The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-02-11
Civil Riellts Bill.

winter in having had stricken out of it the
public school feature, and consequently will go
to the Senate for concurrence. 1t is believed
that it will receive adverse action in that body
in its present shape, and that committee Of
conference will be the result. II this shall be
the course OF events, it is quite possible it will
not become law during the present session,
in view OF the few days that remain Of the exis-
ting Congress.
Our views of the expedisncy Of bill 81 this
kind, are well known to our readers: We have
argued heretofore that it was not to the inter
est OF the class it is designed to benefit that it
should be passed. It is not necessary to re-
produce the arguments heretofore Advanced
Should it become law, while believing it in
expedient, we shall earnestly advise a strict
observance OF its provisions, as the best meth
cd to modify its Objectionable features, and
preserve peace in the Southern States. Cap
tious resistance to it will only multiply troub-
les, and work harm to our section.
1t may be safely assumed that the disposition
manifested in some of the Southern States to
nuliify the plain provisions OF the amendments
to the national constitution has preciptated
this legislation. The race issue thrust upon
the people Of Virginia by the Conservative par
| ty in 1873 in the canvass for Governor, and the
subsequent career OF the White Leagues of the
Cotton States, the offspring of that issue, have
had the effect to arouse feeling and excite ap-
prehensions, that have been crystalized into
this bill, and if it becomes a law, it may fairly
be traced to these causes.
If the bill shall be enacted into law, we be-
lieve the responsibility will rest more broadly
upon the Richmond Enquirer, which first sug-
| gested the issue Of the white man against the
black man in 1873. and Gov. Kemper, who
accepted and agitated it, than upon any other
agencies
The following is copy of the civil rights
bill as it finally passed the House of Represen-
| tatives:
| Whereas it is essential to sHst government that
we recognize the equality of all men before the
law, and hold that it is the duty OF Govern
nlent in its dealings with the people to mete
out equal and exact justice to all, of whatever
nationality, race, color, persuas, ion religious
or political, and it being the appropriate OBJ
ject of legislation to enact great principles into
| laws; therefore,
| Be it enacted, &c, That all persons within
the jurisdiction OF the United States shall be
entitled to the full and equal enjoyment OF the
accommo lations, advantages, facilities, and
privileges OF inns, public conveyances on land
or water, theatres and other places OF public
amusement, subject only to the conditions and
1 limitation established by law, and applicable
alike to citizens OF every race and color, re-
gardless of any previous condition of servitude.
SEC. 2. That any person who shall violate
the foregoing section BY denying to any citizen,
except for reasons OF law applicable to citizens
| of every race or color, and regardless OF any
previous. condition Of servtJlde. the full enjoy
ment OF any Of the accommodations, advanta-
ges, facilities, or privileges in said section emu
| nlerated or by aiding or melting such denial,
shall Tor every such offence, forfeit and pay the
sum of five hundred dollars to the per-
son agg1ieved thereby, to be recovered i'll an ac-
| ton OF deht with fall costs; and shall also,
] for every such offence be deemed guilty OF a
mistlemeanor, and upon conviction thereof, shall
be fined not less than five hundred, nor more
/ than one thousand dollars, or shall be imprs-
onea not less than thirty days OF more chan
4 one year: Provided, That all persons may elect
! to sue for the penalty aforesaid or to proceed
1 under their rights at common law and by State
statutes; and having so elected to proceed ia the
one mode OF the other, their righG 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 propided fagther, That
| Judgment for the penalty in favor Of the party
a9greved, or ajudgment upon an indictment,
shall be a bar to either prosecution respective
ly.
| SEC. 3. That the district and circuit courts OF
| the United States shall have, exclusively OF the
courts of the several States, eognizan-
ce Of all crimes and offences against, and vio-
atons of t.Ie provisions OF this act; and actions
/ for the penalties given by preceding section
1 t,.iot
| or circuit courts OF the United States where
the defendant may be found, without regard
| to the 9th IL party; and the district attorneys,
marshals, and deputy marshals Of the United
| States, and commissioners appointed by the
circuit and territorial courts of the United
States, with powers OF arresting and imprison-
| ing or battling offenders against the law of the
| United States, are hereby specially authorized
and required to institute proceedings against ev-
| cry person who shall violate the provisions of
| this act, and cause him to be arrested and inf-
prisoned or bailed, as the case may be, for fri
al before such court Of the United States terri
torial court as by law has cogniZance of the Of
fence. except in respect of right of action ac-
cruing to the person agggrleved; and such dis
tnct attorneys shall cause such proceedings to
be prosecuted to their termination as in other
| cases: Provided, 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 willfully
fail to institute and prosecute the proceedings
herein required shall, for every such offence
forfeit the sum OF at least five hundred dollars
to the person agggrieyed thereby, to be recover
ed by an action Of debt, with full costs, and
shall, on conviction thereof. be deemed guilty
of mlsdemeanor, and be fined not less than
one Thousand dollars nor more than five thous-
and dollars: A7sd prouided further, That a
Judgment for the penalty in favor of the party
aggrieved against any such district attorney, or
judgement upon an Indictment against any i
such district attorney, shall be bar to either
prosecution respectively. |
SEC. 4, That no citizen possessing all ether|
qualifications which are OF may be prescribed
by law shall be disqualified for service as grand
or petit Juror in any court OF the United States,
or Of any State, on account OF race, color, or
previous condition of servitude; and any officer
or other person charged with any duty in the
selection and summoning of jurors who shall ex-
clude or fail to summon any citizen for the cause
aforesaid shall be deemed guilty of misdemean-
or. and be fined not more than five thousand
dollars.
SEC. s. That all cases arising under the pro-
visions of this act in the courts OF the United
State shall be renewable by the Supreme
Court OF the United States without regard to
the sum in controversy, under the same provis-
ions and regulations as are now provided by
law for the review Of other causes i'll said
court.