Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-01-02
The Freedmens Bmeau--General Grant

General GRANT, in his report to the PreSl-
dent ON the condition Of the Southern States,
makes some important suggestions in regard to
the Frecdmcu's Bureau. lie comedies much
credit To General Howard, whom he deSig-
mates as the s. able head of the bureau lie
saws that he found abuses which were traceable
10 the agents of this bureau. lie thinks that,
in some instances. "itS affairs have not been
conducted with good Judgment or economy
and that the expectations, so widely prevailing
among the freedmen, ola division among them
of the lands of their former masters, came
urom the agents of this bureau" He says
that General HOWARD promptly corrected all
abuses. wherever he found them existing, on
his several tours .'but the complaint IN South
Carolina was that, when he left, things went
on as before" The contrariety Of action ON
the part of the agents Of the bureau General
GRANT attributes TO the fact that, cat present,
it is independent of the military establishment
of the country" He further says it ''seems to
he operated by the different agents of the bu-
reau according to their individual notions
lie thus concludes his report:
d. TIA, FrreImen's Bureau. being separated from
tlc military establishment of the country, acquires
sll the expense Oh separate organization. One
does not necessarily know what the other Is dong
cor what order they arr acting under. u seems To
me this could be- corrected 10y regarding every officer
an duty with troops IN the southern states ~ agents
Of th. Frredmcu'S Bureau and then have all orders
.0m the head of the hurrJu sent through depart
urut commanders. This would create a TeNpou>.-
b.llty that would secure uniformity al acton
throughout the south wGuld ensure the orders ana
instructions from the head OF the bureau being car
rf.d out and would relieve from duty and pay
large number of employees of the Government.
THIS is a wise recommendation. If carried
ont, it will place the Frccdmcn's Bureau, with
an it. multimrious branches and agents. under
the direct control of General GRANT himself,
and will prevent the capriciouS and irregular
action. Of which ne complains. 1t is said that
General HOWARD approves OF the suggestion,
and will give To it his cordial cooperation.
General GRANT says, in his report In some
form, the Frecdmeu's Bureau is an absolute
necessity, until cicd lo,r is established and en-
o-c,J, securing to the freedmen their rights
and full protection The inference is that, in
his opinion, it should be withdrawn from the
several States as soon as "civil law is estab
Hshed aud enforced in them, securing those
rights" and " full protection"
In this CONNECTION We call attention to the
following bill, in relation to the Freedmen'S
Bureau, introduced by Mr. DooLITTLE, of Wis
cousiu, into the Senate of the United States on
the 18th December:
81. BE II enacted Bg the Scacic and House IF Re
prcysEtGtircS IF the United states If Americo, 'H
congress assembled That the President ofthe United
STATES be authorized 20 extend and maintain
branch OF the Freedmeus Bureau, under the con
troll OF the War department, in all States or parts oi
states wherein by the operations OF the war to sup
press the late Instruction, or By the adoption OF any
amendment 20 the Constitution OF the United states
amy persons heretofore held to slavery or pvolun-
tlrv servitude shall have been or may hereafter be-
emauCpated
So. ,. And be ID. further enacted, That from all
such states parts of states wherein such persons
shall have been, or may hereafter be, enancpated
the President l. authorized to suspend or withdraw
i'm whole or i'm part the operations OF said bureau
and the military forces necessary TO sustain the saline
"A hcueyer he shall become satisfied that ho>tlltleS
have ceased; the Instruction has been suppressed
tb9t r.s.r and order have been restored that the
civil AUTHORITY of the United States has been rc-cstab-
-hc that H. els ID authority OF the State has been
50 far restored Is Z. secure the impartial admniSra
ton of It's laws and thai tl laws OF such states, or
the customs thereof, having tie force OF law eStab-
fishing, maintaining, recognizing or regulating
slavery or involuntary ServltUde, eACLLt II punish
meu for crime the relations of master and sefEant
emp.oyer aud employee have been repealed ormodl-
ted so as 20 secure the equal protection OF all persons
In adj the civil rights of person and property known
| 10 or sccCrpd 10y the common law, without dstnc-
ton of class race. or color, including the right 10
make and 10 euiOsce contracts TO sue and be sued;
Ia lppcr as parties OF witnesses in all legal proceed
inc. 10 purchase hold, lease, sfll and convey real
and uer>oual estate aud all the rigbiF of protection
\ o. persons property aud personal liberty PrJr'dea
/ That al any time within five yeaTs after the suspen-
/ SION or withdrawal oil the same from any state or
plrt of q state the President shall be authorized To
re,tIbli>h the operations of said bureau under the
/ charge of the War Department whenever he shall
have satisfactory evidence of the iuilu>e OF any one
OF the above mentioned conditions upon which said
I SUSPENSION or withdrawal was made.
/ SEC. 3 And be It furtacr enacted, That the
rules and regulations prescribed Joy the head OF SAID
/ bureau fru:u time 20 time. when approved 10y the
President shall be submitted 10 Congress If in SEES
SION and If not i'm session % the next Congress after
I the same shall have been made and approved by
! L.n. for the approval or dSapproval OF Congress
aud that on such rules and regulations, not neon
Si,teut wth ths Constitution OF the United States or
the laws OF Cougr,,, sla have the force and effect
OF law until the saIue 81 A; II. snuuued repealed or
4 modified ~