The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-08-18
The bureau a Nnisanca.

The Bureau Nuisance.
Generals STEADMAN and FULLERTON have
completed the labors assigned to them by the
War Department. They have investigated
the matter of this Congressional measure,
which became pet one in the estimation of
the Radicals, and doubly SO after the Pres-
dents veto. Their report is an extended and
thorough one and full of interest, embracing
an account of their inspections, examinations,
and observations of the running of the ma
chine" in the States of Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. 1t is
useless concern and ought to be abated.
In Georgia it has been honestly admins
tered by excellent and trusty men who made
it yield all the good of which it was capable
In Georgia the negro has the same civil
rights secured to him which the white man
enjoys, and the laws of the State as amended
are as liberal as those of any State North
The policy pursued by those having charge
in Alabama of this novel institution has ia
duced kindly feeling towards it, though
subordinate agents have been detected in the
commission of many Irregularities. They
have been devoting more of their time and
talents to the planting interest than "the law
allows" Heavy stealing has been perpetrated
in the State of Mississippi. Fines have been
collected, but no records have been kept. AT
Grenada, the agent is represented as having
done thriving business in the matter of col
Letting fines, selling rations, and the horses
and mules of the Government. For marry
ing the Governments wards, fees Of from fifty
cents to FIVE dollars have been imposed and
collected, and attempts were made to collect
fees from white ministers of the gospel for
granting them permission to perform the
marriage ceremony for freedmen. When
Cuffee was unable to pay, the Government
Chaplain has levied on personal property, for
example, an empty wallet or a jack-knife, for
a balance of fifty cents Chaplain LIVER
MAN, it seems, had stated that he intended to
return to Illinois with $4,000 in his pocket
When removed, he attempted to bride the
military officer to retain him, by offering a
fee of $50. He left behind him no official
traces of the disposition of the funds he had
received.
In Columbus, no account was rendered of
fees and fines collected by the first two agents
In Louisiana more money has been collected
and squandered by the Radical agents than
in any other three Southern States The ex-
penses for the fiscal year to June 1866, were
$500, 900, and $25s,44s were collected. leav-
ing the deficit to be paid by the Govern
ment At the lowest estimate, the confisca-
ted and abandoned property amounted to
$lo,oOoo 600. Among employees agents,
clerks, &C., upwards of $4,000 were ex-
pended. A large proportion of money ex-
pended ON negro schools, was squandered
Fifty schools were reported as in flourish
ing condition, when there were only two.
Freedmen were arrested and sold to plant
ers at So head, the proceeds being shared
between a Captain MessE and his special pe-
lice. Large amounts were collected from
white persons and freedmen for arrests for
various ofenses. The Bureau was cultvating
a large plantation and paying rent of $40
or $15 900 year, while Congress was giving
away millions OF acres OF the public lands to
corporations In Louisiana the pickings and
5tealings were enormous.
| In Texas each agent was a monarch, and
respectable citizens were arrested and inn
prisoned upon mere rumor
Ten of the thirty-fve agents were resident
planters. The freedmen were working well.
The wages paid were higher than elsewhere.
The Commissioners report that the Freed
| mems Bureau has no settled mode of admins
tration, and its expenditures vary as much as
its mode of administration. In one State the
expenses are over 100000, in another OF
equal population they do not exceed $50 900.
A deficit of 81 900 and more is shown in the
accounts of officers engaged in collecting
taxes in New Orleans. The Commissioners
state with emphasis that the Bureau ceased
| to do good, As we all know, if indeed it ever
did any, and believe in common with every
man Of sense in the land, that its continue
ton will only produce 'discord'
Adjournment Of philadelphia COnyen-
Characterization OF Principles and
Address