The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-07-31
PALATKA Is Up IN ARMS.
CLEMENCY SHOWN a MURDERER
THE CAUSE.


Gov. Fleming's Action Censured at a
Mass Meeting Of Citizens and Reso-
lstions Demanding an Explanation
Adopted-The Local Military Com
peny Determines 20 Disband.
PALATKA, FLA, July 3l-I.ast night the
Gem City Guards met and after discussing
the manner in which Jim Austin, the negro
murderer of one Of their comrades and
friend, was spirited away by orders Of the
governor. who had commuted his nteuce TO
imprisonment in the penitentiary for life,
they disbandsd and requested their officers
to forward their resig nation TO the gov
ernor. This morning at II o'clock the
citizens held meeting in the board of
trade rooms and after listening to a number
Of prominent citizens on the subject,
committee Of seve was appointed to draw
up resolutions expressing the public indig
nation. The committee made the following
report:
At a meeting Of citizens of Putnam county
and Of the city OF Paiat<a, held at the board Of
trade room IN the city of Palatks at II O'Clock
a. m, July 30, 1889 FOR the pur ose OF consider
ng the extraordinary actl N Of the governor
and parduning board Of the state OF Florida in
committing the death sentenc. of James Austin
TO imprisonment for life in the state peniten-
tiary. it was unanimously resolved as follows:
WHEREAS, James Austin was convicted at the
spring term OF the circuit court held IN and for
tue county of Putnam, state Of Florida, OF the
cold-olooded and willful murder OF william
Loring, deputy sheriff Of said county at the
time OF Killing and citizen OF high character.
universally esteemed and beloved in this com
munity; and
WHEREAS. There are no extenuating circum-
stances connected with the killing r murder Of
said LOriug by said Austin, but on the contrary
tue same was done by said Austin with pre-
meditation. aud was a most brutal and out
rageOus murder, and
WHEREAS. It appears that the action Of the
governor and board of pardon, was taken and
made without full and careful investi satiOn Of
the true state of affairs in this community
and is characterized by undue and indecent
haste, aud
WHEREAS, This community is deeply fncensed
and aggisved by the action Of he governor
and pardoning board, aforesaid therefore be it
resolved BY tae citizens of Putnam county and
the city Of Palltka:
l. That the Communication of the death sen.
tence Of said James Austin to imprisonment
for life by the governor and pardoning board of
the state OF Florida is an outrage and indignity
upon these people
,. That we demand Of the governor and
pardoning board a full and complete public
statement of the facts and circumstances lead
ing to such Communication Of said sentence.
z. CALHOUN, Chairman.
w. 7. COPPER,
RUD KERsTING,
T. A. GARRISON,
W. p CYRUS,
S. J. KENNERLY,
NORTH KOHL
Committee.
Unanimously adopted by the citizens lndigna-
ton meeting without dissenting vote.
j. D. HoLLTsTER, Chairman.
w. J. MCKEE, Secretary.
The resolutions were unanimously adopted
by the citizens without dissenting vo e.
1t was crdered that copies of these resolu-
,utions be sent to the governor TO each
aember of the pardoning board. A COM
mittee of three was appointed to wait uDo
the Gem City Guards and request that they
DO not resign and give up their commission
The cause of the governors actiol still re-
mains mystery, as everyone is familiar
with the crime. Austin is a Savannah
negro aud is a desperate character.