Franklin Repository

The bill to protect all persons in their civil rights and to furnish the means for their vindication, has passed both houses of Congress and only requires the signature of the President to become a law. As a good many anticipate a veto of the act, its important provisions are herewith given: The first section is as follows: All persons born in the United States and not subject to any foreign power, excluding Indians, not taxed, are hereby declared to be citizens of the United States; and such citizens of every race and color without regard to any previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall have the same right in every State and territory of the United States, to make and enforce contracts, to sue parties and give evidence, to inherit; purchase, lease or sell, hold and convey real and personal property; and to full and equal benefit to all laws and proceedings for the security of person and property as is enjoyed by white citizens, and shall be subject to like punishment, pains and penalties, and to none other, any law, statute, ordinance, regulation or custom, to the contrary notwithstanding.

The second section is as follows: That any person who, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation or custom, shall subject or cause to be subjected any inhabitant of any State or territory to the deprivation of any right secured or protected by this act, or to different punishment, pains or penalties, on account of such person having at any time been held in a condition of slavery or involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, or by reason of his color or race than is prescribed for the punishment of such persons, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction shall be punished by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both in the discretion of the Court.

The third section gives the United States Courts exclusive jurisdiction of the cases arising under this act, and also concurrently with the Circuit Court of the United States, civil and criminal, affording persons who are denied or cannot enforce in the Courts or judicial tribunals of the seat or locality where they may be any of the rights secured to them by the first section of this act, and of any suit or prosecution, civil or criminal had been or shall be commenced in any State Court against any such person for any cause whatever, by any officer, civil or military, or other person, for any arrest or imprisonment, trespasses, or wrongs done or committed by virtue of or under color of authority derived from this act or the act establishing a bureau for the relief of freedmen and refugees, and acts amendatory thereof; or for refusing to do any act upon the ground that it would be inconsistent with this act, such defendant shall have the right to remove such cause for trial to the proper District or Circuit Court in the manner prescribed by the act relating to habeas corpus and regulating judicial proceedings in certain cases.

United States Marshals, District Attorneys and Agents of the Freedmen's Bureau are empowered to prosecute cases under this bill. Severe penalties are provided for all persons who may in any way hinder the operations of it.