New-York tribune., 1871-01-02
TIE FREEDNANS BUREAU.

OPERATIONS IN 1S70-REPOgT OF GEN. HOWARD.
Gen. Howard's Annual Report on the Bureau
OF Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands shows
that accordance with the acts Of Congress thu force OF
officers and clerks has been reduced from l5s tn a. In
Washington, 500 freedmen cared for. The various
asyums and sab-bureaus in the Southern towns are
nearly all discontinued and the work Of the Bureau is
confined TO the District Of Columbia, where many of The
destitute coored people have been sent from al parts
Of the South One man-sent from Louisiana
says Gen. Howard Is ii3 years old. His early life
spent within sight OF the hills which this city II bnit
and he remembers well the first Presidents though he
OF the famous "body y-g'ird." This ven
erabe has given more than century OF productive
labor to his country. Were his just wages paid him he
would not now be- object OF charity. And equally
urgent Is the OF nearly every inmate of the asysn
nicipal government allows their claim for aid; unoss
therefore, the United States GOvernn mt continues H.
feed and cothe and shelter them, they must perish
believe that Congress and the people viii sanction what
expenditure necessary o. support these national
paupers and 10 aevat" 40 far as possible their slerln
The work OF collecting aud payilg botles 10 cocro
soldiers has been continued through the year. aud 7 OF
these claims have been collected and settled; ac3 ren
To be disposed OF. The whole amount OF back pay,
bountes and pensions collected by the Bureau n
Howard-were settled without fees The number OF Ger
tihcstes and checks issued by the Treasury and
ing slG59,i2s SO. The whole amount paid since
the passage OF the act March, 1861 is Sc5,6ls el.
The evidence in I5GS filed by attorneys and claim
agents. ana suspended by the Second Auditor because
the attorneys had failed 70 furnish the necessary eNl
willfu negligence, other cauSeshas been perfected
through the agency Of this Bureau In addition to the
above i05 contested cases. referred to me by the Sec0nd
Auditor, have been taken no for Investigation; and legal
proceedings have been instituted against parties charged
with frauds against the Government.
The educational branch Of the Bureau has been con
tinued great extent the limited fund would
permit, and a good work has been achieved. The mum
Der Of schools reported Is 29 the number Of Teachers
$500 and the pupils 1881 The number Of normal schools
has Misunderstanding now at a. with an attendance OF
sl4 Appeals coming IN from all parts OF the south
for further help. Many school buildings IL reported.
must remain closed account OF the withdrawal OF
Government assistance; but am obliged TO reply to all
I'M give.7 All do l. to counsel the freed
make every effort and sacrifice necessary to keep
their schools open. and 10 agitate the subject OF free
schools until they secure their establishment. very
great work to BE- done before tat result can be
attained. people Of the Southern tates have been
too much pied with material b. .csts the rest0ra-
ton of ndu trial order and political reconstruction, TO
give the subject OF education the attention which lts
Importance demands.
The expenditures for educational purposes during the
last year have been S916.s53 s9 This includes $500
transferred 10 WiberfOrce University, ONO, ana s2OOc
Lincoln University Pennsy ylvania by act OF Congress
The expenditures Of ho Bureau for all purposes during
the last year has been Sl929 55, and the balance on
be sufficient to settle outstanding claims and Will be no
than needed to support the hospital and asy yiun
this city, and meet other current expenses untl the
next session Congress In order, therefore, to lhn
all contracts and 10 continue the collection ana pay
mont OF bOuntiss, and other duties required Of me,
have forwarded estimate for special appropriation
fUl the current fiscal year.