The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1869-01-05
Senator Summers Bill to Establish Uni
versal Suffrage.


versal Suffrage.
The following is the text Of the bill
introduced BY Senator Sumner. on Mon
day, to establish negro equality and ne
gro suffrage over the whole country BY
Congressional enactment:
Whereas. The Constitution Of the Uni
ted Stairs abolished slavery everywhere
within the jurisdiction thereof, 50 that al.
constitutions, laws or regulations OF an.
Safe or Territory 10 aid Of slavery grow
in. out Of the same, are null aud void !,
anI
Whereas. The same constitution in an
othef provision recently adopted declares
that no st tie shall make or e.torce an,
law which shall abri ,se the pm 'leses "
states aud
" uereas, Also. Congress is empower
ed by appropriate Legislation to enforce
these several provisions, which cannot b.
done without securing tue elective fran
elise TO citizens who have been deprive
OF the same By reason Of race, color or
previous condition; and
Whereas, Further, it is expressly de.
clared in the constitution, that the United
States shall guarantee 10 every State -,
the Union u republican form Of govern
ment, and it is PLAIN that inequality Il
rights is inconsistent with . republican
form Of government, aud the promise Of
the declaration OF Independence.
Now, therefore. be it enacted. etc. etc.
That no citizen OF the United States shall
be deprived of the elective franchise by
reason of race, color or previous csndI.
ton, but all citizens without regard TO
race, color or previous condition, shall
have the right. il not otherwise disquali
fed, to be registered and to vote ut SlI
elections for members of Congress. Pres
dental electors, Representatives amt
Senators to State or Territorial Lsgisla.
lures, for all State, Coun y, City and
Town, or other officers OF every kind, up
on equal terms and conditions, and every
provision OF any constitution, statute,
ordinance aud every custom Ia any STATE
or Territory, inconsistent herewith. ~ de.
clared null and void.
Sec, 2. And be it further enacted, That
any person who wilIully hinders, or Oh.
structs, or attempts to hinder or obstruct
any citizen on the pretense of race, color
or pre-, ious condition, from being regis
tered, or voting at any time when he Is
so entitled, according to the foregoing
section, shall be punished by a fne not
less than Sl00 nor more than $4,000, or
by imprisonment in the common Jail fer
not less than thirty days nor more than
one year.
Sec, 8 And be It further enacted, Tha,
every person legally engaged in prepar'
4 ing a register OF voters. or in holding OF
convincing an election TO which the bret
section of this bill is applicable, who will.
fully refuses to register the name, or to
receive, count, return, or otherwise give
the proper legal effect to the vote Of any
citizen ON the pretcnse Of race. color or
previous condition, shall lie punished by
A fine not less than $500 nor more than
$4,000. or by imprisonment in the com.
months. nor more than three years.
See 4. And be it further enacted. Thai
the district court Of the United States
within their respective district, shall have
exclusive jurisdiction Of all ofienses com
mitted against this act. and the district at
torneys, marshals and deputy marshal:
Of the United States. the commissioner.
appointed by the circuit and territora
courts Of the United States. with til,
powers OF arresting, imprisOning or bail
ing ollie lders against the laws of the Uni
ted States the officers and agents Of til,
ireedmen's bureau, and every other office
who may be specially empowered by I'll,
President of the United States. shall he
and they are hereby specially authorized
and required, a, the expense Of the Uni
, ted States,to institute proceedings agaius
any person who violates the provisions
Of this act, and cause him to be arreste,
as the case may be, for trial before sucl
court Of the United States or Tcrritorie
AS by this act has cognizanoe oi the OF
fence.
Sec 5 And be II further enacted, Tha
every citizen unlawiulIy deprived Of tn
right 10 be registered or 10 vote, Oh til,
. pretense Of race, color or previous conii
ton, may maintain a suit against any per
son SO depriving him, and recover dam
ages in the district court Of the Unite,
States for the district in which such per
son may be found.