Viewing page 36 of 270

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

a legal settlement. We find that this order if enforced, will relieve the government of the support of the most of these dependents.

While many of the Counties have signified their willingness to take their own poor, in many others the authorities have declined to do so, pleading the want of means to support them. There may be some reasonable grounds for this, but while they urge their inability only in cases of colored paupers, it is regarded as hardly sufficient.

We are of opinion that this order should be enforced, and if it is found that some of the more destitute counties are not really able or prepared to provide for the increased number of paupers with which it will incumber them, that they be assisted for a few months by a limited issue of rations and clothing from the Bureau. In this way much expense will be saved to the Government and the burden of their support placed, where it properly belongs. It is also desirable that this change be made while the officers of the Bureau are present to see that these people are not neglected.

At present there is no need of the issue of rations outside of the hospitals. If they should be discontinued,