia has been exporting her negroes nom the
crowded Peninsula Georgia and % Florida. There SO
reason for II not TO be found any bite gospel OF eoon
cation on Mr. Blair plan. II means, not that Vrgnian
really able spare her labor but that she is 100 or
moor 10 carry on ali her workshops and plantations By
and bv If disappointed in an emigration winch CROWDS
North and Vest she may want her ebony treasures oae.
Enumeration society," The more intelligent Southernes
are willing to believe that the South will need ali the
labor she can get If wanted to ruin Virginia o-mor.
row" said distinguished gentleman, II would exPon
~ 600 or 80 600 of her black laborers.
The new enterprise of the kanawha and James River
Canal 10 meet Norfolk with the Ohio is looked upon
he some shrewdest here impracticabihty 10
will no remembered that French company were TO take
II in hand with H. Beot des Mnleres al is mead Iners
/, mountain of difficulty 10 be overcome III hng the
water through the Alleghanos, and lavish millions oil
From the connection by railway the mountains
at grade Of 40 feet being fewer mountains to cro
than upon the Baltimore and Ohio or Ioaa
and more gentle grade freight could be run upon tina
road without frequently breaking bulk. Here aet
ideas the carry great miscellaneous trade OF Ken
lucky to the Western and Nv aa
York River. Either one OF them pound 70 enhen ~~
awaken Virginia.