Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-04-20

Laws Of The United States.-Passed at
the First session OF the Thirty Ninth
OFFICIAL

OFFICIAL
PUBLIC 26.
AN AcT to protect all persons In the llnlteu
States In their civil rights, and furnish
the means of their vindication.
Be II enacted by The Senate and House o.
Representatives. Of the United StateS q
dgcrfcu ia Congress assembled, That all
persons born in The United States and not
subject to any foreign power, excluding In
dians. not taxed. are hereby declared to be
citizens of the United States; and such citi-
zens. Of every race and color without regard
to any previous condition of slavery or IN
voluntary seryitude, except as q 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 eonyeyre and
personal property, and to have full and equal
benefit of all laws and proceedings for the
security of person and property, as is enjoyed
by white citizens, ard shall be subject to like
punishment, pains, and penalties, and to
none other, any law, statute, ordinance,
regulation, or custom, to the contrary not
Tithstandlng.
SEC, 2 Aatd Je 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
inhabitant Of any State on Territory to the
deprivation of any right secured or protec-
ted by this act, or to different punishment,
pains, or penalties on account of such per
son having at any time been held In condi-
tion Of slavery or involuntary servitude, ex-
eept as punishment for crime whereof the
bhov, f311lrr ~.
reason of his color or race, than is prescribed
for the punishment of white persons shall
be deemed guilty Of a misdemeanor, and, on
conviction, shall be punished by fine not ex-
ceeding one thousand dollars, or imprison-
ment not exceeding one year, or both, in The
discretion Of the court
SEC. 3. And Be Il further enacted, 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 and offences com
mitted against the provisions Of this act, and
also, eoneurrently 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 tribu-
nails 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 what
soeVer, or against any officer, civil or militia
ry. or other person, for any arrest or impris-
onment, tTespasses, or wrongs done or COM
mitted by virtue or under color Of authority
derived from this act or the act establishing
a Bureau for the relief Of Freedmen and Ref
Hgees, and all acts amendatory thereof, or
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 habeas corpus and regulat-
ing judicial proceedings in certain cases,
approved March three, eighteen hundred
and sixty three and all acts amendatOry
thereof. The jurisdiction in civil and crirai-
nal 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 in
to effect: but in all cases where such laws
are not adapted to the object, or are def
cient In the provisions necessary to furnish
suitable remedies and punish offences against
law, the common law, as modified and chan
ged 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 Con-
stitution and laws Of the Unite d States, shall
be extended to and govern said courts IN the
trial and disposition of such cause, and, if
ofa criminal nature, in the inflietion Of
punishment on the party found guilty.
SEC. 4. Aud be II further enacted, That
II Il
marshals of the United States, the commits
sioners appointed by the circuit ant terrific
rial courts of the United States, with powers
OF aETesting, imprlsoning, or bailing offend
ers against the laws of the United States,
the officers and agents of the Freedmen s
Bureau, and every other officer who may be
specially empowered by the President of the
United States, shall be, and they are here
by, 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,
and cause him or them to be arrested and
imprisoned, OF bailed, as the case may be,
for trial before such court of the United
States or territorial court as by this act has
eognlzance OF the offence. And with a view
OF affording reasonable protection to oil
persons IN their constitutional rights Of
equality before the law, without distinction
OF race or color, or previous condition Of
| slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a
punishment for crime, whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted. and to 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 United States. from
time to time, to increase the number of COM
missioners, so as to afford speedy and con-
yenient means of arrest and examination of
persons charged with violation Of this act:
and such commissioners are hereby authori-
zed and required to exercise and discharge
all the powers and duties conferred on them
| by this act, and the same duties with regard
to offences created by this act, as they are
authorized by law to exercise with regard
| to other offences against the laws of the
United States.
SEC. s. Ind be Il further enacted, That it
shall be the duty of all marshals and deputy
marshals to obey and execute all warrants
and preeepts issued under the provisions of
this act, when to them directed and should
any marshal or deputy marshal refuse to
receive such warrant or other process when
rendered, or to use all proper means dill
gently to execute the same. he shall on con-
Ylction thereof, be fined in the sum of one
thousand dollars, to the use of the person
upon whom the accused is alleged to have
committed the offence. And the better to
enable the said commissioners to execute
| their duties faithfully and efficiently, in con-
forlnIty with the Constitution of the United
| States and the requirements of this act.
| they are herebv authorized and an,ro1varad