The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-05-06
70 pRsyENr LYNCH Law.
A Subscriber Suggests Remedy Tor 'h'
Great Evil.

t,ai,o- Times: Some months ago an
.naaI ras made through the columns
~ the Dispatch, l think, to the lawyers
~ tho state for remedies 10 prevent
Ivnch law. None Of those suggested
seem to have borne fruit, at all events
our recent legislature adjourned with
out any action upon the subject. The
writer Is only a layman, but he has
long had an idea, which II built upon'
would result In good on this line. Brief
~. 1t Is this: When an outrage Of an
open or aggravated character OCCURS
such, for instance, as the one at Staun-
ton, let ii be the duty Of any officer OF
the State, county, or town to go to the
nearest telegraph office and inform the
Governor. Let the Governor be empow-
cred to order one OF the judges of the
State to the spot at once and tell the
people he is there to try the prisoner
tust as soon as they are satished they
have the evidence necessary TO convict
him. Tell them II they are AFRAID OF
his escape he will put guard AROUND
the sail. All he wants is the right man
and the proof of his guilt. 1t is not the
thirst for blood that prompts the people
on such occasions. II is sympathy for
the dead or the outraged, and the rear
OF delay and the technicalities OF the
law that prompts lynch law. When out
RACES occur men feel that something
must be done, and done quickly as
protection and d deterrent OF othef
crimes. No people on earth nave
greater respect for their judges and the
law than ours and no matter how high
feeling may run If It was known that
a fudge was coming 10 try the prisoner
the cool minded and conservative ele-
ment of the crowd would prevail. Men
in our country do not court the response
biiity of taking a fellow creatures lie.
II ie a tickish business 10 have ones
Gngers tInged with a hangman's rope.
Quick action, quick Justice is what they
want at the hands OF the officers Of
the law This assured. and the horrible
practice would stop.
Another suggestion IS that in cases or
assault, che woman who has already
suffered enough ought not To be sub
tected 10 tho torture Of a recital OF the
matter I'm open court. Another is that
in Outrageous cases. where judge Lynch
would act. the condemned ought 20 be
allowed one-half the time now given for
his execution.
IT has been the writer's fortune To live
I'm a town where five or six lynchings
have occurred. In the first instance the
Governor was appealed 80 for speedy
trial for the prisoner lie preferred 10
wait until the regular term Of the court
As soon as this was known judge Lynch
took the prisoner from jail and dealt
with him at once. After one Of these
occurrences the Generalization in the
minds of all thoughtful people Is most
frightful and appalling. Whilst the
criminal may have gotten but his due
and the innocent avenged, yet all sense
of safety and security have gone. Es-
pecally does a man with "A family feel
that his shield OF protection has been
taken away. a sensible man who has
breathed the atmosphere Of lynching
town never forgets t. We have read
some very cutting editorials in The
Times in denunciation Of lynchers and
lynch law, but you were right. Nothing
can be more dangerous and demoralizing
to a people than lynch law. Try my rem
edies; they are simple and cost but
little.
SUBSCRIBER.