Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-05-29
THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU.
Synopsis of the New BIZ.

1ut hOuse DtItSt NOHHtlltee OH IIett
mems Affairs, to-day, reported bill I
continue in force and amend the existin
law, establishing a Freedmen's Bureau
Mr.. Elliot has been at work upon thi
almost ever since the former bill wa
vetoed, and if any measure of this subjec
can pass both branches of Congress by
two-thirds vote, it will probably be thi:
without material amendment.
Section l provides that the existing &C
shall continue in force three years.
Section declares that the supervision
Of the Bureau shall extend to all loyal RET
ugees and freedmen, so far as the same
shall be necessary to enable them, a;
speedily as practicable, TO become self
supporting citizens of the United States
Section 3 empowers the President, by
and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, TO appoint two additional Assist
ant Commissioners more than is provided
for in the existing law, and gives the head
of the Bureau under the direction of the
President, and so far as shall be in his
judgment necessary for the efficient and
economical administration of the affairs
Of the Bureau, power tc appoint ouch
agents, clerks and assistants as may be re-
quired; and the President may detail
from the army all such officers and
agents; but no officer so assigned shall
have any increase Of pay or allowance
Each agent, not being a military officer,
shall have an annual salary of not less
thon $500, nor more than 81, 200; and all
persons appointed TO service under this
act and the act to which this is an amend
ment shall be go far deemed in the mill
tarv service of the United States us to be
under military jurisdiction and entitled
to military protection in the discharge of
the duties of their office.
Section authorizes the Issuance of
medical stores and supplies 10 the freed
men and refugees.
Section sets apart and reserves from
the sale or settlement under the homestead
act 3,oOO,Oo0 acres of public land in Flori-
da, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, shd
Arkansas, and directs the Commissioner
to cause the same, under the direction of
the President, TO be allotted and assigned,
III parcels not exceeding forty acres each,
10 loyal refugees and freedmen, who shall
be protected in the use and enjoyment
thereof, for such term of time and ut such
annual rent as may be agreed upon be-
tween the Commissioner and the refugees
or freedmen; and at the end of each term,
or sooner, if the Commissioner shall assent
thereto, the occupants of any parcel so as
signed, their heirs or assigns, may pur-
chase the land and receive a title thereto
from the United States, in fee, upon pay
ing therefor the value of the land.
Section 6 provides that whenever the
former owners of land occupied under
General Sherman's field order, dated Sa-
Fannah, January l6, 1865 shall apply for |
he restoration Of said land, the Conmis-
'ioner is authorized to procure other land,
1y rent or purchase, net exceeding forty |
Icres for esch occupant, provided such |
and can be procured at an average rate
lot exceeding twenty-five dollars per acre.
md before such restoration is made the
Commissioner shall assign or allot to such
upon the terms and conditions
famed in the preceding sectien, or to set
part for them out of the public lands
lssigned for that purpose, forty acres each,
lpon the same terms and conditions, pro-
7ided that no sale shall be made of land
o purchased at price less than the cost
hereof to the United States.
Section authorizes the Commissioner TO
,rovide proper sites and buildings for the
purposes of education, whenever benevo-
ent associations shall, without cost to the
ieneral Government, provide suitable
eschers and means of instruction, and he
hall furnish such protection as may be re-
uired for the safe conduct of such schools,
nd said property shall be and remain the
roperty of the United States until the
ales thereof shall be authorized by law.
Section provides that in every State or
istriet, where the ordinary course of ju-
icial proceeding has been interrupted by
ebellion, and until the same shall be fully
astored, and in every State or district
hose constitutional relations to the Gov
rnment have been practically discontinue
by rebellion, and until such State shall
ave been restored in such relations. and
nall be duly represented in Congress, the
resident shall protect the freedmen in
he enjoyment of their rights and privi-
sges by military force when necessary,
ut the jurisdiction shall cease in every
tate where the courts of the State and the
Tnited States are not disturbed in the
eaceable course Of justice, and after such
tate shall be fully restored in It's consti-
ltional relations to the Government, and
nall be duly represented in the Congress
{ the United Sta:es.
This bill it will be seen differs in sew
ral very important particulars from that
etoed in February, and many of the ob-
ctions urged against that arc of no
eight when applied to this. 1t is believ-
! by the committee, however, that the
ithful execution of this will secure the
eedmen all the benefits that could have
cen received from that. They will pass
stion upon it as early as possible.