The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-04-14
PASSAGE OF THE KU.ELUX BILL
A Succinct Statement of its Pro-
visions.
W. K. BL AXE,
Secretary.
WASHINGTON, April 9.

he f1OuSc paSSeu Tue !louihti Au-
Klux bill to-day by vote Of lis to
81. The following is a surcinct state
mcnt of the bill as passed, with omis-
sions and additions:
The substitute strikes out tho sec
ond, third and fourth sections of the
original bill. The second section OF
the original made it felony for two
ar more persons to conSpire together
to do any act in violation of the
rights, privileges and immunities Sc
cured by the Constitution of the United
States. and punishable in the United
States Court.
The third section provides that in
all cases Of insurrection, domestic vio-
lenre, unlawful combinations or colt
Spiracies, which so far obstrnct the
execution Of State laws as to deprive
any portion or c!lSs Of people Of the
rights, privileges and immuniticS &c
cured by the constitution and laws,
and if any State, through its proper
authorities, fails. or ncgIects, to.apply'
for national aid, the President may
use the national forces to suppress
such insurrection, domestic violence.
unlawful combinations and con. pira-
cies, and to arrest offenders and de-
liver. them to tho marshal of the
district.
The fourth section provides that
whenever such combinations become
so powerful as to overthrow, or set al
defiance the State authorities, and
when the punishment Of offenders
and the preservation. Of public safety,
shall become impractit able, it sha
he deemed rebellion, and the Prrs
dent may, after proclamation, sns
pend the privileges Of the writ O
haheas corpus, which provision >hal
continue IN force until June l, 1872.
The substitute for the second sec
ton makes it Il felony for two or NOR,
persons conspirug together to over
throw the government, or to levy wal
against it, or to oppose, by force, ths
authority Of the United States, or by
force to take or seiz. the forts OF
property; or by force or intimidation
or threat, prevent amy person from
accepting or holding any federal
office, or to prevent him from dis
charging the duties of the office, tc
leave the State or district where hi
duties may be lawfully performed, On
injure him in bis person or property
on account Of the lawful discharge OF
his duties, or threaten to injure a wit
ness or juror in the United States
Court, or conspire together to drpriv.
any class of persons Of the equal pro
lection of the laws, and conttrs upon
the party injured the right Of action
for damages. Suits to be brought i'll
the United States Courts.
The substitute for the third section
provides that in case Of insurrccton
domestic violence, unlawful combina
tions, conspiracics that shall obstruc'
or hinder the execution Of the laws
of the State and United States, so a:
to deprive any class Of persons Of TIE
rights, privileges and immnnitics
named in this act, and the authorities
of the State shall be unable to, Or ia
from any cause to afford projection
and shall fail or neglect to apply tt
the President for aid, such fact shal
be deemed denial Of the equal pro
lection Of the laws, and it shall ht
lawful for the President to employ
| the national forces to suppress sucl
disorders, and TO arrest offenders ant
deliver them to the marshal
The substitute for the fourth section
authorizes the President, after procla
nation, to suspend tho privileges o
the writ Of habcas corpus until th'
1St June, 1872. whenever in any Stat
the unlawful combination shall be 81
numerous and powerful as to be abl
10y violence to overthrow, or set a
defiance, the authorities of the State
or when The State authorities are il
completely with such combination AL
persons arrested under suspension O
haheas corpus must be taken before
Judge Of a Federal court, and, if n,
Indictment lie found at the pendin,
or first Subsequent session, the priS
oners will be discharged.
The law requiring the iron-cla'
oath from petit and grand Fedora
jurors is repealed, but the judge ma.
demand an oath from the juror tha
he don't belong to the Ku-kiux.
In the Senate the morning hour wa
employed. without result, upon tn
Goldthwaitc and Blodgett election
cases. The joint outrage committe
g occupied the balance Of the day.