The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-09-03

IL is gratifying to know that the statute
law of the state of Georgia is to obtain in
the case of Ii. S. Perry, the murderer Of
Belly Lanier, in-tead of the so-called "un-
written law" which has been much ex-
plotted of late 10 the detriment of com
munities, if not indeed to our whole civ
ilization. 1t is even possible to excuse the
melo-dramatic situations which have late
ly been permitted at the capitol. growing
out of the case, since there is finally to be
a vlndication of law and justice
During the tendency of the case, and
while it was in the governors hands. we
refrained from expressing an opinion upon
the merits Of it. We do not believe in
trial by newspaper. But since the adjudi-
cation has been completed, and the gov
ernor has passed upon the application for
executive clemency. we have no hesitation
in saying that Perry's crime was one of
the most unmitigated and cold blooded
murders that has come under our notice
for a long time, and that il richly de-
serves expiahon upon the gallows.
Lanier was a young theological student,
and boarded at Perry's house for time.
He was, according TO the testimony, an
exemplary young man. He may have been
a little unsophisticated, and too ardent an
advocate of reform in morals, but that
was nothing against him. He was never
suspected or accused of having himself
been immoral, until after he was dead and
could not defend himself; and then his
character was most foully traduced in or
a
deserts. Lanier, il seems, had found that
Perry was leading an immoral life, and
gave information OF the fact to Perrys
wife The act may have been foolish, but
it was the act of an honest and pure man;
and it cost Lanier his life. Perry it
seems became angered, and putting pis
toll in his pocket, started out to revenge
himself upon the man who had tod on
him." Lanier learning Of Perry's feel
ings towards him, tried to keep out of the
way but Perry bounded him down and
shot him to death; shot him in the back
as he was running away 20 avoid trouble,
Perry claimed, after the young man $
death, .thet he had acted in defense of the
honor of his household. The facts appear
TO be that he is just about
such defender of honor" as
was the man recently pardoned
by the republican governor Atkinson of
West Virginia, since it transpires that
even while his faithful wife was making
spectacle of herself in the office of the
governor trying to save his life, Perry
at the Jail was receiving visits from the
woman of the town with whom he had
+ become infatuated, and concerning his in
Umacy with whom Lanier had informed
Mrs. Perry, which led to the murder. Aft
er Perrys sentence, under stress of the
circumstances the unfortunate wife went
to the governor with a piufu story in
volving her own shame and dragging the
good name of the unfortunate Lanier into
the deepest disgrace. The woman's self
sacrifice to save her husband
was heroic. but it was not admirable. The
governor permitted the melo-drama to be
dragged out TO a length that was positive
| ly distressing but in the end he deter
mined that the law should take its course:
4 hence. as said before, much will be for
given.
The execution OF Perry viii prove the
fasty Of the charge that white man
cannot be hanged in Georgia, no matter
what his crime. Perry is not only white.
but is well-to-do; but his color and his
property and his influence will not serve
to save him from the wrath of the out
ragged Jaw,