The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-05

PEELED TO disclose his intentions. not TO
one man. a. now. but 10 the Judges.
clerks. and all the special constables
present.
Taking everything into consideration. do
not tho advantages Of the existing pro-
VISION outweigh tho advantages OF tho
proposed amendment With one consta-
bic. there Is only possible dishonesty In
the preparation Of the ballots OF the H.
hteratc and blind. with more than one
constable, there * certain destruction OF
the SECRECY of the ballot or a disclosure
perhaps. ,en-fold greater than now. and
a renewal OF tho evils OF intimidation.
money corruption. and undue class and
race influences. No law can be absolute
~ perfect No law can render fraud. cor
rnPuon or dishonesty absolutely impossi-
Die. All that can be done is to exclude
a Tar as may be. the opportunities for
'he preparation Of wrong. and impose
heaNN penalties for violations. In my
opinion. the Walton act. in its general
scope. approNimatcs the object desired
OF tair and honest elections. and free,
untrainmelled and unpurchascd expression
OF INC viii Of the people a dishonest
ana corrupt constable may occasionally
be found under the existing system. but,
on inc other hand. the proposed amend
ment would make the purchase. intimi-
dalton, and improper influence OF voters
easy ana certain. and require the Hitter
ate and blind voter TO impart his secret
TO all present in the polling-place
III am wrong in my conclusions, and
you should determine that the number
OF special Constables should be increased,
1 shall cheerfuly yield 20 your Judg
ment, for no man more earnestly fayors
fair and honest elections than myself
l recommend such amendments as may
be necessary 10 relieve the act OF uncer-
tainties I'm its construction. l recon-
mend that II be so amended as 10 require
the ballots ia each county and city to
be OF uniform size and style. printed IN
plain and uniform type. so they can be
easily read by those acquainted with the
English language.
LYNCHING.
With pain and modification / bring 10
your attention the frequent taking of hu-
man life without due process or law
within the borders Of our State. Every
such act blunts the scusibilities OF the
participants. and tends 10 dry up the
well-sprngs Of morality and break down
the safeguards OF society. In Virginia
lynchine cannot be defended. II must be
reprobated. This Commonwealth has ever
boosted OF the purity OF her judiciary
and the uprightncss OF her juries yet
the number who have suffered death by
the halter. without trials or sentences OF
her tribunals OF justice. has created
abroad the impression that her judges
and juries cannot be trusted. or that her
people are swayed by passion and uncon-
trolled by reason: that here law is de-
throned and lawlcssness reigns.
l know there is crime too horrible
TO mention. so black as TO cry for YER
geance. but even the commission of that
crime cannot warrant resort TO mob
violence. for justice with us is certain,
and will never miscarry. If the law is
allowed 10 take its course.
But lYnching has not been confined by
any means 10 such cases. for an the last
fifteen years only about one-thirl of those
iynched have met their deaths upon
charges of actual and attempted commits
executions without the pale of the law is
long. including both races, ana, while
some other states have lists of greater
length. this cannot excuse us. We can
not be justified in the sight of God CT
man by pleading that some other people
are worse han ourselves.
! invoke with emphasis the exercise Cf
your power in stamping out the spirit
which Is bringing reproach upon the hon
orcd name Of this Commonwealth. CHRIS
tisnity demands IL. public morality re-
Quiros It. popular sentiment exacts 1t.
recommend the passage of an act re-
Quiring every county or city TO pay into
the Treasury of the State, Tor the benefit
OF the public free school fund, the sum
OF $3.50 for each thousand OF its population,
not exceeding $1,000. for every lynching
which may occur within its limits, The
same TO bee provided for in it's next an
nual levy.
1 further recommend that the expense
the military If called out 10y the shcr-
Il Of any county or the mayor of Dry
.ity. 10 protect a prisoner threatened Win
violence, shall be refunded 10 the State
y said county or city out Of its next
annual levy.
] further recommend that IF any sher-
in. jailor. sergeant constable. 81 other Of
ficer. having IN custody prisoner, shall
permit said prisoner to be taken nOm
his custody without eNhausting all means
m his power 10 prevent IL, me shall De
summarily suspended from office by The
court I'M which hc qualified. until a motion
TO remove him shall be- heard and deer
mined hy a jury
] further recommend that right of 1c-
ton for damages be- given to the prisoner
taken from custody as aforesaid. If liv-
ing-if dead. TO his widow. II he leave one.
If not. 10 his heirs-against the officer
from whom the prisoner was taken. on
his official bond. and that upon the trial
OF the motion 10 remove said officer, or Of
the suit for damages. the burden shall DE
upon said officer TO prove that he eX-
hausted all means in his power to prevent
the taking OF the prisoner from his custO-
Jy.
/ further recommend that the penalty
for rape. or attempted rape. shall IN
every case bee death. and that IN indict-
ment for either offence shall have nre-
gfl 4f he
Il OF the court in which the indictment
is pending.
IL my opinion Il an act embodying
such provisions Is passed lynchings will
no longer occur in Virginia.
USE OF MILITARY
During the last two years the military
has been ordered into service upon the
calls OF the sheriff TO protect prisoners
threatened with violence in The counties
Of Prince William. Augusta. Frederick.
Clarke. Luncnburg. and Albemarle. and
the timely presence of troops has had
the effect OF preventing mob violence and
giving Virginia a clean record. 50 far as
lynching is concerned, for the years Cf
1894 and 1895. II any are disposed 20 pat a
monetary price on law and order l VIII
say for their benefit that the entire cost
Of fhc military on these several occa-
sions was less than two cents on the
thousand dollars Of the taxable property
Of the State.
Besides. the use of tho military I'm pro-
tecting persons charged with crimes and
securing for them fair trials. IL was call
Cd into service at Pocahontas Tazewell
county. when a breach Of the peace AID
mob violence were threatened 10y a large
body OF non-residents OF the State. Last
.pring the miners an the ElkhCrn region
of West Virginia went out on a 1tiike.