The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-03-06
The Civil Rights Bill.

bill as finally passed by Congress
Whereas, Ii is essential to just government
we recognize the equality of all men before
the law, and hold that it is the duty of Gov.
eminent in its dealings with the people to
mete out equal and exact justice to 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 II enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives ofthe United States of Amer.
within the Jurisdiction of the United States
shall be entitled to the full and equal enjoy
ment of the accommodations, advantages,
facilities and privileges Of inns, public con.
veyances on land or water, theatres, and other
places of public amusement, subject only TO
the conditions and limitations established BY
law, and applicable alike to citizens of every
race aud color, regardless Of any previous
condition of seryitude.
SEC. 3 That any person who shall violate
the foregoing section by denying to any eiti.
zen, except for reasons by law applicable TO
to citizens of every race and color, and re.
gardless Of any previous condition of servi-
tude, the full enjoyment Of any Of the accom-.
modations, advantages, facilities or privileges
in said section enumerated, or by aiding or
luGiAlnb buCu utultaif sHdllf lpI tNtIl hutn VI
Tense, forfeit and pay the sum Of FIVE hundred
dollsrs to the person aggreiyed thereby, to be
recovered in an action of debt, with full COSTS
and shall also, for every such offense, be
deemed guilty Of a msdemeanor, 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 one year. Provid-
ed, 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, the right to proceed in the
other jurisdiction shall be barred. But this
proviso shall not apply to criminal proceed
ings, 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 respect
lively.
SEC. 3. That the District and Circuit
Courts of the United States shall have, ex-
clusively Of the courts Of the several States,
cognizance of all crimes and offenses against
and violations of the provisions of this act,
and actions for the penalty given by the pre-
ceding section may be prosecuted in the Ter.
ritorial, District or Circuit Courts of the Uni
ted States wherever the defendant may be
found, without regard to the other party
And the District Attorneys, Marshals and Dep.
uty Marshsls of the United States, and Com
missioners appointed by the Circuit aud Terri.
torial Courts of the United States, with power
of arresting and imprisoning or bailing offend
ers against the laws of the United States, are
hereby specially authorized aud required to
institute proceedings against every person
who shall violate the provisions of this act,
and cause him to be arrested and imprisoned
or bailed, as the case may be, for trial before
such court of the United States or Territorial
court as by law has cognizance of the offense,
except in respect Of the right of action accru.
ing TO the person aggrieved; and such District
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 de.
feat any right of civil action accruing to any
person, whether by reason Of this act or other
wise. And any District Attorney who shall
wilfully fail to institute and prosecute the
proceedings herein required, shall for every
such ofiense forfeit and pay the sum of five
hundred dollars to the person aggrieved there
by, to be recovered by an action OF debt, with
full costs, and shall, on conviction thereof, be
deemed guilty Of a misdemoanor, and be fined
not less than one thousand nor more than FIVE
thousand dollars. And provided further,
That q judgment for the penalty in favor of
the party aggrieyed against any such District
Attorney, or judgment upon an indictment
against any such District Attorney, shall be
bar to either prosecution, respectively.
SEC. 4. That no citizen possessing all
other qualifications which are or may be pre-
scrihed 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 seryi.
tude; and any officer or other person charged
with any duty in the selection of summoning
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
thousand dollars.
See. 5. That oil cases arising under the
provisions of this oct in the courts of the
United States shall be removable by the Su.
preme Court Of the United States without re.
gard to the sum in controversy, under the
same provisions and regulations as are now
provided by law for the review of other causes
in said coart.