Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-08-29
THE, FREEDMEN,s BUREAU.
r From the WASHINGTON Chronicle

' From the Washington Chronicle.J
II is reported on reliable authority that }
NJ. Langston, of Ohio, a coored lawyer, visited
the President on Saturday last. The CONVEX
sation transpired somewhat as follows:
Presidept-Mr. Langston, have determin
ed upon the removal of Gen. Howard, because
Of the partisan way in which he has admins
tered the affairs Of his bureau He is fanati-
ca and ambitious want somebody in SYM
patty with the colored people.
Langston' reply was in effect, that he be-
lieved that the colored people were generally
satisfied with Gen. Towards administration
and that he MIR. L. J would be sorry to see him
displaced He expressed the hope that the
President had not fully determined upon it.
The President said that he had decided to
remove Gen. Howard soon, and wished a color
He intimated by his manner that Mr.. Langston
could have the position if he would accept it.
He gave him week to consult with the color
ed people as to their wishes.
BY the advice Of some Of his friends Mr..
I4angston called upon Gen. Grant yesterday,
and repeated in substance the conversation with
the President, and asked the generals advice
as to his acceptance Of the position Of commits
>loner.
Gen. Grant replied that, under the circum-
stances, he considered it in every respect unad-
visible for Langston to accept the place OF COM
missioner that if Gen. Howard were removed,
Mr.. Langston could not hope to give greater
satisfaction in the administration OF the affairs
OF the bureau: that he was fully satisfied Gen.
Howard had done his best, and had committed
no act which would not bear rigid scrutiny !;
but if he (Grant) were to remain Secretary of
War, and Langston should be appointed, he
would aid him TO the best Of his ability Gen.
Grant, in conclusion, said nothing had been
said to him about the removal Of Gen. Howard;
but if it we're accomplished, for reasons already
stated, it would be inexpedient ard of no prac-
tical benefit to the colored race for Mr. Lang
ston to accept the position.
Mr. Langston then urged Gen. Grant to do
all he could to have Gen. Howard retained for
the good of the colored people, as he was salts
fed he had been their true friend, and stated
that, looking to the good Of the c,olored people
and to the interest of the Gov ernmeut, he
could not consent to accept the position, aud
that he would not accept 1t Tor the 1urthtr rel-
son that he fully believed it to be offered to
facilitate the removal Of General Howard, and to
embarrass the best interests OF his race.
In this connection it is proper to state that
Mr. johnson, the latter stated that he felt com
PEELED TO remove Gen. Howard, and denounced
him in very earnest terms. He intimated that
the removal would occur very soon, and was
particularly urgent in his desire to persuade
Mr. Langston to accept his offer.
One would think that the above from he
Chronicle was sufficiently in detail and appear
abce to give authority for all Of the statements
made; and yet we have the following from the
usually wellinformed and accurate Washington
correspondent of the Baltimore Sun:
The interview between the colored orator
Langston and the President yesterday was not
sought by the latter, but by the former. 1t was
not tor the purpose of considering the removal
of General Howard from the freedmen 5 bureau,
as reported. Langston gave an account of his
visit to the South, stating that he was we'll re-
ceived by both white and black people that
the freedmen bureau has ceased to be of use
tor any other than educational purposes, and
asked the President if he would receive sug-
gestions on the subject from himself and other
colored people. Mr.. johnson said any such
suggestions would be gladly received and res
OpctfuIlp considered -