Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-03-23
CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.
Its Adoption in Both Houses.-Provi-
si0ns of the new law.-Another veto
Anticipated.

Its Adoption in Both Houses.-Provi-
si0ns of the new law.-Another veto
Anticipated.
Special Dispatch to the Pittsburgh Com
mereial
WASHINGTON, March 8.
The bin toprotect all persons in their civil
rights and tl furnish the means for their
yindicat:on, aas passed both houses of Con
gress--the eenate to.day--and only requires
the signatuBof the President TO become q
law. As a good many anticipate veto Of
the act, It's Important provisions are herewith
given. Theiirst section is as follows: All
persons bona In the United States and not
subject to any foreign power, excluding In
dians not ttxed, are hereby declared TO be
citizens of tie United States; and such citi-
zens of eyeiF race and color without regard
to any pevidis condition Of slavery or invol-
untary serYfude except as punishment for
crime, wheeof the party shall have been
daily convicted shall have the same right in
every Statd and territory OF the United
States to mike and enforce contracts, TO sue
parties and lgiye evidence, to inherit pur-
chase leaseier sell, hold and convey real and
personal piopefy and TO full and equal
benefit Of al laws and proceedings for the
security Of pefsohahd property rs Is enjoyed
by white eitgehsand shall be subject to like
pnnishihehtpa pats and penalties and to none
other any law sAtute ordinance regulation
or custom to thu contrary Notwithstanding.
The second Fction is as follows: That
any person wlo under color IF any law,
statute, ,ordinane regulation or custom, shall
subject or eausito be subjected any inhabi-
ant'of any State or territory to the depriva-
e
act to dIffgep punishment, pains or pen
alties on at8unt Of such person having at
any time bon held in a condition of slavery
or involuntry servitude, except as punish
ment for rime, whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted. or by reason of
his color 4 race than Is prescribed for the
punishmek Of such persons shall be deemed
guilty of amisdemeanor, and on conviction
shall be ptlished by fine not exceeding one
thousand Dollars, or imprisonment not ex-
ceeding or year, or both in the discretion of
the Coura
The thfd section gives the United States
Courts e1lusive jurisdiction Of the cases
arising uIser thisa act, and also concurrently
with the tireuit Court Of the United States,
Of all casE civil and criminal, ,affording per-
sons who Ee denied or cannot enforce in the
Courts orijudieial tribunals of the seat OF
locality wlere they may be any ofthe rights
secured tothem by the first section Of this
act, and il any suit or prosecution, civil or
criminal had been or shall be commenced in
any State Court against any such person for
any cause whatever, by any officer, civil or
military, ,br other person, for any arrest or
imprisonment, trespasses, or wrongs done or
committed by virtue or under color of au-
thority derived from this act or the act es-
tablishiig business for the relief of freed
men ans refugees, and acts amendatory
thereof; or for refusing to do any act upon
the ground that itwould be inconsistent with
this act, such defendant shall have the right
to remote such cause for trial to the proper
District Or Circuit Court in the manner pre-
seribed " the act relating to habeas corpus
and regulating judicial proceedings in certain
cases.
United States Marshals, District Attor-
neys and Agents OF the Frsedmen's Bureau
are empowered to prosecute cases under this
bill. Severe penalties are provided for all
persons who may in any way hinder the
of it,