Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1868-07-17
nur raErpMEN,s puREAU

Rebellion when the Government found
upon its hands thousands of the
wretched victims Of the war, for whose
perpetual euslavement hostilities had
been devised, and who, naturally, at
the first opportunity Of freedom, sought
the protection Of the national flag. By
Act Of Congress of March Sd, 1865, the
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and
Abandoned Lands was created in the
War Department, to exist during the
war and for n year afterward. It was
vested with the supervision and man
agement of all abandoned lands, and
the control Of all subjects relating to
refugees and freedmen from Rebel
States, or from any district Of country
within the territory embraced in the
operations Of the army. The Secretary
Of Wal was given power, also, by the
same Act, to direct such issues Of pro-
visions, clothing and fuel as he might
deem needful for the immediate and
temporary shelter and supply Of destl-
tute and suffering refugees aud freedmen
and their wives and children. Also, 10
set apart for the use Of loyal refugees
and freedmen such tracts Of land
within the Rebel States as had been
abandoned, or which had been acquired
by the United States, by sale, confs-
cation or otherwise. This was passed
| but little more than q month before the
| close of the war, at a time, also, when
the sudden collapse Of the Rebellion had
been scarcely anticipated. Before that
time what it was proposed to do BY the
officers Of the Bureau was done by the
military authority; and in some portions
Of the South the trust had become very
%burdensome. The Act was intended as
we'll for the benefit Of the whites as Of
the blacks, and during the severe pri-
vations Of the winter Of 1886, the
Bureau relieved hundreds Of thousands
Of persons Of both races. On the 10th
of July, 1866, an Act to continue in
force and amend the Freedmen's Bureau
laws was passed by Congress over the
veto of the President. 1t extended the
Bureau until July 10th, 1868, increased
the authority of the officers, under the
expectation that they would endeavor TO
make the refugees and freedmen, as
soon as might be, self.supporting citi-
zens of the United States, and estab-
lished sach provisions as would prevent
imposition, by declaring that no persons
were destitute" Suffering" or "de.
pendent upon the Government for sup
port who were able to find employment,
aud could by proper industry or ex-
ertion avoid such restitution, suffering
or dependence"
The immense responsibilities OF this
Bureau is shown from the fact that in
1865 it had charge Of 76s,59o acres OF
abandoned lands, besides 1896 town
lots and houses, after having previously
restored to persons pardoned by the
President ss,l7O acres and l,777 town
lots and pieces Of property. Toward the
end of the same year 6s, PAL pupils were
in the schools for freedmen, and at the
same time 45,o35 persons were receiv.
ing ratious from the Government. This
important department has been the
means of doing much good. 1t has
been h~onorably conducted, and has
been creditable to the Government and
to the humanitarian spirit of the age.
The bill now before Congress proposes
to continue the Bureau until the end oil
the present year, in the States entitled
to representation in Congress, when II
shall be withdrawn, or as soon there.
after as conveniently may be, and the
Bureau discontinued, except US to the
educational branch, and the collection
of money due to soldiers and sailors.
This bill is carefully drawn and seems
to meet the necessities Of the case. The
continuance Of the schools until the
States can adopt measures for the main
tenance of public education, seems 10
be a wise measure. It will not be long
before the Bureau can be altogether dis
continued, with entire safety to the
country, aud when its business is closed
there will be n history TO write which
will certify rs strongly to the justice
and beneyolence Of the country as any
thing connected with the history Of the
late war.
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