The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1868-03-18

men s bureau IN lSOTtll-OdiOtihoi SSiA- SA''Se, =
has forwarded his report for January. tie
saws. at the commencement OF a new year,
the attention of those in charge of the Bu-
reau was directed to the unsatisfactory re-
suits to laborers of the farming contracts of
the preceding year, with a view to correct,
if possible, the error in the future.
Much that was beyond human control was
the primary cause of these difficulties-but
want of judgment, injudicious management,
and disregard of the welfare of laborers were
largely combined in the great results. Ex-
tensive operations, begun without capitol
and proper consideration, have resulted in
almost absolute ruin to all interested.
Large advances of money, food and fer
tilizers were obtained, and the crops pro-
duced were not sufficient to cover the out
Law, and another season opens without means.
at hand to carry On the work, material and
money not to he had, credit gone, leaving
prospect worse by far than that Of the year
previous. Meanwhile suffering is becoming
plainly apparent, and means are not taken
by focal authorities to provide for it, arising
in fact by total failure of money. and OPP
portunty or want of interest in the welfare
of those who should be provided for.
Instructions have been issued to change
the contract system, if possible, by having
contracts witnessed and approved by the
Bureau, provide for payments in land, or in
monthly cash payments, and throwing aside
the system of working on shares. So far
considerable has been accomplished by in
ducing trial of the experiment, which, if
faithfully carried out, will leave the laborer
at the end of his contract, with tangible
return for his labor of the year. An effort
is also being made to induce the farmer to
turn more attention to the culture of cereals,
instead of cotton, and disposition is al
ready manifested to carry out this design.
1t will undoubtedly, however, become in
cumbent on the government to aid those
planting, for few months to come, by loans
of provisions, as faras possible, and in some
cases, gratuitous distributions. Appeals are
being received from many sections for the
first named aid. as well as the latter, for cases
of old and decrepid dependents.
1t is earnestly recommended that the sys-
TEN of loans be augurated-without it,
much land will be unemployed, and a vast
amount of labor lie idle
The educational work still occupies much
/ ofthe attention of the Bureau, and the re-
suits are of the most satisfactory character.
| A corresponding interest on the part of the
colored people and their friends is manifest,
and the funds set apart for the work are be-
ing ju'liciously expended on rents, repairs,
and erection of suitable buildings for school
purposes. This fund was much reduced,
and should be increased, for much still re-
mains to be done-and, when completed, is
Jf lasting benefit; and nothing will be so
permanent tribute of the forethOught of
the government, and more appropriate
monument to the memory of the Bureau
|
majority of the counties in the State are
now deriving the benefit of this work,
those remaining being mostly a sparseiy
settled country, and but few colored inhab-
itants.
The report for the month gives the largest
number of pupils under instruction, teach
ers employed and schools in operation, than
at any time since the organization Of the
| Bureau in the State. The following is a
brief extract from the Superintendent re-
port: Day and night schools 24S. Teachers
26J, Pupils 1892. Being an increase of
IS schools, 26 teachers and 914 pupils over
the month of December.
The collection and preparation of claims
against the government is valuable anxil-
iary to the Bureau. There are many in this
State who took an active part in the late
war as soldiers in our army and are now
reaping the reward for their loyalty. The
wise provisions in relation to the collection
of such claims have been widely felt in this
community, and the accompanying reports
as well as that of previous months, will
show the activity of this department
1t is suggested that list be published
| periodically of all claims settled and distri-
buted through the State. there being many
who have removed from the point where
their claimswere presented, and fail to learn
of the disposition of their papers or are
misled in other ways. g..
The operations of the Office devoted cx-
clusively to this branch, are as follows
Claims Forwarded 80, do. collected IA, and
collected and paid $3,o5s,1a; add to this
$1.i00 collected and paid by other officers
and we have total of s4,153.12 paid to
claimants during the month.
The issue of rations has been with a small
exception exclusively to hospitals and asy-
lums for orphans. the quantity so distribu-
ted amounting to 1866 rations .
Total disbursements for the month, ST.
917.12. .. ..- To
Reaction. o