American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-04-25
TIE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.

4
The vote in the Senate vas SO 10 10 in
the House 122 to Al:
Be IL enacted, DC, That all persons
born in the United States, and not sub
ject to any foreign power, excluding In
dians not taxed, are hereby declared to
| be citizens of the United States, anS
such citizens of every race and color,
without regard to any previous condition
of slavery or involuntary service, except
as a punishment for crime whereof the
party shall have been duly convicted shall
have the same right in every State and
Territory to make and enforce contracts,
to sue, to be sued, be parties and give ev-
idence, to inherit, purchase, lease, sell
hold and convey real and personal prop
eaty; and to full and equal benefit of all
laws and proceedings for tho security of
person ard property as is enjoyed by
white citizens and shai be subject to
like punishment, pains, and penalties
and in none other; any law, statute, or
dinanee, regulation, OF custom to the
contrary notwithstanding
See. 2. And that any person who, un-
der color of any law, statute, ordinance,
regulation, or custom, shall subject, or
cause to be subjected, any inhabitant of
any State or Territory, to the deprivation
of any right secured or protected by this
act, or to punishment, pains and penal
ties on account of such person having at
any time been held in a condition of
slavery or involuntary servitude, except
for the punishment of crime whereof the
party shall have been duly convicted, or
by reason of his color or race, than is
prescribed for the punishment of white
persons, shalt be deemed guilty of mis-
demeanor, and on conviction shall be
punished by fine not exceeding 81 600
or Imprisonment not exceeding one year,
or both, in the discretion of the Court.
Sec. g. That the District Courts of the
United States, within their respective
Districts, shall have, exclusively of the
Courts of the several States, cognizance of
all crimes and offenses coElmitted against
the provisions OF this act, and, also, con-
currently with the Circuit Courts of the
United States, of all causes, civil and
criminal, affecting persons who are deni-
cd, or cannot enforce in the Courts of
judicial tribunal of the State OF locality
where they may be, any of the rights Sc.
cured to them by the first section of this
act; and if any suit or prosecution, civil
or criminal, has been or shall be COM
menced ia any State Court against any
such person, for the cause whatsoever,
civil or military, or any other person, any
arrest or Imprisonment, trespass or wrong
done or committed by virtue or under
color or authority derived from this act,
or the act establishing Bureau for the
relief of Freedmen and Refugees, and
all acts amendatory thereof, or for refus.
ing to do any act upon the ground that
it would be inconsistent with this act,
such defendant shall have the right to
remove such cause for trial to the proper
District or Circuit Court in the manner
prescribed by an act relating to Ha6eas
Corpus, and regulating judicial proceed
ings in certain cases, approved March 8,
1868, and all acts amendatory thereto
The jurisdiction in civil. and criminal
matters hereby conferred on the District
and Circuit Courts of the United States,
shall be exercised and enforced in con-
formity with the laws are suitable to car
ry the same into effect but in all cases
where such laws are not adapted to the
object, or are deficient in tho provisions
necessary to furnish suitable remedies
and punish ofenses against the law, the
common law, as modified and changed by
TIE Constitution and statues 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 apd laws of the United
States, shall be extended, and govern
said Courts in the trial and disposition of
such cause; and. if Of criminal nature,
in the infiction of punishme eut on the
party found guilty.
Sec. 4. That the District Attorneys,
Marshals and Deputy Marshals Of 4he
United States, the Commissioners appro-
we'd by the Circuit and Territorial Courts
of the United States, with power of ar
resting, imprisoning or bailiug offenders
against the laws of the United States,
the officers and agents of the Freedmen's
Bureau, and every other officer who may
be especially authorized and required, at
the expense af the United States, to in
stitute proceedings against all and every
person who shall violate the provisions