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the increase. Some require support and some only assistance. 

One cause of the increase is a disposition prevalent among the freedmen, to congregate in large places, and a dislike of the country where there are few or no others of their condition. It has been my earnest endeavor to get these half-destitute people located on farms, but in addition to the reasons already given, there is another which applies in so many instances, especially to women - the viability to obtain work where there are young children. 

In some instances the women are widows, but in a large majority they are wives, abandoned by their husbands, who have run away to avoid their support. The husbands frequently change their names to escape detection and consequences of their desertion, and almost invariably live with other women in adultery. 

Abandonment, followed by adultery in some instances open and notorious, is a growing offence in this community, and unless arested by some summary action,  will soon become a great moral evil. The laws of the State provide no adequate protection, because of the time that necessarily intervenes between

Transcription Notes:
As per instructions, the last word on this page ("between")is transcribed in full on this page and the next ---------- Reopened for Editing 2024-03-01 11:31:00 ... a word was missed. Got it!