Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-01


One Of the most important measures Of
the present Congress is the bill which re-
Gently passed the Senate by vote Of 81 to
10, prolonging and enlarging the powers Of
the Freedmen's Bureau, which win pass the
House by a vote equally decisive, and thus
become the lawef the land, rplless vetoed by
the President, and his veto is sustained by
Congress upon a reconsideration of the
question, Of which there is but little proba-
bility. les importance induces US TO give il
in full:
SEcTfox I. That the actzo establish Bureau
for the relief Of Freedmen and Refugees, APP
proved March 3. 1865. shall continue in force until
otherwise provided b. law; shall extend 10 refn-
gees and freedmen in certain parts OF the United
States; and the President may divide the section
ofcountry containing such refugees and freedmen
into districts, each containing one or more States
not 10 exceed twelve in number; and by and with
the advice and consent of the Senate appolnt sn
Assistant Commissioner for each Of said districts,
who shall give the same bonds and receive the
same compensation ana perform the same duties
prescribed by this and the act to which this is Al
amendment; or said bureau may in the discretion
ofthe President be placed under Commissioner
and Assistant Commissioner. to be detailed IRON
the army, ia which event each officer so assigned
20 duty shall serve without increase OF pay or al
lowances.
SIC 2 That the Commissioner, with the APP
proval Of the President shall divide each district
into number of sub-distTicts not TO exceed the
number Of counties or parishes IN each State, and
shall assign each sub-distrct ut least agent,
either citizen, an officer Of the army or enlisted
man, who, if an officer, shall serve without addi-
tional compensation or allowance; and II acitizen
or enlisted man. shall receive salary not ex-
ceeding 81 500 per annum: and such agent shall.
before entering the duties Of his Office. take the
oath prescribed in the first section Of the act 10
which this Is an amendment. Each Assistant soIn-
missioner may employ not exceeding SIX CLERKS,
onciof the third class and five of the first class
and each agent of a sab-distret may employ two
clerks of the first class. And the Presidential the
United States. through the War Department and
the Commissioner shall extend military 3urisdie-
ton all the employees. agents and officers Of
this bureau. in the exercise OF the duties imposed
OF authorized by this act. or the net to which this
act j. supplementary.
SIC 3. TBat the Secretary OF War may direct
such issues of provisions clothing. fuel and other
supplies including medical stores and iraIspof;a-
ton and afford such aid, medical or otherwise. as
he may deem needful for the immediate and teln-
porary shelter and supply Of destitute and suffer,
ing refugees and freedmen and their wives and
children, under such rules and regulations as he
Src.4, That the President be authorized to re-
serve from sale or from ttlement under the Home
stead or Presumption Laws. and TO set apart for
the use Of freedmen and Loyal refugees nnoccu-
pied lands in Florida Mississippi and Arkansas;
not exceeding in all three millions ot acres OF good
land and the COmmi ssiOner under the direction of
the President shall cause the same, from time to
time, TO be allotted and consigned, ~ parcels sot
exceeding 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 DE agreed upon " inc
Commissioner and such refugees and freedmen
The rental shall be based upon valuation OF
the land 70 be ascertained IN Zach manner rs the
Commissioner may; under me direction OF me
President By regulation prescribe at the end of
such term or sooner II the Commissioner sdall as
sent thereto The occupants of any parcels as
signed may purchase land and receive the title
thereto from the United States in fee. upon pay
ing therefor The value OF the Land asceriained as
Src & Thatiibe occupants of land under Major
General Shernau's Special Field Order, dated al
Sayannah Jam 49, 1885, are hereby confirmed in
their possessions for the period OF three years
from the date of said order, and no person shaii
be disturbed in or ousted from said possession
during said three years, unless a settlement shal
be made with said occupant by the owner SAILS
factory 70 the Commissioner of the freedmen :
Src 6 That the Commissioner sllgil, under the
direction of the President. procure IN the name OF
the United States, by grant or purchase sueh
lands within the districts aforesaid as may De re-
auired for refugees and freedmen dependent on
the Government for support. and he sinai PROVIDE
or TO be built suitable asyluiis ana SCHOOLS
But 40 such purchase shall be made, nor contract
for the same entered upon, nor oticf expense IN
cured, until after appropriations shah nave neeH
provided by Congress for the genera purpoSes ~
this act, ont of which payments ioT saiu lahcs
shall be made; and the commission shall cause sueh
lands from time TO time 70 be valued allotted rs,
signed ana sold, in the manner ana FORM PROVIDED
i'm the preceding sections: provided always thai
the said lands shall not be sold Tor less than iAe
cost thereof TO the United States
SID. :. That whenever in any State or distriei
in which the ordinary course Of judicial proceed
ings has been interrupted by the rebellion, ana
wherein in consequence OF any stale or local law,
ordinance police. or other regulation custom or
prejudice any of the civil rights or lmmnniies
belonging to white persons, including the right 10
make and enforce general contracts, 70 sue, 70 lie
parties and give evidence, to inherit, purchase,
lease sell hold and convey real ana personal pro-
perty and 20 have full and equal beneht OF all
laws and proceedings for the security OF person
and estate, refused or denied TO negroes, mui-
lattoes or freedmen, or refugees or any other per-
son ON account of race, color or any previous con-
dition slavery or involuntary servltnde except rs
punishment FOR crime; whereof the party snail
have been duly convicted or wherein theN. or any
OF them are subjected to any other " Inherent
punishment, pains or penalties for the commission
Of any act offence than are prescribed ior Whl,g
be the duty Of the President of the nlted States
through the commissioner, TO extend mliltsTy pro-
lection and jurisdiction over all cases aheetihg
such persons Disseminated against
SEC. 8. That any person who, under color oil any
State or local law ordinance, police or other re
gulation custom shall. in any state or district
in which the ordinary course ofjudiciai proceed-
ings has been interrupted by the rebellion subject
or cause to be subjected any negro, mulatta freed
man. refugee or other person on aeeotnt OF race
or color. any previous CONDITION OF slavery OF
involuntary servitude, except as punishment ior |
crime whereas the party lhave been dnly con
vieted Or for any other cause 70 the deprivation
of any civil right secured 20 white persons or 10
any other or different punishment than white !
persons are subject TO for the commission OF IKE
acts or offences. Shall be deemed guilty OF ms
demeanor and be punished by n fine not exceed
ing one thousand dollars or imprisonment not eN-
oceding one year or both; and il shall be the duty
Of the officers and agents Of this bureau, 20 take
jurisdiction of and hear and determine all offences /
again. he provisions OF this section.
and also ofaiI cases affecting negroes, mulattGes.
freedmen, refugees or other persons who, are dis
eliminated against in any of the particulars mem
toned in the preceding section of this act under
such rules and regulations rs the President
through the War Department, shall prescribe
The jurisdiction conferred by this section on the
officers aud agents of this Bureau IS to cease and
determine whenever the discrimination ON account
Of which il is conferred ceases, and IN no event to
be exercised in any State in which the ordinary
course ofiudieial proceedings has not been inter-
rupted by the rebellion, nor in any-State after 1t
shall have been fully restored in all its eonsttn
tional relations to the United states and the
courts of the State and Of the United States within
the same are not disturbed or stopped IN the
peaceable course ofjustioe.