Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-01-27

THE FRREDMEN's BUREAU BILL passed by
the Senate, Thursday, provides that an act TO
establish Bureau for the Relief OF Freedmen
and Refugees, approved March Sd, 1866, shall
continue in force until otherwise provided by
law; shall extend to refugees and freedmen in
parts of the United States, and the President
may divide the section of country con tanning
such refugees and freedmen into districts,
each containing one or more districts, not to
exceed twelve in number, and by and with the
consent of the Senate appoint an Assistant
Commissioner for each of said districts, who
shall give like bond, receive the same compen-
sation and perform the same duties prescribed
by this, and the act TO which this is an amend
meni; or the said Bureau may, IN the discretion
OF the President, be placed under a Commits
sioner and Assistant Commissioners To be de-
officer so assigned to duty shall serve
without increase of pay or allowances.
The President is authorized 10 reserve from
sale or from settlement under the homestead
or pre-emption laws, and TO set apart for the
of freedmen and loyal refugees unoccu-
pied public lands in Florida, Mississippi and
Arkansas, not exceeding in all three millions
of acres of good land; and the Commissioners,
under the direction of the President, shall
cause the same from time TO time to be allotted
and assigned in parcels, not exceeding forty
acres each, to the loyal refugees and freedmen,
who shall be protected in the use and enroy-
ment thereof for such time and at such annual
rent as may be agreed on between the Com
missioner and such refugees or freedmen. The
occupants of any parcels so assigned may pur-
chase the land and receive a title thereto from
the United States, in fee, upon paying therefor
the value of the land, ascertained as aforesaid.
The occupants of land under Major General
Sherman's special field order, dated at Sayan-
nah, January 10th, 1865, are confirmed in their
possessions for the period of three years from
the date of said order. The Commissioner
shall. under the direction of the President, pro-
cure, in the name of the United States, by grant
or purchase, such lands within the districts
aforesaid as may be required for refugees and
freedmen dependent on the Government for
support, and he shall provide, OF cause to be
bulit. suitable asylums and schools. Wherever
in any State or district in which the ordinary
course of judicial proceedings has been inter-
rupted by the rebellion, and wherever, in con-
sequence of any State or local law, ordinance,
police or other regulation, custom or prejudice,
any Of the rights belonging to white per-
sons, including the right 10 make and en-
force contracts, TO sue, be parties and give
evidence; to inherit, purchase, lease,
property; and to have full and equal benefit of
all law proceedings for the security OF person
and estate are refused or denied TO negroes
mulattoes. freedmen, refugees, or any other
persons on account of race, color, or any pre-
yious condition of slavery or in voluntary SER
yitude, except as a punishment for crime,
whereof the party shall have been duly con-
yicted, or whenever they or any Of them are
subjected to any other or different punishment
pains or penalties for the commission of any
Act or offence than are prescribed for white
persons committing like acts or offences, it
shall be the duty Of the President of the United
States, through theCommssioner, to extend mill
itary protection and jurisdiction over all cases
affecting such persons so discriminated against.
And that any person who, under color OF any
State or local law, ordinance, police or other
regulation or custom, SHALL in any State or dis
uict in which the ordinary judicial proceed
ings has been interrupted by the rebellion, SUBJ
ject or cause to be subjected any negro, mulat-
to, freeman, refugee, or other person, on ac-
count OF race or color, or any previous condi-
ton of slavery or involuntary servitude, except
as punishment for crime, whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted, or for any 9th.
er cause, 10 the deprivation Of any civil right
secured to white persons, or TO any other or
different punishment than white persons are
subject to for the commission of like acts or Of
fences, shall be deemed guilty Of a misdemean-
or, and be punished by fine not exceeding one
thousand dollars or imprisonment not exceed
ing one year, or both.