POLITICAL AFFAIRS
THE FREEDMEN'S BUREAU.
Copy of the Bill Continuing its Operation.
The following is the Freedman’s Bureau Bill which was passed on the 16th over the President's veto:
Section 1. That the act to establish a Bureau for the relief of freedmen and refugees, approved March 3, 1866, shall continue in force for the term of two years from and alter the passage of this act.
Section 2. That the supervision and care of said Bureau shall extend to all loyal refugees and freedmen, so far as the same shall be necessary to enable them, as speedily as practicable, to become self supporting citizens or the United States, and to aid them in making the freedom conferred by proclamation of the Commander-in-Chief, by emancipation under the laws of States, and by Constitutional Amendment available to them and beneficial to the Republic.
Sec. 3. That the President shall, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. appoint two Assistant Commissioners in addition to those authorized by the act to which this is an amendment, who shall give like bonds and receive the same annual salaries provided in said act, and each of the Assistant Commissioners of the Bureau shall have charge of one district containing such refugees or freedmen, to be assigned him by the Commissioner, with the approval of the President, and the Commissioner shall, under the direction of the President, and so far as the same shall, in his judgment, be necessary for the efficient and economical administration of the affairs of the Bureau, appoint such agents, clerks and assistants as may be required for the proper conduct of the Bureau. Military officers or enlisted men may be detailed for service and assigned to duty under this act, and the President may, if it is in his judgment safe and judicious so to do, detail from the army all the officers and agents of this bureau, but no officer so assigned shall have the increase of pay or allowances. Each clerk or agent not heretofore authorized by law, not being a military officer, shall have an annual salary of not less than $500, nor more than s1,200, according to the service required of him, and it shall be the duty of the Commissioner, when it can be done consistently with public interest, to appoint as Assistant Commissioners, agents and clerks,such men as have proved their loyalty by faithful service in the armies of the Union during the rebellion, and all persons appointed to service under this act, and the act to which this is an amendment, shall be so far deemed in the military service of the United States as to be under the military- jurisdiction, and entitled to the military protection of the Government while in the discharge of the duties of their office.
Sec. 4. That the officers of the Veteran Reserve Corps, or of the volunteer service new on duty in the freedmen’s Bureau as assistant commissioners, agents, medical officers, or in other capacities, whose regiments or corps have been or may hereafter be mustered out of service, may be retained upon such duty as officers of said Bureau, with the same compensation as is now provided for by law for their respective grades, and the Secretary of War shall have Power to fill vacancies until other officers can be detailed in their places without detriment to the Public service.
Sec. 5. That the second section of the act, to which this is an amendment, shall be deemed to authorize the Secretary of War to issue such medical stores or other supplies and transportation, and afford such medical or other aid as may he needed for the purpose named in said section; provided, that no person shall be deemed "destitute," suffering or dependent upon the Government for support, within the meaning of this act, who is able to find employment, and could, by proper industry or exertions, avoid such destitution, suffering or dependence.
Sec. 6. Whereas, By the provisions of an act approved Feb. 6, 1863, entitled "An act to amend act entitled an act for the collection of direct taxes in insurrectionary districts within the United States, and for other purposes," approved June 7, 1862, certain lands in the Parishes of St. Helena and St. Luke, South Carolina, were bid in by the United States at public tax sales, and by the limitation of said act the time of redemption of said lands has expired; and whereas, in accordance with instructions issued by President Lincoln on the 16th day of September, 1862, to the United States Direct Tax Commissioners for South Carolina, certain lands bid in by the United States in the parish of St. Helena, in said State, were in part sold by said Tax Commissioners to heads of families of the African race, in parcels of not more than twenty items to each purchaser: and whereas,'under the said instructions the said Tax Commissioners did also set apart as school lands certain parcels of land in said parish, numbered on their plans from one to twenty-three inclusive. Making an aggregate of six thousand acres, more or less; Therefore be it further enacted, That the sales made to the heads of families of the African-race, under the instructions of President Lincoln to the United States Tax Commissioners of South Carolina, of date Sept. ,16, 1863, are hereby confirmed and established and all leases which have been made to such heads of families by said Direct Tax Commissioners shall be changed into certificates of sale in all cases wherin the lease provides for such substitution; and all, the lands now remaining unsold which come within the same designation, being eight thousand acre more or less shall be disposed of according, to said instructions.
