Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-04-20
THE CIVIL RIGHTS BILL,
ITS PROVISIONS AS PASSED by BOTH HoUs.
Es OF CONGRESS OVER THE PREs1-
DENTS VETo.

Es OF CONGRESS OVER THE PREs1-
DENTS VETo.
Sec. l. That all persons born in the
United States, and not subject to for
eign power, excluding Indians not taxed,
are hereby declared to be citizens of the
United States and such citizens of every
race and color, without regard to any previ-
Gus condition ofslavery or involuntary SER
vitude, except as a punishment for crime
whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted, shall have the right in every
State and Territory to make and enforce
contracts, to sue, to be sued, be parties and
give evidence, to inherit, purchase lease,
sell, hold and convey real and personal
property, and to be entitled to full and
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 pen
alties, and to mono other-any law, stotute,
ordinance, regulation or custom to tho con-
trary Notwithstanding.
Sec. 2. Any person who shall deprive
any inhabitant of any State or Territory
of any right secured by this act, under
color of law, regulation or custom, is de-
clared guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable le
by fine not exceeding one thousand dol.
lars, or imprisonment not exceeding on e
year, or both. at the discretion of the
court.
Sec. 8. The United States District
Courts. shall have exclusive. cognizauce of
all offences against this act, and also con-
currently With the United States Circuit
Court, ofall civil and criminal causes affec-
ting persons whose rig hts are secured by
section 1. Any suit against such persons,
begun in any State court, may be remov-
ed for trial to the proper District or Cir
cult Court. In exceptional cases the CON-
mon law, as modi6ed'aud changed by the
Constitution and statutes of the State
wherein the court having Jurisdiction oil
the cause, civil or criminal, is held, so far,
as tho same is not inconsistent with the
Constitution and laws. of the United. States,
shall be extended, and govern said courts
in the trial and disposition of such cause,
and ifof a criminal nature, in the infliction
Of punishment on the party found guilty.
SEC: 4. The District Attorneys, Marshals,
and Deputy Marshals Of the United States
the Commissioners appointed by the Cir
cult and Territorial Court of the United
States, with powers of arrestiug. imprison-
ing or bailing offences against tho laws of
the United States, the officers and agents
Of the Freedmeu's Bureau, and every other
offer who may be specially empowered by
the President Of the United States. are
specially authorized and required, at tue
expense Of the United States, to institute
proceedings against every person who shall
violate the provisions OF this act and it is
made the duty Of the Circuit Court of the
United States, and the Superior Courts OF
Territories, from time to time to increase the
number of commissioners, so as to afford a
speedy and convenient means for the arrest
and examination Of persons charged with
violation Of this act.
SEC. 5. The commissioners are empow--
cred to have concurrent jurisdiction with
United States Circuit, District Judges, and
Territorial Judges, both in term time and
vacation.
SEC. 81 United States marshals and their
deputies are required to obey all warrants
issued under this act. In case of refusal,
they be fined one thousand dollars each for
the use Of the person upon whom the ac-
cused is alleged TO have committed the Of
fence. The commissioners are empowered
to appoint country assistants TO execute
warrants, and the latter may call for assis.
tance upon. .bystanders, or summon a. posse
eomitatus, or the military and naval
forces. . 80. &:
SEC. z. Any person who shall knowing
iy and wrongfully obstruct, hinder OF pre-
vent any officer orr other person charged
with the execution 81 any y warrant or pro-
cess Issued under this sot, or any, person
or persons lawfully assisting, OF attempting
to,rescue prisoners from custody, is subiec.
ia. fine not exceeding one hundreddbllaI
and dinprisonltent not exceedjhg ok months