ilitary power of the Government. An
officer is appointed to the State of Indiana to regulate the contracts
which are made between the white people and the colored people of that
State, and because he holds this office, not military in its
character, involving no military act whatever, the military throws
over him its iron shield of protection. What does that mean? If this
officer shall do a great wrong and outrage to one of the people, and
the wronged citizen appeals to the court for his redress and brings
his suit for damages, does the protecting shield of the War Department
prevent the prosecution of that suit and the recovery of a judgment?
What is the protection that is thrown over this army of
office-holders? Let it be explained.

"It may be said that this is a part of the military department. That
will depend not so much upon what we call them in the law as what are
the duties imposed upon these sub-agents. It is a little difficult to
tell. They are to protect the freedmen; they are to protect refugees;
they are to buy asylums and school-houses; they are to establish
schools; they are to see to the contracts that are made between white
men and colored men. I want to know of the chairman of the committee
that reported this bill, in what respect these duties are military in
their character? I can understand one thing, that it may be regarded
as a war upon the liberties of the people, but I am not able to see in
what respect the duties of these officers otherwise are military. But
this protection is to be thrown over them. I will not occupy longer
time upon that subject.

"The third section of the bill changes the letter of the law in two
respects: first, 'That the Secretary of War may direct such issues of
provisions, clothing, fuel, and other supplies, including medical
stores and transportation,' etc. Those last words, 'medical stores and
transportation,' make the change in the law that is proposed in this
bill. But, sir, in point of fact it makes no change in the law; for if
you will turn to the report of the commissioner of this bureau, it
will be found that the bureau, during the past six months, has been
furnishing medical supplies and transportation. A very large item in
the expenditures estimated for is transportation. But I wish to ask of
the Senator who framed this bill why we shall now provide for the
transportation of freedmen and refugees. During the war, a very large
number of refugees came from the