The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-01-22
Relief for Planters.

Relief for Planters.
The following important and gratifying
announcement is made by Gen. SCOTT OF
the Frocdman's Bureau. The sad condi-
ton of affairs in the lower portion of this
State renders this action on the part of
the Government nccdlul, and will prevent
starvation and misery.
CHARLESTON, S. g., Jan. l6, 1858.
The Government having again charged
the Assistant Commissioner with the duty
of distributing food among tho people Of
this State, tor the double purpose OF pre-
venting suffering from the destitutlon,
now common in many localities and TO
enable the people to provide against re-
currcncc of the like dcstitution in future,
it becomes necessary, in order to accom-
plish the object designed, to adopt such
system of distribution for the supplies
thus loaned, as will most effectually both
accomplish the objects above named, and
insure to the Government the repayment
of it's means This end can only be at
tained by well regulated system of labor
for from such system alone can it be
expected that any degree Of prosperity
will follow. 1t will be found impossible
to distribute food to the needy thousands
as individuals but only as communities.
The sad experience Of the past year
should have given a lesson Of profit to all.
Hundreds Of people were the reci cipicnts OF
tue charity Of lnc Government, who
claimed to be planting ut the time they
were fed, but who upon Investigation:
were discovered to be either idlinS away
their time, or engaged in cullivating Il
small patch. tho whole products of which
could not subsist them for moro than
month or two; others received aid who
were located on barren and worn out
lands, upon which, even by the most Sc
we're labor, it was impossible to produce
subsistence; while yet a third class. with
out any pecuniary means, entered into
arrangements whereby they gave one
third of their time TO the landowner, and
during the remainder attempted to dig
out subsistence for themselves without
either animals to assist them or food 10
1.-Two upon.
To continue in these foolish attempts
to obtain u livelihood will result in the
complete rrostration Of every interest Of
the country, and to foster such folly by
sQuandcring Government ratons on such
people would be criminal on tho part OF
the agont charged with tLcir distribution.
Ii is therefore the intention OF the AS
sistant Commissioner TO issue food in the
future TO the extent allowed by the Gov
ernmeltt. to those persons only who he is
satisfied are SO employed that they will
be able to repay to the Government the
amount loaned, as well as to place them
selves beyond tho possibility of want dur
ing tho following year. To accomplish
this object, responsible persons will DC ap
pointed agents of distribution in each To-
Guilty where dcstitution exists, who will
be held strictly accountable for the relia-
bility and industry of the consumers.
They will be instructed to take from the
recipients Il bond, giving Il lien upon the
crops to be grown, and other products OF
industry and personal property.
The Assistant Commissioner must be
satisfied that cac! applicant has planted
or is about to plant sufficient number of
acres in cereals to insure his provisions
for the next year without purchase. To
parties engaged wholly or to an undue
extent in the cultivation of cotton, no as
sistancc will be rendered. Duly appointed
officers and agents of this Bureau will be
instructed to frequently and carefully in
spcct the plantations OF those who are the
recipients of assistance and if it shall at
any time be found that they are likely to
tail to fulfill their obligations, all nccessa-
ry measures will be taken to protect the
interests of the Government.
The Assistant Commissioner desires it
to be understood that the amount Of as
sistance that he is authorized to render is
limited. and it is therefore necessary that
all persons who have private resources at
command should avail themselves of such.
these supplies being only intended by the
Government to relieve the most extreme
cases Of dcstitution
r.. X. SCOTT,
Brevet Maio General,
Assistant Commissioner.
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