Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-03-02
Veto Message of President Johnson

The following Message was receiv-
ed by the Senate to-day from Presi-
dent johnson:
To tie Senate of the United States:
| have examined with care the bill
which originated in the Senate, and
has been passed by the two houses Of
Congress, to amend an act entitled
"An Act to establish Bureau for the
reliet of Freedmen and Refugees, and
. for other purposes" Having with
much regret come to the conclusion
that it would not be consistent with
the public welfare to give my approx
al to the measure, | return the bill to
the Senate, with my objections to its
: becoming a law.
THE OBJECTIONS TO THE BILL.
| might call to mind, in advance,
these objections: that there is no i'm
mediate necessity for the proposed
measure; the act to establish Bu-
reau for Freedmen and Refugees, which
was approved in the month of March
last has not yet expired; twas thought
stringent and extensive enough for the
purpose in view; before it ceases to
have its effects further experience may
assist to guide Us to a wise conclusion
as to the policy to be adopted in time
Of peace.
| have, with Congress, tire strongest
desire to secure to freedmen the full
enjoyment of their freedom and their
property and their entire independence
and equality in making contracts for
their labor. But the bill before me
contains provisions. which, in my Opin-
ion, are not warranted by the Cousti-
tuition, and are not well suited to ac-
cOmplish the end in view.
UNCONSTITUTIONAL FEATURES OF THE
MEASURE.
The bill proposes to establish its
provisions by authority Of Congress
over all ports of the United States
containing refugees and freedmen
1t would, by its very nature, apply
with the most force to those parts Of
the United States in which freedmen
. most abound, and it expressly extends
the existing temporary jurisdiction
of the Freedmen's Bureau, with great
ly enlarged powers, over those States
in which the ordinary course Of judicial
proceedings has been interrupted by
the rebellion. The source from which
this military jurisdiction is to emanate
. is none other than the President OF
the United States acting through the
. War Department and the Commission
er of the Freedmen's Bureau. The
b. agents to carry out this military juriS-
fiction are to be selected either from
rhe army or from civil life. The cOun-
- try is to be divided into districts and
sub-districts, and the II um Der OF
saIaried agents to be employed
may be equal to t he um b er oi
counties or parishes III all the United
states where freedmen and refugees
IRE to be found. The subjects over
which this military jurisdiction is to
Xtend i'll every part of the United
States, include protection to all EN-
:. ploves, agents and officers of this Bu-
;, tcau in the exercise Of the duties i'm
- posed upon them by the bill. In elev-
IN States tits further to extend over ali
cases affecting freedmen and refugees
r. iiscriminated against 10y local law,
custom or prejudice. In h c {
.leven States the bill subjects any
white person who may be charged with
= lepriving a freedman of any civil
lights or immunities belonging TO white
persons to imprisonment or fine, or
/. 10Th, without, however defining the
.ivil rights and immunitieS which aro
nus to be secured to the freedmen by
- military law. This military jurisdic
E ion also extends to all questions that
may arise respecting contracts. The
L lyents who are thus to exercise the
r. rffice of a military judge nay be
,trangerS entirely ignorant OF the laws
IF the place, and exposed to errors o.
c judgement to which all men are liable
The exercise of power, over which
yhere is no legal supervision, by SC
y, fast number of agents, as Is cOntem
plated by the bill, must, by the very
ature of man, be attended by acts o
aprice. injustice and passion. The
riaIs having their origin under thl'
= ill are to take place without the Ill
f .ervention of jury, and without any
ixed rules of law or evidence. The
.ules on which offenses are TO be hearC
I md determined by the numerous agents
IRE such rules and regulations as th'
T. President, through the War Depart
,, nent, shall prescribe. No previous
e Jresentment is required, nor any Ill
' iictment charging the commission OF ;
= rhine against the laws, but the tria
must proceed on charges and speclfl
,ations. The punishment will not b'
What the law ucCldICo, Uuo ouOh oo 'ii
: ;ourt martial may think proper, ant
IN rom these abutting tribunals ther'
les no appeal, no writ OF error to an.
If the Courts in which the Constltu
''' ion ofthe United States vests exciu
ively the judicial power OF the cour
!. fry. While the territory and the elias
l. # actions and Oilenses that are mad
,ubiect to this measure arc so eXtel
,iye that the bill itself. should it bt
,ome law have no limitation In pon
~ If time, but will form part OF I'll
Is, permanent legislation of the countr.
cannot reconcile system OF mllltar
Jurisdiction of this kind with the WORD
If the Constitution, which declare thu
Ise' no person shall be held to answer ft
capital or otherwise Infamous GRIN
1 o. ,nless presentment or indictment oil
. yrand Jury, except cases arising III u