The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-04-14
The Civil Rights Bill,

SH'Ject ~ ahs foreign ROVER, excluding IN
diaus, not taxed, are hereby declared to be
citizens of the United States; aud such citi,
zens of every race and color, without regard
to any previous condition of slavery or in
voluntary serviiude. except as a punishment
for crime, whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted, shall have the same right in
every State and Territory in the United
States to make and enforce contracts, to sue,
be parties, aud give evidence, to inherit,
purchase, lease, SELL hold, and convey real
aud personal property, aud 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
10 none other, any law, statute, ordinance,
regulation. or custom to the contrary not
wi!hstandug.
Section ,. Ind be ii further enacted, That
any person who, under color Of any law,
statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom,
shall subject, or cause to be subjected, any
inhabtant OF any State or Territory to the
deprivation of any right secured or protected
by this act, or to different punishment, pains,
or penalties on account of such persons hav-
ing at any time been held in a condition of
slavery or involuntary servitule, except as
punishment for crime, whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted. or by reason
Of his color or race, than is prescribed for
the punishment of white persons, shall be
lccmed guilty of Il msdcmcanor, and, on
conviction, shall be punished by fine not OK
cecding one thousand dollars, or imprison-
mcnt not exceeding one year, or both, in the
/ discretion of the court.
| Section ,. AMI be 1t .fnlfhcr cRqctcd, That
he district courts in the United States within
their respective districts, shall have, eycu-
sivcly of the courts of the several States,
cognzance of all crimes and offences CO n.
mitted against the provisions of this act,
and also, concurrently with the circuit courts
of the United States, of all causes, civil and
criminal, affecting persons who are denied
or cannot enforce in the courts or 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 or prosecution, civil or criminal, has
J been or shall be commenced in any State
| court against any such person, for any cause
military, or other person, for any arrest or
| Imprisonment, trespasses or wrongs done or
committed by virtue or under color of au
| thorty derived from this act or the act cs
| tabllshing bureau for the relief of freed
men and refugees, and all acts amondatory
thereof, or for refusing to do any ACT upon
he ground that it would be inconsistent with
this act, such defiant shall have the right to
remove such cause for trial to the proper
district or circuit court in the manner pre-
scribed by the ''act relating to h0beaS corpus
and regulating judicial proceedings in certain
cases." approved March three, eighteen hun
bred and sxty-three, and all acts amenda
tory thereof. The jurisdiction in civil and
criminal matters hereby conferred on the
district and circuit courts of the United
States shall be exercised and enforced in
co ltorinity with the laws of the United
States, so far as such laws are suitable to
carry the same into effect but in all eases
where such laws are not adapted to the OBJ
jcct, or are deficient in the provi ions ncccs.
sary to furnish suitable cnelies and punish
offences against law, the common law. ms
modified and changed by the constitution
statutes Of the State wherein the court hay.
ing jurisdiction of the cause, civil or crimi
nal, is held, so far rs the same is not incoa.
sistent with the Constitution and laws of the
United States, shall be extended to and GOV
ern said courts in the trial and disposition
Of such cause. and, if Of "A criminal nature.
in the inIliction of punishment on the party
found guilty.
The fourth section provides that district
attorneys, marshals and deputy marskals of
the United States, agents Of the trccdmen's
bureau, and every other officer special en-
powered by the President of the United
States are authorized and required to insti
tute proceedings against persons violating
the provisions of this act. And with view
to afford reasonable protection to all persons
in their constitutional rights of equality be.
fore the law, without distinction of race or
color, and the prompt discharge of the duties
of this act, it is made the duty of the circuit
courts of the United States, and the supe.
ror courts of the Territories of the United
States, from time to time, to increase the
n.mber Of Commissioners, so as to afford
II speedy and convenient means for the ar.
rest and examination of persons charged
with a violation Of this act.
Ths fifth section provides penalties in case
OF officers refusing or neglecting to use all
proper means diligently to execute It's act:
also empowering commissioners under this
act to appoint assistants summon bystandcrs
and call to their aud the posse comitatus, or
such portion Of the land and naval forces of
the United States. or the militia as may be
necessary to the performance of the duties
with which they are charged, to insure Il
faithful observance of the clause of the Con-
stitution which prohibits slavery.
Section sixth makes the offence of OBJ
structing the act by rescung parties from
officers, or concealing the same, liable to
fine and Imprisonment.
Section seventh provides for the payment
of officers, and other expenses, etc.
Sections eighth and ninth make it the duty
of the President to direct the judge, mar
shall and district attorney of any district
where he is apprehensive this act may be
violated, to attend at such place within the
district, and for such time as he may desig-
nate, for the purpose Of the more speedy
arrest and trial of persons charged with
violation Of this act; and also for the en-
ployment Of the military and naval forces,
or the militia, if necessary, to enforce the
execution of it.
Section tenth provides that upon all ques-
tons of law arising in any case under the
provisions of this act final appeal may be
taken to the Supreme Court Of the United
States.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, I
OFFICE OF INTERNAL REVENUE,
WnoL;n1Jnn