The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-03-12
rre,.ryl,,s die Law. Majesty.

| . ; p. z. +
The state administration In West vir-
glnia Is setting good example that
might well be followed by those Of other
states. Governor Atkinson is DETER
mined to put stop to unlawful hang
ings and other sorts of lawiessness in the
state II 1t takes all the power of the ad-
min.strat!on, and then some. While
the state Is comparatively free from
lynchings. and few criminals so unpun-
ished, the complaint being less common
than in any other so-called southern
state. there seems to be q determination
that there shall be none whatever.
Governor Atkinson's latest move on
this line is under unusual circumstances,
and shows firm intention to vindicate
the law. While 1t is regrettable that
there should be an occasion that makes
1t necessary for the governor of the state
to call the attention Of county authors
ties to their neglect of duty, the fact that
he has done so cannot fall 10 have a
good effect which vii! result In preserv-
Ing the good name OF West Virginia,
and in serving notice on all public off,
GERS that violations of law must not be
overlooked.
Recently, in Mercer county, lynch
ing occurred, the participants in which
have not yet been brough. to justice,
and later, the cold blooded murder OF a
woman. for which no arrest had been
made for some time. although the MUIR
derer was known. A correspondence
passed between the assistant prosecu-
ting attorney OF the county, and Attor-
| ney General Rucker on the subject, in
which the latter stated that the COVER
nor had authorized him to offer q re-
ward for the parties engaged in the
Branwell lynching, and for the butcher
named Truman. who shot down in cold
blood a colored woman. who was trying
to make peace between him and her hus-
band during a dispute. The prosecuting
attorney stated that the officers made no
attempt to arrest Truman although they
talked with him about the killing. one Of
them having warrant for his arrest in
his pocket.
These matters were brought TO Cover
nor Atklnsons attention, and he de-
Glazed the cases to be unprecedented.
In one instance colored man killed a
white man and the officers permitted
him to be lynched by mob, in. the
other white man Shot down an inof-
fensive colorcd woman and no attempt
was made to arrest him. Evidently
there wds something wrong wish the
officers of the law. West Virginia has
not been noted for such laxity in enforc-
ing the law, and the governor does not
intend that she shall gain,such a repu-'
tatIon II he can help it.
General Fuckers letter to the assist
ant prosecuting attorney, who Is doing
his best 10 uphold the Law, was strong
arraignment Of the Mercer county au-
thorities who have neglected their duty.
and in writing to the attorney general
Governor Atkinson. said among Other
things:
Nothing Is so ruinous TO the reputation
OF state as lyRchlnSs. There Is no need
| OF theme. They are wrong In principle, and
| should not be tolerated. promise you my
| earnest efforts to aid you In prosecuting;
the men who recently took tho law In their
nNFI L.
vigorously punished. and commend your
| zeal In seeing that our law against crimes
| OF this character Is vigorously enforced.
| II you desire II. l will offer reward for
the apprehension and conviction of tho
| lynchers.
The murder OF n coiored woman by one
Truman, white man, Is appalling. II the
facts are rs represGnted-und I cannot
doubt their corrcctness-no palms should
| be spared by the county and state authors
| ties 10 bring him to speedy trial. II
amaZcS me to learn that n brutal murder,
such as you detail to me. should take place
| In one Of tho counties OF our state, and yet
no effort be made to arrest tho murderer.
| II you desire 1t, will also offer n reward
| for the arrest and conviction Of Truman.
| West Virginia IL n FREQ country. and Is
inhabited by free people. II n white man
kills a negro. he should be prosecuted. In
| the enforcement OF the laws of this state
] shall recognize neither condition nor
race.
This Is the right sort OF talk, and not
only may the officers to whom 1t has
special reference take II as representing
the sentiment OF the people OF the state,
but ull others who are neglectful OF
their duties IN such matters, II there are
any. The two incidents referred TO In
the governors letter were dissraccful In
the extreme. 1t should not be necessary
for the Executive OF the state to be COM
PEELED to take the action which ne has
taken. Tho IntellIscncer does not be-
lleve that the good people OF Mercer
county are to blame, any further than
they may be responsible for electing
such officials 10 Office. and we DO be-
lieve that they win uphold the admins
trltion In Its efforts to administer a
wholesome lesson 70 those who are In
different TO i!ielr oaths to execute the
law.
Happily. such matters arc very rare In
West Virginia. and tho whole state will
applaud tho governor In hts determina-