The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-01
The vetoed Bill.

As many Of our readers have doubtless
forgotten the Freedmens Bureau Bill,
now conspicuo ously important in conse-
quence of the Presidents Veto, we re-
produce il, as adopted by the Senate
SECTION l. That the act to establish
Bureau for the Relief of Freedmen and
Refugees, approved March 3, 1865, shall
continue in force until otherwise provided
by law shall extend to refugees and freed
men in certain parts of the United States
and the President may divide the section
of country containing such refugees and
freedmen into districts, each containing
one or more States not to exceed twelve
in number and by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate appoint an
Assistant Commissioner for each of said
districts, who shall give the same bonds
and receive the same compensation and
perform the same duties prescribed by
this and the act to which tais is an amend
ment; or said bureau may In the discre-
tion of the President be placed under a
Commissioner and Assistant Commission
er, to be detailed from the army, in which
event each officer so assigned to duty shall
serve without increase of pay or allowances.
SEC. 2. That the Commissioner, with
the approval of the President, shall divide
each district into a number of sub-districts,
not to exceed the number of counties or
parishes In each State, and shall assign to
each sub-district at least one agent, either
a citizen, officer Of the army or enlisted
man, who, it an officer, shall serve with
out additional compensation or allowance;
or MOI hal
receive a salary not exceeding 81 800 per
annum, and such agent shall, before en-
tering the duties or his Office, take the
oath prescribed in the first section of the
act to which this is an amendment. Each
Assistant Commissioner may employ not
exceeding six clerks, one of the third class
and FIVE of the first class and each agent
Of sub-district may employ two CLERKS Of
| the first class. And the Presidept'of the
| United States, through the War Depart
ment and the Commissioner, shall extend
military jurisdiction over all the employ
ees, agents and officers of this bureau, in
the exercise of the duties imposed or au-
thorized by this act or the act to which
this act is supplementary.
Sec. 3. That the Secretary of War may
| direct such issues of provisions, clothing,
fuel and other supplies, including medical
stores and transportation, and afford such
| aid, medical or otherwise, as he may deem
needful for the immediate and temporary
shelter and supply of destitute and suffer
ing refugees and freedmen and their wives
and children, under such rules and regu-
lations as he may direct.
SEC. 4. That the President be author
l. Catf 10
ment under the Homestead or Pre-emp-
ton Laws, aid to set apart for the use OF
freedmen and loyal refugees, unoccupied
public lands in Florida, Mississippi aud
Arkansas, not exceeding in all three mil
lions of acres Of good land /; and the Com
missioner, under the direction Of the
President, shall cause the same from time
to time to be allotted and consigned In
parcels not exceeding forty acres each to
the loyal refugees and freedmen, who
| shall be protected In the use and enjoy
ment thereof for such a term of time and
at such annual rent as may be agreed upon
by the Commissioner and such refugees
and freedmen. The rental shall be based
upon a valuation OF the land to be ascer-
tanned in such manner as the Commits
sioner may, under direction of the Presi-
dent, By regulation prescribe at the end
of such term, or sooner if the Commis-
sioner shall assent thereto. The occupants
of any parcels assigned may purchase land
and receive the title thereto from the
United States in fee, upon paving therefor
the value of the land ascertained as afore-
said.
SEC s. That the occupants of land un-
der Maj. Gen. Sherman's Special Field
Order, dated at Savannah, Jan. Is, 1865,
are hereby confirmed in their possessions
for the period of three years from the date
of said order, and no person shall be dis
turbed in or ousted from said possession
during said three years unless settle
ment shall be made with the said occupant
by the owner satisfactory to the Commits
sioner of the FreeGmen's Bureau.
SEC. 6. That the Commissioners 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
J for refugees and freedmen dependent on