The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-04-19

Be 1t enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives. Of the United States "
Inaerica an Congress assembled, That all
persons born in the United States and not
subject to any foreign Power, excluding
Indians, not taxed, are hereby declared to
be citizens OF the United States; and
such citizens of every race and color, with
out regard to any previous condition of
slavery or involuntary serVitude, 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;
and give evidence, to inherit, purchase,
! lease, sell, hold, and convey real and per-
soual property, and to full and equal ben
eft 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, penal
ties, and to none other any law, statute,
! ordinance, regulation, or custom 70 the
contrary notwithstanding.
SEC. 2. That any person who, under
color of any law, statute, ordinance, regu-
lation, or custom, shall subject. or cause
| to be subjected, any inhabitant of any
State or Territory to the deprivation OF
any right secured or protected by this act,
or to different punishment, pains or PEN
alties on account of such persons having
at auy time been he'd in condition of
slavery or involuntary seIvitude, except
as a 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 deemed guilty of q mis-
demeanor, and, on conviction, shall be
punished by fue not exceeding one thou
sand dollars, or Imprisonment not exceed
ing one year, or both, IN the discretion Of
the court.
SEC. g. That the district courts Of the
United States, within their respective
districts, shall have, exclusively OF the
courts of the several States, cognizance OF
all crimes committed against the provlT
ions of this act, and also, concurrently
with the circuit courts of the United
States, of all causes, civil or criminal,
nFecting 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 been or
shall be commenced in any State court
against any such person, for any cause
whatsoever, or against any officer, civil or
military. or other person, for any arrest or
Imprisonment, trespasses, or wrongs done
or committed by virtue or under color Of
authority derived frem this act or the act
establishing a bureau for the reliet Of
I'D nd oil hn
amendatory 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 10 the proper district or circuit
court in the manner prescribed by the
"Act relating to hdbedS corpus and regu-
lating judicial proceedings iu certain
cases." approved March 3, 1868, and all
acts amendatory thereof. The jurisdic-
tion In civil and criminal matters hereby
conferred on the district and circuit courts
Of the United States shall be exercised
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 offences against law,
the common law, as modified and changed
by the constitution and statutes of the
State wherein the court having jurlSdic-
ton 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 criminal nature,
in the infiction Of punishment on the
party found guilty.
SEC. 4. That the district attorneys,
marshals, and deputy marshals OF the
United States, the commissioners appoint
ed by the circuit and territorial courts OF
the United States, with powers of arrest
ing, imprisoning, or bailiDg offenders
against the laws of the United States, the
officers and agents of the Freedmen's Bu-
reau. and every other officer VINO may be
specially 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 eV-
cry person who shall violate the provls-
ions of this act, and cause him or them to
be arrested and imprisoned, or batied, as
the case may be, for trial before such
court of the United States or territorial
court as by this act has cognizance vi the
offence. And with view to atfordlpg
reasonable protection to all persons IN
their constitutional rights OF equality be-
fore. the law, without distinction Of race or