The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-06-11

is inexcusa5le- The best way to suppress
that end every means should be en-
ployed- If necessary 10 use force. then
force should be used
Protection of society demands that all
law-abiding citizens condemn lynching al
all times and under ali circumstances
10 my mind no atrocity could be suffi-
GENTLY great to excuse mob violence.
The best way to suppress lynching is to
execute the existing laws for the prosecu-
ton OF criminals. and thereby create
respect for the law in the minds of the
people Vigorous prosecution of particle
pants in such outrageous exhibitions as
me one az Orbana. O., should be made TO
rid the country of the odium attaching
to such actions.
| do not think there is ever sufficient
provocation for 2 lynching. The law
should be allowed 10 take its course. The
great danger IS that lynching for one
offense. when ignored. leads to similar
executions for smaller and les heinous
crimes.
Governor Russell, North Carolina: The
way TO end lynch law is to remove the
excuse for it. 1t IS justification TO
say, what IS rot denied, that IN many
cases the victims deserve what they get
barbarian brutes who commit nameless
crimes must be killed. and killed quick.
But let II be done under the forms of law.
Let tnere be none of the laws delay.
Give the executive power TO call a court
instanter and order a judge by telegraph
TO the county of the crime. Try the Grim
the ao9ellate court on the shortest pos
sioie nose: send down the judgment and
in Mabt VI, perform its mandates.
down. None of them is innocent. Law
less mobs must be made to know that
this IS land of law.
Governor Rloxham. Florida: I.vnching
outrages justice, tramples upon society
destroys confidence III officials, familiar
ICES the public with brutality. results in
murder and accomplishes no beneficial
results. There can be no excuse for It in
civilized communities with established
The best remedy is a prompt and vigor-
GUS enforcement of law. backed bv
healthy public sentiment.
Governor Stephens Missouri: In my
opinion the law should be strong enough
10 prevent lynching in providing adequate
punishment for all crimes. especially
nose which invade the sanctity of the
nome. ana that law should be promptly
ana vigorously enforced. In addition ev-
cry state constitution should contain a
provision authorizing a change of venue
upon the states application and another
provision authorizing the finding of an
Indictment by the grand jury in any
county OF the state. Thus. if the grand
JU-f u t-tc equity lQQlcleQ the Ddrtlcl-
pants in a lynching, the state could
change the venue to a county where con-
vtct.onS would be possible freed from
local preJudices and influences, and il the
local grand jury refused to indict then
I the grand jury of any other county could
i-,dict and the participants be tried and
punished. regret the fearful outrage at
Urbana, and ii only goes TO show that
such crimes can be committed in other
than southern states.
Governor M'Laurin, Mississippi: 1
have no hesitancy in saving that | am
opposed to lynch law. 1t is a species of
iaylessness that sets at defiance the
VIII and authority of the people as an
terror to lawbreakers. it is not neces-
sarily shield protection to the
obedient- 1t is controlled by passion and
fury, and not by judgment and justice
1t does not know when or where to stop
Possibly there are cases where il works
benefits. but it is a dangerous expert
ment in every instance. There is no
odium attaching to the country from
lynch law any more than from other
heinous crimes. What odium there is at
taches TO the individuals participating
The particular section is culpable or not.
as it attempts to prevent the crime or
punish the criminals.
Governor O'Ferrall. Virginia: 1 con-
denim and denounce lynching in any state
IL this Union. Wherever there are ade-
cuate laws for the punishment of crime,
and judges and juries who will enforce
them. there can be no justification. The
mob undertakes to mete out punishment
TO offenders by becoming offenders them
selves; they show their detestation of
crime by committing crime themselves.
You ask what is the remedy. Hold law
officers to a strict accountability and
sustain them, whenever necessary, with
soldiers who will do their duty fearlessly.
If any of the mob are hurt. it will be be-
cause they wero attempting to break
down law and order and defy legal
authority. If innocent men are injured.
Il will be because they were out of
place.
In addition. punish lynchers, and in
order to do so provide for a change of
venue. Then let the press of the country
exert itself to make lynching so odious
that no community will attempt it.
Governor Ramsdell New Hampshire:
1 think circumstances may arise under
which the exercise of lynch law is war
rantable.
The prompt and vigorous enforcement
of the statute law is the best way to
suppress lynch law.
Governor Powers, Maine: The frequent
lynchings in this country are a dis
grace to our civilization. Where the
courts are open and justice and punish
ment certain, as in Ohio. there can be
no pretense or excuse for violence.
Every person engaged in the lynching
at Urbana should be promptly tried and !
convicted of murder. Laws should be
passed giving the state the right to a
change of venue in all cases of lynching,