The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-07-07
The Civil Rights Bill.
We publish below tie Civil Rights
Bill as it recently passed the Congress
over the Presidents Veto

"Be IL enacted By the Senate and House + Repre-
sentatiaes Of the United States Of America in Congress
assembled, That all persons born in the United
States and not subject to any foreign Power, ex-
cluding Indians, not taxed, art hereby declared
to be citizens of the United States and such cit-
Zens of every race and color, without regard TO
any previous condition of slavery or involuntary
servitude, except as q punishment for crime
whereof the party shall ave been duly convicted,
shall have the same right in every State and Ter
ritory in the United States to make and enforce
contracts, to sue, be parties, and give evidence,
to inherit purchase, lease sell, hold, and convey
real and personal property, and to full and equal
benefit of all laws and proceedings for the securi-
ty of person and property as is enjoyed by white
citizens, and shall be subject TO hke punishment
statute ordinance, regulation, or custom to the
contrary Notwithstanding.
SEC. 2. And be ii further enacted, That any per-
son who, under color of any law, statute, ordi
nance, regulation, or custom, shall subject, Oh
to be subjected, any inhabitant OF any State
or Territory to the depriv alton OF any rlght Sc
cured or protected by this act, or to different
punishment, pains, or penalties on account OF
such person having at any time been held III
condition of slavery involuntary servitude, ex-
cept as "a punishment for crime whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted, or by reason OF
his color race, than is prescribed for the pun
ishment of white persons, shall be deemed guilty
of misdemeanor, and, on conviction, shall be
punished by fine not exceeding one thousand dol
lars, or Imprisonment not exceeding one year, or
both, in the discretion OF the court.
SEC. 8. Azd be it further enacted That the dis
trict courts of the United States, within their re-
spective districts, shall have, exclusively OF the
courts of the several States, cOgnizance OF all
crimes and offences committed against the prov1-
sions OF this act, and also, concurrently with the
circuit courts of the United States, of all causes
civil and criminal, affecting persons who arede-
MED cannot enforce in the courts or Judicial
tribunals of the State or locality where they may
be- any of the rights secured to them by the first
section of this act; and if any suit or prosecution
civil or criminal has been or shall be commenced
in any State court against any such person, for
anv canse whatsoever, or against any officer, civil
orr roilit 0r other nprSON. for arrest lmOri-
sonment, treSpaSses, or wrongs done or commit
ted by virtue or under color of authority derived
from this act or the act establishing bureau for
the relief of freedmen and refugees, and all acts
amendatory thereof; or for refusing to do any ac-
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 dist
trict circuit court in the manner prescribed by
the Act relating to hd6eds corpus and regulating
judicial proceedings in certain cases. approved
March three eighteen hundred and sixty-threc,
and all acts amendatory thereof. The jurisdic-
ton in civil and criminal matters hereby confer
red on the district and circuit courts of the Unit
ed States shall be exercised and enforced in con-
formity with the laws of the United States, SO far
as such laws are suitable to carry the same into
effect ; but in all cases where such laws not
adapted to the object, are deficient in tue pro-
visions necessary to furnish suitable remedies and
punish offences against law, 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 extended to and govern said courts in
the trial and disposition of such cause, and If OF
q criminal nature, in the inhlcton OF punishment
on the party found guilty.
: SEC. 4. And be it further enacted, That the dis
trict 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 offenders against the laws OF the United
States the officers and agents of the Freedmen's
Bureau, and every other officer who may be spe-
clally empowered by the President OF the U n1teu
a. a,,I h..ro INV rnaf iltIv
authorized and required, at the expense of the
United States to institute proceedings against all
and every person who shall violate the provisions
of this act, and cause him or them to be arrested
and imprsoned or bailed as the case May be,
for trial before such court of the United States or
territorial court as BY the act mas eegni1aaee OF
sonable protection tn all persons in their consti-
tutional rights of equality before the law, without
distinction of race OF color or previous eondi.
as a punishment for crime, whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted, and to the prompt
discharge of the duties of this act it shall be the
duty of the circuit courts of the United States
and the superior courts of the Territories OF the
United States, from time to, time, to increase the
number of commissioners, so as to afford speedy
and convenient means for the arrest and exan,ina-
ton OF persons Charged with violation of this
act. And such commissioners are hereby author
lied and required to- exercise and discharge all
the powers and drtSes conferred on them by this
act, and the same duties with regard TO offences
created by this act, they Authorized by law
to exercise with regard to other offences against
the laws of tas URited States.
SEC. 5. And be IL further enacted, That it shall
be the duty of all Inarshals and deputy marshals
obey and execute all warrants and precepts is
sued under the provisions of this act, when TO
| them directed and should any marshal or dep
uty marshal refuse to receive such warrant or
other process -shen rendered or to use all proper
means diligently to execute the sames he sha!i Oh
conviction. thereof, be fined in the sum OF one
thousand dollars, TO. the use OF the person uPQf
whom the accused is alleged to have cornnaMfed
the offence. And the better to enable ehe seid
comInissioners to execute fheir duties Hithfnlty
and efficienfly in conformity with tle Gonstitu-
ton Of the United States and the OF