The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-04-11
The Civil Rights Bill.


nited states and not subject 10 any for
eign power excluding Indians not taxed
I are hereby declared 20 be- citizens OF the
, United states. and such citizens, of every
o race ana color without regard 10 any pre-
viOu- condition Of slavery or involuntary
seryituGe except a. punishment for crime.
whereof the party shall have been duly con
v.ctei- shaH have the same right in every
- state aii Territory i0 make and enforce
r contracts to she and o. be sued. AMI give
evidence 20 inherit, purchase lease scil
hold amt convey real and personal property
ami 10 full aud equal benefits Oi aid ilNs
ami proceedings Tor the security ol person
ant property as Is enioYei hy white citizens
and shall be subjected 90 like penalties aud
to none other. any las. statute. ordinance
regulation. or custom. 10 lhe contrary not
Withstandine.
Section = And that aly person who, un-
der color oi any law Statute, ordinance.
regulation or custom. shall subject, or
cause to be subjected, any iuhabitant Of
any stat. or territory, 10 the deprivation of
any right secured OF protected by this act.
or &" Punishment pains, or penalties on
account % suci person having at any time
been helt in "A condition Of slavery or lu-
voluntary scNtude, except as punishment
i"' crime. whereof the party shall have
been duly convicted, or 10y reason of his
color or race. than Is prescribed Tor the
PUNISHMENT oi white persons, shall be
tceinet guilty oi a miSdemeanOr. and on 4
conviction slali be punished by line not ex- 1
ceedns one thousand dollars. or imprisOn- /
ment not exceeding one year. or both. in /
the scfetion of the court.
section 3. That the district courts of the I
4 Onied states, within their respective dis
.ricls SHALL have, exclusively Of the courts
OI the several states, cOgniZance OF all .
crimes and offences committed against the
provisions OF this act, and also concurrent
F y with the circuit courts vi the United
states, Ol all causes civil and criminal
affecting persons VINO are denied or cannot
enforce ln the courts or judicial tribunals of
the stale or locality where they NAV be any
OF The rights secured TO them by the first
section ol tins act; and II any suit or pros
ecniion, civil or criminal has been or shall
/ be commenced IN any State court against
any such persons for any cause whatever
civil or military. or other person. for any
arrest or imprisonment, trespasses or
wrongs done or committed by virtue or
under color of authority derived from this
act, or the act establishing a bureau for
The feAcl Oi freedmen and refugees. and
an act amendatOry thereof, or for refusing
10 do any acl upon the ground that il would
ne inconsistent with this act, such defend
ant shall have the right TO remove such
causes Tor trial 10 the proper district or ,
circuit court IN the manner prescribed by .
The act relating 10 hGbeaS corpus and req .
ulating judicial proceedings in certain :
cases, approved March Sd 1853. and all .
acts amendatOry thereto the jurisdiction +
III civil anu criminal matters hereby con- ,
ierred on the district and circuit courts of
aba4l 10, Z
enforced in conformity with the laws of the :
United states, so tar as such laws are +
suitable 10 carry the same into effect: but :
IN all cases where such laws are not adapt- !
ed TO the object, or are deficient i'm the !
provisions necessary TO furnish suitable :
remedies and punish offences AGAINST
law, the common law, as modified d
and changed by the constitution and )
statutes of the state wherein the court 1
having jurisdiction OF the cause, civil or :
criminal, IS held, so far as the same il not
inconsistent with the constitution and laws
OF the United States, shall he extended to
anu govern said courts in the trial and dis
position oi Such cause and if OF a criminal
nature. in the infection of punishment on -
the party found guilty. !
Section 4. That the districts attorneys ~
marshals and deputy marsals Of The United T.
inS or bailing offenders against the laws of ~
the United States the officers and agents n
Of the Freedmen's Bureau. aud every other
officer who may be especially empowered D.,
~ the President of the United States. shall c
De ana they are hereby specially authorized "
anu required at the expense vi the United :,
states, 10 institute proceedings against all a
lnd every person who snail violate the pro !,
VISIONS oi this act and cause him or them n,
20 be arrested and imprisoned or hailed,as ~
ne case may be, for trial before such court =,
)l the United States or Territorial Court.
ls by tins act has cOgnizance Of the offence. "a,
tnd with view To aflOrdng reasonable II
protection 10 all persons in their COnstitu- m
lonal rights of equality before the law, m
Without distinction OF race or color, preyi- m
'us condition OF slavery or involuntary ser N,
'ltude, except as punishment for crime 1 ra
whereof tic party shall have been duly II,
Convicted. and 10y the prompt discharge of or
he duties of this act, it shall be tine duty of ii
he Circuit Courts of the United States. and IN
he superior Courts OF the Territories of vi
he United states, from time 10 time. 10 IN ru
reaSe The number OF commissioner 80 rs n,
o allord a speedy and convenient means re
9r the arrest and examination OF persons to
harged with violation of this act
section = That said Commissioner shall m
ave concurrent jurisdiction with the Jule- or
: Of the Circuit and District Courts OF the In
'nited states and The Judges of the Snnc- re
iOr Courts of the Territories, severallv and m
in term time. and vacation. in
pom satisfactory proof being made. to is hi.
ue warrants and preccpts for arrestng and l.
ringing before them al offenders against bi
he provisions Of this act and. on exami- N
alton 70 discharge. admit to bail. or com do
mt Tor trial as the facts may warrant. n,
section o. such commissioners are here jd.
y authorized and required TO exercise and ha
lScharge all the powers and duties confer IN
"a Oh Iueul py TINS act, ana the same du- tn
es with regard 10 offences created by this hi.
ct, as they are authorized ny law to exer
lSe with regard 10 other offences against
he laws OF the United States: that il shall
e the duty Of MI marshals and deputy
larshais TO obey and execute all warrants
hd precepts Issued under the provisions Of
as act when 10 them directed; and y
louId any marshal or deputy marshal re- Pu
iSe 10 receive such warrant or other pr0- tnt
9ss When rendered, or 70 use all proper HS'
leans diligently 10 execute the same. he e1
lal on conviction thereof he fined in the Oi
I'm OF one thousand dollars. 10 the use of GU
IL person upon whom the accused is al 70
Sed 70 have committed the offence: and Ike
le better 10 enable the said commissioner Inc
execute their duties faithfully and ef- ass
c4ehtly, IN conformity with the COnstitu- TIE
on ol Tue nlted states and the require j
ents OF this act, they are hereby author ina
Ell and empowered, within their counties Wh
'speeuVeN to appoint in writing under cor
eH hands, any one or more suitable per- the
ne, from time 10 time. 10 execute such VII
arfah's an ana other process As may be IS en- en-
Ia fl.1 l.-
eir respective dutios ana ~. ,,--- ' TIL
pointed 10 execute any warrant OF nro- titl
= aforesaid shall have authority 10 sum lol
ou ana call 10 their aid the bysran lers or ~ ~
- c0mAafeS OF the proper county. or ma ma
cA portion Of the laHd OF naval forces OF tHe si.
: nllltia - nay be necessary % the per- u "
argel. ami to i,,.,r. q, ,.5.t.,i - - az ear
tne clause OF the Constitution which pro- OF
oi'S slavery, Ia conformity with The pro- aul
SONS OF THIS act and said warrants shall au'