The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-15
THE FREEDMEN.

tnIouRn Nortnern Alabama ana georgia reports,
with regard to the rumors of famine in those
States, that he was unable to find a single case
OF starvation; that, although some destitutioh =
exists, 1t has been greatly exaggerated, and the
want has been confined to their su osisting mainly
on lew articles of food, of which, in nearly all
cases, there has been a sufficiency. The COM
plants are ascribable, in great part to the II
idleness OF the people AS long as the issue of u
rations continue there win be found necessity
for its continuance. "Whlle travelling incog-
INTO, as did, met very many claiming that 1t
makes no difference how much destltuton
exists or whether there is any, their people, q
having been ruined by the Yankee Government,
are entitled TO support at its hands, and say that
they advocate getting all they can IN any way.n
nomy to supply the people till another crop Is
harvested. The system OF placing Southern
politicians. Rebels to-day, in control of the
ration distribution, although it may promote
good feeling and harmony between tue various
classes of society, Is dangerous to the true
interest of the ration issue. These men make
through 1t political preterment, arrogating to
themselves all the gratitude and credit of the
benevolence When was acting as Adiutant-
General of the Bureau in Mississippi, civilians
were appointed as agents OF the Bureau. An out
cry was soon made by these parties ordestiiuron,
but a. fast ms these appointments were revoked
or allowed to become dead letter, the reported
suffering disappeared The Union men and
freedmen are the last TO apply FOR aid. l would
recommend the issue be immediately stopped,
excepting where IN cases Of physical disability
parties are unable tu obtain tood. All that is
given out should be bread aud meat. Up to the
time OF my inspection no relief had been ex-
tended by the State Of Alabama" In Georgia
100000 bushels OF corn had been distributed oy
the legislature TO the disabled Confederates
only. The estimates for rations being furnished
by these citizen agents, the number OF negroes
counted or provided for is very small.
General HoNvard's Letter.
am authorized to say that General Howard,s
letter to Powell Hart, OF New York, was written
in answer to questions asked by Congressman
Hart, and without reference to the report of
Generals Steedman and Fullerton.
The Cholera Among the New Orleans
Freedmen.
The following telegram was received at twelve
o'clock last night by General Howard:-
NEW ORLEANS, August 13.-General o. o. How.
ard, Commissioner Of Freedmen's Bureau: The
cholera now prevaing in this CITY, aad will pro-
baby grow more malignant. The negroes espe-
pecialy will suffer for want of medical attendance.
can employ five physicians at $3.50 per month to
take charge OF the negroes III as many districts in
the city, and furnish meoIclnes when necessary.
A. BAIRD, Major. General Commanding.
To which General Howard telegraphed the
following reply:-
The law allows but 800 per month Contract
tor that, If possible. Furnish the DIV scians and
medicines at any rate explaining the absolute
necessity.
kidnapping.
A letter received by the Secretary of the Navy
from Commodore Joseph Lanman. commanding
the Atlantic Coast Squadron, dated August IL,
states that, III regard to smuggling, or negro
stealing business, at or near smyrna, Florida,
Commander Sartori, commanding steamer
AgdWdm, has lately visited Musquito Inlet
Smyrna, and Fernandina Florida; also Savan-
nah, Georgia, arriving at Port Royal. s. c.. on
the Sth instant. Commander Sarton reports
that he did not learn of any Illegal traffic,
neither any violation of law and order upon
the coast
Legislative Enactments.
WASHINGTON, August H.-Secretary Seward,
in response to the resolution of the House to
furnish them with copy OF all laws, ETC., passed
by Legislatures South affecting freedmen,
omitted the following IN his report from Mis-
sissipprs recent code:- 81
Section A. Be it further enacted, That all penal
and criminal laws now IN force IN this STATE defining
offenses and prescribing the mode punishment for
crimes and misdemeanOrs committed by slaves free
negroes, or mulattoes. be and the same are hereby
reenacted and declared to be in full force and effect
against freedmen tree negroes and muatoes, except
so the mode and manner of trial and punish
ment have been charged or altered by law.
According to the Revised Code of Mississippi,
| the mode and manner of trial and punishment
| is as follows:-
Article So, section 9, p 24S Revised Code, makes
| it punishable with death for negro TO murder,
commit rape, burn houses, commit robbery, or at
| tempt to commit such crimes.
Whites are punishable with death for the crime
| of murder only-their punishment for other
| ofenses varies. The attempt to commit them is
meted with slight and varied justice.
| ArucIe 40, page Z4OJ prOVlues IuhJ u SluVo suall
receive IL lashes If he found away from the place
| of his employment.
Re-enacted for the freedmen by the Vagrant
| law.
Article 46, p. 246. Awards 30 lashes to the slave
| for buying or selling without written permission.
Re-enacted for the freedmen.
Art. 47-p 246-Aows civil officers and others to
appropriate to their own use any article slave may
| be seeking to sell.
| Re-enacted for the freedmen by Nagrant law,
and explains why negro robbery in Mississippi
| is not corrected by the civil authorities.
Art. 5l-p. A7-Makes IL punishable for negroes to
congreRate at night, or hold school, etc. 70
Re-enacted as above.
Art. esp. 246-Both ears to be cut of for false
| witness.
Notwithstanding the Constitutional Conven;
| ton abolished slavery in the States, these
| several laws were never stricken off the statute
| book, and provided they might be understood
| to have done in their freeing the negroes,
| this fourth section of the new code expressly
| re- e-enacts the old laws. 1t will be borne in
| mind that free negroes and mulattoes are
| herein expressed. and none but such are now
| in the State.
| MIR. Seward gave the State credit for
First. An act TO confer civil rights on freed
| men.
| Second. An act to regulate the relation OF
| master and apprentices, as relates to freedmen,
| frt negroes and mulattoes.
| Third. An act to amend the vagrant laws of
| the State.