The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-07-19
The Civil Rights Bill.
We publish below the Civil Rights
Bill as it recently passed the Congress
over the Presidents Veto

tsBe it enacted by the Senate and House f Repre-
sentatiyes Of the United States Of america in Congress
assembled, That all persons born in the United
States and not subject to any foreign Power, cX-
Guiding Indians, not taxed, arc hereby declared
to be citizens of the United States and such citi-
of every race and color, without regard to
any previous condition of slavery or involuntary
servitude, except q punishment for crime
whereof the party shall ave been duly convicted,
shall have the same right in every State and Ter
ritory 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 personal property, and to full and equal
benefit OF all laws and proceedings for the securi
ty of person and property as is 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 be it further enacted, That any per-
son who, under color of any law, statute, ordi
nance, regulation, or custom, shall subject, or
cause to be subjected any inhabitant of any State
or Territory to the deprivation of any right Sc
cured OF protected by this act, to different
punishment, pains, or penalties on account OF
such person having at any time been held In
condition of slavery involuntary servitude, ex-
cept as a punishment for crime whereof the party
shall have been duly convicted, or by reason OF
his color or race, than is prescribed 1or the pun
ishment of white persons, shall be deemed guilty
of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction, shall be
punished by fine not exceeding one thousand dol
| lars, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or
| both, in the discretion of the court.
SEC. 3. 4nd be it further enacted, That the dis
trict courts of the United States, within their re-
courts of the several States, cognizance of all
| crimes and offences committed against the prov-
sions of this act, and also, concurrenty with the
circuit courts of the United States, OF all causes,
civil and criminal, affecting persons who are de-
nicd 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 shall be commenced
in any State court against any such person, for
canse whatsoever, against any officer, civil
military, or other person, for arrest or lmpri-
sonment, trespasses, or wrongs done OF commit
ted 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
amendatory thereof orfor refusing to do any ac-
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 dist
trict circuit court in the manner prescribed by
the Act relating to hdbeds corpus and regulating
judicial proceedings in certain cases., approved
March three, eighteen hundred and siXty-threc,
and all acts amendatory thereof. The jurisdic
tion in civil and criminal matters hereby confer
red the district and circuit courts OF the Unit
ed States shall be exercised and enforced in con-
formity with the laws of the United States, so far
such laws suitable to carry the same into
effect; but in all cases where such laws not
adapted to the object, or are deficient in the pro-
visions necessary tofurnish 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 |
Jurisdiction of the cause, civil or criminal, is
held, so far the same is not inconsistent with |
the Constitution and laws of the United States, |
the trial and disposition of such cause, and, if of
q criminal nature, in the infction of punishment |
on the party found guilty.
SEC 4 And be it further enacted, That the dis
trict attorneys, marshals, and deputy marshals of
the United States, the commissioners appointed |
by the circuit and territorial courts of the United
States with powers of aFresting, imprsoning, or
bailing Offenders against the laws of the United
States, the officers and agents of the Freedmens
clally 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, and cause him or them to be arrested
and imprisoned, or bailed as the case may be,
for trial before such court of the United States or
territorial court as by the act has eognzance of |
the offence. And with the view to affording rea-
tutiona rights of equality before the law without
distinction of race or color, previous condi- |
ton of slavery 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 shalt 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 commissioners, as to afford speedy
and convenient means for the arrest and eKamina-
ton OF persons charged with viola lion of this
act. And such commissioners are he reby author.
lied and required to exercise and discharge sll
the powers and duties conferred on them by this
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. 5. And be it further enacted That II shall
be the duty of all Inarshals and deputy magshais
to obey and execute all warrants and precepts is
sued under the provisions of this act, when, to |
them directed and should any marshal on dep |
uty marshal refuse to receive such waErant or /
other process 8hen rendered, or to use all proper
means diligently to execute Che sama, he shall, on
conviction thereof, b1 fined insthe sum of one |
thousand dollars, to the use OF. the person. upon
whom the accused is alleged 10 have committed
the Offences And the better to enable the said
commissioners to execute their duties faithfully
and efficiently, in conformity with the Constitu-
ION of the United States and the requirements of