The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-13
The Civil Rights Bill.

~. II.
julius Poppe, Anderson C. H.
The Civil Rights Bill.
United States, and not subject to any for
eign power, excluding Indians not taxed,
are hereby declared to be citizens of the
United Statos; and such citizens, of every
race and color, without regard to any pre-
uous condition of slavery or involuntary
service,.t "pt as q punishment for crime,
Whereof. party shall have been duly con-
victed, 81. ! 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 per-
sonal property, and to full and equal bene-
ht OF all laws and proceedings for the Sc
curity Of person and propertyas as are 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 not
withstanding.
Sec. 2. And that any person who, under
color Of any law, statute, ordinance, recu-
lation or CUSTOM shall subject, or cause to
be subjected, any inha bitant of anv State
or Territory to the deprivation of any right
secured or protected by this Act, or to
punishment, pains and penalties on account
OF such person having, at any time. been
ry servitude, except for the punishment for
crime, whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted, or by the reason of his
color or race, than is prescribed for the
punishment Of white persons, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on
convection, shall be punished by a fine not
exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not ex-
ceeding one year, or both, in the discretion
of the court.
SEC. 8. That the district courts of the
United States, within their respective dis
t1cts, shall have, exclusively of the courts
OF me sewers! States, cogniZance of all
crimes and offences committed against tho
provisions OF this Act, and also concur
rently with the circuit courts of the United
States, Of all causes, civil and criminal, af-
fectlng persons who are denied or cannot
enforce in The courts or judicial tribunal 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 of civil or criminal, has been
or shall be commenced in any State court
against any such person for any cause
whatsoever, civil or criminal, or any other
person, any arrest or imprisonment, tres
passes orSwrong done or committed, by
virtue or under color Of authority derived
from this Act, or the Act establishing a
bureau for the care of freedmen and rcfu-
gees, and all Acts amendatory thereof, or
for refusing to do any act upon the ground
that 1t would be inconsistent with this Act,
such defendant shall have the right to re-
move such cause for trial to the proper
district or circuit court in the manner pre-
scribed by the Act relating to hateds
corpus and regulating judicial procee dings
in certain cases, approved March 3, 1863,
and all Acts amendatory thereof The
jurisdiction in civil and criminal matters
hereby conferred on the district and circuit
courts OF the United States shall be exer-
cised and enforced in conformity 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 are
not adapted to the object or are deficient
IN the provisions necessary to furnish suit
able remedies and punish offences against
the law, the common law as modified and
changed by the Constitution and statutes
OF the State wherein the court having ju-
rlsdlctlon OF the cause, civil or criminal, is
heid, so far as the same is not inconsistent
with the Constitution and laws of the
United States, shall be extended, and 60
yern the said courts in the trial and dispo-
sltlon OF such cause, and If of criminal
nature, in the 'infliction Of punishment on
the party found guilty
SSc. 4. That the district attorneys, mar
snals and deputy marshals Of the United
States, the commissioners appointed by
the circuit and territorial courts of the
United States, with powers OF arrestinc.
lmprlsoning or bailin2 offenders against
the laws Of the United States, the officers
and agents Of the Freedmen's Bureau, and
every other officer who may be specially
empowered by the President of the United
States, shall be and they are hereby spe-
cially authorized and required, at the cx-
pense 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
imprisoned, or bailed, as the case NAV be
for trial before such of the United States or
territorial courts as by this Act have cog
nizance OF the offence; and with view 70
affording reasonable protection to all per-
sons in their constitutional rights of e nal
ity before the law, without distinctioo of
race or color. or previous condition OF
slavery or involuntary servitude, except as
punishment for crime, whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted, and 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 a speedy and
convenient means for the arrest and cx-
animation Of persons charged with viola
ton Of this Act
= SEC. 5. That said commissioners shall
have concurrent jurisdictisaf with the
A. Eoas OF the circuit and district courts of
nnSs,ted States. and the judges of the
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