The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-12-03
GOV. JOHNSTON OF ALABAMA.

The inaugural address OF Governor
Johnston, Of Alabama. contains several
practical suggestions. which are worthy
Of study, not only 10y the people Of Ala
bama, but by the people Of other States.
particularly of the South
His first recommendation is that the
registration law be entirely repealed, oX-
cept in cities Of more than 5000 inhabi-
tants. and i'm predicts where the residence
OF the voter IS more or less transitory
In the country precincts" he adds, "the
great body of voters are well-known 10
the inspectors. and the danger OF Illegal
voting is so small that it does not jus
tify the time lost or expense Of registra-
ton"
On general principles. II ought 10 be
the aim of the law TO make voting as
easy as possible. and to encourage every
qualified voter TO cast his ballot AT every
election. That is model republic I'm
which al the people. being competent and
worthy to vote. shall take part in the
elections.
Just how far the law requiring regis
tration could De limited IN its application
we shall not pretend to say. But We
agree with Governor Johnston in saying
that the law should be repealed as to all
precincts where IL is not necessary TO
prevent fraudulent voting or frivolous
challenging.
Governor Johnston next observation is
this:
THE secrecy Of the ballot should be
preserved. and more rigid laws enacted
TO prevent corporations or others cm-
plOying large numbers Of men from CO.
crcing the will of their employs. No
greater danger can threaten free gov
eminent than the corruption or coercion
Of voters 10y those who hold temporary
authority over them. and no laws can be
too rigid in inhictng just punishment
upon those who would take advantage
of their authority to prevent am honest
expression Of the viii Of the voter
Though there is nothing new In this, it
is none the less important and We re-
produce it by way Of emphasizing the
fact that The Times is as much opposed
as any 10 the coercion or corruption of
voters by corporations. individuals OF
politicians who crack the party whip over
the heads Of those who are constrained
against their will by party regularity
The Times is for honest elections, abso-
lutely free from all sorts Of coercion
or party intimidation
In the third place Governor Johnston
urges his people TO set their faces against
such law. on this point he says:
"Where the administration Of the law
is wholly within the grasp Of the best
citizens Of the State; where the sympathies
Of judge and jury are entirely on the
side of victims of brutal lust. 40 eN-
cusc justifcs the spirit that would over
ride the orderly administration of justice.
"All Of us understand how difficult 10 is
10 restrain the passion and indignation
that arouse the hot blood Of relatives and
friend to visit summary punishment upon
those who commit the most hcinOus and
unforgiving crime against society. hut
our people must be made 10 understand
that the proper way 20 punish these
and all other crimes is by the law OF
the land. The danger Of inflicting pun
iehment upon the innocent when passion
and not reason holds the scales is so
great that an good citizens should re-
press their Just indignation and aid i'm
preserving peace and enforcing the laws
Of the land. which are surely OF sufficient
severity
81 earnestly appeal 10 all the good pco-
pie of the State 10 unite with us IN the
resolve that during this administration
not single lynching shall occur. 7 sug-
gcst that authority be given the Governor
to can special term Of the court and
have speedy investigation and trial on
...f... H..
committed calculated to arouse great pub
Die Indignation"
The Times has always taken q stand
against lynch law: no matter what the
offence: not merely because In the heat
of passion the innocent may suffer death.
hut because lawlessnoss is always de-
moralizing. Whenever the people take
the law i'm their own hands. they always
rally the lawlcss element. and give en-
couragemcnt ~ them 20 acts OF violence.
which too often have not the prctence
Of Justification. Notice il when you will.
and you will find that one act Of open
lawlessncss in a given community is al
most sure to be followed in quick sue
cesson by others.
Governor Johnston can do much TO
prevent lynch law There hasn't been
a lynching in Virginia during Governor
O'Ferralls administration. and it is but
just to him TO say that the good order In
the State since he took his chair is largely
due TO his watchfulness and 10 his de-
termination repeatedly expressed. 10 up
hold the law an all hazard and al what
ever cost.