Year: 1867

ments be first made with the several states
interested to take charge of the INDECENT classes
which are now receiving more or less assistance
from the general Government.


With regard to the educational division OF the
Bureau, which the Commissioner says is beyond
measure important he recommends it's transfer
to the Department OF Education or to some
other prominent United States agency, which
shall have ample power to sustain and extend
the present system, and also the transfer TO
Buch agency OF all bureau funds which shall re-
main unexpended next July. Respecting the
unsettled claims for back pay and bounty, tue
Commissioner recommends the continuance Of
the division In connection with the War Depart
ment as long as II shall be deemed necessary by
the Secretary of War for the completion of the
work committed TO its charge. In this conneC.
ton General Howard remarks that 1t may
seem hazardous to withdraw this bureau
agency so soon. II may appear, he says,
like surrendering the freed people to the
direction Of those who have not shown
themselves particularly friendly to their inte-
rests, but bases this recommendation on the
belief that each of the several States where the
bureau exists or has existed will be completely
reconstructed by next July, and the freedmen,
having all the rights of citizenship, can protect
themselves with such aid as the United States
military forces may be able to render, the only
bar to this result being the ignorance of those
who have not yet been reached by the influence
of education. This ignorance will be remedied
gradually by the States establishing thorough
systems OR common schools the Department
oil Education or special agency referred to above
receiving the school buildings already erected,
and the general supervision OF schools OF
higher grade will supplement the efforts OF
the people themselves, and encourage aud
extend the work of education in much the
same way that the Bureau has been
able to do. Further, the new agency should
not be limited to refugees and freedmen, so that
what is undertaken will be applicable to all
classes of people. The Commissioner believes
an investment of funds for the purposes of edu.
cation the best that can be made in the States
with which he has had to do. He also recon-
mends the immediate transfer of buildings
erected for schools for refugees and freedmen,
upon land purchased by regularly incorporated
institutions of learning, to the several corporate
bodies having the institutions in charge, upon
condition that they shall continue the work of
education therein, and never exclude any per
son on account of color.


General Howard then makes several very sem
slble suggestions with reference to the INDECENT
freedmen in this District. He says that for
few years past appropriations have been made
for the relief of certain classes, such as the
aged the young children, the manned, the in
sane, etc.


In addition there is large class of people,
colored and white, who are very poor, who
have families to support and who are accus-
toned to receive aid, either directly or ndi-
rectly from this relief fund The Commits
sioner says 1t seems to him the best plan that
could be proposed, instead of large relief appro-
priations, to ask Congress to open up all the
avenues and improve the public grounds as far
as the city has extended, making the necessary
appropriations IuGItIOTs lulS WOuiu give u
great deal OF work through which the means of
sustaining the families of the poor would be
derived, and at the same time 1t would carry on
to completion the necessary improvements to
be made by the General Government at the
capital.


He adds that it seems to him wise provision
that Congress has reserved the avenues as well
as the necessary public grounds under its own
immediate charge. The Commissioner also
thinks that a reformatOry institution for chill
dren without distinction of race, similar to those
in New York and Boston, is much needed in this
District. One is already in existence, but are
confined to those convicted of crime A large
class Of mischievous boys who are positive
injury to the schools, and who are falling into
idle and vicious habits, could be reclaimed and
rendered a blessing to themselves and society
by being sent to one of these well conducted
schools. He recommends this subject for the
consideration of Congress.


The report concludes with an expression of
high appreciation of the labors of the Assistant
Commissioners, and other officers and agents of
the Bureau who have labored with assiduity
and fidelity to perform the delicate and trying
duties committed to their charge. They have
done what they could to relieve the shock of
transition fIom slavery to freedom, and have
aided our loyal people not little in realizing
the substantial Inauguration of free labor, free
schools, and loyal governments.