Arkansas weekly mansion., 1883-12-22
MASS MEETING.
ON THE HOWARD co. RIOT OUEsTIo,

ON THE HOWARD co. RIOT QUESTION.
On Monday, Dec. 18th, 1888, a
mass meeting of the citizens of
Pine Bluff, Jefferson county, met
and Hon Carl Polk was elected
chairman. and Rev r Dickinson,
secretary.
A committee was appointed by
the chsir to draft suitable resolu-
tons.
So HolIensworth, Ferd Havis,
Nathan Hayes, Alfred Robinson,
II F Ray, j g Rogers, and DR..
MEG Glother, committee.
Committee returned and re-
ported the following resolutions
except one clause, which we were
unable to obtain.
Whereas, In the county Of How
ard, state of Arkansas, at a recent
date, serious difficulties have ex-
listed between some of the white
and few of the colored citizens of
said county, resulting in riot and
bloodshed, and
Whereas, The result of the
same has been that some thirty of
the colored citizens of said coun-
ty, have been convicted and SEN
fenced to the state penitentiary
for periods varying from five to
eighteen years and three have
been sentenced to be hanged, and
Whereas, The trial of these ac-
cused men was conducted with
great haste and while the commu-
nifty was in a condition of great
and unusual excitement and the
accused probably unable to secure
proper counsel and witnesses, and
Whereas, These summary pro-
ceedings have attracted the at
tention of the whole country and
led to serious doubts in the minds
of right thinking men, as to
whether such action as was taken
was necessary and proper to
secure the ends ofjustice and pro-
mote the welfare of society and
our beloved state of Arkansas in
general and especially its repnta-
tion abroad; now
Therefore, We as citizens of
the county of jefferson feeling a
deep interest in the welfare of our
state and in that of our fellow
citizens and being assured that
the consecrations above adduced,
are sufficient to afford reasonable
grounds for the belief that in the
trial, conviction and sentence of
the parties aforesaid under the
circumstances and in the manner
as above stated, undue and unne-
cessary severity has been exercis-
ed; therefore be it
Resolved, That it is for tue best
interests of society and our good
state, that equal and exact justice
be meted out to all alike, without
regard to race, color or previous
condition of servitude.
Resolved, That the good name
of our state is in the balance and
we shall be greatly Inundated to
find her wanting.
Resolved, That a committee of
seven be appointed by this meet
ing to be known and styled the
executive and finance committee
of J Jefferson county, whose duty it
shall be to raise money and en-
ploy counsel ETC., ETC.. and to do
all other legal acts as will tend to
meiorate the condition of our
unfortunate brethren Of: Howard
county.
Resolved, That said executive
committee shall continue and
have power to reassemble this
meeting and to be a standing
committee until the matter of the
Howard county rioters be finally
settled by the highest court in
the land.
Signed: Ferd Havis, DR.. j NJ
@ McGlother, Nathan Hayes, A
r Robinson, f. A Fay and } G
Rogers.
81 HoLLENswoRTH Chm.
Rev r Dickson, Sec.
Over $75 dollars were put on
the table in a few moments.
Executive committee: f Havis,
S J Hollenswor!h, ID A Robinson,
Pat Patillo, DR. McGlother. j G
Ballees, Prof. Corbin.
Prof Corbin was elected treas
urer and money turned over to
him. This is all we have been