The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1867-04-19
The gedford Gazette.
RELIEF OF THE DESTITUTE SOUTH.
SDeech of Hon. WILLIAM HI. KOONTZ.
of Pennsylvania. I'm the House of Rep
resentatives, March IS, 1867.

| speech of Hon. WILLIAM HI. KOONTZ.
of Pennsylvania In the House of Rep
| resentatives. March I9, 1867.
The House being in the Committee
| of the Whole on the state of the Union,
and having under consideration the
Joint resolutionappropriating 81, ,000,0 900
for the relief of the destitute people of
| the South
Mr.. KOONTZ said:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: 1 will detain the
committee but short time while pre-
sent the reasons have for supporting
the Senate resolution. What does the
resolution propose to do? To empow-
er the Secretary of War to issue sup
plies of food sufficient to prevent star
walton and extreme want among all
classes of people in those southern and
southwestern States where a failure of
the crops and other causes have occa-
stoned widespread destitution. 1t APP
propriates 81 100000 for that purpose,
which sum is to be distributed under
the direction of the Commissioner of
the FreeQmen'S bureau.
If it be true in point of fact that by
reason of failure of the crop and 9th
er causes any number of persons are in
danger of starvation, then, sir, the
simple statement of the proposition
ought to be an argument sufficiently
powerful and convincing to secure the
passage of the resolution by this House
without a dissenting voice. Wherein
consists the evidence of this fact? 1t
comes to us in the shape of an official
report from the head of the Bureau of
Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned
Lands. The business of this House is
generally digested and arranged by the
various committees thereof. They in
vestigate the matters presented to their
consideration, and, after a careful ex-
animation Of the testimony, present
their views to the House in report
In nearly every instance report COM
| ing from persons in whom the House
cOnfide constitutes the basis of action
for all who are not upon the commit
tee. Now, sir, in this case, it is true,
we are not acting upon a report of a
committee OF this House, but upon a
report of the head of one of the most
important bureaus in the Government;
and from the high character of the per-
son who presents the report we are
hnIInA tC hnlinxrn fhnf fhnpn Iffi
cient evidence to justify him in making
it. The operations of his bureau have
been extended over that section of the
country where the theater of war was,
e~a.d h -r.A,-ld nnnnSSariiS " from prIrvn
al observation and the observation Of
his subordinates, have more accurate
information as to the condition of the
people there than any other person.
am not prepared to say how long this
bureau has been in operation, but it
has been organized long enough to sat
isfy my mind that its head, if even a
person of ordinary intelligence, could
not fail to have correct knowledge as
to the character, habits, wants, and
condition of the people over whom his
jurisdiction extends.
But, sir, this report comes from one
in whom the loyal millions of the ma
ton confide. Besides the experience
which General Howard has had in the
bureau over which he presides, and
which entities his opinions to great
weight, his patriotism, his bravery ex-
hibited in the shock of battle, and his
high Christian character have won for
him the admiration, esteem, and graft
tude of his countrymen. accept the
report, therefore, as true, coming from
an officer ofexperience, patriotism, and
enlightened Judgment. This report is
as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT. BUREAU OF REFUGEES,
FREEDMEN, AND ABANDONED LANDS,
WASHINGTON, March s, 1857
SIR. In answer to the resolution OF
| the senate of the United States / have
the honor to report as follows:
From official sources, and confirmed
| by gentlemen from different sections
| of the South, my estimate is 81, ,662
whites and "a ,238 colored people, max
ing in all 56, 900, who will need food
from some source before the next crop
can relieve them. The number of ra-
tions for all per month, 1,707 900. For
five months, the probable timerequired,
1856, 900 ratiOns, at twenty-cents per
ration, the estimated cost, will be 81
1873, $50. OF this sum an appropriation
has already been made for the five
months to the amount of $625,0OO,
! leaving an additional sum required of
81, ,5O8, $50. This sum deem sufficient
to meet the extreme want OccasiOned
by failure of the crop, and other causes
referred to in the resolution of inquiry.
The present appropriation is ample,
provided the issues be confined to the
classes named in the Freedmen's Bu-
reau act but ttheadditiOnal sum named
will be required should the issue be ex-
tended as contemplated in the forego-
ing estimate.
The following table affords the detail
of the estimate for the several States
where want is reported to exist.
Very respectfully, your obedient SER
want,
90. HOWARD,
Major General, Commissioner Bureau OF
Refugees, dc. Hon. B. F. WADE,
President Of the Senate.
Here, sir, is brought to our knowl-
edge the frightful and appalling fact
that nearly fifty-seven thousand human
beings on thecontinento of North Ameri-