Sec. 7. That all other lands bid by the United States at tax sales being 38,000 acres more or less and now in the hands of said Tax Commissioners as the property of the United States ,in the parishes of St. Helena and St Luke, excepting the school farms as specified in the preceding section, and so much as may be necessary for military and naval purposes at Hilton Head, Bay Point and Land's End, and excepting also the City of Port, Royal and St. Helena Island, and the town of Beaufort, shall be disposed of in parcels of twenty acres each, at $1.50 per acre, to such persons and to such only, as have acquired and are new occupying lands under and agreeably to the provisions of Major-Gen. Sherman's special field order, dated at Savannah, Ga. Jun. 16. 1865. and the remaining lands, if any, shall be disposed of in like manner to such persons as had acquired lends agreeably to said order of Gen. Sherman, but who have been dispossessed by the restoration of the same to former owners; provided that the lands sold in compliance with the provisions of this and the preceding section shall not be alienated: by their purchasers within six years from and after the passage of this act.
Sec. 8. That the school farms in the parish of St. Helena, South Carolina, shall be sold subject to any leases of the same by the said Commissioners at public auction, on or before the last day of January, 1867, at not less than $10 per acre, and the lots in the City of Port Royal as laid down by the said Tax Commissioners, and the lots and the houses in the town of Beaufort, which are still hold; in like manner, shall be sold at public auction, find the proceeds of said sales, after paying the expenses of the surveys and sales, shall be invested in United States bonds, the interest of which shall be appropriated under the direction of the Commissioner to the support of schools, without distinction of color race, on the islands in the parishes of St. Helena and St. Luke.
Sec. 9. That The Assistant Commissioners for South Carolina and Georgia are hereby authorized to examine all claims to lands in their respective States, which are claimed under the provisions of Gen. Sherman's special field order, and to give each person having a valid claim a warrant upon the Direct Tax Commissioners for South Carolina for twenty acres of land; and the said Direct Tax Commissioners shall issue to every person, or to his or her heirs, but in no case to any assigns presenting such warrant, a lease of twenty acres of land, as provided for in section —, for the term of six years. But at any time thereafter upon the payment of a sum not exceeding $1. 60 per acre, the person holding such lease shall be entitled to a certificate of sale of said tract of twenty acres from the Direct Tax Commissioners, or such officers as may be authorized to issue the same, but no warrant shall be hold valid longer than two years after the issue of the same.
Sec. 10. That the Direct Tax Commissioners of South Carolina are hereby authorized and required at the earliest practicable day to survey the lands designated in section into lots of twenty acres, with proper metres and bounds distinctly marked, so that the several tracts shall be convenient in form, and as near as practicable have an average of fertility and woodland, and the expense of such surveys shall be paid from the proceeds of sales of said lauds, or if sooner required, out of any moneys received for other lands on these islands, sold by the United Slates for taxes, and now in the hands of the District Tax Commissioners.
Sec. l1. That upon completion of the transfer of said lands in the manner specified in the preceding section, the President of the United Slates shall have power to restore to their former owners the lands now occupied by persons under Gen. Sherman's special field order, dated at Savannah, Ga., Jan. 16, 1865, excepting such lands as may have been sold by the United Slates for taxes; but such restoration shall not be made until after the crops of the present year shall have been gathered by the occupants of said lands, nor until at fair compensation shall have been made them for all improvements or betterments erected thereon, and after due notice of the same being done shall have been given by the Assistant Commissioner.
Sec. 12. That the Commissioner shall have power to seize, held, use, lease or sell all buildings and tenements, and any lands appertaining to the same, or otherwise formerly owned by or claimed and not heretofore disposed of by the United States, and any buildings or lands held in trust for the same by any person or persons, and to use the same and appropriate the proceeds derived therefrom to the education of freed people; and whenever the Bureau shall be withdrawn the Suites which have provision for the education of their citizens without distinction of color shall receive the sum remaining unexpended of such sales or rentals, which shall be distributed among said States for educational purposes, in proportion to their population.
Sec. 13. That the Commissioner of this Bureau shall at all times cooperate with the private benevolent associations of citizens in aid of freedmen, and with agents and teachers duly accredited and appointed by them, and shall hire or provide by lease buildings for purposes of education, whichever such associations shall, without cost to the Government, provide suitable teachers and means of instruction, and he shall furnish such protection as may be required tor the safe conduct of such schools.
