Sensitive to charges of establishing a military dictatorship .
Grant signed the bill into law on April 20 , 1871 , after being convinced by Secretary of Treasury , George Boutwell , that federal protection was warranted , having cited documented atrocities against the Freedmen .
Although sensitive to charges of establishing a military dictatorship , Grant signed the bill into law on April 20 , 1871 , after being convinced by Secretary of Treasury , George Boutwell , that federal protection was warranted , having cited documented atrocities against the Freedmen .