Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-02-28
PRESIDENT JOEaNSONS
VETO MESSAGE.
u u. sen..ts pf he Unile4 slul.,::

To The Sennte ef tae United Salts:
have examined with care the bill, which
originated in the Senate and has been pass
ed by the two Houses of Congress, 10
amend an act entitled t'An Act TO establish
Bureau for the Relief o. Freedmen and
Refugees, and for other purposes" Having
with much regret come 10 the conclusion
hat il would not be consislenl with the pub
tic welfare to give my approval 10 the mea-
sure, 7 reiurn the bill TO the Seuale with my
objections TO lis becoming law.
might cal 10 mind, in advance Of these
otisctions, iha, there is no immediate ne
cesslly for the proposed measure.
The act 10 establish bureau for the re-
lief of freedmen and refugees, which was
approved in the month of March last, has
no. re, exTireJ. II was thought stringent
a,d extensive for the purpose in view. Be
fore IL ceases 10 have effect, further expert
ence may assist 10 guide Us 10 wise con-
clusion as 10 the policy 10 be adopted in
time OF peace.
have with Congress the strongest desire
m snl Of their freedom and their property
AID their entire dependence and equality
N making contracts for their labor. Bot the
bill teiore ne contains provisions which in
nv opinion are not warranted BY tho Con
sii,u,ion, and are rot we'll suited 10 accom-
pIish the end in view.
The bill pro2oseslo establish, By author
iiy Of Congress, military jurisdiction over
all paris of The United States containing
refugees and freedmen. It would, by its
very nature, apply with most force TO those
parts OF The Unied States in which the
freedmon most abound ald il expressly
extends The existing temporary jurisdiction
OF the Freedmen's Bureau, with greatly en-
larsed powers, over those States in which
The ottsnary course Of Judicial proceedings
has been interrupted by the rebellion. The
source from VII ch this military jurisdiction
is TO emanaie is none other than The Presl-
dent of the United States, acting through
the War Department aud the Commissions
er OF the Freedmen's Bureau. The agents
to carry out his military jurisdiction are 10
he se!scled either from lhe army or from
civil life. The country is TO be divided into
districts and sub districts, and the number
Of saaried agents 10 be employed may be
eq ual to ibe number OF counties or parishes
IA ali The United Safes where freedmen and
refugees are 10 be found. The subjects
over which this military jurisdiction is TO
extend in every psn OF the United States,
ircIuds psoeclion 10 all employees, agents
and officers OF this Bureau in The exercise
o. the duties imposed upon them by the
bill In eleven States il is further 10 extend
over all cases affecting freedmen aud reiu'
gees Disseminated against by local law,
custom or prejudice. lc these eleven
States The ball subjects any whils person
who may be charged with depriving freed:
man Of any civil rights or immunlties be"
lsoneing TO white persons 10 imprisonment
or 6ne, CT both, without, however, dein-
| ing the civil rights and immnnilies which
/ are thus to be secured 10 the freedmen, by
! military law. This military jurisdiction also
/ ex,ends 10 al questions that may arise re.
speeding contracts. The agent, uho 10 ihu'
% exercise the Office OF military iHdge