Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-11-02
THE ARGUS.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 1892.
NORTHERN ON LYNCH
He Doesn't Think Well of the
Popular Judge.
GEORGIA's GOVERNOR ON MOB LAW

BEST Citizens" Who Ignore the Law
Classed rs "More Than Murderers''-
Suggestions to How to Stop the Law
1essness-Recent Doings in the Criminal
World-A Pretty Widows Sharp Game
kansas Bank Robbed A wife's
Attempt at Revenge.
ATLANTA, Ga, Nov I'm his annual
message to the Legislature on the subject of
lynch law Governor Northen has this 70
say: 81 regret that the necessity exists for
recommending the passage of more strin-
gent laws for the protection of human life
would not intimate, nor do 1 believe, that
the communities of Georgia are less law
abiding than those of other states. All
over the country, in the north as well as in
the south, there is lawlessness which is q
reproach to American civilization Within
the past year in this state persons charged
with crimes have been arrested and lodged
in Jail, and while thus in the custody of the
law bodies of lawless men have compelled
the surrender of the prisoners and sum-
marty executed vengeance against them.
Rather Rough On the BEST Citizens."
"These self-constituted judges and execu-
tioners are more than murderers. They
have not only taken human life without
authority excuse, but they have put
before their fellow citizens an example
which if followed to any extent would
speedily end in the dissolution of society
itself. 1t becomes the general assembly to
consider and provide proper remedy for
this evil by legislation. | would respect
fully suggest first, that the powers of the
sheriff be more clearly defined and that
his duties be emphasized by proper pen
alties for neglect to discharge them. When
person is under arrest in the custody of
the sheriff it is the duty of the latter to
protect him absolutely from molestation
or bodily harm.
Holding the Sheriff Responsible.
'For this purpose the sheriff is authorized
to summon to his assistance every able
bodied man in the vicinity, if need be, to
preserve the peace and protect life. Should
he fail to discharge his duty, and personal
damage or loss of life result, let his sure
ties respond in damages to the prisoner, or
if the prisoner be slain, to his heirs. The
sheriff himself should be punished by fine
and imprisonment and suspension or dis
missal from Office. Before making this
heavy demand upon the sheriff, let us see
to it that he is provided with !, real and not
merely an imaginary force. AS before said,
that officer now has authority to summon
to his aid every able bodied man in the
county, but have not seen the statute that
imposes a definite penalty for refusing to
respond to such summons. therefore re-
spectfully suggest, second, the enactment
of a law compelling by adequate penalties
the citizens to obey the sheriff.
VIII Freely Use the Militia
eff these should fail there yet remains
the military power, and so long as hold
the executive Office it shall be used on
proper occasions to preserve the peace and
maintain the supremacy of the law. Should
these views meet with your concurrence,
l-l -
accordance Herewith, L respectfully rec
ommend that the judges of the superior
courts be required to lay the matter before
the grand juries when cases of outrage and
violence occur in their counties, to investi-
gate the conduct of the sheriff and citizens
In relation thereto, with the view of subse-
Quent trial for neglect of duty if such
should be found to be the fact"