The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-04-12
CIVIL RIGHTS BILL.


now law The following is copy OF
the Bill:
SIC. L 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 tie United States. and such citizens.
OF every race and color, without regard
to anv previous condition of slavery or
involuntary service, except as punish
ment for crime whereof the party shall
have been duly convicted, shall have
the same right in every State and terri
tory to make and enforce contracts to
sue, to be sued be parties and give evi
dence. 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
IKE punishment, pains and penalties
and to none other; any law, statute. or
dinance, regulation or custom to the con
trary Notwithstanding
SEC =. And that any person who.
under color of any law, statute. ordn-
ance, regulation or custom, shall subject
or cause TO be subjected, any inhabitant
OF a-y State or territory to the depr!va
ton Of any right secured or protected
by this act, or to punishment, pains and
penalties on account of such person hav-
ing at any time been held in a condition
of slavery or involuntary servitude. ex-
cept for the punishment of crime, where
of the party shall have been duly con
victed or by the reason of his color or
race, than is prescribed for the punish
ment OF white persons, shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and on convic-
ton, shall be punished by fine not cx-
ceeding $1,000, or Imprisonment not eX-
ceedIng one year, or both, in the discre
ton OF the court
SIC. 3. That the District Courts Of
the United States. within their respec-
tive districts, shall have, exclusir civ Of
the courts OF the several States cogn-
zance of all crimes and offenses commit
ted 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 can not enforce in the courts
or judicial tribunal of the State or local /
! ity 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 whatso
ever. civil or military, or any other per
! son, any arrest or Imprisonment, tres
PASSES, or wrong done or committed bv |
! virtue or under color O.. authority de I
rived from this act or the act establish I
| ing a Bureau for the relief of freedmen |
and refugees, and all acts amendatory |
| thereof, or for refusing to do any act up |
on the ground that it would he inconsist- |
ent 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 habeos corpus and regula- |
| ting judicial proceedings in certain |
cases approved March 3. 1868, and all |
acts amendatory thereto. The jursdic- /
ton in civil and criminal matters hereby /
conferred on the District and Circuit /
! Courts of the United States shall be eN-
ercised 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 I
to furnish suitable remedies and punish |
otfenses against the law. the common |
law as modified and changed by the con
sututlon and statutes of the State where |
in 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 disposition .
of such cause, and if of criminal nature
in the affection of punishment on the par
ty found guilty.
SEC. t. That the District Attorneys.
Marshals, and Deputy Marshals of the
| nJtpI tho
pointed 10y the Circuit and Territorial /
Courts of the United States with powers
OF arresting, imprisoning, or bailing of
tenders against the laws of the United
States, the officers and agents of the
Freedmen 5 Bureau, and every other off
Ger WHO may be especially empowered
sy 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 pro
cecdings against all and every person
who shall violate the provisions Of this
act, and cause him or them to be arrest
ed and imprisoned, or baiIed. as the case
may be. for trial before such of tile Uni
ted States or Territorial Courts rs uv
this set have Cognizance of the otFense:
ami with view to allording reasonable
protection to all persons in their Consti-
tutlonal rights of equality before the
law, without distinction of race or color.
or previous condition of slavery or in
voluntary servitude. except as Il pun
stment 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 Su
perior Courts of the Territories OF the
United States, from time to time 10 in
crease the number of Commissioners. so
as to afford speedy and convenient
means for the arrest and examination of
persons charged with violation of this
act.
SIC. ;. That said Commissioners
shall have concurrent jurisdiction with
the Judges of the Circuit and District
Courts OF the United States. and the