Sec. 14. That in every State or district where the ordinary course of judicial proceeding has been, interrupted by the rebelliour, and until the same shall be fully restored; and in every State or district whose constitutional relations to the Government have been practically discontinued by the rebellion, and until such State shall have been restored in such relations, and shall be duly represented in the Congress of the United States, the right to maize and enforce contracts, to sue by parties, and give evidence, to inherit, purchase, lease, sell, bold and convey real and personal property, and to have full and equal benefit of all laws and proceedings concerning personal liberty, personal security, and the acquisition, enjoyment and disposition of estate, real and personal, including the constitutional right to bear arms, shall be secured to and enjoyed by all the citizens of such State or district, without respect to race or color or previous condition of slavery; and whenever, in either of said States or districts, the ordinary course of judicial proceedings has been interrupted by the rebellion, and until the same shall be rumored in its constitutional relations to Government, and shall be duly represented in the Congress of the United States, the President shall, through the Commissioners and the officers of the Bureau, and under such rules and regulations as the President, through the Secretary of War, shall prescribe, extend military protection and have military jurisdiction over all questions and cases concerning the free enjoyment of such immunities and rights, and shall be imposed or remitted, because of race or color, or previous condition of Slavery, other or greater than the penalty or punishment to which white persons may be liable by law for the like offence; but the jurisdiction conferred by this section upon the officers at shall not exist in any State where the ordinary course of judicial proceedings has not been interrupted by the rebellion, and shall cease in every State when the Courts of the States and United States are not disturbed in the peaceable course of justice, and after such State shall be fully restored in its constitutional relations to the Government, and shall be fully represented in the Congress of the United States.
Sec. 15. That all officers, agents and employees of the Bureau, before entering upon the duties of their office, shall take the oath prescribed in the first section of the act to which this is an amendment, and all acts or parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions of this act are hereby repealed.
A Letter front Ex-Gov. Shorter, 01 Alabama
The Mobile papers publish a letter from Ex-Gov. Shorter, of Alabama, taking ground in favor of the Philadelphia Convention. The letter is addressed to A. W Randall, and bears date Washington, July 4. It says:
Having been identified with the secession party until the close of the late unfortunate civil war, and believing that I fully comprehend their animus, past and present, I avail myself of this opportunity to say that they will, in my opinion, hail with satisfaction this avowal for the harmonious cooperation of all sections in support of the President's just and wise policy for restoring the Federal relations of all the States of the Union.
During a temporary residence of several weeks in the city have not been an inattentive observer of passing events, especially of the injustice with which the majority of the present Congress have legislated upon most subjects afflicting the Southern Slates. The true condition of the people who inhabit them seem not to be understood, or if understood not appreciated. The assumption that there is among them still a spirit of antagonism or disloyalty toward the Government of the United States, so dangerous as to make it needful to superadd by Congressional enactments further, onerous, and, to a brave and gallant people, dishonorable conditions, in order to secure future subordination and allegiance, is believed to be but a new fabrication, resorted to for the purpose of postponing reconstruction and perpetuating sectional party organization. Viewed in this light it is apparent how hopeless will be the task or reconstruction, as well as the future peace and prosperity of the Union, if these vital questions are absolutely controlled by the passions, prejudices or designing purposes of radical legislators.
The seceding States did not seek a separation because they were dissatisfied with the Constitution of the United States, nor did they make war on it. As incontrovertible evidence of this fact, the truth of which impartial history will ever attest, the Provisional Congress of the Confederate States, as their first political act, readopted the Federal Constitution, in all its parts and proportions, with such alterations only as were needful to embrace these new relations as States, and such amendments only—not of the Fedral or Republican system—as in their judgment would make the government under the Constitution more harmonious and conservative in its administration. They attempted secession because they sincerely believed—and whether they were in error or not it is useless now to inquire—that their right of property in four millions of slaves, estimated at three thousand millions of dollars, was in imminent peril. The institution of domestic Slavery, in the mild and patriarchal form in which it existed among them, they regarded as a conservative element in Southern civilization; while, with only exceptional instances, there was an attachment between the masters and servants, hallowed by tender recollections of past years, less intense in degree only than that which binds the household, in its holiest affections. It was to rescue, preserve and perpetuate these that the Southern people vainly attempted separation, This they hoped to accomplish without war and bloodshed; for they had been taught to believe that as against States, acting in their sovereign capacity as political organizations, the Government of the United States had no power under the Federal Constitution to assault or coerce by arrest. But these expectations were doomed to the bitterest disappointment. They have lost all, and far more, than they hoped to save. They know and feel it; and have acknowledged it before "the world, by, incorporating in their reorganised State Constitution, fundamental provisions prohibiting domestic slavery henceforth and forever. The Confederate organization faded before the greater splendor ‘of ‘the grand old Union, and its glorious colors, consecrated by the best blood of the South, went down in gloom before the triumphant hosts who bore the star spangled banner in victory to the gates of its capitol. There are flags furled in Independence Hall, and, elsewhere in the North, and there are flags within the capitals of Southern States, which are preserved to commemorate the deeds of brave men who have periled all in defence of their homes and country. Let them be ever thus preserved, and as a perpetual reminder also of what they cost. The States of the South, as well as the States of the North and of the West, can point to fields of gallant daring and patriotic devotion unsurpassed: and the resources, grand and wonderful, displayed by all sections, and before which the civilized world stood amazed and confounded, demonstrate the mighty strength and invincible power of the American States united.
