The Van Buren press., 1872-09-10
synorsis Of the Enforcement Act.

original "Act to enforce the rights ofcit-
izens Of the United States to vote In the
several states of this union, and for other
purposes, approved the 3lst Of May,
1870, and the amendments TO section 20,
by act of Februrry 2s, 1871. OF the lat
ter amendatory act we published syn
opsis week or two ago. The later &C,
Of June. 1871. and the amnesty act Of the
same month, make the provisions oi
these laws of especial Importance to our
people:
SECTION /. Citizens who are other
wise qualified by law to vote at any elee-
ton in any state or territory. shall be en-
titled to vote at any such election, with
out distinction of race, color orprevioas
condition of servitude, any constitution
law. or regulation of any state or terrific
ry to the contrary Notwithstanding.
SEC l. 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 one; and any refusal or omis-
sion to give full force to this section
makes the delinquent liable to the party
aggrieved in the sum Of FIVE hundred
dollars damages. full costs and an attor-
ney's fec, and for such offcnse such Of
tenders may be imprisoned not less than
one month, or more than one year, or both,
Mt the discretion OF the court
SEC 3. That whenever by or under the
authority of the constitution or laws OF
any state, or the laws of any territory.
any act or acts shall be required to be
done by any citizen as prerequisite to
qualify or entitle him to vote, tha offer
OF any such citizen to perform the act re-
uuired to be done as aforesaid, shall, ifi'
| fail to be carried into execution by the
wrongful act or omission aforesaid. oi
the person or officer charged with the du-
ty of receiving, or permitting such per
formance, or offer to perform or acting
thereon, be deemed and held as a per
formancr In law Of such act, and there
upon the person so offering and falling
as aforesaid, and being otherwise quail
fed, shall be entitled to vote In the same
manner and to the same extent as II he
had,in fact, performed such act, and any
Judge. inspector, or other officer OF cleo
tons whose duty it is, or shall be to
receive. count, certify, register, or give
effect to tho vote Of any such citizen, who
shall refuse or knowingly omit to receive,
count, certify, register, report, or give
effect to the vote of such citizens upon
the presentation by him Of his affidavit
stating such offer, and the time and place
| thereof. and the name OF the officer oi
person whose duty it was t. act thereon
and that he was wrongfully prevented by
such person or officer from performing
such act, shall, for every such ofiense,
forfeit and pay the sum OF five hundred
dollars to the person aggricvcd thereby,
to be recovered by an action on the case,
with full costs, and such allowance for
counsel fees as the court shall deem just,
and shall also, for every such offense, be
be gnlty Of misdemeanor, and shall, on
conviction thereof be fined not less than
five hundred dollars, and be imprisoned
not less than one month, and not more
than one year, or both, at tho discretion
Of the court
SEC 4. If any person, by force, brib.
ery, threats, intimidation, or other un-
lawful means. shall hinder, delay, pre-
vent, or obstruct any citizen from doing
any act required as . prerequisite to vot.
| ing, or shall combine with others for this
purpose. he shall be liable, aud may bs
punished as provided in section 2.
SEC 5. II any person shall prevent,
hinder, control, or intimdate 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 ol
employment or occupation, or OF eject
ing them from rented houses, lands, OF
other property, or by threats OF refusing
to renew leases, or contracts for labor
or by threats OF violence to himself OF
family, such offender may be punished at
provided in section 2.
SEc 6. 1.-two or moro conspirc, or &C
in disguise upon the public highway, OF
upon the premises Of another. with In
tent to violate any Of the provisions Of
this act, or to injurc or intimidatc any
citizen to prevent his exercise OF any
right secured to him by the constitution
and laws Of the United States, or because
he has exercised the same. such person
is guilty of a felony, and may be fined
not more than FIVE thousand dollars, oi
imprisoned not more than ten years, ol
| both, and thereafter shall be ineligible tt
hold Office under the United States.
SEC. Z. II, In the violation Of the two
preceding sections, any other ofiense i
committed. It may be punished with sucl
punishment us is attached to the offens'
by the laws OF the state wherein commit
ted
Section 8 gives exclusive jurisdiction
to the United States courts OF all crimi
nal and civil cases arising under this act
Section 8 directs the arrest, and insti
tuition OF proceedings against person.
violating this act, and authorizes the ap
pointment of additional commissioner
to facilitate the enforcement Of the act.
Section 10 provides for punishment o
marshals who do not diligently execute
all warrants issued under this act, and au
thorizes the commissioners to appoin
persons to execute any warrant they may
issue, with power in the persons 90 ap
pointed to summon by ISLANDERS, or tn
posse comitatus Of the county, or the lane