St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-02-08
AN ATROCI0US CRIME.
Gov. Hogg Writes a Message
on the Late Lynehing
at Paris.
It Is Declared to Be a
Disgrace TO the
State.
Three Other Men Murdered
by MODS in That Com
munity.
o =
Jack Clifford, Of Homestead,
Acquitted Of the Charge
of Murder. R75

AUSTIN, Tex, Feb. 1.-THE governor
today sent message to both houses OF
the legislature ON the Paris mob, in
which he says:
ut becomes my painful duty to ems
phasize to you the necessity of. taking
some steps to prevent mob violence IN
Texas. The recent terrible holocaust at
Paris is the best illustration to what
extent the mob spirit will go
when laws are inadequate to check it.
While The victim Of that affair was
guilty of an atrocious, barbarous crime,
appalling to contemplate, for which he
was certain of full punishment under
the constitution and laws of OUT state,
civilization stands as a helpless witness
to the most revolving Xecutlon OF the
age. in which large numbers of citizens
openly, III broad day, publicly
become murderers by methods
shameful to humanity. Brushing
away sentiment, which should never
accompany punishment for crime, the
public murder committed at Paris is a
disgrace to:thiS state. Its atrocity, in
humanity and sickening effect upon the
people at laIge cannot be excused ny
reference to the savage act OF the cul-
prit himself in brutality, taking the life
OF all innocent cnllQ.
vgouId Have Been Punished.
''For his deed the death penalty
awaited him under the laws. The I'M
putation that he could not have been
legally executed in any court in this
state is SANDER upon the Integrity oS
every citizen. The contesltion that his
eXecutioners. who publicly murdered
him,ca neither be indicted nor tried in
the county where the crime was COM
mltted, Is a pretense and mok-
cry. The late execution at Paris is
not the only one that has been per-
formed by a mob in that county. With
in the past twelve months three other
men were hanged to death i'll that
neighbOrhood who had committed no
crimes. Their presence in the com
munity was offensive or perhaps menac-
ing to the pleasure and equanlmlty Of
the band of murderers who took their
lives. There have been other instances
in this state where innocent men have
been executed by mobS and no punish
ment, therefor has been possible.
The condition has grown to this, that II
enough men in community choose. to
defy the law, they can go on in their
nefarious actions at will. VIII the legis-
lature stand by and permit this condI-
ton to continue undisturbed. I'M
changed any longer? l hope not"
The governor then recommends the
passage of additional laws OIL the sub
ject, which should contain the following
features:
10 Prevent Lynchings.
Flrst-That when any person, being
prisoner in jail or other place of con-
tinement, OF under arrest. or in official
custody or restraint, or is held by9o
uader the authority of any county,
city or state officer, or IS re-
strained by virtue Of any le-
gal process, shall be taken
from such place orauthority III violation
of law and put to death, the county
within which such persons were so held
or confined, and from which they may
have been so taken, shall be liable to
pay specified large sum to the surviy-
ing husband. wife, children and parents
of said person who shall SO suffer death.
Second-Make the county also liable
for damages when such person, not
being prisoner or under legal duresS,
is mobbed by two or more persons. and
the said criminals are not within spec
flied time indicted and prosecuted for
their crime.
Third Make each person or corDora-
ton also liable tor damages VINO taxes
part in or aids by acts, or i'll any way
aDets in mobbing of a person.
Fourth-Gve the surviving relatives an
action in the district court of any county
where the murder was committed, or in
any county where either or all plaintiffs
may reside when the action is insti-
tuted.
Fifth-Render the sheriff Ineligible to
hold his Office and provide for his re-
movaf when prisoner is taken from the
jail or from himself, or from any officer
or lawful authority in his presence, and
is put to death 10y mob.
SiXth-Provide for a change of venue,
either before OF after indictment, in all
cases of mob violence.
Smiths Stepson Lynched.
PARIS, Tex, Feb. News was re
ceived this afternoon that the body Of
Will Butler, colored, had been found
hanging to limb and riddled with bull
lets on Hickory creek, five miles south
east of the city. Butler was stepson
of Henry Smith, who was cremated
alive here Feb. l, and made himself
notorious during the search for Smith
by claiming to know his Whereabouts,
which he would not divuIge.