The Federal Government having vindicated its authority of its utmost borders, and the people of the insurgent States having surrendered their arms, returned to their former; peaceful pursuits, and by solemn oath renewed their allegiance, to the Constitution of the United States, and remodeled their State Organizations in conformity with those of all the other States of the Union, and having thus manfully and in good faith accepted the national situation, there can be now no justification before the Christian world of that unnatural spirit which aspires still to trample and oppress States and people quiescent and defenceless, who are submissive to law and taxation for the common benefit, though deprived cf all representation and voice in the national councils.
I understand that it is the object of the National Union Convention to rebuke this sectional spirit, and to seek by wise and patriotic measures, a restoration of the Union in fact as well as in theory, and thus to maintain "inviolate the rights of the State," and "unbroken the Union of the States, under the Constitution which our fathers established." For this laudable purpose, upon the basic of the propositions stated in the "call," and in reference to the invitation accorded to them. I hope and believe that the people of Alabama and of all the Southern States will delegate their representatives to assemble with you and others from "all the States and Territories of the Union, as friends and brothers, under the national flag, to hold counsel together upon the state of the Union, and to take measures to avert possible danger from the same."
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN GILLL SHORTER.
A. W. Randall, President National Union Club, Washington, D. C.
Kindly Relations ,to be Established.
From the Mobile Register.
As far as we see there is little opposition in the Southern States to the Constitutions Convention proposed by the conservative men of the North.
We highly approve of it. If we send the right kind of delegates—sagacious, discreet men, who thoroughly understand their duties—we shall have an influence winch, in some small measure, may compensate us for our lack of influence at Washington. It were totally impossible for delegates fit for the service, to meet their late enemies in a conclave like the one proposed, without making friends without smoothing the asperities that are left as a debris of the great war. Kindly relations may be established by il; the holiest motives of our people may be impressed by it on an influential body, which will be composed of those from whom alone we have any reason to expect consideration and justice. We are helpless. These men proffer us help. Who will declare that we ought not to put out our hands and meet them in frank and manly spirit?
The question now is, how shall these delegates be chosen? 'The old machinery of conventions is clumsy, at best, and, at the post is no security for proper appointments. At present it is especially objectionable; for it is possible that a State Convention or District Conventions would be very thinly attended—perhaps, be only neighborhood gatherings in districts, or very limited in a State Convention. The best people are now making their crops, or working in the cities or towns for a subsistence, which is imperative.
There are other objections, but those will suffice to suggest them.
Well, what is to be done? We adopt the suggestion of our neighbor, the Advertiser and Register, which proposes to authorize as best we can—that is by the expression of opinion through the newspapers—the Governor of the State to select the delegates. If local meetings which cost little or nothing, either in time or money, were to be called to consider the matter, perhaps they would more readily confirm the authority of the Governor in taking on himself the proposed service. It is a responsible one, we confess, but he is in position to perform it better than conventions. He has only to choose sensible men, who will go to tho work with no desire except that of healing the wounds of the country and restoring us to good fellowship with those at the North whom we umst rely on tor the future restoration of our States to a constitutional equality with those of the North. He can do this and we trust that the people will acquiesce in the proposition and that he will accept the responsibility of it.
General Sheridan on National Affairs.
A correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial, who has had on interview with General Sheridan, reports that the latter expressed himself as follows:
"He said there was an undoubted change for the worse in the attitude of the South within the last six months and bad symptoms appeared to be increasing. It new looked as if these infatuated people were about once more to precipitate their own misfortune. Nothing could have been more considerate than the disposition of the nation toward its defeated toes, even in the heat of passion and flush of victory; and had the rebels only maintained a temper correspondingly reasonable, as, indeed, was very natural to be expected after such chastisement, there could have been no further difficulty. The South evidently had no statesmen, else so plain a problem would not continue to be so bungled; for it should be clear that no class, once set free, can long remain disenfranchised; and as they ought to have forestalled their foes in giving freedom to that class in war, so afterwards common sense ought to have prompted at least the later prudence of making allies in peace of those with whom they are bound henceforth to live instead, however, it appeared certain the rebels had learned nothing from experience, and would, in fact, drive their only chance into unfriendly hands. The safety of the public peace and of the private rights of Union men in the South still require the mediation of a sufficient military force, and if called upon to give his testimony it should be: the United States troops ought not yet to be removed from the South."
