The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1850-03-06
For the Express.

your paper in relation to a subject, about which
think there must be no little misrepresenta-
ton in this community, as I am compelled to
believe. l refer to the law on the subject of
"Blacks and Mulattoes,' and the recent action
thereon in this county. will state the law and
the proceedings under it, and then let an impair
tial community decide upon the matter as it shall
see fit. do this the more readily, from the fact
that individuals, by means of correspondence
with Eastern papers, are attempting to create an
impression abroad, which l think facts do not,
| by any means, warrant and which require to be
noticed and commented upon at home. Is it not
little singular, that those flaming patriots and
| philanthropists, who are prosecuting crusade
against this law, and those whose duty it is to
enforce it's provisions, should not begin at home,
where there can be some show of defence, at
least if not of justification. This stabbing in
the dark, is not very honorable, however efficient
it may be-. But to the provisions of the law.
The title of the act is, "An Act to regulate
Blacks and Mulattoes,' approved, January 81,
1889, and will be found on page SO of the laws
of 1S43. This law is of the same import as the
law of the late Territory of Michigan, approved,
April 13, 1927, and found in the laws of Michi-
gan, published in 1888, page 47O. This law of
Michigan was in force in Iowa until the passage
of the law above cited, which in effect repealed
it, These provisions of the law 1880 are as
| follows, to wit: The first section enacts that no
black or mulatto person shall be permitted to
settle or reside in said Territory, unless he or
she shall produce a fair and attested certificate
of some Court of record of his her actual free
dom, and also give bond with security in the Pc
nal sum of five hundred dollars for his or her
good behavior, and that he or she will not be-
come county charge. 1t will at once be OBJ
served, that this section is aimed against an evil
which every western Gree State experiences,
to wit: the great influx of fugitives and worth
less free colored people from the adj jacent slave
States The evil exists to an enormous extent,
and to check it is, as l understand the subject,
purely question of civil police. And hold
that any State may, ifit deems it necessary, le-
gslate upon the subject, without, in the slightest
degree, trenching upon the precepts Of religion
or morality; and that officers in the discharge Of
their respective duties, may execute its provis-
ion with equal propriety. The second section
provides, that in case any Black or Mulatto shall
fail to comply with the provisions of the first Sec
ton of said law, "it shall be and IS hereby made
the duty, of the County Commissioners in any
county where such negro or mulatto may be
found, to summon him, her, or them, to appear
before some justice of the peace, to show cause
why he, she, or they shall not comply with the
provisions of this act; which summons shall be
issued by justice of the peace, on the applica-
ton of any County Commissioner in this Terri
tory" This section further provides, that in
case of refusal on the part of such black or mu-
latto to comply with the law, it shall be the du-
ty of the Co. Commissioners 70 hire out for Pc
rod of six months, him, her, or them, SO refus-
ing" &c The proceeds arising from such hir-
ing shall be paid into the County Tredsury of
the proper county, for the use Of such negro or
mulatto, in such manner as shall be directed by
the Board Of County Commissioners aforesaid" !"
You will observe that the object of the law is
purely remedial, that is to say, to guard against
the influx Of those who are not only liable, but
almost certainly zoiH become county charge.
I would like to know whether those flaming pa
triots are aware that there is another law now in
force in this State similar to this "black law, =
only more stringent and severe in it's provisions
in relation to vagrants with "white skins;" and
that there are those now bound to service in this
city, not merely for six months, but until they
shall arrive at the age oftwenty -one years, under
the provisions of this identical law?
| But this is all right nothing 10 said about the
'bloody law" "the outrage upon hunanity,
and all that sort Of stuff. The moment, howev-
er, an attempt is made to enforce this "Black
Law," - tits termed, 9 hue and cry il attempt
ed to be raised, and many windy words sre ex-
pended about s.the enormty oftlle Proceeding'
The third fourth, fifth and sixth sections are not
particularly applicable 70 the present subjess.-
The seventh section il % follows, y vi: A
"That Il shall be the duty of ths District Az
tornies fthe respective counties 70 prosecute q