The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1870-06-18
The Enforcement Bill.

iloihe' we "ouid pe happy people,
The Enforcement Bill.
The following is complete and care
fully revised abstract of the bill to Ell
force the fifteenth amendment as passed
by both houses of Congress- The copy
hitherto published is incomplete and in.
correct. The bill is entitled:
AN ACT to enforce the right of citizens of the
United States to vote i'll the several States
of the Union, and for other purposes
SECTION |. Citizens who are otherwise
qualified by law to vote at ally election
in any State or territory, shall be enti-
tied to vote at any such election without
distinction Of race, color or previous
condition of servitude; any constitution,
law or regulation of any State or Terri
tory to the contrary Notwithstanding.
Sec. 2. Where any local law requires
any act as prerequisite to voting, and
makes it the duty of any persons to fur
nish citizens with an opportunity to SO
qualify, it shall be the duty of such per-
sons to give such opportunity to all citi-
zens without the distinction mentioned
in section |; and any refusal or omission
to give full force to this section makes
the delinquent liable to the party ag-
grieved in the sum of $500 damages,
ful! costs, and an attorneys fee, aud for
such offence such offenders may be fined
not less than $500, or imprisoned not
less than one month or more than one
year, or both, at the discretion of the
court!
Secs. When any prerequisite to vot-
ing is prevented by the wrongful act or
omission of the persons charged by law
with the duty of affording an opportunity
to qualify. the offer to qualify shall be
deemed performance in law of such act
as is required, and the person so offer
ing shall, if otherwise qualified, be en-
titled to vote. A refusal to receiye and
give effect to such vote, on the presen-
tation of the voters affidavit stating
the facts, makes the offender liable to
the punishment provided in section 2.
Sec. 4. If any person, by force, bri-
berry, threats, intimidation, or other un-
lawful means, shall hinder, delay, pre-
vent. or obstruct any citizen from doing
any act required as prerequisite to
voting or shall combine with others for
this purpose, he shall be liable, and
may be punished as provided in section
3. 81.
Sec. s. If any, person shall prevent,
hinder, control or intimidate from voting
any person to whom the right is secured
by the fifteenth amendment, or shall at
tempt the same by means Of bribery.
threats. Or threats of depriving them of
employment or occupation, or-of ejecting
them from rented houses, lands or other
property, or by threats of refusal to re-
new leases or contracts for labor, or by
threats of violence to himself or family,
such offender may be punished as pro-
vided in section g.
Sec. s. If two or more conspire, OF
go in disguise upon the public highway,
or on the premises of another, with in-
tent to violate any provision of this act,
or to injure or intimidate any citizen to
prevent his free exercise of any right
secured to him by the constitution and
laws of the United States, or because
he has exercised the same, such per-
son is guilty of felony, and may be
fined not more than $4,000 or imprisoned
not more than ten years, Or both and,
thereafter, shall be ineligible to Office
under the United States.
Sec. Z. IT, in the violation Of the two
prece ding sections any other offence is
committed, it may be punished with such
punishment as is attached to the offence
by the laws of the State wherein com
mitted
Sec. s. Gives exclusive jurisdiction
to the United States courts of all Grim
inal and civil cases arising under this
act
Sec. 8. Directs the arrest and insti-
tuition Of proceedings against persons
violating this act, and authorizes the
appointment Of additional commissioners
to facilitate the enforcement of the act.
Sec. To- Provides for punishment of
marshals who do not diligently execute
all warrants issued under this act and
authorizes the commissioners to appoint
persons to execute any warrant they
may issue. with power in persons 50 ap-
pointed to summon bystanders, or posse
consitatus Of county, or land Or naval
force Of the United States, or the mi
litia to aid them. and to insure obser
vance Of the fifteenth amendment.
Sec. II. Any person who hinders or
prevents any officer Or person lawfully
aiding any officer from making any ar
rest. or makes or attempts . rescue, or
aids or abets an escape. or, harbors or.
conceals any offender for whom war
rant is issued, may Be fined not more
than $1,000, d. imprisoned not more.
than six months, or both.
Sec. l2. Provides for payment Of
fees to officers chafged with the execu.
tioI Of this act
src Is Authorizes.t the President Of the