Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-02-06
The Civil Rights Bill.

The following is a copy of the civil rights
bill as ii finally passed the House OF r apre-
Tentatiyes:
Whereas it is essential to Just government
we recognize the equality of all men before
the law, and hold that ii is the duty OF gov
ernment in its dealings with the people To
mete out equal and exact justice 70 all. of
Whatever nationality, race, color or persua-
sion, religious or political, and it being the
appropriate object OF legislation to enact
great principles into law: Therefore
Be G enacted, &c. That all persons within
the jurisdiction of the United States shall be
entitled To the full and equal enjoyment of
the accommodations, advantages, facilities.
ana privileges OF inns, public cOnvCyancaS on
land or water, thCaterS and other places OF
public amusement. subject only 10 the con
ditions and limitations established by law.
ard applicable alike to citizens OF every race
and color regardless of any previous cOali-
ton of SCrvitude.
Sec. ,. That any person who shall violate
lhe foregoing section by denying TO any citi-
zen, except for reasons by law applicable u
citizens of every race and color. aud regard
less of any previous condition of servituie.
The full enjoyment Of any Of the accOmmoIa-
uonS, advantages, facilities. or privileges
In said section enumerated, or by aiding or
melting such denial. shall. for every such
oIienSe, forfeit and pay the sum of five hun
ureu dollars TO the person aggrieved thereby,
10 bc recovered in an action of debt. with fun
costs; and shall also. for every such OflruSp
be deemed guilty of miSdemeaUOr. and
upon conviction thereof, shall Toe fined not
less than five hundred nor more than one
ulONSstlli dollars. or snail hp lmprlSOnp not
less than than thirty days nor more than one
year: IT0tldof That all persons may elect To
sue for the penalty aforesaid or 10 proceed
under their rights at common law and by
state statutes; and having SO elected 10 pro-
cocd IN the one mode or the other, their right
10 proceed in the other jurisdiction shall be
barred. Bat this proVisO shall not apply to
criminal proceedings, either under this act or
the criminal law of any state: Apd DroriFaf
JiTb''F. That a judgment for the penalty in
iaYOr OF the party aggricVed, or for ia IL
I NON ind TT Oh,
eltAcf prosecution reNp pCclYel y.
Sec. 3. That the District and Circuit Courts
OF the United states shall have, exclusively
OF the courts of the several states, ,cOguizance
OF all crimes and offences against. and viola
uOnS of, the provisions OF this act: anl ar-
lions for the penalty given by the prece ling
section may be prosecuted in tho territorial.
district or circuit courts OF the Unitel states,
wherever the defendant may D. found. with
oGt regard to the other party. And the dis
tTlct attorneys, mdrSAals and deputy mar
shalS of the United States. and cp;nmiSSfoa-
crs appointed by the circuit AMI territorial
courts of the United States. with the
powers of aresting and imprisOninE or
1allIng offenders against the laws of
the United States, are hereby specially
authorized and required 10 Institute
proceedings against every person who shall
violate the provisions of this act, anj cause
nm 10 be arrested and imprisoned |, or bdilnl,
a the case may be. for trial before such
court OF TIE United state or terri yOTial court
as 10y law has cOgniZa1ce OF the ofGnSa. eX-
cept In respect of the right of ctiOn arrr;ingto
persons aggrievcd ;and such district attorneys
shall Causc such proceedings to be prosecuted
To their termination. as in other cases. Pro
ttdeI ihat nothing contained in this section
snail be construed To deny or defeat any right
OF civil action accTuing 10 any person
whether by reason of this act OF otherwise.
And any district attorney who shall wlIfuIIv
lall 10 institute ana prosecute the proceed
lngs herein required shall, for every such Of
renee, forfeit and pay the sum Of five hundred
dollars 10 the person aggricVei thereby. to be
recovered by an action of debt with full
COSTS, and shall. on conviction thereof, be
dC Cemed guilty of miSdemeanOr. and be fined
not less than one thousand nor more than
five thousand dollars 1Pf j,rJUiriad further.
That Judgment for the penalty in favor of
the party aggTieved against any such district
attorney, or a judgment upon an indictment
against any such district attorney. shall be
bar TO either prosecution respectively.
sec 1hat no citizen possessing all other
qyai1hcatiOnS which are or may be IraScrib-
Ell by aw, shall be disqualified for service as
q rand or petit juror in any court of the Uni
ted States, or of any state, on account Of
race. cOIOrOr previous condition of ServituIa:
ana any officer or other person charged with
any duty in the selection or SummO1i1g of
Jurors who Shall exclude or fail TO summon
any citizen for the cause Aforesaid shall. on
conviction thereof, he deemed guilty of a
miSdemeanOr, and be fined not more than
five thousand dollars.
Sec. D. That all cases arising under the p-p-
visions OF this act in the courts Of the Inltpl
States shall be renewable by the Supra,na
Court of the United States without regard TO
The sum in controversy, under the same pro-
VISIONS and regulations as are now provided
by law FOR the review Of other causes in said
court.