The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-01-30
The Freedmen's Bureau sill.

This bill which passed the Senate on Thurs
day by strong vote, every Union member
save one-Johnson of Maryland-voting in
fayor of it, is very important ard benefcent
act OF legislation. The adoption of such a
mea ure viii ensure protection for the Freed
men during the trying period of transition
through which they are passing, and until
such time as they may able to dispense with
the special Intervention of Federal authority.
Will render it impossible to restore the svstem
OF slavery in some new form, and will exert
the most favorable influence in promoting the
advancement and elevation Of the class SO we'll
styled "ihe wards of the cove nment.n The
following is a synopsis Of the bill as reported
by telegraph to the Bostol Post:
Section provides that the act to establish
Bureau for the. relief of freedmen and rem
gees, approved March 5, 1865, shall continue
in force until otherwise provided ly law, and
shall extend to refugees and freedmen in all
parts OF the United State; the Pre- ideut
may divide the section of country containing
sucn refugees and freedmen into distic.s,
each containing one or more States, net to ex-
ceed twelve in number, and by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate, appoint an
Assistant Commissioner tor each of said dis
trictS who shall give bonds and receive the
same compen alton, and perform the same
duties prescribed by thil act or by the
act to which this is an amendment. or
said bureau may, in tie di- cretion of tie
Pre- ldent, be placed under Commis iol er
and ASH tant- -CCmmi TO be detai ed
from the army, in which event each officer so
assigned to duty shall serve witaout increa
of pay or allowance. r
Section provide, for the diviS ion Of districts
and the appointment OF clerks, and author
izeS the President Of the United State, to ex-
tend military jurisdiction and protection over
all employees, agents, and other officers in the
exercise OF the duties authorized or impo-ed
on them by this act.
Section 2 authorizes the Secretary of War
to issue provisions Iue, clothing, ETC., Tor ref
ugeeS and freedmen.
Section authorizes the President to re-
serve rom the sale OF farm settlements under
the homestead pre-emption laws, and to set
apart iof the use OF freedmen and loyal refu-
gees, male and female, unoccupied pubic
lands In Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Missis-
sipp1 aud Arkansas, not exceeding in ali three
mliiions of acres OF good land, and the Com
missioners, under the direction of the Plesi-
dent, shall cause the same from time to time
to be allotted and assigned in parcels net ex-
ceedine forty acres each TO the loyal refugees
and freedmen, who shall be protected in the
use and enjoyment thereof for such term of
time and at such annual rent as may be ayreed
on between the Commissioners and such ref
ugees or freeumen; the rental shall be based
upon the valuation of the land, to be ascer-
tanned in such manner as the Commissioners
may, under the direction of the President. by
regulation prescribe.
Section provides that the possessory titles
granted in pursuance of Major-Gener Sher-
mans Special Field Order, dated at Savannah.
January Is, 1865, are hereby confirmed and
made valid for the space OF three years.
Section 9 provides that the Commissioner
shall, under the direction of the President,
procure, In the name of the United States, by
grant or purchase, such lands within the
districts aforesaid as may be required for refi-
| gees and freedmen dependent on the Govern
ment for support, and he shall provide or
cause to be built suitable asylums and schools.
But no such purchase shall be made, nor con-
tract for the same entered into, nor other ex-
penses incurred until after the appropriations
shall have been provided oy which payments
for said lands shall be made; and the Com
missioner shall cause such lands from time to
time to be valued, allotted, assigned and sold
in manner provided in the fourth section of
this act. Provided, always, that the said lands
| shall not be sold ior less than the cost thereof
| to the United States.
Section authorizes the President to ex-
tend military protection to the freedmen in all
cases OF law making Determinations against
them on account OF color.
Section prescribes punishment for subject
ing freedmen to slavery.