The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-04-26
The Civil Rights Law.

W plOIOSU PSlOOhO III Oi''INS
States in their civil rights, aud furnish tho
means for their vindicationn," which
having passed both branches of Congress
over the veto of the President is now a
law, and will SO remain until repealed by
Congress or pronounced unconstitutional
by the Supreme Court of the United States
Contingencies not likely to occur. The
law, it is said, will execute itself through
the Federal Courts, the President having
nothing to do with its execution, except
the appointment of the United States
District Judges The Judges will ap-
point their aids This is the bill:
Sec L. That all persons born in the
United States, and not subject to any for
cign 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
previous condition of slavery or invoun-
tary servitude, except asa 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 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 person and
property, as is enjoyed by white citizens,
and shall be subject to like punishment,
pains and penalties, and to none other;
any law, statute, ordinance, regulation or
custom to the contrary Notwithstanding.
SEC. 2. Any person who shall deprive
any inhabitant of any State or Territory
of any rights secured by this act, under
color OF law, regulation or custom, is de-
clared guilty Of misdemeanor, punishable
by fine not exceeding one thousand
dollars, or Imprisonment not exceeding
one year, OF both, at the discretion of the
court.
SEC. 3. The United States District
Courts shall have exclusive cognizancc of
all offences against this act, and also, con-
currently with the United States Circuit
Courts, of all civil and criminal causes af-
fccting persons whose rights are secured
by section L. Any suit against such
persons, begun in any State court, may
be removed for trial to the proper district
or circuit court In exceptional cases 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
us the same is not inconsistent with the
~, l., Of fha- T1nitnH
States, shall be extended, and govern said
courts in the trial and disposition Of such
cause, and if of criminal nature, in the
iuniction of punishment on the party
found guilty.
SEC. 1. The district attorneys, marshals
and deputy marshals of the United
States, the commissions appointed by. the
circuit and territorial courts of the United
States, with powers of arresting, impris-
oning or bailing offenders against the laws
of the United States, the officers and
agents of the trccdmcn's bureau, and every
other officer who may be specially en-
powered by the President Of the United
States, are especially authorized and re-
ouired, at the expense Of the United
States, to institute proceedings against
every person who shall violate the pro-
visions of thisact, and it is made the duty
of the circuit courts of the United States,
and the superior courts Of the Territories,
from time to time to increase the num-
ber Of commissioners: SO as to afford
speedy and convenient means for the ar
rest and examination OF persons charged
,,,;th q violotiOn of this act
SEC. 5. The commissioners arc empow-
cred to have concurrent jurisdiction with
United States cicut and district Judges,
and territorial judges, both in term time
and vacation.
SEC. 6. United States marshals and
their deputies are required to obey all
warrants issued under this act In case
of refusal. they may be fined one thou
sand dollars each, for the use Of the per-
son upon whom the accused is alleged to
have committed the offence The COM
missioners arc empowered 10 appoint
county assistants to execute warrants, and
the latter may call for assistance upon
bystanders, or summon posse comdtatus,
or the military and naval forces.
SEC. 7. Any person who shall know
ingly and wrongtully obstruct, hinder or
prevent any officer or other person charg-
ed with the execution of any warrant or
process issued under this act, or any per-
son or persons lawfully assisting, or at
tempt to rescue prisoners from custody,
is subject to fine not exceeding one
hundred dollars, and Imprisonment not
exceeding six months, by indictment
before the United States District Court,
or the proper court Of criminal jurisdic-
ton, if committed within any one of the
organized Territories of the United States
SEC. s. The District attorneys, mar
shals, and their deputies, and clerks OF
District and Territorial courts, shall be
paid for their services the fees allowed for
a;ln1. snruices in Other cases. and in all