The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1866-04-25
THE CIVIL RIGHTS Law.

tue means Tor their vindication," which
having passed both branches Of Congress
over the veto Of the President is now a
law, and will so remain uut. repealed by
Congress or pronounced Unconstitutional
oy the Supreme Court of the United
S'atss-coniiugercies not likely to occur
1ha law, 1t ia said, will execute itself
through the Federal Courts, the President
having nothing TO do with its execution,
except the appointment of the United
Safes District Judges. The Judges will
appoint their aids. This is the bill:
SECTION l. That all persons born in
the United States, and not subject to any
foreign power, excluding Indian. not tax.
ed, 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 in.
voluntary servitude, except rs a punish,
ment for crime whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted, sh all have the
same right in every State and Territory
to make and enforce contracts, 10 su 9, to
be eued, be parties and give evidence, to
inherit, purchase lease, sell, hold and con.
'ey real and personal property, and to
be entitled 10 full and equal benefit of all
laws and proceedings for tho security of
persons and property as is enjoyed by
white citizens, and shall be subject to like
punishment, pains and penalties, and to
mono other any law, statute, ordinance.
regulation or custom 10 the contrary mo-,
wi,hstanding. O
SECTION 2. Any person who shall de-
prive any inhabi,aut Of any State or Ter
rltory OF any righ, secured by this act,
under color Of law, regulation or custom,
is declared guilty of misdemeanor, pun
lshaole by line not exceeding one thou.
sand dollars, or Imprisonment not exceed
ing one year, or both, at the discre,io,
Of the Court.
SECTION 8. The United States Dis
trict Courts shall have exclusive copni
zancs Of all offences against this act, and
also, concurrentIy with the United States
Circuit Courts, on all civil and criminal
causes affecting persons whose rights are
secured by section l. Any suit aeains,
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 cour, aving
Jurisdiction Of the cause, civil or criminal
Is held, so far as tie same is not nconsis
tent with the Constitution and laws Of the
United States, shall be extended. and
govern said courts in the trial and dispo
sillon OF such cause. and if of a criminal
nature, in The infection of punishment on
the party found guilty.
Section 4. TIE district ATTORNEYS mar.
sha!s and deputy m ,shsl!s Of the United
States, the commissioners appointed by
the c'rcui. and territorial Courts Of The
United States, with powers of arresting,
imprisoning or baiIng offenders against
the laws Of the United States, the off
GERS and agents Of the frssdme ems bureau.
and every other officer who may be spe
c'a!!y empowered by the President of the
United States, are specially authorized
and required, at tie expense of the Uni
ted States, to institute proc sedngs agains,
every person who shall violate the pro.
visions Of this act, and il 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 number Of commissioners, SO a to af
ford speedy and convenient means for
the arrest and examination Of persons |
charged with violation Of this act.
SECTION 5. The commissioners are
empowered to have concurrent jurisdic
tion with United States circuit and dis.
trlct Judges, and territorial judges, bo,h
in term time and vacation.
SECTION 6. Uptsd State. marshals
and their deputies are required to obey
all warrants issued under this act. In
case Of refusal, they may be fined one
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