Gov. Bowie vs. Facts
Summary
The paper prints part of an address to the Maryland Senate by Bowie, the Democratic governor-elect. Bowie says that many fields in Maryland lie fallow because the Negro laborers have been "seduced from their patient habits of industry by the introduction of politics among them." Bowie also says that there has been no relief or occupation given to widows and orphans of the war, "unless of sable hue." The paper points out that, to the contrary, huge sums of money have been paid to white soldiers and their families, and hardly anything to the widows and orphans of Negro soldiers because of difficulties of establishing legal marriages among them. Marriages of slaves were not usually recognized and therefore it is almost impossible for women and children to establish their right to receive benefits. Almost no pensions have been paid to the widows or orphans of Negro soldiers. The paper accuses Bowie of telling lies which will please his listeners.
Article Source
Newspaper: The Herald and Torch Light
Publication Date: February 5th, 1868
Page/Column: 2B
Town: Hagerstown, MD
County: Washington
Subjects
- Aftermath of War / Reconstruction
- Politics
