New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-07
REWARD OF POPULARITY.


Mr.. Enoch J. Jones, of Fayette County. Ga.
Is n popular man. He has been member OF
the Legislature and is well known in his State
He enjoys the favor Of the people. and the "'her
day .hey offered him characteristic testimonial
of their regard Time was when popnlarit!
was rewarded by high public office In country
districts surprise parties were customary wa!
of showing friendlinass Theatre troupes and
baseball mines have been known to give eNhp
ton performances in honor of general favor
ties The Gcorgians have adapted the idea 10
their own peculiar pastime and devised-by
strictly logical Development it must he con
fessed-what is nevertheless novel manifesto
ton of popular esteem.
According to kilograms from Atlanta. Mr.
Jones had some trouble with his WIFE, ana TIE
ladv's temper evidently got the best OF her. so
that she produced a shotgun for aid III her neat
ed argument. Now. of course, that was wrong
and it became necessary for the servants Vi
peace-lovinc people to lodge Mrs. Jones in JAIL
The affair would have passed on tameiy enough
except for Mr.. Joncs's popularity. Inc clliHehs
naturally felt sorrow for Mr. Jones in his ram
ilv troubles and determined to cheer MN up
They didn't have ball nine Mandy anu '"e
GOLF links were out Of condition, but all the po!s
were in prime condition to give nrstciasS
| lynchipg party. and ms the telegram s'a'es'
| determined effort to lynch Mrs. Jones on the
might of the assault was frustrated only u!
"the promptness OF the Sheriff in bringing her
"out of the place" This pernicious pronp'heSs
of the Sheriff to interfere with popular ceiepra
tions will doubtless meet adequate reproof at
the next election.
They manage public games better IN Neh
lucky A few days ago churlish negro op'
iected to being the corpse for lynching part!
which came TO his house AT night WIN an III
vitatlon, and contrary to the rules or the game
furnished corpse from the number OF the
callers \ court has promptly sentenced 'hiS
unsporsmanlike person to seven years i'll the
nenitentiary. aud he has only been kept from
being the centre Of attraction in new game
bv the otficous conduct of Governor Bradey's
militia. In Louisiana, al last accounts spor,
| ing blood is q little sluggish. On the Fourth
Louis. Durant, q Justice Of the Peace-one OF
those representative citizens who are always
ready TO avenge the wrongs Of women by hang
ing negroes-dctermined to kill young woman
who would not marry him. He got ratified IN
the dar,, and killed her sister. A disposition to
lynch him was shown. hut weakly abandoned
bocause some of his friends did rot want to
game Is what counts We mention these cases
merely 10 show that the South was libelled by
those lawyers at the Georgia Bar Association
meeting who sought to degrade lynching 10 mere
defence Of women from negroes. Doubtless the
game is played when suitable negro VICTIMS
offer. but be il understood, that Is only to Keep
the players in practice Just as In medicine
students dissect any kind of dead body be-
fore working on living ones. and just as hunt-
ers chase anise-seed bags when foxes are not
to be had, so good lynchers have to exercise
themselves on negroes. The country does not
furnish them enough other exciting sport But
give them a ghost Of chance, and they are
always ready to join in a game on higher
level Notice the report Of crimes, and see how
much a matter Of course 1t Is for the reporters
70 conclude their account Of every shooting or
robbery with the remark that a lynching Is con-
templated. and be sure that the pastime has not
deceneratcd TO base ut.tarlanism The ANA
teur standard is maintained and there Is no
better test of popularity for any man than an
offer to play game for his benefit. What more
could any community do for nelshbor than
| offer TO lynch his wife.