Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-05-15
JUDGE MIGRANTS ACTIONS.

Tue action of Judge JoHN II INGRAM
in setting aside the verdict os the jury
in the case OF WESLEY MAYO will merit
the approval OF tustice-lovirg people |
everywhere. There never was enough |
suspicion in the case to warrant even |
an arrest, much less conviction, and |
the absurdity of the charge was so
manifest that we wondered why the
plaintiff was not laughed out OF
court )"
We should like to know the history
that LowRIE family, if it ever had a
history.
Judge INGRAN's review OF the case is
convincing and while disclsiming any
such int ntion places the jury in even
more miserab plight than did our
remarks upon the same subject
The public will wonder how a set Of
twelve men could be secured in any
community. who would swear to rem
der a verdict in accordance with the
law and the evidence and then permit
the sentiment OF the prejudiced to so
influence them as to send s-Negro to
the penitentiary for ten years, simply
because he is Negro.
The names of that jury will consti-
cute monument to the injustice of
their verdict, and mark them as one of
the most remarkable body of men ever
sailed into a courtroom.
But WESLEY Mayo WAS either inuO-
cent or guilty. He deserves either
freedom or punishment, aud his con
finement in Jail under bond require
nent OF one thousand dollars, in our
. judgement is as cruel as it is unnece s.
ssry.
He has been forced TO employ coun-
sci. He has been confined in Jail. he
: has been subjected to all OF the terrors
which a threatened lynching convey
: He has seen his wife and little ones
want for bread. He has been sick, as
it was established in court that he il
not we'll man. Hehas been labelled
as desperate character. when he j:
not. He has had his opportunities fol
workto disappear. and he is now Is.
= boring under the ignomy of convic-
ton. which courageous judge has SCI
asi lie. What more punishment would
YOU visit upon WESLEY Mayo?
Shall the decree OF the prejudiced o
the stripe of the men who constitute,
that jury prevail? Shall Virginia. b.
further disgraced and her laws mad
, ridiculous by his further incarceration
within the walls OF prison
We hope not. Judge INGRAM, thi
mans family need his aid and support
This man never intended to commi
the crime alleged against him. Whit
:, citizens have applauded you in you
attempt to fearlessly discharge you
, duty. Colored men have approve,
= your rovrsein Carrying out che man
dates of the law as placed before you
You nor the community in which 20
= live will have any trouble with WRsLE
MAYO
But, we rest the matter mere. VIII
should we plead the cause of the or
pressed in Manchester Messrs. WIS
and GARNET are the able counsel. VIII
should we ask for the release of ma
who has proven his innocence. VIII
>. should we call attention to the prime
!. pies of eternal justice or remind I'll
officials of the solemnity OF the tomb
They have their Bibles md their mir
listers Of the gospel, and their houses
IN worship, and the lessons of every da
&c life.
ne They know that the colored man h,
&c a soul, like unto theirs and that I'll
III cries of the children for bread awake
a reverberation within the confines
MAYo's lonely cell
al The scales will fall from their eye
at an awakening will come and patriot
L white citizens will take up and adv
he cate our cause, when all is dark al
'st hopeless and the end appears to |
of near.
Iy TIE Manchester prison is no place Fl
WESLEY MAYO. One thousand dolla
should not be bar to his libert
AN What will be done in the premises.
to Judge INGRAM has made long strit
by in the direction of equity. A few ste
So remain between his present stand al
ed complete realization of MAYo's hop
d. What will the answer be? Liberty
slavery? Freedom or confinemeI
Tiil Judge INGRAM is the master of the .
ok uation.
lr- Shall MAYO go free or shall he la
guish dreary year within the gloor
ew confines of the prison?
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