New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1867-06-16

trict court here in April, where the freed
men endeavored to obtain their portion OF
the crop which they made last year, to
which they were entitled, but in no instance
did they recover farthing, and they never
will.
The question arises what has the "agent"
of the freedmen's bureau been doing all this
time? He must have neglected his duties
badly, for he has the power to seize the
crop and secure to the employees their just
dues.
have heard of institutions that did not
amount to "hih of beans, and | must say
that the bureau 'ageuts" of this and sew
eral other adjoining parishes do not amount
to half hill of beans, so far AS the freedmen
are concerned
Only ten days ago negro was beaten
nearly to death by a Mr. Gale. The negro
made complaintto the justice Of the peace,
who had Mr.. Gale brought before him. Mr.
Gale stated that the agent OF the bureau
gave him authority to use violence, ana he
didso. The case hangs fire, the justice of
the peace thinking it imprudent to act
against the authority of the bureau.
Only three days ago, the sheriff and his
partner arrested two freedmen employed by
them for leaving their plantation without
permission. They brought these freedmen
to the agent of the bureau, who ordered
then to be thrust into Jail. They were con
fined there until Captain Hotf, command
| ing the United States forces here, took their
| case in hand, and ordered their release.
Where the agent gets his authority to in
carcerate plantation laborers for the
| otfense alleged against these men is more
than know. / am quite certain that he
possesses no such authority, and that Gen
eral Mower would not Justify such an act.
! think that if General Mower would ap-
point an inspecting officer Of the right
stamp, for the purpose of investigating
the official transactions of the bureau
agents, he would be astonished at the cor
ruption existing among them. He would
find that some of them make false reports,
and that the monthly inspection reports
are made by agents who have not stepped
foot upon the plantations they mention,
and have not even been in the parishes
where they are located for six months.
These inspection reports specify the mum
Der of hands, male and female, the number
Of acres cultivated, the kind of crops made
or cultivated on each plantation. If the
agents do not visit the plantations which
they enumerate, they must make false re-
ports.
The agent of the bureau iu this parish has
three parishes besides, ami also holds the
position of assistant assessor of internal
revenue. The duties of the latter office &C.
cupy the most of his time,
! have heard many freedmen say that it
was OF 10 use to 90 to the bureau agent for
redress, and that they would as soon 90 to
the worst rebel with view ofgetting justice.
1t oks very much So Not but that the
agents are loyal" bat they lack force and
energy; and would prefer taking few
greenbacks rather than to interfere in be-
half of the negro. They allow, moreover,
the claims of the poor freedmen (Which il is
their duty and they have the authority to
settle) to go into court.
In all contracts between the planters and
IL. l.
crop, and it is so specified in the contracts.
Ii is the duty of bureau agents to see that
both parties perform their contracts with
fidelity.
The frst-class planters do not need much
looking after, for they deal justly, and have
but little trouble with their plantation
hands. But the broad-brimmed tobacco
squirters want looking after.
hope General Mower will send an officer
through the parishes, admonish the agents
of their duty and give the freedmen half
show. SKINNER.