Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1849-11-21
BLACK LAWS OF INDIANA.

The proximity Of the time for the annu
al meeting Of the State Legislature sug
gnsts the inquiry as to what important
measures will be brought before i, for leg
islativc action. Among other PROPOSE
tons and not the least important. will be
the repeal OF the Black Laws, which have
SO long disgraced our Statutes. The
same proposition has from time TO time,
been heretofore presented, but that consid-
Grafton has not been given to it, which il
is worthy of and as there is diversity Of
opinion among the people themselves on
this subject we propose 10 publish 50
much Of the statutes referred TO, as we re-
gard Objectionable.
.lct concerning Free Negroes and .Nu-
TUTORS, Servants and .SiareS.
APrRovED FEBRUARY 10. 1881
SEC. L. Be it enacted by the General
Assembly Of the State Of Indiana, That
from and after the first day of September
next. no black or mulatto person pJming
or brought into this state, shall be permit
good and sufficient security be given on
behalf of such person of color. TO be ap-
proved Of by the oyerseers Of the poor Of
some township in this State. payable to
the state of Indiana, in the penal sum of
five hundred dollars, conditioned that
such person shall not at any time become
a charge to said county in which said
bond shall be & wen, nor to any other
county in this state, as also for such per-
sons good behavior; which bond shall be
filed in the clerk S Office Of the county
where the same may be taken. And a
conviction of SUCH negro or mulatto, Of
any crime or misdemeanor against the
laws Of this State, shall amount to for
fixture Of the condition Of such bond
Provided, That any suit brought upon
such bond for the penalty thereof, less
sum than the penalty may. in the discre-
ton Of the jury, trying such action. be as
sessed against any defendant or defen-
dants, by way of damages.
SEC. 9. If any negro or mulatto COM
ing into this State as aforesaid, shall fail
to comply with the provisions of the first
section of this act, it shall be and is here
by made the duty Of the overseers OF the
poor, in any township where such negro
or mulatto may be found, to summon him,
her or them, to appear before some JUS
tice of the peace, to show cause why he.
she or they shall not comply with the pro-
vision of this act; which summons shall
be issued by justice Of the peace, on
the application of any overseer Of the
poor in this State, and shall be executed
by the proper constable. And if such
81 ,t;H c,;I ~
bond and security required by the first
section Of this act, after being brought De-
fore such Justice as aforesaid. it shall be
the duty Of the overseers Of the poor Of
such township, to hire out such negro OF
mulatto for six months, for the best price
in cash that can be had. The proceeds
arising from such hiring shall be paid in
to the county treasury of the proper coun
ty, Tor the use of such negro or mulatto
in such manner as shall be directed by
the overseers Of the poor aforesaid: Pro
vided. however. That it shall be Lawful
for the overseers of the poor. 10 re
move such negro or mulatto, without the
jurisdiction of the State, in the same man
ner and under the same rules and recu
la,ions as are pointed out in the act 70
the relief of the poor, instead Of hiring
such negro or mulatto out, at the discre
ton Of said overseers.
SEC 4. Should any person or person
knowingly engage or hire. or harbor sucl
negro or mulatto hereafter coming or be
ing brought into this State, without sucl
colored person first complying with tn
provisions of this act. such person or per
sons SO offending. shall pay fine not les
than five. nor more than one hundred dol
lars. 10 be recovered by presentment 0
} Indictment.
SEC. 5. That the right of any person
or persons to pass through this State. witt
his. her or their negroes or mulattoes
servant or servants when emigrating o
travelling 10 any other State or territory
or country. making no unnecessary de
lay. is hereby declared and secured.
1t will be seen by the first section of tn
above act that all negroes or mulat,oes
who may come or be brought into thi
State shall give bond and security to ,h
overseers Of the poor of the township il
which they may locate, in the penal sun
of $500. that they will not become pub
lie charge; and in addition. that if they
should be convicted of violation of an,
of the penal laws Of the State, they ant
their securities shall pay said penalty o
$500. or such less sum as the court ma,
assess. Where is the justice Of thes.
provisionsl Is it right that the burther
of giving security should be required o
one portion Of our citizens and not of an
other! Is ii just that negro for the vic
lafion Of the law should be dealt with
more vigorously than white man! The
good sense Of our people. and their love
Of .'equal and exact justice to all men,
has answered in the negative. by refusing
to obey the law. Their sense of justice
has revolted at the idea OF thus hunting
down the degraded and ignoran, negro
! IT,. Iood 1otter ,,oo,, &b, <, ,,,,,-