The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-03

Of November the number of freedmen to
whom aid was thus extended was 1894. of
whom ST2 were inmates of the hos pitfalls.
The number Of refugees aided was 1872.
The destitution of those colored depend
ents who were not in hospital was caused
mainly by the disch argos on account of
voting, above alluded to, the closing Of to-
bacco factories in and around Richmond,
and the general stagnation Of business.
Under the operation of these causes, the
number Of dependents upon Government
charity continued to increase, until March,
1868, it reached 1928 freedmen q, ,l52 of
whom were in hospitall and 1913 refugees.
Instead of issuing regular rations the
commissioner directed the establishment of
soup-houses Mt Richmond, Alexandria, and
other places where the suffering was most
intense. Large quantities Of desiccated
vegetables and potatoes were, on applica-
ton to General Grant, obtained from the
Commissary Department for this purpose.
By this means a great saving to the Govern
ment was effected. Relief was afforded
through the soup-houses ct about one-third
the cost of issuing rations. The assistant
commissioner reports that through the
month of December there was an increase
lover the preceding month) Of $500 in the
number of freedmen aided by the Bureau.
The additional expense incurred in reliev
ing these destitutes through the agency of
soup-houses was but % little over 500.
The strictest economy compatible with eff
cheney was observed. The number of de-
pendents diminished with the return of
spring, being reduced in the month of Au-
gust to $3.50 persons.
Efforts have been steadily made to in
duce the county authorities to assume the
care Of paupers, colored as well rs white,
residing within their respective jurisdic-
tions. That these efforts have not met with
more decided success is due partly to the
poverty and partly to the unwillingness of
the authorities appealed to. In many coun-
ties the provision for the support of pau
pers of either class was lamentably def
cient. The Bureau therefore continued
to afford aid to that class who would other
wise have been utterly helpless.
In the month Of October, 1867, by direc-
ton of the commissioner, seven Bureau hos
pitals in the State of Virginia were closed,
and the patients, so far as possible, trans
ferred to the charge of the civil authorities.
Those who remained without other resource
were sent to the hospitals which were con-
tinued, one at Richmond and the other at
Hampton, Va.
Ia view of the failure of the civil autho-
rites to provide for these patients, the COM
missioner, in his letter Of July l, 1868, di-
rected General Brown to continue the medi-
cal department in Virginia without mate
rial changes until further orders.
The interest of the freed people in their
themselves have been highly prosperous,
and their classification and discipline have
been constantly improving. In November,
1867, the, number Of schools in operation
was 1917, of which l54 were public free
schools. The number Of teachers vas 250,
of whom 100 were white. Number of pu-
pills, 1861. In the month of April, 1867,
the number Of schools was 269, teachers
80, pupils ,4O3.
The freedmen have endeavored, to the
extent of their slender means, to share the
expense of conducting these schools. Many
schools have been opened by the freedmen
and the expense borne by themselves.
Thus, in the month of May, of 249 schools
which were in operation in the State, Y
were wholly and 81 partially sustained by
freedmen. The remaining 10 were wholly
sustained by the various benevolent agen
cies. Onc-sixth of the entire expense of
the schools during the month was borne by
the freed people.
The operations of the normal schools at
Richmond, Hampton, and Rippen Hall have
been attended with success, and it is hoped
that in them will be trained an efficient
corps Of teachers for future usefulness.
In view of all the opposing influences to
be encountered, it is considered that the
educational work in Virginia is in q healthy
and Droenarous condition