The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1866-02-28

county and parish will create an immense
patronage and the expense of the numerous
officers and their clerks, to be appointed by
the President, will be great in the beginning,
with tendency steadily to Increase The
appropriations asked by the Frecdmons
Bureau asnow established for the year 1866,
amount TO ST, Tl5,0Uo. It may be safely
estimated that the cost to be incurred under
the pending bill will require double that
amount-more than the entire sum expended
in any one year under the administration Of
the second Adams. Ii the presence Of
agents in every parish and county is to be
considered as q war measure, opposition, or
even resistance might be provoked, so that,
TO give effect to their jurisdiction, troops
would have to be stationed within reach Of
every one of them, and thus o large standing
force be rendered necessary. Large APP
preparations weuld therefore be required to
sustain and enforce military jurisdiction IN
every county and parish from the Potomac
10 the Rio Granle. The condition of our
fiscal affairs is encouraging, but, In order to
sustain the present measure OF pubic conf
dence, it is necessary that we practice not
merely customary economy, but, as far as
pos ible, severe retrenehment.
CONDITION OF THE FREEDMEN.
There are still further objections to the
bill, on grounds seriously affecting the class
of persons to whom it is designed to bring
relief. It will tend to keep the mind Of the
freedmen in state of uncertain expectation
and restlessness while, to those among
VIII ON he lives, it will be source OF con-
slant and vague apprehension. Undoubtedly
the freedman should be protected, but he
should be protected by the civil authorities
especially by the exercise of all the consti
tutional powers of the courts Of the United
States, and Of the States. His condition is
not so exposed as may at first be imagined.
He is in portion of the country where his
labor cannot well be spared. Competition
for his services from planters, from those
who are constructing or repairing railroads,
or from capitalists in his vicinity or from
other States, will enable him to command
almost his own terms. He also possesses q
perfect right TO change his place of abode;
and if, therefore, he does not find in one
community or State mode of life suited to
his desires, or proper remuneration for his
labor, he can move to another where labor
is more esteemed and better rewarded. In
truth, however, each State, induced by its
own wants and interests, will do what is
necessary and proper to retain within its
borders all the labor that is needed for the
development Of its resources. The laws
that regulate supply and demand will main
tain their force, and the wages Of the la
borer will be regulated thereby. There Is
no danger that the great demand for labor
will not operate in favor Of the laborer.
Neither is sufficient consideration given to
the ability of the freedmen to protect and
care of themselves. 1t is no more than jus
tice to them to believe that, as they have
received their freedom with moderation and
forbearance, SO they will distinguish them
selves by their industry, and will feel, and
| soon show the world, that, in a condition of
freedom, they are self-sustaining, and cap
able of selecting their own employment and
| their own places Of abode; Of insisting for
themselves on q proper remuneration, and
of establishing and maintaining their owl
| asylums and schools. 1t is earnestly hoped
that, instead of wasting away, they will, b.
their efforts, establish for themselves con
dition Of responsibility and prosperity. 1
is certain that they can attain to that con
dition only through their own merits an'
exertions.
CONCENTRATION OF POWER IN THE EXECUTIVE
In this connection the query presents it
self, whether the system proposed by TIL
bill will not, when put into complete opera
ton. practically transfer tho Anti-a "a-e
support, and control of four millions Q
emancipated slaves to agents, overseers, o
task-masters, who, appointed at Washing
ton, are to be located in every county an,
parish throughout the United States con
tanning freedmen and refugees. Such
system would eventually tend to such con
centration of power in the Executive a
would enable him, if so disposed, to contre
the action Of numerous class, and us,
| them for the attainment Of his own politica
| ends.
| The President then enters into an argu
ment in support of his view that the late
| rebel states are entitled to representation in
Congress, referring especially to Tennessee
| and closes as follows:
l return the bill to the Senate, in the
| earnest hope that measure involving ques-
| tons and interests SO important to tbs
| country will not become q law, unless, upon
| deliberate consideration by the people, il
\ shall receive the sanction of an enlightened
| public judgment.
(Signcd) ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, d. G., Feb. 10, 1866.