The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-01-02
The Indiana White Cans.

We print this morning letter from the
White Cap district of Indiana, which con-
tains an interview with prominent citi-
zen" of that section who, if not himself
White Cap, is at least in sympathy with
the objects and practices of the White
Caps. 1t will be read with interest as
affording an insight into the curious men,
tai processes by which men who call them
selves respectable, and are considered re-
spectacle by their neighbors, seek to
justify TO themselves and to the world the
practice Of lawlessness.
The burden of this respectable citi-
zen's" song is that no one has been pun
ished by the White Caps who did not de-
serve it. Their victims have been, with
out exception, he saws, vicious and worth
less characters, such as wife-beaters. idlers,
chronic lOafers, etc, etc. In every case
where the facts were known the verdict OF
the community was SERVED them right"
Many OF the persons beaten have them
selves admitted the justice OF their pun
ishment, and in some cases it has had a
most wholesome effect, resulting in the
complete reformation of the offenders,
who have become industrious, so Der,
thrifty citizens, instead of lazy, shiftless,
drunken dead-beats
We have no doubt that the past condi-
ton OF public sentiment in the White Cap
counties is faithfully reflected by this
apologist and defender OF the White Caps
Their very existence would, indeed, have
been impossible but for just such lax
and demoralized public sentiment as his
remarks indicate. Happily there has
been a marked change in the local senti-
ment upon this subject during the last
year. This is evidenced by the
election Of JERRY L. SUDDARTH as prose-
cutting attorney. Mr.. SUDDARTH was the
republican nominee for that Office He
made his campaign upon the issue of the
enforcement of the law against the White
Caps, and upon that issue was triumph
antly elected, receiving a majority of 800,
although the majority forNthe rest of the
democratic licked averaged one thousand
In the district Mr.. SUDDARTH, therefore,
owes his election to the law-abiding citi-
zens OF both parties-a fact which is aus
picious of a new and better era in the
White Cap counties.
The postponement of the trial of the in
dicted White Caps is, however, unfortun-
ate. The longer their trial is delayed the
less likely is justice to be DONE 1t is a
fitting commentary upon the professions
of these men that, being in peril Of the
law, they are quick 10 avail themselves of
the very privilege whose abuse in the in
terest of other law-breakers they have
made the pretext for many of their own
crimes.
But the really encouraging thing is that
these men have been indicted; that their
cases have been set for trial; that the
prosecution is in charge of man with the
ability and the courage to conduct it ef-
fectively, and that the preponderance of
public sentiment is with him in his efforts
10 suppress mob rule.
OF course it is unnecessary to point out
the wretched sophistries by which the
White Caps and their friends endeavor
TO justify their crimes. They will not
have feathers weight with any intel
lgent person who is fit to live in a
civilized community. 1t is superflu-
Gus TO tell such person that
when a body Of citizens assume to regu-
late the morals and habits of their neigh
bors by force, organized society is in peril,
and anarchy Is in sight II these mid
night marauders had been anxious 10 up