The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1875-04-16
THE civil RIouTs BILL IN FULL.



The following is the full text of the
Civil Rights Bill, as it passed both
Houses Of Congress, and was signed
by the President;
An act to protect all citizens in
their civil and legal rights
WHEREAS, it is essential to Just
government we must recognize the
equality of all men before the law,
and hold that it is the duty of gov
ernment in its dealings with the peo-
pie to mete out equal and exact JUS
tice to all, of whatever nativity, race,
color, or persuasion, religious or po-
litical; and it being the appropriate
object Of Legislation to enact great
fundamental principles into law !;
Therefore:
BE IL enacted by the Senate and
HOUSE of Representatives. Of ihe Eniied
States Of Americd, in Congress Assem-
bled, That all persons within the jur-
isdiction of the United States shall
be entitled to the full and equal en-
ioyment Of the accommodations, adj
yantages, facilities and privileges of
inns, public conveyances on land or
water, theatres and other places Of
public amusement; subject only to
the conditions and limitations estab-
lshed by law, and applicable alike
to citizens of every race and color,
regardless of any previous conditions
of servitude.
SEC. 2. That any person who shall
violate the foregoing section by de-
nying to any citizen, except the rea-
sons by law, applicable to citizens Of
every race and color, and regardless
of any previous condition of servi-
tude, the full enjoyment of any of
the accommodations, advantages or
privileges in said section enumerated,
or by aiding or melting such denial,
shall, for every such offense, forfeit
and pay the sum of $500 to the per-
son aggrieved thereby, to be recov-
cred in an action Of debt, with full
costs and shall also, for every such
offense, be deemed guilty Of misde-
meanor, and upon conviction thereof,
shall be fined not less than $500, nor
more than 81. 900, or shall be i'm
prisoned not less than thirty days
nor more than one year: Prouided,
That all persons may elect to sue for
the penalty aforesaid or to proceed
under their rights at common law
and by State statutes; and having SO
elected to proceed in the one mode
or the other, their right to proceed
in the other jurisdiction shall be
barred. But this provision shall not
apply to criminal proceedings, either
under this act or the criminal law Of
any State; And provided further, That
a Judgment for the penalty in favor
of the party aggrieved, or a judgment
upon an indictment, shall be bar to
either prosecution respectively.
SIC. 3. That the District and Cir
cult courts Of the United States shall
have, exclusive of the courts of the
several States, cognizance of all the
crimes and ofenses against, and vio-
lations Of, the provisions Of this act,
and actions for the penalty given by
the preceding section may be prose
cuted in the territorial districts, OF
circuit courts Of the United States,
wherever the defendant may be
found, without regard to the other
party; and the district Attorneys,
Marshals, and deputy Marshals Of
the United States, and commission
ers appointed by the circuit and ter
ritorial courts Of the United States
with powers Of arresting and impris
oning or bailing the offenders against
the laws Of the United States, art
hereby specially authorized and re-
quired to institute proceedings
against every person who shall violate
the provisions of the act, and cause
him to be arrested and imprisoned OF
balied, as the case may be, for trial
before such court Of the United
States or Territorial court Us by law
has cognizance of the offense, except
in respect Of the right Of action &C
cruing to the person aggrieyed: and
such district Attorneys shall cause
such proceedings to be prosecuted to
their termination as in other cases
Prortded, That nothing contained in
this section shall be construed to
deny or defeat any right OF civil action
accruing to any person, whether by
reason of this act or otherwise; and
any District Attorney who shall will
fully fail to institute and prosecute
the proceedings herein required shall
for every such ohense, forfeit and
pay the sum Of $500 to the person
aggrieyed thereby, TO be recovered
by an action of the debt, with full
costs, and shall, on conviction there.
of, be deemed guilty OF misde-
meanor, and be fined not less than
81 900 nor more than $4,000. And
prorided further, That judgment
for the penalty in favor Of the party
aggr;oyed against any such District
Attorney, shall be bar to either
prosecution respectively.
SEc. A., That no citizen possessing
all other qualifications which are o.
may be prescribed by law shall bt
disqualified for service Of grand Of
petit juror in any court Of the United
States, or Of any State, on account
Of race or color, or previous condi.
ton OF servitude; and any officer Of
other person charged with any duty
in the selection or summoning ol
Jurors who shall exclude or fail Il
summon any citizen for the cause'
aforesaid shall, on conviction there.
Of, be deemed guilty Of misdemean.
or, and be fined not more thar
$5, 600.
SIC. s. That all costs arising un
der the provisions Of this act Ii th,