The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-04-17
We publish below the Civil Rights
Bill as it recently passed the Congress
over the Presidents Veto: .

"Be it enacted by the Senate and House Of R9Oye-
sentatyes of the United States of america in Con-,
assembled That all persons born in the United
States and not subject to any foreign POWER, eX-
Guiding Indians, not taxed, hereby declared
to be citizens of the United States and such cItl-
Zens of every race and color, without regard to
any previous condition of slavery or involuntary
servitude, except punishment for CRIME
whereof the party shall have been duly convict ed,
shall have the same right in every State and Ter
ritory in the United States to make ana 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 secur-
ty 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. And be it further enacted, That any per-
son who under color of any law, statute, Ordi
cause to be subjected, any inhabitant of any State
Territory to the deprivation of any right Sc
cured protected by this act, or to different
such person having at any time been held in a
condition of slavery or involuntary servitude eX-
cept as 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. g. Ind be 1t further enacted, That the dis
trct 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 provi |
sions of this act, and also, concurrenty with the
circuit courts of the United States, of all causes |
civil and criminal affecting persons who de- |
MED or cannot enforce in the courts 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 prosecution
civil or criminal, has been or shall be commenced |
i'll any State court against any such person, for |
m nF.NnT n airSt off civil
or military, or other person, for arrest impri-
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 or circuit court in the manner prescribed by
the Act relating to hG6enS corpus and regulating
Judicial proceedings in certain cases. approved
March three, eighteen hundred and siXtythrce, |
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 are not
adapted to the object, or are deficient in the 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
a criminal nature, in the infction Of punishment
on the party found guilty.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted That the dis
trict attorneys, marshals and deputy marshaIs of
the United States, the commissioners appointed
by the circuit and territorial courts of the United
States, with powers of arresting imprisoning or
baillng offenders against the laws Of the Tinted
States, the officers and agents of the Freedmens
Bureau, and every other officer who NAV be sne |
clally empowered by the President of the United
States, shall be, and they are hereby sncciaIIv
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 imprisoned, bailed as the case NAV he
for trial before such court of the United States or
territorial court as by the act has cognizance of
the offence. And with the view to affordnp reo
sonable protection to all persons in their consti
tutionai rights OF equality before the law without
distinction of race or color, previous condi
ton of slavery or involuntary servitude excent
as punishment for crime, whereof the Marty |
shall have been duly convicted and to the nromnt
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 sneadv
and convenient means for the arrest and examinsy
ton OF persons charged with violation of this
act And Such commissioners are hereby autlor
lied and required to exercise and dischar1n all
the powers and duties conferred on them hS this
act and the same duties with regard 70 offaaaos
created by this act, they are authorized nv Law
to exercise with regard to other Offences eca;nst
the laws of the United States. s"''''' |
Seq 5. And be 1t further enacted That II shall |
be the duty of all marshals and deputy marshais
to obey and execute all warrants and precepts is
sued under the provisions of this act when to
them directed and should any marshal or den |
uty marshal refuse to receive such warrant Or
other process when rendered, to use all proper
means diligently t, execute the same, he shall on
conviction thereof, be fined in the sum of one
thousand dollars, to the use of the person upon