Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-04-13
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Civil RIGHTS RiII.


power, excluding Indians not taxed, are here
by declared to be citizens of the United States
and such citizens, Of every race. and color
without any previous condition of slavery OF
involuntary service, except as a punishment
for crime whereof the party shall have been
duly convicted, shall have the same right in
every State and territory to make and en-
force contracts, to sue, to be sued, be parties
and give evidence, to inherit, purchase, lease
sell, hold and convey real and personal prop
erty, and to full and equal benefit of all laws
and proceeding for the security of person and
property 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 notwithstanding.
SEC. 2. And that any person who under
color Of any law, statute, ordinance, rcgula,
ton or custom, shall subject, or cause to be
subjected, any inhabitant of any State or
territory to the deprivation of any right Sc
cured or protected by this act, Or to punish
ment, pains and penalties on account of such
person having at any time been held in a
condition of slavery or involuntary seryitude,
except for the punishment of 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 per-
sons, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemean-
or, and on conviction, shall be punished by a
| fine not exceeding ST 900, or Imprisonment
not exceeding one year, Or both, in the dis
erection of the court
Sec. 3. That the District Courts of the
United States, within their respective dis
tricts, shall have, exclusively of the courts
of the several States, cognizance against the
provisions of this act, and also concurrently
with the Circuit Courts of the United States,
of all causes civil and criminal affecting per-
sons who are denied, or cannot enforce III the
courts Or judicial tribunal Of the State or To-
cality 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 been Or shall be commenced in
any State court against any such person for
any cause whatsoever, civil Or military, or
any other person, any arrest Or Imprisonment,
trespasscs, or wrong done Or committed 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 amcndatory thereof, or for refusing
to do any act 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 district or circuit court in
the manner prescribed by the act relating to
haJeas corpus and regulating judicial pro-
ceedings Ill certain cases, approved March
3D., 1868, and all acts amendatory thereto.
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 suitable remedies and
punish offenscs against the law, the common
law as modified and changed by the consti-
tuition 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, and
govern the said courts in the trial and dispo-
sition of such cause, and if of a criminal ma
ture, in tho infection Of punishment on the
party found guilty
SEC. f. That the District Attorneys, Mar
shals and Deputy Marshals of the United
States, the Commissioners appointed by the
Circuit and Territorial Courts of the United
States, with powers of arresting, imprison-
ing, or baling offenders against the laws of
the United States, the officers and agents of
the Freedmen's Bureau, and every other
officer who may be especially empowered by
the President of the United States shall be,
and they are hereby specially 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, aud cause him or them to be arrested
and imprisoned, Or bailed, as the case may
be, for trial before such of the United States
or Territorial Courts as by this act have cog
nizancc of the offense; and with a view to
afording reasonable protection to all persons
in their constitutional rights of equality be-
fore the law, without distinction of race or
color, or previous condition of slavery or in
voluntary seryitude, 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
tnted States, from time to time to increase
the number Of Commissioners, SO as to afford
speedy and convenient means for the arrest
and examination of persons charged with a
violation of this act
SEC. 5. That said Commissioners shall
have concurrent jurisdiction with the Judges
of the Circuit and District Courts of the
United States. and the Judges of the Supe-
rior Courts Of the Territories, severally and
collectively, in term time and vacation, upon
satisfactory proof being made, to issue war
rants and prceepts for arresting and bring
ing before them all offenders against the pro-
visions of this act. and on examination to dis
charge, admit to bail, or commit them to
trial, as the facts may warrant
SEC. s. And such Commissioners are here