The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-01-31
The Freedmen's Bureau.

3u the house of representatives the 18th inst,
air. Trumbus bill to enlarge the powers of the freed
mems bureau, taken up and read as amended by
the judiciary committee. 1t seems to be the deter
mnation of the radicals to foster and perpetuae this
pet institution of theirs to indefinite period and it
is very evident they will leave no unturned to
accomplish their ends. Washington dispatch has a
report to the effect that if the senate will pass the
bill and the president sign it, there will be show
for the southern members to get into congress
Whether the reporter had anything tangible than
his imagination to base his sensation report on we
have no means of knowing But one thing is certain
the bill will pass the house by an overwhelming ma
jority and probably work its way through the senate
without mach trouble What disposition the president
will make of it, is hard to tell at this time.
The BILL as it stands before congress provides
that the present act to establish the bureau shall
main in force until otherwise provided by Law, and
shall extend to all freedmen and refugees IN all parts
the section of country containing such freedmen into
districts each containing one more States, n to
exceed twelve in number, and, by and with the on
sent of the senate appoint assistant commissioner
for each district who shall give like bond receiving
the same compensation and perform the duties
prescribed by the present act said bureau may
in the discretion Of the president be placed under a
commissioner and assistant commissioner, to be de-
tailed from the army in which event the officer so
assigned to duty shall without increase of pay
allowance.
Section second provides for the division of districts
and sub-disricts and the appointment of clerks and
authorizes the president of the United States to
tend military jurisdiction and protection ever adj the
employees, agents and other officers
Section third authorizes the secretary of war to
issue provisions, food clothing &c for refugees and
freedmen. 1...t
Section fourth authorizes the president to reserve
for sale from settlement under the homestead or
presumption laws and to set apart for the use OF freed
men aud loyal refugees unoccupied lands III floflda
Mississippi and Arkansas, not exceeding in all 3 0OO-
900 acres of government lands; and the commissioner
under the direction of the president shall cause the
samey from time 10 time, to be allowed and assigned
in parcels not exceeding eFy acres eaeh to the loyal
refugees and freedmen, who shall be Iro5ected in the
and enjoyment thereof for such time and at such
annual rent as may be agreed OH 5c::"ean the commits
sioner and such refugees or freedmen. The rental
shall be based upon valuation of the land to be as
certained in such manner as the commissioner nav
under such direction of the president by regulation
prescribe at the end of such term or sooner if the
commissioner shall assent thereto The occupants OF
any such parcels assigned may purchase the land
and receive the title thereto from the United States
in fee upon paying therefor the value of the land as
certained as aforesaid
Section fifth provides that the posscssory title
granted in pursuance of major Gen. Sherman's special
field ORDER dated at Savannah, January 49, 1865 are
hereby confirmed and made valM
Section sixth provides that the commission shall,
under the direction of the president procure in the
name of the United States, by grant purchase such
lands, within the districts aforesaid as may be re-
quired for refugees and freedmen dependent upon the
government for support and he shall provide
to be built asyums and schools but such purchases
shall be made contract for the same entered into
other expenses incurred until after appropriations
shall have been provided by congress for the general
purposes Of this act Of which payments for said
lands shall be made, and the commissioner shall cause
such lands from time to time, to be valued allotted
assigned and sold in the and form provided in
the preceding section-proVided always that the said
lands shall be sold for less than the cost thereof to
the United States.
Section seventh authorizes the president to extend
military protection to the freedmen in all cases of
laws making discrimination against them on account
Of color.
Section eighth prescribes punishment for subiecting
freedmen to slavery.