The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-11-24
THE FREED MEN S BUREA
An Important Order from General o. O.
Howard.

The following order by General o. o. Howard,
Commissioner of the Bureau of Refugees,
Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, Is made
public:-
WAR DEPARTMENT-BUREAU OF REFUGEES
FREEDMEN, AND ABANDONED LANDS, WASHING
TON, Nov. II, lS6S.-In compliance with the act
OF Congress of July 25 1868, the operations of
this bureau, excepting the educational depart
nent and the collection and payment OF moneys
due soldiers and sailors and their heirs from
the Government on account OF military services
will Ce discontinued on the 3lst day of Decem-
ber next.
All officers of the military service will be
relieved and citizen agents diecharged, to take
effect on that cate, except such as may hereafter
be designated 10 be retained IN the educational
department, aud Tor the collection and payment
OF bouniies and pensions.
all property pertaLin ing 10 this bureau, which
may not be required in the educational depart
ment, or as office furniture for the use OF dis
bursng agents, will be turned over to the dis
burslne officer of the State in which it is held,
who Will sell the same 10 accordance with the
regulations governing the sale OF public pro-
Ierty, upon the order OF the Commissioner.
Property belonging to the Quar- ,ermaster's or
other supply department OF the army will be
turned over to the department to which it
belongs. Inventories, in duplicate OF all pro-
perty to be sold or turned in, will be sent TO
this office.
Assistant Commissioners will at once cause to
be sold by the dsburslng officer, at public
auction, all Confederate Statesn property IN
their respective States held by this Bureau. The
proceeds OF the sale OF the same will be turned
over to the chief disbursng officer il this city.
Should any portion OF SAID property remain
uEsold on the 3lst day of December, the same
Will be reported TO the Commissioner THIS
report will embrace q brief description OF the
property, with its estimated value.
Ali books and records except those relating
to the educational work and the payment OF
boulties, will be carefully packed and sent by
express 10 the Commissioners in this city; in
voices of the same will be sent by mail.
The oruer then states tnat au organization for
the Educational Department, and Collection and
Payment OF Bouutes, consisting OF assistant
commissioner and chief superintendent of
schools; one disbursing officer for educational
department and payment OF bounties; two
agents for payment OF bountes; three assistant
superntendents of schools; three clerks, Will be
allowed in the following States:-Vlrgnia
North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, G4or-
gla, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas,
Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, and
the District OF Columbia.
Assistant commits oners will, as soon as prac-
ticable, send to the Com missioner lists OF officers
and agents they desire retained in their re-
spectlye States as assistant superintendents OF
schools, and agents for the payment of bountes,
as allowed III the organizations stated above.
Officers and agents familiar with the duties are
to be preferred. In some cases the number of
officers may be reduced by one agents perform
ing both the duties of assistant superintendent
OF schools and disbursing agent.
Dlsbursing officers Will at once settle all
accounts due from the Bureau in their respec-
tive States. In cases requiring the approval OF
the Commissioner. or where there Is any doubt
as to the validity of the claim. or of the autho-
rity TO pay the same, they will be Immediately
referred to this office. They will see that no
legal or just claims are left unsettled. T1ey
will Ge prepared TO turn over all public funds
TO The chief disbursiug officer when the general
operations of the Bureau are Withdrawn, on the
3ist OF December next. o. o. Howard,
Major r-Geueral Commissioner.