Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-02-12
The Civil Rights Bill.

The following is n copy of the Civil Rights bill
as it finally passed the House of Representatives
Whereas it is essential to just government we
recognize the equality OF all men before the law,
ana hold that IL il 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 or persuasion, religious POLITICAL, and it
being the appropriate object of legislation to en-
act great principles into law: Therefore
~" u e'trcted DC, That all persons within the
jurisdiction of the United States shall be entitled
to the fun and equal enjoyment of the accommo-
cations, advantages, facilities, and privileges of
inns. public conVeyanccS on landor water thea
ters ana other places of public amusement, sub
juct only To the conditions and limitations estab-
lishrd 10y law, and applicable alike citizens of
every race and color regardless OF any previous
condition OF Servitude.
Sec. ?. That any person who shall violate the
foregoing section 10y denying to any citizen eX-
cept for reasons by law applicable to citizens of
every race and color, and regardless of any pre-
vlous condition OF servitude the full enjoyment
of any of the accommodations, advantages facili-
ties, or privileges i'll said section enumerated or
by aiding or melting such denial, SHALL for every
suc'i otenSe, fGrfet and pay the sum of five hum
drcd dollars tn the person aggreved thereby to
be recovered in action of debt, with full costs
and shall Also for every such otfenSe be deemed
guilty OF n m>dlemcanOr, and, upon conviction
thereof. shall be fined not less than five hundred
nor more than one thousand dollars. or shall be
Imprisoned not less than thirty days nor more
than ons year: PrOrioed. That all persons may
elect To Sue fur the penalty aforesaid proceed
under their rights AT common law and by state
statutes: and having ~ elected to proceed in the
one mode or the other, their right To proceed in
the other Jurisdiction shall he barred. But this
prpviso shall not apply to criminal proceedings,
either under this act or the criminal law of any
state: lind pyDrided further That Judgment for
the penalty in favor of the party assyrievcd for
II Judgment upon an Indictment. shall be bar
"a either prosecution respectively.
Sec. Z. That the District and Circuit Courts of
the United States shall have, exclusively of the
courts of the several States, cogniZance of all
crimes and offences against, and violations OF,
the provisions of this act: and actions for the
penalty given by the preceding section NAV he
fha 10 ST ief or cir
courts OF the United States, wherever the defen-
dant may he found. without regard to the other
party. And the district attorneys, marShals and
deputy mar>hals of the United States. and COM
m>SonerS appointed by the circuit and terrtori-
nj courts of the United states, with the powers of
arresting and impri>oning or bailing offenders
against the laNSof the Cnised States, are hereby
specially authorized and required tn institute pro-
ceedinGS against every person who shall violate
the provisions OF this act and ca use him To be ar
rested and imprisoned, or hailer, as the case may
be- for trial before such Of the United states
or territorial court rs by law has cogniZance of
the offens except i'll respect of the right faction
accruing To persons aggrieved :, and such district
attorneys shall cause such proceedings TO he pro-
secuted to their termination, rs in other cases.
Prurittsd, 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 wilfuly fail TO institute and
prosecute the proceedings herein required shall
for every such oifensc forfeit and pay the sum of
five hundred dollars To- the person aggricved,
thereby, to be recovered by action OF debt,
iAii tb>t>. anu thereof,
be deemed guilty of missie fneanor and be fined
not less than one thousand nor more than five
Thousand dollars: Ind prOUitted further, That q
Judgment for the penalty in favor of the party
,.----riCNed against any such district attorney or
"A Judgment upona-' indictment against any such
district attorney shall DC Lar to either nrosecu-
ton respectively. .
Sec. {. That nocitiZen possessing all ,ua-
1cntons which are or may be prescribed by law.
shall be disqualified for service grand or petit
Juror in any court of the United States, of any
state. account of race, color previous conti-
ton of serv.tude; and any officer other person
charged with any duty in the selection or sum-
moning of jurors who shall exclude or fail TO
summon any citizen for the cause aforesaid shall
on conviction Thereof. be deemed guilty of a mis-
demeanor and be fined not more than five thou
sand dollars.
Sec. ). That all cases arising under the proVi-
sionS of this act in the courts of the United States
shall he renewable by the supreme Court of the
United states without regard to the sum in con-
troverSy, under the same provisions and regula-
tons are provided by law for the review
of other causes in said court.