New-York tribune., 1867-03-29
tb,cpro. rohn r Rouzer, Henry Baker, r. @. Bamford
and q r. Gore, Of the House OF delegates
EQUAL RIGHTS.
MR. SUMMERS BILL SECURING THE ELECTIVE TRAN
cHIsE TO CoLoRED CITIZENS.

MIR. SUMMERS BILL SECURING THE ELECTIVE TRAN
cHIsE TO CoLoRED CITIZENS.
The following is the bill introduced in the Senate
on Tuesday by Mr. Sumner to enforce the severa pro-
visions of the Constitution abOlishing slavery de-
elarug the inmunites Of citizens, and guaranteeing
a republican form of government by securing the
elective franchise to colored citizens:
Whereas The Constitution Of the United stntes aboi-
ishcs Slavery within the jurisdiction tneeo
so that ali Constitutions laws, regulations OF any STATE
or Territory in aid of slavery OF growing 9 oi t IN
another provision recently adopted declares Ias
state shall make or enforce any law Wnieh sn ~ teG
the privileges or immuntes OF ctIehs oi ,e ~ IN
States" and WheTcoS, also, Congress Is W ~
proprate Legislation to enforce these several
which cannot be done without securing the eleeiS t
chise to citizens who have been slaves OF WHO arc .
descendants Of slaves, or who are deprived Oh eguf ~
rights by OF or color ana NheLe w IA
is expressly declared in the Constitution that Ie
States shall guarantee TO every tate IN e fbot
inequality OF rights is inconsistent with ~
of government and the promises OF the Deca'"'i0" u
Be Il enacted &C., That every citizen OF the United
states, although no may nave Deen save o 0r ~ is de-
scendant OF slar or 1y reason Oh race VI Spr
privcd equal rights shall, IN every StaVe anu
raTa ae For PTdenta electors for Representatives,
and Senators State Territorial Legislatures LOT az
State county city, town, and other officers or every n
upon the terms ana con9tloi ana no % @ @
white citizens are and may be allowed 10 yot anu eey
provision OF every State and Territorial Consutuuon,
sfatute and ordinance which is now, hereafter may
be- enacted and every custom ana plnclpe OI Jaw
the foregoing provisions hereby declared nuH ana
void. -, - ....-.. -, .,
shall wfully binder Obsruct, or attempt TO Dner OF
obsrct any citizen slave, or the descendant OF
slave or not belonging 10 the sOcaled White race from
voting at any election where he is entitled TO vote acroru
ing TO the provisions Of the foregoing section. shal De
punished by of not less than one hundred nor more
than three thousand dollars, or by Imprisonment Ill the
common an for not less than thirty days or more than
one year mt. - ...o, ,o,d
ing or conducting any election to which the nrst section
of this bill applicable, who shall wiftly Ieruse 70 re-
ceive count return, otherwise give the proper esd
effect the vote Of any citizen once save OF tne
scendont OF a slave not belonging 70 the socaled
white race shall be punished by fine OF not less than
five hundred than four thousand dollars OF Dy
imprsonment in thecOnmOn jail Tor not less lhan rec
calendar months nor more than two years, ~, ,,,.,.
SFC a And be IL further 6ndced, That the DlstIlct
Courts Of the United States within their respGctye ds
trefs shall have exclusive Jurisdiction Of all Offenses
committed against this act and the District Attorney s.
Narsha and Deputy Marshals Of the United states te
appointed by the Circuit ana IerrltotlI
Courts Of the United States with powers OF afIesunH
iInursoning or baing offenders Galnst the laws OF e
United states the officers md agents OF the Freedmens
Bureau and every other officer W may pe speclaIE en-
powered by the President of tho United STATES se p
and they are hereby specially authorized ana required
nj the of the United states TO institute pfoceeu-
ings against any person who shall VOlate t1e Poysio
Of this not and cause him to be arrested ana IMPRISONED
or bacd rs the be- for trial before suc Court
OF the United States Territorial Court as Dy ts act
has cOgnizancc OF the offense. - III, .
SFc 3 And bc IL further enacted, That any citizen, once
slave or the descendant of slave, or not belonging 70
fc socaIled white race If he shall be unlawfully de-
privcd o his vote may maintain suit against any per
SON so depriving him, and recover damages IN any lS
trct Court OF the United States for the Dstrct Ia WHICH
such person may be found.