Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-24
The Fug.tives from Roanoke.


~ Roanoke there are persons who seem
q DE- disposed 20 blame Mayor Trout for
srcrr'ins himself after the tragedy at
I'll jau aud then coycrtiy leaving the
city.
We 30 ut SOC how he can bc Justly held
Imcnahlc Co any such criticism. He was
wounded ana disabled. and the mob was
bowling for his mes blood TO have
shopu himself -oul1 have been almost
certainly 60 have submitted himself to
~ ignomiuious death. II this be not the
truth then an of the correspondents
whose letters from Roanoke we have
rad have misrcprcscuted the feeling
which prevailed there. II IL be true.
nothing more need be said in defence Of
the Mayors course after the shooting
The action Of the crowd Of people who
haI'posscsson OF the body OF Smith after
he was lynched. and whose demonstra-
lions about the Mayors house were only
stopped after urgent appeals. seems to
confirm absolutely the general view as 10
zho danger which threatened the Mayors
life.
There can lie no doubt OF the Mayors
courage. Nor does he seek any excuse
Cor lis conduct beyond that which goes
with the bare statement Of facts.
II is clear there can be no full and
satisfactory Investigation OF the affair at
The JAN. unless Mayor Trout ana other
officers who are now fugitives are given
hearing. We would like TO see the peo-
Jle Of Roanoke offer them that oppor-
tunity. To do this the first step must be
10 invite the fugltives 10 return TO Roa-
noke, with such assurance OF safety as
Will warrant them In accepting the offer.
Surely the good people Of Roanoke do
not mean TO cxpatriatc these gentlemen.
ar they do-whoA we find hard 10 be
lieve-we imagine that they will learn
that Neither public opinion nor the au-
Shoritics 'of Virginia will countenance it,
With each passing day We shall expect
70 See better and better feeling pre-
gailina at Roanoke. We DO not know that
Mr. Trout. Captain Bird and their asso-
sfatos IN this unfortunate affair will caro-
permanently TO resume their residence IN
that city-it may be that they win not
but for any set Of men 10 say that they.
ar any Of them, shall not live in Roa-
noke. is to say what the laws of Virginia
DO not permit them to say.
That Mayor Trout made mistakes IN
The management Of the affair is more than
likely; but We feel sure that those mis-
takes were errors Of judgment born Of
the excitement Of the moment, and pro
coeded from no spirit which was not
laudable. We think that the Mayor erred
in not relying more than he did upon mis-
police force. IL seems that hc had twelve
policemen at the Jail, and It might have
been that IL these had been boldly de
ployed into the street with drawn pistols.
they could have dispersed the crowd with
out firing a shot If this course had been
taken and had failed, then there would
have been surer ground for the use OF
The military. 1t seems that the soldiers
were jeered at by the mob from the first.
Their youthful appearance subjected them
10 gibes. which must have CALLED them
Very much indeed.
Mayor Trout is now in Richmond. lie
Is suffering with a painful wound, ana IS
worn down with anxiety and distress of
mind. lie has suffered much.
II he should resolve that 1t is his duty
10 return TO Roanoke and resume the
duties of his Office at an early date,
rather than wait for an invitation from
lhe people of that community, 1t will be
come the duty of the Governor of this
Commonwealth to see that he is protected
in his person. and upheld In his authority.
II this be not done. popular respect for the
majesty OF the law-one Of whose repre- |
rentatives he is-will receive heavier |
blow than any 1t has ever received IN |
Virginia,
knowing something of Mayor Trouts |
character. We do not doubt that he would |
Joyfully welcome fair investigation of |
his conduct but no such investigation can |
be made in his absence.
''The absent are always I'm the wrong
Il a saying which applies here.