The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-04-11
THE NEW CIVIL RIGHTS Law.


their vndication." This bill having passed
both branches of Congress over the veto of the
President, is now law:
Section /. That all persons born in the
United States, and not subject to any foreign
power, excluding Indians not taxed, are here
by declared to be citizens of the United States;
and such citizens Of every race and color.
without regard to any previous condition OF
slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a
punishment for crime whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted, shall have the same
right in every State aud Territory to make
and enfore contracts to sue, to be sued, be
parties and give evidence, to inherit, purchase,
lease, sell, hold and convoy real and personal
property, and to be entitled to full aud equal
benefit of all laws and proceedings for the
security of persons and property, as is enjoyed
by white citizens, and shall be subject to like
punishment, pains and penalties, and to none
other any law, statute, ordinance, regulation
or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
| Sec. 2. Any person who shall deprive any
inhabitant Of any State Or Territory of any
rights secured by this act, under color of law,
regulation or custom. is declared guilty of mis-
demeanor, punishable by fine not exceeding
one thousand collars, Or imprisonment not
exceeding one year, or both, at the discretion
Of the court.
Sec. 8. The United States district courts
shall have exclusive cognizance of all offences
against this act, and also, .concurrently with
the United States circuit courts, of all civil
and criminal causes affecting persons whose
rights are secured by section /. Any suit
against such persons, begun in any State
court, may be removed for trial to the proper
| ,k,ia r
the common law, as modified and changed by
the constitution and statutes of the State
wherein the court having jurisdiction Of the
cause, civil or criminal, is held, so far as the
same is not inconsistent with the constitution
and laws of the United States. shall be ex-
tended, and govern said courts, in the trial
and disposition of such cause, and if of a
criminal nature, in the infection OF punish
mt Mt on the party found guilty.
Sec. 4. The district attorneys, marshals and
deputy marshals of the United States, the
commissioners appointed by the circuit and
territorial courts of the United States, with
powers Of arresting, imprisoning or bailing
blenders against the laws Of the United
States the officers and agents of the freed
mems bureau, and every other officer who
may be specially empowered by the President
Of the United States. are specially authorized
and required, at he expense of the United
States, to institute rroceedin against every
person who shall violate the provisions of this
act, and it is made the duty of the circuit
courts of the United States, and the superior
courts of the Territories, from time to time
to increase the number of commissioners, 80
as to afford speedy and convenient means
for the arrest and examination of persons
charged with a violation of this act.
Sec s. The commissioners are empowered
to have concurrent jurisdiction with the Uni
led States circuit and district judges, and ter
ritorial judges, both in term time and in va
cation.
Sec. 6. United States marshals and their
deputies are required to obey all warrants is
sued under this act. In case Of refusal they
may be fined $1,000 each, for the use of the
person upon whom the accused is alleged tt
nave conn i;ted the offence. The commission.
9rs are empowered to appoint county assist,
ants to exeGntee'fpun oystanders, or summon
! posse eonttatus, or the military and nava
forces.
Sec Z. Any person who shall knowingly
and wrongfully obstruct, hinder or prevent
my officer or other person charged with the
xecutlon OF any warrant or process ISSUED
under this act, or any person or persons law
July assisting, or attempt to rescue prisoners
from custody, is subject to fine of $500, and
imprisonment not exceeding six months, by
Indictment before the United States district
court or the proper court of criminal juris-
dlction, if committed within any one of the
organized Territories of the United States.
Sec. 8. The district attorneys marsbaIs
and their deputies, and clerks of district and
territorial courts, shall be paid for their SER
vices the fees allowed for similar services in
'her cases; and in all cases where the pro-
ceedlngs are before commissioner, he shall
he entitled to Il fee of ten dollars in full for
his services in each case, inclusive Of all SER
wees incident to such arrest and examination
The person or persons authorized to execute
the process issued by commissioners for the
!rreSt OF offenders shall be entitled to fee OF
hve dollars for each person arrested, with
such other fees as may be deemed reasonable
ny the commissioner-to be paid out of the
rea~ury of the United States, on the certifi-
a'e OF Il 9 district within which the arrest is
made. and recoverable from the defendant as
part OF the Judgment in case of conviction.
Sec 8. Whenever the President of the
United States shall have reason to believe that
oHences have been or are likely to be commit
TED against the provisions of this act, it shall
ne lawful for him, in his discretion, to direct
the Judge, marshall and district attorney Of
the district to attend at such place within the
Instruct, and at such time as he may designate,
tor the purpose of the more speedy arrest and
trial OF persons charged with violation of
TINS act and it shall be the duty of every
nudge or other officer when any such requi-
81 ion shall be received by him, to attend at
the place and for the time therein designated
Sec. 10. That it shall be lawful for the
President OF the Uuited States, or such per-
sons as he may empower for that purpose. to
employ such part of the land or naval forces
OF the United States or of the militia, az shal
DC necessary to prevent the violation and en-
force the duH execution of this act.