POLITICAL ITEMS
Gen. Thayer, the newly-elected Senator from Nebraska, is of Massachusetts origin, but removed to Nebraska at the time of the Kansas-Nebraska troubles, where he was conspicuous as a Free-State man. At the outbreak of the war he raised a regiment in Nebraska, and served, with distinction in the West. He was made a Brigadier-General and served with credit as such during the siege of Vicksburgh. He was subsequently appointed to the command of the army of the frontier, and commanded one wing of the army in the disastrous Camden expedition, after which he remained on duty in Arkansas, and was brevetted a Major-General. At the close of the war he returned to Nebraska, and his services seem to be appreciated by his State. Gen. Thayer is a gentleman of good address, fair abilities, and decidedly radical in politics.
A call appears in the Cleveland papers, signed by Rufun P. Ranney, Franklin T. Backus, Moses Kelly and H. B. Payne, addressed "to "all who are in favor of sustaining the Adminsitration in maintaining unbroken the Union of the States under the Constitution which our fathers established and who agree in the propositions set forth in said call, to meet in convention at Cleveland, on Saturday, the 21st day of July, 1866, to appoint delegates to the Phlladelphia Convention." Judge Ranney and Henry B. Payne ranked as War Democrats; F. T. Backus and Moses Kelly as Repuhlicans. Mr. Backus was the Republican candidate for Supreme Judge in 1862.
Western papers assert that arms are being shipped to different parts of Missouri, and that an effort is to he made to send companies of radical militia, commanded by appointees of Gov. Fletcher, with negro troops, into the large conservative comitee, for the purpose of deterring the people from voting at the approaching election, or forcing them to vote the Radical ticket in self-protection. They also assert that a prominent citizen of Missouri had called upon the President in compnay with Hon. Thomas E Noel., and informed him of these reports, and that he assured them the people would be protected in the enjoyment of their rights as citizens.
The Wilnmigton (N. C.) Journal, of July 13,n speaking of the new State Constitution which is to be submitted to the votes of the people in the first week of August, says: "We shall oppose its adoption because we object to its source; because there is not sufficent time given for its consideration; because it contains provisions to which we can never give our assent, and which, if once adopted, cannot be changed without the greatest difficulty, and because the fils we have, resulting from our old, time-honored constituion, are not so great as to make us desire to fly to those we know not of."
The Democratic State Convention of Iowa assembled at Dos Moines on Wednesday, and was very large and spirited. Gen. A. C. Dodge, of Burlington, was made President of the Convention. Resolutions were adopted supporting President Jhonson, offering to cooperate with all who sustain him, opposing the same Liquor Law, denouncing the alleged corruptions of Gov. Szrosn " and accomplices,” and in favor of the Monroe doctrine, the proposed Union Convention at Philadelphia. the movement for the freedom of Ireland, and the equalization of bounties.
The Houston Record thinks that the Governor if Texas will call an extra session of the Legislature at an early day, believing the exigencies of the State demand it to adopt measures of reform and relief. The Record adds that prominent among the evils which should be abated is the County Court, which at the lowest estimate costs the State $15,000 per month, or £180,000 per year, which is "a heavy tax, especially at this time considering the small amount of benefit derived from its operation, and the impoverished condition of the country."
At a public meeting in Lexington, Ky.,, July 8, delegates were appointed, to a District Convention, to be held in the same city July 25, to select delegates to the Philadelphia. Convention. The meetinq also instructed its delegates to vote for Hon. Geo. S. Shanklin, of Jessamine, and Hon. Milton Dunham, of Boyle, as delegates from that district, and recommended as delegates from the State at large Hon. Garret Davis, Hon. James Guthrie, Hon. {{Lazurus. W. Powell}}. and Hon. Richard H. Stanton.
The Iowa Democratic State Convention, at Des Moines July 11, elected three delegates from each Congressional District, and A. C. Dodge, G. P. Parker, A. B. latimer, S. N. Fairall, Edward Johnston, J. M. Elwood, B. B. Richards and Lxcurgus Palmer for the State at large, to attend the Philadelphia Convention;
Gen. Thomas J. Henderson has withdrawn his name as a candidate for the Republican nomination in the Fifth Illinois Congressional District. There will probably be no opposition in the Convention to the renomination of Mr. Ingersoll. He was the successor of Owen Lovejoy
The New York Times
Published: July 19, 1866
Copyright © The New York Times
