Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-12-06
GOV. PATTON, OF ALABAMA,
ON the FREEDMEN'S BUREAU.

The Copperhsad papers have labor
ed incessantly TO prejudice the people
against the Freedmen's Bureau, by
declaring 1t anegro affair inaugurated
and kept up for the sole purpose of
keeping the freed negroes of the South
in condition of idleness The follow.
ing extract from the recent message
of Gov. Patton to the Legislature of
the. State of Alabama will show the
beneficent effects of this much abused
institution in saving frem starvation
the people of Alabama, white and
black alike: s.,
The amount. of destitution in our State
has.been, and still is, not only distressing
bnt absolutely appalling. The Federal Gov
ernment has been bountiful in its supplies;
charitable associa tions and private individ.
and the State has done its utmost; but with
all this there has not been sufficiency fur
nished to meet the necessities o. our popu
latiou. a. t-
The Federal Government commenced the
distribution of supplies in November, 1865
Up to the seth Of ofSeptember last, O period
of eleven months, the aggregate number of
rstiohs issued was three millions seven hund-
dred and eighty nine thousand, seven hund.
red and eighty. eight (3,7S9, ,7SS These
figures are taken from official statistics,
which have been reported to this Depart
ment. They show an average distribution
of about eleven thousand five hundred ra
tions par month. OF the persons who have
actually received supplies, the average per
month is twenty:one thousand seven humid
red (2l,70OJ The number f,oliie recipi
ents sec@d& those Of the blacks in the pro.
portion Of more than t,co to one, In addi-
tion to the supplies thus furnished liberal
provisions BY private individuals and relief
ancs thus kindly extended has been god.
send to our suffering people. -~.-y,.- ...
BY sn order issued sometime since from
the War Department, at Washington, it
was directed that the issue of rations
through the agency of the Freedmen's Bu-
reau, be discontinued after the thirtieth of
September. The enforcement of that or
der would have left our destitute popula-
tion in most lamentable condition. An
earnest appeal, therefore, was made in favor
OF . modification ofthe order, so that actual
starvation might be prevented. 1t is but
just to MAR Gen. Swayne, tbesommandant
Of the military district Of Alabama and As
sista6t Commissioner Of the Freedmeh's
Bursan, to Say that be exerted his influence
with the authorities at Washington, against
the unconditional discontinuance of rations
in the State. As the result Of his interpo.
sition, be was not only authorized to fur
nish ftirtheE supplies, hut given discretion
upsn the subject which he has decided to
exercise in way which / think will be
high Nv bsnefciaL Gen. Swayne is author
iEed 10 purchase supplies for distribution
for tkS next, three months to the value of
one hrhdrsd And twenty thousand dollars.
He lss an agent now employed In making
purchases, which are TO be confined to corn
and bacon BY furnishing these articles Of
food,iuetead of the regular rations formerly
issued, it ID thought that much more good
will ibs accomplished These supplies will
be consigned 10 the judges Of Probate, Of
the several Counties, and distributed under
the in supervision. rrsNli .tsaa,