Race Distinctions in American LawStephenson, Gilbert Thomas
History
Race Distinctions in American Law
Stephenson, Gilbert Thomas
African Americans -- Politics and government; Law -- United States -- History; United States -- Race relations
five years. West Virginia would confine them in jail not over one year
and fine them not exceeding one hundred dollars. Thus, it appears that
in most of the States intermarriage is considered a very serious
offence, ranking in Colorado, Delaware, Nevada, and South Carolina, as a
misdemeanor; in Louisiana and North Carolina as an infamous crime; and
in Tennessee and Oklahoma as a felony.
PUNISHMENT FOR ISSUING LICENSES
With no less severity do the States punish those who issue licenses to
persons of one race to marry those of another. Alabama declares that
anyone knowingly issuing a license for the marriage of a white and
colored person shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more
than one thousand dollars and may also be imprisoned in the county jail
or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than six months.
Colorado makes it a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of one hundred
dollars. Florida punishes it by imprisonment not exceeding two years or
a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars. North Carolina simply
declares it to be a misdemeanor without prescribing any punishment
different from that for other misdemeanors. Oklahoma makes it a
misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred nor more
than five hundred dollars, or imprisonment in the county jail not less
than thirty days nor more than one year, or both.
PUNISHMENT FOR PERFORMING THE CEREMONY
A heavy penalty is laid also upon one who performs the ceremony for
those who marry in violation of the laws against miscegenation. Alabama
provides that any justice of the peace, minister, or other person, who
knowingly performs the marriage ceremony between a white and colored
person, shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than
one thousand and, at the discretion of the court, imprisoned in the
country jail or sentenced to hard labor for the county for not more than
six months. Arkansas makes anyone performing such a ceremony guilty of a
high misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred
dollars. Colorado declares that to perform the ceremony is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of between fifty dollars and five hundred dollars
or imprisonment between three months and two years, or both. In
Delaware, it is a misdemeanor, and the punishment is a one hundred
dollar fine. Florida either imprisons the person performing the ceremony
not over one year or imposes a fine on him not exceeding one thousand
dollars. North Carolina simply defines it as a misdemeanor. Indiana
declares that one who knowingly counsels or assists in such a marriage
shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one
thousand dollars. Nevada makes one who performs the ceremony guilty of a
misdemeanor and subjects him to imprisonment in the State prison not
less than one year nor more than three years. Oklahoma makes it a
misdemeanor and imposes a fine of between one hundred dollars and five
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account