Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-03-09
VETO OF THE FREEDMRTs BUREAU BILL.
To tie Senate Of the United States:

To the Senate Of the United States:
have examined with care the bill which
crighstea in The Seuase, and has'sbeen
passed by the two Houses of Congress, to
ameod an: ACT entitled: dan Act to es.abs-
liah a Bdfeau for the relief of Freedmen
and Refugees" and for other purposes
Having, with much regret, come to the
conclusion that it would mot be consistent
with the public welfare to give my ap-
proyal TO the measure, Ire.ur6 the bill to
the Senate with my objections to its be-
coming law.
I might call to mind, in advance OF these
objections, that there is no immediate ne
cessity for the proposed measure. The
Act to establish q Bureau for the relief OF
freedmen and refugees, which was approx
ed.tn the moathsof March last, has not yet
expired: Twas thought stringent and
extensive enough for the purpose in view in
time of war. Before it ceases to have ef-
feet, fussilgf Experience may assist:to guide
US to Rswtse conclusion as to the policy to
be adopted, in time Of peace. 3,
sIshsrs with Congress tile strongest de:
sire to. secure to the freedmen the full ell
joyment Of their freedom and ther r prop
erty, and their entire Independence and
equality in making contracts for their la
tor; but the bill before me contains pro-
visions which, in my opinion, are not war,
ra9ted by tie Constitution, and are not
weil.suited TO- accomplish the end in view.
The bill proposes to establish, by author
'ty OF Congress, military Jurisdiction over
all parts Of the United States containing
refugees and freedmen. 1t would, by its
very nature, apply With most force to these
parts:.of the United States in which the
freedmen most abound; and it expressly
extends the existing temporary jurisdiction
of the Freedmen's Bureau, with greatly
enlarged powers, over those States, Sin
which ordinsry course Of judicial proceed
ings has been interrupted by the rebellion"
The source from which Ills military juris.
dictiou is to emanate is none other than
the President Of the United States, acting
through tue War Department and the
Commissioner of the; Freed,nen's Bureau.
The :agepta to carry out this military juris.
dict ion are to Le selected either from the
army or from civil life the country is to
be divided into districts and sub. districts,
and the number Of ssIaried agents to be
employed may be equal to the number of
Counties or Parishes in all the Uuited States
where freedmen and refugees are to be
found.
The subjects over which this military
,ur'sdlctlon Is to extend in every part OF
the United States, include protection to
!" all employees, agents and officers of this
Bureau In the exercise of the duties i'm
posed" upon them by the ,bill.. In. eleven
States It >is further 10 extend over all cases
affecting freedmen aud refugees discrimi-
mated against ":by local law, custom or
prejudice" In these eleven States the bill
snbjects any white person who may be
charged with sdspriving a freedman Of "any
civil rights Of immunities belonging to
white persons" to imprisonment or fine, or
bothAwithou. however, defining The .4ooivil
rights and immunities" which are thus. to o
be secured TO .alye freedman BY military
law. This military Jurisdiction also extends
to all questions that may arise respecting
contracts. The agent who is thus to exer.
else the Office of military Judge may be
stranger, entirely ignorant of the laws of
the place, and exposed to the errors Of
Judgment to which all men are liable. Tie
exercise OF, power, over, which there is no,
legal supervision, BY so vast number: Of
agents as is contemplated by the bill, must,
by the very nature. Of man, be attempted
BY acts Of caprice, injustice and passion.
The trials having their origin under this
bill are to take place without the iuterven.
tion OF jury sud without any fixed rules
Of Law OF evidence. The rules on which
offsheesars N aa q ps 4 tAeard u. and dstermiasd1
BY the numerous agents, are such rules and
regulations as shejj President. through the
War Department, shall prescribe. No pre-.
oaspfssehtmsutsis lhairea. .,nof any iu4
dsctmeRt charging the commission Of. a
crime against the laws; cut the trial, must
proceed on charges and specifications
XIX, ,panisbWept pjll be-pot what the law
-bht such ss court martial may
tnspk proper; and from .hese arbitrary
Tribunals there lies 20. appeal, 20 writ Of
error to, any of, the courts in which Tho
con:'itdsio,' Of dc United State, ,e.t. ex.
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